Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
214131 E
WO 94/03374 PCT/US93/06991
- 1 -
ENCLOSED BOTTLE CARRIER
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to carriers for packaging
which are specially designed to prevent bottle breakage due
to collision between adjacent bottles.
BACKGROUND ART
U. S . patent 3 , 904 , 036 issued September 9 , 1975 and
owned by the assignee of this invention discloses a fully
enclosed bottle container and includes a so called false
score formed in the bottom wall.
Canadian patent 1, 166, 211 owned by the assignee of
this invention discloses a carton for beverage containers
which is related in some respects with this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention in one form provides an enclosed
bottle carrier having top, bottom and side walls wherein
each side wall includes a bottom portion and an inwardly
inclined top portion, said top, bottom and side walls being
interconnected to form a tubular structure, a top end panel
foldably joined to each end edge of said top wall,
collapsible web structure foldably joined to each end edge
of each of said top end panels and to the end edge of each
of said inwardly inclined top wall portions, each of said
collapsible webs having a yieldable fold line extending from
the adjacent corner of said top wall and disposed in angular
relation to the adjacent end edge of each of said inwardly
inclined top wall portions so as to grip the necks of the
corner bottles in a taut fashion and a bottom end panel
foldably joined to each end edge of said bottom wall and
r.~
21411 ~~l~~i'- ~, ~ ...
WO 94/03374 PCT/US93/06991
- 2 -
secured in overlapping relation with the associated top end
panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a plan view taken from
the inside of a blank formed according to this invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show stages of folding through which the blank
of FIG. 1 is manipulated so as to form a complete set up and
closed carrier as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the carton
partially closed and with areas broken away; and FIG. 6
shows the carton from one end which is fully enclosed.
A modified form of the invention is shown in FIG.
7 to 12 whereby FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fully
set up and enclosed carrier; FIG. 8 is a plan view of a
blank from which this modified carrier is formed; FIG. 9 is
an enlarged fragmentary view of the top wall and adjacent
panels of this modified carrier as viewed from the inside;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but which shows the near
end of the modified carrier with the end closure panels and
the web structures in partially set up condition; FIG. 1l is
a cross sectional view of the top wall taken along the line
11-il of FIG. 10; and FIG. 12 is a view which shows carrier
parts as they appear during closing of an end of this
modified version.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG. 1, the top wall of the
carrier is designated by the numeral 1. Top end panel which
is designated by the numeral 2 is foldably joined to top
wall 1 along fold line 3 and top end panel 4 is foldably
joined to top wall 1 along fold line 5. Side wall top
portion is designated by the numeral 6 is foldably joined to
top wall 1 along fold line 7. On the other side of the
carrier, top side wall portion 8 is foldably joined to top
CA 02141310 2002-10-23
-3-
wall 1 along fold line 9. Tear strip 10 having a finger
gripping pull tab 11 is formed in side wall 6 and extends
into top wall 1 as indicated at 10a and 10b. On the other
side of the carrier, tear line 12 and pull tab 13 are
formed in the upper side wall element 8 and extend into the
top wall as designated at 12a and 12b. Hand gripping handle
is formed in top wall 1 and designated generally at 14.
Collapsible web structure 15 is foldably joined to the
upper side wall panel 6 along fold line 16 and similar
collapsible web structure 17 is foldably joined to the
upper inwardly inclined side wall panel 6 along fold line
18. Collapsible web structure 15 is formed with a fold
line 19 along which parts 19a and 19b are foldable when the
structure 15 is collapsed during set up of the carrier. In
similar fashion, collapsible web structure 17 includes a
fold line 20 along which panels 20a and 20b are foldable
into flat face contacting relation when the carrier is set
up.
Side wall bottom portion is designated at 21 and is
foldably joined to inwardly inclined side wall 6 along fold
line 22. Web structure 23 is foldably joined to side wall
bottom portion 21 along fold line 24. Web structure 23
includes weakened lines 25 and 26 which facilitate
manipulation of panel elements 25a, 26a and 26b which aid
in gripping the bottles and tend to prevent breakage.
In like fashion, web structure 27 is foldably joined
to side wall bottom portion 21 along fold line 28 and
includes weakened lines 29, 34 and 33 which facilitate
gripping of bottles in a taut fashion.
According to one feature of this invention, a weakened
fold line 30 is formed in collapsible web structure 15 and
a yieldable fold line 31 is formed in collapsible web
structure 17 as shown in FIG. 1.
5'
214131 h ,,
WO 94/03374 PCT/US93/06991
- 4 -
According to another feature of this invention,
the yieldable fold line 30 is extended into the collapsible
structure 23 along a fold line 32 which is coaxially
disposed relative to fold line 30. In like fashion, a
yieldable fold line 33 is formed in collapsible structure
27. Yieldable fold line 32 is coaxially disposed with
respect to yieldable fold line 30 and yieldable fold line 33
is coaxially disposed relative to yieldable fold line 31.
These yieldable fold lines 30, 32, 31 and 33 constitute an
l0 improvement whereby bottles packaged within the container
are securely gripped so as to hold the bottles in a taut and
secure condition.
On the other side of the carrier, a side wall
bottom portion is designated by the numeral 35 and is
foldably joined to the top inwardly inclined side wall
portion 8 along fold line 36. Collapsible web structure
generally designated at 37 is formed and foldably joined to
one end 38 of inwardly inclined top wall portion 8. In like
fashion, collapsible web structure 40 is foldably joined to
the opposite end of inwardly inclined side wall panel 8
along fold line 41. Collapsible web structures 37 and 40
are formed in the same manner as are the collapsible
structures 15 and 17 previously described.
Also a web structure generally designated at 42 is
foldably joined to bottom side wall portion 35 along fold
line 43 and is formed in a manner identical to the manner in
which collapsible structure 15 is formed. Web structure 42
is partially separated from collapsible web structure 37 by
a slot 42a and is interconnected therewith by a small
rectangular panel 42b. In like fashion, web structure 44 is
foldably joined to bottom side wall portion 35 along fold
line 45 and collapsible structure 44 is identical to side
wall structure 27 previously described. Web structure 44 is
partially separated from collapsible web structure 40 by a
2141~~E~ ..
- WO 94/03374 PCT/US93/06991
- 5 -
slot 44a and is interconnected therewith by a small
rectangular panel 44b.
Bottom wall 47 is foldably joined to the bottom
side wall portion 35 along fold line 48 and bottom end panel
49 is foldably joined to bottom wall 47 along fold line 50.
In like fashion, bottom end panel 51 is foldably joined to
bottom wall panel 47 along fold line 52. A glue flap 53 is
foldably joined to an edge of bottom wall 47 along fold line
54.
In order to manipulate the blank of FIG. 1 into
the condition shown in FIG. 2, side wall bottom portion 21
is simply elevated and folded forwardly along fold line 22
and web structures 23 and 27 are from their positions shown
in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2.
The carton as shown in FIG. 2 is manipulated into
the collapsed condition shown in FIG. 3 by simply elevating
the lower side wall 6, the handle 14 and side wall 8 along
with wall panel 21 and folding downwardly along the fold
line 36 following the application of glue to glue flap 53.
This folding operation causes the web structure 37 and 40 as
well as the web structure 15 and 17 to overly their
associated webs 42 and 44 and 23 and 27.
In order to set the carrier up from its collapsed
condition as shown in FIG. 3 into its fully completed
condition as shown in FIG. 4, the top wall 14 is elevated so
that the bottom side wall panels 21 and 35 are substantially
vertically disposed relative to the bottom wall 47.
Following loading of the bottles into the carrier, from one
or both ends, the structures 15, 23, 17, 27,s7, 42, 40 and
44 are swung inwardly into set up condition. The top end
panels 2 and 4 are swung downwardly along the fold lien 3
and 5 respectively while the bottom end panels 49 and 51 are
folded along fold lines 50 and 52 to cause the adhesive 2a
CA 02141310 2002-10-23
-6-
on top end panel 2 and the adhesive 4a formed in top end
panel 4 to become adhered to the outer edges of bottom end
panels 49 and 51 and the fully loaded and set up carton
appears as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the carrier from
one end with parts broken away so as to show weakened lines
30, 32, 25 and 26.
Turning now to the modified form of the invention,
reference is made to the blank illustrated in FIG. 8
wherein the top wall is designated by the numeral 101.
Parts of the carton handle structure are generally
designated by the numeral 102 and U-shaped tabs 103, 104,
105 and 106 are struck from the top wall 101. Top end
panel 107 is foldably joined to top~wall 101 along fold
line 108 and top end panel 109 is foldably joined to top
wall 101 along fold line 109a.
In the preferred embodiment, the bottom upright
portion of one side wall is designated by the numeral 110
and an inwardly inclined top wall portion 111 is foldably
joined to the lower portion 110 along a fold line 112 and
inwardly inclined portion 111 is foldably joined to top
wall 101 along fold line 113. In an alternate embodiment
(not shown), top wall portion 111 is not inwardly inclined,
but rather is coplanar with lower portion 110. In such a
case, fold line 112 may be omitted, and both portions may
be formed as a single wall panel.
Conventional tear strips 114 and 115 are struck from
panel 111 and from top wall 101.
Suitable web structure formed according to this
invention includes a first web panel 116 foldably joined to
top end panel 107 along fold line 117. A second triangular
web panel 118 is foldably joined to first web panel 116
along fold line 119. Second triangular web panel 118 is
foldably joined along line 120 to the adjacent end of the
CA 02141310 2002-10-23
_7_
inwardly inclined upper portion of one side wall. Fold
line 120 is substantially perpendicular to line 112, and
substantially vertical when the carbon is set up.
Third web panel 122 is foldably joined to the lower
upright portion 110a of one side wall along fold line 123.
Fold line 123 is substantially perpendicular to fold line
112, substantially parallel to and offset from fold line
120, and when the carton is set up, substantially vertical.
A fourth web panel 124 is of a triangular configuration and
is defined by weakened fold lines 125 and 126 which diverge
upwardly from a point 127 on fold line 123. Adjacent parts
of a second triangular web panel 118 coincide with a
corresponding side 125 and 126 of the fourth web panel 124.
A cutaway area 130 allows the adjacent parts of second
triangular web panel 118 and a fourth triangular web panel
124 to move into abutment with each other so as to
facilitate manipulation of the web structures during a
carrier set up and loading operation. As may be necessary
to achieve proper folding, cutaway area 130 may extend
inwardly completely to fold lines 120 and 126, or may
extend only partially thereto as shown. Cutaway area 131
also aids in manipulation of the webs during a carrier
loading operation.
In the preferred embodiment, a bridge portion 132 is
foldably interconnected between first and third web panels
116 and 122 to assist in folding panels 116 and 122
following carrier loading, and in maintaining the panels in
position during subsequent gluing of the carrier ends. If
desired, however, it is possible to omit bridge portions 132,
whereby cutaway areas 131 take the form of notches rather
than openings, particularly if cutaway areas 130 extend
inwardly only partially toward fold lines 120 and 126.
The angular relationship between the third and fourth
web panels is preferable such that the third web panel
CA 02141310 2002-10-23
_ 8
extends inwardly at a right angle to the lower side wall
portion 110 and presents a flat and substantially vertical
surface for gluing when the bottom end panel 146 is folded
into overlapping face contacting relationship therewith.
In addition, fourth web panel 124 helps to maintain the
third web panel 122 in engagement with the lower portions
of the adjacent corner bottles.
Web structure at the other end of the carrier is
identical to that just described and includes first web
panel 116, second triangular web panel 118, third web panel
122 and fourth web panel 124.
The bottom edge 135 of the lower portion 110a of one
side wall is foldably joined to the bottom wall 136 along
fold line 135. Openings 137, 138, 139, 140, 141 and 142
are formed in bottom wall 136 and facilitate manipulation
of the carrier during feeding and setting up operations.
Bottom end panel 144 is foldably joined to bottom wall 136
along fold line 145 and bottom end panel 146 is foldably
joined to bottom wall 136 along fold line 147.
The remaining side wall structure as well as the web
structures previously described are identical to those
shown in FIG. 8 and a detailed description of these parts
is not deemed necessary. The same numerals are applied to
designate both sets of parts.
In order to interconnect the opposite ends of the
blank as shown in FIG. 8 to form a tubular enclosure, lap
panel 150 is foldably joined to inwardly inclined panel 111
along fold line 151 and end panel 152 is foldably joined to
panel 150 along fold line 153. At the outer side of the
blank end panel 154 is foldably joined to panel 150 along
fold line 155. U-shaped cutouts 156 and 157 are positioned
as shown in FIG. 8.
21~1~3.~
- CVO 94/03374 PCT/US93/06991
_ g _
In order to set the carrier up from the condition
shown i:: FIG. 8 to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, an
application of glue is made to the reinforcing panel 158 as
indicated by stippling in FIG. 8. Thereafter the
reinforcing panel is elevated and folded toward the right
along fold line 159. This operation of course causes the
reinforcing panel 158 to become adhered to the inner surface
of the panel 150. Thereafter panels 111 and 116 together
with panels 150, 152 and 154 are elevated and folded toward
the left along the right hand fold line 112. An application
of glue is then made to panels 150, 152 and 154, following
which panels 111, 116, 101, 107 and 109 are elevated and
folded toward the right along the left fold line 112 to
cause panel 150 to become adhered to the inside surface of
panel 102, as shown in FIG. 9.
The carton may then be set up into open ended
condition and loaded through one or both ends. The top and
bottom end panels are secured together by glue shown as
stippling in FIG. 12. The various web structures are
manipulated into fully set up condition and the carton then
appears in completed form as shown in FIG. 7.
Access to the contents of the carrier may be had
by simply rupturing the tear lines such as 114 and 115 to
gain access to the packaged bottles. If bottle return is
desired, the empty bottles may be reinserted into the
carrier and returned.
What is claimed is:
