Claims
- 1. A carton divider blank made of self-supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web lying in a horizontal plane and surrounding a plurality of at least four preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed by a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line;
- said plurality being arranged to constitute laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, to define three panels in said web, two outer, and one intermediate therebetween,
- wherein said flaps are adapted to be broken away along said lines of weakness and rotated about said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, wherein said two outer panels are adapted to be rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, to define a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane.
- 2. The blank according to claim 1 wherein each of said flaps and said outer panels include respective ones of corresponding flap inter-engagement means and outer panel inter-engagement means adapted to be mutually interengaged in paired relation when positioned in mutually aligned register when said flaps and said outer panels are raised into said upright and corresponding upright positions, respectively.
- 3. The blank according to claim 2 wherein said respective means comprise a vertically running slit arranged in an uppermost edge of each said flap, and a latch means comprising a depending interfering lobe adapted to be received in said slit in interlocking relation therewith.
- 4. The blank according to claim 2 wherein each of said flap inter-engagement means comprises cut-out means arranged in an uppermost edge of each said flap with a slot extending from a base of said cut-out means; and, each of corresponding ones of said outer panel interengagement means comprises latch means on said outer panel each comprising an interfering lobe, at least part of which is adapted to pass through said cut-out and overlie and be restrained by an adjacent portion of a corresponding one of said flaps.
- 5. The blank according to claim 4 wherein each said lobe is adapted to contact its respective adjacent portion on its corresponding flap which portion is location in adjacent but laterally spaced apart relation to a corresponding one of said slots.
- 6. The blank according to claim 1 wherein at least one end of each of said outer panels extend longitudinally beyond the same adjacent end of the intermediate panel, said at least one ends being beveled adjacent the fold lines towards said adjacent end, which bevel is adapted to facilitate insertion of a carton divider erected from said blank, into a corresponding carton.
- 7. The blank according to claim 6 wherein each said adjacent end has a rounded profile to additionally facilitate insertion of a carton divider erected from said blank into an associated carton.
- 8. The blank according to claim 1 wherein said flaps have a rounded profile along respective outwardly facing edges of each of said flaps which profile is adapted to facilitate insertion of said carton divider erected from said blank, into a corresponding carton.
- 9. The blank according to claim 2 wherein at least the longitudinally outer two elongated flaps are provided with said means for engaging said divider insert.
- 10. A carton blank of self-supporting packaging material, comprising:
- a structural web lying in a horizontal plane and surrounding a plurality of at least six preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed by a readily flangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line;
- said plurality being arranged to constitute at least three laterally extending flap pairs, each such pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of said flaps, to define three panels in said web, two outer, and one intermediate therebetween,
- wherein said flaps are adapted to be broken away along said lines of weakness and to rotate about said hinge lines into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane; and, wherein said two outer panels are adapted to be rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, with the engaged flaps and panels thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane; and, wherein at least some of said flaps have a beveled profile along respective proximal edges thereof, adapted to facilitate the insertion of said divider panel insert along said longitudinal axis in a carton divider erected from said blank; and, wherein at least one of said flaps has means on a proximal edge thereof adapted to engage said divider insert in a carton divider erected from said blank.
- 11. The blank according to claim 10 wherein at least the longitudinally outer two elongated flaps are provided with said means for engaging said divider insert.
- 12. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel laying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein said flaps and said outer panels each include respective mutually engaged means positioned in mutually aligned register with said flaps and said outer panels in said upright and corresponding upright positions, respectively; and, wherein said respective mutually engaged means each comprise a vertically running slit arranged in an uppermost edge of each said flap, and a latch means comprising an interfering lobe at least part of which is received in a corresponding slit in interlocking relation therewith.
- 13. The carton divider according to claim 1 in which each said lobe depends from a corresponding one of said flaps.
- 14. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel laying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein said flaps and said outer panels each include respective mutually engaged means comprising flap inter-engagement means and outer panel inter-engagement means positioned in mutually aligned register with said flaps and said outer panels in said upright and corresponding upright positions, respectively; and, wherein each of aid flap inter-engagement means comprises cut-out means arranged in an uppermost edge of each said flap with a slot extending from a base of said cut-out means; and, said outer panel inter-engagement means comprises latch means on said outer panel each comprising an interfering lobe, at least part of which is adapted to pass through said cut-out and overlie and be restrained by an adjacent portion of said flap.
- 15. The carton divider according to claim 1 wherein each said lobe is adapted to contact its respective adjacent portion on its corresponding flap which portion is located in adjacent but laterally spaced apart relation to a corresponding one of said slots.
- 16. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across in intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel laying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein at least one end of each of said outer panels extends longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the intermediate panel, said at least one end being beveled adjacent the fold lines towards said adjacent end, which bevel is adapted to facilitate insertion of said carton divider into a corresponding carton.
- 17. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel laying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein at least two of said flaps have a beveled profile along respective proximal edges thereof, adapted to facilitate the insertion of a divider-panel insert along said longitudinal axis.
- 18. The carton divider according to claim 17 wherein at least the longitudinally outer two elongated flaps are provided with said means for engaging said divider insert.
- 19. The carton divider according to claim 17 which further includes a divider insert.
- 20. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent pairs having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel laying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein at least one of said elongated flaps has means on a proximal edge thereof adapted to engage a divider insert to be located along said longitudinal axis.
- 21. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent paris having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arrange in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel lying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotate about said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, said two outer panels being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein at least one of said elongated flaps has means on a proximal edge thereof adapted to engage a divider insert to be located along said longitudinal axis.
- 22. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent paris having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arrange in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel lying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotate abut said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, said two outer panels being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein said flaps and said outer panels each include respective mutually engaged means comprising flap inter-engagement means and outer panel inter-engagement means positioned in mutually aligned register with said flaps and said outer panels in said upright and corresponding upright positions, respectively; and, wherein each of aid flap inter-engagement means comprises cut-out means arranged in an uppermost edge of each said flap with a slot extending from a base of said cut-out means; and, corresponding ones of said outer panel inter-engagement means comprises latch means on said outer panel each comprising an interfering lobe, at least part of which is adapted to pass through said cut-out and overlie and be restrained by an adjacent portion of said flap.
- 23. The carton divider according to claim 22 wherein said lobe is adapted to contact its respective adjacent portion on its corresponding flap which portion is located in adjacent but laterally spaced apart relation to a corresponding one of said slots.
- 24. A carton and carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising in combination;
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- sad plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent paris having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arrange in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel lying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotated about said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, said two outer panels being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel;
- wherein said flaps have a rounded profile along respective outwardly facing edges thereof which profile is adapted to facilitate insertion of said carton divider into a corresponding carton; and a corresponding carton with said divider arranged in combination therewith.
- 25. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent paris having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmus arrange in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel lying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotate about said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, said two outer panels being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel; and,
- wherein said flaps have a rounded profile along respective outwardly facing edges each of aid flaps which profile is adapted to facilitate insertion of said carton divider erected from said blank, into a corresponding carton.
- 26. The carton divider according to claim 25, wherein at least one of said flaps has means on a proximal edge thereof adapted to engage a divider insert to be located along said longitudinal axis.
- 27. The carton divider according to claim 26 wherein at least the longitudinally outer two elongated flaps are provided with said means for engaging said divider insert.
- 28. A carton divider as claimed in claim 25 in combination with a divider insert.
- 29. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each cirscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent paris having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arrange in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and,
- a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel lying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotate about said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, said two outer panels being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel;
- in combination with a divider insert, which insert is provided with means to engage an at least one of said flap's proximal edge.
- 30. A carton divider formed from a unitary piece of self supporting packaging material, and comprising:
- a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from said web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on said web;
- said plurality being arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of said web, from a laterally shorter second flap;
- said pairs being arranged in a longitudinal array with longitudinally adjacent paris having a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arrange in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of said web;
- said elongated flaps arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent said central axis in spaced relation from said axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between said proximal edges; and, a pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced apart and longitudinally extending, intermittent fold lines traversing portions of said web that extend laterally between adjacent pairs of said longitudinal array of flaps, defining three panels in said web including two outer panels, and one intermediate panel lying in a horizontal plane;
- said flaps being rotate about said hinge line into an upstanding orientation out of said horizontal plane of said web; and, said two outer panels being rotated along said fold lines into a corresponding upstanding orientation in mutually engaged relation with said upstanding flaps, thereby defining a plurality of upright partitions above said horizontal plane of said intermediate panel;
- in combination with a divider inset wherein one or more of the flaps and the divider insert are provided with means to enter into mutually engaged relation.
- 31. The combination according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said carton is a beer carton.
- 32. The combination according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said combination defines twenty-four separate compartments adapted to receive primary packaging therein.
- 33. The combination according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said combination is a beer carton adapted to accommodate twenty-four beer bottles arranged in an array comprising four bottles abreast, and six bottles deep, in substantially mutually separated relation within corresponding ones of subcompartments defined by said combination.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/663,027, filed Mar. 1, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,802, issued Oct. 22, 1991, which application is incorporated herein by reference.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2498562 |
Jul 1982 |
FRX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
663027 |
Mar 1991 |
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