GB2115384A - Nestable containers formed from blanks - Google Patents

Abstract

integral dividers are formed in preformed nesting containers by means of foldable panels (18a, 18b) which integrally unite base panels (12a, 12b), the latter being themselves integrally connected with wall panels (14a, 14b) which are rigidly secured together in overlapping relation so that the divider panels extend transversely relative to the panels with which they are integrally connected to afford hollow, downwardly widening, dividers adapted to nest over dividers of other similar containers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Nesting containers This invention relates to containers of the kind comprising preformed open-topped trays, and preformed cartons affording a base member and a separate or integrally connected lid member, and preformed inserts for use in trays and cartons for supporting articles therein, all made from folded board or other similar sheet material, and so designed as to enable such preformed containers to be nested within one another for the purposes of storage and transportation. It will be understood that in the case of cartons having an integral lid member, such cartons are nested together with the lid members in an open position.

Such nesting containers are frequently used for the packaging of foodstuffs and may often require the provision of internal dividers of some form to hold delicate articles in place without coming into contact with each other, but the provision of such dividers in nesting cartons constructed from folded sheet material is not normally possible unless separate, i.e. non-integral, dividers are used, these being manually located in the carton at the point of use, since conventional dividers would prevent any substantial nesting of containers if assembled within such containers at the point of manufacture.

To some extent this problem has been overcome by the use of moulded containers with integrally formed dividers, a typical example of which is an egg carton affording usually six internal compartments integrally moulded from fibre pulp orthermo- plastic sheet, or expanded plastic foam sheet materials. However, such moulded containers tend to be more expensive to produce than cartons made from folded board and may also present difficulties with regard to printing decorative or other matter on the container, as is frequently required.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved nesting container which is formed from folded board and affords one or more integrally formed dividers.

According to the invention, we provide a rigid container which is formed from folded board and comprises a base and sloping walls, wherein one or more internal dividers are formed integrally therewith, the or each divider comprising two panels which are inclined relative to one another so that the divider is of hollow tapering shape in section in a direction perpendicular to the base whereby a plurality of similar containers may be nested together with the dividers nesting within one another.

In one arrangement, the base may be formed from two or more base panels each integrally united by the two panels of one such divider, each base panel having associated therewith wall-forming panels which are secured rigidly to the wall-forming panels of the adjacent base panel. The walls thereby formed may extend across the outer ends of the divider and be spaced laterally therefrom to afford a gap between the walls and the ends of the divider for the reception of the walls of a similar container when nested therewith.

In this case, the dividers may be of the same height as the walls, or they may be of greater or lesser height. The dividers may extend across sub stantiallythe entire width of the base, or be provided at only one or more positions across the width thereof.

Alternatively, the walls formed by said wallforming panels may be cut away at the outer ends of the divider, which may then extend into engagement with such walls, the cut away portions of the walls allowing the walls to be engaged over the ends of the divider of a similar container when nested therewith. In this case, the walls, at least at positions adjacent to the ends of the divider, will be of greater height than the divider so that such dividers would normally be of less height than the walls, although in some cases the walls may include upward extensions in the vicinity of the dividers so as to maintain effective continuity of such side walls.

In an alternative arrangement, the base may be formed from two or more base panels which are secured rigidly to one another, each base panel having associated therewith a pair of opposed wall-forming panels, at least one pair of adjacent wall-forming panels being each integrally united by the two panels of one such divider, and the base forming panels being cut away adjacent to the outer end of each such divider to allow the divider to engage over a corresponding divider of another similar container when nested therewith.

In this case, such a divider extends transversely from the wall into the interior of the container and across only part of the width of the base.

The wall affording said divider is preferably of greater height than the divider and adjacent wall forming panels may be rigidly secured together by means of an extension at the edge thereof remote from the base and spanning the outer end of the divider.

In all cases, the container may comprise an open-topped tray, or a base member with a lid member formed either integrally therewith or as a separate member. Such lid member may itself afford dividers, and these dividers may be formed in a similar manner to those of the base member, or in a different manner. Likewise, the dividers of such lid member may correspond in position to those of the base member, or be arranged differently according to specific requirements.

When the dividers are formed as in the first arrangement mentioned above, with gaps at the outer ends thereof, the height of the dividers may exceed the height of the side walls, so that dividers formed in this way on the base member extend into the interior of the lid member and vice versa. In such a case, the dividers of the lid member may extend transversely relative to those of the base member, and if desired intersect with one another.

Various features of the nesting container in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows in plan view a flat blank from which one embodiment of nesting container may be constructed; Figure 2 shows in perspective view a nesting container formed from the blank shown in Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate diagrammatically the manner in which containers as shown in Figure 2 can be nested together; Figure 4 shows in plan view a blank from which a further embodiment of nesting container can be constructed; Figure 5 shows in perspective view a container constructed from the blank shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows in plan view a further embodiment of blank from which a nesting container can be constructed; and Figure 7shows in perspective view a container formed from the blank shown in Figure 6.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, one embodiment of nesting container in accordance with the invention comprises an open-topped tray 10 having a rectangular base 12, outwardly diverging side walls 14, outwardly diverging end walls 16 and two internal dividers 18 which extend transversely across substantially the entire width of the base 12.

This container is constructed from the blank shown in Figure 1 which includes three base panels, the central panel 12b being integrally united with the end panels 12a through pairs of intermediate panels 1 8a and 1 8b which are foldably connected to each other and the base forming panels.

The end panels 1 2a carry end wall forming panels 16a and an opposed pair of side wall forming panels 14a. The central panel 12 similarly carries a pair of opposed side wall forming panels 1 4b. As can be seen, the wall forming panels 14a and 14b are each longer than the corresponding sides of the base panels so that by folding the intermediate panels 18a and 18b out of the plane of the base panels 12a and 1 2b, adjacent end portions of the side wall panels 14a can be brought into overlapping relationship with the ends of the side wall panels 1 4b. The side wall panels can be secured together in this position to form effectively rigid side walls 14.For this purpose, the overlapping portions of the panels 14a and 14b may be adhesively secured together, or they may be secured by means of heat sealable coatings, or staples or the like, or they may be designed so as to afford interlocking tongues and slots in generally known manner.

The side walls 14 are secured to the end walls 16 in any suitable manner, and the embodiment illustrated utilises conventional glue flaps.

The extent of overlap of adjacent side wall panels 14a and 14b is made less than the combined widths of the intermediate panels 18a and 18b, so that when the carton is formed as illustrated in Figure 2, these panels incline downwardly away from one another to form a divider which is hollow, of downwardly increasing width, and open at the bottom, as seen most clearly in Figure 3b.

The ends 19 of the intermediate panels 18a and 18b are preferably, as shown, inclined at a small acute angle relative to the side edges 13 of the base panels 12a and 12b so as to form a downwardly tapering gap 15 at each end of the divider 18 whereby the side walls 14 of an adjacent similar tray can be accommodated when such trays are nested as shown in Figures 3a and 3b.

twill be appreciated thatthe overall height of the dividers 18 relative to the side walls 14 may be varied by varying the widths of the intermediate panels 18a and 18b as necessary, and accordingly the dividers may readily be of less height than the side walls (as illustrated), or of the same height, or of greater height if required. Whilst the dividers as illustrated are of triangular shape in section, they could alternatively be formed to other shapes.For example, a trapezoidal divider could be formed by providing a narrow rectangular panel between the intermediate panels 18a and 18b. Alternatively, by omitting the crease 17 between the intermediate panels 18aand 18b,thetwo panels could be interconnected by a smoothly radiused portion at the upper edge of the divider 18, so that the latter is inverted U-shape, or even semi-circular shape in section.

Whilst in the illustrated embodiment the dividers 18 extend across substantially the entire width of the base 12, it will be appreciated that they need not do so, and dividers could be formed to extend across only part of the width of the base by reducing the transverse dimension of the intermediate panels 18a and 18b as appropriate. Indeed, an interrupted divider could be formed by cutting away portions of the intermediate panels 18a and 18b intermediate their ends 19. Additionally, the upper edge of the dividers 18 could also be formed with cut-outs, for example of semi-circular shape so as to enable a circular section article to be supported thereby within the container 10.

The further embodiment of nesting container illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings also incorporates a divider formed by means of intermediate panels between two base panels, but in this case there is no gap between the ends of the divider and the side walls of the container. Instead, the side walls are cut away so that open ends of the divider are presented externally of the container.

The container 20 comprises a rectangular base 22 with outwardly sloping side walls 24 and outwardly sloping end wails 26. The base 22 is divided into two compartments by means of a single transverse divider 28.

The blank from which this container is formed, as shown in Figure 4, includes two rectangular base panels 22a and 22b which are integrally connected by two intermediate panels 28a and 28b. Each base panel carries respective sidewall forming panels 24a and 24b which, in the illustrated embodiment, are of differing heights, so that the two compartments are of different depth. However, it will be appreciated that the wall forming panels 24a and 24b may be of the same height where compartments of equal depth are required.

At their outer edges, the base panels 22a and 22b carry respective end wall forming panels 26a and 26b and the adjacent end portions of the side wall panels 24a and 24b are formed with integral extensions which may be bent into overlapping relation with the end wall panels 16a and 1 6b and secured thereto in any suitable known manner.

The side wall panels 24a and 24b are adapted to be secured together by means of an off-set extension 25 formed on the panels 24a. By folding the intermediate panels 28a and 28b out of the plane of the base panels 22a and 22b, the extension 25 may be brought into overlapping relation with the adjacent portion of the side wall panel 24b and secured in substantially the same manner as previousiy described in relation to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. However, in this case the outer edges 29 of the intermediate panels 28a and 28b are inclined slightly outwardly relative to the the side edges 23 of the base panels, and have respective flaps 27 foldably and integrally connected therewith. These flaps may be brought into face-to-face engagement with the adjacent portions of the side wall panels 24a and 24b and secured in such position in any convenient manner.It will be appreciated that such connections serve to increase the rigidity of the side wall 24 as a whole.

The divider 28 is of downwardly widening tapering shape in section, and the end portions of the side wall panels 24a and 24b adjacent to the intermediate panels 28a and 28b are cut away as clearly seen in Figure 4 so that the ends of the divider 28 are open, as most clearly seen in Figure 5. This enables the cartons 20 to be nested together with the dividers 28 themselves nested within each other.

The sectional shape of the divider 28 may be varied in the same manner as described above in relation to the divider 18 of the first embodiment.

Instead of forming dividers by means of panels intermediate base forming panels, as in the embodiments described above, it is alternatively possible to form dividers from panels intermediate adjacent side wall forming panels, and an embodiment constructed in this way is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

The container 30 includes a generally rectangular base 32 having outwardly inclined side walls 34 and outwardly inclined end walls 36. The container is divided into two compartments by means of a pair of opposed dividers 38 which project into the container from the side walls 34.

The blank from which the container 30 is formed, as shown in Figure 6, includes two similar base forming panels 32a each having a pair of opposed side wall panels 34a and a pair of end wall panels 36a. The side wall panels 34a are secured to the adjacent end wall panel 36a in conventional manner by means of extensions 35. The adjacent ends of the side wall panels 34a are integrally interconnected by a pair of intermediate panels 38a which are themselves foldably connected together. The intermediate panels 38a extend over approximately two thirds the height of the side wall 34, and over the remainder of the height the panels 34a are formed with tabs 33 which can be brought together in overlapping relation to enable the side wall panels to be secured together.In so doing, the intermediate panels 38a are folded inwardly to the position shown in Figure 7, and at the same time tabs 31 formed at the adjacent edges of the base panels 32a are brought into overlapping relation and secured together.

As can be seen, the base panels 32a are shaped to afford cut-out portions adjacent to the tabs 31 so that the triangular section dividers 38 which are formed by the intermediate panels 38a are open at their lower ends. The inner end 37 of each divider 38 extends parallel to the adjacent side wall 34, at an inclination to the base 32, and accordingly each divider is of downwardly widening form in a plane perpendicular to the base 32 so that such containers can readily be nested together.

In the embodiment shown, the lower edges 39 of the intermediate panels 38a are inclined to the adjacent edges 33 of the base panels 32a at such an angle as to abut the angled end edges 34 in the erected carton. Indeed, glue flaps could be formed for securing the intermediate panels 38a to the angled corner positions of the base panels 32a to form a stronger divider.

The three embodiments described above take the form of open-topped trays, but it will be understood that they may be provided with suitable lids. In particular, such lids may be formed in a generally similar manner to the trays illustrated, and may include dividers formed in a similar manner. Such lids may be integrally united with the trays by suitable extension of the blanks, most conveniently from one of the end wall forming panels. The dividers in a lid member may be formed in the same manner, and in the corresponding positions, as the dividers in the associated base member, or they may be formed in a different manner and/or in different positions, according to the design requirements of the container to be constructed.Thus, for example, the tray illustrated in Figure 2 may be modified to incorporate a lid member having an internal divider which extends transversely to the dividers 18. By making the dividers of the lid and base members of greater depth than the side walls thereof, and by forming appropriate gaps in such dividers, it will be appreciated that the dividers may be arranged to intersect one another.

Whilst the sheet material of which the cartons are made may be folded about distinct crease lines to form sharp corners, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, some or all of the corners may be formed by bending the material with a large radius to form curved corners as illustrated in Figure 5.

The number of dividers may be varied, and if desired a single tray may incorporate both dividers formed from intermediate panels connecting base panels, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, and also dividers formed from intermediate panels connecting side wall panels as in Figure 6. Whilst dividers formed in the last-mentioned manner are most conveniently formed in opposed pairs, it will be appreciated that this need not be the case, and a tray could be formed with only one such divider extending partially across the width of the base from one side wall only.

Since the dividers are of hollow tapering form in section, they can be used to receive articles within them and accordingly a tray as shown in Figures 1 to 3 may be used in an inverted position as an insert within a larger otherwise undivided tray or carton to support, for example, cylindrical articles in the V-shaped recesses afforded by the panels 18a, 186.

The tray shown in Figures 4 and 5 could also be utilised in a similar manner, whilst that shown in Figures 6 and 7 might also be similarly used, for example, where end portions of articles might require to be supported in the recesses defined by the panels 38a, 38b. Other constructions could be designed in a similar manner specifically for use as inserts, rather than for use as trays or cartons with integral internal dividers.

Claims (17)

1. A rigid container which is formed from folded board and comprises a base and sloping walls, wherein one or more internal dividers are formed integrally therewith, the or each divider comprising two panels which are inclined relative to one another so that the divider is of hollow tapering shape in section in a direction perpendicular to the base whereby a plurality of similar containers may be nested together with the dividers nesting within one another

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein the base is formed from two or more base panels each integrally united by the two panels of one such divider, each base panel having associated therewith wall-forming panels which are secured rigidly to the wall-forming panels of the adjacent base panel.

3. A container according to Claim 2 wherein the walls formed by said wall-forming panels extend across the outer ends of the divider and are spaced laterally therefrom to afford a gap between the walls and the ends of the divider for the reception of the walls of a similar container when nested therewith.

4. A container according to Claim 3 wherein the divider extends across substantially entire width of the base.

5. A container according to Claim 3 wherein such divider extends across less than substantially the entire width of the base.

6. A container according to Claim 2 wherein the walls formed by said wall-forming panels are cut away at the outer ends of the divider, which extends into engagement with said walls, the cut away portions of the walls allowing the walls to be engaged over the ends of the divider of a similar container when nested therewith.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the divider is formed with one or more recesses at the edges of said panels thereof remote from the base.

8. A container according to Claim 1 wherein the base is formed from two or more base panels which are secured rigidly to one another, each base panel having associated therewith a pair of opposed wall-forming panels, at least one pair of adjacent wall-forming panels being integrally united by the two panels of one such divider, and the base forming panels being cut away adjacent to the outer end of each such divider to allow the divider to engage over a corresponding divider of another similar container when nested therewith.

9. A container according to Claim 8 wherein the wall affording said divider is of greater height than the divider and adjacent wall-forming panels are rigidly secured together by means of an extension at the edge thereof remote from the base and spanning the outer end of the divider.

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an open-topped tray.

11. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 comprising a base member with an integrally formed lid member.

12. A container according to Claim 11 wherein both the base member and the lid member are formed with at least one such divider.

13. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 comprising an insert for use in a tray or carton.

14. A rigid container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

15. A rigid container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A rigid container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.