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
  • B65D71/40—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
  • B65D71/46—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element

Definitions

• the invention relates to a carton produced for packaging a plurality of articles, for example bottles. More particularly the invention relates to a carton of the top gripping type which attaches to the tops of the articles thereby securing the articles in an array.
• top gripping cartons which comprise so called sunburst apertures having a series of circumferencially arranged tabs which enable the bottle top to pass through the apertures which tabs engage on the underside of a bottle top or on the flange of a bottle neck to prevent the removal of the bottle from the aperture.
• sunburst type apertures are used for bottles, in particular the location in which the tab engages the underside of the bottle top is high up on the bottle neck. This creates a carton that is unstable. Further, the tabs are weakened by the unstable nature of the bottles within the carton so reducing its effectiveness.
• a further problem is that a top gripping carton needs to be of sufficient strength to support the bottle .
• a rigid structure would address this problem but produces its own difficulties.
• a top panel and/or base panel does not provide requisite rigidity and sufficient strength to support the bottle.
• EP0541334 Al discloses keel construction suitable for retaining and/or separating articles.
• the keels are somewhat complex to set up from a collapsed form in the carton blank.
• each keel acts to separate two articles in adjacent rows is formed from at least two separate tabs which are struck from the base of the carton which panels are required to be interlocked for example at a co- operating tab and aperture in order to form an erected keel .
• the base of the carton is formed from two overlapping base panels which are also required to be interlocked and accordingly the formation of the carton and keel structure is fairly complex.
• Positional support is provided to maintain top and base panels in a spaced arrangement while additional strength is provided by multi layering the panels. Therefore the board can be reduced in thickness without reducing the strength needed to hold the bottle.
• a carton of the top gripping type for accommodating a plurality of containers, for example bottles, which carton is tubular in structure and comprises a first panel having a plurality of apertures each of which has at least one foldable retention tab which operatively engages the underside of a radially protruding part of a container present in the aperture wherein a brace tab is connected to one of said retention tabs and is disposed between a pair of adjacent containers to minimize relative movement between those containers and wherein a free end edge of said brace tab operatively engages the underside of the radially protruding part of one of said adjacent containers .
• each aperture may be defined by a pair of retention tabs struck from said first panel.
• the retention tabs of the pair are disposed in positions where they are opposed to each other.
• brace tab may be placed in a substantially parallel and spaced relationship with the said first panel .
• a unitary blank for forming a carton of the top gripping type which comprises a first panel having a plurality of apertures each of which has at least one foldable retention tab around each aperture and foldable to stand out of the general plane thereof and a brace tab struck from one of the apertures and hingably connected to one of said retention tabs, the brace tab being foldable out of the plane of the retention tab so that the end edge of the brace tab abuts a retention tab from an adjacent aperture when said carton is set up .
• a further aspect of the invention provides a keel structure for separating two adjacent articles and/or retaining said articles in a carton, comprising first and second retention tabs hingably connected to a panel of the carton, said first and second retention tabs respectively engaging the underside of the radially protruding parts of the adjacent articles, wherein said first retention tab comprises a brace tab which extends between the first and second retention tabs to separate and/or retain said adjacent articles.
• the keel structure resiliently separates two adjacent articles.
• FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a carton blank for forming a carton according to the invention.
• FIGURE 2 is a schematic perspective view of a carton formed from a carton blank shown in Figure 1 according to the invention.
• FIGURES 3 and 4 are a schematic perspective representations of two stages in the process of forming a keel structure and part of a carton according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 there is shown a carton blank 10 for forming a top gripping carton made from paper board or
• the blank 10 comprises glue flap 12, first side panel 14, base panel 16, second side panel 18, and top panel 20, hingably connected one to the next along fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively.
• base panel 16 is formed with two pairs 30 and 32 of retention tabs being struck from base panel 16 adjacent to fold line 24 and laterally spaced intermediate the side edges of base panel 16. Each pair 30 and 32 of retention tabs are struck from base panel 16 to define the pair of article receiving apertures 34 illustrated partially in Figure 2.
• retention tab 36 struck from and hingably connected to first side panel 14 along fold line 24.
• Tab 36 extends inwardly of base panel 16 to its distal edge 38.
• Tab 36 comprises opposed side edges 40 and 42 which arcuately curve outwardly and diverge from each other toward the distal edge 38 such that the length of the distal edge 38 is greater than the fold line connecting tab 36 to first side panel 14.
• a second retention tab 44 is hingably connected to base panel 16 along fold line 46 and is positioned in a central region of base panel 16.
• tab 44 is oppositely disposed to tab 36 and extends into aperture 34.
• distal edge 48 of tab 44 is juxtaposed to the distal edge 38 of tab 36.
• the side edges 50, 52 of tab 44 arcuately curve outwardly and diverge from each other towards distal edge 48 to provide the distal edge 48 having a greater length than the fold line 46.
• the curved side edges 40, 42; 50, 52 of tabs 36 and 44 respectively define a substantially circular aperture 34 shown in Figure 2, when the retention tabs 36, 44 are in a set up condition.
• a brace tab 54 is hingably connected to the distal edge 48 of tab 44 along fold line 56. Tab 54 is struck from and extends into retention tab 36. In this embodiment, brace tab 54 is substantially trapezoidal in " shape .
• the second pair 32 of retention tabs is substantially identical in size and configuration to the first pair 30 of retention tabs described above and are not therefore described in any greater detail .
• Base panel 16 is also formed with two further pairs 60 and 62 of retention tabs. As illustrated in Figure 1, the further pairs 60 and 62 of retention tabs are struck from base panel 16 adjacent to fold line 26 and laterally spaced intermediate the side edges of base panel 16. Each pair 60 and 62 of retention tabs are struck from base panel 16 to define the pair of article receiving apertures 64, illustrated partially in Figure 2.
• retention tab 66 struck from and hingably connected to second side panel 18 along fold line 26.
• Tab 66 extends inwardly of base panel 16 to its distal edge 68.
• Tab 66 comprises opposed side edges 70 and 72 which arcuately curve outwardly and diverge from each other toward the distal edge 68 such that the length of the distal edge 68 is greater than the fold line connecting tab 66 to second side panel 18.
• a second retention tab 74 is hingably connected to base panel 16 along fold line 76 and is positioned in a central region of base panel 16.
• fold line 76 is in a parallel and spaced relationship with fold line 46 such that retention tabs 44 and 74 are aligned. It is envisaged that such alignment is not necessary in all embodiments.
• Tab 74 is oppositely disposed to tab 66 and extends into aperture 60.
• distal edge 78 is juxtaposed to the distal edge 68 of tab 66.
• the side edges 80, 82 of tab 74 arcuately curve outwardly and diverge from each other towards distal edge 78 to provide the distal edge 78 having a greater length than the fold line 76.
• the curved side edges 70, 72; 80, 82 of tabs 66 and 74 respectively define a substantially circular aperture 64 shown in Figure 2, when the tabs 66, " 74 are in a set up condition.
• the second pair 62 of retention tabs is substantially identical in configuration to the first pair 60 of retention tabs described above and are not therefore described in any greater detail .
• the blank 10 requires a series of sequential folding and gluing 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 particular manufacturing requirements.
• bottles B are grouped together in two rows of two bottles bl , b2 and the blank 10 is introduced to the group from above by relative vertical movement between the bottles and the blank 10, preferably during forward feed movement well known in the art. It is envisaged that blank 10 can be adapted to accommodate any number of articles in any number of rows .
• FIG 3 and 4 show only a section of the carton substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and are included to illustrate the folding process. It is envisaged that the shape of retention tabs and brace tabs is not limited to the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Thus, each pair 30 and 60 of retention tabs, shown in Figures 3 and 4 are folded along their respective fold lines 24, 46,-26, 76 and out of their general plane with respect to base panel 16 to create article receiving apertures 34, 64, shown in Figure 2.
• tabs 44 and 74 are moved inwardly and upwardly in the direction of arrow ⁇ X' and V Y' respectively and are placed in a substantially upright position, while tabs 36 and 66 are moved outwardly and upwardly and are placed in a substantially upright position.
• the angle " subtended between retention tabs for example 36 or 44 and the associated main carton panel such as base panel 16 is not crucial but is preferably in the region of 60 - 90°, but of course can be adapted to suit the shape of the packaged article.
• the bottles bl and b2 are moved into their respective apertures 34 and 64 until the distal edges 38,; 68,78 of the retention tabs 36,; 66, 74 respectively come into contact with and are engaged with the underside of the respective protruding portion PI and P2 of the bottles B associated within each of the apertures 34,64.
• the edge of each article receiving aperture 34,64 is in contact with a neck portion of each of the respective bottles B to provide additional support.
• Brace tab 54 is folded backwardly about fold line 56 and placed in an angular relationship with retention tab 44. Thus, distal edge 48 of tab 44 is engaged with the underside of protruding portion PI of bottle Bl . Brace tab 54 extends towards retention tab 74 struck from the opposite aperture 64 and engages the protruding portion P2 of an adjacent bottle b2. Preferably, brace tab 54 is abuts retention tab 74 and serves as a brace between the retention tabs 44 and 74, as shown in Figure 4. Thereafter, side panel 14 is folded about fold line 24 into a substantially perpendicular relationship with base panel 16 and glue flap 12 is folded about fold line 22 such that glue flap 12 is in a substantially parallel and spaced relationship with base panel 16.
• top panel 20 is folded about fold line 28 such that the free end portion of top panel 20 is placed in a face to face contacting relationship with glue flap 12.
• Top panel 20 and glue flap 12 are secured together by glue or other means known in the art .
• the carton is in a set up condition as shown in Figure 4.
• the brace tabs 54 provide a horizontal brace to " better maintain the bottles in their upright position.
• the present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to an article carrier which is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to hold bottles securely but with a degree of flexibility so that the load transferred through the retention tabs is absorbed by the carrier.
• the shape of the blank minimizes the amount of paper that would be required and the carrier can be applied to an array of bottles by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carrier and not limited to those of the top gripping type.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
• Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Priority Applications (15)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10815245

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (21)

Cited By (25)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1997
  • 1997-07-02 GB GBGB9713947.1A patent/GB9713947D0/en not_active Ceased
• 1998
  • 1998-07-02 ES ES98935556T patent/ES2186187T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-07-02 CA CA002295965A patent/CA2295965C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-07-02 EP EP98935556A patent/EP1007434B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-07-02 IL IL13369098A patent/IL133690A/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-07-02 CZ CZ0476099A patent/CZ298408B6/cs not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-07-02 CN CN988068702A patent/CN1081585C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-07-02 WO PCT/US1998/014075 patent/WO1999001356A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-07-02 PL PL98337798A patent/PL184891B1/pl unknown
  • 1998-07-02 AU AU84776/98A patent/AU8477698A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-07-02 AT AT98935556T patent/ATE226172T1/de active
  • 1998-07-02 BR BR9810504-3A patent/BR9810504A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-07-02 RO RO99-00766A patent/RO118070B1/ro unknown
  • 1998-07-02 DK DK98935556T patent/DK1007434T3/da active
  • 1998-07-02 JP JP50747599A patent/JP4009328B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-07-02 PT PT98935556T patent/PT1007434E/pt unknown
  • 1998-07-02 DE DE69808782T patent/DE69808782T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-07-02 HU HU0003301A patent/HU223538B1/hu active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-07-02 KR KR10-1999-7012391A patent/KR100506870B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-07-03 AR ARP980103232A patent/AR016306A1/es active IP Right Grant
• 2000
  • 2000-12-06 HK HK00107827A patent/HK1028387A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (3)

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