Box for carrying bottles

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6662947
  • Patent Number
    6,662,947
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, September 27, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 16, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A box is formed from a blank of foldable material and includes a first wall and a second wall. The second wall is folded about a first wall fold line to form a first box corner. A third wall is folded about a second wall fold line to form a second box corner. A triangular top is folded about a top fold line. A triangular bottom is folded about a bottom fold line. A plurality of apertures is formed in the top. An insert having a plurality of panels is positioned between the first, second and third walls when the walls are folded about the wall fold lines.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a box, and, more particularly, to a box for carrying bottles.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Boxes are typically formed of material, such as corrugated fiberboard, that is die cut into a sheet having a desired shape. Fold lines are scored on the sheet, demarcating separate walls, a top, a bottom, and closure flaps, thus forming a blank. The blank is then folded about the fold lines and the closure flaps are glued, male/female locked, or stapled to the walls, top and bottom, thereby forming a box.




U.S. Pat. No. 2,173,494 to Rous discloses a carton for carrying six bottles. Rous is limiting in that it does not provide for protection between the bottles during transport. U.K. Pat. No. 1,338,230 to Smallwood discloses a case for carrying 10 bottles. Smallwood is limiting in that a fastener, such as adhesive or staples, is required to retain the case in its assembled condition, and no protection is provided between the bottles.




In view of the foregoing it is an object of the present invention to provide a box that reduces or overcomes the aforesaid difficulties inherent in prior known boxes for carrying bottles.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The principles of the invention maybe used advantageously to provide a simple and effective box for carrying bottles that is easy to assemble and disassemble, while at the same time providing protection for the bottles, and which is easy for an individual to carry.




In accordance with a first aspect, a blank of foldable material for forming a box includes a first wall panel, and a second wall panel foldable about a first wall fold line demarcating the first and second wall panels. A third wall panel is foldable about a second wall fold line demarcating the second and third wall panels. One side of a triangular top extends along a top edge of the second wall, and is foldable about a top fold line demarcating the top and the second wall. A plurality of apertures is formed in the top. One side of a triangular bottom extends generally along a bottom edge of the second wall and is foldable about a bottom fold line demarcating the bottom and the second wall. An insert includes a first panel, and a second panel adjacent the first panel and foldable about an insert panel fold line demarcating the first panel and the second panel. A slit in the first panel extends from the insert panel fold line through the first panel and back to the insert panel fold line to form a third panel foldable about the insert panel fold line.




In accordance with another aspect, a box formed from a blank of foldable material includes a first wall and a second wall adjacent the first wall. The second wall is folded about a first wall fold line demarcating the first and second walls to form a first box corner. A third wall adjacent the second wall is folded about a second wall fold line demarcating the second and third walls to form a second box corner. A triangular top extends along a top edge of the second wall and is folded about a top fold line demarcating the top from the second wall. A triangular bottom extends along a bottom edge of the second wall and is folded about a bottom fold line demarcating the bottom from the second wall. A plurality of apertures is formed in the top, with each aperture configured to receive a neck of a bottle. An insert has a plurality of panels folded from of a sheet of material, the insert being positioned between the first, second and third walls when the walls are folded about the wall fold lines.




In accordance with another aspect, a blank of foldable material for forming a box includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel. The second wall panel is foldable about a first wall fold line demarcating the first and second wall panels, to form a first box corner. A third wall panel is foldable about a second wall fold line demarcating the second and third wall panels. A pair of wall tabs extends from a side edge of the first wall panel. A wall closure flap is foldable about a wall closure flap fold line demarcating the wall closure flap and the third wall. A pair of wall tab slots extends generally along the wall closure flap fold line, with each wall tab slot configured to receive a respective wall tab. A triangular top has one side extending along a top edge of the second wall and is foldable about a top fold line demarcating the top and the second wall. A pair of top tabs is also included, with a first top tab projecting from a top edge of the first wall and a second top tab projecting from a top edge of the third wall. A pair of top closure flaps is included as well, with each top closure flap extending along one side of the top and foldable about a top closure flap fold line demarcating the top closure flap from the top. A pair of top slots is included, with each top slot extending generally along one of the top closure flap fold lines and configured to receive a top tab. A triangular bottom has one side extending generally along a bottom edge of the second wall and is foldable about a bottom fold line demarcating the bottom and the second wall. Also included is a pair of bottom tabs, with a first bottom tab projecting from a bottom edge of the first wall and a second bottom tab projecting from a bottom edge of the third wall. Also included is a pair of bottom closure flaps, with each bottom closure flap extending along one side of the bottom and foldable about a bottom closure flap fold line demarcating the bottom closure flap from the bottom. A pair of bottom slots is also included, with each bottom slot extending generally along one of the bottom closure flap fold lines and configured to receive a bottom tab. An insert includes a first panel and a second panel. The second panel of the insert is adjacent the first panel and folded about an insert panel fold line demarcating the first panel and the second panel. A slit in the first panel extends from the insert panel fold line through the first panel and back to the insert panel fold line to form a third panel foldable about the insert panel fold line. The insert is positioned between the first, second and third walls when the walls are folded about the wall fold lines.




Those skilled in the art will appreciate that preferred embodiments of the present invention can provide a box for carrying bottles that is easy to assembly and disassemble, provides a simple and efficient device for protecting the bottles from one another, as well as being easy to carry. These and additional features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent and fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken with reference to the appended drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a plan view of a box precursor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.




FIG.


2


. is a perspective view of a box formed from the box precursor of

FIG. 1

, shown carrying three bottles.





FIG. 3

is an elevation view of a wall closure flap of the box precursor of

FIG. 1

in its folded position.





FIG. 4

is an elevation view of a top closure flap of the box precursor of

FIG. 1

in its folded position.





FIG. 5

is a plan view of the box of FIG.


2


.





FIG. 6

is an elevation view of a bottom closure flap of the box precursor of

FIG. 1

in its folded position.





FIG. 7

is a plan view of an insert precursor for insertion in the box of FIG.


2


.





FIG. 8

is a perspective view of an insert formed from the insert precursor of

FIG. 7

, shown in its folded position as used when inserted into the box of FIG.


2


.





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of the insert of

FIG. 8

, shown in its folded position between three bottles.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




As shown in

FIG. 1

, a box precursor or blank


2


in accordance with the present invention comprises a sheet that is die cut to a desired size. In a preferred embodiment, blank


2


is formed of corrugated fiberboard. Blank


2


may also be formed of folding carton, chip board, or any other material suitable for carrying the contents of the box such as, for example, bottles. Blank


2


, when folded, will form a box-shaped container


4


as seen in FIG.


2


and described more fully below.




The terms top, bottom and side, as used herein, are relative terms and refer generally to box


4


as illustrated in

FIG. 2

, with bottles protruding upwardly out of the box as seen here. It is to be appreciated that other orientations of box


4


are considered to be within the scope of the invention. For example, in one orientation where the user holds the box by its handle and the bottles protrude horizontally out of the box, the top and bottom would not refer to vertical directions, and in such a case could be considered to be end panels.




Blank


2


includes a first wall panel


6


, separated or demarcated from an adjacent second wall panel


8


by a first wall fold line


10


. A wall fold line, commonly referred to in the industry as a “score,” is a partially compressed region of blank


2


formed by scoring, which facilitates the folding of blank


2


. A third wall panel


12


is similarly demarcated from adjacent second wall panel


8


by a second wall fold line


14


. Wall fold lines


12


,


14


form corners of a three-sided box


4


, as seen in FIG.


2


.




A pair of wall tabs


11


(tabs are commonly referred to in the industry as “male locks”) are formed along a side edge of first wall


6


, and are separated or demarcated from first wall panel


6


by a wall tab fold line


13


. In the illustrated embodiment, wall tabs


11


have rounded or radiused corners


9


that provide for easy insertion of wall tabs in slots


20


, described in greater detail below. In other preferred embodiments, corners


9


may be chamfered or otherwise modified to facilitate insertion of wall tabs


11


in slots


20


. In certain preferred embodiments, notches in wall tabs


11


at the juncture of wall tabs


11


and wall tab fold line


13


form barbs


15


. Barbs


15


maintain wall tabs


11


in their engaged position within slots


20


, as described in greater detail below.




A flange or wall closure flap


16


extends along a side edge of third wall panel


12


, and is similarly separated or demarcated from third wall panel


12


by a wall closure flap fold line


18


. A pair of slots


26


, seen in FIG.


3


and commonly referred to in the industry as “female slots,” are formed generally along wall closure flap fold line


18


. As seen in

FIG. 1

, each slot


26


is formed by a plurality of slits formed in blank


2


. A slit


20


in wall closure flap


16


extends generally parallel and proximate to wall closure flap fold line


18


. A first end slit


22


extends from a first end of slit


20


to wall closure flap fold line


18


. A second end slit


24


extends from a second end of slit


20


to wall closure flap fold line


18


. Each slit


20


and its corresponding end slits


22


,


24


form a slot


26


, as seen in FIG.


3


. Slots


26


receive wall tabs


11


when box


4


is assembled, and the engagement of wall tabs


11


in slots


26


serves to maintain the walls of box


4


in their folded state. In certain preferred embodiments, end slits


22


,


24


extend at an angle with respect to wall closure flap fold line


18


. In the illustrated embodiment, end slits


22


,


24


are angled outwardly from slit


20


toward the top and bottom of third wall panel, respectively, such that slot


26


has a generally trapezoidal shape. It is to be appreciated that more or less than two wall tabs


11


and corresponding slots


26


may be formed along first wall panel


6


and third wall panel


12


.




As seen in

FIG. 1

, a triangular end or top panel


28


extends along an edge (seen as an upper edge in the illustrated embodiment) of second wall panel


8


, and is demarcated from second wall panel


8


by a top fold line


30


extending along the length of the upper edge of second wall panel


8


. One or more cut outs or apertures


32


are formed in top panel


28


. As seen in

FIG. 2

, apertures


32


are seen to receive the necks


34


of bottles


36


carried within box


4


. In the illustrated embodiment, three bottles


36


are carried in box


4


, and, consequently, three apertures


32


are formed in top panel


28


.




A top tab


38


is formed along an edge (seen as an upper edge in the illustrated embodiment) of each of first wall panel


6


and third wall panel


12


. A first portion


40


of top tab


38


is formed by a pair of slits


42


, extending downwardly from the upper edge of the respective wall panel to a first top tab fold line


44


about which first portion


40


may be folded. A second portion


46


extends upwardly from the upper edge of its respective wall panel, and is separated or demarcated from first portion


40


by a second top tab fold line


48


. Top tab fold line


48


preferably extends just below and parallel to the upper edge of its respective wall panel. Slits


42


preferably extend generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the upper edge of the respective wall panel. In the illustrated embodiment, second portion


46


has rounded or radiused corners


50


that provide for easy insertion of top tabs


38


in slots


62


, as further described below. In other preferred embodiments, corners


50


may be chamfered or otherwise modified to facilitate insertion of top tabs


38


in slots


62


.




A top flange or closure flap


52


extends along each side edge of top panel


28


, and is similarly separated or demarcated from top panel


28


by a top closure flap fold line


54


. A slit


56


is formed in top closure flap


52


, and extends generally parallel and proximate to top closure flap fold line


54


. A first end slit


58


extends from a first end of slit


56


to top closure flap fold line


54


. A second end slit


60


extends from a second end of slit


56


to top closure flap fold line


54


. Each slit


56


and its corresponding end slits


58


,


60


form a slot


62


, as seen in FIG.


4


. Slots


62


receive respective top tabs


38


when box


4


is assembled as seen in

FIG. 5

, and serve to maintain top panel


28


of box


4


in its folded state.




Cut outs or apertures


64


are formed in top panel


28


, with each aperture opening into a corresponding slot


62


. Apertures


64


serve to provide access to top tabs


38


when top panel


28


is in its folded state, as seen in

FIG. 5

, allowing an individual to grasp top tabs


38


with a finger and release them from engagement with slots


62


. Such access to top tabs


38


facilitates disassembly of box


4


. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures


64


have a semi-circular shape. Other suitable shapes will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.




In certain preferred embodiments, end slits


58


,


60


extend at an angle with respect to top closure flap fold line


54


. In the illustrated embodiment, end slits


58


,


60


are angled outwardly from slit


56


toward top closure flap fold line


54


, such that slot


62


has a generally trapezoidal shape, as seen in FIG.


4


. It is to be appreciated that more than one top tab


38


and corresponding slot


62


may be formed along first wall


6


and top closure flap


52


.




As seen in

FIG. 1

, a triangular end or bottom panel


63


extends along an edge (seen as a lower edge in the illustrated embodiment) of second wall panel


8


, and is demarcated from second wall panel


8


by a bottom fold line


65


extending along the length of the lower edge of second wall panel


8


.




A bottom tab


66


is formed along an edge (seen as a lower edge in the illustrated embodiment) of each of first wall panel


6


and third wall panel


12


. A first portion


68


of top tab


66


is formed by a pair of slits


70


, extending upwardly from the lower edge of the respective wall panel to a first bottom tab fold line


72


about which first portion


68


may be folded. A second portion


74


extends downwardly from the lower edge of its respective wall panel, and is separated or demarcated from first portion


68


by a second bottom tab fold line


76


. Bottom tab fold line


76


preferably extends just above and parallel to the lower edge of its respective wall panel. Slits


70


preferably extend generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the lower edge of the respective wall panel. In the illustrated embodiment, second portion


74


has rounded or radiused corners


78


that provide for easy insertion of bottom tabs


66


in slots


90


as further described below. In other preferred embodiments, corners


78


may be chamfered or otherwise modified to facilitate insertion of bottom tabs


66


in slots


90


.




A bottom flange or closure flap


80


extends along each side edge of bottom panel


63


, and is similarly separated or demarcated from bottom panel


63


by a bottom closure flap fold line


82


. A slit


84


is formed in bottom closure flap


80


, and extends generally parallel and proximate to bottom closure flap fold line


82


. A first end slit


86


extends from a first end of slit


84


to bottom closure flap fold line


82


. A second end slit


88


extends from a second end of slit


84


to bottom closure flap fold line


82


. Each slit


84


and its corresponding end slits


86


,


88


form a slot


90


, as seen in FIG.


6


. Slots


90


receive bottom tabs


66


when box


4


is assembled, and serve to maintain bottom panel


63


of box


4


in its folded state.




Cut outs or apertures


92


are formed in bottom panel


63


, with each aperture opening into a corresponding slot


90


. Apertures


92


serve to provide access to bottom tabs


66


when bottom panel


63


is in its folded state as seen in

FIG. 6

, allowing an individual to grasp bottom tabs


66


with a finger and release them from engagement with slots


90


. Such access facilitates disassembly of box


4


, allowing an individual to easily access the bottles carried in the box. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures


92


have a semi-circular shape. Other suitable shapes will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.




In certain preferred embodiments, end slits


86


,


88


extend at an angle with respect to bottom closure flap fold line


82


. In the illustrated embodiment, end slits


86


,


88


are angled outwardly from slit


84


toward bottom closure flap fold line


82


, such that slot


90


has a generally trapezoidal shape, as seen in FIG.


6


. It is to be appreciated that more than one bottom tab


66


and corresponding slot


90


may be formed along bottom panel


63


and bottom closure flap


80


.




As seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, a handle


94


is formed in box


4


. Handle


94


includes a first aperture


96


formed in first wall panel


6


and a second aperture


98


formed in second wall


8


. Apertures


96


and


98


are preferably oval, or racetrack shaped, with semi-circular ends connected by straight sides. A handle flap


100


is positioned within aperture


96


, and is separated or demarcated from first wall panel


6


by a handle flap fold line


102


. Similarly, a handle flap


104


is positioned within aperture


98


, and is separated or demarcated from second wall panel


8


by a handle flap fold line


106


. Handle flaps


100


,


104


have the shape of a half oval, or half racetrack, with a long axis of the racetrack shaped apertures forming the straight sides of the flaps, which are the sides of the flaps remote from the handle flap fold lines


102


,


106


.




When box


4


is in its assembled state, as seen in

FIG. 2

, handle flaps


100


,


104


are bent into the interior of box


4


about handle flap fold lines


102


,


106


, respectively, in overlapping fashion. The handle flaps thus provide a comfortable resting place for an individual's fingers extending through apertures


96


,


98


of handle


94


when carrying box


4


.




As seen in

FIGS. 7-8

, an insert


108


is formed of a sheet of material. Insert


108


may be formed of, for example, corrugated fiberboard, folding carton, chip board, or any other material suitable for providing protection between bottles within the box. Insert


108


includes a first insert panel


110


, and a second insert panel


112


separated or demarcated from first insert panel


110


by an insert panel fold line


114


. A third insert panel


116


is formed as a part of first insert panel


110


by a slit


117


that extends from insert panel fold line


114


through first insert panel


110


and back to insert panel fold line


114


. Slit


117


includes a first portion


118


that is spaced from and generally parallel to insert panel fold line


114


. A second portion


120


extends from a first end of first portion


118


to insert panel fold line


114


. Second portion


120


is joined to first portion


118


by rounded corner


121


. A third portion


122


extends from a second end of first portion


118


to insert panel fold line


114


. Third portion


122


is joined to first portion


118


by rounded corner


124


. In use, insert panels


110


and


112


are folded toward one another until they are approximately 120° apart. Third insert panel is then folded about insert panel fold line


114


away from first panel


110


and toward second panel


112


until it is approximately 120° from first insert panel


110


and second insert panel


112


. Insert


108


fits between three bottles


36


, as seen in

FIG. 9

, providing protection for the bottles from one another as they are carried in box


4


. Notches


126


having rounded corners


128


are formed in the corners of first insert panel


110


and second insert panel


112


, and facilitate the insertion of insert


108


between bottles


36


, or the insertion of bottles


36


into box


4


between the respective panels of insert


108


. Insert


108


is advantageously formed from a single sheet of material, die-cut into its proper shape, thereby easing manufacture of the insert, and, consequently, reducing the costs associated with its manufacture.




As noted above, blank


2


may be formed of corrugated fiberboard. In certain preferred embodiments the direction of the corrugation runs generally perpendicular to wall fold lines


10


and


14


, providing for easier scoring of the wall fold lines. Similarly, in certain preferred embodiments the direction of corrugation of insert


108


is generally perpendicular to insert fold line


114


. However, it is to be appreciated that the direction of corrugation of blank


2


and insert


108


may extend in any direction.




To form box


4


from blank


2


, first wall panel


6


and second panel


8


are folded toward one another about first wall fold line


10


, and third panel


12


and second panel


8


are folded toward one another about second wall fold line


14


. Wall closure flap


16


is then folded in toward first wall panel


6


. Wall tabs


11


are folded in toward wall closure flap


16


and third wall panel


12


and inserted into respective slots


26


. At this point, the three walls of the box have been formed, with adjacent walls spaced apart at an angle of approximately 60°. The engagement of barbs


15


with wall closure flap


16


prevents wall tabs


11


from inadvertently coming out of slots


26


, thereby ensuring that box


4


retains its shape and the bottles remain in the box.




Top closure flaps


52


are then folded inwardly about top closure flap fold lines


54


toward the walls. Top panel


28


is folded downwardly toward the walls about top closure flap fold lines


54


such that top closure flaps


52


are received between the walls, and top closure flap fold lines


54


are adjacent and generally parallel to the top edges of first and third wall panels


6


,


12


. Top tabs


38


are then inserted into slots


62


, thereby retaining top panel


28


in its use position. Three bottles


36


are then placed in box


4


, with necks


34


of bottles


36


protruding through and received by apertures


32


. Insert


108


is positioned between the panels, one of first, second and third panels


110


,


112


,


116


extending between each of adjacent bottles in box


4


. It is to be appreciated that insert


108


can be placed in box


4


before any bottles


36


are placed in the box, or after one or two bottles are placed in the box.




Bottom closure flaps


80


are then folded inwardly about bottom closure flap fold lines


82


toward the walls. Bottom panel


63


is folded upwardly toward the walls about bottom fold line


65


such that bottom closure flaps


80


are received between the walls, and bottom closure flap fold lines


82


are adjacent and generally parallel to the bottom edges of first and third wall panels


6


,


12


. Bottom tabs


66


are then inserted into slots


90


, thereby retaining bottom


63


in its use position. Handle flaps


100


,


104


are then folded in toward the interior of box


4


, and the box can then easily be carried by an individual.




Removal of bottles


36


from box


4


is accomplished by first removing bottom tabs


66


from slots


90


. By inserting a finger into an aperture


92


, an individual can easily grasp a bottom tab


66


and slide it out of a corresponding slot


90


. Once bottom tabs are free of slots


90


, bottom


63


can be unfolded about bottom fold line


63


, allowing access to bottles


36


. Box


4


may then be completely disassembled by removing top tabs


38


from top slots


62


, unfolding top


28


about top fold line


30


, removing wall tabs


11


from wall slots


26


and unfolding the wall panels. Box


4


can be assembled again at any time in the manner described above.




While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.




In light of the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A blank of foldable material for forming a box, comprising:a first wall panel; a second wall panel foldable about a first wall fold line demarcating the first and second wall panels; a third wall panel foldable about a second wall fold line demarcating the second and third wall panels; a triangular top extending along a top edge of the second wall panel and foldable about a top fold line demarcating the top and the second wall panel; a plurality of apertures formed in the top; a triangular bottom extending along a bottom edge of the second wall panel and foldable about a bottom fold line demarcating the bottom and the second wall panel; and an insert comprising: a first panel; a second panel adjacent the first panel and foldable about an insert panel fold line demarcating the first panel and the second panel; and a slit in the first panel, the slit extending from the insert panel fold line through the first panel and back to the insert panel fold line to form a third panel foldable about the insert panel fold line.
  • 2. The blank according to claim 1, further comprising a wall closure flap extending along a side edge of the third wall panel and foldable about a wall closure flap fold line demarcating the wall closure flap and the third wall panel.
  • 3. The blank according to claim 2, further comprising:at least one wall tab projecting from a side edge of the first wall panel; and at least one slot extending generally along the wall closure flap fold line, each slot configured to receive a wall tab.
  • 4. The blank according to claim 3, wherein each slot is formed by a first slit in the wall closure flap extending generally parallel to and proximate the wall closure flap fold line, a second slit extending from a first end of the first slit to the wall closure flap fold line, and a third slit extending from a second end of the first slit to the wall closure flap fold line.
  • 5. The blank according to claim 4, wherein the second and third slits extend at an angle with respect to the wall closure flap fold line such that each slot has a trapezoidal shape when the wall closure flap is folded about the wall closure flap fold line.
  • 6. The blank according to claim 1, wherein three apertures are formed in the top.
  • 7. The blank according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of top closure flaps, each top closure flap extending along an edge of the top and foldable about a top closure flap fold line demarcating the top closure flap and the top.
  • 8. The blank according to claim 7, further comprising:at least one top tab along a top edge of each of the first and third wall panels; and at least one top tab slot extending generally along each top closure flap fold line, each top tab slot configured to receive a top tab.
  • 9. The blank according to claim 8, wherein each top tab comprises a first portion formed by a pair of slits extending from a top edge of its respective wall panel to a first top tab fold line about which the first portion is foldable, and a second portion extending outwardly from the top edge of its respective wall panel and foldable about a second top tab fold line demarcating the first portion and the second portion.
  • 10. The blank according to claim 8, further comprising at least one top tab aperture, each top tab aperture formed in the top and opening into a corresponding top tab slot.
  • 11. The blank according to claim 10, wherein each top tab aperture has a generally semi-circular shape.
  • 12. The blank according to claim 8, wherein each top tab slot is formed by a slit in a top closure flap and having a first portion extending along the top closure flap generally parallel to a corresponding top closure flap fold line, a second portion extending from a first end of the first portion to the corresponding top closure flap fold line, and a third portion extending from a second end of the first portion to the corresponding top closure flap fold line.
  • 13. The blank according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of bottom closure flaps, each bottom closure flap extending along an edge of the bottom and foldable about a bottom closure flap fold line demarcating the bottom closure flap and the bottom.
  • 14. The blank according to claim 13, further comprising:at least one bottom tab along a bottom edge of each of the first and third wall panels; and at least one bottom tab slot extending generally along each bottom closure flap fold line, each bottom tab slot configured to receive a bottom tab.
  • 15. The blank according to claim 14, wherein each bottom tab comprises a first portion formed by a pair of slits extending from a bottom edge of its respective wall panel to a first bottom tab fold line about which the first portion is foldable, and a second portion extending outwardly from the bottom edge of its respective wall panel and foldable about a second bottom tab fold line demarcating the first portion and the second portion.
  • 16. The blank according to claim 14, further comprising at least one bottom tab aperture, each bottom tap aperture formed in the bottom and opening into a corresponding bottom tab slot.
  • 17. The blank according to claim 16, wherein each bottom tab aperture has a generally semi-circular shape.
  • 18. The blank according to claim 14, wherein each bottom tab slot is formed by a slit in a bottom closure flap and having a first portion extending along a bottom closure flap generally parallel to a corresponding bottom closure flap fold line, a second portion extending from a first end of the first portion to the corresponding bottom closure flap fold line, and a third portion extending from a second end of the first portion to the corresponding bottom closure flap fold line.
  • 19. A blank according to claim 1, wherein the blank is formed of corrugated fiberboard.
  • 20. A box formed from a blank of foldable material, said box comprising:a first wall; a second wall adjacent the first wall and folded about a first wall fold line demarcating the first and second walls to form a first box corner; a third wall adjacent the second wall and folded about a second wall fold line demarcating the second and third walls to form a second box corner; a triangular top extending along a top edge of the second wall and folded about a top fold line demarcating the top from the second wall; a triangular bottom extending along a bottom edge of the second wall and folded about a bottom fold line demarcating the bottom from the second wall; a plurality of apertures formed in the top, each aperture configured to receive a neck of a bottle; and an insert having a plurality of panels folded from a sheet of material, the insert being positioned between the first, second and third walls when the walls are folded about the wall fold lines; wherein the insert comprises: a first panel; a second panel adjacent the first panel and folded about a panel fold line demarcating the first panel and the second panel; and a slit in the first panel, the slit extending from the insert panel fold line through the first panel and back to the insert panel fold line to form a third panel folded about the insert panel fold line.
  • 21. A blank of foldable material for forming a box, comprising:a first wall panel and a second wall panel foldable about a first wall fold line demarcating the first and second wall panels; a third wall panel foldable about a second wall fold line demarcating the second and third wall panels; a pair of wall tabs extending from a side edge of the first wall panel; a wall closure flap foldable about a wall closure flap fold line demarcating the wall closure flap and the third wall panel; a pair of wall tab slots extending generally along the wall closure flap fold line, each wall tab slot configured to receive a respective wall tab; a triangular top extending along a top edge of the second wall panel and foldable about a top fold line demarcating the top and the second wall panel; a pair of top tabs, a first top tab projecting from a top edge of the first wall panel and a second top tab projecting from a top edge of the third wall panel; a pair of top closure flaps, each top closure flap extending along one side of the top and foldable about a top closure flap fold line demarcating the top closure flap from the top; a pair of top slots, each top slot extending generally along one of the top closure flap fold lines and configured to receive a top tab; a triangular bottom extending along a bottom edge of the second wall panel and foldable about a bottom fold line demarcating the bottom and the second wall panel; a pair of bottom tabs, a first bottom tab projecting from a bottom edge of the first wall panel and a second bottom tab projecting from a bottom edge of the third wall panel; a pair of bottom closure flaps, each bottom closure flap extending along one side of the bottom and foldable about a bottom closure flap fold line demarcating the bottom closure flap from the bottom; a pair of bottom slots, each bottom slot extending generally along one of the bottom closure flap fold lines and configured to receive a bottom tab; and an insert comprising: a first panel; a second panel adjacent the first panel and foldable about an insert panel fold line demarcating the first panel and the second panel; and a slit in the first panel, the slit extending from the insert panel fold line through the first panel and back to the insert panel fold line to form a third panel foldable about the insert panel fold line.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Number Name Date Kind
1824762 Bloom Sep 1931 A
2173494 Rous Sep 1939 A
2312598 Sprague Mar 1943 A
3352473 Graser Nov 1967 A
3428235 Randazzo Feb 1969 A
4258847 Nierman Mar 1981 A
4856652 Bowland Aug 1989 A
5125565 Rogers Jun 1992 A
5476217 Moncrief et al. Dec 1995 A
5558224 Fogle Sep 1996 A
5950831 Millet Sep 1999 A
D442083 Hoffman et al. May 2001 S
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number Date Country
2149016 Apr 1973 DE
2663296 Jun 1990 FR
1338230 Feb 1970 GB