WO2004089762A1

WO2004089762A1 - Lidded pack

Info

Publication number: WO2004089762A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2004/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Grant Richard Porter
Original assignee: Carter Holt Harvey Limited
Priority date: 2003-04-14
Filing date: 2004-03-22
Publication date: 2004-10-21

Abstract

A pack of apples wherein the container has each of its opposed wall panels (1) supported by adhered external flanges (4) hinging from a base panel (3), a first other wall panel (5), a second other wall panel (5) and one lidding panel or two lidding panels (7); and wherein the apples have been pressed by the lidding panel or lidding panels (7) (e.g. under the action of a machine or, directly or indirectly, a person) thereby to allow the appropriate fixing of flanges to hold the lidding panel or two lidding panels (7) in place.

Description

- i -

"LIDDED PACK"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lidded pack, components of such a pack, the use of such components and/or such pack.

BACKGROUND ART

Many packs have been provided that provide a lid structure that telescopically associates with a base into which products to be encased have been placed. By way of an example, but without limitation to the products or produce that miglit be included in a pack we refer to traditional telescopic containers that have been used for apples. A traditional "Z" pack inner and outer is a telescopic half slotted container (HSC) as depicted in Figure 1 herein.

The prior art "Z" pack as depicted in Figure 1 comprises an inner and an outer. Both the inner and the outer is referred to as an HSC. The outer slots over the top of the inner. Currently with such "Z" packs apples are packed into the inner in an "overfill" situation (i.e.; packed apples are higher than the sides of the base or inner and these then settle down when the lidded is placed on and the pack is palletised. The weight of the packs placed on top of the pack gradually reduces the height of the packed apples as they settle and the lid consequently pushes down until it reaches the top of the base. This process can be accelerated by increased handling of the container to assist the settling process.

Such containers as the "Z" pack are formed from any suitable paperboard or the like product and most preferably from a corrugated board having at least one internal flute providing layer.

Preferably the flute run is such that it is vertically in the walls as far as is possible to assist in load carriage by each container in a stack situation. The present invention relates to an alternative pack and related components.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lidded form of pack for products or produce which will at least provide the public with a useful choice over such "Z" packs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention consists in a pack of a produce (e.g. apples) (preferably cuboid or rectanguloid in general appearance) wherein the container has each of its (preferably larger) opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and one lidding panel or two lidding panels; and wherein the lidding panel(s) with flanges has been fixed (i.e. by flanges) at least substantially down to the plane of the upper edge(s) and/or foldline(s) of the wall panels thereby to effect coverage of the produce.

In other forms of the present invention there are upper edges from one pair only of the wall panels and foldlines from the other two wall panels.

Preferably in one embodiment, a base has been preformed, loaded with the produce and thereafter under machine assisted settling of the produce the lidding panel has been fixed in place by the flanges, the flanges being affixed adhesively or otherwise externally.

Preferably the produce are apples.

In another aspect the invention consists in a pack of apples (e.g. apples) (preferably cuboid or rectanguloid in general appearance) wherein the container has each of its (preferably larger) opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and one lidding panel or two lidding panels; and wherein the apples have been pressed by the lidding panel or lidding panels (e.g. under the action of a machine or, directly or indirectly, a person thereby to allow the appropriate fixing of flanges to hold the lidding panel or two lidding panels in place.

Accordingly in another aspect the present invention consists in a machine erected pack wherein there is a base and there is a lid and the base has been filled with product and/or produce and the lid has been machine adhered to the base after machine assisted settling of the product or produce within the base. Preferably the base has been formed from blanks of a paperboard sheet material (e.g. corrugated board preferably with a flute run that will be vertical in the wall panels).

Preferably the base has been machine formed so as to have a rectangular base with the two larger opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from the base panel, a first other wall panel and a second other wall panel. Preferably the lidding panel is fixed by at least two flanges to the base (preferably four flanges).

In other forms of the present invention the lidding panel can be in a single or two parts and be carried in part from a foldline from one wall panel. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of packing produce

(especially substantially spherical items such as apples) which involves the use of a bliss form base with the bliss form (i.e. wrap around flanges thereof) on the larger sidewalls, filling the base to above the level of the base and lidding the base by reliance upon adhered flanges to the base externally of the base with the lidding panel or panels being at least substantially down to the level of the top of the base.

In another aspect the invention consists in a pack of or for a produce (e.g. apples) (preferably cuboid or rectanguloid in general appearance). wherein the container has each of its (preferably larger) opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and at least one lidding panel ("lidding panel(s)"), and wherein the lidding panel(s) with flanges is to be fixed or has been fixed (i.e. by flanges) at least substantially down to the plane of the upper edge(s) and/or foldline(s) of the wall panels thereby to effect coverage of the produce, and wherein each said opposed wall panel has at least one indexing projection ("lug") each to pass or passing through the lidding panel(s) and the base panel and/or opposed wall panel has corresponding indexing openings (e.g. openings and/or scallops).

In other forms of the present invention there are upper edges from one pair only of the wall panels and foldlines from the other two wall panels. Preferably in one embodiment, a base has been preformed, loaded with the produce and thereafter under machine assisted settling of the produce the lidding panel has been fixed in place by the flanges, the flanges being affixed adhesively or otherewise externally.

Preferably the produce are apples.

In another aspect the invention consists in a pack of apples (e.g. apples) (preferably cuboid or rectanguloid in general appearance),

Wherein the container has each of its (preferably larger) opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and one lidding panel or two lidding panels;

And wherein the apples have been pressed by the lidding panel or lidding panels (e.g. under the action of a machine or, directly or indirectly, a person thereby to allow the appropriate fixing of flanges to hold the lidding panel or two lidding panels in place,

And wherein each said opposed wall panel has at least one indexing projection ("lug") passing through the lidding panel(s) and indexible into base panel openings of a like pack. Accordingly in another aspect the present invention consists in a machine erected pack wherein there is a base and there is a lid and the base has been filled with product and/or produce and the lid has been machine adhered to the base after machine assisted settling of the product or produce within the base, there being indexing lugs through the lid indexible into openings (e.g. openings and/or scallops) in the base and/or walls of a like pack.

Preferably the base has been formed from blanks of a paperboard sheet material (e.g. corrugated board preferably with a flute run that will be vertical in the wall panels).

Preferably the base has been machine formed so as to have a rectangular base with the two larger opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from the base panel, a first other wall panel and a second other wall panel.

Preferably the lidding panel is fixed by at least two flanges to the base (preferably four flanges).

(especially substantially spherical items such as apples) to produce a pack, which method involves the use of a bliss form base with the bliss form (i.e. wrap around flanges thereof) on the larger sidewalls, filling the base to above the level of the base and lidding the base by reliance upon adhered flanges to the base externally of the base with the lidding panel or panels being at least substantially down to the level of the top of the base and wherein there is an indexing capability in a stack of like packs provided by at least one stack indexing lug of each larger wall indexible into an opening/scallop of the base.

In any of the preferred forms of pack having the stack indexing capability preferably there are two indexing lugs from each side wall or each of the two opposed wall panels. Preferably each opposed wall panel is of a flute containing medium (e.g. a corrugated paperboard) which has the flute run direction vertically in such a wall panel.

Preferably the base or base panel has an opening which may extend into and around the foldline thereof with its flange to receive the indexing lug. Such an opening is therefore an opening and a scallop form when considered in the assembled box. Correspondingly a recess can be provided to accommodate the indexing lug in the side wall panel or the opposed wall panel so that the indexing lug is receivable through the opening and/or scallop.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a container of any of the kinds hereinafter described. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a pack of any of the kinds hereinafter described.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a pack of apples substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of packing produce

(such as apples) when performed substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows a prior art apple pack,

Figure 2A is a blank for a lid of a first option (option A),

Figure 2B is a blank for each of two sidewall panels of a sidewall bliss formed container being the first option,

Figure 2C is a blank of a component with flanges to provide with the panels a rectangular base and end walls and flanges to associate with the two side panels of the form of Figure 2B to provide a bliss sided base capable of being lidded by the lidding feature of Figure 2A,

Figure 2D is the base erected from the component of Figure 2C and two components as in Figure 2B, the base being shown in perspective from above,

Figure 2E shows the container of Figure 2D when machine lidded with the component as shown in Figure 2A,

Figure 2F shows the lidded component of Figure 2E in a partly opened condition as allowed for by the perforations shown in Figure 2A and appropriate cutting, Figure 3A shows a component of a second option (option B), this component defining the rectangular base, the end walls as well as (in two parts) the lidding feature,

Figure 3B shows the form of two side panels to associate with the component of Figure 3A,

Figure 4A shows a component of still a third option (option C) there being defined with the component a rectangular base, end walls and two parts of a lidding feature together with appropriate flanges for forming of the bliss sidewalls,

Figure 4B shows one of two identical components to define panels of the bliss side walls, such a panel at each end extending to a flap to be adhered or positioned internally of the wrap around component of Figure 4A, Figure 4C shows a container formed from the components of Figures 4A and 4B after cutting free of the lid panel thereby to leave as a residue the flanges of the lid panel, and

Figure 5 is a diagram of a preferred container in accordance with the present invention having the characteristics previously stated but showing each opposed wall panel of a paperboard material having a stack indexing lug protruding up through an opening of the flanged lidding panel or each of two lidding panels (less preferred) and having the base and/or its flanges provided with an opening and/or scallop (preferably in conjunction with a rebate of each side wall panel) to allow the appropriate stack indexing.

The prior art type container is that shown in the accompanying drawings where initially the peripherally flanged lid (which requires pre-assembly) telescopes over the preformed base with the produce (such as apples) loaded well above the top of the base. Over time, resulting from handling, stacking or the like, the apples will settle to a level where the covering component has moved down to a more or less stable condition on the apples or the base. This stable position however may not be down to a stage where the lid is down to the level of the upper periphery of the base.

In the preferred form of the present invention the flute run direction in each instance is up and down the sheet of the drawing of each of Figures 2C to 4B thus ensuring the wall panels in each instance has a vertical flute run.

Figures 2A through 4C shows three different embodiments (options A to C as aforesaid) in accordance with the present invention by reference to components formed from a suitable corrugated board, e.g. "C" flute.

In its preferred forms the present invention relates to a machine erected pack that also has a lid glued onto the pack after it has been filled with produce or other items (e.g. apples). In order to glue a lid onto the proposed pack, the height of the packed apples has to be reduced to be even with the top of the base before the lid is glued on. This is achieved by;

• Increasing the height of the pack.

• Using a lidding machine that places the lid on the pack, applies pressure to compress the packed product and then glues the lid in place.

Options : (A) machine glued bliss style case with separate glued on lid, or

(B) machine glued bliss style case with integral glued on lid, or

(C) machine glued bliss style case with integral glued on lid and flanges on the side pieces. Note about Option C - cannot incorporate flanges with a separate lid because the length internal dimension/outside dimension differential will not allow the apple trays to fit in to the pack. If flanges are used, there will be an increase in strength of the pack, plus it creates a gap at the end of the packs that makes it easier for people to place apple trays in the pack. In the embodiment of Figures 2A through 2F the base is formed from two side components

1 and one main body component 2 which defines a rectangular base 3 with peripheral flanges 4 and up foldable end wall panels 5 each with peripheral flanges 6.

The lidding feature preferably defines a rectangular panel 7 with four peripheral flanges 8 and 9. Appropriate vent openings as shown can be provided as can also perforation at 10 to allow tearing off of one part of the lidding panel 7 if desired and as shown in Figure 2F.

In the closed condition however the opening 11, the openings 12, 13 and 14 allow appropriate movement of ambient atmosphere to the content whilst openings 4 allow uplifting of the container by hand gripping. Embodiments as shown in Figure 3 A and 3B are a variation to the arrangement of Figures

2A to 2F in that a or the lidding panel is hinged at hinge line 15 to each or one of the panels. In this case the lidding panel is provided by two lidding panel members 16 which meet or lap to any extent deemed desirable.

Figures 4A to 4C shows a further variation where the side panels 1 are provided with flanges 17 which stand or preferably are adhered as shown in Figure 4C.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 each side wall panel 18 has two stack indexing projections or lugs 19 each to be received by complementary recess of the bottom periphery of the panel 18 which accords with the scalloped indexing feature 20 provided by an opening, such opening extending into and around the foldline between the base region proper of the panel and its flange 21.

As can be seen elsewhere there are provided the same features previously referred to. For the purpose of any settling of produce preferably the indexing lugs 19 are of a form that move easily through an opening 22 provided in the lidding panel(s).

Also shown in Figure 5 are wall venting features that can assume any form if indeed they are present.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 5 the construction is of corrugated paperboard with the central fluting of the corrugated medium running vertically in the panels 18.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how containers of the present invention in its — ^Λ. — ^A *^„_~-^{„ „} _an tø_e p_r0vided in appropriate jigs or tooling for loading and closure with appropriate settling movements and/or pressures being applied to allow the lidding panel or panels to be fixed in a final position so as to provide (in addition to the stack indexing option) the benefits referred to. o It can replace the traditional telescopic Half Slotted Containers. o It has a glued on lid o As the case is stronger than such traditional packs as it will retain its integrity when the lid is removed in retail situation. o A consistent height and shape of pack can allow greater column stacking capability.

• The design allows the case be to be manufactured with or without a stacking lug. • The sides may or may not include an end flange. If an end flange is included space at each end of box assists placement of fibre trays.

• The product is unique in that it is compressed to give a solid pack and because of the glued lid.

More points about the lid; • The lid is removable for retail display.

• The lid can be partially removed for inspection.

• Entry after case closure will be evident - no produce can be inserted or removed insuring that product in the case is as described on the label.

This results in a pack that has the following advantages; • It can be designed to maximise stacking performance but uses less board.

• It is tamper evident.

• It may allow palletised packs to be completely column stacked because the packed cases will be at a constant height and should have a flat top surface.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pack of a produce wherein the container has each of its (preferably larger) opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and one lidding panel or two lidding panels; and wherein the lidding panel(s) with flanges has been fixed (i.e. by flanges) at least substantially down to the plane of the upper edge(s) and/or foldline(s) of the wall panels thereby to effect coverage of the produce.

2. A pack of claim 1 cuboid or rectanguloid in appearance.

3. A pack of claim 1 or 2 wherein there are upper edges from one pair only of the wall panels and foldlines from the other two wall panels.

4. A pack of any one of the preceding claims wherein a base has been preformed, loaded with the produce and thereafter under machine assisted settling of the produce the lidding panel has been fixed in place by the flanges, the flanges being affixed adhesively or otherwise externally.

5. A pack of any one of the preceding claims wherein the produce are apples.

6. A pack of apples wherein the container has each of its opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and one lidding panel or two lidding panels; and wherein the apples have been pressed by the lidding panel or lidding panels (e.g. under the action of a machine or, directly or indirectly, a person) thereby to allow the appropriate fixing of flanges to hold the lidding panel or two lidding panels in place.

7. A pack of claim 6 wherein it is rectangular in appearance and it is the larger opposed wall panels supported by adhered flanges.

8. A machine erected pack wherein there is a base and there is a lid and the base has been filled with product and/or produce and the lid has been machine adhered to the base after machine assisted settling of the product or produce within the base.

9. A pack of claim 8 wherein the base has been formed from blanks of a paperboard sheet material

10. A pack of claim 9 wherein the sheet material is corrugated board.

11. A pack of claim 10 wherein the flute run of the corrugated board is vertical in the wall panels.

12. A pack of any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the base has been machine formed so as to have a rectangular base with the two larger opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from the base panel, a first other wall panel and a second other wall panel.

13. A pack of any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the lidding panel is fixed by at least two flanges to the base.

14. A pack of claim 13 wherein four flanges are fixed to the base from the lidding panel.

15. A pack of any one of the preceding claims wherein the lidding panel can be in a single or two parts and be carried in part from a foldline from one wall panel.

16. A method of pacldng produce which involves the use of a bliss form base with the bliss form (i.e. wrap around flanges thereof) on the larger sidewalls, filling the base to above the level of the base and lidding the base by reliance upon adhered flanges to the base externally of the base with the lidding panel or panels being at least substantially down to the level of the top of the base.

17. A method of claim 16 wherein the produce is apples.

18. A method of claim 16 or 17 which produces a pack of any one of the preceding claims.

19. A pack of or for a produce wherein the container has each of its opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and at least one lidding panel ("lidding panel(s)"), and wherein the lidding panel(s) with flanges is to be fixed or has been fixed (i.e. by flanges) at least substantially down to the plane of the upper edge(s) and/or foldline(s) of the wall panels thereby to effect coverage of the produce, and wherein each said opposed wall panel has at least one indexing projection ("lug") each to pass or passing through the lidding panel(s) and the base panel and/or opposed wall panel has corresponding indexing openings and/or scallops.

20. A pack of claim 19 wherein the pack is rectanguloid and the larger wall panels are supported by adhered external flanges.

21. A pack of claim 19 or 20 wherein there are upper edges from one pair only of the wall panels and foldlines from the other two wall panels.

22. A pack of any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein a base has been preformed, loaded with the produce and thereafter under machine assisted settling of the produce the lidding panel has been fixed in place by the flanges, the flanges being affixed adhesively or otherwise externally.

23. A pack of any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the produce are apples.

24. A pack of apples, wherein the container has each of its opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from a base panel, a first other wall panel, a second other wall panel and one lidding panel or two lidding panels; and wherein the apples have been pressed by the lidding panel or lidding panels (e.g. under the action of a machine or, directly or indirectly, a person thereby to allow the appropriate fixing of flanges to hold the lidding panel or two lidding panels in place, and wherein each said opposed wall panel has at least one indexing projection ("lug") passing through the lidding panel(s) and indexible into base panel openings of a like pack.

25. A pack of claim 24 wherein it is rectanguloid and the larger wall panels are supported by the adhered flanges.

26. A machine erected pack wherein there is a base and there is a lid and the base has been filled with product and/or produce and the lid has been machine adhered to the base after machine assisted settling of the product or produce within the base, there being indexing lugs through the lid indexible into openings and/or scallops in the base and/or walls of a like pack.

27. A pack of claim 26 wherein the base has been formed from blanks of a paperboard sheet material.

28. A pack of any one of claims 27 to wherein the sheet material is corrugated board with a flute run that will be vertical in the wall panels.

29. A pack of any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein the base has been machine formed so as to have a rectangular base with the two larger opposed wall panels supported by adhered external flanges hinging from the base panel, a first other wall panel and a second other wall panel.

30. A pack of any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein the lidding panel is fixed by at least two flanges to the base.

31. A pack of claim 30 wherein the lidding panel is fixed by four flanges to the base.

32. A pack of any one of claims 26 to 31 wherein the lidding panel can be either a single part or be two parts carried or each carried in part from a foldline from a wall panel.

33. A method of packing produce to produce a pack, which method involves the use of a bliss form base with the bliss form (i.e. wrap around flanges thereof) on the larger sidewalls, filling the base to above the level of the base and lidding the base by reliance upon adhered flanges to the base externally of the base with the lidding panel or panels being at least substantially down to the level of the top of the base and wherein there is an indexing capability in a stack of like packs provided by at least one stack indexing lug of each larger wall indexible into an nrjening/scallop of the base.

34. A method of claim 33 wherein there are two indexing lugs from each side wall or each of the two opposed wall panels.

35. A method of claim 33 or 34 wherein each opposed wall panel is of a flute containing medium (e.g. a corrugated paperboard) which has the flute run direction vertically in such a wall panel.

36. A method of any one of claims 33 to 35 wherein the base or base panel has an opening which may extend into and around the foldline thereof with its flange to receive the or each indexing lug.

37. A pack of apples substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings from Figure 2 A onwards

38. A method of packing produce (such as apples) when performed substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings from Figure 2A onwards.

39. A blank or blanks substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings from Figure 2A onwards.