Lined paper-based container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12312144-B2
Application number	US-202318204179-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2023
Priority date	May 31, 2023
Publication date	May 27, 2025
Grant date	May 27, 2025

Abstract

A container including a paper-based cradle, a paper-based insert, and a thermoplastic film. The cradle has exterior corner panels that form a transition between the exterior end panels and exterior side panels. The cradle and insert are held together by the thermoplastic film that is thermoformed into conformance with the cradle and insert. The exterior corner panels at the junctures between the exterior end panels and exterior side panel can reduce the potential for defects in the thermoformed thermoplastic film.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising:
a paper-based cradle comprising:
a bottom panel;
a pair of opposing exterior end panels, wherein each exterior end panel is foldably connected to said bottom panel at an exterior end panel proximal end and extends to an exterior end panel distal end and is directed towards a top of said container, and wherein each exterior end panel comprises opposing exterior end panel lateral edges extending from said exterior end panel proximal end to said exterior end panel distal end;
a pair of opposing exterior side panels, each exterior side panel is foldably connected to said bottom panel at an exterior side panel proximal end and extends to an exterior side panel distal end and is directed towards said top of said container, and wherein each exterior side panel comprises opposing exterior side panel lateral edges extending from said exterior side panel proximal end to said exterior side panel distal end;
four exterior corner panels, wherein individually each exterior corner panel is foldably connected to one said exterior end panel lateral edge or one said exterior side panel lateral edge, wherein each said exterior corner panel has a corner panel aperture therethrough; and
four corner backing panels, wherein individually each corner backing panel is in at least partially facing relationship with one said corner panel, wherein individually each corner backing panel is foldably connected to one said exterior end panel lateral edge or one said exterior side panel lateral edge;
a paper-based insert partially inboard of said cradle and comprising:
a continuous brim;
a pair of interior end panels foldably connected to said brim, wherein each said interior end panel is directed towards a bottom of said container and is in at least partial facing relationship with one said exterior end panel; and
a pair of interior side panels foldably connected to said brim, wherein each said interior side panel is directed towards said bottom and is in at least partial facing relationship with one said exterior side panel;
a thermoplastic film inboard of said insert and joined to said brim, said bottom panel, said interior end panels, said interior side panels, said exterior end panels, said exterior side panels, and said exterior corner panels, wherein individually each said corner backing panel is joined to said thermoplastic film through said corner panel aperture.

2. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each exterior corner panel is foldably connected one said exterior side panel lateral edge;
wherein individually each exterior corner panel has a corner panel wing foldably connected thereto;
wherein individually each corner panel wing is in at least partial facing relationship with one exterior end panel and has a wing aperture therethrough; and
wherein said thermoplastic film is joined to said exterior end panels through said wing apertures.

3. The container according to claim 2 , wherein individual each said corner panel wing has an corner panel wing area not inclusive of said wing aperture and said wing aperture has a wing aperture open area that is more than 25% of said corner panel wing.

4. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each exterior corner panel is foldably connected one said exterior end panel lateral edge;
wherein individually each exterior corner panel has a corner panel wing foldably connected thereto;
wherein individually each corner panel wing is in at least partial facing relationship with one exterior side panel and has a wing aperture therethrough; and
wherein said thermoplastic film is joined to said exterior side panels through said wing apertures.

5. The container according to claim 4 , wherein individual each said corner panel wing has an corner panel wing area not inclusive of said wing aperture and said wing aperture has a wing aperture open area that is more than 25% of said corner panel wing.

6. The container according to claim 1 , wherein individual each said exterior corner panel has an exterior corner panel area not inclusive of said corner panel aperture and said corner panel aperture has a corner panel aperture open area that is more than 25% of said exterior corner panel area.

7. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each said interior side panel has one or more interior side panel apertures therethrough; and
wherein said thermoplastic film is joined to said exterior side panels through said interior side panel apertures.

8. The container according to claim 7 , wherein individually each said interior side panel has an interior side panel area not inclusive of said interior side panel apertures and said interior side panel apertures have a side panel aperture open area that is more than 20% of said interior side panel area.

9. The container according to claim 1 further comprising four interior corner panels foldably connected to said brim, wherein individually each interior corner panel is in at least partial facing relationship with part of one said exterior corner panel.

10. The container according to claim 9 , wherein individually each interior corner panel is in wholly facing relationship with part of one exterior corner panel.

11. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each interior end panel is in wholly facing relationship with one exterior end panel.

12. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each interior side panel is in wholly facing relationship with one exterior side panel.

13. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each said interior end panel is foldably connected to said brim at an interior end panel proximal end and extends to an interior end panel distal end; and
wherein each interior end panel distal end includes a concave end profile.

14. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein individually each interior side panel is foldably connected to said brim at an interior side panel proximal end and extends to an interior side panel distal end;
wherein individually each interior side panel comprises an interior bottom vertex between said interior side panel proximal end and said interior side panel distal end; and
wherein individually each interior bottom vertex aligns with an exterior bottom vertex between one exterior side panel and said bottom panel.

15. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein said thermoplastic film has interior surface along said bottom panel oriented towards said top;
wherein said thermoplastic film along said brim has top surface oriented away from said bottom panel;
wherein said top surface bounds an open end;
wherein said open end has a maximum open dimension; and
wherein said container has a depth measured orthogonally away from said interior surface to said open end that is less than 75% of said maximum open dimension.

16. The container according to claim 1 , wherein individually each said exterior side panel has an obtuse interior angle to said bottom panel.

17. The container according to claim 1 :
wherein said thermoplastic film along said brim has a top surface oriented away from said bottom panel and bounds an open end; and
wherein a sheet material extends across said open end and is joined to said thermoplastic film along said brim to define an interior space between said thermoplastic film and said sheet material.

18. The container according to claim 1 , where said container is devoid of adhesive between parts of said cradle that are in facing relationship with one another and i

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Hoefte Paulus Antonius Augustinus

Classifications

• B65D2577/2025

  Multi-layered container, e.g. laminated, coated · CPC title

• B65D5/445

  Reinforcements formed separately from the container · CPC title

• B65D5/20

  by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form (specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections B65D5/36) · CPC title

• B65D77/2024

  the cover being welded or adhered to the container · CPC title

• B65D5/563

  Laminated linings; Coatings · CPC title