GB2271761A

GB2271761A - Container packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2271761A
Application number: GB9321319A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Oswald Davies; Adrian Muspratt
Original assignee: DEESIDE PAPERBOX CO Ltd
Current assignee: DEESIDE PAPERBOX CO Ltd
Priority date: 1992-10-16
Filing date: 1993-10-15
Publication date: 1994-04-27
Also published as: GB9221744D0; GB9321319D0

Abstract

A package e.g. for bottles disposed in a row comprises a cardboard blank having its opposite ends 13, 15 overlapping and secured together to form a loop passing around the top and bottom of the bottles. A hand grip is formed by a cut-out flap 24a in the blank and in order to avoid tearing of the blank at the hand grip, the cut-out is positioned where the ends of the blank overlap. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Container Packaging DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to container packaging especially (but not exclusively) ror packaging bottles A package has been proposed for bottles in which two or three bottles are disposed in a row and a corrugated paper board blank folded to overly the tops of the bottles and extend downwardly at two opposite sides of the row. A loop of plastics banding or strip material is passed over the two sides of the packaging material towards the lower end of the bottles and passes around the bottles in the end region not covered by the packaging. Tension in the loop serves to secure the packaging to the bottles.In one embodiment the packaging extends under the base of the bottles and is joined at the junction of the base and one side by appropriately configured slots and tabs towards the opposite ends of the blank. One side part of the package is provided with a thumb hold for its upper end and the other side part has a finger hold. By this means the package of bottles can be carried.

Some problems have been experienced with the packaging material tearing in the region of the handhold since the weight of two or three two-litre bottles is not inconsiderable and the problem is even more pronounced when attempts have been made to translate the design into a plain cardboard rather than a corrugated paper board. Piain card is preferable from the aesthetics point of view as any printing is more clearly defined.

The present invention aims to provide a most satisfactory solution in a simple and economical manner.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a package for a plurality of containers disposed standing in at least one row, comprising a cardboard blank in the orm of a strip with transverse fold lines which form a bottom surface upon which the containers stand with the packaging extending upwardly therefrom at two opposite sides of the package, at least one side of which is folded to embrace the tops of the containers and wherein the ends of the blank overlap and are secured together in overlying relation, and wherein the opposite sides of the package adjoining the top of the containers are configured to form a hand grip portion, and wherein the hand grip is at least partially formed in the area where the two layers of package overlap.

By this simple means extra strength is gained in the area of the hand grip which is particularly convenient where the blank is made from plain cardboard rather than corrugated cardboard although it is equally applicable to a corrugated card construction. The configuration for the hand grip may comprise simple aperturing in the blank but more preferably comprises respective flap portions including a respective hinge line and with other parts cut through, save say for retaining links whereby the flap can be folded for use.

Preferably the old line is in the area of double thickness. The provision of flaps is desirable insofar as it allows for an uninterrupted surface to take printed matter. Further fold lines may be provided to help create the desired shape embracing the containers, especially where these are bottles which curve towards the necl= end. The blank may further comprise cut-outs to opposite edge regions for locating the securing band which passes around the bottles to hold the package in place The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank, Figure 2 is an end view of the blank when folded and the opposite ends secured together, and Figure 3 which is a perspective view showing the blank wrapped around the bottles.

Referring to the drawings, a plain board blank is shown in Figure 1 comprising a strip of board which, in the illustrated embodiment, has parallel edges 17, 19 and opposite ends 13: 15. A base 1 is defined between two transverse fold lines 5, 7. A first side is formed between fold line 5 and end 13 whilst the other side 3 is formed between fold lines 7 and a fold line 9. The top is defined between fold line 9 and fold line 11.

Portion 2a between transverse fold line 11 and end 15 is shown hatched and is adhered to the hatched end of the side 2 such that the hatched parts are in overlying relation. A finger hold is formed in side 2 and in accordance with the invention is disposed in the area where the side 2 overlies area 2a. Thus the finger hold comprises a flap 24a in the illustration embodiment having a hinged portion defined along crease 24 and perforated portions 25 and the card is at least partially cut through to facilitate folding in the flap for use. Portion 2a also carries part of the flap 24b again having a hinge line 24' and perforations 25' defining cut regions in the edge. In practice the hinge lines and perforations forming the flap 24a, 24b will be formed after adhering the opposite ends of the blank together. Similarly the hinge line 22 and perforation 23 forming thumb flap 22a inside may well be formed after gluing together the opposite ends of the blank.

Also illustrated are a plurality of transverse fold lines grouped as 21 which allow for curving of the package where the bottles curve and a shoulder region and cut outs are formed at 26 to locate a band 30 which is used to secure bottles 32 within the package as illustrated more clearly in Figure 3. Figure 2 illustrates the thickness of the package exaggerated for ease of illustration. It seems that by the simple expedient of joining the package in the region of the finger flap 24a extra thickness is obtained along the hinge 24 which serves to resist tearing out of the carrying. flap.

Claims

1; a package for a plurality of containers disposed standing in at least one row, comprising a cardboard blank in the forirt of a strip with transverse fold lines which form a bottom surface upon which the containers stand with the packaging extending upwardly therefrom at two opposite sides of the package, at least one side of which is folded to embrace the tops of the containers and wherein the ends of the blank overlap and are secured together in overlying relation, and wherein the opposite sides of the package adjoining the top of the containers are configured to form a hand grip portion, and wherein the hand grip is at least partially formed in the area where the two layers of package overlap.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1 in which the blank is made from plain cardboard.

3. A package as claimed in claim 1 in which the blank is made from corrugated cardboard.

package as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the configuration for the hand grip comprises simple aperturing in the blank.

5. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the configuration for the hand grip comprises respective flap portions including a respective hinge line and with other parts cut through, save say for retaining links, whereby the flap can be folded for use.

6. A package as claimed in claim 5 in which the fold line is in the area of double thickness.

7. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising further fold lines to help create the desired shape embracing the containers.

8 A package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the blank further comprises cut-outs to opposite edge regions for locating a securing band which passes around the bottles to hold the package in place.

9. A package constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.