ROUND CONTAINERS

Abstract

A container can include a bottom panel, a sidewall structure attached to a bottom panel and forming a cavity for receiving an article. The sidewall structure can extend substantially orthogonally from the bottom panel. The container can include an at least partially round top panel. The top panel can be configured to latch to the sidewall structure to enclose the cavity. The top panel can be attached to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel. In certain embodiments, the top panel can be separate from the body.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

1. This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/755,223 filed on Nov. 2, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

2. Field

The present disclosure relates to round containers, e.g., for pizza boxes.

3. Description of Related Art

Many applications of containers, e.g., for pizza boxes made of paper, are traditionally square boxes. Square boxes are traditionally folded from blanks and are square even where the application includes containing a round article, e.g., such as a pizza.

Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for round containers. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A container can include a bottom panel, a sidewall structure attached to a bottom panel and forming a cavity for receiving an article. The sidewall structure can extend substantially orthogonally from the bottom panel, for example. The container can include an at least partially round top panel. The top panel can be configured to latch to the sidewall structure to enclose the cavity. The top panel can be attached to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel. In certain embodiments, the top panel can be separate from the body.

In certain embodiments, the top panel can be entirely circular. In certain embodiments, the top panel can include at least one semi-circular edge and at least one flat edge when attached to the sidewall structure.

The top panel can be configured to latch to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel at one (e.g., two) or more locations. For example, the top panel or the sidewall structure and/or bottom panel can include at least one slot for receiving a tab of the other to latch the top panel to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel.

In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure forms a substantially round shape. The sidewall structure can include a plurality of side panels folded to form the sidewall structure. The plurality of side panels include one or more folding edge flaps configured to allow fold lines of the side panels to align.

The side panels can include a plurality of rectangular side panels. The rectangular side panels can be folded together to approximate a circular shape and wherein there is a folding edge flap between each rectangular side panel. In such embodiments, for example, folding edge flaps can be glued to the flat side panels.

In certain embodiments, a mid-panel can be attached at a fold line to the sidewall structure and configured to partially cover the cavity when folded over the cavity. The top panel can be configured to fold over the mid-panel to at least partially cover the mid-panel. The mid-panel can include one or more slits defined at an edge thereof and configured to allow a tab of a top panel and/or sidewall structure to pass therethrough.

Any suitable container, blank, or method in accordance with this disclosure and/or described below and/or shown in the drawings are contemplated herein.

These and other features of the systems and methods 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. 1A shows an embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of a blank and numbered method for forming said blank, the blank configured to be formed into the container of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of a blank and numbered method for forming said blank, the blank configured to be formed into the container of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A shows an embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of a blank and numbered method for forming said blank, the blank configured to be formed into the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of a blank and numbered method for forming said blank, the blank configured to be formed into the container of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a blank and numbered method for forming said blank, the blank configured to be formed into the container of FIG. 5A; and

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of a blank and numbered method for forming said blank, the blank configured to be formed into the container of FIG. 6A.

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 container in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1s designated generally by reference character 100.

Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1B-6B.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1A-6B, a container 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can include a bottom panel 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 and a sidewall structure 103, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603 attached (e.g., at one or more fold lines) to the bottom panel and forming a cavity 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605 for receiving an article (e.g., a pizza). The sidewall structure can extend substantially orthogonally (e.g., at a 90 degree angle, or at a non-right angle) from the bottom panel.

The container can include an at least partially round top panel 107. The top panel 107 can be configured to latch to the sidewall structure to enclose the cavity. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 6A, and 6B the top panel can be separate from the body. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A-5A, the top panel can be attached to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the top panel can be entirely circular. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A-6B, the top panel can include at least one semi-circular edge and at least one flat edge, e.g., either individually or when attached to the sidewall structure and folded over.

The top panel can be configured to latch to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel at one (e.g., two) or more locations. For example, the top panel or the sidewall structure and/or bottom panel can include at least one slot 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609 for receiving a tab 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611 of the other to latch the top panel to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel.

The sidewall structure can include a plurality of side panels 113, 213, 313, 413, 513, 613 folded to form the sidewall structure. As shown in certain embodiments, the one or more side panels can be formed from one or more panels (e.g., folded over). In certain embodiments, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2B and 6A, the sidewall structure can form a substantially round shape. For example, the plurality of side panels include one or more folding edge flaps 215, 615 configured to allow fold lines of the side panels to align.

As shown, the side panels can include a plurality of rectangular side panels in certain embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6A, the rectangular side panels can be folded together to approximate a circular shape and such that there is a folding edge flap 615 between each rectangular side panel. In such embodiments, for example, folding edge flaps 615 can be glued to the flat side panels 613.

In certain embodiments, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2A-3B, a mid-panel 217, 317 can be attached at a fold line to the sidewall structure and configured to partially cover the cavity when folded over the cavity. The top panel can be configured to fold over the mid-panel to at least partially cover the mid-panel. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, if the mid-panel 317 is dimensioned to intersect a tab 311 and/or overlay a slit 309, the mid-panel 317 can include one or more slits 319 defined at an edge thereof and configured to allow a tab of a top panel and/or sidewall structure to pass therethrough.

Embodiments can include any other suitable panels and/or flaps as shown and/or appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, one or more glue tabs or sidewall locking tabs can be included to form the sidewall structure and/or to retain the formed sidewall structure.

FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B each show an embodiment of a blank in accordance with this disclosure. The blanks can be made of paper (e.g., printed cardboard) or any other suitable material. Any suitable lines shown can be or include fold lines and/or cuts to allow the blank to be formed into the respective container 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. One having ordinary skill in the art understands, in view of this disclosure, which lines can be or include fold lines (e.g., dashed lines) or cut lines, or any other suitable line or connection. Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any panel shown can be hingedly attached to any other suitable panel (e.g., with fold lines) or can be attached in any other suitable manner (e.g., glue), or can be separated from any other suitable panel.

FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B each show an embodiment of numbered folding sequence. Each shown method includes numbers counting up from “1” located at the respective fold lines. Where multiple numbers are shown, this indicates that multiple folds can be made at once, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art appreciates the convention as depicted in FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B, and is enabled to fold the shown blanks using at least the embodiment of a method. Any suitable changes (e.g., additions, subtractions, or renumbering) to the depicted method embodiments are contemplated herein. Any other forming method is contemplated herein.

Any suitable container, blank, or method in accordance with this disclosure and/or described below and/or shown in the drawings are contemplated herein. Any suitable line (e.g., dashed lines in certain drawings) that is shown connecting panels together can be or include a fold line. A fold line can include any suitable type of fold line as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., single perforated line, a double perforated line, a punched in portion, etc.). Any suitable line (e.g., solid in certain drawings) shown where portions are not to be connected can be a cut line, for example.

Any suitable variation and/or other panels, lines, cuts, tabs, and/or slits are contemplated herein (e.g., any suitable portions of U.S. Pat. No. 9,908,660 to James et al., incorporated by reference 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).

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.

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.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a bottom panel;

a sidewall structure attached to the bottom panel and forming a cavity for receiving an article, wherein the sidewall structure extends substantially orthogonally from the bottom panel; and

an at least partially round top panel, wherein the top panel is configured to latch to the sidewall structure to enclose the cavity.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the top panel is attached to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the top panel is separate from the body.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the top panel is entirely circular.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the top panel includes at least one semi-circular edge and at least one flat edge when attached to the sidewall structure.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the top panel is configured to latch to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel at two or more locations.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the top panel or the sidewall structure and/or bottom panel includes at least one slot for receiving a tab of the other to latch the top panel to the sidewall structure and/or the bottom panel.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall structure forms a substantially round shape.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall structure includes a plurality of side panels folded to form the sidewall structure.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the plurality of side panels include one or more folding edge flaps configured to allow fold lines of the side panels to align.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the side panels include a plurality of rectangular side panels.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the rectangular side panels are folded together to approximate a circular shape and wherein there is a folding edge flap between each rectangular side panel.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the folding edge flaps are glued to the flat side panels.

14. The container of claim 1, further comprising a mid-panel attached at a fold line to the sidewall structure and configured to partially cover the cavity when folded over the cavity, wherein the top panel is configured to fold over the mid-panel to at least partially cover the mid-panel.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the mid-panel includes one or more slits defined at an edge thereof and configured to allow a tab of a top panel and/or sidewall structure to pass therethrough.

16. A container as described and/or shown in the drawings.

17. A blank for a container as described and/or shown in the drawings.

18. A method as described and/or illustrated in the drawings.