Construct with locking features

• US 10,053,259 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gungner, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US15/051,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20160251108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 22912536, 229114, 22912519, 229148, 229150, 22912528, 229144, 229149, 229193, 229186, 229187, 229188
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/60 Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/734 interengaging tongues and slots
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/81 Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/814 Applying closure elements to blanks, webs or boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/20 by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form B65D5/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2028 triangular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2047 trapezoidal, e.g. to form a body with diverging side walls B65D5/2033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/667 Lids in the form of an inverted tray
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/68 Telescope flanged lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/685 having an inwardly or upwardly extending tab on the lid side wall cooperating with a tab on, or an opening in, the container side wall

Abstract

A construct for holding at least one article. The construct comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the construct. The plurality of panels can at least partially form a corner of the construct. The construct further comprises locking features for at least partially interlocking the construct with a separate construct. The locking features can comprise at least a locking tab and an engagement aperture, and the locking tab can be proximate the engagement aperture at the corner of the construct.

Claims

1. A package for holding at least one article, the package comprising:

a first construct forming a tray of the package, the tray comprising a plurality of tray panels extending at least partially around an interior of the package, a tray locking tab, and a tray engagement aperture, the plurality of tray panels comprising a tray side panel and a tray end panel and at least partially forming a tray corner, the tray locking tab extending from the tray side panel at the tray corner, the tray engagement aperture extending at the tray corner, a tray end flap is foldably connected to the tray side panel along a tray fold line, the tray fold line extends along the tray corner, and the tray engagement aperture interrupts the tray fold line;

a second construct forming a lid of the package, the lid comprising a plurality of lid panels extending at least partially around an interior of the package, a lid locking tab, and a lid engagement aperture, the plurality of lid panels comprising a lid side panel and a lid end panel and at least partially forming a lid corner, the lid locking tab extending from the lid side panel at the lid corner, the lid engagement aperture extending at the lid corner, a lid end flap is foldably connected to the lid side panel along a lid fold line, the lid fold line extends along the lid corner, and the lid engagement aperture interrupts the lid fold line;

wherein the lid locking tab and the lid engagement aperture are for selectively engaging the respective tray engagement aperture and tray locking tab to at least partially interlock the tray and the lid.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the first construct and the second construct are substantially identical to one another.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first construct and the second construct are selected from a stack of substantially identical constructs.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein:

the tray locking tab extends outwardly from the tray side panel at the tray corner; and

the lid locking tab extends outwardly from the lid side panel at the lid corner.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the tray engagement aperture and the lid engagement aperture extend in the respective tray end flap and lid end flap at the respective tray corner and lid corner.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein the tray end panel and the tray end flap at least partially overlap one another at an end of the package, the lid end panel and the lid end flap at least partially overlap one another at the end of the package, and each of the tray end panel and the lid end panel comprises a respective engagement notch at least partially aligned with the respective tray engagement aperture and lid engagement aperture in the respective tray end flap and lid end flap.

7. The package of claim 4, wherein the tray locking tab and the lid locking tab extend from respective end edges of the respective tray side panel and lid side panel, the end edges extending generally upwardly from the respective tray fold line and the lid fold line.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the tray side panel and the lid side panel comprise respective top edges, the tray locking tab and the lid locking tab extending adjacent the respective top edge of the respective tray side panel and lid side panel.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein the tray end panel and the lid end panel respectively comprise a tray engagement notch and a lid engagement notch at the respective tray corner and lid corner, the tray locking tab and the lid locking tab being for selectively engaging the respective lid engagement notch and tray engagement notch to at least partially interlock the tray and the lid.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein:

the tray corner is a first tray corner, the tray locking tab is a first tray locking tab, the tray engagement aperture is a first tray engagement aperture, the lid corner is a first lid corner, the lid locking tab is a first lid locking tab, and the lid engagement aperture is a first lid engagement aperture;

the plurality of tray panels at least partially forms a second tray corner, and the tray further comprises a second tray locking tab and a second tray engagement aperture, the second tray locking tab and the second tray engagement aperture extending at the second tray corner;

the plurality of lid panels at least partially forms a second lid corner, and the lid further comprises a second lid locking tab and a second lid engagement aperture, the second lid locking tab and the second lid engagement aperture extending at the second lid corner; and

the second lid locking tab and the second lid engagement aperture are for selectively engaging the respective second tray engagement aperture and second tray locking tab to at least partially interlock the tray and the lid.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein:

the tray side panel is a first tray side panel, the plurality of tray panels further comprises a second tray side panel, the first tray locking tab extends outwardly from the first tray side panel at the first tray corner, and the second tray locking tab extends outwardly from the second tray side panel at the second tray corner; and

the lid side panel is a first lid side panel, the plurality of lid panels further comprises a second lid side panel, the first lid locking tab extends outwardly from the first lid side panel at the first lid corner, and the second lid locking tab extends outwardly from the second lid side panel at the second lid corner.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein

the tray end flap is a first tray end flap, a second tray end flap is foldably connected to the second tray side panel at the second tray corner, and the first tray engagement aperture and the second tray engagement aperture extend in the respective first tray end flap and second tray end flap at the respective first tray corner and second tray corner;

and

the lid end flap is a first lid end flap, a second lid end flap is foldably connected to the respective first lid side panel and second lid side panel at the respective first lid corner and second lid corner, and the first lid engagement aperture and the second lid engagement aperture extend in the respective first lid end flap and second lid end flap at the respective first lid corner and second lid corner.

13. The package of claim 12, wherein the tray end panel is at least partially overlapped with the first tray end flap and the second tray end flap, and the lid end panel is at least partially overlapped with the first lid end flap and the second lid end flap.

14. The package of claim 11, wherein the tray end panel extends from the first tray corner to the second tray corner, and the lid end panel extends from the first lid corner to the second lid corner.

15. The package of claim 10, wherein:

the tray side panel extends from the first tray corner to the second tray corner, the first tray locking tab and the second tray locking tab extend from respective ends of the tray side panel at the respective first tray corner and second tray corner; and

the lid side panel extends from the first lid corner to the second lid corner, the first lid locking tab and the second lid locking tab extending from respective ends of the lid side panel at the respective first lid corner and second lid corner.

16. The package of claim 15, wherein:

the tray end flap is a first tray end flap, the first tray end flap and a second tray end flap are foldably connected to the respective ends of the tray side panel at the respective first tray corner and second tray corner, and the first tray engagement aperture and the second tray engagement aperture extend in the respective first tray end flap and second tray end flap at the respective first tray corner and second tray corner; and

the lid end flap is a first lid end flap, the first lid end flap and a second lid end flap are foldably connected to the respective ends of the lid side panel at the respective first lid corner and second lid corner, and the first lid engagement aperture and the second lid engagement aperture extend in the respective first lid end flap and second lid end flap at the respective first lid corner and second lid corner.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein:

the tray end panel is a first tray end panel, and the plurality of tray panels further comprises a second tray end panel, the first tray end flap and the first tray end panel are at least partially overlapped with one another at a first end of the package, and the second tray end flap and the second tray end panel are at least partially overlapped with one another at a second end of the package; and

the lid end panel is a first lid end panel, and the plurality of lid panels further comprises a second lid end panel, the first lid end flap and the first lid end panel are at least partially overlapped with one another at the first end of the package, and the second lid end flap and the second lid end panel are at least partially overlapped with one another at the second end of the package.

18. The package of claim 10, wherein:

each of the first tray corner, the second tray corner, the first lid corner, and the second lid corner is disposed at a first end of the package;

the plurality of tray panels at least partially form third tray corner and a fourth tray corner, each disposed at a second end of the package, the tray further comprises a third tray locking tab, a third tray engagement aperture, a fourth tray locking tab, and a fourth tray engagement aperture, the third tray locking tab and a third tray engagement aperture extending at the third tray corner, and the fourth tray locking tab and the fourth tray engagement aperture extending at the fourth tray corner;

the plurality of lid panels at least partially form third lid corner and a fourth lid corner, each disposed at the second end of the package, the lid further comprises a third lid locking tab, a third lid engagement aperture, a fourth lid locking tab, and a fourth lid engagement aperture, the third lid locking tab and a third lid engagement aperture extending at the third lid corner, and the fourth lid locking tab and the fourth lid engagement aperture extending at the fourth lid corner; and

the third lid locking tab, the third lid engagement aperture, the fourth lid locking tab, and the fourth lid engagement aperture are for selectively engaging the respective third tray engagement aperture, third tray locking tab, fourth tray engagement aperture, and fourth tray locking tab to at least partially interlock the tray and the lid.

19. The package of claim 1, wherein one of the lid locking tab and the lid engagement aperture is at least partially engaged with the respective tray engagement aperture and tray locking tab to at least partially interlock the tray and the lid.

20. The package of claim 1, wherein the tray end panel partially overlies the tray engagement aperture.

21. The package of claim 1, wherein the lid end panel partially overlies the lid engagement aperture.

22. A blank for forming a construct for holding at least one article, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels for being disposed at least partially around an interior of the construct formed from the blank to at least partially form a corner of the construct formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel and an end panel;

locking features for at least partially interlocking the construct formed from the blank with a separate construct, the locking features comprising at least a locking tab and an engagement aperture, the locking tab extending from the side panel, the locking tab being proximate the engagement aperture at the corner when the construct is formed from the blank; and

an end flap foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, the end panel at least partially overlapping the end flap when the construct is formed from the blank, the fold line extends along the corner when the construct is formed from the blank, an end edge of the side panel extends from the end flap to the locking tab, and the engagement aperture extends in the side panel and the end flap and interrupts the fold line.

23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the corner is a first corner, the side panel is a first side panel, and the end flap is a first end flap, the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, a second end flap is foldably connected to the second side panel, the end panel and the second end flap at least partially overlap one another, and the second side panel and the second end flap are for at least partially defining a second corner of the construct formed from the blank.

24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the locking tab is a first locking tab and the engagement aperture is a first engagement aperture, and the locking features further comprise a second locking tab and a second engagement aperture, the second locking tab being proximate the second engagement aperture at the second corner of the construct when the construct is formed from the blank.

25. The blank of claim 24, wherein:

the end panel is a first end panel, and the plurality of panels comprises a second end panel for being disposed opposite to the first end panel when the construct is formed from the blank;

a third end flap is foldably connected to the first side panel, a fourth end flap is foldably connected to the second side panel, the second end panel and each of the third end flap and the fourth end flap are for respectively at least partially overlapping one another when the construct is formed from the blank;

the first side panel and the third end flap at least partially define a third corner of the construct formed from the blank, and the second side panel and the fourth end flap at least partially define a fourth corner of the construct formed from the blank; and

the locking features further comprises a third locking tab, a third engagement aperture, a fourth locking tab, and a fourth engagement aperture, the third locking tab being for extending proximate the third engagement aperture at the third corner when the construct is formed from the blank, and the fourth locking tab being for extending proximate the fourth engagement aperture at the fourth corner when the construct is formed from the blank.

26. The blank of claim 22, wherein the side panel comprises a top edge, and the locking tab extends outwardly from the end edge of the side panel adjacent the top edge of the side panel.

27. The blank of claim 26, wherein the end edge is for extending in the corner of the construct formed from the blank, and the top edge is for extending away from the corner when the construct is formed from the blank.

28. The blank of claim 26, wherein the locking tab comprises a locking edge extending from the end edge of the side panel.

29. The blank of claim 22, wherein the locking tab extends from the side panel, the end panel comprises a corner edge, the corner edge is for extending adjacent the corner when the construct is formed from the blank, and the locking features further comprise an engagement notch in the corner edge of the end panel.

30. The blank of claim 29, wherein the engagement aperture comprises an engagement edge, and the engagement notch is for being generally aligned with the engagement edge of the engagement aperture when the construct is formed from the blank.

31. The blank of claim 22, wherein, the locking tab extends outwardly from the end edge, the locking tab is spaced apart from the end flap by the end edge, and the end edge is for extending at the corner when the construct is formed from the blank.

32. The blank of claim 22, wherein the end panel partially overlies the tray engagement aperture when the construct is formed from the blank.

33. A method of forming a construct, the method comprising:

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and locking features, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel, an end panel, and an end flap, the end flap being foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, and the locking features comprising at least a locking tab and an engagement aperture, the locking tab extending from the side panel, an end edge of the side panel extends from the end flap to the locking tab, and the engagement aperture extends in the side panel and the end flap and interrupts the fold line;

positioning the panels of the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the construct, the positioning the panels comprises forming a corner of the construct and at least partially overlapping the end panel and the end flap, wherein the locking tab is proximate the engagement aperture at the corner of the construct, and the fold line extends along the corner of the construct.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the positioning the panels comprises folding the end flap with respect to the side panel to at least partially define the corner of the construct.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the corner is a first corner, the side panel is a first side panel, and the end flap is a first end flap, the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, a second end flap is foldably connected to the second side panel, the positioning the panels further comprises folding the second end flap with respect to the second side panel to at least partially define the second corner of the construct and positioning the end panel and the second end flap to at least partially overlap one another.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the locking tab is a first locking tab and the engagement aperture is a first engagement aperture, and the locking features further comprise a second locking tab and a second engagement aperture, the second locking tab being proximate the second engagement aperture at the second corner of the construct.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the positioning the panels comprises positioning the end panel to partially overlie the engagement aperture.

38. A method of forming an assembly, the method comprising:

obtaining a first construct and a second construct, wherein

the first construct forms a tray of the assembly, the tray comprising a plurality of tray panels extending at least partially around an interior of the assembly, a tray locking tab, and a tray engagement aperture, the plurality of tray panels comprising a tray side panel, a tray end panel, and a tray end flap at least partially forming a tray corner, the tray locking tab extending from the tray side panel at the tray corner, the tray engagement aperture extending at the tray corner, the tray end flap being foldably connected to the tray side panel along a tray fold line, the tray fold line extending along the tray corner, and the tray engagement aperture interrupting the tray fold line, and

the second construct forms a lid of the assembly, the lid comprising a plurality of lid panels extending at least partially around an interior of the assembly, a lid locking tab, and a lid engagement aperture, the plurality of lid panels comprising a lid side panel, a lid end panel, and a lid end flap at least partially forming a lid corner, the lid locking tab extending from the lid side panel of the plurality of lid panels at the lid corner, and the lid engagement aperture extending at the lid corner, the lid end flap being foldably connected to the lid side panel along a lid fold line, the lid fold line extending along the lid corner, and the lid engagement aperture interrupting the lid fold line; and

at least partially interlocking the first construct with the second construct by disposing at least one of the lid locking tab and the tray locking tab to be at least partially received in the respective tray engagement aperture and lid engagement aperture.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least partially interlocking the first construct with the second construct comprises engaging a locking edge of the lid locking tab with an engagement edge of the tray engagement aperture.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the first construct and the second construct are generally identical to one another, and the obtaining the first construct and the second construct comprises selecting each of the first construct and the second construct from a stack of generally identical constructs.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein:

the tray locking tab extends outwardly from the tray side panel at the tray corner, and the tray engagement aperture extends in the tray end flap at the tray corner; and

the lid locking tab extends outwardly from the lid side panel at the lid corner, and the lid engagement aperture extends in the lid end flap at the lid corner.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein:

each of the tray end panel and the lid end panel comprises a respective engagement notch;

the tray end panel and the tray end flap at least partially overlap one another at an end of the package, the lid end panel and the lid end flap at least partially overlap one another at the end of the package, and the engagement notches of the tray end panel and the lid end panel are disposed adjacent the respective tray engagement aperture and lid engagement aperture in the respective tray end flap and lid end flap; and

the at least partially interlocking the first construct with the second construct further comprises engaging the lid locking tab with at least one of the tray engagement aperture and the engagement notch of the tray end panel.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the tray engagement aperture comprises an engagement edge, the engagement notch of the tray end panel is at least partially aligned with the engagement edge of the tray engagement aperture, and the engaging the lid locking tab with at least one of the tray engagement aperture and the engagement notch of the tray end panel further comprises engaging the lid locking tab with each of the engagement edge of the tray engagement aperture and the engagement notch of the tray end panel.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein:

the tray corner is a first tray corner, the tray locking tab is a first tray locking tab, the tray engagement aperture is a first tray engagement aperture, the lid corner is a first lid corner, the lid locking tab is a first lid locking tab, and the lid engagement aperture is a first lid engagement aperture;

the plurality of tray panels at least partially forms a second tray corner, the tray further comprises a second tray locking tab and a second tray engagement aperture, the second tray locking tab and the second tray engagement aperture extending at the second tray corner;

the plurality of lid panels at least partially forms a second lid corner, the lid further comprises a second lid locking tab and a second lid engagement aperture, the second lid locking tab and the second lid engagement aperture extending at the second lid corner; and

the at least partially interlocking the first construct with the second construct further comprises disposing at least one of the second lid locking tab and the second tray locking tab to be at least partially received in the respective second tray engagement aperture and second lid engagement aperture.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the tray end panel partially overlies the tray engagement aperture.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein the lid end panel partially overlies the lid engagement aperture.

47. A construct for holding at least one article, the construct comprising:

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the construct, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel and an end panel and at least partially forming a corner of the construct;

an end flap foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, the end panel at least partially overlapping the end flap at an end of the construct, the fold line extending along the corner of the construct; and

locking features for at least partially interlocking the construct with a separate construct, the locking features comprising at least a locking tab and an engagement aperture, the locking tab extending from the side panel, an end edge of the side panel extending from the end flap to the locking tab, and the engagement aperture extending in the side panel and the end flap and interrupting the fold line.

48. The construct of claim 47, wherein the end panel partially overlies the engagement aperture.

49. The construct of claim 47, wherein the locking tab comprises a locking edge, and the end edge of the side panel extends from an end of the fold line to the locking edge.

50. The construct of claim 49, wherein the locking edge is oblique with respect to the end edge.

51. The construct of claim 47, wherein the corner is a first corner, the side panel is a first side panel, and the end flap is a first end flap, the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, a second end flap is foldably connected to the second side panel, the end panel and the second end flap at least partially overlap one another, and the second side panel and the second end flap at least partially define a second corner of the construct.

52. The construct of claim 51, wherein the locking tab is a first locking tab, the engagement aperture is a first engagement aperture, and the locking features further comprise a second locking tab and a second engagement aperture, the second locking tab and the second engagement aperture extending at the second corner of the construct.

53. The construct of claim 52, wherein:

the end panel is a first end panel, and the plurality of panels comprises a second end panel disposed opposite to the first end panel;

a third end flap is foldably connected to the first side panel, a fourth end flap is foldably connected to the second side panel, and the second end panel and each of the third end flap and the fourth end flap respectively at least partially overlap one another;

the first side panel and the third end flap at least partially define a third corner of the construct, and the second side panel and the fourth end flap at least partially define a fourth corner of the construct; and

the locking features further comprise a third locking tab, a third engagement aperture, a fourth locking tab, and a fourth engagement aperture, the third locking tab and the third engagement aperture extending at the third corner of the construct, and the fourth locking tab and the fourth engagement aperture extending at the fourth corner of the construct.

54. The construct of claim 47, wherein the side panel comprises a top edge and the locking tab extends outwardly from the end edge adjacent the top edge.

55. The construct of claim 47, wherein the end panel comprises a corner edge extending adjacent the corner of the construct, and the locking features further comprise an engagement notch in the corner edge of the end panel.

56. The construct of claim 55, wherein the engagement aperture comprises an engagement edge and the engagement notch is generally aligned with the engagement edge of the engagement aperture.

57. The construct of claim 47, wherein the locking tab is spaced apart from the end flap by the end edge.