Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
  • B65D5/06—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body
  • B65D5/067—Gable-top containers
• • 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
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
  • B65D5/46—Handles
  • B65D5/46072—Handles integral with the container

Definitions

• This invention relates to a packaging container and to a method of use of the container. It is known from US-A-5785240 to form a packaging carton, particularly a gable-topped carton pxovided with a pour spout fitment on a roof sub-panel thereof, with an oblong rectangular cross-section having front and rear shorter sides, in order that the user can more easily grasp the carton between the thumb and fingers of a hand.
• a packaging carton particularly a gable-topped carton pxovided with a pour spout fitment on a roof sub-panel thereof, with an oblong rectangular cross-section having front and rear shorter sides, in order that the user can more easily grasp the carton between the thumb and fingers of a hand.
• the carton cross-section which is normally, square, has to be altered significantly, so requiring adaptation of most, if not all, of the apparatus required for manufacture of the filled and top—sealed carton.
• a packaging container which has been produced by folding and sealing of sheet material, said container having an arrangement whereby gripping of the container between a thumb and fingers of a hand applied to respective opposite sides of the container and spanning a furthex side of said container between said opposite sides is facilitated by a device provided at one of said opposite sides .
• a method in which a container is produced by folding and sealing of sheet material, and in which gripping of said container between a thumb and_fingers of a hand applied to respective opposite sides of the container and spanning a further side of said container is facilitated by a device provided at one of said opposite sides.
• a packaging container blank comprising sheet material and score lines in said sheet material and defining a row of first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels and defining, parallelly to said row, and included in said panels, a row of first, second, third, fourth and fifth side sub-panels, whereby a container can be formed from said blank by a method including folding of said panels and said sub-panels about said score lines, said blank: having an arrangement whereby gripping of the container between a thumb and fingers of a hand applied to the first and third side sub-panels and spanning the second side sub-panel, which is between the first and third side sub-panels, is facilitated by a device provided at one of said first and third side sub- panels .
• the container may be a carton and the sheet material may be laminate and comprise a paperboard and innermost (i.e. contents-contacting) and outermost moisture barrier layers of thermoplastics, possibly with a gas barrier layer of, e.g. aluminium foil or thermoplastics interposed b>etween the substrate and the innermost moisture barrier layer.
• the or each device is nearer to the upper boundary of the container side than to the lower boundary thereof, particularly if the upper boundary of the or each device is just beneath the upper boundary of the container side, since then the consumer can hiave better control over the container at the commencement of pouring, especially a container of a large volume, e.g. 1.5L to 2L.
• a major reason for the better control is that, with the or each device nearer the upper boundary of the container: side than the lower boundary of the container side, the consumer tends to grip the container nearer to its top than its bottom. Moreover, if he so wishes, the consumer can apply one or more fingers to the top of the carton, again enabl-ing better control.
• the or each device comprises a weakness of the container side, so as to permit inward movement of the weakened zone of the container side upon gripping and squeezing of the contai-ner, so that the width of that container side spanned and embraced by the hand is thereby reduced.
• t-xe or each device comprises unevenness of the external surface of the container side, so as to deter slipping of that surface relative to the thumb or fingers. Such unevenness can be combined with the above-mentioned weakness.
• the or each device takes the form of a grip applied to the conta iner side. Such grip can be combined with the afore-mentioned weakness .
• the container may be in the form of a carton, particularly a formed, filled and sealed gable-top, si -ant- top, or flat-top carton.
• the present invention provides a new generation of ergonomic packaging for flowable products, for example liquid food products.
• a container having the or each weakening mentioned above is particularly suitable for larger "family” packaging containers, whilst the embodiments ha l ving only the afore-mentioned unevenness (es) or grip(s) are particularly applicable to "standard” and "mini” cartons.
• the weaknesses may take the form of additional score lines on at least two, but preferably three, adjacent side walls of the carton- of standard dimensions,- so allowing for dynamic re-forming of the carton shape at the time of use, whereby the cairton assumes an ergonomic shape for easier holding and pouring .
• It is especially suitable for larger volumes, such as 1.5L or 2L; in this respect, a conventional, oblong rectangular, gable-top carton of 1.5L with a pour spout fitment on a longer, top obturating sub-panel of the carton is "very difficult for many consumers to grasp.
• the score lines providing the weaknesses can be adapted to the shape and function of the carton; in particular, the score lines on the side wall(s) of the carton can be adapted to the needs of different classes of consumer, but all are based on the one simple design concept, which is that the carton should be of a standard shape for production, transportation and storage, but be able to assume an ergonomic shape at the time of use. It is particularly advantageous if the score lines of the weaknesses are so located and orientated that the natural behaviours of the carton side walls when the filled carton is squeezed across one side wall thereof are followed in the location and orientation of those score lines; thus, the score lines are able to control the actual behaviours of the side walls because they are arranged in sympathy, rather than in direct conflict, with the natural behaviours.
• the or each device is nearer the top of the container than the bottom thereof, particularly if the or each device is just beneath the upper boundary of the container side.
• An additional reason is that the angle of inclination to the longitudinal axis of the container of the upper part of the or each device once the container has been squeezed is greater than if the or each device were to be half-way up the container, so that the vertical support of the container by the hand is better and more reliable. Assuming that the carton contains, say, 2L of liquid and is therefore of relatively large horizontal cross-sectional area, many consumers, especially those with small hands, when holding the carton to open it, would squeeze the carton near a side sub-panel spanned by the hand.
• the weakness in one or each of the two opposite side panels, to which the thumb and fingers are applied should extend at least two-thirds of the way, if not, very advantageously, substantially all of the way, across its side panel from the spanned side panel. If such relatively wide weakness (es) were not provided, these opposite side wall panels of the carton would tend to "break", i.e. fold or bend, at locations part-way across those sub-panels, with the risks of cracking of the material of those sub-panels and of sudden collapse of those sub- panels upon opening of the carton, whereby some of the liquid would be forced out uncontrollably under pressure.
• the or each unevenness may take the form of one or more score lines in the container side wall, allowing for a better grip and thus more reliable holding of the container and pouring of the product therefrom. This is a very easy way of applying an additional, convenient feature, namely an ergonomic property, to a plain "standard" carton.
• Such score lines can be formed by flexible rotary tooling in the process of conversion of the packaging board (for example a laminate consisting of or including a paperboard substrate and exterior and interior thermoplastics, moisture-barrier coatings) into carton blanks.
• the score lines preferably have their "furrows" at the inside of the container side wall and their "ridges" at the outside thereof.
• cartons with glossy external surfaces and covered with condensed moisture (owing to refrigeration) can be made much better to handle by the provision of such unevennesses .
• the carton can be printed on at least one side with a grip, for example a silicone rubber layer, in order to promote the grip properties thereof.
• Such grip(s) can be additional to the unevenness (es) and/or to the weakness (es) and may be printed-on during the process of conversion or on a form-fill-seal packaging machine.
• the or each grip may take the form of an appropriately profiled plastics grip which can be applied to the external surface of the container side wall or to a hole through the container side wall.
• the plastics grip(s) may be applied during the conversion process, but preferably on the packaging machine, and can be in various colours or transparent and can radically change the visual appearance of cartons .
• the or each device is nearer the top of the container than the bottom thereof, particularly if the or each device is just beneath the upper boundary of the container side.
• the respective opposite sides at at least one of which the afore-mentioned weakness, unevenness, or grip is present are preferably respective opposite lateral sides of the container, but may instead be the front and rear sides of the container.
• Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a gable- top carton is made
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a formed, filled and sealed gable-top carton made from the blank of Figure 1 and in a configuration immediately after production and which it occupies during transportation and storage
• Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the carton in a configuration in which it has been gripped by a consumer at the commencement of use thereof
• Figures 4 to 8 are respective views, each similar to Figure 1, but of respective blanks from which first to fifth modified versions of the carton are made
• Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2, but of the fifth modified version of the carton
• Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 3, but of the fifth modified version of the carton
• Figures 11 to 13 are respective views, each similar to Figure 1, but of respective blanks from which sixth to eighth modified versions of the carton are made
• Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 2, but
• the blank 2 comprises a row of panels a to e consisting of a row of body sub-panels 4 to 12 consisting of a side-seam body sub-panel 4, a lateral body sub-panel 6, a rear body sub-panel 8, another lateral body sub-panel 10 and a front body sub-panel 12; a row of bottom obturating sub-panels 14 to 22; a row of top obturating sub- panels 24 to 32; and a row of top sealing sub-panels 34 to 42.
• the front, top, obturating sub-panel 32 is formed with a hole 44 (or alternatively a loop of weakening) to which is applied a pour spout fitment 46 (see Figure 2) .
• the sub-panel 32 has that boundary thereof defined by a score line 47 protruding into the sub-panel 12.
• the consequential outward bulging of the upper part of the sub-panel 12 and the consequential possibility of the lowermost edge of the fitment 46 being nearer to the middle part of the carton promotes more complete emptying of the carton, especially for the larger cartons.
• the middle parts of the respective lateral sub- panels 6 and 10 between the tops and bottoms of those sub- panels 6 and 10 are provided with respective weaknesses 48 and 50 co-operating with respective weaknesses 52 and 54 at those edges of the middle part of the rear sub-panel 8 adjacent to the sub-panels 6 and 10.
• each of the weaknesses 48 and 50 takes the form of a substantially -shaped, curved score line arrangement which extends across the whole width of its sub- panel 6 or 10 and of which the central apices 49 and 51 of the Ws merge into respective, short, horizontal score lines 56 and 58 of the respective weaknesses 52 and 54.
• the free ends of the outermost limbs of the Ws merge into score lines 60 of the respective weaknesses 52 and 54, the upper pair of score lines 60 meeting each other centrally at the vertical axis of the sub-panel 8, and the lower pair of score lines 60 also meeting each other centrally at that vertical axis.
• Bow- shaped score lines 62 of the respective weaknesses 52 and 54 extend in the sub-panel 8 to join the free ends of the outer limbs of the respective Ws of the weaknesses 48 and 50.
• the carton 66 of Figure 2 at all levels of the body sub-panels 6, 8, 10 and 12, is of square cross- section. As shown in Figure 3, when the consumer wishes to open the carton 66 and then to pour the product from the carton, he firstly grips the carton between the thumb 68 and fingers 70 of a hand 72 at respective lateral body sub-panels 6 and 10 at about the middle level of their height.
• the weaknesses 48 and 52, for the thumb 68, and the weaknesses 50 and 54, for the fingers 70, especially the short score lines 56 and 58, enable the middle parts of the sub-panels 6 and 10 to bend inwards and the middle part of the sub-panel 8 to bend out rearwards, as shown in Figure 3, so that the gripping width required of the user is reduced compared with the initial gripping width for the carton in its condition illustrated in Figure 2.
• the consumer can then, with his other hand, open the pour spout fitment 46, pour at least part of the product out of the carton 66 and then, if desired, reclose the fitment 46.
• FIG. 4 illustrates that the weaknesses 48, 50, 52 and 54 can be minimalist and of straight score lines, with the weaknesses 48 and 50 including respective score lines 48a and 50a extending parallelly to the row of panels a to e and across the whole widths of the respective panels b and d and merging into the scorelines 56 and 58. Even the bow-shape score lines 62 are rectilinear.
• Figure 5 illustrates a version which demonstrates that the short horizontal score lines 56 and 58 can take the form of double score lines, as can their extensions 48a and 50a, to promote bending inwards of the middle parts of the sub- panels 6 and 10 at the score lines 48a and 50a and bending outwards of the middle parts of the sub-panel 8 at the score lines 56 and 58.
• Figure 6 illustrates a blank for a version in which the double score lines 48a and 50a and score lines 82 extending from the ends of the bowed score lines 62 extend rectilinearly across the whole of the width of each of the sub-panels 6 and 10, with the score lines 82 of each of the weaknesses 48 and 50 converging towards each other to meet the respective double score lines 48a or 50a of that weakness at the front edge of the corresponding sub-panel 6 or 10.
• the version shown in Figure 7 demonstrates that, instead of having two substantially symmetrically arranged pairs of weaknesses 48 and 52, and 50 and 54, it is possible to have just a unilaterally arranged pair 48 and 52, with, in this case, all of the score lines rectilinear.
• FIG. 8 to 10 differs from those of Figures 1 to 6 again significantly in that there is only one pair of weaknesses (48 and 52), these being again at the vertical edge between the lateral sub-panel 6 and the rear sub-panel 8, so that, as illustrated in Figure 10, there is only a unilateral narrowing of the gripping width of the middle part of the rear sub-panel 8 when it is grasped by the consumer's hand 70.
• This version differs from that of Figure 7 principally in that the respective sub-panels 6 and 10 include closely spaced score lines 74 in patterns which provide respective unevennesses 76 and 78 which tend to discourage sliding of the thumb and fingers 68 and 70 over the respective external surfaces of the lateral sub-panels 6 and 10 and so promote gripping of the carton 66 by the consumer.
• curved score lines 80 extend from the respective ends of the single bowed score line 62 to the right-hand edge of the middle part of the sub-panel 8.
• These curved lines 80 extend short distances into the lateral sub- panel 6 as score lines 82, again to promote inward bending of the middle part of the sub-panel 6, which of course is also promoted by the score lines 74 of the unevenness 76.
• the score line 48a preferably extends across the whole width of the sub-panel 6, as shown, because this promotes bending of the sub-panel 6 over the whole of its width.
• Such a unilateral weakness arrangement (48,52) as is provided in Figure 7 or 8 is particularly suitable for a carton in which the hole 44 is formed in the third panel c (as in Figure 7 or 8), since this avoids any need to form a weakness incorporating part of the fifth panel a. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the hole 44 and thus the front sub-panel 12 of the carton 66 should be of the so- called first panel e, as shown in Figure 1, 4, 5, or 6, when two sets of weaknesses (48 r 52 and 50,54) can readily be provided.
• the version shown in Figure 11 differs from that shown in Figures 8 to 10 principally in that the unevennesses 76 and 78 have their score lines 74 centred not adjacent to the edges of the sub-panel 8 but instead adjacent to the edges of the sub-panel 12 in the finished carton, so as to encourage the consumer to grasp the carton with his thumb and fingers extended to near the sub-panel 12 rather than at the sub- panel 8, so encouraging a more secure grasping of the carton by the consumer than would be the case with the otherwise somewhat equivalent version shown in Figure 8.
• the version of Figure 12 shows that the respective weaknesses 48 and 50 and the respective unevennesses 76 and 78 need not be symmetrical.
• This version is adapted for a right-handed consumer, whose thumb would be applied to the unevenness 76 and bend inwards the weakness 48 and outwards the weakness 52 and two of whose fingers would be applied to the two unevennesses 78 and bend inwards the weakness 50 and outwards the weakness 54.
• the version shown in Figure 13 differs from that shown in Figure 1 chiefly in that the score lines of the W formations constituting the weaknesses 48 and 50 are generally rectilinear rather than curved, and also in that unevennesses 76 and 78 formed by closely spaced score lines 74 are provided in the respective apices of the Ws .
• the apices of the Ws of the weaknesses 48 and 50 stop short of the edges of the rear sub—panel 8, with the apices being connected to the score lines 56 and 58 by respective short horizontal score lines 79 and 81.
• the outer limbs 48b and 50b of each of the Ws are parallel to each other and extend across the whole width of the associated sub-panel 6 or 10, so promoting control of inward bending of the associated weakness 48 or 50.
• FIG. 14 and 15 The version shown in Figures 14 and 15 is somewhat similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 , except that the score lines of the weaknesses 48 and 50 are each in the form of a curved V of which the vertex is at the vertical edge between the sub-panels 6 and 12 or the vertical edge between the sub- panels 8 and 10 and of which the upper limb 48c or 50c extends to the upper end of the adjacent bowed score line 62 and the lower limb 48d or 50d extends to the vertical edge between the sub-panels 6 and 8 at a location where the vertex of a V-shaped scoring 56a or 58a is situated.
• Each V-shaped scoring 56a or 58a is about half-way up its adjacent score line 62 and its limbs extend to that score line 62.
• the score lines 48d and 50d tend to transfer "breaking" of the carton from the rear panel 8 to the front panel 12, so that bulging of the sub-panels 6 and 10 is more controlled.
• the upper score lines 48c and 50c allow the respective zones between the score lines 48c and 48d, on the one hand, and between the score lines 50c and 50d, on the other hand, to bend inwards, so that the top of the carton projects laterally outwards over the consumer's thumb 68 and fingers 70.
• the consumer is able to apply one or more fingers 70A to the roof of the carton 66 to assist in tilting the carton forwards and in controlling the carton.
• the short score lines 60a promote controlled outward bulging of the sub-panel 8.
• the version shown in Figures 16 and 17 is very similar to that shown in Figures 14 and 15, except that lowermost portions of the zones between the score lines 48c and 48d, on the one hand, and 50c and 50d, on the other hand, are formed with respective unevennesses 76 and 78 each consisting of a set of parallel, vertical score lines .
• the respective unevennesses 76 and 78 extend part-way across the respective sub-panels 6 and 10 from the vertical edges between the sub- panels 6 and 8 and the sub-panels 8 and 10, respectively.
• the V-shaped scorings 56a and 58a there are double score lines 56 and 58 extending horizontally from the upper and lower ends of the rearmost edges of the unevennesses 76 and 78 to the respective bowed score lines 62.
• the normally vertical score lines of the unevennesses 76 and 78 particularly assist gripping of the carton 66 when the carton is approaching a horizontal pouring position, at which time, of course, the lateral projection by the top of the carton no longer assists the consumer in supporting the weight of the carton and its contents.
• each of the weaknesses 48 and 50 takes the form of a substantially W-shaped, curved score line arrangement of which the central limbs of each W overlap each other and extend to the bowed score lines 62 of the respective weaknesses 52 and 54.
• the scorelines 62 meet the parallel score lines 112 laterally bounding the sub-panel 8 at locations a few millimetres below the -horizontal score line 114 defining the upper boundary of the sub-panel 8, in order to simply the manufacture of the converting tools in the converting plant where the blanks are cut from a web of sheet material while being scored.
• the score lines 116 and 118 assist in promoting appropriate bending of the sub-panel 8 upon squeezing thereof between the thumb and fingers of the consumer at the weaknesses 48 and 50.
• each of the weaknesses 48 and 50 includes a triangular sub-sub-panel 120 bounded by the score lines 82 and 48a or 50a.
• each sub-sub-panel 120 is adjacent to the relatively rigid top of the gable-topped container, when the weaknesses 48 and 50 are squeezed between the thumb and fingers of the hand, these sub-sub-panels 120 assume a greater inclination to the vertical than with the version described with reference to Figure 6, so that the thumb and fingers support the filled and sealed carton in a vertical sense more reliably than with the version of Figure 6.
• the weaknesses 48 and 50 also incorporate unevennesses 76 and 78 provided by concentric arcuate score lines which promote reliable gripping of the container between the thumb and fingers when the container is in a condition in which it has been partially emptied and is thus nearing a tilted, horizontal position.
• lengths 119 of score lines extend for at least a short distance upwards from the inner ends of the score lines 116, as seen in Figure 20. These lines 119 may be extended upwards towards, and even to, the scoreline 114.
• the version shown in Figure 21 is very similar to that shown in Figure 18 except that here the weaknesses 48 and 50 are formed of rectilinear score lines and the double score lines 56 and 58 are yet further doubled.
• the location of each of the short score lines 56 and 58 whether single (e.g. as in Figure 1), double (e.g. as in Figure 5) or quadruple (e.g. as in Figure 21) determines "where up the bowed score lines 62 the rear sub-panel 8 "breaks".
• the score lines 118 may extend to the respective bottom corners of the sub-panel 8, for example in the manner illustrated in Figure 22 which particularly demonstrates that most of the score lines of the weaknesses 48 and 50 and the unevennesses 76 and 78 may be rectilinear, as may be the score lines 116 and 118.
• the version shown in Figures 23 to 24 again demonstrates that the weaknesses 48 and 50, combined with the unevennesses 76 and 78, do not need to have their score lines symmetrical about the horizontal centrelines of the weaknesses 48 and 50.
• Figure 24 illustrates that, when the consumer's hand 72 is squeezing the carton 66 as intended, and pouring, say, orange juice 124 into a tumbler 126, with the weaknesses 48 and 50 just beneath the upper boundaries 110 of the sub-panel 6 and 10, the consumer is able to apply one or more fingers 70A to the roof of the carton 66 to assist in tilting the carton forwards and in controlling the same.
• the carton versions described in relation to Figures 1 to 24 all have score lines which enable the following mechanical movements of particular zones of the lateral and rear body sub-panels 6 and 8 (and 10) upon squeezing of the carton 66 by the hand 72: (a) the middle or upper part of the sub-panel 6 (or of each of the sub-panels 6 and 10) moves inwards, making the sub-panel 6 (or each of the sub-panels 6 and 10) controlledly shaped concavely, and (b) the middle or upper part of the sub-panel 8 moves outwards, making the sub-panel 8 controlledly shaped convexly.
• That convex shape attained by tine sub-panel 8 enables the level of the liquid product within the carton 66 to remain substantially unchanged throughout squeezing, which can be very important for the usability of the package.
• the positioning and dimensioning of the score lines 62 can be crucial.
• the other score lines of the weaknesses 48 and 52 (and 50 and 54) assist the movements of the middle parts of the sub-panels 6 and 8 (and 10) and controlled breaking of the board and promote good forming.
• the version shown in Figure 25 has three unevennesses 76 and 78 on the respective sub-panels 6 and 10 formed of respective sets of concentric, closehy spaced, score lines 74, so that the carton is made easier to grip irrespective of whether the consumer is left-or right—handed.
• the unevennesses are each provided by two overlapping sets of concentric, open-looped, score lines.
• the unevennesses 76 and 78 are provided by respective angular, nested score lines.
• the unevennesses 76 and 78 are angled relative to the rear sub-panel 8, so as to extend from the rear sub-panel 8 at such an angle as would be the natural angle for a thumb and fingers grasping the carton to extend at from the respective opposite vertical edges of the sub-panel 8.
• the versions of Figures 29 to 41 differ from those described with reference to Figures 8 to 13 and 16 to 28 in that, instead of the unevennesses (such as 76 and 78), there are provided plastics grips 88 at respective opposite sides of the carton 66.
• the grips 88 may be so moulded as to have substantially parallel ribs 88a on their outer surfaces.
• the grips may have moulded onto or into their outer surfaces instructions such as "press" to the consumer.
• the ribs 88a are substantially vertical, whilst in the version of Figure 31 they extend over a lower quadrant .
• each plastics grip 88 of an annular flange 98 projecting horizontally inwards from the inner periphery of the vertical flange 92 for centering the grip 88 in the hole 90.
• the dishings 94 may be circular but, as shown in Figure 34, are preferably of an elongate round form inclined obliquely to the horizontal at an angle corresponding to the natural orientation of the thumb and fingers of a hand 72 gripping the carton.
• no holes (such as 90) are formed through the body sub-panels. Instead, the plastics grips 88 are attached to the respective opposite external surfaces of the lateral sub-panels 6 and 10.
• each grip 88 has a planar inside surface 98 for fixing to the lateral sub-panel, for example by hot melt, hot air sealing, or ultrasonic sealing. It will also be noted that each grip 88 has its outside surface 100 of a dished form for receiving the distal ends of the consumer' ' s thumb and finger (s) .
• the plastics grips 88 may be of various shapes, particularly of various outlines, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 36 to 41, not only to promote gripping, but also to increase the attractiveness of the package. It will also be appreciated t?hat the outer surfaces of the grips 88 may be formed with reliefs of various configurations, in order to discourage sliding thereon. Furthermore, the grips 88 may be of various colours, to increase the visual impact of the package.

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• 2005
  • 2005-04-08 WO PCT/GB2005/001383 patent/WO2005097606A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-04-08 EP EP05734190A patent/EP1732814A2/de not_active Withdrawn

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