Patent Application
20230227200
The present invention relates to cartons and to blanks for forming the same. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a carrier for packaging a foodstuff such as but not limited to a pizza or slice thereof.
In the field of packaging, it is known to provide cartons for carrying foodstuffs. Cartons are well known in the art and are useful for enabling consumers to transport, store and access a foodstuff for consumption. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Further considerations are the strength of the carton and its suitability for holding and transporting it contents. It is desirable that the contents of the carton are secure within the carton, that the package is resistant to oil and grease.
The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of cartons, typically formed from paperboard or the like.
A first aspect of the invention provides a carton for packaging at least one article. The carton comprises a main panel and a plurality of side walls forming a tray. At least one of the side walls comprises a major recess for receiving a portion of a lid. The major recess defines a support edge for supporting the lid. At least one of the side walls comprises a minor recess extending from its major recess. The minor recess interrupts the support edge of said major recess and defines in part a window in the side wall.
Optionally, the tray is substantially triangular in shape.
Optionally, at least two of the side walls comprises a major recess for receiving a portion of a lid.
Optionally, the tray comprises three side walls and each of the side walls comprises a major recess for receiving a portion of a lid.
Optionally, each of the side walls comprises a minor recess interrupting the support edge of the respective major recess and defines in part a window in said side wall.
A second aspect of the invention provides a lid for a carton. The lid consists of, or comprises, a panel having at least one tab extending therefrom. The at least one tab is substantially coplanar with the panel. The at least one tab comprises an end edge extending from a free side edge of the panel. The end edge of the at least one tab and the free side edge of the panel define an angle therebetween, the angle is at least 90°.
Optionally, the panel comprises three tabs extending from respective side edges of the panel.
Optionally, the at least one tab comprises a pair of end edges each extending from a free side edge of the panel, each end edge of the at least one tab and the free side edge of the panel define an angle therebetween, the angle is at least 90°.
Optionally, the panel comprises truncated corners.
Optionally, the panel is generally triangular, and comprises three truncated corners.
A third aspect of the invention provides a lid for a carton. The lid consists of, or comprises, a panel having at least one tab extending from the panel for engaging a tray. The at least one tab is substantially coplanar with the panel. The panel comprises at least one truncated corner.
Optionally, all the corners of the panel are truncated.
Optionally, the panel is generally triangular, and comprises three truncated corners.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides a lid for a carton. The lid consists of or comprises a panel having at least two tabs extending therefrom. The at least two tabs are substantially coplanar with the panel. Each of the at least two tabs comprises an end edge extending from a respective free side edge of the panel. The end edges of the at least two tabs and said free side edge of the panel define a first angle therebetween. The first angle is at least 90°. The end edge of a first one of the at least two tabs and the end edge of a second one of the at least two tabs define a second angle therebetween, the angle is greater than 90°.
Optionally, the second angle is greater than the first angle.
A fifth aspect of the invention provides a package comprising a tray, a lid and an article disposed in the tray. The tray comprises a main panel and a plurality of side walls. At least one of the side walls comprises a major recess for receiving a portion of a lid. The major recess defines a support edge for supporting the lid. At least one of the side walls comprises a minor recess extending from its major recess. The minor recess interrupts the support edge of said major recess and defines in part a window in the side wall below the lid.
Optionally, the tray is substantially triangular in shape.
Optionally, at least two of the side walls comprises a major recess in which a portion of the lid is received.
Optionally, the tray comprises three side walls and each of the side walls comprises a major recess in which a portion of the lid is received.
Optionally, each of the side walls comprises a minor recess interrupting the support edge of the respective major recess and defines in part a window in said side wall.
Optionally, the lid comprises a panel having at least one tab extending therefrom, the at least one tab being substantially coplanar with the panel and at least a portion of the tab is supported by the support edge.
Optionally, the panel comprises three tabs extending from respective side edges of the panel, and wherein at least a portion of each tab is supported by a support edge defined by a respective major recess.
Optionally, each end of the major recess comprises an undercut defining an engaging edge forming part of a catch inhibiting unintentional removal of the lid.
Optionally, at least one tab comprises an end edge extending from a free side edge of the panel in engagement with the engaging edge of the catch.
Optionally, a free side edge of the panel abuts an inner surface of a respective side wall of the tray.
Optionally, a free side edge of the panel is disposed in close proximity to an inner surface of a respective side wall of the tray.
Optionally, portions of the side walls extend above the lid.
Optionally, the panel comprises at least one truncated corner providing an opening in the lid at a respective corner of the package.
Optionally, the panel is generally triangular and comprises three truncated corners.
Optionally, a first one of the side walls comprises a first major recess having a pair of undercuts and a second one of the side walls, adjacent to the first, comprises a second major recess having a pair of undercuts wherein the undercuts in the first one of the side walls and the second one of the side walls are obliquely oriented with respect to each other.
Optionally, each side wall cooperates with a catch or undercut in each of the other two side wall to encourage the lid into engagement therewith.
Optionally, an inner surface of each of the side walls provides an end stop limiting travel of the panel in a first direction and the undercuts in each of the other two side wall provides an end stop limiting travel of the panel in a second, generally opposing, direction.
A sixth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises panels for forming base panel and a plurality of side walls of a tray. Each of the plurality of side walls is hingedly connected to the base panel. At least one of the side walls comprises a major recess for receiving a portion of a lid. The major recess defines a support edge for supporting the lid. At least one of the side walls comprises a minor recess extending from its major recess. The minor recess interrupts the support edge of said major recess and defines in part a window in the side wall.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings and discussed below.
Within the scope of this application, it is envisaged or intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be considered or taken independently or in any combination thereof.
Features or elements described in connection with, or relation to, one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is an incompatibility of features. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into, or combined with, any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, said features or elements extracted from said one embodiment may be included in addition to, or in replacement of one or more features or elements of said other embodiment.
A feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment disclosed herein may be extracted in isolation from other features of that embodiment. Alternatively, a feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment may be omitted from that embodiment.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and carriers are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and carriers described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
Referring to
In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging and carrying articles or primary products.
The blanks 10A, 10B is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.
The packaging structures or cartons 90, 92 described herein may be formed from a sheet material such as paperboard, which may be made of or coated with materials to increase its strength or resistance to substances with which it comes into contact. An example of such a sheet material is ENSHIELD® oil-resistant paperboard made by WestRock Company. It should be noted that the resistant materials may be provided by more than one layer, to help improve the oil-resistance of the package. Typically, one surface of the sheet material may have different characteristics to the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material that faces outwardly from a finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating such as a clay coating or other surface treatment to provide good printability. The surface of the sheet material that faces inwardly may, on the other hand, be provided with a coating, a layer, a treatment or be otherwise prepared to provide properties such as one or more of oil-resistance, tear-resistance, good glue-ability, heat sealability, or other desired functional properties.
Referring to
A first side panel 14 is hingedly connected to a first side of the main panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 13. A second side panel 16 is hingedly connected to a second side of the main panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 15. A third side panel 18 is hingedly connected to a second side of the main panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 17.
The main panel 12 is generally triangular in shape and forms a tray with the first, second, and third side panels 14, 16, 18.
A first securing panel 20A is hingedly connected to a first end of the third side panel 18 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 21A. The first securing panel 20A is separated from a first end of the first side panel 14 by a cutline 23.
A second securing panel 20B is hingedly connected to a first end of the second side panel 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 21B. The second securing panel 20B is separated from a second end of the first side panel 14 by a recess or slot.
A third securing panel 20C is hingedly connected to a second end of the second side panel 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 21C. The third securing panel 20C is separated from a second end of the third side panel 18 by a recess or slot.
The hinged connection or fold line 21A may be disposed at an oblique angle to the hinged connection or fold line 17 between the third side panel 18 and the main panel 12. The fold line 21A and the fold line 17 may define angle greater than 90° therebetween. The hinged connection or fold line 21B may be disposed at an oblique angle to the hinged connection or fold line 15 between the second side panel 16 and the main panel 12. The fold line 21B and the fold line 15 may define angle greater than 90° therebetween. The hinged connection or fold line 21C may be disposed at an oblique angle to the hinged connection or fold line 15 between the second side panel 16 and the main panel 12. The fold line 21C and the fold line 15 may define angle greater than 90° therebetween. In this way, the tray may be tapered in shape, the first, second, and third side panels 14, 16, 18 may be obliquely oriented with respect to the main panel 12.
Each of the first, second, and third side panels 14, 16, 18 comprises a first or major cutaway or recess R1, R2, R3 in an upper, free, edge thereof. The upper or free edge opposes a hinged edge defined by a respective one of the hinged connections 13, 15, 17.
The first cutaway R1, R2, R3 provides a recess for receiving a portion of a lid L, see
Each of the first cutaways R1, R2, R3 comprises or defines engaging edges at each end thereof, the engaging edges EE1A, EE1B, EE2A, EE2B, EE3A, EE3B are defined by undercuts UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B. Each engaging edge EE1A, EE1B, EE2A, EE2B, EE3A, EE3B and the support edge SE1, SE2, SE3 from which it extends define an angle therebetween, the angle is less than 90°. In this way, a portion of the respective side wall 14, 16, 18 overhangs a portion of the lid L received in the first cutaway R1, R2, R3 to provide a catch or lock to secure the lid L in position.
Each of the first cutaways R1, R2, R3 is interrupted by a second or minor cutaway R1B, R2B, R3B. A portion of the support edge SE1, SE2, SE3 is disposed on opposing sides of the second or minor cutaway R1B, R2B, R3B. The second or minor cutaway R1B, R2B, R3B define, at least in part, a window W (see
The window W may also facilitate separation of the lid L from the tray 90 so a user may readily gain access to the interior of the tray 90.
Turning to the construction of the carrier 90 from the blank 10A, the blank 10A may be formed by folding the first securing panel 20A with respect to the third side panel 18 about fold line 21A. The second securing panel 20B is folded with respect to the second side panel 16 about fold line 21B and the third securing panel 20C is folded with respect to the second side panel 16 about fold line 21C.
Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to each of the first, second, and third securing panels 20A, 20B, 20C.
The second side panel 16 is folded with respect to the main panel 12, about fold line 15. The third side panel 18 is folded with respect to the main panel 12, about fold line 17, in doing so the third side panel 18 is brought into face contacting relationship with the third securing panel 20C and is secured thereto.
The first side panel 14 is folded with respect to the main panel 12, about fold line 13, in doing so the first side panel 14 is brought into face contacting relationship with each of the first and second securing panels 20A, 20B and is secured thereto to form a tray 90.
The tray 90 may be loaded with a product, such as a foodstuff, for example a slice of pizza.
The second blank 10B may be lowered with respect to the tray 90, the panel 30 is inserted into an open end of the tray 90. The panel 30 is pressed into engagement with the catches provided in the first, second, and third side panels 14, 16, 18. The tabs T1, T2, T3 engage the undercuts UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B. The tabs T1, T2, T3 rest upon the support edges SE1, SE2, SE3 provided by the side panels 14, 16, 18 and extend through the cutaways R1, R2, R3, as shown in
The truncated corners of the panel 30 may facilitate insertion of the panel 30 into the open end of the tray 90. Openings are disposed in the corners of the package 92 and may facilitate ventilation.
The lid L may be removed by inserting one or more fingers through one of the minor cutaways R1B, R2B, R3B and grasping the panel 30. Alternatively, a user may engage the lid L via one or more of the openings in the corner of the package 92 to remove the lid L.
The package 92 is stackable, a second package 92B may be stacked on top of the first package 92A as shown in
It will also be appreciated that the empty trays 90 shown in
The present disclosure provides a carton 90, 92 for packaging at least one article or product. The carton 90, 92 comprises a main panel 12, and a plurality of side walls 14, 16, 18 forming a tray 90. The tray 90 may be substantially triangular in shape. At least one of the side walls 14, 16, 18 comprises a major recess R1, R2, R3 for receiving a portion of a lid L. In other embodiments, at least two of the side walls 14, 16, 18 comprise a major recess R1, R2, R3 for receiving a portion of a lid L. In some embodiments, the tray 90 comprises three side walls 14, 16, 18 and each of the side walls 14, 16, 18 comprises a major recess R1, R2, R3 for receiving a portion of a lid L. The major recess R1, R2, R3 defines a support edge SE1, SE2, SE3 for supporting a portion of the lid L.
At least one of the side walls 14, 16, 18 comprises a minor recess R1B, R2B, R3B extending from its major recess R1, R2, R3. The minor recess R1B, R2B, R3B interrupts the support edge SE1, SE2, SE3 of said major recess R1, R2, R3. The minor recess R1B, R2B, R3B defines in part a window W in the side wall 14, 16, 18 below the lid L.
The present disclosure also provides a lid for a carton 90, 92, the lid L consisting of, or comprising, a panel 30 having at least one tab T1, T2, T3 extending therefrom. The at least one tab T1, T2, T3 is substantially coplanar with the panel 30. The panel 30 may have three tabs T1, T2, T3 extending from respective side edges of the panel 30.
The at least one tab T1, T2, T3 comprises an end edge extending from a free side edge of the panel 30. The end edge of the at least one tab T1, T2, T3 and the free side edge of the panel 30 define an angle θ therebetween. The angle θ may be at least 90°.
The at least one tab T1, T2, T3 comprises a pair of end edges each extending from a free side edge of the panel 30. Each end edge of the at least one tab T1, T2, T3 and the free side edge of the panel 30 define an angle θ therebetween. The angle θ may be at least 90°.
The free side edge of the panel 30 may be arranged to abut, or be disposed in close proximity to, an inner surface a respective side wall 14, 16, 18 of the tray 90.
The present disclosure also provides a lid for a carton 90, 92, the lid L consisting of, or comprising, a panel 30 having at least two tabs T1, T2, T3 extending therefrom. The at least two tabs T1, T2, T3 are substantially coplanar with the panel 30. Each of the at least two tabs T1, T2, T3 comprises an end edge extending from a respective free side edge of the panel 30. The end edges of the at least two tabs T1, T2, T3 and said free side edge of the panel 30 define a first angle θ therebetween. The first angle θ may be at least 90°. The end edge of a first one of the at least two tabs T1, T2, T3 and the end edge of a second one of the at least two tabs T1, T2, T3 define a second angle ω therebetween the second angle ω is greater than 90°. The second angle ω may be greater than the first angle θ.
Each end of the major recess R1, R2, R3 may comprises an undercut UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B defining an engaging edge EE1A, EE1B, EE2A, EE2B, EE3A, EE3B forming part of a catch for inhibiting unintentional removal of the lid L.
A first one of the side panels 14, 16, 18 comprises a first major recess having a pair of undercuts UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B and a second one of the side panels 14, 16, 18, adjacent to the first, comprises a second major recess having a pair of undercuts UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B wherein the undercuts UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B in the first one of the side panels 14, 16, 18 and the second one of the side panels 14, 16, 18 are divergently or obliquely oriented with respect to each other.
The panel 30 may comprise truncated, filleted or chamfered corners. The panel 30 may be generally triangular, and may comprise three truncated corners.
Each side wall 14, 16, 18 cooperates with a catch or undercut UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B in each of the other two side wall 14, 16, 18 to encourage the lid into engagement therewith. An inner surface of the side walls 14, 16, 18 provides an end stop limiting travel of the panel 30 in a first direction and the undercuts UC1A, UC1B, UC2A, UC2B, UC3A, UC3B in each of the other two side wall 14, 16, 18 provides an end stop limiting travel of the panel 30 in a second, generally opposing, direction.
It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “base”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
As used herein, the terms “hinged connection” and “fold line” refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. Any reference to “hinged connection” should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed, a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape. When linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed parallel with each other or be slightly angled with respect to each other. When curvilinear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a half moon-shaped panel therebetween.
As used herein, the term “fold line” may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cutline, a line of aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options.
It should be understood that hinged connections and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cutline, an interrupted cutline, slits, scores, embossed lines, debossed lines, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.
The phrase “in registry with” as used herein refers to the alignment of two or more elements in an erected carton, such as an aperture formed in a first of two overlapping panels and a second aperture formed in a second of two overlapping panels. Those elements in registry with each other may be aligned with each other in the direction of the thickness of the overlapping panels. For example, when an aperture in a first panel is “in registry with” a second aperture in a second panel that is placed in an overlapping arrangement with the first panel, an edge of the aperture may extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture and may be aligned, in the direction of the thickness of the first and second panels, with the second aperture.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63291395 | Dec 2021 | US |
