Patent Application
20130008940
The present invention relates to packaging, more specifically, but not exclusively to a crease direction guiding mechanism for controlling the folding or collapsing direction of panels of a package.
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 yet be sufficiently strong to support the articles and be easily handled and transported. As such, it is desirable if packages are sized to tightly package their contents with little or no unused internal capacity. Additionally it is desirable to have carrying handles that can be accessed by a user. This often means having a handle that can be raised above the top surface of the package or carton to enable a user to fit their hand in between the top of the carton and the handle for grasping the handle. To some extent the requirement for tight packing and the requirement to provide room or slack for a handle conflict with one another.
In EP1326788 a can carton is disclosed, in which the side walls (24, 20/28) are provided with curved fold lines (58) which enable the package to be more tightly formed with less free or unencumbered major and minor flap area. This is said to limit the blousing effect caused when packages of cans are stacked upon one another. When the cartons are stacked, the cans tend to nest as much as they are able to which can decrease the overall height of a carton and cause the end wads to bow outwardly, or “blouse”. In other words, this structure is intended to prevent blousing by reducing the amount of material in the carton by creating a curved end to each end of one of the main panels of the carton.
The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of packaging and/or an alternative solution to that presented in EP '788 by providing a mechanism for directing and controlling the folding of a panel of material—this is as discussed above—particularly advantageous in conjunction with using a handle, however the benefit of the invention can be seen in other applications and as such, the mechanism of the present invention is not limited in its application to being used with handles.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton formed from foldable material, the carton comprising a fold-guiding mechanism, the fold-guiding mechanism positioned to facilitate folding of the carton, the fold-guiding mechanism comprising two weakened lines that diverge from a first location on the carton and that converge on a second location on the carton, the first and second locations being spaced apart and being positioned on a notional line defining a primary deformation region of the fold guiding mechanism.
Preferably, the two weakened lines are arcuate in shape and have a similar radius and have a similar maximum width as measured from said notional line. Alternatively, the two weakened lines are arcuate in shape and have a different radius and have a different maximum width as measured from said notional line and optionally each arcuate line has a peak which is not positioned immediately opposite to the peak of the other arcuate line.
Preferably, the fold-guiding mechanism further comprises a weakened aspect at least in part extending between the two weakened lines and preferably, the weakened aspect comprises a fold line and/or an embossed region between the two weakened lines.
Optionally, the first and second locations are positioned on different panels of the carton and the fold-guiding mechanism spans a corner of the carton. Preferably, the corner spanned by the fold-guiding mechanism is between a top panel and a side panel of the carton.
Optionally, the two weakened lines are formed by one or more or a combination of: a full depth cut and crease line, a half depth cut and crease line, an embossed line, a score line, a perforation and a fold line. Preferably, said two weakened lines are each a half depth cut and crease line with each half-depth cut and crease having a length of about 0.13 inches (about 0.32 cm).
Optionally, the carton comprises more than one fold-guiding mechanism and each fold-guiding mechanism is evenly spaced from each adjacent fold-guiding mechanism or each fold-guiding mechanism is unevenly spaced from each adjacent fold-guiding mechanism. Optionally an additional weakened line may be positioned to link the more than one fold-guiding mechanism.
Preferably, the carton comprises a handle structure in its top wall and the fold-guiding mechanism is positioned at least in the top wall or an adjacent side wall and wherein the fold-guiding mechanism co-operates with the handle structure to facilitate lifting of the handle. Optionally, the top wall and top end closure panels hinged thereto, each comprise components of a curved corner arrangement.
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, blanks and cartons 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. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons 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.
Referring to
The other panels of the blank 10 include side panel 14, bottom panel 16, side panel 18. The main panels 12a, 14, 16, 18, 12b are hinged one to the next in series along fold lines 20, 22, 24 and 26 respectively. End closure panels 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are provided at each end of each main panel 12a, 14, 16, 18, 12b, The end closure panels 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are hinged to their associated main panel 12a, 14, 16, 18, 12b along common fold line 40, 42 respectively. The blank 10 is formed into the carton 80 by folding the blank about fold line 22; applying glue in the region S on the inner top panel 12a and then folding outer top panel 12b about fold line 26 such that it is brought into partial overlapping relationship with inner top panel 12a and region S of the outer top panel 12b adhered to region S of the inner top panel 12a.
The resulting structure at this stage is a flat-formed tubular structure that has been part glued. In this state the part-formed blank 10 is often supplied to a converting plant, whereat, the part-formed blanks are opened by pulling apart the composite top panel 12a/12b and from the bottom panel 16. The resulting structure is an open-ended tubular structure that can then be loaded from one or both ends with articles, such as cans (B). Once loaded, the carton is securely closed by folding the end closure flaps of each end wall about the fold line 40, 42 and securing them together. A completed carton 80 is shown in
The aforedescribed features are standard features of a can-type carton. The invention is described in the context of this blank 10 and carton 80 merely for exemplary purposes. The first illustrated embodiment of the invention is now described. A pair of fold-guiding mechanisms 50 is positioned immediately adjacent to each handle strap structure 46a, 46b of the inner 12a and outer 12b top panels. As such, the fold-guiding mechanisms 50 illustrated are illustrated in a particular application—namely working in conjunction with a strap handle. This is however only one exemplary application for the fold-guiding mechanism 50 of the invention and as such, the current description of a specific implementation of the invention should not be construed as limiting the invention to only that application.
Each handle structure 46a, 46b comprises a fold line 60, hand cushioning flap 62 and aperture 64. The aperture 64 allows a user to partially insert his fingers into the carton in order to bend the cushioning flap 62 about fold line 60 for grasping the strap (S). The user can then lift the carton by the strap (S)—see
The fold-guiding mechanisms 50 each comprise a pair of primary weakened lines 52, 54. The weakened lines 52, 54 diverge from a first common location 71 and converge on a second common location 73. The first and second common locations 71, 73 mark the terminus of each end of each primary weakened line 52, 54. In this arrangement, the pair of primary weakened lines 52, 54 is arcuate and is symmetrical about a notional line extending between the first and second spaced locations 71, 73. Optionally, this notional line is positioned perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the carton (running parallel to fold lines 20, 22, 24, 26). Optionally, an intermediate score line or fold line 56 that is collinear with the notional line is demarcated between the first and second spaced locations 71, 73. Specifically, this optional score line 56 terminates at and extends between the first and second locations 71, 73. As such two segments 58a, 58b of the fold-guiding mechanisms 50 are defined.
In use, the pair of primary weakened lines 52, 54 directs and controls the deformation of the surrounding region of sheet material. In this application the fold-guiding mechanisms 50 are positioned immediately adjacent to the handle arrangements 46a, 46b. In fact the second common location 73 upon which the pair of primary weakened lines 52, 54 and the optional score line 56 terminate is positioned on the cut line 66 defining the aperture 64 of the handle.
When the handle (H) is operated by upwardly lifting the strap (S), a portion of the top panel 12a/12b is required to deform upwardly; to provide additional slack in the carton 80 structure so that the strap (S) can be lifted further above the plane of the remainder of the top panel 12a/12b, the fold-guiding mechanisms 50 cause the controlled inward crashing or creasing (C) of the side panels 14, 18 and an adjacent portion of the top panel 12a/12b in the regions of segments 58a, 58b and beyond. This operation is shown in
In
it can be seen that when the handle structure strap (S) is lifted, the central-most of the fold-guiding mechanisms 150b is most distorted and a greater degree of folding (C) of the carton 180 occurs in dose proximity to this central fold-guiding mechanism 150b. The adjacently positioned fold-guiding mechanisms 150a, 150c are disposed dose enough to the centrally positioned fold-guiding mechanism 150b that the guided folding and creasing caused by each fold-guiding mechanism 150a, 150b, 150c overlaps or interacts with the guided folding and creasing caused by the immediately adjacent fold-guiding mechanism 150a, 150b, 150c. As such, the creasing or folding is greater between neighbours (fold-guiding mechanism 150a and 150b and fold-guiding mechanism 150b and 150c) than it is on the outer edges (to the left of fold-guiding mechanism 150a and to the right of fold-guiding mechanism 150c).
It will be understood that for specific applications, multiple or single fold-guiding mechanisms can be employed. It will be understood that the number of fold-guiding mechanisms; their absolute and relative positions; their size in terms of length (between the first and second spaced locations 173, 171) and width (maximum width between the peaks of primary weakened lines 152, 154); as well as the score depth into the paperboard of primary weakened lines 152, 154 can be altered as well as the presence or not of intermediate line 56. These parameters control the fold direction and the amount of folding caused by each fold-guiding mechanism. Furthermore, where more than one fold-guiding mechanism is used, it will be understood that in certain applications they are not similarly sized and/or are not evenly spaced and/or are not aligned (with their tops and bottoms 173, 171 disposed along the same notional lines, which may or may not be in parallel to a corner or longitudinal axis of the carton, but may in some arrangements be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the carton).
A third illustrated embodiment is shown in
The blank 210 comprises a series of main panels 212a, 214, 216, 218, 212b and a series of end closure flaps 228a, 228b, 230a, 230b, 232a, 232b, 234a, 234b, 236a, 236b for creating composite end walls that at least partially if not fully close the ends of the carton 280. The top panels 212a, 212b and the top end closure panels 228a, 228b, 236a, 236b associated with the top panels 212a, 212b are each provided with crease, fold, score or weakened lines 272, 274, 276, 278 which form partially oval shaped structures 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d (see
In
It is envisaged that when the fold-guiding mechanism 50, 150a, 150b, 150c, 250, 646b, 746b, 846b is used in-conjunction and co-operation with a handle that is liftable, that the handle structure may take many forms and is not limited to the specific structure illustrated. For example, straps that extend completely across the top wall and handles that may not have a strap as such. (For example a slot-handle), are in other embodiments of the invention used in-conjunction with one or more fold-guiding mechanisms.
It can be seen in the illustrated embodiments that the fold-guiding mechanisms 50, 150a, 150b, 150c, 250, 646b, 746b, 846b are positioned across a fold line 20, 26, 126, 120, 226, 661, 761, 861 defining a corner of the carton. This positioning is optional and it is envisaged that in other embodiments, the fold-guiding mechanism of the invention maybe positioned within a single wall and not across a corner,
It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the carton, packaging or other arrangement in which the fold-guiding mechanism is used may take many and various forms and is not limited to the end-loading style of carton illustrated in the figures. Specifically, the invention can be used with top loading, wraparound and basket style carriers (as examples).
Nor is the invention limited in its application to paperboard, it is envisaged that the invention may usefully be employed with other types of foldable sheet material including paper, cardboard and plastics materials. Nor is the invention limited in its application to single plies of material being folded together. The invention may be utilized in a multiple-ply arrangement. Where a high grade or caliper material having a high thickness or stiffness is used, the fold-guiding mechanism of the present invention may be formed from weakened lines having a deeper cut or score lines. indeed the primary weakened lines and optional intermediate lines may be formed of any one or more or a combination of: a score, a cut-crease, a crease, a perforation and a fold line. The size and shape of which may take many and various forms.
The main weakened lines 52, 54, 152, 154, 252, 254, 660, 662, 760, 762, 860, 862 are preferably arcuate. However, it is envisaged that in other embodiments of the invention the primary pair of weakened lines 52, 54, 152, 154, 252, 254, 660, 662, 760, 762, 860, 862 are not arcuate but contain linear portions for example the main pair of weakened lines may be a shallow “V”-shape and/or the main pair of weakened lines may be curvilinear, trapezoidal and other shapes that diverge from one common location and converge on a second spaced location. It is preferable that the weakened lines are similarly shaped and are symmetrical. However it is envisaged that in other embodiments, the main weakened lines 52, 54, 152, 154, 252, 254 are not the same shape and/or size and/or depth and/or are not symmetrical.
Embossing between the main weakened lines 52, 54, 152, 154, 252, 254, 660, 662, 760, 762, 860, 862 is optional and is envisaged in some other embodiments. Where used the embossing may be of various, shapes and depths. It is preferable, that the embossing is fully between the primary pair of weakened lines, however in other envisaged arrangements the embossing stops short of some or all of the weakened lines.
The embossing when made is preferably uniform in depth, though in some arrangements, the embossing is deeper in some areas than in others. In some embodiments the embossing has an area that is shaped similarly to the shape of the area defined by the primary pair of weakened lines of the fold-guiding mechanism. In some embodiments the embossing does not have an area that is shaped similarly to the shape of the area defined by the primary pair of weakened lines of the fold-guiding mechanism. For example, the embossing may be in the shape of cross-hatching and as such parts of the area are embossed and other parts are not.
It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/441,247, filed Feb. 9, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61441247 | Feb 2011 | US |
