Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
U. NVV, LVV I 10: 7U n L b b V I!Otl 74U103 IuV, Nyo r. i)
11-2001 CA 02391215 2002-05-10 US0030740
CARTON AND CARTON BLANKS
Backaround of the Invention
The present invention relates to a carton and a carton blank for forming said
carton. More
particularly, the invention relates to a carton and blank for packaging
fragile articles such as
bottles of perffiume, for example.
It is known to provide an inner support structure for fragile items. For
example, US
3,693,866 to Struble discloses a tubular carton comprising an inner and outer
sections, the
inner section having frangibly interconnected panels which may be separated in
order to
accommodate an article t.herebetween.
Another example is shown in US 2,732,123 to Holding which discloses a shock
resistant
tubular carton having inner and outer sections, the inner section being
adapted to
accommodate a vacuum type valve, and baving a eut-away section provided
therein.
EP699588 to CD illustrates a carton for packaging articles comprising an outer
carton and a
pair of inner article support structures. Each article support structwre is
hingedly connected to
a side panel forming the outer carton and is secured to that side panel. Thus
the article
retention structures are not secured together.
A further problem with known carriers is that the inner section and outer
sleeve need to be
constructed and erected at the time of loading the 'article. This is
undesirable for modem
packaging machines as it limits the machine speeds. Accordingly, the present
invention seeks
to overcome this problem by providing a collapsible carrier.
The present invention, and its preferred embodiments, seek to overcome or at
least mitigate
the problems of the prior art.
AMENDED SHEET
E m v f a n & a L a I L V V - 11 V Y. I V - ,V
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
H L B B 01788 C"n1o2, pin Inoo. _ r
Printed:13-02-2002 L7ESCPAML? 00979146-US003074(
2
One aspect of the invention provides a carton for accommodating a fragile
article of value,
such as a perfume bottle. The carton comprises an outer sleeve and an inner
article receiving
structure, the inner article receiving structure being formed so as to hold an
article out of
contact with the sides of the outer sleeve. The inner article receiving
structure comprises an
5 inner sleeve having a first pair of opposed side walls secured to a first
pair of opposed side
walls of the outer sleeve and a second pair of opposed side walls spaced apart
from a second
pair of opposed side walls of the outer sleeve. The second pair of side walls
of the inner
structure having apertures to receive and support portions of the article. The
inner structure
further comprises a first closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the
inner sleeve for
10 movement between an open position where the closure panel allows the inner
and outer
sleeves to collapse into a flat form and a closed position where the closure
panel forrns a
brace structure extending between the first and second pairs of side walls of
the inner
structure and provides resistance to collapse of the inner and outer sleeves.
These structures provide a degree of support but for fragile items it is
desirable to support the
product from above and below as well as from all sides.
Optionally, the first bridging closure panel may be hingedly connected to one
of the second
pair side walls of the inner structure, the bridging closure panel being
disposed in the plane of
said one second pair side wall when in the open position and extending between
the second
pair side walls of the inner structure when in the closed position.
Preferably, the first
bridging closure panel comprises a recess panel hingedly connected to the one
second pair
side wall, and a bridging panel hingedly connected to the recess panel, the
recess panel may
overlie the one second pair side wall when the bridging closure panel is in
the closed position
and the bridging panel extends from the recess panel to the other second pair
side wall of the
inner structure when the bridging closure panel is in the closed position_
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the present inveiution, the
inner structure
further comprises a second bridging closure panel hingedly connected to at
least one of the
second pair side walls of the inner structure for movement between an open
position where
the second bridging closure panels allow the inner and outer sleeves to
collapse into a flat
form and a closed position wherc the second bridging closure panel forms an
article receiving
AMENDED SHEET 17-01-2W2
EmufanssLelL 11.Jan. 1o=ur
''AnI' 10' 10 H L B B 01788 C "nl 0 0 CA 02391215 2002-05-10 Fin 7noo ~
Printed:13-02-2002 DESCPAMD 00979146-US0030740
3
platform extending between the one second pair side wall of the inner
structure and an
adjacent one of the second pair side walls of the outer sleeve and provides
resistance to
collapse of the inner and outer sleeves.
preferabiy the second bridging closure panel is secured to the outer sleeve.
Alternatively an
edge of the second bridging closure panel abuts a panel of the outer sleeve.
According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the present
invention, the outer sleeve
includes an end closure structure wherein the brace structure further
comprises a bevelled
portion formed in the inner sleeve such that a securing flap of the end
closure structure of the
outer sleeve may be guided into a gap between the brace structure and the
outcr sleeve.
According to an optional featwe of this aspect of the present invention a
first blank is
provided for the outer sleeve, and a second blank is provided for the inner
sleeve.
According to a second aspect of the present invention provides a blank for
accommodating a
fragile article of value, such as a perfume bottle, which blank comprises a
plurality of panels
for forming an outer sleeve including opposed side and end wall panels
hingedly connected
together in series, and a second blank comprising a plurality of panels for
forming an inner
article receiving structure. The inner article receiving blank comprises an
inner sleeve having
a first pair of opposed side walls and a second pair of opposed side walls
hingedly connected
together, said second pair of side walls of the inner structure having
apertures to receive and
support portions of the article in a set up condition. The inner structure
further comprises a
first bridging closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the inner sleeve
panels for
movement between an open position and a closed position when the carton is set
up where
the bridging closure panel forms a brace structure extending between the first
and second
pairs of side walls of the inner structure.
Optionally, the first bridging closure panel may be hingedly connected to one
of the second
pair of side walls of the inner structure, and extending between the second
pair side walls of
the inner structure when in the closed position.
2 AMENDED SHEET 17-01-2002
Empfangsieit i/.ian. ia:ut
CA 02391215 2002-05-10 -
H L B B.O1788 C,~n~n~ ~in ~noo
Printed:13-02-2002 DESCPAMD 00979146-US003074t
4
Preferably the first bridging closure panel may comprise a recess panel
hingedly connected to
the one second pair side wall, and a bridging panel hingedly connected to the
recess panel,
the recess panel overlies the one second pair side wall when the bridging
closure panel is in
the closed position and the bridging panel extends from the recess panel to
the other sccond
5 pair side wall of the inner structure when the bridging closure panel is in
the closed position.
According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the present
invention, the inner
structure may further comprise a second bridging closure panel hingcdly
connected to at least
one of the second pair side walls of the inner structure where the second
bridging closure
. t0 panel forms an article receiving platform extending between the one
second pair side wall of
the inner structure and an adjacent one of the second pair side walls of the
outer sleeve in a
set up carton.
Brief Descriution of the rawings
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way
of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank according to one embodiment of the
invention;
3 mpfan AMENDED SHEET 17-01-2002
E
O. NOv. 9001 16:51 H Lb B Ui lb~ 74U1Uj iru. ~oyo r. i /
30=11-2001 CA 02391215 2002-05-10 US0030740
4a
FIGURE I A illustrates the blank of Figure 1 part-constructed in a flat
collapsed condition;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from below of the blank of Figure 1 when
partially erected
to form a carton;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the blank at a later stage of the erection
process than
illustrated in Figure 2;
Empfan AMENDED SHEET
WO 01/34482 CA 02391215 2002-05-10 PCTIUSOO/30740
-5-
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view from above of the blank of Figure 1 when
partially erected to
form a carton;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from above of the carton ready to receive an
article;
FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the carton with an article in place
viewed from the side
thereof;
FIGURES 7A and 7B are plan views of a two part blank according to a second
embodiment
of the invention;
FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a blank according to a third embodiment of the
invention;
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view from below of the blank of Figure 8 when
partially erected to
form a carton;
FIGURE 9A is a perspective view of the blank at a later stage of the erection
process than
illustrated in Figure 9;
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view from above of the blank of Figure 8 when
partially erected
to form a carton;
FIGURE l0A is a perspective view from above of the carton ready to receive an
article;
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view from above the carton in a loaded and set up
condition; and
FIGURE 11 A is a cross-sectional view through X-Y of the carton shown in
Figure 11.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/US00/30740
-6-
Referring to the drawings and in particular Figure 1, a carton is formed from
a single blank 10
of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material adapted to accommodate an
article such as a
bottle, particularly a fragile article such as a bottle of perfume, for
example. Of course, it is
envisaged that one or more blanks could be used, one example of which is shown
in Figures
7A and 7B, described in more detail below.
The blank comprises two portions, outer sleeve 10b, and inner sleeve 10a.
Turning first to
outer sleeve lOb, there comprises a first side wall panel 12, first end wall
panel 14, second
side wall panel 16 and second end wall panel 18 are hingedly interconnected in
series along
to fold lines 64, 66 and 68 respectively. A base wall panel 26 is provided
that is preferably
hingedly connected to first side wall panel 12 along fold line 72. A securing
flap 34 is
hingedly connected to base wall panel 20 along fold line 74. First and second
base end flaps
28 and 30 complete a base wall structure and are preferably hingedly
interconnected to first
and second end wall panels 14 and 18 along fold lines 76 and 78 respectively.
Top wall structure preferably comprises a top wall panel 22 hingedly
interconnected to
second side wall panel 16 along fold line 82, and top end flaps 20 and 24
hingedly connected
to first and second end wall panels along fold lines 86 and 80 respectively. A
securing flap
32 is, in this embodiment, hingedly connected to top wall panel 22 along fold
line 84. It
should be recognised that in alternative classes of embodiment other known top
and base
closure structures may be employed.
Turning to inner sleeve portion 10a, there is provided in series first
securing panel 62, first
article receiving structure 36, second securing panel 52, second article
receiving structure 38,
and third securing panel 54, hingedly interconnected along fold lines 88, 90,
92 and 94
respectively. First securing panel 62 is further hingedly connected to second
side panel 18 of
the outer sleeve l0a along fold line 70.
Second article receiving structure 38 is, in this embodiment, essentially
identical to the first
article receiving structure. Therefore, only first receiving structure 36 is
described in greater
detail. Structure 36 preferably comprises central bridging panel 40, recessing
panel 42, main
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/US00/30740
-7-
receiving panel 44, transverse receiving panel 46 and end wall contacting
panel 48 hingedly
interconnected in series along fold lines 96, 98, 100 and 102 respectively.
Advantageously,
the corners of recessing panel 42 and main receiving panel 44 are bevelled
adjacent fold line
98 for reasons explained below.
In addition, an elongate aperture 50 is provided in main receiving panels 44
for receiving the
article A, once the blank has been erected to form a carton. Preferably, the
aperture 50
extends into transverse receiving panel 46. Naturally, the size and shape of
the aperture may
be altered to receive differing articles.
An inner cover panel 56 is preferably hingedly connected to third securing
panel 54 along
fold line 104. A securing flap 58 is further advantageously hingedly connected
to inner cover
panel 56 along fold line 106.
It is envisaged that the carton of the first, second or third embodiments of
the present
invention can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing
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.
Turning to Figure 1 A and Figure 2, glue is preferably first applied to
securing panels 52, 54.
Of course, it is envisaged that other known securing means could be employed
without
departing from the scope of protection.
The securing panels, together with article receiving structures 36 and 38 are
then, in this
embodiment, folded along fold lines 88, 90, 92 and 94 such that the receiving
structures 36,
38 are placed in mutually opposed substantially parallel relationship, and
second and third
securing panels 52 and 54 are similarly placed in mutually opposed parallel
relationship with
the faces to which glue G has been applied facing outwardly. Free edge 108 of
third securing
panel 54 is now adjacent fold line 88, first and third securing panels 62, 54
being co-planar
with the glued faces effectively now facing in the same direction.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/US00/30740
-8-
Outer sleeve panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 are folded out of mutual alignment so as
to form an
open ended tubular structure enclosing the partially erected inner sleeve lOb.
First securing
panel 62 secures the outer sleeve, and the panels of the inner sleeve are
dimensioned such that
second securing panel is brought into face contacting relationship with second
side panel 16,
and is secured thereto by glue G. Third side panel 54 is likewise brought into
face contacting
relationship with first side panel 12, and is secured thereto by glue G. The
carton is now in
the partially erected form as illustrated in Figure 2.
An alternative form of carton construction can be employed whereby the inner
sleeve l0a is
folded towards outer sleeve l0b along fold line 70 and securing panel 52 is
secured to side
wall panel 16 by glue or other suitable means known in the art. Thereafter,
article receiving
structure 38 and third securing panel 54 are folded out of alignment with
second securing
panel 52 along fold line 92 and into face contacting relationship with second
securing panel
and first article receiving structure 36, whereby the end edge 108 abuts fold
line 88 to provide
a contiguous face. End wall panel 14 is folded along fold line 66 so as to be
placed in
overlapping arrangement with second receiving structure 38 and first side wall
panel 12 is
brought into face contacting arrangement with the outer surface of third
securing panel 54 and
first securing panel 62 to be secured therewith.
At this stage of construction, the carton remains collapsible, and may
optionally be supplied
to the customer in collapsed form, shown in Figure 1 A, for subsequent
complete erection on
the customer's premises, thereby minimising space required during transport,
and hence
reducing costs.
In order to complete construction of the carton, by reference to Figure 2 and
Figure 3, recess
pane142 is then folded inwardly along fold line 98 through substantially 180
as illustrated by
arrow X so as to partially overlie main receiving panel 44. Central bridging
panel 40 is
folded through substantially 90 in the opposite direction relative to recess
panel 42, so as to
be positioned substantially perpendicular to main receiving panel 44, spanning
the space
between the corresponding main bridging panel of he opposed receiving
structure 38. A
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/USOO/30740
-9-
similar operation is carried out with the corresponding panels of receiving
structure 38 such
that bridging panels 40 and 110 are in substantially face contacting
relationship as is shown in
Figure 3. The bridging panels 40, 110 may optionally be secured together using
glue or other
suitable means known in the art.
The base of the carton C is closed by folding base end flaps 28, 30 and base
wall panel 26
inwardly out of alignment with corresponding end and side wall panels 12, 16
and 18.
Securing flap 34 may be sandwiched between second side panel 16 and the non-
glued portion
of second securing panel 52. The bevelled portions 43, 45 of main receiving
panel 44 and
recessing panel 42 help to guide the flaps 34 between inner part and outer
sleeves the location
of the flap 34.
As can be seen perhaps most clearly from Figure 6, the bridging panels 40, 110
impart rigidity
to the carton whilst establishing an enclosed space between the bottom of
Article A and the
base of the carton.
Turning now to the construction of the upper portion of the inner sleeve 10a,
as illustrated in
Figures 4 and 5, transverse receiving panel 46 is folded outwardly along fold
line 100, whilst
end wall contacting panel 48 is, preferably, simultaneously folded in the
opposite direction,
the combination of both operations being represented by arrow Y. Thus, pane148
is placed in
a face contacting relationship with end wall panel 18, and transverse panel 46
spans the gap
between main receiving panel 44 and end wall panel 18. By spanning the gap,
the panel 48
acts as a brace to provide additional support to panel 44, thereby reducing
unwanted internal
movement.
In the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated, transverse panel 46 is
dimensioned such
that when panel 48 is brought into face contacting relationship with panel 18,
transverse panel
44 is substantially perpendicular to both main receiving panel 44, and end
wall contacting
panel 48. This allows both panels 46 and 48 to be mechanically maintained in
their desired
position without the need for additional securing means.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/US00/30740
-10-
In alternative classes of embodiment however, transverse panel may be
dimensioned
differently such that an acute or obtuse angle would exist between main
receiving panel 44
and transverse receiving panel 46. In these embodiments, it would be
preferable for glue or
other securing means known in the art to be provided between panel 48 and end
wall panel
18, so as to maintain the article receiving structure 36 in its set up
condition.
Article receiving structure 38 is also set up in a similar manner, as is
illustrated in Figure 5.
The article A is then loaded into the carton C, and is held by the apertures
50, 50a provided in
the article receiving structures 36, 38. Inner cover panel 56 is then folded
inwardly along fold
line 104 so as to overlie the top of article A. Securing flap 58 is folded
along fold line 106 so
as to be brought into face contacting relationship with second side panel 16.
The carton is
then closed by folding top end flaps 20 and 24, and top wall panel 22 inwardly
along their
respective fold lines 86, 80, 82 in a similar manner to the base wall panel
end flaps of the
base wall structure, as described above. Securing flap 32 is preferably held
between an
unsecured portion of third securing panel 54, and first side panel 12.
Bevelled corner portions
(not shown) similar to those described above could be included to guide
securing flap 32 to
the desired position.
Figure 6 illustrates in cross sectional view the fully erected carton with
article A loaded
therein. It should be understood that the base and sides of the article A are
spaced from the
adjacent walls of the carton 12, 14, 16, 18, 26, but are held snugly such that
substantially no
movement of the article A within the carton is possible. It should be
appreciated that the
article receiving structures 36 and 38 provide one or more "crumple zone(s)"
which may be
deformed if there is an impact between the carton and another body, thus
substantially
absorbing the energy of such an impact without damaging the article A within.
For example,
the crumple zones may be provided by panels 42/44; 46 or 48. In order to
adjust the
deformation characteristics of the article receiving structures 36 and 38, the
caliper of the
paperboard or like materials may be changed and/or the dimension of the panels
and apertures
adjusted such that a greater or lesser distance between the article and the
walls of the carton
may be provided.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCTIUSOO/30740
-11-
Referring now to Figures 7A and 7B, there is shown an alternative embodiment
of the
invention in which like parts have been annotated with like numerals but with
the addition of
the prefix "1". Therefore, only the differences will be described in any
greater detail. Figure
7A illustrates the inner sleeve II 0a of a two part blank and Figure 7B
illustrates the outer
sleeve 1 l Ob of a two part blank.
Inner sleeve II 0a is erected in a similar manner to inner sleeve l0a of the
first embodiment
however, glue G is applied to the same face of first support panel 162 as it
is to second
support panel 152 and third support panel 154. As the inner sleeve 110a is
folded along fold
lines 188, 190, 192 and 194 so as to form a tubular structure in which article
receiving
structures 136 and 138 are placed in mutually opposing relationship, first
securing panel 162
is folded such that its free edge is brought into contact with the cut-away
portion of third
securing panel 154 as is defined by free edge 108 thereof. The shape of the
cut-away portion,
and first support panel may be altered within the scope of the invention.
Outer sleeve 110b is erected in a similar manner to outer sleeve l Ob of the
first embodiment,
the only difference being that an additional securing flap 119 is provided,
being hingedly
interconnected with second end panel 118 along fold 170. As the outer sleeve
is folded so as
to form a tubular structure, glue or other suitable means known in the art
secures flap 119 to
first side panel 112. The use of a two part blank, allows the inner sleeve to
be made from a
differing grade and/or caliper of paperboard or like material from the outer
sleeve, and
furthermore simplifies the application of glue to the inner sleeve, as glue
needs to be applied
to one face of the blank only.
Referring to Figure 8, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in
which a carton
is formed from a single blank 210 of paperboard or similar foldable sheet
material adapted to
accommodate an article such as a bottle, particularly a fragile article such
as a bottle of
perfume, for example. Again, it is envisaged that the blank could be two
parts.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCTIUSOO/30740
-12-
In this embodiment, the blank comprises two portions, outer sleeve 210b, and
inner sleeve
210a. Turning first to outer sleeve 210b, the panels correspond substantially
to the first
embodiment and like references have been used with the prefix "2". Thus, there
comprises a
first side wall panel 212, first end wall panel 214, second side wall panel
216 and second end
wall panel 218 are hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines 264, 266
and 268
respectively. A top wall and base wall structure are provided that in this
embodiment
correspond substantially to the first embodiment and are not therefore
described in any greater
detail. It should be recognised that in alternative classes of embodiment
other known end
closure structures may be employed.
Turning to inner sleeve portion 210a, there is provided a plurality of panels
for forming an
article support structure. In this embodiment, there is a first securing panel
262, first article
receiving structure 236, first intermediate panel 254, second article
receiving structure 238,
and second intermediate panel 252, hingedly interconnected in series along
fold lines 288,
290, 292 and 294 respectively. First securing panel 262 is further hingedly
connected to
second side panel 218 of the outer sleeve 210a along fold line 270.
Second article receiving structure 238 is, in this embodiment, substantially
identical to the
first article receiving structure except that in this embodiment structure 238
does not include
an equivalent of bridging panel 240. Like panels are designated with the same
numeral with
the addition of the letter "a". Therefore, only the first article receiving
structure 236 is
described in greater detail. Structure 236 preferably comprises central
bridging panel 240,
article receiving panel 244, transverse receiving panel 246 and upper panel
248 hingedly
interconnected in series along fold lines 296, 298 and 200 respectively.
In addition, an aperture 250 is provided in main receiving panels 244 for
receiving the article
A, once the blank has been erected to form a carton. Preferably, the aperture
250 extends into
transverse receiving panel 246. Naturally, the size and shape of the aperture
may be altered to
receive differing articles.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCTIUSOO/30740
-13-
There may further comprise a platform panel 251 formed from one of the panels
forming the
article retention structure. In this embodiment the platform panel 251 is
struck from one or
more of the main and transverse panels 244, 246. Figure 8 illustrates panel
251 is hingedly
connected to an edge of aperture 250. Optionally, platform panel 251 conforms
to the shape
of a portion of the article.
It is envisaged that a platform panel could be incorporated into the first or
second
embodiments.
An inner cover panel 256 may be provided that is hingedly connected to
intermediate panel
254. Securing flap 258 is further advantageously hingedly connected to inner
cover panel 256
along fold line 306. There may also comprise spacer panel 255 hingedly
connected to
intermediate panel 254 along fold line 302 and to inner cover panel 256 along
opposing fold
line 304.
Turning now to the construction of the carton illustrated in Figures 9, 9A, 10
and 10A. In
some embodiments, glue is first applied to securing panel 262, to intermediate
panels 252 and
254, and optionally to spacer panel 255.
The inner sleeve is formed in like manner described above, whereby the panels
forming the
receiving structures are folded out of alignment to be placed in mutually
opposed
substantially parallel relationship, and first and second intermediate panels
254 and 252 are
similarly placed in mutually opposed parallel relationship with the faces to
which glue G has
been applied facing outwardly. Thereafter, the outer sleeve panels 212, 214,
216 and 218 are
now preferably folded out of mutual alignment so as to form an open ended
tubular structure
enclosing the partially erected inner sleeve 210b and is secured to the inner
sleeve in like
manner described above.
Of course, the alternative approach can be used described above whereby the
panels of the
inner sleeve are folded into face contacting arrangement with the outer panels
of the sleeve to
provide a flap collapsed carton, similar to the embodiment of Figure 1.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/US00/30740
-14-
Like the first and second embodiments, the carton of this embodiment remains
collapsible,
and may optionally be supplied to the customer in collapsed form for
subsequent complete
erection on the customer's premises.
The carton is then in a part-erected form shown in Figure 9, the base
structure is formed by
folding central bridging panel 240 inwardly along fold line 296 through
substantially 90 as
illustrated by arrow Y so as to be positioned substantially perpendicular to
main receiving
panel 244, spanning the space between the opposed receiving structures 236,
238. The
bridging panel 240 may optionally be secured to main receiving panel 244a
using glue or
other suitable means known in the art. In such embodiments, bridging panel 240
is
advantageously provided with a securing flap that may be brought into contact
with panel
244a. The base of the carton is illustrated in Figure 9A.
The base of the carton is closed by folding base end flaps 228, 230 and base
wall panel 226
inwardly out of alignment with corresponding end and side wall panels 214, 216
and 218
whereby panel 234 is sandwiched between first side panel 212 and a non-glued
portion of
second intermediate panel 252. Bevelled portions of main receiving panel 244
and recessing
panel 242 may be provided to guide the flap 234 into position.
Bridging panel 240 may advantageously be reduced in width so as not to engage
first side
panel 212, thereby assisting the function of the bevelled portions. As can be
seen perhaps
most clearly from Figure 9A, the bridging panel 240 imparts rigidity to the
carton.
Turning to the construction of the upper portion of the inner sleeve 210a, as
illustrated in
Figures 10 and 10A, transverse receiving panel 46 is folded outwardly along
fold line 298,
whilst upper panel 248 is preferably simultaneously folded in the opposite
direction, the
combination of both operations being represented by arrow Z. Upper panel 248
is placed in a
face contacting relationship with end wall panel 218, and transverse panel 246
spans the gap
between main receiving panel 244 and end wall panel 218 to provide a brace,
similar to the
first embodiment.
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCTIUSOO/30740
- 15-
In the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated, transverse panel 246 is
dimensioned such
that when panel 248 is brought into face contacting relationship with side
panel 218,
transverse panel 246 is substantially perpendicular to both main receiving
panel 244, and end
wall contacting panel 248. This allows both panels 246 and 248 to be
mechanically
maintained in their desired position without the need for additional securing
means.
In alternative classes of embodiment however, transverse panel may be
dimensioned
differently such that an acute or obtuse angle would exist between main
receiving panel 244
and transverse receiving panel 246. In these embodiments, it would be
preferable for glue or
other securing means known in the art to be provided between upper panel 248
and end wall
panel 218, so as to maintain the article receiving structure 236 in its set up
condition.
Article receiving structure 238 is also set up in a similar manner, as is
illustrated in Figure
IOA.
The article A (Figure 11) is loaded into the carton, and is held by the
apertures 250, 250a
provided in the article receiving structures. Platform panels 251 and 251 a
are folded along
fold lines 249 and 249a respectively into a substantially horizontal plane to
define a platform
P upon which the article A rests, shown in Figure 11. In some embodiments, the
panels 252
and 251a abut the adjacent side wall to be engaged therewith by suitable
means. The
platform P provides additional rigidity to prevent unwanted movement of the
side walls and
main receiving panels, and also substantially prevents the unprinted inner
faces of the base,
end and side wall panels being visible to the end user of the carton, when
viewed from above.
To complete construction of the carton, inner cover panel 256 is then
preferably folded
inwardly along fold line 204 so as to overlie the top of article A. Flap 258
is folded along
fold line 206 so as to be brought into face contacting relationship with first
side panel 216.
The carton is then closed by folding top end flaps 220 and 224, and top wall
panel 222
inwardly along their respective fold lines 286, 280, 282 in a similar manner
to the base wall
panel end flaps of the base wall structure, as described above. Tab 232 is
preferably held
CA 02391215 2002-05-10
WO 01/34482 PCT/US00/30740
-16-
between an unglued portion of spacer panel 255 or first intermediate panel
254, and first side
panel 212 to complete the carton as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11 A illustrates in cross sectional view the fully erected carton with
article A loaded
therein. It should be understood that the base and sides of the article A are
spaced from the
adjacent walls of the carton 212, 214, 216, 218, 226, but are held snugly such
that
substantially no movement of the article A within the carton is possible. It
should be
appreciated that the article receiving structures 236 and 238 provide a
"crumple zone" which
may be deformed if there is an impact between the carton and another body,
thus substantially
absorbing the energy of such an impact without damaging the article A within.
In order to
adjust the deformation characteristics of the article receiving structures 236
and 238, the
caliper of the paperboard or like materials may be changed and/or the
dimension of the panels
and apertures adjusted such that a greater or lesser distance between the
article and the walls
of the carton may be provided.
It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as
"top", "base", "end", and
"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.
Any reference to
hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single
fold line only:
indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more
of one of the
following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing
from the scope of
invention.
It should be understood 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, alternative top and base
closure structures
may be used. A single article receiving structure may be provided in some
embodiments, and
in other embodiments a linear array of additional apertures may be provided in
each of the
article receiving structures such that the carton may accommodate more than
one article.
Additional panel(s) may be provided between the main and transverse article
receiving panels
so as to form a curved interface therebetween.
