BLANK CONFIGURED TO BE ERECTED INTO A PACKAGE AND A PACKAGE FORMED BY SUCH A BLANK

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a blank (1) configured to form a package (2), and such a package (2), wherein the blank (1) is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state, the blank comprising as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, at least four main panels (A10, A20, A30, A40) being arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction (L), and being foldably connected along transversally extending main fold lines (MF), an attachment tab (A45), one or more pieces or portions of liner (13, 23, 33, 43) configured to provide additional properties, such as a thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package, wherein two main panels (A20, A40) configured to form opposing side walls when the blank is folded into a package are each provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines (IF) allowing the two main panels to be double-folded and thereby allow a loop of main panels to be folded into said flat-folded state, wherein the internal fold lines (IF) are separate from the main fold lines (MF), and wherein the internal fold lines (IF) are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction (L) a distance corresponding to about two times a material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner (23, 43) on the respective main panel (A20, A40).

Claims

1. A blank configured to form a package which is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state, the blank comprising, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, at least four main panels arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction as seen in the flat-laid state of the blank, wherein the at least four main panels are foldably connected along transversally extending main fold lines and configured to form a respective side wall of said package, an attachment tab foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and configured to be attached to an opposing main panel such that the at least four main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels when the blank is folded into a package, one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties to the package, the one or more pieces or portions of liner arranged on inside surfaces of the at least one four main panels such that, as seen in the flat-laid state of the blank, along the transversally extending main fold line, a longitudinally and transversally extending gap or groove is formed between adjacent pieces or portions of liner allowing the blank to be folded into a package, and a set of one or more bottom panels configured to form a bottom of the package, wherein two main panels configured to form opposing side walls when the blank is folded into a package are each provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines allowing the two main panels to be double-folded and thereby allow the loop of main panels to be folded into said flat-folded state, wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are separate from the transversally extending main fold lines, and wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction a distance such that when the main panel is double-folded about said at least two transversally extending internal fold lines, opposing inside surfaces of the respective main panel are separated from each other a distance being between 50%-150% of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the double-folded main panel.

2. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are each separated from the transversally extending main fold lines a distance, as measured along the longitudinal direction, being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the main panel.

3. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are each separated from the transversally extending main fold lines a distance, as measured along the longitudinal direction, being at least two times a material thickness of said one or more pieces of portions of liner on the main panels.

4. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are parallel to each other.

5. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the blank, excluding said one or more pieces of portions of liner, has a first material thickness and wherein the pieces or portions of liner have a second material thickness, wherein the second material thickness is at least two times the first material thickness.

6. The blank according to claim 1, wherein said one or more pieces or portions of liners is resiliently compressible allowing the one or more pieces or portions of liner to be locally compressed thereby allowing the at least four main panels to be double-folded about the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines and thereby allowing the package to assume said flat-folded state.

7. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the blank, excluding the one or more pieces or portions of liner, comprises a paper-based material.

8. The blank according to claim 1, further comprising: a set of top panels foldably connected to a first longitudinally extending edge of associated main panels.

9. The blank according to claim 8, wherein the top panels comprise internal fold lines aligned with internal fold lines an associated main panel.

10. The blank according to claim 9, wherein the top panels comprise pieces or portions of liner.

11. The blank according to claim 1, further comprising: a set of top rim panels foldably connected to a first longitudinally extending edge of associated main panels and configured to, in the box shaped state, form an inwardly folded rim.

12. The blank according to claim 11, wherein the top rim panels comprise internal fold lines that align with internal fold lines of an associated main panel.

13. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the set of bottom panels are foldably connected to a second longitudinally extending edge of associated main panels.

14. The blank according to claim 13, wherein the bottom panels comprise internal fold lines that align with internal fold lines of an associated the respective main panel.

15. The blank according to claim 14, wherein the bottom panels comprise pieces or portions of liner.

16. A package formed of a blank, wherein the package is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state, wherein the package comprises: at least four main panels arranged one after the other along a circumferentially extending longitudinal direction, wherein the at least four main panels are foldably connected along transversally extending main fold lines and form a respective side wall of said package, an attachment tab foldably connected to a first main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and attached to an opposing, second main panel such that the at least four main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels, one or more pieces or portions of liner configured to provide additional properties to the package, the one or more pieces or portions of liner arranged on inside surfaces of the at least four main panels such that, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, along respective transversally extending main fold line, a longitudinally and transversally extending gap or groove is formed between adjacent pieces or portions of liner allowing the blank to be folded into a package, and a set of one or more bottom panels forming a bottom of the package, wherein two main panels configured to form opposing side walls of the package are each provided with at least two transversally extending internal fold lines allowing the two main panels to be double-folded and thereby allow the loop of main panels to be folded into said flat-folded state, wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are separate from the transversally extending main fold lines, and wherein the at least two transversally extending internal fold lines are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction a distance such that when the main panel is double-folded about said at least two transversally extending internal fold lines, opposing inside surfaces of the main panel are separated from each other a distance being between 50%-150% of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the double-folded main panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0060] FIG. 1 discloses a flat-laid blank according to a first embodiment configured to form a package which is configured to be folded into a flat-folded state and into a box shaped state.

[0061] FIG. 2 discloses a blank according to a second embodiment in a partly folded state.

[0062] FIG. 3 discloses the blank of FIG. 2 in a flat-folded state.

[0063] FIG. 4 discloses the blank of FIG. 2 in an erected box shaped state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0065] In the following, the blank 1 configured to be erected into a flat-folded state and a box shaped state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the blank 1 comprises a plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction L. In other words, the main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 are foldably connected to one after another along transversally extending edges of the neighbouring main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40. The main panels form a plurality of side walls when the blank 1 is erected to form the package 2. In the preferred embodiment, there are four main panels, a first main panel A10, a second main panel A20, a third main panel A30, and a fourth main panel A40. In order to keep the first, second, third and fourth panels A10, A20, A30, A40 in the intended position as the side walls of the package 2, there is also an attachment tab A45 which is foldably connected to the fourth main panel A40 and which is configured to be attached to the first main panel A10 and thereby forming an interconnected loop of the first, second, third and fourth panels A10, A20, A30, A40. The attachment tab A45 may be attached to the first main panel A10 by means of an adhesive, e.g., glue. However, the attachment tab A45 may be connected to the first main panel A10 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art.

[0067] It may however be noted that although the terms first main panel A10, second main panel A20, third main panel A30 and fourth main panel A40 are used through-out the description. Unless nothing else is explicitly given, the aforementioned terms should not be understood as the blank 1 being limited to four main panels.

[0068] Continuing with FIG. 1, the blank 1 comprises a plurality of main fold lines MF extending along a transversal direction. The main fold lines MF overlap with the transversally extending edges along which the main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 are foldably connected to one after another along the longitudinal direction L. It may alternatively be said that each of the main panels of the plurality of the main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 are foldably connected along a respective transversally extending main fold line MF being common for two adjacent main panels.

[0069] Furthermore, the blank 1 comprises a plurality of internal fold lines IF extending along the transversal direction T. In preferred embodiments, the two main panels that are configured to form opposing side walls when the blank 1 is folded into a package 2 are each provided with a plurality of internal fold lines IF. In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1, the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are each provided with two transversally extending internal fold lines IF. However, each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are not limited to comprising two transversally extending internal fold lines IF. Each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 may be provided with more than two transversally extending internal fold lines IF. By way of example, each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 may alternatively be provided with e.g., three, four or five or more internal fold lines. If there are provided a greater number of internal fold lines, the double fold shown in FIG. 2 will more or less become a curved shape. It is also conceivable that the distance between the two outermost internal fold lines in the set of internal fold lines are located at a distance from each other being greater than would be the case when there is only two internal fold lines. In preferred embodiments, each of the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are provided with the same number of internal fold lines IF. It should be understood that the second and fourth main panels A20, A40 are not the only main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being limited to being provided with internal fold lines IF. Alternatively, it may be that the first and third main panels A10, A30 are the main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being provided with internal fold lines IF. The internal fold lines IF are separate from the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective main fold lines MF a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective main panel. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 is parallel to each other. The internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 may extend with an angle with respect to the transversal direction, yet preferably along a direction having at least a major component along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 is parallel to the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40. However, the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 must not necessarily extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. Instead, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40. It may be noted that the internal fold lines IF may, but need not be, located centrally on the respective main panel A20, A40 as disclosed in the drawings. The internal fold lines IF may be shifted, or alternatively expressed, be positioned offset, as seen along the longitudinal direction L. In such a case, the internal fold lines IF of both main panels A20, A40 are shifted in the same direction such that the package 2 may be flat-folded. Such shifting may be useful if one or both of the internal fold lines IF otherwise would interfere with another feature, such as an opening or a tab, of the package 2.

[0070] FIG. 1 illustrates that the blank 1 is provided with a set of one or more top panels A11, A21, A31, A41. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 is provided with a respective top panel A11, A21, A31, A41. Each of the top panels A11, A21, A31, A41 is foldably connected to a first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40. Hence, each of the top panels A11, A21, A31, A41 has a respective free outer longitudinally extending edge, and a respective first and second free outer transversally extending edge. The top panels A11, A21, A31, A41 may alternatively be omitted.

[0071] In FIGS. 2-4, the top panels are disclosed in the form of top rim panels 11, 21, 31, 41.

[0072] Each of the top panels or top rim panels 21, 41 that are foldably connected to those of the main panels A20, A40 that are provided with a plurality of internal fold lines IF are also provided with internal fold lines IF. Alternatively, it may be that the first and third main panels A10, A30 are the main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being provided with internal fold lines IF, in which case the top panels or top rim panels 11, 31 are being provided with internal fold lines IF instead. Further properties of the top rim panels and the top panels will be disclosed with reference to the top panels. The internal fold lines IF are separate from the free outer transversally extending edges of the respective top panels A21, A41. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective free outer transversally extending edges a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective top panels A21, A41. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 is parallel to each other. The internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 may extend with an angle with respect to the transversal direction T, yet preferably along a direction having at least a major component along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 is parallel to the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 are aligned with the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21, A41.

[0073] However, the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 must not necessarily extend all the way from a first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21, A41. Instead, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective top panels A21, A41 may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the first longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 and the free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21, A41 and thereby be said to extend from a first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective top panel A21, A41.

[0074] FIG. 1 further illustrates that the blank 1 is provided with a set of one or more bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 is provided with a respective bottom panel A12, A22, A32, A42. Each of the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 is foldably connected to a second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40. Hence, each of the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 has a respective free outer longitudinally extending edge, and a respective first and second free outer transversally extending edge. The bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 are configured to be folded inwardly such that a major surface of each of the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 are substantially in parallel with each other in an erected state of the blank 1. Hence, the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 are configured to form a bottom or floor of the package 2. The bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 may be configured to be attached to each other by means of e.g., glue. However, the bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 may be configured to be attached to each other by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. The skilled person realizes that the set of bottom panels A12, A22, A32, A42 may be attached to each other in another way to reach a condition in which a floor of the package is formed. In FIG. 1, there is disclosed a first kind of bottom panels and in FIGS. 2-4 there is disclosed a second kind of bottom panels.

[0075] Each of the bottom panels A22, A42 that are foldably connected to those of the main panels A20, A40 that are provided with a plurality of internal fold lines IF are also provided with internal fold lines IF. Alternatively, it may be that the first and third main panels A10, A30 are the main panels of the plurality of main panels A10, A20, A30, A40 that are being provided with internal fold lines IF, in which case the bottom panels A12, A32 are being provided with internal fold lines IF instead. The internal fold lines IF are separate from the free outer transversally extending edges of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective free outer transversally extending edges a distance being at least 25% of a longitudinal extension of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 is parallel to each other. The internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 may extend with an angle with respect to the transversal direction, yet preferably along a direction having at least a major component along the transversal direction. In preferred embodiments, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 is parallel to the main fold lines MF. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 are aligned with the internal fold lines IF of the respective main panel A20, A40 along the transversal direction T. In preferred embodiments, the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 extend all the way from a respective second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. However, the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 must not necessarily extend all the way from a second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panels A22, A42. Instead, each of the internal fold lines IF of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel A20, A40 and the free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panels A22, A42 and thereby be said to extend from a second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel A20, A40 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panels A22, A42.

[0076] It may alternatively be said that each of the two main panels A20, A40 and their associated top and bottom panels A21, A22, A41, A42 may preferably be provided with at least two continuous transversally extending internal fold lines IF, each internal fold line being a single continuous line extending across the respective main panel A20, A40 and the associated bottom and top panel A21, A22, A41, A42. By single continuous it is meant that each of the internal fold lines IF may extend basically all the way from a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective top panel A21, A41 to a free outer longitudinally extending edge of the respective bottom panel A22, A42.

[0077] The blank 1 is preferably made of a paper-based material. An advantage with the blank 1 being paper-based is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the blank 1. It is also comparably easy to fold a paper-based blank 1 into the desired package 2. The paper-based material may comprise a corrugated layer which flutes. The flutes of the corrugated layer may extend along the longitudinal direction L. However, the flutes of the corrugated layer may alternatively extend along the transversal direction T. The blank 1 may be made of any material normally used in the art for packaging. By way of example, the blank 1 may be made of plastic or wood.

[0078] Starting with FIG. 2, each of the main panels of the plurality of main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 of the blank 1 is provided with a piece or portion of liner 13, 23, 33, 43, respectively. Each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43 may be attached to the associated main panel of the plurality of main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 by means of e.g., an adhesive, such as glue. However, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43 may be attached to the associated main panel 10, 20, 30, 40 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. Two of the bottom panels 22, 42 are also provided with a piece of liner 24, 44. Each of the liners 24, 44 may be attached to the associated bottom panel 22, 42 by means of e.g., an adhesive, such as glue. However, each of the liners 24, 44 may be attached to the associated bottom panel 22, 42 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. The respective liner 24, 44 on the respective bottom panel 22, 42 may alternatively be omitted.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the top panels or top rim panels 11, 21, 31, 41 are not provided with any liners in order to facilitate folding the top panels 11, 21, 31, 41 inwardly when folding the blank 1 into an erected box shaped state. However, the top panels 11, 21, 31, 41 could be provided with liners, especially should the top panels 11, 21, 31, 41 be dimensioned so as to being able to form a lid or top of the package 2.

[0080] The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are preferably made from a cellulose-based air-laid material. For example, the air-laid material may comprise cellulose and/or lignocellulose fibers at a concentration of at least 70 % by weight of the cellulose-based air-laid material and a polymer binder, e.g. a thermoplastic polymer binder, at a concentration selected within an interval of from 2.5 up to 30 % by weight of the cellulose-based air-laid material. The air-laid material may also comprise one or more additives. The air-laid material is formed by a process known as air-laying, in which cellulose and/or lignocellulose fibers and polymer binders are mixed with air to form a porous fiber mixture deposited onto a support and consolidated or bonded by heating. This air-laid material is characterized by being porous, having the character of an open cell foam and being produced in a so-called dry forming method, i.e., generally without addition of water. The average density of the air-laid material is preferably selected within an interval of from 10 to 60 kg/m.sup.3. Preferably, the average density of the air-laid material is within an interval of from 15 to 60 kg/m.sup.3, and more preferably within an interval of from 15 to 50 kg/m.sup.3.

[0081] The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may alternatively be made from a foam material. The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may be made from a wood fibre-based material such as cellulose, cellulose foam, wood foam, formed fibre, fibre sheets or fibre mats. Alternatively, or additionally, the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may be made from a plastic based material such as polyethene foam or expanded polystyrene. The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may be made from a biocomposite material such as for instance wood foam.

[0082] The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may alternatively be paper-based but may be formed of any material normally used in the art to provide additional properties, such as thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance, to the package. An advantage with the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 being paper-based is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the liner. In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are formed of the same material. The liners may alternatively be formed of the same material as the blank 1. This is advantageous in that e.g., by-products of manufacturing processes pertinent to the production of the blank 1 may be utilized and not go to waste. In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are uniformly thick. In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 are of the same material thickness. Hence, production of lining material is facilitated and made cost-efficient. The liners are preferably resiliently compressible which allows the pieces of liners to be locally compressed and allows the main panels to be double-folded into a flat-folded state. It is preferable that the liner regains a material thickness of at least 50% of its original material thickness after it has been folded into the flat-folded state and then been raised into the box shaped state.

[0083] The blank 1 may have a first material thickness. The liners 13, 23, 33, 43, 24, 44 may have a second material thickness. The second material thickness may be at least two times the first material thickness.

[0084] It may in this context also be noted that the separation between the internal fold lines IF and the respective main fold lines MF may also be expressed in relation to the material thickness of said one or more pieces or portions of liner 23, 43 on said main panels A20, A40. Thus, it is preferred that the internal fold lines IF are each separated from the respective main fold lines MF a distance, as measured along the longitudinal direction L, being about two times a material thickness of said one or more pieces or portions of liner 23, 43 on said main panels A20, A40. The internal fold lines IF are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction L a distance such that when the respective main panel A20, A40 is double-folded about said internal fold lines IF, opposing inside surfaces of the respective main panel A20, A40 are separated from each other a distance being between 50%-150%, preferably between 80-120%, of a nominal double material thickness of said pieces or portions of liner on the respective double-folded main panel A20, A40.

[0085] In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panels 10, 30 extends all the way from a respective first transversally extending edge to a respective second transversally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panel 10, 30 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second transversally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30 to a respective second transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30.

[0086] Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panels 10, 30 extends all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 13, 33 of the respective main panel 10, 30 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 10, 30.

[0087] In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panels 20, 40 are terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second transversally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40 to a respective second transversally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40. Hence, there is formed a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on a respective main panel 20, 40 along a respective transversally extending main fold line MF. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. However, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panels 20, 40 may alternatively extend all the way from a respective first transversally extending edge to a respective second transversally extending edge. In such cases, the liner on a respective adjacent main panel may be formed with such a longitudinal extension so as to form a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on the respective adjacent main panel along a respective transversally extending main fold line MF. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. In preferred embodiments, none of the respective liners extend past any longitudinally or transversally extending edges of a respective associated panel.

[0088] It may be noted that instead of the provision of a gap between the liners at the respective main fold line MF, the liner may extend across the main fold line MF and be provided with a groove along the main fold line MF, such as a V-shaped groove, facing with the open side inwardly towards the interior of the package. Preferably, the groove is shaped such that it allows the blank 1 to be folded about the main fold lines MF into the box shaped state without the side walls of the respective groove interfering with each other, at least not significantly interfering to such an extent that it makes folding difficult. However, preferably the groove is shaped such that when the blank 1 is folded about the main fold lines MF, the side walls of the respective groove will approach each other such that the respective groove fully or at least essentially disappears. Thus, preferably, the side walls of the groove at respective main fold line MF form an internal angle corresponding to the intended angle to which the blank 1 is to be folded at the respective main fold line MF. If the blank 1 is intended to be folded into a right-angled corner at a main fold line MF when the blank 1 is folded into the box shaped state, the side walls of the groove at that main fold line MF preferably forms an internal angle of 90. A larger angle of the corner is associated with a correspondingly smaller angle of the groove and vice versa. It may be noted that the groove needs not be symmetrical, the side walls may be sloping at different angles relative to a plane formed of the blank, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, as long as the intended internal angle is provided.

[0089] In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panels 20, 40 extends all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 23, 43 of the respective main panel 20, 40 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective main panel 20, 40.

[0090] In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 extends all the way from a respective first transversally extending edge to a respective second transversally extending edge. This facilitates providing content of the package 2 optimal thermal insulation and/or mechanical impact resistance while not interfering with the folding of the blank 1. However, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 may alternatively be terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second transversally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first transversally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42 to a respective second transversally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42.

[0091] In preferred embodiments, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 are terminated at a distance from one or both of the respective first and second longitudinally extending edges and thereby be said to extend from a respective first longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42 to a respective second longitudinally extending edge portion of the respective bottom panel 22, 42. Hence, there is formed a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on a respective bottom panel 22, 42 along a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. However, in some embodiments, each of the liners 24, 44 of the respective bottom panels 22, 42 may alternatively extend all the way from a respective first longitudinally extending edge to a respective second longitudinally extending edge. In such cases, the liner on a respective adjacent main panel may be formed with such a transversal extension so as to form a respective longitudinally and transversally extending gap on the respective adjacent main panel along a respective second longitudinally extending edge. This facilitates folding of the blank 1 to a flat-folded and an erected state thereof. In preferred embodiments, none of the respective liners extend past any longitudinally or transversally extending edges of a respective associated panel.

[0092] It should be understood that the illustrated blank 1 in FIG. 1 merely discloses one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, the main panels 10, 30 as shown in FIG. 2 are wider than the main panels 20, 40 as seen along the longitudinal direction. The liners 13, 33 are correspondingly wider than the liners 23, 43 as seen along the longitudinal direction. However, the skilled person realizes that the blank 1, and correspondingly the liners of each of the panels having a liner may be dimensioned in another way with remained functions. The skilled person also realizes that a different set of panels may be provided with liners with remained function.

[0093] As disclosed in FIG. 3, the blank 1 of FIG. 2 has been folded into a flat-folded state of the blank 1. The blank 1 may be folded such that the liners 13, 33, and two major portions of the respective liners 23, 43, 24, 44 abut/lie flat against each other. By the internal fold lines IF of the respective panel 20, 22, 40, 42 being separated from each other along the longitudinal direction by a distance corresponding to two times a material thickness of the respective associated liner 23, 24, 43, 44 the blank 1 is allowed to be double-folded into a flat-folded state as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0094] The bottom panel 12 may be provided with a longitudinally extending slit 15. The bottom panel 32 may be provided with a protrusion 35. In such cases, the slit 15 and the protrusion 35 are configured to engage with each other upon forming the floor of the package 2 so as to keep the bottom panels 12, 22, 32, 42 in their intended position. The skilled person realizes that the floor of the package 2 may be formed through alternate mechanisms.

[0095] Continuing with FIG. 4, the blank 1 of FIG. 2 has been erected into a box shaped package 2. The blank 1 may be erected either from a flat-laid state into a package 2, or a flat-folded state into a package 2. The floor of the package 2 may be formed by folding the bottom panels 12, 22, 32, 42 inwardly, and letting the slit 15 of the bottom panel 12 engage with the protrusion 35 of the bottom panel 32. The top rim panels 11, 21, 31, 41 may be folded inwardly towards a free major surface of the associated liner 13, 23, 33, 43, and may engage with each other hence facilitating keeping the package 2 in a folded state. The top rim panels 11, 21, 31, 41 may be folded inwardly such that a major surface of each of the top panels 11, 21, 31, 41 abut a free major surface of the associated piece of liner 13, 23, 33, 43. The main panels 20, 40 of the blank 1 may be provided with through-going holes or openings 46 acting as handles. Any other main panels may also be provided with through-going holes acting as handles. The through-going holes may alternatively be omitted.

[0096] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0097] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.