EP3939908A1 - Carrier and blank - Google Patents
Carrier and blank Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3939908A1 EP3939908A1 EP20772915.3A EP20772915A EP3939908A1 EP 3939908 A1 EP3939908 A1 EP 3939908A1 EP 20772915 A EP20772915 A EP 20772915A EP 3939908 A1 EP3939908 A1 EP 3939908A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- edge
- receiving opening
- container
- upper receiving
- carrier
- 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
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65D71/46—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
- B65D71/48—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 characterised by the handle
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a carrier and a blank, particularly to improvement of a mechanism that supports an article.
- the present application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-048447 filed in Japan on March 15, 2019 and incorporates the content thereof herein by reference.
- An example of the carrier is a carrier attached to an upper portion of an article, for example, as the carriers described in Patent Literatures 1 to 5.
- Many carriers of this type each include a panel having an opening that accepts the upper portion of an article and a tab that extends toward the interior of the opening from an edge that defines the opening of the panel.
- a thus configured carrier in which the upper portion of the article is inserted into the opening of the panel and the tab supports the upper portion of the article inserted into the opening of the panel, can integrally hold a plurality of articles, whereby the plurality of articles can be readily carried.
- the carrier having the advantage described above has still been required to achieve further improvement both in ease of attachment of the carrier to an article and detachment of the article from the carrier and article holdability that allows the carrier to securely hold the article when the article is carried.
- the upper portion of an article needs to be inserted into the opening of the panel when the carrier is attached to the article and when the article is detached from the carrier. Enlarging the opening of the panel allows the carrier to be readily attached to the article and the article to be readily detached from the carrier.
- the present invention has been made in view of the problem with the related art described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a carrier and a blank that allow both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability.
- a carrier is a carrier that at least partially holds at least one container, the carrier including a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carrier.
- the plurality of panels includes a first inclining top panel and a first side panel connected in a form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel along a lower edge of the first inclining top panel.
- the carrier further includes at least one container receiving mechanism extending at least in the first inclining top panel and a handle mechanism that allows the carrier to be lifted.
- the at least one container receiving mechanism at least partially receives the at least one container.
- the handle mechanism is so disposed that the at least one container receiving mechanism is disposed between the handle mechanism and the first side panel.
- the at least one container receiving mechanism includes an upper receiving opening defined at least partially in the first inclining top panel.
- the upper receiving opening is defined by a boundary containing a first edge and a second edge facing each other.
- the first edge that defines the upper receiving opening is so disposed as to be closer to the handle mechanism than the second edge that defines the upper receiving opening.
- the first edge that defines the upper receiving opening has an arch-like shape in which a centre of curvature of the first edge is so located as to be closer to the second edge than to the first edge.
- the at least one container may include a flange and a top section extending upward beyond the flange, the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may engage with at least part of the flange of the at least one container, and the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may engage with at least part of the top section of the at least one container.
- the upper receiving opening may extend to the first side panel in such a way that the first side panel provides the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- the second edge which defines the upper receiving opening, may be curved.
- the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention may have a centre axial line so specified as to extend in parallel to a lower edge of the first inclining top panel, the upper receiving opening may have a first dimension (D2) extending in a direction perpendicular to the centre axial line, and the first edge and the second edge, which define the upper receiving opening, may face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction of the upper receiving opening.
- the upper receiving opening may have a second dimension (D1) extending in a direction parallel to the centre axial line, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening.
- the top section of the at least one container may have a roughly cylindrical shape that specifies a diameter of the top section, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the top section of the container.
- the flange of the at least one container may have a roughly ring-like shape that defines a diameter of the flange, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the flange of the container.
- the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be smaller than or equal to the diameter of the flange of the container.
- the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm.
- the reason why the first dimension (D2) is set as described above is that when the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening is smaller than 29 mm, the attachment and detachment of the article is affected in some cases, whereas when the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening is greater than 33 mm, the article holdability is affected in some cases.
- the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm.
- the plurality of panels may further include a base panel connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel
- the at least one container receiving mechanism may include a lower receiving opening that is defined at least partially in the base panel, and when the at least one container is at least partially received by the at least one container receiving mechanism, a centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening may not be aligned in a vertical direction with a centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, and the centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening may be offset in a direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- the plurality of panels may further include a base panel, a second side panel, and a second inclining top panel.
- the base panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel.
- the second side panel may be so connected in a form of a hinge to the base panel via a lower edge of the second side panel as to face the first side panel.
- the second inclining top panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to an upper edge of second side panel and extend toward an upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- the handle mechanism may include at least one handle panel.
- the at least one handle panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to the upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- a blank according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the object described above includes a blank for forming the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention.
- the blank according to the aspect of the present invention is a blank for forming the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, that is, a blank for forming a carrier that at least partially holds at least one container.
- the blank includes a plurality of panels.
- the plurality of panels include a first inclining top panel and a first side panel connected in a form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel along a connection line of the first inclining top panel.
- the blank further includes at least one container receiving mechanism extending at least in the first inclining top panel and a handle mechanism.
- the at least one container receiving mechanism at least partially receives the at least one container.
- the handle mechanism is so disposed that the at least one container receiving mechanism is disposed between the handle mechanism and the first side panel.
- the at least one container receiving mechanism includes an upper receiving opening defined by a breaking line at least partially in the first inclining top panel.
- the upper receiving opening is defined by a boundary containing a first edge and a second edge facing each other.
- the first edge that defines the upper receiving opening is so disposed as to be closer to the handle mechanism than the second edge that defines the upper receiving opening.
- the first edge that defines the upper receiving opening has an arch-like shape in which a centre of curvature of the first edge is so located as to be closer to the second edge than to the first edge.
- the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening may engage with at least part of a flange of the at least one container
- the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening may engage with at least part of a top section of the at least one container.
- the upper receiving opening may extend to the first side panel in such a way that the first side panel provides the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- the second edge which defines the upper receiving opening, may be curved.
- the blank according to the aspect of the present invention may have a centre axial line so specified as to extend in parallel to the connection line of the first inclining top panel, the upper receiving opening may have a first dimension (D2) extending in a direction perpendicular to the centre axial line, and the first edge and the second edge, which define the upper receiving opening, may face each other in a first dimension (D2) direction of the upper receiving opening.
- the upper receiving opening may have a second dimension (D1) extending in a direction parallel to the centre axial line, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening.
- the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the top section of the container.
- the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the flange of the container.
- the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be smaller than or equal to the diameter of the flange of the container.
- the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm.
- the plurality of panels may further include a base panel connected in a form of a hinge to a connection line of the first side panel
- the at least one container receiving mechanism may include a lower receiving opening that is defined by a breaking line at least partially in the base panel, and when the at least one container is at least partially received by the at least one container receiving mechanism, a centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening may not be aligned in a vertical direction with a centre of curvature ( II ) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, and the centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening may be offset in a direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature ( II ) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- the plurality of panels may further include a base panel, a second side panel, and a second inclining top panel.
- the base panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel.
- the second side panel may be so connected in a form of a hinge to the base panel via a connection line of the second side panel as to face the first side panel.
- the second inclining top panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to the connection line of the second side panel and extend toward an upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- the handle mechanism may include at least one handle panel.
- the at least one handle panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to the connection line of the first inclining top panel.
- the carrier according to the aspect described above which is a single carrier including the plurality of panels formed of at least the inclining top panels and the side panels combined with the container receiving mechanism, allows both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability.
- the blank according to the aspect described above which includes the plurality of panels formed of at least the inclining top panels and the side panels combined with the container receiving mechanism, allows more reliable formation of a carrier that excels in ease of article attachment and detachment and article holdability.
- Figure 1 shows a package using a carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 shows a tubular structure of the carrier shown in Figure 1 viewed along a centre axial line (line X-X).
- a package 10 according to the present embodiment includes containers 12, such as eight PET bottles each filled with a content, and a single carrier 14.
- the containers 12 each includes a neck section 16, a shoulder section 18 connected to the neck section 16, a barrel section 20 connected to the shoulder section 18, an outward flange (flange) 22 provided around the outer circumference of the neck section 16, and a cap (top section of container) 24 attached to the neck section 16.
- the eight containers 12 are arranged in a 2 ⁇ 4 array.
- the carrier at least partially holds the containers.
- the single carrier 14 having the tubular structure (a structure at least partially extending around interior of the carrier) is attached to an upper portion of each of the containers 12 arranged in the 2 ⁇ 4 array.
- the carrier 14 having the tubular structure covers the neck section 16 and the cap 24 of each of the container 12 with the outward flange 22 of each of the containers 12 sandwiched by the carrier 14.
- the carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of panels at least partially extending around the interior of the carrier.
- the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment includes as the plurality of panels according to the embodiment of the invention a base panel 26, a first side panel 28, a second side panel 30, a first inclining top panel 32, a second inclining top panel 34, a first handle panel 36, and a second handle panel 38, which are each made of paperboard.
- the base panel 26 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first side panel 28 via a connection line 40.
- the first side panel 28 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel 32 via a connection line (a lower edge of the first inclining top panel 32) 44.
- the first inclining top panel 32 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first handle panel 36 via a connection line 48.
- the base panel 26 is further connected in the form of a hinge to the second side panel 30 via a connection line 42.
- the second side panel 30 is connected in the form of a hinge to the second inclining top panel 34 via a connection line (a lower edge of the second inclining top panel 34) 46.
- the second inclining top panel 34 is connected in the form of a hinge to the second handle panel 38 via a connection line 50.
- the plurality of panels of the carrier at least partially extend around the interior of the carrier. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the base panel 26, the first side panel 28, the second side panel 30, the first inclining top panel 32, the second inclining top panel 34, the first handle panel 36, and the second handle panel 38 define the tubular structure shown in Figure 2 .
- the carrier 14 includes a container receiving mechanism 52 and a handle mechanism 54.
- the handle mechanism 54 is so disposed that the container receiving mechanism 52 is disposed between the handle mechanism 54 and the first side panel 28.
- the handle mechanism 54 is further so disposed that the container receiving mechanism 52 is disposed between the handle mechanism 54 and the second side panel 30.
- the container receiving mechanism 52 extends at least along the first inclining top panel 32 and the second inclining top panel 34.
- the container receiving mechanism 52 according to the embodiment of the present invention at least partially receives the containers 12.
- the container receiving mechanism 52 receives the neck section 16, the flange 22, and the cap 24 as the upper portion of each of the containers 12.
- the container receiving mechanism 52 includes upper receiving openings 56 and lower receiving openings 58, which are at least partially defined at the first inclining top panel 32 and the second inclining top panel 34.
- the upper receiving openings 56 are each defined by a boundary including a first edge 60 and a second edge 62 facing each other. The first edge 60 is so disposed as to be closer to the handle panel (handle mechanism) than the second edge 62.
- the first edge 60 has an arch-like shape in which the centre of curvature of the first edge 60 is closer to the second edge 62 than to the first edge 60.
- the upper receiving openings 56 extend from the first inclining top panel 32 beyond the connection line 44 to the first side panel 28. Similarly, the upper receiving openings 56 extend from the second inclining top panel 34 beyond the connection line 46 to the second side panel 30.
- the handle mechanism 54 is intended to lift the carrier 14.
- the handle mechanism 54 includes the first handle panel 36 and the second handle panel 38.
- the handle mechanism 54 includes handle openings 64 and handle tabs 66, which are formed in the first handle panel 36 and the second handle panel 38, respectively.
- a user can therefore readily lift the carrier 14 by inserting fingers into the handle openings 64 of the first handle panel 36 and the second handle panel 38.
- the user can also readily lift the carrier 14 by grasping the first handle panel 36 and the second handle panel 38.
- the carrier 14 includes operation tabs 68.
- the operation tabs 68 have, for example, two functions shown below.
- the operation tabs 68 are so configured that when the carrier 14 is lifted, the containers 12 each press the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, outward in such a way that the second edge 62 is firmly pressed against the outward flange 22 of the container 12.
- the carrier 14 is lowered, the user can grasp any of the operation tabs 68 to disengage the container 12 from the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56.
- the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment is roughly configured as described above, and the effects of the carrier 14 will be described below.
- the user can lift the carrier 14 with fingers put in the handle openings 64 of the carrier 14, as shown in Figure 3 .
- the tubular structure of the carrier 14 is then deformed from the shape of the tubular structure shown in Figure 2 into the shape of the tubular structure shown in Figure 3 .
- the containers 12 lowers due to their own weight in a direction indicated by arrows A in Figure 3 .
- top section of the container 12a and the top section of the container 12b which are adjacent to each other with the centre axial line (line X-X) sandwiched therebetween, incline in a direction indicated by arrows C in Figure 3 with the portion where the bottom of the container 12a and the bottom of the container 12b, which are adjacent to each other with the centre axial line (line X-X) sandwiched therebetween, are in contact with each other serving as a pivotal point.
- a lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of each of the containers 12 is firmly pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow D against the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56.
- the upward/downwarddirection position of the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24 is low.
- force large enough to affect the attachment and detachment of each of the containers 12 does not act on the portion between the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24 and the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, even when the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24.
- the container 12 can therefore be readily attached and detached.
- the container 12 in which no support tab extending from the edge that defines an opening toward the interior of the opening is used, unlike in the case of the carrier of the related art, the container 12 can therefore be more readily attached and detached.
- the first edge 60 which defines the upper receiving opening 56
- the container 12 is therefore more securely held between the first edge 60 and the second edge 62, which define the upper receiving opening 56.
- the related-art method that is, the related-art method for holding the upper portion of each of the containers by using the support tab extending from the edge that defines the opening toward the interior of the opening, the containers 12 can be more reliably held.
- the tubular structure of the carrier 14 is deformed from the shape of the tubular structure shown in Figure 3 into the shape of the tubular structure shown in Figure 2 when the carrier 14 is lowered, further, when the handle panels are pressed down.
- the strong engagement between the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, and the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24 is released, and the strong engagement between the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, and the outward flange 22 of the container 12 is released.
- no force large enough to affect the attachment and detachment of the container 12 acts on the portion between the upper receiving opening 56 of the carrier 14 and the container 12. Therefore, the container 12 can be readily detached from the carrier 14, and the container 12 can be readily attached to the carrier 14.
- Figure 4 shows an example of the relationship between one of the containers 12 and the carrier 14 with the carrier 14 lowered.
- the second edge 62 which defines the upper receiving opening 56, is in light contact with the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of each of the containers 12.
- the first edge 60 which defines the upper receiving opening 56, is in light contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24.
- the upward/downward-direction position of the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of the first inclining top panel 32, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24 is lower than the upward/downward-direction position shown in Figure 5 .
- Figure 5 shows an example of the relationship between one of the containers 12 and the carrier 14 with the carrier 14 shown in Figure 4 lifted.
- Lifting the carrier 14 increases the inclination of the first inclining top panel 32 with respect to the first side panel 28 in the vertical direction as compared with the inclination shown in Figure 4 .
- Lifting the carrier 14 causes the upper portion of the container 12 to incline in a direction indicated by an arrow C in Figure 5 .
- the centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening 58 of the carrier 14 is not aligned with the centre of curvature ( II ) of the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, in the vertical direction (upward/downward direction in Figure 5 ), and the centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening 58 is shifted (offset) from the centre of curvature ( II ) of the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 60, in a direction away from the first side panel 28 (leftward in Figure 5 ), as shown in Figure 5 .
- Lifting the carrier 14 as described above allows the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of the container 12 to be strongly pressed against the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, along a direction indicted by an arrow D in Figure 5 .
- the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of the carrier 14 can securely hold the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of the container 12.
- the first edge 60 which defines the upper receiving opening 56, can be more strongly pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24 in a direction indicated by an arrow E in Figure 5 .
- Lifting the carrier 14 as described above allows the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of the carrier 14, to be securely held along the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24.
- lifting the carrier 14 allows the first edge 60 and the second edge 62, which define the upper receiving opening 56 of each of the containers 12, to more strongly sandwich the outer circumferential surface of the cap 24 and the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of the container 12, whereby the article holdability of the carrier 14 can be improved.
- the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment allows significant improvement in the article holdability as compared, for example, with the related-art carrier, which supports each container with the support tab extending from the edge that defines the opening of the panel toward the interior of the opening.
- the single carrier 14 allows the containers 12 to be more readily attached and detached and the article holdability to be improved.
- the carrier 14 for example, inserting the handle tabs 66 of the second handle panel 38 into the handle openings 64 of the first handle panel 36 and overlaying the first handle panel 36 and the second handle panel 38 on each other allows the base panel 26, the first side panel 28, the second side panel 30, the first inclining top panel 32, and the second inclining top panel 34 to define the characteristic tubular structure of the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment.
- the containers 12 each include the outward flange 22 and the cap (top section) 24, which extends upward beyond the outward flange 22.
- Lifting the carrier 14 therefore allows securer engagement between the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, and at least part of the outward flange 22 of each of the containers 12 (at least part of the lower end surface of the outward flange).
- Lifting the carrier 14 also allows securer engagement between the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, and at least part of the outer circumferential surface (top section) of the cap 24 of each of the containers 12.
- the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment can therefore securely hold the containers 12 each including the outward flange 22 and the cap 24.
- the upper receiving openings 56 each extend to the first side panel 28 in such a way that the first side panel 28 provides the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56.
- the upper receiving openings 56 each extend to the second side panel 30 in such a way that the second side panel 30 provides the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56. Therefore, lifting the carrier 14 allows the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, to more securely hold the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of the container 12. The effect described above will more specifically be described below. Lifting the carrier changes the angle of inclination of the inclining top panels with respect to the side panels.
- the second edge 62 which defines the upper receiving opening 56
- the inclining motion of the inclining top panel with respect to the side panel conceivably causes the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of the container 12 to disengage from the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56.
- the upper receiving openings 56 each extend to the first side panel 28 in such a way that the first side panel 28 that is not located on the connection line 44 but is located in a portion away from the connection line 44 provides the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56.
- the upper receiving openings 56 each extend to the second side panel 30 in such a way that the second side panel 30 that is not located on the connection line 46 but is located in a portion away from the connection line 46 provides the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56.
- the position of the pivotal point of the inclining motion of each inclining top panel with respect to the side panel is shifted from the position where the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, supports the outward flange 22. Therefore, when the carrier is lifted, the inclining top panel inclines with respect to the side panel, but the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, can more reliably support the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of the container 12.
- each second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 is curved.
- the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 can therefore more satisfactorily support the container 12.
- the second edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 can adequately support even a container 12 having dimensions different to some extent from those of an intended container 12.
- the carrier 14 has the centre axial line (line X-X) so specified as to extend in parallel to the connection line (lower edge) 44 of the first inclining top panel 32 and the connection line (lower edge) 46 of the second inclining top panel 34.
- the upper receiving openings 56 each have a first dimension (D2) extending in the direction perpendicular to the centre axial line (line X-X), and the first edge 60 and the second edge 62, which define the upper receiving opening 56, face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction.
- first edge 60 and the second edge 62 which define the upper receiving opening 56, face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction
- lifting the carrier 14 allows the container to be securely sandwiched between the first edge 60 and the second edge 62, which define the upper receiving opening 56.
- lowering the carrier 14 causes the force having magnitude that affects the attachment and detachment of the container 12 not to act on the portion between the upper receiving opening 56 and the container 12. As a result, the container 12 can be readily attached and detached.
- the upper receiving openings 56 each have a second dimension (D1) extending in the direction parallel to the centre axial line (line X-X), and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening 56 is greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening 56.
- the cap 24 of each of the containers 12 has a roughly cylindrical shape that specifies the diameter of the cap 24, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening 56 is greater than the diameter of the cap 24. Therefore, when each container 12 is attached or detached, a situation in which the cap 24 catches the upper receiving opening 56 can be more reliably avoided, whereby the container 12 can be more readily attached and detached.
- the outward flange 22 of each of the containers 12 has a roughly ring-like shape that defines the diameter of the outward flange 22, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening 56 is greater than the diameter of the outward flange 22. Therefore, when each container 12 is attached or detached, a situation in which the outward flange 22 of the container 12 catches the upper receiving opening 56 in the second dimension (D1) direction can be more reliably avoided, whereby the container 12 can be more readily attached and detached.
- the first dimension (D2) of each of the upper receiving openings 56 is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the outward flange 22.
- the lower end surface of the outward flange 22 of each of the containers 12 is therefore more reliably allowed to come into contact with the second edge 62 of the upper receiving opening 56 in the first dimension (D2) direction, whereby the containers 12 can be more reliably held.
- the first dimension (D2) of each of the upper receiving openings 56 is greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm. Improvement in holdability of a standard-size PET bottle and ease of attachment and detachment thereof can be more reliably both achieved.
- the container receiving mechanism 52 includes the lower receiving openings 58, which are defined at least partially in the base panel 26. Therefore, when the containers 12 are at least partially received by the container receiving mechanism 52, the centre ( I ) of each of the lower receiving openings 58, which are defined in the base panel 26, is not aligned in the vertical direction with the centre of curvature ( II ) of the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56, and the centre ( I ) of the lower receiving opening 58 is offset in the direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature ( II ) of the first edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56. Therefore, when a container 12 is received by the container receiving mechanism 52 of the carrier 14, the lower receiving opening 58 allows the upper receiving opening 56 to fully provide the article holdability.
- the base panel, the second side panel, and the second inclining top panel are further provided as the plurality of panels according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- the base panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the first inclining top panel, and the second inclining top panel can therefore define the characteristic tubular structure of the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment.
- the handle mechanism 54 includes the first handle panel 36, which is connected in the form of a hinge to the upper edge of the first inclining top panel 32.
- the handle mechanism 54 further includes the second handle panel 38, which is connected in the form of a hinge to the upper edge of the second inclining top panel 46.
- the single carrier 14 according to the present embodiment allows both ease of article attachment and detachment and excellent article holdability.
- Figure 6 shows a developed blank for forming the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment.
- Figure 7 is an enlarged view of an upper receiving opening of the blank shown in Figure 6 .
- a portion corresponding to the portion in Figure 1 described above has a reference number greater by 100 than the corresponding reference number and will not be described.
- a blank 170 includes a base panel 126, a first side panel 128, a second side panel 130, a first inclining top panel 132, a second inclining top panel 134, a first handle panel 136, and a second handle panel 138.
- the base panel 126 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first side panel 128 via a folding line (connection line) 140.
- the first side panel 128 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel 132 via a folding line (connection line) 144.
- the first inclining top panel 132 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first handle panel 136 via a folding line (connection line) 148.
- the base panel 126 is further connected in the form of a hinge to the second side panel 139 via a folding line (connection line) 142.
- the second side panel 130 is connected in the form of a hinge to the second inclining top panel 134 via a folding line (connection line) 146.
- the second inclining top panel 134 is connected in the form of a hinge to the second handle panel 138 via a folding line (connection line) 150.
- upper receiving openings 152 are each defined by a breaking line 172 in the first inclining top panel 132 and the first side panel 128.
- the upper receiving openings 152 are each defined by the breaking line 172 also in the second inclining top panel 134 and the second side panel 130.
- Lower receiving openings 152 are each defined by a breaking line 174 in the base panel 126.
- the upper receiving openings 156 are each defined by a boundary containing a first edge 160 and a second edge 162 facing each other in the direction perpendicular to the centre axial line (line X-X).
- the first edge 160 which defines the upper receiving opening 156, is so disposed as to be closer to the handle mechanism 154 than the second edge 162, which defines the upper receiving opening 156.
- the first edge 160 which defines the upper receiving opening 156, has an arch-like shape in which the centre of curvature of the first edge 162, which defines the upper receiving opening 156, is closer to the second edge 162, which defines the upper receiving opening 156, than to the first edge 162, which defines the upper receiving opening 156.
- the second edge 162, which defines the upper receiving opening 156 is curved.
- the upper receiving openings 156 each have the first dimension (D2) extending in the direction perpendicular to the centre axial line (line X-X).
- the upper receiving openings 156 each have the second dimension (D1) extending in the direction parallel to the centre axial line (line X-X).
- the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening 156 is greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening 156.
- the diameter of a cap of an upper portion of a standard PET bottle is about 30 mm
- the diameter of a neck flange of a neck section of the standard PET bottle (container) is about 33 mm
- the first dimension (D2) is about 30 mm
- the second dimension (D1) is about 34 mm by way of example.
- the dimension (W1) is roughly equal to the maximum diameter of each of the containers 12 plus the diameter of the lower receiving opening 158.
- the dimension (W2) is typically about 13 mm.
- the dimension (W1) is about 104 mm
- the dimension (W2) is about 13 mm
- the dimension (W3) is about 53 mm by way of example.
- Handle tabs 166 are each defined by a breaking line 176 in the first handle panel 136 and the second handle panel 138.
- the blank 170 according to the present embodiment allows more reliable formation of the carrier 14 according to the present embodiment that excels in ease of the article attachment and detachment and the article holdability.
- the above embodiment has been described with reference to the case where a container filled with a content is used as the article (container), but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described above, and another article can be used as long as the other article falls within the scope of the present invention.
- the dimensions of key portions of the carrier have been described based on the dimensions of a typical PET bottle, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described above, and the dimensions of the carrier can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the article (container) as long as the changes fall within the scope of the present invention.
- the present invention is applicable to a carrier and a blank that allow both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a carrier and a blank, particularly to improvement of a mechanism that supports an article. The present application claims the priority based on
Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-048447 filed in Japan on March 15, 2019 - There has been a known carrier used when articles, such as PET bottles each filled with a content, are carried to integrally hold a plurality of the articles.
- An example of the carrier is a carrier attached to an upper portion of an article, for example, as the carriers described in Patent Literatures 1 to 5. Many carriers of this type each include a panel having an opening that accepts the upper portion of an article and a tab that extends toward the interior of the opening from an edge that defines the opening of the panel. A thus configured carrier, in which the upper portion of the article is inserted into the opening of the panel and the tab supports the upper portion of the article inserted into the opening of the panel, can integrally hold a plurality of articles, whereby the plurality of articles can be readily carried.
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- Patent Literature 1
U.S. Patent No. 1,292,897 - Patent Literature 2 International Publication No.
WO 2005/087609 - Patent Literature 3
U.S. Patent No. 6,082,532 - Patent Literature 4
European Patent No. 0,889,836 - Patent Literature 5
U.S. Patent No. 5,682,982 - The carrier having the advantage described above has still been required to achieve further improvement both in ease of attachment of the carrier to an article and detachment of the article from the carrier and article holdability that allows the carrier to securely hold the article when the article is carried.
- In other words, the upper portion of an article needs to be inserted into the opening of the panel when the carrier is attached to the article and when the article is detached from the carrier. Enlarging the opening of the panel allows the carrier to be readily attached to the article and the article to be readily detached from the carrier.
- Only enlarging the opening of the panel, however, causes in some cases the article to fall off the carrier when the carrier is lifted. There is therefore room for improvement in article holdability.
- On the other hand, to increase the article holdability, it is conceivable to prevent the article from falling off the opening of the panel by reducing the size of the opening of the panel. It is also conceivable to increase the number of tabs that engage with the upper portion of the article inserted into the opening of the panel.
- Only reducing the opening of the panel or increasing the number of tabs causes in some cases the upper portion of the article to be likely to catch the edge that defines the opening of the panel or the tab when the article is attached to or detached from the panel, resulting in cumbersome attachment and detachment in some cases.
- Therefore, in the packaging field, a technology that allows both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability has been strongly desired, but no appropriate technology that can satisfy the desire has been present.
- The present invention has been made in view of the problem with the related art described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a carrier and a blank that allow both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability.
- To achieve the object described above, a carrier according to an aspect of the present invention is a carrier that at least partially holds at least one container, the carrier including a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels includes a first inclining top panel and a first side panel connected in a form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel along a lower edge of the first inclining top panel. The carrier further includes at least one container receiving mechanism extending at least in the first inclining top panel and a handle mechanism that allows the carrier to be lifted. The at least one container receiving mechanism at least partially receives the at least one container. The handle mechanism is so disposed that the at least one container receiving mechanism is disposed between the handle mechanism and the first side panel. The at least one container receiving mechanism includes an upper receiving opening defined at least partially in the first inclining top panel. The upper receiving opening is defined by a boundary containing a first edge and a second edge facing each other. The first edge that defines the upper receiving opening is so disposed as to be closer to the handle mechanism than the second edge that defines the upper receiving opening. The first edge that defines the upper receiving opening has an arch-like shape in which a centre of curvature of the first edge is so located as to be closer to the second edge than to the first edge.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the at least one container may include a flange and a top section extending upward beyond the flange, the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may engage with at least part of the flange of the at least one container, and the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may engage with at least part of the top section of the at least one container.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the upper receiving opening may extend to the first side panel in such a way that the first side panel provides the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may be curved.
- The carrier according to the aspect of the present invention may have a centre axial line so specified as to extend in parallel to a lower edge of the first inclining top panel, the upper receiving opening may have a first dimension (D2) extending in a direction perpendicular to the centre axial line, and the first edge and the second edge, which define the upper receiving opening, may face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction of the upper receiving opening.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the upper receiving opening may have a second dimension (D1) extending in a direction parallel to the centre axial line, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the top section of the at least one container may have a roughly cylindrical shape that specifies a diameter of the top section, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the top section of the container.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the flange of the at least one container may have a roughly ring-like shape that defines a diameter of the flange, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the flange of the container.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be smaller than or equal to the diameter of the flange of the container.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm. In other words, the reason why the first dimension (D2) is set as described above is that when the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening is smaller than 29 mm, the attachment and detachment of the article is affected in some cases, whereas when the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening is greater than 33 mm, the article holdability is affected in some cases. To more reliably achieve ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability, the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the plurality of panels may further include a base panel connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel, the at least one container receiving mechanism may include a lower receiving opening that is defined at least partially in the base panel, and when the at least one container is at least partially received by the at least one container receiving mechanism, a centre (I) of the lower receiving opening may not be aligned in a vertical direction with a centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, and the centre (I) of the lower receiving opening may be offset in a direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the plurality of panels may further include a base panel, a second side panel, and a second inclining top panel. The base panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel. The second side panel may be so connected in a form of a hinge to the base panel via a lower edge of the second side panel as to face the first side panel. The second inclining top panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to an upper edge of second side panel and extend toward an upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- In the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, the handle mechanism may include at least one handle panel. The at least one handle panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to the upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- A blank according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the object described above includes a blank for forming the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention.
- The blank according to the aspect of the present invention is a blank for forming the carrier according to the aspect of the present invention, that is, a blank for forming a carrier that at least partially holds at least one container. The blank includes a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels include a first inclining top panel and a first side panel connected in a form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel along a connection line of the first inclining top panel. The blank further includes at least one container receiving mechanism extending at least in the first inclining top panel and a handle mechanism. The at least one container receiving mechanism at least partially receives the at least one container. The handle mechanism is so disposed that the at least one container receiving mechanism is disposed between the handle mechanism and the first side panel. The at least one container receiving mechanism includes an upper receiving opening defined by a breaking line at least partially in the first inclining top panel. The upper receiving opening is defined by a boundary containing a first edge and a second edge facing each other. The first edge that defines the upper receiving opening is so disposed as to be closer to the handle mechanism than the second edge that defines the upper receiving opening. The first edge that defines the upper receiving opening has an arch-like shape in which a centre of curvature of the first edge is so located as to be closer to the second edge than to the first edge.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may engage with at least part of a flange of the at least one container, and the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may engage with at least part of a top section of the at least one container.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the upper receiving opening may extend to the first side panel in such a way that the first side panel provides the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, may be curved.
- The blank according to the aspect of the present invention may have a centre axial line so specified as to extend in parallel to the connection line of the first inclining top panel, the upper receiving opening may have a first dimension (D2) extending in a direction perpendicular to the centre axial line, and the first edge and the second edge, which define the upper receiving opening, may face each other in a first dimension (D2) direction of the upper receiving opening.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the upper receiving opening may have a second dimension (D1) extending in a direction parallel to the centre axial line, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, when the top section of the container to be held by a carrier formed of an assembled blank has a roughly cylindrical shape that specifies a diameter of the top section, the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the top section of the container.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, when the flange of the container to be held by a carrier formed of an assembled blank has a roughly ring-like shape that specifies a diameter of the flange, the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than the diameter of the flange of the container.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be smaller than or equal to the diameter of the flange of the container.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening may be greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the plurality of panels may further include a base panel connected in a form of a hinge to a connection line of the first side panel, the at least one container receiving mechanism may include a lower receiving opening that is defined by a breaking line at least partially in the base panel, and when the at least one container is at least partially received by the at least one container receiving mechanism, a centre (I) of the lower receiving opening may not be aligned in a vertical direction with a centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, and the centre (I) of the lower receiving opening may be offset in a direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the plurality of panels may further include a base panel, a second side panel, and a second inclining top panel. The base panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel. The second side panel may be so connected in a form of a hinge to the base panel via a connection line of the second side panel as to face the first side panel. The second inclining top panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to the connection line of the second side panel and extend toward an upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- In the blank according to the aspect of the present invention, the handle mechanism may include at least one handle panel. The at least one handle panel may be connected in a form of a hinge to the connection line of the first inclining top panel.
- The carrier according to the aspect described above, which is a single carrier including the plurality of panels formed of at least the inclining top panels and the side panels combined with the container receiving mechanism, allows both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability.
- The blank according to the aspect described above, which includes the plurality of panels formed of at least the inclining top panels and the side panels combined with the container receiving mechanism, allows more reliable formation of a carrier that excels in ease of article attachment and detachment and article holdability.
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Figure 1 is an external appearance perspective view showing a package using a carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
Figure 2 shows a tubular structure of the carrier shown inFigure 1 viewed along a centre axial line (line X-X). -
Figure 3 is a descriptive diagram showing the lifted carrier shown inFigure 2 . -
Figure 4 describes the relationship between the carrier and a cap with the carrier shown inFigure 3 lowered. -
Figure 5 describes the relationship between the carrier and the cap with the carrier shown inFigure 3 lifted. -
Figure 6 is a descriptive diagram showing a developed blank for forming the carrier shown inFigure 1 . -
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of an upper receiving opening of the blank shown inFigure 6 . - An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.
Figure 1 shows a package using a carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention.Figure 2 shows a tubular structure of the carrier shown inFigure 1 viewed along a centre axial line (line X-X). - A
package 10 according to the present embodiment includescontainers 12, such as eight PET bottles each filled with a content, and asingle carrier 14. - The
containers 12 each includes aneck section 16, ashoulder section 18 connected to theneck section 16, abarrel section 20 connected to theshoulder section 18, an outward flange (flange) 22 provided around the outer circumference of theneck section 16, and a cap (top section of container) 24 attached to theneck section 16. In the present embodiment, the eightcontainers 12 are arranged in a 2 × 4 array. - The carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention at least partially holds the containers. In the present embodiment, the
single carrier 14 having the tubular structure (a structure at least partially extending around interior of the carrier) is attached to an upper portion of each of thecontainers 12 arranged in the 2 × 4 array. Thecarrier 14 having the tubular structure covers theneck section 16 and thecap 24 of each of thecontainer 12 with theoutward flange 22 of each of thecontainers 12 sandwiched by thecarrier 14. - The carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of panels at least partially extending around the interior of the carrier. The
carrier 14 according to the present embodiment includes as the plurality of panels according to the embodiment of the invention abase panel 26, afirst side panel 28, asecond side panel 30, a firstinclining top panel 32, a secondinclining top panel 34, afirst handle panel 36, and asecond handle panel 38, which are each made of paperboard. - The
base panel 26 is connected in the form of a hinge to thefirst side panel 28 via aconnection line 40. Thefirst side panel 28 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first incliningtop panel 32 via a connection line (a lower edge of the first inclining top panel 32) 44. The firstinclining top panel 32 is connected in the form of a hinge to thefirst handle panel 36 via aconnection line 48. - The
base panel 26 is further connected in the form of a hinge to thesecond side panel 30 via aconnection line 42. Thesecond side panel 30 is connected in the form of a hinge to the secondinclining top panel 34 via a connection line (a lower edge of the second inclining top panel 34) 46. The secondinclining top panel 34 is connected in the form of a hinge to thesecond handle panel 38 via aconnection line 50. - The plurality of panels of the carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention at least partially extend around the interior of the carrier. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the
base panel 26, thefirst side panel 28, thesecond side panel 30, the first incliningtop panel 32, the secondinclining top panel 34, thefirst handle panel 36, and thesecond handle panel 38 define the tubular structure shown inFigure 2 . - In the present embodiment, the
carrier 14 includes acontainer receiving mechanism 52 and ahandle mechanism 54. Thehandle mechanism 54 is so disposed that thecontainer receiving mechanism 52 is disposed between thehandle mechanism 54 and thefirst side panel 28. Thehandle mechanism 54 is further so disposed that thecontainer receiving mechanism 52 is disposed between thehandle mechanism 54 and thesecond side panel 30. - The
container receiving mechanism 52 extends at least along the first incliningtop panel 32 and the secondinclining top panel 34. Thecontainer receiving mechanism 52 according to the embodiment of the present invention at least partially receives thecontainers 12. In the present embodiment, thecontainer receiving mechanism 52 receives theneck section 16, theflange 22, and thecap 24 as the upper portion of each of thecontainers 12. Thecontainer receiving mechanism 52 includes upper receivingopenings 56 andlower receiving openings 58, which are at least partially defined at the first incliningtop panel 32 and the secondinclining top panel 34. Theupper receiving openings 56 are each defined by a boundary including afirst edge 60 and asecond edge 62 facing each other. Thefirst edge 60 is so disposed as to be closer to the handle panel (handle mechanism) than thesecond edge 62. Thefirst edge 60 has an arch-like shape in which the centre of curvature of thefirst edge 60 is closer to thesecond edge 62 than to thefirst edge 60. In the present embodiment, theupper receiving openings 56 extend from the first incliningtop panel 32 beyond theconnection line 44 to thefirst side panel 28. Similarly, theupper receiving openings 56 extend from the secondinclining top panel 34 beyond theconnection line 46 to thesecond side panel 30. - The
handle mechanism 54 is intended to lift thecarrier 14. To this end, thehandle mechanism 54 includes thefirst handle panel 36 and thesecond handle panel 38. Thehandle mechanism 54 includeshandle openings 64 and handletabs 66, which are formed in thefirst handle panel 36 and thesecond handle panel 38, respectively. A user can therefore readily lift thecarrier 14 by inserting fingers into thehandle openings 64 of thefirst handle panel 36 and thesecond handle panel 38. The user can also readily lift thecarrier 14 by grasping thefirst handle panel 36 and thesecond handle panel 38. - In the present embodiment, the
carrier 14 includesoperation tabs 68. In the present embodiment, theoperation tabs 68 have, for example, two functions shown below. Theoperation tabs 68 are so configured that when thecarrier 14 is lifted, thecontainers 12 each press thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, outward in such a way that thesecond edge 62 is firmly pressed against theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12. When thecarrier 14 is lowered, the user can grasp any of theoperation tabs 68 to disengage thecontainer 12 from thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. - The
carrier 14 according to the present embodiment is roughly configured as described above, and the effects of thecarrier 14 will be described below. - The user can lift the
carrier 14 with fingers put in thehandle openings 64 of thecarrier 14, as shown inFigure 3 . - The tubular structure of the
carrier 14 is then deformed from the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 2 into the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 3 . Thecontainers 12 lowers due to their own weight in a direction indicated by arrows A inFigure 3 . The bottom of acontainer 12a and the bottom of acontainer 12b, which are adjacent to each other with the centre axial line (line X-X) sandwiched therebetween, incline in a direction indicated by arrows B and come into contact with each other inFigure 3 . The top section of thecontainer 12a and the top section of thecontainer 12b, which are adjacent to each other with the centre axial line (line X-X) sandwiched therebetween, incline in a direction indicated by arrows C inFigure 3 with the portion where the bottom of thecontainer 12a and the bottom of thecontainer 12b, which are adjacent to each other with the centre axial line (line X-X) sandwiched therebetween, are in contact with each other serving as a pivotal point. - A lower end surface of the
outward flange 22 of each of thecontainers 12 is firmly pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow D against thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. When the shape of the tubular structure is deformed from the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 2 into the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 3 , a upward/downward-direction position of thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, with respect to the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12 remains unchanged. - On the other hand, in the shape of the tubular structure shown in
Figure 3 , the upward/downward-direction position of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 is shifted upward as compared with the position in the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 2 . - Specifically, in the shape of the tubular structure shown in
Figure 2 , the upward/downwarddirection position of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 is low. In the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 2 , force large enough to affect the attachment and detachment of each of thecontainers 12 does not act on the portion between the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 and thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, even when thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24. Thecontainer 12 can therefore be readily attached and detached. Further, in the present embodiment, in which no support tab extending from the edge that defines an opening toward the interior of the opening is used, unlike in the case of the carrier of the related art, thecontainer 12 can therefore be more readily attached and detached. - On the other hand, when the
carrier 14 is lifted upward, the upward/downward-direction position of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 moves upward, while thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24, as shown inFigure 3 . As the upward/downward-direction position of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 rises, engagement force acting on the portion between the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 and thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, gradually increases. As a result, thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is more strongly pressed against the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 in a direction indicated by arrow E inFigure 3 . Thecontainer 12 is therefore more securely held between thefirst edge 60 and thesecond edge 62, which define the upper receivingopening 56. In the present embodiment, which employs a method for holding the upper portion of each of the containers between thefirst edge 60 and thesecond edge 62, which define the upper receivingopening 56, in the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 3 , instead of the related-art method, that is, the related-art method for holding the upper portion of each of the containers by using the support tab extending from the edge that defines the opening toward the interior of the opening, thecontainers 12 can be more reliably held. - Further, according to the present embodiment, the tubular structure of the
carrier 14 is deformed from the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 3 into the shape of the tubular structure shown inFigure 2 when thecarrier 14 is lowered, further, when the handle panels are pressed down. As a result, the strong engagement between thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, and the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 is released, and the strong engagement between thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, and theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12 is released. At this point, no force large enough to affect the attachment and detachment of thecontainer 12 acts on the portion between the upper receiving opening 56 of thecarrier 14 and thecontainer 12. Therefore, thecontainer 12 can be readily detached from thecarrier 14, and thecontainer 12 can be readily attached to thecarrier 14. - The aforementioned relationship between the
containers 12 and thecarrier 14 will be more specifically described below with reference toFigures 4 and5 . -
Figure 4 shows an example of the relationship between one of thecontainers 12 and thecarrier 14 with thecarrier 14 lowered. InFigure 4 , thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is in light contact with the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of each of thecontainers 12. InFigure 4 , thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is in light contact with the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24. InFigure 4 , the upward/downward-direction position of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of the first incliningtop panel 32, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 is lower than the upward/downward-direction position shown inFigure 5 . -
Figure 5 shows an example of the relationship between one of thecontainers 12 and thecarrier 14 with thecarrier 14 shown inFigure 4 lifted. Lifting thecarrier 14 increases the inclination of the first incliningtop panel 32 with respect to thefirst side panel 28 in the vertical direction as compared with the inclination shown inFigure 4 . Lifting thecarrier 14 causes the upper portion of thecontainer 12 to incline in a direction indicated by an arrow C inFigure 5 . At this point, the centre (I) of thelower receiving opening 58 of thecarrier 14 is not aligned with the centre of curvature (II) of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, in the vertical direction (upward/downward direction inFigure 5 ), and the centre (I) of thelower receiving opening 58 is shifted (offset) from the centre of curvature (II) of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 60, in a direction away from the first side panel 28 (leftward inFigure 5 ), as shown inFigure 5 . Lifting thecarrier 14 as described above allows the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12 to be strongly pressed against thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, along a direction indicted by an arrow D inFigure 5 . As a result, thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of thecarrier 14, can securely hold the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12. - Even when the inclination of the first inclining
top panel 32 with respect to thefirst side panel 28 increases toward the vertical direction, the upward/downward position (upward/downward contact position) of thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, with respect to the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12, does not change. On the other hand, as the inclination of the first incliningtop panel 32 with respect to thefirst side panel 28 increases toward the vertical direction, the upward/downward position of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of the first incliningtop panel 32, with respect to the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 gradually moves upwards. As a result, thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, can be more strongly pressed against the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 in a direction indicated by an arrow E inFigure 5 . Lifting thecarrier 14 as described above allows thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receiving opening 56 of thecarrier 14, to be securely held along the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24. - According to the present embodiment, lifting the
carrier 14 allows thefirst edge 60 and thesecond edge 62, which define the upper receiving opening 56 of each of thecontainers 12, to more strongly sandwich the outer circumferential surface of thecap 24 and the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12, whereby the article holdability of thecarrier 14 can be improved. Thecarrier 14 according to the present embodiment allows significant improvement in the article holdability as compared, for example, with the related-art carrier, which supports each container with the support tab extending from the edge that defines the opening of the panel toward the interior of the opening. - As described above, the
single carrier 14 according to the present embodiment allows thecontainers 12 to be more readily attached and detached and the article holdability to be improved. - The effects provided by the
carrier 14 according to the present embodiment will be more specifically described below. In the present embodiment, for example, inserting thehandle tabs 66 of thesecond handle panel 38 into thehandle openings 64 of thefirst handle panel 36 and overlaying thefirst handle panel 36 and thesecond handle panel 38 on each other allows thebase panel 26, thefirst side panel 28, thesecond side panel 30, the first incliningtop panel 32, and the secondinclining top panel 34 to define the characteristic tubular structure of thecarrier 14 according to the present embodiment. - In the present embodiment, the
containers 12 each include theoutward flange 22 and the cap (top section) 24, which extends upward beyond theoutward flange 22. Lifting thecarrier 14 therefore allows securer engagement between thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, and at least part of theoutward flange 22 of each of the containers 12 (at least part of the lower end surface of the outward flange). Lifting thecarrier 14 also allows securer engagement between thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, and at least part of the outer circumferential surface (top section) of thecap 24 of each of thecontainers 12. Thecarrier 14 according to the present embodiment can therefore securely hold thecontainers 12 each including theoutward flange 22 and thecap 24. - In the present embodiment, the
upper receiving openings 56 each extend to thefirst side panel 28 in such a way that thefirst side panel 28 provides thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. Similarly, theupper receiving openings 56 each extend to thesecond side panel 30 in such a way that thesecond side panel 30 provides thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. Therefore, lifting thecarrier 14 allows thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, to more securely hold the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12. The effect described above will more specifically be described below. Lifting the carrier changes the angle of inclination of the inclining top panels with respect to the side panels. If thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is located on the connection line that connects the side panel to the inclining top panel in the form of hinges, the inclining motion of the inclining top panel with respect to the side panel conceivably causes the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12 to disengage from thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. On the other hand, in thecarrier 14 according to the present embodiment, theupper receiving openings 56 each extend to thefirst side panel 28 in such a way that thefirst side panel 28 that is not located on theconnection line 44 but is located in a portion away from theconnection line 44 provides thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. Further, theupper receiving openings 56 each extend to thesecond side panel 30 in such a way that thesecond side panel 30 that is not located on theconnection line 46 but is located in a portion away from theconnection line 46 provides thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. In other words, the position of the pivotal point of the inclining motion of each inclining top panel with respect to the side panel is shifted from the position where thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, supports theoutward flange 22. Therefore, when the carrier is lifted, the inclining top panel inclines with respect to the side panel, but thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, can more reliably support the lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12. - In the present embodiment, each
second edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, is curved. Thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, can therefore more satisfactorily support thecontainer 12. For example, thesecond edge 62, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, can adequately support even acontainer 12 having dimensions different to some extent from those of an intendedcontainer 12. - In the present embodiment, the
carrier 14 has the centre axial line (line X-X) so specified as to extend in parallel to the connection line (lower edge) 44 of the first incliningtop panel 32 and the connection line (lower edge) 46 of the secondinclining top panel 34. Theupper receiving openings 56 each have a first dimension (D2) extending in the direction perpendicular to the centre axial line (line X-X), and thefirst edge 60 and thesecond edge 62, which define the upper receivingopening 56, face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction. As described above, sincefirst edge 60 and thesecond edge 62, which define the upper receivingopening 56, face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction, lifting thecarrier 14 allows the container to be securely sandwiched between thefirst edge 60 and thesecond edge 62, which define the upper receivingopening 56. On the other hand, lowering thecarrier 14 causes the force having magnitude that affects the attachment and detachment of thecontainer 12 not to act on the portion between the upper receivingopening 56 and thecontainer 12. As a result, thecontainer 12 can be readily attached and detached. - In the present embodiment, the
upper receiving openings 56 each have a second dimension (D1) extending in the direction parallel to the centre axial line (line X-X), and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receivingopening 56 is greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receivingopening 56. The attachment and detachment of the containers, in particular, can therefore be more readily performed. Further, a larger number ofcontainers 12 having different dimensions can be handled. - In the present embodiment, the
cap 24 of each of thecontainers 12 has a roughly cylindrical shape that specifies the diameter of thecap 24, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receivingopening 56 is greater than the diameter of thecap 24. Therefore, when eachcontainer 12 is attached or detached, a situation in which thecap 24 catches the upper receivingopening 56 can be more reliably avoided, whereby thecontainer 12 can be more readily attached and detached. - In the present embodiment, the
outward flange 22 of each of thecontainers 12 has a roughly ring-like shape that defines the diameter of theoutward flange 22, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receivingopening 56 is greater than the diameter of theoutward flange 22. Therefore, when eachcontainer 12 is attached or detached, a situation in which theoutward flange 22 of thecontainer 12 catches the upper receivingopening 56 in the second dimension (D1) direction can be more reliably avoided, whereby thecontainer 12 can be more readily attached and detached. - In the present embodiment, the first dimension (D2) of each of the
upper receiving openings 56 is smaller than or equal to the diameter of theoutward flange 22. The lower end surface of theoutward flange 22 of each of thecontainers 12 is therefore more reliably allowed to come into contact with thesecond edge 62 of the upper receivingopening 56 in the first dimension (D2) direction, whereby thecontainers 12 can be more reliably held. - In the present embodiment, the first dimension (D2) of each of the
upper receiving openings 56 is greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm. Improvement in holdability of a standard-size PET bottle and ease of attachment and detachment thereof can be more reliably both achieved. - In the present embodiment, the
container receiving mechanism 52 includes thelower receiving openings 58, which are defined at least partially in thebase panel 26. Therefore, when thecontainers 12 are at least partially received by thecontainer receiving mechanism 52, the centre (I) of each of thelower receiving openings 58, which are defined in thebase panel 26, is not aligned in the vertical direction with the centre of curvature (II) of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56, and the centre (I) of thelower receiving opening 58 is offset in the direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature (II) of thefirst edge 60, which defines the upper receivingopening 56. Therefore, when acontainer 12 is received by thecontainer receiving mechanism 52 of thecarrier 14, thelower receiving opening 58 allows the upper receivingopening 56 to fully provide the article holdability. - In the present embodiment, the base panel, the second side panel, and the second inclining top panel are further provided as the plurality of panels according to the embodiment of the present invention. The base panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the first inclining top panel, and the second inclining top panel can therefore define the characteristic tubular structure of the
carrier 14 according to the present embodiment. As a result, when thecarrier 14 is lifted and lowered, the tubular structure of thecarrier 14 can be adequately deformed. Therefore, when thecarrier 14 is lifted, thecarrier 14 can securely hold thecontainers 12. On the other hand, when thecarrier 14 is lowered, the attachment and detachment of thecontainers 12 to and from thecarrier 14 can be more readily performed. - In the present embodiment, the
handle mechanism 54 includes thefirst handle panel 36, which is connected in the form of a hinge to the upper edge of the first incliningtop panel 32. Thehandle mechanism 54 further includes thesecond handle panel 38, which is connected in the form of a hinge to the upper edge of the secondinclining top panel 46. As a result, thefirst handle panel 36 and thesecond handle panel 38 allow thecarrier 14 to be more readily lifted and lowered. - The
single carrier 14 according to the present embodiment allows both ease of article attachment and detachment and excellent article holdability. -
Figure 6 shows a developed blank for forming thecarrier 14 according to the present embodiment.Figure 7 is an enlarged view of an upper receiving opening of the blank shown inFigure 6 . A portion corresponding to the portion inFigure 1 described above has a reference number greater by 100 than the corresponding reference number and will not be described. - In the present embodiment, a blank 170 includes a
base panel 126, afirst side panel 128, asecond side panel 130, a first incliningtop panel 132, a secondinclining top panel 134, afirst handle panel 136, and asecond handle panel 138. - The
base panel 126 is connected in the form of a hinge to thefirst side panel 128 via a folding line (connection line) 140. Thefirst side panel 128 is connected in the form of a hinge to the first incliningtop panel 132 via a folding line (connection line) 144. The firstinclining top panel 132 is connected in the form of a hinge to thefirst handle panel 136 via a folding line (connection line) 148. Thebase panel 126 is further connected in the form of a hinge to the second side panel 139 via a folding line (connection line) 142. Thesecond side panel 130 is connected in the form of a hinge to the second incliningtop panel 134 via a folding line (connection line) 146. The secondinclining top panel 134 is connected in the form of a hinge to thesecond handle panel 138 via a folding line (connection line) 150. - In the blank 170, upper receiving
openings 152 are each defined by abreaking line 172 in the first incliningtop panel 132 and thefirst side panel 128. Theupper receiving openings 152 are each defined by thebreaking line 172 also in the second incliningtop panel 134 and thesecond side panel 130. - Lower receiving
openings 152 are each defined by abreaking line 174 in thebase panel 126. - The
upper receiving openings 156 are each defined by a boundary containing afirst edge 160 and asecond edge 162 facing each other in the direction perpendicular to the centre axial line (line X-X). Thefirst edge 160, which defines theupper receiving opening 156, is so disposed as to be closer to thehandle mechanism 154 than thesecond edge 162, which defines theupper receiving opening 156. Thefirst edge 160, which defines theupper receiving opening 156, has an arch-like shape in which the centre of curvature of thefirst edge 162, which defines theupper receiving opening 156, is closer to thesecond edge 162, which defines theupper receiving opening 156, than to thefirst edge 162, which defines theupper receiving opening 156. Thesecond edge 162, which defines theupper receiving opening 156, is curved. - The
upper receiving openings 156 each have the first dimension (D2) extending in the direction perpendicular to the centre axial line (line X-X). Thefirst edge 160 and thesecond edge 162, which define theupper receiving opening 156, face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction. Theupper receiving openings 156 each have the second dimension (D1) extending in the direction parallel to the centre axial line (line X-X). The second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening 156 is greater than the first dimension (D2) of theupper receiving opening 156. - In a case where the diameter of a cap of an upper portion of a standard PET bottle is about 30 mm, and the diameter of a neck flange of a neck section of the standard PET bottle (container) is about 33 mm, the first dimension (D2) is about 30 mm, and the second dimension (D1) is about 34 mm by way of example.
- In
Figure 6 , the dimension (W1) is roughly equal to the maximum diameter of each of thecontainers 12 plus the diameter of thelower receiving opening 158. InFigure 6 , the dimension (W2) is typically about 13 mm. InFigure 6 , the dimension (W3) is about half the dimension (W1) + α (α = 1 to 2 mm, for example). - In a case where the diameter of the cap of the upper portion of the standard PET bottle is about 30 mm, and the diameter of the neck flange of the neck section of the standard PET bottle (container) is about 33 mm, the dimension (W1) is about 104 mm, the dimension (W2) is about 13 mm, and the dimension (W3) is about 53 mm by way of example.
- Handle
tabs 166 are each defined by abreaking line 176 in thefirst handle panel 136 and thesecond handle panel 138. - The blank 170 according to the present embodiment allows more reliable formation of the
carrier 14 according to the present embodiment that excels in ease of the article attachment and detachment and the article holdability. - The aspects of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described above and can be changed in a variety of manners as long as the changes fall within the scope of the present invention.
- For example, the above embodiment has been described with reference to the case where a container filled with a content is used as the article (container), but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described above, and another article can be used as long as the other article falls within the scope of the present invention.
- In the embodiment described above, the dimensions of key portions of the carrier have been described based on the dimensions of a typical PET bottle, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described above, and the dimensions of the carrier can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the article (container) as long as the changes fall within the scope of the present invention.
- The present invention is applicable to a carrier and a blank that allow both ease of article attachment and detachment and improvement in article holdability.
-
- 10
- Package
- 12
- Container (article)
- 14
- Carrier
- 16
- Neck section
- 22
- Outward flange (flange)
- 24
- Cap (top section of article)
- 26, 126
- Base panel
- 28, 128
- First side panel
- 30, 130
- Second side panel
- 32, 132
- First inclining top panel
- 34, 134
- Second inclining top panel
- 36, 136
- First handle panel
- 38, 138
- Second handle panel
- 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150
- Connection line (folding line)
- 52, 152
- Container receiving mechanism
- 54, 154
- Handle mechanism
- 56, 156
- Upper receiving opening
- 58, 158
- Lower receiving opening
- 60, 160
- First edge
- 62, 162
- Second edge
- 64, 164
- Handle opening
- 66, 166
- Handle tab
- 68, 168
- Operation tab
- 170
- Blank
- 172, 174, 176
- Breaking line
- Line X-X
- Centre axial line
Claims (14)
- A carrier that at least partially holds at least one container, the carrier comprising;a plurality of panels at least partially extending around an interior of the carrier,wherein the plurality of panels includes a first inclining top panel and a first side panel connected in a form of a hinge to the first inclining top panel along a lower edge of the first inclining top panel,the carrier further comprises at least one container receiving mechanism extending at least in the first inclining top panel and a handle mechanism that allows the carrier to be lifted,the at least one container receiving mechanism at least partially receives the at least one container,the handle mechanism is so disposed that the at least one container receiving mechanism is disposed between the handle mechanism and the first side panel,the at least one container receiving mechanism includes an upper receiving opening defined at least partially in the first inclining top panel,the upper receiving opening is defined by a boundary containing a first edge and a second edge facing each other,the first edge that defines the upper receiving opening is so disposed as to be closer to the handle mechanism than the second edge that defines the upper receiving opening, andthe first edge that defines the upper receiving opening has an arch-like shape in which a centre of curvature of the first edge is so located as to be closer to the second edge than to the first edge.
- The carrier according to claim 1,wherein the at least one container includes a flange and a top section extending upward beyond the flange,the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, engages with at least part of the flange of the at least one container, andthe first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, engages with at least part of the top section of the at least one container.
- The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper receiving opening extends to the first side panel in such a way that the first side panel provides the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- The carrier according to claim 3, wherein the second edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, is curved.
- The carrier according to claim 1,wherein the carrier has a centre axial line so specified as to extend in parallel to a lower edge of the first inclining top panel,the upper receiving opening has a first dimension (D2) extending in a direction perpendicular to the centre axial line, andthe first edge and the second edge, which define the upper receiving opening, face each other in the first dimension (D2) direction of the upper receiving opening.
- The carrier according to claim 5, wherein the upper receiving openings has a second dimension (D1) extending in a direction parallel to the centre axial line, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening is greater than the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening.
- The carrier according to claim 6, wherein the top section of the at least one container has a roughly cylindrical shape that specifies a diameter of the top section, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening is greater than the diameter of the top section of the container.
- The carrier according to claim 7, wherein the flange of the at least one container has a roughly ring-like shape that defines a diameter of the flange, and the second dimension (D1) of the upper receiving opening is greater than the diameter of the flange of the container.
- The carrier according to claim 8, wherein the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the flange of the container.
- The carrier according to claim 5, wherein the first dimension (D2) of the upper receiving opening is greater than or equal to 29 mm but smaller than or equal to 33 mm.
- The carrier according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of panels further includes a base panel connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel,the at least one container receiving mechanism includes a lower receiving opening that is defined at least partially in the base panel, andwhen the at least one container is at least partially received by the at least one container receiving mechanism, a centre (I) of the lower receiving opening is not aligned in a vertical direction with a centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening, and the centre (I) of the lower receiving opening is offset in a direction away from the first side panel from the centre of curvature (II) of the first edge, which defines the upper receiving opening.
- The carrier according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of panels further includesa base panel connected in a form of a hinge to a lower edge of the first side panel,a second side panel so connected in a form of a hinge to the base panel via a lower edge of the second side panel as to face the first side panel, anda second inclining top panel connected in a form of a hinge to an upper edge of the second side panel and extending toward an upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- The carrier according to claim 12, wherein the handle mechanism includes at least one handle panel connected in a form of a hinge to the upper edge of the first inclining top panel.
- A blank for forming the carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2019048447A JP2020147350A (en) | 2019-03-15 | 2019-03-15 | Carrier and blank |
PCT/JP2020/011454 WO2020189623A1 (en) | 2019-03-15 | 2020-03-16 | Carrier and blank |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3939908A1 true EP3939908A1 (en) | 2022-01-19 |
EP3939908A4 EP3939908A4 (en) | 2022-12-07 |
Family
ID=72431635
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20772915.3A Pending EP3939908A4 (en) | 2019-03-15 | 2020-03-16 | Carrier and blank |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3939908A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2020147350A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020189623A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1292897A (en) | 1917-01-23 | 1919-01-28 | Clarence Skare | Automatic water-pump. |
US2330699A (en) * | 1942-02-21 | 1943-09-28 | Flamm Alexander | Container carrier |
US2615750A (en) * | 1948-09-03 | 1952-10-28 | William L O'sullivan | Bottle carrier |
US4155502A (en) * | 1977-10-25 | 1979-05-22 | Consolidated Packaging Corporation | Cup carrier |
US5682982A (en) * | 1996-02-26 | 1997-11-04 | Field Container Company, L.P. | Bottle carrier |
GB9605283D0 (en) | 1996-03-13 | 1996-05-15 | Mead Corp | Top gripping carrier for bottles |
US6082532A (en) | 1999-02-12 | 2000-07-04 | Miess; Kenneth R. | Bottle carrier |
JP2005255208A (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-22 | Mead Corp:The | Package and article carrier |
AU2007260805B2 (en) * | 2006-06-23 | 2011-11-10 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier for containers |
JP2019048447A (en) | 2017-02-03 | 2019-03-28 | 東レ株式会社 | Laminate film and manufacturing method therefor |
-
2019
- 2019-03-15 JP JP2019048447A patent/JP2020147350A/en active Pending
-
2020
- 2020-03-16 EP EP20772915.3A patent/EP3939908A4/en active Pending
- 2020-03-16 WO PCT/JP2020/011454 patent/WO2020189623A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2020147350A (en) | 2020-09-17 |
WO2020189623A1 (en) | 2020-09-24 |
EP3939908A4 (en) | 2022-12-07 |
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