EP2004512A2

EP2004512A2 - Top gripping article carrier

Info

Publication number: EP2004512A2
Application number: EP07760359A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tamio Ikeda
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2006-04-10
Filing date: 2007-04-10
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: TW200812874A; WO2007121153A3; MX2008012840A; TWI375642B; JP3122685U; WO2007121153A2

Abstract

A top gripping article carrier (1a) holds top portions of articles (O) arranged in two rows. The article carrier includes a pair of top engaging structures (A, B), upper and lower top wall panels (11, 17) interconnecting the top engaging structures, and a top supporting panel (10) hingedly connected to the lower top wall panel (11). The top supporting panel extends into the one top engaging structure (B) to engage the top portions of the articles engaged by the one top engaging structure (B).

Description

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TECHNICAL FlELO

The present invention relates to an article earner used for grouping and carrying multiple articles, and particularly to an article carrier that can be easily formed, firmly hold articles, and allow substantia! reduction of the cos? of raw material.

Article earners have been used for containing multiple articles such as boUles and cans for drinks including beverage and soft drink to be distributed io consumers Consumers who have bought articles with article carriers carry them by using a holding means equipped on the upper portion of the article carrier and remove articles from the article carrier by destroying It

Many types of article carriers have been known for containing articles, which include a box-type article carrier comprising a top wall panel a bottom wall panel, and side (front, back, left and πght} wail panels, a article carrier made by cutting out part of a box-type article earner in such a way thai the cut-out section becomes a window through which the content can be seen, a wraparound article earner with a sleeve structure that has a top wail panel, a bottom wall panel and a pair of sidewail panels and is open m the front and bacl<_; 3 wraparound article carrier having a partially ciosed structure (a sldewaii panel) on us opening section so as to prevent articles from dropping, and a article carrier covering only the top portions of articles Some of these article carriers have a holding section on one end or part of a top wall panel by which people can carry or display.

Article carriers having a large covering area ^br articles such as a wraparound article carrie? having a closed structure on Hs opening and a Pox-type article earner are preferable in terms ol their strength ;h holding articles However, they have a drawback of too large a number of panels used for an article carrier that requires a large amount of raw materials, resulting m an Increased amount of raw material cost. On the other hand, some article carriers such as a wraparound article earner having no dosed structure and a article earner holding only the top portions of articles ss recornmendable m terms of simple structure and low cost. However, s- hey have a disadvantage of their weak strength such that an article earner tends Io be broken > while ussng it, with the result that art soles often drop

A large number of article carriers have been proposed In order to equip strength, low cost, and simple structure at the same ϋme 8y way of example, a bottle carrier is disclosed that covers the top portions of Dottles arranged in two rows and holds so bottles by having them engaged by an article carrier on the convex portions of their caps (see patent reference Nos. 1 and 2). Since an article earner simply engages the underside of the cap, there Is always some possibility that ϊbe caps come off of the article earner due to vibration wniie carrying bottles, resulting in trrør drop.

^; ÷ Furthermore, a bottle carrier is disclosed that is furnished with ssdewall panels surrounding multiple bottles, a fop wall panel on each of a pair of the Sideways thai tace With each other, and an opening and an engaging section on the top wail panel where the cap of a bottle goes through (see patent reference No 4 ), This type of carrier ;s improved in terms of gripping strength, but a drawback of a large amount of

Λ' raw materials to be used is not solved due to too large a number of panels.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Many types of aπscle earners have been disclosed mat are improved In terms of either the amount of raw matenais to be ttsed or hoidsπg strength However, article :> carriers that simultaneously provide both low cost and holding strength a?e not known

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an article earner that not only firmiv holds articles but also is low at cost The present invention is characterized by a iop gripping artlcie carrier the! holds the top portions of articles arranged in two rows comprising a pair or top engaging structures that engages the top portions of the two rows of an'icies. an upper top wail pane! connected to one Side of said pair of top engaging structures, a tower top wall panel connected to the other side of said pair of top engaging structures that is placed under the upper top wall panel so as to connect a pair of top engaging structures, and a top supporting panei hingediy connected io she lower iop wail panel where toe top supporting panel extends into one of a pair of top engaging structures and engages the undersides of the lop portions of articles on one of two rows of articles so as to reinforce their arrangement

in an article carrier of the present invention with the above- said structure, articles can be prevented from dropping because the lower edges of the top portions of articles on one row is engaged by a top supporting panei connected to a lower top wail panel. The engagement between the tower top supporting pane! and articles is supported Py toe restoring force of the panei itself, which is folded, and the weight of superposed upper top wall panei. As a result, articles are so strongly held that they are prevented from dropping. Moreover, the amount o? raw materials to be used for providing an article earner may be reduced because the structure is such that only the top portions of articles needs to be held, in addition, the shape cut out or an article earner blank is simple (a rectangle), therefore this type of article carrier is better in terms of toe effective use of natural resources.

it js preferable in the present invention that the above-said top gripping article carrier comprises a second top supporting panel hingediy connected to the upper top wail panel where she second top supporting panel extends outside the other top engaging structure and engages the lower ends of the top portions of articles on the other row of two rows of articles.

In a article earner of the abovementioned mode, articles can be prevented from dropping not only because, as described above_: the lower edges of the top portions of articles on one row is engaged by a top supporting panel connected to a lower fop way panel, but also because the lower edges of ihe lop portions of articles on the other row Ie engaged by a second top supporting panes connected to a upper top waH panel As described above, the engagement between the tower top supporting panes and articles is supported by the restoring force of ihe pane' itself, which is folded, and the weigh! of superposed upper lop wall panel, hi this mode, Ihe engagement between the upper top supporting panei and articles, is also supported by ihe restoring force of the pane! itself, which is folded, and the weight of superposed upper top wail panel. As a result, arucles can be held more strongly, and therefore they are prevented from dropping.

The present invention ss characterized by a top gripping article carrier that holds the top portions of articles arranged in tow rows comprising a sleeve structure surrounding two rows of articles, a pair of top engaging structures that engage me top portions of two rows Os articles, and a pasr o( upper and tower top wail panels that are each hsngedly oonnected to a pair of fop engaging structures and connect a pair of top engaging structures by superposing on each other, where a pair of ?αp engaging structures have each a pasr of inner and outer inclined panels that are hingedly oonnected along the upper edge; the upper and lower top wall panels a?e each hsngedly connected along the lower edges of the inner inclined panels of a pair of top engaging structures; and the sleeve structure is hingeoly connected to the lower edges of ihe outer inclined panels of a pasr of top engaging structures

In an article earner of the present invention with the abovementioned structure, sn addition to the too portions of articles supported by the above-said loo engaolno structures, the lower portions of articles are also prevented from moving sn the horizontal direction because of the sleeve structure connected to the rop engaging structures.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an article carrier blank according to one embodiment of the present invention; fig. 2 is a piar; view of an article earner blank according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a package formed from the article carrier blank of hg. I ,

Pig. 4 is a perspective view of a package formed from the article earner blank of Fig 2, and

Fig. 5 Is a fragmentary end view of the package of Fig. 3

The Following is the description of embodiments according to the present invention by referring to drawings, in the following description, an article carrier engages articles in two rows each containing iwo articles. However, the number of articles in each row is no! limited to two as far es two rows are used. Therefore, the following embodiments are iust examples of ?he article carrier according to the presen_* invention

A_ Embooirnent J_

Figure 1 shows a blank Ia used for containing articles that is made of cardboard or other ssmilar foldabie sheet material, In Fsg 1 _; the blank I a comprises a top supporting pane! iQ. a lower top wail panel 1 1 , a top engaging structure A consisting of panels 12 and 13, a bottom wail panel 14, a top engaging structure B consisting of panels 15 and 16_: a upper top wail panel 1 ?, and a second top supporting pane; 18 that are all connected hingedly through fold lines 20 through 27. An article carrier, which holds the top portions of such articles as bottles, is formed by folding these panels.

On the bottom waϋ panel an article holding opening 32 is formed by cutting out an article earner blank Likewise, article holding openings 31 and 34 are formed en the top engaging structures A and B by cutting out an article earner blank. The top portions of articles are piaeed lhreugh these article holding openings when articles are contained as described below

5 Openings 30 and 33 are formed on (he lower top wail panel 1 1 and ;he bottom wail panel 14, respectively, by cutting out an article earner blank. On the upper top wall panel 17_% a 'ixing means 35 consisting of two flaps ss formed (flaps am formed With score lines on the article carrier bianH} These flaps are hinged Iy connected to the upper top wall panel 17. When articles are contained as described below, openings so 30 and 33 and the iuing means 35 are superposed on one another as a result ol^' superposing the lower top wall panel 1 1. the bottom wail panel 14, and the upper top wall panei I ? on one another The lower top wail panel 1 1. ihe bottom wall panel 14, and Hie upper top wall panel 17 are connected by pressing down the fixing means 35 in order \o insert two flaps Into the openings 30 and 33, thereby fixing the holding

:.^< structure of the article carrier. The openings 30 and 33 Into which the fixing means 35 is inserted serve as a holding section where a finger is inserted at the time of carrying an article carrier.

To construct an artsde carrier out of the blank l a In Fig. 1 , the blank must JO successively be folded A blank or article carrier is folded Without rotating or inverting it on ihe linear machinery line. This is also true when it is constructed manually. The following snows the procedures. However, the present invention ss noi limited ?o the fallowing example.

.:> Put two articles each (e.g., bottles} on two rows. Place an article carrier la ove?^" articles in such a way that the top portions of articles {ihe cap portions of Dottles sn this embodiment go through the article holding opening 32 Fold the panels 10 through 13 upward along the fold line 23. Fold panels 10 through 12 inward along the fold line 22 such mat the top portions of articles go through the article holding

'•> opening 31 , Fold the top supporting panel 10 and the lower top wail panel 1 1 outward along the fold lines 21 aoe 20 in such a way that the lower top wail panel 1 1 sticks to the bottom wail panel 14, and the opening 30 of ihe lower top waϋ panei 1 1 ss superposed on she opening 33 of she bottom waii panel 14. The lower edges of the top portions of articles are engaged by the top supporting panes 10.

Fold panels 15 through 18 upward along the fold she 24 Fold the panels 16 through 18 inward along the fold line 26 such thai the lop portions of articles go through the areola holding opening 34, Fold the second top supporting panel 18 and the upper top wall panel 1? outward along me fold lines 26 and 2? In such a way that the upper top wail pθπei 17 stseks to the iower top wail panel 1 1. and the fsxsπg means 35 of the upper top wall panes 17 is superposed on the opensng 30 of the lower top wail panel 1 1. Press down the fixing means 35 formed on the upper top wall panel 17 so as to engage it with the opening 30 of the lower top wall pane! 1 1 and the opening 33 of the bottom wall panel 14 so that three panels can be integrated. Trie iower edges ol She top portions of articles are engaged by the second top supporting panel 13, As a result, a package is completed as shown m Rg 3. The package can be held and earned by investing a finger Into the opening formed by pressing down the fixing moans 35

Fig. 5 is a diagram Illustrating an article carrier holding articles as seen from she ssde. Panels 12 and 13 constitute a sop engaging structure A used for holding the top portions of articles. Top supporting panel 1 G prevents artscies iron? dssiodgmg by engaging tne lower edges of the top portions of articles on me row adjacent to the row of ancles supported by the top engaging structure A, Panes 15 and 16 constitute a iop supporting structure 8 used tor holding the top portions of articles Second top supporting panes 18 prevents ariscles trom dropping by engaging the lower edges of the top portions of articles supported by the lop engaging structure A,

in this embodiment the fixing means 35 formed on me upper top wall panel 17 ss pressed down so as to engage it with the opening 30 of the lower top waϋ panel 1 1 and the opening 33 of ihe bottom wail panel 14 so that three panels can bo integrated Accordingly, the top supporting panel 10 can support she iower edges of the top portions of anscies more strongly Oecause of the pressure from me top engaging structure B and restoring force of itself against folding along the fold Una 20 Moreover ihe second top supporting panel 18 can support the lo er edges of ihe top portions of articles more strongly because of the integration of the upper top wail panel 17 and other panels through the fixing means 35 and restoring force of ltseif against i^'o'ding along ihe fold line 27.

in this embodiment, we can hold articles by using an article carrier of much smaller area than an article carrier used for wrapping the entire area of articles, which contributes to ihe reduction of production cost. The shape of a article carrier blank is simple (a rectangle}, therefore this type of article carrier has hardly any portion to be H' disposed of at the time of production and ss better in terms of the effective use of natural resources Furthermore, this type of article carrier has a holding structure strong enough to prevent articles from dropping out of an article carrier a* ihe lime of carrying them .

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Fig 2 shows an article carrier blank I b of the other embodiment according to the present Invention. The main difference between article carrier blanks Ia and I b is that ihe article carrier blank Ia uses the opening 32 formed on the boifom wail panel 14 so as to hold and prevent articles from dropping as opposed to the article carrier

:JU blank I b that uses ssdewalls surrounding amcles so as to hold them The following is detailed description of the article carrier blank I b.

Fioυre 2 shows a blank I b used for containinc; articles that is made of cardboard or other Similar foldable sheet material. In Fsg. 2_S the blank I b comprises an adhesive ;> panel 50 and sidewall panels 51 through 58 that are hingodly connected successively along fold lines 71 through 74 Folding these panels creates a sleeve structure surrounding articles to be contained.

On the upper part {left in Fig. 2) of the ssdewall 52, a top engaging structure A :«> consisting of an Inner inclined panel 42 and an outer inclined panel 43 is hingediy connected through a fold line 63. Moreover, a lower top wail panel 41 and a top supporting panel 40 are hingediy connected through fold lines 61 and 60. respectively On the upper pan {left in Rg. 2} or the sldeweϋ panel 56, a top engaging structure 8 consisting of an outer inclined pane! 44 and an inner inclined panel 45 Is hlngecJiy connected through a fold hne 64. Moreover, an upper fop wall panel 46 and a second top supporting panel 4? are hingediy connected through sold lines 66 and 67, respectively. Folding these panels creates an article earner used for holding she sop portions of such articles as bottles.

An'Jcie holding openings 91 and 92 are formed on she top engaging structures A and 8 by culling out an article carrier blank. The top portions of articles go through these article holding openings at the time of containing articles as described below.

An opening 90 is formed on the tower top wail panel 41 by cuUing out an article carrier blank On the upper fop wail panel 46, θ fixing means 93 made of two flaps is formed (Haps are formed with a score line on the article carrier blank). These flaps are hsngediy connected to the upper top wail panel 46. When articles are contained as described below, the openings 90 and the fixing means 93 are superposed on each other as a result of superposing the lower top wail panel 41 and the upper top vyali panel 46 on each other. The lower top waϊl panel 41 and the upper top wall panel 46 are connected Py pressing down rhe fixing means 93 in order io Insert two flaps into the opening 9O₇ thereby isxsng the holding structure of the article carrier. The openings 90 sπto which the fixing means 93 ss inserted serve as a holding section where a finger is Inserted at the lime of carrying an article carrier.

To construct an article carrier out of the blank tab In Fig. 2, the blar)l< must successively be folded. The following shows the procedures fold an adhesive panel 50 and sidewali panels 51 trough 56 along Ibid lines 71 through /4 Apply glue to the adhesive panel 50 in onjer to secure the adhesive panel 50 to the sidewaii 58. As a result, a sleeve structure Is formed In this embodiment, we use a paste applying panel to form the sleeve structure. However, the present Invention Is not limited to this method, Any securing means may he used to form the sleeve structure. By way of example, we can form a flap and a flap receiving $\\\ and connect them by Inserting the flap into Hie flap receiving slit Put two articles (e.g.. 10

bottles) each on two rows. Place the sleeve structure over those articles by having the side with panels upward and the ssde wifhout any panel downward.

Lei the top portions of articles go through she article holding opening 91 while folding > panels 40 through 43 inward along fold lines 63 and 62 Fold the top supporting panel 40 and the lower top wsil panel 41 outward along fold lines 61 and 60 so as to make the fewer top wail panel 41 horizontal. Here, the top supporting panel «0 engages the lower edges of the top portions of articles on the row adjacent to the other row of articles that was placed through the article holding opening 91 Let the io lop portions of articles, go through the article holding opening 92 while folding panels 44 through 4? snward along fold lines 64 and 65 Superpose the upper top wall panel 46 on the lower top wall panel 41 by folding the second top supporting panel 47 and the upper top wall panel 46 outward along fold lines 66 and 6? in order to superpose the opening 90 formed on (he lower top wail panel 41 and the πxing means 93 i? formed on the upper top wail panel 46 on each other Here, the second top supporting panel 4? engages the lower edges of the top portions of shioies that went through the article holding opening 91

Press down the fixing means 93 formed on the upper top waN panel 46 and engage it ::u with the opening 90 of the tower top wail panel 41 so ss Lo integrate those two panels. As a result a package is completed as shown in Fig. 4. The package can be held and carried by inserting a finger into the opening made by pressing down the fixing means 35 The article carrier I h can oe opened by holding break onqins 81 and/or 83 formed on sidewali panels and breaking zippers 80 and/or 82.

As described in the section of an article carrier Ia by referring to Fig. 5, panels 42 and 43 constitute a top engaging structure A used for holding the top portions of articles. Top supporting panel 40 prevents articles from dislodging from the carrier by engaging the iovver edges of the top portions of articles on the row adjacent to the v,; row of articles supported by trie lop engaging structure A. Panes 45 and 46 constitute a top supporting structure B used for holding the top portions of articles. 11

Second top supporting pane* 47 prevents articles from failing by engaging the lower edges of the top portions of articles supported by the top engaging structure A.

In this embodiment, the Fixsπg means 93 formed on the upper top wall panes 46 is r pressed down so as to engage si with the opening 90 of the lower top wail panel 41 so that two panels can be integrated Accordingly, the top supporting pane: 40 can support the iower edges of the top portions of articles more strongly because of the pressure from the top engaging structure B and restoring force of siseif against folding along the fold hne 60. Moreover, the second top supporhng panel 47 can tO support the iower edges of the top portions of articles more strongly because of the integration of ihe upper top wail panel 46 and the lower top wall panel 41 through the fixing means 46 and restoring force of itself against folding along the fold line 6^'?.

In this embodiment as well, we can hold articles by using an article carrier of much (J. smaiier area than an article carrier used for wrapping trie entire area of articles, which contributes to the reduction of production cost. Furthermore, this type of article carrier has a holding structure strong enough to prevent articles from dropping out of an article earner at the time of carrying them.

?.<•^■ We nave explained embodiments of the present invention above. The present invention, however, is not limited to those embodiments. We can apply the present invention to an article carrier holding three articles on each of two rows or one article on each of two rows.

?.^; The terms used for Indicating directions such as top, bottom, edge, upper, iower_f Size_: snner_: and outer should not be construed as limiting panels in those directions These terms were used only for distinguishing panels from one another. The term ^"fold iine," as used in this application, does not necessarily mean a single fold line, As far as the use of the term does not depart from the scope of the present Invention, x! it could be one or multiple pitch iineCs) including a perforated line and a line made thin by embossing that can be easily bent or folded. The present iπvenhon can be 12

apphed to article earners used for artsdes arranged in various ways as far as those- arrangements do not depart Iron the scope of the invention.

As described above, the present Invention requires only a small amount of raw material to be used and can provide article carriers and article carrier blanks (hat can strongly hold artsefes.

Claims

13

1 A top gripping article carrier for holding top portions of articles arranged in two rows, comprising a pair of top engaging structures for engaging said tow rows of said ^ articles respectively, upper and lower top wall panels interconnecting said top engaging structures, said upper top wail panel being connected to one of said sop engaging structures, said lower top wail panel being connected to the orher of said top engaging structures arid piaced under said upper top wall panel, and a top supporting panel ningediy connected Io said lower top wail panel, wherein said top io supporting panel extends into said one top engaging structure to engage said top portions of said artioies engaged by said one top engaging structure.

2. The article- carrier according to claim 1. further comprising a second top supporting panel hingedly connected to said upper lop wail panel, wherein said

:> second top supporting panel is disposed outside said other fop engaging structure to engage said sop portion of said arhofes engaged by said other top engaging structure,

3. A top gripping article carrier for holding top portions of a group of articles Ji? arranged sn two rows, comprising a sleeve structure for surrounding sain group of said articles_: a pair of top engaging structures for engaging said two rows of said ariicies respectively, and a pair of upper and lower top overlapped wall panels interconnecting said top engaging structures and hingedly connected respectively to said top engaging structures, wherein each of said top engaging structures includes ?5 a pair of inner and outer inclined panels hingedϊy connected together along a common upper edge; said upper and lower top wail panels are hingedly connected respectively to lower edges of said inner inclined panels of said top engaging structures, and said sleeve structure is hlngediy connected to lower edges of said outer inclined panels of said top engaging structures. 14

4. The arise!© carrier according to ciaini 3, wherein said sleeve structure comprises a pair of opposed Side wai! panels each havsng an upper edge, said upper edges of sasd side vvaH panels being hjngediy connected respectively ho said outer inclined panels o> said top engagsnq structures