The present disclosure relates to containers or trays formed from a blank of material and, more particularly, to a container that is formed with a leak proof construction for retaining moisture or fluid within the container.
In some applications of containers or trays formed of folded material such as paperboard material, e.g., corrugated paperboard, the container or tray may be configured to receive products having moisture or a fluid content that can leak into a base portion of the container or tray. In a known use of a container, a package containing protein parts of poultry may be supported within the container and the container can prevent leakage of fluids outside of the container.
For example, one known type of container can be formed from a blank of corrugated material wherein a bottom panel and a plurality of side panels may be formed of a unitary construction from a die cut and scored sheet of material. It is also known to provide such a container construction wherein the corners adjacent to the bottom are sealed. In such a container construction, the side panels can be integrally connected to the bottom panel along respective fold lines, and adjacent side panels can be connected by a folded gusset or web that is disposed at each corner to essentially configure the corners as leak proof connections between panels. While such container constructions can facilitate containing and handing of food products, such as in a food processing plant, one known problem that may be associated with leakproof containers is the potential of foreign object contamination. For example, in production processes for corrugated container blanks configurated and used for forming current leakproof containers, there is potential for corrugated trim to remain attached to the container blank. Hence, there remains a possibility that trim debris may release from a container to contaminate the container contents, such as when containers are assembled manually or mechanically and/or when containers are positioned in close relation to each other as trim falls in between stacked containers during manufacturing, wherein the trim can find its way into assembled boxes filled with product.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a blank for making a leak proof container is described. The blank comprises a bottom panel having a plurality of peripheral edges. First and second side panels are connected to the bottom panel at opposing lateral peripheral edges and define lower edges of the container. First and second end portions are located at opposing longitudinal ends of the blank. Each end portion includes an inner end panel connected to a longitudinal peripheral edge of the bottom panel, an outer end panel having an inner longitudinal edge hingedly connected to a longitudinal edge of the inner end panel, first and second corner panels, each corner panel having a longitudinal edge connected to a respective one of the first and second side panels and a lateral edge connected to a lateral edge of the inner end panel. An adhesive area is located on one side of the blank and comprises at least a portion on each of the outer end panel and the inner end panel.
The adhesive area may extend longitudinally generally continuously from the outer end panel to the inner end panel.
The adhesive area may comprise first and second laterally spaced adhesive areas.
The first and second adhesive areas may include outer lateral edges located adjacent to respective lateral edges of the outer end panels and adjacent to respective lateral edges of the inner end panels.
The adhesive areas may each include an inner lateral edge, parallel to the outer lateral edges of the adhesive areas, and an inner longitudinal edge having at least a portion defining an angled corner forming an obtuse angle extending from a respective inner lateral edge.
The first and second adhesive areas may extend longitudinally generally continuously from the outer end panel to the inner end panel.
The adhesive areas may be defined by an application of hot melt glue.
The corner panels may be formed as square panels, and may include a diagonal fold line dividing each corner panel into first and second triangular gusset panels.
Each corner panel may include a lateral edge that is colinear with a lateral edge of the blank defined by an edge of one of the first and second side panels.
A longitudinal dimension of the outer end panel may be substantially less than a longitudinal dimension of the inner end panel.
The adhesive area may be located on the outer side of the blank.
The adhesive area may be located on the inner side of the blank.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a container is provided including a bottom panel defining a bottom of the container and having a plurality of peripheral edges. First and second side panels are connected to the bottom panel at opposing lateral peripheral edges and folded upward relative to the bottom panel. First and second end portions are located at opposing longitudinal ends of the blank. Each end portion includes an inner end panel connected to a longitudinal peripheral edge of the bottom panel, an outer end panel having an inner longitudinal edge hingedly connected to a longitudinal edge of the inner end panel, first and second corner panels, each corner panel including longitudinal and lateral edges connected to respective edges of a side panel and the inner end panel, each corner panel folded about a diagonal gusset fold line to define a gusset, and each gusset folded perpendicular to a respective side panel to overlapping relationship with the inner end panel, First and second laterally spaced adhesive areas, comprising at least a portion of each of the areas located on each of the outer end panel and the inner end panel, wherein the outer end panel is folded about the inner longitudinal edge to overlapping relationship with at least a portion of each of the gussets.
The first and second adhesive areas may extend generally continuously from the outer end panel to the inner end panel.
Each adhesive area may extend between a respective gusset and the inner end panel to adhere the gussets to the inner end panel.
Each adhesive area may extend between a respective gusset and the outer end panel to adhere the gussets to the outer end panel.
The gusset fold line may extend from the bottom of the container to the inner longitudinal edge of the outer end panel.
The outer longitudinal edge of the outer end panel may be located in spaced relation from the bottom of the container.
The adhesive areas may be defined by an application of hot melt glue.
The gussets may be located in overlapping relationship with an outer side of the inner end panel.
The gussets may be located in overlapping relationship with an inner side of the inner end panel.
The adhesive areas may extend across substantially an entire area of the inner end panel that is overlapped by the gussets.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method of forming a container from a blank is provided. The blank comprises a bottom panel having a plurality of peripheral edges, first and second side panels connected to the bottom panel at opposing lateral peripheral edges and defining lower edges of the container, first and second end portions located at opposing longitudinal ends of the blank, each end portion including an inner end panel connected to a longitudinal peripheral edge of the bottom panel, an outer end panel having an inner longitudinal edge hingedly connected to a longitudinal edge of the inner end panel, first and second corner panels, each corner panel having a longitudinal edge connected to a respective one of the first and second side panels and a lateral edge connected to a lateral edge of the inner end panel. The method includes forming an end portion of the container comprising: applying an adhesive material to form an adhesive area located on the outer side of the blank and comprising at least a portion on each of the outer end panel and the inner end panel; folding the side panels and inner end panel upward from the bottom panel, and simultaneously folding each corner panel about a diagonal gusset fold line to define a gusset; folding each gusset perpendicular to a respective side panel to overlapping relationship with the inner end panel and into engagement with the adhesive area; and folding the outer end panel about the inner longitudinal edge of the outer end panel to position the adhesive area in engagement with at least a portion of each of the gussets.
The adhesive area may comprise first and second laterally spaced adhesive areas formed as strips adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the outer and inner end panels.
The first and second adhesive areas may extend generally continuously from the outer end panel to the inner end panel.
The adhesive area may be defined by an application of hot melt glue.
The gussets may be folded to overlapping relationship with an outer side of the inner end panel.
The gussets may be folded to overlapping relationship with an inner side of the inner end panel.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring to
As seen in
The blank 10 comprises a bottom panel 24 having a plurality of peripheral edges 241, 242, 243, 244. A first side panel 26 is connected to the bottom panel 24 along a score line at the lateral peripheral edge 243, and a second side panel 28 is connected the bottom panel 24 along a score line at the opposing lateral peripheral edge 244. The peripheral edges 241, 242, 243, 244 define lower edges of the erected container 8.
First and second end portions 30a, 30b are located at the opposing longitudinal ends 16, 18 of the blank 10. Each end portion 30a, 30b includes a respective first and second inner end panels 32a, 32b connected to the longitudinal peripheral edges 241, 242 of the bottom panel 24 and extending between the lateral peripheral edges 243, 244. The first inner end panel 32a can include an outer longitudinal edge defined by a hinge portion 34a defined by a double score line 34a1, 34a2, and the second inner end panel 32b can include a hinge portion 34b defined by a double score line 34b1, 34b2. It should be understood that the inner end panels 32a, 32b may alternatively comprise hinge portions 34a, 34b defined by a single score line 34a1, 34b1.
The end portions 30a, 30b further include respective first and second outer end panels 36a, 36b. The first outer end panel 36a is hingedly joined to the first inner end panel 32a at the hinge portion 34a, and the second outer end panel 36b is hingedly joined to the second inner panel 32b at the hinge portion 34b. An inner longitudinal edge of the first outer end panel 36a can be connected to the first inner end panel 32a at the hinge portion 34a, and an outer longitudinal edge 16a of the first outer end panel 36a corresponds to the first longitudinal end 16 of the blank 10. An inner longitudinal edge of the second outer end panel 36b can be connected to the second inner end panel 32b at the hinge portion 34b, and an outer longitudinal edge 18a of the second outer end panel 36b corresponds to the second longitudinal end 18 of the blank 10. The first and second outer end panels 36a, 36b can be formed with a longitudinal dimension D1 that is substantially less than a longitudinal dimension D2 of the first and second inner end panels 32a, 32b.
The first end portion 30a additionally includes first and second corner panels 38a, 38b having inner longitudinal edges connected to the respective first and second side panels 26, 28 at score lines 39a1, 39b1 collinear with the longitudinal peripheral edge 241, and connected to the first inner end panel 32a at respective score lines 39a2, 39b2 collinear with the lateral peripheral edges 243, 244. The first and second corner panels 38a, 38b can each be formed with a square configuration having respective outer longitudinal edges 39a3, 39b3 collinear, or generally collinear with the outer longitudinal edge of the first inner end panel 32a, e.g., at the score line 34a1, and having outer lateral edges 39a4, 39b4 collinear with the first and second lateral edges 20, 22, respectively. The first corner panel 38a additionally includes a score line defining a respective gusset fold line 38af extending diagonally across the corner panel 38a from an inner corner defined at an intersection of the score lines 39a1 and 39a2 to an intersection of the outer longitudinal edge 39a3 and outer lateral edge 39a4. Similarly, the second corner panel 38b additionally includes a score line defining a respective gusset fold line 38bf extending diagonally across the corner panel 38b from an inner corner defined at an intersection of the score lines 39b1 and 39b2 to an intersection of the outer longitudinal edge 39b3 and outer lateral edge 39b4 The diagonal fold lines 38af, 38bf divide the first and second corner panels 38a, 38b into first and second triangular gusset panels 38a1, 38a2 and 38b1, 38b2, respectively.
The second end portion 30b additionally includes first and second corner panels 38c, 38d having inner longitudinal edges connected to the respective first and second side panels 26, 28 at score lines 39c1, 39d1 collinear with the longitudinal peripheral edge 242, and connected to the first inner end panel 32b at respective score lines 39c2, 39d2 collinear with the lateral peripheral edges 243, 244. The first and second corner panels 38c, 38d can each be formed with a square configuration having respective outer longitudinal edges 39c3, 39d3 collinear, or generally collinear with the outer longitudinal edge of the second inner end panel 32b, e.g., at the score line 34b1, and having outer lateral edges 39c4, 39d4 collinear with the first and second lateral edges 20, 22, respectively. The first corner panel 38c additionally includes a score line defining a respective gusset fold line 38cf extending diagonally across the corner panel 38c from an inner corner defined at an intersection of the score lines 39c1 and 39c2 to an intersection of the outer longitudinal edge 39c3 and outer lateral edge 39c4. Similarly, the second corner panel 38d additionally includes a score line defining a respective gusset fold line 38df extending diagonally across the corner panel 38d from an inner corner defined at an intersection of the score lines 39d1 and 39d2 to an intersection of the outer longitudinal edge 39d3 and outer lateral edge 39d4 The diagonal fold lines 38cf, 38df divide the first and second corner panels 38c, 38d into first and second triangular gusset panels 38c1, 38c2 and 38d1, 38d2, respectively.
Further, in accordance with an aspect for a machine erected container using the blank 10, each end portion 30a, 30b can include an adhesive area 40 associated with the outer side 14 of the blank 10. Referring to
As is exemplified by the adhesive areas 40a, 40b on the first end portion 30a, each adhesive area 40a, 40b includes an outer lateral edge 42 located adjacent to respective lateral edges 36a1, 36a2 of the outer end panel 36a, and located adjacent to respective lateral edges of the first inner end panel 32a, i.e., at the score lines 39a2, 39b2. The adhesive areas 40a, 40b further include respective inner lateral edges 44 that may be parallel or generally parallel to the outer lateral edges 42. Similarly, the adhesive areas 40a, 40b on the second end portion 30b are located adjacent to lateral edges 36b1, 36b2 of the second outer end panel 36b, and located adjacent to respective lateral edges of the inner end panel 32b, i.e., at the score lines 39c2, 39d2.
Each adhesive area 40a, 40b can include an angled corner 47 defined between the inner longitudinal edge 46 of each adhesive area 40a, 40b and a respective inner lateral edge 44. The angled corner 47 forms an obtuse angle extending from the inner lateral edge 44. However, it should be understood that the adhesive area 40, e.g., the adhesive areas 40a, 40b, may cover additional or less area, and may have other shapes, than is described and illustrated herein. For example, and without limitation, the adhesive area 40 may extend across substantially the entire lateral area of the outer end panel 36a, 36b, and may extend over substantially an entire area of the inner end panel 32a, 32b that is overlapped by gussets formed by the corner panels 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, as is described further below.
Referring to
The side panels 26, 28 and inner end panels 32a, 32b are initially folded upward from the bottom panel 24. Simultaneously, the corner panels 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d can be folded about respective gusset fold lines 38af, 38bf, 38cf, 38df to define gussets 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, see
The outer end panels 36a, 36b are subsequently pivoted outwardly about the inner longitudinal edge, i.e., at the hinge portions 34a, 34b, as is illustrated by the partially pivoted outer end panel 36a in
The configuration formed by the folded gussets 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d defines folded container corners that form a continuous connection between the side panels 26, 28 and the inner end panels 32a, 32b extending from the bottom panel 24 to an upper edge 50, see
It may be noted that the outer longitudinal edges 16a, 18a of the outer end panels 36a, 36b may be located in vertically spaced relation from the bottom 24 of the container, i.e., the peripheral edges 241, 242. For example, the outer end panels 36a, 36b may extend less than approximately half-way down the inner end panels 32a, 32b to reduce the material required for the outer end panel material. That is, the dimension D1 can be less than half the dimension D2, see
The inner end panel 32b, outer end panel 36b, and gussets 48c, 48d forming the opposing end of the container 8 can be folded in manner similar to that described above for the inner end panel 32a, outer end panel 36a, and gussets 48a, 48b to form the completed container 8, as illustrated in
Also, it should be noted that, although the described construction of the container presents the gussets 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d being folded outward of the container, the gussets 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d may alternatively be folded inward to overlap respective inner sides of the inner end panels 32a, 32b and the outer end panels 36a, 36b may be folded inward. In such an alternative folding operation, the adhesive area 40 would be applied to the inner surface 12 of the inner and outer end panels 32b, 32a and 36a, 36b.
It may be understood that, the blank 10 described herein may be formed having a clean outside perimeter, with straight cuts, including straight common knife areas, and no internal trim areas, without additional features such as cutouts or slots, such that the potential for trim debris created from such cutouts or slots is avoided. Hence, the configuration of the blank 10 and resulting container 8 can provide a container for food products that can avoid or substantially reduce contamination as a result of eliminating internal scrap areas, for example, eliminating the release of debris from the blank structure and/or when scrap is released but falls in between plural containers as they are stacked or otherwise grouped together.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/572,768, filed Sep. 17, 2019 and entitled “LEAK PROOF CONTAINER WITH ADHESIVE ATTACHMENT,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210380305 A1 | Dec 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16572768 | Sep 2019 | US |
Child | 17405562 | US |