EP3808677A1 - Carrier for containers - Google Patents

Carrier for containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3808677A1
EP3808677A1 EP20200533.6A EP20200533A EP3808677A1 EP 3808677 A1 EP3808677 A1 EP 3808677A1 EP 20200533 A EP20200533 A EP 20200533A EP 3808677 A1 EP3808677 A1 EP 3808677A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
central
attachment
marginal portion
containers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20200533.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Brian Smalley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Graphic Packaging International LLC
Original Assignee
Graphic Packaging International LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US16/598,282 external-priority patent/US11261013B2/en
Application filed by Graphic Packaging International LLC filed Critical Graphic Packaging International LLC
Publication of EP3808677A1 publication Critical patent/EP3808677A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D71/40—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
    • B65D71/42—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a single layer element
    • 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
    • B65D71/0085—Packaging elements adhered to the articles, e.g. a carton 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D71/40—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
    • B65D71/46—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element
    • 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
    • B65D71/50—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
    • B65D71/504—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article

Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers for holding, displaying, and/or transporting containers.
  • a carrier for holding a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers.
  • the at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.
  • the carrier further comprises at least one access feature that is positionable for allowing access to at least one container of the plurality of containers, the at least one access feature comprises a marginal portion of the top panel and a marginal portion of the at least one attachment panel.
  • a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one attachment panel, and at least one access feature comprising a marginal portion of the top panel and a marginal portion of the at least one attachment panel.
  • the at least one access feature is for being positionable for allowing access to at least one container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and the at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier formed from the blank.
  • a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one attachment panel, and at least one access feature comprising a marginal portion of the top panel and a marginal portion of the at least one attachment panel.
  • the method further comprises folding the plurality of panels such that the at least one central panel is positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and attaching at least one container of the plurality of panels to the at least one central panel, the at least one access feature is positionable for allowing access to at least one container of the plurality of containers.
  • a package comprises a plurality of containers and a carrier for holding the plurality of containers.
  • the carrier comprises a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one attachment panel receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, the at least one central panel is positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.
  • the carrier further comprises at least one access feature that is positionable for allowing access to at least one container of the plurality of containers, the at least one access feature comprises a marginal portion of the top panel and a marginal portion of the at least one attachment panel.
  • the present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc.
  • the containers can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example.
  • the containers can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or any combination thereof.
  • Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes.
  • beverage containers e.g., aluminum cans
  • the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and “back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.
  • carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of blanks.
  • Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of the blank can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., "first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
  • Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 101 of a blank 103 used to form a carrier 105 ( Fig. 7 ) in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the carrier 105 can be sized to contain or support six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 being attached to a front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 being attached to a back portion 108 of the carrier 105.
  • the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be beverage cans, or could be any other suitable type and size of container without departing from the disclosure.
  • the carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers.
  • the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 each have three containers, and in other embodiments, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 can carry more or less than three containers without departing from the disclosure.
  • the carrier 105 can be provided together with one or more containers as a package 110 ( Fig. 7 ).
  • the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2.
  • the blank 103 has a front portion 107 for forming the front portion 106 of the carrier 105, and a back portion 109 for forming the back portion 108 of the carrier 105.
  • the front portion 107 and the back portion 109 of the blank 103 are foldably connected at a lateral fold line 112 that forms a lateral centerline CL of the blank 103, as shown.
  • the blank 103 is at least partially formed into the carrier 105 by folding the blank 103 at the fold line 112 along the centerline CL so that the front portion 107 and the back portion 109 of the blank 103 are overlapped in at least partial face-to-face contact.
  • the front portion 107 of the blank 103 comprises a front central panel 125a having a first front row RF1 of laterally spaced adhesive or glue openings 127a, and a second front row RF2 of the laterally spaced adhesive or glue openings 127a.
  • the top edges of the respective glue openings 127a of the first row RF1 are spaced a longitudinal distance D1 apart from the fold line 112 that is less than a longitudinal distance D2 that the top edges of the respective glue openings 127a of the second row RF2 are spaced apart from the fold line 112.
  • a front container retention panel or front attachment panel 131a is foldably connected to the front central panel 125a at a lateral fold line 133a, and includes a container retention portion 135a that is at least partially defined between a pair of longitudinally-spaced lateral fold lines 137a, 139a (broadly, respective "second fold line") that are each interrupted by respective pairs of longitudinally-spaced cuts 141a that can each include one or more curved and/or angled portions.
  • the longitudinally-spaced cuts 141a define container retention tabs 148a that extend outwardly from the container retention portion 135a.
  • respective oblique cuts 143a, 145a extend outwardly from each respective cut 141a to define a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the front attachment panel 131a that face the respective container retention tabs 148a.
  • an interior marginal portion 136a of the attachment panel 131a is defined between the fold lines 137a, 133a, and an exterior marginal portion 138a of the attachment panel 131a is defined between the fold line 139a and a lateral fold line 171a.
  • the blank 103 can include a pair of handle openings 130a that interrupt the fold line 133a and that extend from a portion of the front central panel 125a into a portion of the front attachment panel 131a.
  • the handle openings 130a can include a longitudinal section 132a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 and a pair of lateral sections 134a that intersect and diverge orthogonally away from the longitudinal section 132a in substantial parallel relation with the lateral axis L2.
  • the divergent sections 132a, 134a of the handle opening 130a are in communication with one another.
  • the sections 132a, 134a of the handle opening 130a provide multiple engagement surfaces at which a consumer can grasp the carrier 105, in different orientations.
  • a reinforcement flap 136a is foldably connected to the respective attachment panel 131a at a respective curved fold line 140a, and extends into the respective longitudinal section 132a.
  • the carrier 105 can have a different arrangement of handle features, or can be devoid of handle features, without departing from the disclosure.
  • the blank 103 additionally includes a bevel or front side panel 169a that is foldably connected to the front attachment panel 131a at the lateral fold line 171a, and a top panel 173 that is foldably connected to the front side panel 169a at a lateral fold line 175a.
  • the top panel 173, as shown, includes additional handle features (broadly, “first handle feature” and “second handle feature”) that each include a pair of opposed curved cuts 177, 179 and a longitudinal cut 181 extending from the curved cut 177 to the curved cut 179 to define a pair of handle flaps 183, 185.
  • a pair of longitudinal lines of weakening 187, 189 and a pair of lateral lines of weakening 190, 191 extend along a portion of each flap 183, 185 so as to provide an at least partially reconfigurable arrangement, as described further herein.
  • one or more of the lines of weakening 187, 189, 190, 191 can be a surface feature such as an emboss or deboss feature.
  • Handle features of the carrier 205 include the handle features in the top panel 173, and can also include the handle openings 130a, 130b.
  • the carrier 105 can have a different arrangement of handle features, or can be devoid of handle features, without departing from the disclosure.
  • the top panel 173 additionally includes a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal fold lines 193, 195 (broadly, "first fold line” and “second fold line”, respectively) that define a central portion 197 therebetween, and which further define a first marginal portion 199 of the top panel 173 defined between the fold lines 175a, 193, and a second marginal portion 201 of the top panel 173 defined between the fold line 195 and a lateral free edge of the top panel 173.
  • the first marginal portion 199 of the top panel 173 is defined between the fold line 193 and the front side panel 169a.
  • the central portion 197 of the top panel 173 is positioned to generally overlap and align with respective portions of the container retention portion 135a of the front attachment panel 131a and a container retention portion 135b of a back attachment panel 131b, the first marginal portion 199 of the top panel 173 is positioned to generally align with an exterior marginal portion 138b of the back attachment panel 131b, and the second marginal portion 201 of the top panel 173 is positioned to generally align with the exterior marginal portion 138a of the front attachment panel 131a.
  • the back portion 109 of the blank 103 includes a back central panel 125b and the back container retention panel or back attachment panel 131b having associated features that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding panels and flaps of the front portion 107 of the blank 103.
  • Corresponding components e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.
  • corresponding reference numbers that differ by the "a” or "b" suffix, with the "a” components corresponding to the front portion 107 of the blank 103 and the "b” components corresponding to the back portion 109 of the blank 103.
  • the back portion 109 of the blank 103 additionally includes a back side panel 169b foldably connected to the back attachment panel 131b at a lateral fold line 171b, and an attachment flap 203 foldably connected to the back side panel 169b at a lateral fold line 175b.
  • a pair of generally U-shaped cuts 157 extend from the centerline CL and have a respective lateral portion that defines the top edge of respective glue openings 127b of a first back lateral row RB1 of laterally spaced glue openings 127b.
  • the top edges of the respective glue openings 127b of the first lateral row RB1 of glue openings 127b are spaced a longitudinal distance D3 apart from the fold line 112 that is less than a longitudinal distance D4 that the top edges of respective glue openings 127b of a second back lateral row RB2 of glue openings 127b are spaced apart from the fold line 112.
  • the blank 103 is provided with front rows RF1 and RF2 of laterally-spaced front glue openings 127a that are spaced respective longitudinal distances D1, D2 from the centerline CL, and back rows RB1 and RB2 of laterally-spaced back glue openings 127b that are spaced respective longitudinal distances D3, D4 from the centerline CL.
  • the glue openings 127a, 127b have a longitudinally staggered arrangement such that D2 > D4 > D1 > D3.
  • the arrangement of the glue openings 127a, 127b is such that, upon erection of the carrier 105, the glue openings 127a, 127b provide access to a respective plurality of surfaces of the respective central panels 125b, 125a upon which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached to enhance retention and support of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 by the carrier 105.
  • any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 103 without departing from the disclosure.
  • the blank 103 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than four containers without departing from this disclosure.
  • an interior surface or underside of the blank 103 can be placed atop the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that the container retention portion 135a of the front attachment panel 131a overlies the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and such that the container retention portion 135b of the back attachment panel 131b overlies the containers CB1, CB2, CB3.
  • Further downward positioning of the attachment panels 131a, 131b over the plurality of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can activate the respective container retention portions 135a, 135b to engage respective containers.
  • the container retention portion 135a can at least partially separate from the remainder of the front attachment panel 131a at the cuts 141a.
  • upper or top portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can extend at least partially through respective openings formed by the respective cuts 141a such that the container retention tabs 148a can engage, for example, a recessed portion of a rim or other top structure of the respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, and such that a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the marginal portions 136a, 138a can engage, for example, a rolled rim edge or other top structure of the respective container CA1, CA2, CA3.
  • Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the back attachment panel 131b can occur as the back attachment panel 131b is lowed or urged downwardly onto the containers CB1, CB2, CB3.
  • the marginal portions 136a, 138a of the attachment panel 131a can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 137a, 139a in such a configuration, and, similarly, the marginal portions 136b, 138b of the attachment panel 131b can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 137b, 139b.
  • the front central panel 125a and the back central panel 125b can be folded at the fold line 112 such that the front central panel 125a and the back central panel 125b are brought into at least partial face-to-face contact in the direction of the arrows A1, A2 to be positioned between respective adjacent containers and such that the respective glue openings 127a, 127b are positioned so as to be laterally aligned but longitudinally offset due to the different relative spacing of the respective rows RF1, RF2 of the front glue openings 127a and the respective rows RB1, RB2 of the back glue openings 127b away from the fold line 112 as described above.
  • the central panels 125a, 125b are arranged such that a portion of the front central panel 125a overlaps each of the glue openings 127b and a portion of the back central panel 125b overlaps each of the glue openings 127a to provide communication between the central panels 125a, 125b and respective surfaces upon which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered or otherwise attached, as described further herein.
  • Such rearrangement of the central panels 125a, 125b can also cause the respective central panels 125a, 125b to be folded downwardly relative to the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b at the respective fold lines 133a, 133b.
  • an adhesive glue G can be provided to adhere the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to respective portions of the central panel 125b exposed through the respective glue openings 127a, and the glue G can be provided to adhere the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to respective portions of the central panel 125a exposed through the respective glue openings 127b.
  • the arrangement of multiple rows of respective glue openings 127a, 127b provides multiple points of attachment of each respective container to the respective opposite central panel 125a, 125b such that each container is provided with a robust attachment to a respective central panel 125a, 125b.
  • the attachment of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, and containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to the respective central panel 125a, 125b can provide retention and support of the respective containers, e.g., such that the containers do not detach from the carrier 105 under their own weight, in addition to or alternative to the container retention and support provided by the respective container retention portions 135a, 135b.
  • one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached to a respective central panel 125a, 125b with glue G, without additional retention and support provided by a container retention portion as described above.
  • the glue G described herein can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive, a high tack glue, an epoxy, a polymeric cement, etc., or combinations thereof.
  • the glue G can have a different arrangement without departing from the disclosure.
  • the glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the exterior surface of the blank 103/carrier 105.
  • Such enhanced attachment of the respective containers to the respective central panels 125a, 125b with the glue G can also provide enhanced integrity to the carrier 105, e.g., by providing opposing adhesive forces on the respective central panels 125a, 125b such that the central panels 125a, 125b are compressed therebetween.
  • the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least partially pull the portions of the back central panel 125b to which they are attached through the respective glue openings 127a toward the front central panel 125a under the at least partial weight of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3.
  • Respective portions of the front central panel 125a can be pulled toward the back central panel 125b through the respective glue openings 127b by the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a similar manner.
  • the front side panel 169a can be folded upwardly at the fold line 171a, for example, to be at an oblique arrangement relative to the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2, CB3 and the top panel 173 can be folded at the fold line 175a generally in the direction of the arrow A3 into at least partial face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the attachment panels 131a, 131b.
  • the back side panel 169b can be folded upwardly at the fold line 171b into an oblique arrangement with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and the attachment flap 203 can be folded at the fold line 175b generally in the direction of the arrow A4 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel 173 and/or the attachment panel 131b.
  • Such an arrangement can be maintained with an adhesive such as glue.
  • the respective handle flaps 183, 185 can be at least partially separated from the top panel 173 at the respective cuts 177, 179, and from each other at the respective cuts 181, and folded or flexed downwardly into an interior portion of the carrier 105/package 110.
  • the handle openings 130a, 130b provide clearance for the handle flaps 183, 185 to extend downwardly in such an arrangement.
  • one or both of the handle flaps 183, 185 can be provided with a reconfigurable arrangement, for example, so as to contour or angle against one or more of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, e.g., such that at least a central portion of the respective handle flaps 183, 185 can be positioned between adjacent containers.
  • marginal portions of the respective handle flaps 183, 185 can at least partially wrap around or surround a consumer's finger, for example, to minimize or prevent contact of the consumer's finger with edges or corners of the carrier 105/package 110 and/or the respective containers.
  • the divergent nature of the respective longitudinal sections 132a, 132b and the respective lateral sections 134a, 134b of the respective handle openings 130a, 130b allows a consumer multiple edges and surfaces by which to engage and lift the carrier 105 such that the consumer can engage the carrier from multiple orientations, e.g., a lateral orientation or a longitudinal orientation, or orientations therebetween.
  • the respective reinforcement flaps 136a, 136b can at least partially fold downwardly at the respective curved fold lines 138a, 138b to provide additional reinforcing structure between a customer's fingers and the respective attachment panel 131a, 131b, e.g., in a three-ply configuration.
  • FIG. 8-10 an at least partial reconfiguration of the carrier 105 to facilitate removal of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 will be described in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
  • first marginal portion 199 and the second marginal portion 201 of the top panel 173 can be folded at least partially upwardly at the respective fold lines 193, 195.
  • Upward movement of the first marginal portion 199 can carry the front panel 169a and the exterior marginal portion 138a of the front attachment panel 131a therewith such that the first marginal portion 199, the front panel 169a, and the exterior marginal portion 138a can together form an articulable access feature 205 (broadly, "first access feature") that provides at least partial access to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 in the front portion 106 of the carrier 105.
  • the second marginal portion 201 of the top panel 173, the attachment flap 203 underlapped on the marginal portion 201, the back panel 169b, and the exterior marginal portion 138a can together form an articulable access feature 207 (broadly, "second access feature") that provides at least partial access to the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in the back portion 108 of the carrier 105.
  • second access feature articulable access feature
  • the access feature 205 can be grasped by a customer, for example, by curling his or her fingers around portions of the first marginal portion 199 of the top panel 173, the front panel 169a, and/or the exterior marginal portion 138a of the attachment panel 131a, and lifting upwardly such that these panels/portions articulate to fold at least partially at the aligned fold lines 193, 139a in the respective top panel 173 and attachment panel 131a.
  • the fold lines 193, 139a can be positioned in an offset relationship.
  • Such movement of the access feature 205 can cause at least partial disengagement of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 from the attachment panel 131a, for example, by withdrawing the top portion T of a respective container through an opening formed by a respective cut 141a along the respective attachment panel 131a.
  • the access feature 207 can be grasped by a customer by curling his or her fingers around portions of the second marginal portion 201 of the top panel 173, the back panel 169b, and/or the exterior marginal portion 138a and lifting upwardly at the aligned fold lines 195, 139b in the respective top panel 173 and attachment panel 131a to provide access to the containers CB 1, CB2, CB3 in the back portion 108 of the carrier 105.
  • Such movement of the access feature 207 can cause at least partial disengagement of one or more of the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 from the attachment panel 131b as described above with respect to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3.
  • the fold lines 195, 139b can be positioned in an offset relationship.
  • the access features 205, 207 are each reconfigurable/positionable between a first configuration/position, in which one or both of the marginal portions 199, 201 of the top panel 173 are generally perpendicular to the central panels 125a, 125b, and a second configuration/position, in which one or both of the marginal portions 199, 201 of the top panel 173 are generally raised or upright relative to the central panels 125a, 125b, e.g., such that the marginal portions 199, 201 are parallel with or obliquely-disposed relative to the central panels 125a, 125b, for example, to allow access to the containers.
  • the respective marginal portions 138a, 138b of the respective attachment panels 135a, 135b can also be generally raised or upright relative to the central panels 125a, 125b.
  • the respective marginal portions 138a, 138b of the respective attachment panels 135a, 135b can be considered to be generally perpendicular to the central panels 125a, 125b when the access features 205, 207 are in the first configuration/position.
  • the access features 205, 207 can each be reconfigured/positioned from the second configuration/position by reversing the movement of the access features 205, 207 described above.
  • the access features 205, 207 can be folded at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 193, 139a and fold lines 195, 139b toward a generally perpendicular arrangement relative to the central panels 125a, 125b.
  • Such movement of the access features 205, 207 can cause at least partial re-engagement of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 with the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b as described above.
  • a respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be further removed from the carrier 105 by peeling the respective container away from the respective central panel 125a, 125b. Peeling or pulling the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 away from a respective central panel 125a, 125b can involve pulling the respective container with a force sufficient to overcome the adhesive bond of the respective container and the respective central panel 125a, 125b provided by the glue G.
  • the glue G can be selected so as to remain on a respective central panel 125a, 125b, e.g., such that substantially little or no glue G remains on the container as it is removed.
  • One or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 in one embodiment, can be reattached to a respective central panel 125a, 125b following therefrom by pressing the container against a respective region of glue G.
  • the central panels 125a, 125b can be devoid of glue openings such that the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 are adhered only to the respective central panel 125a, 125b.
  • glue G can be provided both on portions of the respective central panels 125a, 125b exposed through the respective glue openings 127b, 127a as well as portions of the respective central panels 125a, 125b adjacent the respective glue openings 127a, 127b such that each container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered to portions of both central panels 125a, 125b.
  • the carrier 105/package 110 described above has a compact structure that can, for example, provide materials savings and waste reduction. Additionally, the arrangement of the glue G among the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 as well as the central panels 125a, 125b provides multiple points of attachment that results in a robust structure for holding and carrying the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3.
  • the exposure of one or more portions of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 CB1, CB2, CB3 on exterior portions of the carrier 105/package 110 provides a consumer with a clear view of labeling or surface graphics associated with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, as well as providing convenient access to remove one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the carrier 105/package 110.
  • a blank 203 for forming a carrier 205 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.
  • the blank 203 and the carrier 205 can have one or more features that are similar to those of the blank 103 and the carrier 105 of the first exemplary embodiment, and like or similar reference numbers refer to like or similar features.
  • the attachment panels 131a, 131b of the blank 203 are each provided with a respective three laterally spaced cuts 141a, 141b such that the carrier 205 is sized and configured to support and retain six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 in a front portion 206 of the carrier 205 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a back portion 208 of the carrier 205.
  • the U-shaped cuts 157 interrupt the fold line 112 to define respective tabs 159 extending away from the centerline CL.
  • the tabs 159 can separate from the surrounding material of the central panel 125b at the respective cuts 157 to expose a pair of glue openings 127b of the first back row RB1.
  • the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper.
  • the blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier to function at least generally as described above.
  • the blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating.
  • the clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images.
  • the blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks.
  • the blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.
  • the blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
  • a line of weakening can include one or more of tear lines, cut lines, etc.
  • a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features.
  • one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line.
  • the nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line.
  • the nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like.
  • a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.
  • a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
  • the above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments.
  • glue is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
EP20200533.6A 2019-10-10 2020-10-07 Carrier for containers Pending EP3808677A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/598,282 US11261013B2 (en) 2018-12-14 2019-10-10 Carrier for containers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3808677A1 true EP3808677A1 (en) 2021-04-21

Family

ID=72801367

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20200533.6A Pending EP3808677A1 (en) 2019-10-10 2020-10-07 Carrier for containers

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3808677A1 (es)
JP (1) JP2022551866A (es)
KR (1) KR20220079913A (es)
CN (1) CN114502481B (es)
AU (1) AU2020364363B2 (es)
BR (1) BR112022005754A2 (es)
CA (1) CA3156282C (es)
MX (1) MX2022004256A (es)
WO (1) WO2021071764A1 (es)

Citations (8)

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US3001647A (en) * 1958-10-22 1961-09-26 Liss Jack Package
US3245711A (en) * 1964-01-16 1966-04-12 Kenneth R Dantoin Paperboard can carrier
US3281180A (en) * 1964-03-24 1966-10-25 Joseph C Spery Container carrier
GB1256684A (es) * 1969-02-21 1971-12-15
US5282348A (en) * 1992-06-16 1994-02-01 Riverwood International Corporation Clip-type article carrier and method of manufacture
US5503267A (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-04-02 Riverwood International Corporation Can clip carrier with glue flaps
US20040226833A1 (en) * 2001-08-17 2004-11-18 Jean-Yves Daniel Carton with top retaining structure and blank therefor
WO2012075374A2 (en) * 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for containers

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US3701416A (en) * 1969-05-30 1972-10-31 Frank D Lawrence Holders for containers
US3653503A (en) * 1970-01-13 1972-04-04 Federal Paper Board Co Inc Carrier package
US4339032A (en) * 1980-11-10 1982-07-13 The Mead Corporation Bottle carrier with peripheral skirt
IT1136923B (it) * 1981-03-12 1986-09-03 Gabriella Sommariva Imballaggio per confezione multipla e procedimento per realizzare tale confezione multipla
EP0398835B1 (en) * 1989-04-01 1996-10-30 Riverwood Espana, S.A. Carrier for a group of containers, formed from a cardboard blank
MX343570B (es) * 2009-12-18 2016-11-09 Graphic Packaging Int Inc Empaque para recipientes.
CA2875398C (en) * 2010-05-19 2017-02-07 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for containers
WO2012016029A2 (en) * 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carrier for bottles
JP6275977B2 (ja) * 2013-08-30 2018-02-07 キリン株式会社 容器保持具及び包装製品
US11261013B2 (en) * 2018-12-14 2022-03-01 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carrier for containers

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3001647A (en) * 1958-10-22 1961-09-26 Liss Jack Package
US3245711A (en) * 1964-01-16 1966-04-12 Kenneth R Dantoin Paperboard can carrier
US3281180A (en) * 1964-03-24 1966-10-25 Joseph C Spery Container carrier
GB1256684A (es) * 1969-02-21 1971-12-15
US5282348A (en) * 1992-06-16 1994-02-01 Riverwood International Corporation Clip-type article carrier and method of manufacture
US5503267A (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-04-02 Riverwood International Corporation Can clip carrier with glue flaps
US20040226833A1 (en) * 2001-08-17 2004-11-18 Jean-Yves Daniel Carton with top retaining structure and blank therefor
WO2012075374A2 (en) * 2010-12-03 2012-06-07 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Package for containers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2020364363B2 (en) 2023-10-26
KR20220079913A (ko) 2022-06-14
JP2022551866A (ja) 2022-12-14
MX2022004256A (es) 2022-05-06
BR112022005754A2 (pt) 2022-10-25
CA3156282C (en) 2024-04-23
CA3156282A1 (en) 2021-04-15
CN114502481B (zh) 2024-02-13
WO2021071764A1 (en) 2021-04-15
AU2020364363A1 (en) 2022-04-21
CN114502481A (zh) 2022-05-13

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