Container

Abstract

A container having a bottom with a plurality of edges and a plurality of side walls extending from the bottom such that a number of the plurality of side walls is greater than a number of the plurality of edges.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a bottom having a plurality of edges; and, a plurality of side walls extending from the bottom wherein a number of the plurality of side walls is greater than a number of the plurality of edges.

2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of edges define a first perimeter having a first total length and wherein each of the plurality of side walls have a distal edge that define a second perimeter having a second total length, wherein the second total length is greater than the first total length.

3. The container according to claim 2 wherein the bottom comprises three side edges and three vertices.

4. The container according to claim 3 comprising six side walls.

5. The container according to claim 4 wherein a side wall extends from a respective bottom side edge and a side wall extends from a respective vertex.

6. The container according to claim 5 wherein three side walls each have an identical distal edge first length and three other side walls each have an identical distal edge second length such that the first length is greater than the second length.

7. The container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls extends perpendicularly from the bottom and at least another one of the plurality of side walls extends obtusely from the bottom.

8. The container according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls extends perpendicularly from the bottom and at least another one of the plurality of side walls extends obtusely from the bottom.

9. The container according to claim 8 wherein one of the plurality of side walls extends perpendicularly from the bottom five of the plurality of side walls extends obtusely from the bottom.

10. The container of claim 1 further comprising a top with a first edge hingedly connected to a distal edge of one of the plurality of side walls.

11. The container of claim 10 further comprising: a locking slit provided in one of the plurality of side walls; a locking tab extending from an edge of the top other than the first edge; wherein when top overlies the bottom, the locking tab removably engages the locking slit.

12. The container of claim 11 further comprising a pull tab located on the edge of the top other than the first edge and adjacent the locking tab to effect disengagement of the locking tab from the locking slit when moved in a direction away from the bottom.

13. A method for making a container comprising: providing a unitary blank; assembling the blank into a container comprising a bottom having a plurality of edges; and, a plurality of side walls extending from the bottom wherein a number of the plurality of side walls is greater than a number of the plurality of edges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a container blank used to create one embodiment of the described container.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container formed from the container blank of FIG. 1, with the container having a lid that is shown in a closed position.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the container shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the container of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the container of FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the lid in an open position allowing access to the interior of the container.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial view of the front of the container of FIG. 2 to show the locking tab engaged with a locking slit provided on a front side wall of the container.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a partial view of the front of the container of FIG. 2 to show the grasping and moving of the pull tab to remove the locking tab from the locking slit.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the container of FIG. 2 with the lid in an open position allowing access to the interior of the container so that product residing in the interior of the container can be removed.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a container blank used to create another embodiment of the described container.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the container formed from the container blank of FIG. 10, with the container having a lid that is shown in a closed position.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the container of FIG. 11 with the lid in an open position allowing access to the interior of the container.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a container blank used to create another embodiment of the described container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The described embodiments and methods describe a container for at least one product and a method of making such a container. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the described container or of certain embodiments of the container will be further understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a container blank 1 that is used to form the container 2 of FIG. 2 is shown. As depicted in FIG. 1, the interior portions of the base and lid are shown with the exterior portions being on the opposite side. In this embodiment, the container blank 1 may be formed from a single piece of paperboard, fiberboard, cardboard or card stock. In some of these embodiments, the material is corrugated. In certain embodiments the material is laminated, glossed, coated in wax, or treated with wet strength resins. In certain exemplary embodiments, some or all of the exterior portion of the formed container may graphics or information, including product or consumer information. The material of the container has sufficient strength and rigidity to allow the container to stand up to the rigors of distribution and/or warehousing. And, when constructed, the container is stackable within other containers such that the exterior portion of the base of one container is adjacent to or abuts the interior portion of the base of an adjacent container.

[0025] When viewing FIG. 1, it will be noted that the dashed lines formed at various edges of the container blank depict areas where the container blank 1 can be folded from a flat state as shown in FIG. 1 to form a completed container 2, as shown in FIG. 2. To this end, the fold lines may be creased or perforated to ease the folding process. Thus, it should be understood that if the following description or claim refers to an edge, it refers to a foldable edge, unless it is otherwise clear that it is not a foldable edge. It will also be appreciated that the solid lines represent areas that are completely cut, e.g., the entire outer periphery of the container blank 1, which has been cut from a provided piece of material.

[0026] The container blank 1 and thus, the container 2 includes a base 10 having a bottom 14 that, when the container 2 is created, defines an interior 22. In that regard, the interior of the container may contain a wide variety of products, for example snack food products. In some instances, where the products are food products, they may be contained in flexible packaging intended to maintain the freshness of the food products. The flexible packaging may then be opened and the food product may be dispensed into the interior of the container, i.e., onto the interior bottom of the base. It is also contemplated that the interior of the container may contain or retain one or more condiments in a suitable package that has a suitable shape to mate with a portion of the base of the container. As one example, the snack product may be a tortilla or tortilla style chip and the condiment may be a salsa or cheese. Throughout this description and for ease of description, the product may be referred to as a snack product; however, the skilled artisan will appreciate that reference to a snack product is not and should not be limited to any particular kind or type of product.

[0027] Turning back to FIG. 1, the bottom 14 has a plurality of edges 30 that, as shown in FIG. 1, may include a first edge 32, a rear edge 34, and a second edge 36, which are respectively joined by a plurality of vertices 40, that may include a front vertex 42, a first vertex 44, and a second vertex 46, all of which may define a base or first perimeter 50. In the depicted embodiment, the front vertex 42 joins the first and second edge 32, 36; the first vertex 44 joins the first and rear edge 32, 34; and the second vertex joins the rear and second edge 34, 36. Also, it will be appreciated that the first edge 32, a rear edge 34, and a second edge 36, along with the front vertex 42, a first vertex 44, and a second vertex 46, define a triangle shaped perimeter. In one instance, the triangle shaped perimeter is an equilateral shaped perimeter.

[0028] Extending from each of the bottom edges 32, 34, 36 and vertices 42, 44, and 46 are a plurality of side walls 60. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, there are six side walls including a front wall 70, a first side wall 80, a first corner wall 90, a rear side wall 100, a second corner wall 110, and a second side wall 120.

[0029] The front wall 70 has a proximal portion edge 72 that extends from the front vertex 42 and terminates at a distal edge 74 which, when the container 2 is constructed will define a top of the base 10 of the container 2. The front wall 70 has a first side edge 76 that is contiguous with a second side edge 128 of the second side wall 120 and has a second side edge 77 from which a front flap 78 extends. As will become evident, the front flap 78 will engage with or be attached to an exterior portion of the first side wall 80, when the container blank 1 is formed into the container 2. Disposed adjacent the proximal edge 74 of the front corner wall 70 and located between the first and second side edges 76, 77 is a locking slot or slit 79 that, as explained later, will removably receive a locking tab 142 disposed on the top 130 of the container 2. In addition, it will be appreciated upon viewing the container blank depicted in FIG. 1, that the distal edge 74 together with the first and second side edges 76, 77 define a triangle shape.

[0030] The first side wall 80 has a foldable proximal edge 82 that is contiguous with the first bottom edge 32 and that extends from the first bottom edge 32 and terminates at a proximal edge distal edge 84. The first side wall has a first side edge 86 that is unattached and that, when the container is constructed, will abut the internal portion of the second side edge 77.

[0031] Adjacent and foldably connected to the first side wall 80 at a second side edge 88 is a first corner wall 90 having a proximal portion edge 92 that extends from the first vertex 44 and terminates at a distal edge 94. The first corner 90 has a foldable first corner side edge 96 that is contiguous with a second side edge 88 of the first side 80. Opposite the first corner side edge 96 is a second corner side edge 97 from which a first rear flap 98 extends. As will become evident, the first rear flap 98 will engage with or be attached to an exterior portion of the rear side wall 100, when the container blank 1 is formed into the container 2.

[0032] Adjacent the first corner wall 90 is a rear side wall 100 having a proximal side edge 102 that is contiguous with the rear edge 34 of the bottom 20. In some embodiments and as depicted in FIG. 1, the rear side 100 has a distal side edge 104 that is contiguous with a top rear side edge 170 of a hinged top or lid 130. The rear side 100 has a first side 106 adjacent the first corner 90 and a second side 108 adjacent the second corner 110, with both of the first and second sides 106, 108 being unattached.

[0033] A second side wall 120 is adjacent the rear side wall 100 and the front corner wall 70 and is foldably connected to the front corner 70 along a second side edge 128 that is contiguous with the first side edge 76 of the front corner 70. The second side wall 120 has a foldable proximal edge 122 that is contiguous with the first bottom edge 32 and that extends from the first bottom edge 32 and terminates at a distal edge 124.

[0034] Adjacent and foldably connected to the second side wall 120 is a second corner 110 having a proximal portion edge 112 that extends from the second vertex 46 and terminates at a distal edge 114. The second corner 110 has a foldable first corner side edge 116 that is contiguous with a side edge 126 of the second side 120. Opposite the second corner side edge 116 is a second corner side edge 117 from which a second rear flap 118 extends. As will become evident, the second rear flap 118 will engage with or be attached to an exterior portion of the rear side wall 100, when the container blank 1 is formed into the container 2.

[0035] As noted earlier, a top or lid 130 has a foldable rear side edge 170 that is contiguous with the proximal edge 104 of the rear side wall 100. As will be appreciated from the following description, the top or lid can, when the container is constructed, be moved from a closed position to an open position, to permit access to the interior of the container. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the top 130 has a front edge 140 that extends from a first vertex 146 to a second vertex 148. A locking tab 142 extends from and away from the front edge 140 such that, when the container is formed and the top 130 is moved to a closed position, the locking tab 142 may removably engage the locking slit 79 to help in retaining the top or lid 130 in a closed position. Also, a foldable pull tab 144 is foldably connected at a foldable edge 145 of the front edge 140 and may extend away from the front edge 140. The foldable pull tab 144 may be grasped by a consumer to lift the top or lid 130 and to remove the locking tab 142 from the locking slit 79 to permit access to the interior of the container.

[0036] The first vertex 146 joins the front edge 140 and the first side edge 150, The first side edge 150 is foldably connected to the lid 130 to define a first side flap 152 having a proximal portion foldably connected to the top or lid 130. The first side edge 150 extends from the first vertex 146 to a first vertex 162 at a first corner 160 that, in turn, is connected to the rear side edge 170 at a second vertex 164 of the first corner 160.

[0037] The second vertex 148 joins the front edge 140 and the second side edge 180, The first side edge 180 is foldably connected to the lid 130 to define a second side flap 182 having a proximal portion foldably connected to the top or lid 130. The second side edge 180 extends from the second vertex 148 to a corner first vertex 192 at a second corner 190 that, in turn, is connected to the rear side edge 170 at a second vertex 194 of the second corner 190.

[0038] It should be pointed out that the reference to edges, connecting edges, folded edges, foldable edges, fold lines, and the like refer to areas of the container blank 11 where the container blank 11 can be folded from a flat state as shown in FIG. 1 to a completed container 10, as shown in FIG. 1. To this end, the fold lines may be creased or perforated to ease the folding process. Thus, it should be understood that if the following description or claim refers to an edge, it refers to a foldable edge, unless it is otherwise clear that it is not a foldable edge.

[0039] Turning to FIG. 10, another embodiment of a container blank 2a is shown. This container blank is identical in all respects to the container blank depicted in FIG. 1, except it does not include the first and second flaps 152, 182. FIG. 11 shows a container 1a formed from the blank 2a depicted in FIG. 10, where the container 1a is in a closed condition. FIG. 12 shows a container 1a formed from the blank 2a depicted in FIG. 10, where the container 1a is in an open condition permitting access to the interior of the container.

[0040] Turning to FIG. 13, yet another embodiment of a container blank 1b is depicted. It will be appreciated that has similar features as the container blank 1 depicted in FIG. 1 and so the similar features are identified with the same reference numerals. The differences are that this container 1b does not include the first and second flaps 152, 182. In addition, this container 1b does not include the locking tab 142 and the pull tab 144 as shown in FIG. 1, or the locking slit 79 provided on the front wall 70. Instead, the top 130 includes a first side wall locking tab 158 that extends from the first side edge 150 of the top 130 and a second side wall locking tab 188 that extends from the second side edge 180 of the top. The first side wall 80 includes a first side wall locking slit 89 to removeably receive the locking tab 158, when the container is constructed and container is in a closed position. Similarly, the second side wall 120 includes a second side wall locking slit 129 to removeably receive the locking tab 188, when the container is constructed and container is in a closed position.

Method of Making the Container

[0041] Other aspects relate to a method for making the uniquely shaped container 1 for at least one product, e.g. a food product 200. Any step of the method may include one or more aspects of the containers described above, or any additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the container. As will be evident from the above description of the blank and the following description of the container, the container 1 may have varying sizes with respect to its volume, length of its sides and height of its side walls.

[0042] The method includes providing a container blank 2 as shown in FIG. 1. The blank 2 may be assembled into the container 1 shown in FIGS. 2-5. Referring to those figures, the container 1 has been assembled and is shown in a closed configuration. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the container 1 with the exterior 132 of the top or lid 130 enclosing the bottom 20 of the container. The exterior 132 of the top 130 has a perimeter (a lid perimeter) defined by the front edge 140, the first side edge 150, the first corner edge 160, the rear edge 170, the second corner edge 190, and the second side 180. In this embodiment, the perimeter defines a ditrigon shape. It will be appreciated that the first flap 152 and the second flap 182 extend into the interior of the container and may contact of abut an interior portion of the first 80 and second 120 side of the bottom.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, it should be appreciated that the container blank 2 when folded along the fold lines, each of the front wall 70, first side wall 80, first corner wall 90, rear side wall 100, second corner wall 110, and second side wall 120, extend from the bottom 20. For ease of reference, these walls may be described as extending upward (assuming the bottom 20 is supported by a surface, i.e., the bottom 20 is resting on a surface). In this regard, each of the walls 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 extend from the bottom 20 upwardly and outwardly from the bottom such that an angle measurement taken from the interior 22 of the bottom to an interior of the walls 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 will be obtuse. In some instances, the angle measurement for each of the walls 80, 100, and 120 will be same or about the same and the measurement angle for each of the walls 70, 90, and 110 will be same or about the same. Further, in some instances the angle measurement for each of the walls 80, 100, and 120 will be same or about the same and will differ from the measurement angle for each of the walls 70, 90, and 110, which will be the same or about the same. In one embodiment, the angle measurement for each of the walls 80, 100, and 120 is about 120 and the angle measure for each of the walls 70, 90, and 110 is about 105. Providing these walls with an outwardly sloping configuration will act to direct, by gravity, product within the bottom of the container toward the center of the bottom of the container; thus aiding in retention of the product within the container.

[0044] After each of the walls 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 are folded upward, the front flap 78 may be folded and connected to the first side wall. In addition, each of the first rear flap 98 and second rear flap 118 may be folded and connected to the rear side wall 100 to complete the construction of the bottom 20 of the container 1. The flaps may be connected in any suitable manner such as, but not limited to gluing or adhering in a known manner.

[0045] After creation of the bottom 20, the top 130 may be folded to any suitable position such as that shown in FIGS. 2-5, which depict a closed configuration of the container. Alternatively, the top 130 may be folded to a position such as that shown in FIG. 6, which depicts an open configuration of the container.

[0046] Advantageously, because the walls 70, 80, 90, 110, and 120 are outwardly tapered, containers 1 can be stacked within and on top of each such that the exterior of one container is opposed to the interior of an adjacent container. It will be appreciated that, because the containers can be stacked, they can be more easily shipped or transported. Further, it will be appreciated that the shown and described container can be assembled and stacked very quickly. In certain of these embodiments, the container is assembled and stacked on a high speed container line or with other high speed container equipment.

[0047] In addition, each of the first 152 and second 182 flap may be folded inward or downward as shown in FIG. 6 so that they will be located within the interior of the bottom 20 of the container, as can be appreciated by FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. Also, the pull tab 144 may be folded in a direction opposite that of the first and second flaps 152, 182.

[0048] Referring back to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the exterior 24 of the bottom 20 (and likewise the interior 22) has a base perimeter 50 defined by the first edge 32, rear edge 34, and second edge 36. As depicted in FIG. 3, the base perimeter 50 is a triangle and in some instances, it may be an equilateral perimeter.

[0049] Turning to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the distal edges 74, 84, 94, 104, 114, and 124 of the front side wall 70, the first side wall 80, the first corner wall 90, the rear wall 100, the second corner wall 110, and the second side wall 120, respectively define a distal perimeter 62 of the distal portion of the side walls. Further, it will be appreciated that the distal perimeter 62 has a shape that differs from the base perimeter 50 and the perimeter 62 has a total perimeter length that differs from the base perimeter 50 and, in this instance is greater.

[0050] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8 operation of the locking tab 142 and pull tab 144 is depicted. In FIG. 7, the container is in a closed configuration with the locking tab 144 engaged with or inserted into the locking slit 79. It will be appreciated that, in this configuration, the top or lid 130 is removably retained in position to protect the contents from egress. When it is sought to open the container to permit access to the contents, the pull tab 144 may be grasped and pulled in a direction away from the base (e.g., upward) to disengage the locking tab 144 from the locking slit 79. Because the lid is foldably connected to the bottom, the lid can be moved to the position shown in FIG. 7 to a position shown in FIG. 9, or any other position, to permit access to the product 200.

[0051] Although not shown, it is contemplated that a condiment container having a shape complementary to that of the first or second corner wall 90, 110, may be contained within the container.

[0052] These descriptions of the container and method of making the container are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the container comprises additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the components described above, e.g., the lid may or may not be present. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the container will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0053] These method descriptions are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the method may include additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the steps described above. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the method will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0054] While the invention has been described in terms of specific or particular embodiments, it should be apparent that alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. In addition, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects of a particular embodiment could be eliminated or two or more features or aspects of different disclosed embodiments could be combined. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the purpose of the above detailed description and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe the illustrated embodiments, and not necessarily to serve as limitations to the scope of the invention. Finally, while the appended claims recite certain aspects believed to be associated with the invention, they do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention.