Carton, blank therefor and packing arrangement thereof

Abstract

A carton including a bottom, side walls and end walls, the end walls having formed therein handle and ventilation cut outs and diagonally extending corner walls.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shipping and storage containers and palleted arrangements thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following U.S. patents are believed to represent the current state of the art:

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,927,494; 5,487,505, 5,289,971 and 4,911,355.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide improved shipping and storage containers and palleted arrangements thereof.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a carton including a bottom, side walls and end walls, the end walls having formed therein handle and ventilation cut outs and diagonally extending corner walls.

Preferably, the handle and ventilation cut outs each include a plurality of apertures. Additionally or alternatively, the handle and ventilation cut outs include a first outer ply having a generally rectangular cut out and a second inner ply having a plurality of apertures.

Preferably, the side walls include a central cut out.

Preferably, the carton is formed of corrugated cardboard. Additionally, the diagonally extending corner walls include at least two layers of corrugated cardboard. Additionally or alternatively, the diagonally extending corner walls include corrugated cardboard with a vertical rib.

Preferably, the carton is formed by suitable folding and gluing of a blank, cut of conventional corrugated cardboard which includes a central, generally rectangular bottom portion having diagonally cut corner edges and central rectangular cut outs located adjacent end edges thereof. Additionally, the blank includes outer end and corner flaps, joined to the bottom portion at the end edges, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along the end edges. Preferably, the outer end and corner flaps include an end portion, a pair of diagonal corner portions and a pair of side overlap portions. Additionally, the end portion of the outer end and corner flaps includes a central end handle cut out.

Preferably, the blank includes inner end and corner flaps, joined to the outer end and corner flaps along an edge of the end portion, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along the edge of the end portion. Additionally, the inner end and corner flaps include an end portion, a pair of diagonal corner portions and a pair of side overlap portions. Additionally, the end portion of the inner end and corner flaps includes a central end handle cut out.

Preferably, the central end handle cut out of the end portion of the inner end and corner flaps includes a plurality of apertures. Additionally, the apertures are sized to accommodate fingers of a user of the handle.

Preferably, the end portion of the inner end and corner flaps includes a central tab adjacent a first edge thereof. Additionally, the end portion of the inner end and corner flaps includes a central cut out disposed along a second edge thereof, the second edge being parallel to and opposite the first edge.

Preferably, the blank includes side panels, joined to the bottom portion at side edges thereof, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along the side edges. Additionally, the side panels include a central cut out having a central fold over flap extending thereto, the flap being delineated from the side panel by a fold line at an elongate edge of the cut out.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons, each including a bottom, side walls and end walls, the end walls having formed therein handle and ventilation cut outs and diagonally extending corner walls, the palleted arrangement being characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between the diagonally extending corner walls of adjacent cartons and communicates with the interior of at least one carton via the handle and ventilation cut outs.

Preferably, the palleted arrangement is characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between the diagonally extending corner walls of adjacent cartons and communicates with the interior of at least one carton via the side walls. Additionally or alternatively, the palleted arrangement is characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between the handle and ventilation cut outs of adjacent cartons. Alternatively or additionally, the palleted arrangement is characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between the side walls of adjacent cartons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A & 1B are simplified pictorial illustrations of two variations of a cardboard carton constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A & 2B are simplified illustrations of blanks used in making the cardboard cartons shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively;

FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing fluid flow passageways;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective pictorial and top view illustrations of a stacked palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing fluid flow passageways; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective pictorial and top view illustrations of a group of stacked palleted arrangements of cardboard cartons of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing fluid flow passageways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A & 1B, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of two variations of a cardboard carton constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and to FIGS. 2A & 2B, which are simplified illustrations of blanks used in making the cardboard cartons shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively.

Turning specifically to FIGS. 1A and 2A, it is seen that a preferred embodiment of the cardboard carton of the present invention is formed by suitable folding and gluing of a blank, cut of conventional corrugated cardboard which includes a central, generally rectangular bottom portion 100 having diagonally cut corner edges 102 and central rectangular cut outs 104 located adjacent end edges 106 thereof.

Joined to bottom portion 100 at end edges 106, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along edges 106, are outer end and corner flaps 108. Each of outer end and corner flaps 108 includes an end portion 110 having a central end handle cut out 112, a pair of diagonal corner portions 114 and, extending therefrom a pair of side overlap portions 116.

Joined to each of outer end and corner flaps 108 and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along end edges 120 along the end portions 110 thereof are inner end and corner flaps 128. Each of inner end and corner flaps 128 includes an end portion 130 having a central end handle cut out 132, preferably in the form of a series of apertures 133, preferably sized to accommodate fingers of a user of the handle, a pair of diagonal corner portions 134 and, extending therefrom a pair of side overlap portions 138. End portions 130 are each formed with a central tab 140 adjacent end edge 120 and a central cut out 142 disposed along an edge 144, extending parallel to and opposite edge 120.

Joined to bottom portion 100 at side edges 146, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along edges 146, are side panels 148. Each of side panels 148 includes a central cut out 150 having a central fold over flap 152 extending thereto and delineated from side panel 148 by a fold line at an elongate edge 154 of the cut out 150.

From a consideration of FIGS. 1A and 2A, it can be seen that the cardboard carton of FIG. 1A is formed by folding inner end and corner flaps 128 over outer end and corner flaps 108 at fold lines extending along end edges 120, such that inner end and corner flaps 128 generally overlie outer end and corner flaps 108 and tabs 140 extend upwardly in the sense of FIG. 1A, while cut outs 142 lie adjacent and in alignment with cut outs 104, together forming bottom openings at edges 106. In this arrangement central end handle cut out 132, including apertures 133, is aligned with central end handle cut out 112.

Side panels 148 are folded at fold lines extending along side edges 146 to lie perpendicular to bottom portion 100 and flaps 152 are folded over at fold lines extending along edges 154. Side overlap portions 116 and 138 are bent to lie perpendicularly to end portions 110 and are glued to each other and to inner walls of side panels 148, such that diagonal corner portions 114 and 134 generally overlie diagonally cut corner edges 102.

It is appreciated that the attachment of side overlap portions 116 and 138 to each other and to inner walls of side panels 148 defines a carton wall formed of at least two layers of corrugated cardboard along a diagonal corner portion and the sides adjacent thereto. The multiple layers provide a stronger carton than a carton formed with a single corrugated cardboard layer. It is further appreciated that the at least two layers along the diagonal corner portion and adjacent sides include corrugated cardboard with a vertical rib, as seen in FIG. 1A, for additional strength and stability.

Turning now to FIGS. 1B and 2B, it is seen that another preferred embodiment of the cardboard carton of the present invention is similar to that of FIGS. 1A and 1B in that is formed by suitable folding and gluing of a blank, cut of conventional corrugated cardboard which includes a central, generally rectangular bottom portion 200 having diagonally cut corner edges 202 and central rectangular cut outs 204 located adjacent end edges 206 thereof.

Joined to bottom portion 200 at end edges 206, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along edges 206, are outer end and corner flaps 208. Each of outer end and corner flaps 208 includes an end portion 210 having a central end handle cut out 212, a pair of diagonal corner portions 214 and, extending therefrom a pair of side overlap portions 216.

Joined to each of outer end and corner flaps 208 and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along end edges 220 along the end portions 210 thereof are inner end and corner flaps 228. Each of inner end and corner flaps 228 includes an end portion 230 having a central end handle cut out 232, which, as distinguished from the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 2A is not in the form of a series of apertures, but rather is of the same size as cut out 212, a pair of diagonal corner portions 234 and, extending therefrom a pair of side overlap portions 238. End portions 230 are each formed with a central tab 240 adjacent end edge 220 and a central cut out 242 disposed along an edge 244, extending parallel to and opposite edge 220.

Joined to bottom portion 200 at side edges 246, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along edges 246 are side panels 248. Each of side panels 248 includes a central cut out 250 having a central fold over flap 252 extending thereto and delineated from side panel 248 by a fold line at an elongate edge 254 of the cut out 250.

From a consideration of FIGS. 1B and 2B, it can be seen that the cardboard carton of FIG. 1B is formed by folding inner end and corner flaps 228 over outer end and corner flaps 208 at fold lines extending along end edges 220, such that inner end and corner flaps 228 generally overlie outer end and corner flaps 208 and tabs 240 extend upwardly in the sense of FIG. 1B, while cut outs 242 lie adjacent and in alignment with cut outs 204, together forming bottom openings at edges 206. In this arrangement central end handle cut out 232 is aligned with central end handle cut out 212.

Side panels 248 are folded at fold lines extending along side edges 246 to lie perpendicular to bottom portion 200 and flaps 252 are folded over at fold lines extending along edges 254. Side overlap portions 216 and 238 are bent to lie perpendicularly to end portions 210 and are glued to each other and to inner walls of side panels 248, such that diagonal corner portions 214 and 234 generally overlie diagonally cut corner edges 202.

It is appreciated that the attachment of side overlap portions 216 and 238 to each other and to inner walls of side panels 248 defines a carton wall formed of at least two layers of corrugated cardboard along a diagonal corner portion and the sides adjacent thereto. The multiple layers provide a stronger carton than a carton formed with a single corrugated cardboard layer. It is further appreciated that the at least two layers along the diagonal corner portion and adjacent sides include corrugated cardboard with a vertical rib, as seen in FIG. 1B, for additional strength and stability.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified illustration of a palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing fluid flow passageways therebetween. As seen in FIG. 3, on a typical pallet 300, three cartons, here designated by reference numerals 310, 312 and 314, of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, are arranged side by side in a row and two cartons, here designated by reference numerals 316 and 318, are arranged end to end in a row in touching side by side arrangement with cartons 310, 312, and 314. It is noted that in the palleted arrangement shown in FIG. 3, three fluid flow passageways, designed by respective reference numerals 322, 324 and 326, are defined between the cartons. Fluid flow passageway 322 is defined between diagonal corner portions 114 of respective cartons 310 and 312 and side panel 148 of carton 316. Similarly, fluid flow passageway 324 is defined between diagonal corner portions 114 of respective cartons 312 and 314 and side panel 148 of carton 318. Each of fluid flow passageways 322 and 324 communicates with the interior of a respective carton 316 and 318 via the center portion of side panel 148 at folded down flaps 152.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that fluid flow passageway 326 communicates with the interior of carton 312 via mutually aligned handle cut outs 112 and 132 and apertures 133. Additional fluid communication with the interior of cartons 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318 is provided via mutually aligned handle cut outs 112 and 132 and apertures 133 and via central portions of side panels 148 and folded down flaps 152 as shown.

It is appreciated that the arrangement of FIG. 3 and its advantages are equally applicable to the carton embodiment of FIGS. 1B & 2B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are respective pictorial and top view illustrations of a stacked palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing fluid flow passageways. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a palletized arrangement of multiple layers of cartons, each layer being in the arrangement of FIG. 3. It is seen that the fluid passageways 322, 324 and 326 of each layer are aligned to define respective channels 422, 424 and 426 through which cooling air or other gases may pass into communication with each of the cartons.

It is appreciated that the arrangement of FIGS. 4A & 4B and its advantages are equally applicable to the carton embodiment of FIGS. 1B & 2B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are respective pictorial and top view illustrations of a group of stacked palleted arrangements of cardboard cartons of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing fluid flow passageways. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, each of the stacked palleted arrangements is of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 4A & 4B. It is noted that in addition to fluid flow channels 422, 424 and 426 defined within stacked palleted arrangements, there are additional fluid flow channels defined between adjacent stacked palleted arrangements. These include channels 522 which are defined by four adjacent diagonal corner walls of the cartons, two corner channels 524 which communicate with the interiors of the cartons via central portions of side panels 148 and folded down flaps 152 as shown and two corner channels 526 which communicate with the interiors of the cartons via mutually aligned handle cut outs 112 and 132 and apertures 133. It is appreciated that channels 522 provide fluid flow between pallets and cartons, but do not generally provide fluid flow to the interior of the cartons.

It is appreciated that the arrangement of FIGS. 5A & 5B and its advantages are equally applicable to the carton embodiment of FIGS. 1B & 2B.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof as would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing specification and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

1. A carton comprising: a bottom, side walls and end walls, the end walls having formed therein handle and ventilation cut outs; and diagonally extending corner walls.

2. A carton according to claim 1 and wherein the handle and ventilation cut outs each include a plurality of apertures.

3. A carton according to claim 1 and wherein the handle and ventilation cut outs include a first outer ply having a generally rectangular cut out and a second inner ply having a plurality of apertures.

4. A carton according to claim 1 and wherein said side walls include a central cut out.

5. A carton according to claim 1 and being formed of corrugated cardboard.

6. A carton according to claim 5 and wherein said diagonally extending corner walls include at least two layers of corrugated cardboard.

7. A carton according to claim 5 and wherein said diagonally extending corner walls include corrugated cardboard with a vertical rib.

8. A carton according to claim 1 being formed by suitable folding and gluing of a blank, cut of conventional corrugated cardboard which includes a central, generally rectangular bottom portion having diagonally cut corner edges and central rectangular cut outs located adjacent end edges thereof.

9. A carton according to claim 8 and wherein said blank includes outer end and corner flaps, joined to said bottom portion at said end edges, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along said end edges.

10. A carton according to claim 9 and wherein said outer end and corner flaps include an end portion, a pair of diagonal corner portions and a pair of side overlap portions.

11. A carton according to claim 10 and wherein said end portion includes a central end handle cut out.

12. A carton according to claim 9 and wherein said blank includes inner end and corner flaps, joined to said outer end and corner flaps along an edge of said end portion, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along said edge of said end portion.

13. A carton according to claim 12 and wherein said inner end and corner flaps include an end portion, a pair of diagonal corner portions and a pair of side overlap portions.

14. A carton according to claim 13 and wherein said end portion of said inner end and corner flaps includes a central end handle cut out.

15. A carton according to claim 14 and wherein said central end handle cut out of said end portion of said inner end and corner flaps includes a plurality of apertures.

16. A carton according to claim 15 and wherein said apertures are sized to accommodate fingers of a user of the handle.

17. A carton according to claim 13 and wherein said end portion of said inner end and corner flaps includes a central tab adjacent a first edge thereof.

18. A carton according to claim 17 and wherein said end portion of said inner end and corner flaps includes a central cut out disposed along a second edge thereof, said second edge being parallel to and opposite said first edge.

19. A carton according to claim 8 and wherein said blank includes side panels, joined to said bottom portion at side edges thereof, and delineated therefrom by fold lines extending along said side edges.

20. A carton according to claim 19 and wherein said side panels include a central cut out having a central fold over flap extending thereto, said flap being delineated from said side panel by a fold line at an elongate edge of said cut out.

21. A palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons, each including: a bottom, side walls and end walls, the end walls having formed therein handle and ventilation cut outs and diagonally extending corner walls, said palleted arrangement being characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between said diagonally extending corner walls of adjacent cartons and communicates with the interior of at least one carton via said handle and ventilation cut outs.

22. A palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons according to claim 21 and wherein said palleted arrangement is characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between said diagonally extending corner walls of adjacent cartons and communicates with the interior of at least one carton via said side walls.

23. A palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons according to claim 21 and wherein said palleted arrangement is characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between said handle and ventilation cut outs of adjacent cartons.

24. A palleted arrangement of cardboard cartons according to claim 21 and wherein said palleted arrangement is characterized in that a fluid flow passageway is defined between said side walls of adjacent cartons.