AU2005100550A4 - Shelf Ready Carton and Blank Therefor - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name of Applicant Names of Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: Details of Associated Parent Application Amcor Limited George Ganzenmuller Gordon Mellis CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Australian Shelf Ready Carton and Blank Therefor 2005100418 filed 19 May 2005 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it, known to us: tfl 2

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0 Field of the Invention 3 The present invention relates generally to cartons and, in particular, to shelf ready cartons which are erected from a blank of foldable material, and which are Oadapted so that shelves are able to be readily stocked with products stored in the cartons by simply placing the cartons on the shelves and configuring the cartons so n that the products stored therein are able to be readily removed therefrom while the ocartons reside on the shelves.

0Although the invention will be described with particular reference to shelf o ready cartons that are used to store canned products, it will be appreciated that this is 10 by way of example only and that the invention may be incorporated into shelf ready cartons that are used to store products other than canned products.

Brief Discussion of the Prior Art Shelf ready cartons are typically erected from a blank which is fabricated from a foldable material such as corrugated fibreboard. The cartons usually include a bottom wall panel, a top wall panel, a pair of opposing side wall panels extending between the bottom and top wall panels, and a pair of opposing end wall panels.

A frangible tear line typically extends horizontally along the length of each side wall in parallel with the bottom wall panel so that the carton is thereby divided into a lower portion and an upper portion. The upper panel, which typically includes the top wall panel and upper portions of the side wall panels, may be detached from the lower portion by tearing the carton along the tear lines. Once the upper portion has been removed, the contents of the carton may then be removed from the lower portion.

A problem with having the tear lines extend horizontally across the length of the side wall panels in parallel with the bottom wall panel is that it reduces the compressive strength of the side wall panels particularly at the corners of the carton.

There is usually at least one opening in each side wall panel so that the contents of the carton can be viewed through the openings. However, if for some reason only the end walls of the carton are visible, it is not possible to view the contents of the carton through the openings in the side walls.

It would be desirable to have a shelf ready carton which overcomes at least 3 0 0one of the aforementioned deficiencies of prior art shelf ready cartons.

Summary of the Invention O It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the 0consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

OOther objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 0from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying O illustrations, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of 0 the present invention is disclosed.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton erected from a blank of foldable material, the carton comprising a bottom wall panel, a top wall panel, a pair of opposing side wall panels extending between and hinged to the bottom and top wall panels by respective fold lines, a respective pair of opposing end flaps hinged to each side wall panel by respective fold lines, a pair of opposing end wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel by respective fold lines and secured to the end flaps, a plurality of corner posts extending between the bottom and top wall panels and including the end flaps and end portions of the side wall panels, at least one respective opening in each side wall panel, a respective opening extending from a free edge of each end wall panel to the top wall panel, a lower portion including the bottom wall panel, corner posts, and end wall panels, an upper portion including the top wall panel, and a respective frangible tear line substantially extending along each side wall panel such that the upper portion is able to be detached from the lower portion by tearing the carton along the tear lines.

By incorporating the corner posts into the lower portion of the carton, the frangible tear lines do not extend across the corner posts and consequently do not reduce the compressive strength of the carton at the corners thereof.

The openings in the side wall panels and the openings between the end wall panels and the top wall panel enable the contents of the carton to be viewed through either the side wall panels or between the end wall panels and the top wall panel so that the contents of the carton can be readily ascertained if, for example, the carton is stacked with other cartons and cannot be readily moved. The contents are able to be n 4

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0 readily viewed through the openings between the end wall panels and the top wall panel because those openings extend between the end wall panels and the top wall panel and are not obscured by flaps or other panels hinged to the top wall panel.

oThe carton may be any suitable size. Preferably, the carton is 100 mm to 500 mm long, 100 mm to 400 mm wide and 50 mm to 200 mm high. In a particular preferred form, the carton is 275 mm long, 205 mm wide and 95 mm high.

oThe carton may be any suitable shape. In a preferred form, the carton is 0generally in the shape of a rectangular prism.

oThe blank from which the carton is erected is preferably a unitary blank 10 fabricated from a single sheet of foldable material.

The blank from which the carton is erected may be fabricated from any suitable type of foldable material. Preferably, the foldable material is a paper-based material such as fibreboard or cardboard. In a particular preferred form, the foldable material is double-sided corrugated fibreboard.

The bottom wall panel may be any suitable size. Preferably, the bottom wall panel is 100 mm to 500 mm long, and 100 mm to 400 mm wide. In a particular preferred form, the bottom wall panel is 275 mm long and 205 mm wide.

The bottom wall panel may be any suitable shape. In a preferred form, the bottom wall panel is generally rectangular in shape.

The top wall panel may be any suitable size. Preferably, the top wall panel is 100 mm to 500 mm long, and 100 mm to 400 mm wide. In a particular preferred form, the top wall panel is 275 mm long and 205 mm wide.

The top wall panel may be any suitable shape. In a preferred form, the top wall panel is generally rectangular in shape.

Preferably, the bottom and top wall panels are parallel with respect to each other.

The side wall panels may be any suitable size. Preferably, the side wall panels are 100 mm to 500 mm long, and 50 mm to 200 mm high. In a particular preferred form, the side wall panels are 275 mm long and 95 mm high.

The side wall panels may be any suitable shape. In a preferred form, the side wall panels are generally rectangular in shape.

The side wall panels are preferably identical to each other.

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SPreferably, the side wall panels are parallel with respect to each other.

3The end flaps may be any suitable size. Preferably, the flaps are 20 mm to mm wide and 50 mm to 200 mm high. In a particular preferred form, the end flaps oare 40 mm wide and 95 mm high.

The end flaps may be any suitable shape and may be identical to each other.

The end wall panels may be any suitable size. Preferably, the end wall panels are 100 mm to 400 mm wide and 20 mm to 50 mm high. In a particular 0preferred form, the end wall panels are 205 mm wide and 35 mm high.

oThe end wall panels may be any suitable shape. In a preferred form, the end 0 N 10 wall panels are generally rectangular in shape.

It is preferred that the end wall panels are identical to each other.

It is also preferred that the end wall panels are parallel to each other.

The end wall panels may be secured to the end flaps in any suitable manner.

In a preferred form, the end wall panels are secured to the end flaps with an adhesive such as, for example, glue.

The openings in the side wall panels may be any suitable size. Preferably, the openings are 30 mm to 100 mm wide and 30 mm to 100 mm high. In a preferred form, the openings are 55 mm wide and 55 mm high.

The openings in the side wall panels may be any suitable shape. For example, the openings may be rectangular, triangular, or circular in shape. In one preferred form the openings are generally square in shape. In another preferred form the openings are generally triangular in shape.

There may be any number of openings in each side wall panel. Preferably, there are anywhere from one to ten openings in each side wall panel. In one particular preferred form there are two openings in each side wall panel. In another particular preferred form there is one opening in each side wall panel. Preferably, if there is more than one opening in a side wall panel the frangible tear line extending along the side wall panel extends between the openings therein.

If there is more than one opening in one of the side wall panels, it is preferred that the openings in that side wall panel are located side by side.

The openings in the side wall panels are preferably identical to each other.

It is preferred that the openings in the side wall panels are located closer to ttn 6 0 one of the end wall panels than the other end wall panel. This enables the side wall panels to accommodate larger adhesive labels than they might otherwise be able to accommodate.

o The openings extending between the end wall panels and the top wall panel may be any suitable size. Preferably, the openings are 100 mm to 400 mm wide, and mm to 150 mm high. In a preferred form, the openings are 180 mm wide to omm high.

0The openings between the end wall panels and the top wall panel may be any osuitable shape. Preferably, the openings between the end wall panels and the top wall panel are generally trapezoidal in shape.

The openings extending between the end wall panels and the top wall panel are preferably identical to each other.

Preferably, the lower portion also includes lower portions of the side wall panels.

It is preferred that the upper portion also includes upper portions of the side wall panels.

The tear lines may extend along the side wall panels in any suitable manner which enables the upper portion of the carton to be detached and removed from the lower portion of the carton by tearing the carton along the tear lines. For example, the frangible tear lines may extend along at least an edge of the side wall panels.

The frangible tear lines are preferably discontinuous. The discontinuities may, for example, be in the form of continuous cut lines or openings in the side wall panels.

Preferably, the frangible tear lines only extend along the side wall panels.

It is preferred that each frangible tear line includes a segment which is configured so that the carton is adapted to be torn along the segment in a particular direction.

In one particular preferred form, each tear line includes two segments that are both inclined with respect to the bottom wall panel and that extend to at least one edge of the side wall panel along which the tear line extends.

Preferably, the segments of the frangible tear lines are straight.

It is preferred that the segments extending along each side wall panel extend Ic) 7

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o from the openings in the side wall panels.

The segments of the frangible tear line are preferably configured so that the carton is adapted to be torn along the segments in a particular direction.

OPreferably, the segments extending along each side wall panel diverge from each other as they extend to the at least one edge of the side wall panel.

Preferably, each frangible tear line segment extends to a respective upper ofree edge of the side wall panel along which the segment extends.

0Preferably, the carton also includes a securing flap hinged to one of the side owall panels by a fold line and secured to the top wall panel by a suitable securing 0 10 means such as glue.

A respective finger-receiving aperture preferably extends through each side wall panel. The finger-receiving apertures may be any suitable size and shape. In a preferred form, the finger-receiving apertures extend through the portions of the side wall panels which are detached and removed with the top wall panel when the carton is torn along the frangible tear lines.

Preferably, a respective finger-receiving aperture extends through the top wall panel. The finger-receiving aperture may be any suitable size and shape. At least one frangible tear line may extend across the top wall panel from the fingerreceiving aperture.

Brief Description of the Illustrations In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according to a first embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected; Figure 2 depicts a shelf ready carton which is erected from the blank illustrated in figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according to a second embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected; Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according to a third embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected; In 8 0 Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according 3 to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected; Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according O to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected; Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected' O Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected; and O Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank from which a shelf ready carton according (N 10 to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 depicts a blank 10 from which a shelf ready carton according to a first embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected.

Blank 10 is formed from a unitary piece of foldable material such as doublesided corrugated fibreboard.

Blank 10 includes a rectangular bottom wall panel 11I and a pair of opposing side wall panels 12 hinged to opposite sides of the bottom wall panel 11I by parallel fold lines 13, 14. Each side wall panel 12 includes a pair of square inspection openings 15 and a finger-receiving opening 16. A respective frangible tear line 17 extends along each side wall panel 12 Each frangible tear line 17 includes a first segment 18, a second segment 19, a third segment 20, and a fourth segment 2 1. The first and second segments 18, 19 of each tear line 17 extend from opposite sides of the finger-receiving opening 16 in the side wall panel 12 along which the tear line 17 extends to a respective inspection opening 15 in the side wall panel 12. The third and fourth segments 20, 21 of each tear line 17 each extend in a diverging manner from a respective inspection opening in the side wall panel 12 along which the tear line 17 extends to a respective upper free edge 22 of the side wall panel 12.

One of the side wall panels 12 has a securing flap 23 hinged thereto by a discontinuous fold line 24. The other side wall panel 12 has a rectangular top wall panel 25 hinged thereto by a discontinuous fold line 26. The upper free edges 22 of 9 0 the side wall panel 12 which is hinged to the top wall panel 25 are formed by cuts 3located between that side wall panel 12 and the top wall panel Each side wall panel 12 has a pair of opposing end flaps 27 hinged thereto by Ofold lines 28.

Blank 10 also includes a pair of opposing end wall panels 29 hinged to the 0'bottom wall panel 1 by fold lines 30 and 31.

oFigure 2 depicts a shelf ready carton 40 which is erected from the blank 0by folding the side wall panels 12 along the fold lines 13, 14 so that the side wall Opanels 12 are perpendicularly upstanding with respect to the bottom wall panel 11.

0 The top wall panel 25 is then folded along the fold line 26 relative to the side wall panel 12 to which the top wall panel 25 is hinged so that the top wall panel 25 extends perpendicularly between the upstanding side wall panels 12. The securing flap 23 is folded along the fold line 24 relative to the side wall panel 12 to which the securing flap 23 is hinged so that the securing flap 23 extends perpendicularly from that side wall panel 12 towards the other side wall panel 12. The securing flap 23 is secured to an interior surface of the top wall panel 25 with a suitable securing means such as glue.

End flaps 27 are folded relative to the side wall panels 12 along the fold lines 28 so that the flaps 27 extend perpendicularly from the side wall panel 12 to which they are hinged and towards the other side wall panel 12. The end wall panels 29 are then folded along the fold lines 30, 31 so that each end wall panel 29 overlies a respective pair of flaps 27 and is perpendicular with respect to the bottom wall panel 11. The end wall panels 29 are secured to the flaps 27 with a suitable securing means such as glue so that the end wall panels 29 are thereby secured relative to the side wall panels 12.

Carton 40 includes a bottom wall which is provided by the bottom wall panel 11, a top wall which is provided by the top wall panel 25, a pair of opposing side walls which are provided by the side wall panels 12 which extend between and are hinged relative to the bottom and top walls by fold lines 13, 14, 24 and 26, a pair of opposing end walls 41 provided by the end wall panels 29 and the flaps 27, and a plurality of corner posts 42 formed by the flaps 27 of the end walls 41 and end portions of the side wall panels 12. Carton 40 also includes a lower portion 43 which 01 o includes the bottom wall, end walls 41 and corner posts 42, and an upper portion 44 including the top wall and upper portions of the side walls. The frangible tear lines 17 extending along the side wall panels 12 of the carton 40 enable the upper portion o44 of the carton 40 to be detached from the lower portion 43 of the carton 40 by tearing the carton 40 along the tear lines 17. Carton 40 also includes a respective 0inspection opening 45 extending between a free edge of each end wall panel 29 and othe top wall panel 0Carton 40 contains twelve cans 46 which were placed inside the carton obefore at least one of the end wall panels 29 was secured relative to the side wall 0 N, 10 panels 12. The dimensions of the carton 40 are such that the carton 40 is able to accommodate four cans 46 along each side wall panel 12, and three cans 46 along each end wall 41.

The dimensions and locations of the various inspection openings 15, 45 are such that the cans 46 are able to be viewed through the openings 15, The upper portion 44 of the carton 40 able to be detached and removed from the lower portion 43 of the carton 40 so as to allow all of the cans 46 to be accessed and removed from the carton 40. This is accomplished by inserting at least one respective finger into each of the finger-receiving openings 16, grasping a portion of each side wall panel 12 which is located above each finger-receiving aperture 16 between the inserted finger and a thumb, and then tearing the carton 40 along the first and second segments 18, 19 of the tear line 17 which extend between the fingerreceiving openings 16 and the inspection openings 15. Also, the carton 40 is torn along the third and fourth segments 20, 21 of the tear lines 17 which extend between the inspection openings 15 and the upper free edges 22. The configuration of the third and fourth segments 20, 21 of the tear lines 17 which extend between the inspection openings 15 and the upper free edges 22 is such that the carton 40 is adapted to be torn along the segments 20, 21 from the free edges 22 to the inspection openings Figure 3 depicts a blank 50 from which a shelf ready carton according to a second embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 50 which are the same as or similar to features of the blank are referenced using the same reference numbers.

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0 Apart from some differences in proportion, blank 50 differs from the blank 10 in that the inspection openings 15 of the blank 50 are generally triangular in shape and do not extend to the fold lines 24, 26 so that the fold lines 24, 26 of the blank oare continuous. Moreover, the finger-receiving openings 16 are a different shape to those of the blank 10 and are located between the inspection openings 15 and in the 0upper portions of the side wall panels 12 which form part of an upper portion of a ocarton erected from the blank 50. Furthermore, the segments 20, 21 of the tear lines 017 which extend from the inspection openings 15 to the free edges 22 are not as O steeply inclined with respect to the fold lines 13, 14 as the segments 20, 21 of the 0 C, 10 blank 10. Also, the configuration of the segments 20, 21 is such that the carton formed from the blank 50 is adapted to be torn along the segments 20, 21 from the openings 15 to the free edges 22. The first and second segments 18, 19 of the blank have also been replaced in the blank 50 with a single segment 51.

A shelf ready carton is erected from the blank 50 in the same manner as the carton 40 is erected from the blank 10. The carton erected from the blank 50 includes lower and upper portions which are similar to the lower and upper portions 43, 44 of the carton 40 and which are able to be detached from each other in a similar manner to the lower and upper portions 43, 44 of the carton Figure 4 depicts a blank 60 from which a shelf ready carton according to a third embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 60 which are the same as or similar to features of the blank are referenced using the same reference numbers.

Apart from some differences in proportion, blank 60 differs from the blank in that the fold lines 30, 31 of the blank 60 are each composed of a first fold line 61 and a second fold line 62 which is laterally offset from the first fold line 61 and which is discontinuous. Also, the finger-receiving openings 16 of the blank 60 extend through the upper portions of the side wall panels 12 which form part of an upper portion of a carton erected from the blank 60. Moreover, the first and second segments 18, 19 of the tear lines 17 of the blank 60 are inclined with respect to the fold lines 13, 14 thereof. In addition, the third and fourth segments 20, 21 of the tear lines 17 of the blank 60 are adapted to be torn from the inspection openings 15 thereof towards the upper free edges 22.

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0 A shelf ready carton is erected from the blank 60 in the same manner as the carton 40 is erected from the blank 10. The carton erected from the blank 60 includes lower and upper portions which are similar to the lower and upper portions 43, 44 of othe carton 40 and which are able to be detached from each other in a similar manner to the lower and upper portions 43, 44 of the carton I When the end wall panels 29 of the blank 60 are folded relative the bottom wall panel 11 along the fold lines 30, 31 so that the end wall panels 29 are 0perpendicular with respect to the bottom wall panel 11, the end wall panels 29 are Sfolded relative to the bottom wall panel 11 along the fold lines 61, 62 which causes 10 the end wall panels 29 to bow inwardly towards each other and thereby reduces the distance between the middle portions of the end wall panels 29. This reduction in distance reduces the amount by which a row of cans extending between the end wall panels 29 is able to shift back and fourth between the end wall panels 29. Bowing the end wall panels 29 towards each other also causes the end portions of the end wall panels 29 to more firmly press against the end flaps 27.

Figure 5 depicts a blank 70 from which a shelf ready carton according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 70 which are the same as or similar to features of the blanks or 60 are referenced using the same reference numbers.

The fold lines 30, 31 of blank 70 are identical to those of the blank Unlike the blanks 10 and 60, each side wall panel 12 has a single inspection opening which is offset to one side of the side wall panel 12 so that there is sufficient room on the other side of the panel 12 to accommodate a large label. Also, the fingerreceiving opening 16 in each side wall panel 12 is joined to the inspection opening in the panel 12. Each frangible tear line 17 includes a frangible segment 71 and a continuous cut 72 extending from the segment 71 to the segment 21. The third and fourth segments 20, 21 of the frangible tear lines 17 of the blank 70 are adapted to be torn from the upper free edges 22 to the inspection opening 15 and cut 72, respectively.

Figure 6 depicts a blank 80 from which a shelf ready carton according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 80 which are the same as or similar to features of the blank t13 0 are referenced using the same reference numbers.

Apaft from the absence of finger-receiving apertures 16 in its side wall panels 12, and the presence of a finger-receiving opening 81 in the top wall panel O and frangible tear lines 82 extending across the top wall panel 25, blank 80 is essentially identical to the blank 70. The tear lines 82 are adapted to be torn from the finger-receiving opening 81 towards the edges of the top wall panel 25 by inserting Oone's fingers into the finger-receiving opening 81 and then lifting the top wall panel 025.

OFigure 7 depicts a blank 90 from which a shelf-ready carton according to a 0 N 10 sixth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 90 which are the same as or similar to features of the blank are referenced using the same reference numbers.

The size and shape of the inspection openings 15 of the blank 90 are different to those of the blank 80. Also, the tear lines 17 of the blank 90 do not include a fourth segment 21, a continuous cut 72 and a frangible segment 71. Instead, the fold lines 24, 26 of the blank 90 each include a respective frangible segment 91 extending from an inspection opening 15 in each side wall panel 12 to an upper free edge 22 of the panel 12. The frangible segments 91 form part of the tear lines 17.

Figure 8 depicts a blank 100 from which a shelf-ready carton according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 100 which are the same as or similar to features of the blank are referenced using the same reference numbers.

Blank 100 is identical to blank 90 except that it also includes a fingerreceiving opening 81 in its top wall panel 25 and frangible tear lines 82 extending along its top wall panel Figure 9 depicts a blank 110 from which a shelf-ready carton according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is able to be erected. For convenience, features of the blank 110 which are the same as or similar to features of the blank are referenced using the same reference numbers.

In addition to differences in proportion, blank 110 differs from blank 80 in that the inspection openings 15 of blank 110 are more elongate than those of the blank Also, the end wall panels 29 of blank 110 include recessed edges 110.

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0 Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but onot the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires Iotherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to othe value for the range qualified by the terms.

0It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and Smodifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing 10 from the spirit and scope thereof The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims (3)

1. 2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the tear lines extend at least along edges of the side wall panels.
2. 3. The carton of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tear lines are discontinuous.
3. 4. The carton of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings in the side wall panels are located closer to one of the end wall panels than the other end wall panel. A carton substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 and 2, or any one of figures 3 to 9 of the illustrations. DATED this 5 th day of July 2005 AMCOR LIMITED By its Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.