GB2466794A

GB2466794A - Carton for bottles convertible into bottle carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2466794A
Application number: GB0900157A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Parkes
Original assignee: CLIFFORD PACKAGING Ltd
Current assignee: CLIFFORD PACKAGING Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-07
Filing date: 2009-01-07
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Also published as: ZA200908613B; GB0900157D0

Abstract

A carton (3, fig 2) erected from a blank (1, fig 1) has a base wall (5, fig 2), top wall 7, opposed side walls 9, 11, and opposed end walls 13, 15. The top wall 7 of carton (3) can be detached. Hinge portions (67, 69, fig 5) of the side and/ or end walls 9, 11, 13, 15 can be folded inwardly to form internal compartments 79a-d through partitioning. The internal compartments 79a-d are separated by a carrying handle 77. Upon removal of the top wall 7 and inward folding of the side/ end walls 9, 11, 13, 15 the carton (3) is converted to a carrier 71, e.g. a supermarket wine bottle carrier 71. Preferably the hinge portions 67, 69 divide the carrier into four compartments 79a-d, with two compartments on one side of the carrying handle and two on the other. The carrier 71 may be collapsed to a substantially flat position for storage. Various configurations of compartment layout are described (see fig 12).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO CARTONS

AND BLANKS FOR CARTONS

The present invention re'ates to cartons for containing products and articles. The invention has particular, but not exclusive application, to an improved carton and carton blank for manufacturing a carton for packaging and transporting products and articles contained in the carton.

More especially, the invention concerns a carton that is convertible to a carrier for holding products and articles. The carrier may be used in place of paper or plastic bags typically provided for carrying products and articles that have been purchased at a store or shop. The carrier may be used with the same products and articles packaged in the original carton or with different products and articles.

The carton may be used for packaging and transporting a wide range of products and articles and, in one application, the carton can be used for packaging and transporting bottles or cans containing a variety of products.

Typically cartons such as the majority of cardboard boxes are manufactured from a blank cut from a web of cardboard or a similar material. Typically such blanks are preformed, then stored in a collapsed state, only being erected immediately prior to use. Such blanks are manufactured from a sheet of relevant material by cutting conventionally and creasing into a blank with the creases defined for folding the carton into a predetermined shape. In the following specification the term fold line will be used to encompass any line defined upon a blank of material along which the carton may be folded. With cardboard such line may be formed by scoring the material. If the web is of a thin plastics material other means may be used to define the fold line.

Cardboard boxes are often used to transport several bottles such as bottles or wine, beer, spirits from the bottler to the retailer where the boxes are opened and the bottles removed and placed on shelves for display and purchase by the customer. The cardboard boxes then have to be disposed off by the retailer, usually by arranging collection for re-cycling. This requires the retailer to break the box up to a more compact configuration for storage until they are collected. This is time consuming and wasteful of storage space.

Many customers often purchase more than one bottle and retailers are increasingly finding it necessary to provide customers with a convenient way of transporting several bottles home. Typically, retailers are providing bottle carriers suitable for carrying four, six or more bottles.

The provision of such bottle carriers is an additional cost.

In our UK patent application No.2438614-A we describe a carton that can be converted to a bottle carrier by removing parts of the end walls and side walls allowing the side walls to form a carrying handle by means of which bottle carrier can be picked up and carried with one or more bottles supported therein.

The carton, and more especially the configuration of the carton blank from which the carton is formed is such that separate machines (lines) are required to form the blank and assemble the blank to produce the carton.

This complicates the manufacture adding to costs and it would be desirable to provide a carton and carton blank that can be formed and assembled on a single machine (line) and which can be converted to a carrier if required.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the foregoing and seeks to provide a carton and a carton blank for manufacturing the carton that overcome or at least mitigates some of the disadvantages of existing cartons and carton blanks for producing cartons capable of conversion to carriers.

Thus, it is a desired aim of the present invention to provide a carton and a carton blank for manufacturing the carton wherein the carton is capable of conversion to a carrier in a simple manner without significantly weakening the resulting carrier.

Thus according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for assembly of a cuboid carton having a base wall, a top wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls, wherein the blank is configured such that the top wall of the carton can be detached and hinged portions of the side and/or end walls folded inwardly to convert the carton to a carrier having internal compartments separated by a carrying handle.

Preferably, the blank comprises a flat web of cardboard or similar material having a plurality of fold lines defining areas of the web that, in the erected carton form the base wall, top wall, sidewalls and end walls of the carton.

In one embodiment, the blank has two parallel longitudinal fold lines defining a centre section with transverse fold lines defining four panels forming the end walls and side walls of the carton, and the base and top walls are formed by flaps attached to the panels along each side of the centre section.

In another embodiment, the blank has two parallel longitudinal fold lines defining a centre section with transverse fold lines defining four panels forming the base wall, top wall and sidewalls of the carton, and the end walls are formed by flaps attached to the panels along each side of the centre section.

In both embodiments, the top wall is preferably detachable by means of lines of weakness defining a removable section of the erected carton. The hinge portions are preferably partially defined by lines of weakness by means of which the hinge portions can be separated from adjacent portions of the carton to fold inwardly when converting the box to the bottle carrier.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carton made from the blank according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carton having a base wall, a top wall, opposed sidewalls and opposed end walls forming a carton of cuboid shape, a detachable section for removing the top wall of the carton and hinge sections that can be folded inwardly for converting the carton to a carrier having internal compartments and a carrying handle.

Preferably, the compartments are configured to receive and support liquid containers in an upright condition seated on the base wall.

Preferably, the compartments are separated by the carrying handle.

Preferably, the carrier can be collapsed to a substantially flat position for storage.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carton which in a first configuration forms a packaging box for transporting products and/or articles and is convertible from the first configuration to a second configuration forming a carrier for holding products and/or articles by removing a top wall of the box and folding opposed portions of the walls of the box inwards to form internal compartments within the box separated by a carrying handle.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a blank for erecting a carton according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carton erected from the blank of Figure 1 in a first configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 2 with a detachable top section removed; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 3 in a second configuration for use as a bottle carrier; Figure 5 is a plan view of the carton shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 3 in a partially collapsed condition; Figure 7 is an end view of the partially collapsed carton of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view of the carton of Figure 3 in a collapsed, flat condition for storage; Figure 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a blank for erecting a carton according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the carton erected from the blank of Figure 9 in a first configuration; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 10 with a detachable top section removed; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 11 in a second configuration for use as a bottle carrier; Figure 13 is a plan view of the carton shown in Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 11 in a partially collapsed condition; Figure 15 is an end view of the partially collapsed carton of Figure 14; and Figure 16 is a side view of the carton of Figure 11 in a collapsed, flat condition for storage Figure 1 shows a blank 1 for erecting a cuboid box 3 shown in Figure 2.

The blank is made of cardboard although other materials may be used as will be familiar to those skilled in the art. The box 3 is of rectangular shape in plan view and has a base wall 5, a top wall 7, opposed sidewalls 9,11 and opposed end walls 13,15. In this embodiment, the box 3 is designed to contain six bottles of wine for transport from a bottling plant to a point of sale such as a warehouse or supermarket. It will be understood however that the box 3 may be configured to contain more or less than six bottles. Also, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to boxes for transporting bottles of wine and that the box may be employed to transport bottles, cans or other containers for alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages or any other liquids.

The blank 1 is cut from a web of cardboard and has a generally rectangular shape with two parallel longitudinal fold lines 17,19 defining a main or central section 21. The main section 21 comprises four panels 23,25,27,29 separated by fold lines 31,33,35 extending transversely between the fold lines 17,19. The panels 25,29 form the opposed end walls 13,15 of the erected box 3. The panels 23,27 form the opposed sidewalls 9,11 of the erected box 3. A tongue 37 is connected to the panel 29 along a fold line 39 on the edge of the panel 29 opposite to the fold line 35. The tongue 37 is secured by adhesive or other suitable means to the side wall panel 23 along the edge of the panel 23 opposite to the fold line 31 in the erected box.

The panels 23,25,27,29 are connected along the fold line 17 on one side of the main section 21 to flaps 41,43,45,47 respectively and are connected along the fold line 19 on the other side of the main section to flaps 49,51,53,55 respectively. The flaps 41,43,45,47 are folded about the fold line 17 and secured by adhesive or other means to form the base wall 5 in the erected box with the flaps 41,45 overlying the flaps 43,47.

Similarly, the flaps 49,51,53,55 are folded about the fold line 19 and secured by adhesive or other means to form the top wall 7 in the erected box with the flaps 49,53 overlying the flaps 51,55. In this configuration, the erected box 3 forms a packing container that surrounds and contains the bottles therein in a secure manner for transport. The blank 1 may be erected to form the box 3 on a single machine (line).

The blank 1 is provided with a first set of lines of weakness 57a,b,c,d such as perforations indicated in Figure 1 in the side and end walls that define a removable section 59 by means of which the top wall 7 of the erected box 3 can be detached (Figure 3) by ripping along the lines of weakness 57a,b,c,d for access to the bottles at the point of sale to allow the bottles to be removed from the box 3 and placed on shelves for purchase. To assist removal of the top wall 7, the panels 25,29 are provided with openings 6 1,63 respectively for inserting a hand to grip the removable section 59. In this embodiment the openings 61,63 are pre-formed in the blank but they may be created at the time of use by removing a section of the end walls 13,15.

The blank 1 is provided with a second set of lines of weakness 65a,b in the side and end walls at opposite corners that define hinge sections 67,69 by means of which portions of the side and end walls can be folded inwards (Figures 4 and 5) to convert the box 3 to a bottle carrier 71 (Figure 4) in which the hinge sections 67,69 meet on a centre line of the box 3 (Figure 5) between the end walls 13,15 and overlap in a centre region to form handle 73 with aligned cut-outs 75a,b that form a hand grip 77.

As shown in Figure 5, the hinge sections 67,69 form internal partitions within the bottle carrier 71 that sub-divide the bottle carrier 71 to provide four compartments 79a,b,c,d in which bottles can be placed. Two of the compartments 79a,c are positioned at opposite corners of the bottle carrier separated by the handle 73 and are each sized to receive a single bottle. The other two compartments 79b,d are positioned on opposite sides of the bottle carrier separated by the handle 73 and are each sized to receive two bottles of similar size or one larger bottle.

When the box 3 is opened the bottles can be removed and displayed for sale directly on a shelf. Alternatively, the box 3 can be converted to the bottle carrier 71 and the bottles replaced and the bottles displayed for sale in the bottle carrier 71 ready for a customer to pick up and use to carry the bottles.

When the bottles are placed directly on a shelf for sale, the box with the top wall 7 removed can be collapsed to a flat configuration (Figures 6 to 8) for storage and assembled to form the bottle carrier 71 when required, for example when a customer purchases a number of bottles so as to provide a more convenient means for the bottles to be taken away by the customer. The conversion between the storage configuration and the bottle carrier is achieved by means of fold lines indicated generally by the reference numeral 81 in the side and end walls of the box.

Referring now to Figure 9 there is shown an alternative blank for erecting a cuboid box (Figure 10) convertible to a bottle carrier (Figures 11,12,13) which can be collapsed to a flat configuration for storage (Figures 14,15,16) when not in use as a bottle carrier. The blank may be formed from the same or similar materials described previously and, for convenience like reference numerals in the series 100 are used in the following description to indicate the same or similar parts.

In this embodiment, the panels 123,127 of the blank 101 form opposed side walls 109,111 of the erected box 103 and panels 125,129 form opposed base and top walls 105,107 of the erected box. The flaps 141,143,145,147 fold inwardly and are secured by adhesive or other means to form one end wall 113 and the flaps 149,151,153,155 fold inwardly and are secured by adhesive or other means to form the other end wall 115. Tongue 137 is secured by adhesive or other means along the edge of the top wall 107. The blank 103 may be erected to form the box 3 on two machines (lines).

A first set of lines of weakness 157a,b,c,d define a removable section 159 of the box 103 that allows the top wall 107 to be detached to open the box 103 (Figure 11) so that the bottles can be removed. A second set of lines of weakness 165a,b define hinge sections 167,169 by means of which portions of the side walls 123,125 can be folded inwards (Figures 12 and 13) to convert the box 103 to a bottle carrier 171 (Figure 12) in which the hinge sections 167, 169 meet on a centre line of the box 103 (Figure 13) between the end walls 113, 115 and overlap in a centre region to form a handle 173 with aligned cut-Outs 175a,b that form a hand grip 177.

As shown in Figure 13, the hinge sections 167,169 form internal partitions within the bottle carrier 171 that sub-divide the bottle carrier 71 to provide four compartments 179a,b,c,d in which bottles can be placed.

Two of the compartments 179a,c are positioned at opposite ends of the bottle carrier separated by the handle 173 and are each sized to receive a single bottle. The other two compartments 179b,d are positioned on opposite sides of the bottle carrier separated by the handle 173 and are each sized to receive two bottles of similar size or one larger bottle.

Alternatively, the box 103 with the top wall 107 removed can be collapsed to a flat configuration (Figures 14 to 16) for storage and assembled to form the bottle carrier 171 when required, for example when a customer purchases a number of bottles so as to provide a more convenient means for the bottles to be taken away by the customer. The conversion between the storage configuration and the bottle carrier is achieved by means of fold lines indicated generally by the reference numeral 181 in the side and end walls of the box.

As will now be understood, the present invention provides a box erected from a blank such that the box can he converted to a bottle carrier by removing the top wall of the box to access and remove bottles contained within the box and then folding inwardly opposed hinge section that internally partition the box and form a handle by means of which the carrier can be manually transported with one or more bottles supported therein. The hinge sections form four compartments within the bottle carrier. The compartments are divided into two sets, each comprising two compartments wherein the compartments of one set are larger than the compartments of the other set and the compartments in each set are the same size. The handle separates the compartments to prevent contact between a bottle in one compartment with a bottle in another compartment.

Furthermore, conversion of the box to the carrier is effected in a simple manner by removing the top wall and then folding opposed hinge portions of the side and/or end walls towards each other to form internal compartments and the carrying handle. By removing essentially only the top wall in one section, conversion of the box to the carrier is facilitated and the amount (volume and weight) of cardboard to be disposed of is reduced. This potentially reduces costs for the retailer in storing and disposing of the waste cardboard and is beneficial from environmental considerations. Furthermore, by retaining the side and/or end walls and using hinge portions formed therefrom, the strength of the resulting carrying handle is enhanced and the carrying handle is less susceptible to damage both during the conversion and in use which may extend the useful life of the carrier.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described. Various changes that can be made within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included. For example, while the embodiments above-described are directed to cartons for packaging and transporting liquid containers such as bottles and cans that are convertible to bottle carriers for holding bottles and cans, it will be understood that this not limiting and that the cartons can be used to package and transport other types of products and articles and, when converted, the carrier can be used to hold the same or different products and articles. In this respect, it is envisaged that the carrier can be used in much the same way as paper and plastic bags are used to hold purchased products and articles for carrying by the purchaser.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A blank for assembly of a cuboid carton having a base wall, a top wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls, wherein the blank is configured such that the top wall of the carton can be detached and hinge portions of the side and/or end walls folded inwardly to convert the carton to a carrier having internal compartments separated by a carrying handle.
2. A blank according to claim 1 wherein, the blank comprises a flat web of cardboard or similar material having a plurality of fold lines defining areas of the web that, in the erected carton form the base wall, top wall, sidewalls and end walls of the carton.
3. A blank according to claim 2 wherein, the blank has two parallel longitudinal fold lines defining a centre section with transverse fold lines defining four panels forming the end walls and side walls of the carton, S...and the base and top walls are formed by flaps attached to the panels along each side of the centre section. * . S..

* 20
4. A blank according to claim 2 wherein, the blank has two parallel longitudinal fold lines defining a centre section with transverse fold lines * .:. defining four panels forming the base wall, top wall and sidewalls of the carton, and the end walls are formed by flaps attached to the panels along each side of the centre section.
5. A blank according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein, the blank has lines of weakness that define a removable section of the erected carton by means of which the top wall is detachable.
6. A blank according to any preceding claim wherein, the blank has lines of weakness that partially define the hinge portions by means of which the hinge portions can be separated from adjacent portions of the carton to fold inwardly when converting the erected carton to the carrier.
7. A carton made from the blank according to any preceding claim.
8. A carton having a base wall, a top wall, opposed sidewalls and opposed end walls forming a carton of cuboid shape, a detachable section for removing the top wall of the carton and hinge sections that can be.folded inwardly for converting the carton to a carrier having internal compartments and a carrying handle.
9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein, the compartments are configured to receive and support liquid containers in an upright condition ... seated on the base wall.S*S.... * S
10. A carton according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein, the S.....compartments are separated by the carrying handle. * 20
11. A carton according to claim 10 wherein, the hinge sections sub-divide the carrier to form four compartments.
12. A carton according to claim 11 wherein, the carrier is rectangular in plan view with two compartments on one side of the carrying handle and a further two compartments on the other side of the carrying handle.
13. A carton according to claim 12 wherein, compartments at opposite corners of the carton are the same size.
14. A carton according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein compartments on the same side of the carrying handle are of different size.
15. A carton according to claim 11 wherein, the carrier is rectangular in plan view with compartments at each end and further compartments on each side.
16. A carton according to claim 15 wherein, the compartments are formed by defined by partitions extending between the corners of the carton and the carrying handle.
17. A carton according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein, opposed compartments are the same size.
18. A carton according to any of claims 8 to 17 wherein, the carrier can be collapsed to a substantially flat position for storage.* .* ..*S
19. A carton which in a first configuration forms a packaging box for * iS**S * transporting products and/or articles and is convertible from the first * 20 configuration to a second configuration forming a carrier for holding * products and/or articles by removing a top wall of the box and folding opposed portions of the walls of the box inwards to form internal compartments within the box separated by a carrying handle.
20. A blank for assembly of a cuboid carton substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A carton substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 or Figures 10 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.