Foldable packaging container

• US 7,870,995 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multi Packaging Solutions Incorporated (Graeme Richard Hart, MBA)
• Original Assignee: Multi Packaging Solutions Incorporated (Graeme Richard Hart, MBA)
• Inventors: Widener, John R., Moore, Carol J., Kaltman, Dennis M., Thibault, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins; Gary E
• Application Number:
  US12/618,395
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 229/114, 229/175, 229/176, 229/186, 229/931, 206/427, 206/476, 206/485, 206/485.1, 206562-565, 206/784
• US Class Current: 229/175
• 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 5/248 and at least one side being extended and doubled-over to enclose the adjacent gusset flaps
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/40 specially constructed to contain liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5021 Integral elements for containers formed by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/563 Laminated linings; Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/68 Telescope flanged lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/52 for living plants; for growing bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/931 Fold includes slit or aperture

Abstract

A foldable packaging which may include a liquid-resistant paperboard form that is foldable to provide an attractive stackable container that resists water leakage, can be assembled without fastening hardware and has concealed gussets. The packaging can be folded into overlapping flaps and wings which are folded and interlocked to define a generally trapezoidal packaging which can receive a variety of different pot sizes and types. The die cut pattern forming the packaging can be of a universal shape but formed in a variety of different sizes to accommodate different sized potted plants.

Claims

1. A packaging comprising:

a base portion having a liquid resistant material defining at least a portion of at least one inwardly facing surface;

a plurality of side walls each having;

(i) a first end that is connected to the base portion;

(ii) a second end; and

(iii) at least two laterally spaced apart side edges;

at least one inwardly folded gusset attached to and disposed between side walls along the side edges of the side walls so that the side walls are adjoined;

at least two of the sidewalls each including at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion that;

(i) extends from the second end of each such side wall;

(ii) is folded inwardly so that it covers a portion of such side wall;

(iii) includes a terminal free edge that is remote from the second end of the side wall and the inwardly folded free end flap extends over a portion of a side wall so that the terminal edge resides generally along the interior of the side wall facing toward the base portion, but spaced apart from the base portion; and

(iv) defines a folded edge for the packaging that is distal from the base portion;

(v) includes an article retention structure that is concealed from exterior side viewing, said article retention structure comprises a slot defined in the inwardly folded free end flap portion that has a bottom edge, two side edges, and an upper edge for bearing against packaging contents;

so that at least two of the adjoining sidewalls are generally free of external tabs and gussets and a volume of a liquid can be held in the packaging without contacting the terminal free edge.

2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the folded edge does not contact any integrated lid structure.

3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein all gussets of the packaging are folded inwardly so that they are generally not visible from external side viewing.

4. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the second ends of each adjoining side wall define an open top having a perimeter and the base portion has a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of the open top, and the side walls are tapered and shaped generally as isosceles trapezoids that are located between the rectangular base portion and the inwardly folded free end flap portion.

5. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion includes at least one securing structure including at least one wing having at least one generally straight edge, that projects laterally from the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion and that operates to achieve an interference engagement by a bearing relationship between a surface and the at least one generally straight edge.

6. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the packaging includes score lines that radiate outwardly from the corners of the base portion and are scored to include an outer portion and an inner portion, and the outer portion folds with less applied force than the inner portion to define a more precise fold.

7. The packaging of claim 6, wherein at least one of the score lines that radiate outwardly from the corners of the rectangle include a perforated portion that extends at least about 10% of the length of such score line and is located at the radial outermost end of the score line.

8. The packaging of claim 6, wherein the entirety of the score lines have a depth that is sufficiently deep to allow folding, but not so deep that prior to or during folding the water resistant material on the packaging will rupture.

9. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the packaging is free of any non-integrated, attached mechanical fastener for securing the packaging in its final folded state.

10. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the packaging includes a foldable tray-type lid.

11. A packaging comprising:

a base portion;

a plurality of side walls each having;

(i) a first end that is connected to the base portion;

(ii) a second end; and

(iii) at least two laterally spaced apart side edges;

at least one inwardly folded gusset attached to and disposed between side walls along the side edges of the side walls so that the side walls are adjoined;

at least two of the sidewalls each including at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion that;

(i) extends from the second end of each such side wall;

(ii) is folded inwardly so that it covers a portion of such side wall; and

(iii) defines a folded terminal edge for the packaging that is distal from the base portion and does not contact any integrated lid structure, so that at least two adjoining sidewalls are generally free of external tabs and gussets;

at least one article retention structure integrally formed in the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion for securing a position of at least one article within the interior of the packaging wherein;

(i) the article retention structure is concealed from exterior side viewing; and

(ii) the article retention structure includes a slot defined in the free end flap portion that has a bottom edge, two side edges and an upper edge for bearing against packaging contents.

12. The packaging of claim 11, wherein all gussets of the packaging are folded inwardly so that they are generally not visible from external side viewing.

13. The packaging of claim 11, wherein the second ends of each adjoining side wall define an open top having a perimeter and the base portion having a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of the open top, and the side walls are tapered and shaped generally as isosceles trapezoids that are located between the base portion and the inwardly folded free end flap portion.

14. The packaging of claim 11, wherein the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion includes at least one securing structure including at least one wing having at least one generally straight edge, that projects laterally from the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion and that operates to achieve an interference engagement by a bearing relationship between a surface and the at least one generally straight edge.

15. The packaging of claim 11, wherein the packaging includes score lines that radiate outwardly from the corners of the base portion and are scored to include an outer portion and an inner portion, and the outer portion folds with less applied force than the inner portion to define a more precise fold.

16. The packaging of claim 15, wherein at least one of the score lines that radiate outwardly from the corners of the rectangle include a perforated portion that extends at least about 10% of the length of such score line and is located at the radial outermost end of the score line.

17. The packaging of claim 11, wherein the entirety of the score lines have a depth that is sufficiently deep to allow folding, but not so deep that prior to or during folding the water resistant material on the packaging will rupture.

18. The packaging of claim 11, wherein the packaging is free of any non-integrated, attached mechanical fastener for securing the packaging in its final folded state.

19. A packaging comprising:

a base portion having a liquid resistant material defining at least a portion of at least one inwardly facing surface;

a plurality of side walls each having;

(i) a first end that is connected to the base portion;

(ii) a second end; and

(iii) at least two laterally spaced apart side edges;

at least one inwardly folded gusset attached to and disposed between side walls along the side edges of the side walls so that the side walls are adjoined;

at least two of the sidewalls each including at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion that;

(i) extends from the second end of each such side wall;

(ii) is folded inwardly so that it covers a portion of such side wall;

(iii) includes a terminal free edge that is remote from the second end of the side wall and the inwardly folded free end flap portion extends over a portion of a side wall so that the terminal edge resides generally along the interior of the side wall facing toward the base portion, but spaced apart from the base portion so that a volume of a liquid can be held in the packaging without contacting the terminal edge; and

(iv) defines a folded edge for the packaging that is distal from the base portion so that the at least two adjoining sidewalls are generally free of external tabs and gussets;

at least one article retention structure integrally formed in the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion for securing a position of at least one article within the interior of the packaging wherein;

(i) the article retention structure is concealed from exterior side viewing; and

(ii) the article retention structure includes a slot defined in the at least one inwardly folded free end flap portion that has a bottom edge, two side edges and an upper edge for bearing against packaging contents.