Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
One well known panel interlocking means for securing
a pair of panels in overlapping face contacting relation is
dis~losed in expired U.S. Patent 2,786,572 and comprises locking
, 20 tabs struck from one panel which are arranged to be driven~ ~ ~
through corresponding clocking apertures defined by retaining
- tabs struck from the ot~r panel. The interlocking means of
Patent 2,786,572 forms a secure and reliable lock for use for
example in article earriers of the wraparound type and secures
thè wrapper blank about a group of articles b~ operating against
the tension of the blank so as to maintain package security.
i While some article carriers of the wraparound type w~ich
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- incorporate the panel interlocking means of Patent 2,786,572 are
~ adapted to function as containers for large primary packages,
- ~ 30 such carriers are not ordinarily especially adapted for use
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with the currently popular large primary containers. In
certain instances large primary packages may be returned to
the packager in view of the current emphasis on environmen-
tal considerations and for other reasons. The requirement
for package integrity requires that panel interlocking means
for use in conjunction with wraparound type carriers
e~pecially those for large bottles and cans must be secure
even though tension of the wrapper blank may be substantial
and even though the carrier locks may be weakened by
excessive humi~ity.
According to this invention there is provided an
arrangement for interlocking a pair of panels in overlapping
relation, said arrangement comprising a locking tab having
transverse shoulders projecting from its side edges and
being struck from one of said panels and foldably joined
thereto at its base, a retaining tab struck from the other
of said panels and foldably joined thereto and defining a
locking aperture in said other panel, at least one securing
tab forming a projection of said other panel 21cng a trans-
- 20 verse edge of said locking aperture, and at least one securingaperture formed in said locking tab adjacent its base for
receiving said securing tab when said locking tab is driven
through said locking aperture.
For a better understanding of the invention reference
may be had to the following detailed description taken in con-
junction with the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of a can wrapper shown in inverted position so
as to expose the interlocking means which normally is formed in
the bottom of the carrier; FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective
fragmentary view of one locking tab and its associated retaining
tab together with holding means and a securing tab and securing
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aperture formed according to this invention and with the parts
shown in locked.condition and as viewed from a vantage point
to the left of FIG. l; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of panels
which are to be interlocked in overlapping relationship prior
to engagement of the panels and prior to the initiation of an
interlocking operation; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but
which shows the panels in fully interlocked condition; FIG. 5
is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line
designated 5-5 in FIG. 2 and in which FIG. 6 is a plan view of
a blank from which the carrier of FIG. 1 is formed.
In the drawings the numeral 1 generally designates
a main central panel in which a pair of finger gripping apertures
2 and 3 are formed, As explained, panel 1 normally consitutes
the top panel of a carrier although in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 the
carton is shown in upside down position.
Side walls 4 and 5 are foldab~y joined to main panel 1
along interrupted fold lines 6 and 7 respectively and article
receiving apertures 8, 9, 10 and 11 are formed along fold line 6
while similar apertures 12, 13, 14 and 15 are formed along fold
20 line 7. The apertures 8-15 receive end portions of the packaged
articles such as cans C in a manner well known in the art.
Lap panels 16 and 17 are foldably joined to the edges
18 and 19 of panels 4 and 5 respectively and article receiving
apertures 20-23 are formed along fold line 18 while similar
apertures 24-27 are formed along fold line 19 and are well
known in the art.
For the purpose of separating the articles such as
~` Cl in one row of articles from the articles such as C2 in the
other row of articles, a medial keel panel 28 is foldably joined
to lap panel 17 along fold line 29 and keel slit~ 39, 31 and 32
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are formed along fold line 29 so as effectively to increase the
width of lap panel 17 thereby to enhance locking security in a
manner well known in the art.
In order to provide for tightening the blank about a
group of articles prior to interlocking the panels 16 and 17,
a plurality of tightening apertures 33-36 are formed in the lap
panel 16 and similar tightening apertures 37-40 are formed in
lap panel 17. As is well known machine elements enter tightening
apertures 33-36 and move inwardly in opposition to the movement
of corresponding machine elements which enter tightening apertures
37-40 and function in known manner to tighten the wrapper about
the articles C. As is well known, cutaway areas 41-44 are
formed along an edge of panel 16 so as to avoid interference
with the machine tightening elements which enter tightening
apertures 37-40 and similar cutaway areas 45-48 are formed in -
an edge of medial keel panel 28 so as to avoid interference
with the machine elements w~ihh enter tightening apertures 33-36.
For the purpose of securing lap panels 16 and 17
together in overlapping face contacting relation, a plurality
of locking tabs 49-53 are struck from lap panel 16 and are
foldably joined thereto along transverseffold lines 54-58
located at the base of the locking tabs 49-53 respectively. As
shown in FIG. 6, these transverse fold lines are of an inter-
rupted construction as indicated for example at 55a and 55b.
The locking tabs 49-53 cooperate with the locking
apertures defined by retaining tabs 59-63 respectively which
are struck from lap panel 17 and foldably joined thereto along
end edge fold lines 64-68 respectively.
The structure as described above except for the
3~ interrupted fold lines such as 55a and 55b is substantially in
acco~dance with the prior art such as is represented by the
aforementioned Patent 2,786,572.
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According to th;s invention, securing apertures
such as are designated by the numerals 69-73 are formed in
the locking tabs 49-53 respectively and securing tabs 74-78
and form extensions of lap panel 17 which project from the
transverse end edges of the locking apertures defined by
retaining tabs 59-63 respectively while holding means in the
form of grooves 79-83 are formed in locking tabs 49-53 respectively;
With the wrapper blank properly tightened about the
group of articles C, the locking tabs 50-53 are engaged by
locking plungers such as that schematically represented in
FIGS. 3 and 4 at P and are driven through the locking apertures
defined by retaining tabs 59-63 respectively. This action
swings the retaining tabs 59-63 about their end edge fold lines
64-68 respectively and causes the free ends of the retaining
tabs to engage the respective locking tabs to hold these tabs
in angularly disposed braced relationship as is shown in FIGS. 2,
4 and 5. Engagement of the free ends of the retaining tabs
59-63 in the grooves 79-83 respectively aids in holding the
locking and retaining tabs in angular mutually braced relation
to each other. Instead of the grooves such as 79-83, suitable
apertures could be provided or embossed or upraised ridges cQuld
be employed all within the meaning of the term "holding means".
Simultaneously with the performance of the locking
operation by driving the locking tabs through the locking
apertures, the securing tabs such as are designated by the
numerals 74-78 inclusive are inserted into the securing
apertures 69-7~ respectively and serve to maintain the wrapper
in locked condition. The securing tabs and their associated
securing apertures serve to maintain lock security even though
the fold lines such as 54-58 at the base of the locking tabs
49-53 respectively tend to "roll" or ~o shift position along
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their associated locking tabs. The tendency of the lockin~ tab
fold lines 54-58 to "roll" or to shift position from the base
of the locking tab to a position somewhat removed from the base
or from the normal disposition of the fold line sometimes is due
to high humidity conditions which tend to weaken or to soften
the material from which the wrapper is made such as paperboard.
While the securing apertures 69-73 preferably are
disposed approximately midway between the ends of the interrupted
fold lines 54-58, these apertures could be located at some other
position along these fold lines and, if desired, more than one
securing aperture such as 69-73 could be employed. Of course
corresponding securing tabs such as 74-78 inclusive would be
utilized so as to match the disposition of the apertures 69-73
respectively both as to position and number.
From the description above it is apparent that the
securing tabs such as 74-78 o~ their equivalent in association
with the securing apertures 69-73 or their equivalents serve
to insure lock security even though ambient conditions are
characterized byaa high degree of humidity or in the event some
other condition may occur which tends to shift the position of
the fold lines such as 54-58 incluæive. In addition the securing
tabs and apertures tend to enhance the bracing action of the
; retaining tabs by limiting relative movement between panels
such as 16 and 17 and generally contribute to positive lock
security. The holding means 79-83 serve to maintain the locks
in locked condition particularly when wrapper tension is reduced
as by removing one or more articles therefrom due to engagement
of the free ends of the retaining tabs in the grooves 69-83 which
action tends to prevent sliding of the retaining tabs along
the locking tabs when wrapper tension is relaxed.
The embodiments of the invention in which an
exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
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