Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PACKAGE, CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a package comprising a carton and a blank for
forming
the carton, wherein an arrangement is provided to improve the close and/or
tight fit of
the carton about a group of articles to minimise or eliminate gaps in the
corners of the
carton to mitigate against article damage due to article collision within the
package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
io In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with
a package
comprising multiple primary product containers, such multi-packs are desirable
for
shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost
and
environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from
as little
material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which
they are
formed as possible.
Another consideration is the closeness of the fit of the carton about the
package for
securely holding the articles. This is of particular concern where the
articles are tapered,
round and/or fragile, for example glass bottles. Where round articles are
contained in a
square-shaped carton, there is space at the corners of the carton. This space
allows the
round articles some degree of movement within the carton which may cause the
articles
to damage one another. For example, product labelling may be scuffed, the
bottles may
be chipped or could even break because of the glass bottles knocking against
one
another. The closeness of the match between the carton shape and the shape of
an
article group is therefore an important consideration for both the security of
the articles
and also for material saving benefits.
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In US 5,246,112 to Stout, a carrier is disclosed for packaging bottles which
is
specifically constructed to prevent bottle breakage due to collision between
adjacent
bottles. In Stout, a gable topped carrier is provided wherein the top panel of
the carrier
is not as long or as wide as the bottom panel of the carrier. The side and end
walls are
tapered and the carrier shape is more closely matched to that of the article
group than a
square-cornered carton. In addition, it is disclosed in Stout to use pairs of
triangular web
panels, provided in web panels coupled to the side walls, to form an elongate
diamond
shaped portion. The triangular web panels extend from the vertex of the
carrier between
the top, side and end walls and terminate between the side and end walls. As
such, the
corners of the carrier are cut-off proximate to the top, neck and shoulder of
the corner
bottles. In this way the shape of the carrier is more closely matched to the
shape of the
bottles and the space between the corner bottles and the corner of the carrier
is
reduced.
In contrast to the teaching of Stout, in the present invention it has been
recognised that
a carton or carrier can be constructed with shaped panels that more closely
follow the
shape of the corner articles and that thereby wrap more tightly, particularly
but not
exclusively, about the base portions of the articles held within the carrier.
By increasing
the closeness of the shape of the carton and the tightness with which the
carton fits
about the articles, the corner gap at least proximate to the base portion of
the articles is
eliminated and thereby any opportunity for the bottles to move within the
package is
removed or at least minimised. Furthermore, the automated set-up of a carton
according to the present invention may be easier compared to the automated set-
up of
the carrier disclosed in US 5,246,112.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
package
comprising a carton and a group of bottles, the carton comprising a tubular
structure
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formed from an interconnected series of panels including: a top panel, a first
side panel,
a bottom panel and a second side panel, wherein the length of the top panel is
at least
substantially the same as the length of the bottom panel, wherein each of the
first and
second side panels comprises a notional longitudinal line disposed at an
elevation
above the bottom panel that is less than the elevation of the shoulders of the
bottles,
wherein each end of the tubular structure is closed by a composite end wall
formed from
a series of affixed panels including: a top end closure panel, first and
second side end
closure panels and a bottom end closure panel, wherein each first and second
side end
closure panel is hinged at about 900 to the adjacent first or second side wall
along a first
fold line, wherein each of the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at
least
substantially triangular panels, each of the pairs of at least substantially
triangular
panels being formed such that a lowermost triangular panel of the pair is
disposed
below the notional longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular
panel of the
pair is disposed above the notional longitudinal line, wherein each of the
pairs of at
least substantially triangular panels is defined by a pair of divergent fold
lines, wherein
the lowermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold
lines diverging
from a point spaced above the bottom panel toward the notional longitudinal
line and
wherein the uppermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of
fold lines
diverging from a point spaced below the top panel toward the notional
longitudinal line,
whereby the triangular panels of each pair substantially follow the contour of
the corner
bottles disposed within the carton at least proximate to the shoulders of the
corner
bottles such that the bottles are tightly enclosed by the carton.
Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost
triangular panels
diverge is spaced above the interconnection between the bottom panel and a
first or a
second side panel.
Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the uppermost
triangular panels
diverge is spaced below the interconnection between the top panel and a first
or a
second side panel.
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Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the lowermost
triangular panels
diverge is spaced above the bottom panel by a first distance (X), wherein the
first
distance is between about 5% and 10% of the distance between the bottom panel
and
the top panel.
Optionally, the first distance is about 7% of the distance between the bottom
panel and
the top panel.
Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines of the uppermost
triangular panels
io diverge is spaced below the top panel by a second distance (Y), wherein
the second
distance is between about 30% and 40% of the distance between the bottom panel
and
the top panel.
Optionally, the second distance is about 33% of the distance between the
bottom panel
and the top panel.
Optionally, each of the first and second side end closure panels has a height
which is
less than the distance between the bottom panel and the top panel.
Optionally, each of the first and second side end closure panels terminates in
an edge
spaced above the bottom panel and wherein the point from which the pair of
fold lines of
the lowermost triangular panels diverge is disposed on the edge.
Optionally, the uppermost and lowermost at least substantially triangular
panels are
each isosceles triangles in shape and wherein the odd angle of each of the
uppermost
triangular panels is between about 45 and 55 and/or wherein the odd angle of
each of
the lowermost triangular panels is between about 25 and 35 .
Optionally, a pair of divergent fold lines that defines one of the uppermost,
at least
substantially, triangular panels terminate on the notional longitudinal line
at first and
second points respectively and the pair of divergent fold lines that defines
the oppositely
positioned lowermost, at least substantially, triangular panel terminates on
the notional
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longitudinal line at the first and second points respectively such that
together the two
pairs of divergent fold lines form a diamond shape.
According to a second aspect of the invention for which protection is sought,
there is
provided a blank for forming a carton for containing bottles, the blank
comprising a
series of panels for forming an interconnected tubular carton body including:
a top
panel, a first side panel, a bottom panel and a second side panel, wherein the
length of
the top panel is at least substantially the same as the length of the bottom
panel,
wherein each of the first and second side panels comprises a notional
longitudinal line
io positioned such that when the carton is constructed, the notional
longitudinal line is
disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel that is less than the
elevation of the
shoulders of bottles to be or contained in the carton, wherein the blank
further
comprises a series of panels for forming composite end closure walls
including: a top
end closure panel, first and second side end closure panels and a bottom end
closure
panel, wherein each first and second side end closure panel is hingedly
connected at
about 900 to the adjacent first or second side wall along a first fold line,
wherein each of
the first fold lines is interrupted by a pair of at least substantially
triangular panels, each
of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels being formed such
that a
lowermost triangular panel of the pair is disposed on one side of the notional
longitudinal line and such that an uppermost triangular panel of the pair is
disposed on
the other side of the notional longitudinal line, wherein each of the pairs of
at least
substantially triangular panels is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines,
wherein the
lowermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines
diverging from
a point that is spaced from an interconnection between the adjacent first or
second side
panel and the bottom panel toward the notional longitudinal line and wherein
the
uppermost of the triangular panels are each defined by a pair of fold lines
diverging from
a point spaced below an interconnection between the adjacent first or second
side
panel and the top panel toward the notional longitudinal line, thereby the
triangular
panels of each pair are configured to substantially follow the contour of the
corner
bottles, disposed within a carton formed from the blank, at least proximate to
the
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shoulders of the corner bottles such that the bottles can be tightly enclosed
by the
carton.
Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects,
embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding
paragraphs,
in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken
independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described
in
connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there
is
incompatibility of features.
lo
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to
the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1. is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an
embodiment
of the invention;
FIGURE 2. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of a carton
constructed
from the blank of Figure 1 in an open and un-loaded condition;
FIGURE 3. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of a carton
constructed
from the blank of Figure 1 in a loaded and partially completed condition;
FIGURE 4. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of the carton of
Figure
3, wherein a top end closure panel has been placed into a closed condition,
but the end
wall is still not fully constructed; and
FIGURE 5. is a perspective partial view from the side and end of a package
comprising a carton formed from the blank of Figure 1, loaded with a group of
bottles
and closed by construction of composite end walls.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and
cartons are
disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely
examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be
implemented and
do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be
embodied. As
used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments
that
serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns.
Indeed, it will be understood
io that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied
in various
and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some
features may
be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-
known
components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail
in order
to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and
functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis
for the
claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously
employ the invention.
In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms carton and carrier refer, for
the non-
limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a
container for
engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as bottles.
However, it is
contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various
containers,
which whilst preferably tapered may or may not be cylindrical.
In Figure 1, there is shown a blank 10 for forming a carton 90. The blank 10
is formed
from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used
herein, the term
"suitable substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as
paperboard,
corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It
should be
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recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, for example,
to
provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.
In the exemplary embodiment, the blank 10 is configured to form a carton or
carrier for
packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles '13'. For example,
the
arrangement is a matrix including rows and columns such as a 3 X 6 arrangement
of
bottles `E3'. The blank 10 can be alternatively configured to form a carrier
90 for
packaging other articles '13' and/or different arrangements of articles '13'.
io The blank 10 is optionally, but nevertheless preferably configured for
forming a carton
90 for containing bottles '13'. The blank 10 comprises a series of panels for
forming an
interconnected tubular carton body including: a top panel 14, a first side
panel 16/18, a
bottom panel 20 and a second side panel 22/24. The series of panels are hinged
together along longitudinal fold lines 15, 19 and 21. A glue panel or lap
panel 12 is
disposed at one end of the blank 10 for affixing the opposite ends of the
blank 10
together. The glue panel 12 is optionally hinged to the top panel 14 by means
of a fold
line 13. Glue panel flaps 26a, 26b are optionally hinged to each end thereof.
The blank 10 further comprises a series of panels at each end of the blank 10
for
forming composite end closure walls including: top end closure panels 28a,
28b, first
and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b and
bottom
end closure panels 34a, 34b. The top end closure panels 28a, 28b are hinged to
each
end of the top panel 14 by means of fold lines 25a, 25b respectively. The
first side end
closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b are hinged to each end of the first side panel
1 6/1 8 by
means of fold lines 47a, 47b. These fold lines 47a, 47b are also referred to
herein as
first fold lines 47a, 47b. The second side end closure panels 36a/38a, 36b/38b
are
hinged to each end of the second side panel 22/24 along fold lines 45a, 45b.
The fold
lines 45a, 45b are also referred to herein as first fold lines 45a, 45b. The
bottom end
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closure panels 34a, 34b are hinged to each end of the bottom panel 20 along
fold lines
35a, 35b.
Optionally, though preferably, the longitudinal length of the top panel 14
(between fold
lines 25a and 25b) is at least substantially the same as the longitudinal
length of the
bottom panel 20 (between fold lines 35a and 35b). The term "at least
substantially the
same- should be interpreted as meaning either approximately the same or
exactly the
same. As such the fold lines 25a, 47a, 35a and 45a are in line with one
another when
the blank 10 is disposed in flat form (as in Figure 1). Similarly, the fold
lines 25b, 47b,
io 35b and 45b are in line with one another when the blank 10 is disposed
in flat form (as
in Figure 1). When the blank 10 is constructed into a carton 90, the top end
closure
panels 28a, 28b, first and second side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b,
36a/38a,
36b/38b and bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b are each folded at least
substantially
about 90 about the respective fold line 25a, 25b, 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b, 35a,
35b. This
may be referred to as a "square-ended" carton 90 rather than a tapered ended
carton as
shown for example in US 5,246,112 to Stout.
Each of the first and second side panels 16/18, 22/24 and first and second
side end
closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b optionally comprises a
longitudinally extending intermediate fold line 17, 23 that is coincidentally
disposed on a
notional longitudinal line of that side panel. The notional longitudinal line
of each side
panel is disposed at an elevation above the bottom panel and below the
elevation of the
shoulders of the bottles. The longitudinally extending fold line 17 separates
the first side
panel 16/18 into an upper first side panel 16 and a lower first side panel 18.
Similarly,
the longitudinally extending fold line 23 separates the second side panel
22/24 into an
upper second side panel 24 and a lower second side panel 22. Additionally, the
longitudinally extending fold line 17 separates the first side end closure
panels 30a/32a,
30b/32b into upper 30a, 30b and lower 32a, 32b first side end closure panels.
Additionally, the longitudinally extending fold line 23 separates the second
side end
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closure panels 36a/38a, 36b/38b into upper 38a, 38b and lower 36a, 36b second
side
end closure panels.
Optionally, each longitudinally extending fold line 17, 23 is positioned such
that when
the carton 90 is constructed (see Figure 5), the longitudinal fold line 17, 23
is disposed
at an elevation above the bottom panel 20 that is less than the elevation of
the
shoulders of bottles `B' that are contained in the carton 90.
Each of the first fold lines 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b is interrupted by a pair of at
least
substantially triangular panels 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b. The term
"at least
substantially triangular panel" should be interpreted as meaning either a
panel with a
shape approximating a triangular shape or a panel having a perfectly
triangular shape.
Each of the pairs of at least substantially triangular panels 56a/54a,
56b/54b, 58a/59a,
58b/59b is optionally formed such that a lowermost triangular panel 54a, 54b,
58a, 58b
of the pair 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b is disposed on one side of the
longitudinal fold line 17, 23 adjacent the lower first or second side panel
18, 22 and
such that an uppermost triangular panel 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b of the pair
56a/54a,
56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b is disposed on the other side of the longitudinal
fold line 17,
23, adjacent the first or second upper side panel 16, 24.
Each of the at least substantially triangular panels 56a, 54a, 56b, 54b, 58a,
59a, 58b,
59b is defined by a pair of divergent fold lines 27a, 29a; 31a, 33a; 27b, 29b;
33b, 31b;
39a, 37a; 41a, 43a; 37b, 39b; 43b, 41b. The lowermost of the triangular panels
54a,
54b, 58a, 58b are each defined by a pair of fold lines 31a, 33a; 33b, 31b;
41a, 43a; 43b,
41b diverging from a point that is spaced from the interconnection 19, 21
between the
adjacent first or second side panel 18/16, 22/24 and the bottom panel 20 and
toward the
longitudinal fold line 17, 23 in that adjacent first or second side panel
18/16, 22/24. The
uppermost of the triangular panels 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b are each defined by a
pair of fold
lines 27a, 29a; 27b, 29b; 39a, 37a; 37b, 39b; that diverge from a point spaced
below the
interconnection 15 between the adjacent first side panel 16/18 and the top
panel 20 (or
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edge of the second side panel 22/24) toward the longitudinal fold line 17, 23,
in that
adjacent first or second side panel 18/16, 22/24.
Optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines 31a, 33a; 33b, 31b;
41a, 43a; 43b,
41b of the lowermost triangular panels 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b diverge is spaced
from the
interconnection 19, 21 between the adjacent first or second side panel 16/18,
22/24 and
the bottom panel 20 by a first distance 'X'. The first distance 'X' is
optionally between
about 5% and 10% of the height of the first or second side panel 16/18, 22/24
(i.e. the
distance between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14 in a set-up carton
90).
io Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, the first distance is about 7%
of the distance
between the bottom panel 20 and the top panel 14 (i.e. the distance between
the bottom
panel 20 and the top panel 14 in a set-up carton 90).
Further optionally, the point from which the pair of fold lines 27a, 29a; 27b,
29b; 39a,
37a; 37b, 39b of the uppermost triangular panels 56a, 56b, 59a, 59b diverge is
spaced
below the top panel 14 (in a set-up carton 90) by a second distance 'Y'.
Optionally, the
second distance 'Y' is between about 30% and 40% of the height of the first or
second
side panel 16/18, 22/24 (i.e. the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the
top
panel 14 in a set-up carton 90). Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, the
second
distance 'Y' is about 33% of the distance between the bottom panel 20 and the
top
panel 14.
The blank 10 comprises additional optional features that do not necessarily
form part of
the focus of the invention. For example an entirely optional carrying handle
arrangement
and an entirely optional access feature. These optional features will now be
very briefly
described and it will be understood that these features may be excluded and/or
substituted for alternative carrying handle arrangements and/or access
features in other
embodiments of the invention.
The carrying handle arrangement comprises two outer handle arrangements 60a,
61a,
62a, 66a, 64a, 72a, 70a, 76a, 78a; 60b, 61b, 62b, 66b, 64b, 72b, 70b, 76b, 78b
formed
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in the top end closure panels 28a, 28b respectively. The outer handle
arrangements are
supported by inner handle flaps 80a, 80b, 46a, 46b formed in the side end
closure
panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b. An outer handle flap is hinged to
the top
end closure panel 28a, 28b by means of opposed arcuate fold lines 60a/61a;
60b/61b
and a leaf-shaped panel 62a; 62b. Inward movement of the handle panel creates
a
handle aperture though which a user can at least partially insert at least
part of their
hand for grasping the carton 90 about a cushioned upper edge, which cushioned
upper
edge is supported and/or further cushioned by the arcuate fold lines 48a, 82a,
82b, 48b
and leaf-shaped panels 84a, 84b, 44a, 44b of the inner handle flaps 80a, 80b,
46a, 46b.
lo
The access feature 40 comprises a detachable section defined by a perforate or
weakened line 52a, 52b, 51 and having an initiator section 50 that is defined
by a cut
line 53 and hinge line 51.
Turning to the construction of the carton 90 from the blank 10 it is envisaged
that the
carton 90 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a
straight line
machine so that the carton 90 is not required to be rotated or inverted to
complete its
construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and
may be
altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
The blank 10 is optionally folded about longitudinal fold line 17 to bring the
upper first
side panel 16, top panel 14 and glue panel 12 (with their associated end
closure panels
30a, 30b, 28a, 28b, 26a, 26b) into face contacting relationship with the
inside face of
lower first side panel 18 and bottom panel 20 respectively. Adhesive, for
example hot-
melt glue, may be applied to the glue panel 12 (and the flaps 26a, 26b). In
other
envisaged embodiments other affixing means may be used, for example, tape,
pressure-adhesive, staples, clips or mechanical locking features. The upper
second
side panel 24 (with its associated end closure panels 38a, 38b) is then folded
about
longitudinal fold line 23 to bring it into partial overlapping face contacting
relationship
with an inside face of the lower second side panel 22 and into overlapping
face
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contacting relationship with an outside face of the glue panel 12 such that
the upper
second side panel 24 is interconnected to the top panel 14. The resulting work
product
is a part formed ¨ flat folded blank.
-- The part formed ¨ flat folded blank is then opened into a tubular
structure, Figure 2
shows a partial perspective view of the open ended carton 90. It can be seen
herein that
the first end closure panel 30b/32b does not extend down to the plane of the
bottom
panel 20. In other embodiments, the first end closure panel 30b/32b (and
similarly the
other side end closure panels 30a/32a; 36a/38a, 36b/38b) may extend at least
in part
-- down to the plane of the bottom panel 20, but the lowermost triangular
panel 54b (54a,
59a, 59b) will be spaced above the plane of the bottom panel 20. Preferably,
however
the first end closure panel 30b/32b (and similarly the other side end closure
panels
30a/32a; 36a/38a, 36b/38b do not extend down to the plane of the bottom panel
20 and
this may provide clearance room for a static guide or other guiding member of
a
-- packaging machine which is used optionally to hold the bottom end closure
panel 34b,
34a either in the position shown in Figure 2 or folded downwardly.
The carton 90 is then loaded with articles, preferably bottles 13', though one
or both
ends thereof. The composite end walls are then formed. Optionally, the first
and second
-- side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b are folded about
the first
fold lines 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b. See Figure 3 which shows the first side end
closure panel
30b/32b having been folded. Preferably the first fold line 47a, 47b, 45a, 45b
defines a
corner between the first and second side panel 16/18, 22/24 and the first and
second
side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b that is at least
-- substantially a 900 corner. In this way the triangular panels 56a/54a,
56b/54b, 58a/59a,
58b/59b of each pair 56a/54a, 56b/54b, 58a/59a, 58b/59b form a diamond shaped
portion 42 that bends about and substantially follows the contour of the
corner bottles
`B' that are disposed close to the diamond-shaped portion 42 of the loaded
carton 90.
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Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, the uppermost triangular panels 56a,
56b, 59a,
59b are sized to fit about the top of a shoulder 'S' of a bottle '13' and may
optionally be
shorter than the lowermost triangular panels 54a, 54b, 58a, 58b. In this way,
the
diamond shaped portion 42, not only cut-off or cut across the diagonal of the
square
corner that would otherwise be created by the composite end walls formed from
the end
closure panels (top end closure panels 28a, 28b, first and second side end
closure
panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b, 36a/38a, 36b/38b and bottom end closure panels 34a,
34b),
but fold and even curve or crease slightly about the bottles 13', at least
proximate to the
shoulders 'S' of the corner bottles '13' and therebelow such that the bottles
'13' are
wrapped by the carton 90 and can be tightly enclosed by the carton 90 to
mitigate
against chinking of the bottles '13'. See Figure 3 which illustrates the close
fit and tight
wrapping of the shaped end closure panel 30b/32b and diamond shaped portion 42
about the corner article '13'.
Construction of the carton 90 is completed by optionally folding the top end
closure
panels 28a, 28b into face contacting, overlapping and affixed relationship
with the upper
portions 30b, 30a, 38a, 38b of the side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b,
36a/38a,
36b/38b (see Figure 4). Finally the bottom end closure panels 34a, 34b are
folded
upwardly and into face contacting, overlapping and affixed relationship with
the lower
portions 32b, 32a, 36a, 36b of the side end closure panels 30a/32a, 30b/32b,
36a/38a,
36b/38b (see Figure 5).
It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the
present invention, for example, the size and shape and relative position of
the triangular
panels may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape.
Optionally,
the uppermost and lowermost at least substantially triangular panels 56a/54a,
56b/54b,
58a/59a, 58b/59b are each isosceles triangles in shape. The odd angle of each
of the
uppermost triangular panels may be between about 25 and 35 and/or the odd
angle of
each of the lowermost triangular panels may be between about 45 and 550. In
other
embodiments the triangular panels are the same size and/or the same shape. In
other
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embodiments the triangular panels are equally spaced from the top and bottom
panels.
In other embodiments the lowermost triangular panels is relatively disposed
further up
the carton. In other embodiments the second distance 'Y' is less than or equal
to the
first distance 'X'.
it will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as
"top", "bottom",
"front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not
limit the
respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these
panels from
one another.
As used herein, the terms "hinged connection" and "fold line" refers to all
manner of
lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of
the blank with
respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations
for the
blank. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed
line. Any
reference to hinged connection or fold line should not be construed as
necessarily
referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged
connection can be
formed from any one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line
or a fold line
without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used herein, the term "severance line" refers to all manner of lines that
facilitate
separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal
separation
locations. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, tear
lines, cut
lines, or slits.
it should be understood that hinged connection, severance lines and fold lines
can each
include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including
perforations, a
line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single
half-cut, a cut line, an
interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like.
The elements
can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For
example, a
line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness
to define
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a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed
to facilitate
folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking
with more effort, or
to facilitate breaking with little effort.
