Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02719029 2012-04-16
CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS
[0001]
Background of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to packages or carriers for
holding,
displaying, and/or carrying containers.
Summary of the Disclosure
[0003] In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carrier for
holding a
plurality of containers. The carrier comprises a bottom panel comprising a
plurality of
bottom openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the
plurality
of containers. At least two side panels extend upward from the bottom panel.
The at
least two side panels comprise a first side panel and a second side panel. At
least two
top panels comprise a first top panel foldably connected to the first side
panel and a
second top panel foldably connected to the second top panel. The first top
panel and
the second top panel cooperate to form a top wall of the carrier. The first
top panel
comprises a first handle portion, the second top panel comprises a second
handle
portion. A handle is for carrying the carrier. The handle is foldably
connected to at
least one of the side panels. The handle comprises the first handle portion
and the
second handle portion. The handle is separable from the top wall and pivotable
between a lowered position and a raised position.
[0004] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for
forming a
carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The blank comprises a bottom
panel
comprising a plurality of bottom openings for at least partially receiving a
respective
container of the plurality of containers. At least two side panels comprise a
first side
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panel and a second side panel. At least two top panels comprise a first top
panel
foldably connected to the first side panel and a second top panel foldably
connected to
the second top panel. The first top panel comprises a first handle portion.
The second
top panel comprises a second handle portion. The blank has handle features for
forming a handle of the carrier formed from the blank. The handle features
comprise
the first handle portion and the second handle portion. The first and second
handle
portions are respectively foldably connected to one of the first top panel and
the
second top panel.
[00051 In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of
forming a
carrier for containing a plurality of containers. The method comprises
providing a
blank having a bottom panel comprising a plurality of bottom openings, at
least two
side panels comprising a first side panel and a second side panel, at least
two top
panels comprising a first top panel and a second top panel. The first top
panel is
foldably connected to the first side panel and comprises a first handle
portion. The
second top panel is foldably connected to the second side panel and comprises
a
second handle portion. The blank comprises handle features comprising the
first
handle portion and the second handle portion. The method further comprises
respectively upwardly folding the at least two side panels to position the
side panels to
extend upwardly from the bottom panel. The method comprises forming a top wall
by placing the first top panel and the second top panel in generally face-to-
face
relationship. The forming the top wall comprises forming a handle by placing
the
first handle portion and the second handle portion in generally face-to-face
relationship. The method further comprises downwardly folding the top wall.
The
downwardly folding the top wall comprises placing the handle in a lowered
position
adjacent to one of the side panels.
[00061 In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier
for holding a
plurality of containers. The carrier comprises a first side panel, a second
side panel, a
first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top
panel
foldably connected to the second top panel. The first top panel comprises a
first
handle portion, the second top panel comprises a second handle portion. A
handle is
foldably connected to at least one of the side panels. The handle comprises
the first
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handle portion and the second handle portion. The handle is pivotable between
a
lowered position and a raised position.
[0007] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings
discussed
below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and
elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate
the
embodiments of the disclosure.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] Fig. 1 is a plan view of the exterior side of a blank according to a
first
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0009] Figs. 2-6 are perspective views of exemplary steps in assembling the
carrier
according to the first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0010] Fig. 6A is a detail view of an end of the carrier of Fig. 6.
[0011] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the carrier of Fig. 6 with the handle
in the raised
position.
[0012] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the exterior side of a blank according to a
second
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] Figs. 9-11 are perspective views of exemplary steps in assembling the
carrier
according to the second embodiment of the disclosure.
[0014] Fig. 12 is an end view of the carrier of Fig. 11.
[0015] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the carrier of Fig. 11 with the handle
in the
raised position.
[0016] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers
throughout the drawings.
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Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiments
[0017] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, constructs,
sleeves,
cartons, or the like, and packages for holding and displaying containers such
as jars,
bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be used for packaging food and beverage
products, for example. The containers can be made from materials suitable in
composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the
materials
include, but are not limited to, plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP,
PS,
PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; glass; or
any
combination thereof.
[0018] Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers
of
numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the
purpose of
limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description
describes
beverage product containers (e.g., plastic containers) at least partially
disposed within
the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms "lower," "bottom,"
"upper"
and "top" indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected
carriers or
packages.
[0019] The present embodiments are addressed to carriers or packages for
attachment
to and accommodation of containers. A carrier or package 150 is illustrated in
its
erected state in Figs. 6 and 7, in which it is attached to containers C. In
the illustrated
embodiments the containers C are illustrated as three beverage containers each
having
a top portion generally comprising an upper neck portion N (Fig. 2), a cap CP,
and an
annular shoulder S below the cap. Less than or more than three containers C
can be
held in the carrier 150, and the containers can be otherwise sized and shaped
without
departing from the disclosure. The carrier 150 includes a handle 7 (Fig. 7)
for
grasping and carrying the carrier.
[0020] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an exterior side 3 of a blank 8 used to form
the carrier
or package 150. The blank 8 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2.
The
blank 8 comprises a bottom panel 10 foldably connected to a first side panel
20 at a
first transverse fold line 21, a first top panel 30 foldably connected to the
first side
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panel 20 at a second transverse fold line 31, a second side panel 40 foldably
connected to the bottom panel 10 at a third transverse fold line 41, and a
second top
panel 50 foldably connected to the second side panel 40 at a fourth transverse
fold
line 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 8 includes an adhesive panel
60
foldably connected to the first top panel 30 at a fifth transverse fold line
61.
[0021] One or more cuts may be included in each of the transverse fold lines
21, 31,
41, 51, 61 to facilitate folding along the fold lines. Any number of cuts may
be
formed in any of the fold lines, and the number and length of the cuts may be
selected
according to, for example, the gauge and/or the stiffness of the material used
to form
the blank 8. The fold lines 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 may be formed by other methods
(e.g.,
crease lines without cuts) without departing from the disclosure.
[0022] The bottom panel 10 comprises pairs of opposed retention flaps 12 that
are
respectively foldably attached to the blank by portions of the fold lines 21,
41. The
flaps 12 are defined by cut or tear lines 13 and separated by cuts 14. Each
pair of
flaps 12 open to respectively form an opening 15 (Fig. 2) in the bottom panel
that is
shaped and sized to receive the upper neck portion N of a container C (Fig. 2)
that is
to be at least partially accommodated within the carrier 150. The blank 8
could
comprise more or less than three pairs of flaps 12 and bottom openings 15
without
departing from the disclosure.
[0023] In the embodiment of Figs. 1-7, the blank 8 includes three
reinforcement flaps
23, 23a foldably attached to the first side panel 20 and three reinforcement
flaps 23,
23a foldably attached to the second side panel 40. Each reinforcement flap 23,
23a is
foldably connected at a respective lateral fold line 25 in the side panels 20,
40 and is
at least partially defined by longitudinal cuts 27 extending from the lateral
fold line to
an edge 29 of the flap. The edge 29 of each reinforcement flap 23, 23a is
adjacent a
respective opening 33, 33a in the top panels 30, 50. Each reinforcement flap
23, 23a
has a length L3 in the longitudinal direction L l so that the flaps engage a
portion of
the annular shoulder S of a respective container C that is held in the carrier
150 when
the flap 23, 23a is folded about a respective fold line 25. When the
reinforcement
flaps 23, 23a are folded, the openings 33, 33a then extend into the side
panels 20, 40
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and the edges formed by the reinforcement flaps 23, 23a at the fold lines 25
are
adjacent to the respective side openings 33, 33a. The flaps 23, 23a cooperate
with the
respective flaps 12 and side panels 20, 40 to form a retaining edge 24 (Fig.
5) under
either side of each shoulders S. The flaps 23, 23a may be otherwise shaped,
arranged,
and positioned without departing from the disclosure.
[0024] The first and second top panels 30, 50 include handle features for
forming the
handle 7 of the carrier 150. The central openings 33a that are adjacent each
of the
central flaps 23a is a handle opening that is shaped for receiving a hand of a
user
when the handle 7 is grasped to carry the carrier 150. The first top panel 30
includes
a first handle portion 38 that is a portion of the first top panel that is at
least partially
defined by the central opening 33a, portions of the lateral fold line 31
between cut
lines 27 and the central opening 33a, a central portion 64 of the lateral fold
line 61,
and two curved tear lines 35, 37 extending from respective, laterally outer
openings
33 to the lateral fold line 61. The handle features optionally include a
comfort flap 44
foldably attached to the handle portion 38 by a curved fold line 47. In one
embodiment, the handle features include a central portion 62 of the adhesive
panel 60
that is independently foldably attached to the handle portion 38 at the
central portion
64 of the lateral fold line 61. V-shaped notches 65 in the adhesive panel 60
separate
the central portion 62 from the remainder of the adhesive panel.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the handle features comprise a second
handle
portion 58 that is a portion of the second top panel 50 and is similar in
shape and
functionality as the handle portion 38 in the first top panel 30. The second
handle
portion 58 is at least partially defined by the central opening 33a in the
second top
panel 50, portions of the lateral fold line 51 between respective cuts 27 and
the central
opening 33a, and two curved tear lines 55, 57 extending from respective outer
openings 33 to the edge of the blank 8. The handle features optionally include
a
comfort flap 74 foldably attached to the handle portion 58 by a curved fold
line 77.
[0026] As illustrated in Figs. 2-7, the blank 8 may be erected into the
carrier 150 by
placing the blank 8 onto the containers C such that the neck portion N of each
of the
containers is respectively received in the openings 15 of the bottom panel 10
and the
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flaps 12 are respectively upwardly folded in the direction of arrows Al (Fig.
2). The
flaps 12 each have a respective edge 39 that engages a shoulder S or other
suitable
feature at opposite sides of the containers C to at least partially provide a
retaining
force for holding the containers in the carrier. As shown in Fig. 3, the
optional
reinforcement flaps 23, 23a are respectively folded about fold lines 25 in the
direction
of arrows A2, so that the flaps are in face-to-face contact with respective
portions of
the first side panel 20 and the second side panel 40. The reinforcement flaps
23, 23a
can be respectively adhesively secured (e.g., glued) to the first and the
second side
panel 20, 40 or the flaps may be unattached to the side panels without
departing from
the disclosure. The first and second side panel 20, 40 are respectively folded
relative
to the bottom panel 10 along respective fold lines 21, 41, so that the first
and second
side panels each are oriented at an acute angle relative to the bottom panel
(Fig. 4).
The openings 33, 33a in the side panels 20, 40 are brought into axial
alignment with
the openings 15 of the bottom panel 10. In one embodiment, the bottom panel 10
is
substantially horizontal and the side panels 20, 40 are angled inward to
cooperate with
the bottom panel to form a closed triangular space 105 when viewed in cross
section.
In the upwardly folded position of the side panels 20, 40, the reinforcement
flaps 23,
23a engage the shoulders S of the containers at opposite sides of the
containers to
supplement the retaining force of the flaps 12.
[0027] Next, the top panels 30, 50 are folded in the direction of arrows A3
and are
brought together in face-to-face contact to form a top wall 52 and so that the
top
panels extend generally vertically upward from the first and second side
panels 20,
40. The top wall 52 has openings corresponding to the portions of the openings
33,
33a that extend into each of the top panels 30, 50. The top panels 30, 50 can
be
adhered together with glue or other suitable adhesive. The central portion 62
of the
adhesive panel 60 can be downwardly folded in the direction of arrow A4 and
adhered
to the overlapped first and second handle portions 38, 58 of the attached
first and
second top panel 30, 50. Next, the top wall 52, including the adhered first
and second
top panels 30, 50, is downwardly folded and attached to the second side panel
40 (Fig.
6). The portions of the openings 33, 33a that form the openings in the top
wall 52 are
brought into alignment with the portions of the openings 33, 33a in the side
panels 20,
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40 and the openings 15 in the bottom panel. Adhesive may be applied to
portions of
the second top panel 50 (e.g. portions 50a, 50b (Fig. 5) respectively located
laterally
outward of tear lines 57, 55) and/or the outer portions of the adhesive panel
60 (e.g.
portions 60a, 60b (Fig. 5) respectively located laterally outward of central
portion 62)
to secure the top wall 52 in the position shown in Fig. 6. Care should be
taken when
applying adhesive to ensure the overlapped first and second handle portions
38, 58 are
not adhered to the second side panel 40.
[0028] The handle 7 of the carrier 150 can be activated by grasping the
overlapped
handle portions 38, 58 at the central portion 64 of the fold line 61
connecting the first
top panel 30 to the adhesive flap 60. In the position of Fig. 5, the central
portion 62 of
the adhesive panel 60 has been placed between the second side panel 40 and the
second top panel 30 to create an edge corresponding to the central portion 64
of the
fold line 61 for grasping and activating the handle 7. The combined handle
portions
38, 58 are respectively separated from the first top panel 30 and the second
top panel
50 by tearing along respective tear lines 35, 37, 55, 57 and pivoting the
combined
handle portions 38, 58 upward in the direction of arrow AS (Fig. 7) along the
overlapped central portions of the fold lines 31, 51 that respectively
foldably attached
the handle portions to the side panels 20, 40. In the lowered position of the
handle 7
(Fig. 6), the edge of the overlapped comfort flaps 44, 74 can engage a portion
of the
shoulder S of the middle container C to supplement the retaining force of the
carrier
150 and to retain the handle in the lowered position. As shown in Fig. 7, the
handle 7
is activated for grasping the carrier 150 when the combined handle portions
38, 58
have been extended upwardly from the top edges of the side panels 20, 40.
[0029] Optionally, the handle 7 is initially attached to one of the side
panels 20, 40
(e.g. side panel 40 (Fig. 6)) so that handle is retained in the downwardly
folded
position until activation by a consumer who purchases the carrier 150. The
handle 7
is attached to one of the side panels 20, 40 by adhesive applied between the
laterally
outer portions of the overlapped top panels 30, 50 and the laterally outer
portions of
the one side panel that the handle is attached to. The overlapped handle
portions 38,
58 remain free from adhesive attachment to the side panels 20, 40 so that the
handle
portions can be separated from the attached portion of the top panels 30, 50
via tear
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lines 35, 37, 55, 57. Further, the two-ply handle 7 including overlapped and
adhered
first and second handle portions 38, 58 provides a reinforced handle so the
carrier 150
is capable of withstanding substantial loading without tearing, bending, or
otherwise
weakening of the carrier when the handle is grasped to carry the containers C.
The
handle 7 may be otherwise shaped, arranged, and located without departing from
the
disclosure.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 150 includes end portions
152, 154
(Fig. 7) of one side (e.g., the side including second side wall 40) of the
carrier
comprise reinforced retaining areas including four plies of material (e.g.,
the two top
panels 30, 50, the reinforcing tabs 23, and the second side panel 40) to
provide
reinforcement to the areas of the carrier 150 holding the two end containers
C. In one
embodiment, a central portion 156 between the two end portions 152, 154
includes
four plies of material (e.g., the two handle portions 38, 58, top panels 30,
50, the
reinforcing tabs 23a, and the second side panel 40) when the handle 7 is in
the
lowered position to provide reinforcement to the area of the carrier holding
the middle
container C. When the handle 7 is raised, the central portion 156 includes two
plies of
material (e.g., the reinforcing tab 23a and the second side panel 40) holding
the
middle container C. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposite side of the
carrier 150
(e.g., the side corresponding to the first side panel 20) includes two plies
of material
(e.g., the side panel 20 and the reinforcement tabs 23, 23a) to provide
reinforcement
to the area of the carrier 150 holding the end containers C. The carrier 150
could be
otherwise shaped and arranged and could have more or less than two or four
plies of
material on either or both sides of the carrier.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 150 is retained on the
containers C
by the engagement of the flaps 12 and reinforcement flaps 23, 23a with the
portions of
the shoulders S of the containers. The edges 39 of the flaps 12 and the edges
of the
reinforcement flaps 23, 23a, corresponding to fold lines 25, form the
retaining edges
24 that engage an underside of a respective shoulder S at opposite sides of
each
container to apply a retention force that tends to prevent withdrawal of each
container
from the carrier. The retention force from the engagement of the retaining
edges 24
with the shoulder S creates an upward bias force that must be overcome or
eliminated
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by tearing or manipulation of the carrier 150, in order to withdraw the
container C
from the carrier. The retaining edges 24 that retain the containers C at the
end
portions 152, 154 are supplemented by the two layers of the top wall 52 to add
further
reinforcement and retention force to the end portions of the carrier 150. The
containers C may be otherwise retained in the carrier without departing from
the
disclosure.
[0032] Fig. 8 illustrates a blank 208 for forming a carrier 305 (Figs. 10-13)
according
to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment is generally
similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and variations
that will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The blank 208 comprises a bottom
panel
210 foldably connected to a first side panel 220 at a first transverse fold
line 221, a
second side panel 230 foldably connected to the first side panel 220 at a
second
transverse fold line 231, a third side panel 240 foldably connected to the
bottom panel
210 at a third transverse fold line 241, a first top panel 250 foldably
connected to the
third side panel 240 at a fourth transverse fold line 251, a second top panel
260
foldably connected to the first top panel 250 at a fifth transverse fold line
261, and a
fourth side panel 270 foldably connected to the second top panel 260 at a
sixth
transverse fold line 271.
[0033] The bottom panel 210 includes openings 215 for respectively, partially
receiving the neck portion N of containers C. In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the
bottom
panel 210 is free from flaps that are moveably positionable in the openings
215, but
the blank 208 of the second embodiment could comprises flaps similar to the
flaps 12
of the blank 8 shown in Fig. 1. The bottom panel 210 includes a lateral fold
line 217
located on the centerline of the bottom panel.
[0034] The blank 208 includes openings 225 between the first side panel 220
and
second side panel 230 that are aligned with the lateral fold line 231,
openings 245,
245a between the third side panel 240 and the first top panel 250 that are
aligned with
the lateral fold line 251, and openings 265, 265a between the second top panel
260
and the fourth side panel 270 that are aligned with the lateral fold line 271.
When the
carrier 305 is assembled from the blank 208, the respective outer and middle
openings
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215, 225, 245, 245a, and 265, 265a are axially aligned to receive a respective
container C. Intermediate fold lines 232, 233 are situated on either side of
fold line
231 and respectively define a portion 224 of the first side panel 220 and a
portion 226
of the second side panel 230.
[0035] The first top panel 250 includes handle features for forming the handle
307.
The handle features include a handle portion 258 at least partially defined by
the
openings 245, curved tear lines 235, 237 extending from respective openings
245 to
the lateral fold line 261, and portions of the lateral fold line 251.
Optionally, a
comfort flap 256 is foldably attached to the handle portion 258 at a curved
tear line
259.
[0036] The second top panel 260 includes a second handle portion 268 similar
to the
first handle portion 258. The handle portions 258, 268 are generally C-shaped
for
grasping by a user.
[0037] The blank 208 can be formed into the carrier 305 by placing the bottom
panel
210 onto a row of three containers C so that the upper portion N of the
containers
protrude through the openings 215. As shown in Fig. 9, the first side panel
220 is
upwardly folded in the direction of arrow A6 at fold line 221 relative to the
bottom
panel 210. The second side panel 230 is downwardly folded at fold lines 231,
232,
233 relative to the first side panel 220 so that the bottom panel 210 and
first and
second side panels form a generally triangular structure with the openings
215, 225
generally axially aligned. The top portion N of the containers extends through
the
axially-aligned openings 215, 225. Also in Fig. 9, the second top panel 260
and the
fourth side panel 270 are folded about the fold line 261 in the direction of
arrow A7 to
be in face-to-face contact with the first top panel 250 and the third side
panel 240,
respectively. The first top panel 270 and the second top panel 250 form a top
wall
251. Next, as shown in Fig. 10, the fourth side panel 270 is folded about fold
line 271
in the direction of arrow A7 to be in generally face-to-face contact with the
second
handle panel 260. In one embodiment, the third side panel 240 is upwardly
folded at
fold line 241 in the direction of arrow A8 relative to the bottom panel 210 so
that the
third side panel is in generally face-to-face contact with the second side
panel 230.
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The combined three layers of the first top panel 250, second top panel 260,
and fourth
side panel 270 are further folded downwardly at fold line 251 in the direction
of arrow
A9 to contact the first side panel 220 as shown in Figs. I 1 and 12. In the
assembled
position of the carrier 305, the tops of the containers C extend through the
overlapped
openings 245, 265 which are generally axially aligned with the other openings
225,
215 of the blank 208. The carrier 305 may be formed by alternative folding
steps
and/or other panel arrangements without departing from the disclosure.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, adhesive may be applied to the laterally
outer
portions 260a, 260b of the second top panel 260 to secure handle 307 (Fig. 13)
in the
downwardly folded position of Figs. 11 and 12 against fourth side panel 270.
Alternatively, adhesive may be applied to the laterally outer portions 270a,
270b of
the fourth side panel 270 to secure the handle 307 in the downwardly folded
position.
Also, adhesive can be applied to the second side panel 230 to secure the third
side
panel 240 to the second side panel as shown in the position of Fig. 12.
Adhesive can
be applied to the first side panel 220 to secure the fourth side panel 270 to
the first
side panel in the position shown in Fig. 12. Adhesive can be alternatively
applied to
other surfaces, panels, etc. without departing from the disclosure.
[0039] In the assembled position, the carrier 305 is generally triangular-
shaped
having a bottom 309 (Fig. 12), a first side 311, and a second side 313. In the
illustrated embodiment, the first side 311 comprises the first side panel 220,
the top
wall 251 (i.e., the first top panel 250 and the second top panel 260) that is
downwardly folded, and the fourth side panel 270. The second side 313
comprises
the second side panel 230 and the third side panel 240. The bottom 309
comprises the
bottom panel 210. The carrier 305 can be otherwise shaped and arranged. The
edges
of the blank 208 forming openings 245, 265 engage shoulders S to retain the
containers in the carrier 305. The attached portions of the top panels 250,
260 and the
side panels 220, 270 include reinforced retaining areas 252, 254 at the end
portions of
the side 311 that have four plies or layers of material to provide
reinforcement to the
areas of the carrier 305 holding the two end containers C. The central portion
257 of
the carrier between the end portions 252, 254 also includes four plies or
layers of
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material when the handle is in the lowered position. The side 313 includes two
plies
(e.g., the second side panel 230 and the third side panel 240) across length
of carton.
[0040] As with the previous embodiment, the handle 307 is activated by tearing
the
overlapped handle portions 258, 268 at respective tear lines 235, 237 to
position the
handle in the raised position (Fig. 13) by folding the handle portions
upwardly about
overlapped fold lines 251, 271 in the direction of arrow A9. After the handle
307 is
raised, the central portion 257 includes two layers or plies of material
(e.g., the side
panels 220, 270). As with the previous embodiments, the handle 307 can be
lowered
and retained in the lowered position by the engagement of the edges of the
overlapped
comfort flaps 265 with the shoulder S of the middle container C.
[0041] As with the previous embodiment, the carrier 305 includes retaining
edges 324
that engage either side of the shoulder S of each container. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the retaining edges 324 of side 311 of the carrier 305 include
respective
edges of the top panel 250 adjacent the openings 245, 245a, respective edges
of the
top panel 260 adjacent openings 265, 265a, respective edges of the side panel
270
adjacent openings 265, 265a, and respective edges of the side panel 220
adjacent the
openings 225. In one embodiment, the retaining edges 324 of side 313 of the
carrier
305 include respective edges of the side panel 240 adjacent the openings 245,
245a,
and respective edges of the side panel 230 adjacent the openings 225. The
carrier 305
could be otherwise shaped and arranged and could have other retaining features
or
reinforcement features without departing from the disclosure.
[0042] In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a
caliper of
at least about 13, for example, so that it is heavier and more rigid than
ordinary paper.
The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or
any other
material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at
least
generally as described above.
[0043] The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay
coating
may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or
images.
The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on
the
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blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier
layer, on
either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or
coated with
one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
[0044] The above embodiments may be described as having one or panels adhered
together by glue. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of
adhesives
commonly used to secure paperboard carton panels in place, and the adhesive
material
can be replaced by, or supplemented with any suitable fastening devices.
[0045] The term "line" as used herein includes not only straight lines, but
also other
types of lines such as curved, curvilinear or angularly displaced lines.
[0046] In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any
substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening
that
facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of
narrowing
the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as
lines
formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or
depressed
portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends
partially
into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts
that extend
partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line
of
weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where
cutting is
used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive
in a
manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold
line to be a
tear line.
[0047] As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially
into the
material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart
slits that
extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired
line of
weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific
example, one
type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend
completely
through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that
a nick (e.g.,
a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the
adjacent
slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line.
The nicks
14
CA 02719029 2012-04-16
are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a
relatively small
percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from
or torn in a
tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is
within the scope
of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a
continuous
slit, cut line, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit
or could be
wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.
[0048] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes
various
embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction
without
departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter
contained in
the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The scope of the claims should not
be limited
by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given
the
broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Additionally, the
disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure,
but the
disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and
environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of
the
inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings,
and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain
features
and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and
applied
to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
