The invention relates to packaging comprising a base and a pair of first flaps arranged to be folded over the base to define a packaging enclosure and a pair of second flaps arranged to be folded over the first pair of flaps. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to packaging for loose products such as a bag of kibbles (dry food pellets).
It is increasingly common for people to purchase products online and have them delivered to their home or business using a delivery or shipping company. For example, people regularly purchase food, drink, and consumer products online and have them delivered/shipped using a courier or the like. It is important that the purchased product is adequately packaged so that it is not damaged during transportation. Therefore, various different types of packaging and packaging accessories are known which aim to protect products during transportation.
If the products to be transported are loose, it may be important to secure them to prevent them moving around during transportation. For example, if the product to be transported is a bag of dry compound pet feed (sometimes referred to as kibbles), it may be important to ensure that the kibbles are securely held to prevent movement during transportation. If the kibbles are not adequately protected during transportation, the kibbles may become damaged and turn at least partly to powder which may make them unusable.
It may therefore be desirable to provide improved packaging which may alleviate some of these problems to at least some extent.
According to an aspect there is provided packaging comprising: a base; a pair of first flaps located on opposing sides of the base and arranged to be folded over the base and secured together so as to define a packaging enclosure; a pair of second flaps located on opposing sides of the base and arranged to be folded over the pair of first flaps and secured together so as to form a cruciform configuration with the pair of first flaps; and first and second opening features independently operable in use to respectively separate the pair of first flaps from one another and the pair of second flaps from one another so as to open the packaging. When assembled, the pair of first flaps can be secured tightly over the product(s) within the packaging enclosure and the pair of second flaps can be secured tightly over the pair of flaps and the packaging enclosure so as to securely hold the product(s) within the packaging enclosure. In order to open the packaging the pair of second flaps are separated from one another utilising the second opening feature, and then the pair of first flaps are separated from one another utilising the first opening feature. The packaging enclosure may have a variable volume which is dependent on the amount of overlap of the pair of first flaps.
The pair of first flaps may be arranged to overlap. The degree of overlap may be variable. The pair of first flaps may be arranged to be bonded to one another. The first pair of flaps may be arranged to be bonded to one another using an adhesive. The pair of second flaps may be arranged to overlap. The degree of overlap may be variable. The pair of second flaps may be arranged to be bonded to one another. The second pair of flaps may be arranged to be bonded to one another using an adhesive.
The pair of first flaps may be arranged not to be secured to the pair of second flaps. In other words, the pair of second flaps may not be bonded to the pair of first flaps. Therefore, in order to open the packaging it is not necessary to separate the second flaps from the first flaps.
The base may comprise a pair of first sides that are substantially parallel to one another, and a pair of second sides that are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the pair of first sides. Each first flap may extend from a respective first side. Each second flap may extend from a respective second side.
The width of the pair of second flaps may be greater than the depth of the packaging enclosure defined by the pair of first flaps. The second flaps may have the same width as each other or they may have different widths. The edges of the pair of second flaps may be reinforced. The edges of the pair of second flaps may be reinforced by a folded portion.
At least one of or both of the first flaps may comprise a chamfered portion formed by first and second folds along the width of the respective flap. At least one of or both of the second flaps may comprise a chamfered portion formed by first and second folds along the width of the flap. At least one of or both of the first flaps may comprise a side region. At least one of or both of the second flaps may comprise a side region. A chamfered portion may be provided either side of the or each side region.
The first opening feature may be configured to tear a portion of at least one first flap. The first opening feature may comprise a tear strip. The second opening feature may be configured to tear a portion of at least one second flap. The second opening feature may comprise a tear strip. The or each tear strip may be defined by one or more weakened lines provided in the respective flap. The weakened lines may be perforations, for example. The tear strip may comprise a tear tape provided underneath the respective flap and arranged to be pulled through the flap. In use, access to the first opening feature may be inhibited by the pair of second flaps. In use, the pair of second flaps may cover the first opening feature.
The packaging may be formed from one or more blanks. The blanks may be cardboard blanks which may or may not be corrugated.
The packaging may comprise a first blank (or first component or inner component) comprising the pair of first flaps and a separate second blank (or second component of inner component) comprising the pair of second flaps. The first blank and the second blank may be secured or may be arranged to be secured together. The first and second blanks may be bonded together. The first blank may be secured to an inner side of the second blank. The first and second blanks may be arranged in a cruciform configuration. Using separate blanks may allow easy customisation by printing.
At least one of the first flaps may be provided with first and second side tabs which extend from opposing sides of the first flap. The first and second side tabs may be arranged to be folded inwards and retained by the pair of second flaps. Each first flap may comprise first and second side tabs.
The packaging may further comprise a carry handle in the form of a strap, such as a strap of material or fabric. A first end of the strap may be arranged to be secured to a first side tab. A second end of the strap may be arranged to be secured to a second side tab. The first and second ends of the strap may be arranged to be secured to an inner surface of the first and second side tabs respectively.
The packaging may be for loose product, such as kibbles. The loose product, such as kibbles, may be provided within a bag which is arranged to be located within the packaging enclosure. The term “kibbles” may be understood to mean small pellets or pieces of dry food, such as pet food.
According to another aspect there is provided assembled packaging comprising the packaging in accordance with any statement herein wherein the pair of first flaps are folded over the base and secured together so as to define an packaging enclosure; and wherein the pair of second flaps are folded over the pair of first flaps and secured together so as to form a cruciform configuration with the pair of first flaps.
According to a further aspect there is provided a packaged product comprising assembled packaging in accordance with any statement herein; and one or more products held within the packaging enclosure. A bag of loose product, such as kibbles, may be held within the packaging enclosure.
The invention also relates to one or more blanks for forming at least a part of the packaging in accordance with any statement herein.
The invention may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
The outer component also comprises a pair of second flaps 56, 58 which are located on opposing sides of the base region 18 and which extend from the second sides 48, 50. The second flaps 56, 58 have a width W2 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extent of the flaps that is the substantially the same as the width WB2 of the base 18. Each of the second flaps 56, 58 comprises two chamfered portions 60, 62 that are each defined by first and second fold lines that extend across the width of the flap 56, 58. The two chamfered portions 60, 62 are spaced apart so as to form a side region 64 which substantially defines the height of the packaging in use. One of the second flaps 58 also comprises an opening feature 66 in the form of a tear strip that extends across the entire width of the second flap 58. The tear strip 66 is defined by two perforated lines such that the tear strip 66 can be torn away from the remainder of the flap 58. In this arrangement, the width W2 of the second flaps 56, 58 is larger than the depth DB1 of the packaging enclosure defined by the inner component 12 such that the reinforced edges of the outer component 14 protect the inner component 12 when the packaging is assembled.
Referring back to
Referring to
As shown in
In order to open the packaged product 1 the user must first separate the pair of second flaps 56, 58. This is easily achieved by pulling the tear strip 66 away from the remainder of the respective second flap 58. As the tear strip 66 is pulled, it tears the second flap 58 along two lines which causes the pair of second flaps 56, 58 to be separated from one another. Since the second flaps 56, 58 are not secured to the first flaps 28, 30 once the tear strip 66 has been removed the second flaps 56, 58 can be folded outwards to expose the inner component 12. The first flaps 28, 30 of the first component 12 may be provided with printed information such as text or graphics such that these are presented to the user on folding back the second flaps 56, 58. In order to fully open the packaging the user then separates the pair of first flaps 28, 30. As for the pair of second flaps 56, 58 this is easily achieved by pulling the tear strip 42 away from the remainder of the respective first flap 30. As the tear strip 42 is pulled, it tears the first flap 30 along two lines which causes the pair of first flaps 28, 30 to be separated from one another. Once the pair of second flaps 28, 30 have been separated they can be folded outwards to expose the product (e.g. the bag of kibbles 68) which can then be removed. The packaging can then be recycled by the user.
It has been described that the first and second opening features 42, 66 are in the form of tear strips defined by perforations. However, it should be appreciated that other opening features 42, 66 could be used. For example, the opening features could be in the form of a single perforation or score or other weakened line that can be used to separate the flaps. In another arrangement, a tear tape or thread could be provided underneath the respective flap and pulled through the flap so as to tear through the flap.
The first pair of flaps 28, 30 and the second pair of flaps 56, 58 could be secured together using any suitable method. For example, they could overlap and be bonded to one another using an adhesive. The adhesive could be a pressure sensitive adhesive, a cold melt adhesive or a hot melt adhesive, for example. In one arrangement, strips of pressure sensitive adhesive with a release layer could be provided on the under and/or upper sides of the respective flap. When the product is packaged, the release layer could be peeled away with the flaps then being overlapped and pressed together.
In the arrangement described above the packaging 10 is formed from separate inner and outer 12, 14 components. This may provide manufacturing benefits and/or may allow easy customisation of the packaging. For example, the outer component 14 could be generic, whereas the inner component 12 could be specific to the packaged product, the manufacturer, or the user, for example. Of course, in other arrangements the packaging could be made from a single component or from more than two components.
Although it has been described that the packaging 10 is for securely holding a bag of kibbles (e.g. dry pet food), it could be used for any suitable product or products that needs to be secured during transport or storage.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1712506.3 | Aug 2017 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/GB2018/052232 | 8/3/2018 | WO | 00 |