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
• • 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
  • B65D71/42—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 single layer element

Definitions

• This invention relates to a carton for packaging at least one article, for example yogurt pots, having a top flange which is received by the carton.
• this invention relates to a carton incorporating a structure for retaining the flange.
• GB 1 479 729 to Vanstone discloses a top gripping carrier having top and side panels, opposed engaging elements being struck from beveled panels intermediate the top and side panels and being defined at their upper engaging edges by slots at their lower edges by a fold line connecting the beveled panel.
• the engaging elements operate in conjunction with a connecting panel intermediate the top and side panels to engage the rim of soft drink cans and the like of reduced diameter with respect to the side wall of the cans.
• US 3 638 990 to Huault discloses a top gripping carrier for flanged articles in which a cut line extends along the majority of the intersection between the top and side panels such that the side panel, when folding downwardly and inwardly, engages the under side of the article flanges to retain the articles within the carrier.
• the present invention seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, the problems of the prior art.
• One aspect of the invention provides a carton for packaging one or more articles having a laterally extending flange, the carton comprising a top wall panel, a beveled wall panel and a side wall panel hingedly connected together in series and an article retention structure comprising a tab.
• the tab is formed in part from the beveled panel and in part from the side wall panel and being defined at one edge by a slit arranged to receive a portion of the flange and at an opposing edge by first and second fold lines.
• the tab is adapted to be pivoted outwardly with respect to the adjacent bevelled panel to engage the underside of the flange.
• the first and second fold lines may be mutually divergent towards the slit.
• the first and second fold lines maybe arranged astride the fold line between the beveled panel and the side wall panel.
• first and second fold lines may be formed only in the side wall panel.
• a second aspect of the invention provides a carton for packaging one or more articles having a laterally extending flange.
• the carton comprises a top wall panel, a side wall panel and an article retention structure comprising a tab.
• the tab is defined at one edge by a slit arranged to receive a portion of the flange and at an opposing edge by first and second fold lines, wherein the minimum distance between the top wall and the upper edge of the tab is less than the thickness of the flange to cause the tab to be pivoted with respect to the adjacent side wall.
• the first and second fold lines may be mutually divergent towards the slit.
• the slit may be substantially aligned with a third fold line interconnecting the top panel with the side panel.
• the slit may be offset from a third fold line interconnecting the top panel with the side panel.
• the third fold line may be arranged to interconnect the top panel with the side panel.
• the first and second fold lines may be curved.
• a cut line may be provided intermediate the first and second fold lines.
• the cut line may be curved.
• a further fold line may extend from the slit to one of the first and second fold lines.
• the tab may bow outwardly with respect to the article.
• the side wall panel may bow inwardly with respect to the article.
• a third aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for packaging one or more articles having a laterally extending flange.
• the blank comprises in series a first side wall panel, a first bevel panel, a top wall panel, a second bevel wall panel and a second side wall panel hingedly connected together and an article retention structure comprising a tab.
• the tab is formed in part from the first beveled panel and in part from the first side wall panel and being defined at one edge by a slit arranged to receive a portion of the flange in a set up condition and has an opposing edge by first and second fold lines.
• the tab is capable of pivoting outwardly with respect to the adjacent beveled panel to engage the underside of the flange.
• the first and second fold lines may be mutually divergent towards the slit. More preferably, the first and second fold lines may be arranged astride the fold line between the beveled panel and the side wall panel.
• the divergent fold lines may be formed only in the side wall panel.
• a fourth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for packaging one or more articles having a laterally extending flange.
• the blank comprises a top wall panel, a side wall panel and an article retention structure comprising a tab.
• the tab is defined at one edge by a cut line arranged to receive the flange and at an opposing edge by first and second fold lines, and wherein the minimum distance between the top wall and the upper edge of the tab is less than the thickness of the article flange in a set up carton.
• the fold lines may be mutually divergent towards the cut line.
• the cut line may be substantially aligned with a third fold line interconnecting the top panel with the side panel.
• the cut line may be offset from a third fold line interconnecting the top panel with the side panel.
• the first and second fold lines may be curved.
• a further cut line may be provided intermediate the first and second fold lines.
• the further cut line may be curved.
• a fold line may extend from the cut line to one of the first and second fold lines.
• a fifth aspect of the invention provides an article retention structure for a carton adapted to retain an article having a laterally extending flange.
• the retention structure comprises a tab, the tab being defined at one edge by a slit arranged to receive a portion of the flange and at an opposing edge by first and second fold lines, wherein the minimum distance between the top wall and the upper edge of the tub is less than the thickness of the article flange.
• a sixth aspect of the invention provides an article retention structure for a carton adapted to retain an article having a laterally extending flange.
• the article retention structure comprises a tab, the tab formed in part from a beveled panel of the carton and in part from an adjacent side wall panel of the carton and being defined at one edge by a slit arranged to receive a portion of the flange and has an opposing edge by first and second fold lines, wherein the tab is adapted to be pivoted outwardly with respect to the adjacent beveled panel to engage the underside of the flange.
• a seventh aspect of the invention provides a top gripping carrier and blank for forming the same comprising a top panel, downwardly extending opposed side panels and a pair of opposed engaging tabs formed respectively from the side wall panels, wherein each tab is defined at its upper engaging edge by a cut and at its lower edge at least in part by a pair of upwardly divergent fold lines and wherein the cut is virtually aligned with a fold line between the top panel and the respective side panel.
• FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank for forming an article carton according to one embodiment of the invention
• FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 1 partly formed into the carton and in which a flanged article is being introduced into the carrier;
• FIGURE 3 is another partial perspective view of the carton partly formed
• FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the carton viewed from below in a partly formed condition
• FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the completed carton
• FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the completed carton illustrating the method of removal of the article therefrom;
• FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a completed carton formed from the blank of Figure 7 packaging two articles;
• FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a blank for forming an article carton according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a blank for forming an article carton according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 9 formed into the completed carton and in which a pair of flanged articles are packaged
• FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 10 formed into the completed carton and in which a pair of flanged article are packaged
• FIGURE 13 is a plan view of part of a blank for forming an article carton according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a blank for forming an article carrier according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURES 15 to 18 are side elevational views illustrating the various stages of construction of the carrier from the blank shown in Figure 14;
• FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of a completed carton formed from the blank of Figure 14.
• Blank 10 comprises a central panel 12 which forms the top wall panel of the carton in use.
• First and second side wall panels 14 and 16 are hingedly secured to the side edges of blank 10 along interrupted fold lines 18 and 20 respectively.
• fold lines 18 and 20 are interrupted by article retention structures 22a and 22b struck from first and second side wall panels 14 and 16 respectively.
• article retention structures 22a and 22b struck from first and second side wall panels 14 and 16 respectively.
• Each structure is substantially identical, therefore only structure 22a is discussed in further detail below.
• Article retention structure 22a comprises a tab 25 defined at its upper edge by first cut line 24 and at its opposed side edges by second and third cut lines 26 and 28 respectively.
• the cut line 24 extends substantially parallel to and slightly offset from fold line
• first cut line 24 is co-extensive with fold line 18.
• an aperture can be formed adjacent tab 25.
• second and third cut lines 26 and 28 are arranged substantially at right angles first to cut line 24, define the ends of first cut line 24 and extend from fold line 18 into side wall 14.
• the lower edge of tab 25 is, in this embodiment, defined by divergent, fold lines 32a and 32b arranged either side of a fourth cut line 30.
• Fold and cut lines 32a, 32b; 30 are preferably arranged as a continuous curved section for reasons described below. In alternative embodiments, the fold lines 32a and 32b are straight.
• a pair of spaced mutually parallel fold lines 34a and 34b extend between cut lines 24 and 30.
• Fold lines 34a and 34b are arranged to be substantially perpendicular to fold line 24 so as to promote the bowing of tab 25 out of the plane of side panel 14 when the carton is set up as described below.
• score lines are provided rather than fold lines, and it is anticipated that the number and position of such fold lines may be altered.
• the carton of the present invention can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations 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 may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
• top panel 12 overlies the lid of article A, the top panel being dimensioned such that flange portion F extends outwardly beyond fold lines 18 and 20.
• Side panels 14 and 16 are then folded downwardly about fold lines 18 and 20 thus initially causing tab 25 to fold outwardly about fold lines 32a and 32b due to the protruding position of flange F.
• the blank 110 of the second embodiment incorporates the same article retention structures 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d but is provided with four such structures in order to retain two articles A.
• the blank comprises in series top wall panel 112, second side wall panel 116, base panel 142, first side wall panel 114 and securing panel 140 hingedly interconnected in series about fold lines 120, 146, 148 and 118 respectively.
• apertures 144a and 144b are provided in base panel 142 in order to receive the main body of the articles A.
• the blank may be dimensioned to form a full wraparound type carton to enclose both the top and base of the articles to be packaged.
• the blank is again preferably set up to form a carton in a straight line machine.
• Articles A are first placed through apertures 144a and 144b and first and second side panels 116 and 114 are folded upwardly about fold lines 146 and 148 so as to be substantially perpendicular to base panel 142.
• Top panel 122 and securing flap 140 are preferably simultaneously folded inwardly about fold lines 120 and 118 such that top panel 112 is secured to flap 140 using glue or other suitable means known in the art so as to form a tubular carton as illustrated in Figure 8.
• the folding process described above automatically causes the flange portions F of articles A to protrude through the slits formed by cut line 124 thereby setting up tab 125 as in the previous embodiment.
• the end user thereof preferably separates top panel 112 from flap 140 and subsequently folds the side panels outwardly about fold lines 146 and 148 thereby releasing the flanges F from the slit.
• One or more articles can then be removed from the carton. If one or more articles A remain within the carton, the end user can reintroduce the flange portions F thereof through the slit, thereby enabling the articles to be effectively retained within the carton by the retention arrangements 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d as appropriate, despite the top panel 112 no longer being secured to flap 140.
• FIG. 9 A third embodiment is illustrated in Figure 9 in which there is shown a top gripping clip formed from a blank 210 of paperboard or like foldable sheet material.
• Blank 210 is similar to the first embodiment in that there comprises a central panel 212 which forms the top wall panel of the carton, in use and first and second side wall panels 214 and 216 hingedly secured to the side edges of top panel along interrupted fold lines 218 and 220 respectively.
• side wall panels 214 and 216 are separated from central panel 212 by one or more retention structures 222 struck from first and second side wall panels 214 and 216 respectively and by intermediate (or beveled) panels 217 and 219 hingedly connected to side wall panels 214 and 216 respectively along fold lines 224 and 226.
• Beveled panels 217 and 219 are connected to central panel 212 along fold lines 218 and 220 respectively.
• Figure 9 illustrates four retention structures 222a, 222b, 222c and 222d to hold two articles, although it is envisaged that the number of structures can be altered so that one or more articles can be carried.
• Retention structure 222a comprises a tab 232 defined at its upper edge by first cut line 228 and at its side edge by second and third cut lines 242 and 244. Second and third cut lines 242 and 244 extend from fold line 224 to cut line 228, in those embodiments with intermediate panels.
• the tab 232 is struck from the beveled panel 217 and the side wall panel 214.
• cut line 224 may extend substantially parallel to and slightly offset from fold line 218, thereby causing a portion of top panel 212 to protrude into side panel 214 to define a protruding portion 231.
• the lower edge of tab 232 is, in this embodiment, defined by divergent, fold lines 233a and 233b arranged either side of a fourth cut line 230.
• the fourth cut line can be dispensed with.
• Fold and cut lines 233a, 233b; 230 are preferably arranged as a continuous curved section for reasons described below.
• the fold lines 233a and 233b are straight.
• a pair of spaced mutually parallel fold lines 236 and 240 extend between cut lines 228 and 230.
• Fold lines 236 and 240 are arranged to be substantially perpendicular to fold line 224 so as to promote the bowing of tab 232 out of the plane of side panel 214 when the carton is set up as described below, so that tab 232 includes outer tab portions 234 and 238 that better conform to the shape of the article.
• score lines are provided rather than fold lines, and it is anticipated that the number and position of such fold lines may be altered.
• the fold lines 236, 240, 244a and 244b may be omitted from the blank without departing from the scope of invention.
• flaps 245a, 245b positioned along opposing side edges of tab 232 which flaps are able to flex out of alignment with their adjacent beveled panel 217a and 217b along fold lines 244a and 244b respectively. These flaps 245a, 245b, optionally, engage the underside of the protruding flange of the article.
• FIG. 10 a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in which like numerals where possible have been used for like parts with the addition of the prefix "3". Therefore, only the differences will now be described in any greater detail.
• the blank 310 of the fourth embodiment incorporates the same retention structures 322a, 322b, 322c and 322d in order to retain two articles A.
• the article retention tab 322 is formed in part from the beveled panel 317 and in part from the side wall panel 314.
• the fold lines 333a and 333b are arranged astride the fold line 324 between the beveled panel and side wall panel 314.
• the outer portions 334, 338 of tab 322 are hingedly connected to the beveled panel 317 and to the side wall panel 314.
• the central part 332 of tab 322 therefore comprises a pair of flap portions 366, 368 adapted to be folded outward further so that the upper edge of the tab defined by cut line 328 better conforms to the shape of the flange when the carton is in a set up condition.
• the tear stopper slit acts to defect stresses from the slit to prevent unwanted tearing.
• the blank is placed onto one or more articles Al, A2 to be packaged such that top panel 212 overlies the lid of article A, the top panel being dimensioned such that flange portion or lip L extends outwardly beyond fold lines 218 and 220.
• Side panels 214 and 216 are then folded downwardly about fold lines 218 and 220 thus initially causing tab 232 to fold outwardly about fold lines 233a and 233b due to the protruding position of flange L.
• beveled panels 217 and 219 are folded out of alignment with respect to side wall panels 214 and 216 respectively along fold lines 224 and 226.
• outer portions 234 and 238 are also folded out of alignment with respect to the central portion of tab 232 so as to better conform to the shape of the flange and, optionally, outer flaps 245a and 245b are folded along fold lines 244a and 244b respectively.
• the carton of the fourth embodiment is constructed in a similar manner to the third embodiment whereby the blank 310 is placed onto one or more articles Al, A2 to be packaged such that the top panel 312 overlies the lid L of article A.
• the side wall panels 314, 316 and beveled panels 317 and 319 are folded downwardly out of alignment in an identical manner to the third embodiment which causes the tab 332 to be folded outwardly along fold lines 333a and 333b, due to the protruding position of the flange L.
• the free upper edge of tab 332 is automatically pulled into engagement with the underside of the flange such that a portion of the flange L protrudes through the slip formed by cut lines 328, as illustrated in Figure 12.
• the tab 332 is caused to pivot outwardly along fold lines 333a and 333b, with respect to side wall panel 314 in order to accommodate the flange F. It will be seen from Figure 12 that outer portions 334 and 338 are also folded out of alignment with respect to the central portion of tab 332 along fold lines 336 and 340 so as to better conform to the shape of the flange.
• the fifth embodiment of article retention structure is illustrated in Figure 13 and is similar to the first embodiment shown in which like numerals where possible have been used for like parts with the addition of the prefix "4". Only the differences between the first and fifth embodiments will be described in any greater detail.
• the cut line 424 is non-linear so that the slit defined once the clip is set up differs in width across its cross-section.
• a clip of this type would be suitable for a flange with a stepped profile or jar lid.
• the cut line could be a different shape according to the profile of the article flange, without departing from the scope of invention.
• the fold lines 432a and 432b are shaped to form a continuous curve with cut line 430.
• the clip blank is identical to the first embodiment, so any reference above to the construction of the first embodiment is also applicable to this embodiment.
• the blank 510 includes a plurality of pairs of article retention structures 522a, 522b, and preferably, four such structures in order to retain four articles A ( Figure 19).
• the blank 510 comprises a series of panels to form a wraparound carton.
• there comprises, in series, an inner base wall panel 512, a first outer base wall panel 513, a first side wall panel 514, a top panel 517, a second side wall panel 516 and securing panel 515 hingedly interconnected in series about fold lines 519, 518, 520, 521 and 523 respectively.
• four apertures 550 are provided in top panel 517 in order to receive the main body of the articles A.
• the article retention structures 522 are similar to the first embodiment and shown in which like numerals where possible have been used for like parts with the addition of the prefix "5".
• the upper edge of the tab 525 is adapted to engage the upper edge of the flange, as opposed to the lower edge in the other embodiments.
• the tab 525 functions in the same manner as the first embodiment and is provided with the same features, and in this embodiment the upper edge of the tab 525 is offset fold line 520 or 521 as the case may be.
• the cut lines 526 and 528, as well as defining the end edges of tab 525, also define the edge of aperture 550.
• Figures 15 to 18 in which the blank is again preferably set up to form a carton in a straight line machine.
• Articles A are first placed through apertures 550 by relative vertical movement between the article and blank and first and second side panels 514 and 516 are folded downwardly about fold lines 520 and 521 away from the articles so as to be slope inwardly, as shown in Figure 16.
• the inner and outer base panels are then folded inwardly and secured to securing flap 515 in overlapping arrangement using glue or other suitable means known in the art so as to form a tubular carton as shown in Figures 17 and 18.
• the end user thereof preferably forces the tab 525 outwards thereby releasing the flanges F from the abutment with the retention structure.
• One or more articles can then be removed from the carton.
• the construction of the cartons or clips from the blanks described above can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations 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 above and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
• hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
• Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Buffer Packaging (AREA)

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Cited By (19)

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Citations (2)

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• 2002
  • 2002-01-26 JP JP2002559319A patent/JP3954968B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-01-26 CA CA002439037A patent/CA2439037A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-01-26 BR BR0206763-3A patent/BR0206763A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-01-26 WO PCT/US2002/002385 patent/WO2002059011A2/en active IP Right Grant
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  • 2002-01-26 SK SK1067-2003A patent/SK286999B6/sk not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-01-26 DE DE60239786T patent/DE60239786D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-01-26 AT AT02720858T patent/ATE506279T1/de active
  • 2002-01-26 DK DK02720858.6T patent/DK1361984T3/da active
  • 2002-01-26 IL IL15707402A patent/IL157074A0/xx active IP Right Grant
  • 2002-01-26 HU HU0402223A patent/HU229190B1/hu not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-01-26 EP EP02720858A patent/EP1361984B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-01-26 CZ CZ20032240A patent/CZ297791B6/cs not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-01-26 RU RU2003125962/12A patent/RU2294872C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-01-26 PT PT02720858T patent/PT1361984E/pt unknown
  • 2002-01-26 PL PL368499A patent/PL199699B1/pl unknown
• 2003
  • 2003-07-23 IL IL157074A patent/IL157074A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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