Straight-edged packaging container and device for forming same
View Patent ↗A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The base unit is configured so that its side walls fit within and are embraced by side walls of the cover unit when assembled as a container. The base unit forms an end closure from first and second closure panels extending from an end of the base unit. The closure panels are separated from the base unit and each other by first and second fold lines. The base unit side walls have straight-cut corners at a juncture with the first closure panel, and the first closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the base unit, forming a square corner when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have straight-cut corners adjacent to the second closure panel, and the second closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the first closure panel, forming a square corner when folded to form the end closure. A device for cutting and embossing the packaging container is also disclosed.
1. A packaging container, comprising:
a embossed preformed, first unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat base wall and opposing side walls, the first unit being sufficiently rigid such that the side walls maintain their U-shape relative to the base wall without external support and so as to remain upstanding relative to the base wall; and
a embossed preformed, second unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat base wall and opposing side walls, the second unit being sufficiently rigid such that the side walls maintain their U-shape relative to the base wall without external support and so as to remain upstanding relative to the base wall, the second unit configured so that the side walls of the first unit are fitted within and embraced by the side walls of the second unit when the first unit and second unit are assembled as a container,
the first unit forming an end closure for the packaging container, formed from a first closure panel extending from and adjacent to an end of the first unit, and a second closure panel extending from and adjacent to an end of the first closure panel, the first and second closure panels each having a base wall and opposing side walls, the first unit and the first closure panel being separated from one another by a first fold line in the base wall extending between the side walls, the first closure panel and the second closure panel being separated from one another by a second fold line in the base wall extending between the side walls, the first unit side walls having straight-cut corners at a juncture with the first closure panel side walls and extending substantially to the base wall, and the first closure panel side walls having first straight-cut corners adjacent the first unit side walls and extending substantially to the base wall, the first closure panel side walls having second straight-cut corners adjacent the second closure panel side walls and extending substantially to the base wall and the second closure panel side walls having straight-cut corners adjacent the first closure panel side walls and extending substantially to the base wall, the first closure panel being configured for folding along the first fold line generally perpendicular to the first unit base wall and the second closure panel being configured for folding along the second fold line generally perpendicular to the first closure panel and generally parallel to the first unit base wall.
2. The packaging container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first unit side walls have a height that is about equal to a height of the first and second closure panel side walls.
3. The packaging container in accordance with claim 2 wherein a third closure panel extends from and is adjacent to an end of the second closure panel, the third closure panel having a base wall and opposing side wall, the second closure panel and the third closure panel being separated from one another by a third fold line in the base wall extending between the side walls, the third closure panel being configured for folding along the third fold line generally parallel to the second closure panel and to the first unit base wall.
4. The packaging container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first unit includes two end closures, each positioned at an end of the first unit.
5. The packaging container in accordance with claim 1 wherein a divider is placed in the first unit, segregating the first unit into a plurality of compartments.
6. The packaging container in accordance with claim 5 wherein the divider is attached to a side wall of the first unit.
7. A packaging container, comprising:
a plurality of embossed pre-formed, rigid base unit of U-shaped cross-section having generally flat bottom walls and opposing side walls, each of the base units being sufficiently rigid such that the side walls maintain their U-shape relative to the base wall, without external support and so as to remain upstanding relative to their respective base walls; and
a embossed preformed, rigid cover unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat top wall and opposing side walls, the cover unit being sufficiently rigid such that the side walls maintain their U-shape relative to the top wall without external support and so as to remain upstanding relative to the top wall, the cover unit configured so that the side walls of the bottom units are fitted within and embraced by the side walls of the cover unit when the base unit and cover unit are assembled as a container,
the cover unit forming an end closure for the packaging container, formed from a first closure panel extending from and adjacent to an end of the cover unit, and a second closure panel extending from and adjacent to an end of the first closure panel, the first and second closure panels each having a base wall and opposing side walls, the cover unit and the first closure panel being separated from one another by a first fold line in the base wall extending between the side walls, the first closure panel and the second closure panel being separated from one another by a second fold line in the base wall extending between the side walls, the cover unit side walls having straight-cut corners at a juncture with the first closure panel side walls and the first closure panel side walls having straight-cut corners adjacent the cover unit side walls, the first closure panel side walls having second straight-cut corners adjacent the second closure panel side walls and the second closure panel side walls having straight-cut corners adjacent the first closure panel side walls, the first closure panel being configured for folding generally perpendicular to the cover unit top wall along the first fold line and the second closure panel being configured for folding generally perpendicular to the first closure panel along the second fold line and generally parallel to the cover unit top wall.
8. The packaging container in accordance with claim 7 wherein the cover unit side walls have a height that is about equal to a height of the first and second closure panel side walls.
9. The packaging container in accordance with claim 7 wherein the first and second closure panel side walls are configured for insertion inside the cover unit side walls when the end closure is formed.
10. The packaging container in accordance with claim 7 wherein the cover unit includes two end closures, each positioned at an end of the cover unit.
11. The packaging container in accordance with claim 7 wherein the side walls of the plurality of base units are attached to each other.