WO1998050284A1 - Article carrier with integral keel and locking structure - Google Patents

Article carrier with integral keel and locking structure Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998050284A1
WO1998050284A1 PCT/US1998/007869 US9807869W WO9850284A1 WO 1998050284 A1 WO1998050284 A1 WO 1998050284A1 US 9807869 W US9807869 W US 9807869W WO 9850284 A1 WO9850284 A1 WO 9850284A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panel
tab
locking
retaining
struck
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/007869
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ulrich Frein
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
Application filed by The Mead Corporation filed Critical The Mead Corporation
Priority to AU72506/98A priority Critical patent/AU7250698A/en
Publication of WO1998050284A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998050284A1/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
    • B65D71/06—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
    • B65D2571/00185—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
    • B65D2571/00191—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 and serving as contents separators or locators
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00197—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing laterally or diagonally and co-operting with openings at the other end
    • B65D2571/00203—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing laterally or diagonally and co-operting with openings at the other end and serving as contents separators or locators
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00302—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper consisting of an inward deformation of at least a wall, e.g. embossed, keels
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00716—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular without end walls
    • 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

  • the invention relates to an article carrier of the wraparound type adapted to accommodate a plurality of containers, for example, yoghurt containers, and to a blank for forming the carrier. More often than not, yoghurt containers are arranged in rows.
  • the invention relates to a locking arrangement with integral keel structure.
  • Locking tabs struck from one end of a carton wrapper and which are arranged to be driven through corresponding apertures defined by retaining tabs struck from an opposite end of a wrapper are well known.
  • US 4 355 717 (The Mead Corporation).
  • a problem associated with multiple packaging cartons is that the containers are prone to move within the carrier.
  • One known solution is to use a keel structure between adjacent rows of containers, but it requires a more complicated configuration of carton blank and additional folding when constructing the carton.
  • the present invention seeks to mitigate the problems outlined above by providing a simiplified but secure locking arrangement which retains the integrity of the locking tabs. Further, the configuration of the locking arrangement provides an integral keel structure for separating adjacent containers to improve stabilisation of the containers within the carton.
  • One aspect of the present invention provides a wraparound carton for carrying a plurality of containers, for example, yoghurt cartons, comprises top, base and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls interconnecting said top and said base wherein said base comprises a pair of a panels interconnected by panel interlocking means for securing together said first and second panels in overlapping relationship, said first panel comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel, said second panel including a retaining tab defining a locking aperture struck from said second panel and wherein the retaining tab is displaced out of the plane of said second panel to receive said locking tab through the locking aperture and abuts a portion of said locking tab characterised in that said locking tab and retaining tab is adapted to provide a keel structure between adjacent rows of containers to minimise the relative movement between adjacent containers.
  • a second locking tab may be struck from said first panel and a second retaining tab struck from said second panel being spaced from said first locking tab and said first retaining tab and wherein said second locking tabs are displaced in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of displacement for said first locking and retaining tabs.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a keel structure and securing together a first panel and a second panel in overlapping relationship, said first panel comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel and wherein a second panel includes a retaining tab struck from said second panel which method comprises the following steps, bringing the first and second panels into overlapping relationship so that the locking tab and retaining tab are brought into a registry, folding the locking tab out of the plane of the first panel and inserting the locking tab through said aperture to abut with the free end edge of said retaining tab such that the locking tab is interengaged with a portion of the tab aperture and the retaining tab such that keel structure is formed to separate adjacent rows of containers when the first and second panels are locked together in overlapping relationship.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an unfolded single blank of paperboard from which a wraparound carton according to the invention is formed;
  • FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the erected carton formed from the blank shown in Figure 1 from above and one end;
  • FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the carton locking means through section X-X shown in Figure 2.
  • an article carrier is formed from a single blank of paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material.
  • the carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, which in this embodiment comprises four containers arranged in two rows.
  • this blank 10 includes an outer base panel 12, first side panel 14, top panel 16, second side panel 18, an inner base panel 20 hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively.
  • Outer base panel 12 comprises two triangular apertures 30 in a spaced arrangement positioned intermediate the opposing side edges of base panel 12 being laterally aligned. These triangular apertures 30 may be used by folding machinery to assist in carton construction, in particular, to bring together outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20.
  • Locking tab 32 is hingably connected to base panel 12 by fold line 40 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Lower portions of its' side edges are chamfered towards fold line 40. Fold line 40 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 38 such that locking tab 30 extends outwardly towards side edge 42 of panel 12.
  • locking tab 34 is hingably connected to base panel 12 by fold line 44 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Lower portions of its' side edges are chamfered towards fold line 44. Fold line 44 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 38 such that locking tab 34 extends outwardly towards the opposing side edge 46 of panel 12.
  • Locking tab 36 is, in this embodiment, located intermediate tabs 32 and 34 and is hingably connected to base panel 12 along fold line 48 and is also substantially rectangular in shape. Lower portions of its' side edges are chamfered towards fold line 48. Fold line 48 is parallel to and spaced from end edge 38 such that locking tab 36 extends towards end edge 38.
  • top panel 16 is wider than inner and outer base panels 12 and 20. Thus, the side edges of side panels 14 and 18 diverge towards the top panel 16.
  • Inner base panel 20 comprises two triangular apertures 50 in a spaced arrangement positioned intermediate the opposing side edges of base panel 20 being laterally aligned. These triangular apertures 50 may be used by folding machinery to assist in carton construction, in particular, to bring together outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20.
  • Three retaining tabs 52, 54, 56 are struck from inner base panel 20, each tab being substantially parallel to and spaced from end edge 58 of panel 20.
  • Retaining tab 52 is hingably connected to base panel 20 by fold line 60 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Corner portions of tab 52 are chamfered.
  • Fold line 60 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 58 such that retaining tab 52 extends inwardly away from side edge 62 of panel 20.
  • retaining tab 54 is hingably connected to base panel 20 by fold line 64 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Corner portions of tab 54 are chamfered. Fold line 64 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 58 such that retaining tab 54 extends inwardly away from opposing side edge 66 of panel 20.
  • Retaining tab 56 is, in this embodiment, located intermediate tabs 52 and 54 and is hingably connected to base panel 20 along fold line 68 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Corner portions of tab 56 are chamfered. Fold line 68 is parallel to and spaced from end edge 58 such that tab 56 extends towards end edge 58.
  • a bridge structure 70 is formed by a pair of parallel cut lines 72, 74 which are struck from part of panel 18 and panel 20 to bisect fold line 28, being substantially perpendicular to fold line 28.
  • Fold lines 76 and 78 interconnect each corresponding end of cut lines 72,74 respectively.
  • a pair of panels 82,84 are defined, shown in Figure 1.
  • the blank 10 requires a series of sequential folding and operations which can be performed in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction.
  • the folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to the particular manufacturing requirement.
  • containers (not shown) are grouped together in two rows of two containers each and the blank 10 is introduced to the group from above by relative vertical movement between the containers and the blank 10 during forward feed movement, well known in the art.
  • Outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20 are brought into a face contacting relationship with locking tabs 32, 34 and 36 being placed in registry with retaining tabs 52, 54, and 56 respectively. It is envisaged that in other embodimants the locking tab and retaining tab do not need to be in precise registry.
  • locking tab 32 is folded out of alignment with panel 12 and retaining tab 52 is folded out of alignment with panel 20. Thereafter, locking tab 32 is punched through the aperture 80 formed by retaining tab 52, shown in Figure 3.
  • Locking tab 32 is folded inwardly which also folds retaining tab 52 inwardly by abutment of the locking tab's end edge on the outer face of retaining tab 52.
  • the natural resilience of paperboard makes the retaining tab 52 return towards its original position.
  • locking tab 32 is held in position because retention tab
  • locking tab 32 cannot pass through aperture 80 because it is broader than the aperture 80 in the vertical or oblique positions.
  • this restriction is due to chamfered portions of the aperture 80 thereby providing a narrower section of aperture 80 to support the corresponding chamfered portions of locking tab 32.
  • Locking tabs 34, 36 and retaining tabs 54, 56 respectively are interengaged in a similar manner to locking tab 32 and retaining tab 52 and therefore, their construction is not described in any greater detail.
  • the bridge structure 70 is formed by folding panels 82 and 84 inwardly of base panel 20 and side panel 18 and is folded about fold line 28.
  • the bridge structure 70 forms a support to improve the rigidity of the wraparound carton.
  • the carton is in a set up condition, shown in Figure 2.
  • the bridge structure 70 is used to provide additional support between adjacent containers.
  • the present invention and its preferred embodiment relates to a means of locking two adjacent panels in a wraparound carton and providing an integral keel structure. It is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to maintain the panels in a locked position but with a degree of flexibility so the load transferred to the panels can be absorbed by the carrier.
  • the shape of the blank minimises the amount of paperboard required.
  • the carrier can be formed by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carriers not limited to those of the wraparound type.
  • a carton may be provided with any number of locking tabs and retention tabs being substantially identical to those locking tabs and retention tabs outlined above in order to lock together two panels and to provide a keel structure.

Abstract

A wraparound carton and blank (10) for carrying a plurality of containers, for example, yoghurt cartons, comprises top (16), base (12, 20) and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls (14, 18) interconnecting said top and said base wherein said base comprises a pair of panels (12, 20) interconnected by panel interlocking means for securing together said first and second panels in overlapping relationship, said first panel (12) comprising a locking tab (32, 34, 36) struck from said first panel, said second panel (20) including a retaining tab (52, 54, 56) defining a locking aperture (60, 64, 68) struck from said second panel and wherein the retaining tab is displaced out of the plane of said second panel to receive said locking tab through the locking aperture and abuts a portion of said locking tab characterised in that said locking tab and retaining tab are adapted to provide a keel structure between adjacent rows of containers to minimise the relative movement between adjacent containers.

Description

ARTICLE CARRIER WITH INTEGRAL KEEL & LOCKING STRUCTURE
The invention relates to an article carrier of the wraparound type adapted to accommodate a plurality of containers, for example, yoghurt containers, and to a blank for forming the carrier. More often than not, yoghurt containers are arranged in rows.
In particular, the invention relates to a locking arrangement with integral keel structure. Locking tabs struck from one end of a carton wrapper and which are arranged to be driven through corresponding apertures defined by retaining tabs struck from an opposite end of a wrapper are well known. One example is US 4 355 717 (The Mead Corporation).
A problem associated with multiple packaging cartons is that the containers are prone to move within the carrier. One known solution is to use a keel structure between adjacent rows of containers, but it requires a more complicated configuration of carton blank and additional folding when constructing the carton.
The present invention seeks to mitigate the problems outlined above by providing a simiplified but secure locking arrangement which retains the integrity of the locking tabs. Further, the configuration of the locking arrangement provides an integral keel structure for separating adjacent containers to improve stabilisation of the containers within the carton.
One aspect of the present invention provides a wraparound carton for carrying a plurality of containers, for example, yoghurt cartons, comprises top, base and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls interconnecting said top and said base wherein said base comprises a pair of a panels interconnected by panel interlocking means for securing together said first and second panels in overlapping relationship, said first panel comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel, said second panel including a retaining tab defining a locking aperture struck from said second panel and wherein the retaining tab is displaced out of the plane of said second panel to receive said locking tab through the locking aperture and abuts a portion of said locking tab characterised in that said locking tab and retaining tab is adapted to provide a keel structure between adjacent rows of containers to minimise the relative movement between adjacent containers.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a second locking tab may be struck from said first panel and a second retaining tab struck from said second panel being spaced from said first locking tab and said first retaining tab and wherein said second locking tabs are displaced in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of displacement for said first locking and retaining tabs.
Another aspect of the invention provides a carton blank of the wraparound type comprising a first base panel, a side panel, top panel, second side panel and a second base panel hingably interconnected, wherein said first base panel comprises a locking tab struck from said first base panel and said second base panel includes retaining tab defining a locking aperture struck from said second panel, characterised in that said locking tab and said retaining tab are adapted to interengage to provide a keel structure for separating adjacent rows of containers wherein said first panel and said second panel are in a locked overlapped relationship.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a keel structure and securing together a first panel and a second panel in overlapping relationship, said first panel comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel and wherein a second panel includes a retaining tab struck from said second panel which method comprises the following steps, bringing the first and second panels into overlapping relationship so that the locking tab and retaining tab are brought into a registry, folding the locking tab out of the plane of the first panel and inserting the locking tab through said aperture to abut with the free end edge of said retaining tab such that the locking tab is interengaged with a portion of the tab aperture and the retaining tab such that keel structure is formed to separate adjacent rows of containers when the first and second panels are locked together in overlapping relationship.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an unfolded single blank of paperboard from which a wraparound carton according to the invention is formed;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the erected carton formed from the blank shown in Figure 1 from above and one end; and
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the carton locking means through section X-X shown in Figure 2.
Referring to the drawings and in particular, Figure 1 thereof, an article carrier is formed from a single blank of paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material. The carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, which in this embodiment comprises four containers arranged in two rows.
Turning to the carton blank 10 illustrated in Figure 1, this blank 10 includes an outer base panel 12, first side panel 14, top panel 16, second side panel 18, an inner base panel 20 hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively.
Outer base panel 12 comprises two triangular apertures 30 in a spaced arrangement positioned intermediate the opposing side edges of base panel 12 being laterally aligned. These triangular apertures 30 may be used by folding machinery to assist in carton construction, in particular, to bring together outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20.
Three locking tabs 32, 34, 36 are struck from outer base panel 12, each tab being substantially parallel to and spaced from end edge 38 of panel 12. Locking tab 32 is hingably connected to base panel 12 by fold line 40 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Lower portions of its' side edges are chamfered towards fold line 40. Fold line 40 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 38 such that locking tab 30 extends outwardly towards side edge 42 of panel 12. Likewise, locking tab 34 is hingably connected to base panel 12 by fold line 44 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Lower portions of its' side edges are chamfered towards fold line 44. Fold line 44 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 38 such that locking tab 34 extends outwardly towards the opposing side edge 46 of panel 12.
Locking tab 36 is, in this embodiment, located intermediate tabs 32 and 34 and is hingably connected to base panel 12 along fold line 48 and is also substantially rectangular in shape. Lower portions of its' side edges are chamfered towards fold line 48. Fold line 48 is parallel to and spaced from end edge 38 such that locking tab 36 extends towards end edge 38.
As illustrated in Figure 1, top panel 16 is wider than inner and outer base panels 12 and 20. Thus, the side edges of side panels 14 and 18 diverge towards the top panel 16.
Inner base panel 20 comprises two triangular apertures 50 in a spaced arrangement positioned intermediate the opposing side edges of base panel 20 being laterally aligned. These triangular apertures 50 may be used by folding machinery to assist in carton construction, in particular, to bring together outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20. Three retaining tabs 52, 54, 56 are struck from inner base panel 20, each tab being substantially parallel to and spaced from end edge 58 of panel 20. Retaining tab 52 is hingably connected to base panel 20 by fold line 60 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Corner portions of tab 52 are chamfered. Fold line 60 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 58 such that retaining tab 52 extends inwardly away from side edge 62 of panel 20. Likewise, retaining tab 54 is hingably connected to base panel 20 by fold line 64 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Corner portions of tab 54 are chamfered. Fold line 64 is substantially perpendicular to and spaced from end edge 58 such that retaining tab 54 extends inwardly away from opposing side edge 66 of panel 20.
Retaining tab 56 is, in this embodiment, located intermediate tabs 52 and 54 and is hingably connected to base panel 20 along fold line 68 and is substantially rectangular in shape. Corner portions of tab 56 are chamfered. Fold line 68 is parallel to and spaced from end edge 58 such that tab 56 extends towards end edge 58.
In this embodiment, a bridge structure 70 is formed by a pair of parallel cut lines 72, 74 which are struck from part of panel 18 and panel 20 to bisect fold line 28, being substantially perpendicular to fold line 28. Fold lines 76 and 78 interconnect each corresponding end of cut lines 72,74 respectively. Thus, a pair of panels 82,84 are defined, shown in Figure 1.
Turning to the construction of the carton, illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the blank 10 requires a series of sequential folding and operations which can be performed in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to the particular manufacturing requirement. Thus, containers (not shown) are grouped together in two rows of two containers each and the blank 10 is introduced to the group from above by relative vertical movement between the containers and the blank 10 during forward feed movement, well known in the art.
When the top panel 16 comes into abutment with the containers, side panels
14 and 18 are then folded out of alignment with top panel 16 along fold lines 24 and 26 respectively. Thereafter, outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20 are folded out of alignment with side panels 14 and 18 along fold lines 22 and 28 respectively. Outer and inner base panels 12 and 20 are thereby placed in a substantially parallel but spaced relationship with top panel 16. As illustrated in figure 2, side panels 14 and 18 are placed in an angular relationship with top panel 16.
Outer base panel 12 and inner base panel 20 are brought into a face contacting relationship with locking tabs 32, 34 and 36 being placed in registry with retaining tabs 52, 54, and 56 respectively. It is envisaged that in other embodimants the locking tab and retaining tab do not need to be in precise registry.
To inter-engage outer and inner base panels 12,20 locking tab 32 is folded out of alignment with panel 12 and retaining tab 52 is folded out of alignment with panel 20. Thereafter, locking tab 32 is punched through the aperture 80 formed by retaining tab 52, shown in Figure 3. Locking tab 32 is folded inwardly which also folds retaining tab 52 inwardly by abutment of the locking tab's end edge on the outer face of retaining tab 52. As locking tab 32 moves towards a perpendicular relationship with outer base panel 12, it passes beyond the end edge of retaining tab 52. The natural resilience of paperboard makes the retaining tab 52 return towards its original position. Thus locking tab 32 is held in position because retention tab
52 abuts one face of locking tab 32 to prevent it from springing back to its original position and the corresponding edge of aperture 80 abuts the base of locking tab 32 thereby retaining it in a substantially pe endicular relationship with base panels 12 and 20, as shown in Figure 3.
As illustrated in Figure 2, locking tab 32 cannot pass through aperture 80 because it is broader than the aperture 80 in the vertical or oblique positions. In this embodiment, this restriction is due to chamfered portions of the aperture 80 thereby providing a narrower section of aperture 80 to support the corresponding chamfered portions of locking tab 32.
Locking tabs 34, 36 and retaining tabs 54, 56 respectively are interengaged in a similar manner to locking tab 32 and retaining tab 52 and therefore, their construction is not described in any greater detail.
The bridge structure 70 is formed by folding panels 82 and 84 inwardly of base panel 20 and side panel 18 and is folded about fold line 28. The bridge structure 70 forms a support to improve the rigidity of the wraparound carton. The carton is in a set up condition, shown in Figure 2.
The position and configuration of locking tabs 32, 34, 36 and retaining tabs
52, 54, 56 provide an integral keel structure to support adjacent containers by abutment with a lower portion of the container. Thus, the relative movement between adjacent containers is minimised. Preferably, the bridge structure 70 is used to provide additional support between adjacent containers.
The present invention and its preferred embodiment relates to a means of locking two adjacent panels in a wraparound carton and providing an integral keel structure. It is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to maintain the panels in a locked position but with a degree of flexibility so the load transferred to the panels can be absorbed by the carrier. The shape of the blank minimises the amount of paperboard required. The carrier can be formed by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carriers not limited to those of the wraparound type.
It is also envisaged that a carton may be provided with any number of locking tabs and retention tabs being substantially identical to those locking tabs and retention tabs outlined above in order to lock together two panels and to provide a keel structure.

Claims

1. A wraparound carton for carrying a plurality of containers, for example, yoghurt cartons, comprises top, base and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls interconnecting said top and said base wherein said base comprises a pair of a panels interconnected by panel interlocking means for securing together said first and second panels in overlapping relationship, said first panel comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel, said second panel including a retaining tab defining a locking aperture struck from said second panel and wherein the retaining tab is displaced out of the plane of said second panel to receive said locking tab through the locking aperture and abuts a portion of said locking tab characterised in that said locking tab and retaining tab is adapted to provide a keel structure between adjacent rows of containers to minimise the relative movement between adjacent containers.
2. A wraparound carton according to claim 1 further comprising a second locking tab struck from said first panel and a second retaining tab struck from said second panel being spaced from said first locking tab and said first retaining tab and wherein said second locking tabs are displaced in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of displacement for said first locking and retaining tabs.
3. A carton blank of the wraparound type comprising a first base panel, a side panel, top panel, second side panel and a second base panel hingably interconnected, wherein said first base panel comprises a locking tab struck from said first base panel and said second base panel includes retaining tab defining a locking aperture struck from said second panel, characterised in that said locking tab and said retaining tab are adapted to interengage to provide a keel structure for separating adjacent rows of containers wherein said first panel and said second panel are in a locked overlapped relationship.
4. A method of forming a keel structure and securing together a first panel and a second panel in overlapping relationship, said first panel comprising a locking tab struck from said first panel and wherein a second panel includes a retaining tab struck from said second panel which method comprises the following steps:
(i) bringing the first and second panels into overlapping relationship so that the locking tab and retaining tab are brought into a registry; (ii) folding the locking tab out of the plane of the first panel; and
(iii) inserting the locking tab through said aperture to abut with the free end edge of said retaining tab such that the locking tab is interengaged with a portion of the tab aperture and the retaining tab such that keel structure is formed to separate adjacent rows of containers when the first and second panels are locked together in overlapping relationship.
5. The use of panel interlocking means to provide a keel structure for separating one container from another within a carton according to claim 1 or claim
2.
6. A carton as substantially hereinbefore described by reference to or as illustrated in Figure 1 or 2.
7. A carton blank as substantially hereinbefore described by reference to or as illustrated in Figure 1.
PCT/US1998/007869 1997-05-02 1998-04-16 Article carrier with integral keel and locking structure WO1998050284A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU72506/98A AU7250698A (en) 1997-05-02 1998-04-16 Article carrier with integral keel and locking structure

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9708950.2 1997-05-02
GBGB9708950.2A GB9708950D0 (en) 1997-05-02 1997-05-02 Article carrier with integral keel & locking structure

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998050284A1 true WO1998050284A1 (en) 1998-11-12

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2824537A1 (en) * 2001-05-10 2002-11-15 Ar Carton Fegersheim Connecting system for locking upper and lower sheet of cardboard together comprises cuts in lower sheet forming wedge-shaped structure which passes through cuts in upper sheet forming retaining flaps
EP1057741A3 (en) * 1999-05-25 2003-08-06 VG Nicolaus GmbH Carton wrapper
EP1454841A1 (en) 2003-03-03 2004-09-08 MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems LLC Panel interlocking means for wrap-around cartons
WO2015126800A1 (en) * 2014-02-21 2015-08-27 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with retention features
CN113631486A (en) * 2019-02-12 2021-11-09 维实洛克包装系统有限公司 Panel interlocking device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4355717A (en) * 1982-01-07 1982-10-26 The Mead Corporation Wraparound article carrier with adjustable girth
US4703847A (en) * 1987-01-30 1987-11-03 The Mead Corporation Multipack for flanged primary containers
EP0612670A1 (en) * 1993-02-22 1994-08-31 Somerville Packaging, Division Of Paperboard Industries Corporation Multipack carrier with article retainer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4355717A (en) * 1982-01-07 1982-10-26 The Mead Corporation Wraparound article carrier with adjustable girth
US4703847A (en) * 1987-01-30 1987-11-03 The Mead Corporation Multipack for flanged primary containers
EP0612670A1 (en) * 1993-02-22 1994-08-31 Somerville Packaging, Division Of Paperboard Industries Corporation Multipack carrier with article retainer

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1057741A3 (en) * 1999-05-25 2003-08-06 VG Nicolaus GmbH Carton wrapper
FR2824537A1 (en) * 2001-05-10 2002-11-15 Ar Carton Fegersheim Connecting system for locking upper and lower sheet of cardboard together comprises cuts in lower sheet forming wedge-shaped structure which passes through cuts in upper sheet forming retaining flaps
EP1454841A1 (en) 2003-03-03 2004-09-08 MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems LLC Panel interlocking means for wrap-around cartons
WO2015126800A1 (en) * 2014-02-21 2015-08-27 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with retention features
US9387968B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2016-07-12 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Carton with retention features
CN106029517A (en) * 2014-02-21 2016-10-12 平面包装国际有限公司 Carton with retention features
CN113631486A (en) * 2019-02-12 2021-11-09 维实洛克包装系统有限公司 Panel interlocking device
CN113631486B (en) * 2019-02-12 2024-01-23 维实洛克包装系统有限公司 Panel interlocking device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9708950D0 (en) 1997-06-25
AU7250698A (en) 1998-11-27

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