IE43753B1 - Packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

A package of articles comprises a number of articles protectively enclosed by packaging. The package includes a supplemental blank which is formed so as to be capable of assembly into at least part of a supplemental carton of smaller volume than the volume of the package to receive part of the total number of articles of parts of the articles in the package when unpacked therefrom. The invention reduces waste of material and simplifies repacking.

Description

This invention relates to packaging of articles and is particularly but not exclusively applicable for use in packaging paper in sheet form. £>aper in sheet form is generally supplied by the manufacturer in a stock size which is larger than that of the printed stock produced by the printers from the sheet. This permits the printer to cut and trim the paper to his customer's requirements. It is common practice for the manufacturer to package the stock size paper in cartons, but because they are of inappropriate dimensions for re-use with the contents when cut and trimmed, these cartons are discarded by the printer. This leads to wastage of the carton material, gives rise to fire hazards during storage, and puts the printer to additional expense in providing fresh packaging for the printed stook.

Similar disadvantages occur in the re-packing of other goods consisting of a multiplicity of identical articles supplied in bulk, for example pre-packed hosieryt gun cartridges and. individually wrapped butter pats, It is among the objects of the present invention to provide means whereby packaging in which articles supplied in a primary or bulk form can be readily put to use in re-packaging at least part of the same articles in a secondary or sub-divided form. - 3 The term articles is used herein to describe any item, for example a sheet of paper or pre-packed hosiery which might be packaged in the manner set forth above.

According to the present invention a package of articles comprises a number of articles protectively enclosed within a primary carton, and a planar supplemental blank detachably incorporated in to the primary carton and designed to be capable, upon detachment, of assembly into a discrete supplemental carton of a predetermined smaller volume than the primary carton for receiving part of the total number of articles or parts of the articles.

With this arrangement at least part of the primary carton can be formed from a primary carton blank in which the supplemental blank is incorporated and from which it can be readily detached.

In one preferred arrangement the primary carton can be formed from two of said primary blanks, one blank being formed to provide an upper carton part and the other primary blank being formed to provide a lower carton part.

In an alternative arrangement the primary carton can be formed from a primary blank which includes two or more supplemental blanks, and the primary blank can be thus arranged to provide a wrapper-like carton.

Lines of weakness are preferably provided in the primary carton to assist in detachment of the supplemental blank therefrom, for example by providing perforations .

If desired an additional supplemental blank may be provided within the package which does not form part of the packaging. Thus, if it is desired to place all the articles in the original package into supplemental cartons a number of such additional supplemental blanks - 4 ί . i may be required. Again, the supplemental blanks provided on a primary carton may not be enough to accommodate all the articles and again therefore additional supplemental blanks may be necessary within the package.

The supplemental blank may be made from a semistiff foldable material such as cardboard, plastics material, faced chipboard, strawboard, corrugated carton board or case board and the material used may be provided with a suitable surface for printing.

It will be appreciated that the appropriate material will be selected as desired.

The term semi-stiff foldable material is Used herein to define material which is suitable for making blanks from which cartons can be formed for packaging.

As mentioned above the invention can conveniently be used for packaging paper sheets and the supplemental blank may therefore be formed so as to be capable of assembly into at least part of a supplemental carton which can accommodate a stack of trimmed and cut paper produced from the original stack.

Preferably sufficient supplemental blanks.are provided to accommodate all the trimmed and cut paper produced from the original stack and thus if a primary carton is provided it may incorporate two supplemental blanks and at least two additional supplemental blanks within the package.

The invention also includes a primary carton blank capable.of assembly into at least part of a primary carton and which has a planar supplemental blank detachably incorporated therein and designed to be capable, upon detachment, of assembly into a discrete supplemental carton of a pre-determined smaller volume than the primary carton; If desired the packages formed according to the - 5 invention may be shrink wrapped with a suitable material.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichs Figure 1 is a plan view of a primary carton blank according to the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of a package incorporating two assembled primary carton blanks of the kind shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a primary carton blank according to the invention, Figure 4 is an exploded view of a form of packaging according to the invention, Figure 5 is an exploded view of another form of packaging according to the invention, and Figure 6 is an end view of the package of Figure 5 when assembled.

Referring first to Figure 1, the primary carton blank 1 shown has a peripheral area 2 shown in single hatching and a central area 3, the areas 2 and 3 being defined by a line of perforations 4.

At each corner, the peripheral rim area 2 is further perforated so as to permit pieces 5 to be removed leaving tab elements 6. Adjacent to each corner, the peripheral area rim 2 is arcuately out at 7. The blank 1 can be formed into the top or bottom of a box carton by breaking away the pieces 5, folding down the strips forming the peripheral rim area 2, and then folding the tabs 6 side-ways and engaging them in the outs 7.

The central portion 3 of the carton is scored aiong lines 8 so as to define two planar areas 9 divided and bordered by a number of strips 10. - 6 At each corner, and mid-way along each of the longer sides of the central area 3, the blank is perforated to define pieces 11 and tab elements 12. Immediately adjacent to the tab elements 12 on the longer sides of the central area 3, arcuate cuts 13 are formed for co-operation with the tab elements.

The central area 2 provides a supplemental blank which can be formed into a one-piece supplemental carton by separating it from the peripheral areas 2 along the perforation 4 and then breaking out the pieces 11. The central area 3 is then folded along the score lines 8 and the tabs 12 engaged in the associated arcuate cuts 13. In this condition, the planar areas 9 form the top and bottom of a supplemental carton adapted to receive a stack of paper of the same size as the areas 9 and with the strips 10 forming the sides of the supplemental carton.

Turning now to Figure 2, this shows two of the primary carton blanks 1 of Figure 1 assembled to form the top 20 and the bottom 21 of a box carton, the top 20 being marginally larger so as to fit over the bottom 21. Although not shown in Figure 2 for the sake of simplicity, it will be appreciated that the flat upper and lower surfaces of the top and bottom will be. scored and perforated in the same manner as the central area 3 of Figure 1. Within the box formed by the.top 20 and bottom 21, a stack of paper 22 is received together with two additional supplemental carton blanks 23. The additional supplemental carton blanks 23 are each of the same dimensions as the central area 3 of Figure 1 and are scored and perforated in an identical manner. The supplemental, carton blanks which form part of the top and bottom of the box, together with the additional supplemental carton blank included in the pack are conveniently dimensioned and in such number's as to permit - 7 re-packaging of cut printed and trimmed paper sheets formed from the paper 22. They may conveniently be provided with advertising legends and can be immediately re-used by the printer.

The dimensions of the primary cartons and supplemental carton blanks conveniently makes use of the sequence of sizes occuring in the International standard paper sizing system (ISO). This system includes three size series, namely A, RA and SRA.

The basic series is the A series in which the adjacent sides of the sheet are required to be in the ratio of 1:/2. In this series, each sheet has an area which is half that of the next larger size. Thus an A2 sheet is 420 mm X 594 mm, and an A3 sheet is 297 mm X 420 mm and an A4 sheet is 210 mm X 297 mm.

The RA and SRA series include allowances on the basic A series sizes to permit for cutting and edge trim by the printer to remove machine and other marks caused during the printing process. Thus RA2 paper measures 430 mm X 610 mm.

Assuming the stack of paper 22 as shown in Figure 2 to be of RA2 size, this when cut down and trimmed will yield four A4 size stacks of the same height. The supplemental carton blanks incorporated in the top 20 and bottom 21 of the box and the additional supplemental blanks 23 can conveniently be dimensioned so as to be capable of assembly into cartons accommodating A4 size paper. With his supply of paper therefore, the printer receives packaging enabling him to re-pack the paper after cutting, trimming and printing for immediate despatch to his customer.

Turning now to Figure 3, this shows a modified form of primary carton blank according to the invention, in which portions 30 and 31 are formed in connecting 3 7 53 - 8 relationship. Each of. the portions 30 and 31 is identical in configuration to the primary carton blank 1 of Figure 1 except that they are connected by a common peripheral area 34 of the same width as the remaining peripheral area. The portions 30 and 31 can be formed into a single primary carton by folding along the lines of perforation 4, with the portion 30 forming the base of the box and the portion 31 the lid. Additional supplemental blanks can be provided separately in a similar manner to the additional supplemental blanks 23 of Figure 2, or further supplemental blanks may be provided on extensions to the portions 30 and 31 as shown at 32 and 33. If provided on extensions in the manner shown in Figure 3, they are merely folded inwardly so as to be retained within the box when packed.

Turning now to Figure 4, this shows a wrapper like primary carton 40 comprising two portions 41 and each of identical configuration to the central area 3 of Figure 1, and which are connected by side portions and 44 so as to provide an enclosure for a paper stack (not shown). The primary carton may be formed from a flat primary blank by gluing the ends together at an overlapping section shown at 45. In addition, protection may be provided for the ends of the paper stack when enclosed in the carton by two end pieces 46 and 47, each of which has end flaps 48 which engage in the ends of the wrapper-like carton. Again additional supplemental blanks can be included in the package.

Figure 5 shows a paper package 50 comprising a stack of paper 51, a pair of supplemental carton blanks 52 and 53 forming the top and bottom of the stack, and an edge protection strip 54. The supplemental blanks 52 and 53 are generally identical in configuration to the central area 3 of the blank 1 of Figure 1. The 437 53 - 9 strip 54 includes a tab element 55 at one end and an arcuate cut 56 at the other end in which the tab 55 engages to enclose the stack 51. In order to hold the assembly together, the stack 51, supplemental blanks 52 and 53 and edge strip 54 are all enclosed by a shrink wrapping 57 of suitable material of known kind as shown in Figure 6. Again additional supplemental blanks can be included as required.

It will be appreciated that shrink wrapping may also advantageously be used for all of the embodiments previously described.

Claims (31)

1. A package of articles comprising a number of articles protectively enclosed within a primary carton, and a planar supplemental blank detachably incorporated into the primary carton and designed to be capable, upon detachment, of assembly into a discrete supplemental carton of a predetermined smaller volume than the primary carton for receiving part of the total number of articles or parts of the articles.

2. A package of articles as claimed in claim 1 in Which at least part of said primary carton is formed from a primary carton blank in which said supplemental blank is incorporated and from which it can be readily detached.

3. A package of articles as claimed in claim 2 in Which said primary carton is formed from two of said primary blanks.

4. A package of articles as claimed in claim 3 in which one primary blank is formed to provide an upper carton part and the other primary blank is formed to provide a lower carton part.

5. A package of articles as claimed in claim 2 in which paid primary carton is formed from a primary blank which includes two or more supplemental blanks which are readily detachable therefrom.

6. A package of articles as claimed in claim 5 in which said primary carton is formed to provide a base and lid for a box.

7. A package of articles as claimed in claim 6 in which said base and/or said lid has an extension or extensions which incorporate a supplemental carton - 11 48 7 S3 blank or blanks.

8. A package of articles as claimed in claim 7 in which said extension or extensions are formed so as to fold within said base and/or said lid when said box is assembled.

9. A package of articles as claimed in claim 5 in which said primary blank is formed to provide a wrapper-like carton.

10. A package of articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which lines of weakness are provided in the primary carton to assist in detachment of said supplemental blank therefrom.

11. A package of articles as claimed in claim 10 in which the lines of weakness are provided by perforations.

12. A package of articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which an additional supplemental blank is provided within the package which does not form part of the packaging.

13. A package of articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the supplemental blank is made from a semi-stiff foldable material.

14. A package of articles as claimed in claim 13 in which the supplemental blank is made from cardboard, plastics material, faced chipboard, strawboard, corrugated carton board or case board.

15. A package of articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the supplemental blank is made from a material with a surface suitable for printing.

16. A package of articles as claimed in any one 4 37 53 of the preceding claims in which the articles are a stack of paper sheets, and said supplemental blank is formed so as to be capable of assembly into at least part of a supplemental carton which can accommod5 ate a stack of trimmed and cut paper produced from the original stack.

17. A package of articles as claimed in claim 16 in which sufficient supplemental blanks are provided to accommodate all the trimmed and cut paper produced 10 from the original stack.

18. A package Of articles as claimed in claim 17 when dependent on claims 1-13 in which said primary carton incorporates two supplemental blanks, and at least two additional supplemental blanks are provided 15 within the package which do not form part of the packaging.

19. A package of articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is covered with a shrink wrapper.

20. 20. A primary blank capable of assembly into at least part of a primary carton and which has a planar supplemental blank detachably incorporated therein and designed to be capable, upon detachment, of assembly into a discrete supplemental carton of a 25 predetermined smaller volume than the primary carton,

21. A primary carton blank as claimed In claim 20 formed to provide an Upper carton part of a primary carton.

22. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 30 21 formed- to provide a lower carton part of a primary carton to co-operate with an upper carton part to provide a complete primary carton. 437 53

23. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 22 which is formed to provide at least two supplemental blanks which are readily detachable therefrom.

24. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 23 formed to provide a base and a lid for a box.

25. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 24 in which said base and/or said lid has or have extensions which incorporate a supplemental carton blank or blanks.

26. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 25 in which said extension or extensions are formed so as to fold within said base and/or said lid when said box is assembled.

27. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 23 which is formed to provide a wrapper-like primary carton.

28. A primary carton blank as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 28 in which said supplemental carton blank portion is provided as a centre portion of said primary blank, and is detached by removing a peripheral rim portion thereof.

29. A primary carton blank as claimed in any one of claims 20-28 which is made from a semi-stiff foldable material.

30. A primary carton blank as claimed in claim 29 which is made from cardboard, plastics material, faced chipboard, strawboard, corrugated carton board or case board.

31. A package of articles substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3, or Figure 4, or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.