EP1058655B1 - A carton having a locking arrangement - Google Patents

A carton having a locking arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1058655B1
EP1058655B1 EP97937689A EP97937689A EP1058655B1 EP 1058655 B1 EP1058655 B1 EP 1058655B1 EP 97937689 A EP97937689 A EP 97937689A EP 97937689 A EP97937689 A EP 97937689A EP 1058655 B1 EP1058655 B1 EP 1058655B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
carton
flap
opening
aperture
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
EP97937689A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1058655A1 (en
Inventor
Sandra Schoenwald
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.)
Graphic Packaging International LLC
Original Assignee
Riverwood International 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 Riverwood International Corp filed Critical Riverwood International Corp
Publication of EP1058655A1 publication Critical patent/EP1058655A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1058655B1 publication Critical patent/EP1058655B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
    • B65D71/14—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
    • B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
    • B65D2571/0016—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs protruding from one end and co-operating with openings at the other end
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
    • B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
    • B65D2571/00172—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing towards the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end

Definitions

  • This invention relates to locking arrangements for locking together first and second panels of a carton.
  • the two panels may be the base panels of a carton.
  • This may be a multipack for a number of articles such as bottles or cans and may take the form of a wrap, basket type package or any other type of carton.
  • FR-A-2 139 874 discloses a carton having a lock arrangement for locking together first and second panels of the carton.
  • the arrangement comprises a flap projecting from the edge of the first panel and hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line, an arcuate cut formed in the first panel, cut engaging means provided on the flap and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs which engage behind the cuts, and a cooperative aperture in the second panel such that in use the flap is passed through the aperture in the outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture and the free edge of the second panel and is inserted into the cut in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap is retained by the cut as a main lock.
  • a carton having a lock arrangement for locking together first and second panels of the carton, the arrangement comprising a flap projecting from the edge of the first panel, an opening formed in the first panel, opening engaging means provided on the flap and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs which engage behind cuts which extend laterally from the opening, and a cooperating aperture in the second panel, said flap being hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line which is in two parts, the opening extending therebetween, part way into the flap, such that in use the flap is passed through the aperture in an outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture and the free edge of the second panel and is inserted into the opening in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap is retained by the opening as a main lock.
  • an initial lock is provided by a tab on the second panel projecting into the aperture from the side of the aperture closest to the free edge of the second panel, which tab engages an edge of a hole formed in the first panel.
  • said hole edge is constituted by the opening.
  • the aperture is generally rectangular having a width similar to the width of the flap which has generally parallel sides.
  • a second fold is provided in the flap substantially parallel to the hinge connection to the remainder of the first panel to facilitate insertion of the barbed end of the flap in the opening.
  • the carton will provide a number of said lock arrangements at spaced locations along the base.
  • a paperboard blank 10 which is folded around a 2 x 3 group of six bottles 11 to form a wrap which retains the six bottles 11 in the 2 x 3 formation as a multipack.
  • the blank 10 provides a top 12, two first side panels 13 hingedly connected to the top 12, two second side panels 14 hingedly connected to respective first side panels 13, two heel panels 15 hingedly connected to respective second side panels 14 and first and second base panels 16, 17 hingedly connected by folds 18 to respective heel panels 15.
  • the first side panels provide first holes 19 for receiving the closures of the bottles 11 in use and the heel panels 15 provide second holes 20 for receiving the heel portions of the bottles 11.
  • the holes 19, 20 are standard features for retaining the bottles 11 in such cartons although alternatives are known and could be used here.
  • Cut away portions 21 are also provided in the top panel 12 to constitute handle means. Other types of handle could, however, be provided.
  • Each formation 23 in the second base panel 17 comprises a generally rectangular aperture 24 having a tab 25 projecting into the aperture 24 from the direction of the free edge 26 of the second base panel 17.
  • Each formation 22 in the first base panel 16 comprises a flap 27 projecting away from the first base panel 16 which flap 27 remains hingedly connected to the first base panel 16 by means of a hinge line formed in two sections 28. Between the two hinge sections 28 is a quadrilateral opening 29 having a tab engaging edge 30 at one end which edge 30 has a similar lateral extent to the tab 25 and a pair of cuts 31 at the other end. The cuts 31 initially extend from the lateral edges of the opening 29 slightly towards the adjacent heel panel 15 before extending laterally outwards.
  • Each projecting flap 27 has an end section 32 which is hingedly connected to the remainder by way of fold 33.
  • the flap 27 is cut away at the areas 34 at the ends of the fold 33 to give the end section 32 a pair of spaced barbs 35.
  • the two base panels 16, 17 are folded slightly underneath the bottles 11 such that the projecting flaps 27 pass through the corresponding apertures 24 in the second base panel 17 from the inside to the outside.
  • the tabs 25 engage behind the respective tab engaging edges 30 of the openings 29 in the first base panel 16. This effectively constitutes an initial lock as shown in figure 3 and ensures correct positioning of the two base panels.
  • the flaps 27 are then folded back about the hinge line sections 28 as shown in figure 4 over the portions of the second base panel 17 between the apertures 24 and the free edge 26.
  • the end sections 32 are then bent about folds 33 relative to the remainders of the flaps 27 as shown in figure 5.
  • the end sections 32 are then inserted into the still exposed areas of the respective openings 29 such that the barb 35 engage securely behind the cuts 31.
  • the assembled base panels are clearly shown in figure 6. The result is a simple yet strong locking arrangement.
  • each openings 29 may be of any chosen shape and may comprise a pair of holes, one for engaging the tab and the other for receiving the free end of the flap 27.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Description

This invention relates to locking arrangements for locking together first and second panels of a carton. In particular, but not exclusively, the two panels may be the base panels of a carton. This may be a multipack for a number of articles such as bottles or cans and may take the form of a wrap, basket type package or any other type of carton.
FR-A-2 139 874 discloses a carton having a lock arrangement for locking together first and second panels of the carton. The arrangement comprises a flap projecting from the edge of the first panel and hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line, an arcuate cut formed in the first panel, cut engaging means provided on the flap and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs which engage behind the cuts, and a cooperative aperture in the second panel such that in use the flap is passed through the aperture in the outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture and the free edge of the second panel and is inserted into the cut in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap is retained by the cut as a main lock.
According to the present invention there is provided a carton having a lock arrangement for locking together first and second panels of the carton, the arrangement comprising a flap projecting from the edge of the first panel, an opening formed in the first panel, opening engaging means provided on the flap and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs which engage behind cuts which extend laterally from the opening, and a cooperating aperture in the second panel, said flap being hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line which is in two parts, the opening extending therebetween, part way into the flap, such that in use the flap is passed through the aperture in an outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture and the free edge of the second panel and is inserted into the opening in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap is retained by the opening as a main lock.
Preferably an initial lock is provided by a tab on the second panel projecting into the aperture from the side of the aperture closest to the free edge of the second panel, which tab engages an edge of a hole formed in the first panel. Ideally said hole edge is constituted by the opening.
In some embodiments the aperture is generally rectangular having a width similar to the width of the flap which has generally parallel sides.
Conveniently a second fold is provided in the flap substantially parallel to the hinge connection to the remainder of the first panel to facilitate insertion of the barbed end of the flap in the opening. Normally the carton will provide a number of said lock arrangements at spaced locations along the base.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a blank for producing a carton according to the present invention, and
  • Figures 2 to 6 are perspective views of the various phases of the locking action of the carton.
    • There is shown a paperboard blank 10 which is folded around a 2 x 3 group of six bottles 11 to form a wrap which retains the six bottles 11 in the 2 x 3 formation as a multipack. The blank 10 provides a top 12, two first side panels 13 hingedly connected to the top 12, two second side panels 14 hingedly connected to respective first side panels 13, two heel panels 15 hingedly connected to respective second side panels 14 and first and second base panels 16, 17 hingedly connected by folds 18 to respective heel panels 15.
    The first side panels provide first holes 19 for receiving the closures of the bottles 11 in use and the heel panels 15 provide second holes 20 for receiving the heel portions of the bottles 11. The holes 19, 20 are standard features for retaining the bottles 11 in such cartons although alternatives are known and could be used here.
    Cut away portions 21 are also provided in the top panel 12 to constitute handle means. Other types of handle could, however, be provided.
    To close the blank 10 in a secure manner around the bottles 11 there are provided a series of three pairs of cooperating locking formations 22, 23 in the first and second base panels 16, 17 respectively. Each formation 23 in the second base panel 17 comprises a generally rectangular aperture 24 having a tab 25 projecting into the aperture 24 from the direction of the free edge 26 of the second base panel 17.
    Each formation 22 in the first base panel 16 comprises a flap 27 projecting away from the first base panel 16 which flap 27 remains hingedly connected to the first base panel 16 by means of a hinge line formed in two sections 28. Between the two hinge sections 28 is a quadrilateral opening 29 having a tab engaging edge 30 at one end which edge 30 has a similar lateral extent to the tab 25 and a pair of cuts 31 at the other end. The cuts 31 initially extend from the lateral edges of the opening 29 slightly towards the adjacent heel panel 15 before extending laterally outwards.
    Each projecting flap 27 has an end section 32 which is hingedly connected to the remainder by way of fold 33. The flap 27 is cut away at the areas 34 at the ends of the fold 33 to give the end section 32 a pair of spaced barbs 35.
    The assembly of the blank 10 around the bottles 11 will be described below in more detail. Firstly the blank 10 is placed over the bottles 11 such that the top 12 engages the closures of the bottles. The side panels 13, 14 are then folded down in a standard manner. Figures 2 to 6 show a slightly simplified arrangement for the sake of clarity in that the heel panels 15 and second holes 20 have been omitted. The function of the locking formations 22, 23 however remains the same.
    The two base panels 16, 17 are folded slightly underneath the bottles 11 such that the projecting flaps 27 pass through the corresponding apertures 24 in the second base panel 17 from the inside to the outside. The tabs 25 engage behind the respective tab engaging edges 30 of the openings 29 in the first base panel 16. This effectively constitutes an initial lock as shown in figure 3 and ensures correct positioning of the two base panels.
    The flaps 27 are then folded back about the hinge line sections 28 as shown in figure 4 over the portions of the second base panel 17 between the apertures 24 and the free edge 26. The end sections 32 are then bent about folds 33 relative to the remainders of the flaps 27 as shown in figure 5. The end sections 32 are then inserted into the still exposed areas of the respective openings 29 such that the barb 35 engage securely behind the cuts 31. The assembled base panels are clearly shown in figure 6. The result is a simple yet strong locking arrangement.
    It will be appreciated that modifications could be made to the locking formations 22, 23. Also any number could be provided on a given carton. Furthermore any type or size of carton could employ such locking arrangement for the base panels. In other cartons each openings 29 may be of any chosen shape and may comprise a pair of holes, one for engaging the tab and the other for receiving the free end of the flap 27.

    Claims (8)

    1. A carton having a lock arrangement (22,23) for locking together first and second panels (16,17) of the carton, the arrangement comprising a flap (27) projecting from the edge of the first panel (16), an opening (29) formed in the first panel (16), opening engaging means provided on the flap (27) and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs (35) which engage behind cuts (31) which extend laterally from the opening (29), and a cooperating aperture (24) in the second panel (17), said flap being hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line 28 which is in two parts, the opening (29) extending therebetween, part way into the flap (27), such that in use the flap (27) is passed through the aperture (24) in an outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture (24) and the free edge (26) of the second panel (17) and is inserted into the opening (29) in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap (27) is retained by the opening (29) as a main lock.
    2. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein an initial lock is provided by a tab (25) on the second panel (17) projecting into the aperture (24) from the side of the aperture closest to the free edge (26) of the second panel, which tab (25) engages an edge (30) of a hole formed in the first panel.
    3. A carton as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hole edge (30) is constituted by the opening (29).
    4. A carton as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tab engaging edge (30) is at the flap-side extremity of the opening and the cuts (31) are at the opposite extremity.
    5. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the aperture (24) is generally rectangular having a width similar to the width of the flap (27) which has generally parallel sides.
    6. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a second fold (33) is provided in the flap (27) substantially parallel to the hinge connection (28) to the remainder of the first panel (16) to facilitate insertion of the barbed end of the flap (27) in the opening (29).
    7. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein there are provided a number of said lock arrangements (22,23) at spaced locations along the base.
    8. A paperboard blank (10) for producing a carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.
    EP97937689A 1996-09-04 1997-08-21 A carton having a locking arrangement Expired - Lifetime EP1058655B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GB9618418 1996-09-04
    GBGB9618418.9A GB9618418D0 (en) 1996-09-04 1996-09-04 A carton having a locking arrangement
    PCT/GB1997/002244 WO1998009871A2 (en) 1996-09-04 1997-08-21 Carton having a locking arrangements

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1058655A1 EP1058655A1 (en) 2000-12-13
    EP1058655B1 true EP1058655B1 (en) 2001-11-28

    Family

    ID=10799372

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP97937689A Expired - Lifetime EP1058655B1 (en) 1996-09-04 1997-08-21 A carton having a locking arrangement

    Country Status (8)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1058655B1 (en)
    JP (1) JP2002513365A (en)
    AU (1) AU729673B2 (en)
    DE (1) DE69708705T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2168661T3 (en)
    GB (1) GB9618418D0 (en)
    NZ (1) NZ334444A (en)
    WO (1) WO1998009871A2 (en)

    Families Citing this family (9)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    WO2012054326A2 (en) * 2010-10-18 2012-04-26 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with handle
    US9022277B2 (en) 2011-04-20 2015-05-05 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carrier with locking features
    JP5820057B2 (en) 2011-05-12 2015-11-24 グラフィック パッケージング インターナショナル インコーポレイテッド Carrier with holding function
    US20130098977A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carrier with Retention Features
    CA3012479A1 (en) 2016-02-12 2017-08-17 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carton with handle
    AU2017218126B2 (en) 2016-02-12 2019-11-07 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carton with handle
    EP3743353B1 (en) 2018-01-23 2023-06-21 Graphic Packaging International, LLC Carrier with handle features
    USD854412S1 (en) 2018-02-22 2019-07-23 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carrier
    USD867900S1 (en) 2018-03-01 2019-11-26 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carrier

    Family Cites Families (7)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US1658981A (en) * 1926-10-22 1928-02-14 Galbraith Frederick Wrapper for piece goods
    FR2139874B1 (en) * 1972-05-10 1974-11-08 Huault Jean
    US4458836A (en) * 1982-10-18 1984-07-10 The Mead Corporation Article wrapper
    US4708284A (en) * 1986-02-12 1987-11-24 Federal Paper Board Co., Inc. Lock arrangement
    US5364022A (en) * 1993-07-19 1994-11-15 Riverwood International, Inc. Closure panel lock mechanism
    US5443203A (en) * 1994-10-03 1995-08-22 Riverwood International Corporation Carton panel lock
    US5472138A (en) * 1995-04-06 1995-12-05 Riverwood International Corporation Wrap-around carton with improved locking means

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    AU4023297A (en) 1998-03-26
    DE69708705T2 (en) 2002-05-08
    ES2168661T3 (en) 2002-06-16
    WO1998009871A3 (en) 2002-11-14
    WO1998009871A2 (en) 1998-03-12
    EP1058655A1 (en) 2000-12-13
    JP2002513365A (en) 2002-05-08
    AU729673B2 (en) 2001-02-08
    DE69708705D1 (en) 2002-01-10
    NZ334444A (en) 2000-01-28
    GB9618418D0 (en) 1996-10-16

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