GB2125772A

GB2125772A - Stackable trays

Info

Publication number: GB2125772A
Application number: GB08220307A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Lawrence
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 1982-07-13
Filing date: 1982-07-13
Publication date: 1984-03-14
Also published as: GB2125772B

Abstract

An open topped tray has horizontal supporting ledges 11 at the upper edges of a first pair of side walls 2 each having an inner side wall panel 13 extending down to the base 1, gusset panels 6 at the corners being connected to the other side walls 3 along fold lines 8. The gusset panels 6 engage the underside of the supporting edges 11. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Open topped boxes or trays This invention relates to stackable open topped boxes or trays.

Many proposals have been made hitherto for open topped boxes or trays of cardboard or other foldable material which can be stacked upon one another.

Such boxes are conveniently folded up from a single blank of material and require a stacking support surface of sufficient strength on which the box above can be supported when stacked. As well as strength another important requirement of such boxes is that the support surfaces should be such as to minimise problems arising from boxes in a stack being misaligned and to this end either the support surfaces are sufficiently large to accommodate such misalignment or means to ensure correct alignment is provided. Furthermore the boxes must be economical and readily erected even manually using casual labour.

According to the present invention there is provided an open topped stackable box or tray folded from a blank of foldable material comprising a base panel, a first and second pair of upstanding side walls foldably connected to respective edges of the base panel, and interconnected to one another at their ends by diagonally folded first gusset panels lying within the tray or box, the first pair of side walls each having a horizontal supporting ledge at their upper edges and an inner side wall panel extending downwardly from the supporting ledge to the base panel, the gusset panels lying between the first pair of side walls and the inner side wall panels, the gusset panels being connected to the second pair of side walls along fold lines inclined way from the fold lines joining the respective gusset panels to the first pair of side walls, the uppermost edges of the gusset panels engaging the underside of the horizontal supporting ledge adjacent the second pair of side walls. The stacking strength of the box is greatly enhanced by the support given to the inner edges of the horizontal supporting ledge by the gusset panels adjacent the inner side walls.

The supporting ledges are themselves supported by the inner side wall panels and the first pair of side walls as well as the gusset panels. The inclination of the fold lines connecting the gusset panels to the second pair of side walls can be chosen to give a width of horizontal supporting ledge as desired for ease of stacking and the boxes can be readily and economically erected. The distal edges of the inner side walls can be provided with tabs which are inserted in corresponding holes in the base panel so that when erected no stitching, glue or other means is necessary to-maintain the box in the erected condition. The holes in the base panel are preferably provided adjacent the edges of the base panel to maximisethe internal volume of the box.

The support provided to the horizontal support ledges can be enhanced by forming the uppermost edges of the gusset panels to engage the underside of the supporting ledges from the inclined fold lines to the diagonal fold lines of the gusset panels. Yet further enhancement of the support provided to the horizontal support ledge can be provided by forming the uppermost edges of the gusset panels to engage the underside of the horizontal supporting ledges from the diagonal fold lines to the fold lines connecting the gusset panels to the first pair of side walls.

Preferably the portions of the gusset panels contiguous with the first side walls are secured thereto.

This increases the rigidity of the first side wall panels. The securing can be effected prior to complete erection of the box by folding the second pair of side walls to overlie the base panel with the gusset panels overlying the first pair of side walls. In this flat folded position the respective portion of the gusset panels can be secured to the first side walls.

The flat folded blank can then be readily erected by raising the second side walls to the vertical position which action automatically raises the first side walls.

Horizontal retaining edges can also be provided on the second pair of side walls foldably connected to their upper edges, the ends of each of the retaining ledges being connected by second diagonally folded gusset panels to the uppermost edges of the first gusset panels. Such retaining ledges are sometimes desired to assist in retaining contents in a filled box or to enhance appearance of the filled box or to provide additional area for printed matter to be applied. The inner side wall panels can be shaped to lie between the two parts of the second diagonally folded gusset panels to maintain the box in the erected condition.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure l is a plan view of a flat blank of cardboard material; Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank of Figure 1 in the flat folded condition; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a box partly erected from the blank of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 of a modification of the box of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a flat folded blank for a further alternative box; and Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a box partly erected from the blank of Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a plan view of a blank of corrugated cardboard material having a base panel 1 and a first pair of opposite side walls 2 and a second pair of opposite side walls 3 joined to the base panel along fold lines 4 and 5 respectively.

The side walls are interconnected at their ends by gusset panels 6 foldably connected to the first pair of side walls 2 by fold lines 7 which are aligned with fold lines 5 and to the second pair of side walls 3 by fold lines 8 which extend from the intersection of the fold lines 4 and 5 and define second side walls which are inwardlytapering towards the distal edges 9 thereof. The gusset panels 6 are divided by diagonal fold lines 10 into gusset portion 6a adjacent the first side walls and gusset portion 6b adjacent the second side walls.

A supporting ledge 11 is connected to each of the first side walls by a fold line 12 and an inner side wall 13 is connected to the supporting ledge by a fold line 14.

Slots 15 are provided in the base panel 1 adjacent the fold lines 4 to receive tabs 16 on the inner side wall.

Apertures 17 are formed partly in the base panel 1 and partly in the first side walls and tabs 18 are struck from the supporting ledges 11 by cuts 19.

To erectthe blank into an open topped box or tray the second pair of side walls and the gusset panels are folded along the fold lines 5 and 7 so that the side walls 3 overlie the base panel 1. The shaded gusset portions 6a are secured to first side walls 2, conveniently by adhesive. In this flat folded condition the box can be economically transported to the point of final erection.

To fully erect the box the side walls 3 are raised to extend vertical to the base panel 1. This automatically lifts the first side walls 2 out of the plane of the base panel as shown on the left of Figure 3 and assists the erection of the side walls 2 to the vertical position. The supporting ledge 11 is folded to lie horizontal and the inner side walls are folded down with the gusset panels between the inner side walls 13 and the side walls 2 and the and the tabs 16 engaged within the slots 15.

When erected as shown on the right in Figure 3 the horizontal supporting ledges 11 are themselves supported by the uppermost edges 6c of the gusset portions 6b, the edges 6c engaging the underside of the supporting ledges 11 adjacent the second pair of side walls 3. The inclination of the fold lines 8 is preferably such that the side walls 3 are shorter at the top than the bottom by a distance at each end corresponding to the width of the supporting ledges, the edges 6c of the gussets adjacent fold lines 8 engaging the supporting ledges of the fold lines 14.

The support provided by the gusset panels to the horizontal supporting ledge is additional to that provided by the inner side wails and the first side walls. The inner side walls can be inclined from the inner edges of the supporting ledges to the fold lines 4, thus maximising the internal volume of the box, without weakening the supporting ledges.

To provide additional support for the support ledges the gusset portions 6b can be shaped as shown at 20 in dotted lines in Figure 1 so that the uppermost edges 6c of the gusset portions 6b engage the undersides of the supporting ledges from the inclined fold lines 8 to the diagonal fold lines 10. This line of support is indicated by dotted line 21 in Figure 3.

Securing the gusset portions 6a to the side walls 2 increases the rigidity of those first side walls as well as provide easier erection of the box. The strength of the supporting ledge can be further enhanced by forming the uppermost edges 6d of the gusset portions 6a to lie along the fold lines 12 so that they engage the undersides of the supporting ledges.

As can be seen on the right of Figure 3 the tabs 18 in the erected box extend upwardly from the first pair of side walls 2 and when stacked the tabs of a box below engage within apertures 17 ofthetray above to locate the stacked boxes in alignment.

The distal edges of the second side walls 3 can be relieved as shown at 21 for ventilation of the boxes when stacked.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an embodiment similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 in which the inner side walls 13 are each provided with two extension flaps 22. When erected the flaps 22 lie alongside the second side wails 3 and increase the strength and rigidity of those side wails.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 there is shown a box having retaining ledges 23 foldably connected to the distal edges of opposite side walls 3. As can be seen from Figure 5 the retaining ledges 23 are connected at their ends by second gusset panels 24 to the gusset portions 6b of the first gusset panels 6.

The gusset panels 24 are also divided by diagonal fold lines 25 into gusset portions 24a and 24b.

The inner side walls 13 are relieved at 26 to form ears 27 which facilitate erection as described below.

From the flat folded condition as shown in Figure 5 the side walls 3 are raised to lie vertical to the base panel 1 and the retaining ledges folded to lie parallel to the base panel with the gusset portions 24a, 24b of the second gusset panels 24 extending inwardly of the box as shown at the left of Figure 6. The horizontal supporting ledges 11 are then folded into position and the inner side walls 13 folded over to lie between the gusset portions 24a and 24b. Folding of the inner side walls into position is facilitated by the ears 27 bending relative to the inner side walls, the ears lying in the plane of the inner side walls when the tabs 16 engaged within the slots 15 in the base panel to maintain the box in the erected condition.

The retaining ledges can assist in retaining the contents in the open topped box or may be desired simplyforappearance orto provide additional area for printed matter to appear on the box.

The boxes or trays of the present invention are particularly suitable for containing fresh vegetables or other produce and may therefore be provided with other or further ventilation apertures than provided by the ventilation areas 21 of Figures 1 to 3, eg holes or cut-outs in any or all of the side walls and base panel. Similarly hand holes may be provided if required to assist in carrying.

Whilst in each of the embodiments described the gusset portions 6a have been secured to the first side walls 2 it will be understood that these gusset portions 6a need not be so secured.

CLAIMS (Filed on 13/7/83) 1. An open topped stackable box or tray folded from a blank of foldable material comprising a base panel, a first and second pair of upstanding side walls foldably connected to respective edges of the base panel, and interconnected to one another at their ends by diagonally folded first gusset panels lying within the tray or box, the first pair of side walls each having a horizontal supporting ledge at their upper edges and an inner side wall panel extending downwardly from the supporting ledge to the base panel, the gusset panels lying between the first pair of side walls and the inner side wall panels, the gusset panels being connected to the second pair of side walls along fold lines inclined way from the fold

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Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

13 is connected to the supporting ledge by a fold line 14.

Slots 15 are provided in the base panel 1 adjacent the fold lines 4 to receive tabs 16 on the inner side wall.

Apertures 17 are formed partly in the base panel 1 and partly in the first side walls and tabs 18 are struck from the supporting ledges 11 by cuts 19.

To erectthe blank into an open topped box or tray the second pair of side walls and the gusset panels are folded along the fold lines 5 and 7 so that the side walls 3 overlie the base panel 1. The shaded gusset portions 6a are secured to first side walls 2, conveniently by adhesive. In this flat folded condition the box can be economically transported to the point of final erection.

To fully erect the box the side walls 3 are raised to extend vertical to the base panel 1. This automatically lifts the first side walls 2 out of the plane of the base panel as shown on the left of Figure 3 and assists the erection of the side walls 2 to the vertical position. The supporting ledge 11 is folded to lie horizontal and the inner side walls are folded down with the gusset panels between the inner side walls 13 and the side walls 2 and the and the tabs 16 engaged within the slots 15.

When erected as shown on the right in Figure 3 the horizontal supporting ledges 11 are themselves supported by the uppermost edges 6c of the gusset portions 6b, the edges 6c engaging the underside of the supporting ledges 11 adjacent the second pair of side walls 3. The inclination of the fold lines 8 is preferably such that the side walls 3 are shorter at the top than the bottom by a distance at each end corresponding to the width of the supporting ledges, the edges 6c of the gussets adjacent fold lines 8 engaging the supporting ledges of the fold lines 14.

The support provided by the gusset panels to the horizontal supporting ledge is additional to that provided by the inner side wails and the first side walls. The inner side walls can be inclined from the inner edges of the supporting ledges to the fold lines 4, thus maximising the internal volume of the box, without weakening the supporting ledges.

To provide additional support for the support ledges the gusset portions 6b can be shaped as shown at 20 in dotted lines in Figure 1 so that the uppermost edges 6c of the gusset portions 6b engage the undersides of the supporting ledges from the inclined fold lines 8 to the diagonal fold lines 10. This line of support is indicated by dotted line 21 in Figure 3.

Securing the gusset portions 6a to the side walls 2 increases the rigidity of those first side walls as well as provide easier erection of the box. The strength of the supporting ledge can be further enhanced by forming the uppermost edges 6d of the gusset portions 6a to lie along the fold lines 12 so that they engage the undersides of the supporting ledges.

As can be seen on the right of Figure 3 the tabs 18 in the erected box extend upwardly from the first pair of side walls 2 and when stacked the tabs of a box below engage within apertures 17 ofthetray above to locate the stacked boxes in alignment.

The distal edges of the second side walls 3 can be relieved as shown at 21 for ventilation of the boxes when stacked.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an embodiment similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 in which the inner side walls 13 are each provided with two extension flaps 22. When erected the flaps 22 lie alongside the second side wails 3 and increase the strength and rigidity of those side wails.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 there is shown a box having retaining ledges 23 foldably connected to the distal edges of opposite side walls 3. As can be seen from Figure 5 the retaining ledges 23 are connected at their ends by second gusset panels 24 to the gusset portions 6b of the first gusset panels 6.

The gusset panels 24 are also divided by diagonal fold lines 25 into gusset portions 24a and 24b.

The inner side walls 13 are relieved at 26 to form ears 27 which facilitate erection as described below.

From the flat folded condition as shown in Figure 5 the side walls 3 are raised to lie vertical to the base panel 1 and the retaining ledges folded to lie parallel to the base panel with the gusset portions 24a, 24b of the second gusset panels 24 extending inwardly of the box as shown at the left of Figure 6. The horizontal supporting ledges 11 are then folded into position and the inner side walls 13 folded over to lie between the gusset portions 24a and 24b. Folding of the inner side walls into position is facilitated by the ears 27 bending relative to the inner side walls, the ears lying in the plane of the inner side walls when the tabs 16 engaged within the slots 15 in the base panel to maintain the box in the erected condition.

The retaining ledges can assist in retaining the contents in the open topped box or may be desired simplyforappearance orto provide additional area for printed matter to appear on the box.

The boxes or trays of the present invention are particularly suitable for containing fresh vegetables or other produce and may therefore be provided with other or further ventilation apertures than provided by the ventilation areas 21 of Figures 1 to 3, eg holes or cut-outs in any or all of the side walls and base panel. Similarly hand holes may be provided if required to assist in carrying.

Whilst in each of the embodiments described the gusset portions 6a have been secured to the first side walls 2 it will be understood that these gusset portions 6a need not be so secured.

CLAIMS (Filed on 13/7/83) 1. An open topped stackable box or tray folded from a blank of foldable material comprising a base panel, a first and second pair of upstanding side walls foldably connected to respective edges of the base panel, and interconnected to one another at their ends by diagonally folded first gusset panels lying within the tray or box, the first pair of side walls each having a horizontal supporting ledge at their upper edges and an inner side wall panel extending downwardly from the supporting ledge to the base panel, the gusset panels lying between the first pair of side walls and the inner side wall panels, the gusset panels being connected to the second pair of side walls along fold lines inclined way from the fold

lines joining the respective gusset panels to the first pair of side walls, the uppermost edges of the gusset panels engaging the underside of the horizontal supporting ledge adjacent the second pair of side walls.
2. A box or tray according to Claim 1 in which the uppermost edges of the gusset panels engage the underside of the horizontal supporting ledges from the inclined fold lines to the diagonal fold lines of the gusset panels.
3. A box or tray according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the uppermost edges of the gusset panels engage the underside of the horizontal supporting ledges from the diagonal fold lines to the fold lines connecting the gusset panels to the first pair of side walls.
4. A box or tray according to any one of the preceding claims in which the portions of the gusset panels contiguous with the first side walls are secured thereto.
5. A box or tray according to any one of the preceding claims having horizontal retaining ledges foldably connected to the upper edges of the second pair of side walls, the ends of each of the retaining ledges being connected by second diagonally folded gusset panels to the uppermost edges of the first gusset panels.
6. A blank for a box or tray as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5.