U.S. patent application number 14/712299 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for carrier for containers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Graphic Packaging International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kirsten L. Brand.
Application Number | 20150246746 14/712299 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368450 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150246746 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brand; Kirsten L. |
September 3, 2015 |
Carrier For Containers
Abstract
A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier
comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially
around an interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels
comprises at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel,
and at least two side panels. The interior of the carrier is
divided into a front portion and a back portion. The carrier
comprises a reinforced handle comprising a handle panel, a handle
reinforcement panel at least partially overlapping the handle
panel, and a handle reinforcement flap at least partially in
face-to-face contact with the handle reinforcement panel.
Inventors: |
Brand; Kirsten L.;
(Hackettstown, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Graphic Packaging International, Inc. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44368450 |
Appl. No.: |
14/712299 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13025582 |
Feb 11, 2011 |
9061810 |
|
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14712299 |
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61338002 |
Feb 12, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.13 ;
493/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31B 2120/00 20170801;
B65D 2571/00722 20130101; B65D 5/48002 20130101; B65D 5/4608
20130101; B65D 71/0022 20130101; B31B 2241/001 20130101; B31B
2100/00 20170801; B65D 2571/00388 20130101; B31B 50/81 20170801;
B31B 50/86 20170801; B65D 2571/00802 20130101; B65D 5/20 20130101;
B31B 50/26 20170801; B65D 2571/00524 20130101; B65D 2571/0037
20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101; B65D 5/4266 20130101; B65D 5/443
20130101; B65D 2571/00487 20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/468 20060101
B65D005/468 |
Claims
1. A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of
containers, the blank comprising: a plurality of panels comprising
at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at
least two side panels; and features for forming a reinforced handle
comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel, and a
handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the handle
reinforcement panel along a first longitudinal fold line, the
handle panel and the handle reinforcement panel generally extending
along a centerline of the blank, wherein the handle reinforcement
panel comprises a front handle reinforcement portion foldably
connected to a back handle reinforcement portion along a second
longitudinal fold line, and the first longitudinal fold line is
laterally spaced apart from the second longitudinal fold line.
2. The blank of claim 1, wherein the handle reinforcement flap is
for being at least partially in face-to-face contact with an
exterior surface of the handle reinforcement panel and at least
partially in face-to-face contact with an interior surface of the
handle panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.
3. The blank of claim 1, wherein the handle panel comprises a front
handle portion foldably connected to a back handle portion along a
third longitudinal fold line that is for generally overlaying at
least a portion of the second longitudinal fold line when the
carrier is formed from the blank.
4. The blank of claim 3, wherein: the handle reinforcement flap
comprises a fourth longitudinal fold line; and the first
longitudinal fold line is approximately equidistant from the fourth
longitudinal fold line and the second longitudinal fold line of the
handle reinforcement panel.
5. A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of
containers, the blank comprising: a plurality of panels comprising
at least one bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at
least two side panels; and features for forming a reinforced handle
comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel, and a
handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the handle
reinforcement panel along a first longitudinal fold line, the
handle panel and the handle reinforcement panel generally extending
along a centerline of the blank, wherein: the handle reinforcement
panel comprises a front handle reinforcement portion foldably
connected to a back handle reinforcement portion along a second
longitudinal fold line; the handle panel comprises a front handle
portion foldably connected to a back handle portion along a third
longitudinal fold line that is for generally overlaying at least a
portion of the second longitudinal fold line when the carrier is
formed from the blank; the handle reinforcement flap comprises a
fourth longitudinal fold line; and the handle reinforcement flap is
for being folded along the first longitudinal fold line so that the
fourth longitudinal fold line generally overlays at least a portion
of the second longitudinal fold line of the handle reinforcement
panel with at least a portion of the handle reinforcement flap in
face-to-face contact with each of the front and back handle
reinforcement portions when the carrier is formed from the
blank.
6. The blank of claim 4, wherein: the handle reinforcement flap is
foldably connected to the front handle reinforcement portion along
the first longitudinal fold line and comprises a first edge that is
spaced apart from the fourth longitudinal fold line of the handle
reinforcement flap a first distance; and the back handle
reinforcement portion comprises a handle opening comprising a
second edge that is spaced apart from the second longitudinal fold
line of the handle reinforcement panel a second distance.
7. The blank of claim 6, wherein the first distance is greater than
the second distance so that at least a portion of the handle
reinforcement flap overlays the handle opening when the carrier is
formed from the blank.
8. The blank of claim 6, wherein: the front handle portion
comprises a front handle opening comprising a third edge, and the
back handle portion comprises a back handle opening comprising a
fourth edge; the third edge and the fourth edge are each
respectively spaced apart from the third longitudinal fold line of
the handle panel by at least the second distance; and the first
longitudinal fold line connecting the handle reinforcement flap to
the handle reinforcement panel is spaced apart from the second
longitudinal fold line by at least the second distance.
9. The blank of claim 8, wherein: the handle reinforcement flap
comprises a central handle cushion flap foldably connected to the
back handle reinforcement portion along at least a portion of the
second edge of the handle opening of the back handle reinforcement
portion; each of the front and back handle portions comprises a
respective front handle cushion flap and a back handle cushion
flap; the front handle cushion flap is foldably connected to the
front handle portion along at least a portion of the third edge of
the front handle opening; and the back handle cushion flap is
foldably connected to the back handle portion along at least a
portion of the fourth edge of the front handle opening.
10. The blank of claim 3, wherein: the handle reinforcement flap is
a first handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the front
handle reinforcement portion along the first longitudinal fold
line; the features for forming the reinforced handle further
comprise a second handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to
the back handle reinforcement portion along a fourth longitudinal
fold line; the first handle reinforcement flap is for being in
face-to-face contact with the front handle reinforcement portion
extending between the first longitudinal fold line and the second
longitudinal fold line of the handle reinforcement panel; and the
second handle reinforcement flap is for being in face-to-face
contact with the back handle reinforcement portion extending
between the fourth longitudinal fold line and the second
longitudinal fold line.
11. The blank of claim 10, wherein: the front handle portion
comprises a front handle opening and a front handle cushion flap
foldably connected to the front handle portion adjacent the front
handle opening along a fifth longitudinal fold line; the back
handle portion comprises a back handle opening and a back handle
cushion flap foldably connected to the back handle portion adjacent
the back handle opening along a sixth longitudinal fold line; and
the fifth and sixth longitudinal fold lines are each respectively
spaced apart from the third fold line of the handle panel a first
distance; and the first and fourth longitudinal fold lines
connecting the respective first and second handle reinforcement
flaps to the respective front and back handle reinforcement
portions are each respectively spaced apart from the second fold
line of the handle reinforcement panel by the first distance.
12. The blank of claim 3, wherein the second longitudinal fold line
of the handle reinforcement panel and the third longitudinal fold
line of the handle panel are generally collinear with the
centerline of the blank; and the handle reinforcement panel is at
least partially separated from the handle panel along a transverse
cut line.
13. The blank of claim 1, further comprising at least one central
panel and at least one central flap, wherein: the at least two side
panels comprise a first side panel and a second side panel; the at
least one central flap is foldably connected to the first side
panel along a first transverse fold line; the at least one central
panel is foldably connected to the second side panel along a second
transverse fold line; at least a portion of the handle panel is
foldably connected to the at least one central panel along a third
transverse fold line; and at least a portion of the handle
reinforcement panel is foldably connected to the at least one
central flap along a fourth transverse fold line.
14. The blank of claim 13, wherein: the third transverse fold line
at least partially connecting the handle panel to the at least one
central panel is generally collinear with the second transverse
fold line connecting the at least one central panel to the second
side panel; the fourth transverse fold line at least partially
connecting the handle reinforcement panel to the at least one
central flap is offset from the first transverse fold line
connecting the at least one central flap to the first side panel;
the handle panel and the handle reinforcement panel are
respectively separated from at least the front panel along a first
cut; and the handle panel and the handle reinforcement panel are
respectively separated from at least the back panel along a second
cut.
15. The blank of claim 13, wherein: the at least one central panel
comprises a front central panel and a back central panel; the front
central panel comprises at least one front divider flap for
dividing the front portion into at least two container-receiving
spaces when the carrier is formed from the blank; and the back
central panel comprises at least one back divider flap for dividing
the back portion into at least two container-receiving spaces when
the carrier is formed from the blank.
16. A method for forming a carrier comprising: obtaining a blank
comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom
panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels,
the blank further comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement
panel, and a handle reinforcement flap, the handle reinforcement
flap being foldably connected to the handle reinforcement panel
along a first longitudinal fold line, wherein the handle
reinforcement panel comprises a front handle reinforcement portion
foldably connected to a back handle reinforcement portion along a
second longitudinal fold line, and the first longitudinal fold line
is laterally spaced apart from the second longitudinal fold line;
folding the handle reinforcement flap along the first longitudinal
fold line so that the handle reinforcement flap is at least
partially in face-to-face contact with the handle reinforcement
panel; folding the plurality of panels to selectively overlap
respective panels of the plurality of panels, the folding the
plurality of panels comprises at least partially overlapping the
handle reinforcement panel with the handle panel; forming a
reinforced handle by folding the handle panel, the handle
reinforcement panel, and the handle reinforcement flap along a
longitudinal centerline; and forming an interior of the carrier by
further respectively folding the plurality of panels, the interior
of the carrier being divided into a front portion and a back
portion.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein: the folding the handle
reinforcement flap comprises folding the handle reinforcement flap
to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with an exterior
surface of the handle reinforcement panel; and the at least
partially overlapping the handle reinforcement panel with the
handle panel comprises disposing the handle reinforcement flap at
least partially in face-to-face contact with an interior surface of
the handle panel.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein: the handle panel comprises a
front handle portion foldably connected to a back handle portion
along a third longitudinal fold line; and the overlapping the
handle reinforcement panel with the handle panel comprises
overlaying at least a portion of the third longitudinal fold line
along at least a portion of the second longitudinal fold line.
19. A method for forming a carrier comprising: obtaining a blank
comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom
panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels,
the blank further comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement
panel, and a handle reinforcement flap, the handle reinforcement
flap being foldably connected to the handle reinforcement panel
along a first longitudinal fold line, wherein the handle
reinforcement panel comprises a front handle reinforcement portion
foldably connected to a back handle reinforcement portion along a
second longitudinal fold line, the handle panel comprises a front
handle portion foldably connected to a back handle portion along a
third longitudinal fold line, and the handle reinforcement flap
comprises a third longitudinal fold line; folding the handle
reinforcement flap along the first longitudinal fold line so that
the handle reinforcement flap is at least partially in face-to-face
contact with the handle reinforcement panel, wherein the folding
the handle reinforcement flap comprises generally overlaying at
least a portion of the third longitudinal fold line along at least
a portion of the second longitudinal fold line of the handle
reinforcement panel so that at least a portion of the handle
reinforcement flap is in face-to-face contact with each of the
front and back handle reinforcement portions; folding the plurality
of panels to selectively overlap respective panels of the plurality
of panels, the folding the plurality of panels comprises at least
partially overlapping the handle reinforcement panel with the
handle panel, the overlapping the handle reinforcement panel with
the handle panel comprises overlaying at least a portion of the
third longitudinal fold line along at least a portion of the second
longitudinal fold line; forming a reinforced handle by folding the
handle panel, the handle reinforcement panel, and the handle
reinforcement flap along a longitudinal centerline; and forming an
interior of the carrier by further respectively folding the
plurality of panels, the interior of the carrier being divided into
a front portion and a back portion.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the handle reinforcement flap
is foldably connected to the front handle reinforcement portion
along the first longitudinal fold line; the back handle
reinforcement portion comprises a handle opening; and the folding
the handle reinforcement flap comprises overlaying at least a
portion of the handle reinforcement flap in face-to-face contact
with the handle reinforcement panel at least between the second
longitudinal fold line of the handle reinforcement panel and the
handle opening in the back handle reinforcement portion.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein: the handle opening of the back
handle reinforcement portion comprises a first edge, the front
handle portion comprises a front handle opening that comprises a
second edge, and the back handle portion comprises a back handle
opening that comprises a third edge; the at least partially
overlapping the handle reinforcement panel with the handle panel
comprises at least partially overlaying the second edge along at
least a portion of the first longitudinal fold line connecting the
handle reinforcement flap to the handle reinforcement panel and at
least partially overlaying the third edge along at least a portion
of the first edge; the folding the handle panel, the handle
reinforcement panel, and the handle reinforcement flap along the
longitudinal centerline comprises generally aligning the front
handle opening, the back handle opening, and the handle opening of
the back handle reinforcement portion.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein: the handle reinforcement flap
is a first handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the
front handle reinforcement portion along the first longitudinal
fold line; the reinforced handle further comprises a second handle
reinforcement flap foldably connected to the back handle
reinforcement portion along a fourth longitudinal fold line; the
folding the handle reinforcement flap comprises: folding the first
handle reinforcement flap into face-to-face contact with the front
handle reinforcement portion extending between the first
longitudinal fold line and the second longitudinal fold line; and
folding the second handle reinforcement flap into face-to-face
contact with the back handle reinforcement portion extending
between the fourth longitudinal fold line and the second
longitudinal fold line.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein: the blank further comprises at
least one central panel and at least one central flap; the at least
two side panels comprise a first side panel and a second side
panel; the at least one central flap is foldably connected to the
first side panel along a first transverse fold line, and the at
least one central panel is foldably connected to the second side
panel along a second transverse fold line; at least a portion of
the handle panel is foldably connected to the at least one central
panel along a third transverse fold line, and at least a portion of
the handle reinforcement panel is foldably connected to the at
least one central flap along a fourth transverse fold line; and the
forming an interior of the carrier comprises positioning each of
the at least one central panel and the at least one central flap at
least partially between the front portion and the back portion of
the carrier.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/025,582, filed Feb. 11, 2011, which application claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,002,
filed Feb. 12, 2010.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,582, which was filed
on Feb. 11, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/338,002, which was filed on Feb. 12, 2010, are hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein
in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers or
cartons for holding and displaying containers. More specifically,
the present disclosure relates to basket-style carriers.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a
carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier
comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior
of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, a
front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The
interior of the carrier is divided into a front portion and a back
portion. The carrier comprises a reinforced handle comprising a
handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel at least partially
overlapping the handle panel, and a handle reinforcement flap at
least partially in face-to-face contact with the handle
reinforcement panel.
[0005] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers.
The blank comprises a plurality of panels comprising at least one
bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side
panels. The blank also comprises features for forming a reinforced
handle comprising a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel, and
a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the handle
reinforcement panel along a first longitudinal fold line. The
handle panel and the handle reinforcement panel generally extending
along a centerline of the blank.
[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a carrier for containing a plurality of
containers. The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a
plurality of panels comprising at least one bottom panel, a front
panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The blank
further includes a handle panel, a handle reinforcement panel, and
a handle reinforcement flap. The handle reinforcement flap is
foldably connected to the handle reinforcement panel along a first
longitudinal fold line. The method further comprises folding the
handle reinforcement flap along the first longitudinal fold line so
that the handle reinforcement flap is at least partially in
face-to-face contact with the handle reinforcement panel, and
folding the plurality of panels to selectively overlap respective
panels of the plurality of panels. The folding the plurality of
panels comprises at least partially overlapping the handle
reinforcement panel with the handle panel. The method further
comprises forming a reinforced handle by folding the handle panel,
the handle reinforcement panel, and the handle reinforcement flap
along a longitudinal centerline, and forming an interior of the
carrier by further respectively folding the plurality of panels,
the interior of the carrier being divided into a front portion and
a back portion.
[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated
advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional
embodiments reading the following detailed description of the
embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
[0008] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a
carrier according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0010] FIGS. 2-4 are views showing folding of the blank of FIG. 1
to form the carrier according to the first embodiment.
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of the assembled carrier
according to the first embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a
carrier according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a reinforcement panel of the blank
of FIG. 6 after folding a reinforcement flap according to the
second embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a
carrier according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a reinforcement panel of the blank
of FIG. 8 after folding two reinforcement flaps according to the
third embodiment.
[0016] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding
reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0017] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers,
packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, 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, plastics such as
PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like;
aluminum and/or other metals; glass; or any combination
thereof.
[0018] Carriers 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., glass bottles or plastic containers) at least
partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this
specification, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper," "top,"
"front," and "back" indicate orientations determined in relation to
fully erected carriers.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior side 1 of the blank 3
used to form a package or basket-style carrier 5 (FIGS. 5A, 5B, and
5C), in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the carrier 5 is
sized to contain six containers C, three containers being contained
in a front portion of the carrier (FIG. 5A) and three containers
being contained in a back portion of the carrier (FIG. 5B). The
carrier can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six
containers C without departing from the disclosure. In the
illustrated embodiment, the carrier 5 includes a reinforced handle
150 (FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B), which can include a handle panel 14 and
a handle reinforcement panel 16.
[0020] The carrier blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral
or transverse axis L2. The carrier blank 3 has a front portion 9, a
back portion 11, a bottom panel 12b foldably connected to the back
portion, and a bottom attachment flap 12a foldably connected to the
front portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 9
and back portion 11 are for being folded about a longitudinal
centerline CL (FIG. 1) when the carrier blank 3 is formed into the
carrier 5. As discussed in more detail below, the carrier blank 3
is formed into the carrier 5 by folding the carrier blank about the
centerline CL so that the front portion 9 and the back portion 11
are generally overlapped.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 9,
comprises a front panel 15a foldably connected to a first side
panel 17a and a second side panel 19a. A front central flap 27a is
foldably connected to the first side panel 17a at a lateral fold
line 29a. Lateral fold lines 31a, 33a, foldably connect the
respective first and second side panel 17a, 19a to the front panel
15a. Two longitudinal folds line 35a, 36a connect the bottom panel
attachment flap 12a to the front panel 15a.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the features of the back
portion 11 of the blank 3 include a back panel 15b, a first side
panel 17b, and a second side panel 19b, that are generally a
mirror-image of the corresponding panel or flap of the front
portion 9. A back central flap 27b is also similarly configured to
the front central flap 27a, and a longitudinal fold line 129
foldably connects the front central flap 27a to the back central
flap 27b. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold
lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference
numbers that differ by the "a" or "b" suffix, with the "a"
components corresponding to the front portion 9 and the "b"
components corresponding to the back portion 11 of the blank 3.
[0023] In one embodiment, the front portion 9 includes a front
central panel 41 foldably connected to the second side panel 19a at
a lateral fold line 43a. The central panel 41 includes a central
bottom flap 45 foldably connected to the front central panel 41
along a longitudinal fold line 46. A first divider flap 47 is
foldably connected to the front central panel 41 at a lateral fold
line 49. A second divider flap 51 is foldably connected to the
front central panel 41 at a lateral fold line 53. The first divider
flap 47 includes a first attachment flap 55, and the second divider
flap 51 includes a second attachment flap 57. The first attachment
flap 55 is foldably connected to the first divider flap at a
lateral fold line 59, and the second attachment flap 57 is foldably
connected to the second divider flap at a lateral fold line 61. The
first divider flap 47 is at least partially defined by a tear or
cut line 63 and the lateral fold line 49. The second divider flap
51 is at least partially defined by the lateral fold line 53 and a
tear or cut line 65 that extends from a lateral edge of the blank 3
to the fold line 53. The divider flaps 47, 51 could be otherwise
shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0024] The back portion 11 includes a back central panel 69
foldably connected to the second side panel 19b at a lateral fold
line 43b. The back central panel 69 can include a divider panel 71
foldably connected to the back central panel 69 along a
longitudinal fold line 73 and separable from the front and back
central panels 41, 69 along a tear or cut line 75. A first divider
flap 77 is foldably connected to the divider panel 71 at a lateral
fold line 79, and a second divider flap 81 is foldably connected to
the divider panel 71 at a lateral fold line 83. Each divider flap
77, 81 includes a respective attachment flap 85, 87 foldably
connected to a respective divider flap at a lateral fold line 89,
91. The first divider flap 77 is at least partially defined by a
tear or cut line 93 and the lateral fold line 79. The second
divider flap 81 is at least partially defined by the cut line 75,
the lateral fold line 83, and a tear or cut line 95 that extends
from a lateral edge of the blank 3 to the fold line 83. In the
illustrated embodiment, the front central panel 41 is foldably
connected to the back central panel 69 along a line of weakening
128, which can include a fold line and an opening. The front
portion 9, the back portion 11, the central flaps 27a, 27b, the
central panels 41, 69, and/or the divider flaps 47, 51, 77, 81
could be alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or
could be omitted, without departing from the present
disclosure.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the handle panel 14 and the
handle reinforcement panel 16 are generally disposed between the
front and back portions 9, 11. The handle panel 14 includes a front
handle portion 21a and a back handle portion 21b foldably connected
to the front handle portion 21a along a longitudinal fold line or
other line of weakening 127. The front handle portion 21a is
foldably connected to the front central panel 41 along the lateral
fold line 43a, and the back handle portion 21b is foldably
connected to the back central panel 69 along the lateral fold line
43b. The front handle portion 21a can include a front handle
opening 22a and a front handle cushion flap 25a foldably connected
to the front handle portion along a longitudinal fold line 26a
adjacent the front handle opening 22a. The back handle portion 21b
can include a back handle opening 22b and a back handle cushion
flap 25b foldably connected to the back handle portion along a
longitudinal fold line 26b adjacent the back handle opening 22b.
The handle panel 14 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or
configured, or could be omitted, without departing from the
disclosure.
[0026] The handle reinforcement panel 16 can include a front handle
reinforcement portion 97a and a back handle reinforcement portion
97b foldably connected to the front handle reinforcement portion
97a along a longitudinal fold line or other line of weakening 115.
An opening 130 can be included between the handle reinforcement
portions 97a, 97b. The front handle reinforcement portion 97a is
foldably connected to the front central flap 27a along a lateral
fold line 131a, and the back handle reinforcement portion 97b is
foldably connected to the back central flap 27b along a lateral
fold line 131b. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral fold
lines 131a, 131b are spaced apart or offset from the lateral fold
lines 29a, 29b connecting the respective front and back central
flaps 27a, 27b to the respective first side panels 17a, 17b.
Alternatively, the lateral fold lines 131a, 131b can be collinear
with the lateral fold lines 29a, 29b. In the illustrated
embodiment, the front handle reinforcement portion 97a includes a
handle reinforcement flap 99, and the back handle reinforcement
portion 97b includes an elongate handle opening 113.
[0027] The handle reinforcement flap 99 can be foldably connected
to the front handle reinforcement portion 97a by a longitudinal
fold line 101. In the first embodiment, the reinforcement flap 99
is separated from the front handle reinforcement portion 97a by
respective cuts 103, 105. The handle reinforcement flap 99 includes
a fold line or other line of weakening 107 and a central handle
cushion flap 117. The central handle cushion flap 117 can be
foldably connected to the handle reinforcement flap 99 along a
longitudinal fold line 118 and can be separated from handle
reinforcement flap at cut or tear lines 119. The handle
reinforcement panel 16 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or
configured, or could be omitted, without departing from the
disclosure. For example, the fold lines 107, 115 could be other
forms of weakening, such as one including a series of openings and
fold lines.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the line of weakening 128 and
the longitudinal fold lines 115, 127, 129 are generally aligned
with the longitudinal centerline CL of the blank 3. The front
handle portion 21a is adjacent the front panel 15a and the second
side panel 19a, and the front handle reinforcement portion 97a is
adjacent the front panel 15a and the first side panel 17a. The
front handle portion 21a and the front handle reinforcement portion
97a are separated from the front panel 15a and the respective
second side panel 19a and first side panel 17a by a cut 23a.
Similarly, the back handle portion 21b and the back handle
reinforcement portion 97b are separated from the back panel 15b and
the respective second side panel 19b and first side panel 17b by a
cut 23b. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and back handle
reinforcement portions 97a, 97b are separable from the respective
handle portions 21a, 21b along a tear or cut line 132.
Alternatively, the handle reinforcement portions can be spaced
apart from the handle portions. Further, the handle portions, the
handle reinforcement portions, and the handle reinforcement flap
could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or could be
omitted, without departing from the disclosure.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal fold line
101 can be spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 115 a
distance D1, and the longitudinal fold line 107 can be spaced apart
from the longitudinal fold line 101 a distance D2. The distance D1
can be substantially equal to the distance D2 so that the fold line
107 overlays the fold line 115 when the handle reinforcement flap
99 is folded along the longitudinal fold line 101. Additionally,
the longitudinal fold line 107 can be spaced apart from the cut 23a
a distance D3, and the upper edge of the handle opening 113 can be
spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 115 a distance D4. In
the illustrated embodiment, the distance D3 is greater than the
distance D4 so that a portion (e.g., the central handle cushion
flap 117) of the handle reinforcement flap 99 overlays the handle
opening 113 when the handle reinforcement flap 99 is folded along
the longitudinal fold line 101. In an alternative embodiment,
distance D4 can be generally equal to distance D3. Additionally, in
one embodiment, the distance D4 can be substantially equal to the
distance D1.
[0030] The fold line 26b, extending along the upper edge of the
back handle opening 22b, can be spaced apart from the longitudinal
fold line 127 a distance D5 that is generally equal to or greater
than the distance D4 between the upper edge of the handle opening
113 and the longitudinal fold line 115 so that the back handle
opening 22b is aligned with the handle opening 113 when the
reinforced handle 150 is formed. The handle opening 113 can be
larger than the back handle opening 22b so that substantially all
of the back handle opening 22b positioned within the handle opening
113 regardless of variations in alignment of the handle panel 14
and the handle reinforcement panel 16 when the reinforced handle
150 is formed. Additionally, the fold line 26a, extending along the
upper edge of the front handle opening 22a, can be spaced apart
from the longitudinal fold line 127 a distance D6 that is generally
equal to or greater than the distance D1 between the longitudinal
fold lines 101, 115 so that substantially all of the front handle
opening 22a is positioned within a recess in the front handle
reinforcement portion 97a formed when the handle reinforcement
panel 99 is folded along the longitudinal fold line 101. In one
embodiment, the distance D5 can be substantially equal to the
distance D6. The distances can be alternatively configured without
departing from the present disclosure.
[0031] Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other
features could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from
the blank 3 without departing from the disclosure. The blank 3
could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than six
containers C without departing from this disclosure.
[0032] With reference to FIGS. 2-4, in one exemplary method of
erection, the carrier 5 can be erected from the blank 3 by
positioning the panels 15a, 15b, 17a, 17b, 19a, 19b, and the
dividers 47, 51, 87, 91 relative to each other to form the front
portion 9 of the carrier and the back portion 11 of the carrier.
Particularly, FIG. 2 generally shows an interior surface 2 of the
blank 3 after exemplary first folds of the blank, including folding
the divider panel 71 along the longitudinal fold line 73 so that at
least a portion of the divider panel is in face-to-face contact
with the interior surface of the lower portion of the back central
panel 69. The handle reinforcement panel 16 also can be folded
along lateral fold lines 131a, 131b so that at least a portion of
each of the front and back handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b
is in face-to-face contact with a portion of the interior surface
of the respective front and back central flaps 27a, 27b. The front
and back handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b can be glued to the
front and back central flaps 27a, 27b. The handle reinforcement
flap 99 can be folded along the longitudinal fold line 101 to be in
at least partially face-to-face contact with the exterior surface
of the handle reinforcement panel 16. Particularly, the fold line
107 is generally aligned with and overlays the fold line 115 so
that respective portions of the reinforcement flap 99 are in
contact with a portion of the front handle reinforcement portion
97a and a portion of the back handle reinforcement portion 97b to
form a two-ply combined handle reinforcement panel. As shown in
FIG. 2, the central handle cushion flap 117 is disposed adjacent
the handle opening 113 in the back handle reinforcement portion
97b, and the longitudinal fold line 118 is generally aligned with
and overlays an upper edge 120 of the handle opening 113. An
opening or recess 121 can be defined by the fold line 101 and the
edges of the front handle reinforcement portion 97a formed by the
cuts 103, 105 after folding the handle reinforcement flap 99. The
handle reinforcement flap 99 can be glued to the front handle
reinforcement portion 97a and/or the back handle reinforcement
portion 97b.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the central bottom flap 45 can be folded
along the longitudinal fold line 46 so that the central bottom flap
is in face-to-face contact with the exterior surface 1 of the front
central panel 41. The front and back central panels 41, 69 can be
folded about respective fold lines 43a, 43b so that the central
panels are generally in face-to-face relationship with portions of
the respective handle portions 21a, 21b, the respective second side
panels 19a, 19, and the respective front and back panels 15a, 15b.
The line of weakening 128 is generally aligned with and overlays
the longitudinal fold line 127 of the handle panel 14. Glue or
other adhesive is selectively applied to the blank 3 to adhesively
connect the attachment flaps 55, 57 to the front panel 15a and to
adhesively connect the attachment flaps 85, 87 to the back panel
15b. Additionally, in one particular embodiment, the portions of
the central panels 41, 69 in face-to-face contact with the
respective front and back handle portions 21a, 21b can be adhered
or otherwise secured to the handle portions.
[0034] In one embodiment, the first side panels 17a, 17b can be
folded about respective fold lines 31a, 31b so that the first side
panels 17a, 17b and central flaps 27a, 27b are generally in
face-to-face contact with portions of the respective front and back
central panels 41, 69. Portions of the front central flap 27a can
be selectively glued to portions of the front central panel 41 and
the central bottom flap 45, and portions of the back central flap
27b can be selectively glued to portions of the back central panel
69. The handle reinforcement panel 16 is at least partially in
face-to-face contact with the handle panel 14, with the handle
reinforcement flap 99 between portions of the front and back handle
reinforcement portions 97a, 97b and the respective front and back
handle portions 21a, 21b. Portions of the front and back
reinforcement panels 97a, 97b also can be in face-to-face contact
with portions of the front and back handle portions 21a, 21b. The
front and back handle reinforcement portions 97a, 97b and the
handle reinforcement flap 99 can be glued to the front and back
handle portions 21a, 21b to at least partially secure the handle
reinforcement panel 16 to the handle panel 14. The handle opening
113 is generally aligned with the back handle opening 22b so that
the central handle cushion flap 117 is generally aligned with the
back handle cushion flap 25b with the fold line 118 generally
aligned with the upper edge of the back handle opening 22b (e.g.,
the fold line 26b). In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of the
handle reinforcement panel 16 formed by the longitudinal fold line
101 is generally aligned with and overlays the fold line 26a
connecting the front handle cushion flap 25a to the front handle
portion 21a at an upper edge of the front handle opening 22a so
that at least a portion of the front handle opening 22a is
proximate the recess 121 of the front handle reinforcement portion
97a. The longitudinal fold lines 107, 115, 129 and the line of
weakening 128 overlay the longitudinal fold line 127, and the fold
lines 107, 115, 127, 129 and the line of weakening 128 remain
generally aligned with the centerline CL.
[0035] In one embodiment, the partially assembled blank 3 of FIG. 3
is folded about the longitudinal centerline CL (i.e., the
longitudinal fold lines 107, 115, 127, 129 and the line of
weakening 128) so that the front portion 9 generally overlaps the
back portion 11 (FIG. 4). Portions of the front central panel 41
and the front central flap 27a can be selectively glued to portions
of the respective back central panel 69 and back central flap 27b
to generally form a central wall between the front portion 9 and
the back portion 11. The handle panel 14, the handle reinforcement
panel 16, and the handle reinforcement flap 99 combine to form the
six-ply reinforced handle 150 with the front handle opening 22a
being generally aligned with the back handle opening 22b and the
handle opening 113 of the back handle reinforcement portion 97b.
The central handle cushion flap 117 can also be aligned with and
disposed between the front and back handle cushion flaps 25a, 25b.
The six-ply reinforced handle 150 comprises six plies or layers of
material at least between the upper edges of the handle openings
22a, 22b to the longitudinal fold line 127. The six plies can
include the folded over reinforcement flap 99 (two layers
comprising a respective portion of the flap on either side of the
fold line 107), the front handle reinforcement portion 97a, the
back handle reinforcement portion 97b, the front handle portion
21a, and the back handle portion 21b. The reinforced handle 150 of
the carrier 5 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or
configured without departing from the disclosure. The bottom panel
12b can be folded along a fold line and attached to the bottom
panel attachment flap 12a by glue so that the partially assembled
blank 3 has the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
[0036] The blank 3 can be further assembled into the carrier 5, as
shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, by positioning the first side panels 17a,
17b and second side panels 19a, 19b to be in a generally
spaced-apart, parallel planar relationship, and positioning the
front panel 15a and back panel 15b to be in a generally
spaced-apart, parallel planar relationship. Such movement of the
side panels 17a, 17b, 19a, 19b and front and back panels 15a, 15b,
causes the divider flaps 47, 51 in the front portion 9 of the
carrier 5 to be positioned generally perpendicular to the central
panel 41 and the front panel 15a, thereby dividing the front
portion 9 into three container-receiving spaces 160 (FIG. 5A).
Similarly, the back portion 11 of the carrier is divided into three
container-receiving spaces 162 by the divider flaps 77, 81 (FIG.
5B). The separating of the front and back panels 15a, 15b further
pulls the bottom panel 12b flat across the bottom of the carrier 5.
Two hooks 13a, 13b disposed at the bottoms of the respective
central flaps 27a, 27b can engage a notch 28 in the bottom panel
12b for supporting the bottom panel.
[0037] The reinforced handle 150 and the carrier 5 can be
alternatively erected, formed, and/or arranged without departing
from the present disclosure. For example, in an alternative
embodiment, the handle reinforcement flap 99 is folded into
face-to-face contact with the interior surface of the handle
reinforcement panel 16 so that the handle reinforcement flap 99 is
interior to both the handle panel 14 and the handle reinforcement
panel 16.
[0038] In one embodiment, containers C, such as bottles, can be
placed into the container-receiving spaces 160, 162 of the carrier
5 prior to folding the bottom panel 12b to close the bottom of the
carrier 5. The bottoms of the containers are supported by the
bottom panel 12b.
[0039] The exemplary carrier embodiment discussed above
accommodates six containers C arranged in two rows, but the present
disclosure is not limited to these numbers. As one example,
additional containers may be accommodated by increasing the size of
the blank 3 (e.g., in the longitudinal direction L1 in FIG. 1) and
forming additional container-receiving spaces therein. Also, the
carrier 5 could have less than six container-receiving spaces.
[0040] The panels, flaps, and dividers shown and described in
conjunction with the blank 3 and the carrier 5 are included by way
of example. The reinforced handle 150 can alternatively be
associated with any basket-style carrier having any divider or
panel configuration.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an exterior surface 201 of a blank
203 for forming a carrier (not shown) according to a second
embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment is generally
similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and
variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments
have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG.
6, the blank 203 includes a handle reinforcement panel 216 with a
front handle reinforcement portion 297a, a back handle
reinforcement portion 297b, and a handle reinforcement flap 299.
The handle reinforcement flap 299 is shaped differently than the
handle reinforcement flap of the first embodiment. In the
embodiment of FIG. 2, the handle reinforcement flap 299 includes a
line of weakening 307 that comprises a fold line 309 and two
openings 311. Additionally, the line of weakening 315 between the
front and back handle reinforcement portions comprises a series of
openings and fold lines. The handle reinforcement flap 299 omits
the central handle cushion flap 117 included in the first
embodiment, and is sized and positioned so that an edge of the
handle reinforcement flap is aligned with the upper edge 320 of the
handle opening 313 when the handle reinforcement flap is folded
along the longitudinal fold line 301 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7,
the openings 311 can be offset in the longitudinal direction L1
from the openings of the line of weakening 315. Folding the handle
reinforcement flap 299 into contact with the handle reinforcement
panel 216 forms an opening or recess 321 in the front handle
reinforcement portion 297a. The blank 203 could be otherwise
shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exterior surface 401 of a blank
403 for forming a carrier (not shown) according to a third
embodiment of the disclosure. The third embodiment is generally
similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and
variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments
have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG.
8, the blank 403 has a front handle reinforcement portion 497a that
comprises a front handle reinforcement flap 499a, and a back handle
reinforcement portion 497b that comprises a back handle
reinforcement flap 499b. The handle reinforcement flaps 499a, 499b
are foldably connected to a respective handle reinforcement
portions 497a, 497b at a respective longitudinal fold line 501a,
501b and are separable from the respective handle reinforcement
portions 497a, 497b along respective tear lines or cuts 503a, 503b.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the longitudinal fold line 501a is spaced
apart from a fold line portion of the line of weakening 515 a
distance D7, which is generally equal to the distance D6 between
longitudinal fold lines 26a, 127. Similarly, the longitudinal fold
line 501b is spaced apart from the fold line portion of the line of
weakening 515 a distance D8, which is generally equal to the
distance D5 between longitudinal fold lines 26b, 127.
Alternatively, the distances D7, D8 can be different than the
respective distances D6, D5. In the third embodiment, the six-ply
handle comprises six plies or layers of material that include the
folded over reinforcement flaps 499a, 499b, the front handle
reinforcement portion 497a, the back handle reinforcement portion
497b, the front handle portion 21a, and the back handle portion
21b.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, the handle reinforcement flaps 499a,
499b can be folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines
501a, 501b. Accordingly, in FIG. 9, the front handle reinforcement
flap 499a is in face-to-face contact with the front handle
reinforcement portion 497a and overlays at least a portion of the
line of weakening 515. Similarly, the back handle reinforcement
flap 499b is in face-to-face contact with the back and overlays at
least a portion of the line of weakening 515. Alternatively, the
line of weakening 515 is a longitudinal fold line, and the
respective edges of the front and back handle reinforcement flaps
499a, 499b are positioned adjacent the longitudinal fold line. The
handle reinforcement flaps 499a, 499b can be folded into contact
with the interior or exterior surface of the respective handle
reinforcement portions 497a, 497b. When the reinforced handle is
formed similarly to the formation of the handle 150 of the first
embodiment, for example, the front handle reinforcement portion
497a overlaps the front handle portion 21a so that the fold line
501a is generally aligned with and at least partially overlays the
fold line 26a, and the back handle reinforcement portion 497b
overlaps the back handle portion 21b so that the fold line 501b is
generally aligned with and at least partially overlays the fold
line 26b. Accordingly, the handle cushion flaps 25a, 25b can pivot
along the respective fold lines 26a, 26b into the handle openings
521a, 521b. The reinforced handle of the carrier could be otherwise
shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0044] In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard
having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary
paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such
as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for
enabling the carrier or carton to function at least generally as
described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay
coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product,
advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then
be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the
blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture
barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks
can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like
materials at selected panels or panel sections.
[0045] 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.
[0046] In accordance with the exemplary 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 or depressed 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. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold
line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a
manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider
the fold line to be a tear line.
[0047] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more
panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier
embodiments. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of
adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.
[0048] The foregoing description of the disclosure 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.
* * * * *