Foldable crate system

Abstract

A foldable crate system, associated methods, and an associated apparatus are provided. The foldable crate system includes a continuous piece of paperboard having machined fold lines therein. The machined fold lines allow for highly precise folds of the paperboard to form the same into a packaging unit.

Claims

1. A foldable crate system, the foldable crate system comprising: a continuous sheet of laminated paperboard, the continuous sheet of laminated paperboard having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; a plurality of machined fold lines formed into at least one of the first and second sides, the plurality of machined fold lines bounding a plurality of sections of the sheet of paperboard; and wherein each machined fold line includes a first face and a second face, the first and second faces arranged at about ninety degrees relative to one another; wherein each one of the plurality of machined fold lines has a truncated triangular cross section with a flat bottom such that a portion of the first or second sides is removed at the base of the triangular cross section, the flat bottom having a width extending between the first and second faces, the flat bottom parallel to the first and second sides of the paperboard, and wherein a portion of the paperboard having a thickness that extends between the flat bottom and the first or the second side that is situated under the flat bottom and opposite the portion of the first or second sides that is removed at the base of the triangular cross section, wherein the width of the flat bottom is greater than the thickness of the portion of the paperboard under the flat bottom.

2. The foldable crate system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of fold lines are directly adjacent to one another.

3. The foldable crate system of claim 1, wherein the continuous sheet of laminated paperboard has a thickness and wherein each machined fold line of the plurality of machined fold lines extends into the continuous sheet of laminated paperboard to a depth which is less than the thickness of the continuous sheet of laminated paperboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a partial end view of a laminated paperboard assembly used for the manufacture of a known U-crate in an unfolded configuration;

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 are end views of the known assembly of FIG. 1 in folded configurations;

(4) FIG. 4 is an end view of an exemplary embodiment of a sheet of paperboard of the foldable crate system of the invention herein, shown in an unfolded configuration;

(5) FIG. 5 is a partial end view of the sheet of FIG. 4, illustrating a machined fold line thereof;

(6) FIG. 6 is an end view of the sheet of FIG. 4, shown in a folded configuration;

(7) FIGS. 7-10 are perspective views illustrating the folding process for the sheet of FIG. 4 to transition the same from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration;

(8) FIG. 11 is an exemplary embodiment of an assembled U-crate formed from two nesting crate halves, each of which using a sheet as shown in FIG. 4;

(9) FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of a U-crate according to the teachings herein, which does not utilize crate halves and is instead formed from a single sheet;

(10) FIGS. 13-18 are perspective views illustrating the folding process for the sheet of FIG. 12 to transition the same from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration;

(11) FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of an apparatus for forming the foldable crate system of the invention herein;

(12) FIGS. 20 and 21 are front views of the apparatus of FIG. 19;

(13) FIG. 22 is another partial end view of the sheet of FIG. 4, having an alternative fold line geometry;

(14) FIG. 23 is an exemplary fold using the fold line of FIG. 22;

(15) FIG. 24 is an partial view of a rotary blade used with the apparatus of FIG. 19;

(16) FIG. 25 is another partial view of a rotary blade used with the apparatus of FIG. 19.

(17) While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) Turning now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of a foldable crate system, methods for its manufacture and use, and an apparatus for its manufacture are described herein. As will be understood from the following, the system, methods, and apparatus of this invention advantageously overcome the above problems associated with existing crate systems. In particular, the system described herein utilizes machined fold lines such that a continuous sheet of laminated paperboard may be utilized instead of preforms or a separate panel configuration as is shown in the known arrangement depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

(19) These machined fold lines result in highly precise and strong folds. Further, because a continuous sheet of laminated paperboard it utilized, all that is required to form a crate, e.g. a U-crate, according to the teachings herein is to fold the same from an unfolded configuration into its desired folded configuration, and fix the same in its folded configuration. As a result, paperboard 32 may be shipped in its unfolded configuration in a simple stacked orientation. This is a notable improvement over the aforementioned preforms, which are typically manufactured into their final shape, and then shipped to an end user. With the embodiments herein, transitioning paperboard 32 from its unfolded configuration to its folded configuration is a simple and efficient process and thus can be done on-site at the end user's facility.

(20) Machined fold lines is used herein to refer to fold lines which are formed with a cutting tool by removing material from an existing sheet of finished paperboard. Such machined fold lines are distinguished herein from fold lines created without material removal, e.g. by scoring, or arranging gap between adjacent panels. A continuous sheet of laminated paperboard, as used herein, means a sheet of laminated paperboard which is not separated into separate panels but is instead a continuous piece of paperboard material formed using single piece outer laminate sheets which are free of gaps or breaks. A continuous sheet of laminated paperboard is also meant to include any precut lengths of laminated paperboard.

(21) Turning now to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a foldable crate system 30 is illustrated in an unfolded configuration. System 30 includes a continuous sheet of laminated paperboard 32 (referred to herein as paperboard) with a plurality of machined fold lines 34a-34g (referred to herein as fold lines) machined therein. Each fold line 34a-34g has a generally triangular or V-shaped cross section and does not extend entirely through paperboard 32. As can also be seen in FIG. 4, certain ones of fold lines 34a-34g, e.g. fold lines 34b-34g extend into a first face or side of paperboard 32, while certain other ones, e.g. fold line 34a extend into a second face or side of paperboard 32 opposite the first side. Unless otherwise noted herein, a description of one exemplary fold line applies equally well to the remaining fold lines. Although shown generally as terminating at a point, each fold line may also possess a flat bottom to facilitate folding. This flat bottom results in the fold line having a generally truncated triangular cross section. The advantages of such a flat bottom configuration are described below.

(22) A dashed line is illustrated extending from the apex of each foldline 34a-34g to the immediately adjacent face or side of paperboard 32 to illustrate that paperboard 32 is subdivided into sections 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52 for purposes of description. Sections 38, 40, 44, 46, 48, and 52 are generally planar sections, while sections 42, 50 have a shape, which at one side thereof, is an apex formed between directly adjacent fold lines 34b, 34c or 34f, 34g. Directly adjacent fold lines means fold lines which each have a side which converges to one another as can be seen at the aforementioned apexes. Fold lines 34a-34g may have completely identical cross sections. Alternatively, fold lines 34a-34g may have fold lines which are not necessarily dimensionally identical, but share a common geometric shape. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that fold lines 34a-34g could have cross sections which differ from one another in one or more of dimension, shape, depth, etc.

(23) Turning now to FIG. 5, the same illustrates paperboard 32 at fold line 34b. As can be seen in this view, paperboard 32 has an overall thickness T. Fold line 34d extends into paperboard 32 to a depth d. This depth d is less than the thickness T. Thickness T may be any thickness typically used for paperboard applications wherein relatively large or heavy objects are to be packaged. As one non-limiting example, paperboard 32 may have a thickness of about 0.080 inches to about 0.250 inches. The term about in this instance is used to allow for typical deviations in paperboard thickness known in the industry. However, it will be recognized from the teachings herein that the emplacement of the machined fold lines according to the invention are not limited to any particular paperboard thickness, and any thickness is contemplated herein.

(24) Still referring to FIG. 5, fold line 34d has a generally triangular cross-section as shown. Fold line 34d comprises a first face 54 and a second face 56 which extend the length (taken normal to the page) of paperboard 32. These faces 54, 56 are arranged at an angle which is about 90. It will be recognized from the teachings herein, however, that other angles other than about 90 may be utilized. For example, faces 54, 56 may simply be non-parallel to one another, or may even remain parallel to one another, dependent upon the desired fold configuration. The particular cross sectional shape of each fold line is determined by tool tip geometry, as may be readily appreciated. The term about in this instance is used to allow for angular deviations from the nominal value of angle theta shown in FIG. 5 of less than or equal to plus or minus 5. This fold line 34d is arranged such that section 44 is foldable or displaceable about fold line 34d relative to section 46 to situate section 44 at a right angle relative to section 46. In other words, fold line 34d is arranged such that section 44 is displaceable out of the plane which it reside in its unfolded configuration. The same holds true for the remaining fold lines shown in FIG. 4. Of particular note directly adjacent fold lines 34b, 34c and 34f, 34g allow for displacing certain ones of the illustrated section out of the plane which they reside in in their unfolded configuration to a plane which is generally parallel to certain other ones of the illustrated sections.

(25) Turning now to FIG. 6, the same illustrates paperboard 32 in its fully folded configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, paperboard 32 has been folded into one-half of a U-crate packaging. Paperboard 32 may be fixed in this configuration by any known mechanical fixation means including screws, adhesives, tapes, etc. It will be recognized that a second paperboard 32 of larger or smaller dimension than what is shown in FIG. 6 may be folded such that it comprises the remaining half of the U-crate packaging.

(26) Indeed, FIG. 11 illustrates a fully formed U-crate 60 comprised to two respective halves formed by paperboard 32. This U-crate 60 has a hollow interior as shown which it configured to narrow elongated items therein. Although not shown, endcaps may be inserted into the respective ends of crate 60 to fully enclose the aforementioned interior space.

(27) The above-introduced machined fold lines advantageously allow for a flexible approach to forming various styles of packaging. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates a design which is similar to crate 60 shown in FIG. 11, except that it is formed from a single sheet of paperboard 32 and is not comprised of separate halves. Similar to the above-embodiment, this embodiment includes a plurality of machined fold lines 64a-64i which separate the paperboard into respective sections 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, and 84. Deep fold lines and sections are the same in their shape and functionality as described above. As can be seen in FIG. 12, this embodiment also includes sidewalls which have a thickness 2T and a fourth sidewall with a thickness 3T. This allows for selectively varying the overall thickness of a crate or packaging form using the foldable crate system herein. For example, the side of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 which has a thickness 3t may be arranged as the bottom-most side of a packaging to provide added strength against the side of the packaging which the product therein bears against under gravity. All that is required for such a selective design is a selection of the appropriate number and location of machine fold lines as described herein.

(28) FIGS. 13-18 illustrate the various steps to take paperboard 32 according to the teachings herein from an unfolded configuration as shown in FIG. 13, to its folded configuration as shown in FIG. 12. It will also be recognized from comparison of FIG. 12 to FIG. 4 that the number and placement of fold lines is greater in FIG. 12 than in FIG. 4 to allow for the folded configuration shown in FIG. 12.

(29) Turning now to FIGS. 19-21, the same illustrate one exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for machining paperboard into the foldable crate system 30 described above. With particular reference to FIG. 19, the apparatus can include a plurality of feed rollers 90 mounted to a frame 98 (See FIG. 20) for conveying a sheet of paperboard 32 in the X direction shown in FIG. 19. A plurality of cutting tools 92 are also mounted to frame 98 on either side of paperboard 32 and are movable in the Y direction to govern their relative spacing as well as the Z direction to govern their depth of cut into paperboard 32. With particular reference to FIG. 20, the same illustrates the aforementioned cutting tools 92 positioned above and below paperboard 32 such that machined fold lines may be cut into paperboard 32 on both sides thereof simultaneously. Although not shown in FIGS. 19-21, a controller may be associated with each of cutting tools 92 to govern the speed and other parameters thereof

(30) Turning now to FIG. 21, each cutting tool 92 includes a motor 94 and a rotary blade 96. Rotary blade 96 is generally shown in FIG. 21. However, in application, rotary blade 96 has a peripheral edge or cutting tip which assumes the same cross-sectional shape of the machined fold lines. Put differently, the shape of the outer peripheral edge of rotary blade 96 will govern the cross-sectional shape of each machine fold line.

(31) In a typical operation, the cutting tools 92 are adjusted relative to frame 98 to their desired spacing and depth of cut locations. Paperboard 32 is then fed through the apparatus and the machine fold lines are cut therein during this feeding process. Thereafter, the length of paperboard 32 may be cut to length with an unshown cutting tool. After this cutting process is complete, paperboard 32 may be formed into its resultant packaging folding the same from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration and then fixing it in this folded configuration. Alternatively, sheets of machined paperboard 32 may be shipped to a user for subsequent folding and fixation.

(32) Turning now to FIG. 22, the same illustrates an alternative configuration of fold line 34d. The primary difference from this fold line geometry and that shown in FIG. 5 is that fold line 34d includes a flat bottom 62 of width W and thickness t. This flat bottom 62 is incorporated to reduce the stresses on the remaining plies in this region when the same is folded. As the thickness tin this region below the flat bottom increases, so too must the width W of the flat bottom. Such a configuration allows for maintaining a desired bend radius of the remaining plies when folded into the configuration shown at FIG. 23.

(33) As stated above, achieving the particular fold line geometry shown in this view is done by selecting a rotary blade 96 having a corresponding geometry. This is shown by way of example in FIGS. 24 and 25. In FIG. 24, rotary blade 96 has a cutting region 98 which is pointed in such that no appreciable flat bottom remains in a fold line using this tool. In FIG. 25, the same shows rotary blade 96 with a cutting region 102 which will allow for emplacement of a flat bottom 62 (see FIG. 22) of width W.

(34) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

(35) The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

(36) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.