EP0501588B1

EP0501588B1 - Carrier for one or more products or packagings containing these products

Info

Publication number: EP0501588B1
Application number: EP92200571A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Petrus Bartholomeus Jacobus Naaykens
Original assignee: TILBURGSE STEEN- EN OFFSET- DRUKKERIJ BV
Current assignee: TILBURGSE STEEN- EN OFFSET- DRUKKERIJ BV
Priority date: 1991-02-26
Filing date: 1992-02-26
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2012-02-26
Also published as: NL9100889A; DE69206014T2; EP0501588A1; GR3018464T3; ES2079780T3; DE501588T1; DK0501588T3; ATE130269T1; DE69206014D1

Abstract

A carrier (1) for one or more products offered for sale or packagings (V) containing these products consisting of a flat of printable material consisting preferably of two parts, wherein in each case a pair of lip-shaped or box-shaped coupling members (2) is arranged which is connected to the flat and which grips the product or the packaging at two positions thereof lying at a mutual distance in order to fixedly hold the packaging or the product on the carrier without the use of transparent covering foil (blister). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a carrier for one or more products offered for sale or packagings containing these products, comprising a flat of printable material, a pair of coupling members connected to said flat, which grips the product or the packaging at two positions thereof lying at a mutual distance.
It is usual to present finished product packagings or the product itself as a group to the buyer in so-called blister packs which are provided with hanging means, so that the consumer can then remove one blister pack at a time. With such blister packs use is made of a transparent cover foil which is fixed by welding, staples and the like to a printed base, for instance of cardboard.
In FR-A-2320716 is suggested to provide a carrier suitable for receiving a product or group of products or a finished packaging for said product, for example a box and in particular a sleeve-form box, which has a slot-like opening on at least two opposite sides. Due to the use of a pair of coupling members on each occasion it is possible to dispense with the transparent covering foil according to the prior art, whilst nevertheless the buyer is still able to see the size, structure and quantity of said product. However, such a method of presenting products is relatively laborious and expensive.
The carrier according to the invention is distinguished in that the flat consists of two mutually adherable parts, each provided with one coupling member of the pair.
Owing to the mutually adherable parts, wherein each part is provided with one coupling member of the pair. The two parts are placed separately into contact with the product or the packaging by the coupling member and then mutually adhered. This can take place in wholly mechanical manner.
The invention is further based on the idea that each coupling member is preferably formed from the same material as the flat of the carrier wherein each coupling member is formed in the shape of a folding element connected to the flat material via a fold line.
In one embodiment the folding element is arranged in the form of a lip which is suitable for a packaging provided with a slot-like opening, wherein the lip has to be inserted into the slot-like opening.
According to another embodiment the coupling member formed as a folding element is an assembly of flats for folding relative to each other into a box for receiving an edge or corner portion of the product or the packaging.
According to yet another embodiment the coupling member is embodied in the form of a strip, preferably of the same material as the carrier, which can be inserted in each case through two slot-like openings located at a mutual distance in the flat. The strip can also be carried through slot-like openings in the packaging and then adhered to the flat.
In an other embodiment of the invention the carrier is distinguished in that said flat, being printed one sidedly comprises two or more parts, mutually connected via a fold line, said flat parts being adapted to be adhered on each other, such that a continuous printed image is achieved on both sides of the carrier.
The carrier is preferably extended at least on one side of the packaging or group of packagings, which extension is suitable for being printed on or for arranging of a hole for hanging the carrier on a pin or the like in the presentation cabinet.
Above mentioned and other features are elucidated further in the figure description of an embodiment hereinbelow. In the drawing:

fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of packaging boxes (three) ordered in a group, and the carrier consisting of two parts on either side thereof,
fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the method of respectively folding, inserting and adhering the carrier of fig. 1 around the box,
fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of the mechanical assembly of packagings with carriers according to fig. 1,
fig. 4 shows a top view of a finished carrier according to fig. 1 with the three boxes assembled according to the invention,
fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a carrier consisting of two parts,
fig. 6 is a schematic top view of the carrier of fig. 5 with two packaging boxes arranged thereon,
fig. 7 is a perspective top view corresponding with fig. 5 of a third embodiment of a carrier consisting of two parts,
fig. 8 is a schematic top view of the carrier of fig. 7 with coupling member formed thereon,
fig. 9 shows a schematic top view of the method of packaging of a group of products (batteries) in the carrier of fig. 7 and 8,
fig. 10 is a perspective front view of the finished carrier of fig. 7 and 8,
fig. 11 shows a perspective top view of a fourth embodiment of the carrier according to the invention which consists of two parts,
fig. 12, 13 and 14 each show a perspective top view of the carrier of fig. 11 with product or packaging arranged thereon,
fig. 15 is a perspective top view of a fifth embodiment of a carrier according to the invention provided with strip-like coupling members,
fig. 16 and 17; fig. 18 and 19 respectively a top and perspective view of a carrier in flat and folded position of a sixth and seventh embodiment according to the invention.

In the figures the first flat is designated with the numeral 1, wherein in fig. 1 the left-hand part is designated with 1' and the right-hand part with 1''. Each flat part has a lip-shaped element 2 as coupling member, in this case three lips 2, each of which is connected to the first flat via a connecting flat 3 and fold lines 4 and 5 respectively. The described embodiment of the carrier serves to fixedly hold three finished packagings V, which packagings have for example an outer sleeve into which the product is pushed. The sleeve ends are designated with E and have there a slit the width of which corresponds to the width of the packaging itself. The length of the fold line 5 on each lip 2 is not greater than that of the slit in the packaging V, so that it is possible to slide the lip 2 into the ends E of the packaging V.
This sliding in is shown in fig. 2, wherein the carrier parts are pushed with the lips 2 into the packaging. The carrier is therein folded through an angle of 90°over the fold line 5 in the direction of the arrow P1, wherein the connecting flat 3 comes to lie adjacent to the end surfaces of the packaging V. By once again folding the carrier in the direction of the arrow P2 round the fold line 4 the flat parts 1' and 1'' come to lie on the rear side of the packaging, whereafter the parts can be mutually adhered using for instance a drop of glue 6. This adhesion can take place by means of adhesion strips 7 on the lengthwise side of the left-hand flat part 1' in fig. 1 on the lengthwise edge remote from the lips 2. These lips come to lie on the flat 1'', this such that the free edge 8, 8' of the flat parts are mutually adjoining. This results in a continuous surface of the flat 1 and a minimum of material is hereby used for this flat.
The flat is embodied on the top side with a protruding portion 9 embodied in the left-hand flat part 1' with a recess 10, wherein the protruding portion 9 of the right-hand flat part 1'' is embodied with an identically shaped hole 11. When the flat parts 1' and 1'' are placed one on the other the recess 10 and the hole 11 come to lie in register whereby a continuous opening is created for suspending on a pin or the like. See also fig. 4.
Fig. 3 shows that assembly of the articles V into a group of three and arranging of the carrier can take place in wholly mechanical manner. For this purpose a device (not shown) is embodied with a station 15 in which the products V are stored. The products are displaced in groups of three in the direction of the arrow P3 to the assembly station 16 which is provided with a supply station 17 for the flat part 1'' and a supply station 18 for the flat part 1'. A flat part must be separated each time by means not shown here and pushed in the direction of the arrow P4 into the end surfaces of the articles V, see fig. 2. By then folding the flat parts together and adhering by other means at the adhesion station 20 the assembled carrier with packagings is obtained which is shown in front view in fig. 4. It is noted that in fig. 3 the rear side thereof is shown in order to enable the folding around the packagings V to be performed easily.
It will be apparent from the above that the carrier is particularly simple to assemble and the packagings, for example a cardboard box, is itself used for holding together the products arranged therein. The boxes can be provided with their own printing. If desired, the protruding portion 9 and the carrier can likewise be provided with printing. This can also take place on the entire rear surface of the carrier.
In the description following hereinafter of the other embodiments the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the embodiment according to fig. 1-4.
The first flat 1 is here divided into two parts 1' and 1'', wherein lip-shaped elements 2 are cut out of the flat material as coupling members. In the embodiment shown two lips 2 are arranged in each case on a flat part. The lip 2 can be connected via fold lines 5 to the flat material 1' and 1''. The two portions of the first flat 1' and 1'' are fixed onto one another by means of the adhesion strips 7 such that the lips 2 come to lie mutually opposite and form the pair of coupling members for receiving a box-like packaging V, see fig. 6.
For this purpose the lip-shaped coupling member 2 is pushed in each case into a slot-like opening of the box V by just lifting the lip 2 out from the surface of the flat material 1' and 1'' respectively. Once the two packagings V are arranged as in fig. 1 and the flat parts are pushed towards one another as according to the method shown in fig. 2, the lips 2 can be pushed into the boxes V, whereafter the flat parts can be mutually adhered. The continuous opening in the protruding portion 9 is formed by the hole 11 and the cut-out portion 10 which come to lie one on the other in the assembled situation. The carrier can then be suspended with the two packagings V on a hook or the like in the shop for sales purposes.
It is noted for this embodiment that the lips 2 are not fixed to the flat material 1 with a connecting flat 3 which results in the width of the carrier being greater than that of the packagings V.
The description of the embodiment according to fig. 7-10 now follows.
The first flat 1 is again sub-divided here into a part 1' and 1'' wherein it is noted that the separating line does not run through the hole 11 but runs at a distance therefrom in width direction of the carrier 1. Formed from each part in order to obtain the coupling member is an assembly of flats for folding relative to one another into a box.
Arranged for this purpose is an incision 21 and 22 respectively which extends from the dividing line 8 parallel to the lengthwise edge of each flat part. The fold line 5 connects the ends of each incision 21, wherein an additional number of fold lines 23, 24 and 25 are arranged parallel to the fold line 5 between the incisions 21, 22. Formed in the flat between the fold lines 5, 23 is a curved incision 26 which is adapted to the products for packaging.
By pulling out the flats and folding along fold lines 5, 23, 24 and 25 a configuration according to fig. 8 is obtained, wherein the outermost flat portion beyond fold line 25 is glued fixedly onto the flat part 1', 1'' respectively. Thus created are hollow ridge-like coupling members which lie mutually opposite and wherein the mutually facing sides thereof have an opening bounded by the incision 26.
By separating the products, see fig. 9, into a group of for example three, they can then be received into the space bounded by the incision 26 of each flat part 1', 1'' and, by sliding the flat parts towards each other in the direction of the arrow P4, they can be enclosed in the ridge-like coupling members. After adhering the remaining strip portions of each flat part 1', 1'' to each other at 7, there results a complete carrier with products or packagings held therein, see fig. 10. Adhering of the flats to each other can take place simultaneously or in a sequence other than that described.
A description of the carrier according to fig. 11-14 now follows.
The first flat part of the carrier is sub-divided here into a part 1' and 1''.
The coupling members 2 are formed here by four assemblies of flats, two per flat part, which are joined to the relevant flat parts 1', 1'' with fold lines. The flats of the coupling members 2 are folded here as corner pieces according to fig. 12, in which corner piece a corner portion of a packaging V can be received. By bringing the flat parts 1' and 1'' towards one another and then glueing them onto each other by means of the adhesion strips 7 a carrier according to fig. 13 is created, wherein it is noted that the protruding portion 9 can be extended further with a portion 9'' which can be folded around the fold line 30 according to the arrow P5 to obtain a double protruding portion 9.
Finally, fig. 15 shows a carrier whereof the first flat 1 consists of one part and is provided with the suspension opening 11. In each case two slot-like openings 31 are further arranged mutually parallel and at a mutual distance, wherein in fig. 15 three pairs of slots 31 are arranged. Through these slots 31 can be pushed a strip-like coupling member 32 which has a length which is greater than the distance between the slot-like openings 31. By placing a packaging V on the carrier 1 and subsequently pushing the strip in the direction of the arrow P6 through the one slot-like opening 31 and then through a slot-like opening of the packaging V until it again leaves the packaging V and finally through the opposite slot-like opening 31, the packaging V can be fixed onto the carrier. Undesired movement of the strip-like coupling member 32 is prevented by fixedly adhering the ends at 33 on the rear side of the flat 1.
The invention is not limited to the above described embodiment. The carrier is thus not limited to holding three packagings but can also be suitable for a single box. In the case one box has to be fixed, the lips 2 do not have to be bent over parallel fold lines but, for example, along mutually perpendicular fold lines, wherein the product is held fixedly on two mutually perpendicular sides. The product must then be provided with two slot-like openings in these mutually perpendicular sides.
Fig. 16 and 17 each show a sixth embodiment of a carrier according to the invention, in which the back plate consists of two parts 1' and 1'', and the coupling member consists of an assembly of flats and lips, indicated with 2' and 2'' respectively, each assembly being connected to the edge of the two parts lying remote from each other.
By folding the flat part 1'' over the fold line A-A and to adhering this part on the flat part 1' the coupling members 2' and 2'' will be positioned opposite to each other, see fig. 17. It is possible then to hold a group of elongated products, like batteries, inbetween those coupling members.
Fig. 18 and 19 show an embodiment, in which the carrier flat consists of three parts 1', 1'' and two parts 1'''. The 1'''-parts are connected via fold lines with the coupling member 2, obtaining a box-like configuration when it is folded together, see fig. 19. The flat parts 1''' will be aligned to the flat part 1'' when this last one is also folded around the fold line A-A.
When the box 2 is provided with apertures 40, 41 the buyer is able to see the product envelopped by said box.
It is noticed that the flat part 1'' has a sectioned edge, co-operating with the obligue edges of the flat parts 1''', see fig. 9. Due to this structure there will be no weakened part of the carrier, so remaining the carrier in a stretched form as it is suspended.
In all embodiments the products lie on the front side of the carrier flat 1, and the products can be easily examined by the buyer with respect to the size, the quantity, and so on.
Further it is noticed that the flat, forming the carrier flat and the coupling members, are to be printable on one surface, such that the printed text will be on the front side of the carrier and on the back side of the carrier as well. The printing can be extended on for instance the part 1''' in fig. 19.
Adhering the two parts 1' and 1'' by means of a glue layer can also be replaced by any other suitable adhesion means, for example by staples.

Claims

Carrier for one or more products offered for sale or packagings containing these products, comprising a flat of printable material, a pair of coupling members connected to said flat, which grips the product or the packaging at two positions thereof lying at a mutual distance, characterized in that the flat consists of two mutually adherable parts, each provided with one coupling member of the pair.
Carrier as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the edge remote from the coupling member of the one part of the first flat is moved back locally to form adhesion strips (7), this such that the moved-back edge portion pushes against the edge portion of the other part of the first flat when these are assembled.
Carrier as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each coupling member is formed by a folding element that is connected via a fold line to the flat material.
Carrier as claimed in claim 3, suitable for a packaging provided with at least two slot-like openings lying at a mutual distance, characterized in that the folding element is embodied as a lip for inserting into this slot-like opening of the packaging.
Carrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slots in the packaging run parallel to each other, characterized in that the fold lines of the lips of each pair of coupling members are parallel to each other.
Carrier as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a connecting flat is arranged between the lip-shaped coupling member and the first flat, the dimension of which, between the first flat and lip, at least corresponds to the thickness of the packaging.
Carrier as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that each coupling member formed as a folding element is an assembly of flats for folding relative to each other into a box for receiving an edge or corner portion of the product or the packaging.
Carrier as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first flat thereof is provided in each case with two parallel slot-like openings lying at a mutual distance and the coupling member consists of a strip for sliding through this slot-like opening.
Carrier as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the portions of the strip-like coupling member protruding outside the slot-like openings of the first flat are adhered to the first flat.
Carrier for one or more products offered for sale or packagings containing these products, comprising a flat of printable material, a pair of coupling members connected to said flat, which grips the product or the packaging at two positions thereof lying at a mutual distance, characterized in that said flat (1), being printed one sidedly comprises two or more parts (1', 1'', 1'''), mutually connected via fold lines (A-A), said flat parts being adapted to be adhered on each other, such that a continuous printed image is achieved on both sides of the carrier.
Carrier as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the length of the first flat is greater than the length of the packaging or the sum of the lengths of the packagings to be arranged on the first flat, wherein the thus formed protruding portion is provided with a hole.