Patent Grant
8387784
The present disclosure generally relates to packages or cartons for holding and carrying containers.
In one aspect of the disclosure, a package is disclosed for holding a plurality of containers, such as, for example, beverage cans. The package has a top panel, an end panel and a side panel. The package has retention features for retaining the containers and handle features for grasping and carrying the package.
In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a package for holding a plurality of containers comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the at least one side panel. At least one feature is in the top panel that receives and holds a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one feature comprises an opening in the top panel and a retention feature adjacent the opening to engage at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the package. The at least one end panel comprises a handle for grasping and carrying the package.
In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a blank for forming a package for holding a plurality of containers. The blank comprises panels that comprise a top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and at least one end panel foldably connected to the at least one side panel. The panels are for forming an interior of the package formed from the blank. At least one feature is in the top panel that is for receiving and holding a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers in the package formed from the blank. The at least one feature comprises an opening in the top panel and a retention feature adjacent the opening for engaging the at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the package. The at least one end panel comprises handle features for forming a handle for grasping and carrying the package formed from the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of forming a package for containing a plurality of containers. The method comprises obtaining a blank having a top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, at least one end panel foldably connected to the at least one side panel, at least one feature in the top panel that comprises an opening in the top panel and a retention feature adjacent the opening. The at least one end panel comprises handle features. The method comprises inserting at least a top portion of a container through the opening and engaging the top portion of the container with the retention feature to at least partially attach the container to the package, and forming a handle from the handle features.
Those skilled in the art will better appreciate the above stated aspects and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
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. Thus, limitations of the invention may not be derived from measurements of the drawings.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
The present disclosure generally relates to constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, and packages 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, aluminum and/or other metals, plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; glass; or any combination thereof.
Packages 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., generally cylindrical containers such as aluminum cans) at least partially disposed within the package embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected packages.
The present embodiments are addressed to cartons or packages for attachment to and accommodation of containers. A package or carrier 5 of a first embodiment is illustrated in its erected state in
In the embodiment of
The cut lines 39 cooperate to form retention edges 42 (broadly “retention feature”) of the opening 7 in the top panel 17 that engages a flange F of the container C. In the illustrated embodiment, each receptacle 37 includes four generally arcuate retention edges that each engage a portion of the flange F of the container C to retain the container in the carton. The retention edges 42 are separated by a respective strip 43 between respective ends of the cuts 39 that attaches the interior panel 41 to the top panel 17.
In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 13 includes end flaps 53, 55 foldably connected to a respective end panel 19, 23 at a longitudinal fold line 57, 59. A gusset panel 61, 63 is respectively connected to the end flaps 53, 55 at a respective oblique fold line 65, 67. Each gusset panel 61, 63 is respectively foldably connected to a side panel 27, 31 at a respective lateral fold line 69, 71.
To form the package 50 in accordance with one acceptable method, the containers C are inserted into a respective receptacle 37 so that the top surface of the flanges F of the containers contact the interior panels 41 of the receptacles to raise the interior panels and form the openings 7 in the top panel 17. The flanges F of the containers C are positioned as shown in
Glue or other adhesive can be applied to one or more of the panels and/or flaps of the blank 13 to secure the package 5 in the folded condition. Also, the package 5 can include handle or reinforcement features as illustrated in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/253,485 filed Oct. 17, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Further, the package 5 could include dispensing features for facilitating removal of the containers C from the package. The blank 13 could be otherwise shaped and/or arranged and the package 5 could have features that are otherwise shaped and/or arranged without departing from the disclosure.
In the embodiment of
The blank 213 includes a top panel 217 having receptacles 237 similar to the receptacles 137 of the previous embodiment. In the embodiment of
The blank 313 includes receptacles 337 that have openings 341 in the top panel 317. The receptacles 337 include tabs 343 adjacent respective longitudinal sides of the openings 341. The tabs 343 are defined by curved fold lines 340 in the top panel. The openings 341 have curved edges 339, formed by correspondingly shaped curved cuts lines in the blank 313, that extend generally in the longitudinal direction L1. As shown in
The blank 413 includes receptacles 437 that have openings 441 in the top panel 417. The openings 441 are generally star-shaped and are formed by respective edges 439. The edges 439 of the openings 441 have curved portions that form respective foldable flaps 444 that are adjacent the openings 441. The foldable flaps 444 protrude into a respective opening 441 and engage an underside of a respective flange F of the containers C. The tabs 443 between the openings 441 are defined by longitudinal fold line 440. In the illustrated embodiment, each receptacle 437 includes eight foldable flaps 444. The blank 413 could be otherwise shaped and/or arranged and the package 405 could have features that are otherwise shaped and/or arranged without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 513 includes receptacles 537 similar to the receptacles 437 of the previous embodiment. The openings 541 have an edge 539 that is similar in shape as the edge 439 of the previous embodiment. Foldable flaps 544 are formed by portions of the edge 539 adjacent the opening 541. The foldable flaps 544 protrude into a respective opening 541 and engage an underside of a respective flange F of the containers C. In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In one embodiment, the end panel 619 includes a first corner portion 619a, a second corner portion 619b, and intermediate portions 619c-g extending between the first and second corner portions. A pair of curved, laterally innermost fold lines 620 which are joined at their endpoints, form the intermediate portion 619e which is generally laterally aligned with the fold line 618 on the lateral centerline of the blank 613. A pair of curved, laterally intermediate fold lines 621 are spaced laterally outwardly from a respective curved inner fold lines 620 and form a respective intermediate portion 619d, 619f at opposing lateral sides of the curved fold lines 620. A pair of curved fold lines 659 is spaced laterally outward from a respective intermediate fold line 621 and cooperates with a respective intermediate fold line 621 to form a respective intermediate portion 619c, 619g. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate portions 619d, 619e, 619f are separated from the top panel 617 by an opening 670. The opening 670 is illustrated as being generally oval and positioned to abut the top panel 617, however, the opening could be otherwise shaped, positioned, arranged, configured, or the opening could be omitted, without departing from the disclosure.
The end panel 623 is similar to the end panel 619 having corner portions 623a, 623b and intermediate portions 623c-g and having fold lines 620, 621, 659 forming the corner portions and intermediate portions. Further, the end panel 623 has an opening 670. The end panel 623 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 613 includes gussets 653, 663 foldably connected to respective side panels 627, 631 at oblique fold lines 655, 665 and respective end panels 619, 623 at oblique fold lines 659, 669. Each gusset 653 includes an oblique fold line 656 and a pair of longitudinal fold lines 657. A first gusset panel 653a is defined between the oblique fold line 655 and the oblique fold line 656. A second gusset panel 653b is defined between the oblique fold line 656 and a first one of the longitudinal fold lines 657. A third gusset panel 653c is defined between the longitudinal fold lines 657. Each gusset 653 is separated from the top panel 617 by an opening 672 that borders the gusset panels 653a, 653b, 653c and corner portion 619a, 619b of the end panel 619. The openings 672 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or the openings could be omitted, without departing from the disclosure.
The gussets 663 are similar to the gussets 653. Specifically, each gusset 663 includes an oblique fold line 666, a pair of longitudinal fold lines 667, and gusset panels 663a, 663b, 663c. Each gusset 663 is separated from the top panel 617 by an opening 672 that borders the gusset panels 663a, 663b, 663c and corner portion 623a, 623b of the end panel 623. One or more of the gussets 653, 663 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, or omitted without departing from the disclosure.
To form the package 605 shown in
In the package 605, the end panels 619, 623 follow the contour of the containers C. Specifically, the end panel portions 619c, 619g and corner portions 619a, 619b form substantially convex end portions 660 that generally conform to the shape of the container C. The end panel portions 619d, 619e, and 619f can be folded inwardly to form a substantially concave intermediate portion 662 that is between the convex end surfaces 660. The concave intermediate portion 662 is positioned between the two end containers C and is shaped to conform to the shape of the containers. Similarly, the end panel portions 623c, 623g and corner portions 623a, 623b form substantially convex end portions 660, and the end panel portions 623b, 623e, and 623f can be folded inwardly to form a substantially concave intermediate end portion 662. Glue or other adhesive can be applied to one or more of the panels and/or flaps of the blank 613 to secure the package 605 in the folded condition. For example, the gusset sections 653a may be adhesively secured to gusset sections 653b, 653c and the gusset sections 663a may be adhesively secured to gusset sections 663b, 663c.
As shown in
It should be understood that the blank 613 could be otherwise shaped and/or arranged and the package 605 could have features that are otherwise shaped and/or arranged without departing from the disclosure.
In the embodiment of
The end panel 719 includes two groups of laterally-spaced, longitudinal fold lines 720 generally located at the lateral end portions of the end panel 719. Similarly, the end panel 723 includes two groups of laterally-spaced, longitudinal fold lines 724 generally located at the lateral end portions of the end panel 723. In the illustrated embodiment, each group of longitudinal fold lines 720, 724 comprises six fold lines, but each group of fold lines could be more or less than six fold lines without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 713 includes gussets 753 each comprising a first gusset panel 754 foldably connected to a respective longitudinal edge of the end panel 719 at longitudinal fold lines 757, and second gusset panel 761 foldably connected to the first gusset panel 754 at oblique fold lines 765. Each gusset panel 761 is foldably connected to a respective side panel 727, 731 at a lateral fold line 769. The blank includes gussets 755 that are similar to gussets 753 and comprise a first gusset panel 756 foldably connected to a respective longitudinal edge of the end panel 723 at longitudinal fold lines 759, and second gusset panels 763 that are foldably connected to a respective first gusset panel 756 at an oblique fold line 767. Each second gusset panel 763 is foldably connected to a respective side panel 727, 731 at a longitudinal fold line 771.
In one embodiment, the side panel 727 includes a longitudinal fold line 728 extending laterally inwardly from each of the lateral fold lines 769, 771. Similarly, the side panel 731 includes a longitudinal fold line 732 extending laterally inwardly from each of the lateral fold lines 769, 771.
To form the package 705 shown in
In the package 705 of the embodiment of
As shown in
It should be understood that the blank 713 could be otherwise shaped and/or arranged and the package 705 could have features that are otherwise shaped and/or arranged without departing from the disclosure.
The blanks according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For instance, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the above-described 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 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.
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.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
The foregoing description 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 Application No. 61/224,760, which was filed on Jul. 10, 2009. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/711,555, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2010 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/208,462, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2009. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/224,760, which was filed on Jul. 10, 2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/711,555, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/208,462, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2009, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.
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| Parent | 12711555 | Feb 2010 | US |
| Child | 12834216 | US |
