Title: Foldable carton
Abstract: A collapsible carton which is formed from a single cardboard blank which when formed from the blank is capable of being folded between a folded flat condition and an erect condition whereby when in the erect condition the carton has a floor (11) and four side panels (12, 13, 14 and 15) to define a generally rectangular prismatic shaped space, wherein the floor panel is formed of a single panel and the junction between the floor and each of the side panels is defined by a closed fold line therebetween, a pair of opposed first side panels (12 and 13) having a pair of diagonal fold lines (21 and 22), extending from the junction between the sides of the floor and the sides of the respective first side panel and converging to terminate at a transverse central axis of the first side panel said diagonals being substantially perpendicular to each other.
Patent Number: 6,988,653 Issued on 01/24/2006 to Bell
| Inventors:
|
Bell; Matthew Colin (30 Snowdonia Court, Ballajura, Western Australia 6006, AU)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
230385 |
| Filed:
|
August 28, 2002 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
229/117.05; 229/140 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
B65D 5/36 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
229/140,137,138,117.05,104,186
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mai; Tri M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Blank Rome LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/762,095, now abandoned, filed on Feb. 2, 2001 which is a 371 of PCT/AU99/00632
filed Aug. 4, 1999, which claims priority from Australian Provisional Application
No. PP 5037 filed on Aug. 4, 1998.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible carton which is formed from a blank which when formed from the
blank is capable of being folded between a folded flat condition and an erect condition
whereby when in the erect condition the carton comprises:
a floor panel;
two opposed end panels; and
two opposed side panels to define a generally rectangular prismatic shaped space,
wherein the end panels and the side panels have substantially the same height,
wherein a floor is formed from the floor panel and the end panels and the side
panels, the floor having a perimeter formed from a junction between the floor panel
and each of the side panels and each of the end panels, the junction being liquid-tight,
wherein the end panels each have a pair of first diagonal fold lines extending
from the junction between the sides of the floor and the sides of the respective
end panel and converging to terminate at a transverse central axis of the end panel,
the pair of first diagonal fold lines being substantially perpendicular to each
other, the end panels have a height being equal to or greater than the termination
of the first diagonal fold lines,
wherein the floor panel is provided with a first central fold line which is substantially
centrally located and which extends between the end panels and is adapted to permit
the floor panel to fold inwardly into the space about the first central fold line
while the first diagonal fold lines fold,
wherein the end panels have a second central fold line extending centrally from
the floor panel to an opposed edge of the end panels,
wherein each end panel and each side panel is formed with an integral extension
panel-being of substantially the same height as its respective end panel or side
panel, wherein in the erected carton an abutting edge of adjacent extension panels
are defined by a closed fold line,
wherein in the blank each side panel supports a portion of each end panel whereby
the adjacent portions of the end panels co-operate to define at least one of the
end panels when the blank is folded to an erect condition,
wherein the extension panels of each end panel each have a pair of second diagonal
fold lines extending between the junction between the end panel and the extension
panel at the sides thereof and converging to terminate at the junction of the second
diagonal fold lines with the outer edge of the extension panels,
whereby on the erection of the carton the extension panels of each end panel
fold about the second diagonal fold lines and the junction with the end panels
to an intermediate position where the extension panels of the side panels fold
over the space to close the space and lie substantially parallel to the floor panel, and
wherein the extension panels of the end panels are foldable about their junction
with their respective end panels to lie in a self locked position substantially
parallel to and adjacent their respective end panels on an outside of the space
in a self locked position by a biasing force is applied to the extension panels
of the end panels in a direction of their respective end panels.
2. The carton according to claim 1 wherein the floor panel has a perimeter identical
to the perimeter of the floor.
3. A collapsible carton which is formed from a blank which when formed from the
blank is capable of being folded between a folded flat condition and an erect condition
whereby when in the erect condition the carton comprises:
a floor panel;
two opposed end panels; and
two opposed side panels to define a generally rectangular prismatic shaped space,
wherein the end panels and the side panels have substantially the same height,
wherein a floor is formed from the floor panel and the end panels and side panels,
the floor having a perimeter formed from a junction between the floor panel and
each of the side panels and each of the end panels, the junction being liquid-tight,
wherein the end panels each have a pair of first diagonal fold lines extending
from the junction between the sides of the floor and the sides of the respective
end panel and converging to terminate at a transverse central axis of the end panel,
the pair of first diagonal fold lines being substantially perpendicular to each
other, the end panels have a height being equal to or greater than the termination
of the first diagonal fold lines,
wherein the floor panel is provided with a first central fold line which is substantially
centrally located and which extends between the end panels, and is adapted to permit
the floor panel to fold inwardly into the space about the first central fold line
while the first diagonal fold lines fold,
wherein the end panels have a second central fold line extending centrally from
the floor panel to an opposed edge of the end panels,
wherein each end panel and each side panel is formed with an integral extension
panel, being of substantially the same height as its respective end panel or side
panel, wherein in the erected carton an abutting edge of adjacent extension panels
are defined by a closed fold line,
wherein the extension panels of each end panel each have a pair of second diagonal
fold lines extending between the junction between the end panel and the extension
panel at the sides thereof and converging to terminate at the junction of the second
diagonal fold lines with the outer edge of the extension panels,
whereby on the erection of the carton the extension panels of each end panel
fold about the second diagonal fold lines and the junction with the end panels
to an intermediate position where the extension panels of the side panels fold
over the space to close the space and lie substantially parallel to the floor panel, and
wherein the extension panels of the end panels are foldable about their junction
with their respective end panels to lie a self locked position substantially parallel
to and adjacent their respective end panels on an outside of the space in a self
locked position by a biasing force applied to the extension panels of the end panels
in a direction of their respective end panels, said first end portion and said
second end portion cooperate to define said end panel in the erected condition;
wherein, in the blank, each end panel comprises a first end panel portion and
a second end panel portion that extend laterally from the same side of respective
side panels, and each end extension panel comprises a first end extension portion
and a second end extension portion that extend laterally from the same side of
respective side extension panels.
4. The carton according to claim 3, wherein in the blank, each of the first end
portions and second end portions is provided with one of the first diagonal fold lines.
5. The carton according to claim 4, wherein in the blank, each of the first end
extension portions and second end extension portions is provided with one of the
second diagonal fold lines.
6. The carton according to claim 3 wherein the floor panel has a perimeter identical
to the perimeter of the floor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to collapsible packaging such as cartons and the like
which are generally formed from blanks formed from a substantially rigid sheet
material whereby the blanks are folded to form a carton.
2. The Relevant Technology
The cartons to which the invention relates are used in a wide variety of circumstances
and one particular example of the application of the cartons relates to the forms
of packaging used with take-away food items. It is a common characteristic of such
cartons that they are not capable of accommodating liquid contents without the
utilisation of a supplementary containment means. As a result, in the event of
any spillage within the carton the liquid contents of the carton will leak and
can create an undesirable circumstance for customers.
In the past, attempts have been made to provide cartons which can to some degree
overcome this problem. One example of such a carton is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,471,904 which provides a carton whereby the floor is held in a raised position
from the lower limit of the carton. However, in order for the carton to be foldable
there is no closed junction between the floor panel and the end and side panels.
As a result, there is still the likelihood of leakage therebetween. A further example
comprises that which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,430,755. However, the carton
disclosed in that specification is not one that which is capable of being folded
and providing a closed junction between the floor and the side panels.
It is desirable to provide a carton which when assembled from a blank can be
folded
to lie in a substantially flat condition and which can be readily unfolded into
an erect condition whereby when in the erect condition no further action or containment
means need be provided in order to prevent the leakage of the contents of the carton
escaping from the base of the carton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly the invention resides in a collapsible carton which is formed
from a blank which when formed from the blank is capable of being folded between
a folded flat condition and an erect condition whereby when in the erect condition
the carton has a floor, two opposed end panels and two opposed side panels to define
a liquid tight generally rectangular closed prismatic shaped space, the end panels
and the side panels having substantially the same height wherein the floor panel
is formed of a single panel and the junction between the floor and each of the
end panels and each of the side panel is defined by a closed fold line therebetween,
the end panels each having a pair of first diagonal fold lines extending from the
junction between the sides of the floor and the sides of the respective end panel
and converging to terminate at a transverse central axis of the end panel, said
first diagonal fold lines being substantially perpendicular to each other, said
end panels have a height being equal to or greater than the termination of the
diagonals, wherein the floor is provided with a first central fold line which is
substantially centrally located and which extends between the end panels and is
adapted to permit the floor to fold inwardly into the space about the first central
fold line while the first diagonal fold lines fold, said end panels being provided
with a second central fold line extending centrally from the floor to an opposed
edge of the end panel, each end panel and each side panel formed with an extension
panel, said extension panels being of substantially the same height and being hingedly
supported from their respective end or side panel, wherein in the erected carton
the abutting edges of adjacent extension panels are defined by a closed fold line,
the extension panel of each end panel being formed with a pair of second diagonal
fold lines extending between the junction between the end panel and the extension
panel at the sides thereof and converging to terminate at the junction of the second
fold line with the outer edge of the extension panel, whereby on the erection of
the carton the extension panels of each end panel fold about the second diagonal
fold lines and the junction with the end panels to an intermediate position where
the extension panels of the side panels fold over the space to close the space
and lie parallel to said floor panel, the extension panels of the end panels being
further foldable about their junction with their respective end panels to lie in
a self locked position parallel to and adjacent their respective end panels on
an outside of said space at which self locked position a biasing force is applied
to the extension panels of the end panels in a direction of their respective end panels.
Preferably when in the erect condition said floor panel and said junction
between floor panel and each of said end panels and side panels lie on a common plane.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the termination of the
diagonals defines the height of the side panel.
According to a preferred feature of tile invention the carton is formed
from a blank where the end and side panels are each hingedly supported from the
edge of the floor through a fold line.
According to a preferred feature of the above feature in the blank the
adjacent sides of adjacent end and side panels are interconnected by a web having
an edge which is substantially at 45° to the adjacent edges of the adjacent
end and side panels and which has a further diagonal fold line extending from the
junction of the adjacent end and side panels which bisects the angle therebetween.
According to a preferred feature of the invention in the blank the side
panels are hingedly supported from the floor and the end panels are hingedly supported
from the side panels.
According to a further preferred feature of the previous feature in the
blank one end panel is supported from one of the side panels and the other end
panel is supported from the other side panel.
According to an alternative preferred feature of the previous feature in
the blank each side panel supports a portion of an end panel whereby the portions
of the end panels co-operate to define the end panels when the blank is folded
to an erect condition,
According to each preferred feature of the invention wherein in the blank
at least one of a pair of edges of the end and side panels which are to become
interengaged when the carton is formed are provided with glue flaps.
The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description
of several specific embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which;
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a partially folded blank according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
first embodiment with the extension panels open;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
first embodiment with the extension panels partially closed;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
first embodiment with the extension panels fully closed;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a folded carton formed of a blank according to
the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from a blank of the
second embodiment with the extension panels open;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
second embodiment with the extension panels partially closed;
FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
second embodiment with the extension panels fully closed;
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a folded carton formed from a blank of the second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed using the blank of
the third embodiment with the extension panels open;
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
third embodiment with the extension panels partially closed;
FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
third embodiment with the extension panels fully closed;
FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a folded carton formed from the blank of the
third embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a plan view of a blank according to the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from a blank according
to the fourth embodiment with the extension panels open;
FIG. 19 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
fourth embodiment with the extension panels partially closed;
FIG. 20 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
fourth embodiment with the extension panels fully closed;
FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a folded carton formed from a blank according
to the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a plan view of a blank according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from a blank according
to the fifth embodiment with the extension panels open;
FIG. 24 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed from the blank of the
fifth embodiment with the extension panels partially closed;
FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an erected carton formed form the blank of the
fifth embodiment with the extension panels fully closed;
FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a folded carton formed from a blank according
to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a plan view of a blank according to the sixth embodiment; and
FIGS. 28
a to 28
g illustrate the assembly of a carton according
to the sixth embodiment from the blank shown at FIG. 27.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Each of the embodiments are directed to cartons which are formed from a stiff
sheet material such as cardboard where the sheet material is formed into a blank
and which can be folded to form a carton whereby when the carton has been formed
it can be readily folded into a substantially flat condition and can be subsequently
erected from the folded flat condition to provide a carton defining a liquid tight
generally rectangular prismatic shaped space whereby the junctions between the
floor panel and the side panels and end panels and the junctions between the end
panels and the side panels are closed and are resistant to the leakage of the contents.
In forming the carton from the blank the formed carton may initially take the form
of the folded carton which can then be erected into the carton when it is required.
Alternatively in forming the carton from the blank it may initially take the form
of the erected carton to be then capable of being folded into a substantially flat
condition for transportation and/or storage and subsequent unfolding into an erected
carton when required.
A significant feature of each of the embodiments relates to the closure of the
cartons. This is achieved through extension panels to each of the side panels and
end panels where the extension panels have substantially the same height and adjacent
extension panels are interconnected at the adjacent edges. The extension panels
on each of the end panels are capable of folding about the junction with the respective
end panel and about diagonal fold lines in the extension panel. This will result
in the folded extension panel extending laterally from the respective end panel
and as a further result the extension panels on the side panels will have been
caused to have hinged about their junction with the respective side panel to overlie
the space defined by the carton. It has been found that because of the construction
of the carton where end panels, the side panels and the floor panel are all closed
or fully joined (i.e. formed without any discontinuities such as holes, slots or
openings) that, on hinging the folded extension panel about its junction with the
respective end panel to a position (locked position) parallel and alongside the
end panel, a biasing force is applied to the folded extension panel causing it
to move towards the end panel and thus be retained at that locked position. Without
wishing to be bound by theory, this bias force is believed to arise from tension
within the panels created due to the junctions of the panels being closed or filly joined.
The first embodiment as shown at FIGS. 1,
2,
3,
4,
5
and
6 comprises a carton which is formed of a blank shown at FIG. 1 where
the carton has a floor panel
11, two end panels
12 and
13
and two side panels
14 and
15. Each of the end panels
12 and
13 and each of the side panels
14 and
15 are provided with
an outer extension panel
16,
17,
18 and
19 respectively
which when the carton is erected combine to provide the closure for the carton.
Each of the end panels
12 and
13 and the side panels
14 and
15 are formed integrally with the floor panel
11 and are connected
to the floor panel
11 by a fold line whereby they can be folded to be substantially
perpendicular to the floor panel
11 which will bring their adjacent side
edges into abutment with each other.
The side edges of the side panels
14 and
15 and their extension
panels
18 and
19 are provided with glue flaps
20 which are
adapted to be able to overlie the edge portions of the inner faces of the adjacent
end panels
12 and
13 and their respective extension panels
16
and
17 when the side panels and end panels are folded along their fold line
with the floor panel
11 as described above. The glue flaps
20 may
be rendered self adherent such that they will adhere to the edge portions of end
panels
12 or
13 or may have an adhesive applied thereto prior to
folding to effect such adhesion. As a result of the fixing of the glue flaps
20
to the end panels
12 and
13 and their respective extension panels
16 and
17 the junctions between the end panels
12 and
13
and the side panels
14 and
15 and between the respective extension
panels are sealingly closed.
Each of the end panels
12 and
13 are provided with a pair of first
diagonal fold lines
21 and
22 which extend from the junction between
the adjacent edges of the end panel and the adjacent side panel and terminate at
the central axis of the end panel whereby the diagonal fold lines
21 and
22 are perpendicular to each other.
In addition in the case of the first embodiment the floor panel
11 is
provided
with a first central fold line
23 which is centrally located and extends
between the end panels
12 and
13. Each of the end panels
12
and
13 and the respective extension panels
16 and
17 are formed
with a second central fold line
24 which is co-linear in the folded blank
shown in FIG. 1 with the first central fold line of the floor panel
11.
In addition each of the extension panels
16 and
17 on the end panels
12 and
13 are provided with a pair of second diagonal fold lines
25 and
26 which are parallel to the first diagonal fold lines
21
and
22. The second diagonal fold lines
25 and
26 extend from
the junction between the respective end panel and the extension panel to converge
and terminate at the outer edge of the extension panel.
In the formation of the carton from the blank, the side panels
14 and
15
and the end panels
12 and
13 are folded to be substantially perpendicular
to the floor panel
11 which brings the glue flaps
20 into face to
face engagement with the adjacent edge portions of the inner faces of respective
end panels
12 and
13 and their extension panels
16 and
17.
FIG. 2 illustrates the carton partially erected where one end panel
12 and
its extension panel
16 has been folded with the adjacent side panel
14
and its extension panel
18 to be perpendicular to the floor panel
11.
The glue flaps
20 on the side panels
14 and
15 and their extension
panels
18 and
19 are then bonded to the respective end panels
12
and
13 and their extension panels
16 and
17 to define a substantially
cubic carton as shown at FIG. 3 where the extension panels
16,
17,
18 and
19 are open. Once erected the side panels, end panels and
floor panel of the formed carton define a liquid tight space whereby the folded
junctions between the floor panel and each of the side panels and end panel is
substantially continuous and is closed and the junctions between the side panels
and the end panels are also continuous and sealed.
Furthermore, the carton can be readily folded to a substantially flat
condition as shown at FIG. 6. This is effected by causing the first central fold
line
23 of the floor panel
11 to fold such that the first central
fold line
23 moves inwardly. In addition the first diagonal fold lines
21
and
22 of each of the end panels to move inwardly to lie between the side
panels
14 and
15 to overlie the portions of the floor panel
11
to each side of the first central fold line
23 and the portion of the second
central fold line
24 between the junction of the first diagonal fold lines
21 and the junction between the respective end panel
12 and
13
and the floor panel
11 moves to overlie the first central fold line
23.
In addition the portion of the second central fold line
24 between the junction
of the first diagonal fold line
21 and the outer edge of the extension panel
16 and
17 folds such that it moves inwardly to lie between the side
panels
14 and
15. This action brings the side panels together with
the folded floor panel
11 and folded end panels
16 and
17
located there between as shown at FIG. 6.
When the carton is in the erected condition as shown at FIG. 3 the carton can
be closed by causing the second diagonal fold lines to fold such that the inner
faces of the extensions
17 and
16 end panels to each side of the
second diagonal fold lines
25 and
26 fold inwardly about the second
diagonal fold lines towards each other as shown at FIG. 4. As a result the extensions
17 and
16 of the end panels fold outward from each end of the carton
which serves to bring the extensions
18 and
19 on the side panels
14 and
15 towards each other to overlie the space created by the
carton between the floor panel, the side panels and the end panels. The folded
extensions of the end panels can ten be folded downwardly about the fold line defined
between the junction of each end panel
12 and
13 and its respective
extension
16 and
17 whereby the folded extension lies closely adjacent
and substantially parallel to the outer face of the respective end panel as shown
at FIG. 5. Also the floor panel
11 and the junctions of the floor panel
11 and the end and side panels panels
12,
13,
14 and
15 lie on a common plane.
It has been found that because of the construction of the carton where end panels,
the side panels and the floor panel are all fixed together and are closed (i.e.
formed without any holes, slots or openings) that on attempting to hinge the folded
extension panels
16 and
17 about their junctions with the respective
end panels
12 and
13 from the lateral position as shown at FIG. 4
to a locked position parallel and alongside the end panels as shown at FIG. 5,
an initial biasing force is generated by the carton and applied to the folded extension
panel as it moves to the locked position resisting its movement to the locked position.
However, at an intermediate stage of that movement the initial force is replaced
by a contrary biasing force generated by the carton which causes the folded extension
panel to move towards the end panel and thus be retained at the locked position.
To move the folded extensions from the locked position requires the external application
of sufficient force to counteract the contrary biasing force. Thus the carton
10
can be closed and retained in the closed condition without the application of any
other means or action. Indeed this provides a "snap" lock facility where the carton
snap closes and is self held in a closed condition after folding the extension
panels
16 and
17 through an intermediate angle below their lateral
(horizontal) positions.
In the case of the second embodiment as shown at FIGS. 7 to 11 the carton is
of
a generally similar form to that of the first embodiment with the exception that
in the case of the side panels
214 and
215 the edges are not provided
with glue flaps but rather the edges of the end panels
212 and
213
are interconnected with the adjacent edges of the adjacent side panels
214
and
215 by a web element
227 which has an outer edge which is disposed
at substantially 45° to the edges of the respective end panel and side panel.
In addition the webs
227 are each provided with a third diagonal fold line
228 which extends from the junction between the adjacent edges of the adjacent
end panel and side panel where the third diagonal fold line
228 bisects
the angle between the adjacent end panel and side panel.
In addition the side edges of the extensions
216 and
217 of the
end panels
212 and
213 are provided with glue flaps
220 which
are adapted to be able to overlie the edge portions of the inner faces of the adjacent
extension panels
218 and
219 of the side panels
214 and
215
when the side panels and end panels are folded along their fold line with the floor
panel
211. The glue flaps
220 may be rendered self adherent such
that they will adhere to the edge portions of extension panels
218 and
219
of the side panels
214 and
215 or may have an adhesive applied thereto
prior to folding to effect such adhesion. As a result of the fixing of the glue
flaps
220 to the extension panels
218 and
219 the junctions
between the extension panels on the side panels
214 and
215 and the
end panels
212 and
213 are sealingly closed.
In folding the blank to form the erected carton as shown in FIG. 8 each web
227
is folded about the junction between the respective end panel and side panel and
the third diagonal fold line
228 is caused to fold and move inwardly such
that the web is folded and lies within the carton adjacent the respective side
wall, to be bonded thereto.
The erected carton can then be folded into flat condition as shown at FIG. 11
in the same manner as has been described in relation to the first embodiment. In
addition the erected carton can be closed in the same manner as has been described
in relation to the first embodiment and as shown at FIGS. 9 and 10 with the same
locking action as described in relation to the first embodiment.
The third embodiment as shown at FIGS. 12 to 16 is of generally similar form
to the first and second embodiment in terms of the configuration of the erected
carton as shown at FIG. 13. The difference in relation to the third embodiment
relates to the configuration of the blank as shown at FIG. 13 in that the end panels
412 and
413 are interconnected with one or the other side panel
418
or
419 respectively. When the carton has been formed from the blank as shown
at FIG. 13 it can be folded and collapsed in a similar manner to that of the first
and second embodiment as shown at FIG. 16 and can be closed in a similar manner
to that of the first and second embodiment as shown at FIGS. 14 and 15 with the
same locking action as described in relation to the first embodiment.
The fourth embodiment of FIGS. 17 to 21 comprises a carton which is of generally
similar form to the first and second embodiment in terms of the configuration of
the erected carton as shown at FIG. 18. The carton is formed from a blank where
each of the side panels
614 and
615 and their extensions supports
a portion of each end panel and their extensions which when the carton is erected
combine to form the end panels. When the carton has been formed from the blank
as shown at FIG. 18 it can be folded and collapsed in a similar manner to that
of the first, second and third embodiment as shown at FIG. 21 and can be closed
in a similar manner to that of the first and second embodiment as shown at FIGS.
19 and 20 with the same locking action as described in relation to the first embodiment.
The fifth embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 26 is of a similar form to that of the third
embodiment of FIGS. 17 to 21 with the exception that the adjacent edges of the
portions of the end panels
712a,
712b,
713a
and
713b and the floor panel
711 are interconnected by
web members
727 having an edge which is at 45 degrees to the respective
edges of the portion of the respective end panel and the floor panel. Each web
727 is provided with a third diagonal fold line
728 extending from
the junction between the respective portion of the end panel and the floor panel
and which bisects the angle therebetween. In formation of the carton the web panels
727 are folded inwardly as a result of the third diagonal fold line folding
inwardly into the interior of the carton whereby on the carton being erected the
folded web
727 lies against the end panel and is glued thereto. When the
carton has been formed from the blank as shown at FIG. 23 it can be folded and
collapsed in a similar manner to that of the first, second, third and fourth embodiment
as shown at FIG. 26 and can be closed in a similar manner to that of the first
and second embodiment as shown at FIGS. 24 and 25 with the same locking action
as described in relation to the first embodiment.
The sixth embodiment of FIGS. 27 and 28
a to
28g is of very
similar form to the first embodiment as shown at FIGS. 1 to 6 and the same reference
numerals have been used in respect of corresponding features. The only difference
is that the sixth embodiment includes a transverse fold line
30 formed in
each of the end panels
12 and
13 and which extends from the point
of intersection of the first diagonal fold lines
21 and
22 to one
side of each end panel
12 and
13. The transverse fold line facilitates
the folding of the blank to form a carton. The steps involved in forming the carton
are illustrated at FIGS. 28
a to
28g.
The first step involves folding the glue flaps
20 provided on the side
panel
15 and extension panel
19 which are remote from the transverse
fold line
30 inwardly such that they overlie the respective panel
15
and
19 respectively as shown at FIG. 28
a. The second step involves
folding each end panel
12 and
13 about the first diagonal folds lines
21 and
22 and simultaneously folding the end panel
12 and
13 about the transverse fold line
30 to cause the outer portion of
each end panel to underlie the portion of the end panel defined by the first diagonals
21 and
22 as shown at FIG. 28
b. The third step involves folding
the glue flaps
20 provided on the side panel
14 and extension panel
18 which are proximate the transverse fold line
30, inwardly such
that they overlie the respective panel
14 and
18 respectively as
shown at FIG. 28
c. The fourth step involves folding each end panel
12
and
13 about the junction with the floor panel
11 such that the end
panels
12 and
13 in their entirety overlie the floor panel
11
as shown at FIG. 28
d. The fifth step involves folding the side panel
15
which is remote from the transverse fold line
30 about the junction with
the floor panel
11 after the exposed faces of the glue flaps
20 of
that side panel and its extension panel
19 have been rendered such that
they will adhere to the opposed faces of the end panels
12 and
13
as shown at FIG. 28
e. The sixth step involves folding the blank as folded
to that point in time about the central fold line
23 in the floor panel
11 as shown at FIG. 28
f. The final step involves folding the side
panel
14 which is proximate the transverse fold line
30 about the
junction with the floor panel
11 after the exposed faces of the glue flaps
20 of that side panel and its extension panel
18 have been rendered
such that they will adhere to the opposed faces of the end panels
12 and
13 as shown at FIG. 28
g. The resultant folded blank will take the
form as shown at FIG. 6 in relation to the first embodiment and can be opened to
form an erected carton as shown at FIG. 3 in relation to the first embodiment and
can be folded in the same manner as is described in regard to the first embodiment
and as shown at FIGS. 4 and 5 with the same locking action as described in relation
to the first embodiment.
The above folding sequence in relation to the sixth embodiment is given by way
of example only. The folding sequence can vary depending upon the nature of the
folding facilities that are available.
Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the
word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood
to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion
of any other integer or group of integers.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be
limited
to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.
*
