KR20100068338A - Carton and carton blank - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton (50) of the top gripping type for receiving and retaining a group of cylindrical articles (C) said carton comprising a main panel (16) comprising apertures each for receiving and retaining an upper portion of a cylindrical article (C) wherein said apertures comprise a pair of opposing curved sections for forming curved edges of said main panel to engage with curved portions of a cylindrical article, said aperture also comprising at least one U-shaped section, said U-shaped section being struck at least in part from a first portion (24a) of said main panel, said first portion of said main panel being foldable such that edges of said U-shaped section is engageable with an article receivable in said aperture, the carton further comprising an end retention structure for retaining end most articles in a group of article within the carton.

Description

CARTON AND CARTON BLANK {CARTON AND CARTON BLANK}

The present invention provides a carton for receiving one or two or more articles, and more particularly relates to a carton for providing an upper gripping carrier for receiving and holding the one or two or more articles.

Cartons for engaging a plurality of articles are useful for enabling a consumer to acquire and transport a predetermined amount of an individual article, such as a beverage or other beverage or foodstuff.

An upper gripping article carrier is known in which openings are formed in the panel of the carrier and tabs are cut from the openings. When the article is received in the opening, the tab is displaced from the plane of the panel: generally the tab is engaged with a flange or lip of the article.

Such carriers are disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,936,070 in Popitch and US Pat. No. 5,188,225 in Zobin. It may be difficult to remove an article from such a carrier without damaging the carton.

It is desirable to provide a reusable article carrier so that the empty article can be replaced in the carrier to facilitate transportation of the empty article to the regeneration station or to return to the seller.

In addition, ecological and economic considerations are needed to minimize the amount of material required and at the same time provide a stable carrier for the article.

A first aspect of the invention provides a carton in the form of an upper gripping for receiving and holding a group of cylindrical articles, the carton having a main panel having openings for respectively receiving and retaining the top of the cylindrical article. The opening includes a pair of opposing curved portions for forming a curved edge of the main panel that engages the curved portion of the cylindrical article, wherein the opening includes one or more U-shaped portions, wherein the U-shaped portion comprises the main panel. Cut at least in part from a first portion of the main panel, the first portion of the main panel may be folded such that an edge of the U-shaped portion engages with an article received in the opening, the carton being the outermost portion of the group of articles in the carton And an end retaining structure for holding the article.

Preferably, the opening comprises a second U-shaped portion; The second U-shaped portion opposes the one or more U-shaped portions.

Preferably, the main panel includes a second portion that can be folded to form a second U-shape that can engage the article, the second U-shape being at least partially cut from the second portion.

Preferably, the second portion forms part of a V-shaped structure that can be folded between the first and second articles, thereby forming a brace between the first and second articles.

Preferably, the end retaining structure comprises a band hinged between a pair of opposing side panels of the carton.

A second aspect of the invention provides a carton for a group of articles, including openings for receiving and holding each of the articles in the group, respectively, and straps for holding together lower sections of the articles in the group, the straps in use An additional portion is disposed below the first panel.

Preferably, the strap portion and the first panel are formed from a unique blank.

Preferably, a strap portion is formed from a pair of side panels hinged to the first panel and a pair of ends hinged at each end, each end being hinged to each one of the pair of side panels.

Preferably, each end of each end is hinged to each one of the pair of side panels by one or more gusset panels.

Preferably, the gusset panel is fixed at a position between adjacent side panels and adjacent ends.

A third aspect of the invention includes a main panel, wherein the main panel provides a carton comprising a non-circular opening for receiving and holding an article.

Preferably, the opening forms one or more engaging edges of the main panel, and in use, the one or more engaging edges are disposed in the plane of the main panel to engage a predetermined portion of the article, thereby holding the article in the opening. do.

Preferably, the opening comprises one or more linear portions for forming one or more engagement edges for engaging the article.

Preferably, the opening comprises an arcuate portion.

Preferably, the arcuate portion is suitable for forming one or more engagement edges for engaging the article, the arcuate portion being complementary to the periphery of the article.

Preferably, the opening is formed such that the main panel is engageable with the article at two or more separate locations relative to the article.

Preferably, the opening is formed such that the main panel is engageable with the article in at least four separate positions relative to the article.

Preferably, the opening is substantially octagonal.

Preferably, the opening includes an arcuate recess and an arcuate protrusion, each of which is engageable with the article in a position separated with respect to the article periphery.

Preferably, the main panel is engageable with the article in eight separate positions relative to the periphery of the article.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a package comprising a carton as described above and one or more articles having a circular cross section at a position where the carton engages the article.

Preferably, the article comprises a flange with which the carton engages underneath the article.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton as described above.

1 is a plan view of a blank for forming the carton of FIG. 3, FIG.

2 is a perspective view showing a part of the carton shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 2A is a side view as seen from the arrow A direction of the carton shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a side view as seen from arrow B of the carton shown in FIG. 2;

3 shows a package according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a plan view of a blank according to a second embodiment of the present invention for forming the package of FIG.

5 is a plan view of a blank according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming the wrapper of FIG. 7 and FIG.

7 is a perspective view of a package according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a blank 10 for forming the carton 50 shown in FIG. 3 is shown. The blank 10 includes an upper panel 16 having openings 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f. Each opening 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f is substantially the same and is described with reference only to opening " 22a. &Quot;

The opening 22a includes first and second opposed curved portions 80 and 83 and first and second opposed U-shaped portions 84 and 86, respectively.

Top panel 16 includes a plurality of fold lines 11, 13, 15a, 15b, 17a, 17b, 19.

Folds 11 and 13 hinge the top panel 16 to the side panels 12 and 14, respectively.

The fold lines 15a, 15b together with the fold lines 11, 13 are the outer shoulder portions that are folded against the inclined shoulder portion of the article C received in the opening 22a, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. 24a, 24b) are formed, respectively. Fold lines 17a, 17b, 19 form at least partially internal show rate portions 26a, 26b. The inner shoulder portions 26a, 26b are folded against the shoulder portion of the article C accommodated in the opening 22a such that the "V" shaped portion is formed between the two rows of the article C. The blank 10 includes a pair of end retaining structures 90a, 90b hinged to each side panel 12, 14.

The fold lines 17a and 17b together with the fold lines 15a and 15b form intermediate portions 35a and 35b respectively extending between the outer and inner shoulder portions 24a, 24b and 26a and 26b. Fold lines 15a and 15b hinge the intermediate portions 35a and 35b to the outer shoulder portions 24a and 24b, respectively, and provide respective upper edges of the outer shoulder portions 24a and 24b. Fold lines 17a, 17b, hinge the intermediate portions 35a, 35b to inner shoulder portions 26a, 26b, respectively, and provide respective upper edges of the inner shoulder portions 26a, 26b. The fold line 19 hinges the inner shoulder portions 26a and 26b together and provides a common lower edge of the inner shoulder portions 26a and 26b.

End retaining structure 90a includes end panels 18, 20 at each end of edge panels 28a, 28b; 30a, 30b hinged along fold lines 21a, 21b; 23a, 23b. Each corner panel 28a, 28b; 30a, 30b is also hinged to each one of the first gusset panels 32a, 32b; 43a, 34b.

The first gusset panels 32a, 32b; 34a, 34b are hingedly connected to the second gusset panels 36a, 36b; 38a, 38b, respectively. The second gusset panel “38a, 36a” is hinged to the opposite end of the side panel 12 and the second gusset panel “36b, 38b” is hinged to the opposite end of the side panel 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a finished carton 50 assembled around a group of articles, in particular in this embodiment a group of articles C consisting of six substantially cylindrical articles C, such as beverage cans. The articles C are arranged in three two rows.

3 shows the side panel 12 folded about the fold line 11. The second gusset panel 38a is folded to be positioned between the side panel 12 and the first gusset panel 34a.

The edge panel 30a is substantially folded about the article C such that the end retaining structure 90a is assembled with respect to the end of the group of articles C. The end retaining structure 90a forms a strap for the end of the group of articles C. FIG.

It can also be seen that the outer shoulder portion 24a is folded about the fold lines 11 and 15a so as to form the shoulder portion with respect to the shoulder of the article C.

The inner shoulder portions 26a, 26b are folded about the fold lines 17a, 17b, 19 to form a "V" shaped structure between the two rows of articles C.

With reference to FIG. 2, a partial perspective view of the finished carton 50 is shown, with the article C inserted into the opening 22a in the carton 50 and partially shown for the opening 22a.

The outer shoulder portion 24a is folded about the shoulder of the article C.

The U-shaped portion 84 of the opening 22a, which is at least partially cut from the outer shoulder portion 24a, forms the U-shaped engagement edge of the outer shoulder portion 24a, so that the carton 50 forms the article C. Can interlock. Similarly, the U-shaped portion 86 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the opening 22a that is at least partially cut from the inner shoulder portion 26a forms the U-shaped engagement edge of the outer shoulder portion 24a. Thus, the carton 50 can engage the article C. These U-shaped engagement edges 84 and 86 are coupled to the curved edges 80 and 83 to form openings 22a. Preferably, the U-shaped engagement edges 84 and 86 each comprise a linear portion.

2A and 2B, the outer shoulder portion 24a and the inner shoulder portion 26a engage under the lip or flange F of the article C. As shown in FIG.

The outer shoulder portion 24a and the inner shoulder portion 26a are deformed with respect to the shoulder portion of the article C. The curved portions 80, 83 of the opening 22a form the curved engaging edge of the intermediate panel 35a which engages the article C under the flange F. The U-shaped portions 84, 86 of the opening 22a also form the engaging edges of the outer and inner shoulder portions 24a, 26a which engage the article C under the flange F, respectively. In some embodiments, the intermediate panel 35a may be deformed because of the article C received in the opening 22a.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the carton 50 is formed from the blank 10, and the blank 10 comprises an orthopedic opening 22a for receiving the top of the cylindrical article C of the flanged or lip shape. do. Each of the openings 22a has a pair of opposing bent portions 80 and 83, and the opposing bent portions 80 and 83 are disposed in the carton 50 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the opening portion 22a includes opposing U-shaped portions having stretched linear portions 84 and 86, and the opposing U-shaped portions are arranged in the cross-direction with respect to the carton 50. Curves 80, 83 receive the curved wall of article C to provide a tight fit between article C and carton 50. The U-shaped portion protrudes inward, and the shoulder portions 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b or side flaps 12 such that the U-shaped portion laterally engages the article C under the flange or lip of the article, preferably the article. , 14) form a slot disposed in the shoulder portion or the side flaps 12, 14 to which it is folded. Bands or strap portions 90a, 90b attached to the ends of the side flaps provide support for retaining the end article C, resulting in a constituent package in the carton 50.

4-7, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the blank 110 for forming the carton 150 of FIG. 7. The blank 110 includes a main panel 116 with the opening 122 cut away.

The opening 122 is substantially octagonal in shape. The main panel 116 includes a finger tab 140, partly formed by an incision line or a break fragile line, and partly formed by a fold line 142. Finger tab 140 may be used to grasp carton 150.

The opening 122 includes a recess 146 and a protrusion 144. The protrusion 144 is wider than the recess 146. The size of the protrusion 144 in the radial direction is substantially smaller than the size in its tangential direction.

FIG. 5 shows another blank 210 for use with the blank 160 of FIG. 6. Comparing the blank 210 and the blank 110, the finger tab is removed. In addition, the opening 222 having the same shape as the opening 122 is rotated at an angle of 0 to 45 degrees, preferably about 22.5 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plan view of a blank 160 for forming a band or strap for a group of articles C as shown in FIG. 7 is shown.

Blank 160 includes five main panels 162, 164, 166, 168, 170 hinged together in series by fold lines 163, 165, 167, 169, respectively. Panels 164, 166 form strap portions, and panels 162, 164, 166, 168, 170 extend with respect to article C at the end of each row of articles.

Panel 166 forms a portion of the strap that extends along the side of article C in one of the columns of article C.

Panels 162 and 170, together with securing panels 172 and 174, form a composite section that extends along the sides of other articles C in the row of articles C. Fixing panels 172 and 174 are hinged to panels 162 and 170 respectively along respective fold lines 161 and 171.

The composite portion is secured together by engagement tabs 176 having openings 178. Opening 178 is cut from one end of panel 163 and tab 176 is cut from panel 170. Tab 176 is integral with fixed panel 174.

Referring to FIG. 7, article C is inserted into opening 122; It can be seen that the opening 122 holds the top of the article. The blank 160 surrounds the group of articles C at a position below the point panel 116 which engages the articles C. As shown in FIG. The blank 160 forms a strap that closes and keeps the base of the article C close.

The present invention provides an economical carton that requires a minimum amount of material to provide a multi-pack package, wherein the main panel includes an opening for engaging the article and a strap portion for keeping the base of the article in close proximity.

It will also be appreciated that the openings provided for engaging the article are non-circular in shape and the openings respectively engage the articles having at least a circular cross section at the cylindrical or engagement point.

Because of the non-circular shape of the opening, the carton engages the article in a separate position relative to the periphery of the article. Moreover, it can be seen that the opening provides a gap formed between the carton and the article at a location where the carton does not engage the article.

Moreover, the opening engages the article without providing a tab that folds away from the plane of the main panel when the carton engages the article. In this way, the article is substantially engaged in the plane of the main panel or top panel of the carton. The openings form engagement edges of the material forming the top panel, the engagement edges being disposed in the plane of the top panel, the engagement edges engaging the article.

In some embodiments, the article induces a force into the material forming the top panel or main panel when the article is received in a carton.

These forces may be tension or compressive forces. In addition, these forces can induce some deformation of the main panel or top panel. The force further acts to hold the articles in their group form. When the article is contained within the carton, the introduction of the article increases the rigidity of the top panel or main panel of the carton.

It will be appreciated that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, for example the size and shape of the panel may be adjusted to accommodate articles of different sizes or shapes.

Optionally, the opening may be arranged to engage the article at two or three or any other number of positions relative to the periphery of the article.

Also, features described with respect to one embodiment of the present invention may be combined or replaced with features of other embodiments.

As used herein, the terms "top", "base", "end", "side", "inside", "outside", "top" and "bottom" do not limit each panel in any direction, It is for distinguishing these panels from each other. In addition, the fragile line may be composed of incision line, cut line, perforation line or slit without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. In addition, the hinge connection is not constituted by referring to a single fold line only; It can be formed from one or two or more of the border line or weak line, notch, weak line or fold line without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims (18)

A carton in the form of an upper gripping for receiving and holding one or more cylindrical articles, The carton comprises a main panel comprising one or more openings for receiving and retaining each one top of each of the one or more cylindrical articles, Each opening includes a pair of opposing bends to form a curved edge of the main panel that engages each one bend of the one or more cylindrical articles, The bend is cut from the first portion of the main panel, Each opening further comprises at least one U-shaped portion for forming a U-shaped edge of the main panel, the U-shaped portion being at least partially cut from the second portion of the main panel, The second portion is hinged to the first portion such that the U-shaped edge can engage an article received in the respective opening, Wherein said carton further comprises an end retaining structure for retaining an outermost article of said one or more articles in said carton. The method of claim 1, Each opening includes a second U-shaped portion, And the second U-shaped portion opposes the one or more U-shaped portions. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The main panel includes a third portion hinged to the first portion to provide a second U-shaped portion of the respective opening that can engage the respective one of the one or more articles, And the second U-shaped portion is cut at least partially from the third portion. The method of claim 3, wherein Wherein the third portion forms a portion of the V-shaped structure disposed between the first cylindrical article and the second cylindrical article, thereby forming a strut between the first and second cylindrical articles. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, And the end retaining structure comprises a band hinged between a pair of opposing side panels of the carton. The blank for forming the carton of any one of Claims 1-5. Including the main panel, The main panel includes a non-circular opening for receiving and holding the article, The opening defines one or more engagement edges of the main panel, In use, the one or more engaging edges are arranged in the plane of the main panel to engage certain portions of the article, thereby holding the article in the opening. The method of claim 7, wherein Wherein the opening comprises one or more linear portions for forming one or more engagement edges for engaging the article. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, Carton characterized in that the opening comprises a curved portion. The method of claim 9, The curved portion forms one or more engagement edges for engaging the article, And the curved portion is complementary to the periphery of the article. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, And the opening is formed such that the main panel is engageable with the article at two or more separate positions relative to the article. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, And the opening is formed such that the main panel is engageable with the article in at least four separate positions relative to the article. The method of claim 7, wherein Carton characterized in that the opening has an octagonal shape. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 13, The opening includes an arcuate recess and an arcuate protrusion, Wherein each arcuate protrusion is engageable with the article in a position separated with respect to the article periphery. The method according to claim 13 or 14, Wherein said main panel is engageable with the article in eight separate positions relative to the periphery of the article. A package comprising the carton according to any one of claims 7 to 15 and at least one article having a circular cross section at a position at which the carton engages the article. The method of claim 16, The article of claim 1, wherein the article comprises a flange engaged with the carton underneath the article. The blank for forming the carton as described in any one of Claims 7-17.

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