Patent Application
20160039586
The present invention relates to an article carrier having an improved article retention feature. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a blank for forming a carrier and a part-formed structure used in the assembly of the carrier having an improved article retention feature for securely holding articles contained by the package carrier, the automated assembly of which is readily achieved. Additionally, the carrier may have a shape that is characteristic of the brand of product being packaged.
In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers, such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. Carriers are often provided with article retention features so that the articles can be securely held within the carton. An example of a carrier with an article retention feature is disclosed in GB 2,279,065. The carton has a planar base for supporting the articles and three retaining sections arranged in an oblique and zig-zag orientation relative to the plane of the base. A package is manually assembled by passing the base of a bottle horizontally through an aperture in an intermediate retaining section and then passing the base of the bottle through an aperture in the a lower retaining section. The bottle neck is then passed through an aperture in an upper retaining section by movement of the bottle in the opposite direction. Threading a bottle such that it is partially bottom loaded and then partially top loaded into the carton is highly disadvantageous since automation of the assembly of the carrier and packaging of the bottles cannot be readily achieved and manual loading and assembly is slow and costly. It is therefore desirable to have a carrier that can be loaded and assembled in an automated manner by packaging machinery.
Yet another consideration is the eye-catching or aesthetically pleasing qualities of the package which may aid in the marketing of the packaged products to consumers.
The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging a plurality of articles comprising:
Optionally, a handle strap may be struck from the reinforcing panel and is displaced out of the reinforcing panel for carrying the carton.
Optionally, the first side panel comprises a second fold line disposed between first and second aperture and the second side panel comprises a third fold line disposed between the third and fourth apertures, the second fold line being disposed adjacent and proximate to the third fold line.
Preferably, the second and third fold lines are disposed proximate to the first fold line.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a first article and a second article and a carton as described in the foregoing paragraphs wherein the first article is received in the first and second apertures of the first side panel such that a portion of the first article is disposed externally of the first side panel and wherein the second article is received in the third and fourth apertures of the second side panel such that a portion of the second article is disposed externally of the second side panel.
Optionally, a neck portion of the first article is disposed externally of the first side panel and a neck portion of the second article is disposed externally of the second side panel.
In some embodiments, the handle strap may extend over a top or crown of the first and second articles.
In some embodiments, the handle strap may be shaped such that a portion of is disposed over the top or crown of the first and second articles.
Optionally, the handle strap is hinged to the upper portion of the first side panel and to the upper portion of the second side panel such that in use the handle panel tightens the upper portions of the first and second side panels and the reinforcing panel about the first and second articles.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a carton comprising:
Optionally, a handle panel may be struck at least in part from the first panel and is coupled to each of the second and third panels.
Optionally, the first panel comprises one or more apertures for receiving an article and the second and third panels each comprise apertures each of which is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective aperture in the first panel, and wherein the fourth and fifth panels each comprise apertures each of which is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective aperture in the first panel and a respective aperture in the second or third panels when the second, third, fourth and fifth panels are folded so as to overlie, at least in part, the first panel.
In some embodiments, the sixth panel comprises a first part hinged to the fourth panel and a second part hinged to the fifth panel.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a part-formed structure for forming a package comprising:
In some embodiment of this aspect, a handle panel may be struck at least in part from the first panel and may be coupled to each of the second and third panels;
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of packaging one or more articles comprising:
Optionally, a handle panel may be struck at least in part from the first panel and may be coupled to each of the second and third panels.
Optionally, the method may comprise:
Optionally, the method may comprise:
Optionally, the method may comprise:
In some embodiments, the handle panel may be unfolded with respect to the second and third panels simultaneously with the at least partial folding of the first panel in response to receiving the group of article in the blank.
Optionally, the method comprises engaging an inner surface of the handle panel with the ends of the articles.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a group of articles and a carrier, the carrier comprising: a handle panel, a retention wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall,
Within the scope of this application it is envisaged and intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blank, carrier and part-formed structure are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the package, blank, carrier and part-formed structure described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as bottles. However, it is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Other exemplary articles include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.
The blank 10 shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the blank 10 is sized and configured to form a carton or carrier for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles. In this example, the arrangement is a 2×2 matrix or array and the articles are bottles. In an optional aspect of the present invention, the shape of the carrier formed from the blank 10 has characteristics that are evocative and/or suggestive of aspects of the brand of product contained in packaged bottles. In this way the package of the present invention has an improved marketing quality because the package itself is not only physically structured for being a useful carry-pack, but its appearance is also evocative of the product brand packaged. The blank 10 can be alternatively configured to form a carrier for packaging other articles, other brands of product, different numbers of articles and/or different arrangements of articles.
The blank 10 comprises a linear series of interconnected panels that are foldable and affixable (optionally by adhesive) to form, in the first instance, a part-formed structure 80 (see
Returning to
The first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are larger in dimension than the respective first or second upper side panel 16, 26 to which they are hinged. The first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are longer or taller than the respective first or second upper side panel 16, 26 to which they are hinged. In other embodiments other arrangements are envisaged depending upon the shape and configuration of the articles B.
Preferably, the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 and first and second upper side panels 16, 26 are arranged such that the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 extend from the base of an article B to a shoulder region where a neck portion of the article B meets a body portion. The first and second upper side panels 16, 26 extend from the shoulder region and extend over the neck portion to the top of the article B.
The first and second bottom panels 12, 22 are optionally provided with complementary parts 70, 72 of a mechanical locking mechanism for affixing the first and second bottom panels 12, 22 together to form a composite bottom wall 12/22. Such mechanisms are known in the art and are typical of wraparound style carriers, where the mechanical locking mechanism provides for some adjustability to enable the carrier to be tightly wrapped about a group of articles B for securing the articles B within the carrier. However, it is envisaged that aspects of the present invention may be applied advantageously in other styles of carrier and therefore the mechanical locking mechanism 70, 72 is entirely optional. In a wraparound style of carrier or in another style of carrier, the mechanical locking mechanism may be replaced by other types of affixing means, for example, adhesive, tuck flaps and/or staples.
Between the first bottom panel 12 and first lower side panel 14; and between the second bottom panel 22 and second lower side panel 24, heel locking features 74 are provided. These again are optional features, typically provided in wraparound style carriers where the tight fit of the carrier 90 to the articles B is important in ensuring that the articles B are securely held. It will be recognised that where the invention is implemented in another style of carrier that such heel locking features 74 may be omitted. In embodiments in which such heel locking features 74 are provided, their style and type, size, number and configuration all may be adapted from that illustrated in order to accommodate articles B of varying style, type, shape, position and number.
The blank 10 comprises a series of article receiving apertures and openings 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. Two approximately elongated-oval-shaped article receiving apertures 30a, 30b are struck from the first lower side panel 14; and two approximately elongated-oval-shaped article receiving apertures 30c, 30d are struck from the second lower side panel 24. Two approximately oval-shaped article receiving apertures 32a, 32b are struck from the first retention panel 16; two approximately oval-shaped article receiving apertures 32c, 32d are struck from the second retention panel 26. The shape of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d is illustrated in
Optionally, the blank 10 is additionally provided with partial apertures or openings 34a, 34b and 34c, 34d disposed in the first pair of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, and second pair of reinforcing panels 20c, 20d respectively. These openings 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d are shaped similarly to corresponding portions of the apertures 32a, 32b and 32c, 32d provided in the first and second retention panels 16, 26 respectively. This is so that when the first pair of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b overlay the first retention panel 16; and when the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c, 20d overlay the second retention panel 26 (see
The blank 10 is configured for forming a carton or carrier 90 that houses four similarly sized and shaped bottles B in a 2×2 arrangement. The completed package with bottles B is shown in
Turning to the construction of the carton 90 as illustrated in
Affixing means, for example adhesive may be applied in the regions illustrated by ‘G’ in
In
In the part-formed structure 80, the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 have their upper edges 42, 50, disposed side-by-side and each hanging from a substantially common position, disposed centrally of the composite retention wall 16/26/20a/20b/20c/20d.
To reduce the overall length of the part-formed structure 80 in readiness for transportation to a converting plant one of the first or second side panels 14, 24 may be folded on top of the other second or first side panel 24, 14. This folding step may be completed at the same time as the folding of the first and second retention panels 16, 26 or as a subsequent step. The term part-formed structure 80 therefore refers to the structure formed when the first pair of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b have been affixed to the first retention panel and the second pair of reinforcing panels 20c, 20d have been affixed to the second retention panel 26. This is irrespective of whether the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are folded into overlapping relationship with one another or remain in an “open” state, as depicted in
The part-formed structure 80 may be transported to a converting plant, whereat a package of articles B and carrier 90 is formed from the part-formed structure 80 and a group of articles B. The part-formed structure, if necessary is unfolded and placed into its “open”-state, ready for it being applied to an assembled group of articles B. Reference is now made to
To assist construction of the package, the part-formed structure 80 is arranged such that the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, of the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 (which now form part of an inner most layer of the part-formed structure 80), are in at least partial alignment with the apertures 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, of the first and second retention panels 16, 26 (which now form an intermediate layer of the part-formed structure 80), and are in at least partial alignment with the openings 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, of the first and second pairs of reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d (which now form part of an outermost layer of the part-formed structure 80). The alignment of each set of three apertures and openings 30a/32a/34a, 30b/32b/34b, 30c/32c/34c, 30d/32d/34d is illustrated in
During assembly, the part-formed structure 80 may be gripped to keep part of each of the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 in contact with, or at least close to, the first or second retention panel 16, 26. The apertures and openings 30a/32a/34a, 30b/32b/34b, 30c/32c/34c, 30d/32d/34d may, thereby, be maintained in their sets, at least until, a bottle B has been loaded into each set 30a/32a/34a, 30b/32b/34b, 30c/32c/34c, 30d/32d/34d. Thereafter, the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 will be released from being maintained in contact with, or at least close to, the first or second retention panel 16, 26. The size and shape of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d in the first and second side panels 14, 24, will allow the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 to move further down the bottle B (in the direction of axis ‘Y’ as shown in
The first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are thereafter folded about the sides of the group of bottles B and the first and second bottom panels 12, 22 are then folded about fold lines 38, 40, 52 and 54 to locate the heel of each article B in a heel locking feature 74 and to bring the first and second bottom panels 12, 22 into overlapping relationship. The complementary locking mechanism 70, 72 is then deployed, as is known in the art, to connect the two panels 12, 22 together and thereby form a composite bottom wall and secure the carrier in a tightly wrapped form about the articles B.
It will be recognised that the articles B may be loaded into a respective one of the aperture/opening sets 30a/32a/34a, 30b/32b/34b, 30c/32c/34c, 30d/32d/34d by relative movement of the part-formed structure 80 and articles B. In other words, the bottles B may be moved toward the part-formed structure 80 and/or the part-formed structure 80 may be moved toward the articles B.
The handle panel 18 is preferably sized and shaped such that it contacts or partially overlaps (in superposition) part of the top or crown of each bottle B in the finished package.
The completed package is shown in
It will be appreciated that the handle strap 18 extends over the top of the articles B and may be considered to be a top panel since it partially covers the tops of the articles B.
Each obliquely angled retaining panel (part of the retention wall 16/16/20a/20b/20c/20d and part of a side wall 14, 24) is disposed at an angle relative to the bottle B such that the edges of each aperture or opening 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d 32a/34a, 32b/34b, 32s/34c, 32d/34d, secure the bottle B at a range of heights. For example, the upper article retention apertures or openings 32a/34a, 32b/34b, 32c/34c, 32d/34d in the composite retention wall 16/26/20a/20b/20c/20d are angled such that the uppermost and lower most edges of the upper article retention apertures or openings 32a/34a, 32b/34b, 32c/34c, 32d/34d are spaced apart by the greatest diameter of the upper article retention apertures or openings 32a/34a, 32b/34b, 32c/34c, 32d/34d, which may be between about 3 cm and about 6 cm and preferably about 4 cm. The lower article retention apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d in the first and second lower side panels 14, 24 are angled such that the uppermost and lower most edges of the lower article retention apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are spaced apart by the greatest diameter of the lower article retention apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, which may be between about 6 cm and about 9 cm and preferably about 7.3 cm.
The upper article retention apertures or openings 32a/34a, 32b/34b, 32c/34c, 32d/34d and indeed the “V”-shaped composite retention wall 16/26/20a/20b/20c/20d are inwardly angled. By that it is meant that the uppermost edge 44, 48 of each upper retention panel 16/20a/20b and 26/20c/20d is outermost and that each upper retention panel 16/20a/20b and 26/20c/20d is angled inwardly towards the centre of the carrier 90; and it is meant that the uppermost edge 42, 50 of the lower retention panels 14, 24 are disposed innermost (and centrally of the carrier 90), whereas the lowermost sections of the lower retention panels 14, 24 are disposed outermost.
Due to the uppermost retention panels 16/20a/20b and 26/20c/20d being inwardly angled, the handle panel 18 can be formed as a strap handle that extends across the top of the article B group and which bows upwardly above the tops of the bottles B. This provides a convenient and comfortable way to lift the carrier 90.
Because the upper and lower retention panels 16/20a/20b, 26/20c/20d and 14, 24 are disposed at opposite angles, movement of the bottles B, once packaged within the carrier 90, is even further restricted. This configuration of two obliquely angled retention panels connected to the top and bottom of the carrier 90 provides for very secure retention of the articles B and due to the alignment of the aperture sets 30a/32a/34a, 30b/32b/34b, 30c/32c/34c, 30d/32d/34d in the part-formed structure 80, assembly of the carrier 90 is simple enough to be effectively automated.
The optional, cross end shape of the package gives an aesthetically pleasing quality which may make the package stand-out to a consumer for an improved marketing effect. This may be especially so, where the brand or branding associated with the packaged product has a connection to the cross-end shape of the package.
It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles B of differing size or shape. In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that one or more or all of the apertures and openings 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d may comprise one or more or a series of foldable tabs. Such tabs may increase the tightness of fit of an aperture or cut-out about an article. Optionally, however, it is preferred to have clean-cut aperture and cut-outs for the aesthetic appeal of the overall package and the retention mechanism provided by the present invention is sufficient that foldable tabs are not necessarily required. It is also envisaged that the number, position and shape of the apertures 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and cut-outs 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d shown in the illustrated example may be different in other embodiments in order to support different types, sizes, number and configurations of articles B.
In other embodiments, sticking tape, other chemical bonding agent or a mechanical fixing means such as staples, Velcro, a mechanical lock, may be used for fastening the bottom panels together.
In other envisaged embodiments, the reinforcing panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d may not comprise cut-outs as such, but rather may serve only to attach the first and second retention panels 16, 26 to one another. In such embodiments, the reinforcing panels may be rectangular in shape and of uniform width. In blank form, their innermost edge may or may not be defined by the handle panel 18.
It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
As used herein, the terms “hinged connection” and “fold line” refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. Any reference to hinged connection or fold line should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from any one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used herein, the term “severance line” refers to all manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, tear lines, cut lines, or slits.
As used herein, the word “opening” refers to a recess, a cutaway or an aperture.
As used herein, the term “upper side panel” refers to the upper portion 16 or 26 of the first or second side panel while the term “lower side panel” refers to the lower portion 14 or 24 of the first or second side panel.
It should be understood that hinged connection, severance lines and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1305793.0 | Mar 2013 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2014/032250 | 3/28/2014 | WO | 00 |
