WO1996038342A1

WO1996038342A1 - Container with gusseted, interconnected sides and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1996038342A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Menios Menelaos Sfetsos
Original assignee: Proto Pack Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1993-12-02
Filing date: 1995-06-01
Publication date: 1996-12-05
Also published as: AU5211493A; AU2558195A

Abstract

Blank (I) is generally rectangular in shape but is trimmed in trimmed regions (26) to define edges in those regions (27 and 28). The following angular relationships are to be noted. The score lines (2, 3, 4 and 5) are at right angles to one another. The score lines (31) are at an angle of about 8° to the imaginary lines (23). The score lines (33) are at an angle of about 8° to the imaginary lines (24). The edges (27) are at an angle of about 12° to the imaginary lines (21) and the edges (28) are at an angle of about 12° to the imaginary lines (22). The score line (32) is drawn at an angle of 45° to the imaginary lines (23 and 24). Slits (46 and 47) are provided in the short sides (14 and 15) a substantial distance from the score lines (49 and 51) for engagement with the tabs (43 and 44) although if desired those slits (46 and 47) might be provided in the long sides (16 and 17).

Description

CONTAINER WITH GUSSETED, INTERCONNECTED SIDES AND BLANK THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There is a need to provide containers for various things and in particular foodstuffs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides:-

a container formed from a blank, which blank, in flat form, being of generally square or rectangular form

having four first lines of preferential folding arranged generally as a square or rectangle inboard of the side edges,

having two opposite first sides for the container,

and, adjacent the ends of said first lines, second lines of preferential folding generally radiating outwards from the ends of said first lines and defining two opposite second sides for the container and generally triangular corner portions,

wherein the first and second sides are folded upwardly about said four first lines to be said sides in erected form,

wherein said triangular corner portions are brought to overlie said first sides, wherein each of said triangular corner portions has a tab and each of said first sides has a slit in which said tab is received to be located within the container,

and wherein said slit is located a substantial distance below the top of the respective one of said first sides whereby said tab extends generally upwardly and is supported by a substantial area of the respective one of said first sides above the slit against disengagement.

PREFERRED ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred form the present invention provides a container formed from a blank, which blank, in flat form, being of generally square or rectangular form

and adjacent the ends of said first lines three second lines of preferential folding generally radiating outwards from the ends of said first lines and defining sides of the container and generally triangular corner portions,

wherein the sides are folded upwardly about said four first lines to be said sides in erected form,

wherein adjacent ones of said triangular corner portions are brought together to overlie one another and produce a generally triangular tuck which is folded to overlie a respective one of said sides

wherein the outer one of said adjacent ones of said triangular corner portions has a tab and each of the overlain ones of said sides has a slit in which said tab is received to be located within the container, and wherein said slit is located a substantial distance below the top of the respective one of said sides

whereby said tab extends generally upwardly and is supported by a substantial area of the respective one of said sides above the slit against disengagement.

The present invention also provides such a blank.

The container may be erected from the blank by bringing together adjacent generally triangular areas defined by the edge of the blank, said one of said second lines and said second one of said second lines, and the edge of the blank.

That bringing together may be done to the inside or outside of the container.

That bringing together will cause sides and/or ends of the container to become erect but outwardly diverging due to the angles stated above.

The two thickness regions formed by the bringing together may be additionally secured to the sides and/or ends by adhesive or stapling or in any other convenient way.

Dependant on size, said two thickness regions may come into contact or at least close adjacency.

The blank is preferably formed of cardstock laminated with a moisture impervious material such as aluminium foil.

Preferably the corners of the blank are trimmed from a perfect square or rectangle.

Preferably one of said triangular areas is larger than the other to facilitate folding. Desirably we have found that the free base of one triangular area, which area is to be on the outside, is desirably about 2.5 times the material thickness longer than the free base of the adjacent triangular area.

The above will help create a gap in to which a flap attached to a lid may enter.

We also prefer to use a lid closure latch including a tab extending upward from a free side, a lid with a flue for entering the container, a tab extending from the lid, a slit in the tab extending from the lid adapted to capture the tab extending upwardly from the free side.

In one instance, only one slit per side is provided and both tabs enter that same slit.

In a preferred instance lines of preferential folding extend into the base so that two parts of the base may be folded together to be flat one on the other and two sides may be folded to be flat one on the other to flatten the whole container from which flattened state it can be erected.

In the last condition there can be produced a container which can be reasonably leakproof yet provided in a flattened state to be erected by a user. Containers may be printed to customers requirements.

Specific construction of blanks and containers formed therefrom will now be described by way of example with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first blank for forming the container, Figure 2 is an isometric view of a second blank in partly erected form,

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the second blank in partly erected form,

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a container formed from the second blank,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of part of the container formed from the second blank,

Figure 6 is a plan view of part of a modified blank,

Figure 7 is a plan view of another modified blank,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of part of a container formed from the blank of Figure 7 in the process of formation,

Figure 9 shows an alternative construction,

Figure 10 shows another alternative construction,

Figure 11 is a plan view of yet another alternative construction,

Figure 12 is an isometric view of an alternative construction,

Figure 13 is a plan view of a blank of an alternative construction,

Figure 14 shows the blank of Figure 13 in a partially erect condition,

Figure 15 shows the blank of Figure 14 in a more erect condition,

Figure 16 shows the blank of Figure 14 in an erected but flattened condition,

Figure 17 shows an alternative way of erecting the blank of Figure 14, and

Figure 18 shows a detail.

INTEGER LIST

1. Blank

2. First score line

3. First score line

4. First score line

5. First score line

6. Long edge

7. Long edge

8. Long edge

9. Long edge

11. Base

14. Short side

15. Short side

16. Long side

17. Long side

21. Imaginary line

22. Imaginary line

23. Imaginary line

24. Imaginary line

26. Trimmed region

27. Edge

28. Edge

31. Second score line

31'. Part line

31". Part line

32. Second score line 33. Second score line

33' . Part line

33" . Part line

36. Triangular area

36^» . Triangular area

37. Triangular area

37' . Triangular area

38. Arrow

39. Arrow

40. Container

41. Notch

42. Notch

43. Tab

44. Tab

46. Slit

47. Slit

49. Scoreline

51. Scoreline

52. End flap

53. End flap

54. Scoreline

55. Lid

56. Scoreline

57. Lid part

58. Lid part

59. Vent slits

61. Scoreline

62. Closure flap

63. Slits

64. Slit

67. Slit

68. Lock tab

69. Lock tab

70. Blank

72. Blank

74. Slit

76. Slit 77. Tab

78. Tab

79. Hole

81. Slit

82. Hole

84. Blank

86. Area

87. Dash line

88. Region

89. Dotted line

91. Container

101. Container

102. Slit

105. Gap

106. Blank

121. Fold line

122. Fold line

123. Fold line

124. Fold line

125. Fold line

126. Fold line

127. Fold line

130. Container

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS

In Figure 1 is shown a blank 1 formed from a card and laminated with aluminium foil.

The blank 1 has first score lines 2, 3, 4 and 5 which define a rectangular base 11.

The blank 1 is generally rectangular in shape but is trimmed in trimmed regions 26 for a purpose to be explained later.

The blank 1 has long edges 6 and 7 and short edges 8 and 9. Line 21 is an imaginary line which is an extension of the short edges 8 and 9 and line 22 is an imaginary line which is an extension of the long edges 6 and 7.

Also drawn are Imaginary lines 23 which are extensions of the score line 2 and imaginary line 24 which is an extension of score lines 3 and 5.

As previously stated, the generally rectangular blank is trimmed in the trimmed regions 26 to define edges in those regions 27 and 28.

Second score lines 31, 32 and 33 are provided and serve to define triangular areas 36 and 37 and the underside of those triangular areas 36 and 37 and marked 36' and 37'.

The following angular relationships are to be noted. The score lines 2, 3, 4 and 5 are at right angles to one another. The score lines 31 are at an angle of about 8° to the imaginary lines 23. The score lines 33 are at an angle of about 8° to the imaginary lines 24.

The edges 27 are at an angle of about 12° to the imaginary lines 21 and the edges 28 are at an angle of about 12° to the imaginary lines 22. The score line 32 is drawn at an angle of 45° to the imaginary lines 23 and 24 but this may be varied as described below.

In consequence of the score lines the blank 1 is defined to have short sides 14 and 15 and long sides 16 and 17.

In addition the edges 27 and 21 have notches 41 and 42 which define tabs 43 and 44.

Slits 46 and 47 are provided in the short sides 14 and 15 for engagement with the tabs 43 and 44 although if desired those slits 46 and 47 might be provided in the long sides 16 and 17.

Score lines 49 and 51 define end flaps 52 and 53.

Score line 54 defines a lid 55 which, by a score line 56 is divided into lid parts 57 and 58 to enable the lid to be folded if desired.

Vent slits 59 are provided in the lid 55 and by pushing in that region vents may be opened.

A score line 61 defines a closure flap 62 which has slits 63 at its ends. The slits 63 can inter-engage with the end flaps 52 and 53 to retain the container 40 in closed condition.

A slit 66 is provided to define a lock tab 68 which has a slit 67 in it.

A co-operating lock tab 69 is provided for entry into the slit 67.

The slits 46 and 47 are desirably a substantial distance from the score lines 49 and 51 and at least 6 mm is preferred.

A similar blank to blank 1 is blank 70 shown in Figure 2.

Blank 70 principally differs from blank 1 in that it is slimmer.

To erect a container 40 from the blank 70 the triangular areas 36 and 37 are folded together on the score lines 31, 32 and 33 generally as shown in Figure 2 and this will cause the sides 14 - 17 to become erect although outwardly divergent due to the angle of the score lines 31 and 33 with the imaginary lines 23 and 24. The areas 36' or 37' which can be folded against, respectively, the short sides 14 and 15 or the long sides 16 and 17 as indicated by arrows 38 and 39 in Figure 2.

If folding is to be done in the direction of arrow 38 then the slits 46 and 47 are located in the sides 14 and 15. If folding is to be done in the direction of arrow 39 then the slits 46 and 47 are located in the sides 16 and 17.

The overlying tabs 43 and 44 are then inserted into the slits 46 and 47 and will bear on the sides 14 and 15 above the slits 46 and 47 over a substantial area. Further, it is to be noted that the tabs 43 and 44 need not be bent (except temporarily and without destroying substantially the inherent stiffness of the card) and will lie in substantially the same planes as the sides 14 and 15. Since opening forces in the reverse of the direction of arrows 39 are substantially perpendicular to the planes of the sides 14 and 15 excellent resistance to accidental displacement of the tabs 43 and 44 from the slits 46 and 47 will result.

Conversely, if the tabs 43 and 44 were bent about a fold line such that the stiffness of the card at that fold line was compromised then the tabs 43 and 44 might come to lie perpendicular or thereabouts to the plane of the sides 14 and 15 and that perpendicularity is generally in the same direction of the opening forces in the reverse of the direction of the arrow 39 and consequently accidental opening could easily occur.

If folding is to be done in the direction of arrow 38 in Figure 2 then it is preferred that the triangular areas 36 and 36' are smaller than the triangular areas 37 and 37' and in consequence it Is thus preferred that the score line 32 is at an angle of less than 45° to the imaginary line 24 and at an angle of greater than 45° to the imaginary line 23. In general, when folding is to be done in the direction of arrow 38 it is preferred that score line 32 Is at an angle of about 43° to imaginary line 24.

While the above angles give reasonable guidance, in general we have found that if the free bases of the triangular areas 36, that is generally along edges 28, are about 3 - 6 times, preferably about 4 times the thickness of the card longer than the free bases of the triangular areas 37, that is generally along edges 27, the folding will be most effective.

Conversely, if folding is to be in direction of arrow 39 then it is preferred that the areas 36 and 36' are larger than the areas 37 and 37' and in this case the score line 32 is shifted to be more adjacent to the imaginary line 23 and desirably makes an angle of about 43° with than imaginary lines.

The present invention leads itself to the production of containers of any reasonably desired width, length and depth but when a relatively deep container us to be made and the folding is to be in the direction of arrow 38 in Figure 2 then it is likely that the areas 37' of adjacent corners will come into contact with one another and for this reason the blank 41 shown in figure 4 is provided with a notch 42 of appropriate size which will enable the areas 37' of adjacent corners to come into proximity but without touching.

Reference is now made to Figure 6 which shows another blank 84 which is similar to blank 1 but which has an area 86 defined in part by dash line 87 removed. That area will overlie region 88 indicated by a dotted line 89 on the underside (with respect to Figure 6) of side 15 and adhesive can be applied to the region 88 to bond the underside of side 15 to triangular area 36' which is the underside (with respect to Figure 6) of triangular area 36.

In the Figure 6 the tabs 43 and 44 may be engaged with slits 46 or 47 or this step can be omitted to form a container 91 as shown in Figure 10. This option may be selected by an owner who wants a pre-erected container rather than to erect containers himself or herself.

In this last instance, it might be thought that tabs 42 and 44 and slits 46 and 47 were redundant, however, if the adhesive used was one that could be reasonably easily broken then the container 91 could be flattened out (but desirably not completely) to have a form somewhat similar to as shown in Figure 2 in which it may be used as a platter or dish to eat from.

After eating, if the container 91 is still required the sides may be re-erected and the tabs 43 and 44 can be engaged in the slits 46 and 47 to re-establish the integrity of the container.

The container 41 can be similarly flattened after disengagement of the tabs 43 and 44 from slits 46 and 47 and similarly re-erected.

Reference is made to Figure 7 which shows another blank 72 which differs principally from the blank 1 in that the fold lines 31 are in two parts as 31' and 31", fold lines 33 are in two parts as 33' and 33", slits 74 and 76 are provided which have the shape of three sides of a rectangle and which define tabs 77 and 78.

On folding about lines 31' and 31" and 33' and 33" the tab 77 and 78 will be caused to project. Tab 78 is not used as a tab but the hole 79 that is resultant from it projecting can be entered into by the tab 77 generally as shown in process of entering in Figure 8 and entered in Figure 4. An alternative way of forming the tab 78 is shown in Figure 9 where a slit 81 is provided to define a hole 82 to similarly co-operate with tab 77.

Engagement of tab 77 with hole 79 or hole 82 will stabilise the container 40 in that it will inhibit gapping between lines 31 and 33 as might otherwise occur.

In Figure 11 is shown part of a blank 43 which is similar to blank 1 but differs principally in that triangular areas 37 have been entirely omitted and the lid 55 has been omitted.

While not a leak-resistant container when erected, the container formed from the blank 93 will have applications.

If desired, the triangular portions 36 and 37 may be folded to be inside the respective container rather than outside as shown.

More than two triangular portions may be provided at each corner and a number of tucks may be formed and if desired some triangular portions might overlie, say, sides 14 and 15 and others might overlie sides 16 and 17.

It is desirable that edge 6 be convexedly curved as seen in Figure 1 to compensate for outward bowing of wall 17 when the container is erected.

Reference is made to Figure 12 which shows a container 101 which differs from container 40 principally in that the sides 14 and 15 each have only a single slit 102 into which all of the tabs 43 and 44 at one end of the container 101 are received. This modification will be found useful for relatively tall containers and the notches 42 will be probably found desirable. Reference is made to Figure 13 which shows a blank 106 similar to blank 1.

In Figure 13 it should be noted that the dimensions "a", the free base of the triangular area 37 is about 2.5 times the material thickness of the blank longer than the dimension "b" the free base of the triangular area 36.

The above will result in a gap 105 between the ends of the side 15 and triangular area 37 and side 17 which is bounded on one side by triangular area 36 and into which the end of closure flap 62 can enter can enter to be captures as shown in Figure 17.

In Figure 13 is also shown additional fold lines 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127.

Those additional fold lines allow the blank to be formed into a container 130 in collapsed state as shown in Figures 14 - 16 from which it may be erected to conventional non- collapsed box state.

Figure 17 shows a variant on Figures 13 - 16 in which area 86 is omitted as in Figure 6 and adhesive is applied to region 88 is omitted as in Figure 6 and adhesive is applied to region 88 also as described with respect to Figure 6.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

The claims and drawings form part of the disclosure of this specification.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE:-

1. A container formed from a blank, which blank, in flat form, being of generally square or rectangular form

having two opposite first sides for the container,

wherein said triangular corner portions are brought to overlie said first sides,

wherein each of said triangular corner portions has a tab and each of said first sides has a slit in which said tab is received to be located within the container,

2. A container formed from a blank, which blank, in flat form, being of generally square or rectangular form

wherein the outer one of said adjacent ones of said triangular corner portions has a tab and each of the overlain ones of said sides has a slit in which said tab is received to be located within the container,

and wherein said slit is located a substantial distance below the top of the respective one of said sides whereby said tab extends generally upwardly and is supported by a substantial area of the respective one of said sides above the slit against disengagement.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 2, wherein, in the blank form said three second lines of preferential folding extend from an intersection of each adjacent two of said first lines.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a first one of said second lines extends at an angle of above 135 ± 5° to said adjacent two of said first lines,

a second one of said second lines extends at an angle of greater than 90° and less than 100° to one of said adjacent two of said first lines and at an angle of less than 180° and greater than 170° to the other said adjacent two of said first lines, and

a third one of said second lines extends at an angle of greater than 90° and less than 100° to said other of said adjacent two of said first lines and at an angle of less than 180° and more than 170° to said one of said adjacent two of said first lines.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tab has a length of at least 7 mm and said slit is located at least 7 mm below the top of said respective one of said sides.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein both of said triangular corner portions have such a tab.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, of said sides, two opposite ones are ends, one is a back and one is a front.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the ends have flaps at their upper ends which are defined by lines of preferential folding which are folded inwardly.

9. A container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein extending from the upper end of the back and defined by a line of preferential folding thereat is a cover for the container and wherein the cover has a flap extending from the cover defined by a line of preferential folding adapted to be received into the container and to lie closely adjacent to the front.

10. A container as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said flap extending from the cover has a slit therein and the front has a tab extending therefrom and adapted to enter the slit in said flap extending from the cover.

11. A blank adapted to form the container of any preceding claim.

12. A container or a blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

13. The steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification and/or claims of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of said steps or features.