MXPA96006154A

MXPA96006154A - Carrier that doubles around articles, cash conveyor

Info

Publication number: MXPA96006154A
Application number: MXPA/A/1996/006154A
Authority: MX
Inventors: L Sutherland Robert
Original assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
Priority date: 1995-12-11
Filing date: 1996-12-05
Publication date: 1998-01-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package comprising an article carrier, which is wrapped around them, containing a plurality of adjacent rows of articles, the lower parts of which are spaced apart, comprising: a top panel, first and second opposite side panels, connected to the top panel, a bottom panel comprised of a first bottom panel flap connected at a side edge thereof to the first side panel, and a second bottom panel flap connected at a side edge thereof to the second side panel side panel: a keel extending substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the fins of the lower panel, and which is substantially equal spaced from the side panels, the keel being comprised of opposed, spaced apart keel side panels, an upper keel panel and a lower keel panel spaced and opposite the upper keel panel, each keel panel is connected Attached to an adjacent keel panel by means of a fold line, one of the keel side panels is connected by means of a fold line to the first flap of the bottom panel, the bottom keel panel is connected to the second flap of the panel bottom, the upper keel panel has recesses, a part of each article extends into an associated recess, the keel side panels have openings, a part of each article extends into an associated opening, and the lower keel panel has tabs that extend outward, located between and in contact with an associated article and the bottom panel

Description

CARRIER THAT DOUBLESHARE OF ARTICLES. WITH COVER BOX REBORDE Cpfo d »1» Invention This invention relates to carriers that are folded around aiticules. More particularly, it relates to carriers that are folded around articles, for packaging tapered articles, such as small tubs of the type containing soft food products.

Background of the invention Carriers that are double around items are commonly designed with ends that are partially or fully open. In any case, the carriers must be provided with items to securely hold the items in place. The beverage cans, for example, are held in place partly by the tension of the tightly wound carrier and by the engagement of the upper part and the bottom edges of the cans with the edges of the cutouts in the side panels of the carrier. That design is facilitated by the fact that the side walls of the beverage cans are of a substantially constant diameter, which allows the preform of the carrier to be wound tightly around the cans.

Problems arise when the articles are not of uniform dimensions, particularly when the articles are tapered towards the bottom, which causes the bottom portions of the articles, in adjacent rows, to be spaced apart. Carriers that are folded around articles, for use with small tapered tubs, of the type used as soft food containers, are especially problematic, due to the difficulty of rolling them up sufficiently tightly to prevent movement of the tubs when the package is raised and carried. The movement of the containers is a problem even when the carrier includes side grooves, through which the flanges of the upper parts of the tubs project, since such an arrangement does not retain the bottom portions of the tubs closely in place. .

Partial end panels, which extend upwards from the bottom panel, may be provided to function as supports for the articles, as could the corner corner panels or fins. However, these measures are not entirely satisfactory, because they do not impede the movement of the bottom portions of the containers, towards and away from each other. To overcome these problems, it has been suggested to provide retention fins, which are wedged between the bottom portions of adjacent vats, to hold them in place. Although this prevents the spaced bottom portions of the articles from moving with mutual respect and towards the open end of the carrier, it does not commonly allow to employ more economical mechanical locks. In addition, the tubs are not supported against movement through the length of the carrier, but only at the ends of the carrier. It would be convenient to provide retaining elements for the articles, which are separated from the locking element of the telephone panels and which is capable of supplying the support to the bottoms of the articles over the entire length of the carrier.

Brief summary of the Invention According to the invention, a carrier that is folded around articles is supplied to pack a plurality of adjacent rows of articles, the bottom portions of which are spaced apart. The carrier includes a top panel, side panels and a bottom panel, comprising fins. A flange extends substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the fins of the phono panel and is spaced substantially equal from the side panels. This flange is comprised of a plurality of panels, each connected to an adjacent flange panel by fold lines, with one of the flange panels being foldably connected to the fin of the bottom panel. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is rectangular in cross section and includes a bottom panel adjacent to the bottom panel of the carrier, the bottom panel of the flange includes tabs, which extend outwards, placed between an associated article and the phono panel. This locks the flange in place and prevents the flange and carrier from collapsing. Preferably, a joining flap is mechanically connected to the inner side flange panel, to complete the structure of the flange. The side panels of the flange can be constructed to allow them to bend inside, in order to receive the tapered configuration of the packaged items. The upper flange panel may be recessed for the same reason. In addition, the carrier may include a split tab, which extends downwardly from the top panel, between the upper portions of adjacent articles in adjacent rows. In a preferred construction, the split tab is of double-folded construction, with one edge of the folded portion in contact with the underside of the top panel, to frictionally retain the split tab in place, while the articles , which are going to be packed, are arranged on the preform of the carrier.

The carrier is of a very robust construction and protects against the movement of the articles and the crushing of the carrier. It is also very economical and simple to manufacture from a unitary preform. The above and other aspects of the invention, like other benefits, will be readily apparent from the more detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an illustrative view of a carrier that is folded around articles, incorporating the box flange arrangement of the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the carrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a preform for manufacturing the carrier of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the portion of the preform, which forms the box rim; Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the portion of the preform that forms the upper split tabs; Figure 6 is a partial plan view of one of the openings in the upper panel, showing the upper dividing tab in an initial forming step; Figure 7 is a partial plan view, similar to that of Figure 6, but showing the upper dividing tab after it has been completely formed; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the upper dividing tab, taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic side elevation, showing the carrier at an initial stage of formation; Figure 10 is a partial, enlarged plan view of the box rim, taken on line 10-10 of Figure 2; Figure 11 is a partial sectional view, amplified, taken on line 11-11 of Figure 2, and Figure 12 is a partial sectional view, amplified, taken on line 12-12 of Figure 2. Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a carrier 10, which is folded around articles, it comprises an upper panel 12 connected along fold lines 14 to the side panels 16, which generally follow the outline of four tapering articles T in the carrier. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, articles T are shown comprising small tubs, of the type used to contain soft foods, such as yogurt, puddings or the like. The side panels are additionally tapered in the bottom portion of the carrier to form bevel panels 18. The side panels, adjacent to the top panel are provided with cutouts or openings 20, through which the flanges F of the tubs extend. The tongues 22, which extend from the upper panel 12, cover the projection flanges of the tubs. The cutouts 24 are also provided in the bevel panels 18, through which the bottom portions of the tubs extend.

The bottom panel of the carrier is formed by overlapping the bottom panel fins, 26 and 28, internal and external. The flap 20 of the inner bottom panel is connected to one of the side panels ba along the line of doubles 30, while the flap 28 of the outer bottom panel is connected to the other side panel 16 along the line 32 of fold. Extending upwardly from the bottom panel, between adjacent rows of vats is a central rim 34. The central ridge is rectangular in cross section and has a box-like, open-ended configuration, which fits closely between the bottom portions in angle of the tubs T, preventing the bottom portions from moving towards or away from each other and enabling the preform, which forms the carrier, to be wound tightly around the tubs. As explained in more detail below, the flange integrally connects to the fin 26 of the inner bottom panel. In addition, the central divisions 36 extend downwards from the upper panel 12, separating the flanges of rows of adjacent tubs from each other. Equally, the upper panel includes openings 38, which can be used to raise the carrier. As shown in Figure 3, in which reference numbers similar to those used in Figures 1 and 2, denote similar elements, a preform for manufacturing the carrier 10 comprises a sheet 40, substantially rectangular, made of cardboard or other suitable material that have flexibility and resistance. The section 12 of the top panel is placed inside the preform, with the sections 16 of the side panel, the sections 18 of the beveled panel and the fins, 26 and 28, of the bottom panel, being successively connected along the bending lines 29, 30 and 32. The flap 26 of the bottom panel, which runs in the interior of the preform, includes two spaced primary locking openings 42 and two secondary locking grooves 44 aligned. The flap 28 of the outer bottom panel is located at one end of the preform and includes two primary locking tabs, which align with the locking openings 42 and are formed by the slots 48. The secondary locking tabs connect to the flap of the bottom panel by the fold lines 52, which extend from the ends of the slits 48. The transverse fold lines 54 in the secondary locking tabs form external portions of tab 56, which are aligned with the secondary slits 44 of work.

Referring to Figure 4 as well as to Figure 3, the end of the flap 26 of the inner bottom panel, opposite the fold line 30, is connected by the fold line 58 to a first section 60 of the side panel of the flange. The section 62 of the bottom panel of the flange is connected by a fold line 64 to the section 60 of the side panel of the flange and by the fold line 66 to a second section 68 of the flange side panel. Connected to the second section 68 of the flange side panel by the fold line 70 is the section 72 of the upper panel of the flange, which, in turn, is connected by the fold line 74 to the flange 76 for joining the flange. Heel cutouts 78 in the first section 60 of the flange side panel include straight edges 80, which interrupt the fold line 58, and opposing arcuate edges 82, which interrupt the fold line 64. The slits 84 extend from the edges 82. to fold line 64 and are aligned with fold line 64.

The fold lines, 70 and 74, are interrupted by opposing arcuate grooves, 86 and 88, which form protrusions or interlocking tabs 90, when the section 72 of the upper flange panel is bent around the fold lines, 70 and 74, as explained in more detail below. The short slits 92 extend from the arcuate slits 86 to the cutouts 94, which interrupt the fold line 66. These cutouts 94 include arcuate edges 96, which extend into the bottom panel section of the reboundary, similar to arched edges 82 of the cutouts 78. In addition, the flange attachment flap 76 includes two pairs of spaced locking feet or tabs 98, which are connected to the recessed fold lines 100. The outer portions of the locking feet 98 are spaced from flap 76 by short arched grooves 102.

Still referring to Figure 3, the fold lines 14 are also interrupted by arched slits 104, which form tabs 106 when the upper panel section is bent around the fold lines 14. A set of three slits 108 is preferably supplied in the sections 16 of the side panel, adjacent the slits 104, to enable the side panels to be bent outwards by an adjacent tub in the package. As best shown in Figure 5, the openings 38 in the upper panel section, are covered by fins 110, which are connected to the upper panel section along spaced fold lines 112. The fins 110 also include an inner fold line 114, which is substantially parallel to the fold lines 112. A U-shaped slit 116 joins the fold line 114 to form fin legs 118 and a tab 120, with the portion 122 of the base 116 is recessed inwardly from the fold lines 112 to form a short portion of projection 124 in the section of the top panel. To obtain a carrier from the preform, the upper central dividers 36 are first formed from the fins 110, which cover the openings 38 in the upper panel. Referring to Figure 5, this is done by first folding the fins 110 downward, around the fold lines 112, while, at the same time, the fins are bent upwardly around the fold line 114. The fin in one intermediate stage of this bending process is illustrated in Figure 6. The fin continues to bend in this manner until the edge of the fin makes contact with the lower surface of the projection 124, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The friction fit of the bent fin against the projection 124 is sufficient to keep the fin in this bent vertical condition, thus creating the two-fold dividers 36.

The tubs to be packed are then bent in an inverted condition on the inner side of the top panel section of the preform, so that its flanges F abut the dividers 36 and the central flange 34 is formed of the box sections 60, 62, 68, 72 and 76. Referring to the amplified plan view of these sections in Figure 4 and the schematic illustration of the box flange in. Figure 9, it can be seen that the box rim is formed by folding the section 60 of the flange side panel down around the fold line 58 and then successively bending the remaining sections 62, 68, 72 and 76 of the flange panel in the opposite direction. The box flange in this forming step is illustrated in Figure 9, which shows the flange partially formed, but not yet moved into place between the bottoms of the tubs. To complete the formation of the box flange and the carrier bottom panel, the section 60 of the flange side panel and the flange attachment tab 76 are brought together in face-to-face relationship and the tongues 98 of the flange of the flange. junction 76 are inserted into the slots 84 in the fold line 64. This leads to the box rim formed in alignment with the space between the tubs T, after which the fin 26 of the bottom panel and the box rim move down to their final positions. The bottom panel is then formed by folding the flap 28 of the bottom panel into place and pushing the primary and secondary locking tabs 46 and 56 in a locking relationship with the primary opening 42 and the secondary slot 44 in the housing. flap 26 of the bottom panel. The carrier now appears as in Figures 1 and 2. The elements of the box rim are indicated in both figures of the drawing.

When the shape box flange, the tabs 90 of locking remain in the same plane as section 72 of the flange panel. The portions of the preform, previously occupied by the locking tabs 90, thus become the bead cutouts, defined by the edges of the slits 86 and 88. Accordingly, the connecting flap 76 and the section 60 of the side flange panel are brought into contact, the locking tabs 90, extending outward, of the section 72 of the bottom panel of the flange, adjacent to the attachment tab 76, move in place between the bottom of the adjacent tub and the fin. 26 of the background panel. The opposing locking tabs 90 also contact the bottom of the adjacent tub and, after the flap 28 of the bottom panel moves into place, it is placed between the tubs and the bottom panel. Because the locking tabs 90 are trapped between the tubs and the bottom panel of the carrier, they lock in place, thereby also locking the central flange in place. As shown in Figures 4 and 10, the grooves 82 and 96 form recesses or cutouts in the flange top panel 62. As shown in Figure 2, this arrangement allows the lower portions of the tubs to extend into the central rim for a short distance. Thus, although the box rim is rectangular in cross section, the rim structure provides the support for the tapered side wall of the tubs. As illustrated in Figure 12, the cutouts 78 in the flange side panel 60 allow the tubs to extend through the side panel 60 into the box flange. The adjacent joint flap 76, due to the loose connection between the tongues 98 and the bendable connection of the tongues 98, is capable of bending by an amount sufficient to enable the tubs to penetrate the flange to its final position . As shown in Figure 11, the slits 92 adjacent to the cutouts 94 and 86 in the other flange side panel 68 allow the panel to be folded into the interior to also enable the tubs to properly penetrate the interior of the box flange. .

It can now be appreciated that the invention provides a non-collapsible package, which retains the tapered tubs in an upright position. The carrier is formed of a single preform, but includes a divider extending downwardly from the top panel and a ridge extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The carrier's own preform is economical to produce and the manufacture of the carrier is simple. Although the invention has been described in connection with articles in the form of small tubs, it may also be employed to retain articles of different configurations in a carrier that is folded around articles, having a central flange. It will also be evident that the invention need not be limited to all the specific details described in relation to the preferred embodiment, and that changes may be made in certain characteristics of the preferred embodiment, which do not alter the general basic function and the concept of the invention. , without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. A package comprising a carrier that is folded around articles, containing a plurality of adjacent rows of articles, whose bottom portions are spaced, this package comprises:
a top panel; a first and second opposite side panels, connected to the top panel; a bottom panel, comprised of a first flap of the bottom panel, connected at its lateral edge to the first side panel and a second flap of the bottom panel, connected at its lateral edge to the second side panel; a flange, which extends substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the fins of the bottom panel and spaced substantially the same from the side panels; this flange is comprised of a plurality of panels, each flange panel is connected to an adjacent flange panel by a fold line, and one of the flange panels is connected, by a fold line, to the first fin of the panel background. 2. A package, as defined in claim 1, wherein the flange is rectangular in cross section. 3. A package, as defined in the claim
1, in which a flange panel extends upwardly from the bottom panel of the carrier, this flange includes a joining flap which engages the first flange panel and is joined thereto. 4. A package, as defined in the claim
1, in which the flange includes a bottom panel adjacent to the bottom panel of the carrier, this bottom panel of the flange includes tabs, which extend outwardly, positioned between an associated article and the bottom panel.
5. A package, as defined in the claim

4, in which the flange panels include opposite side panels, each side panel of the flange includes an opening, positioned opposite a tongue, extending outwardly, the tabs extending through associated openings in the side panels of the flange.
6. A package, as defined in claim 1, wherein the flange includes a top panel including recesses, a portion of each article extending within an associated recess.
7. A package, as defined in the claim

6, in which the flange panels include opposite side panels, each side panel of the flange includes elements to allow this side panel to be folded into the interior.
8. A package, as defined in the claim

7, in which the element for allowing a first side panel of the rim to be folded into the interior, comprises a top cut-outs, adjacent to each recess in the top panel of the rim and a lower cut-out, spaced down from each top cut-out.
9. A package, as defined in the claim
8, in which the first side panel of the flange includes a slit, which extends from each upper cutout to an associated lower cut. A package, as defined in claim 7, wherein the opposite side panel of the flange has an inner face and the flange includes a connecting flap, in contact with the inner face, the element allowing the opposite side panel of the flange is folded into the interior comprises an opening in the opposite side panel of the flange, which opposes each associated article, the binding flap has locking tabs, which extend into the slits in the flange adjacent to the openings in the flange. Opposite side panel of the flange:
11. A package, as defined in claim 10, wherein the attachment flap includes a lower cutout, opposite each opening on the opposite side panel of the flange, each locking flap of the attachment flap is connected to the flap of union by a fold line.
12. A package, as defined in claim 1, including a divider tongue, extending downward from the top panel, between upper portions of adjacent articles in adjacent rows.
A package, as defined in claim 12, wherein each tab of the divider is of a two-fold construction.
14. A package, as defined in claim 13, wherein each tab of the divider has a first portion connected, by a fold line, to the top panel, and a second portion bent upwardly against the first portion.
15. A package, as defined in claim 14, wherein the top panel includes an internal face, each second portion of the divider tab has a free edge that engages the inner face of the top panel.
16. A package, as defined in claim 15, wherein the fold line, connecting each first portion of the splitter tab to the top panel, is comprised of two spaced line segment segments, the top panel forming a protruding between the segments of the fold line, the free edge of the second portion of the divider tab engages with the inner face of the projection.
17. A package, comprising a carrier that is folded around articles, containing a plurality of adjacent rows of articles, the bottom portions of which are spaced apart, this package comprising: a top panel; a first and second opposite side panels, connected to the top panel; a bottom panel, comprised of a first flap of the bottom panel, connected at its lateral edge to the first side panel and a second flap of the bottom panel, connected at its lateral edge to the second side panel; a flange, which extends substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the fins of the bottom panel and spaced substantially the same from the side panels; this flange is comprised of a plurality of panels spaced apart from each other, each flange panel is connected to an adjacent flange panel by a fold line, one of the flange panels is connected, by a fold line, to the first flange from the background panel;
this flange includes a bottom panel, adjacent to the bottom panel of the carrier, this bottom panel of the flange has tabs, which extend outwardly, placed between an associated article and the bottom panel; and the flange includes a top panel, which has recesses, a portion of each article extends within an associated recess. 18. A package, as defined in claim 17, wherein the flange panels include opposite side flange panels, each flange side panel includes elements to allow the side panel to be folded into the interior, each flange side panel further it includes an opening, positioned opposite a tongue extending outwardly, the tabs extending through associated openings in the flange side panels.
19. A package, as defined in claim 17, including a divider tongue, extending downward from the top panel, between the upper portions of adjacent articles in adjacent rows.
20. A package, as defined in claim 19, in which the articles include tapered side walls, which extend into the recesses of the top panels of the flange.
21. A preform for manufacturing a carrier that is folded around articles, for packaging a plurality of adjacent rows of articles, the bottom portions of which are spaced, this preform comprises:

a sheet, generally rectangular, having an inner section of the upper panel; side panel sections, connected to the opposite sides of the upper panel section by fold lines; a first fin of the bottom panel, connected to one of the sections of the side panel, along a first fold line, and a second wing of the bottom panel, connected to the other section of the side panel along a second fold line, a plurality of flange panel sections, each section is connected to an adjacent section of the flange panel by a fold line; the flange panel sections include a first section of the flange panel connected or a fold line to the first fin of the bottom panel.
22. A preform, as defined in claim 21, wherein the flange panel sections include a joining flap at one end of the preform, that attachment flap includes elements for connecting the attachment flap to a section of the flange panel in a carrier formed from the preform. .
23. A preform, as defined in claim 22, wherein the sections of the flange panel include a section of the bottom panel, which has tabs, which extend outwardly, spaced from the adjacent sections of the flange panel by slits.
24. A preform, as defined in claim 23, wherein the sections of the flange panel include two sections of the side panel, a section of the side panel is the first section of the flange panel and the other section of the side panel is connected to the section of the bottom panel, these side panel sections include heel clippings, to receive the bottom portions of the articles packed in a carrier, manufactured from the preform.
25. A preform, as defined in claim 24, wherein the sections of the flange panel include a section of the top panel, connected to the sections of the side panel, this section of the top panel includes narrow portions forming recesses, to receive a portion of each article in a carrier manufactured from the preform.
26. A preform, as defined in claim 25, wherein the attachment flap includes locking tabs, which extend outward, and the fold line, which connects the first section of the flange panel to the upper panel section of flange, includes slots aligned with the tabs d, locked, the locking tabs are adjusted in the grooves in a carrier manufactured from the preform.
27. A preform, as defined in claim 17, including at least one divider tab, connected by a fold line to the upper panel section of the carrier, this divider tab is positioned to extend downwardly from the upper panel of the carrier. a carrier manufactured from the preform, between the upper portions of adjacent articles in adjacent rows packed in the carrier.
A preform, as defined in claim 27, wherein each tab of the divider has a first portion connected, by a fold line, to the upper panel section and a second portion connected by a fold line to the first portion, the upper panel section includes a slit, which forms a free edge of the second tab portion of the divider, for coupling the inner face of the upper panel of a manufactured carrier of the preform.
29. A preform, as defined in claim 28, in which the fold line, which connects the first tab portion of the divider to the top panel, is comprised of two spaced-apart segments of fold line, the top panel forms a projection between the segments of the fold line.