U.S. patent application number 11/171136 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for container having an "l" corner assembly and associated container blank.
Invention is credited to Jack A. McClure.
Application Number | 20070000986 11/171136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37588282 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000986 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McClure; Jack A. |
January 4, 2007 |
Container having an "L" corner assembly and associated container
blank
Abstract
The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank
foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When
formed, the container is self-locking and includes top panel
assemblies that form additional bearing surfaces. The blank is
configured to form a container that includes corners having
multiple thicknesses. However, despite the multiple thickness of
the corner assemblies, the panels are only adhered in one location
per corner. The single adhesion/corner arrangement provides a
multi-wall corner arrangement that is strong, yet has flexible
applications. The single adhesive/corner adds vertical stacking
strength and lateral stability between the panels. The unique
approach of only adhering at one place per corner is a space and
cost saving improvement that maintains a container integrity and
usefulness.
Inventors: |
McClure; Jack A.; (Omaha,
NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., CH 1J27
P.O. BOX 9777
FEDERAL WAY
WA
98063
US
|
Family ID: |
37588282 |
Appl. No.: |
11/171136 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/143 ;
229/190; 229/191 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/443 20130101;
B65D 5/6632 20130101; B65D 5/308 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/143 ;
229/190; 229/191 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/28 20060101
B65D005/28 |
Claims
1. A single sheet of foldable material cut and scored to define a
container, comprising: a bottom panel; an end panel connected with
the bottom panel; a side panel connected with the bottom panel; a
first corner assembly panel adjacent the side panel; a second
corner assembly panel adjacent the first corner assembly panel; a
fourth corner assembly panel adjacent the end panel; a third corner
assembly panel extending between the second corner assembly panel
and the fourth corner assembly panel; and a top panel hingedly
attached to said side panel, opposite said bottom panel, wherein
the first corner assembly panel is adhered to the side panel, and
all other panels friction fit only.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the single sheet of foldable
material is formed from a cellulose-based material.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the cellulose based material
is formed from at least one of a wood pulp, straw, cotton, and
bagasse.
4. The container of claim 2, wherein the cellulose based material
is in the form of at least one of a fiberboard, containerboard,
corrugated containerboard and paperboard.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to cellulose-based blanks
and containers and more specifically, to wood cellulose-based
blanks and containers used for storing and displaying goods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Containers having multiple thickness corner assemblies are
useful where increased container integrity is desired. However, a
standard practice employed with using containers with multiple
thickness corner assemblies is to adhere all the relative panels
together with glue or other type adhesive. Conversely, the
containers are often hand-set, in which case the container does not
container any adhesive at all. In the former, in order to erect a
container with all relative panels adhered together large box
equipment is necessary, which is prohibitively costly not only in
the price of the machine but in the price of the floor space
required to house such a machine. In the later, the resulting
hand-set box is generally not as strong.
[0003] What is needed is a method for erecting and the subsequent
container that is simple to erect, cost effective and maintains
desired container integrity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention are described
in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a single piece of container plank
formed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled
container assembly according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a partially assembled
container assembly according to yet an another aspect of the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is still further another perspective view of a
partially assembled container assembly according to an aspect of
the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is still further another perspective view of a
partially assembled container assembly according to an aspect of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 6 is still further another perspective view of a
partially assembled container assembly according to an aspect of
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 7 is still further another perspective view of a
partially assembled container assembly according to an aspect of
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 8 is still further another perspective view of the
assembled container according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 9 is still further another perspective view of a
partially assembled container assembly according to an aspect of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 10 is still further another perspective view of a
partially assembled container assembly according to an aspect of
the present invention; and,
[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembled container
according to an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present invention provides a blank and resulting
container for holding any variety of goods by way of overview and
with references to FIGS. 1 through 8. An embodiment of the present
invention includes a single piece blank No. 20 of foldable material
arranged to form a container 50. Specific details of the blank 20
in container 50 are described with more particularity below.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a blank 20 used to form the container 50. The
blank 20 is preferably constructed from a single piece of formable
material such as, without limitation, sheets of cellulose-based
materials formed from cellulose materials such as wood pulp, straw,
cotton, bagasse or the like. Cellulose-based materials used in this
present invention come in many forms such as fiberboard,
containerboard, corrugated containerboard and paperboard. The
various forms may also be constructed in single wall, double wall,
or triple wall configuration. The blank 20 is cut and scored,
perforated or otherwise formed to include a plurality of panels
that when assembled form container 50. In all figures, like numbers
indicate like parts. Additionally, cut lines are shown as solid
lines, score lines as dashed lines, and lines of perforation as
broken lines.
[0018] With respect to FIG. 1, the blank includes a bottom panel
22, opposed side panels 24 and opposed end panels 26. The bottom
panel 22 is generally rectangular in shape and is connected with
the side panels along a fold line 23. The bottom panel is connected
with end panels 26 along a fold line 25. As depicted in the figure,
fold line 23 is substantially perpendicular to fold line 25. The
intersection of the respective fold lines 23 and 25 substantially
define the corner of the bottom panel 22 and subsequent container
50.
[0019] Attached to the side panel 24, opposite the bottom panel 22,
is a top panel 28. Top panel 28 is attached to side panel 24 along
a fold line 27. The length of the top panel 28 measured along fold
line 27 is substantially equal to the length of the side panel 24
measured along the same fold line. The width of the top panel 28,
measure in a direction perpendicular to fold line 27, in a
direction away from side panel 24, is about 1/2 the width of the
bottom panel 22 measured along fold line 25.
[0020] Top panel 28 includes a top panel flap 30 which is connected
to top panel 28 along fold line 29. Fold line 29 is lies
substantially perpendicular to fold lines 27 and 23. The length of
the top panel flap 30 when measured perpendicularly from fold line
29 and in a direction away from the top panel 28 is substantially
equal to the width of side panel 26 measured along fold line
33.
[0021] End panel 26 includes a corner assembly that when erected
into a container, form a unique corner configuration. The corner
assembly generally includes a first corner assembly panel 36
attached with the end panel 36 along a fold line 33. Fold line 33
is substantially parallel to fold line 23 and is substantially
formed in the same plane. Connected with the first corner assembly
panel 36 opposite the end panel 26 is a second corner assembly
panel 38. The second corner assembly panel is connected to the
first corner assembly panel 36 along a fold line 35. Connected with
the second corner assembly panel 38 is a third corner assembly
panel 40. Said third corner assembly panel 40 is connected to
second corner assembly panel 38 along a fold line 37. Fold lines
33, 35 and 37 are substantially parallel to one another.
[0022] As formed, the first corner assembly panel 36, second corner
assembly panel 38, and third corner assembly panel 40 lie
substantially adjacent to side panel 24 and portions of top panel
28 and top panel flap 30. In an embodiment, the collective widths
of the panels making up the corner assembly (36, 38, and 40)
measured along cut line 43 are greater than or equal to the length
of the side panel measured along fold line 23. However, it will be
appreciated that the collective widths could also be less than the
length of the side panel measured along fold line 23.
[0023] Additionally, formed in the bottom panel 22 and the side end
panel 26 are end panel slots 42. In an embodiment, the end panels
slots 42 are spaced a distance from the corner defined by the
intersection of fold lines 23 and 25 about equal to the width of
the third corner assembly panel 40 measured along cut line 43.
However, it will be appreciated and understood from the figures and
description below that as formed, the container 50 includes corners
that are several cellulose material thicknesses thick. As such, the
width of the third corner assembly panel 40 measured along cut line
43 will be reduced accordingly.
[0024] In order to further illustrate the various aspects of the
embodiments, FIGS. 2 through 8 show the blank 20 being erected into
container 50.
[0025] With specific reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly of
the container 50 is initiated by folding the first corner assembly
panel 36, second corner assembly panel 38, and third corner
assembly panel 40 upwardly approximately 90 degrees along fold line
33. The end panel 26 may also be folded upwardly approximately 90
degrees along a fold line 25. As best seen in FIG. 2, this forms a
substantially U-shaped corner between the end panels and the
opposed first corner assembly panels. Also, this places the corner
assembly panels that are attached to the opposed panels 26 in a
substantially juxtaposed relationship to one another along those
portions of the respective corner assembly panels that overlap. The
next step in the box erection process is to fold side panels 24
upwardly approximately 90 degrees so that side panel 24 is
juxtaposed to the various corner assembly panels, as best seen in
FIG. 3.
[0026] With specific reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembly of
the L-corners is depicted. Specifically, the second corner assembly
panel 38 and third corner assembly panel 40 are folded inwardly
approximately 180 degrees along fold line 35. As such, fold line 37
is substantially in the corner of the container 50, and the third
corner assembly panel 40 is adjacent to the end panel 26, and the
second corner assembly panel is substantially adjacent to the first
corner assembly panel 36. At this time, the third corner assembly
panel 40 may be engaged into the end panel slot 42 to lock the
L-corner panels together, as best seen in FIG. 5.
[0027] With specific reference to FIGS. 6 through 8, the top panel
flaps 30 may then be folded inwardly approximately 90 degrees along
fold line 29. Top panel 28 may then be folded inwardly
approximately 90 degrees along fold line 27. In this manner the
container may be formed closing the lids, It will be appreciated
that top panel flaps provide support to the top panels 28 as they
extend between the bottom panel 22 and the top panel 28.
[0028] An additional embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 9 through 11.
This aspect of an embodiment includes all panels discussed above,
with the exception that the top panel 28 does not include a top
panel flap 30. In this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 11, the top
panel 28 rests solely upon the top edge of the end panel, and that
portion of the top edges of the L-corner assemblies.
[0029] FIGS. 8 and 11 depict the container 50 that results from the
assembly of blank 20. As can be seen in this figure, the container
50 includes reinforced multi-panel corner arrangements.
Specifically, all four corners receive added rigidity thanks to the
overlapping relationship of the various side corner assembly panels
and their respective side wall 24 or end wall 26. The arrangement
of the corner assembly panels help the container 50 control
relative motion of the side panels 24 and end panels 26. The corner
assembly panels also provide a significant increase in the
container's stacking strength. Further, top panel 28 provides a
stacking or bearing surface for successive containers 50 to be
stacked vertically on top of one another (not shown).
[0030] One of the many unique features of this embodiment is the
extremely limited use of adhesive. Specifically, with reference to
all figures, the only adhesive used in the formation and use of
container 50 is located between side panel 24 and the first corner
assembly panel 36. The specific location where the adhesive 47 is
placed between the respective panels will be known to those skilled
in the art and it its location shown in FIG. 1 is strictly
exemplary. However, it will be appreciated that the location and
amount of adhesive 47 used will be sufficient to ensure container
integrity. The other panels are essentially free from adhesive or
the like. They may be hand set and are generally friction fit.
[0031] A unique benefit is that the forming of container 50 may be
done much more efficiently than before. Specifically, if box
formers are to be used in erecting the container 50, a box former
having a relatively small footprint may be use. Suitable,
non-limiting examples of such a box formers are the vertical box
formers manufactured by either SWF, Inc. or W.E. Plemons, Inc. each
of these companies manufacture relatively simple box formers having
footprints around 4'.times.6'. This footprint is significantly
smaller than box formers typically used to erect fully glued
containers, which a major cost savings. Conversely, the single
point of adhesive/corner provides for a container that is simple to
form, yet is stronger than a basic hand-set container.
[0032] The simple adhesive arrangement of the disclosed container
50 and the minimal assembly space requirement provides a variety of
efficiencies for a user. As discussed above, the actual floor space
needed for either machine formation or hand formation is reduced by
the unique and limited adhesive 47 application. This reduced floor
space usage is a cost savings. Also, smaller entities that formerly
could not justify the expense of larger box erecting equipment may
now utilize less voluminous box erecting equipment and produce a
container 50 having desirable structural qualities.
[0033] The container 50 as shown is simple to manufacture, easy to
assemble and may be a design of considerable usage in club stores
or bulk stores where products are sold in large quantities on the
open floor. The container 50 may be erected by standard box
erecting equipment (not shown) or else is may be hand-set and
tape/glued when needed. However, this design is also useful in any
variety of retail or wholesale environments.
[0034] While various embodiments of this invention have been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the
disclosure of the various embodiments. Instead, the invention
should be determined entirely by references to the claims that
follow.
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