Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WRAP-AROUND CARTON WITH DISPENSING FEATURE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/657,133, filed February 28, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/683,612, filed May 23, 2005, both of which are entirely incorporated herein
by
reference.
BACKGROUND
Generally described, a wrap-around carrier is conventionally formed by
wrapping a carrier blank around a set of containers, and connecting opposite
ends
of the blank to one another with adhesive material or mechanical locks. A
conventional wrap-around carrier is typically separated at the connected blank
ends, or portions of the carrier are torn at the ends of the carrier, to allow
removal
of the containers held within the carrier. Such conventional wrap-around
carriers
typically do not have a dispensing feature that is defined where containers
contained in the carrier can be dispensed in a controlled manner. As a result,
convetitional wrap-around carriers suffer from the disadvantage that once
open,
they can no longer hold containers or the overall integrity of the carrier is
compromised.
There is therefore a need for wrap-around carriers that have dispensing
features. More generally described, there is a need for wrap-around carriers
that
provide a new balance of properties.
SUMMARY
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention generally relates to a
wrap-around article carrier with tuck-in flaps, gussets and a dispensing
feature.
The carrier generally is held together by a locking system and accoinmodates a
plurality of containers to form a carrier package. The tuck-in flaps and
gussets are
proximate on the open ends of the wrap-around article carrier to retain the
articles
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securely inside the carrier package and to allow information printed on the
articles
sucli as product information, brand inforniation, logos, and other information
to
be viewed by potential customers. In addition, the carrier package may occupy
less area than conventional carrier packages. In accordance with one example,
when dispensing is desired, the carrier package is placed on its side panel
and the
dispensing feature is removed from the carrier package to form an opening from
which articles are dispensed. The integrity of the carrier is substantially
preserved
after the dispensing feature is removed. Further, the remaining tuck-in flaps
and
gussets can help to retain the articles inside the carrier package so the
articles can
be dispensed in a controlled fashion after the removal of the dispensing
feature.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the wrap-around carrier
package is constructed by engaging primary or secondary locks. In another
embodiment of the present invention, the wrap-around carrier package is
constructed by engaging primary or secondary locks with a divider guard
feature
to further restrain the articles within the carrier from falling out of the
carrier.
In one aspect of the present invention, the wrap-around carrier in addition
has push-in tabs on its rear end to further restrain the articles within the
carrier
from falling out of the carrier. In another aspect of the present invention,
the
wrap-around carrier further comprises a drop down gusset on its rear end to
further restrain the articles within the carrier from falling out of the
carrier. The
drop down gusset provides an additional area for printed information or the
like.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and
other advantages and benefits of various additional aspects reading the
following
detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed
drawing figures.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings
discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various
features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more
clearly
illustrate the embodiments of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I is a plan view of a blank used to form a wrap-around carrier
package having a dispensing feature according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 2-3 are perspective views of loading and partial erection of the first
carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the erected first carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the first carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the first carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the first carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the first carrier package
embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 10 illustrates a user opening the dispensing feature of the first carrier
package embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates a user further opening the dispensing feature of the first
carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 12 illustrates the first carrier package embodiment with its
dispensing feature removed.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a blank used to form a wrap-around carrier
package having a dispensing feature according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a blank used to form a wrap-around carrier
package having a dispensing feature according to a third embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the third carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a front view of the third carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a rear view of the third carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 18 illustrates the third carrier package embodiment with its
dispensing feature removed.
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FIG. 19 is a plan view of a blank used to form a wrap-around carrier
package having a dispensing feature according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 20 is a rear view of the fourth carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the fourth carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the fourth carrier package
embodiment.
FIG. 23 illustrates the fourth carrier package embodiment with its
dispensing feature removed.
FIG. 24 is a plan view of a blank used to form a wrap-around carrier
package having a dispensing feature according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 25 is a rear view of the fifth carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the fifth carrier package embodiment.
FIG. 27 illustrates the fifth carrier package embodiment with its
dispensing feature removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank 8 used to form a carrier package 150
(illustrated in FIGS. 4-12) according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. The blank 8 comprises a first or inner bottom panel 30 foldably
connected to a first side panel 50 at a fold line 33, a top panel 20 foldably
connected to the first side panel 50 at a fold line 25, a second side panel 60
foldably connected to the top panel 20 at a fold line 29, and a second or
outer
bottom panel 40 foldably connected to the second side panel 60 at a fold line
45.
Overall, the blank 8 is generally rectangular in shape. The exterior or print
side of
the blank 8 is illustrated in FIG. 1, whereas the interior side of the blank
is
partially sliown in FIGS. 2-3.
The top panel 20 has a generally rectangular shape with truncated corners
and curved cut outs 21a, 21b. The curved cut outs 21a, 21b can be shaped and
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sized so that the top panel 20 generally conforms to shapes of the containers
C
held within the finished carrier package 150 (FIG. 7).
The inner bottom panel 30 includes cut outs forming primary female
locking edges 38a, 38b, 38c that are adapted to respectively engage primary
male
locking tabs 48a, 48b, 48c of the outer bottom pane140. The inner bottom panel
30 also includes slits 32a, 32b, 32c adapted to respectively receive secondary
male locking flaps 42a, 42b, 42c extending from the outer bottom panel 40. The
outer bottom panel 40 includes a fold line 47 which is interrupted by the
slits that
define the primary male locking tabs 48a, 48b, 48c. The secondary male
loclcing
flaps 42a, 42b, 42c are connected along the interrupted fold line 47 and each
flap
includes an intermediate fold line 43a-c. Although the locking elements are
illustrated to demonstrate a typical bottom panel locking arrangement suitable
for
use with the carrier package of the present invention, it should be understood
that
any desired form of bottom panel locking means may be employed. For example,
glue or other adhesive material, or other suitable fastening means, may be
used to
secure the bottom panels 30, 40 together. For example, a description of an
alternative locking system is discussed below with reference to FIG. 14.
A first front tuck-in panel 52a is foldably connected to the front end of the
first side panel 50 at a fold line 51a. A first rear tuck-in panel 52b is
foldably
connected to the rear end of the first side pane150 at a fold line 51b. A
second
front tuck-in panel 62a is foldably connected to the front end of the second
side
panel 60 at a fold line 61a. A second rear tuck-in panel 62b is foldably
connected
to the rear end of the second side panel 60 at a fold line 61b.
A first front retaining panel 56a is foldably connected to a right front
truncated corner of the inner bottoin panel 30 at a fold line 53a, and to the
first
front tuck-in panel 52a at a fold line 5Sa. A first rear retaining panel 56b
is
foldably connected to a right rear truncated corner of the inner bottom panel
30 at
a fold line 53b, and to the first rear tuck-in panel 52b at a fold line 55b. A
second
front retaining panel 54a is foldably connected to the first front tuck-in
panel 52a
at a fold line 57a, and to a left front truncated corner of the top panel 20
at a fold
line 59a. A second rear retaining panel 54b is foldably connected to the first
rear
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tuck-in panel 52b at a fold line 57b, and to a left rear truncated corner of
the top
panel 20 at a fold line 59b.
A third front retaining panel 64a is foldably connected to a right front
truncated corner of the top panel 20 at a fold line 63a, and to the second
front
tuck-in panel 62a at a fold line 65a. A third rear retaining panel 64b is
foldably
connected to a right rear truncated corner of the top panel 20 at a fold line
63b,
and to the second rear tuck-in panel 62b at a fold line 65b. A fourth front
retaining panel 66a is foldably connected to the second front tuck-in panel
62a at
a fold line 67a, and to a left front truncated corner of the outer bottom
pane140 at
a fold line 69a. A fourth rear retaining panel 66b is foldably connected to
the
second rear tuck-in panel 62b at a fold line 67b and to a left rear truncated
corner
of the outer bottom panel 40 at a fold line 69b.
One or more of the fold lines 55a, 57a, 55b, 57b, 65a, 67a, 65b, 67b may
include, for example, one or more slits. The slits may extend to the
respective
edges of the blank 8 to facilitate folding of the tuck-in panels.
According to one exemplary aspect of the invention, a dispenser pattern
100 is defined in the blank 8. The dispenser pattern 100 may be defined by
tear
lines 71 and 75. The illustrated dispenser pattern 100 extends across a
portion of
each of the top panel 20, the second side panel 60 and the outer bottom panel
40
proximate the front end of the blank 8. The dispenser pattern 100 defines a
dispensing feature 70. The illustrated dispenser pattern 100 also includes a
fold
line 73, a curved fold line 77, and slits 78 respectively extending from the
two
ends of the curved fold line 77 to the tear line 75. The lines 73, 77 define a
pulling tab 74 in the dispensing feature 70. The portion of the dispensing
feature
70 that is surrounded by cut lines 71 and the fold line 73 forms an extension
pulling tab 72 that is an extension of the pulling tab 74.
Cut outs 84a-g are respectively formed between each retaining panel and
associated side panel. Compressing cut outs 82a-f are respectively formed in
the
inner bottom panel 30 and the outer bottom panel 40 along fold lines 33 and
45.
The compressing cut outs 82a-f can receive the heels of the containers C
retained
in the erected carrier 150. A viewing aperture 80 can be formed in the blank 8
by
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removing a portion of the outer bottom panel 40. Apertures 80a, 80b can also
be
formed in the top panel 20 (shown in FIG. 13) or in the first side panel 50
(not
shown).
An exemplary method of erecting the carrier 150 will now be discussed
with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 2 illustrates an initial step in erection of
the
carrier package 150, in which containers C are placed top side down on the
interior side of the top panel 20 of the blank 8. Referring to FIG. 3, the
side
panels 50, 60 are then folded upwardly toward the containers C. As the side
panels 50, 60 are folded upwardly, the tuck-in panels 52a, 52b, 62a, 62b are
tuclced inwardly about the fold lines 51a, 51b, 61a, 61b respectively. At the
same
time and as a result, the retaining panels 54a, 54b, 56a, 56b, 64a, 64b, 66a,
66b
are drawn inwardly so as to respectively partially wrap around portions of the
containers C and to form gussets. After the outer bottom panel 40 is secured
to
the inner bottom panel 30 as discussed below, the tuck-in panels 52a, 52b,
62a,
62b and retaining panels 54a, 54b, 56a, 56b, 64a, 64b, 66a, 66b are held in
place
by virtue of the tuck-in panels 52a, 52b, 62a, 62b being respectively
sandwiched
between the cans C and the side panels 50, 60.
Referring to FIG. 4, the outer bottom panel 40 is secured to the inner
bottom panel 30 by first respectively engaging primary male locking tabs 48a,
48b, 48c with primary female locking edges 38a, 38b, 38c. The male locking
flaps 42a, 42b, 42c are respectively inserted through, and cooperatively
interact
with, the slits 32a, 32b, 32c to further secure the outer bottom pane140 to
the
inner bottom panel 30. The secured together inner bottom pane130 and outer
bottom panel 40 form a bottom panel 125. The heels of containers C are
respectively associated with the compressing cut outs 82a-f to allow tighter
wrapping of the carrier paclcage 150 around containers C.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the erected carrier package 150. As shown in
FIG. 5, when the tuck-in panel 52a is folded inwardly about the fold line 51a,
the
retaining panels 54a, 56a respectively abut the containers C adjacent thereto
and
form a pair of gussets 54a, 56a. When the tuck-in panel 62a is folded inwardly
about the fold line 61a, the retaining panels 64a, 66a respectively abut the
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adjacent containers C and form a pair of gussets 64a, 66a. The gussets 54a,
64a
secure the top portion of the containers C from the front end. The gussets
56a,
66a secure the bottom portion of the containers C from the front end, FIG. 6
is a
rear view of the erected carrier package 150. As shown in FIG. 6, when the
tuck-
in panel 52b is folded inwardly about the fold line 51b, the retaining panels
54b,
56b respectively abut the adjacent containers C and form a pair of gussets
54b,
56b. When the tuck-in panel 62b is folded inwardly about the fold line 61b,
the
retaining panels 64b, 66b respectively abut the adjacent containers C and form
a
pair of gussets 64b, 66b. The upper gussets 54b, 64b secure the top portion of
the
containers C from the rear end. The lower gussets 56b, 66b secure the bottom
portion of the containers C from the rear end.
FIGS. 7-9 are perspective views of the erected carrier package 150. In
FIG. 7, the carrier package 150 rests on its bottom panel 125. In FIG. 8, the
carrier package 150 rests on its first side pane150 with the dispensing
feature 70
facing upwardly, The dispensing panel 70 is defined by the dispenser pattern
100.
The containers C are retained by gussets 64a, 66a, 54a, 56a from the front
end,
and by gussets 64b, 66b, 54b, 56b from the rear end.
An exemplary method of opening of the dispensing feature 70 will now be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 10-12. In FIG. 10, the carrier package 150
rests on the first side pane150. A user starts to open the dispensing feature
70 by
pulling the pulling tab 74 and the extension pulling tab 72 outwardly. FIG. 11
illustrates the dispensing feature 70 being further pulled away from the
carrier
150. FIG. 12 illustrates the dispensing feature 70 being completely removed
with
the containers C retained within the carrier package 150.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the carrier package 150
can be opened to allow dispensing of individual containers in a controlled
manner.
In addition, because the carrier is wrapped very tightly around the
containers, the
package allows for efficient use of shipping, storage, and display space.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a blank 208 used to form a carrier package
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second
embodiment of the present invention is like the first embodiment of the
present
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invention, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to
those
of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. The dispensing panel
of the
second embodiment of the present invention is different from the dispensing
panel
in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the
dispensing panel 270 has the pulling tab 274 but does not include the
extension
pulling tab 72 (FIG. 1). The pulling tab 274 is defined by a portion of the
cut line
275 and the curved fold line 277. Referring to FIG. 13, in addition to
aperture 80,
there are two additional apertures 80a, 80b. The apertures 80a, 80b are each
shown to be removably obstructed by a flap, but the apertures as well as the
flaps
covering them are optional.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a blank 408 used to form a wrap-around carrier
package 550 (illustrated in FIGS. 15-18) according to a third embodiment of
the
present invention. The blank 408 of the third embodiment is identical to the
blank
8 of the first embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 1, except for
variations
noted and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art in
view of this disclosure. Some of the features of the third embodiment that
have
some general similarity to, or are identical to, features of the first
embodiment are
respectively identified with the same reference numbers except that four
hundred
has been added to the subject reference numbers of the third embodiment.
The locking system of'the third embodiment of the present invention is
different from the locking system in the first embodiment of the present
invention.
On a related note and for exarnple, the carrier 550 formed from the blank 408
includes divider guards 128a, 128b (FIGS. 16 and 17) that serve to further
retain
containers C within the carrier 550.
As shown in FIG. 14, the blank 408 comprises a first or inner bottom
panel 430 foldably connected to a first side panel 50 at a fold line 33, a top
panel
20 foldably connected to the first side panel 50 at a fold line 25, a second
side
pane160 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at a fold line 29, and a second
or
outer bottom panel 440 foldably connected to the second side panel 60 at a
fold
line 45.
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The inner bottom panel 430 includes cutouts forming primary female
locking edges 438a, 438b, 438c that are adapted to engage primary male locking
tabs 448a, 448b, 448c respectively on the outer bottom pane1440. The inner
bottom panel 430 also includes slits 432a, 432b, 432c adapted to respectively
receive secondary male locking flaps 442a, 442b, 442c extending from the outer
bottom panel 440. The outer bottom panel 440 includes a fold line 447 which is
interrupted by the slits that define the primary male locking tabs 448a, 448b,
448c. The secondary male locking flaps 442a, 442b, 442c are connected along
the interrupted fold line 447 and each flap includes an intermediate fold line
443a-
c.
Primary female locking edges 438a proximate the front end of the blank
408 and primary locking edge 438b proximate the rear end of the blanlc 408
respectively have flaps 120a and 120b associated therewith. The flaps 120a and
120b are separated from the inner bottom panel 430 by cut lines 127a and 127b
respectively and are foldably connected to the inner bottom panel 430 at fold
lines
121a and 121b, respectively. On flap 120a, two additional fold lines 123a and
125a converge at a slit 113a, generally forming a triangle with the fold line
121a.
On flap 120b, two additional fold lines 123b and 125b converge at a slit 113b,
generally forming a triangle with the fold line 121b. The male locking flap
442a
has two asymmetrical edges 112a and 114a. The male locking flap 442b has two
asymmetrical edges 112b and 114b.
When the carrier 550 is erected, the flaps 120a, 120b are folded inwardly
so that they each engage a respective outer pair of the containers C, and at
least
the male locking flaps 442a, 442b are folded about ninety degrees about their
fold
lines 443a, 443b so that the locking flaps 442a, 442b respectively extend
between
adjacent containers C. Each of the flaps 120a, 120b will respectively engage
lower portions of two adjacent cans, as illustrated in at least FIGS. 16 and
17.
Typically the male locking flap 442c is also folded about ninety degrees about
its
fold line 443c so that the locking flap 442c extends between the interior pair
of
adjacent containers C. The erected carrier 550 is held closed, in part, by the
edge
114b of the male locking flap 442b engaging the inner bottom pane1430
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proximate a curved end portion of the slit 432b, the edges 115a,115b of the
male
locking flap 442 respectively engaging the inner bottom panel 430 proximate
the
opposite curved end portions of the slit 432c, and the edge 114a of the male
locking flap 442a engaging the inner bottom panel 430 proximate an end portion
of the slit 432. The edges 112a and 112b respectively of the male locking
flaps
442a, 442b respectively engage with the slits 113a and 113b of the flaps 120a,
120b to secure the flaps in their erected positions and thereby form divider
guards
128a (shown in FIGS. 16 and 18) and 128b (shown in FIG. 17) respectively. The
edges 112a and 112b of the male locking flaps 442a, 442b can be at least
somewhat hook-shaped to enhance their respective holding of the flaps 120a,
120b in their erected positions to thereby form the divider guards 128a, 128b
FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the carrier package 550 erected from the
blank 408. The outer bottom panel 440 engages the inner bottom pane1430 to
form a bottom pane1525. Erecting the divider guards 128a and 128b leaves
apertures 88a and 88b respectively in the bottom panel 525. The fold lines
443a,
443b, 443c are in line with slits 432a, 432b, 432c, to facilitate the male
locking
flaps 442a, 442b, 442c being erected to be upright or substantially
perpendicular
to the bottom pane1525.
FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate opposite ends of the carrier package 550
showing the divider guards 128a and 128b respectively. The divider guards 128a
and 128b in the carrier package 550 further restrain the containers C so the
containers C can be dispensed in a controlled manner.
FIG. 18 illustrates the carrier package 550 in its dispensing configuration.
As shown in FIG. 18, the edge 112a of erected male locking flap 442a extends
into the slit 113a to engage and secure the flap 120a to thereby form the
divider
guard 128a. This arrangement illustrated in FIG. 18 is representative of the
manner in which the edge 112b of the erected male locking flap 442b engages
with respect to the slit 113b in the flap 120b to form the divider guard 128b.
FIG. 19 is a plan view of a blank 608 used to form a wrap-around carrier
package 750 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The
fourth embodiment of the present invention is like the first embodiment of the
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present invention, except for variations noted and variations that will be
apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. Some of the
features
of the fourth embodiment that have some general similarity to, or are
identical to,
features of the first embodiment are respectively identified with the same
reference numbers except that six hundred has been added to selected reference
numbers of the fourth embodiment.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention has cut lines 23 and 43
respectively in the top panel 20 and bottom panel 40 of the blank 608, to
define
push-in tabs 24 and 44. The carrier 750 formed from the blank 608 includes the
push-in tabs 24 and 44 because they further retain containers C within the
carrier
750. 1
In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the cut
lines 23 and 43 do not extend all the way to the rear edge of the blank 608.
That
is, the opposite ends of each of the cut lines 23 and 43 terminate proximate,
yet
distant from, the rear edge of the blank 608. In accordance with the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, fold lines 131 and 133 respectively
extend
from the opposite ends of the cut line 23 to the rear edge of the blank 608,
and
fold lines 135 and 137 respectively extend from the opposite ends of the cut
line
43 to the rear edge of the blank 608. The push-in tab 24 is foldably connected
to
the top panel 20 at fold lines 131 and 133. The push-in tab 44 is foldably
connected to the outer bottom panel 40 at fold lines 135 and 137.
FIG. 20 illustrates the two push-in tabs 24 and 44 respectively restraining
the top and bottom portions of containers C. FIG. 21 is a rear view of the
erected
carrier package 750 showing the two push-in tabs 24 and 44. FIG. 22
illustrates
carrier paclcage 750 resting on its first side panel 50, so that the push-in
tab 44 on
the bottom panel 40 is seen. FIG. 23 illustrates the carrier package 750 after
the
dispensing feature 70 (FIGS. 19, 21 and 22) has been removed.
FIG. 24 is a plan view of a blank 808 used to form a wrap-around carrier
package 950 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The
fifth
embodiment of the present invention is like the first embodiment of the
present
invention, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to
those
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of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. Some of the features
of the
fifth embodiment that have some general similarity to, or are identical to,
features
of the first embodiment are respectively identified with the same reference
numbers except that eight hundred has been added to selected reference numbers
of the fifth embodiment.
The fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a drop down
gusset 90. More specifically, the carrier 950 formed from the blank 808
includes
the drop down gusset 90 to further retain containers C within the carrier 950.
The blank 808 comprises a first or inner bottom panel 30 foldably
connected to a first side panel 50 at a fold line 33, a top pane1820 foldably
connected to the first side panel 50 at a fold line 25, a second side panel 60
foldably connected to the top panel 820 at a fold line 29, and a second or
outer
bottom pane140 foldably connected to the second side panel 60 at a fold line
45.
The top panel 820 has truncated corners defined by fold lines 59a, 63a, 859b
and
863b respectively. A portion of the top panel 820 defined by the area between
the
fold lines 859b and 863b is separated from the top panel 820 by a cut line 27
and
forms the drop down gusset 90. In accordance witli the fifth embodiment of the
present invention, the cut line 27 is a slit in the top pane1820 that extends
continuously between the fold lines 25, 29 by way of which the top panel 820
is
respectively foldably connected to the side panels 50, 60.
A first rear tuck-in panel 852b is foldably connected to the rear end of the
first side panel 50 at a fold line 551b. A second rear tuck-in panel 862b is
foldably connected to the rear end of the second side panel 60 at a fold line
661b.
The area between the first rear tuck-in panel 852b and the drop down
gusset 90 is divided into two foldably connected portions 92 and 94 along a
fold
line 91. The portion 92 is foldably connected to the first rear tuck-in panel
852b at
a fold line 857b. The portion 94 is foldably connected to the drop down gusset
90
at the fold line 859b. Similarly, The area between the drop down gusset 90 and
the second rear tuck-in panel 862b is divided into two foldably connected
portions
96 and 98 along a fold line 97. The portion 96 is foldably connected to the
drop
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down gusset 90 at the fold line 863b. The portion 98 is foldably connected to
the
second rear tuck-in panel 862b at a fold line 865b.
Cut out 884d is formed at an area that is generally between the first rear
tuck-in panel 852b, the panels 92, 94 and the first side panel 50. Cut out
884f is
formed at an area that is generally between the second rear tuck-in panel
862b, the
panels 96, 98 and the second side panel 60. In addition, cut outs 84a-c, e, g,
li are
respectively formed between each retaining panel and associated side panel.
As part of erecting the carrier package 950 from the blank 808, the tuck-in
panels 852b, 862b are respectively tucked inwardly about the fold lines 551b,
661a. As part of this process, folding respectively occurs along fold lines
857b,
91, 859b, 863b, 97, 865b so that the drop down gusset 90 and portions 92, 94,
96,
98 become arranged as illustrated in FIGS. 25-27.
FIG. 25 is a rear view of a carrier package 950 erected from the blank 808
showing the drop down gusset 90. FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the
carrier
package 950 showing the drop down gusset 90. The drop down gusset 90 runs
across the top of containers C and thus further restrains the containers C. In
addition, the drop down gusset 90 as a unique design feature can be utilized
to
display information. FIG. 27 is a top view of the erected carrier package 950
resting on its first side panel, and this view illustrates that the drop down
gusset 90
function to at least partially retain containers C (e.g., FIG. 27) in the
carrier
package 950 after the removal of the dispensing feature 70 (e.g., FIGS. 24 and
27).
Referring to FIG. 26, the drop down gusset 90 can also be folded inwardly so
that
the outwardly facing side of the gusset 90 shown in FIG. 26 abuts the
containers
C.
In summary and generally described, FIGS. 1-12 illustrate a first aspect of
the present invention that relates to the dispensing feature 70. FIG. 13
illustrates a
second aspect of the present invention, wherein the pulling tab of the
dispensing
feature does not have an extension pulling tab. FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a third
aspect of the present invention, wherein an alternative type of locks are used
to
additionally form divider guards. FIGS. 19-23 illustrate a fourth aspect of
the
present invention wherein push-in tabs as a portion of the rear ends of the
top
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panel and the outer bottom panel are used to fiirther secure the containers
inside
the carrier packages. FIGS. 24-27 illustrate a fifth aspect of the present
invention
wherein a drop down gusset is used to further secure the containers inside the
carrier pacicage and as a site to display information. Although specific
examples
of aspect of the present invention are identified in the foregoing, it is to
be
understood that there are other aspects of the present invention. In addition,
these
and other aspects of the present invention can be combined in various
combinations to create other blanks and packages that are within the scope of
the
present invention. For example, a blank utilizing locks disclosed in the blank
408
(FIG. 14) can be combined with the dispensing feature froni the blank 208
(FIG.
13) and can also have the drop down gusset feature from the blank 808 (FIG.
24),
with the rest of the features being the same as in the blank 8 (FIG. 1). As
another
example, a blank utilizing the drop down gusset feature from the blank 808
(FIG.
24) can be combined with a push-in tab on the outer bottom panel as in the
blank
608 (FIG. 19), with the rest of the features being the same as in the blank 8.
It is also understood that although only exemplary types of locking
systems are discussed in the specification, the inner bottom panel and the
outer
bottom panel can be locked together using other known locking systems.
Although pluralities of cut outs, panels, gussets, fold lines, flaps, slits,
cuts, or
openings may appear identical in size in the accompanying drawings, it is to
be
understood that the sizes of the cut outs, panels, gussets, fold lines, flaps,
slits,
cuts, or openings can vary.
In the above embodiments, the carrier packages are shown as
accommodating beverage containers. Other types of containers, however, can be
accommodated within a carrier package according to the present invention. The
dimensions of the blank 8 may also be altered, for example, to accommodate
various container forms. In addition, various numbers of containers C can be
accommodated in a carrier package according to principles of the present
invention, for example, by adjusting the size of the blanlc S. For example,
the top
panel 20 and the first and second bottom panel 50, 60 can be enlarged or
reduced
in order to accommodate additional or less containers C. In one such
CA 02595408 2007-07-19
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embodiment, a carrier may be constructed to accommodate four containers
arranged in two columns and two rows (2 x 2). In another embodiment, a carrier
may be constructed that accommodates eight containers arranged in two columns
and four rows (2 x 4). In a preferred embodiment, a carrier may be constructed
that accommodates six contains arranged in two columns and three rows (2 x 3).
The blanks according to the present invention can be, for example, formed
from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or
exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay
coating
may then be printed over witli product, advertising, price coding, and other
information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect
any inforination 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.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the blanks may be
constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid
than
ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as
cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for
enabling the carrier package to function at least generally as described
above. The
blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like
materials at
selected panels or panel sections. Also according to the first embodiment, the
carrier can be constructed from a blank that occupies less area than
conventional
carriers, and the blank may be stagger nested with similar blanks during
production.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a
fold line can be any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not
necessarily
straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong; and a tear
line can
be any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily
straight,
form of weakening that facilitates tearing therealong. More specifically, but
not
for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, conventional
fold
lines include: a crease, such as formed by folding; a score line, such as
formed
with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in
the
material along the desired line of weakness; a slit that extends partially
into the
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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. More
specifically,
but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention,
conventional tear lines 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.
As a more specific example, one type of conventional 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 invention for each of the tear lines to be
replaced
with a continuous slit, or the like.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present
invention has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments,
various additions, modifications and changes can be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the
following
claims.
17
