FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging liner for boxes or similar containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an insulating and sealing liner for boxes or similar containers. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an insulating and sealing liner for boxes or similar containers used for transporting perishable items. The present invention also relates to a pouch for carrying perishable items. More particularly, the present invention relates to an insulating and sealing pouch for transporting perishable items, that can be placed in a larger container or used by itself.

BACKGROUND

It is desirable when transporting certain types of items or goods to retain these at a temperature lower than the surrounding ambient conditions during transport. This is particularly desirable when transporting fbodstuffs or similar perishable goods which need to be kept within a certain temperature range in order to remain fresh and unspoilt during transport. Certain types of perishable goods or foodstuffs goods can be transported without the use of refrigeration, if the containers in which they are stored are suitably insulated and sealed, and the length of the time which the containers are exposed to ambient conditions is of insufficient length to raise the temperature of the goods beyond an upper limit of the acceptable temperature range. However, transport in this manner generally requires the container to be well insulated, and resistant to spillages that can adversely affect the insulation, so that the container retains it's structural integrity during transport and use. Foodstuffs can be particularly difficult to transport due to the high fluid content associated with certain types of foodstuff, and their tendency to spill during transport, or loading and unloading. Even if the foodstuff itself does not have a high moisture content, a medium or media associated with the foodstuff may be a fluid or liquid that can adversely affect the structure of a container - for example ice associated with the storage and transport offish. For this reason, containers formed from plastic or similar are preferred. Plastic is readily available, inexpensive, easy to form, and has excellent insulating properties. It also provides excellent resistance to spills and can be easily cleaned. However, a container formed from plastic may not be suitable for all uses, as this type of container comes pre-formed to a size and shape, and containers of this type are also rigid and hold their shape, and can therefore take up more storage room when not in use than may be desirable. Also, although plastic is relatively inexpensive, it may still be more expensive than is desirable for mass use. Cardboard is often used for packing boxes or similar. This type of material is inexpensive and allows containers to be formed in a range of different shapes and sizes. However, spillages can adversely affect the structure of a container formed from this type of material - for example a wet cardboard box will rip or split far more easily than it will when dry, and if the contents spills, this can cause a catastrophic loss of structural integrity under the weight of the contents.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liner or pouch which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice. It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging liner which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice. It is a yet still further object of the invention to provide a pouch which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in an aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a packaging liner for providing a lining to the interior of a container, comprising: a unitary sheet of liner material, manipulate between a first position where the unitary sheet is folded flat, and a second position where the unitary sheet forms an open- topped container comprising a base portion and a side wall portion that surrounds and extends upwards from the base portion, the unitary sheet configured so that in the second position the interior of the container is unbroken. This provides a liner that can be easily and conveniently stored until need, and which takes up little space when stored, and which can be easily deployed without the requirement for further cutting or sealing in order to provide a sealed liner.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet is configured so that in the second position any portion of the unitary sheet located within the container does not overlap with itself. This allows all the space within the container to be used as efficiently as possible. In an embodiment, the sheet is further sized and configured so that it can be further folded across the open top of the container to close the open top of the container. This allows the open top of the container to be closed and sealed once the container is filled.

In an embodiment, the packaging liner comprises at least one layer of polythene bubble wrap. This is an easily obtainable material, easily worked, that provides a waterproof and insulating layer.

In an embodiment, the packaging liner further comprises a layer of metallic material. This provides an insulating layer that helps to retain the required temperature within the liner in use.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet is a single flat sheet shaped, folded and joined to itself. This allows the liner to be easily and simply formed from a minimal number of steps, from readily obtainable materials.

In an embodiment, the sheet is joined via heat sealing. This provides a simple and effective way of joining the seams.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet appears substantially l-shaped in plan view before the sheet is shaped , folded and joined, and comprises substantially rectangular upper and lower end portions and a substantially rectangular narrower central portion, a pair of slots formed in each of the end portions, the slots extending inwards from the upper and lower edges respectively and aligned substantially with the longer axis of the sheet, the slots located substantially in line with the edges of the narrower central portion, the slots extending to substantially the mid-line of the end portions. This provides a simple shape that can be easily and intuitively formed into a liner. In an embodiment, the height of each of the end portions is at least the height of the container, and the height and width of the central portion are substantially the same as the dimensions of the base of the container. This allows the liner to be formed to fit the most common shapes of container.

In an embodiment, the width of each of the end portions is the width of the container plus half the height of the base of the container. This allows the liner to be formed to fit the most common shapes of container.

In another aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a packaging liner for providing a lining to the interior of a container, comprising a single flat unitary sheet shaped to appear substantially l-shaped in plan view when laid flat, the sheet comprising substantially rectangular upper and lower end portions and a narrower substantially rectangular central portion, a pair of slots formed in each of the end portions, the slots extending inwards from the upper and lower edges respectively and aligned substantially with the longer axis of the sheet, the slots located substantially in line with the edges of the narrower central portion, the slots extending to substantially the mid-line of the end portions. This provides a simple shape that can be easily and intuitively formed into a liner.

In an embodiment, the height of each of the end portions is at least the height of the container, and the height and width of the central portion are substantially the same as the dimensions of the base of the container. This allows the liner to be formed to fit the most common shapes of container.

In an embodiment, the height of each of the end portions is at least the height of the container plus half the height of the base, This allows the liner to be formed to fit the most common shapes of container.

In an embodiment, the width of each of the end portions is the width of the container plus half the height of the base of the container. This allows the liner to be formed to fit the most common shapes of container.

In an embodiment, the packaging liner comprises at least one layer of polythene bubble wrap. This is an easily obtainable material, easily worked, that provides a waterproof and insulating layer.

In an embodiment, the packaging liner further comprises a layer of metallic material. This provides an insulating layer that helps to retain the required temperature within the liner in use. I n another aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a pouch for perishable goods, comprising: a unitary sheet of material, manipulate between a first position where the unitary sheet is folded flat, and a second position where the unitary sheet forms an open-topped container comprising a base portion and a side wall portion that surrounds and extends upwards from the base portion, the unitary sheet configured so that in the second position the interior of the container is unbroken. This provides a pouch that is waterproof and which can be used for transporting perishable goods, which can be easily and conveniently stored until needed, and which takes up little space when stored, and which can be easily deployed without the requirement for further cutting or sealing in order to provide a pouch.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet is configured so that in the second position no portion of the unitary sheet overlaps with itself. This allows all the space within the pouch to be used as efficiently as possible, and minimises unnecessary use of material.

In an embodiment, the sheet is further sized and configured so that it can be further folded across the open top of the container to close the open top of the container. This allows the open top of the container to be closed and sealed once the container is filled.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet of material comprises at least one layer of polythene bubble wrap. This is an easily obtainable material, easily worked, that provides a waterproof and insulating layer.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet of material further comprises a layer of metallic material. This provides an insulating layer that helps to retain the required temperature within the liner in use.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet is a single flat sheet shaped, folded and joined to itself. This allows the liner to be easily and simply farmed from a minimal number of steps, from readily obtainable materials.

In an embodiment, the sheet is joined via heat sealing. This provides a simple and effective way of joining the seams.

In an embodiment, the unitary sheet appears substantially l-shaped in plan view before the sheet is shaped, folded and joined, and comprises substantially rectangular upper and lower end portions and a substantially rectangular narrower central portion. This provides a simple shape that can be easily and intuitively formed into a liner.

In a further aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a sheet for forming a pouch for perishable goods, comprising a single flat unitary sheet formed from a layer of polythene bubble wrap and a layer of metallic material, the sheet shaped to appear substantially l-shaped in plan view when laid flat, the sheet comprising substantially rectangular upper and lower end portions and a narrower substantially rectangular central portion. This provides a simple shape that can be easily and intuitively formed into a liner.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view or view from above of a first embodiment of the present invention, intended to form a packaging liner for a container, the liner comprising a unitary sheet of liner material, having the appearance of a capital I when the sheet is laid flat and viewed in plan view, with two end sections at each end of and extending to the sides of a narrower central section, slots formed in the outer edges of the end sections, the slots extending towards the central section.

Figure 2 shows the packaging liner of figure 1 , with the liner being folded in half around a central axis that bisects the narrower central section cross ways.

Figure 3 shows a plan view or view from above of the liner of figures 1 and 2 folded in half, with the edge seams at each side heat-welded together.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from one end of the liner of figure 3 unfolded or manipulated into a box-shape, the box shown upside-down and open underneath, the edges of the surface at the top heat-sealed to the side faces, where these were open.

Figure 5 shows a plan view or view from above of the liner of figure 4, folded flat.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the liner of figure 5, opened up and ready to be located into a box for transport or storage, the open top of the liner closable by folding the top flaps at the top of the side inwards across the open top.

Figure 7 shows a plan view or view from above of a second embodiment of the present invention, intended to form a pouch, and comprising a unitary sheet of Dner material, having the appearance of a capital I when the sheet is laid flat and viewed in plan view, with two end sections at each end of and extending to the sides of a narrower central section.

Figure 8 shows the packaging liner of figure 1 , with the pouch being folded in half around a central axis that bisects the narrower central section cross ways.

Figure 9 shows a plan view or view from above of the pouch of figures 7 and 8 folded in half, with the edge seams at each side heat-welded together.

Figure 10a shows a perspective view from one end and above of the pouch of figure 9 unfolded or manipulated into a pouch shape and open for loading.

Figure 10b shows a perspective view from one end of the pouch offigure 10a inverted, with the sides brought together at their top edges to close the pouch, the inner surfaces of the top portions of each of the walls in contact to close the pouch and to form a folding closure forthe pouch.

Figure 11 shows a plan view or view from above and to one side of the pouch of figure 4, folded flat. Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the pouch of figures 10 and 11 , resting on it's base and ready for use, the pouch tillable by opening the top by pulling the sides apart.

Figure 13 shows a first way in which the pouch can be closed, by folding the top flaps or top portions of the side walls over to one side across the open top, and sealed by any suitable means, such as for example using double-sided tape seal, or using a re- sealable closure such as 3M dual lock.

Figure 14 shows a second way in which the pouch can be closed, by attaching a handle to the closed top portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

Packaging liner

A first embodiment is shown in figure 1 , this embodiment forming a packaging liner 1 , which is intended to line the sides and base of a rectangular box or container. The packaging liner 1 is formed from a unitary sheet Z The sheet 2 in this embodiment is a single layer of polythene bubble wrap, with the flat side coated with a metallic material to form a flexible foil layer. In variations, more than one layer of bubble wrap can be used to form the sheet 2, with two or more sheets in layers on top of one another and attached to one another to form the unitary sheet

As shown in figure 1, when the sheet 2 is laid flat and viewed in plan view from one angle, it has the appearance of a capital I, with two end sections - -upper and lower end sections 5, 6 - at each end of, and extending to the sides of, a narrower vertical central section 7. It should be noted that directional indications as used in this specification are used for convenience only, and are relative. These are not to be taken as indications of a particular orientation that is required in use. When the sheet 2 is in the orientation shown in figure 1 , it has the general form of a capital I, as outlined above, with the central part 7 of the T aligned vertically, and an upper end section 5 and a lower end section 6 that extend generally horizontally at each end of the central section 7.

The upper and lower portions or sections 5, 6, and the central portion 7, are substantially rectangular. A pair of slots are formed in each of the end portions, an upper pair of slots 8a, 8b in the upper section 5, and a lower pair of slots 9a, 9b in the lower section 6. The slots 8, 9 extend inwards from the upper and lower edges 10, 11 of the sheet 2 respectively, the slots 8, 9 aligned substantially vertically - that is, parallel with the longer axis of the sheet 2 and the central portion 7- The slots 8, 9 are located substantially in line with the free edges 12, 13 of the narrower central portion 7, the slots 8, 9 extending to substantially the mid-line or mid-point of the end portions 5, 6.

Each liner 1 of this embodiment is formed with the intention of fitting this to a particular size of container, and in this embodiment, the liner 1 is intended for use with a generally cuboid box of the type that has a rectangular base and walls, and flaps that fold over the open top to close the box. The central section 7 is sized and shaped equivalently with the base of the box with which the liner 1 is used. That is, the height and width of the central portion 7 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the base of the container with which the liner 1 is used. The length or height between the inner edges of the end portions 5, 6 and the internal ends of the slots 8, 9 is the same as the height of the walls of the box or container with which the liner 1 is used. The total length which the upper and lower sections 5, 6 extend from the sides of the central section 7 on each side of the central section is the same as the length of the free vertical side edges 12, 13 of the central section. That is, the combined length of edges 14 and 15 of the end sections 5, 6 is the same as that of the left-hand free edge 12, and the combined length of edges 16 and 17 of the end sections 5, 6 is the same as the length of the right-hand free edge 13. In this embodiment, as the sheet 2 is symmetrical about horizontal and vertical axes, the length of the edges of the end sections is half that of the length of the free edges 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the sheet 2 is formed so that the height of each of the end portions 5, 6 is the height of the container with which the liner 1 is used, plus half the height of the base or central section 7. Also, the sheet 2 is formed so that the width of each of the end portions 5, 6 is the width of the container with which the liner 1 is used, plus half the height of the base of the container.

To form the liner 1 into a first position or storage position, the sheet 2 is folded in half across it's horizontal central axis as shown in figures 2 and 3, so that it ends up in the shape shown in figure 3. The left-hand outer edges of the upper and lower sections 5, 6 are in contact (edges 20 and 23), as are the right-hand outer edges (edges 21 and 22). These paired edges are heat-sealed together over their length/height (edge 20 to edge 23, and edge 21 to edge 22). The liner 1 is then pulled into the upside- down cuboid box shape shown in figure 4, so that edges 17 and 16 are in contact with edge 13 along their lengths, and edges 14 and 15 are in contact with edge 12 along their lengths. These edges are then heat-sealed together (edges 17 and 16 to edge 13, and edges 14 and 15 to edge 12).

The liner 1 is then folded flat into the shape shown in figure 5 by collapsing the base inwards, across a line that bisects the base section 7 perpendicular to the fold line of figure 2. The sides formed by the end sections 5, 6 are pulled outwards, with the lower parts pushed inwards to form the 'missing' or inwardly-folded triangular sections shown at each of the lower sides or corners of the liner 1 in figure 5.

In this first position, the liner can be laid flat as shown in figure 5 for storage or transport. When a user needs to line a container or box, they open up the liner 1 , or pop this open, generally to the shape shown in figure 6. That is, the base 7 is flattened out, and this causes the walls to open out so that the liner 1 assumes the shape of an open-topped cuboid. The liner 1 is then slipped into the top of the container or box with which it is to be used. Generally, as outlined above, the liner 1 is sized for use with particular sizes of container, and so slides in and fits snugly within the container.

In use, the liner lines the box with a single layer (that is, at no point where the liner contacts the walls of the box does it overlap itself), with no open seams or holes through which liquid or other spills can pass. All spills are retained within the liner due to the waterproof nature of the material from which it is formed. The liner fits snugly into the box and provides an unbroken waterproof and insulating layer. The free top flap portions of the sides can be folded inwards to close the top, as shown in figure 6.

A packaging liner formed as outlined above - that is, from a single flat sheet shaped, folded and joined to itself - is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and can be stored easily. As the liner is folded flat in the storage transport configuration, it takes u very little room. When a user wishes to deploy or use the finer, they can open this out from the first position to the second position easily, and use the liner intuitively and easily, with no further sealing or folding required.

Pouch

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 7 to 14, this embodiment forming a pouch 101, having a flat base and a closed top. The pouch is intended for transporting perishable goods and can be transported by itself or a number of separate pouches can be packed into a container or box. As for the first embodiment, the pouch 101 is formed from a unitary sheet 102. As for the first embodiment, the sheet 102 in this embodiment is a single layer of polythene bubble wrap, with the flat side coated with a metallic material to form a flexible foil layer. In variations, more than one layer of bubble wrap can be used to form the sheet 102, with two or more sheets in layers on top of one another and attached to one another to form the unitary sheet.

As shown in figure 7, when the sheet 102 is laid flat and viewed in plan view from one angle, it has the appearance of a capital I, with two end sections - upper and lower end sections 105, 106 - at each end of, and extending to the sides of, a narrower vertical central section 107. It should be noted that directional indications as used in this specification are used for convenience only, and are relative. These are not to be taken as indications of a particular orientation that is required in use. When the sheet 102 is in the orientation shown in figure 7, it has the general form of a capital I, as outlined above, with the central part 107 of the T aligned vertically, and the upper end section 105 and lower end section 106 extending generally horizontally at each end of the central section 107.

The upper and lower portions or sections 105, 106, and the central portion 107, are substantially rectangular.

To form the pouch 101, the sheet 102 is folded in half across it's horizontal central axis as shown in figures 8 and 9, so that it ends up in the shape shown in figure 9. The left-hand outer edges of the upper and lower sections 105, 106 are in contact (edges 120 and 123), as are the right-hand outer edges (edges 121 and 122). These paired edges are heat-sealed together over most of their length/height (edge 120 to edge 123, and edge 12Tto edge 122), with a short section left unconnected or unsealed at the outer end, to form slots 130, 131. The pouch 101 is then

manipulated so that the central portion 107 flattens out and forms a base section, with the edges 117 and 116 of the end sections 105, 106 in contact with edge 113 of the central section 107 along their lengths, and edges 114 and 115 in contact with edge 112 along their lengths. These edges are then heat-sealed together (edges 117 and 116 to edge 113, and edges 114 and 115 to edge 112). The pouch now appears generally as shown in figure 10a. The longer sides can be pushed together so that the pouch is roughly or crudely closed, and appears generally triangular or wedge-shaped as in figure 10b.

The pouch 101 is then folded flat into the first shape shown in figure 11 by collapsing one of the larger sides, and folding the base over onto this side. In this position, the pouch 101 can be laid flat for storage or trans ort. When a user needs to use the pouch, they open this up roughly to the second position/shape shown in figure 0a. In this position, the liner 101 can be filled as required.

The pouch is formed as a single layer (that is, no overlapping onto itself), with no open seams or holes through which liquid or other spills can pass.

In order to close the pouch 101 , the free top flap portions of the sides can be folded over to close the top, as shown in figure 13. The slots 130, 131 allow the inner surfaces of the top portions of the side walls to contact one another over their full length, and allow these sections to be folded over easily. This double flap design helps to create a more effective air/watertight closure.

The pouch 101 can be closed by folding these top flap portions over, or by attaching a handle such as handle 140 to the top sections, as shown in figure 14. This allows the pouch to be carried separately from any container, and can provide a useful alternative to loading a number of the pouches into a separate container. The pouch can be sealed by any suitable means, such as for example using double-sided tape seal, or using a re-sealable closure such as 3M dual lock.

A pouch formed as outlined above - that is, from a single flat sheet shaped, folded and joined to itself - is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and can be stored easily. As the pouch is folded flat in the storage transport configuration, it takes up very little room. When a user wishes to deploy or use the pouch, they can open this out from the first position to the second position easily, and use this intuitively and easily, with no further sealing or folding required. The pouch can be used for chilled/frozen goods, and allows these to be sent in the same box as ambient temperature goods, rather than requiring the whole box to have an insulated liner.