Multi-piece blank and box obtained therefrom

Abstract

A multi-piece blank comprises a chassis 10 having two first parallel crease lines 12a-b intersected by a second and third crease line 14a, 14b. The creases define a rear panel 16, a bottom panel 18 and a short front panel 20; further, the second crease defines a left panel 22 connected to the bottom panel; the third crease defines a right panel 26 connected to the bottom panel; one first parallel crease defines two rear flaps 24 connected to the left and right panels; and the other defines two front flaps 28 connected to the left and right panels. The blank also includes a first and second lid compression members 30, 50 having, respectively, two fourth parallel crease lines 32a-b defining a first side lid panel 34, top lid panel 36 and internal lid panel 38, and two fifth parallel crease lines 52a-b defining a second side lid panel 54, top lid panel 56 and internal lid panel 58. The side lid panels are glued to an internal face of the right and left panels respectively. The fourth and fifth crease lines are parallel to the second and third crease lines. A box is obtainable from the blank.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-piece blank of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, and a box obtained from folding such a blank. As it is known, corrugated cardboard is composed of a fluted paper core sandwiched between and bonded to inner and outer paper face liners . According to the prior art, any kind of box is produced from one or more specific blanks of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard in dependence on the intended use and distribution channel. Hence, the present trends towards multiple formats, smaller volumes and customization dramatically increase the burden on production lines for adapting to such different requirements. Discount retailers specify requirement for two-piece box designs to ensure fast opening in store. One object of the present invention is thus reducing the burden imposed by such articulated and various requirements on the production lines. According to the present invention, this object is achieved by means of a multi-piece blank comprising: - a chassis of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two first parallel crease lines, and a second and a third crease line intersecting said two first parallel crease lines, wherein said first, second and third crease lines define a series of a rear panel, a quadrangular bottom panel and a short front panel, wherein said second crease line further defines a left panel connected to the bottom panel, wherein said third crease line further defines a right panel connected to the bottom panel, wherein one of said first parallel crease lines further defines two rear flaps connected to the left panel and right panel, respectively, and wherein the other of said first parallel crease lines further defines two front flaps connected to the left panel and right panel, respectively, - a first lid compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fourth parallel crease lines defining a series of a quadrangular first side lid panel, a quadrangular first top lid panel and a quadrangular first internal lid panel, wherein said first side lid panel is glued to an internal face of said right panel, - a second lid compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fifth parallel crease lines defining a series of a quadrangular second side lid panel, a quadrangular first top lid panel and a quadrangular first internal lid panel, wherein said second side lid panel is glued to an internal face of said left panel, wherein said fourth and fifth crease lines are parallel to said second and third crease lines. A further subject-matter of the present invention is constituted by a box obtained from a multi-piece blank comprising: - a chassis of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two first parallel crease lines, and a second and a third crease line intersecting said two first parallel crease lines, wherein said first, second and third crease lines define a series of a rear panel, a quadrangular bottom panel and a short front panel, wherein said second crease line further defines a left panel connected to the bottom panel, wherein said third crease line further defines a right panel connected to the bottom panel, wherein one of said first parallel crease lines further defines two rear flaps connected to the left panel and right panel, respectively, and wherein the other of said first parallel crease lines further defines two front flaps connected to the left panel and right panel, respectively, - a first lid compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fourth parallel crease lines defining a series of a quadrangular first side lid panel, a quadrangular first top lid panel and a quadrangular first internal lid panel, wherein said first side lid panel is glued to an internal face of said right panel, - a second lid compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fifth parallel crease lines defining a series of a quadrangular second side lid panel, a quadrangular second top lid panel and a quadrangular second internal lid panel, wherein said second side lid panel is glued to an internal face of said left panel, wherein said fourth and fifth crease lines are parallel to said second and third crease lines, wherein the left panel and the right panel with the respective lid compression members attached thereto are folded at 90° about the respective second and third crease line contiguous to the bottom panel, forming opposite left and right box walls, wherein the flaps of the left and right panels are folded at 90° about the respective lengths of the first crease lines, wherein the rear and front panels are folded about the respective lengths of the first crease lines, so that the rear and front panels are arranged parallel and externally to the flaps of the left and right panels, forming a pair of opposite rear and front box walls, wherein the internal lid panels are folded at 90° about the respective fourth and fifth crease lines contiguous to the top lid panels, and the top lid panels are folded about the respective fourth and fifth crease lines contiguous to the side lid panels so that the internal lid panels are arranged parallel and internally to the left and right panels, forming a divider wall. According to the invention, by changing size and marginal features of the blank, it is possible to produce different boxes satisfying quite different requirements. According to the present invention, the performance of the used cardboard or cartonboard is optimized by using strengthening members where they are most needed and thus lightening the general structure of the box, which is thus fundamentally different from the conventional one due to the significant increase in performance. The strength-conferring material is allocated only where it is needed, so that the quantity of fiber is dramatically lower in comparison with conventional chassis. Such a reduction is rendered possible by the use of the compression members which confer the required strength. According to the prior art, the final box is produced from a blank or chassis, in the entirety of which the quantity of fiber and the board grade are adapted to the performances required for the intended application. On the contrary, according to the present invention, the manufacturing of chassis of different board grades is avoided and the chassis can be produced with the lightest weight, whereas the satisfaction of different requirements is allowed by selection of the proper size and material grade of the compression members. The gist of the present invention thus resides in the presence of the compression members, whose size can vary and provide the flexibility necessary for adapting to the different requirements with the lowest possible weight obtainable today on a corrugator. According to some embodiments, the lid compression members can offer a front removal functionality which retains structural strength offered by the lid compression members for stacking / support of heavier cases in display formation. Additionally, a full top removal functionality can be added for placement on shelf fixture or maximum product access / visibility. Further advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which: figures 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of a blank according to the invention, figure 3 is a plan view of the blank of figures 1 and 2, figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing different steps of forming a box from the blank of figures 1-3, figure 6 is a perspective view of the box obtained from the blank of figures 1-3, figure 7 is a perspective view of two boxes as in figure 6 in stacked arrangement, figure 8 is a perspective view showing the removal of some removable portions from the box, figure 9 is a perspective view of the box without the removable portions of figure 8, figure 10 is a perspective view showing the removal of further removable portions from the box, figure 11 is a perspective view of the box without the removable portions of figure 10. A blank (see figures 1 to 3) comprises a chassis 10 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, a first lid compression member 30 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard and a second lid compression member 50 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard. The corrugated cardboard or cartonboard of the compression members 30, 50 can be of the same or different kind as the cardboard or cartonboard of the chassis 10. The flutes of the cardboard of the lid compression members 30, 50 may be substantially orthogonal or parallel to the flutes of the cardboard of the chassis 10. The chassis 10 has a series of two first parallel crease lines 12a-b, and a second and a third crease line 14a, 14b intersecting the two first parallel crease lines 12a-b. The first, second and third crease lines 12a-b, 14a, 14b define a series of a rear panel 16, a quadrangular bottom panel 18 and a short front panel 20. As used herein, terms as "bottom", "back", "front", "top" and the like refer to the display configuration of the box which will be illustrated in the following with reference to Figures 6-11. Furthermore, the second crease line 14a defines a left panel 22 connected to the bottom panel 18. The third crease line 14b defines a right panel 26 connected to the bottom panel 18. One of the first crease lines 12a, 12b further defines two rear flaps 24 connected to the left panel 22 and right panel 26, respectively. The other of the two first crease lines 12a, 12b further defined two front flaps 28 connected to the left panel 22 and right panel 26, respectively. As used herein, the front panel 20 is designated as "short" in that it is, or comprises at least a portion (preferably, a central portion), shorter than the rear, left and right panels 16, 22, 26, as can be seen in the erected configuration of the box, shown in figures 6-11. Furthermore, a perforated or notched detachment line 20c is formed through the front panel 20, separating the front panel 20 into a preferably U-shaped bottom portion 20a and a removable top portion 20b. The second and third crease lines 14a, 14b are orthogonal to the two first parallel crease lines 12a-b and parallel to each other, so that the panels 16, 18, 22 and 26 are substantially rectangular, including the particular case of "square". The first lid compression member 30 has a series of two fourth parallel crease lines 32a-b defining a series of a quadrangular first side lid panel 34, a quadrangular first top lid panel 36 and a quadrangular first internal lid panel 38. A perforated or notched detachment line 36c is formed transverse to the first top lid panel 36. This perforated or notched detachment line 36c defines, in the first top lid panel 36, a front portion 36a and a rear portion 36b separated by the perforated or notched detachment line 36c. At least one aperture 36d contiguous to the perforated or notched detachment line 36c is formed through the first top lid panel 36, in order to facilitate handling and / or product access. Furthermore, detachment perforations are formed along the fourth crease line 32a contiguous to the first side lid panel 34. As shown in figures 2-3, the first lid compression member 30 is glued to an internal face of the chassis 10. More specifically, the first side lid panel 34 is glued to the right panel 26. The fourth crease lines 32a-b are, therefore, parallel to the second and third crease lines 14a-b. A bottom edge 34d of the first side lid panel 34 is contiguous to the third crease line 14b between the right panel 26 and the bottom panel 18. The second lid compression member 50 has a series of two fifth parallel crease lines 52a-b defining a series of a quadrangular second side lid panel 54, a quadrangular second top lid panel 56 and a quadrangular second internal lid panel 58. A perforated or notched detachment line 56c is formed transverse to the second top lid panel 56. This perforated or notched detachment line 56c defines, in the second top lid panel 56, a front portion 56a and a rear portion 56b separated by the perforated or notched detachment line 56c. At least one aperture 56d contiguous to the perforated or notched detachment line 56c is formed through the second top lid panel 56, in order to facilitate handling and / or product access. Furthermore, detachment perforations are formed along the fifth crease line 52a contiguous to the second side lid panel 54. As shown in figures 2-3, the second lid compression member 50 is glued to an internal face of the chassis 10. More specifically, the second side lid panel 54 is glued to the left panel 22. The fifth crease lines 52a-b are, therefore, parallel to the second and third crease lines 14a-b. A bottom edge 54d of the second side lid panel 54 is contiguous to the second crease line 14a between the left panel 22 and the bottom panel 18. The length of the bottom panel 18 is approximately equal to the sum of the lengths of the top lid panels 36, 56. The lengths of the top lid panels 36, 56 can be equal to each other as in the example shown in the drawings, or different from each other. A multi-piece box B (see figure 4-6), in particular a shelf ready container, is obtained from the previously disclosed blank by substantially conventional automatized methods of folding, possibly providing also for using, if necessary, glue and / or adhesive tape. In particular, one of such methods provides for: - folding the left panel 22 and the right panel 26 with the respective lid compression members 50, 30 attached thereto, at 90° about the respective second and third crease lines 14a, 14b contiguous to the bottom panel 18, so that a pair of opposite left and right box walls are formed, - folding the flaps 24, 28 of the left and right panels 22, 26 at 90° about the respective lengths of the first crease lines 12a, 12b, - folding the rear and front panels 16, 20 about the respective lengths of the first crease lines 12a, 12b, so that the rear and front panels 16, 20 are arranged parallel and externally to the flaps 24, 28 of the left and right panels 22, 26, forming a pair of opposite rear and front box walls, - folding the internal lid panels 38, 58 at 90° about the respective fourth and fifth crease lines 32b, 52b contiguous to the top lid panels 36, 56, and folding the top lid panels 36, 56 about the respective fourth and fifth crease lines 32a, 52a contiguous to the side lid panels 34, 54 so that the internal lid panels 38, 58 are arranged parallel and internally to the left and right panels 22, 26, forming a divider wall. The left and right walls of the box are reinforced by the lid compression members 30, 50. The bottom edges 34d, 54d of the side lid panels 34, 54 are configured to rest on the bottom panel 18. Furthermore, the bottom edges 38d, 58d of the internal lid panels 34, 38 forming the divider wall are configured to rest on the bottom panel 18. A plurality of boxes B can be stacked on top of each other as shown in figure 7. A tearing action can be exerted on the front panel 20 and top lid panels 36, 56 in order to remove the top portion 20b of the front panel 20 by laceration of the perforated or notched detachment line 20c, and remove the front portions 36a, 56a of the top lid panels 36, 56 by laceration of the respective perforated or notched detachment lines 36c, 56c (see figures 8-9) . A further tearing action can be exerted on the lid compression members 30, 50 in order to remove removable portions LI, L2 of the lid compression members 30, 50, formed by the first top panel 36 and first internal panel 38 and by the second top panel 56 and second internal panel 58, respectively, by laceration of the fourth and fifth crease lines 32a, 52a contiguous to the side lid panels 34, 54 which are provided with detachment perforations (see figures 10-11). Therefore, the box B splits into three parts, a tray T and removable portions LI, L2, as a result of the complete laceration of the crease lines 32a, 52a. The removable portions LI, L2 of the box can be removed, while the tray T serves as a display for the articles contained therein (not shown).

Claims

1. Multi-piece blank comprising:- a chassis (10) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two first parallel crease lines (12a-b), and a second and a third crease line (14a, 14b) intersecting said two first parallel crease lines (12a-b), wherein said first, second and third crease lines (12a-b, 14a, 14b) define a series of a rear panel (16), a quadrangular bottom panel (18) and a short front panel (20), wherein said second crease line (14a) further defines a left panel (22) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein said third crease line (14b) further defines a right panel (26) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein one of said first parallel crease lines (12a-b) further defines two rear flaps (24) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively, and wherein the other of said first parallel crease lines (12a-b) further defines two front flaps(28) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively,- a first lid compression member (30) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fourth parallel crease lines (32a-b) defining a series of a quadrangular first side lid panel(34), a quadrangular first top lid panel (36) and a quadrangular first internal lid panel (38), wherein said first side lid panel (34) is glued to an internal face of said right panel (26) ,- a second lid compression member (50) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fifth parallel crease lines (52a-b) defining a series of a quadrangular second side lid panel (54), a quadrangular first top lid panel (56) and a quadrangular first internal lid panel (58), wherein said second side lid panel (54) is glued to an internal face of said left panel(22) ,wherein said fourth and fifth crease lines (32a-b, 52a-b) are parallel to said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) .

2. Multi-piece blank according to claim 1, wherein said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) are orthogonal to the two first parallel crease lines (12a-b).

3. Multi-piece blank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one first perforated or notched detachment line (36c) is formed transverse to the first top lid panel (36), and wherein at least one second perforated or notched detachment line (56c) is formed transverse to the second top lid panel (56).

4. Multi-piece blank according to claim 3, wherein an aperture (36d, 56d) is formed through each of said top lid panels (36, 56) , contiguous to the respective perforated or notched detachment line (36c, 56c).

5. Multi-piece blank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel (20) comprises a bottom portion (20a) and a top portion (20b) separated by the bottom portion (20a) by a perforated or notched detachment line (20c).

6. Box obtained from a multi-piece blank comprising:- a chassis (10) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two first parallel crease lines (12a-b), and a second and a third crease line (14a, 14b) intersecting said two first parallel crease lines (12a-b), wherein said first, second andthird crease lines (12a-b, 14a, 14b) define a series of a rear panel (16), a quadrangular bottom panel (18) and a short front panel (20), wherein said second crease line (14a) furtherdefines a left panel (22) connected to the bottom panel (18),wherein said third crease line (14b) further defines a rightpanel (26) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein one ofsaid first parallel crease lines(12a-b) further defines tworear flaps (24) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively, and wherein the other of said first parallel crease lines (12a-b) further defines two front flaps (28) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively,- a first lid compression member (30) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fourth parallel crease lines (32a-b) defining a series of a quadrangular first side lid panel (34), a quadrangular first top lid panel (36) and aquadrangular first internal lid panel (38), wherein said first side lid panel (34) is glued to an internal face of said right panel (26) ,- a second lid compression member (50) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having two fifth parallel crease lines (52a-b) defining a series of a quadrangular second side lid panel (54) , a quadrangular first top lid panel (56) and a quadrangular first internal lid panel (58), wherein said second side lid panel (54) is glued to an internal face of said left panel(22) , wherein said fourth and fifth crease lines (32a-b, 52a-b) are parallel to said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) ,wherein the left panel (22) and the right panel (26) with the respective lid compression members (50, 30) attached thereto are folded at 90° about the respective second and third crease line (14a, 14b) contiguous to the bottom panel (18),forming opposite left and right box walls,wherein the flaps (24, 28) of the left and right panels (22, 26) are folded at 90° about the respective lengths of the first crease lines (12a, 12b),wherein the rear and front panels (16, 20) are folded about the respective lengths of the first crease lines (12a, 12b), so that the rear and front panels (16, 20) are arrangedparallel and externally to the flaps (24, 28) of the left and right panels (22, 26), forming a pair of opposite rear and front box walls,wherein the internal lid panels (38, 58) are folded at 90° about the respective fourth and fifth crease lines (32b, 52b) contiguous to the top lid panels (36, 56) , and the top lid panels (36, 56) are folded about the respective fourth and fifth crease lines (32a, 52a) contiguous to the side lid panels (34, 54) so that the internal lid panels (38, 58) are arranged parallel and internally to the left and right panels (22, 26), forming a divider wall.

7. Box according to claim 6, wherein the front panel (20) comprises a bottom portion (20a) and a removable top portion (20b) separated by the bottom portion (20a) by a perforated or notched detachment line (20c).

8. Box according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one first perforated or notched detachment line (36c) is formed transverse to the first top lid panel (36) , and wherein at least one second perforated or notched detachment line (56c) is formed transverse to the second top lid panel (56).

9. Box according to claim 8, wherein an aperture (36d, 56d) is formed through each of said top lid panels (36, 56), contiguous to the respective perforated or notched detachment line (36c, 56c).

10. Box according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein perforations are formed along the fourth crease lines (32a, 52a) contiguous to the side lid panels (34, 54) , so that removable portions are formed by the top lid panels (36, 56) with the respective internal lid panels (38, 58).

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