Paperboard container with locking flaps

Abstract

A container blank is provided which forms a container having a pair of end wall panels defining access apertures therein and a pair of side wall panels. The container blank also includes a plurality of minor flaps adjacent to the end wall panels where at least one of the minor flaps includes a horizontal fold line across the midsection of the minor flap and at least one vertical fold line that runs generally perpendicular to the horizontal fold line and defines at least one folding tab member on one of the minor flap locking tabs. Further, the container blank also has a plurality of major flaps adjacent to the side wall panels, where at least one of the major flaps has a receiving slot for engagement with an associated locking tab. The resulting container provides strength for use in storage including food product storage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed generally to a container constructed from a paperboard blank. More particularly, aspects of the present invention relate to a paperboard container that has increased strength for material handling. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the shipping and packaging industry, laminated containers are used for transporting dry materials and products. In general, laminated containers are constructed from corrugated fiberboard having adhesively bonded layers. These laminated containers are generally constructed initially from a paperboard blank. One type of laminated container is a field pack produce container. This type of produce container has short wall panels connected to short top flaps with slot openings for closing the container. An access hole is generally located in the upper portion of each end of the short wall panels to allow a person to grasp the container to easily move and transport the container and to allow a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The present invention pertains to a paperboard container with increased strength for material handling operations and improved locking function.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a container with locking mechanisms that lift the top of the container so as to provide improved protection for contents of the container against damage. When multiple containers are stacked vertically, folding tab elements may be used to connect the top flaps of the container and protect the contents inside of the container.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, a container may include support structures for protecting the contents of the container when stacked with other containers. A support structure may be formed by a fold line construction on a flap with locking tabs that are manipulated into receiving slots of flaps. Containers possessing these support structures may be stacked vertically to reduce the risk that the contents of lower containers may be damaged or crushed by the weight of containers located above the lower containers.

Problems solved by technology

With these types of produce containers, insertion of a hand or the hose end into the access hole can cause the paper material of the container to tear at the access hole and continue into the slot in the short flap.

Thus, over time the container of this construction can become difficult to use and become unlocked.

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