Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D71/0003—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars
  • B65D71/0029—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding one blank so as to form a tubular element in which the upper wall is provided with openings through which the articles extend partially
  • B65D71/0048—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding one blank so as to form a tubular element in which the upper wall is provided with openings through which the articles extend partially with walls wrapping around a great part of the articles
  • B65D71/0055—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding one blank so as to form a tubular element in which the upper wall is provided with openings through which the articles extend partially with walls wrapping around a great part of the articles with individual openings for holding the articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
  • B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
  • B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
  • B65D2571/0016—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs protruding from one end and co-operating with openings at the other end
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
  • B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
  • B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
  • B65D2571/00185—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing away from the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
  • B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
  • B65D2571/00259—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension
  • B65D2571/00265—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension extending from the upper or lower wall
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65D2571/00524—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements integral
• • 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
  • B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
  • B65D2571/00561—Lines of weakness
  • B65D2571/00574—Lines of weakness whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65D2571/00833—Other details of wrappers
  • B65D2571/00839—Integral reinforcements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a carton and a blank for forming a carton. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a carton and blank therefor, having an access means for accessing products contained therein and being adapted for returning products to a point of sale or to a recycling point.
• the carton In the field of packaging it is often desirable to provide consumers with a carton which can be used by a consumer to transport primary product containers including a product from a point of sale, the carton having a means for gaining access to the primary product container contained therein. It is further desirable that the carton retain sufficient integrity to be used to return the empty primary product containers to a point of sale or to a recycling point for easy transportation of the primary product containers.
• a carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel, first and second side walls and a first and second top panel coupled to one another by a first and second handle panel wherein the first and second handle panels are in face contacting relationship such that the first and second top panels form a top wall of the carton and wherein a reinforcing panel is provided in face contacting relationship with both the first and second top panels whereby forming a bridge between the first and second top panels such that a portion of each of the first and second top panels is at least two-ply in structure.
• the reinforcing panel is hingedly connected to the first top panel and is secured to the second top panel.
• the reinforcing panel is connected to the first top panel along a first fold line, the first top panel being folded about the first fold line into face contacting relationship with an inside surface of the first top panel.
• the first fold line extends along an end edge of the first top panel, the first fold line being disposed transversely with respect to a hinged connection between the first top panel and the first handle panel.
• the reinforcing panel include an extension portion disposed along an end edge of the second top panel, the end edge of the second top panel extending transversely with respect to a hinged connection between the second top panel and the second handle panel.
• a carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel, first and second side walls and first and second top panels coupled to one another by first and second handle panels wherein the first and second handle panels are in substantial face contacting relationship such that the first and second top panels form a top wall of the carton and wherein a first reinforcing panel is hinged to the first top panel, the first reinforcing panel being folded into face contacting relationship with the first top panel and wherein the first reinforcing panel comprises an extension portion which is secured to the second top panel whereby forming a bridge between the first and second top panels.
• a second reinforcing panel is hinged to the second top panel, the second reinforcing panel being folded into face contacting relationship with the second top panel and wherein the extension portion of the first reinforcing panel is in face contacting relationship with either the second reinforcing panel or the second top panel.
• the top panel comprises a plurality of apertures each for receiving a portion of a respective article and being struck from the top panel wherein an access device comprising a weakened line of severance is provided for displacement or removal of a portion of the top panel disposed between two adjacent apertures.
• a carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel, first and second side walls and a top panel, a carrying handle being provided coupled to the top panel wherein there comprises a plurality of apertures each for receiving a portion of a respective article and being struck from the top panel wherein an access device comprising a weakened line of severance is provided for displacement or removal of a portion of the top panel disposed between two adjacent apertures.
• the weakened line of servarance is formed at least in part in the top panel.
• the weakened line of severance extends between at least one of the apertures and another or the other one of the apertures.
• the weakened line of severance is formed solely in the top panel.
• the weakened line of serverance is formed at least in part in each of the side walls.
• the carton further comprises the access device herein before described.
• a blank comprising panels for forming the carton herebefore described.
• FIGURE 1 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment of the present invention
• FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from above of a first stage of construction of a carton from the blank of Figure 1;
• FIGURE 3 is a perspective view from above of a second stage of construction of a carton from the blank of Figure 1;
• FIGURE 4. is a perspective view from above of a third stage of construction of a carton from the blank of Figure 1;
• FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from above of a carton according to the first embodiment of the invention assembled about a group of articles;
• FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an end of a carton according to the first embodiment of the invention assembled about a group of articles;
• FIGURE 7 is a perspective view from above of a carton according to the first embodiment of the invention assembled about a group of articles wherein a handle has been deployed for use;
• FIGURE 8. is a close up perspective view of a user operating an access means in the carton of Figure 5;
• FIGURE 9. is a perspective view of the access means of the carton of Figure 5 in a deployed condition
• FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a user removing an article from the carton of Figure 5;
• FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the carton of Figure 5 in which empty articles have been replaced in the carton;
• FIGURE 12. is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• FIGURE 13. is a perspective view from above of a carton according to the second embodiment of the present invention assembled about a group of articles;
• FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the access means of the carton of Figure 13 in a deployed condition
• FIGURE 15. is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGURE 1 there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 for forming a carton 1, which blank 10 is formed from foldable sheet material such as paperboard or similar material.
• the blank comprises a series of main panels for forming a base panel, first and second side panels, top panel and first and second handle panels.
• First base panel 12 is coupled to first bevelled panel 12A by fold line 42; bevelled panel 12A is coupled to first side panel 14 by fold line 42A.
• First side panel 14 is coupled to first top panel 16 along fold line 44.
• First top panel 16 is coupled to first handle panel 18 by fold line 46.
• First handle panel 18 is coupled to second handle panel 20 along fold line 50.
• Second top panel 20 is coupled to second top panel 22 by fold line 54.
• Second top panel 22 is coupled to second side wall 24 by fold line 56.
• Second side panel 24 is coupled to second bevelled panel 26A by fold line 58A and second bevelled panel 26A is coupled to second base panel 26 by fold line 58.
• First handle panel 18 comprises fold line 48 which is interrupted by a first aperture 94a for forming a carrying handle a first handle flap 92a is hingedly connected to the first handle panel 18 along a fold line 90a wherein in use the fold line 90a connecting the first handle flap 92a to the first handle panel 18 forms an engagement edge for lifting the carton 1.
• Second handle panel 20 comprises fold line 52 which is interrupted by a second aperture 90b for forming the carrying handle a second handle flap 92b is hingedly connected to the second handle panel 20 along a fold line 90b wherein in use the fold line 90b connecting the second handle flap 92b to the second handle panel 20 forms an engagement edge for lifting the carton 1.
• Fold line 48 and fold line 52 are both parallel to and equidistant from fold line 50 coupling the first handle panel 18 to the second handle panel 20, such that in an a set up carton 1 fold line 48 and fold line 52 are in registry with one another.
• first aperture 94a, first handle flap 92a and fold line 90a are arranged to be in registry with second aperture 94b, second handle flap 92b and fold line 90b when the first handle panel 18 is folded about the fold line 50 to be in face contacting relationship with second handle panel 20.
• the handle structure comprises only a pair of apertures; in yet further embodiments of the invention, the handle structure comprises other means for facilitating a user's grasp of the carton 1.
• First top panel 16 and second top panel 22 each comprise three article receiving apertures Hl, H2 and H3.
• Article receiving apertures Hl, H2, H3 are each adapted to receive an upper portion of an article B
• article receiving apertures Hl, H2, H3 are substantially "egg-shaped" although other shapes are envisaged including but not limited to elliptical, circular, square and rectangular.
• a weakened line 84 optionally extends between each article receiving aperture Hl, H2 and H3 and the respective fold line 46, 54 coupling each top panel 16, 22 to the respective one of the first and second handle panels 18, 20.
• An arcuate weakened line of severance 82 is optionally provided in each of the top panels 16, 22 between the article receiving apertures Hl and H2 similarly there is an arcuate weakened line 82 in each of the top panels 16, 22 between the article receiving apertures H2 and H3.
• Each of the arcuate weakened lines of severance 82 comprises three cut lines.
• the arcuate weakened lines of severance 82 form an access device for gaining access to an article B within the carton 1. It is envisaged, as described below that the access device can take various formats compared to that aforedescribed, without departing from the invention.
• Apertures 72a, 72b, 76 are provided for receiving a portion of the base of an article B.
• a central aperture 76 is struck in part from each of first and second bevelled panels 12A and 26A and from the respective one of the first and second side wall 14, 24.
• Two further apertures 72a, 72b are struck in part from first base panel 12, from first bevelled panel 12A and first side panel 14.
• two further apertures 72a, 72b are struck in part from second base panel 26, from second bevelled panel 26A and second side panel 14.
• Apertures 72a and 72b comprise heel engaging tabs 74a, 74b respective for engaging with the heel of an article B whereby securing the base of the article B.
• heel apertures 72a, 72b and heel engaging tabs 74a, 74b facilitate the secure containment of articles B within the carton 1. In embodiments where a greater or a fewer number of articles B are contained, fewer or greater heel engaging tabs are provided.
• the specific structure of the heel engaging tabs 74a, 74b is also adaptable and in some embodiments, no heel engaging tabs 74a, 74b and/or apertures 72a, 72b are provided.
• Base panel 12 comprises recesses or rebates 78a, 78b struck from opposing side edges, recesses 78a, 78b form a first part of a first panel locking mechanism for securing first base panel 12 to second base panel 26.
• Recesses 78a, 78b comprise a waist such that a tab 80a, 80b, forming the second part of the first panel locking mechanism and struck from base panel 26, can be locked in position.
• the base panels 12, 26 additionally may optionally comprise a second panel locking mechanism having a first part 70a forming a female locking member struck from base panel 12 for receiving a second part 70b for forming a male locking member.
• the second panel locking mechanism may be adapted such that the base panels 12, 26 of a setup carton 1 may receive a portion of a tertiary packaging container such as the "star-post" of a crate. In such an embodiment the second panel locking mechanism is arranged such that it is disposed to be in registry with a void between articles B in a group of articles B to be packaged by the carton 1. It is envisaged that a variety of mechanical locking mechanisms could be used to secure the base panels 12, 26 together.
• the composite locked bottom wall may be replaced by a single bottom wall that is securable directly to one of said first or second side walls 14, 24.
• Reinforcing structures R are provided hinged to opposing side edges of the first and second sidewalls 14, 18 and the first and second top panels 16, 22.
• Each reinforcing structure R comprises a first reinforcing panel 30a, 30b, 36a, 36b.
• First reinforcing panels 30a, 30b are hinged to opposing side edges of first side wall 14 along fold line 60a, 60b respectively whereas first reinforcing panels 36a, 36b are hinged to opposing side edges of second side wall 24 along fold line 66a, 66b respectively.
• a second reinforcing panel 32a, 32b is provided hinged to opposing side edges of top panel 16 along fold line 62a, 62b respectively. Second reinforcing panel 32a is hinged to first reinforcing panel 30a and second reinforcing panel 32b is hinged to first reinforcing panel 30b.
• a second reinforcing panel 34a, 34b is provided hinged to opposing side edges of top panel 22 along fold line 64a, 64b respectively.
• Second reinforcing panel 34a is hinged to first reinforcing panel 36a and second reinforcing panel 34b is hinged to first reinforcing panel 36b.
• Second reinforcing panels 32a, 32b comprise recesses or cut-outs shaped to be complementary to article receiving apertures Hl and H3 when folded about fold line 62a, 62b into face contacting relationship with first top panel 16.
• Second reinforcing panels 34a, 34b are each provided with an extension portion 35a, 35b respectively. These extension portions 35a, 35b are disposed adjacent the second handle panel
• edges 88a, 88b of extension portions 35a, 35b are similarly shaped to complement the article receiving apertures Hl and H3 when folded into face contacting relationship with second reinforcing panels 32a, 32b.
• edges 86a, 86b of reinforcing panels 32a, 32b are shaped similarly to the adjacent article receiving apertures Hl and H3 formed in first top panel
• the carton 1 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the carton 1 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.
• Glue (or other securing means) is applied to the first reinforcing panels 30a, 30b, 36a, 36b, to the second reinforcing panels 32a, 32b and to the second reinforcing panels 34a, 34b but not the extension portions 35a, 35b.
• the reinforcing panels 30a, 30b, 36a, 36b, 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b are folded into face contacting relationship with their respective side walls 14, 24 and top panel 16, 22 and secured in position as shown in Figure 2.
• Glue or other adhesive is applied to one of the first or second handle panels 18, 20; Glue G is also applied to the second reinforcing panel 32a, 32b as illustrated in Figure 1.
• the second handle panel 20 is folded about fold line 50 into face-contacting relationship with the first handle panel 18; the first handle panel 18 is secured to the second handle panel 20 and the extension portion 35a, 35b is secured to the second reinforcing panel 32a, 32b as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.
• the blank 10 is then wrapped around a group of articles B, upper portion of the articles B being received in a respective article receiving aperture Hl, H2, H3.
• First and second base panels 12, 26 are folded about the base of the group of articles B and the male parts 70b, 80a and 80b of the first and second panel locking mechanisms are punched through the first base panel 12 and second base panel 26 to engage the respective female parts 70a, 78a, 78b of the first and second panel locking mechanisms whereby locking the first base panel 12 in partial overlapping relationship with the second base panel 26.
• the first and second handle panels 18, 20 can be folded about fold lines 48 and 52 respectively such that an upper edge of the handle panels 18, 20 engages with a protruding portion of the articles B whereby retaining the handle panels 18, 20 in a stowed position below the upper surface of the articles B as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
• the carrying handle can be deployed to a position of use by unfolding the handle panels 18, 20 as shown in Figure 7.
• Figure 8 illustrates a user F initiating tearing or breaking of the weakened line of severance 82 whereby operating the access device to gain access to the articles B.
• the user F severs each of the portions 23 of the top panel 22 between the articles B such that the central article B can be removed from the carton 1 as shown in Figure 10.
• Access can then be gained to the other two articles B via the opening created as a consequence of deploying the access device.
• deploying the access device may provide access to more than one article B at a time and/or the endmost articles B.
• the access means reduces the amount of material in the top panels 16, 22 connecting the first and second side walls 14, 24 to the handle panels 18, 20.
• the carton 1 retains sufficient structural integrity after the access device has been deployed, such that the carton 1 is reusable for collating and transporting the empty articles B.
• Reinforcing structures R strengthen the carton such that the carton 1 can be carried by the carrying handle when the access device has been deployed.
• Extension portions 35a, 35b ensure that there is at least a two ply structure at the point where the handle panels 18, 20 are hinged to the first and second top panels 16, 22.
• FIGURE 12 An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIGURE 12 in which like numerals have, where possible, been used for like parts, with the addition of the prefix "1". To avoid duplicating description of parts similar to both the first and second embodiments only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 11 will be described in any greater detail.
• the embodiment of Figure 12 comprises four alternative access devices 196 provided in the first and second side walls 114, 124 and disposed between adjacent article receiving apertures H1/H2, H2/H3.
• Each access device 196 comprises a pair of weakened lines of severance 197, 199 coupled by a further weakened line of severance 198.
• the weakened lines of severance 197, 198, 199 are collectively arcuate in shape and substantially "U-shaped".
• Each terminus of each of the weakened lines 197, 198, 199 is disposed in the vicinity of the point where an article receiving aperture Hl, H2, H3 is closest to a respective one of the first or second sidewalls 114, 124.
• Each weakened line of severance 197, 198, 199 comprises a plurality of cut-lines spaced in close proximity to another.
• a fold line 195 may be provided each with weakened lines 197, 198, 199 to create a tab to aid a user F to initiate tearing of the access device 196.
• the access device 196 when deployed separates those portions of the top panel 122 between the article receiving apertures Hl and H2 and H2 and H3 from the side wall 124 said portions being hinged to the second handle panel 120 as shown in Figure 13 and 14.
• said portions may be severably connected to the second handle panel 120 by a further weakened line of severance.
• FIGURE 15 Yet a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIGURE 15, in which like numerals have, where possible, been used for like parts, with the addition of the prefix "3".
• FIGURE 15 To avoid duplicated description of features similar in the third embodiment to features of the first and second illustrated embodiments, only the differences from the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 14 will be described in any greater detail.
• each access means is disposed between adjacent article receiving apertures H1/H2, H2/H3 and each access means comprising a single arcuate weakened line of severance 396 formed from a series of slits and nicks.
• the terminus of each end of the access means is proximate a nick 397 or extensively weakened portion that intercepts the adjacent fold line 344, 356, preferably in the region of cut lines 345, 357 provided along said fold lines 344, 356.
• the access means can be deployed by a user to rip out a portion of the first and/or second side panel 314, 324 and an integral adjacent portion of the associated top panel 316, 322 using the nick or extensively weakened portion 397 to assist in ripping across the adjacent fold line 344, 356.
• the carton retains sufficient structural integrity (at least in part due to the structural strength provided by the reinforcing means R and assisted by the size and shape of the access means 396) such that the carton is reusable for collating the articles B for return to a recycling point for example.
• the punch lock of the complementary locking mechanism in bottom panel 312, 326 has an alternative shape to that shown in the first and second embodiments. It will be understood as mentioned above that in other embodiments of the invention, a variety of complementary bottom locking or securing means as is known in the art is used.
• the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape.
• more or less than six articles will be the intended contents for the carton and as such the blank will be sized and the panels of the blank sized and shaped to accommodate such articles.
• the article receiving apertures may each have a different shape where the invention is applied to cartons for containing a mixture of articles; in such and indeed other embodiments the access means neighbouring those article receiving apertures may be alternatively shaped and sized to effect the removal of a portion of the carton of sufficient size to enable articles B to be withdrawn and replaced and yet at the same time not compromise the structural integrity of the carton as a whole.
• the reinforcing means R may be altered from that herein described and yet the performance and function of such a reinforcing means R will remain unaltered from that taught herein.
• an extension portion of the reinforcing means is positioned, shaped and sized or otherwise structured, arranged and configured, such that it can provide a bonded link between one side of the carton and the other.
• the carton has sufficient structural rigidity that this application of force does not cause failure of the carton such that the carton can be reused.
• extension panels 35a/35b, 135a/135b, 335a/335b provide a brace or strengthening ply to the first and/or second top panels 16, 22, 116, 122, 316, 322, through which the articles B are intended to be withdrawn.
• the carton may be provided without beveled panels 12A, 26A.
• 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 the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
• weakened line or extensively weakened line can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, nick, half-depth cut, full depth cut, angled perforations and/or any combination of the aforementioned features without departing from the scope of the invention.

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• 2008
  • 2008-08-14 GB GBGB0814872.8A patent/GB0814872D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2009
  • 2009-08-13 EP EP09791504.5A patent/EP2310291B1/de active Active
  • 2009-08-13 US US13/059,061 patent/US20110204128A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-08-13 WO PCT/US2009/053766 patent/WO2010019809A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2009-08-13 CA CA2733295A patent/CA2733295A1/en not_active Abandoned

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