This invention relates to a blank, method and kit for the erection of containers
The applicant is aware that containers are normally erected from blanks provided with a shape, pattern of fold lines and/or slits configured to provide a container of a specific shape, size and configuration. A specific die is prepared for the manufacture of a specific container.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a blank of sheet material, for forming a container having any one of a plurality of shapes, sizes and/or configurations, provided with a pattern of fold lines, the pattern including:
The pattern of fold lines may be a cross-hatched grid or matrix.
Fold lines will be understood to mean an indicated line, embossed line, line of perforations, scores, creases, or any line of weakness such as a pre-folded line, and the like.
The pattern may be selected such that a container having any one of a plurality of shapes, sizes and/or configuration can be erected from the blank.
The shape and/or size of the erected container is dependent on the dimensions of the blank sheet of material.
The first and second plurality of parallel spaced fold lines may define rows and columns of rectangular shapes, on the surface of the blank, each rectangular shape being separated from adjacent shapes by the fold lines.
Each rectangular shape defined by the first and second pluralities of fold lines may have four equal sides i.e. be a square.
The pattern may further include a third plurality of parallel spaced fold lines at an angle to the first and second pluralities of fold lines.
The pattern may further include a fourth plurality of parallel spaced fold lines at an angle to the first and second pluralities of fold lines and transverse to the third plurality of fold lines. One or more of the fourth plurality of fold lines may intersect one or more of the third plurality of fold lines.
The blank may include instructions printed thereon to a person for folding, connecting and/or cutting the blank in order to erect a container of the shape size and/or configuration as desired by the person.
The blank may be provided with decorative printed or embossed markings. The markings may be foil laminated print markings.
The third and fourth pluralities of fold lines may be diagonal with respect to the rectangular shapes defined by the first and second plurality of parallel spaced fold lines.
Each rectangular shape defined by the third and fourth pluralities of fold lines may have four equal sides i.e. be a square.
The sheet material may be any suitable stiff paper, plastic coated paper, plastic board, carton paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic laminated paper, twin walled extruded plastic sheeting, and the like material.
In one embodiment the blank is provided with a connecting device, the device having:
The connecting device may be foldable. The connecting device may be foldable by virtue of being made from a flexible material or a rigid material which is foldable by virtue of the fold lines provided thereon.
The connecting device may adhesively connect said panels to form at least a portion of the container defined by the panels.
In one embodiment, the connecting device is made from 100 micron polypropylene, matt while material, having a 45 gram paper foil self adhesive layer.
The connecting device may be generally square shaped and the pattern of fold lines may include:
The pattern of fold lines may further include a second pair of parallel spaced fold lines extending transversely from the other of the first pair of fold lines to the nearest edge proximate a line, which divide the device in two oblong shaped halves.
The pattern of fold lines may further include one or more diagonal fold lines.
It will be appreciated that the connecting device may also function as a reinforcing means for reinforcing panels of the erected container.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing containers which includes the step of providing a blank sheet of material provided with a pattern of fold lines, the pattern including:
The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Referring now to figures 1 to 4, a blank of sheet of stiff paper material for a container, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The blank 10 of sheet material for a container is provided with a pattern 12 of printed fold lines. The pattern 12 is selected such that a container 14 having any one of a plurality of shapes, sizes and/ or configuration can be erected from the blank, such as the examples shown in figures 2 to 4.
The pattern 12 includes a first plurality of parallel spaced fold lines 16 and a second plurality of parallel spaced fold lines 18 perpendicular to and which intersect the first plurality of fold lines 16. The pattern 12 further includes a third plurality of parallel spaced fold lines 20 and a fourth plurality of parallel spaced fold lines 22, both at an angle to the first and second pluralities of fold lines 16 and 18. The fourth plurality of parallel spaced fold lines 22 is perpendicular to the third plurality of fold lines 20 and intersects the third plurality of fold lines 20.
Figure 2 shows a container 14.1 having a triangular cross section erected from a blank 10, which has been cut and folded along the darkened lines 23.
Figure 3 shows a container 14.2 having a lid 25 erected from a blank 10, which has been cut and folded along the darkened lines 23.
Referring now to figures 4 to 13, a connecting device of a flexible sheet material, in accordance with the invention, is indicated by reference numeral 24. The connecting device 24 has an adhesive on the surface of one of the sides and a pattern of fold lines 26. As shown in figures 6 to 13, the pattern of fold lines 26 are configured such that the connecting device 24 can be cut and/ or folded (indicated by arrows marked 28) to adhesively connect panels 30 of a container 14 at a corner (as shown in Figures 11 and 13) defined by the panels 30, to form a hinged lid (as shown in Figure 12) defined by the panels 30, and connect panels 30 which abut, neighbour, overlap and/or is coterminous along edges (as shown in figures 6 to 10).
The connecting device 24 is generally square shaped and the pattern of printed fold lines 26 includes a first pair 26.1 of parallel spaced fold lines extending from one edge of the device 24 to the other opposed edge along a line, which divide the device 10 in two oblong shaped halves and a fold line 26.2, perpendicular to, along a line, which divide the device 24 in two oblong shaped halves. The fold line 26.2 extends from one of the first pair of parallel lines 26.1 to the nearest edge. The pattern of fold lines 26 further includes a second pair 26.3 of parallel spaced fold lines extending perpendicular from the other of the first pair of fold lines 26.1 to the nearest edge proximate a line, which divide the device 24 in two oblong shaped halves. The pattern of fold lines 26 further includes a diagonal fold line 26.4.
Figure 14 shows an elongate label device 32 of a flexible sheet material. The device 32 has an adhesive on the surface of one of the sides. The device 32 is symmetrical along a fold line 34 provided across its width such that the adhesive surface can be folded in two matching halves, which adhere to each other. The label device 32 is also provided with further matching pairs of fold lines 36 across its width proximate opposed ends of the device 32. Still further, the label device 32 is provided with a matching pair of markings 38, indicating the position where matching holes 40 can be made by a person. A marking 38 is proximate each opposed end of the label device 32. The versatility and uses of the device 32 are clearly indicated by Figure 14.
Figure 15 shows further, decorative and tagging, uses of the connecting device 24 and the label device 32, respectively.