WO1998016441A1 - Article carrier and blank therefor - Google Patents

Article carrier and blank therefor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998016441A1
WO1998016441A1 PCT/US1997/018215 US9718215W WO9816441A1 WO 1998016441 A1 WO1998016441 A1 WO 1998016441A1 US 9718215 W US9718215 W US 9718215W WO 9816441 A1 WO9816441 A1 WO 9816441A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panel
along
handle
upper edge
panels
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/018215
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Martinus C. M. Bakx
Original Assignee
The Mead Corporation
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=24928059&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO1998016441(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by The Mead Corporation filed Critical The Mead Corporation
Priority to PL97332691A priority Critical patent/PL186554B1/en
Priority to AU48123/97A priority patent/AU4812397A/en
Priority to EP97910848A priority patent/EP0931003B1/en
Priority to DE69709942T priority patent/DE69709942C5/en
Priority to DK97910848T priority patent/DK0931003T3/en
Priority to AT97910848T priority patent/ATE211704T1/en
Publication of WO1998016441A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998016441A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D71/0003—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars
    • B65D71/0022—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding or erecting one blank, and provided with vertical partitions
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00333—Partitions, i.e. elements contacting a major part of each aarticle or extending across the whole length of the wrapper
    • B65D2571/0037—Partitions, i.e. elements contacting a major part of each aarticle or extending across the whole length of the wrapper extending from at least a side wall
    • B65D2571/00376—Squarings or the like
    • B65D2571/00388—Two rows of more than two cells
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00475—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper and extending ion a substantially vertical plane
    • B65D2571/00487—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper and extending ion a substantially vertical plane and formed integrally with a partition
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00518—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements
    • B65D2571/00524—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements integral
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00728—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 being closed by gluing
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00783—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 forming the bottom or upper wall
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00932—Flattenable or foldable packages
    • B65D2571/00938—Means for maintaining collapsible packages in erected state
    • B65D2571/00944—Hooks
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00932—Flattenable or foldable packages
    • B65D2571/00938—Means for maintaining collapsible packages in erected state
    • B65D2571/00944—Hooks
    • B65D2571/00956—Hooks engaging the bottom wall

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to carriers for articles such as beverage bottles, and in particular to carriers and blanks therefor of a type generally referred to as "basket carriers" .
  • a variety of carriers for articles such as beverage bottles and the like are known.
  • One such type of carrier is generally referred to as a "basket-style" carrier.
  • interconnected side and end walls and a bottom panel are suspended from a center handle.
  • partitions are provided to divide the carrier into cells, one cell receiving each of the articles to be carried.
  • handle panels are usually disposed adjacent the end and side walls.
  • the handle panels cannot be completely severed from the remainder of the blank, and it is necessary to connect the handle panel to the end panel along a vertical fold line. This results in an end panel which is not symmetrical.
  • One side of the end panel must extend to a greater height along the handle than the other. This lack of symmetry may be regarded as aesthetically undesirable.
  • a carrier of the type shown in Newton is often formed with what are referred to as "strap-style partitions" .
  • These are narrow strips of material disposed between the handle panel and the side wall, and provide separation between adjacent articles only along a relatively small portion, e.g., near a bottle shoulder. It is not possible to provide partitions which extend deeper into the carrier, since the material for such partitions must necessarily come from the side walls.
  • an article carrier of the basket type having uninterrupted end walls which are symmetrical about the handle.
  • the carrier should be capable of being designed with partitions which may extend relatively deeply into the carrier.
  • a blank for an article carrier which includes a side panel having a first upper edge and a side edge, and an end panel having a second upper edge and a side edge.
  • the end panel and the side panel are interconnected at their side edges along a fold line.
  • a handle panel is disposed adjacent a portion of the side panel along the first upper edge thereof and adjacent to a portion of the end panel along the second upper edge thereof.
  • the handle panel is separated from the side panel by a first cut line extending along the first upper edge, and is partially separated from the end panel by a second cut line extending along a portion of the second upper edge, the second cut line terminating at a point spaced from the side edge of the handle panel and defining a connecting portion therebetween.
  • the connecting portion preferably has a width of approximately 1.0 to 5.0 millimeters.
  • the side edge of the handle panel and the second upper edge of the end panel may intersect substantially adjacent but spaced from the termination of the second cut line.
  • the side edge of the handle panel and the second upper edge of the end panel may then intersect substantially along a radius of curvature.
  • a blank for an article carrier includes a series of side panels and end panels each having upper edges and interconnected along fold lines .
  • First and second outer handle panels are disposed adjacent at least some of the upper edges and are connected to at least some of the side panels and end panels.
  • the first and second outer handle panels each have an outer panel upper edge .
  • First and second inner handle panels each have an inner upper edge, and are disposed adjacent respective ones of the first and second outer handle panels along the inner and outer upper edges.
  • a first partition structure is connected to the first inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite the inner upper edge, and a second partition structure is connected to the second inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite the inner upper edge .
  • the first partition structure may be connected to the second inner handle panel.
  • the first partition structure may include at least one glue flap extending laterally from the first inner handle panel and foldably connected to the second inner handle panel .
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for an article carrier in accordance with the present invention, showing the inner surface thereof .
  • Fig. 2 shows the blank of Fig. 1 after folding of a portion of the blank to form an intermediate structure .
  • Fig. 3 shows the blank of Fig. 1 after further folding of a portion of the blank to form a further intermediate structure.
  • Fig. 4 shows the completed, collapsed article carrier formed from the blank of Fig. 1.
  • the blank which is preferably formed from a paperboard material, includes end panel 12, side panel 14, end panel 16 and side panel 18. These panels are interconnected along fold lines 20, 22 and 24 respectively. Connected along fold line 26 at an opposite end of side panel 18 is a glue flap 28.
  • bottom flaps 30, 32, 34 and 36 are connected to panels 12, 14 16 and 18 respectively by fold lines 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively.
  • Bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 are configured so that when folded and connected, as described in further detail herein, the panels will form an automatic opening bottom wall structure, as is known in the art.
  • bottom panel 32 includes a glue panel 46 connected along fold line 48
  • bottom panel 36 includes a glue panel 50 connected thereto along fold line 52.
  • bottom panels 32 and 36 each include locking tabs 54 and 56, respectively.
  • An outer handle panel 58 is disposed adjacent end panel 12 and side panel 14. Handle panel 58 is separated from side panel 14 by a cut line 60, and from end panel 12 by a cut line 62. Handle panel 58 is connected to end panel 12 at one side edge of handle panel 58, with the side edge of handle panel 58 and the upper edge of end panel 12 meeting along a radius of curvature 64.
  • Cut line 62 terminates short of the side edge of handle panel 58, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • a connecting portion 66 of paperboard material extends between and interconnects handle panel 58 and end panel 12. The distance from the end of cut line 62 to the edge of handle panel 58 and end panel 12 is in the order of several millimeters, and preferably within a range from one to five millimeters.
  • Connecting portion 66 is of a width which is sufficient to maintain the connection between handle panel 58 and end panel 12 during handling of the blank prior to folding and gluing.
  • handle panel 58 may be connected to end panel 12 and side panel 14 by a plurality of "nicks" , as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
  • Outer handle panel 58 includes a hand aperture 68.
  • a hand cushioning flap 70 is connected along a fold line to an upper edge of hand aperture 68.
  • a similar outer handle panel 72 is disposed adjacent end panel 16 and side panel 18.
  • Handle panel 72 is separated from side panel 18 by a cut line 74, and from end panel 16 by a cut line 76.
  • a connecting portion 78 is disposed between the end of cut line 76 and the edge of handle panel 72 and end panel 16.
  • connecting portion 78 is of similar dimensions as connecting portion 66.
  • the side edge of handle panel 72 and the upper edge of end panel 16 meet along a radius of curvature 80.
  • a hand aperture 82 is formed in outer handle panel 72, and includes a hand cushioning panel 84 connected along an upper edge of aperture 82 along a fold line.
  • An inner handle panel 86 is connected to outer handle panel 58 along fold line 88.
  • a hand aperture 90 is formed through handle panel 86.
  • an inner handle panel 92 is connected to outer handle panel 72 along fold line 94.
  • a hand aperture 96 is formed through handle panel 92.
  • a partition structure for the article carrier is formed at the lower ends of inner handle panels 86 and 92.
  • partition panel 98 is connected to handle panel 86 along fold line 100, and includes a glue panel 102 connected at an opposite end of partition panel 98 along fold line 104.
  • a further partition panel 106 is connected to handle panel 86 along fold line 108, and includes a glue panel 110 connected to an opposite end thereof along fold line 112 to laterally extend from handle panel 86.
  • a partition panel 114 is connected to handle panel 92 along fold line 116, and has a glue flap 118 connected at the opposite end thereof along fold line 120.
  • a further partition panel 122 is connected to handle panel 92 along fold line 124, and includes a flue flap 126 connected at its opposite end along fold line 128.
  • a glue flap 130 is connected along fold line 132 at a side edge of inner handle panel 86. As will be described herein, glue flap 130 secures the handle structure to the interior surface of end wall 12.
  • a glue panel 134 is connected along fold line 136 to a side edge of inner handle panel 92.
  • glue panel 134 is made sufficiently long to connect with glue panel 110.
  • a fold relief aperture 136 is defined between glue panels 110 and 134. These panels are connected to provide a connection between handle panels 86 and 92 which is particularly useful in facilitating handling of the carton blank.
  • the folding of the blank of FIG. 1 to form the completed article carrier is begun by applying glue to the blank shown in FIG. 1.
  • glue is applied to glue flaps and panels 130, 102, 110, 134, 118 and 126 as shown by stippling in FIG. 1.
  • glue is applied to the surface of either or both of handle panel pairs 58, 86 and 72, 92. (Application of glue to these panels is not depicted in FIG. 1.)
  • the blank is then folded along fold lines 88 and 94 to produce the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 2.
  • folding results in glue flap 130 being secured to the inner surface of end panel 12, and glue flap 102 and glue panel 110 being secured to an inner surface of side panel 14.
  • Glue panel 134 is secured to an inner surface of end wall 16, and relief aperture 136 is disposed along fold line 22 separating side panel 14 and end panel 16.
  • Glue flap 118 and glue panel 126 are secured to the inner surface of side panel 18.
  • Bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 are folded along fold lines 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively to produce the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 3.
  • glue flap 46 is folded along fold line 48, and glue flap 50 is folded along fold line 52. Glue is then applied to the exposed surface of flaps 46 and 50.
  • glue flap 28 is folded along fold line 26, and glue is applied to the exposed surface of flap 28.
  • Glue is next applied to one or both of the surfaces of handle panels 86 and 92.
  • the intermediate structure of FIG. 3 is then folded along fold line 22. This produces the completed, collapsed article carrier structure shown in FIG. 4.
  • the article carrier is erected by moving the outer edges of the collapsed carrier, defined by fold lines 22 and 26, inwardly toward each other. This moves the end panels and side panels into a rectangular configuration.
  • bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 automatically fold downwardly (not shown) in a known manner to create a complete bottom wall. Locking tabs 54 and 56 engage to lock the bottom panels into position. Further, opening of the collapsed structure moves the partition panels into position to define individual cells for the articles to be carried, in a manner which will be well understood by those skilled in the art.
  • connecting portions 66 and 78 which interconnect end panel 12 and outer handle panel 58, and end panel 16 and outer handle panel 72, respectively, will be twisted and will wrap around the edges of the handle structure. This will normally result in a tearing of some or all of connecting portions 66 and 78. However, because of the relatively small width of these connecting portions, any such tearing will be aesthetically unnoticeable . Moreover, the relatively small width of the connecting portions will not interfere with the opening of the carton when compared with conventional basket-style carriers. Further, because the carrier has been glued, the connecting portions which are provided to hold the blank together are no longer needed for this purpose .
  • the end of slit 62, 76 will be positioned closer to the center of the edge of the handle in the erected carton while maintaining the preferred width for connecting portion 66, 78.
  • Such a position for the end of slit 62, 76 helps to keep the tearing of material to a minimum, and helps prevent an increase in force required to open the collapsed carrier as compared to conventional carriers.
  • partition panels 98, 106, 114 and 122 may be adjusted during the design of the carrier to produce partition panels which extend into the carrier body to any desired depth. This may be accomplished simply by extending the length of the handle panels 86 and 92 from which the partition structure is formed. This will in turn permit partition panels 98, 106, 114 and 122 to be extended.
  • the present invention enables the carrier to be adjusted with respect to partition depth and corresponding cost as may be appropriate with regard to the particular circumstances for which the article carrier is being produced.

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Passenger Equipment (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
  • Disintegrating Or Milling (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
  • Constituent Portions Of Griding Lathes, Driving, Sensing And Control (AREA)
  • Grinding Of Cylindrical And Plane Surfaces (AREA)

Abstract

A blank for an article carrier includes a side panel (14) and an end panel (12) interconnected at their side edges along a fold line (20). An outer handle panel (58) is disposed along the upper edges of the side and end panels, separated from the side panel by a first cut line (60) extending along its upper edge, and partially separated from the end panel by a second cut line (62) extending along a portion of its upper edge. The second cut line (62) terminates at a point spaced from the side edge (64) of the outer handle panel and defines a connecting portion (66) therebetween. An inner handle panel (86) is disposed adjacent to the outer handle panel along the handle panel upper edges. A first partition structure (98) is connected to the first inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite the inner upper edge, away from the connection with the outer handle panel (58).

Description

ARTICLE CARRIER AND BLANK THEREFOR
The present invention relates generally to carriers for articles such as beverage bottles, and in particular to carriers and blanks therefor of a type generally referred to as "basket carriers" .
A variety of carriers for articles such as beverage bottles and the like are known. One such type of carrier is generally referred to as a "basket-style" carrier. In such a carrier, interconnected side and end walls and a bottom panel are suspended from a center handle. Typically, partitions are provided to divide the carrier into cells, one cell receiving each of the articles to be carried.
Many varieties of carriers of this type are known. In one such carrier, the end and side walls are all interconnected in the carrier blank, and one or both of the end walls are formed from a single panel . An example of a carrier of this type is shown in U.S. patent No. 2,733,832 of Newton. Because the carrier is usually printed with graphics for advertising and product identification, the uninterrupted end wall or walls provided by a carrier of this type can be advantageous . The printed graphics are uninterrupted by seams, fold lines or the like which can often be present in end panels of other types of basket carriers.
In blanks for basket carriers of the type shown in Newton, handle panels are usually disposed adjacent the end and side walls. However, the handle panels cannot be completely severed from the remainder of the blank, and it is necessary to connect the handle panel to the end panel along a vertical fold line. This results in an end panel which is not symmetrical. One side of the end panel must extend to a greater height along the handle than the other. This lack of symmetry may be regarded as aesthetically undesirable.
In addition, a carrier of the type shown in Newton is often formed with what are referred to as "strap-style partitions" . These are narrow strips of material disposed between the handle panel and the side wall, and provide separation between adjacent articles only along a relatively small portion, e.g., near a bottle shoulder. It is not possible to provide partitions which extend deeper into the carrier, since the material for such partitions must necessarily come from the side walls.
What is needed, therefore, is an article carrier of the basket type, having uninterrupted end walls which are symmetrical about the handle. In addition, the carrier should be capable of being designed with partitions which may extend relatively deeply into the carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a blank for an article carrier is provided which includes a side panel having a first upper edge and a side edge, and an end panel having a second upper edge and a side edge. The end panel and the side panel are interconnected at their side edges along a fold line. A handle panel is disposed adjacent a portion of the side panel along the first upper edge thereof and adjacent to a portion of the end panel along the second upper edge thereof. The handle panel is separated from the side panel by a first cut line extending along the first upper edge, and is partially separated from the end panel by a second cut line extending along a portion of the second upper edge, the second cut line terminating at a point spaced from the side edge of the handle panel and defining a connecting portion therebetween.
The connecting portion preferably has a width of approximately 1.0 to 5.0 millimeters.
The side edge of the handle panel and the second upper edge of the end panel may intersect substantially adjacent but spaced from the termination of the second cut line. The side edge of the handle panel and the second upper edge of the end panel may then intersect substantially along a radius of curvature.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a blank for an article carrier includes a series of side panels and end panels each having upper edges and interconnected along fold lines . First and second outer handle panels are disposed adjacent at least some of the upper edges and are connected to at least some of the side panels and end panels. The first and second outer handle panels each have an outer panel upper edge . First and second inner handle panels each have an inner upper edge, and are disposed adjacent respective ones of the first and second outer handle panels along the inner and outer upper edges. A first partition structure is connected to the first inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite the inner upper edge, and a second partition structure is connected to the second inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite the inner upper edge .
The first partition structure may be connected to the second inner handle panel. In this case, the first partition structure may include at least one glue flap extending laterally from the first inner handle panel and foldably connected to the second inner handle panel . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for an article carrier in accordance with the present invention, showing the inner surface thereof .
Fig. 2 shows the blank of Fig. 1 after folding of a portion of the blank to form an intermediate structure .
Fig. 3 shows the blank of Fig. 1 after further folding of a portion of the blank to form a further intermediate structure.
Fig. 4 shows the completed, collapsed article carrier formed from the blank of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, the inner surface of a blank for a basket-style carrier in accordance with the present invention is shown. The blank, which is preferably formed from a paperboard material, includes end panel 12, side panel 14, end panel 16 and side panel 18. These panels are interconnected along fold lines 20, 22 and 24 respectively. Connected along fold line 26 at an opposite end of side panel 18 is a glue flap 28.
A series of bottom flaps 30, 32, 34 and 36 are connected to panels 12, 14 16 and 18 respectively by fold lines 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively. Bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 are configured so that when folded and connected, as described in further detail herein, the panels will form an automatic opening bottom wall structure, as is known in the art. Accordingly, bottom panel 32 includes a glue panel 46 connected along fold line 48, and bottom panel 36 includes a glue panel 50 connected thereto along fold line 52. In addition, bottom panels 32 and 36 each include locking tabs 54 and 56, respectively.
An outer handle panel 58 is disposed adjacent end panel 12 and side panel 14. Handle panel 58 is separated from side panel 14 by a cut line 60, and from end panel 12 by a cut line 62. Handle panel 58 is connected to end panel 12 at one side edge of handle panel 58, with the side edge of handle panel 58 and the upper edge of end panel 12 meeting along a radius of curvature 64.
Cut line 62 terminates short of the side edge of handle panel 58, as shown in FIG. 1. A connecting portion 66 of paperboard material extends between and interconnects handle panel 58 and end panel 12. The distance from the end of cut line 62 to the edge of handle panel 58 and end panel 12 is in the order of several millimeters, and preferably within a range from one to five millimeters. Connecting portion 66 is of a width which is sufficient to maintain the connection between handle panel 58 and end panel 12 during handling of the blank prior to folding and gluing.
In addition, handle panel 58 may be connected to end panel 12 and side panel 14 by a plurality of "nicks" , as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Outer handle panel 58 includes a hand aperture 68. A hand cushioning flap 70 is connected along a fold line to an upper edge of hand aperture 68.
A similar outer handle panel 72 is disposed adjacent end panel 16 and side panel 18. Handle panel 72 is separated from side panel 18 by a cut line 74, and from end panel 16 by a cut line 76. A connecting portion 78 is disposed between the end of cut line 76 and the edge of handle panel 72 and end panel 16. Preferably, connecting portion 78 is of similar dimensions as connecting portion 66. In addition, the side edge of handle panel 72 and the upper edge of end panel 16 meet along a radius of curvature 80.
A hand aperture 82 is formed in outer handle panel 72, and includes a hand cushioning panel 84 connected along an upper edge of aperture 82 along a fold line.
An inner handle panel 86 is connected to outer handle panel 58 along fold line 88. A hand aperture 90 is formed through handle panel 86.
Similarly, an inner handle panel 92 is connected to outer handle panel 72 along fold line 94. A hand aperture 96 is formed through handle panel 92.
A partition structure for the article carrier is formed at the lower ends of inner handle panels 86 and 92. Specifically, partition panel 98 is connected to handle panel 86 along fold line 100, and includes a glue panel 102 connected at an opposite end of partition panel 98 along fold line 104. A further partition panel 106 is connected to handle panel 86 along fold line 108, and includes a glue panel 110 connected to an opposite end thereof along fold line 112 to laterally extend from handle panel 86.
A partition panel 114 is connected to handle panel 92 along fold line 116, and has a glue flap 118 connected at the opposite end thereof along fold line 120. A further partition panel 122 is connected to handle panel 92 along fold line 124, and includes a flue flap 126 connected at its opposite end along fold line 128. A glue flap 130 is connected along fold line 132 at a side edge of inner handle panel 86. As will be described herein, glue flap 130 secures the handle structure to the interior surface of end wall 12.
In a similar manner, a glue panel 134 is connected along fold line 136 to a side edge of inner handle panel 92. In addition, glue panel 134 is made sufficiently long to connect with glue panel 110. A fold relief aperture 136 is defined between glue panels 110 and 134. These panels are connected to provide a connection between handle panels 86 and 92 which is particularly useful in facilitating handling of the carton blank.
The folding of the blank of FIG. 1 to form the completed article carrier is begun by applying glue to the blank shown in FIG. 1. In particular, glue is applied to glue flaps and panels 130, 102, 110, 134, 118 and 126 as shown by stippling in FIG. 1. In addition, glue is applied to the surface of either or both of handle panel pairs 58, 86 and 72, 92. (Application of glue to these panels is not depicted in FIG. 1.) The blank is then folded along fold lines 88 and 94 to produce the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 2.
As can be seen from FIG. 2, folding results in glue flap 130 being secured to the inner surface of end panel 12, and glue flap 102 and glue panel 110 being secured to an inner surface of side panel 14. Glue panel 134 is secured to an inner surface of end wall 16, and relief aperture 136 is disposed along fold line 22 separating side panel 14 and end panel 16. Glue flap 118 and glue panel 126 are secured to the inner surface of side panel 18. Bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 are folded along fold lines 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively to produce the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 3.
Finally, glue flap 46 is folded along fold line 48, and glue flap 50 is folded along fold line 52. Glue is then applied to the exposed surface of flaps 46 and 50. In addition, glue flap 28 is folded along fold line 26, and glue is applied to the exposed surface of flap 28.
Glue is next applied to one or both of the surfaces of handle panels 86 and 92. The intermediate structure of FIG. 3 is then folded along fold line 22. This produces the completed, collapsed article carrier structure shown in FIG. 4.
In use, the article carrier is erected by moving the outer edges of the collapsed carrier, defined by fold lines 22 and 26, inwardly toward each other. This moves the end panels and side panels into a rectangular configuration. In addition, bottom panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 automatically fold downwardly (not shown) in a known manner to create a complete bottom wall. Locking tabs 54 and 56 engage to lock the bottom panels into position. Further, opening of the collapsed structure moves the partition panels into position to define individual cells for the articles to be carried, in a manner which will be well understood by those skilled in the art.
During carton setup, the connecting portions 66 and 78 which interconnect end panel 12 and outer handle panel 58, and end panel 16 and outer handle panel 72, respectively, will be twisted and will wrap around the edges of the handle structure. This will normally result in a tearing of some or all of connecting portions 66 and 78. However, because of the relatively small width of these connecting portions, any such tearing will be aesthetically unnoticeable . Moreover, the relatively small width of the connecting portions will not interfere with the opening of the carton when compared with conventional basket-style carriers. Further, because the carrier has been glued, the connecting portions which are provided to hold the blank together are no longer needed for this purpose .
By providing a radius of curvature 64, 80 where the edges of each handle panel 58, 72 meet the upper edge of end panels 12 and 16, the end of slit 62, 76 will be positioned closer to the center of the edge of the handle in the erected carton while maintaining the preferred width for connecting portion 66, 78. Such a position for the end of slit 62, 76 helps to keep the tearing of material to a minimum, and helps prevent an increase in force required to open the collapsed carrier as compared to conventional carriers.
It will further be recognized by those skilled in the art that a separate advantage of the article carrier shown herein is that the depth of partition panels 98, 106, 114 and 122 may be adjusted during the design of the carrier to produce partition panels which extend into the carrier body to any desired depth. This may be accomplished simply by extending the length of the handle panels 86 and 92 from which the partition structure is formed. This will in turn permit partition panels 98, 106, 114 and 122 to be extended.
Of course, as will be recognized, increasing the depth of the partitions will affect the cost of the carrier, since deeper partitions will require greater paperboard material. However, the present invention enables the carrier to be adjusted with respect to partition depth and corresponding cost as may be appropriate with regard to the particular circumstances for which the article carrier is being produced.

Claims

CLAIMS: - 11 -
1. A blank for an article carrier, comprising: a side panel having a first upper edge and a side edge ; an end panel having a second upper edge and a side edge, said end panel and said side panel being interconnected at said side edges along a fold line; a handle panel disposed adjacent a portion of said side panel along said first upper edge thereof and adjacent a portion of said end panel along said second upper edge thereof; said handle panel being separated from said side panel by a first cut line extending along said first upper edge, and being partially separated from said end panel by a second cut line extending along a portion of said second upper edge, said second cut line terminating at a point spaced from said side edge of said handle panel and defining a connecting portion therebetween.
2. The blank as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting portion has a width of approximately 1.0 to 5.0 millimeters.
3. The blank as defined in claim 1, wherein said side edge of said handle panel and said second upper edge of said end panel intersect substantially adjacent but spaced from the termination of said second cut line.
4. The blank as defined in claim 3, wherein said side edge of said handle panel and said second upper edge of said end panel intersect substantially along a radius of curvature .
5. A blank for an article carrier, comprising: a series of side panels and end panels each having upper edges and interconnected along fold lines; first and second outer handle panels disposed adjacent at least some of said upper edges and connected to at least some of said side panels and end panels, said first and second outer handle panels each having an outer panel upper edge; first and second inner handle panels each having an inner upper edge, and disposed adjacent respective ones of said first and second outer handle panels along said inner and outer upper edges; and first partition structure connected to said first inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite said inner upper edge, and second partition structure connected to said second inner handle panel along an edge thereof opposite said inner upper edge.
6. The blank as defined in claim 5, wherein said first partition structure is connected to said second inner handle panel .
7. The blank as defined in claim 6, wherein said first partition structure includes at least one glue flap extending laterally from said first inner handle panel and foldably connected to said second inner handle panel .
PCT/US1997/018215 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Article carrier and blank therefor WO1998016441A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL97332691A PL186554B1 (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Shipping package in particular for bottles
AU48123/97A AU4812397A (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Article carrier and blank therefor
EP97910848A EP0931003B1 (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Article carrier and blank therefor
DE69709942T DE69709942C5 (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Item carrier and cut for it
DK97910848T DK0931003T3 (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Carrier for workpieces and workpieces therefor
AT97910848T ATE211704T1 (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 CONTAINER SUPPORT AND CUT THEREOF

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72872896A 1996-10-11 1996-10-11
US08/728,728 1996-10-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998016441A1 true WO1998016441A1 (en) 1998-04-23

Family

ID=24928059

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US1997/018215 WO1998016441A1 (en) 1996-10-11 1997-10-09 Article carrier and blank therefor

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EP (2) EP1125858B1 (en)
AT (2) ATE211704T1 (en)
AU (1) AU4812397A (en)
DE (2) DE69709942C5 (en)
DK (1) DK0931003T3 (en)
ES (2) ES2171256T3 (en)
PL (1) PL186554B1 (en)
PT (1) PT931003E (en)
WO (1) WO1998016441A1 (en)

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US6571941B2 (en) 2001-02-27 2003-06-03 The Mead Corporation Basket-style article carrier having reinforced handle joints and carrier blank therefor

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US6732857B2 (en) 1999-03-05 2004-05-11 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc Article carrier and blank therefor
GB0318421D0 (en) * 2003-08-06 2003-09-10 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Basket carrier for bottles and blank therefor
BRPI0706604A2 (en) * 2006-01-17 2011-03-29 Graphic Packaging Int Inc package for holding a plurality of containers, model for forming a package for holding a plurality of containers, method for forming a package for containing a plurality of containersm and method for forming a package for containing a plurality of containers
CA2832538C (en) 2011-05-06 2016-07-12 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with article protection feature
US9022217B2 (en) 2011-05-06 2015-05-05 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with article protection feature
CN103946114B (en) 2011-10-19 2016-10-26 印刷包装国际公司 For activating the system and method for the article protection feature of carton
AU2013290749B2 (en) 2012-07-17 2017-02-02 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carton with article protection flap
US9840358B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-12-12 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with article protection feature
US9701436B2 (en) 2013-04-10 2017-07-11 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with article protection feature
ES2665604T3 (en) 2013-04-10 2018-04-26 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Cardboard box with article protection features
MX2016008773A (en) 2014-01-07 2016-09-08 Graphic Packaging Int Inc Carrier for containers.
USD993016S1 (en) 2021-04-22 2023-07-25 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carton

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US3331530A (en) * 1965-11-01 1967-07-18 Mead Corp Bottle carrier
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US3331530A (en) * 1965-11-01 1967-07-18 Mead Corp Bottle carrier
US3402872A (en) * 1966-07-25 1968-09-24 Mead Corp Reinforced carton structure
US4312446A (en) * 1979-12-20 1982-01-26 The C. W. Zumbiel Company Basket carrier
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2225402T3 (en) 2005-03-16
DE69709942C5 (en) 2008-10-09
ES2171256T3 (en) 2002-09-01
EP1125858A3 (en) 2001-08-29
PL186554B1 (en) 2004-01-30
PT931003E (en) 2002-06-28
EP1125858A2 (en) 2001-08-22
PL332691A1 (en) 1999-09-27
EP0931003A1 (en) 1999-07-28
DK0931003T3 (en) 2002-04-02
DE69709942T2 (en) 2002-08-29
ATE276161T1 (en) 2004-10-15
DE69730756D1 (en) 2004-10-21
EP1125858B1 (en) 2004-09-15
DE69709942D1 (en) 2002-02-28
AU4812397A (en) 1998-05-11
DE69730756T2 (en) 2005-11-10
ATE211704T1 (en) 2002-01-15
EP0931003B1 (en) 2002-01-09

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