GB2247226A

GB2247226A - Packaging for articles

Info

Publication number: GB2247226A
Application number: GB9106067A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey John Radley
Original assignee: Waddingtons Cartons Ltd
Current assignee: Waddingtons Cartons Ltd
Priority date: 1990-08-24
Filing date: 1991-03-22
Publication date: 1992-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-22
Also published as: GB9106067D0; GB2247226B

Abstract

A packaging container comprises a box and a fitment, Fig 4, located inside the box. The fitment serves to hold an article such as a chocolate Easter egg suspended inside the box. The fitment is a single blank of cut and creased sheet material which is folded to an erected condition to hold the article, and then the article and fitment are inserted into the box, the fitment and box being such that the article is held securely in suspended position by the interaction of the fitment and the box. The box is provided with apertures so that the article and/or the fitment is viewable therethrough, and in a preferred case the fitment holds the article between a rear panel 10 and a front band or strap 42 which extends round the article. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements Relating to Packaging for Articles The invention relates to packaging for articles. The packaging to which the invention relates, comprises carton boxes and fitments. In particular, the invention relates to fitments for holding said articles, and carton box and fitment combinations.

One particular article which can be held by such packaging is a chocolate Easter egg. Typically, Easter eggs are held within their boxes by fitments to position the egg so that it is held firmly and within the confines of the box so that if the box receives an impact the egg will be isolated and protected therefrom. In one example two platforms each with a circular window are used. The lower portion of the egg rests within one platform and the upper portion rests, within the second platform. Thus, the egg is securely held by the two platforms.

The present invention seeks to provide a novel method of holding articles and provides a fitment and carton box combinations.

According to the present invention there is provided a fitment and carton box combination for holding an article such as a chocolate easter egg, said fitment comprising cut and creased sheet material which is erectible into an erected form in which the fitment holds the article and the erected fitment and held article are insertable into the box so that the fitment and box co-operate to hold the article suspended in the box.

Preferably, the box has at least one viewing aperture therein so that the article and/or the fitment in the box can be viewed therethrough.

Preferably, the fitment has a band portion which extends across the article and it and the article are viewable through said aperture.

The fitment may comprise a support panel having an aperture therein in which the article seats on one side thereof, the band extending across the other side of the article.

The panel and band may hold the article resiliently therebetween.

Preferably, the fitment comprises a blank having cuts therein so that said holding band portion is defined in said support panel.

Preferably, the said respective portions comprise first and second panels which are hingedly interconnected.

Preferably the first and second panels are to form front and rear panels and are inter-connected by means of a spacer panel so as to be foldable relative thereto and so that the fitment can be folded to U-shape in section.

Preferably said front and rear sections comprise apertures defining seats for the article so that it can be supported between the sections, and the front section may further include a band or strap portion which extends across the said aperture therein and will overlie the article in the finished and filled packaging container.

The fitment may comprise a front panel of generally rectangular shape with one of the shorter sides hinged to the spacer panel, the longer sides being provided with support panels hinged thereto, and the said band or strap portion being defined by cuts extending across the front panel and into the said support panels to increase the extent to which the band or strap portion can be moved out of the plane of the front panel when the fitment is erected.

To the top of the front panel there may be provided platform panel portions which can be hinged to define a platform lying at right angles to the front panel in the erected fitment.

When the fitment is erected, with the article placed therein, and the fitment and article inserted in the outer case or box, the said platform panel together with the outer box or case may form a cavity within the packaging container for receiving another article or articles which are complimentary to the main article held by the fitment.

The band portion may be of any shape and size and may even completely obscure the article which will better protect it from damage.

The band portion may be shaped and printed so as to add to the presentation of the article and box. For example, the band portion, may be in the shape of a buckle, and the article, a chocolate easter egg for example, and box depicting Humpty Dumpty. Alternatively, the band may represent a pair of wings and the egg and box being printed with information on the theme of batman.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank which illustrates one example of the invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of the blank of Fig. 1, in an erected form; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the erected blank of Fig. 2, with a carton box; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the erected blank of Fig. 2 with the band deflected away from the front panel; Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 3 with an egg therein; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank of another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a top view of the blank of Fig. 6 in an erected form; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention;; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of Fig. 9 with the band deflected away from the front panel; Fig. 11 is a plan view of a fitment blank according to another embodiment of the invention; Figs. 12 and 13 show how the fitment blank of Fig. 11 is in use erected and loaded with the article to be held; Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of the erected and loaded fitment of Fig. 11; and Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the blank 5 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a front panel 10, top panel 12, bottom panel 14, first side panel 16 and second side panel 18. Crease line 20 lies between front panel 10, and top panel 12, and connects top panel 12 with front panel 10.

Crease line 22 lies between front panel 10 and bottom panel 14, and connects bottom panel 14 with front panel 10.

Crease line 24 lies between first side panel 16 and front panel 10, and connects first side panel 16 with front panel 10. Crease line 26 lies between second side panel 18 and front panel 10, and connects second side panel 18 with front panel 10.

Bottom panel 14 is provided with two locking tabs 30 and 32.

Crease line 29 connects first locking tab 30 with bottom panel 14. Crease line 31 connects second locking tab 32 with bottom panel 14. First side panel 16 is provided at its lower end with slit 34 and second side panel 18 has a corresponding slit 36. First locking tab 30 is adapted to fit into slit 34 and second locking tab is adapted to fit into slit 34.

Bottom panel 14 is also provided with window 15 and flap 17, which is hinged to front panel 10 along crease line 22.

An egg shaped window 40 is provided in front panel 10, its size dependant upon the size of the Easter egg to be held.

First side panel 16 is provided with crease line 44 and second side panel 18 is provided with crease line 46. Blank 5 is provided with band 42, which is connected to first side panel 15 by crease line 44, and to second side panel 18 by crease line 46. Band 42 lies flat and horizontally connects side panels 16 and 18 passes across the middle of window 40.

The purpose of blank 5 is to form a box fitment for holding an Easter egg 50 erected by first folding forwards bottom panel 14, along crease line 22, so that it lies perpendicular to front panel 10. Top panel 12 is folded backwards along crease line 20. Flap 17 is folded backwards along crease line 22, so that it lies perpendicular to front panel 10.

First locking tab 30 is folded along crease line 29, so that it lies at right angles to the bottom panel 14. Similarly, second locking tab 32 is folded along crease line 31 so that it lies at right angles to the bottom panel 14. First side panel 16 is folded forward along crease line 24 until it is perpendicular to the front panel 10 and in the same plane as first locking tab 30. Similarly, second side panel 18 is folded forwards along crease line 26, until it is perpendicular on to front panel 10, and in the same plane as locking tab 32. The movement of side panels 16 and 18 causes band 42 to move away from its flat position and to describe an arc in front of window 40.

Locking tab 30 is fitted into slot 34, holding side panel 16 and bottom panel 14 at right angles to each other. Locking tab 32 is fitted into slit 36, so that side panel 18 is held at right angles tq bottom panel 14.

In this embodiment of the invention, the egg is held by the fitment by forcing it between the band 42 and the panel 10.

During this action, the band and panel deflect and become stressed thereby holding the egg resiliently in position in the fitment. By virtue of the panels 16 and 18 facing forwardly and the panel 12 and the panel or tongue 17 facing rearwardly, there is provided in effect-a support cage which when being located in the box which will hold the fitment and egg and provides a secure location means inside the box, as will be described hereinafter.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the fitment with Easter egg 50.

Band 42 is connected between side panels 16 and 18 and describes an arc between the two. Easter egg 50 is positioned so that it is held between band 42 and front panel 10. A rear portion of the egg protrudes through window 40.

Top panel 12, bottom panel 14 and side panels 16 and 18 form a rectangle, whose size and shape corresponds with the size and shape of the carton box to which the fitment is to be fitted.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the fitment inside carton box 49. Carton box 49 has rop rear edge 52, bottom rear edge 53, and bottom front edge 54. Top panel 12 and flap 17 extend rearwardly to engage edges 52 and 53, and panel 14 extends forwardly to engage edge 54. Thus, the fitment is securely held within the box and is therefore prevented from any movement whilst in the box. Box 49 has a window 51 provided in its front panel.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the fitment with band 42 deflected away from front panel 10 whereby the egg may be viewed when in the box.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of fitment, egg and box. Egg 50 is held between band 42 and front panel 10.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6.

The blank 55 comprises a front panel 60, top panel 62, first side panel 64, second side panel 66 and bottom panel 68. As in the above description of Fig. 1, the panels are attached to the front panel by crease lines 10-76. An egg shaped window 80 is provided in front panel 60. Crease line 78 runs down the middle of blank 55 and band 82.

Band 82 is shaped in a concave/convex manner and is attached to side panels 64 and 66 by crease lines 86 and 88. Band 82 may be of any shape, for example, each half of the band 82 divided by crease line 78, maybe convex or concave.

To erect the blank, top panel 62 is folded backward along crease line 70 until it is at right angles to the front panel 60. Side panels 64 and 66 are folded forward along crease lines 72 and 74 until they are perpendicular to the front panel 60. Finally, panel 68 is folded backward along crease line 76 until it is at right angles to the front panel. The erected blank with loaded egg is placed into a carton box.

The walls of the box keep the top, bottom and side panels at right angles to the front panel 60. In this embodiment front panel 60 is rectangular but it could be trapezoidal. Side panels 64 and 66 are rectangular but may include a concave shape as illustrated by broken lines 65 and 67. The top, bottom and side panels extend to meet the edges of the carton box. Thus, the egg is positioned so that it is firmly held within the confines of the box and is protected from any damage to the box.

Fig. 7 shows the blank of Fig. 6 partially erected by being folded about line 78. The plan view of Fig. 7 shows band 82, side panels 64 and 66, and the top edge 90 of panel 62.

To fold along crease line 78 the top panel 62 and bottom panel 68 must be in the same plane as front panel 80. With side panels 64 and 66 folded at right angles to the front panel and also top and botom panels unfolded, blank 55 is folded along crease line 78. As side panels 64 and 66 are brought together a pocket 92 is created for receiving the egg. Once the egg has been positioned within pocket 92 the top and bottom panels are folded into position and then the fitment is fitted into a box. An advantage of the above two embodiments is that the fitment is made from a single blank.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 8.

Erected blank 100 comprises two halves, first half 102 and second half 104. First half 102 comprises a front panel 106, top 108, first side panel 110 and second side panel 112. Front panel 106 is provided with an egg shaped window 114.

Second half 104 comprises front panel 120, bottom panel 122, first side panel 124 and second side panel 126. Front panel 120 is provided with cuts defining a band 130 and egg shaped window 128. Band 130 has an egg shaped portion which is the exact size of window 128. Band 130 deflected away from front panel 120 as shown. Band 130 is connected to first side panel 124 along crease line 132 and to second side panel 126 along crease line 134.

Bottom panel 122 is provided with locking tabs 140 and 142.

Side panels 124 and 126 have slits 144 and 146. Locking tabs 140 and 142 are adapted to fit within slits 144 and 146, so as to hold panels 124 and 126 perpendicular to panel 122.

Similarly, top panel 108 has locking tabs 150 and 152 which are adapted to fit slits 154 and 156 provided in side panels 110 and 112.

Crease line 160 lies between first half 102 and second half 104. To complete the erection of the fitment, first half 102, is folded back along crease line 160, so that it comes to rest in the position illustrated by broken line 101.

Window 114 is now directly opposite window 130. In this position, the fitment after placement of the egg in the fitment by inserting it between the band 130 and panel 120, is placed into a carton box. Panels 108 and 122, are of the same size as the base panel of the carton box. The fitment of Fig. 8 is appreciated is formed from a single blank of cut and creased sheet material.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated by Figs.

9 and 10.

Fig. 9 shows a fitment which comprises front panel 161, top panel 162 and side panels 164 and 166. Front panel 160 has an egg shaped window 168.

Panel 164 is provided with notches 165 and panel 166 has notch 167.

A band 170 lies flat across front panel 161 and is folded, at its ends, so that it folds over and grips the side panels at edges 172 and 174. The notches 165 and 167, enable the band to be held in position so that it crosses the middle of window 180.

Fig. 10 shows the arrangement of Fig. 9 holding an egg 182.

The figure shows in fact how the fitment becomes stressed and deflected by virtue of the resilient holding of the egg by the band 170 and the support panel 161. The figure also shows the forwardly folded top and bottom flaps of panel 162 and 162A, and the rearwardly folded panels 164 and 166 which form the support cage for the fitment.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 14, the blank 210 shown in Fig.

1 is formed from cut and creased sheet material typically cardboard, and comprises a front section 212, a rear section 214, and a spacing panel 216 which hingedly connects the front and rear sections.

The front section 212 comprises a front panel 218 of generally rectangular form having one of its edges hingedly connected to the spacing panel 216 by hinge line 218, and at the other smaller side the front section 212 includes a platform section 220 which is hinged to the panel 218 along hinge line 222. Platform section 220 comprises a lower platform panel 224 and an upper platform panel 226, these panels being of the same length, but panel 226 being slightly wider than panel 224 by the width of the spacing panels 216 for a purpose to be described.

Hinged to the longer sides of the front panel 218 are side panels 228 and 230, and finally the front panel 218 is provided with an aperture 232 which is egg shaped in that it is for holding a chocolate Easter egg, and a strip or strap portion 234 extends across the aperture 232 as shown, the strip or strap portion being defined by cut lines which extend across panel 218 and into side panels 228 and 230.

The crease lines 240 and 242 by which the panels 228 and 230 are hinged to front panel 218 also extend across the strap 234.

The rear section 214 comprises a rear panel 244 also of rectangular form, but generally larger than the panel 218, panel 244 having hinged thereto side panels 246 and 248 and an end panel 250. Finally panel 244 is provided with an egg shaped aperture 252 which also as will be explained is for receiving the chocolate Easter egg.

In order to erect the fitment into a condition in which it holds the Easter egg, and so that it can be inserted in an appropriate outer box or case, the rear panel 244 is folded at right angles relative to the front panel 218, and the side panels 246 and 248 along with end panel 250 are folded so as to lie at right angles to the rear panel 244, as shown in Fig. 12. At this stage a chocolate Easter egg 254 can be placed in the aperture 252.

Next, the front section 214 is folded relative to the spacing panel 216 so as to lie parallel to the rear panel 244, as shown in Fig. 13, and additionally, the front section side panels 228 and 230 are folded forwardly as shown in Fig. 13, which causes the strap or band 234 to displace forwardly out of the plane of the panel 218, again as shown in Fig. 13, and to complete the erection, the platform section 220 is folded about the fold line connecting sections 224 and 226, so that section 224 extends forwardly, and section 226 extends rearwardly and so that its free edge abuts the rear panel 244 thus providing a platform area 256 as shown in Fig. 13.

As shown in Fig. 14 in the fully erected condition, the egg 254 seats in the edges of the apertures 232 and 252 of the front and rear panels, and the strap 234 extends around the front of the egg. The assembly will then be positioned in an appropriate box or case 258 as shown in Fig. 14 and usually the front of the box 258 will be transparent or will be open so that the front of the egg and the strap 234 are visible when they are in the box or case. In this connection therefore the strap 234 as described hereinbefore may be decoratively contoured and/or coloured and/or printed to enhance the presentation of the egg.

The platform section defining the platform 256 in conjunction with the box or case 258 in fact creates a compartment 260 in which may be located items or objects which are ancillary to the chocolate egg, for example the compartment may accommodate miniature eggs or sweets or the like.

The fitment will be retained in its erected condition when fitted into the box or case by means of the confines of said box or case.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 15, the only difference is that the platform section 220 is omitted, and apart from the strap 234, the front section is constructed in a similar fashion to the rear section and indeed preferably will be of the same dimensions as the rear section. A particularly effective fitment arrangement results from the present invention.

Claims

1. A fitment and carton box combination for holding an article such as a chocolate Easter egg, said fitment comprising cut and creased sheet material which is erectible into an erected form in which the fitment holds the article and the erected fitment and held article are insertible into the box so that the fitment and box co-operate to hold the article suspended in the box.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the box has at least one viewing aperture therein so that the article and/or fitment in the box can be viewed through said aperture.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein the fitment has a band portion which extends across the article and it and the article are viewable through said aperture.

4. The combination according to any preceding claim, wherein the fitment comprises a support panel having an aperture therein in which the article seats on one side thereof, the said band extending across the other side of the article.

5. The combination according to claim 4, whereint he panel and band hold the article resiliently therebetween.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the panel and band are defined in a single blank forming the fitment or part thereof, the band extending across the said aperture in the panel so as to be deflectable away from the panel for the receipt of the article.

7. The combination according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the panel has support sections hinged to the edges of the panel, said support sections being adapted to be positioned at right angles to the panel when the fitment is placed in the box, and said support sections engaging the box to maintain the fitment firmly held inside the box.

8. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fitment comprises first and second panels which are to form front and rear panels and are interconnected by means of spacer panels so as to be foldable relative thereto and so that the fitment can be folded to a U-shape in section.

9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein said front and rear panels comprise apertures defining seats for the article so that it can be supported between the panel.

10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the front panel includes a band or strap portion which extends across the aperture therein and overlies the article.

11. The combination according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the fitment comprises a front panel of generally rectangular shape with one of the shorter sides hinged to the spacer panel, the longer sides being provided with support panels hinged thereto and the said band or strap portion being defined by cuts extending across the front panel and into said support panels to increase the extent to which the band or strap portion can be moved out of the plane of the front panel when the fitment is erected.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein to the top of the front panel there are provided platform panel portions which can be hinged to define a platform lying at right angles to the front panel in the erected fitment.

13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein when the fitment is erected, with the article held thereby, and the fitment and article inserted in the box, the said platform panel together with the outer box forms a cavity within the box for receiving another article or articles which are complimentary to the article held by the fitment.

14. The combination according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fitment is formed entirely from a single blank of cut and creased sheet material.

15. The combination of a box and fitment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.