WO2014186259A1 - Carton with article protection feature - Google Patents
Carton with article protection feature Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2014186259A1 WO2014186259A1 PCT/US2014/037642 US2014037642W WO2014186259A1 WO 2014186259 A1 WO2014186259 A1 WO 2014186259A1 US 2014037642 W US2014037642 W US 2014037642W WO 2014186259 A1 WO2014186259 A1 WO 2014186259A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- article protection
- protection flap
- carton
- panel
- flap
- Prior art date
Links
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
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
-
- 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
- B65B21/242—Enclosing bottles in wrappers in collapsed carton sleeves
-
- 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
- B65D2571/00259—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension
- B65D2571/00265—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension extending from the upper or lower 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
- B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
- B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00302—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper consisting of an inward deformation of at least a wall, e.g. embossed, keels
-
- 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
- B65D2571/00438—Holes
- B65D2571/0045—Holes for hands
-
- 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
- B65D2571/00808—Inserts
- B65D2571/00814—Inserts for reinforcing
Definitions
- the present disclosure generally relates to cartons for holding beverage containers or other types of articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cartons having an article protection feature and/or article protection flap that protects the containers or articles from breakage.
- one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carton for containing at least one article.
- the carton comprises at least one panel at least partially forming an interior of the carton.
- At least one article protection flap is for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap is foldably connected to the at least one panel and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the article protection flap has features for preventing folding of the article protection flap from the second position to the first position.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for containing at least one article.
- the blank comprises at least one panel for at least partially forming an interior of the carton formed from the blank.
- At least one article protection flap is for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap is foldably connected to the at least one panel and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the article protection flap has features for preventing folding of the article protection flap from the second position to the first position in the carton formed from the blank.
- the disclosure is generally direct to a method of forming a carton.
- the method comprises obtaining a blank comprising at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel.
- the method comprises positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, loading at least one article in the interior space, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel after the loading the at least one article.
- the folding comprises moving the article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for containing at least one article.
- the carton can comprise at least one panel at least partially forming an interior of the carton and at least one article protection flap for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap can be foldably connected to the at least one panel along a lateral fold line and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the at least one article protection flap comprises a longitudinal crease, a first corner spaced apart from the longitudinal crease by a first distance, and a second corner spaced apart from the longitudinal crease by a second distance. The second distance can be greater than the first distance.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for containing at least one article.
- the blank can comprise at least one panel for at least partially forming an interior of the carton formed from the blank and at least one article protection flap for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap can be foldably connected to the at least one panel along a lateral fold line and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the at least one article protection flap comprises a longitudinal crease, a first corner spaced apart from the longitudinal crease by a first distance, and a second corner spaced apart from the longitudinal crease by a second distance.
- the disclosure is generally direct to a method of forming a carton.
- the method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel along a lateral fold line.
- the at least one article protection flap comprises a longitudinal crease, a first corner spaced apart from the longitudinal crease by a first distance, and a second corner spaced apart from the longitudinal crease by a second distance.
- the second distance can be greater than the first distance.
- the method further can include positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel.
- the folding comprises moving the at least one article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for containing at least one article.
- the carton can comprise at least one panel at least partially forming an interior of the carton and at least one article protection flap for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap can be foldably connected to the at least one panel and can be moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the at least one article protection flap can comprise features for preventing folding of the at least one article protection flap from the second position to the first position.
- the features can comprise at least one stop edge that selectively engages the at least one panel.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for containing at least one article.
- the blank can comprise at least one panel for at least partially forming an interior of the carton formed from the blank and at least one article protection flap for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap can be foldably connected to the at least one panel and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the at least one article protection flap can be at least partially defined by a line of weakening and can comprise features for preventing folding of the article protection flap from the second position to the first position in the carton formed from the blank.
- the features can comprise at least one stop edge for being at least partially formed by the line of weakening of the at least one article protection flap. The stop edge can be for selectively engaging the at least one panel when the carton is formed from the blank.
- the disclosure is generally direct to a method of forming a carton.
- the method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel and at least partially separable from the at least one panel along a line of weakening.
- the method further can comprise positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel.
- the folding can comprise moving the at least one article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the folding further can comprise forming a stop edge of the at least one article protection flap from the line of weakening, the stop edge selectively engaging the at least one panel.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for containing at least one article.
- the carton can comprise at least one panel at least partially forming an interior of the carton and at least one article protection flap for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap can be foldably connected to the at least one panel along a lateral fold line and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the article protection flap comprises at least one tab extending laterally from a central portion of the at least one article protection flap.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for containing at least one article.
- the blank can comprise at least one panel for at least partially forming an interior of the carton formed from the blank and at least one article protection flap for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap can be foldably connected to the at least one panel along a lateral fold line and moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the article protection flap can comprise at least one cut for forming at least one tab extending laterally from a central portion of the at least one article protection flap when the carton is formed from the blank.
- the disclosure is generally direct to a method of forming a carton.
- the method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel along a lateral fold line, positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel.
- the folding can comprise moving the at least one article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the at least one article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the folding further can comprise forming at least one tab extending laterally from a central portion of the at least one article protection flap.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for containing at least one article.
- the carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton.
- At least two end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels.
- the end flaps are for being at least partially overlapped to close an end of the carton.
- At least one article protection feature is for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection feature is positioned between the at least two end flaps.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for containing at least one article.
- the blank comprises a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank.
- At least two end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels.
- the end flaps are for being at least partially overlapped to close an end of the carton formed from the blank.
- At least one article protection feature is for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection feature is for being positioned between the at least two end flaps.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton for containing at least one article.
- the method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and at least two end flaps respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels.
- the method comprises positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior space of the carton, loading at least one article in the interior space, at least partially overlapping the at least two end flaps to close an end of the carton, and forming an article protection feature that is positioned between the at least two end flaps.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton.
- the method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the panel.
- the method comprises positioning at least two articles to be in contact with the panel and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the panel after the positioning the at least two articles.
- the folding comprises moving the article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the panel to a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the panel.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for containing at least one article.
- the carton comprises at least one panel at least partially forming an interior of the carton. At least two end flaps are at least partially overlapped to at least partially close the interior of the carton.
- At least one article protection feature is for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection feature is positioned between the at least two end flaps.
- At least one article protection flap is for protecting the at least one article.
- the at least one article protection flap is foldably connected to the at least one panel and is moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton.
- the method comprises obtaining a blank comprising at least one panel, at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel, and at least two end flaps.
- the method comprises positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, loading at least one article in the interior space, at least partially overlapping the at least two end flaps to close and end of the carton, forming an article protection feature that is positioned between the at least two end flaps, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel after the loading the at least one article.
- the folding comprises moving the article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
- the present disclosure is generally directed to a carton having at least one protection feature.
- the present disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton having at least one protection feature.
- the present disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton having at least one protection feature for protecting articles held in the carton from breakage.
- Fig. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 2 is an end perspective of the partially assembled carton of the first embodiment.
- Fig. 3 is an end view similar to Fig. 2 with articles added to the partially assembled carton.
- Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the carton further assembled.
- Fig. 4A is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing alternative features of the carton.
- Fig. 5 is an enlarged portion view of Fig. 4.
- Fig. 5A is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing alternative features of the carton.
- Fig. 5B is a cross-section taken along the plane 5B-5B of Fig. 5 A.
- Fig. 5C is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing alternative features of the carton.
- Fig. 6 is a side perspective showing the carton of Fig. 5 further assembled.
- Fig. 7 is an end view showing the carton of Fig. 6 further assembled.
- Fig. 8 is an end view showing the carton further assembled.
- Fig. 8A is an end view of a partially assembled carton of the first embodiment with the article protection flaps in the second position.
- Fig. 9 is a cross-section taken along the plane 9-9 of Fig. 8.
- Fig. 9 A is a cross-section taken along the plane 9 A-9 A of Fig. 8.
- Fig. 9B is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing alternative features of the carton.
- Fig. 9C is a view similar to Fig. 9A but showing alternative features of the carton.
- Fig. 10A is a top plan view of an enlarged portion of a bottom panel of Fig. 1 showing an article protection flap in a first position.
- Fig. 10B is a top plan view of the article protection flap of Fig. 10A in a second position.
- Fig. 10C is a cross-section taken along the plane 1 OC-10C of Fig. 10B.
- Fig. 10D is a view similar to Fig. 10A but showing alternative features of the article protection flap.
- Fig. 10E is a view similar to Fig. 10B but showing the article protection flap of Fig. 10D.
- Fig. 1 OF is a cross-section taken along the plane 10F- 10F of Fig. 10E.
- Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of a system for activating the article protection flaps of one embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 12 is an enlarged portion of Fig. 1 1.
- Fig. 13 is a partial schematic view of a system for activating the article protection flaps of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 14 is a partial schematic view of a system for activating the article protection flaps of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 15 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 16 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 17 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 17A is an enlarged portion of the bottom panel of Fig. 17 showing an article protection flap.
- Fig. 18 is a plan view of a bottom panel of the carton of the embodiment of Fig. 17 with the article protection flaps in a second position.
- Fig. 19 is an end view of a partially assembled carton of the embodiment of Fig. 17 with the article protection flaps in the second position.
- Fig. 20 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 20A is an enlarged portion of the bottom panel of Fig. 20 showing an article protection flap.
- Fig. 21 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a bottom panel of a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure with articles contained in the carton shown in hidden lines.
- Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an interior surface of the bottom panel of the carton of the embodiment of Fig. 21 showing article protection flaps.
- Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the interior surface of the bottom panel of the carton of the embodiment of Fig. 21 showing the article protection flaps in a second position.
- Fig. 24 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Figs. 25-27 are various views of forming the carton according to the embodiment of Fig. 24.
- Fig. 27A is a cross-section taken along the plane 27A-27A of Fig. 27.
- Fig. 27B is a cross-section taken along the plane 27B-27B of Fig. 27.
- Fig. 28 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 29 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a carton according to the embodiment of Fig. 29.
- Figs. 31A-31C are various views of a blank and carton according to an alternative embodiment.
- Figs. 32A-32C are various views of a blank and carton according to an alternative embodiment.
- Figs. 33A-33C are various views of a blank and carton according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 34 is a top plan view of an enlarged portion of a bottom panel of a carton showing an article protection flap in a first position according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 35 is a plan view of an enlarged portion of the bottom panel of the carton of the embodiment of Fig. 34 with the article protection flap in a second position.
- Fig. 35A is a top plan view of the article protection flap of Fig. 35 in the second position.
- Fig. 35B is a cross-sectional view of the article protection flap of Fig. 35 in the second position.
- Fig. 36 is a plan view of the bottom panel of Fig. 35 showing three article protection flaps in the second position.
- Fig. 37 is a top plan view of an enlarged portion of a bottom panel of a carton showing two article protection flaps in a first position according to two alternative embodiments of the disclosure.
- Fig. 38 is a bottom view of the enlarged portion of the bottom panel of Fig. 37 with the article protection flap partially folded into a second position.
- Figs. 39 and 40 are perspective views of the article protection flap of Fig. 37 with the article protection flap in the second position.
- Fig. 41 is a top plan view of an enlarged portion of a bottom panel of a carton showing an article protection flap in a first position according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Figs. 42 and 43 are perspective views of the article protection flap of Fig. 41 with the article protection flap in the second position.
- Fig. 44 is a top plan view of a bottom panel of a carton showing an arrangement of article protection flaps in a first position according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.
- Fig. 45 is a top plan view of an enlarged portion of the bottom panel of Fig. 44 showing one of the article protection flaps of Fig. 44.
- Figs. 46 and 47 are perspective views of the article protection flap of Fig. 45 with the article protection flap in the second position.
- the present disclosure generally relates to cartons that contain a single article or a plurality of articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc., and protection features of such cartons that protect the article or articles or containers from breakage, damage, or deformation.
- the article(s) can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example, or any other item.
- the article(s) can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, or other item, and the materials can include, but are not limited to, glass or other breakable material; aluminum and/or other metals; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; paperboard; and the like, or any combination thereof, or any other suitable material.
- Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape.
- beverage containers e.g., glass beverage bottles
- the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior side 1 of a blank, generally indicated at 3, used to form a carton 5 (Fig. 8) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
- the carton 5 can be used to house a plurality of articles such as containers C (Fig. 3).
- the containers C are bottles having a wide bottom B and a narrow top T including a cap CP.
- the carton 5 is sized to house eighteen containers C in a single layer in a 3x6 arrangement, but it is understood that the carton 5 may be sized and shaped to hold containers of a different or same quantity in more than one layer and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1x6, 2x6, 4x6, 3x8, 2x6x2, 3x4x2, 2x9, 3x4, etc.), or just a single article.
- the carton 5 has a first end 7 and a second end 9 each having article protection features 1 1 , 11 A, 1 IB (Fig. 8) for protecting at least one article C of the plurality of articles.
- the carton 5 of the first embodiment may have article protection flaps 13 for protecting the at least one article.
- the article protection features 1 1 cushion the ends 7, 9 of the carton and prevent or reduce the likelihood of breakage of the containers C.
- the article protection flaps 13 are moveable between a first position (Fig. 10A) and a second position (Figs. 8 A and 10B) placed between adjacent containers C in the carton to reduce movement of the containers in the carton and prevent breakage of the containers.
- the carton 5 can have other features (e.g., handle, dispenser, etc.) without departing from the disclosure.
- the blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L I and a lateral axis L2.
- the blank includes a bottom panel 15 foldably connected to a first side panel 17 at a lateral fold line 19.
- a second side panel 21 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 15 at a lateral fold line 23.
- a top panel 25 is foldably connected to the first side panel 17 at a lateral fold line 27, and foldably connected to an adhesive panel 29 at a lateral fold line 31.
- the bottom panel 15 is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap 33 and a second bottom end flap 35.
- the first side panel 17 is foldably connected to a first side end flap 37 and a second side end flap 39.
- the second side panel 21 is foldably connected to a first side end flap 43 and a second side end flap 45.
- the top panel 25 is foldably connected to a first top end flap 47 and a second top end flap 49.
- the end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47 extend along a first marginal area of the blank 3, and are foldably connected at a first longitudinal fold line 61 that extends along the length of the blank.
- the end flaps 35, 39, 45, 49 extend along a second marginal area of the blank 3, and are foldably connected at a second longitudinal fold line 63 that also extends along the length of the blank.
- the longitudinal fold lines 61, 63 may be, for example, substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors.
- the side panels 17, 21 have respective diamond panels 65 that are formed by a fold line 67 that is spaced inwardly from the respective longitudinal fold line 61 , 63.
- the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45 have a respective lateral fold line 69 extending from a diamond panel 65 to allow a respective end 7, 9 to angle inwardly so that the top of the carton 5 at each end (the portion of the fold line 61 , 63 connecting the top end flap 47, 49) is closer to the center of the carton than the bottom of the carton at each end (the portion of the fold line 61 , 63 connecting the bottom end flap 33, 35).
- the ends 7, 9 are tapered ends, but it is understood that the ends of the carton 5 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured (e.g., straight or non-tapered) without departing from the disclosure.
- the blank 3 has handle features for forming a handle 71.
- the handle features comprise handle flaps 73 foldably connected to a respective top end flap 47, 49 at a longitudinal fold line 75, and notches or openings 77 in the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, and 45.
- the openings 77 cooperate to provide an opening at a respective closed end 7, 9 to allow a respective handle flap 73 to be inwardly folded so that the carton 5 can be grasped at a respective end.
- the blank 3 can have other features for forming the handle 71, or the blank and/or carton 5 can have a handle that is alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. Further, the handle 71 can be omitted without departing from the disclosure.
- the blank 3 has features for forming the article protection features 1 1 of the carton 5.
- the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45 have deformations in the form of indentations 81 on the exterior surface of the blank 3 such that the indentations from a protrusion on the interior surface of the blank.
- the bottom end flap 33, 35 each have two rows of deformations in the form of indentations 83 on the interior surface of the blank 3 such that the indentations on the interior surface form a protrusion on the exterior surface 1 of the blank 3.
- the top end flaps 47, 49 each have a respective distal edge 87, 89 having corner notches 91 and a center notch 93.
- the indentations 81 , 83 can be any deformation on a surface of a respective side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45 or bottom end flap 33, 35 such that the deformation can be any suitable shape (e.g., a concave depression or protrusion, convex depression or protrusion, flat depression or protrusion, embossed area, debossed area, etc., or any other suitable shape).
- the indentations 81 , 83 could be formed on the interior or exterior surface of one or more of the first side panel 17, second side panel 21, top panel 25, bottom panel 15, or top end flaps 47, 49 without departing from the disclosure.
- the blank 3 includes nine article protection flaps 13 arranged in a
- the blank could have more or less than nine article protection flaps, and the flaps could be otherwise arranged in other suitable row/column arrangements or in a random configuration on the bottom panel 15, including a single row or single column configuration, or any other suitable configuration.
- the description herein will describe the detailed arrangement and configuration of a single article protection flap 13; however, the arrangement and configuration of the other article protection flaps will be similar or identical.
- the blank 3 can include article protection flaps that are different, similar, or identical to other article protection flaps without departing from the disclosure.
- the middle row of article protection flaps 13 are oriented 180 degrees relative to a row of article protection flaps that are closer to a respective fold line 61, 63.
- the article protection flaps 13 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 13 are each foldably connected to the bottom panel 15 at a respective lateral fold line 101 and are each at least partially defined by a line of weakening 103 in the bottom panel.
- the line of weakening 103 is a cut, but the line of weakening could comprises other forms of weakening (e.g., a tear line that comprises cut lines separated by breakable nicks, a tear line that is formed by a series of spaced apart cuts, etc.) that allows the article protection flap 13 to separate from the bottom panel 15 without departing from the disclosure.
- the cut 103 has a first portion 105 that is generally curved and extending from a first end 106 of the fold line 101 and a second portion 107 that is generally curved and extending from a second end 108 of the fold line 101. Both the first portion 105 and the second portion 107 of the cut 103 extend away from the fold line 101 and form a respective rounded corner 109, 1 1 1 of the cut that transitions to a third portion 1 13 of the cut.
- the third portion 113 is generally straight and extends in the lateral direction L2 between the two rounded corners 109, 11 1.
- a slit or cut 1 12 is located adjacent the third portion 1 13 of the cut 103. As show in Figs.
- the article protection flap 13 comprises a second fold line 117 extending from the first end 106 of the first fold line 101 and a third fold line 1 19 extending from the second end 108 of the first fold line.
- the second and third fold lines 1 17, 1 19 are longitudinal fold lines that are generally parallel and extend in the longitudinal direction L I of the blank 3.
- the fold lines 101, 117, 1 19 and cuts 103, 105 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted such that the article protection flap 13 has any other suitable shape or configuration without departing from the disclosure.
- the first portion 105 of the cut 103, the rounded corner 109 of the cut, a portion of the third portion 1 13 of the cut, and the second fold line 1 17 at least partially define a first portion 121 of the article protection flap 13.
- the second portion 107 of the cut 103, the rounded corner 11 1 of the cut, a portion of the third portion 1 13 of the cut, and the third fold line 1 19 at least partially define a second portion 123 of the article protection flap.
- a central portion 125 of the article protection flap is at least partially defined by the first fold line 101, second fold line 1 17, third fold line 1 19, and a portion of the third portion 1 13 of the cut 1 03.
- the first portion 121 of the article protection flap 13 is foldably connected to the central portion 125 at the second fold line 1 17.
- the second portion 123 of the article protection flap 13 is foldably connected to the central portion 125 at the third fold line 1 19.
- the first portion 121 and the second portion 123 are foldable relative to each other and the central portion 125 by way of the fold lines 1 17, 1 19.
- the first portion 121 and second portion 123 could be foldably connected at a single fold line without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 2-8 show one exemplar method of forming the carton 5 and the article protection features 11.
- the blank 3 can be formed into a sleeve 131 having open ends 7, 9 by folding the bottom panel 15, side panels 17, 21, and top panel 25 along respective fold lines 19, 23, 27, 31 .
- the adhesive panel 29 can be adhesively secured to the second side panel 21 by glue or other suitable adhesive.
- containers C can be placed into an interior space 133 of the sleeve 131.
- One of the ends 7, 9 can be closed prior to loading the containers C or both of the ends 7, 9 can be closed after loading the containers into the interior space 133.
- the closing of the first end 7 is described below, but it is understood that the second end 9 can be closed in a similar manner, with the article protection features 1 1 in the second end being formed in a similar manner as the article protection features in the first end.
- the second end 9 could have different flap closing sequence or arrangement and the article protection features 1 1 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.
- the first end 7 is closed by first inwardly folding the side end flaps
- the bottom end flap 33 is upwardly folded and the top end flap 47 is downwardly folded to close the end 7 of the carton 5.
- the article protection features 1 1 in the first end of the carton 5 are formed during the closing of the end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47.
- the indentations 81 on the exterior surface of the side end flaps 37, 43 are aligned with the indentations 83 on the interior surface of the bottom end flap 33 to fonn a respective article protection feature 1 1 .
- the outermost article protection features when Viewing the end 7 as shown in Fig.
- the width of the pocket 135 as viewed in Fig. 9 is approximately equal to the combined amount of depression of each of the indentations 81 , S3.
- the indentations 81 are on the exterior surface of the side end flaps 37, 43 and the indentations 83 are on the interior surface of the bottom end flap 33 so that the indentations 81, 83 cooperate to form the pocket 135.
- the article protection features 1 1 could comprise only a single indentation 81, 83, or one of the indentations 81 , 83 could be larger or smaller than the other, or the indentations 81, 83 could be offset from one another, without departing from the disclosure.
- the indentations 81, 83 could be arranged such that the protrusions are in direct contact with each other.
- the middle article protection features 1 IB are formed by an indentation 81 on each of the side end flaps 37, 43 and an indentation on the bottom end flap 33.
- the indentation 81 near the edge of the inner side end flap 43 receives the indentation 81 near the edge of the outer side end flap 37
- the indentation 83 on the bottom end flap 33 cooperates with the indentation on the outer side end flap 37 to form the pocket 137.
- the article protection features 1 1A, 1 IB, and pockets 135, 137 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 9B and 9C show alternative configurations of the article protection features 1 1A, 1 IB having pockets 135, 137 similar to the embodiments of Figs. 9 and 9A but filled with shock absorbing material 139.
- the shock absorbing material 139 is a thermoplastic adhesive.
- the shock absorbing material 139 can comprise thermoplastic adhesive that can be hot-melt adhesive including a low temperature hot melt thermoplastic adhesive or a high temperature hot melt thermoplastic adhesive such as are commercially available.
- Such hot melt adhesive can include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or any other suitable material.
- the shock absorbing material 139 can comprise any suitable foam, gel, liquid, or solid, that can be located in the pocket 135, 137 and provide cushioning of the impact forces exerted on the carton 5.
- the shock absorbing material could comprise any suitable heat activation material, UV activation material, laser activation material, Styrofoam, thermoplastic, hot melt adhesive, or any material that takes up space in the pocket 135, 137 to provide cushioning to the containers C.
- the article protection features 1 1 can comprise the same or different thermoplastic adhesive that is used to form and close the carton 5 without departing from the disclosure.
- the adhesive used to form the shock absorbing material 139 can be further applied to one or more of the end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47 to secure the end flaps in the closed configuration of the end 7.
- the lower article protection feature 1 1 , 1 1A, 1 IB is spaced apart from the bottom panel 15 by a first distance Dl and the upper article protection feature 1 1 , 1 1 A, 1 IB is spaced apart from the bottom panel by a second distance D2.
- the second distance D2 is greater than the first distance D l .
- the distances Dl can be selected so that the lower article protection feature 1 1 contacts the container C near a bottom portion B of the container.
- the distance D2 can be selected so that the upper article protection feature 1 1 contacts the container C near the shoulder S of the container.
- the positioning of the upper and lower article protection features 1 1 provides a respective container C with two contact points with the shock absorbing features at the end 7 of the carton 5 so that each respective container C is stabilized and cushioned against impacts occurring at the end of the carton.
- the article protection features could be otherwise arranged and positioned without departing from the disclosure.
- Fig. 4A shows an alternative configuration of the end 7 wherein the side end flap 37 has two notches 141 instead of the indentations 81.
- the notches 141 allow the indentations 81 near the edge of the exterior surface of the side end flap 43 to cooperate with the middle indentations 83 on the bottom end flap 33 to form a pocket similar to the pocket 135 shown in Fig. 9, but with the pocket 135 being wider as a result of the intervening layer of material from the side end flap 37.
- FIGs. 5A and 5B show an alternative configuration of the end 7 wherein the bottom end flap
- the indentations 83 on the interior surface near the peripheral edge of the bottom end flap 33 of Fig. 4 are replaced by a deformation 149 at the peripheral edge of the bottom end flap 33.
- the deformation 149 includes a series of indentations 151 on the interior surface of the bottom end flap 33 that are adjacent to a respective indentation on the exterior surface 153 of the bottom end flap.
- the indentations 151 on the interior surface of the bottom end flap 33 communicate with the upper indentations 81 on the side end flaps 37, 43 to form a respective pocket or series of pockets.
- the upper indentations 81 on the side end flaps 37, 43 could be replaced with a deformation similar to the deformation 149 of the bottom end flap, or any other configuration that is suitable for creating a pocket or series of pockets that form the article protection features.
- Fig. 5C shows an alternative configuration of the end 7 wherein the side end flaps 37, 43 and bottom end flap 33 are modified from the flaps shown in Fig. 4.
- the bottom end flap 33 has indentations 155 on the interior surface near the peripheral edge of the bottom end flap that are modified from the embodiment of Fig. 4.
- the side end flaps 37, 43 each have upper indentations 157 that are modified from the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5. Both groups of indentations 155, 157 are elongated from the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5, and the indentations 155 on the bottom end flap are each sized to extend between two adjacent indentations 157 on the side end flaps 37, 43.
- the indentations 155 are in communication with multiple indentations 157 so that the pocket formed by the cooperating indentations forms an article protection feature 1 1 that is elongated and contacts two adjacent articles C.
- the elongated article protection feature can be filled with shock absorbing material in a similar manner as described above for the first embodiment.
- the lower indentations on the interior surface of the bottom end flap 33 and the lower indentations 81 on the side end flaps 37, 43 could be similar to the indentations 155, 157 without departing from the disclosure.
- the loaded and closed carton 5 of Fig. 8 is further processed so that the article protection flaps 13 are activated.
- the article protection flaps 13 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 15 and moveable between a first position (Fig. 2) that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel and a second position (Fig. 8A) wherein the article protection flaps are folded relative to the bottom panel.
- the article protection flaps 13 are raised or activated to the position of Fig. 8A, and the article protection flaps have features for preventing the folding of the article protection flaps from the second position back to the first position.
- Fig. 8A illustrates an outermost row of containers C removed and the end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47 at the end 7 open so that the article protection flaps 13 are visible. It is understood that the article protection flaps 13 will be activated to the second position (Fig. 8A) after the ends 7, 9 of the carton 5 have been closed. Alternatively, the article protection flaps 13 could be activated prior to closing one or both of the ends 7, 9 of the carton 5 without departing from the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 13 can be activated by various forming apparatus, some of which will be described below in further detail, or any other suitable method. The activation of a single article protection flap 13 will be described in detail herein, but it is understood that the other article protection flaps can be activated in a similar or different manner without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 10A and 10B are enlarged portions of the interior surface of the bottom panel 15, with Fig. 10A showing the interior surface of the bottom panel prior to activation of the article protection flap 13, and Fig. 10B showing the interior of the bottom panel after activation of the article protection flap.
- a finger or other portion of an apparatus for forming the carton 5 presses against the central portion 125 (Fig.
- the article protection flap 13 is pivoted upward relative to the bottom panel 15 at the fold line 101 in the direction of arrow Al to create an opening 161 in the bottom panel.
- the first portion 121 and the second portion 123 are folded relative to each other.
- the first portion 121 and the second portion 123 of the article protection flap are folded inwardly relative to each other and relative to the central portion 125.
- the article protection flap 13 provides two layers of material (e.g., the inwardly folded first portion 121 and second portion 123) between adjacent containers C in the carton 5.
- the article protection flaps 13 are upwardly folded to the second (raised) position shown in Fig. 8A, or the article protection flaps can be upwardly folded to a second (raised) position shown in Fig. IOC.
- the upwardly folding of the article protection flaps 13 causes the containers C in the carton 5 to move to accommodate the space required for the article protection flaps in the second position with the first portion 121 and second portion 123 folded relative to each other.
- the article protection flaps 13 are pressed against two adjacent containers C to initiate movement of the containers and provide the tightening feature of the article protection flaps.
- the configuration of the first portion 121 and the second portion 123 prevents the article protection flap 13 from being downwardly folded from the second or raised position of Fig. 8 to the first or lowered position of Fig. 2.
- the first and second portions extend beyond the edge 163 of the opening 161 created at the third portion 1 13 of the cut 103.
- an edge 165 (Fig. I OC) of the first portion 121 of the article protection flap 13, formed by the rounded corner 109 of the cut 103 extends beyond the edge 163 of the opening 161.
- an edge 167 (Fig.
- the article protection flaps 13 extends beyond the edge 163 of the opening 161.
- the positioning of the distal portions of the first portion 121 and second portion 123, including the edges 165, 167 of the article protection flap 13, relative to the edge 163 of the opening 161 prevents the article protection flaps 13 from being downwardly folded to the first position wherein the article protection flaps are substantially parallel to the bottom panel 15. As such, once the article protection flaps 13 are raised to the second position and positioned between adjacent containers C, the article protection flaps stay in the upwardly folded position providing cushioning and protection between adjacent containers.
- the article protection flaps 13 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured to have other features for preventing the article protection flaps from returning to the first or lowered position without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 10D-10F show an article protection flap 13 having alternative features.
- the first portion 121 and the second portion 123 of the article protection flap 13 each have a respective deformation 171, 173 in the form of an indentation on the exterior surface of the article protection flap 13.
- the article protection flap 13 of the embodiment of Figs. 10D-10F is activated in a similar manner as described above for the previous embodiment, wherein the first portion 121 is folded relative to the second portion 123 of the article protection flap.
- the indentations 171, 173 of the respective first and second portions 121 , 123 cooperate to form a space 175 between the first portion and the second portion of the article protection flaps 13.
- the space 175 can comprise shock absorbing material, such as the shock absorbing material 139 discussed above for the article protection features 11, or any other suitable material.
- the space 175 between the first and second portions 121 , 123 of the article protection flap 13 of Fig. 10F provides enhanced article protection and reduction of breakage of the containers C.
- the deformations 171 , 173 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, positioned, and/or omitted without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- One embodiment of a system 181 for activating the article protection flaps 13 is illustrated in
- the cartons 5, having containers C loaded and the ends 7, 9 closed are conveyed via an inlet conveyor 183 to a first or inlet end 185 of the system 181.
- the system 181 could also be used to activate the article protection flaps 13 of the cartons 5 prior to closing one or both of the ends 7, 9.
- the system 181 comprises a sled 187 that receives a carton 5 from the inlet conveyor 183 such that the bottom panel 15 of the carton is in contact with the top surface 189 of the sled.
- the sled 187 is operatively attached to a cam track array or section 191 that includes a series of spaced rails 193 (Fig. 12) with a series of cam tracks 195 mounted therebetween.
- the sled 187 comprises a series of actuating fingers 197 pivotally mounted to the sled and moveable through a respective slot 199 in the top surface 189 of the sled.
- the actuating fingers 197 have a lower portion that engages a respective cam track 1 5 such that the actuating finger 1 7 is raised or lowered in the slot 199 by the slope of the cam track.
- the fingers 197 are raised and lowered in the slots 199 to activate the article protection flaps 13 in the bottom panel 15.
- the carton 5 exits an exiting end 201 of the system for further handling and packaging.
- the system 180 could be alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a system 207 for activating the article protection flaps 13 of the carton 5.
- the system 207 comprises a cassette 209 that can be mounted along the path of travel of the carton 5 in a packaging machine.
- the cassette 209 comprises a series of actuating fingers 211 mounted to a chain 213.
- the fingers 21 1 move along a cam track 215 that receives a portion of the fingers 21 1 as the fingers are conveyed around the cassette.
- the fingers can be positioned between non-engaging and engaging positions for selectively activating the article protection flaps 13 of the carton 5.
- the system 207 could be alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Fig. 14 shows features of an alternative embodiment of a system 221 for activating the article protection flaps 13 of the carton 5.
- the system 221 can be mounted along a path of travel of the cartons 5 in a packaging machine.
- the system 221 includes a series of starred wheels or finned discs 223 that will engage and activate the article protection flaps 13 as the cartons move through or along system 221.
- the star wheels 223 each generally includes a series of actuating fingers 225 arranged in groups or sets spaced about the circumference or periphery 227 of each of the star wheels.
- each of the star wheels 223 is positioned to activate a respective row of article protection flaps 13 in the bottom panel 15 of the carton.
- the actuating fingers 225 engage a respective article protection flap 13 and move the article protection flap from the first (lowered) position that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel 15 to the second (raised) positioned wherein the article protection flap 13 is folded relative to the bottom panel.
- the system 221 could be alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Fig. 15 is an alternative embodiment of a blank 303 that is similar to the blank 3 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 303 is for forming a carton 5 having article protection features 11 in respective ends 7, 9 of the carton as discussed above for the first embodiment.
- the blank 303 has end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47 and 35, 39, 45, 49 that have respective indentations or features 81, 83 that cooperate to form the article protection features 11.
- the blank 303 has a bottom panel 15 that does not have article protection flaps 13.
- the blank 303 could have other features and could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Fig. 16 is an alternative embodiment of a blank 403 that is similar to the blank 3 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 403 is for forming a carton 5 having article protection flaps 13 foldably connected to the bottom panel 15 as discussed above for the first embodiment.
- the blank 403 has end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47 and 35, 39, 45, 49 that are free of respective indentations or features 81, 83 that cooperate to form the article protection features 1 1 of the carton 5 of the first embodiment.
- the blank 403 could have other features and could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 17-19 show an alternative embodiment of a blank 503 for forming a carton 505 that is similar to the blank 3 and carton 5 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 503 has article protection flaps 513 that are similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the first embodiment.
- the blank 503 has fifteen article protection flaps 13 arranged in a 5x3 arrangement, but the blank could have more or less than fifteen article protection flaps and the article protection flaps could be otherwise arranged. In the embodiment of Figs.
- the article protection flaps 513 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 1 5 at a lateral fold line 520 and are at least partially defined by a cut 522 or other line of weakening in the bottom panel.
- Two oblique fold lines 524, 526 extend from respective ends of the lateral fold line 520 to define a central portion 528 of the article protection flap 513.
- a first portion 530 of the article protection flap 513 is foldably connected to the central portion 528 at the oblique fold line 524 and a second portion 532 is foldably connected to the central portion 528 at the oblique fold line 526.
- the features that prevent the article protection flap 513 from being downwardly folded include a heel 534 formed at a distal portion of the article protection flap.
- the heel 534 is a rounded protrusion that extends beyond the edge of the first and second portions 530, 532.
- FIG. 18 illustrates a view of the bottom panel 15 of the carton 505 after the article protection flaps 15 have been activated and positioned in the second (raised) position between adjacent containers C.
- the openings 561 is formed in the bottom panel 15 when the article protection flaps 513 are moved to the second position between adjacent containers.
- the first and second portions 530, 532 are folded with respect to one another when a respective article protection flap 513 is positioned in the second position.
- each respective article protection flap 513 interferes with the edges of the bottom panel 15 at the opening 561 to prevent with the article protection flap from being moved to the first position that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel 15.
- the article protection flaps 513 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 20 and 20A illustrate various features of a blank 603 according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure and having similar features of the first embodiment. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 603 has article protection flaps 613 that are similar in shape as the article protection flaps 513 of the previous embodiment.
- the article protection flaps 613 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 1 at a lateral fold line 620 and are at least partially defined by a cut 622 or other line of weakening in the bottom panel.
- Two curved fold lines 624, 626 extend from respective ends of the lateral fold line 620 to define a central portion 628 of the article protection flap 613.
- a first portion 630 of the article protection flap 613 is foldably connected to the central portion 628 at the curved fold line 624 and a second portion 632 is foldably connected to the central portion 628 at the curved fold line 626.
- the article protection flap 613 comprises a heel 634 formed at a distal portion of the article protection flap.
- the heel 634 is a rounded protrusion that extends beyond the edge of the first and second portions 630, 632 (e.g., is the farthest portion of the article protection flap 613 from the fold line 620).
- the article protection flap 613 includes a lateral fold line 636 extending across the first portion 630 and the second portion 632 at the widest portion of the article protection flap and a longitudinal fold line 638 extending from the lateral fold line across the heel portion 634 to the cut 622.
- the fold lines 636, 638 facilitate the activation of the article protection flap 613 and the folding of the first portion 630 relative to the second portion 632.
- the article protection flaps 613 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 21 -23 illustrate various features of a blank 703 and carton 705 of an alternative embodiment having similar features as the first embodiment of the disclosure.
- the blank 703 has a bottom panel 15 with article protection flaps 713 that are foldably connected to the bottom panel at a lateral fold line 720.
- two curved fold lines 724, 726 extend from respective ends of the lateral fold line 720 and define a central portion 728 of the article protection flap 713.
- the first portion 730 is foldably connected to the central portion 728 of the article protection flap 713 at the fold line 724 and the second portion 732 is foldably connected to the central portion at the fold line 726.
- the location of the containers C is shown in hidden lines in Fig. 21 , with the article protection flaps 713 in the first (lowered) position wherein the article protection flaps are substantially parallel to the bottom panel.
- Fig. 22 shows the article protection flaps 713 being moved to the second position
- Fig. 23 shows the article protection flaps substantially in the second position.
- one row of containers C has been removed to show the positioning of the article protection flaps 713.
- an opening 761 is formed in the bottom panel 15 that corresponds with the shape of the article protection flap 713 in the first position.
- the first and second portions 730, 732 are curved or contoured to match the shape of the container C so that the container is held in secure engagement with the article protection flap 713.
- the article protection flaps 713 are prevented from being moved from the second (raised) position to the first (lowered) position by the interference of the folded first and second portions 730, 732 with the edge 763 of the bottom panel 15 at the opening 761.
- the folding of the first and second portions 730, 732 relative to each other and the central portion 730 causes the distal portions of the first and second portions to extend beyond the edge 763 forming the opening.
- the article protection flaps 713 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 24-27 show an alternative embodiment of a blank 803 for forming a carton 805 that is similar to the blank 3 and carton 5 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 803 has article protection flaps 13 that are the same as the article protection flaps of the first embodiment.
- the blank 803 has end flaps 33, 37, 43, 47 and 35, 39, 45, 49 that have respective indentations or features 81, 83 that cooperate to form the article protection features 81 1 that are similar to the article protection features 11, 1 1A, 1 IB of the first embodiment.
- the blank 803 could have other features without departing from the disclosure.
- each of the top end flaps 47, 49 has a reinforcement flap
- each top end flap 47, 49 has a group of indentations 83a on the interior surface of the base portion 816 of the end flap
- the reinforcement flap 814 has a group of indentations 83b on the interior surface of the end flap.
- the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45 have indentations 81 on the exterior surface of the side end flaps and the bottom end flaps 33, 35 have indentations 83 on the interior surface of the bottom end flaps.
- each of the side end flaps 43, 45 have only a single indentation 81 on the lower row of indentations and an edge having notches 810 instead of a second indentation on the lower row.
- the blank 803 could have other arrangements of indentations 81 , 83 or other features for forming the article protection features 81 1 without departing from the disclosure.
- the indentations 81 on the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45 and the indentations 83 on the bottom end flaps 33, 35 cooperate to form an upper pocket 135 that is similar to the upper pocket 135 described above for the first embodiment and shown in Fig. 9.
- the upper article protection feature 811 A of the outermost article protection features (e.g., closest to the side panels 17, 21 when viewed from Fig. 27) comprises the pocket 836 formed by the reinforcement flap 814 and the base portion 816 of the top end flaps 47, 49 and the upper pocket 135 that is formed by the bottom end flap 33, 35 and the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45.
- the lower article protection features 81 IB of the outermost article protection features comprises the lower pocket 135 that is formed by the indentation 83 on the bottom end flaps 33, 35 and the indentation 81 on the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45.
- Either or both of the pockets 836, 135 that form the article protection features 811 A, 81 I B could comprise shock absorbing material as described above for the first embodiment.
- the article protection features 811 A, 81 IB could be formed by other features of the blank 803 without departing from the disclosure. 14 037642
- the upper article protection feature 81 1 C of the middle article protection features (e.g., between the two outer article protection features 81 1 A) comprises the pocket 836 in the top end flaps 47, 49 and the upper pocket 137 that is formed by the indentations 81 of bottom end flaps 33, 35 and the overlapped portions of the side end flaps 37, 39, 43, 45.
- the lower article protection features 81 ID of the middle article protection features comprises the lower pocket 137 that is formed by the indentations 81 of the overlapped portions of the side end flaps 43.
- any or all of the pockets 135, 137, 836 could be filled with shock- absorbing material 139 without departing from the disclosure.
- the pockets 135, 137 can be similar to the corresponding pockets shown in Fig. 9 for the first embodiment, or the pockets could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted. Any of the article protection features 81 1 , 81 1 A, 81 IB, 81 1C, 81 I D could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the reinforcement flaps 814 are folded under the base portion 816 to provide an extra layer of material to reinforce and enhance the cushioning and protection of the container C by the article protection features 81 1A in the closed ends 7, 9 of the carton 805.
- the reinforcement flap 814 could be folded over and be in contact with the exterior surface of the base portion 816 so that the reinforcement flap is in face-to-face contact with the exterior surface of the base portion.
- the reinforcement flaps 814 and base portions 816 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Fig. 28 illustrates various features of a blank 903 for forming a carton of an alternative embodiment having similar features as the first embodiment of the disclosure. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 903 has a bottom panel 15 with primary article protection flaps 913 that are arranged in a single row of three article protection flaps.
- Secondary article protection flaps 914 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 1 and are spaced apart from a respective primary article protection flap 913.
- four secondary article protection flaps 914 are included, but more or less than four secondary article protection flaps could be used, or the secondary article protection flaps could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the secondary article protection flaps 914 provide additional cushioning of the containers C and tightening of the carton 5 formed from the blank 903.
- the secondary article protection flaps 914 are smaller than the primary article protection flaps 913, but it is understood that the article protection flaps could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured.
- the primary and second article protection flaps 913, 914 can be moved to a second (raised) position in a similar manner as described above for the previous embodiments.
- the blank 903 comprises a second top panel 926 that is 7642 placed in face-to-face contact with the first top panel 25 to reinforce the top panel of the carton formed from the blank 903.
- the primary article protection flaps 913 and secondary article protection flaps 914 could be included on any other style of blanks (e.g., blanks similar to the blank 3 of Fig. 1 having only a single top panel 25) for use in forming any other style of carton without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 29-30 illustrate various features of a blank 1003 for forming a carton 1005 of an alternative embodiment having similar features as the first embodiment of the disclosure. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 1003 is for forming the carton 1005 that is a carrier having an interior space 1008 that has a generally open top with a divider 1010 that at least partially divides the interior space into a front portion 1012 and a back portion 1014.
- the divider 1010 comprises a handle 1016 and the divider does not extend down to the bottom panel 1015.
- the divider 1010 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the blank 1003 has a front panel 1020, back panel 1022, and respective side panels 1024, 1026, 1028, 1030 for forming the sides of the carton 1005.
- the blank 1003 has divider panels 1032, 1034, 1036, 1038 that combine to form the divider 1010 of the carton 1005.
- the bottom panel 1015 is foldably connected to the back panel 1022 but the bottom panel 1015 could be otherwise arranged without departing from the disclosure.
- the bottom panel 1015 includes article protection flaps 1013 that are similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the first embodiment.
- the article protection flaps 1013 are foldably connected to the bottom panel ,1015 and arranged in a single row of three flaps.
- the article protection flaps 1013 are positioned in the second (raised) position in a similar manner as the previous embodiments.
- the article protection flaps 1013 are positioned on the bottom panel 1015 so that the flaps are placed between adjacent containers C, with one of the adjacent containers being located in the front portion 1012 of the interior space 1008 and the other of the adjacent containers being located in the back portion 1014 of the interior space.
- the article protection flaps 1013 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing form the disclosure.
- Figs. 31A-31C illustrate various features of a blank 1 103 for forming a carton 1105 of an alternative embodiment having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 1 103 is a single panel for supporting the plurality of containers C.
- the blank 1 103 comprises article protection flaps 1 113 similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the earlier embodiments.
- the carton 1 105 is formed by placing the plurality of containers C on the blank 1 103 and then activating the article protection flaps 1 1 13 by moving the article protection flaps from the first position that is .substantially parallel to the blank 1 103 to the second position wherein the article protection flaps are folded relative to the panel of the blank.
- the carton 1105 can be further assembly by applying an overwrap of shrink-wrap (e.g., shrinkable polymer film) or other packaging material M so that the containers are securely attached to the blank 1 103.
- shrink-wrap e.g., shrinkable polymer film
- the blank 1 103 is a bottom panel, but the blank could be otherwise shaped, arranged, or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- blank 1 103 and articles C with activated article protection flaps 1 13 can be positioned relative to a construct to at least partially enclose the blank and the at least two articles.
- the construct can be a sleeve similar to the sleeve 131 of Fig. 2. Further the construct can have at least one open end, such as the ends 7, 9 that can be closed by respective end flaps.
- the blank 1103 and articles C can be positioned in an interior of the sleeve prior to closing both the ends 7, 9, or one of the ends can be closed prior to positioning the blank and articles.
- the construct could be a lid that fits over the tops of the articles C, and the lid could have one or more side panels extending down from a top panel.
- Figs. 32A-32C illustrate various features of a blanli 1203 for forming a carton 1205 of an alternative embodiment having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 1203 comprises a bottom panel 1214 and four side panels 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 for forming a tray 1226 (Fig. 32B) having an interior space for holding the container C.
- the blank 1203 comprises article protection flaps 1213 similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the earlier embodiments.
- the carton 1205 is formed by placing the plurality of containers C on the bottom panel 1214 of the blank 1203 and upwardly folding the side panels 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 to form the tray 1226.
- the article protection flaps 1213 are activated by moving the article protection flaps from the first position that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel 1214 to the second position wherein the article protection flaps are folded relative to the bottom panel of the blank 1203.
- the carton 1205 can be further assembled by applying an overwrap of shrink-wrap (e.g., shrinkable polymer film) or other packaging material M so that the containers are securely attached to the tray 1226.
- shrink-wrap e.g., shrinkable polymer film
- the blank 1203 is configured for forming the tray 1226, but the blank could be otherwise shaped, arranged, or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 33A-33C illustrate various features of a blank 1303 for forming a carton 1305 of an alternative embodiment having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, like or similar features will be indicated with like or similar reference numbers.
- the blank 1303 is generally similar to the blank 3 of the first embodiment in that the blank of Figs. 33A- 33C comprises a bottom panel 1315 and a first side panel 1317, a second side panel 1321, and a top panel 1325.
- the blank 1303 comprises article protection flaps 1313 similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the earlier embodiments.
- the carton 1305 is formed by placing the plurality of containers C on the bottom panel 1214 of the blank 1203 and upwardly folding the side panels 1317, 1321 around the containers on the bottom panel to partially form the carton as shown in Fig. 33B.
- the top panel 1325 is downwardly folded to close the interior of the carton 1305 and the ends 1307, 1309 are closed by closing respective end flaps 1333, 1337, 1343, 1347 and 1335, 1339, 1345, and 1349.
- the article protection flaps 1313 are activated by moving the article protection flaps from the first position that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel 1315 to the second position wherein the article protection flaps are folded relative to the bottom panel 1315 of the blank 1303.
- the blank 1303 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 34-36 show article protection flaps in a bottom panel of a carton according to an alternative embodiment having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure.
- the article protection flap 1413 is generally similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the first embodiment in that the article protection flap of Figs. 34-36 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 1415 at a respective lateral fold line 1501 and is at least partially defined by a line of weakening 1503 in the bottom panel.
- the blank can include any suitable number of article protection flaps 1413 and/or other article protection flaps.
- the blank can include three article protection flaps 1413 arranged in a 1x3 arrangement (Fig.
- the blank could have more or less than three article protection flaps, and the flaps could be otherwise arranged in other suitable row/column arrangements or in a random configuration on the bottom panel 1415, including a single row or single column configuration, multiple row/column configurations, or any other suitable configuration.
- the description herein will describe the detailed arrangement and configuration of a single article protection flap 1413 ; however, the arrangement and configuration of the other article protection flaps will be similar or identical.
- one or more article protection flaps 1413 can be used with article protection flaps have different arrangements and configurations.
- the article protection flap 1 13 can have a longitudinal axis LI and a lateral axis L2.
- the blank can include article protection flaps that are different, similar, or identical to other article protection flaps without departing from the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 1413 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the line of weakening 1503 is a cut or cut line, but the line of weakening could comprise other forms of weakening (e.g., a tear line that comprises cut lines separated by breakable nicks, a tear line that is formed by a series of spaced apart cuts, etc.) that allows the article protection flap 1413 to separate from the bottom panel 1415 without departing from the disclosure.
- the cut 1 03 can include two nicks 1504.
- the cut 1503 could include any suitable number of nicks 1504.
- the cut 1503 has a first portion 1505 that is generally curved and extends from a first end 1 06 of the lateral fold line 1501 and a second portion 1507 that is generally curved and extends from a second end 1508 of the lateral fold line. Both the first portion 1505 and the second portion 1507 of the cut 1503 extend away from the fold line 1501 and form a respective corner 1509, 1511 of the cut that transitions to a third portion 1513 of the cut.
- each of the corners 1509, 1511 includes a respective recess or notch 1514 with a stop edge 1516 and a shoulder 1518.
- a cut line 1519 extends from each notch 1514 into the article protection flap 1413 adjacent the respective shoulder 1518.
- the third portion 1513 of the cut can extend obliquely and inwardly from each of the corners 1509, 151 1 to a tab portion 1520 that generally projects outwardly from the article protection flap 1413 and forms a receiving recess 1522 in the bottom panel 1415 when the article protection flap 1413 is folded into the second position (Figs. 35-35B).
- a slit or cut 1512 is located adjacent the tab portion 1520 of the cut 1503.
- the article protection flap 1413 can include a longitudinal fold line 151 extending along the longitudinal axis LI from the lateral fold line 1501 to an opposing portion of the cut 1503 (e.g., adjacent the cut 1512). As shown in Fig.
- the article protection flap 1413 can include a first portion 1521 foldably connected to a second portion 1523 along the longitudinal fold line 1517.
- the fold lines 1501 , 1517 and the cuts 1503, 1512 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted such that the article protection flap 1413 has any other suitable shape or configuration without departing from the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 1413 are activated in an at least partially closed carton 5 with containers C loaded therein.
- the article protection flaps 1413 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 1 15 and moveable between a first position (Fig. 34) that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel and a second position (Figs. 35-35B) wherein the article protection flaps are folded relative to the bottom panel.
- the article protection flaps 1413 are raised or activated to the position of Figs. 35-35B, and the article protection flaps have features for preventing the folding of the article protection flaps from the second position back to the first position.
- the article protection flaps 1413 can be activated to the second position (Figs. 35-35B) and the carton can be erected and closed similarly or identically to that described for the first embodiment.
- the article protection flaps 1413 could be otherwise activated and the carton can be otherwise erected and closed without departing from the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 1413 can be activated by various forming apparatus, some of which are described in further detail in the first embodiment, or any other suitable method. The activation of a single article protection flap 1413 will be described in detail herein, but it is understood that the other article protection flaps can be activated in a similar or different manner without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 34 and 35 are enlarged portions of the bottom panel 1415, with Fig. 34 showing the interior surface of the bottom panel prior to activation of the article protection flap 1413, and Fig. 35 showing the exterior of the bottom panel after activation of the article protection flap. Additionally, Fig.
- 35 A shows an interior view of the enlarged portion of the bottom panel 1415 showing a top view of the article protection flap 1413 in the second position
- Fig. 35B shows a cross-section of the enlarged portion of the bottom panel 1415 with the article protection flap 1413 in the second position.
- a finger or other portion of an apparatus for forming the carton presses against a central portion (e.g., at or near the crease 1517) of the article protection flap 1413 to initiate separation of the article protection flap from the bottom panel 1415 along the cut 1503.
- the article protection flap 1413 is pivoted upward relative to the bottom panel 1415 at the fold line 1501 to create an opening 1561 in the bottom panel.
- the corners 1509, 151 1 can be folded relative to each other at least partially along the crease 1517. Accordingly, the article protection flap 1413 can provide two layers of material in a general wedge shape between adjacent containers C in the carton. As the article protection flap 1413 is folded into the interior of the carton, the edges of the article protection flap formed at the third portion 1513 of the cut 1 03 can move into the receiving recess 1522 of the bottom panel 1415, and the corners 1509, 151 1 can be folded together and forced through the cut 1512 into the interior of the carton. The corners 1509, 151 1 then can spread out to form the general wedge shape shown in Figs. 35 and 35A.
- the notches 1514 of the article protection flap 1413 can engage an edge or retention portion 1524, which can be at or near a respective corner of the receiving recess 1522 of the bottom panel 1415 (Figs. 35 and 35A).
- the stop edges 1516 can engage the interior surface of the bottom panel 1415 (Figs. 35A and 35B) and the shoulders 1518 can engage the edge of the receiving recess 1522 (Fig. 35B) to help retain the article protection flap 1413 in the interior of the carton.
- the article protection flaps 1413 are raised to the second position and positioned between adjacent containers C, the article protection flaps stay in the upwardly folded position providing cushioning and protection between adj acent containers according to one embodiment.
- the upwardly folding of the article protection flaps 1413 causes the containers C in the carton to move to accommodate the space required for the article protection flaps in the second position.
- the movement of the containers C when the article protection flaps 1413 are upwardly folded and located between adjacent containers tightens the packing of the containers in the carton so that the movement of the containers is limited by the positioning of the article protection flaps 1413, the side panels, and the closed ends of the carton.
- the article protection flaps 1413 are pressed against two adjacent containers C to initiate movement of the containers and provide the tightening feature of the article protection flaps.
- the article protection flaps 1413 could 2 be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured to have other features for preventing the article protection flaps from returning to the first or lowered position without departing from the disclosure.
- Figs. 37-40 show two article protection flaps in a bottom panel of a carton according to alternative embodiments having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 1613, 1613 ' are generally similar to the article protection flaps 13 of the first embodiment and/or the article protection flap 1413 of the embodiment of Figs. 34-36.
- the article protection flap 1613 includes notches 1514 that are similar to the notches of the article protection flap 1413 shown in Fig. 34. The notches are omitted in the article protection flap 1613' as shown in Fig. 37.
- the fold line 1701 comprises a lateral cut that is aligned with and spaced apart from the ends of the line of weakening 1703.
- the fold line 1701 could be any suitable fold line (e.g., a crease, a score, a cut-crease line, etc.) or other line of weakening without departing from the disclosure.
- the line of weakening 1703 is a cut, but the line of weakening could comprise other forms of weakening (e.g., a tear line that comprises cut lines separated by breakable nicks, a tear line that is formed by a series of spaced apart cuts, etc.) that allows the article protection flap 1613 to separate from the bottom panel 1615 without departing from the disclosure.
- the cut 1703 can include two nicks 1704. In an alternative embodiment, the cut 1703 could include any suitable number of nicks 1704.
- the cut 1703 has first and second portions 1705, 1707 that are generally curved. Both the first portion 1705 and the second portion 1707 of the cut 1703 extend away from the fold line 1701 and form a respective corner 1709, 171 1 of the cut that transitions to a third portion 1713 of the cut.
- the corners 1709, 1711 can include notches 1514 as described above with respect to Figs. 34-36. In the embodiment shown in Figs.
- the recess in the bottom panel is omitted, and the notches 1514 can engage the edge of the bottom panel formed by the third portion 1713 of the cut 1703.
- the corners 1709, 171 1 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.
- the third portion 1713 is generally straight or slightly curved and extends in the lateral direction L2 between the two corners 1709, 1711.
- a slit or cut 1712 is located adjacent the third portion 1713 of the cut 1703, and the article protection flap 1613 comprises a longitudinal crease or fold line 1717.
- the article protection flap 1613 can include two generally arcuate cuts
- the generally arcuate cuts 1726 can form projections or tabs 1728 (Figs. 39 and 40) when the article protection flap 1613 is activated.
- the tabs 1728 can resist folding of the central portion of the article protection flap as the article protection flap is activated and can lock against and/or abut the heels of adjacent containers C in the carton to help maintain the wedge shape of the article protection flap in the second position.
- Fig. 38 shows that the corners 1709, 171 1 can be brought together during activation of the article protection flap, with the corners sliding though the slit 1712.
- FIGS. 39 and 40 show the article protection flap 1613 folded to the interior of the carton and illustrate the tabs 1728 extending outward from the central portion of the article protection flap.
- the tabs 1728 can separate from the outer portions 1721 , 1723 of the article protection flap 1613 as the corners 1709, 171 1 are folded together to help maintain the width of the central portion 1725 of the article protection flap.
- the arcuate cuts 1726 can form edges 1730 of the respective outer portions 1721, 1723 adjacent respective openings in the article protection flap 1613.
- the fold lines 1701 , 1717 and cuts 1703, 1705, 1712, 1726 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted such that the article protection flap 1613 has any other suitable shape or configuration without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the generally arcuate cuts 1726 and/or the tabs 1728 could be incorporated into any suitable article protection flap.
- Figs. 41 -43 show an article protection flap in a bottom panel of a carton according to an alternative embodiment having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure.
- the article protection flap 1813 is generally similar to the article protection flaps 1613 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 37-40.
- the article protection flap 1813 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 1815 at a respective lateral fold line 1901 and is at least partially defined by a line of weakening 1903 in the bottom panel.
- the blank can include any suitable number of article protection flaps 1813 and/or other article protection flaps.
- the blank can include three article protection flaps 1813 arranged in a 1x3 arrangement, but the blank could have more or less than three article protection flaps, and the flaps could be otherwise arranged in other suitable row/column arrangements or in a random configuration on the bottom panel 1815, including a single row or single column configuration, multiple row/column configurations, or any other suitable configuration.
- the article protection flap 1813 can have a longitudinal axis LI and a lateral axis L2.
- the article protection flaps 1813 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the fold line 1901 comprises a lateral cut that is aligned with and spaced apart from the ends of the line of weakening 1903.
- the fold line 1901 could be any suitable fold line (e.g., a crease, a score, a cut-crease line, etc.) or other line of weakening without departing from the disclosure.
- the line of weakening 1903 is a cut, but the line of weakening could comprise other forms of weakening (e.g., a tear line that comprises cut lines separated by breakable nicks, a tear line that is formed by a series of spaced apart cuts, etc.) that allows the article protection flap 1813 to separate from the bottom panel 1815 without departing from the disclosure.
- the cut 1903 has first and second portions 1905, 1907 that extend away from the fold line 1901 and form a respective corner 1909, 191 1 of the cut that transitions to a third portion 1913 of the cut.
- the first portion 1905 of the cut is generally straight and oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction LI and the lateral direction L2.
- the second portion 1907 can be generally curved in the exemplary embodiment.
- the first corner 1909 is spaced apart from a longitudinal crease or fold line 1917 in the article protection flap by a distance D3, and the second corner is spaced apart from the longitudinal fold line 1917 by a distance D4.
- the distance D4 is greater than the distance D3.
- the article protection flap 1813 is asymmetrical and can include a smaller first portion or flap 1921 and a larger second portion or flap 1923 as shown in Fig. 41.
- the corners 1909, 1911 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.
- the third portion 1913 is generally straight or slightly curved and extends in the lateral direction L2 between the two corners 1909, 191 1.
- a slit or cut 1912 is located adjacent the third portion 1913 of the cut 1903.
- the article protection flap 1813 can include two generally arcuate cuts
- the generally arcuate cuts 1926 can form projections or tabs 1928 (Figs. 42 and 43) when the article protection flap 1913 is activated.
- the cuts 1926 and the tabs 1928 can be similar to the cuts 1726 and the tabs 1728 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 37-40.
- the tabs can resist folding of the central portion of the article protection flap as the article protection flap is activated and can lock against and/or abut the heels of adjacent containers C in the carton to help maintain the wedge shape of the article protection flap in the second position.
- the article protection flaps 1813 are activated in an at least partially closed carton with containers C loaded therein.
- the article protection flaps 1813 are moveable between a first position (Fig. 41) that is substantially parallel to the bottom panel 1815 and a second position (Figs. 42 and 43) wherein the article protection flaps are folded relative to the bottom panel.
- the article protection flaps 1813 have features for preventing the folding of the article protection flaps from the second position back to the first position. It is understood that the article protection flaps 1813 can be activated to the second position and the carton can be erected and closed similarly or identically to that described in the embodiment including Figs. 37-40. Alternatively, the article protection flaps 1813 could be otherwise activated and the carton can be otherwise erected and closed without departing from the disclosure.
- the article protection flaps 1813 can be activated by various forming apparatus, some of which are described in further detail in the prior embodiments and/or the incorporated by reference applications, or any other suitable method. The activation of a single article protection flap 1813 will be described in detail herein, but it is understood that the other article protection flaps can be activated in a similar or different manner without departing from the disclosure.
- a finger or other portion of an apparatus for forming the carton presses against a central portion (e.g., at or near the crease 1917) of the article protection flap 1813 to initiate separation of the article protection flap from the bottom panel 1815 along the cut 1903, breaking the nicks 1904.
- the article protection flap 1813 is pivoted upward relative to the bottom panel 1815 at the fold line 1901 to create an opening 1961 (Figs. 42 and 43) in the bottom panel.
- the portions 1921, 1923 can be folded relative to each other at least partially along the crease 1917 so that the corner 1909 is folded against the portion 1923 as shown in Fig. 43. Accordingly, the article protection flap 1913 can provide two layers of material in a general wedge shape between adjacent containers C in the carton. As the article protection flap 1913 is folded into the interior of the carton, at least the corner 191 1 can be forced through the cut 1912 into the interior of the carton.
- the tabs 1928 formed from the arcuate cuts 1926 can separate from the portions 1921 , 1923 as the portions are folded together to help maintain the width of the central portion 1925 of the article protection flap.
- the fold lines 1901 , 1917 and cuts 1903, 1912, 1926 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted such that the article protection flap 1813 has any other suitable shape or configuration without departing from the disclosure.
- the upwardly folding of the article protection flaps 1813 causes the containers C in the carton to move to accommodate the space required for the article protection flaps in the second position.
- the movement of the containers C when the article protection flaps 1813 are upwardly folded and located between adjacent containers tightens the packing of the containers in the carton so that the movement of the containers is limited by the positioning of the article protection flaps 1813, the side panels, the closed ends of the carton, and/or suitable features.
- the article protection flaps 1813 are pressed against two adjacent containers C to initiate movement of the containers and provide the tightening feature of the article protection flaps.
- the asymmetric shape of the article protection flap 1813 has the benefit of forming a smaller hole 1961 in the bottom panel 1815 than a symmetric flap because of the smaller portion 1921.
- the larger portion 1923 can still engage the interior surface of the bottom panel 1815 to help prevent the article protection flap 1813 from folding through the opening 1961 from the second position.
- the hole 1961 formed by each article protection flap 1813 could be about nine percent smaller than if the portion 1921 were the same size as the portion 1923 (e.g., a symmetrical flap). Accordingly, the asymmetric article protection flap 1813 is able to provide two plies of material between adjacent containers C and to resist folding from the second position while, at the same time, reducing weakening of the bottom panel 1815.
- Figs. 44-47 show an article protection flap in a bottom panel of a carton according to an alternative embodiment having similar features as the previous embodiments of the disclosure.
- the article protection flap 2013 is generally similar to the article protection flap 1813 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 41 -43.
- the article protection flap 2013 lacks the arcuate cuts 1926 and the tabs 1928 formed from the arcuate cuts of the embodiment shown in Figs. 41-43.
- the article protection flap 2013 can include a generally U- or V-shaped crease or fold line 2127, wherein the fold line 21 17 extends from the vertex of the V-shaped crease 2127 and the line of weakening 2103 extends from the ends of the V-shaped crease 2127.
- the V-shaped crease 2127 can help retain the width of the central portion 2125, which is generally triangular, as shown in Fig. 46.
- the corner 21 1 1 of the article protection flap 2013 has a more pronounced point than the article protection flap 1813 of the embodiment of Figs. 41 -43.
- nine article protection flaps 2013 can be arranged in a 3x3 configuration with alternating orientations.
- the blank could have more or less than nine article protection flaps, and the flaps could be otherwise arranged in other suitable row/column arrangements or in a random configuration on the bottom panel 2015, including a single row or single column configuration, multiple row/column configurations, or any other suitable configuration.
- the article protection flaps 2013 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
- the cartons of any of the illustrated or non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure could have other features (e.g., dispenser features, handle features, reinforcement features, etc.) without departing from the disclosure.
- the cartons could be otherwise shaped, arranged, or configured and the cartons could be configured to hold articles other than beverage containers C without departing from the disclosure.
- the blanks of any of the illustrated or non-illustrated embodiments may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper.
- the blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above.
- the blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating.
- the clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images.
- the blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks.
- the blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.
- the blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
- a tear line can include; a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features.
- one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line.
- the nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like.
- a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.
- a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding there along. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
- the above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments.
- glue is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NZ713504A NZ713504A (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Carton with article protection feature |
CA2909667A CA2909667C (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Carton with article protection feature |
BR112015027752A BR112015027752A2 (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | package for containing at least one article, matrix for forming a package for containing at least one article, and method for forming a package |
EP14797868.8A EP2996947B1 (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Carton with article protection feature |
ES14797868.8T ES2668308T3 (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Cardboard box with item protection feature |
AU2014265707A AU2014265707B2 (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Carton with article protection feature |
MX2015015363A MX362031B (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Carton with article protection feature. |
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361855305P | 2013-05-13 | 2013-05-13 | |
US61/855,305 | 2013-05-13 | ||
US201361959162P | 2013-08-16 | 2013-08-16 | |
US61/959,162 | 2013-08-16 | ||
US201361963653P | 2013-12-10 | 2013-12-10 | |
US61/963,653 | 2013-12-10 | ||
US14/248,650 | 2014-04-09 | ||
US14/248,650 US9487320B2 (en) | 2013-04-10 | 2014-04-09 | Carton with article protection feature |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2014186259A1 true WO2014186259A1 (en) | 2014-11-20 |
Family
ID=51898798
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2014/037642 WO2014186259A1 (en) | 2013-05-13 | 2014-05-12 | Carton with article protection feature |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2996947B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2014265707B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112015027752A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2909667C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2668308T3 (en) |
MX (1) | MX362031B (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ713504A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014186259A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD826711S1 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2018-08-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
US10479550B2 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2019-11-19 | Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. | Packaging and method of opening |
US10507970B2 (en) | 2013-03-07 | 2019-12-17 | Mondelez Uk R&D Limited | Confectionery packaging and method of opening |
US10513388B2 (en) | 2013-03-07 | 2019-12-24 | Mondelez Uk R&D Limited | Packaging and method of opening |
USD881690S1 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2020-04-21 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
USD885887S1 (en) | 2019-01-03 | 2020-06-02 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
USD898565S1 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2020-10-13 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5094347A (en) * | 1990-08-29 | 1992-03-10 | Riverwood Natural Resources Corporation | Wrap-around carrier with article retainer |
US5484059A (en) * | 1994-08-18 | 1996-01-16 | Riverwood International Corporation | Carrier with bottom panel lock |
US5620094A (en) * | 1996-05-21 | 1997-04-15 | Riverwood International Corporation | Wrap-around carrier with top divider tab |
US20010017315A1 (en) * | 2000-01-12 | 2001-08-30 | Bassim Baroudi | Paperboard box |
US20120279897A1 (en) * | 2011-05-06 | 2012-11-08 | Schmal Michael R | Carton with article protection feature |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5582289A (en) * | 1995-02-09 | 1996-12-10 | The Mead Corporation | Composite article carrier |
US5524756A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1996-06-11 | Riverwood International Corporation | Wrap-around carrier with article retaining flaps |
US5671845A (en) * | 1996-09-06 | 1997-09-30 | Riverwood International Corporation | Wrap-around carrier panel lock and article retainer |
-
2014
- 2014-05-12 ES ES14797868.8T patent/ES2668308T3/en active Active
- 2014-05-12 MX MX2015015363A patent/MX362031B/en active IP Right Grant
- 2014-05-12 NZ NZ713504A patent/NZ713504A/en unknown
- 2014-05-12 EP EP14797868.8A patent/EP2996947B1/en active Active
- 2014-05-12 AU AU2014265707A patent/AU2014265707B2/en active Active
- 2014-05-12 WO PCT/US2014/037642 patent/WO2014186259A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-05-12 BR BR112015027752A patent/BR112015027752A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2014-05-12 CA CA2909667A patent/CA2909667C/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5094347A (en) * | 1990-08-29 | 1992-03-10 | Riverwood Natural Resources Corporation | Wrap-around carrier with article retainer |
US5484059A (en) * | 1994-08-18 | 1996-01-16 | Riverwood International Corporation | Carrier with bottom panel lock |
US5620094A (en) * | 1996-05-21 | 1997-04-15 | Riverwood International Corporation | Wrap-around carrier with top divider tab |
US20010017315A1 (en) * | 2000-01-12 | 2001-08-30 | Bassim Baroudi | Paperboard box |
US20120279897A1 (en) * | 2011-05-06 | 2012-11-08 | Schmal Michael R | Carton with article protection feature |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10479550B2 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2019-11-19 | Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. | Packaging and method of opening |
US10507970B2 (en) | 2013-03-07 | 2019-12-17 | Mondelez Uk R&D Limited | Confectionery packaging and method of opening |
US10513388B2 (en) | 2013-03-07 | 2019-12-24 | Mondelez Uk R&D Limited | Packaging and method of opening |
USD826711S1 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2018-08-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
US10202228B2 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2019-02-12 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with asymmetrical corners |
USD887832S1 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2020-06-23 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
USD887831S1 (en) | 2015-10-09 | 2020-06-23 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
USD881690S1 (en) | 2018-12-31 | 2020-04-21 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
USD885887S1 (en) | 2019-01-03 | 2020-06-02 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
USD898565S1 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2020-10-13 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton |
US11142365B2 (en) | 2019-04-23 | 2021-10-12 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton for an article |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2996947A1 (en) | 2016-03-23 |
BR112015027752A2 (en) | 2017-07-25 |
ES2668308T3 (en) | 2018-05-17 |
MX2015015363A (en) | 2016-03-04 |
CA2909667C (en) | 2018-06-12 |
CA2909667A1 (en) | 2014-11-20 |
MX362031B (en) | 2019-01-04 |
EP2996947B1 (en) | 2018-03-28 |
EP2996947A4 (en) | 2016-11-23 |
AU2014265707B2 (en) | 2017-05-25 |
NZ713504A (en) | 2017-04-28 |
AU2014265707A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11414236B2 (en) | Carton with article protection feature | |
AU2016201842B2 (en) | Carton with article protection feature | |
US9701436B2 (en) | Carton with article protection feature | |
AU2014265707B2 (en) | Carton with article protection feature | |
AU2015215835B2 (en) | Carton with article protection feature |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 14797868 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2909667 Country of ref document: CA |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: MX/A/2015/015363 Country of ref document: MX |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2014265707 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20140512 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2014797868 Country of ref document: EP |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: BR Ref legal event code: B01A Ref document number: 112015027752 Country of ref document: BR |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 112015027752 Country of ref document: BR Kind code of ref document: A2 Effective date: 20151103 |