MXPA03002942A

MXPA03002942A - Carton closure structure.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03002942A
Application number: MXPA03002942A
Authority: MX
Inventors: James R Oliff
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems
Priority date: 2000-10-10
Filing date: 2000-11-03
Publication date: 2004-12-13
Also published as: BR0017352B1; JP2004510656A; CA2464719A1; BR0017352A; ES2240196T3; DK1326788T3; JP4542310B2; DE60020408T2; CA2464719C; DE60020408D1; EP1326788B1; ATE296239T1; EP1326788A1; PT1326788E; AU2001213601B2; WO2002030785A1; AU1360101A

Abstract

An end closure structure for a tubular structure has lines of joinder with closure flaps that are disposed to minimize the deformable area of an end wall by creating a tight structure that is less prone to blousing or bulging. The length of top (22) and bottom (26) panels is less than the length of side panels (24). The side panels terminate in weakened lines of joinder (55) that are arced toward adjoining side flaps (25). Almond-shaped transition panels (60) further facilitate a snug, secure end closure that is not easily deformed by bulging or blousing.

Description

CLOSURE STRUCTURE FOR CARTON BOX DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to cardboard boxes, and more particularly to cardboard boxes having a closing structure that improves the integrity and appearance of the carton. It is important when packing packages are formed of articles that have a package that is safe and is not prone to unexpected openings and that does not present handling problems. A problem with known tubular cartons with known end or side loading is that the end structures become loose with the stacking and handling of the packages. This is particularly true when items such as beverage cans are packed in cardboard boxes. One solution is to provide skewed corners. EPO 500 258 illustrates an example of a cardboard box having skewed corners. Modern beverage cans typically have upper and lower components that are smaller in diameter than the body of the can. This means that there is often a substantial space between the corners of the end structure of a cardboard box and the upper and lower parts of the cans. In addition, cans are typically designed to be telescopically housed when stacked one on top of the other. In this way, when the packages of cans are stacked one on top of the other, the cans have to be nested much more than they are capable of. This action decreases the overall height of a cardboard box thereby causing the end walls to bulge outwardly. This external or bulging warping is also known as a blouse. The blouse creates problems because it can place undue stress on the tabs that form the end walls of the cardboard boxes causing the glued panels to fall. A type of ablution of the deformation of the cardboard box also creates a protrusion, which can cause bumps or otherwise interfere with handling. The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to solve or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art. One aspect of the invention provides a cardboard box comprising opposed upper and lower panels and opposite side panels that are joined together to form a tubular structure, the side tabs foldingly join the side panels along the first respective weakened lines of the joint, the main tabs fold the upper panel in folded form along the respective second weakened lines of the joint and the minor tabs join the lower panel along the respective third weakened lines of the joint. The first weakened lines of the joint each extend completely along an adjacent end edge of the respective side panel and bow to the side tabs and since a length of at least one of the upper and lower panels is less at a distance between the apices of the arches of the side panels. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the lengths of the upper panel and the lower panel may be as shorter lengths than the distance between the apices of the arcs of the side panels. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the upper panel and the lower panel can be of substantially equal length. In accordance with yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, it may further comprise inwardly inclined transition panels at respective ends of the side panels and each formed by the first weakened line of the joint and a fourth weakened line of the joint positioned inside the notorious corner of the cardboard box thus reinforcing the cardboard box around the articles. Preferably, the fourth weakened line of the joint is arcuate to define a transitional panel of an ellipsoidal shape. In a modality class, a handle structure is provided, wherein the fourth weakened line of the joint is placed through a panel that forms the handle structure. According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the or each side panel can be separated from its adjacent side tab by the transition panel or panels. A second aspect of the invention provides a template for forming a cardboard box, the template comprising a first panel for forming one of an upper or lower panel in the upright cardboard box that joins a second panel in a collapsible form to form a side panel in the upright cardboard box that joins in a collapsible form a third panel forming the other of the upper or lower panel in the upright cardboard box that folds together a fourth panel to form another side panel in the upright cardboard box; side tabs foldably join the second and fourth panels along the first respective weakened lines of the joint, the larger tabs foldingly join the first or third panel serving as the top panel in the cardboard box erect as Along the second respective weakened lines of the joint, the smaller tabs connect the first and third panels that serve as the lower panel in the cardboard box. n upright along the respective third weakened lines of the joint characterized in that the first weakened lines of the joint each extend completely along an adjacent end edge of the respective side panel and arc towards the side tabs , and for a length of at least one of the first and third panels is of lesser length than a distance between the apexes of the arcs of the second and fourth panels. Preferably, the lengths of the first upper panel and the third panel are of lesser length than the distance between the apexes of the arcs of the second and fourth panels. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the first panel and the third panel are of a substantially equal length. In addition, it may comprise inwardly inclined transition panels at respective ends of second and fourth panels each formed by the first weakened line of the joint and a fourth weakened line of the joint positioned in accordance with another optional feature of this aspect of the invention. into the notorious corner of the carton to thereby reinforce the cardboard box around the articles in a formed cardboard box. Preferably, the fourth weakened line of the joint is arched to define a transitional panel of an ellipsoidal shape. In a class of embodiments, a handle structure is provided, wherein the fourth weakened line of the joint is placed through a panel forming the handle structure. According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the or each second and fourth panel is separated from its adjacent side tab by the transition panel. In a beneficial way, the almond shaped transition panels also facilitate a secure, tight end closure that is not easily deformed by sagging or bent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Now the exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric illustration of a cardboard box having a structure for closing according to the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a template for forming the cardboard box of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a cardboard box of Figure 1 at one end thereof. Through the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar features of the invention. Generally, reference can be made simultaneously to Figure 1 and Figure 2 through the explanation of the invention that follows. A cardboard box 10 having a closure structure according to the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. A template 12 suitable for forming the carton 10 is shown in Figure 2. A structure tubular, shown in Figure 1, is formed from the panels, which for convenience of reference, are referred to as the upper part 22, a first side wall 24, the lower part 26, and the panels of the second wall 20 / 28 laterally connected jointly in series. The orientation designation of these panels refers to the orientation of articles, such as C cans that are packaged in the articles which is not a limitation. As shown in Figure 1, the upright orientation of a can C corresponds to the designation of the panels 22 and 26 as the upper and lower panels, respectively, and the designation of the panels 24 and the panel 20/28 bifurcated as panels lateral For convenience of explanation, the template 12, the panels that assume the arrangement of panels of the upper and lower panel in the upright cardboard box 10 are designated 22 and 26 and can be considered as first and third panels in the template. The more extreme side panel is shown in bifurcated form 20/28 but does not necessarily have to be formed in that form to practice teaching the invention. For reference convenience, the first side panel 24 in the template can be considered the second panel and the outermost side panel can be considered the fourth panel. The orientation of each of the pair of side panels with respect to each other and each of the pair of upper and lower panels with respect to each other is not consequential in the operation and teaching of the invention. For example, the upper panel 22 can be used as the lower panel 26 without departing from the teachings of the invention. A plurality of tongues and gusset structures form the end closure for the tubular structure. In this embodiment, the side tabs 25, 21/29 are attached to the respective ends of the side panels 24, 20/28 along punctured or otherwise weakened dotted lines of the joint 55. For convenience of reference, these are referred to as the weakened first lines of the union. All weakened lines of the joint described herein may be punctured, punctured or otherwise weakened. The larger tabs 23 are joined to the upper (or first) panel along the second weakened lines of the joint 45. The smaller tabs 27 are joined to the lower (or third) panel along the third weakened lines of the joint 35. Preferably, the first weakened lines of the joint 55 are arched towards the side tabs 25, 21/29. In the upright cardboard box, the arched lines of the joint 55 have the effect of making the cardboard box 10 narrower at the ends (as shown in Figure 3). In the preferred embodiment, the length L2 or L3 (i.e. the distance between the weakened second lines of the joint 35 or the weakened third lines of the joint 45) of at least one of the upper and lower panels 26, 22 is less than the length Ll (i.e. the distance between the apices of the first arcuate weakened lines of the joint 55 to provide a stronger cardboard box closure structure that is less prone to deformation by the so-called blushing. because the L2 lengths, L3 of the upper panels 22 and lower panels 26 are smaller than the distance Ll between the apices of the lateral walls 24, 20/28, so that the fold lines 45, 35 of the larger tabs 23 and 27, respectively, are place closer to or even match the bells of cans C or similar items that are packed. This allows the package to be formed more tightly initially with less free or unobstructed area of the major and minor tabs subjected to the effect of blushing. Accordingly, the side tabs 25, 21/29 are able to rest against the cans (C) while the larger and smaller tabs 23, 27 fit snugly against the upper and lower portions of the cans. In a kind of modalities, the end closure of the carton is made even more press fit with respect to the articles held inside the carton through the placement of an intermediate transition panel 50, 60 to the lateral panels 24, 20/28 and the end walls of the cardboard box. Each transitional panel 50, 60 is formed from a weakened first line of a joint 55 and a fourth weakened line of the joint 58, preferably the two lines are arched outwardly with respect to the transition panels 50, 60, whereby the fourth weakened line of the joint 58 is arched towards the opposite end of the respective side panel. This allows the end structures to adhere even more closely to the packaged items (such as C cans). In the preferred embodiment, the arcuate weakened lines 55, 58 define an ellipse, whereby the transition / gussets have intersecting ends at the corners of the carton. In this way, the transition panels provide a smooth transition from the side panels to a narrower end wall and structure, shown in more detail in Figure 3. The curvature of the lines of the joint 55, 58 that form The transition panel (or escutcheon) is also added to the vertical rigidity of the upright cardboard box. This stiffness is useful to provide support for adhering the various tabs to each other on the end closure of the carton. In the preferred embodiment, the apex of each first weakened line of the joint 55 is arranged to coincide with the body of a corner article, at the end of a carton. In addition, the apex of the fourth weakened line of the joint 58 can be arranged to coincide with the body of the article corner on its tangent with the side panel, so that at least part of the transition panel splices with a side portion of the article C In these embodiments with the handle structure H, which includes a handle strip shown in Figure 2, the fourth weakened line of the joint 58 is adapted to be positioned across or across the strip.

It will be recognized that as used herein, the directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side part", "major" and "minor" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but rather they only serve to distinguish these panels from each other. Any reference to an articulated connection or joining lines should not be taken as necessarily referring to a single fold line; rather it is visualized that the articulated connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a dotted line, a brittle line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the transition panels and / or the joining lines can be adjusted to accommodate articles of different size or shape, or the structures of Top closure and alternative base can be used. The cardboard box can accommodate more than one article in different arrangements.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cardboard box comprising opposite upper and lower panels and opposite side panels that are joined together to form a tubular structure; side tabs that folded together the side panels along the first respective weakened lines of a joint, larger tabs that foldably join the top panel along the respective second weak lines of the joint and the smaller tabs which join the lower panel along the respective third weakened lines of the joint, characterized in that the first weakened lines of the joint each extend completely along an adjacent end edge of the respective side panel and arc towards the ends. side tabs and because a length of at least one of the upper and lower panels is less than a distance between the apices of the arches of the side panels. The cardboard box according to claim 1, characterized in that the lengths of the upper panel and the lower panel are less than the distance between the arc apices of the side panels. 3. The cardboard box according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the upper panel and the lower panel are of a substantially equal length. The cardboard box according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises transitional panels inclined inward at respective ends of the side panels each formed by the first weakened line of the joint and a fourth weakened line of the union positioned in the notorious corner of the cardboard box whereby the cardboard box is reinforced around the articles. 5. The cardboard box according to claim 4, characterized in that the fourth weakened joining line is arched to define a transitional panel of an ellipsoidal shape. The cardboard box according to claim 4 or claim 5, having a handle structure, characterized in that the fourth weakened line of the joint is placed through a panel forming the handle structure. The cardboard box according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the or each side panel is separated from its adjacent side tab by the transition panel or panels. 8. A template for forming a cardboard box, the template comprises a first panel to form an upper panel or a lower panel in the upright cardboard box that joins in folded form a second panel to form a side panel in the cardboard box upright that joins in a folded form a third panel that forms the other of the upper or lower panel in the upright cardboard box that joins in a folded form a fourth panel to form another side panel in the upright cardboard box, the side tabs join in shape folded the second and fourth panels along the first respective weakened lines of the joint, the larger tabs join in folded form the first or third panel that serves as the top panel in the cardboard box erected along the second lines weakened respective of the joint, the smaller tabs connect the first or third panel that serves as the bottom panel in the cardboard box erected along the weaker third lines. the respective joints of the joint, characterized in that the first weakened lines of attachment each extend completely along an adjacent end edge of the respective side panel and arc towards the side tabs, and because a length of at least one of the first and third panels is of lesser length than a distance between the apexes of the arcs of the second and fourth panels. The template according to claim 8, characterized in that the lengths of the first upper panel and the third panel are of lesser length than the distance between the apexes of the arcs of the second and fourth panels. 10. The template according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the first panel and the third panel are of a substantially equal length. The template according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it also comprises transition panels inclined inward at respective ends of the second and fourth panels each formed by the first weakened line of the joint and a fourth weakened line of union positioned inside the notorious corner of the cardboard box whereby the cardboard box is reinforced around the articles in a formed cardboard box. The template according to claim 11, characterized in that the fourth weakened joining line is arched to define a transitional panel of an ellipsoidal shape. The insole according to claim 11 or claim 12, having a handle structure, characterized in that the fourth fold line is placed through a panel forming the handle structure. The insole according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the or each second and fourth panel are separated from their adjacent side tab by the transition panel.