GB2142000A

GB2142000A - A carton for a lead acid accumulator

Info

Publication number: GB2142000A
Application number: GB08416177A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Green
Original assignee: AVENUE DESIGN PARTNERSHIP LIMI
Current assignee: AVENUE DESIGN PARTNERSHIP LIMI
Priority date: 1983-06-25
Filing date: 1984-06-25
Publication date: 1985-01-09
Also published as: GB8416177D0

Abstract

A carton (10) for a lead acid accumulator or the like is erected from a carton blank (12) having interlocking portions and adapted so as to leave the terminals of the accumulator exposed when assembled. The carton (10) is also provided with carrying handles in the form of slots (58) in its end walls (22). End panels (24), (30) are sandwiched between doubled-over panels (20), (22), (26) (28) to define multiple thickness end walls (22) and a free edge (48) of a tongue (50) extending from a side panel (16) is engaged in a slot (46) adjacent an opposite side panel (18) to close the top of the carton (10) partially. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Carton The present invention relates to cartons and particularly to cartons which can be used for carrying or supporting vehicle batteries such as lead acid accumulators.

Lead acid accumulators such as those used as vehicle batteries are generally very heavy and cumbersome and prone So leakage or spillage. In addition, since they are generally not provided with lifting handles this coupled with their weight makes them extremely difficult to carry and manoeuvre, increasing the risk of spillage. Since they contain a strong acid the increased risk of spillage also makes them highly dangerous to handle, quite apart from the fact that there is always the risk of the battery terminals being shorted out via, for example, a metal tool such as a spanner, probably resulting in severe burns to the user, together with a real risk of the battery exploding.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved form of container for lead acid accumulators.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a carton for receiving a lead acid accumulator or the like, the carton being erected from a carton blank having interlocking portions and adapted so as to provide a relatively rigid structure when assembled and to leave the terminals of the accumulator exposed, the carton also having integral carrying means.

In a preferred embodiment the carrying means comprises slots formed in two opposing side walls of the carton the slots advantageously being formed by pressing out a flap which butts under a lip of the accumulator to provide additional support.

The present invention also provides a carton blank for forming a carton according to the present invention.

The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carton according to the present invention containing a lead acid accumulator; Figure 2 is a plan view of a carton blank from which the carton of Figure 1 is formed; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carton blank of Figure 1 in partly assembled form.

The carton 10 shown in the drawings is -formed from.a carton blank 12 which is folded along fold lines shown as chain lines in Figure 2. The carton blank has a central portion 14 which forms the base of the carton with side panels 16. 18 and two sets of three end panels 20, 2-2, 24 and 26, 28, 30. As can be seen in Figure 2 the end panels 24 and 30 are#connected along respective fold lines 24a and 30a to the side panel 18 while the end panels 22 and 28 are connected along respective fold lines 22a and 28a to side panels 16 with end panels 20 and 22 arranged in back to back form as are the end panels 26 and 28. Two reinforcing floor panels 32 and 34 are connected along respective fold lines 32a and 34a to the end panels 22 and 28.

During assembly, the side panels 16 and 18 are folded into an upright position with the floor panels 32 and 34 being turned inward to rest on the panel 14. The end panels 24 and 30 are turned inside the end panels 22 and 28 and the panels 20 and 26 are then folded over the respective panels 24 and 30 with respective tongues 36, 38 on the free end edges of the panels 20 and 26 locating in corresponding slots 40, 42 formed in the respective floor panels 32, 34 adjacent the fold lines 32a and 34a to retain each of the three sets of end panels in a sandwich formation with the end panels 24 and 30 located between the two other associated end panels.

The side panel 18 has a rectangular flap 44 attached to the free edge of the panel 18 which forms the upper edge of the panel when the carton is assembled. This flap 42 is folded inwardly to lie parallel with the panel 18 and has an elongate slot 46 which lies between two fold lines formed between the panel 18 and flap 44. The slot 46 receives the free edge 48 of a V-shaped tongue 50 which is an extension of a rectangular flap 52 connected to the free edge of the side panel 16 along a fold line 52a. The flap 52 serves an additional purpose in that it is dimensioned such that when the carton is assembled its free edge 54 snaps behind the cover or covers 56 for the accumulator refill openings (not shown in the drawings) for additional rigidity.

As can be seen in Figure 2 each end panel of each set has an elongate opening 58 positioned such that when the carton is assembled the openings in each set are aligned.

The opening in each end panel 22 and 28 is formed by pressing out a flap 60, 62 from the body of the panel, the flap being joined to the panel along a respective fold line 60a, 62a.

This fold line is positioned along the edge of the slot forming its upper edge when assembled so that the flap 60, 62 can be pressed into the carton and upwards to abut the underside of an upper flange or rim formed on the accumulator and provide additional support for the accumulator. The additional support provided by the flaps 60a and 62a allow the slots to be used as carrying holes without there being any noticeable distortion of the carton.

Finally, because there are different types of battery terminals a prospective user needs to ensure that the terminals on the selected battery are of the correct type, before purchasing the battery. Therefore, an advantageous feature of this carton is the shape of the tongue 50 and flap 52 which allows for the accumulator terminals to be exposed for inspection, instant recognition and also, if necessary, for testing.

Claims

1. A carton for receiving a lead acid accumulator or the like, the carton being erected form a carton blank having interlocking portions and adapted so as to provide a relatively rigid structure when assembled and to leave the terminals of the accumulator exposed, the carton also having integral carrying means.

2. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrying means comprises slots formed in two opposing side walls of the carton.

3. A carton as claimed in claim 2 wherein each slot is formed by pressing out a flap arranged to butt under a lip of the accumulator to provide additional support.

4. A carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein each end wall of the carton is formed by a first end panel joined to one side wall of the carton along one side edge thereof, a second, overlapping end panel joined to the other side wall along one side edge thereof, and a third end panel joined to said second end panel along an upper edge of said second end panel, the arrangement being such that said third panel is folded inwardly of said carton about said upper edge to sandwich said first end panel between said second and third end panels.

5. A carton as claimed in claim 4 when appendant to claim 3 wherein said flap is pressed out of said second end panel and projects through cooperating slots in said first and third end panels.

6. A carton as claimed in claims 4 or 5 wherein said third end panel has a tongue formed at its free end engageable in a corresponding slot in said carton to retain said third end panel in its assembled position.

7. A carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 further comprising a tongue attached to an upper edge region of one side wall and engageable in a slot in the opposing side wall to enable exposure of the accumulator terminals.

8. A carton substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawing.

9. A carton blank for a carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.