WO2006089305A1 - Systeme d'emboitement pour panneaux de boite en carton - Google Patents

Systeme d'emboitement pour panneaux de boite en carton Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006089305A1
WO2006089305A1 PCT/US2006/006343 US2006006343W WO2006089305A1 WO 2006089305 A1 WO2006089305 A1 WO 2006089305A1 US 2006006343 W US2006006343 W US 2006006343W WO 2006089305 A1 WO2006089305 A1 WO 2006089305A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
locking
toe
panel
heel
apertures
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/006343
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jean-Michel Auclair
Original Assignee
Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Llc
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
Priority claimed from GB0503423A external-priority patent/GB0503423D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0516599A external-priority patent/GB0516599D0/en
Application filed by Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Llc filed Critical Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Llc
Priority to US11/816,513 priority Critical patent/US20080257945A1/en
Publication of WO2006089305A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006089305A1/fr

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
    • B65D71/20—Slits or openings along the fold line of the tubular body
    • 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
    • B65D2571/0016—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs protruding from one end and co-operating with openings at the other end
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00172—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper interlocked by tabs cut within one end and facing towards the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00277—Slits or openings formed along a fold line
    • 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
    • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00438—Holes
    • B65D2571/00444—Holes for fingers
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to panel interlocking means for securing together a pair of panels, for example, adjacent overlapping panels of a paper-board carton. In some situations, these panels are provided by the opposite ends of a wrapper blank which are brought together and interlocked.
  • Locking tabs which are 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 the wrapper are well known e.g. from US Patent No 3,955,748 to Calvert.
  • an interlocking means is provided which comprises a locking aperture formed in one end panel and arranged to cooperate with a corresponding locking tab joined to the other end panel, the locking tab comprising an integral locking heel and locking toe, which are arranged to be inserted into the aperture.
  • a similar interlocking means is disclosed in US 4,577,799 to Oliff.
  • a locking tab is also formed integrally with the locking aperture to engage the toe of the locking tab thereby to aid in holding the locking tab in an interlocked relationship with the locking aperture.
  • a similar interlocking means is disclosed in GB 2 400 345 to Paine.
  • GB '345 a "heel and toe" locking tab is formed at one end of a wallet and the heel and toe are inserted into separate apertures formed at the other end of the wallet to releasably hold the wallet together.
  • the locking tab disclosed in Paine is not wholly pivotal which can made manipulation of the locking tab into the locking aperture difficult.
  • the prior art locks are often provided in panels at opposite ends of a wraparound carton and when locked together the panels provide a composite bottom wall of a carton.
  • a locking mechanism for this application is therefore intended only to be locked once to hold the carton in an erected form. If however the carton is required to be opened and reclosed, it is desirable to provide a locking mechanism in an upper or side panel of the carton to facilitate the opening and reclosing of the carton. It is therefore necessary to provide a more durable and efficient lock which can be readily operated by a consumer to open and reclose the carton and whilst providing a secure lock.
  • the present invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate these and other problems of the prior art by providing a locking arrangement which is more durable, reusable and easier to operate.
  • a panel interlocking arrangement of the heel and toe type for securing together first and second panels of a wraparound carton
  • the interlocking arrangement comprising a locking tab formed at least in part in said first panel and one or more locking apertures provided in said second panel for receiving the locking tab
  • the locking tab comprising a locking heel and locking toe characterised in that the locking tab is hinged to the first panel by means of a pair of diverging fold lines extending from the locking heel towards the locking toe, said diverging fold lines predetermine a hinging action between the locking tab and the first panel, to facilitate the insertion of each of the locking toe and heel into said one or more locking apertures thereby to lock the panels together.
  • each diverging fold line terminates at free edge of the first.
  • the angle defined between the diverging fold lines may determine the extent the whole locking tab can pivot relative to the first panel.
  • a single locking aperture may be provided into which both the locking toe and locking heel are inserted.
  • the one or more locking apertures may be provided with at least one pair of slits extending outwardly from one of said one or more locking apertures, which slits further facilitate the insertion of the locking tab into said one or more locking apertures.
  • the locking heel may in part be defined by a substantially semi- circular cut line and in part by arcuate end portions, wherein the arcuate end portions terminate at the divergent fold lines.
  • the one or more locking apertures may have a heel- engaging edge, the heel-engaging edge having a slit extending from each end of the heel engaging edge.
  • the arcuate end portions of the locking heel each abut an edge of one of said heel engaging edge slits extending from an upper edge of said one or more locking apertures, when the locking tab is engaged within said one or more locking apertures, to provide a secure lock.
  • said one or more locking apertures is in part defined by a toe-engaging edge, said toe-engaging edge having a toe engaging edge slit extending from each end of the toe engaging edge to facilitate the insertion of the locking toe (60a) within said one or more locking apertures.
  • the locking toe may be shaped such that it has arcuate shoulder portions and wherein side portions of said one or more locking apertures are similarly shaped to promote easy insertion of the locking toe within said one or more locking apertures.
  • the second panel may be provided with a first hinge line, the first hinge line extending between said toe-engaging edge slits to define a first engagement tab between said toe engaging edge slits.
  • the first engagement tab can hinge about said first hinge line to facilitate the insertion and removal of the locking heel within said one or more locking apertures.
  • the second panel may be provided with a second hinge line extending between each side edge of the aperture and the engagement tab, the second hinge line defining side engagement tabs which are foldable to encourage the insertion of the locking heel within said one or more locking apertures and which aid the secure engagement of the locking tab within said one or more locking apertures.
  • said one or more locking apertures comprises two locking apertures, one locking aperture for receiving the locking toe and a separate locking aperture for receiving the locking heel.
  • the locking heel may be spaced and offset the locking toe.
  • two locking apertures are disposed in an off set alignment similar to the off set alignment of the locking toe and heel such that the locking toe and heel can be received and held within said two locking apertures to secure the two panels together.
  • the locking heel is spaced diagonally from the locking toe, such that the centre of the locking heel lies on different vertical and horizontal axes relative to the vertical and horizontal axes upon which the centre of the locking toe lies.
  • the locking tab may comprise a second locking heel and said one or more locking apertures comprise a third locking aperture for receiving said second locking heel.
  • the centre of the second locking heel lies on the same horizontal axis as the first locking heel and the second locking heel is spaced diagonally from the locking toe such that the centre of the second locking heel lies on different vertical and horizontal axes to the axes on which the centre of the locking toe lies.
  • said three locking apertures form a triangular locking aperture arrangement for receiving said first and second locking heels and said locking toe.
  • the locking tab may comprise a second locking toe and two additional locking heels and said one or more locking apertures may comprise a second locking aperture for receiving the second locking toe and said one or more locking apertures comprise third and fourth locking apertures for receiving said two additional locking heels, together said one or more locking apertures having a trapezoidal arrangement.
  • each locking toe projects from a free end edge of the first panel.
  • Fig. 1 shows the blank of a wraparound carton having two panels to be locked together, one panel having a locking aperture and the other panel having a locking tab, according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows the blank of a wraparound carton having two panels to be locked together, one panel having a locking aperture and the other panel having a locking tab according to a second embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows the blank of a wraparound carton having two panels to be locked together, one panel having a locking aperture and the other panel having a locking tab according to a third embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4A shows a perspective top, front and side view of a carton erected from the blank of Figure 1 with the locking tab according to the first embodiment of the invention partly engaged in the locking aperture;
  • Fig. 4B shows a perspective top, front and side view of the carton of Figure 4A with the locking tab completely engaged in the locking aperture;
  • Fig. 4C shows an inside view of the front of the carton of Fig. 4B illustrating the locking tab engaged in the aperture
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of the locking tab and aperture of the second embodiment of the invention shown in interlocked relationship;
  • Fig. 6 is a front view of the locking tab and aperture of the third embodiment of the invention shown in interlocked relationship and
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the carton of Figure 4B with containers held within the carton.
  • Fig. 8 shows the blank of a wraparound carton having a panel interlocking arrangement for locking together two panels, one panel having a locking aperture arrangement and the other panel having a locking tab arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
  • Fig. 8A shows an enlarged view of one end of the blank of the wraparound carton showing the locking tab arrangement
  • Fig. 8B shows an enlarged view of the other end of the blank of the wraparound carton showing the locking aperture arrangement
  • Fig. 9 shows a first step in the locking of the two panels of the wraparound carton of
  • Fig. 10 shows the composite bottom panel of the wraparound carrier which is formed by locking the two panels together.
  • a blank 10 for forming a wraparound carton is provided with a pair of panels 28a and 28b respectively.
  • Panels 28a and 28b are adapted to be interlocked and the blank 10 is formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material.
  • the panels 28a and 28b are disposed at the opposite ends of one and the same wraparound carton blank 10 which is to be formed into a carton sleeve in which panels 28a and 28b then provide lower and upper overlapping side panels of the carton.
  • the panels 28a and 28b are interlocked by a panel interlocking arrangement comprising a locking tab 60 and a locking aperture 70.
  • the carton blank 10 is also provided with a series of main panels hinged together in series, which main panels can be folded around a group of articles, such as beverage or food containers C to form a wraparound carton 30 (as shown in Fig. 7).
  • the main panels include a top panel 20 which is hinged on either side to upper bevelled panels 18a, 18b.
  • the main panels also include a second side panel 22 and a bottom panel 24.
  • the bevelled panel 18a is hinged to the upper side panel 28b.
  • the bottom panel 24 is hinged on either side to lower bevelled panels 26a, 26b and the bevelled panel 26b is hinged to the lower side panel 28a.
  • the main panels are hinged in series along fold lines 38a, 30a, 40b, 38b, 46a, 44a, 44b and 46b, as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the blank 10 is also provided with a series of upper article receiving apertures 50 formed in the upper bevelled panels 18a and 18b.
  • the article receiving apertures 50 are each provided with cuts 52 which extend from a lower edge of the aperture 50 into the adjacent upper and second side panels 28b, 22.
  • the cuts 52 allow an upper portion of the containers C, wrapped within the carton 30, to protrude slightly to encourage a tight fit of the containers C within the carton 30 and also provide a degree of flexibility which can facilitate the operation of the panel interlocking means i.e. the engagement of the locking tab 60 within the locking aperture 70, when the blank 10 is assembled around an article group and a carton 30 formed.
  • a similar array of article receiving apertures 54 are provided in the bottom panels 24 and lower bevelled panels 26a, 26b.
  • cuts 56 are provided to enable a tight fit of the containers within the wraparound carton 30.
  • the panel interlocking means is illustrated with reference to a wraparound carton, this is to serve as an example only, it being understood that there are a variety of carton structures and arrangements in which the panel interlocking means could be employed, all of which will be obvious to one skilled upon reading the following description. Indeed it will also be obvious that the panel interlocking means herein described can be used for interlocking panels formed of foldable sheet material that may or may not be panels of a carton and also that more than one interlocking means could be employed. The remainder of the description therefore focuses upon the panel interlocking means.
  • Side panel 28b includes a locking tab 60 projecting outwardly in the plane of the panel 28b from an end edge 40 of that panel.
  • the locking tab 60 comprises an integral locking heel 60b and integral locking toe 60a.
  • the locking tab 60 is hinged to panel 28b along fold lines 63 and 65.
  • the fold lines 63, 65 are positioned on either side of the locking tab 60, substantially in the middle of the tab, and diverge from the locking heel 60b towards the locking toe 60a.
  • the angle of the fold lines 63, 65 relative to the end edge 40 is, in this embodiment less than 180° so that the fold lines diverge from the locking heel 60b.
  • the locking heel 60b is struck from the side panel 28b and has a leading edge 66.
  • the locking heel 60b is adjoined to the hinge connections 63, 65 by arcuate portions 68, which arcuate portions 68 are so shaped to improve the engagement of the locking tab within the locking aperture 70.
  • arcuate portions 68 provide a locking edge for cooperation with an edge 72 of the locking aperture 70.
  • the locking toe 60a has a trailing edge 62 and is shaped in complementary fashion to the locking aperture 70 such that in use shoulder portions 61 of the locking toe 60a provide a locking edge for cooperation with the edge of slits 77a, 77b of the locking aperture 70.
  • Panel 28a includes the locking aperture 70 which is formed in complementarily fashion to the shape of the locking tab 60.
  • the locking aperture 70 is defined in part by a lower edge 74, opposite side edges 76 and an upper edge 72 which upper edge 72 cooperates with the arcuate portions 68 of the leading edge 66.
  • the locking aperture is provided with a series of radially or outwardly extending pairs of slits 73a/73b, 75a/75b and 77a/77b. Slits or nicks 73a, 73b extend from the upper edge 72 to assist the insertion of the locking toe 60b into the locking aperture 70.
  • Side slits 77a, 77b extend outwardly from the side 76 of the locking aperture 70 and are positioned and angled such that upon insertion of the locking tab 60 into the locking aperture 70, the side slits 77a, 77b define edges which may be abutted by the shoulder portions 61 of the locking toe 60a.
  • the slits 75a, 75b extend from the lower edge 74 and in part define a tab between the slits 75a, 75b and the lower edge 74. Which tab is, to some degree, flexible to allow that portion of the lower side panel 28a immediately beneath the lower edge 74 to move inwardly and outwardly relative to the remainder of the lower side panel 28a to facilitate the locking an unlocking of the panel interlocking means.
  • the main panels are sequentially folded about fold lines 38a, 30a, 40b, 38b, 46a, 44a, 44b and 46b and the upper and lower side panels 28a, 28b are thereby brought into overlapping relationship.
  • the locking tab 60 is pivoted about the angled or diverging fold lines 63 65.
  • the diverging fold lines 63, 65 provide means for predetermining the hinging action between the locking tab 60 and upper side panel 28b. The predetermined hinging action facilitates the pivoting of locking tab 60 such that locking tab 60 is folded substantially perpendicular position relative to the lower side panel 28a.
  • the leading edge 66 of the locking toe 60b can be inserted into the locking aperture 70 by sliding the locking toe 60b against upper edge 72.
  • the shaped side edges 76 of the locking aperture 70 encourage the locking toe 60b to engage the upper edge of the aperture 70. This is illustrated in Fig. 4A, wherein the locking toe 60b is inserted by rotating the locking tab 60 about the fold lines 63, 65 until the locking tab 60 abuts the lower side panel 28a and the locking heel 60b can be pushed no further.
  • the locking heel 60a is then rotated about fold lines 63, 65 such that the locking toe 60b abuts an inside face of the lower side panel 28a.
  • the locking heel 60a then overlies a lower portion of the locking aperture 70.
  • the locking tab is again rotated about the fold lines 63, 65 but in the opposite direction to the first rotation thereby to accommodate the insertion of the locking heel 60a.
  • the diverging fold lines 63, 65 facilitate the hinging action or pivotal movement of the locking tab 60 in the reverse direction to facilitate the insertion of the locking heel 60a.
  • the shoulders 61 of the locking heel 60a can then be pushed past the side edge 76 of the locking aperture 70, assisted by the slight inward displacement of the portion of the lower side panel 28a between slits 77a, 75a and 77b, 75b.
  • the lower edge 62 of the locking heel 60a is also pushed past the lower edge 74 of the locking aperture.
  • the tab beneath lower edge 74 may displace or give inwardly of the aperture 70 until the locking heel is pushed inside the aperture 70.
  • FIG. 4C A view illustrating the inside face of the interlocked upper and lower side panels 28b, 28a is shown in Fig. 4C.
  • dotted lines are used to illustrate parts of the interlocking means which are on the outside of the carton and hence cannot actually be seen from the inside view of the carton. It can also be seen from the view in Fig. 4A that the portions of the lower side panel 28a between the slits 73a/76a and 73b/76b overlap a central portion of the locking tab 60.
  • the locking tab 60 is prevented from sliding with respect to the lower side panel 28a by virtue of the shape of the locking tab 60 and aperture 70 and the arrangement of slits 77a, 75a and 77b, 75b.
  • the arcuate portions 61 abut the upper edge 72, the arcuate portions 61 and juxtaposed slits 73a, 73b are oppositely angled thereby forming a strong and secure engaging edge when the upper and lower side panels 28b, 28a are pulled in opposite directions, away from one another.
  • the end edge 40 may abut an edge created by the side slits 77a,77b. In this way a durable and secure interlock is formed.
  • FIG. 2 an exemplary wraparound carton is again used to illustrate how the interlocking means might be used.
  • side slits 77a, 77b are replaced by a weakened arcuate arrangement 180a, 180b.
  • the weakened lines or nick lines 180a, 180b extend between the slits 175a, 175b and a substantially central portion of the side edge 176a, 176b of the locking aperture 170 thereby defining engaging tabs 182a, 182b.
  • the engaging tabs 182a, 182b are hinged to the lower side panel 128a along the weakened lines 180a and 180b respectively.
  • the interlocking means is operated substantially in the same way as in the previous embodiment except for the fact that the weakened lines 180a,
  • FIG. 5 shows a front view of the interlocked panels 128a and 128b.
  • the locking aperture 270 has side edges 276a and 276b which have shoulder portions 277a and 277b which are shaped similarly to the shoulder portions 261 of the locking heel 260a.
  • the similar shaping of the aperture 270 and locking heel 260a enables the locking tab 260 to be more easily inserted into the aperture 270.
  • a weakened arcuate line is provided between the slits 275a and 275b thereby more clearly defining a tab 281.
  • the weakened line 279 provides a more definite hinge by which the tab 281 can be folded when the locking heel 260a is inserted and removed from the locking aperture 270 to lock and unlock the panels 228a, 228b.
  • a blank 310 for a wraparound carton is provided with first and second bottom panels 328a and 328b respectively, which are adapted to be interlocked.
  • the panels 328a and 328b are disposed at the opposite ends of one and the same wraparound carton blank 310 which is to be formed into a carton sleeve in which panels 328a and 328b then provide overlapping, interlocked bottom panels of the carton.
  • the carton blank 310 is provided with a series of main panels hinged together in series, which main panels can be folded around a group of articles, such as bottles (B) to form a wraparound carton.
  • the main panels include a top panel 323 which is hinged on either side to upper side panels 322a, 322b.
  • the main panels also include lower side panels 320, 324 and lower bevelled panels 318a and 326b.
  • the first bottom panel 328a is hinged to lower bevelled panel 326b and the bevelled panel 326b is in turn hinged to the lower side panel 324.
  • the second bottom panel 328b is hinged to the lower bevelled panel 318a, which is in turn hinged to the lower side panel 320.
  • the main panels are hinged in series along fold lines 338a, 340a, 340b, 338b, 346a, 344a, 344b and 346b, as illustrated in Fig. 8.
  • the blank 310 is also provided with a series of upper article receiving apertures 350 formed in the upper side panels 322a and 322b. These are similar to those of the preceding embodiments and therefore not further described.
  • Second bottom panel 328b includes a locking tab arrangement which comprises a pair of integral locking heels 360b, 360c and an integral locking toe 360a.
  • the locking tab arrangement is hinged to panel 328b along fold lines 363, 365 and 367.
  • the fold lines 363, 365 are positioned on either side of the locking heels 360b, 360c respectively and diverge from the locking heels 360b, 360c toward an end edge 340 of the second bottom panel 328b.
  • Fold line 367 extends between the adjacent locking heels 360b, 360c.
  • the angle of the fold lines 363, 365 relative to the fold line 367 is, in this embodiment, acute so that the fold lines diverge from the locking heels 36Ob 5 360c toward the locking toe 360a.
  • the locking heels 360b, 360c are struck from the second bottom panel 328b and are shaped similarly to those of the earlier embodiment. Nevertheless it is envisaged that the locking heels could take a different form, providing that the locking apertures 370b, 370c which are formed in the first bottom panel 328a are complementarily shaped.
  • the arcuate portions 368 provide a locking edge for cooperation with edges 382a and 382b of the locking apertures 370b and 370c.
  • the locking toe 360a has a trailing edge 362 and is shaped in complementary fashion to a locking aperture 370c which is also formed in the first bottom panel 328a.
  • the locking toe 360a is shaped such that shoulder portions 361 are provided. The shoulder portions 361 are arranged to co-operate with outwardly extending side slits 377a, 377b of the locking aperture 370a.
  • the first bottom panel 328a comprises a locking aperture arrangement which includes locking apertures 370a, 370b and 370c, which are each formed and positioned in an arrangement complementarily to the shape of the locking tab arrangement.
  • the locking aperture arrangement is triangular and mimics the orientation of the locking heels 360b, 360c and locking toe 360a.
  • the locking aperture 370a is defined in part by a lower edge 374, opposite side edges 376 and an upper edge 372 which upper edge 372 cooperates with the arcuate portions 368 of the leading edge 366 of the locking toe 360a when the bottom panels 320a, 320b are interlocked.
  • the locking aperture 370a is provided with a radially or outwardly extending pair of slits 377a/377b that are positioned and angled such that upon insertion of the locking toe 360a into the locking aperture 370a, the side slits 377a, 377b define edges which may be abutted by the shoulder portions 361 of the locking toe 360a.
  • slits 375a, 375b extend from the lower edge 374 and in part define a tab 378 between the slits 375a, 375b and the lower edge 374.
  • the tab 378 is, to some degree, flexible to allow that portion 378 of the first bottom panel 328a, immediately beneath the lower edge 374, to move inwardly and outwardly relative to the remainder of the first bottom panel 328a to facilitate the locking and unlocking of the locking toe 360a within the locking aperture 370a.
  • the two further apertures 370b, 370c struck from the first bottom panel 328a are each defined by an arcuate edge 384a, 384b and a curvilinear edge 382a, 382b.
  • Each of the locking apertures 370b, 370c is shaped and positioned to be in alignment with a respective locking heel 360b, 360c, such that when the blank 310 is formed into a wraparound carrier, each locking heel 360b, 360c can be inserted into the corresponding locking aperture 370b, 370c.
  • the main panels are sequentially folded about fold lines 338a, 330a, 340b, 338b, 346a, 344a, 344b and 346b around an assembled group of bottles (B).
  • two bottles are contained within the carrier 330 and the top panel 323 is placed on top of the bottles, the upper side panels and the upper and lower side panels 322a, 322b, are folded down the sides of the bottles (B), as are the lower side panels 320, 324.
  • the side panels 322a, 322b 320, 324 are in place, the first and second bottom panels 328a, 328b are interlocked to form a composite bottom wall and to complete the construction of the carrier 330.
  • the locking tab arrangement is pivoted about the fold lines 363, 365 and 367.
  • the locking tab arrangement is folded such that it is substantially perpendicular to the first bottom panel 328a as illustrated in Figure 9. From this position, the leading edges 366 of each locking heel 360b, 360c, can be inserted into the corresponding locking aperture 370b, 370c, by sliding the locking heels 360b, 360c against edges 382a, 382b.
  • the locking tab arrangement is then rotated about fold lines 363, 365 and 367 toward the first bottom panel 328a and into co-planar overlapping relationship.
  • the locking toe 360a then overlies a lower portion of the locking aperture 370 and the locking heels 360b, 360c lie in a co-planar relationship with an underside face of first bottom panel 328a.
  • the shoulders 361 of the locking toe 360a can then be pushed past the upper edge 374 of the locking aperture 370a, assisted by the slight inward displacement of tab 378.
  • the leading edge 362 of the locking toe 360a is also pushed past the lower edge 374 of the locking aperture 370a.
  • the tab 378 beneath lower edge 374 may displace or give inwardly of the aperture 370a until the locking toe 360a is pushed inside the aperture 370a.
  • the locking tab arrangement is prevented from sliding with respect to the lower side panel 328a by virtue of the shape of the locking toe and heels 360a, 360b, 360c and apertures 370a, 370b, 370c and the arrangement of slits 377a, 375a and curvilinear edges 383a, 385a.
  • the arcuate portions 368 and curvilinear ends 383a, 385a are oppositely angled thereby forming a strong and secure engaging edge when the first and second panels 328b, 328a are pulled in opposite directions, away from one another and this engagement serves to lock the panels together.
  • One benefit of utilising an offset locking toe and heel arrangement is that rotation of the first and second bottom panels 328a, 328b relative to one another is also restricted.
  • the locking toe 360a and locking heels 360b, 360c are positioned on the vertices of a notional isosceles triangle.
  • the centres of the locking apertures 370a, 370b and 370c define a triangular shape.
  • the centre of locking toe 360a lies on horizontal and vertical axes spaced and offset from the horizontal and vertical axes spaced and offset from the horizontal and vertical axes upon which the centre of each locking heel 360b, 360c lies.
  • the centres of the locking heels 360b, 360c lie on the same horizontal access which is parallel to fold line 367.
  • the diverging fold lines 63, 65 (163, 165, 263, 265, 363, 365) provide a hinge about which the locking tab 60 (160, 260) can pivot.
  • the pivotal movement of the locking tab in the present invention is more greatly controlled.
  • the hinging action is predetermined by the angle of the divergent fold lines, which can be optimised such that the whole locking tab is permitted to pivot sufficiently out of the plane of said panel to facilitate its insertion into the locking aperture but restricted by the divergent fold lines from folding further i.e.
  • the size and shape of the locking tab and locking aperture may be adjusted to accommodate panels of differing size or shape, providing that the lock and aperture are sized in complementary fashion to one another.
  • Other variations may also be made within the scope of the invention.
  • the size, shape, position of the fold lines 363, 365 (and 367) may be altered providing that the locking tab can still pivot or rotate about the hinged connection to assist the insertion of the locking tab into the locking aperture.
  • the interlocking mechanism of the present invention could be applied to a variety of cartons and its application is not limited to a wraparound carton.
  • the locking aperture and tab could be formed from opposite ends of a unitary blank, or indeed from two separate panels.
  • the locking mechanism of the present invention may contain only one locking heel provided in an offset position relative to the locking toe, the heel and toe to be received in separate apertures. It is also envisaged that for larger carriers or other applications of the panel interlocking means that the locking tab arrangement could comprise more than one locking toe and more than two locking heels.
  • the locking toe to locking heel ratio may or may not be 1:2, for example in a carrier containing a row of 4 bottles, the locking tab arrangement may comprise two locking toes offset and intermediate a series of three locking heels. In this case the locking aperture arrangement would comprise five apertures arranged in a substantially trapezoidal form.
  • 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 the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système d'emboîtement de panneaux permettant de fixer ensemble une paire de panneaux (28a, 28b). Ces deux panneaux peuvent former des panneaux superposés d'une boîte en carton. Le système d'emboîtement comprend une languette de verrouillage (60) comportant un talon (60b) et une pointe (60a). La languette de verrouillage est placée à proximité d'une extrémité (40) de l'un (28b) des panneaux et est articulée au niveau de son centre par rapport à ce panneau au moyen d'une paire de lignes de pliage divergentes (63, 65). Le système d'emboîtement comprend également une ou plusieurs ouvertures de verrouillage (70) prévues dans l'autre (28a) panneau. La ou les ouvertures se présentent sous une forme complémentaire à la languette de verrouillage. Pour verrouiller les panneaux ensemble, la languette de verrouillage est insérée dans la ou les ouvertures. L'insertion de la languette de verrouillage est facilitée à la fois par le talon et la pointe de la languette de verrouillage, laquelle peut pivoter sur les lignes de pliage divergentes.
PCT/US2006/006343 2005-02-18 2006-02-18 Systeme d'emboitement pour panneaux de boite en carton WO2006089305A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/816,513 US20080257945A1 (en) 2005-02-18 2006-02-18 Interlocking Means for Carton Panels

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0503423.6 2005-02-18
GB0503423A GB0503423D0 (en) 2005-02-18 2005-02-18 Interlocking means for carton panels
GB0516599.8 2005-08-12
GB0516599A GB0516599D0 (en) 2005-08-12 2005-08-12 Interlocking means for carton panels

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006089305A1 true WO2006089305A1 (fr) 2006-08-24

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PCT/US2006/006343 WO2006089305A1 (fr) 2005-02-18 2006-02-18 Systeme d'emboitement pour panneaux de boite en carton

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US (1) US20080257945A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006089305A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

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EP2025607A1 (fr) 2007-08-15 2009-02-18 MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems LLC Carton avec des moyens de verrouillage et découpe associée
WO2010104812A1 (fr) 2009-03-11 2010-09-16 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc Support d'article enveloppant présentant un élément de retenue inférieur
WO2020041131A1 (fr) * 2018-08-22 2020-02-27 Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc Carton et découpe associée
TWI799465B (zh) * 2017-11-14 2023-04-21 美商偉斯特洛克包裝系統有限責任公司 紙箱及其胚片

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JP6163873B2 (ja) * 2013-05-21 2017-07-19 凸版印刷株式会社 カートン
EP3140214B1 (fr) * 2014-05-05 2018-08-29 WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC Dispositif de verrouillage de panneaux pour carton et son ébauche
AU2020221455A1 (en) * 2019-02-12 2021-09-02 Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc Panel interlocking device

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US4773540A (en) * 1987-08-31 1988-09-27 Manville Corporation Carton panel locking arrangement
GB2276610A (en) * 1993-04-01 1994-10-05 Crest Cartons Ltd Wraparound carton holder

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2025607A1 (fr) 2007-08-15 2009-02-18 MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems LLC Carton avec des moyens de verrouillage et découpe associée
WO2010104812A1 (fr) 2009-03-11 2010-09-16 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc Support d'article enveloppant présentant un élément de retenue inférieur
CN102348610A (zh) * 2009-03-11 2012-02-08 米德韦斯特瓦科包装系统有限责任公司 具有底部保持特征的包裹式物品载架
TWI799465B (zh) * 2017-11-14 2023-04-21 美商偉斯特洛克包裝系統有限責任公司 紙箱及其胚片
WO2020041131A1 (fr) * 2018-08-22 2020-02-27 Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc Carton et découpe associée

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