BOX AND SUCH A BOX

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a blank configured to be erected to form a box. The box is configured to be capable of being stackable. Technical background

Storing different kinds of products, such as food, in boxes is useful in a number of aspects, not at least during transporting and for maintaining tidy stocks. There are various kinds of storage boxes presently used. They come in various shapes, sizes and materials. Although storage boxes made of stiff material, such as moulded plastic boxes, typically are robust, they tend to occupy a large space when not in use, often being heavy when fully loaded and also often making use of large amounts of material. On the other hand, storage boxes made of soft or light material, such as boxed formed by folding paper- based blanks, often requires specific measurements to provide sufficient stability, especially to allow such storage boxes to be stacked.

From a manufacturing and user perspective, the box preferably has to fulfil the design criteria of making efficient use of material, being possible to transport as a flat-laid blank, being easy to erect to form a box and forming a box being stable when stacked and carried. Preferably, this should be accomplished without necessitating the use of any adhesive.

Examples of boxes formed by folding a blank are disclosed in ES 1005230 U, GB 2276612 A1 and EP 0394549 B1.

ES 1005230 U attempts to address the above criteria with a box formed by folding a paper-based blank. The corners and the walls have been reinforced. The walls are folded such that all the walls comprise a two-layer material. The corners are reinforced by providing additional panels on the end wall being configured to form the inside of the double-walled end walls. The additional panels are configured to be tucked in between the panels of the double-walled side walls and extend alongside the side wall and also to form a triangle shaped vacant spaces at each corner of the box. This invention makes use of large amount of material since ail the wails are two-layered in order to securely keep the additional panels in place. Moreover, the triangle shaped vacant spaces at the corners reduce the available storage space. Furthermore, the triangle shaped vacant spaces make trap dirt and/or product debris which is undesirable from a hygienic perspective.

GB 2276612 A1 discloses a box with reinforced stacking tabs formed from the unitary blank and erected when the box is configured. The stacking tab is positioned on the upper edge of the box and the aperture is placed at the bottom of the base of the box. The reinforced stacking tab will give guidance to encourage the box of being stacked. The stacking tab will also avoid horizontal movements of two boxes relative each other without separate them lifting one box up and away. However, the stacking tabs may unintentionally be caught by other surrounding items, such as gloves worn by storemen, other storage boxes, etc. Moreover, the provision of stacking tabs and apertures necessitate that ail the packages have such features. Moreover, the design of the blank makes the box complicated to fold into a box

EP 0394549 B1 discloses a foldable box made of a flat-laid cardboard blank. The box is erected using glue to attach corner panels outside the corners and to attach reinforcing hollow corners support. Necessitating the use of glue is for many applications not satisfactory, since it requires that the blank is erected where there is access to a glue gun and it typically makes it difficult to un-fold the box for subsequent recycling.

None of the prior art document discloses a blank configured to be erected to form a box or a box than can be formed from a blank that adequately addresses the design criteria concerning making efficient use of material, being possible to transport as a flat-laid blank, being easy to erect to form a box and forming a stable box. Summary of invention

The object of the invention is to provide a design that adequately addresses the design criteria concerning making efficient use of material, being possible to transport as a fiat-laid blank , being easy to erect to form a box and forming a stable box.

This object has been achieved by a blank configured to be erected into a box. The box is configured to be capable of being stackable. The blank comprises: a bottom panel, a first end wall panel and a second end wall panel on each side of the bottom panel, the first and second end wall panels being foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, the first and second end wail panels being configured to be folded into a double-walled end wail, two opposing side wall panels foldably connected to a respective transversal side of the bottom panel, four supporting panels being foldably connected to a respective longitudinal side of the respective wail panel and being configured to be positioned between the first and second end wall panels when the blank is erected into said box, one or more top panels foldably connected to respective transversal side of each side wail panel opposite a respective connection between the respective side wall panel and the bottom panel, a locking panel provided at each longitudinal end of said one or more top panels connected to respective side wall, each locking panel being foldably connected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of the top panel when the blank is seen in the flat-laid state, the locking panel being configured to be positioned between the first and second end wall panels when the blank is erected into said box, wherein the top panel is configured to form a platform at the top of the erected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel and the respective double-walled end wails formed by the first and second end wall panels at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel, the first end wall panel being folded relative to the second end panel such that the respective locking panel and the respective supporting panel becomes locked in their respective position between the first end wall panel and the second end wall panel when the blank is erected into said box with the respective supporting panel extending into the double-walled end wail from a transversal end of the respective double-wailed end wail and with the respective locking panel extending into the double-walled end wall from an upper end of the respective double-walled end wall when the blank is erected to form said box.

By designing the blank as stated above, there is provided a box which is stable, and which may be stacked. Moreover, the blank is easy to erect to form a box.

The locking panels may in a sense be said to constitute a locking mechanism together with the double end wail in the design of the erected box. By the locking mechanism, the top panels and the supporting panels get locked in their respective positions in the erected box and giving an upholding support for the box. The locking mechanism reduces the risk of the box to unintentionally unfold. The locking mechanism will further facilitate the erection of the blank into a box, since the box may be provided without requiring any adhesive.

Since the top pane! is configured to form a platform at the top of the erected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel and the respective double-walled end wails formed by the first and second end wall panels at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel, there will be provided a comparably large upper surface supporting boxes placed on the box. Moreover, since the platforms are formed at and connected to the corners as discussed above, forces from other boxes stacked on top will be transmitted to the double walled upright standing end wails panels, the upright standing support panels and the upright standing corners formed by the support panels and side wall panels.

It may be said that the blank comprises a set of wall panels, including the side wall panels and the end wall panels. The bottom panel may have a rectangular shape, whereby the bottom panel and the set of wall panels provides a box comprising four sides, with the side wall panels and the end wall panels having different lengths. The end wall panels and the side wail panels around the four sides may be said to form a rim around the bottom panel when the box is erected. By providing such a rim, the products stored in the box is preventing from falling out.

It may be noted that the box may be configured with one of the two side walls forming a front wail of the erected box. The front wall may comprise a downwardly facing cut-out, such that a portion of the front wall is lower than the other walls configured in said box. By the cut-out, the box provides the possibility for the user to see the products inside the box. The cut-out also gives an indication of which side of the box being the front side and may therethrough be positioned with the front wall towards an aisle in case the box is used as a display box in a store or the like. The box addresses the design criteria of being stable and stackable even if the front wall is provided with such a cut-out.

!n the description and claims, a transversal side or edge refers to a side or edge encountered when moving along the transversal direction and longitudinal side or edge refers to a side or an edge encountered when moving along the longitudinal direction. For a rectangular panel a transversal side or edge will be encountered when moving along the transversal direction and it will have an extension along the longitudinal direction. Likewise, for a rectangular panel a longitudinal side or edge will be encountered when moving along the longitudinal direction and it will have an extension along the transversal direction.

Each second end wail panel may comprise two internal fold lines forming two foldable wing portions. Each wing portion is preferably provided at a respective transversal side of the second end wail panel and at least in a portion facing the first end wail panel as seen in fiat-laid state of the blank. The wing portions may be configured to be folded relative to a central portion of the respective second end wall panel to allow the second end wail panel to pass between the transversely opposing top panels when the second end wall panel is folded over the supporting panels and the locking panels to form the respective double-walled end wall. The central portion may be said to be a portion of the respective second end wall panel being centralised in the middle of the second end wall panel or a portion that the wing portions may be folded towards to allow the second end wall panel to pass between the transversely opposing top panels when forming the double-wailed end wail.

By the provision of foldable wing portions, the second end wail is easily attached in the right position, by unfolding the wing portions when said second end wail panel is at the predetermined position in the erected box. The wing portions may be said to be a part of the second end wail panel and thereby also becomes a part of the double-walled end wall. The wing portions may be said to extend along the supporting panel when unfolded. The wing portions may be said to extend along a plane of the central portion of the second end wall pane! when unfolded. The wing portions may be designed to along one edge thereof closely follow the top panel and/or along another edge thereof closely following the side wail panel. The meaning of “closely follow” may in a wide interpretation be that the shape basically is the same such that there is not formed any large gaps that are prone to catch dirt. The meaning of “closely follow” may in a preferred embodiment be that the wing portions may be so tight to the corners that there is provided a contact between wing portions and the top panels and/or side wall panels along at least one of the edges of the respective wing portions such that there is provided a frictional force counter-acting movement of the second end wall panel from the position in which it is intended to be in to form the double-walied end wall. Since the wing portions are flexible, due to the provision of fold lines, the second end wall panel may be put in the intended position and may be kept in the intended position without any additional amount of material or the use of an adhesive or the like.

The second end wall panel may be foidably connected to the first end wall panel via two separate fold lines forming an intermediate panel between the two separate fold lines and between the first and the second end wail panels. It may be said that the first end wall panel, the intermediate panel, and the second end wail panel are consecutively arranged one after the other along the longitudinal direction, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank. By providing an intermediate pane! between the second end wall panel and first end wall panel, they can be folded and become parallel to each other and still bridge over the double material thickness of the supporting panels and locking panel be of the same height such that they provide a strong double- walled end wall. The first end wall panel and the second end wall panel are preferably of the same height.

Each of the side wail panels and the supporting panels may have a transversal extension corresponding to a longitudinal extension of the first end wall panel such that they may have a common height as the blank is erected to form said box, thereby being capable of providing a horizontal top surface. By providing a box having the same height on ail sides and by providing supporting panels resulting in the same height, there is provided a strong box.

The intermediate panel may have a longitudinal extension being equal to a total material thickness of the supporting panel and the locking panel. As mentioned above, the second end wall panel may be folded relative to the first end wail panel such that the respective locking panel and the respective supporting panel becomes locked in their respective positions between the first end wail panel and the second end wall panel when the blank is erected into said box. By forming the intermediate panel with longitudinal extension being equal to the total material thickness as the supporting panel and locking panel together, the first and second end wall panels can be folded relative each other still having the same height as in flat laid state of the blank. The specific longitudinal extension of the intermediate panel also provides the supporting panel and locking panel to be stabilised between the first and second end wail panel. In the design of the blank this is preferred since the second end wall panel are configured to be folded over the supporting panel and the locking panel, locking the supporting panel and the locking panel in between. The blank with all the different panels are typically formed of a material having the same material thickness over the whole planar extension and with such a blank the total material thickness of the supporting panel and the locking pane! is two times the material thickness of the blank. The intermediate pane! may further have a transversal extension being smaller than a transversal extension of the first end wall panel and a transversal extension of the second end wall panel. The transversal extension of the intermediate panel is such that the intermediate panel is capable of being positioned between the transversely opposing top panels when the second side wall panel is folded over the supporting panels and the locking panels to form a respective double-walled end wall. It may be noted that the transversely opposing top panels each have a transversal extension such that there is formed a transversally extending gab between them and that the intermediate panel is configured to fit in that gap.

Since the intermediate panel is positioned between the top panels and over the upper edges of the supporting panels and the locking panels there is provided a smooth surface covering the transversal gap between the supporting panels, the upper edges of the supporting panels, and also covering and accommodating the difference in materia! thickness between on one hand the supporting panels as such and on the other hand the supporting panels together with the locking panels when the double-walled end wall is configured. By providing such smooth surface it prevents dirt and/or products being trapped between the supporting panel and the locking panel, which is desirable from a hygienic perspective. The provision of a smooth surface also counter-acts the supporting panels and the locking panels from unintentionally being removed out of their locked positions. By the chosen transversal extension of the intermediate panel there is further accomplished a user-friendly edge, since the smooth surface is not as sharp as the edges of the supporting panel and the locking panels may be.

The respective internal fold line may extend from a free edge of the second end wall panel and may extend diagonally outwardly towards a free, longitudinally extending edge of the second end wail panel. This will provide essentially triangle-shaped wing portions. It may be noted that they are triangle shaped in the sense that they are formed of corner portions of the second end wall panel and separated from the central portion of the second end wall panel by a diagonally extending fold line. However, the parts of the wing-portion being opposite to the fold line may be designed differently compared to the disclosed design, where the fold line forms a hypotbenuse and the other edges extends as cathetuses. The right-angled, outer corners shown in the disclosed embodiment may have another shape. They may e.g. be chamfered or rounded. However, if is preferred that the other edges at least partly extend along the geometrical cathetuses, most preferably at least in a part of the cathetuses extending from the fold line and along a distance from the fold line towards the outer corner, since such wing portions being fully or at least partly triangle shaped may be a part of the second end wall panel resulting in no addition material needed which addresses the design criteria of making efficient use of material. There is further accomplished that the essentially triangle shaped wing portions may be of a size providing a pressing action towards the corner between the side panel and the supporting panel and the corner between the top panel and the supporting panel when extending along the supporting panel in the final folded position. The pressing action aids in keeping the second end wall panel in position forming the double-wailed end wall. The provision of the triangle shaped wing portions, aids in making the box stable and still making it easy to erect as well as being material efficient, as mentioned above. The triangle shaped wing portions are easy to fold since they are only connected to the rest of the second end wall panel along one single fold line. The fold line is preferably the hypotenuse of the respective triangle shaped wing portion. The fold line is dearly defined, and it becomes instinctive to fold the wing portions inwardly to accomplish the second end wall panel to pass between the transversely opposing top panels when forming into the double-wailed end wall when configuring the box.

The respective top panel may comprise a corner portion being positioned transversely outside a respective longitudinal end portion of the respective side wall panel and having a longitudinal extension such that the respective corner portion extends from the double-wailed end wall, formed by the first and second end wall panels, a distance in the longitudinal direction such that there is formed a longitudinal gap between opposing corner portions. It may be noted that the gap preferably has a transversal extension such that, along the longitudinal extension of the gap, there is no top panel formed at all. Thereby, the respective corner portion at the respective end of a side wall pane! may be folded independently from the other corner portion along the same side wall panel. However, it is also conceivable that the corner portions are connected to each other via a central top panel portion foidably connected to the side wail panel. Such central top panel portion may have the same transversal extension as the corner portions, such as to provide a wide and strong top surface. Such centra! top panel may alternatively have a transversal extension from the side wail pane! being less than the transversal extension of the corner portions, such that a greater part of the top surface is open.

Preferably, the respective longitudinal distances of the corner portions are such that they together constitute less than 50% of the total longitudinal length of the side wall panel of the box, i.e. such that the gap constitute at least 50% of the total longitudinal length of the side wall panel of the box.

It may be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the corner portions have the same shape and size and that they are mirrored relative to each other depending on at which corner they are positioned.

However, it is also conceivable to use corner portions of different size and shape at the different corners. It may e.g. be that both the corner portions along a first side wall have the same shape and size, a first shape and size, and that both the corner portions along a second side wail have the same shape and size, a second shape and size, but that the first shape and size is different from the second shape and size. It may e.g. be that a first set of two diagonally opposing corner portions have the same a first shape and size, and that a second set of two other diagonally opposing corner portions have the same shape and size, a second shape and size, but that the first shape and size is different from the second shape and size. It may also be noted that the shape and size may be varied independently from each other. In the above-mentioned examples, it could thus be that the same shape and size referred to above, alternatively could be the same size but different shape or vice versa.

The second end wail panel may comprise a tab being positioned at a longitudinal outer free edge and extending in the longitudinal direction outwardly from the blank as seen in fiat laid state of the blank. The blank may further comprise an aperture in the bottom pane! or in the fold line between the bottom panel and the first end wall panel. The tab of the second end wall panel may be configured to be inserted into the aperture when the blank is erected to form said box.

By inserting the tab of the second end wall panel into the aperture it provides a locking effect counter-acting unintentional unfolding of the erected box without the use of any adhesive.

The blank may be formed of a paper-based foldable material. By providing such paper-based foldable material the blank becomes easy to erect to form a box and since the weight of the material is small the blank becomes easy to transport in a weight perspective. A paper-based material may in sense be possible to recycle which addresses an environmentally friendly box, belonging to an inexpensive group of material. The paper-based material may provide mechanical stability when used for the blank.

The top panels may form a platform at each corner of the erected box. Since the top panel is connected to the side panel and the locking panel, the platform at each corner would be locked and stable when said box is erected.

By providing platforms at each corner further accomplish a stackable box, each box being stackable upon the top surface of an underlying box. The top surface is preferably the surface of the box being in the same horizontal plane as the top platforms. The platforms preferably only cover a small fraction of the top of the box, preferably less than 10%. By having platforms only cover a small fraction of the top of the box, makes it possible to use the full volume of the box to be loaded. As mentioned above, the equal height of the set of wails forming a rim, the side walls and the end walls, makes it easy to see when the box is fully loaded. By the platforms, the indication of a fully loaded box may be even more clear since there is a maximum of the volume possible to load under the platforms. By not over load the box, it provides a box having the possibility of being stackable in a horizontal position. The design of the platform provides a stackable box in an easy way, being stable, easy to erect and with efficient use of material. The platforms also increase the stability of the box in each corner since they are holding the side walls upholding together with the supporting panels.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a blank configured to be erected to form a box configured to be capable of being stackable, the blank comprising: a bottom panel, two end wall panels on each side of the bottom panel being configured to be folded into a double-walled end wall, two side wail panels, supporting panels foldably connected to the side wail panels, top panels fo!dably connected to the side wall panels, and a locking panel, provided at each end of the top panels, wherein the top panel is configured to form a platform at the top of the box in each corner formed by the side wall panel and the double-walled end wail, the locking panel and the supporting panel becomes locked in their positions between the end walls when the blank is erected into said box.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a box configured to be capable of being stackable, the box comprising: a bottom panel, two end wall panels on each side of the bottom panel being folded into a double-wailed end wall, two side wall panels, supporting panels foldably connected to the side wail panels, top panels foldably connected to the side wail panels, and a locking panel provided at each end of the top panels, wherein the top panel is configured to form a platform at the top of the box in each corner formed by the side wall panel and the double-walled end wail, the locking panel and the supporting panel becomes locked in their positions between the end walls when the blank is erected into said box.

In more detail the invention may also be said to relate to a box configured to be capable of being stackable, the box comprising: a bottom panel, a first end wall panel and a second end wall panel on each side of the bottom panel, the first and second end wall panels being foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of a blank from which the box is formed, the first and second end wall panels being folded into a double-walled end wall, two opposing side wail panels foldably connected to a respective transversal side of the bottom panel, four supporting panels each being foldably connected to a respective longitudinal side of the respective wall pane! and being positioned between the first and second end wall panels, one or more top panels foldab!y connected to respective transversal side of each wall pane! opposite a respective connection between the respective side wall panel and the bottom panel, a locking panel provided at each longitudinal end of said one or more top panels connected to respective side wall, each locking panel being foldabiy connected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of the top pane! when the blank is seen in the flat-laid state, the locking panel being positioned between the first and second end wall panels, wherein the top panel forms a platform at the top of the box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel and the respective double- walled end wails formed by the first and second end wail panels at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel, the first end wall panel being folded relative to the second end wall panel such that the respective locking panel and the respective supporting panel is locked in their respective position between the first end wall panel and the second end wall panel with the respective supporting panel extending into the double-walled end wall from a transversal end of the respective double-wailed end wall and with the respective locking panel extending into the double-walled end wall from an upper end of the respective double-walled end wall.

The various preferred embodiments of the box have been discussed in relation to the design of the blank being configured to be erected into said box. Thus, the features presented in respect of various preferred embodiments of the blank are equally applicable as various preferred embodiments of the box. Similarly, the advantages associated with the various preferred embodiments are equally applicable for the box.

Generally, ail terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1-8 discloses a blank in different stages of a folding operation for forming the blank into a box.

Figure 7 discloses a box formed by the folding of a blank in accordance with the folding operations of figures 1-6.

Figure 8 discloses a blank configured to be folded into a box in accordance with figure 7 in accordance with the folding operations of figures 1-6.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

With reference to Figure 8, there is disclosed a blank 1 configured to be erected into a box 2. The blank 1 has an extension in a longitudinal direction L, and an extension in a transversal direction T, as seen in a flat laid state of the blank 1. As evident from Figure 8, the blank 1 is provided with fold lines and cuts which define different panels being configured to form the box 2. The box 2 is configured to be capable of being stackable. The blank 1 comprises a bottom panel 10 configured to form a bottom of the box 2. The bottom of the box 2 is the part by which the box 2 is configured to abut a substrate, such as a floor, a shelf, or the like or abut an underlying box 2 in a stack of boxes 2 . The blank 1 further comprises, on each side of the bottom pane! 10, a first end wall pane! 21 and a second end wall pane! 22, i.e. two first end wall panels 21 and two second end wall panels 22 in total. The first and second end wall panels 21, 22 being foldably connected to each other and arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction L as seen in a flat- laid state of the blank 1.

As shown in figure 4, the first and second end wall panels 21 , 22 are configured to be folded into a double-walled end wall. The double-walled end wall is formed by the first and second end wall panels 21 , 22 being folded relative to each other. It may be noted that the end wall formed when the blank 1 is folded and erected into a box 2, will along parts of its extension include additional layers of material sandwiched between the two major panels formed by the first and second end wall panels 21 , 22. Since the inner and outer major surfaces of the end wall is formed of two separate panels 21 , 22, the kind of wall is typically referred to as a double-walled wall even though it sometimes includes additional panels sandwiched between the panels 21 , 22 forming the two major surfaces of the wall.

The first end wall panel 21 is an extension of the bottom pane! 10 in the longitudinal direction L and is distinguished from the bottom panel 10 by a fold line FL12 between the bottom panel 10 and the first end wall pane! 21.

The second end wall panel 22 is also an extension of the bottom panel 10 in the longitudinal direction L, connected to a longitudinal side of the first end wail panel 21 opposite to the bottom panel 10.

At each side of the blank 1 , seen in flat laid position, the second end wall pane! 22 may be foldably connected to the first end wall panel 21 via two separate fold lines 102a, 102b. The two fold lines 102a, 102b define an intermediate panel 103 between the first and the second end wall panels 21 , 22. The two fold lines 102a, 102b defining the intermediate panel 103 may extend parallel to each other.

As e.g. shown in figures 1 and 8, the first end wall pane! 21 and the second end wall panel 22 may have corresponding longitudinal extensions, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1 , such that they will have the same height when the blank 1 is folded and erected into a box 2. As shown in figures 4-6, the intermediate panel 103 is foldable and may be configured to be perpendicular to the first and second end wall 21 , 22 when the box is erected. The intermediate panel 103 may also be parallel to the top surface when said box is erected.

Further, the blank 1 may, as shown in figure 8, comprise two opposing side wall panels 31 foldably connected to a respective transversal side of the bottom panel 10. The side wall panels 31 extend at each side in the transversal direction from the bottom panel 10, with the same maximum transversal extension at each side. Thereby, the height of the side walls of the box will be the same on both sides. It may be noted that the box may be configured with one of the two side walls forming a front wall of the erected box. The front wail may comprise a downwardly facing cut-out 31a, such that a central portion of the front wall is lower than the other wails configured in said box. By the cut-out, the box provides the possibility for the user to see the products inside the box. The cut-out also gives an indication of which side of the box being the front side and may therethrough be positioned with the front wail towards an aisle in case the box is used as a display box in a store or the like.

The blank 1 may also comprise four supporting panels 40 each being foldably connected to a respective longitudinal side of the respective side wail panel 31. The supporting panels 40 have the same transversal extension as the respective sides of the respective side wall panel 31. Thereby, the supporting panels 40 will have the same height as the side wall panels 31 as the blank 1 is folded and erected into a box 2. The supporting panel 40 is distinguished form the respective side wall panel 31 by a fold line at each longitudinal side of the respective side wall panel 31. The longitudinal end edge of the supporting panel 40, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1 , may be straight, or almost straight, such that the edge may rest against a part of the bottom panel 10 extending in underneath the double-walled end wall when said box is erected.

At respective transversal outer side of each side wall panel 31 there may be one or more top panels 51 foldably connected to the respective side wall panel 31. Thus, the one or more top panels 51 are connected to the respective side wall panel 31 on a side being opposite a respective connection between the respective side wall panel 31 and the bottom panel 10 The top panel 51 is connected via a fold line and the top panel 51 may have a longitudinal extension which ends at about the same longitudinal end of the respective side wail panel 31.

The blank 1 may further comprise a locking panel 52 being foldably connected to an outwardly facing longitudinal side of said one or more top panels 51 The locking panel 52 is connected to the top panel 51 via a transversely extending folded line which may be in the same extension as the fold line between the supporting panel 40 and the side wall panel 31 However, it may be noted that in the disclosed embodiment, the transversely extending fold line between the respective side wail panel 31 and supporting panel 40 is slightly offset the transversely extending fold line between the respective top panel 51 and the locking panel 52. This offset is provided to take into account the material thickness of the blank 1 considering that the supporting panels 40 and the locking panels 52 will end up side by side abutting each other major surface against major surface.

In the preferred embodiment, there is provided two identical sets of end wall panels 21, 22, 103, the panels being identical as seen in the longitudinal direction L as well as in the transversal direction T. In the preferred embodiment there is also provided two identical sets of top panels 51 and locking panels 52, the panels being identical as seen in the longitudinal direction L as well as in the transversal direction T.

The top panel 51 is configured to form a platform at the top of the erected box at least in each corner formed by the respective side wall panel 31 and the respective double-walled end walls formed by the first and second end wall panels 21, 22 at respective longitudinal side of the bottom panel.

The platforms may be triangle shaped as is evident from e.g. figures 7 and 8. As shown in figure 2, the platforms are formed by folding the top panels 51 inwardly towards a centre of the box 2 when the side wall panels 31 are in their upright position. The blank shown in figure 8 is configured to be folded in accordance with the folding operations shown in figures 1-6. This folding operation will be summarized in the following.

First, as shown in figure 1 , the side wall panels 31 are folded relative to the bottom panel 10 and the supporting panels 40 are folded relative to the side wail panels 31.

Thereafter, as shown in figure 2, the top panels 51 are folded relative to the side wall panels 31. It may be noted that in this folding operation, the locking panels 52 are not folded relative to the top panels 51. Thereby, it is secured that the locking panels 52 ends up on the outside of the supporting panels 40 in the next folding operation. It is conceivable to have the locking panels 52 on the inner side of the supporting panels 40 but it is preferred that they are on the outer side of the supporting panels 40. If the locking panels 52 would be intended to be positioned on the inner side of the supporting panels 40, the locking panels 52 would be folded relative to the top panels 51 before the top panels 51 are folded relative to the side wall panels 31.

As shown in figure 3, the locking panels 52 are thereafter folded relative to the relative to the top panels 51 such that the locking panels 52 ends up on the outside of the supporting panels 40.

In the next folding operation, the first end wall 21 is folded relative to the bottom panel 10 and the second end wall 22 is folded relative to the first end wall 21.

As shown in e.g. figures 8 and 3, each second end wail panel 22 may comprise two internal fold lines 101 forming two foldable wing portions 22b. Each wing portion 22b is provided at a respective transversal end of the second end wall panel 22 and at least in a portion facing the first end wall panel 21 as seen in flat-laid state of the blank 1.

As shown in figure 4, the wing portions 22b may be configured to be folded relative to a central portion 22a of the respective second end wall panel 22 to allow the second end wall panel 22 to pass between the transversely opposing top panels 51 when the second end wall panel 22 is folded over the supporting panels 40 and the locking panels 52 to form the respective double-walled end wall. The wing portions 22b are preferably folded relative to the central portion 22a of the second end wail panel 22 such that the wing portions 22b form trailing wings as the second end wall panel 22 passes between the top panels 51

As shown in figure 5, the first end wail panel 21 are folded relative to the second end wall panel 22 such that the respective locking panel 52 and the respective supporting panel 40 becomes locked in their respective positions between the first end wall panel 21 and the second end wall panel 22 when the blank is erected into said box. The locking panels 52 may in a sense be said to constitute a locking mechanism together with the double- walled end wall in the design of the erected box since the top panels 51 and the supporting panels 40 get locked in their respective positions in the erected box giving upholding support for the box. Thus, a mechanical lock is provided configured to hold the box in place an prevent it from unintentionally unfold. As is best understood from figure 3, the respective supporting panel 40 extends into the double-walled end wall from a transversal end of the respective double-walled end wall. The respective locking panel 52 extends into the double-walled end wail from an upper end of the respective double- walled end wall when the blank 1 is erected to form said box.

As shown in figure 6, the wing portions 22b may thereafter be outwardly unfolded when the second end wail panel 22 has been folded into the predetermined position of the erected box. The wing portions 22b preferably have an extension along at least one and preferably both insides of the upper respective corners such that the wing portions 22b, as they are unfolded, closely follow the top panel 51 and/or the side wall panel 31.

The meaning of “closely follow” is in the preferred embodiment that the wing portions 22b is tight to the edges in the sense that unintentional unfolding of the second end wall panel 22 is counter-acted.

The bottom panel 10 may have a quadratic or rectangular shape, whereby the bottom panel 10 and the set of wall panels 21 , 22, 31 , 40 providing a box comprising four sides. The end wall panels 21 , 22 and the side wall panels 31 around the four sides may be said to form a rim around the bottom panel 10 when the box is erected. Each of the side wail panels 31 and the supporting panels 40 have a transversal extension corresponding to a longitudinal extension of the first end wall panel 21 such that they may have a common height as the blank 1 is erected to form said box. A box 2 with a uniform height is disclosed in figure 7. A blank 1 resulting in a box 2 having a uniform height is shown in figure 8.

The intermediate panel 103 may have a longitudinal extension being equal to a total thickness t _t o _t of the supporting panel 40 and the locking panel 52.

The intermediate panel 103 may have a transversal extension being smaller than a transversal extension of the first end wall panel 21 and a transversal extension of the second end wall panel 22. The transversal extension of the intermediate panel 103 is such that the intermediate panel 103 is capable of being positioned between the transversely opposing top panels 51 when the second side wall panel 22 is folded over the supporting panels 40 and the locking panels 52 to form a respective double-walled end wall. The longitudinal extension of the intermediate panel 103 is preferably such that the supporting panel 40 and the locking panel 52 may be locked between the first and second end wall 21 , 22 and the first and second end wall panels 21 , 22 ends up at the same heights. As shown in figures 5-7, the intermediate panel 103 may form a smooth surface between the opposing top panels 51 when the first and second end wall panels 21 , 22 are folded relative each other. This smooth surface may cover the upper edges of the supporting panels 40.

Each wing portions 22b may be triangle shaped by the respective interna! fold line 101 extending from a free edge of the second end wall panel 22. The fold line 101 is facing the first end wail panel 21 diagonally outwardly towards a free, longitudinally extending edge of the second end wail panel 22. The internal fold line 101 preferably extending from a corner formed by a transverse outermost part of the intermediate panel 103 and the second end wall pane! 22. One of the legs of the triangle shaped wing portion 22b, relative the hypotenuse, may be in the direction toward the first end wall panel 21. The other leg may be perpendicular to the first leg and may form part of an transversal outer edge of the second end wall panel 22. When the blank is in flat laid state the top panels 51 and the wing portions 22b may have almost the same size, being mirrored relative to each other in a central line extending along the longitudinal direction L, as e.g. seen in figure 8.

As shown e.g in figure 8, the second end wall panel 22 may comprise one or more tabs 22c positioned at a longitudinal outer free edge and extending in the longitudinal direction outwardly from the blank 1 as seen in fiat laid state of the blank 1. The blank 1 may further comprise one or more apertures 10c in the bottom panel 10 or at the fold line between the bottom panel 10 and the first end wail panel 21. The tabs 22c of the second end wall panel 22 may be configured to be inserted into the apertures 10c when the blank 1 is erected to form said box 2. The apertures 10c may extend in a longitudinal direction L as well as in the transversal direction T. The longitudinal extension of the apertures 10c is correlated to the material thickness of the blank 1 such that the tabs 22c fits snugly inside the apertures 10c The transversal extension of the tabs 22c and the apertures 10c is chosen above a minimum extension to provide sufficient total retaining force and sufficient strength to the tab 22c but still beneath a maximum extension such that the fold line between the bottom panel 10 and the first end wall panel 21 is not weakened too much.

In the figures, it is disclosed two apertures 10c on each side of the bottom panel 10 and two tabs 22c on each outer free edge of the second end wall panel 22, but the number of tabs 22c and apertures 10c can be of various number as long as the apertures 10c are capable of receiving the tabs 22c.

The supporting pane! 40 of the erected box are facing to each other when said box is erected, one supporting panel 40 at respective longitudinal side is folded inwardly from respective side wail panel 31 extending at each transversal side of the bottom panel 10. The length of the supporting panel 40 may have different iength in different embodiments. By having a total length of a supporting panel 40, such that the supporting panel folded from one side wall panel may facing and almost touch the side wail pane! on the other side, provides a robust double walled-end wall but may consume an unnecessary use of material. However, it is preferred that there is a small gap between the two facing supporting panel since the gap secures that there is no overlap of materials that may make the double-walled end wall somewhat skewed.

As seen in the figures, the box 2 may be provided with apertures on the wall panels 31 , 21 ,22. The apertures on the wall panels 31 , 21 ,22 can be of different sizes and shapes. They can also be positioned elsewhere on the wall panels 31, 21, 22 as long as the box keeps the stability in its erected form. Any apertures on the first and second end wall panels 21 , 22 may be configured such that the coincide as the first and second end wail panels 21 , 22 are folded, whereby a through-going aperture is formed. Although the box 2 may have circular apertures as shown in the figures, the apertures are also possible to be configured in other shapers such as triangle shaped, rectangular shaped, flower shaped and so on. The apertures may be through- going as well as covered with another material, for example a transparent plastic material. The apertures can be used as handles when carry the box. The handles are preferably placed on the end wail panels 21 , 22 since the box may have shorter end wall panels 21 , 22 than side wall panels 31 , making the box 2 easier to carry. The apertures may also be used for air- conditioning through the box. This is preferred for storage such as fruits and vegetables, may have high demand on hygienic perspectives as well as environmental perspectives. Further on the apertures covered with a plastic film may be used for inspection into the box, for instance to seen what is actually in and how does the content at the specific moment feel.

Each first and second end wall panel 21 , 22, may comprise a handle cut-out. The handle cut-out may be configured to be used as a handle when carrying the box. It is preferred that the cut-outs on the first respectively the second end wall panel 21 , 22 being configured to at least partly coincide each other such as the double-walled end wall comprise a handle as seen in figures 5-7. Having a handle configured by two walls, the first and second end walls 21 , 22, provides an aperture with a depth being deeper than the thickness of the blank 1. The deeper aperture provides a handle being more comfortable to use since the force is distributed to a larger area.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disciosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.