EP0781241B1 - Article carrier - Google Patents
Article carrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0781241B1 EP0781241B1 EP95933193A EP95933193A EP0781241B1 EP 0781241 B1 EP0781241 B1 EP 0781241B1 EP 95933193 A EP95933193 A EP 95933193A EP 95933193 A EP95933193 A EP 95933193A EP 0781241 B1 EP0781241 B1 EP 0781241B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- article
- panels
- blank
- folding
- 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 - Lifetime
Links
Images
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
- B65D71/40—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
- B65D71/46—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element
- B65D71/48—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 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element characterised by the handle
-
- 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
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
- B65B21/24—Enclosing bottles in wrappers
Definitions
- the invention relates to a carrier for articles such as bottles and more particularly to top gripping carriers which engage, for example, the underside of bottle caps thereby to retain the bottle within the carrier.
- top gripping (or clipping) carriers for carrying two bottles of the PET soft drinks type.
- US 4,403,689, US 4,378,879, US 4,339,032, US Des 271944 and US Des 271749 disclose article carriers of this type.
- US 4,339,032 discloses a blank for forming a bottomless bottle carrier wherein the crowns of the bottles are engaged in apertures located on a central fold line between adjacent upper panels of the carton and the sides of the blank are folded downwardly about the fold line prior to engaging the apertures with the underside of bottle tops passing therethrough.
- the carton of FR 2,183,440 comprises a lower panel having apertures for receiving the necks of three bottles, side panels having handle apertures, and two top panels which overlap to form a composite top wall.
- Each top panel includes three apertures, which when overlapped engage a lower edge of bottle caps and thereby retain the bottles within the carton.
- a pair of tabs provided on the free edge of one of the top panels engage cooperating apertures provided in one of the side panels.
- the carton of US 4,339,032 comprises side walls having upper portions just described with article receiving apertures. Additionally lower portions of the side walls are foldably attached to a series of panels which form side skirts in the carton. Ends of the skirts are glued to the inside of a lower portion of the opposite side panel to that to which the skirts are foldably attached. Also, an internal panel is provided which is foldably attached to the upper portions of the side walls but which rotates inwardly in forming the carton to provide an upper reinforcing panel. Therefore, the carton disclosed by Wood in US 4,339,032 undergoes a series of folding operations and gluing operations in order to form a substantially complete carton prior to loading articles therein. When substantially formed, the carton is lowered onto a pair of bottles until the retaining apertures engage the caps of the bottle thus providing a bottomless carton having side and upper walls and end skirts.
- a blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingedly interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain the article in a formed carrier, characterised in that the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingedly interconnected in series about an article receiving aperture through which an article is passable in packaging the article during formation of the carrier.
- the first end panel may be hingedly connected to the first side panel via a gusset structure.
- the gusset structure may include a gusset panel hingedly attached to the first end panel and to a fold panel which is hingedly attached to the first side panel along a fold line, the fold panel enabling relative folding of the first end panel and the first side panel during formation of the carrier.
- the first end panel and the second side panel may be connected via a gusset structure.
- the second end panel and the first side panel may be connected via a gusset structure.
- the second end panel and the second side panel may be hingedly connected via a gusset structure.
- an inner panel hingedly attached to the first side panel and extending into the article receiving aperture which inner panel comprises end edges for cooperating with associated end panels during the formation of the carrier.
- the upper panel may be hingedly attached to the first side panel along a fold line, the upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, such that the retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about the fold line.
- a second upper panel may be hingedly attached to the second side panel along a second fold line, the second upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article in the formed carrier upon folding of the second upper panel about the second fold line.
- the retaining means may comprise a retaining aperture defined at least partially in one of the upper panels.
- the retaining aperture defines a rim, the rim extending into the associated one of the side panels across the associated one of the fold lines. More preferably, the retaining aperture rim in the upper panel and the side panel cooperate with the article top to retain the article in the
- a second aspect of the invention provides an article carrier formed from a blank described herein.
- a third aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an article carrier of a top gripping type from a blank.
- the method comprises the steps of passing an article through the aperture, folding the side panels upwardly and engaging the article retaining means in the upper panel with the top of the article.
- a gusset panel may be hingedly connected between each end panel and side panel of the blank and the method further comprises the step of folding the end panels prior to folding the side panels upwardly.
- the blank may further comprise a fold panel hingably connected between each gusset panel and associated side panel by fold lines, the method comprising the step of folding the fold panel about one of the fold lines connecting it to a side panel so as to cause folding of the associated end panel and gusset panel.
- the blank may further comprise an inner panel hingably connected to each side panel and extending into the aperture, the inner panel comprising end edges for cooperating with associated end panels, the method may comprise the step of folding the inner panels upwardly prior to folding the fold panels thereby to enable the end edges to cooperate with the end panels during erection thereof. More preferably, the blank may be lowered onto the article which causes the upward movement of the inner panels.
- an upper panel may be hingably attached to the first side panel along a fold line, the upper panel comprising means for co-operating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein the retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about the fold line, the method further comprising the step of folding the upper panel about the fold line into a position adjacent the second side panel thereby to bring the retaining means into co-operation with the article.
- the blank may comprise a second upper panel having article retaining means hingably attached to the second side panel, and wherein the method comprises the step of folding the second upper panel to a position adjacent the first side panel thereby to engage the retaining means with an article top. More prefereably, there may include the step of attaching the second upper panel to the first side panel preferably by gluing.
- any step of method according to the third aspect of invention can be combined in a method of making a carrier.
- any feature of the blanks according to the first aspect of the invention can be combined in a blank.
- a handle in at least one of the side or upper panels can also be provided.
- the blank can be adapted to package a plurality of articles and having retaining means for each article.
- An example of a carrier blank 10 comprises an upper panel 12 hingably connected to a side panel 16 along fold line 54.
- Bottle cap engaging apertures 28 are provided in the upper panels and can, as shown here, straddle the fold line 54 so as to extend into an upper side portion 14 of the side wall 16.
- Side panel 16 thus comprises an upper side portion 14 having, in this example, a handle 30 comprising a handle flap hingably connected to the upper side portion 14 thus defining a handle aperture.
- Side panel 16 is hingably connected at fold line 38 to an inner panel 18.
- Inner panel 18 is separated from a second inner panel 20 by cut line 46 which runs transversely across the middle of the carrier blank. Cut line 46 forms a mirror symmetry axis of the carrier.
- a fold panel 32a is hingably connected to side panel 16 at fold line 35a.
- a triangular or gusset panel 36a is foldably connected along fold line 34a to fold panel 32a.
- the gusset panel 36a is foldably connected to an end panel 42a along a fold line 40a. Due to the symmetry of the carton similar fold and gusset panels are provided along each lateral edge of side panels 16 and 22 where like integers have the same reference numerals suffixed by the letter a, b, c or d. Thus four fold panels 32 and four gusset panels 36 are provided.
- Two end panels 42a and 42c extend between associated pairs of gusset panels. These end panels provide bands or skirts in the formed carrier which help secure the articles in the carrier.
- the inner panels 18 and 20 are separated by cut lines 50a and 50c from the end panels 42a and 42c respectively.
- the inner panels can therefore be displaced to reveal an aperture 60 defined by the edges of end panels 42a and 42c adjacent cut lines 50a and 50c respectively, and the edges of side panels 16 and 22 at fold lines 38 and 48 respectively.
- the second inner panel 20 is hingably connected to a side panel 22 along fold line 48.
- side panel 22 comprises an upper side portion 24 which comprises a handle 30 and bottle cap engaging apertures 28 which extend into upper panel 26.
- the upper panel 26 is hingably connected to side panel 22 along fold line 52.
- the carton blank here is used to package two bottles B.
- the carton blank can be first pushed down onto the tops of the bottles such that inner panels 18 and 20 are caused to fold upwardly about fold lines 38 and 48 respectively.
- the fold panels, gusset panels and end panels are then all folded upwardly about fold lines 35.
- Fold panels 32 are then folded downwardly against the inside of the side panels as shown in Figure 3.
- This folding causes the gusset panels 36 to pull the end panels or bands 42 in tightly around the ends of the packaged articles B.
- the inner panels 18 and 20 can be provided to assist in the formation of the carrier during this folding process as end panels 42a and 42c grip the outside of the bottles and gusset panels 36 are caused to rotate inwardly.
- This assistance can be provided by cooperation between end edges of the inner panel and the gusset panels, for example, by providing a reactive force adjacent fold lines 40 to enable folding of the gusset panels 36 and tightening of the end panels 42 during rotation of fold panels 32.
- the end panel or band panel 42 can be used to carry advertising and/or to conceal a bar code on the primary packaging of the article being packaged.
- the side panels 16 and 22 can then be rotated upwardly as shown in Figure 4 prior to folding upper panels 12 and 26 about respective fold lines 50 and 52 thereby to clip a bottle cap C of the articles to be carried in an aperture 28.
- upper panel 26 can first be folded over the bottle caps followed by upper panel 12 such that rims 29 of the bottle cap receiving apertures 28 grip the underside of a bottle cap C.
- upper side portions 14 and 24 are caused to fold inwardly contouring the shoulder portion of the bottles.
- upper panels 12 and/or 16 can be glued to one another or other securing means such as cooperating locking tabs and apertures might be provided.
- a handle 30 can be presented near the top of the carton.
- the handle can comprise finger tabs as discussed earlier.
- Means for cooperating with the top of the package articles B for retention may be used.
- a "starburst" type aperture may be provided as shown in EP 0 188 327 A2.
- retention tabs of the type shown in GB 2 273 284 A may be used.
- Other possibilities will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
- the carton is easily formed in a relatively simple folding operation and does not require any gluing or other adhesion of panels prior to attaching to articles.
- articles can be packaged using uniformed carriers in the form of a flat blank which can be folded into a carrier in cooperation with the articles whilst they move along a flow path as indicated by arrow F.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
- Die Bonding (AREA)
- Polymers With Sulfur, Phosphorus Or Metals In The Main Chain (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
- Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Inorganic Insulating Materials (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
- Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
- Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a carrier for articles such as bottles and more particularly to top gripping carriers which engage, for example, the underside of bottle caps thereby to retain the bottle within the carrier.
- It is known to provide top gripping (or clipping) carriers for carrying two bottles of the PET soft drinks type. US 4,403,689, US 4,378,879, US 4,339,032, US Des 271944 and US Des 271749 disclose article carriers of this type. For example, US 4,339,032 discloses a blank for forming a bottomless bottle carrier wherein the crowns of the bottles are engaged in apertures located on a central fold line between adjacent upper panels of the carton and the sides of the blank are folded downwardly about the fold line prior to engaging the apertures with the underside of bottle tops passing therethrough.
- The carton of FR 2,183,440 comprises a lower panel having apertures for receiving the necks of three bottles, side panels having handle apertures, and two top panels which overlap to form a composite top wall. Each top panel includes three apertures, which when overlapped engage a lower edge of bottle caps and thereby retain the bottles within the carton. In order to maintain the tubular nature of the carton, a pair of tabs provided on the free edge of one of the top panels engage cooperating apertures provided in one of the side panels.
- The carton of US 4,339,032 comprises side walls having upper portions just described with article receiving apertures. Additionally lower portions of the side walls are foldably attached to a series of panels which form side skirts in the carton. Ends of the skirts are glued to the inside of a lower portion of the opposite side panel to that to which the skirts are foldably attached. Also, an internal panel is provided which is foldably attached to the upper portions of the side walls but which rotates inwardly in forming the carton to provide an upper reinforcing panel. Therefore, the carton disclosed by Wood in US 4,339,032 undergoes a series of folding operations and gluing operations in order to form a substantially complete carton prior to loading articles therein. When substantially formed, the carton is lowered onto a pair of bottles until the retaining apertures engage the caps of the bottle thus providing a bottomless carton having side and upper walls and end skirts.
- The invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate various problems of the prior art and according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingedly interconnected first and second end panels, first and second side panels and an upper panel having means for cooperating with an article to retain the article in a formed carrier, characterised in that the first end panel, first side panel, second end panel and second side panel are hingedly interconnected in series about an article receiving aperture through which an article is passable in packaging the article during formation of the carrier. Preferably, the first end panel may be hingedly connected to the first side panel via a gusset structure. More preferably, the gusset structure may include a gusset panel hingedly attached to the first end panel and to a fold panel which is hingedly attached to the first side panel along a fold line, the fold panel enabling relative folding of the first end panel and the first side panel during formation of the carrier.
- According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the first end panel and the second side panel may be connected via a gusset structure.
- According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the second end panel and the first side panel may be connected via a gusset structure.
- According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the second end panel and the second side panel may be hingedly connected via a gusset structure.
- According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, there may further comprise an inner panel hingedly attached to the first side panel and extending into the article receiving aperture which inner panel comprises end edges for cooperating with associated end panels during the formation of the carrier. Preferably, there may comprise a second such inner panel hingedly attached to the second side panel.
- According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the upper panel may be hingedly attached to the first side panel along a fold line, the upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, such that the retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about the fold line. Preferably, a second upper panel may be hingedly attached to the second side panel along a second fold line, the second upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article in the formed carrier upon folding of the second upper panel about the second fold line.
- According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the retaining means may comprise a retaining aperture defined at least partially in one of the upper panels. Preferably, the retaining aperture defines a rim, the rim extending into the associated one of the side panels across the associated one of the fold lines. More preferably, the retaining aperture rim in the upper panel and the side panel cooperate with the article top to retain the article in the
- A second aspect of the invention provides an article carrier formed from a blank described herein.
- A third aspect of the invention provides a method of forming an article carrier of a top gripping type from a blank. The method comprises the steps of passing an article through the aperture, folding the side panels upwardly and engaging the article retaining means in the upper panel with the top of the article. Optionally, a gusset panel may be hingedly connected between each end panel and side panel of the blank and the method further comprises the step of folding the end panels prior to folding the side panels upwardly.
- According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention, the blank may further comprise a fold panel hingably connected between each gusset panel and associated side panel by fold lines, the method comprising the step of folding the fold panel about one of the fold lines connecting it to a side panel so as to cause folding of the associated end panel and gusset panel. Preferably, the blank may further comprise an inner panel hingably connected to each side panel and extending into the aperture, the inner panel comprising end edges for cooperating with associated end panels, the method may comprise the step of folding the inner panels upwardly prior to folding the fold panels thereby to enable the end edges to cooperate with the end panels during erection thereof. More preferably, the blank may be lowered onto the article which causes the upward movement of the inner panels.
- According to another optional feature of the third aspect of the invention an upper panel may be hingably attached to the first side panel along a fold line, the upper panel comprising means for co-operating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein the retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about the fold line, the method further comprising the step of folding the upper panel about the fold line into a position adjacent the second side panel thereby to bring the retaining means into co-operation with the article. Preferably, the blank may comprise a second upper panel having article retaining means hingably attached to the second side panel, and wherein the method comprises the step of folding the second upper panel to a position adjacent the first side panel thereby to engage the retaining means with an article top. More prefereably, there may include the step of attaching the second upper panel to the first side panel preferably by gluing.
- Beneficially any step of method according to the third aspect of invention can be combined in a method of making a carrier.
- Beneficially any feature of the blanks according to the first aspect of the invention can be combined in a blank. A handle in at least one of the side or upper panels can also be provided. Preferably the blank can be adapted to package a plurality of articles and having retaining means for each article.
- The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: -
- FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a carrier blank according to the invention;
- FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an initial stage of forming a carrier according to the invention from the blank shown in Figure 1;
- FIGURE 3 shows a second stage of formation following that shown in Figure 2;
- FIGURE 4 shows a third stage of formation to that shown in Figures 2 and 3; and
- FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a completed carton according to the invention.
-
- An example of a carrier blank 10 according to the invention comprises an
upper panel 12 hingably connected to aside panel 16 alongfold line 54. Bottle capengaging apertures 28 are provided in the upper panels and can, as shown here, straddle thefold line 54 so as to extend into anupper side portion 14 of theside wall 16.Side panel 16 thus comprises anupper side portion 14 having, in this example, ahandle 30 comprising a handle flap hingably connected to theupper side portion 14 thus defining a handle aperture.Side panel 16 is hingably connected atfold line 38 to aninner panel 18.Inner panel 18 is separated from a secondinner panel 20 by cut line 46 which runs transversely across the middle of the carrier blank. Cut line 46 forms a mirror symmetry axis of the carrier. - A
fold panel 32a is hingably connected toside panel 16 atfold line 35a. A triangular orgusset panel 36a is foldably connected along fold line 34a to foldpanel 32a. Thegusset panel 36a is foldably connected to anend panel 42a along afold line 40a. Due to the symmetry of the carton similar fold and gusset panels are provided along each lateral edge ofside panels end panels inner panels cut lines end panels aperture 60 defined by the edges ofend panels adjacent cut lines side panels fold lines - The second
inner panel 20 is hingably connected to aside panel 22 alongfold line 48. Again, due to the symmetry of the carton,side panel 22 comprises anupper side portion 24 which comprises ahandle 30 and bottle capengaging apertures 28 which extend intoupper panel 26. Theupper panel 26 is hingably connected toside panel 22 alongfold line 52. - As can be seen from Figure 2, the carton blank here is used to package two bottles B. The carton blank can be first pushed down onto the tops of the bottles such that
inner panels fold lines bands 42 in tightly around the ends of the packaged articles B. Beneficially, theinner panels end panels end panels 42 during rotation of fold panels 32. Beneficially, the end panel orband panel 42 can be used to carry advertising and/or to conceal a bar code on the primary packaging of the article being packaged. - The
side panels upper panels respective fold lines aperture 28. As shown,upper panel 26 can first be folded over the bottle caps followed byupper panel 12 such that rims 29 of the bottlecap receiving apertures 28 grip the underside of a bottle cap C. During this folding process,upper side portions upper panels 12 and/or 16 can be glued to one another or other securing means such as cooperating locking tabs and apertures might be provided. For example, glue could be applied to the inside ofupper panel 12 prior to folding it into position, thereby to lockpanel 12 against the outside ofupper side portion 24. In the formedcarton 11 shown in Figure 5, ahandle 30 can be presented near the top of the carton. The handle can comprise finger tabs as discussed earlier. - Means for cooperating with the top of the package articles B for retention, other than the
apertures 28 shown herein, may be used. For example, a "starburst" type aperture may be provided as shown in EP 0 188 327 A2. Alternately, retention tabs of the type shown in GB 2 273 284 A may be used. Other possibilities will be recognized by those skilled in the art. - It will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, that the carton is easily formed in a relatively simple folding operation and does not require any gluing or other adhesion of panels prior to attaching to articles. Thus, articles can be packaged using uniformed carriers in the form of a flat blank which can be folded into a carrier in cooperation with the articles whilst they move along a flow path as indicated by arrow F.
Claims (22)
- A blank (10) for forming an article carrier of the top gripping type comprising hingedly interconnected first and second end panels (42a, 42c), first and second side panels (16, 22) and an upper panel (12, 26) having means (28) for cooperating with an article (B) to retain the article (B) in a formed carrier, characterised in that the first end panel (42a), first side panel (16), second end panel (42c) and second side panel (22) are hingedly interconnected in series about an article receiving aperture (60) through which an article (B) is passable in packaging the article (B) during formation of the carrier.
- A blank according to claim 1 wherein said first end panel (42a) is hingedly connected to said first side panel via a gusset structure.
- A blank according to claim 2 wherein said gusset structure includes a gusset panel (36a) hingedly attached to said first end panel (42a) and to a fold panel (32a) which is hingedly attached to said first side panel (16) along a fold line (35a), said fold panel (32a) enabling relative folding of said first end panel (42a) and said first side panel (16) during formation of the carrier.
- A blank according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said first end panel (42a) and said second side panel (22) are connected via a gusset structure (36b).
- A blank according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein said second end panel (42c) and said first side panel (16) are connected via a gusset structure (36c).
- A blank according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein said second end panel (42c) and said second side panel (22) are hingedly connected via a gusset structure (36d).
- A blank according to any preceding claim further comprising an inner panel (18) hingedly attached to said first side panel (16) and extending into said article receiving aperture (60) which inner panel (18) comprises end edges for cooperating with associated end panels during the formation of the carrier.
- A blank according to claim 7 comprising a second such inner panel (20) hingedly attached to said second side panel (22).
- A blank as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the upper panel (12) is hingedly attached to the first side panel along a fold line (54) said upper panel including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, such that said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel (12) about said fold line (54).
- A blank according to claim 9 wherein a second upper panel (26) is hingedly attached to said second side panel (22) along a second fold line (52), said second upper panel (26) including retaining means for cooperating with the top of the article in the formed carrier upon folding of the second upper panel (26) about said second fold line (52).
- A blank according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said retaining means comprises a retaining aperture (28) defined at least partially in one of said upper panels (12, 26).
- A blank according to claim 11 wherein said retaining aperture defines a rim (29), said rim extending into the associated one of said side panels across the associated one of said fold lines.
- A blank according to claim 12 wherein part of said retaining aperture rim (29) in said upper panel and said side panel cooperate with the article top to retain the article in the carrier.
- An article carrier formed from a blank as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.
- A method of forming an article carrier of a top gripping type from a blank (10) as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the method comprises the steps of passing an article through the aperture, folding the side panels (16, 22) upwardly and engaging said article retaining means in said upper panel (12, 26) with the top of the article.
- A method according to claim 15 wherein a gusset panel (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) is hingedly connected between each end panel (42a, 42c) and side panel (16, 22) of the blank and the method further comprises the step of folding said end panels (42a, 42c) prior to folding said side panels (16, 22) upwardly.
- A method according to claim 16 wherein said blank (10) further comprises a fold panel (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) hingedly connected between each gusset panel (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) and associated side panel by fold lines, the method comprising the step of folding the fold panel about one of said fold lines connecting it to a side panel (16, 22) so as to cause folding of the associated end panel (42a, 42c) and gusset panel.
- A method according to claim 17 wherein the blank further comprises an inner panel (18, 20) hingedly connected to each side panel (16, 22) and extending into said aperture (60) said inner panel (18, 20) comprising end edges for co-operating with associated end panels (42a, 42c), the method comprising the step of folding said inner panels (18, 20) upwardly prior to folding said fold panels (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) thereby to enable said end edges to cooperate with the end panels (42a, 42c) during erection thereof.
- A method according to claim 18 wherein the blank is lowered onto the article which causes the upward movement of said inner panels (18, 20).
- A method according to any of claims 15 to 19 wherein an upper panel (12) is hingedly attached to said first side panel (16) along a fold line (54), said upper panel comprising means for co-operating with the top of the article to retain the article in the formed carrier, wherein said retaining means is configurable to cooperate with the article top upon folding of the upper panel about said fold line, the method further comprising the step of folding the upper panel (12) about said fold line (54) into a position adjacent the second side panel (22) thereby to bring said retaining means into co-operation with the article.
- A method according to claim 20 wherein the blank comprises a second upper panel (26) having article retaining means hingedly attached to said second side panel, and wherein the method comprises the step of folding said second upper panel (26) to a position adjacent said first side panel (16) thereby to engage said retaining means with an article top.
- The method of claim 21 including the step of attaching the second upper panel to the first side panel preferably by gluing.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9419108A GB9419108D0 (en) | 1994-09-22 | 1994-09-22 | Article carrier |
GB9419108 | 1994-09-22 | ||
PCT/US1995/012063 WO1996009226A1 (en) | 1994-09-22 | 1995-09-21 | Article carrier |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0781241A1 EP0781241A1 (en) | 1997-07-02 |
EP0781241A4 EP0781241A4 (en) | 1998-10-21 |
EP0781241B1 true EP0781241B1 (en) | 2000-11-29 |
Family
ID=10761743
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95933193A Expired - Lifetime EP0781241B1 (en) | 1994-09-22 | 1995-09-21 | Article carrier |
Country Status (19)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0781241B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3600243B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100371050B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE197787T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU4292596A (en) |
BR (1) | BR9508961A (en) |
CZ (1) | CZ294322B6 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69519519T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0781241T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2152428T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9419108D0 (en) |
GR (1) | GR3035369T3 (en) |
HU (1) | HU223452B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX9702173A (en) |
NZ (2) | NZ300079A (en) |
PL (1) | PL179145B1 (en) |
PT (1) | PT781241E (en) |
RU (1) | RU2158705C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996009226A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2764284A (en) * | 1952-12-18 | 1956-09-25 | Morris Paper Mills | Can carrier package |
US3016259A (en) * | 1957-08-29 | 1962-01-09 | Lawrence Frank Dean | Holders for bottles and like necked containers |
BE791328A (en) * | 1972-05-01 | 1973-05-14 | Illinois Tool Works | BOTTLE CARRIER |
DE2817102C2 (en) * | 1978-04-19 | 1985-01-24 | Dr. Eduard Fresenius, Chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie KG, 6380 Bad Homburg | Connector for plastic cannulas or venous catheters |
FR2438602A1 (en) * | 1978-10-13 | 1980-05-09 | Unilever Nv | Bulk cup packing machine - has flaps at open ends securing cups and formed from side surfaces |
US4339032A (en) * | 1980-11-10 | 1982-07-13 | The Mead Corporation | Bottle carrier with peripheral skirt |
US4372599A (en) * | 1981-03-02 | 1983-02-08 | Manville Service Corporation | Crown support beverage carrier |
FR2634461B1 (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1991-05-03 | 4 P Emballages France | BLANK FOR GROUPING HATCH AND METHOD OF INVOLVING IT |
US5267644A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1993-12-07 | Tsao Chung Piao | Tuckable carrier means for handling portable container |
-
1994
- 1994-09-22 GB GB9419108A patent/GB9419108D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-09-21 WO PCT/US1995/012063 patent/WO1996009226A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-09-21 RU RU97106325/13A patent/RU2158705C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 MX MX9702173A patent/MX9702173A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 DE DE69519519T patent/DE69519519T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-09-21 KR KR1019970701930A patent/KR100371050B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 PL PL95319036A patent/PL179145B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 DK DK95933193T patent/DK0781241T3/en active
- 1995-09-21 NZ NZ300079A patent/NZ300079A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 EP EP95933193A patent/EP0781241B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-09-21 BR BR9508961A patent/BR9508961A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 AU AU42925/96A patent/AU4292596A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-09-21 PT PT95933193T patent/PT781241E/en unknown
- 1995-09-21 NZ NZ332441A patent/NZ332441A/en unknown
- 1995-09-21 CZ CZ1997569A patent/CZ294322B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 JP JP51108796A patent/JP3600243B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-09-21 HU HU9800895A patent/HU223452B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-09-21 ES ES95933193T patent/ES2152428T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-09-21 AT AT95933193T patent/ATE197787T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2001
- 2001-02-06 GR GR20010400196T patent/GR3035369T3/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PT781241E (en) | 2001-04-30 |
HUT77848A (en) | 1998-08-28 |
ATE197787T1 (en) | 2000-12-15 |
GB9419108D0 (en) | 1994-11-23 |
WO1996009226A1 (en) | 1996-03-28 |
HU223452B1 (en) | 2004-07-28 |
DE69519519T2 (en) | 2001-04-05 |
MX9702173A (en) | 1997-06-28 |
EP0781241A1 (en) | 1997-07-02 |
GR3035369T3 (en) | 2001-05-31 |
DK0781241T3 (en) | 2000-12-27 |
PL179145B1 (en) | 2000-07-31 |
EP0781241A4 (en) | 1998-10-21 |
AU4292596A (en) | 1996-04-09 |
BR9508961A (en) | 1997-12-30 |
NZ300079A (en) | 1998-12-23 |
PL319036A1 (en) | 1997-07-21 |
JP3600243B2 (en) | 2004-12-15 |
ES2152428T3 (en) | 2001-02-01 |
JPH10506079A (en) | 1998-06-16 |
NZ332441A (en) | 2000-06-23 |
CZ56997A3 (en) | 1998-05-13 |
KR100371050B1 (en) | 2003-08-21 |
KR970706182A (en) | 1997-11-03 |
CZ294322B6 (en) | 2004-11-10 |
DE69519519D1 (en) | 2001-01-04 |
RU2158705C2 (en) | 2000-11-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0696996B1 (en) | Rounded bottom enclosed carrier and corresponding blank | |
US7163103B2 (en) | Carton for packaging flanged articles | |
EP2209724B1 (en) | Package for containers | |
EP0815035B1 (en) | Article carrier with four-sided taper | |
US7264114B2 (en) | Carton with top retaining structure and blank therefor | |
AU720435B2 (en) | Carrier with tear resistant handle | |
US4533047A (en) | Heel retaining structure on bottle carrier | |
CA1167418A (en) | Bottle carrier | |
US6019220A (en) | Wrap-around article carrier | |
EP1015347B1 (en) | Article carrier and blank therefor | |
EP0675831B1 (en) | Enclosed sleeve-type carrier | |
EP1334043A1 (en) | Carton and carton blank | |
US5775503A (en) | Article carrier | |
CA1329172C (en) | Sling-bottom article carrier | |
AU4250293A (en) | Bottle carrier and method of forming and applying the carrier | |
EP1888426A1 (en) | Carton with deflectable carry top | |
EP0781241B1 (en) | Article carrier | |
US4498582A (en) | Article carrier | |
EP0743916B1 (en) | Article carrier | |
EP0636554A2 (en) | Top-gripping carton | |
EP0086055B1 (en) | Article carrier | |
AU4743199A (en) | Article carrier | |
EP0339077B1 (en) | Wrap-around article carrier with end panel lock | |
US3721338A (en) | Bottle carrier package | |
EP0730554B1 (en) | Bottle carrier |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19970422 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 19980831 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A4 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19990302 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 197787 Country of ref document: AT Date of ref document: 20001215 Kind code of ref document: T |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69519519 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20010104 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2152428 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed |
Owner name: SOCIETA' ITALIANA BREVETTI S.P.A. |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: KIRKER & CIE SA |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PT Ref legal event code: SC4A Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION Effective date: 20010108 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Payment date: 20040924 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Payment date: 20041129 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PUE Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC Free format text: THE MEAD CORPORATION#COURTHOUSE PLAZA NE#DAYTON OHIO 45463 (US) -TRANSFER TO- MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC#ONE HIGH RIDGE PARK#STAMFORD, CT 06905 (US) |
|
NLS | Nl: assignments of ep-patents |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC Owner name: MW CUSTOM PAPERS, INC (A DELAWARE CORPORATION) |
|
NLT1 | Nl: modifications of names registered in virtue of documents presented to the patent office pursuant to art. 16 a, paragraph 1 |
Owner name: MW CUSTOM PAPERS, LLC |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Payment date: 20050901 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20050914 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Payment date: 20050921 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20050921 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Payment date: 20050922 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20050927 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050930 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050930 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20051017 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Payment date: 20060905 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20060918 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060921 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060921 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20060924 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Payment date: 20060928 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060930 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060930 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060930 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20060930 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20061002 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20061031 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: EBP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20060921 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060921 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20060922 |
|
BECA | Be: change of holder's address |
Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLCONE HIGH RIDGE Effective date: 20060703 |
|
BECH | Be: change of holder |
Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC Effective date: 20060703 |
|
BECN | Be: change of holder's name |
Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC Effective date: 20060703 |
|
BERE | Be: lapsed |
Owner name: *MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC Effective date: 20060930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060922 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20060927 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PT Ref legal event code: MM4A Free format text: LAPSE DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF FEES Effective date: 20080324 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20070922 |
|
EUG | Se: european patent has lapsed | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080324 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080401 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20080401 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20080531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20071001 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080402 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20070921 |