SE543883C2

SE543883C2 - Blank for forming a kit of support structures for a package, and such a package

Info

Publication number: SE543883C2
Application number: SE2050071A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Andreas Boss
Original assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
Priority date: 2020-01-27
Filing date: 2020-01-27
Publication date: 2021-09-14
Also published as: EP4097014A1; SE2050071A1; WO2021152431A1; EP4097014A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a blank (100) for forming a kit of support structures for a package. The blank comprises two side support panels (102), and two centre support panels (200). Each support panel (102) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and each having two corner sections (104) having a first extension (E1) along a transverse direction (T), and a centre section (106) having a second extension (E2) along the transverse direction, wherein the first extension is greater than the second extension. The two support panels (200) each comprises a recess (202) configured to receive the other one of the centre support panels such that the two centre support panels intersect each other and forms a centre support structure (310). The side support panels (102) are configured to be placed along side walls of a package. The invention also relates to a package (300) comprising a bottom panel (302), two mutually opposing side walls (304), and two mutually opposing end walls (306), as well as two side support panels (102) and a centre support structure (310).

Description

BLANK FOR FORIVIING A KIT OF SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR APACKAGE, AND SUCH A PACKAGE Field of the lnvention The invention relates to a blank for forming a kit of support structuresfor a package. The invention also relates to a package making use of such akit of support structures.

Background ArtWhen designing a package, it is often desirous to take into account a number of different design criteria. The package should e.g. often bedesigned such that it makes efficient use of the material, is easy to transportto the point of use, is easy to prepare for use, and provide a strong structure.lt is often desirable that it is strong during handling and stable in an erectedstate.lt is common that packages are designed in such a way that severalpackages can be stacked upon each other to achieve a shelf like structure.This is for example desirous when designing packages that are to be used asdisplay stands. When packages are stacked on top of each other, a packagethat has been emptied can be removed from the stack to open up easyaccess to the package underneath. Packages are often made such that aninsert is placed in the package creating an upholding force for stackinganother package on top. Packages made from cardboard are beneficial sincethey do not take up much space before they are erected, during for exampletransport. There exist numerous attempts to address the above design criteriain connection to designing a stackable package of cardboard material.US5505371 discloses a partition insert for a package. The insert is folded from a single-sheet blank. During erection of the insert, the insert isconfigured to be folded such as to form three compartments when the insertis placed in a package. EP3063074 discloses a display package having asupport insert. The insert is formed by a blank being folded and inserted inthe package such that it extends alongside the insides of the package andforms a support for the corners of the package.

However, as will be apparent in the following, there is still room forimprovements when it comes e.g. to the set of design criteria that a supportinsert for the package should make efficient use of material, be easy totransport to the point of use, be easy to erect, and provide a strong structurewhen stacked.

Summary of the invention ln view of that stated above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improvement when it comes to addressing the set of designcriteria that the support insert for the package should make efficient use ofmaterial, be easy to transport to the point of use, be easy to erect, andprovide a strong structure when stacked.

This object has been achieved by a blank for forming a kit of supportstructures for a package.

The blank comprises: two side support panels, each extending in a longitudinal direction andeach having two corner sections having a first extension along a transversedirection, and a centre section having a second extension along the transversedirection, wherein the first extension is greater than the second extension, wherein the centre section is arranged between the two cornersections as seen along the longitudinal direction, and wherein each corner section comprises a fold line extending in thetransverse direction and dividing the corner section in an outer corner sectionand an inner corner section as seen along the longitudinal direction, wherein the blank further comprises two centre support panels configured to form a centre supportstructure, each centre support panel comprising a recess configured toreceive the other one of the two centre support panels such that the twocentre support panels intersect each other when forming a centre supportstructure, wherein the two side support panels are oriented such that the centresections are arranged at a distance from each other as seen in the transversedirection, wherein the two side support panels are removably connected toeach other at their respective two corner sections, and wherein the two centre support panels are positioned between thecentre sections of the two side support panels, wherein the two centresupport panels are at at least one transversal side removably connected to atleast one centre section and/or wherein the two centre support panels areeach, at each outwardly facing longitudinal side removably connected to aninwardly facing longitudinal side of the respective corner section.

For a package to be fully supported it is desirous that it is supported atcritical points which may be around the perimeter of the package. For apackage having a large footprint relative to the weight it is intended to carry, itmay be desirous to ensure that a centre portion thereof is provided with asupport, such that the stacking capability is not lost when heavy products areplaced at a centre portion of the package. The blank provides a kit of supportstructures that may support a package at critical points such as the cornersas well as at a centre portion of such a package. The side support panelsmay be supported by and held in place in the package by placement alongwalls of the package. The fold line in each corner section allows for afacilitated placement of the side support panels in a corner of a package. Theconfiguration of the centre support panels is such that it may be placed at anysuitable position in the package to provide efficient support. When the twocentre support panels are intersected they form a standalone structure thatmay carry itself without requiring further support.

Further, due to the kit of support structures being formed from a singleblank it is easy to transport the complete support structure for a package. Bythe side support panels and the centre support panels being removablyconnected to one another it is simple to erect the kit of support structures.The support panels of the blank may be separable by pre-cut perforations inthe blank, which may further facilitate erection thereof at the point of use. Thegeneral configuration of the blank makes it possible to design the blank suchthat all material of a rectangular blank is used, hence efficient use of material may be achieved. Efficient use of material may be achieved by the firstextension being greater than the second extension, thereby providing spacefor forming the centre support panels between the centre sections of the twoside support panels. As such, the centre support panels are formed byotherwise waste material, being the centre portion of the blank, no wastematerial, or at least a minimum of waste material, is left from the blank.

By the first extension being greater than the second extension, thepackage may be used as a display package in a facilitated manner. Such aconfiguration may further enable a greater variety of goods kept in thepackage since an airflow may enter the package in a facilitated manner. Byway of example, fruits or vegetables may easily be stored in such a packagesince such products may benefit from an exchange of air during transport.

Through-out the description the phrase transversal side relates to aside encountered when moving along the transversal direction and the phraselongitudinal side relates to a side encountered when moving along thelongitudinal direction. For a rectangular panel a transversal side will bepositioned on a side as seen along the transversal direction and will have anextension along the longitudinal direction and a longitudinal side will bepositioned on a side as seen along the longitudinal direction and will have anextension along the transversal direction.

The two side support panels may be configured to be positioned withthe centre section and the inner corner section alongside a respective one oftwo opposing side walls of a package and with the outer corner sectionsalongside two opposing end walls of the package.

The outer corner section may be configured to be folded relative to theinner corner section such that each corner section forms a corner adapted tobe positioned in a corner of the package. Thereby the support structure mayform a strong corner support in the package, which may be a critical point fora stackable package. Such a configuration further allows for a packagehaving four corners to be supported at each corner.

The two centre support panels may be removably connected to eachother at a respective inwardly facing longitudinal side facing the other centre support panel. Thereby the two centre support panels will be kept togetherduring transport of the blank to the site of use.

The two centre support panels may each be, at each outwardly facinglongitudinal side removably connected to an inwardly facing longitudinal sideof the respective corner section. Thereby the two centre support panels willbe kept in place between the corner sections The two centre support panels may at each transversal side beremovably connected to the respective centre section of the side supportpanels. Thereby the two centre support panels will be kept in place betweenthe centre sections. l\/loreover, by such a configuration including one, two or three of theabove discussed removable connections, the two centre support panels maybe formed in the blank in a centre portion between the two side supportpanels. As such, the kit of support panels may be formed from a quadrilateralor quadrangular blank. Hence, efficient use of material when forming the kit ofsupport structures may be achieved. Any unintentional separation of thesupport structures from the blank may further be prevented by such aconfiguration.

The two side support panels may be configured to be oriented whenpositioned in the package such that the corner sections extend upwardly to agreater extent compared to an upward extension of the centre sections.Thereby placing the side support panels in a standing mode where the firstextension and the second extension are in an upright direction. With such aplacement of the side support panels, another package may be placed on topof the support structure with the support structure holding the other packageat a distance above the package comprising the side support panels.

The respective inner corner section may have an extension along thelongitudinal direction being at least 10% of a distance between the fold linesof the two corner sections as seen along the longitudinal direction. By theinner corner section having an extension along the longitudinal direction assuch, the side support panel may achieve desirous support powers forupholding a package placed thereon. The extension along the longitudinaldirection should be enough to provide mechanical stability to the corner section of the side support panels since the corner panels will provide criticalsupport for the support structures.

The respective inner corner section may have an extension along thelongitudinal direction being less than 30% of a distance between the fold linesof the two corner sections as seen along the longitudinal direction. By such aconfiguration the kit of support structures is provided such that the packagemay have an opening along a side wall. As such, the package may be usedas a display package.

The recesses of the centre support panels may each be an elongatedcut extending in a cut direction. The respective cut may have a length alongthe cut direction being about 50% of a length of the respective centre supportpanel along the cut direction. By such a length of the cut, the intersecting ofthe two centre support panels to form the centre support structure may befacilitated. The two centre support panels may be intersected such that thecentre support structure has a common height along the whole structure.

The recesses of the centre support panels may each be an elongatedcut extending in the transverse direction.

Each support panel may have an extension along the longitudinaldirection and an extension along the transverse direction. The extensionalong the longitudinal direction may differ from the extension along thetransverse direction. Preferably the extension along the longitudinal directionis greater than the extension along the transverse direction.

This may be used to provide a centre support structure providing adistributed upholding force. Thus, heavier products or items may be stored inthe package being upheld by the support structures. This configuration mayincrease simplicity of handling and transport of the package up to use.

By placing the longitudinal direction of the centre support panels in ahorizontal plane of the package the centre support structure may be providedwith a greater mechanical upholding power. Alternatively, by placing thelongitudinal direction of the centre support panels in a vertical plane of thepackage, the centre support structure may be provided having a greaterheight such as to accommodate products having a greater height, such asbottles or the like. ln any case or configuration of the kit of support Structures, the supportstructures may be kept at the intended horizontal position and in the uprightorientation by products p|aced in the package. This is typically the case whenthe package is used to carry bottles or other clearly defined uniform products.

The centre support panels may be formed such that their size anddimensions are in relation to the size of the side support panels. As such, thecentre panels and side support panels may be configured in a variety of ways,while still being formed from a single blank, without any waste of material. Byfor example providing the blank with a 1:1 ratio between the height of thecentre support panels and the height of the corner sections, an even height ofthe kit of support structures may be achieved.

According to a second aspect there is provided a package comprising: a bottom panel, two mutually opposing side walls, and two mutuallyopposing end walls, two side support panels from the blank according to the first aspect,the two side support panels being positioned with the centre section and theinner corner sections alongside a respective one of the two opposing sidewalls of the package and with the outer corner sections alongside the twoopposing end walls of the package, and a centre support structure formed by the two centre support panelsfrom the blank according to the first aspect, wherein the first extension of the corner sections is greater than anextension of the side walls as seen in a height direction of the side walls, andpreferably also greater than an extension of the end walls as seen in theheight direction.

The centre support structure may have a height being greater than theextension of the side walls as seen in a height direction of the side walls, andpreferably also greater than the extension of the end walls as seen in theheight direction. By such a configuration a window may be formed whenstacking two packages on top of one another.

The height of the centre support structure may be equal to the firstextension of the corner sections. As such, the centre support structure and the corner sections of the side support panels may act together in forming astrong mechanical upholding force.

Generally, the package may have all advantages and configurations asthe kit of support structures and reference is given to the discussion thereof.

The inventive concept may in short be said to relate to a blank forforming a kit of support structures for a package. The blank comprises twoside support panels, and two centre support panels. Each side support panelextending in a longitudinal direction and each having two corner sectionshaving a first extension along a transverse direction, and a centre sectionhaving a second extension along the transverse direction, wherein the firstextension is greater than the second extension. The two centre supportpanels each comprises a recess configured to receive the other one of thecentre support panels such that the two centre support panels intersect eachother and forms a centre support structure. The side support panels areconfigured to be placed along side walls of a package.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly definedotherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component,means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least oneinstance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unlessexplicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do nothave to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where thesame reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates a blank for forming a kit of support structures.

Fig. 2 illustrates the blank for forming the kit of support structures in aseparated mode.

Fig. 3 illustrates a package comprising the kit of support structures.

Fig. 4 illustrates a package stacked on top of the package of Fig. 3.

Description of Embodiments The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference 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 Figs. 1-2, there is disclosed a blank 100 for forming akit of support structures for a package. The blank 100 has an extension in alongitudinal direction and an extension along a transverse direction, as seenin the flat laid state of the blank 100. The blank 100 comprises two sidesupport panels 102 and two centre support panels 200. The centre supportpanels 200 are configured to be intersected and form a centre supportstructure 310 (Fig. 3).

Each side support panel 102 has an extension in the longitudinaldirection L. The side support panel 102 has two corner sections 104, eachhaving a first extension E1 along the transverse direction T. Each supportpanel 102 further has a centre section 106 having a second extension E2along the transverse direction T. The centre section 106 is arranged betweenthe two corner sections 104, as seen along the longitudinal direction L. Thefirst extension E1 is greater than the second extension E2.

Each corner section 104 comprises a fold line 105 extending in thetransverse direction T. Said fold line 105 divides the corner section 104 intoan outer corner section 104a and an inner corner section 104b as seen alongthe longitudinal direction L.

The respective inner corner section 104b of each side support panel102 may have an extension along the longitudinal direction L being at least10% of a distance d between the fold lines 105 of the two corner sections 104as seen along the longitudinal direction L. As such, the inner corner section 104b may be provided with enough strength to provide a mechanically stablesupport structure.

The respective inner corner section 104b of each side support panel102 may have an extension along the longitudinal direction L being less than30% of the distance d between the fold lines 105 of the two corner sections104 as seen along the longitudinal direction L. As such, a large enoughwindow may be formed between the two inner corner sections 104b that mayprovide a package that can be used as a display package.

The centre support panels 200 preferably have an extension along thetransverse direction and an extension along the longitudinal direction. Thecentre support panels 200 each comprises a recess 202 configured to receivethe other one of the two centre panels 200 such that the two centre supportpanels 200 intersect each other and thereby form the centre supportstructure. Such a support structure does not require a large area of spacewhilst still providing a mechanically stable structure providing an upholdingpower for goods placed thereon. ln some cases, goods that are durable, suchas flasks or boxes, may provide additional upholding power to a packageplaced on top of the centre support structure. The extension of the centresupport panel 200 along the longitudinal direction L may differ from theextension along the transverse direction T. lt is preferred that the extensionalong the longitudinal direction L is greater than the extension along thetransversal direction T. As such, when the centre support structure 310 isformed it may provide an evenly distributed upholding force. Such centresupport panel, when formed into the centre support structure may not fall overeasily. ln another example, the extension along the transverse direction maybe greater than the extension along the longitudinal direction. As such, thecentre support structure having a greater height may be provided, which mayin turn allow for storage of a larger variety of goods.

The recess 202 of the centre support panel 200 may be an elongatedcut 202 extending in a cut direction. The cut may have a length along the cutdirection being about 50% of a length of the respective centre support panel 200 along the cut direction. The elongated cut 202 may have an extension inthe transverse direction T as seen in the flat laid state of the blank 100.

As is evident from Fig. 2, the two side support panels 102 areremovably connected to each other at their respective corner sections 104.The two centre support panels 200 are at at least one transversal sideremovably connected to at least one centre section 106. Alternatively, or incombination, the two centre support panels 200 are each, at each outwardlyfacing longitudinal side removably connected to an inwardly facinglongitudinal side of the respective corner section 104.

As is shown in Fig. 2, the kit of support structures may be formedwithout any, or at least with a minimum of waste of material. This because thecentre support panels 200 are formed from the material between the two sidesupport panels 102 of the blank 100. This is achieved by the first extensionbeing greater than the second extension, thus providing space between thetwo centre sections 106 of the side support panels 102.

Further, alternatively, or in combination, the two centre support panels200 may be removably connected to each other at a respective inwardlyfacing longitudinal side facing the other centre support panel 200.

Further, alternatively, or in combination, the two centre support panels200 may each, at each outwardly facing longitudinal side be removablyconnected to an inwardly facing longitudinal side of the respective cornersection 104.

Further, alternatively, or in combination, the two centre support panels200 may at each transversal side be removably connected to the respectivecentre section 106 of the side support panels 102.

The blank 100 may be pre-cut such that perforations are formed wherethe panels are removably connected to one another. Such a configurationtypically facilitates transportation of the blank to the point of use and typicallyfacilitates the separation of the components. Hence, the disassembly of theblank and assembly of the kit of support structures may be facilitated.

Now turning to Figs. 3 and 4, there is disclosed a package 300comprising the kit of support structures.

The package 300 comprises a bottom panel 302, two mutuallyopposing side walls 304, and two mutually opposing end walls 306. The twoopposing side walls 304 has each an extension E3 along a height direction ofthe package 300. The two opposing end walls 306 respectively has anextension E4 along said height direction of the package 300.

The two side support panels 102 are positioned with the centre section106 and the inner corner section 104b alongside a respective one of theopposing side walls 304 of the package. The outer corner sections 104a arepositioned alongside the two opposing end walls 306 of the package.

Accordingly, the outer corner section 104a of the side support panel102 may be configured to be folded relative to the inner corner section 104bsuch that each corner section 104 forms a corner adapted to be positioned ina corner of the package 300.

As is shown in Figures 3 and 4, when positioned in the package 300the two side support panels 102 may be configured to be oriented such thatthe corner section 104 extend upwardly to a greater extent compared to anupwards extension of the centre section 106. Further, the transverse directionT as seen along the flat state of the blank may coincide with an upwardlyfacing height direction of the package. lt is preferred that the first extension E1 of the corner sections 104 isgreater than the extension E3 of the side walls 304 as seen in a heightdirection of the side walls 304. lt is further preferred that the first extension E1of the corner sections 104 is greater than the extension E4 of the end walls306 as seen in the height direction.

The first extension E1 of the corner sections 104 may be equal to theheight h of the centre support structure 310. Hence, the height h of the centresupport structure 310 may be greater than the extension E3 of the side walls304 as seen in a height direction of the side walls 304. Preferably, the heightof the centre support structure 310 is greater than the extension E4 of the endwalls 306 as seen in the height direction.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by nomeans is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope ofthe appended c|aims.

Additiona||y, variations to the disciosed embodiments can beunderstood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimedinvention, from a study of the drawings, the disciosure, and the appendedc|aims. In the c|aims, the word "comprising" does not exciude other elementsor steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exciude 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. Blank (100) for forming a kit of support structures for a package, theblank (100) comprising: two side support panels (102), each extending in a longitudinaldirection (L) and each having two corner sections (104) having a firstextension (E1) along a transverse direction (T), and a centre section (106)having a second extension (E2) along the transverse direction, wherein thefirst extension (E1) is greater than the second extension (E2), wherein thecentre section (106) is arranged between the two corner sections (104) asseen along the longitudinal direction, and wherein each corner section (104)comprises a fold line (105) extending in the transverse direction (T) anddividing the corner section (104) in an outer corner section (104a) and aninner corner section (104b) as seen along the longitudinal direction (L), two centre support panels (200) configured to form a centre supportstructure (310), each centre support panel (200) comprising a recess (202)configured to receive the other one of the two centre support panels (200)such that the two centre support panels (200) intersect each other whenforming a centre support structure (310), wherein the two side support panels (102) are oriented such that thecentre sections (106) are arranged at a distance from each other as seen inthe transverse direction (T), wherein the two side support panels (102) areremovably connected to each other at their respective two corner sections(104), and wherein the two centre support panels (200) are positioned betweenthe centre sections (106) of the two side support panels (102), wherein thetwo centre support panels (200) are at at least one transversal sideremovably connected to at least one centre section (106) and/or wherein thetwo centre support panels (200) are each, at each outwardly facinglongitudinal side removably connected to an inwardly facing longitudinal sideof the respective corner section (104).

2. The blank (100) according to claim 1, wherein the two side supportpanels (102) are configured to be positioned with the centre section (106) andthe inner corner section (104b) alongside a respective one of two opposingside walls of a package (300) and with the outer corner sections (104a)alongside two opposing end walls of the package (300).

3. The blank (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer cornersection (104a) is configured to be folded relative to the inner corner section(104b) such that each corner section (104) forms a corner adapted to bepositioned in a corner of the package (300).

4. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein the two centre support panels (200) are removably connected toeach other at a respective inwardly facing longitudinal side facing the othercentre support panel (200).

5. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein the two centre support panels (200) are each, at each outwardlyfacing longitudinal side removably connected to an inwardly facinglongitudinal side of the respective corner section (104).

6. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein the two centre support panels (200) are at each transversal sideremovably connected to the respective centre section (106) of the sidesupport panels (102).

7. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein the two side support panels (102) are configured to be oriented whenpositioned in the package (300) such that the corner sections (104) extendupwardly to a greater extent compared to an upward extension of the centresections (106).

8. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein the respective inner corner section (104b) has an extension along thelongitudinal direction (L) being at least 10% of a distance (d) between the foldlines (105) of the two corner sections (104) as seen along the longitudinaldirection (L).

9. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein the respective inner corner section (104b) has an extension along thelongitudinal direction (L) being less than 30% of a distance (d) between thefold lines (105) of the two corner sections (104) as seen along the longitudinaldirection (L).

10. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein each of the recesses (202) of the centre support panels (200) is anelongated cut extending in a cut direction, wherein the respective cut has alength along the cut direction being about 50% of a length of the respectivecentre support panel (200) along the cut direction.

11. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein each of the recesses (202) of the centre support panels (200) is anelongated cut extending in the transverse direction.

12. The blank (100) according to any one of the previous claims,wherein each centre support panel (200) has an extension along thelongitudinal direction (L) and an extension along the transverse direction (T), wherein the extension along the longitudinal direction (L) differs fromthe extension along the transverse direction (T), preferably such that theextension along the longitudinal direction (L) is greater than the extensionalong the transverse direction (T).

13. Package (300) comprisinga bottom panel (302), two mutually opposing side walls (304), and twomutually opposing end walls (306), two side support panels (102) from the blank (100) according to anyone of claims 1-12, the two side support panels (102) being positioned withthe centre section (106) and the inner corner sections (104b) alongside arespective one of the two opposing side walls (304) of the package and withthe outer corner sections (104a) alongside the two opposing end walls (306)of the package (300), and a centre support structure (310) formed by the two centre supportpanels (200) from the blank (100) according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the first extension (E1) of the corner sections (104) is greaterthan an extension (E3) of the side walls (304) as seen in a height direction ofthe side walls (304), and preferably also greater than an extension (E4) of theend walls (306) as seen in the height direction.

14. Package (300) according to claim 13, wherein the centre supportstructure (310) has a height being greater than the extension (E3) of the sidewalls (304) as seen in a height direction of the side walls (304), andpreferably also greater than the extension (E4) of the end walls (304) as seenin the height direction.

15. Package (300) according to claim 14, wherein the height of thecentre support structure (310) is equal to the first extension (E1) of the cornersections (104).