Foldable packaging container

• US 9,387,952 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• 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:
  US14/515,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20150034710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 method for packaging a plant container comprising:

die cutting a flat sheet of material;

folding the flat sheet of material into a die cut package which includes one or more side walls, the one or more side walls having;

(i) a first end;

(ii) a second end; and

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

locating a portion of the die cut package about a periphery of a plant container, the plant container having a curved wall;

engaging at least one article retention structure integrally formed in at least one of the one or more side walls and concealed from exterior side viewing with a top edge of the plant container;

wherein the article retention structure includes a slot defined in at least one of the one or more side walls that has an upper edge for bearing against the top edge of the plant container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is free of engaging any lid structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is free of any mechanical fastening step for locating the portion of the die cut package about the plant container.

4. The method of claim 1, including engaging a plurality of article retention structures.

5. The method of claim 1, including engaging a single article retention structure.

6. The method of claim 1, including engaging exactly two article retention structures.

7. The method of claim 1, including connecting a first laterally spaced apart side edge with a second laterally spaced apart side edge.

8. The method of claim 1, including surrounding the plant container with the portion of the die cut package.

9. The method of claim 1, including a step of locating a plant in the plant container.

10. The method of claim 1, including printing onto at least one surface of the die cut package.

11. The method of claim 1, removing the portion of the die cut package from the plant container.

12. The method of claim 9, including removing the plant from the plant container and potting the plant in a second location.

13. A plant packaging made according to the method of claim 1.

14. The plant packaging of claim 13, wherein the packaging includes exactly one article retention structure.

15. The plant packaging of claim 13, wherein the packaging includes exactly two article retention structures.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding the flat sheet of material into a die cut package includes folding one or more gussets attached to the one or more side walls.

17. The plant packaging of claim 13, wherein the one or more side walls include multiple article retention structures at varying heights along the interior of the packaging.

18. The plant packaging of claim 13, wherein the package includes more than one side wall and the more than one side walls include multiple article retention structures that are substantially parallel to one another at varying heights along the interior of the packaging.

19. The plant packaging of claim 13, wherein an article retention structure includes a slot arranged for engaging a handle or hook structure between edges of the slot sufficient for carrying, hanging, or displaying the packaging and its contents.

20. The plant packaging of claim 13, wherein the packaging includes a non-integrally attached lid structure with one or more apertures.