NZ720321B2 - Container apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

expanded polystyrene container consists of a substantially planar blank having a plurality of regions, the regions including a base, side walls, end walls and a lid. The blank is able to be converted into a first unassembled configuration in which regions of the blank are pivoted around the hinges connecting the regions in relation to other regions, to form a rectangular slab in which compact mode blanks are able to be stacked, and a second configuration in which the blank is erected to form the container, which has a cuboidal structure of substantially uniform cross-section, for the storage of articles. The hinge comprises a recess the recess defining a point of minimum cross section. The base of a container may also include ledge portions at each of the comers of the base, which ledge portions provide support for hinges. s connecting the regions in relation to other regions, to form a rectangular slab in which compact mode blanks are able to be stacked, and a second configuration in which the blank is erected to form the container, which has a cuboidal structure of substantially uniform cross-section, for the storage of articles. The hinge comprises a recess the recess defining a point of minimum cross section. The base of a container may also include ledge portions at each of the comers of the base, which ledge portions provide support for hinges.

Description

NER. APPARATUS FIELD UP THE INVENTION ”the present invention relates gcnerally t0 {1 containcr apparatusi, and in ular, to a container apparatus that is made Frum a : piece of material that. is m configured t9 bc falded t0 lbrm an assembled structure.

BACKGROUND {)F THE INVENTION In. an cvcr increasing er society; the need t0 provide packaging and ners. t0 contain, transport andfer stare a variety of itcms remains an important rcquircmcnt Over time, a variety at” solutiuns- have been, ed for this satisfying this rcquircmcnt, with varying degrees of succcss. in. this regard, cardboard buxcs have :11 t0 be a r farm (it packaging for a variety 0f reasons. Cardboard. can be created relatively cheaply and can be simply formed intc blanks that are able to be stored and transported in a flat form and. simply folded to farm a box as desired, Cardbcard boxes can be made In a variety of“ sizes and can be rcinfm‘ccd as required through the use of tape or stables to withstand a degree of force. r, due to the nature of cardboard, it. has d durability and can be: particularly susceptible to lhilurc when expuscd to liquids. impact and ether types of trcatment which can cause the cardboard bcxcs m fail and lose structural integrity.

With the widespread acceptancc of plastic materials, such as cxpandahlc polystyrene (BPS), the ability to utilisc these materials and their inherent pmpcrties to previde improved containers has been realised. BPS boxes have a particular application tbr the storage and transport of." perishablc nmtcrials, such as agricultural and horticultural products‘ as they are largely impermeable and as such provide an cnvimnmcnt fur storing items which can be temperature regulatcrl as retained in a ght or water—tight state. Due to the nature of [fill-"St boxes fanned from BPS alga have a degrcc 0f shock and impact resistance which provides promotion to the materials start-3d ur carried thcrcin.

However; despite the various benefits that material such as EPS provide for 39: ing, purposes! due to the manner in, which EPS is formed to bc expanded within a mould, most boxes or packaging fumed from such materials are formed to shape as a siuglc piece. Whilst this is useful as it s a dimensionally accurate final product, thc resultant profiuct occupics a volume even thn cmpty, thereby rcquifing Space to stare when not in use and making them less economic to store and transport when eme-u Thus after use, it is common for such BPS bnxes to be broken down and placed in land-fill and not be reused.

A variety of systems have been proposed for making EPS boxes in a flat blank form and assembling the boxes for 1.136. This; is generally achieved through the limitation of hinges in the EPS blank. during the moulding process andror by applying a compression force to the blank at nredetennined regions. This method is (inscribed in more detail in the Applicant’s ational PCT Patent Application No. PCT/A1328 10/000340.

Whilst the above methods have proven effective in enabling boxes to be it} assembled from a flat FPS blank, there is a need to thriller e the FPS box formed in such a manner to provide. ed strength and. storabiiity when not in use or when being tranaported in an empty form.

The above references to and. ptions; of prior proposals or ts are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of nn general. knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion {idea not relate to What is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art. but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the prescnt ion of‘whieh the identification off'pertinent prior art proposals is but one part. 2o Y OF THE {MENTION The invention according to. one or more aspects is as defined in the independent. claims. Some optional andfor preterred lienturea of the. invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention provides container apparatus characterised by: a substantially planar blank member having a plurality of predetermined regions fonned therein for defining a base, side walls. and end walls of the container. each of said plurality of predetermined regions being cameo-table to at. least one other of' said plurality ofpredetermined regions by a hinge member frmned within the blank member. said, blank member being adapted to be erected into a first configuration whereby the blank member forms the ner apparatus. and into a second configuration whereby the lilank member forms a substantially rectangular body of subglantially uniform seeiion for storage of articles.

The invention also provides a hinge member for facilitating pivotal movement between ally fermed adjacent planar surfaces, characterised by a recess i‘onhad n said integrally tbmied adjacent planar surl‘aces‘ said recess defining a l 0f minimum cross section, said channel. forming said pivast paint abaul which in-‘Dml mmrement of {he said planar surfaces is facilitated, such that opposing side walls (if Said recess are configured to: interengage when said planar surihces; arr: pivotally moved thmugh an are relative it) each other, said intarcngagcmcnt comprising meshing ofaté least (me stepped region Diem: of said sidewalls with a sax-lime ofan opposing one of said side walls.

The invention. fimher provides a cuntainer blank ing a base and a plurality of aid»: walls, each of said plurality oiiside walls being cannectsd to said base by a hinga,. such that 63611 of said pluralily ofside walls is able to he pivoted about a tive hinga relative to said base, to form said contaimr, characterised in that; ledge portions are provided on said base», said ledge portions extending fmm gain! base, thereby pmviding support for said hinge when said blank is erected to than said container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ' The inventim may he better tood from the fallawing nan-«limiting ption oi‘prefcrred embmliments., in which: Fig. l is a perspective View of an led container in accordance with an embcxdiment ml" the present invention; Fig 2 is a top View (Elf the massemblcd container ofFig. 1; 1: 5 Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the: unasscmbled container of ii’ig. i; Fig. 4 is a top View of'ihe assemble-d container ofFig l; Fig. 5 is a crass—sectional top View of the assembled container 0f.l¥‘ig, i; Fig. 6 is an. and View ofthe assembled cantainer’ of'Fig. 1; fig. 7 is a cross-semioml Side View of the assembled container . 1; ‘20 Fig. 8 is an enlarged View of a hinge raglan according, to an embodiment of the present ion; Fig. 10' is a perspective View of an assembled cantainer in accordance with 2014/001004 amthcr ment 0f the present invention; Fig. i 1 is a is a top View ol‘the 'Lmassembled ccntaincr D'f'Fig. 10-; Fig. 1.2 is a side View of the unassemblcd cantaincr of Fig‘ 10; Fig; l3 is side View of this unasscmbicd container in ccmpact mode for slorage; ,ifi‘ig, 14 is a perspective View of an assembled container in acccrdancc with an ative embodiment of the present ion; Fig. 15 is a {up View ci‘thc unasscmblcd ccntaincr of'Fig. i4; and Fig. '16 is a crcss-secticnafil side View ci‘thc assembicd container cf Fig.

I4.

.DIE’IL‘AIIJSI.) DESCRIPTION (3F THE- GS Prcfcrrcd. features and embodiments of the ni invention will new bc dcscrihcd with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it. is to he understand that this {catures .iiiustratcd in and dcscribcd with rcfcrcncc t0 the drawings are not tr; be construcd as; iimiting on the scope thhc inveniicn.

The present ion employs the methods and £001ng for forming the blanks as describcd in the Appiicant’s earlier filed intcmatiunal PCT Patent" Application No.» PC‘i‘KAUZOw/OOQS-éli}. As such... no further description wiii he provides as to the: means for fanning the blanks. 2G in the {icscripti‘cn below, the present inventicn will he: described in. rciation to its ation for a. box made from BPS. It will be appreciated that the concepts associatcd wiih the present invcniion could be cmplcyed in the thnnatimi of a variety cf other types of ures made from BPS cr similar materials: such 35 pods used in ng uction. ducts for usc in air conditioning and "the like, as we‘ii as any other assembled products not currcntiy envisaged.

Referring to Figure 1, a ccntainer 10 in accordance with an embodiment oi‘ihc prescnt invent-icin- is ShOWIl. The container 10 is; in the: ibrm of a blank that is asscmblcd into a rcctanguiar box having a lid 12, opposing side walls; 14 and opposing end walls 16. A base i8 forms the base of the container 10 such that the interior of the container represents an enclosed space into which items can be stored or cmitaincd as required.

The cantainer l (l is preferably made frnm El’S with the. lid 32, side walls 14, end walls 16 and base 18 having a maximum. thickness of between 20 M 30 mm, preferably amund 25mm. However, other thicknesses are 21150 envisaged.

As is shown in Figs. '2 and 3. the container 10 is formed from a substantially- flat blank. A plurality of hinges 20 are farmed between where the lid 12, side walls 14.. em?! walls 16 and base 1% meet; in facilitate g ofthe‘ lid 12: side walls; 145 end walls 16 and base l8 into the position as shown in Fig. l. The hinges '20 are l‘mmeti on the internal surfaces 0:? the blank as shown and the manner in which the hinges 20 are configured will be described in more detail below. "lb facilitate assembly of the various ns of the blank, the side walls 14 each comprise a groove 01" channel 22 formed at either end 0f the side wall 14. The gmrwe 0r channel 22 antenna peqiendicular It) the hinge 20. that cannects the side wall '14 m the base 18 anti extends ntially the height (if the side wall 14 as is best depicted in Fig. 2. The upper edge 1421 {If each side wall .14, namely the .- edge of the side wall 1% oppnsile and parallel to the hinge 20 that mnneets the side wall 14 tn the base ‘18 has a lip 24 :liormed then-rim. The lip 24 extends between the graeives. or channels 22 formed at opposing ends ol‘the side wall .14 and crimprise a «intimation of the side wall 14 having a reduced thickness in camparison to the remainder of the side wall 14. In a red limit, the lip 24 213 extends approximately 7 mm beyond the upper edge 143 at the side wall and has a. thickness of approximately 9 _. 1.0 mm, with the remainder nt’ the side- wall having a. ess of around 20 mm.

Each nfthe end walls 16 are attached ailing a lower edge thereof to the base [8 by hinge 20 and at an upper edge thereof to- a portion at" the "lid l2 by way of annther hinge 20‘ The free ends 1621 firm: and wallsi namely thtise ends that: extend between. and orthogonal to the hinges. 20., are 3150 provided with a rib member .26 that extends beyond the free ends lfia in a continuous manner as shown in Fig. 2. The rib s 26. function in a similar manner in the lip 24 of the, side walls 14 and comprise a continuation ot‘the end, wall 16} having a reduced ess in crimparisnn to the remainder of the end wall 16. In a, preferred lbrm, the rib members 26 extend appmximately 7 mm beyond the free ends léia ofthe end walls and have a thielmeas nf' approximately 9 ~~ 10 mm, with the remainder of the end wall having a thickness ofamund 20 mm.

As shown in Fig. 1* the lid 12 comprises two substantially identical lirl members 12a, and 12b. Each of the lit} s '12:; and 1213 have a channel 23 formed along opposing sides therein" extending perpendicular tn the hinge 20 that.

WO 58246 whereas the lid members 123... 12h to the eerrespending end walls 16. The channel 28 remark-m in a similar manner in the gmeves 0r ehzmnels 22. fenned at either end if the side wall 14: the e of which will be tieseribed in more detail 'belew.

Each efthe free ends 12¢; and lid" Ofthe lid mei’tihers 12's: and 13h respectively, are configured te inter-engage when assembled. to facilitate sealing ciesure ef'the lid 12* a3 shewn in Fig. 1. In this regard! the free end l20 of lid member 1221 has a. stepped region harmed therein which is Ol‘ireduceci thickness. to the remainder of ihe lid member 1221. The surface of the stepped. regimi 0f the free end 121.; has 18 one or more tiene 29a extending rom. The prejeetiens 2931 are preferably fonned from as part Of the meulding preeess anti are formed Frem EPS although ether materials are else envisaged. Te facilitate engagement between the lid members 123 and lQbs the free end 12d of lid member 12h also has a stepped. region fanned therein, which substantially s the stepped regihn ibrmed in the free end 120 Of the lid member 12a. when the lid members 1221 and 13h are brought together. As is best eeen in Fig. 3, the outer surface of the stepped region of the free end lZ-Zci has one or more recesses 22% lbrmed therein which are configured to mate with the prqjeetions 29a formed on the siepped region el“ free end 12c: thereby providing engagemem n the lid members 1221 and 12h to chase the lid when the eentainer 10 is assembled. in the manher shim-“n in Fig 4‘ Referring to Figure ii the manner in which the and walls l6 and side walls 14 fit er to ferm the led container 10 is shoxm._ The end walls; 16 are initially folded into an upright position through a $30” are. The side walls M are then folded into an upright pesitiun with respect to the base 18 threugh a ’90” are such that the rib members '26 el‘the end walls ii: are received Within the grooves or channels ‘22; fanned in the «side walls l4. The rib s 26- may have a Width Slightly greater than the width of the s or channels l6 to facilitate a degree 0f interference fit. therehetween re e a degree of positive engagemenl between the side walls 14 and the end walls 16 when. in the upright position as shown in Fig. 6.

(“Ince- the side walls 14 and the end walls 16 are in the upright position. the. lid members 123. and l2h are able to be lowered into position. to extend across the open centainer ‘I 0 and enclose the space eoniaigned therein. In this regard, with the side. wall 14 in the upright position: the lip 24 extends abrive the upper edge 14a theree‘f. rlhe groove 28 fanned 211mg opposing edges of the: lid members 1221 and 1213 is able to he positioned such that the lip 2415 received within the groove 28 thereby providing a positive engagement between, the lid members 12a and ‘IZh and. the side walls i4 which increasee the strength of the container and creates a see]. about the container ill.

It is to he understood that the lid iii of the container 10 may be omitied. Many customers for a, ner of the type described in this specification require an, openeonood container. In such a configuraiiort, the erected container la, in the absence of a lid 12 or lid members 12a, 12b, is an open topped oonteiner, which may he encased in some kind of" strapping or wrapping which may preferably be wound. around the side walls 14 to impart strength to the erected container. A pitelt‘c'erreo type of wrapping may he plastic film of the type commonly need to wrap articles. Alternatively, lid members 12a, 12b may be vestigial, g into side walls 14 to produce a strong erected container 10, but with that erected container 10 substantially open. A further alternative would be to have a one- pioce lid 12, which would he hingedly connected to one of the side walls 14,, and. adapted to interengagc with the other side waile to form an erected container.

Referring. .to Figures 7* - 9, the manner in which the hinges 2:0 are configured is depicted. The hinges. 20 on to provide pivotal movement between the various portions ol‘the container ill to enable the container 10 to be formed. from flat form into a box form. As previously discussed, the hinges are formed by the 26 process described in the Applicants earlier filed International PCT Patent.

Application No. UEGlO/OOILBAIU, end will not. be described in fin—their detail below.

Each hinge: 20 is formed to define a hinge point 30 about which fhe pottions of the blank may be , in this example portions 72, 74, A ed groove 32 2.5 is formed in. the body of the blank such that the n of the szhaped groove on either side of the hinge point 30 is identical, namely assumes, preferably, a 45° angle, Two complementary angles may altematively be used. The hinge point 30 is constituted by a channel. located at the base of the ed groove 32., the base of which channel is the narrowest. region 76 of material, which ts ns 72 and 74. Ghee the hinge point 38 is fonned, it defines an axis about which folding of the hinge 20 takes place. The l 32 functions to improve the y of the hinge 20 to fold hack on itself, as well as to fold in the opposite direction during erection ofa container 10, as will next be described.

Rather than the hinge 20 being formed in a V-shape, such that the material provided on each side of the hinge point 30 is formed in. a mirror image, the material foamed on each side ofthe hinge point is formed differently in order to increase the strength of the hinge 2&1 At the point where the V-shapcd groove 32 terminates, on the portion 72 side of the hinge point the V—sh'apcd groove 32 terminates at a vertical wall 3.3 and on the other particn 74 side ot‘the hinge paint 3f) the V—ghapetl groove ates at a horizcmtally extending stcppcd region 34 that then terminates at a vcrtical wall 35.

As is shcwn more clearly in Fig. ‘9, when the hinge. 20 is. movcd, by ng in a clockwise directinn from the horizontal ration shown in Fig. 8 to the exemplary 90O ccnfiguration cf Fig. 9, the various surfaces of the hinge: 20 on, either side of the hinge paint 30 mesh together. In this regard, the horizontally in extending stepped raglan 34 0f the hinge 30 011 cm: side of the hinge pcint 30 is received against the vertical wall 33 of the hinge on the cthcr side ofthc hinge: paint and the vertical wall 35 bccnmes scaled GI] the upper surlhcc ci’ the blank.

Such an arrangcmcnt ensures that any rcl force applied on the ncr when assembled; as may occur thmugh stacking, ccntainers l 0 on top ci‘each cthcn will act in the direction of arrcw A. As the hinge 20 ses; a Stepped. region and not. merely two 45° . faccsi the shear forces t on the hing-e as a result cf the comptessicn farce in the directinn cf arrow A arc significantly ccntainer It), the cnmprcssicn strength ct‘thc container is icantly inflected. 2o ”lilac hinge 2.0 of Figs. 7 — 9 may 3150 operate in the cppcsitc crientaticn. Blank pcrtion 74 may be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction timm the position shown in Fig. 7, to an. exemplary 90° configuraticm in which configuration wall 35 would seat on wall 73 of portion 72. In thc same way: downward. forces on portion 74 would be resisted by wall '28 ofpcrticn 72.

Rcferring t0 s 10 and l l.~ an alternative cmbccliment of a container 10 in accurtiancc with. the present invention is dcpictcd. This eittbcdiment is similar to this: embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs. 1 w 9,, with. the difference being the inclusion of an additional hinge 20 in the lid members 12a and 12b rcspcctchly. 39 As is shown in Fig. ll, each lid member 123 and 12b comprises an additicnal hinge 20 to enable the lid mcmbers 12a and 12b to ripen will-10111; breaking thc engagement between. the lid mcmhcrs 12a anti ill) and thc sitlc walls 14., in this rcgard, the lid members 1221 and 12b are positioned in the manner as discussed above such that the lips 24 ofthc side walls 14 are received within the: grooves 28 t‘onncd on the underside. of the lid s 12a and lBh.

By providing an additional hinge 20 on each lid member, represcntcd by hinge 2014/001004 line 42 in. 17‘1g 10, each lid member 1221 and l2b may be {incited in the direction of arrow B 10 facilitate loading!unloading til’the container ll) and in doing so a part 48 at the. lid member 12a and 12b is retained in place. As the part 49 oteaeh 0f the lid members 1221 and. 1,217 remains in position, the part. 40 provides positive engagement with the side walls 14 thereby ensuring that the ity of the assembled bdx is retained and the walls 1-4 remain in the upright pesitien.

Whilst the emhediments of the container it} described abdve provide a more robust and easy to assetiible container, that is capable of being loadedfunloaded as d, the ee'titaiiier of the present inventinn also es considerable impmvements in relation t0 stacking/storing blanks when not in used.

Figure 12 s. a side View of the blank depicted in Fig. ll in expanded form, As the hinges 28 are termed en the upper (or inner) surface at" the blank as shown, they are able te' fold about an angle M270" to facilitate compact sternge. in this regard, by g the sidewalls 14 under the base 18 and folding; the lid. memhers lite and ill) under the end walls 16, as; shown in Fig. 13, the blank, l() is able to be" i’m‘med into a substantially rectangular slab, which may he styled a “compact mode",. defined by the eembined surfaces of end walls It 6 and base it}, which has a uniibrm ess. As a. result, unused or unassembledldisnssembled blanks 10 are able te be stacked in a convenient and simple manner ensuring that 2f} fit) wastage of space results An alternative embodiment (if the present invention is depleted in Figs. 14 ~ l6.

In this embediment, there is depicted a C(intaine‘r 50 in ance with an embodiment of the present ion. The container 50 is in the liimi oil“ a blank that is assembled into a rectangular box having a lid portion 52, opposing side walls 54 and Opposing end walls 56.. A base: 53 forms the underside of the container 50 such that the interior of the container represents an enclosed space into which items can be stored 01‘ contained as required.

The enntainer 50 is preferably made from EPS with the lid 52! side walls 54, end walls 56 and base 58 having a maximum thickness of between 20 ~ 30 mm, preferably artiund 25mm. However, ether thicknesses are also envisaged.

As is shown in Fig. 15, the ner 50 is formed from a substantially flat. blank.

A plurality of hinges ?’0 are formed between where. the lid 52., side walls 54. end walls 56 and base 58 meet to facilitate bending 0f the lid. 52a side walls 54, end walls 56 and base 58 into the position. as shown in Fig. 14. The hinges 70 are {edited on the internal surliiees of the blank as shewn and the manner in which the hinges 70 are configured are substantially identical to the hinges 20 described in reiatien to the above embediment, with the main difference being that. the hinges are arranged in an inverted manner is that Shawn in the above embodiment. 'l‘hi-s can be readily noted by ing the hinge 7’0 depicted in Fig. 16 with that depicted. in 13‘ ig. 9 as hinge 20. it wili be noted that despite the change in orientation between hinges 20 and '30, the fundamental principles remain the same between the hinges, with. horizontal support regiens of the epposing surfaces (if the hinge oning in bear the weight of the hinge. y reducing pressure present on the angied faces nfthe hinge.

Referring to Figure 135.. the blank 01" this embodiment alse comprises ledge ‘1 0 portions 60 which are in the form (if substantially flat regions 017materiai located at each center of the base 58. As depicted, the hinges 70 do net extend into the ledge pertitms 60.

In use. as depicted in Fig. £5, the iedge portions 6i) function to support the hinges at each Of the corners ef the base of" the assembled ner 50. When the side “15 walls 54 are felded about the hinges; ’70 to form the container 50, the corners are suppmted amp the ledge portions 60° As the base comers of the led ner 50 are critical lead p01u is of the container, the provisien of the ledge partial} 60 provides a degree of protection to the hinges 70 in these regime, and prm’ides a degree 0f impact resistance, should the assembled eentainer be W dropped and, the corner impact with a" hard surface. Further in this, the provisien of the iedge portims 60 function to te the base hinges 70 into flier distinct sections, which improves the ability to mould the blank and design toeiing for the manufacturing s. it wilt be appreciated that. the resulting container 50. like container 10 prevides a strong and robust eeniainer that is able to he farmed frem BPS and which can be stacked in a flat manner when. net in use, and assembled for use in a simple and effective feiding process.

The ledge pertions 60 may he pnwided elsewhere on the base 58, to suppert hinges ”.10. Such {edge portions may be located an and extending from the base ‘ 58, beneath hinges 70, and between the cemers {)f base 58, whether or not ledge- portimis are. provided. at those. comers.

Fig. 16 is a cross—sectional side view (if the assembied ner 0|" Fig. i4, and is Shawn with ing hinge arrangements between the base 58 and side wails 54 and the lid members 5221, 52b and side walls 56. It is preferred. for the hinge arrangements at the tap ei‘the centainer 50 to be the same as those shown at the base of ner 50, in a similar manner as shown in Fig. 7'.

Throughout the specification and claims 1hr:— wmd “wmprise” and its derivative& are intended K} have: an inciusivc rather than exclusive meaning unless: the contrary is expressiy stated (11' the. context requires otherwisc. That is, the ward. “camprisc.” and. its dcrivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion ofnm Only £3 the listed. componentg, steps or features that it directly references, but 3130 other compenents, steps or “features r101 Specificaiiy listed, unless the contrary is expresgiy stated or the context requires WEE, it wiil be appreciatud by those skilksd in the an that many ations and variations may be. made to the methods of the ion described hemin without departing frmn the spirit and scape ()fthe invention That entire contents of that ption: claims and drawings ofAustralian provisional patent appiicaiion no. 30139fl4133fi filed on 25 Omaha 2M3, and 01‘ Australian provisienal patent application no, 2014901686: filed on ‘7' May 2034. are harewith incorpcrated into this specification.

Claims (8)

1. A container blank including a base and a ity of side walls, each of said plurality of side walls being connected to said base by a hinge, such that each of said plurality of side walls is able to be pivoted about a tive hinge, relative to said base, to form said container, characterised in that at corners of the base ledge portions of a substantially flat region of material are ed, said ledge portions extending from said base, thereby providing support for said hinge when said blank is erected to form said ner.

2. A container blank according to claim 1, characterised in that each of said side walls is provided with an end portion extending beyond the respective hinge connecting each of said side walls to said base, such that when said container blank is erected into a container, each said end portion is supported by a respective ledge n.

3. A container blank according to claim 2, characterised in that one of a pair of adjacent side walls has an end portion which is configured as a lip, and the other of the pair of adjacent side walls is provided with a groove, which said lip is adapted to engage, when said container blank is erected to form a container.

4. A container blank according to claim 1, characterised in that said ledge portions are d beneath said hinge.

5. A container blank according to claim 1, characterised in that said base and each of said plurality of side walls are substantially gular, and that said ledge ns are located at the corners of said substantially rectangular base.

6. A container blank according to any preceding claim, further characterised by a lid connected to at least one of said plurality of side walls by a hinge.

7. A ner blank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterised by a lid, said lid being formed from a plurality of lid sections, each of said plurality of lid sections being connected to a respective one of said plurality of side walls by a hinge.

8. A container blank according to claim 7, characterised in that each of said lid sections is substantially vestigial, such that when said container is erected, the top of said container is substantially open.