EP1268303B1 - Article carrier and blank - Google Patents
Article carrier and blank Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1268303B1 EP1268303B1 EP01922622A EP01922622A EP1268303B1 EP 1268303 B1 EP1268303 B1 EP 1268303B1 EP 01922622 A EP01922622 A EP 01922622A EP 01922622 A EP01922622 A EP 01922622A EP 1268303 B1 EP1268303 B1 EP 1268303B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- panels
- handle
- panel
- bridging
- 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
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/14—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
- B65D71/16—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls with article-locating elements
- B65D71/20—Slits or openings along the fold line of the tubular body
-
- 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
- B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
-
- 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
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
- B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00277—Slits or openings formed along a fold line
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
- B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/0029—Openings in top or bottom walls
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00456—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00475—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper and extending ion a substantially vertical plane
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00512—Handles or suspending means movable or foldable between an extended and a retracted position
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00518—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements
- B65D2571/0053—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements attached
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00716—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular without end walls
Definitions
- the invention relates to an article carrier and a blank for forming an article carrier which are particularly useful, but not limited to, carrying bottles. More particularly, the invention relates to an article carrier with an improved bridging structure for the strengthening handle and a reinforcing handle panel.
- Bracing structures for bracing handle structures in article carriers are well known.
- GB 480 138 illustrates a wraparound carrier which shows a pair of tabs 12,12' formed from the handle panels spanning the space between the top panels and connected to each other by mechanical engagement.
- Such arrangements were possible because the cartons were packed by hand.
- lateral movement of the panels to cause mechanical engagement of tabs 12 and 12' is undesirable.
- handle panels In order to strengthen the handle structure, it is desirable for handle panels to be in face contacting relationship. However, in those carriers where the handle panels are spaced or diverge away from their point of connection it causes the handle structure to be weaker.
- bracing structures are illustrated in EP 0 122 397 and US 5 158 177 , however these structures are required to be constructed in the bottling machines which is undesirable because it increases the complexity of the machinery and/or limits carton throughput.
- a further problem associated with the prior art concerns the stacking of such carriers which can interfere with the handles and destroy their integrity.
- the present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or attempt to mitigate the problems associated with the prior art.
- EP 0122 397 discloses an article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top panels, first and second handle panels and bridging means provided to span the space between the top panels, said carrying handle being collapsible.
- an article carrier as summarised above is characterised in that the bridging means comprises a bridging panel hingedly connected between the handle panels and in that the bridging panel comprises a longitudinally-extending fold line to allow the carrying handle to be collapsed so that the handle panels are placed in face-contacting relationship.
- the carrying handle may be collapsed to be folded flat on part of one of the spaced top panels.
- EP 0122 397 also discloses a blank arrangement for forming an article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a first top panel, first and second handle panels and a second top panel hingedly connected together in series, and bridging means is provided to span the space between the top panels.
- a blank arrangement as summarised above is characterised by the bridging means including a bridging panel hingedly interconnecting the top panels and the bridging panel is adapted to allow the carrying handle to be placed in a collapsed form, wherein the bridging panel has a longitudinally-extending fold line to allow the carrying handle to be collapsed so that the handle panels are placed in face-contacting relationship.
- the carrying handle can be collapsed to be folded flat on part of one of the first or second top panels.
- first and second handle panels are each provided with a medial fold line spaced from the hinged connection between the bridging means and the respective said first and second top panels, whereby said first and second handle panels are folded about said medial fold line to cause the second handle panel to be placed in flat form with respect to one of the top panels.
- FIG. 1 and 2 there is shown a two-part blank for forming an article carrier which blanks are formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material.
- the article carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, for example four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles each. It is envisaged the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements.
- the blank 10 comprises a plurality of panels for forming the top, sides and base of an article carrier.
- a first base panel 12 a side wall structure 14, a top panel 46, a handle structure H ( Figures 1 and 4 ), a second top panel 56, a second side wall structure 20 and a second base panel 22 hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 24,50,26,30,60 and 32 respectively.
- the base panel 12 may include an inclined heel (or slope) panel 34 intermediate base panel 12 and side wall structure 14 and hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 36 and 24 respectively.
- each side wall structure 14 and 20 comprise upper and lower side wall panels 44, 42 and 54,52 respectively so that the side walls better conform to the shape of the articles contained.
- Each upper and lower side wall panel 44,42 and 54,52 is hingedly connected together along fold line 48 and 58 respectively to allow the side walls to flex, thereby to better conform to the shape of the articles contained in the article carrier.
- article receiving and retaining means 62,62a, 62b and 62c which are struck from the lower side wall panels 42,52, base panels 12,22 and, as the case may be, the intermediate heel panel 34,38.
- Each article receiving and retaining means is identical and therefore only one of the article receiving and retaining means 62 is hereinafter described.
- the retaining means 62 comprises a retaining aperture 70 struck from the heel panel 38 and extending into base panel 22. It is shaped to receive a lower part of the article A, as shown in Figure 6 .
- the article receiving and retaining means 62 may further comprise one or more retaining flaps 72 which in a formed carton provide internal flap portions to retain the base of an article. More preferably, there comprises a pair of flaps 72 hingedly connected to the opposite edges of aperture 70.
- Each flap 72 comprises upper and lower flap portions 64,66 hingedly connected together along fold lines 68 to enable the upper and lower flap portions to be folded out of alignment with respect to each other and to better conform to the shape of that part of the article A engaged by the flap 72 and in the aperture 70.
- apertures 74 may further comprise a plurality of apertures 74 formed in the top panel which are adapted to be aligned in vertically spaced registry with the corresponding article receiving and retaining means 62 in a set-up condition.
- These apertures 74 are provided to support a neck portion of the article and may, optionally, include a pair of substantially "V" shaped fold lines (not shown) struck from the upper side panels 44 and 54 to define fold lines to support tabs that protrude outwardly of the side wall structures 14,20 in a similar manner to those illustrated in the second embodiment.
- the handle structure H is provided with first and second handle panels 16,18 hingedly connected together along their common lateral edge by fold line 28 to define the top of the handle.
- First handle panel 16 is secured to top panel 46 by fold line 26 and second handle panel 18 is secured to top panel 56 by fold line 30.
- First and second handle panels 16,18 are provided with hand apertures 76 and, optionally, hand support flaps 80 improve the handling characteristics of the article carrier.
- Figure 2 illustrates the bridging means 82 which, in this embodiment, is a sheet member formed from a separate blank. In other embodiments, the bridging means could be integral with and formed from the carrier blank 10. The opposite ends of the sheet member 82 are attached to the handle panels 16,18 of the outer blank 10 as described in more detail below.
- the bridging means 82 comprises a first handle reinforcing panel 84, a medial bridging panel 87 and a second handle reinforcing panel 90 hingedly connected together one to the next along fold lines 92 and 96 respectively.
- Handle reinforcing panels 84,90 may further comprise hand apertures 98 or recesses.
- the medial bridging panel 87 comprises two panel parts 86 and 88 hingedly connected together along a common lateral edge by fold line 94. In use, fold line 94 allows the bridging panel 87 and handle structure H to be collapsed thereby enabling the article carrier to be supplied in a flat collapsed condition.
- the article carrier of the present embodiment can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations in a straight line machine so that the carrier is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction.
- the folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
- Figures 3A to 3F illustrate the handle forming process.
- the first step is for the bridging means 82 to be folded along fold line 94 in direction R whereby opposing handle reinforcing panels 84 and 90 and medial bridging panel parts 86 and 88 are folded into face contacting relationship with each other so that the bridging means 82 is in the position shown in Figure 3B .
- the apertures are aligned.
- the bridging means 82 is secured to the handle panels 16,18.
- the handle reinforcing panels 84,90 are secured to handle panels 16 and 18 respectively by glue or other suitable means known in the art. It will be seen from Figure 3C that glue is applied to one or more parts of the handle panels 16 and 18 designated by the letter G and the bridging means 82 is placed on handle panel 16 such that handle reinforcing panel 84 is in face contacting relationship with panel 16 and hand apertures 98 and 76 are aligned as shown in Figure 3D .
- top panel 56, side wall structure 20 and base panel 22 are then folded about central fold line 28 in direction S and handle reinforcing panel 90 is secured in face contacting relationship with handle panel 18 (see Figure 3E ). Thereafter, top panel 56, side wall structure 20 and base panel 22 are folded along fold line 30 in direction T so that top panel 56 is in face contacting relationship with handle panel 18 shown in Figure 3F .
- the carrier is in a part-constructed condition with the handle structure H formed, but in a flat collapsed condition ready to be supplied to the end user.
- top panels 46 and 56 are folded out of alignment with their next adjacent handle panels 16 and 18 respectively along fold lines 26 and 30 and are pulled in an outward direction away from each other to cause the medial bridging panel 87 to be erected and to span the space between the top panels 46,56. It will be seen from Figure 4 that panel parts 86 and 88 are folded out of face contacting relationship along fold line 94 and handle panels 16 and 18 are pulled apart so as to pivot about their common hinged connection 28 to form a tubular structure.
- top panels 46,56 are applied to the tops of a group of articles to be packaged by the article carrier.
- the side wall structures 14 and 20 are folded downwardly and the upper and lower side wall panels 44,42 and 54,52 are folded out of alignment along fold line 48 and 58 so as to be disposed in flanking relationship with the side walls of the articles.
- the neck portion of the or each article A is engaged in the aperture 74 as shown in Figure 5 .
- the heel retention flaps of the article heel retention means 62,62a are then formed to receive a heel portion of the articles A as is well known.
- Base panel 22 and heel panel 38 are folded inwardly and upwardly into engagement with base portions of the articles.
- a similar operation on the other side of the group of articles is also performed and the wraparound carrier can be completed by securing the overlapping base panels 12,22 together by suitable means known in the art, for example by gluing or, preferably, by the use of locking and retaining tabs.
- the carrier is in a set up condition as shown in Figure 6 whereby there is shown an article carrier 98 for carrying necked articles, comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top panels 46,56, a pair of handle panels 16, 18 extending upwardly from the top panels to form a carrying handle H and bridging means 82 provided to span the space between the top panels.
- the bridging means 82 is a sheet member formed from a separate blank, and the opposite ends of the sheet member are attached to the handle panels 16,18.
- each handle wall is two ply and is therefore strengthened to avoid any unwanted tearing which is unsightly and can lead the user to question the strength characteristics of the carrier.
- FIGS 7 , 8 , 9, 10 , 11 and 12 there is shown a second carrier that is similar to the article carrier of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and therefore like reference numerals have been used with the prefix "1".
- FIG 7 there is shown a unitary blank 110 made from paperboard or like foldable sheet material.
- the blank 110 comprises a first base panel 112, a side wall structure 114, a top panel 146, a handle structure HI ( Figures 7 and 9 ), a second top wall panel 156, a second side wall structure 120 and a second base panel 122 hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 124,150,126,130,160 and 132 respectively.
- the base panel 112 may include an inclined heel (or slope) panel 134 intermediate base panel 112 and side wall structure 114 and hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 136 and 124 respectively.
- There may further comprise a second heel panel 138 intermediate side wall structure 120 and base panel 122 and hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 132 and 140 respectively.
- first and second side wall structures 114 and 120 preferably comprise upper and lower side wall panels 144,142 and 154,152 hingedly connected together along fold line 148 and 158 respectively.
- each article receiving and retaining means 162,162a, 162b and 162c are struck from the lower side wall panels, base panels and the intermediate heel panels.
- Each article receiving and retaining means is identical to the article receiving and retaining means 62 of the first embodiment and is not therefore described in any greater detail.
- a plurality of apertures 174 formed in the top panel which are adapted to be aligned in vertically spaced registry with the article receiving and retaining means 162 in a set-up condition. These apertures 174 are provided to support a neck portion of the article and may optionally include a pair of substantially "V" shaped fold lines 175 struck from the upper side panels 144 and 154 to define fold lines to support tabs 173 separated by cut line 179 that protrude outwardly of the side wall structures 114,120.
- the handle structure H is provided with first and second handle panels 116,118 hingedly connected together along their common lateral edge by fold line 128.
- First handle panel 116 is secured to top panel 146 by fold line 126 and second handle panel 118 is secured to top panel 156 by fold line 130.
- First handle panel 116 comprises an upper handle panel 179 and a lower handle panel 177 hingedly connected together along interrupted fold line 181.
- second handle panel 118 comprises upper handle panel 183 and lower handle panel 187 hingedly connected together along fold line 191.
- the second handle panel 118 may comprise an intermediate handle panel 185 hingedly connected to upper handle panel 183 along fold line 191 and to lower handle panel 187 along interrupted fold line 193.
- fold line 193 can be used to assist in folding the handle structure into a flat collapsed condition for storage.
- a second, or alternative, function of the fold line 193 and intermediate panel 185 and lower handle panel 187 is to reduce the vertical height of the erected handle structure which is described in more detail below.
- First and second handle panels 116 and 118 are provided with hand apertures 176 and, optionally, hand support flaps 180a, 180b, 180c improve the handling characteristics of the article carrier.
- Bridging means 178 are provided, which in this embodiment is formed by a pair of tabs 195, 197 struck from and extending into hand aperture 176.
- Tab 195 is hingedly connected to top panel 146 along fold line 126 and likewise tab 197 is hingedly connected to top panel 156 along fold line 130.
- FIGs 8A, 8B, 8C The construction of the handle structure H I is illustrated in Figures 8A, 8B, 8C whereby the panels forming one side of the carrier comprising handle panel 116, top panel 146, side wall structure 114 and base panel 112 together with upper and intermediate handle panels 183 and 185 are folded about fold line 193 in the direction designated by the letter X ( Figure 8A ), so that the aforementioned panels are placed in face contacting relationship with the panels forming the other side of the carrier as shown in Figure 8B .
- upper handle panels 179,183 are secured together by glue or by other suitable means known in the art.
- the tabs 195,197 forming the bridging means are also secured together.
- glue is applied to those parts of tab 197 and upper handle panel 183.
- Those panels forming one side of the carrier 112,114,146 and 116 are folded about central fold line 128 in the direction designated by the letter Y ( Figure 8B ) such that the tabs 195,197 and upper handle panels 179 and 183 are secured together in face contacting arrangement as shown in Figure 8C .
- the handle H 1 is in a flat collapsed condition and the blank 110 is ready to be supplied to a user for final erection and loading of the carrier.
- the handle panel 116 and the upper and intermediate handle panels 183 and 185 are folded out of the plane of the top panels 146,156 to make the top panels 146,156 to be ready to receive a group of articles and are pulled upwardly to cause the handle structure H I to be erected from a flat collapsed condition.
- the bridging panel formed from tabs 195,197 spans the space between top panels 146 and 156.
- the lower and intermediate handle panels 177,185 separate from each other and pivot about their common hinged connection 181/191 shown in Figures 9 and 10 .
- the top panels 146 and 156 are applied to the tops of a group of articles to be packaged by the article carrier, shown in Figure 10 , and the side walls are folded downwardly to be disposed in flanking relationship with the side wall structures 114,120 of the articles so that a neck portion of each article A is engaged by the apertures 174.
- the heel retention means 162, 162a, 162b, 162c is formed as described above and the base wall is formed in like manner, the base panels are secured together to complete the construction of the article carrier as shown in Figure 11 .
- a third article carrier is shown in Figures 14 and 15 in the form of a unitary blank which blank is formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material.
- This article carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, for example four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles each. It is envisaged the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements.
- the blank of the third carrier is similar to that of the second with like parts being designated by the same numerals as the first embodiment and second carrier but prefixed with the numeral "2" instead of "1".
- the third carrier is structurally similar to the second, only the differences will be described in any greater detail.
- fold lines 293,294 can be used to assist in folding the handle structure into a flat collapsed condition for storage.
- a second, or alternative, function of the fold lines 293,294, intermediate panels 284,285 and lower handle panels 277,287 is to reduce the vertical height of the erected handle structure H2 which is described in more detail below.
- the construction of the third article carrier is similar to the second, and the construction of the handle structure H2 of the third carrier is illustrated in Figures 15A, 15B, 15C whereby the panels forming one side of the carrier comprising handle panel 216, top panel 246, side wall structure 214 and base panel 212 together with upper and intermediate handle panels 283 and 285 are folded about fold line 294 in the direction designated by the letter X' ( Figure 15A ), so that the aforementioned panels are placed in face contacting relationship with the panels forming the other side of the carrier as shown in Figure 15B .
- upper handle panels 279,283 are secured together by glue or by other suitable means known in the art.
- the tabs 295,297 forming the bridging means are also secured together in like manner to the second embodiment whereby those panels forming one side of the carrier 212,214,246 and 216 are folded about central fold line 228 in the direction designated by the letter Y ( Figure 15B ) such that the tabs 295,297 and upper handle panels 279 and 283 are secured together in face contacting arrangement as shown in Figure 15C .
- the handle structure H2 is in a flat collapsed condition and the blank 210 is ready to be supplied to a user for final erection and loading of the carrier.
- the medial fold lines 293,294 ensure that the handle structure H2 can be folded forward or backward of the leading edge of the blank.
- the handle panel 216 and the upper and intermediate handle panels 283,285 are folded out of the plane of the top panels 246,256 to make the top panels 246,256 to be ready to receive a group of articles and are pulled upwardly to cause the handle structure H2 to be erected from a flat collapsed condition.
- the handle structure H 1 in an erected condition is shown in Figure 16 where the bridging panel formed from tabs 295, 297 spans the space between top panels 246 and 256.
- the lower and intermediate handle panels 277,284 separate from the intermediate handle panel 285 and pivot about their common hinged connection 281/291.
- top panels 246 and 256 are applied to the tops of a group of articles to be packaged by the article carrier, shown in Figure 17 , and the side wall structures 214,220 are folded downwardly to be disposed in flanking relationship with the side walls of the articles so that a neck portion of each article A is engaged by the apertures 274 shown in Figure 17 .
- the heel retention flaps of the article heel retention means 262,262a, 262b, 262c are then formed to receive a heel portion of the articles A as described above and the base wall is formed in a like manner.
- the base panels 212,222 are secured together to complete construction of the article carrier.
- the article carrier comprises a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top panels 146,156; 246,256, a pair of handle panels 116,118; 216,218 extending upwardly from the top panels to form a carrying handle.
- Bridging means 178,278 is provided to span the space between the top panels wherein the bridging means comprises a pair of tabs 195,197; 295,297 formed from the handle panels and secured together in overlapping relationship to span the space between the top panels.
- the user will insert his hand in the hand apertures 176; 276 and fold the flaps 180; 280 for improved cushioning during handling.
- the handle panels are prevented from separation by the bridging means.
- the upper handle wall is two ply and is therefore strengthened to avoid any unwanted tearing which is unsightly and leads the user to question the strength characteristics of the carrier.
- the handle structure HI or H2 is at an elevation above the tops of the articles, shown in Figures 11 or 16 which allows easier access to the hand apertures 176,276. However, if these packages are stored in a stacked condition then the handle structure HI, H2 may be damaged.
- the handle structure HI, H2 is provided with means to cause the handle to be moved from an upright erected position downwards and/or to one side to reduce the height of the carrier.
- one or more of the handle panels 118; 216,218 is provided with a medial fold line 193,293,294 that is adapted to collapse at least one side of the handle structure so as to lower the carrying handle H 1, H2 into a stowed position as shown in Figures 12,13 , 17 and 18 . It will be seen that the top of the handle is moved downwardly ( Figures 17 and 18 ) and/or to one side ( Figures 12,13 and 18 ) so that the vertical height of the carrier is lower than the height of the bottle to be packaged.
- the loaded carriers can be stored or shipped by stacking the carriers without destroying the integrity of the handle structure. It is intended that this is not limited to article carriers described above. It is envisaged that the handle collapsing means can be applied to other carriers with a similar handle structure without the bridging means. Further, the other handle panel could also include a medial fold line to cause it to collapse downwardly by inwardly folding those panels either side of the medial fold line.
- hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.
- the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used.
- a single article receiving structure may be provided in some embodiments, and in other embodiments a linear array of additional apertures may be provided in each of the article receiving structures such that the carton may accommodate more than one article.
- Additional panel(s) may be provided between the main and transverse article receiving panels so as to form a curved interface therebetween.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to an article carrier and a blank for forming an article carrier which are particularly useful, but not limited to, carrying bottles. More particularly, the invention relates to an article carrier with an improved bridging structure for the strengthening handle and a reinforcing handle panel.
- Bracing structures for bracing handle structures in article carriers are well known. For example,
GB 480 138 tabs 12,12' formed from the handle panels spanning the space between the top panels and connected to each other by mechanical engagement. Such arrangements were possible because the cartons were packed by hand. However, in automated packaging machines, lateral movement of the panels to cause mechanical engagement oftabs 12 and 12' is undesirable. - In order to strengthen the handle structure, it is desirable for handle panels to be in face contacting relationship. However, in those carriers where the handle panels are spaced or diverge away from their point of connection it causes the handle structure to be weaker.
- Other examples of bracing structures are illustrated in
EP 0 122 397 andUS 5 158 177 , however these structures are required to be constructed in the bottling machines which is undesirable because it increases the complexity of the machinery and/or limits carton throughput. - A further problem associated with the prior art concerns the stacking of such carriers which can interfere with the handles and destroy their integrity.
- The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or attempt to mitigate the problems associated with the prior art.
-
EP 0122 397 discloses an article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top panels, first and second handle panels and bridging means provided to span the space between the top panels, said carrying handle being collapsible. - In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an article carrier as summarised above is characterised in that the bridging means comprises a bridging panel hingedly connected between the handle panels and in that the bridging panel comprises a longitudinally-extending fold line to allow the carrying handle to be collapsed so that the handle panels are placed in face-contacting relationship. Preferably, the carrying handle may be collapsed to be folded flat on part of one of the spaced top panels.
-
EP 0122 397 also discloses a blank arrangement for forming an article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a first top panel, first and second handle panels and a second top panel hingedly connected together in series, and bridging means is provided to span the space between the top panels. - In another aspect of the invention a blank arrangement as summarised above is characterised by the bridging means including a bridging panel hingedly interconnecting the top panels and the bridging panel is adapted to allow the carrying handle to be placed in a collapsed form, wherein the bridging panel has a longitudinally-extending fold line to allow the carrying handle to be collapsed so that the handle panels are placed in face-contacting relationship.
- According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention the carrying handle can be collapsed to be folded flat on part of one of the first or second top panels..
- According to another optional feature the first and second handle panels are each provided with a medial fold line spaced from the hinged connection between the bridging means and the respective said first and second top panels, whereby said first and second handle panels are folded about said medial fold line to cause the second handle panel to be placed in flat form with respect to one of the top panels.
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a wraparound article carrier according to a first embodiment of the invention; -
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a blank for forming the bridging means to be used with the blank shown inFigure 1 ; -
FIGURES 3A and 3B illustrate the formation of the bridging means shown inFigure 2 ; -
FIGURES 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F illustrate the formation of the handle structure incorporating the bridging means shown inFigure 2 of the first embodiment; -
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the handle structure of the article carrier formed from the blank shown inFigures 1 and 2 ; -
FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of the handle structure shown inFigure 4 ; -
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a package having a plurality of articles and the carrier formed from the blanks illustrated inFigures 1 and 2 ; -
FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming a wraparound article carrier not forming part of the present invention; -
FIGURES 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate the formation of the handle structure incorporating the bridging means shown inFigure 7 of the second embodiment; -
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the handle structure of the article carrier formed from the blank shown inFigures 7 ,8A, 8B and 8C ; -
FIGURE 10 is an end elevation of the handle structure shown inFigure 9 ; -
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a package having a plurality of articles and an article carrier formed from the blank illustrated inFigure 7 ; -
FIGURE 12 is a perspective view showing the handle structure of article carrier inFigure 11 , showing the structure in a stowed position where the height reduction means is in use; -
FIGURE 13 is an end elevation of the handle structure shown inFigure 12 ; -
FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a blank for forming a wraparound article carrier not forming part of the present invention; -
FIGURES 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate the formation of the handle structure incorporating the bridging means shown inFigure 14 ; -
FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of the handle structure of the article carrier formed from the blank shown inFigures 14 ,15A, 15B and 15C ; -
FIGURE 17 is an end elevation of the handle structure ofFigure 16 , showing the structure in a stowed position where the height of the structure has been reduced as a result of activating the height reduction means; and -
FIGURE 18 is an end elevation of the handle structure ofFigure 16 , showing the structure in an alternative stowed position where the height reduction means has been activated to fold the structure to one side. - Referring to the drawings and, in particular,
Figures 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a two-part blank for forming an article carrier which blanks are formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material. The article carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, for example four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles each. It is envisaged the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements. - The blank 10 comprises a plurality of panels for forming the top, sides and base of an article carrier. In this embodiment there comprises a
first base panel 12, aside wall structure 14, atop panel 46, a handle structure H (Figures 1 and4 ), a secondtop panel 56, a secondside wall structure 20 and asecond base panel 22 hingedly connected one to the next alongfold lines Figure 1 , it will be seen that thebase panel 12 may include an inclined heel (or slope)panel 34intermediate base panel 12 andside wall structure 14 and hingedly connected thereto alongfold lines second heel panel 38 intermediateside wall structure 20 andbase panel 22 and hingedly connected thereto alongfold lines 32 and 40 respectively. - Preferably, each
side wall structure side wall panels side wall panel fold line - There may further comprise article receiving and retaining means 62,62a, 62b and 62c which are struck from the lower
side wall panels base panels intermediate heel panel means 62 is hereinafter described. - In this embodiment, the retaining means 62 comprises a
retaining aperture 70 struck from theheel panel 38 and extending intobase panel 22. It is shaped to receive a lower part of the article A, as shown inFigure 6 . The article receiving and retaining means 62 may further comprise one or more retaining flaps 72 which in a formed carton provide internal flap portions to retain the base of an article. More preferably, there comprises a pair of flaps 72 hingedly connected to the opposite edges ofaperture 70. Each flap 72 comprises upper andlower flap portions fold lines 68 to enable the upper and lower flap portions to be folded out of alignment with respect to each other and to better conform to the shape of that part of the article A engaged by the flap 72 and in theaperture 70. - It will be seen that there may further comprise a plurality of
apertures 74 formed in the top panel which are adapted to be aligned in vertically spaced registry with the corresponding article receiving and retaining means 62 in a set-up condition. Theseapertures 74 are provided to support a neck portion of the article and may, optionally, include a pair of substantially "V" shaped fold lines (not shown) struck from theupper side panels side wall structures - The handle structure H is provided with first and
second handle panels fold line 28 to define the top of the handle.First handle panel 16 is secured totop panel 46 byfold line 26 andsecond handle panel 18 is secured totop panel 56 byfold line 30. - First and
second handle panels hand apertures 76 and, optionally,hand support flaps 80 improve the handling characteristics of the article carrier. -
Figure 2 illustrates the bridging means 82 which, in this embodiment, is a sheet member formed from a separate blank. In other embodiments, the bridging means could be integral with and formed from the carrier blank 10. The opposite ends of thesheet member 82 are attached to thehandle panels - Preferably, the bridging means 82 comprises a first
handle reinforcing panel 84, amedial bridging panel 87 and a secondhandle reinforcing panel 90 hingedly connected together one to the next alongfold lines panels hand apertures 98 or recesses. Themedial bridging panel 87 comprises twopanel parts fold line 94. In use, foldline 94 allows the bridgingpanel 87 and handle structure H to be collapsed thereby enabling the article carrier to be supplied in a flat collapsed condition. - Turning to the construction of the article carrier of the present embodiment, it is envisaged that it can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations in a straight line machine so that the carrier is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
-
Figures 3A to 3F illustrate the handle forming process. The first step is for the bridging means 82 to be folded alongfold line 94 in direction R whereby opposinghandle reinforcing panels bridging panel parts Figure 3B . In those embodiments withhand apertures 98, the apertures are aligned. - Thereafter, the bridging means 82 is secured to the
handle panels handle reinforcing panels panels Figure 3C that glue is applied to one or more parts of thehandle panels handle panel 16 such that handle reinforcingpanel 84 is in face contacting relationship withpanel 16 andhand apertures Figure 3D . - The panels forming one side of the carrier comprising
handle panel 18,top panel 56,side wall structure 20 andbase panel 22 are then folded aboutcentral fold line 28 in direction S and handle reinforcingpanel 90 is secured in face contacting relationship with handle panel 18 (seeFigure 3E ). Thereafter,top panel 56,side wall structure 20 andbase panel 22 are folded alongfold line 30 in direction T so thattop panel 56 is in face contacting relationship withhandle panel 18 shown inFigure 3F . The carrier is in a part-constructed condition with the handle structure H formed, but in a flat collapsed condition ready to be supplied to the end user. - In order to erect the article carrier, the
top panels adjacent handle panels fold lines medial bridging panel 87 to be erected and to span the space between thetop panels Figure 4 thatpanel parts fold line 94 and handlepanels connection 28 to form a tubular structure. - Thereafter, the
top panels side wall structures side wall panels fold line aperture 74 as shown inFigure 5 . - The heel retention flaps of the article heel retention means 62,62a are then formed to receive a heel portion of the articles A as is well known.
Base panel 22 andheel panel 38 are folded inwardly and upwardly into engagement with base portions of the articles. A similar operation on the other side of the group of articles is also performed and the wraparound carrier can be completed by securing the overlappingbase panels - Thus, the carrier is in a set up condition as shown in
Figure 6 whereby there is shown anarticle carrier 98 for carrying necked articles, comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spacedtop panels handle panels handle panels - In use, the user will insert his hand in the
hand apertures 76 and fold theflaps 80 for improved cushioning during handling. As the carrier is moved the handle panels are prevented from separation by the bridging means. Furthermore, each handle wall is two ply and is therefore strengthened to avoid any unwanted tearing which is unsightly and can lead the user to question the strength characteristics of the carrier. - Turning to
Figures 7 ,8 ,9, 10 ,11 and12 , there is shown a second carrier that is similar to the article carrier of the first embodiment illustrated inFigures 1 to 6 and therefore like reference numerals have been used with the prefix "1". - In
Figure 7 there is shown a unitary blank 110 made from paperboard or like foldable sheet material. The blank 110 comprises afirst base panel 112, aside wall structure 114, atop panel 146, a handle structure HI (Figures 7 and9 ), a secondtop wall panel 156, a secondside wall structure 120 and asecond base panel 122 hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines 124,150,126,130,160 and 132 respectively. In the embodiment illustrated inFigure 1 , it will be seen that thebase panel 112 may include an inclined heel (or slope)panel 134intermediate base panel 112 andside wall structure 114 and hingedly connected thereto alongfold lines second heel panel 138 intermediateside wall structure 120 andbase panel 122 and hingedly connected thereto alongfold lines - Like the first embodiment, the first and second
side wall structures fold line - In one class of embodiments, there may further comprise article receiving and retaining means 162,162a, 162b and 162c are struck from the lower side wall panels, base panels and the intermediate heel panels. Each article receiving and retaining means is identical to the article receiving and retaining means 62 of the first embodiment and is not therefore described in any greater detail.
- A plurality of
apertures 174 formed in the top panel which are adapted to be aligned in vertically spaced registry with the article receiving and retaining means 162 in a set-up condition. Theseapertures 174 are provided to support a neck portion of the article and may optionally include a pair of substantially "V" shapedfold lines 175 struck from theupper side panels tabs 173 separated bycut line 179 that protrude outwardly of the side wall structures 114,120. - The handle structure H is provided with first and second handle panels 116,118 hingedly connected together along their common lateral edge by
fold line 128. First handlepanel 116 is secured totop panel 146 byfold line 126 andsecond handle panel 118 is secured totop panel 156 byfold line 130. First handlepanel 116 comprises anupper handle panel 179 and alower handle panel 177 hingedly connected together along interruptedfold line 181. - Likewise,
second handle panel 118 comprisesupper handle panel 183 andlower handle panel 187 hingedly connected together alongfold line 191. Alternatively, thesecond handle panel 118 may comprise anintermediate handle panel 185 hingedly connected toupper handle panel 183 alongfold line 191 and tolower handle panel 187 along interruptedfold line 193. - In use, fold
line 193 can be used to assist in folding the handle structure into a flat collapsed condition for storage. A second, or alternative, function of thefold line 193 andintermediate panel 185 andlower handle panel 187 is to reduce the vertical height of the erected handle structure which is described in more detail below. - First and
second handle panels hand apertures 176 and, optionally, hand support flaps 180a, 180b, 180c improve the handling characteristics of the article carrier. - Bridging means 178 are provided, which in this embodiment is formed by a pair of
tabs hand aperture 176.Tab 195 is hingedly connected totop panel 146 alongfold line 126 and likewisetab 197 is hingedly connected totop panel 156 alongfold line 130. - The construction of the handle structure H I is illustrated in
Figures 8A, 8B, 8C whereby the panels forming one side of the carrier comprisinghandle panel 116,top panel 146,side wall structure 114 andbase panel 112 together with upper andintermediate handle panels fold line 193 in the direction designated by the letter X (Figure 8A ), so that the aforementioned panels are placed in face contacting relationship with the panels forming the other side of the carrier as shown inFigure 8B . - In this carrier, upper handle panels 179,183 are secured together by glue or by other suitable means known in the art. The tabs 195,197 forming the bridging means are also secured together. One way to achieve this is for glue to be applied to those parts of
tab 197 andupper handle panel 183. Those panels forming one side of the carrier 112,114,146 and 116 are folded aboutcentral fold line 128 in the direction designated by the letter Y (Figure 8B ) such that the tabs 195,197 andupper handle panels Figure 8C . Thus thehandle H 1 is in a flat collapsed condition and the blank 110 is ready to be supplied to a user for final erection and loading of the carrier. - In order to erect this article carrier, the
handle panel 116 and the upper andintermediate handle panels top panels connection 181/191 shown inFigures 9 and 10 . - The
top panels Figure 10 , and the side walls are folded downwardly to be disposed in flanking relationship with the side wall structures 114,120 of the articles so that a neck portion of each article A is engaged by theapertures 174. The heel retention means 162, 162a, 162b, 162c is formed as described above and the base wall is formed in like manner, the base panels are secured together to complete the construction of the article carrier as shown inFigure 11 . - A third article carrier, not forming part of the present invention, is shown in
Figures 14 and15 in the form of a unitary blank which blank is formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material. This article carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, for example four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles each. It is envisaged the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements. - The blank of the third carrier is similar to that of the second with like parts being designated by the same numerals as the first embodiment and second carrier but prefixed with the numeral "2" instead of "1". As the third carrier is structurally similar to the second, only the differences will be described in any greater detail.
- In one class of embodiments there may further comprise a pair of intermediate handle panels 284,285 hingedly connected to upper handle panels 279,283 along fold lines 281,291 and to lower handle panel 277,287 along interrupted fold line 293,294. In use, fold lines 293,294 can be used to assist in folding the handle structure into a flat collapsed condition for storage.
- A second, or alternative, function of the fold lines 293,294, intermediate panels 284,285 and lower handle panels 277,287 is to reduce the vertical height of the erected handle structure H2 which is described in more detail below.
- The construction of the third article carrier is similar to the second, and the construction of the handle structure H2 of the third carrier is illustrated in
Figures 15A, 15B, 15C whereby the panels forming one side of the carrier comprisinghandle panel 216,top panel 246,side wall structure 214 andbase panel 212 together with upper andintermediate handle panels fold line 294 in the direction designated by the letter X' (Figure 15A ), so that the aforementioned panels are placed in face contacting relationship with the panels forming the other side of the carrier as shown inFigure 15B . - In this carrier, upper handle panels 279,283 are secured together by glue or by other suitable means known in the art. The tabs 295,297 forming the bridging means are also secured together in like manner to the second embodiment whereby those panels forming one side of the carrier 212,214,246 and 216 are folded about
central fold line 228 in the direction designated by the letter Y (Figure 15B ) such that the tabs 295,297 andupper handle panels Figure 15C . - Thus, the handle structure H2 is in a flat collapsed condition and the blank 210 is ready to be supplied to a user for final erection and loading of the carrier. The medial fold lines 293,294 ensure that the handle structure H2 can be folded forward or backward of the leading edge of the blank.
- In order to erect the article carrier, the
handle panel 216 and the upper and intermediate handle panels 283,285 are folded out of the plane of the top panels 246,256 to make the top panels 246,256 to be ready to receive a group of articles and are pulled upwardly to cause the handle structure H2 to be erected from a flat collapsed condition. Thehandle structure H 1 in an erected condition is shown inFigure 16 where the bridging panel formed fromtabs top panels intermediate handle panel 285 and pivot about their common hingedconnection 281/291. - The
top panels Figure 17 , and the side wall structures 214,220 are folded downwardly to be disposed in flanking relationship with the side walls of the articles so that a neck portion of each article A is engaged by theapertures 274 shown inFigure 17 . - The heel retention flaps of the article heel retention means 262,262a, 262b, 262c are then formed to receive a heel portion of the articles A as described above and the base wall is formed in a like manner. The base panels 212,222 are secured together to complete construction of the article carrier.
- Thus, it will be seen from
Figures 11 and16 the second and third carriers are in a set up condition for carrying one or more necked articles. The article carrier comprises a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top panels 146,156; 246,256, a pair of handle panels 116,118; 216,218 extending upwardly from the top panels to form a carrying handle. - Bridging means 178,278 is provided to span the space between the top panels wherein the bridging means comprises a pair of tabs 195,197; 295,297 formed from the handle panels and secured together in overlapping relationship to span the space between the top panels.
- In use, the user will insert his hand in the
hand apertures 176; 276 and fold the flaps 180; 280 for improved cushioning during handling. As the carrier is moved the handle panels are prevented from separation by the bridging means. Furthermore, the upper handle wall is two ply and is therefore strengthened to avoid any unwanted tearing which is unsightly and leads the user to question the strength characteristics of the carrier. - In one class of carriers, the handle structure HI or H2 is at an elevation above the tops of the articles, shown in
Figures 11 or16 which allows easier access to the hand apertures 176,276. However, if these packages are stored in a stacked condition then the handle structure HI, H2 may be damaged. To solve this problem, the handle structure HI, H2 is provided with means to cause the handle to be moved from an upright erected position downwards and/or to one side to reduce the height of the carrier.Preferably, one or more of thehandle panels 118; 216,218 is provided with a medial fold line 193,293,294 that is adapted to collapse at least one side of the handle structure so as to lower the carryinghandle H 1, H2 into a stowed position as shown inFigures 12,13 ,17 and 18 . It will be seen that the top of the handle is moved downwardly (Figures 17 and 18 ) and/or to one side (Figures 12,13 and18 ) so that the vertical height of the carrier is lower than the height of the bottle to be packaged. - One advantage of employing this approach is that the loaded carriers can be stored or shipped by stacking the carriers without destroying the integrity of the handle structure. It is intended that this is not limited to article carriers described above. It is envisaged that the handle collapsing means can be applied to other carriers with a similar handle structure without the bridging means. Further, the other handle panel could also include a medial fold line to cause it to collapse downwardly by inwardly folding those panels either side of the medial fold line.
- It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", and "side" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.
- It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used. A single article receiving structure may be provided in some embodiments, and in other embodiments a linear array of additional apertures may be provided in each of the article receiving structures such that the carton may accommodate more than one article.
- Additional panel(s) may be provided between the main and transverse article receiving panels so as to form a curved interface therebetween.
Claims (5)
- An article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles (A) comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top panels (46, 56), first and second handle panels (16, 18) extending upwardly from the top panels to form a carrying handle (H), and separate bridging means (82) provided to span the space between the top panels, said carrying handle being collapsible, characterised in that the bridging means comprises a bridging panel (87) hingedly connected between the handle panels and in that the bridging panel comprises a longitudinally-extending fold line (94) to allow the carrying handle to be collapsed so that the handle panels are placed in face-contacting relationship.
- An article carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrying handle can be collapsed to be folded flat on part of one of the spaced top panels.
- A blank arrangement (10) for forming an article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles (A) comprising a plurality of panels for forming the article carrier including a first top panel (46), first and second handle panels (16, 18) and a second top panel (56) hingedly connected together in series, and separate bridging means (82) provided to span the space between the top panels, characterised by the bridging means including a bridging panel (87) hingedly interconnecting the top panels and the bridging panel being adapted to allow the carrying handle to be placed in a collapsed form, wherein the bridging panel has a longitudinally-extending fold line (94) to allow the carrying handle to be collapsed so that the handle panels are placed in face-contacting relationship.
- A blank arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the carrying handle can be collapsed to be folded flat on part of one of the first or second top panels.
- A blank arrangement as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said first and second handle panels are each provided with a medial fold line (293, 294) spaced from the hinged connection between the bridging means and the respective said first and second top panels, whereby said first and second handle panels are folded about said medial fold line to cause the second handle panel to be placed in flat form with respect to one of the top panels.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0007148A GB0007148D0 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-03-24 | Article carrier and blank |
GB0007148 | 2000-03-24 | ||
GBGB0019589.1A GB0019589D0 (en) | 2000-08-10 | 2000-08-10 | Article carrier and blank |
GB0019589 | 2000-08-10 | ||
PCT/US2001/009383 WO2001072599A2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2001-03-23 | Article carrier and blank |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1268303A2 EP1268303A2 (en) | 2003-01-02 |
EP1268303B1 true EP1268303B1 (en) | 2009-05-13 |
Family
ID=26243954
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01922622A Expired - Lifetime EP1268303B1 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2001-03-23 | Article carrier and blank |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1268303B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE431304T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001249404A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2404234A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60138693D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2327387T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001072599A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0204090D0 (en) * | 2002-02-21 | 2002-04-10 | Mead Corp | Article carrier & blank therefor |
US7063208B2 (en) | 2002-02-21 | 2006-06-20 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc | Article carrier and blank therefor |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2946418C2 (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1982-12-09 | Unilever N.V., 3000 Rotterdam | Carrying packaging made of cardboard or similar. |
DE3474805D1 (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1988-12-01 | Unilever Nv | Carrier for two rows of bottles |
FR2593780B1 (en) * | 1986-02-06 | 1990-12-07 | Icp Sa | IMPROVEMENT WITH INTEGRATED HANDLES FOR CARDBOARD PACKAGING |
GB9010431D0 (en) * | 1990-05-09 | 1990-06-27 | Mead Corp | Wraparound multipack with carrying handle |
US5167325A (en) * | 1991-12-09 | 1992-12-01 | Field Container Company, L.P. | Carrier for containers |
GB9603234D0 (en) * | 1996-02-15 | 1996-04-17 | Riverwood Int Corp | Bottle carrying arrangement |
GB9700994D0 (en) * | 1997-01-17 | 1997-03-05 | Mead Corp | Wraparound multipack with carrying handle |
FR2776267B1 (en) * | 1998-03-23 | 2004-07-23 | Jean Claude Loraux | PACKAGING IN A CARDBOARD FOR TRANSPORTING A LOT OF PSEUDO-CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS SUCH AS BOTTLES |
-
2001
- 2001-03-23 CA CA002404234A patent/CA2404234A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-23 ES ES01922622T patent/ES2327387T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-23 AT AT01922622T patent/ATE431304T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-03-23 DE DE60138693T patent/DE60138693D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-03-23 EP EP01922622A patent/EP1268303B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-23 AU AU2001249404A patent/AU2001249404A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-23 WO PCT/US2001/009383 patent/WO2001072599A2/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2001249404A1 (en) | 2001-10-08 |
EP1268303A2 (en) | 2003-01-02 |
ATE431304T1 (en) | 2009-05-15 |
DE60138693D1 (en) | 2009-06-25 |
WO2001072599A2 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
ES2327387T3 (en) | 2009-10-29 |
WO2001072599A3 (en) | 2002-05-16 |
CA2404234A1 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
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