CZ9904760A3 - Article carrier having brace tab - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton and carton blank (10) for forming a carton of the top gripping type for accommodating a plurality of containers, for example bottles, which carton is tubular in structure and comprises a first panel (16) having a plurality of apertures (34, 64), each of which has at least one foldable retention tab (30, 32) which operatively engages the underside of the radially protruding part (P1, P2) of a container (B) present in the aperture wherein a brace tab (54) is connected to one of said retention tabs and is disposed between a pair of adjacent containers to minimize relative movement between those containers and wherein a free end edge of said brace tab operatively engages the underside of the radially protruding part of one of said adjacent containers.

Description

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A carton blank (10) for forming a top gripping beam for accommodating a plurality of containers (B), for example bottles, in a tubular construction and comprising a first panel (16) having a plurality of openings (34, 64) each having at least one foldable a retention tab (30, 32) that effectively binds the underside of the radially extending portion (P1, P2) of the container (B) present in the opening (34, 64), wherein the clamping tab (54) is attached to one of the retention tabs (30) 32) and is positioned between a pair of adjacent containers (B) to minimize relative movement between the containers (B) and wherein the free end edge of the clip ear (54) effectively binds the underside of the radially projecting portion of one of the adjacent containers (B). ).

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SUPPORT OF Clamp Products

Technical field

The present invention relates to a carton manufactured for packaging a plurality of articles, such as bottles. In particular, the present invention relates to a type of carton that can be gripped from above and which fastens the tops of the articles, thereby securing the articles in a row.

It is known to use top cartons containing sunburst openings having rows of circumferentially arranged tabs that allow the top of the bottle to pass through the openings, and the tabs attach to the underside of the top of the bottle or the neck of the bottle to prevent the bottle from being removed from the opening. The problem arises when these "sunburst" openings are used for bottles where, in particular, the position in which the handle binds the underside of the bottle top is high on the bottle neck. This creates a carton that is unstable. Furthermore, the tabs are weakened by the unstable nature of the bottles inside the carton, thus reducing its efficiency.

Another problem is that the above-grasped carton must be strong enough to support the bottle. A rigid construction would solve this problem, but it creates its own difficulties. In particular, the top panel and / or the backing panel do not provide the necessary strength and sufficient force to support the bottle.

Known cartons of this type are described in EP0541334 A1. This patent discloses a reinforcing structure suitable for retaining and / or separating articles. In a cardboard preform, however, it is rather difficult to put the reinforcements together from a folded mold. Several different reinforcement designs are shown and described, but each reinforcement is used to separate two products in adjacent rows, is formed of at least two separate tabs that extend from the base of the carton whose panels are intended to be joined to each other, for example on a cooperating tab and of the opening, thus forming the erected reinforcement. In some embodiments, the carton base is formed from two folded support panels, which also need to be connected to each other, and thus the design of the carton and the reinforcing structure is quite complex.

The present invention seeks to avoid or at least alleviate these and other problems of the prior art. The positioning beam (support) is provided to maintain the top and support panels in a defined spatial configuration, while the additional force is provided by multi-layering of the panels. Therefore, the carton can be reduced in thickness without reducing the force required to hold the bottle.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, in one embodiment of the invention there is provided a top graspable type of carton for accommodating a plurality of containers, for example, bottles, the carton being tubular in construction and comprising a first panel having a plurality of apertures each having at least one foldable retention tab a radially protruding portion of the container, present in an aperture, wherein the clamp tab is attached to one of the retention tabs and is positioned between a pair of adjacent receptacles to minimize relative movement between the receptacles, and wherein the free end edge of the clamp tab effectively binds the underside of the radially protruding portion one of the adjacent containers.

According to one selectable feature, each opening may be delimited by a pair of retention tabs extending from the first panel. This pair of retention tabs is positioned opposite each other.

According to another selectable feature, the terminal tab may be positioned in parallel and spatially defined relationship with the first panel.

Another aspect of the invention provides a uniform preform for forming a top graspable type of carton comprising a first panel having a plurality of apertures each having at least one foldable retention tab around each aperture extending from the base plane of the aperture and a clamp tab extending from one of the apertures and articulated to one of the retention tabs, the clamp tab is foldable out of the plane of the retention tab such that an end edge of the clamp tab abuts the retention tab emerging from the adjacent opening when the carton is lifted.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a reinforcing structure for separating two adjacent articles and / or holding the articles in a carton comprising first and second retention tabs articulated to the carton panel, the first and second retention tabs bind the underside of radially extending portions of adjacent articles, the retention tab comprises a clamping tab that extends between the first and second retention tabs to separate and / or hold adjacent articles.

Preferably, the reinforcing structure resiliently separates two adjacent products.

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-3 Brief Description of the Drawings

Giant. 1 is a plan view of a carton blank for forming a carton according to the present invention.

Giant. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a carton formed from the carton preform shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

Giant. 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views of two phases in the process of forming the reinforcing structure and the carton portion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the figures, and in particular in Figure 1, there is shown a cardboard preform 10 for forming a top gripping carton made of paperboard or the like. The preform 10 comprises an adhesive flap 12, a first side panel 14, a base panel 16, a second side panel 18, and an upper panel 20, which are joined together, respectively, along the foldable lines 22, 24, 26 and 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base panel 16 is formed with two retention tab pairs 30 and 32 extending from the base panel 16 adjacent to the foldable line 24 and laterally positioned immediately between the side edges of the base panel 16. Each pair 30 and 32 is formed by a plurality of retention tabs. The retention tab 32 extends from the base panel 16 to define a pair of product receiving apertures 34 shown partially in Figure 2.

Looking in detail at the configuration of one retention tab pair 30, it can be seen that it comprises a retention tab 36 extending from the first side panel 14 and hinged thereto along the foldable line 24. The tab 36 extends inside the base panel 16 toward the distal edge 38. 36 includes opposing side edges 40 and 42 that arcuate the curve outward and deviate from each other towards the distal end 38 so that the length of the distal edge 38 is greater than the foldable line connecting the tab 36 to the first side panel 14.

E) the retention tab 44 is articulated to the base panel 16 along the foldable linip 46 and is located in the central region of the base panel 16. In this embodiment, the tab 44 is positioned opposite the tab 36 and extends into the aperture 34. Similarly, the lateral edges 50, 52 of the ears 44 arc arcuate outwardly and deviate from each other toward the distal end 48, so that the length of the distal edge 48 is greater than the foldable line 46. Curved side edges 40 , 42;

-450, 52 tabs 36 and 44 respectively define a circular opening 34 shown in FIG. 2 when the retention tabs 36 and 44 are in the raised state.

The clip ear 54 is articulated to the distal edge 48 of the ear 44 along the foldable line 56. The ear 54 extends from and extends into the retention ear 36. In this embodiment, the clamp ear 54 is trapezoidal in shape.

Similarly, the second pair of retention tabs is identical in size and configuration to the first pair of retention tabs described above and is therefore not described in greater detail.

The base panel 16 is also formed with two additional pairs of retention ears 60 and 62. As shown in FIG. 1, these two additional pairs of retention ears 60 and 62 extend from the base panel 16 adjacent to the foldable line 26. and are laterally positioned immediately between the side panels. edges of the base panel 16. Each retention tab pair 60 and 62 extends from the base panel 16 to define a pair of product receiving apertures 64 shown partially in Figure 2.

Looking in detail at the configuration of one retention tab pair 60, it can be seen that it comprises a retention tab 66 extending from the second side panel 18 and hinged thereto along the foldable line 26. The tab 66 extends inside the base panel 16 toward the distal edge 68. The tab 66 comprises opposing side edges 70 and 72 that arcuate the curve outward and deviate from each other toward the distal end 68, so that the length of the distal edge 68 is greater than the foldable line connecting the tab 66 to the first side panel 18.

The second retention tab 74 is articulated to the base panel 16 along the foldable line 76 and is located in the central region of the base panel 16. In this embodiment, the foldable line 76 is parallel to the foldable line 46 so that the retention tabs 44 and 74 are aligned. It is believed that this alignment is not necessary in all embodiments. The tab 74 is disposed opposite the tab 66 and extends into the aperture 60. In this embodiment, the distal edge 78 is positioned adjacent the distal edge 68 of the tab 66. Similarly, the lateral edges 80, 82 of tabs 74 arc arcuate outwardly and deviate toward each other. 78, so that the length of the distal edge 78 is greater than the foldable line 76. The curved side edges 70, 72; 80, 82, tabs 66 and 74 respectively define a circular opening 64, shown in Fig. 2, when the retention tabs 66 and 74 are in the raised state.

The second retention tab pair 62 is identical in configuration to the first retention tab pair 60 described above and is therefore not described in greater detail.

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2, 3 and 4, the preform 10 requires a series of sequential folding and gluing operations that can be performed in a linear machine so that the carton does not need to be rotated or obracen. The folding process is not limited by what is described below and can be adapted to specific manufacturing requirements.

Thus, the bottles B are grouped together into two rows of bottles b1, b2 and the preform 10 is introduced to this grouping from above by a relatively vertical movement between the bottles and the preform 10. It is contemplated that the preform 1Ό may be adapted to accommodate any number of articles in any number of rows.

Giant. Figures 3 and 4 show only a section of carton as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 above and are included to illustrate the folding process. It is believed that the shape of the retention tabs and clamp tabs is not limited by the type shown in Figures 1 and 2. Thus, each pair of retention tabs 30 and 60 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are folded along their respective foldable lines 24, 46. ; 26, 76 and out of their base plane with respect to the base panel 16 to form the product receiving apertures 34, 64 shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the tabs 44 and 74 are raised in and up in the direction of the respective arrow " X 'and' Y 'and are positioned upright, while the ears 36 and 66 are lifted out and up and positioned upright. The angle formed between the retention tabs, e.g., 36 or 34, and the main carton panel, such as the base panel 16, is not critical, but should preferably be in the range of 60 to 90 degrees, but of course can be adjusted to suit the shape of the packaged product.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottles b1 and b2 are inserted into their respective openings 34 and 64 up to the distal edges 38; 68, 78 respective retention ears 36 ,; 66, 74 with which they contact and which bind the underside of the respective protruding portions Pi and P2 of bottles B associated within each of the apertures 34, 64. Optionally, the edge of each article receiving aperture 34, 64 is in contact with the neck parts of each of the respective bottles B to allow additional support.

The clamp tab 54 is folded backward around the foldable line 56 and forms an angle with the retention tab 44. Thus, the distal edge 48 of the tab 44 fits into the underside of the projecting portion P1 of the bottle b1. The clamp ear 54 extends to the retention ear 74 extending from the opposing aperture 64 and connects the protruding portion P2 of the adjacent bottle b2. Preferably, the terminal ft • ftftft

The tab 54 abuts the retention tab 74 and serves as a clamp between the retention tabs 44 and 74 as shown in FIG. 4.

Accordingly, the side panel 14 is folded around the foldable line 24 perpendicular to the base panel 16 and the adhesive flap 12 is folded around the foldable line 22 so that the adhesive flap 12 is parallel to the base panel 16. Similarly, the side panel 18 is folded around the foldable line 26 perpendicular to the base panel 16 and the top panel 20 is folded around the foldable line 28 so that the free end portion of the top panel 20 comes into direct contact with the adhesive tab 12. The top panel 20 and the adhesive tab 12 are secured to each other by adhesive or other means known in the art. this technique. Thus, the carton is in the raised position as shown in FIG. 4. In use, the clamp ears 54 provide a horizontal clamp to better hold the bottles in their perpendicular position.

The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to a product beam which is shaped to provide sufficient force to hold the bottles firmly but with a degree of flexibility so that the load transmitted through the retention tabs is absorbed by the beam. The shape of the preform minimizes the amount of paper required and the beam can be applied to the bottle assembly by hand or by mechanical machinery. It is contemplated that the invention can be applied to various beams and is not limited to the type that can be gripped from above.

Claims (5)

PATENT CLAIMS A type of carton that is graspable from above for accommodating a plurality of containers, for example bottles, the carton having a tubular structure and comprising a first panel having a plurality of apertures each having at least one foldable retention tab that effectively binds the underside of the radially projecting a portion of the receptacle present in each aperture wherein the clamp tab is attached to one of the retention tabs and is positioned between a pair of adjacent receptacles to minimize relative movement between the receptacles, and wherein the clamp tab edge effectively binds the underside of the radially projecting portion of one of adjacent containers. The carton of claim 1, wherein each opening is defined by a pair of retention tabs extending from the first panel, the retention tabs of the pair being positioned at respective positions opposite to each other. The carton of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the clip tab is disposed parallel to the first panel. A uniform preform for forming a carton-type carton comprising a first panel having a plurality of apertures each having at least one foldable retention tab around each aperture, the retention tabs being collapsible to extend from the ground plane of the first panel, and further having clamp a tab extending from one of the apertures and articulated to one of the retention tabs, the clamping tab is folded out of the plane of one retention tab, so that when the carton is raised, the end edge of the clamping tab contacts the retention tab extending from the adjacent aperture. 5. A reinforcing structure for separating two adjacent articles and / or retaining articles in a carton comprising first and second retention tabs articulated to the carton panel, the first and second retention tabs respectively bind the undersides of radially extending portions of adjacent articles, wherein the first retention tab is formed. the tab includes a clamping tab for adjusting between the first and second retention tabs to separate and retain adjacent articles.