Multi-piece blank and stackable container 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-b. The crease lines define a rear panel 16, a bottom panel 18 and a short front panel 20; further, the second crease line defines a left panel or flap 22 connected to the bottom panel, and the third crease line defines a right panel or flap 26 connected to the bottom panel. The blank also includes a left and a right compression member 30, 50 comprising quadrangular panels, glued to an inner face of the left panel or flap and right panel or flap respectively. At least one first stacking cut-out 28 is formed through at least one of the left and right panel or through the bottom panel in correspondence of at least one of the second and third crease lines, and at least one stacking tab 39, 59 is formed in correspondence of a top edge 30a, 50a of at least one compression member. A stackable container (C, fig. 4) is obtainable from the blank by folding.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-piece blank of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, and a stackable container 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 . 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 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 defines a left panel or flap connected to the bottom panel, wherein said third crease line defines a right panel or flap connected to the bottom panel, - a left and a right compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonbooard shaped as quadrangular panels or comprising quadrangular panels, wherein said left compression member is glued to an inner face of said left panel or flap and said right compression member is glued to an inner face of said right panel or flap, wherein at least one first stacking cut-out is formed through at least one of said left and right panel or flap or through said bottom panel in correspondence of at least one of said second and third crease lines, wherein at least one stacking tab is formed in correspondence of a top edge of said at least one of said left and right compression member. A further subject-matter of the present invention is constituted by a stackable container obtained from a multipiece 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 one of said first crease lines further defines two rear flaps connected to the left panel and right panel, respectively, and wherein the other of said first crease lines further defines two front flaps connected to the left panel and right panel, respectively, - a left and a right compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard shaped as quadrangular panels, wherein said left compression member is glued to an inner face of said left panel and said right compression member is glued to an inner face of said right panel, wherein at least one first stacking cut-out is formed through at least one of said left and right panel in correspondence of at least one of said second and third crease lines, wherein at least one second stacking cut-out overlapping with said at least one first stacking cut-out is formed through at least one of said left and right compression member, wherein at least one stacking tab is formed in correspondence of a top edge of said at least one of said left and right compression member, wherein the left panel with the respective side compression member, and the right panel with the respective side compression member, are folded at 90° about the respective second and third crease lines contiguous to the bottom panel, forming opposite left and right container 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 at 90° about 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 container walls . A further subject-matter of the present invention is constituted by a stackable container obtained from a multipiece 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 defines a left flap connected to the bottom panel, wherein said third crease line defines a right flap connected to the bottom panel, wherein said second and third crease lines further define two rear flaps connected to rear panel and two front flaps connected to the front panel, a left compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having a fourth crease line and a series of two fifth parallel crease lines intersecting the fourth crease line, as well as a series of two sixth crease lines parallel to the fifth crease lines, wherein the fourth crease line and the fifth crease lines define a series of a quadrangular left side panel and a left top panel as well as two left connecting flaps connected to the left side panel, wherein the sixth crease lines define two respective left top connecting flaps connected to the left top panel, a right compression member of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having a seventh crease line and a series of two eighth parallel crease lines intersecting the seventh crease line, as well as a series of two ninth crease lines parallel to the eighth crease lines, wherein the seventh crease line and the eighth crease lines define a series of a quadrangular right side panel and a right top panel as well as two right connecting flaps connected to the right side panel, wherein the ninth crease lines define two respective right top connecting flaps connected to the right top panel, wherein said left side panel is glued to an inner face of said left flap and said right side panel is glued to an inner face of said right flap, wherein at least one first stacking cut-out is formed through at least one of said left and right flap or through said bottom panel in correspondence of at least one of said second and third crease lines, wherein at least one stacking tab is formed in correspondence of a top edge of said at least one of said left and right compression member, wherein the left flap with the respective side compression member, and the right flap with the respective side compression member, are folded at 90° about the respective second and third crease lines contiguous to the bottom panel, forming opposite left and right container walls, wherein the left connecting flaps and the right connecting flaps are folded at 90° about the respective fifth and eighth crease lines, wherein the flaps of the rear and front panels are folded at 90° about the respective lengths of the second and third crease lines, wherein the rear and front panels are folded at 90° about the first crease lines, so that the flaps of the rear and front panels are arranged parallel to the left and right side panels, forming a pair of opposite rear and front container walls, wherein the left and right top panels are folded at 90° about the respective fourth and seventh crease lines, and the left and right top connecting flaps are folded at 90° about the respective sixth and ninth crease lines so that the left and right top connecting flaps are arranged parallel to the rear and front panel. According to the invention, by changing size and marginal features of the blank, it is possible to produce different trays 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 container, 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 container 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 board 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. 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, figure 4 is a perspective view of a stackable container obtained front the blank of figures 1-3, figure 5 is a perspective view of two containers as in figure 4, in a stacked arrangement, figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a further blank according to the invention, figure 7 is a perspective view of a stackable container obtained from the blank of figure 6, figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a still further blank according to the invention, figure 9 is a plan view of the blank of figure 8, figures 10-13 are perspective views of a stackable container obtained from the blank of figures 8-9, figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of another, further blank according to the invention, figure 15 is a plan view of the blank of figure 14. A blank (see figures 1 to 3) comprises a chassis 10 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, a left compression member 30 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard and a right compression member 50 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard. The cardboard or cartonboard of the left and right 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 left compression member 30 and right compression member 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 short, preferably U-shaped rear panel 16, a quadrangular bottom panel 18 and a short, preferably U-shaped 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 4-5. Furthermore, the second crease line 14a defines a quadrangular left panel 22 connected to the bottom panel 18. The third crease line 14b defines a quadrangular right panel 26 connected to the bottom panel 18. One of the first crease lines, 12a, further defines two rear flaps 25 connected to the left panel 22 and front panel 26, respectively. The other of the first crease lines, 12b, defines two front flaps 27 connected to the left panel 22 and right panel 26, respectively. 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 18, 22 and 26 are substantially rectangular, including the particular case of "square". As used herein, the rear and front panels 16, 20 are designated as "short" in that they are, or comprise at least a portion, shorter than the left and right panels 22, 26, as can be seen in the erected configuration of the container, shown in figure 4 . At least one first stacking cut-out 28 is formed through each of the left and right panel 22, 26, respectively, in correspondence of each of the second and third crease lines 14a, 14b. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the at least one first stacking cut-out can be formed in only one of said left and right panels 22, 26. Containers larger in geometry might have at least one additional stacking cut-out (not shown) in the center of the bottom panel 18. The left compression member 30 is shaped as a panel and comprises a top edge 30a and a bottom edge 30b. At least one second stacking cut-out 38 is formed through the left compression member 30 in correspondence of its bottom edge 30b. At least one stacking tab 39 is formed in correspondence of the top edge 30a of the left compression member 30. The right compression member 50 is shaped as a panel and comprises a top edge 50a and a bottom edge 50b. At least one second stacking cut-out 58 is formed through the right compression member 50 in correspondence of its bottom edge 50b. At least one stacking tab 59 is formed in correspondence of the top edge 50a of the right compression member 50. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the at least one second stacking cut-out and the at least stacking tab can be formed in only one of said left and right compression members 30, 50. As shown in figures 2-3, the left compression member 30 is glued to an internal face of the left panel 22, and the right compression member 50 is glued to an internal face of the right panel 26. The second stacking cut-outs 38, 58 are, therefore, respectively overlapping with the first stacking cut-outs 28. A multi-piece stackable container C (see figure 4) 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 with the respective side compression member 30 at 90° about the second crease line 14a, so that a left container wall is formed, folding the right panel 26 with the respective side compression member 50 at 90° about the third crease line 14b, so that a right container wall is formed, - folding the flaps 25, 27 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 25, 27 of the left and right panels 22, 26, forming a pair of opposite rear and front container walls. The left and right walls of the container are reinforced by the side compression members 30, 50. The side compression members 30, 50 are approximately as high as the respective side walls of the container C. The bottom edges 30b, 50b of the side compression members 30, 50 rest on the bottom panel 18 . A plurality of containers C can be stacked on top of each other as shown in figure 5, with the stacking tabs 39, 59 of one of the containers C being inserted into the stacking cut-outs 28, 38, 58 of another container C arranged on top of it. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of blank and container, respectively, wherein features equal or equivalent to the ones disclosed with reference to the embodiment of the previous figures have the same reference number. The embodiment of figures 6-7 differs from the embodiment of figures 1-5 in that the rear panel 16 is quadrangular and as high as the left and right panels 22, 26. Accordingly, the rear flaps 25 of figures 6-7 are shaped differently from the rear flaps 25 of the embodiment of figures 1-5. Figures 8-9 and 10-13 illustrate a third embodiment of a blank and container, respectively, wherein features equal or equivalent to the ones disclosed with reference to the embodiment of the previous figures have the same reference number . The blank comprises a chassis 10 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, a left compression member 30 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, a right compression member 50 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard, and a bottom compression member 70 of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard. The cardboard or cartonboard of the left and right compression members 30, 50 and of the bottom compression member 70 can be of the same or different kind as the cardboard or cartonboard of the chassis 10. The flutes of the cardboard of the left compression member 30 and right compression member 50 and of the bottom compression member 70 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, preferably U-shaped front panel 20. As used herein, terms as "bottom", "back", "front", "top" and the like refer to the display configuration of the box. Furthermore, the second crease line 14a defines a left flap 22 connected to the bottom panel 18. The third crease line 14b defines a right flap 26 connected to the bottom panel 18. The second and third crease lines 14a, 14b further define two rear flaps 25 connected to rear panel 16 and two front flaps 27 connected to the front panel 20. 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 bottom panel 18 is substantially rectangular, including the particular case of "square". As used herein, the front panel 20 is designated as "short" in that it is, or comprises at least a portion, shorter than the left and right compression members 30, 50. Perforated or notched detachment lines 20a, 20b are formed along an edge of the front panel 20 in order to define a bottom removable portion 20' and a top removable portion 20'' connected to the front panel 20. At least one first stacking cut-out 28 is formed through the bottom panel 18 and / or left and right flaps 22, 25, in correspondence of each of the second and third crease lines 14a, 14b. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the at least one first stacking cut-out can be formed in only one of said left and right flaps 22, 26. Containers larger in geometry might have at least one additional stacking cut-out in the center of the bottom panel 18 . The left compression member 30 has a fourth crease line 32 and a series of two fifth parallel crease lines 34 intersecting the fourth crease line 32, as well as a series of two sixth crease lines 35 parallel to the fifth crease lines 34. The fourth crease line 32 and the fifth crease lines 34 define a series of a quadrangular left side panel 30' and a left top panel 30' ’ as well as two left connecting flaps 30''' connected to the left side panel 30'. The sixth crease lines 35 define two respective left top connecting flaps 30'v connected to the left top panel 30'' . The fifth crease lines 34 are orthogonal to the fourth crease line 32 so that the left side panel 30' is substantially rectangular, including the particular case of "square". At least one second stacking cut-out 38 is formed through the left compression member 30 in correspondence of its bottom edge 30b corresponding to the bottom edge of the left side panel 30'. At least one stacking tab 39 is formed in correspondence of the top edge 30a of the left side panel 30', as an extension of the left side panel 30'. The at least one stacking tab 39 is arranged in a respective notch formed in the left top panel 30''. A hole 30c can be formed through the left side panel 30' in order to facilitate handling of the container. This hole 30c can be obtained by folding a portion of the left panel 30' delimited by a perforated or notched detachment line. The right compression member 50 has a seventh crease line 52 and a series of two eighth parallel crease lines 54 intersecting the seventh crease line 52, as well as a series of two ninth crease lines 55 parallel to the eighth crease lines 54. The seventh crease line 52 and the eighth crease lines 54 define a series of a quadrangular right side panel 50' and a right top panel 50' ' as well as two right connecting flaps 50'’’ connected to the right side panel 50'. The ninth crease lines 55 define two respective right top connecting flaps 50'v connected to the right top panel 50''. The eighth crease lines 54 are orthogonal to the seventh crease line 52 so that the right side panel 50' is substantially rectangular, including the particular case of "square". At least one second stacking cut-out 58 is formed through the right compression member 50 in correspondence of its bottom edge 50b corresponding to the bottom edge of the left right panel 50'. At least one stacking tab 59 is formed in correspondence of the top edge 50a of the right side panel 50', as an extension of the right side panel 50'. The at least one stacking tab 59 is arranged in a respective notch formed in the right top panel 50''. A hole 50c can be formed through the right side panel 50' in order to facilitate handling of the container. This hole 50c can be obtained by folding a portion of the right side panel 50' delimited by a perforated or notched detachment line. The bottom compression member 7 0 has a tenth crease line 72 defining a series of bottom compression panel 70' and a front compression flap 70''. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the tenth crease line could define a bottom compression panel and a rear compression flap. According to a further alternative embodiment, not shown, there could be two parallel tenth crease lines defining a series of a rear compression flap, a bottom compression panel and a front compression flap. As shown in figures 8-9, the left compression member 30 (more precisely, the left side panel 30' ) is glued to an internal face of the left flap 22, and the right compression member 50 (more precisely, the right side panel 50' ) is glued to an internal face of the right flap 26. The bottom compression panel 70' is contiguous and parallel to the bottom panel 18, and the front compression panel 70'' is contiguous and parallel top the front panel 20. At least one of the bottom compression panel 70' and front compression panel 70' ' (and / or rear compression panel) is glued to the bottom panel 18 and front panel 20 (and / or rear panel), respectively. The second stacking cut-outs 38, 58 are, therefore, respectively overlapping with the first stacking cut-outs 28. A multi-piece stackable container C (see figures 10-13) 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 flap 22 with the respective side compression member 30 at 90° about the second crease line 14a, so that a left container wall is formed, - folding the left connecting flaps 30'’’ at 90° about the respective fifth crease lines 34, folding the right flap 26 with the respective side compression member 50 at 90° about the third crease line 14b, so that a right container wall is formed, - folding the right connecting flaps 50''' at 90° about the respective eighth crease lines 54, - folding the flaps 25, 27 of the rear and front panels 22, 26 at 90° about the respective lengths of the second and third crease lines 14a, 14b, - folding the rear and front panels 16, 20 about the respective lengths of the first crease lines 12a, 12b, so that the flaps 25, 27 of the rear and front panels 16, 20 are arranged parallel (and externally) to the side compression members 30, 50 (more precisely, to the side panels 30', 50'), forming a pair of opposite rear and front container walls, - folding the left and right top panels 30'', 50'' at 90° about the respective fourth and seventh crease lines 32, 52, and folding the left and right top connecting flaps 30'v, 50'v at 90° about the respective sixth and ninth crease lines 35, 55 so that the left and right top connecting flaps 30'v, 50'v are arranged parallel (and externally) to the rear and front panel 16, 20 (see figures 10-11). The left and right top connecting flaps 30'v, 5O'V at 90° can be glued to respective outer face areas of the rear and front panel 16, 20. The left and right connecting flaps 30''', 50''' can be glued to respective inner face areas of the rear and front panel 16, 20. The left and right walls of the container C are mainly formed by the side compression members 30, 50 (more precisely, by the left and right side panels 30' , 50' ) . The bottom edges 30b, 50b of the side compression members 30, 50 (more precisely, by the left and right side panels 30' , 50' ) rest on the bottom panel 18. Figure 11 shows the container C in which the bottom removable portion 20' has been removed from the front panel 20. Figure 12 shows the container C in which the top removable portion 20'’ has been also removed from the front panel 20. This allows for a better access / visibility to the inside of the container C. As for the previously described embodiments, a plurality of containers C can be stacked on top of each other with the stacking tabs 39, 59 of one of the containers being inserted into the stacking cut-outs 28, 38, 58 of another container arranged on top of it. Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of blank, wherein features equal or equivalent to the ones disclosed with reference to the embodiment of figures 8-13 have the same reference number. The embodiment of figures 14-15 differs from the embodiment of figures 8-13 only in that it does not have the bottom compression member 70. In the present description, features that have been described in respect of one the above embodiments can be combined with features of the other embodiments.

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) defines a left panel or flap (22) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein said third crease line (14b) defines a right panel or flap (26) connected to the bottom panel (18),- a left and a right compression member (30, 50; 30', 50') of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard shaped as quadrangular panels or comprising quadrangular panels,wherein said left compression member (30) is glued to an inner face of said left panel or flap (22) and said right compression member (50) is glued to an inner face of said right panel or flap (26),wherein at least one first stacking cut-out (28) is formed through at least one of said left and right panel or flap (22, 26) or through said bottom panel (18) in correspondence of at least one of said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b),wherein at least one stacking tab (39, 59) is formed in correspondence of a top edge (30a, 50a) of said at least one of said left and right compression member (30, 50).

2. Multi-piece blank according to claim 1, wherein one of said first crease lines (12a) further defines two rear flaps (25) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively, and wherein the other of said first crease lines (12b) further defines two front flaps (27) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively.

3. Multi-piece blank according to claim 2, wherein at least one second stacking cut-out (38, 58) overlapping with said at least one first stacking cut-out (28) is formed through at least one of said left and right compression member (30, 50).

4. Multi-piece blank according to claim 1, wherein said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) further define two rear flaps (25) connected to rear panel (16) and two front flaps (27) connected to the front panel (20).5.Multi-piece blank according to claim 4, wherein the leftcompression member (30) has a fourth crease line (32) and a series of two fifth parallel crease lines (34) intersecting the fourth crease line (32), the fourth crease line (32) and the fifth crease lines (34) defining a series of a quadrangular left side panel (30') and a left top panel (30'') as well as two left connecting flaps (30''') connected to the left side panel (30'), andwherein the right compression member (50) has a seventh crease line (52) and a series of two eighth parallel crease lines (54) intersecting the seventh crease line (52), the seventh crease line (52) and the eighth crease lines (54) defining a series of a quadrangular right side panel (50') and a right top panel (50'') as well as two right connecting flaps (50''') connected to the right side panel (50').

6. Multi-piece blank according to claim 5, wherein the left compression member (30) further has a series of two sixth crease lines (35) parallel to the fifth crease lines (34), the sixth crease lines (35) defining two respective left top connecting flaps (3O'V) connected to the left top panel (30''), andwherein the right compression member (50) further has a series of two ninth crease lines (55) parallel to the eighth crease lines (54), the ninth crease lines (55) defining two respective right top connecting flaps (5O'V) connected to the right top panel (50'').

7. Multi-piece blank according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one second stacking cut-out (38, 58) overlapping with said at least one first stacking cut-out (28) is formed through at least one of said left and right side panel (30', 50').

8. Multi-piece blank according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said fifth and eighth crease lines (34, 54) are orthogonal to the fourth and seventh crease lines (32, 52).

9. Multi-piece blank according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein at least one hole (30c, 50c) is formed through at least one of said left and right side panels (30', 50') .

10. Multi-piece blank according to any of claims 5 to 9, further comprising a bottom compression member (70) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard glued to an inner face of at least one of said rear panel (16), bottom panel (18) and front panel (20).

11. Multi-piece blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel (20) is U-shaped, and whereinat least one perforated or notched detachment line (20a, 20b) is formed along an edge of the front panel (20) and defines at least one removable portion (20', 20'') connected to the front panel (20).

12. Multi-piece blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) are orthogonal to the two first parallel crease lines (12a-b).

13. Multi-piece blank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one additional stacking cut-out is formed in the center of said bottom panel (18).

14. Stackable container 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 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) defines a left panel (22) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein said third crease line (14b) defines a right panel (26) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein one of said first crease lines (12a) further defines two rear flaps (25) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively, and wherein the other of said first crease lines (12b) further defines two front flaps (27) connected to the left panel (22) and right panel (26), respectively,- a left and a right compression member (30, 50) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard shaped as quadrangular panels,wherein said left compression member (30) is glued to an inner face of said left panel (22) and said right compression member (50) is glued to an inner face of said right panel (26) ,wherein at least one first stacking cut-out (28) is formed through at least one of said left and right panel (22, 26) in correspondence of at least one of said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b),wherein at least one second stacking cut-out (38, 58) overlapping with said at least one first stacking cut-out (28) is formed through at least one of said left and right compression member (30, 50),wherein at least one stacking tab (39, 59) is formed in correspondence of a top edge (30a, 50a) of said at least one of said left and right compression member (30, 50) ,wherein the left panel (22) with the respective side compression member (30), and the right panel (26) with therespective side compression member (50), are folded at 90° about the respective second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) contiguous to the bottom panel (18), forming opposite left and right container walls,wherein the flaps (25, 27) 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 at 90° about the first crease lines (12a, 12b), so that the rear and front panels (16, 20) are arranged parallel and externally to the flaps (25, 27) of the left and right panels (22, 26), forming a pair of opposite rear and front container walls.

15. Stackable container 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 firstparallel 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) defines a left flap (22) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein said third crease line (14b) defines a right flap (26) connected to the bottom panel (18), wherein said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) further define two rear flaps (25) connected to rear panel (16) and two front flaps (27) connected to the front panel (20),- a left compression member (30) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having a fourth crease line (32) and a series of two fifth parallel crease lines (34) intersecting the fourth crease line (32), as well as a series of two sixth crease lines (35) parallel to the fifth crease lines (34), wherein the fourth crease line (32) and the fifth crease lines (34) define a series of a quadrangular left side panel (30' ) and a left top panel (30'') as well as two left connecting flaps (30' connected to the left side panel (30'), wherein the sixth crease lines (35) define two respective left top connecting flaps (30,v) connected to the left top panel (30''),- a right compression member (50) of corrugated cardboard or cartonboard having a seventh crease line (52) and a series of two eighth parallel crease lines (54) intersecting the seventh crease line (52), as well as a series of two ninth crease lines (55) parallel to the eighth crease lines (54), wherein the seventh crease line (52) and the eighth crease lines (54) define a series of a quadrangular right side panel (50') and a right top panel (50'') as well as two right connecting flaps (50''') connected to the right side panel (50'), wherein theninth crease lines (55) define two respective right top connecting flaps (50'v) connected to the right top panel (50''),wherein said left side panel (30') is glued to an inner face of said left flap (22) and said right side panel (50') is glued to an inner face of said right flap (26),wherein at least one first stacking cut-out (28) is formed through at least one of said left and right flap (22, 26) or through said bottom panel (18) in correspondence of at least one of said second and third crease lines (14a, 14b),wherein at least one stacking tab (39, 59) is formed in correspondence of a top edge (30a, 50a) of said at least one of said left and right compression member (30, 50),wherein the left flap (22) with the respective side compression member (30) , and the right flap (26) with the respective side compression member (50), are folded at 90° about the respective second and third crease lines (14a, 14b) contiguous to the bottom panel (18), forming opposite left and right container walls,wherein the left connecting flaps (30'',,) and the right connecting flaps (50''') are folded at 90° about the respective fifth and eighth crease lines (34, 54),wherein the flaps (25, 27) of the rear and front panels (16, 20) are folded at 90° about the respective lengths of the second and third crease lines (14a, 14b),wherein the rear and front panels (16, 20) are folded at 90° about the first crease lines (12a, 12b), so that the flaps (25, 27) of the rear and front panels (16, 20) are arranged parallel to the left and right side panels (30', 50'), forming a pair of opposite rear and front container walls,wherein the left and right top panels (30'', 50'' ) are folded at 90° about the respective fourth and seventh crease lines (32, 52), and the left and right top connecting flaps (30,v, 50,v) are folded at 90° about the respective sixth and ninth crease lines (35, 55) so that the left and right top connecting flaps (30'v, 50'v) are arranged parallel to the rear and front panel (16, 20).

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