WO2014046957A1

WO2014046957A1 - Package, carton and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2014046957A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/059419
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bradford J WALLING; Aaron L Bates
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc
Priority date: 2012-09-18
Filing date: 2013-09-12
Publication date: 2014-03-27
Also published as: MX2015003504A; EP2897880A1; CA2884739A1

Abstract

A package includes a carton (90) and a group of bottles (B). The carton includes a top panel (14), a bottom panel (20) and first (16, 18) and second side panels (22, 24). Each of the first and second side panels has a notional longitudinal line (17, 23) at an elevation above the bottom panel below shoulders of the bottles. The opposed ends of the tubular structure are closed by an end wall formed from a series of panels including a top end closure panel, first and second side end closure panels and a bottom end closure panel. Each of the first and second side end closure panels is hingedly connected to the adjacent first or second side wall along a first fold line. Each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels for tightly enclosing corner bottles.

Description

PACKAGE, CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a package comprising a carton and a blank for forming the carton, wherein an arrangement is provided to improve the close and/or tight fit of the carton about a group of articles to minimise or eliminate gaps in the corners of the carton to mitigate against article damage due to article collision within the package.

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 closeness of the fit of the carton about the package for securely holding the articles. This is of particular concern where the articles are tapered, round and/or fragile, for example glass bottles. Where round articles are contained in a square-shaped carton, there is space at the corners of the carton. This space allows the round articles some degree of movement within the carton which may cause the articles to damage one another. For example, product labelling may be scuffed, the bottles may be chipped or could even break because of the glass bottles knocking against one another. The closeness of the match between the carton shape and the shape of an article group is therefore an important consideration for both the security of the articles and also for material saving benefits. In US 5,246,1 12 to Stout, a carrier is disclosed for packaging bottles which is specifically constructed to prevent bottle breakage due to collision between adjacent bottles. In Stout, a gable topped carrier is provided wherein the top panel of the carrier is not as long or as wide as the bottom panel of the carrier. The side and end walls are tapered and the carrier shape is more closely matched to that of the article group than a square-cornered carton. In addition, it is disclosed in Stout to use pairs of triangular web panels, provided in web panels coupled to the side walls, to form an elongate diamond shaped portion. The triangular web panels extend from the vertex of the carrier between the top, side and end walls and terminate between the side and end walls. As such, the corners of the carrier are cut-off proximate to the top, neck and shoulder of the corner bottles. In this way the shape of the carrier is more closely matched to the shape of the bottles and the space between the corner bottles and the corner of the carrier is reduced.

In contrast to the teaching of Stout, in the present invention it has been recognised that a carton or carrier can be constructed with shaped panels that more closely follow the shape of the corner articles and that thereby wrap more tightly, particularly but not exclusively, about the base portions of the articles held within the carrier. By increasing the closeness of the shape of the carton and the tightness with which the carton fits about the articles, the corner gap at least proximate to the base portion of the articles is eliminated and thereby any opportunity for the bottles to move within the package is removed or at least minimised. Furthermore, the automated set-up of a carton according to the present invention may be easier compared to the automated set-up of the carrier disclosed in US 5,246,1 12.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a carton and a group of bottles, the carton comprising a tubular structure formed from an interconnected series of panels including: a top panel, a first side panel, a bottom panel and a second side panel, wherein the length of the top panel is at least substantially the same as the length of the bottom panel, wherein each of the first and second side panels comprises a notional longitudinal line disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel that is less than the elevation of the shoulders of the bottles, wherein each end of the tubular structure is closed by a composite end wall formed from a series of affixed panels including: a top end closure panel, first and second side end closure panels and a bottom end closure panel, wherein each first and second side end closure panel is hinged at about 90° to the adjacent first or second side wall along a first fold line, wherein each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels, each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels being formed such that a lowermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed below the notional longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed above the notional longitudinal line, wherein each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines, wherein the lowermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point spaced above the bottom panel toward the notional longitudinal line and wherein the uppermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point spaced below the top panel toward the notional longitudinal line, whereby the triangular panels of each pair substantially follow the contour of the corner bottles disposed within the carton at least proximate to the shoulders of the corner bottles such that the bottles are tightly enclosed by the carton.

Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost triangular panels diverge is spaced above the interconnection between the bottom panel and a first or a second side panel.

Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the uppermost triangular panels diverge is spaced below the interconnection between the top panel and a first or a second side panel. Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost triangular panels diverge is spaced above the bottom panel by a first distance (X), wherein the first distance is between about 5% and 10% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

Optionally, the first distance is about 7% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the uppermost triangular panels diverge is spaced below the top panel by a second distance (Y), wherein the second distance is between about 30% and 40% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

Optionally, the second distance is about 33% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

Optionally, each of the first and second side end closure panels has a height which is less than the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel. Optionally, each of the first and second side end closure panels terminates in an edge spaced above the bottom panel and wherein the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost triangular panels diverge is disposed on the edge.

Optionally, the uppermost and lowermost at least substantially triangular panels are each isosceles triangles in shape and wherein the odd angle of each of the uppermost triangular panels is between about 45° and 55°and/or wherein the odd angle of each of the lowermost triangular panels is between about 25° and 35°.

Optionally, a pair of divergent fold lines that defines one of the uppermost, at least substantially, triangular panels terminate on the notional longitudinal line at first and second points respectively and the pair of divergent fold lines that defines the oppositely positioned lowermost, at least substantially, triangular panel terminates on the notional longitudinal line at the first and second points respectively such that together the two pairs of divergent fold lines form a diamond shape.

According to a second aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a blank for forming a carton for containing bottles, the blank comprising a series of panels for forming an interconnected tubular carton body including: a top panel, a first side panel, a bottom panel and a second side panel, wherein the length of the top panel is at least substantially the same as the length of the bottom panel, wherein each of the first and second side panels comprises a notional longitudinal line positioned such that when the carton is constructed, the notional longitudinal line is disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel that is less than the elevation of the shoulders of bottles to be or contained in the carton, wherein the blank further comprises a series of panels for forming composite end closure walls including: a top end closure panel, first and second side end closure panels and a bottom end closure panel, wherein each first and second side end closure panel is hingedly connected at about 90° to the adjacent first or second side wall along a first fold line, wherein each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels, each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels being formed such that a lowermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed on one side of the notional longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed on the other side of the notional longitudinal line, wherein each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines, wherein the lowermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point that is spaced from an interconnection between the adjacent first or second side panel and the bottom panel toward the notional longitudinal line and wherein the uppermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point spaced below an interconnection between the adjacent first or second side panel and the top panel toward the notional longitudinal line, thereby the triangular panels of each pair are configured to substantially follow the contour of the corner bottles, disposed within a carton formed from the blank, at least proximate to the shoulders of the corner bottles such that the bottles can be tightly enclosed by the carton.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.

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 of a blank for forming a carton according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of a carton constructed from the blank of Figure 1 in an open and un-loaded condition;

FIGURE 3. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of a carton constructed from the blank of Figure 1 in a loaded and partially completed condition; FIGURE 4. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of the carton of Figure 3, wherein a top end closure panel has been placed into a closed condition, but the end wall is still not fully constructed; and

FIGURE 5. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of a package comprising a carton formed from the blank of Figure 1 , loaded with a group of bottles and closed by construction of composite end walls. 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. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. 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, materials 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.

In the embodiments detailed herein, 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. However, it is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various containers, which whilst preferably tapered may or may not be cylindrical. In Figure 1 , there is shown a blank 10 for forming a carton 90. The blank 10 is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term "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 may be employed, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.

In the exemplary embodiment, the blank 10 is configured to form a carton or carrier for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles 'Β'. For example, the arrangement is a matrix including rows and columns such as a 3 X 6 arrangement of bottles 'Β'. The blank 10 can be alternatively configured to form a carrier 90 for packaging other articles 'B' and/or different arrangements of articles 'Β'. The blank 10 is optionally, but nevertheless preferably configured for forming a carton 90 for containing bottles 'Β'. The blank 10 comprises a series of panels for forming an interconnected tubular carton body including: a top panel 14, a first side panel 16/18, a bottom panel 20 and a second side panel 22/24. The series of panels are hinged together along longitudinal fold lines 15, 19 and 21 . A glue panel or lap panel 12 is disposed at one end of the blank 10 for affixing the opposite ends of the blank 10 together. The glue panel 12 is optionally hinged to the top panel 14 by means of a fold line 13. Glue panel flaps 26a, 26b are optionally hinged to each end thereof.

The blank 10 further comprises a series of panels at each end of the blank 10 for forming composite end closure walls including: top end closure panels 28a, 28b, first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b and bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b. The top end closure panels 28a, 28b are hinged to each end of the top panel 14 by means of fold lines 25a, 25b respectively. The first side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b are hinged to each end of the first side panel 16/18 by means of fold lines 47a, 47b. These fold lines 47a, 47b are also referred to herein as first fold lines 47a, 47b. The second side end closure panels 36a/38a, 36b/38b are hinged to each end of the second side panel 22/24 along fold lines 45a, 45b. The fold lines 45a, 45b are also referred to herein as first fold lines 45a, 45b. The bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b are hinged to each end of the bottom panel 20 along fold lines 35a, 35b.

Optionally, though preferably, the longitudinal length of the top panel 14 (between fold lines 25a and 25b) is at least substantially the same as the longitudinal length of the bottom panel 20 (between fold lines 35a and 35b). The term "at least substantially the same" should be interpreted as meaning either approximately the same or exactly the same. As such the fold lines 25a, 47a, 35a and 45a are in line with one another when the blank 10 is disposed in flat form (as in Figure 1 ). Similarly, the fold lines 25b, 47b, 35b and 45b are in line with one another when the blank 10 is disposed in flat form (as in Figure 1 ). When the blank 10 is constructed into a carton 90, the top end closure panels 28a, 28b, first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b and bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b are each folded at least substantially about 90° about the respective fold line 25a, 25b, 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b, 35a, 35b. This may be referred to as a "square-ended" carton 90 rather than a tapered ended carton as shown for example in US 5,246,1 12 to Stout.

Each of the first and second side panels 16/18, 22/24 and first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b optionally comprises a longitudinally extending intermediate fold line 17, 23 that is coincidentally disposed on a notional longitudinal line of that side panel. The notional longitudinal line of each side panel is disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel and below the elevation of the shoulders of the bottles. The longitudinally extending fold line 17 separates the first side panel 16/18 into an upper first side panel 16 and a lower first side panel 18. Similarly, the longitudinally extending fold line 23 separates the second side panel 22/24 into an upper second side panel 24 and a lower second side panel 22. Additionally, the longitudinally extending fold line 17 separates the first side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b into upper 30a, 30b and lower 32a, 32b first side end closure panels. Additionally, the longitudinally extending fold line 23 separates the second side end closure panels 36a/38a, 36b/38b into upper 38a, 38b and lower 36a, 36b second side end closure panels.

Optionally, each longitudinally extending fold line 17, 23 is positioned such that when the carton 90 is constructed (see Figure 5), the longitudinal fold line 17, 23 is disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel 20 that is less than the elevation of the shoulders of bottles 'B' that are contained in the carton 90.

Each of the first fold lines 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b. The term "at least substantially triangular panel" should be interpreted as meaning either a panel with a shape approximating a triangular shape or a panel having a perfectly triangular shape. Each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b is optionally formed such that a lowermost triangular panel 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b of the pair 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b is disposed on one side of the longitudinal fold line 17, 23 adjacent the lower first or second side panel 18, 22 and such that an uppermost triangular panel 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b of the pair 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b is disposed on the other side of the longitudinal fold line 17, 23, adjacent the first or second upper side panel 16, 24.

Each of the at least substantially triangular panels 56a, 54a, 56b, 54b, 58a, 59a, 58b, 59b is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines 27a, 29a; 31 a, 33a; 27b, 29b; 33b, 31 b; 39a, 37a; 41 a, 43a; 37b, 39b; 43b, 41 b. The lowermost of the triangular panels 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b are each defined by a pair of fold lines 31 a, 33a; 33b, 31 b; 41 a, 43a; 43b, 41 b diverging from a point that is spaced from the interconnection 19, 21 between the adjacent first or second side panel 18/16, 22/24 and the bottom panel 20 and toward the longitudinal fold line 17, 23 in that adjacent first or second side panel 18/16, 22/24. The uppermost of the triangular panels 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b are each defined by a pair of fold lines 27a, 29a; 27b, 29b; 39a, 37a; 37b, 39b; that diverge from a point spaced below the interconnection 15 between the adjacent first side panel 16/18 and the top panel 20 (or edge of the second side panel 22/24) toward the longitudinal fold line 17, 23, in that adjacent first or second side panel 18/16, 22/24.

Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines 31 a, 33a; 33b, 31 b; 41 a, 43a; 43b, 41 b of the lowermost triangular panels 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b diverge is spaced from the interconnection 19, 21 between the adjacent first or second side panel 16/18, 22/24 and the bottom panel 20 by a first distance 'X'. The first distance 'X' is optionally between about 5% and 10% of the height of the first or second side panel 16/18, 22/24 (i.e. the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14 in a set-up carton 90). Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, the first distance is about 7% of the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14 (i.e. the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14 in a set-up carton 90).

Further optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines 27a, 29a; 27b, 29b; 39a, 37a; 37b, 39b of the uppermost triangular panels 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b diverge is spaced below the top panel 14 (in a set-up carton 90) by a second distance Ύ'. Optionally, the second distance Ύ' is between about 30% and 40% of the height of the first or second side panel 16/18, 22/24 (i.e. the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14 in a set-up carton 90). Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, the second distance Ύ' is about 33% of the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14.

The blank 10 comprises additional optional features that do not necessarily form part of the focus of the invention. For example an entirely optional carrying handle arrangement and an entirely optional access feature. These optional features will now be very briefly described and it will be understood that these features may be excluded and/or substituted for alternative carrying handle arrangements and/or access features in other embodiments of the invention. The carrying handle arrangement comprises two outer handle arrangements 60a, 61 a, 62a, 66a, 64a, 72a, 70a, 76a, 78a; 60b, 61 b, 62b, 66b, 64b, 72b, 70b, 76b, 78b formed in the top end closure panels 28a, 28b respectively. The outer handle arrangements are supported by inner handle flaps 80a, 80b, 46a, 46b formed in the side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b. An outer handle flap is hinged to the top end closure panel 28a, 28b by means of opposed arcuate fold lines 60a/61 a; 60b/61 b and a leaf-shaped panel 62a; 62b. Inward movement of the handle panel creates a handle aperture though which a user can at least partially insert at least part of their hand for grasping the carton 90 about a cushioned upper edge, which cushioned upper edge is supported and/or further cushioned by the arcuate fold lines 48a, 82a, 82b, 48b and leaf-shaped panels 84a, 84b, 44a, 44b of the inner handle flaps 80a, 80b, 46a, 46b.

The access feature 40 comprises a detachable section defined by a perforate or weakened line 52a, 52b, 51 and having an initiator section 50 that is defined by a cut line 53 and hinge line 51 . Turning to the construction of the carton 90 from the blank 10 it is envisaged that the carton 90 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the carton 90 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 blank 10 is optionally folded about longitudinal fold line 17 to bring the upper first side panel 16, top panel 14 and glue panel 12 (with their associated end closure panels 30a, 30b, 28a, 28b, 26a, 26b) into face contacting relationship with the inside face of lower first side panel 18 and bottom panel 20 respectively. Adhesive, for example hot- melt glue, may be applied to the glue panel 12 (and the flaps 26a, 26b). In other envisaged embodiments other affixing means may be used, for example, tape, pressure-adhesive, staples, clips or mechanical locking features. The upper second side panel 24 (with its associated end closure panels 38a, 38b) is then folded about longitudinal fold line 23 to bring it into partial overlapping face contacting relationship with an inside face of the lower second side panel 22 and into overlapping face contacting relationship with an outside face of the glue panel 12 such that the upper second side panel 24 is interconnected to the top panel 14. The resulting work product is a part formed - flat folded blank. The part formed - flat folded blank is then opened into a tubular structure, Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of the open ended carton 90. It can be seen herein that the first end closure panel 30b/32b does not extend down to the plane of the bottom panel 20. In other embodiments, the first end closure panel 30b/32b (and similarly the other side end closure panels 30a/32a; 36a/38a, 36b/38b) may extend at least in part down to the plane of the bottom panel 20, but the lowermost triangular panel 54b (54a, 59a, 59b) will be spaced above the plane of the bottom panel 20. Preferably, however the first end closure panel 30b/32b (and similarly the other side end closure panels 30a/32a; 36a/38a, 36b/38b do not extend down to the plane of the bottom panel 20 and this may provide clearance room for a static guide or other guiding member of a packaging machine which is used optionally to hold the bottom end closure panel 34b, 34a either in the position shown in Figure 2 or folded downwardly.

The carton 90 is then loaded with articles, preferably bottles 'Β', though one or both ends thereof. The composite end walls are then formed. Optionally, the first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b are folded about the first fold lines 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b. See Figure 3 which shows the first side end closure panel 30b/32b having been folded. Preferably the first fold line 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b defines a corner between the first and second side panel 16/18, 22/24 and the first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b that is at least substantially a 90° corner. In this way the triangular panels 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b of each pair 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b form a diamond shaped portion 42 that bends about and substantially follows the contour of the corner bottles 'B' that are disposed close to the diamond-shaped portion 42 of the loaded carton 90. Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, the uppermost triangular panels 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b are sized to fit about the top of a shoulder 'S' of a bottle 'B' and may optionally be shorter than the lowermost triangular panels 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b. In this way, the diamond shaped portion 42, not only cut-off or cut across the diagonal of the square corner that would otherwise be created by the composite end walls formed from the end closure panels (top end closure panels 28a, 28b, first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b and bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b), but fold and even curve or crease slightly about the bottles 'Β', at least proximate to the shoulders 'S' of the corner bottles 'B' and therebelow such that the bottles 'B' are wrapped by the carton 90 and can be tightly enclosed by the carton 90 to mitigate against chinking of the bottles 'Β'. See Figure 3 which illustrates the close fit and tight wrapping of the shaped end closure panel 30b/32b and diamond shaped portion 42 about the corner article 'Β'. Construction of the carton 90 is completed by optionally folding the top end closure panels 28a, 28b into face contacting, overlapping and affixed relationship with the upper portions 30b, 30a, 38a, 38b of the side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b (see Figure 4). Finally the bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b are folded upwardly and into face contacting, overlapping and affixed relationship with the lower portions 32b, 32a, 36a, 36b of the side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b (see Figure 5).

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape and relative position of the triangular panels may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. Optionally, the uppermost and lowermost at least substantially triangular panels 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b are each isosceles triangles in shape. The odd angle of each of the uppermost triangular panels may be between about 25° and 35° and/or the odd angle of each of the lowermost triangular panels may be between about 45° and 55°. In other embodiments the triangular panels are the same size and/or the same shape. In other embodi merits the triangular panels are equally spaced from the top and bottom panels. In other embodiments the lowermost triangular panels is relatively disposed further up the carton. In other embodiments the second distance Ύ' is less than or equal to the first distance 'X'.

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.

As used herein, the terms "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. As used herein, the term "severance 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. It should be understood that 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. For example, 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.

Claims

CLAIMS A package comprising a carton and a group of bottles, the carton comprising a tubular structure formed from an interconnected series of panels including: a top panel, a first side panel, a bottom panel and a second side panel, wherein the length of the top panel is at least substantially the same as the length of the bottom panel, wherein each of the first and second side panels comprises a notional longitudinal line disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel below the elevation of the shoulders of the bottles, wherein at least one of the opposed ends of the tubular structure is closed by a composite end wall formed from a series of affixed panels including: a top end closure panel, first and second side end closure panels and a bottom end closure panel, wherein each of the first and second side end closure panels is hingedly connected to the adjacent first or second side wall along a first fold line, wherein each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels, each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels being formed such that a lowermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed below the notional longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed above the notional longitudinal line, wherein each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines, wherein the lowermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point spaced above the bottom panel toward the notional longitudinal line and wherein the uppermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point spaced below the top panel toward the notional longitudinal line, whereby the triangular panels of each pair substantially follow the contour of the corner bottles disposed within the carton at least proximate to the shoulders of the corner bottles such that the bottles are tightly enclosed by the carton.

2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost triangular panels diverge is spaced above the interconnection between the bottom panel and a first or a second side panel.

3. A package according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the point from which the pair of fold lines of the uppermost triangular panels diverge is spaced below the interconnection between the top panel and a first or a second side panel.

4. A package according to any preceding claim wherein the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost triangular panels diverge is spaced above the bottom panel by a first distance (X), wherein the first distance is between about 5% and 10% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

5. A package according to claim 4 wherein the first distance is about 7% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

6. A package according to any preceding claim wherein the point from which the pair of fold lines of the uppermost triangular panels diverge is spaced below the top panel by a second distance (Y), wherein the second distance is between about 30% and 40% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

7. A package according to claim 6 wherein the second distance is about 33% of the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

8. A package according to any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second side end closure panels has a height which is less than the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.

9. A package according to any claim 8 wherein each of the first and second side end closure panels terminates in an edge spaced above the bottom panel and wherein the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost triangular panels diverge is disposed on the edge.

10. A package according to any preceding claim wherein the uppermost and lowermost at least substantially triangular panels are each isosceles triangles in shape and wherein the odd angle of each of the uppermost triangular panels is between about 45° and 55°and/or wherein the odd angle of each of the lowermost triangular panels is between about25° and 35°.

1 1 .A package according to any preceding claim wherein a pair of divergent fold lines that defines one of the uppermost, at least substantially, triangular panels terminate on the notional longitudinal line at first and second points respectively and wherein the pair of divergent fold lines that defines the oppositely positioned lowermost, at least substantially, triangular panel terminate on the notional longitudinal line at the first and second points respectively such that the two pairs of the divergent fold lines form a diamond shape.

12. A blank for forming a carton for containing bottles, the blank comprising a series of panels for forming an interconnected tubular carton body including: a top panel, a first side panel, a bottom panel and a second side panel, wherein the length of the top panel is at least substantially the same as the length of the bottom panel, wherein each of the first and second side panels comprises a notional longitudinal line positioned such that when the carton is constructed, the notional longitudinal line is disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel below the elevation of the shoulders of bottles to be or contained in the carton, wherein the blank further comprises a series of panels for forming at least one composite end closure wall including: a top end closure panel, first and second side end closure panels and a bottom end closure panel, wherein each first and second side end closure panel is hingedly connected to the adjacent first or second side wall along a first fold line, wherein each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially triangular panels, each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels being formed such that a lowermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed on one side of the notional longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed on the other side of the notional longitudinal line, wherein each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines, wherein the lowermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point that is spaced from an interconnection between the adjacent first or second side panel and the bottom panel toward the notional longitudinal line and wherein the uppermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines diverging from a point spaced below an interconnection between the adjacent first or second side panel and the top panel toward the notional longitudinal fold line, thereby the triangular panels of each pair are configured to substantially follow the contour of the corner bottles, disposed within a carton formed from the blank, at least proximate to the shoulders of the corner bottles such that the bottles can be tightly enclosed by the carton .