EP0781241A1 - Article carrier - Google Patents

Article carrier

Info

Publication number
EP0781241A1
EP0781241A1 EP95933193A EP95933193A EP0781241A1 EP 0781241 A1 EP0781241 A1 EP 0781241A1 EP 95933193 A EP95933193 A EP 95933193A EP 95933193 A EP95933193 A EP 95933193A EP 0781241 A1 EP0781241 A1 EP 0781241A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
article
panels
side panel
blank
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP95933193A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0781241B1 (en
EP0781241A4 (en
Inventor
Philippe Le Bras
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.)
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 EP0781241A1 publication Critical patent/EP0781241A1/en
Publication of EP0781241A4 publication Critical patent/EP0781241A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0781241B1 publication Critical patent/EP0781241B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D71/40—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
    • B65D71/46—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element
    • B65D71/48—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element characterised by the handle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/24—Enclosing bottles in wrappers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a carrier for articles such as bottles and more particularly to top gripping carriers which engage, for example, the underside of bottle caps thereby to retain the bottle within the carrier.
  • top gripping (or clipping) carriers for carrying two bottles of the PET soft drinks type.
  • US 4403689, US 4378879, US 4339032, US Des 271944 and US Des 271749 disclose article carriers of this type.
  • US 4339032 discloses a blank for forming a bottomless bottle carrier wherein the crowns of the bottles are engaged in apertures located on a central fold line between adjacent upper panels of the carton and the sides of the blank are folded downwardly about the fold line prior to engaging the apertures with the underside of bottle tops passed therethrough.
  • the carton of US4339032 comprises side walls having upper portions just described with article receiving apertures. Additionally lower portions of the side walls are foldably attached to a series of panels which form side skirts in the carton. Ends of the skirts are glued to the inside of a lower portion of the opposite side panel to that to which the skirts are foldably attached. Also, an internal panel is provided which is foldably attached to the upper portions of the side walls but which rotates inwardly in forming the carton to provide an upper reinforcing panel. Therefore, the carton disclosed by Wood in US 4339032 undergoes a series of folding operations and gluing operations in order to form a substantially complete carton prior to loading articles therein.
  • a carton blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingably interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain th article in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingably interconnected in series about an aperture through which an article is passable in packaging the article during formation of the carrier.
  • the first end panel can be hingably connected to sai first side panel via a gusset panel.
  • the gusset panel ca be hingably attached to a fold panel which is hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said fold panel enabling relative folding of the first end panel and first side panel during formation of the carrier.
  • the first end panel and second side panel can b connected via a gusset panel and preferably a fold panel.
  • the second end panel and first side panel can be connecte via a gusset panel and preferably a fold panel, and the second end panel and second side panel can be foldably connected via a gusset panel and preferably a fold panel.
  • an inner panel can be hingably attached t the first side panel and extending into said aperture which inner panel comprises end edges for cooperating wit associated end panels during the formation of the carrier.
  • a second such inner panel can be hingably attached to the second side panel.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an article carrier of a top gripping type from a blank comprising hingably interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain the article in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingably interconnected in series about an aperture, the method comprising the steps of passing an article through the aperture, folding the side panels upwardly and engaging said article retaining means in said upper panel with the top of the article.
  • gusset panel is hingably connected between each end panel and side panel of the blank and the method can further comprise the step of folding said end panels prior to folding said side panels upwardly.
  • the method can comprise the step of folding the fold panel about a fold line connecting it to a side panel so as to cause folding of the associated end panel.
  • the method can comprise the step of folding said inner panels upwardly prior to folding said fold panels thereby to enable said end edges to cooperate with the end panels during erection thereof.
  • the blank is lowered onto the article which causes the upward movement of the inner panels.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising lower panels including a first and second side panel and end panels for wrapping around the sides and ends of a packaged article and an upper panel hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said upper panel comprising means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line.
  • a second upper panel can be hingably attached to said second side panel which panel also comprises article retaining means.
  • the retaining means can comprise an aperture defined by a rim which is at least partially in one of said upper panels.
  • the rim can extend into the associated side panel across the associated fold line. Part of said aperture rim in said upper panel and said side panel can cooperate with the article top to retain the article in the carton.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an article carrier of the top gripping type from a blank comprising lower panels including a first and second side panel and end panels for wrapping around the sides and ends of a packaged article and an upper panel hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said upper panel comprising means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line, the method comprising the step of forming the side and end panels around an article and folding the upper panel about said fold line into a position adjacent the second side panel thereby to bring said retaining means into cooperation with the article.
  • the blank comprises a second upper panel having article retaining means is hingably attached to said second side panel and the method can comprise the step of folding said second upper panel to a position adjacent said first side panel thereby to engage said retaining means with an article top.
  • the step of attaching the second upper panel to the first side panel preferably by gluing can be included.
  • any feature of either aspects of the blanks according to the invention can be combined in a blank.
  • a handle in at least one of the side or upper panels can also be provided.
  • the blank can be adapted to package a plurality of articles and having retaining means for each.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a carrier blank according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an initial stage of forming a carrier according to the invention from the blank shown in Figure 1;
  • FIGURE 3 shows a second stage of formation following that shown in Figure 2;
  • FIGURE 4 shows a third stage of formation to that shown in Figures 2 and 3;
  • FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a completed carton according to the invention.
  • An example of a carrier blank 10 according to the invention comprises an upper panel 12 hingably connected to a side panel 16 along fold line 54.
  • Bottle cap engaging apertures 28 are provided in the upper panels and can, as shown here, straddle the fold line 54 so as to extend into an upper side portion 14 of the side wall 16.
  • Side panel 16 thus comprises an upper side portion 14 having, in this example, a handle 30 comprising a handle flap hingably connected to the upper side portion 14 thus defining a handle aperture.
  • Side panel 16 is hingably connected at fold line 38 to an inner panel 18.
  • Inner panel 18 is separated from a second inner panel 20 by cut line 46 which runs transversely across the middle of the carrier blank. Cut line 46 forms a mirror symmetry axis of the carrier.
  • a fold panel 32a is hingably connected to side panel 16 at fold line 35a.
  • a triangular or gusset panel 36a is foldably connected along fold line 34a to fold panel 32a.
  • the gusset panel 36a is foldably connected to an end panel 42a along a fold line 40a. Due to the symmetry of the carton similar fold and gusset panels are provided along each lateral edge of side panels 16 and 22 where like integers have the same reference numerals suffixed by the letter a, b, c or d. Thus four fold panels 32 and four gusset panels 36 are provided.
  • Two end panels 42a and 42c extend between associated pairs of gusset panels. These end panels provide bands or skirts in the formed carrier which help secure the articles in the carrier.
  • the inner panels 18 and 20 are separated by cut lines 50a and 50c from the end panels 42a and 42c respectively.
  • the inner panels can therefore be displaced to reveal an aperture 60 defined by the edges of end panels 42a and 42c adjacent cut lines 50a and 50c respectively, and the edges of side panels 16 and 22 at fold lines 38 and 48 respectively.
  • the second inner panel 20 is hingably connected to a side panel 22 along fold line 48.
  • side panel 22 comprises an upper side portion 24 which comprises a handle 30 and bottle cap engaging apertures 28 which extend into upper panel 26.
  • the upper panel 26 is hingably connected to side panel 22 along fold line 52.
  • the carton blank here is used to package two bottles B.
  • the carton blank can be first pushed down onto the tops of the bottles such that inner panels 18 and 20 are caused to fold upwardly about fold lines 38 and 48 respectively.
  • the fold panels, gusset panels and end panels are then all folded upwardly about fold lines 35.
  • Fold panels 32 are then folded downwardly against the inside of the side panels as shown in Figure 3.
  • This folding causes the gusset panels 36 to pull the end panels or bands 42 in tightly around the ends of the packaged articles B.
  • the inner panels 18 and 20 can be provided to assist in the formation of the carrier during this folding process as end panels 42a and 42c grip the outside of the bottles and gusset panels 36 are caused to rotate inwardly.
  • This assistance can be provided by cooperation between end edges of the inner panel and the gusset panels, for example, by providing a reactive force adjacent fold lines 40 to enable folding of the gusset panels 36 and tightening of the end panels 42 during rotation of fold panels 32.
  • the end panel or band panel 42 can be used to carry advertising and/or to conceal a bar code on the primary packaging of the article being packaged.
  • the side panels 16 and 22 can then be rotated upwardly as shown in Figure 4 prior to folding upper panels 12 and 26 about respective fold lines 50 and 52 thereby to clip a bottle cap C of the articles to be carried in an aperture 28.
  • upper panel 26 can first be folded over the bottle caps followed by upper panel 12 such that rims 29 of the bottle cap receiving apertures 28 grip the underside of a bottle cap C.
  • upper side portions 14 and 24 are caused to fold inwardly contouring the shoulder portion of the bottles.
  • upper panels 12 and/or 16 can be glued to one another or other securing means such as cooperating locking tabs and apertures might be provided.
  • a handle 30 can be presented near the top of the carton.
  • the handle can comprise finger tabs as discussed earlier.
  • Means for cooperating with the top of the package articles B for retention other than the apertures 28 shown herein may be used.
  • a "starburst" type aperture may be provided as shown in EP 0 188 327 A2.
  • retention tabs of the type shown in GB 2 273 284 A may be used.
  • Other possibilities will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
  • the carton is easily formed in a relatively simple folding operation and does not require any gluing or other adhesion of panels prior to attaching to articles.
  • articles can be packaged using uniformed carriers in the form of a flat blank which can be folded into a carrier in cooperation with the articles whilst they move along a flow path as indicated by arrow F.

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Die Bonding (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Polymers With Sulfur, Phosphorus Or Metals In The Main Chain (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
  • Inorganic Insulating Materials (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A blank (10) for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingeably interconnected first and second side panels (16, 22), first and second end panels (42a, 42c) and upper panels (12, 26) having means (28) for cooperating with an article (B) to retain the article (B) in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel (42a), first side panel (22), second end panel (42c) and second side panel (16) are hingeably interconnected in series about an aperture (60) through which an article (B) is passable in packaging the article (B) during formation of the carrier.

Description

ARTICLE CARRIER
The invention relates to a carrier for articles such as bottles and more particularly to top gripping carriers which engage, for example, the underside of bottle caps thereby to retain the bottle within the carrier.
It is known to provide top gripping (or clipping) carriers for carrying two bottles of the PET soft drinks type. US 4403689, US 4378879, US 4339032, US Des 271944 and US Des 271749 disclose article carriers of this type. For example, US 4339032 discloses a blank for forming a bottomless bottle carrier wherein the crowns of the bottles are engaged in apertures located on a central fold line between adjacent upper panels of the carton and the sides of the blank are folded downwardly about the fold line prior to engaging the apertures with the underside of bottle tops passed therethrough.
The carton of US4339032 comprises side walls having upper portions just described with article receiving apertures. Additionally lower portions of the side walls are foldably attached to a series of panels which form side skirts in the carton. Ends of the skirts are glued to the inside of a lower portion of the opposite side panel to that to which the skirts are foldably attached. Also, an internal panel is provided which is foldably attached to the upper portions of the side walls but which rotates inwardly in forming the carton to provide an upper reinforcing panel. Therefore, the carton disclosed by Wood in US 4339032 undergoes a series of folding operations and gluing operations in order to form a substantially complete carton prior to loading articles therein. When substantially formed, the carton is lowered onto a pair of bottles until the retaining apertures engage the caps of the bottle thus providing a bottomless carton having side and upper walls and end skirts. The invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate various problems of the prior art and according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a carton blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingably interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain th article in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingably interconnected in series about an aperture through which an article is passable in packaging the article during formation of the carrier.
The first end panel can be hingably connected to sai first side panel via a gusset panel. The gusset panel ca be hingably attached to a fold panel which is hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said fold panel enabling relative folding of the first end panel and first side panel during formation of the carrier. The first end panel and second side panel can b connected via a gusset panel and preferably a fold panel. The second end panel and first side panel can be connecte via a gusset panel and preferably a fold panel, and the second end panel and second side panel can be foldably connected via a gusset panel and preferably a fold panel.
Preferably an inner panel can be hingably attached t the first side panel and extending into said aperture which inner panel comprises end edges for cooperating wit associated end panels during the formation of the carrier. A second such inner panel can be hingably attached to the second side panel.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an article carrier of a top gripping type from a blank comprising hingably interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain the article in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingably interconnected in series about an aperture, the method comprising the steps of passing an article through the aperture, folding the side panels upwardly and engaging said article retaining means in said upper panel with the top of the article.
Where a gusset panel is hingably connected between each end panel and side panel of the blank and the method can further comprise the step of folding said end panels prior to folding said side panels upwardly.
If the blank further comprises a fold panel hingably connected between each gusset panel and associated side panel by fold lines, the method can comprise the step of folding the fold panel about a fold line connecting it to a side panel so as to cause folding of the associated end panel.
Where the blank further comprises an inner panel hingably connected to each side panel and extending into said aperture said inner panel comprising end edges for cooperating with associated end panels, the method can comprise the step of folding said inner panels upwardly prior to folding said fold panels thereby to enable said end edges to cooperate with the end panels during erection thereof. Preferably the blank is lowered onto the article which causes the upward movement of the inner panels.
A further aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising lower panels including a first and second side panel and end panels for wrapping around the sides and ends of a packaged article and an upper panel hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said upper panel comprising means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line.
A second upper panel can be hingably attached to said second side panel which panel also comprises article retaining means.
The retaining means can comprise an aperture defined by a rim which is at least partially in one of said upper panels. The rim can extend into the associated side panel across the associated fold line. Part of said aperture rim in said upper panel and said side panel can cooperate with the article top to retain the article in the carton.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an article carrier of the top gripping type from a blank comprising lower panels including a first and second side panel and end panels for wrapping around the sides and ends of a packaged article and an upper panel hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said upper panel comprising means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line, the method comprising the step of forming the side and end panels around an article and folding the upper panel about said fold line into a position adjacent the second side panel thereby to bring said retaining means into cooperation with the article.
Where the blank comprises a second upper panel having article retaining means is hingably attached to said second side panel and the method can comprise the step of folding said second upper panel to a position adjacent said first side panel thereby to engage said retaining means with an article top. The step of attaching the second upper panel to the first side panel preferably by gluing can be included.
Beneficially any step of either aspects of the methods according to the invention can be combined in a method of making a carrier.
Beneficially any feature of either aspects of the blanks according to the invention can be combined in a blank. A handle in at least one of the side or upper panels can also be provided. Preferably the blank can be adapted to package a plurality of articles and having retaining means for each.
The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:-
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a carrier blank according to the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an initial stage of forming a carrier according to the invention from the blank shown in Figure 1;
FIGURE 3 shows a second stage of formation following that shown in Figure 2;
FIGURE 4 shows a third stage of formation to that shown in Figures 2 and 3; and
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a completed carton according to the invention. An example of a carrier blank 10 according to the invention comprises an upper panel 12 hingably connected to a side panel 16 along fold line 54. Bottle cap engaging apertures 28 are provided in the upper panels and can, as shown here, straddle the fold line 54 so as to extend into an upper side portion 14 of the side wall 16. Side panel 16 thus comprises an upper side portion 14 having, in this example, a handle 30 comprising a handle flap hingably connected to the upper side portion 14 thus defining a handle aperture. Side panel 16 is hingably connected at fold line 38 to an inner panel 18. Inner panel 18 is separated from a second inner panel 20 by cut line 46 which runs transversely across the middle of the carrier blank. Cut line 46 forms a mirror symmetry axis of the carrier.
A fold panel 32a is hingably connected to side panel 16 at fold line 35a. A triangular or gusset panel 36a is foldably connected along fold line 34a to fold panel 32a. The gusset panel 36a is foldably connected to an end panel 42a along a fold line 40a. Due to the symmetry of the carton similar fold and gusset panels are provided along each lateral edge of side panels 16 and 22 where like integers have the same reference numerals suffixed by the letter a, b, c or d. Thus four fold panels 32 and four gusset panels 36 are provided. Two end panels 42a and 42c extend between associated pairs of gusset panels. These end panels provide bands or skirts in the formed carrier which help secure the articles in the carrier. The inner panels 18 and 20 are separated by cut lines 50a and 50c from the end panels 42a and 42c respectively. The inner panels can therefore be displaced to reveal an aperture 60 defined by the edges of end panels 42a and 42c adjacent cut lines 50a and 50c respectively, and the edges of side panels 16 and 22 at fold lines 38 and 48 respectively. The second inner panel 20 is hingably connected to a side panel 22 along fold line 48. Again, due to the symmetry of the carton, side panel 22 comprises an upper side portion 24 which comprises a handle 30 and bottle cap engaging apertures 28 which extend into upper panel 26.
The upper panel 26 is hingably connected to side panel 22 along fold line 52.
As can be seen from Figure 2, the carton blank here is used to package two bottles B. The carton blank can be first pushed down onto the tops of the bottles such that inner panels 18 and 20 are caused to fold upwardly about fold lines 38 and 48 respectively. The fold panels, gusset panels and end panels are then all folded upwardly about fold lines 35. Fold panels 32 are then folded downwardly against the inside of the side panels as shown in Figure 3. This folding causes the gusset panels 36 to pull the end panels or bands 42 in tightly around the ends of the packaged articles B. Beneficially, the inner panels 18 and 20 can be provided to assist in the formation of the carrier during this folding process as end panels 42a and 42c grip the outside of the bottles and gusset panels 36 are caused to rotate inwardly. This assistance can be provided by cooperation between end edges of the inner panel and the gusset panels, for example, by providing a reactive force adjacent fold lines 40 to enable folding of the gusset panels 36 and tightening of the end panels 42 during rotation of fold panels 32. Beneficially, the end panel or band panel 42 can be used to carry advertising and/or to conceal a bar code on the primary packaging of the article being packaged.
The side panels 16 and 22 can then be rotated upwardly as shown in Figure 4 prior to folding upper panels 12 and 26 about respective fold lines 50 and 52 thereby to clip a bottle cap C of the articles to be carried in an aperture 28. As shown, upper panel 26 can first be folded over the bottle caps followed by upper panel 12 such that rims 29 of the bottle cap receiving apertures 28 grip the underside of a bottle cap C. During this folding process, upper side portions 14 and 24 are caused to fold inwardly contouring the shoulder portion of the bottles. To ensure that the carrier is secure upper panels 12 and/or 16 can be glued to one another or other securing means such as cooperating locking tabs and apertures might be provided. For example, glue could be applied to the inside of upper panel 12 prior to folding it into position, thereby to lock panel 12 against the outside of upper side portion 24. In the formed carton 11 shown in Figure 5, a handle 30 can be presented near the top of the carton. The handle can comprise finger tabs as discussed earlier.
Means for cooperating with the top of the package articles B for retention other than the apertures 28 shown herein may be used. For example, a "starburst" type aperture may be provided as shown in EP 0 188 327 A2. Alternately, retention tabs of the type shown in GB 2 273 284 A may be used. Other possibilities will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, that the carton is easily formed in a relatively simple folding operation and does not require any gluing or other adhesion of panels prior to attaching to articles. Thus, articles can be packaged using uniformed carriers in the form of a flat blank which can be folded into a carrier in cooperation with the articles whilst they move along a flow path as indicated by arrow F.

Claims

1. A blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingably interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain the article in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingably interconnected in series about an aperture through which an article is passable in packaging the article during formation of the carrier.
2. A blank according to claim 1 wherein said first end panel is hingably connected to said first side panel via a gusset structure.
3. A blank according to claim 2 wherein said gusset structure includes a gusset panel hingably attached to said first end panel and to a fold panel which is hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said fold panel enabling relative folding of said first end panel and said first side panel during formation of the carrier.
4. A blank according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said first end panel and said second side panel are connected via a gusset structure.
5. A blank according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said second end panel and said first side panel are connected via a gusset structure.
6. A blank according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said second end panel and said second side panel are foldably connected via a gusset structure.
7. A blank according to claim 1 further comprising an inner panel hingably attached to said first side panel and extending into said aperture which inner panel comprises end edges for cooperating with associated end panels during the formation of the carrier.
8. A blank according to claim 7 comprising a second such inner panel hingably attached to said second side panel.
9. A blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising lower panels including a first and second side panel and end panels for wrapping around the sides and ends of a packaged article and an upper panel hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line.
10. A blank according to claim 9 wherein a second upper panel is hingably attached to said second side panel along a second fold line, said second upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article in the formed carrier upon folding of the second upper panel about said second fold line.
11. A blank according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said retaining means comprises an aperture defined at least partially in one of said upper panels.
12. A blank according to claim 11 wherein said aperture defines a rim, said rim extending into the associated one of said side panels across the associated one of said fold lines. - il ¬
ls. A blank according to claim 12 wherein part of said aperture rim in said upper panel and said side panel cooperate with the article top to retain the article in the carrier.
14. A method of forming an article carrier of a top gripping type from a blank comprising hingably interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain the article in a formed carrier, wherein the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingably interconnected in series about an aperture, the method comprising the steps of passing an article through the aperture, folding the side panels upwardly and engaging said article retaining means in said upper panel with the top of the article.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein a gusset panel is hingably connected between each end panel and side panel of the blank and the method further comprises the step of folding said end panels prior to folding said side panels upwardly.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said blank further comprises a fold panel hingably connected between each gusset panel and associated side panel by fold lines, the method comprising the step of folding the fold panel about one of said fold lines connecting it to a side panel so as to cause folding of the associated end panel.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the blank further comprises an inner panel hingably connected to each side panel and extending into said aperture said inner panel comprising end edges for cooperating with associated end panels, the method comprising the step of folding said inner panels upwardly prior to folding said fold panels thereby to enable said end edges to cooperate with the end panels during erection thereof.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the blank is lowered onto the article which causes the upward movement of said inner panels.
19. A method of forming an article carrier of the top gripping type from a blank comprising lower panels including a first and second side panel and end panels for wrapping around the sides and ends of a packaged article and an upper panel hingably attached to said first side panel along a fold line, said upper panel comprising means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line, the method comprising the step of forming the side and end panels around an article and folding the upper panel about said fold line into a position adjacent the second side panel thereby to bring said retaining means into cooperation with the article.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the blank comprises a second upper panel having article retaining means hingably attached to said second side panel, and wherein the method comprises the step of folding said second upper panel to a position adjacent said first side panel thereby to engage said retaining means with an article top.
21. The method of claim 20 including the step of attaching the second upper panel to the first side panel preferably by gluing.
EP95933193A 1994-09-22 1995-09-21 Article carrier Expired - Lifetime EP0781241B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9419108 1994-09-22
GB9419108A GB9419108D0 (en) 1994-09-22 1994-09-22 Article carrier
PCT/US1995/012063 WO1996009226A1 (en) 1994-09-22 1995-09-21 Article carrier

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0781241A1 true EP0781241A1 (en) 1997-07-02
EP0781241A4 EP0781241A4 (en) 1998-10-21
EP0781241B1 EP0781241B1 (en) 2000-11-29

Family

ID=10761743

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95933193A Expired - Lifetime EP0781241B1 (en) 1994-09-22 1995-09-21 Article carrier

Country Status (19)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0781241B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3600243B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100371050B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE197787T1 (en)
AU (1) AU4292596A (en)
BR (1) BR9508961A (en)
CZ (1) CZ294322B6 (en)
DE (1) DE69519519T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0781241T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2152428T3 (en)
GB (1) GB9419108D0 (en)
GR (1) GR3035369T3 (en)
HU (1) HU223452B1 (en)
MX (1) MX9702173A (en)
NZ (2) NZ332441A (en)
PL (1) PL179145B1 (en)
PT (1) PT781241E (en)
RU (1) RU2158705C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1996009226A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2183440A5 (en) * 1972-05-01 1973-12-14 Illinois Tool Works
FR2438602A1 (en) * 1978-10-13 1980-05-09 Unilever Nv Bulk cup packing machine - has flaps at open ends securing cups and formed from side surfaces

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2764284A (en) * 1952-12-18 1956-09-25 Morris Paper Mills Can carrier package
US3016259A (en) * 1957-08-29 1962-01-09 Lawrence Frank Dean Holders for bottles and like necked containers
DE2817102C2 (en) * 1978-04-19 1985-01-24 Dr. Eduard Fresenius, Chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie KG, 6380 Bad Homburg Connector for plastic cannulas or venous catheters
US4339032A (en) * 1980-11-10 1982-07-13 The Mead Corporation Bottle carrier with peripheral skirt
US4372599A (en) * 1981-03-02 1983-02-08 Manville Service Corporation Crown support beverage carrier
FR2634461B1 (en) * 1988-07-25 1991-05-03 4 P Emballages France BLANK FOR GROUPING HATCH AND METHOD OF INVOLVING IT
US5267644A (en) * 1992-04-28 1993-12-07 Tsao Chung Piao Tuckable carrier means for handling portable container

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2183440A5 (en) * 1972-05-01 1973-12-14 Illinois Tool Works
FR2438602A1 (en) * 1978-10-13 1980-05-09 Unilever Nv Bulk cup packing machine - has flaps at open ends securing cups and formed from side surfaces

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9609226A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NZ332441A (en) 2000-06-23
GB9419108D0 (en) 1994-11-23
DK0781241T3 (en) 2000-12-27
KR970706182A (en) 1997-11-03
DE69519519T2 (en) 2001-04-05
RU2158705C2 (en) 2000-11-10
ES2152428T3 (en) 2001-02-01
DE69519519D1 (en) 2001-01-04
ATE197787T1 (en) 2000-12-15
GR3035369T3 (en) 2001-05-31
WO1996009226A1 (en) 1996-03-28
MX9702173A (en) 1997-06-28
JP3600243B2 (en) 2004-12-15
JPH10506079A (en) 1998-06-16
NZ300079A (en) 1998-12-23
PL179145B1 (en) 2000-07-31
HUT77848A (en) 1998-08-28
CZ56997A3 (en) 1998-05-13
EP0781241B1 (en) 2000-11-29
KR100371050B1 (en) 2003-08-21
HU223452B1 (en) 2004-07-28
BR9508961A (en) 1997-12-30
PT781241E (en) 2001-04-30
CZ294322B6 (en) 2004-11-10
PL319036A1 (en) 1997-07-21
AU4292596A (en) 1996-04-09
EP0781241A4 (en) 1998-10-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7163103B2 (en) Carton for packaging flanged articles
EP0696996B1 (en) Rounded bottom enclosed carrier and corresponding blank
EP0815035B1 (en) Article carrier with four-sided taper
US4533047A (en) Heel retaining structure on bottle carrier
US6019220A (en) Wrap-around article carrier
US20040226833A1 (en) Carton with top retaining structure and blank therefor
EP0029365A1 (en) Wrap-around type package for bottles
US4403689A (en) Article carrier
US20040079666A1 (en) Wraparound carton and blank
US5163548A (en) Package incorporating flanged containers
US5775503A (en) Article carrier
WO2002059011A2 (en) Carton for packaging flanged articles
CA1329172C (en) Sling-bottom article carrier
US20060237520A1 (en) Carton with deflectable carry top
EP0576640B1 (en) Carton with reinforcing clip panel
EP0743916B1 (en) Article carrier
EP0425135B1 (en) Package incorporating containers
US4498582A (en) Article carrier
EP0781241B1 (en) Article carrier
AU4743199A (en) Article carrier
EP0086055B1 (en) Article carrier
EP1268303B1 (en) Article carrier and blank
US3721338A (en) Bottle carrier package
NZ226439A (en) Wrap-around article carrier with triangular centre and end tuck flaps
EP0730554B1 (en) Bottle carrier

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19970422

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 19980831

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990302

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 197787

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20001215

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69519519

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20010104

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2152428

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: KIRKER & CIE SA

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 20010108

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Payment date: 20040924

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20041129

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PUE

Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC

Free format text: THE MEAD CORPORATION#COURTHOUSE PLAZA NE#DAYTON OHIO 45463 (US) -TRANSFER TO- MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC#ONE HIGH RIDGE PARK#STAMFORD, CT 06905 (US)

NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Owner name: MW CUSTOM PAPERS, INC (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

NLT1 Nl: modifications of names registered in virtue of documents presented to the patent office pursuant to art. 16 a, paragraph 1

Owner name: MW CUSTOM PAPERS, LLC

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20050901

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20050914

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Payment date: 20050921

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20050921

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20050922

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20050927

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050930

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050930

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20051017

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20060905

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20060918

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060921

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060921

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20060924

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 20060928

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060930

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060930

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060930

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20060930

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061002

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20061031

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060921

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060921

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20060922

BECA Be: change of holder's address

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLCONE HIGH RIDGE

Effective date: 20060703

BECH Be: change of holder

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Effective date: 20060703

BECN Be: change of holder's name

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Effective date: 20060703

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC

Effective date: 20060930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060922

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20060927

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: MM4A

Free format text: LAPSE DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF FEES

Effective date: 20080324

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070922

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080324

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080401

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20080401

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080401

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20080531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20071001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080402

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070921