Inline multimodal pack system and containers thereof

Abstract

A container capable of being erected from multiple blanks in a machine and lidded post filling in that machine line. By a simple adaptation two different forms of filled container are envisaged each preferably adapted for transporting frozen meat or like frozen products.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A container erected or erectable from blank components to define a container said container being erected or erectable from a first blank to define a side wall type bliss container wrap component to define a rectangular base panel and end wall panels dependent therefrom, the base and each end wall panel having laterally (lateral with respect to the elongate axis of the base) extending flaps to allow the first blank's use as a side wall type bliss container wrap component, a second blank to define a full height side wall panel and a partial yet full height end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel, a third blank similar to the second blank, and a fourth blank to define a lidding panel with attachment flaps to extend and adhesively be affixed to the top of the end wall panels and to the top of the side wall panels, said fourth blank having extending from a sidewall flap of the fourth blank at least into the lidding panel a zone perforately and/or frangibly defined to allow at least a partial tear opening thereof, if desired, from said sidewall flap.  
   
   
       27 . The container of  claim 26  adapted for or at least suitable for transporting chilled meat or like unfrozen products.  
   
   
       28 . The container of  claim 26  wherein the blank components are all of, at least in part, a paperboard or like laminate.  
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 26  wherein at least one of the blank components is of a single or multiple cushion corrugated board.  
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 26  wherein the first, second and third blanks are erected and/or former held for filling prior to fixing of the fourth blank thereto.  
   
   
       31 . The container of  claim 26  wherein the second and third blanks are of a corrugated board material adapted to bear vertically (in a flute run direction of the corrugated board material) anticipated stack loads of the meat or like filled erect containers.  
   
   
       32 . The container of  claim 26  wherein the first blank, second blank, third blank, and/or fourth blank is substantially as herein described with reference to any one of  FIGS. 1A  to  1 DDD.  
   
   
       33 . The container of  claim 26  herein the container erects to a form substantially as herein described with reference to  FIGS. 1A through 3 .  
   
   
       34 . A machine line that has been used (A) for erecting (at least in part) two types of container, the machine line having been used in one mode to define a container, said container being erected or erectable from at least a first blank to define a side wall type bliss container wrap component to define a rectangular base panel and end wall panels dependent therefrom, the base and each end wall panel having laterally (lateral with respect to the elongate axis of the base) extending flaps to allow the first blank's use as a side wall bliss container wrap component, a second blank to define a full height side wall panel and a partial yet full height end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel, a third blank similar to the second blank, and the machine having been used in a second mode to define a container, said container being erected or erectable from at least a first blank to define a side wall type bliss container wrap component to define a rectangular base panel and end wall panels dependent therefrom, the base and each end wall panel having laterally (lateral with respect to the elongate axis of the base) extending flaps to allow the first blank's use as a side wall bliss container wrap component, a second blank to define a full height side wall panel and a partial yet full height end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel, and a third blank similar to the second blank, 
 (B) that has been used to allow filling of the containers, and,    (C) that has been used in each of the modes, to effect filled container closure by a fourth blank to define a lidding panel with attachment flaps to extend and adhesively be affixed to the top of the end wall panels and the side wall panels, and wherein, in the first mode, the construction of the second and third blanks has been more substantial than in the second mode with respect to 
 1) the extent of the end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel of the first blank,  
 2) the material from which the second and third blanks are formed, or  
 3) both (1) and (2).  
   
   
   
       35 . A machine of  claim 34  wherein the container of the first mode of erection was for chilled meat and the container of the second mode of erection was for frozen meat or meat to be frozen.  
   
   
       36 . A machine line of  claim 34  wherein in each mode the first blank is identical.  
   
   
       37 . A machine line of  claim 34  which in the modes of erection involves the use of hot melt adhesive.  
   
   
       38 . A machine line of  claim 37  in which the fourth blank has been affixed by use of hot melt adhesive.  
   
   
       39 . A machine line of  claim 34  which, in said first mode, has defined a container as a container erected or erectable from blank components to define a container said container being erected or erectable from a first blank to define a side wall type bliss container wrap component to define a rectangular base panel and end wall panels dependent therefrom, the base and each end wall panel having laterally (lateral with respect to the elongate axis of the base) extending flaps to allow the first blank's use as a side wall type bliss container wrap component, a second blank to define a full height side wall panel and a partial yet full height end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel, a third blank similar to the second blank, and 
 a fourth blank to define a lidding panel with attachment flaps to extend and adhesively be affixed to the top of the end wall panels and to the top of the side wall panels, said fourth blank having extending from a sidewall flap of the fourth blank at least into the lidding panel a zone perforately and/or frangibly defined to allow at least a partial tear opening thereof, if desired, from said sidewall flap.    
   
   
       40 . The machine line of  claim 34  which, in the second mode, has defined a closed container when the fourth blank is fitted thereto: 
 (A) without the lidding panel having at least in part perforate and/or frangible zones to encourage tear opening thereof; and    (B) without the end wall panels extending inwardly as far as in the first mode.    
   
   
       41 . The machine line of  claim 34  wherein the end wall panels have at least substantially met at the central axis of the container in a first mode container whereas, in the second mode container, they are merely relatively small intrusions towards the centre.  
   
   
       42 . The machine line of  claim 34  in which the container of the second mode is substantially of a form as hereinafter described with reference to  FIGS. 2A  to  2 D.  
   
   
       43 . In combination, the blanks of both a mode 1 and a mode 2 container as claimed in  claim 26 .  
   
   
       44 . In combination, both a mode 1 and a mode 2 type of container set of blanks as defined in  claim 26  and also a machine capable of erecting at least the carcase of each of the modes.  
   
   
       45 . The fill line which has included in the fill line a machine line adapted first to erect a carcase to be filled of a mode 1 and/or mode 2 type container of any one of  claim 34  and, post filling, to allow the fitting of the lidding feature thereto.  
   
   
       46 . A pack produced from blanks in accordance with  claim 26  having used a machine line that has been used 
 (A) for erecting (at least in part) two types of container, the machine line having been used in one mode to define a container, said container being erected or erectable from at least a first blank to define a side wall type bliss container wrap component to define a rectangular base panel and end wall panels dependent therefrom, the base and each end wall panel having laterally (lateral with respect to the elongate axis of the base) extending flaps to allow the first blank's use as a side wall bliss container wrap component, a second blank to define a full height side wall panel and a partial yet full height end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel, a third blank similar to the second blank, and the machine having been used in a second mode to define a container, said container being erected or erectable from at least a first blank to define a side wall type bliss container wrap component to define a rectangular base panel and end wall panels dependent therefrom, the base and each end wall panel having laterally (lateral with respect to the elongate axis of the base) extending flaps to allow the first blank's use as a side wall bliss container wrap component, a second blank to define a full height side wall panel and a partial yet full height end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel, and a third blank similar to the second blank,    (B) that has been used to allow filling of the containers, and,    (C) that has been used in each of the modes, to effect filled container closure by a fourth blank to define a lidding panel with attachment flaps to extend and adhesively be affixed to the top of the end wall panels and the side wall panels, 
 and wherein, in the first mode, the construction of the second and third blanks has been more substantial than in the second mode with respect to  
 1) the extent of the end wall attachment and/or reinforcement panel at each end of the side wall panel of the first blank,  
 2) the material from which the second and third blanks are formed, or  
 3) both (1) and (2).