GB2320239A

GB2320239A - Packaging arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2320239A
Application number: GB9725120A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Philip Moorhead
Original assignee: Danisco Pack Ltd
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Priority date: 1996-12-10
Filing date: 1997-11-28
Publication date: 1998-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-28
Also published as: GB9725120D0; GB2320239B

Abstract

A packaging arrangement comprising a base panel (12) having a plurality of edges (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D), a plurality of side panels (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) foldably attached to the edges of the base panel, and a plurality of side flaps (15). Each side flap (15) extends between a respective pair of adjacent side panels. The arrangement can be moved from a flattened condition to an erected condition by folding the side panels to positions in which said side panels extend transverse from the base panel. Top panels (28A, 28B) may be provided or one side panel may bear a single top panel.

Description

Packaging Arrangfflent This invention relates to packaging arrangements.

In the packaging industry, boxes are often provided in the form of blanks which simply require folding of the sides upright relative to the base to erect the box. Known such packaging arrangements suffer from the problem that they can be difficult to erect and/or are weak in crucial areas.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a packaging arrangement comprising a base panel having a plurality of edges, a plurality of side panels foldably attached to the edges of the base panel, and a plurality of side flaps, each side flap extending between a respective pair of adjacent side panels, wherein the arrangement can be moved from a flattened condition to an erected condition by folding the side panels to positions in which said side panels extend transverse from the base panel.

Preferably, each side flap comprises a first portion which can be arranged in face to face contact with a face of the first of a pair of adjacent side panels, and may further include a second portion extending from the first portion to the second of said pair of adjacent side panels. Preferably, the first portion is attached to said face of the first of a pair of adjacent side panels. The second portion may be foldably attached to the first portion at a fold line extending part way through the side flap. Advantageously, the first portion includes a main element and a subsidiary element projecting from the main element in the region between one end of the fold line and the first side panel and for the second side panel, thereby to strengthen said first portion in a region adjacent said base panel.

In a first embodiment, the arrangement further includes a pair of top panels, each top panel being preferably attached to an edge of a respective one of two opposite side panels, wherein when the arrangement is in said erected condition, the top panels may substantially meet to form a cover for the arrangement. Preferably, the top panels are so provided that, when the arrangement is in the erected condition one of said top panels may overlap the other.

In the first embodiment, one of said top panels may be provided with means to define a recess to receive at least a part of an edge region of the other of said top panels. Preferably, said means is in the form of at least one top flap on said top panel to define the recess between the top panel and the top flap.

The top flap may be attached to one of said side flaps. Preferably, two of said top flaps are provided on said top panel, one at each opposite side regions of the top panel, wherein each top flap defines a recess between the top flap and the top panel. Each recess so defined can receive therein a part of the edge region of the other top panel.

Further top flaps may be provided on the other of said top panels. Each of said top flaps is preferably attached to a respective side flap.

In a second embodiment, the arrangement includes a top panel which may be attached to an edge of one of two opposite side panels. Said top panel may be so sized as to extend over substantially the entire top of the arrangement when the arrangement is in said erected condition. The top panel may further include a securing flap to secure the top panel in a closed position.

Strengthening flaps may be provided on a side edge of the top panel, preferably on both side edges. A further securing flap may be provided on an edge of the other of said two opposite side panels, to cooperate with said first mentioned flap to secure the top panel in the closed position. Preferably, the further securing flap defines an aperture to receive the first mentioned flap.

In a third embodiment, the arrangement includes a pair of top panels, each top panel being preferably foldably attached to an edge of a respective one of the two opposite side panels. The base panel may define a plurality of apertures and the top panels may each be provided with at least one tab, each aperture being conveniently so defined as to be able to receive a respective one of the tabs. When the arrangement is in said erected condition, each top panel may lie in face to face relation with the respective side panel to which it is attached, and when so arranged each tab may be received in the respective aperture whereby each of said side panels is held in said face to face relation.

Preferably, each top panel is provided with two of said tabs arranged along the edge of said top panel remote from the side panel to which the top panel is attached. Accordingly, the base may define four of said apertures, whereby two are defined along one of the edges to which one of the side panels is attached and a further two apertures are defined along the opposite edge.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a packaging arrangement comprising a base panel having first and second adjacent edges, a first side panel foldably attached to the first edge, a second side panel foldably attached to the second edge, and a side flap extending between the first and second side panels, the side flap comprising a first portion which can be arranged in face to face contact with a face of the first side panel, a second portion foldably attached to the first portion at a fold line extending part way through the side flap, wherein the first portion comprises a main element and a subsidiary element projecting from the main element in the region between one end of the fold line and the first side panel and for the second side panel.

Preferably the first portion of the side flap can be attached in face to face contact to a face of the first side panel.

Preferably, the arrangement comprises a plurality of pairs of adjacent first and second side panels, each side panel being attached to a respective one of a plurality of edges on the box panel.

The arrangement may include the features described paragraphs five to ten above.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a packaging arrangement comprising a base panel having a plurality of edges, a plurality of side panels foldably attached to the edges of the base panel, whereby the arrangement can be moved from a flattened condition to an erected condition by folding the side panels to positions in which said side panels extend transverse from the base panel, and a pair of opposite side panels at least one of which is provided with a top panel, foldably attached thereto, wherein the, or each, top panel is so provided that, when the arrangement is in the erected condition the, or each, top panel can lie over the arrangement to form a cover therefor, or can be folded to lie in face to face relation with the side panel to which it is attached.

In a first embodiment, one of the top panels may overlap the other, wherein one of said top panels is provided with means to define a recess to receive at least a part of an edge region of the other of the top panels.

Preferably, the recess defining means is in the form of a top flap on said top panel to define the recess between the top panel and the top flap. Two of said top flaps may be provided on said top panel, one being, conveniently, at each opposite side region of the top panel, wherein each top flap defines a recess between the top flap and the top panel. Each recess so defined can receive therein a part of the edge region of the other top panel.

In a second embodiment, one of said side panels is provided with a top panel being of such a size that it overlies substantially the entire top of the arrangement. The top panel may be provided with a flap to secure the top panel in a closed position. Strengthening flaps may be provided on a side edge of the top panel, preferably on both side edges. The opposite top panel may be provided with a further flap to cooperate with said aforementioned flap to secure the top panel in the closed position. The further flap may define an aperture to receive said aforementioned flap.

Further top flaps may be provided on the other of said top panels.

In a third embodiment, at least one aperture is provided in the base panel to receive a tab on the top panel, whereby when the top panel is folded into said face to face relation, the tab can be received in the aperture to hold the top panel in said face to face relation. Preferably, the third embodiment includes a pair of said top panels, each being foldably attached to a respective one of opposite side panels. Each top panel may include two of said tabs and the base panel may define four of said apertures, each aperture being so defined in said base panel to receive respective one of the tabs.

The arrangement may include a plurality of side flaps, each side flap extending between a respective pair of adjacent side panels.

Each side flap may comprise a first portion which can be attached in face to face contact to the first of a pair of adjacent side panels, and may further include a second portion extending from the first portion to the second of said pair of adjacent side panels. The second portion may be foldably attached to the first portion at a fold line extending part way through the side flap. The first portion may include a main element and a subsidiary element projecting from the main element in the region between one end of the fold line and the first and second side panels, thereby to strengthen said first portion in a region adjacent said base panel.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement in the form of a blank; Figs. 2 to 8 show in sequence the steps of forming an erected packaging arrangement from the blank shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified packaging arrangement in the form of a blank; Figs. 10 to 14 show in sequence the steps of forming an erected packaging arrangement from the blank shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a further modified packaging arrangement in the form of a blank; and Figs. 16 to 20 show in sequence the steps of forming an erected packaging arrangement for the bland shown in Fig. 15.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of a packaging arrangement 10 which, in Fig. 1, is in the form of a blank. The packaging arrangement 10 comprises a base panel 12 having edges 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D. Side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D are foldably attached to respective areas of the edges, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D.

Side flaps 15 are attached between adjacent side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D. Each side flap 15 comprises a first portion 16 attached to one of an adjacent pair of side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D. The side flap 15 also includes a second portion 18 attached to the other of an adjacent pair of side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, as shown.

In the drawings, dashed lines represent fold lines, and solid lines represent an edge of the packaging arrangement 10, or an edge of a cut out region. The first portion 16 of each flap 15 is attached to the second portion 18 by a fold line 20 which extends diagonally part way through each side flap 15.

The purpose of this will be explained below. The second portion 16 of each side flap 15 comprises a main element 22, and a subsidiary element 24. The subsidiary element 24 extends between the inner end 26 of the fold line 20, and the respective adjacent side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D to which the side flap 15 in question is attached. The subsidiary section 24 is defined between cut out lines 24A, 24B, and the fold line 25 to which the second portion 16 of each flap is attached. The cut out line 24A separately each subsidiary element 24 from the adjacent side panel 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and the cut out line 24B separates each subsidiary element 24 from the second portion 18 of the respective side flaps 15.

The packaging arrangement 10 also includes first and second top panels 28A, 28B attached respectively to the side panels 14A, 14B. Top flaps 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are attached between respective top panels 28A, 28B and adjacent side panels 15 as shown. The top flaps 30C, 30D foldably attached to the top panel 28B are longer than the top flaps 30A, 30B foldably attached to the top panel 28A. The reason for this will be explained below. Also, the top panel 28A is provided with an elongate projecting flap 32, the purpose of which will also be explained below.

Apertures 36 are defined in the side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D for ventilation of the product to be held in the packaging arrangement 10.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the next step in the sequence of forming an erected packaging arrangement 10 is the folding of side panels 14C, 14D, the side flaps 15 attached thereto, and the top flaps 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are attached to the side flaps 15. Fig. 2 shows the panel 14D, the side panels 15, and the top flaps 30B, 30D on the right hand side of the base 12 as viewed in Fig. 2, being folded upwardly, to the position as shown in Fig. 2. An appropriate glue can then be applied to the faces marked G of the first portions 16 and the top flaps 30B, 30D such that when they are folded into the position shown in Fig. 3, first portions 16 are attached in face to face contact for the side panels, 14A, 14B, and the top flaps 30B, 30D are attached in face to face contact to the top panels 28A, 28B. Similarly, glue is applied to the faces of the first portions 16 and to the flaps 30A, 30C of the left hand side of the base panel 12. This side can then be folded over to the position shown in Fig. 4 whereby the first portions 16 are attached to the side panels 14A, 14B, and top flaps 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D are attached to the appropriate top panels 28A, 28B, as shown. Thus, when the right and left hand side of the packaging arrangement 10 are folded over, they take up the condition shown in Fig. 4.

The next stage in forming the erected packaging arrangement 10 is shown in Fig. 5, in which the side panels 14D, 14C are folded outwardly from their position across the base panel 12 to a position transverse to the base panel 12, shown in Fig. 5. Since the second portion 18 of each flap 13 to connect between the adjacent side panels to provide a webbing therebetween, and the first portions 16 of each of the flaps 15 is glued to the respective side panels 14A, 14B, the lifting of the side panels 14C, 14D lifts the side panels 14A, 14B.

The fact that the subsidiary element 24 of each side flap 15 is attached to the respective side panels 14A, 14B strengthens the side panels 14A, 14B in this region.

Fig. 6, shows a close up of the side panel 14A and its associated side flaps 15, and shows further folding of the side panel 14A. The subsidiary element 24 is glued in its position to the side panel 14A to strengthen the side panel 14A at the corner as shown. The second portion 18 of the flap 15 is folded over the main element 22 of the first portion 16. A similar construction is shown on the other side of the side panel 14A. Also, the side flaps 15 attached to the side panel 14B will form similar construction to that shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 shows the packaging arrangement 10 viewed from the opposite direction to the other drawing in which the packaging arrangement 10 is in its condition just prior to being fully erected. In order to secure the top panel 28A to the top panel 28B, the flap 32 is inserted such that it is received in recesses 34 defined between the top panel 28B and its two flaps 30 attached thereto and, when so received, the top panels 28A, 28B are held together as shown in Fig. 8.

Another embodiment of the packaging arrangement is shown in Figs. 9 to 14 and generally designated 100. The embodiment in Figs. 9 to 14 includes many of the same features as those of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 8 and these features are designated with the same reference numerals, and function in the same way.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 14, differs from that shown in Figs. 1 to 8 in that the top panel 28A has been replaced by the top panel 128A, and the flaps 30A, 30B have been replaced by top flaps 130A, 130B. A securing flap 152 extends from the free edge of the top panel 128A. The top panel 28B has been omitted and replaced by a further securing flap 154 defining an aperture 156 to receive the first securing flap 152 as will be explained below.

The top flaps 30C, 30D have been omitted entirely.

The blank shown in Fig. 9 is then erected as shown in Figs. 10 to 14 in a similar manner to the erecting of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 8. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 14 the flaps 130A, 130B are folded into face to face contact with the top panel 128A to act as strengthening flaps and may or may not be attached thereto by an appropriate adhesive.

Referring particularly to Figs. 12 to 14, it can be seen that the top panel 128A is of such a size to extend over the entire top of the erected arrangement 100. In order to secure the top panel 12 8A in place the securing flap 152 is received into the aperture 156 formed as the further securing flap is folded to be received under the top panel 128A (see Figs. 13 and 14). The securing flap 152 then cooperates with the further securing flap 154 to hold the top panel 128A in the position shown in Fig. 14.

The packaging arrangements 10,100 can be formed from any suitable material, for example cardboard, and is suitable for holding frozen produce, such as frozen chickens. Apertures 36 are provided in the side panels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D to provide a ventilation for the produce inside the packaging arrangement 10 when in the erected condition as shown in Figs. 8 and 14.

Referring to Figs. 15 to 20 there is shown a third embodiment of the invention, comprising a packaging arrangement generally designated 200. The embodiment shown in Figs. 15 to 20 includes many of the same features as those of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 14. These are designated with the same reference numerals and function in the same way.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 15 to 20 differs from those in Figs. 1 to 14 in that the top panels 28A, 128A have been replaced by a top panel 228A, and the top panel 28B of Figs. 1 to 8 has been replaced by a top panel 228B.

Further, the flaps 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D have been omitted completely from the embodiment shown in Figs. 15 to 20.

The blank shown in Fig. 15 is erected as shown in Figs. 16 to 20 in a similar manner to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 14. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 15 to 20, with particular reference to Figs. 18 to 20, it can be seen that the top panels 228A and 228B are each provided with a pair of spaced tabs 230. These are so arranged and configured to be receivable in corresponding apertures 232 defined in the base panel 12, as shown.

As the blank 200 is erected to the stage shown in Fig. 18, the top panels 228A and 228B are folded over the side panels 14A, 14B to which they are respectively attached. The side flaps 15 are folded against the side panels 14A, 14B and the first portions 16 thereof are attached to the respective side panels 14A, 14B, as previously. In this way, the flaps 15 lie substantially flat against the respective side panels 14A, 14B with the second portions 18 folded to lie across the main elements 22 of each first portion 16.

The top panels 228A, 228B are then folded to lie in face to face relation with the respective side panels 14A, 14B with the side flaps 15 arranged between the respective top and side panels 14A, 228A and 14B, 228B (see Fig. 20).

In order to hold the top panels 228A, 228B in their positions shown in Fig. 20, the tabs 230 are respectively received in the corresponding apertures 232.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

aaims:-

1. A packaging arrangement comprising a base panel having a plurality of edges, a plurality of side panels foldably attached to the edges of the base panel, and a plurality of side flaps, each side flap extending between a respective pair of adjacent side panels, wherein the arrangement can be moved from a flattened condition to an erected condition by folding the side panels to positions in which said side panels extend transverse from the base panel.

2. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein each side flap comprises a first portion which can be arranged in face to face contact with a face of the first of a pair of adjacent side panels, and further includes a second portion extending from the first portion to the second of said pair of adjacent side panels.

3. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the first portion is attached to said face of the first of a pair of adjacent side panels.

4. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the second portion is foldably attached to the first portion at a fold line extending part way through the side flap.

5. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 4, wherein the first portion includes a main element and a subsidiary element projecting from the main element in the region between one end of the fold line and the first side panel and for the second side panel, thereby to strengthen said first portion in a region adjacent said base panel.

6. A packaging arrangement comprising a base panel having first and second adjacent edges, a first side panel foldably attached to the first edge, a second side panel foldably attached to the second edge, and a side flap extending between the first and second side panels, the side flap comprising a first portion which can be arranged in face to face contact with a face of the first side panel, a second portion foldably attached to the first portion at a fold line extending part way through the side flap, wherein the first portion comprises a main element and a subsidiary element projecting from the main element in the region between one end of the fold line and the first side panel and for the second side panel.

7. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the first portion of the side flap can be attached in face to face contact to a face of the first side panel.

8. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the arrangement comprises a plurality of pairs of adjacent first and second side panels, each side panel being attached to a respective one of a plurality of edges on the box panel.

9. A packaging arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein arrangement further includes a pair of top panels, each top panel being attached to an edge of a respective one of two opposite side panels, wherein when the arrangement is in said erected condition, the top panels substantially meet to form a cover for the arrangement.

10. A packaging arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the top panels are so provided that, when the arrangement is in the erected condition one of said top panels may overlap the other.

11. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein one of said top panels is provided with means to define a recess to receive at least a part of an edge region of the other of said top panels, said means being in the form of at least one top flap on said top panel to define the recess benveen the top panel and the top flap. The top flap may be attached to one of said side flaps.

12. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 11, wherein two of said top flaps are provided on said top panel, one at each opposite side regions of the top panel, wherein each top flap defines a recess between the top flap and the top panel.

13. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 12, wherein further top flaps may be provided on the other of said top panels, each of said top flaps being attached to a respective side flap.

14. A packaging arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the arrangement includes a top panel which is attached to an edge of one of two opposite side panels, said top panel being so sized as to extend over substantially the entire top of the arrangement when the arrangement is in said erected condition.

15. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 14, wherein the top panel further includes a securing flap to secure the top panel in a closed position.

16. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein strengthening flaps are provided on a side edge of the top panel and a further securing flap is provided on an edge of the other of said two opposite side panels, to cooperate with said first mentioned flap to secure the top panel in the closed position, the further securing flap defining an aperture to receive the first mentioned flap.

17. A packaging arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the arrangement includes a pair of top panels, each top panel being foldably attached to an edge of a respective one of the two opposite side panels.

18. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 17, wherein the base panel defines a plurality of apertures and the top panels are each provided with at least one tab, each aperture being conveniently so defined as to be able to receive a respective one of the tabs, whereby when the arrangement is in said erected condition, each top panel may lie in face to face relation with the respective side panel to which it is attached, and when so arranged each tab is received in the respective aperture whereby each of said side panels is held in said face to face relation.

19. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 18, wherein each top panel is provided with two of said tabs arranged along the edge of said top panel remote from the side panel to which the top panel is attached, and the base defines four of said apertures, whereby two are defined along one of the edges to which one of the side panels is attached and a further two apertures are defined along the opposite edge.

20. A packaging arrangement comprising a base panel having a plurality of edges, a plurality of side panels foldably attached to the edges of the base panel, whereby the arrangement can be moved from a flattened condition to an erected condition by folding the side panels to positions in which said side panels extend transverse from the base panel, and a pair of opposite side panels at least one of which is provided with a top panel, foldably attached thereto, wherein the, or each, top panel is so provided that, when the arrangement is in the erected condition the, or each, top panel can lie over the arrangement to form a cover therefor, or can be folded to lie in face to face relation with the side panel to which it is attached.

21. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 20, wherein one of the top panels overlaps the other, wherein one of said top panels is provided with means to define a recess to receive at least a part of an edge region of the other of the top panels.

22. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 21, wherein the recess defining means is in the form of a top flap on said top panel to define the recess between the top panel and the top flap.

23. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 22, wherein two of said top flaps may be provided on said top panel, one being at each opposite side region of the top panel, wherein each top flap defines a recess between the top flap and the top panel, each recess so defined is adapted to receive therein a part of the edge region of the other top panel.

24. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 20, wherein one of said side panels is provided with a top panel being of such a size that it overlies substantially the entire top of the arrangement.

25. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 24, wherein the top panel may be provided with a flap to secure the top panel in a closed position.

26. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 24 or 25, wherein strengthening flaps are provided on or both side edges of the top panel.

27. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 26, wherein the opposite top panel is provided with a further flap to cooperate with said aforementioned flap to secure the top panel in the closed position, the further flap defining an aperture to receive said aforementioned flap.

28. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 20, wherein at least one aperture is provided in the base panel to receive a tab on the top panel, whereby when the top panel is folded into said face to face relation, the tab can be received in the aperture to hold the top panel in said face to face relation.

29. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 28, wherein the third embodiment includes a pair of said top panels, each being foldably attached to a respective one of opposite side panels.

30. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein each top panel includes two of said tabs and the base panel may define four of said apertures, each aperture being so defined in said base panel to receive respective one of the tabs.

31. A packaging arrangement according to any of Claims 20 to 30, wherein the arrangement includes a plurality of side flaps, each side flap extending between a respective pair of adjacent side panels.

32. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 31, wherein each side flap comprises a first portion which can be attached in face to face contact to the first of a pair of adjacent side panels, and further includes a second portion extending from the first portion to the second of said pair of adjacent side panels.

33. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 32, wherein the second portion is foldably attached to the first portion at a fold line extending part way through the side flap.

34. A packaging arrangement according to Claim 33, wherein the first portion includes a main element and a subsidiary element projecting from the main element in the region between one end of the fold line and the first and second side panels, thereby to strengthen said first portion in a region adjacent said base panel.

35. A packaging arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.