Structure, structure formation apparatus, and method

Abstract

A structure comprising a layer of corrugated material 110 having corrugations 112 projecting in a first axis 114 and one or more strips of material 120 provided on the layer of corrugated material that extend over the corrugated material. The strip of material comprises an edge comprising a wave edge profile 122, the wave edge profile comprises one or more variations in a second axis 116 / 118 perpendicular to the first axis. The wave edge profile may comprise a sinusoidal, triangular, or trapezoidal wave profile. The strips of material may be paper, the strips of paper may only be applied to the peaks of the corrugations 112. A structure formation apparatus arranged to receive a layer of corrugate material, one or more strips of material comprising an edge with a wave edge profile, further arranged to provide the strips of material to extend over the corrugate material. A method of forming a structure by providing a layer of corrugate material and one or more strips with a wave edge profile is also disclosed.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a structure, a structure formation apparatus, and a method of forming of a structure. Background Corrugated cardboard is used in the field of packaging. One example of a corrugated cardboard structure is double-faced ply, which comprises two layers of facing sheet paper material separated by and adhered to a layer of corrugated paper therebetween. Another example of a corrugated cardboard structure is single-faced ply, which comprises a single layer of paper adhered to a layer of corrugated paper. Another example of a corrugated cardboard structure is discontinuous-ply, which comprises a discontinuous layer of paper portions, the paper portions adhered to a layer of corrugated paper. Double-faced ply requires a large amount of material to produce and provides strength that may, for some applications, be in excess of that required. Furthermore, double-faced ply may be heavy. Discontinuous-ply corrugated provides intermediate strength but is not significantly cheaper to produce that double-faced ply. Single-faced ply is cheapest to produce but may be weaker than double-faced cardboard and therefore suitable only for limited uses. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the problems identified above, and / or identified elsewhere, and / or at least to provide an alternative structure, structure formation apparatus, and / or method. Summary According to the present invention there is provided a structure, an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure comprising: a layer of corrugated material having corrugations projecting in a first axis; and one or more strips of material provided on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material, wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge comprising a wave edge profile, and wherein the wave edge profile comprises one or more variations in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. In one example, the second axis is a lateral axis of the at least one strip of material. In one example, the one or more strips of material extend within a plane that is parallel to the layer of corrugated material and is perpendicular to the first axis. In one example, the at least one strip of material and a second strip of material are provided on the layer of corrugated material to form a discontinuous facing ply. In one example, the wave edge profile of the at least one strip of material is: aligned with a wave edge profile of the second strip of material; or offset from a wave edge profile of the second strip of material. In one example, the wave edge profile of the at least one strip of material extends in a lateral direction perpendicular to corrugations of the layer of corrugated material or the wave edge profile of the at least one strip of material extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to corrugations of the layer of corrugated material. In one example, the one or more strips of material comprise a first edge comprising a wave edge profile and a second edge comprising a wave edge profile. In one example, the wave edge profile comprises one or more of: a sinusoidal wave profile, a triangular wave profile, and a trapezoidal wave profile. In one example, the one or more strips of material are applied only to crests of corrugations of the layer of corrugated material. In one example, the one or more strips of material are one or more strips of paper, preferably Kraft paper. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure formation apparatus arranged to receive a layer of corrugated material and one or more strips of material, wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge having a wave edge profile, the structure formation apparatus arranged to: provide the one or more strips of material on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material. In one example, the structure further comprises a cutter assembly arranged to cut a material to form one or more strips of material comprising an edge comprising a wave edge profile. In one example, the structure further comprises an applicator assembly arranged to apply the one or more strips of material to the layer of corrugated material. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a structure, the method comprising: providing a layer of corrugated material and one or more strips of material, wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge comprising a wave edge profile; and providing the one or more strips of material on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material. In one example, the method further comprises cutting a material to form the one or more strips of material comprising an edge having a wave edge profile. Features of the above aspects may be combined, or incorporated into each other, as desired or as appropriate. In particular, the structure formation apparatus of the second aspect may comprise any or all of the features of the first aspect, as desired or as appropriate. Furthermore, the method of the third aspect may comprise any or all of the features of the first aspect and / or second aspect, as desired or as appropriate. Other preferred and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description. Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1    shows a plan view of an example structure comprising a strip of material; Figure 2    shows a plan view of a strip of material compared to the prior art; Figure 3a   shows a side view cross section view of the structure of Figure 1 along line Y-Y’; Figure 3b   shows a side cross section view of the structure of Figure 1 along line X-X’; Figure 4    shows a plan view of a structure comprising a strip of material; Figure 5    shows a plan view of a structure comprising more than one strips of material; Figure 6    shows a plan view of a structure comprising more than one strips of material; Figure 7    shows a structure formation apparatus; Figure 8    shows a structure formation apparatus; and Figure 9 shows a method of forming a structure. Detailed Description In overview, a structure is provided that has improved strength, cost- and weight-saving advantages. The structures described here are suitable for use in packaging, for example in the manufacture of cardboard boxes or protective carboard wrapping. The structure may otherwise be referred to as a “board”. Referring to Figure 1, a structure 100 is shown in plan-view. The structure 100 comprises a layer of corrugated material 110. A layer may otherwise be known as a sheet. The layer of corrugated material 110 comprises corrugations 112 (e.g., flutes) projecting in a first axis 114. In the art, corrugations may otherwise be referred to as flutes. The peaks and troughs of the corrugations 112 project in a depth axis of the structure 100. That is, in this context, the term “projecting” may refer to the vertical projecting nature, up-down variation, or heightwise projecting nature of the corrugations. The peaks may otherwise be referred to as crests. In Figure 1, the corrugations 112 are depicted as dashed lines. The structure 100 comprises a strip of material 120 provided on the layer of corrugated material 110. The strip of material 120 comprises paper, which in some examples may be Kraft paper. The strip of material 120 extends over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material 110. An edge of the strip of material 120 comprises a wave profile 122, also referred to herein as a wave edge profile. The wave edge profile 122 comprises one or more variations in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis 114. As discussed in more detail below, the wave edge feature is subtle but highly advantageous, for example providing a reinforcing effect, utilises material efficiently, and is producible at a reduced cost. Where the first axis 114 corresponds to a depth axis of the layer of corrugated material 110, the axes perpendicular thereto comprise the second axis. The second axis may be a lateral axis 116 of the layer of corrugated material 110, which extends across the width of the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110, ora longitudinal axis 118 of the layer of corrugated material 100, which extends along the length of the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110. Hereinafter, the lateral axis 116 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may be referred to as the lateral axis 116 of the structure 100, and the longitudinal axis 118 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may also be referred to as the lateral axis 118 of the structure 100. As shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal (i.e., length) axis of the strip 120 aligns with the lateral axis 116 of the structure 100 and the lateral (i.e., width) axis of the strip 120 aligns with the longitudinal axis 118 of the structure 100. The wave edge profile 122 extends along the longitudinal axis of the strip 120 in a direction perpendicular to the depth axis of the structure 100. In this examples illustrated and described herein, the wave edge profile has a repeating wave form. As shown in Figure 1, the wave edge profile 122 of the strip of material 120 varies within the plane of the strip of material 120 itself. In other words, the variation is within a plane defined by the lateral and longitudinal axes of the structure 116, 118. This variation has a repeating wave form. For example, the variation may be a wave form including peaks and troughs. Thus, whilst the wave edge profile 122 extends along a longitudinal edge of the strip, the peaks and troughs of the wave edge profile project along the lateral axis of the strip. In other words, the plane of the strip of the material 120 comprises peaks and troughs in a plane parallel to the plane of the corrugated layer. In other words, the plane may be defined by the longitudinal and lateral axes 118, 116 of the layer. Although not depicted herein, the strip of material 120 may itself be corrugated, comprising projections in a first (e.g., depth) axis of the structure 100, and additionally comprise a wave edge profile 122 as described herein, which varies in the plane of the strip of material 120. Whilst in the examples illustrated and described herein the wave edge profile 122 has a repeating wave form, other varying profiles of the edge of the strip 120 may be advantageous in reducing material usage and providing cost saving benefits. That is, in some examples, the wave edge profile 122 need not be repeating or periodic, and may simply comprise regions or portions of different, or varying, maximum lateral extent. Providing a wave edge profile 122 with a repeating wave form may be advantageous for structural stability, uniform performance, and simplifying manufacture of the strip 120. However, the benefit of reduction in material usage may be achieved with non-repeating wave profiles. In some examples, the variation of the wave edge profile 122 may be random, only partially repeating, and / or non-uniform variation. The strip of material 120 extends across corrugations of the corrugated layer 110. The strip of material 120 is thus waved across the structure 100. In particular, Figure 1 shows the strip of material arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the strip of material 120 extends in a direction perpendicular to corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 120, e.g., in a lateral direction across the structure 100. In this way the structure 100 is reinforced against collapse by folding of the longitudinally extending corrugations 112. For example, the strip of material 120 acts as a support member, or cross-brace, to increase in rigidity of the structure in a direction crosswise to the longitudinally extending corrugations 112. Although not depicted in Figure 1, the edge comprising a wave edge profile 122 may be a lateral edge of the strip of material. Referring to Figure 2, the strip of material 120 comprising a wave edge profile 122 is shown as overlaid on an example rectangular discontinuous ply portion of the prior art (depicted in outer dashed lines with a hashed interior). Both the strip of material 120 and the discontinuous ply portion of the prior art have the same maximum lateral width 121. As in Figure 1, the strip of material 120 comprises a wave edge profile 122 that extends along the longitudinal axis 128 of the strip 120 and the wave edge profile 122 comprises variations of peaks and troughs which vary in the lateral axis 126 of the strip 120. The strip of material 120 thus has a minimum lateral width 123 that is defined by the form of the wave edge profile 122. Advantageously, at least due to the variations providing the minimum lateral width in the wave edge profile 122, comparatively less material is required to form each strip 120 than is required to form each discontinuous ply portion of the prior art. In this way, the strip of material 120, once incorporated into the structure 100 described in reference to Figure 1, provides a reinforcing effect, utilises material efficiently, and is producible at a reduced cost. In example structures, the strip of material 120 may be arranged on the layer of corrugated material 110 so that the longitudinal axis 128 of the strip 120 aligns, is angled with respect to, or is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 118 of the structure 100. Referring to Figure 3, cross-sectional views of the structure 100 of Figure 1 is shown. Figure 3(a) and Figure 3(b) show a side view of the structure 100 obtained crosswise to the variations in the wave edge profile 122 along line Y-Y’ and line X-X’ of Figure 1 respectively. The crosssectioning lines X-X’ and Y-Y’ of Figure 1 extend along the longitudinal axis of the strip of material 128 at different points of the lateral axis 126 of the strip of material 120. Figure 3 provides a view of the corrugation height of the projecting corrugations 112. The corrugation height is in the first (e.g., depth) axis 114 of the structure 100. The corrugation height may otherwise be referred to as the flute height of the corrugations 112, or the maximum vertical extent of the corrugations 112 in the prior art. The corrugations 112 are shown as having an undulating cross section. From their respective maximum vertical extents, the corrugations 112 are shown to gradually slope downwards towards the respective adjacent base. The base of the corrugation 112 may otherwise be referred to as the trough of the corrugation 112 or the minimum vertical extent of the corrugation 112. Figure 3 shows a layer of corrugated material 110 having corrugations 112 projecting in a first plane, where the depth of the structure 100 is visible. In Figure 3(b), along line X-X’, a portion of the strip of material 120 extends continuously across multiple corrugations in the direction of the lateral axis 116 of the structure 100. In Figure 3(a) a portion of the strip of material 120 extends discontinuously across multiple corrugations in the direction of the lateral axis of the structure 116. Relatively more strength is provided by the strip 120 to the structure 100 along line X-X’, which corresponds to the portion of the strip 120 that extends continuously across corrugations 112 of the corrugated layer 110, and relatively less strength is provided by the strip 120 to the structure 100 along line Y-Y’, which corresponds to the portion of the strip 120 that extends discontinuously across corrugations 112 of the corrugated layer 110. Line X-X’ and line Y-Y are separated along the lateral axis of the strip of material 126. In this particular example, between line X-X’ and line Y-Y’ there is a graduation from the continuously extending portion of the strip 120 to the discontinuously extending portion of the strip 120. This graduation corresponds to a graduation in the strength provided by the strip of material 120 to the overall structure 100. Advantageously, by varying the shape of the wave edge profile 122, strength provided by the strip of material 120 to the structure 100 can be tailored to one or more particular applications. For example, the minimum width 121 and / or maximum width 123 of the strip of material 120 can be increased or decreased to tailor the graduation in strength provided by the strip 120 to the structure 100. Additionally, or alternatively, to achieve improved tailoring of the strength provided by the strip 120 to the structure 100, the wave edge profile 122 may comprise one or more of a sinusoidal wave profile, a triangular wave profile, and a trapezoidal wave profile. Referring to Figure 4 a further example of a structure 100 is shown. The structure shown in Figure 4 is substantially identical to the structure 100 described with reference to Figure 1. In this example, the strip of material 120 comprises a first edge comprising a wave edge profile 422a and second edge comprising a wave edge profile 422b. In Figure 4, the first wave edge profile 422a and second wave edge profile 422b extend along the longitudinal edges of the strip of material 120. Compared to the strip of material 120 shown in Figure 2, even less material is required of strip 120 to provide the maximum strip width 123, 423. Advantageously, the strength provided by the strip of material 120 to the structure 100 can be further tailored, through the use of a first wave edge profile 422a and a second wave edge profile 422b, to one or more particular applications. Although not depicted herein, the second edge comprising a wave edge profile may be a lateral edge of the strip of material 120. Referring to Figure 5, a further example of a structure 100 is shown. The structure shown in Figure 5 is substantially identical to the structure 100 described with reference to Figure 1. The structure incorporates the features described in reference to the preceding figures and differs from the structure 100 of Figure 1 only in that it comprises a plurality of strips of material 120 provided on the layer of corrugated material 110. All of the strips of material 120 comprise at least one edge comprising a wave edge profile 122. Some of the strips of material 120 comprise a first edge comprising a wave edge profile 422a and second edge comprising a wave edge profile 422b. The plurality of strips of material 120 extend over regions of the layer of corrugated material 110. The strips of material 120 are arranged in a lateral direction wherein the longitudinal axes of the strips are perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110. The strips of material 120 are offset (e.g., distanced, or separated apart) from one another to thereby provide a discontinuous ply of the material on the layer of corrugated material 110. In Figure 5, the plurality of strips 120 are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis of the structure 118, i.e., along the length of the corrugations 112. In Figure 5, the strips of material 120 are as described above with reference to the preceding figures. In other words, more than one of the strips 120 in the structure 100 of Figure 5 comprises at least one edge comprising a wave edge profile 122, wherein the wave edge profile 122 comprises one or more variations in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis 114. Advantageously, the number of strips 120 and the number of wave edge profiles 122 provided by said strips 120 can be tailored to provide the desired strength as required, the desired reduction in production materials required, and the desired reduction in cost required for production. In examples not depicted herein, a structure 100 comprises more than one strip of material 120 on the layer of corrugated material 110. The strips of material are arranged in a longitudinal direction along the structure 100 wherein the longitudinal axes of the strips of material 120 aligns with the longitudinal axes of the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110. The strips of material 120 are offset from one another to thereby provide a discontinuous ply of the material on the layer of corrugated material 110. The offset is along the lateral axis of the structure 116. Referring to Figure 6, a further example of a structure 100 is shown. The structure shown in Figure 6 comprises more than one strip of material 120. The strips of material 120 are as described in reference to the preceding figures. Similarly to the structure of Figure 5, the strips of material 120 are offset from one another to thereby form a discontinuous ply of the material over the layer of corrugated material 110. In the structure, the strips of material 120 are additionally offset in the direction along the lateral axis 116 of the structure 100. In Figure 6, the lateral axes of the corrugations 112 (i.e., the lateral axis 116 of the structure 100) are aligned with the longitudinal axes 128 of the strips of material 120. In the example structure 100 of Figure 6, the leftmost peak of each of the strips of material 120 is offset in the lateral direction by approximately the width of one corrugation. Other offset distances are possible. Advantageously, by offsetting the first strip of material 120 in the lateral direction 116 a particular distance from the second strip of material 120, strength is provided by the strips of material 120 to the structure 100 along the longitudinal axes of the corrugations 112 whilst the material required to provide that strength is minimised. In structures where the longitudinal axes 128 of the strips of material 120 aligns with the longitudinal axis of the structure 118, an offset in the longitudinal direction 118 between strip 120 achieves the same aforementioned effect. Furthermore, the offset in the lateral, longitudinal, or in an angular, direction may be tailored to provide desired reinforcement. A number of parameters of the structures 100 may be tailored to improve strength, to save on materials, or to reduce the cost of production. For example, the maximum width 121 provided by the wave edge profile 122 of the one or more of the strips of material 120 may be relatively larger than one or more of the remaining strips 120. Additionally or alternatively, the minimum width 123 of the wave edge profile 122 of one or more of the strips 120 may be relatively narrower than one or more of the remaining strips 120. In this way the desired strength of the structure 100 may be tailored across the extent of the structure. This may be particularly advantageous where multiple structures 100 are formed on distinct areas of the layer of corrugated material 110. The latter arrangement is described in more detail in reference to Figure 8 below. Although the strips of material 120 are depicted as parallel to one another in Figures 5 and 6, in other examples one or more of the strips 120 of each structure 100 may be arranged at an angle relative to another. For example, in structures 100 comprising a plurality of strips 120, one or more the strips 120 may be arranged such that one or more wave edge profiles 122 extend in a lateral direction across the structure 100 and, in combination, one or more strips of material 120 may be arranged such that one or more wave edge profiles 122 extend in a longitudinal direction along the structure 100. Although each of the strips of material 120 are depicted as having different lengths in Figure 6, in other examples one or more of the strips 120 one or more of may have the same length. In structures 100 comprising a plurality of strips of material 120, each of the strips may be aligned with an edge of the corrugated layer 110. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of strips 120 may be unaligned with an edge of corrugated layer 110. For example, the one or more strips 120 may be arranged an area of the layer of corrugated material 110, wherein the one or more regions covered by the strips 120 extend within said area. In this way, multiple areas, each area comprising a structure 100, may be formed on a single layer of corrugated material. The single layer of corrugated material 110 may then be cut to form separate structures 100 therefrom. Although the strips of material 120 in the structures 100 shown in the preceding figures comprises a wave edge profile 122, 422a, 422b comprising variations extending along an entire edge of the strip(s) 120, in other examples the wave edge profile 122, 422a 422b may extend along one or more portions of an entire edge of the strip(s) 120. Additionally or alternatively, the repeating wave of the wave edge profile 122, 422a, 422b may vary along the edge. For example, the waveform of the wave edge profile may change. In this way, the strength provided to the structure 100 may be varied as desired. In the structures 100 of the preceding figures, one or more strips of material 120 are applied at peaks of corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110. In particular, in some structures 100 the one of more strips of material 120 are applied only at peaks of corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110. In examples not depicted herein, the strip of material 120 is applied to more than only the peaks of the corrugations 112. For example, the strip of material 120 may be applied to the at least a portion of the slopes of the corrugations 112. In the figures, a smooth (e.g., undulating) wave edge profile 122 is shown as an example, however alternative wave edge profiles are described herein. For example, the wave edge profile 122 is shown as having a sinusoidal wave form in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3 and in the plan view of Figure 2. In examples of the structure 100, the variation in depth between the maximum and minimum vertical extent of troughs of the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may be smooth and / or abrupt. For example, the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may have a square waveform. In this way, a larger area of the corrugation is adherable to the strip of material 120. The corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may have a triangular waveform. For example, the wave edge profile 122 may have a chevron form. Triangular waveforms may, for example, be relatively cheaper to manufacture. The corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may have an intermediate waveform, for example a trapezoidal waveform. Trapezoidal corrugations may thus strike an improved balance between adherable surface of the corrugation 112 and cost of manufacture of the layer of corrugated material 110. Additionally, or alternatively, the corrugations 112 of the layer of corrugated material 110 may vary in width. Referring to Figure 7, a structure formation apparatus 700 is shown in plan view. The apparatus 700 is arranged to receive corrugated material 110 forming part of the structure of the preceding figures, and to receive the one or more strips of material 120 forming part of the structure of the preceding figures. The structure formation apparatus 700 is arranged to provide the received one or more strips of material 120 on the layer of corrugated material 110 to the one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material 110. In this way, the apparatus 700 is used to form the structure 100 of any preceding figure. The structure formation apparatus 700 comprises a surface 730 or platform 730. The surface 730 is arranged to receive the layer of corrugated material 110. The layer of corrugated material 110 is moved across the surface 730, for example in the direction of the emboldened black arrow in Figure 7. The layer of corrugated material 110 may be moved manually or by use of a conveying apparatus, such as a conveyor belt. The structure formation apparatus 700 further comprises one or more reels of material 740a, 740b, 740c arranged on one or more shafts 750. The reels may otherwise be referred to as rolls or looms in the prior art. The reels of material 740a, 740b, 740c hold, support, or contain the one or more strips of material 120 to be provided to the layer of corrugated material. The layer of corrugated material 110 is arranged between the surface 730 and the one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c. The one or more reels may be pre-formed (e.g., by an external apparatus) and mounted on the structure formation apparatus 700. For example, the one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c may be preformed to have at least one edge comprising the wave edge profile 122. The one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c may be pre-formed to have an activatable adhesive on a surface thereof. For example, the adhesive may be heat activated, or otherwise activated. Additionally or alternatively, the adhesive may be provided to the peak portions of the corrugations, i.e, those portions of the corrugation waveform having maximum vertical extent. The one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c are unrolled to provide the one or more strips of material 120 on the layer of corrugated material 110 as the corrugated material 110 moves. In Figure 7, the one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c are simultaneously unrolled by rotation of the shaft 750 on which the reels 740a, 740b, 740c are mounted. In examples not depicted herein, each reel 740a, 740b, 740c may be mounted on a respective shaft. In this way, the rate of the provision of the strips of material 120 from the reels to the layer of corrugated material 110 is adjustable. In this way, the rate of provision of the strip 120 is adjustable in accordance amount of material present on the one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c. In Figure 7, a position one or more reels 740a, 740b, 740c is adjustable along the shaft to determine an offset between the one or more strips 120 provided to the layer of corrugate material 110. The layer of corrugated material 110 is arranged such that the longitudinal axes of the corrugations 112 align with the shaft 750 of the apparatus. In this way, the strips of material 120 are provided are arranged in a crosswise to the corrugations 112 of the corrugated material 110. In other words, the strips of material 120 are provided to form a structure 100 having strips of material 120 extending in a lateral direction 116 across the structure 110. Referring to Figure 8, additional optional components of the structure formation apparatus 700 are shown. In Figure 8, the layer of corrugated material 110 may be provided by a reel of corrugated material 760, such as a reel 760 arranged on a respective shaft. Alternatively, the of corrugated material 110 may be provided by an external or internal component that outputs a layer of corrugated material 110. In Figure 8, the structure formation apparatus 700 further comprises a cutter assembly 770 to form the one or more strips of material 120. The cutter assembly receives material from a reel 760 thereof. The material received may already include one or more wave edge profiles 122 as described herein. For example, the material may include a wave edge profile 122 along its longitudinal edge. The cutter assembly 770 cuts the material along the lateral axis of the material to thereby form one or more strips of material 120 as described herein from the incoming layer of corrugated material 110. The cutter assembly 770 may also be configured to cut, or separate, a structure 100. That is, the cutter assembly 770 may cut the layer of corrugated material 110 in addition to the strips of material 120. A cutter apparatus or device (not shown) of the cutter assembly 770 may be provided downstream to cut or provide the structure 100 once the strips of material 120 have been applied to the layer of corrugated material 110. In Figure 8, the apparatus 700 comprises an applicator assembly 780 arranged to apply the one or more strips of material 120 to the layer of corrugated material 110. In some examples the applicator assembly 780 may comprise an activation means configured to activate an adhesive on the one or more strips of material 120. The applicator assembly may comprise a component that applies pressure to the one or more strips of material 120 to press the strips 120 into engagement with the corrugations 112 of the corrugated material 110. In this way, the adhesion between the strips of material and corrugations 112 is improved. The structure formation apparatus 700 may include one, or both, of the cutter and applicator assemblies 770, 780. Where the cutter and applicator assemblies 770, 780 are used in combination, at least a part of the cutter assembly 770 may precede the applicator assembly 780, as shown in Figure 8. Alternatively, in an example structure formation apparatus 700 not depicted herein, the applicator assembly 780 may precede the cutter assembly 770. A further part of the cutter assembly (e.g., a cutter device or apparatus) may be provided downstream of the applicator assembly 780, thereby to provide a structure 100 by cutting a piece of the layer of corrugated material 110 with one or more strips of material 120 provided thereon, thereby to separate the structure 100 from the remaining material being formed in the structure formation apparatus 700. In examples not depicted herein, the cutter assembly 770 may be configured to cut material to form a wave edge profile along an edge. For example, the cutter assembly 770 may cut along a longitudinal edge of the material according to a wave form to form a strip of material 120 having longitudinally extending wave edge profile 122. The cutter assembly may output the strip of material 120 for provision to the applicator assembly 780. In some examples, the cutter assembly may further cut the strip of material 120 along its lateral axis, as described above and depicted in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 9, a method 900 of forming a structure is shown. The method comprises a step S910 of providing a layer of corrugated material and one or more strips of material, wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge comprising a wave edge profile. The method comprises a step S920 of providing the one or more strips of material on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material. The step S920 may include activating an adhesive on the one or more strips of material 120. The method 900 may thus performed using the structure formation apparatus 700 to form any of the structures 100 described above. In Figure 9, an optional step for the method 900 of forming a structure is depicted using dashed lines. In some examples, the method further comprises a step S930 of cutting a material to form the one or more strips of material comprising an edge having a wave edge profile. The step S930 may be performed to form a wave edge profile as described above in reference to Figure 8 and / or the Step S930 may be performed to cut the strips of material along their respective lateral axes. Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others. Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A structure comprising:a layer of corrugated material having corrugations projecting in a first axis; and one or more strips of material provided on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material,wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge comprising a wave edge profile, andwherein the wave edge profile comprises one or more variations in a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

2. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the second axis is a lateral axis of the at least one strip of material.

3. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more strips of material extend within a plane that is parallel to the layer of corrugated material and is perpendicular to the first axis.

4. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one strip of material and a second strip of material are provided on the layer of corrugated material to form a discontinuous facing ply.

5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein the wave edge profile of the at least one strip of material is:aligned with a wave edge profile of the second strip of material; or offset from a wave edge profile of the second strip of material.

6. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the wave edge profile of the at least one strip of material extends in a lateral direction perpendicular to corrugations of the layer of corrugated material or the wave edge profile of the at least one strip of material extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to corrugations of the layer of corrugated material.

7. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more strips of material comprise a first edge comprising a wave edge profile and a second edge comprising a wave edge profile.

8. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the wave edge profile comprises one or more of: a sinusoidal wave profile, a triangular wave profile, and a trapezoidal wave profile.

9. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more strips of material are applied only to one or more peaks of corrugations of the layer of corrugated material.

10. The structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more strips of material are one or more strips of paper, preferably Kraft paper.

11. A structure formation apparatus arranged to receive a layer of corrugated material and one or more strips of material, wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge having a wave edge profile, the structure formation apparatus arranged to:provide the one or more strips of material on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material.

12. The structure formation apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a cutter assembly arranged to cut a material to form one or more strips of material comprising an edge comprising a wave edge profile.

13. The structure formation apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising: an applicator assembly arranged to apply the one or more strips of material to the layer of corrugated material.

14. A method of forming a structure, the method comprising: providing a layer of corrugated material and one or more strips of material, wherein at least one strip of material comprises an edge comprising a wave edge profile; and providing the one or more strips of material on the layer of corrugated material to extend over one or more regions of the layer of corrugated material.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:cutting a material to form the one or more strips of material comprising an edge having a wave edge profile.

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