INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/624,544, filed Jan. 24, 2024, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/546,892, filed Nov. 1, 2023, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/037,425, filed Jul. 17, 2018, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/654,814, filed Jul. 20, 2017, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to blanks, containers, trays, constructs, and various features and methods for forming a container from a blank. More specifically, the disclosure is generally directed to a container having a reinforced flange.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a container for holding one or more products. The container can comprise a bottom panel and a sidewall extending at least upwardly from the bottom panel and extending at least partially around an interior of the container. The sidewall can comprise at least an end panel, a corner panel, and a side panel. A flange can extend outwardly from the sidewall. The flange can comprise at least an end flange portion foldably connected to the end panel, a side flange portion foldably connected to the side panel, and a corner flange portion foldably connected to the corner panel. An extension can extend from each of the end flange portion and the side flange portion, and the corner flange portion can be in an overlapping relationship with each of the extensions for reinforcing the flange.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a container. the blank can comprise a bottom panel and a plurality of sidewall panels foldably connected to the bottom panel. The plurality of sidewall panels can comprise at least an end panel, a corner panel, and a side panel, and the plurality of sidewall panels can be for at least partially forming a sidewall of the container formed from the blank. A plurality of flange portions can be for at least partially forming a flange for extending outwardly from the sidewall when the container is formed from the blank. The plurality of flange portions can comprise at least an end flange portion foldably connected to the end panel, a side flange portion foldably connected to the side panel, and a corner flange portion foldably connected to the corner panel. An extension can extend from each of the end flange portion and the side flange portion, and the corner flange portion can be for being in an overlapping relationship with each of the extensions for reinforcing the flange when the container is formed from the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a container for holding one or more products. The method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising a bottom panel, a plurality of sidewall panels foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a plurality of flange portions. The plurality of sidewall panels can comprise at least an end panel, a corner panel, and a side panel, and the plurality of flange portions can comprise at least an end flange portion foldably connected to the end panel, a side flange portion foldably connected to the side panel, and a corner flange portion foldably connected to the corner panel. An extension can extend from each of the end flange portion and the side flange portion. The method further can comprise forming a sidewall comprising the plurality of sidewall panels by folding the plurality of sidewall panels to extend at least upwardly from the bottom panel. The method also can comprise forming a flange comprising the plurality of flange portions by folding the plurality of flange portions to extend outwardly from the sidewall. The forming the flange can comprise arranging the corner flange portion and the extensions to be in an at least partially overlapping relationship.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a detail view of a corner portion of the blank of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are top perspective views of a container formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container according to further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a container formed from the blank of FIG. 6 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container according to further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a container formed from the blank of FIG. 8 according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 9.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The present disclosure relates generally to various aspects of containers, constructs, trays, materials, packages, elements, and articles, and methods of making such containers, constructs, trays, materials, packages, elements, and articles. Although several different aspects, implementations, and embodiments are disclosed, numerous interrelationships between, combinations thereof, and modifications of the various aspects, implementations, and embodiments are contemplated hereby. In illustrated embodiments, the present disclosure relates to forming a container or tray for holding food items or various other articles. However, in other embodiments, the container or tray can be used to form other non-food containing articles or may be used for heating or cooking. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “interior,” “outer,” “exterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright packages. As described herein, constructs can be formed from blanks with multiple panels, portions, tabs, flaps, and/or fold lines, which may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in sequential or nonsequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates a blank 3 that is used to form a tray or container 5 (FIGS. 3-5) according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. In embodiments, the container 5 can be used to hold food items, such as fruits and/or vegetables, and/or other suitable products. In exemplary embodiments, the blank 3 can comprise paperboard with one or more food-contacting layers along at least a portion of the interior surface of the blank 3. For example, the food-contacting layer can include one or more materials that are coated and/or laminated on the interior surface of the blank 3, wherein the materials can be waterproof, water resistant, food safe, and/or can have other suitable properties. Alternatively, the food contacting layer could be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 3 has a longitudinal direction L1 and a lateral direction L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 has a bottom panel 11, a first end panel 13 foldably connected to the bottom panel at a lateral fold line 15, a second end panel 17 foldably connected to the bottom panel at a lateral fold line 19, a first side panel 21 foldably connected to the bottom panel 11 at a longitudinal fold line 23, and a second side panel 25 foldably connected to the bottom panel at a longitudinal fold line 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 includes corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 foldably connected to the bottom panel 11 at respective oblique fold lines 37, 39, 41, 43. As shown in FIG. 1, the corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 are disposed between respectively adjacent end panels 13, 17 and side panels 2125. In examples, the blank 3 can include a plurality of sidewall panels, which can include at least the end panels 13, 17, the side panels 21, 25, and the corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 that can cooperate to form a sidewall 77 of the container 5. In embodiments, the blank 3 includes eight sidewall panels (the two end panels 13, 17, the two side panels 21, 25, and the four corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35) extending around a perimeter of the bottom panel 11 so that the eight fold lines 15, 19, 23, 27, 37, 39, 41, 43 form an octagonal perimeter of the bottom panel 11. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the fold lines 15, 19, 23, 27, 37, 39, 41, 43 can be oblique with respect to its respectively adjacent fold lines and can form an obtuse angle with each of its respectively adjacent fold lines.
In the illustrated embodiments, each of the end panels 13, 17 and the side panels 21, 25 includes a respective end flange portion 45, 47 and side flange portion 49, 51 at least partially defined by respective fold lines 61, 63, 65, 67 extending in the respective panels 13, 17, 21, 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 are foldably connected to the respective corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 by respective folding features or folding panels 111 (e.g., “pop-in corners”) described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiments, the flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 can cooperate to at least partially form a flange 79 of the container 5. In exemplary embodiments, adjacent flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are configured to at least partially overlap when the blank 3 is formed into the container 5. For example, the corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 are sized to at least partially overlap the respectively adjacent end flange portions 45, 47 and side flange portions 49, 51 when the flange 79 is formed. Any of the bottom panel 11, the end panels 13, 17, the side panels 21, 25, the corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35, the flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, and/or the folding features 111 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the blank 3 could have any suitable number of panels and any suitable shape for the perimeter around the bottom panel 11. In another example, the folding features 111 could be replaced by fold lines or other suitable features.
In the illustrated embodiments, two opposed reinforcing flaps or attachment flaps 101a can be foldably connected to each of the end panels 13, 17 along respective fold lines 103, and two opposed reinforcing flaps or attachment flaps 101b can be foldably connected to each of the side panels 21, 25 along respective fold lines 103. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51 foldably connected to the respective end panels 13, 17 and side panels 21, 25 can include an extension 109 extending from each end for reinforcing the respectively adjacent flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 foldably connected to the respective end panels 13, 17 and side panels 21, 25. In embodiments, the attachment flaps 101a, 101b can be attached (e.g., glued) in face-to-face contact with the respectively adjacent corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 when the sidewall 77 is formed. Any of the attachment flaps 101a, 101b and/or the extensions 109 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 3 can include stiffening or retention features that strengthen and/or reinforce the container 5 formed from the blank 3, such as by increasing the rigidity of the sidewall 77 of the container 5. For example, the retention features can help retain the container 5 in a desired shape, such as by helping to prevent the flange 79 formed by the flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 from folding upwardly relative to the sidewall 77 formed by the sidewall panels 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 31, 33, 35. In the illustrated embodiments, each of the retention features can include the folding features 111, an intermediate fold line 113, and two corner fold lines 115 extending in each of the corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35. As shown in FIG. 2, in connection with the first corner panel 29, the folding features 111 can include two oblique fold lines 117a extending along the corner panel 29 and two oblique fold lines 117b extending along the corner flange portion 53, wherein the four oblique fold lines 117a, 117b can be arranged in a diamond shape (e.g., defining a diamond-shaped folding panel 119). In exemplary embodiments, each of the oblique fold lines 117a can cooperate with a respective one of the oblique fold lines 117b to at least partially form two opposed V-shaped folding areas in the corner panel 29.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first portion of the intermediate fold line 113 can extend along at least a portion of the length of the corner panel 29 (e.g., along a centerline of the corner panel). In embodiments, a second portion of the intermediate fold line 113 can extend through the folding feature 111 (e.g., along a centerline of the folding feature and/or aligned with the vertices of the V-shaped folding areas formed by the respective oblique fold lines 117a and 117b), and the intermediate fold line 113 can be perpendicular to the fold line 37 connecting the corner panel 29 to the bottom panel 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate fold line 113 is spaced apart from the fold line 37 and the corner fold lines 115 can extend from an end of the intermediate fold line 113 toward the bottom panel 11 and respective corners of the corner panel 29 (e.g., to respective ends of the fold line 37). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the corner fold lines 115 can be oblique with respect to the intermediate fold line 113 and the fold line 37 so that the corner fold lines 115 and the fold line 37 cooperate to at least partially form a triangular panel 116 at the base of the corner panel 29 with the intermediate fold line 113 extending from a vertex of the triangle shape. The retention features of the corner panels 31, 33, 35 can be similar or identical to the retention features of the first corner panel 29. Any of the retention features could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 3 can include one or more cutouts 99 in each of the end panels 13, 17 and side panels 21, 25. In embodiments, the cutouts 99 can form openings in the sidewall 77 of the container 5 for ventilation, for viewing the interior of the container 5, and/or for other suitable purposes. The blank 3 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the container 5 can be formed from the blank 3 by folding the sidewall panels, including the end panels 13, 17, the side panels 21, 23, and the corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35, upwardly along the respective fold lines 15, 19, 23, 27, 37, 39, 41, 43 to form the sidewall 77 extending around the perimeter of the bottom panel 11. In embodiments, the sidewall 77 can extend obliquely upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel 11 around the perimeter of the container 5. In the illustrated embodiments, the end and side flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51 can be folded along respective fold lines 61, 63, 65, 67 to extend outwardly from the respective end panels 13, 17 and side panels 21, 25 and the corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 can be folded along the respective folding features 111 to extend outwardly from the respective corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35. In embodiments, at least the flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 form the flange 79 that extends outwardly from the sidewall 77 around the perimeter of the container 5. In embodiments, the sidewall 77 can extend along substantially the entire perimeter of the bottom panel 11, and the flange 79 can extend along substantially the entire perimeter of the sidewall 77. In exemplary embodiments, the sidewall 77 and the bottom panel 11 can at least partially define an interior 81 of the container 5 and can have an inner surface 83 extending along the interior 81.
As the sidewall 77 is formed, the attachment panels 101a, 101b can be moved into an overlapping relationship with the respectively adjacent corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35. In embodiments, the attachment panels 101a, 101b can be positioned and/or attached (e.g., glued) in face-to-face contact with an exterior surface of the respective corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 (FIGS. 3 and 5). As shown in FIG. 3, the extensions 109 and the corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 can be moved into an overlapping relationship in the flange 79. For example, the extensions 109 can be positioned in face-to-face contact with a lower or outer surface of the respectively adjacent corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 and, in embodiments, the overlapping corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 and extensions 109 can be attached (e.g., glued) together.
As shown in FIGS. 3-5, as the corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 are folded outwardly along the folding features 111, the retention features (e.g., including the folding features 111 and the fold lines 113, 115) can shape up the corners of the container 5 in a way that helps retain the shape of the flange 79, such as by helping to prevent the flange 79 from folding upwardly relative to the sidewall 77. For example, as the folding features 111 fold along the oblique fold lines 117a, 117b, the diamond-shaped panel 119 can be caused to press outwardly, such as so that the second portion of the intermediate fold lines 113 extending in the respective diamond-shaped panels 119 is folded outwardly, away from the interior 81 of the container 5. In addition, as the folding features 111 are folded, the first portion of the intermediate fold lines 113 in the respective corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 and the corner fold lines 115 can be moved inwardly (e.g., so that the respective corner panel 29, 31, 33, 35 is folded inwardly at the fold lines 113, 115).
In embodiments, the above configuration of the retention features, pressing the diamond-shaped panels 119 outwardly and pressing the corner panels 29, 31, 33, 35 inwardly, can help bias the corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 downwardly to resist forces that would tend to fold the corner flange portions upwardly. In the illustrated embodiments, the corner flange portions 53, 55, 57, 59 can overlap the flange extensions 109 to help bias the end flange portions 45, 47 and the side flange portions 49, 51 downwardly. Accordingly, the retention features can help resist upward folding of the flange 79. In embodiments, moisture ingress, forces due to transit and/or handling, manipulation, etc. can tend to apply upward forces on the flange 79, and the bias due to the retention features can help resist such upward forces to help resist or prevent upward folding of the flange 79.
In embodiments, a lid (not shown) can comprise packaging film that is a thin plastic layer used to preserve and protect a food item or other suitable item(s) contained in the tray and can be removably attached to the flange 79 of the container 5. Any plastic film, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polyamide, and ethylene vinyl alcohol, or other suitable material, can be used for forming the lid that is sealed against the upper sealing surface of the flange 79. Further, adhesives can be used between the lid and the sealing surface of the flange 79 without departing from the disclosure. Alternatively, the lid could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank 403 for forming a container 405 (FIG. 7) of a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment is generally similar to the prior embodiments, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG. 6, the folding features 111 and the fold lines 113, 115 are omitted in the corner panels 429, 431, 433, 435 of the blank 403. In the illustrated embodiments, the corner flange portions 453, 455, 457, 459 are foldably connected to the respective corner panels 429, 431, 433, 435 along respective curved fold lines 469, 471, 473, 475. As shown in FIG. 6, the curved fold lines 469, 471, 473, 475 can be concave with respect to the respective corner flange portions 453, 455, 457, 459 and can be convex with respect to the respective corner panels 429, 431, 433, 435. As shown in FIG. 6, the panels, flaps, extensions, fold lines, and/or other features of the blank 403 can have different shapes and/or sizes than the features with the same reference characters in the prior embodiments. The blank 403 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 7, the container 405 can be formed from the blank 403 in a similar or the same manner as described above with respect to the prior embodiments. For example, the end panels 13, 17, the side panels 21, 25, and the corner panels 429, 431, 433, 435 can cooperate to form a sidewall 477 extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom panel 11, with the attachment flaps 101a, 101b attached to the exterior surfaces of the respectively adjacent corner panels 429, 431, 433, 435. As shown in FIG. 7, the end flange portions 45, 47 and the side flange portions 49, 51 can be folded along the respective fold lines 61, 63, 65, 67 to extend outwardly from the sidewall 477, and the corner flange portions 453, 455, 457, 459 can be folded along the respective curved fold lines 469, 471, 473, 475 to extend outwardly from the sidewall 477 and to overlap the extensions 109. In embodiments, the extensions 109 can be glued to the undersides of the corner flange portions 453, 455, 457, 459. Accordingly, the flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51, 453, 455, 457, 459 can at least partially form a flange 479 extending outwardly from the sidewall 477. In exemplary embodiments, the curved fold lines 469, 471, 473, 475 can help create a negative fold angle and board tension to overcome the board memory, which can help to angle the radius corners in a downward direction. In embodiments, this can help to maintain the flange 479 in a horizontal position at least along the end panels 13, 17 and the side panels 21, 25 in the container 405 is formed from the blank 403. The container 405 could be otherwise formed from the blank 403 without departing from the disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank 603 for forming a container 605 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of a third embodiment of the disclosure. The third embodiment is generally similar to the prior embodiments, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG. 8, the folding features 111 and the fold lines 113, 115 are omitted in the corner panels 629, 631, 633, 635 of the blank 603 and the attachment flaps 101a, 101b are omitted from the end panels 13, 17 and the side panels 21, 25 of the blank 603. In the illustrated embodiments, the corner flange portions 653, 655, 657, 659 are foldably connected to the respective corner panels 629, 631, 633, 635 along respective oblique fold lines 669, 671, 673, 675.
As shown in FIG. 8, two opposed side reinforcing panels or attachment panels 701a, 701b can be foldably connected to each of the corner panels 629, 631, 633, 635 along respective oblique fold lines 703. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the attachment panels 701a, 701b can be foldably connected to a respective flange reinforcing flap 705 along a respective oblique fold line 707. As shown in FIG. 8, the panels, flaps, extensions, fold lines, and/or other features of the blank 603 can have different shapes and/or sizes than the features with the same reference characters in the prior embodiments. The blank 603 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the container 605 can be formed from the blank 603 in a similar or the same manner as described above with respect to the prior embodiments. As the sidewall 677 is formed, the attachment panels 701a can be moved into an overlapping relationship with the respectively adjacent end panels 13, 17 and the attachment panels 701b can be moved into an overlapping relationship with the respectively adjacent side panels 21, 25. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the attachment panels 701a can be positioned and/or attached (e.g., glued) in face-to-face contact with an exterior surface of the respective end panels 13, 17 and the attachment panels 701b can be positioned in face-to-face contact with an exterior surface of the respective side panels 21, 25.
In embodiments, the flange reinforcing flaps 705 can be moved into an overlapping relationship with the respectively adjacent end and side flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51. In exemplary embodiments, the flange reinforcing flaps 705 can be positioned and/or attached (e.g., glued) in face-to-face contact with an exterior surface or underside of the respective end and side flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51 when the flange 679 is formed (FIG. 10). In embodiments, the flange reinforcing flaps 705 can connect the end and side flange portions 45, 47, 49, 51 of the flange to the attachment panels 701a, 701b to provide additional strength to the flange and to help resist or prevent the flange portions from folding upwardly (e.g., due to moisture ingress, transit, and/or manipulation).
In embodiments, the extensions 109 and the corner flange portions 653, 655, 657, 659 can be moved into an overlapping relationship. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the extensions 109 can be positioned in face-to-face contact with an upper surface of the respectively adjacent corner flange portions 653, 655, 657, 659 and the corner flange portions 653, 655, 657, 659 and the extensions 109 can be attached (e.g., glued) together. In embodiments, the adjacent extensions 109 at each corner can be configured to abut one another or be proximate to one another when the flange 679 of the container 605 is formed.
In embodiments, the flange features and/or other features of the blanks 3, 403, 603 and the cartons formed therefrom can help increase the rigidity of the flange and can help prevent the flange from lifting upwardly (e.g., during packing of the container and/or within the supply chain). This can assist in keeping the flange flat during sealing processes (e.g., attaching a liner and/or attaching a lid material to the flange).
Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
All dimensional information presented herein is intended to be illustrative of certain aspects, features, etc., of various embodiments of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The dimensions of the blanks, containers, forming tools, features, or any other dimension, can be more or less than what is shown and described in this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure and can be within the listed ranges of dimensions for each feature or outside the listed ranges of dimensions for each feature without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The blanks according to the present invention can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.
In general, the blanks may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blanks can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
The foregoing description illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present disclosure. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, and alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are contemplated and are within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Patent Application
20250136319
