Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02543991 2006-04-19
CARTON WITH COMPOSITE WALL AND EXPANSION PANELS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 60/672,933,
filed
April 19, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to packaging, and in particular, to a
carton having a composite wall with expansion panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many different types of paperboard cartons for enclosing products such
as beverage cans and bottles are well known in the industry. When the product
load is relatively heavy, carton manufacturers often reinforce all or part of
the
carton, such as by constructing one or more carton walls, end flaps, or end
wall
panels of high-bulk sheet material having a relatively high caliper, or by
doubling-
over the carton material to increase the thickness and durability of the
resultant
two-ply structure. A two-ply, hereinafter referred to as a composite or
laminated
structure, can be stronger than a doubly thick structure, particularly because
of
the adhesive layer that holds the plies together. Furthermore, a composite
configuration is better able to resist scarring and deformation of the art
side of the
carton that can be caused by sharp edges of the products abrading or
puncturing
the walls of the carton. For instance, glass bottles are commonly sealed with
metal crown caps having crimped annular edges that tend to scuff against the
inside surface of the carton, which can cause visible imperfections to be
evident
from the outside of the carton. Consumers typically avoid purchasing products
enclosed in packaging that is apparently damaged, often assuming that the
contents are damaged as well, or generally perceiving the product to be of
less
value. Composite structures are useful because the inner layer of a composite
CA 02543991 2006-04-19
carton composite carton wall tends to bear the brunt of the resulting
deformation,
sparing the outside surface of the outer layer.
[0004] Despite the inherent advantages of composite carton walls, there are
several disadvantages to prior art efforts. In some instances, completely
composite cartons have been manufactured with all walls having multiple
laminated plies. Obviously, the cost of such cartons is unnecessarily
increased
by the excess sheet material, particularly as only certain carton walls need
additional strength with respect to other carton walls. Furthermore, it can be
difficult to fold a composite structure composed of two layers of sheet
material
with adhesive between the two plies, even if fold lines are scored into each
of the
layers. The adhesive resists the tendency of one layer to slide with respect
to the
other when the composite structure is flexed or bent, thereby generating a
shear
force along the layers of the composite structure. The opposing forces cause
undesired stresses on the fold and on the adjacent panels, possibly precluding
a
clean fold, overcoming the holding power of glue applied to secure the
composite
panel in folded position, or otherwise impeding the operation of automatic
packaging machinery.
[0005] What is needed is a carton configuration that selectively provides the
added strength and thickness of a composite structure, efficiently utilizes
sheet
material, and provides composite portions that are easily manipulable into the
desired configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The various embodiments of the present invention address the identified
need by providing a carton with a composite wall that is secured to adjacent
walls
by expansion means comprising one or more expansion panels. The expansion
panels are connected to the composite wall and secured to an adjacent wall so
as to prevent the layers of the composite wall from delaminating.
Advantageously, the expansion panel of the present invention includes at least
one fixed section that is secured to the adjacent wall, and at least one
slidable
section differentiated by an expansion cut or an expansion hinge that permits
the
expansion panel to slide with respect to the adjacent wall to which it is
attached.
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In certain embodiments, the expansion panel also includes relief apertures
that
are cut out of the expansion panel to facilitate a clean fold.
[0007] More specifically, the aspects and features of the invention are
described
with respect to an exemplary carton formed from a blank cut from a unitary
piece
of sheet material, such as paperboard. According to the invention, the blank
includes an elongate transverse section comprising several panels that can be
configured and secured to form several carton walls, including at least one
composite wall consisting of at least an outer wall panel and an inner wall
panel.
An end wall panel secured to an expansion panel creates a foldable composite
end wall panel that reinforces the lamination of the composite wall as part of
an
end wall closure structure.
[0008] The exemplary blank includes an outer top panel hingedly connected to a
first side panel. The first side panel is hingedly connected to a bottom
panel,
which is hingedly connected to a second side panel. The second side panel is
hingedly connected to an inner top panel. At each end, the inner top panel is
hingedly connected to respective expansion panels. At each end, the outer top
panel and the bottom panel are hingedly connected to respective upper end wall
panels and lower end wall panels. The carton is erected by securing the outer
surface of the inner top panel to the inside surface of the outer top panel,
thereby
creating a composite top wall. In this manner, the first side panel becomes a
first
side wall, the bottom panel becomes a bottom wall, and the second side panel
becomes a second side wall. The composite top panel may include racetrack or
other handle apertures disposed through both the inner and the outer top
panels
to facilitate carrying the carton. The outside surface of the fixed section of
each
expansion panel is secured to the inside surface of the upper end wall panel,
thereby creating a composite upper end wall panel that is hingedly connected
to
the composite top wall along a composite hinge. The composite end wall panel
and the lower end wall panel are folded toward one another and secured
together
in overlapping fashion to create an end wall closure, which may also include
end
flaps connected to both ends of each side wall, the outside surface of each
end
flap being secured to the inside surfaces of the composite end wall panel and
the
lower end wall panel.
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[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the configuration of the
exemplary expansion panel facilitates folding the composite end wall panel
along
the hinged connection between the composite end wall panel and the composite
top wall. The expansion panel extends from the hinged connection with the
inner
top panel, and has dimensions that yield at least one fixed section that is
sufficient to reinforce lamination of the composite top wall. The fixed
section is
adjacent to at least one slidable section that is free from the upper end wall
panel. An expansion hinge connects the fixed section to the slidable section,
and
permits the outside surface of the slidable section to slide against the inner
surface of the upper end wall panel. Thus, undesired shear stress between the
respective surfaces is avoided, while the advantages of the two-ply structure
are
maintained. More specifically, when the composite end wall panel and the
composite top wall lie in the same plane, the slidable section is at a neutral
first
position with respect to the upper end wall panel and the fixed section. When
the
composite end wall panel is folded about the hinged connection with the
composite top wall panel, the slidable section slides with respect to the
upper end
wall panel and the fixed section, to a stress relieving second position.
[0010] To reinforce the lamination of the composite top wall, the outside
surface
of each fixed section of the expansion panel is fixedly secured to the inside
surface of the upper end wall panel, thereby creating the composite end wall
panel. To facilitate folding the composite end wall panel, a slidable section
is
adjacent to each fixed section, its outside surface being disposed against the
inside surface of the upper end wall panel in a face-contacting arrangement,
and
its outside surface being slidable from a neutral position to a stress
relieving
position with respect to the inside surface of the outer end wall panel. The
slidable section also provides continuity of the thickness of the composite
end
wall panel to protect the outside surface from damage caused by the articles
contained within the carton.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the expansion panel includes a single slidable
section having a fixed section on each side. The slidable section is made
slidable by a means for cooperatively relieving stress along the composite
hinge.
The means for cooperative relief includes an expansion cut or other severance
means by which the slidable section is partially detached and defined with
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respect to each respective fixed section. Each expansion cut extends away from
the hinged connection between the expansion panel and the inner top panel and
turns toward a side edge of the expansion panel, defining an expansion hinge
between the severance line and the end edge of the expansion panel. The
expansion hinge allows and controls the transition from the neutral position
to the
stress relieving position. In still other embodiments, a two-ply structure is
provided at those sections adjacent to the metal crown caps, or similar sharp
elements, to reduce damage to the carton or articles.
[0012] In certain other embodiments, the expansion panel includes a single
fixed
section having a slidable section on each side. The fixed section is similarly
partially detached and defined with respect to each slidable section by means
for
cooperative relief, preferably including respective expansion cuts, each of
which
extends away from the hinged connection between the expansion panel and the
inner top panel and turns toward the center of the expansion panel, defining
an
expansion hinge between the severance line and the end edge of the expansion
panel. In still other embodiments, the expansion panel includes a single fixed
section and a single slidable section. The fixed section is defined with
respect to
the slidable section by an expansion cut or other severance means which
extends away from the hinged connection between the expansion panel and the
inner top panel and turns toward the center of the expansion panel, defining
an
expansion hinge between the expansion cut and the end edge of the expansion
panel. In still other embodiments, the expansion panel includes one or more
fixed sections and one or more slidable sections wherein the slidable sections
are
not hingedly attached to the fixed sections but to the respective adjacent
top,
bottom, or side panel.
[0013] According to another aspect, means are provided for relieving stress at
the hinged connection between the composite end wall panel and the composite
top wall. In certain embodiments, the stress relieving means include relief
apertures disposed at or near the hinged connection between the composite end
wall panel and the composite top wall. The location and extent of the stress
relieving means is tailored to remove or liberate sheet material disposed at
or
near the hinged connection.
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[0014] In certain embodiments, at least one relief aperture is disposed across
at
least a portion of the hinged connection, and is formed by creating an
aperture
that removes a portion of the expansion panel and of the inner top panel. The
stress relieving means reduces bunching caused by congestion of sheet material
at the fold, encouraging a cleanly creased fold that has less of a tendency to
resist remaining in a folded condition.
[0015] It is contemplated that a carton incorporating the various aspects of
the
invention may include more than one composite wall. For example to strengthen
the bottom wall of the carton, as well as the top, the blank may be formed
from
two pieces of sheet material. The first piece of sheet material includes the
outer
top panel, the first side wall, and an inner bottom panel having an expansion
panel as described above. The second piece of sheet material includes the
earlier described bottom panel, the second side panel, and the inner top panel
having an expansion panel as described above. To begin erecting this
exemplary carton, the outside surfaces of the inner bottom panel and the
expansion panel are secured to the inside surfaces of the earlier described
bottom panel and the lower end flap, respectively. In this fashion, a
composite
bottom wall and a composite lower end wall panel is created. Then, the carton
is
erected as described above with respect to the carton of the previous
embodiments.
[0016] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of
the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of
various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can
be
obtained by combining portions of the disclosed information and the disclosed
embodiments, such as by altering the orientation of the respective composite
and
single ply walls. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive
understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed
description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by
the
claims.
CA 02543991 2006-04-19
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a blank for forming
a
carton, according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially erected carton formed from
the
blank of FIG. 1 in a tubular condition, according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial interior perspective view of a fully constructed
expansion panel assembly, according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial interior perspective view of a fully folded
expansion
panel assembly, according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a partial interior perspective view of an alternative
embodiment
of a fully constructed expansion panel assembly, according to the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a partial interior perspective view of an alternative
embodiment
of a fully constructed expansion panel assembly, according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed
herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative
forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used
expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens,
models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some
features
may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In
other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have
not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present
invention.
Therefore, 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
present invention.
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[0024] Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like
elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate exemplary
embodiments of an expansion panel assembly 200, best shown in FIG. 3, for use
with a tubular carton C, best shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiments illustrated
and
described herein, the tubular carton C dispenses articles such as, but not
limited
to, beverage bottles. Generally described, the tubular carton C is formed from
a
foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, or the
like,
and composites thereof.
[0025] With regard to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tubular
carton C is formed from a paperboard blank 100. The illustrated blank 100
includes five primary panels for forming the carton C. The panels of the blank
100 include an outer top panel 102, a first side panel 104, a bottom panel
106, a
second side panel 108, and an inner top panel 110. The panels 102, 104, 106,
108, and 110 of the blank 100 are hingedly connected to one another. The outer
top panel 102 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 104 by fold line
112.
The first side panel 104 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 106 by fold
line 114. The bottom panel 106 is hingedly connected to the second side panel
108 by fold line 116. The second side panel 108 is hingedly connected to the
inner top panel 110 by fold line 118. In the illustrated embodiment, a unitary
blank 100 is used to form a single carton C, although in alternative
embodiments
two or more blanks may be employed to provide a carton C with the illustrated
expansion panel assembly 200.
[0026] Each of the panels 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 includes opposing end
flaps defined in part by transverse fold lines disposed along opposite
transverse
edges of the blank 100. When the carton C is erected, the end flaps cooperate
to
form an end closure structure that includes an expansion panel assembly 200.
In
the embodiments illustrated, each end closure structure is sufficiently
identical
that like references have been used, with "a" or "b" affixed to distinguish
the
components of one end of the carton C from the other. Accordingly, the
teaching
will continue with reference only to those sections of the illustrated
embodiments
with the designation "a". The outer top panel 102 is hingedly connected to end
flap 120a along fold line 122a. First side panel 104 is hingedly connected to
end
flap 124a along fold line 126a. Bottom panel 106 is hingedly connected to end
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flap 128a along fold line 130a. Second side panel 108 is hingedly connected to
end flap 132a along fold line 134a. Inner top panel 110 is hingedly connected
to
expansion flap 136a along fold line 138a.
[0027] The expansion panel 136a further comprises several elements. Relief
apertures 140a each span a portion of inner top panel 110 and expansion panel
136a. Expansion cuts 144a define expansion hinges 146a, as well as expansion
flap fixed sections 150a and expansion panel slidable section 152a. Expansion
flap fixed and slidable sections are best described with regard to FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0028] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the blank 100 includes frangible
severance line segments 160, 162, and 164, which, when the carton C is
erected,
form frangible severance lines 170, best shown in FIG. 2. It is contemplated
that
a frangible severance line includes, but is not limited to, perforations, a
line of
perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half cuts, a single half cut,
any
combination of slits, score lines, and half cuts, or the equivalent. In the
embodiment illustrated, the severance lines 170 cooperate to provide removable
sections T, which provide access to the articles, as understood by those
skilled in
the art.
[0029] The illustrated blank 100 further comprises a suitable known handle,
formed from handle apertures 172, that allows the user to carry the carton C.
The illustrated handle is often referred to as a race track handle. In a
carton C
with a race track handle, one carton C wall is provided with a first hand
aperture
at a position spaced from a second hand aperture such that the first and
second
apertures define a handle strip therebetween. To distribute stress away from
the
handle strip area, reinforcing fold lines 174 may be used according to the
invention. Such fold lines may be provided to extend from each aperture 172
toward an adjacent corner of the wall formed by the top panel 102 of the
carton
C. A set of fold lines may emerge from each aperture 172 and diverge from each
other as they approach the adjacent corner. Alternatively, a greater or lesser
number of fold lines may emerge from each aperture 172.
[0030] With regard to the assembling and erecting of the illustrated blank 100
to
form a carton C having an expansion panel assembly 200, reference will be
made herein to the inside or inner surface and the outside or outside surface
of
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the various panels. The inside or inner surface is that which is visible in
the
various figures while the outside or outer surface not visible in the various
figures.
Stated another way, upon forming a tubular carton C from the blank 100, the
inside or inner surface of each panel typically face inwardly while the
outside or
outer surface of each panel are those sides typically face outwardly.
[0031] With reference now to FIG. 2, the carton C is arranged in a tubular
condition as the outer surface of inner top panel 110 is matingly secured to
the
inner surface of outer top panel 102 to form the composite top wall 102/110 of
an
open ended tubular carton C. In the tubular condition, the composite top wall
102/110 is coplanar with the respective upper end wall flap 120a and expansion
panel 136a. Stated differently, the end wall flap 120a and expansion flap 136a
are shown prior to folding. In the illustrated embodiments, the panels, flaps,
and
their respective elements are aligned or placed immediately adjacent to each
other such that they matingly cooperate. In other embodiments, corresponding
elements do not have to be perfectly aligned as being merely proximate permits
an enabling embodiment. In still other embodiments, elements of the inner flap
may not be secured to the outer flap, or visa-versa. The panel and flap
connection may be made by use of chemical or mechanical adhesives or other
means for securing including locking tabs, as understood by those skilled in
the
art.
[0032] The inner top panel 110 is aligned with the outer top panel 102 such
that
the respective handle apertures 172 matingly cooperate, and such that the
respective severance line segments 160 and 162 matingly cooperate. Further,
expansion flap 136a is aligned and secured, in the manner described below with
regard to the various embodiments, to upper end wall panel 120a, such that
fold
line 138a is aligned with fold lines 122a. In addition, each relief aperture
140a is
disposed astride fold line 122a. Further, it should be clear that what is
described
herein with regard to the expansion panel assembly 200a located at one end of
the carton C applies equally to the expansion panel assembly 200b located at
the
other end of the carton C, in those embodiments wherein the carton C has
expansion flap assemblies at both ends.
[0033] As explained herein, one advantage of the present invention is to
provide
a carton C of increased strength and carrying capacity. One embodiment of a
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carton C of increased strength and carrying capacity comprises a two-ply top
or
bottom wall assembly and a two-ply end wall assembly. While a standard two-ply
end wall assembly provides advantages, including increased strength and
damage protection, the folding of such assemblies and the erecting of cartons
C
with such assemblies present certain challenges. These challenges include
increased resistance to the folding of the end wall panels and the subsequent
buckling of adjacent panels; however these challenges are overcome with the
embodiments taught and claimed herein.
[0034] With regard to the two-ply end wall embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 -
4 inclusive, expansion flap 136a is secured to end wall flap 120a with
adhesives
or glues as well known to those skilled in the art. However, other means for
securing may be used. As stated above, expansion flap 136a comprises at least
one fixed section 150a and at least one slidable section 152a. Fixed panel
sections) 150a are secured to end wall flap 120a in face-contacting
relationship
while slidable section 152a is not.
[0035] After the articles to be placed into the carton C are grouped and
loaded
through either or both of the open ends of the carton C, the open ends are to
be
closed and sealed. With reference to FIG. 3, a partial sectional view of the
interior of an expansion panel assembly 200a is shown before that assembly is
folded to form a closed end wall structure. A folding sequence to close the
open
ends of carton C includes folding the end flaps 124a, 132a inwardly and
positioning the end flaps 124a, 132a so that the outside of these flaps may be
connected to the inside of the expansion flap 136a. In order to more clearly
teach the movement of the expansion panel assembly 200, the end flaps 124a,
132a are shown to be torn away or are otherwise partially shown when in the
fully
folded position of FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the inside of end flaps 124a,
132a may be connected to the outside of the end wall flap 120a.
[0036] As understood by those skilled in the art, folding or otherwise bending
a
panel or flap causes the fibers of one surface to be put in compression while
the
fibers of the opposite surface are put in tension. For example, and with a
momentary reference to FIG. 1, folding end wall flap 120a inwardly along fold
line
122a so that the inside of that flap faces the inside of top panel 102, the
fibers
along the inside surface are in compression while the fibers along the outside
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surface are in tension. The effect of these compression and tension stresses
is
typically visible, particularly along the bend or fold line, in that the
outside surface
may appear stretched while the inside surface may appear bunched.
[0037] As further understood by those skilled in the art, when two panels are
secured along their surfaces and then folded as a unit, the stresses along the
joined surfaces act to create a shear force along the laminate. More
specifically,
in folding a two-ply panel that is not perfectly laminated, the upper surface
of the
lower panel is put into tension while the lower surface of the upper panel is
put
into compression. Folding an increased number of layers of material increases
the shear stresses in the material and affects the performance characteristics
of
the material. For example, the increased thickness of a two-ply panel
increases
the folding resistance of the panel and, in folding such a panel, the shear
stresses that are created may cause buckling.
[0038] To significantly reduce or eliminate the shear stresses and undesired
performance characteristics introduced by folding a two-ply panel, a means for
relief is provided in the expansion panel 136a. Means for cooperative relief
includes a relief aperture 140a, or an expansion cut 144a, or an expansion
hinge
146a. The configurations of the aperture 140a, expansion cut 144a, or the
expansion hinge 146a, separately or together, are not limited to the
illustrated
cuts and hinges but may be of any shape desired that allows the slidable
section
152a to move with respect to the fixed section 150a. Additional means for
cooperative relief are described below.
[0039) Returning to FIG. 3, inwardly folding end wall panel 120a together with
the connected expansion panel 136a will create the shear stress and related
undesired performance characteristics described above. With regard to the
means for relief provided in the expansion panel, the undesired performance
characteristics and shear stresses are greatly reduced, if not eliminated,
along
the sections of fold line 122a where the relief apertures 140a are positioned.
The
relief apertures 140a are provided to prevent the overcrowding of material and
may be of any shape. In some embodiments, the relief apertures are configured
to absorb stresses by changing shape when folded.
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[0040] The shear and compressive stresses that would otherwise remain along
fold line 122a in a two-ply panel are reduced through the means for
cooperative
relief. As shown by the arrows labeled F that represent the shifting forces as
well as the direction of movement for the slidable section 152a, the slidable
section 152a is moved downwardly, about hinges 146a, from a first position P~
(best shown in FIG. 3) to a second position P2 (shown in FIGs. 3 and 4). The
displacement of the slidable section 152a may be represented by the extent to
which the hinges 146a have opened as well as by the extent to which the
slidable
portion edge 180 has shifted with regard to the adjacent fixed section edge
181.
(0041] Referring to FIG. 4, when the expansion panel assembly 200a has been
folded as far as the carton C design requires and the slidable section has
reached the second position Pz, the assembly 200a may be attached to the end
flaps 124a, 132a. Attaching the folded assembly to the end flaps may fix the
slidable section at the second position P2. FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of
the
interior of an end wall structure of the carton C including the expansion flap
assembly 200a, which is folded and attached to end flaps 124a, 132a. To
facilitate clarity in teaching, FIG. 4 does not show the entirety the end
flaps 124a,
132a shown in the blank 100, nor does it show the end wall flap 128a.
Nevertheless, with regard to methods of folding and closing of an end wall
structure, and as well understood by those skilled in the art, one method
includes
inwardly folding the end flaps 124a, 132a, inwardly folding and connecting
expansion flap assembly 200a to the end flaps, and inwardly folding the bottom
end flap 128a to the top end flap 120a, preferably in an overlapping
arrangement.
Other methods include alternating the sequence of folding and connecting the
various flaps, as desired.
[0042] Expansion panel assemblies of various and alternative embodiments are
considered, taught, and claimed herein. Two illustrated alternative
embodiments
are shown in FIGs. 5 and 6. To significantly reduce or eliminate the shear
stress
and undesired performance characteristics introduced by folding a two-ply
panel,
expansion panel assembly 300 includes a fixed section 350a and slidable
sections 352a. The expansion panel assembly 300 further includes at least one
means for cooperative relief. Means for cooperative relief includes one or
more
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relief apertures 340a, one or more expansion cuts 344a, and one or more
expansion hinges 346a.
[0043] Similar to the expansion panel assembly 200a shown in FIG. 3, the
expansion flap assembly 300 shown in FIG. 5 is in the pre-folded first
position P~.
As the expansion flap assembly 300 is folded, the stresses that would
otherwise
remain along fold line 320 - the area of concentration - are reduced or
shifted
through the means for cooperative relief. The arrows labeled F represent the
direction of shifting forces on the slidable sections 352a wherein the
shifting
forces are applied as the expansion panel assembly 300 is folded along fold
lines
322a, 338a. As the shifting forces are applied, the slidable sections 352a are
moved downwardly about hinges 312 from a first position P~ to a second
position
P2 (not shown). The second position P2 resembles that shown in FIG. 3.
[0044] The extent to which the slidable sections 352a are displaced may be
represented by the extent to which the hinges 346a have opened, or by the
extent to which slidable portion edges 380 have shifted in relation to the
adjacent
fixed section edge 381. When the expansion flap assembly 300 has been folded
as far as the carton C design requires and the slidable section has reached
the
second position P2, the assembly 300 may be attached to the end flaps (not
shown) or otherwise folded and closed as described herein.
[0045] With reference now to FIG. 6, an expansion panel assembly 400 includes
a fixed section 450a and slidable sections 452a. The expansion panel assembly
400 further includes at least one means for cooperative relief. Means for
cooperative relief includes one or more relief apertures 340a and one or more
expansion cuts 344a. In this embodiment, the expansion cuts 344a extend to the
edge of the expansion panel 436a.
[0046] The slidable sections 452a are moved downwardly from a first position
P~
to a second position P2 (not shown) as the expansion panel assembly 400 is
folded along fold lines 422a, 438a. The extent to which the slidable sections
452a are displaced may be represented by the extend to which the sidable
portion edges 480 are displaced or shifted in relation to the fixed section
edge
481.
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[0047] In certain embodiments, the end flap 120a may include the means for
cooperative relief described with regard to end flap 136a. Additionally, as
understood by those skilled in the art, the hinge 146a may be positioned
proximate the fold line 122a.
[0048] The present invention has been illustrated in relation to particular
embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than
restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present
invention is
capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope
of
the claims. For example, as used herein, directional references such as "top",
"base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper", "middle", "lower",
"front"
and "rear" do not limit the respective walls of the carton to such
orientation, but
merely serve to distinguish these walls, flaps, and panels from one another.
Any
reference to a hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily
referring to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is envisaged
that
hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means
for hingedly connecting materials.
(0049] The the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations
of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of
the
invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.
All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by
the
scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
