CA2476760C - Article carrier and blank therefor - Google Patents
Article carrier and blank therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2476760C CA2476760C CA 2476760 CA2476760A CA2476760C CA 2476760 C CA2476760 C CA 2476760C CA 2476760 CA2476760 CA 2476760 CA 2476760 A CA2476760 A CA 2476760A CA 2476760 C CA2476760 C CA 2476760C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- wall panels
- panels
- top wall
- article carrier
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/0003—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars
- B65D71/0029—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding one blank so as to form a tubular element in which the upper wall is provided with openings through which the articles extend partially
- B65D71/0048—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding one blank so as to form a tubular element in which the upper wall is provided with openings through which the articles extend partially with walls wrapping around a great part of the articles
- B65D71/0055—Tray-like elements provided with handles, for storage or transport of several articles, e.g. bottles, tins, jars formed by folding one blank so as to form a tubular element in which the upper wall is provided with openings through which the articles extend partially with walls wrapping around a great part of the articles with individual openings for holding the articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
- B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/0029—Openings in top or bottom walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00456—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00475—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper and extending ion a substantially vertical plane
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00512—Handles or suspending means movable or foldable between an extended and a retracted position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00518—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements
- B65D2571/00524—Handles or suspending means with reinforcements integral
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00728—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by gluing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00753—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by interlocking
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00783—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls forming the bottom or upper wall
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00833—Other details of wrappers
- B65D2571/00913—Other details of wrappers for accommodating articles of varying size
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
Abstract
An article carrier and a blank for forming an article carrier for carrying one or more articles (B1, B2, B3) comprising a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides and ends of the article carrier including a pair of laterally spaced top wall panels (52, 68) hingedly connected to the opposed side walls (14, 189). A carrying handle (H) is hinged to the top wall panels (52, 68). The handle (H) is movable between a retracted position when the handle does not extend above the top of the articles and deployed position wherby the handle protrudes above the article tops.
Description
i n : U ~'d ~ ' 1: ' .n ,, ,26 042004; ~ . ~ ;US030539'IE, W~'".Zrr..< '" ' ; '' CA 02476760 2004-08-18 ' " " " ' -a 26. APR..2004 16:01 H L' B B 01788 540783 N0. 9778 P. 4 D-7975, _1_ ARTICLE CAR;1?,IER Ah)b BLANK THEREFOR
This invention relates to an article carrier, for example a basket type, adapted to accvmmodatG
a pluzali~y of articles, such as bottles and to a blank for forming the carzier. In,particular, the s invention relates tv a retractable handle for an article carrier.
Norrnahy article carriers include s handle structure by which tk~e Gamier can be lifted and carried. and the bottles are arranged in rows on either side of ~t>;xe handle structure. A problem associated with such carriers is that as the handle protrudes above the bottle tops it makes it 1o harder to stack the carriers dozing transit because the handle arrangement may become defozmed or may even tear if another carrier is mounted on top. Accordingly, known. article carriers are not suited tv stacking.
DE 2723957A discloses a basket carrier for bottles in which bottles are accamztwdated in is individual cells on either side oFa~a upstanding handle. Although the handle of this disclosure can be moved from a stowed position tv a position of use, there is no suggestion'that the handle includes a mechanism whereby the handle extension or retraction is assisted by mteans which eruploys tension created in the top wall panels.
2o The present invention and its preferred exnbodim~ents seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems ofthe prior art.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a carton of the basket type carrying a plurality of articles for e~catnple bottles, which carton comprises a plurality of panels for fornung the zj opposed sides and ends of the carton including a pair of laterally spaced top wall panels hingedly connected to opposed side wall panels and a carrying handle hinged to the top wall panels whercii~ the handle is movable between a retracted posi.tivn when the 3~andle does not extend above the tops of the articles and a deployed position whereby the handle protrudes above the article tops characterised in that the top wall panels are sued and hinged to the 3o handle such that each top wail panel flexes in a resilient manner, the arrangement being such tk~at the top wall panels are put into tension during initial Iiftir~g or lowering movezn.ent of the Empf.~eit:~6I~4I2004 17:5' ~~'nu!m~u~~~:~..~~~'"".:54~ P.004 Nn , t Af tt l' ~ i t 2~G~04 ~00~ ~ . US03,O53~'t f.,d.,:H .~.~.,"~..,,._; CA 02476760 2004-08-18 . <,.,~.., z ,..~.. ...,. , 26. APR. 2004 16:01 N L B B 01788 540783 ~ No. 9778 P. 5 handle and are relaxed by further rnoverr~ent of the top panels to cause a pop-up effect when lifting the )candle and a zetracting effect when lowering the handle.
Optionally, the pop-up effect occurs when. the top wall panels move upwardly above the .
horiaontal plane c~ntazning the upper edges of the side walls axtd the retracting effect occurs when the top wall panels.rrAVVe do,,vnwazdly belaw the horizontal plane containing the upper edges, of the side walls. , l0 . According to an optional feature of this aspect of the present' invenrion there further comprises an intermediate panel t~izigedly,aonnecting each~top wall parcel to the handle, the intermediate panel being adapted to soave .from downward arientation in the retracted positi.vn to an upward orientation, in the deployed position so as tv enable the handle to flex relative to the top wall panels.
According to anathez optional feature of this aspect of the present inver~tivn each of tt~e top wall panels further comprises one or more apertuzes to receive an upper portion of an article.
Preferalsly the aperture is ellipsoidal in shape so as tv be circular irt diameter in both the deployed and retracted positions.
According to'an optional feature, of this aspect of the present invention the carrier is a basket type carrier.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a blank foz forming an article carrier for carrying a plurality of articles which blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides and Brads of the carton hi.xtgedly connected together and a pair of laterally spaced tap wall panels hinged to the respective side wall panels anal a handle panel hinged to the top wall panel characterised in that the top wall panels are sued and hinged to the handle such that each top wall panel flexes in a resilient rtxanner in the set up canton, tlce amangemcnt being such that the top wall panels are put into tension during initial lifting or lowering EmPfi.ceit:~610~1LO(J4 17:59 ~AM~ND.ED. SH~ET,:.;5~8 P.005 f ..1 '26 04 X004 ~~ ,. ... . ,.. w ~.. .. .
5,, ,TCA 02476760 2004-08-18 ~~~~03~538~'1 , 26. APR. 2004 16:01 H L B B 01788 540783 N0. 9778 P. 6 movement of tlae handle and are relaxed by further movement of the top panels to cause a pop-up effect when lii~ng the handle and a Ietracting effect when lowering the handle_ According to an optional feature of this second aspect of the present invention tlieze further comprises an intermediate panel hingedly connecting each top wall panel to the handle, .the intermediate panel is adapted to move from, downward orientation in the retracted position to an upwazd orientation in the deplvycd~positioz~ so as tv enable the handle to flex relative to the top wall panels in a set up article carrier. .
to According to another optional feature of the second aspect of the present invention the top wall panel further comprises a plurality of ellipsoidal apertures tv receive an upper portion of an article.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will. now be described, by way of example only, is with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan vievr of a unitazy blank from wluch an article carrier according to one aspect 0~the l7aventi0ll 15 formed;
zv . FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the constnlctioia of the article carrier from the blank shown in Figure 1;
FIGURE 5 illustrates the article courier in a set up axld loaded condition with the handle in a deployed position;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the article carrier shown in Figure 5 with the handle structure in a retracted position; arid "'-~MENDED'SHaE~T
Fmpf.~Pi~::~~~~~~~004 la:r~o =:f .... ..~,.... ~rr~,~-i~:rr~.:548 P.006 FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are cross-section views of the article carrier shown in Figures 5 and 6 illustrating the pop-up effect of the handle structure.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Refernng to the drawings and in particular Figure l, there is shown a blank 10 for forming an article Garner, which blank is formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material. The article carrier formed from the blank is adapted to accommodate a plurality of 1o articles, for example six bottles arranged in two rows of three bottles each. It is envisaged that the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements.
The blank 10 comprises a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides, ends and base of an article carrier. In this embodiment there comprises a first end wall panel 12, first side wall panel 14, second end wall panel 16 and second side wall panel 18 hingedly connected one to the next in series along fold lines 20, 22 and 24 respectively.
In Figure l, an 'arrowhead' style basket Garner is formed, whereby the opposing ends are 2o pushed together to separate the opposing side wall panels. In order to achieve this, the end wall panels are divided into two parts so that first end wall panel 12 comprises first part 26 and second part 28 hingedly connected together along fold line 30. Similarly second end wall panel 16 comprises first part 32 and second part 34 hingedly connected together along fold line 36. Of course, it is envisaged that in other embodiments, a 'parallelogram' style of basket carrier can be used without departing from the scope of invention.
One or more securing flaps 38, 40 and 44 are hingedly connected to an end edge of one of the end wall panels 12 to be secured to the opposing end of the Garner blank during construction of the carrier, described below.
-S-Base wall panels 46 and 50 are provided which are, preferably, hingedly connected to first and second side wall panels 14 and 18 respectively along fold lines 48 and 51.
A handle structure H is provided and is connected to the sides or ends of the article carrier by means of one or more top wall panels, so that top wall panel 52 is hingedly connected to first side wall panel along fold line 54 and second top wall panel 68 is hingedly connected to second side wall panel 18 along fold line 70.
In Figure 1, the handle structure H is provided by a pair of handle panels 62 and 76 which are hingedly connected to the respective one of the top wall panels 52, 68 along fold lines 64 and 78 respectively. Each handle panel is provided with a hand aperture 65a, 65b and one or more handle flaps 66a, 66b to provide a more comfortable handle arrangement.
The top wall panels) 52, 68 further comprise one or more apertures 56a, 56b struck from their respective top wall panels 52, 68. The apertures may be elliptical in shape and viewed from above they are circular so as to receive an article, although other shapes are envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention. The shape of the apertures in Figure 1 enable the top panels to move from deployed to retracted positions, described in more detail below.
There may further comprise one or more protruding tabs 57a, 57b extending from the 2o respective ones of the side wall panels 14, 18 respectively. In use, the protruding tabs provide additional protection for the upper portions of the articles.
In one class of embodiments, the handle structure H is allowed to flex relative the top wall panels 52, 68 and, to this end, intermediate panels 58 and 72 hingedly interconnect top wall panels 52 and 68 to the respective handle panels 62 and 76 along fold lines 60, 64 and 74, 78.
It is envisaged that the construction of the article carrier can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations in a straight line machine, so that the carrier is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the forming process of the carrier. The first stage of construction is to form the side and end walls so that panel 26 is folded inwardly along fold line 30 and in to face contacting arrangement with panel 28, shown in Figure 3. Thereafter, second side wall panel 18 is folded inwardly about fold line 36 to replace overlapping arrangement with first side wall panel 14. Second side wall panel 18 is secured to the securing flap 38 by glue G (Figure 3) or other suitable means known in the art. Thus the Garner is in a flat collapsed condition as shown in Figure 4, ready to be supplied to the user or bottling plant for loading and final construction.
to In some embodiments, handle panels 62 and 76 are secured together by glue G or other suitable means known in the art.
In order to erect the carrier of Figure 4 the opposing end edges defined, at least in part, by fold lines 30 and 36, are pushed in an inward direction so as to separate panels 34, 18 and 26 from opposing panels 32, 14 and 28 respectively. Articles, for example bottles B1, B2 and B3 are loaded into the article carrier by relative vertical movement between the article carrier and the bottles, as is well known, and the outer portions of the bottles are inserted through the apertures 56a and 56b. Base panels 46 and 50 are folded inwardly and are secured together in overlapping arrangement, by glue or other suitable means, for example a locking tab arrangement, as is known in the art. The article carrier is then in a set up and loaded condition as shown in Figure 5.
In order to complete the construction of the Garner so that the article carriers can be shipped or stacked, the handle arrangement is pushed in a downward direction X, as shown in Figure 6.
The top wall panels 52, 68 are sized and hingedly connected to the handle H
such that each side wall panel 14, 18 and/or each top wall panel 52, 68 flexes in a resilient manner when the 3o handle is moved downwardly. This causes the top wall panels 52, 68 to be put into tension during the initial lowering movement of the handle H.
_7_ As the lower edge E (Figures 7 and 8) of the handle H drops beneath the horizontal plane P
(Figure 8) containing the upper side edges of the side walls 14, 18 the tension in the top panels forces the handle structure H downwards providing a automatic retracting effect so that the handle H is positioned below the tops of the bottles B3, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
To assist in this handle movement, intermediate panels 58, 72 may be provided to act as articulating parts so that the handle H can move relative the top wall panels 52, 68. This results in the intermediate panels 58, 72 moving from an upwardly oriented position shown in 1o Figure 9 to a downwardly oriented position shown in Figure 7 and reduces the prospect of the top panels creasing, or tearing.
Conversely, in order to move the handle H into a deployed position from the position in Figure 7, the end user lifts the handle causing the top panels to be moved upwardly and the side wall panels 52, 68 and in some embodiments, the intermediate panels 58, 72 flex. As the lower edge E of handle H passes through the horizontal plane P shown in Figure 8, the side walls 52, 68 force the handle structure upwards to cause a pop-up effect.
The 'pop up' and 'automatic retracting' effects are caused by making the width W 1 and W2 of top panels (and optionally the intermediate panels) greater than the width of the end wall W3 thereby creating an imbalance effect in the horizontal plane P.
One advantage of employing the present invention is that the loaded carriers can be stored or shipped by stacking the carriers without destroying the integrity of the handle structure.
The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to an arrangement for providing a retractable handle structure in a basket style Garner. However, it is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carriers, for example wrap around or fully enclosed cartons and is not limited to those of the type hereinbefore described.
_g_ It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only:
indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.
It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present 1 o invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative base closure structures may be used.
The article carrier may accommodate more than one article in different arrays.
This invention relates to an article carrier, for example a basket type, adapted to accvmmodatG
a pluzali~y of articles, such as bottles and to a blank for forming the carzier. In,particular, the s invention relates tv a retractable handle for an article carrier.
Norrnahy article carriers include s handle structure by which tk~e Gamier can be lifted and carried. and the bottles are arranged in rows on either side of ~t>;xe handle structure. A problem associated with such carriers is that as the handle protrudes above the bottle tops it makes it 1o harder to stack the carriers dozing transit because the handle arrangement may become defozmed or may even tear if another carrier is mounted on top. Accordingly, known. article carriers are not suited tv stacking.
DE 2723957A discloses a basket carrier for bottles in which bottles are accamztwdated in is individual cells on either side oFa~a upstanding handle. Although the handle of this disclosure can be moved from a stowed position tv a position of use, there is no suggestion'that the handle includes a mechanism whereby the handle extension or retraction is assisted by mteans which eruploys tension created in the top wall panels.
2o The present invention and its preferred exnbodim~ents seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems ofthe prior art.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a carton of the basket type carrying a plurality of articles for e~catnple bottles, which carton comprises a plurality of panels for fornung the zj opposed sides and ends of the carton including a pair of laterally spaced top wall panels hingedly connected to opposed side wall panels and a carrying handle hinged to the top wall panels whercii~ the handle is movable between a retracted posi.tivn when the 3~andle does not extend above the tops of the articles and a deployed position whereby the handle protrudes above the article tops characterised in that the top wall panels are sued and hinged to the 3o handle such that each top wail panel flexes in a resilient manner, the arrangement being such tk~at the top wall panels are put into tension during initial Iiftir~g or lowering movezn.ent of the Empf.~eit:~6I~4I2004 17:5' ~~'nu!m~u~~~:~..~~~'"".:54~ P.004 Nn , t Af tt l' ~ i t 2~G~04 ~00~ ~ . US03,O53~'t f.,d.,:H .~.~.,"~..,,._; CA 02476760 2004-08-18 . <,.,~.., z ,..~.. ...,. , 26. APR. 2004 16:01 N L B B 01788 540783 ~ No. 9778 P. 5 handle and are relaxed by further rnoverr~ent of the top panels to cause a pop-up effect when lifting the )candle and a zetracting effect when lowering the handle.
Optionally, the pop-up effect occurs when. the top wall panels move upwardly above the .
horiaontal plane c~ntazning the upper edges of the side walls axtd the retracting effect occurs when the top wall panels.rrAVVe do,,vnwazdly belaw the horizontal plane containing the upper edges, of the side walls. , l0 . According to an optional feature of this aspect of the present' invenrion there further comprises an intermediate panel t~izigedly,aonnecting each~top wall parcel to the handle, the intermediate panel being adapted to soave .from downward arientation in the retracted positi.vn to an upward orientation, in the deployed position so as tv enable the handle to flex relative to the top wall panels.
According to anathez optional feature of this aspect of the present inver~tivn each of tt~e top wall panels further comprises one or more apertuzes to receive an upper portion of an article.
Preferalsly the aperture is ellipsoidal in shape so as tv be circular irt diameter in both the deployed and retracted positions.
According to'an optional feature, of this aspect of the present invention the carrier is a basket type carrier.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a blank foz forming an article carrier for carrying a plurality of articles which blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides and Brads of the carton hi.xtgedly connected together and a pair of laterally spaced tap wall panels hinged to the respective side wall panels anal a handle panel hinged to the top wall panel characterised in that the top wall panels are sued and hinged to the handle such that each top wall panel flexes in a resilient rtxanner in the set up canton, tlce amangemcnt being such that the top wall panels are put into tension during initial lifting or lowering EmPfi.ceit:~610~1LO(J4 17:59 ~AM~ND.ED. SH~ET,:.;5~8 P.005 f ..1 '26 04 X004 ~~ ,. ... . ,.. w ~.. .. .
5,, ,TCA 02476760 2004-08-18 ~~~~03~538~'1 , 26. APR. 2004 16:01 H L B B 01788 540783 N0. 9778 P. 6 movement of tlae handle and are relaxed by further movement of the top panels to cause a pop-up effect when lii~ng the handle and a Ietracting effect when lowering the handle_ According to an optional feature of this second aspect of the present invention tlieze further comprises an intermediate panel hingedly connecting each top wall panel to the handle, .the intermediate panel is adapted to move from, downward orientation in the retracted position to an upwazd orientation in the deplvycd~positioz~ so as tv enable the handle to flex relative to the top wall panels in a set up article carrier. .
to According to another optional feature of the second aspect of the present invention the top wall panel further comprises a plurality of ellipsoidal apertures tv receive an upper portion of an article.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will. now be described, by way of example only, is with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan vievr of a unitazy blank from wluch an article carrier according to one aspect 0~the l7aventi0ll 15 formed;
zv . FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the constnlctioia of the article carrier from the blank shown in Figure 1;
FIGURE 5 illustrates the article courier in a set up axld loaded condition with the handle in a deployed position;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the article carrier shown in Figure 5 with the handle structure in a retracted position; arid "'-~MENDED'SHaE~T
Fmpf.~Pi~::~~~~~~~004 la:r~o =:f .... ..~,.... ~rr~,~-i~:rr~.:548 P.006 FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are cross-section views of the article carrier shown in Figures 5 and 6 illustrating the pop-up effect of the handle structure.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Refernng to the drawings and in particular Figure l, there is shown a blank 10 for forming an article Garner, which blank is formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material. The article carrier formed from the blank is adapted to accommodate a plurality of 1o articles, for example six bottles arranged in two rows of three bottles each. It is envisaged that the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number and/or configuration of articles according to user requirements.
The blank 10 comprises a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides, ends and base of an article carrier. In this embodiment there comprises a first end wall panel 12, first side wall panel 14, second end wall panel 16 and second side wall panel 18 hingedly connected one to the next in series along fold lines 20, 22 and 24 respectively.
In Figure l, an 'arrowhead' style basket Garner is formed, whereby the opposing ends are 2o pushed together to separate the opposing side wall panels. In order to achieve this, the end wall panels are divided into two parts so that first end wall panel 12 comprises first part 26 and second part 28 hingedly connected together along fold line 30. Similarly second end wall panel 16 comprises first part 32 and second part 34 hingedly connected together along fold line 36. Of course, it is envisaged that in other embodiments, a 'parallelogram' style of basket carrier can be used without departing from the scope of invention.
One or more securing flaps 38, 40 and 44 are hingedly connected to an end edge of one of the end wall panels 12 to be secured to the opposing end of the Garner blank during construction of the carrier, described below.
-S-Base wall panels 46 and 50 are provided which are, preferably, hingedly connected to first and second side wall panels 14 and 18 respectively along fold lines 48 and 51.
A handle structure H is provided and is connected to the sides or ends of the article carrier by means of one or more top wall panels, so that top wall panel 52 is hingedly connected to first side wall panel along fold line 54 and second top wall panel 68 is hingedly connected to second side wall panel 18 along fold line 70.
In Figure 1, the handle structure H is provided by a pair of handle panels 62 and 76 which are hingedly connected to the respective one of the top wall panels 52, 68 along fold lines 64 and 78 respectively. Each handle panel is provided with a hand aperture 65a, 65b and one or more handle flaps 66a, 66b to provide a more comfortable handle arrangement.
The top wall panels) 52, 68 further comprise one or more apertures 56a, 56b struck from their respective top wall panels 52, 68. The apertures may be elliptical in shape and viewed from above they are circular so as to receive an article, although other shapes are envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention. The shape of the apertures in Figure 1 enable the top panels to move from deployed to retracted positions, described in more detail below.
There may further comprise one or more protruding tabs 57a, 57b extending from the 2o respective ones of the side wall panels 14, 18 respectively. In use, the protruding tabs provide additional protection for the upper portions of the articles.
In one class of embodiments, the handle structure H is allowed to flex relative the top wall panels 52, 68 and, to this end, intermediate panels 58 and 72 hingedly interconnect top wall panels 52 and 68 to the respective handle panels 62 and 76 along fold lines 60, 64 and 74, 78.
It is envisaged that the construction of the article carrier can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations in a straight line machine, so that the carrier is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the forming process of the carrier. The first stage of construction is to form the side and end walls so that panel 26 is folded inwardly along fold line 30 and in to face contacting arrangement with panel 28, shown in Figure 3. Thereafter, second side wall panel 18 is folded inwardly about fold line 36 to replace overlapping arrangement with first side wall panel 14. Second side wall panel 18 is secured to the securing flap 38 by glue G (Figure 3) or other suitable means known in the art. Thus the Garner is in a flat collapsed condition as shown in Figure 4, ready to be supplied to the user or bottling plant for loading and final construction.
to In some embodiments, handle panels 62 and 76 are secured together by glue G or other suitable means known in the art.
In order to erect the carrier of Figure 4 the opposing end edges defined, at least in part, by fold lines 30 and 36, are pushed in an inward direction so as to separate panels 34, 18 and 26 from opposing panels 32, 14 and 28 respectively. Articles, for example bottles B1, B2 and B3 are loaded into the article carrier by relative vertical movement between the article carrier and the bottles, as is well known, and the outer portions of the bottles are inserted through the apertures 56a and 56b. Base panels 46 and 50 are folded inwardly and are secured together in overlapping arrangement, by glue or other suitable means, for example a locking tab arrangement, as is known in the art. The article carrier is then in a set up and loaded condition as shown in Figure 5.
In order to complete the construction of the Garner so that the article carriers can be shipped or stacked, the handle arrangement is pushed in a downward direction X, as shown in Figure 6.
The top wall panels 52, 68 are sized and hingedly connected to the handle H
such that each side wall panel 14, 18 and/or each top wall panel 52, 68 flexes in a resilient manner when the 3o handle is moved downwardly. This causes the top wall panels 52, 68 to be put into tension during the initial lowering movement of the handle H.
_7_ As the lower edge E (Figures 7 and 8) of the handle H drops beneath the horizontal plane P
(Figure 8) containing the upper side edges of the side walls 14, 18 the tension in the top panels forces the handle structure H downwards providing a automatic retracting effect so that the handle H is positioned below the tops of the bottles B3, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
To assist in this handle movement, intermediate panels 58, 72 may be provided to act as articulating parts so that the handle H can move relative the top wall panels 52, 68. This results in the intermediate panels 58, 72 moving from an upwardly oriented position shown in 1o Figure 9 to a downwardly oriented position shown in Figure 7 and reduces the prospect of the top panels creasing, or tearing.
Conversely, in order to move the handle H into a deployed position from the position in Figure 7, the end user lifts the handle causing the top panels to be moved upwardly and the side wall panels 52, 68 and in some embodiments, the intermediate panels 58, 72 flex. As the lower edge E of handle H passes through the horizontal plane P shown in Figure 8, the side walls 52, 68 force the handle structure upwards to cause a pop-up effect.
The 'pop up' and 'automatic retracting' effects are caused by making the width W 1 and W2 of top panels (and optionally the intermediate panels) greater than the width of the end wall W3 thereby creating an imbalance effect in the horizontal plane P.
One advantage of employing the present invention is that the loaded carriers can be stored or shipped by stacking the carriers without destroying the integrity of the handle structure.
The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to an arrangement for providing a retractable handle structure in a basket style Garner. However, it is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carriers, for example wrap around or fully enclosed cartons and is not limited to those of the type hereinbefore described.
_g_ It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only:
indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.
It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present 1 o invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative base closure structures may be used.
The article carrier may accommodate more than one article in different arrays.
Claims (13)
1. An article carrier of the basket type for carrying a plurality of articles which article carrier comprises a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides and ends of the article carrier including a pair of laterally disposed top wall panels hingedly connected to opposed side wall panels and a carrying handle hinged to the top wall panels wherein the handle is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position which is at a higher elevation than the retracted position, wherein each top wall panels is sized and hinged to the handle and to a respective one of the side wall panels such that said each top wall panel flexes in such a manner that said each top wall panel is held in an arched form when the handle is in the retracted position and that the top wall panels extend upwardly from the side wall panels toward the handle when the handle is in the deployed position.
2. An article carrier according to claim 1 wherein the handle, when in the deployed position, is disposed above a horizontal plane containing the upper edges of the side wall panels and, when in the retracted position, is disposed at least partially below said horizontal plane.
3. An article carrier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising an intermediate panel hingedly connecting said each top wall panel to the handle and wherein the intermediate panels extend downward toward the handle when the handle is in the retracted position and upward toward the handle when the handle is in the deployed position.
4. An article carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said each top wall panel further comprises at least one aperture to receive an upper portion of an article.
5. An article carrier as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one aperture is generally ellipsoidal in shape so as to be circular in diameter in both the deployed and retracted positions.
6. An article carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said panels further include a pair of opposed end wall panels interconnecting said side wall panels.
7. An article carrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein the intermediate panels are disposed above a horizontal plane containing the upper edges of the side wall panels when the handle is in the deployed position, and the intermediate panels at least partially are disposed below said horizontal plane when the handle is in the retracted position.
8. An article carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arched form is upwardly convex.
9. An article carrier as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the end wall panels connects between adjacent end edges of the side wall panels.
10. An article carrier as claimed in claim 6 wherein the handle, when in the deployed position, is disposed above upper edges of the end wall panels and, when in the retracted position, is disposed at least partially below the upper edges of the end wall panels.
11. A blank for forming an article carrier for carrying a plurality of articles which article carrier comprises a plurality of panels for forming the opposed sides and ends of the article carrier including a pair of laterally disposed top wall panels hingedly connected to opposed side wall panels and a carrying handle hinged to the top wall panels wherein the handle is moveable between a retracted position which is at a higher elevation than the retracted position, characterised in that each of the top wall panels is sized and hinged to the handle and to a respective one of the side wall panels such that said each top wall panels flexes in such a manner that said each top wall panel is held in an arched form when the handle is in the retracted position and that the top wall panels extend upwardly from the side wall panels toward the handle when the handle is in the deployed position.
12. A blank as claimed in claim 11 further comprising an intermediate panel hingedly connecting said each top wall panel to the handle, the intermediate panels extend downward toward the handle when the handle is in the retracted position and upward toward the handle when the handle is in the deployed position when the blank is in the set up into an article carrier.
13. A blank as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said each top wall panel further comprises at least one ellipsoidal apertures to receive an upper portion of an article.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0204090.5A GB0204090D0 (en) | 2002-02-21 | 2002-02-21 | Article carrier & blank therefor |
GB0204090.5 | 2002-02-21 | ||
PCT/US2003/005391 WO2003072453A1 (en) | 2002-02-21 | 2003-02-21 | Article carrier and blank therefor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2476760A1 CA2476760A1 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
CA2476760C true CA2476760C (en) | 2008-08-05 |
Family
ID=9931503
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA 2476760 Expired - Fee Related CA2476760C (en) | 2002-02-21 | 2003-02-21 | Article carrier and blank therefor |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1476367B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3933629B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE403612T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003219854A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2476760C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60322670D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2312762T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0204090D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003072453A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0417747D0 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2004-09-08 | Graphic Packaging Int Inc | Containers for articles |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2700158C3 (en) * | 1977-01-04 | 1980-05-29 | Unilever N.V., Rotterdam (Niederlande) | Carrying pack for bottles that are preferably to be returned |
DE2723957C3 (en) * | 1977-05-27 | 1986-01-02 | The Mead Corp., Dayton, Ohio | Collapsible cover for bottles arranged in two rows |
US4146168A (en) * | 1977-11-18 | 1979-03-27 | Hartline Herbert A | One-piece bottle carrier |
US5400901A (en) * | 1994-06-16 | 1995-03-28 | Riverwood International Corporation | Basket-style carrier with removable handle |
DE60138693D1 (en) * | 2000-03-24 | 2009-06-25 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems | ARTICLE CARRIER AND CUTTING |
GB0019589D0 (en) * | 2000-08-10 | 2000-09-27 | Mead Corp | Article carrier and blank |
-
2002
- 2002-02-21 GB GBGB0204090.5A patent/GB0204090D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2003
- 2003-02-21 DE DE60322670T patent/DE60322670D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-02-21 AU AU2003219854A patent/AU2003219854A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-02-21 ES ES03716134T patent/ES2312762T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-02-21 CA CA 2476760 patent/CA2476760C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-02-21 AT AT03716134T patent/ATE403612T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-02-21 WO PCT/US2003/005391 patent/WO2003072453A1/en active Application Filing
- 2003-02-21 JP JP2003571169A patent/JP3933629B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-02-21 EP EP03716134A patent/EP1476367B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2476760A1 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
EP1476367A1 (en) | 2004-11-17 |
JP2006500286A (en) | 2006-01-05 |
EP1476367B1 (en) | 2008-08-06 |
DE60322670D1 (en) | 2008-09-18 |
WO2003072453A1 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
WO2003072453A8 (en) | 2004-04-29 |
GB0204090D0 (en) | 2002-04-10 |
JP3933629B2 (en) | 2007-06-20 |
AU2003219854A1 (en) | 2003-09-09 |
ATE403612T1 (en) | 2008-08-15 |
ES2312762T3 (en) | 2009-03-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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EEER | Examination request | ||
MKLA | Lapsed |