AU2010100863A4

AU2010100863A4 - Packaging for a bottle

Info

Publication number: AU2010100863A4
Application number: AU2010100863A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lisa Oaten; Claire Selby
Original assignee: STUDIO PERISCOPE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: STUDIO PERISCOPE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-09
Filing date: 2010-08-09
Publication date: 2010-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-09

Description

1 PACKAGING FOR A BOTTLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a packaging for a bottle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a packaging suitable for the transportation, for 5 example via the postal system, of a glass bottle. As the packaging is particularly suited for the transportation of a wine bottle, it will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that example application. It should however be understood that the invention is not limited to that application and is capable of broader use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Liquid commodities such as wine are normally contained in bottles made of glass. For various reasons it may at times be necessary to transport one or more wine bottles via the postal system. As glass bottles are particularly brittle and easily broken, the transportation of wine bottles through the postal system requires suitable packaging to protect the bottle from breakage when in transit. 15 In the past, wine bottles sent through the postal system have typically been packaged in corrugated cardboard containers having one or more inserts which surround the bottle to cushion the bottle from impact. The inserts are typically constructed of corrugated cardboard or expandable polystyrene. A problem with inserts made of polystyrene is that they are relatively bulky 20 and are not able to be laid flat for storage before and after use. In addition, such inserts are generally regarded as being made of material which is not environmentally friendly. A problem with known inserts made of corrugated cardboard is that they typically require the user to undertake awkward and complex folding in order to 25 form the insert. A packaging having an insert which requires such folding is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. In addition to requiring complex folding, the packaging shown in Figure 1 uses a relatively large volume of cardboard in its construction. Further, the packaging is formed from two separate cardboard blanks with the insert being separate from the remainder of 30 the packaging. As a result, when the packaging is laid flat for storage before and after use, it is necessary to ensure that neither blank is misplaced as without both components the packaging is unusable.

2 It would be desirable to provide a packaging for a bottle which is aesthetically pleasing and of simple construction. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be 5 taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia on or before the priority date of the claims herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a packaging for 10 a bottle having a body and neck portion, the packaging including: a plurality of side wall panels; a top closure flap extending from one of the side wall panels forming a top end wall; a bottom closure flap extending from one of the side wall panels forming a 15 bottom end wall; a body support means for supporting the body portion of the bottle, the body support means being connected to at least one of the side wall panels; and a neck support means for supporting the neck portion of the bottle, the neck support means being connected to at least one of the side wall panels, 20 wherein the packaging is formed by folding a unitary sheet of semi-rigid material. The body support means preferably includes a support collar having a body-receiving aperture therein. The support collar is preferably spaced from the bottom end wall. In this regard, the body support means may include a plurality 25 of legs which project downwardly from an outer edge of the support collar. The support collar may include a plurality of evenly spaced lugs which project radially into the body-receiving aperture. The lugs enable the support collar to accommodate and support bottles of a range of diameters. In this respect, the lugs may be deflected downwardly when the body portion of the bottle is inserted 30 into the body-receiving aperture depending upon the diameter of the body portion. The neck support means preferably includes a retaining ring having a neck-receiving aperture therein. The retaining ring is preferably spaced from the top end wall. The retaining ring may further include a plurality of fins which 3 project radially into the neck-receiving aperture. The fins assist the retaining ring to accommodate and support bottles neck of a range of diameters. One or more of the side wall panels may include an opening therein which defines a display window through which the bottle can viewed. In addition, one or 5 more of the side wall panels may overlap to define a cover member which can be folded backwards to expose the display window. The packaging may further include a barrier plate foldably connected to one of the side wall panels. The barrier plate is preferably positioned between the neck support means and the top end wall. The barrier plate may include an 10 abutment surface for engagement with a top end of the bottle in the event that the bottle slides towards the top end wall during transportation of the package. The barrier plate may further include one or more feet foldably connected to the abutment surface which project towards the top end wall. The feet function to prevent the abutment surface from being pushed into engagement with the top 15 end wall in the event of forceful impact of the bottle with the abutment surface, for example in the event that the packaging is dropped on its top end. As the packaging in accordance with the present invention is formed from a unitary sheet of semi-rigid material, preferably a unitary corrugated cardboard blank, the packaging avoids the problems associated with prior packaging 20 constructed from multiple blanks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The preferred embodiment should not be considered as limiting any of 25 the statements in the previous sections. The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an open packaging for a bottle, in accordance with the prior art; Figure 2 is a plan view of a one-piece, corrugated cardboard blank from 30 which a packaging for a bottle is formed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a view of the cardboard blank shown in Figure 2 folded to form a packaging in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 4 Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the packaging shown in Figure 3 with a cover member of the packaging shown in a closed position; Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the packaging shown in Figure 4 with the packaging shown in an upright position and the cover member in a folded 5 back position; Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the packaging shown in Figure 3, in a partially folded position; Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the packaging shown in Figure 3, with the bottom closure flap and cover member in an open position; 10 Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the packaging shown in Figure 3, with the top closure flap and cover member open and the barrier plate in a raised position; Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the packaging shown in Figure 3 with the top closure flap and cover member in an open position and the barrier plate in 15 a lowered position over a top end of the bottle; and Figure 10 is a top view of the packaging shown in Figure 3 with the top end of the bottle shown protruding through the neck-receiving aperture in the retaining ring. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 20 With reference to Figures 2 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a foldable one-piece, corrugated cardboard blank 1 from which a hexagonal packaging for a wine bottle is formed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The blank 1 is provided with ten foldably connected panels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 which are arranged in a row. During 25 manufacture, panel 3 (otherwise referred to herein as "end panel 3") has an adhesive applied thereon and is bonded to panel 15. The blank 1 is then folded flat about fold lines 23 and 25 such that panel 5 overlies panels 3 and 15, and panels 7 and 9 overlie panels 13 and 11 respectively. The blank 1 can then remain in this folded position until such time as the packaging is required for use. 30 The blank 1 can then be folded and assembled into a packaging 27 as shown in Figure 3 to 10. The packaging 27 includes a plurality of side walls which are provided by panels 3-15 of the blank 1. A top closure flap 29 extends from one of the panels, 5 preferably panel 13 (otherwise referred to herein as "rear panel 13"). The top closure flap 29 provides the packaging 27 with a top end wall. A bottom closure flap 31 also extends from one of the panels, preferably the rear panel 13. In this respect, the top and bottom closure flaps 29, 31 are at opposite ends of the rear 5 panel 13. The bottom closure flap 31 provides the packaging 27 with a bottom end wall. The packaging 27 further includes a body support means foldably connected to one of the panels, preferably panel 7 (otherwise referred to herein as "front panel 7"). The body support means includes a support collar 33 having 10 a body-receiving aperture 35 therein for supporting the body portion of a bottle. The support collar 33 is preferably spaced from the bottom end wall. The body support means may also include a plurality of legs 37 which project downwardly from an outer edge of the support collar 33. In this respect, when forming the packaging 27, the legs 37 can be folded with respect to the support collar 33 15 about fold lines 38 such that the legs 37 lie perpendicular to the support collar 33, as best seen in Figure 7. The support collar 33 may include a plurality of evenly spaced lugs 39 which project radially into the body-receiving aperture 35. The lugs 39 enable the support collar 33 to accommodate and support bottles of a range of diameters. In this respect, the lugs 39 may be deflected downwardly 20 when the body portion of the bottle is inserted into the body-receiving aperture, depending upon the diameter of the body portion. The packaging 27 further includes an opening in one or more of the panels which defines a display window 41. In this respect the display window 41 is preferably provided in the front panel 7 and adjacent panels 5, 9. As shown in 25 Figures 2 and 6, the body support means is formed from the portion of the blank 1 contained within the display window 41. When forming the packaging 27, the support collar 33 can be folded with respect to the front panel 7 about fold line 43 such that the support collar 33 lies perpendicular to the front panel 7. When lying perpendicular to the front panel 7, the support collar 33 is held in position by the 30 legs 37 abutting with the bottom end wall of the packaging. The packaging 27 further includes a neck support means foldably connected to one of the panels, preferably the front panel 7. The neck support means preferably includes a retaining ring 47 having a neck-receiving aperture 49 6 therein. The neck support means may also include a plurality of arms 53 which reach upwardly from an outer edge of the retaining ring 47. In this respect, when forming the packaging 27, the arms 53 are folded with respect to the retaining ring 47 about fold lines 55 such that when the packaging 27 is fully assembled the 5 arms 53 lie perpendicular to the retaining ring 47. As best shown in Figure 10, each arm 53 has a finger hole 55 therein which enables a user to more easily grasp an arm 53 during disassembly of the packaging 53 and removal of the bottle from the packaging 27. The neck support means further includes a folding arm 57 which connects the retaining ring 47 to the front panel 7. The folding arm 10 57 is divided into two sections by a fold line 59 which permits the folding arm to be folded back upon its self. This enables the retaining ring 47 to be more easily inserted during assembly of the packaging 27. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the retaining ring 47 may include a plurality of fins 51 which project radially into the neck-receiving aperture 47. The fins 51 assist the retaining ring 47 to 15 accommodate and support bottle necks of a range of diameters. As best shown in Figures 8 and 9, the packaging 27 may further include a barrier plate foldably connected to one of the panels, preferably end panel 3. As shown in Figure 9, the barrier plate is positioned to overlie the retaining ring 47 of the neck support means when the packaging is assembled. The barrier plate 20 may include an abutment surface 61 which functions to engage with a top end of the bottle in the event that the bottle slides towards the top end wall during transportation of the package 27. The barrier plate includes one or more feet 63 foldably connected to the abutment surface 61 which project upwardly towards the top end wall. The feet 63 function to prevent the abutment surface 61 from 25 being pushed into engagement with the top end wall in the event of forceful impact of the bottle with the abutment surface 61, for example in the event that the packaging 27 is dropped on its top end. The packaging 27 may further include a cover member 65 which is provided by panels 17, 19 and 21 of the blank 1. The cover member 65 functions 30 to cover the display window 41 when in a closed position, as shown in Figure 4. The cover member 65 includes a tongue 67 which as shown in Figure 2 extends from a free edge of panel 21. The tongue 67 can be inserted into a tongue receiving aperture 69 positioned between panel 9 and 11. As shown in Figure 5, 7 the cover member 65 can be folded backwards to a fully open position and held in this position by securing the tongue 67 in the tongue receiving aperture 69. When the cover member 65 is in this position, the packaging 27 provides an attractive display with the bottle being visible through the display window 41. In 5 this respect the arms 53 of the neck support means and the legs 37 of the body support means are neatly concealed from view. The packaging 27 may further include one or more supporting closure flaps 45. As can best be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the bottom end of the packaging 47 preferably has three supporting closure flaps 45 which are folded 10 inwardly prior to the bottom closure flap 31 being closed. The supporting closure flaps 45 in conjunction with the bottom closure flap 31 provide four layers of corrugated cardboard underneath the bottom of the bottle. This assists to protect the bottle in the event that the packaging 27 encounters a forceful impact. As can best be seen in Figure 8 and 9, a supporting closure flap 45 is also provided 15 adjacent to the top closure flap 29. Closure tabs 73 may also be provided at opposing ends of panels 5 and 9. The closure tabs 73 can be inserted into corresponding closure slots 75 provided in the top and bottom closure flaps 29, 31 to retain the closure flaps 29, 31 in a closed position. 20 As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention the above described embodiment should not be considered to limit the present invention but rather should be construed broadly. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 25

Claims

1. A packaging for a bottle having a body and neck portion, the packaging including: a plurality of side wall panels; 5 a top closure flap extending from one of the side wall panels forming a top end wall; a bottom closure flap extending from one of the side wall panels forming a bottom end wall; a body support means for supporting the body portion of the bottle, the 10 body support means being connected to at least one of the side wall panels; and a neck support means for supporting the neck portion of the bottle, the neck support means being connected to at least one of the side wall panels, wherein the packaging is formed by folding a unitary sheet of semi-rigid material. 15

2. A packaging as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body support means includes a support collar having a body-receiving aperture therein, the support collar being spaced from the bottom end wall, and wherein the neck support means includes a retaining ring having a neck-receiving aperture therein, the retaining ring being spaced from the top end wall. 20

3. A packaging as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein one or more of the side wall panels includes an opening therein which defines a display window through which the bottle can viewed.

4. A packaging as claimed in claims 3 wherein one or more of the side wall panels overlap to define a cover member which can be folded backwards to 25 expose the display window. 9

5. A packaging substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 2 to 10 of the accompanying drawings. STUDIO PERISCOPE PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS UIP1231AUOO