WO2012071247A2

WO2012071247A2 - Carton and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2012071247A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/061291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnaud Demange
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc
Priority date: 2010-11-26
Filing date: 2011-11-18
Publication date: 2012-05-31
Also published as: WO2012071247A3; GB201020105D0

Abstract

A carton for packaging one or more articles (C) comprises a first wall (12) and a second wall (16). The first wall (12) comprises a first part (30) of an article retainer, struck therefrom, and the second wall comprises a second part (30) of the article retainer, struck therefrom. The first and second parts (30) are hinged to the the first and second walls (12, 16) respectively and are folded out of the planes of the the first and second walls (12, 16) respectively so as to at least partially overlap with one another. The overlapping parts of the first and second parts are secured to one another for securing at least one of the one or more articles (C) within the carton.

Description

CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a carton and blank for forming the same, more specifically, but not exclusively to a carton for packaging articles or article groups of different dimension.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION in the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers, such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles comprising a first wall and a second wall, the first wail comprising a first part of an article retainer, struck therefrom, and the second wall comprising a second part of the article retainer, struck therefrom, wherein the first and second parts are hinged to the respective one of the first or second walls and are folded out of the plane of the respective one of the first or second walls so as to at least partially overlap with one another, overlapping parts of the first and second parts being secured to one another for securing at least one of said one or more articles within the carton.

Preferably, the first and/or second part comprises an opening for receiving a portion of an article.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising the carton hereinbefore described wherein the package comprises a plurality of articles arranged in at least a first and second tier and said article retainer engages with at least one article in each of the first and second tiers.

Preferably, the package comprises at least a third tier of articles and at least one of the first or second walls comprises a tab struck therefrom and folded out of the plane of the panel from it is formed and inserted between a pair of adjacent articles in the third tier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging a first article or group of articles having a first dimension and a second article or group of articles having a second dimension said carton comprising a first wall and a second wall, each of said first and second walls being coupled to a base panel, wherein the first and second walls comprise a first and second part respectively of a first article retainer and a first and second part of a second article retainer, wherein the first article retainer can be use to retain an article or group of articles having a first dimension and the second article retainer can be used to retainer an article or group of articles having a second dimension. Preferably, the first article retainer comprises a first tab struck from the first wall and a second tab struck from the second wall, said first and second tabs being folded out of the plane of the respective panel from which they are struck and placed in overlapping relationship, at least in part, with one another and secured thereto. Preferably, the first and/or second tab comprises an opening for receiving a portion of an article. Preferably, each of the first and second walls comprise a fold line which define in part a first and second end closure panel forming the second article retainer, the first and second end closure panels are severabiy connected to a portion of the base panel said portion of the base panel forming an end closure securing panel which is folded into overlapping relationship, at least in part, with both of said first and second end closure panels.

Preferably, a hinge line coupling the first and second end closure panel to the respective one of the first or second walls is offset from a hinge line coupling the end closure securing panel to the base panel. Preferably, the fold line defining in part the first and/or second end closure panels is offset from the fold line coupling the first and second parts of the first article retainer to the respective one of the first or second walls.

Preferably, the fold line coupling the first and second parts of the first article retainer to the respective one of the first or second wails is disposed between the fold line defining in part the first and/or second end closure panels and a free end edge of the respective first or second wall, so that its hinged connection is located within the first or second end closure panel respectively. Preferably, the carton comprises an engaging tab hingedly connected to the first and/or second walls which engaging tab is folded out of the plane of the panel from which it is struck and inserted between a pair of adjacent articles. Preferably, the fold line coupling the engaging tab to the panel from which it is struck is co- linear with the fold line coupling the first or second end closure panels to the first or second wall respectively. Preferably, the fold line coupling the engaging tab to the panel from which it is struck and/or the fold line coupling the first or second end closure panels to the first or second wall respectively are spaced from the free end edge of the panel from which they are struck by first distance, the first distance being equal to a dimension of an article to be packaged. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a carton as herein before described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1. is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2. is a perspective view from above of a first stage of assembly of a package according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3. is a perspective view from above of an end of a package formed from the blank of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4A. is a perspective view from above of a side of a package formed from the blank of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4B. is a perspective view from above of a side of an alternative package formed from the blank of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 5. is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6. is a perspective view from above of a package formed from the blank of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7. is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 8. is a perspective view from above of an end of the package formed from the blank of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9. is a perspective view from above of a side of the package formed from the blank of FIGURE 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, material or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1 there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a carton for packaging primary products such as, but not limited to yoghurt pots, hereinafter referred to as articles C as illustrated in FIGURE 2. In alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the invention could be employed with bottles, cans, pouches or other product containers. Preferably, the articles C comprise a flange F or protrusion by which two or more articles C may be coupled together. Optionally, the flange F is located at an upper region of the article C.

Blank 10 comprises a series of main panels 12, 14, 16 hinged one to the next in a linear series. First side panel 12 is hinged to base panel 14 along fold line 13, a base panel 14 is hinged to second side panel 16 along fold line 15.

First and second side panels 12, 16 are substantially the same in construction and will be described by reference to the first side panel 12.

First side panel 12 comprises a first fold line 17A extending perpendicularly from fold line 13 to a free side edge; first fold line 17A defines a first end region ISA of first side panel 12 which may form a first end flap ISA of an erected carton, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4A,

First side panel 12 comprises a second fold line 17B extending perpendicularly from fold line 13 to free side edge; second fold line 17B defines second end region 18B of first side panel 12, which may form a second end flap 18B at the end of the carton in FIGURES 3 and 4A opposite to the first end flap 18A. The first and second end flaps 18A, 18B are severabiy connected along the fold line 13 to portions of the base panel 14. (These portions of the base panel 14 form bottom end flaps 20A, 20B which will be discussed later.) Stated differently, the segments of the fold line 13 which connect the first and second end flaps ISA, 18B to the bottom panel 14 respectively can serve either as fold lines or as severance lines.

A first engaging tab 24A is defined by a first cut line 29A and by a fold line 25A. Fold line 25A is co-linear with first fold line 17A.

A second engaging tab 24B is defined by a first cut line 29A and by a fold line 25B. Fold line 25B is co-linear with second fold line 17B.

An aperture 28 is struck from first side panel 12. The aperture 28 is provided to ventilate the carton contents, especially useful when the carton is loaded with chilled food stuffs or beverages.

A handle structure is provided in the first side panel 12 and comprises a handle flap 26 coupled to first side panel 12 by a fold line 27.

The first and second side panels 12, 16 each comprise a pair of end tabs 30; each end tab 30 is substantially the same in construction and will be described by reference to end tab 30 shown struck from second side panel 16 in FIGURE 1. End tab 30 comprises a first portion 32A struck from second side panel 16 and a second portion 34A struck from second end region 22B. First portion 32A is coupled to second portion 34A by a fold line 39, Fold line 39 is co-linear with fold line 21B which couples second end region 22B to second side panel 16. Second portion 34A is coupled to second end region by a fold line 37. An opening 36 is struck from second portion 34A and extends from fold line 39 to fold 37.

Opening 36 is preferably elongate in shape to define a slit or slot, and dimensioned to accommodate a portion of a flange F of an article C.

Base panel 14 comprises a third fold line 19A extending between fold line 13 and fold line 15, to define a first bottom end flap 20A.

Base panel 14 further comprises a fourth fold line 19B extending between fold line 13 and fold line 15, to define a second bottom end flap 20B.

Third fold line 19A is offset inwardly from the end edge, with respect to fold lines 17A and 21A in the first and second side panels 12, 16 respectively. Similarly, fourth fold line 19B is offset from fold lines 17B and 21B.

The fold lines 19A, 19B are offset from the respective fold lines 17A, 21A, 17B, 22B by at least a distance equal to the thickness of the material from which the blank 10 is formed. This allows the end regions ISA, 18B 22A, 22B to be folded to be substantially perpendicular to the first and second side panels 12, 16 respectively, when the first and second bottom end flaps 20A, 20B are folded to be perpendicular to the base panel 14.

Turning to the construction of the carton as illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, it is envisaged that the carton 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 the construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. The first stage of assembly involves placing a group of articles C onto the base panel 14 as best illustrated in FIGURE 2, The next stage is dependent upon the number of articles C placed on the base panel 14. The blank 10 is capable of packaging two differently sized groups of articles C or in alternative embodiment two differently sized articles. In the illustrated example the blank 10 is capable of packaging either thirty two (32) articles C arranged in four tiers stacked one on top of each other; each tier comprising an array, each array comprising eight articles C in a two by four configuration. This article group hereinafter is referred to as the "small article group".

The blank 10 is also capable of packaging forty eight (48) articles C again arranged in four tiers stacked one on top of each other, each array comprising twelve articles C arranged in a two by six configuration. This article group hereinafter is referred to as the "large article group".

The blank 10 is adaptable to package either the large article group or the small article group. In the preferred embodiment, the small article group is shorter than the large article group, preferably by an integer number of articles C. The small article group comprises same height and width dimension as the large article group.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the group of thirty two (32) articles C is placed upon the base panel 14. The end flaps 20A, 20B are folded in the direction of arrow Dl out of the plane of the blank 10 about the group of articles C to be substantially perpendicular to the base panel 14 as shown in FIGURE 2.

The engaging tabs 24A, 24B are folded out of the plane of each of the first or second side panels 12, 16 as shown in FIGURE 2. The first and second side panels 12, 16 are then folded about the group of articles C to be substantially perpendicular with the base panel 14.

In doing so the engaging tabs 24A, 24B are inserted between the flange F of a first array of articles C which are lowermost and a second array of articles C directly above the lowermost array; the engaging tabs 24A, 24B engage about the endmost articles C in the second array.

Adhesive G is applied to the bottom end flaps 20A, 20B as shown in FIGURE 2. The first and second end regions ISA, 18B, 22A, 22B of the first and second side panels 12, 16 are then folded about the ends of the group of articles C and secured to the respective bottom end flaps 20A, 20B, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4A.

When used to package a group of 48 articles C, the first and second end regions ISA, 18B, 22A, 22B are not folded about the end of the article group, nor are the bottom end flaps 20A, 20B, folded upwardly about the end of the article group.

The large group of articles C comprises four tiers of articles C each arranged in a two by six configuration. The first tier of articles C is lowermost and is placed upon the base panel 14; the second tier is placed directly on top of the first tier, the fourth tier is uppermost.

The large group of articles C is placed upon the base panel 14; the large group of articles C extends substantially along the entire length of the base panel 14, including the bottom end flaps 20A, 20 B.

The first and second side panels 12, 16 are folded about the sides of the large article group. The first and second engaging tabs 24A, 24B are received between the endmost articles C and their adjacent neighbour within the second tier of articles C. The end tabs 30 are folded out of the plane of the first and second side panels 12, 16 about fold line 37, prior to folding the first and second side panels 12, 16 about the article group so that they may be placed about the endmost articles C, such that the flange F of the end most articles C in the third tier is received in a respective one of the openings 36; an upper portion of the end tabs 30 engages with endmost articles C in the uppermost fourth tier and a lower portion of the end tabs 30 engage with endmost articles C in the third tier, as shown in FIGURE 4B.

Adhesive is applied to one of the first portions 32 of the end tabs 30 such that when the end tab 30 coupled to the first side panel 12 is placed in overlapping relationship with the end tab 30 coupled to the second side panel 16, they are secured together.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 to 9 there is shown alternative embodiments of the present invention. In the second and third illustrated embodiments, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix "100" or "200" and so on to indicate that these features belong to the second or third embodiment. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 will be described in any greater detail.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention in which fold lines 17A, 17B, 19A, 19B, 21A, 21B have been omitted. The base panel 14 is dimensioned to accommodate the small article group. The first and second engaging tabs 24A, 24B have been replaced with apertures 140.

The handle structures have been moved from its location between the first and second engaging tabs 24A, 24B to be adjacent the fold line 113, 115 respectively; such that a portion of the cut line defining, in part the handle flap 126 is co-linear with the fold lines 113, 115 respectively.

A third aperture 128 on each side panel 112 or 116 is located between apertures 140 in the respective side panel while t third apertures 128 each provides a means for air to circulate about the carton contents.

The blank of FIGURE 5 is assembled by folding the end tabs 130A, 130B out of the respective planes of the first and second side panels 112, 116.

The first and second side panels 112, 116 are folded about the group of articles C. Adhesive is applied to one of the end tabs 130 coupled to the first or second side panels 112, 116. The end tab 130A coupled to the first side panel 112 is placed in overlapping relationship with the end tab 130B coupled to the second side panel 116 such that at least a part of the first portions 132A, 132B of the end tabs 130A, 130B are in overlapping relationship with one another, so as to form the package P illustrated in FIGURE 6.

The flange F of the endmost article C in the third tier is received within the opening 136A, 136B. FIGURES 7 to 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. The blank 210 is dimensioned to accommodate a group of forty eight (48) articles, arranged in four tiers, each tier comprising an array of twelve articles C in a two by six configuration.

The third embodiment is similar in construction to the first embodiment; however the fold lines 17A, 17B, 19A, 19B, 21 A, 21B have been omitted. The apertures 28 have been omitted.

The fold lines 225 coupling the engaging tabs 224 to the respective first or second side panels 212, 216 are offset from the adjacent fold lines 239A, 239B which interconnects the adjacent first portions 232A, 232B of the end tabs 230A, 230B to the respective second portions 234A, 234B of the end tabs 230A, 230B.

The blank 210 is assembled into a package P as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 using the same method as described previously for blank 10 and blank 110. it can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels, openings and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape or different numbers of articles. it will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "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 the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A carton for packaging at least one article, the carton comprising a first wall and a second wall, the first wall comprising a first part of an article retainer and struck therefrom and the second wall comprising a second part of the article retainer, struck therefrom, wherein the first and second parts are hinged to the first and second walls respectively and are folded out of the respective planes of the first and second wails into an article-retaining position where the first and second parts are secured to one another in an overlapping arrangement to retain at least one article within the carton.

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second parts comprises an opening for receiving a portion of an article.

3. A package comprising the carton according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the package comprises a plurality of articles arranged in at least a pair of first and second tiers and said article retainer engages with at least one of the articles in each of the first and second tiers.

4. A package according to claim 3 wherein the at least a pair of first and second tiers includes a third tier of articles and wherein at least one of the first and second wails comprises a tab struck therefrom and folded out of the plane of the at least one of the first and second walls, and the tab is inserted between a pair of adjacent articles in the third tier.

5. A carton for packaging a first article or group of articles having a first dimension and a second article or group of articles having a second dimension, said carton comprising a first wall and a second wall, each of said first and second wails being coupled to a base panel, wherein the first and second walls comprise a first article retainer and a second article retainer, wherein the first article retainer can be used to retain an article or group of articles having a first dimension and the second article retainer can be used to retainer an article or group of articles having a second dimension.

6. A carton according to claim 5 wherein the first article retainer comprises a first tab struck from the first wall and a second tab struck from the second wall, said first and second tabs being folded out of the respective planes of the first and second walls and placed in overlapping relationship, at least in part, with one another and secured thereto.

7. A carton according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the first and second tabs comprises an opening for receiving a portion of an article.

8. A carton according to claim 5 wherein the first and second walls comprise fold lines respectively, the fold lines define in part first and second end closure panels respectively to form the second article retainer, the first and second end closure panels are severably connected to a portion of the base panel, said portion of the base panel forming an end closure securing panel which is folded into overlapping relationship, at least in part, with both of said first and second end closure panels.

9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the fold lines coupling the first and second end closure panels to the first or second wails are offset from a hinge line coupling the end closure securing panel to the base panel.

10. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the fold lines defining in part the first and second end closure panels are offset from a fold line coupling the first article retainer to at least one of the first and second walls.

11. A carton according to claim 10 wherein the fold line coupling the first article retainer to the at least one of the first and second walls is disposed between the fold lines defining in part the first and second end closure panels and a free end edges of the first and second walls so that the fold line of the first article retainer is located within at least one of the first and second end closure panels.

12. A carton according to any of claims 8 to 11 comprising at least one engaging tab hingediy connected to at least one of the first and second walls, the at least one engaging tab being folded out of the plane of the at least one of the first and second walls and inserted between a pair of adjacent articles.

13. A carton according to claim 12 wherein a fold line coupling the at least one engaging tab to the at least one of the first and second wails is co-linear with the fold lines coupling the at least one of the first and second walls to a respective one of the end closure panels.

14. A carton according to claim 12 wherein at least one of a fold line coupling the at least one engaging tab to the at least one of the first and second walls and each of the fold lines coupling the first or second end closure panels to the first or second walls respectively is spaced from the free end edges of the first and second wails by a first distance, the first distance being equal to a dimension of an article to be packaged.

15. A blank for forming a carton according to any preceding claim.

16. A carton for packaging articles substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying FIGURES.

17. A blank for packaging articles substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying FIGURES.

18. A method of packaging articles substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying FIGURES.