FR2750401A1 - Bottle packaging with hollowed ends - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle packaging comprises a long cardboard blank (10). The blank comprises a top (12) panel, a side wall (14) constituted by upper (16), intermediate (18) and lower (20) side panels, and a base panel (22). A second side wall (24) has lower (26) and intermediate (28) side panels. An upper side panel (30) is hinged to the free edge of the top panel along a longitudinal folding line (32). The panels are hinged along longitudinal folding lines (34,36,38,40,42,44). A top end closing panel (46) is hinged to one edge of the top panel by folding lines (48,70,72). The top end closing panel comprises a central panel (50), hinged to the top panel along a folding line (48), and a couple of external end panels (52,54) connected to the top panel along folding lines (70,72). The external end panel is connected to and is spaced from the central panel by intermediate panels (56,58) and the end panel is hinged along folding lines (74,76,78). Each central section is displaced inwards into the empty space in order to form a cavity extending between the top and base panels.

Description

 The present invention relates to a cardboard packaging which accommodates a group of articles such as bottles or boxes, in which the arrangement of the articles is in the form of rows, and is such that a vacuum is closed to each end of the cartoon packaging.

The cardboard packaging is closed so that the end closure panels are folded in a vacuum, to produce a hollowed out area.

Each hollowed out area can be adapted to form handle parts by means of which the cardboard packaging can be gripped. Preferably, an intimate mounting strip is applied in order to surround the cardboard packaging and passes over the hollowed out area thereby providing a means forming a handle. US 4,747,485 describes a cardboard package analogous to that of the present invention, comprising opposite end cavities and an intimate mounting strip which surrounds the cardboard package and passes over the hollowed ends to provide handles for the 'cardboard packaging.

 The patent FR 2 599 003 also describes a cardboard packaging similar to that of the present invention. In the structures described in the prior art, the hollowed out areas also consist of end closure flaps of the cardboard packaging, but are arranged so that the structure of the hollowed out area requires independent folding of a certain number of panels, which gives rise to a complex end closure operation.

 In the present invention, the end closure operation is greatly simplified, since the hollowed out areas are formed by initiating the folding only of a single end closure panel of the upper and lower end panels, according to an angle greater than 90 degrees, the arrangement being such that the remaining end panels are thereby pulled into place.

 The present invention provides a cartoon packaging of the end loading type, for articles, such as bottles, arranged in at least three parallel rows and comprising at least one central row and at least two adjacent outer rows of articles, arranged in an abutting relationship against each other, and wherein the number of articles in said central row is less than that of said adjacent outer rows, so that a vacuum is created at each end of said group between said outer rows of articles, the cardboard packaging comprising top and base panels connected together by spaced side wall panels, thereby forming a tubular structure and end closure panels enclosing each end of the tubular structure, said end closure panels at each end of the cardboard package comprising a farm panel top end structure and a base end closure panel hinged with respect to the respective top panel and base panel, wherein said top end closure panel includes opposite end portions and a central section disposed between said end portions and hinged at least in part with respect to each said end portion, and with respect to said top panel, and wherein said base end closure panel comprises parts of opposite ends and a central section disposed between said end parts and articulated at least in part with respect to each said end part and to said base panel, characterized in that each said central section is moved inward in said empty, to form a cavity extending between said top and base panels.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, the central section of the top end closure panel may comprise a central panel connected to said top panel and a fixing flap articulated to said central panel, in a spaced relationship with said top panel, and the end palties of the top end closure panel are connected to the central panel along arcuate fold lines.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the external parts of the top end closure panel are connected to the fixing flap.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, said central section of the base end closure panel may comprise a central panel connected to said base panel and a fixing flap articulated with respect to said central panel, in a spaced relationship with the panel base, and the end portions of the base end closure panel are connected to the center panel along arcuate fold lines.

 Preferably, the outer parts of the base end closure panels are connected to the fixing flap.

 Another feature of the invention may provide an outer part of the top end closure panel which is connected to the top panel along a fold line which is substantially aligned with, and is tangential to, articles furthest at the end in said adjacent outer rows.

 Preferably, each exterior portion of the top end closure panel includes an exterior panel, an intermediate panel, and an interior panel, hinged together.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the interior panel can be connected to said central panel in an arcuate relationship.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, said fixing flap can be connected at least in part to each respective interior panel.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the base end closure panel can be connected to said base along a fold line which is substantially aligned with and tangential to the articles most furthest away. end, in said adjacent outer rows.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the exterior parts of said base end closure panel may, in addition, comprise an exterior panel, an intermediate panel and an interior panel linked together in an articulated manner.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the central panel can be connected in an articulated manner to one or the other or the two interior panels, according to an arcuate relationship.

 Preferably, said fixing flap can be connected at least in part to each respective interior panel.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the cardboard packaging can be surrounded by an intimate mounting strip, disposed between the top panel and said base, this strip extending on each of the opposite ends of the cardboard packaging. and providing, near the place where the top and base end closure panels are moved in a vacuum, a handle closing portion, easily graspable.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the cardboard packaging can comprise first and second central rows of articles and, arranged on each side of said central rows, third and fourth adjacent rows of articles.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the articles of said first and second central rows can be aligned transversely with respect to each other and the articles of said adjacent third rows are nested in the articles of said first and second central rows, respectively, and the articles of said adjacent fourth rows.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, each of said first and second central rows can include four articles and each of said third adjacent rows has five articles, while each of said fourth adjacent rows has four articles.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the number of articles of said fourth adjacent rows may be less than that of said third adjacent rows and said top panel and the base have beveled angles extending along the articles lying further out in said third and fourth adjacent rows.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, a packaging blank is provided for a group of articles arranged in at least three parallel rows, in which the arrangement of the articles in said rows is such that a vacuum is found at each end of the cardboard packaging between the outer rows of articles, the blank being formed from a single sheet of foldable material and comprising a base panel, at least a first side wall panel, a panel above, at least one second side wall panel articulated one after the other along fold lines arranged so as to allow the blank to be produced in the form of a tubular structure, said first base panel, said first side wall panels and said top panel all having, at each of their opposite ends, end closure panels, serving to close the ends of the tubular structure, characterized in that said end closure panel comprises a top end closure panel and a base end closure panel hinged with respect to the respective top and base panels, said end closure panel from above comprising opposite end parts and a central section disposed between said end parts and articulated at least partly with respect to each said end part and with respect to said top panel, and in that said panel base end closure comprises opposite end parts and a central section disposed between said end parts, articulated at least partly with respect to each end part and with respect to said base panel and characterized in that each said central section is moved inward into said void, thereby bringing the respective top end portions into bu tee against said corresponding base end portion.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank used to close a packaging in
cardboard of the end loading type according to the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a handle panel used in a
cardboard packaging according to Figure 7;
FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of the cardboard packaging,
which represent one end of the cardboard packaging which is
closed by sequential folding of the end closure panels;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the cardboard package, which
represents one end of the cardboard packaging
completely closed by closure panels
end, and a handle mounted on the cardboard packaging;
FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the excavated area illustrated
in Figure 7, taken along line AA.

 Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, an elongated cardboard blank 10, used to form an end loading type cardboard package, is closed from cardboard or similar foldable sheet material. The blank comprises, in series, a top panel 12, a first side wall 14 formed by upper side wall panels 16, intermediate 18, and lower 20, a base panel 22, a second side wall 24 formed in part by lower side wall panels 26 and intermediate 28, hinged one after the other along longitudinal fold lines 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, respectively. An upper side wall panel 30 of the second side wall 24 is articulated relative to the free edge of the top panel 12, along a longitudinal fold line 32.

 A top end closure panel 46 is hinged with respect to an end edge of the top panel 12 along fold lines 48, 70 and 72. The top end closure panel 46 includes a central panel 50 hinged relative to the top panel 12 along the fold line 48 and a pair of outer end panels 52, 54 connected to the top panel 12, along the fold lines 70, 72, respectively. The outer end panel 52 is connected to and is spaced from the central panel 50 by the intermediate panels 56 and the inner end panel 58 is hingedly connected along fold lines 74, 76 and 78, respectively. Similarly, the outer end panel 54 is connected to and is spaced from the central panel 50 by an intermediate panel 64 and the inner end panel 62 is hingedly connected along fold lines 80, 82 and 84 , respectively. The fastening flap 60 is hingedly connected to the central panel 50 along a fold line 85 and hinged relative to the interior end panels 58 and 62, by panels 66 and 68, respectively, along the lines folding 78 and 84.

The fold lines 78 and 84 are formed in an arcuate fashion to allow the central panel 50 to be folded at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the top panel 12, when the top end closure panel is placed in an erect state.

 Fixing tabs 86, 88 and 90 are connected to the free edges of the panels 52, 56, 58, along a fold line 98. Similarly, fixing tabs 92, 94, 96 are connected to the free edges panels 62, 64, and 54, respectively along a fold line 100.

 The lower, middle and top side wall panels of the first side wall 14 support a side end closure structure comprising side end closure panels 102, 104, 106 hinged to the top side wall panels , intermediate and lower 16, 18 and 20, respectively, along a fold line 110. An upper end closure panel 102 is hinged relative to an intermediate end closure panel 104 by a bridging piece 108 collapsible, along fold lines 112, 114 respectively. Along the opposite edge of the intermediate end closure panel 104 is articulated a lower end closure panel 106, along an extension of the fold line 38.

 Similarly, the intermediate and lower side wall panels of the second side wall 24 also support a side end closure structure comprising side end closure panels 112, 114 hinged with respect to the lower side wall panels and intermediate 26, 28, respectively, along a transverse fold line 116. The end closure panels 112 and 114 are hinged together by a collapsible bridging piece 118, along fold lines 120 and 122, respectively .

 A base end closure panel 146 is hinged relative to an end edge of the base panel 22, along fold lines 148, 170, 172. The base end closure panel 146 includes a central panel 150 hinged relative to the base panel 22 along a fold line 148 and a pair of exterior end panels 152, 154 connected to the base panel 122 along fold lines 170, 172, respectively. The fold line 148 extends in the outer end panels 152 and 154. The outer end panel 152 is connected to and is spaced from the central panel 150 by an intermediate panel 156 and an interior end panel 158, the latter panel being hingedly connected to the intermediate panel along fold lines 174. The intermediate panel 156 is connected to the inner end panel 158 along a fold line 176. At the same time, the panels intermediate and inner end are connected to the central panel 150, along a fold line 178. Similarly, the outer end panel 154 is connected to and is spaced from the central panel 150 by an intermediate panel 164 and a panel interior end 162. A fixing flap 160 is hingedly connected to the central panel 150 along a fold line 185 and tabs 166 and 168 are hingedly connected e along opposite sides of the securing flap 160 along fold lines 179 and 188.

The fold lines 178 and 184 are formed in an arcuate fashion, to allow the central panel 150 to be folded at an angle greater than 90 degrees, relative to the base panel 22 when it is in an upright state.

 Tabs 180, 182 are provided from the outer end panel 152 and the intermediate panel 156, respectively.

Similarly, tabs 184, 186 are provided from the outer end panel 154 and the intermediate panel 156.

 The blank is asymmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis, so that the opposite side of the blank is of a similar structure and therefore does not need to be described more specifically.

 The blank is preformed in the folded flat state, from which it can be erected in order to obtain a tubular structure, loaded with products and the ends of the tubular structure are then closed as described below. So that the blank has a folded flat state, an adhesive is applied to the exposed marginal edge of the panel 30, which is then folded around the fold line 32 so as to cover the top panel 12. Then the blank is folded around the transverse fold line 40, so that the top panel 12 is brought into superimposed relation with the base panel 22 and the glued edge of the top panel 30 is fixed to the free edge of the intermediate side wall panel 28 The blank thus preformed can then be supplied to a bottling machine or can, in order to dress / load and finally to ensure a closure in order to form the finished cardboard packaging.

 As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flat folded cardboard packaging is loaded with articles by erecting it in a tubular form, the position of the articles making it possible to produce a zone or void of central cavity at each end of the packaging in cardboard. This process is described in more detail in EP 0 244 047.

 The folding process will be described below with reference to one end of the cardboard packaging. The opposite end is designed in a similar manner.

 The ends are closed by an initial folding of the panels 102, 104 and 106 along the fold line 110, so as to be in a substantially perpendicular relationship with the side wall panel 14. The panels 102 and 104 are brought into relation partially superimposed by folding along the fold lines 112, 114 and thereby collapsing the bridging piece 108, which allows the panels to be folded together, while allowing an intimate adjustment of the panel 102 against the tapered necks in the case of bottles.

 Similarly, the panels 112 and 114 are folded in a perpendicular relationship with the second side wall panel 24 along the fold line 116 and are brought into abutment by folding along the fold lines 120, 122 and a thus sagging of the bridging piece 118.

 As shown in Figure 4, the top end closure panel 46 is formed by folding the central panel 50 along the fold line 48. This initiates folding of the exterior panels 52 and 54 along fold lines 70 and 72, respectively. The central panel 50 is folded inward and downward relative to the top panel 12 (shown in Figure 8), thereby displacing it in a vacuum. The interior panels 58, 62, due to being articulated to the central panel 50, are also moved in a vacuum and are juxtaposed on the articles due to the fold lines 78 and 82 arcuate, thereby forming the opposite sides of the cavity. The intermediate panels 56, 64 and the outer end panels 52, 54 are drawn in a relationship substantially perpendicular to the top panel 12, because they are indirectly connected to the central panel. Figure 5 shows the top end closure panel in its erected state, which is temporarily held in this position by guide means or by other suitable means known in the art.

 As illustrated in Figure 6, the base end closure panel 146 is formed by folding the central panel 150 along the fold line 148. This initiates the folding of the outer panels 152 and 154 along the lines of folding 170 and 172, respectively. The central panel 150 is folded inward and upward relative to the base panel 22 (shown in Figure 6), thereby moving it into a vacuum.

The interior panels 158, 162, due to being articulated to the central panel 150, are also moved in a vacuum and are juxtaposed on the articles because of the folded lines 178, 182 arcuate. The panels 158 and 162 overlap the tabs 166 and 168 respectively and are connected by glue or other suitable means, thereby forming the opposite sides of the cavity. The intermediate panels 156, 164 and the outer end panels 152, 154 are drawn in a substantially perpendicular relationship with the base panel 22, because they are indirectly connected to the central panel. The fixing flap 160 is brought in a substantially opposite relation with the fixing flap 60, from the top end closure panel and are connected together by glue or other suitable means.

 The outer panels 152, 154 are brought in a superposition relationship with the tongues 96 and 86 respectively and connected by glue or other suitable means. Similarly, the intermediate panels 156, 164 and the interior end panels 185 and 162 are connected to the tabs 94, 88 and 92, 90, respectively, by glue or other suitable means.

 In an erected state, the outer end panels 52, 154 are in a superimposed relationship with the side wall panels 112 and 114, the panels 150 and 112 being connected by glue or other suitable means. Similarly, in an erected state, the outer end panels 54 and 152 are in a superimposed relationship with the side wall panels 102, 104 and 106, the panels 152 and 106 being connected by glue or d '' other appropriate means.

The opposite end of the cardboard packaging is similarly closed and an encircling strip 11 is applied to the cardboard packaging, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The positioning openings 190 and 192 are formed in the tabs 180, 182 and 184, 186 in order to allow the correct positioning of the encircling strip 11. In an upright state, the strip provides a handle at the ends of
The cardboard packaging, in order to facilitate the carrying of the packaging and the hollow end structure allows the handle portion of the strip to be grasped more easily. The handle panel 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is folded around and fixed to the strip by glue or at each end of the cardboard packaging.

 As can be seen with reference to FIG. 8, the cavity formed by the panels 50, 60 and 150, 160 extends from the top wall towards the base of the cardboard packaging, in order to provide a large space to a user to grasp the handle formed by the surround band. In order to form the cavity, the panel 50 is folded inwards with respect to the top wall 12, beyond the vertical, so that a <90. A similar relationship prevails between the panel 150 and the base 22.

 It is envisaged that the panels constituting the end closure panels will be modified according to the number and type of articles to be contained in the cardboard packaging.

Claims (19)

 1. Cardboard packaging of the end loading type for articles such as bottles arranged in at least three parallel rows and comprising at least one central row and at least two adjacent outer rows of articles, arranged in an abutment relationship against each other, and wherein the number of articles of said central row is less than that of said adjacent outer rows, so that a vacuum is formed at each end of said group between said outer rows of articles, I ' cardboard packaging comprising top (12) and base (22) panels connected together by spaced side wall panels, thereby forming a tubular structure and end closure panels enclosing each end of the tubular shucture, said end closure panels at each end of the cardboard package comprising a top end closure panel s and a base end closure panel hinged relative to the respective top panel (12) and base panel (22), wherein said top end closure panel comprises opposite end portions and a central section disposed between said end portions and hinged at least in part with respect to each said end portion, and with respect to said top panel (12), and wherein said base end closure panel comprises opposite end portions and a central section disposed between said end portions and articulated at least in part with respect to each said end portion and to said base panel (22), characterized in that each said central section is moved inwardly into said void, to form a cavity extending between said top (12) and base (22) panels.  2. Cardboard packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the central section of the top end closure panel comprises a central panel (50) connected to said top panel (12) and a fixing flap hinged to said central panel (50), in spaced relationship to said top panel (12), and in that the end portions of the top end closure panel are connected to the central panel (50) along arcuate fold lines (78, 82).  3. Cardboard packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer parts of the top end closure panel are connected to the fixing flap (60).  4. Cardboard packaging according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the central section of the base end closure panel comprises a central panel (50) connected to said base panel (22) and a fixing flap articulated with respect to said central panel (50), in a spaced relationship to the base panel (22), and in that the end portions of the base end closure panel are connected to the center panel (50), along arcuate fold lines (78, 82).  5. Cardboard packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the outer parts of the base end closure panels are connected to the fixing flap (60).  6. Cardboard packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer part of the top end closure panel is connected to the top panel (12) along a fold line which is substantially aligned with, and is tangential to, the articles furthest from the end in said adjacent outer rows.  7. Cardboard packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that each outer part of the top end closure panel comprises an outer panel, an intermediate panel (64) and an inner panel, hinged together.  8. Cardboard packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner panel is connected to said central panel (50) in an arcuate relationship.  9. Cardboard packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that said fixing flap (60) is connected at least in part to each respective interior panel.  10. Cardboard packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base end closure panel is connected to said base (22) along a fold line which is substantially aligned with and tangential with respect to the articles furthest at the end, in said adjacent outer rows.  11. Cardboard packaging according to claim 10, characterized in that the outer parts of said base end closure panel further comprise an outer panel, an intermediate panel (64) and an inner panel hingedly connected together. .  12. Cardboard packaging according to claim 11, characterized in that the central panel (50) is hingedly connected to one or the other or the two interior panels, in an arcuate relationship.  13. Cardboard packaging according to claim 12, characterized in that said fixing flap (60) is connected at least in part to each respective interior panel.  14. Cardboard package according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cardboard package is surrounded by an intimate mounting strip disposed between the top panel (12) and said base (22 ), this strip extending on each of the opposite ends of the cardboard packaging and providing, close to the place where the top and base end closure panels are moved in a vacuum, a part forming a handle , easily entered.  15. Cardboard packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises first and second central rows of articles and, arranged on each side of said central rows, third and fourth adjacent rows of articles.  16. Cardboard packaging according to claim 15, further characterized in that the articles of said first and second central rows are aligned transversely to each other and the articles of said adjacent third rows are nested in the articles of said first and second central rows, respectively, and the articles of said fourth adjacent rows.  17. Cardboard packaging according to claim 15, further characterized in that each of said first and second central rows comprises four articles and each of said adjacent third rows has five hinges, while each of said adjacent fourth rows has four articles.  18. Cardboard packaging according to claim 15, further characterized in that the number of articles of said adjacent fourth rows is less than that of said adjacent third rows and in that said top panel (12) and the base ( 22) have beveled angles extending along the outermost articles in said third and fourth adjacent rows.  19. Packaging blank of a group of articles arranged in at least three parallel rows, in which the arrangement of the articles in said rows is such that a void is found at each end of the cardboard packaging between the outer rows of articles, the blank being formed from a single sheet of foldable material and comprising a base panel (22), at least a first side wall panel, a top panel (12), at least a second side wall panel hinged one after the other along fold lines arranged so as to allow the blank to be made in the form of a tubular structure, said first base panel (22), said first side wall panels and said top panel (12) all having end closure panels at each of their opposite ends for closing the ends of the tubular structure, characterized in that said panel end closure comprises a top end closure panel and a base end closure panel hinged relative to the respective top (12) and base (22) panels, said end closure panel top comprising opposite end portions and a central section disposed between said end portions and hinged at least in part with respect to each said end portion and in relation to said top panel (12), and in that said base end closure panel includes opposite end portions and a central section disposed between said end hooks, hinged at least in part with respect to each end portion and in relation to said base panel (22) and characterized in that each said central section is moved inwardly into said void, thereby bringing the respective top end portions into abutment against said corresponding base end tie.