TWI408087B - Carton and carton blank - Google Patents

Abstract

One or more blanks (10, 110) for forming a carton for receiving and retaining a group of articles (C) disposed in rows, include at least two main panels (14, 18) each having clipping feature (40, 140) for receiving and retaining an upper portion of a respective article, and one or more keel panels (16a, 16b; 116b) hinged to the each main panel for forming a keel structure disposable between a pair of adjacent rows of articles. The one or more blank further include retention panels (12, 20, 28a, 28b; 120, 128b, 128b) for forming a side and end retention structure foldable against the sides and ends of an article group for retaining articles in a group once the carton is formed. The retention panels include a pair of end flaps (28a, 28b; 128b, 128b) hinged to the at least tow main panels. Each end flap is separate from the keel panels and is separate from the other end flap of the pair.

Description

Carton and carton blank

The present invention provides a carton for accommodating, assembling and securing an item, particularly but not limited to the carton providing a top grip type carrier that can accommodate and secure a group of items.

A carton that can be used to join multiple items is useful for enabling consumers to obtain and transport an intended number of individual items, such as soft drinks or other beverages or food products.

It is known to provide a top-handed article carrier in which an aperture is provided in a panel of the carrier and a plurality of fasteners are punctuated from the aperture. As soon as the article is received within the aperture, the tabs are displaced from the plane of the panel and engage the article generally about a flange or lip of the article. Such a carrier has been disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,936,070 to the name of the U.S. Patent No. 5,188,225 issued to J. However, it is difficult to remove items from the carriers without destroying the carton. Another example of a known carrier is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,355,999 issued to Sutherland, in which the can holder is provided with an additional locking mechanism.

For ecological and economic reasons, in addition to providing a firm carrier for the item, it is also advisable to minimize the amount of material required to achieve strength and rigidity without increasing the required materials, and / Or improve efficiency when the packaging machine automatically assembles the carton. If the complexity of the carton construction is somewhat increased, such as the additional locking member disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,355,999, the total throughput of the packaging machine can be substantially reduced by the time required to manipulate the carton to engage the locking member. The cost of production is high, and if the total production is limited by the output rate of the packaging line, it will have an impact on the entire bottle or canning plant.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a top grip type carton for accommodating and holding a set of adjacently arranged cylindrical articles, the carton including a main plate provided with a clamping member for receiving and holding the upper portion of each article And a keel structure disposed between adjacently arranged articles, the carton further comprising a side edge and an end fixing structure adapted to abut the side edges and end portions of the adjacently arranged articles to stabilize a group of articles Secured within the carton, the end securing structure includes a pair of overlapping end flaps.

Preferably, the clamping member comprises a pair of opposed curved slits or frangible lines shaped to resemble the surface of the article to be joined or clipped.

Preferably, the main board includes an integrally formed keel structure formed from a middle portion of the carton and having a pair of sheets that are bendable below the plane of the main board. Alternatively, in a configuration in which the carton is formed from two separate pieces, the two pieces are joined to form a keel structure.

Preferably, the end securing structure includes a strip of material that is wrapped around the sides of the adjacently aligned article.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide one or more slabs for forming a carton, particularly a slab of a top holding carton, for receiving and securing a set of contiguously arranged items, each or each of said slabs comprising a piece of the main plate provided with a clamping member for receiving and holding the upper portion of the corresponding article, and one or more keel plates to form a keel structure that can be placed between a pair of adjacently arranged articles, the or each of the slabs further comprising a tool for side and end fixing structures formed by bending a side of an adjacent article along a side of the article, and the articles are fixed in a group, the end fixing structure A pair of end flaps hinged to the main plate are included, each of which is not directly hinged to the keel plate and is not directly hinged to the other end of the pair.

Preferably, the one or more slabs comprise first and second slabs, wherein one of the aforementioned pair of end slabs is provided by the first slab and the other end slab is provided by the second slab.

Optionally, the pair of end flaps of the one or more pieces are arranged in a overlapping relationship when the keel plate is bent from the plane of the main board, and the end pieces are superposed on each other. The relationship is fixed so that the keel plate remains bent.

Optionally, the clamping member comprises a pair of opposed curved slits or frangible lines shaped to resemble the surface of the article to be joined or clipped.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a carton, particularly a top-holding carton, for receiving and securing a set of adjacently arranged articles, the carton including a piece having a clamping member for receiving and securing the upper portion of each article a main board, and a keel structure that can be disposed between adjacently arranged items, the carton further comprising a side and end fixing structure that can be bent against the side edges and end portions of the adjacently arranged items to set a group of articles Stabilized in the carton, the end fixing structure comprises a pair of end flaps hinged to the main plate, each end flap is not directly hinged with the keel plate, nor is it directly hinged to the other end of the pair, but Fixed to the other end of the pair in a folded relationship.

Preferably, the gripping member of the carton includes a pair of opposed curved slits or frangible lines shaped to resemble the surface of the article to be joined or clasped.

Optionally, the main board comprises an integrally formed keel structure having a cross-sectional shape of "V", which is formed by a pair of bendable ends below the plane of the main board, and using the pair of end pieces fixed in a overlapping relationship. A keel plate that keeps it bent is formed.

Preferably, the carton is formed by two separate pieces or pieces, the two pieces are joined together to form a keel structure, and the end pieces of one piece are fixed to the end pieces of the other piece. This way, the keel structure can be kept in an assembled state.

Alternatively, the side and end securing structures form a strip of material that entangles the sides of the adjacently aligned article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a blank for forming a carton and a package as shown in FIG. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a plan view is formed for forming a blank of the package shown in FIG. 13; and FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 is a case where the blank of FIG. 1 is used to form a package as shown in FIG. Figure 8 is a carton and package; Figure 9 is an internal view of the carton shown in Figure 8, but some items have been removed to clearly show the internal keel structure; Figures 10 to 12 show Two similar blanks as shown in Figure 2 are used to form the package as shown in Figure 13.

Referring to the drawings, the panel 10 shown in Fig. 1 can be formed to form a carton as shown in Fig. 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the green sheets are formed by coating a laminate and "underside" unbleached paperboard on one side. The embryo sheets, cartons and/or packages described herein can also be made from other suitable foldable sheets. In addition, the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 13 are all suitable for stabilizing items arranged in two rows, three in each column, for a total of six items, but the invention is not limited by the application of such an arrangement. Furthermore, the present invention is quite suitable for assembling and stabilizing articles such as cans, but other applications are also envisioned, for example, for supporting other flanged articles, for supporting bottles, and the clips Holding components can take many forms.

The green sheet 10 includes a pair of top plates 14, 18 each provided with a clamping member 40. The pair of top panels 14, 18 are provided with a plurality of fold lines 30, 38, 32, 34, 36. Folding lines 30 and 36 respectively hinge one of the pair of top plates 14, 18 to the side panels 12, 20. Folding lines 32 and 34 respectively hinge one of the pair of top plates 14, 18 to the keel plates 16a, 16b. The fold line 38 is hinged or foldably connected to a series of gripping members 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping member 40 takes the form of a curved slit. In still other embodiments, the clamping member 40 is formed from a series of curved frangible lines. In addition, the clamping member 40 can also include an aperture for receiving an upper portion of the article to which the carrier is secured. It should be understood that there are a number of mechanisms for gripping, locking or engaging the top or other portions of the article (e.g., radially projecting portions or flanges) to securely group the articles into a group so that several items are It can be easily shipped at the time of purchase. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping members 40, 140 are in the form of C-shaped slits that are open when the top panels 14, 18 are bent about the fold lines 30, 32, 34 and 36. Upon opening, the slits become sized to be substantially equal or substantially equal to the rim edge of the can "C".

A can, usually having a cylindrical can body and a slightly flat top, and between the top and the cylindrical can body is a tapered tapered portion with a seam or a rim for both Engage. As shown in Figs. 8 and 13, the can top flange portion is sandwiched by the holding member 40 of the present invention.

While the gripping member 40 provides a mechanism for grouping the articles into a group, the side panels 12, 20 and the end flaps 28a, 28b also provide a further means of securing the straps. When in the form of a slab, the end gussets 28a, 28b are separated from each other along the cutting line 50. End flaps 28a, 28b are provided at each end of the top plates 14, 18 and are not connected to the keel plates 16a, 16b. This allows the blank 10 to be easily fabricated into a carton and allows the end flaps 28a, 28b to overlap and occupy the space vacated by the keel panels 16a, 16b when bent out of the plane of the top panels 14, 18. In addition, the end flaps 28a, 28b are each optionally provided with an extension 26a, 26b which is connected to the associated end flap 28a by one or more fold lines or fold lines 46, 48, 28b, in order to make the fixed structure easy to entangle with the group of articles tightly and smoothly. In the illustrated embodiment, the article is a can and has a curved surface. In other applications of the invention, such as when the surface shape of the article is different from the curved shape, fold lines 46, 48 may or may not be provided.

Another optional component of the illustrated first embodiment is provided with webs 22a, 22b that connect the extension 26a to the side panel 12 and the extension 26b to the side panel 20. In this manner, when the bent end tabs 28a, 28b (when joined as described later) and the extensions 26a, 26b, the side panels 12, 20 are automatically bent to abut the adjacent arrangement. The side of the item. As a result, the webs 22a, 22b become sandwiched between the innermost extensions 26a, 26b and the outermost side panels 12, 20. Figures 3 through 7 show the formation of a carton package that entangles a group of items. First, the hinge line between the hinge lines 32, 34 and the keel plates 16a, 16b is first bent to bend the keel plates 16a, 16b below the plane of the top plates 14, 18. The keel plates 16a, 16 can be selectively bonded together using adhesives or other chemical or mechanical bonding means. Once the keel structures 16a, 16b are formed, the keel plates 16a, 16b do not have to be secured because the adjacent end tabs 28a, 28b prevent them from unfolding. At the same time, glue (G) or other bonding means is applied to one or both of the separate end flaps 28a, 28b. In the configuration shown, glue (G) is applied to that end piece 28b as shown in the hashed line of Figure 4. When the keel plates 16a, 18a are bent under the top plates 14, 18, the top plates 14, 18 are brought closer together. When the end flaps 28a, 28 are in a folded relationship, they are fixed together by the glue "G" applied to the end flaps 28. The one shown in Figure 5 is the resulting configuration. The overlapping end flaps 28a, 28b, when folded, occupy a portion of the length of the web 10 that has been lost due to folding of the keel panels 16a, 16b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the keel plates 16a and 16b from being unfolded and to be held in an assembled state in which the cross section is substantially "V".

The provision of an inner keel structure, in addition to adding rigidity to the carton structure, also provides a cushioning arrangement that allows items arranged in a row to be restricted from moving toward another item. The keel structure can optionally be provided with a slit 54. The cuts help the keel panels 16a, 16b to be bent about the fold line 52 and also provide a contoured edge that allows the loaded article to abut or more closely resist to further restrict the movement of the article. Accordingly, the shape of the slit edge 54 is preferably configured to resemble the outer contour of the article. In other embodiments, the keel structure is contemplated to be formed from more than two folded sheets and may have a cross-section that may be other than a "V" shape.

Once the keel plates 16a, 16b are removed from the plane of the top plates 14, 18, the plates are brought closer together and the ends are fixed, so that the folded and pre-glued pieces can be assembled at any time. On the item. The operation shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is for this purpose. First, the carton is attached to the set of articles "C" by the gripping member 40. The relative movement between the can "C" and the blank 10 forces the can top flange of the can through the slit 40. With respect to the other portions of the plane of the top plates 14, 18, the top plates 14, 18 are bent at an angle between the fold lines 38 and 30 and between 38 and 36, respectively, so that the carton is closely attached to the outline of the assembled article. Also, the slit 40 can be opened a little more. Due to the natural elasticity of the cardboard, the edges of the slits 40 bounce back to engage a portion of the can that is slightly narrower than the can top flange, thus clamping the top plates 14, 18 to the article.

The resultant end flap structure 28a/28b is bent against the end of a group of articles, then the webs 22a, 22b and the extensions 26a, 26b are bent, and finally the side panels 12, 20 are bent. That is, the assembly of the carton is completed. The side panels 12, 20 are preferably affixed to the extension panels 26a, 26b to form a compact structure that entangles the set of articles. The one shown in Figure 8 is the completed package.

Referring now to the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by like reference numerals, but numbers of "100" are added. The one shown in Fig. 2 is a blank 110 which has to be formed into a carton which is similar to the first embodiment, i.e., is clamped to a group of articles C to hold them together. The pair of blanks 110 are connected as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 . Next, the thus combined synthetic shaped blank is sandwiched and assembled around a set of articles such as cans "C" (the one shown in Fig. 12 is a step of assembly). The completed package shown in Figure 13 is similar to Figure 8. Although the webs 22a, 22b are not incorporated into the first separate webs 110 of the second embodiment, they are contemplated to be used between the extension sheets 126b and the side panels 120.

Referring back to Figure 2, each of the blanks 110 includes a top plate 118; a first keel plate 116b for forming an inner keel structure; and an end cymbal piece 128b hinged to each end of the top plate 118 by a fold line (but with the keel The plate 116b remains unattached) and an extension plate 126b hinged to each end flap 128b (also along a pair of fold lines 146, 148 to allow the fixed structure to easily and smoothly entangle a group of items) . In addition, each of the blanks 110 further includes a first molding protrusion 152 and a second molding protrusion 154. Each of the projections extends from the free cutting edge 150 of the associated end piece 128b.

The first and second contoured projections 152, 154 are shaped and arranged to mate or interlock with the second and first contoured projections 152, 154 of the other web 110. This is the case shown in Figures 10 and 11, in which it can be seen that two cardboard-like blanks 110 are placed with the printing side facing down and side by side with each other.

The first contoured projection 152 of each of the green sheets 110 is positioned above an embedded portion adjacent the second contoured projection 154. Likewise, the second contoured projection 154 of each of the green sheets 110 is also positioned above an embedded portion adjacent the first contoured projection 152. For each of the sheets, any or all of the first and second contoured projections 152, 154, glue or other adhesive may be selectively applied to adhere to the lower portion of the end flaps 128a. Alternatively, glue or other adhesive or fixture may be applied to this lower portion of the end flap 128a. Alternatively, the first and second contoured projections 152, 154 of the sheet or sheets may be selectively adhered to the lower portion of the end flap 128a.

As an optional step of further joining the embryo sheets 110, it is possible to adhere the keel plate 116b of one piece of the embryo sheet 110 to the keel plate 116b of the other piece 110, but this is not essential. The formation of the keel plate 116b is as shown in FIG. Because the keel plate 116a is bent from the plane of the top plate 118 when the plates are joined together by the interlocking manner of the first and second forming protrusions 152, 154, the first and second moldings are performed. Before the protrusions 152, 154 are interlocked, the keel plate 116b can be first bonded together. If the keel plates 116b are not bonded to each other, at least the keel plate 116b is bent out of the plane of the top plate 118 to interlock the first and second forming projections 152, 154.

A portion of each end flap 128b is secured (preferably in a bonded manner) to the overlap of the other web 110, i.e., the web 110 is joined. When the keel plate 116b is bent out from the plane of the top plate or the main plate 118, the slabs 110 are superposed. The end flaps 128b are only hinged to the top panel 118 prior to being secured in a folded relationship and are not directly hinged to either of the end flaps 128b and the keel panel 116b. Then, when the end flaps 128b are fixed to form a superposed veneer relationship, they are joined together.

When the two blanks 110 are joined, the assembled blanks can be attached to a group of articles using the clamping members as shown in Figure 12 and as previously described. At that time, the end piece 128b is first bent downward, the extension plate 126b is bent around the group of articles, and the side plate 120 is bent down to the extension plate 126b. Side panel 120 is preferably secured to extension panel 126b by an adhesive or other securing means, including optional mechanical attachment.

Joining the two separate blanks 110 as a synthetic carton has at least two benefits. The first item is that in the current packaging machine with two-channel configuration, the items conveyed by the first stream are packaged by the carton blanks fed by the first funnel, and the items conveyed by the second process are The carton blank fed by the second funnel is packaged. If a single embryo 10 is used, the two funnels are removed and a single funnel is used to feed the single embryo 10. Conversely, if a pair of half-embroids 110 is used, the existing mechanical equipment can be used, saving time and money.

Secondly, since the green sheets 110 are small and can be engaged in different nestings, the green sheets 110 cut from the single piece of cardboard are compared to the number of the entire piece of the primary sheets 10 which can only be nested on the same size cardboard. Can have higher yields.

It should be understood that the present invention can be practiced without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the size and shape of the sheets can be adjusted to match articles of different sizes or shapes.

It is also to be understood that the various embodiments shown and described are susceptible to various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention, and the application of the invention is not limited by the application. For example, the snap members used to join the items can take a variety of known forms: the items can be anything other than a can, or can be arranged in a number of different configurations, including but not limited to 2 x. 2, 2 × 4, 3 × 2, 3 × 4, 1 × 2, 1 × 3, and the like. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to various other cartons, such as a full-wound carton provided with a bottom plate, but one of the benefits of the present invention is to provide an economical board amount for providing an assembly and securing article, and protecting the article. Cartons that are not invaded by dirt at the top may reduce this benefit if a bottom plate or a longer side panel is used.

In some embodiments, if the item is loaded into a carton, the item will be introduced into the material forming the top or main board. The nature of these external forces can be tension or compressive forces. These external forces can also cause some deformation of the motherboard or the top plate. Moreover, these external forces can be used to keep the items in a group. The introduction of these items can increase the rigidity of the top of the carton or the main board when the items are loaded into the carton.

The terminology used in this article, such as "top", "bottom", "before", "after", "end", "side", "inside", "outside", "up" and "down", etc. It is not intended to limit the relevant sheets to this orientation, but only to distinguish the sheets. Any reference to a breakable wire can also be interpreted as a cut line, a score line, a perforation line or a slit without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, any reference to the hinge shall not be construed as necessarily limited by the folding line; in fact, within the scope of not infringing the invention, the hinge may be composed of one or more of the following: a dividing line or a weak line, a line, and an easy Split line, or fold line.

10. . . Embryo

12, 20. . . Side panel

14, 18. . . roof

16a, 16b. . . Keel plate

22a, 22b. . . Web

26a, 26b. . . Extension (piece)

28a, 28b. . . End piece

30, 32, 34, 36, 38. . . Folding line

46, 48. . . Folding line

50. . . Cutting line

52. . . Folding line

54. . . incision

G. . . glue

110. . . Embryo

116a, 116b. . . First keel plate

118. . . roof

120. . . Side panel

126b. . . Extension board

128a, 128b. . . End piece

40, 140. . . Clamping member

146, 148. . . Folding line

150. . . Cutting edge

152. . . First forming projection

154. . . Second forming projection

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton and package as shown in Figure 8;

2 is constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention to form a plan view of the package of the package shown in FIG. 13;

3 to FIG. 7 is a case where the blank of FIG. 1 is used to form a package as shown in FIG. 8;

Figure 8 is a carton and package;

Figure 9 is an internal view of the carton shown in Figure 8, but some items have been removed to clearly show the internal keel structure;

Figures 10 through 12 show the case of a package as shown in Figure 13 with two similar blanks as shown in Figure 2.

10. . . Embryo

12, 20. . . Side panel

14, 18. . . roof

16a, 16b. . . Keel plate

22a, 22b. . . Web

26a, 26b. . . Extension (piece)

28a, 28b. . . End piece

30, 32, 34, 36, 38. . . Folding line

46, 48. . . Folding line

50. . . Cutting line

52. . . Folding line

54. . . incision

Claims (8)

One or more pieces of a sheet for forming a carton for accommodating and holding the articles arranged in a group, the pieces comprising at least two pieces of a main plate each provided with a clamping member for receiving and fixing the upper portion of the corresponding article, and One or more keel plates hinged to each of the main plates to form a keel structure that can be placed between a pair of adjacently arranged items, the one or more pieces further comprising a plurality of fixing plates to form a one in the carton The side and end portions of the article may be bent along a side edge and an end portion of the article, whereby the articles are fixed in a group, and the fixing plates include a first pair of ends hinged to at least two of the main plates a cymbal piece, each of the end cymbals being separated from the keel plate and also separated from the other end of the first pair; the first and second slabs, wherein the first pair of cymbals belong to the first The embryonic sheet is provided, and the other end flap is provided by the second embryo sheet; wherein the fixing plate further comprises a second opposite end piece, the piece of the second pair of end pieces belongs to the first piece, and the other end is The piece is provided by the second piece The utility model comprises two main boards respectively provided by the first and second blanks, wherein the first and second end cymbals of the first slab are respectively hinged to the opposite ends of the main board of the first slab, and the second slab The first and second end tabs are respectively hinged to the opposite ends of the main board of the second blank; wherein the end tabs of the first web are respectively provided with a forming protrusion, and the end pieces of the second head are also respectively A profiled projection is provided for interlocking with the contoured projection of the end piece of the first web adjacent the end piece. The one or more pieces of the first embodiment of the invention, wherein the first pair of end pieces can maintain a overlapping relationship when the keel plate is bent out from the plane of the main board, and the first pair The end flaps can be held in a superposed relationship with each other, thereby keeping the keel plate in a bent state. The one or more pieces of the sheet of claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding members of the respective main plates comprise a pair of opposite curved slits or frangible lines. A carton for accommodating and holding a set of arranged items, the carton comprising: at least two pieces each having a clamping member for accommodating and fixing the upper part of each article a keel structure, the structure may be disposed between adjacently arranged articles; and a side edge and an end fixing structure, the structure may be bent against the side edges and end portions of the group of articles to fix the aligned one a group article, wherein the side and end fixing structures comprise first pair of end flaps hinged to the at least two main boards, each end flap being separated from the keel structure and fixed to the first in a overlapping relationship The other end of the pair of cymbals; wherein the carton is made of the first and second separate slabs, the first and second slabs are joined together to form a keel structure, and the other is fixed together The first pair of end tabs to maintain the keel structure in an assembled state; wherein one of the end flaps is provided by the first web and the other end flap is provided by the second web; The fixing plate further includes a second pair of cymbals, the one piece of the second pair of cymbals is provided by the first slab, and the other slab is provided by the second slab; The first and second embryos provide the main board, the first and the first embryo The two end flaps are respectively hinged to the opposite ends of the main board of the first blank, and the first and second end flaps of the second blank are respectively hinged to the opposite ends of the main board of the second blank; wherein the first The end flaps of the embryo piece are each provided with a forming protrusion, and the end flaps of the second piece are also respectively provided with a forming protrusion for interlocking with the forming protrusion of the end piece of the first piece adjacent to the first piece. . The carton of claim 4, wherein the clamping members of each of the main plates comprise a pair of opposite curved slits or frangible lines, the shape of which is set to the surface of the article to be engaged or clipped with the carton. similar. The carton of claim 4, wherein the keel structure is integral with the at least two main plates, the keel structure has a cross-sectional shape of a "V" shape, and the pair of keel structures are bendable to the Below the two main plates, the first pair of end flaps fixed in a folded relationship are used to form a bent keel plate. a carton according to claim 4, wherein the side and the end are The fixed structure includes a ribbon structure that entangles the adjacently aligned items. The carton of claim 4, wherein the one end piece of the first pair is not directly hinged to the other end piece of the first pair.