Patent Publication Number: US-2023159212-A1

Title: Triangular packages having autobottoms and blaniks therefor

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to packages, e.g., having autobottoms that form when the package is formed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Existing packages are limited in shape complexity while still allowing autobottoms as the geometric complexity forbids simple autobottom formation as in a square package, for example. 
     Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for packages having triangular autobottoms and blanks therefor. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a package can include a three-sided body formed of three or more body panels and an autobottom connected to the three-sided body and formed of three or more bottom panels extending from a respective body panel of the plurality of the three or more body panels. The autobottom can connect all of the three or more body panels together in a triangular shape when the three or more bottom panels are interacting with each other. 
     The autobottom can be configured to fully enclose a bottom opening of the package. The autobottom can fit entirely within the triangular shape such that no portion of the autobottom extends laterally outside of the three or more body panels when the three or more bottom panels are interacting with each other. 
     The three or more body panels can be sized to have a width such that the three-sided body forms an equilateral triangle for the triangular shape. The three or more body panels can include four body panels, for example. The four body panels can include a third body panel and a fourth body panel of the same size, and a first body panel and a second body panel together having a total size of the third body panel or the fourth body panel. In certain embodiments, the first body panel and the second body panel can each have a size that is half of the third body panel or the fourth panel. Any other suitable size for one or more of the panels to form any triangular three-sided body is contemplated herein. 
     Each body panel can be connected to each adjacent body panel at a respective fold line. Any other suitable connections are contemplated herein. 
     The three or more autobottom panels can include at least a first bottom panel, a second bottom panel, a third bottom panel, and a fourth bottom panel. Each bottom panel can be foldably connected to a respective body panel. 
     The package can include a first attachment tab foldably connected to the first bottom panel and a second attachment tab foldably connected to the second bottom panel. The first bottom panel and the second bottom panel can be foldably or breakably connected to each other or can be separated from each other. 
     In certain embodiments, a third attachment tab can be foldably connected to the fourth bottom panel. The first attachment tab can be attached to an underside of the fourth bottom panel and the second attachment tab can be attached to an underside of the third bottom panel. The third attachment tab can be attached to an underside of the third bottom panel. 
     The package can be configured to fold into a flattened position by allowing the first and second body panels to be folded inwardly while allowing the bottom panels to be folded upwardly. Each attachment tab can be configured to fold relative to a respective bottom panel to allow the bottom panels to be folded upwardly. 
     In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank can be configured to form any embodiment of a package disclosed herein (e.g., as described herein). In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank for a package can include three or more body panels connected by a respective body fold line between each body panel and configured to form a triangular shape, and a plurality of bottom panels, a respective bottom panel of the plurality of bottom panels foldably connected to a respective body panel of the three or more body panels, wherein the plurality of bottom panels are configured to form an autobottom that at least partially forms a bottom of the package, wherein the autobottom connects all of the three or more body panels together in a triangular shape when the three or more bottom panels are interacting with each other in an opened state. 
     The autobottom can be configured to fully enclose a bottom opening of the package. The three or more body panels can be the dimensioned such that the three-sided body forms an equilateral triangle for the triangular shape. 
     The triangular shape can be a regular triangle, for example, or any other suitable triangle. The first bottom panel can have a substantially triangular shape and can have a first attachment tab foldably connected thereto. The second bottom panel can have a substantially triangular shape and can have a second attachment tab foldably connected thereto. The third bottom panel can have a substantially symmetric trapezoidal shape or substantially triangle shape. The fourth bottom panel can have a substantially trapezoidal shape (e.g., non-isosceles). Any other suitable shapes and/or sizes are contemplated herein. 
     These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a package in accordance with this disclosure, shown having a top in an open state; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A , showing an assembled autobottom of the package; 
         FIG.  1 C  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A , showing an assembled autobottom of the package; 
         FIG.  1 D  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A , showing an assembled autobottom of the package in a folded state;  FIG.  1 E  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A , showing an assembled autobottom of the package in a folded state; 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form the embodiment of a package of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 E ; 
         FIG.  3    is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of a package in accordance with this disclosure, showing an assembled autobottom of the package in a folded state; and 
         FIG.  4    is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank configured to form the embodiment of a package of  FIG.  3   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a package in accordance with the disclosure is shown in  FIG.  1 A  and is designated generally by reference character  100 . Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in  FIGS.  1 B- 4   . Certain embodiments described herein can be used as easy-to-assemble packaging for any suitable purpose (e.g., retail, shipping, etc.). 
     The term “autobottom,” as used in the present disclosure, means a bottom formed by panels that interact with each other to automatically form a bottom of a package when the package is constructed into its formed state. 
     In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, referring to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 E , a package  100  (e.g., made from the blank  200  of  FIG.  2   ) can include a three-sided body  101  formed of three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  and an autobottom  103  connected to the three-sided body  101  and formed of three or more bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d,  each extending from a respective body panel  101   a, b, c, d  of the plurality of the three or more body panels. The autobottom  103  can connect all of the three or more body panels  103   a, b, c, d  together in a triangular shape (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1 A ) when the three or more bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d  are interacting with each other (e.g., when the bottom panels are attached to each other directly or indirectly via glue or any other suitable connection, permanent or temporary). 
     The autobottom  103  can be configured to fully enclose a bottom opening  105  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1 D ) of the package  100 . The autobottom  103  can fit entirely within the triangular shape such that no portion of the autobottom  103  extends laterally outside of the three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  when the three or more bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d  are interacting with each other (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1 C ). 
     The three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  can be sized to have a width such that the three-sided body forms an equilateral triangle for the triangular shape (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C ). In alternative arrangements, the three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  can be sized to have a width such that the three-sided body forms any triangular shape, e.g., isosceles, scalene, acute, right, and obtuse triangles. The three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  can include four body panels  101   a, b, c, d,  for example. The four body panels  101   a, b, c, d  can include a third body panel  101   c  and a fourth body panel  101   d  of the same size, and a first body panel  101   a  and a second body panel  101   b  together having a total size of the third body panel  101   c  or the fourth body panel  101   d . In certain embodiments, the first body panel  101   a  and the second body panel  101   b  can each have a size that is half of the third body panel  101   c  or the fourth panel  101   d . Any other suitable size for one or more of the panels  101   a, b, c, d  to form any triangular three-sided body  101  is contemplated herein. 
     Each body panel  101   a, b, c, d  can be connected to each adjacent body panel  101   a, b, c, d  at a respective fold line  107   ab ,  107   bc ,  107   cd . Any other suitable connections are contemplated herein. Fold line  107   ab  can allow the package  100  to fold from a formed state as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C ) to a flattened state (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  1 D and  1 E ). 
     The three or more autobottom panels can include at least a first bottom panel  103   a , a second bottom panel  103   b , a third bottom panel  103   c , and a fourth bottom panel  103   d . Each bottom panel  103   a, b, c, d  can be foldably connected to a respective body panel (e.g., along a common fold line  109  as shown in  FIG.  2   , or any other suitable number of fold lines, whether common or independent). 
     The first bottom panel  103   a  and the second bottom panel  103   b  can be foldably or frangibly connected to each other or can be separated from each other. For example, in certain embodiments, the first and second bottom panels  103   a ,  103   b  can have a line  111  defined between the first and second bottom panels  103   a ,  103   b . The line  111  can be a joint that breaks apart while folding that is made to stay together while gluing bottom panels together, e.g., for ease of assembly. In certain embodiments, line  111  can be a cut line. As shown, holes  113  can be used to reduce the amount of line  111  that has to break, e.g., where line  111  is a breakable line to form a frangible connection. As appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure, when transformed to the folded state, bottom panels  103   a  and  103   b  can be configured to separate and fold up (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1 D ). 
     The package  100  can include a first attachment tab  113   a  foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line  119   a  as shown) to the first bottom panel  103   a . The package  100  can include a second attachment tab  113   b  foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line  119   b  as shown) to the second bottom panel  103   b . Referring additionally to a package  300  and a blank  400  therefor shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in certain embodiments, a third attachment tab  313   d  can be foldably connected (e.g., at a fold line  319   d  as shown) to the fourth bottom panel  303   d.    
     Referring to  FIG.  1 C , the first attachment tab  113   a  can be attached to an underside of the fourth bottom panel  103   d  and the second attachment tab  113   b  can be attached to an underside of the third bottom panel  103   c . In certain embodiments having the third attachment tab  313   d , e.g., as shown in  FIG.  3   , the third attachment tab  313   d  can be attached to an underside of the third bottom panel  103   c . Each attachment tab  113   a, b, d  can be attached in any suitable manner (e.g., adhered with glue, tape, or otherwise attached). For example, in certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the third bottom panel  103   c  and the fourth bottom panel  103   d  can include at least one glue patch  115   a ,  115   b  disposed thereon (e.g., complimentary in shape to the second attachment tab  113   b  and the first attachment tab  113   a , respectively). As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the third bottom panel  103   c  can include an additional glue patch  315   c  for adhering the third attachment tab  113   d  to the third bottom panel  103   c.    
     The package  100  can be configured to fold into a flattened position (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  1 D  and  FIG.  3   ) by allowing the first and second body panels  101   a, b  to be folded inwardly (and/or outwardly) while allowing the bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d  to be folded upwardly (and/or downwardly), for example. Each attachment tab  113   a, b, c  can be configured to fold relative to a respective bottom panel  101   a, b  (and  303   d ) to allow the bottom panels  101   a, b, c, d  (and/or  303   d ) to be folded upwardly (and/or downwardly), for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 2   , an attachment panel  117  can be attached to the first body panel  101   a  (e.g., at fold line  107   da ). An attachment panel  117  can be attached to either or both of a first body panel (e.g.,  101   a ) or a last body panel (e.g.,  101   d ). Any suitable number of attachment panels  117  are contemplated herein. The attachment panel  117  can include glue disposed thereon, e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , or any other suitable attachment type for connecting the first and last body panels together to form the triangular body. 
     Embodiments of a package  100 ,  300  can include a top. The top can be any suitable top type (folding closure, separate top, etc.), and may include a single top panel or multiple top panels. 
     In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank, e.g., blanks  200 ,  400  can be configured to form any embodiment of a package, e.g.,  100 ,  300 , as disclosed herein (e.g., as described above). In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a blank for a package can include three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  connected by a respective body fold line  101   ab,    101   bc,    101   cd  between each body panel  101   a, b, c, d  and configured to form a triangular shape. The blank can include a plurality of bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d,  with each bottom panel of the plurality of bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d  foldably connected (e.g., at a common fold line  109 , or any other suitable number of fold lines, whether common or independent) to a respective body panel of the three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d.  The plurality of bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d  can be configured to form an autobottom  103  that at least partially forms a bottom of the package  100 ,  300 , for example. The autobottom  103  can connect all of the three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  together in a triangular shape when the three or more bottom panels  103   a, b, c, d  are interacting (e.g., mechanically connected, glued, or otherwise interacting) with each other in an opened state (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1 A ). 
     The autobottom  103  can be configured to fully enclose a bottom opening of the package  100 ,  300 . The three or more body panels  101   a, b, c, d  can be the dimensioned such that the three-sided body forms an equilateral triangle for the triangular shape. Any other suitable type of triangular shape is contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, the autobottom  103  can be configured to automatically form the bottom when the body panels  101   a, b, c, d  are moved to be in the triangular shape (e.g., after an initial assembly of the blank  200 ,  400 ). 
     The triangular shape can be a regular triangle, for example, or any other suitable triangle. In certain embodiments, the triangular shape can be an irregular triangle, an equilateral triangle, a right triangle, an obtuse triangle, an acute triangle, or an isosceles triangle (e.g., having sides with different widths). 
     The first bottom panel  103   a  can have a substantially triangular shape and can have a first attachment tab  113   a  foldably connected thereto. The second bottom panel  103   b  can have a substantially triangular shape and can have a second attachment tab  113   b  foldably connected thereto. 
     The third bottom panel  103   c  can have a substantially trapezoidal shape or substantially triangular shape and/or can include a glue patch  115   b . In certain implementations the substantially trapezoidal shape is a substantially symmetric trapezoidal shape. The fourth bottom panel  103   d  can have a substantially trapezoidal shape (e.g., non-isosceles) or similar polygonal shape, with or without one or more curved or rounded edges, and/or can include a glue patch  115   a . Any other suitable shapes and/or sizes are contemplated herein. While certain glue patches are shown in the figures, it is contemplated that the glue patches shown can be moved to any other suitable location (e.g., on the attachment tabs instead of the bottom panels). Glue is shown as hatching in  FIGS.  2  and  4   . 
     The blank  200  can further include at least one attachment panel  117  foldably connected to the first body panel  101   a . The attachment panel can include glue or otherwise be configured to attach to the fourth body panel  101   d  or other last body panel. The fourth body panel  101   d  or other last body panel can be configured to be attached to the attachment panel  117 , e.g., via glue on the attachment panel. In certain arrangements, attachment panel  117  can be attached to either or both of a first body panel (e.g.,  101   a ) or a last body panel (e.g.,  101   d ). Any suitable number of attachment panels  117  are contemplated herein. 
     The blank  200 ,  400  can include any other suitable panels for any other suitable function (e.g., locking portions, a top, locking tabs, etc.). The blanks  200 ,  400  can be assembled as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. 
     Embodiments of a package, e.g., as shown and/or described above, can be formed from any suitable embodiment of a blank (e.g., as described above). A blank can be made from any suitable material (e.g., paper, paperboard, plasticboard, corrugated board, etc.). 
     While certain panel shapes are shown in the figures, any other suitable panel shapes to form a triangular autobottom are contemplated herein. In view of this disclosure, one having ordinary skill in the art appreciates how to make blanks for, and assemble packages having, a triangular shape with an autobottom. Any suitable adhesive can be applied to any suitable panel disclosed herein for any suitable purpose. Any suitable foldable line types are contemplated herein (e.g., perforated, creased, cut/creased, etc.). While the figures include a legend indicating the line types of the embodiments of the figures, any other suitable line types for the lines shown in the drawings are contemplated herein. Embodiments provide a package that is easy to set up and maintain the shape. 
     Embodiments include a unique, fully functional triangular autobottom. Embodiments can be pre-glued and sent flat to the customer, for example. Embodiments can be easy to open from a flat state to be used as a container after opening. 
     While embodiments have been described and shown above, any suitable panels and/or other design for a blank to form a triangular package is contemplated herein. Any suitable material for use (e.g., paper, cardboard, plastic board, etc.) is contemplated herein. 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “approximately”, “around”) used in this disclosure can mean the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range can be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges). 
     The articles “a”, “an”, and “the” as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element. 
     The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” 
     Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.