Construct With Locking Features

• US 20160251108A1
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gungner, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 10,053,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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 at least partially forming a 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 being proximate the engagement aperture at the corner of the construct.

2. The construct of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel and an end panel, an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel, the end panel and the end flap at least partially overlap one another, and the corner of the construct is at least partially defined by the side panel and the end flap.

3. The construct of claim 2, wherein the locking tab extends from an edge of the side panel at the corner, and the engagement aperture extends in the end flap adjacent the corner.

4. The construct of claim 3, wherein the end flap is foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, the fold line extends along the corner, and the engagement aperture interrupts the fold line.

5. The construct of claim 2, 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.

6. The construct of claim 5, 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.

7. The construct of claim 6, wherein each of the first locking tab and the second locking tab extends from a respective edge of the respective first side panel and second side panel at the respective first corner and second corner, and each of the first engagement aperture and the second engagement aperture extends in the respective first end flap and second end flap adjacent the respective first corner and second corner.

8. The construct of claim 6, 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, 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 comprises a third locking tab, a third engagement aperture, a fourth locking tab, and a fourth engagement aperture, the third locking tab being proximate the third engagement aperture at the third corner of the construct, and the fourth locking tab being proximate the fourth engagement aperture at the fourth corner of the construct.

9. The construct of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, the side panel comprises a top edge and an end edge, and the locking tab extends outwardly from the end edge adjacent the top edge.

10. The construct of claim 9, wherein the end edge extends in the corner of the construct, and the top edge extends away from the corner.

11. The construct of claim 9, wherein the locking tab comprises a locking edge extending from the end edge of the side panel.

12. The construct of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel and an end panel, the locking tab extends from the side panel at the corner of the construct, 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.

13. The construct of claim 12, wherein an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel, the end panel and the end flap at least partially overlap one another, the engagement aperture extends in the end flap adjacent the corner, the engagement aperture comprises an engagement edge, and the engagement notch is generally aligned with the engagement edge of the engagement aperture.

14. The construct of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, the corner of the construct is at least partially defined by the side panel and the end flap, the fold line extends along the corner, the locking tab extends from the side panel at the corner, and the engagement aperture extends in the end flap adjacent the corner.

15. The construct of claim 14, wherein the side panel comprises an end edge at the corner of the construct, the locking tab extends outwardly from the end edge, and the locking tab is spaced apart from the end flap by the end edge.

16. 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 at least partially forming a tray corner, the tray locking tab extending from a tray panel of the plurality of tray panels at the tray corner, and the tray engagement aperture extending at the tray corner;

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 at least partially forming a lid corner, the lid locking tab extending from a lid panel of the plurality of lid panels at the lid corner, and the lid engagement aperture extending at the lid corner;

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.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein the first construct and the second construct are substantially identical to one another.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein the first construct and the second construct are selected from a stack of substantially identical constructs.

19. The package of claim 16, wherein:

the plurality of tray panels comprises a tray side panel, a tray end flap is foldably connected to the tray side panel at the corner, and the tray locking tab extends outwardly from the tray side panel at the corner;

the plurality of lid panels comprises a lid side panel, a lid end flap is foldably connected to the lid side panel at the corner, and the lid locking tab extends outwardly from the lid side panel at the corner.

20. The package of claim 19, 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.

21. The package of claim 20, wherein the plurality of tray panels further comprises a tray end panel, the plurality of lid panels further comprises a lid end panel, 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.

22. The package of claim 19, wherein the tray end flap and the lid end flap are foldably connected to the respective tray side panel and lid side panel along a respective tray fold line and lid fold line, and the tray fold line and the lid fold line extend along the respective tray corner and lid corner.

23. The package of claim 22, 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.

24. The package of claim 23, 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.

25. The package of claim 16, wherein the plurality of tray panels comprises a tray side panel and a tray end panel, and the plurality of lid panels comprises a lid side panel and a lid end panel, the tray locking tab and the lid locking tab extending from the respective tray side panel and lid side panel at the respective tray corner and lid corner.

26. The package of claim 25, wherein the tray end panel and the lid end panel comprise respective tray engagement notch and 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.

27. The package of claim 16, 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 form 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 form 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.

28. The package of claim 27, wherein:

the plurality of tray panels comprises a first tray side panel and 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 plurality of lid panels comprises a first lid side panel and 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.

29. The package of claim 28, wherein

a first tray end flap and a second tray end flap are foldably connected to the respective first tray side panel and second 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

a first lid end flap and a second lid end flap are 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.

30. The package of claim 29, wherein the plurality of tray panels further comprises a tray end panel, the tray end panel is at least partially overlapped with the first tray end flap and the second tray end flap, the plurality of lid panels further comprises a lid end panel, and the lid end panel is at least partially overlapped with the first lid end flap and the second lid end flap.

31. The package of claim 28, wherein the plurality of tray panels further comprises a tray end panel, the tray end panel extends from the first tray corner to the second tray corner, the plurality of lid panels further comprises a lid end panel, and the lid end panel extends from the first lid corner to the second lid corner.

32. The package of claim 27, wherein:

the plurality of tray panels comprises a tray side panel extending from the first tray corner to the second tray corner, the first tray locking tab and the second tray locking tab extending from respective ends of the tray side panel at the respective first tray corner and second tray corner; and

the plurality of lid panels comprises a lid side panel extending 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.

33. The package of claim 32, wherein:

a 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

a 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.

34. The package of claim 33, wherein:

the plurality of tray panels further comprises a first tray end panel and 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 plurality of lid panels further comprises a first lid end panel and 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.

35. The package of claim 27, 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.

36. The package of claim 16, 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.

37. 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; and

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 being proximate the engagement aperture at the corner when the construct is formed from the blank.

38. The blank of claim 37, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel and an end panel, an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel, the end panel and the end flap are for at least partially overlapping one another when the construct is formed from the blank, and the corner of the construct is for being at least partially defined by the side panel and the end flap when the construct is formed from the blank.

39. The blank of claim 38, wherein the locking tab extends from an edge of the side panel, the engagement aperture extends in the end flap, and the locking tab is for extending from the edge of the side panel at the corner and the engagement aperture is for extending adjacent the corner when the construct is formed from the blank.

40. The blank of claim 39, wherein the end flap is foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, the engagement aperture interrupts the fold line, and the fold line is for extending along the corner when the construct is formed from the blank.

41. The blank of claim 38, 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.

42. The blank of claim 41, 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.

43. The blank of claim 42, 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.

44. The blank of claim 37, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, the side panel comprises a top edge and an end edge, and the locking tab extends outwardly from the end edge adjacent the top edge.

45. The blank of claim 44, 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.

46. The blank of claim 44, wherein the locking tab comprises a locking edge extending from the end edge of the side panel.

47. The blank of claim 37, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel and an end panel, 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.

48. The blank of claim 47, wherein an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel, the engagement aperture extends in the end flap, the engagement aperture comprises an engagement edge, the end panel and the end flap are for at least partially overlapping one another when the construct is formed from the blank, 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.

49. The blank of claim 37, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, the locking tab extends from an end of the side panel, the engagement aperture extends in the end flap, and the corner of the construct is for being at least partially defined by the side panel and the end flap when the construct is formed from the blank

50. The blank of claim 49, wherein the side panel comprises an end edge, 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.

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

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and locking features, the locking features comprising at least a locking tab and an engagement aperture;

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, wherein the locking tab is proximate the engagement aperture at the corner of the construct.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel and an end panel, an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel, 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 and positioning the end panel and the end flap to at least partially overlap one another.

53. The method of claim 52, 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.

54. The method of claim 53, 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.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, an end flap is foldably connected to the side panel along a fold line, and the forming the corner of the construct comprises folding the end flap with respect to the side panel along the fold line to at least partially define the corner so that the fold line extends along the corner, the locking tab extending from the side panel at the corner and the engagement aperture extending in the end flap adjacent the corner.

56. 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 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 at least partially forming a tray corner, the tray locking tab extending from a tray panel of the plurality of tray panels at the tray corner, and the tray engagement aperture extending at the tray corner, and

the second construct forms 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 at least partially forming a lid corner, the lid locking tab extending from a lid panel of the plurality of lid panels at the lid corner, and the lid engagement aperture extending at the lid corner; 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.

57. The method of claim 56, 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.

58. The method of claim 56, 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.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein:

the plurality of tray panels comprises a tray side panel, a tray end flap is foldably connected to the tray side panel at the corner, the tray locking tab extends outwardly from the tray side panel at the corner, and the tray engagement aperture extends in the tray end flap an at the tray corner; and

the plurality of lid panels comprises a lid side panel, a lid end flap is foldably connected to the lid side panel at the corner, the lid locking tab extends outwardly from the lid side panel at the corner, and the lid engagement aperture extends in the lid end flap an at the lid corner.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein:

the plurality of tray panels further comprises a tray end panel, the plurality of lid panels further comprises a lid end panel, and 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.

61. The method of claim 60, 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.

62. The method of claim 56, 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 form 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 form 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 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.