MXPA97005427A - Carrier for block type containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carrier, for a container of the block type, the block includes interconnected side and end walls, and an upper closure structure having bent portions that overlap and extend downward along a portion of each of the end walls, the carrier characterized in that it comprises: an upper wall panel, a pair of side wall panels connected in a folded form to the upper wall panel, a pair of retaining strips disposed substantially vertically and extending between the side wall panels, each retaining strip defines an upper free edge separate from the upper wall panel, and a means for bently connecting the retaining strips and the side wall panels, wherein the panels side wall and the retaining strips together surround the block and the free edges couple a lower end of the bent portions of the sup closing structure erior del bloq

Description

CARRIER FOR BLOCK TYPE CONTAINERS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to paperboard carriers for block type containers and, more particularly, for such a carrier which can be held in the upper portion of one or more blocks. Liquid products and other fluids such as juices, milk, fruit drinks and the like are often packaged in parallelepiped containers formed of coated cardboard and generally known as blocks. The block generally includes a vertical side and end walls that form a rectangular tube. The lower end of the tube is bent and sealed, while the upper end is kept open for filling. After filling, the upper part of the tube is closed by bending the tube to form a sealed overlapped parallel to the lateral sides. The board is then bent down at the top of the tube. The end portions of the joint extend beyond the end walls and are thereby bent into the end walls forming triangular end caps. Examples of block type packages can be observed by reference in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,118,036 and 5,188,285. As with other primary containers, it is often desirable to form a multi-block container to place the blocks in a cardboard box or to apply a carrier to the blocks. A number of cardboard boxes of the rolled type specially adapted for blocks is known. The examples can be observed by reference in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,989,778 and 5,004,104. In primary container containers of various types, it may be in some cases useful, to use a carrier of the fastener type. Such a carrier mounts the upper portion of the container or containers, and usually removes the exposed lower container portion. Such fasteners are often used for containers, for example, bottles or cups. While fasteners cover less than all packaging containers, fasteners can have significant cost savings and / or cardboard in that less cardboard material is required. In addition, the exposed portions of the container containers can be used as an advantage in the promotion of the product, for example, where the containers are printed with attractive graphics or have a unique shape. Exemplary fasteners can be seen by reference in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,860,281 and 4,318,476. However, there is a need for a fastener-type carrier that can successfully be used with blocks. Such a fastener must possess the advantage typically associated with fasteners, such as high visibility or economy of the packaged product and must be simply and easily attached to the upper portion of the blocks when being packaged. According to one aspect of the invention, a container for a block type container is formed. The container includes a pair of side walls interconnected by a pair of end walls and an upper closure structure having overlapping bent portions extending downward along a portion of each of the end walls. The package is characterized in that the carrier is provided with means for mounting the folded portions of the upper closure structure of the container such that the container and the carrier are held together when the carrier is lifted. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a carrier is provided for a block type container. The block includes interconnected end and end walls, and an upper closure structure having overlapping bent portions extending downward along a portion of each end wall. The carrier includes a top wall panel, a pair of fold-down side wall panels connected to the top wall panel, and is characterized by a pair of retaining clips disposed substantially vertically and extending between the sidewall panels. Each of the retaining clips defines a free upper edge separate from the upper wall panel. The means are provided for bending connection of the retaining strips and the side wall panels, where the side wall panels and retaining strips together surround the block and the free ends mount one end further down the folded portions of the structure. of top closure of the block. The bending connection means may include a pair of plate panels for each of the retaining strips, one of the plate panels of each pair connecting the retaining strip with one of the side wall panels. The plate panels can be of a generally triangular configuration and can be connected by bending to the retaining strip until being in a position in overlapping relationship with one of the associated side wall panels. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a carrier is provided for two or more containers of the block type. The blocks are placed linearly in an end-to-end wall arrangement, and the carrier includes an upper wall panel, a pair of side wall panels which are connected by bending to the upper wall panel. The carrier is characterized by means of first and second retaining strips arranged substantially vertically and extending between the side wall panels and opposite the ends of the side wall panels. Third and fourth retention strips are placed substantially vertically and placed in mutually overlapping relationship, the third and fourth retention strips extending between the side wall panels and which are disposed in the middle part of the first and second strips retention. The retaining strips each define an upper free edge separate from the upper wall panel. The means are provided for connecting the retaining strips and the side wall panels by means of bending, whereby the side wall panels and the first and third retention strips surround one of the blocks and the side wall panels and the second and fourth retaining strips surround another block, the free edges of the retaining strips each mount one end further down one of the respective bent portions of the upper closure structure of the blocks. In this embodiment, the bending connection means may include a pair of plate panels for each of the retaining strips, one of the plate panels of each pair connecting the retaining strip to one of the side wall panels . The plate panels can be of a generally triangular configuration and are connected by bending to the retaining strip such that they are placed in an overlapping relationship with one of the associated side wall panels. In addition, the second and third retaining strips are connected along a lower edge thereof by a fold line. The carrier may have a pair of side wall panels disposed along the upper portions respective to the side walls of the container. The mounting means may include a pair of retaining strips that connect and extend between the side wall panels and are disposed below the respective bottom edges of the folded portions of the container top closure structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be better understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a block type container with which the present invention can be used. FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a complete package in which a carrier according to the present invention is used.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a preform for forming the carrier shown in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the carrier shown, partially applied to a group of blocks to be packaged. A typical block type container for liquids or other fluids is shown in FIGURE 1. Block 10 includes substantially vertical side walls 12 and connected to end walls 14. An upper end closure structure 16 is formed by bending the portions above the side walls 12 in contact and forming a sealed joint 18 which can be bent over itself by an additional sealing force. The joint portion is then folded flat on top of the block. The triangular end portions 20 which are thus created are bent downwards to extend along an upper portion of the end walls 14. A carrier 21 for blocks of this type is shown in FIGURE 2. The carrier it is one of the type of upper fastening or fastening that includes an upper wall panel 22 placed on the upper parts of the blocks when being packaged. A pair of sidewall panels 24 extend downwardly along the sidewalls of the blocks. The end structure 26 is placed at the end of the blocks and connected to the side wall panels 24, as will be described. The preform for forming the carrier can be observed by reference to FIGURE 3. The upper wall panel 22 is connected to the side wall panel 24 along a fold line 28. At the opposite end of the preform, a lid adhesive 30 is connected to second side wall panel 32 along a fold line 34. Side wall panels 24 and 32 are connected by a structure including a plurality of retaining strips 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 respectively. The strips 38 and 40 are connected along a fold line 50, while the strips 42 and 44 are connected along a fold line 52. A plurality of triangular connection portions 54, 56, 58 and 60 extend from the edge of the side wall panel 24, and a similar plurality of triangular connecting portions 62, 64, 66 and 68 extend from the edge of the side wall panel 32. The triangular connecting portion 54 is connected to a wall panel. plate 70 by a fold line 72 and a plate panel 70 in turn connected to the retaining strip 36 by a fold line 74. The plate panel 76 is connected in a similar manner between the triangular connection portion 56 and the retaining strip 38 and the plate panel 78 is connected between the triangular connecting portion 56 and the retaining strip 40. In a similar manner the plate panels 80 and 82 are connected to the triangular connection portion 58 to the retaining strips 42 and 44 respectively tea. The additional plate panels 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94 and 96 are connected to the triangular connection portions 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 to their respective retaining strips as shown in FIGURE 3. The manner in which the blocks 10 can be secured between the carrier can be observed by reference to FIGURE 4. The retaining strips 38 and 40 are folded into an overlap arrangement along the fold line 50. This fold makes to the plate panels 76, 78, 88 and 90 being in front contact with the respective triangular connecting portions 56 and 64, resulting in the retaining strips 38 and 40 being placed in a substantially vertical orientation, perpendicular to the panels of. lateral wall 24 and 32 in the completed carrier. An identical bending operation is performed for the retaining strips 42 and 44. The retaining strip 36 is erected in a substantially vertical orientation in a similar manner, by folding the plate panels 70 and 86 into their respective triangular connection portions. The holding strip 46 is erected in the common position. Lifting the retaining strips creates openings in which the blocks 10 can be inserted as shown in FIGURE 4. (The central block is shown in the figure, with the other blocks shown in shadows for clarity). The adjacent retaining strips 40 and 42 (the strip 42 is not visible in FIGURE 4) are placed adjacent to the end walls of the block, while the side wall panels 24 and 32 of the carrier are thereafter moved to the position adjacent the side walls 12 of the block 10. The retaining strips 40 and 42 are mounted downstream of the upper end of the joint extending along the triangular end portion 20 of the top closure for the block. To complete the carrier, the side wall panels 24 and 32 move to the positions against the blocks. The adhesive cover 30 is bent over the upper portions of the blocks, and the upper wall panel 22 is then bent into an overlap position. The rubber is applied between the adhesive cover 30 and the upper wall panel 22 which secures the carrier in one place. Each of the retaining strips 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 are mounted below the end portion of the joint of the respective block on the completed carrier. In this way, the carrier can not be moved up with respect to the packed blocks, and the blocks will be retained in the carrier when they are lifted. At the same time, the upper wall panel 22 prevents the wearer from being moved downwards with respect to the blocks, whereby the carrier is held in place when the container is for example resting on the flat surface. The carrier can be applied preferably on top of the blocks, which has been previously arranged in the appropriate position. The carrier moves downward until the retaining strips pass the lower ends of the block joints. The carrier then rises to mount the strips with the joints, after which the upper part of the carrier is folded and sealed. Such an operation can be carried out manually or by an appropriate packaging machine. It will be recognized that many variations may be made in the foregoing within the scope of the present invention. For example, the design of the carrier can be improved through the addition of handles, billboard covers and the like, using structures known and understood within the art. In addition, alternative bearer styles can be used, such as those that are accommodated in two lines of blocks rather than blocks in a line as shown herein. These arrangements with handles, billboards and / or two lines of articles are shown and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,823,062; 2,946,436; and 5,135,104. It should further be recognized that this may be possible to replace the upper wall panel 22 with a band handle which 'extends transversely between the upper part of the group of the packed blocks and which is connected between the upper edges of the wall panels. lateral 24 and 32. It should further be recognized that while each of the retaining strips 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 are mounted below the end portion of the joint of the respective block, it may be that each strip The retainer is designed to have an upper edge complementary to the lower edge of the triangular end portion 20 of the respective block for firmly mounting said lower edge. Other modifications may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. A package comprising: a container including a pair of side walls interconnected by a pair of end walls, and an upper closure structure having overlapping and folded portions extending downward along a portion of each of the end walls; and a carrier thus characterized in that the carrier is disposed in the container and includes means for mounting the bent portions of the upper closure structure such that the container and the carrier are held together when the carrier is lifted. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier comprises a pair of side wall panels disposed along the side walls of the container, and the mounting means comprise a pair of retaining strips which are connected and extend between the sidewall panels and disposed under the respective lower edges of the bent portions. The package according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining strips are disposed substantially vertically along the end walls of the container and having upper edges for mounting the lower edges of the folded portions. The package according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the carrier further comprises a top wall panel disposed on the upper part of the container and which is connected by means of bending to the side wall panels along the upper edges of them. The package according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the carrier further comprises a pair of plate panels which are interconnected to each of the retaining strips with the side wall panels. The package according to claim 5, characterized in that the plate panels for each retaining strip are connected by means of bending respectively to the side wall panels so as to be placed in an overlapping relationship with the wall panels. lateral respectively. 7. A carrier for a container of the block type, the block including interconnected end and end walls, and an upper closure structure having overlapping and folded portions extending downward along a portion of each of the end walls, the carrier comprising: a top wall panel; a pair of side wall panels that are connected by means of bending to the top wall panel; and characterized by a pair of retaining strips disposed substantially vertically and extending between the sidewall panels, each of the retaining strips defining a separate upper free edge of the upper wall panel; and means for connecting the retaining strips and the side wall panels by means of bending, whereby the side wall panels and the retaining strips together surround the block and the free edges mount one end further down the folded portions of the block. the upper closing structure of the block. 8. The carrier in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the means which are connected by means of bending include a pair of plate panels for each of the retaining strips, one of the plate panels of each pair connecting the retaining strip with one of the panels of side wall. 9. The carrier in accordance with the claim 8, characterized in that the plate panels are of generally triangular configuration and are connected by means of bending to the retaining strips to be placed in an overlapping relationship with one of the associated side wall panels. 10. A carrier for two or more containers of the block type, each block including interconnected side and end walls and an upper closure structure having overlapping and folded portions extending downward along a portion of each of the end walls, the blocks have been arranged linearly in an end-wall to end-wall arrangement, the carrier comprising: a top wall panel; a pair of side wall panels connected by means of bending to the top wall panel; and characterized by first and second retaining strips disposed substantially vertically and extending between the side wall panels and opposite the ends of the side wall panels; third and fourth retaining strips arranged substantially vertically and placed in a mutually overlapping relationship, the third and fourth retaining strips extending between the sidewall panels and which are disposed in the middle part of the first and second strips retention; the retaining strips each define an upper free edge separate from the upper wall panel; and means for connecting by means of bending to the retaining strips and the side wall panels, whereby the side wall panels and the first and third retention strips surround one of the blocks and the side panels and the second and fourth retaining strips surround another of the blocks, the free edges of the retaining strips each mount one end further down one of the respective fold portions of the upper closure structure of the blocks. The carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for connection by means of bending include a pair of plate panels each of the retaining strips, one of the plate panels of each pair connecting the strip of Retention with one of the side wall panels. The carrier according to claim 11, characterized in that the plate panels are of generally triangular configuration and are connected by means of bending to the retaining strips in such a way that they are placed in an overlapping relationship with one of the panels of associated side wall. The carrier according to claims 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the second and third retaining strips are connected along a lower edge thereof by a fold line.