MXPA97004032A - C - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a box for packaging a plurality of primary containers arranged in at least three side rows, one center of the rows has smaller containers than the adjacent rows, comprising: a support panel on which they are to be placed the containers: a panel, first and second side walls connected to the top panel, mounts for retaining the support panel in a portion with respect to the side panels, mounts between the support panel and at least one of the side walls and extends into the package to retain the central row of the containers in an inwardly displaced condition with respect to adjacent rows of the containers

Description

QMA BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to boxes for transporting a plurality of items such as bottles or cans, for example. In particular, one aspect of the invention relates to a box comprising two or more rows of articles stacked one on top of the other, and another aspect relates to a box having a carrying handle. It is known from the U.S. patent. No. 4,848,651 to provide a totally circumscribed box comprising an outer wrapper and two article trays. In the patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,848,651, Hartness illustrates how a totally circumscribed box can be formed of two trays of cans stacked on top of each other and an envelope comprising a central panel and two sides and two end panels. The enclosure is placed against the tops of the cans in the upper tray and the side and end panels of the enclosure are folded down against the sides of both the upper and lower can tray. The cover panel is detachably attached to the lower tray on lines of adhesive material. EP 0341089 describes a box for packing a plurality of articles comprising a strip handle. The strip is formed of the upper panel and upper end panels forming an inclined wall, or beveled row, which contours the shoulders of bottles contained within the box. The strip is hingedly connected to the end walls of the box and in use, extends into the box adjacent the walls, in order to allow the strip to pull up away from the top panel. The illustrated box is octagonal in plan elevation and is adapted to hold six rows of bottles in a four-five-four-four-five-four assembly. This assembly of the articles themselves provides spaces within the box adjacent to the region of the end walls to which the handle strip is hinged. DE-U-8803454 describes a tray having at least two opposite side walls in the tray with integrated cushions forming from two walls with a distance between them. The walls are coordinated to make approximately parallel by connecting pieces and base tabs. The cushions have indentations attached to the received articles, which can slide on the base tabs. In this assembly, other items are supported by the cushions. FR-A-2596972, discloses a tray for supporting a plurality of articles, each article being placed in a corner of the tray. It comprises a base and two opposite faces, each face includes a part formed by partially cutting the base. The cut part is intended when placed in its operative position, which constitutes a fastening device for wedging each article into a corner portion of the tray.

One aspect of the invention provides a box for packaging a plurality of primary containers arranged in at least three side rows, one center of the rows has fewer containers than the adjacent rows, comprising: a support panel on which they are going to place the containers; a top panel; first and second side walls connected to the top panel; mounts for retaining the support panel in a position with respect to the side panels; mounts between the support panel and at least one of the side walls and extending into the package, to retain the central row of the containers in an inwardly displaced condition with respect to adjacent rows of the containers. According to a feature of this aspect of the invention, a handle can be formed at least partially from the upper panel and the first and second side panels and that during use is partially projected into the box adjacent to the central row. According to another characteristic of this aspect of the invention, a bottom panel can be connected between the first and second side walls on which a second layer of primary containers is placed, the support panel is separated from the bottom panel by a distance substantially equal to the height of the primary containers. According to yet another feature of this aspect of the invention, the support panel can form a portion of a tray for retaining the primary containers placed therein, the assemblies for retaining the support panel in position include assemblies for fixing the tray with respect to to the upper panel and first and second side walls. Preferably, the fixing assemblies include retaining reinforcements connected between the upper panel and the first and second side walls, for retaining the containers placed inside the tray, whereby the tray is fixed in a relative position. According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention, the central row retention assemblies may include a first panel hingedly connected to the support panel and a second panel hingedly connected between the first panel and a side wall of the tray, the first and second panels are arranged for placement between the most extreme containers of the central row and the adjacent rows.

According to a still further feature of this aspect of the invention, the support panel can be connected to the first panel and side walls and form a bottom wall for the box. Another aspect of the invention provides a box accommodating a plurality of primary containers arranged in at least three side rows, a center of the rows having smaller than adjacent containers of the rows, comprising: a support panel on which the rows are placed. containers; a top panel; first and second side walls connected to the top panel; mounts for retaining the support panel in a position with respect to the side panels; mounts between the support panel and at least one of the side walls and extending into the package to retain the central row of the containers, in a condition moved inwardly with respect to the adjacent outlets of the containers and a shaped handle at least partially of the upper panel and the first and second side panels and that during use is partially projected to the box adjacent to the central row.

Another aspect of the invention provides a tray for transporting a plurality of articles comprising a base panel and side panels projecting upwards, the tray being adapted to accommodate at least three adjacent rows of articles, wherein the center row has an article less than the outer rows and where two adjacent rows move longitudinally to each other, to provide a closely packaged formation, the tray comprises assemblies projecting inwardly of the tray to prevent movement of the articles within the tray, characterized in that the inward projection assemblies are provided at each end of the central row to restrict movement of articles in the central row, the inwardly projecting assemblies comprise a side panel which is hinged to and projects inwardly from a side wall panel of tray and a bottom panel that hinges to and projects upwards from the base panel, the lower and side panels are hingedly connected to each other. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a box preform for forming a tray for transporting a plurality of articles, this preform comprises a base panel, hinged side panels, the tray when formed is adapted to accommodate at least three adjacent rows of articles, wherein the central row has one less article than the outer rows and where two adjacent rows are displaced longitudinally to each other, to provide a closely packaged formation, the preform further comprises assemblies that are adapted to project inwardly into the tray to avoid movement of article within the tray when in use, characterized in that the inwardly projecting assemblies comprise a side panel which is hinged to and form from a tray side panel and a bottom panel which is hinged to and form the base panel, Lower and side panels are hingedly connected to each other. According to a feature of this aspect of the invention, the base panel may comprise a first panel part and a second panel part hinged together by a series of panels adapted to provide an upper part for the tray and a pair of walls opposite sides, each of which is hinged to the top and base and where each of the side walls incorporates one of the side panels. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a box preform envelope is provided for coupling together a pair of trays of the type previously designed, wherein the tray is arranged one on top of the other to create a stack, the envelope comprises a top panel to locate on the top of the items in the top tray, a pair of side wall panels hinged to opposite edges of the top panel and flanking opposite sides of the stack and a base panel hinged to each of the side wall panels and fastened to lower portions of the bottom base tray and where the wrapping side wall panels and / or top panel include constraint mounts for cooperation with items of the uppermost tray in the stack, to inhibit movement of the uppermost tray relative to the next adjacent tray. Modes of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a preform for forming the wrapping part of a box according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a preform for forming a tray part of the box according to the invention; FIGURES 3 and 4 show perspective views of a first embodiment of a box according to the invention, comprising the envelope illustrated in FIGURE 1 and the tray illustrated in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a preform for forming a second housing for a box according to the invention; FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of a second embodiment of the box according to the invention comprising the envelope illustrated in FIGURE 5 and the tray illustrated in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 9 is a preform in plan to form a box according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a box formed from the preform illustrated in FIGURE 9; FIGURE 11 is a plan view in the preform to form a third shell according to the invention; and FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a box comprising the envelope illustrated in FIGURE 11 and the tray illustrated in FIGURE 2. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, an embodiment of a box and its various components is illustrated. according to the present invention. In FIGURE 1, an enclosure 10 is illustrated, which is formed of cardboard and comprises an end panel 12 which is hingedly connected to a side panel 14 which in turn is hingedly connected to an upper panel 16. The upper panel 16 in turn connects in a hinged manner with a second side panel 18 which is hingedly connected to the panel end 20. The panels just described are connected in a hinged manner in series respectively by fold lines 42, 44, 46 and 48. The side panels 14 and 18 preferably comprise tear strips 22a and 22b, respectively. A carrying handle 50 is provided, comprising a strip 52 having side finger tabs 54 hingedly connected. The handle 50 is formed of side panels 14 and 18 and top panels 16 by cutting lines 56, which extend through the hinge lines 44 and 46. In this example, reinforcements extending between each side edge of the hinge are provided. the side panels 14 and 18 and the top panel 16. In this manner, four reinforcements 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d are provided. With reference to the reinforcement 24a, by way of example, each reinforcement comprises a perforated crease line 26 connecting a crease panel 28 to a side panel. The crease panel 28 can be hingedly connected to an intermediate reinforcement panel 32 by a perforated crease line 30. The opening 38 is provided between the intermediate reinforcement panel 32 and the side panel in this manner to facilitate bending of the reinforcement 24. intermediate reinforcement panel 32 is connected to an upper reinforcement panel 36 by fold line 34. Upper reinforcement panel 36 is hingedly connected to top panel 16 on a crease line 40. A preform for forming individual trays for a housing according to the invention, it is illustrated in FIGURE 2. The tray 70 comprises a base panel 72 which is hingedly connected with four side panels at 74, 76, 78 and 80 on the fold line 73b, 73d, 73a and 73c , respectively. The side panels 78 and 80 comprise corner mounts 82 and in this example are provided at each end of the panels 78 and 80 to thereby provide a corner assembly 82a, 82b, 82c and 82d for each corner of a tray 70. By way of example, a corner assembly 82b comprises a series of panel portions 84, 86, 88 and 90 that are hingedly connected in series with each other by crease lines 85, 87 and 89, and to the side panel by the fold line 83 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The most end panel portion 90 is hingedly connected by a reinforcement panel 92 by fold lines 91 and 93 with a side edge and a side panel, such as 74 in the assembly case 82b. The tray described here is designed to accommodate eight cans in a three-two-three housed or packed assembly where adjacent rows move half a can longitudinally over the row direction. In this way, individual items such as beverage cans confine six neighbors, two in each adjacent row and two in the same row. Of course, a tray can be provided for any number of articles or article rows. The trays also comprise one or more keels such as the keels 94a and 94b illustrated in FIGURE 2. Each keel is partially formed from the base panel 72 and partially from a side panel 78 or 80 and comprises a top panel 95a, 95b connected in a manner hinged with side panels 78 or 80 by fold lines 75a or 75b, respectively. The upper panel 95a or 95b is hingedly connected with a side panel 96a or 96b respectively on the fold line 77, which is coincident with the fold line 73a or 73c, respectively. In turn, the side panel 96a or 96b is hingedly connected to the base panel 72 by a fold line 79a or 79b, respectively. The keel conveniently confines three adjacent articles to maintain orderly assembly when the tray is formed. The keels 94a and 94b are put into an armed condition automatically when the side panels 78 and 80 are assembled. To assemble and load the tray, the side panels 78 and 80 are bent upwardly relative to the fold lines 73a and 73c respectively, thereby assembling both keels 94a and 94b. It is then possible to load the tray partially formed by articles passing over the side panels 74 and 76 before closing those sides of the tray. The keels 94a and 94b force the articles into a suitable position with which they acquire the assembly three-two-two-three. In order to close the open sides, the side panels 74 and 76 initially bend when rotating with fold lines 73b and 73d respectively, thereby causing reinforcing panels 92 to bend the associated corner assembly 82 inwardly. This movement is continued in such a way that each of the panels in each of the corner assemblies 82 rotates slightly to thereby cause a substantially curved corner feature. The side panels 74 and 76 can then be raised relative to respective fold lines 73b and 73d and connected to adjacent corner assemblies, for example by gluing with adhesive between the inner surface of the side panel and the outer surface of the end panel 90 of an assembly corner 82. Alternatively, the trays can be loaded after completion, for example by lowering items in the tray or lowering the trays on the items. A box 1 formed of the envelope 10 and two trays 70a and 70b are illustrated in FIGURE 3. To form the complete case 1, a first tray 70a is placed on a lower tray 70b to form a two-strip assembly. An envelope 10 then be folded around the assembly and connected for example by attaching the end panels 12 and 20 to the underside of the base panel 72 of the outermost tray 70b. In order to retain the upper base tray 70a without attaching it by adhesive for example to the envelope, reinforcements 24 are provided for coupling the uppermost shoulders and covers of the outermost articles A in the upper tray. The reinforcements may be formed by lowering the top panel 16 over the tops or covers of the articles A in the uppermost tray 70a, then folding the folding panel 28 inward to confine the associated side panel interior 14 or 18 of the 10. This causes the reinforcing panels 32 and 36 to be folded into a cup configuration that can accommodate a portion of the top of an article. This can be seen in FIGURE 2 for example. This movement also initiates a partial downward bending of the side panels relative to fold lines 44 and 46, this downward movement can be continued to wrap the two trays as previously described. In this way, a two-row assembly with minimal connection of a tray casing can be easily formed while retaining individual rows or layers of articles. In order to open the box, one or both of the tear strips 22 can be removed thereby separating the wrapping from the trays as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The two trays 70 can then be separated from each other. In this example, the tray 70 comprises a keel 94 and is therefore adapted to retain the articles in a three, two, three housed assembly that is tightly packed and the keels border the sides of adjacent cans as illustrated in FIG. FIGURE 3. Of course, any number of trays can be retained in a box of that type and it is simply required to adjust the length of each of the side panels 14 and 18 to accommodate different amounts of trays. Also, retaining features instead of or as reinforcements 24 may be provided for any one or more of the trays or rows in a single row of a multi-row case. The other assemblies for connecting a wrapper to a tray can be by adhesive or mechanical interlocking assemblies, such as one or more engaging tongues and engaging openings, for example. The locking tab can be formed from a portion such as the casing and an opening is provided in another part of the casing such as a tray side wall. It is envisaged that a tray of the type described with reference to FIGURE 2, may be employed without being placed in a row or without the wrapping described either with or without some form of top cover. Furthermore, the wrapping can be used in a single tray assembly and / or with other forms of trays. A second embodiment of a box 101 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 5 A 8. In this example, features that are similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, are labeled with the same two-digit reference number. with prefix digit 1. Accordingly, a wrapping preform 110 comprises end panels 112 and 120, side panels 114 and 118 and an upper panel 116. In this example, a shoulder panel 160a and 160b is provided in the portion more superior of each of the side panels 114 and 118 respectively to contour the shoulders of the articles A as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

Trays as illustrated in FIGURE 2, can be used to form the box 101 illustrated in FIGURE 6 and in order to do so, the trays formed are stacked one on top of the other as previously described, except that in this example the orientation of the trays with respect to wrapper 110 is different. Here, the tray is arranged such that side panels 76 and 74 are exposed in the box 101 and wrap 110 buttresses the side panels 78 and 80 of the tray. The wrap and reinforcements 124 can be formed in the same manner as previously described. However, an advantage of this assembly is a handle that can be manipulated more easily by the consumer. It can be seen for example from FIGURE 8 that there is a space on the keels 94, the space is located adjacent the lower portions of the handle 150 formed of side panels 114 and 118 when the envelope 110 is positioned relative to the trays. By lifting the handle 150 to transport the package, it will pull these lower portions inward of the box side panels, thereby increasing the distance on the top panel 116, this handle 150 can move. Additionally, this reduces the stresses in the handle in the regions adjacent to the box corners. In a beneficial manner, this feature also provides greater stability when transporting the box as it acts to retain the upper tray 70a when keying between the outermost rows of three articles. Therefore, a combined retention action is achieved through the handle row 152 and the reinforcements 124 which cooperate to retain the uppermost tray. In this example, the trays can again be separated from the wrapper 110 by removing the tear strip features 122 as illustrated in FIGURE 7, to thereby provide access to the trays as illustrated in FIGURE 8. Of course , the orientation of the trays with respect to the wrapping can in any way enclose any of the boxes 101, thus allowing the choice to use the interlocking feature with the handle strip. Also, of course the relative orientation of the upper and lower trays may be different. Of course, the retention function can be fully achieved satisfactorily by simply gluing the top tray to the envelope with adhesive and it should be noted that in this example, reinforcements are not provided for the items in the uppermost strip, without embargoes. these reinforcements can equally well be included. In any case, an envelope of the type described with reference to FIGURE 5 can be employed in a single tray assembly and / or with other forms of trays. A third embodiment of the invention can be seen with reference to FIGURES 9 and 10, wherein the handle and keel structure described herein are employed in a single-strip case. In this embodiment, portions corresponding to portions described herein for the first and / or second embodiments are given like reference numbers for the first digit 2. The top panel 216 is connected to shoulder panels 60a and 260b, which in turn are connect to side panels 214 and 218, respectively. The side panel 214 is connected on its lower edge to the base panel 272. The base panel 272 has a pair of end flaps 274 and 276 connected at their edges on the fold lines 273b and 273d. Corner assemblies 282a and 282b similar to those described herein for the tray, are provided, with the reinforcing panel 292 connecting the corner assemblies to the end flaps 274 and 276. Also reinforcements 224a and 224b are connected to the side edges. of the side panel 214 and top panel 216. The side panel 218 is connected at its lower edge with the partial base panel 272a. Part end flaps 274a and 276a are connected over fold lines 273e and 273f, respectively, to the partial base panel 272a. Corner mounts 282c and 282d are provided at the lower side edges of side panel 218, with stiffeners 292 connecting to partial end flaps 274a and 276a. Reinforcements 224c and 224d connect between the side panel 218 and the top panel 216.

The handle structure 250 similar to that illustrated in FIGURE 5 is provided in panels 214, 216, 218, 260a and 260b. keels 294a and 294b are arranged in side panel 218 and partial base panel 272a, and in side panel 214 and base panel 272, respectively. In use, the box can be formed in a tube by gluing the base panel 272 to the partial base panel 272a. Keels 294a and 294b are placed in an armed condition, and the articles are loaded into the tube of each of the open ends. Keels 294a and 294b cause the articles to be placed in the suitable housed assembly, thereby creating a gap into which the lower handle portions can move during use. After loading, the corner mounts 282a, 282b, 282c and 282d are bent inwardly and end flaps 274 and 276 are bent upward and glued to the corner mounts to close the box. The box then appears as illustrated in FIGURE 10. A fourth embodiment of a box 310 according to the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12. In this example, features that are similar to those in previous embodiments are labeled using the same two-digit reference number with the digit 3 as a prefix. In this manner, end panels 312 and 320, side panels 314 and 318, and top panel 316, are provided. In this example, however, the side panels are divided with a lowermost tear characteristic 322a and 322b on the sidewalls 314 and 318, respectively. This in this way provides lower side wall portions 314a and 318a respectively which are hingedly connected to the end panel 312 and 320 respectively. The tearing characteristics 322a and 322b may be relatively wide in Wl and preferably the distance W2, from the more upper tear-off perforations of the lowermost tear portions (ie 322a and 322b) to the crease lines 344 and 346 between the upper parts of the side panels and the upper panel, substantially equal to the height of the articles to be retained. In this way, once the tear strips 322a and 322b are removed, a more circumscribed upper tray 370a as illustrated in FIGURE 11 is retained. Preferably, the intermediate side panel portion 314b and 318b are provided, which can be connected to associated sides of the uppermost tray, in order to retain this upper position of the envelope to the uppermost tray once the tearing strips lower 322a and 322b have been removed. An additional tear strip 322c and 322d are provided in each of the side panels to allow removal of the rest of the wrapper from the uppermost tray. Of course, only one tear characteristic can be provided, for example feature 322d can be omitted since by tear strip 322c, access to uppermost tray 370a can be achieved.

By connecting the wrapper for example by adhesive on the strips 314b and 318b to the uppermost tray, this tray can be removed as an intact unit as illustrated in FIGURE 12. Of course, the trays can again be oriented in a manner described in FIG. Referring to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, to thereby allow use of the handle to cooperate with the articles in the upper tray to retain the tray. Of course, the retention function can be achieved in a completely satisfactory way, simply by gluing the uppermost tray with the envelope with adhesive and it will be seen that in this example, no reinforcements are provided for the items in the uppermost strip without embargoes these reinforcements They can also be included.

Claims (12)

1. A box for packaging a plurality of primary containers disposed in at least three side rows, one center of the rows has smaller containers than the adjacent rows, comprising: a support panel on which the containers are to be placed; a top panel; first and second side walls connected to the top panel; mounts for retaining the support panel in a portion with respect to the side panels; mounts between the support panel and at least one of the side walls and extending into the package to retain the central row of the containers in an inwardly displaced condition with respect to adjacent rows of the containers.

A box according to claim 1, further comprising a handle formed at least partially of the upper panel and the first and second side panels, and which during use projects partially into the box adjacent to the central row.

3. A box according to claim 2, further comprising a bottom panel connected between the first and second side walls on which a second layer of primary containers is to be placed, the support panel is separated from the panel of background by a distance substantially equal to the height of the primary containers.

4. A box as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the support panel forms a portion of a tray for retaining the primary containers placed there, the assemblies for retaining the support panel in position include assemblies for fixing the tray with respect to to the upper panel and first and second side walls.

A box according to claim 4, wherein the fixing assemblies include retaining reinforcements connected between the upper panel and the first and second side walls for retaining the containers placed inside the tray, whereby the tray is fixed in relative position.

A box as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central row retention assemblies include a first panel hingedly connected to the support panel and a second panel hingedly connected between the first panel and a second panel. side wall of the tray, the first and second panels are arranged to be placed between more extreme containers of the central row and the adjacent rows.

A box according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support panel can be connected to the first panel and side walls and forms a bottom wall for the box.

8. A box housing a plurality of primary containers arranged in at least three side rows, one center of the rows has fewer containers than adjacent rows, comprising: a support panel on which the containers are to be placed; a top panel; first and second side walls connected to the top panel; mounts for retaining the top panel in a position with respect to the side panels; mounts between the support panel and at least one of the side walls and extending upwardly of the package to retain the central row of the containers in an inwardly displaced condition with respect to the adjacent rows of the containers and a shaped handle less partially from the top panel, and first and second side panels and which during use project partially into the box adjacent to the central row.

9. A tray for transporting a plurality of articles comprising a base panel and side panels projecting upwards, the tray being adapted to accommodate at least three adjacent rows of articles, wherein the middle row has one less article than the rows outside and where two adjacent rows move longitudinally to each other to provide a closely packaged formation, the tray comprises assemblies projecting inwardly to the interior of the tray, to prevent movement of articles within the tray, characterized in that the inwardly projecting means are provided at each end of the central row to restrict movement of articles in the row central, inwardly projecting assemblies comprise a side panel which is hinged to and projects inwardly from a tray side wall panel, and a bottom panel which is hinged to and project upwards from the base panel, the bottom and side panels are connected hinged on each other.

10. A box preform for forming a tray, for transporting a plurality of articles, this preform comprises a base panel, side walls hinged thereto, the tray when formed is adapted to accommodate at least three adjacent rows of articles, wherein the central row has one less article than the outer rows and where two adjacent rows move longitudinally to each other to provide a tightly packaged formation, the preform further comprises assemblies that are adapted to project into the tray, to prevent movement of the articles within the tray, when in use, characterized in that the inwardly projecting assemblies comprise a side panel which is hinged to and formed from a tray side wall panel and a bottom panel which is hinged to and form the base panel , the lower and side panels are connected in a hinged way to each other.

A box preform according to claim 10, wherein the base panel comprises a first panel part and a second panel part hinged together by a series of panels adapted to provide an upper part for the tray and a pair of opposite side walls, each of which is hinged to the top and base and where each of the side walls incorporates one of the side panels.

12. A box preform wrap for coupling together a pair of trays of the type according to claim 10, wherein the trays are arranged one above the other to create a stack, the wrap comprises an upper panel for locating on the upper part of the articles in the uppermost tray, a pair of side wall panels hinged to opposite edges of the upper panel and flanking opposite sides of the stack and a base panel hinged to each of the side wall panels and subject to lower portions of the lowermost tray and wherein the wrapping side wall panels and / or top panel include constraint mounts to cooperate with items of the uppermost tray in the stack to inhibit movement of the uppermost tray relative to the tray next adjacent.