GB2394217A

GB2394217A - Sandwich containers

Info

Publication number: GB2394217A
Application number: GB0029552A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phil Wright; Frank Mills
Original assignee: Colpac Ltd
Current assignee: Colpac Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-04
Filing date: 2000-12-04
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: GB0029552D0

Abstract

A container for triangular sandwich portions is folded from a blank to define a generally trapezoidal cross section with side walls (4a,4b,5a,5b) surrounding an open face though which parts of the sandwich portions may project. A front face (2) bearing the side walls may have a window opening (3). The sandwich portions may be flow or shrink wrapped.

Description

239421 7

CONTAINER

This invention relates to containers formed from a folded blank for receiving and retaining generally rectilinear shaped sandwiches.

Containers of the type in question are known. Generally, a container is folded from a blank of material to encase two halves of a sandwich. The sandwich is generally cut along a major diagonal to form to equisized isosceles triangles.

window is formed in one face ot'the container to allow the sandwich to be viewed by a prospective purchaser.

The present invention provides a container for receiving a generally rectilinear shaped sandwich, the container being t'olded from a blank piece of material and having a front face and pairs of opposed side walls extending from the front face to encase a first portion of the sandwich, wherein at least three of said side walls define an opening through which a second portion of the sandwich projects.

A container according to the present invention reduces the amount of material required to form the blank and therefore the unit cost of the container, and it allows the sandwich in the container to be viewed more comprehensively by the prospective purchaser at the point of sale.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a container according to the present invention.

A clear understanding of the present invention will be gained from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example

only with references to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a plan view of a blank according to the second aspect of the present invention; and Figures 2 to 7 show front, side, back, top, bottom and perspective views of an empty container according to the invention.

With reference to l;igurc 7, a container generally designated I has a front face 2 defining a rhomboidal or lozenge-shaped window opening 3. first pair of side walls 4a,b extend rearwardly from the front face, and connect to a second pair of side walls 5a,b (see Figures 4 and 5) which are integral with the front face 2, to form a container which is generally trapezoidal in cross-section.

Figure I shows a blank generally designated 10 which can be t'olded into the configuration shown in Figures 2 to 6. The blank is formed from paper, cardboard, paperboard, or any other suitable material. In the initial stages of assembly, end tab 10 is folded to overlie the inner side of front face 2, and side wall Sb is folded so that its upper edge 11 lies flush with foldline between the front faces of the end tabs 10. The abutting faces of the end tab 10 and the side wall 5b are joined together by any suitable chemical or mechanical fastener. Side wall tab 12 can then be positioned to overlie part of the end tab 10 and part of the side wall Sb and adhered or otherwise fastened in position to define a rectangular side face of the container. Crease or foldlines 13a,b in side walls 4a,b allow the partially assembled container to be stored and transported in a substantially flat condition.

When a sandwich is to be inserted into the container, the side walls can be moved into an upright position by breaking the perforated or weakened joins 16 provided between two further pairs of end tabs 14,15. Then, in a manner readily understandable by a man skilled in the art, the assembly of the container can be completed to partially enclose the sandwich. The lower edges of the side wall 4,5 define an opening through which a corner of the sandwich projects.

To find a balance between the protection offered by the container, and the accessibility of the sandwich for viewing, a surface area, when viewed from the side, of between 15% and 25%, preferably 20%, of the sandwich projects through the opening. If, as is the case with the preferred embodiment, a generally isosceles shaped sandwich is encased in the container, the side walls preferably extend along 50% to 70 /O, and ideally 60%, of the length of the sandwich sides.

( The sandwich may be flow or shrink wrapped prior to insertion into the container at ensure it reaches the consumer in a fresh condition. Of course, modifications to the described embodiment can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. For instance, a corner could be removed from a generally rectangular sandwich container to define an opening for a corner of the sandwich to project.

Claims

( Claims:

I. A container for receiving a generally rectilinear shaped sandwich, the container being folded from a blank piece of material and having a front face and pairs of opposed side walls extending from the front Lace to encase a first portion of the sandwich, wherein at least three of said side walls define an opening through which a second portion of the sandwich projects.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the opening is defined by the pairs of side walls.
3. A container according to any one of claims I or 2, wherein the sandwich is an isosceles triangle.
4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the second portion of the sandwich included the apex of the triangle.
5. A container according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the blank is formed from a sheet of paper, paperboard or cardboard.
6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front face has a window for partial viewing of the first sandwich portion.
7. A container for recieving and retaining a generally rectangular shaped sandwich, the container being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.