CZ20002973A3 - Wrap-around article carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

An article carrier and blank for forming an article carrier for containing a plurality of necked articles (A) comprising a top, bottom and opposed side panels (24, 14, 32, 18, 26) interconnected together, wherein the top panel (24) comprises article receiving and retaining means (12) including an article retaining flap (56, 58) formed from the top panel (24), which article retaining flap (56, 58) is being adapted to be folded inwardly of the top panel (24) thereby to define an aperture (54) for receiving a neck portion of the article (A) and wherein the article retaining flap (56, 58) abuts said neck portion to engage and retain said article (A)

Description

The present invention relates to article carriers and blanks which are particularly useful for carrying articles such as bottles. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a carrier of all-product type products and focuses on improved product maintenance and on a carrier strengthening feature in which the neck portions of bottles placed in the carrier are placed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Means for retaining the necks in full-size carriers are well known in the art. For example, US 5,549,197 (Riverwood) discloses a full container carrier comprising downwardly folded retaining flaps that are punched from and attached to the side panels of the carrier. The retaining flaps are used to hold the neck portion of the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or attempt to alleviate the problems associated with the prior art.

One aspect of the present invention provides an article carrier wrapping a plurality of articles having a throat, the article carrier having interconnected top, bottom, and opposite side panels, wherein the top panel comprises means for receiving and retaining the article including a tab for fastening the article formed from a top panel, wherein the product retaining flap is adapted to be folded into the interior of the top panel thereby defining an opening for the neck portion of the article, and that the product retaining flap abuts said neck portion to grip and hold said article .

According to a possible possible feature of this aspect of the present invention, there is furthermore a fold line that extends across the flap to maintain the article and therefore the flap

It deflects to define adjacent hair portions that are adapted to rest in the neck portion in two positions, resulting in improved product retention.

According to a further or possible feature of this aspect of the present invention, the means for receiving and holding the article comprises a pair of additional holding flaps, each of which is suspended at opposite edges of said opening.

According to a further or possible feature of this aspect of the present invention, one or each hinged flap is foldable to the edge of the associated bottle neck opening according to the fold line having two portions between which an angular relationship exists.

the angular relationship may optionally intersect on the fold lines which alleviate the tension and which define between them an intermediate panel that adjoins the end edge of said top panel.

According to yet another possible feature of this aspect of the present invention, said carrier may further comprise an outer portion that adjoins the main portion of the top panel, the outer portion being intermediate between adjacent product receiving and holding means, the outer portion of the top panel being structurally designed. designed so that it can fold out of alignment with the subsequent main part.

A second aspect of the present invention provides means for receiving and retaining an article contained in an article carrier for packaging articles having a neck portion, said article receiving and retaining articles punched from the top panel of the carrier having an opening in the top panel portion and a flap that is punched from the top panel and is hingedly attached to the edge of the aperture, said flap being adapted to be moved to an operative position around its hinge joint to form a portion extending into the interior of the carrier and adapted to grip the neck portion of the article held in the aperture.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a blank blank comprising opposing side panels and a top panel that are coupled to a foldable means for receiving and retaining an article formed from the top panel, said means having an opening adapted to receive portions of the article in the article. and a flap that is punched from the top panel and is hingedly attached to the edge of the aperture, wherein said flap is adapted to rest against a product positioned in use in said aperture, wherein the flap is adapted to pivot into an operative position. around your hitch to make it

Has formed a portion that passes through the aperture under conditions of use, a portion of said flap being adapted to grip the neck portion of the article.

The advantage of the carrier contained in each aspect of the present invention may be that a cardboard box is provided that can wrap two or more rows of cartons and / or a top panel with a possible delimitation that is not limited in its dimensions, thereby improving the carrying capability of such carriers with handle means. It is preferred that a larger side panel area can be used for advertising purposes.

Overview of the drawings

Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of an exemplary description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a product holding and holding means according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a uniform blank.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the article holding and holding means shown in Fig. 1, wherein in this figure, said holding and holding means are shown as part of an assembled package containing the article A;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the article holding and holding means according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembled article carrier illustrated in Fig. 3 in the form of a blank blank;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the article holding and holding means according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the product holding and holding means shown in Fig. 5 in the form of a blank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, and in particular to Figures 1 and 2, the article carrier is made of one or more blanks of paperboard or other flat, foldable material that is usable for the purpose. The product carrier is

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- adjusts for placing and carrying a certain number of products, for example six bottles assembled in two rows of three bottles in each row. It is contemplated that the packaging box may be adapted to accommodate varying numbers and / or assemblies of articles according to user requirements.

In this embodiment, the blank 10 includes a first base panel 14, an inclined heel (or sloping) panel 16, a first side panel 18 having lower, middle and upper side panels 20. 21, 22, a top panel 24, a second side panel 26 having a lower side panel. , middle and upper side panels 27, 28, 29, an inclined foot panel 30, and a second base panel 32, said panels being hingedly connected to each other on respective fold lines 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48. 50 and 52. The product receiving and retention means 12 may take the form of the type shown in FIG. 1, and the product receiving and retention means 12 are formed in the top wall 24 of the full container carrier. The product receiving and retention means 12 may be formed at the ends of the cage structure of the full container cardboard box for holding, for example, end corner products (as shown in FIG. 1) or alternatively may be formed for one or more products maintained in the carrier.

The product receiving and holding means 12 includes a holding opening 54 into which, in this example, the neck portion of the bottle enters as shown in Figure 2. The product receiving and holding means 12 may also include one or more holding flaps 56, 58. which, in the assembled cardboard box, form the inner flap portions which rest in the neck portion of product A.

By looking at the details of the product receiving and retention means 12 in this particular embodiment, it will be appreciated that the product receiving and retention means 12 includes a first flap 56 having respective outer and inner flap portions 60, 62. The outer flap portion 60 is hingably attached to the top wall 24 along the fold line 64 and the inner flap portion 58 according to the fold line 66. The inner flap portion 62 is hingably attached to the top panel 24 according to the fold Union 68.

Optionally, the tear line 70 extends from the fold line 64 and fold line 68 at their interconnections to make folds easier, and the tear line 70 may define a portion that projects upwardly over the top panel 24 as shown in 2. The first flap 56 may be punched out of the top panel 24 for purposes

444 44 defines an outer side edge 72 and an inner side edge 74 which are connected by a tear line 76 that defines an end edge of the first flap 56. The first flap 56 rotates around the fold lines 64 and 66, so that the fold lines 64, 66 and, optionally, the tear line 70, may together define the side edge 71 of the aperture 54 in the conditions I use as shown in FIG. 2.

Similarly, the additional second flap 58 comprises an outer flap portion 78 and an inner flap portion 80, respectively. In this embodiment, the second flap 58 has a larger area than the first flap 56. It is assumed that the first flap 56 and the second flap 58 do not necessarily have different dimensions and could have the same design. On the basis of a possible choice, only one flap could be provided for the product to be positioned and maintained by the means 12 for receiving and maintaining the product. It is believed that in the case of the formation of two flaps, it is not necessary for these flaps to act as a support on the tear line 76, and this could, for example, create significant gaps between the flaps.

If attention is paid to the design of the second flap 56, it will be appreciated that the outer portion 78 is flexibly connected to the top wall 24 along the fold line 82 and the inner portion 80 along the fold line 86. The inner portion 80 is hingedly attached to the top panel. 24 according to fold line 88. Similarly, a second tear line 90 may optionally be formed to separate fold line 82 from fold line 86. Second flap 58 may be punched from top panel 24 to define the outer side edge 92 and inner side edge 92. edges 94, which are interconnected by a tear line 76 defining an end edge of the second flap 58. The second flap 58 pivots about the fold lines 82 and 88 so that the fold lines 82, 88 and the tear line 90 together define the opposite side edge 73 of the aperture 54 thus as shown in FIG. 2. When both were going The plinth 56, 58 lies in the same plane as shown in the blank blank shown in FIG. 1, then the opening 54 is completely closed. Optionally, the opening 54 may extend into the side wall 18.

In this embodiment, the carrier is formed to wrap two rows of three items each. The blank 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes additional product receiving and holding means 12 for one product line formed from the top wall 24. Other product receiving and holding means 13 for another product line are also formed from the top wall 24. Said receiving means 13 for receiving and 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 44

The maintenance of the product is generally the same as the retaining means 12 and will therefore not be described in more detail.

Referring to Fig. 1, this embodiment may further comprise a pair of apertures 94 that are adapted to receive articles positioned midway between the articles located at the ends. These openings may provide support for the neck portion of the articles and, if possible, may have a pair of tear lines 96, 98 substantially resembling a "V" shape and punched out of the side panels 18, 26 to define a line for the retaining tabs that extend outwardly from the side wall 18. The carton may also have bottom retaining means 99 formed from panels, as is well known in the art. The handle tabs 93 may be punched out of the top panel 24. Known fastening means are used to securely attach the base panels together. In this embodiment, locking and retaining tabs 95, 97 are used which are well known in the art.

Turning to the second and third embodiments with reference to FIGS. 3-4 and FIGS. 5-6, it will be appreciated that these embodiments include further or alternative modifications to the gripping and holding means of the article and / or the carton according to this embodiment. invention. Each embodiment can be used as a full-board cardboard box of the type described in connection with the previous embodiment, and therefore only the essential differences of the carrier according to the second and third embodiments will be described in detail below.

The second embodiment illustrates product receiving and retention means 112 formed in top panel 124 and corresponding to product receiving and retention means 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the corresponding features are indicated in FIG. of the reference mark is approached by the number "1" in the first place. Thus, the second embodiment demonstrates product receiving and retention means 112 further comprising a pair of divergent fold lines. 111, 113, which are embossed on the top panel 124 and extend outwardly from the intersection of the fold lines 164 and 166 to the end edges of the top panel 124 so as to define the middle panel 115. The purpose of the fold lines 111, 113 is their function of folding measures to mitigate the effects. tension. An additional or alternatively positioned panel 115 may be displaced from the plane of the top panel to minimize the effect of unwanted bending of the top panel 124, thereby improving the strength of the end portion of the top panel.

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Referring now to the third embodiment, which is adapted for larger glass bottles, it will be appreciated that the respective illustration shows the product receiving and retention means 212 that are formed in the top panel 224 and correspond to the receiving and retention means 12. 1, wherein the corresponding characters are indicated in FIG. 5 in such a way that the original numeral of the reference number is approached first by the figure "2". Thus, the third embodiment demonstrates one or each product receiving and retention means 212 which further comprises a pair of divergent fold lines. 211. 213, which are embossed on the top panel 224 and extend outwardly from the intersection of the fold lines 264 and 266 to the end edges of the top panel 224 so as to define the middle panel 215. The purpose of the fold lines 211. 213 is to function as a folding measure to mitigate the effects. tension. An additional or alternatively positioned panel 215 may be displaced from the top panel plane to minimize the effect of unwanted bending of the top panel 224. This embodiment may further include an additional fold Union 217 that interconnects adjacent bottle receiving and receiving means 212 to define portion 219 a top panel that is positioned out of alignment with the main portion 223 of the top panel 224 to minimize unwanted bending of the top panel 224 and thereby improve the strength of the top panel.

Optionally, the article receiving and retention means 212 may further comprise a pair of flaps 231, 233 which are punched from each upper side panel 222, 227 and are attached to each of such upper side panels 222, 227 shown in FIG. 5, the pair of flaps 231 and 233 may be adapted to be folded out of alignment with the associated top side panel 222, 227 to maintain the widening portion of the neck of the article.

In order to erect the carrier comprising the means 12 for receiving and holding the article, the flaps 56, 58 are moved inwards using suitable means which may be similar, at least according to their purpose, to the means known for example from WO 94/25363. In the first embodiment, the top panel 24 of the stump carrier stock 10 is laid on top of the article group A for placement in the carrier, and the side walls 18, 26 fold downwardly so as to be positioned adjacent the side of the articles. The neck portion of the article A is thus retained in the opening 54 and also comes into contact with the flaps 56, 58 of the means for receiving and maintaining the article. Every flap is «·

Advantageously folds during adjustment of the product receiving and maintaining means according to respective fold lines 64, 66, 68, 82, 86, 88 to move the outer and inner flap portions out of the aligned continuity, thereby providing support for the neck portion of the article as shown in FIG. 2.

Subsequently, the lower holding flaps of the product holding means 99 are formed, which receive and hold the lower parts of the articles in a manner well known in the art. Thereafter, the base panel 14 may be folded inward and upwardly in contact with the bottom portions of the articles A as shown in FIG. 2. On the other side of the product group, the same operation is performed and the full container carrier may be completed by attaching the overlapping base panels 14, 32. to each other by means well known in the art, such as gluing or preferably using locking and retaining tabs 95, 97, which are also known.

Thus, the carrier is erected to the assembled form shown in FIG. 2, and the article receiving and holding means 12 is formed on the basis that the inner flaps 60, 62, 78, 80 provide support to the neck of the articles A and tightly surround neck portions of the articles, thereby preventing unwanted movement of the articles in the carrier and reducing the risk of tearing.

The structural solution of the second and third embodiments, according to which the carriers drawn on the heater are made. 4 and 6 is substantially the same as the design of the first embodiment, and therefore, the following description will focus only on the essential differences. Giant. 4 and 6 respectively illustrate intermediate panels 115, 215 that fold out out of alignment with the top panel 124, 224.

It can be seen in Fig. 6 that the third embodiment comprises flaps 231, 233 that fold outwardly out of alignment with the upper side panels 222, 227 so as to come into contact with the expanding neck portion of the articles. The outer portions 219 of the top panel fold outwardly from alignment with the main portion 223 to form the carrier shown in Figure 6.

It will be appreciated that a significant proportion of the paperboard area may come into contact with the article being maintained using the retention structure of the present invention, resulting in both protection and secure attachment of the article. It is preferred to use a two-piece flap for retaining the article, which is the inner and outer portions 60, 62; 78, 80 that fold along the respective fold line 66; 86 and define two parts which are angularly connected. Each part provides the required support for the neck of the product, which improves the maintenance of the product. In addition, improved adaptability of the retaining flaps of the first embodiment

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The retaining flaps used in the embodiments with the middle panel 115 and / or the top panel portion 219 allow for relatively tight sealing during packaging, while the risk of tearing is minimal.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is contemplated that it will be possible to provide means for maintaining the article of the invention comprising one or more hinged valve retaining means to fulfill the purpose in the assembled carrier.

It should be taken into account that the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" as used herein in relation to the panels of the carton (or its blank) are reference terms and that the position of the carton (made up of the blank) may, if necessary, change or be maintained as described.

It should further be appreciated that it is not necessary for the cardboard box to be made with a plurality of product receiving openings, since the cardboard box can be made with only one receiving opening.

Industrial applicability

The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to a product carrier that is shaped to provide the necessary strength to securely maintain a bottle while achieving the necessary degree of flexibility so that the carrier absorbs the stress transmitted to the retaining means. The blank design minimizes the amount of paperboard required. The bottle assembly may be placed in the carrier manually or by machine. The present invention is believed to be applicable to a wide variety of carriers and is not exclusively limited to full-package type carriers.

Claims (9)

An article carrier for wrapping a plurality of necked articles, said article carrier comprising interconnected top, bottom, and opposite side panels, wherein the top panel has means for receiving and maintaining an article comprising a product retaining flap that is formed from the top panel, wherein the product retaining flap is adapted to be folded into the interior of the top panel thereby defining an opening for the neck portion of the article, and that the product retaining flap abuts said neck portion to grip and hold said article. The article carrier of claim 1, further comprising a fold line extending across the flap to retain the article, and therefore the flap folds to define adjacent flap portions that are adapted to rest in the neck portion in two positions resulting in improved product maintenance. Product carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for receiving and maintaining a pair of supplementary retaining flaps suspended at opposite edges of said opening. Product carrier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one or each hinged flap is foldable to the edge of the associated bottle neck opening according to the fold line having two angularly extending portions. 5. The article carrier of claim 4 wherein said angled relationship intersects on fold lines defining an intermediate panel therebetween which adjoins the end edge of said top panel. A product carrier according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, further comprising an exterior portion that adjoins the main portion of the top panel, the exterior portion being intermediate between adjacent receiving and retaining means. The outer panel of the top panel is designed to be folded out of alignment with the adjacent main body. 7. Means for receiving and retaining an article in a product carrier for packaging articles having a neck portion, wherein said means for receiving and retaining the article are punched from the top panel of the carrier, having an aperture in the top panel portion and comprising a flap punched from the top panel; is hingably attached to the edge of the aperture, wherein said flap is adapted to be moved to an operative position by folding around its hinge joint, thereby forming a portion extending into the interior of the carrier and adapted to grasp the neck portion of the article held in the aperture. 8. A blank blank having opposed side wall panels that are connected to foldable, product receiving and retention means formed from a top panel, said means having an opening adapted to receive a portion of the product under conditions of use, and a flap is punched out of the top panel and hingedly attached to the edge of the aperture, said flap being adapted to support an article positioned in use in said aperture, wherein the flap is adapted to pivot into an operative position about its hinge to has formed a portion which, under conditions of use, passes through the aperture, wherein a portion of said flap is adapted to grip the neck portion of the article. A blank according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7.