AU2005285170B2 - Top-gripping carrier with interlocked panels - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton for one or more articles (BT), the carton being formed from a single blank of foldable sheet material having a series of panels joined along fold lines so as to form, when assembled, a top panel (114), bottom panel (118), first and second side wall panels (116, 120) and first and second end wall panels (122, 124) together forming a hollow structure with closed ends, the carton being characterised in that the top panel (114) comprises at least one aperture (130) for receiving an article, at least one of the end wall panels having a tab or locking head (134) extending from an edge thereof, the tab being received in one of said apertures and held in that aperture by the article received therein, thereby to hold the end wall panel in the assembled position.

Description

WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 TOP-GRIPPING CARRIER WITH INTERLOCKED PANELS This invention relates to an article carrier of the top-gripping type which is particularly suitable for use with bottles. 5 Top-gripping carriers which support a number of bottles by their necks in a group are well known. Usually, such carriers are pre-formed and supplied in completed flat-folded condition ready to be erected and applied to a group of bottles. In order to pre-form the carrier it is customary to form the carrier from a wrapper blank in which a pair of base panels 10 or other panels are secured by gluing. The present invention offers a top-gripping carrier, which does not necessarily require to be glued and may or may not be pre-formed but is put into its final erected condition by introduction of the articles which it is to carry. 15 Carriers assembled in this way may be prone to misalignment during assembly. Top gripping carriers with interlocked panels are known in the multiple packaging art. 20 For example, US-A-4 432 579 discloses (Figs. 19 and 20) activating a flap (128a) struck from a base panel (128) by bottle insertion and locking the upper end of the flap (128a) in a top receiving aperture (140) in a top panel (132). US'579 does not disclose an internal stiffening structure using the flaps 128a, 136a. Figs. 18-20 illustrate a centre keel structure. However, the centre keel structure is formed by panels 124, 138 located at the opposite ends of the 25 blank, not by the flaps 128a, 136a. US-A-6 168 012 discloses a centre keel structure formed out of the flaps 21b struck from the base panel 5 (Fig. 2). The flaps 21 define parts of the bottle-receiving apertures 171 in the base panel 5. Although the flaps 21b extend between the top and base panels 13 and 15 to 30 enhance the rigidity of the carrier, the upper ends of the flaps 21b are not received in the top receiving apertures 31 and 33 in the top of the carrier.

5-4 Gl 7-4 Ai sota * lscTh ta , W wilf Ja aik of oer$ a4 d 0 4 and i& tecwe iw a iiWAi artM %$P (V4i. 2 and 4e t1 e ats god asd srtnaui 1 of~atb ~"a$ heb? lnef the- th "W in the aperwre '%f(Clni , ie li tlj prv sat itw5dop The. eadM inTh:4 dF w~dId ihe ygi a e ubular fbrm and bracing .ads WihM eihaum tia e rigd a sfifthz of t4 e-atl Bt edls byfid l at{d1es dg e-i t. Accnding to a fest esgeea iof ieay - & ormte seiQe1k dio cain -ing ftanedtma, a sagleai of fbWbfe- sheet dtteifl 19Wh~mg 4gig 4yq ptng po corrtpridhg adegs na gapetufer tetfjgaalha botfj'~n$ tid (gn. s~cds WII pans and. lit and second end wall paak toeffigr fntmg q balom' IWWtQ with 00sd onds, wherein at 14sat enaW f ts ehd w4 pe1s has a tWidng head. tutedrga 4n e dcjM, bgng head ge i .oe- rtran 15 beld ib'Th~t apenlmu by *the adticlre edV. 3n, thetby W huM tle end wall patS irae - dsertib -dposiin. ?tefemaby. tor ediM Apek ffl nIWt palfh$~ oade mond lpoztn, tha Inpldag head has a btapt* widt aa he Wier at a flea and Uthw er n o 0uwngMqltr an edge, onhe snd: MiX pane4 th fit&P i ha& a-Aannuara width tt ia larger than the znnlrmun wAMth 20- of tire- k ickng het such that the !Wlang: beAd OAs j±As _tkogoJ tmh &st F. of t asuodated apertu and tove iwo 4-s agCand pnrdoth t tJMeS Vo6iQ 4 apoi, the Seond porticn bat4u a width Oht is sg4[r fln the mainmtwt width c&ea teockig head, so- that eadh titg head wilt bb prevteg from ynots tay* k and being-dialodged fron tercnd par~nof te aradated qao 25 ASenfIng to an wptional fe~tete .af lutt-aset of th &~ dr~ M de seon adno i aporam and looking head together firm a cnna y.a means Aftmafively or additionally an, upper end pordoa af the. IoeAg head erimges an upp& portion Of fathe & IOp=resn in thataperrn. the looking- bead inqtading-a ceuts portovm for ehgagereit with the upper portiOn of the articJe in that apeAtu and the oT each end wall 30 having aft feast one arm pottin dPod : t onre side of the Rspecdive. Icuidng head, the or 0a4 a'tm pfo&~n being si:ed i iae da uQdelif of t top panet wilk the rmpec6ve itrg hd refned be anhe ca4I Spi d@ 4 z n b~$ '@cgi9ris3 keing rz~emsw for eugagjhg compiemnfary hckhdng 5 Sidirabfah# a t a pertl4by s Q% tap ofa-4 afltpf"Prntz the doe p t edft andwhorein trntposion of th Imklug hes4 is engsd aainst- ns of the sttPplm .t-bs, th- ltig hdtd nes ierdi teast one wig portion which is. -engaged i-jae a 'lct baWeen (46 M pPOWt t0 a4 de or eAk. mext d4Jeet supyOrt tab to lqotthe lokn ead mocovedIn the a=t apwu: 10 Mere prefrd1l% the Ntd prm of the kocking head is dispose fr evbrlappg Thoe i thce EI~bpsA4 with -i onesag ta t a DM i mt th em is pIdd a h*Vigg a Pape*f j0fiadS Okng faMd ThAea flr jnmtjg, a top pmnt bpQbs4 pmd, fta alq smon4 side Wall panda mid flirt and zmgud end: wall paps, the top par4 bOUPdsicg at Ift wherein at a waion vanei a tab'ei.tendfiinu i%0 A edg6 fhgep tbo ltg Ibe 04b I gge of and b bo hWA2 in tbat aprsMre by thi &A when. ehrud fireh .suh ftt. tbph tn wl PAnleI hAn be k4itnnAp Ogmer di ' tn Prefebly, the o e4 aerturd has a 5rzt parton al, a second pofils the tab hsre a 20 taped width sO R t be widrat its -e-0 ezd atto =d e46 Of lht Bmoeted end M e e&tportir feach ape a ing aWi t i a hn t-. nmxhu width pf h suah that th thb gan pAWs througE ffe fflt pordon and move int de second pOrTdo f h as ated eimtw, the teeond portion a widlhV i smatler than the maxiinawn wift of easatat. so (bat each iab vill be 25 prevetMed frqn having aWbrgnia&y peeudiulaarly though, and being dislodgd fr6n the s*mecd pcution of the asseeditec apiswg Amcerding to a thrd aspect of tho invendo, there is provided an ardicle cntzzer of the top gipping type- which connects together and svppcrts a Plualy of adices the carrie compdsing a series of raain panels. finding a top panej a ase Panel and A pair of spaced 4 side panels, the main panels together forming a tubular structure, the top panel having a plurality of article receiving apertures formed therein, each for receiving a portion of an article, the carder further comprising a structure extending between the top and base panels, the structure comprising at least one bracing panel extending from one of the main s panels and having a distal end portion for engagement with the top panel, the distal end portion comprising a locking head configured to be received in one of the article receiving apertures wherein the locking head comprises a wing portion adapted to engage the one aperture to maintain the article carrier in an assembled condition and to maintain an article within the aperture, and 10 each bracing panel includes at least one arm portion disposed at one side of the locking head, each anm portion being sized to engage the underface of the top panel with said locking head engaged in its fully locked position thereby enhancing the stiffness of the top panel in the vicinity of the aperture in which the locking head is engaged to fortify the locking connection between that bracing panel and the top panel, 15 Preferably, that aperture is defined by an annular series of support tabs which engage beneath the top of an article present in the aperture. Preferably, the one bracing tab is formed from and hinged to the base panel and is upstanding therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the locking head comprises a central portion which 20 is engaged against one of the support tabs, and at least one wing portion is engaged in a slot between the the one support tab and the or each next adjacent support tab to look the bracing panel to the top panel. Preferably, the central portion of the locking head is disposed in overlapping face to face relationship with the one support tab. 2.5 Preferably, each bracing panel extends between the base panel and the top panel at an angle inclined to the vertical to absorb and/or transmit both vertical and horizontal components of force thereby to enhance the rigidity of the carrier, Ml(1435423 1a:MLW PmftaW. h~PluiA ty 4f 4tide zaoeidng 4# &a1% fls 4 1( a~iea M t0gQ aag whereiu a keel start [s- dis ed ItWeen .at lean t~W ZW of tlo, apertgrea ergdf~g between thetp and base panels. the ced smnam ompzjing a edeijs of bracwyg"anos ateb bmaeng panel emtedjng ftrm the basA.panel bitemank of Ax tubular structum and heng 5 received in an appear in the top panel fot rgagjg an tpper pctdon of a article ptsea in th aperture. Preferably, the keel stucture 16 formed. from. a rmzfi-pIiay of pairs of braning panes wit each par dispo-sed botweenjen- rwe teArt-e Optiom]ly, a lekg tat is associated with the one apeduau de loclg tab-vtending fim 10 the base pant! intefyof t WblI -stzMu d as4be bekl to maigtaia Ie tubijar fkn OF the carer i& its etredAW ond wm by a p qfan ai-tle taeined in that aperture, the atinpeintn T th Eicng lb nt breikg panel bdug suchtthaff the locking tub ad he bracing panel are deployed sequentially larinsenon ofan ertkke ite capentu Prefembly, the locEking tab l sized and, uontigued to pass though a, baae pana aperture otdy 15 when the car-ier is it tfly ntr too wbada- cong$1rin an4 Wend4 from the base panel towards, but stops'short of, the top pa. Pr YArebly, the Or each apern-e 044a49 spa;tia A a d Fortic 7 the lacking hea lsa tapered width so as to be wider at its fiee end dran at dte endadxaing the remainder of the one bring peeiq, the first parlKrn 6Au a naimunu width that is larger tha the width of the 20) loeldug ad at the fre -end sucu tgg go 1 a00 g had a Pas thng the rstpion ofthe associate aperture aue mjte into the second pordion of the assoNlated apertum, ft sC-aond Podio aving a wi @ is kmdlt than 1Le widt of the lcking headat the free end so that pfpidsidea trauggA ad being dislodged tmt sel d portion (cthe n a tt 25 Ptherably, the one brady pandl- is &Tuptised in a pangl br morning an end cloanse wall of the carder and wherein the ltkihghead is a tab fonned as a6 integral erypnion of day panel and is received in the one aperture adjacert the end .losum walt 30 According to a fourth aspect of the irnvention, there is provided a blank having a series of main panels for forming walls of an artle carder including a top panel, base panel and a pair 6 of side panels, the top panel having one or more article receiving apertures formed therein, and the blank having a support structure, the blank having a support structure comprising at least one bracing panel, struck from one of the main panels, the bracing panel being configured to provide, when the blank is set-up into an article carrier, a distal 5 end portion for engagement with the top panel, the distal end portion comprising a locking head configured to be received in one of the article receiving apertures, wherein the locking head comprises a wing portion operable for engaging the one article receiving aperture thereby to maintain an article carrier formed from the blank in an assembled condition and to maintain an article within the aperture when the article carrier is loaded, 10 and each bracing panel includes at least one arn portion disposed at one side of the locking head, each arm portion being sized to engage the underface of the top panel with said locking head engaged in its fully locked position thereby enhancing the stiffness of the top panel in the vicinity of the aperture in which the locking head is engaged to fortify is the locking connection between that bracing panel and the top panel. AICI(343542 3 1):ILW Thrce empty ad t f invenOen 41 now bi desibed, by wM of example With retrece tp the abcomjyn drwings in Wiehr .Fure I is a plan vew of a wrapper blank. for formig a don t-p g for six bottles according to an embodiment of the invention; Pigur .2 is a perpectivviw of a cancer fOMed ftorn the bla* su1l-hr to that of Figpne 1 but being shown loaded with four botaes; WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a carrier also formed from the blank similar to that of Figure 1, but being loaded with nine bottles in three rows of three bottles each; Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of elements of a carton which are common to each of 5 the constructions referred to in relation to Figures 1 and 3, in which: Figure 4 is a perspective view of a carton, according to the invention, as seen from one end; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a carton, according to the invention, as seen from one end 10 and below; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a carton, according to the invention, as seen from one end and above; 15 Figure 7 shows a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows a perspective top, front and side view of a partially assembled carton following a first step in the construction of the blank of figure 7; 20 Figure 9 shows a perspective front view of a partially assembled carton following a second step in the construction of the blank of figure 7; Figure 10 shows a perspective front view of a partially assembled carton of the second 25 embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 shows a perspective front view of a partially assembled carton of the second embodiment of the invention; 30 Figure 12 shows a perspective top, front and side view of a partially assembled carton of the second embodiment of the invention; WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 -9 Figure 13 shows a perspective top, front and side view of an assembled carton of the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 shows a plan view of a blank for forming a carrier according to a third embodiment 5 of the invention; Figure 15 shows an end and top view of a carrier formed from the blank of Figure 14, erected and loaded with bottles; and 10 Figure 16 shows a top, end and side view of the carrier of figure 15. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an elongate blank 10 formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material which comprises, in series, an internal first side wall panel 11, a base panel 12, a second side wall panel 14, a top panel 16 and an external first side wall 15 panel 18, the panels being hinged one to the next along transverse fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively. The top panel 16 is formed with a first row TR1 of spaced apertures TAl, TA2 and TA3 disposed adjacent the second side wall panel 14 and a second row TR2 of spaced apertures 20 TA4, TA5 and TA6 disposed adjacent the external first side wall panel 18. Each of the apertures (TAl to TA6) is adapted to receive the top of a bottle and includes an annular series of support tabs "t" (see TA4) foldably connected to the top panel 16. As is well known, when the completed carrier is applied to a group of bottles, a bottle top is inserted through each aperture TA whose support tabs "t" are upwardly displaced and located beneath the bottle top 25 to assist in the stabilisation and/or retention of the bottle in the carrier. Each support tab "t" is separated from its immediate neighbour by a slit "s." The base panel 12 of the blank is formed with two rows BR1 and BR2 of spaced bottle neck receiving apertures BAl to BA3 and BA4 to BA6, which are disposed so as to be in vertical 30 register with apertures TA1 to TA3 and TA4 to TA6, respectively, when the blank is formed into a tubular structure in which the base panel underlies the top panel. Thus, each aperture in the base panel is in register with one of the apertures in the top panel.

WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 10 A set of locking tabs LT 1, LT2 and LT3 is integral with and hinged to the external first side panel 18 along fold lines 18a, 18b and 18c respectively. 5 In order to hold the manipulated blank in its tubular configuration locking tabs LT1, LT2 and LT3 are inserted into base panel apertures BA4, BA5 and BA6 respectively. The maximum width "x" of each of the locking tabs LT, see for example locking tab LT1, is substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the maximum width "a" of a base panel 10 aperture "BA", see for example base apertures BAl, and the width of the root "y" of a locking tab is less than the width "b" of a base aperture "BA" adjacent side wall panel 14. Thus, each of the locking tabs can readily pass through a respective base aperture because initial insertion is in the vicinity of the maximum width "a" of the base aperture. The blank may be pre-assembled, without the use of any adhesive, into a tubular form before its 15 application to a group of articles such as bottles. In one embodiment, the pre-assembling process is carried out as follows: Each locking tab LT is introduced into an associated base panel aperture BA such that each locking tab LT displaces an associated bracing panel ST and leans against the distal end of 20 the associated bracing panel ST. By this means, each locking tab is restrained, at least in part, from disengaging from its associated base aperture and retained within the associated base aperture. In another embodiment, each locking tab LT is retained in the associated base aperture because the dimension "x" of the locking tab is greater than the minor width "b" of the base locking aperture in which it is engaged. The pre-assembling process allows the 25 carrier to be ready for application to a group of bottles. When the carrier is applied to bottles and thereby a neck portion of a bottle is inserted into each of the base apertures and a registering top wall aperture as seen for example in Figures 2 to 5, each of the locking tabs LTl, LT2 and LT3 is held substantially flat against the internal first side wall panel 14 by a portion of the bottleneck below its bottle cap (Figures 2 and 3). 30 WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 11 Indeed it is a primary feature of the present invention that the bottles themselves, not only maintain the tubular structure of the carton but also set up the internal bracing panels extending between the bottom and top wall panels. 5 In order to manipulate the blank so as to form the carrier as a tubular structure, the top panel is brought into spaced overlapping relationship with the base panel. In so doing, the second side wall panel 14 is put into an upright position and likewise the first side wall panels 11 and 18 are put into overlapping upright position with panel 11 internal of the tubular structure and panel 18 providing an external side wall. 10 Accordingly, when the blank is first put into its tubular form, each of the locking tabs LT1, LT2 and LT3 initially overlie respective ones of the bracing panels ST4, ST5 and ST6 on the base panel 12. 15 When no pre-assembling process takes place, a bottleneck that is inserted into each of the base apertures "BA" of the partially-formed carrier first engages a locking tab "LT" which is displaced inwardly and thereby pushes against a head portion P of a bracing panel "ST" which is at its free end remote from its hinged root as indicated by fold line "h". As the locking tab continues to be displaced into the tubular structure, the bracing panel "ST" is 20 raised further towards the top wall panel 16 until it disengages from the locking tab which then becomes trapped against the internal side wall panel 14. The bracing panel continues to be raised and as the top of the bottle pushes through the top wall aperture displaces the bottle crown support tabs "t" (see for example reference "t" in Figure 1). The head P of the bracing panel engages under the crown or other top flange of a bottle. 25 It will be seen from Figures 1, 5 and 6 that the locking head P at the free end is T-shaped or barbed to provide a central portion "CP" flanged by a pair of integral wing portions "W." The central portion has a leading edge P1 and the wing portions "W" have trailing edges P2. In order to lock a bracing panel "ST" in position, the T-shaped projection is fully inserted 30 through the top wall aperture so that the leading edge P1 of the T-shaped projection engages beneath the crown cork or other top of the bottle and the central portion "CP" of the head P is positioned against an internal face of a support tab "t" in face to face relationship. When the WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 12 head P is fully locked the wing portions engage respective ones of the slots "s" between tab "t" and its immediately neighbouring tabs "t" on either side of the projection P. In this position the trailing edges "P2" engage the upper face of top panel 16. This is best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings. 5 It will be seen from Figure 6 that the engagement of a bracing panel in the top wall 16 of the carrier requires the leading edge P of the bracing panel head P to engage beneath the crown cork or other top portion, e.g. a neck flange of a bottle so that the head is in face to face contact with the internal surface of the support tab 't'. The trailing edgds 'P2' of the bracing 10 panel head engage in slots 's' between the engaged support tab and each of its flanking support tabs. Each locking tab is also formed with a pair of arms ' 'a 1 ', 'a 2 ', each of which are sized to engage the underface of the top panel when the head P is fully engaged and thereby locked thus enhancing the stiffness of the top panel in the vicinity of the top panel aperture in which the head is engaged to fortify the locking connection between that bracing 15 panel and the top panel. It will be seen that the bracing panels "ST" (Figure 4), extend from the bottom wall panel of the tubular structure and through the top wall to engage the bottle top and are thus disposed at an angle inclined to the vertical. The bracing panels as a group form a central keel within the 20 carrier and thereby enhance the rigidity of the carrier. Also, by virtue of their inclined attitude the bracing panels are able to absorb and/or transmit forces which have both vertical and horizontal components. Second and third embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, in 25 which the reference numerals have been increased by a factor of "100" or "200" in order to distinguish from the other embodiments. Figures 17-13 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which figure 7 shows a 30 flat blank 110 from which a carrier can be erected. The carrier is, as in the first embodiment, constructed from paperboard or other similar foldable material. The blank 110 and carrier are WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 13 designed for, but not limited to, packaging articles B, such as bottles, of an identical configuration arranged in two rows of two. Figure 7 shows the blank 110, which comprises four primary panels for forming walls of the 5 carrier, including a top panel 114, a first side wall panel 116, bottom panel 118 and a second side wall panel 120 hinged one to the next along fold lines 142, 144, 146. A glue flap 112 is hinged to the top panel 114 along a fold line 140. The blank 110 further includes first and second bracing panels in the form of end wall panels 122, 124 which are hinged to opposed edges 152 and 150 of the bottom panel 118. A series of flaps 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d are 10 hinged to opposed edges of the first and second end wall panels 122, 124 along fold lines 148a, 148b, 148c, 148d. Locking head in the form of tabs 134, 134 are disposed in spaced relationship on the free end of second end panel 124 whilst similar tabs 134, 134 are disposed in spaced relationship on the free end of first end wall panel 122. 15 The bottom panel 118 comprises four apertures 132 each for receiving an article (B). The apertures 132 are arranged in two rows of two of substantially equidistant separation. The top panel 114 comprises four article retaining apertures known in the art as "Sunburst" apertures for retaining an article. It will be appreciated however that the present invention is not limited to "Sunburst" apertures. The "Sunburst" apertures 130 are positioned so as to be 20 in registry with the apertures 132 when the carrier is assembled. Each of the "Sunburst" apertures 130 is of substantially the same design and therefore only one will be described in detail. Each "Sunburst" aperture 130 comprises a generally circular aperture whose circumference is surrounded by a series of seven annular tabs. This series of seven annular tabs is defined by the aperture, seven cut lines 137 extending radially away from the aperture 25 and by seven arcuate cut lines 138. In the second embodiment of the invention, each "Sunburst" aperture 130 is further provided with a side cut-out 136 extending from the "Sunburst" aperture 130 towards the free end of the top panel 114. Each of the cut-outs 136 is of a width so as to be able to receive one of the 30 tabs or locking head 134 therethrough in a substantially perpendicular orientation, as will be further described below. Each tab 134 is maintained in such a perpendicular orientation by a bottle (B) contained therein. For the purpose of being maintained in a substantially upright WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 14 configuration, the tabs 134 are tapered; each tab being narrower at its lower edge, adjoining the first and second end wall panels 22 and 24, than at its upper edge. The side cut-outs 136 each have a width that is smaller than the maximum width of the tabs 134, such that the tabs 134 will be restricted from moving perpendicularly through the cut outs and hence remain 5 engaged therewith. The tabs 134 are arranged such that in the erected carrier they form an eighth tab which compliments the series of seven annular tabs defined by cut lines 137 and arcuate cut line 138. The "Sunburst" aperture 130 is thereby completed such that an article (B) is supported, 10 around substantially the entire periphery, beneath the radial protrusion of the article (B). The top panel 114 further comprises a finger gripping aperture 128 which comprises a substantially semi-circular cut line 156 and a fold line 154 extending between the terminations of the cut line 156, thus forming a flap that can be folded along the fold line 154 15 when in operation. The finger gripping aperture 128 is disposed approximately in the centre of the arrangement of the four "Sunburst" apertures 130 such that the finger gripping aperture is approximately equidistant from the four "Sunburst" apertures 130. Turning to the construction of the carton from the blank 110, a series of sequential folding 20 and gluing operations are required, which preferably can be performed in a straight line machine, so that the carton and/or blank 110 are not required to be rotated or inverted to complete the construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. 25 Referring now to figure 8 there is shown the carrier in the process of being erected about a group of four articles (B) in this case bottles. The carton is erected by arranging the group of articles (B) in a configuration matching that of the apertures 132 of the carrier: in this case two rows of two. The apertures 132 of the bottom panel 118 are then brought into registry and receive a portion of the articles (B) in this case the necks of the bottles (B). The first and 30 second end wall panels 122, 124 are then folded upward to be disposed against the articles (B) by folding about fold lines 150, 152. The first and second end wall panels 122, 124 are folded to incline inwardly of the bottom panel 118 about an angle greater than 90'; such that WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 15 the tabs 134 are moved into a position proximate the top of the articles (B), in preparation for the "Sunburst" apertures 130 to be brought into registry with the articles (B). The flaps 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d are folded about fold lines 148a, 148b, 148c, 148d so that they can be placed in flat face contact with the first and second side walls 122, 124 when the first and 5 second side walls 122, 124 are folded about fold lines 144, 146, as illustrated in figure 9. Referring now to figures 9 to 15, the first side wall 116 is folded about the articles (B) along fold line 144. The top panel 114 is folded about fold line 142 such that each of the four cut outs 136 receives one of the upwardly extending tabs 134. Due to the inclination of the first 10 and second end wall panels 122, 124, the tabs 134 pass through the central aperture portion of the "Sunburst" aperture 130 and then, due to the tapering of the tabs or locking head, can easily pass into the cut-outs 136 in a substantially perpendicular configuration. The cut-outs 136 allow the tabs 134 to protrude through the top panel 114 and facilitate alignment of the carton. 15 The top panel 114 is then brought further into registry with the articles B, such that the "Sunburst" apertures 130 are folded out of the plane of the top panel 114 such that the annular tabs of the "Sunburst" apertures 130 and respective tabs 134 engage the articles (B). When the article (B) is a bottle, especially one with a crown cork closure, the annular tabs 20 and the respective tab 134 engage under a radial protrusion of the bottle in this case the radial protrusion is a crown cork. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in its application to such closures. When an article (B) is received by the "Sunburst" aperture, the tabs 134 are thus held in place within the cut-outs 136 by the articles, thereby preventing the tabs from moving back towards the central portion of the "Sunburst" aperture and being 25 released therethrough. Thus, the first and second side walls 122, 124 are secured and held in an erected position by the co-operation of tab arrangement and the bottle tops. It can also be seen in figures 11 to 13 that the tabs 134 additionally provides support to the article B and facilitates the retention of the article by the carrier. 30 To complete the construction of the carrier, the glue flap 112 is folded about fold line 140 and glue (G) is applied. The second side wall 120 is brought up into contact with the glue flap 112 by folding about fold line 146 and is secured to the glue flap 112.

WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 16 The third embodiment is illustrated in figures 14 to 16. In figure 14 a blank 210 for forming a carrier according to the third embodiment is illustrated. The layout of the blank 210 is similar to the carrier of the second embodiment, and therefore only the differences will be 5 described in detail. The blank 10 illustrated in figure 14 comprises main panels which are hinged together. The main panels include a bottom panel 218, first side panel 216, panels 220 and 212 which together form a composite second side panel, a top panel 214 and first and second bracing 10 panels in the form of end closure panels 224, 222. As in the third embodiment, the bottom panel 218 comprises a series of article receiving apertures 232. In the third embodiment the exemplary carton blank 210 is shown having six article receiving apertures 232 arranged in two rows of three. As in both of the earlier 15 embodiments, the top panel 214 is provided with a complementary arrangement of apertures TA7, TA8, TA9, TA10, TA12, TA14 are arranged to be vertically aligned with the apertures 232 of the bottom panel when the blank 210 is folded around a group of bottles and assembled into a carrier, as shown in figures 15 and 16. 20 The bracing panels, i.e., the first and second end panels 224, 222, are each provided with two integrally formed locking heads ST9, ST10, ST7 and ST8. The locking heads are arranged to be received and locked within an adjacent top panel aperture TA9, TA14, TA10, TA7 respectively. As in the first embodiment, each locking head engages under the crown or other top flange of a bottle (B) held in the adjacent aperture. Each locking head at the free 25 end is T-shaped or barbed to provide a central portion (P3) flanged by a pair of integral wing portions (W2). The central portion (P3) has a leading edge and the wing portions "W" have trailing edges. In order to lock a locking head "ST" in position, the T-shaped projection is fully inserted through the top wall aperture so that the leading edge of the T-shaped projection engages beneath the crown cork or other top of the bottle and the central portion of 30 the locking head is positioned against an internal face of a support tab in ace to face relationship. When the locking head "ST" is fully locked, the wing portions engage respective ones of the slots 237 between a pair of immediately neighbouring supporting tabs WO 2006/031579 PCT/US2005/031932 - 17 on either side of the locking head as can be seen in figure 15. In this position the trailing edges engage the upper face of top panel 214. It will be seen from Figures 15 and 16 that the engagement of a locking head in the top wall 5 214 of the carrier requires the leading edge of the locking head to engage beneath the crown cork or other top portion, e.g., a neck flange of a bottle so that the head is in face to face contact with the internal surface of a support tab. The trailing edges of the locking head engage in slots 237 between the engaged support tab and each of its flanking support tabs. Each locking tab is also formed with an arm "a , "a4" and an engaging edge 292. The arms 10 "a ", "a 4 " are sized to engage the underface of the top panel 214 when the head (P3) is fully engaged and thereby locked. The arms, along with engaging edge 292 enhance the stiffness of the top panel 214 in the vicinity of the top panel aperture TA7, TA9, TA10, TA14 in which the locking head is engaged to fortify the locking connection between that locking head and the top panel. 15 It will be seen that the locking heads "ST" (Figure 14), extend from the bracing panels (or first and second end wall panels) 224, 222 of the tubular structure and through the top wall to engage the bottle top and are thus disposed at an angle inclined to the vertical. The bracing panels are disposed at either end of the carrier and thereby enhance the rigidity of the carrier. 20 Also, by virtue of their inclined attitude the bracing panels are able to absorb and/or transmit forces which have both vertical and horizontal components. As in the first embodiment, locking tabs LT4, LT5 and LT6 are inserted into apertures 232 on the bottom wall 218 adjacent fold line 246 and are held in place by a bottle inserted into the 25 aperture 232. The locking apertures LT4, LT5 and LT6 enable the carrier to be locked together without the need for gluing. By providing the locking heads as extensions of the end wall panels (bracing panels) 222, 224, the end walls are also held in place without the need for glue and provide a sturdy and rigid edge to the carrier.

Claims (22)

1. A carton suitable for carrying one or more articles, the carton being formed from a single blank of foldable sheet material having a series of panels joined s along fold lines so as to form, when assembled, a top panel comprising at least one aperture for receiving an article, a bottom panel, first and second side wall panels and first and second end wall panels together forming a hollow structure with closed ends, wherein at least one of the end wall panels has a locking head extending from an edge thereof, the locking head being received in one of said apertures and held in that aperture by the 10 article received therein, thereby to hold the end wall panel in the assembled position.

2. The carton according to claim 1, wherein the or each aperture has a first portion and a second portion, the locking head has a tapered width so as to be wider at its free end (x) than at the end (y) extending from an edge of the end wall panel, the first portion has a maximum width that is larger than the maximum width of the locking head, 15 such that the locking head can pass through the first portion of the associated aperture and move into the second portion of the associated aperture, the second portion having a width that is smaller than the maximum width of said locking head, so that each locking head will be prevented from moving substantially perpendicularly through, and being dislodged from, the second portion of the associated aperture. 20

3. The carton according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the aperture and locking head together form a complementary locking means.

4. The carton according to claim 1, wherein an upper end portion of the locking head engages an upper portion of the article present in that aperture, the locking head including a central portion for engagement with the upper portion of the article in 2s that aperture and the or each end wall having at least one arm portion disposed at one side of the respective locking head, the or each arm portion being sized to engage the underface of the top panel with the respective locking head received in the one aperture.

5. The carton according to claim 4, wherein the locking head comprises locking means for engaging complementary locking means provided by the one aperture. 30

6. The carton according to claim 5, wherein the aperture is defined by an annular series of support tabs which engage beneath the top of an article present in said one aperture and wherein the central portion of the locking head is engaged against one of said support tabs, the locking head further including at least one wing portion which is engaged in a slot between the said one support tab and the or each next adjacent support 3s tab to lock the locking head received in the one aperture. AH22(3135423 ItMLW 19

7. The carton according to claim 6, wherein the central portion of the locking head is disposed in overlapping face to face relationship with the said one support tab.

8. A blank having a series of panels joined along fold lines for forming, a s top panel, bottom panel, first and second side wall panels and first and second end wall panels, the top panel comprising at least one aperture for receiving an article, wherein at least one of the end wall panels has a tab extending from an edge thereof, the tab being receivable in one of said apertures and to be held in that aperture by an article when received therein such that the end wall panel can be held in an, assembled position when zo the blank is formed into a carton.

9. The blank according to claim 8 wherein the or each aperture has a first portion and a second portion, the tab having a tapered width so as to be wider at its free end (x) than at the end (y) extending from the end edge of the associated end wall panel, the first portion of each aperture having a width that is larger than the maximum width of is each tab, such that the tab can pass through the first portion and move into the second portion of the associated aperture, the second portion having a width that is smaller than the maximum width of each tab, so that each tab will be prevented from moving substantially perpendicularly through, and being dislodged from the second portion of the associated aperture, 20

10. An article carrier of the top-gripping type which connects together and supports a plurality of articles, the carrier comprising a series of main panels including a top panel, a base panel and a pair of spaced side panels, the main panels together forming a tubular structure, the top panel having a plurality of article receiving apertures formed therein, each for receiving a portion of an article, the carrier further comprising a structure 25 extending between the top and base panels, the structure comprising at least one bracing panel extending from one of said main panels and having a distal end portion for engagement with the top panel, the distal end portion comprising a locking head configured to be received in one of said article receiving apertures wherein the locking head comprises a wing portion adapted to engage said one 30 aperture to maintain the article carrier in an assembled condition and to maintain an article within the aperture, and each bracing panel includes at least one arm portion disposed at one side of the locking head, each arm portion being sized to engage the underface of the top panel with said locking head engaged in its fully locked position thereby enhancing the stiffness of AH21(435423 l):MLW 20 the top panel in the vicinity of the aperture in which the looking head is engaged to fortify the locking connection between that bracing panel and the top panel.

11. The article carrier according to claim 10 wherein that aperture is defined by an annular series of support tabs which engage beneath the top of an article present in s said that aperture.

12. The article carrier according to claim 10 wherein the one bracing tab is formed from and hinged to the base panel and is upstanding therefrom.

13. The article carrier according to any one of claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein said locking head comprises a central portion which is engaged against one of said 10 support tabs, and said at least one wing portion is engaged in a slot between the said one support tab and the or each next adjacent support tab to lock the bracing panel to the top panel.

14. The article carrier according to claim 13, wherein the central portion of the locking head is disposed in overlapping face to face relationship with the said one is support tab.

15. The article carrier according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein each bracing panel extends between the base panel and the top panel at an angle inclined to the vertical to absorb and/or transmit both vertical and horizontal components of force thereby to enhance the rigidity of the carrier. 20

16. The article carrier according to any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein said plurality of article receiving apertures are arranged in at least two rows, and wherein a keel structure is disposed between said at least two rows of the apertures extending between the top and base panels, the keel structure comprising a series of bracing panels each bracing panel extending from the base panel internally of the tubular structure and 25 being received in an aperture in the top panel for engaging an upper portion of an article present in that aperture,

17, The article carrier according to claim 16, wherein the keel structure is formed from a multiplicity of pairs of bracing panels with each pair disposed between adjacent rows of articles. 30

18. The article carrier according to any one of claims II to 17, wherein a locking tab is associated with the said one aperture, the locking tab extending from the base panel internally of the tubular structure and being held, to maintain the tubular form of the carrier in its erected condition, by a part of an article received in that aperture, the arrangement of the locking tab and the bracing panel being such that the locking tab and 35 the bracing panel are deployed sequentially by insertion of an article into said aperture. 21

19. The article carrier according to claim 18, wherein the locking tab is sized and configured to pass through a base panel aperture only when the carrier is in its fully erected tubular configuration and extends from the base panel towards, but stops short of, the top panel. 5

20. The article carrier according to any one of claims 10 to 19 wherein the or each aperture has a first portion and a second portion, said locking head has a tapered width so as to be wider at its free end (x) than at the end adjoining the remainder of the one bracing panel (y), the first portion has a maximum width that is larger than the width of the locking head at said free end such that the locking head can pass through the first 10 portion of the associated aperture and move into the second portion of the associated aperture, the second portion having a width that is smaller than the width of said locking head at said free end so that the looking head is prevented from moving substantially perpendicularly through, and being dislodged from, the second portion of the associated aperture, 15

21. The article carrier according to claim 19, wherein the one bracing panel is comprised in a panel for forming an end closure wall of the carrier and wherein the locking head is a tab formed as an integral extension of that panel and is received in said one aperture adjacent the end closure wall.

22, A blank having a series of main panels for forming walls of an article 20 carrier including a top panel, base panel and a pair of side panels, the top panel having one or more article receiving apertures formed therein, and the blank having a support structure, comprising at least one bracing panel stmck from one, of said main panels, the bracing panel being configured to provide, when the blank is set-up into an article carrier, a distal end portion for engagement with the top panel, the distal end portion comprising a 25 locking head configured to be received in one of the article receiving apertures, wherein the locking head comprises a wing portion operable for engaging said one article receiving aperture thereby to maintain an article carrier formed from the blank in an assembled condition and to maintain an article within said aperture when the article carrier is loaded, and 30 each bracing panel includes at least one arm portion disposed at one side of the locking head, each arm portion being sized to engage the underface of the top panel with said locking head engaged in its fully locked position thereby enhancing the stiffness of AH21(J345423 UNZLW 22 the top panel in the vicinity of the aperture in which the looking head is engaged to fortify the locking connection between that bracing panel and the top panel. Dated I July 2011 s MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON AH21(3435423 1a:mw