AU639557B2

AU639557B2 - Packaging container

Info

Publication number: AU639557B2
Application number: AU76025/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Alexander Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-29
Filing date: 1991-04-29
Publication date: 1993-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-29
Also published as: AU7602591A

Description

63955 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1952 Name of Applicant Address of Applicant Actual Inventor Address for Service JOHN ALEXANDER ROSS 447 Reitz Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, Transvaal, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA JOHN ALEXANDER ROSS GRANT ADAMS COMPANY Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Level 9 NATIONAL MUTUAL CENTRE 114 Edward Street Brisbane, Queensland, 4000

AUSTRALIA

r o r COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: "PACKAGING CONTAINER" The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to the applicant.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to a packaging container.

The container finds particular application as a packaging and merchandising container for deciduous fruit, vegetables and like and will be described with reference to such an application by way of example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The container of this invention comprises web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube, the cover sheet including a base panel, upright side panels arranged in opposed spaced relationship, top closure 15 panels and joinder panels interconnecting the base panel and the side panels, which joinder panels are angularly disposed relatively to the side panels and formed with transversely extending slots within which the web plates are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web 20 plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

see* S. 0 0

S

a S

S

S S .555

SSS

S

0055 S S

S

0 5 *55 5 30

'S

:L1.

In a developed embodiment of the invention, the container comprises web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube, the cover sheet including a base panel, upright side panels arranged in opposed spaced relationship, top closure panels and joinder panels located on either side of the side panels and connecting the side panels to the base panel and the top closure panels respectively, the joinder panels being angularly disposed relatively to the side panels and formed with transversely extending slots within which the web plates are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

The container is preferably adapted for arrangement in vertical stacked relationship with a second container of like configuration in that the web plates are relatively rigid, locking projections are formed in each web plate which extend outwardly from one of the horizontal edges thereof, the cover sheet is formed with slots which are complemental to the locking projections and positioned to allow the locking projections to extend through the cover sheet slots when the cover sheet extends about the web plate, the locking projections of the web plates and eo the cover sheet slots are dimensioned and positioned for the complemental interengagement of one or more of the locking projections on the web plates of one container with a corresponding cover sheet slot of an adjacent container, and the web plates in the vicinity of the 5 cover sheet slots are formed with recesses complemental 0 to the locking projection which the slot is to receive.

0• The container may conveniently include a base rib constituted by a folded rib in the cover sheet extending between the web plates, a complemental clip formation being formed in the base edge of each web plate within which the rib is a longitudinal slide fit.

The base rib may also be constituted by a folded rib in the cover sheet extending between the web plates, a complemental notch being formed in the base edge of each web plate and the container including a wire clip which is adapted for securement to each web plate and to extend along and support the rib between the web plates.

The web plates may be at least partly secured, by means of adhesive, to the cover sheet, which is provided with adhesive tabs on the transversely extending base edges, the tabs including an adhesive zone and a fold line along which the tabs are folded to allow the web plates adhered thereto to extend substantially normal to the base plane of the cover sheet, the base edges of the web plates being free of peripheral projections.

The invention includes a container preform for a container comprising web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web Splates extending substantially transversely to the 20 principal axis of the tube, the preform comprising a O cover sheet including a base panel, side panels on either side of the base panel, top closure panels and "joinder panels interconnecting the base and the side panels, which joinder panels are formed with transversely extending slots within which the web plates are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates in the assembled container and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

In the developed embodiment of the invention referred to above, the preform may comprise web plates and a S'VT 0

LU

Qj continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal a.xi: of the tube, the preform comprising a cover sheet including a base panel, side panels on either side of the base panel, top closure panels and joinder panels located on either oo

P

S

.S0.

*0 s S

SS

0 4 side of the side panels and connecting the side panels to the base panel and the top closure panels respectively, the joinder panels being formed with transversely extending slots within which the web plates are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates in the assembled container and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

For a container according which is capable of arrangement in vertical stacked relationship with a second container of like configuration, the web plates of the preform are relatively rigid and locking projections are formed in each web plate, which locking projections extend outwardly from one of the edges thereof, the cover sheet being formed with slots which are complemental to the locking projections and positioned to allow the locking projections to extend through the cover sheet slots when the cover sheet extends about the web plate, the locking projections of the web plates and the cover sheet slots being dimensioned and positioned for the complemental interengagement of one or more of the locking projections on the web plates of one container with iii a corresponding cover sheet slot of an adjacent container, and the web plates i in the vicinity of the cover sheet slots being formed with recesses complemental to the locking projection which the slot is to receive.

The container preform may include fold lines for the folding of a base rib constituted by a folded rib in the cover sheet which is adapted, in the :completed container, to extend between the web plates, a complemental clip formation being formed in the base edge of each web plate within which the rib is a longitudinal slide fit.

On the preform the web plates may be at least partly secured, by means of adhesive, to the cover sheet, which may be provided with adhesive tabs on the transversely extending base edges, the tabs including an adhesive zone and a fold line along which the tabs may be folded to allow the web plates adhered thereto to extend substantially normal to the base plane of the cover sheet, the base edges of the web plates being free of peripheral projections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the container of Figure 1 in a foldedout-state; Figure 3 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the container of the invention; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the container of Figure 3 in a foldeddut-state; Figure 5 is an isometric view of yet a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the container of Figure 5 in a folded out state; Figure 7 is an end view of yet a further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation on a line 8-8 in Figure 7.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The container of the invention, in relatively simple form, is illustrated in 0

I

o c

II..

I

I.

I

I.

I

Figures 1 and 2 where the container can be seen to comprise a cover sheet which is wrapped about the peripheries of a pair of end web plates 12.

The web plates 12 are of a relatively rigid material. Examples of such materials are wood particle board (such as that supplied as HARDBOARD (TM) or chipboard, an injection moulded plastics or stiffened or reinforced cardboard. In each case the material of the web plates 12 will be selected and reinforced for more or less rigidity in the plane of the web plate 12 to comply with the desired stacking requirements in respect of the containers.

In Figure 2 it can be seen how the cover sheet is adapted for wrapping about the periphery of the web plates by means of fold lines 14 which extend parallel to the principal axis of the container, each fold line being adapted for the formation of a crease or fold 16 in the eventual container. The fold lines separate the areas of the cover sheet 10 into a base for the eventual container, side panels (which will extend vertically in the eventual container, top closure panels (which, in the eventual container, will close the top of the container at least partially) and angled joinder panels, which connect the side panels respectively with the base panel and the top closure panels.

The cover sheet 10 is formed with a plurality of slots 18 through which the material of the web plate is adapted to project. A set of corner slots 18.1 in So the angled joinder panels allow the corners 20 of the web plates 12 to project through the cover sheet material thereby securing the web plates 12 in position in the eventual container.

Since the corners of the web plates 12 extend through the corner slots 18.1 S. in the angled joinder panels, the extending corners of the web plates secure the cover sheet 10 frictionally to the web plates 12. Even if only the base corners of the web plates 12 are engaged with the cover sheet 10, the cover sheet 10 will retain the webs in position (even though neither the sides nor the top have been fully secured against the clip formations in the webs). This allows the top closure panels of the container to remain wide open during packing while still retaining some structural integrity in the container and facilitates filling of the container.

In addition, the extension of the corners of the web plates 12 through the angled joinder panels ensures that the web plates 12 are secured, in a simple manner, within the container and that they are retained in the vertical position to serve as proper vertical reinforcement during stacking.

A pair of feet slots 18.2 on each end of the container allow feet 22 formed in the web plates 12 to project through the material of the cover sheet. A set of stacking slots 18.3 allow the feet 22 on the web plates 12 of one container to project through the cover sheet material of a container therebelow into stacking recesses 24 formed in the web plates 12.

The web plates 12 are formed with clip formations constituted by slots 26 which are adapted to receive the folded-in edges 28 of the cover sheet whereby the cover sheet may be secured against removal from the web i plates.

Proceeding from the folded out state shown in Figure 2, the web plates 12 are secured with the feet 22 in the slots 18.2 in the cover sheet. The cover sheet is then folded along the fold lines to wrap around the peripheries of the web plates 12 with the corners 20 of the web plates extending through the slots ooool 18.1. Finally the edges 28 of the cover sheet are folded in and secured within the slots 26 and the container is ready for use. The transversely extending edges of the cover sheet may be reinforced. A simple method of reinforcing is to fold the transversely extending edges over and to form the slots through both layers of sheet material. If ad';tional reinforcing is required, the folded over edges may be glued or reinforced with additional reinforcing material.

The containers can now be stacked on top of one another with the feet 22 of one container extending through the stacking slots 18.3 of a lower container 8 for the feet 22 to engage the stacking recesses 24 in the web plates, thereby transferring the mass of an upper container, to the web plates of the lower container. It will be appreciated that, for certain applications, such as in containers adapted for belt conveyance, it is desirable to have the bases of the containers plane. For these applications the web plate configuration of the container will, in essence, be reversed with the "feet" now projecting upwardly into base recesses formed in the containers thereabove.

The container illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 by the provision of an additional base clip formation. In order to ensure that the base 30 of the container does not sag unduly under the mass of the contents of the container, a rib 32 may be folded into the base of the container (by the provision of appropriate fold lines 24). A complemental clip formation 36 is formed in the edge of the web plate 12.1.

By securing the rib 32 within the clip formation 36, the base 30 is reinforced and retained against sagging.

An alternative base support is shown in Figures 7 and 8 where a wire clip 38 is used to retain the base against sagging.

In this embodiment, the web plates 12.2 are formed with clip retaining holes S 40 and a base notch 42. The cover sheet is provided with fold lines 44 which enable it to follow the contours of the base notch 42 in the web plates 12.2.

*:The.material of the cover sheet 10.2 is also formed with slots or holes 46 through which the wire clip 38 may pass. In use, the wire clip 38 reinforces and supports the base 48 of the container illustrated in Figure 7 and 8.

The containers illustrated thus far have discrete web plates, but the container illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 may be supplied to a packer with the web plates 12.3 already secured, by means of adhesive 50 to the cover sheets 10.3. In this embodiment, a tab 52 is formed in the cover sheet, by slitting on either side of the tab 52. An adhesive 50 is applied to the tab and the web plate, if necessary. The web plate 12.3 is then pre-adhered to the tab 52 which has a fold line 54 so that the entire tab 52 with the web plate 12.3 attached thereto can be folded upwardly as shown in Figure To facilitate this folding operation, the stacking slots and feet described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 are reversed, the web plates 12.3 being provided with stacking shoulders constituted by peripheral projections 56 on the web plates 12.3. The stacking shoulders 56 are adapted for interengagement with base recesses 58 formed in the web plates 12.3, the cover sheet 10.3 in the vicinity of the base recesses 58 being slotted at 18.4, to allow penetration by the stacking shoulders 56 and at 18.6, to allow penetration by the stacking shoulders 56.

The stacking shoulders 56 obviate the need for folded in edges 28 as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, since the stacking shoulders 56 may be used to secure the edges of the cover sheet 10.3 against the web plates 12.3. This is achieved by retaining slots 60 in the stacking shoulders i: 56. During assembly of the container, the slots 18.6 are now merely clipped i. into the edge retaining slots 60 on the stacking shoulders 56. The projecting parts of the web plates 12 may be slotted, similarly to the edge retaining slots o aoo eoooo e° °e e r,

Claims

1. A container comprising web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates tc define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube, the cover sheet including a base panel, upright side panels arranged in opposed spaced rPlationship, top closure panels and joinder panels interconnecting the base panel and the side panels, which joinder panels are angularly disposed relatively to the side panels, which joinder panels are angularly disposed relatively to the side panels and formed with transversely extending slots within which the web plates are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

2. A container comprising web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube, the cover sheet including a base panel, upright side panels arranged in opposed spaced relationship, top closure panels and joinder panels located on either side of the side panels and connecting the side panels to the base panel and the top closure panels, respectively, the joinder panels being angularly disposed relatively to the side panels and formed with transversely extending slots within which the web plates are a friction J S. 55 5 C S C S S *S S 0 S h t'. fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

3. A container according to either of Claims 1 or 2 which is capable of arrangement in vertical stacked relationship with a second container of like configuration in that the web plates are relatively rigid, locking projections are formed in each web plate which extend outwardly from one of the horizontal edges thereof, the cover sheet is formed with slots which are complemental to the locking projections and positioned to allow the locking projections to extend through the cover sheet slots when the cover sheet extends about the web plate, the locking projections of the web plates and the cover sheet slots are dimensioned and positioned for the complemental interengagement of one or more of the locking projections on the web plates of one container with a corresponding cover sheet slot of an adjacent container, and the web plates in the vicinity of the cover sheet slots are formed with recesses complemental to the locking projection which the slot is to receive.

4. A container according to any one of Claims 1, 2 or 3 including a base rib constituted by a folded rib in the cover sheet extending between the web plates, a complemental clip formation being formed in the base edge of each web plate within which the rib is a longitudinal slide fit.

5. A container according to any one of Claims i, 2 or 3 including a base rib constituted by a folded rib f-, S *0*S .4 .4.4. .5 9 .4 0O@ .4. in th cover sheet extending hbtween the web plates, a complemental notch bei formed in the base edge of each web plate and the container including a wire clip which is adapted for securement to each web plate and to extend along and support the rib between the web plates.

6. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to in which the web plates are at least partly secured, by means of adhesive, to the cover sheet which is provided with adhesive tabs on the transversely extending base edges, the tabs including an adhesive zone and a fold line along which the tabs are folded to allow the web plates adhered thereto to extend substantially normal to the base plane of the cover sheet, the base edges of the web plates being free of peripheral projections.

7. A container preform for a container comprising web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube, the preform comprising a cover sheet including a base panel, side panels on either side of the base panel, top closure panels and joinder panels interconnecting the base and the side panels, which joinder panels are formed with transversely extending slots within which the web pl tes are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates in the assembled container and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the .4. *00 S S .4 SO 1'A, principal axis of the tube. o 0 a *09 0 99 S 0O *9 *9*O p

8. A container preform for a container comprising web plates and a continuous cover sheet extending about the peripheries of the web plates to define a substantially tubular enclosure with the web plates extending substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube, the preform comprising a cover sheet including a base panel, side panels on either side of the base panel, top closure panels and joinder panels located on either side of the side panels and connecting the side panels to the base panel and the top closure panels respectively, the joinder panels being formed with .transversely extending slots Within which the web plates are a friction fit, the peripheral corners of the web plates being dimensioned to extend through the slots frictionally to secure the cover sheet to the web plates in the assembled container and to retain the web plates substantially transversely to the principal axis of the tube.

9. A container preform according to either of Claims 7 or 8 for a container which is capable of arrangement in vertical stacked relationship with a second container of like configuration in that the web plates are relatively rigid and locking projections are formed in each web plate, which locking projections extend outwardly from one of the edges thereof, the cover sheet being formed with slots which are complemental to the locking projections and positioned to allow the locking projections to extend through the cover sheet slots when the cover sheet extends about the web plate, the locking projections of the web plates and the cover sheet slots being dimensioned and positioned 9.. 9, 000 S.o CAC S OS 5' for the complemental interengagement of one or more of the locking projections on the web plates of one container with a corresponding cover sheet slot of an adjacent container, and the web plates in the vicinity of the cover sheet slots being formed with recesses complemental to the locking projection which the slot is to receive.

A container preform according to any one of Claims 6, 7.or 8 including fold lines for the folding of a base rib constituted by a folded rib in the cover sheet which is adapted, in the completed container, to extend between the web plates, a complemental clip formation being formed in the base edge of each web plate which the rib is a longitudinal slide fit.

11. A container preform according to any one of Claims 7 to 10 in which the web plates are at least partly secured, by means of adhesive, to the cover sheet, •which is provided with adhesive tabs on the 20 transversely extending base edges, the tabs including an adhesive zone and a fold line along which the tabs may be folded to allow the web too plates adhered thereto to extend substantially normal to the base plane of the cover sheet, the base edges of the web plates being free of peripheral projections. DATED this twenty-fifth day of May 1993. 55 JOHN ALEXANDER ROSS, By his Patent Attorneys, 30 GRANT ADAMS COMPANY. ABSTRACT This invention relates to a packaging container, and a preform therefor, which finds particular application in the packaging and protection of relatively soft products, such as fresh produce. The container comprises a pair of end web plates (12) formed with peripherally extending projections A cover sheet is wrapped about the peripheries of the web plates The cover sheet is folded along fold lines (16) and is formed with slots (18) through which the corners of the web plates as well as projections (20) on the web plates (12) may extend when the cover sheet (10) is wrapped about the web plates The web plates (12) are formed with locking slots (26) into which the longitudinal edges (28) of the cover sheet (10) may be clipped to retain the cover sheet (10) in position. i 6 *USE FIGURE 1 t o S 6 6* oe fti