Container with injection-molded feature and tool for forming container

• US 7,975,871 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Wnek, Patrick H., Marx, Ronald P., Kluz, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett; J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESAI, KAUSHIKKUMAR A
• Application Number:
  US12/062,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20090250372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 206/407, 206/557, 229/406, 229/407, 220/659, 220/626, 220640-643, 220/655, 220/649, 220/654, 220/407, 220669-676, 220/406, 220/770, 220/772
• US Class Current: 220/643
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0046 Details relating to the filling pattern or flow paths or flow characteristics of moulding material in the mould cavity
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14336 Coating a portion of the article, e.g. the edge of the article B29C45/14573 and B29C45/14598 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/712 Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/592 using punches or dies
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4279 Joints, seams, leakproof joints or corners, special connections between panels B65D5/209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/445 Reinforcements formed separately from the container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49805 Shaping by direct application of fluent pressure

Abstract

A container has a base panel, at least one side panel extending upwardly from the base panel, and at least one end panel extending upwardly from the base panel. At least one corner is formed at a junction between the side panel and end panel. A flange extends laterally outward from the upper edges of at least one of the side panel, end panel, and corner. An injection-molded structure extends along at least a portion of the flange, the injection-molded structure includes a base portion adjacent the upper edges of the side wall and the end wall, a distal portion extending laterally outward from the base portion, and an indentation in the distal portion extending along at least a portion of the flange of the container. An apparatus for forming the container and a method of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around and at least partially defines a cavity of the container, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a base panel, at least one side panel extending upwardly from the base panel, and at least one end panel extending upwardly from the base panel,

at least one corner formed at a junction between the side panel and end panel;

a flange extending laterally outward from an upper edge of at least one of the side panel, end panel, and corner,

an injection-molded structure extending along at least a portion of the flange, the injection-molded structure includes a base portion adjacent the upper edge, a distal portion extending laterally outward from the base portion to an edge of the injection-molded structure, and an indentation in the distal portion extending along at least a portion of the flange of the container, the indentation is a groove extending from a bottom surface of the injection-molded structure to a bottom surface of the flange, and the groove is substantially free of material forming the injection-molded structure at an uppermost portion of the groove.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the indentation extends around a portion of a perimeter of the container corresponding to corner.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the injection-molded structure extends around a perimeter of the container.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the base portion has a first thickness and the distal portion has a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the distal portion extends laterally outward from the base portion to an edge, the edge of the distal portion generally corresponding with a lateral edge of the flange.

6. The container of claim 2 wherein the indentation partially extends into portions of the perimeter respectively corresponding to the side wall and the end wall.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the at least one side panel comprises two side panels, the at least one end panel comprises two end panels, and the corner includes four corners between respectively adjacent side panels and end panels.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the indentation includes four indentations in a portion of the structure respectively extending around a portion of a perimeter of the container at a respective corner of the container.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the base portion is in contact with the upper edge of the at least one of the side panel and end panel.

10. The container of claim 1 wherein the base portion has a greater cross-sectional area than the distal portion.

17. The container of claim 1 wherein the indentation is laterally spaced outward from the base portion.

18. The container of claim 17 wherein the indentation is laterally spaced inward from a laterally outer edge of the injection molded structure.

11. A container comprising:

a base panel and at least one side panel extending upwardly from the base panel, the base panel and at least one side panel at least partially defining a cavity of the container;

a flange extending laterally outward from an upper edge of the at least one side panel;

an injection-molded structure extending along at least a portion of the flange, the injection-molded structure includes a base portion adjacent the upper edge, a distal portion extending laterally outward from the base portion to an edge of the injection-molded structure, and an indentation in the distal portion extending along at least a portion of the flange of the container, the indentation is a groove extending from a bottom surface of the injection-molded structure to a bottom surface of the flange, and the groove is substantially free of material forming the injection-molded structure at an uppermost portion of the groove.

12. The container of claim 11 wherein the injection-molded structure extends around a perimeter of the container.

13. The container of claim 11 wherein the base portion has a first thickness and the distal portion has a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

14. The container of claim 11 wherein the edge of the injection-molded structure generally corresponds with a lateral edge of the flange.

15. The container of claim 11 wherein the base portion contacts a junction of the at least one side panel and the flange.

16. The container of claim 11 wherein the base portion has a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the distal portion.

19. The container of claim 11 wherein the indentation is laterally spaced outward from the base portion.

20. The container of claim 19 wherein the indentation is laterally spaced inward from a laterally outer edge of the injection molded structure.