Field of invention

The invention relates to a blank configured to be erected into a package with lining. The invention also relates to a package formed by erecting a blank to form said package.

Technical Background

When designing a package, it is often desirous to take into account a number of different design criteria. The package should e.g., often be designed such that it makes efficient use of the material, is easy to transport to the point of use, is easy to prepare for use and is mechanically stable. It is often desirable that the package provides thermal insulation to its content. It is also often desirable that the content of the package is protected from impacts.

In order to thermally insulate and/or protect the content of packages, the packages may be provided with a lining with a desired function after they have been erected.

However, providing the packages with lining after they have been erected is cumbersome. It is time-consuming and inefficient for the user to erect a package and subsequently providing it with lining at the point of use. Furthermore, this entails storing the blank and the lining separately until the point of use which takes up unnecessary amount of space and requires additional logistical management.

On the other hand, providing a package with a lining already when the package is in a blank format introduces difficulties when it comes to freedom of design of the package, the possibilities to transport the blank in a flat-laid state, the possibilities to provide a continuous lining, etc. Summary of invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution addressing at least some of the design criteria that the package should make efficient use of the material, be easy to transport to the point of use, be easy to prepare for use and be mechanically stable. It is especially an object of the invention to provide a package which may be provided with thermal insulation. It is further especially an object of the invention to provide a package which may be providing mechanical protection of its content.

This object has been achieved by a blank configured to form a package which package is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state, the blank comprising as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, at least four main panels arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, wherein the main panels are foldably connected along transversally extending main fold lines and configured to form a respective side wall of said package, an attachment tab being foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and being configured to be attached to an opposing main panel such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels when the blank is folded into a package, one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package, the one or more pieces or portions being arranged on inside surfaces of the respective main panels such that there, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, along respective transversally extending main fold line is formed a longitudinally and transversally extending gap or groove between neighbouring pieces or portions of liner allowing the blank to be folded into a package, and a set of one or more bottom panels being configured to form a bottom of the package, wherein two main panels configured to form opposing side walls when the blank is folded into a package are each provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines allowing the two main panels to be double-folded and thereby allow the loop of main panels to be folded into said flat-folded state, wherein the internal fold lines are separate from the main fold lines, and wherein the internal fold lines are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction a distance such that when the respective main panel is double-folded about said internal fold lines, opposing inside surfaces of the respective main panel are separated from each other a distance being between 50%-150%, preferably between 80-120%, of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the respective doublefolded main panel.

By providing the two main panels with at least two internal fold lines in combination with the defined separation between the internal fold lines and also relative to the main fold lines, there is provided a solution to the problem of providing a blank which may be provided with a liner, which blank may be designed in a versatile manner, and which still may be folded into a flat-folded state. This allows for flat-folded blanks to be stacked on top of each other which facilitates transportation thereof and it allows for the provision of blanks being ready to be erected into a package in an efficient manner at the point of use.

The internal fold lines are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction a distance such that when the respective main panel is double-folded about said internal fold lines, opposing inside surfaces of the respective main panel are separated from each other a distance being between 50%-150%, preferably between 80-120%, of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the respective doublefolded main panel. This allows the two main panels being provided with the transversally extending internal fold lines to be folded such that, as seen in the flat-folded state, the associated piece of liner material may be folded such that two major portions thereof form opposing portions. By the internal fold lines being separated from each other about two times a material thickness of a piece of liner material, the two opposing major portions of the associated piece of liner material may abut each other without any deformation of the major parts of the piece of liner material. However, it is sometimes useful to slightly compress the liner material, such as during transportation, in order to reduce the size and/or in order to provide a counter force to a clamping strap or the like such that there is produced clamping force keeping the flat-folded package in place on a pallet or the like. Similarly, it is sometimes useful to allow the small intermediate panels formed between the internal fold lines to be slightly angled. This is accomplished by separating the internal fold lines such that the opposing inside surfaces initially ends up at a distance being slightly larger than the nominal total material thickness of the double-folded liner material. Such a design is e.g., useful if one of the internal fold lines happens to be positioned close to a specific feature, such as an opening, a locking tab, etc., where it is desired that the compression set is minimised. By having a slightly larger distance between the inside surfaces, the intermediate panels will become angled in one direction during transport of the flat-folded package which results in one intermediate fold forming a sharp angle and the other forming an obtuse angle at which the material is not compressed to the same extent. It is considered that a suitable balance between the above different scenarios is achieved when the distance between the opposing inside surfaces formed by the double-folding of the respective main panel is between 50%-150%, preferably between 80%-120% of the nominal doublefolded material thickness, i.e., 50%-150% of two times the material thickness of the liner material. Hence, the blank may be, as seen in a flat-folded state, substantially flat. This is advantageous since several flat-folded blanks may be stacked in an efficient and secure manner, and that the required storage space may be optimized.

By separating the internal fold lines from the main fold lines, it is facilitated to provide a package with distinctly folded corners formed by the main fold lines when the blank is erected into the box-shaped state, since the main fold lines remain unaffected when the blank is folded into the flat-folded state. It is preferred that there is a distance between a main fold line and the neighbouring internal fold line being at least one time, preferably at least two times, a material thickness of the piece of liner on the main panel being provided with said liner. By providing a sufficient distance between the main fold line and the neighbouring internal fold line, it is facilitated to fold the main fold line about the internal fold lines while leaving the main fold line unaffected.

The term “flat-laid state” designates a state of the blank in which the blank is laid out along a single plane.

The term “flat-folded state” designates a folded state of the blank being intermediate between the flat-laid state of the blank and an erected or boxshaped state of the blank. The main panels of the blank are in the “flat-folded state” interconnected with the use of the attachment tab. This form, with the main panels being interconnected, may be regarded as a first state of a package. The thus formed loop of main panels is in this state of the package flat-folded such that the main panels extend along two planes, typically two parallel planes.

The term “erected state” or “box shaped state” designates the blank having been folded at least such that the main panels form a plurality of side walls extending around an internal compartment. In the initial state of the “erected state” or “box shaped state”, the bottom panels need not yet have been folded into their intended position. The term “erected state” or “box shaped state” is also applicable for the states where the bottom panels have actually been folded into its intended position and where the top panels are in the open position or in the closed position.

The attachment tab is foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank. The term “outer” is intended to be interpreted in view of the blank being seen along the longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank.

The attachment tab is further configured to be attached to an opposing main panel. The term “opposing” is intended to be interpreted in view of the main panels of the blank being seen along the longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank. The attachment tab may be attached to the opposing main panel using e.g., an adhesive or by being stapled thereto. There is thus formed an interconnected loop of main panels by that the main panel to which the attachment tab is attached to is opposite to the main panel to which the attachment tab is foldably connected. In the preferred embodiment the opposing main panel has a size corresponding to the size of the side wall it is configured to form. Preferably, all the main panels each has a size corresponding to the size of the respective side wall it is intended to form. The attachment tab is preferably attached to the opposing main panel such that the corner formed along the fold line between the main panel and the attachment tab basically coincides with the outer, transversally extending edge of the opposing main panel, i.e., the main panel to which the attachment tab is attached. Preferably, the attachment tab is attached to an inside surface of said opposing main panel.

The longitudinally and transversally extending gap or groove is provided to secure that the liner does not interfere with the folding of the main panels about said main fold lines. There may e.g., be a plurality of pieces of liners distributed such that there is arranged one piece on each main panel, wherein there is provided a plurality of gaps between neighbouring liner pieces; one gap at each main fold line between the neighbouring pieces at the respective main fold line. The gap may e.g., have a width, as measured along the longitudinal direction, being equal to a material thickness of one of the neighbouring pieces of liner, and the gap may e.g., be positioned, as measured along the longitudinal direction, such that one side thereof extend along a transversally extending edge portion of a first one of the main panels, i.e., basically coinciding with the main fold line, and the other side of the gap is positioned at a distance from the main fold line, i.e., a longitudinal distance into the extension of a second, neighbouring main panel, such that an edge of the piece of liner on said neighbouring main panel may be inwardly folded such that an edge surface of that piece of liner ends up towards an inner surface of the piece of liner being arranged on an inside surface of the first main panel. By inner surface of the piece of liner it is referred to a free major surface of the piece of liner being configured to face towards the interior compartment formed of the blank when being folded into said package. By an inside surface of a main panel, it is referred to the major surface which is configured to face towards the interior compartment formed of the blank when being folded into said package. The edge of the piece of material on the second main panel may, in this way, abut the inner surface of the adjacent piece of material being arranged on an inside surface of the first main panel. It may in this context be noted that first and second main panel refer in this part of the disclosure concerning the gaps or grooves, merely to one, respectively the other, main panel on respective sides of the respective gap or main fold line. Alternatively, or as a complement to the gap, there may be provided a groove in the liner, the groove extending along the respective main fold line. In such an instance the liner may be separate pieces on each side of the groove, or it may be a liner divided into portions on each side of the groove. The groove may e.g., be V-shaped with the bottom angle being about 90° or greater. Such a V-shaped groove may e.g., extend basically all the way through the material thickness of the liner. Such a gap may e.g., be positioned such that the bottom of the V-shape basically coincides with the main fold line. A combination of a gap and a groove may e.g., be formed of a comparably narrow gap centrally positioned relative to the main fold line with the upper edge portions of the liner being shaped according to the aforesaid V-shape. The above disclosed designs may be used to provide a package where the pieces or portions of liner material abuts each other and forms a continuous and closed loop of a liner material. Such a continuous and closed loop of liner material is e.g., typically desired if the liner is intended to provide thermal insulation.

However, the pieces or portions of liner material or the opposing sides of the gap or groove do not necessarily need to abut each other. In some cases, there may be a resulting gap in-between. Such a gap may be acceptable if the liner e.g., is intended to provide mechanical resistance and thermal insulation is of no particular interest.

It should be understood that the use of the word “edge” does not necessarily imply that the pieces of material are limited to geometries having sharp edges. By way of example, the pieces of liners may have an overall rectangular or parallelepipedic shape and the edges thereof may be chamfered or rounded.

The two main panels that are configured to form opposing side walls when the blank is folded into a package are not limited to being provided with two transversally extending internal fold lines but may be provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines. The two main panels may be provided with e.g., three, four, five, or more internal fold lines. One advantage with the two main panels being provided with two internal fold lines is the provision of a pronounced folding of the package thereby facilitating handling of the package. One advantage with the two main panels being provided with more than two internal fold lines is that the liner may be more bent than being sharply bent and thereby any compression set of the liner may be reduced.

The internal fold lines may be each separated from the respective main fold lines a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective main panel.

By respective main panel it is meant the main panels on which the internal fold lines are provided. By keeping each of the internal fold lines separated from the respective main fold lines a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective main panel, the user is provided with levers to easily fold the blank.

The internal fold lines are each separated from the respective main fold lines a distance, as measured along the longitudinal direction, preferably being at least two times a material thickness of said one or more pieces or portions of liner on said main panels. This separation between the internal fold lines and the main fold lines facilitates securing that the folding of the blank into the flat-folded state is actually performed by a folding operation about the internal fold lines rather than accidentally initiating a folding about the main fold lines.

The internal fold lines may be parallel to each other. This design allows for the main panels of the blank to be erected into an at least partly rectangular and symmetrical package. This is advantageous in that it provides an easy handling of the blank. This is also advantageous in that it facilitates erection of the blank to form a package. Another advantage with this design is the provision of an efficient storing of the blank since space is used efficiently, especially should the blank be in a flat-folded or erected state. Upon erecting the blank into a box shaped package, the design of having parallel internal fold lines allows for the package to stand sturdy. Another advantage with this design is that by the blank being able to be erected into an at least partly rectangular and symmetrical package any external forces acting upon the blank, especially when the blank is in a flat- folded or erected state, are distributed uniformly. This enhances the mechanical stability of the blank. This design is also advantageous in that it facilitates maintaining the interconnected loop since a major portion of the attachment tab is at least partly ensured to be attached to a major surface of an opposing side wall.

The blank, excluding said one or more pieces or portions of liner being configured to provide the additional property, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance to the package, may have a first material thickness. Said pieces or portions of liner being configured to provide the additional property, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance to the package, may have a second material thickness, wherein the second material thickness is preferably at least two times the first material thickness.

The prefixes “first” and “second” are merely labels and do not imply that the blank and the pieces of liners are necessarily made of different materials. For instance, the blank and the pieces of liners may be made of the same material. Each of the pieces of liners may be made of different materials.

In order for the package to provide sufficient thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance the pieces or portions of liner material should ideally have a certain minimum thickness. The material thickness and material grade of the first material of the blank is chosen to provide a sufficient strength and still an easy folding. This design is advantageous in that by ensuring that the second material thickness is at least two times the first material thickness it is facilitated to provide sufficient thermal isolation and/or mechanical impact resistance in combination with a sufficiently strong and easily foldable blank.

The one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package may be resiliently compressible allowing the pieces to be locally compressed and thereby allowing the main panels to be double-folded about the internal fold lines and thereby allowing the package to assume said flat-folded state.

After folding the blank into the box shaped state from the flat-folded state it is preferable that the pieces or portions of liner at least partly regains its shape even after being locally compressed during the double folding of the main panels in the flat-folded state. One advantage with the pieces of liners being resiliently compressible is that even after being locally compressed each of the liners at least partly returns to its unaffected state it had before the main panels were folded double-folded. Another advantage with this design is that by being able to return at least partly to its unaffected state, the ability to optimally provide a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance to the package, is at least partly regained. Yet another advantage with this design is that the blank on which pieces of liners are arranged may be used multiple times with the pieces of liners having an at least partly maintained unaffected state. This is cost-efficient and the environmental impact may be reduced. It is preferable that the liner regains a material thickness of at least 50% of its original material thickness after it has been folded into the flat-folded state and then been raised into the box shaped state.

The blank, excluding the one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties, is preferably made of a paperbased material. Thus, the blank referred to as being made of a paper-based material is a blank including the main panels and the attachment tab, and optionally also a set of top panels and bottom panels. An advantage with the blank being paper-based is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the blank. It is also comparably easy to fold a paper-based blank into the desired package.

The blank may further comprise a set of top panels foldably connected to a first longitudinally extending edge of associated main panels. The top panels are configured to form a top of the package when folded into the box shaped state. Preferably the top is openable and closeable. It may be noted that there preferably is, but need not be, one top panel associated with each main panel. An example of such top panels are disclosed in figure 1.

In case there are top panels foldably connected to the first longitudinally extending edge of those main panels which in the above has been described as being provided with internal fold lines, those top panels are preferably each also provided with internal fold lines aligned with the internal fold lines of the respective main panel. This facilitates folding the blank into the flat-folded state.

The top panels foldably connected to the first longitudinally extending edge of those main panels being provided with internal fold lines may also be provided with said pieces or portions of liner. In the disclosed embodiment, see e.g., figure 2, it is only the corresponding bottom panels that are provided with such liner, but in a corresponding manner, the top panels may be provided with such a liner. By providing at least some of the top panels with a liner it is facilitated to provide a package having the desired additional properties also at the top of the package.

The blank may further comprise a set of top rim panels foldably connected to a first longitudinally extending edge of associated main panels and configured to, in the box shaped state, form an inwardly folded rim, preferably at least partly covering an upwardly facing edge of said pieces or portions of liner. Such a rim reinforces the upper edge of the package when the blank is in the box shaped state. Furthermore, since the rim at least partly covers the upwardly facing edge of said pieces or portions of liner it is facilitated to put goods into the package without accidentially getting caught in or damaging the upwardly facing edge of said pieces or portions of liner. Such an embodiment is e.g., clearly shown in figures 2 and 4. The top rim panels are preferably foldable also about an internal longitudinally extending fold line such that a first portion is foldable about the main panel and forms a top surface and a second portion is in turn foldable about the first portion such that the second portion extends downwardly alongside an inside surface of the pieces or portions of liner.

The top rim panels foldably connected to the first longitudinally extending edge of those main panels being provided with internal fold lines are preferably each also provided with internal fold lines aligned with the internal fold lines of the respective main panel. This facilitates folding the blank into the flat-folded state.

The blank comprises a set of one or more bottom panels. Preferably, the blank comprises a set of bottom panels being foldably connected to a second longitudinally extending edge of associated main panels. The bottom panels are configured to form a bottom of the package when folded into the box shaped state. It may be noted that there preferably is, but need not, be one bottom panel associated with each main panel. An example of such bottom panels are disclosed in figure 1. Another example of such bottom panels are disclosed in figure 2.

In case there are bottom panels foldably connected to the second longitudinally extending edge of those main panels which in the above has been described as being provided with internal fold lines, those bottom panels are preferably each also provided with internal fold lines aligned with the internal fold lines of the respective main panel. This facilitates folding the blank into the flat-folded state.

The bottom panels foldably connected to the second longitudinally extending edge of those main panels being provided with internal fold lines may also be provided with said pieces or portions of liner. By providing at least some of the bottom panels with a liner it is facilitated to provide a package having the desired additional properties also at the bottom of the package.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a package formed of a blank, wherein the package is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state, wherein the package comprises at least four main panels arranged one after the other along a circumferentially extending longitudinal direction, wherein the main panels are foldably connected along transversally extending main fold lines and form a respective side wall of said package, an attachment tab being foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and being attached to an opposing main panel such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels, one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package, the one or more pieces or portions being arranged on inside surfaces of the respective main panels such that there, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, along respective transversally extending main fold line, is a longitudinally and transversally extending gap or groove between neighbouring pieces or portions of liner allowing the blank to be folded into a package, and a set of one or more bottom panels forming a bottom of the package, wherein two main panels configured to form opposing side walls of the package are each provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines allowing the two main panels to be double-folded and thereby allow the loop of main panels to be folded into said flat-folded state, wherein the internal fold lines are separate from the main fold lines, and wherein the internal fold lines are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction a distance such that when the respective main panel is double-folded about said internal fold lines, opposing inside surfaces of the respective main panel are separated from each other a distance being between 50%-150%, preferably between 80-120%, of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the respective doublefolded main panel.

It may in this context be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the package is folded from a blank of the kind disclosed above. However, any kind of blank providing a package with the above mentioned features may be used. The features introduced directly above in respect of the package corresponds structurally to those features which have been discussed above with reference to the blank and the advantages associated with the various features of the blank according to the various preferred embodiments are equally applicable to the package. Also the features and advantages associated with the preferred embodiments of the blank correspond structurally to corresponding features of the package and they are also equally applicable to the package. By the blank being an integrally formed major blank, it is facilitated to provide a strong package.

It may be noted that the use of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. are mainly to be seen as labels facilitating reading and that it does not necessarily mean that there need to be all the intervening numbers of portions present. It may e.g. be noted that it is contemplated to have a design where there is a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fifth portion, with the fourth portion being omitted. However, to facilitate reading, the numbering first, second, third, fourth, etc., have consistently been used as labels, and in a sense based on an embodiment including all conceivable portions.

It may also be noted that panel names such as top, bottom or floor, respectively wall are intended to be read as labels, not necessarily defining the orientation of the panel. As an example, the package does not need to be oriented such that the first top panel actually forms the top of the package. The package may be oriented such that the panel labelled first top panel actually forms a side wall or even forms a bottom of the package. However, in the preferred embodiment, the package will be oriented so that the bottom panels face downward, the top panels face upward, and the wall panels face outwards from an axis between top and bottom.

Generally, all 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.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a blank configured to form a package which is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state, the blank comprising as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, at least four main panels being arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction, and being foldably connected along transversally extending main fold lines, an attachment tab, one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package, wherein two main panels configured to form opposing side walls when the blank is folded into a package are each provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines allowing the two main panels to be double-folded and thereby allow a loop of main panels to be folded into said flat-folded state, wherein the internal fold lines are separate from the main fold lines, and wherein the internal fold lines are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction a distance corresponding to about two times a material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the respective main panel.

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. Fig. 1 discloses a flat-laid blank according to a first embodiment configured to form a package which is configured to be folded into a flat- folded state and into a box shaped state.

Fig. 2 discloses a blank according to a second embodiment in a partly folded state.

Fig. 3 discloses the blank of Fig. 2 in a flat-folded state.

Fig. 4 discloses the blank of Fig. 2 in an erected box shaped state.

Detailed description of 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.

In the following, the blank 1 configured to be erected into a flat-folded state and a box shaped state will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the blank 1 comprises a plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction L. In other words, the main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 are foldably connected to one after another along transversally extending edges of the neighbouring main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40. The main panels form a plurality of side walls when the blank 1 is erected to form the package 2. In the preferred embodiment, there are four main panels, a first main panel A10, a second main panel A20, a third main panel A30, and a fourth main panel A40. In order to keep the first, second, third and fourth panels A10, A20, A30, A40 in the intended position as the side walls of the package 2, there is also an attachment tab A45 which is foldably connected to the fourth main panel A40 and which is configured to be attached to the first main panel A10 and thereby forming an interconnected loop of the first, second, third and fourth panels A10, A20, A30, A40. The attachment tab A45 may be attached to the first main panel A10 by means of an adhesive, e.g., glue. However, the attachment tab A45 may be connected to the first main panel A10 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art.

It may however be noted that although the terms “first main panel A10”, “second main panel A20”, “third main panel A30” and “fourth main panel A40” are used through-out the description. Unless nothing else is explicitly given, the aforementioned terms should not be understood as the blank 1 being limited to four main panels.

Continuing with Fig. 1 , the blank 1 comprises a plurality of main fold lines MF extending along a transversal direction. The main fold lines MF overlap with the transversally extending edges along which the main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 are foldably connected to one after another along the longitudinal direction L. It may alternatively be said that each of the main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 are foldably connected along a respective transversally extending main fold line MF being common for two adjacent main panels.

Furthermore, the blank 1 comprises a plurality of internal fold lines IF extending along the transversal direction T. In preferred embodiments, the two main panels that are configured to form opposing side walls when the blank 1 is folded into a package 2 are each provided with a plurality of internal fold lines IF. In the illustrated embodiment in Fig. 1 , the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are each provided with two transversally extending internal fold lines IF. However, each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are not limited to comprising two transversally extending internal fold lines IF. Each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 may be provided with more than two transversally extending internal fold lines IF. By way of example, each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 may alternatively be provided with e.g., three, four or five or more internal fold lines. If there are provided a greater number of internal fold lines, the double fold shown in Fig. 2 will more or less become a curved shape. It is also conceivable that the distance between the two outermost internal fold lines in the set of internal fold lines are located at a distance from each other being greater than would be the case when there is only two internal fold lines. In preferred embodiments, each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are provided with the same number of internal fold lines IF. It should be understood that the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are not the only main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being limited to being provided with internal fold lines IF. Alternatively, it may be that the first and third main panels A10, A30 are the main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being provided with internal fold lines IF. The internal fold lines IF are separate from the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective main fold lines MF a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective main panel. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 is parallel to each other. The internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 may extend with an angle with respect to the transversal direction, yet preferably along a direction having at least a major component along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 is parallel to the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40. However, the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 must not necessarily extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. Instead, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40. It may be noted that the internal fold lines IF may, but need not be, located centrally on the respective main panel A20, A40 as disclosed in the drawings. The internal fold lines IF may be shifted, or alternatively expressed, be positioned offset, as seen along the longitudinal direction L. In such a case, the internal fold lines IF of both main panels A20, A40 are shifted in the same direction such that the package 2 may be flat-folded. Such shifting may be useful if one or both of the internal fold lines IF otherwise would interfere with another feature, such as an opening or a tab, of the package 2.

Fig. 1 illustrates that the blank 1 is provided with a set of one or more top panels A11 , A21 , A31 , A41. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , each main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 is provided with a respective top panel A11 , A21 , A31 , A41. Each of the top panels A11 , A21 , A31 , A41 is foldably connected to a first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40. Hence, each of the top panels A11 , A21 , A31 , A41 has a respective free outer longitudinally extending edge, and a respective first and second free outer transversally extending edge. The top panels A11 , A21 , A31 , A41 may alternatively be omitted.

In Figs. 2-4, the top panels are disclosed in the form of top rim panels 11 , 21 , 31 , 41.

Each of the top panels or top rim panels 21, 41 that are foldably connected to those of the main panels A20, A40 that are provided with a plurality of internal fold lines IF are also provided with internal fold lines IF. Alternatively, it may be that the first and third main panels A10, A30 are the main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being provided with internal fold lines IF, in which case the top panels or top rim panels 11 , 31 are being provided with internal fold lines IF instead. Further properties of the top rim panels and the top panels will be disclosed with reference to the top panels. The internal fold lines IF are separate from the free outer transversally extending edges of the respective top panels A21 , A41. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective free outer transversally extending edges a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective top panels A21 , A41. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 is parallel to each other. The internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 may extend with an angle with respect to the transversal direction T, yet preferably along a direction having at least a major component along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 is parallel to the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 are aligned with the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21 , A41.

However, the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 must not necessarily extend all the way from a first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21 , A41 . Instead, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21 , A41 may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 and the free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21 , A41 and thereby be said to extend from a first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective top panel A21 , A41.

Fig. 1 further illustrates that the blank 1 is provided with a set of one or more bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , each main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 is provided with a respective bottom panel A12, A22, A32, A42. Each of the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 is foldably connected to a second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40. Hence, each of the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 has a respective free outer longitudinally extending edge, and a respective first and second free outer transversally extending edge. The bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 are configured to be folded inwardly such that a major surface of each of the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 are substantially in parallel with each other in an erected state of the blank 1 . Hence, the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 are configured to form a bottom or floor of the package 2. The bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 may be configured to be attached to each other by means of e.g., glue. However, the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 may be configured to be attached to each other by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. The skilled person realizes that the set of bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 may be attached to each other in another way to reach a condition in which a floor of the package is formed. In Fig. 1 , there is disclosed a first kind of bottom panels and in Figs. 2-4 there is disclosed a second kind of bottom panels.

Each of the bottom panels A22, A42 that are foldably connected to those of the main panels A20, A40 that are provided with a plurality of internal fold lines IF are also provided with internal fold lines IF. Alternatively, it may be that the first and third main panels A10, A30 are the main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being provided with internal fold lines IF, in which case the bottom panels A12, A32 are being provided with internal fold lines IF instead. The internal fold lines IF are separate from the free outer transversally extending edges of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective free outer transversally extending edges a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 is parallel to each other. The internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 may extend with an angle with respect to the transversal direction, yet preferably along a direction having at least a major component along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 is parallel to the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 are aligned with the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 along the transversal direction T. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 extend all the way from a respective second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. However, the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 must not necessarily extend all the way from a second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. Instead, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 and the free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 and thereby be said to extend from a second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panels A22, A42.

It may alternatively be said that each of the two main panels A20, A40 and their associated top and bottom panels A21, A22, A41 , A42 may preferably be provided with at least two continuous transversally extending internal fold lines IF, each internal fold line being a single continuous line extending across the respective main panel A20, A40 and the associated bottom and top panel A21, A22, A41, A42. By single continuous it is meant that each of the internal fold lines IF may extend basically all the way from a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21, A41 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panel A22, A42.

The blank 1 is preferably made of a paper-based material. An advantage with the blank 1 being paper-based is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the blank 1. It is also comparably easy to fold a paper-based blank 1 into the desired package 2. The paper-based material may comprise a corrugated layer which flutes. The flutes of the corrugated layer may extend along the longitudinal direction L. However, the flutes of the corrugated layer may alternatively extend along the transversal direction T. The blank 1 may be made of any material normally used in the art for packaging. By way of example, the blank 1 may be made of plastic or wood.

Starting with Fig. 2, each of the main panels of the plurality of main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 of the blank 1 is provided with a piece or portion of liner 13, 23, 33, 43, respectively. Each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43 may be attached to the associated main panel of the plurality of main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 by means of e.g., an adhesive, such as glue. However, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43 may be attached to the associated main panel 10, 20, 30, 40 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. Two of the bottom panels 22, 42 are also provided with a piece of liner 24, 44. Each of the liners 24, 44 may be attached to the associated bottom panel 22, 42 by means of e.g., an adhesive, such as glue. However, each of the liners 24, 44 may be attached to the associated bottom panel 22, 42 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. The respective liner 24, 44 on the respective bottom panel 22, 42 may alternatively be omitted.

As illustrated in fig. 2, the top panels or top rim panels 11 , 21, 31, 41 are not provided with any liners in order to facilitate folding the top panels 11, 21 , 31 , 41 inwardly when folding the blank 1 into an erected box shaped state. However, the top panels 11 , 21 , 31, 41 could be provided with liners, especially should the top panels 11 , 21, 31 , 41 be dimensioned so as to being able to form a lid or top of the package 2.

The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are preferably made from a cellulose- based air-laid material. For example, the air-laid material may comprise cellulose and/or lignocellulose fibers at a concentration of at least 70 % by weight of the cellulose-based air-laid material and a polymer binder, e.g. a thermoplastic polymer binder, at a concentration selected within an interval of from 2.5 up to 30 % by weight of the cellulose-based air-laid material. The airlaid material may also comprise one or more additives. The air-laid material is formed by a process known as air-laying, in which cellulose and/or lignocellulose fibers and polymer binders are mixed with air to form a porous fiber mixture deposited onto a support and consolidated or bonded by heating. This air-laid material is characterized by being porous, having the character of an open cell foam and being produced in a so-called dry forming method, i.e., generally without addition of water. The average density of the air-laid material is preferably selected within an interval of from 10 to 60 kg/m ³ . Preferably, the average density of the air-laid material is within an interval of from 15 to 60 kg/m ³ , and more preferably within an interval of from 15 to 50 kg/m ³ .

The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may alternatively be made from a foam material. The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may be made from a wood fibre-based material such as cellulose, cellulose foam, wood foam, formed fibre, fibre sheets or fibre mats. Alternatively, or additionally, the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may be made from a plastic based material such as polyethene foam or expanded polystyrene. The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may be made from a biocomposite material such as for instance wood foam.

The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may alternatively be paper-based but may be formed of any material normally used in the art to provide additional properties, such as thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package. An advantage with the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 being paperbased is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the liner. In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are formed of the same material. The liners may alternatively be formed of the same material as the blank 1 . This is advantageous in that e.g., by-products of manufacturing processes pertinent to the production of the blank 1 may be utilized and not go to waste. In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are uniformly thick. In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are of the same material thickness. Hence, production of lining material is facilitated and made cost-efficient. The liners are preferably resiliently compressible which allows the pieces of liners to be locally compressed and allows the main panels to be double-folded into a flat-folded state. It is preferable that the liner regains a material thickness of at least 50% of its original material thickness after it has been folded into the flat-folded state and then been raised into the box shaped state.

The blank 1 may have a first material thickness. The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may have a second material thickness. The second material thickness may be at least two times the first material thickness.

It may in this context also be noted that the separation between the internal fold lines IF and the respective main fold lines MF may also be expressed in relation to the material thickness of said one or more pieces or portions of liner 23, 43 on said main panels A20, A40. Thus, it is preferred that the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective main fold lines MF a distance, as measured along the longitudinal direction L, being about two times a material thickness of said one or more pieces or portions of liner 23, 43 on said main panels A20, A40. The internal fold lines IF are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction L a distance such that when the respective main panel A20, A40 is double-folded about said internal fold lines IF, opposing inside surfaces of the respective main panel A20, A40 are separated from each other a distance being between 50%- 150%, preferably between 80-120%, of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the respective double-folded main panel A20, A40.

In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panels 10, 30 extends all the way from a respective first transversally extending edge to a respective second transversally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panel 10, 30 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second transversally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30 to a respective second transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30.

Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panels 10, 30 extends all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panel 10, 30 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30.

In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panels 20, 40 are terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second transversally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40 to a respective second transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40. Hence, there is formed a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on a respective main panel 20, 40 along a respective transversally extending main fold line MF. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. However, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panels 20, 40 may alternatively extend all the way from a respective first transversally extending edge to a respective second transversally extending edge. In such cases, the liner on a respective adjacent main panel may be formed with such a longitudinal extension so as to form a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on the respective adjacent main panel along a respective transversally extending main fold line MF. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. In preferred embodiments, none of the respective liners extend past any longitudinally or transversally extending edges of a respective associated panel.

It may be noted that instead of the provision of a gap between the liners at the respective main fold line MF, the liner may extend across the main fold line MF and be provided with a groove along the main fold line MF, such as a V-shaped groove, facing with the open side inwardly towards the interior of the package. Preferably, the groove is shaped such that it allows the blank 1 to be folded about the main fold lines MF into the box shaped state without the side walls of the respective groove interfering with each other, at least not significantly interfering to such an extent that it makes folding difficult. However, preferably the groove is shaped such that when the blank 1 is folded about the main fold lines MF, the side walls of the respective groove will approach each other such that the respective groove fully or at least essentially disappears. Thus, preferably, the side walls of the groove at respective main fold line MF form an internal angle corresponding to the intended angle to which the blank 1 is to be folded at the respective main fold line MF. If the blank 1 is intended to be folded into a right-angled corner at a main fold line MF when the blank 1 is folded into the box shaped state, the side walls of the groove at that main fold line MF preferably forms an internal angle of 90°. A larger angle of the corner is associated with a correspondingly smaller angle of the groove and vice versa. It may be noted that the groove needs not be symmetrical, the side walls may be sloping at different angles relative to a plane formed of the blank, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, as long as the intended internal angle is provided.

In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panels 20, 40 extends all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panel 20, 40 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40.

In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 extends all the way from a respective first transversally extending edge to a respective second transversally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second transversally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first transversally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42 to a respective second transversally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42.

In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 are terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42. Hence, there is formed a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on a respective bottom panel 22, 42 along a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. However, in some embodiments, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 may alternatively extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. In such cases, the liner on a respective adjacent main panel may be formed with such a transversal extension so as to form a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on the respective adjacent main panel along a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. In preferred embodiments, none of the respective liners extend past any longitudinally or transversally extending edges of a respective associated panel.

It should be understood that the illustrated blank 1 in Fig. 1 merely discloses one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, the main panels 10, 30 as shown in Fig. 2 are wider than the main panels 20, 40 as seen along the longitudinal direction. The liners 13, 33 are correspondingly wider than the liners 23, 43 as seen along the longitudinal direction. However, the skilled person realizes that the blank 1 , and correspondingly the liners of each of the panels having a liner may be dimensioned in another way with remained functions. The skilled person also realizes that a different set of panels may be provided with liners with remained function.

As disclosed in Fig. 3, the blank 1 of Fig. 2 has been folded into a flat- folded state of the blank 1. The blank 1 may be folded such that the liners 13, 33, and two major portions of the respective liners 23, 43, 24, 44 abut/lie flat against each other. By the internal fold lines IF of the respective panel 20, 22, 40, 42 being separated from each other along the longitudinal direction by a distance corresponding to two times a material thickness of the respective associated liner 23, 24, 43, 44 the blank 1 is allowed to be double-folded into a flat-folded state as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The bottom panel 12 may be provided with a longitudinally extending slit 15. The bottom panel 32 may be provided with a protrusion 35. In such cases, the slit 15 and the protrusion 35 are configured to engage with each other upon forming the floor of the package 2 so as to keep the bottom panels 12, 22, 32, 42 in their intended position. The skilled person realizes that the floor of the package 2 may be formed through alternate mechanisms.

Continuing with Fig. 4, the blank 1 of Fig. 2 has been erected into a box shaped package 2. The blank 1 may be erected either from a flat-laid state into a package 2, or a flat-folded state into a package 2. The floor of the package 2 may be formed by folding the bottom panels 12, 22, 32, 42 inwardly, and letting the slit 15 of the bottom panel 12 engage with the protrusion 35 of the bottom panel 32. The top rim panels 11 , 21 , 31 , 41 may be folded inwardly towards a free major surface of the associated liner 13, 23, 33, 43, and may engage with each other hence facilitating keeping the package 2 in a folded state. The top rim panels 11 , 21 , 31 , 41 may be folded inwardly such that a major surface of each of the top panels 11 , 21 , 31 , 41 abut a free major surface of the associated piece of liner 13, 23, 33, 43. The main panels 20, 40 of the blank 1 may be provided with through-going holes or openings 46 acting as handles. Any other main panels may also be provided with through-going holes acting as handles. The through-going holes may alternatively be omitted.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

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 disclosure, 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.