EP0879185B1 - Article carrier - Google Patents

Article carrier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0879185B1
EP0879185B1 EP96945955A EP96945955A EP0879185B1 EP 0879185 B1 EP0879185 B1 EP 0879185B1 EP 96945955 A EP96945955 A EP 96945955A EP 96945955 A EP96945955 A EP 96945955A EP 0879185 B1 EP0879185 B1 EP 0879185B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panels
panel
apertures
aperture
article carrier
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
EP96945955A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0879185A1 (en
EP0879185A4 (en
Inventor
Jean-Michel Auclair
Alain Saulas
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 EP0879185A1 publication Critical patent/EP0879185A1/en
Publication of EP0879185A4 publication Critical patent/EP0879185A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0879185B1 publication Critical patent/EP0879185B1/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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a carrier which is used for packaging a plurality of articles such as bottles. More particularly, it relates to a carrier of the top gripping type which attaches to the tops of articles thereby to secure the articles in an array.
  • top gripping carriers which comprise so-called sun-burst type apertures having a series of circumferentially arranged tabs which enable a bottle top to pass through the aperture which tabs engage on the underside of the bottle top or on the flange on the bottle neck to prevent removal of the bottle from the aperture.
  • top gripping carriers need to be of sufficient strength to support the articles. A rigid structure would address this problem but produces its own difficulties.
  • the prior art requires locking means or an adhesive in order to construct the carrier.
  • US 2 737 326 which illustrates a top gripping carrier with a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure. There comprises panels 21a, 21b extending outwardly from the tubular structure, each panel comprising an aperture for receiving a bottle.
  • a further difficulty associated with this type of carrier is the problem of being able to lift and carry these top gripping carriers.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome the difficulties by forming a box structure which provides the requisite rigidity and sufficient strength to support the bottles located either side of this box structure. Further, a commercial advantage is achieved by a reduction in board and decreased construction time.
  • One aspect of the present invention provides an article carrier of a top gripping type comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure, and a pair of first and second panels extending outwardly and away from the tubular structure each having an aperture for receiving a bottle or the like.
  • a locking panel has apertures disposed in registry respectively with the apertures in the first and second panels and the locking panel is disposed in face to face contacting relationship with both the first and second panels such that a gap between side panels of the tubular structure is spanned with the locking panel, so that each of the apertures in the first and second panels and a registering one of the apertures in the locking panel may receive a bottle or the like therein to maintain the carrier in a set up condition.
  • the tubular structure may further comprise a top panel having opposite side edges, and wherein the side panels are opposed and hingedly connected respectively to the opposite side edges of the top panel and extending downwardly to respective lower end edges thereof.
  • the locking panel may be connected to the top panel through an intermediate panel.
  • the top panel may have opposite end edges
  • the intermediate panel may be hingedly connected to one of the end edges of the top panel and extends downwardly to a lower end edge thereof
  • the locking panel is hingedly connected to the lower end edge of the intermediate panel.
  • first and second panels may extend away from each other to respective outer side edges thereof, and the locking panel is hingedly connected to the outer side edge of one of the first and second panels.
  • this aspect of the invention there may further comprise a plurality of tabs provided around each of the apertures in one or more of the first and second panels, the tabs around the each aperture being foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second panels such that the tabs around the each aperture may engage the underside of a radially protruding part of a bottle or the like present in the each aperture when folded to stand out of the general plane of the respective panel.
  • the tubular structure may be upstanding relative the first and second panels.
  • the top panel of the tubular structure may be provided with a handle means comprising two finger apertures in spaced arrangement.
  • a second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier of a top gripping type comprising a top panel having opposite side edges and opposite end edges, a pair of side panels hingedly connected respectively to the opposite side edges of the top panel and extending away from each other to respective outer side edges thereof, a pair of first and second panels hingedly connected respectively to the outer side edges of the side panels and extending away from each other.
  • the first and second panels each have an aperture for receiving a bottle or the like and there is provided an intermediate panel hingedly connected to one of the end edges of the top panel and extending away from the top panel to an outer end edge thereof.
  • a locking panel is hingedly connected to the outer end edge of the intermediate panel and having article-receiving apertures arranged for registry respectively with the apertures in the first and second panels.
  • the top panel of the tubular structure may be provided with a handle means comprising two finger apertures in spaced arrangement.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides a package comprising an article carrier of the top gripping type hereinbefore described and a plurality of bottles or the like engaged at respective top portions thereof with the carrier.
  • a carrier blank 10 for forming a top gripping carrier and made from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material.
  • the blank comprises a first panel 12 attached to a keel structure K, illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the keel structure consists of a first side panel 14, a top panel 16 and a second side panel 18 hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 32 and 34, first panel 12 being hingably connected to the first side panel 14 along fold line 30.
  • a second panel 20 is foldably attached to the keel structure along the outer edge of second side panel 18 by fold line 36.
  • Locking panel 22 is attached to top panel 16 by intermediate panel 26 being hingably connected to both top panel 16 along fold line 38 and locking panel 22 along fold line 40.
  • Intermediate panel 28 Positioned on the opposing side of top panel 16 is intermediate panel 28, hingably connected to the top panel 16 by fold line 42.
  • fold line 44 which hingably connects locking panel 24 and intermediate panel 28.
  • first panel 12 and second panel 20 are each formed with a row of three substantially circular tab apertures 50,52,54 having eight circumferentially arranged tabs 56. These tabs 56 are so shaped to provide a substantially circular surface for abutment with an article to be received in the aperture.
  • Locking panel 22 is formed with a pair of substantially circular support apertures 58 and locking panel 24 is formed with a pair of substantially circular support apertures 60.
  • the diameter of apertures 58 and 60 is preferably similar to the diameter of the apertures formed on panels 12 and 20. In a set up condition, the support apertures 58 on panel 22 will be in registry with apertures 50 formed in panels 12 and 20. Likewise, the support apertures 60 on panel 24 will be in registry with apertures 54 formed in panels 12 and 20.
  • Top panel 18 is formed with two opposing D-shaped finger holes 62.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the carrier in a substantially set up condition with tabs 56 on panels 12 and 20 engaged on the underside of the bottle tops.
  • the carrier is constructed by folding panels 14 and 18 along fold lines 32 and 34 to produce an angular relationship with top panel 16. Then panels 12 and 20 are folded along fold lines 30 and 36 respectively until panels 12 and 20 are substantially parallel with, but in a different plane to top panel 16.
  • the carrier is maintained in the box-like condition shown in Figure 2 when said articles are inserted through the support apertures 58, 60 and pass through tab apertures 50, 52, 54 moving the tabs 56 out of their general plane until the distal edges of the tabs come into contact with the undersides of the bottle tops.
  • Tabs 56 hold the articles in position while apertures 58,60 maintain the keel structure K in a set up condition.
  • Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein a keel structure K is formed from first side panel 110, top panel 112 and second side panel 114 hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 130 and 132 respectively. Hingably connected to first side panel 110 along fold line 134 is first panel 116. Along the opposite side of first panel 116 is fold line 136, which hingably connects locking panel 120. A panel 118 is hingably connected to second side panel 114 along fold line 138.
  • Panel 118 comprises locking panel 122 and second panel 124 hingably connected together along fold line 140.
  • first panel 116 and second panel 124 are each formed with a row of three substantially circular tab apertures 152,154,156 having eight circumferentially arranged tabs 158. These tabs are arranged so that they provide a substantially circular surface for abutment with an article to be received in the aperture.
  • Locking panel 122 is formed with two rows of three circular support apertures 160,162,164, and locking panel 120 is formed with one row of three substantially circular support apertures 166,168,170; the diameter in each case being preferably similar to the diameter of apertures 152,154,156 formed in panels 116 and 124.
  • the support apertures 160,162,164 in locking panel 122 would be in registry with apertures 152,154,156 respectively.
  • the support apertures 166,168,170 in locking panel 120 would be in registry with the apertures 152,154,156 formed in panel 116, respectively.
  • Top panel 112 is formed with two opposing D-shaped finger holes 150.
  • the carrier is in a substantially set up condition with the tabs 158 on first and second panels 116 and 124 engaged on the undersides of the bottle tops.
  • the carrier is constructed by folding side panels 110 and 114 along fold lines 130 and 132 respectively to produce an angular relationship with top panel 112.
  • End panels 170 and 172 are folded along fold lines 142 and 144 respectively, so that they form an angular relationship with top panel 112 and panels 174,176 form face to face relationship with side panels 110,114 respectively.
  • First and second panels 116 and 124 are folded along fold lines 134 and 138 respectively until panels 116 and 124 are substantially parallel with, but in a different plane to, top panel 112.
  • Locking panel 122 is then folded along fold line 140 into a face to face relationship with panels 116 and 124 so that support apertures 160,162,164 are in registry with the corresponding apertures 152,154,156 in panels 116 and 124.
  • Locking panel 120 is then folded along fold line 136 into a face to face relationship with locking panel 122.
  • locking panel 120 may be folded along fold line 136 prior to folding of locking panel 122 so that locking panel 122 is folded into a face to face relationship with panels 116 and 124 while locking panel 120 is interposed between panels 116 and 122.
  • the carrier is maintained in a box-like condition as shown in Figure 4, when said articles are inserted respectively, through the support apertures 160,162,164,166,168,170 and pass through tab apertures 152,154,156, moving tabs 158 out of their general plane until the distal edges of tabs 158 come into contact with the undersides of the bottle tops.
  • Tabs 158 hold the articles in position while apertures 160,162,164,166,168,170 maintain the keel structure in its set up condition.
  • the present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to a carrier shaped to provide sufficient rigidity and by forming a double layer of board where strength is required.
  • the shape of the blank ensures a minimum width is obtained which reduces the amount of board required.
  • This carrier can be applied to an array of bottles by hand or by automatic machinery.

Abstract

An article carrier of the top gripping type for accommodating articles such as bottles (B) is disclosed. The carrier includes a tubular central portion (K) and first and second panels (12, 20, 116, 124) extending outwardly from the tubular portion (K). The first and second panels (12, 20, 116, 124) have apertures (50, 52, 54, 152, 154, 156) each operatively engaging the underside of a radially protruding part of an article (B) present in that aperture by the abutment of tabs (56, 158) provided around the aperture. The tabs (56, 158) are foldable to stand out of the general plane of the aperture. The carrier also includes at least one locking panel (22) disposed in a face-to-face relationship with the first and second panels (12, 20, 116, 124) and having corresponding apertures (58, 60, 166, 168, 170) in registry with selected ones of those apertures of the first and second panels (12, 20, 116, 124). The tubular portion (K) is maintained only by the presence of at least one article (B) received in the respective registering apertures of the first, second and locking panel (12, 20, 22, 116, 124, 122).

Description

The invention relates to a carrier which is used for packaging a plurality of articles such as bottles. More particularly, it relates to a carrier of the top gripping type which attaches to the tops of articles thereby to secure the articles in an array.
It is known to provide top gripping carriers which comprise so-called sun-burst type apertures having a series of circumferentially arranged tabs which enable a bottle top to pass through the aperture which tabs engage on the underside of the bottle top or on the flange on the bottle neck to prevent removal of the bottle from the aperture. One problem with top gripping carriers is that they need to be of sufficient strength to support the articles. A rigid structure would address this problem but produces its own difficulties. The prior art requires locking means or an adhesive in order to construct the carrier.
One example is illustrated in US 2 737 326 which illustrates a top gripping carrier with a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure. There comprises panels 21a, 21b extending outwardly from the tubular structure, each panel comprising an aperture for receiving a bottle.
A further difficulty associated with this type of carrier is the problem of being able to lift and carry these top gripping carriers.
The present invention seeks to overcome the difficulties by forming a box structure which provides the requisite rigidity and sufficient strength to support the bottles located either side of this box structure. Further, a commercial advantage is achieved by a reduction in board and decreased construction time.
One aspect of the present invention provides an article carrier of a top gripping type comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure, and a pair of first and second panels extending outwardly and away from the tubular structure each having an aperture for receiving a bottle or the like. A locking panel has apertures disposed in registry respectively with the apertures in the first and second panels and the locking panel is disposed in face to face contacting relationship with both the first and second panels such that a gap between side panels of the tubular structure is spanned with the locking panel, so that each of the apertures in the first and second panels and a registering one of the apertures in the locking panel may receive a bottle or the like therein to maintain the carrier in a set up condition.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the tubular structure may further comprise a top panel having opposite side edges, and wherein the side panels are opposed and hingedly connected respectively to the opposite side edges of the top panel and extending downwardly to respective lower end edges thereof. Preferably, the locking panel may be connected to the top panel through an intermediate panel.
Optionally, the top panel may have opposite end edges, the intermediate panel may be hingedly connected to one of the end edges of the top panel and extends downwardly to a lower end edge thereof, and the locking panel is hingedly connected to the lower end edge of the intermediate panel.
According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the first and second panels may extend away from each other to respective outer side edges thereof, and the locking panel is hingedly connected to the outer side edge of one of the first and second panels.
According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention there may further comprise a plurality of tabs provided around each of the apertures in one or more of the first and second panels, the tabs around the each aperture being foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second panels such that the tabs around the each aperture may engage the underside of a radially protruding part of a bottle or the like present in the each aperture when folded to stand out of the general plane of the respective panel.
According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the tubular structure may be upstanding relative the first and second panels. Preferably, the top panel of the tubular structure may be provided with a handle means comprising two finger apertures in spaced arrangement.
A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier of a top gripping type comprising a top panel having opposite side edges and opposite end edges, a pair of side panels hingedly connected respectively to the opposite side edges of the top panel and extending away from each other to respective outer side edges thereof, a pair of first and second panels hingedly connected respectively to the outer side edges of the side panels and extending away from each other. The first and second panels each have an aperture for receiving a bottle or the like and there is provided an intermediate panel hingedly connected to one of the end edges of the top panel and extending away from the top panel to an outer end edge thereof. A locking panel is hingedly connected to the outer end edge of the intermediate panel and having article-receiving apertures arranged for registry respectively with the apertures in the first and second panels.
According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, there may further comprise a plurality of tabs provided around each of the apertures in one or more of the first and second panels, the tabs around the each aperture being foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second panels such that the tabs around the each aperture may engage the underside of a radially protruding part of a bottle or the like present in the each aperture when folded to stand out of the general plane of the respective panel. Preferably, the top panel of the tubular structure may be provided with a handle means comprising two finger apertures in spaced arrangement.
A third aspect of the invention provides a package comprising an article carrier of the top gripping type hereinbefore described and a plurality of bottles or the like engaged at respective top portions thereof with the carrier.
Embodiments of 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 one embodiment of the invention,
  • FIGURE 2 shows a carrier formed from a blank as shown in Figure 1;
  • FIGURE 3 shows a plan view of a carrier blank according to another embodiment of the invention; and
  • FIGURE 4 shows a carrier formed from a blank as shown in Figure 3.
    • Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a carrier blank 10 for forming a top gripping carrier and made from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material. The blank comprises a first panel 12 attached to a keel structure K, illustrated in Figure 2. The keel structure consists of a first side panel 14, a top panel 16 and a second side panel 18 hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 32 and 34, first panel 12 being hingably connected to the first side panel 14 along fold line 30.
    A second panel 20 is foldably attached to the keel structure along the outer edge of second side panel 18 by fold line 36. Locking panel 22 is attached to top panel 16 by intermediate panel 26 being hingably connected to both top panel 16 along fold line 38 and locking panel 22 along fold line 40. Positioned on the opposing side of top panel 16 is intermediate panel 28, hingably connected to the top panel 16 by fold line 42. Along the opposing edge of intermediate panel 28 is fold line 44 which hingably connects locking panel 24 and intermediate panel 28.
    As illustrated in Figure 1, first panel 12 and second panel 20 are each formed with a row of three substantially circular tab apertures 50,52,54 having eight circumferentially arranged tabs 56. These tabs 56 are so shaped to provide a substantially circular surface for abutment with an article to be received in the aperture.
    Locking panel 22 is formed with a pair of substantially circular support apertures 58 and locking panel 24 is formed with a pair of substantially circular support apertures 60. The diameter of apertures 58 and 60 is preferably similar to the diameter of the apertures formed on panels 12 and 20. In a set up condition, the support apertures 58 on panel 22 will be in registry with apertures 50 formed in panels 12 and 20. Likewise, the support apertures 60 on panel 24 will be in registry with apertures 54 formed in panels 12 and 20.
    Top panel 18 is formed with two opposing D-shaped finger holes 62.
    Figure 2 illustrates the carrier in a substantially set up condition with tabs 56 on panels 12 and 20 engaged on the underside of the bottle tops. The carrier is constructed by folding panels 14 and 18 along fold lines 32 and 34 to produce an angular relationship with top panel 16. Then panels 12 and 20 are folded along fold lines 30 and 36 respectively until panels 12 and 20 are substantially parallel with, but in a different plane to top panel 16.
    Intermediate panels 26 and 28 are folded along fold lines 38, 42 respectively. Then, locking panels 22 and 24 are folded along fold lines 40 and 44 into a face to face relationship with panels 12 and 20, so that apertures 58 and 60 are in registry with apertures 50 and 54 respectively.
    The carrier is maintained in the box-like condition shown in Figure 2 when said articles are inserted through the support apertures 58, 60 and pass through tab apertures 50, 52, 54 moving the tabs 56 out of their general plane until the distal edges of the tabs come into contact with the undersides of the bottle tops. Tabs 56 hold the articles in position while apertures 58,60 maintain the keel structure K in a set up condition.
    Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein a keel structure K is formed from first side panel 110, top panel 112 and second side panel 114 hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 130 and 132 respectively. Hingably connected to first side panel 110 along fold line 134 is first panel 116. Along the opposite side of first panel 116 is fold line 136, which hingably connects locking panel 120. A panel 118 is hingably connected to second side panel 114 along fold line 138.
    Panel 118 comprises locking panel 122 and second panel 124 hingably connected together along fold line 140.
    As illustrated in Figure 3, the first panel 116 and second panel 124 are each formed with a row of three substantially circular tab apertures 152,154,156 having eight circumferentially arranged tabs 158. These tabs are arranged so that they provide a substantially circular surface for abutment with an article to be received in the aperture.
    Locking panel 122 is formed with two rows of three circular support apertures 160,162,164, and locking panel 120 is formed with one row of three substantially circular support apertures 166,168,170; the diameter in each case being preferably similar to the diameter of apertures 152,154,156 formed in panels 116 and 124. In a set up condition the support apertures 160,162,164 in locking panel 122 would be in registry with apertures 152,154,156 respectively. In addition, the support apertures 166,168,170 in locking panel 120 would be in registry with the apertures 152,154,156 formed in panel 116, respectively.
    Top panel 112 is formed with two opposing D-shaped finger holes 150.
    As illustrated in Figure 4, the carrier is in a substantially set up condition with the tabs 158 on first and second panels 116 and 124 engaged on the undersides of the bottle tops. The carrier is constructed by folding side panels 110 and 114 along fold lines 130 and 132 respectively to produce an angular relationship with top panel 112. End panels 170 and 172 are folded along fold lines 142 and 144 respectively, so that they form an angular relationship with top panel 112 and panels 174,176 form face to face relationship with side panels 110,114 respectively. First and second panels 116 and 124 are folded along fold lines 134 and 138 respectively until panels 116 and 124 are substantially parallel with, but in a different plane to, top panel 112.
    Locking panel 122 is then folded along fold line 140 into a face to face relationship with panels 116 and 124 so that support apertures 160,162,164 are in registry with the corresponding apertures 152,154,156 in panels 116 and 124. Locking panel 120 is then folded along fold line 136 into a face to face relationship with locking panel 122. Alternatively, locking panel 120 may be folded along fold line 136 prior to folding of locking panel 122 so that locking panel 122 is folded into a face to face relationship with panels 116 and 124 while locking panel 120 is interposed between panels 116 and 122.
    The carrier is maintained in a box-like condition as shown in Figure 4, when said articles are inserted respectively, through the support apertures 160,162,164,166,168,170 and pass through tab apertures 152,154,156, moving tabs 158 out of their general plane until the distal edges of tabs 158 come into contact with the undersides of the bottle tops. Tabs 158 hold the articles in position while apertures 160,162,164,166,168,170 maintain the keel structure in its set up condition.
    The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to a carrier shaped to provide sufficient rigidity and by forming a double layer of board where strength is required. The shape of the blank ensures a minimum width is obtained which reduces the amount of board required. This carrier can be applied to an array of bottles by hand or by automatic machinery.

    Claims (12)

    1. An article carrier of a top gripping type, comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure, and a pair of first and second panels (12, 20; 116, 124) extending outwardly and away from the tubular structure each having an aperture (50; 152) for receiving a bottle or the like, characterised in that there is provided a locking panel (22, 122) having apertures (58, 58; 160, 160) disposed in registry respectively with said apertures (50, 50; 152, 152) in said first and second panels (12, 20; 116, 124) and said locking panel (22; 122) is disposed in face to face contacting relationship with both said first and second panels (12, 20; 116, 124) such that a gap between side panels (14, 18; 110, 114) of the tubular structure is spanned with said locking panel (22, 122), so that each of said apertures (50, 50; 152, 152) in said first and second panels (12, 20; 116, 124) and a registering one of said apertures (58, 58; 160, 160) in said locking panel (22, 122) may receive a bottle or the like therein to maintain said carrier in a set up condition.
    2. An article carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubular structure further comprises a top panel (16, 112) having opposite side edges, and wherein the side panels (14, 18; 110, 114) are opposed and hingedly connected respectively to said opposite side edges of said top panel 16, 112) and extending downwardly to respective lower end edges thereof.
    3. The article carrier according to claim 2 wherein said locking panel (22) is connected to said top panel (16) through an intermediate panel (26).
    4. The article carrier according to claim 3 wherein said top panel (16) has opposite end edges, said intermediate panel (26) is hingedly connected to one of said end edges of said top panel and extends downwardly to a lower end edge thereof, and said locking panel (22) is hingedly connected to said lower end edge of said intermediate panel.
    5. The article carrier according to claim 2 wherein said first and second panels (116, 124) extend away from each other to respective outer side edges thereof, and said locking panel (120) is hingedly connected to said outer side edge of one of said first and second panels.
    6. The article carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a plurality of tabs provided around each of said apertures in one or more of said first and second panels, said tabs around said each aperture being foldably connected to a respective one of said first and second panels such that said tabs around said each aperture may engage the underside of a radially protruding part of a bottle or the like present in said each aperture when folded to stand out of the general plane of said respective panel.
    7. The article carrier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tubular structure is upstanding relative said first and second panels (12, 20).
    8. The article carrier as claimed in claim 7 wherein the top panel (16, 112) of said tubular structure is provided with a handle means comprising two finger apertures in spaced arrangement.
    9. A blank for forming an article carrier of a top gripping type comprising a top panel (16) having opposite side edges (32, 34) and opposite end edges (38, 42), a pair of side panels (14, 18) hingedly connected respectively to said opposite side edges (32, 34) of said top panel (16) and extending away from each other to respective outer side edges (30, 36) thereof, a pair of first and second panels (12, 20) hingedly connected respectively to said outer side edges (30, 36) of said side panels (14, 18) and extending away from each other, said first and second panels (12, 20) each having an aperture (50) for receiving a bottle or the like characterised in that there further comprises an intermediate panel (26) hingedly connected to one (38) of said end edges (38, 42) of said top panel (16) and extending away from said top panel to an outer end edge (40) thereof, and a locking panel (22) hingedly connected to said outer end edge (40) of said intermediate panel (26) and having article-receiving apertures (58, 58) arranged for registry respectively with said apertures (50, 50) in said first and second panels (12, 20).
    10. A blank according to claim 9 further comprising a plurality of tabs provided around each of said apertures in one or more of said first and second panels, said tabs around said each aperture being foldably connected to a respective one of said first and second panels such that said tabs around said each aperture may engage the underside of a radially protruding part of a bottle or the like present in said each aperture when folded to stand out of the general plane of said respective panel.
    11. A blank as claimed in claim 10 wherein the top panel (16, 112) of said tubular structure is provided with a handle means comprising two finger apertures in spaced arrangement.
    12. A package comprising an article carrier of a top gripping type as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of bottles or the like engaged at respective top portions thereof with said carrier.
    EP96945955A 1995-12-29 1996-12-20 Article carrier Expired - Lifetime EP0879185B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GB9526685 1995-12-29
    GBGB9526685.4A GB9526685D0 (en) 1995-12-29 1995-12-29 Article carrier
    PCT/US1996/020593 WO1997024271A1 (en) 1995-12-29 1996-12-20 Article carrier

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0879185A1 EP0879185A1 (en) 1998-11-25
    EP0879185A4 EP0879185A4 (en) 1999-03-17
    EP0879185B1 true EP0879185B1 (en) 2001-07-04

    Family

    ID=10786181

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP96945955A Expired - Lifetime EP0879185B1 (en) 1995-12-29 1996-12-20 Article carrier

    Country Status (14)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0879185B1 (en)
    JP (1) JP3626204B2 (en)
    KR (1) KR100465442B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE202759T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU711343B2 (en)
    BR (1) BR9612311A (en)
    DE (1) DE69613718T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK0879185T3 (en)
    ES (1) ES2158375T3 (en)
    GB (1) GB9526685D0 (en)
    GR (1) GR3036703T3 (en)
    NZ (1) NZ330762A (en)
    PT (1) PT879185E (en)
    WO (1) WO1997024271A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB0422962D0 (en) * 2004-10-15 2004-11-17 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Article carrier and blank therefor
    US11420802B2 (en) * 2016-05-02 2022-08-23 Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc Blank for forming an article carrier

    Family Cites Families (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US2737326A (en) * 1955-03-02 1956-03-06 New Haven Board & Carton Compa Can carrier
    DE2723241A1 (en) * 1977-05-23 1978-11-30 Unilever Nv BOTTLE CARRIER
    US4850478A (en) * 1988-02-18 1989-07-25 Nationwide Industries, Inc. Novel space-saving carrier for containers
    US5445262A (en) * 1993-06-29 1995-08-29 Riverwood International Corporation Bottle carrier
    US5590776A (en) * 1995-10-06 1997-01-07 Galbierz; Richard T. Multi-pack carrier for bottles

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    WO1997024271A1 (en) 1997-07-10
    JP3626204B2 (en) 2005-03-02
    KR19990076963A (en) 1999-10-25
    EP0879185A1 (en) 1998-11-25
    GB9526685D0 (en) 1996-02-28
    PT879185E (en) 2001-10-30
    EP0879185A4 (en) 1999-03-17
    DE69613718T2 (en) 2001-10-31
    AU1743797A (en) 1997-07-28
    JP2000502643A (en) 2000-03-07
    ES2158375T3 (en) 2001-09-01
    DE69613718D1 (en) 2001-08-09
    AU711343B2 (en) 1999-10-14
    NZ330762A (en) 2000-03-27
    ATE202759T1 (en) 2001-07-15
    KR100465442B1 (en) 2005-02-28
    DK0879185T3 (en) 2001-09-24
    BR9612311A (en) 1999-07-13
    GR3036703T3 (en) 2001-12-31

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