CN116368077A

CN116368077A - Packaging method, package, article carrier and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: CN116368077A
Application number: CN202180073866.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·J·沃林; D·丹尼尔斯; M·B·斯塔利
Original assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2020-08-28
Filing date: 2021-08-27
Publication date: 2023-06-30
Also published as: EP4204321A2; WO2022047174A2; WO2022047174A3; JP2023539666A

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a package (90, 390, 490), a carrier (92, 94) for forming the package, and a blank (10, 110, 210) for forming the carrier (92, 94). The package (90, 390, 490) includes a plurality of articles (B) arranged in groups and a top engagement carrier (92) engaged with the tops of the articles (B) such that the tops of the articles (B) are connected and held together by the top engagement carrier (92). The package (90, 390, 490) includes a strapping device (94, 318, g) spaced apart from the top engagement carrier (92) and engaged with a portion of the article (B) below its top such that the portion of the article (B) is held together by the strapping device (94, 318, g).

Description

Packaging method, package, article carrier and blank therefor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a packaging method, a package, an article carrier and a blank for forming the article carrier. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a package comprising a carrier having two or more apertures for receiving first ends of respective articles and a binding device for securing opposite ends of the articles.

Background

In the packaging field, it is known to provide cartons for carrying a plurality of articles. Cartons are well known in the art and may be used to enable a consumer to transport, store and access a group of articles for consumption. Such cartons or carriers need to be made of as little material as possible and result in as little waste of the material from which they are formed, both from a cost and environmental standpoint. An additional consideration is the strength of the carton and its suitability for holding and transporting heavy weight articles. It is desirable that the contents of the carton be secured within the carton.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an article carrier for generally cylindrical articles having a very simple appearance and holding or containing a set of those articles arranged in a matrix or array.

The present disclosure seeks to provide an improvement in the field of cartons typically formed from paperboard or the like.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a package comprising a plurality of articles arranged in groups and a top engagement means or carrier engaged with a top or upper portion of the articles such that uppermost ends of the articles are connected and held together by the top engagement means. The package includes a strapping means spaced apart from the top engagement means. The binding device engages with a portion of the article below its top such that the portion of the article is held together by the binding device.

Optionally, the binding device is configured to tie together the lowermost ends of the articles.

Optionally, the binding device comprises a base plate secured to the article.

Optionally, a base plate is adhesively secured to each lowermost end of the articles in the group.

Optionally, the substrate is adhesively secured to the peripheral items of the group.

Optionally, the base plate includes a bonding tab hingedly connected to the base plate to provide a release structure.

Optionally, the bonding tab is hingedly connected to the base plate by a bridge plate, the bridge plate being hingedly connected to the base plate.

Optionally, the binding device comprises a strap.

Optionally, a strap is disposed between the top engagement means and the lowermost end of the article.

Optionally, the belt is formed of one material selected from the group of: paper, cardboard and plastic.

Optionally, the strapping means comprises a plurality of adhesive connector elements, each of the plurality of adhesive connector elements securing together a pair of articles.

Optionally, each of the plurality of adhesive connector elements is disposed between the top engagement means and the lowermost end of the article.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a package comprising a plurality of articles arranged in groups and a top engagement carrier engaged with the tops of the articles such that the tops of the articles are connected and held together by the top engagement carrier. The package includes a strapping means spaced apart from the top engagement means. The binding device engages with portions of the article below the top thereof such that the portions are held together by the binding device, wherein the binding device comprises a base plate secured to the article.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a package comprising a plurality of articles arranged in groups and a top engagement carrier engaged with the tops of the articles such that the tops of the articles are connected and held together by the top engagement carrier. The package includes a strapping device spaced apart from the top engagement carrier and engaged with portions of the article below the top thereof such that the portions of the article are held together by the strapping device. The binding device includes a set of adhesive connector elements. Each of the plurality of adhesive connector elements secures a pair of articles together. The set of adhesive connector elements is disposed at a location between the top engagement carrier and the base of the article.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming a package, comprising:

forming a set of cylindrical articles in a nested configuration;

forming the strip into a continuous loop;

surrounding a nested set of cylindrical articles with a strap;

the set of cylindrical articles is squared to form a matrix configuration to tighten the strap around the set of cylindrical articles.

Optionally, the method includes applying a top engagement carrier to the square set of cylindrical articles.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a package formed by the method described herein. The package includes a plurality of articles in a matrix configuration arranged in groups and a top engagement carrier engaged with the tops of the articles such that the tops of the articles are connected and held together by the top engagement carrier. The package includes a strapping device spaced apart from the top engagement carrier and engaged with portions of the article below the top thereof such that the portions of the article are held together by the strapping device. The binding apparatus includes a strap that forms a continuous loop around a plurality of articles.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a blank for forming a binding device, the blank comprising a main panel having at least one binding tab punched therefrom. The binding tab is hingedly connected to the main panel by a bridging panel to form a release structure. The bridge plate is hingedly connected to the main plate.

Optionally, the blank comprises a plurality of engaging tabs, each engaging tab being hingedly connected to the main panel by a bridging panel.

Optionally, at least one of the plurality of engagement tabs is oppositely hinged to at least another one of the plurality of engagement tabs.

Optionally, a first one of the plurality of engaging tabs is hinged to the main panel by a first hinge connection and a second one of the plurality of engaging tabs is hinged to the main panel by a second hinge connection, the second hinge connection oriented perpendicular to the first hinge connection.

Within the scope of the present application, it is contemplated or intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, claims and/or the following description and drawings, be considered or employed separately or in any combination thereof.

Features or elements described in connection with or relating to one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of the features. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into, or in combination with, any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, and the features or elements extracted from the one embodiment may be included in addition to, or in place of, the one or more features or elements of the other embodiments.

The features or combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be extracted independently from the other features of the embodiments. Alternatively, one feature or a combination of features of an embodiment may be omitted from this embodiment.

Drawings

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a top plan view of a first blank for forming a first carrier according to an example embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 2 is a top plan view of a second blank for forming a second carrier according to an example embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 3 and 4 are top perspective views of a package formed from the first and second blanks of fig. 1 and 2;

fig. 5 is a top plan view of a second blank for forming a second carrier according to an example embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a package formed from a first carrier and strapping device in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

figures 7A and 7B illustrate a stage in applying the strapping device of figure 6 to a group of articles;

fig. 8 is a top perspective view of a package formed from a first carrier according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate various embodiments of bonding patterns for use in the package of fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of packages, blanks, and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the manner in which certain aspects of the invention may be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all the ways in which the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used broadly to refer to an embodiment that serves as a description, sample, model, or pattern. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the packages, blanks, and cartons described herein may be implemented in a variety of and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a plan view of a first blank 10, the first blank 10 being capable of forming a first carton or carrier 92, as shown in fig. 3, 4, 6 and 8, for holding and carrying a set of primary products, such as, but not limited to, bottles or cans, hereinafter referred to as articles B. The blank 10 forms a secondary package 90 for packaging at least one primary product container or package; 390; a portion of 490.

A plan view of a second blank 110 capable of forming a second carton or carrier 94, also referred to herein as a strapping device, is shown in fig. 2. The blank 110 forms a portion of the secondary package 90 shown in fig. 3 and 4. An alternative second blank 210 is shown in fig. 5 for forming an alternative second carton or carrier (not shown).

In the embodiments detailed herein, for the non-limiting purposes of illustrating various features of the present invention, the terms "carton" and "carrier" refer to a container for engaging, carrying items, such as a primary product container. It is contemplated that the teachings of the present invention may be applied to a variety of product containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers may include bottles (e.g., metal-containing, glass, or plastic bottles), cans (e.g., aluminum cans), tiners, bags, sachets, and the like.

A blank 10;110;210 are formed from a suitable substrate sheet. It is to be understood that the term "suitable substrate" as used herein includes all forms of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It will be appreciated that one or other number of blanks may be employed where appropriate, for example, to provide a carrier structure 90 described in more detail below.

The packaging structure or carton 90 described herein may be formed from a sheet material, such as paperboard, which may be made from or coated with a material that increases its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear resistant manufactured by WestRock corporation

And (3) paper board. It should be noted that the tear resistant material may be provided by more than one layer to help improve the tear resistance of the package. In general, one surface of the sheet material may have different characteristics than the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material facing outward from the finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating, such as a clay coating or other surface treatment, to provide good printability. On the other hand, the inwardly facing surface of the sheet material may be provided with a coating, layer, treatment or otherwise prepared to provide properties such as tear resistance, good glueability,Heat sealability, or other desired functional property.

In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 10;110;210 are configured to form an exemplary arrangement of cartons or carriers 92 for packaging exemplary articles B; 94. in the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement is a 3 x 2 matrix or array. In the illustrated embodiment, two rows of three items are provided and item B is a bottle. Alternatively, blank 10;110;210 may be configured to form carriers for packaging other types, numbers, and sizes of articles and/or for packaging articles in different arrangements or configurations.

Fig. 1 illustrates a first blank 10 for forming the first carrier 92 shown in fig. 3. The first carrier 92 takes the form of a top clamp. The first carrier 92 includes an opening configured to receive the article B, the opening being arranged to receive a neck or upper portion of the article B over a body and/or shoulder of the article B.

The first blank 10 includes a joiner panel 12. The engagement plate 12 includes a plurality of retaining structures RT1, each retaining structure RT1 providing an opening for receiving a respective article B. The retaining structure RT1 includes an article receiving aperture AP1 with a plurality of teeth or tabs 14 disposed about the article receiving aperture AP 1. Each tooth 14 is punched from the joint plate 12 and hinged to the joint plate 12. Each tooth 14 is defined in part by a pair of

cut lines

13, 15. The cut lines 13, 15 extend radially outwardly from the article receiving aperture AP 1. The cut lines 13, 15 may be terminated by transverse cuts 17 defining a hinged connection between pairs of cuts 17. The transverse cuts 17 may be spaced apart from the radial cut lines 13, 15 so as to form a connecting bridge or gap N between a pair of adjacently disposed tabs 14.

Optionally, the first blank 10 includes a handle structure H. The handle structure H may include a pair of finger openings spaced apart from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the finger opening is defined by a foldable tab 60, the foldable tab 60 being punched out of the joint plate 12 and being hingedly connected to the joint plate 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 61. The first foldable tab 60 is hinged opposite the second foldable tab 60.

The first blank 10 forms a first carrier 92 and the first blank 10 is lowered relative to a group of articles B. Each opening of the holding structure RT1 receives one of the articles B forming the group. The end cap or upper end of the article B passes through the opening. The tab 14 is folded out of the plane of the engagement plate 12. The tab 14 is folded upwardly, the tab 14 engaging the article B below a flange or projection extending radially outwardly from the neck of the article B. The tab 14 supports the article B and prevents the article B from moving or withdrawing from the opening.

The opening of the retaining structure RT1 is sized smaller than the body and/or shoulder of the article B in order to prevent the first carrier 92 from moving downward around the body of the article B.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second blank 110 for forming the second carrier 94 shown in fig. 3. The second carrier 94 takes the form of a base. The second carrier 94 may include at least one fixed flap RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4. The illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of fixed flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4, optionally including six fixed flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4. Each of the securing flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4 is configured to be secured to the base of article B.

Second blank 110 comprises a main panel 114, main panel 114 comprising at least one bonding area, and the illustrated embodiment comprising six bonding areas. Each bonding region is positioned so as to be securable to the base of article B.

The bonding area may be provided by a portion of the fixed flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4.

Each of the securing flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4 can include an engaging tab 118. The bonding tab 118 is defined in part by a cut line or a portion of the severable line 113. The cut line 113 may be substantially "U" shaped. The joining tab 118 may be defined in part by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 117. The bonding tab 118 may be hingedly connected to the bridge plate 116 by a fold line 117. When bridge 116 is provided, bridge 116 is hingedly connected to main panel 114 by a hinged connection in the form of fold line 115.

Main panel 114 includes a first securing flap RB1 that extends substantially transverse to main panel 114. First securing flap RB1 is hinged to main panel 114 by fold line 115, fold line 115 being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of main panel 114.

Main panel 114 includes a third securing flap RB3 that extends substantially transverse to main panel 114. Third securing flap RB3 is hinged to main panel 114 by fold line 115, fold line 115 being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of main panel 114. The third fixed flap RB3 is hinged opposite to the first fixed flap RB 1.

Main panel 114 includes a pair of second securing flaps RB2 that extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of main panel 114. Each of the pair of second securing flaps RB2 is hinged to main panel 114 by a fold line 115, the fold line 115 being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of main panel 114.

Main panel 114 includes a pair of fourth securing flaps RB4 extending generally longitudinally along main panel 114. Each of the pair of fourth securing flaps RB4 is hinged to main panel 114 by a fold line 115, the fold line 115 being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of main panel 114. The fourth fixed flap RB4 is hinged opposite the second fixed flap RB 2.

To form package 90 as shown in fig. 3, glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the upper surface of motherboard 114, and in particular, glue may be applied to bonding tabs 118.

Optionally, a fugitive glue may be used to secure motherboard 114 directly to article B. An example of a specific glue is Swift 7044 manufactured by HB Fuller. The use of fugitive glue is optional, and an advantage of fugitive glue is that it tends to remain attached to the second carrier 94 when the article B is detached from the second carrier 94 (which may be more desirable than having the glue remain attached to the article B). In alternative embodiments, other bonding agents may be employed, such as, but not limited to, hot melt adhesives.

It will be appreciated that the first blank 10 may be applied to the article B before, after, or simultaneously with the application of the article B to the second blank 110.

The first and

second carriers

92, 94 and the articles B together form the package 90. The first and

second carriers

92, 94 are separate from each other or, that is, they are independent of each other.

Fig. 4 shows the package 90 in use, showing the user U engaging the carrying handle H. The loading of the article B has the effect of twisting or deforming the engagement plate 12 from a substantially planar arrangement, as shown in fig. 3. In particular, a pair of centrally disposed articles B located between a pair of finger openings is elevated relative to the endmost pair of articles B.

The bridging plate 116 and associated attachment tabs 118 of the respective articles secured to a pair of centrally disposed articles B are moved upwardly out of the plane of the main panel 114. In this way, the article B remains secured to the second carrier 94 while the package 90 is carried by the engagement panel 12.

Referring now to fig. 5, the illustrated example shares many common features with the examples shown in fig. 1-4, and thus only the differences from the examples shown in fig. 1-4 will be described in detail. In addition, although the prefix "200" is added, the same numerals are used to denote the same parts, where possible.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a second blank 210 for forming a first carrier (not shown). The second blank 210 is used with the first blank 10 of fig. 1 to form a package (not shown).

The second blank 210 comprises a main panel 214, the main panel 214 comprising at least one bonding area, and the illustrated embodiment comprising six bonding areas. Each bonding region is positioned so as to be securable to the base of article B.

The second blank 210 includes at least one fixed flap RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4. The illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of fixed flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4, optionally including six fixed flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4. Each of the securing flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4 is configured to be secured to the base of article B. Each of the securing flaps RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4 is substantially identical in structure to those in the embodiment of fig. 2, and will not be described in further detail.

The main panel 214 of the second blank 210 includes a contoured edge or perimeter. The periphery of the main plate 214 has a wavy or wave-like shape. The side and end edges of the main panel 214 include recesses that are arranged to align with the voids or gaps between adjacently disposed articles B.

Referring now to fig. 6-7B, the illustrated example shares many common features with the examples shown in fig. 1-5, and thus only the differences from the examples shown in fig. 1-5 will be described in detail. In addition, although the prefix "300" is added, the same numerals are used to denote the same parts, where possible.

Fig. 6 illustrates a package 390 and shows a first carrier 92 formed from the blank 10 as shown in fig. 1, employing a strap or binding arrangement 318.

The binding means 318 takes the form of a continuous loop and is mounted to a lower region of a group of articles B to which the first carrier 92 is secured.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate a stage of construction of the package 390 and show a top plan view of the application of the binding device 318 to the group of articles B.

The binding device 318 is formed as a loop and then applied to the group of articles B. To allow the binding device 318 to receive the articles B, at least one row or column of articles B is displaced relative to at least one adjacently disposed row or column of articles B.

Because the articles B are substantially cylindrical in shape, the articles in one row or column may be moved toward the articles B in an adjacent row (as indicated by directional arrow D1) so as to nest or nest in the void between pairs of articles in the same row. This has the effect of reducing the distance around the group of articles B. As such, the binding device 318 may be manufactured to have a loop length approximately equal to the circumferential distance of the group of articles B when in the un-nested or square configuration shown in fig. 7B. When the group of articles B is in the nested configuration shown in fig. 7A, the binding device 318 can be easily applied to the group of articles B because the distance between the articles B is small. After the binding 318 is applied, the group of articles B may be squared (by moving the articles in the direction D2 as shown in fig. 7B) to return to the non-nested configuration, thereby tightening the binding 318 around the group of articles B.

Referring now to fig. 8-9C, the illustrated example shares many common features with the examples shown in fig. 1-7B, and thus only the differences from the examples shown in fig. 1-7B will be described in detail. In addition, although the prefix "400" is added, the same numerals are used to denote the same parts, where possible.

Fig. 8 illustrates a package 490 and shows a first carrier 92 formed from the blank 10 shown in fig. 1, the first carrier 92 employing an adhesive connector element or bonding agent G.

The first carrier 92 engages an upper region of an article B of the group of articles B. The lower region of the article B is held in place by an adhesive connector element or bonding agent G.

The bonding agent G may take the form of a glue or other adhesive treatment applied to the outer surface of at least one article B, in particular glue may be applied to the side wall areas of articles B disposed in close proximity to adjacent articles B in the group of articles B.

Optionally, a fugitive glue may be used to secure the articles B to one another. An example of a specific glue is Swift 7044 manufactured by HB Fuller. The use of fugitive glue is optional, and has the advantage that it tends to remain attached to one of a pair of articles B when the pair is separated (which may be more desirable than having the glue remain attached to both articles B). In alternative embodiments, other adhesives may be used, such as, but not limited to, hot melt adhesives.

Fig. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate various patterns or configurations in connection with a group of articles B. In fig. 9A, each article B is bonded to all of its adjacent articles B. In each of the first and second rows R1, R2 of articles B, glue G is provided between adjacent pairs of articles B. In each of the first, second and third columns C1, C2, C3 of articles B, glue G is also provided between each pair of articles B.

Fig. 9B shows an alternative bonding arrangement, providing glue G between adjacent pairs of articles B in each of the first and second rows R1, R2 of articles B. The articles B in the first row R1 are separated from the articles B in the second row R2, that is to say no glue is provided between each pair of articles B in each of the first, second and third columns C1, C2, C3.

Fig. 9C shows yet another alternative bonding arrangement, in which glue G is also provided between each pair of articles B in each of the first, second and third columns C1, C2, C3 of articles B. The articles B in the first row R1 are separated from adjacent articles B in that row. The articles B in the second row R2 are separated from the adjacent articles B in that row. In other words, the articles B in one column C1, C2, C3 are not bonded to the articles B in the adjacent column C1, C2, C3.

In other embodiments, alternative bonding arrangements may be employed, such as, but not limited to, "H" or "I" shaped patterns. Alternatively, each peripheral article B of a group of articles B may be secured to its adjacent articles around the group's perimeter using a square, rectangular or "O" pattern of adhesive elements.

The present disclosure provides a top gripping type carrier 92 having a main panel 12, the main panel 12 having an opening for receiving at least one article B. The carrier 92 forms a package 90 with a group of articles B; 390;490, the carrier 92 is mounted to a first or upper end of the article B. A package 90;390;490 includes a

binding device

94, 318, G configured to tie or fasten together a second or lower end of the article B. The second end of the article B is disposed opposite the first end of the article B.

The binding

device

94, 318, G may take the form of a base plate or plate 114 secured to the article B. The base plate 114 may be adhesively secured to each of the second ends of the articles B in the set of articles B. It will be appreciated that the base plate 114 may be secured to some or all of the articles B in the group. For example, the base plate 114 may be secured to the outer periphery or outermost article B of the group disposed around the perimeter of the base plate 114. The base plate 114 may include a bonding tab 118 hingedly connected to the base plate 114 to provide a release structure.

The binding

device

94, 318, G may take the form of a strap or belt 318. The strip 318 may be formed as a loop from paper, cardboard or plastic material. The strip 318 tightly surrounds the group of articles B at any location below the top engagement carrier 92, that is, between the second end of the articles B and the carrier 92.

The strip 318 is applied by forming a set of articles B that are substantially cylindrical in shape and are arranged in a nested or chimeric configuration. A nested set of cylindrical articles B is surrounded by a band 318. A set of cylindrical articles B is squared to form a matrix or rectangular array. In this manner, the strap 318 is tightened around the group of articles B. A top engagement carrier 92 is applied to the square shaped set of articles B.

The binding means 94, 318, G may take the form of a set or plurality of adhesive connector elements G. Each of the plurality of adhesive connector elements G secures a pair of articles B together. The adhesive connector element G may be provided below the top engagement carrier 92, that is to say at any position between the second end of the article B and the carrier 92.

It will be appreciated that directional references, such as "top", "bottom", "base", "front", "rear", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower", as used herein, do not necessarily limit the respective plates to such an orientation, but merely serve to distinguish the plates from one another.

As used herein, the terms "hinge connection" and "fold line" refer to all manner of lines that define the hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank relative to one another, or otherwise indicate the optimal panel folding position of the blank. Any reference to "hinged connection" should not be construed as necessarily referring to only a single fold line; in practice, the hinged connection may be formed by two or more fold lines, wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape. When the linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be arranged parallel to each other or slightly angled relative to each other. When the curvilinear crease lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect one another to define a shaped panel in the area enclosed by the curvilinear crease lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may include a pair of arcuate or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical plate therebetween. The hinged connection may be formed by one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. Typical examples of such hinged connections may include a combination of linear fold lines and arcuate or arched fold lines that intersect at two points such that a meniscus is defined therebetween.

As used herein, the term "polyline" may refer to one of the following: score lines, embossed lines, debossed lines, perforated lines, short slits, half-cut lines, single half-cut lines, intermittent cut lines, aligned slits, score lines, and any combination of the foregoing.

It should be appreciated that the hinged connection and the fold line may each include elements formed in the base material of the blank, including perforations, perforation lines, short slit lines, half-cut lines, single half-cut lines, intermittent cut lines, slits, scores, embossed lines, debossed lines, any combination thereof, and the like. The size and arrangement of elements may provide the desired functionality. For example, the perforation lines may be sized or designed with a degree of weakness to define fold lines and/or cut lines. The perforation lines may be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and to facilitate breaking with greater force, or to facilitate breaking with less force.

The phrase "aligned" as used herein refers to the alignment of two or more elements in an upstanding carton, such as an aperture formed in a first of two overlapping panels and a second aperture formed in a second of the two overlapping panels. Those elements that are aligned with each other may be aligned with each other in the thickness direction of the overlapping plates. For example, when an aperture in a first plate is "aligned" with a second aperture in a second plate, the second plate is placed in overlapping arrangement with the first plate, an edge of the aperture may extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture, and may be aligned with the second aperture in a thickness direction of the first and second plates.

Claims

1. A package, comprising:

a plurality of articles arranged in groups;

top engagement means engaged with an upper portion of the article such that the upper portion of the article is connected and held together by the top engagement means; and

binding means spaced apart from the top engagement means and engaged with a portion of the article below its top such that the portions of the article are held together by the binding means.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the binding device is configured to tie together the lowermost ends of the articles.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the strapping means comprises a base plate secured to the article.

4. A package according to claim 3, wherein the base panel is adhesively secured to each lowermost end of the articles in the group.

5. A package according to claim 3, wherein the base panel is adhesively secured to the peripheral articles of the group.

6. A package according to claim 3, wherein the base panel includes a bonding tab hingedly connected to the base panel to provide a release structure.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the bonding tab is hingedly connected to the base panel by a bridge plate, the bridge plate being hingedly connected to the base panel.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the binding device comprises a strap.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the strap is disposed between a top engagement device and a lowermost end of the article.

10. The package of claim 8, wherein the strap is formed from one material selected from the group of materials consisting of: paper, cardboard, plastic, and combinations thereof.

11. The package of claim 1, wherein the strapping device includes a plurality of adhesive connector elements, each of the plurality of adhesive connector elements securing a pair of articles together.

12. The package of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of adhesive connector elements is disposed between the top engagement device and a lowermost end of the article.

13. A package, comprising:

a plurality of articles arranged in groups;

a top engagement carrier engaged with the top of the article such that the top of the article is connected and held together by the top engagement carrier; and

a binding device spaced apart from the top engagement carrier and engaged with a portion of an article below its top such that the portion of the article is held together by the binding device, wherein the binding device comprises a base plate secured to the article.

14. A package, comprising:

a plurality of articles arranged in groups;

a strapping means spaced apart from the top engagement carrier and engaged with a portion of the article below its top such that the portion of the article is held together by the strapping means, wherein the strapping means comprises a set of adhesive connector elements each securing a pair of articles together, the set of adhesive connector elements being disposed at a location between the top engagement carrier and the base of the article.

15. A method of forming a package, comprising:

forming a set of cylindrical articles in a nested configuration;

forming the strip into a continuous loop;

surrounding the nested set of cylindrical articles with the strap;

the set of cylindrical articles is squared from the nested configuration to form a matrix configuration to tighten the strap around the set of cylindrical articles.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

the top engagement carrier is applied to a set of cylindrical articles that are square.

17. A package formed by the method of claim 15, comprising:

a plurality of articles arranged in groups having a matrix configuration;

a strapping means spaced apart from the top engagement carrier and engaged with a portion of the article below its top such that the portions of the article are held together by the strapping means, wherein the strapping means comprises a strap forming a continuous loop around the plurality of articles.

18. A blank for forming a binding device comprising a main panel having at least one securing flap punched therefrom, the at least one securing flap comprising a joining tab connected to the main panel by a bridging panel to form a release structure, the bridging panel being hingedly connected to the main panel.

19. The blank of claim 18, comprising a plurality of securing tabs, each securing tab comprising a joining tab connected to the main panel by the bridging panel.

20. The blank of claim 19, wherein at least one of the engaging tabs is disposed opposite at least another one of the engaging tabs.

21. The blank of claim 18, wherein a first one of the plurality of securing flaps is hinged to the main panel by a first hinge connection and a second one of the plurality of securing flaps is hinged to the main panel by a second hinge connection, the second hinge connection oriented perpendicular to the first hinge connection.