Field of invention

The invention relates to a blank configured to be erected into a package. The invention also relates to a package. The blank and package are specifically designed to be provided with a moisture resistant inside. Such a package may e.g. be used to hold wet products, such as wet food products, such as meat, vegetables or fish.

Technical Backaround

When designing a package for transport of products, it is desirous to take into account a number of different design criteria. The package should e.g. make efficient use of the material, be easy to transport to the point of use, be easy to prepare for use, and it should provide a strong package. The package should be capable of protecting the goods transported in the package. It should be strong during handling and it should typically be capable of carrying other packages such that they may be stacked on top of each other. When designing a package for transport of wet food products, such as meat, vegetables or fish, it is often a difficulty to make the package capable of remaining mechanically stable over a sufficient time period. In packages formed of cardboard or paper-based materials, the packages often lose their mechanical stability due to moisture soaking into the material whereby the cardboard or paper-based material becomes softer than they are in their dry condition.

Thus, there is a need for a package adequately addressing at least some of the design criteria mentioned above.

Summary of invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a blank and a package addressing at least some of the design criteria that the blank and package should make efficient use of the material, be easy to transport to the point of use, be easy to prepare for use, and it should provide a strong package capable of protecting the goods transported in the package. Preferably it should also be strong during handling and it should typically be capable of carrying other packages such that they may be stacked on top of each other.

This object has been achieved by a blank configured to be erected into a package. The blank comprises a bottom panel, a first and a second side wall panel, each side wall panel being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides of the bottom panel, a first and a second end wall panel, each end wall panel being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides of the bottom panel. The blank preferably comprises a first side top wall panel foldably connected to the first side wall panel on a longitudinally side of the first side wall panel being opposite the bottom panel.

The blank may further comprise a first set and a second set of a first and a second end top wall panel foldably connected one after the other in a longitudinal direction to the first end wall panel respectively the second end wall panel, wherein the first end top wall panel is connected to the respective end wall panel and is configured to form an upper surface and the second end top wall panel is configured to be folded underneath the first end top wall panel to thereby form a double walled top wall at each longitudinal end of the package.

The blank may further comprise a first and a second locking tongue extending outwardly from the first side top wall panel or optionally directly from the first side wall panel in a transverse direction and being located at respective longitudinal end portion of the first side top wall panel as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, wherein the first and second locking tongues are configured to be received between the first and second end top wall panels of respective set of first and second end top wall panels forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package.

The blank further comprises a third and a fourth locking tongue extending outwardly from the second side wall panel in a direction opposite to the transverse direction and being located at respective longitudinal end portion of the second side wall panel as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, wherein the third and fourth locking tongues are configured to be received between the first and second end top wall panels of respective set of first and second end top wall panels forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package.

The blank further comprises a lid panel being foldably connected to and extending outwardly from the second side wall panel in the direction opposite to the transverse direction, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, wherein the lid panel is connected to the second side wall panel along a longitudinal central portion positioned between the longitudinal end portions of the second side wall panel, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank.

With such a blank it is possible to provide a single blank being configured to be erected into a package having a lid. The provision of the locking tongues connected to the first side top wall panel and the locking tongues connected to the second side wall panel and the fact that they are tucked in between the first and second end top wall panels of respective set of first and second end top wall panels forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package provides a strong package capable of being stacked. The fact that the locking tongues and the lid panel are foldably connected to the second side wall panel allows for an opening basically covering the complete width of the package as seen along the transversal direction and allows for a lid covering such an opening. The fact that the lid panel is formed between the third and fourth locking tongues allows for an opening basically covering the complete length of the package as seen along the longitudinal direction and allows for a lid covering such an opening. The third and fourth locking tongues are preferably directly adjacent the lid panel on respective longitudinal side of the lid panel. This may be expressed as that there is no other panel provided between the third and fourth locking tongues apart from the lid panel. It may also or alternatively be expressed as that the third locking tongue and the fourth locking tongue are each separated from the lid panel only be a cut-line or perforation line as seen along the longitudinal direction. It may be noted that the cut-line or perforation line may have a width along the longitudinal direction being somewhat wider than is strictly necessary in view of the cutting tool. Such an additional width may e.g. be useful to provide space for the first and second end top wall panels being folded around the respective third and fourth locking tongue.

Preferred embodiments appear in the dependent claims and in the description.

The blank may further comprise a locking tongue being foldably connected to and extending outwardly from the lid panel in the direction opposite to the transverse direction, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank. The locking tongue may be designed to be inserted into a slit or may be designed to be attached to an opposing part of the package, such as by providing an adhesive portion on the locking tongue and/or on the opposing part of the package.

The blank may further comprise a slit formed in the first side wall panel, in the first side top wall panel or in a fold line between the first side top wall panel and the first side wall panel.

In the preferred embodiment, the locking tongue is configured to be inserted into the slit and thereby keep the lid panel in a closed position.

The locking tongue may have, as seen along the direction opposite the transverse direction, a longitudinal central waist portion followed by a longitudinally wider locking portion. This is a convenient manner of providing a locking functionality which counter-acts accidental removal of the locking tongue from the slit.

In more detail it may be said that the slit has a longitudinal extension being between the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal central waist portion and longitudinal extension of the longitudinally wider locking portion.

At each corner of the bottom panel, the respective end wall panel may be interconnected with the respective side wall panel by a set of corner panels, the corner panels being foldable relative the respective end wall panel, to the respective side wall panel and to each other about an internal fold line into triangular flaps as the blank is erected into a package. This is a convenient manner of making it possible to provide a package having closed comers. This may be especially useful in combination with a polymer-coating on the major surface intended to form an inside of the package. Such a package may e.g. be useful to transport moist food products, such as fish, meat, etc.

The blank is preferably formed of a paper-based material. Such a material is typically light-weight. It is also typically easy to cut into the desired blank configuration and easy to erect into a package. Moreover, a paper- based material is typically easy to recycle in an environmentally sound manner.

The blank may be provided with a polymer-based layer on a first major surface of the blank, the first major surface being intended to form an inside of the package. Such a package may e.g. be useful to transport moist food products, such as fish, meat, etc.

The blank may further comprise an end wall locking tongue extending longitudinally outwardly from each second end top wall panel, and an end wall locking slit formed in the first end top wall panel or in a fold line between the first end top wall panel and the second end top wall panel at respective double walled top wall at each end of the package, wherein the end wall locking tongue is configured to be inserted into the end wall locking slit and thereby keep the first and second end top wall panels in a folded position in which they form said double walled top wall at each end of the package.

In a preferred embodiment, the blank further comprises a first side top wall panel foldably connected to the first side wall panel on a longitudinally side of the first side wall panel being opposite the bottom panel. In this preferred embodiment, the first and the second locking tongue may extend outwardly from the first side top wall panel in a transverse direction and being located at respective longitudinal end portion of the first side top wall panel, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank.

The above object has also been achieved by a package comprising a bottom panel, a first and a second side wall panel, each side wall panel being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides of the bottom panel, and preferably a first and a second end wall panel, each end wall panel being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides of the bottom panel.

The package preferably also comprises a first side top wall panel foldably connected to the first side wall panel on a longitudinally side of the first side wall panel being opposite the bottom panel.

The package may further comprise a first set and a second set of a first and a second end top wall panel foldably connected one after the other in a longitudinal direction to the first end wall panel respectively the second end wall panel, wherein the first end top wall panel is connected to the respective end wall panel, the first set and the second set of the first and second end top wall panels forming a double walled top wall at each longitudinal end of the package.

The package may further comprise a first and a second locking tongue being connected to the first side top wall panel at respective longitudinal end portion of a longitudinally side of the first side wall top panel being opposite to the first side wall panel or at respective longitudinal end portion of the first side wall panel and extending transversely from the first side top wall panel or side wall towards the second side wall panel such that they are received between the first and second end top wall panels of respective set of first and second end top wall panels forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package.

The package further comprises a third and a fourth locking tongue being connected to the second side wall panel at respective longitudinal end portion of a longitudinally side of the second side wall panel being opposite to the bottom panel and extending transversely from the second side wall panel towards the first side wall panel such that they are received between the first and second end top wall panels of respective set of first and second end top wall panels forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package. The package further comprises a lid panel being foldably connected to and extending from the second side wall panel at a side of the second side wall panel being opposite the bottom panel, wherein the lid panel is connected to the second side wall panel along a longitudinal central portion positioned between the longitudinal end portions of the second side wall panel.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a blank configured to be erected into a package, the blank comprising a bottom panel, a first and a second side wall panel, a first and a second end wall panel, a first set and a second set of a first and a second end top wall panel configured to form a double walled top wall at each longitudinal end of the package, a third and a fourth locking tongue extending outwardly from the second side wall panel and being configured to be received between the first and second end top wall panels, a lid panel being foldably connected to and extending outwardly from the second side wall panel, wherein the lid panel is connected to the second side wall panel along a longitudinal central portion positioned between the longitudinal end portions of the second side wall panel, as seen in a flat- laid state of the blank. 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.

Figure 1 discloses a blank configured to be erected into a package.

Figures 2a-f discloses different stages of how the blank of figure 1 is being erected into a package, wherein figure 2e discloses a package with the lid being open and figure 2f discloses the package with the lid closed.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

As is shown in figure 1 , there is provided a blank 1 configured to be erected into a package 2, such as by being erected in the manner disclosed in figures 2a-f, wherein figure 2e discloses a package 2 with the lid panel 80 being in an open state and figure 2f discloses the package 2 with the lid panel 80 being in a closed state.

The blank 1 comprises a bottom panel 10, a first and a second side wall panel 21 , 22, wherein each side wall panel 21 , 22 is foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides of the bottom panel 10. The blank 1 may further comprise a first and a second end wall panel 31 , 32, wherein each end wall panel 31 , 32 is foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides of the bottom panel 10. The longitudinal direction L, the transversal direction T, and the direction T' being opposite to the transversal direction T are indicated in figure 1.

The blank 1 preferably further comprises a first side top wall panel 41 foldably connected to the first side wall panel 21 on a longitudinally side of the first side wall panel 21 being opposite the bottom panel 10. In this embodiment a first and a second locking tongue 51 , 52 extends outwardly from the first side top wall panel 41 in a transverse direction T and being located at respective longitudinal end portion 41a, 41 b of the first side top wall panel 41 , as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1.

In figure 2b, it is shown how the side wall panels 21 , 22 and the end wall panels 31 ,32 are folded upwardly relative to the bottom panel 10.

The blank may further comprise a first set and a second set of a first and a second end top wall panel 61 , 62 foldably connected one after the other in a longitudinal direction L to the first end wall panel 31 respectively the second end wall panel 32, wherein the first end top wall panel 61 is connected to the respective end wall panel 31 , 32. As is best shown in figures 2d-e, the first end top wall panel 61 is configured to form an upper surface and the second end top wall panel 62 is configured to be folded underneath the first end top wall panel 61 to thereby form a double walled top wall at each longitudinal end of the package 2.

As is best shown in figures 2d-e, the first and second locking tongues 51 , 52 are configured to be received between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of respective set of first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package 2.

The blank 1 further comprises a third and a fourth locking tongue 73, 74 extending outwardly from the second side wall panel 22 in a direction T' opposite to the transverse direction T and being located at respective longitudinal end portion 22a, 22b of the second side wall panel 22 as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1. As is also shown in figures 2d-e, also the third and fourth locking tongues 73, 74 are configured to be received between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of respective set of first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package 2. It may be noted that the first and second locking tongues 51 , 52 are inserted from the side having the first side wall panel 21 and extend from the first side wall panel 21 towards the second side wall panel 22 when being positioned between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62. The third and fourth locking tongues 73, 74 are inserted from the side having the second side wall panel 22 and extend from the second side wall panel 22 towards the first side wall panel 21 when being positioned between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62.

The extensions of the first, second, third and fourth locking tongues 51 , 52, 73,74 along the transversal direction T are such that there is a transversal gap formed between the opposing locking tongues. Thus, as shown in figure 2d, there is a gap formed between the first and third locking tongues 51 , 73, as seen in the transversal direction T, and there is a gap formed between the second and fourth locking tongues 52, 74, as seen in the transversal direction T.

The blank 1 further comprises a lid panel 80 being foldably connected to and extending outwardly from the second side wall panel 22 in the direction T’ opposite to the transverse direction T, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1 , wherein the lid panel 80 is connected to the second side wall panel 22 along a longitudinal central portion positioned between the longitudinal end portions 22a, 22b of the second side wall panel 22, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1. It may in this context be noted that the fold line FL6162 between the first end top panel 61 and the second end top wall panels 62 is preferably a double fold line to accommodate the fact that the locking tongues 51 , 52, 73, 74 will become positioned between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 as the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 are folded into the double walled top wall.

With such a blank 1 it is possible to provide a single blank 1 being configured to be erected into a package 2 having a lid 80. The provision of the locking tongues 51 , 52 connected to the first side top wall panel 41 and the locking tongues 73, 74 connected to the second side wall panel 22 and the fact that they are tucked in between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of respective set of first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package 2 provides a strong package 2 capable of being stacked. The fact that the locking tongues 73, 74 and the lid panel 80 are foldably connected to the second side wall panel 22 allows for an opening basically covering the complete width of the package 2 as seen along the transversal direction T and allows for a lid 80 covering such an opening. The fact that the lid panel 80 is formed between the third and fourth locking tongues 73, 74 allows for an opening basically covering the complete length of the package as seen along the longitudinal direction L and allows for a lid 80 covering such an opening. The third and fourth locking tongues 73, 74 are preferably directly adjacent the lid panel 80 on respective longitudinal side of the lid panel 80. This may be expressed as that there is no other panel provided between the third and fourth locking tongues 73, 74 apart from the lid panel 80. It may also or alternatively be expressed as that the third locking tongue 73 and the fourth locking tongue 74 are each separated from the lid panel 80 only be a cut-line or perforation line as seen along the longitudinal direction. It may be noted that the cut-line or perforation line may have a width along the longitudinal direction being somewhat wider than is strictly necessary in view of the cutting tool. Such an additional width may e.g. be useful to provide space for the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 being folded around the respective third and fourth locking tongue 73,74. The blank 1 may further comprise a locking tongue 81 being foldably connected to and extending outwardly from the lid panel 80 in the direction Γ opposite to the transverse direction T, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1. The locking tongue 81 may be designed to be inserted into a slit 42 or may be designed to be attached to an opposing part of the package 2, such as by providing an adhesive portion on the locking tongue 81 and/or on the opposing part of the package 2.

The blank 1 may further comprise a slit 42 formed in the first side wall panel 21 , in the first side top wall panel 41 or in a fold line FL2141 between the first side top wall panel 41 and the first side wall panel 21.

In the preferred embodiment, the locking tongue 81 is configured to be inserted into the slit 42 and thereby keep the lid panel 80 in a closed position.

The locking tongue 81 may have, as seen along the direction T opposite the transverse direction T, a longitudinal central waist portion 81a followed by a longitudinally wider locking portion 81 b. This is a convenient manner of providing a locking functionality which counter-acts accidental removal of the locking tongue 81 from the slit 42.

In more detail it may be said that the slit 42 has a longitudinal extension L42 being between the longitudinal extension L81a of the longitudinal central waist portion 81 a and longitudinal extension L81 b of the longitudinally wider locking portion 81b.

At each corner of the bottom panel 10, the respective end wall panel 31 , 32 may be interconnected with the respective side wall panel 21 , 22 by a set of corner panels 91a, 91b, the corner panels 91a, 91b being foldable relative the respective end wall panel 31 , 32, to the respective side wall panel 21 , 22 and to each other about an internal fold line FL91 into triangular flaps as the blank 1 is erected into a package 2. This is a convenient manner of making it possible to provide a package 2 having closed corners. This may be especially useful in combination with a polymer-coating on the major surface 1a intended to form an inside of the package 2. Such a package 2 may e.g. be useful to transport moist food products, such as fish, meat, etc. In one embodiment, as is shown in figure 2b, the triangular flaps formed by the set of corner panels 91a, 91 b are pushed inwardly as the side wall panels 21 , 22 and the end wall panels 31 , 32 are folded upwardly relative to the bottom panel 10. When the side wall panels 21 , 22 and the end wall panels 31 , 32 have been fully upwardly relative to the bottom panel 10, the triangular flaps formed by the set of corner panels 91 a, 91 b are pushed into abutment with either the side wall panels 21 , 22 or the end wall panels 31 , 32.

The blank 1 is preferably formed of a paper-based material. The blank 1 may be provided with a polymer-based layer on a first major surface 1a of the blank 1 , the first major surface 1a being intended to form an inside of the package 2. Such a package 2 may e.g. be useful to transport moist food products, such as fish, meat, etc.

The blank 1 may further comprise an end wall locking tongue 63 extending longitudinally outwardly from each second end top wall panel 62, and an end wall locking slit 64 formed in the first end top wall panel 61 or in a fold line between the first end top wall panel 61 and the second end top wall panel 62 at respective double walled top wall at each end of the package 2, wherein the end wall locking tongue 63 is configured to be inserted into the end wall locking slit 64 and thereby keep the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 in a folded position in which they form said double walled top wall at each end of the package 2. The slit 64 is preferably formed by cutting a cut 64 extending in the transversal direction T, i.e. parallel to the fold line FL3161 , but at a small distance, as seen along the longitudinal direction L, from the fold line FL3161 between the end panel 31 and the first end top wall panel 61. It may be noted that the crease or perforation defining the fold line FL3161 is preferably interrupted along the cut 64. With such a design, the slit 64 will automatically be opened when the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 are folded into the double walled top wall and thereby facilitate insertion of the locking tongue 63 into the slit 64. As is shown in figure 2e, the small panel defined by the cut 64 and the fold line FL3161 will extend in the direction opposite to the extension of the first end top wall panel 61 from the fold line FL3161. As shown in figures 2e-f, there is provided a package 2 comprising a bottom panel 10, and a first and a second side wall panel 21 , 22, wherein each side wall panel 21 , 22 being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing longitudinally extending sides of the bottom panel 10.

The package 2 preferably comprises a first and a second end wall panel 31 , 32, each end wall panel 31 , 32 being foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversely extending sides of the bottom panel 10.

The package 2 preferably also comprises a first side top wall panel 41 foldably connected to the first side wall panel 21 on a longitudinally side of the first side wall panel 21 being opposite the bottom panel 10.

The package may further comprise a first set and a second set of a first and a second end top wall panel 61 , 62, wherein the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of the first set are foldably connected to each other and to the first end wall panel 31 and the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of the second set are foldably connected to each other and to the second end wall panel 32, the first set and the second set of the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 forming a double walled top wall at each longitudinal end of the package 2.

The package 2 may further comprise a first and a second locking tongue 51 , 52 being located at respective longitudinal end portion 41a, 41b of the first side top wall panel 41 or at respective longitudinal end portion of the first side wall panel 21 and extending transversely from the first side top wall panel 41 or side wall 21 towards the second side wall panel 22 such that they are received between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of respective set of first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package 2.

The package 2 further comprises a third and a fourth locking tongue 73, 74 being located at respective longitudinal end portion 22a, 22b of the second side wall panel 22 and extending transversely from the second side wall panel 22 towards the first side wall panel 21 such that they are received between the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 of respective set of first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 forming said double walled top wall at each end of the package 2.

The package further comprises a lid panel 80 being foldably connected to and extending from the second side wall panel 22 at a side of the second side wall panel 22 being opposite the bottom panel 10, wherein the lid panel 80 is connected to the second side wall panel 22 along a longitudinal central portion positioned between the longitudinal end portions 22a, 22b of the second side wall panel 22.

Even though it is preferred that the blank and package are designed in accordance with the disclosure in the detailed disclosure of preferred embodiments and the appended drawings, it should be noted that a specific preferred embodiment of a specific component does not necessarily have to be combined with a specific embodiment of another component. Thus, advantages associated with a specific embodiment, including one or more features, of a specific component may be accomplished even though the other component s is/are designed in accordance with the more general disclosure under the summary of the invention rather than being defined in accordance with the specific embodiment disclosed in the detailed description.

The blank and package may, as an example, be designed with the end wall panels 31 , 32 including the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 and optionally also include the locking tongue 63 and slit 64. However, the first and second end top wall panels 61 , 62 does not necessarily need to include the locking tongue 63 and slit 64. Alternatively, as another example, the end wall panels 31 , 32 may be designed without the first and second end top wall panels 61, 62 at all. Alternatively, as another example, the end wall panels 31 , 32 may be designed with the first top wall panel 61 but without the second end top wall panel 62.

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.

In an alternative embodiment, the first side top wall panel 41 is omitted. In such an embodiment, said first and said second locking tongue extend outwardly directly from the first side wall panel 21 in a transverse direction T and being located at respective longitudinal end portion of the side wall panel 21 , as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1. In this embodiment, the slit 42 - if present - is provided in the side wall panel 21.