U.S. patent application number 10/599780 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for carton and carton blank with reinforced handle structure.
Invention is credited to Patrick Blin.
Application Number | 20080257943 10/599780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32320622 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blin; Patrick |
October 23, 2008 |
Carton and Carton Blank with Reinforced Handle Structure
Abstract
A carton includes an open top container (10) and a separate top
closure (20) and is provided with at least one reinforced handle.
The or each reinforced handle is provided in part by the open top
container (10) and in part by the top closure (20).
Inventors: |
Blin; Patrick; (Chateauroux,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION;LAW DEPARTMENT
1021 Main Campus Dr.
Raleigh
NC
27606
US
|
Family ID: |
32320622 |
Appl. No.: |
10/599780 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 8, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/12131 |
371 Date: |
September 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00728
20130101; B65D 2571/00796 20130101; B65D 2571/00574 20130101; B65D
2571/0029 20130101; B65D 2571/00666 20130101; B65D 2571/00141
20130101; B65D 2571/0045 20130101; B65D 5/5038 20130101; B65D
2571/00524 20130101; B65D 5/14 20130101; B65D 71/38 20130101; B65D
5/4608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.16 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/46 20060101
B65D005/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2004 |
GB |
0408052.9 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A carton comprising an open top container, a top closure
connected to said open top container and at least one reinforced
handle structure, said open top container and said top closure
being formed from separate blanks respectively, wherein a first ply
of said at least one reinforced handle structure is provided by
said open top container, a second ply of said at least one
reinforced handle structure is provided by said top closure, and a
third ply of said at least one reinforced handle structure is
provided by one of said top closure and said open top
container.
11. The carton according to claim 10 wherein said top closure
comprises a hinged handle panel for providing said second ply, said
handle panel is secured in flat face contact with an inner face of
said first ply of said at least one reinforced handle
structure.
12. The carton according to claim 11 wherein said third ply of said
at least one reinforced handle structure is secured in flat face
contact with an outer face of said first ply.
13. The carton according to claim 12 wherein said third ply of said
at least one reinforced handle structure is hinged to said second
ply of said at least one reinforced handle structure, and wherein a
hinged connection between said second ply and said third ply
provides a means for aligning said top closure with said open top
container.
14. The carton according to claim 10 wherein said first ply of said
at least one reinforced handle structure is disposed between, and
in face contacting relationship with, said second and third
plies.
15. The carton according to claim 10, wherein said open top
container comprises a plurality of walls, at least one of said
walls of said open top container has a top flap hingedly connected
thereto and folded downwardly into said open top container, wherein
said top closure comprises an engaging tab for engaging said top
flap such that said engaging tab is disposed in face contacting
relationship with at least one of said at least one wall and said
top flap to lock said top closure at a recessed position below a
top of said open top container.
16. A two-part blank for forming a carton, said blank comprising a
first part for forming an open top container and a second part
separate from said first part to form a top closure of said open
top container, wherein said first and second part are provided with
panels for forming at least one reinforced handle structure when
the carton is erected, said at least one reinforced handle
structure is of at least three ply construction, a first ply of
said at least one reinforced handle structure is provided by said
first part, a second ply of said at least one reinforced handle
structure is provided by said second part, and a third ply of said
at least one reinforced handle structure is provided by one of said
first and second parts.
17. The blank according to claim 16 wherein said first part
comprises a plurality of walls, said first ply of said at least one
reinforced handle structure being provided by one of said walls of
said first part.
18. The blank according to either of claim 16 wherein said second
part comprises at least one handle panel for providing said second
ply of said at least one reinforced handle structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a carton for containing a
plurality of similar articles, such as bottles and a means for
retaining the bottles within the carton and in particular to a
means of accessing the articles.
[0002] Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for
enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of
individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages. Such
cartons need to be strong enough to support multiple articles,
especially if the articles are bottles. It is also desirable for
such cartons to be easy to handle and portable.
[0003] It often desirable for the articles contained within the
carton to be displayed and also for the carton to have large areas
which can be printed with advertising graphics. It is also often
desirable for the articles to be easily accessible and it is also
preferable for the articles to be secured in place within the
carton, especially if the articles are fragile, for example glass
bottles. It is however undesirable for articles to be accessed too
easily, for example, before being purchased.
[0004] It is also desirable to have a carton which after the
contents of the articles have been consumed can be used to return
the empty articles to a recycling point.
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a means for
displaying the articles or a portion of the articles in combination
with an access means for removal of the articles where the access
means leaves the carton with sufficient integrity for replacement
of articles for the purpose of returning to a recycling point.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, in a carton of
the type comprising an open top container and a separate top
closure, the carton having at least one reinforced handle
structure, the arrangement being such that the or each reinforced
handle structure is of multi-ply construction, wherein at least one
ply is provided by the open top container and at least one further
ply is provided by the top closure.
[0007] Preferably the open top container comprises side walls, the
ply of the reinforced handle structure provided by the open top
container being struck from one of said side walls and a further
ply of the reinforced handle structure is provided by a handle
panel hingedly connected to the top closure.
[0008] Additionally the handle panel hingedly connected to the top
closure may be secured in flat face contact with an inner face of
the ply of the reinforced handle structure struck from one of said
side walls. A further ply of the reinforced handle structure may be
provided by the top closure hingedly connected to a handle
panel.
[0009] Preferably the further ply of the reinforced handle
structure is secured in flat face contact with an outer face of the
ply struck from one of said side walls.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, a carton of
the type comprising an open top container and a separate top
closure, wherein at least one of the walls of the open top
container has a top flap folded to extend downwardly into the open
top container, wherein the top closure comprises an engaging tab
for engaging the top flap such that the engaging tab is disposed in
face contacting relationship between the one wall and the top flap,
the arrangement being such that the top closure is locked in a
recessed position below the top of the open top container.
[0011] According to a third aspect of the invention, a two-part
blank for forming a carton of the type comprising an open top
container having a top closure wherein a first blank is erected to
form the open top container and a second blank is erected to form
the top closure, the set up carton having at least one reinforced
handle structure, the arrangement being such that the or each
reinforced handle structure is of multi-ply construction, wherein
at least one ply is provided by the open top container and at least
one further ply is provided by the top closure.
[0012] Preferably the first-blank comprises side walls, the at
least one ply of the reinforced handle structure provided in the
set up carton by the open top container being struck from one of
said side walls.
[0013] Additionally the second blank may comprise at least one
handle panel for forming in a setup carton the at least one ply of
the reinforced handle structure provided by the top closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which;
[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 1B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 1C is a perspective view from the front, side and top
of a carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2C is a perspective view from the front and side of a
carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 2A and 2B;
[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 3C is a perspective view from the front and side of a
carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 3A and 3B;
[0024] FIG. 3D is a top view of the carton of FIG. 3C, showing the
removal of a bottle from the carton;
[0025] FIG. 4A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 4B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 5B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 5C is a perspective view from the front and side of a
carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 5A and 5B;
[0030] FIG. 5D is a top view of the carton of FIG. 5C, showing the
removal of a bottle from the carton;
[0031] FIG. 6A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 6B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 6C is a top view of a carton constructed from the
blanks of FIGS. 6A and 6B;
[0034] FIG. 7A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 7B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 7C is a perspective view from the front and side of a
carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 7A and 7B;
[0037] FIG. 8A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 8B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 8C illustrates a first step in the folding process of
the blank shown in FIG. 8B;
[0040] FIG. 8D illustrates a first step in the folding process of
the blank shown in FIG. 8A;
[0041] FIG. 8E illustrates a step in the erection of a carton
formed from the blanks of FIGS. 8A and 8B;
[0042] FIG. 8F is a perspective view from the front and top of a
carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 8A and 8B;
[0043] FIG. 9A illustrates a first part of a blank for forming a
carton according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 9B illustrates a second part of a blank for forming a
carton according to an ninth embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 9C is a perspective view from the front and side of a
carton constructed from the blanks of FIGS. 9A and 9B;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] FIGS. 1A and 1B, show a first and second part of a two-part
blank respectively for forming a carton 30, made from paperboard or
similar foldable sheet material. It is envisaged that a unitary
blank could be used instead, without departing from the scope of
the invention. In the first embodiment of the invention two blanks
10 and 20, of FIGS. 1A & 1B are formed into a tubular crate and
a cover respectively. The cover is inserted into the tubular crate
to form the carton 30 of the first embodiment, which is shown in
FIG. 1C.
[0047] In the embodiments to be described it will be recognised
that minor variations to the invention could be made for example a
crash bottom of the type known in the art, could be employed
without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is
designed to receive similar articles, such as bottles, but it is
envisaged that the present invention could be used to contain other
articles, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0048] Turning to FIG. 1A, the blank 10 comprises a first side wall
12, a front panel 14, a second side wall 16 and a back panel 18,
hingedly connected one to the next in series along fold lines 42,
44, 46 and 48 respectively. Handle apertures 54 are struck from the
front and back panels 14, 18. Finger gripping tabs 58 protrude
inward from the upper edges of the handle apertures 54. The finger
gripping tabs enable the erected carton to be easily grasped and
lifted by the handle apertures 54.
[0049] The blank further comprises bottom end flaps 72 and 74
hingedly connected to each of the first and second side walls 12,
16 along fold lines 62 and to each of the front and back panels 14,
18, along fold lines 64. The bottom end flaps 72, 74 provide a
bottom end closure means when the blank is erected into a carton.
It is envisaged that other bottom end closure means could be used
without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0050] Top end flaps 76 are also provided and are hingedly
connected to the first and second side walls 12, 16, opposite the
end flaps 72. The top end flaps 76 can provide reinforcement to the
first and second side walls 12, 16 when the blank is erected into
the carton 30. The blank 10 also comprises a glue flap 88 which is
hingedly connected to the back panel 18, along fold line 48.
[0051] Turning to the construction of the tubular crate from blank
10, a series of sequential folding and gluing operations are
required, which preferably can be performed in a straight line
machine, so that the crate and/or blank 10 are not required to be
rotated or inverted to complete the construction. The folding
process is not limited to that described below and can be altered
according to particular manufacturing requirements.
[0052] The first stage is to apply glue to the outside edge of glue
flap 88 and then fold it 180.degree. about fold line 48 so that it
lies in flat face contacting relation with the inside face of back
panel 18. The front panel 14 is then folded about fold line 44 to
lie flat on top of the inside face of second side panel 16. This
causes the first side panel 12 to come into flat face contacting
relation with the back panel 18 and the glued outer edge of glue
flap 88, so that the first side panel 12 becomes stuck to the glue
flap 88, thus connecting the first side panel 12 and back panel 18.
The blank 10 can then be erected into a tubular structure and using
a similar series of folding and gluing steps, the bottom end flaps
72, 74 can be secured to form a bottom end closure means.
[0053] In this embodiment of the invention the top end flaps 76 are
glued and folded, inward of the crate, 180.degree. about fold lines
66 to provide reinforcement to the top edges of the first and
second side panels 12, 16. In other embodiments of the invention,
the top end flaps 76 may be hingedly connected to panels of the
second blank 20.
[0054] A second blank 20 is shown in FIG. 1B, which can be formed
into a cover for the tubular crate formed from the blank 10 of FIG.
1A. The blank 20 comprises a main panel 22, which is, on either
side, hingedly connected to inner handle panels 24 along fold lines
32. Handle apertures 54 are struck from the inner handle panels 24
and finger gripping tabs 58 protrude inward from the upper edges of
the handle apertures 54. The inner handle panels 24 are hingedly
connected, along folded lines 34, to outer handle panels 26, which
have finger gripping tabs 58 integrally formed at their edges. The
outer handle panels 26 are recessed and formed such that they
compliment the shape of the handle apertures 54 struck from both
the inner handle panels 24 and those struck from the front and back
panels 14, 18. Cover end flaps 28 are hingedly connected to the
main panel 22 along fold lines 38 and can provide structural
rigidity as well as aesthetic appeal to the carton 30, when
assembled.
[0055] The main panel 22 further comprises apertures 56 for
receiving the similarly configured articles and each aperture is
connected to at least one other aperture by a frangible connection
or nick 37. In this first embodiment the apertures 56 are arranged
in two rows and each aperture 56 is connected to at least one other
aperture 56 in the same row by a frangible connection or nick 37.
In other embodiments of the invention the arrangement of the
apertures 56 or frangible connections or nicks 37 may differ from
that described in the first embodiment of the invention. It is
envisaged that many arrangements could be used without departing
from the scope of the invention.
[0056] Once the tubular crate has been loaded with six bottles, in
a 3.times.2 arrangement, the blank 20 is folded to form a cover.
The inner handle panels 24 and cover flaps 28 are folded upward,
out of the plane of main panel 22, 90.degree. about fold lines 32
and 38. In this way a complimentary insert is formed which can fit
inside the tubular crate. Glue may then be applied to the outer
faces of the inner handle panels 24, cover end flaps 28 and outer
handle panels 26. The folded blank 20 is then inserted into the
loaded carton so that the apertures 56 of the main panel 22 are
brought into registry with the bottle necks. The inner handle
panels 24 and cover flaps 28 may then be secured by use of glue to
the inside faces of the front and back panels 14, 18 and to the
inside faces of the first and second side walls 12, 16 as shown in
FIG. 1C. The outer handle panels 26 are then folded about fold
lines 34 and glued to the outside face of the front and back panels
14, 18 of the tubular crate. In this way the structural integrity
of the tubular carton is improved, particularly of the handle
structure, which in this embodiment of the invention, is reinforced
to form a 3 ply handle structure.
[0057] The carton formed from the blanks 10 and 20 is shown in FIG.
1C. It can be seen that the bottles are secured within the carton,
once the cover made from blank 20 has been secured inside the
tubular crate. Access to the bottles is gained by separating the
frangible connections or nicks 37, this may be achieved simply by
pulling on a bottle contained within the carton 30. In this way
each bottle can be accessed individually, whilst the structural
integrity of the carton 30 is maintained. Bottles not removed are
held in position by the apertures 56 in the cover. Therefore the
carton provides an adaptable carrying container, the structural
integrity of which is not destroyed when the bottles are accessed.
This enables the carton to be reused for the convenient returning
of the empty bottles. In this embodiment of the invention, when all
bottles are removed, no material from the cover formed from blank
20 is actually removed from the carton 30.
[0058] 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 of differing size or shape. FIGS. 2A-9C
illustrate further embodiments of the present invention, which will
now be described by way of example only and to illustrate some of
the changes that can be made, whilst keeping within the scope of
the present invention. In subsequent figures similar reference
numerals have been used to denote like features, the reference
numerals in the second embodiment of the invention are increased by
`200` to show that they represent features of the second
embodiment. Since other embodiments have features common to the
first embodiment herein before described, only differences in
subsequent embodiments will be highlighted.
[0059] Shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C is a second embodiment of the
present invention wherein a tubular crate formed from a blank 210
is fitted with a cover formed from the blank 220 as in the first
embodiment. In the second embodiment of the invention handle
apertures 254 are struck from the first and second side walls 12,
16 and the top end flaps 76 are hingedly connected to the front and
back panels 14, 18 instead of the arrangement of the first
embodiment.
[0060] The second embodiment differs from the first in that the
cover contains 12 apertures 256 for securing a uniform array of 12
bottles in a 3.times.4 arrangement within the carton. Access to the
bottles is provided by severing the frangible connections or nicks
237, which again connect each aperture 256 in a row to at least one
other aperture 256 of the same row. Additional frangible
connections or nicks 237 are provided from some of the apertures
256 and the edges of the main panel 222. In this way access to the
bottles neighbouring the carton 230 front and back panels 14, 18 is
gained more readily. The structural integrity of the carton 230
remains after the bottles have been accessed and the cover formed
from blank 220 remains substantially intact. The carton 230 can be
used to recycle the bottles.
[0061] A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. The carton 330 formed from the blanks 310
and 320 is not rectangular as in the previous embodiments. The
blank 310 contains additional corner panels 390 hingedly attached
to each of the first and second side walls 312, 316, and to each of
the front and back panels 314, 318, along fold lines 342a/342b,
344a/344b, 346a/346b and 348a/348b. The tubular carton erected from
the blank 310 is octagonal for the purpose of providing additional
protection to the bottles contained within the carton 330. The
additional corner panels 390 protect the bottles which are
positioned at the corners of the bottle arrangement. The cover for
the tubular carton, erected from the blank 320, contains tabs 392
hingedly attached to the main panel 322 specifically adapted so
that the shape of the complimentary cover fits securely into the
tubular crate formed from the blank 310. The tabs 392 are folded
similarly to the inner handle panels 324 and cover end flaps
328.
[0062] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this embodiment the front panel 414, back panel
418 and one of the end flaps 474 are provided with additional fold
lines 480, 482, 484, which can be used to fold the assembled crate
formed from blank 410 into a flat position. This enables the blank
to be pre-glued to form the crate, yet provides a structure that
can be folded into a flat condition, to facilitate in the storage
and transportation prior to the crate being loaded with
articles.
[0063] The construction of the crate from blank 410 is similar to
that herein before described. The glue flap 488 is used to secure
first side panel 412 to back panel 418 to form a tubular crate. A
composite bottom wall is formed by securing the two end flaps 472
to each other. This may be achieved by use of adhesive or other
means known in the art. The fold lines 480, 482, 484 are aligned
such that the tubular crate formed from the blank 410 can be folded
flat.
[0064] A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D. The blank 520 for forming the cover is
similar to that of the previous embodiments, but is designed to
facilitate a different arrangement of bottles or other similar
articles. In this embodiment the articles loaded into the tubular
crate, formed from the blank 510, are arranged in three rows; of
four, three and four articles respectively. The apertures 556 of
the centre row of three are offset with respect to the apertures
556 of the adjacent rows. This configuration of articles or bottles
provides recesses at opposed ends of the carton adjacent the front
and back panels 514, 518. The recesses provide space inside the
crate for a consumer's hands when the handle apertures 554, which
are struck from the front and back panels 514, 518, are being used
to lift the crate.
[0065] In order to access the bottles of the present embodiment the
main panel 522 comprises frangible connections or nicks 537 which
connect each of the apertures 556 of the central row to at least
two apertures 556 in each of the other two rows, as shown in FIG.
5C. Additional frangible connections or nicks 537 are also provided
between the apertures 556 which are closest to the first and second
side walls 512, 516, and the first and second side walls 512, 516
of the carton 530. Similarly to the first embodiment access to the
bottles is gained by separating the nicks 537 around a bottle, as
shown in FIG. 5D. In this way each bottle can be accessed
individually, whilst the structural integrity of the carton is
maintained.
[0066] Yet a further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C.
The carton erected from the blanks 610 and 620 of the sixth
embodiment is shown in FIG. 6C. In this embodiment twelve bottles
are arranged in two rows of six. Frangible connections or nicks 637
connect apertures 656 of one row to at least one aperture 656 of
the adjacent row in such a way that some of the nicks 637, provided
in the main panel 622, intersect. Separation of the nicks can be
readily achieved in this embodiment by applying force at the point
where the nicks 637 intersect. In this embodiment the nicks 637
also extend between the apertures adjacent the front and back
panels 614, 618 and the front and back panels 614, 618
themselves.
[0067] A seventh embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C. The
blank 710 for forming the tubular crate is shown in FIG. 7A. The
first and second side walls 712, 714 are also provided with handle
apertures 754, so that the erected carton as shown in FIG. 7C has
four reinforced handle structures, which improves the versatility
of the carton 730.
[0068] In the seventh embodiment of the present invention the blank
720 for forming the cover is provided with inner handle panels 724
and outer handle panels 726 on each of the sides of the main panel
722 rather than only on two sides as in the first embodiment. The
cover is secured to the crate, formed from the blank 710, in a
similar way as in the first embodiment; each of the inner handle
panels 724 are folded upward, out of the plane of main panel 722 to
form the complimentary insert. This fits inside the loaded tubular
crate. Glue or other securing means known in the art may then be
applied to the outer faces of the inner handle panels 724 and outer
handle panels 726. The folded blank 720 may then be inserted into
the loaded carton so that the apertures 754 of the main panel 722
are brought into registry with the necks of the bottles. The inner
handle panels 724 are then secured to the inside faces of each of
the front and back panels 714, 718 and the first and second side
walls 712, 716 as shown in FIG. 7C. The outer handle panels 726 can
then be folded and glued to the outside faces of each of the front
and back panels 714, 718 and the first and second side walls 712,
716 of the tubular crate.
[0069] An eighth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.
8A-8F. In this embodiment of the invention the carton 830 is
designed to receive twelve bottles, in four rows of three, where
the end most rows are hidden from view beneath raised cover flaps
828b. The main panel 822 is provided with six apertures 856 in two
rows of three to display the remaining six bottles. Frangible
connections or nicks 837 connect each of the apertures 856 to at
least one other aperture 856.
[0070] As in other embodiments of the invention handle panels 854
are struck from the first and second side walls 12, 16 and top end
flaps 876 are provided, hingedly connected to the front and back
panels. In this embodiment however the top end flaps 876 are not
secured in flat face contact with the front and back panels 14, 18
and are secured to the cover of blank 820 when the blanks 810, 820
are erected into a carton 830. The blank 820 is provided with cover
end flaps 828a and 828b on either side of the main panel 822. To
erect the carton the inner and outer handle panels 824, 826 and
cover end flaps 828a and 828b are folded upward out of the plane of
the main panel 822 as shown in FIG. 8C. The tubular crate of FIG.
8D is erected via a similar operation of folding and gluing steps,
although the top end flaps 876 are not secured to the front and
back panels 14, 18. The cover of FIG. 8C is brought into registry
with the loaded carton of 8D so that the inner and outer handle
panels 824, 826 are secured to the carton as described in other
embodiments. The cover end flaps 828a and 828b are folded as shown
in FIG. 8E with the cover end flaps 828b being secured by adhesive
of other known means, to the top end flaps 876. In this way two
rectangular covers are provided which shield the endmost bottles
contained within the carton 830 from view as shown in FIG. 8F. The
cover end flaps 828b also provide an area which enables the cartons
830 of the eighth embodiment to be stacked more readily on top of
each other.
[0071] A ninth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9A-9C. The blank 910
for forming the tubular crate is shown in FIG. 9A. The blank 910
comprises first and second side panels, 912, 916 front and back
panels 914, 918 and corner panels 990 hingedly connected one to
another in series along fold lines 942a, 942b, 944a, 944b, 946a,
946b, 948a and 948b respectively. A glue flap 988 is provided to
secure the back panel 918 to the first side wall 912, in this
embodiment a recess is provided toward the top end of the glue flap
988. Handle apertures 954 are struck from the first and second side
walls 912, 916 and are provided with finger gripping tabs 958. Top
end flaps 976 are hingedly attached to each of the front, back and
corner panels 914, 918 and 990, to provide reinforcement of the top
edges of the front, back and corner panels 914, 918 and 990, when
the blank 910 is erected into a tubular crate. A similar series of
folding and gluing operations as in earlier embodiments are used to
erect the tubular crate.
[0072] A blank 920 is shown in FIG. 9B. The blank 920 is erected
into a cover to be inserted into the tubular crate in order to form
the carton 930 as shown in FIG. 9C. In this embodiment of the
invention inner and outer handle panels 924, 926 are hingedly
attached to the main panel 922 along with cover end flaps 928. In
this embodiment of the invention the main panel 922 is provided
with twelve apertures 956, arranged in four rows of three, each for
receiving a portion of a bottle. After loading the tubular crate
with bottles the cover formed from blank 920 is brought into
registry with the bottle necks. Inner handle panels 924, cover end
flaps 928 and tabs 992 can then be secured to inside faces of the
first and second side panels, 912, 916, front and back panels 914,
918 and corner panels 990. The outer handle panels 926 can be
secured to outer faces of the first and second side walls 912, 916.
In this way a three layer reinforced handle structure is formed in
opposing ends of the carton 930, one of the layers being provided
by the first and second side walls 912, 916 and two of the layers
being provided by the inner and outer handle panels 924
[0073] In a similar way as in other embodiments of the invention,
access to the bottles contained within the closed carton 930 is
achieved by separating frangible connections or nicks 937. In this
embodiment the frangible connections or nicks 937 do not extend in
notional straight lines between the apertures 956 but are arranged
as a series of partial concentric rings around the apertures 956.
Nicks 937 following the notional line of one concentric ring are
offset from nicks 937 provided in adjacent concentric rings. In
this way each aperture 956 shares a frangible connection with at
least one adjacent aperture 956, sufficient separation of which can
be achieved by removing a bottle from the carton 930. In this
embodiment of the invention the main panel 922 may remain
substantially integral to the carton 930 upon removal of all
bottles contained within the carton 930. The frangible connections
or nicks 937 are arranged such that upon removal of the bottles
from the carton 930, material which forms the main panel 922 may
remain within the carton 930.
[0074] It is envisaged that the features of the various embodiments
herein described could be combined without departing from the scope
of the present invention. For example the cover formed from blank
520 of the fifth embodiment could be sized to fit the tubular crate
formed from blank 410 of the fourth embodiment.
[0075] In other embodiments of the invention the apertures formed
within the top panel may not be circular and may also be provided
with additional tabs protruding into the aperture, to aid retention
of the bottle necks or other articles contained within the carton.
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 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 score line, a frangible line or a
fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *