US20180194508A1 - Corner lock tray and blank therefor - Google Patents
Corner lock tray and blank therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180194508A1 US20180194508A1 US15/846,469 US201715846469A US2018194508A1 US 20180194508 A1 US20180194508 A1 US 20180194508A1 US 201715846469 A US201715846469 A US 201715846469A US 2018194508 A1 US2018194508 A1 US 2018194508A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- corner
- container
- panel
- locking member
- blank
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid 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
- B65D5/20—Rigid 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
- B65D5/30—Rigid 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 with tongue-and-slot or like connections between sides and extensions of other sides
- B65D5/301—Rigid 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 with tongue-and-slot or like connections between sides and extensions of other sides the tongue being a part of a lateral extension of a side wall
- B65D5/302—Rigid 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 with tongue-and-slot or like connections between sides and extensions of other sides the tongue being a part of a lateral extension of a side wall combined with a slot provided in an adjacent side wall
- B65D5/304—Rigid 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 with tongue-and-slot or like connections between sides and extensions of other sides the tongue being a part of a lateral extension of a side wall combined with a slot provided in an adjacent side wall the tongue being folded over after being intoduced in the slot
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS 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
- B65D5/00—Rigid 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
- B65D5/20—Rigid 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
- B65D5/30—Rigid 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 with tongue-and-slot or like connections between sides and extensions of other sides
- B65D5/301—Rigid 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 with tongue-and-slot or like connections between sides and extensions of other sides the tongue being a part of a lateral extension of a side wall
Definitions
- the field of the invention relates generally to containers and blanks and more specifically to hand set trays and blanks.
- a container formed from a blank of sheet material.
- the container includes a bottom panel forming a bottom wall of the container.
- the container further includes a first end panel extending upwardly from a first end edge of the bottom panel and forming a first end wall of the container.
- the container further includes a first side panel extending upwardly from a first side edge of the bottom panel and forming a first side wall of the container.
- the first end panel, first side panel, and bottom panel together form a first corner of the container.
- the container further includes a first corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a first end edge thereof. The first corner flap is disposed in face-contacting relationship with the first end panel.
- the container further includes a first corner locking member securing the first corner.
- the first corner locking member is struck in part from the first corner flap and in part from the first side panel.
- the first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line.
- the first corner locking member is inserted through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel that is formed by folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
- the container further includes second, third, and fourth corner locking members securing respective second, third, and fourth corners of the container.
- the first corner locking member includes a bridge portion defined between the first fold line and a second fold line.
- the bridge portion has a height that is at least about equal to a thickness of the blank of sheet material.
- the first corner locking member further includes a generally-rectangular locking tab that is inserted into the first corner aperture.
- the first corner locking member further includes an intermediate portion disposed between the bridge portion and the locking tab.
- the intermediate portion is generally trapezoidal in shape.
- the intermediate portion is disposed in face-contacting relationship with an interior surface of the first end panel.
- the first slot has a generally elongated rectangular shape.
- the first slot has a width that is at least about equal to the thickness of the blank of sheet material.
- the first slot has a height that is at least about equal to a greatest width of the first corner locking member.
- a blank of sheet material for forming a container includes a bottom panel having first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing side edges extending between the end edges.
- the bottom wall panel is configured to form a bottom wall in a set-up container.
- the blank further includes a first end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the first end edge.
- the first end panel is configured to form a first end wall in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a first side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the first side edge.
- the first side panel is configured to form a first side wall in the set-up container.
- the first end wall, first side wall, and bottom wall together form a first corner in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a first corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a first end edge thereof.
- the first corner flap is configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the first end panel in the set-up container.
- the first corner locking member is configured to secure the first corner in the set-up container.
- the first corner locking member is struck in part from the first corner flap and in part from the first side panel.
- the first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line. In the set-up container, the first corner locking member passes through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel, wherein the first corner aperture results from folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
- the blank further includes a second end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the second end edge, the second end panel being configured to form a second end wall in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a second side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the second side edge, the second side panel being configured to form a second side wall in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a second corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a second end edge thereof, the first corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the second end panel in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a third corner flap hingedly connected to the second side panel along a first end edge thereof, the third corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the first end panel in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a fourth corner flap hingedly connected to the second side panel along a second end edge thereof, the fourth corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the second end panel in the set-up container.
- the blank further includes a second corner locking member configured to secure a second corner in the set-up container, a third corner locking member configured to secure a third corner in the set-up container, and a fourth corner locking member configured to secure a fourth corner in the set-up container.
- the first corner locking member includes a bridge portion defined between the first fold line and a second fold line.
- the bridge portion has a height that is at least about equal to a thickness of the blank of sheet material.
- the first corner locking member further includes a generally-rectangular locking tab that is inserted into the first corner aperture in the set-up container.
- the first corner locking member further includes an intermediate portion disposed between the bridge portion and the locking tab.
- the intermediate portion is generally trapezoidal in shape.
- the intermediate portion is disposed in face-contacting relationship with an interior surface of the first end panel.
- the first slot has a generally elongated rectangular shape.
- the first slot has a width that is at least about equal to the thickness of the blank of sheet material, and a height that is at least about equal to a greatest width of the first corner locking member.
- FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary blank of sheet material according to a first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the portion of the blank of FIG. 1 within the circular dash lines labeled 1 A;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an end view of the container of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the container of FIG. 2 ;
- FIGS. 5-10 show various steps in the construction of the container of FIG. 2 .
- the term “tray” or “carton” refers, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for transporting, storing, and/or dispensing articles. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various containers suitable for carrying a wide variety of articles.
- a first blank 10 for forming a tray or carton 90 (see FIGS. 2-4 ).
- the blank 10 is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate.
- suitable substrate includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, for example, to provide the trays described in more detail below.
- blank 10 can be formed from a paperboard, corrugated board, or cardboard in which one or both sides of the blank, is printed and/or treated with one or more coatings, such as for example, one or more waterproof coatings and/or one or more coatings designed to provide a smooth and/or visually-attractive surface (e.g., a white or other colored surface).
- one or more coatings such as for example, one or more waterproof coatings and/or one or more coatings designed to provide a smooth and/or visually-attractive surface (e.g., a white or other colored surface).
- informational or promotional material such as, e.g., a brand name or logo, can be printed on a treated side.
- blank 10 is generally rectangular in shape and has a first or interior surface 6 and a second or exterior surface 8 .
- Blank 10 is generally symmetrical about central longitudinal and transverse axes.
- the tray 90 forms an open-topped structure having a base or bottom wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls.
- Tray 90 has first, second, third, and fourth corners 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 that are each secured via a corner locking arrangement.
- Blank 10 includes a base panel 14 .
- Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a first side thereof to a first side panel 16 via longitudinal fold line 11 .
- Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite side thereof to a second side panel 18 via longitudinal fold line 13 .
- Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a first end thereof to a first end panel 20 via transverse fold line 15 .
- Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite end thereof to a second end panel 22 via transverse fold line 17 .
- First side panel 16 is hingedly connected along a first end thereof to a first corner flap 24 via transverse fold line 19 .
- First side panel 16 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite end thereof to a second corner flap 26 via transverse fold line 21 .
- Second side panel 18 is hingedly connected along a first end thereof to a third corner flap 28 via transverse fold line 23 .
- Second side panel 18 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite end thereof to a fourth corner flap 30 via transverse fold line 25 .
- Transverse fold lines 19 and 23 may be substantially collinear with one another and with transverse fold line 15 .
- Transverse fold lines 21 and 25 may be substantially collinear with one another and with transverse fold line 17 .
- a first corner locking member 32 is struck in part from first corner flap 24 and in part from first side panel 16 .
- a second corner locking member 34 is struck in part from second corner flap 26 and in part from first side panel 16 .
- a third corner locking member 36 is struck in part from third corner flap 28 and in part from second side panel 18 .
- a fourth corner locking member 38 is struck in part from fourth corner flap 30 and in part from second side panel 18 .
- First corner locking member 32 is configured to cooperate with a first slot 40 that is struck from a portion of first end panel 20 adjacent to first corner flap 24 .
- Second corner locking member 34 is configured to cooperate with a second slot 42 that is struck from a portion of second end panel 22 adjacent to second corner flap 26 .
- Third corner locking member 36 is configured to cooperate with a third slot 44 that is struck from a portion of first end panel 36 adjacent to third corner flap 28 .
- Fourth corner locking member 38 is configured to cooperate with a fourth slot 46 that is struck from a portion of second end panel 22 adjacent to fourth corner flap 30 .
- first corner locking member 32 may be generally trapezoidal in shape.
- First corner locking member 32 is hingedly connected to first corner flap 24 via a transverse fold line 27 which defines an outermost end edge of first corner locking member 32 .
- the length of fold line 27 defines a greatest width W 1 of first corner locking member 32 .
- Cut lines 56 , 58 extend from opposite sides of fold line 27 towards first side panel 16 and define side edges of first corner locking member 32 .
- cut lines 56 , 58 angle toward one another slightly until they intersect fold line 19 while the portions 60 , 62 of cut lines 56 , 58 hat extend into first side panel 16 are parallel to one another.
- a transverse cut line 64 in first side panel 16 extends between cut line portions 60 , 62 and defines an innermost end edge of first corner locking member 32 .
- First corner locking member 32 includes a bridge portion 50 that is defined between fold line 27 and a transverse fold line 29 that extends between cut lines 56 and 58 .
- Bridge portion 50 has a height H 1 (defined by the distance between fold lines 27 and 29 ) that is preferably about equal to, or slightly greater than, a thickness of blank 10 .
- the portion of first corner locking member 32 that is struck from first side panel 16 i.e., the portion defined between cut line portions 60 and 62 , and between fold line 19 and cut line 64 ) forms a generally rectangular locking tab 54 .
- Locking tab 54 has a height H 2 (defined by the distance between fold line 19 and cut line 64 ) that is preferably about equal to, or slightly greater than, about twice the thickness of blank 10 .
- An intermediate portion 52 of first corner locking member 32 is defined between bridge portion 50 and locking tab 54 .
- First slot 40 is sized and positioned so as to receive first corner locking member 32 therethrough when the tray 90 is assembled.
- Slot 40 has a generally elongated rectangular shape.
- Slot 40 has a width W 2 that is preferably about equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the blank 10 .
- Slot 40 has a height H 3 that is preferably about equal to or slightly greater than the greatest width W 1 of first corner locking member 32 .
- the tray 90 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations.
- the folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
- Blank 10 is positioned with its interior surface 6 facing up as shown in FIG. 1 .
- first end panel 20 is rotated inwardly about fold line 15 toward interior surface 6 of bottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship with bottom panel 14 .
- Second end panel 22 is rotated inwardly about fold line 17 toward interior surface 6 of bottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship with bottom panel 14 .
- first side panel 16 is rotated inwardly about fold line 11 toward interior surface 6 of bottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship with bottom panel 14 .
- Second side panel 18 is rotated inwardly about fold line 13 toward interior surface 6 of bottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship with bottom panel 14 .
- first corner locking member 32 is folded back about fold line 27 toward interior surface 6 of first corner flap 24 .
- first corner flap 24 is folded inwardly about fold line 19 toward the exterior surface 8 of first end panel 20 , and first corner locking member 32 is inserted through first slot 40 .
- the interior surface 6 of first corner flap 24 is brought into face-contacting relationship with the exterior surface 8 of first end panel 20 .
- first corner locking member 32 is folded toward the interior surface 6 of first end panel 20 .
- the exterior surface 8 of intermediate portion 52 is brought into face-contacting relationship with the interior surface 6 of first end panel 20 , and locking tab 54 is inserted into corner aperture 66 in first side panel 16 .
- Corner aperture 66 is the exposed portion of the aperture that results from moving first corner locking member 32 and, in particular, locking tab 54 , out of plane with first corner flap 24 and first side panel 16 . This secures the first corner of tray 90 , locking first corner flap 24 in place against first end panel 20 .
- the remaining three corners of tray 90 are assembled and secured in the same manner, i.e., by inserting the second, third, and fourth corner locking members 34 , 36 , and 38 through respective second, third, and fourth slots 42 , 44 , 46 , and then inserting their locking tabs into the corresponding corner aperture formed in the adjacent side wall.
- the above-described steps result in the formation of the completed tray 90 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the configuration of the disclosed blank 10 and tray 90 may provide certain advantages over other hand set trays.
- the tray 90 is aesthetically pleasing and easy to assemble, folds up very tightly so as to provide clean interior and outer surfaces, provides superior corner strength, and produces a minimal amount of blank material waste.
- the amount of blank material needed to form blank 10 and the overall size or “footprint” of blank 10 are relatively small.
- Exemplary embodiments of blanks and methods for forming containers are described above in detail.
- the apparatus and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of apparatus and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein.
- the methods may also be used in combination with other containers and methods, and are not limited to practice with only the containers and methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other container applications.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
A container formed from a blank of sheet material includes a bottom panel, first end panel, and first side panel that together form a first corner of the container. The first corner is secured by a first corner locking member. The first corner locking member is struck in part from a first corner flap and in part from the first side panel. The first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line. The first corner locking member is inserted through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel, wherein the first corner aperture is formed by folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/443,025 filed on Jan. 6, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The field of the invention relates generally to containers and blanks and more specifically to hand set trays and blanks.
- Current hand set trays suffer from certain limitations. For example, they may be difficult to construct, may lack corner strength, may have a tendency to not retain their shape under load, may be aesthetically unpleasing, may produce an undesirable amount of blank waste material, may require an excessive amount of blank material to form, and/or may require the use of a blank with an undesirably large footprint. Accordingly, it is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a tray and blank therefor that solve or mitigate the problems associated with the prior art.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container formed from a blank of sheet material. The container includes a bottom panel forming a bottom wall of the container. The container further includes a first end panel extending upwardly from a first end edge of the bottom panel and forming a first end wall of the container. The container further includes a first side panel extending upwardly from a first side edge of the bottom panel and forming a first side wall of the container. The first end panel, first side panel, and bottom panel together form a first corner of the container. The container further includes a first corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a first end edge thereof. The first corner flap is disposed in face-contacting relationship with the first end panel. The container further includes a first corner locking member securing the first corner. The first corner locking member is struck in part from the first corner flap and in part from the first side panel. The first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line. The first corner locking member is inserted through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel that is formed by folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
- Optionally, the container further includes second, third, and fourth corner locking members securing respective second, third, and fourth corners of the container.
- Optionally, the first corner locking member includes a bridge portion defined between the first fold line and a second fold line. The bridge portion has a height that is at least about equal to a thickness of the blank of sheet material.
- Optionally, the first corner locking member further includes a generally-rectangular locking tab that is inserted into the first corner aperture.
- Optionally, the first corner locking member further includes an intermediate portion disposed between the bridge portion and the locking tab. The intermediate portion is generally trapezoidal in shape. The intermediate portion is disposed in face-contacting relationship with an interior surface of the first end panel.
- Optionally, the first slot has a generally elongated rectangular shape. The first slot has a width that is at least about equal to the thickness of the blank of sheet material. The first slot has a height that is at least about equal to a greatest width of the first corner locking member.
- According to a second embodiment, a blank of sheet material for forming a container is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel having first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing side edges extending between the end edges. The bottom wall panel is configured to form a bottom wall in a set-up container. The blank further includes a first end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the first end edge. The first end panel is configured to form a first end wall in the set-up container. The blank further includes a first side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the first side edge. The first side panel is configured to form a first side wall in the set-up container. The first end wall, first side wall, and bottom wall together form a first corner in the set-up container. The blank further includes a first corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a first end edge thereof. The first corner flap is configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the first end panel in the set-up container. The first corner locking member is configured to secure the first corner in the set-up container. The first corner locking member is struck in part from the first corner flap and in part from the first side panel. The first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line. In the set-up container, the first corner locking member passes through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel, wherein the first corner aperture results from folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
- Optionally, the blank further includes a second end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the second end edge, the second end panel being configured to form a second end wall in the set-up container. The blank further includes a second side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the second side edge, the second side panel being configured to form a second side wall in the set-up container. The blank further includes a second corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a second end edge thereof, the first corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the second end panel in the set-up container. The blank further includes a third corner flap hingedly connected to the second side panel along a first end edge thereof, the third corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the first end panel in the set-up container. The blank further includes a fourth corner flap hingedly connected to the second side panel along a second end edge thereof, the fourth corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the second end panel in the set-up container. The blank further includes a second corner locking member configured to secure a second corner in the set-up container, a third corner locking member configured to secure a third corner in the set-up container, and a fourth corner locking member configured to secure a fourth corner in the set-up container.
- Optionally, the first corner locking member includes a bridge portion defined between the first fold line and a second fold line. The bridge portion has a height that is at least about equal to a thickness of the blank of sheet material.
- Optionally, the first corner locking member further includes a generally-rectangular locking tab that is inserted into the first corner aperture in the set-up container.
- Optionally, the first corner locking member further includes an intermediate portion disposed between the bridge portion and the locking tab. The intermediate portion is generally trapezoidal in shape. The intermediate portion is disposed in face-contacting relationship with an interior surface of the first end panel.
- Optionally, the first slot has a generally elongated rectangular shape. The first slot has a width that is at least about equal to the thickness of the blank of sheet material, and a height that is at least about equal to a greatest width of the first corner locking member.
- Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary blank of sheet material according to a first embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the portion of the blank ofFIG. 1 within the circular dash lines labeled 1A; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an end view of the container ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the container ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIGS. 5-10 show various steps in the construction of the container ofFIG. 2 . - Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of trays and blanks are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the trays and blanks described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
- In the embodiments detailed herein, the term “tray” or “carton” refers, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for transporting, storing, and/or dispensing articles. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various containers suitable for carrying a wide variety of articles.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a first blank 10 for forming a tray or carton 90 (seeFIGS. 2-4 ). The blank 10 is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, for example, to provide the trays described in more detail below. - In one or more embodiments, blank 10 can be formed from a paperboard, corrugated board, or cardboard in which one or both sides of the blank, is printed and/or treated with one or more coatings, such as for example, one or more waterproof coatings and/or one or more coatings designed to provide a smooth and/or visually-attractive surface (e.g., a white or other colored surface). In one or more embodiments, informational or promotional material such as, e.g., a brand name or logo, can be printed on a treated side.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , blank 10 is generally rectangular in shape and has a first or interior surface 6 and a second or exterior surface 8.Blank 10 is generally symmetrical about central longitudinal and transverse axes. In a set-up condition, thetray 90 forms an open-topped structure having a base or bottom wall, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls.Tray 90 has first, second, third, andfourth corners -
Blank 10 includes abase panel 14.Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a first side thereof to afirst side panel 16 vialongitudinal fold line 11.Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite side thereof to asecond side panel 18 vialongitudinal fold line 13.Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a first end thereof to afirst end panel 20 viatransverse fold line 15.Base panel 14 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite end thereof to asecond end panel 22 viatransverse fold line 17.First side panel 16 is hingedly connected along a first end thereof to afirst corner flap 24 viatransverse fold line 19.First side panel 16 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite end thereof to asecond corner flap 26 via transverse fold line 21.Second side panel 18 is hingedly connected along a first end thereof to athird corner flap 28 viatransverse fold line 23.Second side panel 18 is hingedly connected along a second, opposite end thereof to afourth corner flap 30 viatransverse fold line 25.Transverse fold lines transverse fold line 15.Transverse fold lines 21 and 25 may be substantially collinear with one another and withtransverse fold line 17. - A first
corner locking member 32 is struck in part fromfirst corner flap 24 and in part fromfirst side panel 16. A secondcorner locking member 34 is struck in part fromsecond corner flap 26 and in part fromfirst side panel 16. A thirdcorner locking member 36 is struck in part fromthird corner flap 28 and in part fromsecond side panel 18. A fourthcorner locking member 38 is struck in part fromfourth corner flap 30 and in part fromsecond side panel 18. Firstcorner locking member 32 is configured to cooperate with afirst slot 40 that is struck from a portion offirst end panel 20 adjacent tofirst corner flap 24. Secondcorner locking member 34 is configured to cooperate with asecond slot 42 that is struck from a portion ofsecond end panel 22 adjacent tosecond corner flap 26. Thirdcorner locking member 36 is configured to cooperate with athird slot 44 that is struck from a portion offirst end panel 36 adjacent tothird corner flap 28. Fourthcorner locking member 38 is configured to cooperate with afourth slot 46 that is struck from a portion ofsecond end panel 22 adjacent tofourth corner flap 30. - Each of the first, second, third, and fourth
corner locking members corner locking member 32 serves as a description of the other corner locking members. Similarly, each of the first, second, third, andfourth slots first slot 40 serves as a description of the other slots. Firstcorner locking member 32 may be generally trapezoidal in shape. Firstcorner locking member 32 is hingedly connected tofirst corner flap 24 via atransverse fold line 27 which defines an outermost end edge of firstcorner locking member 32. The length offold line 27 defines a greatest width W1 of firstcorner locking member 32. Cutlines fold line 27 towardsfirst side panel 16 and define side edges of firstcorner locking member 32. In the illustrated embodiment, cutlines fold line 19 while theportions cut lines first side panel 16 are parallel to one another. Atransverse cut line 64 infirst side panel 16 extends betweencut line portions corner locking member 32. Firstcorner locking member 32 includes a bridge portion 50 that is defined betweenfold line 27 and atransverse fold line 29 that extends betweencut lines fold lines 27 and 29) that is preferably about equal to, or slightly greater than, a thickness of blank 10. The portion of firstcorner locking member 32 that is struck from first side panel 16 (i.e., the portion defined betweencut line portions fold line 19 and cut line 64) forms a generallyrectangular locking tab 54. Lockingtab 54 has a height H2 (defined by the distance betweenfold line 19 and cut line 64) that is preferably about equal to, or slightly greater than, about twice the thickness of blank 10. Anintermediate portion 52 of firstcorner locking member 32 is defined between bridge portion 50 andlocking tab 54. -
First slot 40 is sized and positioned so as to receive firstcorner locking member 32 therethrough when thetray 90 is assembled.Slot 40 has a generally elongated rectangular shape.Slot 40 has a width W2 that is preferably about equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the blank 10.Slot 40 has a height H3 that is preferably about equal to or slightly greater than the greatest width W1 of firstcorner locking member 32. - Turning to the construction of the
tray 90 as illustrated inFIG. 2 , thetray 90 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. -
Blank 10 is positioned with its interior surface 6 facing up as shown inFIG. 1 . Referring toFIG. 5 ,first end panel 20 is rotated inwardly aboutfold line 15 toward interior surface 6 ofbottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship withbottom panel 14.Second end panel 22 is rotated inwardly aboutfold line 17 toward interior surface 6 ofbottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship withbottom panel 14. - Referring to
FIG. 6 ,first side panel 16 is rotated inwardly aboutfold line 11 toward interior surface 6 ofbottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship withbottom panel 14.Second side panel 18 is rotated inwardly aboutfold line 13 toward interior surface 6 ofbottom panel 14 and into a substantially perpendicular relationship withbottom panel 14. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , firstcorner locking member 32 is folded back aboutfold line 27 toward interior surface 6 offirst corner flap 24. Referring toFIG. 8 ,first corner flap 24 is folded inwardly aboutfold line 19 toward the exterior surface 8 offirst end panel 20, and firstcorner locking member 32 is inserted throughfirst slot 40. Referring toFIG. 9 , the interior surface 6 offirst corner flap 24 is brought into face-contacting relationship with the exterior surface 8 offirst end panel 20. Referring toFIG. 10 , firstcorner locking member 32 is folded toward the interior surface 6 offirst end panel 20. The exterior surface 8 ofintermediate portion 52 is brought into face-contacting relationship with the interior surface 6 offirst end panel 20, and lockingtab 54 is inserted intocorner aperture 66 infirst side panel 16.Corner aperture 66 is the exposed portion of the aperture that results from moving firstcorner locking member 32 and, in particular, lockingtab 54, out of plane withfirst corner flap 24 andfirst side panel 16. This secures the first corner oftray 90, lockingfirst corner flap 24 in place againstfirst end panel 20. The remaining three corners oftray 90 are assembled and secured in the same manner, i.e., by inserting the second, third, and fourthcorner locking members fourth slots tray 90 as shown inFIG. 2 . - The configuration of the disclosed blank 10 and
tray 90 may provide certain advantages over other hand set trays. In particular, thetray 90 is aesthetically pleasing and easy to assemble, folds up very tightly so as to provide clean interior and outer surfaces, provides superior corner strength, and produces a minimal amount of blank material waste. In addition, the amount of blank material needed to form blank 10 and the overall size or “footprint” of blank 10 are relatively small. - Exemplary embodiments of blanks and methods for forming containers are described above in detail. The apparatus and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of apparatus and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the methods may also be used in combination with other containers and methods, and are not limited to practice with only the containers and methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other container applications.
- Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
- This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims (12)
1. A container formed from a blank of sheet material, the container comprising:
a bottom panel forming a bottom wall of the container;
a first end panel extending upwardly from a first end edge of the bottom panel, the first end panel forming a first end wall of the container;
a first side panel extending upwardly from a first side edge of the bottom panel, the first side panel forming a first side wall of the container, the first end panel, first side panel, and bottom panel together forming a first corner of the container;
a first corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a first end edge thereof, the first corner flap being disposed in face-contacting relationship with the first end panel;
a first corner locking member securing the first corner, the first corner locking member being struck in part from the first corner flap and in part from the first side panel, wherein the first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line, wherein the first corner locking member is inserted through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel, wherein the first corner aperture is formed by folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises second, third, and fourth corner locking members securing respective second, third, and fourth corners of the container.
3. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the first corner locking member comprises a bridge portion defined between the first fold line and a second fold line, wherein the bridge portion has a height that is at least about equal to a thickness of the blank of sheet material.
4. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the first corner locking member further comprises a generally-rectangular locking tab that is inserted into the first corner aperture.
5. The container according to claim 4 , wherein the first corner locking member further comprises an intermediate portion disposed between the bridge portion and the locking tab, wherein the intermediate portion is generally trapezoidal in shape, wherein the intermediate portion is disposed in face-contacting relationship with an interior surface of the first end panel.
6. The container according to claim 4 , wherein the first slot has a generally elongated rectangular shape, wherein the first slot has a width that is at least about equal to the thickness of the blank of sheet material, and wherein the first slot has a height that is at least about equal to a greatest width of the first corner locking member.
7. A blank of sheet material for forming a container, the blank comprising:
a bottom panel having first and second opposing end edges and first and second opposing side edges extending between the end edges, the bottom wall panel being configured to form a bottom wall in a set-up container;
a first end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the first end edge, the first end panel being configured to form a first end wall in the set-up container;
a first side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the first side edge, the first side panel being configured to form a first side wall in the set-up container, the first end wall, first side wall, and bottom wall together forming a first corner in the set-up container;
a first corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a first end edge thereof, the first corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the first end panel in the set-up container;
a first corner locking member configured to secure the first corner in the set-up container, the first corner locking member being struck in part from the first corner flap and in part from the first side panel, wherein the first corner locking member is hingedly connected to the first corner flap along a first fold line, wherein, in the set-up container, the first corner locking member passes through a slot formed through the first end panel and into a first corner aperture formed through the first side panel, wherein the first corner aperture results from folding the first corner locking member out of plane with the first side panel.
8. The blank according to claim 7 , wherein the blank further comprises:
a second end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the second end edge, the second end panel being configured to form a second end wall in the set-up container;
a second side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel along the second side edge, the second side panel being configured to form a second side wall in the set-up container;
a second corner flap hingedly connected to the first side panel along a second end edge thereof, the first corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the second end panel in the set-up container;
a third corner flap hingedly connected to the second side panel along a first end edge thereof, the third corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the first end panel in the set-up container;
a fourth corner flap hingedly connected to the second side panel along a second end edge thereof, the fourth corner flap being configured to fold into face-contacting relationship with the second end panel in the set-up container;
a second corner locking member configured to secure a second corner in the set-up container;
a third corner locking member configured to secure a third corner in the set-up container; and
a fourth corner locking member configured to secure a fourth corner in the set-up container.
9. The blank according to claim 7 , wherein the first corner locking member comprises a bridge portion defined between the first fold line and a second fold line, wherein the bridge portion has a height that is at least about equal to a thickness of the blank of sheet material.
10. The blank according to claim 7 , wherein the first corner locking member further comprises a generally-rectangular locking tab that is inserted into the first corner aperture in the set-up container.
11. The blank according to claim 10 , wherein the first corner locking member further comprises an intermediate portion disposed between the bridge portion and the locking tab, wherein the intermediate portion is generally trapezoidal in shape, wherein the intermediate portion is disposed in face-contacting relationship with an interior surface of the first end panel.
12. The blank according to claim 10 , wherein the first slot has a generally elongated rectangular shape, wherein the first slot has a width that is at least about equal to the thickness of the blank of sheet material, and wherein the slot has a height that is at least about equal to a greatest width of the first corner locking member.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/846,469 US20180194508A1 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2017-12-19 | Corner lock tray and blank therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201762443025P | 2017-01-06 | 2017-01-06 | |
US15/846,469 US20180194508A1 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2017-12-19 | Corner lock tray and blank therefor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20180194508A1 true US20180194508A1 (en) | 2018-07-12 |
Family
ID=62782659
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/846,469 Abandoned US20180194508A1 (en) | 2017-01-06 | 2017-12-19 | Corner lock tray and blank therefor |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20180194508A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2990117A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2017016914A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD980069S1 (en) | 2020-07-14 | 2023-03-07 | Ball Corporation | Metallic dispensing lid |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2349364A (en) * | 1942-06-12 | 1944-05-23 | Crook Paper Box Company | Chick shipping box |
FR1196119A (en) * | 1958-05-12 | 1959-11-20 | Cenpa Soc Centrale Des Usines | Packaging improvements |
FR1386251A (en) * | 1963-09-16 | 1965-01-22 | Packaging for transport and handling of chicks, and similar applications | |
FR2703335A1 (en) * | 1993-04-01 | 1994-10-07 | Socar | Package made of semi-rigid material for packaging fluorescent lighting tubes |
FR2758124A1 (en) * | 1997-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | Dropsy Carton | Cardboard container for clothing |
US20150021227A1 (en) * | 2013-07-12 | 2015-01-22 | Tri-State Container Corporation | Packaging Tray for Food Products and/or Merchandise |
US20160137337A1 (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2016-05-19 | Tpv-Inventa Technology Co., Ltd. | Packaging tray |
-
2017
- 2017-12-19 MX MX2017016914A patent/MX2017016914A/en unknown
- 2017-12-19 US US15/846,469 patent/US20180194508A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-12-21 CA CA2990117A patent/CA2990117A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2349364A (en) * | 1942-06-12 | 1944-05-23 | Crook Paper Box Company | Chick shipping box |
FR1196119A (en) * | 1958-05-12 | 1959-11-20 | Cenpa Soc Centrale Des Usines | Packaging improvements |
FR1386251A (en) * | 1963-09-16 | 1965-01-22 | Packaging for transport and handling of chicks, and similar applications | |
FR2703335A1 (en) * | 1993-04-01 | 1994-10-07 | Socar | Package made of semi-rigid material for packaging fluorescent lighting tubes |
FR2758124A1 (en) * | 1997-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | Dropsy Carton | Cardboard container for clothing |
US20150021227A1 (en) * | 2013-07-12 | 2015-01-22 | Tri-State Container Corporation | Packaging Tray for Food Products and/or Merchandise |
US20160137337A1 (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2016-05-19 | Tpv-Inventa Technology Co., Ltd. | Packaging tray |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD980069S1 (en) | 2020-07-14 | 2023-03-07 | Ball Corporation | Metallic dispensing lid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2990117A1 (en) | 2018-07-06 |
MX2017016914A (en) | 2018-07-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10414538B2 (en) | Carton and blank therefor | |
US9434520B2 (en) | Carton with handle | |
US10421576B2 (en) | Carton, blank, and method of folding | |
AU2008282386B2 (en) | Carton with dispenser, display features and/or corner features | |
US20170210504A1 (en) | Container with a reinforcement structure and method of forming the same | |
US8567661B2 (en) | Two-piece shipping tray | |
US11136162B2 (en) | Container having a push-in locking device and blank therefor | |
US20160009439A1 (en) | Tab style container with internal support structures | |
US10562660B2 (en) | Crate with stacking ledge and blank therefor | |
EP3535194A1 (en) | Drone delivery packaging system | |
US20210178721A1 (en) | Food carton insert and methods for providing multiple food compartments in a food container | |
US7841511B2 (en) | Carton bottom closure | |
US10865010B2 (en) | Carton and blank therefor | |
US11643244B2 (en) | Flat pack tray with curve on set-up and blank for forming the same | |
US10173804B2 (en) | Carrier and blank therefor | |
US20210031968A1 (en) | Article carrier and blank therefor | |
US10377523B2 (en) | Carton and blank therefor | |
US20180194508A1 (en) | Corner lock tray and blank therefor | |
US20190367210A1 (en) | E-commerce package | |
US20190300256A1 (en) | Carton and blank therefor | |
US11794945B2 (en) | Container having leak-resistant fold-in tray and blank therefor | |
US20090173772A1 (en) | Method Of Forming A Paperboard Blank With Attached Giftwrapping Paper Into One Component Of A Giftbox With Square Corners | |
US9731859B1 (en) | Container with overlapping flap system and container blank for making the same | |
US20210024248A1 (en) | Fitments | |
GB2325919A (en) | Crash lock base carton |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES, LLC, GEORGIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SIMPSON, JAMES A.;REEL/FRAME:044446/0507 Effective date: 20170106 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |