U.S. patent application number 17/205592 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-08 for carton for containers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Graphic Packaging International, LLC. Invention is credited to Kevin T. May, Raymond R. Spivey, SR..
Application Number | 20210206555 17/205592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005462392 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210206555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spivey, SR.; Raymond R. ; et
al. |
July 8, 2021 |
Carton For Containers
Abstract
A carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of articles
can comprise a plurality of panels that can comprise at least a top
panel, a side panel, and a bottom panel. A plurality of article
receiver features can be disposed in at least the top panel in at
least a first row and a second row. The first row can comprise at
least one more article receiver feature than the second row. Each
article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver
features can be for at least partially receiving a respective
article of the plurality of articles. A retention feature can
extend in at least one of the side panel and the bottom panel. The
retention feature can be for at least partially retaining at least
one article that is at least partially received in a respective one
of the article receiving features in the first row.
Inventors: |
Spivey, SR.; Raymond R.;
(Mableton, GA) ; May; Kevin T.; (Kennesaw,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Graphic Packaging International, LLC |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005462392 |
Appl. No.: |
17/205592 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14876250 |
Oct 6, 2015 |
|
|
|
17205592 |
|
|
|
|
62122022 |
Oct 8, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00271
20130101; B65D 71/32 20130101; B65D 2571/0016 20130101; B65D 71/20
20130101; B65B 21/242 20130101; B65B 43/10 20130101; B65D 71/16
20130101; B65D 2571/00444 20130101; B65D 2571/00716 20130101; B65D
2571/0066 20130101; B65B 11/004 20130101; B65D 2571/00277 20130101;
B65D 2571/0029 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/20 20060101
B65D071/20; B65D 71/16 20060101 B65D071/16; B65D 71/32 20060101
B65D071/32; B65B 11/00 20060101 B65B011/00 |
Claims
1. A method of forming a package comprising: obtaining a plurality
of articles; obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels,
the plurality of panels comprising at least a top panel, a first
side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a second side panel
foldably connected to the top panel, and a bottom panel foldably
connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second
side panel; arranging the articles of the plurality of articles in
at least a first row, a second row, and a third row, the first row
and the third row comprising at least one more article than the
second row; positioning the articles in the second row to be nested
with the articles in the first row and the third row; forming a
carrier from the blank by wrapping the plurality of panels at least
partially around the plurality of articles, the carrier having a
first open end and a second open end, a first end article of the
first row is disposed adjacent the first open end, a first end
article of the third row is disposed adjacent the first open end, a
first end article of the second row is spaced inward from the first
open end in an interior of the package, the positioning the
articles in the second row to be nested with the articles in the
first row and the third row comprises positioning the articles so
that a bottom portion of the first end article of the first row and
a bottom portion of the first end article of the third row are
positioned relative to a bottom portion of the first end article in
the second row to retain the first end article of the second row in
the carrier and prevent removal of the first end article of the
second row through the first open end.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the carrier comprises
engaging the top panel with top portions of the articles of the
plurality of articles and folding the first side panel with respect
to the top panel to position the first side panel adjacent the
articles in the first row, the articles in the second row being
spaced from the first side panel by the articles in the first
row.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the carrier comprises
folding the second side panel with respect to the top panel to
position the second side panel adjacent the articles in the third
row, the articles in the second row being spaced from the second
side panel by the articles in the third row.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the blank further comprises a
plurality of article receiver features disposed in at least the top
panel, and the forming the carrier comprises positioning the top
panel relative to the articles of the plurality of articles so that
each article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver
features at least partially receives a top portion of a respective
article of the plurality of articles.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the blank further comprises a
retention feature extending in at least one of the first side
panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel, and the forming
the carrier further comprising positioning the at least one of the
first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel so
that the retention feature at least partially retains one of the
end article in the first row and the end article of the third
row.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the forming the carrier from the
blank comprises forming the retention feature into a corner
retainer that at least partially retains the one of the first end
article of the first row and the first end article of the third
row.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the corner retainer comprises a
retention panel foldably connected to at least one of the first
side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel, a first
gusset panel foldably connected to the retention panel, and a
second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel
and to the bottom panel, the retention panel extending at least
partially over the first open end of the carrier.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming the carrier comprises
positioning the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel at
least partially in face-to-face contact with one another and at
least partially disposed between the bottom panel and the one of
first end article of the first row and the first end article of the
third row.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of articles
comprises three articles in the first row, two articles in the
second row, and three articles in the third row.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein each article in the second row
is nested in an at least partially staggered arrangement so that
the containers in the second row are generally offset from the
containers in the first row and the containers in the third
row.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein at the open end of the carrier,
the width between the first side panel and the second side panel is
less than a maximum width of three articles of the plurality of
articles.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the bottom portion of
the end article in the first row and the bottom portion of the end
article of the second row contact and overlap the bottom portion of
the end article in the second row to restrict movement of the end
article in the second row through the open end.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/876,250, filed on Oct. 6, 2015, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/122,022, filed on Oct. 8, 2014.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/876,250, which was filed on Oct. 6, 2015, and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/122,022, which was filed on Oct. 8, 2014,
is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if
presented herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers for
holding and dispensing beverage containers or other types of
articles.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a
carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of articles. The
carrier can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least
partially around an interior of the carrier. The plurality of
panels can comprise at least a top panel, a side panel, and a
bottom panel. A plurality of article receiver features can be
disposed in at least the top panel in at least a first row and a
second row. The first row can comprise at least one more article
receiver feature than the second row. Each article receiver feature
of the plurality of article receiver features can be for at least
partially receiving a respective article of the plurality of
articles. A retention feature can extend in at least one of the
side panel and the bottom panel. The retention feature can be for
at least partially retaining at least one article that is at least
partially received in a respective one of the article receiving
features in the first row.
[0005] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of articles.
The blank can comprise A plurality of panels comprising at least a
top panel, a side panel, and a bottom panel. A plurality of article
receiver features can be disposed in at least the top panel in at
least a first row and a second row. The first row can comprise at
least one more article receiver feature than the second row, and
each article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver
features can be for at least partially receiving a respective
article of the plurality of articles when the carrier is formed
from the blank. A retention feature can extend in at least one of
the side panel and the bottom panel. The retention feature can be
for at least partially retaining at least one article that is at
least partially received in a respective one of the article
receiving features in the first row when the carrier is formed from
the blank.
[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package comprising a carrier having substantially open ends. The
carrier can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least
partially around an interior of the carrier. The package further
can comprise a plurality of articles at least partially disposed in
the interior of the carrier. The articles of the plurality of
articles can be arranged in at least a first row and a second row,
and the first row can comprise at least one more article than the
second row.
[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of
forming a package comprising obtaining a plurality of articles and
a blank comprising a plurality of panels, and arranging the
articles of the plurality of articles in at least a first row and a
second row. The first row can comprise at least one more article
than the second row. The method also can comprise forming a carrier
from the blank by wrapping the plurality of panels at least
partially around the plurality of articles. The carrier can have
substantially open ends.
[0008] Other aspects, features, and details of the present
disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the
following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in
conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.
[0009] 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.
Further, 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
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank used
to form a carrier according to a first embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the blank of FIG. 1
showing retention features according to the first embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package including the
carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and nested containers
according to the first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an end view of the package of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIGS. 5 and 6 are bottom views of the package of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank used
to form a carrier according to a second embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank used
to form a carrier according to a third embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank used
to form a carrier according to a fourth embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0018] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding
reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present disclosure generally relates to various features
for cartons or carriers that contain articles such as containers,
bottles, cans, etc. The articles can be used for packaging food and
beverage products, for example. The articles can be made from
materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food
or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited
to, aluminum and/or other metals; glass; plastics such as PET,
LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or
any combination thereof.
[0020] Cartons or carriers according to the present disclosure can
accommodate articles of any shape. 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., plastic beverage bottles) as disposed within the carrier
embodiments. In this specification, the terms "inner," "interior,"
"outer," "exterior," "lower," "bottom," "upper," and "top" indicate
orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright
cartons.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface 2 of a blank 3,
used to form a carrier 5 (FIG. 3) according to a first embodiment
of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 5 is
a carrier having generally open ends 6, 8 that wraps around the
containers C (e.g., the carrier 5 may be referred to as a
wrap-around carton or carrier). The carrier 5 could be otherwise
shaped and arranged such that the ends 6, 8 are at least partially
closed such as by end flaps (not shown) or other closing
mechanisms. The carrier 5 can be used to house a plurality of
articles such as containers C (FIGS. 3-6) to form a package 7 (FIG.
3). In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C are beverage
bottles having a wide bottom B and a narrow top or neck N including
a cap CP. The carrier 5 can be sized to house eight containers in a
single layer in a "nested" arrangement having two outer rows of
three bottles per row and one inner row of two bottles. In one
embodiment, the nesting of the containers C in the carrier 5 allows
the carrier to hold the containers in more than two rows since the
outer rows can help retain the inner row that is nested with the
outer rows. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 5 can
include retention features including article receiver features 9
for receiving the upper portions N of the containers C and bottom
retention features 11 for engaging the bottom portions B of the
containers C that are disposed adjacent the sides of the carrier 5.
In addition, the carrier 5 can include one or two handles,
generally indicated at 13, for grasping and carrying the
carrier.
[0022] Various other nested bottle arrangements could be used with
the first embodiment, or other illustrated and non-illustrated
embodiments of the disclosure. Alternative nested pack arrangements
can include an arrangement with eleven bottles with two outer rows
of four bottles per row and one inner row of three bottles, an
arrangement with ten bottles with two outer rows of three bottles
per row and two inner rows of two bottles per row, etc. In one
embodiment, such nesting arrangements can be considered "internal
nesting arrangements" since the interior row(s) of containers are
generally shorter than the outer rows of containers (e.g., the
outer rows have one more container each than the inner row(s)).
Other nested or non-nested arrangements of the containers could be
provided without departing from the disclosure. For example, the
inner row(s) could be longer than the outer rows in an alternative
embodiment. In another embodiment, an arrangement with thirteen
containers can have two outer rows with three bottles per row, two
inner rows with two bottles per row, and a central row with three
bottles disposed between the two inner rows, for example. In the
different arrangements, the containers can be nested in an at least
partially staggered arrangement so that the containers in the inner
row(s) are generally offset from the containers in the outer rows,
as generally shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The containers C could be
otherwise arranged without departing from the disclosure.
[0023] The blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis
L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 comprises a top
panel 20 foldably connected to a first side panel 22 at a first
lateral fold line 24, a first bottom panel 26 foldably connected to
the first side panel 22 at a second lateral fold line 28, a second
side panel 30 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at a third
lateral fold line 32, and a second bottom panel 34 foldably
connected to the second side panel 30 at a fourth lateral fold line
36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first bottom panel 26
includes a first bottom bevel panel 38 defined by lateral fold
lines 28 and 40 and having an intermediate fold line 41. The second
bottom panel 34 includes a second bottom bevel panel 42 defined by
lateral fold lines 36 and 44 and having an intermediate fold line
45. The lateral fold lines 40, 44 can include multiple segments
each, wherein a longitudinal cut is disposed at each end of each
segment. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side panel 22 can
include a first top bevel panel 46 defined by lateral fold lines 24
and 47 and having an intermediate fold line 48, and the second side
panel 30 can include a second top bevel panel 49 defined by lateral
fold lines 32 and 50 and having an intermediate fold line 51. The
blank 3 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or
configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, any
of the bevel panels 38, 42, 46, 49 could be omitted or otherwise
shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing
from the disclosure.
[0024] The first bottom panel 26, which is the inner bottom panel
in the assembled carrier 5, includes cutouts forming primary female
locking edges 52 that are shaped and positioned to engage primary
male locking tab projections 54 on the second bottom panel 34. The
first bottom panel 26 also includes slits 56 shaped and positioned
to receive outer secondary locking tab projections 58 of the second
bottom panel 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the slits 56 can define tabs
that are foldably connected to the first bottom panel 26. In the
illustrated embodiment, the second bottom panel 34, which is the
outer bottom panel in the completed carrier 5, includes a lateral
fold line 60, which can be interrupted by the slits that define the
primary male locking tab projections 54. In addition, each of the
secondary locking tab projections 58 can include a lateral fold
line 62. Although the locking elements of the blank 3 are
illustrated to demonstrate a particular bottom panel locking
arrangement suitable for use with the carrier 5, it is understood
that any alternative form of bottom panel locking structure may be
employed without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, or
alternatively, the bottom panels 26, 34 could be glued
together.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the article receiver features 9 are top
openings 9 that can be formed in the top panel 20 in three rows R1,
R2, R3, in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the top openings 9
can be formed in different arrangements to accommodate the
different container arrangements described above. The outer rows
R1, R3 can include three top openings 9 each, and the inner row R2
can include two top openings 9 that are offset from the top
openings 9 in the outer rows R1, R3. In the illustrated embodiment,
the top openings 9 in the inner row R2 are offset from the
remaining openings so that each of the top openings 9 in the inner
row R2 has a center A that is disposed generally halfway between
two of the top openings 9 in the outer rows R1, R3. Accordingly,
the top openings 9 in the inner row R2 are positioned with respect
to the top openings 9 in the outer rows R1, R3 so that the openings
are in a staggered arrangement and the containers C that are
received in the top openings 9 in the inner row R2 are nested with
the containers C that are received in the top openings 9 in the
outer rows R1, R3 (FIGS. 3 and 4). In one embodiment, the top
openings 9 in the outer rows R1, R3 can partially interrupt the
respective lateral fold lines 24, 32, and cuts 63 can extend in the
top bevel panels 46, 49 adjacent the outer openings. Any of the
article receiver features or top openings 9 and/or the rows R1, R2,
R3 could be omitted or could be otherwise positioned, shaped,
configured, and/or arranged without departing from the disclosure.
For example, the article receiver features could comprise tabs,
flaps, and/or other features in addition to or instead of the top
openings 9.
[0026] In one embodiment, the bottom retention features 11 in the
first side panel 22 and the first bottom panel 26 are shown in
detail in FIG. 1A; however, the bottom retention features 11 in the
second side panel 30 and the second bottom panel 34 are similar or
substantially identical to the bottom retention features 11 in the
first side panel 22 and the first bottom panel 26 as shown in FIG.
1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the bottom retention features 11 can
include two retention tabs 64 adjacent a respective bottom or
corner opening 66 for each of the containers C in the outer row R1.
Each of the retention tabs 64 can be foldably connected to the
bottom bevel panel 38 along a respective fold line 68 and can
include V-shaped folds 70. A hook-shaped cut 72 can extend from
each of the retention tabs 64 into the first side panel 22 for
allowing additional folding and/or flexing of the tabs 64 and/or
the side panel 22 to accommodate the respective container C.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the bottom retention features 11
can include a corner retainer 74 at each end of the bottom panels
26, 34. As shown in FIG. 1A, each of the corner retainers 74 can
include a retention panel 76 foldably connected to the bottom bevel
panel 38 along a longitudinal fold line 78, a first gusset panel 80
foldably connected to the retention panel 76 along a lateral fold
line 82, and a second gusset panel 84 foldably connected to the
first gusset panel along a longitudinal fold line 86. Each of the
second gusset panels 84 can be foldably connected to the first
bottom panel 26 along a respective oblique fold line 88 and can be
separable from the first bottom panel 26 along a respective cut
line 90. Each of the corner retainers 74 can at least partially
define a cutout 92 in one embodiment. Any of the bottom retention
features 11, including the retention tabs 64, the corner openings
66, and/or the corner retainers 74 could be omitted or could be
otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without
departing from the disclosure.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, each of the handles 13 includes
two finger flaps 94, each respectively formed by a respective
curved cut line 96 and foldably attached to the respective side
panel 22, 30 at a respective longitudinal fold line 98. The handles
13 could include other features for carrying the carrier 5, any of
the finger flaps 94 could be omitted or could be otherwise
positioned, shaped, configured, and/or arranged, or one or both of
the handles 13 could be omitted from the carrier without departing
from the disclosure.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier 5 can be erected by wrapping
the blank 3 around the containers C and interlocking the first and
second bottom panels 26, 34 to form the package 7. Particularly,
the containers C can be arranged into the staggered, nested
arrangement of the two outer rows R1, R3 of three containers C each
and one inner row R2 of two containers C. The blank 3 can be
positioned in relation to the arranged containers C so that each of
the top openings 9 is generally aligned with a respective one of
the containers C. The blank 3 and/or the containers C can be moved
so that the blank 3 and the containers C are moved together and at
least the upper portions N of the containers C are received in the
respective top openings 9. The side panels 22, 30 can be downwardly
folded along the fold lines 24, 32, and the top bevel panels 46, 49
can fold along the respective fold lines 47, 48 and 50, 51 to at
least partially accommodate the shoulders of the containers C in
the outer rows R1, R3.
[0030] In one embodiment, as the bottom panels 26, 34 are folded
inwardly toward one another, the bottoms B of the containers C in
the outer rows R1, R3 can be at least partially received in the
respective corner openings 66 to engage the respective retention
tabs 64. Also, while the bottom panels 26, 34 are folded along
lateral fold lines 28, 36, the bottom bevel panels 38, 42 can fold
along the respective fold lines 40, 41 and 44, 45 to extend
obliquely between the side panels 22, 30 and the remainder of the
bottom panels 26, 34. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the corner retainers
74 can be folded inwardly to position the gusset panels 80, 84 in
face-to-face contact with one another and to tuck in the gusset
panels 80, 84 between the respective bottom panel 26, 34 and the
bottom B of a respectively adjacent container C (FIGS. 5 and 6) so
that the respective retention panel 76 extends over a portion of an
end of the carrier 5 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Accordingly, the retention
tabs 64 and the corner openings 66 can help retain the respective
containers C in the outer rows R1, R3 in place adjacent the
respective side panels 22, 30, and the corner retainers 74 can help
retain the containers C at the ends of the outer rows R1, R3
adjacent the open ends 6, 8 of the carrier 5.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the second bottom panel 34 is secured to the first bottom panel 26
by first folding the second bottom panel 34 along the lateral fold
line 60 to at least partially separate the primary male locking
tabs 54 from the second bottom panel 34 and respectively engaging
the primary male locking tabs 54 with the primary female locking
edges 52 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The secondary male locking flaps 58 are
respectively inserted through, and cooperatively interact with, the
slits 56 to further secure the second bottom panel 34 to the first
bottom panel 26. The interlocked bottom panels 26, 34 cooperate to
form a bottom panel 99 of the carrier 5. The carrier 5 could be
erected and/or the package 7 could be formed by alternative steps
without departing from the disclosure.
[0032] In one embodiment, one or both of the handles 13 can be
actuated by folding the finger flaps 94 inwardly along the
respective fold lines 98 for grasping the respective side panel 22,
30 at the respective openings formed therein. The package 7 could
be otherwise carried without departing from the disclosure.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the nested arrangement of the
containers can help the wrap-style carrier 5 to hold the containers
in the three rows R1, R2, R3. For example, the nested configuration
can allow the containers in the outer rows R1, R3 to retain the
containers in the inner row R2 in the interior of the carrier. The
containers C adjacent the ends of the carrier 5 in the outer rows
R1, R3 interfere with the containers in the inner row R2 so that
containers in the inner row would have to push past the outer, end
containers to be forced out of the carrier prior to intended
removal. The containers in the outer rows are further retained by
retention tabs 64, the corner openings 66, and the corner retainers
74. Accordingly, while the containers C in the inner row R2 are
spaced from the side panels 22, 30 and the retention features 11,
they are at least partially retained by the respective top openings
9 in the top panel 20 and the respectively nested containers C in
the outer rows R1, R3. In one embodiment, a non-nested inner row in
an alternative carrier with more than two rows will generally fail.
For example, it can be more difficult to retain the containers in
the inner row if they are not nested with and retained by the
containers in the outer row. If one or more containers is
unintendedly removed from (e.g., falls out of) the alternative
carrier, the alternative carrier could collapse, some or all of the
containers could fall out of the alternative carrier, and/or the
alternative carrier could otherwise fail. Additionally, the nested
arrangement of the containers C can be generally narrower than an
arrangement with aligned rows that are not nested, and the amount
of material added to the blank 3 to include the third row (e.g.,
the inner row) is less than would be required if the containers
were arranged in three non-nested rows. Further, the carrier 5 can
be more noticeable on a shelf by having a different look than other
cartons and carriers, in one embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exterior surface 202 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.
7, the blank 203 includes alternative bottom retention features 211
wherein the corner retainers 74 of the first embodiment are
omitted, and the retention tabs 264 are generally larger so that
the openings are substantially closed prior to the formation of the
package (not shown). Accordingly, the retention tabs 264 are
separable from one another along respective longitudinal cut lines
267 and from the respective side panels 222, 230 and the respective
bottom panels 226, 234 along respective lateral cut lines 269. Each
of the retention tabs 264 can be connected to the respective side
panels 222, 230 and the respective bottom panels 226, 234 along two
oblique fold lines 268 in one embodiment. Additionally, each of the
retention tabs 264 can include a V-shaped fold 270. As shown in
FIG. 7, the lateral fold lines 228, 236 can be interrupted by the
bottom retention features 211, and the fold lines 40, 41, 44, 46 of
the first embodiment can be omitted so that the bottom bevel panels
38, 42 of the first embodiment are not included in the blank 203.
The side panels 222, 230 of the second embodiment can include
cutouts 215 at each end for at least partially accommodating the
shape of the containers C. Alternatively, the edges of the side
panels 222, 230 could have a different shape to correspond to a
different container shape or to reflect a particular logo, or the
edges could be straight. The blank 203 could be otherwise shaped,
arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exterior surface 402 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 second 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 different locking features for interlocking
the bottom panels 426, 434. The second bottom panel 434 can include
three secondary locking tabs 458 that are generally aligned with
the respective primary locking tabs 454. The first bottom panel 426
can include an inner primary female locking edge 452a and an inner
slit 456a for receiving the respective inner primary male locking
tab 454 and inner secondary male locking tab 458. Additionally, the
first bottom panel 426 can include outer primary female locking
edges 452b and outer secondary female locking edges 456b adjacent a
respective opening 455. An outer retention tab 457 can be foldably
connected to the first bottom panel 426 along a respective
longitudinal fold line 459 and can include respective curved folds
461. Accordingly, when the outer primary male locking tabs 454
engage the respective outer primary female locking edges 452b and
the outer secondary male locking tabs 458 engage the respective
outer secondary female locking edges 456b, the respective outer
retention tabs 457 are folded inwardly into the interior of the
carrier (not shown) to engage and/or to help retain a respectively
adjacent container C. Any of the locking features of the bottom
panels 426, 434 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped,
arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure. Additionally, the blank 403 could be otherwise shaped,
arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exterior surface 602 of a blank
603 for forming a carrier (not shown) according to a fourth
embodiment of the disclosure. The fourth embodiment is generally
similar to the third 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.
9, the blank 603 includes side panels 22, 30 with generally
straight free edges similar or identical to the first embodiment
(FIG. 1), retention features 211 in the first side panel 22 and the
first bottom panel 426 that are similar to the second embodiment
(FIG. 7), and locking features for interlocking the bottom panels
426, 434 similar or identical to the third embodiment (FIG. 8).
Additionally, the blank 603 can include bottom retention features
611 in the second side panel 30 and the second bottom panel 434.
The bottom retention features 611 can include retention tabs 264
similar to those in the second embodiment (FIG. 7) and corner
retainers 74 similar to those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and
2). As shown in FIG. 9, the retention flaps 264 of the retention
features 211, 611 are generally the same as the retention flaps 264
of the blanks 203, 403 of the second and third embodiments except
that the retention flaps in the blank 603 are relatively smaller
than the retention flaps 264 of the blanks 203, 403. The blank 603
could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without
departing from the disclosure.
[0037] Any of the features of the various embodiments of the
disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise
configured with other features of other embodiments of the
disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Further, it is noted that the retention features and/or the
container configurations of the various embodiments can be
incorporated into a carton or carrier having any carton style or
panel configuration. The carrier styles and panel configurations
described above are included by way of example. Additionally, the
shapes of the retention features can be substantially any shape.
The shapes described above and included in the figures are included
by way of example.
[0038] In general, the blanks according to the present disclosure
can be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is
heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be
constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other
material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to
function at least generally as described above. The blanks 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more
panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton
embodiments. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of
adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
[0041] 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.
* * * * *