STACKABLE CONTAINER FOR HOLDING WINE BOTTLES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to containers and, in particular, to containers of the type which are erected from a foldable blank. The invention has been developed primarily for holding wine bottles.

However it will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited to this particular field of use.

Background to the Invention Bottled wine is. traditionally transported from the winemaker to the retailer in a twelve bottle RSC (Regular Slotted Container) shipper container. The shipper container protects the bottles, provides for efficient handling of the bottles, and also provides a stable stackable container which is suitable for palletisation.

Cardboard containers, such as regular slotted containers (RSCs) are typically supplied to the user in the form of a knockdown, in which a securing flap is secured to one of the walls of the container blank. The knockdown is similar to a flattened tube and can be easily erected into an erected form using automated erecting equipment.

Wine is usually sold by retailers in individual bottles or in cases which typically contain six to twelve bottles of wine. However, due to manual handling weight restrictions, and in order to reduce their stocks, some major retailers of bottled wine require their bottled wine suppliers to ship bottled wine to them in six bottle shipper containers. Also, some major retailers require the shipper containers to be in the form of shelf-ready packaging which can be converted into a shelf display for displaying the wine bottles in a retail environment. Some major retailers of bottled wine provide customers who purchase five to six bottles of wine from them at the same time with a six bottle carry-pack so that such customers are able to more easily carry their bottles.

German Patent Publication No. DE 10 2004 006 099 discloses a bottle carrier which is erected from a foldable blank. The bottle carrier includes a gable top which means that the bottle carrier is not stackable and is therefore not suitable for shipping bottles of wine.

It would be desirable to provide a stackable container which can be used for shipping bottles of wine, and which can also be converted into a shelf display for displaying the bottles in a retail environment, and a carry pack for consumers to carry the bottles in.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustrations, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

According to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a stackable container for holding a plurality of bottles, the container being erected from a foldable blank and comprising a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls hinged to the side walls, a plurality of bottom closure flaps hinged to the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of top closure flaps hinged to the side walls and the ends walls, a divider wall extending between the end walls, a carry handle incorporated into the divider wall, a perforated tear line, an upper portion, and a lower tray portion which includes the divider wall, wherein the upper portion is able to be detached from the lower tray portion by tearing the container along the perforated tear line.

According to a second broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a foldable blank from which a stackable container for holding a plurality of bottles is able to be erected, the foldable blank comprising a pair of side walls, a first end wall hinged to both of the side walls, a first portion of a second end wall hinged to one of the side walls, a second portion of the second end wall hinged to the other side wall, a plurality of bottom closure flaps hinged to the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of top closure flaps hinged to the side walls and the end walls, a divider wall hinged to the second portion of the second end wall, a carry handle incorporated into the divider

wall, and a perforated tear line along which the container is able to be torn such that an upper portion of the container is detached from a lower tray portion of the container.

The container is suitable for shipping a plurality of bottles due to its ability to be stacked. Also, when the upper portion of the container is detached from the lower tray portion of the container, the lower tray portion can be used as a shelf display for displaying the bottles which were shipped in the container. The handle which is incorporated into the divider wall of the lower tray portion enables the lower tray portion to be used as a carry pack for carrying the bottles. The container may be adapted to hold any suitable number of bottles of any suitable type. Preferably, the container is adapted to hold up to six bottles. It is also preferred that the container is adapted to hold wine bottles.

The side walls may be any suitable size and shape. Preferably, the side walls are rectangular. The end walls may be any suitable size and shape. Preferably, the end walls are rectangular.

The bottom closure flaps may be any suitable size and shape. Preferably, at least two of the bottom closure flaps are adapted to interlock with each other.

The top closure flaps may be any suitable size and shape. In one preferred form, the top closure flaps which are hinged to the side walls each include an opening and a pair of crease lines or tear lines extending from the opening to a respective corner of the top closure flap, and the top closure flaps which are hinged to the end walls each include an edge which includes a pair of recesses. These crease lines or tear lines enable the erected container to be easily opened by breaking the top flaps along the crease lines or tear lines to enable easy entry into the container. If the top part of the container is removed from the container, the crease lines or tear lines enable the upper portion of the box to be easily broken down into a flat orientation for ease of disposal, such as by recycling.

In another preferred form, the top closure flaps which are hinged to the side walls each include an edge which includes a single recess, and the top closure flaps which are hinged to the end walls each include an edge which includes a recess. In

the erected container, the recesses form an opening in the top of the container through which access to the handle can be obtained.

The divider wall may be any suitable size and shape. Preferably, a reinforcing wall is hinged to the divider wall. Preferably, a securing flap is hinged to the divider wall.

The carry handle is preferably incorporated into the divider wall by way of an opening in at least the divider wall.

At least one cross-divider wall may be hinged to the divider wall, hi a particular preferred form, a pair of cross-divider walls is hinged to the divider wall, hi another particular preferred form, two pairs of cross-divider walls are hinged to the divider wall. Preferably, a respective securing flap is hinged to each cross-divider wall which is hinged to the divider wall.

The perforated tear line preferably extends across the side walls and the end walls. Preferably, the perforated tear line is a perforated zipper tear line. The container and the foldable blank preferably also include a plurality of tear strips. The container and the foldable blank may also include a plurality of tearable flaps.

The container and the foldable blank preferably include a plurality of openings which are located adjacent to the perforated tear line. Preferably, the upper portion and the lower tray portion are adapted so that the upper portion is able to support the lower tray portion after the upper portion and the lower tray portion are detached from each other. It is preferred that the upper portion and the lower tray portion are adapted so that the upper portion is able to support the lower tray portion while the lower tray portion is in a tilted position. The lower tray portion preferably includes at least one tear strip. The tear strip may be any suitable size and shape, hi a particular preferred form, the lower tray portion includes a pair of tear strips. hi some embodiments, the erected container is able to be collapsed to a collapsed condition and subsequently re-erected to an erected condition, hi the collapsed condition, the container occupies significantly less volume than in the erected condition. Therefore, storage of the container in the collapsed condition is

much more efficient.

By providing embodiments in which the container can be collapsed and subsequently re-erected, it becomes easier to reuse the containers as wine carriers in which customers can take home their wine purchases. Although it would be understood that an embodiment of the present invention that can not be collapsed and subsequently re-erected can also be reused as wine carriers, embodiments of the present invention in which the container can be moved to a collapsed condition are especially suitable for reuse as wine carriers because they occupy much less volume when in the collapsed condition. It will be appreciated that, for convenience, the containers are desirably stored near the checkout if they are to be reused as wine carriers. It is common that space is at a premium near the checkout region of retail outlets and therefore it is advantageous to store the containers in the collapsed condition near the checkout. hi some embodiments where the container can be moved to a collapsed condition, the bottom flaps are arranged so that they interlock with one or more other of the bottom flaps to form an interlocking base of the erected container, hi other embodiments, the bottom flaps are arranged to form a glued base when the container is first erected from the blank, with the glued base able to be subsequently moved to a collapsed condition and then reformed to form a base that includes at least some interlocking between the bottom flaps. In the glued base embodiment, moving the container from the original erected condition to the collapsed condition may break one or more of the glue joints between the bottom flaps.

The blank may be formed into a knockdown, and the knockdown supplied to a user for erecting into the initial erected condition. According to a third broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for carrying bottles or other products that can be converted from a fully closed and stackable state to a partially open state suitable for displaying or removing the bottles and other products by removing part of the container, and which includes an integrated carry handle within the container and integrated dividers to separate the bottles or other products.

Preferably the container includes a tear line to assist the removal of part of

the container.

Preferably the container is adapted so that the integrated carry handle is able to be accessed by removing part of the container without opening up access to the bottles. Preferably the container is formed from a single blank.

Brief Description of the Drawings hi order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a partially erected stackable container which is erected from the blank depicted in figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a stackable container which is erected from the blank depicted in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 depicts an initial stage in the process of detaching the upper portion of the container illustrated in figure 3 from the lower tray portion of that container;

Figure 5 depicts a later stage in the process of detaching the upper portion of the container illustrated in figure 3 from the lower tray portion of that container;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lower tray portion of the container illustrated in figure 3;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a sixth preferred

embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a foldable blank according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a stackable container which is erected from the blank depicted in figure 12;

Figure 14 depicts an initial stage in the process of detaching the upper portion of the container illustrated in figure 13 from the lower tray portion of that container;

Figure 15 depicts the container illustrated in figure 13 after the upper portion of the container has been detached from the lower tray portion of the container; Figure 16 depicts the upper portion of the container illustrated in figure 13 being used to support the lower tray portion of the container;

Figure 17 depicts a tear strip being removed from the lower tray portion of the container illustrated in figure 13;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the lower tray portion of the container illustrated in figure 13 after the tear strip has been removed from the lower tray portion;

Figure 19 shows a blank in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2OA to 2OG show the various steps involved in erecting and collapsing the blank shown in figure 19;

Figure 21 shows a blank in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 22A to 22G show the various steps involved in erecting and collapsing the blank shown in figure 21 ; Figure 23 shows a blank in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 24A to 24G show the various steps involved in erecting and collapsing the blank shown in figure 23.

Detailed Description of the Drawings hi the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features.

Referring to figure 1, a foldable blank 20 is fabricated from a sheet of double-lined corrugated paperboard. The blank 20 includes a pair of rectangular side walls 21, and a rectangular first end wall 22 which is hinged to each of the side walls 21 along a respective fold line 23. A first rectangular portion of a second end wall 24 is hinged to one of the side walls 21 along a fold line 25. A second rectangular portion of the second end wall 24 which is slightly narrower than the first rectangular portion of the second end wall 24 is hinged to the other side wall 21 along a fold line 26.

A respective bottom closure flap 27 is hinged to each of the side walls 21 along a fold line 28. A bottom closure flap 29 is hinged to the first end wall 22 along a fold line 30. A first portion of a bottom closure flap 31 is hinged to the first portion of the second end wall 24 along a fold line 32. A second portion of the bottom closure flap 31 is hinged to the second portion of the second end wall 24 along a fold line 33. A respective top closure flap 34 is hinged to each of the side walls 21 along a fold line 35. Each top closure flap 34 includes an opening 36, and a pair of crease lines 37. Each crease line 37 extends from the opening 36 to a respective corner of the top closure flap 34. A top closure flap 38 is hinged to the first end wall 22 along a fold line 39. An edge 40 of the top closure flap 38 includes a pair of recesses 41. A respective crease line 42 extends across the top closure flap 38 from each recess 41 to a respective corner of the top closure flap 38.

A first portion of a top closure flap 43 is hinged to the first portion of the second end wall 24 along a fold line 44. An edge 45 of the first portion of the top closure flap 43 includes a recess 46. A crease line 47 extends across the first portion of the top closure flap 43 from the recess 46 to a corner of the first portion of the top closure flap 43.

A second portion of the top closure flap 43 is hinged to the second portion of the second end wall panel 24 along a fold line 48. An edge 49 of the second portion of the top closure flap 43 includes a recess 50. A crease line 51 extends across the second portion of the top closure flap 43 from the recess 50 to a corner of the second portion of the top closure flap 43.

A divider wall 52 is hinged to the second portion of the second end wall 24 along a fold line 53. A securing flap 54 is hinged to the divider wall 52 along a fold line 55, and a reinforcing wall 56 is hinged to the divider wall 52 along a fold line 57. The divider wall 52 and the reinforcing wall 56 each include a respective opening 58. A perforated zipper tear line 59 extends across the side walls 21, the first end wall 22, and the first and second portions of the second end wall 24. A perforated zipper tear line 60 extends across the side walls 21 and the first end wall 22. A respective cut line 61 extends across each of the side walls 21 between the tear lines 59 and 60. A cut line 62 extends across the first end wall 22 between the tear lines 59 and 60.

The tear lines 59 and 60, and the cut lines 61 and 62, define a respective tear strip 63 in each of the side walls 21. Each tear strip 63 also extends into the first end wall 22. The cut lines 61 define tab portions 64 of the tear strips 63. Also, the tear lines 59 and 60, and the cut lines 61 define a respective flap 65 in each of the side walls 21.

Referring to figure 2, a container is erected from the foldable blank 20 by folding the reinforcing wall 56 relative to the divider wall 52 along the fold line 57 so that the reinforcing wall 56 overlies the divider wall 52, and so that the openings 58 in the divider wall 52 and the reinforcing wall 56 overlie each other. The reinforcing wall 56 and the divider wall 52 are glued or otherwise secured to each other.

The securing flap 54 is folded relative to the divider wall 52 along the fold line 55 so that the securing flap 54 is perpendicular with respect to the divider wall 52. The divider wall 52 is folded relative to the second portion of the second end wall 24 along the fold line 53 so that the divider wall 52 is perpendicular with respect to that portion of the second end wall 24. The second portion of the second end wall 24 is then folded along the fold line 26 relative to the side wall 21 to which that portion of the second end wall 24 is hinged so that the second portion of the second end wall 24 is perpendicular with respect to that side wall 21. The aforementioned side wall 21 is folded relative to the first end wall 22 along one of the fold lines 23 so that the two walls 21, 22 are perpendicular with respect to each other. The other side wall 21 which is hinged to the first end wall 22 is folded relative to that end wall along the

other fold line 23 so that that side wall 21 is also perpendicular with respect to the first end wall 22. The first portion of the second end wall 24 is folded along the fold line 25 relative to the side wall 21 to which that portion of the second end wall 24 is hinged so that the second portion of the second end wall 24 is perpendicular with respect to that side wall 21.

The first portion of the second end wall 24 overlies the second portion of the second end wall 24 and is glued or otherwise secured thereto so as to form the complete second end wall 24 which has the same size and shape as the first end wall 22. The first portion of the second end wall 24 also overlies and is glued or otherwise secured to the securing flap 54.

The first portion of the bottom closure flap 31 overlies and may be glued or otherwise secured to the second portion of the bottom closure flap 31 to form the complete bottom closure flap 31 which has the same size and shape as the bottom closure flap 29. The first portion of the top closure flap 43 overlies and may be glued or otherwise secured to the second portion of the top closure flap 43 to form the complete top closure flap 43 which has the same size and shape as the top closure flap 38.

Referring to figure 3 which depicts a container 70 which is erected from the blank 20, the bottom closure flaps 29, 31 are folded relative to the first end wall 22 and the second end wall 24 along the fold lines 30, 32, 33 so that the bottom closure flaps 29, 31 are perpendicular with respect to the first end wall 22 and the second end wall 24, and so that the bottom closure flaps 29, 31 extend towards each other. The bottom closure flaps 27 are then folded relative to the side walls 21 along the fold lines 28 so that the bottom closure flaps 27 are perpendicular with respect to the side walls 21, and so that the bottom closure flaps 27 extend towards each other and overlie the bottom closure flaps 29, 31. The bottom closure flaps 27 are glued or otherwise secured to the bottom closure flaps 29, 31.

Six bottles of wine 71 are inserted into the container 70 such that three bottles 71 are located in a respective compartment on each side of the divider wall 52, and so that the bottles 71 rest on the bottom closure flaps 29, 31 of the container 70.

The top closure flaps 38, 43 are then folded relative to the first end wall 22 and the second end wall 24 along the fold lines 39, 44, 48 so that the top closure flaps 38, 43 are perpendicular with respect to the first end wall 22 and the second end wall 24, and so that the top closure flaps 38, 43 extend towards each other. The top closure flaps 34 are then folded relative to the side walls 21 along the fold lines 35 so that the top closure flaps 34 are perpendicular with respect to the side walls 21, and so that the top closure flaps 34 extend towards each other and overlie the top closure flaps 38, 43. The top closure flaps 34 are glued or otherwise secured to the top closure flaps 38, 43. The openings 36 in the top closure flaps 34 overlie the recesses 41, 46, 50 in the edges 40, 45, 49 of the top closure flaps 38, 43.

The container 70 includes an upper portion 72 and a lower tray portion 73 which are separated from each other by the perforated zipper tear line 59 which extends across the side walls 21, the first end wall 22, and the second end wall 24. Referring to figure 4, the upper portion 72 of the container 70 may be detached from the lower tray portion 73 of the container 70 by grasping the tab portions 64 of the tear strips 63 and then pulling on the tear strips 63 so that the tear strips 63 are torn from the side walls 21 and the first end wall 22 along the zipper tear lines 59, 60. Referring to figure 5, the flaps 65 are then grasped and pulled on so that the flaps 65 are torn from the side walls 21 along the tear lines 59, 60. The container 70 is then torn along the portion of the zipper tear line 59 which extends along the second end wall 24 so that the upper portion 72 can be discarded leaving the lower tray portion 73 depicted in figure 6. The lower tray portion 73 may be used to display the bottles 71 on a store shelf. Also, the divider wall 52 includes an integral handle 74 so that the lower tray portion 73 can be used as a carry pack for carrying the bottles 71. Referring to figure 7, a foldable blank 80 differs from the foldable blank 20 in that each top closure flap 34 of the foldable blank 80 does not include an opening 36 or crease lines 37, and in that an edge 81 of each top closure flap 34 includes a recess 82. Also, an edge 40 of the blank 80 includes a single recess 41. Moreover, the recess 46 in the edge 45 of the first portion of the top closure flap 43 extends to another edge thereof. Similarly, a recess 50 in the edge 49 of the second portion of the top closure flap 43 extends to another edge thereof, hi addition, each tear strip 63

does not include a tab portion 64.

Referring to figure 8, a foldable blank 90 differs from the foldable blank 80 in that it also includes a pair of cross-divider walls 91 which are hinged to the divider wall 52 along fold lines 92. A respective securing flap 93 is hinged to each of the cross-divider walls along a fold line 94. Also the perforated zipper tear line 60 of the foldable blank 90 also extends across the first and second portions of the end wall 24, so that the foldable blank 90 also has a pair of tear strips 95 rather than a pair of flaps 65.

An upper portion of a container which is erected from the blank 90 may be detached from a lower tray portion of the container by tearing the tear strips 63 from the side walls 21 and the first end wall 22 along the zipper tear lines 59, 60, and by tearing the tear strips 95 from the side walls 21 and the second end wall 24 along the zipper tear lines 59, 60.

Once the upper portion has been detached from the lower tray portion, the compartments of the lower tray portion which are separated from each other by the divider wall 52 may be partitioned by the cross-divider walls 91. hi order to partition the compartments using the cross-divider walls 91, the cross-divider walls 91 are folded relative to the divider wall 52 along the fold lines 92 so that the cross-divider walls 91 are perpendicular with respect to the divider wall 52. Also, the securing flaps 93 are folded relative to the cross-divider walls 91 along the fold lines 94 so that the securing flaps 93 are perpendicular with respect to the cross-divider walls 91 and so that the securing flaps 93 overlie the side walls 21 of the compartment or compartments which the cross-divider walls 91 partition.

Each compartment of the lower tray portion may be partitioned by one or both of the cross-divider walls 91. Each cross-divider wall 91 may only partition one compartment at a time. Each sub-compartment of a compartment of the lower tray portion which is partitioned by a cross-divider wall is able to accommodate at least one bottle.

Referring to figure 9, a foldable blank 100 which is similar to the foldable blank 90 includes a cut line 101 which extends across the end wall 24. Also, the foldable blank 100 includes four cross-divider walls 91 which are hinged to the

divider walls 52 along fold lines 92. A respective securing flap 93 is hinged to each of the cross-divider walls 91 along a fold line 94.

Similarly to the containers which are erected from the blanks described above, a container which is erected from the foldable blank 100 will have a respective compartment on each side of its divider wall 52. Each compartment of the container which is erected from the foldable blank 100 can be partitioned by up to two of the cross-divider walls 91. Also, since the blank 100 has four cross-divider walls 91, each compartment of the container which is erected from the blank 100 is able to be simultaneously partitioned by a respective pair of the cross-divider walls 91. Referring to figure 10, a foldable blank 110 is similar to the blank 20. Unlike the blank 20, the foldable blank 110 does not include a reinforcing wall 56, a perforated zipper tear line 60, cut lines 61, or tear strips 63. Also, the perforated zipper tear line 59 of the blank 110 is not curved like the tear line 59 of the blank 20. Each side wall 21 of the blank 110 includes a pair of square openings 111, and the first end wall 22 and the first portion of the second end wall 24 of the blank 110 each include a respective square opening 111. An edge 112 of the second portion of the second end wall 24 includes a square recess 113. Crease lines 114 extend across the side walls 21 and the end walls 22, 24 from the openings 111 and the recess 113 to the fold lines 23, 25, 26 and an edge 115 of the second portion of the second end wall 24. When a container is erected from the blank 110, the opening 111 in the second portion of the second end wall 24 overlies the recess 113 in the edge 112 of the first portion of the second end wall 24. A person is able to detach an upper portion of the container from a lower tray portion of the container by inserting a finger through each opening 111 and lifting the portions of the side walls 21 and the end walls 22, 24 which form part of the upper portion of the container so that the container tears along the perforated zipper tear line 59.

Referring to figure 11, a foldable blank 120 is identical to the blank 110 except for the shape of the bottom closure flaps 27, 29 and 31. The bottom closure flaps 27 of the blank 120 are designed to interlock with each other. All of the blanks 80, 90, 110, 120 are able to be erected into a container in a similar manner to the way in which the blank 20 is erected into the container 70.

Each blank 20, 80, 90, 110, 120 is based on a conventional RSC (Regular Slotted Container) container and is therefore able to be erected, packed and sealed using conventional RSC erecting, packing and sealing equipment.

The containers which are erected from the blanks 20, 80, 90, 110, 120 are all stackable so that the containers are suitable for shipping bottles such as wine bottles, for example.

Referring to figure 12, a foldable blank 130 differs from the foldable blank 100 depicted in figure 9 in that it does not include cut lines 61 so that the foldable blank 130 does not have the tear strips 95 of blank 100. Also, the tear strips 63 of blank 130 have a different shape to the tear strips 63 of the blank 100. In addition to perforated zipper tear lines 59, 60, the blank 130 also has perforated zipper tear lines 131 which extend across the side walls 21 and the end walls 24 from the tear lines 59. The tear lines 59 and the tear lines 131 define tear strips 132 in the side walls 21 and the end walls 24. The cross-divider walls 91 of the blank 130 are also different to those of the blank 100. Moreover, the blank 130 has a pair of securing flaps 54 hinged to the divider wall 52 rather than just a single securing flap 54 hinged to the divider wall 52 as is the case with blank 100.

Referring to figure 13, the blank 130 is able to be erected into a stackable container 140 in a similar manner to the way in which the blanks 20, 80, 90, 110, 120 disclosed in Figures 1 to 11 are able to be erected into a container.

The container 140 depicted in figure 13 holds six wine bottles 71 such that three bottles 71 are located on each side of the divider wall 52, and so that the bottles 71 on each side of the divider wall 52 are partitioned off from each other by the cross- divider walls 91 of the container 140. The container 140 includes an upper portion 72 and a lower tray portion 73 which are separated from each other by the perforated zipper tear lines 59, 60 which extend across the side walls 21, the first end wall 22 and the second end wall 24. Referring to figure 14, the upper portion 72 of the container 140 may be detached from the lower tray portion 73 of the container 140 by grasping the ends of the tear strips 63 which are located adjacent to the second end wall 24, and then pulling on the tear strips 63 so that the tear strips 63 are torn from the end wall 24, the side walls 21

and the end wall 22 along the tear lines 59, 60. Figure 15 depicts the container 140 after the upper portion 72 is detached from the lower tray portion 73.

Once the upper portion 72 and the lower tray portion 73 have been detached from each other, the upper portion 72 may be used to support the lower tray portion 73 in the manner depicted in figure 16. The upper portion 72 is turned over so that the top closure flaps 34, 38, 43 rest on a support surface, and so that the portions of the side walls 21 and the end walls 22, 24 which form part of the upper portion 72 extend upwardly from the top closure flaps 34, 38, 43. The lower tray portion 73 is inserted between the portions of the side walls 21 and the end walls 22, 24 which form part of the upper portion 72 so that a lower end of the portion of the end wall 24 which forms part of the lower tray portion 73 rests on the top closure flaps 34, 38, 43, and so that the portion of the end wall 24 which forms part of the lower tray portion 73 and which includes the tear strip 132 rests on the portion of the end wall 22 which forms part of the upper portion 72. In this way, the container 140 can be used as a shelf display which allows the bottles 71 to be easily removed from the lower tray portion 73.

The lower tray portion 73 of the container 140 can be used as a carry pack for carrying the bottles 71. The lower tray portion 73 can be used as a carry pack in the configuration depicted in figures 15 and 16. Alternatively, the tear strip 132 may be torn from the lower tray portion 73 along the tear lines 131 as depicted in figure 17. Figure 18 depicts the lower tray portion 73 after the tear strip 132 has been removed therefrom.

The container 140 can have additional features as described for one or more of the other preferred embodiments of the invention as disclosed in Figures 1 to 11.

Figures 19 and 20 show various views of a preferred embodiment of a wine bottle container that can be moved to a collapsed condition and subsequently re- erected in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, hi figure 19, the blank 200 is generally similar to the blank 130 shown in figure 12, except that the bottom flaps differ. For convenience, the similar features of blank 200 that are in common with the features of blank 130 will not be described further. The blank 200 includes bottom flaps 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210. These flaps are arranged such that they can be folded to form an interlocking base of the

container. Figures 2OA to 2OG show the steps involved in forming the container and subsequently collapsing the container. In figure 2OA, the knockdown container is supplied. The container is opened up (see figure 20B). Bottom flap 204 is folded down, followed by bottom flaps 206 and 208 (see figure 20C). The side edges of bottom flaps 206, 208 extend over part of bottom flap 204. Bottom flap 208 is then folded over. As can be seen from figure 20D, bottom flap 208 extends over parts of bottom flaps 202 and 206. Furthermore, the tongue region 212 of bottom flap 208 extends into the recess region 203 that is defined between tabs 205 and 207 on bottom flap 204. This causes the bottom flap 208 to interlock with the bottom flap 204 which, in turn, locks the bottom flaps 202 and 206 in position to form an interlocking base.

After removal of the top portion of the container and following removal of bottles of wine therefrom, the container is ready to be reused as a wine carrier. Figure 2OE shows the container 201 with the top portion removed. In order to move the container to the collapsed condition, the bottom flap 208 is moved so that the tongue 212 no longer engages with the recess 203 on bottom flap 204. This is shown in figure 2OF. This effectively frees each of the bottom flaps from the interlocking arrangement. The container can then be collapsed by moving the walls together, as shown in figure 2OG. It can be seen from figure 2OG that the collapsed container occupies significantly less volume than the erected container shown in figure 2OE.

Figures 21 and 22 show an alternative preferred embodiment of a collapsible container in accordance with the present invention. Again, except for the base flaps, the embodiment shown in figures 21 and 22 has a number of features in common with the embodiment shown in figure 12 and, for convenience and brevity of description, these features will not be described further.

The blank 220 shown in figure 21 includes bottom flaps 222, 224, 226, 228 and 230. The blank is suitably supplied in the form of a knockdown, shown in figure 22A.

The bottom flaps 224 and 228 include slots or cuts 230, 232. These slots or cuts are sized so that they can receive the lateral tabs 234 (of bottom flap 222), 236, 238 (of bottom flap 226) and 240 (of bottom flap 230).

In order to erect the container from the blank shown in figure 21, the knockdown shown in figure 22A is moved to open up the side and end walls, as shown in figure 22B. The bottom flaps 224, 228 are then folded down (as shown in figure 22C). The bottom flaps 226, 222 and 230 are then folded so that they overlie flaps 224, 228 and the respective lateral tabs are inserted into the slots or cuts 230, 232 in flaps 224, 228. This is shown in figure 22D. The lateral tabs therefore interlock with the slots or cuts to form an interlocking base of the container.

Following removal of the top portion (see figure 22E) and removal of the wine bottles therefrom, the container is ready to be moved to the collapsed position. In order to achieve this, the lateral tabs are removed from the slots or cuts and the bottom flaps folded outwardly (see figure 22F). The container can then be collapsed, as shown in figure 22G. Reassembly of the container from the collapsed condition to the erected condition is the reverse of the process shown in figures 22E to 22G.

Figures 23 and 24 show another embodiment of the present invention in which the container is collapsible to allow the container to be reused as a wine carrier. As with figures 19 and 21, the blank 270 shown in figure 23 has a number of features in common with the blank shown in figure 12. For convenience, these common features will not be described further. Indeed, the main differences between the blank shown in figure 13 and the blank shown in figure 23 relates to the bottom flaps of the blank 270.

The blank 270 shown in figure 23 has a bottom flap 290. Bottom flap 290 includes an oblique fold line 291 that defines a foldable flap 292. Foldable flap 292 forms part of the bottom flap 290. As can be seen, foldable flap 292 includes one corner 293 of the bottom flap 290. The other end 294 of the bottom flap 290 does not include any oblique fold line. The bottom flap 290 also includes a tab 295.

The blank 270 also has a bottom flap 296. An oblique fold line 297 is formed in bottom flap 296 to define a foldable flap 298. Foldable flap 298 includes a corner 299 of the bottom flap 296. The other end 300 of the bottom flap 296 does not include any oblique fold line. The bottom flap 296 also include a tab 301. The blank 270 also includes a bottom flap 302, bottom flap 304 and bottom flap 306.

The blank 270 shown in figure 19 is glued as per a standard regular slotted container (RSC) and delivered to a customer's erector as a knockdown, as shown in figure 24A.

In order to assemble the container from the knockdown shown in figure 24A, the contain is "opened" to the configuration shown in figure 24B, with the bottom flaps 290, 296, 302, 304 and 306 extending generally parallel to their respective side walls/end walls. The bottom flaps 302, 304, 306 have glue applied thereto and are folded inwardly to be generally perpendicular to the respective end walls of the container (see figure 24C). The bottom flaps 290, 296 are then folded so that they overlie the bottom flaps 302, 304, 306. The glue that has been applied between the bottom flaps 302, 304, 306 and the overlying bottom flaps 290, 296 then holds the base of the container in place, as shown in Figure 24D.

The glue that is applied to bottom flap 302 includes a plurality of glue lines applied to the part of bottom flap 302 that underlies foldable flap 298 of bottom flap 296. Therefore, foldable flap 298 is securely glued to that part of underlying bottom flap 302. In contrast, spot glue is applied to the part of bottom flap 302 that underlies the other end 294 of bottom flap 290.

Glue is applied between the other bottom flap 304, 306 and the overlying parts of bottom flaps 290 and 296 in a similar fashion, m this regard, a strong adhesive bond is obtained between the foldable flap 292 of bottom flap 290 and the underlying part of bottom flap 304, 306. However, the other end 300 of bottom flap 396 is only glued to the underlying part of bottom flap 304, 306 by spot gluing, thereby forming only a relatively weak adhesive join.

Figure 24D shows the container erected from the blank shown in figure 23. As can be seen from figure 24C, the base of the container has flaps 290 and 296 overlying essentially all of the bottom flaps 302, 304, 306. Tab 301 of bottom flap 296 overlies part of bottom flap 290 in the base of the erected container.

Therefore, the erected container shown in figure 24D can be assembled using standard automatic erection equipment. It will be appreciated that the first user of the knockdown shown in figure 24 A is typically a large consumer of erectable containers and it is particularly advantageous that the container can be automatically erected

from the knockdown shown in figure 24A to form the erected container shown in figure 24D. It is even more advantageous if the knockdown can be erected into the erected container using automatic erection equipment already in the possession of the user. Once the container shown in figure 24D has had wine bottles removed therefrom, the container is desirably made available for use by customers of the store in order to enable the customer to take home wine purchased from the store. Desirably, the container shown in figure 24A may be moved from the erected condition as shown in figure 24D to a collapsed condition as shown in figure 24G. As will be appreciated, when the container is in the collapsed condition as shown in figure 24G, the collapsed container occupies far less volume than the erected container. Thus, it becomes feasible to store a significantly larger number of containers in the checkout of the store. hi order to move the container from the erected condition shown in figure 24D to the collapsed condition shown in figure 24G, opposite corners of the base of the container shown in figure 24D are pressed inwardly. This is shown in figure 24E. This acts to break the spot glue joints under ends 294 and 300 of respective bottom flaps 290 and 296. However, as a strong adhesive bond exists between the foldable flaps 292 and 298 and the respective underlying portions of respective bottom flaps 304/306 and 302, the foldable flaps 292 and 298 will remain adhered to the underlying parts of underlying flaps 304, 302, respectively. Accordingly, as the bottom flaps continue to fold inwardly, the foldable flaps 292, 298 fold about their respective oblique fold lines 291, 297, as shown in figure 24F. Similarly, the other ends 294, 300 of bottom flaps 290, 296 break free from their underlying flaps, as the spot glue joint has been broken. Further inward folding of the bottom flaps move the container through the configurations shown in figure 24F and towards the collapsed configuration shown in figure 24G. hi order to re-erect the box from the collapsed position shown in figure 15 without requiring further gluing of the base, the side walls and end walls are moved apart. This causes the bottom flaps to fold outwardly towards a position at which the bottom flaps lie generally perpendicular to their respective side or end walls. In order

to re-erect the box from the collapsed condition, the end 300 of bottom flap 296 is tucked under or positioned under bottom flap 302. Similarly, the end 294 of bottom flap 290 is tucked under or positioned under bottom flap 304/306. The foldable flap

292 is still joined by glue lines to bottom flap 302. Foldable flap 298 is still joined by glue lines to bottom flap 304. Thus, the container can be re-erected without the need to apply further glue to the base. As the unglued ends of the bottom flaps 290 and 296 are now positioned inwardly of the respective bottom flaps 302, 304/306, the bottom flaps 302, 304/306 support those ends to form a solid base.

It will also be appreciated that once the container in the reformed position has been used, it can again be moved to the collapsed position as shown in figure 24G and subsequently reformed to the reformed configuration.

It will also be appreciated that the foldable flaps may be provided on the bottom flaps 302, 304, 306 rather than on bottom flaps 290, 296. Essentially the same functionality applies when collapsing the container and re-erecting the container in this embodiment.

Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.