CARTON BOX AND TEMPLATE FOR EXPANDABLE CARTON BOX DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cardboard box and a template to form the cardboard box to contain a plurality of articles and in particular to a cardboard box, the capacity from which it can be increased to incorporate additional articles. The cartons for packing multiple items are useful to allow consumers to obtain and transport a desired amount of individual items such as soft drinks or other beverages. Such cardboard boxes need to be strong enough to support multiple items, especially if the items are bottles. It is also desirable for such cardboard boxes to be easy to handle and portable. It is also useful for the consumer to be able to add ice cubes inside such a carton in order to cool the cans or beverage bottles contained within the carton. It is therefore desirable for such cartons to be substantially water-resilient so that once the ice cubes have melted the structure of the carton, it remains substantially intact and does not allow water to easily leak out of the carton. . It is also often desirable for the cartons to be adaptable so that the capacity of the carton can be increased to incorporate the addition of ice cubes. Such cartons are known in the art, such a carton is described in US 6,631,803, which provides a box for cooling beverages for bottles which is intended to receive ice cubes and is made of a material which is impermeable to water. liquid. However, the carton of US 6,631,803 does not provide a means to increase the capacity of the carton to incorporate the addition of ice cubes and then the cardboard box is limited in the number of ice cubes it can receive. . A carton for packaging items having additional sides and end panels, which can be deployed to provide additional capacity to the carton, is described in US 5,020,337. In US 5,020,337, the carton comprises a panel arrangement for completely wrapping the bottom to maintain a watertight base, a series of end walls and sides, additional panels for extending the size of the carton and two top panels. Although US 5,020,337 provides a cardboard box which can incorporate the addition of ice cubes and maintain a sealed base, a considerable amount of material is required to form the carton. In addition, the structure and arrangement of the sealed base of the carton described in US 5,020,337 limits the carton that is loaded at the top and is often desirable for cardboard boxes that are loaded at the end. It is often desirable for the stencils from which such cartons are constructed to be symmetrical when the stencils can be constructed in a straight line machine and are not necessarily required to be rotated during the construction process, this is not the case with the template of US 5, 020, 337. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a carton and a template for forming the carton, which overcomes or at least reduces the problems of the prior art. before mentioned. According to a first aspect, the invention provides a template for forming a cardboard box of the extreme load type to contain a plurality of similar articles and is structured so that the capacity of the carton can be increased when it is opened, the template comprises a series of main panels hinged one to the next, including a lower panel, first and second side panels and at least one upper panel, one of the upper panels has a tear strip and is therefore separable into two parts, the top panel is hinged at each end thereof to at least a portion of an end extension panel, the template further comprises a top end closure panel hinged to each end extension panel and to bottom and side end closure panels hinged to the opposite ends of the bottom and side panels, characterized in that the end extension panels are arranged in overlapping relationship with the or each top panel when the carton is formed and because it separates the top panel, by implementing the tear strip , allows each end extension panel and each of the separate parts of the top panel to rise within substantially the same plane as adjacent sides and respective end walls, whereby the capacity of the open carton is increased. Preferably, it comprises two upper panels, each of the upper panels is hinged to one of the side panels. Optionally, each end of each top panel is hinged to a portion of an end extension panel where the template is constructed within a formed cardboard box, each portion secured to a second portion to form two composite end extension panels. Preferably, each portion of the end extension panel is hinged to a portion of an upper end closure panel where in order to build the template within a formed carton, each portion of the top and closure panels is secured to a second of the portions to form two composite top end closure panels. Preferably, it comprises a handle opening in each end extension panel for transporting the open carton. Optionally, each lower end closure panel comprises a handle opening for transporting a formed cardboard box. Preferably, one side of which is coated with a water-resilient coating. Preferably, to form a cardboard box it is substantially hermetic. Preferably, two of the main panels are adhered together so that a flat tubular jig is formed and then the tubular jig is opened inside an open-end tubular cardboard box, the open-end tubular cardboard box can be loaded with the plurality of similar articles from one or both open ends. Preferably, at least one of the end extension panels is placed in overlapping relationship on the or each top panel. Optionally, each upper end closure panel is located immediately adjacent to, but separately from, one of the side end closure panels. Preferably, a packet is formed from a template. Preferably, an open-ended tubular sleeve is formed of a template. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Two exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a template, according to a first embodiment of the invention, for form a cardboard box to hold cans; Figure 2A shows the template of Figure 1 in a rotated position in preparation for constructing the jig inside a cardboard box; Figure 2b shows a first step in a collapsible and gumming sequence for constructing the jig of Figure 1 inside a cardboard box; Figure 2C shows a second step of the collapsible and gumming sequence for constructing the jig of Figure 1 inside a cardboard box; Figure 2D shows a third step of the collapsible and gumming sequence to construct the template of Figure 1 inside a cardboard box; Figure 3 shows an end and top perspective view of the cardboard box constructed from the template of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows the cardboard box of Figure 3 with a tear strip removed and the top part of the carton partially open; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the cardboard box of Figure 4 with the upper part fully open to provide access to the beverage cans contained within the cardboard can; Figure 6 shows the cardboard box of Figure 5 after the ice cubes have been placed inside the carton; Figure 7 illustrates the cardboard box of Figure 5 once the cans have been removed and the ice placed inside the carton has melted; Figure 8 illustrates water that is poured out of the carton of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a top plan view of a template according to a second embodiment, to form a cardboard sheet; and Figure 10 shows an end and top, perspective top view of the cardboard box formed from the template shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 1, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a template
10 from which a cardboard box 40, which is shown in Figure 4, is formed. The template 10 is stretched vertically as seen in Figure 1 and is formed of cardboard which is provided with a water-resilient coating on at least one surface. The template 10 can be formed of another collapsible material such as a plastic sheet or the like. Template 10 of this mode is designed to pack beverage cans, arranged in four rows of three cans . It is envisioned that other items and / or different numbers of items may be contained within the carton and that the template may therefore be dimensioned accordingly. The template 10 comprises a series of main panels including a first top panel 12, the first side panel 14, a bottom panel 16, a second side panel 18 and a second top panel 20. The main panels are hinged one on the next in series along the fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28, as illustrated in Figure 1. The template 10 further comprises a series of end closure panels hinged to opposite ends of of the main panels to close the ends of the cardboard box. Since the template 10 is symmetrical, end closure panels will be described on only one side of the template, it will be understood that the other side is identical. The first top panel 12 is hinged to a first triangular reinforcing panel 41a along the fold line 60a. The first triangular reinforcing panel 41a is in turn hinged to a second triangular panel 42a along the fold line 62a, the second triangular reinforcing panel is hinged to a first part of a top end closure panel 43a along fold line 64a. The second triangular reinforcing panel 42a also comprises a handle flap 32 which is defined by a broken dotted line. Together the first and second triangular reinforcing panels 41 a, 42 a form part of an end extension panel. The first and second side panels are provided with side end closure panels 44a and 46a which are hinged to the unconnected ends of the first and second side panels along fold lines 66a and 80a respectively. of the side end closure panels 44a, 48a has an intersecting fold line 68a, 78a. A two-part lower end closure panel 46a / 49a is hinged to the lower panel 16 along the fold line 72a. The lower end closure panel is also hinged to of the side end closure panels 44a, 48a along the fold lines 70a and 76a. In this embodiment of the invention the two parts of the lower end closure panel 46a / 49a are separated by a fold line 74a.
The second upper panel 20 is provided with a tear strip 21 and is hinged to a first triangular reinforcing panel 51 a along the fold line 90 a. The first triangular reinforcing panel is in turn hinged to a second triangular reinforcing panel 50a along the fold line 82a. The second triangular reinforcing panel 50a comprises a handle flap 32 and is hinged to a second portion of an upper end closure panel 53a along the fold line 84a. Together the first and second triangular reinforcing panels 51 a, 50 a form a second part of an end extension panel. When the template 10 is raised to form the carton 40, the first and second triangular reinforcing panels 41a / 42a which are hinged to the first upper panel 12 and the first and second triangular reinforcing panels 51 / 50a which are hinged to the second upper panel 20, they adhere to each other and consequently form a composite end extension panel 41a / 42a / 51a / 50a. Similarly, when the jig 10 is built into a carton the first part of a top end closure panel 43a adheres to the second part of a top end closure panel 53a whereby a panel is formed 43a / 53a of composite upper end closure. Returning now to the construction of the cardboard box 40 from the template 10, a series of sequential folding and gluing operations are required, which can be performed in a straight line machine, so that the cardboard box 40 and / or the template 10 are not required to be rotated or inverted to complete the construction. The folding process is not limited to that described later and can be altered according to the particular manufacturing requirements. Reference is made to Figures 2A-3. In the first step of the folding and gluing process each of the first triangular reinforcement panels 41a / 41b, 51a / 51b hinged to the first and second upper panels 12, 20 respectively, are folded inward of the upper panels 12, 20 around the fold lines 60a / 60b, 90a / 90b. The first triangular reinforcing panels 41a / 41b 51a / 51b are brought into contact with the flat face with the inner face of the respective upper panel 12, 20 causing the second triangular reinforcing panels 42a / 42b, 50a / 50b to be folded automatically around the folded line 62a / 62b, 82a / 82b. Each of the second triangular reinforcing panels 42a / 42b, 50a / 50b is brought into contact with the first triangular reinforcing panel 41a / 41b, 51a / 51b, whereby a third laminated layer is formed as illustrated in the Figure 2B. The second stage of the folding process requires the first upper panel 12, which is folded 180 ° around the fold line 22 so that the inner face of the first upper panel 12, together with the triangular panels 41a / 41b, 42a / 42b of folded reinforcement, puts in contact the first side panel 14. In this way, the outer face of the first upper panel 12 is completely visible and the first portions 43a / 43b of the upper end closure panels extend from below the first upper panel 12. This is illustrated in Figure 2C together with the areas of the first upper panel 12 and first portions 43a / 43b of upper end closure panels where glue is applied. The second upper panel 20, together with the first and second triangular reinforcing panels 51 a / 51 b, 50 a / 50 b are folded together with the second side panel 18 around the fold line 26. The second upper panel 20 is placed in overlapping alignment with the first upper panel 12 so that the upper panel 20 is secured by the adhesive that has been applied to the first upper panel 12. In this way, the second triangular reinforcing panels 42a / 50a and 42b / 50b are secured together to form composite ends 41a / 42a / 51a / 50a, lb / 42b / 51b / 50b extension panels comprising the handle flaps 30 which are aligned to form a single grip flap in each of the panels 4 / 42a / 51a / 50a, lb / 42b / 51b / 50b of composite end extension.
Similarly, the second portions of the upper end closure panels 53a / 53b adhere to the gummed areas of the first portions of the upper end closure panels 43a / 43b. In this way, the first part 43a adheres to the second part 53a and together the two parts form a top end closure panel 43a / 53a. Similarly, the first part of an upper end closure panel 43b adheres to the second part 53b to form a second upper end closure panel 43b / 53b. After the initial bending and gumming stages, the stage illustrated in Figure 2D is fulfilled. It is envisioned that the jig 10 can be provided in this prepared state and the loading and finishing of the construction of the carton can be done at a different manufacturing location. To prepare the jig 10 for loading, the composite top wall formed from the first and second upper panels 12, 20 can be raised on the lower panel 16 and each of the first and second panels 14, 18 be raised on the plane of the panel 16 bottom folding around the fold lines 24 and 26 respectively. The partially completed carton 40 is then ready to be loaded. In this embodiment, the carton 40 can be loaded to the end from either or both ends with beverage containers such as cans (C), in four rows of three cans each. Once the carton 40 is loaded, the upper end closure panels 43a / 53a, 43b / 53b are folded around the fold lines 64a / 84a, 64b / 84b. The side end closure panels 44a, 48a, 44b, 48b are also folded inwardly of the cardboard channel 40 around the fold lines 66a, 80a, 66b, 80b. The intersecting fold lines 68a, 78a, 68b, 78b cause a portion of each of the side end closure panels 44a, 48a, 44a, 48b that fold against the main part of each panel 44a, 48a, 44b , 48b for lateral end closure, and as a result caused to the lower end closure panels 46a / 49a, 46b / 49b folded upwardly around the fold line 72a / 72b. To complete the closure of the glue ends of the cardboard box 40, it can be applied to secure the upper and lateral end closure panels 43a / 53a, 43b / 53b, 44a, 48a, 44b, 48b to the panels 46a / 49a , 46b / 49b lower end closure. A completely constructed and loaded carton 40 is shown in Figure 3. The cans (C) contained within the cardboard box 40 are accessed by removing the tear strip 21 as shown in Figure 4. The removal of the tear strip 21 allows the first and second upper panels 12, 20 to be folded open around the upper parts of the cans (C). The upper panels are folded back around the folded lines 22 and 28. Similarly, the composite handle panels 42a / 50a and 42b / 50b fold upwardly out of the plane of the can surface (C). The composite end extension panels 41a / 42a / 51a / 50a and 41b / 42b / 51b / 50b are folded around the fold lines 64a / 84a and 64b / 84b respectively. In this way, the total height of the carton increases with the first and second upper panels 12, 20 becoming extensions of the first and second side panels 14, 18, and the panels 41a / 42a / 51a / 50a and lb / 42b / 51b / 50b extension compounds becoming extensions of the extreme closure structures. The open carton is illustrated in Figure 5. The extension of the 41a / 42a / 51a / 50a and 4 lb / 42b / 51b / 50b panels of closure extension composed of a stowed position below the top panels 12, 20 within a position of use it provides a means by which the carton 40 can be transported. The handle flap 30 is defined by a series of dotted lines interrupted so that it is connectable in the insertion of the hand or fingers of a user and therefore provides a means of transport for the carton 40. By increasing the height of the the carton 40 increases the capacity of the carton 40. This allows a consumer or user of the carton to place additional items inside the carton 40.
It is visualized that the ice cubes can be placed on top of, and between the cans (C) contained within the carton 40. The loading of the carton 40 with ice cubes can facilitate the cooling of the cans
(C) however, it is visualized that other items may be added to the carton 40 which may contain different items from the beverage or tin containers
(C) for different reasons for cooling the articles contained within the carton 40. The carton 40 remains transportable once it is opened and filled with ice cubes. The increased height of the side walls of the carton 40 and the end closures improves the retention of additional items placed inside the carton. The deployment of the handle flaps 30 facilitates transportation of the open carton. The cans (C) are individually removed from the carton 40 as illustrated in Figure 6. The carton 40 is structured and arranged to be substantially water-resilient, so that in the melting of the ice cubes, any Water may be contained within the carton 40. This is illustrated in Figure 7. The water resulting from the melting of the ice cubes may be easily contained within the carton 40 and easily removed from it as illustrated in FIG. Figure 8. In other embodiments of the invention, it is visualized that other items may be contained within the carton and that the invention is not limited to a carton, or a template to form a carton, to hold cans arranged in four rows of three and to contain ice cubes. Therefore, alterations can be made to integrate other articles. A second embodiment of the invention will now be described in which like reference numbers are used to describe similar characteristics from the first embodiment although the reference numbers are increased by a factor of d00 'which illustrates that the characteristics belong to the second mode. Figure 9 shows a template 110 of the second embodiment which is sized to form a cardboard box for transporting bottles. A two-part bottom end closure panel 146a / 149a, 146b / 149b is hinged to each end of a bottom panel 116 along the fold lines 172a / 172b. The upper part of each lower end closure panel 149a, 149b is provided with a handle opening 130 comprising handle flaps 132. In this embodiment, the second triangular reinforcing panels 142a, 142b, 150a, 150b do not comprise grip fins, the conveying means is provided in the lower end closure panels 149a, 149b. The template 110 is constructed and loaded using a similar series of folding and gluing steps as defined hereinbefore. A cardboard box 140 constructed of the template 110 is shown in Figure 10. The handle openings and handle flaps 130, 132 are provided in a position in which they can be used to transport an unopened carton 140. Upon opening the carton 140 using a tear strip 121, the height of the side and end walls of the carton extends to facilitate the insertion of other items such as ice cubes into the carton 140. It will be appreciated that several changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels can be adjusted to incorporate articles of different size and shape. The handle arrangement can be formed according to a variety of user requirements. Other variations may also be made within the scope of the invention. For example, only an upper panel may be required in the embodiments where the extreme extension panels and / or upper end closure panels are not formed from two parts, but they are provided in the template of the cardboard box as integral pieces. The single top panel provided may still be separable into two parts to provide extensions to the side walls. It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "end," "lateral," "internal," "external," "superior." and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but simply serve to differentiate these panels from others. Any reference to the hinged connection should not be interpreted as necessarily referring to a simple fold line only; rather it is visualized that the hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a dotted line, a line of rupture or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.