EP0717711B1 - Carton and divider panel - Google Patents

Carton and divider panel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0717711B1
EP0717711B1 EP95927440A EP95927440A EP0717711B1 EP 0717711 B1 EP0717711 B1 EP 0717711B1 EP 95927440 A EP95927440 A EP 95927440A EP 95927440 A EP95927440 A EP 95927440A EP 0717711 B1 EP0717711 B1 EP 0717711B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
articles
deformable means
divider panel
cut
panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95927440A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0717711A1 (en
EP0717711A4 (en
Inventor
Philippe Domansky
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mw Custom Papers Inc (a Delaware Corporation)
MW Custom Papers LLC
WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Original Assignee
Mead Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mead Corp filed Critical Mead Corp
Publication of EP0717711A1 publication Critical patent/EP0717711A1/en
Publication of EP0717711A4 publication Critical patent/EP0717711A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0717711B1 publication Critical patent/EP0717711B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
    • B65D71/14—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
    • B65D71/24—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls with partitions
    • B65D71/246—Inserted partitions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
    • B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
    • B65D2571/00185—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing away from the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
    • B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00277—Slits or openings formed along a fold line
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00333—Partitions, i.e. elements contacting a major part of each aarticle or extending across the whole length of the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00401—Partitions, i.e. elements contacting a major part of each aarticle or extending across the whole length of the wrapper inserted the wrapper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00438—Holes
    • B65D2571/00444—Holes for fingers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00456—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00462—Straps made by two slits in a wall
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00537—Handles or suspending means with stress relieving means
    • B65D2571/00543—Handles or suspending means with stress relieving means consisting of cut-outs, slits, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00654—Blanks
    • B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
    • B65D2571/00716—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular without end walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00833—Other details of wrappers
    • B65D2571/0087—Special features for machine processing, e.g. gripper apertures

Definitions

  • the invention relates to cartons for packaging a plurality of articles such as cans or bottles for example. More particularly it relates to cartons and divider panels used for packaging two or more layers, or tiers, of articles.
  • the invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate various problems of the prior art.
  • One aspect of the invention provides a divider panel for separating stacked articles in a packaged carton having two or more tiers of articles
  • the panel may comprise deformable means which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel, and in that said deformable means comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut wherein said at least one cut is substantially concentric to said inner edge of the deformable means.
  • said at least one cut is discontinuous thereby to create one or more hinges and wherein one or more ends of one or more of said at least one cut is turned inwardly.
  • the deformable means may comprise an annular region defined by said inner edge and said at least one cut. More preferably, the annular region is continuous.
  • a second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a divider panel for separating stacked articles comprising deformable means which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that the deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel and in that said deformable means may comprise an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut wherein said at least one cut forms a circle, substantially concentric to said inner edge of the deformable means.
  • said at least one cut may be discontinuous thereby to create one or more hinges and wherein one or more ends of one or more of said at least one cut is turned inwardly.
  • the deformable means may comprise an annular region defined by said inner edge and said at least one cut.
  • the annular region is continuous.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides a wraparound carton for packaging two or more tiers of articles comprising a divider panel described herein for separating the stacked articles.
  • a fourth aspect of the invention provides a package for comprising a plurality of articles each having a cylindrical section defining a longitudinal axis, said articles arranged in a group of at least one row forming a layer and wherein a stack of two or more tiers of grouped articles is provided; a pair of side panels and a pair of secured based panels, said carton extending around said plurality of articles, and wherein the divider panel comprises deformable means which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel, and in that said deformable means comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut wherein said at least one cut is substantially concentric to said inner edge of the deformable means.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a packaging machine 10 for packaging a carton according to the invention.
  • the machine takes an incoming feed of articles such as cans of drinks and divides these into upper and lower feed paths.
  • a divider panel is added to arrays of articles in the lower feed path and then the panel is manipulated to ensure that deformable portions of the divider panel are properly nested with the tops of articles.
  • the upper layer of articles is then stacked on top of the divider panel in register with a lower article such that the bottom of an upper article nests in the deformable portion of the divider panel which is nested in the upper part of the lower article.
  • the stacked, divided, double layer of articles are then packaged in a carton, which in this example is of the wraparound type.
  • the divider panel 60 also ensures that the tops and bottoms of adjacent articles do not rub against one another in a packaged carton which would otherwise create unsightly marking of the ends of at least one of the articles.
  • the articles A are made of aluminum
  • constant rubbing of adjacent ends of stacked articles can lead to an unsightly deposit containing aluminum oxide, on one of the ends.
  • movement of the articles can lead to damage to the ends of the articles, including to ring pulls at the end of a can.
  • the divider panels 60 comprise lateral recesses 64 which enable the panel to be carried by lug chains 42 provided adjacent the tops of articles A on each side of the rows 38.
  • lug chains 42 provided adjacent the tops of articles A on each side of the rows 38.
  • the arrays of articles and divider panel are conveyed along the lower feed path to an insert clipping wheel 18 which causes locking tabs 66 defined in insert 60 to be forced out of the plane of the divider panel such that they wedge between the tops of adjacent panels in the lower array.
  • the articles A are cans which have an upper rim R which is of lesser diameter than the main body diameter of the substantially cylindrical cans.
  • the locking tabs 66 can therefore be positioned in the gap between rims of adjacent articles thereby to hold the divider panel 60 in place during movement of the lower array of articles.
  • the articles may comprise an upper end which is longitudinally recessed with respect to upper rim R.
  • the deformable portion 62 provides a cup-like structure between the rim R and the end of an article.
  • the divider panel 60 can be held in place on a lower array of articles due to the effects of one or both of the tabs 66 and the deformable portion 62.
  • lug chains 42 can still engage recesses 64 thereby ensuring that individual divider panels 60 are accurately positioned with respect to an array of articles.
  • the stacked array of articles are loaded into a wraparound carton to provide a package carton 100 or 100a as shown in Figures 14 respectively.
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of a form of divider 60.
  • the divider panel comprises an array of deformable portions 62, side recess portions 64 and locking tabs 66.
  • divider panel 60 comprises end recesses 76 which, as can be seen from Figure 2, can be used to enable a series of divider panels to be continuously processed through clipping wheel 18 since an aperture 77 is created by adjacent recesses 76 which can accommodate the ends of the fingers of the clipping device.
  • the deformable portion 62 in this example comprises a series of foldable tabs 74.
  • Each tab is defined by an inner circular cut 68 and a pair of radial cuts 72.
  • An effective fold line is created in this example by providing a series of cuts 70 which thereby provide hinges in the divider panel 60 which can for example be made of paperboard.
  • FIG. 3 an embodiment of a divider panel 60d according to the invention is shown.
  • end and side recesses 76d and 64d respectively can be provided.
  • locking features 66d could be provided but are not shown.
  • the deformable portion 62d comprises a movable tab 74d which is defined by a continuous inner circular cut 68d and a discontinuous outer, substantially circular cut 70d.
  • the outer cut 70d comprises inwardly extending end portions 71d which can be used to help enable greater deformity of a deformable portion 62d in use and possibly prevent tearing.
  • the tab 74d is hingably connected to the rest of the panel by hinges 75d created by discontinuous outer cut 70d.
  • FIG 4 shows a plan view of a carton blank 90 for a carton with a divider panel according to the invention.
  • Carton blank 90 comprises a first base panel portion 91, a side panel 92, a top panel 93, a second side panel 94, and a second base panel portion 95.
  • These panels are hingably interconnected in series where, between the base panels and side panels, a bevel strip of a known type is provided which can also provide heel engaging formations 96 which are shown in use in Figure 5.
  • the top panel and side panels are hingably interconnected by known shoulder panels which again can comprise article engaging portions, or shoulder engaging portions, such as 97 shown in both Figures 4 and 5.
  • formed carton 100 shown in Figure 5 it can be seen that base panel portions 91 and 95 are overlapped in a known manner to form a carton base wall which is held together using known locking means 98 provided by each of the base panel portions.
  • the carton side walls 92 and 94 are longer than in known cartons and indeed the heel and article engaging portions are separated more than usual and indeed associated pairs engage different articles stacked on top of one another rather than the same article as in known cartons.
  • the carton is adapted to accommodate two tiers of six articles in two rows of three.
  • cartons shown here comprise only two tiers or layers of articles, it is possible to provide a carton accommodating three or more layers. Indeed, the number of rows of articles in each tier could also be varied from one upwards.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)

Abstract

A divider panel (60) for separating stacked articles (A) in a packaged carton (100a) having two or more tiers of articles (A) where the panel (60) comprises deformable means (62, 62b, 62c, 62d) which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles (A) on adjacent sides of the panel (60).

Description

The invention relates to cartons for packaging a plurality of articles such as cans or bottles for example. More particularly it relates to cartons and divider panels used for packaging two or more layers, or tiers, of articles.
It is known from US 5 246 113 (Schuster) to provide a carton for a double layer of articles wherein superposed articles are stacked end to end. Schuster also discloses the use of a dividing panel between the ends of the stacked articles. Two types of divider panels are disclosed which both comprise a substantially planar, rectangular piece of paperboard. In one embodiment the panel comprises deformable portion which cup the ends of the stacked articles, and in both embodiments the panels comprise an end tab used to position the panel adjacent a first layer of articles prior to pushing an upper layer of articles over the divider panel into position above the lower layer of articles.
The invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate various problems of the prior art.
One aspect of the invention provides a divider panel for separating stacked articles in a packaged carton having two or more tiers of articles where the panel may comprise deformable means which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel, and in that said deformable means comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut wherein said at least one cut is substantially concentric to said inner edge of the deformable means.
Preferably, said at least one cut is discontinuous thereby to create one or more hinges and wherein one or more ends of one or more of said at least one cut is turned inwardly. Optionally, the deformable means may comprise an annular region defined by said inner edge and said at least one cut. More preferably, the annular region is continuous.
According to another optional feature of this aspect of invention there may further comprise a tab hingably connected to the divider panel which tab is inwardly foldable to abut or engage an upper portion of adjacent articles in the first tier.
A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a divider panel for separating stacked articles comprising deformable means which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that the deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel and in that said deformable means may comprise an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut wherein said at least one cut forms a circle, substantially concentric to said inner edge of the deformable means.
According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention said at least one cut may be discontinuous thereby to create one or more hinges and wherein one or more ends of one or more of said at least one cut is turned inwardly.
According to another optional feature of the second aspect of the invention the deformable means may comprise an annular region defined by said inner edge and said at least one cut. Preferably, the annular region is continuous.
According to another optional feature of the second aspect of the invention there may further comprise a tab hingably connected to the divider panel which tab is inwardly foldable to abut or engage an upper portion of adjacent articles in the first tier.
A third aspect of the invention provides a wraparound carton for packaging two or more tiers of articles comprising a divider panel described herein for separating the stacked articles.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides a package for comprising a plurality of articles each having a cylindrical section defining a longitudinal axis, said articles arranged in a group of at least one row forming a layer and wherein a stack of two or more tiers of grouped articles is provided; a pair of side panels and a pair of secured based panels, said carton extending around said plurality of articles, and wherein the divider panel comprises deformable means which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel, and in that said deformable means comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut wherein said at least one cut is substantially concentric to said inner edge of the deformable means.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of machinery used to package a carton according to the invention;
  • FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the divider panel according to the first embodiment of the invention;
  • FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a divider panel according to the invention;
  • FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a carton blank for a carton according to the invention;
  • FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank shown in Figure 4.
    • Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a packaging machine 10 for packaging a carton according to the invention. In general terms, the machine takes an incoming feed of articles such as cans of drinks and divides these into upper and lower feed paths. A divider panel is added to arrays of articles in the lower feed path and then the panel is manipulated to ensure that deformable portions of the divider panel are properly nested with the tops of articles. The upper layer of articles is then stacked on top of the divider panel in register with a lower article such that the bottom of an upper article nests in the deformable portion of the divider panel which is nested in the upper part of the lower article. The stacked, divided, double layer of articles are then packaged in a carton, which in this example is of the wraparound type.
    The fact that the upper and lower articles are nested means that the stacked articles will not settle significantly in the packaged carton during storage or transportation. Accordingly the articles should be retained in a tight fit within a wraparound carton. Of course, the divider panel 60 also ensures that the tops and bottoms of adjacent articles do not rub against one another in a packaged carton which would otherwise create unsightly marking of the ends of at least one of the articles. For example, where the articles A are made of aluminum, constant rubbing of adjacent ends of stacked articles can lead to an unsightly deposit containing aluminum oxide, on one of the ends. Additionally, movement of the articles can lead to damage to the ends of the articles, including to ring pulls at the end of a can.
    As can be seen in Figure 2, the divider panels 60 comprise lateral recesses 64 which enable the panel to be carried by lug chains 42 provided adjacent the tops of articles A on each side of the rows 38. Thus, by synchronising the movement of lug chains 42 with the regulated flow of rows 38 and feeder 16, an array of articles and a divider panel 60 can be brought together with the deformable portion 62 of panel 60 being in register with the tops of articles A in the array.
    The arrays of articles and divider panel are conveyed along the lower feed path to an insert clipping wheel 18 which causes locking tabs 66 defined in insert 60 to be forced out of the plane of the divider panel such that they wedge between the tops of adjacent panels in the lower array. In this example, the articles A are cans which have an upper rim R which is of lesser diameter than the main body diameter of the substantially cylindrical cans. The locking tabs 66 can therefore be positioned in the gap between rims of adjacent articles thereby to hold the divider panel 60 in place during movement of the lower array of articles.
    The articles may comprise an upper end which is longitudinally recessed with respect to upper rim R. Thus, the deformable portion 62 provides a cup-like structure between the rim R and the end of an article. Thus, the divider panel 60 can be held in place on a lower array of articles due to the effects of one or both of the tabs 66 and the deformable portion 62. Additionally, lug chains 42 can still engage recesses 64 thereby ensuring that individual divider panels 60 are accurately positioned with respect to an array of articles.
    In this example, the stacked array of articles are loaded into a wraparound carton to provide a package carton 100 or 100a as shown in Figures 14 respectively.
    Figure 2 shows a plan view of a form of divider 60. As described earlier, the divider panel comprises an array of deformable portions 62, side recess portions 64 and locking tabs 66. Additionally, divider panel 60 comprises end recesses 76 which, as can be seen from Figure 2, can be used to enable a series of divider panels to be continuously processed through clipping wheel 18 since an aperture 77 is created by adjacent recesses 76 which can accommodate the ends of the fingers of the clipping device.
    The deformable portion 62 in this example, comprises a series of foldable tabs 74. Each tab is defined by an inner circular cut 68 and a pair of radial cuts 72. An effective fold line is created in this example by providing a series of cuts 70 which thereby provide hinges in the divider panel 60 which can for example be made of paperboard.
    In Figure 3 an embodiment of a divider panel 60d according to the invention is shown. In this example, end and side recesses 76d and 64d respectively can be provided. Additionally, locking features 66d could be provided but are not shown. The deformable portion 62d comprises a movable tab 74d which is defined by a continuous inner circular cut 68d and a discontinuous outer, substantially circular cut 70d. The outer cut 70d comprises inwardly extending end portions 71d which can be used to help enable greater deformity of a deformable portion 62d in use and possibly prevent tearing. The tab 74d is hingably connected to the rest of the panel by hinges 75d created by discontinuous outer cut 70d.
    Figure 4 shows a plan view of a carton blank 90 for a carton with a divider panel according to the invention. Carton blank 90 comprises a first base panel portion 91, a side panel 92, a top panel 93, a second side panel 94, and a second base panel portion 95. These panels are hingably interconnected in series where, between the base panels and side panels, a bevel strip of a known type is provided which can also provide heel engaging formations 96 which are shown in use in Figure 5. Additionally, the top panel and side panels are hingably interconnected by known shoulder panels which again can comprise article engaging portions, or shoulder engaging portions, such as 97 shown in both Figures 4 and 5. In formed carton 100 shown in Figure 5 it can be seen that base panel portions 91 and 95 are overlapped in a known manner to form a carton base wall which is held together using known locking means 98 provided by each of the base panel portions. Of course, the carton side walls 92 and 94 are longer than in known cartons and indeed the heel and article engaging portions are separated more than usual and indeed associated pairs engage different articles stacked on top of one another rather than the same article as in known cartons.
    In Figures 4 and 5 the carton is adapted to accommodate two tiers of six articles in two rows of three.
    Whilst the cartons shown here comprise only two tiers or layers of articles, it is possible to provide a carton accommodating three or more layers. Indeed, the number of rows of articles in each tier could also be varied from one upwards.

    Claims (12)

    1. A divider panel (60d) for separating stacked articles in a packaged carton (100) having two or more tiers of articles (A) wherein the panel comprises deformable means (62d) which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel (60d) wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge (68d) adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel, and in that said deformable means (62d) comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut (70d) wherein said at least one cut is substantially concentric to said inner edge (68d) of the deformable means.
    2. The divider panel according to claim 1 said at least one cut (70d) is discontinuous thereby to create one or more hinges (75d) and wherein one or more ends (71d) of one or more of said at least one cut (70d) is turned inwardly.
    3. The divider panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the deformable means comprises an annular region (74d) defined by said inner edge (68d) and said at least one cut (70d).
    4. The divider panel according to claim 3 wherein the annular region (74d) is continuous.
    5. The divider panel (60d) according to any preceding claim further comprising a tab (66, 66a, 66c) hingably connected to the divider panel (60d) which tab is inwardly foldable to abut or engage an upper portion of adjacent articles (A) in the first tier.
    6. A blank for forming a divider panel for separating stacked articles comprising deformable means (62d) which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel (60d) wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge (68d) adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel and in that said deformable means (62d) comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut (70d) wherein said at least one cut forms a circle, substantially concentric to said inner edge (68d) of the deformable means.
    7. The blank according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said at least one cut (70d) is discontinuous thereby to create one or more hinges (75d) and wherein one or more ends (71d) of one or more of said at least one cut (70d) is capable of being turned inwardly.
    8. The blank according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the deformable means comprises an annular region defined by said inner edge (68d) and said at least one cut (70d).
    9. The blank according to claim 8 wherein the annular region is continuous.
    10. The blank according to any of claims 8 to 9 further comprising a tab (66) hingably connected to the blank which tab is inwardly foldable to abut or engage an upper portion of adjacent articles (A) in the first tier in a set up carton.
    11. A wraparound carton for packaging two or more stacked tiers of articles, which carton comprises a divider panel for separating the stacked articles according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
    12. A package for comprising a plurality of articles each having a cylindrical section defining a longitudinal axis, said articles arranged in a group of at least one row forming a layer and wherein a stack of two or more layers of grouped articles is provided;
      a carton comprising a top, a pair of side panels and a pair of secured based panels, said carton extending around said plurality of articles; and
      a divider panel comprising deformable means (62d) which is adapted operably to nest between stacked articles on adjacent sides of the panel (60d) wherein said deformable means comprises a region of the divider panel surrounding an aperture having diameter less than the diameter of a rim at the end of an article with which the deformable means operably nests, characterised in that said deformable means comprises a continuous inner edge (68d) adapted to be moved out of alignment with said divider panel, and in that said deformable means (62d) comprises an outer edge defined in part by at least one cut (70d) wherein said at least one cut is substantially concentric to said inner edge (68d) of the deformable means.
    EP95927440A 1994-07-08 1995-07-07 Carton and divider panel Expired - Lifetime EP0717711B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GB9413865 1994-07-08
    GB9413865A GB9413865D0 (en) 1994-07-08 1994-07-08 Carton and divider panel
    PCT/US1995/009408 WO1996001769A1 (en) 1994-07-08 1995-07-07 Carton and divider panel

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0717711A1 EP0717711A1 (en) 1996-06-26
    EP0717711A4 EP0717711A4 (en) 1997-03-12
    EP0717711B1 true EP0717711B1 (en) 2000-11-08

    Family

    ID=10758073

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP95927440A Expired - Lifetime EP0717711B1 (en) 1994-07-08 1995-07-07 Carton and divider panel

    Country Status (20)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0717711B1 (en)
    JP (1) JPH09502684A (en)
    KR (1) KR100398802B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE197438T1 (en)
    BR (1) BR9506037A (en)
    CZ (1) CZ291834B6 (en)
    DE (1) DE69519362T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK0717711T3 (en)
    ES (1) ES2152415T3 (en)
    FI (1) FI961066A (en)
    GB (1) GB9413865D0 (en)
    GR (1) GR3035299T3 (en)
    HU (1) HU220792B1 (en)
    NO (1) NO312714B1 (en)
    PL (1) PL178353B1 (en)
    PT (1) PT717711E (en)
    RU (1) RU2143990C1 (en)
    SK (1) SK283034B6 (en)
    UA (1) UA41953C2 (en)
    WO (1) WO1996001769A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    AU5459598A (en) * 1996-11-20 1998-06-10 Mead Corporation, The Divider panel
    JP4427386B2 (en) * 2004-05-31 2010-03-03 サントリーホールディングス株式会社 Packaging
    TWI401189B (en) * 2009-09-18 2013-07-11 Colgate Palmolive Co Display package for a plurality of products

    Family Cites Families (6)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US3351264A (en) * 1965-10-04 1967-11-07 Illinois Tool Works Packaging device
    GB8906222D0 (en) * 1989-03-17 1989-05-04 Mead Corp Package with foldable separator tabs for spacing rows of articles
    US5246113A (en) * 1992-02-11 1993-09-21 Riverwood International Corporation Carrier for stacked articles
    NZ248777A (en) * 1992-10-27 1995-07-26 Mead Corp Package for beverage cans has a divider within a carton to arrange the beverage cans into two vertically aligned tiers
    DE69317090T3 (en) * 1992-10-30 2001-09-27 Showa Aluminum Corp., Sakai Brazeable aluminum material and process for its manufacture
    US5427242A (en) * 1993-08-31 1995-06-27 The Mead Corporation Two tier can package having secured divider panel and method of forming the same

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    SK38096A3 (en) 1997-06-04
    RU2143990C1 (en) 2000-01-10
    SK283034B6 (en) 2003-02-04
    PL313438A1 (en) 1996-07-08
    BR9506037A (en) 1997-10-07
    NO312714B1 (en) 2002-06-24
    PL178353B1 (en) 2000-04-28
    EP0717711A1 (en) 1996-06-26
    NO960953D0 (en) 1996-03-07
    DK0717711T3 (en) 2000-11-27
    ES2152415T3 (en) 2001-02-01
    PT717711E (en) 2001-03-30
    CZ102096A3 (en) 1997-05-14
    UA41953C2 (en) 2001-10-15
    NO960953L (en) 1996-04-17
    FI961066A0 (en) 1996-03-07
    EP0717711A4 (en) 1997-03-12
    KR100398802B1 (en) 2004-03-26
    DE69519362D1 (en) 2000-12-14
    GB9413865D0 (en) 1994-08-24
    DE69519362T2 (en) 2001-03-08
    HU220792B1 (en) 2002-05-28
    GR3035299T3 (en) 2001-04-30
    WO1996001769A1 (en) 1996-01-25
    JPH09502684A (en) 1997-03-18
    HUT74500A (en) 1997-01-28
    ATE197438T1 (en) 2000-11-11
    HU9600565D0 (en) 1996-05-28
    FI961066A (en) 1996-03-29
    CZ291834B6 (en) 2003-06-18
    KR960704772A (en) 1996-10-09

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