EP1373089B1

EP1373089B1 - Carton and blank

Info

Publication number: EP1373089B1
Application number: EP02715225A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Lebras; Jean-Michel Auclair; Jean-Yves Daniel
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2001-03-30
Filing date: 2002-03-28
Publication date: 2006-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-28
Also published as: DE60212595T2; HUP0303648A3; WO2002079048A1; CN100352745C; EP1373089A1; PL363739A1; MXPA03008840A; FI20031413A; JP4237498B2; DK1373089T3; AU2002247436C1; NO20034380L; CN1620391A; HUP0303648A2; ES2268001T3; AU2002247436B2; JP2004524234A; ATE330866T1; PT1373089E; GB0108020D0

Abstract

A carton and blank for forming a carton in which a plurality of articles (A) are held in a complementary set of apertures (149) provided in a main panel (116, 120) of the carton so that portions of the articles (A) are exposed to view while other portions are enclosed by other panels (118a, 118b, 114, 122, 112, 124) of the carton. An opposed pair (118a, 118b) of these other panels for flanking body portions of the packaged articles include positioning tabs (148a, 148c; 148b, 148d) which extend into the article receiving apertures (149) so that during loading and formation of the package the articles (A) are urged against the positioning tabs which automatically cause the flanking panels to be pivoted into and held in the article flanking position.

Description

This invention relates to a carton of the type in which one or more articles are held in complementary article receiving apertures provided in a main panel disposed normally perpendicular to the main axes of the articles, as defined in the preamble of appended claim 1.
The invention is particularly suitable for use with frusto-conical cups, and other articles such as trays that taper along their vertical axis and/or have enlarged lip portions.
In the present invention, panels for flanking body portions of the packaged articles include positioning tabs which extend into the article receiving aperture(s) so that during loading and formation of the package, the article(s) is/are urged against the positioning tabs which thereby automatically cause their associated flanking panels to be pivoted into the required article flanking position.
US 4 706 814 to The Mead Corporation discloses a multipack carton in which a plurality of articles are held in a complementary set of apertures provides in a main panel in which panels flanking the articles are automatically pivoted during loading due to the provision of tabs integral with the flanking panels that extend into the apertures.
The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.
US 3 278 075 to Weiss discloses a wraparound carrier wherein tabs within the apertures facilitate folding of cnd portions of the carton.
A first aspect of the invention provides a carton in which a plurality of articles are held in a complementary set of apertures formed within a main panel of the carton so that a portion of each article is exposed to view while other portions are enclosed by other panels of the carton, wherein opposed end portions of the main panel are provided for flanking the other portions of some of the packaged articles, which end portions include integrally formed mutually divergent positioning tabs each extending, when the carton is in a blank form, into an adjacent one of the article receiving apertures so that during loading and formation of the carton, the articles are urged against the positioning tabs so that they pivot and automatically cause the opposed end portions of the main panel to be pivoted into and held in the article flanking position, characterised in that the apertures are formed in rows and wherein the main panel is provided with at least one medial fold line extending between the end portions of the main panel and between adjacent rows of apertures, the or each medial fold line causing the main panel to bow upwardly to enhance the retention between the articles and their complementary aperture.
Preferably, each of the flanking end portions is defined by mutually divergent fold lines and an end edge of the carton and wherein the integrally formed positioning tabs extend divergently into adjacent complementary apertures from the mutually divergent fold lines.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the main panel further includes at least one integrally formed cushioning tab for each of the article receiving apertures.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, there further comprises a pair of side wall panels hinged to the main panel, and a cover panel hinged to the side wall panels and overlying the tops of the articles.
Preferably, there further comprises an intermediate panel disposed between the main panel and the cover panel, wherein the intermediate panel includes apertures in register with those in the main panel and wherein each article is received in an aperture in the main panel and a registering aperture in the intermediate panel.
Preferably, the cover panel is hinged to one of the side wall panels and the intermediate panel is hinged to the other side wall panel.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the positioning tabs include portions which are in locking engagement with the or each endmost article in the carton.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the end portions each include an upper edge for engagement with an adjacent article.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, each of the end portions are hinged to an adjacent part of the main panel along curved fold lines.
A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton which blank comprises a main panel, a plurality of apertures, a pair of side wall panels hinged to the main panel and opposed end portions hinged to the main panel which end portions include integrally formed mutually divergent positioning tabs each extending into an adjacent one of the article receiving apertures so that during loading and formation of the carton, articles to be accommodated in the carton are urged against the positioning tabs so that they pivot and automatically cause the opposed end portions of the main panel to be pivoted into and held in an article flanking position characterised in that the apertures are formed in rows, and wherein the main panel is provided with at least one medial fold line extending between the end portions of the main panel and between adjacent rows of apertures, the or each medial fold line causing the main panel to bow upwardly to enhance the retention between the articles and their complementary apertures.
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 use in forming a carton according to one embodiment which does not form part of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of a partially completed carton formed from the blank of Figure 1 during loading;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a partially completed carton formed from the blank of Figure 1 during loading;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the completed and loaded carton formed from the blank of Figure 1;
FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a blank for use in forming a carton according to a second embodiment forming part of the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a partially completed carton formed from the blank of Figure 5 prior to loading;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a partially completed carton formed from the blank of Figure 5 during loading;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the completed and loaded carton formed from the blank of Figure 5;
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view from another angle of the completed and loaded carton of Figure 8;
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a third embodiment forming part of the present invention; and
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a completed and loaded carton formed from a blank shown in Figure 10.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring first to Figure 1, not part of the present invention, an elongate blank 10 is provided, which is formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material. There comprises a plurality of panels for forming a carton, for example a top gripping type, so that there comprises a top, a base and opposed sides hingedly connected together. In this embodiment, there comprises a top wall panel 12, a first side wall panel 14, a base wall panel 16, a pair of flanking structures 18a, 18b, a second base wall panel 20, a second side wall panel 22 hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines 30, 32, 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b, 38. In some embodiments, there comprises a securing flap 24, hingedly connected to second side wall 22 along fold line 40.
Flanking structures 18a, 18b are, in this embodiment, subdivided into integral positioning tabs 48a, 48b that protrude into a central aperture 49, defined by base wall panels 16, 20 and the structures 18a, 18b, and flanking panels 46a, 46b that extend outwardly of the blank 10.
There may further comprise cushioning tabs 26 and 28, that are preferably hingedly connected to first and second base wall panels 16, 18 along fold lines 42, 44 respectively and which also protrude into aperture 49.
Turning to the construction of the carton as illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 it is envisaged that the carton can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the carton 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.
Turning in particular to Figure 2, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the partially erected carton and article A, which in this embodiment is a tray of the type that may be used for "ready meals", pre-packed salads and the like. The carton is loaded by relative vertical movement between article A, and blank 10 whilst the base of the article is aligned with aperture 49.
The base of the article A is lowered and begins to enter the apertures and peripheral portions of the article base strike against the positioning tabs 48a, 48b.
As application of the blank 10 relative to the article continues, end flanking panels 46a, 46b are caused to pivot upwardly, relative to base panels 16, 20, about fold lines 34a, 36a, 34b, 36b respectively, by virtue of the downward displacement of the positioning tabs 48a, 48b by the article A. Cushioning tabs 26, 28 are simultaneously caused to fold downwardly about fold lines 42, 44 respectively.
The position of the tabs and panels after this operation is shown most clearly in the exploded view of Figure 2. The folding process continues so that the article progressively is more fully inserted into the aperture 49 and the flanking panels 46a, 46b are folded upwardly to bring the side flanking panels into upright flanking relationship with respect to the side wall of the tray such that flanking panels 46a, 46b engage in this embodiment, in a recess defined by the side wall of the article A and the downwardly extending lip portion of the article lid L, as shown in Figure 3.
The folding process is then completed by causing side wall panels 14, 22 to be folded inwardly and upwardly about fold lines 32 and 38 respectively and top wall panel 12 and securing flap 24 to be folded inwardly and downwardly so as to overlie the top of the article A. Top wall panel 12 and securing flap 24 are preferably secured together using glue or other suitable means known in the art to form the completed article as shown in Figure 4.
Turning now to the second embodiment which forms part of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, like numerals have been where possible used to denote like parts with the addition of the prefix "1".
Referring first to Figure 5, an elongate blank 110 formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material comprises a plurality of panels forming a top, a base and opposed sides. Thus, there comprises, in series, a top wall panel 112, a first side wall panel 114, a base comprising a first base wall panel 116 and a second basewall panel 120, a second side wall panel 122 and a securing flap 124 hingedly interconnected along fold lines 130, 132, 144, 138 and 140 respectively. A pair of flanking structures 118a, 118b are hingedly connected to the opposed longitudinal edges of the base wall panels along interrupted fold lines 134a, 136a; 134b, 136b.
In this embodiment, a plurality of article receiving apertures 149 are struck from the base wall panels 116, 120 and are arranged in two rows of three apertures each, although other arrangements e.g. 2x2 are envisaged. A pair of positioning tabs 148a and 148c which together with flanking panel 146a, integrally form flanking structure 118a and extend from the interrupted fold lines 134a and 136a into the space defined by the adjacent apertures 149, so that each aperture is partially obscured by a respective one of the positioning tabs. Fold lines 134a, 136a and 134b, 136b are, preferably, mutually divergent from fold line 144 and intersect where fold lines 132 and 138 respectively terminate. A similar arrangement is provided with respect to flanking structure 118b.
In some embodiments, there further comprises opposed pairs of article retention structures 150a - 150f, that are preferably provided along fold lines 130 and 140, the structures being arranged so as to interrupt the aforesaid fold lines. Each retention structure is substantially identical, and therefore only structure 150a is described in further detail. It will be seen from Figure 5 that structure 150a comprises a protruding portion of top wall panel 112 arranged so as to interrupt fold line 130 and being defined by curved cut line 152.
The structure further comprises a pair of spaced parallel cut lines 154 and 156 which are, in this embodiment, arranged substantially perpendicular to fold line 130, and extend from curved cut line 52 and terminate part way down side wall panel 14. The cut lines 154 and 156 thereby define a tab.
As illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 the blank 110 is applied to a group of articles A, which in this embodiment are frusto-conical plastics articles for holding yoghurt and the like so that the blank is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction, as in the first embodiment.
The blank 110 and articles A are brought together by relative vertical movement therebetween such that articles A are in register with apertures 149 as shown in Figure 6 like the first embodiment.
Thereafter, the bottoms of the articles A begin to enter respective ones of the apertures 149 and peripheral portions of the bases thereof strike against the positioning tabs 148a -148d.
As application of the blank relative to the articles continues, end flanking panels 146a and 146b are caused to pivot upwardly, relative to base wall panels 116, 120 about interrupted fold lines 134a, 136a and 134b, 136b, respectively, by virtue of the downward displacement of the positioning tabs by the articles.
This partially loaded condition of the package is shown by Figure 7. The folding process continues so that the articles progressively are more fully inserted into the apertures 149 and the flanking panels are folded upwardly, relative to base wall panels 116, 120 about fold lines 134a, 136a; 134b, 136b to bring the flanking panels into a substantially upright flanking relationship with respect to the side walls of the articles.
The pivoting action of the flanking panels 118a, 118b simultaneously causes an inward bowing action thereof, as well as causing the base wall panels 116, 120 to be folded upwardly out of their mutually co-planar relationship about fold line 144. One advantage of this arrangement is that articles A may be held more tightly within apertures 149.
The folding process is then completed by causing side wall panels 114, 122 to be folded upwardly about fold lines 132 and 138, and top wall panel 112 and glue flap 124 to be folded inwardly and downwardly about fold lines 130 and 140 respectively, shown in Figures 7 and 8. The top wall panel 112 and securing flap 124 are thereby brought into overlapping relationship whereupon they are secured together by glue or other means known in the art. This causes the top flanges of the articles to be secured by the retention structures 150a - 150f, as is known in the art.
The carton is now fully set up and loaded as shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which there is shown a carton with complementary apertures 149 provided in a main panel 116/120. There further comprises an opposed pair of end panels 118a, 118b for flanking the outermost articles, having positioning tabs 148 which extend into the apertures. During formation, each article is urged against the positioning tab 148 which causes the end panels to be pivoted.
A third embodiment is shown in Figures 10 and 11 in which there is provided a blank similar to the second embodiment. Therefore, like references have been used, but replacing the prefix '1' with the prefix '2' and only the differences will be described in any greater detail.
In this third embodiment, forming part of the present invention, there is shown in Figure 10 a blank 210 for forming a top loading carton including a pair of upper and lower apertured support panels 223, 216, 220 and a cover panel 227 disposed over the articles to prevent upward dislodging movement of the articles.
The cover panel 227 is hingedly connected to side wall panel 214 along fold line 230. There further comprises an outer side wall panel 229 hingedly connected to cover panel 227 along fold line 225. In use, the outer side wall panel 229 is secured to inner side wall panel 222 in face contacting arrangement.
Preferably, cover panel 227 is provided with opposed tear lines to form a tear strip so that in use, the tear strip is removed to reveal the articles.
There may further comprise an intermediate panel 223 hingedly connected to inner side wall panel 222 along fold line 240. A plurality of apertures 257 are struck from intermediate panel 223 in corresponding position to apertures 249, so that in use apertures 249 and 257 are aligned vertically. The apertures 257 may be shaped to conform to the shape of the article.
In this embodiment, there further comprises a plurality of cushioning tabs 251a, 251b extending into apertures 249 and are hingedly connected to base panels 216, 220.
The carton is formed from the blank of Figure 10 in like manner to the second embodiment, and the cover and intermediate panels 227, 223 are constructed at the same time; whereby intermediate panel 223 is folded out of alignment with side wall panel 222 along fold line 240 and inner side wall 224 is folded along fold line 241 to be brought into face contacting relationship with side wall panel 214.
The articles are loaded into the part formed carton so that they are inserted into the apertures in the intermediate and base panels 223, 216/220. The end panel structure is formed in like manner to the second embodiment. The cushioning tabs 251 are also forced out of alignment to engage an article contained in the aperture 249.
Thereafter, the cover panel 227 is formed by folding inwardly along fold line 230 and outer side wall panel 229 is folded along fold line 225. The outer side wall panel 229 is placed in face contacting arrangement with inner side wall panel 222 to be secured thereto by glue or other means known in the art.
Thus, the carton is in a set up and loaded condition as shown in Figure 11.
It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" 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 will be understood that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the subject matter as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size and shape of the panel may be altered according to the specific requirements of the articles to be packaged, as may the number and arrangement of the receiving apertures.

Claims

A carton in which a plurality of articles (A) are held in a complementary set of apertures (149; 249) formed within a main panel (116, 120; 216, 220) of the carton so that a portion of each article is exposed to view while other portions are enclosed by other panels (112, 114, 122; 212, 214, 222) of the carton, wherein opposed end portions (118a, 118b; 218a, 218b) of the main panel are provided for flanking said other portions of some of the packaged articles, which end portions include integrally formed mutually divergent positioning tabs (148a, 148b, 148c, 148d; 248a, 248b, 248c, 248d) each extending, when the carton is in a blank form, into an adjacent one of the article receiving apertures so that during loading and formation of the carton, the articles are urged against the positioning tabs so that they pivot and automatically cause said opposed end portions of the main panel to be pivoted into and held in the article flanking position, characterised in that the apertures are formed in rows and wherein said main panel is provided with at least one medial fold line (144; 244) extending between said end portions of the main panel and between adjacent rows of apertures, the or each medial fold line causing the main panel to bow upwardly to enhance the retention between the articles and their complementary aperture.
A carton according to claim 1, wherein each of the flanking end portions is defined by mutually divergent fold lines (134a, 134b, 136a, 136b; 234a, 234b; 236a, 236b) and an end edge of the carton and wherein said integrally formed positioning tabs extend divergently into adjacent complementary apertures from said mutually divergent fold lines.
A carton as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said main panel further includes at least one integrally formed cushioning tab (251a, 251b) for each of said article receiving apertures.
A carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pair of side wall panels (114, 122; 214, 222) hinged to the main panel, and a cover panel (112; 212) hinged to the side wall panels and overlying the tops of the articles.
A carton according to claim 4, further comprising an intermediate panel (223) disposed between the main panel and the cover panel, wherein the intermediate panel includes apertures (257) in register with those in the main panel and wherein each article is received in an aperture in the main panel and a registering aperture in the intermediate panel.
A carton as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cover panel is hinged to one of the side wall panels and the intermediate panel is hinged to the other side wall panel.
A carton according to any of the preceding claims wherein said positioning tabs include portions which are in locking engagement with the or each endmost article in the carton.
A carton according to any of the preceding claims wherein the end portions each include an upper edge for engagement with an adjacent article.
A carton as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the end portions are hinged to an adjacent part of the main panel along curved fold lines.
A blank for forming a carton (110, 210) which blank comprises a main panel (116,120; 216, 220), a plurality of apertures (149, 249), a pair of side wall panels (114, 214; 122, 222) hinged to the main panel and opposed end portions (118a, 118b), 218a, 218b) hinged to the main panel which end portions include integrally formed mutually divergent positioning tabs (148a, 148b, 148c, 148d, 248a, 248b, 248c, 248d) each extending into an adjacent one of the article receiving apertures so that during loading and formation of the carton, articles to be accommodated in the carton are urged against the positioning tabs so that they pivot and automatically cause said opposed end portions of the main panel to be pivoted into and held in an article flanking position characterised in that the apertures are formed in rows, and wherein said main panel is provided with at least one medial fold line (144; 244) extending between said end portions of the main panel and between adjacent rows of apertures, the or each medial fold line causing the main panel to bow upwardly to enhance the retention between the articles and their complementary apertures.
A blank as claimed in claim 10 for forming a carton as claimed in claim 1 or any of claims 2 to 9.