U.S. patent number 3,724,714 [Application Number 05/138,050] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-03 for beverage bottle carrier.
Invention is credited to William H. Wright.
United States Patent |
3,724,714 |
Wright |
April 3, 1973 |
BEVERAGE BOTTLE CARRIER
Abstract
A bottle carrier formed from a one-piece paperboard sheet blank
in which the bottles are segregated and confined in individual
cells to prevent them from contacting one another during transport
and handling. The carrier, in general, comprises an open container
having a longitudinal centralized partition, rising from its bottom
and including an upstanding hand grip portion. The carrier body or
container, in which the bottles are confined, includes a central
toggle separator which subdivides and reinforces the carrier
transversely. Transverse straps extend from opposite sides of the
longitudinal partition outwardly to the side walls, with cantilever
separators connected to the straps. The carrier may be furnished in
assembled flat condition, the several components being joined by
adhesive or the like, with the side walls folded inwardly against
the longitudinal partition and with the transverse components
folded between the longitudinal partition and side walls for
compactness during shipment. Upon assembly, the toggle separator,
transverse straps and cantilever separators hingedly swing to the
right angular position as the side walls separate, thereby
completing the erection of the carrier, such that the carrier is in
a condition to be loaded with the bottles for use in handling and
transport.
Inventors: |
Wright; William H. (Cincinnati,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
22480209 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/138,050 |
Filed: |
April 28, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/187; 206/191;
206/190 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
71/0022 (20130101); B65D 2571/00141 (20130101); B65D
2571/0066 (20130101); B65D 2571/00524 (20130101); B65D
2571/00388 (20130101); B65D 2571/00487 (20130101); B65D
2571/00802 (20130101); B65D 2571/00956 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
71/00 (20060101); B65D 71/58 (20060101); B65d
075/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/113,115 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moorhead; Davis T.
Claims
Having described my invention I claim:
1. In a collapsible carrier of the type having cells for
segregating bottles and similar articles from one another, the
carrier having a bottom, a pair of side walls and a pair of end
walls rising from the bottom, and a longitudinal partition rising
from the bottom of the carrier and extending medially of the
carrier between said end walls, the improvement comprising
at least two pair of foldable cross straps, one strap of each pair
being connected between said longitudinal partition and one side
wall and the other strap of each pair being connected between said
longitudinal partition and the other side wall, the straps of each
pair lying in a common plane and extending transversely from said
longitudinal partition when the carrier is in the fully erected
attitude,
at least two one-piece cantilever separators defined by fold and
severance lines in said longitudinal partition, each cantilever
separator cooperating with one pair of said straps, each cantilever
separator having one section secured to one strap of said pair on
one side of said longitudinal partition and having another section
adapted to cooperate with and to swing free relative to the other
strap of said pair on the other side of said longitudinal
partition, the two sections of each cantilever separator lying in
the plane of said longitudinal partition when the carrier is
collapsed and lying in the plane of its associated pair of straps
when the carrier is erected, and the two sections of each
cantilever separator being non-foldable relative one to the
other,
the interconnection of each cantilever separator's one section with
the one strap of its associated pair of straps causing said
cantilever separato's other section to move between the plane of
said longitudinal partition and the plane of the other strap of its
associated pair of straps as the carrier is moved between fully
collapsed and fully erected attitudes so as to subdivide the
carrier into individual bottle segregating cells on opposite sides
of the longitudinal partition, and
a toggle separator defined by fold and severance lines in said
longitudinal partition, said toggle separator being comprised of
two sections each of which has an inner end hingedly connected to
said longitudinal partition and an outer end secured to a side
wall, the two sections of said toggle separator lying in the plane
of said longitudinal partition when the carrier is collapsed and
lying in a transverse plane intermediate said cantilever separators
when the carrier is erected, thereby reinforcing the side walls
intermediate the end walls on both sides of said longitudinal
partition between said cantilever separators.
2. The improvement for a collapsible carrier as set forth in Claim
1 wherein each cantilever separator's sections pivot about a fold
line that is vertically oriented in said longitudinal partition
relative to said bottom when the carrier is moved toward the fully
erected attitude from the fully collapsed attitude.
3. The improvement for a collapsible carrier as set forth in Claim
1 wherein the other section of each cantilever separator includes
an upper edge that angles downwardly toward its associated side
wall from said longitudinal partition, said edge cooperating with
the bottom portion of a bottle inserted into the erected carrier to
cam that other section to a right angular position relative to said
longitudinal partition if said other section has not been
established in the plane of the other strap of its associated pair
of straps upon erection of the carrier.
4. The improvement in a collapsible carrier as set forth in claim 1
wherein said end walls comprise panels joined to said side walls,
said end wall panels having glue flaps connected to the end wall
panels adjacent the free edges thereof, and said end wall glue
flaps being secured to said longitudinal partition, and
including
a handle portion rising above and connected with said longitudinal
partition, said handle portion being of at least two-ply
construction and embracing the opposite sides of said longitudinal
partition, and said end wall glue flaps being disposed between the
handle portion's plys and secured thereto, such allowing the
carrier's weight load to be supported by the handle portion and
transmitted thereto by said end wall glue flaps so as to relieve
said cross straps and toggle separator of the carrier's weight
load.
5. The improvement in a collapsible carrier as set forth in Claim 4
in which said cross straps are defined by severance lines and fold
lines formed in the plys of said handle portion and side walls.
6. The improvement in a collapsible carrier as set forth in Claim 1
wherein said improvement is embodied in a sheet blank from which
the carrier is adapted to be constructed.
7. The improvement in a collapsible carrier as set forth in Claim 1
in which there is provided one cantilever separator located on each
side of said toggle separator, said cantilever separators being
reversely disposed relative to one another such that the first of
said cantilever separators is secured to a cross strap on one side
of said longitudinal partition and the second of said cantilever
separators is secured to a cross strap on the opposite side of said
longitudinal partition, the freely swinging sections of said
cantilever separators thereby projecting in opposite directions
from said longitudinal partition when said carrier is erected.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carriers for groups of bottles (usually glass soft drink bottles)
of one-piece construction, are well known in the art and are
usually referred to as "six-packs" or "eight-packs". Such carriers,
as distinguished from cartons, typically comprise a container body
having an open top, a longitudinal partition with cross straps
connecting the longitudinal partition to the side walls of the
container body. In addition, the typical carrier includes a handle
portion rising upwardly from the central longitudinal partition and
having an opening to serve as a grip for hand transport.
The bottles therefore may be conveniently packed in and removed
from the open top of the carrier and, in the use of the carrier for
returnable bottles, the customer places the empty bottles in the
carrier for return to the retail store or other source of
supply.
In the conventional bottle carrier of this type, the longitudinal
partition prevents contact between the bottles which are grouped in
rows on opposite sides of the partition; however, the cross straps
do not. More precisely, the cross straps extend transversely across
the top portion of the container body but not downwardly for any
substantial distance, thereby leaving the bottles of each
individual row free to strike one another with consequent marring
and chipping and other damage to the reusable bottles after
prolonged usage.
A carrier formed of paperboard having transverse separators are
disclosed, for example, in the patent E. L. Arneson U.S. Pat. No.
3,084,831, issued on Apr. 9, 1963. The Arneson carrier is provided
with cross straps hingedly connected to the upper portions of the
side walls of the carrier body and having their inner ends hingedly
connected to a longitudinal partition. This structure is provided
with transverse separators extending toward the bottom of the
carrier body, each separator having upper end portions adhesively
secured to the cross straps so that upon erection of the assembled
blank, the cross straps assume their right angular position and
swing the transverse separators to a correspondingly right angular
position. Other carriers having transverse separators, for example,
those used in the brewing industry in packing nonreturnable bottles
and cans, are also in use, but differ structurally in a number of
respects from the type of carrier here involved.
The present application is directed to a carrier having eight
compartments (eight-pack) for confining a group of eight segregated
bottles from one another. A carrier having six bottle compartments
(six-pack) is disclosed in the copending application of William H.
Wright, Ser. No. 121,035, filed on Mar. 4, 1971, to which attention
is invited.
One of the primary objectives of the invention has been to provide
an eight-pack bottle carrier formed from a one-piece sheet blank
having a longitudinal partition dividing the carrier into two
longitudinal compartments, and a transverse toggle separator
extending across the longitudinal two compartments so as to
reinforce the side walls upon erection of the carrier, combined
with a plurality of cantilever separators which subdivide the
longitudinal compartments, thereby to provide eight cells which
segregate the individual bottles from one another.
According to this aspect, the one-piece sheet blank, after its
components have been folded and adhesively secured along several
score and severance lines, resides in a flat, knock-down state for
compact transport or shipment. The carrier includes transverse
straps connecting the side walls with the central partition, such
that the collapsed carrier may be erected by applying endwise
pressure to its opposite ends, whereby the end walls and transverse
toggle separator apply pressure outwardly to force the side walls
apart from one another, with the transverse toggle separator
reinforcing the side walls in an outward direction.
A further objective has been to provide a carrier which includes
respective cantilever separators, each having an upper portion
joined to one of the cross straps, such that, upon erection of the
assembled carrier from its knock-down state, as above noted, the
cross straps swing, in combination with the toggle separator, to a
right angular position, and thereby hinge or flip the cantilever
separators to their right angular positions to delineate four
individual bottle confining cells on each side of the longitudinal
partition.
According to this concept, the carrier is provided with two
transverse cantilever separators which are severed from the
longitudinal partition and having hinged fold lines connecting them
to the partition. The cantilever separators (and the toggle
separators) extend from the upper portion of the longitudinal
partition downwardly toward the bottom portion of the carrier body,
the arrangement being such that the upper and lower portions of the
individual bottles are separated or segregated from one another by
the longitudinal partition and transversely by the cantilever
separators and toggle separator, with the toggle separator
reinforcing the entire assembly when the carrier is erected.
Described more explicitly, each cantilever separator section is
severed from one of the panels of the longitudinal partition and is
hinged to the partition along a fold line. The cantilever
separators are reversely positioned, that is to say one separator
has an upper portion adhesively secured to a cross strap at one
side of the partition, while the second cantilever separator has an
upper portion secured to the cross strap on the opposite side of
the partition. Thus the free portions of the cantilever separators
are hinged to their transverse positions by their respective cross
straps as the assembled carrier is erected.
In order to assure that the carrier assumes a squared,
bottle-receiving position upon erection, the free upper edge of
each cantilever separator is upwardly inclined to provide a camming
action with respect to the bottom of the bottles as they are
inserted. In other words, as each bottle is inserted, its bottom
portion slides along the inclined upper edge; therefore, if the
carrier is not completely square, the carrier is forced to its
properly squared state with the cantilever and toggle separators,
disposed in a right angular position relative to the side walls and
longitudinal partition.
The flat sheet blank material, such as paperboard, plastic or other
material, preferably is cut to its outline configuration by
suitable blanking machinery. At the same time, the several scored
hinge lines and severance lines for the components of the carrier
are also formed. Thereafter, the completed blank may be folded and
glued or otherwise secured by appropriate gluing and folding
machinery such that the assembled blank is furnished by the carrier
manufacturer in its flat knock-down state for compactness in
shipment and handling, as noted, to be erected in a simple manner
by the ultimate user.
A further objective has been to conserve sheet material in the
formation of the sheet blank by configurating the opposite ends of
the blank to a mating configuration, whereby the opposite ends of
the blank are reversely symmetrical and thus interfit one another
to be cut from a continuous strip with no loss of material and
whereby the separators require no additional material, being simply
delineated in the blank, as explained later.
The flaps which form the cantilever separators, above noted, are
symmetrically opposite in design and are located at diametrically
opposite sides of the sheet blank. The toggle separator, which is
formed in two sections extending outwardly from the longitudinal
partition, is also located on diagonally opposite sides of the
blank so as to assume their mid-point relationship longitudinally
of the carrier body upon erection. These and the remaining
components of the carrier are provided with appropriate glue areas
which automatically fall into registry as the flat blank is folded
and refolded upon itself, thereby to form the assembled
carrier.
Various other objectives and advantages will be more fully apparent
to those skilled in the art from the following description detailed
in conjunction with the drawings.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an eight-pack carrier in erected
condition, with parts broken away to show the construction more
clearly.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 2--2 of FIG.
1, further illustrating the internal construction of the carrier
and particularly one of the transverse cantilever bottle
separators.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG.
1, illustrating a second transverse cantilever bottle separator
which is generally similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 2 but
reversed in position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a completed carrier as formed from the
one-piece blank, with the several panels and other components
adhesively secured but in a flat, knock-down state prior to
erection into carrier formation as previously shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the carrier as projected from FIG. 4
partially erected from its flat state.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the carrier in completely erected and
squared position, as taken from FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pre-formed one-piece blank, as viewed
from the inside surface, showing the pattern of adhesive areas and
the cut-out sections and score lines prior to the folding
operations.
FIG. 8 is a view generally similar to FIG. 7, showing the first
step in folding the hinged components of the blank to provide the
adhesively secured interfaces and also illustrating certain of the
adhesive areas on the outer surface of the blank.
FIG. 9 is a view generally similar to FIG. 8, showing the second
step in the folding and adhesively securing the flaps and other
foldable components of the blank, leading to the formation of the
knock-down carrier of FIG. 4 ready for erection as a completed
carrier.
EIGHT COMPARTMENT CARRIER (EIGHT-PACK)
In general, the carrier, constructed according to the principles of
the invention, is indicated at 1 (FIGS. 1 - 6). Speaking generally,
the assembled carrier 1 comprises a bottom, indicated at 2 of
composite construction, with a pair of composite end walls 3 -- 3
having their lower edges latched to the bottom 2 as explained
later. Side walls, indicated at 4-4 are connected to the composite
bottom 2 along score lines, as described later and are also
connected to the panels of the end walls 3 along score lines, also
to be explained later.
The various score lines, also called "fold lines" or "hinge lines"
in the specification provide lines of weakening impressed in the
paperboard blank 7 (FIG. 7), preferably at the time it is cut to
shape, so as to delineate the various panels, tabs and other
components which make it possible to erect the complete carrier
from the one-piece blank by the application of adhesive and by
folding and refolding the various components during erection.
In addition, the flat paperboard blank 7 (FIG. 7) is also provided
with lines of severance by means of which the various flaps and
other components are in the form of cut-outs to permit the severed
portions to be swung angularly with respect to the blank about fold
lines which hingedly connect them to the blank.
As noted, the carrier, which has been selected to illustrate the
principles of the invention, is arranged to confine and segregate a
group of eight bottles, four on each side of a longitudinal
partition 5, utilizing the end walls and three transverse
separators. The separators are non-uniform and are designated
generally at 6 at this point but are described in detail later. The
several separators 6 are equidistantly spaced apart along opposite
sides of the longitudinal partition 5. The arrangement, as
described in detail later, divides the carrier proper into eight
individual cells or bottle compartments arranged to keep the
individual bottles from contacting one another with attendant
marring or chipping of the surfaces of the bottles where they would
normally come into contact with one another during transport and
handling.
The longitudinal partition 5 and the transverse separa-tors 6 are
delineated in the sheet blank 7 by the score or hinged lines and
lines of severance and thus form a one-piece carrier by folding and
refolding blank 7 and adhesively securing the several components of
the blank to one another, as explained later.
Referring again to FIG. 1, a handle 8 of composite construction
forms a part of the longitudinal partition 5 and projects upwardly
above the upper edge of the carrier 1. The handle includes a hand
grip opening 10 for transporting the carrier.
The carrier 1 includes transverse straps 11 and 11A which extend at
right angles from the upper edges of the side walls 4 to the
longitudinal partition 5 or to the handle 8, as described later.
The straps 11 and 11A are spaced apart longitudinally to delineate
space for two bottles on each side of the partition 5. The spacing
between the straps 11 is subdivided by intermediate toggle
separators 6 so as to provide two bottle cells on each side of the
partition, leaving a pair of cells delineated by the end walls 3
and endwise cantilever separators 6 on opposite sides. The
individual bottle cells thus provided, are indicated at 12 in FIGS.
1 and 6.
As noted earlier, the intermediate toggle separator 6 serves as a
reinforcement element to tie the side walls 4-4 to the longitudinal
partition 5.
In the present structure, the intermediate toggle separator 6
comprises disparate sections 13 and 14 located between the straps
11 on opposite sides of the longitudinal partition 5. Each toggle
section 13 and 14 has its opposite inner ends secured to the
longitudinal partition 5, and its outer ends secured to the side
walls 4--4. The composite toggle (sections 13 and 14) acts
positively in separating and spacing the walls 4--4 during
erection. Moreover, this construction makes it possible to form the
entire eight-pack carrier from the one-piece sheet blank and to
conserve material.
The cantilever separators 15 and 16 have upper portions 17
adhesively or otherwise secured to the transverse straps 11. These
separators are each of one-piece construction hinged to the
longitudinal partition 5 and joined to the longitudinal partition 5
along hinge or fold lines. Therefore, upon erection of the carrier
from the collapsed state shown in FIG. 5, the cantilever separators
15 and 16 which are otherwise severed from the blank spring or flip
outwardly to a transverse position with opposite ends projecting
into the carrier to form the bottle segregating cells 12.
The intermediate toggle separator sections 13 and 14 and the
cantilever separators 15 and 16, in assuming their right angular
positions, form the individual bottle segregating cells 12 and
permit the carrier to be erected from its flat collapsed state of
FIG. 5 to that of FIG. 6 in a convenient manner.
As explained in detail later, the construction provides a
substantial saving sheet blank material; the arrangement of the
cantilever separators 15 and 16 and intermediate toggle separator
sections 13 and 14 makes the carrier easier to erect from its flat
blank condition; and the construction also eliminates certain
gluing and folding operations and thereby reduces the cost of
manufacturing the carrier.
CARRIER BLANK (EIGHT-PACK)
Referring to FIG. 7, the paper board blank 7 includes the bottom 2
which is of composite construction, being made up of the bottom
panels 18 and 20 joined to the body of the blank along the score
line 21. The panels 18 and 20 are delineated by the intermediate
score line 22. This permits the blank to be folded and glued ready
for erection (FIG. 4) with the bottom panels folded outwardly, as
shown.
An adhesive flap 23 delineated by a score line 24 extends from the
opposite side of the blank 7. As explained later, during the
folding of the blank in forming the carrier, the glue flap 23 is
adhesively secured to the edge portion of panel 18 to form the
composite bottom 2.
The side walls, previously indicated at 4--4 in FIG. 1, rise from
the bottom 2 along the score lines 21 and 24. The corners of the
carrier are delineated by the fold lines 25 and 26 located at
opposite end portions of the paper board blank.
The end walls 3--3 (FIG. 1) each comprise complementary end wall
panels 27 and 28 hinged to the side wall panels along the scored
hinged lines 25, thus joining the end walls to the side walls 4
along the score lines 25 and 26 which form the four corners of the
carrier. The scored hinge lines used throughout the blank each
include a series of spaced break lines 29 which weaken the score
lines and facilitate folding the several components of the blank
during the gluing and securing operation of the parts.
It will be noted in FIG. 7 that the composite longitudinal
partition 5 is made up essentially of two panels 30 and 31 joined
to the body of the blank along the scored hinge line 32. The panels
30 and 31 are asymmetrical in configuration, since the panel 30
includes, as a cut-out, one section 14 of the toggle separator 6,
while the companion panel 31 includes, as a cut-out, the toggle
section 13.
The panels 30 and 31 further include the cantilever separators 15
and 16, which are diagonally located with reference to the panels
30 and 31 but which are non-uniform in configuration.
The transverse toggle separator section 14 is configurated in the
panel 30 by severance lines 35 and scored fold lines 36 -- 36. The
toggle separator section 14 further includes a glue flap 37 at its
outer edge also delineated by a severance line 35 and a pair of
fold lines 36. The glue flap 37, upon erection, is adhesively
secured to the side wall panel 4.
The toggle separator section 13, is severed from the panel 31 along
the severance line 38 and is joined to the panel by a fold line 40.
A glue flap 41 (adhesively coated on its outer surface) is
delineated by a fold line 42, the glue flap 41 being attached to
the opposite side wall panel 4 upon erection.
The cantilever separator 15 is severed from the panel 30 along the
lines 43 which forms the outline configuration of the separator and
permits it to pull loose to the transverse partition upon erection
of the carton, as explained later. The cantilever separator 15 is
hingedly joined to the panel 30 along the scored hinge lines 44-44
to permit it to swing to its right angular position. As noted
earlier, the upper end portions 17 of the separators 15 and 16 are
adhesively secured to the respective cross straps 11 -- 11 to force
them to their right angular position upon erection.
The transverse cantilever separator 16 which is formed at the edge
portion of the panel 31 is, generally speaking, symmetrically
opposite to the separator 15 when the carrier is erected. Separator
16 is severed from the blank along the line 45 and is hingedly
joined to the blank along the score lines 46. The upper end portion
17 of separator 16 is also adhesively secured to one of the
transverse straps 11 to hinge the separator 16 to its transverse
cantilever position upon erection.
It will be noted in FIGS. 1 - 3 that the upper edges 47 of the
separators 15 and 16 are angulated to provide a camming action with
respect to the bottles as they are inserted. In other words, if the
carrier is not completely squared in its erected position, the
bottom portion of the bottle acts upon the upper edge 47 of the
transverse separator as a cam to square up the separator and the
entire carrier.
It will also be noted that each transverse cantilever separator 15
and 16 constitutes two sections, indicated at 48 and 50 such that
the sections 50 swing in cantilever fashion on diagonally opposite
sides of the longitudinal partition upon erection, the portions 48
-- 48, also diagonally located, being secured to the straps 11, as
noted earlier.
The longitudinal partition, previously indicated at 5, is formed by
the two panels 30 and 31 (FIG. 7) which are doubled upon themselves
and secured together by gluing. It will also be noted, at this
point, that the panels 30 and 31 include not only the cantilever
separators 15 and 16, but also include the intermediate toggle
separator 13 and its coacting counterpart 14, which project from
opposite sides of the longitudinal separator.
The longitudinal separator panels 30 and 31 are separated from one
another by the longitudinal slot 51 and its coextensive fold line
52 which leads to a second longitudinal slot 53 delineating the
handle section (FIG. 7).
The handle section 8 comprises the two panels 54 -- 54 cut from the
blank by the severance lines 55 -- 55 and subdivided by the fold
lines previously indicated at 52. Complementary handle panels 54A
register with the panels 54 when the blank is folded, as explained
later. The panels 54 and 54A each include the hand grip openings 10
which register with one another upon erection. At this point, it
will be understood that during the first folding operation, the
panels 30 and 31 are hinged along the scored lines 32 to overlie
the side wall panels 4 -- 4 with the openings 10 in registry with
one another to form the multiple ply handle structure, as described
in detail later.
In addition, the side wall panels 4 -- 4 include severance lines 56
-- 56 joined by transverse fold lines 57 -- 57. The severance lines
56, combined with the fold lines 25 and 57, delineate the first
pair of transverse straps 11 which extend outwardly from the
longitudinal partition 5 to the side wall 4 (FIG. 7). The opposite
edge portions of side wall panels 4 -- 4 include similar severance
lines 56 -- 56 and fold lines 57 -- 57. The severance lines 55 and
56 combined with the fold lines 26 and 57 delineate the second pair
of transverse straps 11, which for identification, are designated
at 11A.
The end walls 3 -- 3 are foldable relative to the side walls 4 of
the blank (FIG. 7) along the hinge lines 25 and 26, as described
earlier. Each end wall panel 3 includes a glue flap 58 -- 58
(delineated by score line 33) which are turned in toward one
another and secured together. This arrangement provides the
composite end walls 3 shown in FIG. 1.
The first set of cross straps 11 -- 11 is formed in the flaps 60 --
60 (FIG. 7) which are cut from the blank by the severance lines 56
-- 56 and the parallel severance line 55 -- 55, previously noted.
The parallel severance lines 55 and 56 join with angular severance
lines 59, which are congruent with corres-ponding severance lines
59A at the opposite edge of the blank (FIG. 7). Upon folding the
blank, as described later, the divided flaps 60 overlie the panels
54 -- 54 so as to provide the pair of transverse straps 11 -- 11
which extend across the carrier body.
It will be noted that the upper edge of the flaps 60 -- 60 each
include a semi-circular recess 61 each having the same radius as
the end portions of the hand grip openings 10 so as to mate with
the openings 10 upon erection, as described later.
It will also be noted that the flaps 58 -- 58 of the end wall
panels 3 include handle connector panels 62 -- 62. Upon folding of
the blank, these flaps are secured together and reside between the
composite sections of the handle 8 so as to tie the end walls to
the handle for support.
The panels 30 and 31 each include cut-out portions 63 delineating
spurs 64 -- 64. The flaps 58 of the end walls also include spurs 64
-- 64 at the opposite edge of the blank. When erected, the spurs
reside in registry at the lower edges of the end walls and provide
a snap engagement with the semi-circular portions 65 formed in the
central portion of the composite bottom 2. The snap engagement of
the spurs 64 hold the bottom panels in their erected state and hold
the carrier in erected position as shown in FIG. 1.
The several hand grip openings 10, which are formed in pairs and
arranged to register with one another, as noted earlier, include
reinforcing flaps 66 delineated by score lines 67. In the folded
and erected state, the flaps 66 are disposed in face to face
relationship. Upon placing the carrier in use, the flaps are turned
angularly along the fold lines to provide a more comfortable
purchase for the person handling the carrier.
In order to conserve material, simplify blanking and avoid the
waste of material, the left edge (FIG. 7) of each blank interfits
the right edge portion of the blank from which it is severed. In
other words, the glue flap 37 corresponds in shape to the
configuration 68 at the right edge of the blank. The contour of the
connector panels 62 -- 62 correspond to the cut-out configuration
69 at the left edge of the blank; and one of the glue flaps 58 at
the right of the blank registers with the cut-out contour 70 at the
left edge of the blank. Thus each blank may be severed from a
continuous strip with a single cutting stroke without excessive
loss of material and in a very simple manner.
ADHESIVE AREAS OF INNER FACE OF SHEET BLANK
The blank shown in FIG. 7 represents the inner face of the carrier
and is coated with adhesive in certain areas as indicated by the
stippling. Thus, starting at the right of the blank, the handle
connecting panels 62 -- 62 are coated with adhesive 71; the flaps
60 -- 60 are similarly coated as at 72 and one of the side walls 4
includes a coating 73 for attachment of the glue flap 41 of the
toggle separator 13.
The inner portions of the panels 30 and 31, which overlie the
handle panels 54 -- 54, include adhesive areas 75 -- 75. The upper
portion 17 of the cantilever separator 15 includes an adhesive area
76 for attachment to one of the transverse straps 11. The glue flap
37 at the edge of the blank is provided with an adhesive area 77
for attachment to the side wall 4 upon folding.
The outer face of the blank is provided with adhesive areas which
are described in relation to the folding and refolding of the blank
as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
FIRST FOLDING OPERATION
The sheet blank (FIG. 8) is shown on an enlarged scale for
convenience in illustrating the folding operations. As shown in
FIG. 8 (first folding operation) the panels 30 and 31 are shown
folded over along the score line 32 (as indicated by the arrows) so
that the panels lie upon the internal surface of the body of the
blank. In this position, the endwise glue flap 37 is adhesively
secured to the side wall panel 4 (adhesive area 77) and the handle
forming panels 54 and 54A, (as delineated by the slot 51 and hinge
line 52) are also adhesively secured in face-to-face relationship
(adhesive sections 75) on the inner side of the blank. The two
pairs of hand grip openings 10 -- 10 thus fall in registry with one
another.
When the longitudinal partition panels 30 and 31 are thus folded
over upon the body of the blank (side walls 4 -- 4) the glue flap
41 of the intermediate toggle separator 13 is folded inwardly so
that the flap 41 is adhesively secured to the adhesive area 73
(FIGS. 7 and 8) formed on the lower side wall panel 4. When the
longitudinal partition panels are thus folded over, the glued areas
on the outer face of the sheet blank are exposed. The adhesive
areas are shown by stippling on the component and by phantom lines
on the mating components (FIGS. 8 and 9). The phantom lines are
indicated by numerals corresponding to the adhesive areas forming
the interfaces in assembly.
Described in some detail (FIG. 8), the outer surface of the blank
includes an adhesive area 78 on the tongue portion 80 (severance
35) which forms a part of the section 14 of the transverse toggle
separator 6. The outer face of the panel section 30 also includes
an adhesive area 81 which will be adhesively secured to the panel
30 by a similar adhesive area 81 when panels 30 and 31 (delineated
by slot 51 and fold line 52 during the second folding
operation).
It will be understood, at this point, that the outer faces of
panels 30 and 31 have now been folded over upon the body of the
blank during the first folding operation, as illustrated. At the
same time, the panels 27 and 28, and their glue flaps 58, which
form the composite end walls 3, are shown as being overfolded upon
the inner surface of the side wall panels 4 -- 4, together with the
handle forming panels 62 with their transverse straps 11.
The first folding operation in erecting the carrier from its blank
state therefore comprises the sequential overfolding of the
longitudinal partition panels 30 and 31, followed by the
overfolding of the flaps 60 and straps 11. Thereafter, the panels
27 and 28, which form the end wall 3, together with their handle
connecting panels 62 are overfolded. The bottom panel 18 is now
overfolded upon bottom panel 20.
SECOND FOLDING OPERATION
After the first folding operation is completed (FIG. 8), the
composite, overfolded sections are folded over upon one another as
shown by the arrows in FIG. 9. Panels 27 and 28, which form one
composite end wall 3 are folded over upon the panels or flaps 60 --
60 so that the handle connecting flaps 62 -- 62 overlie the flaps
60 in facial contact and are adhesively secured.
By this arrangement, the flaps 62 are interposed between the
sections of handle 8 so as to connect the panels of end wall 3 to
the handle for support at the right hand end of the carrier (FIG.
1).
It will be noted in FIG. 9 that the outer surfaces of the glue
flaps 58 include adhesive areas 82 -- 82 and that the outer face of
the end wall panels 27 and 28, which include the spurs 64, are
provided with adhesive areas 82 (FIG. 9). The glue flap 23, which
connects the panel 18 to form bottom 2, also includes adhesive
areas 83 -- 83. The second folding operation is now completed and
the blank is ready for the final folding and gluing operation to
form it to the assembled flat state shown in FIG. 4.
THIRD FOLDING OPERATION
The sheet blank, after completion of the second fold (FIG. 9) is
now folded along the score line 52 and elongated slots 53 so as to
double the blank upon itself. The bottom panel 18 has been
overfolded upon bottom panel 20 so as to bring the outer surface of
panel 18 into facial contact with the adhesive surface 83 of the
glue flap 23, thus completing the bottom 2. At this point, the glue
flaps 58 of the side wall panels 27 and 28 also will have been
brought into facial engagement so as to form an adhesive interface
with the end wall 3 at one end of the carrier by the adhesive areas
81 and 82. At the same time, the end walls 3 at the opposite ends
of the carrier are joined, matching and securing the individual
spurs 64 at the lower ends of the composite end walls 3 -- 3.
As the third folding operation is carried out, the transverse
straps 11 will have established an adhesive interface with the
upper end portions 17 of the cantilever separator 15. This will
cause the cantilever separator to be hinged or flipped to its right
angular position as indicated by the arrows (FIG. 5) as the carrier
is erected. At the same time, the handle connecting panels 62 will
be interposed between and adhesively connected to the handle
section 8 to establish a load-supporting connection between the
handle and body of the carrier as shown in the right hand end of
the carrier (FIG. 1). The end walls at the left hand end of the
carrier, as noted, form a part of the handle section 8 and
longitudinal partition 5, such that the connecting flaps 62 are
omitted.
During the third folding of the blank, the tongue 37 of the
transverse toggle separator section 14 establishes an adhesive
interface with the side wall panel 4. As noted, flap 41 of
separator section 13 also establishes an adhesive interface with
adhesive area 73 of side wall panel 4. As noted, the spurs 64 -- 64
mate with one another to support the bottom 2 during final erection
of the carrier (FIG. 1) and lock it in the erected state.
After completion of the second folding operation, the several panel
flaps and other components are adhesively secured and the partially
erected blank assumes the condition shown in FIG. 4, the adhesively
assembled blank. In its flat condition, (FIG. 4) may be packaged
and shipped in this condition for compact transport to the ultimate
user.
The flat blank is shown in FIG. 5 in a partially expanded state for
bringing out the construction of the flat blank more clearly and
represents a top view projected from FIG. 4. Thus, the composite
end walls 3 -- 3 are partially expanded and reside angularly
relative to one another and are disposed in the same direction,
with the side walls 4 -- 4 parallel with one another. The
transverse straps and the toggle separator sections are also
angularly related and are parallel with the end walls 3.
The assembled blank (FIG. 5) is erected to its square carrier
formation by applying pressure against its opposite ends, as shown
in FIG. 5, whereby the angulated sections of the end walls 3 and
the toggle separator sections 13 and 14 hinge in a toggle fashion
toward a right angular position. The cross straps 11 also exert a
toggle action to spread the side walls 4. Since the upper ends 17
of the cantilever separators 15 and 16 are secured to the
transverse straps, the cantilever separators also hinge about the
score lines and assume their transverse position.
In the fully erected position (FIG. 6), the end wall sections 3,
the cross straps 11 and 11A, the intermediate toggle separator
sections 13 and 14 and the cantilever separators 15 and 16 will
have shifted to their right angular position, thereby to delineate
the individual cells of the bottle carrier.
During erection of the carrier from the position of FIG. 5 to that
of FIG. 6, the bottom panels 18 and 20 will also have been pulled
in toggle fashion from the overfolded position (FIG. 4) to the flat
state. The composite bottom is now secured by the two-ply spurs 64
and engaged in the semicircular notches to support the bottom and
also to lock the carrier in its erected state. As noted, the
angular upper edges 47 of the cantilever separators 15 and 16
provide a camming action with respect to the bottles in the event
they have not completely sprung to their right angular position
upon erection. Thus as the bottles are placed in the compartments
delineated by the transverse separators, the bottom portion of the
bottles first contact the downwardly inclined upper edge and
naturally force the cantilever separators to the correct right
angular position to delineate the compartments.
It will be noted that the lower portions of the transverse
separators and of the toggle separator sections extend downwardly a
sufficient distance toward the bottom 2 to prevent contact between
the bottom portions of the bottles. The upper portions of the
toggle and cantilever separators prevent contact between the upper
or shoulder portions of the adjacent bottles, thus segregating each
bottle in its individual cell.
* * * * *