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
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
  • B65D5/16—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body the tubular body being formed with an aperture or removable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents through one or more sides
• • 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
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/54—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing
  • B65D5/5405—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form
  • B65D5/541—Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a package comprising a carton, a blank for forming the carton, and one or more articles. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a carton having a detachable access structure for providing access to articles in the package and to a blank for forming such a carton.
• Such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information.
• Such cartons are useful for enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages.
• a consumer frequently desires to remove one or more articles and yet retain the remaining articles together within the carton.
• it is desirable to have a carton with an access structure that facilitates a consumer's access to and removal of articles whilst securely retaining any articles that remain in the carton.
• Fully-enclosed type cartons that are loaded with articles from their ends are well-known.
• a carton of the fully enclosed-end-loading type is disclosed in WO2002/47990 (to the present applicant).
• Advanced packaging machinery is available for the high-speed construction and loading of end-loading type cartons.
• WO2007/033267 to the present applicant
• an advanced packaging machine is disclosed that is suitable for the end-loading of cartons. It is further desirable for a new carton or package to be compatible with known packaging machines, so that construction of a carton and loading of that carton with articles can be automated using machinery that is already in use, without any or only little modification of that machinery being required.
• cartons or carriers 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. It may be further desirable for a new carton or package to be compatible with slot-handle carrying arrangements.
• the present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of packaging by providing an access structure that facilitates access to one or more articles, whilst at the same time enabling any remaining articles to be held within the carton.
• the access structure is deployable in a carton arrangement that is fully-enclosed, of the end loading type, compatible with known packaging machinery and/or compatible with known handle arrangements.
• the present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.
• a carton for packaging articles comprising a detachable access structure formed in part of a composite end wall comprising: a first major end flap, a second major end flap, a first minor end flap and a second minor end flap, wherein the first major end flap overlays upper portions of the first and second minor end flaps and wherein the second major end flap overlays lower portions of the first and second minor end flaps, the detachable access structure comprising: a frangible section of each minor end flap defined by first and second frangible lines; a frangible section of the second major end flap defined by a third frangible connection; and at least a portion of the first major end flap defined by a fourth frangible line such that upon separation of the detachable access structure only a part of the composite end wall is removed.
• the carton comprises a tubular body comprising: a top wall; first and second side walls; and a bottom wall and wherein the first major end flap is a top end closure panel hinged to the top wall; the second major end flap is a bottom end closure panel hinged to the bottom wall; and the first and second minor end flaps are each side end closure panels hinged to the first and second side walls respectively.
• the fourth frangible line is coincident with and/or provides a hinge connection between the top end closure panel and the top wall and serves to separate the access structure from the top wall.
• first and second frangible lines are partially coincident with and/or provide a hinge connection between the side end closure panels and the side walls and serve to separate the access structure from the side walls.
• the third frangible connection separates the bottom end closure panel into two portions: a first portion that forms part of the access structure and is separable from the carton and a second portion that remains attached to the carton side and bottom walls to provide a stopper wall to retain articles disposed within the remainder of the carton.
• the first and second frangible connections separate each side end closure panel into two portions: a first portion that forms part of the access structure and is separable from the carton, and a second portion that remains attached to the carton side wall and provides a stopper wall with the bottom end closure panel to retain articles disposed within the remainder of the carton.
• the third frangible connection and/or one or both of the first and second frangible connections is/are provided at least in part by a tear strip defined by two substantially parallel frangible lines.
• only the third frangible connection and the first frangible connection are provided at least in part by a tear strip and the second frangible connection is provided by a single frangible line.
• the tear strip in the bottom end closure panel and the tear strip in the first side end closure panel are affixed to one another and wherein the tear strip in the bottom end closure panel is disposed outermost of the carton.
• the third frangible connection is provided entirely by a tear strip and an upper portion of the bottom end closure panel above the tear strip is affixed to the top end closure panel.
• the bottom end closure panel below the tear strip is affixed to lower remaining portions of the side end closure panels.
• a blank of foldable sheet material pre-cut and creased to form a carton comprising a detachable access structure
• the blank comprises: a first major end flap, a second major end flap, a first minor end flap and a second minor end flap for forming a composite end wall of the carton
• the detachable access structure is formed from: a frangible section of each minor end flap defined by first and second frangible lines; a frangible section of the second major end flap defined by a third frangible connection; and at least a portion of the first major end flap defined by a fourth frangible connection such that detachable access structure formed therefrom is comprised entirely within the composite end wall of the carton.
• FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURE 2. is a perspective view from the top and a composite end wall of a carton or package formed from the blank of Figure 1 ;
• FIGURE 3. is a further perspective view from the top, end and side of the carton of Figure 2 wherein detachment of a detachable access structure has been initiated;
• FIGURE 4 further perspective view from the top, end and side of the carton of Figure 3 wherein detachment of a detachable access structure has been further progressed; and FIGURE 5. is a perspective view from the end, side and top of the carton of Figures 3 and 4 wherein detachment of the detachable access structure has been completed, exposing a front most row of articles for individual removal from the carton/package.
• the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non- limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as bottles.
• teachings of the invention can be applied to various containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical.
• Other exemplary articles include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.
• a blank 310 that is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate, in this example, paperboard.
• suitable substrate includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks 310 may be employed, for example, to provide the carton and package described in more detail below.
• the blank 310 is configured to form a carton 330 (see Figures 2 to 5) for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles.
• the arrangement is a 3 x 4 matrix and the articles are optionally glass bottles A.
• the blank 310 may alternatively be configured to form a carton for packaging other articles and/or different arrangements of articles.
• the blank 310 comprises a hinged series of main panels 318, 316, 314, 312 for forming the main body of a tubular carton 330 (see Figures 2 to 5), optionally of the end loading, fully enclosed type.
• the hinged series of main panels includes a top panel 318, a first side panel 316, a bottom panel 314 and a second side panel 312 interconnected by crease or fold lines 317, 315 and 313 respectively.
• Each end of the series of main panels 318, 316, 314, 312 is provided with an end closure flap 328a, 328b, 321 c/321 d, 326b, 323b, 324b, 321 b/321 a, 322b.
• Top end closure flaps 328a, 328b are hinged to each end of the top panel 318 by fold lines 325d, 327d; side end closure flaps 321 c/321 d, 326b, 321 b/321 a, 322b are hinged to each end of the first and second side panels 316, 312 respectively, by fold lines 325c, 327c, 325a, 327a; and bottom end closure flaps 323b, 324b are hinged to each end of the bottom panel 314 by hinge connections 325b and 327b.
• end closure flaps 328a, 328b, 321 c/321 d, 326b, 321 b/321 a, 322b, 323b, 324b, at each end of the main body panels 318, 316, 314, 312 can be folded about their connecting hinge lines 325d, 327d, 325c, 327c, 325a, 327a, 325b and 327b respectively, to form composite end walls that at least partially close each end of the carton 330.
• Larger sized top and bottom end closure flaps 328a, 328b, 323b, 324b may be referred to as major end closure flaps or major flaps 328a, 328b, 323b, 324b.
• Smaller sized side end closure flaps 321 c/321 d, 326b321 a/321 b, 322b may be referred to as minor end closure flaps or dust flaps or minor flaps 321 c/321 d, 326b321 a/321 b, 322b.
• a glue panel 320 is hinged, optionally, to the top panel 318 along fold line 319 and is provided for affixing the top panel 318 to the second side panel 312.
• the blank 310 may be partially constructed, optionally by applying adhesive to the glue panel 320 and folding the blank 310 about fold line 315 so that the bottom panel 314 at least partially overlays the first side panel 316 and so that the second side panel 312 at least partially overlays the top panel 318 and the glue panel 320.
• the second side panel 312 can be affixed to the top panel 318 to form a part-formed flat-folded blank 310 that may be shipped to a converter plant and loaded into a hopper of a packaging machine.
• the part-formed blank 310 may be opened into an open-ended tubular structure, loaded from one or both ends with articles, such as bottles A and closed using the composite end wall structures 328a/321 c/321 d/323b/321 a; 328b/326b/324b/322b.
• handle apertures are provided for assisting with the lifting and carrying of the carton package 330 formed from the blank 310.
• the handle apertures may be provided with cushioning flaps hinged by fold lines 372, 368 to the top end closure flaps 328a, 328b respectively.
• Notches 364, 362 are optionally provided in the minor end flaps 321 d/321 c, 321 a/321 b, 326b, 322b to enable the handle aperture and cushioning flap to function properly by allowing a user to grasp the carton 330.
• the minor end flaps 321 d/321 c, 321 a/321 b, 326b, 322b are sized such that they would otherwise obscure part of the handle apertures (denoted generally by 370, 366), but the notches 364, 362 formed therein allow the handle cushioning flaps and a user's hand to move inside the carton 330.
• the minor end flaps 321 d/321 c, 321 a/321 b, 326b, 322b may be otherwise shaped, structured or formed so that they do not obstruct the handle apertures (denoted generally by 370, 366).
• the handle apertures may not be provided in the end walls, may not interfere with the minor end flaps 321 d/321 c, 321 a/321 b, 326b, 322b, and notches 364, 362 may not be required.
• the present invention provides an access structure, (also referred to as access means, dispenser or detachable portion).
• the access structure comprises a series of frangible sections (also referred to as perforable sections) 328a, 321 d, 323a, 321 a, 376, 332 (including an initiating sections/tear strips 376, 332).
• the frangible sections 328a, 321 d, 323a, 321 a, 376, 332 are defined by a series of frangible lines (also referred to as perforable lines) 352, 340, 334, 374a, 374b, 374c, 374d and 338, an initiating section notch 378 and a recess R.
• the recess R is formed as a substantially "V" shaped notch or cutout defined by convergent, non-parallel side cuts 370a, 370b and a blunt termination 373.
• the frangible line 334 that in part defines the frangible section 321 d, terminates at the straight or blunt termination 373 of the recess R.
• the recess R described above facilitates the separation of the minor end closure flap 321 c/321 d into two separate sections.
• the termination 373 of the recess may be pointed or curved.
• the access structure is provided at only one end of the carton 330. In other envisaged embodiments, an access structure may be provided only at the other end of the carton 330, or optionally at both ends of the carton 330.
• the carton 330 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction.
• the folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
• the part-formed, flat folded blank 310 (formed after attaching glue panel 320 to the second side panel 312) can be opened into an open-ended tubular sleeve.
• the carton 330 comprises two composite end wall structures, each constructed by first folding the minor end flaps 321 c/321 d, 321 a/321 b; 326b, 322b about their respective connections 340/325C, 338.325a; 327c, 327a with the main panels 316, 312.
• the major end flaps 323b and 324b connected to the main panel 314 may then be folded about their respective connection 325b, 327b, with the bottom panel 314 into at least partial overlaying arrangement with the minor end flaps 321 c/321d, 321 a/321 b; 326b, 322b respectively.
• at least the tear strip 330 provided in the minor end panel 321 a/321 b, and preferably also the minor end flap 321 a is affixed to overlapping portions of the underside-face of the bottom end closure flap 323a/376.
• adhesive may be applied to one or both of the relevant portions of the minor end flap 321 a and the bottom end closure flap 323a/376.
• Adhesive may be applied to either the remaining major end flap 328a, 328b and/or the folded major end flaps 323b, 324b and/or the minor end flaps 321 c/321d, 321 a/321 b, 326b, 322b.
• the remaining major end flaps 328a, 328b are then folded about the connection 325d, 327d with the top panel 318 and affixed to the major end flap 323b, 324b disposed beneath it and/or the minor end flaps 321 c/321 d, 321 a/321 b, 326b, 322b.
• the top end closure panel 328a forming part of the access structure is affixed to the upper portions 321 d, 321 a of the minor end flaps 321 c/321 d, 321 a/321 b and to the upper portion 323a of the outside-face of the bottom end closure flap 323b.
• the frangible sections 328a, 321 d, 323a, 376, 321 a, 332 are connected or affixed together and may be removed substantially as a unitary piece or component 328a/321d/323a/321 a (as is described below), albeit with the tear strip 376/332 being removed as a separate detachable piece.
• the access structure in Figure 2 is shown in its unused state, wherein the carton structure 330 is intact and the articles A are not accessible. It can be seen that the frangible line 352 is disposed in complete co-incidence with the hinge connection 325d between the top panel 318 and the top end closure panel 328a (also illustrated in Figure 1 ).
• the top end closure panel 328a provides a first frangible section of the access structure which may be completely removed from the carton 330 when the access structure is detached, to provide a full-carton-width opening of at least approximately half-carton-depth (see Figures 4 and 5).
• the top end closure panel 328a is affixed, (optionally by hot-melt adhesive, but other suitable affixing means may be used), to an upper portion 323a of the bottom end closure flap 323b; to an upper portion 321 d of the first side end closure flap 321 c/321 d; and to an upper portion 321 a of the second side end closure flap 321 a/321 b (as described above).
• the top end closure flap 328a may optionally have tapered side edges and, apart from the frangible hinge connection 352 with the top panel 318, is otherwise not connected to part of the carton 330 body that is not also part of the access structure.
• the top end closure panel 328a may serve to connect together each other frangible section 321 d, 323a, 321 a of the access structure.
• frangible lines 340, 334 are disposed in the minor end closure flap 321 c/321 d and are configured to separate the minor end closure flap 321 c/321 d into two sections: 321 d which is removed with the access structure; and 321 c which remains attached to the carton 330 (via the hinge connection 325c with the first side panel 316).
• Frangible lines 374a, 374b disposed in the major end closure flap 323b form a perforable tear strip 376.
• an initiator section may be provided to assist a user in grasping the tear strip 376.
• an underlying minor flap 321 a additionally comprises a portion of tear strip 332 defined by frangible or perforable lines 374c, 374d, along with an initiator section 378.
• the further frangible line 338 disposed in the minor end closure flap 321 a/321 d is configured to separate the minor end closure flap 321 a/321 b into two sections: 321 a which is removed with the access structure; and 321 b which remains attached to the carton 330 (via the hinge connection 325a with the second side panel 312).
• the initiator section 378 is provided for starting the detachment of the detachable access structure.
• the initiator section 378 comprises an aperture formed in the minor end flap 321 a/321 b.
• the initiator section 378 may be formed in the major bottom end flap 323a/323b.
• the initiator section 378 may comprise a push tab which may be defined at least in part by a frangible line or weakened line or fold line. Such a push tab may provide a weakened area which may more easily be broken away from the remainder of the minor end flap 321 a/321 b (or in yet further envisaged embodiments broken away from the major bottom end flap 323b).
• a user can exploit the initiator section aperture 378 to achieve a sufficiently strong grasp of the composite tear strip 376/332 for pulling on the composite tear strip 376/332 to propagate a tear or break along the frangible lines 374a, 374b, 374c, 374d (see Figure 3).
• the frangible line 334 may be broken such that both minor flaps 321 a/321 b, 321 c/321d are separated into their two parts. A user may then pull the remaining frangible sections upwardly to break the connections 340, 338 that are disposed co-incidentally with the hinge connections with the adjacent first and second side walls 316, 312 (see Figure 3).
• the detachable access structure can be completely separated from the remainder of the carton 330 by propagating a tear or break along the frangible connection 352 formed co-incidentally with the vertex or corner between the top end closure flap 328a and the top panel 318.
• no portion, or at least no substantial portion of any of the top panel 318, first side panel 316 or second side panel 312 is removed from the carton 330.
• Only a portion of a composite end wall structure is removed.
• the carton body 330 thereby retains its structural integrity and can be used to hold and retain the articles A contained therein.
• the remaining portion 323b/321 c/321 b of the composite end wall forms a stopper wall of sufficiently high height to resist unintentional egress of any articles and yet of sufficiently low height to enable a consumer to easily remove an article through the opening provided.
• the body of the carton retains its structural integrity after detachment of the access structure.
• the carton 330 may be stored in a humid environment, such as a refrigerator (humidity can weaken the paperboard substrate) and/or where the carton 330 contains heavy articles (such as 12oz/330ml glass bottles).
• a consumer it is desirable for a consumer to be able to place the carton 330 in a refrigerator where storage and shelf height restrictions may make access via the top of the carton more difficult.
• the need to withdraw articles through the top panel of the carton and, therefore, the need for height above the carton 330 within the refrigerator is alleviated.
• the relative orientation of the articles and carton bottom, top and end walls may be more of a consideration where the articles are tapered, such as bottles A, and for stability reasons as well as for the protection of frangible articles (where the bottles are glass) it is desirable to keep the carton 330 oriented such that its bottom panel 314 upon which the bases of the articles A are in contact, remains bottommost.
• a frangible access opening may additionally be provided in the top panel 318 for providing an additional or alternative access point for a user, who may not choose to stow the carton within their fridge.
• hinged connection and "fold line” refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank.
• a fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. Any reference to hinged connection or fold line should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from any one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
• severed line refers to all manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, tear lines, cut lines, or slits.
• hinged connection, severance lines and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like.
• the elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality.
• a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line.
• the line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.

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

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (3)

Citations (7)

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• 2013
  • 2013-05-15 AU AU2013262795A patent/AU2013262795A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-05-15 WO PCT/US2013/041224 patent/WO2013173503A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-05-15 BR BR112015000564A patent/BR112015000564A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2013-05-15 NZ NZ703718A patent/NZ703718A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2013-06-07 TW TW102120272A patent/TWI481532B/zh active

Patent Citations (7)

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