Method and blank for forming a multi-panel container

Abstract

A method for forming a multi-panel, hollow container from a unitary blank of sheet material includes forming two spaced fold lines in each quadrant of the blank disposed on opposed sides of an imaginary diagonal line extending across the quadrant and folding the blank along the fold lines.

1 . A method for forming a multi-panel container having an enclosed, hollow interior, said method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a unitary blank of sheet material having four blank outer edges, four blank corners and four blank quadrants, said blank quadrants meeting at a location on said blank spaced inwardly from said four blank sides;    in each blank quadrant, creating a double-ended first fold line and a double-ended second fold line, both the ends of the first and second fold lines being interconnected and said first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant being spaced from one another between the connected ends thereof to define a side panel disposed completely within the blank quadrant, said first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant being disposed on opposed sides of an imaginary diagonal line extending across the blank quadrant between opposed junctures formed by adjoining blank outer edges at the blank quadrant boundary, the side panels at least partially surrounding and defining a bottom panel, said side panels and said adjoining blank outer edges defining top panels;    folding the unitary blank along all of the first fold lines located in all four quadrants thereof whereby the side panels extend upwardly from said blank bottom panel; and    folding the unitary blank along all of the second fold lines located in all four quadrants thereof whereby the top panels extend inwardly from said side panels over said bottom panel to enclose said hollow bottom interior.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of creating said double-ended first and second fold lines comprises creating double-ended first and second fold lines curved over at least portions of the lengths thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of creating said double-ended first and second fold lines comprises creating double-ended first and second fold lines straight over at least portions of the lengths thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  including the additional step of sealing together said top panels after said top panels extend inwardly from said side panels and over said hollow panel.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof to define side panels of substantially identical configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof to define side panels of substantially identical configuration which are substantially mirror images of one another in adjoining quadrants.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof so that they are asymmetrical in length and relative to the imaginary diagonal line located therebetween.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof so that they differ in length.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof so that at least one of the ends thereof is spaced inwardly from the boundary of the quadrant with which it is associated.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof so that both of the ends thereof are spaced from the boundary of the quadrant with which they are associated.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second fold lines are shaped during creation thereof to define side panels extending the full length of said imaginary diagonal line wherein side panels of adjacent quadrants meet and completely surround said bottom panel.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1  including the additional step of forming auxiliary fold lines in said unitary blank between adjacent side panels.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of forming a unitary blank of sheet material comprises forming a square blank.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of forming a unitary blank of sheet material comprises forming a parallelogram-shaped blank.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein said step of forming a unitary blank of sheet material comprises forming a rhomboid parallelogram-shaped blank.  
   
   
       16 . A unitary blank of sheet material for forming a multi-panel container having an enclosed, bottom interior, said blank having four blank outer edges, four blank corners, and four blank quadrants, said blank quadrants meeting at a location on said blank spaced inwardly from said four blank sides, each blank quadrant having a double-ended first fold line and a double-ended second fold line, both ends of said first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant being connected and said first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant being spaced from one another between the connected ends thereof and defining a side panel disposed completely within the blank quadrant, said first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant being disposed on opposed sides of an imaginary diagonal line extending across the blank quadrant between opposed junctures formed by adjoining blank outer edges at the blank quadrant boundary, the side panels at least partially surrounding and defining a bottom panel, and said side panels and said adjoining blank outer edges defining top panels.  
   
   
       17 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein said double-ended first and second fold lines are curved over at least portions of the lengths thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein said double-ended first and second fold lines are straight over at least portions of the lengths thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The blank according to  claim 16  including securement means for securing together said top panels.  
   
   
       20 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein said first and second fold lines define side panels of substantially identical configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The blank according to  claim 20  wherein said side panels are substantially mirror images of one another in adjoining quadrants.  
   
   
       22 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein said first and second fold lines are asymmetrical relative the imaginary diagonal line located therebetween.  
   
   
       23 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein said first and second fold lines differ in length.  
   
   
       24 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein at least one of the ends of each of said first and second fold lines is spaced from the boundary of the quadrant with which the first and second fold lines are associated.  
   
   
       25 . The blank according to  claim 24  wherein both of the ends of both said first and second fold lines are spaced from the boundary of the quadrant with which the first and second fold lines are associated.  
   
   
       26 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein said side panels extend the full length of the imaginary line, and with side panels of adjacent quadrants meeting and completely surrounding the bottom panel.  
   
   
       27 . The blank according to  claim 16  wherein auxiliary fold lines are formed therein between adjacent side panels.  
   
   
       28 . The blank according to  claim 16  in the shape of a square.  
   
   
       29 . The blank according to  claim 16  in the shape of a parallelogram.  
   
   
       30 . The blank according to  claim 16  being in the shape of a rhomboid parallelogram.