Foldable packaging container

• US 8,887,983 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• 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: Kaltman, Dennis M., Thibault, Richard C., Widener, John R., Moore, Carol J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELKINS, GARY E
• Application Number:
  US12/976,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20110089227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 229/114, 229/175, 229/176, 229/186, 229/931, 229/117.17, 229/930, 206/427, 206/476, 206/485, 206/485.1, 206562-565, 206/784, 47/72, 47/74, 403/12
• US Class Current: 229/114
• 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 in combination with a plant pot, comprising:

a side wall portion having two opposing side edges and one or more article retention structures, the one or more article retention structures comprising a slot defined in the side wall portion, the slot having a bottom edge, two side edges, and an upper edge that bears against a top edge of the plant pot so that the upper edge lies above and directly contacts the top edge of the plant pot and the bottom edge lies below the top edge of the plant pot to secure the plant pot within the packaging.

2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the side wall portion does not contact any lid structure.

3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the side wall portion defines an open top having a perimeter.

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

5. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the packaging includes only one side wall.

6. 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 such that at least the bottom half of each side edge is located adjacent score lines having a scoring depth of 2 point or less;

at least one inwardly folded gusset attached to and disposed between adjoining side walls along respective side edges of the adjoining side walls;

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 at least 25% 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 folds, tabs and gussets;

(iv) upon folding is located adjacent score lines having a scoring depth that greater than the scoring depth of the score lines located adjacent the bottom half of each side edge.

7. The packaging of claim 6, herein the folded edge does not contact any integrated lid structure.

8. The packaging of claim 6, 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 radially projecting free end flap portion.

9. The packaging of claim 6, 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.

10. The packaging of claim 6, wherein the packaging is free of any non-integrated, attached mechanical fastener for securing the packaging in its final folded state.

11. The packaging of claim 6, wherein the score lines located adjacent the free end flap portion are perforated.

12. The packaging of claim 6, wherein the inwardly folded gussets do not contact any other inwardly folded gussets.

13. The packaging of claim 6, wherein the free end flap portions fold to extend downward along greater than 25% of each side wall.