CA2321698C - Wrap-around article carrier - Google Patents

Wrap-around article carrier Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2321698C
CA2321698C CA002321698A CA2321698A CA2321698C CA 2321698 C CA2321698 C CA 2321698C CA 002321698 A CA002321698 A CA 002321698A CA 2321698 A CA2321698 A CA 2321698A CA 2321698 C CA2321698 C CA 2321698C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
article
top panel
flap
aperture
retaining
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002321698A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2321698A1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Blin
Alain Saulas
Jean-Michel Auclair
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Original Assignee
Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC filed Critical Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Publication of CA2321698A1 publication Critical patent/CA2321698A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2321698C publication Critical patent/CA2321698C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/12Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
    • B65D71/14Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
    • B65D71/16Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls with article-locating elements
    • B65D71/18Tabs inwardly folded tabs from the upper or lower wall
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00129Wrapper locking means
    • B65D2571/00135Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00154Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
    • B65D2571/00172Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing towards the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00246Locating elements for the contents
    • B65D2571/00253Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00259Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension
    • B65D2571/00265Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension extending from the upper or lower wall
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00432Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00438Holes
    • B65D2571/00444Holes for fingers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00648Elements used to form the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00654Blanks
    • B65D2571/0066Blanks formed from one single sheet
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00709Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
    • B65D2571/00716Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular without end walls

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Or Mechanical Vibrators, Or Delay Or Filter Circuits (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Die Bonding (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Abstract

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

Description

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I
ARTICLE CARRIER
This invention relates to article carriers and blanks which are particularly Lseful for carrying articles, for example, battles. More particularly, the invention relates to an S article carrier of the wrap-around type and is concerned with an improved article retention and carrier reinforcing feature which receive neck portions of bottles accommodated in the carrier.
Neck retention means in wrap-around carriers are well know. For example, US ~

1 S? ~iverwood) illustrates a wraparound carrier incorporating downwardly folded retaining flaps struck from and connected to side panels of the carrier. The retaining flaps are used to support a neck portion of are article.
The present invention and its prefezr~ed embodiments seek to overcome or attempt to mitigate the prolslems associated with the prior art.
One aspect of the i:weation provides an article carrier for containing a plurality of necked articles comprising a top, bottom, and opposed side panels interconziected together, wherein the top panel comprises article receiving and retaixcing means including an article retaining fEap, which article retaining i'lap is folded inwardly of the top panel thereby to deizne an aperture for rec~izring a neck portion of the article and wherein the article retaining flap abuts the neck portion to engage and retain the article. The article retaining flap is formed from the top panel.
According to an optional feature of ttlis aspect of the invention, these may further comprise a fold line extending across the article retaining flap such that the Clap is folded to define adjacent flap portions adapted to abut the neck portion at two positions thereby to improve article retention.
According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article receiving and rctainine means may comprise a pair of complimentary retaining flaps hi~tged to apposite edges of the aperture.
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According to a fiuther optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the or each hinge lisp may be foldably joined to the edge of the associated neck receiving aperture along a fold line comprising tvvo angular ly related parts.
Optionally, the aagularly related parts may intersect at the stress relief fold lines defining ;herebetwe~zt an intermediate panel adjacent an end edge of the top panel.
Accordilug to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the inyeation there may further comprise stress relief fold lines diverging outwardly fronn the end most I~ ape~rcure to an and edge of the top panel.
According to a still further optional feature ofthis aspect of the invention there may further comprise an outer pa.~t adjacent a main part of the top panel which outer part of the top panel is so constructed to be folded out of alignment with the adjacent main part.
A second aspect ef the invention provides an article carrier for packaging arhirles having a ~aeck portioa, haviag article receiving and retaining means comprising an aperture formed in part in the tap panel and a flap struck from the top panel and hingedly connxted to the edge of the aperture which flap is put in an operative position about its hinged cormeotion to provicLe a portion thereof which extends inwardly ofthe carrier which is a adapted to cngsge a neck portion of an article retained in the aperture.
A third aspect o~'t'rie invention provides a blank for forming an article caxrier comprising a plurality of panels including opposed side wall panels and a top panel being hingedly interconnected, oracle receiving and retaining means formed from the tap panel, tlae article reeeivrng and retaining means comprising an aperhuc adapted to receive a portion of an article in use and a flap strc~ck from the top panel and hingedly connected to an edge cf the aperture which flap is adapted to abut the article received in the aperture in use, wherein the flap is capable of pivoting into an operative position about its hinged connection to provide a portion thereof winch e~ctends through the aperture in Lse, the portion of the flap being adapted to engage a neck part of tl~e article.
Preferably. there may further comprise a fold line extending across the article retaining flap such that the flap is folded to defroe adjacent flap portions adapted to abut the neck portion at tyro positions thereby to improve article retention.
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2a According to an optional feate~re of the third aspect of the invention the article recei~~itzg and retaining means na.ey comprise a pair of complimentary retaining flaps hinged to opposite edges of the aperture.
According to another options! feature of the third asptet of the invention tht or each hinged flap may be foldably joined to the edge of the associated neck receiving aperture along a fold line comprising two angularly related parts. Preferably, the angnlarly related parts may intersect at a point from which stress relief fold lines divtrgs, the stress relief fold lines defining therebetween an intermediate panel adjacent an end edge of the top panel.
According to a further optional feature of the third aspect of tht invention there may further comprise stress relief fold lines diverging outwardly from the end most IS aperture to an end edge of the top panel.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides an article carrier for containing a plurality of necked articles, comprising a top panel and a pair of opposed side panels foldably connected respectively to opposite side edges of the top panel, wherein the top panel comprises article receiving and retaining means iaclading an article retaining flap, whicb~ artecle retaining flap is folded inwardly of the top panel and thereby defines an aperture for receiving a neclt portion to retain one article, characterised in that the article retaining flap is joined to the top pane! along a pair of divergent fold lines diverging from a point within the top panel which point is desposed at a position 2~ spaced from an adjacent one of the opposite side edges of the top panel A fifth asptct of tine invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier for containing a pluralit~~ of necked articles, comprising a top panel and a pair of opposed side panels folda6ly connected respectively to opposite side edges of the top panel, wherein the top panel coianprises article receiving and retaining mtans iacludiBg an article retaining flap, wrhich article retaining flap is capable of being folded inwardly of the top pane! to retain said one article and thereby tn define an aperture for receiving a neck portion of one of the articles, characterised in that the article retaining flap is joined to the top panel along a pair of divergent fold lines wo~a3e ~~
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,. . 3 divacging from a point within the top panel which point is disposed at n positior!
Spaced from sn adjacent ofle of the opposite side edges of the top panel.
An advantage of the carrier outlined in any one of the aspects of the invention is that rthcre is pro~~ided a carton which can. package c~.vo or more rows of articles and~or the top panel can br~ defined which is not limited to the dimension of the primary article;
thereby improving carrying capabilities in those corners with handle means. Another advantage is that there is a larger area of the side gavel that can be used as an advertising panel.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only.
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan, view of an article engaging and retaining means according to a first embodiment of the invention in a uniform blank;
FIC=. Z is a perspective view of the article engabittg and retaining means shown in Fig_ 1 in a formed condition in engagement nvith article A;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the article eslgaging arid retaining means according to a second embodiment ef the invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the article carrier shown in Fig. 3;
FIG. S is a plan view of the article engaging and retaining means according to a third embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 6 is a pe>spective view of the article engaging and retaining moans shown in Fig. 5.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular Fig. 1 and 2 thereof, an article carrier is formed from orle or more blal~lcs of paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material.
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In this embodiment, the blank 10 comprises a first base panel 14, inclined heel (or sloping) panel 16, first side panel 18 comprising lower, middle and upper side panels 20, 21 22, top panel 24, second side panel 26 comprising upper, middle and lower side panels 27, 28, 29, inclined heel panel 30 and second base panel 32 hingabIy connected one to the next along fold lines 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 respectively. Article receiving and retaining means 12 which can be of a known type as shown in Fig. 1 is formed in a top wall 24 of a wrap-around carrier. The article receiving and retaining means 12 can be formed at the ends of the tubular structure of a wraparound carton, for example to retain the end corner articles (as shown in Fig. 1) or alternatively, can be provided for one or more of the articles held in a carrier.
The article receiving and retaining means 12 comprises a retaining aperture 54 which, in this example, receives the neck portion of a bottle, as shown in Fig. 2. The article receiving and retaining means 12 may also comprise one or more retaining flaps 56, 58 which in the formed carton, provide internal flap portions that abut part of the neck of an article A.
Turning in detail to the article receiving and retaining means 12 in this particular embodiment, there comprises a first flap 56 including outer, and inner flap portions 60, 62 respectively. Outer flap portion 60 is hinged to top wall 24 along fold line 64, and to inner flap portion 58 along fold line 66. Inner flap portion 62 is hinged to top panel 24 along fold line 68.
Optionally, a cut line 70 is struck from fold line 64 and fold line 68 at their interconnection to make folding easier and can define a portion which extends upwardly above the top panel, as illustrated in Fig. 2. First flap 56 may be struck from top panel 24, to define an outer side edge 72, and an inner side edge 74 which are interconnected by a cut line 76 3o defining an end edge of first flap 56. First flap 56 is pivotal about the fold lines 64 and 66 such that these fold lines 64, 66 and optional cut line 70 together define a lateral edge 71 of aperture 54 in use, as shown in Fig. 2.

Similarly, a complementary second flap 58 comprises outer, and inner flap portions 78, 80 respectively. In this embodiment, second flap 58 is a larger area than of first flap 56. It is anticipated that the first and second flaps 56, 58 need not necessarily be different sizes and could be identical in construction. Optionally, one flap only might be provided for a given article receiving and retaining means 12. It is envisaged that where two flaps are provided, they need not abut along cut line 76 and indeed, a significant gap could be provided between the flaps, for example.
Turning to the construction of second flap 5$, the outer portion 78 is foldably connected to top wall 24 along fold line 82 and to inner portion 80 along fold line 86.
Inner portion 80 is hingably connected to top panel 24 along fold line 88. Likewise, a second cut line 90 can be optionally provided to separate fold line 82 from fold line 86. Second flap 58 is struck from top panel 24, to define an outer side edge 92 and an inner side edge 94 which is interconnected by cut line 76 defining one end edge of second flap 32. Second flap 58 is pivotal about fold lines 82, 88 such that these fold lines 82, 88 and cut line 90 together define an opposing lateral edge 73 of aperture 54, as shown in Fig. 2. When both flaps 56, 58 are co-planer, such as when the carrier is in blank form illustrated in Fig. 1, the aperture 54 is substantially closed. Optionally, the aperture 54 may extend in to the side wall 18.
In this embodiment, the carrier is formed to package two rows of three articles. The blank 10 shown in Fig. 1, comprises a further article receiving and retaining means 12 for one row of articles formed from top wall 24. In addition, article receiving and retaining means 13 for a second row of articles is also formed from top wall 24. Article receiving and retaining means 13 is substantially the same as retaining means 12 and is therefore not described in any greater detail.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, there may further comprise a pair of apertures 94, adapted to receive articles positioned intermediate the end most articles.
These apertures can support a neck portion of the articles and may optionally include a pair of substantially "V" shaped cut lines 96, 98 struck from the side panels 18, 26 to define fold lines for support tabs that protrude outwardly of the side wall 18. The carton can also include article heel retention means 99 formed from the panels, as is well known in the art.
Handle tabs 93 may be struck from top panel 24. Suitable known securing means are provided to secure the base panels together. In this embodiment, locking and retaining tabs 95, 97 are provided as is well known.
Turning to the second and third embodiments illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, 6 respectively, there comprises additional or alternative modifications to article engaging and retaining means and/or to the carton of the invention. Each embodiment can be applied to a wraparound carton of the type substantially as herein before described and so only the differences of the carrier of the second and third embodiments are described in any greater 1o detail.
The second embodiment illustrates article receiving and retaining means 112 formed in the top panel 124 which corresponds to article receiving and retaining means 12 illustrated in Fig. 1, with corresponding features shown in Fig. 3 prefixed by the numeral "1". Thus, the second embodiment illustrates article receiving and retaining means 112 which further comprises a pair of divergent fold lines 1 I l, 113 struck from top panel I24 and extending outwardly from the intersection of fold lines 164 and 166 to the end edges of top panel 124 to define intermediate panel 115. Fold lines 111, 113 are intended to act as stress relief folds. Further or alternatively intermediate panel 11 S may be moved out of the plane of top 2o panel to minimise unwanted flexing of top panel 124, thereby to improve the rigidity of the end portion of the top panel.
Turning to the third embodiment which is adapted for large glass bottles, there is illustrated article receiving and retaining means 212 formed in the top panel 224 which corresponds to article receiving and retaining means 12 illustrated in Fig. 1, with corresponding features shown in Fig. 5 prefixed by the numeral "2". Thus, the third embodiment illustrates the or each article receiving and retaining means 212 which further comprises a pair of divergent fold lines 211,213 struck from top panel 224 and extending outwardly from the intersection of fold lines 264 and 266 to the end edge of top panel 224 to define intermediate panel 215.
3o Fold lines 211, 213 are intended to act as stress relief folds. Further or alternatively intermediate panel 21 S may be moved out of the plane of top panel to minimise unwanted flexing of top panel 224. There may further comprises an additional fold line _7_ interconnecting adjacent article engaging and retaining means 212 to define a top panel portion 219 that is positioned out of alignment to the main portion 223 of top panel 224, thereby to minimise unintended flexing of the top panel 224, thereby to improve the rigidity of the top panel.
Optionally, the article receiving and retaining means 212 may further comprise a pair of flaps 231,233 struck from and foldably connected to each upper side panel 222,227 illustrated in Fig. 5, which are adapted to be folded out of alignment with the associated upper side panel 222,227, to receive and retain a shoulder portion of the article A.
to In order to erect a wraparound carrier comprising article receiving and retaining means 12, the flaps 56, 58 are displaced inwardly by suitable means which may be similar, at least in function to those known, for example from WO 94/25363. In the first embodiment, the top panel 24 of the carrier blank 10 is applied to the tops of a group of articles A to be packaged in the carrier, and the side walls 18, 26 folded downwardly to be disposed in flanking relationship along the side walls of the articles. The neck portion of an article A is thereby engaged in the aperture 54 and is also received by the flaps 56, 58 of article receiving and retaining means 12. Preferably, each flap is folded during the set up of the article engaging and retaining means about fold line 64, 66, 68; 82, 86, 88 respectively to move outer and inner flap portions out of alignment and into abutment with a neck portion of the article A as shown in Fig. 2.
Thereafter, heel retention flaps of article heel retention means 99 are formed to receive and retain a heel portion of the articles as is well known. Base panel 14 can then be folded inwardly and upwardly into engagement with the base portions of the articles A
as illustrated in Fig. 2. A similar operation on the other side of the group of articles is also performed, and the wraparound carrier can be completed by securing the overlapping base panels 14, 32 together by means known in the art, for example by gluing or preferably by the use of locking and retaining tabs 95,97 as is well known.
3o Thus, the carrier is in a set-up condition, shown in Fig. 2 and the article receiving and retaining means 12 is formed such that the internal retaining flap portions 60, 62, 78, 80 are provided to engage the neck of article A and to closely conform to the neck portions of the _g_ articles thereby to prevent unwanted movement of the articles in the carrier and to reduce the risk of tearing.
The construction of the second and third embodiments is substantially the same as the first embodiment to produce Garners illustrated in Figs 4 and 6 respectively and therefore only the differences are described in any greater detail. Figs. 4 and 6 show intermediate panels 115, 215 that are folded out of alignment with top panel 124, 224 respectively.
It will be seen from Fig. 6 that the third embodiment includes flaps 231,233 that are folded out of alignment with upper side panels 222, 227 to receive a shoulder portion of the articles. Outer parts 219 of the top panel are folded out of alignment with main portion 223 to form a carrier shown in Fig. 6.
It is apparent that a large amount of paperboard may be put into contact with the retained article using a retaining structure according to the invention, thereby providing both protection and securing for the article. It is preferable to use a two part article engaging flap i.e. inner and outer portions 60,62;78,80 so that they are folded about fold line 66;86 respectively to define two angularly related parts. Each part desirably abuts a portion of the neck of the article to improve article retention. Additionally, the improved conformity of the retaining flaps and of those embodiments with intermediate panel 11 S and/
or top panel portion 219 enables a relatively strong pack tightening whilst minimising the risk of tearing.
Further, the invention is not limited to a configuration as described above, and it is envisaged, it would be possible to provide article retaining means according to the invention comprising one or more hinged means per retaining flap to be provided in the assembled carrier.
It will be recognized that as used herein, the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" with respect 3o to the panels of the carton (or carton blank) are relative terms, and that the carton (formed from the blank) may be re-oriented as necessary or as described.

It will be recognized that rather than the carton being formed with a plurality of the article receiving apertures, the carton may be formed with only one receiving aperture.
The present invention and its preferred embodiment relate to an article carrier which is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to hold the bottle securely but with a degree of flexibility so that the load transferred to the retaining means is absorbed by the carrier. The shape of the blank minimises the amount of paperboard required. The carrier can be applied to an array of bottles by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carriers and not limited to those of the wraparound io type.

Claims (10)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. ~An article carrier for containing a plurality of necked articles comprising top, bottom and opposed side panels interconnected together to form a tubular structure, wherein said top panel comprises an article receiving and retaining arrangement which comprises a first retaining flap formed from said top panel, said retaining flap being foldably joined to said top panel along a first fold line, said retaining flap being folded inwardly of said tubular structure and defining an aperture for receiving a neck portion of an article whereby said retaining flap abuts the neck portion to engage and retain the article when the neck portion is received in said aperture, and wherein said first fold line comprises two angularly related parts diverging inwardly of said aperture.
2. ~The article carrier according to claim 1 wherein said retaining flap is formed with a medial fold line extending across said retaining flap such that said retaining flap is folded along said medial fold line to define a pair of adjacent flap portions adapted to abut the neck portion at two positions thereby to improve article retention, and wherein said adjacent flap portions are hingedly connected to said top panel along said two angularly related parts respectively.
3. ~The article carrier according to claim 1 wherein said article receiving and retaining arrangement further comprises a second retaining flap foldably joined to said top panel along a second fold line, said second retaining flap being folded inwardly of said tubular structure and defining said aperture in cooperation with said first retaining flap, said second fold line being located transversely opposed to said first fold line with respect to said aperture and comprising two angularly related parts diverging inwardly of said aperture.
4. ~The article carrier according to claim 1 further comprising stress fold lines diverging outwardly from said aperture to an end edge of said top panel.
5. ~An article carrier for packaging articles, including an article receiving and retaining arrangement comprising an aperture defined in a top wall panel and a flap hingedly connected to an edge of said aperture by a hinged connection, said flap being folded inwardly of said carrier into an operative position about said hinged connection to provide a portion of said flap which extends inwardly of said carrier, said portion of said flap being adapted to engage a neck portion of an article retained in said aperture, wherein said hinged connection comprises a fold line having two angularly related parts diverging inwardly of said aperture.
6. ~An article carrier for containing a plurality of necked articles, comprising a top panel and a pair of opposed side panels foldably connected respectively to opposite side edges of said top panel, wherein said top panel comprises an article receiving and retaining arrangement including an article retaining flap formed from said top panel, said retaining flap being foldably joined to said top panel along a fold line, said retaining flap being foldably inwardly of said top panel along said fold line and thereby defining an aperture for receiving a neck portion of one of the articles, wherein said fold line comprises two angularly related parts diverging inwardly of said aperture.
7. ~The article carrier according to claim 6 wherein said two angularly related parts diverge from a point within said top panel, said point being disposed at a position spaced from an adjacent one of said opposite side edges of said top panel.
8. ~The article carrier according to claim 6 wherein said two angularly related parts diverge from a converging point, and wherein said retaining flap is formed with a medial fold line extending across said retaining flap such that said retaining flap is folded along said medial fold line upon folding of said retaining flap about said two angularly related parts, said medial fold line extending from said converging point to a free end of said retaining flap.
9. ~An article carrier for containing a plurality of necked articles comprising top, bottom and opposed side panels interconnected together, wherein said top panel comprises an article receiving and retaining arrangement which comprises a first retaining flap folded inwardly of said top panel, said retaining flap defining an aperture for receiving a neck portion of an article whereby said retaining flap abuts the neck portion to engage and retain the article when the neck portion is received in said aperture, wherein said retaining flap is formed from said top panel, wherein said retaining flap is foldably joined to an edge of said aperture along a fold line comprising two angularly related parts, and wherein said angularly related parts converge on a point where a pair of stress relief lines converge, said stress relief fold lines defining therebetween an intermediate panel adjacent an end edge of said top panel.
10. ~A blank comprising a top panel, opposed side wall panels hingedly connected to said top panel, an article receiving and retaining arrangement comprising an aperture defined at least in part in said top panel to receive a portion of an article and a first flap hingedly connected to an edge of the aperture to pivot into an operative position about a hinged connection thereof to provide a portion thereof which extends through the aperture, wherein said flap is formed from said top panel, wherein said flap is joined to said edge of the aperture along a fold line comprising two angularly related parts, and wherein said angularly related parts converge on a point where a pair of stress relief fold lines converge, said stress relief fold lines defining therebetween an intermediate panel adjacent to an end edge of said top panel.
CA002321698A 1998-03-16 1999-03-16 Wrap-around article carrier Expired - Fee Related CA2321698C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9805467.9A GB9805467D0 (en) 1998-03-16 1998-03-16 Article carrier
GB9805467.9 1998-03-16
PCT/US1999/005761 WO2000037331A1 (en) 1998-03-16 1999-03-16 Wrap-around article carrier

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CA2321698A1 CA2321698A1 (en) 2000-06-29
CA2321698C true CA2321698C (en) 2005-07-05

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CA002321698A Expired - Fee Related CA2321698C (en) 1998-03-16 1999-03-16 Wrap-around article carrier

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EP (1) EP1064206B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003529496A (en)
KR (1) KR100553793B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1163387C (en)
AT (1) ATE224846T1 (en)
AU (1) AU3355999A (en)
BR (1) BR9908770A (en)
CA (1) CA2321698C (en)
CZ (1) CZ20002973A3 (en)
DE (1) DE69903140T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1064206T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2185332T3 (en)
GB (1) GB9805467D0 (en)
HK (1) HK1033823A1 (en)
HU (1) HUP0101184A3 (en)
PL (1) PL194913B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1064206E (en)
TR (1) TR200002509T2 (en)
WO (1) WO2000037331A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102574619B (en) * 2009-10-05 2014-10-22 印刷包装国际公司 Carrier for containers
CN104340454A (en) * 2013-08-02 2015-02-11 米德韦斯特瓦科包装系统有限责任公司 Cardboard box and cardboard box blank
CA3061011A1 (en) * 2017-04-18 2018-10-25 Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc Carton and blank therefor
USD982457S1 (en) * 2021-03-03 2023-04-04 Fishbone Packaging Inc. Container carrier

Family Cites Families (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4463852A (en) * 1980-11-12 1984-08-07 Packaging Corporation Of America Article carrier
US4545485A (en) * 1984-08-01 1985-10-08 The Mead Corporation Bottle carrier chime engaging flap structure
GB9309048D0 (en) 1993-04-30 1993-06-16 Mead Corp Bottle carrier
US5549197A (en) 1994-12-09 1996-08-27 Riverwood International Corporation Wrap-around carrier with bottle neck retainer tabs
US5524756A (en) * 1995-05-19 1996-06-11 Riverwood International Corporation Wrap-around carrier with article retaining flaps

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Publication number Publication date
EP1064206B1 (en) 2002-09-25
CN1163387C (en) 2004-08-25
HUP0101184A2 (en) 2001-08-28
PL194913B1 (en) 2007-07-31
GB9805467D0 (en) 1998-05-13
CZ20002973A3 (en) 2001-12-12
JP2003529496A (en) 2003-10-07
AU3355999A (en) 2000-07-12
CA2321698A1 (en) 2000-06-29
BR9908770A (en) 2000-11-14
DE69903140D1 (en) 2002-10-31
KR100553793B1 (en) 2006-02-22
DK1064206T3 (en) 2003-01-20
PL342966A1 (en) 2001-07-16
PT1064206E (en) 2003-02-28
ES2185332T3 (en) 2003-04-16
KR20010041731A (en) 2001-05-25
EP1064206A1 (en) 2001-01-03
HUP0101184A3 (en) 2002-10-28
TR200002509T2 (en) 2001-04-20
WO2000037331A1 (en) 2000-06-29
DE69903140T2 (en) 2003-05-22
HK1033823A1 (en) 2001-09-28
CN1293638A (en) 2001-05-02
ATE224846T1 (en) 2002-10-15

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