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GB2138782A - Foldable blank for container - Google Patents

Foldable blank for container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2138782A
GB2138782A GB08410980A GB8410980A GB2138782A GB 2138782 A GB2138782 A GB 2138782A GB 08410980 A GB08410980 A GB 08410980A GB 8410980 A GB8410980 A GB 8410980A GB 2138782 A GB2138782 A GB 2138782A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
side wall
container
portions
blank
base portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08410980A
Other versions
GB8410980D0 (en
Inventor
Victor George Davis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
POOLE BERTIE
Original Assignee
POOLE BERTIE
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 GB838311863A external-priority patent/GB8311863D0/en
Priority claimed from GB838331641A external-priority patent/GB8331641D0/en
Application filed by POOLE BERTIE filed Critical POOLE BERTIE
Priority to GB08410980A priority Critical patent/GB2138782A/en
Publication of GB8410980D0 publication Critical patent/GB8410980D0/en
Publication of GB2138782A publication Critical patent/GB2138782A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D1/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/22Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents
    • B65D1/225Collapsible boxes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D5/00Rigid 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
    • B65D5/20Rigid 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 by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D2301/00Details of blanks
    • B65D2301/20Details of blanks made of plastic material

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)

Abstract

A foldable blank for a container has a base 1 hinged at 3 to side walls 2, 2'. Tongues 6 project laterally from the base so as to engage recesses 7 in the side walls when the blank is folded to form the container. The tongues 6 serve to transmit downward force on the base of the container to the side walls so as to reduce the risk that the base will fall out when the container is filled. Also ribs 18 serve to transmit downward force on the side walls to the base (via the tongues 6) to avoid collapse of the side walls when the containers are stacked. Also lid portions 4 are provided with a latching arrangement 8 with the side walls 2' so as to inhibit unfolding of the container. Tape may be applied to the exteriors of the hinges 3 and as a continuous band round the side walls as a further measure to inhibit unfolding of the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foldable blank for container This invention relates to a foldable blank for a container and in particular relates to an integrally moulded blank of a plastics material such as expanded polystyrene, which has hinged portions which can be folded to form the blank into a container such as a box for tomatoes or other fruit or vegetables.
Such foldable blanks, formed as integral moulding from expanded polystyrene are already known. However when the container is to hold a substantial weight of produce such as fruit and vegetables, there is a danger that if the base is connected to the sides of the container merely by means of the portions forming the hinges, then the weight of the produce in the box may cause rupture of the hinges so that the base falls away from the sides with resultant spillage of the produce.
According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a foldable blank for a container,said blank comprising a base portion from which extend lateral side wall portions connected to the base portion by means of hinge portions such that the side wall portions can be folded relative to the base portion to upright positions such that the folded blank forms a container, the side wall portions and the base portion being arranged to cooperate when the side wall portions are folded relative to the base portion about the hinge portions such that downward force exerted on the base portion and/or on the side wall portions is transmitted to and resisted by the side wall portions and/or base portion respectively.
According to a second aspect of this invention there is provideda foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion from which extend lateral side wall portions connected to the base portion by means of hinge portions such that the side wall portions can be folded relative to the base portion to upright positions such that the folded blank forms a container, the base portion and each side wall portion having complemental mating portions adjacent the associated hinge portion such that when the side wall portion is folded relative to the base portion about the hinge portion, the complemental mating portions are brought into mating engagement in such a way that downward force exerted on the base portion is transmitted to and resisted by the side wall portions via the engaged mating portions.
According to a third aspect of this invention there isprovided a foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion from which extend lateral side wall portions connected to the base portion by means of associated hinge portions enabling the side wall portions to be folded relative to the base portion so that the folded blank forms a container, each side wall portion having one or more ribs on the surface of the side wall portion which is inside the container when formed, the or each said rib extending substantially across the width of the side wall portion transversely to the associated hinge portion, the or each said rib being arranged to abut the base portion when the side wall portion is folded about the hinge portion so that when the blank has been folded to form a container, weight applied to the top of the side wall portion is transmitted via the one or more ribs to the base portion.
Preferably said second and third aspects are combined in an arrangement in which each of said ribs abuts an associated one of said mating portions forming part of the base portion when the blank is folded to form a container. The relevant mating portion forming part of the base portion may comprise a laterally extending tongue which is arranged to come into mating engagement with a complementally shaped recess in the associated side wall portion.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion and laterally extending side wall portions which are connected to the base portion by means of respective associated hinge portions so that the side wall portions can be folded relative to the base portion to form a container, at least one of said side wall portions having a laterally extending lid portion connected to the relevant side wall portion by means of a further hinge portion enabling the lid portion to be folded relative to the side wall portion so as to form a lid for the container provided by the folded blank, said lid portion having an edge portion, which is arranged to rest on a top portion of at least one of the other said side wall portions when the blank has been folded to form a container, said side wall top portion and said edge portion being shaped so as to provide complemental resilient catch portions which are arranged to engage automatically and resiliently when the lid portion is pressed down onto the side wall top portion to provide a positive latch inhibiting subsequent upward movement of the lid portion relative to the side wall top portion.
Advantageously all of the latter three of said aspects can be combined in the same blank.
According to a fifth aspect of this invention there is provided a container made from a foldable blank and having side walls hinged to a base reinforcing means being secured across the hinge portions of at least two bpposite side walls and being secured to the associated side wall and to the base so as to inhibit separation between the side walls and the base due to rupture of the hinge portions.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with refer ence to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of the major part of an integrally moulded foldable blank for a container; Fig. 2 is a cross-section view on the line A A in Fig.l; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line B-B in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a top corner of the container formed by folding the blank shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a part sectional view on the line C C in Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an end view of a hinge portion of the blank shown in Fig. 1; and Figs. 7 and 8 are a cross-section a d side view respectively of a first form of container made from the blank shown in Figs. 1 to 6; and Figs. 9 and 10 are a cross-section and end view respectively of a second form of container made from the blank shown in Figs. 1 to 6.
Referring to the drawings, a foldable blank for a container comprises an integral moulding of expanded polystyrene with a base portion 1 having laterally extending side wall portions 2, 2 connected to the base portion by means of hinge portions 3 which enable the side wall portions to be folded relative to the base portion to form a container. As can be seen from Fig. 1 the base portion and the side wall portions are all substantially rectangular as are two lid portions 4 which extend laterally from the respective mutually opposite longer side portions 2 and are connected to the latter by means of further hinge portions 5.
The formation of the hinge portions 3 and 5 can best be seen from Fig. 6 where a Vshaped rib portion in the mould is indicated in broken line and is shown to have formed a corresponding V-shaped groove in the expanded polystyrene material from which the blank is preferably made. As can be seen from Fig. 6 the bottom of the V-shaped groove is slightly curved. It should be appreciated that in general the portions of minimum thickness at the hinge portion will be interrupted by slots at intervals along the length of the groove forming the hinge portion.
Formed at intervals around the periphery of the base portion and immediately adjacent, and extending laterally outward relative to, the hinge portions are tongue portions 6 which lie in a plane above the rest of the base portion.
As can best be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, the tongue portions 6 are arranged to mate automatically with complementally shaped recesses 7 in the side wall portions. Thus when weight is supported by the base of the container formed by folding the blank shown in Fig. 1 the downward force is transmitted via the complemental mating portions provided by the tongues 6 and recesses 7 to the side wall portions so that the hinge portions themselves are not subject to the entire downward force on the base portion. This substantially increases the weight which the container can carry as compared with a construction in which no such downward force transmitting means is provided between the base and side walls except for the hinge portions connecting the two.
Each of the lid portions 4 has a rib 8 extending substantially along the longer free edge of the lid portion and the rib 8 has end portions as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 which are shaped to form a latching hook 9 which engages a complemental recess 10 in a top portion 11 of the side wall portion 2' adjacent the side wall portion when the blank is folded to form the container. Downward movement of the lid portion when folded about its associated hinge portion causes resilient deflection of the top portion 11 assisted by the bevelled faces 1 2 and 1 3 of the mutually engaging latching portions so that the latching hook 9 can enter the recess 10. The lid portion is then positively retained in engagement with the adjacent top portion 11.
Referring particularly to Fig. 1, there can be seen grooves 14 and complementally shaped ribs 1 5 which are provided on respective adjacent side wall portions and which are arranged to mate when the side wall portions are folded upright. The shorter side wall portions 2' carrying the ribs 1 5 are folded upright first and then the longer side wall portions 2 are folded upright so that the grooves 14 mate with the ribs 1 5. Finally, when the lid portions are folded to the closed position, grooves 16 in the lid portions engage rib portions 17 integrally formed with the ribs 15.
Thus the upright side wall portions are interlocked, with the latching means provided by the hook 9 and recess 10 serving to prevent accidental disturbance of one of the lid portions leading to unfolding of one or more side wall portions and consequent spillage of the contents.
As also shown in Fig. 1, ribs 18 are formed across substantially the entire width of each of the side wall portions, transversely to the hinge portions, and so arranged,that they abut the top of the hooks 9 when the side wall portions are folded to the upright positions. In this way downward force on the top of the container (as when stacked with other similar containers) is transmitted through the side walls and reinforcing ribs 18 to the base portion 1 so that the risk of collapse of one of the side walls is minimised.
Referring particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown a container 20 formed from the blank shown in Figs. 1 to 6 with reinforcing means in the form of a tape 21 being secured along the hinge portions of at least two opposite side walls on the outside of the container, the tape being secured to the associated side wall and to the base so as to inhibit separation between the side walls and the base due to rupture of the hinge portions.
The tape 21 is preferably self-adhesive and made of a heat-shrinkable material which is applied to the container by means of a machine and subjected to heat-shrinking.
In addition a tape 22 of similar composition to the tape 21 is applied round all four side walls as a continuous band positioned near the top of the container. This band inhibits unfolding of the container in a positive manner.
During tests a box of the type shown in the drawings and moulded from expanded polystyrene has been found to perform in a very satisfactory manner when filled with soft fruit and vegetables and transported in stacks.
Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown an alternative container 30 formed from the blank shown in Figs. 1 to 6 with reinforcing means in the form of pieces of self-adhesive tape 31 being secured along the lid portions 4 and over the ends of the latter on to the end side wall portions 2' terminating at an external rib 32 extending around the container. Further reinforcing means in the form of pieces of self-adhesive tape 33 are secured along the base portion 1 and over the ends of the latter on to the end side wall portions 2'.
Thus the top pieces of tape 31 inhibit unfolding of the container 30 and the bottom pieces of tape 33 serve to inhibit separation of the base portion from the side wall portions due, for example, to the load carried by the container.
In a modified form of the container 30 the pieces of tape 31,33 may comprise portions of continuous bands extending round the container in the positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10 but without the interruptions at the rib 32.

Claims (16)

1. A foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion from which extend lateral side wall portions connected to the base portion by means of hinge portions such that the side wall portions can be folded relative to the base portion to upright positions such that the folded blank forms a container, the side wall portions and the base portion being arranged to cooperate when the side wall portions are folded relative to the base portion about the hinge portions such that downward force exerted on the base portion and/or on the side wall portions is transmitted to and resisted by the side wall portions and/or base portion respectively.
2. A foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion from which extend lateral side wall portions connected to the base portion by means of hinge portions such that the side wall portions can be folded relative to the base portion to upright positions such that the folded blank forms a container, the base portion and each side wall portion having complemental mating portions adjacent the associated hinge portion such that when the side wall portion is folded relative to the base portion about the hinge portion, the complemental mating portions-are brought into mating engagement in such a way that downward force exerted on the base portion is transmitted to and resisted by the side wall portions via the engaged mating portions.
3. A foldable blank according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base portion is provided with tongues which are arranged for engaging complemental recesses in the side walls when the latter are folded relative to the base portion about the hinge portions.
4. A container made from a foldable blank and having side walls hinged to a base, reinforcing means being secured across the hinge portions of at least two opposite side walls and being secured to the associated side wall and to the base so as to inhibit separation between the side walls and the base due to rupture of the hinge portions.
5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the base and side walls comprise a frangible plastics material.
6. A container according to claim 5 wherein the frangible plastics material is an expanded foam material.
7. A container according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the reinforcing means extends along the entire length of each said hinge portion.
8. A container according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the reinforcing means comprise bands extending transversely relative to said hinge portions.
9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the reinfforcing means comprise continuous bands extending around the container.
10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said reinforcing means comprises a tape which is self-adhesive.
11. A container according to claim 10 wherein the tape comprises a heat-shrinkable material and has been subjected to heatshrinking.
1 2. A container according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the tape comprises a vinyl polymer material.
1 3. A container made from a foldable blank and substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 or Figs. 1 to 6 and Figs. 9 and 10 of the accompanyrng drawings.
14. A foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion from which extend lateral side wall portions connected to the base portion by means of associated hinge portions enabling the side wall portions to be folded relative to the base portion so that the folded blank forms a container, each side wall portion having one or more ribs on the surface of tbe side wall portion which is inside the container when formed, the or each said rib extending substantially across the width of the side wall portion transversely to the associated hinge portion, the or each said rib being arranged to abut the base portion when the side wall portion is folded about the hinge portion so that when the blank has been folded to form a container, weight applied to the top of the side wall portion is transmitted via the one or more ribs to the base portion.
15. A foldable blank according to claim 14 and to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of said ribs abuts an associated one of said mating portions forming part of the base portion when the blank is folded to form a container.
16. A foldable blank for a container, said blank comprising a base portion and laterally extending side wall portions which are connected to the base portion by means of respective associated hinge portions so that the side wall portions can be folded relative to the base portion to form a container, at least one of said side wall portions having a laterally extending lid portion connected to the relevant side wall portion by means of a further hinge portion enabling the lid portion to be folded relative to the side wall portion so as to form a lid for the container provided by the folded blank, said lid portion having an edge portion, which is arranged to rest on a top portion of at least one of the other said side wall portions when the blank has been folded to form a container, said side wall top portion and said edge portion being shaped so as to provide complemental resilient catch portions which are arranged to engage automatically and resiliently when the lid portion is pressed down onto the side wall top portion to provide a positive latch inhibiting subsequent upward movement of the lid portion relative to the side wall top portion.
1 7. A foldable blank according to claims 14 and 16 or to claim 16 and any one of claims 1 to 3 or to claims 14 and 16 and any one of claims 1 to 3.
1 8. A foldable blank for a container, said blank being substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
1 9. A container made from a foldable blank according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or to any one of claims 14 to 18.
GB08410980A 1983-04-29 1984-04-30 Foldable blank for container Withdrawn GB2138782A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08410980A GB2138782A (en) 1983-04-29 1984-04-30 Foldable blank for container

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB838311863A GB8311863D0 (en) 1983-04-29 1983-04-29 Foldable blank
GB838331641A GB8331641D0 (en) 1983-11-26 1983-11-26 Container
GB08410980A GB2138782A (en) 1983-04-29 1984-04-30 Foldable blank for container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8410980D0 GB8410980D0 (en) 1984-06-06
GB2138782A true GB2138782A (en) 1984-10-31

Family

ID=27262073

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08410980A Withdrawn GB2138782A (en) 1983-04-29 1984-04-30 Foldable blank for container

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2138782A (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2174074A (en) * 1985-04-25 1986-10-29 Portapax Ltd Crate
WO1987002966A1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1987-05-21 Portapax Limited Blanks for forming cartons
WO2006011093A1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2006-02-02 Michael James Warwick Container
FR2884808A1 (en) * 2005-04-26 2006-10-27 Repas Sante Package for tray type individual container, has transversal and longitudinal walls, extended by reinforcing ribs, on which rectangular openings are formed, where package is totally covered by plastic film
WO2015058246A1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Icee Holdings Pty. Ltd. Container apparatus

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1305623A (en) * 1970-07-28 1973-02-07
US4235346A (en) * 1979-09-19 1980-11-25 Joseph Liggett Collapsible lightweight shipping container

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1305623A (en) * 1970-07-28 1973-02-07
US4235346A (en) * 1979-09-19 1980-11-25 Joseph Liggett Collapsible lightweight shipping container

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2174074A (en) * 1985-04-25 1986-10-29 Portapax Ltd Crate
WO1987002966A1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1987-05-21 Portapax Limited Blanks for forming cartons
WO2006011093A1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2006-02-02 Michael James Warwick Container
FR2884808A1 (en) * 2005-04-26 2006-10-27 Repas Sante Package for tray type individual container, has transversal and longitudinal walls, extended by reinforcing ribs, on which rectangular openings are formed, where package is totally covered by plastic film
WO2015058246A1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Icee Holdings Pty. Ltd. Container apparatus
CN105683050A (en) * 2013-10-25 2016-06-15 Icee控股有限公司 Container apparatus
US9873540B2 (en) 2013-10-25 2018-01-23 Icee Holdings Pty Ltd. Container apparatus
EA037180B1 (en) * 2013-10-25 2021-02-16 АйСиИИ ХОЛДИНГС ПиТиУай. ЛТД. Container blank

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8410980D0 (en) 1984-06-06

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)