Nested pair of blanks

Abstract

The invention relates to a nested pair of blanks on a unitary sheet which minimizes the amount of scrap sheet material (i.e., sheet scrap) upon separation of the blanks and construction of containers formed from the blanks. The nested pair of blanks provides a first blank for forming a container, a second blank for forming an identical container, and a non-linear separation interface that connects the first and second blanks to one another in a rotationally inverted relationship. The nested configuration reduces the amount of sheet scrap in the sheet. The invention further relates to a container formed from the first or second blank having features that reduce sheet scrap and offset the potential weakening of the container bottom resulting from reduced overlapping sheet material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a nested blank arrangement on a unitary sheet with features which minimize scrap sheet material (i.e., sheet scrap) while strengthening the bottom of a container formed from one of the blanks. More specifically, the invention is a nested pair of blanks on a unitary sheet which minimizes the amount of sheet scrap upon separation of the blanks and construction of containers formed from the blanks. The nested pair of blanks further minimizes the amount of sheet material required to form container bottoms. Stated differently, the increased nesting between the panels and flaps of the blanks on the sheet reduces the amount of overlapping sheet material on the bottom flaps forming the container bottom. The invention further relates to a container formed from one of the blanks and having an automatic bottom, wherein notched edges of the bottom panels correspondingly engage one another to form a container bottom and offset the potent...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The invention is a nested pair of blanks on a unitary sheet having a first blank for forming a container, a second blank for forming an identical container, and a non-linear separation interface that connects the first and second blanks to one another in a rotationally inverted relationship (i.e., half-turn rotationally inverted with respect to one another). Advantageously, the non-linear separation interface reduces the amount of sheet scrap in the sheet.

[0007]Although efficient for manufacturing purposes, the non-linear separation interface also reduces the amount of sheet material available to form a container bottom in a container formed from one of the blanks. The reduction in area of the bottom panels forming the container bottom potentially weakens the container bottom. The invention addresses the potentially weakened container bottom by providing bottom panels having notched edges that correspondingly engage one another upon construction to counter the reduced bottom panel area (i.e., overlapping material) and strengthen the container bottom.

[0008]In one embodiment, the invention is a nested pair of blanks on a unitary sheet having a first blank for forming a container, a second blank for forming an identical container, and a non-linear separation interface that connects the blanks to one another in a rotationally inverted relationship that reduces sheet scrap. As set forth above, the invention incorporates blanks having notched edges that correspondingly engage one another upon construction to form a container bottom upon separation of the blank and construction of the container. The engagement notches strengthen the container bottom and counter the effect of reduced overlapping material in the container bottom (i.e., potentially weakened bottom).

[0014]First and second locking closure flaps connected to respective edges of the first and second side panels of the first and second blanks secure the tops of the containers formed from the blanks. In the unitary sheet, the first and second locking closure flaps of the blanks are positioned opposite the non-linear separation interface. This particular embodiment also provides first and second top closure panels connected to respective edges of the front and rear panels of the blanks. The first and second top closure panels are positioned on the sheet opposite the non-linear separation interface and further secure the tops of the containers formed from the blanks.

Problems solved by technology

The reduction in area of the bottom panels forming the container bottom potentially weakens the container bottom.

Images