Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to containers, more specifically boxes, for the transit of
goods. In particular, the invention relates to, but is not limited to, containers
for the transit of consumer goods by postal or courier networks. The invention also
relates to blanks for such containers.
Background
[0002] Consumer purchases over the Internet are increasing year-on-year and, as such, Internet
retailers are dealing with higher and higher volumes of goods that must be packaged
for transit by post or courier.
[0003] When dealing with such high volumes, speed of packaging is a key factor. In addition,
cost of packaging and protection from damage of goods contained within the packaging
are important.
[0004] In view of the above, there is a need to improve packaging methods to provide increased
efficiency of packaging, at lower cost and with improved security.
Summary
[0005] According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a blank for a container
for the transit of goods, the blank configured to form a container having a base and
sidewalls, the blank comprising: a flexible retainer fixed to the blank and configured
such that when the container is formed, first and second portions of the flexible
retainer are positioned on opposing sidewalls of the container and are foldable over
an item placed within the box to retain the item in position, wherein a cohesive material
is applied to a first side of the first portion of the flexible retainer and to a
second side of the second portion of the flexible retainer, wherein the second side
is opposite the first side.
[0006] The flexible retainer may be a single piece of material or a plurality of discrete
pieces of material. The use of cohesive material on opposing sides of the flexible
retainer, such that one faces the internal volume of the constructed container and
the other faces away from the internal volume of the constructed container means that
the two portions of cohesive material face each other when the flexible retainer is
folded over an item in the container.
[0007] Optionally, the flexible retainer comprises a sheet of flexible material.
[0008] Optionally, the first portion of the flexible retainer comprises a first discrete
section and the second portion of the flexible retainer comprises a second discrete
section.
[0009] Optionally, the first and second discrete sections are fixed to opposing sidewall
sections of the blank or to one or more base sections of the blank.
[0010] Optionally, the first discrete section is fixed to a first sidewall section and to
one or both sidewalls sections adjacent to the first sidewall section of the blank.
[0011] Optionally, the cohesive material is applied at least to an upper portion of the
first and second portions of the flexible retainer.
[0012] Optionally, the upper portion extends to an upper limit of the first and second portions
of the flexible retainer.
[0013] Optionally, an area of the first and second portions of the flexible retainer between
the upper portion and an upper limit of the first and second portions of the flexible
retainer comprises no cohesive material.
[0014] Optionally, the cohesive material is applied to one of: at least 10%; at least 15%;
at least 20%; at least 25%; at least 30%; at least 40%; or at least 50% of a surface
area of the first and/or second portions of the flexible retainer.
[0015] Optionally, the cohesive material is applied to substantially the entire area of
the first and second portions of the flexible retainer.
[0016] Optionally, the cohesive material is applied to a further side of the first portion
of the flexible retainer facing outwards when the container is formed and to a further
side of the second portion of the flexible retainer facing inwards when the container
is formed.
[0017] Optionally, the flexible retainer is fixed to one or more sidewall sections of the
blank proximate to a base section of the blank.
[0018] Optionally, the flexible retainer is fixed to the blank by adhesive.
[0019] Optionally, the flexible retainer has a depth that is greater than a depth of a sidewall
section.
[0020] Optionally, the flexible retainer has a depth that is one of: at least 1.5 times
the depth of the sidewall section; at least twice the depth of the sidewall section;
and at least 2.5 times the depth of the sidewall section.
[0021] Optionally, the flexible retainer extends beyond an upper limit of the blank.
[0022] Optionally, the cohesive material extends beyond an upper limit of the blank.
[0023] According to the invention in a second aspect, there is provided a blank for a container
for the transit of goods, the blank configured to form a container having a base and
sidewalls, the blank comprising: a flexible retainer fixed to the blank and configured
such that when the container is formed, first and second discrete sections of the
flexible retainer are positioned on opposing sidewalls of the container and are foldable
over an item placed within the box to retain the item in position, wherein a cohesive
material is applied to at least one side of each of the first and second discrete
sections.
[0024] According to the invention in a third aspect, there is provided a container formed
from a blank described above.
[0025] According to the invention in a fourth aspect, there is provided an intermediate
blank formed from a blank described above.
Brief description of figures
[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blank for a container for transit of goods;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a blank for a container for transit of
goods;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a blank for a container for transit of goods as
it is being constructed into a container; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate blank;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a constructed container;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a constructed container with an item inside;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a constructed container with an item inside and
a flexible retainer folded over the item.
Detailed description
[0027] Generally, disclosed herein is a container and a blank for a container comprising
a flexible retainer configured to be foldable over an item placed within the box to
retain the item in position. The flexible retainer may be in a plurality of discrete
sections that are not connected. Each discrete section may have a cohesive material
applied to opposing sides thereof, such that when the container is formed the cohesive
material of a first discrete section faces into the internal volume of the box and
the cohesive material of a second discrete section faces outwards from the internal
volume of the container. This allows the cohesive material of each discrete section
to contact the cohesive material of the other discrete section when they are folded
over an item within the container.
[0028] Figures 1 and 2 show a blank 100 for a container. The blank 100 comprises four sidewall
sections 102a-d. In Figure 1, the sidewall sections 102b-d are shrouded by a flexible
retainer 104, which is split into first and second discrete sections 104a-b. The sidewall
sections 102a-d become the sidewalls of the container when the blank 100 is formed
into the container. Each of the sidewall sections 102a-d is connected to at least
one other sidewall section 102a-d by way of a foldable seam.
[0029] The blank 100 also comprises four base sections 106a-d. Each of the base sections
106a-d is joined to a corresponding sidewall section 102a-d by way of a foldable seam.
When forming the blank 100 into a container, this allows the base sections 106a-d
to be folded to form a base of the container at right angles to the sidewall sections
102a-d.
[0030] The blank 100 also comprises four top sections 108a-d. Each of the top sections 108a-d
is joined to a corresponding sidewall section 102a-d by way of a foldable seam. When
forming the blank 100 into a container, this allows the top sections 108a-d to be
folded to form a top or lid of the container at right angles to the sidewall sections
102a-d. In exemplary container blanks 100, one or more of the top sections 108a-d
may comprise a securing means for securing the lid of the box in a closed position.
The securing means may comprise an adhesive in the form of a peel and seal strip.
One or more of the top sections 108a-d may comprise an opening means to facilitate
easy opening of the box. The opening means may comprise a rip strip comprising a tab
that may be pulled by a user and a strip configured to rip open the container when
the tab is pulled.
[0031] The blank 100 may be a crashlock/autolock base blank configured to form a container.
[0032] The flexible retainer 104 comprises a plurality of discrete sections 104a-b. Each
discrete section 104a-b is fixed to at least one sidewall section 102a-d of the blank
100. In the exemplary blank of Figure 1, a first discrete section 104a is fixed to
two sidewall sections 102b, 102c and a second discrete section 104b is fixed to one
sidewall section 102d. The plurality of sidewall sections 102a-d to which the flexible
retainer 104 is fixed comprises at least two opposing sidewall sections. That is,
the flexible retainer 104 is fixed to at least two sidewall sections 102a-d that will
form opposing sidewalls of the container when the blank 100 is formed into a container.
The discrete sections 104a-b of the flexible retainer 104 may be fixed to the plurality
of sidewall sections 102a-d by an adhesive 110, although other methods may be used.
The discrete sections 104a-b of the flexible retainer 104 are fixed to the plurality
of sidewall sections 102a-d at a base region of the sidewalls. In alternative exemplary
blanks, the discrete sections 104a-b may be fixed to one or more of the base sections
106a-d of the blank 100. That is, the flexible retainer 104 may be fixed to the plurality
of sidewall sections 102a-d at a region near the base sections 106a-d. This allows
the flexible retainer 104 to be folded over an item within the container.
[0033] The discrete sections 104a-b of the flexible retainer 104 have a cohesive material
applied to opposing surfaces thereof. That is, the first discrete section 104a has
a cohesive material applied to a first (e.g. an inner) surface 112 and the second
discrete section 104b has a cohesive material applied to a second (e.g. an outer)
surface 114. In other exemplary blanks, the cohesive material may be applied to the
discrete sections 104a-b in a reverse configuration, for example the cohesive material
may be applied to the outer surface of the first discrete section 104a and to the
inner side of the second discrete section 104b.
[0034] As used herein, the term "cohesive material" encompasses materials that adhere to
themselves but substantially do not adhere to other materials. For example, if an
inner surface of the flexible retainer 104 is coated with a cohesive material, then
that cohesive material will adhere to other features of the blank 100 also coated
with the cohesive material; however it will not adhere to features of the blank not
coated with the cohesive material, such as the sidewall, base and top sections.
[0035] As shown in Figure 2 by the vertical arrows, the discrete sections 104a-b are fixed
to the plurality of sidewall sections 102a-d by placing the discrete sections 104a-b
on the sidewall sections 102a-d and securing them with adhesive 110. At least a portion
of each discrete section 104a-b of the flexible retainer 104 is free and is not fixed
to the blank 100. In the exemplary blank 100 of Figure 1, a strip of adhesive in a
range from 1 cm to 2 cm thick is used to fix the flexible retainer 104 to the blank
100.
[0036] The cohesive material may be applied to substantially all of the corresponding surface
112, 114 of each discrete section 104a-b of the flexible retainer 104. That is, the
cohesive material may cover substantially all of the opposing surfaces 112, 114 of
the free ends of the discrete portions 104a-b of the flexible retainer. In other exemplary
arrangements, the cohesive material may be applied to a region of each of the discrete
portions 104a-b of the flexible retainer. For example, the cohesive material may be
applied to an area at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40% or 50% of the surface area
or free surface area of the surfaces 112, 114.
[0037] This provides an area of the flexible retainer covered in the cohesive material sufficient
to allow the discrete portions 104a-b of the flexible retainer to be cohered to one
another at a number of different tensions. That is, the tension between the discrete
portions 104a-b may be adjusted to suit the contents of the container. In addition,
covering a significant amount of the surface area of the surfaces 112, 114 allows
the discrete portions 104a-b of the flexible retainer to be scrunched together over
the top of items in the container such that the scrunched flexible retainer at least
partially fills a void within the container between the items and the closed lid sections.
This provides greater security for the items in the container, as they are less likely
to move around in the container during transit.
[0038] Further, the cohesive material may be applied to any one of a number of different
areas of the flexible retainer. These areas may cover the surface areas described
above. In one exemplary arrangement, the cohesive material may be applied to a portion
of the surface beginning at an upper limit of a discrete portion. This may be termed
an upper portion of the surfaces 112, 114. The upper portion of the surface may cover
a surface area of the surfaces 112, 114 relating to the areas described above. In
other arrangements, the upper portion of a surface 112, 114 may not begin at an upper
limit of the discrete portions 104a-b, but may be shifted downwards. That is, the
area of the surfaces covered may be, for example, 25% or more of the total surface
area, and there may be an area that has no cohesive material applied to it between
the upper limit of the cohesive material and an upper limit of the discrete portion.
In exemplary arrangements, the cohesive material may be applied to an area of the
surfaces that does not extend to one or both of the lateral limits of the discrete
portions 104a-b.
[0039] In exemplary arrangements, the cohesive material may be applied to further surfaces
111, 113 of the discrete portions 104a-b of the flexible retainer. In such arrangements,
the cohesive material may be applied to substantially the entire surface area of each
surface 111, 112, 113, 114, or at least to the surface area of the free portions (i.e.
those portions not adhered to the blank) of the flexible retainer.
[0040] In other exemplary blanks, the flexible retainer 104 may be formed of a single section.
In such arrangements, first and second portions of the flexible retainer 104 have
cohesive material applied to opposing surfaces. Further, in other exemplary blanks,
a third discrete section of flexible retainer 104 may be applied to the remaining
sidewall section 102a. In such arrangements, a cohesive material may be applied to
the same surface as the second discrete section 104b, the outer surface 114 in the
example of Figures 1 and 2. The same description provided above in respect of the
cohesive material being applied to surfaces of the discrete portions 104a-b may apply
to a flexible retainer having a single section, except that the portions are not now
discrete.
[0041] The flexible retainer 104 (in whatever form) may extend beyond an upper limit of
the blank 100. That is, the flexible retainer 104 may extend beyond the top sections
108a-d. Further, the areas of the flexible retainer comprising the cohesive material
may extend beyond the upper limit of the blank. The flexible retainer and/or the areas
of the flexible retainer comprising the cohesive material may extend beyond the top
sections 108a-d by at least 50% of the depth of one or more top sections 108a-d. The
flexible retainer 104 may have a depth greater than the depth of the sidewall sections
102a-d. The flexible retainer may have a depth greater than the depth of the sidewall
sections 102a-d and the top sections 108a-d combined. Such arrangements have a larger
area of flexible retainer that may be folded or scrunched over items within the container.
Therefore, if the flexible retainer is loosely scrunched over the items in the container
then a void between the items and inner surfaces of the container may be filled by
the flexible retainer.
[0042] It is noted that relative terms such as upper, lower, inner and outer are used herein
to aid description of the exemplary blanks and containers and need not limit the scope
of the claimed invention. In particular, the terms inner and outer may refer to the
inner and outer faces of a constructed container and the terms upper and lower may
refer to the top and base of a constructed container.
[0043] In exemplary blanks, the blank 100 itself may be formed from cardboard. Specifically,
the blank 100 may be formed from corrugated cardboard or solid board. In exemplary
blanks, the flexible retainer 104 may comprise a sheet of flexible material, such
as paper, card or a plastics material. In exemplary blanks, the cohesive material
may comprise a synthetic or non-synthetic glue.
[0044] Figure 3 shows a blank 100 part way formed into a container. A first sidewall section
102a is folded at right angles to a second sidewall section 102b. Also, a fourth sidewall
section 102d is folded at right angles to a third sidewall section 102c. In Figure
3, the third sidewall section 102c is shown as being flush with the second sidewall
section 102b, however this will also be folded at right angles as part of the construction
of the container. As can be seen in Figure 3, the first discrete section 104a is fixed
to the second and third sidewall sections 102b, 102c. The second discrete section
104b is fixed to the fourth sidewall section 102d. As such, the discrete sections
104a, 104b are fixed to opposed sidewalls of the constructed container and the first
discrete 104a section is also fixed to the third sidewall section 102c, which is adjacent
to the opposed sidewall sections 102b, 102d.
[0045] The blank 100 may be partially constructed into an intermediate blank (or glued blank)
400 suitable for transit in high volumes, as shown in Figure 4. The intermediate blank
is formed by folding the first and fourth sidewall sections 102a, 102d inwards and
over the second and third sidewall sections 102b, 102c, as shown in Figure 3. A tab
(or glue flap) 116 extends from an edge of the fourth sidewall section 102d and is
fixed to an inner surface of the first sidewall section 102a. In addition, base tabs
118a-b, which form part of the base sections 106a, 106c, are fixed to corresponding
adjacent base sections 106a, 106d such that the base is formed in the container as
the intermediate blank is opened to form rectangularly arranged sidewalls.
[0046] Figure 5 shows a fully constructed container 500. In the exemplary container 500
the flexible retainer 104 is shown positioned on the second, third and fourth sidewall
sections 102b-d and extending to the upper limit of the corresponding top sections
108b-d. The first discrete section 104a is positioned on the second and third sidewall
section 102b-c and the second discrete section 104b is positioned on the further sidewall
section 102d. There is no significant amount of flexible retainer positioned on the
first sidewall section 102a, however an amount of the flexible retainer may come at
least partially around the sidewall section 102d by the length of the glue flap 116,
as shown in Figure 3.
[0047] Because the cohesive material is on opposite surfaces of the first and second discrete
sections 104a-b, when the flexible retainer is folded over an item within the container
500 the cohesive material of the first discrete section 104a faces the cohesive material
of the second discrete section 104b. For example, the first discrete section 104a
may have cohesive material on an inner surface and the second discrete section 104b
may have cohesive material on an outer surface. In such an arrangement, an item is
placed into the container 500, as shown in Figure 6. Then, as shown in Figure 7, the
second discrete section 104b may be folded over the item first, such that the cohesive
material is facing upwards and the first discrete section 104a is folded over the
item and the second discrete section, such that the cohesive material is facing downwards.
Therefore, a higher proportion of cohesive material from each discrete section is
in contact with the cohesive material of the other section.
[0048] As discussed above, the flexible retainers may be loosely scrunched to form structure
within a void of the container. Accordingly, in exemplary arrangements there is provided
a blank for a container for the transit of goods, the blank configured to form a container
having a base and sidewalls, the blank comprising: a flexible retainer fixed to the
blank and configured such that when the container is formed, first and second portions
of the flexible retainer are positioned on opposing sidewalls of the container, wherein
a cohesive material is applied to a first side of the first portion of the flexible
retainer and to a second side of the second portion of the flexible retainer, wherein
the second side is opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second portions
of the flexible retainer are configured to be scrunched together and to cohere to
form a structure for at least partially filling a void within the formed container.
[0049] Flexible retainers having cohesive material applied to both opposed surfaces are
particularly suited to embodiments in which the flexible retainer may be scrunched
to form a structure for at least partially filling the void.
[0050] The skilled person will be able to envisage other exemplary blanks and containers
without departing from the appended claims.
1. A blank for a container for the transit of goods, the blank configured to form a container
having a base and sidewalls, the blank comprising:
a flexible retainer fixed to the blank and configured such that when the container
is formed, first and second portions of the flexible retainer are positioned on opposing
sidewalls of the container and are foldable over an item placed within the container
to retain the item in position,
wherein a cohesive material is applied to a side of the first portion of the flexible
retainer facing inwards when the container is formed and to a side of the second portion
of the flexible retainer facing outwards when the container is formed.
2. A blank according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the flexible retainer comprises
a first discrete section and the second portion of the flexible retainer comprises
a second discrete section.
3. A blank according to claim 2, wherein the first discrete section is fixed to a first
sidewall section and to one or both sidewalls sections adjacent to the first sidewall
section of the blank.
4. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the cohesive material is applied
at least to an upper portion of the first and second portions of the flexible retainer.
5. A blank according to claim 4, wherein the upper portion extends to an upper limit
of the first and second portions of the flexible retainer.
6. A blank according to claim 4, wherein an area of the first and second portions of
the flexible retainer between the upper portion and an upper limit of the first and
second portions of the flexible retainer comprises no cohesive material.
7. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the cohesive material is applied
to one of: at least 10%; at least 15%; at least 20%; at least 25%; at least 30%; at
least 40%; or at least 50% of a surface area of the first and/or second portions of
the flexible retainer.
8. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the cohesive material is applied
to substantially the entire area of the first and second portions of the flexible
retainer.
9. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the cohesive material is applied
to a further side of the first portion of the flexible retainer facing outwards when
the container is formed and to a further side of the second portion of the flexible
retainer facing inwards when the container is formed.
10. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible retainer has a depth
that is greater than a depth of a sidewall section.
11. A blank according to claim 10, wherein the flexible retainer has a depth that is one
of: at least 1.5 times the depth of the sidewall section; at least twice the depth
of the sidewall section; and at least 2.5 times the depth of the sidewall section.
12. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible retainer extends beyond
an upper limit of the blank.
13. A blank according to claim 13, wherein the cohesive material extends beyond an upper
limit of the blank.
14. A container formed from a blank according to any preceding claim.
15. An intermediate blank formed from a blank according to any of claims 1 to 13.