Description

The present invention, according to a first aspect thereof, relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1 . Where it is stated herein that parts of a blank are separated from each other, for example by a fold line, this is meant to express that a fold line extends between the respective parts of an integral blank. The parts are still connected, however, unless explicitly mentioned otherwise.

Such containers are known, for example as stackable boxes. The four tubes of triangular cross-section provide four reinforcements at the corner points of the box thus set up. The reinforcements make it possible to stack boxes of a blank material of a relatively light quality on top of each other. Because the side walls of the box extend away from the bottom surface over at least the same distance, preferably a greater distance than the front and the rear wall, the columns of the known box extend up to the highest point of the box, because they are present on the longest panel.

A drawback of the known boxes is the fact that they only have a limited storage capacity. The side walls have a limited bearing capacity and a substantial part of the front wall and the rear wall has been removed so as to make the contents of such a stack boxes accessible. As a result, products can only be stored in a single layer or a few layers in a box.

The object of the present invention, according to the first aspect thereof, is to provide a container as described in the introduction which is more widely usable than the known box. This object is achieved by the present invention in that at least one support element or auxiliary support element defined by one or more cut lines is provided in each of the side walls of the container, wherein the distance from a support element or auxiliary support element to the side wall fold line of the side wall surface in question is substantially the same for both support elements, and wherein the support elements and/or auxiliary support elements extend inward from a side wall into the space of the container that is defined by the upright walls. The support elements and/or auxiliary support elements are thus designed for supporting a platform, for example, so that several levels for containing products can be created in a container. It furthermore makes it possible to make the side walls of a container higher, so that one container comprising a bottom and one or two platforms will suffice instead of, for example, two or three stacked containers. Alternatively, a platform may be provided with an insert part provided with holes through which relatively high products can be inserted, which products, for example bunches of flowers, rest on the bottom of the containers. The container according to the invention can thus be used more widely than the known container, so that the object of the invention is achieved. The terms "support element" and "auxiliary support element" have been chosen so as to distinguish the two support elements from each other rather than to indicate that one support element is more important than the other. Although the invention can be used for any size of container, the invention is preferably used with containers having a bottom dimension of at least 25 x 38 cm, more preferably at least 30 x 45 cm, and a height of at least 30 cm, more preferably at least 40 cm.

It is preferable in that regard if support elements and/or auxiliary support elements extend inward from a side wall into the space of the container that is defined by the upright walls. Thus, supports are provided on which a platform can be supported.

If the support elements and/or auxiliary support elements are provided with engaging means, as is the case in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and engage one another via said means, the mating (auxiliary) support elements provide a stable and reliable support.

It is preferable in that regard if a support element extends from the side wall surface in question into the corresponding side flap through a part of the fixing panel that has been cleared by a corresponding auxiliary support element. In this way it is ensured that the support element and auxiliary support element in question are aligned relative to each other. In addition, the support is thus formed from two in fact separate panels, viz. the fixing panel and the side wall surface. This adds to the bearing capacity for a platform.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a platform is provided which is supported on support elements and/or auxiliary support elements in the same horizontal plane. In principle the platform does not form part of a blank from which the container has been set up. Originally the platform may have formed part of the blank, however, for example via a perforation line. If desired, several platforms, any support elements and/or auxiliary support elements may be provided in the container at different levels. In use, the platforms provide a carrier for products.

In a specific preferred embodiment of the present invention, the platform is provided with through holes through which products can be inserted. Said products may be elongate products, which are supported on the bottom of the container at one end and which extend through the holes of a higher platform. The elongate products are as such held in a somewhat orderly arrangement in the container. Flowers, for example, can be supported by the container either individually or in bound-together bunches. Usually, a container according to the present invention will be set up in such a case, after which a platform provided with holes will be placed on support elements and/or auxiliary support elements, after which the flowers will be inserted through the respective holes in the platform and finally come to be supported on the bottom of the container.

A platform may be a flat plate of the same material as the container, for example, or a different material. Depending on the use, however, other forms may be preferable, for example platforms having an upright circumferential edge. If the platform is made of corrugated cardboard, it is preferable if the platform is folded so as to impart greater strength to the platform than the inherent strength of corrugated cardboard.

In a preferred embodiment, the platform, or an insert part supported by the platform, is at least substantially leakage-proof. That is, the platform and/or the insert part is/are made of a material that is substantially impervious to liquid, such as water. Said material may be plastic material, but it may also be a material such as (corrugated) cardboard, which has been made impervious to liquid by being provided with a coating or being impregnated.

A preferred embodiment concerns a platform provided with an insert part which is suitable for supporting potted plants and for holding a bottom with water for the potted plants. An insert part is to that end provided in the platform, which insert part can be formed from an insert blank comprising a substantially rectangular bottom panel provided with chamfered corners, which is surrounded by edge strips separated from the bottom surface via a fold lines, wherein adjacent edge strips are connected by foldable corner pieces which, together with the edge strips, form a continuous edge around the bottom panel, and wherein at least one edge strip is bounded on its side remote from the bottom surface, via a fold line, by a cover panel corresponding to the bottom panel as regards its dimensions, and wherein the insert blank is provided with engaging means for effecting an interlocking engagement between the cover panel and one or more edge strips in the folded condition. Because the edge strips and the corner pieces form a continuous edge around the bottom panel, no openings will be present between the bottom panel and the upright side edge after the edge strips have been folded, and the corners will be leakage- proof as well. The engaging means may be lips and/or notches and/or recesses, for example. The skilled person in the field of packaging will be familiar with many alternatives for effecting an interlocking engagement between panels of an original blank that are oriented perpendicular to each other. In a special embodiment, a lip is provided on an edge strip, and a corresponding recess is formed in the cover panel of the insert blank. When the container is set up, the lip is folded over and inserted into the recess so as to lock the edge strip and the cover panel together. The chamfered corners of the bottom panel and a possibly associated specific embodiment of the corner pieces are provided so as to realise a shape that corresponds to the columns of a container according to a preceding aspect of the present invention, in other applications of such a platform they can be left out.

Such an insert blank can be set up to form an insert part by folding the edge strips upward about the fold lines relative to the bottom panel and subsequently folding the cover panel about the fold line in question to a position above the bottom panel and causing corresponding engaging means to engage each other. When the edge strips are being folded upward, the corner pieces are folded inward, partially overlapping each other, likewise making use of fold lines, so that a circumferential edge is formed around the bottom panel, which edge joins the bottom panel all around, so that no openings remain through which liquid poured onto the bottom panel can leak from the insert part.

Preferably, the cover panel is provided with recesses, or at least with cut lines defining such recesses, in which recesses plant pots can be placed.

An insert blank and an insert part set up from the insert blank can be protected independently of other aspects of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vertical panel extends between the two side walls. The vertical panel can thus form a central wall which, whether or not provided with a print, can be used as a display, for example for advertising articles stored in the container. it is preferable in that case if the vertical panel is provided with engaging elements which engage in a space defined by a side wall surface or a fixing panel attached thereto and a support element and an auxiliary support element that engage each other.

It is preferable if a connecting panel extends from the corner panel in the direction away from the column and parallel to the side wall surface in question. This has a strengthening effect on the side wall, partially because the length of the connecting panel is not limited in such an arrangement, as is the case upon folding (in) of the connecting panel (back to the corner in question). The double-walled side wall makes it possible to fold out a support element and an aligned auxiliary support element from the respective walls and subsequently lock the two together.

The present invention, according to a second aspect thereof, relates to a blank for forming a container according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising an at least substantially rectangular bottom surface and, at two opposite circumferential walls thereof, a front and a rear wall surface connected to the bottom surface via a front wall fold line and a rear wall fold line, respectively, which extend away from the bottom surface over a first and a second distance, respectively and, at the other two opposite circumferential edges of the bottom surface, two at least substantially rectangular side wall surfaces connected to the bottom surface via side wall fold lines, which extend away from the bottom surface over a third distance greater than or equal to the first and the second distance, respectively, which side wall surfaces are each provided with side flaps on either side, via flap fold lines, which side flaps extend substantially parallel to the front wall surface and the rear wall surface, respectively, and which are each provided, near the fold line with the side wall surface in question, with an inner and an outer corner fold line extending parallel to the flap fold line in question.

Such blanks are known for forming stackable boxes, for example for fruit. Such blanks can be manufactured as semi—finished products and be traded as such, but it is also possible for the blanks to exist only for a very short time in a production process, for example if they are punched from a roll or a larger blank and are mechanically set up immediately thereafter. Setting up such a blank takes place by first folding the side flaps inward in the form of a triangle along the outer and the inner corner fold line and the flap fold line. With each side flap, the panel originally disposed furthest away from the flap fold line, the so-called fixing panel, is attached to the inner side of the side wall surface with its outer side, for example by glueing. When the front, rear and side wall surfaces have been folded upward relative to the bottom surface along the fold lines in question, forming a box having four upright walls, the four tubes of triangular cross-section thus formed provide four reinforcements at the corner points of the known box thus set up. The reinforcements make it possible to stack boxes of a blank material of a relatively light quality on top of each other. Because the side wall surfaces extend away from the bottom surface over a distance which is at least equal to, preferably greater than, the front and the rear wall surface, the columns of a set-up container extend up to the highest point of such a box, because they are present on the longest panel.

A drawback of the known blanks corresponds to the drawback mentioned with reference to the first aspect regarding the limited usability of the known boxes.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention, according to the second aspect thereof, to provide a blank as described in the introduction which is suitable for forming containers that are more widely usable than the known boxes formed from the known blanks. This object is achieved by the present invention in that at least one support element or auxiliary support element defined by one or more cut lines is provided in each of the side wall surfaces and/or side flaps, wherein the distance from a support element or auxiliary support element to the side wall fold line of the side wall surface in question is substantially the same for both support elements, and in that the support elements and/or auxiliary support elements extend inward from a side wall surface or a side flap into the space of the container that is defined by the upright walls. The distance is preferably measured from the edge of the support element or auxiliary support element that is located furthest away from the side wall fold line. Thus, a supporting point for a horizontal element can be provided on each side wall in a container by pushing the support elements or auxiliary support elements inward, on which supporting points a platform can be horizontally supported. Thus, several levels can be provided within a container for transporting and/or presenting products accommodated in the container.

It is preferable in that regard if the support elements each have an edge directed away from the bottom surface, which edge extends at least substantially parallel to the side wall fold lines. The upper edge of each one of the support elements thus extends substantially horizontally, so that they provide a substantially horizontal support line or supporting surface.

If a support element is substantially U-shaped, with the base of the U directed toward one of the side flaps of the side surface in question, a simple but efficient form of a support element in the form of a substantially rectangular support is provided.

To realise an adequate stability of a platform to be supported, it is preferable if at least one pair of support elements is provided in one side wall element, wherein the support elements of said pair are spaced the same distance from the side wall fold line of the side wall panel in question. The side wall panel thus provides two support elements at the same level. In the case of two such opposite side wall panels, four support points are provided in a horizontal plane in a container set up from the blank, for example for a platform to be placed thereon.

If several pairs of support elements are provided in a side wall surface, with the various pairs preferably being spaced a regular distance from a respective side wall fold line at regular intervals, platforms can be supported by the support elements at different levels in a container set up from the blank.

If an auxiliary support element defined by one or more cut lines is provided between the outer corner fold line and the side edge of a side flap, i.e. in the fixing panel, platforms can be supported by such auxiliary support elements in a container set up from the blank, in a comparable manner as with the support elements previously referred to. Preferably, but not necessarily, the side wall surface in question is also provided with support elements. It is preferable in that case if an auxiliary support element in a side wall surface is substantially aligned with the support element defined in the side wall surface in question. The term "aligned" as used herein is understood to mean that the edges of a support element and an auxiliary support element furthest away from a side wall fold line lie at the same level, so that they form support points in the same horizontal plane in the set-up condition of the container. A more far-reaching form of alignment implies that the support element and the auxiliary support element substantially overlap, at least in a container set up from the blank, in which a support element and a corresponding auxiliary support element still lie in the plane of the side wall or the fixing panel of the side flap. Thus, the auxiliary support element can first be folded inward within the container, after which the support element can be pushed inward through the space in which the auxiliary support element was originally present, into the space of the container that is defined by the upright wall.

In order to be able to provide a strong carrier, which is preferably stably positioned within the space of the container defined by the upright walls, it is preferable if a support element and/or a corresponding, aligned auxiliary support element is/are provided with engaging means for interlocking engagement of the support element and the auxiliary support element in the set-up condition of the container. In the interlocking condition, the support element and the auxiliary support element can keep each other correctly positioned.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a side wall surface is provided with a handle defined by a cut line. The material within the cut line may have been removed, but it may also be kept in place until directly after the container has been set up from the blank, or even later. The handle makes it easier to handle a container set up from the blank.

It is preferable if the two corner fold lines of a side flap are each located closer to the respective flap fold line than to a side edge located opposite the flap fold line of the side flap in question. The fixing panel of a blank according to the present invention cannot be folded inward into the column, because it is too long for that, but it must be folded in the opposite direction along the side wall surface, i.e. in the direction of the other corner at the side wall surface in question, and be attached to the side wall surface with the inner side. This orientation has the advantage that the fixing panel is relatively large and extends over a larger distance along the side wall surface than in the case of a container formed from a blank with inwardly folded fixing panels. Possibly, the column itself will be slightly weaker because of this, because each wall of the column now consists of only one layer of material. A side wall surface comprising two fixing panels that extend over a relatively large distance in the direction of each other along the side wall panel, provides the side wall greater strength, and thus greater bearing capacity. Because the fixing panels can now be attached to a side wall surface over a relatively large area, a stronger connection between the side wall surface and the fixing panel, and thus a more stable column, can be realised for a container. Moreover, if the column should become damaged, the side wall, which comprises a double layer of material over a relatively large distance and, in the case of larger fixing panels which overlap in the attached condition, even a triple (partially) layer of material, can at least partially compensate for the reduced strength of the column. The greater bearing capacity can be used for making the side wall surfaces of a blank extra along so as to realise a greater height of the side walls of a container in the set-up condition thereof. The first and the second distance, and thus the height of the front and the rear wall of a set-up container are often substantially the same, although this is not necessary. The object aimed at by the first aspect of the invention is thus achieved. In addition, the invention provides possibilities of developing the container even further. Some of said possibilities will be discussed hereinafter.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fixing panel defined by the outer corner fold line and the side edge of a side flap extends over at least 40% of the area of the side flap in question. With an area of that dimension, the fixing panel can strengthen the side wall of a container significantly when the fixing panel is attached to the side wall surface in question. Furthermore preferably, the share of the fixing panel is at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60% of the side flap. On the one hand it can be said in that case that the larger the fixing panel, the larger the share in the strengthening of the side wall of a container. On the other hand it can be said that the larger the fixing panel, the greater the amount of material that is required for forming the container. This is a consideration that can be made by a skilled person.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a side flap comprises a projection on its side remote from the bottom surface and, on the opposite side facing the bottom surface, or at least the front or rear wall surface, a recess corresponding to the projection and/or a corresponding through opening disposed over or against the side wall fold line of the respective side wall surface. From such blanks containers can thus be folded which comprise a projecting part at the upper side in stacked condition, which projection extends into a recess in the underside of a container positioned thereabove. Not only is the strength of the side wall, which is improved by the present invention, increased in this way, but in addition a possibility is provided for forming a stable, or at least more stable, stack of containers. A recess or opening may also be prepared by means of perforations, in which case a container part defined by the perforations is pushed aside by a projection of the container positioned thereunder.

It is preferable if the side edge of a side flap remote from the flap fold line is substantially aligned with at least part of a front or rear wall surface remote from the bottom surface. In such a preferred embodiment, the front or rear wall surface can contribute to the bearing capacity of the container in the set-up condition of the container. It is preferable in that regard if at least the part of a front and/or rear wall surface adjacent to the side flap is aligned with the side flap in question.

Additionally or alternatively it is preferable if the side edge of a front or rear wall surface is removed further from the bottom at the ends thereof than at a central part of the side edge in question. The part of the front or rear wall surface that is left open thus provides an open space in the set-up condition of the container, through which the inside of the container can be viewed or through which the bottom of the container can be reached by hand. Such an embodiment is known from fruit boxes. An additional advantage is that fresh air can reach products present in the container at all times, also in the stacked condition of the containers.

The blank can be made of various materials. Preferably, however, the blank is made of cardboard, more preferably of corrugated cardboard. Cardboard and corrugated cardboard are readily available, easily recyclable materials. Corrugated cardboard has the advantage that, if an appropriate direction of the ribs is chosen, i.e. substantially parallel to the front and rear wall fold line, it is possible to realise a relatively strong and supporting container, using relatively little material. Once again, this does not alter the fact that the blank may be made of other materials, such as plastic material, for example. Also in the case of plastic, channels or reinforcing ribs can be incorporated in the plastic.

The present invention, according to a third aspect thereof, relates to a method for forming a container from a blank, comprising the steps of:

providing a blank as described in the introduction of the second aspect of the invention;

folding the side flaps inward about the flap fold lines;

folding the part of the side flap that is defined by the inner corner fold line and the side edge of the side flap in question inward about the inner corner fold line;

folding a fixing panel of the side flap that is defined by the outer corner fold line and the side edge of the side flap in question about the outer corner fold line and attaching it to the corresponding side wall surface;

folding the side wall surfaces inward about the side wall fold lines into upright side walls; folding the front or rear wall surface inward about the front or rear wall fold line, respectively, into an upright front or rear wall, respectively;

attaching adjacent upright wall surfaces together.

Such a method is known and has already been discussed in the foregoing with reference to the first and the second aspect of the invention, as have the drawbacks thereof. According to the present invention, in step a) a blank is provided which is provided with support elements and/or auxiliary support elements as described with reference to a few preferred embodiments of the blank according to the second aspect of the present invention. The preferred method in that case comprises a step h), in which support elements and/or auxiliary support elements are folded in the direction of an inner space defined by the upright walls of the container that has been formed or at least is to be formed. The support elements and/or auxiliary support elements thus provide supports for platforms to be placed in the container formed by using the method.

According to the third aspect of the invention, a relatively strong container, or at least a container having a relatively large bearing capacity in relation to the starting material, is obtained in that the fixing panel is folded in the direction of the opposite side flap of the side wall panel in step d). Although the steps are presented in a specific order herein, it is according to the present invention also possible to carry out the steps in a different order. According to another possibility, a few steps may be combined.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a blank according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided in step a). Such a blank is designed for use with a method according to the third aspect of the present invention and can lead to a significant strengthening of the side wall of a box set up from the blank on account of the relatively large fixing panel of a side flap.

The present invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter by means of a description of an exemplary embodiment of a blank, a method for setting up a container from the blank in question and a container, in which reference is made to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a blank according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective side view of the blank of figure 1 while a box is being set up therefrom; Figure 3 is a perspective view of two stacked-together boxes, each set up from a blank as shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a platform suitable for being supported in a box according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a vertical panel for a box according to the present invention;

Figure 5a shows a detail of a cross-section of a vertical panel and a hook from figure 5;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of an insert part; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the setting up of a platform from the insert part of figure 6.

With reference now to figure 1 , there is shown a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a blank 1 according to the present invention. The blank 1 is made of corrugated cardboard, with the ribs extending from the left to the right (not shown) in the figure, at least such that they extend vertically upwards through supporting walls in a box in set-up condition. The blank 1 comprises a rectangular bottom surface 2 of about 39 x 60 cm in the centre, which is bounded by a long rear wall fold line 3, a long front wall fold line 4 and two side wall fold lines 5a, 5b. A rear wall surface 6 is located on the side of the rear wall fold line 3 remote from the bottom surface 2, and the front wall surface 7 is located on the side of the front wall fold line remote from the bottom surface. The rear wall surface 6 and the front wall surface 7 each have relatively long corner parts 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and two relatively low centrepieces 6c and 7c, respectively. The bottom surface 2 comprises four rectangular recesses 8, four D-shaped recesses 9 and a row of rectangular recesses 8a.

Located opposite the bottom surface 2, on the side of the fold lines 4, 5b, are rectangular side wall surfaces 10a and 10b, respectively, of about 39 x 70 cm, which are bounded by the side wall fold lines 5a, 5b but also by two long flap fold lines 1 1 a1 , 1 1a2, 1 1 b1 , 1 1 b2 that join the side wall fold lines 5a, 5b, and by end edges 12a, 12b located opposite the side wall fold lines 5a, 5b. Located within each side wall surface 10a, 10b are three pairs of U-shaped cut-outs 13, with the two bases of each pair of U-shaped cut-outs facing each other. Provided opposite the base of each U-shaped cut-out 13 is a fold line 14. Furthermore, an oval handle cutout 15 is present in each side wall surface 10a, 10b. Opposite the side wall surfaces 10a, 10b, side flaps 16a1 , 16a2, 16b1 , 16b2 are adjacent to the flap fold lines 1 1 a1 , 1 1 a2, 1 1 b1 , 1 1 b2, respectively, which side flaps are each provided with an inner corner fold line 17a1 , 17a2, 17b1 , 17b2 and an outer corner fold line 18a1 , 18a2, 18b1 , 18b2. Located between a flap fold line 1 1 and an inner corner fold line 17 is a connecting panel 19a1 , 19a2, 19b1 , 19b2. Located between the inner corner fold line 17 and the outer corner fold line 18 of each side flap 16a 1 , 16a2, 16b1 , 16b2 is a corner panel 20a1 , 20a2, 20b1 , 20b2. Located between the outer corner fold lines 18a1 , 18a2, 18b1 , 18b2 and side edges 21 a1 , 22a2, 22b1 , 22b2 are fixing panels 22a1 , 22a2, 22b1 , 22b2, respectively. Each fixing panel 22 is provided with cut-outs 23, which are substantially U-shaped but which have a more fanciful configuration than the U-shaped cut-outs in the side wall surfaces 10a, 10b. In this case, too, a fold line 24 is located opposite the base of the U-shape. A trapezoidal projection 25 is located on the short side furthest away from the bottom surface 2 of each corner panel 20. A trapezoidal projection 26 is also located on the short side furthest away from the bottom surface 2 of each fixing panel 22. A trapezoidal recess 27 is located on the side of each fixing panel 22 near the bottom surface 2. A dish-shaped recess 28 is present at the side edges 21 of each side flap 16. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, respective recesses 8 and recesses 27 cooperate so as to form a trapezoidal projection 26 when stacking boxes folded from such a blank. The dish-shaped recesses 28 correspond to the curved sides of oval handle cut-outs 15.

Now that the various elements of the blank 1 have been indicated, a perspective view is shown in figure 2 for the purpose of elucidating the setting up of a box as the container from the original blank 1 . In order to keep the explanation simple, various elements are shown during various phases of the setting up of a box. Thus, the rear side flap 16b2 of the side wall surface 10b is folded the least far of all the side flaps 16. As the figure shows, the side flap 16b2 is folded about the flap fold line 1 1 b2, so that the connecting panel 19b2 extends perpendicularly relative to the side wall surface 10b. The fixing panel 22b2 is folded outward relative to the corner panel 20b2. Cut-outs 23 in the fixing panel 22b2 have been pushed out of the fixing panel 22b2 about the fold lines in question. A D-shaped recess 9 is shown in the bottom surface 2, near the connecting panel 19b2, which recess will be overlapped by the corner panel 20b2 when the side flap 16b2 is folded out further. The row of recesses 8a is provided for receiving projections on a vertical panel that may be placed, which panel will be discussed later on in this document.

On the other side of the side wall surface 10b, the side flap 16b1 is shown in a further stage of folding. The fixing panel 22b1 practically abuts against the side wall surface 10b, to which it will be glued in place. As the figure shows at the upper side of the side flap 16b1 , the respective side edge of the side wall surface 10b, together with the connecting panel 19b1 and the corner panel 20b1 , forms a triangular column in the set-up condition of the box. As the figure further shows, the auxiliary support means 29 formed by pushing cut-outs 23 out from the fixing panel 16b1 extend in the direction of the inner side of the box.

Flaps 16a1 , 16a2 of the side wall surface 10a are shown in an even further stage of folding. As the figure shows, the dished recesses 28 prevent the oval handle cut-out 15 being overlapped by the fixing panels 22a1 , 22a2. As can be distinguished at the location of the partial overlap of the side wall surface 10a by the fixing panel 22a2, support elements 30 formed by parts of the side wall surface 10 by making U-shaped cut-outs 13 and folding them about fold lines 14, cooperate with auxiliary support elements 29, wherein a respective lip 31 of an auxiliary support element engages in a recess 32 of a support element 30, so that the support element 30 and the auxiliary support element 29 keep each other firmly in place.

As figure 2 further shows, the side wall surface 10a with the respective side flaps 16a1 , 16a2 is folded obliquely upwards and is positioned halfway its end position, which end position is correspondingly represented by the side wall surface 10b, which extends perpendicularly to the bottom surface 2. At the side wall fold line 5a it can still be distinguished how the recesses 27 of the side flaps 16a1 , 16a2 partially overlap the recesses 8 in the bottom surface 2. The front wall surface 7 is shown slightly folded upward in figure 2. The end position of the front wall surface 7 and the rear wall surface 6 is represented by the rear wall surface 6, which extends perpendicularly to the bottom surface 2. The upper portion of the central parts 6c is folded inward into the space of the box, but this is not relevant to understanding the invention.

Figure 3 shows two boxes 1 ', which have each been folded from a blank 1 as shown in figure 1. The boxes V have a bottom surface 2 with two relatively high side wall surfaces 10a, 10b and a relatively low front wall surface 7 and rear wall surface 6. The front wall surface 7 has two relatively high sides 7a, 7b, which are attached to the connecting panels 19a1 , 19b1 and support said panels. The front wall surface is lowered at 7c, between the relatively high parts 7a, 7b of the front wall surface 7, so that products that are placed on the bottom surface 2 can be easily reached by fresh air supplied to the box 1 ' and can be easily viewed or picked up by a buyer. In both boxes 1' only the central pairs of support elements 30 and auxiliary support elements 29 are folded inward into the box. At the upper and lower U-shaped cut-outs 13 and 23 of a box 1 ', the material is held in place in the panel in question and no (auxiliary) support elements are provided. If desired, however, this is possible. A platform 33 is provided on the (auxiliary) support elements 29, 30 in the centre of the box 1 '. Said platform is shown in more detail in figure 4 and explained with reference thereto. A cover 34 is provided over the upper edges of the side walls of the upper container 1 '.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a platform 40 that is designed for being accommodated in a container 1 according to the present invention. The platform 40 has a bottom 41 , two long upright edges 42 and two short upright edges 43. Chamfered corners 44 are provided between respective long and short upright edges 42, 43, which corners abut against corner panels 20 of the box 1' in use. Recesses 45 are provided in the bottom 41 near the short sides, into which recesses respective arcuate projections of auxiliary support panels 29 are received when the platform 40 is placed in a box 1 '. An additional bottom plate 46 to be placed in the platform 40 is provided for strengthening the platform 40 and for locking the inwardly folded parts of the upright edges 42, 43 in place.

It is also possible to place a vertical panel 50 in a box 1 ' according to the present invention, with hooks 51 , only one of which is shown in figure 5, projecting therefrom, from which hooks products can be suspended. Located on the sides of the panel 50 are recesses 52, into which a lip 53 still projects downwards. Lips 54 are provided at the upper edge and the lower edge of the vertical panel 50, which lips, in use, can engage the bottom of the box in which the panel is accommodated or the underside of the bottom of a box stacked on top of said box. When used in a box 1 ', the recesses 52 are located near the (auxiliary) support panels 29, 30, with the lip 53 extending between a support panel 30 and a corresponding auxiliary support panel 29, which panels interlock. One or two such panels can be placed in the box 1 ', depending on the application. Figure 5a shows a detail of a cross-section of a vertical panel 50 and a hook 51 of figure 5. The hook 51 has first been inserted with its leg 58 through a hole 61 in the corrugated cardboard panel 50, after which the hook 51 with the plate 55 has been pivoted from a substantially horizontal position to a vertical position (see figure 5a), so that the plate 55 abuts against the panel 50 and extends through a second hole 62 in the panel 50 with a pin 57. A locking ring 57 is provided on the pin 56 at the rear side of the panel 50, so that the hook 51 is securely locked in place in the panel 50. The pin 56 may to that end be provided with external screw thread, and the locking ring 57 may be provided with corresponding internal screw thread.

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of an insert blank 100 for a carrier for plant pots that can be accommodated in a bottom or a platform (see figure 4) of a container or box according to the present invention. The insert blank 100 has a rectangular bottom panel 101 provided with chamfered corners 102, which is surrounded by four edge strips 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d separated from the bottom panel 101 via edge strip fold lines 103. Corner pieces 105 are present between respective adjacent edge strips 104, which corner pieces provide a continuous connection between the edge strips 104 in question. The corner pieces are provided with fold lines which are intended for folding the corner piece 105 into a flat upright corner edge of the insert part. A lip 106 is provided at two opposite short edge strips 104a, 104c.

A cover panel 108 connected to an edge strip 104d and provided with a connecting strip fold line 109 and an adjacent connecting strip 1 10 is adjacent to the long side of the edge strip 104d located opposite the bottom panel 101 via the cover panel fold line 107. The cover panel 108 is provided with round holes 1 1 1 for receiving flowerpots and notches 112 for engagement by the lips 106 in the set-up condition of the insert blank 100.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an insert part of the insert blank 100 of figure 6 in a semi-setup condition. The edge strips 104 and the corner pieces 105 are folded upward and the cover panel 108 is nearly folded up over the bottom panel 101. The corner pieces 105b, 105c and 105d are shown in different stages of being folded inward. The corner piece 105a is completely folded inward, forming an inclined wall. From figure 7 it can be concluded that, provided the insert panel 100 itself is impervious to liquid, an insert part in completely setup condition forms a watertight bottom. From the position shown in figure 7, the cover panel 108 is folded further downward, so that the connecting strip 110 is clamped against the edge strip 104b or can be glued thereto. The lips 106 are inserted into the recesses 1 12, thus forming a strong insert part that can be supported on support elements and auxiliary support elements of a container according to the present invention, at least if the dimensions of the insert part and those of the container 1 correspond.

In the figures and the above description, the present invention has been shown and described on the basis of only one embodiment. It will be understood, however, that many variants, which may or may not obvious to the skilled person, are conceivable within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the following claims. Thus, a material other than cardboard, for example a plastic material, can be used for the blank and thus also for the box. The dimensions and the proportions of the box can be changed as desired, in which regard it must be considered that the columns formed by the side flaps and the side surfaces are present on the walls that extend furthest upward. Recesses and projections can be provided in various ways for providing interlocking engagements at various locations. Recesses may be provided in the blank but also in the box as holes in the panel in question, but they may also be defined as cut or perforation lines within which the material can be easily removed at a desired point in time for forming a physical opening. The number of support elements and auxiliary support elements can be changed and their shape can also be configured as desired, as long as the edges of the (auxiliary) support elements that are located at the upper side lie at least substantially in the same horizontal plane (in the set-up condition of the box). The various panels are connected by being glued together. Other methods of attaching the panels together are also conceivable, however. Fold lines, too, can be provided in various ways. For example as score lines, as cuts not extending through the entire thickness of the blank, as interrupted or non-interrupted cut lines extending over only part of the folding length, or as combinations thereof. In the description, dimensions of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention are mentioned to illustrate that it is possible to form a relatively large container according to the invention, but also other dimensions and proportions are conceivable, also dimensions and proportions wherein the width of the side walls is greater than the length of the front and the rear wall.