WO2005014408A2

WO2005014408A2 - Basket carrier for bottles and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2005014408A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/025702
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Llc
Priority date: 2003-08-06
Filing date: 2004-08-06
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: GT200400151A; EP1660385A2; RU2006106717A; WO2005014408A3; GB0318421D0

Abstract

An article carrier of the basket type is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, such as bottles (B). The carrier comprises a base (28, 32), opposed side (12, 16) and end walls (10, 14) and a medial partition structure (52) and handle means (H1, H2) by which the carrier can be lifted and carried. The bottles (B) are received on both sides of the medial partition structure (52) of the carrier. The medial partition structure (52) is formed from a pair of internal medial partition panels (54, 58) and having a pair of abutments (91a, 91b). A pair of guide panels (34, 44) are attached to the internal medial partition panels (54, 58). The handle means is formed of a first pair of handle panels (73a, 73b) and having a pair of corresponding handle apertures (81a, 81b) therein. The first pair of handle panels (73a, 73b) are slidably movable within the pair of guide panels (34, 44) and have a pair of shoulders (91a) arranged to correspond to the pair of abutments (89a). The handle means is therefore movable between a lower retracted position and an upper, extended position. FIG. 1 D-17041/PCT -

Description

BASKET CARRIERFORBOTTLES AND BLANKTHEREFOR

Background of the Invention

This invention relates to an article carrier of the basket type formed from paperboard or like foldable sheet material, which carrier is adapted to accommodate a plurality of articles, such as bottles, and to a blank for forming the carrier.

Normally a basket carrier for bottles includes a central (medial) partition structure which incorporates a handle structure by which the carrier can be lifted and carried and the bottles are arranged in rows on either side of the central partition structure. In general, the handle structure ends up being below the level of the tops of the bottles when the bottles are in the carrier. This can make it inconvenient or uncomfortable for a users hand to use the handle structure, especially if the bottle tops are of the crown type having fairly sharp edges.

In other known basket carrier style cartons, the handle protrudes above the bottle tops, which makes it difficult to stack the carriers during transit, because the handle arrangement may become deformed or even tear. Accordingly such know article carriers are not suited to stacking.

In the present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton having a handle structure which comprises a pair of opposed upright guide panels and an upright handle member disposed at least in part between the guide panels for upward and downward sliding movement wherein the handle structure further comprises one or more reinforcing layer members formed respectively from the guide panels and secured to the handle member. Preferably, at least one of the reinforcing layer members is bingedly connected to the handle member. More preferably, the handle member comprises a pair of handle panels that are hingedly connected to the reinforcing layer members respectively. Optionally, each handle panel is hingedly connected to the respective reinforcing layer member along their common upper edge and folded about the upper edge to be in face-contacting relationship.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the handle structure further comprises an upright primary member which is disposed between the guide panels. Preferably, at least one of the guide panels is hingedly connected to the upright primary member. The upright primary member may comprise a pair of primary panels that are hingedly connected to the guide panels respectively.

In some embodiments, each upright primary panel is hingedly connected to the respective guide panel along their common upper edge and folded about the upper edge to be in face- contacting relationship.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the handle member has a pair of shoulders, and wherein an upper stopper for engagement with the shoulders to limit upward movement of the handle member.

Preferably, a lower stopper for engagement with the handle member is disposed below the handle member to limit downward movement of the handle member.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a primary member provides the handle member, the upper stopper and, as the case may be, the lower stopper.

In one class of embodiments, a pair of guide strips are disposed along the opposed side edges of the handle member to guide upward and downward movement of the handle member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for forming an article carrier of the basket type comprising side and end walls foldably connected together in series, an adjacent handle structure connected along a first edge to at least some of said side panels and end panels and an internal partition structure extending outwardly beyond the opposing edge of said handle structure to define an outer edge of the blank.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank having a handle structure which comprises a pair of opposed upright guide panels and an upright handle member disposed at least in part between the guide panels for upward and downward sliding movement wherein the handle structure further comprises one or more reinforcing layer members formed respectively from the guide panels and secured to the handle member.

Optionally, at least one of the reinforcing layer members is hingedly connected to the handle member. Preferably, the handle member comprises a pair of handle panels that are hingedly connected to the reinforcing layer members respectively. More preferably, each handle panel is hingedly connected to the respective reinforcing layer member along their common upper edge and folded about the upper edge to be in face-contacting relationship.

According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, the handle structure further comprises an upright primary member which is disposed between the guide panels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an unfolded single blank from which a bottle carrier according to one embodiment of the invention can be formed;

FIGURES 2 to 5 show sequential steps in forming the carrier from the blank of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 shows a completed and (partly) loaded carrier with the handle structure in a lower position; FIGURE 7A shows the carrier of FIGURE 6 with the handle structure in an upper position; and

FIGURE 7B shows an enlarge cut-away view of part of the handle structure of FIGURE 7A.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1 thereof, an article carrier is formed from a single blank 8 of paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material, for example plastics material or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a unitary blank is used to make a single carton, although it is envisaged that two or more blanks may be employed, for example to provide the handle structure. In this embodiment, the set up carton is adapted to accommodate six bottles "B" (Figure 6) arranged in two rows of three bottles each. The carrier can be adapted, without departing from the scope of invention, to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements.

The carrier comprises a series of panels which are provided for forming a base, sides, ends and a handle structure. In this embodiment there comprises a series of outer panels consisting of first end wall panel 10, a first side wall panel 12, a second end wall panel 14 and a second side wall panel 16 hingedly connected together one to the next in series along fold lines 20, 22 and 24. A securing flap 18 is hingedly connected to second side wall panel 16 along fold line 26.

There further comprises a first base wall panel 28 hingedly connected to second side wall panel 16 along fold line 30 and a second base wall panel 32 hingedly connected to first side wall panel 12 along fold line 34.

An internal partition structure 52 is provided, which is used to separate adjacent articles into cells (described below). The internal partition structure 52 is hinged to a pair of guide panels 34, 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the first guide panel 34 is hingedly connected to end wall panels 10 and 14 along fold lines 36 and 22, and is separated from first side wall panel 12 and part of end wall panel 10 along cut line 42. Preferably, cut line 42 extends between fold lines 22 and 36.

Similarly, guide panel 44 is hingedly connected to end wall panel 14 along fold line 46 and to securing flap 18 along fold line 26. It is separated from side wall panel 16 and part of end wall panel 14 along cut line 50 which, preferably, extends between fold line 26 and fold line 46.

In the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, there is shown an additional support flap 38, 48 hingedly connected to each of the guide panels 34, 44 along fold lines 40a and 40b and extending to the fold lines 22, 26 respectively. Each support flap 38, 48 is shaped to be placed in face contacting arrangement with the adjacent end panel 14, 16.

The internal partition structure 52 comprises a pair of internal medial partition panels (or primary member panels) 54, 58 hingedly connected to the guide panels 34, 44 respectively, along fold lines 56 and 60. The internal medial partition panels 54, 58 are secured to respective end wall panels 14, 10, in a set up carton, by means of securing flaps 64 and 98 which are hingedly connected to internal medial panels 54 and 58 respectively along fold lines 66 and 100.

There may further comprise a transverse partition structure which is provided by a plurality of transverse partition panels 74, 70 and 84, 90. Transverse partition panels 74 and 70 are hingedly connected to first internal medial partition panel 54 along fold lines 80 and 72 respectively. Transverse partition panels 84 and 90 are hingedly connected to second internal medial partition panel 58 along fold lines 82 and 92. Each transverse partition panel 74, 70; 84, 90 is provided with securing flaps 76, 62, 86, 96 hingedly connected to the respective transverse partition panel along fold lines 78, 68, 88 and 94. The securing flaps are adapted to be secured to the side wall panels during construction of the carton, described in more detail below.

In this embodiment, securing flaps 62 and 64 are hingedly connected together along fold line 63. A two part handle structure HI, H2 is provided. Each handle structure is identical and therefore only the one part of the handle structure, HI will be described in any greater detail. Like references have been used with the affix "a" or "b" to distinguish between each handle part.

The handle structure HI, comprises a reinforcing (layer member) panel 71a hingedly connected to internal medial partition panel 54 along an extension of fold line 56. Handle panel 71a extends into guide panel 34 and is separated therefrom by cut line 79a. There further comprises an internal handle panel 73 a hingedly connected to reinforcing panel 71a along fold line 75a. Internal handle panel 73a is struck from internal medial partition panel 54 along cut line 77a which is shaped to define a pair of apertures 83a, 85a positioned adjacent the upper support edges or shoulders 87a, 89a of the internal handle panel 73a. One or more upper stoppers are provided, which in the illustrated embodiment are provided by an edge 91a of the aperture 83a, 85a formed in internal partition panel 54. Preferably, the internal partition panel 54 is shaped to define a pair of guide strips 93 a disposed along opposed side edges of handle panel 73 a. Hand apertures 81a are provided in both the external and internal handle panels 71a, 73 a.

Similarly, the handle structure H2, comprises an external handle panel 71b hingedly connected to internal medial partition panel 58 along an extension fold line 60. Handle panel 71b extends into guide panel 44 and is separated therefrom by cut line 79b. There further comprises an internal handle panel 73b hingedly connected to reinforcing panel 71b along fold line 75b. Internal handle panel 73b is struck from internal medial partition panel 58 along cut line 77a which is shaped to define a pair of apertures 83b, 85b positioned adjacent the upper support edges or shoulders 87b, 89b of the internal handle panel 73b. One or more upper stoppers are provided, which in the illustrated embodiment are provided by an edge 91a of the aperture 83a, 85a formed in internal partition panel 54. Preferably, the internal partition panel 54 is shaped to define a pair of guide strips 93 a disposed along opposed side edges of handle panel 73a. Hand apertures 81b are provided in both the reinforcing and internal handle panels 71b, 73b. In order to form the completed carrier in flat collapsed condition from the blank, a series of sequential folding and gluing operations are required and will be described further with reference to Figures 2 to 5 of the drawings. The folding and gluing operations can be performed in one or more straight line machines, so that the tray 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.

Thus, as shown in Figure 2, glue is applied to shaded areas G on support flaps 76, 86 and 96, of transverse partition panels 74, 84 and 90. Preferably, glue is also applied to peripheral edges of first and second guide panels 34 and 44 and, optionally, of first and second reinforcing panels 71a and 71b. In addition, glue is applied to securing flaps 64 and 98.

Panels forming the internal partition structure 52, that is first and second internal medial partition panels 54 and 58, including first and second internal handle panels 73a and 73b and transverse partition panels 74, 70 and 84, 90 are then folded inwardly about fold lines 56, 60, 75a, 75b into face to face relationship with the main panels forming the end and side walls and with the first and second guide panels 34 and 44 and the first and second reinforcing panels 71a and 71b, as shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 4, the internal partition structure 52 is completed by applying glue to shaded areas G comprising side and transverse portions of first internal medial partition panel 58 and first securing panel 26, as well as transverse portions of second internal handle panel 73b. Thereafter, the partially formed carrier is folded about the now central fold line 22/63 to bring those parts on either side of the central fold line 22/63 into face to face relationship whereby first and second internal medial partition panels 73 a and 73b and securing flap 26 and end wall panel 10 are adhered together, as are the first and second internal handle panels 73a and 73b. The carrier is then in a flat collapsed form, as best shown in Figure 5, from which it can be erected for loading.

In order to erect the carrier, side walls 12 and 16 are moved outwardly with respect to the medial partition structure, so that end walls 10 and 14 pivot about their respective fold lines 20, 26; 22, 24, while transverse partition panels 74, 70 and 84, 90 pivot about their respective fold lines 80, 72 and 82, 92. Loading is accomplished by relative vertical movement between bottles and carrier during common forward feed movement, well known in the art, by which bottles enter their respective cells through the open bottom (or top) of the carrier. Thereafter, the base panels 28 and 32 are folded upwards to close the lower ends of the bottle cells and can be either glued together or otherwise fastened together by various means, as known in the art.

As shown in Figure 6, during the loading operation, and before the carrier is lifted by handle structure HI, H2, the handle structure HI, H2 is still in a retracted, lower position, with the first and second internal handle panels 73a, 73b. In some embodiments, the first and second reinforcing panels 71a, 71b are connected to the first and second internal medial partition panels 58 and 54 and the first and second guide panels 34 and 44 respectively by shearable connections (not shown).

When, however, the carrier is lifted by handle structure H1/H2, as shown in Figure 7 A, the handle structure moves to an extended, upper position. As best shown in Figure 7B, being a cut-away enlarged view of part of the handle structure, when a strain is put on the handle structure relative to the rest of the carrier, the first and second internal handle panels 86 and 88 and the first and second reinforcing panels 100 and 102, move upwards relative to the medial partition panels 54, 58, until the shoulders (or upper support edges) 87a, 89a on the first and second internal handle panels 73 a and 73b abut against the abutments 91a, 91b on the first and second internal medial partition panels 54 and 58. Thus, the abutments 91a, 91b function as limit stops to limit upward movement.

When the handle is lowered it is limited in its downward movement by lower stops, provided by a lower edge 93a defined by internal medial partition panel 54.

This abutting relationship provides the strength for the handle structure to carry the rest of the carrier, whilst the formation of the medial partition panels 34, 54; 44, 58 together serves to hold the slidable handle structure within the medial partition structure. One advantage is that a new handle structure is provided which, in use, is arranged above the level of the tops of bottles within the carrier, but otherwise the handle structure is retained at lower position until the first time a basket with bottles therein is lifted, whereupon the handle structure shears from the retaining connections and moves upwards to its upper position.

A further advantage of the invention is that in those basket style cartons having a centre partition panels hingedly connected directed to one of the end walls, the coated sides of the paperboard are exposed for the handle panels 34, 44 and still yet allow the lower part of the partition panels 54, 58 to remain intact or to be available for the other structures such as lateral partitions.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to 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.

It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used. The carton may accommodate more than one article in different arrays.

Whilst only one particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the drawings, it will be appreciated that a person skilled in the art can make modifications and improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the glue areas could clearly be varied and replaced by other areas, so long as the appropriate panels were attached to each other, as desired. It is also possible to perform some of the gluing and folding operations in a different order. For example, the reinforcing and internal handle panels 71a and 73a could be glued together before guide panels and internal partition panels 34 and 54 are folded over to glue the transverse partition panels 74 and 70 to the sidewalls 12. Furthermore, the configuration of the main panels can also be varied, for example by having only one base panel, rather than two, as described above.

Claims

1. A carton having a handle structure which comprises a pair of opposed upright guide panels and an upright handle member disposed at least in part between the guide panels for upward and downward sliding movement wherein the handle structure further comprises one or more reinforcing layer members formed respectively from the guide panels and secured to the handle member.

2. The carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the reinforcing layer members is hingedly connected to the handle member.

3. The carton as claimed in claim 2 wherein the handle member comprises a pair of handle panels that are hingedly connected to the reinforcing layer members respectively.

4. The carton as claimed in claim 3 wherein each handle panel is hingedly connected to the respective reinforcing layer member along their common upper edge and folded about the upper edge to be in face-contacting relationship.

5. The carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the handle structure further comprises an upright primary member which is disposed between the guide panels.

6. The carton as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least one of the guide panels is hingedly connected to the upright primary member.

7. The carton as claimed in claim 6 wherein the upright primary member comprises a pair of primary panels that are hingedly connected to the guide panels respectively.

8. The carton as claimed in claim 7 wherein each upright primary panel is hingedly connected to the respective guide panel along their common upper edge and folded about the upper edge to be in face-contacting relationship.

9. The carton as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle member has a pair of shoulders, and wherein an upper stopper for engagement with the shoulders to limit upward movement of the handle member.

10. The carton as claimed in claim 9 wherein a lower stopper for engagement with the handle member is disposed below the handle member to limit downward movement of the handle member.

11. The carton as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein a primary member provides - the handle member, the upper stopper and, as the case may be, the lower stopper.

12. The carton as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a pair of guide strips are disposed along the opposed side edges of the handle member to guide upward and downward movement of the handle member.

13. The carton as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle member comprises a pair of handle panels.

14. A blank for forming a carton as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. A package for forming a carton as claimed in any preceding claim.

16. A blank for forming an article carrier of the basket type comprising side and end walls foldably connected together in series, an adjacent handle structure connected along a first edge to at least some of said side panels and end panels and an internal partition structure extending outwardly beyond the opposing edge of said handle structure to define an outer edge of the blank wherein the handle structure further comprises one or more reinforcing layer members formed respectively from the guide panels and secured to the handle member.

17. The blank as claimed in claim 16 wherein at least one of the reinforcing layer members is hingedly connected to the handle member.

18. The blank as claimed in claim 17 wherein the handle member comprises a pair of handle panels that are hingedly connected to the reinforcing layer members respectively.

19. The blank as claimed in claim 18 wherein each handle panel is hingedly connected to the respective reinforcing layer member along their common upper edge and folded about the upper edge to be in face-contacting relationship.

20. The blank as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the handle structure further comprises an upright primary member which is disposed between the guide panels.

21. An article carrier substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to or as illustrated in Figures 6 or 7.

22. A blank for forming an article carrier substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to or as illustrated in Figure 1.