This invention relates generally to containers formed from blanks of sheet material, and, more specifically, to a blank of sheet material for forming a container, and methods and apparatus for forming the container.
Paperboard containers are often used to hold granular products (e.g., sugar, flour, or sand), viscous products (e.g., ice cream), or other articles. If the container has a crack or small opening, then some of the product might escape the container by either leaking or sifting. In order to prevent this, a manufacturer might use additional packaging, such as adding a plastic bag or another kind of insert. Accordingly, such containers are costly to manufacture and require more attention in making them, and such containers possibly require a more sophisticated type machine to manufacture them.
In one aspect, a container formed from a blank sheet of material is provided. The container includes a plurality of panels that are coupled together along substantially parallel fold lines and that include a first major panel and a second major panel. The plurality of panels form a plurality of sides of the container and define a cavity with a bottom and a top. An outer bottom flap is coupled to the first major panel and has a plurality of edges, and an inner bottom flap is coupled to the second major panel. The container also includes a plurality of flanges where each flange is coupled to one edge of the outer bottom flap. When the container is assembled, the inner bottom flap is positioned adjacent to the cavity bottom and the outer bottom flap is positioned adjacent to the inner bottom flap in a face-to-face relationship forming a bottom of the container. Each flange is folded and coupled to an outer surface of one side of the container.
In another aspect, a blank of sheet material for constructing a container is provided. The blank includes a plurality of panels that are coupled together in a series along substantially parallel fold lines and that include a first major panel and a second major panel. An inner bottom flap is coupled to the second major panel, and an outer bottom flap is coupled to the first major panel. The outer bottom flap includes a plurality of edges forming an outer bottom flap perimeter. The blank also includes a plurality of flanges where each flange is coupled to one edge of the outer bottom flap.
In another aspect, a method for making a container from a blank sheet of material is provided. The blank includes a plurality of panels that are coupled together in a series along substantially parallel fold lines. The plurality of panels include a first major panel and a second major panel. An outer bottom flap is coupled to the first major panel along a fold line and includes a plurality of edges. Each flange of a plurality of flanges is coupled along a fold line to one edge of the outer bottom flap. An inner bottom flap is coupled to the second major panel along a fold line. The method includes forming a plurality of sides of the container by folding the plurality of panels along the fold lines and coupling at least two of the panels together. The plurality of sides define a cavity having a bottom and a top, and each side of the container has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The method also includes folding the inner bottom flap substantially perpendicular to the second major panel such that the inner bottom flap substantially covers the cavity bottom, and folding the outer bottom flap substantially perpendicular to the first major panel such that the outer bottom panel is adjacent to the inner bottom flap in a face-to-face relationship. The method also includes folding each flange along a corresponding fold line and coupling each flange to the exterior surface of one side of the plurality of sides.
In another aspect, a machine for forming a container from a blank sheet of material is provided. The blank includes a plurality of panels coupled together for forming sides of the container. The panels include at least a first major panel and a second major panel. The blank also includes an inner bottom flap that is coupled to the first major panel, an outer bottom flap that is coupled to the second major panel, and a plurality of flanges that are coupled to the outer bottom flap. The machine includes a body, an internal mandrel that is mounted on the body and has a shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine further includes a plurality of members mounted on the body and adjacent to the mandrel. The plurality of members includes at least one wrapping member for folding a portion of the blank around the mandrel, and a bottom assembly for folding the inner bottom flap against the mandrel and the outer bottom flap against an outer surface of the inner bottom flap. The machine also includes a flange sealing mechanism for folding at least one flange against an outer surface of at least one side of the container and coupling the at least one flange to the at least one side of the container.
In another aspect, a method for forming a container from a blank of sheet material using a machine is provided. The machine includes a body and an internal mandrel for folding the blank against the mandrel. The blank includes a plurality of panels, an inner bottom flap and an outer bottom flap, and a plurality of flanges that are coupled to the outer bottom flap. The method includes wrapping a portion of the blank around the internal mandrel by folding a portion of the blank around the internal mandrel with at least one wrapping member, forming a bottom of the container by folding the inner bottom flap against the mandrel, folding the outer bottom flap against an outer surface of the inner bottom flap, and coupling the inner bottom flap and outer bottom flap. The method also includes folding at least one flange against an outer surface of at least one side of the container, and coupling the at least one flange to the at least one side.
The present invention is described below in reference to its application in connection with and construction of a container. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the invention is likewise applicable to any suitable storage and/or container including, without limitation, a carton, a tray or a box.
In one embodiment, a container is fabricated from a paperboard material. The container, however, may be fabricated using any suitable material, and therefore is not limited to a specific type of material. In alternative embodiments, the container is fabricated using cardboard, corrugated board, plastic and/or any suitable material known to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided.
In a particular embodiment, the container includes a marking thereon including, without limitation, indicia that communicates the product, a manufacturer of the product and/or a seller of the product. For example, the marking may include printed text that indicates a product's name and briefly describes the product, logos and/or trademarks that indicate a manufacturer and/or seller of the product, and/or designs and/or ornamentation that attract attention. The container may have any suitable size, shape and/or configuration, i.e. number of sides, whether such sizes, shapes and/or configurations are described and/or illustrated herein. For example, in one embodiment, the container includes a shape that provides functionality, such as a shape that facilitates transporting the container and/or a shape that facilitates stacking and/or arrangement of a plurality of containers.
Blank 10 includes a plurality of panels. As shown in
First end panel 22 has a width 61. Second end panel 38 has a width 69. Similarly, first intermediate panel 26 has a width 63; second intermediate panel 30 has a width 65; and third intermediate panel 34 has a width 67. Although end panels 22, 38 and intermediate panels 26, 30, 34 may have different widths without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the embodiment shown in
Furthermore, each panel 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 has a top edge 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, respectively. Top edges 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 are generally parallel to a horizontal axis 90 and are generally perpendicular to respective fold lines 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and/or 56. Likewise, each panel 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 has a bottom edge 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80 respectively. Bottom edges 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80 are generally parallel to a horizontal axis 90 and are generally perpendicular to fold lines 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and/or 56.
Each panel 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 has a length 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, respectively. Although end panels 22, 38, intermediate panels 26, 30, 34, and minor panels 24, 32 may have different lengths without departing from the scope of the present invention, in the embodiment shown in
Compared to lengths 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, of panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, respectively, length 328 of first major panel 28 is slightly longer and length 336 of second major panel 36 is slightly shorter than panels 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 38. As is described below, this facilitates reducing gaps in a bottom of a constructed container by accommodating for the blank thickness.
End panels 22, 38 at least partially overlap each other and are coupled or secured to each other by using a suitable coupling or securing mechanism, such as an adhesive material. It is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that any suitable coupling or securing mechanism may be used to couple or secure end panels 22, 38. Further, each end panel 22, 38 is obliquely angled to first minor panel 24 and second major panels 36. In one embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
A cavity 610 (or void 610) is defined as the space circumscribed by sides 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, 622. Cavity 610 has a top and a bottom. Inner bottom flap 502 is folded such that inner bottom flap 502 is substantially perpendicular to panel 36 and at least partially covers the bottom of cavity 610. In one embodiment, side edges 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 522 of inner bottom flap 502 contact a corresponding side 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636.
A minor cover flap 110 extends from first minor panel 24 along a fold line at top edge 82. A minor cover flap 130 extends from second minor panel 32 along a fold line at top edge 86. As shown in
A major cover flap 120 extends from first major panel 28 along a fold line at top edge 84. A major cover flap 140 extends from second major panel 36 along a fold line at top edge 88. First major cover flap 120 has a length 124 taken along horizontal axis 90 that is greater than width 64 of first major panel 28. Second major cover flap 140 has a length 144 taken along horizontal axis 90 that is greater than width 68 of second major panel 36.
Specifically, each major cover flap 120, 140 includes an outer edge 202, 212, respectively, defining a perimeter of cover flap 120, 140. As shown in
Similarly, as outer edge 212 transitions into fold line 54, outer edge 212 forms a first notch 214. Notch 214 generally extends from fold line 54, but it is within the scope of the present invention for notch 214 to extend from major panel 36. In one embodiment, notch 214 runs generally along or parallel to fold line 54, and turns to extend generally parallel or slightly obliquely to top edge 87. Notch 214 then transitions into outer edge 212 at a portion 218 that extends more obliquely than notch 214. Likewise, as outer edge 212 generally transitions into fold line 56, outer edge 212 forms a second notch 216. Notch 216 generally extends from fold line 56, but it is within the scope of the present invention for notch 216 to extend from major panel 36 In this embodiment, notch 216 extends generally along or parallel to fold line 56, then turns to extend generally parallel or slightly obliquely to top edge 89. Notch 216 then transitions into outer edge 212 at a portion 220 that extends more obliquely than notch 216.
In one embodiment, major cover flaps 120, 140 along with notches 204, 206, 214, 216 at least partially cover cavity 610 as well as sides 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, 622. In an alternative embodiment, major cover flaps 120, 140 along with notches 204, 206, 214, 216 at least cover cavity 610 as well as the thickness of sides 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, 622.
Each minor cover flap 110, 130 includes an outer edge, 222, 232 respectively, defining a perimeter of minor cover flap 110, 130. As shown in
Outer edge 222 of first minor cover flap 110 includes a pair of opposite portions 242, 244 that are each obliquely angled with respect to top edge 82. In one embodiment, portions 242, 244 are angled at about 45° with respect to top edge 82. Similarly, outer edge 232 of second minor cover flap 130 includes a pair of opposite portions 246, 248 that are each obliquely angled with respect to top edge 86. In one embodiment, portions 246, 248 are angled at about 45° with respect to top edge 86. It is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that portions 242, 244 may be angled with respect to top edge 82 at any suitable angle, and that portions 246, 248 may be angled with respect to top edge 86 at any suitable angle, such that portions 242, 244, 246, 248 contact respective panels when container 600 is constructed.
Side edges 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 define a periphery of outer bottom flap 402. Side edges 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 form angled corners with respect to the adjacent side edges.
Outer bottom flap 402 includes flanges 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 that extend from respective fold lines of outer bottom flap 402. In one embodiment (and in exemplary container 600 shown in
A first niche 420 and a second niche 422 further define outer bottom flap 402. First niche 420 is defined by side edges 418, 404, fold line 46, and bottom edge 73. Second niche 422 is defined by side edges 404, 406, fold line 48, and bottom edge 75. Niches 420, 422 facilitate reducing gaps in a container of the present invention by accommodating for blank thickness 12 so that flanges 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 can couple to a respective exterior of sides 630, 632, 634, 636, 622, 624, 626.
Inner bottom flap 502 includes a plurality of side edges 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 522 that define a periphery of inner bottom flap 502. Each side edge 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 522 has a length. Side edge 522 extends from fold line 56 and is perpendicular to side edge 504 and bottom edge 79. Side edge 522 forms an angled corner with respect to side edge 506. Length of side edge 522 is shorter than the remaining side edges of inner bottom flap 502. In one embodiment, the length of side edge 522 allows for the overlapping of end panels 38, 22 when a container is constructed from the present invention. More specifically, the length of side edge 522 is substantially equal to the thickness of blank 10. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that many suitable lengths for side edge 522 exist.
In one embodiment, inner bottom flap 502 has an indentation 520 that is defined as the general area where side edges 518, 504, bottom edge 77, and fold line 54 terminate. In one embodiment, indentation 520 accommodates for the thickness of inner bottom flap 502 when a container is constructed from the present invention. In another embodiment, indentation 520 has a length that is the difference between length 36 and length 34. For purposes of this invention, it is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that many suitable arrangements can facilitate constructing a container from the present invention.
Lengths of side edges 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518 are slightly less than widths 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, respectively, in order to allow a folded inner bottom flap 502 to nest within sides 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636 after panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 36, 38 are folded about respective fold lines 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 to form a container. In one embodiment, inner bottom flap 502 contacts some of panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38. In an alternative embodiment, inner bottom flap 502 contacts each side 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636 at least partially. As is described below, accommodating for the thickness and angle of side 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636 facilitates reducing gaps at the bottom of a formed container.
As is shown in
Referring to outer bottom flap 402 (shown in
As will be described below in more detail with reference to
As shown in
Outer bottom flap 402 is coupled or secured to inner bottom flap 502. In one embodiment, outer bottom flap 402 is coupled or secured to inner bottom flap 502 by an adhesive material. In alternative embodiments, any suitable coupling material and/or mechanism may be used to couple or secure outer bottom flap 402 to inner bottom flap 502.
As shown in
A method for constructing container 600 from a blank, such as blank 10 described above, is also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing blank 10 having panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 coupled together along corresponding, generally parallel, fold lines 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56. Outer bottom flap 402 is coupled to first major panel 28. Flanges 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 are coupled to outer bottom flap 402. Inner bottom flap 502 is coupled to second major panel 36.
First end panel 22 is coupled to second end panel 38 to form a plurality of sides 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636 defining a cavity within. Inner bottom flap 502 is folded such that side edges 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 522 contact the interior of sides 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636. Outer bottom flap 402 is folded and each flange 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 is coupled or secured to a corresponding side 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634, 636.
First major cover flap 120 is coupled to first major panel 28. A second major cover flap 140 is coupled to second major panel 36. First minor cover flap 110 is coupled to first minor panel 24. A second minor cover flap 130 is coupled to second minor panel 32. First minor cover flap 110, second minor cover flap 130, first major cover flap 120, and second major cover flap 140 are folded such that the cover flaps are generally perpendicular to sides 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636.
Machine 700 includes a loading section 702 for loading blanks into the machine for formation into containers. Specifically, blank 100 is loaded into a loading frame 704 that supports the blank in a generally vertical position. A conveyor 706 moves blank 100 into a transfer section 708 as loading frame 704 supports the blank. As shown in
As shown in
Pusher assembly 716 pushes blank 100 along support 712 such that first major panel 28 is positioned underneath mandrel 722 and fold lines 46, 48 of respective first major panel are aligned with respective outer edges 726, 728 of the mandrel (shown in
It is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings provided herein that other arrangements of blank 100 with mandrel 722 are within the scope of this invention. For example, second major panel 36 can be positioned underneath mandrel 722 and fold lines 54, 56 of respective second major panel aligned with outer edges of mandrel 722.
As shown in
Also shown in
Machine 700 includes a bottom member including a flap folder element 734 and a bottom presser element 776 for forming bottom 650 of the container.
Once inner bottom flap 502 has been folded tight against mandrel 722, outer bottom flap 402 is folded tight and secured to mandrel 722. Specifically, as shown in
Pressing component 804 is selectably positionable, sometimes referred to as toggled, between a first position 808 (shown in
After outer bottom flap 402 is secured to inner bottom flap 502 as discussed above, a flange sealing mechanism is used to secure flanges 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 to respective sides 634, 636, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632. At least two mechanisms can be used for the flange sealing mechanism.
In one embodiment, as shown in
Once flanges 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 are secured to respective sides 634, 636, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632 container 600 is formed except for cover flaps 110, 120, 130, 140, which may be closed (and in some embodiments secured with an adhesive). Container 600 can then be ejected from mandrel 722 and machine 700. Although container 600 may be ejected from mandrel 722 and machine 700 using any suitable mechanism, structure, and/or means, in the exemplary embodiment machine 700 includes an ejection plate mechanism 850 having an ejection plate 852 positioned at least partially between mandrel 722 and bottom 650 that applies a force to an interior surface of bottom 650 to eject container 600 from mandrel 722. More specifically, and as shown in
In one embodiment, ejection mechanism 850 includes a servomechanism 854 for driving and controlling movement of ejection plate 852. Specifically, servomechanism 854 may facilitate controlling a speed and a position of ejection plate 852 more accurately and quickly than without servomechanism 854. In the exemplary embodiment, servomechanism 854 includes an electric motor 856 that includes an output shaft 858 for driving rotation of a conveyor 860 coupled to ejection plate 852.
At least one alternative flange sealing mechanism for securing flanges 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438 to respective sides 634, 636, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, utilizes ejection mechanism 850 (discussed above). After outer bottom flap 402 is secured to inner bottom flap 502 as discussed above, hot melt glue guns 720 apply glue to panels 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36. Ejection mechanism 850 (as discussed above) forces the partially formed container in an axially direction away from fixed internal mandrel 722 and into an external mandrel 922. As shown in
As used herein, any of gripping member 710, pusher assembly 716, lifting assembly 727, flap folder element 734, bottom presser element 776, any other member described and/or illustrated herein, and/or components thereof may be referred to herein as a member, a first member, a second member, and/or a third member.
Exemplary embodiments of blanks, containers, methods, and machines are described and/or illustrated herein in detail. The blanks, containers, methods, and machines are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, elements of each blank, container, and machine and steps of each method may be utilized independently and separately from other elements and steps described herein. Each blank, container, and machine element and each method step can also be used in combination with other blank, container, and machine elements and/or method steps.
When introducing elements, components, etc. of the methods and assemblies described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element(s), component(s), etc. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s), component(s), etc. other than the listed element(s), component(s), etc.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
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