FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to blanks and their resulting containers, and more specifically to Bliss-type containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two piece container blank formed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled container according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a partially assembled container according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is yet another perspective view of a portion of yet another partially assembled container according to an aspect of the invention;
FIG. 5 is yet another perspective view of a portion of yet another partially assembled container according to an aspect of the invention;
FIG. 6 is yet another perspective view of a portion of a partially assembled container made in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled container according to various aspects of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is directed to a body wrap blank 20 and a liner blank 40 that when formed yield a two piece Bliss type container 50. One suitable embodiment of the respective blanks 20, 40 and resulting container 50 constructed in accordance with aspects of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7. Specific details of the body wrap blank 20, liner blank 40 and the resulting container 50 are described in more particularity below.
FIG. 1 depicts the body wrap blank 20 and a liner blank 40 used to form the container 50. The body wrap blank 20 and a liner blank 40 are each typically constructed from a single piece of formable material such as, without limitation, sheets of cellulose-based materials formed from cellulose materials such as wood pulp, straw, cotton, bagasse or the like. Cellulose-based materials used in the present invention come in many forms, such as fiberboard, containerboard, corrugated containerboard and paperboard. The body wrap blank 20 and a liner blank 40 are cut and scored, perforated or otherwise formed into a plurality of panels that when assembled form container 50. In all FIGURES, like numbers indicate like parts. Additionally, cut lines are shown as solid lines, score lines as dashed lines, and lines of perforation as broken lines. For the purposes of further description herein, the downward direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to a body wrap bottom panel 22 that corresponds to the outer surface of the body wrap bottom panel 22 when the container 50 has been erected. The upward direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the body wrap bottom panel 22 that corresponds to the inner surface of the body wrap bottom panel 22 when the container 50 has been erected.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the body wrap blank 20 includes the body wrap bottom panel 22. Attached to the body wrap bottom panel 22 along a fold line 21 are opposed body wrap side panels 24. Attached to the body wrap bottom panel 22 along fold line 27 are opposed bottom flaps 32. The bottom flaps 32 are generally rectangular in shape and have a length measured in a direction parallel to a fold line 27 that is less than the length of the body wrap bottom panel 22 measured along the same fold line.
Attached to both of the body wrap side panels 24 along fold lines 29 are side flanges 30. Attached to one of the body wrap side panels 24 along a fold line 23, opposite fold line 21, is a top flange 28. The other body wrap side panel 24 includes a top panel 26 which is attached to one of the body wrap side panels 24 opposite the body wrap bottom panel 22.
The top panel 26 includes opposed top flaps 34 that are attached to the top panel 26 along fold lines 33. The top panel further includes a punch-out panel 38 that is defined by perforation line 35. The punch-out panel 38 may be of any geometry, and the specific geometric shape illustrated in the FIGURES is not to be considered limiting. Rather the geometric shape is merely illustrative on one possible geometric shape. Further, the top panel 26 and the body wrap bottom panel may optionally include cutouts 36. Like the punch-out panel 38 discussed above, the size, shape, and location of the cutouts 36 are not considered to be limited what is disclosed in the FIGURES. Rather, those skilled in the art will be able to make such design choices.
The liner blank 40 includes a liner bottom panel 42. Disposed upon opposed ends of the liner bottom panel 42 are liner side panels 44. Further, each liner side panel 44 includes a liner flap 46 opposite the liner bottom panel 42. The overall size and shape of the liner bottom panel 42 is substantially similar to the size and shape of the body wrap bottom panel 22.
FIGS. 2-7 depict various stages of the container 50 being erected. Typically the box forming is done in a Bliss box former. However, for purposes of this discussion, and just for illustration, the formation of the box will be described and shown without the former.
Initially, the liner blank 40 in laid over the body wrap blank 20 such that the liner bottom panel 42 is juxtaposed the body wrap bottom panel 22. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liner side panels 44 may then be folded upward approximately 90 degrees along fold line 37. Then the body wrap side panel 24 may be folded upward approximately 90 along fold lines 21. The bottom flaps 32 and side flanges 30 may then be folded inwardly along fold line 27 and 29 respectively. The bottom flaps 32 and side flanges 30 may then be attached to the respective liner side panel 44. Typically, this attachment is done by gluing; however, any other known mechanical or chemical fastener may be used without exceeding the spirit or scope of the present invention. Suitable nonlimited examples of methods of fastening include chemical and mechanical binders, or combinations thereof. Suitable, nonlimiting examples of chemical binders include adhesives, glues, or tapes. Alternatively, suitable, nonlimiting examples of mechanical binders include staples, brads and tacks. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this container 50 is now ready to be filled with product.
FIGS. 4-6 depict the closing of the container 50. Initially, the liner flaps 46 are folded inwardly about fold line 39. Then the top panel 26 is folded inwardly such that the top panel 26 is juxtaposed the liner flaps 46. Subsequently, the top flaps 34 may then be folded to bring the top flaps juxtaposed the liner side panels 44. Finally, the top flange 28 may be folded to bring the top flange juxtaposed the top panel 26. The gluing, or otherwise fastening, of the top flange 28 to the top panel 26, and the top flaps 34 to the liner side panels 44 closes the container 50, as best seen in FIG. 7.
It will be appreciated that the body wrap blank 20 and the liner blank 40 may be made of different material, or the same material having a different form. For example, the body wrap blank 20 may be made of single wall corrugated containerboard and the liner blank 40 may be made from double wall corrugated containerboard. It will, be appreciated that any combination of the materials described above may be used to make the disclosed container 50. Just material choice is a design choice that is within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in the art.
While various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the various embodiments; instead the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
Patent Application
20070152029
