GB2206563A - Packaging structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging structure of cardboard or the like comprises a base forming panel 1, with side wall forming panels 2 and lid forming portions 4,4' foldably connected thereto. Side flaps 6a, 6b; 6a', 6b' of the lid forming portions are frangibly connected to the side wall forming panels 2 by tags T. The structure may be erected to form a container by opening lid forming panels 5,5' of the portions 4,4' into a generally perpendicular configuration with respect to the base panel 1 (Fig 3) so that the side wall panels 2 are also pulled upwardly, after which the frangible side wall/side flap connections T are broken, enabling the lid forming portions to be folded into a closed condition over the base forming portion with the side flaps 6a, etc. overlapping the respective side wall panels 2. <IMAGE>

Description

Packaging Structure This invention relates to a packaging structure of cardboard, corrugated board or the like which may be erected to form a container for packing items such as, for example, fresh or frozen meat.

Previously fresh or frozen meat has been packed for transportation or storage in traditional two-part box and lid packs wherein two bands of strapping are provided adjacent each end of the full pack to retain the lid in place.

It is an object of this invention to provide a packaging structure which improves on traditional packs in certain respects.

Viewed from one aspect the invention provides a packaging structure of cardboard, corrugated board or like lightweight sheet material, comprising a base forming portion having a base panel foldably connected along its opposed side edges to respective side wall forming panels, and two lid forming portions foldably connected to the respective end edges of the base panel, each lid forming portion having a lid forming panel, an end wall forming panel connecting said lid panel to a respective end edge of the base panel, and respective side flaps foldably connected to the end wall and lid forming panels on each side thereof, the side wall forming panels being frangibly connected adjacent at least one end thereof to the respective adjacent side flaps of a respective lid forming portion, the arrangement being such that the structure may be erected to form a container by opening the lid forming panels into a generally perpendicular configuration -with respect to the base panel whereby the side wall forming panels are likewise pulled into a generally perpendicular configuration by virtue of their frangible connection with the respective side flaps, whereafter the frangible side wall/side flap connections may be broken to enable the lid forming portions to be folded into a closed condition over the base forming portion with said side flaps overlapping the side wall forming panels.

Such a one piece structure wherein a "lid" of the erected container is formed from respective lid forming portions foldably connected to each end of the base panel provides manufacturing and handling advantages over a traditional two-part box and lid configuration. Furthermore since the lid panels are foldably connected to the end wall panels which are in turn connected to the base panel there is no need to provide strapping or other fixing means adjacent the ends of the container to hold the "lid" in place; rather it is only necessary to provide a fixing means adjacent the central region of the container where the lid forming panels preferably overlap one another. Such fixing means could constitute a single band of strapping and/or adhesive applied to the overlapping regions of the lid panels.

The frangible connections between the side wall forming panels and adjacent side flaps are preferably provided at both ends of each panel so that the panels are pulled at both ends into a generally vertical position (with respect to the base panel when horizontal) when the lid forming panels are vertically oriented. The frangible connections could be formed e.g. by adhesive tags or tape extending between the respective side wall forming portions and side flaps, although in a preferred embodiment the connections are defined by slits formed between the respective panels and flaps which leave small, readily breakable tags of the material from which the structure is made interconnecting the adjacent panels and flaps.

In such an embodiment the structure may readily be constructed from a unitary blank which is preformed with such slits.

A preferred method of erecting, filling and closing the structure is as follows. Firstly, the lid forming panels and side wall forming panels are orientated perpendiculary with respect to the base panel as aforesaid. The frangible connections between the side flaps of one lid forming portion and side wall forming panels are then broken enabling such portion to be folded into its "closed" position.

The container is then partially open with the side wall forming panels still being maintained in a generally vertical condition (assuming the base panel is horizontal) by virtue of their connection with the side flaps of the other lid forming portion.

The contents may then be inserted into the "pocket" defined by the closed lid forming portion and further contents added until the base panel is covered up to the foldable connection with the end wall of the still open lid forming portion. The remaining two frangible connections are then broken and the remaining lid portion closed over the filled container and secured by banding and/or adhesive as discussed above.

The packaging structure has been discussed in the context of packing fresh or frozen meat but is of course applicable to any packaged items.

Viewed from a second aspect the invention provides a container formed from a packaging structure as aforesaid.

Viewed from a third aspect the invention provides a blank for makeing a packaging structure as aforesaid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a preferred packaging structure in accordance with the invention may be fabricated; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the structure in its unerected condition; and Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the sequence whereby the structure is erected, filled with products and closed.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a blank for fabricating a packaging structure comprises a base forming panel 1 connected to respective side wall forming wall forming panels 2 by fold lines F1.

The blank may be made from corrugated board, cardboard or other light-weight sheet material. The base forming panel is connected by fold lines F2 to respective end wall forming panels 3, 3' of lid forming portions 4, 4' of the blank. Each lid forming portion 4, 4' in addition to the end wall forming panel 3, 3' comprises a lid forming panel 5, 5' connected to the adjacent end wall forming panels 3, 3' via fold lines F3. Each lid forming portion 4, 4' further comprises side flap forming portions 6a, 6b; 6a'6b' which are connected respectively to the side edges of the end wall and lid forming panels via fold lines F4, F5; F4',F5'. Slits S define the longitudinal ends of the side wall forming panels 2 so that such panels are only adjoined to the adjacent side flap forming portions 6b,6b' via small tags T.

The blank is prefabricated to form the collapsed structure shown in Figure 2 as follows. Adhesive is applied to the shaded regions of the side flap forming portions 6a,6b; 6a',6b' shown in Figure 1 and such shaded portions are then adhered together so as to form side panels extending perpendicularly to the lid and end wall forming panels 3, 5; 3', 5' and joined thereto by respective fold lines F4, F5; F4', F5'. The side flaps are then folded inwardly in the collapsed condition of the packaging structure about diagonal fold lines F6,F6'. The fabricated structure may thus be stored and/or delivered in the collapsed configuration shown in Figure 2, wherein the lid forming panels 5, 5' are folded inwardly about the fold lines F3 with the side flaps tucked inwardly by being folded about fold lines F4, F5 F6; F4',F5',F6'.

When it is desired to erect the structure, the lid forming panels 5, 5' are firstly unfolded about the fold lines F3 into the vertical orientation shown in Figure 3. Accordingly the side flaps unfold and by virtue of their connection with the side wall forming panels 2 via the tags T the side wall panels 2 are likewise vertically orientated.

In the preferred mode of filling the container thus formed by the packaging structure, the tags T interconnecting the side wall panels 2 with the side flap forming portions 6b' at one end of the container are firstly broken and the lid forming portion 4' is then closed by folding the end wall forming panel 3' about the fold line F2 so that the lid forming panel 5' overlies the container with the side flaps formed by portions 6a',6b' overlapping the side wall panels 2. In this condition, items such as frozen or fresh meat 10 can be inserted into the "pocket" defined by the closed lid forming portion 4' and the container is then further filled until the items reach the other fold line F2 connecting the base panel 1 with the end wall forming panel 3 of the still open lid forming portion 4. The other two tags T connecting the side wall forming panels with the side flap forming portions 6b can then be broken enabling the other lid forming portion to be folded inwardly about the other fold line F2. The arrangement is such that the lid forming panel 5 overlaps the panel 5', whereby the container may be secured in the closed condition by means of a single band strap 11 engaging over the overlapping portions and/or by means of suitable adhesive.

Modifications to the packaging structure described and illustrated herein may be apparent to those of relevant skill which retain one or more of the advantages envisaged. The disclosure hereof is intended to encompass such modifications.

Claims (7)

Claims:

1. A packaging structure of cardboard, corrugated board or like lightweight sheet material, comprising a base forming portion having a base panel foldably connected along its opposed side edges to respective side wall forming panels, and two lid forming portions foldably connected to the respective end edges of the base panel, each lid forming portion having a lid forming panel, an end wall forming panel connecting said lid panel to a respective end edge of the base panel, and respective side flaps foldably connected to the end wall and lid forming panels on each side thereof, the side wall forming panels being frangibly connected adjacent at least one end thereof to the respective adjacent side flaps of a respective lid forming portion, the arrangement being such that the structure may be erected to form a container by opening the lid forming panels into a generally perpendicular configuration with respect to the base panel whereby the side wall forming panels are likewise pulled into a generally perpendicular configuration by virtue of their frangible connection with the respective side flaps, whereafter the frangible side wall/side flap connections may be broken to enable the lid forming portions to be folded into a closed condition over the base forming portion with said side flaps overlapping the side wall forming panels.

2. A packaging structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frangible connections between the side wall forming panels and adjacent side flaps are provided at both ends of each panel so that the panels are pulled at both ends into a generally vertical position (with respect to the base panel when horizontal) when the lid forming panels are vertically oriented.

3. A packaging structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the frangible connections are defined by slits formed between the respective panels and flaps which leave small, readily breakable tags of the material from which the structure is made interconnecting the adjacent panels and flaps.

4. A packaging structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A container formed from a packaging structure as claimed in any preceding claim.

6. A blank for making a packaging structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4.

7. A blank for making a packaging structure, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.