EP0044169B1

EP0044169B1 - Carton for beverage containers

Info

Publication number: EP0044169B1
Application number: EP81302979A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rodney Calvert
Original assignee: Mead Corp
Current assignee: Mead Corp
Priority date: 1980-07-11
Filing date: 1981-07-01
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: ES267758U; ES267758Y; CA1166211A; AU7266781A; DE3172816D1; JPS5777443A; EP0044169A1; AU540664B2; JPH0323418B2

Description

This invention relates to a carton of the end-loaded type suitable for accommodating beverage containers such as bottles or cans, and in which provision is made for closing end closure panels of the carton into close, tight fitting relationship with respect to the endmost containers in the carton.
US Patent No. 3,904,036 discloses an end-loaded type carton in which tightness of the pack is achieved, in part, by an end closure panel arrangement including a transverse lower end flap foldably joined to each end edge of the bottom portion of each side wall together with a transverse upper end flap foldably joined to the inwardly tapered upper shoulder portion of each side wall. Each transverse lower end flap is connected with the adjacent transverse upper end flap with a web structure which imposes a force to the end closure panels whereby the top wall is held firmly and securely against the tops of the packaged bottles and the side walls are braced against outward bulging.
U.S. Patent No. 4,032,053 discloses a wrap- around type bottle carrier which has end closure flaps hinged to the bottom wall of the carton and to tuck flaps which are also hinged to the carton side walls. During the packaging operation the end closure flaps are folded upwardly to cover lower portions of the endmost bottles to be packaged, and the side walls (which include contiguous top walls) are wrapped about the bottles to the requisite degree of tightness. The end closure flaps include oblique fold lines so that, during tightening, the end closure flaps include oblique fold lines so that, during tightening, the end closure flaps can better conform to the shape of lower parts of the endmost bottles in the carton.
U.S. Patent No. 4,101,069 also discloses a wrap- around type bottle carrier. The carrier includes end closure flaps which are hinged to the side walls of the carrier and which are folded inwardly across the end of the carrier. The carrier is provided with connecting panels which are disposed between the end closure flaps and the carrier side walls and are defined by arcuate fold lines. These connecting panels cause a bowing of end closure panels which in turn causes a biasing force between those panels so that the panels remain closed without the aid of a mechanical lock.
The present invention is concerned with an end-loaded type carton. That is to say, a carton which is first formed into a generally tubular structure loaded from one or both of its open ends and those ends thereafter closed by end closure panels. This packaging operation is fundamentally different from that of the wrap- around type carton since, in the latter, tightening of the carton occurs during formation of the package whereas the end-loaded carton already is part-formed and the opportunity for tightening the carton is present only subsequent to loading.
The present invention seeks to achieve an end-loaded type carton having end closure panels which tighten the carton about the endmost packaged bottles when the end closure panels are closed. This tightening has an advantageous effect on the overall tightness of the package. The end closure arrangement is however of quite different structure compared to that disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,904,036 which includes a web structure to apply a downward force on the top panel of the carton and to provide a multiply thickness of material at the carton ends in order to achieve tightness of the carton.
The invention provides an end-loaded type carton accommodating a plurality of beverage containers or like articles which carton comprises a bottom wall, a pair of side walls foldably joined respectively to the side edges of said bottom wall, and a top wall foldably joined respectively to the upper edges of the side walls thereby providing a tubular structure, each end of said tubular structure being closed by end closure panels comprising a pair of end flap panels foldably joined respectively to respective ones of said side walls and folded inwardly across said end, and a bottom end closure panel and a top end closure panel foldably joined to said bottom wall and top wall respectively, characterised in that each of said end flap panels is formed with a fold line adjacent the adjoining fold line between that end flap panel and the respective side wall, said fold lines together defining the side edges of a gusset panel having a lower and upper portion, that the side edges of the lower gusset panel portion are divergent in a direction away from said bottom wall, and in that the side edges of the upper gusset panel portion remote from said bottom wall are convergent in a direction towards said top wall and in that said bottom end closure panel is folded upwardly and secured in overlapping relationship with respect to said end flap panels intermediate said gusset panels thereby to maintain the end closure panels in close tight fitting relationship with respect to the endmost containers in the carton.
Specific embodiments of the invention by way of example, are now set forth in the accompanying description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blankfrom which a carton is formed;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of one end of a carton formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a modified blank from which another carton is formed;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one end of a carton formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a further modified blank from which yet another carton is formed, and
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one end of a carton formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a blank 1 of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material for forming a carton 'C' for accommodating rows of bottles and comprises a bottom wall panel 2, a side wall panel 3, a top panel 4 and a further side wall panel 5. The bottom wall panel 2 is foldably joined to one transverse edge of the side wall panel 3 along a transverse fold line 6. The opposite transverse edge of side wall panel 3 is foldably joined to one transverse edge of top panel 4 along a transverse fold line 7 and the opposite transverse edge of top panel 4 is foldably joined to the further side wall panel 5 along a transverse fold line 8. The free edge of bottom wall panel 2 includes a glue strip 9 foldably joined to the bottom wall panel along transverse fold line 10.
The blank is symmetrical about the longitudinal centre line "L-L" and for ease of understanding reference is made to those portions of the blank above the centre line "L-L" which depict the closure construction at one end of the carton 'C' as shown in Figure 2.
A bottom end closure panel 11 which tapers towards its free end is foldably joined to the bottom wall panel 2 along a longitudinal fold line 12 and a top end closure panel 13 is foldably joined to the top wall panel 4 along longitudinal fold line 14. Integral end flap panels 15, 16 are foldably joined to the side walls 3, 5 along longitudinal fold lines 17,18 respectively. The end flap panels 15, 16 also are integral with and foldably joined to the top end closure panel 13 along the transverse fold lines 7, 8 respectively. In order to facilitate folding of the top end closure panel 13 about fold line 14 the top end panels 15, 16 are each formed with generally deltoid openings 19, 20 located in the case of panel 15 between transverse fold line 7 and an oblique fold line 21, and in the case of panel 16 between transverse fold line 8 and an oblique fold line 22. The free end of the top end closure panel includes an integral tongue portion 23.
Each of the end flap panels 15, 16 are formed with further fold lines 24, 25 extending adjacent fold lines 17,18 respectively and defining a pair of gusset panels 26, 27. The fold line 17 comprises two angularly related portions 17' 17" which meet at a transverse fold line 28 extending centrally across side wall panel 3. Similarly, fold line 24 comprises two angularly related portions 24', 24" which meet at the transverse fold line 28. The fold lines 17, 24 together define the side edges of the gusset panel 26.
Likewise fold line 18 comprises two angularly related portions 18', 18" which meet at transverse fold line 28' extending centrally across side wall panel 5. Similarly, fold line 25 comprises two angularly related portions 25', 25" which meet at transverse fold line 28'. The fold lines 18 and 25 together define the side edges of gusset panel 27.
The angular relationships of the fold lines defining gusset panels 26 and 27 are chosen such that the adjacent fold lines 17', 24' and 17" and 24" are divergent in a direction towards the transverse fold line 28 and the adjacent fold lines 18', 25' and 18", 25" are divergent towards the transverse fold line 28'.
To erect the blank to form a completed carton 'C', first side wall panel 5 is bonded to the glue strip 9 thus bringing the blank to a sleeve like configuration ready for loading with bottles or other containers through the opposed open ends of the sleeve. To close that end of the blank previously described the end flap panels 15, 16 are folded inwardly across the open end of the sleeve about their respective fold lines 17, 18 thus causing the top end closure panel 13 to initiate folding about fold line 14. The top end closure panel will begin to fold owing to the folding movement of the integral tuck-in straps 29, 30 defined between fold lines 7, 21 and 8, 22 respectively and the panel 13 eventually will be brought into overlapping relationship with the upper portions of end flap panels 15, 16 and secured thereto. To complete the end closure the bottom end closure panel 11 is caused to fold about fold line 12 and is brought into overlapping relationship with the lower portions of end flap panels 15, 16 and secured thereto. The free end of bottom end closure panel 11 also is overlapped with and secured to the tongue 23 integral with top panel 13. Thus one end of the carton 'C' is completely closed with the top and bottom end closure panels 11, 13 meeting at about mid height of the carrier as shown in Figure 2. The carton panels are sized such that the overall carton width reduces towards its top end whereby the top panel 4 is narrower than bottom panel 2. Reduction in width is more prominent in the top section of the carton i.e. above the continuous central fold line constituted by transverse fold lines 28, 28'. The tightness of the carton end structure is enhanced by the construction of the corner gusset panels which are shaped to conform closely to the containers accommodated adjacent the corners of the carton. Thus each gusset panel has side edges which are divergent in a direction away from bottom panel 2 up to the point of intersection with fold lines 28, 28' whereafter the gusset panel side edges are convergent towards the top panel 4.
It will be appreciated that the opposite end of the carton i.e. below centre line "L-L" is of similar construction and is closed in a fashion similar to that described above.
To facilitate carrying and opening the carton 'C' the top panel 4 is formed with gripping apertures defined by push-in tabs 31, 32 and tearaway panels 33, 34 defined by perforate score lines formed in the top panel. When tear- away panels 33, 34 are removed and discarded a central section of the top panel between tabs 31, 32 remains, thus providing a handle by which the carton can be grasped. This feature allows the carton to be used for returning empty beverage containers.
Referring now to Figures 3 of the drawings there is shown a blank 1a of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material in which like parts of Figure 1 are designated like reference numerals but with the addition of suffix "a".
The main structural difference between the carton 'C' of this embodiment and that previously described is that openings are provided in each top corner of the carton (see Figure 4) so that the contents of the carton can be seen. To achieve this feature the apertures 19a, 20a of blank 1a are enlarged as compared with apertures 19, 20 of blank 1. The aperture 19a cuts into panel 3a, 13a and takes out a substantial portion of panel 15a. Similarly, aperture 20a cuts into panels 5a, 13a and takes out a substantial portion of panel 16a. Hence, each of the gusset panels 26a, 27a are shortened relative to gusset panels 26, 27 so that the upper portions of those panels i.e. the small portions above the central transverse fold lines 28a, 28a' stop short of the carrier top panel 4. Nevertheless, the construction of the gusset panels in this embodiment achieves the tightness of fit required in that as with the previous embodiment the initial part of each gusset panel has side edges which are divergent in a direction away from the bottom panel 2a up to the point of intersection with fold lines 28, 28' whereafter the side edges are convergent in a direction towards the corner apertures 19a, 20a respectively.
It will be appreciated that the opposite end of the carton 'C' i.e. below centre line "L-L" is of similar construction and is closed in a fashion similar to that described above. Moreover, it is envisaged that top panel 4a may be provided with the carrying and openings features previously described in relation to carton 'C'.
Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings there is shown a blank 1b of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material in which like parts of Figure 1 are designated like reference numerals but with the addition of suffix "b". The layout of blank 1b also is different to that of blanks 1 and 1a previously described in that a part of one side wall panel 5b is shown integral with top wall panel 4b and the remaining part of side wall panel 5b is shown integral with bottom wall panel 2b. The effect of this layout is that both the side flap panels 15b, 16b depend from the bottom wall panel prior to glueing the blank into its sleeve-like configuration. This is necessary since the carton of this embodiment is not provided with a top wall end closure panel as in the previous embodiments.
However, the carton 'C2' is assembled in a similarfashion in that first the blank 1b is brought into a sleeve-like configuration by bonding the glue strip portion 9b of side wall panel 5b in overlapping relationship with the opposite part of side wall panel 5b. After the carton has been end-loaded with containers as previously referred to the carton ends are closed. In the example shown, the end flap panels 15b, 16b are folded inwardly across the open end of the sleeve about their respective fold lines 17b, 18b. This folding operation causes the bottom end closure panel 11b to initiate folding about fold line 12b. The bottom end closure panel will begin to fold owing to the folding movement of the integral tuck-in flaps 35, 36 provided between bottom end closure panel 11b and each of end flap panels 15b and 16b respectively. The tuck-in flap 35 will fold flat against the inside face of bottom end closure panel 11b by folding about oblique fold lines 37, 38 and similarly the tuck-in flap 36 will fold flat against the inside face of bottom end closure panel 11b by folding about oblique fold lines 39, 40.
To complete the end closure (see Figure 6), folding of the bottom end closure panel 11b is continued so as to bring it into overlapping relationship with the end flap panels 15b, 16b and secured thereto. If will be appreciated that the opposite end of the carrier i.e. below centre line "L-L" is of similar construction and is closed in a fashion similar to that just described. Thus, the carton ends are closed only at the bottom section so that the contents of the carrier can be viewed through the open top portions of the end closures as best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings.
The tightness of the carton structure with respect to its contents is achieved in a manner similar to that previously described in that each gusset panel has side edges which are divergent in a direction away from the bottom panel 2b up to the point of intersection with central transverse fold lines 28b, 28b' whereafter the gusset panel side edges are convergent towards the top most edges of the respective end flap panels.
An adequate degree of tightness is particularly important with regard to the carton 'C2' of this embodiment in that the end structure is partially open so that secure retention of the beverage containers is desirable to prevent accidental dislodgement or pilferage.
As in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, in order to facilitate carrying and opening of the carton, the top panel 4b is formed with handle apertures defined by pushing tabs 31b, 32b and tear-away panels 33b, 34b provided by perforate score lines formed in the top panel. This construction permits the carton (C²) to be used for returning empty beverage containers as mentioned previously.

Claims

1. An end-loaded type carton (c) accommodating a plurality of beverage containers or like articles which carton comprises a bottom wall (2), a pair of side walls (3, 5) foldably joined respectively to the side edges of said bottom wall, and a top wall (4) foldably joined respectively to the upper edges of the side walls thereby providing a tubular structure, each end of said tubular structure being closed by end closure panels comprising a pair of end flap panels (15, 16) foldably joined respectively to respective ones of said side walls and folded inwardly across said end, and a bottom end closure panel (11) and a top end closure panel (13) foldably joined to said bottom wall: and top wall respectively, characterised in that each of said end flap panels (15,16) is formed with a fold line (24, 25) adjacent the adjoining fold line (17, 18) between that end flap panel and the respective side wall, said fold lines (24,25; 17,18) together defining the side edges of a gusset panel (26, 27) having a lower and an upper portion, that the side edges (1T, 24') of the lower gusset panel portion are divergent in a direction away from said bottom wall, and in that the side edges (17", 24") of the upper gusset panel portion remote from said bottom wall are convergent in a direction towards said top wall and in that said bottom end closure panel is folded upwardly and secured in overlapping relationship with respect to said end flap panels intermediate said gusset panels thereby to maintain the end flap panels in close tight-fitting relationship with respect to the endmost containers in the carton.

2. An end-loaded carton according to claim 1, further characterized in that a top end closure panel (13) foldably is joined to said top wall and is folded downwardly into overlapping relationship with said end flap panels.

3. An end-loaded carton according to claim 2, further characterised in that openings (19a, 20a) are provided between the top end closure panel (13a) and each of said side walls (3a, 5a) so that containers accommodated adjacent that end of said carton have upper parts exposed to view, each of said openings being formed by material removed from the top wall (4a) and the respective adjoining side wall and end flap panel.

4. An end-loaded carton according to claim 1, further characterized in that each of said end flap panels (15b, 16b) and said bottom end closure panel (11 b) extend from the bottom wall towards, but stop short of, said top wall thereby leaving open an upper portion of said end so that containers accommodated adjacent that end of the carrier have upper parts exposed to view.