KR20150138283A - Package with handle, blank therefor and part-formed structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The carton includes a bottom panel 12/22 and a first side panel 14/16 and a second side panel 24/26 each having an upper portion 16,26 and a lower portion 14,24 . The first side panel includes first apertures 32a and 32b and second apertures 30a and 30b. The first side panels 14/16 are arranged on opposite sides of the article B and the second side panels 24/26 are arranged on the opposite sides of the second article B. The carton includes reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d for joining the first and second side panels together. The reinforcing panel is disposed in surface-contacting relationship with the upper portions 16, 26 of the first and second side panels to form a "V" shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a package having a handle, a blank for the package, and a partially-

The present invention relates to an article carrier with improved article retention characteristics. More preferably, the present invention relates to a blank for carrier formation, and to a part-forming structure used for carrier assembly having improved article retention properties for stably holding an article to be packaged in a packaging carrier, They are easily automated and assembled. In addition, the carrier may have a characteristic form of the brand of the product to be packaged.

In the field of packaging, it is often necessary to provide a package containing a plurality of major product containers to a consumer, which is desirable for delivery and distribution and presentation of promotional information. In consideration of cost and environment, it is necessary that the carton or carrier is formed of as few materials as possible so that the material to be formed is not wasted as much as possible. As another consideration, the strength of the package, and the weight of the package, is the maintenance of the article and the suitability of the package for delivery. Carriers are often provided with article holding properties so that the articles can be stably held in the cartons. An example of a carrier having article retention properties is described in GB 2,279,065. The carton has a flat bottom portion for supporting the article, and three holding sections arranged obliquely with respect to the flat bottom portion and arranged in the jig-jag direction. The package is manually assembled by passing the bottom of the bottle horizontally through the aperture of the intermediate storage section and then passing the bottom of the bottle through the aperture of the lower storage section. The neck of the bottle then passes through the aperture of the upper holding compartment by moving the bottle in the opposite direction. It is very disadvantageous to thread the bottle so that its top is loaded into the carton after a part of it has been loaded on the floor because the automation of the assembly of the carrier and the packaging of the bottle is not easily achievable, Assembly is slow and costly. It is therefore desirable to have a carrier that can be loaded and assembled in an automated manner by a packaging machine.

Another consideration is the quality of the eye-catching or aesthetically pleasing package that can help to market the packaged product to the consumer.

The present invention aims to overcome, or at least reduce, the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging a bottom panel and a plurality of articles each comprising a first side panel and a second side panel having an upper portion and a lower portion,

Said first side panel having first and second apertures for receiving a first article, said first aperture being struck from an upper portion of a first side panel, 1 < / RTI > from the lower portion of the side panel,

The second side panel having third and fourth apertures for receiving the second article, the third aperture exiting from the upper portion of the second side panel, and the fourth aperture extending from the lower side of the second side panel Exiting the part,

Wherein the first side panel is folded between the first and second apertures such that a first portion of the first side panel is positioned on a first side of the first article, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 1 < / RTI > article,

The second side panel folds between the third and fourth apertures such that a first portion of the second side panel is located on a first side of the second article and a second portion of the panel on the second side is folded between the third and fourth apertures, Is positioned on the second side,

The carton comprising a reinforcing panel connecting the first and second side panels together,

Wherein the reinforcing panel comprises first and second cutaways or apertures for receiving respective first or second articles,

Wherein the reinforcing panel comprises a first fold line located between the first and second cutaway or apertures,

The reinforcing panel is positioned in surface contact with the upper portion of the first and second side panels and is substantially in the shape of a 'V'.

Optionally, the handle strap can be withdrawn from the reinforcement panel and disposed outside the reinforcement panel to carry the carton.

Optionally, the first side panel comprises a second fold line located between the first and second apertures and the second side panel comprises a third fold line located between the third and fourth apertures, , And the second folding line is located adjacent to the third folding line.

Preferably, the second and third fold lines are located proximate to the first fold line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a first article and a second article and a carton as described in said paragraph, said first article comprising a first and a second aperture Wherein a portion of the first article is located outside the first side panel and the second article is received within the third and fourth apertures of the second side panel such that a portion of the second article is received by the second side panel, As shown in FIG.

Optionally, the neck of the first article is located outside the first side panel and the neck of the second article is located outside the second side panel.

In some embodiments, the handle strap may extend over the top or crown of the first and second articles.

In some embodiments, the handle strap is configured such that a portion thereof is positioned over the top or crown of the first and second articles.

Alternatively, the handle strap is hingedly connected to the upper portion of the first side panel and the upper portion of the second side panel such that, in use of the handle panel, the upper portion of the first and second side panels and the reinforcement panel And to the second articles.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel assembly comprising a first panel defining a reinforcing panel, a second panel defining a first upper side panel hingedly connected to a first edge of the first panel, A third panel for forming a second upper side panel hingedly connected to a second edge opposite to the second panel, a fourth panel for forming a first lower side panel hingedly connected to the second panel, There is provided a blank for forming a carton, comprising a fifth panel for forming a second lower side panel connected with knowledge, and a sixth panel hingedly connected to the fourth or fifth panel, .

Optionally, the handle panel can at least partially escape from the first panel and is coupled to each of the second and third panels.

Optionally, when the second panel, the third panel, the fourth panel and the fifth panel are at least partly placed on top of the first panel, the first panel may include one or more Wherein each of the second and third panels includes an aperture arranged to at least partially align with an aperture of the first panel, each of the fourth and fifth panels comprising a first aperture And an aperture arranged to be at least partially aligned with the respective apertures of the panel and with the respective apertures of the second or third panel.

 In some embodiments, the sixth panel includes a first portion hingedly connected to the fourth panel, and a second portion hingedly connected to the fifth panel.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel assembly comprising a first panel defining a reinforcing panel, a second panel defining a first upper side panel hingedly connected to a first edge of the first panel, A third panel for forming a second upper side panel hingedly connected to a second edge opposite the edge, a fourth panel for forming a first lower side panel hingedly connected to the second panel, Forming structure for package formation, comprising a fifth panel for forming a second lower side panel connected in a hinged manner, and a sixth panel for forming a bottom panel hingedly connected to the fourth or fifth panel, Is provided.

Wherein the first panel comprises an article and at least one aperture for receiving the second and third panels, each of the second and third panels comprising at least one aperture, and the fourth and fifth panels Includes at least one aperture,

Wherein each of the second and third panels is folded about its hinge line and the second or third panel is coupled to the first panel and rests on a portion of the first panel, Wherein the at least one aperture is arranged to be at least partially aligned with each aperture in the first panel,

Each of the fourth and fifth panels is folded about its hinge line so that a fourth or fifth panel is coupled to each of the second or third panels and a portion of each of the fourth and fifth panels is folded The first or second panel being overlapped with each one of the second or third panel to be connected and being located above each portion of the first panel where the second or third panel is overlapped,

Each of the apertures of the first panel is at least partially aligned with one of the apertures of the second or third panel and one of the apertures of the fourth or fifth panel.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the handle panel may at least partially escape from the first panel and be coupled to each of the second and third panels;

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention,

A first panel each of which houses the article, the first fold line extending laterally therefrom, the first panel defining a reinforcing panel comprising a plurality of apertures or cutaways, one or more apertures A second panel for forming a first upper side panel hingedly connected to a first edge of the first panel by a second folding line, at least one aperture for receiving each article, A third panel for forming a second upper side panel hingedly connected by a third fold line to a second edge opposite the first edge of the panel, and one or more apertures for receiving each article, A fourth panel for forming a first lower side panel hingedly connected to the second panel by a fourth fold line, at least one aperture for receiving each article, A fifth panel for forming a second lower side panel connected hingedly to the board and a sixth panel for forming a floor panel hingedly connected by a sixth folding line to the fourth or fifth panel, ;

Each of the one or more apertures of the second panel is at least partially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of apertures of the first panel such that the second panel overlies the first portion of the first panel;

Each of the one or more apertures of the third panel is at least partially aligned with the other of the plurality of apertures of the first panel such that the third panel overlies the second portion of the first panel;

Each of the one or more apertures of the fourth panel is at least partially aligned with the apertures of the first panel and the apertures of the second panel so that the fourth panel overlies the second panel and the first portion of the first panel. ,

Each of the at least one aperture of the fifth panel is at least partially aligned with the aperture of the first panel and the aperture of the third panel so that the fifth panel is over the third panel and the second portion of the first panel step;

Providing a group of articles;

Moving the blank in a folded state relative to the group of articles;

Receiving an article in each of a plurality of cutaway or apertures of an aligned first panel and at an aperture of each of the second or third panels and at an aperture of each of the fourth or fifth panels;

Unfolding the fourth and fifth panels at least partially about the fourth and fifth fold lines, and

Folding the first panel relative to the first fold line to form a substantially "V" shaped configuration.

Optionally, the handle panel may be detached from the first panel at least in the upper portion, and may be coupled to each of the second and third panels.

Alternatively, the method may include folding the fourth and fifth panels against an opposing face of the group of articles, folding the sixth panel against the bottom of the group of articles, To form a carrier.

Optionally, the method may include at least partially unfolding the handle panel relative to the second and third panels.

Optionally, the method may comprise securing the first panel in face-to-face relationship with each of the portions of the second and third panels.

In some embodiments, the handle panel is unfolded against the second and third panels concurrently with at least partial folding of the first panel in response to receiving a group of articles in the blank.

Optionally, the method includes the step of engaging the ends of the articles with the inner surface of the handle panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a group of articles and a carrier, the carrier including a handle panel, a retaining wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall,

Each end of the handle panel is foldably connected to the upper outer edge of the retaining wall and extends across the upper end of the group of articles for use as a strap-handle that can be disposed above the upper end of the group of articles Extended;

The retaining wall has a substantially "V" shaped cross-section and includes two retaining structures, each retaining structure including one or more article retaining apertures for receiving a first portion of the group of articles, Each retaining structure forming an obtuse angle inward toward the inner center of the carrier;

Wherein each of the first and second side panels comprises at least one article receiving aperture and wherein an upper portion of each article receiving aperture is configured to receive a second portion of the articles in the group, Arranged vertically with a portion of one of the threads;

Wherein each of the first and second sidewalls is hingedly connected to a portion of the retaining wall disposed proximate to the inner center of the carrier along their upper edge such that each of the first and second sidewalls Plane from their upper edge.

It is to be understood that within the scope of the present invention, various aspects, implementations, embodiments, features, and alternatives begin with the foregoing description, and the claims and / or the following description and drawings are intended to be used individually or in combination, do. For example, the features described in connection with one implementation are applicable to all implementations if they are not incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings herein, in which:
1 is a top plan view of a blank for forming a carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from above the blank of Figure 1 showing a folded optional position for application of the adhesive.
Fig. 3 is an unlanked, top-down perspective view of Fig. 1 secured to a folded part-forming structure, wherein the inner side of the part-forming structure is shown;
Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the blank of Fig. 1 secured to the folded part-forming structure, showing the outer-side of the part-forming structure.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the part-forming structure of Figures 3 and 4, wherein the part-forming structure is open and assembled with respect to a group of articles to form a package comprising a carrier assembled with respect to the articles.
6 is a perspective view from above of a package according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the package is a unit which can be carried by a handle of a carrier and which is assembled for a group of articles stably grouped, And a carrier formed by the part-forming structure of Fig.
Figure 7 is an end view of the package of Figure 6;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of a specific implementation of a package, blank, carrier, and part-forming structure is described herein. It will be appreciated that the described implementations are merely illustrative of how particular aspects of the invention may be implemented and that the invention is not exhaustive of all the ways in which the invention is implemented. The word "exemplary " is used herein to broadly refer to an embodiment that operates on a figure, sample, model, or pattern. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the packages, blanks, carriers, and partially-formed structures described herein can be implemented in a variety of alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated or reduced to show details of a particular element. In order to avoid obscuring the description of the present invention, well-known components, materials, or methods are not described in great detail. The details of any particular structure and function described herein are not to be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis to teach those of ordinary skill in the art to various uses of the invention .

In the embodiments described in detail herein, the terms "carton" and "carrier" are not limited to the purpose of describing various aspects of the present invention, but may be applied to articles, such as engaging, And / or dispense the same. However, it is contemplated that the instructions of the present invention may be applied to a variety of vessels, which may or may not be tapered and / or cylindrical. Other exemplary articles include bottles (e.g., metal, glass or plastic bottles), cans (e.g., aluminum cans), tin tubes, pouches, packets, and the like.

The blank 10 shown in Fig. 1 is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. The term "suitable substrate ", as used herein, refers to any and all manner of foldable materials such as, for example, paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, . It will be appreciated that one or any other number of blanks may be used to provide a carrier structure, for example, to be described in more detail below. The term "outerside " as used herein refers to the more exposed coated and / or printing surface in a finished package when a printing or coating base material, e.g., a paperboard, is used . ≪ / RTI > As used herein, the term " underside " is understood to mean less exposed uncoated and / or unprinted surfaces in a finished package.

In an exemplary embodiment, the blank 10 is dimensioned and configured to form a carton or carrier for packaging exemplary articles of an exemplary arrangement. In this embodiment, the arrangement is a 2x2 matrix or array, and the items are bottles. In an optional aspect of the present invention, the shape of the carrier formed from the blank 10 has the characteristics of ventilating and / or suggesting the brand side of the product in the packaged bottle. In this way, the package of the present invention improves marketing characteristics because the package itself has a physical structure for the useful carry-pack, as well as the appearance of these also evoke packaged product brands . The blank 10 may alternatively be configured to form a carrier for packaging (together) different articles, different brands of articles, different numbers of articles and / or different arrangements of articles.

Blank 10 can be folded and attached (optionally with an adhesive) so that, in the first example, after forming the part-forming structure 80 (see Figs. 3 and 4) Interconnected panels forming a carrier 90 (see FIG. 6) that forms part of the finished package comprising the articles B of FIG.

In FIG. 1, the linear, continuously interconnected panels include a first bottom panel 12, a first bottom side panel 14, a first top side panel 16 (also referred to herein as a first holding panel 16) A first pair of reinforcing panels 20a and 20b, a handle panel 18, a second pair of reinforcing panels 20c and 20d, a second upper side panel 26 Panel 26), a second lower side panel 24, The linearly continuous interconnected panels 12,14,16,20a,20b,18,20c,20d,26,24 and 22 comprise a plurality of horizontally arranged fold lines 38,40, 42,44, 46a, 46b, 48, 50, 52 and 54, respectively.

The first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are larger in size than each of the first or second upper side panels 16, 26 to which they are hingedly connected. The first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are longer and taller than the respective first or second upper side panels 16, 26 to which they are hingedly connected. In other implementations, different arrangements are envisioned depending on the form and configuration of article B.

Preferably, the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 and the first and second upper side panels 16, 26 are configured such that the first and second lower side panels 14, And the neck of the article B from the bottom is extended to the shoulder point where it meets the body part. The first and second upper side panels 16, 26 extend from the shoulder point and extend through the neck of the article B to its upper part.

The first and second floor panels 12 and 22 may optionally have first and second floor panels 12 and 22 attached together to form a complementary portion of a mechanical locking mechanism for forming a composite bottom wall 12/22 70 and 72 are provided. Such a mechanism is known in the art to provide some adaptability to tightly wrap a group of articles B in order to secure them within the carrier with the carrier as a wraparound style carrier The mechanical locking mechanism is provided. However, aspects of the present invention are advantageously applied to carriers of different styles, so that the mechanical locking mechanisms 70, 72 are conceived to be generally optional. In a wraparound style carrier or another style of carrier, the mechanical locking mechanism may be replaced by an affixing means of wraparound type, for example, an adhesive, a tuck flap and / or a stamper have.

Between the first bottom panel 12 and the first bottom side panel 14 and between the second bottom panel 22 and the second bottom side panel 24 a heel locking feature 74 Is provided. This is again a selective feature when a tight fit of the carrier 90 to the article B is normally provided in a wraparound style carrier which is important to ensure that the article B is stably maintained. It will be appreciated that if the present invention is implemented in yet another style of carrier, the heel locking feature 74 may be excluded. In the embodiment in which the heel locking features 74 are provided, their style, type, size, number, and construction are all described herein to accommodate various styles, types, shapes, locations, Can be adapted.

The blank 10 includes a series of article receiving apertures and openings 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. The two substantially long-oval article receiving apertures 30a and 30b exit the first lower side panel 14 and the two substantially long-oval article receiving apertures 30c and 30d, And exits the panel 24. The two substantially elliptical article receiving apertures 32a and 32b are removed from the first holding panel 16 and the two substantially elliptical article receiving apertures 32c and 32d are removed from the second holding panel 26 It comes out. The shapes of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are shown in FIG. 1 and are not limited to those shown in the illustrative embodiment shown. The apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d are arranged such that the carrier 90 is positioned between the blank 10 and the first and second lower side panels 14 The first and second holding panels 16 and 26 are configured to be disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to and with respect to the article B contained in the finished package and the apertures 30a, 30b and 30c , 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d will be well adhered to the part of the article B. In another embodiment of the invention, when panels 14, 16, 24, 26 are arranged at different angles with respect to each other and / or with respect to article B, and / or when article B has a different shape, (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d) may be different from those shown above.

Alternatively, the blank 10 may be further provided with a first pair of reinforcing panels 20a and 20b and some apertures or openings 34a, 34b and 34c disposed in the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c and 20d, respectively. , 34d are provided. These openings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d are similar in shape to the corresponding portions of the apertures 32a, 32b and 32c and 32d provided in the first and second holding panels 16 and 26, respectively. This is the case when the first pair of reinforcing panels 20a and 20b is placed on the first holding panel 16 and when the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c and 20d is placed on the second holding panel 26 The openings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d are formed in the first and second holding panels 16 and 26, respectively, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, with the following further description of the structure of the blank 10 The first pair of reinforcing panels 20a and 20b and the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c and 20d provide the maximum amount of reinforcement without interfering with the accommodating apertures 32a and 32b and 32c and 32d. Accordingly, it is preferable that the openings 34a, 34b and 34c, 34d are similar in shape to the corresponding portions of the apertures 32a, 32b and 32c, 32d. In other embodiments, the openings 34a, 34b and 34c, 34d may be significantly larger than the apertures 32a, 32b and 32c, 32d, and / or the shapes may not be similar. However, this will reduce the degree of reinforcement for the first and second holding panels 16, 26 provided by the first and second pairs of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b and 20c, 20d.

The blank 10 is configured to form a carton or carrier 90 that accommodates four similar sized and shaped bottles B in a 2x2 array. A completed package comprising bottle B is shown in Fig. Figure 7 shows a conceptual orthogonal axis 'Y' (developed between the crown of bottle B and the bottom of bottle B) and a conceptual orthogonal horizontal axis 'X'. Considering the cross section of bottle B cut into a plane perpendicular to the vertical 'Y' axis, bottle B generally has a circular cross-sectional shape. The first and second holding panels 16 and 26 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) in the setup carrier 90 are positioned at an angle V of about 35 ° to about 45 ° with respect to the horizontal 'X' axis . The compartments of the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are positioned at an angle (W) of between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal "X" axis. The cross section cut into the bottle B at an angle of about 25 [deg.] To about 45 [deg.] Is not circular, but rather oval. The apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d are positioned at an obtuse angle when the panels 14, 24, 16 and 26 are arranged at an obtuse angle to accommodate the shape of the article. Of ovaloids. In another embodiment, when the articles B received in the package are of different shapes, sizes and / or structures, and / or the panels 14, 24, 16, 26 are at different angles in the finished package, The apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d may have different shapes and / or sizes. The advantages of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d that serve as article holding features in the overall package 90 will be described in greater detail with respect to the finished package and its fabrication .

In carton 90 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the part-forming structure 80 and plank box or carrier 90 are connected by a series of successive folding operations in a straight line machine Forming structure 80 and / or the carrier 90 need not be rotated or inverted to complete the fabrication thereof. It is contemplated that the folding process is not limited to those described below, but may be varied according to the requirements of a particular manufacture.

Attachment means, e. G., An adhesive, may be applied to the location indicated by 'G' in FIG. The portion indicated by "G" is optional, but a position where the inner surface of the first pair of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b is easy to attach to the inner surface of the first holding panel 16, and a position where the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c, 20d are provided to linearly apply the adhesive to four interrupted streaks at a position where it is easy to attach the inner surface of the second holding panel 20d to the inner surface of the second holding panel 26. [ The first holding panel 16 is folded with respect to the fold lines 44 and 42 such that a part of the inner surface of the first holding panel 16 is in surface contact with each panel of the first pair of the reinforcing panels 20a and 20b, To be in a surface contact relation with a part of the surface. Similarly, the second holding panel 26 is folded relative to the fold lines 48 and 50 such that the inner surface thereof is in surface contact with each panel of the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c and 20d, 18 in a planar manner. The first and second holding panels 16 and 26 are not attached to the handle panel 18. The resulting part-forming structure 80 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig.

3, when the first and second holding panels 16, 26 are folded against the fold lines 44/42 and 48/50 from the inner side of the part-forming structure 80, the first and second It can be seen that the lower side panels 14 and 24 are laid out side-by-side with their upper folded edges defined by fold lines 42 and 50, respectively. In this manner, the first and second holding panels 16, 26 are attached together so that their hinged edges 42, 40, respectively having the first and second bottom side panels 14, 24, (See FIG. 3). The fold lines 46a and 46b between the first and second pairs of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d are located above the hinged edges 42 and 50, respectively. The upper structure is thereby formed to include the handle panel 18 and the composite retaining wall 16/26 / 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d. In the finished package, the composite retaining wall 16/26 / 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d is of a "V" shape (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

In the part-forming structure 80, the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 have their upper edges 42, 50 positioned side by side, each of which is a composite retaining wall 16/26 / 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d).

In order to reduce the overall length of the part-forming structure 80 to facilitate transformation into a converting plant, one of the first or second side panels 14, 24 is connected to another second or first side panel 24 , 14). This folding step can be completed at the same time as the folding step of the first and second holding panels 16, 26, or a subsequent step. Thus, the term part-formed structure 80 means that a first pair of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b is attached to a first holding panel and a second pair of reinforcing panels 20c, Is attached to the second holding panel (26). This is independent of whether the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 remain folded or "open" in overlapping relation to each other, as shown in Figs.

Forming structure 80 is transformed into a converting plant wherein a package of article B and carrier 90 is formed from a group of part-forming structures 80 and article B, The part-forming structure, if necessary, is laid down and placed in an "opened " state ready for application to the assembled group of articles B. 5, it can be seen that the part-forming structure 80 is located above the article group. This can be done manually or in an automated manner using a package agitator.

To assist in the manufacture of the package, the part-forming structure 80 includes an aperture 30a (not shown) of the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 (now forming the innermost portion of the part- 32b, 32c, 32d of the first and second holding panels 16, 26 (which now form the middle layer of the part-forming structure 80), at least partially Forming openings 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d of the first and second pairs of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d (which now form part of the outermost layer of the part-forming structure 80) At least in part. The arrangement of each set of three apertures and apertures 30a / 32a / 34a, 30b / 32b / 34b, 30c / 32c / 34c, 30d / 32d / 34d is shown in FIGS. have. This arrangement of apertures and set of openings 30a / 32a / 34a, 30b / 32b / 34b, 30c / 32c / 34c, 30d / 32d / 34d, The application is further simplified so that the neck of each bottle B is automated rather than through the first sidewall aperture 30a and then through the retention wall aperture 32a and finally through the aperture 34a It is easy. In addition, the wraparound style carrier of the illustrated embodiment is loaded by a single directional motion which causes each bottle (either bottle or carrier) to be positioned within one set of apertures. This makes automation of the loading and assembly process simpler and quicker. This is in sharp contrast to the prior art case where manual weaving or threading of the article B is required to assemble the carrier with the obtuse angle panels in the opposite direction.

During assembly, the part-forming structure 80 is configured such that a portion of each of the first and second lower side panels 14, 24, when held, abuts the first or second retaining panel 16, 26, At least close to each other. Therefore, at least the bottle B is inserted into each set 30a / 32a / 34a, 30b / 32b / 34b, 30c / 32c / 34c, 30d / 32d / 34b, 30c / 32c / 34c, 30d / 32d / 34d. Thereafter, the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 release from contacting the first or second retaining panels 16, 26, or at least maintained close together. The size and shape of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d of the first and second side panels 14 and 24 are such that the first and second apertures 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d of the first and second side panels 14 and 24 move together slightly below the neck of the bottle B from the crown of the bottle B. The first and second lower side panels 14 and 24 are arranged so as to be opposed to the apertures 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d of the two holding panels 16 and 26 Y 'direction shown in FIG. 7).

The first and second bottom side panels 14 and 24 are then folded about the sides of the group of bottles B and the first and second bottom panels 12 and 22 are then folded along fold lines 38, 54 so that the heel of each article B is positioned within the heel locking feature 74 and the first and second floor panels 12, 22 are in an overlapping relationship. Supplemental locking mechanisms 70 and 72 are then arranged to form a composite bottom wall by joining the two panels 12 and 22 together and to securely enclose the article B Thereby fixing the carrier.

32b / 34b, 30c / 32c / 34c, 30d / 32d / 34d) of the aperture / opening set 30a / ≪ / RTI > In other words, the bottle B can move toward the part-forming structure 80, and / or the part-forming structure 80 can move toward the article B.

The handle panel 18 is preferably sized and shaped to contact, or partially overlap, the overlapping portion of the upper end or crown of each bottle B in the finished package.

The completed package is shown in FIG. 6, which includes four articles B located inside the carton 90. The article is placed on the composite bottom panel 12/22. The carton 90 includes a first side panel 14/16 formed from a first lower side panel 14 and a first upper side panel 16 and a second lower side panel 14, 26 formed from a second side panel 24/26. The first article B is withdrawn from the first lower side panel 14 and received in the article receiving aperture 30a and the second article B is withdrawn from the first lower side panel 14 to the article receiving aperture 30b, The third article B is taken out of the second lower side panel 24 and received in the article receiving aperture 30c and the fourth article B is taken out of the second lower side panel 24, 30d. The first article B is withdrawn from the first upper side panel 16 and received in the article receiving aperture 32a and the second article B is withdrawn from the first upper side panel 16 to the article receiving aperture 32b, And the third article B is taken out of the second upper side panel 26 and received in the article receiving aperture 32c and the fourth article B is taken out of the second upper side panel 26, Is accommodated in the housing 32d. The first side panel 14/16 is configured such that the first portion "100" of the first side panel 14/16 is located on the first side of the first and second articles B, / 16 is positioned on the opposite second side of the first and second articles B. The second side panel 24/26 is configured such that the first portion "300" of the second side panel 24/26 is located on the first side of the third and fourth articles B and the second side panel 24 / 26 is folded to be located on the opposite second side of the third and fourth articles B (see FIG. 7). The reinforcing panels 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d couple the first side panels 14/16 to the second side panels 24/26. The reinforcing panels 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d are hingedly connected to the first upper side panel 16 at one end and hingedly connected to the second upper side panel 26 at opposite ends. The reinforcing panels 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d include openings, such as grooves, cutaways or apertures 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d, each of which accommodates a respective one of the articles B. It will be appreciated that the reinforcing panels 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d may include folding lines 46a extending transversely across the reinforcing panels 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d. The folding line 46a is located between the openings 34a and 34b and the openings 34c and 34d. The reinforcing panels 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d are positioned in surface-to-face relationship with respective first or second upper side panels 24 and 26 to form a substantially 'V' shape. The carton 90 may include a handle strap 18 that exits the reinforcing panel 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d, As shown in FIG. The handle strap or top panel 18 may be in contact with one or more portions of the top portion of each article B,

It will be appreciated that the handle strap 18 extends above the top of the article B and can be considered as an upper panel since it partially covers the top of the article B from above.

Fig. 6 shows that the first holding panel 16 is disposed at an angle V with respect to the conceptual horizontal axis X shown in Fig. The upper section of the first lower side panel 14 is also positioned at an angle W relative to the conceptual horizontal axis X shown in FIG. The upper partitions of the first holding panel 16 and the first lower side panel 14 are arranged at an angle of about V + angle W with respect to each other. The sum of the angles V and W may be from about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees in total. The upper partitions of the second holding panel 26 and the second lower side panel 24 are similarly configured. Also, viewed from the end, the package has a shape that is substantially 'X' shaped in part. In Fig. 7, it can be seen that the upper compartments of the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 can bow to some extent. This is due to the lower side panels 14, 24 which cross the bottle B and tightly surround it and which have the lower section of each lower side panel 14, 24 substantially parallel to the plane closer to the straight line of the bottle B. Each bottle B is held by a portion of the two holding panels (the portion of the retaining wall 16/26 / 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d and the upper portion of the side walls 14, 24)

Each of the obtuse angle holding panels (part of the retaining wall 16/16 / 20a / 20b / 20c / 20d and part of the side walls 14, 24) 26 / 26d are arranged at an angle at which the bottle B is fixed in the height range by the edges of the composite holding walls 16a, 16b, 34a, 32b / 34b, 32s / 34c, 32d / 34d. 34a, 32b / 34b, 32c / 34c, 32d / 34d in the upper article holding apertures or openings 32a / 34a, 32b / 34b, 32c / 34c, 32d / 34d of the uppermost article holding aperture or openings 32a / 34a, 32b / 34b, 32c / 34c, 32d / The maximum diameter is about 3 cm to about 6 cm, and preferably about 4 cm. The lower article holding apertures 30a, 30b, 30c of the first and second lower side panels 14, , 30d are arranged in the order of the lower article holding apertures 30a, 3 30b, 30c, 30d and most of the lower edges thereof are spaced apart by the maximum diameter of the lower article holding apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, the maximum diameter being about 6 cm to about 9 cm, preferably about 7.3 cm.

The upper article holding aperture or openings 32a / 34a, 32b / 34b, 32c / 34c and 32d / 34d and the composite holding walls 16/26 / 20a / 20b / 20c / It is angled toward. This is because the uppermost edges 44 and 48 of the upper holding panels 16 / 20a / 20b and 26 / 20c / 20d are at the outermost edge, 20c / 20d are angled inward toward the center of the carrier 90; This is because the uppermost edges 42 and 50 of the lower holding panels 14 and 24 are located innermost (and at the center of the carrier 90), but the lowermost section of the lower holding panels 14 and 24 is at the outermost .

The handle panel 18 extends across the upper part of the article B group and the upper part of the bottle B extends upward from the top of the bottle B due to the angles of the uppermost side holding panels 16 / 20a / 20b and 26 / 20c / As shown in Fig. This provides a convenient and comfortable way to lift the carrier 90.

Once the upper and lower holding panels 16 / 20a / 20b, 26 / 20c / 20d and 14,24 are disposed at opposite angles, once packaged in the carrier 90, Is limited. This structure of the two obtuse angled retention panels connected to the top and bottom of the carrier 90 ensures that the article B is kept very stable and that the aperture sets 30a / 32a / 34a, 30b / 32b / 34b, 30c / 32c / 34c, 30d / 32d / 34d, the assembly of the carrier 90 is simple enough to be effectively automated.

The form of the optional crossing end of the package gives the aesthetically pleasing qualities that the package stand-out can give the customer an improved marketing effect. This is especially true if the brand or brand selection associated with the packaged product is related to the cross-sectional shape of the package.

It will be appreciated that various variations can be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panel and aperture can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and shapes of article B. One or more of the apertures and apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, May be included. The tab can increase the adhesion to the article of the aperture or cut-out. Optionally, however, it is desirable to have a clean-cut aperture and cut-out to aesthetically appeal the overall package, and the retention mechanism provided by the present invention does not necessarily require folding tabs . The number, position, and shape of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d and the cut-outs 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d shown in the illustrated example, It is contemplated that other forms may be varied to support different types, sizes, numbers and configurations.

In other embodiments, adhesive tapes, other chemical bonding agents, or mechanical fastening means, such as staplers, Velcro, mechanical locks, can be used to fasten the floor panels together.

In other contemplated embodiments, the reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d may also not include cut-outs and rather may have a role to adhere the first and second retaining panels 16, Only. In this embodiment, the reinforcing panel may be in the form of a rectangle having a uniform width. In the blank configuration, the innermost edges thereof may or may not be distinguished by the handle panel 18.

As used herein, the terms "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side" direct references such as "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit each panel to this direction, You can see that you can only play roles.

The terms "hinged connection" and "fold line" as used herein refer to all lines of the line that define the hinge characteristics of the blank, Or otherwise indicate an optional panel folding position for the blank. The fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. Any reference to a hinged connection or folding line should not be understood to refer solely to a single folding line, and without departing from the scope of the present invention, a hinged connection may be formed between a short slit, a fragile line, It can be formed from any one or more of them.

As used herein, the term " severance line " refers to any manner in which portions of the substrate are easily separated from each other or indicate an optional separation point. The break line may be a fragile line, or in other words, a weakened line, a tear line, a cut line, or a slit.

As used herein, the term "opening" refers to a recess, cutaway or aperture.

The term " upper side panel "as used herein refers to the upper portion 16 or 26 of the first or second side panel, and the term" lower side panel " (14 or 24).

The hinged connections, break lines and folding lines can be used for perforation, line of perforation, line of short slit, line of half-cut, single half- each of which may include an element formed in the substrate of the blank, including a cut line, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, a slit, a score, any combination of these, Should be understood. The elements can be sized and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, the perforated line may be sized or designed to have a degree of weakness to define fold lines and / or line breaks. Perforated lines can be designed to be easy to fold and to resist breakage, easy to fold and easy to break with more effort or even less effort.

Claims (26)

A carton for packaging a plurality of articles, the carton comprising a bottom panel, and a first side panel and a second side panel, each having an upper portion and a lower portion,
The first side panel having first and second apertures for receiving a first article, the first aperture exiting from an upper portion of a first side panel, the second aperture extending from a first side panel, Out of the lower part of the body;
The second side panel having third and fourth apertures for receiving a second article, the third aperture exiting the upper portion of the second side panel, and the fourth aperture extending from the upper side of the second side panel Escapes from the lower portion;
The first side panel is folded between the first and second apertures such that a first portion of the first side panel is located on a first side of the first article and a second portion of the first side panel is located on a first side of the first article, Located on the second side;
The second side panel is folded between the third and fourth apertures such that the first portion of the second side panel is located on the first side of the second article and the second portion of the second side panel is located on the second side of the second article Located on the second side;
The carton comprising a reinforcing panel for coupling the first and second side panels together;
Each of the reinforcing panels including first and second openings for receiving each one of the first and second articles;
Wherein the reinforcing panel comprises at least one first fold line located between the first and second openings;
Wherein the reinforcing panel is disposed in face-to-face relationship with an upper portion of the first and second side panels to form a substantially " V " shape. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein at least one grip strap is moved out of the reinforcing panel and outward of the reinforcing panel to carry the carton. The method according to claim 1,
The first side panel includes at least one second fold line disposed between the first and second apertures,
The second side panel includes at least one third fold line disposed between the third and fourth apertures,
Wherein the at least one second fold line is disposed proximate to the at least one third fold line. The method of claim 3,
Wherein at least one second fold line and at least one third fold line are disposed proximate to the at least one first fold line. A package comprising a first and a second article according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a carton,
The first article is received in first and second apertures of a first side panel such that at least one portion of the first article is disposed outside the carton,
The second article being received in third and fourth apertures of a second side panel such that at least one portion of the second article is disposed outside the carton. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein one or more portions of the first article are necks of the first article and one or more portions of the second article are necks of the second article. 6. The method of claim 5,
A carton as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle strap extends above the upper ends of the first and second articles. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the grip strap is shaped such that a portion of the grip strap is disposed at an upper end of the first and second articles. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the handle panel is hingedly connected to the upper portions of the first and second side panels such that the handle panel tightens the upper portions of the first and second side panels and the reinforcing panel against the first and second articles, package. A first panel forming a reinforcing panel of the carton;
A second panel hingedly connected to a first edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of the first side panel of the carton;
A third panel hingedly connected to a second edge opposite the first edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of the second side panel of the carton;
A fourth panel hingedly connected to the second panel to form a lower portion of the first side panel;
A fifth panel hingedly connected to the third panel to form a lower portion of the second side panel; And
And a sixth panel hingedly connected to at least one of the fourth and fifth panels to form a bottom panel of the carton. 11. The method of claim 10,
Further comprising a handle panel at least partially extending from the first panel and coupled to each of the second and third panels. 11. The method of claim 10,
The first panel comprising an opening for receiving an article,
Wherein each of the second and third panels includes at least one aperture arranged to be at least partially aligned with one of each of the openings of the first panel,
When the second, third, fourth, and fifth panels are folded and at least partially rest on the first panel, each of the fourth and fifth panels has one of each of the openings of the first panel and the second or third panel And one or more apertures arranged to be at least partially aligned with each one of the one or more apertures of the blank. 11. The method of claim 10,
The sixth panel includes a first portion hingedly connected to the fourth panel, and a second portion hingedly connected to the fifth panel. A first panel forming a reinforcing panel of the carton;
A second panel hingedly connected to a first edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of the first side panel of the carton;
A third panel hingedly connected to a second edge opposite the first edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of the second side panel of the carton;
A fourth panel hingedly connected to the second panel to form a lower portion of the first side panel;
A fifth panel hingedly connected to the third panel to form a lower portion of the second side panel; And
And a sixth panel hingedly connected to at least one of the fourth and fifth panels,
Each of said second and third panels comprising at least one aperture and each of said fourth and fifth panels comprising at least one aperture,
The second and third panels are each folded about a hinge line and the second or third panel is placed on a portion of the first panel by coupling to the first panel such that each of the apertures of the second and third panels And at least partially aligned with a respective one of the openings of the first panel,
Each of the fourth and fifth panels is folded about each hinge line and each of the fourth and fifth panels is joined to each one of the second and third panels so that each of the fourth and fifth panels The fourth or fifth panel is hingedly connected to form a carton over each portion of the first panel overlaid by the second or third panel, ≪ / RTI > 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the handle panel at least partially escapes from the first panel and is associated with each of the second and third panels. A first panel each defining a reinforcing panel comprising a plurality of apertures or cutaways for receiving articles and a first fold line extending transversely therealong, A second panel for forming a first upper side panel hingedly connected by a second folding line to a first edge of the first panel, each comprising at least one aperture for receiving the article, A third panel for forming a second upper side panel hingedly connected by a third fold line to a second edge opposite the first edge of the one panel, each of the panels comprising at least one aperture for receiving the article, A fourth panel for forming a first lower side panel hingedly connected by a fourth folding line to the second panel, each of the panels comprising one or more apertures for receiving each article A fifth panel for forming a second lower side panel hingedly connected to the second panel by a fifth folding line and a bottom panel hingedly connected to the sixth folding line on the fourth or fifth panel, Providing a blank comprising a sixth panel for the first panel;
Folding the second panel over the first portion of the first panel such that each of the one or more apertures of the second panel is at least partially aligned with each of the plurality of apertures of the first panel;
Folding the third panel to overlap the second portion of the first panel such that each of the one or more apertures of the third panel is at least partially aligned with each of the other of the plurality of apertures of the first panel;
Folding the fourth panel to overlap the second panel and the first portion of the first panel such that each of the one or more apertures of the fourth panel is at least partially aligned with the apertures of the first panel and the apertures of the second panel step;
Folding the fifth panel to overlap the third panel and the second portion of the first panel such that each of the at least one aperture of the fifth panel is at least partially aligned with the aperture of the first panel and the aperture of the third panel step;
Providing an article group;
Moving the blank in a folded state relative to the article group;
The plurality of cutaways or apertures of the first panel, the respective apertures of the second or third panel, and the respective apertures of the fourth or fifth panel, Wherein the cutaway or aperture of the aperture is aligned;
Expanding the fourth and fifth panels at least partially for each of the fourth and fifth fold lines; And
Folding the first panel against a first fold line to form a substantially "V" shaped configuration. 17. The method of claim 16,
Transforming or folding the fourth and fifth panels relative to the opposing side of the group of articles;
Folding the sixth panel against the bottom of the group of items; And
And fixing the sixth panel to create a carrier. 17. The method of claim 16,
Further comprising the step of unfolding the grip panel at least partially loosened against the second and third panels. 17. The method of claim 16,
Further comprising the step of securing the first panel in face-to-face relationship to each portion of the second and third panels. 19. The method according to claim 16 or 18,
Wherein the handle panel is unfolded against the second and third panels and at least partially folds the first panel in response to receiving a group of articles in the blank at the same time. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the handle panel at least partially escapes from the first panel and is coupled to each of the second and third panels. A package comprising an article group and a carrier,
The carrier includes a handle panel, a retaining wall, first and second sidewalls, and a bottom wall,
Wherein each end of the handle panel is foldably connected to an upper outer edge of the retaining wall and extends across an upper end of the article group in use as a strap-type handle that can be disposed over the upper end of the article group;
Wherein the retaining wall has a substantially " V "shape and comprises two retaining structures, each retaining structure including one or more article retaining apertures for receiving a first portion of a group of articles, Each retaining structure is oriented obtusely toward the inner center of the carrier,
Wherein each of the first and second side panels includes one or more article receiving apertures, and wherein a portion of each article receiving aperture is configured to receive one of the article retaining apertures in a retaining structure for receiving a second portion of the article group And is disposed vertically aligned with a part of the upper surface
Each of the first and second sidewalls is hingedly connected to a portion of the retaining wall disposed proximate to the inner center of the carrier along their upper edge such that each of the first and second sidewalls extends from their upper edge Packages that branch out of the group. A method of packaging an article as described herein, substantially described, and / or shown in the accompanying drawings. Carton for packaging an article substantially as referred to herein and / or shown in the accompanying drawings. Blank for forming a carton, substantially as referred to herein and / or shown in the accompanying drawings. Substantially as referred to herein and / or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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