Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PATENT APPLICATION
CARTON AND CARTON BLANK
.. TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a carton for packaging one or more articles
and a blank for
forming the same, more specifically, but not exclusively to a carton having a
carrying handle
with a structure for controlling the load forces in the carton when the
carrying handle is
employed.
BACKGROUND
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 strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding
and transporting
large weights of articles.
It is desirable to provide a carrying handle such that the consumer can carry
the multi-pack; it
is desirable to control the load forces in the carton when the carrying handle
is employed.
The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of
the prior art.
SUM MARY
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
carton for packaging
one or more articles, the carton comprises a plurality of panels for forming a
tubular structure
including a top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The top wall
may comprise filleted
corners so as to be octagonal in shape. The filleted corners define free
corner edges of the
top wall. Each of the first and second side walls comprise at least two
filleted corners so as to
be at least hexagonal in shape. Each free corner edge of the top wall is
disposed adjacent to
a filleted corner of one of the first and second side walls. The carton
comprises a handle
structure defined in the top wall. The handle structure comprises a handle
strap extending
longitudinally between opposed ends of the carton. The handle strap is defined
at least in part
.. by first and second severance lines.
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Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of divergently arranged fold
lines extending
from each end of the first and second severance lines to an adjacent one of
the free corner
edges of the top wall.
Optionally, a first one of the pair of divergently arranged fold lines
comprises a lower fold
resistance than the other one of the pair of divergently arranged fold lines.
Optionally, each of the pairs of divergently arranged fold lines converge at
an end of one of
the first and second severance lines.
Optionally, each of the pairs of divergently arranged fold lines terminate at
a free corner edge
of the top wall so as to define a web, the web being displaceable out of the
plane of the top
wall when the handle is in use.
Optionally, opposed ends of the tubular structure are closed, at least in part
by a top end
closure flap hingedly connected to the top wall, the top end closure flap
being displaceable
inwardly when the handle is in use.
Optionally, the top wall is equal in length to each of the first and second
side walls.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
carton for packaging
one or more articles comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular
structure including a
top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The top wall may comprise
at least two filleted
corners so as to be at least hexagonal in shape. The filleted corners define
first and second
free corner edges of the top wall. Each of the first and second side walls
comprise at least one
filleted corner. The first free corner edge of the top wall is disposed
adjacent to the filleted
corner of the first side wall and the second free corner edge of the top wall
is disposed adjacent
to the filleted corner of the second side wall. The carton comprise a handle
structure defined
in the top wall, the handle structure comprise a handle strap extending
longitudinally between
opposed ends of the carton. The handle strap is defined at least in part by
first and second
severance lines.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises a first pair of divergently
arranged fold lines
extending from a first end of the first severance line to the first free edge
of the top wall and a
second pair of divergently arranged fold lines extending from a first end of
the second
severance line to the second free edge of the top wall.
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Optionally, a first end of the tubular structure is closed, at least in part
by a top end closure
flap hingedly connected to a first end of the top wall, the top end closure
flap being
displaceable inwardly when the handle is in use.
Optionally, a first one of the first pair of divergently arranged fold lines
comprises a lower fold
resistance than the other one of the first pair of divergently arranged fold
lines.
Optionally, a first one of the second pair of divergently arranged fold lines
comprises a lower
fold resistance than the other one of the second pair of divergently arranged
fold lines.
Optionally, the first and second pairs of divergently arranged fold lines
terminate define a web,
the web being displaceable out of the plane of the top wall when the handle is
in use.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank
for forming a
.. carton. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming a tubular
structure having a top
wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. At least one of the plurality
of panels forms a
handle panel comprising at least two filleted corners. The filleted corners
define first and
second free corner edges of the handle panel. A further one of the plurality
of panels hingedly
connected to the handle panel comprises at least two filleted corners. The
first free corner
edge of the handle panel is disposed adjacent to a first one of the filleted
corners of the further
one of the plurality of panels and the second free corner edge of the handle
panel is disposed
adjacent to a second one of the filleted corners of the further one of the
plurality of panels.
The blank comprises a handle structure defined in the handle panel. The handle
structure
comprises a handle strap extending longitudinally between opposed ends of the
blank. The
handle strap is defined at least in part by a severance line.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises a first pair of divergently
arranged fold lines
extending from a first end of the first severance line to the first free edge
of the handle panel
and a second pair of divergently arranged fold lines extending from a second
end of the first
.. severance line to the second free edge of the handle panel.
Optionally, the blank comprises a second handle panel comprising at least two
filleted corners.
The filleted corners define first and second free corner edges of the second
handle panel.
Another one of the plurality of panels is hingedly connected to the second
handle panel and
comprises at least two filleted corners. The first free corner edge of the
second handle panel
is disposed adjacent to a first one of the filleted corners of said another
one of the plurality of
panels and the second free corner edge of the second handle panel is disposed
adjacent to a
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second one of the filleted corners of said another one of the plurality of
panels. The blank
comprises a handle structure defined in the second handle panel. The handle
structure
comprises a handle strap extending longitudinally between opposed ends of the
blank. The
handle strap is defined at least in part by a second severance line.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises a third pair of divergently
arranged fold lines
extending from a first end of the second severance line to the first free edge
of the second
handle panel and a fourth pair of divergently arranged fold lines extending
from a second end
of the second severance line to the second free edge of the second handle
panel.
VVithin the scope of this application it is envisaged or intended 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 considered or
taken
independently or in any combination thereof.
Features or elements described in connection with, or relation to, one
embodiment are
applicable to all embodiments unless there is an incompatibility of features.
One or more
features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into, or combined
with, any
of the other embodiments disclosed herein, said features or elements extracted
from said one
embodiment may be included in addition to, or in replacement of one or more
features or
elements of said other embodiment.
A feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment disclosed herein may
be extracted in
isolation from other features of that embodiment. Alternatively, a feature, or
combination of
features, of an embodiment may be omitted from that embodiment.
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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 from above of a blank for forming a carton according
to a first
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 1A is an enlarged plan view from above of a portion of the blank of
Figure 1;
Figure 2 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming an optional insert
or divider
according to embodiments of the invention;
Figure 3 is a top view from above of a carton formed from the blank of Figure
1;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the carton of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of the carton Figure 3 when a
carrying handle
is being employed; and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the carton of Figure 5
in which a
carrying handle is in a deployed condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
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 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.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of
forming a carton 90
as shown in Figures 3 to 5, which carton can accept an input of primary
products such as, but
not limited to, bottles or cans, hereinafter referred to as "articles" B.
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 product containers. It is
contemplated that the
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teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which
may or may not
be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (for
example metallic,
glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches,
packets and the
like.
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 recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where
suitable, for
example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the blank 10 is configured to form
a carton or carrier
90 for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles B. In the
illustrated
embodiment the arrangement is an mxnxt matrix or array, having three rows
(m=3) and six
columns (n=6) and two tiers (t=2); in the illustrated embodiment three rows of
six articles B
are provided in two tiers, and the articles B are 350m1 cans; the cans may be
formed from a
suitable material such as, but not limited to, Aluminium. The blank 10 can be
alternatively
configured to form a carrier 90 for packaging other types, number and size of
article and/or for
packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration.
The blank 10 comprises a plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 for
forming a tubular
structure or sleeve. A first main or top panel 12 is hinged to a second main
panel 14 (also
referred to herein as a first side wall panel 14) by a fold line 13. The first
side wall panel 14 is
hinged to a third main panel 16 (also referred to herein as a base panel 16)
by a fold line 15.
The base panel 16 is hinged to a fourth main panel 18 (also referred to herein
as a second
side wall panel 18) by a fold line 17. The second side wall panel 18 is hinged
to a fifth main
panel 20 (also referred to herein as a second top panel 20) by a fold line 19.
The first and fifth main panels 12, 20 form a composite panel 12/20. The
composite panel
12/20 forms the top panel (top wall) 12/20 when a handle structure H is in use
as a carrying
handle by a user. This top wall 12/20 is disposed optionally adjacent to the
sides of the articles
B. In this orientation, the top wall 12/20 is not disposed substantially
planar to the tops or
bottoms of the articles B held within the carton 90. In other words, the
cylindrical axis of the
articles B is substantially parallel with the plane of the top wall 12/20 of
the carton 90.
Either one of the second or fourth main panels 14, 18 may form a base panel
when the carton
90 is being loaded with articles B. A group of articles B may be inserted into
the tubular
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structure by sliding the group over the said one of the second or fourth main
panels 14, 18
forming the base.
The third main panel 16 forms the base panel 16 when the handle structure H is
in use as a
carrying handle by a user. The third main panel 16 may also form the base
panel 12 when the
articles B are being dispensed from the carton 90 or when the carton 90 is at
rest upon a
surface such as a shelf.
As such, it will be understood that descriptive terms "top", "base", and
"side" do not necessarily
limit the carton 90 to adopting a particular orientation but serve to
distinguish those panels
from one another. In other embodiments the cylindrical axis of the articles B
may be orientated
differently with respect to the top wall 12/20 of the carton 90. For example,
but not limited to,
the cylindrical axis of the articles B be may orientated substantially
perpendicularly to the plane
of the top wall 12/20 of the carton 90.
The ends of the tubular structure are closed by end closure structures having
a plurality of end
closure panels 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b, 30b. A first end
of the tubular
structure is closed by a first group of end closure panels 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a,
30a; the second
end of the tubular structure is closed by a second group of end closure panels
22b, 24b, 26b,
28b, 30b.
A first end closure panel 22a is hinged to the first top panel 12 by a fold
line 21a; a second
end closure panel 24a is hinged to the first side wall panel 14 by a fold line
23a; a third end
closure panel 26a is hinged to the base panel 16 by a fold line 27a; a fourth
end closure panel
.. 28a is hinged to the second side wall panel 18 by a fold line 29a and a
fifth end closure panel
30a is hinged to the second top panel 20 by a fold line 31a.
The first end closure panel 22a and fifth end closure panel 30a form a
composite end closure
panel 22a/30a. The first end closure panel 22a and fifth end closure panel 30a
form a first
minor or top end closure flap 22a/30a or dust flap.
The third end closure panel 26a forms a minor or lower end closure flap 26a or
dust flap.
The second and fourth enclosure panel 24a, 28a form major end flaps or side
end flaps.
The first group of end closure panels 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a are coupled one
to the next by
a web panel 32a, 34a, 36a, 40a. A first web panel 32a is hingedly connected to
the first end
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closure panel 22a by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 33a. The
first web panel
32a is hingedly connected to the second end closure panel 24a by a hinged
connection in the
form of a fold line 35a. A second web panel 34a is hingedly connected to the
second end
closure panel 24a by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 37a. The
second web panel
34a is hingedly connected to the third end closure panel 26a by a hinged
connection in the
form of a fold line 39a. A third web panel 36a is hingedly connected to the
third end closure
panel 26a by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 41a. The third web
panel 36a is
hingedly connected to the fourth end closure panel 28a by a hinged connection
in the form of
a fold line 43a. A fourth web panel 40a is hingedly connected to the fourth
end closure panel
28a by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 45a. The fourth web
panel 40a is hingedly
connected to the fifth end closure panel 30a by a hinged connection in the
form of a fold line
47a.
A sixth end closure panel 22b is hinged to the first top panel 12 by a fold
line 21b; a seventh
end closure panel 24b is hinged to the first side wall panel 14 by a fold line
23b; an eighth end
closure panel 26b is hinged to the base panel 16 by a fold line 27b; a ninth
end closure panel
28b is hinged to the second side wall panel 18 by a fold line 29b, and a tenth
end closure
panel 30b is hinged to the second top panel 20 by a fold line 31b.
The sixth end closure panel 22b and tenth end closure panel 30b form a
composite end closure
panel 22b/30b. The sixth end closure panel 22b and tenth end closure panel 30b
form a
second minor or top end closure flap 22a/30a or dust flap.
The eighth end closure panel 26b forms a minor or lower end closure flap 26b
or dust flap.
The seventh and ninth enclosure panel 24b, 28b form major end flaps or side
end flaps.
The fold lines 21a, 23a, 27a, 29a, 31a are collinear with each other, the fold
lines 21b, 23b,
27b, 29b, 31b are collinear with each other, such that first top panel 12,
first side panel 14,
base panel 16, second side panel 18 and second top panel 20 are equal in
length.
The second group of end closure panels 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b, 30b are coupled one
to the next
by a web panel 32b, 34b, 36b, 40b. A fifth web panel 32b is hingedly connected
to the sixth
end closure panel 22b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 33b.
The fifth web
panel 32b is hingedly connected to the seventh end closure panel 24b by a
hinged connection
in the form of a fold line 35b. A sixth web panel 34b is hingedly connected to
the seventh end
closure panel 24b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 37b. The
sixth web panel
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connection in the
form of a fold line 39b. A seventh web panel 36b is hingedly connected to the
eighth end
closure panel 26b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 41b. The
seventh web
panel 36b is hingedly connected to the ninth end closure panel 28b by a hinged
connection in
the form of a fold line 43b. An eighth web panel 40b is hingedly connected to
the ninth end
closure panel 28b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 45b. The
eighth web panel
40b is hingedly connected to the tenth end closure panel 30b by a hinged
connection in the
form of a fold line 47b.
.. The blank 10 comprises a first cutaway Al in the form of an aperture. The
first cutaway Al is
struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the first top panel 12,
first side panel 14, first
end closure panel 22a, first web panel 32a and second end closure panel 24a.
The blank 10 comprises a second cutaway A2 in the form of an aperture. The
second cutaway
A2 is struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the first top panel
12, first side panel
14, sixth end closure panel 22b, fifth web panel 32b and seventh end closure
panel 24b.
The blank 10 comprises a third cutaway A3 in the form of an aperture. The
third cutaway A3
is struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the first side panel
14, base panel 16,
second end closure panel 24a, second web panel 34a and third end closure panel
26a.
The blank 10 comprises a fourth cutaway A4 in the form of an aperture. The
fourth cutaway
A4 is struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the first side panel
14, base panel 16,
seventh end closure panel 24b, sixth web panel 34b and eighth end closure
panel 26b.
The blank 10 comprises a fifth cutaway AS in the form of an aperture. The
fifth cutaway AS is
struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the base panel 16, second
side panel 18,
third end closure panel 26a, third web panel 36a and fourth end closure panel
28a.
The blank 10 comprises a sixth cutaway A6 in the form of an aperture. The
sixth cutaway A6
is struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the base panel 16,
second side panel 18,
eighth end closure panel 26b, seventh web panel 36b and ninth end closure
panel 28b.
The blank 10 comprises a seventh cutaway A7 in the form of an aperture. The
seventh
cutaway A7 is struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the second
side panel 18,
second top panel 20, fourth end closure panel 28a, fourth web panel 40a and
fifth end closure
panel 30a.
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The blank 10 comprises an eighth cutaway A8 in the form of an aperture. The
eighth cutaway
A8 is struck in part from, or defined in part by, each of the second side
panel 18, second top
panel 20, ninth end closure panel 28b, eighth web panel 40b and tenth end
closure panel 30b.
The first, second, third and fourth cutaways Al, A2, A3, A4 define chamfered,
recessed,
filleted or rounded corners of the first side panel 14, such that the first
side panel 14 is
substantially octagonal in shape.
The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth cutaways A5, A6, A7, A8 define chamfered,
recessed,
filleted or rounded corners of the second side panel 18, such that the second
side panel 18 is
substantially octagonal in shape.
The third, fourth, fifth and sixth cutaways A3, A4, AS, A6 define chamfered,
recessed, filleted
or rounded corners of the base panel 16, such that the base panel 16 is
substantially octagonal
in shape.
The third, fourth, fifth and sixth cutaways A3, A4, AS, A6 are optional and in
some
embodiments may be omitted, in such embodiments the base panel 16 may be
substantially
rectangular and the first and second side panel 14, 18 may be substantially
hexagonal in
shape
The first and second cutaways Al, A2 define chamfered, recessed, filleted or
rounded corners
of the first top panel 12. The seventh and eighth cutaways A7, A8 define
chamfered, recessed,
filleted or rounded corners of the second top panel 20. In this way the
composite top panel
12/20 formed from the first and second top panels 12, 20 is substantially
octagonal in shape.
The filleted corners define free edges of the composite top panel 12/20 herein
after referred
to as free corner edges.
In the illustrated embodiment the first and second side panels 14, 18 comprise
convex filleted
corners.
In the illustrated embodiment the base panel 16 and composite top panel 12/20
comprise
concave filleted corners.
The blank 10 comprises a handle structure denoted generally by reference signs
H1 and H2.
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The first top panel 12 comprises a first portion H1 of the handle structure,
the first portion H1
comprises a first strap member 54 having a central region and opposed end
regions with a
tapered region mediate the central region and each of the end regions. First
strap member 54
is defined at least part by a pair of severance lines 55a, 55b extending
substantially
longitudinally (between the first and sixth end closure panels 22a, 22b) of
the first top panel
12. The severance lines 55a, 55b take the form of preformed, perforated tear
lines defined by
a plurality of perforations or cuts.
The pair of severance lines 55a, 55b are spaced apart by a first handle
opening, the handle
opening is defined in part by a first and second handle aperture A9, A10 and
by a first
cushioning flap 52. The first cushioning flap 52 is hinged to a first or outer
side of the first strap
member 54 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 53.
The first strap member 54 may comprise a reinforcing member 50 hinged to a
second side of
the first strap member 54 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line
51. The second side
opposes the first side.
The first portion H1 of the handle structure comprises a first pair of stress
diverting score or
fold lines 57a, 59a extending from an outer end of a first one 55a of the pair
of severance lines
55a, 55b. The first pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 57a, 59a are
divergently arranged
with respect to each other. The first pair of stress diverting score or fold
lines 57a, 59a each
terminate at the first cutaway Al. The first pair of stress diverting score or
fold lines 57a, 59a
each terminate at a first corner edge of the composite top panel 12/20. The
first pair of stress
diverting score or fold lines 57a, 59a extend from the edge of the first top
panel 12 defined by
the first cutaway Al to a terminal end of the first severance line 55a. The
first pair of stress
diverting score or fold lines 57a, 59a converge at the terminal end of the
first severance line
55a. A first web is defined, at least in part between the first pair of stress
diverting fold lines
57a, 59a.
A first stress diverting fold line 57a may line upon a notional line extending
between the
terminal end of the first severance line 55a and a notional point of
intersection between the
fold line 13 and the fold line 21a.
A second stress diverting fold line 59a may extend between the terminal end of
the first
severance line 55a and a point of intersection between the fold line 21a and
the first cutaway
Al.
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The first portion H1 of the handle structure comprises a second pair of stress
diverting score
or fold lines 57b, 59b extending from an outer end of a second one 55b of the
pair of severance
lines 55a, 55b.
The second pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 57b, 59b are
divergently arranged with
respect to each other. The second pair of stress diverting score or fold lines
57b, 59b each
terminate at the second cutaway A2. The second pair of stress diverting score
or fold lines
57b, 59b each terminate at a second corner edge of the composite top panel
12/20. The
second pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 57b, 59b extend from the
edge of the first
top panel 12 defined by the second cutaway A2 to a terminal end of the second
severance
line 55b. The second pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 57b, 59b
converge at the
terminal end of the second severance line 55b. A second web is defined, at
least in part
between the second pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 57b, 59b.
A third stress diverting fold line 57b may line upon a notional line extending
between the
terminal end of the second severance line 55b and a notional point of
intersection between
the fold line 13 and the fold line 21b.
A fourth stress diverting fold line 59b may extend between the terminal end of
the second
severance line 55b and a point of intersection between the fold line 21b and
the second
cutaway A2.
The first and second webs extend diagonally from the chamfered, filleted or
free corner edges
of the first top panel 12. The first web is divergently arranged with respect
to the second web.
The second top panel 20 comprises a second portion H2 of the handle structure,
the second
portion H2 comprises a second strap member 56 having a central region and
opposed end
regions with a tapered region mediate the central region and each of the end
regions. Second
strap member 56 is defined at least part by a pair of severance lines 63a, 63b
extending
substantially longitudinally (between the fourth and tenth end closure panels
30a, 30b) of the
second top panel 20. The severance lines 63a, 63b take the form of preformed,
perforated
tear lines defined by a plurality of perforations or cuts.
The pair of severance lines 63a, 63b, comprising a third severance lines 63a
and a fourth
severance line 63b, are spaced apart by a second handle opening, the handle
opening is
defined in part by a third and fourth handle aperture All, Al2 and by a second
cushioning
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flap 58. The second cushioning flap 58 is hinged to a first or outer side of
the second strap
member 56 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 61.
The second portion H2 of the handle structure comprises a third pair of stress
diverting score
or fold lines 65a, 67a extending from an outer end of a third severance line
63a. The third pair
of stress diverting score or fold lines 65a, 67a are divergently arranged with
respect to each
other. The third pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 65a, 67a each
terminate at the
seventh cutaway A7. The third pair of stress diverting score or fold lines
65a, 67a each
terminate at a third corner edge of the composite top panel 12/20. The third
pair of stress
.. diverting score or fold lines 65a, 67a extend from the edge of the second
top panel 20 defined
by the seventh cutaway A7 to a terminal end of the third severance line 63a.
The third pair of
stress diverting score or fold lines 65a, 67a converge at the terminal end of
the third severance
line 63a. A third web is defined, at least in part between the third pair of
stress diverting fold
lines 65a, 67a.
A fifth stress diverting fold line 65a may line upon a notional line extending
between the
terminal end of the third severance line 63a and a notional point of
intersection between the
fold line 19 and the fold line 31a.
A sixth stress diverting fold line 67a may extend between the terminal end of
the third
severance line 63a and a point of intersection between the fold line 31a and
the seventh
cutaway A7.
The second portion H2 of the handle structure comprises a fourth pair of
stress diverting score
or fold lines 65b, 67b extending from an outer end of the fourth severance
line 63b.
The fourth pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 65b, 67b are
divergently arranged with
respect to each other. The fourth pair of stress diverting score or fold lines
65b, 67b each
terminate at the eighth cutaway A8. The fourth pair of stress diverting score
or fold lines 65b,
67b each terminate at a fourth corner edge of the composite top panel 12/20.
The fourth pair
of stress diverting score or fold lines 65b, 67b extend from the edge of the
second top panel
20 defined by the eighth cutaway A8 to a terminal end of the fourth severance
line 63b, the
fourth pair of stress diverting score or fold lines 65b, 67b converge at the
terminal end of the
fourth severance line 63b. A fourth web is defined, at least in part between
the fourth pair of
stress diverting score or fold lines 65b, 67b.
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A seventh stress diverting fold lines 65b may line upon a notional line
extending between the
terminal end of the fourth severance line 63b and a notional point of
intersection between the
fold line 19 and the fold line 31b, see Figure 1A.
An eighth stress diverting fold lines 67b may extend between the terminal end
of the fourth
severance line 63b and a point of intersection between the fold line 31b and
the eighth cutaway
A8.
The third and fourth webs extend diagonally from the chamfered, filleted or
free corner edges
of the second top panel 12. The third web is divergently arranged with respect
to the fourth
web.
The first web is divergently arranged with respect to the third web. The
second web is
divergently arranged with respect to the fourth web.
Referring now to Figure 1A, an enlarged view of a corner of the second top
panel 20 is
illustrated. The seventh and eighth stress diverting fold lines 65b, 67b are
shown in detail, the
first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth stress diverting fold lines 57a,
59a, 57b, 59b, 65a,
67a are similarly arranged. The seventh and eighth stress diverting fold lines
65b, 67b each
comprise at least one cut line or perforation 03, 04. The seventh stress
diverting fold line 65b
comprises three cut lines 03 each of the cut lines 03 is disposed collinearly
with the preformed
fold line 65b. The eighth stress diverting fold line 67b comprises two cut
lines 04 each of the
cut lines 04 is disposed collinearly with the preformed fold line 67b. The cut
lines 03, 04 may
be considered to interrupt the respective one of the seventh and eighth stress
diverting fold
.. lines 65b, 67b.
The cut lines 03, 04 may weaken or reduce the fold resistance of the seventh
and eighth
stress diverting fold lines 65b, 67b making the fold lines 65b, 67b easier to
fold when the
carrying handle is in use. The cut lines 03, 04 can be considered to be fold
resistance
.. reduction devices.
The seventh stress diverting fold line 65b comprises a greater number of cut
lines than the
eighth stress diverting fold line 67b. In this way the fold resistance of the
seventh stress
diverting fold line 65b may be less than that of the eighth stress diverting
fold line 67b.
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The reduced fold resistance of the seventh stress diverting fold line 65b
compared to the
eighth stress diverting fold line 67b may lead the seventh stress diverting
fold line 65b to fold
prior to or in advance of the eighth stress diverting fold line 67b.
This preferential sequence of folding defines that the first, third, fifth and
seventh stress
diverting fold line 57a, 57b, 65a, 65b take an elevated position with respect
to the second,
fourth, sixth or eighth stress diverting fold line 59a, 59b, 67a, 67b, best
shown in Figure 6.
In other embodiments, alternative fold resistance control devices may be
employed. The first,
third, fifth and seventh stress diverting fold line 57a, 57b, 65a, 65b may be
employ a fold
resistance reduction device or structure such that they are more readily
folded than the
second, fourth, sixth or eighth stress diverting fold line 59a, 59b, 67a, 67b,
for example the cut
lines may be replaced with one or more cutaways, apertures, slots or slits,
half depth cuts.
Optionally, the blank 10 comprises a first relief structure R1 and a second
relief structure R2.
The first relief structure R1 comprises a plurality of score lines or
predefined fold lines. The
fold lines are defined in the first top panel 12.
.. The first relief structure R1 comprises a first linear fold line 70, which
extends at a proximal
end from the first handle opening transversely across a portion of the first
top panel 12 towards
the fold line 13. A pair of divergently arranged fold lines 72, 74 extend from
a distal end of the
first linear fold line 70 to intersect with the fold line 13. The pair of
divergently arranged fold
lines 72, 74 define, in part, a first top panel portion 12a therebetween.
The second relief structure R2 comprises a plurality of score lines or
predefined fold lines. The
fold lines are defined in the second top panel 20.
The second relief structure R2 comprises a first linear fold line 70, which
extends at a proximal
end from the second handle opening transversely across a portion of the second
top panel 20
towards the fold line 19. A pair of divergently arranged fold lines 72, 74
extend from a distal
end of the first linear fold line 70 to intersect with the fold line 19. The
pair of divergently
arranged fold lines 72, 74 define, in part, a second top panel portion 20a
therebetween.
The first and second relief structures R2 may be located substantially
centrally in the
respective one of the first and second top panels 12, 20, that is to say,
substantially half way
between the first and sixth or fifth and tenth end closure panels 22a, 22b;
30a, 30b.
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Optionally, a second blank 110 may be provided to serve as an insert or buffer
between the
first and second tiers of articles B. The second blank 110 may comprise a main
panel 112
having a substantially rectangular form. The main panel 112 may comprise
chamfered or
filleted corners similar to those of the first and second side panel 14, 18.
The main panel 112
may comprise a pair of recesses Cl, 02 on opposing side edges. One side edges
of main
panel 112 is disposed adjacent to the composite top panel 12/20.
Turning to the construction of the carton 90 as illustrated in Figures 3, 4
and 5, the carton 90
can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line
machine so that
the carton 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.
Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the reinforcing member 50. In
alternative
embodiments glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to a portion of the
first strap member
54.
The reinforcing member 50 is folded about fold line 51 to be brought into face
contacting
relationship with the first strap member 54. The reinforcing member 50 is
secured to the first
strap member 54.
The blank 10 is then folded about the fold line 15 such that the first top
panel 12 is brought
into face to face relationship with a portion of the second side panel 18 and
a portion of the
base panel 16. The first side panel 14 is brought into face to face
relationship with the base
panel 16.
Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the first top panel 12 in
particular to the first
strap member 54 and regions of the first top panel which overlap with the
second top panel
20 when the second top panel 20 is folded about fold line 19 into face to face
relationship with
the first top panel 12. In alternative embodiments glue or other adhesive
treatment is applied
to the second top panel 20 in particular the second strap member 56.
Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to regions of the first end
closure panel 22a and
the sixth end closure panel 22b.
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The second top panel 20 is folded about fold line 19 into face contacting
relationship with the
first top panel 12. The second top panel 20 is secured to the first top panel
12.
The fifth end closure panel 30a is brought into overlapping relationship with
the first end
closure panel 22a, the tenth end closure panel 30b is brought into overlapping
relationship
with the sixth end closure panel 22b.
The fifth end closure panel 30a is secured to the first end closure panel 22a.
The tenth end
closure panel 30b is secured to the sixth end closure panel 22b.
In this way a flat collapsed tubular structure is formed. This flat collapsed
tubular structure is
suitable for shipping or distribution to a convertor plant.
The flat collapsed tubular structure can be erected into a carton by forming a
tubular structure,
engaging an adjacent pair of the plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
and orientating an
adjacent pair of the plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 so as to be
substantially
perpendicular to each other. The tubular structure can then be loaded with
articles B by
inserting the articles B through one or both of the open ends of the tubular
structure. The insert
110 may be placed between two tiers of articles B. The ends of the tubular
structure are closed
by folding the end closure panels 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b,
30b to be
substantially perpendicular to the one of the plurality of main panels 12, 14,
16, 18, 20 to which
they are hinged.
The first and fifth end closure panels 22a, 30a are folded to be substantially
perpendicular to
the top wall 12/20 formed by the first and second top panel 12, 20. The third
end closure panel
26a is folded to be substantially perpendicular to the base panel 16. The
fourth end closure
panel 28a is folded to be substantially perpendicular to the second side wall
panel 18 such
that it is in face contacting relationship with the first and third end
closure panels 22a, 26a.
The fourth end closure panel 28a may be secured to the first and third end
closure panels
22a, 26a by adhesive or other suitable treatment. The second end closure panel
24a is folded
to be substantially perpendicular to the first side wall panel 14 and is
secured to the fourth end
closure panel 28a, and may be secured to the first and third end closure
panels 22a, 26a, by
adhesive or other suitable treatment. The second group of end closure panels
22b, 24b, 26b,
28b, 30b is constructed in substantially the same manner to that of the first
group of end
closure panels 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a previously described.
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Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the handle structure of the carton 90 in use.
Figure 4 illustrates the
handle structure in a stowed or undeployed position. Figure 5 and 6 illustrate
the handle
structure in a deployed condition.
In the stowed position, it can be seen that the webs defined by the stress
diverting fold lines
57a/59a, 57b/59b, 65a/67a, 65b/67b are coplanar with the top wal112/20. A
carrying handle
54/56 formed from the first and second strap members 54, 56 is coplanar with
the top
wal112/20
When the carrying handle 54/56 is in use the top wall 12/20 deforms. The webs
are fold about
each of the pair of fold lines 57a/59a, 57b/59b, 65a/67a, 65b/67b partially
defining them. The
fold lines with the lower fold resistance, fold lines 57a, 57b, 65a, 65b adopt
a higher elevation
than the fold lines 59a, 59b, 67a, 67b with the higher fold resistance, best
shown in Figure 6.
The webs and/or the pair of fold lines 57a/59a, 57b/59b, 65a/67a, 65b/67b
partially defining
them may direct load forces in the top wall 12/20 and carrying handle 54/56
into the corners
of the carton 90. The webs and/or the pair of fold lines 57a/59a, 57b/59b,
65a/67a, 65b/67b
may also control deformation of the carton 90 so as to tighten the carton 90
onto the group of
articles B disposed inside. In this way the articles may serve as a brace,
load forces may be
.. transferred onto the brace.
The top end closure flaps 22a/30a, 22b/30b may be displaced inwardly, into a
void between
the carton 90 and the endmost articles in the upper most row of articles B.
This inward
displacement may allow the carrying handle to be displaced outwardly to create
space or
clearance between the carrying handle 54/56 and the top wall 12/20 of the
carton 90. The
inward displacement of the top end closure flaps 22a/30a, 22b/30b may be
facilitated by the
displacement of the webs. The fold lines 59a, 59b, 67a, 67b with the higher
fold resistance
may be considered to move inwardly from each end of the carton 90 towards the
respective
one of fold lines 57a, 57b, 65a, 65b with the lower fold resistance with which
they are
convergently arranged. The fold lines 59a, 59b, 67a, 67b may move inwardly so
as to be
disposed below a respective one of the fold lines 57a, 57b, 65a, 65b.
When the carrying handle 54/56 is in use the first top panel 12 and the second
top panel 20
may deform adopting a nonplanar condition. The first and second relief
structures R1, R2 may
control the deformation. The first and second relief structures R1, R2 may
further improve
transfer of load forces onto the articles disposed within the carton 90.
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It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the
present
invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be
adjusted to
accommodate articles of differing size or shape. It will be appreciated that
the top wall of the
carton 90 may in alternative embodiments be formed by a single top panel which
extends
between the first and second side wall panels 14, 18 when in a set-up
condition. In such
embodiments a glue flap may be provided for securing a pair of adjacent main
panels to one
another. In other embodiments the first top panel 12 and/or the second top
panel 20 may
extend between the first and second side wall panels 14, 18.
.. It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as
"top", "bottom", "front",
"back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not
necessarily limit the
respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish
these panels from
one another.
As used herein, the terms "hinged connection" and "fold line" refer 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 a 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 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.
