U.S. patent number 3,905,646 [Application Number 05/450,339] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-16 for packaging structure and blank for container cover.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Carling O'Keefe Limited. Invention is credited to Warren A. Brackmann, Arthur K. Bunnell, Karel Hrboticky.
United States Patent |
3,905,646 |
Brackmann , et al. |
September 16, 1975 |
Packaging structure and blank for container cover
Abstract
A packaging structure, more particularly a beer case packaging
structure having a reusable tray and a disposable sleeve, includes
scoring outlining an openable closure flap for the packaging
structure in the top panel of the structure. A blank for forming a
disposable sleeve and having suitable crease and score lines is
provided. The scoring outlining the flap may be provided by two
closely spaced score lines, one formed through part of the
thickness of the blank from one side and the other formed through
the remainder of the thickness from the other side. The openable
closure flap is hinged about one lateral side edge of the top panel
and includes a tab at its free end positioned to coincide with a
handhole in the structure so that the packaging structure may be
temporarily reclosed.
Inventors: |
Brackmann; Warren A.
(Cooksville, CA), Bunnell; Arthur K. (Etobicoke,
CA), Hrboticky; Karel (Etobicoke, CA) |
Assignee: |
Carling O'Keefe Limited
(Toronto, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
26987158 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/450,339 |
Filed: |
March 12, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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330197 |
Feb 7, 1973 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/155; 206/561;
229/149; 229/122.32; 229/117.16; 229/207; 229/5.81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/685 (20130101); B65D 5/54 (20130101); B65D
5/4608 (20130101); B65D 5/68 (20130101); Y02W
30/80 (20150501) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/54 (20060101); B65D 5/64 (20060101); B65D
5/68 (20060101); B65D 5/46 (20060101); B65D
5/468 (20060101); B65D 005/54 (); B65D
005/48 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/51TC,51TS,51D,52B,15,23R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moorhead; Davis T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sim & McBurney
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 330,197 filed Feb. 7, 1973.
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A packaging structure comprising a substantially rigid tray
including a bottom wall, side walls and end walls extending
upwardly from siad bottom wall and terminating in an open top, a
disposable sleeve constructed of light cardboard closing said open
top, said sleeve including a top panel extending coextensively with
the open top of said tray and having first and second longitudinal
side edges and first and second lateral side edges, side panels
extending downwardly from said top panel in engagement with the
outer surface of the side walls of said tray a distance
substantially equal to the height of said side walls, end panels
extending downwardly from said top panel in engagement with the
outer surface of the end walls of said tray a distance
substantially equal to the height of said end walls, said side and
end panels being joined together, each of said end walls of said
tray having a slot formed therein of longer dimension extending
transverse of said end wall,
said tray including a divider means dividing the space therein into
a plurality of beverage bottle containing compartments, and said
side walls and end walls extending upwardly a distance
substantially equal to the height of said bottles, said top panel
of said sleeve engaging the tops of said bottles,
said sleeve including first and second tab outlines in said end
panels corresponding substantially to the shape of said slots, the
portion of one of said tab outlines corresponding to the
longitudinal periphery of the slot closest to the join of said top
panel and the appropriate side panel being in the form of a first
crease line and the remainder of said one tab outline being
constituted by a first score line, the portion of the other of said
tab outlines corresponding to the longitudinal periphery of the
slot closest to the join of the top panel and the appropriate side
panel being in the form of a second crease line and the remainder
of said other tab outline being constituted by a second score
line,
an openable closure element formed integral with said sleeve and
being defined by first and second laterally spaced-apart scorings
formed in said sleeve, each of said scorings extending from the one
of said lateral side edges joining the end panel containing said
one tab outline across said top panel towards the other of said
lateral side edges, at least a substantial length of one of said
scorings extending adjacent and substantially parallel to one of
said longitudinal side edges and at least a substantial length of
the other of said scorings extending adjacent and substantially
parallel to the other of said longitudinal side edges, said
scorings terminating one at each end of said second score line in
the one of said end panels containing said other tab outline and
attached to said top panel at said other lateral side edge,
whereby, upon severing said second score line and pulling on said
other tab the openable closure element is detached from the
remainder of said sleeve along said first and second scorings, said
openable closure element thereby being hinged about said one
lateral side edge of said top panel.
2. The packaging structure of claim 1 wherein said first scoring is
constituted by a first pair of score lines in said top panel
extending in closely spaced-apart relation from said one lateral
side edge of said top panel substantially parallel to but spaced
from said one of said longitudinal side edges of said top panel to
a first position spaced longitudinally inwardly from said other
lateral side edge of said top panel, and
said second scoring is constituted by a second pair of score lines
in said top panel extending in closely spaced-apart relation from
said one lateral side edge of said top panel substantially parallel
and adjacent to but spaced from the other of said longitudinal side
edges of said top panels to a second position spaced longitudinally
inwardly from said other lateral side edge of said top panel, said
first and second longitudinally inwardly spaced positions being
substantially the same longitudinal distance from said other
lateral side edge,
each of said first and second pairs of score lines being provided
with one score line of the pair being formed from above said top
panel and the other score line of the pair being formed from below
said top panel,
said first pair of score lines continuing from said first position
in parallel spaced-apart relation angularly away from said one
longitudinal side edge of said center panel to the other lateral
side edge and continuing from the join of said top panel and the
other end panel across said end panel to one end of said second
score line,
said second pair of score lines continuing from said second
position in spaced-apart parallel relation angularly away from said
other longitudinal side edge of said top panel to the other lateral
side edge and continuing from said join across said end panel to
the other end 0f said second score line.
3. The packaging structure of claim 2 wherein the portions of said
first and second pairs of score lines adjacent said ends of said
second score line are provided completely through said end
panel.
4. The packaging structure of claim 2 wherein each of said one tab
outline includes a third crease line extending substantially
parallel to said first crease line and said other tab outline
includes a fourth crease line extending parallel to said second
crease line, said first and third crease lines and said second and
fourth crease lines being spaced-apart therefrom a distance
substantially equivalent to the thickness of said end walls of said
tray at the upper periphery of said slot.
5. The packaging structure of claim 1 wherein said other tab
outline is substantially trapezoid with said second crease line
corresponding in length to that of the upper periphery of the
adjacent slot and the second score line includes a straight line
portion substantially parallel to said second crease line and
having a length greater than the length of the lower periphery of
said adjacent slot, and portions joining the ends of the straight
line portion and said second crease line, whereby when said
openable closure element has been opened said tab may be inserted
in temporary locking engagement with said adjacent slot thereby
achieving reclosure of said structure.
6. The packaging structure of claim 5 wherein said one tab outline
is the same as said other tab outline.
7. The packaging structure of claim 2 wherein said sleeve is formed
of a laminate of at least two layers of thin cardboard and each of
said first and second pairs of score lines is provided with one
score line of the pair being formed from above said top panel
through the thickness of at least one but not all of said layers
and the other score line of the pair is formed from below said
center panel through the thickness of the remainder of said layers,
whereby the score lines terminate at the interface of two adjacent
layers.
8. The structure of claim 1 wherein said tray is constructed of
synthetic polymeric material.
9. The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said side and end walls
has a substantially smooth outer face and said side and end panels
grip said side walls and end walls.
10. The structure of claim 9 wherein the end walls adjacent said
handholes have a downwardly extending depression, whereby said end
panels are spaced from said end walls in this region.
11. The structure of claim 1 wherein said side and end panels of
said sleeve are integral with said top panel.
12. A substantially rigid tray including a bottom wall, side walls
and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, each of
said end walls of said tray having an elongate slot formed therein,
said slot having its larger dimension transverse of said end wall,
and a depression formed in the outer suface of each of said end
walls and extending downwardly from each of said slots towards said
bottom wall.
Description
FIELD OF INTENTION
This invention relates to packaging structures and blanks
utilizable in such packaging structure.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In U.S. copending application Ser. No. 261,075 filed June 8, 1972,
there is described a packaging structure for beer bottles including
a substantially rigid, reusable tray and a disposable sleeve
constructed of light cardboard, closing the open top of the tray.
The sleeve includes panels depending from a top panel which is
coextensive with the open top of the tray, the depending panels
extending a distance sudstantially equal to the height of the
upstanding walls of the tray and being in gripping frictional
engagement with the outer surface of the upstanding walls of the
tray. Access to the beer bottles packaged in the structure is
gained through the top panel of the sleeve. Once the top panel is
opened, the sleeve remains in association with the tray through the
gripping frictional engagement between the abutting walls of the
tray and the panels of the sleeve.
The consumer may return the empty beer bottles to the retail outlet
in the tray with the open cover still attached thereto. In the
factory to which the used structure is returned, the sleeve is
removed from the tray, and full beer bottles are placed in the
tray, followed by the application of a fresh disposable sleeve to
provide a new sealed packaging structure. In this way, the tray may
be utilized a number of times, with a fresh sleeve closure which
normally will bear brand identification markings and the like,
being utilized each time.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in one preferred aspect, to a
packaging structure of the above type, especially for bottled beer,
which has a particular opening means for the sleeve. In another
preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for
use in forming disposable sleeves utilizable in the one preferred
aspect of the invention.
In a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
packaging structure which includes the one preferred aspect of the
invention and which consists of a box-like enclosed container which
has a particular opening means for gaining access to items packaged
in the structure.
The packaging structure of the invention consists of a cuboid
container having a rectangular top panel closing the container, and
an openable and temporarily reclosable element constituting a
substantial proportion of the top panel. The element extends the
whole longitudinal dimension of the top panel and a substantial
proportion of the lateral dimension of the top and is hingable
about one lateral edge of the top panel.
The openable element is defined by score lines formed in the top
panel and, after tearing along the score lines, the resultant flap
may be used as a temporary reclosure for the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a sleeve, in
accordance with one embodiment of one preferred aspect of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve formed from the blank of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a packaging structure utilizing the
sleeve of FIG. 2, with the top opened;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the packaging structure of FIG. 3,
with the top in temporarily reclosed and locked position; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of certain score lines, taken on line
5--5 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, an integral blank 10 includes a
rectangular center panel 12. Two rectangular side panels 14 and 16
are joined to the longitudinal side edges of the center panel 12 at
crease lines 18 and 20 respectively.
To the lateral side edges of the side panel 14 are joined flaps 22
and 24 at crease lines 26 and 28 respectively. Similarly flaps 30
and 32 are joined to the lateral side edges of the side panel 16 at
crease lines 34 and 36 respectively.
Two substantially rectangular end panels 38 and 40 are joined to
the lateral side edges of the center panel 12 at crease lines 42
and 44 respectively.
The flaps 22, 24, 30 and 32 may be rectangular or have a shaped
periphery and generally extend away from the lateral edges of the
appropriate side panel a distance up to about half the lateral
width of the end panels 38 and 40, that is, up to about half the
lateral width of the center panel 12. The periphery of the flap may
be shaped to correspond to any scored outline on the end panels 38
and 40.
A first pair of closely spaced-apart score lines 46 is provided in
the center panel 12. The score lines 46 include a first part 48 in
which they extend from one lateral side edge of the center panel
12, that is, from the crease line 44, parallel and adjacent to one
longitudinal side edge of the center panel 12, that is, parallel
and adjacent to the crease line 20, towards the other lateral side
edge of the center panel 12, that is towards the crease line 42,
substantially the longitudinal dimension of the center panel 12.
The first part 48 of the score lines 46 terminates at a position 50
longitudinally spaced from but adjacent to the crease line 44.
A similar second pair of closely spaced-apart score lines 52 is
provided in the center panel 12. The score lines 52 include a first
part 54 in which they extend from the same lateral side edge of the
center panel 12 as the score lines 46, that is, from the crease
line 44, parallel and adjacent to the other longitudinal side edge
of the center panel 12, that is, parallel and adjacent to the
crease line 18, towards the other lateral side edge of the center
panel 12, that is, towards the crease line 42, substantially the
longitudinal dimension of the center panel 12. The first part 54
terminates at a position 56 longitudinally spaced from but adjacent
to the crease line 44. The terminal positions 50 and 56 of the
score line parts 48 and 54 are longitudinally spaced from the
crease line 44 substantially the same distance.
Each of the score lines 46 and 52 includes a second part 58 and 60,
respectively. The pair of score lines 46 in its second part 58
extend with the pair of score lines in substantially parallel
relation, from the terminal position 50 angularly away from the
crease line 18 across the crease line 42 and terminates at a
position 62 located in the end panel 38.
Similarly, the pair of score lines 52 in its second part 60 extend,
with the pair of score lines in substantially parallel relation,
from the terminal position 56 angularly away from the crease line
20 across the crease line 42 and terminates at a position 64
located in the end panel 38.
The terminal positions 62 and 64 are longitudinally spaced from the
crease line 42 substantially the same distance and are located on
the opposite side of the crease line 42 from the terminal positions
50 and 56.
In each pair of score lines 46 and 52, one member of the pair is
scored from one side of the panels 12 and 38, with a substantially
continuous cut being formed through approximately half the
thickness of the material forming the blank 10. The other member of
the pair is scored from the other side of the panels 12 and 38,
with a substantially continuous cut being from through
approximately half the thickness of the material forming the blank
10. It is not essential, however, to form the score lines through
half the thickness of the blank 10 and the score lines may be
formed in any convenient manner commensurate with the ability of
the material of construction of the blank 10 readily to tear along
those lines.
In some instances, the score lines 46 and 52 in the region of the
terminal positions 62 and 64 are cut completely through the blank
10 to assist in commencing the tear along the score lines 46 and 52
during opening of a sleeve formed from the blank.
It is immaterial which member of the pair of score lines is formed
from above and which is formed from below the blank 10. Typically,
the member of the pair 46 or 52 nearer the adjacent longitudinal
side edge of the center panel 12 is formed from above the blank 10
while the member remoter from the adjacent longitudinal side edge
is formed from below the blank 10, as viewed in FIG. 1, to provide
an aesthetic appearance on later opening and temporary closure.
The pairs of score lines 46 and 52 preferably are provided in this
manner to ease and assist in tearing therealong during opening of a
sleeve formed from the blank. In some instances it may be
unnecessary to use a pair of score lines, a single score line, of
any convenient construction, being utilized instead.
The material of construction of the blank 10 generally is then
flexible cardboard. Preferably, the cardboard is formed of two or
more layers joined together to form a laminate structure, and the
pairs of score lines 46 and 52 are cut through, from opposite
sides, to the approximate join of two adjacent layers, as may be
seen more clearly in FIG. 5. This construction provides excellent
tearing characteristics along the score lines.
The spacing apart of the members in the pairs of score lines 46 and
52 may vary widely. The particular values chosen depend on the
thickness and nature of the material of construction of the blank
and the depth of the score lines. In determining the spacing apart
of the score lines 46 and 52, the primary desire is to ensure that
the material of the blank 10 tears only along the score lines 46
and 52 during opening of a sleeve formed from the blank 10.
Typically, a lateral spacing of about 1/8 to 5/8 inch (about 0.25
to about 1.5 cms) may be used, with a spacing of about 3/8 inch
(about 1 cm) being found to be satisfactory for No. 25 paperboard
consisting of two layers of material.
The spacing apart of the members of each pair of score lines in
their second parts 58 and 60 generally is less than their spacing
apart in the first parts 48 and 54, in order to urge precise
tearing only along the divergent pairs of score lines in the second
parts. Typically, the spacing apart of the members of each pair of
score lines in the second parts 58 and 60 is approximately one-half
of their spacing in the first part 48 and 54. Thus, for a spacing
of about 3/8 inch (about 1 cm) in the first parts 48 and 54, the
members of each pair of score lines in the second parts may be
spaced about 3/16 inch (about 0.5 cm).
The terminal positions 62 and 64 correspond to the ends of a
straight crease line 66 extending parallel to the crease line 42.
The terminal positions 62 and 64 also correspond to the ends of a
score line 68. The score line 68 includes a straight line portion
70 which extends parallel to the crease line 66 and is positioned
on the end panel 38 spaced from the crease line 42 a further
distance than crease line 66. The distance between the score line
portion 70 and the crease line 66 depends on the dimension of the
handhole of the tray with which the sleeve formed from the blank 10
is associated.
Further score line portions 72 and 74 complete the score line 68.
The later score line portions join the ends of the straight-line
portion 70 and the ends of the crease line 66. In the illustrated
embodiment, the score line portions 72 and 74 diverge from each
other from the crease line 66 to the straight line portion 70, this
construction being preferred as will become more apparent
hereinafter. It is possible, however, to utilize other
conconfigurations of the score line 68.
The score line 68 and the crease line 66 thus define an enclosed
area 76 of the end panel 38 of substantially trapezoid form. A
further crease line 78, spaced apart from and parallel to the
crease line 66 is provided in the enclosed area 76. The spacing
apart of the crease lines 76 and 78 depends on the thickness of the
material of the tray in the region of its handhole, as will become
more apparent below.
A similar enclosed area 80 is provided on the other end panel 40,
being defined by a score line 82, of the same form and shape as the
score line 68, and a crease line 84, parallel to the crease line
44. Within the enclosed area 80 is a further crease line 86, in the
same manner as crease line 78.
The score lines 68 and 82 may be of any desired form. Typically,
they comprise relatively long cuts formed through the thickness of
the board and relatively short uncut areas between the cuts. The
relative dimensions of the cut and uncut areas depend on the
strength of the material from which the blank 10 is formed.
Typically, cut areas may range from about 3/8 to 11/2 inches,
(about 1 to 4 cms), with 3/32 inch (about 0.25 cm) uncut areas, for
No. 25 paperboard.
The end panels 38 and 40 generally are substantially rectangular,
as mentioned above. The end panels 38 and 40 may have a very slight
taper from the crease lines 42 and 44 to the free longitudinal edge
of the end panel. Similarly, the longitudinal edge of each of the
flaps 22, 24, 30 and 32 remote from the longitudinal side edges of
the center panel may be provided with a slight taper towards its
free lateral side edge. These tapers assist in ensuring that the
sleeve formed from the blank 10 has a snug and gripping fit with
the tray in the packaging structure.
Turning now to consideration of FIGS. 2 to 4, there is shown in
FIG. 2 a sleeve 100 formed from the blank 10 and suitable for use
in a packaging structure. The sleeve 100 includes a top panel 102,
constituted by the center panel 12 of the blank 10 downwardly
depending side panels 104 and 106, constituted by the side panels
14 and 16 of the blank 10, and downwardly depending end panels 108
and 110, constituted by the end panels 38 and 40 of the blank
10.
The side panels 104 and 106 are joined to the end panels 108 and
110 by flaps (not shown) which are adhesively affixed to the inner
faces of the end panels 108 and 110, the flaps corresponding to the
flaps 22, 24, 30 and 32 of the blank 10. In instances where the
flaps 22, 24, 30 and 32 may be omitted from the blank 10, the side
panels 104 and 106 may be joined to the end panels 108 and 110 in
any convenient manner.
An openable and temporarily reclosable member 120 is provided in
the top panel 102 whereby access may be gained to items packaged in
a packaging structure utilizing a tray and the sleeve 100. The
packaging structure aspect of the present invention is described in
more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Score lines 122 and 124 define the lateral extension of the member
120, equivalent to the pairs of score lines 46 and 52 of the blank
10. The score lines 122 and 124 terminate in a handhole outline 126
in the end panel 108, equivalent to the enclosed area 76 of the
blank 10. A similar handhole outline 128, equivalent to the
enclosed area 80 of the blank 10, is provided in the end panel
110.
It will be seen that the member 120 occupies a substantial
proportion of the area of the top panel 102. The member 120 extends
the whole longitudinal dimension of the top panel 102 and occupies
much of the lateral dimension of the top panel 102.
The flaps adhesively connected to the inside of the end panels 108,
110 may be dimensioned and the periphery thereof may be shaped so
that no part thereof overlaps the handhole outlines 126 and
128.
The sleeve 100 therefore constitutes a disposable sleeve for a
packaging structure including a substantially rigid reusable tray
and a disposable cover, especially for use in packaging beer
bottles, as disclosed in copending Canadian patent application Ser.
No. 143,948 mentioned above. Such a structure is shown particularly
in FIGS. 3 and 4.
A packaging structure 130 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), includes the sleeve
100 and a substantially rigid reusable tray 132. The tray 132 may
be constructed of any convenient durable material, for example,
heavy-duty cardboard, wood, metal or synthetic polymeric
materials.
Since synthetic polymeric materials have an excellent combination
of useful properties, such as, strength and wear resistance and
hence have long life, washability and lightness, it is preferred to
employ such materials in the construction of the trays 132.
As used herein, the term "synthetic polymeric material" is utilized
to refer to those synthetic polymeric materials which are capable
of extrusion or molding to a formed article and does not include
those polymeric substances which are incapable or otherwise
unsuitable for the production of formed articles, such as cellulose
nitrate. Synthetic polymeric materials are commonly referred to as
"plastics" and the latter term will be used in this specification
in that sense.
The tray 132 has a plurality of partitions 134 dividing up the
interior area of the tray into a plurality of individual
compartments 136. Typically for packaging beer, the tray may have
compartments for 24, 12 or six bottles. In each case, the member
120 extends longitudinally of the top panel 102.
Generally the tray 132 and sleeve 100 are dimensioned so that the
top panel 102 is the same dimension as the exterior of the open top
of the tray 132. Further, the tray 132 has unstanding side walls,
only one of which, 138, is illustrated and upstanding end walls,
only one of which, 142, is illustrated, upstanding from a base. The
side panels 104 and 106 and the end panels 108 and 110 of the
sleeve 100 are coextensive with and in frictional gripping
engagement with the outermost portions of the side walls and the
end walls respectively, of the tray 132. In this way, the cover 100
is not readily removed from the structural association with the
tray 132.
In each of the end walls of the tray 132 is situated a handhole for
lifting of the packaging structure 130. The handhole 146 formed in
the end wall 142 is repeated at the opposite end of the tray 132.
The handholes correspond generally in dimension to the handhole
outlines 126 and 128 of the sleeve 100.
When the packaging structure 130 is desired to be carried, the
handhole area outlines 126 and 128 are pushed inwardly, the area
becoming detached on three sides from the appropriate end panel
along score lines 150 and 152 equivalent to score lines 68 and 82
of the blank 10 and are folded back around the upper portion of the
adjacent handholes in the end panels of the tray. This procedure is
facilitated by the provision of a crease line 154 equivalent to
crease line 66 of the blank 10, thereby allowing the handhole area
or tab 126 to bend readily inwardly of the appropriate end panel
108. A further crease line 156, equivalent to crease line 78 of the
blank 10 is provided to allow the tab 126 to fold back inside the
tray 132. An equivalent construction for tab 128 is provided in the
end panel 110 with crease lines corresponding to crease lines 84
and 86 of the blank 10, so that the tab 128 may be folded inwardly
of the handhole (not shown) in the other end wall of the tray 132.
It will be apparent, therefore, that the preferred lateral spacing
of the crease lines 154 and 156 depends on the thickness of the end
walls of the tray 132 in the region of the handholes.
The positioning of the tabs 126 and 128 and of the corresponding
handholes in the tray 132 is chosen so that the depth of the tabs
126 and 128 does not exceed the distance from the top of the
handhole to the top panel 102. In this way, when the tabls 126 and
128 are pushed inside the respective handholes and bent back, the
tabs 126 and 128 do not foul the inner surface of the top panel
102. Further, the depth of the tabs chosen so that they may engage
bottles in the case 132 when positioned as illustrated in FIG. 4
and hence assist in providing a temporary locking of the member 120
and a permanent opening in the other end panel.
When the tab 126 has been released from the end panel 108, drawing
of the tab 126 upwardly and rearwardly of the structure 100 causes
the member 120 to detach from the remainder of the end panel 108
and the top panel 102 along the score lines 122 and 124, thereby
allowing access to the beer bottles 136 in the case 132, as may be
seen in FIG. 3.
The now-detached member 120, in the form of a flap, is hinged about
the crease line 160 at the opposite end of the structure and access
to all the products in the tray 132 may readily be had. The hinging
of the member 120 at one lateral edge of the sleeve 100 rather than
at the longitudinal edge results in a member 120 which has
sufficient weight to reclose the top when released, the member 120
being relockable by use of the tab 126 as may be seen from FIG. 4.
The outwardly divergent nature of the lateral edges of the tab 126
provides a positive lock with the handhole of the tray 132.
Further, once the member 120 is hinged past the vertical position,
it may fall under its own weight to a completely open position. If
desired, the member 120 may be curled underneath the structure.
Since the side and end panels 104, 106, 108 and 110 are in gripping
frictional engagement with the respective walls of the tray 132,
the sleeve 110 remains in association with the tray 132 and is not
detached therefrom. It is only upon return of the empty bottles and
used structure to the factory that the used sleeve is removed and a
fresh sleeve 100 is applied to the tray 132, after the positioning
of full beer bottles therein, to provide a new sealed package.
As may be seen in FIG. 4, the end wall 142 may be provided with a
shallow depression 158 extending downwardly from the handhole 146.
A similiar depression (not shown) is provided in the other end wall
of the tray 132. The presence of these depressions results in the
end panels 108 and 110 of the sleeve 100 being spaced from the end
walls in this region. In this way, the insertion of fingers of
stripping devices unde the surface of the material of the sleeve is
facilitated and hence the later operation of stripping the sleeve
100 from the tray when the structure 130 is returned is
improved.
The provision of a flap member 120 scored from a sleeve 100 to give
an originally-sealed structure which is readily openable by tearing
along the score lines to gain access to the contents of the
structure and which is also temporarily reclosable has been
described above with specific reference to a packaging structure
130 including a disposable sleeve 100 and a reusable tray 132.
However, the present invention is not restricted to such a
packaging structure and, as indicated above, in one broad aspect of
the invention, the flap member 120 may be provided with any other
convenient packaging structure.
Modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *