Container

Abstract

A blank (1) of stiff yet foldable sheet material erectable into a container base (3), comprising a rectangular bottom panel (10), a pair of side wall panel means foldably connected to sides of the bottom panel and provided with end flaps (19,20; 21,22), a pair of end wall panel means each comprising a first end wall panel (27,28) foldably connected to an associated end of the bottom wall panel (1) so as to be foldable upwardly therefrom and a second end wall panel (31,32) foldably connected to the first end wall panel, and foldable gusset means (43-46) at each corner of the bottom panel connecting opposite ends of each side wall panel means to opposite ones of said end wall panel means. In the erected container base the two end flaps (19,20; 21,22) are folded against the associated first end wall panel (27,28) and the second end wall panel (31,32) of each end wall panel means is folded over the underlying end flaps.

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a container comprising a base and lid, each made of stiff yet foldable sheet material, e.g. corrugated material. The container is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for containing food produce such as, for example, fresh fish. The invention also relates to a blank of stiff yet foldable sheet material, e.g. corrugated material, which is erectable into a base of a container and to a packaging method. [0002] Conventionally fish boxes, i.e. boxes used for the packing, storage and dispatch of fish, have been made from wood or plastics material. Such boxes are often filled on board deep-sea trawlers and take up valuable deck and storage space when not in use. These known fish boxes are relatively expensive and, as such, are re-used after being cleaned. However, it is difficult effectively to clean such fish boxes to the required hygienic standards. [0003] It is desirable for fish boxes to have good thermally insulating ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an easily erectable container comprising a base and a top or lid having walls made of stiff yet foldable sheet material and possessing improved thermally insulating properties. It is also an aim of the invention to provide a container base erectable from a blank of stiff yet foldable sheet material.

[0012] A blank according to the invention enables a container base to be erected having double thickness side and end walls thereby enhancing the thermally insulating properties of the container base.

[0016] Conveniently there is provided a further blank of stiff yet foldable sheet material for a top of the container, the further blank having a rectangular top panel and, foldable downwardly therefrom, side wall panels and end wall panels foldably connected to sides and ends, respectively, of the top wall panel, the side wall panels and end wall panels of the further blank being connectible, e.g. adhesively, to walls of the erected container base. By suitable dimensioning of the side wall panels and the end wall panels of the further blank the folded down panels provide an additional layer of thickness for the side and end walls of the container erected from the two blanks. Rectangular blanks of any suitable material, e.g. the same material as the blanks or a material having good thermally insulating properties, may be positioned on the bottom panel of the erected container base and / or beneath the top panel when the erected container is being dosed by the container top.

[0018] By using strips of adhesive material on the blanks to retain the erected containers in their erected condition, the containers can be erected on-site without the use of container erecting machinery.

Problems solved by technology

The container is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for containing food produce such as, for example, fresh fish.

Such boxes are often filled on board deep-sea trawlers and take up valuable deck and storage space when not in use.

These known fish boxes are relatively expensive and, as such, are re-used after being cleaned.

However, it is difficult effectively to clean such fish boxes to the required hygienic standards.

It is desirable for fish boxes to have good thermally insulating properties so that fresh fish stored within the boxes do not become too hot It is difficult to provide relatively cheap,, thermally insulating fish boxes made of wood or plastics material.

Images