Patent Grant
12195256
The present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers for holding, displaying, and/or transporting containers.
According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier, the locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels.
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier formed from the blank, the locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels for being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels when the carrier is formed from the blank.
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising obtaining a blank comprising plurality of panels including at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels and at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels, positioning the at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving one or more containers of the plurality of containers, and at least partially inserting the at least one male locking feature through the at least one female locking feature to maintain an erected configuration of the carrier.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or any combination thereof.
Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum cans) at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and “back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.
As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of blanks. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of the blank can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
The carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers. In one embodiment, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 each have three containers, and in other embodiments, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 can carry more or less than three containers without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 105 can be provided together with one or more containers as a package 110 (
As shown in
With continued reference to
With additional reference to the enlarged view of
As shown, an interior marginal portion 136a of the attachment panel 131a is at least partially defined between the fold lines 137a, 112 and an exterior marginal portion 138a of the attachment panel 131a is at least partially defined between the fold line 139a and a lateral fold line 157a adjacent the attachment panel 131a.
The blank 103 can also include locking features for forming locking features of the carrier 105. Such locking features can include a plurality of male locking features and a plurality of male locking features, the female locking features configured to at least partially receive a portion of the respective male locking features. As shown, the locking features can include a pair of locking tabs 134 (broadly, “male locking features” or “fourth male locking features”) extending from the attachment panel 131a and interrupting the fold line 137a and extending into the respective handle apertures 130. Locking features of the blank 103/carrier 105 positioned in the attachment panel 131a can also include a plurality of locking openings 140a (broadly, “female locking features” or “first female locking features”) at least partially defined in the container retention portion 135a of the attachment panel 135a and intersecting the respective cuts 141a along the fold line 137a and a plurality of locking openings 142 (broadly, “female locking features” or “first female locking features” or “fourth female locking features”) laterally spaced away from the locking openings 140a and at least partially defined in the container retention portion 135 of the attachment panel 131a.
A bevel or front side panel 155a, as shown, can be foldably connected to the front attachment panel 131a at the lateral fold line 157a, and a front top panel 159a can be foldably connected to the front side panel 155a at a lateral fold line 161a. The lateral fold line 161a can be interrupted by a plurality of the cuts 141a so as to define container retention tabs 148a protruding from the top panel 159, as described further herein. Positioned along each container retention tab 148a is a respective locking tab 144 (broadly, “male locking features” or “first male locking features” or “third male locking features”) formed by a respective line of weakening 150 having one or more of curved, angled, and/or straight portions such that the locking tabs 144 extend from the top panel 159a. While the fold line 161a is illustrated as extending partially along the lateral length of the blank 103, it will be understood that the fold line 161a can extend the full lateral length of the blank 103 without departing from the disclosure.
A front locking panel 163a can be foldably connected to the top panel 159a at a lateral fold line 165a interrupted by a plurality of laterally spaced locking tabs 167a (broadly, “male locking features” or “first male locking features”) formed by respective curved cuts 168a so as to be arranged for extending from the locking panel 163a. The locking panel 163a can include handle features including handle reinforcement flaps or tabs 169a foldably connected to the front locking panel 163a at respective longitudinal fold lines 171a and for being aligned/cooperating with the respective handle openings 130, as described further herein.
Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 109 of the blank 103 includes a back container retention panel or back attachment panel 131b, a back bevel panel or back side panel 155b, a back top panel 159b, and a back locking panel 163b having associated features that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding portions of the front portion 107 of the blank 103. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by the “a” or “b” suffix, with the “a” components corresponding to the front portion 107 of the blank 103 and the “b” components corresponding to the back portion 109 of the blank 103. An enlarged view of a portion of the back portion 109 of the blank 103 is illustrated in
With continued reference to
With regard to the back locking panel 163b, the back locking panel 163b can be at least partially bisected by a lateral fold line or other line of weakening 164b so as to form a proximal portion and distal portion thereof, or to form a first back top panel and a second back top panel. As shown, a plurality of laterally spaced locking openings 177 (broadly, “female locking features” or “third female locking features” or “fifth female locking features”) can be at least partially defined in the back locking panel 163b, and a plurality of generally polygonal, e.g., pentagonal, locking openings 179 (broadly, “female locking features” or “third female locking features” or “fourth female locking features” or “fifth female locking features”) can extend from the respective locking openings 177 toward a lateral free edge 181 (broadly, “locking edge” or “locking tab”) of the back locking panel 163b.
As shown in
Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 103 without departing from the disclosure. The blank 103 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than six containers without departing from this disclosure.
With additional reference to
For example, as the front attachment panel 131a is lowered or urged downwardly onto the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, the container retention portion 135a can at least partially separate from the remainder of the front attachment panel 131a at the cuts 141a. In such an arrangement, upper or top portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can extend at least partially through respective openings formed by the respective cuts 141a such that the container retention tabs 148a can sit within recessed portions of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, e.g., recessed tops of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 below rolled upper rims thereof.
The marginal portions 136a, 138a of the attachment panel 131a can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 137a, 139a in such a configuration, and, similarly, the marginal portions 136b, 138b of the attachment panel 131b can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 137b, 139b. Such movement can cause reconfiguration of the outer marginal portion 138a of the top attachment panel 131a to reconfigure at the respective cuts 143a, 145a, 146a to engage a rolled/flanged rim or other top structure of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3.
The back attachment panel 131b and corresponding container retention portion 135b can engage the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a similar manner as described above with respect to the engagement of the front attachment panel 131a and container retention portion 135a with respect to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3. The reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the back attachment panel 131b can occur as the back attachment panel 131b is lowed or urged downwardly onto the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 as described above with regard to the front attachment panel 131a.
Still referring to
Similarly, the back side panel 155b can be folded upwardly at the fold line 157b into an oblique arrangement relative to the attachment portion 135b of the back attachment panel 131b, and the back top panel 159b can be folded at the fold line 161b into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel 159b and/or the attachment panel 131b. Such movement of the back top panel 155b can cause engagement with the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a manner similar to that described above with regard to the engagement of the front top panel 159a with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3.
The back locking panel 163b can be folded at the fold line 165b to at least partially overlie respective portions of the attachment panel 131b. In such an arrangement, the locking tabs 167b (broadly, “male locking features” or “fifth male locking features”) can be at least partially separated from the fold line 165b and at least partially inserted through/received in the locking openings 140b (broadly, “female locking features” or “first female locking features” or “sixth female locking features”) at least partially defined in the back attachment panel 131b to position the locking tabs 167b at least partially tucked under the back attachment panel 131b. Furthermore, the locking edge 181 of the back locking panel 163b can be tucked under or otherwise underlapped under the locking tabs 134 extending from the front attachment panel 131a. In this regard, the locking tabs 134 can be positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the back locking panel 163b.
In the aforementioned arrangement, the locking openings 177 can be positioned over/aligned with the locking openings 132 along the fold line 112 and the locking openings 179 can be positioned over/aligned with the locking openings 140a in the front attachment panel 131a.
Thereafter, the back locking panel 163a can be folded at the fold line 165a to at least partially overlie respective portions of the attachment panel 131a. In such an arrangement, the locking tabs 144 can be at least partially separated from the container retention tabs 148a in the front top panel 159a at the lines of weakening 150 and at least partially inserted through or tucked under the edges of the locking openings 142 in the front attachment panel 131a.
Furthermore, the locking tabs 167a can at least partially separated from the front top panel 159a at the cuts 160a and can be at least partially inserted through and received in the aligned locking openings 179, 140a. Such movement of the panels of the blank 103/carrier 105 can also position the locking tabs 173 over the aligned locking openings 177, 132 such that the locking tabs 173 can be manipulated to be inserted at least partially through and received in the locking openings 177, 132. For example, the locking tabs 173 can be at least partially folded downwardly at the respective fold lines 175, inserted through the locking openings 177, and at least partially inserted through the locking openings 132 aligned therebelow.
Such interlocking engagement of the locking features of the carrier 105 and the carriers and packages disclosed herein can provide a robust construction of the carrier that is resistant to incidental loosening/movement/shifting and can contribute to maintain an erected configuration of the carrier 105 and a tight and secure engagement with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3. For example, the aforementioned arrangement of locking features presents multiple plies and interfering edges of material, e.g., paperboard, that forms the carrier 105 such that the various locking features provide a compounding effect that reinforces the strength/integrity of the carrier 105. In some embodiments, the engagements of the various male locking features and respective female locking features described herein can provide a desired level of tension or tightness of the carrier around the containers. A schematic illustration of the interaction of the locking features of the carrier 105 is provided in
The above-described arrangement of the panels of the carrier can thus align the various handle features, e.g., the handle reinforcement flaps 169a, 169b (and adjacent handle opening 183) and the handle openings 130 such that a user can at least partially insert one or more of his or her fingers downwardly against the reinforcement flap 169a, 169b to cause at least partial separation thereof from the respective locking panels 163a, 163b and downward folding at the respective fold lines 171a, 171b to allow the user to grasp the carrier 105 along portions of the attachment panels 131a, 131b exposed under the handle openings 130. The reinforcement flaps 169a, 169b can provide additional plies of material, e.g., as a buffer, between the user's fingers and the carrier, for example, to resist deformation/tearing of one or more portions of the carrier 105, for the user's comfort, to avoid, pinching of the user's fingers, etc.
The package 110/carrier 105 described above has a compact structure that can, for example, provide materials savings and waste reduction. Further, the exposure of one or more portions of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 on exterior portions of the carrier 105/package 110 provides a consumer with a clear view of labeling or surface graphics associated with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 as well as providing convenient access to remove one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the carrier 105/package 110, for example, by withdrawing a respective container through the respective cuts 141a, 141b to disengage the container from the respective panels 131a, 131b, 159a, 159b.
The blank 203 can have the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2, the attachment panels 131a, 131b, the side panels 155a, 155b, the top panels 159a, 159b, and associated features.
In addition, the locking openings 142 positioned in the attachment panel 131a of the blank 203 can be front locking openings 142a, and back locking openings 142b (broadly, “female locking features” or “first female locking features” or “third female locking features”) can be at least partially defined in the attachment panel 131b of the blank 203. Further, the locking tabs 144 in the container retention tabs extending from the top panel 159a can be front locking tabs 144a, and the blank 203 can additionally include back locking tabs 144b (broadly, “male locking features” or “third male locking features”) in the container retention tabs 148b extending from the back top panel 159b.
With continued reference to
In this regard, the blank 203 and carrier 205/package 210 formed therefrom can have a different number and arrangement of panels, handle features, and locking features as compared to the blank 103 and carrier 105/package 110 described above. It will be understood that the blank 203/carrier 205/package 210 can have a further different arrangement and/or configuration without departing from the disclosure.
With additional reference to
As shown in the schematic view of
Upon positioning of the top panels 159a, 159b in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b as described above, the locking tabs 173a, 173b can be positioned generally aligned over the respective locking openings 132 interrupting the fold line 112. Accordingly, the locking tabs 173a, 173b can be folded downwardly at the respective fold lines 175a, 175b and at least partially inserted through and received in the respective locking openings 132. In such an arrangement, one or more flared or flanged portions of the respective locking tabs 173a, 173b can engage an underside of one or both of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b to maintain a secure engagement of the locking tabs 173a, 173b through the locking openings 132.
The aforementioned construction of the carrier 205/package 210 can provide a robust and secured engagement of the various panels and portions thereof to support one or more of the containers with advantages similar to those described above with regard to the carrier 105/package 110. In some embodiments, such a construction of the carrier 205/package 210 can be provided so as to avoid or minimize the use of polymeric materials such as adhesives, e.g., glue.
The blank 303 can have the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2, the attachment panels 131a, 131b, the side panels 155a, 155b, the top panels 159a, 159b, and associated features. The blank 303 can also include the locking openings 132, 142a, 142b, and the locking tabs 144a, 144b, 173. Additional locking openings 185 (broadly, “female locking features” or “second female locking features” or “fourth female locking features”) can be at least partially defined in the back top panel 159b. It will be understood that the blank 303/carrier 305/package 310 can have a further different arrangement and/or configuration without departing from the disclosure.
With additional reference to the schematic view of
The locking tabs 144a can be separated from the container retention tabs 148a at the respective lines of weakening 150a and tucked under the attachment panel 131a via at least partial receipt through the respective openings 142a as described above. Similarly, the locking tabs 144b can be separated from the container retention tabs 148b at the respective lines of weakening 150b and inserted/received at least partially through the respective openings 142b to be tucked under the attachment panel 131b.
Upon positioning of the top panels 159a, 159b in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b as described above, the locking openings 185 can be positioned generally aligned over the locking openings 132 interrupting the fold line 112, and the locking tabs 173 can be positioned over the aligned locking openings 185, 132. In this regard, the locking tabs 173 can be folded downwardly at the respective fold lines 175, inserted through and received in the locking openings 185, and further inserted at least partially through and received in the locking openings 132. In such an arrangement, one or more flared or flanged portions of the respective locking tabs 173 can engage an underside of one or both of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b to maintain a secure engagement of the locking tabs 173 through the locking openings 132.
The aforementioned construction of the carrier 305/package 310 can provide a robust and secured engagement of the various panels and portions thereof to support one or more of the containers with advantages similar to those described above with regard to the carriers 105, 205/packages 110, 210. In some embodiments, such a construction of the carrier 305/package 310 can be provided so as to avoid or minimize the use of polymeric materials such as adhesives, e.g., glue.
The blank 403 can have the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2, the attachment panels 131a, 131b, the side panels 155a, 155b, the top panels 159a, 159b, and associated features. The blank 403 can also include the locking openings 132, 142a, 142b, and the locking tabs 144a, 144b, 173.
As shown, the locking openings 185 can be at least partially defined at a location along/abutting the top panel 159b that is longitudinally spaced further from the central fold line 112 than in the blank 303 described above. In addition, tabs 187 can extend away from the respective locking openings 185 such that the tabs 187 can be at least partially foldably connected to the top panel 159b at the respective locking openings 185. In one embodiment, the locking openings 185 can be collinear with a free edge of the top panel 159b.
In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 403 can be provided with a greater number of locking tabs 173a than in the embodiments described above. In some embodiments, the blank 403 can include 5 locking tabs 173a, though a greater or lesser number of locking tabs 173a can be provided without departing from the disclosure.
The locking tabs 173b can be provided in an alternating arrangement with the tabs 187 such that a respective locking tab 173b is generally aligned with a respective locking tab 173a along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L1, and such that a respective tab 187 is generally aligned with a respective locking tab 173a along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L1.
With additional reference to the schematic view of
The locking tabs 144a can be separated from the container retention tabs 148a at the respective lines of weakening 150a and tucked under the attachment panel 131a through the respective openings 142a as described above. Similarly, the locking tabs 144b can be separated from the container retention tabs 148b at the respective lines of weakening 150b and inserted at least partially through the respective openings 142b to be tucked under the attachment panel 131b.
Upon positioning of the top panels 159a, 159b in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b as described above, some of the locking tabs 173a, 173b can be generally aligned over the locking openings 132 interrupting the fold line 112, and the locking tabs 173a interspersed therebetween can be generally aligned with the tabs 187. In this regard, the locking tabs 173a, 173b aligned over the locking openings 132 can be folded downwardly at the respective fold lines 175a, 175b and at least partially inserted through the locking openings 132. In such an arrangement, one or more flared or flanged portions of the respective locking tabs 173a, 173b can engage an underside of one or both of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b to maintain a secure engagement of the locking tabs 173a, 173b through the locking openings 132.
Furthermore, the locking tabs 173a aligned with the respective locking openings 185/tabs 187 can be at least partially inserted through the locking openings 185, for example, to maintain and/or enhance the positioning of the attachment panels 131a, 131b relative to one another. In some embodiments, the tabs 187 can be at least partially folded downwardly at lines of weakening associated with the tabs 187 to facilitate at least partial receipt of the locking tabs 173a in the locking openings 185. In other embodiments, the locking tabs 173a can be inserted at least partially through the locking openings 185 and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the tabs 187.
The aforementioned construction of the carrier 405/package 410 can provide a robust and secured engagement of the various panels and portions thereof to support one or more of the containers with advantages similar to those described above with regard to the carriers 105, 205, 305/packages 110, 210, 310. In some embodiments, such a construction of the carrier 405/package 410 can be provided so as to avoid or minimize the use of polymeric materials such as adhesives, e.g., glue.
The blank 503 can have the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2, the attachment panels 131a, 131b, the side panels 155a, 155b, the top panels 159a, 159b, the locking panels 163a, 163b, and associated features. The blank 503 can also include the locking openings 132, 140a, 140b, 179, and the locking tabs 167a, 167b, 173.
As also shown, handle features of the blank 503 can include the handle openings 130, handle reinforcement flaps 431a, 431b foldably connected to the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b at respective oblique fold lines 433a, 433b and positioned extending into the respective handle openings 130, the handle reinforcement flaps 169b, and handle notches or handle cutouts 469 formed along a free edge of the locking panel 163a.
With additional reference to the schematic view of
The locking tabs 167, 167b can be separated from the top panels 159a, 159b at the respective lines of weakening 160a, 160b and tucked under the attachment panel 131a through the respective openings 140a, 140b as described above.
Upon positioning of the top panels 159a, 159b in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b as described above, the locking panel 163a can be positioned overlapping the locking panel 163b. In this regard, the locking tabs 173 aligned over the locking openings 179, 132 can be folded downwardly at the respective fold lines 175 to be inserted through and received in the respective locking openings 179 and further through the locking openings 132 therebelow. In such an arrangement, one or more flared or flanged portions of the respective locking tabs 173 can engage an underside of one or both of the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b to maintain a secure engagement of the locking tabs 173 through the locking openings 132.
The above-described arrangement of the panels of the carrier can thus align the various handle features, e.g., the handle openings 469, handle reinforcement flaps 169b, and the handle openings 132/handle reinforcement flaps 431a, 431b, such that a user can at least partially insert one or more of his or her fingers downwardly through the respective handle openings 469, against the reinforcement flaps 169b to cause at least partial separation thereof from the respective locking panels 163b and downward folding at the respective fold lines 171a at least partially through the respective handle openings 130. Such movement of the handle reinforcement flaps 169b can cause one or more of the handle reinforcement flaps 431a, 431b to at least partially fold downwardly at the respective fold lines 433a, 433b to allow the user to grasp the carrier 505 along portions of the attachment panels 131a, 131b exposed under the handle openings 130. The reinforcement flaps 169a, 169b, 433a, 433b can provide additional plies of material, e.g., as a buffer, between the user's fingers and the carrier, for example, to resist deformation/tearing of one or more portions of the carrier 505, for the user's comfort, to avoid, pinching of the user's fingers, etc.
The aforementioned construction of the carrier 505/package 510 can provide a robust and secured engagement of the various panels and portions thereof to support one or more of the containers with advantages similar to those described above with regard to the carriers 105, 205, 305, 405/packages 110, 210, 310, 410. In some embodiments, such a construction of the carrier 505/package 510 can be provided so as to avoid or minimize the use of polymeric materials such as adhesives, e.g., glue.
The blank 603 can have the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2, the attachment panels 131a, 131b, the side panels 155a, 155b, the top panels 159a, 159b, the locking panel 163a, and associated features.
The blank 603 can also include a locking tab 167 (broadly, “male locking features” or “first male locking features”) interrupting the fold line 161a, a locking tab 173, a locking opening 140b positioned in the attachment panel 131b, and a locking opening 185 positioned interrupting the fold line 161b. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking tab 167 can have a generally obliquely-tapered, e.g., wedge-shaped or triangular, configuration, and the locking opening 185 can have a generally curved configuration, though one or both of the locking tab 167 and the locking opening 185 can have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure.
As also shown, handle features of the blank 603 can include a pair of handle reinforcement flaps 631a, 631b intersecting and separably connected at a longitudinal cut 633 that interrupts the fold line 112. Each handle reinforcement flap 631a, 631b can be at least partially defined by a respective pair of curved cuts 635a, 635b intersecting the cut 633. A handle reinforcement flap 637 can also be at least partially defined by a generally curved cut 639 in the top panel 159a.
With additional reference to the schematic view of
The locking tab 167 can be separated from the top panel 159a at the line of weakening 160 and tucked under the attachment panel 131b by being at least partially received through the opening 140b as described above. Furthermore, the locking panel 163a can be positioned overlapping the top panel 159b such that the locking tab 173 can be inserted at least partially through the locking opening 185. In such an arrangement, one or more flared or flanged portions of the locking tab 173 can engage portions of the side panel 155b and/or the top panel 159b adjacent the locking opening 185.
The above-described arrangement of the panels of the carrier can thus align the various handle features, e.g., the handle reinforcement flaps 637, 631a, 631b, such that a user can at least partially insert one or more of his or her fingers downwardly through the handle reinforcement flap 637 such that the handle reinforcement flap 637 at least partially separates from the top panel 159a at the cut 639 to further move the handle reinforcement flaps 631a, 631b aligned therebelow to at least partially separate at the cut 633 and from the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b at the respective cuts 635a, 635b to move further downwardly to allow the user to grasp the carrier 605 along portions of the attachment panels 131a, 131b exposed by such movement of the handle reinforcement flaps 631a, 631b. The handle reinforcement flaps 637, 631a, 631b can provide additional plies of material, e.g., as a buffer, between the user's fingers and the carrier, for example, to resist deformation/tearing of one or more portions of the carrier 605, for the user's comfort, to avoid, pinching of the user's fingers, etc.
The aforementioned construction of the carrier 605/package 610 can provide a robust and secured engagement of the various panels and portions thereof to support one or more of the containers with advantages similar to those described above with regard to the carriers 105, 205, 305, 405, 505/packages 110, 210, 310, 410, 510. In some embodiments, such a construction of the carrier 605/package 610 can be provided so as to avoid or minimize the use of polymeric materials such as adhesives, e.g., glue.
It will be understood that the blanks and carriers/packages described herein can be provided in different configurations without departing from the disclosure.
In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,062, filed on Jun. 29, 2021. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,062, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1527399 | Davidson | Feb 1925 | A |
| 2289859 | Arthur | Jul 1942 | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20220411155 A1 | Dec 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 63216062 | Jun 2021 | US |
