GB2570460A

GB2570460A - Waste Bin

Info

Publication number: GB2570460A
Application number: GB1801171.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Wells Colin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-01-24
Filing date: 2018-01-24
Publication date: 2019-07-31
Also published as: GB201801171D0

Abstract

A container made of paper or card with an opening coverable by a lid E. The lid and/or body have adhesive 7 and a latch 2, 3, 5, 6 to keep the lid closed. The adhesive is between the facing surfaces of the lid and container when they are latched. If the carton is used as a bin the latch can be used to temporarily secure it closed so that it can be opened to deposit items and the adhesive can be used to permanently seal the lid closed once the carton is full. There can be one flap 6 on the body which forms a hook and three flaps 2, 3, 5 connected by parallel fold lines extending from the lid which form a hook. To latch, the body flap can be received between two of the lid flaps and a lid flap can be received between the body and the body flap. A handle can be provided in one of the lid flaps 1. The adhesive can be in the form of double sided tape, initially covered by a peel strip to prevent premature permanent sealing. Ideally all parts of the carton are formed from a single integral blank.

Description

Conventional domestic and light commercial waste management systems typically rely upon a system of primary and secondary containment utilising products manufactured from LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) as primary containers, commonly referred to as bin liners, and from stainless steel and HDPE (high density polyethylene) as secondary containers, commonly referred to as bins and wheelie bins. Systems using primary and secondary waste containers promote the accumulation of bacteria within internal environments, through the permanent retention of secondary waste containers within internal spaces, and after disposal, particularly when refuse is stockpiled. Further, manufacturing of the primary and secondary containers depletes the finite levels of mined and extracted natural resources whilst disposal increases the enduring footprint of global contamination, whether disposal occurs at landfill sites or through alternative means of disposal including combined heat and power.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a paperboard or cardboard container comprising a body having an opening, a lid for covering and uncovering the opening, and an adhesive assembly for adhering the lid to the body, wherein the lid comprises a lid latch portion, and the body comprises a body latch portion, which are configured so as to be moveable relative to each other into a latched position, in which the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are reversibly interlocked, and wherein the adhesive assembly is located either: i) on the body, such that when the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are interlocked, the adhesive assembly is adjacent to the lid latch portion; or ii) on the lid latch portion, such that when the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are interlocked, the adhesive assembly is adjacent to a wall of the body.

The container may be a waste container, e.g. a bin.

The paperboard or cardboard may be water resistant or waterproof. The container may be waterproof.

When the adhesive assembly is located on the body, it may be located on a wall of a main body portion of the body. For example, it may be located on a wall of the main body portion of the body at or near an edge proximate to the lid.

When the adhesive assembly is located on the lid latch portion, it may be located such that when the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are interlocked, the adhesive assembly is adjacent to a wall of a main body portion of the body. For example, it may be adjacent a wall of the body at or near an edge of the main body portion of the body proximate to the lid.

The body latch portion and a main body portion may form a first hook, and the lid latch portion may form a second hook, and, in the latched position, the lid latch portion and the body latch portion may reversibly interlocked by the first and second hooks interlocking.

The interlocking may be achieved by the first hook hooking into the second hook. The free ends of the hooks may be pointing in substantially opposite directions. The directions may be opposite directions parallel to a longitudinal centreline of the container. I.e., when the container is placed with the opening facing “up”, the free end of one hook may point “up”, and the free end of the other hook may point “down”.

One of both of the hooks may be V or Z shaped, or corrugated. For example, the body latch portion folded relative to the main body portion may form a V shaped hook, and/or different flaps of the lid latch portion may be folded relative to one another may form a V shaped or a Z shaped hook. These hooks can then interlock in a known manner.

The body latch portion may comprise a first flap hingedly connected to the main body portion.

The lid latch portion may comprise a second flap hingedly connected to the main lid portion, and a third flap hingedly connected to the second flap.

The third flap may be directly connected to the second flap at a hinge. Alternatively, the third flap may be indirectly connected to the second flap.

The second and third flap of the lid latch portion may be connected via a fourth flap of the lid latch portion. The fourth flap may be located between the second and third flaps, and hingedly connected to both of the second and third flaps at opposing sides thereof. The fourth flap may be directly connected to both the second and third flaps at hinges.

The container may be configured such that, in the latched position, the body latch portion and the lid latch portion are arranged such that the third flap of the lid latch portion is arranged between the main body portion and the body latch portion, and the first flap of the body latch portion is arranged between the third flap of the lid latch portion and the second flap of the lid latch portion.

In order to achieve this, the third flap and the second flap of the lid latch portion may bend or fold around the body latch portion (e.g. around of first flap of the body latch portion), such that it extends between the third flap and the second flap. In addition, the body latch portion (e.g. the first flap thereof) may bend or fold relative to the main body portion, e.g.

such that it is located in a substantially parallel plane thereto, with the third flap of the lid latch portion extending between the main body portion and the body latch portion.

In embodiments including a fourth flap, the third flap and fourth flap may be folded to be adjacent one another. In the latched position, the body latch portion will thus extend between the second flap and the third and fourth flaps, and the third and fourth flaps will extend between the main body portion and the body latch portion.

The container may further comprise a handle extending from the lid latch portion.

The container may further comprise a handle extending from the third flap of the lid latch portion.

The handle may be hingedly connected to the third panel of the lid latch portion. The handle may be a flap, and may comprise an aperture.

In use, a user may use the handle to aid in reopening the lid, i.e. unlatching the latching portions by reversing the interlocking. For example, the user may pull the handle away from the main body, causing the lid latch portion to press against the wall of the main body and rotate out of interlocking with the body latching portion.

The adhesive assembly may comprise an adhesive.

The adhesive assembly may comprise a double sided adhesive joined on one of its sides to the main body portion or the lid latch portion, with the other side of the adhesive for engaging the other of the main body portion or the lid latch portion.

The adhesive assembly may comprise an adhesive and a peel strip covering the adhesive, wherein the peel strip is releasably attached to the adhesive so as to prevent the adhesive from adhering to any surface prior to the peel strip being removed.

The adhesive may be configured for forming an irreversible bond between the main body and the lid latching portion. In this context, “irreversible” may refer to a bond that cannot be reversed or reopened without damaging or destroying the cardboard or paperboard components to which it is bonded, i.e. the seal is stronger than the components. The bond should be considered irreversible if it cannot be pulled apart manually by a person for a substantial period of time after it has been bonded, i.e. at least for a time sufficient for disposal, collection, and transport of the waste container to a refuse area.

When the adhesive is located on the lid latch portion, it may be located on the third flap. When the adhesive is located on the main body portion, it may be located to bond between the main body portion and the third panel of the lid latch portion.

The main lid portion and the lid latch portion may be integrally formed.

For example, the main lid portion and the lid latch portion may be formed from the same sheet of paperboard or cardboard.

The main body portion and the body latching portion may be integrally formed.

For example, the main body portion and the body latch portion may be formed from the same sheet of paperboard or cardboard.

The body and the lid may be formed from a single continuous blank, with the adhesive assembly applied thereto.

The body latch portion and the lid latch portion may extend over one or more adjacent sides of the container.

The body latch portions and lid latch portions may extend either side of at least one corner formed between side walls of the container. This provides a more secure interlock between the body latch portions and the lid latch portions, as different sections of the interlocking portions are angled relative to one another. For example, the body latch portions and lid latch portions may extend along the entirety of one side, and at least a portion of each of the two adjacent sides of a container, such as a four sided container. In such an arrangement, on the two adjacent sides, the latching portions may extend to the corner shared with the one side.

The corners may be reinforced. The reinforcements may be formed from separate pieces of material to the body and lid of the container.

The present invention also provides a method of forming the above described container from a single continuous blank of material, with an adhesive assembly applied thereto and, where necessary, reinforcing corners additionally applied thereto.

The present invention also provides a method of closing the above described container, wherein the lid latch portion is reversibly interlocked with the body latch portion. The lid may additionally be adhered to the body using the adhesive assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a container 10;

Figure 2A shows a side view of a portion of the container of Figure 1 in a latched position;

Figure 2B shows the container 10 of Figure 2A as the container is being moved from the latched position to an open position;

Figure 3 shows a blank for forming an embodiment of the container;

Figure 4 shows a container that has been assembled from the blank of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 shows the container of Figure 4 in a flattened configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a container 10. The container 10 comprises a body 12 having an opening 13 and a lid 14 for covering and uncovering the opening 13. The body comprises four sides A,B,C,D and a base (not shown). However, in alternative embodiments, the container may comprise any number of sides. The lid 14 is hingedly attached to the body 12 at side B of the body 12. In this embodiment, the body 12 and the lid 14 are integrally formed from a single blank of paperboard or cardboard. Alternatively, the body 12 and the lid 14 may be separately formed, such as from two blanks of paperboard or cardboard. The lid 14 is configured to reversibly latch, and selectively irreversibly lock to the body 12. The lid 14 comprises a lid latch portion 16, which reversibly latches to a body latch portion 18.

The body latch portion 18 comprises a first flap 6 hingedly connected at one side to a main body portion 20 and extending to an opposite, free side. The lid latch portion 16 comprises a second flap 5 hingedly connected at one side to a main lid portion 22, and hingedly connected at the opposing side to a fourth flap 3. The lid latch portion 26 further comprises a third flap 2 hingedly connected to the side of the fourth flap 2 opposing the side of the fourth flap 3 hingedly connected to the second flap 5. The second, fourth and third flaps 5,3,2 are folded to form a Z-fold. The lid latch portion 16 including the second, fourth and third flaps 5,3,2 extends around three sides of the lid 14. A handle 1 extends from the fourth flap 2 on one side of the lid 12.

The first flap 6 is folded to form a V-fold with the main body portion 18 of the body 20. The corners of the body 12 may be reinforced with additional panels G. When the container 10 is closed, i.e. the lid 12 is closed, the lid latch portion 16 and the body latch portion 18 will interlock. This may require the user to apply a small amount of pressure to the lid 12, i.e. to press the lid closed. As the pressure is applied, the lid latch portion 16 will be forced outwardly by the body latch portion 18, until it has passed the body latch portion 18, at which point it will move back in towards the body 12. As the user removes pressure, the lid 14 may retract away from the body 12. The third and fourth flaps 2,3 of the lid latch portion 16 will then insert between the first flap 6 of the body latch portion 18 and the body 12, and the first flap 6 of the body latch portion 18 will then insert into the Z fold of the lid latch portion 16 between the second flap 5 and the third and fourth flaps 2,3. The lid 14 will then be held in place, as any movement of the lid 14 and the body 12 in opposing directions in the longitudinal direction will be prevented by the interlocking of the flaps (i.e. of the Z fold and the V fold). The fourth flap 3 of the lid latch portion 16 provides additional structural support, along with aiding in the adhesive closure of the container, as will be described in more detail below. In alternative (non-illustrated) embodiments, the fourth flap may not be included, and the second flap directly connected to the third flap. In the latched position, the handle 1 extends away from the main lid portion 22 to aid in reopening the container 10, as will be described in more detail below. The handle 1 may container a hole 9 to aid in the reopening of the container 10.

Figure 2A shows a side view of a portion of the container of Figure 1 in a latched position. The side shown does not include a handle. As described above, the first flap 6 of the body latch portion 18 is located between the second flap 5 and the fourth and third flaps 3,2, i.e. within the Z fold. The container further comprises an adhesive assembly 7 located on the body 12 such that, in the illustrated latched position, the adhesive assembly 7 is located adjacent to the third panel 2. The adhesive assembly 7 may comprise an adhesive covered with a peel strip (not shown). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the adhesive assembly may be located on the lid latch portion 16, e.g. on the third panel 2 as required, such that, in the latched position, the adhesive assembly is located adjacent a wall of the body 12. When it is desired to finally or irreversibly close the container 10, a user may use the adhesive to adhere the lid 12 to the body 14. If a peel strip is provided, this may require the user to remove the peel strip.

Figure 2B shows the container 10 of Figure 2A as the container is being moved from the latched position to an open position (i.e. before finally or irreversibly closing the container). In this situation, the lid 12 has not been adhered to the body 14. A user applies a force pulling the Z folded lid latch portion 16 of the lid 12 away from the body 12 in a direction perpendicular to the flaps of the portions. The force may be increased by using the handle 1, which extends beyond the interlocked portions. The force applied by the user (with or without the handle 1) causes a rotation of the lid latch portion 12, causing an end of the third flap 2 to press against the body 12, and simultaneously move both the lid latch portion 12 and the body latch portion 14 towards a position perpendicular to the wall of the main body portion 20 of the body 12, as shown in Figure 2B. It will be understood that in may not be necessary to reach a perpendicular angle. This allows the lid latch portion 12 and the body latch portion 14 to separate and, thus, for the lid 12 to be opened.

Figure 3 shows a blank for forming an embodiment of the container. The blank comprises four elongated side panels A,B,C,D. The panels are connected sequentially along their side edges. The blank further comprises two bottom panels F connected to the ends of side panels B and D. The first bottom panel F is connected to the same end of panel B as the end of panel D to which the second bottom panel F is connected. The blank further comprises a lid panel E connected to the opposite end of panel B to the end of panel B to which the bottom panel F is connected. The blank further comprises three sets of lid flaps 5,3,2 for forming the lid latch portions and which are connected to each side of the lid panel

E that is not connected to panel B. Each set lid flaps are connected sequentially along their side edges. The blank further comprises body flaps 6 for forming the body latch portions and which are connected to the same side of panels A,C,D as lid panel E is connected to panel B. The body flaps 6 connected to panels A and C may comprise a cut out portion to enable the lid flaps 5,3,2 to be formed.

The panels may be separated by score lines 11 to aid in the folding of the blank. Further score lines may be included in some of the panels to aid in the collapsing of the container once formed, as will be described below. The edges of the blank to be joined to other portions of the blank when the container is formed therefrom include flaps 8 for forming lapped joints, and flaps 15 for forming joints.

The adhesive assembly may applied to the blank prior to or subsequent to its formation into a container.

Figure 4 shows a container that has been assembled from the blank of Figure 3. The container may be waterproof and watertight when the lid is bonded to the main body.

Figure 5 shows the container of Figure 4 in a flattened configuration. The assembled container may be folded along the scored lines described with respect to Figure 3. The flattened container may then be expanded back to the container of Figure 4, ready for use.

Claims

1. A paperboard or cardboard container comprising a body having an opening, a lid for covering and uncovering the opening, and an adhesive assembly for adhering the lid to the body;

wherein the lid comprises a lid latch portion, and the body comprises a body latch portion, which are configured so as to be moveable relative to each other into a latched position, in which the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are reversibly interlocked; and wherein the adhesive assembly is located either:

i) on the body, such that when the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are interlocked, the adhesive assembly is adjacent to the lid latch portion; or ii) on the lid latch portion, such that when the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are interlocked, the adhesive assembly is adjacent to a wall of the body.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the body latch portion and a main body portion form a first hook, and the lid latch portion forms a second hook, and, in the latched position, the lid latch portion and the body latch portion are reversibly interlocked by the first and second hooks interlocking.

3. The container of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body latch portion comprises a first flap hingedly connected to a or the main body portion.

4. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the lid latch portion comprises a second flap hingedly connected to the or a main lid portion, and a third flap hingedly connected to the second flap.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the second and third flap of the lid latch portion are connected via a fourth flap of the lid latch portion.

6. The container of any preceding claim configured such that, in the latched position, the body latch portion and the lid latch portion are arranged such that the third flap of the lid latch portion is arranged between the main body portion and the body latch portion, and the first flap of the body latch portion is arranged between the third flap of the lid latch portion and the second flap of the lid latch portion.

7. The container of any preceding claim, further comprising a handle extending from the lid latch portion.

8. The container of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a handle extending from the third flap of the lid latch portion.

9. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive assembly comprises a double sided adhesive joined on one of its sides to the main body portion or the lid latch portion, with the other side of the adhesive for engaging the other of the main body portion or the lid latch portion.

10. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive assembly comprises an adhesive and a peel strip covering the adhesive, wherein the peel strip is releasably attached to the adhesive so as to prevent the adhesive from adhering to any surface prior to the peel strip being removed.

11. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the main lid portion and the lid latch portion are integrally formed.

12. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the main body portion and the body latching portion are integrally formed.

13. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the body and the lid are formed from a single continuous blank, with the adhesive assembly applied thereto.

14. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the body latch portion and the lid latch portion extend over one or more adjacent sides of the container.

Intellectual Property Office

Application No: GB1801171.8

Claims searched: 1-14

Examiner: Mr Joe Cornfield