GB2027413A - A packaging method and carton - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton has a line of weakness (W) which extends around three sides (2, 3, 4), the ends of this line of weakness being joined by a hinge structure (1C) on the fourth side. The hinge structure has two parallel fold lines (1A, 1B) adapted to fold in opposite directions. In the packaging process the line of weakness is broken to form two individual containers which are then hinged about one of the fold lines (1A) so as to allow the product to be inserted into one of the individual containers. The other container is then hinged about the other fold line (1B) and fitted back onto the first mentioned container in an overlapping relationship therewith. On opening the carton, the consumer can use the two containers for display purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A packaging method and a carton for use in the method This invention arose from the need for a packaging technique which protects a product against damage during storage and transport; whilst also providing suitable containers in which the product may be displayed for sale to the consumer.

The invention provides a method of packaging a product comprising: making a carton having a line of weakness extending at least partly around it; breaking the line of weakness thereby opening the carton and forming two carton portions, each constituting a container; placing the product in one of the carton portions; and then re-closing the carton by fitting one of the portions back onto the other.

The invention also provides a carton for use in the foregoing method, the carton having side panels formed with a line of weakness enabling one portion of the carton to be separated at east partially from another portion; the two portions being capable of reassembly into an arrangement in which each portion overlaps part but not all of the other portion; the carton including support means for holding the said portions in their overlapping arrangement against a force tending to press them closer together.

The said support means is preferably provided by a hinge system which allows the two carton portions to hinge away from each other after the line of weakness has been broken; and then to be hinged back together into the overlapping arrangement. The hinge system can be constituted by two parallel hinges on one side of the carton, these hinges being capable of hinging in mutually opposite directions. This allows a tuck to be formed in one side of the carton thereby permitting the other sides to assume their overlapping arrangement. In such an arrangement the aforementioned line of weakness extends from one end of the hinge system, around the carton, to the other end of the hinge system.

In one particular form of the invention each carton portion constitutes a tray, one side of which is deeper than an opposite side. Such trays are particularly suited to the display of some articles such as sachets, sweets and other small objects.

Whilst the invention is applicable to numerous different forms of carton it is particularly intended for a carton in which the side panels form a tubular body closed at opposite ends by interlocking flaps hinged to the side panels. The end flaps may be of the so called "crash-lock" construction so that they interlock automatically during erection of the carton.

One particular embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cardboard blank for making a carton or box in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a box constructed from the blank shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the box of Figure 2 after it has been opened for filling; and Figure 4 shows the same box after it has been re-closed.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the blank is formed by a single sheet of cardboard divided into five panels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 by hinges in the form of crease lines 6, 7, 8 and 9. The panels 1,2, 3 and 4 have, also connected to them by crease lines, end flaps 12, 13, 14 and 1 5. Corner flaps 1 3A and 1 5A are divided from flaps 13 and 1 5 by crease lines 16 and 17.

The panel 1 has two parallel hinges 1 A and 1 B each formed by a series of perforations. These hinges define between them a strip-shaped hinge member 1 C. From the hinge line 1A a line of weakness W extends partly along the crease line 6; across panels 2, 3 and 4; partly along the crease line 9; and finally across the panel 5 at a height which is level with the hinge 1 A. The panel 5 also has a second line of weakness 5A, this being aligned with the hinge 1 B.

The line of weakness W is formed by slits in the cardboard alternating with lines of closely spaced perforations. This enables the line of weakness W to be broken easily in comparison with hinge lines 1Aand 1B.

The box shown in Figure 2 is constructed from the blank as follows.

Firstly flaps 12, 13, 14 and 1 5 are folded over panels 1,2, 3 and 4. Flaps 1 3A and 1 SA are then turned over by folding along crease lines 1 6 and 17.

Adhesive is applied to flaps 13A and 15A, or alternatively flaps 1 2 and 14. Adhesive is also applied to the downwardly facing surface of flap 5 or to a marginal portion adjacent the free edge of panel 1.

The panel 4, together with flaps 15, 1 5A and 5, is then folded over panels 3 and 2. Finally panel 1 is folded over panel 2 so that the edge of panel 1 overlaps panel 5. Since adhesive is applied either to the panel 5 or to the edge of panel 1, these parts adhere together; and in this way, two "crash-lock" structures are formed, one at each end of the box. The box is now complete and ready for erection.

Erection of the box is effected by applying pressure to the folded edges at crease lines 6 and 8. During erection, the panels 1, 2, 3 and 4 form themselves into a tubular configuration and the end flaps interiock in a known manner to form a completely closed box shown in figure 2.

The box is now split along the line of weakness Wand the upper part of the box is turned about hinge 1 A to the position shown in Figure 3. The box is thus divided into two separate portions each of which constitutes a tray-shaped container.

Each tray has four side walls and the trays are indicated on Figure 3 by reference numerals 18 and 19.

The tray 19 is now filled with the product to be packed; following which the tray 18 is turned back about the hinge 1 B so that a tuck is formed in the panel 1. At the end of this hinging movement the tray 1 8 fits over the tray 1 9 to form a lid as shown in Figure 4. In this position the walls of the tray 18 partially overlap the walls of the tray 19 and viceversa. An alternative possibility would be to fit the tray 1 8 inside, instead of outside, the tray 1 9. This is however more difficult because of obstruction caused by the product in the tray 1 9.

The packing procedure is now complete and the product is protected against contamination and against any downward pressure exerted on the tray 1 8 by, for example, other cartons stacked above it.

The protection against downward pressure tending to push the two trays closer together, is partly due to the strip of cardboard defined on panel 1 between hinges 1 A and 1 B. This strip serves to suspend one side of the tray 1 8 from the adjacent side of the tray 1 9. Another means of support for the tray 18 is provided by its edge 3A which rests on the service supporting the tray 1 9.

Another means of support is provided by the portions 2A and 4A (Figure 3) of the panels 2 and 4. These portions 2A and 4A rest on the inside of the end flaps of the tray 18 and therefore provide a small amount of further support.

After storage and transportation, the carton can be re-opened, to obtain access to the contents, by hinging the tray 1 8 back to the position illustrated in Figure 3. The trays 18 and 19 can then be separated by tearing along one or both of the hinges 1A or 18 to form two individual trays suitable for display purposes.

Claims (14)

1. A method of packaging a product comprising: making a carton having a line of weakness extending at least partly around it; breaking the line of weakness thereby opening the carton and forming..two carton portions, each constituting a container; placing the product in one of the carton portions; and then re-closing the carton by fitting one of the portions back onto the other.

2. A method according to Claim 1 in which one of the carton portions is hinged relative to the other on two occasions: firstly to enable the product to be placed in one of the carton portions; and secondly to effect re-closing of the carton.

3. A method according to Claim 2 in which the two hinging operations are made about two respective spaced hinge lines so that the two portions overlap each other when the carton is reclosed.

4. A method according to Claim 3 in which the two hinging operations are effected in opposite directions so as to form a tuck in one side of the carton.

5. A method of packaging a product substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A carton suitable for use in the method of Claim 1, the carton having side panels formed with the line of weakness enabling one portion of the carton to be separated at least partially from another portion; the two portions being capable of reassembly into an arrangement in which each portion overlaps part but not all of the other portion; the carton including support means for holding the said portions in their overlapping arrangement against a force tending to press them closer together.

7. A carton according to Claim 6 in which the support means includes a hinge system which allows the two carton portions to hinge away from each other after the line of weakness has been broken and then to be hinged back together into the overlapping arrangement.

8. A carton according to Claim 7 in which the hinge system is constituted by two parallel hinges in one side of the carton, these hinges being adapted to hinge in mutually opposite directions.

9. A carton according to Claim 6, 7 or 8 in which each carton portion constitutes a tray, one side of which is deeper than an opposite side.

10. A carton according to Claim 6, 7,8 or 9 in which the side panels form a tubular body closed at opposite ends by interlocking flaps hinged to the side panels.

11. A carton according to Claim 10 in which the end flaps are of crash-lock construction.

12. A carton substantially as described with reference to Figure 2, 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A carton blank suitable for glueing and erection to form a carton as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 12.

14. A carton blank substantially as described with reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings and substantially as illustrated therein.