Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS
[0001] Continue to paragraph [0002].
[0002] Continue to paragraph [0003].
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers or cartons
for holding, displaying,
and/or transporting containers.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a carrier for holding a
plurality of
containers comprises a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels comprising
at least one
central panel and at least one attachment panel for receiving a portion of one
or more
containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is
for being positioned
between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least
one attachment
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panel is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. The at least
one attachment
panel is positionable between a first position, in which the at least one
attachment panel
overlies and receives a portion of one or more of the containers, and a second
position, in
which the at least one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one
central panel and
in an upright position to form a handle for carrying the carrier.
[0005] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming
a carrier for
holding a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels comprising
at least one
central panel and at least one attachment panel for receiving a portion of one
or more
containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one attachment panel
is foldably
connected to the at least one central panel, and the at least one central
panel is for being
positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers when the
carrier is
formed from the blank. The at least one attachment panel is positionable
between a first
position, in which the at least one attachment panel overlies and receives a
portion of one or
more of the containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and a second
position, in
which the at least one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one
central panel and
in an upright position to form a handle for carrying the carrier formed from
the blank.
[0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming
a carrier for
holding a plurality of containers comprises obtaining a blank comprising a
plurality of panels
comprising at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel for
receiving a portion
of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one
attachment panel is
foldably connected to the at least one central panel. The method further
comprises
positioning the at least one central panel between adjacent containers of the
plurality of
containers, positioning the at least one attachment panel in a first position
in which the at
least one attachment panel overlies and receives a portion of one or more of
the containers,
and positioning the at least one attachment panel in a second position in
which the at least
one attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one central panel and
in an upright
position to form a handle for carrying the carrier.
[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a package comprises
a plurality of
containers and a carrier. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels
comprising at least one
central panel and at least one attachment panel receiving a portion of one or
more containers
of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is positioned
between adjacent
containers of the plurality of containers, and the at least one attachment
panel is foldably
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connected to the at least one central panel. The at least one attachment panel
is positionable
between a first position, in which the at least one attachment panel overlies
and receives a
portion of one or more of the containers, and a second position, in which the
at least one
attachment panel is folded relative to the at least one central panel and in
an upright position
to form a handle for carrying the package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated
advantages and other
advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the
following detailed
description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing
figures. It is
within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be
provided both
individually and in various combinations.
[0009] 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.
[0010] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a
carrier according to a
first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
[0011] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of
a carrier formed
from the blank of Fig. 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0012] Fig. 3 is a front view of a package and carrier formed from the
blank of Fig. 1 in a
first configuration and having a pair of containers removed according to the
first exemplary
embodiment.
[0013] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of Fig. 3
including the removed
pair of containers.
[0014] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of Fig. 4
in a second
configuration.
[0015] Fig. 6 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a
carrier according to a
second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
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[0016] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of
a carrier formed
from the blank of Fig. 6 according to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0017] Fig. 8 is a front view of a package and carrier formed from the
blank of Fig. 6 in a
first configuration and having a pair of containers removed according to the
second
exemplary embodiment.
[0018] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of Fig. 8
including the removed
pair of containers.
[0019] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of Fig. 9
in a second
configuration.
[0020] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference
numbers throughout
the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages,
constructs, sleeves,
cartons, or the like, 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,
glass; plastics such as
PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum
and/or other metals; or any combination thereof.
[0022] 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
containers (e.g.,
aluminum cans) at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In
this
specification, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper," "top," "front," and
"back" indicate
orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.
[0023] As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping
panels, end
flaps, and/or other portions of blanks. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other
portions of the
blanks can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., "first",
"second", "third", etc.,
in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the
disclosure.
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[0024] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 101 of a blank 103
used to form a handle
assembly or carrier 105 (Fig. 4) in accordance with a first exemplary
embodiment of the
disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, the carrier 105 is sized to contain or support
six containers,
with three containers CAI, CA2, CA3 being attached to a front portion 106 of
the carrier 105
and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 being attached to a back portion 108 of the
carrier 105.
In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can
be
beverage cans, or could be any other suitable type and size of container
without departing
from the disclosure. The carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or
less than six
containers. In one embodiment, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108
of the carrier
105 each have three containers, and in other embodiments, the front portion
106 and the back
portion 108 of the carrier 105 can carry more or less than three containers
without departing
from the disclosure. The carrier 105 can be provided together with one or more
containers as
a package 110 (Fig. 4).
[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L2 and a
lateral axis Ll.
The blank 103 has a front portion 107 for forming the front portion 106 of the
carrier 105
(Fig. 4), and a back portion 109 for forming the back portion 108 of the
carrier 105 (Fig. 4).
The front portion 107 and the back portion 109 of the blank 103 are foldably
connected at a
lateral fold line 112 that forms a lateral centerline CL of the blank 103, as
shown. As
discussed further below, the blank 103 is at least partially formed into the
carrier 105 by
folding the blank 103 at the fold line 112 along the centerline CL so that one
or more portions
of the front portion 107 and the back portion 109 of the blank 103 are
overlapped in at least
partial face-to-face contact.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 107 of the blank
103 comprises a front
central panel 125a with an adhesive or glue opening 127a at a central portion
thereof. A first
divider flap 131a and a second divider flap 133a are foldably connected to the
front central
panel 125a at respective lateral fold lines 135a, 137a, and are defined by
respective cuts 139a,
141a and 143a, 145a that extend from free edges of the front central panel
125a to endpoints
of the respective fold lines 135a, 137a, In one embodiment, one or more of the
respective
cuts 139, 141a, 143a, 145a can include a curved portion, for example, adjacent
the respective
fold line 135a, 137a.
[0027] As shown, each divider flap 131a, 133a includes a glue opening 127a
on an interior
portion thereof. As shown, the glue openings 127a can have a similar
configuration, e.g., an
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ovoid configuration, as shown, or one or more of the glue openings 127a can
have a different
configuration, e.g., a circular, square, triangular, rectangular, or other
polygonal or closed
curved profile.
[0028] A front handle panel or front attachment panel 147a is foldably
connected to the front
central panel 125a at a lateral top or fold line 149a. A plurality of handle
reinforcement flaps
151a, 153a, 155a are foldably connected to the front attachment panel 147a at
a respective
oblique fold line 157a, lateral fold line 159a, and oblique fold line 161a,
and extend into a
handle opening 167a in the attachment panel 147a. The handle reinforcement
flap 151a is
separated from the handle reinforcement flap 153a at an oblique cut 163a and
the handle
reinforcement flap 153a is separated from the handle reinforcement flap 155a
at an oblique
cut 165a. Respective curved cuts 166, 168 can also be provided, for example,
intersecting the
respective fold lines 157a, 161a and the handle opening 167a, to provide for
separation of the
respective handle reinforcement flaps 151a, 155a from respective portions of
the attachment
panel 147a. The handle opening 167a extends from free edges of the handle
reinforcement
flaps 151a, 153a, 155a to the central panel 125a to define a free edge 169a of
the central
panel 125a that interrupts the fold line 149a.
[0029] Container receiving or attachment features in the front portion 107
of the blank 103
include a front bevel panel or front retention flap 171a foldably connected to
the front
attachment panel 147a at a lateral fold line 173a that is interrupted by
curved cuts 175a that
extend toward the front retention flap 171a and which define retention tabs
177a that protrude
from the front attachment panel 147a. The cuts 175a can have one or more
curved or angled
portions, and one or more relief cuts 179a extending obliquely from one or
more portions
thereof into the front retention flap 171a to provide flexible reconfiguration
of one or more
portions of the attachment features of the blank 103 upon receipt of one or
more container.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 109 of the blank
103 includes a back
central panel 125b, a back attachment panel 147b, back retention flaps 171b,
and back divider
flaps 131b, 133b having associated features that are generally a mirror-image
of the
corresponding panels and flaps of the front portion 107 of the blank 103.
Corresponding
components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated
by corresponding
reference numbers that differ by the "a" or "b" suffix, with the "a"
components
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corresponding to the front portion 107 of the blank 103 and the "b" components
corresponding to the back portion 109 of the blank 103.
[0031] Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features
could be otherwise shaped,
arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 103 without departing from the
disclosure. The
blank 103 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than six
containers
without departing from this disclosure.
[0032] In one embodiment, and referring additionally to Figs. 2 and 3,
the front attachment
panel 147a and the back attachment panel 147b are configured to receive a
portion of one or
more of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3. In this
regard, the
exterior surface of the blank 101 at the respective front attachment panel
147a and back the
attachment panel 147b can be placed over a top portion T, e.g., rims, of the
respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CM, CB2, CB3, such that the top portions T of the
respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB I, CB2, CB3 extend through the
respective
cuts 175a, 175b to be at least partially engaged by adjacent edges of the
respective attachment
panels 147a, 147b and the respective retention flaps 171a, 171b. In addition,
the respective
retention flaps 171a, 171b can be urged or otherwise folded downwardly at the
respective
fold lines 173a, 173b to be arranged obliquely relative to the respective
attachment panels
147a, 147b such that the respective retention tabs 177a, 177b at least
partially separate from
the respective retention flaps 171a, 171b. In such an arrangement, the
respective containers
CA1, CA2, CA3, CBI, CB2, CB3 are at least partially retained between a
respective
retention tab 177a, 177b and a respective retention flap 171a, 171b. In one
embodiment, one
or more of the retention tabs 177a, 177b can engage a portion of a respective
container CA1,
CA2, CA3, CBI, CB2, CB3, e.g., a recessed portion of a respective top adjacent
a respective
container rim.
[0033] As also shown, the front attachment panel 125a and the back
attachment panel 125b
can be folded at the fold line 112 and the central panels 125a, 125b can be
moved into at least
partial face-to-face contact in the direction of the respective arrows Al, A2
and such that the
glue openings 127a, 127b in the respective central panels 125a, 125b are in
general alignment
such that the front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and the back portion of the
carrier 105 are in
communication through the respective glue openings 127a, 127b in the
respective central
panels 125a, 125b. Such movement of the front attachment panel 125a and the
back
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attachment panel 125b can include downward folding of the respective front
attachment panel
125a and the back attachment panel 125b at the respective fold lines 149a,
149b.
[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, in which the containers CA2, CB2 are removed
for clarity of
illustration, the divider flaps 131a, 133a and the divider flaps 131b, 133b
can be separated
from the respective front central panel 125a and the back central panel 125b
at the respective
cuts 139a, 141a, 143a, 145a and 139b, 141b, 143b, 145b and folded away from
the respective
front central panel 125a and the back central panel 125b at the respective
fold lines 135a,
137a and 135b, 137b to be positioned in a generally perpendicular and
outwardly-extending
arrangement relative to the respective front central panel 125a and the back
central panel
125b so that the divider flaps 131a, 133a can be placed between respective
adjacent
containers. In this regard, container receiving spaces 181 can be defined in
the front portion
106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 adjacent respective divider
flaps 131a, 131b,
133a, 133b. In one embodiment, respective container receiving spaces 181 can
be provided
for the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 (broadly, a respective "first
container receiving
space", "second container receiving space", and "third container receiving
space") and the
containers CB I, CB2, CB3 (broadly, a respective "first container receiving
space", "second
container receiving space", and "third container receiving space"). While only
the containers
CA1, CA3, CB1, CB3 are illustrated in Fig. 3 for clarity of illustration, it
will be understood
that all of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 can be engaged with
the
respective handle panels 147a, 147b as described above.
[0035] Accordingly, one or more of the containers CAI, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2,
CB3 can be
loaded into the container receiving spaces 181 of the carrier 105 to form the
package 110. In
the illustrated carrier 105, containers CA1, CA2, and CA3 are located in the
container
receiving spaces 181 of the front portion 106 of the carrier 105, and
containers CB1, CB2,
and CB3 are located in the container receiving spaces 181 of the back portion
108 of the
carrier 105. As shown in Figs 2 and 3, the glue openings 127a in the
respective divider flaps
131a, 133a, 131b, 133b provide communication between adjacent container
receiving spaces
181 and respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that a line or
other
arrangement of adhesive such as glue G can be applied across the respective
glue openings
127a and onto adjacent portions of the respective divider flaps 131a, 133a. In
this regard,
glue G is provided to adhere the containers CA1 and CA2 to the divider flap
133a and to each
other through the respective glue opening 127a, and the glue G is provided to
adhere the
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containers CA2 and CA3 to the divider flap 131a through the respective glue
opening 127a
and to each other. It will be understood that the containers CB1, CB2, and CB3
are adhered
to each other and to the respective divider flaps 133b, 131b with lines of
glue G in a
substantially similar or identical manner as the containers CA1, CA2, and CA3
as described
above.
[0036] Additionally, at least the centrally-disposed containers CA2 and
CB2 are adhered to
each other through the respective glue openings 127a, 127b in the respective
front central
panel 125a and the back central panel 125b with a line of glue G across the
respective glue
openings 127a, 127b such that every container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 is
adhered
to each other, directly or indirectly through other containers, as well as to
one or more
portions of the carrier 105. Such lines of glue G that adhere the containers
CA2, CB2 to one
another through the central glue openings 127a can also extend onto respective
portions of
the respective central panels 125a, 125b such that one or both of the
containers CA2, CB2
can additionally be adhered to portions of the respective central panels 125a,
125b. It will be
understood that additional lines or arrangements of adhesive can be provided
among
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and/or portions of the carrier 105.
For example,
in one embodiment, glue G can be provided between containers CA1, CB1 or CA3,
CB3
through an opening in the central panels 125a, 125b formed by the separation
of a respective
divider flap 133a, 133b or 131a, 131b therefrom.
[0037] The glue G described herein can be, for example, a hot melt
adhesive, a high tack
glue, an epoxy, a polymeric cement, etc., or combinations thereof.
[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, in a first configuration of the carrier 105,
e.g., a storage and/or
transport configuration of the carrier 105, the attachment panels 147a, 147b
are in a first
position that is folded downwardly at the respective fold lines 149a, 149b to
at least partially
overlie and engage the top portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2,
CA3 and CB1,
CB2, CB3 so as to receive a portion therethrough, as described above.
[0039] Referring additionally to Fig. 5, in a second configuration of the
carrier 105, e.g., a
carrying configuration of the carrier 105, the attachment panels 147a, 147b
and retention
flaps 171a, 171b can be disengaged or detached from the respective containers
CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and the handle panels 147a, 147b can be folded upwardly at
the
respective fold lines 149a, 149b in the direction of the respective arrows A3,
A4 into at least
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partial face-to-face or otherwise overlapping contact and such that the handle
openings 167a,
167b are generally aligned. Such an upright position and arrangement of the
attachment
panels 147a, 147b (broadly, "second position" of the attachment panels 147a,
147b) provides
a handle 111 that a customer can grasp, for example, through the handle
openings 167a,
167b, to carry the package 110/carrier 105. In this regard, the attachment
panels 147a, 147b
are repositionable relative to the respective central panels 125a, 125b such
that in the first
configuration of the carrier 105, the respective attachment panels 147a, 147b
are configured
as attachment panels for engaging and receiving a portion of one or more of
the respective
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3, and in the second configuration of
the
carrier 105, the respective attachment panels 147a, 147b are configured as
handle panels that
provide the handle 111 for carrying the carrier 105.
[0040] One or more of the handle reinforcement flaps 151a, 153a, 155a,
151b, 153b, 155b
can be at least partially folded at the respective fold lines 157a, 159a,
161a, 157b, 159b, 161b
into at least partially overlapping relation with a respective attachment
panel 147a, 147b, for
example, to provide a layered structure, e.g., having a 4-ply configuration,
that provides
additional carrying strength and/or comfort to the customer.
[0041] The package 110 described above provides a carrier 105 with a
compact structure that
can, for example, provide materials savings and waste reduction. Additionally,
the
arrangement of the glue G among the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 as
well as
the divider flaps 131a, 131b, 133a, 133b and the central panels 125a, 125b
provides multiple
points of attachment that results in a robust structure for holding and
carrying the containers
CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3. Further, the exposure of one or more portions of
the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 on exterior portions of the carrier
105/package
110 provides a customer with a clear view of labeling or surface graphics
associated with the
containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 as well as providing convenient access
to
remove one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the
carrier
105/package 110, for example, by peeling a respective container away from an
adjacent
container and/or portion of the carrier 105 to overcome the adhesion of
respective glue G that
adheres a respective container to a respective portion of the package 110. In
one
embodiment, the glue G can be selected so as to remain on a respective central
panel 125a,
125b and/or respective divider flap 131a, 133a, 131b, 133b, e.g., such that
substantially little
or no glue G remains on the container as it is removed. One or more of the
containers CA1,
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CA2, CA3, CB I, CB2, CB3, in one embodiment, can be reattached to a respective
central
panel 225a, 225b following therefrom by pressing the container against a
respective region of
glue G.
[0042] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of an exterior side 201 of a blank 203
used to form a handle
assembly or carrier 205 (Fig. 9) in accordance with a second exemplary
embodiment of the
disclosure. The blank 203, carrier 205, and associated package 210 including
one or more
containers can have one or more features that are substantially similar to
those of the
respective blank 103 (Fig. 1), carrier 105, and package 110 (Fig. 4) of the
first exemplary
embodiment of the disclosure, and like or similar reference numbers are used
to designate
like or similar features.
[0043] As shown in Fig. 6, the blank 203 has a longitudinal axis Ll and a
lateral axis L2.
The blank 203 has a front portion 207 for forming the front portion 206 of the
carrier 205
(Fig. 9), and a back portion 209 for forming the back portion 208 of the
carrier 205. The
front portion 207 and the back portion 209 of the blank 203 are foldably
connected at a lateral
fold line 212 that forms a lateral centerline CL of the blank 203, as shown.
As discussed in
further detail below, the blank 203 is partially formed into the carrier 205
by folding the
blank 203 at the fold line 212 along the centerline CL so that the front
portion 207 and the
back portion 209 of the blank 203 are overlapped in at least partial face-to-
face contact.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 207 of the blank
203 comprises a front
central panel 225a having a pair of adhesive or glue openings 227a at interior
portions thereof
and a pair of surface features 229a adjacent the respective glue openings
227a. The surface
features 229a can be, for example, an embossed feature or other at least
partially raised or
recessed surface configuration. As shown, the top edges of the respective glue
openings 227a
are spaced a longitudinal distance D1 away from the centerline CL that is
greater than a
longitudinal distance D2 that the top edges of respective glue openings 227b
of the back
portion 209 of the blank 203 are spaced away from the centerline CL. As also
described
further herein, the central glue opening 227a intersects a handle opening 230a
that extends
into the attachment panel 231a such that the central glue opening 227a and the
handle
opening 230a are in communication with one another.
[0045] A front handle panel or front attachment panel 231a is foldably
connected to the front
central panel 225a at a lateral fold line 233a that is interrupted by the top
edges of the
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respective glue openings 227a and/or a portion of the handle opening 230a. The
front
attachment panel 231a includes a container retention portion 235a that is at
least partially
defined between a pair of longitudinally-spaced lateral fold lines 237a, 239a
(broadly,
"second fold line" and "first fold line", respectively. As shown, the lateral
fold line 239a is
interrupted by a set of three longitudinally-spaced cuts 241a that can each
include one or
more curved and/or angled portions, and the lateral fold line 237a is
interrupted by a pair of
the longitudinally-spaced cuts 241a that are opposite the respective
longitudinally outermost
cuts 241a that interrupt the fold line 239a. Respective oblique cuts 243a,
245a extend
outwardly from each respective cut 241a to permit flexible reconfiguration of
one or more
portions of the attachment panel 231a upon receipt of one or more container.
As shown, an
interior marginal portion 267a of the attachment panel 231a is defined between
the fold lines
237a, 233a, and the fold line 239a defines a front bevel panel or front
retention flap or an
exterior marginal portion 269a of the attachment panel 231a. In this regard,
the
longitudinally-spaced cuts 241a extend toward respective portions of the
interior marginal
portion 267a and the front retention flap or exterior marginal portion 269a,
and define
respective retention tabs 277a extending from the container retention portion
235a.
[0046] As also shown, the blank 203 includes handle features that include
a plurality of
handle reinforcement flaps 251a, 253a, 255a that are foldably connected to the
attachment
panel 231a at a respective oblique fold line 254a, a lateral fold line 256a,
and an oblique fold
line 258a, and which extend into the handle opening 230a. The handle
reinforcement flap
251a is separated from the handle reinforcement flap 253a at an oblique cut
263a, and the
handle reinforcement flap 253a is separated from the handle reinforcement flap
255a at an
oblique cut 265a. In the illustrated embodiment, free edges of the handle
reinforcement flaps
251a, 253a, 255a form a curved edge 260a that is adjacent the handle opening
230a.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 209 of the blank
203 includes a back
central panel 225b and a back handle panel or back attachment panel 231b
having associated
features that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding panels and
flaps of the front
portion 207 of the blank 203. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps,
fold lines, cuts,
etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by
the "a" or "b"
suffix, with the "a" components corresponding to the front portion 207 of the
blank 203 and
the "b" components corresponding to the back portion 209 of the blank 203.
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[0001] As also shown, glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the
central panels
225a, 225b, e.g., across the respective surface features 229a, 229b. While the
glue G is
illustrated on the exterior surface 201 of the blank 203 in Fig. 6, it will be
understood that the
glue G can be applied to both the interior surface and the exterior surface of
the central panels
225a, 225b without departing from the disclosure.
[0002] Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could
be otherwise shaped,
arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 203 without departing from the
disclosure. The
blank 203 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than six
containers
without departing from this disclosure.
[0003] In one embodiment, referring additionally to Figs. 7-9 (and noting
that the glue G has
been omitted from Fig. 7 for clarity of illustration), the interior surface or
underside of the
front attachment panel 231a and the back attachment panel 231b can be placed
over a top
portion T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CBI, CB2, CB3, such
that the top
portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 are
received
through the respective cuts 241a, 241b to be at least partially engaged by
adjacent edges of
the respective attachment panels 231a, 231b, the respective interior marginal
portions 267a,
267b and the respective retention flaps or exterior marginal portions 269a,
269b. In addition,
the respective interior marginal portions 267a, 267b and the respective
exterior marginal
portions 269a, 269b can be urged or otherwise folded downwardly at the
respective fold lines
237a, 237b, 239a, 239b to be arranged obliquely relative to the respective
container retention
portions 235a, 235b of the respective attachment panels 231a, 231b.
[0004] In this regard, the respective retention tabs 277a, 277b can at
least partially separate
from the respective interior marginal portions 267a, 267b and respective
exterior marginal
portions 269a, 269b. In such an arrangement, the respective containers CA1,
CA2, CA3,
CB1, CB2, CB3 are at least partially retained between a respective retention
tab 277a, 277b
and a respective marginal portion 267a, 269a and 267b, 269b. In one
embodiment, one or
more of the retention tabs 277a, 277b can engage a portion of a respective
container CA1,
CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, e.g., a recessed portion of a respective top adjacent
a container
rim.
[0005] The front central panel 225a and the back central panel 225b can be
folded at the fold
line 212 and the central panels 225a, 225b can be moved into at least partial
face-to-face
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contact in the direction of the respective arrows A5, A6 such that the front
central panel 225a
and the back central panel 225b are in at least partial face-to-face contact
and such that the
respective glue openings 227a, 227b and the respective surface features 229a,
229b in the
respective central panels 225a, 225b are positioned in general alignment so as
to be laterally
aligned but longitudinally offset due to the different relative spacing of the
respective glue
openings 227a, 227b away from the centerline CL.
[0006]
In this regard, the central panels 225a, 225b are arranged such that a portion
of the
front central panel 225a overlaps each of the glue openings 227b and a portion
of the back
central panel 225b overlaps each of the glue openings 227a to provide
respective surfaces
upon which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be
adhered or
otherwise attached, as described further herein.
For example, glue G can be aligned with
the glue openings 227a to provide an adhesion surface on a respective portion
of the back
central panel 225b, and glue G can be aligned with the glue openings 227b to
provide
adhesion surfaces on respective portions of the front central panel 225a. The
glue G can
cover at least a portion of the surface features 229a, 229b such that one or
more of the surface
features 229a, 229b presents additional surfaces for adhesion and/or spacing
between the
front portion 206 and the back portion 208 of the carrier 205.
[0007]
The attachment of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 to the
respective
central panels 225a, 225b can provide retention and support of the respective
containers, e.g.,
such that the containers do not detach from the carrier 205 under their own
weight, in
addition to or alternative to the container retention and support provided by
the respective
container retention portions 235a, 235b. For example, in one embodiment, one
or more of
the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached to a respective
central panel
225a, 225b with glue G, without additional retention and support provided by a
container
retention portion as described above, and as discussed further below.
[0008]
Such enhanced attachment of the respective containers to the respective
central panels
225a, 225.b with the glue G can also provide enhanced integrity to the carrier
205, e.g., by
providing opposing adhesive forces on the respective central panels 225a, 225b
such that the
central panels 225a, 225b are compressed therebetween. For example, in one
embodiment, if
the carrier 205 is lifted, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least partially
pull the portions
of the back central panel 225b to which they are attached through the
respective glue
openings 227a toward the front central panel 225a under the at least partial
weight of the
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containers CA1, CA2, CA3. Respective portions of the front central panel 225a
can be pulled
toward the back central panel 225b through the respective glue openings 227b
by the
containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a similar manner.
[0009] Accordingly, the attachment panels 247a, 247b are positionable
relative to the
respective central panels 125a, 125b such that in a first configuration of the
carrier 205, e.g.,
a storage and/or transport configuration of the carrier 205, the respective
attachment panels
231a, 23 lb are in a first position to overlie and receive a portion of the
respective containers
CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 that extend therebelow. In such an
arrangement,
containers CA1, CA2, CA3 extend below the container retention portion 235a in
the front
portion 206 of the carrier 205, and containers CB1, CB2, CB3 extend below the
container
retention portion 235b in the back portion 208 of the carrier 205.
[0010] Referring additionally to Fig. 10, in a second configuration of the
carrier 205, e.g., a
carrying configuration of the carrier 205 (Figs. 18-20), the attachment panels
231a, 231b can
be detached from the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3,
and the
attachment panels 231a, 231b can be repositioned relative to the respective
central panels
225a, 225b by folding the attachment panels 231a, 231b upwardly at the
respective fold lines
233a, 233b in the direction of the respective arrows A6, A7 into at least
partial face-to-face or
otherwise overlapping contact and such that the handle openings 230a, 230b are
generally
aligned. Such upright arrangement of the attachment panels 231a, 23 lb
(broadly, "second
position" of the attachment panels 231a, 231b) provides a handle 211 that a
customer can
grasp, for example, through the handle openings 230a, 230b. One or more of the
handle
reinforcement flaps 251a, 253a, 255a, 251b, 253b, 255b can be at least
partially folded at
respective portions of the respective fold lines 256a, 256b into at least
partially overlapping
relation with a respective attachment panel 231, 231b, for example, to provide
a layered
structure that provides additional carrying strength and/or comfort. It will
be understood that
the carrier 205 can be selectively reconfigured between the first
configuration and the second
configuration to accommodate a desired application of the carrier 205.
[0011] The package 210 described above provides a carrier 205 with a
compact structure that
can, for example, provide materials savings and waste reduction. Additionally,
the
arrangement of the glue G among the containers CA1, CA2, CM, CB1, CB2, CB3 and
the
respective central panels 225a, 225b provides multiple points of attachment
that results in a
robust structure for holding and carrying the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3.
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Further, the exposure of one or more portions of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3,
CBI, CB2,
CB3 on exterior portions of the carrier 205/package 210 provides a customer
with a clear
view of labeling or surface graphics associated with the containers CA1, CA2,
CA3, CB1,
CB2, CB3, as well as providing convenient access to remove one or more of the
containers
CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the carrier 205/package 210, for example, by
peeling
a respective container away from an adjacent or portion of the carrier 205
and/or an adjacent
container.
[0012] Peeling or pulling the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 away
from a
respective central panel 225a, 225b can involve pulling the respective
container with a force
sufficient to overcome the adhesive bond of the respective container and the
respective
central panel 225; 225b provided by the glue G. In one embodiment, the glue G
can be
selected so as to remain on a respective central panel 225a, 225b, e.g., such
that substantially
little or no glue G remains on the container as it is removed. One or more of
the containers
CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, in one embodiment, can be reattached to a
respective
central panel 225; 225b following therefrom by pressing the container against
a respective
region of glue G.
[0013] In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a
caliper 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
carrier to function at least generally as described above. 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 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.
[0014] 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
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the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily
connecting the
material across the tear line. The nicks 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, 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels
adhered
together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term "glue"
is intended to
encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in
place.
[0017] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and
describes various
exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could
be made to
the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and 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.
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
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embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated
and non-
illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
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