SE543859C2

SE543859C2 - Blank configured to be erected to form a stackable box and such a box

Info

Publication number: SE543859C2
Application number: SE1951424A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Nathalie Öberg
Original assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2019-12-10
Publication date: 2021-08-17
Also published as: EP4072952A4; EP4072952A1; SE1951424A1; WO2021116848A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a blank (1) configured to be erected to form a box configured to be capable of being stackable and to such a box, the box respectively the blank (1) comprising: a bottom panel (10), two end wall panels (21, 22) on each side longitudinal side of the bottom panel (10) being configured to be folded into a double-walled end wall, two side wall panels (31) on each transversal side of the bottom panel, supporting panels (40) foldably connected to the side wall panels (31), top panels (51) foldably connected to the side wall panels (31), and a locking panel (52) provided at each end of the top panels (51), wherein the top panel (51) is configured to form a platform at the top of the box in each corner formed by the side wall panel (31) and the double-walled end wall, the locking panel (52) and the supporting panel (40) becomes locked in their positions between the end walls (21, 22) when the blank (1) is erected into said box.

Description

BLANK CONFIGURED TO BE ERECTED TO FORM A STACKABLEBOX AND SUCH A BOX Field of invention The present invention relates to a blank configured to be erected to form a box.The box is configured to be capable of being stackable. The invention furtherrelates to a box configured to be capable of being stackable.

Technical background Storing different kinds of products, such as food, in boxes is useful in anumber of aspects, not at least during transporting and for maintaining tidystocks. There are various kinds of storage boxes presently used. They come invarious shapes, sizes and materials. Although storage boxes made of stiffmaterial, such as moulded plastic boxes, typically are robust, they tend tooccupy a large space when not in use, often being heavy when fully loaded andalso often making use of large amounts of material. On the other hand, storageboxes made of soft or light material, such as boxed formed by folding paper-based blanks, often requires specific measurements to provide sufficientstability, especially to allow such storage boxes to be stacked.

From a manufacturing and user perspective, the box preferably has tofulfil the design criteria of making efficient use of material, being possible totransport as a flat-laid blank, being easy to erect to form a box and forming abox being stable when stacked and carried. Preferably, this should beaccomplished without necessitating the use of any adhesive.

Examples of boxes formed by folding a blank are disclosed inES 1005230 U, GB 2276612 A1 and EP 0394549 B1.

ES 1005230 U attempts to address the above criteria with a box formedby folding a paper-based blank. The corners and the walls have beenreinforced. The walls are folded such that all the walls comprise a two-layermaterial. The corners are reinforced by providing additional panels on the endwall being configured to form the inside of the double-walled end walls. The 2 additional panels are configured to be tucked in between the panels of thedouble-walled side walls and extend alongside the side wall and also to form atriangle shaped vacant spaces at each corner of the box. This invention makesuse of large amount of material since all the walls are two-layered in order tosecurely keep the additional panels in place. Moreover, the triangle shapedvacant spaces at the corners reduce the available storage space. Furthermore,the triangle shaped vacant spaces make trap dirt and/or product debris which isundesirable from a hygienic perspective.

GB 2276612 A1 discloses a box with reinforced stacking tabs formedfrom the unitary blank and erected when the box is configured. The stacking tabis positioned on the upper edge of the box and the aperture is placed at thebottom of the base of the box. The reinforced stacking tab will give guidance toencourage the box of being stacked. The stacking tab will also avoid horizontalmovements of two boxes relative each other without separate them lifting onebox up and away. However, the stacking tabs may unintentionally be caught byother surrounding items, such as gloves worn by storemen, other storageboxes, etc. Moreover, the provision of stacking tabs and apertures necessitatethat all the packages have such features. Moreover, the design of the blankmakes the box complicated to fold into a box.

EP 0394549 B1 discloses a foldable box made of a flat-laid cardboardblank. The box is erected using glue to attach corner panels outside the cornersand to attach reinforcing hollow corners support. Necessitating the use of glue isfor many applications not satisfactory, since it requires that the blank is erectedwhere there is access to a glue gun and it typically makes it difficult to un-foldthe box for subsequent recycling.

None of the prior art document discloses a blank configured to beerected to form a box or a box than can be formed from a blank that adequatelyaddresses the design criteria concerning making efficient use of material, beingpossible to transport as a flat-laid blank, being easy to erect to form a box andforming a stable box.

Summary of inventionThe object of the invention is to provide a design that adequately addresses the design criteria concerning making efficient use of material, beingpossible to transport as a flat-laid blank , being easy to erect to form a box andforming a stable box.

This object has been achieved by a blank configured to be erected intoa box. The box is configured to be capable of being stackable. The blankcomprises: a bottom panel, a first end wall panel and a second end wall panel on each side of thebottom panel, the first and second end wall panels being foldably connected toeach other and arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction as seen ina flat-laid state of the blank, the first and second end wall panels beingconfigured to be folded into a double-walled end wall, two opposing side wall panels foldably connected to a respectivetransversal side of the bottom panel, four supporting panels being foldably connected to a respectivelongitudinal side of the respective wall panel and being configured to bepositioned between the first and second end wall panels when the blank iserected into said box, characterised in that the blank further comprises: one or more top panels foldably connected to respective transversalside of each side wall panel opposite a respective connection between therespective side wall panel and the bottom panel, a locking panel provided at each longitudinal end of said one or moretop panels connected to respective side wall, each locking panel being foldablyconnected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of the top panel when theblank is seen in the flat-laid state, the locking panel being configured to bepositioned between the first and second end wall panels when the blank iserected into said box, wherein the top panel is configured to form a platform at the top of theerected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel and 4 the respective double-walled end walls formed by the first and second end wallpanels at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel, the first end wallpanel being folded relative to the second end panel such that the respectivelocking panel and the respective supporting panel becomes locked in theirrespective position between the first end wall panel and the second end wallpanel when the blank is erected into said box with the respective supportingpanel extending into the double-walled end wall from a transversal end of therespective double-walled end wall and with the respective locking panelextending into the double-walled end wall from an upper end of the respectivedouble-walled end wall when the blank is erected to form said box.

By designing the blank as stated above, there is provided a box which isstable, and which may be stacked. Moreover, the blank is easy to erect to forma box.

The locking panels may in a sense be said to constitute a lockingmechanism together with the double end wall in the design of the erected box.By the locking mechanism, the top panels and the supporting panels get lockedin their respective positions in the erected box and giving an upholding supportfor the box. The locking mechanism reduces the risk of the box tounintentionally unfold. The locking mechanism will further facilitate the erectionof the blank into a box, since the box may be provided without requiring anyadhesive.

Since the top panel is configured to form a platform at the top of theerected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel andthe respective double-walled end walls formed by the first and second end wallpanels at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel, there will be provideda comparably large upper surface supporting boxes placed on the box.Moreover, since the platforms are formed at and connected to the corners asdiscussed above, forces from other boxes stacked on top will be transmitted tothe double walled upright standing end walls panels, the upright standingsupport panels and the upright standing corners formed by the support panels and side wall panels. lt may be said that the blank comprises a set of wall panels, includingthe side wall panels and the end wall panels. The bottom panel may have arectangular shape, whereby the bottom panel and the set of wall panelsprovides a box comprising four sides, with the side wall panels and the end wallpanels having different lengths. The end wall panels and the side wall panelsaround the four sides may be said to form a rim around the bottom panel whenthe box is erected. By providing such a rim, the products stored in the box ispreventing from falling out. lt may be noted that the box may be configured with one of the two sidewalls forming a front wall of the erected box. The front wall may comprise adownwardly facing cut-out, such that a portion of the front wall is lower than theother walls configured in said box. By the cut-out, the box provides thepossibility for the user to see the products inside the box. The cut-out also givesan indication of which side of the box being the front side and may therethroughbe positioned with the front wall towards an aisle in case the box is used as adisplay box in a store or the like. The box addresses the design criteria of beingstable and stackable even if the front wall is provided with such a cut-out. ln the description and claims, a transversal side or edge refers to a sideor edge encountered when moving along the transversal direction andlongitudinal side or edge refers to a side or an edge encountered when movingalong the longitudinal direction. For a rectangular panel a transversal side oredge will be encountered when moving along the transversal direction and it willhave an extension along the longitudinal direction. Likewise, for a rectangularpanel a longitudinal side or edge will be encountered when moving along thelongitudinal direction and it will have an extension along the transversaldirection.

Each second end wall panel may comprise two internal fold linesforming two foldable wing portions. Each wing portion is preferably provided at arespective transversal side of the second end wall panel and at least in a portionfacing the first end wall panel as seen in flat-laid state of the blank. The wingportions may be configured to be folded relative to a central portion of the respective second end wall panel to allow the second end wall panel to pass 6 between the transversely opposing top panels when the second end wall panelis folded over the supporting panels and the locking panels to form therespective double-walled end wall. The central portion may be said to be aportion of the respective second end wall panel being centralised in the middleof the second end wall panel or a portion that the wing portions may be foldedtowards to allow the second end wall panel to pass between the transverselyopposing top panels when forming the double-walled end wall.

By the provision of foldable wing portions, the second end wall is easilyattached in the right position, by unfolding the wing portions when said secondend wall panel is at the predetermined position in the erected box. The wingportions may be said to be a part of the second end wall panel and thereby alsobecomes a part ofthe double-walled end wall. The wing portions may be said toextend along the supporting panel when unfolded. The wing portions may besaid to extend along a plane of the central portion of the second end wall panelwhen unfolded. The wing portions may be designed to along one edge thereofclosely follow the top panel and/or along another edge thereof closely followingthe side wall panel. The meaning of “closely follow” may in a wide interpretationbe that the shape basically is the same such that there is not formed any largegaps that are prone to catch dirt. The meaning of “closely follow” may in apreferred embodiment be that the wing portions may be so tight to the cornersthat there is provided a contact between wing portions and the top panels and/orside wall panels along at least one of the edges of the respective wing portionssuch that there is provided a frictional force counter-acting movement of thesecond end wall panel from the position in which it is intended to be in to formthe double-walled end wall. Since the wing portions are flexible, due to theprovision of fold lines, the second end wall panel may be put in the intendedposition and may be kept in the intended position without any additional amountof material or the use of an adhesive or the like.

The second end wall panel may be foldably connected to the first endwall panel via two separate fold lines forming an intermediate panel between thetwo separate fold lines and between the first and the second end wall panels. ltmay be said that the first end wall panel, the intermediate panel, and the second 7 end wall panel are consecutively arranged one after the other along thelongitudinal direction, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank.

By providing an intermediate panel between the second end wall paneland first end wall panel, they can be folded and become parallel to each otherand still bridge over the double material thickness of the supporting panels andlocking panel be of the same height such that they provide a strong double-walled end wall. The first end wall panel and the second end wall panel arepreferably of the same height.

Each of the side wall panels and the supporting panels may have atransversal extension corresponding to a longitudinal extension of the first endwall panel such that they may have a common height as the blank is erected toform said box, thereby being capable of providing a horizontal top surface. Byproviding a box having the same height on all sides and by providing supportingpanels resulting in the same height, there is provided a strong box.

The intermediate panel may have a longitudinal extension being equalto a total material thickness of the supporting panel and the locking panel. Asmentioned above, the second end wall panel may be folded relative to the firstend wall panel such that the respective locking panel and the respectivesupporting panel becomes locked in their respective positions between the firstend wall panel and the second end wall panel when the blank is erected intosaid box. By forming the intermediate panel with longitudinal extension beingequal to the total material thickness as the supporting panel and locking paneltogether, the first and second end wall panels can be folded relative each otherstill having the same height as in flat laid state of the blank. The specificlongitudinal extension of the intermediate panel also provides the supportingpanel and locking panel to be stabilised between the first and second end wallpanel. ln the design of the blank this is preferred since the second end wallpanel are configured to be folded over the supporting panel and the lockingpanel, locking the supporting panel and the locking panel in between. The blankwith all the different panels are typically formed of a material having the samematerial thickness over the whole planar extension and with such a blank the 8 total material thickness of the supporting panel and the Iocking panel is twotimes the material thickness of the blank.

The intermediate panel may further have a transversal extension beingsmaller than a transversal extension of the first end wall panel and a transversalextension of the second end wall panel. The transversal extension of theintermediate panel is such that the intermediate panel is capable of beingpositioned between the transversely opposing top panels when the second sidewall panel is folded over the supporting panels and the Iocking panels to form arespective double-walled end wall. lt may be noted that the transverselyopposing top panels each have a transversal extension such that there isformed a transversally extending gab between them and that the intermediatepanel is configured to fit in that gap.

Since the intermediate panel is positioned between the top panels andover the upper edges of the supporting panels and the Iocking panels there isprovided a smooth surface covering the transversal gap between the supportingpanels, the upper edges of the supporting panels, and also covering andaccommodating the difference in material thickness between on one hand thesupporting panels as such and on the other hand the supporting panels togetherwith the Iocking panels when the double-walled end wall is configured. Byproviding such smooth surface it prevents dirt and/or products being trappedbetween the supporting panel and the Iocking panel, which is desirable from ahygienic perspective. The provision of a smooth surface also counter-acts thesupporting panels and the Iocking panels from unintentionally being removedout of their locked positions. By the chosen transversal extension of theintermediate panel there is further accomplished a user-friendly edge, since thesmooth surface is not as sharp as the edges of the supporting panel and theIocking panels may be.

The respective internal fold line may extend from a free edge of thesecond end wall panel and may extend diagonally outwardly towards a free,longitudinally extending edge of the second end wall panel. This will provideessentially triangle-shaped wing portions. lt may be noted that they are triangleshaped in the sense that they are formed of corner portions of the second end 9 wall panel and separated from the central portion of the second end wall panelby a diagonally extending fold line. However, the parts ofthe wing-portion beingopposite to the fold line may be designed differently compared to the discloseddesign, where the fold line forms a hypothenuse and the other edges extends ascathetuses. The right-angled, outer corners shown in the disclosed embodimentmay have another shape. They may e.g. be chamfered or rounded. However, itis preferred that the other edges at least partly extend along the geometricalcathetuses, most preferably at least in a part of the cathetuses extending fromthe fold line and along a distance from the fold line towards the outer corner,since such wing portions being fully or at least partly triangle shaped may be apart of the second end wall panel resulting in no addition material needed whichaddresses the design criteria of making efficient use of material. There is furtheraccomplished that the essentially triangle shaped wing portions may be of a sizeproviding a pressing action towards the corner between the side panel and thesupporting panel and the corner between the top panel and the supporting panelwhen extending along the supporting panel in the final folded position. Thepressing action aids in keeping the second end wall panel in position formingthe double-walled end wall. The provision of the triangle shaped wing portions,aids in making the box stable and still making it easy to erect as well as beingmaterial efficient, as mentioned above. The triangle shaped wing portions areeasy to fold since they are only connected to the rest of the second end wallpanel along one single fold line. The fold line is preferably the hypotenuse of therespective triangle shaped wing portion. The fold line is clearly defined, and itbecomes instinctive to fold the wing portions inwardly to accomplish the secondend wall panel to pass between the transversely opposing top panels whenforming into the double-walled end wall when configuring the box.

The respective top panel may comprise a corner portion beingpositioned transversely outside a respective longitudinal end portion of therespective side wall panel and having a longitudinal extension such that therespective corner portion extends from the double-walled end wall, formed bythe first and second end wall panels, a distance in the longitudinal direction such that there is formed a longitudinal gap between opposing corner portions. lt may be noted that the gap preferably has a transversal extension such that, alongthe longitudinal extension of the gap, there is no top panel formed at all.Thereby, the respective corner portion at the respective end of a side wall panelmay be folded independently from the other corner portion along the same sidewall panel. However, it is also conceivable that the corner portions areconnected to each other via a central top panel portion foldably connected to theside wall panel. Such central top panel portion may have the same transversalextension as the corner portions, such as to provide a wide and strong topsurface. Such central top panel may alternatively have a transversal extensionfrom the side wall panel being less than the transversal extension of the cornerportions, such that a greater part of the top surface is open.

Preferably, the respective longitudinal distances of the corner portionsare such that they together constitute less than 50% of the total longitudinallength of the side wall panel of the box, i.e. such that the gap constitute at least50% of the total longitudinal length of the side wall panel of the box. lt may be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the corner portionshave the same shape and size and that they are mirrored relative to each otherdepending on at which corner they are positioned.

However, it is also conceivable to use corner portions of different sizeand shape at the different corners. lt may e.g. be that both the corner portionsalong a first side wall have the same shape and size, a first shape and size, andthat both the corner portions along a second side wall have the same shape andsize, a second shape and size, but that the first shape and size is different fromthe second shape and size. lt may e.g. be that a first set of two diagonallyopposing corner portions have the same a first shape and size, and that asecond set of two other diagonally opposing corner portions have the sameshape and size, a second shape and size, but that the first shape and size isdifferent from the second shape and size. lt may also be noted that the shapeand size may be varied independently from each other. ln the above-mentionedexamples, it could thus be that the same shape and size referred to above,alternatively could be the same size but different shape or vice versa. 11 The second end wall panel may comprise a tab being positioned at alongitudinal outer free edge and extending in the longitudinal direction outwardiyfrom the blank as seen in flat laid state of the blank. The blank may furthercomprise an aperture in the bottom panel or in the fold line between the bottompanel and the first end wall panel. The tab of the second end wall panel may beconfigured to be inserted into the aperture when the blank is erected to formsaid box.

By inserting the tab of the second end wall panel into the aperture itprovides a locking effect counter-acting unintentional unfolding of the erectedbox without the use of any adhesive.

The blank may be formed of a paper-based foldable material. Byproviding such paper-based foldable material the blank becomes easy to erectto form a box and since the weight of the material is small the blank becomeseasy to transport in a weight perspective. A paper-based material may in sensebe possible to recycle which addresses an environmentally friendly box,belonging to an inexpensive group of material. The paper-based material mayprovide mechanical stability when used for the blank.

The top panels may form a platform at each corner of the erected box.Since the top panel is connected to the side panel and the locking panel, theplatform at each corner would be locked and stable when said box is erected.By providing platforms at each corner further accomplish a stackable box, eachbox being stackable upon the top surface of an underlying box. The top surfaceis preferably the surface of the box being in the same horizontal plane as the topplatforms. The platforms preferably only cover a small fraction of the top of thebox, preferably less than 10%. By having platforms only cover a small fraction ofthe top of the box, makes it possible to use the full volume of the box to beloaded. As mentioned above, the equal height of the set of walls forming a rim,the side walls and the end walls, makes it easy to see when the box is fullyloaded. By the platforms, the indication of a fully loaded box may be even moreclear since there is a maximum of the volume possible to load under theplatforms. By not over load the box, it provides a box having the possibility ofbeing stackable in a horizontal position. The design of the platform provides a 12 stackable box in an easy way, being stable, easy to erect and with efficient useof material. The platforms also increase the stability of the box in each cornersince they are holding the side walls upholding together with the supportingpanels.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a blank configured tobe erected to form a box configured to be capable of being stackable, the blankcomprising: a bottom panel, two end wall panels on each side of the bottompanel being configured to be folded into a double-walled end wall, two side wallpanels, supporting panels foldably connected to the side wall panels, top panelsfoldably connected to the side wall panels, and a locking panel, provided ateach end of the top panels, wherein the top panel is configured to form aplatform at the top of the box in each corner formed by the side wall panel andthe double-walled end wall, the locking panel and the supporting panel becomeslocked in their positions between the end walls when the blank is erected intosaid box.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a box configured tobe capable of being stackable, the box comprising: a bottom panel, two end wallpanels on each side of the bottom panel being folded into a double-walled endwall, two side wall panels, supporting panels foldably connected to the side wallpanels, top panels foldably connected to the side wall panels, and a lockingpanel provided at each end of the top panels, wherein the top panel isconfigured to form a platform at the top of the box in each corner formed by theside wall panel and the double-walled end wall, the locking panel and thesupporting panel becomes locked in their positions between the end walls whenthe blank is erected into said box. ln more detail the invention may also be said to relate to a boxconfigured to be capable of being stackable, the box comprising: a bottom panel, a first end wall panel and a second end wall panel oneach side of the bottom panel, the first and second end wall panels beingfoldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other in alongitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of a blank from which the box isformed, the first and second end wall panels being folded into a double-walled 13 end wall, two opposing side wall panels foldably connected to a respectivetransversal side of the bottom panel, four supporting panels each being foldablyconnected to a respective longitudinal side of the respective wall panel andbeing positioned between the first and second end wall panels, characterised in that the box further comprises: one or more top panels foldably connected to respective transversalside of each wall panel opposite a respective connection between the respectiveside wall panel and the bottom panel, a locking panel provided at each longitudinal end of said one or moretop panels connected to respective side wall, each locking panel being foldablyconnected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of the top panel when theblank is seen in the flat-laid state, the locking panel being positioned betweenthe first and second end wall panels, wherein the top panel forms a platform at the top of the box at least ineach corner formed by the respective side wall panel and the respective double-walled end walls formed by the first and second end wall panels at respectivelongitudinal side of the bottom panel, the first end wall panel being foldedrelative to the second end wall panel such that the respective locking panel andthe respective supporting panel is locked in their respective position betweenthe first end wall panel and the second end wall panel with the respectivesupporting panel extending into the double-walled end wall from a transversalend of the respective double-walled end wall and with the respective lockingpanel extending into the double-walled end wall from an upper end of therespective double-walled end wall.

The various preferred embodiments of the box have been discussed inrelation to the design of the blank being configured to be erected into said box.Thus, the features presented in respect of various preferred embodiments of theblank are equally applicable as various preferred embodiments of the box.Similarly, the advantages associated with the various preferred embodimentsare equally applicable for the box.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according totheir ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise 14 herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step,etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of saidelement, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly statedotherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to beperformed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawinqs The invention will by way of example be described in more detail withreference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1-6 discloses a blank in different stages of a folding operationfor forming the blank into a box.

Figure 7 discloses a box formed by the folding of a blank in accordancewith the folding operations of figures 1-6.

Figure 8 discloses a blank configured to be folded into a box inaccordance with figure 7 in accordance with the folding operations offigures 1-6.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferredembodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided forthoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the inventionto the skilled person.

With reference to Figure 8, there is disclosed a blank 1 configured tobe erected into a box 2. The blank 1 has an extension in a longitudinaldirection L, and an extension in a transversal direction T, as seen in a flat laidstate of the blank 1. As evident from Figure 8, the blank 1 is provided withfold lines and cuts which define different panels being configured to form thebox 2. The box 2 is configured to be capable of being stackable. The blank 1 comprises a bottom panel 10 configured to form a bottom of the box 2. Thebottom of the box 2 is the part by which the box 2 is configured to abut asubstrate, such as a floor, a shelf, or the like or abut an underlying box 2 in astack of boxes 2 _ The blank 1 further comprises, on each side of the bottompanel 10, a first end wall panel 21 and a second end wall panel 22, i.e. twofirst end wall panels 21 and two second end wall panels 22 in total. The firstand second end wall panels 21, 22 being foldably connected to each otherand arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction L as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1.

As shown in figure 4, the first and second end wall panels 21, 22 areconfigured to be folded into a double-walled end wall. The double-walled endwall is formed by the first and second end wall panels 21, 22 being foldedrelative to each other. lt may be noted that the end wall formed when theblank 1 is folded and erected into a box 2, will along parts of its extensioninclude additional layers of material sandwiched between the two majorpanels formed by the first and second end wall panels 21, 22. Since the innerand outer major surfaces of the end wall is formed of two separate panels 21,22, the kind of wall is typically referred to as a double-walled wall eventhough it sometimes includes additional panels sandwiched between thepanels 21, 22 forming the two major surfaces of the wall.

The first end wall panel 21 is an extension of the bottom panel 10 inthe longitudinal direction L and is distinguished from the bottom panel 10 by afold line FL12 between the bottom panel 10 and the first end wall panel 21.

The second end wall panel 22 is also an extension of the bottompanel 10 in the longitudinal direction L, connected to a longitudinal side of thefirst end wall panel 21 opposite to the bottom panel 10.

At each side of the blank 1, seen in flat laid position, the second endwall panel 22 may be foldably connected to the first end wall panel 21 via twoseparate fold lines 102a, 102b. The two fold lines 102a, 102b define anintermediate panel 103 between the first and the second end wall panels 21,22. The two fold lines 102a, 102b defining the intermediate panel 103 mayextend parallel to each other. 16 As e.g. shown in figures 1 and 6, the first end wall panel 21 and thesecond end wall panel 22 may have corresponding Iongitudinal extensions,as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1, such that they will have the sameheight when the blank 1 is folded and erected into a box 2.

As shown in figures 4-6, the intermediate panel 103 is foldable andmay be configured to be perpendicular to the first and second end wall 21, 22when the box is erected. The intermediate panel 103 may also be parallel tothe top surface when said box is erected.

Further, the blank 1 may, as shown in figure 8, comprise twoopposing side wall panels 31 foldably connected to a respective transversalside of the bottom panel 10. The side wall panels 31 extend at each side inthe transversal direction from the bottom panel 10, with the same maximumtransversal extension at each side. Thereby, the height of the side walls ofthe box will be the same on both sides. lt may be noted that the box may beconfigured with one of the two side walls forming a front wall of the erectedbox. The front wall may comprise a downwardly facing cut-out 31a, such thata central portion of the front wall is lower than the other walls configured insaid box. By the cut-out, the box provides the possibility for the user to seethe products inside the box. The cut-out also gives an indication of which sideof the box being the front side and may therethrough be positioned with thefront wall towards an aisle in case the box is used as a display box in a storeor the like.

The blank 1 may also comprise four supporting panels 40 eachbeing foldably connected to a respective Iongitudinal side of the respectiveside wall panel 31. The supporting panels 40 have the same transversalextension as the respective sides of the respective side wall panel 31.Thereby, the supporting panels 40 will have the same height as the side wallpanels 31 as the blank 1 is folded and erected into a box 2. The supportingpanel 40 is distinguished form the respective side wall panel 31 by a fold lineat each Iongitudinal side of the respective side wall panel 31. The Iongitudinalend edge of the supporting panel 40, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank1, may be straight, or almost straight, such that the edge may rest against a 17 part of the bottom panel 10 extending in underneath the double-walled endwall when said box is erected.

At respective transversal outer side of each side wall panel 31 theremay be one or more top panels 51 foldably connected to the respective sidewall panel 31. Thus, the one or more top panels 51 are connected to therespective side wall panel 31 on a side being opposite a respectiveconnection between the respective side wall panel 31 and the bottom panel10. The top panel 51 is connected via a fold line and the top panel 51 mayhave a longitudinal extension which ends at about the same longitudinal endof the respective side wall panel 31 _ The blank 1 may further comprise a locking panel 52 being foldablyconnected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of said one or more toppanels 51. The locking panel 52 is connected to the top panel 51 via atransversely extending folded line which may be in the same extension as thefold line between the supporting panel 40 and the side wall panel 31.However, it may be noted that in the disclosed embodiment, the transverselyextending fold line between the respective side wall panel 31 and supportingpanel 40 is slightly offset the transversely extending fold line between therespective top panel 51 and the locking panel 52. This offset is provided totake into account the material thickness of the blank 1 considering that thesupporting panels 40 and the locking panels 52 will end up side by sideabutting each other major surface against major surface. ln the preferred embodiment, there is provided two identical sets ofend wall panels 21, 22, 103, the panels being identical as seen in thelongitudinal direction L as well as in the transversal direction T. ln thepreferred embodiment there is also provided two identical sets of top panels51 and locking panels 52, the panels being identical as seen in thelongitudinal direction L as well as in the transversal direction T.

The top panel 51 is configured to form a platform at the top of theerected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel31 and the respective double-walled end walls formed by the first and secondend wall panels 21, 22 at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel.The platforms may be triangle shaped as is evident from e.g. figures 7 and 8. 18 As shown in figure 2, the platforms are formed by folding the top panels 51inwardly towards a centre of the box 2 when the side wall panels 31 are intheir upright position.

The blank shown in figure 8 is configured to be folded in accordancewith the folding operations shown in figures 1-6. This folding operation will besummarized in the following.

First, as shown in figure 1, the side wall panels 31 are folded relativeto the bottom panel 10 and the supporting panels 40 are folded relative to theside wall panels 31.

Thereafter, as shown in figure 2, the top panels 51 are folded relativeto the side wall panels 31. lt may be noted that in this folding operation, thelocking panels 52 are not folded relative to the top panels 51. Thereby, it issecured that the locking panels 52 ends up on the outside of the supportingpanels 40 in the next folding operation. lt is conceivable to have the lockingpanels 52 on the inner side of the supporting panels 40 but it is preferred thatthey are on the outer side of the supporting panels 40. lf the locking panels52 would be intended to be positioned on the inner side of the supportingpanels 40, the locking panels 52 would be folded relative to the top panels 51before the top panels 51 are folded relative to the side wall panels 31.

As shown in figure 3, the locking panels 52 are thereafter foldedrelative to the relative to the top panels 51 such that the locking panels 52ends up on the outside of the supporting panels 40. ln the next folding operation, the first end wall 21 is folded relative tothe bottom panel 10 and the second end wall 22 is folded relative to the firstend wall 21.

As shown in e.g. figures 8 and 3, each second end wall panel 22 maycomprise two internal fold lines 101 forming two foldable wing portions 22b.Each wing portion 22b is provided at a respective transversal end of thesecond end wall panel 22 and at least in a portion facing the first end wallpanel 21 as seen in flat-laid state of the blank 1.

As shown in figure 4, the wing portions 22b may be configured to befolded relative to a central portion 22a of the respective second end wallpanel 22 to allow the second end wall panel 22 to pass between the 19 transversely opposing top panels 51 when the second end wall panel 22 isfolded over the supporting panels 40 and the Iocking panels 52 to form therespective double-walled end wall. The wing portions 22b are preferablyfolded relative to the central portion 22a of the second end wall panel 22 suchthat the wing portions 22b form trailing wings as the second end wall panel 22passes between the top panels 51.

As shown in figure 5, the first end wall panel 21 are folded relative tothe second end wall panel 22 such that the respective Iocking panel 52 andthe respective supporting panel 40 becomes locked in their respectivepositions between the first end wall panel 21 and the second end wall panel22 when the blank is erected into said box. The Iocking panels 52 may in asense be said to constitute a Iocking mechanism together with the double-walled end wall in the design of the erected box since the top panels 51 andthe supporting panels 40 get locked in their respective positions in theerected box giving upholding support for the box. Thus, a mechanical lock isprovided configured to hold the box in place an prevent it from unintentionallyunfold. As is best understood from figure 3, the respective supporting panel40 extends into the double-walled end wall from a transversal end of therespective double-walled end wall. The respective Iocking panel 52 extendsinto the double-walled end wall from an upper end of the respective double-walled end wall when the blank 1 is erected to form said box.

As shown in figure 6, the wing portions 22b may thereafter beoutwardly unfolded when the second end wall panel 22 has been folded intothe predetermined position of the erected box. The wing portions 22bpreferably have an extension along at least one and preferably both insidesof the upper respective corners such that the wing portions 22b, as they areunfolded, closely follow the top panel 51 and/or the side wall panel 31.

The meaning of “closely follow” is in the preferred embodiment thatthe wing portions 22b is tight to the edges in the sense that unintentionalunfolding of the second end wall panel 22 is counter-acted.

The bottom panel 10 may have a quadratic or rectangular shape,whereby the bottom panel 10 and the set of wall panels 21, 22, 31, 40providing a box comprising four sides. The end wall panels 21, 22 and the side wall panels 31 around the four sides may be said to form a rim aroundthe bottom panel 10 when the box is erected.

Each of the side wall panels 31 and the supporting panels 40 have atransversal extension corresponding to a longitudinal extension of the firstend wall panel 21 such that they may have a common height as the blank 1 iserected to form said box. A box 2 with a uniform height is disclosed in figure7. A blank 1 resulting in a box 2 having a uniform height is shown in figure 8.

The intermediate panel 103 may have a longitudinal extension beingequal to a total thickness tioi of the supporting panel 40 and the locking panel52.

The intermediate panel 103 may have a transversal extension beingsmaller than a transversal extension of the first end wall panel 21 and atransversal extension of the second end wall panel 22. The transversalextension of the intermediate panel 103 is such that the intermediate panel103 is capable of being positioned between the transversely opposing toppanels 51 when the second side wall panel 22 is folded over the supportingpanels 40 and the locking panels 52 to form a respective double-walled endwall. The longitudinal extension of the intermediate panel 103 is preferablysuch that the supporting panel 40 and the locking panel 52 may be lockedbetween the first and second end wall 21, 22 and the first and second endwall panels 21, 22 ends up at the same heights. As shown in figures 5-7, theintermediate panel 103 may form a smooth surface between the opposing toppanels 51 when the first and second end wall panels 21, 22 are foldedrelative each other. This smooth surface may cover the upper edges of thesupporting panels 40.

Each wing portions 22b may be triangle shaped by the respectiveinternal fold line 101 extending from a free edge of the second end wall panel22. The fold line 101 is facing the first end wall panel 21 diagonally outwardlytowards a free, longitudinally extending edge of the second end wall panel22. The internal fold line 101 preferably extending from a corner formed by atransverse outermost part of the intermediate panel 103 and the second endwall panel 22. One of the legs of the triangle shaped wing portion 22b,relative the hypotenuse, may be in the direction toward the first end wall 21 panel 21. The other leg may be perpendicular to the first leg and may formpart of an transversal outer edge of the second end wall panel 22. When theblank is in flat laid state the top panels 51 and the wing portions 22b mayhave almost the same size, being mirrored relative to each other in a centralline extending along the longitudinal direction L, as e.g. seen in figure 8.

As shown e.g. in figure 8, the second end wall panel 22 maycomprise one or more tabs 22c positioned at a longitudinal outer free edgeand extending in the longitudinal direction outvvardly from the blank 1 as seenin flat laid state of the blank 1. The blank 1 may further comprise one or moreapertures 10c in the bottom panel 10 or at the fold line between the bottompanel 10 and the first end wall panel 21. The tabs 22c of the second end wallpanel 22 may be configured to be inserted into the apertures 10c when theblank 1 is erected to form said box 2. The apertures 10c may extend in alongitudinal direction L as well as in the transversal direction T. Thelongitudinal extension of the apertures 10c is correlated to the materialthickness of the blank 1 such that the tabs 22c fits snugly inside the apertures10c. The transversal extension of the tabs 22c and the apertures 10c ischosen above a minimum extension to provide sufficient total retaining forceand sufficient strength to the tab 22c but still beneath a maximum extensionsuch that the fold line between the bottom panel 10 and the first end wallpanel 21 is not weakened too much. ln the figures, it is disclosed two apertures 10c on each side of thebottom panel 10 and two tabs 22c on each outer free edge of the second endwall panel 22, but the number of tabs 22c and apertures 10c can be ofvarious number as long as the apertures 10c are capable of receiving thetabs 22c.

The supporting panel 40 of the erected box are facing to each otherwhen said box is erected, one supporting panel 40 at respective longitudinalside is folded inwardly from respective side wall panel 31 extending at eachtransversal side of the bottom panel 10. The length of the supporting panel 40may have different length in different embodiments. By having a total lengthof a supporting panel 40, such that the supporting panel folded from one sidewall panel may facing and almost touch the side wall panel on the other side, 22 provides a robust double walled-end wall but may consume an unnecessary use of material. However, it is preferred that there is a small gap between thetwo facing supporting panel since the gap secures that there is no overlap ofmaterials that may make the double-walled end wall somewhat skewed.

As seen in the figures, the box 2 may be provided with apertures onthe wall panels 31, 21 ,22. The apertures on the wall panels 31, 21 ,22 canbe ofdifferent sizes and shapes. They can also be positioned elsewhere onthe wall panels 31, 21, 22 as long as the box keeps the stability in its erectedform. Any apertures on the first and second end wall panels 21, 22 may beconfigured such that the coincide as the first and second end wall panels 21,22 are folded, whereby a through-going aperture is formed. Although the box2 may have circular apertures as shown in the figures, the apertures are alsopossible to be configured in other shapers such as triangle shaped,rectangular shaped, flower shaped and so on. The apertures may be through-going as well as covered with another material, for example a transparentplastic material. The apertures can be used as handles when carry the box.The handles are preferably placed on the end wall panels 21, 22 since thebox may have shorter end wall panels 21, 22 than side wall panels 31,making the box 2 easier to carry. The apertures may also be used for air-conditioning through the box. This is preferred for storage such as fruits andvegetables, may have high demand on hygienic perspectives as well asenvironmental perspectives. Further on the apertures covered with a plasticfilm may be used for inspection into the box, for instance to seen what isactually in and how does the content at the specific moment feel.

Each first and second end wall panel 21, 22, may comprise a handlecut-out. The handle cut-out may be configured to be used as a handle whencarrying the box. lt is preferred that the cut-outs on the first respectively thesecond end wall panel 21, 22 being configured to at least partly coincide eachother such as the double-walled end wall comprise a handle as seen infigures 5-7. Having a handle configured by two walls, the first and second endwalls 21, 22, provides an aperture with a depth being deeper than thethickness of the blank 1. The deeper aperture provides a handle being morecomfortable to use since the force is distributed to a larger area. 23 Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can beunderstood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimedinvention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appendedc|aims. ln the c|aims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elementsor steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Themere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependentc|aims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot beused to advantage.

Claims

1. A blank (1) configured to be erected to form a box (2) configured tobe capable of being stackable, the blank (1) comprising: a bottom panel (10), a first end wall panel (21) and a second end wall panel (22) on eachside of the bottom panel (10), the first and second end wall panels (21, 22)being foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other in alongitudinal direction (L) as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank (1), the first andsecond end wall panels (21, 22) being configured to be folded into a double-walled end wall, two opposing side wall panels (31) foldably connected to a respectivetransversal side of the bottom panel (10), four supporting panels (40) being foldably connected to a respectivelongitudinal side of the respective wall panel (31) and being oonfigured to bepositioned between the first and second end wall panels (21, 22) when the blank(1) is erected into said box (2), characterised in that the blank (1) further comprises: one or more top panels (51) foldably connected to respectivetransversal side of each wall panel (31) opposite a respective connectionbetween the respective side wall panel (31) and the bottom panel (10), a locking panel (52) provided at each longitudinal end of said one ormore top panels (51) connected to respective side wall (31), each locking panel(52) being foldably connected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of the toppanel (51) when the blank (1) is seen in the flat-laid state, the locking panel (52)being configured to be positioned between the first and second end wall panels(21, 22) when the blank (1) is erected into said box (2), wherein the top panel (51) is configured to form a platform at the top ofthe erected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel(31) and the respective double-walled end walls formed by the first and secondend wall panels (21, 22) at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel (10), the first end wall panel (21) being folded relative to the second end wall panel (22) such that the respective locking panel (52) and the respective supporting panel (40) becomes locked in their respective position between the first end wallpanel (21) and the second end wall panel (22) when the blank (1) is erected intosaid box (2) with the respective supporting panel (40) extending into the double-walled end wall from a transversal end of the respective double-walled end walland with the respective locking panel (52) extending into the double-walled endwall from an upper end of the respective double-walled end wall when the blank (1) is erected to form said box (2).

2. The blank (1) according to claim 1, wherein each second end wallpanel (22) comprises two internal fold lines (101) forming two foldable wingportions (22b), each provided at a respective transversal side of the second endwall panel (22) and at least in a portion facing the first end wall panel (21) asseen in flat-laid state of the blank (1), wherein the wing portions (22b) areconfigured to be folded relative to a central portion (22a) of the respectivesecond end wall panel (22) to allow the second end wall panel (22) to passbetween the transversely opposing top panels (51) when the second end wallpanel (22) is folded over the supporting panels (40) and the locking panels (52) to form the respective double-walled end wall.

3. The blank (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end wallpanel (22) is foldably connected to the first end wall panel (21) via two separatefold lines (102) forming an intermediate panel (103) between the first and second end wall panels (21, 22).

4. The blank (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the sidewall panels (31) and the supporting panels (40) have a transversal extensioncorresponding to a longitudinal extension of the first end wall panel (21) such that they have a common height as the blank (1) is erected to form said box. 26

5. The blank (1) according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein theintermediate panel (103) has a longitudinal extension being equal to a total material thickness (ttot) of the supporting panel (40) and the locking panel (52).

6. The blank (1) according to claims wherein theintermediate panel (103) has a transversal extension being smaller than atransversal extension of the first end wall panel (21) and a transversal extensionof the second end wall panel (22), wherein the transversal extension of theintermediate panel (103) is such that the intermediate panel (103) is capable ofbeing positioned between the transversely opposing top panels (51) when thesecond end wall panel (22) is folded over the supporting panels (40) and the locking panels (52) to form the respective double-walled end wall.

7. The blank (1) according to claims wherein therespective internal fold line (101) extends from a free edge of the second endwall panel (22) facing the first end wall panel (21) and extends diagonallyoutwardly towards a free, longitudinally extending edge of the seoond end wallpanel (22).

8. The blank (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein therespective top panel (51) comprises a corner portion (51) being positionedtransversely outside a respective longitudinal end portion of the respective sidewall panel (31) and having a longitudinal extension such that the respectivecorner portion (51) extends from the double-walled end wall, formed by the firstand second end wall panels (21, 22), a distance (d) in the longitudinal direction(L) such that there is formed a longitudinal gap (G) between opposing cornerportions (51 ).

9. The blank (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the secondend wall panel (22) comprises a tab being positioned at a longitudinal outer freeedge and extending in the longitudinal direction outwardly from the blank (1) as seen in flat laid state of the blank (1), wherein the blank (1) comprises an 27 aperture in the bottom panel (10) or in the fold line between the bottom panel(10) and the first end wall panel (21), wherein the tab of the second end wallpanel (22) is configured to be inserted into the aperture when the blank (1) is erected to form said box.

10. The blank (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the blank (1) is formed of a paper-based foldable material.

11. A box (2) configured to be capable of being stackable, the box (2)comprising: a bottom panel (10), a first end wall panel (21) and a second end wall panel (22) on eachside of the bottom panel (10), the first and second end wall panels (21, 22)being foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other in alongitudinal direction (L) as seen in a flat-laid state of a blank (1) from which thebox (2) is formed, the first and second end wall panels (21, 22) being folded intoa double-walled end wall, two opposing side wall panels (31) foldably connected to a respectivetransversal side of the bottom panel (10), four supporting panels (40), each being foldably connected to arespective longitudinal side of the respective wall panel (31) and beingpositioned between the first and second end wall panels (21, 22), characterised in that the box (2) further com prises: one or more top panels (51) foldably connected to respectivetransversal side of each wall panel (31) opposite a respective connectionbetween the respective side wall panel (31) and the bottom panel (10), a locking panel (52) provided at each longitudinal end of said one ormore top panels (51) connected to respective side wall (31), each locking panel(52) being foldably connected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of the toppanel (51) when the blank (1) is seen in the flat-laid state, the locking panel (52) being positioned between the first and second end wall panels (21, 22), 28 wherein the top panel (51) forms a platform at the top of the box at leastin each corner formed by the respective side wall panel (31) and the respectivedouble-walled end walls formed by the first and second end wall panels (21, 22)at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel (10), the first end wall panel(21) being folded relative to the second end wall panel (22) such that therespective locking panel (52) and the respective supporting panel (40) is lockedin their respective position between the first end wall panel (21) and the secondend wall panel (22) with the respective supporting panel (40) extending into thedouble-walled end wall from a transversal end of the respective double-walledend wall and with the respective locking panel (52) extending into the double- walled end wall from an upper end of the respective double-walled end wall.