WO2002032770A2

WO2002032770A2 - A sealable container

Info

Publication number: WO2002032770A2
Application number: PCT/SG2001/000224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Boon Wee Lau
Original assignee: Boon Wee Lau
Priority date: 2000-10-19
Filing date: 2001-10-19
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Also published as: WO2002032770A3; WO2002032770B1; AU2002212946A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container assembled from a blank and having at least one compartment. The container comprises a base panel (12), side and (14a-d), foldable flap panels (18a-d) foldably adjoined to the perimeter of the base panel to fully encircle the base panel. The foldable flap panels foldably adjoin adjacent side panels to one another, and are folded during construction of the container to bring the adjacent side panels together. The container also comprises at least one lid panel (16) used to fashion a lid for the container and one or more sealing portions (20, 22) associated with the lid panel and side panels for sealing at least a part of the lid panels to at least a part of the side panels.

Description

A SEALABLE CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to container, in particular, to a container which is made from a blank and which can be sealed to be used for packaging and transporting its contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various designs of containers used for storing products, such as foodstuff, for ease of packaging and transportation. Although it will be convenient herein to describe a container used for storing foodstuff, it should be appreciated that the container described is capable of other applications.

Common sealable containers for storing foodstuff usually have 2-piece designs. A base member is provided to store the contents, and a separate cover (usually in the form of a sheet of material) is provided for covering the top of the base member. The cover may be made from a variety of material. After placing the cover over the base member, the two are sealed together, by a heat-sealing method. The heat is applied onto the rim that surrounds the perimeter of both the base member and lid that protrudes outside the container. These containers are usually perfectly sealed to be virtually airtight. One disadvantage is that it is generally difficult to open the cover from the small strip of protruding rim.

Another disadvantage of such a design is that the container is airtight. The design does not cater for instances where air-tightness is undesirable, for example, for food that is meant to be ventilated or microwaved. For such a container, holes would usually be made in the iid to prevent the container from exploding during the microwave process. Furthermore, the taste of certain foodstuffs, such as fried food, may spoil if left in an airtight container. Thus, it is advantageous if the container can be conveniently sealed without making it airtight.

Moreover, during manufacturing it would be more convenient, precise and allow better quality control to have a one-piece container. At the point of sales, a one- piece material is also more convenient to use.

Furthermore, in the case of sealed containers, they do not offer the option of having a handle for ease of carrying the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to produce a sealable container which can be made from a single blank rather than having separate base and lid members. The box can be sealed for convenient storage and transportation of its contents (whether at the factory or at the point of sale).

Accordingly, the present invention provides a container assembled from a blank and having at least one compartment, comprising a base panel; side and foldable flap panels foldably adjoined to the perimeter of the base panel to fully encircle the base panel wherein the foldable flap panels foldably adjoin adjacent side panels to one another, and are folded during construction of the container to bring the adjacent side panels together; at least one lid panel used to fashion a lid for the container; one or more sealing portions associated with the lid panel and side panels for sealing at least a part of the lid panels to at least a part of the side panels.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe several preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate variations of containers incorporating the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings and the related description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the broad description of the invention as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank used to form a container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 1 wherein the lid panels are opened to reveal the contents of the container.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 1 wherein the lid panels are closed.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank used to form a container according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 4 wherein the lid panels are opened to reveal the contents of the container.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 4 wherein the lid panels are closed and the handles are arranged upright.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 4 wherein the lid panels are closed and the handle panels are arranged to lie flat on the lid panels.

Figure 8 is an isometric view of a number of containers constructed according to Figure 6, which are stacked on top of one another. Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank used to form a container according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 9 wherein the lid panels are opened to reveal the contents of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank used to form a container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The blank includes an array of connected panels joined along fold lines. As will become clear, the blank 10 may be folded along the fold lines to form the container illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

The blank 10 can be made of a transparent or opaque plastic-based material or a paper-based material. The blank 10 includes a base panel 12, side panels 14a-d extending from the edges of the base panel 12, and fold panels 18a-d in between adjacent side panels 14a-d. At the outer edge of each of opposing side panels

14a,c, there is a base sealing rim 20a, b for use during sealing. The base panel

12, side panels 14a-d, fold panels 18a-d and base sealing rim 20a,b are more conveniently referred to collectively as the base member. The blank 10 also includes lid panels 16a, b that extend outwards from the edges of two side panels

14b,d. Lid sealing rims 22a-d are formed adjacent to two edges of each lid panel

16a,b. The lid panels 16a,b and lid sealing rims 22a-d are more conveniently referred to collectively as the lid member.

There is also an option of including a handle panel (not shown) adjacent to one or both of the lid panels 16a,b. This option is better illustrated by the other preferred embodiments described herein wherein the handle panels are shown.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 1 wherein the lid panels are opened to reveal the contents of the container. In order to construct the container of Figure 2, the fold panels 18a-d are pushed to fold inwards and fixed by adhesive to the adjacent side panels 14a-d. The side panels 14a-d will then be fixed in a vertical arrangement, thereby completing construction of the base member.

The lid panels 16a,b are then folded inwards, so that they overlap one another, forming the container in Figure 3, wherein the lid panels 16a,b are closed. It is apparent from Figure 3 that the lid sealing rims 22a,b are located on top of the base sealing rims 20a, b in the closed position of the container. Therefore, heat sealing means can be applied to the lid sealing rims 22a, b and base sealing rims 20a,b to seal the respective rims together. The container is thus only sealed partially, at the two sides, because the middle portion of the respective lid panels 16a,b overlap but are not sealed together. As such, the container is not made airtight. Furthermore, the lid panels 16a,b of the container can be opened easily by ripping open each lid panel 16a,b.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank 30 used to form a container according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The blank 30 can be made of a transparent or opaque plastic-based material or a paper-based material. There are two compartments shown. Although the illustrated compartments are of equal size, one compartment can be larger than the other and they need not be symmetrical. The blank 30 includes base panels 32a,b, side panels 34a(1)-(4) & 34b(1)-(4) extending from the edges of the base panels 32a, b, and fold panels 38a(1)-(4) & 38b(1)-(4) in between adjacent side panels 32a(1)-(4) & 32b(1)-(4). At the outer edge of each of opposing side panels 34a(2),a(4)₁b(2),b(4), there are base sealing rims 40a-d for use during sealing.

The base panels 32a,b, side panels 32a(1)-(4) & 32b(1)-(4), fold panels 38a(1)-(4) & 38b(1)-(4) and base sealing rims 40a-d are more conveniently referred to collectively as the base member. The blank 30 also includes lid panels 36a, b that extend outwards from the edges of two side panels 34a(1),b(3). Lid sealing rims 42a-d are formed adjacent to two edges of each lid panel 36a, b. In addition, there is a lid handle 37a, b extending from the outer edge of each lid panel 36a, d. The lid panels 36a, b, lid handles 37a, b and lid sealing rims 42a-d are more conveniently referred to collectively as the lid member.

Advantageously, the container may have a sub-compartment 44 formed from the blank 30. The sub-compartment 44 extends from one of the base sealing rims 40d and consists essentially of a base sub-panel 46, side sub-panels 48a-d, fold sub-panels 50a-d and sub-compartment sealing rim 51. The advantage of the sub-compartment 44 is that it can be used to contain gravy and topping, which can be separated from the main meal, such as rice or noodles, that are stored within the container. It is simple to construct as it is formed from the same blank and is simply flipped over to be used.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank of Figure 4 wherein the lid panels are opened to reveal the contents of the container. In order to construct the container of Figure 5, the fold panels 38a(1)-(4) & 38b(1)-(4) are pushed to fold inwards and fixed by adhesive to the adjacent side panels 32a(1)- (4) & 32b(1)-(4). The side panels 32a(1)-(4) & 32b(1)-(4) will then be fixed in a vertical arrangement, thereby completing construction of the base member comprising two compartments.

As regards the sub-compartment 44, the sub-compartment 44 is turned over to lie directly above the base panel 32b of the adjacent compartment. The fold sub- panels 50a-d are then folded inwards and fixed by adhesive to the adjacent side sub-panels 48a-d. A sub-compartment is thus formed in the base member.

The lid panels 36a, b are then folded inwards, so that they are co-planar, and the lid handles 37a, b are positioned vertically, forming the container illustrated in Figure 6, wherein the lid panels 36a, b are closed. It is apparent from Figure 6 that the lid sealing rims 42a-d are located on top of the base sealing rims 40a-d in the closed position of the container. Therefore, heat sealing means can be applied to the lid sealing rims 42a-d and base sealing rims 40a-d to seal the respective rims together. The container is thus only sealed partially, at the sides, because the middle portion of the respective lid panels 36a, b overlap but are not sealed together. As such, the container is not made airtight. It should be noted that the gap between the 2 compartments in this embodiment (52, in Figure 4) forms an inverted "V" shape.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank 30 of Figure 4 wherein the lid panels 36a,b are closed and the handle panels 37a, b are arranged to lie flat on the lid panels. This is a preferred orientation if a user does not require a handle for carrying the container and there is no need for the handle protrusion.

Figure 8 is an isometric view of a number of containers 30 constructed according to Figure 6, which are stacked on top of one another. The enlarged view of the overlapping portion A illustrates that the handle panels 37a, b can be located in between two adjoining compartments of the container. In the event, the stacked containers 30 are more securely positioned. The purpose of this orientation is for convenient distribution of the containers at a distribution centre and to reduce the likelihood of the containers slipping off during transportation. Alternatively, when mass reheating, the handles are folded down to provide extra heat distribution/ventilation through the tunnel between the compartments. It should be noted that the angle 52 in this embodiment has an inverted "V" shape.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank 60 used to form a container according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The method of construction of blank 60 is similar to that of blank 30 illustrated in Figure 4. The essential difference with the blank 30 illustrated in Figure 4 is that this blank 60 is adapted for airtight sealing.

It would be noted that in Figure 4, the separate compartments of the base member are joined along a single fold line 52. On the other hand, in Figure 9, the separate compartments are joined at an intermediate sealing portion 62. The main purpose for this construction of the intermediate sealing portion with an "n" shape is for sealing along this bridge or spine when required. Therefore, in a container constructed from the blank 60 in Figure 9, the lid panels can be heat- sealed to the intermediate sealing portion 62. This is in addition to the sealing of the lid sealing rims to the base sealing rims. This enables the whole container, including the 2 separate compartments to be perfectly sealed.

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a container constructed from the blank 60 of Figure 9 wherein the lid panels are opened to reveal the contents of the container, and wherein the intermediate sealing portion 62 is more clearly illustrated.

The container is preferably made from a single sheet of material that is non- thermal-conducting in nature, such as a transparent or opaque plastic-based or paper-based material. However, any other suitable material could be used. The sheet of material can be formed by injection moulding or blow moulding plastic. A number of other modifications to the container described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention described herein is thus susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description and accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container assembled from a blank and having at least one compartment, comprising: a base panel; side and foldable flap panels foldably adjoined to the perimeter of the base panel to fully encircle the base panel wherein the foldable flap panels foldably adjoin adjacent side panels to one another, and are folded during construction of the container to bring the adjacent side panels together; at least one lid panel used to fashion a lid for the container; one or more sealing portions associated with the lid panel and side panels for sealing at least a part of the lid panels to at least a part of the side panels.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing portion comprises at least a flange projecting from an edge of the lid panel and a flange projecting from an edge of the side panel.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, including sealing means which seal the respective flanges together.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a second compartment comprising: a second base panel, a second set of side and foldable flap panels foldably adjoined to the perimeter of the second base panel to fully encircle the second base panel wherein the second set of foldable flap panels foldably adjoin adjacent side panels to one another, and are folded during construction of the second compartment to bring the adjacent second set of side panels together; wherein a side panel of the second set of side panels adjoins a side panel of the first set of side panels.

5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one handle panel used to fashion a handle for the container, wherein the or each handle panel is foldably adjoined to a corresponding side panel, or a lid panel along an edge opposite to the side panel to which the lid panel is joined, and is foldable between an upstanding configuration in which it can be gripped and a retracted configuration in which it lies flat against a lid panel.

6. A container according to claim 5 when read with claim 4, wherein the container is stackable on top of another similar container such that the handle panel of the bottom container, when in an upstanding configuration, is positioned between the first and second compartments of the top container.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes one or more sub-compartments that can be constructed from the same blank, and occupying at least a portion of the or each compartment when the container is constructed.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein each sub-compartment comprises: a base panel; side and foldable flap panels foldably adjoined to the perimeter of the base panel to fully encircle the base panel wherein the foldable flap panels foldably adjoin adjacent side panels to one another, and are folded during construction of the container to bring the adjacent side panels together; wherein a side panel of the sub-compartment adjoins the side panel of at least one compartment of the container.

A container according to any one of the preceding claims, including intermediate sealing portions located between separate compartments or between a compartment and a sub-compartment of the container for sealing at least a part of the lid panels to at least a part of the side panels.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein sealing of all of the sealing portions and the intermediate sealing portions results in the container being sealed to be substantially airtight.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, that is formed of plastic-based material or paper-based material.