GB1580900A - Multi-compartment pack former and a blank therefor - Google Patents

Description

(54) A MULTI-COMPARTMENT PACK FORMER AND A BLANK THEREFOR (71) We, LANCASHIRE Box COMPANY LIMITED, a British Company, of Station Works, Westbury Street, off Junction Street, Hyde, near Manchester, SK14 1QT, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns a multi-compartment pack former and a blank therefor.

It is well known for a plurality of articles to be packaged in separate compartments of a container in order to protect the articles from damage which might otherwise result from impact of the articles one with another during handling or transit of the package. Usually the articles are separated laterally by partition walls (divisions) in the container, such walls being provided by mutally slotted panels assembled together to form a first set of parallel walls with a second set of parallel walls extending thereacross. Each wall is formed by a separate panel, whilst a base support also may be provided, such base support being either a cut blank or a formed tray. Thus, there is a plurality of component parts which are unstable during the packaging operation.

A further common packaging technique is to shrink-wrap the articles with a transparent plastics material sheet. This technique usually involves use of an assembled tray having side walls which detract from the overall visual appearance of the packaged product. Operating speed and appearance of the shrink-wrapped product can also be affected by movement of the product. Furthermore, storage and handling of assembled divisions is notoriously difficult and labour intensive, since the assembled divisions must be erected and collected with a tray or base pad and are unstable until a product is located therein.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-compartment pack former, and a blank thereof, which is rigid when assembled and which therefore avoids the above mentioned disadvantages.

With this object in view the present invention provides a multi-compartment pack former made from a blank comprising a main panel having three substantially parallel fold lines defining four juxtaposed panels, and a secondary panel extending from a side edge of an outer one of the main juxtaposed panels by folding the blank to cause the centre two panels to lie in closely adjacent parallel planes to form a main division wall upstanding from the outer two of the juxtaposed panels which together form a base and folding the secondary panel so that a portion thereof which originally lay parallel to said fold lines lies transversely thereof and interengages with the main division wall to form a transverse division wall.

A plurality of compartments may be arranged in two groups each formed by a respective main division wall and at least one transverse division wall, the division walls being interlocked by a supplementary locking panel providing a mutual boundary wall between the two groups of compartments.

The invention also provides a blank for making a multi-cell pack former, the blank comprising a main panel having three substantially parallel fold lines which define four juxtaposed rectangular panels, and a secondary panel extending from a side edge of an outer one of the juxtaposed panels, the secondary panel having a transverse fold line extending at right angles to said side edge to define two secondary panel areas, a first one of said secondary panel areas being connected to side outer one of the juxtaposed panels along a fold line extending along said side edge and a second one of said secondary panel areas being separated from said one of the juxtaposed panels by a cut extending along or parallel to said side edge, said secondary panel second area having a slot extending substantially at right angles from its edge adjacent said one of the juxtaposed panels, and the centre two of the juxtaposed panels having a mutual slot therein which extends across the fold line therebetween, whereby the blank is foldable about the fold lines so that the centre two juxtaposed panels abut each to form a main division wall upstanding from the outer two of the juxtaposed panels which together form a base, the secondary panel being foldable so that its first panel area upstands from the base periphery to form a side wall extending along a portion only of the respective edge of the base and its second panel area forms a crossdivision wall be interengagement with the main division wall by means of the respective slots therein, the main division wall and the crossdivision wall defining a plurality of compartments.

The secondary panel may include a third panel area extending from an opposite side of the first panel area in mirror image with the second panel area, the centre two juxtaposed panels having two of said mutual slots to permit respective inter-engagement of the second and third secondary panel areas with the main division wall.

The respective cuts separating the second and third secondary panel areas from said outer ones of the four juxtaposed panels may be spaced outwardly of the side edges thereof, the fold line along each side edge being extended to define with said cuts respective marginal strips for forming, when the blank is folded, an upstanding lip at each side of the side wall.

Two each of said sets of four juxtaposed panels and said secondary panels may be provided in mirror image with secondary panels being at remote ends of the blank, each main set of four juxtaposed panels and its secondary panel being foldable to form a respective set of division walls defining a respective group of compartments, and the cross-division walls of each set being interlockable by a supplementary locking panel providing a mutual boundary wall between the two groups of compartments.

At least one secondary panel may extend from each of the outer of the juxtaposed panels, the secondary panels being offset or staggered one from another and the centre two of the juxtaposed panels having a plurality of said mutual slots corresponding to the number of second and third secondary panel areas provided.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a blank of the invention for forming a four-compartment pack former; Figure 2 shows the blank of Figure 1 partially erected; Figure 3 shows a four-compartment pack former made from the blank of Figure 1; Figures 4, 6 and 8 respectively show a blank of the invention for forming respectively a six-compartment, a ten-compartment and a twelve-compartment pack former; Figures 5, 7 and 9 respectively show a sixcompartment, a ten-compartment and a twelve.

compartment pack former made respectively from the blanks of Figures 4, 6 and 8; Figure 10 is a further embodiment of blank for making a former having two groups of six compartments; Figure 11 shows the blank of Figure 10 erected in readiness to receive a supplementary locking member between the two groups of compartments; Figure 12 is a plan view of the pack former of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a modified blank for forming a six-compartment pack former; and Figure 14 shows a six-compartment pack former made from the blank of Figure 13.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a four-compartment pack former (Figure 3) erected from a one-piece blank (Figure 1) of stiff card which may be of corrugated or calendered form.

The blank includes a rectangular main panel 11 whose length is approximately twice its width. Three substantially parallel fold lines 12 extend across the main panel 11 to define four side-by-side rectangular panel areas 1 la1 ld. The two inner panel areas 1 lb, 1 1c have a mutual slot 13 which extends at right angles across the centre of the fold line 12 therebetween, the slot 13 terminating approximately half way across the width of the inner panel areas llb, llc.

A secondary panel 14 extends from a side edge of the main panel outer area 1 la and has a transverse fold line 1 5 which extends at right angles from the side edge of the main panel outer area 1 lea to define two secondary panel areas 14a, 14b. The secondary panel area 14a is connected to the main panel outer area 1 lea along a fold line 16 which extends along a portion of the side edge at one side of the transverse fold line 15. The secondary panel area 14b is separated from the main panel outer area 1 la by a cut 17 extending along the side edge at the other side of the transverse fold line 15, so as to be freely foldable about the transverse fold line 15.This second panel area 14b has a slot 18 extending substantially at right angles from its edge adjacent the main panel outer area 1 la at a distance from the transverse fold line 15 substantially equal to the width of the main panel outer area 1 la.

To fold the blank to make a former, as can be best seen from Figure 2, the main panel 11 is folded along its three parallel fold lines 12 so that the inner panel areas 1 lb, 1 lc abut each other to form a double-thickness main division wall 21 (Figure 3) upstanding from the outer panel areas 1 la, 1 ld which together form a base 22. The secondary panel 14 is then folded by raising the second panel area 14b about the transverse fold line 15 and then lowering the second panel area 14b about the side edge fold line 16 so as to interengage with the main division wall 21. This is achieved by aligning the slots 13, 18 and pressing the second panel area 14b onto the main division wall 21 so that the slot of each part has placed therein a non-slotted portion of the other part. Thus, the first panel area 14a of the secondary panel 14 upstands from the periphery of the base 22 to form a side wall 23 which extends about half-way along the respective edge of the base 22, whilst the second panel area 14b forms a cross-division wall 24. Accordingly, a former is produced having four compartments.

Such a former is quickly and easily erected in view of its one-piece construction and this renders it suitable for automatic mechanical erection. The double thickness of material forming the main division wall 21 provides the former with a high compressive strength which facilitates stacking of loaded formers one upon another. The side wall 23 formed by the first panel area 14a of the secondary panel 14 provides the former with a useful abutment surface which enables the erected former to be readily advanced through a mechanical handling machine, such as a loading machine or a shrink-wrapping machine, and it also provides a useful display area for former contents data. Nevertheless, such formers are equally suitable for use as partitions in cartons or like containers, the loaded formers being inserted one above another.

In further embodiments of the invention blanks may be provided for making formers with a greater number of compartments, for example, six, ten or twelve compartments, as respectively shown in Figures 4 and 5, Figures 6 and 7 and Figures 8 and 9, by providing additional secondary panels 14 and/or by providing one or more secondary panels 14 with a third panel area 1 4c extending from an opposite side of the first panel area 14b. In such embodiments, the main panel inner areas 1 lib, 1 ic will require a plurality of slots 13 corresponding to the number of second and third panel areas 14b and 14c provided. Where more than one secondary panel 14 is provided, they extend in offset or staggered arrangement alternately from the main panel outer areas llaand 1 lid.

With reference to Figures 11 to 12, there is shown a modified embodiment of a blank (Figure 10) for forming a twelve-compartment former (Figures 11 and 12) in which the compartments are arranged in a 3 x 4 configuration. The blank consists generally of two portions, each of which is equivalent to the blank shown in Figure 4 joined end-to-end, that is to say there are two of the main panels 11 and two of the secondary panels 14 arranged in mirror image with the secondary panels 14 being at opposite ends of the blank. At each end of the blank, the respective cuts 17 separating the second and third secondary panel areas 14b and 14c from the main panel outer area 1 la are spaced outwardly of the side edge of said outer area 1 la, and the fold line 16 along said side edge is extended so as to define with the cuts 17 respective marginal strips 19.

The outer panel areas 14b and 14c are each provided with a slot 1 8a extending substantially at right angles from its edge remote from the main panel 11. Finally, the blank includes a supplementary panel 31 having two slots 32 therein extending substantially at right angles from one edge thereof.

Each end of the blank is folded in the same manner as previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, so that each main panel 11 and its secondary panel 14 fold to form a respective set of division walls 21, 24 defining a respective group of six compartments, the marginal strips 19 forming an upstanding lip 25 at each side of the side wall 23. These lips 25 provide additional display area and give added security to items placed in the end compartments as the tray is fed through a packaging machine. After such folding, the cross-division walls 24 of each sets are interlocked by the supplementary panel 31 which is pressed onto the cross-division walls 24 so that the slots 18a, 32 of each part receive therein respective non-slotted portions of the other part.Thus, the inserted supplementary panel 31 extends substantially parallel with the main division walls 21 and provides a mutual boundary wall between the two groups of compartments.

With reference to Figures 13 and 14, there is shown a modified blank (Figure 13) for forming a six-compartment former (Figure 14). The blank is generally similar to that of Figure 4, except that there is a secondary panel 14 at each end of the main panel 11. Each of the main panels 14 includes a first panel area 14a and a second panel area 14b, so that the former made from the blank has two side walls 23 and two cross-division walls 24. This embodiment of the invention has the advantages that the wholly rectangular shape of the blank requires less material than the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, and the former made therefrom has increased stability prior to wrapping because both of the main panel outer areas 1 lea and 1 ld are supported by the interlocked division walls 21 and 24.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the formers and the blanks without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the proportions-of the panel areas may be altered to provide a former having compartments of proportionally greater or lesser depth.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A multi-compartment pack former from a blank comprising a main panel having three substantially parallel fold lines defining four juxtaposed panels, and a secondary panel extending from a side edge of an outer one of the main juxtaposed panels by folding the blank to cause the centre two panels to lie in closely adjacent parallel planes to form a main division wall upstanding from the outer two of the juxtaposed panels which together form a base, and folding the secondary panel so that a portion thereof which originally lay parallel to said fold lines lies transversely thereof and interengages with the main division wall to form a transverse division wall.

2. A pack former as claimed in Claim 1, in combination with a supplementary locking panel, a plurality of compartments being arranged in two groups each formed by a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Such a former is quickly and easily erected in view of its one-piece construction and this renders it suitable for automatic mechanical erection. The double thickness of material forming the main division wall 21 provides the former with a high compressive strength which facilitates stacking of loaded formers one upon another. The side wall 23 formed by the first panel area 14a of the secondary panel 14 provides the former with a useful abutment surface which enables the erected former to be readily advanced through a mechanical handling machine, such as a loading machine or a shrink-wrapping machine, and it also provides a useful display area for former contents data. Nevertheless, such formers are equally suitable for use as partitions in cartons or like containers, the loaded formers being inserted one above another. In further embodiments of the invention blanks may be provided for making formers with a greater number of compartments, for example, six, ten or twelve compartments, as respectively shown in Figures 4 and 5, Figures 6 and 7 and Figures 8 and 9, by providing additional secondary panels 14 and/or by providing one or more secondary panels 14 with a third panel area 1 4c extending from an opposite side of the first panel area 14b. In such embodiments, the main panel inner areas 1 lib, 1 ic will require a plurality of slots 13 corresponding to the number of second and third panel areas 14b and 14c provided. Where more than one secondary panel 14 is provided, they extend in offset or staggered arrangement alternately from the main panel outer areas llaand 1 lid. With reference to Figures 11 to 12, there is shown a modified embodiment of a blank (Figure 10) for forming a twelve-compartment former (Figures 11 and 12) in which the compartments are arranged in a 3 x 4 configuration. The blank consists generally of two portions, each of which is equivalent to the blank shown in Figure 4 joined end-to-end, that is to say there are two of the main panels 11 and two of the secondary panels 14 arranged in mirror image with the secondary panels 14 being at opposite ends of the blank. At each end of the blank, the respective cuts 17 separating the second and third secondary panel areas 14b and 14c from the main panel outer area 1 la are spaced outwardly of the side edge of said outer area 1 la, and the fold line 16 along said side edge is extended so as to define with the cuts 17 respective marginal strips 19. The outer panel areas 14b and 14c are each provided with a slot 1 8a extending substantially at right angles from its edge remote from the main panel 11. Finally, the blank includes a supplementary panel 31 having two slots 32 therein extending substantially at right angles from one edge thereof. Each end of the blank is folded in the same manner as previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, so that each main panel 11 and its secondary panel 14 fold to form a respective set of division walls 21, 24 defining a respective group of six compartments, the marginal strips 19 forming an upstanding lip 25 at each side of the side wall 23. These lips 25 provide additional display area and give added security to items placed in the end compartments as the tray is fed through a packaging machine. After such folding, the cross-division walls 24 of each sets are interlocked by the supplementary panel 31 which is pressed onto the cross-division walls 24 so that the slots 18a, 32 of each part receive therein respective non-slotted portions of the other part.Thus, the inserted supplementary panel 31 extends substantially parallel with the main division walls 21 and provides a mutual boundary wall between the two groups of compartments. With reference to Figures 13 and 14, there is shown a modified blank (Figure 13) for forming a six-compartment former (Figure 14). The blank is generally similar to that of Figure 4, except that there is a secondary panel 14 at each end of the main panel 11. Each of the main panels 14 includes a first panel area 14a and a second panel area 14b, so that the former made from the blank has two side walls 23 and two cross-division walls 24. This embodiment of the invention has the advantages that the wholly rectangular shape of the blank requires less material than the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, and the former made therefrom has increased stability prior to wrapping because both of the main panel outer areas 1 lea and 1 ld are supported by the interlocked division walls 21 and 24. It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the formers and the blanks without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the proportions-of the panel areas may be altered to provide a former having compartments of proportionally greater or lesser depth. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A multi-compartment pack former from a blank comprising a main panel having three substantially parallel fold lines defining four juxtaposed panels, and a secondary panel extending from a side edge of an outer one of the main juxtaposed panels by folding the blank to cause the centre two panels to lie in closely adjacent parallel planes to form a main division wall upstanding from the outer two of the juxtaposed panels which together form a base, and folding the secondary panel so that a portion thereof which originally lay parallel to said fold lines lies transversely thereof and interengages with the main division wall to form a transverse division wall.

2. A pack former as claimed in Claim 1, in combination with a supplementary locking panel, a plurality of compartments being arranged in two groups each formed by a

respective main division wall and at least one transverse division wall, the division walls being interlocked by the supplementary locking panel providing a mutual boundary wall between the two groups of compartments.

3. A blank for making a multi-cell pack former, the blank comprising a main panel having three substantially parallel fold lines which define four juxtaposed rectangular panels, and a secondary panel extending from a side edge of an outer one of the juxtaposed panels, the secondary panel having a transverse fold line extending at right angles to said side edge to define two secondary panel areas, a first one of said secondary panel areas being connected to said outer one of the juxtaposed panels along a fold line extending along said side edge and a second one of said secondary panel areas being separated from said one of the juxtaposed panels by a cut extending along or parallel to said side edge, said secondary panel second area having a slot extending substantially at right angles from its edge adjacent said one of the juxtaposed panels, and the centre two of the juxtaposed panels having a mutual slot therein which extends across the fold line therebetween, whereby the blank is foldable about the fold lines so that the centre two juxtaposed panels abut each other to form a main division wall upstanding from the outer two of the juxtaposed panels which together form a base, the secondary panel being foldable so that its first panel area upstands from the base periphery to form a side wall extending along a portion only of the respective edge of the base and its second panel area forms a cross division wall by interengagement with the main division wall by means of the respective slots therein, the main division wall and the crossdivision wall defining a plurality of compartments.

4. A blank as claimed in Claim 3, in which the secondary panel includes a third panel area extending from an opposite side of the first panel area in mirror image with the second panel area, the centre two juxtaposed panels having two of said mutual slots, to permit respective inter-engagement of the second and third secondary panel areas with the main division wall.

5. A blank as claimed in Claim 4, in which a secondary panel extends from a side edge of each of the outer two juxtaposed panels, and the respective cuts separating the second and third secondary panel areas from said outer juxtaposed panels are spaced outwardly of the side edges of said outer ones of the juxtaposed panels, the fold line along each said side edge being extended to define with said cuts respective marginal strips for forming, when the blank is folded, an upstanding lip at each side of the side wall.

6. A blank as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, in which two sets of said four juxtaposed panels and said secondary panels are provided in mirror image with the secondary panels being at remote ends of the blank, each set ofjuxtaposed panels and its secondary panel being foldable to form a respective group of compartments, and the cross-division walls of each set being interlockable by a supplementary locking panel providing a mutual boundary wall between the two groups of compartments.

7. A blank as claimed in Claim 6, in which at least one secondary panel extends from each outer one of each set of four juxtaposed panels area, the secondary panels being offset or staggered one from another and the centre two of each set of four juxtaposed panels having a plurality of said mutual slots corresponding to the number of second and third secondary panel areas provided.

8. A multi-cell pack former substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3,5,7,9 or 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A blank for making a multi-cell pack former, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 4,6,8 or 13 of the accompanying drawings.