US20060237520A1 - Carton with deflectable carry top - Google Patents
Carton with deflectable carry top Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060237520A1 US20060237520A1 US11/379,502 US37950206A US2006237520A1 US 20060237520 A1 US20060237520 A1 US 20060237520A1 US 37950206 A US37950206 A US 37950206A US 2006237520 A1 US2006237520 A1 US 2006237520A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- carton
- panel
- end flap
- hingedly connected
- top panel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/14—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
- B65D71/16—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls with article-locating elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
- B65D2571/00172—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing towards the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00154—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked
- B65D2571/00185—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing away from the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
- B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00277—Slits or openings formed along a fold line
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00456—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00759—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls having a part tucked between side, top or bottom wall and contents or between two articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00833—Other details of wrappers
- B65D2571/0087—Special features for machine processing, e.g. gripper apertures
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to cartons, and more particularly, to an open-end wrap around style carton having a deflectable carry top.
- finger holes and handles While fit for the intended purpose, open-ended wrap around cartons having finger holes and handles for carrying have several disadvantages. For example, besides being aesthetically unappealing, the finger holes and handles weaken the top panel of the carton and interfere with graphics that may be placed on the top panel of the carton. Lifting cartons by top finger holes or handles also results in a large force concentrated in a few small areas on the carton's top panel, such as the finger holes or the handle's attachment points to the top panel, thereby leaving the top panel subject to ripping or tearing at these stress points. Furthermore, such finger holes and handles provide little or no lateral support to the contents of the carton, especially at the open ends, when the carton is lifted by a user. Also, finger holes and handles often have sharp edges which are uncomfortable when grasped by a user. Additionally, the handles typically require a user to use a closed grip, which may prove difficult for some persons such as those with arthritis.
- What is needed is an open-ended carton that is comfortable and easy to carry. What is needed is an aesthetically pleasing open-ended type wrap-around carton that provides a generally uninterrupted top panel surface upon which graphics may be provided. What is further needed is an open-ended type carton that provides means of carrying the carton that does not weaken the top panel of the carton. What is further needed is an open-ended carton that secures the cartons contents and provides lateral support at the open ends when the carton is lifted. What is further needed is an open-ended type carton that minimizes the stress to the top panel of the carton when the carton is lifted by a user.
- the present invention provides a carton having a generally uninterrupted top panel with deflectable end flaps attached thereto and a pair of side panels connected to the top panel and to base panels to form a tubular open-ended carton.
- the end flaps are located at the open ends of the carton and are inwardly deflectable to tighten the carton around articles held within the carton.
- the end flaps include finger receiving areas for grasping by a user.
- the end flaps extend downwardly, and may extend outwardly from the top panel while at rest, and a portion of each end flap deflects inwardly when grasped by a user.
- the end flaps may include a plurality of panels hingedly connected to the top panel and a plurality of score lines to assist the inward deflection of the end flaps.
- the end flap deflects inward when grasped by a user such that a portion of the end flap contacts the top or upper portion of articles carried within the carton, thereby pushing the articles together and tightening them within the carton.
- Curved score lines may be provided to assist in deformation of the carton during lifting by the user including the upward curvature of the top panel and the inner curvature of the end flaps.
- Finger pressure by a user at the finger receiving areas deflect the end flaps and top panel, and snugs the articles held within the carton, thereby tightening the carton around the top or upper portion of each of the articles to better secure the articles.
- the deflectable top panel and end flaps with finger receiving portions eliminate the need for finger holes and handles, thereby allowing the top panel to be generally uninterrupted.
- the exemplary carton is a tubular structure with at least one open end.
- the tubular structure includes a top panel, a first side panel hingedly connected to said top panel, a second side panel opposed to the first side panel and hingedly connected to said top panel, and at least one base panel hingedly connected to the first and second side panels.
- At least one end flap is hingedly connected to the top panel and extends partially over at least one of the open ends.
- the end flap is defined at least in part by first and second fold lines. Each of the first and second fold lines extend from a corner of the end flap and are disposed at a first distance from the outermost edge of the end flap.
- the end flap is further defined by at least two arcuate relief slits that extend from one end from the first and second fold lines, respectively, as well as by a third fold line extending between the relief slits.
- the third fold line is disposed at a second distance from the outermost edge of the end flap wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
- Upper and lower medial panels are disposed between the third fold line and the outermost edge of the end flap and form a finger receiving area for receiving a finger of a user. The finger receiving area is disposed between the relief slits.
- first and second fold lines may, in essence, be a continuous fold line interrupted by the arcuate relief slits and one or both of the medial panels.
- the third fold line may be parallel to the first and second fold lines, but is disposed further away from the outermost edge of the end flap. This offsetting of the first and second fold lines from the third fold line, in combination with the upwardly arching arcuate relief slits causes the top panel to bow upward when the carton is erected and/or lifted. Thereby, the end flaps are encouraged to deflect toward the interior of the carton.
- Each end flap may also include score lines provided on its surface to further facilitate the end flap deflecting inward when the carton is grasped by a user at the finger receiving area.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank from which a carton is formed according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 from its underside as it is folded to form the exemplary carton.
- FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 as it is folded to form the exemplary carton.
- FIG. 4 shows the blank of FIG. 1 from its underside prior to securing the base panels of the blank together to form the erected carton.
- FIG. 5 shows the underside of the fully erected carton after securing the base panels of the blank of FIG. 1 together.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fully erected carton.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 6 , the carton enclosing bottles.
- FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the carton of FIG. 6
- FIG. 9 is a top view of the carton of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view along a line designated as 10 - 10 in FIG. 6 , showing the interior of the top panel of the carton prior to grasping by a user.
- FIG. 11 is the carton of FIG. 10 , showing the deflection of the top panel of the carton when grasped by a user.
- FIG. 12 shows an end elevation view of the exemplary carton prior to grasping by a user.
- FIG. 13 shows the carton of FIG. 12 as deflected when grasped by a user.
- the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a carton 700 ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) for enclosing a plurality of articles.
- the carton 700 is an open-ended wrap-around type carton that accommodates four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles, although the blank or carton may be modified for any number of bottles, cans or other articles.
- FIG. 1 shows a blank 100 which, when constructed, forms the carton 700 .
- the blank 100 has a top panel 110 , a pair of side panels 112 and 114 hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 116 and 118 respectively, and outer and inner base panels 120 and 122 hingedly connected to the side panels 112 and 114 along fold lines 124 and 126 , respectively.
- the fold lines 116 , 118 , 124 and 126 include printed lines, score lines, partially cut score lines, perforations and the like, or any combination thereof.
- the top panel 110 has end flaps 128 , 130 hingedly connected to the top panel 110 which, when the carton 700 is formed, may be deflectable from an extended position to an interior position as described in more detail below.
- the top panel 110 is preferably uninterrupted by finger holes, handles, or other interruptions and thus provides a suitable surface for receiving graphics.
- the end flaps 128 and 130 may each include upper and lower medial panels 136 and 134 located between left and right lateral panels 132 , which are hingedly connected to top panel 110 by lateral fold lines 138 .
- the upper medial panel 136 is hingedly connected to top panel 110 by upper medial fold line 140 and hingedly connected to lower medial panel 134 and lateral panels 132 by lower score line 142 .
- lateral and medial fold lines 138 , 140 and relief slits 144 together form an upward arch so that the top panel 110 curves or bows upward when a user grasps the carton 700 , as discussed in more detail below.
- Lower medial fold line 142 is also preferably arcuate to assist the inward deflection of the upper and lower medial panels 136 , 134 .
- Relief slits 144 may be formed at the location 106 where the top panel 110 joins end flaps 128 and 130 . Each relief slit 144 extends between the adjacent fold line 138 and the respective upper medial fold line 140 .
- the relief slits 144 may be curved to approximate a top portion of an article to be carried within the carton 700 , such as a bottle cap of a bottle. It should be noted that the slits may be replaced by slots, apertures, openings, their combination, or the like.
- fold lines 138 and 140 are disposed in the plane of the blank 100 but are vertically offset from one another with respect to the uppermost and lowermost edges of the blank.
- the fold lines 138 may be parallel to fold lines 140 , but not colinear.
- the fold lines 138 are offset by a distance D 1 from respective uppermost and lowermost edges of the blank 100 and the fold lines 140 are offset by a distance D 2 from the respective uppermost and lowermost edges of the blank 100 .
- the distance D 2 is greater than the distance D 1 such that the fold lines 138 are relatively closer to the outermost edges of the blank 100 than the fold lines 140 .
- fold lines 138 are disposed relatively closer to the edge of respective end flaps 128 , 130 than fold lines 140 .
- the offset between the fold lines 138 and 140 encourages the upward bowing of top panel 110 that occurs when the fully erected and loaded carton 700 is lifted, and as the end flaps 128 , 130 bow toward the interior of the carton 700 .
- Lower medial panel 134 may be hingedly connected to lateral panels 132 by fold lines 146 .
- Upper and lower medial panels 136 and 134 define a finger receiving area 108 for receiving a user's finger when the user grasps and lifts the carton 700 .
- Lateral panels 132 are hingedly connected to top panel 110 by fold lines 138 , hingedly connected to lower medial panel 134 by fold lines 146 , and hingedly connected to top gusset panels 152 by fold lines 158 .
- the end flaps 128 , 130 extend downwardly from the top panel 110 at open ends of the carton 700 .
- Fold lines 138 and 140 allow end flaps 128 , 130 to move inward when the carton 700 is grasped by a user, as explained more fully below.
- Fold lines 142 may be curved and allow for lower medial panel 134 to move further inward into the interior portion of the erected carton 700 .
- top end flaps 128 , 130 are sized such that when a user grasps the carton 700 , and the end flaps 128 , 130 deflect inward, a portion of each end flap 128 , 130 contacts the side of an upper portion of at least one article, such as a bottle cap, within the carton and provides a lateral force that pushes the articles together, thereby providing support to the articles.
- at least one article such as a bottle cap
- Each side flap 196 may include a side end panel 148 , a top gusset panel 152 , a bottom major gusset panel 154 , and a bottom minor gusset panel 156 .
- Side end panel 148 is hingedly connected to top gusset panel 152 by angled fold line 160 , which is disposed between fold lines 158 and 150 and defines an acute angle with respect to either fold line 158 or 150 .
- a relief aperture 162 is provided at the intersection of fold line 150 and angled fold line 160 defining an acute angle therebetween.
- Fold line 150 allows side end panel 148 to be folded inward on the inside surfaces of side panels 112 and 114 . By inward, it is meant toward the interior of the blank.
- Top gusset panel 152 is hingedly connected to lateral panel 132 of front and rear end flaps 128 , 130 by fold line 158 .
- Top gusset panel 152 is hingedly connected to side end panel 148 at angled fold line 160 .
- Bottom major gusset panel 154 is hingedly connected to side end panel 148 at angled fold line 168 , which is disposed between fold lines 150 and 172 and may define an acute angle with respect to either fold line 150 or 172 .
- a relief slit 170 extends between one end of fold line 168 and the outer edge of side end panel 148 .
- Bottom major gusset panel 154 may be hingedly connected to bottom minor gusset panel 156 along fold line 172 .
- a relief aperture 174 is provided at the intersection of fold lines 150 and 168 , interrupting fold line 168 .
- Bottom minor gusset panel 156 is hingedly connected to bottom major gusset panel 154 by fold line 172 and base panel 120 by fold line 176 .
- bottom major and minor gusset panels 154 and 156 define a web 164 that extends between side end panel 148 and base panels 120 and 122 and angles outward from the carton to provide article retaining means at the open end of the carton.
- Outer and inner base panels 120 , 122 include known tightening openings 188 , 194 .
- Known locking tabs 178 , 182 are struck from outer base panel 120 for mating with known retaining tabs 190 , 192 , which are struck from inner base panel 122 .
- the blank 100 requires a series of sequential folding operations which can be performed by a straight line machine almost simultaneously or in various progressions, so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its erection.
- the folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
- the carton 700 is preferably a wrap-around style carton, that is, carton 700 is folded around a group of articles and the bottom is sealed by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, hot melt glue or locking features, which are known.
- the preferably completely flat blank shown in FIG. 1 is lowered onto the group of articles.
- the inside surface of top panel 110 is placed against the uppermost surface of the articles, and at almost the same time, a number of folding operations are accomplished: side panels 112 , 114 are folded somewhat downwardly (as shown in FIG. 2 ) with respect to the top panel 110 , until inside surfaces thereof contact the articles (not shown); side end panel 148 are folded somewhat inwardly (as shown in FIG.
- end flaps 128 , 130 are pulled or folded somewhat inwardly (as shown in FIG. 3 ); gussets 152 are folded along fold lines 160 placing at least a portion of the outside surface thereof into substantially face-contacting arrangement with a portion the outside surfaces of the side end panels 148 (best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ); base panels 120 , 122 are folded inwardly to approximately 90 degrees (shown in FIG.
- the base panels 120 and 122 are moved further toward each other and interconnected to create a base closure structure.
- the base closure structure could alternatively be formed from a single one of the base panels 120 , 122 interlocked with an edge flap (not shown), or from any other suitable arrangement known or yet to be developed.
- the base panels 120 and 122 are aligned and secured together by placing locking tabs 178 , 182 in registry with retaining tabs 190 , 192 or are otherwise connected by engaging locking tabs 178 , 182 with corresponding retaining tabs 190 and 192 as known in the art to form the open-ended tubular carton 700 shown in FIG. 7 .
- carton 700 includes a generally uninterrupted top panel 110 having connected thereto end flaps 128 and 130 (obstructed in FIGS. 6 and 7 ), side panels 112 , 114 and base panels 120 , 122 which are connected to define a wrap-around type carton having open ends 720 .
- the top panel 110 and end flaps 128 , 130 define a carton carrying top 710 .
- the end flaps 128 , 130 extend downwardly and outwardly from the top panel 110 and are hingedly connected to the top panel 110 at lateral fold lines 138 and medial fold lines 140 , such that end flaps 128 , 130 may angle inward when a user grasps the top 710 .
- Upper and lower medial panels 136 , 134 define a finger receiving surface 108 located at the center of each end flap 128 , 130 for receiving a finger or fingers of a user when grasping the carton 700 .
- a user places a finger or fingers on the finger receiving surface 108 of each end flap 128 , 130 and grasps the carton 700 , thereby resulting in the inward deflection of a portion of the end flaps 128 , 130 and the upper deflection of the top panel 110 .
- fold line 142 may be curved and, together with fold lines 146 , provide for the inward deflection of medial panels 134 and 136 when the carton 700 is grasped by a user.
- Vertical fold lines 146 may be provided between lateral panels 132 and medial panel 134 and intersect fold line 142 . Lateral fold lines 138 extend to relief slits 144 , which in turn, extend to top medial fold line 140 and together form an upward curve line at the connection of top panel 110 and each of the end flaps 128 , 130 . This structure allows for the upward bowing or deflection of top panel 110 when a user grasps the end flaps 128 , 130 , and provides relief for the inward deflection of the finger receiving portions 108 into the interior of the carton 700 .
- the exemplary end flaps 128 , 130 each include: lateral panels 132 that are hingedly connected to the top panel 110 along lateral fold line 138 ; upper medial panel 136 that are hingedly attached to the top panel along fold line 140 ; and top gusset panels 152 that are hingedly attached to lateral panel 132 along fold line 158 and side end panel 148 along angled fold line 160 .
- Major 154 and minor 156 gusset panels are provided at the intersection of base panels 120 , 122 and side panels 112 , 114 and together define a web 164 which provides lateral support about the bottom of the open ends 720 .
- FIG. 7 shows the carton 700 in which bottles 810 , having bottle caps 820 , are enclosed. As shown in FIG. 7 , a portion of each bottle cap 820 is received in each relief slit 144 . End flaps 128 , 130 extend downwardly and outwardly from top panel 110 such that top gusset panel 152 , lateral outer panel 132 , lower medial panel 134 and upper medial panel 136 are adjacent to and preferably contact the bottle caps 820 or otherwise the upper portion of the bottles 810 .
- the carton 700 is well suited to enclose articles having tapered tops such that the bottle tops may be partially received by article top relief slits 144 , and to allow for a receiving space 830 between the bottles for the deflection of the end flaps 128 , 130 .
- FIG. 9 shows a top view of the carton of FIG. 6 wherein top panel 110 and end flaps 128 , 130 are in initial positions prior to grasping by a user.
- the end flaps 128 , 130 deflect inward such that lateral panels 132 contact and apply an inward force on the bottle caps 820 or the upper portion of the bottles 810 . This further secures the bottles 810 within the carton 700 and provides lateral support to the upper portion of the bottles 810 .
- a user may then lift the carton 700 , at least partially lifting the bottles 810 by their bottle caps 820 , thereby lifting the bottles 810 while also additionally securing the upper portion of the bottles 820 .
- This arrangement allows the stress points of the carton 700 to be distributed about the bottles 810 thereby preventing undue stress on the top panel 110 .
- FIGS. 10 and 11 show the inside of the top portion of the carton and illustrate the deflection of the carton 700 when the carton is grasped at the finger receiving area 108 by a user.
- end flaps 128 , 130 Prior to grasping by a user, end flaps 128 , 130 extend outward from top panel 110 .
- end flaps 128 , 130 deflect inward about article top relief slits 144 and fold lines 142 and 146 . In this manner, the user's grasp causes a snug fit of the end flaps 128 , 130 about the upper portions of the articles, and causes the bottle caps 820 or otherwise the upper portion of the articles to be received in the article receiving areas 106 , which are defined by relief slits 144 .
- each bottle cap 820 may rest on an edge of a lateral panel 132 and upper medial panel 136 , which is defined by a relief slit 144 .
- an upper portion of an article extends into the article receiving area 106 .
- FIGS. 12 and 13 show the deflection of the carton from a front view.
- the exemplary carton 700 is provided with articles, shown as bottles 810 .
- the bottles 810 fit snugly within the carton 700 such that top panel 110 may curve slightly upward.
- Top end flaps 128 , 130 extend downwardly somewhat with respect to top panel 110 along lateral fold lines 138 , article relief slits 144 and upper medial fold line 140 .
- FIG. 13 shows a user's thumb 1200 grasping the carton 700 at finger receiving area 108 , which increases the upward curvature of top panel 110 and causes end flap 128 to deflect inward with the greatest deflection being at the finger receiving portion 108 .
- the end flaps 128 , 130 contact and form around a portion of the bottle cap 820 or upper portion of the bottle 810 , thereby urging the bottles 810 inward against one another to further secure the bottles 810 within the carton.
- Top gusset panels 152 are pulled inward as shown. The lateral force urges the bottles 810 together, thereby transferring at least some of the load of the bottles 810 to the end panels and bottles.
- the upper portions of the bottles 810 may tilt slightly inwards thereby pushing the lower portions of the bottles 810 outward.
- Web 164 secures the bottom of the bottle 810 against this outward force.
- the deflection of the end flaps 128 , 130 also pulls the side panels 112 , 114 , which are connected to the end flaps 128 , 130 by top gusset panel 152 and side end panel 148 , inward to further secure the articles.
- the deflection of the end flaps 128 , 130 and top panel 110 effectively tightens the carton around the articles by pushing the bottles 810 together in a front to back direction by the side panels 112 , 114 and in a left to right direction by the end flaps 128 , 130 and the web 164 . This increases the contact points between the articles to better distribute the stresses.
- directional references such as “top”, “base”, “end”, “side”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
- the orientation of the carton could be altered depending on, for example, the articles to be carried in the carton.
- hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of the invention.
Abstract
A top panel (110), a pair of side panels (112, 114) attached to the top panel (110) and base panels (120, 122) form a tubular open-ended carton (700). End flaps (128, 130) extend from the top panel (110) at the open ends of the carton (700) and are provided with finger receiving areas (108) for grasping by a user. The end flaps (128, 130) are attached to the top panel (110) and are deflectable from an extended position to an interior position when grasped by a user. Relief slits (144), fold lines, and score lines may be provided at predetermined locations to allow the end panels (128, 130) to deflect inward and the top panel (110) to deflect upward when the carton (700) is grasped by a user, thereby providing a convenient means to carry the carton (700) which also provides means for a tightening the carton (700) about the articles (810).
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 60/673,214, filed Apr. 20, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates generally to cartons, and more particularly, to an open-end wrap around style carton having a deflectable carry top.
- Wrap around article cartons are well known in the art. An example of such a carton is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,368 in which a carton is illustrated having top, bottom, and side panels or walls which are foldably joined together to form a tubular structure with open ends. While such cartons are desirable because they provide the ability to display articles contained therein through the open ends, they typically provide little lateral support at the open ends due to the lack of large supporting walls which, if present, would obscure the contents of the carton. To assist in carrying such open-end cartons, it is known to provide finger holes at a top panel of the carton for the insertion of a user's fingers or to provide a handle attached to the top panel for grasping by a user.
- While fit for the intended purpose, open-ended wrap around cartons having finger holes and handles for carrying have several disadvantages. For example, besides being aesthetically unappealing, the finger holes and handles weaken the top panel of the carton and interfere with graphics that may be placed on the top panel of the carton. Lifting cartons by top finger holes or handles also results in a large force concentrated in a few small areas on the carton's top panel, such as the finger holes or the handle's attachment points to the top panel, thereby leaving the top panel subject to ripping or tearing at these stress points. Furthermore, such finger holes and handles provide little or no lateral support to the contents of the carton, especially at the open ends, when the carton is lifted by a user. Also, finger holes and handles often have sharp edges which are uncomfortable when grasped by a user. Additionally, the handles typically require a user to use a closed grip, which may prove difficult for some persons such as those with arthritis.
- What is needed is an open-ended carton that is comfortable and easy to carry. What is needed is an aesthetically pleasing open-ended type wrap-around carton that provides a generally uninterrupted top panel surface upon which graphics may be provided. What is further needed is an open-ended type carton that provides means of carrying the carton that does not weaken the top panel of the carton. What is further needed is an open-ended carton that secures the cartons contents and provides lateral support at the open ends when the carton is lifted. What is further needed is an open-ended type carton that minimizes the stress to the top panel of the carton when the carton is lifted by a user.
- The present invention provides a carton having a generally uninterrupted top panel with deflectable end flaps attached thereto and a pair of side panels connected to the top panel and to base panels to form a tubular open-ended carton. The end flaps are located at the open ends of the carton and are inwardly deflectable to tighten the carton around articles held within the carton. The end flaps include finger receiving areas for grasping by a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the end flaps extend downwardly, and may extend outwardly from the top panel while at rest, and a portion of each end flap deflects inwardly when grasped by a user. The end flaps may include a plurality of panels hingedly connected to the top panel and a plurality of score lines to assist the inward deflection of the end flaps.
- In an exemplary embodiment, the end flap deflects inward when grasped by a user such that a portion of the end flap contacts the top or upper portion of articles carried within the carton, thereby pushing the articles together and tightening them within the carton. Curved score lines may be provided to assist in deformation of the carton during lifting by the user including the upward curvature of the top panel and the inner curvature of the end flaps. Finger pressure by a user at the finger receiving areas deflect the end flaps and top panel, and snugs the articles held within the carton, thereby tightening the carton around the top or upper portion of each of the articles to better secure the articles. The deflectable top panel and end flaps with finger receiving portions eliminate the need for finger holes and handles, thereby allowing the top panel to be generally uninterrupted.
- The exemplary carton is a tubular structure with at least one open end. The tubular structure includes a top panel, a first side panel hingedly connected to said top panel, a second side panel opposed to the first side panel and hingedly connected to said top panel, and at least one base panel hingedly connected to the first and second side panels. At least one end flap is hingedly connected to the top panel and extends partially over at least one of the open ends.
- The end flap is defined at least in part by first and second fold lines. Each of the first and second fold lines extend from a corner of the end flap and are disposed at a first distance from the outermost edge of the end flap. The end flap is further defined by at least two arcuate relief slits that extend from one end from the first and second fold lines, respectively, as well as by a third fold line extending between the relief slits. The third fold line is disposed at a second distance from the outermost edge of the end flap wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. Upper and lower medial panels are disposed between the third fold line and the outermost edge of the end flap and form a finger receiving area for receiving a finger of a user. The finger receiving area is disposed between the relief slits. Thus, the first and second fold lines may, in essence, be a continuous fold line interrupted by the arcuate relief slits and one or both of the medial panels. The third fold line may be parallel to the first and second fold lines, but is disposed further away from the outermost edge of the end flap. This offsetting of the first and second fold lines from the third fold line, in combination with the upwardly arching arcuate relief slits causes the top panel to bow upward when the carton is erected and/or lifted. Thereby, the end flaps are encouraged to deflect toward the interior of the carton. Each end flap may also include score lines provided on its surface to further facilitate the end flap deflecting inward when the carton is grasped by a user at the finger receiving area.
- The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank from which a carton is formed according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blank ofFIG. 1 from its underside as it is folded to form the exemplary carton. -
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the blank ofFIG. 1 as it is folded to form the exemplary carton. -
FIG. 4 shows the blank ofFIG. 1 from its underside prior to securing the base panels of the blank together to form the erected carton. -
FIG. 5 shows the underside of the fully erected carton after securing the base panels of the blank ofFIG. 1 together. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fully erected carton. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carton ofFIG. 6 , the carton enclosing bottles. -
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the carton ofFIG. 6 -
FIG. 9 is a top view of the carton ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view along a line designated as 10-10 inFIG. 6 , showing the interior of the top panel of the carton prior to grasping by a user. -
FIG. 11 is the carton ofFIG. 10 , showing the deflection of the top panel of the carton when grasped by a user. -
FIG. 12 shows an end elevation view of the exemplary carton prior to grasping by a user. -
FIG. 13 shows the carton ofFIG. 12 as deflected when grasped by a user. - As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
- Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a carton 700 (
FIGS. 6 and 7 ) for enclosing a plurality of articles. In this exemplary embodiment, thecarton 700 is an open-ended wrap-around type carton that accommodates four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles, although the blank or carton may be modified for any number of bottles, cans or other articles. -
FIG. 1 shows a blank 100 which, when constructed, forms thecarton 700. The blank 100 has atop panel 110, a pair ofside panels fold lines 116 and 118 respectively, and outer andinner base panels side panels - The
top panel 110 has end flaps 128, 130 hingedly connected to thetop panel 110 which, when thecarton 700 is formed, may be deflectable from an extended position to an interior position as described in more detail below. Thetop panel 110 is preferably uninterrupted by finger holes, handles, or other interruptions and thus provides a suitable surface for receiving graphics. - The end flaps 128 and 130 may each include upper and lower
medial panels lateral panels 132, which are hingedly connected totop panel 110 by lateral fold lines 138. The uppermedial panel 136 is hingedly connected totop panel 110 by uppermedial fold line 140 and hingedly connected to lowermedial panel 134 andlateral panels 132 bylower score line 142. In an exemplary embodiment, lateral andmedial fold lines relief slits 144 together form an upward arch so that thetop panel 110 curves or bows upward when a user grasps thecarton 700, as discussed in more detail below. Lowermedial fold line 142 is also preferably arcuate to assist the inward deflection of the upper and lowermedial panels location 106 where thetop panel 110 joins end flaps 128 and 130. Each relief slit 144 extends between theadjacent fold line 138 and the respective uppermedial fold line 140. The relief slits 144 may be curved to approximate a top portion of an article to be carried within thecarton 700, such as a bottle cap of a bottle. It should be noted that the slits may be replaced by slots, apertures, openings, their combination, or the like. - Significantly, fold
lines fold lines 138 may be parallel to foldlines 140, but not colinear. As can be seen inFIG. 1 , thefold lines 138 are offset by a distance D1 from respective uppermost and lowermost edges of the blank 100 and thefold lines 140 are offset by a distance D2 from the respective uppermost and lowermost edges of the blank 100. The distance D2 is greater than the distance D1 such that thefold lines 138 are relatively closer to the outermost edges of the blank 100 than the fold lines 140. More specifically, foldlines 138 are disposed relatively closer to the edge of respective end flaps 128, 130 than fold lines 140. The offset between thefold lines top panel 110 that occurs when the fully erected and loadedcarton 700 is lifted, and as the end flaps 128, 130 bow toward the interior of thecarton 700. - Lower
medial panel 134 may be hingedly connected tolateral panels 132 byfold lines 146. Upper and lowermedial panels finger receiving area 108 for receiving a user's finger when the user grasps and lifts thecarton 700.Lateral panels 132 are hingedly connected totop panel 110 byfold lines 138, hingedly connected to lowermedial panel 134 byfold lines 146, and hingedly connected totop gusset panels 152 byfold lines 158. - After construction is completed and the open-ended
carton 700 formed, the end flaps 128, 130 extend downwardly from thetop panel 110 at open ends of thecarton 700. Foldlines end flaps carton 700 is grasped by a user, as explained more fully below. Foldlines 142 may be curved and allow for lowermedial panel 134 to move further inward into the interior portion of the erectedcarton 700. Preferably, top end flaps 128, 130 are sized such that when a user grasps thecarton 700, and the end flaps 128, 130 deflect inward, a portion of eachend flap -
Side panels top panel 110.Side panels side flaps 196 hingedly coupled to theside panels fold lines 150. Eachside flap 196 may include aside end panel 148, atop gusset panel 152, a bottommajor gusset panel 154, and a bottomminor gusset panel 156. -
Side end panel 148 is hingedly connected totop gusset panel 152 byangled fold line 160, which is disposed betweenfold lines line relief aperture 162 is provided at the intersection offold line 150 andangled fold line 160 defining an acute angle therebetween. Foldline 150 allowsside end panel 148 to be folded inward on the inside surfaces ofside panels Top gusset panel 152 is hingedly connected tolateral panel 132 of front and rear end flaps 128, 130 byfold line 158.Top gusset panel 152 is hingedly connected to sideend panel 148 atangled fold line 160. - Bottom
major gusset panel 154 is hingedly connected to sideend panel 148 atangled fold line 168, which is disposed betweenfold lines line relief slit 170 extends between one end offold line 168 and the outer edge ofside end panel 148. Bottommajor gusset panel 154 may be hingedly connected to bottomminor gusset panel 156 alongfold line 172. Arelief aperture 174 is provided at the intersection offold lines fold line 168. Bottomminor gusset panel 156 is hingedly connected to bottommajor gusset panel 154 byfold line 172 andbase panel 120 byfold line 176. After construction of thecarton 700 is completed, bottom major andminor gusset panels web 164 that extends betweenside end panel 148 andbase panels - Outer and
inner base panels openings tabs outer base panel 120 for mating with known retainingtabs 190, 192, which are struck frominner base panel 122. - To erect the
carton 700 illustrated inFIG. 7 , the blank 100 requires a series of sequential folding operations which can be performed by a straight line machine almost simultaneously or in various progressions, so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its erection. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. - As previously mentioned, the
carton 700 is preferably a wrap-around style carton, that is,carton 700 is folded around a group of articles and the bottom is sealed by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, hot melt glue or locking features, which are known. To erect thecarton 700 and enclose the articles therein, the preferably completely flat blank shown inFIG. 1 is lowered onto the group of articles. The inside surface of top panel 110 is placed against the uppermost surface of the articles, and at almost the same time, a number of folding operations are accomplished: side panels 112, 114 are folded somewhat downwardly (as shown inFIG. 2 ) with respect to the top panel 110, until inside surfaces thereof contact the articles (not shown); side end panel 148 are folded somewhat inwardly (as shown inFIG. 3 ); end flaps 128, 130 are pulled or folded somewhat inwardly (as shown inFIG. 3 ); gussets 152 are folded along fold lines 160 placing at least a portion of the outside surface thereof into substantially face-contacting arrangement with a portion the outside surfaces of the side end panels 148 (best shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 ); base panels 120, 122 are folded inwardly to approximately 90 degrees (shown inFIG. 4 ), thereby allowing side end panels 148 to fold fully inward until inside surfaces thereof are in substantially face-contacting arrangement with inside surfaces of respective side panels 112, 114; gussets 154 are folded along fold line 168 such that a portion of the outside surfaces thereof are in substantially face-contacting arrangement with portions of the outside surfaces of side end panels 148 (best shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 ); and base panels 120, 122 are brought together underneath the bottoms of the articles in an overlapping arrangement, such that the inside surfaces thereof contact the article bottoms, and the locking and retaining tabs 178, 182, 190, 192 are engaged as shown inFIG. 5 and described in more detail below. During the process of foldingside panels - The
base panels base panels FIG. 6 , thebase panels tabs tabs 190, 192 or are otherwise connected by engaging lockingtabs tabs 190 and 192 as known in the art to form the open-endedtubular carton 700 shown inFIG. 7 . - As shown in
FIGS. 6, 7 and 9,carton 700 includes a generally uninterruptedtop panel 110 having connected thereto endflaps 128 and 130 (obstructed inFIGS. 6 and 7 ),side panels base panels top panel 110 and endflaps top panel 110 and are hingedly connected to thetop panel 110 atlateral fold lines 138 andmedial fold lines 140, such that end flaps 128, 130 may angle inward when a user grasps the top 710. Upper and lowermedial panels finger receiving surface 108 located at the center of eachend flap carton 700. In use, a user places a finger or fingers on thefinger receiving surface 108 of eachend flap carton 700, thereby resulting in the inward deflection of a portion of the end flaps 128, 130 and the upper deflection of thetop panel 110. As shown inFIG. 7 , foldline 142 may be curved and, together withfold lines 146, provide for the inward deflection ofmedial panels carton 700 is grasped by a user.Vertical fold lines 146 may be provided betweenlateral panels 132 andmedial panel 134 and intersectfold line 142.Lateral fold lines 138 extend torelief slits 144, which in turn, extend to topmedial fold line 140 and together form an upward curve line at the connection oftop panel 110 and each of the end flaps 128, 130. This structure allows for the upward bowing or deflection oftop panel 110 when a user grasps the end flaps 128, 130, and provides relief for the inward deflection of thefinger receiving portions 108 into the interior of thecarton 700. The exemplary end flaps 128, 130 each include:lateral panels 132 that are hingedly connected to thetop panel 110 alonglateral fold line 138; uppermedial panel 136 that are hingedly attached to the top panel alongfold line 140; andtop gusset panels 152 that are hingedly attached tolateral panel 132 alongfold line 158 andside end panel 148 alongangled fold line 160.Major 154 and minor 156 gusset panels are provided at the intersection ofbase panels side panels web 164 which provides lateral support about the bottom of the open ends 720. -
FIG. 7 shows thecarton 700 in whichbottles 810, havingbottle caps 820, are enclosed. As shown inFIG. 7 , a portion of eachbottle cap 820 is received in eachrelief slit 144. End flaps 128, 130 extend downwardly and outwardly fromtop panel 110 such thattop gusset panel 152, lateralouter panel 132, lowermedial panel 134 and uppermedial panel 136 are adjacent to and preferably contact the bottle caps 820 or otherwise the upper portion of thebottles 810. Thecarton 700 is well suited to enclose articles having tapered tops such that the bottle tops may be partially received by articletop relief slits 144, and to allow for a receivingspace 830 between the bottles for the deflection of the end flaps 128, 130. - The movement of end flaps 128, 130 when grasped by a user is best shown in
FIGS. 9-13 .FIG. 9 shows a top view of the carton ofFIG. 6 whereintop panel 110 and endflaps carton 700 atfinger receiving areas 108, the end flaps 128, 130 deflect inward such thatlateral panels 132 contact and apply an inward force on the bottle caps 820 or the upper portion of thebottles 810. This further secures thebottles 810 within thecarton 700 and provides lateral support to the upper portion of thebottles 810. A user may then lift thecarton 700, at least partially lifting thebottles 810 by theirbottle caps 820, thereby lifting thebottles 810 while also additionally securing the upper portion of thebottles 820. This arrangement allows the stress points of thecarton 700 to be distributed about thebottles 810 thereby preventing undue stress on thetop panel 110. -
FIGS. 10 and 11 show the inside of the top portion of the carton and illustrate the deflection of thecarton 700 when the carton is grasped at thefinger receiving area 108 by a user. As shown inFIG. 10 , prior to grasping by a user, end flaps 128, 130 extend outward fromtop panel 110. When a user grasps the carton, end flaps 128, 130 deflect inward about articletop relief slits 144 and foldlines article receiving areas 106, which are defined byrelief slits 144. The lower rim of eachbottle cap 820 may rest on an edge of alateral panel 132 and uppermedial panel 136, which is defined by arelief slit 144. Alternatively, an upper portion of an article extends into thearticle receiving area 106. -
FIGS. 12 and 13 show the deflection of the carton from a front view. As shown inFIG. 12 , theexemplary carton 700 is provided with articles, shown asbottles 810. Thebottles 810 fit snugly within thecarton 700 such thattop panel 110 may curve slightly upward. Top end flaps 128, 130 extend downwardly somewhat with respect totop panel 110 alonglateral fold lines 138,article relief slits 144 and uppermedial fold line 140.FIG. 13 shows a user'sthumb 1200 grasping thecarton 700 atfinger receiving area 108, which increases the upward curvature oftop panel 110 and causesend flap 128 to deflect inward with the greatest deflection being at thefinger receiving portion 108. When moving inward, the end flaps 128, 130 contact and form around a portion of thebottle cap 820 or upper portion of thebottle 810, thereby urging thebottles 810 inward against one another to further secure thebottles 810 within the carton.Top gusset panels 152 are pulled inward as shown. The lateral force urges thebottles 810 together, thereby transferring at least some of the load of thebottles 810 to the end panels and bottles. As the bottle caps 820 or upper portions of thebottles 810 are forced inward, the upper portions of thebottles 810 may tilt slightly inwards thereby pushing the lower portions of thebottles 810 outward.Web 164 secures the bottom of thebottle 810 against this outward force. - The deflection of the end flaps 128, 130 also pulls the
side panels top gusset panel 152 andside end panel 148, inward to further secure the articles. Thus, the deflection of the end flaps 128, 130 andtop panel 110 effectively tightens the carton around the articles by pushing thebottles 810 together in a front to back direction by theside panels web 164. This increases the contact points between the articles to better distribute the stresses. - It should be appreciated that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “end”, “side”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. The orientation of the carton could be altered depending on, for example, the articles to be carried in the carton.
- It should be still further appreciated that any reference to a fold line or hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of the invention.
- The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A carton, comprising:
a top panel;
a first side panel hingedly connected to said top panel;
a second side panel opposed to said first side panel and hingedly connected to said top panel;
a base panel hingedly connected to said first and second side panels;
wherein said top panel, said first and second side panels, and said base panel define a tubular structure having an open end; and
an end flap hingedly connected to said top panel by a connecting arrangement and extending downwardly from said top panel to at least partially close said open end, said connecting arrangement comprising:
first and second horizontally spaced fold lines disposed at a first distance from a lower edge of said end flap; and
a third fold line disposed between said first and second fold lines, at a second distance from said lower edge of said end flap, the second distance being greater than the first distance.
2. The carton of claim 1 , wherein said first and second fold lines extend respectively from said first and second side panels toward each other.
3. The carton of claim 1 , wherein said first and second fold lines are horizontally aligned with each other, and said third line is disposed parallel to said first and second fold lines.
4. The carton of claim 1 , wherein said third fold line is disposed at a horizontal distance from each of said first and second fold lines.
5. The carton of claim 4 , wherein said connecting arrangement further comprising a plurality of relief slits, at least two of said relief slits extend respectively from said first and second fold lines and terminate at the third fold line.
6. A carton, comprising:
a top panel;
a first side panel hingedly connected to said top panel;
a second side panel opposed to said first side panel and hingedly connected to said top panel;
a base closure structure hingedly connected to said first and second side panels;
wherein said top panel, said first and second side panels, and said base panel define a tubular structure having at least one open end; and
an end flap extending partially over each said at least one open end, said end flap being defined at least in part by:
first and second fold lines hingedly connecting said end flap to said top panel, each fold line being disposed at a first distance from the outermost edge of the end flap;
a plurality of relief slits, at least two of which extend from respective first and second fold lines; and
at least one third fold line hingedly connecting said end flap to said top panel and extending between the relief slits, the third fold line being disposed at a second distance from the outermost edge of the end flap, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and
at least one finger receiving area for receiving a finger of a user, said finger receiving area being disposed between the relief slits.
7. The carton of claim 6 , wherein the end flap further comprises at least one score line provided on a surface of said end flap such that said end flap deflects inward when the carton is grasped by a user at said finger receiving area.
8. The carton of claim 6 , wherein said end flap is inwardly displaceable to provide a handle by which the carton is carried.
9. The carton of claim 6 , further comprising:
a first side end panel hingedly connected to said first side panel, and hingedly interconnected with said end flap via first top web; and
a second side end panel hingedly connected to said second side panel, and hingedly interconnected with said end flap via a second top web;
wherein each of said at least one first top gusset panel and said at least one second top gusset panel extends at least partially over said at least one open end.
10. The carton of claim 9 , further comprising a first bottom web and a second bottom web extending at least partially over said at least one open end and hingedly interconnecting said base panel structure with said first side end panel and second side end panel, respectively.
11. The carton of claim 10 , wherein any of said first and second top webs and said first and second bottom webs comprises at least one gusset panel.
12. The carton of claim 9 , wherein said first side end panel and said second side end panel are folded inwardly so as to be substantially in face contacting arrangement with said first side panel and second side panel, respectively.
13. A package, comprising:
a group of articles; and
a tubular carton having at least one open end enclosing the group of articles, the tubular carton comprising:
a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall; and
an end flap being hingedly connected to a top wall of said tubular carton and extending at least partially over said at least one open end;
wherein said end flap is displaceable into a receiving space between the upper portion of articles in said group of articles, thereby forming a handle.
14. The package of claim 13 , wherein said end flap is displaceable into said receiving space so as to tighten said carton about said articles.
15. The package of claim 13 , wherein said end flap is hingedly connected along at least one fold line segment.
16. The package of claim 13 , wherein said end flap is hingedly connected along a plurality of fold line segments, and at least two of said fold line segments are offset from one another.
17. The package of claim 15 , wherein said end flap is hingedly connected along a plurality of fold line segments, and said fold line segments are separated by slits.
18. The package of claim 17 , wherein each of said slits receives the upper portion of one of said group of articles.
19. The package of claim 13 , said tubular carton further comprising at least one web which extends over said at least one open end, said web for supporting the bottom portion of said articles.
20. The package of claim 19 , further comprising a side end panel hingedly connected to one of said side walls, wherein said web interconnects said side end panel and said end flap.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/379,502 US20060237520A1 (en) | 2005-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Carton with deflectable carry top |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US67321405P | 2005-04-20 | 2005-04-20 | |
US11/379,502 US20060237520A1 (en) | 2005-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Carton with deflectable carry top |
Publications (1)
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US20060237520A1 true US20060237520A1 (en) | 2006-10-26 |
Family
ID=36717027
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/379,502 Abandoned US20060237520A1 (en) | 2005-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Carton with deflectable carry top |
Country Status (4)
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US (1) | US20060237520A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1888426A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2007142651A (en) |
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Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP2148819A2 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2010-02-03 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Packs and methods of erecting packs |
WO2013142814A1 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2013-09-26 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc | Package, carton and blank therefor |
US20190210780A1 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2019-07-11 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier with Gusset |
WO2019147554A1 (en) * | 2018-01-23 | 2019-08-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier with handle features |
USD861483S1 (en) | 2018-02-22 | 2019-10-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
USD867900S1 (en) | 2018-03-01 | 2019-11-26 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
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FR2713604B1 (en) * | 1993-12-15 | 1996-03-01 | 4 P Emballages France | Sheath-type packaging for grouping a plurality of objects such as bottles. |
-
2006
- 2006-04-20 WO PCT/US2006/014946 patent/WO2006113892A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-04-20 RU RU2007142651/12A patent/RU2007142651A/en unknown
- 2006-04-20 US US11/379,502 patent/US20060237520A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-04-20 EP EP06750863A patent/EP1888426A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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US3167214A (en) * | 1962-11-19 | 1965-01-26 | Container Corp | Bottle carrier with contour end gusset |
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US3398856A (en) * | 1966-11-17 | 1968-08-27 | Olinkraft Inc | End panel lock for wrap-around carrier |
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US3517876A (en) * | 1968-09-13 | 1970-06-30 | Mead Corp | Article carrier |
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Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2148819A2 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2010-02-03 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Packs and methods of erecting packs |
EP2148819A4 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2011-03-30 | Graphic Packaging Int Inc | Packs and methods of erecting packs |
AU2008260197B2 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2012-04-12 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Packs and methods of erecting packs |
US8272559B2 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2012-09-25 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Packs and methods of erecting packs |
WO2013142814A1 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2013-09-26 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc | Package, carton and blank therefor |
US20190210780A1 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2019-07-11 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier with Gusset |
WO2019136338A1 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2019-07-11 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier with gusset |
WO2019147554A1 (en) * | 2018-01-23 | 2019-08-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier with handle features |
US11305924B2 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2022-04-19 | Graphie Packaging International, LLC | Carrier with handle features |
USD861483S1 (en) | 2018-02-22 | 2019-10-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
USD867900S1 (en) | 2018-03-01 | 2019-11-26 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
RU2007142651A (en) | 2009-05-27 |
WO2006113892A1 (en) | 2006-10-26 |
EP1888426A1 (en) | 2008-02-20 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CARGILE, JR., JOHN W.;REEL/FRAME:017503/0378 Effective date: 20060419 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |