WO2008129537A2

WO2008129537A2 - A corrugated cardboard container with an attached upper extension

Info

Publication number: WO2008129537A2
Application number: PCT/IL2008/000512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moti Adut
Original assignee: Cargal Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-04-22
Filing date: 2008-04-15
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: WO2008129537A3; IL182709A; IL182709A0

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cardboard container comprising four side walls, a bottom and an at least one upper extension extending from a side wall of the container; said upper extension comprises an at least one lateral flap; wherein the upper extension is flapped up towards the center of the container and the lateral flaps are folded downwardly and affixed to an at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends and a method of producing cardboard containers with affixed lateral flaps.

Description

A CORRUGATED CARDBOARD CONTAINER WITH AN ATTACHED

UPPER EXTENSION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to the field of corrugated cardboard containers, more specifically to cardboard containers provided with an upper extension adapted to cover goods within the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Corrugated cardboard containers are commonly used for storing and marketing products, for example fruit and vegetables, poultry and meat, and other items. Typically during transport a plurality of containers are stacked up one on top of each other and multiple stacks are placed next to each other on a platform, so that they can readily be moved with a fork-lift. Cardboard containers are sometimes provided with upper extensions which extend from the upper portion of the container's side walls. These upper extensions cover at least a portion of the goods stored in the container, and reinforce the container by attaching the side walls from which they extend to a perpendicular sidewall. Further, the upper extension provide stable basis for another container to be mounted on top of a container.

Upper extensions are provided attached to one side wall only, the side wall from which it extends. To reinforce the container, upper extensions should be attached to other side walls as well. Commercially available containers of BLIWS, require another step of attaching the upper extension to the other side walls besides the one it extends from. That extra step can be performed by gluing the upper extension or positioning it in a "lock" or loop preferably located at the upper portion of the side wall to which the upper extension is attached.

Many cardboard containers are made of one sheet, one piece of material, hence limited in several parameters. For example, it is more complicated to provide multiple-thickness container from one piece of material. Further, since printing machines are limited to a several number of colors, styles or nuances, a container comprising more than one sheet can be provided with more colors, styles or nuances than a one-piece container. It is therefore desirable to provide a cardboard container with upper extensions attached to more than one side wall.

SUMMARY

It is a main object of the present invention to disclose a method for producing a cardboard container comprising an upper extension extending from a side wall and attached to a side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends, said upper extension comprises an at least one lateral flap extending from the side of the upper extension, the method comprising folding the upper extension towards the center of the container; folding the at least one lateral flap downwardly; and, attaching the at least one lateral flap to an at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends. It is another object of the above disclosed method, further comprising: obtaining three elements; a first element comprising a side wall, an upper extension extending from the upper portion of the side wall and two lateral extensions extending from the side of the side wall, a second element comprising a bottom and two side walls; and a third element comprising a side wall, an upper extension extending from the upper portion of the side wall and two lateral extensions extending from the side of the side wall; placing the first element and the third element perpendicular to the surface of the bottom; folding the lateral extensions of the first element and the lateral extension of the third element towards the center of the bottom; folding up the side walls of the second element externally to the lateral extensions of the first element and the lateral extensions of the third element and attaching the same; folding up the middle portions of the upper extensions of at least one of the first element or the third element towards the center of the bottom; and, folding downwardly the lateral flaps of the upper extensions and attaching the lateral flaps to at least one side wall of the second element.

It is another object of the above disclosed method, wherein attaching is performed by glue, iron wire, stapler, or a piece of material extending from the at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends and firmly affixes the lateral flap. It is a main object of the present invention to disclose a cardboard container comprising four side walls, a bottom and an at least one upper extension extending from a side wall of the container; said upper extension comprises an at least one lateral flap; wherein the upper extension is flapped up towards the center of the container and the lateral flaps are folded downwardly and affixed to an at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends.

It is another object of the above disclosed container, further comprising a first element (100) comprising a side wall (130), an upper extension and two lateral extensions (115, 135), said upper extension comprises a middle portion (105) and two lateral flaps (110, 120) extending from the side of the upper extension; a second element (200) comprising a bottom and two side walls; and, a third element (300) comprising a side wall (330), an upper extension and two lateral extensions (315, 335), said upper extension comprises a middle portion (305) and two lateral flaps (310, 320) extending from the side of the upper extension; wherein at least one of the upper extensions is flapped towards the center of the bottom and at least one lateral flaps of the previously flapped upper extension is folded downwardly and attached to at least one of the side walls (225, 235) of the second element. It is another object of the above disclosed container, further comprising an at least one side extensions ((205, 245), (215, 255)) extending from a side wall of the second element, adapted to be folded up towards the bottom of the container and to be attached to an at least one side wall not included in the second element. It is another object of the above disclosed container, wherein the second element further comprising an at least one minor extensions extending from the bottom, adapted to be folded up externally to a side wall of the first element or the third element. It is another object of the above disclosed container, wherein the second element comprising a void provided adjacent to the line connecting the bottom and the minor extensions.

It is another object of the above disclosed container, wherein at least one of the side walls of the second element comprises a void.

It is another object of the above disclosed container, wherein the void is formed by folding a portion of the at least one of the side walls of the second element.

It is another object of the above disclosed container, wherein at least one of the side walls of the first element or the third element comprises a void in the upper portion of the side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein:

Figures IA, IB and 1C are schematic illustrations of a top view of a blank of three elements from which the cardboard container is produced according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the cardboard container, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses a cardboard container with upper extensions attached to the side walls of the container, and a method of producing the same. In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the container is assembled of three elements: 100, 200 and 300. Each element of the blank used for producing the three elements container of the invention is described in figures IA, IB and 1C, respectively. Each of elements 100 and 300 comprise one side wall and an upper extension while element 200 comprises two side walls to which the upper extensions are attached according to the present invention.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, elements 100 and 300 are attached to each other and made of one piece of material, so the container is made of two elements, one is element 200 and the second element is a combination of elements 100 and 300. In such case, both elements may be attached in the bottom of the container. Another piece of material may be provided in the shape of the bottom, adapted to connect element 100 and element 300. In other embodiments, the container is made of one piece of material adapted to be folded up to create a container with an upper extension extending from a side wall and attached to an at least one other side wall. The upper extension may cover the entire volume of the container or cover different portions of the container, as required, may be adapted to the goods carried within the container. In some embodiments, a portion of the upper extensions may be folded up to cut down the volume covered. The ability to fold up the upper extension and carry various portions of the container may vary the type or brands of goods adapted to be carried within a single container. The container may comprise of voids in the side walls or in the upper extensions to provide air, light and sometimes to allow a higher degree of humidity into the container. The voids may vary in size, shape, location on the container and the like. Further, in some embodiments, some of the material may be adapted to be folded up to change the size or shape of the void. According to an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises three elements, 100, 200 and 300. The main element, element 200, is described in figure IB and comprises a bottom 230 of the container, and two side walls 225 and 235. Each of the other elements, elements 100 and 300, comprises one side wall (130, 330 respectively) and an upper extension. The upper extensions extend from side walls of the first element and the third element (130, 330) and attached to the side walls 225, 235 of the second element 200. For example, upper extension which extends from side wall 130 is folded downwardly and attached to the upper portion of side walls 225 and 235. Each of the upper extensions comprises a middle portion and two lateral portions. For example, upper extension extending from side wall 130 comprises middle portion 105 and lateral flaps (110, 120). Lateral flaps ((110, 120), (310, 320)) of the upper extensions of elements 100, 300 are attached to side walls 225 and 235. Attaching the lateral flaps (110, 120, 310 and 320) to the side walls 225 and 235 also reinforces the container in case of stacking a plurality of containers one on top of the other, since the middle portions 105, 305 of the upper extensions are reinforced more sides walls of the container. In some exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flaps are attached to each other using glue, nail, iron wire, stapling device, an elongated rigid wire passing through the central flaps or the like. Referring now to figure IA, schematically illustrates a blank that forms as element 100 of the cardboard container 400. Element 100 comprises side wall 130 of the cardboard container, lateral extensions 115, 125 which extends from both sides of side wall 130 and an upper extension. The upper extension extends from the upper portion of side wall 130 and comprises a middle portion 105 and two lateral flaps 110, 120. Middle portion 105 of the upper extension is attached to the side wall 130 and folded up towards the center of the container. Lateral flaps 110, 120 of the upper extension are folded up from middle portion 105 towards the bottom of the container and attached to side walls 225, 235 of element 200 (shown in figures IB and 2) by glue, loop, iron wire, lock element and the like. The lateral extensions (115, 125) of element 100 are adapted to be folded up and attached to side walls 225, 235 (shown in figure 2) of the container, hence reinforce the container. Middle portion 105 of the upper extension and lateral extensions 115, 125 are adapted to be folded up from side wall 130. The adaptation of folding up objects may be done by weakening the lines between the extensions and side wall 130. The weakening may be provided by forming crease lines, cutting between parts of the lines, reinforce some parts of the line or adjacent to the line, a combination thereof or the like.

Referring now to figure IB, schematically illustrates a blank of element 200 of the cardboard container. Element 200 comprises bottom 230 which functions as the bottom of the container. Element 200 further comprises two side walls 225, 235 which extend from two opposite sides of bottom 230. Each of side walls 225, 235 may comprise side extensions ((205, 245), (215, 255)). Side extensions ((205, 245), (215, 255)) may be folded up from side walls (225, 235) of element 200 towards the center of the container (shown in figure 2) preferably attached to side wall 130 of element 100 and side wall 330 of element 300 (shown in figure 1C). Each of side walls 225, 235 may also comprise a void (240, 250, respectively). Voids 240, 250 may be provided to allow air and light into the container, especially in case containers are stacked one on top of the other. Voids 240, 250 may be provided by flapping a portion of side walls 225, 235 or by cutting a portion of side walls 225, 235 in the process of forming the blank 200 of the container, a combination thereof or the like. Two minor extensions 210, 260 are flapped up from bottom 230 in two opposite sides of bottom 230 other than the sides of 225, 235, where side walls 130 and 330 are to be mounted. Two minor extensions 210, 260 are adapted to support side walls 130 and 330. As shown in figure IA and 1C, voids 135 and 335 are provided in exemplary embodiments of elements 100 and 300 respectively, so as to fit minor extensions 210, 260 of main element 200. Element 200 may also comprise voids 220, 265 provided at the bottom portion of container 400, adjacent to the line connecting bottom 230 and minor extensions 210, 260. Referring now to figure 1C, schematically illustrates a blank that constitutes as element 300 of the cardboard container. Element 300 comprises a side wall 330 of the container (shown in figure 2), lateral extensions 315, 325 which extends from both sides of side wall 330 and an upper extension. The upper extension extends from the upper portion of side wall 330 and comprises a middle portion 305 and two lateral flaps 310, 320. The middle portion 305 of the upper extension is attached to the side wall 130 and is folded up towards the center of the container. The lateral flaps 310, 320 of the upper extension are folded up from the middle portion 305 towards the bottom of the container (not shown) and attached to side walls (shown in figure 2) by glue or by lock element. The lateral extensions 315, 325 are adapted to be folded up and attached to side walls 225,

235 (shown in figure 2) of the container, hence reinforce the container. The middle portion 305 of the upper extension and the lateral extensions 315, 325 are adapted to be folded up from side wall 330. The adaptation of folding up objects may be done by weakening the lines between the extensions and the side wall 330.

The weakening may be provided by forming crease lines, cutting between parts of the lines, reinforce some parts of the line or adjacent to the line, a combination thereof or the like.

Referring now to figure 2, schematically illustrates cardboard container 400. Container 400 is assembled of elements 100, 200 and 300 described in figures IA, IB and 1C respectively. Container 400 comprises a bottom 230 and four side walls (225, 235, 330 and 130. 130 is not shown). Container 400 further comprises two upper extensions, extending from side walls 130, 330. The upper extensions comprise middle portions 105, 305 extending from side walls 130, 330 (130 is only shown in figure IA). Each of middle portions 105, 305 comprise two lateral flaps ((HO, 120), (310, 320), respectively). Lateral flaps ((HO, 120), (310, 320) are adapted to attach to side walls 225, 235 so as to reinforce the container. The attaching of lateral flaps ((110, 120), (310, 320) to side walls 225, 235 of the second element is performed by gluing, forming a loop in which lateral flaps are affixed, using iron wire, or any other attaching device which enables the attaching without human necessity. The attaching of lateral flaps without human assistance provides an easy, precise and faster method of producing a cardboard container with a reinforced upper extension, and provides for stable stacking of cardboard containers. Two minor extensions (260 and 240, 240 is only shown in figure IB) are flapped up from bottom 230 in two opposite sides of bottom 230. Minor extensions (240, 260) are folded up externally to side walls 130, 330 and are provided to support the center of side walls 130, 330, and may be attached to side walls 130, 330. In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, container 400 further comprises lateral extensions (115, 125, 315 and 325). Lateral extensions extend from side walls 330, 130 and folded towards the center of container 400 and attached to side walls 225, 235 of element 200. Lateral extensions reinforce container 400 by attaching side walls 130 and 330 from elements 100 and 300 respectively, to side walls 225, 235 of element 200. In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, container 400 further comprises side extensions ((205, 245), (215, 255)) may be folded up from side walls 225, 235 towards the center of container 400. Side extensions may be attached to side wall 130 of element 100 and side wall 330 of element 300 (shown in figure 1C).

The present invention further discloses a method of producing a cardboard container as disclosed in figure 2. The method comprises the steps of obtaining the elements which later assemble the container. The elements are adapted to be folded up to create the container by forming crease lines and/or cut outs in the flaps, weakening or strengthening portions of the elements, preferably adjacent to the crease lines or cut outs and the like.

In some embodiments, the container is assembled of elements 100, 200 and 300, described in figures IA, IB and 1C, adapted to be folded as required to produce the cardboard container. The next step is placing elements 100 and 300 perpendicular to the surface of bottom 230 of element 200, in opposite sides of bottom 230. Void 335 of element 300 and void 135 of element 100 are placed on top of minor extensions 260, 210. The next step is forming the container by folding up the side walls and attaching adjacent side walls to each other. The next step in forming the container is folding the upper extensions towards the center of the container such that the upper extension is in contact with the upper section of the side walls adjacent to the side wall from which the upper extension extends. The next step is folding the lateral flap of the upper extension downwardly and attaching them to the side walls adjacent to the side wall from which the upper extension extends. The attaching may be internally or externally to the side walls, and may be using glue, iron wire, looping the lateral flaps around a piece of material extending from the side walls to which it is attached.

In exemplary embodiments of the method, for example in producing the container described in figure 2, the folding is of lateral extensions (115, 125, 315 and 325) attached to side walls 330, 130 of elements 100, 300 towards the center of bottom 230. The next step is folding up side walls 235, 225 up externally to lateral extensions (115, 125, 315 and 325), and attaching side walls 235, 225 to the lateral extensions. By folding side walls 225, 235, side walls 130 and 330 are affixed to element 200 since lateral extensions are attached both to the original side wall 130, 330 and another side wall, either 225 or 235. Once side walls 225, 235 are perpendicular to bottom 230, the middle portions 105, 305 extending from side walls are folded up towards the center of bottom 230 on top of side walls 235, 225 and lateral flaps (110, 120, 310 and 320) of the upper extensions are folded downwardly towards bottom 230 and attached to side walls 235, 225. Lateral flaps may be attached internally or externally to side walls 225, 235, and may be attached by glue, iron wire, stapler, or a piece of material extending from the side wall and firmly locks lateral portion.

While certain exemplary preferred embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention. Further, it is to be understood that this invention shall not be limited to the specific construction and arrangements shown and described since various modifications or changes may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A method for producing a cardboard container comprising an upper extension extending from a side wall and attached to a side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends, said upper extension comprises an at least one lateral flap extending from the side of the upper extension, the method comprising folding the upper extension towards the center of the container; folding the at least one lateral flap downwardly; and, attaching the at least one lateral flap to an at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining three elements; a first element comprising a side wall, an upper extension extending from the upper portion of the side wall and two lateral extensions extending from the side of the side wall, a second element comprising a bottom and two side walls; and a third element comprising a side wall, an upper extension extending from the upper portion of the side wall and two lateral extensions extending from the side of the side wall; placing the first element and the third element perpendicular to the surface of the bottom; folding the lateral extensions of the first element and the lateral extension of the third element towards the center of the bottom; folding up the side walls of the second element externally to the lateral extensions of the first element and the lateral extensions of the third element and attaching the same; folding up the middle portions of the upper extensions of at least one of the first element or the third element towards the center of the bottom; and, folding downwardly the lateral flaps of the upper extensions and attaching the lateral flaps to at least one side wall of the second element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein attaching is performed by glue, iron wire, stapler, or a piece of material extending from the at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends and firmly affixes the lateral flap.

4. A cardboard container comprising four side walls, a bottom and an at least one upper extension extending from a side wall of the container; said upper extension comprises an at least one lateral flap; wherein the upper extension is flapped up towards the center of the container and the lateral flaps are folded downwardly and affixed to an at least one side wall other than the side wall from which the upper extension extends.

5. The container according to claim 4, further comprising: a first element (100) comprising a side wall (130), an upper extension and two lateral extensions (115, 135), said upper extension comprises a middle portion (105) and two lateral flaps (110, 120) extending from the side of the upper extension; a second element (200) comprising a bottom and two side walls; and, a third element (300) comprising a side wall (330), an upper extension and two lateral extensions (315, 335), said upper extension comprises a middle portion (305) and two lateral flaps (310, 320) extending from the side of the upper extension; wherein at least one of the upper extensions is flapped towards the center of the bottom and at least one lateral flaps of the previously flapped upper extension is folded downwardly and attached to at least one of the side walls (225, 235) of the second element.

6. The cardboard according to claim 4, further comprising an at least one side extensions ((205, 245), (215, 255)) extending from a side wall of the second element, adapted to be folded up towards the bottom of the container and to be attached to an at least one side wall not included in the second element.

7. The cardboard according to claim 4, wherein the second element further comprising an at least one minor extensions extending from the bottom, adapted to be folded up externally to a side wall of the first element or the third element.

8. The cardboard according to claim 7 wherein the second element comprising a void provided adjacent to the line connecting the bottom and the minor extensions.

9. The cardboard according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the side walls of the second element comprises a void.

10. The cardboard according to claim 9, wherein the void is formed by folding a portion of the at least one of the side walls of the second element.

11. The cardboard according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side walls of the first element or the third element comprises a void in the upper portion of the side wall.