Corrugated containers and blanks for receiving seals

Abstract

Corrugated containers with a seal and corresponding systems, blanks, and manufacturing methods are provided. An example corrugated container for receiving products therein includes a bottom panel and a plurality of wall panels extending therefrom. When the container is formed, the plurality of wall panels are folded with respect to the bottom panel and extend upwardly to form a receptacle with the bottom panel. The corrugated container further includes a plurality of flange flaps that each extend from one of the plurality of wall panels. When the container is formed, the plurality of flange flaps are folded away from an opening of the receptacle and define a rim for receiving a seal thereon (e.g., a top seal). The seal is formed of film and sized to fit over the opening of the container to contain the products within the receptacle. An eco-friendly product container is thus provided.

1 . A corrugated container for receiving products therein, the corrugated container comprising:
 a bottom panel;   a plurality of wall panels, wherein:
 each of the plurality of wall panels extends from the bottom panel, and 
 when the container is formed, the plurality of wall panels are folded with respect to the bottom panel and extend upwardly to form a receptacle with the bottom panel for receiving the products therein, and 
 when the container is formed, the plurality of wall panels further define an opening for receiving the products therethrough; and 
   a plurality of flange flaps, wherein:
 each of the plurality of flange flaps extends from one of the plurality of wall panels, and 
 when the container is formed, the plurality of flange flaps are folded with respect to the plurality of wall panels away from the opening and define a rim for receiving a seal thereon, 
   wherein the seal is formed of film and configured to at least partially cover the opening of the container, wherein the seal is configured to at least one of adhere or attach to the rim.   
     
     
         2 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel, the plurality of wall panels, and the plurality of flange flaps are formed of an integral piece of corrugated web product. 
     
     
         3 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein a flange width of one of the plurality of flange flaps is within about 5% to 25% of a corresponding dimension of the wall panel from which the flange flap extends. 
     
     
         4 . The corrugated container of  claim 3 , wherein the corresponding dimension of the wall panel is within about 1.5 to 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein, when the container is formed, one or more consecutive ones of the plurality of flange flaps are configured to define a space therebetween such that the rim is not continuous around the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein, when the container is formed, the plurality of flange flaps form a discontinuous rim. 
     
     
         7 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of flange flaps defines a length that is less than a corresponding dimension of an end of the corresponding one of the plurality of wall panels from which the one of the plurality of flange flaps extends, wherein the flange flap folds about the end. 
     
     
         8 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is defined by an interior surface of the bottom panel and an interior surface of each of the plurality of walls, wherein the interior surface of the bottom panel and the interior surface of each of the plurality of walls includes a coating adapted to preserve cut food products contained within the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The corrugated container of  claim 1 , wherein, when the container is formed, the plurality of flange flaps are folded away from the opening to be parallel with the bottom panel to define the rim. 
     
     
         10 . A blank for a corrugated container for receiving products therein, the blank comprising:
 one or more bottom panels;   a plurality of wall panels, wherein, when the container is formed, the plurality of wall panels:
 are folded with respect to the one or more bottom panels and extend upwardly to form a receptacle with the bottom panel for receiving the products therein, and 
 define an opening configured to receive the products therethrough; and 
   a plurality of flange flaps, wherein:
 each of the plurality of flange flaps extends from one of the plurality of wall panels, and 
 when the container is formed, the plurality of flange flaps are folded with respect to the plurality of wall panels away from the opening and define a rim for receiving a seal thereon, 
   wherein the seal is formed of film and configured to at least partially cover the opening of the container and at least one of adhere or attach to the rim.   
     
     
         11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the blank is formed of an integral piece of corrugated web product. 
     
     
         12 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein a width of one of the plurality of flange flaps extending from the one of the plurality of wall panels is between 0.125 in. to 0.75 in. 
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein, when the container is formed, one or more consecutive ones of the plurality of flange flaps are configured to define a space therebetween such that the rim is not continuous around the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of flange flaps defines a length that is less than a corresponding dimension of the one of the plurality of wall panels from which the one of the plurality of flange flaps extends 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the blank further defines one or more ventilation features formed through at least one of the plurality of wall panels such that the products stored in the container have open-air access. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wall panels includes at least four wall panels. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the seal is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the seal includes printing thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of wall panels includes printing thereon. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a sealable container comprising:
 forming corrugated web product; and   cutting out a blank from the corrugated web product, wherein the blank can be formed into a container for receiving products therein, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of wall panels, wherein, when the container is formed, the wall panels are folded with respect to at least one bottom panel to define a plurality of walls that define an opening configured to receive the products, wherein:
 when folded with respect to the one of the plurality of wall panels, the at least one bottom panel defines a bottom of the container, and 
 when the container is formed, the bottom and plurality of walls define a receptacle for storing the products therein, and 
 
 a plurality of flange flaps, wherein:
 each of the plurality of flange flaps extends from one of the plurality of wall panels, and 
 when folded with respect to the plurality of walls away from the opening, the plurality of flange flaps define a rim for receiving a seal thereon, and 
 
 wherein the seal is formed of film and configured to at least partially cover the opening of the container and at least one of adhere or attach to the rim. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 cutting out a ventilation hole in at least one of the plurality of wall panels of the blank from the corrugated web product.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 erecting the container from the blank.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 inserting the products into the receptacle of the container;   positioning the film over the opening of the container; and   sealing the film to the rim of the container with the products stored therein.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein sealing the film to the rim of the container comprises:
 fitting the container, when formed, into a seal guide feature such that the rim rests on a support structure; and   applying pressure to the film and rim.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein sealing the film to the rim of the container comprises applying heat and pressure to the film and the rim. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein sealing the film to the rim of the container comprises applying an adhesive between the film and the rim. 
     
     
         27 . An assembly for presenting products stored therein to consumers, the assembly comprising:
 a corrugated container for storing products therein, the corrugated container comprising:
 a bottom panel defining a bottom of the container; 
 a plurality of wall panels folded with respect to the bottom panel to define a plurality of walls extending upward from the bottom, wherein:
 the plurality of walls define an opening at a top of the container, and 
 the plurality of walls define a receptacle with products stored therein, and 
 
 a plurality of flange flaps, wherein:
 each of the plurality of flange flaps extends from one of the plurality of wall panels, and 
 the plurality of flange flaps are folded with respect to the plurality of walls away from the opening and define a rim for receiving a seal thereon; and 
 
   a film defining the seal that is sized to fit over the opening of the container and is sealed to the rim of the container.   
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the bottom panel, the plurality of wall panels, and the plurality of flange flaps are formed of an integral piece of corrugated web product. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the film is at least partially transparent.