WO1987002966A1 - Flans servant a former des cartons - Google Patents

Flans servant a former des cartons Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1987002966A1
WO1987002966A1 PCT/GB1986/000692 GB8600692W WO8702966A1 WO 1987002966 A1 WO1987002966 A1 WO 1987002966A1 GB 8600692 W GB8600692 W GB 8600692W WO 8702966 A1 WO8702966 A1 WO 8702966A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blank
carton
erected
side wall
wall portions
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1986/000692
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christopher Peter Devereux
Original Assignee
Portapax Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB858527625A external-priority patent/GB8527625D0/en
Priority claimed from GB868603036A external-priority patent/GB8603036D0/en
Priority claimed from GB868608903A external-priority patent/GB8608903D0/en
Application filed by Portapax Limited filed Critical Portapax Limited
Publication of WO1987002966A1 publication Critical patent/WO1987002966A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/001—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable
    • B65D5/0015—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel
    • B65D5/003—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel having ledges formed by extensions of the side walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/001—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable
    • B65D5/0015—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel
    • B65D5/0045—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel having both integral corner posts and ledges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2301/00—Details of blanks
    • B65D2301/20—Details of blanks made of plastic material

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a blank, for forming cartons, crates, boxes and the like (herein referred to for convenience as cartons), for holding produce of various types such as fruit and vegetables.
  • Disposable cartons are presently made, principally, of either corrugated board or of fibreboard. Cartons made of these materials suffer from three problems. When moist, humid or damp the rigidity of the board diminishes and the board, in certain cases, disintegrates.
  • a further problem of cardboard cartons is their inability to withstand heavy loads unless relatively thick, and therefore, costly board is used in their construction or unless the carton is designed in such a way that various planes fold over and reinforce each other in the carton construction. Most cartons use this method to create the necessary resistance to loads.
  • Another type of board used for cartons is made of extruded foamed plastic which is subsequently laminated with either a kraft paper on both sides of the board or with a plastic film on one side or both sides of the board.
  • a further type is made of extruded foam plastic and which is, generally, extrusion coated on one side with an unfoamed plastic film.
  • the foamed plastic board with the kraft paper lamination suffers from two main disadvantages.
  • the first is that, as with corrugated cardboard cartons, a significant amount of scrap is created in the cutting and forming which, unlike the cardboard cartons, can not be easily or readily recovered since the kraft paper cannot be separated from the foamed plastic. This inability to reprocess the scrap increases the costs very significantly.
  • a second problem is that when the kraft lamination gets wet a lot of the strength of the carton is lost.
  • a further problem is the unattractive colour of the kraft paper. It is also known to form a skin on one or both faces of a foamed plastics material by collapsing the foam at the outside surfaces.
  • 1416891 and 1361501 are produced by injection moulding, in contrast to the present invention as defined below wherein the blanks are produced from extruded and formed foamed plastics material.
  • the present invention aims to provide a carton, and specifically a blank therefor, which overcomes the various disadvantages of the prior art as described above, and which has in particular the advantage of improved strength and rigidity.
  • the invention provides a blank for erecting into a carton having a base and side walls, wherein the blank is formed of a foamed plastics material which has been extruded and subsequently formed, preferably thermoformed. wherein formations (as herein defined) are provided in the plane of the blank, at least some of said formations being arranged such that they cooperate and interengage when the blank is erected into a carton.
  • the said forming of the extruded blank may be suitably carried out by ther oforming, but vacuum forming or pressure forming may be alternatively employed.
  • Said formations are to be understood as providing areas of the blank which deform or disturb the otherwise flat surface thereof, and may take for example the form of ridges, troughs, ribs, panels, recesses, undulations and the like.
  • Angular troughs/ridges/ribs (subsequently referred to as ridges) and/or panels are formed in different planes to create strong resistance to loads, and according to the invention at least some of such ridges and/or panels cooperate and interengage with each other when the blank is erected into a carton so as to considerably add to the strength and rigidity of the carton by virtue of the interlocking of the respective portions of the blank
  • ridges and/or panels may be formed in a vertical plane to create strength and resistance to stacking loads.
  • Ridges and/or panels may be formed in a horizontal plane to create resistance to spreading loads from the contents of the carton and to resistance to bowing of the sides under pressure. Further ridges and/or panels can be formed in the base and lid, or a separate cover, to create a secure stacking method.
  • the blank according to the invention is made of extruded foamed plastics material which is subsequently formed, preferably thermoformed. More particularly, the blank of the invention is essentially manufactured by a three-stage process, as follows: firstly, there is extruded a foamed plastics material; secondly, the extruded sheet is formed in which step there is imparted to it the desired formation of ridges, panels etc., in which step there are also formed the required hinge portions; and thirdly, the extruded and formed blank is cut out from the sheet.
  • the blank can be made of a foamed plastics material and can be made relatively thin, so that the blank may be manufactured relatively cheaply and the carton formed therefrom may be treated as a disposable item. This would not be practicable if the blank were formed by injection moulding instead of by extrusion, since the blank would have to be made thicker and would be relatively expensive to manufacture.
  • the blank according to the invention acquires the required strength and rigidity by virtue of the ridges, panels etc. formed therein at least some of which interengage and interlock when the blank is erected into a carton.
  • a blank according to the invention as previously-defined, wherein means are provided in or on the blank such that in the erected carton said means act to space the erected carton from another carton stacked therewith.
  • the means provided for spacing stacked cartons will most preferably comprise feet provided to project downwards from the bottom corners of the erected carton.
  • the spacing of stacked cartons by the means provided leads to another problem in that the stacking strength of the erected cartons is reduced and it therefore becomes most desirable to support the feet provided, and this is most preferably achieved by providing internal ribs at the corners of the erected carton which are arranged and adapted to support the said feet. It is envisaged that such internal ribs will most preferably be created from the blank itself when it is erected into a carton.
  • the foamed plastics material constituting the blank preferably has a skin formed on one or more preferably both faces thereof, such skin being suitably formed by the known technique of collapsing the foam at the outside surfaces so as to give a smooth surface to the blank.
  • the blank of the invention may be of any thickness suitable to the purpose for which the erected carton is to be employed, but is preferably from about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm thick.
  • the blank may be of relatively simple form and comprise essentially a base portion and side wall portions, which side wall portions are hinged to the base portion, and the side walls being interlockable together by virtue of the cooperating ridges and/or panels when the blank is erected to form a carton, or more preferably the blank may be of more complicated form as will be described subsequently with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • the side walls are preferably hinged to the base by means of an integral thin strip of plastics material which can be bent when the side walls are folded up.
  • the other portions thereof are suitably similarly hinged together.
  • the hinges preferably form generally a 'V shape in the blank, the gap defined by the hinge closing up when the respective parts of the blank are hinged together.
  • the extruded foamed material of which the blank is made may be suitably polystyrene, styrene copolymer, PET, polypropylene or polyethylene.
  • Indented handles may be provided in the carton from suitable cooperating formations, most preferably, at least one pair of opposite side wall portions are provided with panels arranged to constitute indented handles for the erected carton.
  • the cooperating ridges, panels etc. may permit improved stacking of the cartons, whether column stacking or cross-stacking.
  • top wall portions of the blank respectively hinged to a pair of opposite side wall portions.
  • Such top wall portions may each have a width somewhat less than half the width of the base portion of the blank so that the erected carton is partly open at the top thereof, or alternatively the top portions may each have a width substantially equal to half the width of the base portion so that the lid may completely close the erected carton.
  • the provision of such top wall portions also helps to prevent outward bowing of the erected carton.
  • top wall portions may be suitably provided on such top wall portions tabs arranged and adapted to snap-fit into appropriate openings in the other pair of opposite side wall portions of the carton, to assist in interlocking of the erected carton.
  • Such locking tabs are preferably tapered for ease of insertion. The provision of such tabs and corresponding openings in. the blank can only be satisfactorily achieved by forming, especially thermoforming.
  • Each top wall portion preferably has formed therein a panel corresponding to a panel formed in the carton base portion, whereby when two like cartons are stacked the panel of the top wall portion of a lower carton may cooperate and interengage with the panel of the base portion of an upper carton.
  • each top wall portion preferably has formed therein panels corresponding to panels formed in the feet of the carton base portion, whereby when two like cartons are stacked the panel of the top wall portion of a lower carton may cooperate and interengage with the panel of the foot extending down from the base portion of an upper carton.
  • each of the side wall portions is provided with a pair of flaps, each arranged to cooperate with an adjacent side wall portion, each flap having a ridge arranged to cooperate with a corresponding ridge of the adjacent side wall portion.
  • Each side wall portion is preferably provided with at least one panel.
  • One pair of opposite side wall portions may each comprise an inner and an outer side wall portion connected by a narrow top wall portion, the respective inner and outer side wall portions having cooperating ridges.
  • the gap between such inner and outer side wall portions in the erected carton is preferably exactly the same as the thickness of side flaps provided on the other pair of opposite side wall portions which are folded in between such inner and outer side wall portions; this forms a 3-layer, compact "sandwich" structure which is particularly strong, especially when the foamed material of the blank is provided with a rigid skin on each face thereof.
  • Such alternating layers of different density provide an especially rigid structure.
  • Ridges may be suitably provided at the ends of the base portion adjacent the double wall side portions referred to in paragraph 10 above so as to secure the folded over inner side wall portions. 12.
  • Horizontal ridges provided in opposite side wall portions of the erected carton also act to prevent outward bowing of the erected carton, and may be employed for this purpose instead of, or as well as, the top wall portions mentioned in paragraph 5 above. 13.
  • the stacking strength is always transferred through the side wall portions, i.e. not through the base portion, especially where the side wall portion is 2 or 3 planes thick as described in paragraph 10 above and where ridges are provided in vertical planes.
  • the erected carton according to the invention may be firmly interlocked together, especially at the corners thereof.
  • Cells, indentations or the like may be formed in the carton base portion for receiving individual items of produce, such as fruits etc., for example apples or oranges.
  • the foamed plastics material of which the blank is formed may also provide thermal insulation to keep the contents of the carton cool.
  • the blank itself is preferably a solid structure, but some parts thereof may be open if required.
  • a carton formed from a blank according to the invention is particularly suitable for transporting and warehousing fresh fruit and vegetables at a competitive cost, while avoiding the problems of the prior art as mentioned above.
  • the blank will lie generally flat with the base, side walls and other portions thereof in substantially the same plane, and the blanks may be stacked together for easy transport thereof.
  • the invention in another aspect provides a blank for erecting into a carton having a base portion and side wall portions, wherein the blank is formed of a foamed plastics material which has been extruded and subsequently formed, wherein the said base portion is shaped to receive individual items of produce.
  • part of the blank which will form the base portion of the erected carton may be provided with a series of indentations or cells formed therein for receiving fruit such as apples or oranges for example.
  • the blank is not otherwise formed with cooperating and interengaging formations such as ridges, panels etc.
  • the blank may, however, suitably include one or more preferred features of the blank according to the first aspect of the invention as described above, e.g. the preferred material of which the blank is made may be as described above, and/or the side wall portions may be hinged to the base portion by respective integral thin strips of plastics material, and/or the blank may additionally comprise top portions hinged to respective opposite side wall portions.
  • the invention in a further aspect provides a blank for erecting into a carton having a base portion and side wall portions, wherein the blank is formed of a foamed plastics material which has been extruded and subsequently formed, wherein flaps provided on at least some of the said side walls are arranged to be connected or to cooperate with other said side walls when the blank is erected into a carton, and wherein the side wall portions are hinged to the base portion by respective integral thin strips of pLas ⁇ ,ics material.
  • the hinges of integral thin strips of plastics material preferably form generally a 'V shape in the blank, the gap defined by the hinge closing up when the respective parts of the blank are hinged together.
  • the apex of the V shape may be rounded.
  • Top wall portions may be suitably provided as described previously, and such top wall portions will be hinged to the respective side wall portions as described above.
  • the blank is not otherwise formed with cooperating and interengaging formations such as ridges, panels etc., although the blank may suitably include one or more preferred features of the blanks as previously described, e.g. the preferred material of which the blank is made may be as described above, and/or the base portion may be shaped with indentations, cells or the like for receiving individual items of produce.
  • the invention in a yet further aspect provides a blank for erecting into a carton having a base and side walls, wherein the blank is formed of a foamed plastics material which has been extruded and subsequently formed, wherein means are provided in or on the blank such that in the erected carton said means act to space the erected carton from another carton stacked therewith.
  • such means may be provided on either the upper or lower edge of a carton, in particular by providing projections (feet) at the lower corners of the carton, whereby when such cartons are stacked together they are vertically spaced apart by the said feet or other means to permit air flow between the stacked cartons.
  • the means provided for spacing stacked cartons will comprise feet provided to project downwards from the bottom corners of the erected carton.
  • the feet provided may be supported by providing internal ribs at the corners of the erected carton which are arranged and adapted to support the said feet.
  • Such internal ribs will most preferably be created from the blank itself when it is erected into a carton.
  • the blank is not otherwise formed with cooperating and interengaging formations such as ridges, panels etc.
  • the blank may, however, suitably include one or more preferred features of the blank according to the invention as described above, e.g. the preferred material of which the blank is made may be as described above, and/or the side wall portions may be hinged to the base portion by respective integral thin strips of plastics material, and/or the blank may additionally comprise top portions hinged to respective opposite side wall portions.
  • flaps provided on at least some of the side walls are arranged to be connected or to cooperate with the other side walls when the blank is erected into a carton.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a blank according to the invention for erecting into a carton;
  • Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sections respectively taken along the lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D in Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a carton assembled from the blank shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 7 is a sectional side view of a part of the assembled carton shown in Figure 6, for the purpose of illustrating how like assembled cartons may be stacked one upon the other;
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a blank according to the invention for erecting into a carton
  • Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged sections respectively taken along the lines B-B and C-C in Figure 8 of the assembled carton;
  • Figure 11 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a blank according to the invention for erecting into a carton;
  • Figure 12 is an enlarged detail of the part A indicated in Figure 11;
  • Figure 13 is a section taken along the line F-F in Figure 12;
  • Figures 14 and 15 are enlarged sections respectively taken along the lines B-B and C-C in Figure 11, of the assembled carton;
  • Figure 16 is a section taken along the line E-E in Figure 14;
  • Figure 17 is a plan view of a yet further embodiment of a blank according to the invention for erecting into a carton;
  • Figure 18 is a section taken along the line D-D in Figure 17, of two crates stacked together;
  • Figures 19a and 19b are sectional views illustrating preferred hinge portions of the blank according to the invention;
  • Figures 20a and 20b are sectional views illustrating left-hand and right-hand folds respectively of a preferred hinge portion of the blank
  • Figures 21 and 22 are vertical sectional views of modified blanks of the invention erected into cartons
  • Figure 23 is a vertical section of a further modified blank of the invention erected into a carton having a domed base;
  • Figure 24 is a plan view of one embodiment of a blank according to the invention for erecting into a carton;
  • Figure 25 is a half section taken along the line A-A in Figure 26, and is essentially a plan view of an erected carton formed from the blank shown in Figure 24;
  • Figure 26 is a half section taken along the line C-C in Figure 25, and is essentially a side view of the erected carton formed from the blank shown in Figure 24;
  • Figure 27 is a half section taken along the line B-B in Figure 25, and is essentially an end view of the erected carton formed from the blank shown in Figure 24;
  • Figure 28 is a section taken along the line D-D in Figure 25;
  • Figure 29 is a section taken along the line E-E in Figure 25;
  • Figure 30 is a detailed side view showing the manner of interconnection of the top portions of the erected carton with the side walls thereof;
  • Figure 31 is a section taken along the line F-F in Figure 30;
  • Figure 32 is a sectional side view showing two cartons of the type shown in Figures 24 to 31, stacked one upon the other.
  • the blank shown in Figure 1 essentially comprises the following elements. In the following description the various parts of the blank will be referred to in terms of the respective parts of the carton which they constitute when the blank is assembled.
  • the blank comprises a base 1, a pair of long side walls 2 and a pair of shorter side walls 3.
  • Each of the side walls 3 is a double wall formed of side wall portions 3a and 3b joined together by a narrow top portion 3c.
  • Each of the side walls 2 has a pair of flaps 4.
  • the top portions 5 each have a pair of tapered tabs
  • the side wall portions 3b each have a pair of flaps
  • the blank as a whole is formed of foamed plastics material which has been extruded and subsequently formed, preferably thermoformed, the surfaces of which are formed with skins, suitably obtained by causing the cells of the foam to collapse at the surfaces thereof.
  • the various parts of the blank are hinged together by means of a series of hinges 10, each formed of a thin integral strip of plastics material.
  • the hinges 10 are best seen in Figures 2 to 5, and it will be apparent that the hinges form generally a 'V shape in the blank. the gap defined by the hinge closing up when the respective parts of the blank are hinged together.
  • the various parts of the blank are provided with ridges and panels etc.
  • the base 1 is provided with a pair of panels 11; the side walls 2 are each provided with a pair of panels 12 and a pair of ridges 112; the side wall portions 3a are each provided with a panel 13a and a pair of ridges- 113a; the side wall portions 3b are each provided with a pair of ridges 13b arranged to cooperate with the.
  • each flap 4 is each provided with a ridge 14 arranged to cooperate with a respective ridge 113a and/or 13b;
  • the top portions 5 are each provided with a panel 15; and
  • the flaps 7 are each provided with a ridge 17 arranged to cooperate with a respective ridge 112.
  • respective cooperating panels 23a and 23b which may function as indented handles.
  • a pair of formations 223a are also provided in each of the side wall portions 3a.
  • the blank shown in Figure 1 may be assembled to form the carton as shown in Figure 6, with the flaps 4 being inserted between the respective side wall portions 3a and 3b, with the flaps 7 being arranged along the inside of the respective side walls 2, and with the tabs 6 being inserted in the respective openings 8.
  • the panels 12 and 13a provide greater rigidity in vertical planes, adding to the stacking strength of the carton.
  • the strength may be further improved by ensuring that the load bearing walls, and especially the ridges, are kept in the same plane or that any part of the load bearing walls that is not in a direct vertical plane is supported in some way.
  • Each of the blanks shown in Figures 8 and 11 are similar to each other and also to the blank shown in Figure 1.
  • Each of the blanks shown in Figures 8 and 11 comprises a base 1, a pair of long side walls 2 and a pair of shorter side walls 3.
  • Each of the side walls 3 is a double wall formed of side wall portions 3a and 3b joined together by a narrow top portion 3c.
  • Each of the side walls 2 has a pair of flaps 4. Attached to the edges of the side walls 2 remote from the base 1 are respective partial top or lid portions 5.
  • the top portions 5 each have a pair of tapered tabs 6.
  • the side wall portions 3b each have a pair of flaps 7.
  • a pair of openings 8 are provided in each of the portions 3c for receiving the tabs 6.
  • the blank is formed of foamed plastics material as described in the embodiment of Figure 1, and the various parts of the blank are hinged together by means of a series of hinges 10, again as described in the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • the base 1 is provi ' ded with a series of three panels 11; the side walls 2 are each provided with a single elongate panel 12a and a pair of ridges 112; the side wall portions 3a are each provided with a panel 13a and a pair of ridges 113a; the side wall portions 3b are each provided with a pair of ridges 13b arranged to cooperate with the ridges 113a; the flaps 4 are each provided with a ridge 14 (of reduced length as compared with the flap 4) arranged to cooperate with a respective ridge 113a and/or 13b; the top portions 5 are each provided with a panel 15; and the flaps 7 are each provided with a ridge 17 (of reduced length as compared with the flap 7) arranged to cooperate with a respective ridge 112. the flaps 7 being additionally each provided with a panel 117 arranged to cooperate with a portion of a respective panel 12a. Also in each side wall portion 3a and 3b are formed respective cooperating panels 23a and 23b
  • each of Figures 8 and 11 may be assembled in a manner similar to the blank of Figure 1 to form a carton, with the flaps 4 being inserted between the respective side wall portions 3a and 3b, with the flaps 7 being arranged along the inside of the respective side walls 2, and with the tabs 6 being inserted in the respective openings 8, said insertion of the tabs 6 being facilitated by the provision of cut-out portions 140 in the flaps 4.
  • small ridges 130 and 131 are formed respectively in the base 1 and in the narrow top portion 3c adjacent the ridges 113a and 13b.
  • small ridges 132 and 133 are formed in the base 1 and in the top portions 5 adjacent the ridges 112.
  • cut-out sections 135 are formed at the respective ends of the ridges 113a and 112.
  • One such alternative way of supporting the vertical loads is shown in Figures 9 and 10.
  • Interlocking ridges are formed in the side walls as in the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • a corresponding ridge 130-133 is formed to interface with the deviation so as to form a structure that will transmit any vertical load down through the vertical plane of the rib.
  • the angle formed by the ridges 130-133 is approximately 45° as shown in Figures 9 and 10, but this angle may be a different value provided that the ridge 130-133 forms an interface with the corresponding vertical ridge 13b, 113a, 17, or 112.
  • Another alternative way of supporting vertical loads is shown in Figures 11 to 16.
  • FIGs 17 and 18 is generally similar to that shown in Figures 11 to 16, except that the panels 11 in the base 1 are replaced by a series of small panels 110 and the panels 15 in the top portions 5 are replaced by a series of small panels 150, as shown in Figure 17.
  • Detail A and sections B-B and C-C shown in Figure 17 correspond to Figures 12 to 16 described with reference to Figure 11.
  • the interfacing angles of the panels 110 formed in the base and the panels 150 formed in the top portions can be created in various angle profiles so that they naturally slip or slide into each other even when placed on each other slightly askew. This feature can be further enhanced by making the panels in the base of smaller width than that of the panels in the top portions and allowing space between them in the horizontal plane (see Figure 18).
  • the design of the ridges can be inverted as compared with the structure of Figure 18 so that panels 150 extend upwards into panels 110.
  • the hinges 10 formed in the extruded foam sheet of the blanks of the present invention can be designed (typically shown in Figure 19a but also as in Figure 19b) in such a way as that they fold to create a right angle in either direction (as shown in Figures 20a and 20b) in order to achieve a self erecting design.
  • interlocking ridges are formed in the side walls to add vertical stacking strength. In a self erecting carton, however, these ridges might create a problem when the carton is collapsed by preventing the carton from completely collapsing. In order to overcome this, corresponding male or female ridges would be created in the base, side walls, or top to allow the ridges to recess into when in the collapsed position.
  • the method of securing the side walls to each other or to the top portions or to the base can be, typically, by glue or adhesive; by solvent which dissolves the plastics slightly between the planes and then resets them together; by heating the surfaces to the plastic melting point and then letting them set together; by ultra-sonically welding them together; by welding them together with a laser; or by fixing them together with a metal or plastic staple or rivet.
  • the base of the carton made from plastic foam sheet, when skinned, coated or laminated on both sides, will support appreciable loads, certain products are too heavy for the carton to support them and as a result the base bends downwards onto the contents of the carton below.
  • the base may be formed in such a way as to create a dome 26 or upward curve in it, as shown in Figure 23.
  • Downward pressure on the curved base creates a horizontal force against the bottom edge of the side walls. Since the square or rectangular base shape is extremely strong and maintains its shape, the base is kept in its upward dome shape thereby supporting the contents satisfactorily.
  • a further method to support and maintain the upward dome shape is to create troughs along the length, width or diagonals (or a combination of two or more of these directions) of the base.
  • these troughs will be such that the top of the trough will follow the profile of the dome while the bottom of the trough will follow a different profile such as on a plane similar to the direct line between the bottoms of the side walls.
  • the profile of the bottom of the trough might be a larger radius than that of the profile at the top of the trough.
  • a further design could be that the radius at the bottom of the trough could be equal to the radius at the top.
  • the trough(s) may start and end at the extremities of the inside or of the outside of the base or they may start and end at any point on the base.
  • the blank shown in Figure 24 comprises a base 1, a pair of long side walls 2 and a pair of shorter side walls 3.
  • Each of the side walls 3 is a double wall formed of side wall portions 3a and 3b joined together by a narrow top portion 3c. 5
  • Each of the side walls 2 has a pair of flaps 4. Attached to the edges of the side walls 2 remote from the base 1 are respective partial top or lid portions 5.
  • the top portions 5 each have a pair of tapered tabs 6 having barbed portions 6a.
  • the side wall portions 3b o each have a pair of flaps 7.
  • a pair of openings 8 are provided in each of the portions 3c for receiving the tabs 6.
  • the blank as a whole is formed of foamed plastics material which has been extruded and subsequently 5 formed, preferably thermoformed. the surfaces of which are formed with skins, suitably obtained by causing the cells of the foam to collapse at the surfaces thereof.
  • the various parts of the blank are hinged together by means of a series of hinges 10, each formed of a thin integral strip of plastics material, as previously described, and form generally a "V" shape in the blank, the gap defined by the hinge closing up when the respective parts of the blank are hinged together.
  • the various parts of the blank are provided with ridges and panels etc. for the purpose of imparting greater rigidity to the assembled carton in the vertical and horizontal directions, some of such formations in the blank being arranged and adapted to cooperate so as to assist in interlocking the assembled carton together, and some of such formations being arranged to cooperate with corresponding formations in a like carton so as to assist in stacking of the cartons.
  • the base 1 is provided with a series of three elongate panels 11, and also with a number of small square panels 11a;
  • the side walls 2 are each provided with a single elongate panel 12a and a pair of ridges 112;
  • the side wall portions 3a are each provided with a pair of ridges 113a;
  • the flaps 4 are each provided with a ridge 14 arranged to cooperate with a respective ridge 113a;
  • the top portions 5 are each provided with an elongate panel 15, with a pair of small square panels 15a, and with a further elongate (half-) panel 15b adjacent the free edge of the portion 5;
  • the flaps 7 are each provided with a panel 117 arranged to cooperate with a portion of a respective panel 12a.
  • each side wall portion 3a and 3b are formed respective cooperating panels 23a and 23b which may function as indented handles. Respective portions 223a and 223b are also provided in the side walls 3a and 3b, for cooperating with the barbed portions 6a of the tabs 6. as best illustrated in Figure 31.
  • the blank shown in Figure 24 may be assembled to form a carton, with the flaps 4 being inserted between 0 the respective side wall portions 3a and 3b, with the flaps 7 being arranged along the inside of the respective side walls 2, and with the tabs 6 being inserted in the respective openings 8, said insertion of the tabs 6 being facilitated by the provision therein of 5 the barbed portions 6a.
  • the blank shown in the drawings is provided at each corner of the base 1 with a foot or o like downward projection 201, which when the blank is erected into a carton may rest upon the corresponding upper corner of a like carton so as to define a space between the respective cartons.
  • a foot or o like downward projection 201 which when the blank is erected into a carton may rest upon the corresponding upper corner of a like carton so as to define a space between the respective cartons.
  • Each of the feet 201 are suitably shaped as shown in the drawings, and taper from a relatively wide opening portion 202 in the plane of the base 1 via downwardly inclined portions 203 to a base portion 204 of reduced dimensions as compared with the portion 202.
  • the ribs 210 are provided by means of respective portions 211a. 211b on each of the flaps 7 and by means of respective portions 212a, 212b on each of the ends of the side walls 3b adjacent thereto.
  • the respective portions 211, 212 are interconnected by portions 213.
  • respective ribs are formed at each of the internal corners of the carton by the folding deformation of the portions 211, 212, 213.
  • each of the internal ribs are provided with respective projecting portions 214 and 215, as best illustrated in Figure 24.
  • the projecting portions 214. 215 are folded into the adjacent foot portion 201. to further reinforce the stacking strength of the carton.
  • each of the feet 201 the base portion 204 thereof is upwardly recessed as shown, and arranged and adapted to receive an upwardly projecting panel 15a provided on a top portion 5, so as to assist in stacking of the cartons. While the stacking strength of the carton shown in the drawings is particularly assisted by the provision of the internal ribs formed by the portions 211, 212. 213, the stacking strength could alternatively be improved by any other appropriate folding formation or even by the provision of appropriate undulations in the carton side walls. Also, the feet 201 themselves could of course be of any other appropriate configuration, different from that shown in the drawings.
  • the strength may be further improved by ensuring that the load bearing walls, and especially the ridges, are kept in the same plane or that any part of the load bearing walls that is not in a direct vertical plane is supported in some way, particularly as previously described.
  • small ridges may be formed respectively in the base 1 and in the narrow top portion 3c adjacent the ridges 113a.
  • small ridges may be formed in the base 1 and in the top portions 5 adjacent the ridges 112. That is, at the point where the vertical ridge deviates from the vertical plane, a corresponding ridge is formed to interface with the deviation so as to form a structure that will transmit any vertical load down through the vertical plane of the rib.
  • the angle formed by the ridges may be approximately 45°, but this angle may be a different value provided that the ridge forms an interface with the corresponding vertical ridge 113a, or 112.
  • cut-out sections may be formed at the respective ends of the ridges 113a and 112.
  • the vertical stacking ridges are kept in a vertical plane but also touch the horizontal planes (i.e. the base 1 and the top portions 5).
  • the vertical load may be supported by ridges that are in a totally vertical plane.
  • the top portion 5 could be made so as to have a width substantially equal to the height of the side walls 2 to which they are attached, so that an intended user of the carton, if it were desired that the erected carton should not have top portions, could instead fold the top portions down parallel and adjacent to the side walls 2, so that a side wall 2 and a top portion 5 together formed a double-wall arrangement similar to that provided by the side wall portions 3a and 3b. This would further increase the strength of the carton.
  • the flaps 7 could then be folded in between the side wall portions 2 and 5. Further, the portions 5 could be cut so that their ends nearest the corners of the carton would lie vertically against the portions 211b, 212b.
  • the feet 201 could be suitably arranged to fit onto the top edges of the side wall portions 2 and 5. Finally, the portions 2 and 5 could be joined together by a narrow portion similar to the top portion 3c.

Abstract

Un flan destiné à être monté pour devenir un carton comprend un fond (1) et des parois latérales (2, 3). Il se compose d'un matériau plastique extrudé puis thermoformé, les formations ayant l'aspet de panneaux, d'arêtes, etc. (11, 12, 112, 13, 113, 14, 17) aménagés dans le plan du flan, au moins certaines de ces formations étant conçues de façon à se coordonner et à s'assembler les unes avec les autres, lorsque le carton est monté. Le flan peut en outre comprendre des parois supérieures partielles (5) également munies de panneaux (15). Les différentes parties du flan sont articulées de manière appropriée par de fines languettes de plastique (10) solidaires avec le flan. Celui-ci est de préférence muni de pieds (201) qui, lorsque le carton est monté, se prolongent vers le bas à partir des coins de fond, afin de maintenir un espace entre le carton monté et un autre carton empilé avec celui-ci.
PCT/GB1986/000692 1985-11-08 1986-11-07 Flans servant a former des cartons WO1987002966A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8527625 1985-11-08
GB858527625A GB8527625D0 (en) 1985-11-08 1985-11-08 Blanks for forming cartons
GB8603036 1986-02-07
GB868603036A GB8603036D0 (en) 1986-02-07 1986-02-07 Blank for forming cartons
GB868608903A GB8608903D0 (en) 1986-04-11 1986-04-11 Blanks
GB8608903 1986-04-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1987002966A1 true WO1987002966A1 (fr) 1987-05-21

Family

ID=27262841

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1986/000692 WO1987002966A1 (fr) 1985-11-08 1986-11-07 Flans servant a former des cartons

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0245348A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU6593286A (fr)
IL (1) IL80549A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1987002966A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0742155A1 (fr) * 1995-05-11 1996-11-13 Ets Courant Sa Cagette stockable à plat et son procédé de fabrication
WO1998047775A1 (fr) * 1997-04-24 1998-10-29 Mouldex Plast Ab Decoupe de boite en plastique empilable et son procede de formation
US6918503B1 (en) 1997-09-02 2005-07-19 Linpac Mouldings Limited Box blank and a method of forming same
WO2006011093A1 (fr) * 2004-07-19 2006-02-02 Michael James Warwick Contenant
WO2013030791A2 (fr) * 2011-09-02 2013-03-07 Carter Holt Harvey Limited Contenants et appareil
RU223183U1 (ru) * 2022-07-25 2024-02-05 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "НЭОФАРМ" Складная коробка-лоток

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2705588A (en) * 1952-11-20 1955-04-05 Birmingham Paper Company Chick box
US2944723A (en) * 1958-07-14 1960-07-12 Owens Illinois Glass Co Interlocked carton
GB1270581A (en) * 1965-08-19 1972-04-12 Thomas Williamson Winstead Method and apparatus for continuously manufacturing articles from foamed thermoplastic material
US3675808A (en) * 1970-06-26 1972-07-11 Delbert L Brink Knockdown foamed plastic shipping container
DE2538102A1 (de) * 1975-08-27 1977-03-10 Stucki Kunststoffwerk Transportkasten aus kunststoff
FR2436715A1 (fr) * 1978-09-21 1980-04-18 Montreuil Moulages Plastiques Emballage en matiere plastique
US4235346A (en) * 1979-09-19 1980-11-25 Joseph Liggett Collapsible lightweight shipping container
GB2138782A (en) * 1983-04-29 1984-10-31 Halsey Colin Denis Foldable blank for container

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2705588A (en) * 1952-11-20 1955-04-05 Birmingham Paper Company Chick box
US2944723A (en) * 1958-07-14 1960-07-12 Owens Illinois Glass Co Interlocked carton
GB1270581A (en) * 1965-08-19 1972-04-12 Thomas Williamson Winstead Method and apparatus for continuously manufacturing articles from foamed thermoplastic material
US3675808A (en) * 1970-06-26 1972-07-11 Delbert L Brink Knockdown foamed plastic shipping container
DE2538102A1 (de) * 1975-08-27 1977-03-10 Stucki Kunststoffwerk Transportkasten aus kunststoff
FR2436715A1 (fr) * 1978-09-21 1980-04-18 Montreuil Moulages Plastiques Emballage en matiere plastique
US4235346A (en) * 1979-09-19 1980-11-25 Joseph Liggett Collapsible lightweight shipping container
GB2138782A (en) * 1983-04-29 1984-10-31 Halsey Colin Denis Foldable blank for container

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0742155A1 (fr) * 1995-05-11 1996-11-13 Ets Courant Sa Cagette stockable à plat et son procédé de fabrication
FR2733963A1 (fr) * 1995-05-11 1996-11-15 Courant Ets Sa Cagette stockable a plat et son procede de fabrication
WO1998047775A1 (fr) * 1997-04-24 1998-10-29 Mouldex Plast Ab Decoupe de boite en plastique empilable et son procede de formation
AU745784B2 (en) * 1997-04-24 2002-03-28 Linpac Allibert Limited A stackable plastic box blank and method of forming same
US6416701B1 (en) 1997-04-24 2002-07-09 Recopac Ab Method of forming a box blank
US6918503B1 (en) 1997-09-02 2005-07-19 Linpac Mouldings Limited Box blank and a method of forming same
WO2006011093A1 (fr) * 2004-07-19 2006-02-02 Michael James Warwick Contenant
WO2013030791A2 (fr) * 2011-09-02 2013-03-07 Carter Holt Harvey Limited Contenants et appareil
WO2013030791A3 (fr) * 2011-09-02 2014-11-06 Carter Holt Harvey Limited Contenants et appareil
RU223183U1 (ru) * 2022-07-25 2024-02-05 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "НЭОФАРМ" Складная коробка-лоток

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0245348A1 (fr) 1987-11-19
IL80549A0 (en) 1987-02-27
AU6593286A (en) 1987-06-02

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