Paperboard container with locking flaps
A container blank is provided which forms a container having a pair of end wall panels defining access apertures therein and a pair of side wall panels. The container blank also includes a plurality of minor flaps adjacent to the end wall panels where at least one of the minor flaps includes a horizontal fold line across the midsection of the minor flap and at least one vertical fold line that runs generally perpendicular to the horizontal fold line and defines at least one folding tab member on one of the minor flap locking tabs. Further, the container blank also has a plurality of major flaps adjacent to the side wall panels, where at least one of the major flaps has a receiving slot for engagement with an associated locking tab. The resulting container provides strength for use in storage including food product storage.
1 . A container blank for forming a paper container comprising:
a first end wall panel having a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, the first end wall panel defining a first access aperture therein adjacent to the top;
a first side wall panel having a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, wherein the first side panel is connected along its left side to the right side of the first end wall panel;
a second end wall panel having a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, wherein the second end panel is connected along its left side to the right side of the first side wall panel and the second end wall panel defines a second access aperture therein adjacent to the top;
a second side panel having a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, wherein the second side wall panel is connected along its left side to the right side of the second end wall panel;
a pair of top minor flaps connected to the tops of the first end wall panel and the second end wall panel, wherein each of the top minor flaps includes at least one top locking tab thereon, a generally horizontal fold line, and at least one fold line disposed generally perpendicular to the horizontal fold line so as to define a movable tab member adjacent to the top locking tabs;
a pair of major top flaps connected to the tops of the first side wall panel and the second side wall panel, wherein the major top flaps include receiving slots that engage the top locking tabs of the minor top flaps;
a pair of bottom minor flaps connected to the bottoms of the first end wall panel and the second end wall panel, wherein the bottom minor flaps include bottom locking tabs thereon; and
a pair of major bottom flaps connected to the bottoms of the first side wall panel and the second side wall panel, wherein the major bottom flaps include receiving slots that engage the bottom locking tabs of the minor bottom flaps.
2 . The container blank according to claim 1 , wherein each of the receiving slots of the major top flaps is defined by a perimeter having a cut line extending around a major portion of the perimeter and a fold line extending around a minor portion of the perimeter.
3 . The container blank of claim 1 , wherein the bottom minor flaps include a generally horizontal fold line.
4 . The container blank of claim 1 , further including at least one stacking tab formed therein adjacent to the top thereof.
5 . The container blank of claim 4 , further including at least one stacking tab receiving slot formed therein adjacent to the bottom thereof.
6 . The container blank of claim 1 , further comprising a third access aperture formed adjacent to the intersection of the bottom of the first or second end wall panel and the top of the first or second bottom minor flaps.
7 . A paperboard container comprising:
a pair of end wall panels having a top and a bottom each defining access apertures therein adjacent to the top;
a pair of side wall panels disposed between the pair of end wall panels having a top and a bottom;
a pair of top minor flaps connected to the tops of the end wall panels, wherein each of the top minor flaps includes at least one top locking tab thereon, a generally horizontal fold line, and at least one fold line disposed generally perpendicular to the horizontal fold line so as to define a movable tab member adjacent to the top locking tabs;
a pair of major top flaps connected to the tops of the pair of side wall panels, wherein the major top flaps include receiving slots that engage the top locking tabs of the minor top flaps;
a pair of bottom minor flaps connected to the bottoms of the pair of end wall panels, wherein the bottom minor flaps include bottom locking tabs thereon; and
a pair of major bottom flaps connected to the bottoms of the pair of side wall panels, wherein the major bottom flaps include receiving slots that engage the bottom locking tabs of the minor bottom flaps.
8 . The paperboard container according to claim 7 , further comprising a biasing tab adjacent to each of the receiving slots of the major top flaps that engage the top locking tabs.
9 . The paperboard container according to claim 7 , wherein the top minor flaps define an upstanding support structure with an apex along the horizontal fold line.
10 . The paperboard container of claim 7 further including at least one stacking tab extending from the top of the side wall panels.
11 . The paperboard container of claim 10 , wherein the side wall panels further define at least one stacking tab receiving slot formed adjacent to the bottom thereof.
12 . The paperboard container of claim 7 , further comprising a second access aperture formed adjacent to the intersection between the bottom of the end wall panels and the top of the bottom minor flaps.
13 . The paperboard container of claim 7 wherein the pair of major bottom flaps include a generally horizontal fold line and define an upstanding support structure with an apex along the horizontal fold line.