Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ 1~483~
This invention relates to article carriers which are
especially strong, economical to manufacture and at the
same time are well adapted for use in connection with return-
able primary packages.
Historically the basket style article carrier has been
utilized in connection with returnable articles such as bottles.
Various methods have been utilized in the past in order to
render conventional non-returnable article carriers suitable for
use in connectionwith returnable articles such as are currently
widely acceptable by the consuming public. An example of this
type of carrier in one form is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,356,25~. A recurring problem with these carriers is that
whenever the carrier is opened to gain access to the articles,
it is severly weakened which hampers or renders impossible its
use in connection with returnables.
More recently the fully enclosed type carrier has been
adopted for use with returnable articles. The present invention
relates to this type of carrier.
U.S. Patent Re 29,063 discloses an enclosed returnable
carrier which, unlike the present invention, is of the wrap-
around type and U.S. Patent No. 3,090,520 discloses a side
loading carrier which is not well adapted for use as a
returnable carrier. According to this invention in one form,
an article carrier is provided and comprises a bottom wall
with side wall means and end walls upstanding therefrom, a
top panel secured to the upper edges of the side wall means
and the end walls, at least a portion of the top panel being
removable, a secondary bottom panel sec~red in overlying
relationship with the bottom wall and handle means secured
to the secondary bottom panel and upstanding therefrom.
According to this invention in a modified form, an
article carrier is provided and comprises a bottom wall with
~ ~6483~
slde wall means and end walls upstanding therefrom, and inner
connected with each other at adjacent ends, a top panel secured
to the upper edges of the side wall means and the end walls,
at least a portion of the top panel being removable, a
supplementary bottom panel secured to an end edge of the bottom
wall, and handle means joined to the supplementary bottom panel
and interconnected with one of the end walls, then handle means
also forming a medial partition for the carrier.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an article carrier formed
according to this invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the carrier with a portion
of the top panel partially removed;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the carrier with a portion
of the top panel completely removed;
Figure 4 (sheet 3) is a plan view of the blank from which the
carrier is formed;
. Figures 5 and 6 depict intermediate stages through which
the blank shown in Figure 4 is manipulated and glued in order
to form a c,omplete and collapsed carrier as shown in Figure 7;
Figure 8 (sheet 2) is an isometric view of the carrier disposed
in a condition appropriate for loading the articles therein;
Figure 9 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment
of an article carrier formed according to this invention;
Figure 10 is an isometric view of the carrier of Figure 9
with a portion of the top panel partially removed;
Figure 11 is a plan view of the blank from which the
carrier of Figures 9 and 10 is formed;
Figures 12 and 13 depict intermediate stages through which
the blank shown in Figure 11 is manipulated and glued in order
to form a complete and collapsed carrier as shown in Figure 14;
Figure 15 is an isometric view of the carrier of Figures 9
-- 2
.~
`''~
1 1~4~3~
and 10 disposed in a condition appropriate for loading the
articles through the open sides thereof;
Figure 16 is a side view taken along the line 8'-8' in
Figure 9;
Figure 17 is a side view taken along the line 9'-9' in
Figure 9;
Figure 18 is a plan view of a portion of the blank from
which a further modified version of this invention is formed;
and
Figure 19 is an isometric view of the further modified form
of the carrier in condition for loading articles therein.
With reference to the drawings and with particular refer-
ence to Fig. 4, the numberal 1 designates the bottom wall of
the carrier to the side edges of which a portion of the side
wall means in the form of lower side wall panels 2 and 3 is
foldably joined along fold lines 4 and 5. To one end edge of
bottom wall 1, secondary bottom panel 6 is foldably joined
along fold line 7. In order to faciliate machine manipulation
of the blank by eliminating some of the inherent stiffness in
the paperboard material, bend lines 6a, 6b, and 6c are provided
and are formed in secondary bottom panel 6.
Handle means for the carrier is provided in the form of
handle panel 8 which is foldably joined to one side of secondary
bottom panel 6 along fold lines 9 and 10 and handle panel 11
which is foldably joined to the other side of secondary bottom
panel 6 along fold lines 12 and 13. Although two handle panels
are shown in the drawings the handle means can also comprise
only one handle panel. Formed along the lower portions of
handle panels 8 and 11 is cushioning means for the purpose of
separating the articles disposed in the transverse direction of
the carrier. Specifically cushioning panels 14, 15 and 16 are
formed along the lower portion of handle panel 8 and cushioning
- 3 -
..
4&~
panels 17, 18 and 19 are formed along the lower portion of
handle panel 11. As is apparent from Fi~s. 4 and 5, the lower
edges of the cushioning panels 14-19 are curved. This feature
of the invention faciliates the smooth entry of the articles
onto secondary bottom panel 6 during the article loading
operation.
To the other end edge of bottom wall 1, end wall 20 is
foldably joined along fold line 21. In addition flaps 22 and
23 are foldably joined respectively to end wall 20 along fold
lines 24 and 25. Similarly flaps 26 and 27 are foldably joined
respectively to end wall 20 along fold lines 28 and 29.
According to this invention in one form, top panel or
top wall 30 is foldably joined to the upper edge of end wall
20 along interrupted fold line 31. Carrier side wall means
includes upper side wall panel 32 which is joined to top panel
30 along fold lines 33 and 34 as well as along severance lines
35 and 36 and upper side wall panel 37 which is joined to top
panel 30 along fold lines 38 and 39 as well as along severance
lines 40 and 41. Also severance lines 42 and 43 are formed in
top panel 30 at one end thereof and severance lines 44 and 45
are formed in top panel 30 at the other end thereof. In order
to faciliate opening of the carrier, thumb tab 46 is formed in
top panel 30 and, adjacent to thumb tab 46, cut lines 47 and
48 are formed in the upper portion of end wall 20. For use in
connection with the gluing of the carrier, fold lines 49 and
50 are formed respectively in upper side wall panels 32 and 37.
According to another feature of this invention, V-shaped
bend lines 51 and 52 are formed in top panel 30. Each of the
V-shaped bend lines 51 and 52 comprises side elements A and B.
As is apparent from Fig. 4, the side elements A and B of each
V-shaped bend line 51 and 52 diverge in a direction toward thumb
tab 46 which is the point at which removal of carrier top panel
l 16~3~
is initiated. Additionally corner sections 30a, 30b, 30c
and 30d are disposed at the respective corners of top panel 30.
To complete the basic elements of the blank, end wall 53
is foldably joined to an end edge of top panel 30 along fold
line 54. Flaps 55 and 56 are foldably joined respectively to
end wall 53 along fold lines 57 and 58. Likewise flaps 59 and
60 are foldably joined respectively to end wall 53 along fold
lines 61 and 62. In addition glue flap 63 is joint to end wall
53 along fold line 64.
For the purpose of facilitating transport of the carrier,
finger gripping apertures 65 and 66 are formed in top panel 30
and are defined by cushioning tabs 67 and 68 which are foldably
joined respectively to top panel 30 along fold lines 69 and 70.
To receive the necks of the packaged articles, neck receiving
apertures 71-76 are provided. For the purpose of insuring
proper tearing of top panel 30, slits 42a and 43a are formed
respectively on the periphery of neck receiving apertures 71
and 74. In order to reduce the amount of light which enters
the carrier, a pair of tabs X and Y are associated with each
neck receiving aperture.
To properly cushion and separate the heels of adjacent
articles disposed in the longitudinal direction of the carrier,
cushioning tabs 77-84 are provided and are foldably joined
; respectively to bottom wall 1 along fold lines 85-92. In
addition each cushioning tab is provided with cutaway portion C,
the purpose of which is described and claimed in U.S. patent
Serial No. 4,186,867, issued February 5, 1980 and which is owned
by the assignee of this invention.
Finger gripping apertures 93 and 94 are formed in handle
panel 8 and, similarly, finger gripping apertures 95 and 96 are
formed in handle panel 11. Also cushioning flaps 97 and 98 are
foldably joined respectively to handle panel 8 along fold lines
~5 ~
",, ~
1 16483~
99 and 100. In like fashion, cushioning flaps 101 and 102 are
foldably joined respectively to handle panel 11 along fold lines
103 and 104. Cuts 97a, 98a, lOla, and 102a are formed
respectively in cushioning flaps 97, 98, 101 and 102. According
to a feature of this invention, finger gripping aperture 94 is
slightly larger in size than corresponding finger gripping aperture
96 and, likewise, finger gripping aperture 95 is slightly larger
in size than corresponding finger gripping aperture 93.
To maintain the various elements of the blank in the
proper relative positions during formation of the carrier, nicks
N are provided at the lowermost points of cushioning panels 14-19
as well as along the outer edges of cushioning flaps 97, 98,
101 and 102. Nicks N simply constitute small paperboard connections
between adjacent elements of the blank and are easily broken
whenever the carrier is loaded or transported.
In order to form the carrier from the blank shown in
Fig. 4, initially it is necessary to make an application of glue
to secondary bottom panel 6 as shown by stippling in Fig. 4. Then
secondary bottom panel 6 together with handle panels 8 and 11 are
elevated and folded over along fold line 7 to occupy the positions
shown in Fig. 5. By this operation secondary bottom panel 6 is
adhered to the upper surface of bottom wall 1.
Following this operation, bottom wall 1 together with
secondary bottom panel 6 and handle panels 8 and 11 are all
elevated and folded over along fold line 21 to occupy the positions
shown in Fig. 6. Then an application of glue is made to glue
flap 63 as shown by stippling in Fig. 6. Thereafter end wall 53
and the associated structure are elevated and folded over along
fold line 54 to occupy the positions shown in Fig. 7. By this
operation, glue flap 63 is adhered to bottom wall 1.
In order to set up the carrier from the collapsed condition
1 16483~
shown in Fig. 7, it is simply necessary to manipulate the
blank into a position whereby the end walls are parallel to
each other and, likewise, whereby the top panel and bottom wall
are also parallel to each other. Following this handle panels
8 and 11 are swung upwardly into vertical positions whereby
they are disposed substantially perpendicular to bottom wall 1
and secondary bottom panel 6. Also cushioning tabs 77-84 are
elevated into vertical positions. Then upper side wall panels
32 and 37 are swung upwardly into substantially vertical posit-
ions and lower side wall panels 2 and 3 are manipulated intohorizontal positions. The carrier then appears as shown in
Fig. 8.
In order to load the carrier, articles are guided into
the article cells by means of appropriate article loading
machinery. Subsequent to this flaps 22, 23, 26, 27, 55, 56,
59 and 60 are swung inwardly of the carrier and glue is applied
to flaps 23, 27, 55 and 59. Thereafter lower side wall panels
2 and 3 are elevated and secured to the associated flaps. Then
upper side wall panels 32 and 37 are lowered and, generally
simultaneously with this operation, the ends thereof are rotated
outwardly approximately 180 along fold lines 49 and 50 respect-
ively. Glue is then applied to the exposed end portions of
upper side wall panels 32 and 37 which are then rotated into
a glued relationship with the respective lower side wall panels
2 and 3. The carrier then appears as shown in Fig.l.
In order to open the carrier for removal of the packaged
articles, it is simply necessary to grasp thumb tab 46 and to
pull top panel 30 upwardly. By this operation the inner portion
of top panel 30 is severed along severance lines 44, 45, 36, 41,
35, 40, 42 and 43 and slits 42a and 43a. The carrier then
appears as shown in Fig. 3.
When the inner portion of top panel 30 is removed, tearing
-- 7
1 16~83~
thereof in a manner other than along the desired severance
lines is prevented by means of V-shaped bend lines 51 and 52.
As the removal of top panel 30 is initiated by the lifting of
thumb tab 46 and tearing along severance lines 44 and 45, the
V-shaped orientation of V-shaped bend line 51 causes the port-
ions of top panel 30 oneither side of side elements A and B
to form upwardly diverging relationships therefrom. This in
turn causes a tension force at points D and E along the side
edges of top panel 30 at which points tearing is caused to occur
and then continue along severance lines 36 and 41. Therefore
by this invention any undesired tearing of top panel 30 is
prevented especially as commonly occurs about the inner edges
of the associated neck receiving apertures such as elements 73
and 76. The same structural relationships exist in connection
with V-shaped bend line 52.
Therefore after the removable portion of top panel 30 has
been discarded, the articles are removed and the contents
thereof consumed as desired. The empty articles can then simply
be placed into the carrier which is conveniently returned to
the point of purchase by proper utilization of the handle means
in the form of handle panels 8 and 11. Since at least a portion
of the bottom of each article is disposed on secondary bottom
panel 6, added reinforcement is achieved when the carrier is
lifted by means of handle panels 8 and 11. Further strength
is achieved by means of corner sections 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d
which operate to connect upper side wall panels 32 and 37 to
end walls 20 and 53.
According to another feature of this invention, finger
gripping aperture 94 is somewhat larger in size than correspond-
ing finger gripping aperture 96, it tends to bind against the
sidesof finger gripping aperture 96 since it is slightly wider.
Therefore handle panels 8 and 11 are locked in upright positions
~ ~6~3~
and do not separate and interfere with removal and replacement
of the articles. Of course if the user's fingers are inserted
through the other side of the handle means, the same relation-
ship exists inthe opposite direction between finger gripping
apert:ure 95 and finger gripping aperture 93.
In the drawings, Fig. 9 is an isometric view of an article
carrier formed according to this invention; FIG. 10 is an
isometric view of the carrier with a portion of the top panel
partially removed; FIG. 11 is a plan view of the blank from which
the carrier is formed; FIGS. 12 and 13 depict intermediate stages
through which the blank shown in FIG. 11 is manipulated and glued
in order to form a complete and collapsed carrier as shown in
FIG. 14; FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the carrier of FIGS. 9
and 10 disposed in a condition appropriate for loading the articles
through the open sides thereof; FIG. 16 is a side view taken
along the line 8'-8' in FIG. 9; FIG. 17 is a side view taken
along the line 9'-9' in FIG. 9; FIG. 18 is a plan view of a
portion of the blank from which a further modified version of
this invention is formed; and FIG. 19 is an isometric view of
the further modified form of the carrier in condition for loading
articles therein.
With reference to the drawings and with particular reference
to FIG. 11, the numeral 1' designates the bottom wall of the
carrier. Lower side wall panels 2' and 3', forming a portion of
the carrier side wall means, are foldably joined along fold lines
4' and 5' respectively to the side edges of bottom wall 1'. To
one end edge of bottom wall 1', supplementary bottom panel 6' is
foldably joined along fold line 7'.
Handle means for the carrier is provided in the form of
handle panels 8' and 9' which are foldably joined together along
fold line 10'. In addition handle panel 9' is joined to supple-
mentary bottom panel 6' along spaced parallel fold lines 11' and
12'. Fastening tab 13' is struck from handle panel 9' and is
1 16~83~
joined to handle panel 8' along spaced parallel fold lines 14'
and 15'. Connecting panels 16' and 17' are struck from the handle
means and are foldably joined respectively to handle panels 8'
and 9' along diagonal fold lines 18' and 19'.
Anchoring tab 20' is also struck from handle means and is
formed intermediate connecting panels 16' and 17' and is foldably
joined thereto respectively along interrupted fold lines 21' and
22'. Although two handle panels are shown in the drawings, the
handle means formed according to this invention can also comprise
only one handle panel in which case either connecting panel 16'
or 17' would be omitted as is obvious.
To the other end edge of bottom wall 1', end wall 23' is
foldably joined along fold line 24'. In addition flaps 25' and
26' are foldably joined respectively to end wall 23' along fold
lines 27' and 28'. Similarly flaps 29' and 30' are foldably
joined respectively to end wall 23' along fold lines 31' and 32'.
Top panel or top wall 33' is foldably joined to the upper
edge of end wall 23' along interrupted fold line 34'. Carrier
sid~ wall means includes upper side wall panel 35' which is joined
to top panel 33' along fold lines 36' and 37' as well as along
weakened severance lines 38' and 39' and upper side wall panel
~0' which is joined to top panel 33' along fold lines 41' and 42'
as well as along weakened severance lines 43' and 44'. Also
weakened severance lines 45'and 46' are formed in top panel 33'
at one end thereof and similar severance lines 47' and 48' are
formed in top panel 33' at the other end thereof.
In order to facilitate opening of the carrier, thumb tab 49'
is formed in top panel 33' and, adjacent to thumb tab 49', cut
lines 50' and 51' are formed in the upper portion of end wall 23'.
In order to facilitate gluing of the carrier, fold lines 52' and
53' are formed respectively in upper side wall panels 35' and 40'.
In addition V-shaped bend lines 54' and 55' as well as
corner sections 56', 57', 58' and 59' are formed in top panel 33'.
-- 10 --
1 16A~83~
To complete the basic elements of the blank, end wall
60' is foldably joined to an end edge of top panel 33' along fold
line 61'. Flaps 62' and 63' are foldably joined respectively to
end wall 60' along fold lines 64' and 65'. Likewise flaps 66'
and 67' are foldably joined respectively to end wall 60' along
fold lines 68' and 69'. In addition glue flap 70' is joined to
end wall 60' along fold line 71'.
For the purpose of facilitating transport of the carrier,
finger gripping apertures 72' and 73' are formed in top panel 33'
and are foldably joined respectively thereto along fold lines 74'
and 75'. To receive the necks of the package articles, neck
receiving apertures 76'-81' are provided. For the purpose of
insuring proper tearing of top panel 33', slits 82' and 83'
are formed respectively on the periphery of neck receiving
apertures 76' and 79'.
To properly cushion and separate the heels of adjacent
articles, cushioning tabs 84'-95' are struck from bottom wall 1'.
Cushioning tabs 84'-93' are foldably joined respectively to bottom
wall 1' along fold lines 96'-105'. In addition cushioning tab
94' is joined to bottom wall 1' along parallel spaced fold lines
106' and 107' and, likewise, cushioning tab 95' is joined to
bottom wall 1' along parallel spaced fold lines 108' and 109'.
Finger gripping apertures 110' and 111' are formed in
handle panel 8 and similarly, finger gripping apertures 112' and
113' are formed in handle panel 9'. Also cushioning flaps 114'
and 115' are foldably joined respectively to handle panel 8'
along fold lines 116' and 117'. In like fashion, cushioning flaps
118' and 119' are foldably joined respectively to handle panel
9' along fold lines 120' and 121'.
In order to form the carrier from the blank shown in
FIG. 11, initially it is necessary to make an application of glue
to supplementary bottom panel 6', cushioning tabs 94' and 95'
and fastening tab 13' as shown by stippling in FIG. 11. Then
-- 11 --
1 ~64~3~
supplementary bottom panel 6' together with handle panels 8' and
9' and the associated structure are elevated and folded over
along fold line 7' to occupy the positions shown in FIG. 12.
By this operation, supplementary bottom panel 6' and fastening
tab 13' are adhered to the upper surface of bottom wall 1'. Also
cushioning tabs 94' and 95' are adhered respectively to handle
panels 9' and 8'.
Following this operation, an application of glue is made
to the exposed surface of anchoring tab 20' as shown by stippling
in FIG. 12. Then bottom wall 1' together with supplementary
bottom panel 6' and handle panels 8' and 9' are all elevated and
folded over along fold line 24' to occupy the positions shown
in FIG.13. Anchoring tab 20' is then adhered to the inner
surface of end wall 23'.
Then an application of glue is made to glue flap 70'
as shown by stippling in FIG. 13. Thereafter end wall 60' and
the associated stru~ture are elevated and folded over along fold
line 61' to occupy the positions shown in FIG. 14. By this
operation, glue flap 70' is adhered to bottom wall 1'.
In order to set up the carrier from the collapsed
condition shown in FIG. 14, it is simply necessary to manipulate
the blank into a position whereby the end walls are parallel to
each other and whereby the top panel and bottom wall are also
parallel to each other. Simultaneously with this, handle panels
8' and 9' and cushioning tabs 94' and 95' are pulled upwardly
automatically into vertical positions by connecting panels 16'
and 17' and anchoring tab 20' whereby they are disposed sub-
stantially perpendicular to bottom wall 1' and in overlapping
relationship respectively with connecting panels 16' and 17'.
Also cushioning tabs 84'-93' are elevated into vertical positions.
Cushioning tabs 88' and 89' in effect fill the void formed by
connecting panels 16' and 17' when set up. Then upper side wall
panels 35' and 40' are swung upwardly into substantially vertical
positions and lower side wall panels 2' and 3' are manipulated
1 16~83~
ia~to llorizollt:al positiol~s. The c~rr.ier thell ~p~ars ~s .shown in
~IG. 15 an~ is in colldition Eor loa~in~ throu~h ltS sides.
In order to load the carrier, articles are guided into
the article cclls from both sides ~y means of appropriate ar~icle
loading machinery. Subsequent to this flaps 25', ~', 2~ I r 30 ~ ~
62', 63', 66' and 67' are swung inwardly of t]le carrier and c~3ue
is applied to flaps 26', ~0', 63' and 67'~ Thereafter lower sidc
wall panels 2' and 3' are elevated and secured to the asscciated
flaps. Then upper side wall panels 35; and 40` are lowered and,
generally simultaneously with this operat.i.on, the ends t}~ereof
are rotated outwardly approximately 180 along fold lines 52' and
53' respectively. Glue is then applied to the exposed cnd
portions of upper side wall panels 35' and ~0' which are then
rotated into a glued relationship with the respective lower side
wall panels 2' and 3'. The carrier then appears as shown in
FIG. 9.
In ordex to open the carrier for removal OL the packaged
articles, it is simply necessary to grasp thumb tab 49' and to
pull top panel 33' upwardly as shown in FIG. 10. By this operati~
the inner portion of top panel 33' is severed along weakened
severance lines 47', 48', 39', 44', 38', 43', 45' ~nd 46' and
slits 82' and 83'.
. A modification of this invention is depcited in FIGS. 18
and 19. Correspondin~ elements of the version of this inventlon
shown in FIGS. 9-17 are identified in FIGS~l& and 19 with the
subscript "a". From FIG. 18 it is apparent that cushionirs tabs
88', 89', 94' and 95' as shown in the blank of FIG. 11 are omi~tecl~
Also fastening tab 13' is omitted and supplementary bottom
panel 6' is extended in order to provide a greater amount of
material to be adhered to botto~ ~Jall 1'. Additionall~ cu.hionins
tabs 122' and 123' are integrally ~ormed respectively aloncJ t.h~
lower portions of connection panels 16' and 17 t, As sho~n in
FlG. 19 cuc;hioning tabs 122' and 123' in eflect re~lace
cushioni.~ abs 8n' and 89' of thc v~rsi.on of this invention
- 13 -
3 d
shown in FIGS. 9-17.
Therefore by this invention a strong carrier is provided
since handle panels 8' and 9' are directly secured to the carrier
bott:om and are secured to one of the carrier end walls by means
of connecting panels 16' and 17' and anchoring tab 20'. As a
result any tendency for the handle structure to separate from
the bottom wall is greatly reduced.
Also according to a feature of one form of this invention,
in the completed carrier, spaced parallel fold lines 11' and 12'
are disposed in coincidence respectively with spaced fold lines
106' and 107'. Likewise spaced fold lines 14' and 15' are
disposed respectively in coincidence with spaced fold lines 109'
and 108'. A double thickness of paperboard is provided at the
various points of article contact and these spaced parallel
fold lines facilitate manipulation and folding of cushioning
tabs 94' and 95' at the points where the carrier paperboard is of
double thickness and particularly difficult to bend.
By this invention an article carrier is provided which
is extremely strong, durable and economical and at the same
time can be conveniently opened and reused in connection with
returnable articles.
- 14 -
