This invention relates generally to article carriers. More specifically, the invention relates to a basket-style article carrier having compartments for closely receiving upstanding articles such as bottles.
Cartons are useful for packaging multiple articles. A so-called basket-style, or basket-type, article carrier is particularly useful for packaging multiple upstanding articles such as bottles. For marketing purposes, manufacturers and distributors of beverages often desire to package multiple articles in packaging that is distinctive. However, a problem that manufactures and distributors face in attempting to utilize distinctive packaging is that such packaging is often difficult to manufacture and load and/or may be less cost effective than traditional packaging. Thus, it can be appreciated that it would be useful to have packaging that is distinctive, relatively easy to manufacture, relatively simple to load, and cost-effective.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing, in a first exemplary embodiment, an article carrier that includes opposing side walls, opposing end wall structures that interconnect the side walls, and a bottom closure structure that at least partially encloses a bottom open end of a tubular structure defined by the side walls and end wall structures. The side walls, end wall structures, and bottom closure structure generally define a basket. In addition, a top structure includes a pair of transverse panels that define compartments including a central compartment and at least one flanking compartment. The transverse panels include a lower edge that extends between the side walls and opposed side edges that are hingedly connected to upper edges of the side walls along substantially vertical fold lines. Further, a connecting structure interconnects the transverse panels at uppermost regions to cover the articles in the central compartment.
According to one aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, the top structure provides a handle for the article carrier. According to one facet of this aspect, the top structure includes at least one notch in side edges thereof to defines a narrow region that can be engaged like a strap-type handle. According to another facet, a pair of opposing notches defines the narrow region. According to another aspect of the first exemplary embodiment, at least one aperture is formed in at least one of the transverse panels to provide a handle for the article carrier.
The present invention also provides a second exemplary embodiment of an article carrier having opposing side walls and opposing end wall structures that form a substantially tubular structure. A top structure includes transverse panels that extend between the side walls so as to define a central compartment and at least one flanking compartment and includes a connecting structure that interconnects uppermost regions of the transverse panels so as to substantially cover the central compartment. According to one aspect of the second exemplary embodiment, the article carrier includes a closable bottom structure that is adjoined to at least one of the side walls or end wall structures. According to another aspect of the second exemplary embodiment, fold lines are disposed in or hingedly connect the side walls and the end wall structures promote collapsing of the substantially tubular structure. According to one facet of this aspect, the fold lines are disposed in diametrically opposed regions of the substantially tubular structure. According to another facet of this aspect, the diametrically opposed regions include regions of opposing end wall structures.
The present invention also provides a blank for forming an article carrier in which a pair of side panels is hingedly interconnected by a set of major end panels and at least one of the side panels has a set of minor end panels adjoined thereto. Further, the blank includes a pair of transverse panels where each has a first edge hingedly adjoining an upper edge of one of the side panels. At least one connecting panel hingedly adjoins a respective one of the transverse panels for the purpose of interconnecting the transverse panels. The side panels, end panels, and transverse panels are erectable into a collapsible, substantially tubular configuration.
According to one aspect of the blank, at least one bottom closure panel hingedly adjoins at least one of the side panels or end panels and can be erected into a bottom closure of the tubular structure.
According to another aspect of the blank, lines of joinder that hingedly connect the side panels with major and minor end panels and lines of joinder that hingedly connect transverse panels with side panels are substantially parallel. The parallel lines of joinder facilitate collapsing the substantially tubular configuration such that certain of the side panels and the major and minor end panels are at least partially in face-contacting relationships. According to one facet of this aspect of the blank, the fold lines facilitate the collapse of the substantially tubular configuration as a parallelogram. According to another facet of this aspect of the blank, the fold lines are disposed to facilitate substantially symmetrical collapsing of the tubular configuration.
According to a further aspect of the blank, at least one joinder flap or tab is hingedly adjoined to one of a transverse panel and a side panel for the purpose of attaching the transverse panel to the side panel.
An exemplary method for forming a partially-erected collapsed article carrier includes providing a blank that is substantially as described in the preceding paragraphs and adjoining the set of minor end panels of a respective side panel to either an unjoined end of the other side panel or to an additional set of minor end panels that is connected to the other side panel. Thereafter, the blank defines a substantially tubular carrier. Further, the method includes adjoining the transverse panels to respective side panels to act as partitions or otherwise define a substantially central compartment and auxiliary compartments when the tubular structure in an open condition. When the tubular structure is in a collapsed condition, certain of the side panels and the major and minor end panels are at least partially in face-contacting relationships.
The invention further provides a method for erecting the partially erected, collapsed article carrier from a collapsed condition and loading the carrier with articles. The method includes transporting the collapsed carrier to a destination proximate the articles, erecting the carrier from a collapsed condition, inserting the articles into the substantially-erect carrier through at least one of either a top opening or a bottom opening of the tubular structure, affixing a top connecting panel to an opposing one of the transverse panels or to another top connecting panel to at least partially cover the substantially central compartment, and forming a bottom closure by affixing a bottom closure panel to an opposing side panel or to another bottom closure panel.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included within the scope of the present teaching and are protected by the accompanying claims.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, 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 present invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments.
Generally described, the article carrier is comprised of side wall panels that are joined at each end and interconnected by end panels that form end wall structures. The side wall panels and end panels define a tubular structure. A top structure extends across an opening or open end of the tubular structure and is connected to the walls of the tubular structure to define a covered central compartment and open flanking end compartments. The top structure is defined by transverse panels that are joined at their uppermost regions such that the central compartment is covered. The flanking end compartments are formed at the ends of the article carrier on opposing sides of the central compartment. For convenience, the term “panel” is sometimes used interchangeably herein with the terms “wall panel” or “panel wall.”
The article carrier of the present invention is of the basket type or style. The carrier is preferably formed from a one-piece blank having side wall panels, end panels, transverse panels, connecting panels for adjoining the transverse panels, and bottom closure panels. When the carrier is partially erected from the blank, with transverse panels un-joined to one another and the bottom closure not yet formed, the carrier may be collapsed such that panels thereof are in flat-face contact. In one exemplary embodiment, the collapsed carrier is folded about lines of joinder of the various panels of the blank such that each side wall panel lies in flat-face contact with respect to a set of end wall panels and a portion of the opposing side wall panel. A cross-section of the carrier collapsed in this manner resembles a parallelogram. In a second exemplary embodiment, the partially-erected carrier is symmetrically collapsed about fold lines in the end walls.
The term “fold line” or “line of joinder” as used herein, is meant in an expansive, rather than a limiting, sense to mean lines that provide hinge-like connections through embossment, perforations, partial severance, or other means.
Third and fourth exemplary embodiments described herein are collapsible in the same manner as the first and second exemplary embodiments, respectively. However, in contrast, the first and second exemplary embodiments share the common feature of a wide strap-type top structure with indentations, or notches, in the handle portion to facilitate grasping while the third and fourth exemplary embodiments share the common feature of a narrower top structure with finger holes in the transverse panels to facilitate grasping.
Referring first to
Opposing transverse panels 20, 24 are foldably adjoined to the upper regions of side wall panels 12, 14 along fold lines F1, F2 that are substantially parallel to fold lines connecting the side panels 12, 14 and end panels 16, 18. A fold line 21, 25 is disposed in each respective transverse panel 20, 24 to define a pivot line for accommodating shoulders of articles (such as bottles) to be packaged. Each fold line 21, 25 is slightly upwardly convexly arched. Although both of the transverse panels 20, 24 may be joined to a single side wall panel 12, 14, the exemplary embodiment illustrates each transverse panel 20, 24 adjoined to a respective, distinct side wall panel 12, 14. Transverse panels 20, 24 are separable from the side panels 12, 14 and the end panels 16, 18 along severance lines C1, C2.
Joinder flaps 40, 44 are foldably joined to side wall panels 12, 14 to facilitate joinder of respective transverse panels 24, 20 to respective side walls 12, 14 as an article carrier erected from the blank 10. Although varying arrangements and locations of joinder are within the scope of the invention, the exemplary embodiment illustrates one joinder flap 40 foldably joined to an upper region of a side wall panel 14 along a fold line F3, and a second joinder flap 44 foldably adjoined to an upper region of the other side wall panel 12 along a fold line F4. The fold lines F3, F4 are substantially parallel to the fold lines F1, F2 and the fold lines that hingedly connect the side panels 12,14 and the end panels 16, 18. Fold lines 41, 45 formed in each respective joinder flap 40, 44 are disposed to enable the flaps 40, 44 to accommodate the shoulders of articles (such as bottles) that may be received by an article carrier erected from the blank 10. Specifically, the fold lines 41, 45 align with the fold lines 21, 25 when the flaps 40, 44 are secured to the transverse panels 20, 24. Joinder flap 40 is separable from the adjacent side panel 14 along severance line C3 and is separable from the transverse panel 20 along cut line C4. Joinder flap 44 is separable from the side panel 12 along severance line C5.
Connecting structure panels 30, 34 are foldably adjoined or hingedly connected to the upper or distal edges of the transverse panels 20, 24 along fold lines 28, 38, respectively. The top wall or closure panels 30, 34 provide an overlapping connecting structure for the carrier erected from the blank 10. Foldable notch panels 32a, 32b, are formed in the connecting structure panel 30 by cut or severance lines C6 and are hingedly connected to the connecting structure panel 30 along fold lines 33a, 33b, respectively. In like manner, foldable notch panels 36a, 36b are formed in the connecting structure panel 34 by cut or severance lines C7 and are hingedly connected to the connecting structure panel 34 along fold lines 37a, 37b, respectively. The foldable notch panels 32a, 32b, 36a, 36b define a narrowed region therebetween in the respective connecting structure panels 30, 34.
A pair of shoulder flaps 22a, 22b is formed in the transverse panel 20 and each is hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 22c, 22d, respectively. The shoulder flaps 22a, 22b are separated from one other by a cut line 22e, from the end panels 16 by the cut line C1, and from the transverse panel 20 by a cut line C8. In like manner, a pair of shoulder flaps 26a, 26b is formed in the transverse panel 24 and each is hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 26c, 26d, respectively. A cut line 26e separates the shoulder flaps 26a, 26b from one another, the cut line C2 separates the shoulder flaps 26a, 26b from the end panels 18, and a cut line C9 separates the shoulder flaps 26a, 26b from the transverse panel 24. The shoulder flaps 22a, 22b, 26a, 26b provide hinged doorways to facilitate nesting of cylindrical articles (such as bottles) in an erected carrier, as will be described in greater detail below. It should be noted that a notch 42, 46 is defined in each joinder flap 40, 44 and is disposed or positioned such that the joinder flaps 40, 44 do not obstruct the movement of the shoulder flaps 22a/22b, 26a/26b when the joinder flaps 40, 44 are joined to the transverse panels 20, 24.
Complementary bottom closure panels 50, 54 are hingedly connected to the side wall panels 12,14 along fold lines 51, 53, respectively. The bottom closure panels 50, 54 provide a bottom closure structure when the blank 10 is erected to form a carrier. Although a single closure panel or more than two closure panels may be used, the exemplary embodiment provides two bottom closure panels. In addition, although the exemplary embodiment illustrates closure panels 50, 54 adjoining the side wall panels 12, 14, it is contemplated that one or more closure panels may alternatively, or additionally, adjoin one or more of the end wall panels.
Referring now to
Referring now to
According to an exemplary method of fully erecting and loading the carrier 90 to form a package, the collapsed carrier 90 is opened and the connecting structure panels 30, 34 are overlapped and affixed to one another to form a top structure having a connecting structure 30/34. After articles B (such as bottles) are loaded into the compartments through the bottom opening of the carrier 90, the bottom closure panels 50, 54 are affixed to one another to form a bottom closure structure 50/54.
The scope of the invention also encompasses an alternative exemplary method of erecting and loading wherein the carrier 90 is opened from a collapsed condition, the bottom closure structure 50/54 is formed by affixing the bottom closure panels 50, 54 to one another, articles B are loaded into the compartments of the carrier 90 through the top opening, and the connecting structure panels 30, 34 are affixed to one another to form the connecting structure 30/34 and the top structure.
The scope of the invention further encompasses an exemplary method of erecting and loading wherein the carrier 90 is opened from a collapsed condition, articles B are loaded into the compartments through either the top or bottom openings, either the top structure or the bottom closure structure is formed, and then the remaining one of the top structure and bottom closure structure is formed.
When the connecting structure panels 30, 34 are overlapped with respect to one another, the notch panels 32a, 32b of the outermost connecting structure panel 30 will overlie the notch panels 36a, 36b of the other (the innermost) connecting structure panel 34. The overlying notch panels 32a/36a, 32b/36b are folded under to produce the narrow region of the composite connecting structure 30/34 that may then serve as the grasping region of a strap-handle formed by the transverse panels 20, 24 and the connecting structure panels 30, 34. Although the connecting structure panels 30, 34 may be affixed to one another in a variety of known manners, such as with adhesive or mechanical fasteners, the scope of the invention also encompasses use of the folded under notch panels 32a, 32b, 36a, 36b as the means for affixing the connecting structure panels 30, 34 to one another.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The exemplary blank 110 includes two side wall panels 112, 114 that are foldably adjoined by a set of major end wall panels 116. The set of major end wall panels 116 is defined by fold lines 117a, 117b, 117c. A set of minor end wall panels 118 is similarly defined by fold lines 119a, 119b, 119c. An auxiliary panel 113 serves both as a part of an end wall structure and as a complementary portion of the shortened side wall 112. However, for convenience of description, the auxiliary panel 113 is considered to be a part of the set of minor end wall panels 118. The auxiliary panel 113 is the means for joining the shortened side panel 112, which is un-joined by a set of minor end wall panels, to the set of minor end wall panels 118 and, ultimately, to the other side panel 114.
Transverse panels 120, 124 are foldably joined to upper regions of the side wall panel 114 along fold lines F1, F2 and are separable from the side wall panels 112,113, 114 and end wall panels 116,118 along cut lines C1, C2 respectively. A fold line 121, 125 disposed in each respective transverse panel 120,124 defines a pivot line for accommodating shoulders of articles (such as bottles) to be packaged. A pair of shoulder flaps 122a, 122b disposed in the transverse panel 120 and a pair of shoulder flaps 126a, 126b disposed in the opposing transverse panel 124 provide hinged doorways to facilitate nesting of cylindrical articles (such as bottles) in a similar manner as previously discussed above.
Joinder flaps 140,144 foldably adjoined to respective transverse panels 120, 124 along fold lines F3, F4 and facilitate joinder of the respective transverse panels 120, 124 to the side wall panel 112, to which the transverse panels 120, 124 are initially unattached, in order to erect the carrier 190. The joinder flaps are separable from the side wall panels 112, 113 along the cut lines C1, C2. Although varying arrangements are within the scope of the invention, this embodiment illustrates the joinder flaps 140, 144 as being foldably adjoined to the respective transverse panels 120, 124. The joinder flaps 140, 144 are configured and disposed to overlap and be attached to uppermost regions of the side wall panel 112 to which they will be affixed.
Connecting structure panels 130, 134 are foldably adjoined to the transverse panels 120, 124 along respective fold lines 128, 138 provide an overlapping conecting structure for the carrier erected from the blank 110. Foldable notch panels 132a, 132b, 136a, 136b facilitate formation of a narrowed region in the connecting structure panels 130, 134.
The transverse panels 120,124 and connecting structure panels 130, 134 each have a respective centrally-disposed fold line 123, 127, 133, 137 that facilitates symmetrical collapsing of a partially-erected carrier formed from the blank 110, as will be described in greater detail below.
Complementary bottom closure panels 150, 154 provide a bottom closure structure 150/154 when the blank 10 is erected to form a carrier. Although a single closure panel or more than two closure panels may be used, the exemplary embodiment provides two bottom closure panels. In addition, although the exemplary embodiment illustrates bottom closure panels 150, 154 adjoining the side wall panels 112, 114, it is contemplated that one or more closure panels may alternatively, or additionally, adjoin one or more of the end wall panels.
Referring now to
Referring now to
As previously described with respect to the exemplary embodiments of
Referring now to
Referring to
Opposing transverse panels 220, 224 are foldably adjoined to the upper regions of side wall panels 212, 214 along fold lines F1, F2 and are separable from the side wall panels 212, 214 and end wall panels 216, 218 along cut or severance lines C1, C2. A fold line 221, 225 disposed in each respective transverse panel 220, 224 and defines a pivot line for accommodating shoulders of articles (such as bottles) to be packaged. Although both the transverse panels 220, 224 may be joined to a single side wall panel, the exemplary embodiment illustrates each transverse panel 220, 224 adjoined to a respective, distinct side wall panel 212, 214.
Joinder flaps 240, 244 are foldably joined to side wall panels 212, 214 along fold lines F3, F4 and separable from the side wall panels 212, 214 and end wall panels along severance lines C3, C4. The joinder flaps 240, 244 facilitate joinder of respective transverse panels 220, 224 to respective side walls 214, 212 in an article carrier that is erected from the blank 210. Although varying arrangements are within the scope of the invention, the exemplary embodiment illustrates one joinder flap 240 foldably joined to an upper region of a side wall panel 214, and a second joinder flap 244 foldably adjoined to an upper region of the other side wall panel 212. Fold lines 241, 245 formed in each respective joinder flap 240, 244 are disposed to enable the flaps 240, 244 to accommodate the shoulders of articles (such as bottles) that may be received by the article carrier erected from the blank.
Connecting structure panels 230, 234 are foldably adjoined to the transverse panels 220, 224 along respective fold lines 228, 238 to provide an overlapping connecting structure for the carrier erected from the blank 210.
The apertures 260, 264 are formed in each respective transverse panel 220, 224 to facilitate grasping of a carrier erected from the blank 210. Relief flaps 261a, 261b, 261c and 265a, 265b, 265c are disposed around portions of each respective aperture 260, 264.
Complementary bottom closure panels 250, 254 provide a bottom closure structure when the blank 210 is erected to form a carrier. Although a single closure panel or more than two closure panels may be used, the exemplary embodiment provides two bottom closure panels. In addition, although the exemplary embodiment illustrates closure panels 250, 254 adjoining the side wall panels 212, 214, the invention contemplates that one or more closure panels may alternatively, or additionally, adjoin one or more end wall panels.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The scope of the invention also encompasses an exemplary method of erecting and loading wherein the carrier 290 is opened from collapsed condition, then the bottom closure structure 250/254 is formed by affixing the bottom closure panels 250, 254 to one another, articles B are loaded into the compartments of the carrier 290 through the top opening, and the connecting structure panels 230, 234 are affixed to one another to form the connecting structure 230/234 and handle structure.
The scope of the invention further encompasses an exemplary method of erecting and loading wherein the carrier is opened from collapsed condition, articles B are loaded through either the top or bottom, either the top or bottom closure is formed, and then the remaining one of the top or bottom closure is formed.
Referring now to
In the exemplary blank 310, two side wall panels 312, 314 are foldably adjoined by a set of major end wall panels 316. The set of major end wall panels 316 is defined by fold lines 317a, 317b, 317c, 317d, 317e, 317f, 317g. A set of minor end wall panels 318 is similarly defined by fold lines 319a, 319b, 319c, 319d. Another set of minor end wall panels 313 (a second set of minor end wall panels) is foldably adjoined to the other side wall panel 312 and disposed for joinder with the first set of minor end wall panels 318 when a carrier is erected. As with the major and first minor sets of end wall panels 316, 318, the second set of major end wall panels 313 may contain as few as a single panel, but the exemplary embodiment is illustrated with three panels defined by fold lines 315a, 315b, 315c.
Transverse panels 320, 324 are foldably joined to an upper region 308 of the side wall panel 314 along fold lines F1, F2 and are separable from various panels of the blank 310 along cut lines C1, C2. A fold line 321, 325 disposed in each respective transverse panel 320, 324 defines a pivot line for accommodating shoulders of articles (such as bottles) to be packaged.
Joinder flaps 340, 344 foldably adjoining respective transverse panels 320, 324 facilitate joinder of the respective transverse panels 320, 324 to the upper region 306 of the side wall panel 312, to which the transverse panels are initially unattached, in order to erect a carrier. Although varying arrangements are within the scope of the invention, the exemplary embodiment illustrates both joinder flaps 340, 344 foldably adjoined to the respective transverse panels 320, 324 along fold lines F3, F4. The joinder flaps 340, 344 are configured and disposed to overlap and be attached to the uppermost region 306 of the side wall panel 312 to which they will be attached.
Connecting structure panels 330, 334 foldably adjoined to the transverse panels 320, 324 along respective fold lines 328, 338 provide an overlapping connecting structure 330/334 for the carrier erected from the blank 310.
The transverse panels 320, 324 and connecting structure panels 330, 334 each have a respective centrally-disposed fold line 323, 327, 333, 337 that facilitates a symmetrical collapsing of a partially-erected carrier formed from the blank 310, as will be described in greater detail below.
Complementary bottom closure panels 350, 354 provide a bottom closure structure when the blank 310 is erected to form a carrier. Although a single closure panel or more than two closure panels may be used, the exemplary embodiment provides two. In addition, although the exemplary embodiment illustrates closure panels 350, 354 adjoining the side wall panels 312, 314, the invention contemplates that one or more closure panels may alternatively, or additionally, adjoin one or more end wall panels.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The nesting features of the carriers 90, 190 of
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments depicted and described, the invention teaches aesthetically distinctive yet functional carriers that closely receive articles, thereby producing a taught, snug package of articles. The invention further teaches distinctive yet functional top structures that can provide a handle. The blanks of the carriers are designed in a manner that facilitates nesting in sheets or rolls of blanks. The blanks are also designed so that they can be partially-erected relatively easily to form a structure that is ready for loading and relatively easy to close. The invention also teaches methods of erection and loading. It is to be noted that although portions of the structures of the blanks and article carriers described above have been designated “side wall panels” and “end wall panels,” these designations help distinguish features but are not intended as limitations of structure or function. Because the carriers 90, 190, 290, 390 formed have end compartments with curved walls, side wall panels may be considered to extend around an end portion of an erected carrier and end wall panels may be considered to extend into a side portion of an erected carrier.
The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations have been described above, and even more may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/805,063 filed Jun. 16, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60805063 | Jun 2006 | US |