WO2006126873A1

WO2006126873A1 - Cardboard package provided with tubular corner stiffening provisions, and blank and method for setting up such package

Info

Publication number: WO2006126873A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Paul Van Eijndhoven
Original assignee: Smurfif Kappa Gsf B.V.
Priority date: 2005-05-27
Filing date: 2006-05-24
Publication date: 2006-11-30
Also published as: NL1029147C2; EP1883585A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a package (1), set up from a cardboard blank (2), comprising a bottom panel and upright sidewall panels surrounding this bottom panel (5), which sidewall panels (6,8) are mutually connected by upright tubular corner stiffening provisions (7). The corner stiffening provisions have a height (L) which is at least twice as large as a cross-sectional circumference (B) of the respective corner stiffening provision. A second blank (104) can be provided for reinforcing the sidewall panels and, optionally, the corner stiffening provisions. An inside bag can further be provided, for forming a so-called bag-in-box package. The invention further relates to a blank for such a package and a method for setting it up.

Description

Title: Cardboard package provided with tubular corner stiffening provisions, and blank and method for setting up such package

The invention relates to a package, set up from a cardboard blank.

Such packages are generally known and offer the advantage that after use (and, depending on the type of package, sometimes also prior to use) they can be folded flat in a simple manner to form a compact parcel. Furthermore, cardboard is recyclable, well printable, easy to process and, if desired, can be rendered waterproof in a simple manner. In view of these advantages, there is an increasing wish to replace packages traditionally manufactured from, for instance, wood, such as crates, or from plastic, such as jerry cans, with cardboard packages. However, such new applications impose new and, generally, more stringent requirements on the cardboard packages, in particular with regard to rigidity, stacking strength and shock-resistance.

The object of the invention is to provide a cardboard package that can meet the requirements mentioned. More particularly, the object of the invention is to provide a cardboard package with great rigidity and stacking strength. The invention further contemplates providing a cardboard package in which the cardboard is used efficiently, so that maximum rigidity and strength can be generated with a minimum amount of cardboard.

These and further objects are at least partly achieved with a package according to the invention, characterized by the features of claim 1.

With a package according to the invention, between adjoining sidewall panels, tubular corner stiffening provisions are realized, with a height which is at least twice as large as a circumference of the cross-section of the tubes. As a result, relatively slim corner stiffening provisions are obtained, which have a great resistance against buckling under pressure load.

Furthermore, owing to their limited cross'-section, such slim corner stiffening provisions take up little space, so that little package content is lost. Further, relatively little material, in particular cardboard, is required for forming the tubes. The packages equipped with these corner stiffening provisions have great rigidity and stacking strength and can thus replace known wooden or plastic packages. According to one aspect of the invention, the tubular corner stiffening provisions are formed by "rolling in" corner stiffening panels, which are pivotally connected to an upright sidewall panel, i.e. folding towards an inside of the respective sidewall panel along successive folding lines, to form a tube closed upon itself. In this manner, depending on the number of folding lines, tubes with, for instance, a triangular, square, pentagonal or even teardrop -shaped cross-section can be formed, which tubes can be secured by a first or second side, respectively, in the corner between two adjoining sidewall panels. Owing to such a rolled-in shape, closed upon itself, the buckling resistance of the tubes and, hence, the rigidity and stacking strength of the package increase still further. The corner stiffening provisions can have a similar cross-section per package and further, preferably, all have the same height.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a package according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 8. With such dimensioning of the second sidewall panels relative to the adjoining corner stiffening provisions, the package can be set up from a substantially rectangular blank. This contributes to a highly economical use of material, as a rectangular blank can be punched out without waste material.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a second blank can be used to reinforce parts of the package further, for instance a bottom and/or a number of upright sidewall panels. In addition or alternatively, such a second blank can be used for forming a closed package, for instance with the advantageous embodiment described hereinabove, in which the second sidewall panels are shorter than the first-sidewall panels. - - - ^{■ i}— a.u j»» (/ W -W> U 4. U

Owing to the use of two blanks, a large design choice can be obtained with regard to the shape and dimensions of the corner stiffening provisions relative to the length, width and/or height of the package, without this necessarily leading to inefficient use of material. Furthermore, the blanks may be manufactured from different types of cardboard, thicknesses and/or qualities.

For the purpose of using material as economically as possible, the second blank is preferably of rectangular shape. Alternatively, the first and second blank may have been designed such that together, they are rectangular but each separately, they are not. As a result, as the case may be, an (even) larger design choice can be obtained.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the second blank can be folded to form a sleeve closed upon itself, which can be placed in the package set up from the first blank. The sleeve is then preferably designed such that it can abut, at least partly, against surrounding sidewall panels and/or corner stiffening provisions of the first blank. The sleeve can for instance have a substantially octagonal cross-section.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, an upper and/or lower peripheral edge of the sleeve can be recessed locally according to the features of claim 19. Owing to such a recess, space is offered there to the corners (i.e. corners between the bottom panel and an adjoining sidewall panel and/or corners between a top panel and an adjoining sidewall panel) so they can stretch and/or bend round. As a result, the package can take on a somewhat cylindrical or spherical shape. This is advantageous when, in use, for instance a liquid or semi-liquid product is included in the package.

Such products can, for instance during a fall, exert a great impulse on the package from within, which produces great stresses in the packaging material, in particular on the outside surface. As a result, the package can tear or collapse. It is however known that with a spherical shape, such stresses are lowest, in particular on the outside surface. When the package is therefore allowed to locally bend into a spherical shape, it can withstand these internal forces better.

The corners that stretch or bend round during use, comprise a folding line that is preferably formed by a crease (groove) provided on the inside of the respective corner. With the crease located accordingly, tensile forces applied on the crease by adjoining cardboard material when the corner stretches or bends round can be absorbed better by the cardboard material at the location of the crease, as will be further explained with reference to Figs. 11a, b. Consequently, the package will tear less quickly at that location. In addition, with the crease located accordingly, a greater folding accuracy can be achieved. This further prevents the formation of a projecting ridge in the respective corner which can lead to cracks, especially in the case of overlapping cardboard parts (for instance at the location where a corner stiffening panel is secured against upright sidewall panels) because the overlapping part cannot abut flatly against the projecting ridge.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an open side of the package can be closed off by a form-retaining lid, according to the features of claim 22. This lid may be manufactured from plastic, for instance through injection-molding. It is preferred that the lid is provided with clamping means with which this lid can be attached on the package in a non- detachable manner. To that end, the lid can be provided with, for instance, a groove, in which can be received a longitudinal edge of the package, folded at least partly inward and/or outward. Preferably, the groove is provided with barb-forming projections or a ridge, behind which a flexible part of the edge can be caught so that, once it is introduced into the groove, an edge cannot be pulled therefrom. In this manner, the package can be closed off in a very simple and sturdy manner. The lid, together with the bottom panel and a first or second pair of opposite sidewall panels, respectively, can form two tubes, closed upon themselves, whose longitudinal axes extend at right angles to each other and to that of the earlier mentioned sleeve. The package thus realized is very strong and, hence, very suitable for use in a so-called Bag-in-Box package, in which a flexible bag is provided in the package for packaging a liquid or powder-form product. In such products, during use, shock waves may occur as a result of abrupt changes in speed, for instance during transport or due to a fall. This causes a great internal pressure which can be absorbed by a package according to the invention, due to, inter alia, above-mentioned tubular corner stiffening provisions and the referred-to stiffening provisions, closed upon themselves (sleeve and tubes), whereby the walls of the packages can bulge somewhat, and the package can take a somewhat cylindrical or spherical shape.

The flexible bag may be fixedly connected to the form-retaining lid through, for instance, clamping or sealing. As a result, the bag can simply be secured in the package by the lid. Here, the bag can first be filled and then be included in the package, or first be included in the package and only then be filled. The first order of setting up and filling offers the advantage that the obtained package is considered to consist of two separate elements (the bag and the outer package). According to UN-standards in force, such a package needs to meet less stringent requirements, for instance no excess pressure test. With the second order of setting up, the package with bag is considered to be a whole that has to meet more stringent requirements. However, an advantage is that such a package can be filled on conventional filling machines, with which, for instance, also jerry cans are filled.

The invention further relates to a blank and a method for realizing a package according to the invention. In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of a package, blank and method according to the invention are described. In clarification of the invention, exemplary embodiments of a package according to the invention, and the use thereof will be further elucidated on the basis of the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a blank for a package according to the invention; Figs. 2A-C show setting up the blank of Fig. 1 for forming a package according to the invention, in three successive steps;

Fig. 3 shows a blank for an alternative embodiment of a package according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows setting up the blank of Fig. 3 for forming a package according to the invention, in three successive steps;

Fig. 5 shows a blank for an alternative embodiment of a package according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a package, set up from the blank according to Fig. 5; Figs. 7A,B show a variant to the sleeve used in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a lid for a package according to Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a variant on the package shown in Fig. 6, with a sleeve according to Fig. 7 and a lid according to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows, in further detail, the cooperating parts of the lid and the package according to Fig. 9, in cross-sectional view; and

Figs. HA, B show, in detail, a possible embodiment of a folding line according to the invention.

Fig. 2C shows a first structural variant of a package 1 according to the invention, provided with tubular corner stiffening provisions 3 with a substantially triangular cross-section. Such a package 1 can be set up from a blank 2 shown in Fig. 1, according to the successive steps as shown in Figs. 2 A and B.

The blank 2 comprises a substantially rectangular bottom panel 5, a pair of first sidewalls 6, which are pivotally connected to opposite edges of the bottom panel 5 along first folding lines 11, and a pair of second sidewall panels 8 which are pivotally connected to the two other edges of the bottom panel 5, along second folding lines 12. The blank 2 further comprises four corner stiffening panels 7, which are pivotally connected on both sides of the first sidewall panels 6, along third folding lines 13, which extend substantially perpendicularly to the first folding lines 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each corner stiffening panel 7 is provided with a fourth and fifth folding line 14, 15, which both extend substantially parallel to the third folding line 13 and subdivide the corner stiffening panel 7 into three strips 7A, B, C.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the blank 2 further comprises two top panels 9, which are pivotally connected to the first sidewall panels 6 along sixth folding lines 16. One of these top panels 9 is provided on both sides with third sidewall panels 10, which are pivotally connected to the respective top panel 9 along seventh folding lines 17.

In this embodiment, the corner stiffening panels 7 have a length L (measured parallel to the folding lines 13 - 15) which is substantially twice as large as the width B of the respective panel 7. Further, the height W of the second and third sidewall panels 8, 10 (measured substantially at right angles to the second and seventh folding lines 12, 17) is substantially equal to the above-mentioned width B of the corner stiffening panels 7. As a result, the blank 2 has an efficient, substantially rectangular shape (see Fig. 1).

Owing to the above-mentioned specific dimensions, a package 1 closed all around can be set up from the blank 2, as illustrated in Fig. 2C, with the second and third sidewall panels 8, 10 together forming one closed sidewall. When the length L of the corner stiffening provisions 3 is increased, the height W of the second and third sidewall panels 8, 10 will have to be increased accordingly, in order to maintain closed sidewalls. However, with the cross-section of the corner stiffening provisions 3 remaining the same, (and therefore the width B of the corner stiffening panels remaining the same) this leads to a blank which is of uneconomic, not-rectangular shape. According to the invention, in such as case, the package 1 is advantageously set up from two blanks, as shown in Fig. 3, which blanks, in the example shown, are both substantially rectangular.

In Fig. 3, identical or corresponding parts are indicated with identical or corresponding reference numerals, increased by one hundred. The first (lower) blank 102 corresponds largely to the one according to Fig. 1, but the corner stiffening panels 107 have a length L which is more than twice as large as the width B. As with the blank 2 according to Fig. 1, the second sidewall panels 108 have a height W which is substantially equal to the width B of the corner stiffening panels 107. In this exemplary embodiment, the third sidewall panels 110 have a height W which is smaller than the height W of the second sidewall panels 108. Yet, in an alternative embodiment, this height W could be equal to that of the second sidewall panels 108.

The second blank 104 comprises a second bottom panel 105' and two fourth sidewall panels 108', which are pivotally connected to opposite edges of the second bottom panel 105', along eighth folding lines 118. This blank 104 too has a substantially rectangular shape. Further, a width Y of this blank 104, measured parallel to the eighth folding lines 118, corresponds substantially to a width X of the bottom panel 105 of the lower blank 102, measured between the first folding lines 111, and a length Z of the fourth sidewall panels 108', measured at right angles to the eighth folding lines 118, corresponds substantially to a length L of the corner stiffening panels 107 of the lower blank 102.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the shape and dimensions of the different panels can be chosen such that the blanks 102, 104, each separately, do not have a rectangular shape but together, they have. In such a case, these blanks 102, 104 can advantageously be punched out (or cut in another manner) without loss of material, from one rectangular length of cardboard.

By way of illustration, Fig. 4 shows one possible manner in which a package 101 can be set up from the blanks 102, 104 shown in Fig. 3. First, the lower blank 102 is set up, in a manner comparable to that shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. This means that first, the corner stiffening panels 7; 107 are rolled-in to form tubular corner stiffening provisions 3, 103 with a triangular cross- section, and are secured by the strips 7 C; 107C against the first sidewall panels 6, 106 (see Fig. 2A and step I in Fig. 4). Then, the second blank 104 from Fig. 3 is placed with its bottom panel 105' under the bottom panel 105 of the first blank 102 and is glued thereto, with longitudinal directions of the two blanks 102, 104 extending substantially at right angles to each other, as shown in step II of Fig. 4. Then, the first side wall panels 106 with the tubular corner stiffening provisions 103 and the second sidewall panels 108 with the fourth sidewall panels 108' glued thereto are folded upwards through approximately 90° and secured against strip 107A of the tubular corner stiffening provisions 103 (see Figs. 2B and 4, step III). Naturally, the second blank 104 can also be fastened on top of the bottom panel 105 of the first blank 102, in which case, in set-up condition, the fourth sidewall panels 108 extend on the inside of the package 101. In that case, the second blank 104 can also be provided later, for instance after the first blank 102 is set up as shown in Fig. 2B.

It is noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the second sidewall panels 108 do not extend over the full width X of the bottom panel 105, but, instead thereof, are shortened on both sides over a width s which his substantially equal to a width w_a of strip 107A of the corner stiffening panel 107. As a result, in set-up condition, this strip 107A and the second sidewall panel 108 will be in one plane and thus form a flat attachment underground for the fourth sidewall panels 108'. It is further noted that the first and/or fourth sidewall panels 106, 108, can be provided with openings 119 (as shown in Figs 3, 4) which, in set-up condition, can serve as handles.

The thus obtained package 101 has relatively high, slim corner stiffening provisions and closed sidewalls, due to the additional blank 104. In addition, this blank 104 provides extra solidity in that parts of the package can be designed to be double-walled, such as, in the example shown, the bottom and two sidewalls.

Then, the set-up packages 1, 101, can be filled with a product or be provided with a flexible inside bag (to form a bag-in-box package) and be closed off by folding the top panels 9, 109 up and securing them against each other and the upright second or fourth sidewall panels 8, 108', respectively, with glue, tape, staples, etc. Depending on the use of the package 1, 101, the top panels 9, 109 can for instance comprise an opening and, optionally, suspension means for allowing passage and attachment of a spout of an inside bag. Further, one or more handles can be provided. Naturally, many structural variants are possible.

In Figs. 5 and 6, a further embodiment is shown of a package 201 according to the invention. Identical or corresponding parts are indicated with identical or corresponding reference numerals, increased by two hundred. This package 201 too is built up from two blanks 202, 204 (see Fig. 5). The first (lower) blank 202 substantially corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 3, with, however, the second sidewall panels 208 extending over virtually the entire width X of the bottom panel 205, and the third sidewall panels 210 having a height W which is substantially equal to the height W, B of the second sidewall panels 208 or the corner stiffening panels 207, respectively. The blank 202 can be set up in a comparable manner as described hereinabove with reference to Figs. 2A, B and 4.

The second (upper) blank 204 comprises a fifth sidewall panel 206', which is on both sides provided, in succession, with an intermediate wall part 207'B, a fourth sidewall panel 208', a further intermediate wall part 207'B and half a fifth sidewall panel 206'A, B. The blank 204 can be set up to form a sleeve closed upon itself 230 with a substantially octagonal cross-section, while the fifth and fourth sidewall panels 206', 208' and the intermediate wall parts 207'B have dimensions such that the set-up sleeve 230 can be fittingly included in the set-up first blank 202, with the fifth sidewall panels 206' abutting against the first sidewall panels 206, the fourth sidewall panels 208' abutting against the second and third sidewall panels 208, 210, and the intermediate wall parts 207'B abutting against the corner stiffening strips 207B of the first blank 202 (see Fig. 6, in which, for the sake of clarity, the sleeve 230 is shown in somewhat extended position). To that end, the intermediate wall parts 207'B of the second blank 204 have a width b which is substantially equal to a width Wb of the corner stiffening strips 207B, and the fifth and fourth sidewall panels 206', 208', have a respective width which is substantially equal to that of the first or the second sidewall panel 206, 208, respectively, reduced on both sides by the width w_c, w_a of the third or first corner stiffening strip 207C, 207A, respectively.

In the example shown, the half fifth sidewall panels 206'A, B are provided, adjacent a side which is overlying in use, with a rectangular recess U, and the corresponding first sidewall panel 206 is provided a that location with a partly inward staggered sixth folding line 216', and a top panel 209 pivotally connected thereto. As a results, in set-up condition, a top panel 209 is obtained with an inlet, as shown in Fig. 6, suitable for including, for instance, a spout 232 of an inside bag placed in the package 201. Consequently, the spout 232 lies protected within a substantially block-shaped contour of the package and the package retains a good stackability.

The sleeve 230 can be arranged in the set-up first blank 202 at several moments. For instance, the sleeve 230 may be placed on the bottom panel 205 after the corner stiffening provisions 203 have been rolled-in (therefore after step I in Fig. 4), whereupon the sidewall panels 206, 208 are folded upward and are secured against the sleeve 230. Alternatively, the sleeve 230 can be provided via the open topside, after the above-mentioned sidewall panels 206, 208 are folded upward and are secured against each other and the corner stiffening provisions 203 (i.e. after step III in Fig. 4).

In Figs. 7 - 10, a further embodiment of a package 301 according to the invention is shown. Identical or corresponding parts are indicated with identical or corresponding reference numerals, increased by three hundred. The package 301 largely corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, while, however, the upper side is closed off differently, i.e. by means of a form- retaining lid 309 that may be injection-nϊolded from plastic. An example of such a lid 309 is shown in Fig. 8, viewed from the underside. This lid 309 is provided all around with a groove 320, formed by a depending outer wall part 321, and an inner wall part 322 extending at a distance substantially parallel thereto, as may be seen most clearly in Fig. 10. The inner wall part 322 is provided adjacent an underside with clamping means 323 in the form of projections or a ridge extending towards the outer wall part 321, and which hinder a passage 325 to the groove 320 at least partly. The fourth and fifth sidewall panels 308', 306' of the sleeve 330 are provided adjacent a top side with inward folded edges 324 (see Fig. 7A).

The package 301 can be closed off by clamping the lid 309 tightly on the folded-over edges 324, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Here, the folded-over top edge 324 is introduced into the groove via passage 325. Once in the groove 325, the folded-over edge 324 will bounce back slightly, as shown in Fig. 10, and thus, in cooperation with the clamping means 323, form a lock so that the lid 309 is non-detachably connected to the sleeve 330 and, hence, with the package 301.

In an alternative embodiment, the fifth sidewall panels 308' of the sleeve 330 can also be provided adjacent a bottom side with an inward folded edge 324, which however, in that case, is not folded through 180° but through 90°, as shown in Fig. 7B. Such an edge 324 can help increase the resistance of the package 301 against tearing significantly. The fact is that the folding lines between the bottom panel 305 and the second sidewall panels 308 of the outer package 303 (see Fig. 9) are quite susceptible to tearing, because the direction of these folding lines extends substantially parallel to the fibre direction of the cardboard (this in contrast with the folding lines between the bottom panel 305 and the first sidewall panels 306, which extend substantially at right angles to the fibre direction and are consequently stronger). By, presently, providing the sleeve 330 with an edge 324, with, furthermore, the folding line of this edge 324 preferably extending substantially transversely to the fibre direction of the sleeve 330, the resistance to tearing of the entire package 301 can be increased significantly. Optionally, the edge 324 can then be secured against the bottom panel 305, but this is not necessary. Naturally, the fourth sidewall panels 306' of the sleeve 330 can be provided with a comparable edge 324 (not shown). Such edges 324 can further be provided adjacent an upper side of the sleeve 330, if the package 301 is for instance closed off in a manner as described with reference to Figs. 1 — 6.

In a still further alternative embodiment (not shown), the edge 324 of the sleeve 330 can be folded over outwards (through approximately 180°), in which case the clamping means 323 of the lid 309 can extend against an inside of the outer wall 321. Naturally, the lid 309 can be attached to the package 301 in other manners. For instance, the lid 309 can for instance be glued or stapled against the package 301. Further, a lid 309 as shown in Figs. 7 - 10 can be advantageously used with a package according to any one of Figs. 1 - 6, while the top panels of these packages can be left out or be shortened, to form two opposite, folded-over edge parts on which the lid 309 can be clamped. The lid 309 can also be utilized for fastening, for instance, an inside bag in the package 301. This inside bag can then be fastened to the lid 309 via a spout 332 or be sealed by a longitudinal edge to the lid 309. For including and/or protecting such a spout 232, the lid 309 can be provided, like the above- described top panels, with a recess, as shown in Fig. 9. The lid 309 can further comprise a handle 319.

The top panels, non-detachably connected to the sidewalls, or the above-described lid, together with these sidewalls and the bottom panel 305, form two tubes or bands closed upon themselves, whose longitudinal axes Ki,2 extend substantially at right angles to each other and to that of the sleeve K3 (see Fig. 9). Thus, a package 101, 201, 301 is obtained which is bounded, in three orthogonal directions, by a band or tube closed upon itself.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lower edges of the sleeve 230, 330 can be recessed, at least partly, at the location of the fourth and fifth sidewall panels 206', 208'; 306', 308'. This is shown in Fig. 5, in broken lines. In the exemplary embodiment shown, these recesses 235 have a substantially concave shape and extend as far as the intermediate wall parts 207'B. Optionally, the sleeve 230, 330 can be provided adjacent a top edge with such recesses (not shown) in particular in structural variants in which the package 101, 201 is closed off by top panels 209. Due to such recesses 235, the corners between the upright walls and the adjoining bottom panel or top panel, respectively, can, at that location, bend round and thus take on the most favourable shape for resisting an internal pressure that can be applied to the package by products included therein. As the recesses 235 stop at the intermediate wall parts 207'B, 307, these can continue, together with the tubular corner stiffening provisions 203, 303, as far as the bottom panel 205, so that the stacking strength of the package is maintained.

Preferably, all corners which, in use, can stretch or bend round (i.e. the corners of the sleeve and the corners of the outer package, between the upright walls, and between the upright walls and the bottom panel or top panel, respectively), are provided with a folding line as shown in Fig. HA, B. Here, Fig. HA shows, in cross-section, a part of a blank P (which can represent any of the above-mentioned blanks 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304) provided with a crease or groove 40, for forming a folding line. This crease 40 is usually provided on the side of the blank which, in set-up condition, is folded open (and, then, forms the side of a corner turned outward). In one embodiment according to the invention, the crease 40 is, conversely, provided on the opposite side, i.e. the side that, in set-up condition, is situated on the inside of the of angle β. Fig. HB shows the blank part P in set-up condition, with unloaded angle β (in full lines) and loaded angle (broken lines), with the angle β stretching or bending round in the direction of the arrow R. When the angle β stretches or bends round, the adjoining cardboard material applies tensile stresses to the crease 40. As the cardboard is, in fact, weakened by the crease 40, it will tear relatively easily at that location, under the influence of these tensile stresses. However, through the provision of the crease 40 on the inside of the corner, as suggested according to the invention and shown in Figs. HA, B, the tearing behaviour can be considerably improved. This can be understood as follows. As a rule, solid cardboard is built up from two paper cover layers 41, 42 and an intermediate layer 44 of a lesser paper quality. When providing a crease 40, in particular the intermediate layer 44 is split or deformed. The cover layers 41, 42 remain intact. With an angle β with a conventional crease (not shown), provided on the side 42 turned outwards, in particular the outer cover layer 42 will be stretched when the corner β stretches. The inner cover layer 41 retains a somewhat creased shape and therefore experiences hardly any tensile forces. As a result, the outer cover layer 42 will, primarily, absorb all tensile stresses. Only when this cover layer 42 tears and the angle β stretches further, a load will be applied on the inner cover layer 41. Therefore, with a conventional crease, the cover layers 41, 42 are in effect loaded one after the other. As a result, at that location, the strength of the cardboard will not be greater than the (limited) strength of these separate cover layers 41, 42. However, with a crease 40 according to the invention, both cover layers 41, 42 will be stretched to a comparable extent when the angle β stretches (see Fig. HB). As a result, the tensile stresses will be distributed over the two cover layers 41, 42 more or less equally. Consequently, at that location, the cardboard will have a greater strength and tear less rapidly.

All embodiments described and shown hereinabove have in common that they are provided with very slim tubular corner stiffening provisions, with a height that this at least twice as large as a circumference of the cross-section of the respective corner stiffening provision. Such slim corner stiffening provisions have a relatively great buckling resistance, which resistance is even further enhanced by the rolled-in shape, closed upon itself, of the corner stiffening provisions. As a result, it relatively high package can be realized with a great rigidity, stacking strength and shock resistance. Furthermore, owing to their limited cross-section, the corner stiffening provisions take up a little material. For instance, the corner stiffening strips 7, 107, 207 A-C may have a length L of between approximately 150 and 400 mm, while in practice, this length L (corresponding to height of the package) will depend on, inter alia, the content the bottom surface and/or the associated stability of the respective package. For instance, packages with a content of three litres may have a height of approximately 200 mm or more, a package with a content of five litres may have a height of between, for instance, 150 mm and 300 mm and, with even larger contents, the height can increase up to 400 mm. Further, the outer strips 7,107, 207 A and C of the corner stiffening provisions may have a width w_a,c of between approximately 25 and 35 mm while the middle strip 7, 107, 207B may have a width Wb of, for instance, between approximately 35 and 50 mm, depending on the above mentioned widths w_a,c, and the angles included between these strips in set-up condition. These values merely serve as illustration and should therefore not be construed to be limitative in any manner. The exemplary embodiments described further have in common that the material is utilized herein in a highly effective manner, owing to the use of two blanks. Here, the second blank serves for closing off the package all around, as described hereinabove and/or for locally reinforcing the package in particular at the location where, in use, it is most heavily loaded. Owing to this efficient use of material, a relatively thin and/or light type of cardboard can be utilized, for instance solid cardboard with a weight of approximately 500 g/m2 or less, so that material can be saved on. Naturally, the package can also be manufactured from other types of cardboard, for instance corrugated cardboard. Owing to the use of two blanks, furthermore, a larger design choice is obtained with regard to the width and cross-section of the tubular corner stiffening provisions, relative to the remaining packaging dimensions. Here, irrespective of the dimensions of the corners stiffening provisions, each time, a package closed all around can be effected^*, while the respective blanks each separately and/or jointly can still have a substantially rectangular, efficient shape. The blanks can be cut, for instance punched, together from one material web or from different material webs, if desired with different material properties.

The invention is not limited in any manner to the exemplary embodiments represented in the description and the drawing. All combinations of (parts of) embodiments described and/or shown are understood to fall within the inventive concept. Furthermore, many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention as outlined by the claims.

For instance, the tubular corner stiffening provisions may be formed having a square or multi angle cross-section, by increasing the number of strips and folding lines of the corner stiffening panels. The tubular corner stiffening provision can also be designed to be, at least partly, double walled, for instance by rolling-in a corner stiffening panel with four strips to form a triangular tube, while the strips projecting on both sides of the corner stiffening panel can be secured against each other in overlapping manner. Thus, an even stronger tube can be obtained.

These and many variations are understood to fall within the framework of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A package, set up from a cardboard blank, comprising a bottom panel and upright sidewall panels surrounding this bottom panel, which sidewall panels are mutually connected by upright, tubular corner stiffening provisions, each corner stiffening provision having a height which is at least twice as large as a cross-sectional circumference of the respective corner stiffening provision.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the corner stiffening provisions have a rolled-in shape, closed upon itself.

3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the corner stiffening provisions has a triangular cross-section.

4. A package according to claim 3, wherein the sides of the triangular cross-section adjoining the sidewall panels have a length that is equal to or smaller than approximately 35 mm and is, preferably, smaller than 30 mm.

5. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the corner stiffening provisions has a square cross-section.

6. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all corner stiffening provisions have a similar height.

7. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one pair of opposites first sidewall panels has a height which is substantially equal to that of the adjoining corner stiffening provisions.

8. A package according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein one pair of opposite second sidewall panels has a height which is substantially equal to the cross-sectional circumference of the adjoining corner stiffening provisions.

9. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom panel and/or one or more sidewall panels are reinforced with the aid of a second blank.

10. A package according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the second blank comprises two third sidewall panels, which, in set-up condition, abut at least partly against the second sidewall panels of the first blank.

11. A package according to claim 10, wherein the third sidewall panels have a height that is substantially equal to that of the adjoining corner stiffening provisions.

12. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second blank, together, when they lie side by side, have a substantially rectangular circumference.

13. A package according to any one of claims 9 — 12, wherein the first and second blank each separately have a substantially rectangular shape.

14. A package according to any one of claims 9 — 13, wherein the second blank is set up to form a tubular sleeve, closed upon itself.

15. A package according to claim 14, wherein the sleeve abuts against an inside of the set-up first blank.

16. A package according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the sleeve abuts with wall parts against the bottom panel and two opposite sidewall panels.

17. A package according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the sleeve abuts with wall panels against the sidewall panels extending around the bottom panel.

18. A package according to claim 17, wherein the sleeve abuts with intermediate wall parts against the corner stiffening provisions.

19. A package according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the wall parts are provided on a side proximal to the bottom panel and/or a side remote therefrom, with a recess.

20. A package according to claim 19, wherein the recesses are concavely configured.

21. A package according to any one of claims 14 - 20, wherein the sleeve is provided, on a side remote from the bottom panel and/or a side proximal to the bottom panel, with a folded-over edge!

22. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for closing off the package, a form-retaining lid is provided, which is provided adjacent at least a part of its circumference with a groove in which a folded- over top edge of the package can be included.

23. A package according to any one of claims 1 — 21, wherein for closing off the package, a top panel is integrally connected to at least one of the side wall panels.

24. A package according to claim 23, wherein the top panel forms an integral part of the first blank.

25. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein folding lines, located in corners of the package which, in use, are tensile-loaded by the respective corner stretching or drawing round, are formed by a crease, provided in one side of the blank which, in set-up condition, is located on the inside of the respective corner.

26. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blanks are manufactured from solid cardboard.

27. A package according to claim 26, wherein the cardboard has a relatively low weight per square meter, which weight, depending on the measure of capacity of the package, can be, for instance, approximately 400 grams per square meters for a content of approximately 2 to 3 litres, and can be, for instance, approximately 1100 grams per square meter with a content of 5 litres.

28. An assembly of a package according to any one of the preceding claims and a flexible, liquid-tightly closable inside bag which can be or is fittingly included in the package.

29. A blank for a package according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a substantially rectangular bottom panel, a pair of first side walls which are pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the bottom panel along first folding lines, a pair of second sidewall panels which are pivotally connected to the two other sides of the bottom panel along second folding lines, four corner stiffening provisions which are pivotally connected on both sides of the first sidewall panels along third folding lines which extend substantially at right angles to the first folding lines, wherein a length of the corner stiffening panels, measured parallel to the third folding line, is more than twice as large as a width of the respective corner stiffening panel, measured from the third folding line, at right angles thereto.

30. A blank according to claim 29, wherein a height of the second sidewall panels, measured between the first folding line and an opposite free longitudinal edge, is substantially equal to the width of the corner stiffening panel.

31. A method for setting up a package according to any one of claims

9 - 28, wherein the corner stiffening panels of a blank according to claim 29 or 30 are rolled-in to form tubes and are secured against an inside of the first sidewall panels, the first and second sidewall panels being folded upward to form a tray-shaped package, the second sidewall panels being secured against the corner stiffening provisions, while at least the second sidewall panels are reinforced on an inside or outside by a second blank.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the package is provided with an empty inside bag and is then closed off, whereupon the inside bag is filled via a spout of the inside bag reaching through the package.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the package is provided with a filled inside bag, and is then closed off while a spout of the inside bag reaches through the package.