CZ20013158A3 - Object carrier and a blank for forming thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An article carrier and a blank (10) for forming an article carrier of the basket type comprising in sequence a first end panel (14), a first side panel (16), a second end panel (18), a second side panel (20) and a third end panel (22) foldably connected together one to next. A base panel (72, 74) is hinged to respective one of the side panels (16, 20) and a handle a structure comprising first and second handle panels (38 and 52) is foldably connected to one or more of medial support panels (12 and 24) or end panels. The first and second handle panels (38 and 52) are adjacent to the first and second side panels (16 and 20) respectively and are separated therefrom. The first and second handle panels are so constructed and arranged to be placed in face contacting relationship to form a two ply handle when the carrier is set up. There further comprises a blank (80, 80a) for forming an internal partition structure which blank comprises a medial panel (86, 86a) adapted to be connected to the handle structure and to at least one of the end panels and a plurality of transverse partition panels (82/82a, 84/84a) struck from the medial panel to create a plurality of article receiving cells on one side of the handle panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an article carrier of the basket type which is adapted to hold a plurality of articles such as bottles and a blank for forming it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Normally, the basket-shaped bottle carrier contains a central bottle

a dispensing structure having an incorporated handle structure by which the carrier can be lifted and carried, and the bottles are arranged in rows on either side of the dispensing structure. In more frequent cases, the bottles are separated from each other by transverse dividing members extending from each side of the central dispensing structure to the adjacent side wall of the carrier. Thus, in this type of bottle arrangement, the individual chambers of the carrier are kept, although these chambers are not essential.

Known basket carriers require a number of complex folds to form the distribution structures, which may require the blank to be rotated or inverted during assembly, thereby slowing the process.

One example of a basket-like carrier is illustrated in US 3,570,706, which discloses a carrier having side and end walls, bottles separating the structure, and a bottom wall with tapered wall portions provided with bottle openings. Holes

for bottles, they have overlapping flaps protecting a portion of the bottle in the cutout.

The complex structure of known basket carriers requires the use of large amounts of cardboard in the irregular shape of the blank profile, resulting in a waste of material which is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least alleviate the problems of the prior art. The carton of the present invention may be formed in a straight line gluing machine. It is contemplated that the invention may be used in a customized wrapping machine, thereby eliminating the need for specialized machinery.

One aspect of the present invention provides a blank for forming an inner partition structure for a basket-type article carrier comprising opposing end and side wall portions, a central support member, and a handle structure. The blank comprises a first center piece adapted to attach to the handle structure and at least one end wall or center support portions of the basket-type carrier, and transverse dividing members extruded from and hingably attached thereto to form a plurality of article receiving chambers on one side of the handle structure, when said carrier is formed from a blank.

According to an optional feature of the first aspect of the invention, the blank may include a second central member hingably attached to the first central member, the second central member being adapted to be attached to the handle structure and at least one end wall or central support members of the basket type carrier, and from a central piece and hinged thereto to form a plurality of article receiving chambers on one side of the handle structure when the carrier is formed from a blank. The central portions may preferably be hingedly connected along a fold line disposed substantially parallel to the fold lines that hingably connect the transverse manifold to the center portion (s). Optionally, the flap may be extruded from one of the central portions and is hingedly connected to the central portion along its fold line.

According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the central portions may be hingedly connected along a fold line arranged substantially perpendicular to the fold lines that hingedly connect the transverse manifold to the central length (s).

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, each central portion may further comprise a fastening portion, each fastening portion being shaped to be fastened together.

A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an inner distribution structure in which the transverse distribution member is pivotally connected to the central member by a pair of spaced fold lines, intermediate opposite ends of the transverse distributor member to form a member extending outwardly from both sides of the central part when the inner distribution structure is formed in the assembled carrier.

According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, two transverse dividing members may be extruded from the blank and are hingedly connected at their ends remote from the central portion once erected by the side wall mounting portion.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a handle support portion extending from the upper portion of the central distributor portion may be further included, the handle portion including a hand hole aligned (aligned) with the handle structure of the article carrier.

A third aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a basket type article carrier, comprising a first end piece, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel hinged to one another in a row, a base panel hinged to one of the side panels, and for the hand, the handle structure includes first and second handle portions hingably attached to the second end piece, a first handle portion is hingedly connected to the first end piece, and a second handle portion is hingedly connected to the third end piece. The first and second handle portions are adjacent to and separated from the respective first and second side portions, the first and second handle portions being so configured and arranged to be positioned in a face contacting relationship to form the two-layer handle when the carrier is in an ordered state.

According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, a handle support portion folded in connection with the first handle portion may be further included to form the handle of the three layers in an ordered state. Preferably, further, a second handle support portion connected to the second handle portion may be included herein.

According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, the first and second handle portions may be coplanar (in one plane) and the upper edges of the handle portions are collinear (in one line).

Optionally, the upper edges of one or each handle support portion may be collinear with the handle portions.

According to another optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, the handle portions may be shaped to be firmly connected to the first and second handle portions of another adjacent blank. The handle parts may preferably have a substantially trapezoidal shape.

According to a further optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, a piece may be further provided arranged to support at least one central piece when the blank is erected to form the carton. Preferably, the further central support member may be hingedly connected to the opposite end of the row of components, the support members being arranged to be attached to one or more faces of the central member (s).

According to yet another optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, at least one of the support portions may be provided with a hook portion, the hook being arranged to engage the base portion when the blank is erected to form the carton.

According to yet another optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, a plurality of portions connecting each of the first and second handle portions to their next adjacent side portion may be further included, thereby forming a plurality of receiving chamber products on both sides of the handle structure when the carrier is formed from the blank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Giant. 1A and 1B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which the article carrier is formed according to one embodiment of the invention.

Giant. 2A and 2B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. IA and IB during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

• ·

Giant. 3 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1, viewed from above and from one end thereof.

Giant. 4A and 4B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which the product carrier is formed according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Giant. 4C is a plan view of adjacent blanks shown in FIG. 4A, formed from a continuous roll of paperboard or similar sheet material.

Giant. 5A and 5B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which the product carrier according to the third embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 6 is a plan view of adjacent blanks shown in FIG. 5A and 5B formed from a continuous roll of paperboard or similar sheet material.

Giant. 7A and 7B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. 5A and 5B during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

Giant. 8 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blanks shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, seen from above and from one end thereof.

Giant. 9A and 9B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which a product carrier according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 10A and 10B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which a product carrier according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 11 is a plan view of adjacent blanks shown in FIG. 10A formed from a continuous roll of paperboard or similar sheet material.

Giant. 12A and 12B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. 10A and 10B during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

Giant. 13 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 10A, seen from above and from one end thereof.

Giant. 14A and 14B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which the product carrier of the sixth embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 15A and 15B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. 14A and 14B during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

Giant. 16 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 14A, seen from above and from one end thereof.

Giant. 17A and 17B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which a product carrier according to a seventh embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 18A and 18B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. 17A and 17B during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

Giant. 19 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 17A, seen from above and from one end thereof.

Giant. 20A and 20B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which the product carrier according to the eighth embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 21A and 21B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. 20A and 20B during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

Giant. 22 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 20A and 20B, seen from above and from one end thereof.

Giant. 23A and 23B are plan views of paperboard blanks from which a product carrier according to a ninth embodiment of the invention is formed.

Giant. 24A and 24B are side views of the blank shown in FIG. 23A and 23B during assembly to form a flat folded carton.

Giant. 25 is a perspective view of an upright basket carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 23A and 23B, seen from above and from one end thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the article carrier is formed from one or more paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable (over) bendable sheet material, such as plastic material. The carrier is adapted to hold a plurality of articles, for example six bottles arranged in two rows of three bottles on each side. It is contemplated that the carrier may be adapted to hold a varying number of bottles according to the wearer's requirements.

Turning to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A and 1B, these illustrate a carrier formed from a three-part blank. The outer molding blank 10 includes, in a longitudinal row, a first center support portion 12, a first end portion 14, a first side portion 16, a second end portion 18, a second side portion 20, a third end portion 22, and a second center portion 24 hingably attached thereto. one to the other along the side fold lines 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36. Furthermore, a side fold line 19 between the fold lines 30 may be included herein.

• # 4 • · ·· «· · · • · • « • · • · · • • • · • 4 4 4 4 4 • 4 4 4 • 4 • • 4 · • · » • · · • 4 · 4 4

And 32, for splitting the second end piece 18 into two portions 18a, 18b, to form a basket shaped carrier with an arrow profile, hereinafter described.

The first handle portion 38 is disposed adjacent the first end portion 14 and the first side portion 16 and is separated from this side and end portion by the cut lines 40, 42. The cut lines 40, 42 extend between the fold lines 26 and 30. The handle portion 38 is hinged. attached to the first central support piece 12 along an extension of the fold line 26 that forms part of an edge of one side of the first handle portion 38. The reader will appreciate that the central support portions are not an essential feature and the handle portions could be attached in some embodiments directly to the end portion. The handle portion 38 is connected to the opposite end portion 18 by an intermediate portion 50 that is hingedly attached to the side edge of the handle portion 38 along the fold line 53, and to the end portion by a notch portion along the fold line 30 as shown in FIG. IA.

The handle portion 38 may include a hand hole 44. In this embodiment, the softening grip flap 46 is attached along the fold line 48 to the upper edge of the hand hole 44.

Preferably, a second handle portion 52 is provided that is adjacent the second side panel 20 and the third end panel 22 and is separated from the side and end panels by the cut lines 54, 56. The cut lines 54, 56 extend between the fold lines 32 and 36. The handle portion 52 is hingably coupled to the second central support portion 24 along an extension of the fold line 36 that forms a portion of an edge of one side of the other handle portion 52. The handle portion 52 is connected to the opposite end portion 18 by an intermediate portion 64 that is hingedly attached to the side edge of the handle portion 52 along the fold line 66, and to the end portion 18 by a notch portion along the fold line 32 as shown in FIG. 1A.

The handle portion 52 may include a hand hole 58. In this embodiment, the grip softening flap 60 is attached along the fold line 62 to the upper edge of the hand hole 60.

In this embodiment, a three-layer handle structure is provided. The handle support portion 68 is disposed adjacent the portion of the first end portion 18 and the intermediate portion 64. The handle support portion 68 is hingably attached to the side edge of the second handle portion 52 along the fold line 66, but is otherwise separated from the blank by the cut lines 65. A hand hole 70 is positioned between the upper and lower edges of the handle support portion 68. The hand opening 70 is preferably positioned to be aligned with the hand openings 44 and 58 in the arranged carton.

Furthermore, a base structure is provided which is secured in this embodiment by base members 72, 74 flexibly connected to the side panels 16 and 20. Suitable fasteners are used to secure the base members together. For example, an adhesive flap 76 is attached to the base member 72. Alternatively, tabs are extruded from the base member and an additional closing hole (blocking) from the second base member to receive and retain the closing tabs, as is well known. Those skilled in the art will understand that other methods of blocking the base members together may be used in the assembly, and that the invention is not limited to those features shown in the embodiments or described above.

In FIG. 1B, the distribution structure of the article carrier formed from the second blank 80 and the third blank 80a is shown.

The blank 80 forms one side of the manifold structure and includes a pair of transverse manifolds 82, 84 extruded from the central manifold 86. The transverse manifold 82 is extruded from the central manifold 86 by a cut line 87 and attached thereto along the fold line 88. Similarly, the transverse center piece 84 is extruded from the center piece 86 by cutting lines 89, 90 and is connected thereto along the fold line 92. In this embodiment, the fold line 92 is interrupted by a cutting line 87 that extends into the transverse manifold 84 and defines an adhesive flap 94 flexibly attached to the transverse manifold 82 along the fold line 96. The second adhesive flap 98 may be attached to the transverse manifold 84 along the fold line 99. Optionally, the adhesive flaps 94, 98 include protruding elements 91 defined by a cut line 93 that interrupts the adhesive fold line lapels. In use, the protruding elements increase the surface area of the adhesive flap for attachment. A hook 97 may be provided along the lower edge of the center piece 86 to provide detachable attachment to the base structure.

The blank 80a is similar to the blank 80 and therefore the same parts are designated with the same reference numeral with the addition of the letter A. Therefore, only the differences between the blank 80 and the blank 80a are described in more detail. An end flap 95a can be provided that is flexibly attached to the central piece 86a along the fold line 9a. In use, the end flap is attached to one of the tabs 93a extending into the transverse manifold 82a, delimited partially by the cut line 77a. In use, the tab 93a is adapted to be attached to the central support member 12, 24 described below.

It is contemplated that the amount and position of the transverse manifolds of each blank may be varied according to the number of required articles holding the chambers.

The assembly of the completed carrier of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and 3, in a flat folded state from the preform, requires a series of successive folding and gluing operations, which can be done in a straight line gluing device, so that there is no need to rotate or flip the carton to complete assembly. The bonding positions of the workpieces are highlighted by hatching, although it is expected that other embodiments of the workpiece can be bonded at other locations, if desired. The folding process is not limited to what is described below and can be varied according to specific manufacturing requirements.

Thus, the blanks 80 and 80a are secured to the blank 10. In this form, the flaps 94, 98 are secured to the side panel 16 and the center panel 86 is attached to the handle panel 38 by adhesive or other suitable means. Similarly, the adhesive flaps 94a and 98a are attached to the side panel 20 and the central manifold 86a is attached to the handle panel 52 by adhesive or other suitable means. Thus, the carton is shown in FIG. 2A. Then, the handle support member 68 is folded around the fold line 66 and in contact with the face surfaces with the handle portion 52 so that the openings 50 and 59 are aligned (offset). The end piece 18 is folded out of alignment with adjacent side panels ~ 16, 20, along bend lines 30, 19, 32, in this

64, in the mutual portions 18a and 18b, respectively, are intermediate to the end piece 18 with adhesive in the art.

in turn, contacting the intermediate portions 50 with the faces of each end portion. In some portions 50, 64, attached to or other suitable means

The central support portions 12, 24 are also folded into a face contacting relationship with the respective end portions 14,

22, and parts 38, 58, and may be secured together by an adhesive or other suitable means in the art. The outer parts 12b, 20, 22 forming one side of the partition are folded into face-to-face contact with the outer parts 18a, 16, 14 forming the other side of the partition.

By folding the part in this manner, the two sides of the basket carrier are brought into face-to-face relationship and the handle parts 52, 68 are secured together with the inner face of the handle part 38 by adhesive or other means known in the art. The tab 93a is preferably attached to the central portion 86, and the central support portions 12, 24 may be attached to the portions of the respective central portions 86 and 86a, respectively, with an adhesive or other means known in the art. In those embodiments with flaps 95a, it is attached to the end piece 18.

Then, the carton is in the middle phase shown in FIG. 2B: a finished composite carrier, wherein the second end panel 22, the second side panel 20 and the outer handle panel 52 are positioned face-to-face with the first end wall 14, the first side panel 16 and the handle panel 38, respectively. The carton of the first embodiment is commonly referred to as an arrow profile package, as the end pieces are folded around a center bend line to define the leading edge 37 and the two rear edges defined by the fold lines 30 and 32.

In order to erect the product carrier, the front and rear edges of the composite blank are moved inwardly towards each other. This causes the end portions 14, 22 and 18 and the side portions 16 and 20 to move from a flat folded state to a substantially rectangular configuration, which facilitates assembly of the individual chambers. Thus, the transverse manifolds 82, 84 are automatically spaced by movement from alignment with the first side panel 16 and the handle panel 38; and are folded around the fold lines 88 and 92, respectively, such that the transverse manifolds 82, 84 are substantially perpendicular to the handle portion 38 and the side portion 16. As shown in FIG. 3, three chambers C1, C2, C3 are thus formed. Similarly, the transverse manifolds 82a, 84a are offset from alignment with the second side panel 20 and the handle portion 52, and are folded around the fold lines 88a and 92a, respectively, so that the transverse manifolds 82a, 84a are perpendicular to the handle 52 and the panel 20 side walls so that three more chambers are formed. In use, the transverse manifolds may separate and support the products in adjacent chambers.

Then, the carton is ready to receive articles that are loaded by a relative perpendicular movement between the articles and the carrier during a forward delivery movement well known in the art, whereby the articles enter their respective chambers through the open bottom of the carrier. Alternatively, the articles may enter their chambers through the top of the carrier.

Then, the base is formed, whereby the base parts 72 and 74 are brought into overlapping relationship and joined together by fastening means (s) well known in the art. In this embodiment, the adhesive flap 76 is glued to the base portion 74. The base parts may be held in place before and / or after loading by engaging the base parts 72, 74 with the hooks 97, 97a shown in FIG. 1 and 3.

In use, the tabs 46, 60 are folded around the handle portions 38, 52 to further secure the handle structure H and the carton. Thus, the carton of the first embodiment is assembled as shown in FIG. 3.

Turning to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4A and 4B, there is shown an article carrier formed from a two-piece blank. The blanks are capable of forming a package with a parallelogram profile described below. The blank 110 shown in FIG. 4A, provides outer carrier portions and includes, in a longitudinal row, a first center support portion 112, a second side portion 116, a first end portion 118, a second side portion 120, and a second end portion 112 flexibly connected to one another along the side fold lines 126, 130; 132 and 134, respectively.

The first handle portion 138 is disposed adjacent the first end portion 118 and the first side portion 116 and is separated from this side and end portion by cut lines 140, 142 that extend from the fold line 126 and into the end portion 118. The handle portion 138 is hingably attached to the upper edge of the end portion 118 by a notched portion. If it is desired that the handle be placed in the center, the connection point should be in the center. The handle portion 138 is foldably connected along its opposite edge to the central support portion 112 by the intermediate portion 150. In this embodiment, the intermediate portion 150 is hingedly attached to the side edge of the handle portion 138 along the fold line 151 and to the central support portion along the fold line 30 as shown in FIG. 4A. The handle portion 138 may include a hand hole 144. In this embodiment, the softening grip flap 146 is attached along the fold line 148 to the upper edge of the hand hole 44.

Preferably, a second handle portion 152 is provided adjacent the second side panel 120 and the second end panel 122 and is separated from the side and end panels by cut lines 154 and 156 that extend from the fold lines 132 and into the end panel 122. Handle 152 is hingedly connected to the upper edge of end portion 122 by notched portion and to opposite end portion 118 by intermediate portion 164. In this form, intermediate portion 164 is flexibly attached to the side edge of handle portion 152 along fold line 165 and to end portion 118 along fold line 132 FIG. 4A. The second handle portion 152 includes a hand hole 158. In this embodiment, the grip softening flap 160 is attached along the fold line 162 to the upper edge of the hand hole 158.

In this embodiment, a three-layer handle structure is provided that includes a pair of handle support portions 168, 169. Each support member 168, 169 is bendably attached to opposite side edges of the handle portion 138 and are bendable such that the opposing side edges of each support portion are blunt abutment when the support members are brought into contact with the handle portion 138. More specifically, the handle support portion 168 is flexibly attached to the handle portion 138 along the fold line 155 and includes a hand hole 170 positioned between the upper and lower edges of the handle support portion 168. The hand hole 170 is positioned to be aligned with the hand holes 154, 158 in the assembled carton. Similarly, the handle supporting portion 169 includes a hand hole 171.

The base structure is formed from portions 172, 174 and a fastener, which in this embodiment is substantially the same as in the first embodiment and is therefore not described in further detail.

The article carrier distribution structure is formed from the second blank 180. The blank 180 comprises a pair of transverse dividers 182, 184 extruded from the central manifold 186. The transverse manifold 182 is extruded from the central panel 186 by cutting lines 185, 187 and 190 and is bent thereto connected along the dashed fold line 188. FIG. 4B, the dashed fold line 188 is disposed between opposite ends of the transverse manifold 182 to define the manifold from the two portions 114 and 18 9. The fold line 188 may be displaced to any position between said ends to change the respective lengths of each The transverse manifold 182 may further comprise an adhesive flap 194 folded thereto along the fold line 195. As with the first embodiment, it is contemplated that the amount and position of the transverse members may be varied according to the number of desired product receiving chambers.

Similarly, the transverse manifold 196 is extruded from the central panel 186 by cutting lines 191, 193 and 195 and is bent thereto along the fold line 192. The dashed fold line 192 is disposed between opposite ends of the transverse manifold 184 to define the manifold 115, 196 in two parts. Further, an adhesive flap 198 may be included by bending attached to the transverse manifold 184 along the fold line 197.

Further, central adhesive flaps 176, 178 may be included here, folded to the opposite side edges of the center piece 186 along fold lines 177 and 179, respectively.

The embodiment of the carton is substantially the same as that described in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 to 13 below, and is therefore not described in greater detail herein.

A common feature shared by both the first and second embodiments concerns the handle structure H. More specifically, the handle portions and possibly the handle support portions are flush. The upper edges of the handle portions are collinear as shown in FIG. IA and 4A in order to minimize the loss of cardboard, since adjacent blanks can be extruded from a continuous roll, with their respective upper edges in abutment. Giant. 4C shows adjacent blanks 110 of the second embodiment and it can be seen that efficient use of cardboard is achieved. The workpiece base parts 172, 174 are shapes associated with the workpiece base parts of another adjacent blank, again minimizing cardboard loss.

The assembly of the third embodiment is described with reference to FIG.

5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B and 8. As shown in these drawings, a carrier formed from a three-piece blank is a dart profile package similar to the first embodiment described above; the same parts are identified by the same references with the numeral 2 prefix.

Thus, only the differences between the first and third embodiments are described.

to the corresponding center portions 286, the embodiments are secured along the lower portions 212 and 224 in correspondingly maintained in an

As shown in FIG. 5A, they are wider in this embodiment, fastenings

In this support to prevent the carton and / after loading.

In this four layers, and supporting 5A. Each connected

238, 252 along their respective center support members 212, 224 to provide a large surface for 286a.

the edges of the central hooks 297 and 297a, the openings in the base structure, by loading the structure of the parts 238, 252 shown in FIG. is a foldable handle portion to fold about that during construction, the handle H (Fig. 8) provided by the outer handle flaps 268 and 268a, the handle flap 268 and 268a to the upper edge and the corresponding lines 270 may be provided;

270a of the fold, the fold line so that the handle support flaps are placed in a cheek contact relationship with their adjacent handle portion; as shown in FIG. 7B.

The blanks 280, 280a for forming the central transverse partition structures shown in FIG. 5B, differs from the first embodiment blanks 80, 80a in that they include central support flaps 295 and 295a that are flexibly attached to intermediate panels 286 and 286a, respectively, along fold lines 27 9 and 27 9a. Further, a tab 293 extruded from the central panel 286 and a tab 293a extruded from the central panel 286a may be included. Each tab 293, 293a is adapted to be attached to the second center piece 286a, 286 by glue or other suitable means, as shown in more detail in FIG. 7B. The free edge profile of tabs 293, 293a is delimited by section lines 289 and 289a, which in this embodiment include three protruding elements to increase the surface area into separate adjacent chambers.

The shape of the upper edges of the blank, and more specifically the handle supporting portion 268, the handle portion 238 and the intermediate portion 250, and the end portion 218a, are shaped to receive corresponding portions of the other adjacent blank 210. As shown in FIG. 6, adjacent blanks are extruded from a continuous roll of sheet material, whereby adjacent blanks are formed as mirror images so that they are tightly joined together to achieve efficient use of cardboard.

Thus, in this embodiment, the waste material is represented by a shaded portion indicated by a letter

W. The shape of the handle structure beneficially minimizes the amount of wasted cardboard and preferably provides an aesthetically pleasing handle shape.

The shape of the base portions 27, 4, 272 is preferably trapezoidal so that the lower edges of the adjacent blanks are firmly joined upwards, thereby minimizing the amount of cardboard needed.

The embodiment of the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment by which the central support portions 212, 224 are bent into the faces of the contacting relationship, the central portion 286 is attached to the central support portion 212, the handle portion 238 and the adhesive flaps 294, 298 are attached to the side portion 216 but the center piece is otherwise unconnected to the blank 210 as shown in FIG. 7A. Similarly, the central member 286a is attached to the central support member 224, the handle member 224 and the adhesive flaps 294a, 298a are attached to the side member 220. Thus, the carton is in the first stage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A.

Then, the blank is folded around lines 230, 219, and 232 such that the second end portion 222, the second side portion 220, and the second handle portion 253 are positioned relative to each other with the first end wall 214, the first side portion 216, and the

238 and 238, respectively, to secure the package in a flat folded state in the dart profile, and the leading edge is delimited by fold line 226, 236 and includes two rear edges defined by fold lines 230 and 232. In these embodiments, center support flaps 295 and 295a are attached to the end 218, as shown in FIG. 7b.

In order to erect the article carrier, the front and rear edges of the composite carrier are moved inwardly towards each other, as described above in the first embodiment, to form individual chambers. The articles enter their respective chambers C1, C2, C3 to terminate the loading process, ready for delivery to the user, and the handle structure H and the base structure are also similarly formed to provide a carton similar to that shown in FIG. 8.

A fourth embodiment of the carton is shown in FIG. 9A and 9B. As shown in these drawings, the product carrier formed from the three-piece blank is an arrow profile package similar to the third embodiment described above and thus similar (like) parts are identified by the same reference with the addition of the numeral 3 replacing the numeral 2. and the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9A, the handle is a structure of three layers provided by the outer handle portions 338, 352 formed from the blank 310 and the handle support portion 368 formed from one of the central portions 386a. Further, a hand hole 370 may be included, extruded from the handle support portion 368 to align with the hand holes 344 and 358. The assembly of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the third embodiment and is therefore not described in detail. Of course, the advantages of the third embodiment relate to the fourth embodiment. In addition, the handle structure of this embodiment results in shorter folding times,

«0 • • 0 · • * « ·· ·· 4 • 00 9 0 · 0 0 0 0 • »00 0 0 • 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 ·· 00 *> · · AS · 00 • A

since there are no handle support portions attached to the handle portions 338, 352 that need to be folded.

A fifth embodiment of the carton is shown by reference to FIG. 10A, 10B, 11, 12A, 12B and 13. A fifth embodiment of the product carrier of FIG. 10A and 10B show a two-part blank. The blanks are capable of forming a package with a parallelogram profile similar to the second embodiment described above and, therefore, similar parts are described by the same reference numeral, but with a prefix of 4 instead of 1. Therefore, only the differences between the second and fifth embodiments are described in more detail. FIG. 10A, handle H is a three-layer structure provided by outer portions 438 and 452 formed from blank 410. Handle support portion 468 is formed from center portion 486 and may further include a hand hole 470 so positioned that it is aligned with the holes 444 and 458 for hand in an arranged carton. The handle structure of this embodiment advantageously allows for faster formation, as there are no handle supporting parts attached to the handle part to be folded.

The shape of the upper edges of the blank 410, and more specifically the handle portions 43, 522, the intermediate portions 450, 464, and the end portions 418 and 422 are shaped to receive corresponding portions of the other adjacent blank 410. As shown in FIG. 11, adjacent blanks are extruded from a continuous roll of sheet material, whereby adjacent blanks are formed as mirror images so that they are firmly joined together to achieve efficient utilization of paperboard. The shape of the handle structure usefully minimizes the amount of wasted paperboard and preferably provides an aesthetically pleasing handle shape. The shape of the base portions 472, 474 is preferably trapezoidal so that the lower edges of the blank are sealed upwardly, thereby minimizing the amount of paperboard required.

The embodiment of the completed carrier of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 12a, 12b and 13, from the blank to the flat folded state and to the arranged carton, is accomplished by a series of successive bending and gluing operations, which can be accomplished by a straight line gluing device so that the carton does not need to be rotated or turned to finish its design. Adhesive positions of the blanks are highlighted by hatching, although it is contemplated that other blanks may be glued in other positions if desired. The bending process is not limited to what is described below and may be changed according to the particular manufacturing requirements.

Thus, the blank 480 is attached to the blank 410. In this embodiment, the adhesive flap 494 is attached to the side panel 416 and the center panel 486 is attached to the handle panel 438 so that the handle supporting the panel 468 is aligned with the handle panel 438. The central support flap 478 is secured to the end piece 418 by adhesive or other suitable means known in the art. Thus, the blank is in the first stage of its assembly shown in FIG. 12A. Then, the adhesive flap 412 is folded around the line 412 into a face contact relationship with the side panel 416, and the outer portions 420 and 422 are folded around the line 432 into face contact with the central piece 406. The end piece 422 is attached to the adhesive flap 412 and the transverse adhesive flap 4 98 is attached to the side wall 420. The handle portion 452 is attached to the opposite face of the handle support portion 468 and the central support portion 476 is attached to the end portion 422.

By folding and fastening the parts in this manner, the two sides of the basket carrier are brought into a face-to-face relationship so that the carrier is in the complete and collapsed state shown in FIG. 12B, for delivery to an end user of a carton, such as a bottle filler.

The carton of the fifth embodiment is commonly referred to as a parallelogram package because the leading edge is defined by the fold line 432 and the trailing edge is defined by the diametrically opposite edge provided by the fold line 426.

In order to erect the product carrier, the front and rear edges of the composite blank are moved inwardly towards each other. This causes the end portions 422 and 418 and the side portions 416 and 420 to move from a flat collapsed state to a substantially rectangular configuration, which facilitates assembly of the individual chambers. Thus, the transverse manifolds 482, 484 are moved from alignment with the first and second side panels 416, 420, and are folded around the fold lines 488 and 492, respectively, so that the transverse manifolds are substantially perpendicular to the handle portion 468 and the side panels 416 and 420. As shown in FIG. 13, each portion 414, 4 90; 415, 496, extends from each side of the center piece to form two rows of three chambers C1, C2, C3. In fact, the fold line 488, 492 acts as pivot points for the manifolds. When used, the transverse manifolds can distribute and support the products in adjacent chambers.

Then, the carton is ready to receive articles that are loaded by a relative perpendicular movement between the articles and the carrier during a forward delivery movement well known in the art, thereby entering said articles into their respective chambers through the open bottom of the carrier. Alternatively, the articles may enter their chambers through the top of the carrier. Then, the base is formed, in substantially the same manner as described above, by which the parts of the base 472, 474 are joined together by the fastening means.

Similarly, the tabs 446, 460 are folded around the handle 468, 52 to further secure the hand structure H and the

carton. Thus, the carton of the fifth embodiment is in the configured position as shown in FIG. 13 drawings.

A sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B and 16. As shown in these drawings, the article carrier is formed of a preform in three parts: the carrier is a parallelogram-like package similar to the fifth embodiment described above, and therefore like parts are designated with the same prefix reference numbers Therefore, only the differences between the fifth and sixth embodiments are described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 14A it can be seen that the handle is a four-layer structure secured by the outer handle portions 538, 552 and the handle supporting the flaps 568 and 568a. Each handle flap 568, 568a is flexibly connected to the upper edge of the corresponding handle part 538, 552, along fold lines 570 and 570a, respectively, to fold around their adjacent fold lines so that, during assembly, the handle flaps can be placed in the facing surfaces of the contacting relationship with their adjacent handle portion shown in FIG. 15B.

The two-piece blank 550, 550a is provided for forming the central and transverse distribution structures shown in FIG. 14B and is substantially similar to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5B. It can be seen that the position of the tabs 593, 593a differs from the third embodiment, although each flap is adapted to be attached to the second center piece 586, 582 by an adhesive or other suitable means known in the art and to separate adjacent chambers. In this embodiment, the protruding elements E of each flap overlap to be fastened together, see FIG. Giant. 15B.

The embodiment of the sixth embodiment is similar to the fifth embodiment described above to which the transverse manifolds are attached.

To the respective handles and to the respective one side side panels, the central panel is the central support flaps of the end panels shown on the basket-shaped carrier folded into a face contacting relationship with the central structure attached to the panel are attached

Giant. 15A. It is then formed around line 532 above to be molded and secured together as described by the flat composite carrier shown in FIG. 15B.

In order to erect the carrier of the sixth embodiment, the front and rear edges of the composite carrier are moved inwardly towards each other, as individual assemblies are prepared as described above in the fifth embodiment, the chambers and articles C3 to terminate the loading process, for delivery to the user. The structure H enters its chambers C1, C2, the handle and to lock onto

Giant. 16.

The bases to the fifth base structure are likewise formed by a fully erected carton, similar to the above.

A seventh embodiment of the carton is shown in FIG. 17A, 17B

18A and 18B and 19. As shown in these drawings, the product carrier is formed from a parallelogram profile, a three-part blank; it is a package similar to the sixth embodiment described above and thus similar (identical) parts are identified by the same reference, with the addition of the numeral 6 replacing the numeral 5. only the differences between the seventh and the

Therefore, the sixth embodiment.

Giant. 17A, it is seen that the handle is of layers provided by the outer portions of the handle support flaps 668 and 668a.

638,

Each handle is flexibly attached to the upper structure of four

652 handles and flap 668, 668a of the corresponding edge

652, handles along fold lines 670, 670a, and is bendable about its adjacent fold lines so that during assembly, the handle flaps may be placed in face-to-face contact with their adjacent handle portion shown in FIG. 18B.

In this embodiment, the outer blank further includes a pair of transverse dividing members 631, 633, a foldably connecting handle portion 638 and a side panel 616. Further, a pair of transverse dividing panels 651, 653, a foldable connecting portion 652 and a side panel 620 are included. adhesives are provided for attachment to adjacent end panels 622 and 618, respectively.

The two-part blank 680, 680a is provided for forming the central and transverse distribution structures shown in FIG. 17B and is substantially similar to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, only the differences are described. Transverse manifolds 682, 684; 682a, 684a are made in a different manner and it is not really necessary to include adhesive flaps since these parts can be attached to the parts 631, 633; 651, 651, respectively. It can be seen that the position of the flaps 693, 693a differs from the third embodiment, although each flap is adapted to be attached to the second center piece 686, 686a by adhesive or other suitable means known in the art of the protruding elements shown in Figs. 18B.

The embodiment of the seventh embodiment is similar to some of the embodiments described above, whereby the transverse manifolds are attached to respective side panels, the central panel is attached to the handle portion, and the central support flaps are attached to the respective end panels shown in FIG. 18Ά. In addition, the transverse manifolds 684, 682; 684a, 682a attached to adjacent transverse dividers 633, 631; 65 ', 653 of the outer blank 610. Then, one side of the basket carrier is folded around a fold line 632 into a face-to-face relationship with the central structure and attached together as described above to form the flat composite carrier shown in FIG. 18B.

In order to erect the carrier, the front and rear edges of the composite blank are moved inwardly toward each other, as described above in the fifth embodiment, to automatically assemble the individual chambers, and the products enter their respective chambers C1, C2, C3 to terminate the loading process. delivery to the user. The handle structure H and the base structure are also formed in a similar manner to provide a fully erected carton, similar to that shown in FIG. 19. The advantages of the shape of the upper edges of the blank and the base of the present embodiment have already been referred to with respect to the fifth embodiment above and are therefore not further described herein. A further advantage of the invention is that the blanks forming the distribution structure can be reduced in width because it is not necessary for the transverse distribution members 682, 684 to expand the width W of the chamber, since the outer transverse members provide adequate rigidity.

Giant. 20A and 20B illustrate an eighth embodiment of the invention. The article carrier is formed from one or more paperboard blanks 710 or other suitable (bendable) sheet material. The carrier is adapted to hold a plurality of articles, for example six bottles arranged in two rows of three bottles on each side. It is contemplated that the carrier may be adapted to hold a varying number of bottles according to the wearer's requirements.

In this embodiment, the carrier is formed of a two-part blank and a blank 710 forming a longitudinal row of a first center support portion 712, a first end portion 714, a first side portion 716, a second end portion

718, a second side panel 720, a third end panel 722, and a second side panel.

a center piece 724, hingedly connected one to the other along the side fold lines 726, 728, 730, 732, 7 34 and 736. Furthermore, a side fold line 719 between the fold lines 730 and 732 may be included for splitting the second end piece 718 into two parts (718a, 718b) to form a basket-shaped carrier with an arrow profile, hereinafter described.

The first handle portion 738 is disposed adjacent the second end portion 718 and the first side portion 716 and is separated from this side and end portion by a cut line 742. The cut line 742 extends between the fold lines 728 and 719. The handle portion 738 is hingedly connected to the second end 718 along an extension of the fold line 719 that forms a portion of the edge of one side of the first handle portion 738. The handle portion 738 is connected to the first end piece 714 via an intermediate piece 750 that is hingedly attached to the side edge of the handle portion 738 along the fold line 751, and to the first end piece 714 along the fold line 728.

The handle portion 738 may include a hand hole 744. In this embodiment, the softening grip flap 746 is attached along the fold line 748 to the upper edge of the hand hole 744.

The second handle portion 752 is disposed adjacent the second side panel 720 and the second end panel 718 and is separated from this side and end panel by the cutting lines 754, 765. The cutting lines 7 54, 7 56 extend between the fold lines 719 and 7 34. the handle portion 752 is hingably connected to the handle portion 738 along the fold line 719. The handle portion 752 is connected to the third end portion 722 by an intermediate portion 7 64 hingably attached to the side edge of the handle portion 752 along the fold line 766 and to the end portion 722 along the fold line 734.

The handle portion 752 may include a hand hole 758. In this embodiment, the hand softening flap 760 is attached along the fold line 762 to the upper edge of the hand hole 760.

In this embodiment, a three-layer handle structure is provided. The handle supporting portion 768 is disposed adjacent the portion of the intermediate portion 750 and the central support portion 712. The handle supporting portion 768 is hingably attached to the side edge of the first handle portion 738 along the fold line 751, but is otherwise separated from the blank. In alternative embodiments, the handle support portion may alternatively be coupled to the second handle portion 752. A hand recess 770 is provided and is preferably positioned in alignment with the hand holes 744 and 758 in the arranged carton.

Hooks 797,797a may be provided along the lower edges of the first and second center portions 712 and 724 to provide detachable attachment to the base structure.

Also included is a base structure provided in this embodiment by base parts 772, 774 flexibly attached to the side panels 716 and 720, respectively. Suitable fastening means are provided to secure the base parts together. For example, the adhesive flap 776 is attached to the base piece 772. Alternatively, the locking tabs are pushed out of the base part and an additional pair of locking holes is pushed out of the second base part to receive and retain the locking tabs, as is well known. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other methods of blocking the base members together may be adapted during assembly, and the invention is not limited to the features shown in the embodiments or described above.

As shown in FIG. 20B, both sides of the product carrier distribution structure are preferably formed from a second blank 78θ. The blank 80 comprises a pair of transverse manifolds 782, 784 extruded from the central manifold 786. A portion of the transverse manifold structure 782 is extruded from the central manifold 786 by cutting lines 787 and is coupled thereto along the fold line 788. Similarly, the transverse manifold 784 is extruded from the central portion 786 via the cut lines 789, 790 and is connected thereto along the fold line 792. In this embodiment, the fold line 792 is interrupted by a cut line 787 that extends into the transverse manifold 784 and defines an adhesive flap 794 flexibly attached to the transverse manifold 782 along the fold line 796. The second adhesive flap 798 may be attached to the transverse manifold 784 along fold line 799. The fold lines 799 and 796 are preferably interrupted by cut lines 7 99 and 7 96, respectively. The tab 795 preferably extruded from the central manifold 786 is defined by the cut line 783 and the fold line 791. The other tab 793 is preferably extruded from the cross member 782 and is defined by the cut line 793 and the fold line 788.

The second central distributor piece 787a is substantially a mirror of the first 786 along the fold line 91 and hence similar parts are indicated by the same reference numeral with the addition of letter a. Therefore, only the differences between the blank 780 and the blank 780a are described in more detail.

A projecting portion 785 of the portion 786a is provided to cooperate with the handle support portion 768, thereby ensuring that the entire handle is a triple layer. In the opposite edge of the blank there is a corresponding cut piece to minimize cardboard waste when the multiple blank is extruded by the mosaic pattern.

It is contemplated that the amount and position of the transverse manifolds of each blank may be varied according to the number of required articles holding the chambers.

The completed carrier of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 21A a

21B, in a flat folded state from the preform, requires a series of folding and gluing, which successive operations can be performed in a straight line gluing device so that there is no need to rotate or invert the assembly to complete it. The bonding positions of the blanks are highlighted by hatching, although it is expected that other embodiments of the blanks can be glued at other locations, if desired. The folding process is not limited to what is described below and can be varied according to specific manufacturing requirements. Thus, blank 780 is attached to blank 710.

In this embodiment, the flaps 794, 798 are attached to the side panel 716, and the central panel 786 is attached to the handle panel 738 by adhesive or other suitable means. Likewise, the adhesive flaps 794a and 798a are attached to the side panel 720 and the central manifold 786a is attached to the panel 752 by adhesive or other suitable means. Thus, the carton is shown in FIG. 21A.

Then, the handle supporting the part 768 is folded around the fold line 751 and into the face surfaces contacting the relationship with the handle part 738 so that the recess 770 and the opening 758 are aligned. The first and third end portions 714 and 722 are folded inwardly along the fold lines 728 and 734 such that the center support portions 712 and 724 can be attached to the center portions 786 and 768a, respectively, using adhesive or other suitable means known in the art. The second end piece 718 is folded half along the fold line 719 such that the intermediate portions 7 50, 7 64 are in the face contacting relationship with the first end piece 714. In some embodiments, the intermediate portions 750, 764 are attached to the first end piece 714 with an adhesive or other means known in the art.

The handle portions 738, 752 may be secured together by glue or other suitable means in the art. The outer portions 718b, 720, 722 forming one side of the partition are folded into the faces of the contacting relationship with the outer portions 718a, 716, 714 forming the other side of the partition.

By folding the parts in this manner, the two sides of the basket carrier are brought into face-to-face relationship with each other and the handle parts 752, 768 are secured together with the inner face surface of the handle part 738 by adhesive or other means known in the art. Preferably, the tab 793a is attached to the tab 793.

Then, the carton is in the middle phase shown in FIG. 21B: a complete composite article carrier wherein the third end portion 722, the second side portion 720, and the outer handle portion 752 are positioned facing each other with the first end portion 714, the first side portion 716 and the handle portion 738, respectively. The carton of the first embodiment is commonly referred to as an arrow profile package, as the end pieces are folded around the center fold line and define two rear edges 736, 726 and a front edge defined by fold lines 719.

In order to erect the product carrier, the front and rear edges of the composite blank are moved inwardly towards each other. This causes the end portions 714, 722 and 718 and the side portions 716 and 720 to move from a flat folded state to a substantially rectangular configuration, which facilitates assembly of the individual chambers. As shown in FIG. 22, three chambers C1, C2, C3 are thus formed. Similarly, the transverse manifold portions 782a, 784a are extended from alignment with the second side panel 720 and the handle portion 752, and are folded around the fold lines 7 8 8a and 792a, respectively, so that the transverse manifold portions 794a, 798a are perpendicular to the handle portion 752. side wall panel 720. Thus, the transverse manifolds 7 94, 798 are moved from alignment with the first side panel 716 and the handle portion 738 and are folded around the fold lines 788 and 792, respectively, so that the transverse manifolds 782, 784 are substantially perpendicular to the panel 738 the handle and side panel 716 so as to form three additional chambers. In use, the transverse manifolds may separate and support the products in adjacent chambers.

Then, the carton is ready to receive articles that are loaded by a relative perpendicular movement between the articles and the carrier during a forward delivery movement well known in the art, whereby the articles enter their respective chambers through the open bottom of the carrier. Alternatively, the articles may enter their chambers through the top of the carrier.

The base is then formed, whereby the base parts 722 and 724 are brought into an overlapping relationship and joined together by fastening means (s) well known in the art. In this embodiment, the adhesive flap 776 is glued to the base piece 774. The base parts may be held in place before and / or after loading by engaging the base parts 772, 774 by the hooks 797, 797a shown in FIG. 20A and 21A.

In use, the handle tabs 746, 760 are folded around the handle parts 738, 752 to further secure the handle structure H and the carton. Thus, the carton of the first embodiment is assembled as shown in FIG. 22nd

Turning to the embodiment of the ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 23A and 23B, there is shown an article carrier formed from a two-piece blank. The blanks are capable of forming a package with a parallelogram profile described below. Semi-finished

8, shown in FIG. 23A, provides the outer portions of the carrier and includes, in a longitudinal row, an adhesive flap 812, a first side portion

816, a first end piece 818, a second side portion 820, and a second end piece 822 flexibly connected to one another along the side fold lines 826, 830, 832, 834, respectively.

The first handle portion 838 is disposed adjacent the first end portion 818 and the first side portion 816 and is separated from this side and end portion by a cut line 842 extending from the fold line 826 and into the end portion 818. The handle portion 838 is hingedly attached to the upper edge of the end 818. If it is desired for the handle to be located in the center, the connection point should be in the center. The handle portion 838 is flexibly connected along its opposite edge to the adhesive flap 812 through the intermediate portion 850. In this embodiment, the intermediate portion 850 is hingedly attached to the side edge of the handle portion 838 along the fold line 851 and to the adhesive flap along the fold line 826 as shown. FIG. 23A. The handle portion 838 may include a pair of hand / finger openings 844, 844a. In this embodiment, a pair of arm springing / softening flaps 846, 846a is attached along the fold lines 848, 848a to the upper edges of respective hand holes 844, 844a.

The second handle portion 852 is disposed adjacent the second side panel 820 and the second end panel 822 and is spaced therefrom.

side and end part separated by lines 842 a 856, protahuj ičími se od line fold 832 a to the end part 822. Episode 852 handles is hinged to the end part • 822 upper edge e a k the opposite end piece 818

the intermediate piece 864. In this embodiment, the intermediate piece 864 is flexibly attached to the side edge of the handle portion 852 along the fold line 865 and to the end piece 818 along the fold line 832. Preferably, the second handle portion 852 includes a pair of hand / finger openings 858, 858a. In this embodiment, a pair of hand-softening flaps 860, 860a are attached along the fold lines

862, 862a to the upper edge of respective hand grip openings 858, 858a.

In this embodiment, a three-layer handle structure is provided that includes a handle supporting portion 868 hingably attached to a side edge of handle portion 852 along fold line 855. The support portion 8 68 further includes a hand hole 870 positioned between the upper and lower edges of the support portion 8. 68 handles. The hand opening 8700 is positioned so as to align with the hand openings 854, 853 in the assembled carton. In alternative embodiments of the class, two openings can be provided in the handle support member 868, which are arranged to be in alignment with the openings on the handle panels in the assembled carton.

The base structure is formed from parts 872, 87 4, which in this embodiment is substantially the same as the eighth embodiment and is therefore not described in further detail.

The article carrier distribution structure is formed from the second blank 880. The blank 880 includes a pair of transverse manifolds 882, 884 extruded from the central manifold 886. The transverse manifold 882 is extruded from the middle portion 886 by cutting lines 885, and 881 and is bent thereto. connected along the fold line 888. The transverse manifold 882 is further hingably attached to the adhesive flap 894 along the bend line 896. As with the first embodiment, it is contemplated that the amount and position of the transverse members may be varied according to the number of desired product receiving chambers.

Similarly, the transverse manifold 884 is extruded from the central portion 886 by extending the cut lines 885 and 881 and is bent thereto along the fold line 892. Cross part

884 is further hingably attached to the adhesive flap 894 along the line

8_99 bend. Further, the central manifold is hingedly attached at its opposite edges to the adhesive flaps 883, 887 and 88 9.

The second center piece 886a is hingably connected to the piece 886 along the fold line 891. The second center piece 886a is similar to the piece 786 and therefore similar parts are referred to by the same reference, with the addition of the letter a. to part 886a.

The assembly of the finished carrier of the ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 23C, 24A and 24B, in the flat folded state of the blank, require a series of successive folding and gluing operations, which can be done in a straight line gluing device so that there is no need to rotate or flip the carton to complete assembly. The bonding positions of the blanks are highlighted by hatching, although it is expected that other blanks may be glued at other locations, if desired. The folding process is not limited to those described below and may be varied according to specific manufacturing requirements.

Thus, referring to FIG. 23C, the blank 880 is folded around the fold line 891 in the direction indicated by the arrow X such that the part 886a substantially overlaps the part 886. The composite blank 880 is attached to the blank 810. In this embodiment, the adhesive flap 8 94a is attached to the side panel 816, the piece 886a is attached to the handle portion 838 and the adhesive flap 883a is attached to the first end piece 818. Thus, the carton is in the first stage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 24A. Then, the handle support portion 868 is folded over the handle portion 852 and the adhesive flap 812 is folded around the fold line 826 into the face contacting relationship with the side portion 816 and the outer portions 820 and 822 are folded around the line 832

the end piece 822 is attached to the adhesive flap 812 and the transverse adhesive flap 8 94 is attached to the side wall 820. The handle portion 852 is preferably attached to the opposite face of the handle support and adhesive portion 868. the flaps 887 and 889 are attached to the end piece 822.

By assembling and attaching the parts in this way, the two sides of the basket carrier are brought together by the face surfaces so that the article carrier is in the finished and folded state shown in FIG. 24B. The carton of the ninth embodiment is commonly referred to as a parallelogram package because the leading edge is defined by the fold line 432 and the trailing edge is defined by the diametrically opposite edge provided by the fold line 426.

In order to erect the product carrier, the front and rear edges of the composite blank are moved inwardly towards each other. This causes the end portions 822 and 818 and the side portions 816 and 820 to move from a flat folded state to a rectangular configuration, which facilitates assembly of the individual chambers. Thus, the transverse manifolds 882, 884, 882a, 884a are moved out of alignment with the first and second side panels 820 and 816, respectively, and are folded around the fold lines 8, 8, 892, 888a and 892a such that the transverse manifolds are substantially perpendicular to handle member 8 68 and side members 816 and 820. In FIG. 25 it can be seen that each portion 882, 884; 882a, 884a extends from each side of the center piece to form two rows of three chambers C1, C2, C3. In use, the transverse manifolds may separate and support the products in adjacent chambers.

Then, the carton is ready to receive articles that are preferably loaded by a relative perpendicular movement between the articles and the carrier during a forward delivery movement well known in the art, whereby the articles enter their respective chambers through the open bottom of the carrier. Alternatively, the articles may enter their chambers through the top of the carrier. Then, the base is formed, in substantially the same manner as described above, by which the parts of the base 472, 47 4 are joined together by fastening means. Similarly, the handle tabs 446, 460 are folded around the handle 468, 452 to further secure the handle structure H and the carton. Thus, the carton of the ninth embodiment is in the configured position as shown in FIG. 25 drawings.

A common feature that shares both the eighth and the ninth embodiments relates to the structure H of the handle portion. More specifically, the handle portions and possibly the handle support portions are flush. The upper edges of the handle portions are collinear as shown in FIG. 20A and 23A to minimize the loss of cardboard, since adjacent semifinished products can be extruded from a continuous roll, with their respective upper edges in abutment.

Another common feature is the use of a single central blank that is folded around one edge to form central and transverse parts along both sides of the handle part. Under certain circumstances, this may simplify the mechanization of the stock erection process.

It will be understood that, as used herein, references to directions such as upper, base, end, and side do not limit the respective parts to these orientations, but serve only to distinguish these parts from one another. Any reference to a hinge should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single bend line: it is contemplated that the hinge may be formed from one or more grooved lines, frangible lines or fold lines without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to a product carrier that is shaped to provide sufficient strength to securely hold bottles, but with a degree of flexibility so that the load transferred to the handle is absorbed by the carrier. The blank shape minimizes the amount of paperboard required. The carrier can be used to arrange bottles by hand or by automated equipment. It is contemplated that the specific features of each of the above-described embodiments are interchangeable without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (21)

PATENT REQUIREMENTS 9 9 ·· 4 2001 -3158 A blank for forming an inner distribution structure for a basket-shaped article carrier, comprising parts of opposite end and side walls, central support parts and a handle structure, characterized in that the blank comprises a first center piece adapted to attach to the handle structure and at least one an end wall or central support portions of the basket-type carrier and transverse dividing portions extruded from and hingably attached thereto, to form a plurality of article receiving chambers on one side of the handle structure when the carrier is formed from a blank. A blank according to claim 1, comprising a second central member hingably attached to the first central member, the second member adapted to be attached to the handle structure and to at least one end wall or central support members of the basket-type carrier and the transverse dividing members extruded from said central piece and hinged thereto, to form a plurality of article receiving chambers on one side of the handle structure when the carrier is formed from the blank. Semi-finished product according to claim 2, characterized in that the central parts are hingedly connected along a fold line arranged substantially parallel to the folding lines, which hingely connect the transverse dividing part to the central part (s). 4. The blank of claim 3 wherein the flap is embossed from one of the central portions and is hingedly connected to said central portions along the fold line of the central portion. Semi-finished product according to claim 2, characterized in that the central parts are hingedly connected along a fold line arranged substantially perpendicular to the fold lines, which hingedly connect the transverse manifold to the central part (s). A blank according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each central portion further comprises a fastening portion, each fastening portion being so assembled and arranged that it is fastened together in an arranged product carrier. 7. An intermediate distribution molding blank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse distribution panel is pivotally connected to the central panel by a pair of spaced fold lines of intermediate opposing ends of the transverse distribution panel, thereby forming a part which extends outwardly from both sides of the center piece when an inner distribution structure is formed in an arranged carrier. Semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two transverse dividing members are extruded therefrom and are hingedly connected at their ends remote from the central part, once erected, by a side wall fastening part. A preform as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a backing support r 999. Handle part extending from the top of the center manifold, this handle part includes a hole for the hand to align product carrier handle structure. A preform for forming a basket-like type of support, comprising a first end piece, a first side portion, a second end piece, and a second side portion, hingedly connected to one another in a row, a base portion hinged to one of the side portions, and a handle structure comprising a hand hole, the handle structure comprising a first and a second handle portion hingably attached to said second end piece, a first handle portion hingably attached to the first end piece, and a second handle portion hingably attached to the third end piece, wherein the first and second the handle portions are adjacent to and separated from the respective first and second side portions, the first and second handle portions are formed and arranged to be disposed in a face contacting relationship and form a two-layer handle when the carrier is in an aligned state . 11. The blank of claim 8, further comprising a handle support portion bendable to the first handle portion to form a three-layer handle in an ordered state. The blank of claim 8, further comprising a second handle support portion, bendable to the second handle portion. 13. A blank according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first and second handle portions are coplanar and the upper edges of the handle portions are collinear. 14. The blank of claim 10, wherein the upper edges of the or each handle support portion are collinear with said handle portions. A blank according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein said handle portions are shaped so as to be firmly connected to the first and second handle portions of another adjacent blank. The blank of claim 15, wherein the handle portions are substantially trapezoidal in shape. A preform as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 16, further comprising a part arranged to support at least one center piece when the preform is erected to form the carton. A blank according to claim 17, wherein the further central support member is hingedly connected to the opposite end of said row of parts, the support members being arranged to be attached to one or more faces of the central member (s). The blank of claim 17 or 18, wherein at least one of the support portions is provided with a hook portion, the hook being configured to engage a base portion when the blank is erected to form a carton. A blank according to any one of claims 7 to 19, further comprising a plurality of transverse manifolds interconnecting each of the first and each of said first and second transverse manifolds. second handle portions to its other adjacent side portion, thereby forming a plurality of article receiving chambers on both sides of the handle structure when the carrier is formed from the blank. A basket-like carrier type adapted to hold a plurality of articles, characterized in that it is formed from one or more blanks according to any one of the preceding claims.