IL105588A

IL105588A - Top-gripping bottle carrier a blank and a method for forming same

Info

Publication number: IL105588A
Application number: IL10558893A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Mead Corp
Priority date: 1992-05-04
Filing date: 1993-05-03
Publication date: 1996-05-14
Also published as: PL171115B1; AU4035293A; HU216443B; CA2134971C; BR9306317A; CN1037332C; AU670283B2; HU9403129D0; JPH08500070A; JP3177247B2; KR950701293A; SK132194A3; NZ247538A; SK281590B6; HUT71851A; CZ285594B6; CN1082502A; RU2114038C1; CZ270194A3; ZA933038B

Abstract

A bottle carrier includes a main panel (1) to the side edges of which a pair of side panels (8, 9) are foldably joined respectively and a pair of supplementary panels (12, 14) are foldably joined respectively to the side edges of the side panels (8, 9) which are remote from the main panel (1). The main panel (1) and the two supplementary panels (12, 14) include keyhole apertures (2-7, 16-18, 30-32). Cutaway areas (23-25, 33-35) are formed along the side edges of each supplementary panel (12-14) and serve to envelope the necks of bottles following folding of one supplementary panel (12) into overlying relation with respect to the main panel (1) followed by folding of the other supplementary panel (14) into overlying relation with the first supplementary panel (12). [WO9322217A1]

Description

wi nii nwiQ ,n'7y ΠΤ*ΠΝ 7ya D'pupa NBHJ TOP-GRIPPING BOTTLE CARRIER, A BLANK AND A METHOD FOR FORMING SAME TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to packaging of bottles containing consumer items and wherein a group of bottles are assembled in a unitary package by top gripping structures of one kind or another.

BACKGROUND ART U. S. patent 2,252,235 issued August 12, 1941 discloses an arrangement wherein a bottle carrier of the top gripping type is disclosed and which utilizes structures which include apertures which are of keyhole configuration.

U. S. patent 2,320,440 issued June 1, 1943 discloses a top gripping bottle carrier wherein panels include apertures of keyhole configuration and which are disposed about and grip the necks of packaged bottles.

U. S. patent 2,337,253 issued December 21, 1943 discloses a top gripping bottle carrier wherein some of the bottle neck receiving apertures are of keyhole configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention in one form, a paperboard blank is manipulated in such manner as to grip the tops of packaged bottles and includes a bottom panel to the side edges of which side panels are foldably joined and wherein a pair of face contacting supplementary panels are disposed above the bottom panel with their side edges foldably joined to the upper edges of the side panels, bottle neck receiving apertures are formed in the bottom panel and bottle neck receiving apertures are formed in each of the supplementary panels together with cutaway areas formed along the edges of the supplementary panels remote from the edges of the supplementary panels which are foldably joined to a side panel, the configuration of the bottle neck receiving apertures is such that the apertures formed in a bottom panel are oversized and the apertures formed in the supplementary panels are arranged with their smaller areas adjacent the side edge of the supplementary panel which is joined to a side panel so that movement of two rows of bottles inwardly toward each other causes the cutaway areas of one supplementary panel to engage the bottle necks held in apertures in the other supplementary panel and vice versa so that tightening of the carrier blank results in upward bowing of the bottom panel and a secure tight gripping relationship with the packaged bottles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a group of bottles packaged by a top gripping structure formed according to this invention and applied to the bottle group as taught by this invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of a paperboard blank which is manipulated so as to form the assembled package shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view of a blank such as shown in FIG. 2 applied to a group of bottles which are spaced apart and are subsequently moved longitudinally and inwardly so as. to cooperate and grip the packaged bottles; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the blank shown in FIG. 3 together with spaced apart bottles; FIG. 5 is an end view showing the bottom panel underneath and interconnected with one side and supplementary panel folded down into flat face contacting relation with the bottom panel while the bottles are spaced apart; FIG. 6 shows both supplementary panels in assembled position and with the bottles in each row disposed in close juxtaposition to each other; and FIG. 7 simply shows a machine element schematically which manipulates locking parts formed according to this invention arranged so as to secure the assembled structure in condition such as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, a group of bottles is designated individually as B-l; B-2; B-3; B-4; B-5; and B-6. This bottle group is packaged according to this invention by means of the top gripping bottle carrier generally designated at C.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottles B-l, B-2 and B-3 are separated by a schematically represented machine guide G from the bottles B-4, B-5 and B-6. FIG. 3 simply represents the initial stage of forming a package according to this invention wherein the blank in planar form is lowered from above down into enveloping relationship with the bottles B-l - B-6 inclusive. The apertures which receive the bottle necks are oversize so as to accommodate movement of the bottles relative to each other in accordance with one facet of this invention.

The carton blank as shown in FIG. 2 includes bottom panel 1 which is generally rectangular and which includes bottle neck receiving apertures 2-7 inclusive. These apertures as shown for example in connection with aperture 2 are of general keyhole configuration wherein the part 2a nearest to the side edge of bottom panel 1 is of larger configuration than the part 2b which is more remote from the side edge of bottom panel 1. A pair of retaining tabs 8 and 9 are struck from bottom panel 1 and are foldably joined thereto along fold lines 10 and 11.

Side panel 12 is foldably joined to the side edge 13 of bottom panel 1 and is foldably joined along its top edge 14 to the side edge 14a of supplementary panel 15. Supplementary panel 15 includes bottle neck receiving apertures 16, 17 and 18. These apertures have smaller areas such as indicated at 16a adjacent the fold line 14a while the larger areas such as 16b are more remote from the side edge 14a of supplementary panel 15.

Formed along an edge of supplementary panel 15 are a plurality of cutaway areas 19, 20 and 21.

For facilitating carrying of the package and for forming a locked condition of the various elements, a pair of locking apertures 22 and 23 are struck from supplementary panel 15.

The other side of the blank includes a side panel 25 foldably joined to a side edge of bottom panel 1 along fold line :. The side panel 25 is foldably joined along fold line 27 to a side edge of supplementary panel 28.

Bottle neck receiving apertures 30, 31 and 32 are struck from supplementary panel 28. Smaller portion such as 30a of bottle neck receiving apertures 30, 31 and 32 are disposed nearer to the edge 27a of supplementary panel 28.

Cutaway areas 35, 36 and 37 are struck from the edge of supplementary panel 28 as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Locking tabs 38 and 39 are struck from supplementary panel 28 and foldably joined thereto along fold lines 40 and 41 respectively.

As indicated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a schematically represented machine guide designated at G is interposed between bottles Bl, B2 and B3 in one longitudinal row and bottles B4, B5 and B6 in the other longitudinal row. During this period of time, the supplementary panel 15 including the side panel 12 are elevated and folded to the left along fold line 14a as viewed in FIG. 5 so as to cause the aperture 18 in supplementary panel 15 to envelope the neck of bottle B3. Following this stage of the packaging operation as represented in FIG. 5, the bottles in the two rows are moved in a longitudinal direction as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3 to occupy the positions represented in FIG. 6. During this operation, the supplementary panel 28 is folded toward the right along fold line 27 and ultimately occupies the position represented in FIG. 6. ith the supplementary panels 28 and 15 disposed in overlapping relationship with respect to each other as shown for example in FIG. 6, a cutaway area 19 in supplementary panel 15 is moved into enveloping relationship with the neck of bottle B4 whose neck is disposed in aperture 2. Thereafter supplementary panel 28 is swung upwardly and over into face contacting relationship with the supplementary panel 15 to cause the cutaway area 35 in supplementary panel 28 to envelope the neck of the bottle B3 whose neck is in aperture 5. Thus the folding operation grips the bottle necks in a secure and firm relationship whereby damage to the packaged bottles is minimized or eliminated entirely. Once the panels are manipulated as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a machine element designated by the arrow L drives the locking tabs 38 and 39 through the apertures 22 and 23 and into engagement with the retaining tabs 8 and 9 which hold the locking tabs in braced locked condition. This operation causes the bottom panel 1 to assume an arched condition as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 which contributes mechanical strength and stability.

The bottle neck receiving apertures which' are generally described as being of a keyhole configuration are oriented in a manner which is generally the reverse of the orientation of such elements as shown at least some of in the prior art. Thus the structure according to this invention provides an economical and mechanically strong structure . for gripping the tops of packaged bottles so as to facilitate safe handling of such items.

Claims

Q - 105,588/2

1. A top-gripping bottle carrier for packaging a group of bottles arranged in at least two rows, comprising a main panel having opposite side edges, a pair of side panels each having bottom and top edges and being foldably joined along the bottom edges thereof to a respective one of said side edges of said main panel, a pair of supplementary panels each having a side edge thereof joined to the respective top edge of said side panels and disposed in overlapping face-contacting relation with each other, at least two rows of first bottle neck receiving apertures formed in said main panel and disposed adjacent to a respective one of said side panels, second bottle neck receiving apertures formed in each of said supplementary panels and arranged to cooperate with said first bottle neck receiving apertures, at least one of said apertures in each row and in each of said supplementary panels being of keyhole shaped configuration having interconnected large and small portions and being arranged so that, during assembly of the carrier, the large portions of said cooperating apertures coincide when said supplementary panels are folded upon said side panels and main panel permitting the necks of the bottles to be inserted therethrough while the small portions of said apertures move into coincidental relationship when said side panels are brought into an upright position whereby the necks of the bottles are firmly gripped, and means for securing said main panel and supplementary panels in fixed relation to each other.

2. A top-gripping bottle carrier according to claim 1 wherein cutaway areas are formed along the side edge of each of said supplementary panels which is remote from the associated one of said side panels, said cutaway areas being transversely aligned with said apertures in said supplemental panel and effective to grip the necks of the bottles disposed adjacent the opposite side panel. 9 - 105,588/3

3. A top-gripping bottle carrier according to claim 1 wherein said side panels are disposed in substantially vertical planes.

4. A top-gripping bottle carrier according to claims 1 or 3 wherein said main panel is of upwardly bowed configuration.

5. A top-gripping bottle carrier according to claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a pair of finger holes and associated locking tabs struck from one of said supplementary panels and cooperating locking apertures formed in said main panel.

6. A top-gripping bottle carrier formed from a unitary blank comprising a main panel having opposed side edges, a plurality of keyhole shaped bottle neck receiving apertures formed in said main panel and arranged in two parallel longitudinal rows, a side panel foldably joined to each side edge of said main panel, a supplementary panel foldably joined to each of said side panels, a plurality of bottle neck receiving apertures formed in each of said supplementary panels and arranged in a single longitudinal row to cooperate with the neck receiving apertures of one of said longitudinal rows formed in said main panel, and a plurality of cutaway areas formed along the edge of each of said supplementary panels which is remote from the associated side panel and adapted to cooperate with the bottle neck receiving apertures formed in the other of said supplementary panel when the carrier is assembled, said keyhole shaped apertures having large and small portions, said keyhole shaped apertures formed in said main panel being oriented so that the large portions thereof are disposed adjacent the respective ones of said side edges of said main panel, said keyhole shaped apertures formed in said supplementary panels being oriented so that the small portions thereof are disposed adjacent the respective ones of said side panels. - 10 - 105,588/3

7. A top-gripping bottle carrier formed from a unitary blank according to claim 6, wherein said main panel forms a lower panel of the assembled carrier and is dimensioned so that it assumes an upwardly bowed configuration when the carrier is assembled.

8. A method of packaging a group of bottles arranged in two rows in a top-gripping carrier formed from an initially flat blank comprising a main panel, a pair of side panels foldably joined to opposed side edges of said main panel and supplementary panels foldably joined to the edges of the side panels remote from the main panel, keyhole shaped apertures having large and small portions formed in said main panel and said supplementary panels and arranged so that the large portions of said apertures substantially coincide when the supplementary panels are folded into face-contacting overlying relationship with said side panels and main panels, the method comprising the steps of (a) sequentially folding said supplementary panels into flat face-contacting overlying relation with said side panels and said main panel whereby the large portions of said apertures in said main panel and supplementary panels are brought into substantially mutual alignment, (b) applying said folded blank to the tops of said bottles so that necks of said bottles are received through said aligned apertures in said main panel and complementary panel, (c) imparting an inward force to opposite sides of the group of bottles to cause the bottles to move inwardly whereby the necks of the bottles are forced to move into the small portions of said keyhole shaped apertures in said main panel and supplementary panels, (d) securing said supplementary panels and said main panel in face-contacting relation with respect to each other at a location intermediate said side panels whereby the necks of the bottles are maintained in said small portions of said apertures. - 11 - 105,588/2

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said inward force imparted to opposite sides of the group of bottles causes said side panels to move into an upright position.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein said inward force imparted to opposite sides of the group of bottles causes said main panel to bow upwardly.

11. A method according to claim 8 wherein each of said supplementary panels is provided with cutaway areas along the side edge which is remote from the associated one of said side panels and wherein the inward force imparted to opposite sides of said group of bottles causes said cutaway areas to engage the necks of adjacent bottles.

12. A top-gripping bottle carrier according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A unitary blank for forming a top-gripping bottle carrier according to claim 6, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of packaging a group of bottles according to claim 8, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. for the Applicant: WOLFF , BREG AN AND GOLLER