Packing case and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A corrugated fibreboard packing case is disclosed, comprising a plurality of side panels, a base and a lid arranged such that the packing case defines an enclosed interior volume when the lid is in a closed configuration; and, first and second adhesive regions arranged such that when the lid is in the closed configuration, the first and second adhesive regions overlap, wherein each of the first and second adhesive regions comprises an adhesive substantially covered with a release liner, whereby the release liners may be removed and the adhesives of the first and second adhesive regions adhered to each other to maintain the lid in the closed configuration. A blank for a packing case, and a method for manufacturing a packing case, are also disclosed.

1 . A corrugated fibreboard packing case comprising:
 a plurality of side panels, a base and a lid arranged such that the packing case defines an enclosed interior volume when the lid is in a closed configuration; and   first and second adhesive regions arranged such that when the lid is in the closed configuration, the first and second adhesive regions overlap,   wherein each of the first and second adhesive regions comprises an adhesive substantially covered with a release liner, whereby the release liners may be removed and the adhesives of the first and second adhesive regions adhered to each other to maintain the lid in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive region is positioned on the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein the second adhesive region is positioned on one of the side panels or the base. 
     
     
         4 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a lid main section and a lid extension flap integrally connected to the lid main section along a fold line, and wherein the first adhesive region is positioned on said extension flap. 
     
     
         5 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein one of the side panels comprises a main section and an extension flap integrally connected to the main section along a fold line, and wherein the second adhesive region is positioned on said extension flap. 
     
     
         6 . The packing case of  claim 2 , wherein the lid is integrally connected to one of the side panels along a lid fold line, and wherein the packing case further comprises a third adhesive region positioned inboard of both the first and second adhesive regions with respect to the lid fold line, said third adhesive region comprising an adhesive substantially covered with a release liner. 
     
     
         7 . The packing case of  claim 6 , wherein the third adhesive region is positioned on the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The packing case of  claim 6 , wherein the third adhesive region is positioned on one of the side panels or the base. 
     
     
         9 . The packing case of  claim 2 , wherein the lid is integrally connected to one of the side panels along a lid fold line, and wherein the lid further comprises an opening section positioned inboard of the first adhesive region with respect to the lid fold line, preferably wherein the opening section comprises a removable section of the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The packing case of  claim 9 , wherein the opening section extends between opposing edges of the lid. 
     
     
         11 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein the packing case comprises first, second, third and fourth side panels integrally connected together along fold lines, a base panel connected to a bottom end of each of the side panels along respective fold lines, the base panels defining the base of the packing case; and wherein the lid is integrally connected to a top end of one of the side panels along a lid fold line. 
     
     
         12 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein the packing case is formed from a blank. 
     
     
         13 . The packing case of  claim 12 , wherein the blank comprises opposing first and second surfaces, and wherein the first adhesive region is positioned on the first surface and the second adhesive region is positioned on the second surface. 
     
     
         14 . The packing case of  claim 1 , wherein the packing case is collapsible. 
     
     
         15 . A blank for a packing case, the blank having opposing first and second surfaces and comprising;
 a plurality of side panels, at least one base panel and a lid integrally connected together along fold lines such that the blank may be erected to define an enclosed interior volume of a packing case when the lid is in a closed configuration, wherein   the blank comprises a first adhesive region on the first surface and a second adhesive region on the second surface, the first and second adhesive regions being arranged such that when the packing case is in an erected configuration and the lid is in the closed configuration, the first and second adhesive regions overlap; wherein   each of the first and second adhesive regions comprises an adhesive substantially covered with a release liner, whereby when the blank is erected the release liners may be removed and the adhesives of the first and second adhesive regions adhered to each other to maintain the lid in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein the first adhesive region is positioned on the lid. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein the blank is formed from corrugated fibreboard. 
     
     
         18 . The packing blank of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second adhesive regions are in the form of elongate strips. 
     
     
         19 . A method for manufacturing a packing case, the method comprising:
 providing a blank comprising a plurality of side panels, at least one base panel and a lid integrally connected along fold lines and arranged such that the blank may be erected to define an enclosed interior volume of a packing case when the lid is in a closed configuration, wherein the blank comprises opposing first and second surfaces having respective first and second regions arranged such that when the packing case is in an erected configuration, the first and second regions overlap when the lid is in the closed configuration;   folding the blank such that the first and second regions on the opposing first and second surfaces are accessible from a common side of the folded blank;   applying adhesive to the first and second regions; and   applying a release liner to each of the first and second regions so as to substantially cover the adhesive.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of folding comprises connecting at least two panels of the blank together so as to form a partially assembled packing case that lies substantially flat, and wherein the first and second regions are accessible from a common side of the partially assembled packing case. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive is applied by extrusion or spraying. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second regions are in the form of elongate strips. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method steps are performed in an in-line process.