WO2002034641A1

WO2002034641A1 - Improved can carton with top chime dividers and bottom tab lockers

Info

Publication number: WO2002034641A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/024459
Authority: WO
Inventors: International Corporation Riverwood; Robert L. Sutherland
Original assignee: Riverwood Int Corp
Priority date: 2000-10-24
Filing date: 2001-08-04
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: AU7725401A

Abstract

The present invention is a wrap-around can carton (10) with open ends that has chime dividers (34-40) in the top panel (20) and tab lockers (62-72) in the bottom of the side walls extending into the bottom panel (12-28) for preventing the cans (C) from tumbling out of the open ends of the carton during handling. It may have racking tabs (50-54) in the top panel for preventing the chimes of the cans from racking on top of each other.

Description

IMPROVED CAN CARTON WITH TOP CHIME DIVIDERS AND BOTTOM TAB LOCKERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a wrap-around can carton with open ends that has top chime dividers and tab lockers on the heel of the carton for preventing the cans from tumbling out the open ends during handling of the carton. It may have top racking tabs for preventing the chimes of the cans from racking on top of each other. 2. Prior Art

Closed end walls have been used in the past with wrap-around can cartons to prevent the cans from falling out the ends of the cartons. While these cartons have been satisfactory, they have the disadvantage of requiring the use of a large amount of paperboard. In an effort to reduce the amount of paperboard, various cartons have been designed that have ends that are partially closed. The paperboard waste could be reduced still further if a carton could be designed that had ends that were completely open, but was able to retain the cans during handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrap-around carton for containing cans that is completely open ended. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an open ended wrap-around carton for cans that has means for preventing the cans from tumbling out the open ends of the carton during rough handling. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrap-around carton that reduces the amount of paperboard required to produce a carton. These objects can only be obtained by providing a means for restraining the cans contained in the carton other than partially closing the open ends. These objects are achieved by providing a wrap-around carton with open ends that has top chime dividers punched from the top panel of the carton for engaging the top chimes of the cans and restraining them from moving, and which has tab lockers located on the heels of the carton. The top chime dividers are located so that they will engage the top chimes of the cans located near an open end of the carton. Each tab locker basically consists of two doors that swing inwardly to allow the heel of the can to project through the aperture formed. These tab lockers are located in the bottom portion of the side wall and extend into the bottom flaps. The tab lockers secure the bottom of the can while the top chime dividers secure the tops of the cans to prevent that cans from tumbling out of the open ends of the carton during handling. The carton of this invention may also have top tab lockers to prevent the chimes of the cans from "racking", or moving, on top of each other during handling.

The carton of this invention can either have a conventional lock system or be glued on the bottom flaps.

The carton of this invention is especially useful in containing the heavy cans (e.g. 16 ounces) in which various food products are canned. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a carton according to the invention is formed. This carton has both top chime dividers and bottom tab lockers;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carton of Fig. 1 in a setup condition and containing cans;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a carton identical to the carton illustrated in Fig. 2, except for the substitution of bottom chimes for tab lockers; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a carton identical to the carton illustrated in Fig. 2, but with top and bottom gussets, and having no top chime dividers or bottom tab lockers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is intended primarily for the use with cans of the type used to contain food products. A typical can has a generally cylindrical body and may weigh 16 ounces or more when filled with a food product. An example of such can, "C", is shown in Fig. 2. These cans, when filled with food, are very heavy and difficult to package in an open ended wrap-around carrier because of their bulk and weight and the fact that the can is basically a cylinder. These cans do not have a neck or other projection that can be utilized to hold the cans in the carton.

These cans have a tendency to become loose and fall out of open ended wrap-around cartons. The Applicant has found a method of securing these cans in an open wrap-around carton. According to this invention, the cans described above are packaged in a wrap-around carton that is illustrated in blank form in Fig. 1. The blank is formed from a foldable sheet material, such as paperboard. The blank 10 has a bottom flap 12 which is connected by fold line 14 to side wall 16, which in turn is connected by fold line 18 to top panel 20. Similarly, the other side of top panel 20 is connected by fold line 22 to side wall 24, which in turn is connected by fold line 26 to the other bottom flap 28. This blank is designed to hold six cans arranged in two rows of three each.

It will be understood by those in the art that the carton blank 10 is symmetrical about a horizontal line of bisection, as viewed when Fig. 1 is rotated lengthwise. This symmetry aids in the efficient production of the present carton. The carton need not have such symmetry, although it is preferred. As shown, the blank 10 is rectangular in shape and includes straight edges, which also makes for an efficient layout of the blanks in a web from which the blanks are cut.

Finger gripping apertures are formed in the top panel 20 by punching aperture tabs 30 and 32 from the top panel 20. Triangular chime tabs 34, 36, 38, and 40 are shaped like the chimes of the cans and are struck from top panel 20, but are connected to top panel by fold lines 42, 44, 46, and 48, respectively. Rectangular racking tabs 50, 52, and 54 are struck from top panel 20 and connected thereto by fold lines 56, 58, and 60, respectively. These racking tabs are designed to prevent the chimes of the cans "racking" or moving on top of each other. These racking tabs are located between cans that are adjacent a can in the other row. Cans in adjacent rows tend to rack on top of each other, as the carton is tightened around the cans.

The bottoms of the cans are restrained from movement by the provision of tab lockers 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, and 72 in the side walls 16 and 24 of the carton, and extending into the bottom flaps 12 and 28. These tab lockers restrain the bottoms of the cans from falling out the open ends of the carton. It is particularly important to restrain the outside cans from movement, as they in turn will restrain the movement of the inner cans in the carton. Tab doors 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, and 96 are provided in the tab lockers in the bottom of the side walls 16 and 24 and extend into the bottom flaps 12 and 28. These tab doors are arranged in pairs such as doors 74 and 76. Tab lockers (e.g. 62) open inwardly during the erection of the carton from a cut line 98 between the doors 74 and 76. Similar cut lines 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108 are provided between the other tab doors. These doors are hinged to the side walls by fold lines 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. These fold lines permit the tab doors of the carton to be swung inwardly into the carton during erection. This permits each can to be nested between a set of adjacent tab doors (e.g. 74, 76). This facilitates holding each can in proper position. These tab doors tend to restrain tearing around the apertures that are formed by these doors. These doors also provide a flexible buffer against which the bottom of the can will abut without tearing the carton panel surrounding the aperture formed by these doors. The tab doors allow a relatively large portion of the bottom of the cans to be inserted into the aperture formed by the doors opening, thereby enabling a relatively strong pack to tighten while minimizing the risk of tearing. A cut line 134 may be formed in the side walls 16 and 24 to restrain tearing. Partial cut lines 136 may extend upwardly into the side panels 16 and 24 from the corners of the tab doors towards cut line 134 to further retard tearing of the carton. Cut lines 134 and partial cut lines 136 permit the carton to be stretched more tightly over the bottoms of the cans. Cut lines 134 and partial cut lines 136 also reduce the stress on the paperboard around the bottom of the can. Preferably a half moon aperture 138 is struck from the top of the tab doors, (e.g. 74, 76) to help relieve stress on the carton.

The bottom flaps 12 and 28 of the carton can be secured together by any suitable means, such as locks or glue. Fig. 1 shows one type of locking arrangement that includes fold line 140 which extends the full width of bottom flap 12 and is interrupted by primary male locking tabs 142 formed by slits 144. The portion of the carton lying outside of fold line 140 constitutes a locking panel that includes secondary male locking tabs 146.

Bottom flap 28 is provided with primary locking apertures 148 for receiving primary male locking tabs 142. Bottom flap 28 also includes secondary locking slits 150 for receiving secondary male locking tabs 146. This locking arrangement is illustrated to demonstrate a typical bottom panel locking arrangement suitable for use with the carton of this invention, but it should be understood that any desired effective form of bottom panel locking means or gluing may be employed. The secondary locks prevent the withdrawal of the primary male locks. A carton for containing six containers usually has three (3) sets of two (2) primary male locks, three (3) corresponding primary female locking apertures, three (3) secondary male locks, and three (3) corresponding secondary locking slits. The primary locks connect the ends of the carton together via the flaps, while the secondary locks function to maintain the engaged flaps in place in order to provide a "back up" locking system to prevent the primary locks from separating.

The carton with cans is formed from the carton blank in a conventional manner. The cans are grouped together as they are to be arranged in the carton and the top panel 20 of the blank 10 is placed on top of them. The side walls 16 and 24 and bottom flaps 12 and 28 are then folded around the cans and locked together by the locking tabs to form the bottom panel from the bottom flaps 12 and 28. As part of this operation, the tab doors 74-96 are folded inwardly so that each can rests between a set of doors. The triangular chime tabs 34-40 and rectangular racking tabs 50-54 are folded downward to assist in holding the cans in proper position. The triangular chime tabs 34-40, rectangular racking tabs 50-54 tend to hold the top of the cans in proper position. The tab doors 74-96 tend to hold the bottom of the cans in proper position in the carton. The tab lockers 62-72 of this invention can only be used with cartons for holding one or two outside rows of cans. Any interim row of cans would need a different type of restraining mechanism to restrain the bottom of the cans.

EXAMPLE I A number of carton blanks were made in accordance with the blank shown in Fig. 1.

These blanks were made from 20 point paperboard. These blanks had the top chime dividers, bottom tab lockers and racking tabs, and are referred to as Carton A, As illustrated in Fig. 3, Carton B was made from the identical board and had the top chime dividers TC and conventional bottom chime apertures BC. Carton C (not illustrated) was made from identical board and had conventional top and bottom chime apertures BC. All cartons had the locking mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. All cartons were wrapped around identical loaded 16 ounce cans and drop tested. They were drop tested using a conventional drop tester for determining can retention of the cartons. The drop tester held the carton so that an open end of the carton was in the downward position and repeatedly dropped the carton 20 millimeters. Twelve cartons each of Carton A, Carton B, and Carton C each were filled with cans and drop tested. The results are set forth in Table I. TABLE I

In order to determine an average number of drops for the carton to fail, the test with the highest number of drops and the test with the lowest numbers of drops are deleted. The average number of drops for Carton A was 10.7 and the average for Carton B was 3.6 with the average for Carton C being 4.8. The tests with Cartons B and C disclosed that these cartons were not satisfactory, as the standard should be a minimum of 10 drops before failure.

EXAMPLE H

In this example, the carton was made from 18 point paperboard in accordance with the blank design shown in Fig. 1 and packed with 16 ounce cans (Carton D). This same paperboard was used to make a carton in accordance with the design illustrated in Fig. 4 with gusset corners (G) (Carton E). These cartons were tested with the same drop test as used in Example I. The results are set forth in Table II.

TABLE H

a secondary lock disengaged.

An average was obtained for both Cartons D and E by leaving out the highest number of drops and the lowest number of drops until two cans fell out. The average for Carton D was 11.9 drops and the average for Carton E was 6.6 drops. Carton E was not satisfactory in that a minimum often drops is required for a satisfactory carton. ADVANTAGES OF THE CARTON OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The advantages of the carton of the present invention are illustrated in the comparative testing shown in Examples I and II. The use of the top chime dividers, tab lockers, and racking tabs significantly improves the retention ability of the carton over cartons that have gusset corners or have top chime and bottom chime apertures. It was surprising that these small changes in the cartons resulted in such a dramatic improvement in the can retention of the carton. The combination of the top chime dividers and tab lockers is required to obtain the significantly improved retention ability.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An open ended wrap-around carton for carrying a plurality of cans with top chimes comprising a top panel, opposite side panels and a bottom panel with means for securing the panels together, said top panel having hinged chime dividers punched from the top panel for engaging the top chimes of at least those cans to be located adjacent the open ends of the carton, tab lockers for securing at least those cans to be located adjacent the open ends, each tab locker being located in a side panel adjacent to bottom panel and extending into the bottom panel, each tab locker having two hinged doors that can be swung inwardly for engaging a can and having an aperture formed from the doors which allows a portion of the can to extend therein and be snugly secured in the carton.

2. The carton of Claim 1, in which the chime dividers have one detached end for engaging the chimes of the can that has an arc similar to the arc of the chime of the can to be engaged.

3. The carton of Claim 1, in which each tab locker has a series of cuts above the hinged doors in the side panel for relieving stress on that portion of the side panel adjacent the aperture formed by the two hinged doors when the carton is loaded with cans.

4. The carton of Claim 1, in which the securing means are a plurality of primary and secondary locks and corresponding female apertures.

5. The carton of Claim 1 for containing six cans in which there are four hinged chime dividers in the top panel and a tab locker for each can.

6. The carton of Claim 5 in which the six cans are to be arranged in two rows of three cans each and there is a racking tab located in the top panel between the adjacent cans in each row.

7. A blank for forming an open ended wrap-around carton for carrying cans with top chimes comprising a generally rectangular sheet having ends, said sheet comprising: a. at one end a bottom flap connected to a side panel, top panel, opposite side panel and bottom flap in that order; b. said top panel having hinged chime dividers cut therefrom for engaging the top chimes of at least those cans to be located adjacent an open end of the carton formed from the blank; and c. tab lockers for securing at least those cans to be located adjacent the open ends of the carton, each said tab locker being located in a side panel adjacent the bottom flap and extending there into, each tab locker having at least two doors that can be swung inwardly for engaging a can and having an aperture formed from the doors which allows a portion of the can to extend therein and be snugly secured in the carton to be formed.

8. The blank of Claim 7, in which the chime dividers have one detached end for engaging the chimes of the can that has an arc similar to the arc of the chime of the can to be engaged.

9. The blank of Claim 7, in which each tab locker has a series of cuts above the hinged doors in the side panel for relieving stress on that portion of the side panel adjacent the aperture formed by the two hinged doors when the carton is loaded with cans.

10. The blank of Claim 7, in which the securing means are a plurality of primary and secondary locks and corresponding female apertures.

11. The blank of Claim 7, for which there are four hinged chime dividers in the top panel and a tab locker for each can.

12. The blank of Claim 7 for containing six cans in two rows of three cans each and there is a racking tab located in the top panel between the adjacent cans in each row.

13. In an open ended wrap around carton having a top panel, two side panels and a bottom panel for containing a plurality of cans with top chimes, the improvement comprising the top panel having hinged chime dividers punched from the top panel for engaging the top chimes of at least those cans which will be adjacent the open ends and tab lockers for securing those cans which will be adjacent the open ends of the carton, each tab locker being located in a side panel adjacent the bottom panel, each tab locker having two hinged doors that can be swung inwardly for engaging a can and having an aperture formed from the doors which allows a portion of the can to extend therein and be snugly secured in the carton.

14. The carton of Claim 13, in which the chime dividers have one detached end for engaging the chimes of the can that has an arc similar to the arc of the chime of the can to be engaged.

15. The carton of Claim 13, in which each tab locker has a series of cuts above the hinged doors in the side panel for relieving stress on that portion of the side panel adjacent the aperture formed by the two hinged doors when the carton is loaded with cans.

16. The carton of Claim 13, in which the securing means are a plurality of primary and secondary locks and corresponding female apertures.

17. The carton of Claim 13, for which there are four hinged chime dividers in the top panel and a tab locker for each can.

18. The carton of Claim 13 for containing six cans in two rows of three cans each and there is a racking tab located in the top panel between the adjacent cans in each row.