Container

#This invention relates to a container having a bottom panel for supporting container content, side panels for at least partially surrounding the content, and an access opening intended for the insertion or removal of content.

#It is known to make a container from a blank with a bottom panel, side panels, and gusset panels. Exemplary of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,204 ('204) issued to K. F. DeMay, entitled “Reclosable Food Tray and Tray Blank”. The DeMay patent teaches a method of forming a tray by sealing with adhesives the gusset panels to the side panels. However, at least one deficiency of this method is that the application of the adhesive increases the costs of forming the tray.

#U.S. Pat. No. 5, 873, 220 ('220) issued to Rune Haraldsson, et al entitled “Method for Producing a Self-Locking, Paperboard Pail-Like Container and Product Thereof” describes a method for forming a container from a blank without the use of adhesives taught in the DeMay patent. The Haraldsson patent teaches a container blank with a bottom panel, side panels, and gusset panels. One side of the blank is coated with a polymeric material. The other side of the blank is coated with a particulate mineral. At least some portion of the particulate mineral layer is “masked” in the sealing area. In addition, at least some portion of the gusset panels is “cut-away” in the sealing area. The gusset panels are folded so that the gusset panels are partially overlapped and sealed to each other in the “masked” and “cut-away” area without the use of adhesives. However the “masking” and “cut-away” steps adds to the container's costs.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary container blank according to the invention.

#FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of a partially formed container.

#FIG. 3 is an end elevation view after a gusset panel is partially folded.

#The features of the invention are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary container blank 100 according to the invention. FIGS. 2-6 illustrate how the blank 100 is folded and various parts secured to each other to form a container 400 (FIGS. 4-6). Blank 100 can be formed from any suitable substrate, such as paperboard, and of any suitable thickness. An exemplary thickness is about 0.008 to 0.028 inches.

#Blank 100 is exemplary coated on one side with a mineral coating. In an exemplary method, the exterior side is coated with a fluidized mixture of minerals, such as clay and calcium, and binders to form a smooth surface. The surface may undergo additional mechanical smoothing treatments. In an exemplary method graphic and advertising information is printed on the exterior side of a formed container 400 (FIGS. 4-6).