Fully enclosed wrap carton

Abstract

A wrap around bottle carton with closed ends which has a top end panel and a bottom end panel interconnected by a triangular shaped web panel, a tuck-in panel with a holding flap and a triangular shaped gusset panel which facilitates the closing the bottom end panel of the carton.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a wrap bottle carton with closed ends, which can be erected on a conventional wrap machine which has webbing for closing the ends of the carton at the top of the carton.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] Wrap carton with open ends have been used in the past. Cartons with closed ends that have webs at the bottom of the end walls are well known but are difficult to set up on a wrap packaging machine.

[0005] When fabricating a carton from a paperboard blank, opposite sides of the blank are conventionally attached to each other by glue or by mechanical locks to form the bottom panel of the carton. In the case of a wrap carton, flaps located on the sides of the blank typically are overlapped and engaged with one another by mechanical locks formed in the flaps to form the bottom panel of the carton. Since the bottom panel must maintain its integrity throughout the use of the carton, it is essential that the locking system by capable of supporting the weight of the packaged articles, and remain engaged during shipping and handling of the constructed carton.

[0006] One approach to provide such a stable mechanical lock assembly utilizes primary and secondary locks. The primary locks connect the ends of the carton together via the flaps, while the secondary locks function to maintain the engaged flaps in place in order to provide a “backup” locking system to prevent the primary locks from separating.

[0007] A superior locking system that overcomes many of the deficiencies of prior art locks is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,203 to Sutherland, which describes a mechanical locking system that does not require secondary male locking tabs to extend beyond the end edges of the blank, but which system effectively locks the tabs in place and resists withdrawal of the tabs.

[0008] It will be advantageous to provide a wrap carton with closed ends that has webbing at the top that can be set up on a wrap machine. This type of carton would allow more advertising print on the outside of the carton.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide a closed end carton with locks that can be set up on a wrap machine.

[0010] It is the further object of present invention is to provide a closed end carton that has the webbing closing the end panels and holding them in the end position in the top of the carton in order for the carton to be easily erected on a wrap machine.

[0011] The further object of the present invention is to provide a carton with closed ends that has ample room for advertisement.

[0012] These objects are achieved by providing a wrap carton in its preferred embodiment that has a top panel, upper side panels, lower side panels, locking panels, in which the ends of the carton are closed at the bottom end and top end by panels connected by webbing to facilitate the closure. This webbing consists of three (3) panels. A triangular shaped web panel is attached to the bottom end panel and a tuck-in panel with a triangular projection towards the bottom of the carton is provided. The tuck-in panel has a holding flap to facilitate holding the webbing in place between the bottles and the upper side panels. There is also a triangular shaped gusset panel attached to the tuck-in panel and the top end panel to facilitate the folding of the webbing between the bottles and the carton. An opening may be provided between the gusset panel, tuck-in panel and the upper sidewall to facilitate the folding of the webbing. This carton may be glued or locked depending on one's preference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B are a composite matched lined plan view of a blank which incorporates the features of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a blank of FIG. 1 which shows the carton draped over a group of six (6) bottles.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top end of the blank with the side and end panels partially wrapped around the group of bottles.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top and one end of the carton of this embodiment, which has been fully wrapped around a group of bottles and locked.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carton of this embodiment, which is fully loaded with bottles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The present invention is intended primarily for use with wrap cartons containing bottles of the types used to contain soft drinks, beer, and the like. A typical example of such a bottle has a generally cylindrical body with an upper portion and a bottom, a tapering shoulder smoothly continuous with the upper portion of the body, and a neck formed on the shoulder having a smaller diameter than the body. This conventional bottle B also has a neck flange projecting outwardly from the neck, and a cap attached to the upper end of the neck flange.

[0019] The blank for forming the carton of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The blank 10 is designed to contain six beverage bottles B in two rows of three each. The blank 10 is formed from a foldable sheet material, such as paperboard. The blank 10 has a primary lock panel 12 which is foldably connected to lower side panel 14 by fold line 16, and in turn connected to sloping upper side panel 18 by fold line 20. Sloping upper side panel 18 is connected to top panel 22 by fold line 24, and in turn connected to sloping upper side panel 26 by fold line 28. Sloping upper side panel 26 is connected to lower side panel 30 by fold line 32 and lower side panel 30 is connected to bottom flap 34 by fold line 36.

[0020] It will be understood by those in the art that the preferable blank 10 is symmetrical about a horizontal line of bisection, as viewed when FIG. 2 is rotated lengthwise. This symmetry aids in the efficient production of the present carton. The carton need not have such symmetry, although it is preferred. As shown, the blank is rectangular and includes straight edges, which makes for an efficient layout of the blanks in a web from which the blanks are cut.

[0021] The carton has apertures in the top with finger flaps 38 for convenience in carrying the carton with bottles. The heels of the bottle may be restrained from movement by the provision of heel assemblies 44, or other suitable means for restraining heels of bottles from movement within the carton. These heel retaining assemblies permit the carton to be tightly locked in that portion of the heel of the bottle B can extend through the heel retaining assembly 44. The heel assembly consists of a heel aperture 46 through which a portion of the heel of the bottle extends. Slits 48 may be formed in lower side panels 14 and 30 to permit the tightening of the carton and prevent the heel apertures 46 from being torn.

[0022] As this is a fully enclosed wrap carton, the ends are also closed. The bottom end panel 50 is connected to lower side panel 30 by fold line 52 and bottom end panel 54 is connected to lower side panel 30 by fold line 56. Bottom end panel 58 is connected to lower side panel 14 by fold line 60 while bottom end panel 62 is connected to lower side panel 14 by fold line 64. The top ends of the carton are closed by top end panel 66 which is connected to top panel 22 by fold line 68 and top end panel 70 which is connected to top panel 22 by fold line 72. Each top end panels is connected to the adjacent bottom end panels by webbing, which facilitates holding the top end panels 66 and 70 and bottom end panels 50, 54, 58 and 62 in position after wrapping the carton around a group of bottles. Triangular gusset panel 74 is connected to top end panel 66 by fold line 76 and in turn is connected to tuck-in panel 78 by fold line 80 which in turn is connected to upper side panel 26 by fold line 82 and connected to a triangular shaped web panel 83 by fold line 84 which in turn is connected to bottom end panel 54 by fold line 126. Tuck-in panel 78 has a holding flap 86 as an extension of the panel which projects away from upper side panel 26. Tuck-in panel 78 has a triangular shaped extension towards the bottom end panel 54 which is the only point of attachment to the bottom end panel 54 through triangular shaped web panel 83. The function of these panels in making the wrap carton fully enclosed will be discussed infra.

[0023] Similarly, triangular shaped gusset panel 88 is connected to top end panel 70 by fold line 90 and in turn connected to tuck-in panel 92 by fold line 94. Tuck-in panel 92 is connected to upper side panel 26 by fold line 96 and to a triangular shaped web panel 99 by fold line 98 which in turn is connected to bottom end 50 by fold line 128. Tuck-in panel 92 has a triangular shaped extension 92A that extends towards the bottom end panel 50. Tuck-in panel 92 has a holding flap 100.

[0024] On the other side of the carton, triangular gusset panel 102 is connected to top end panel 66 by fold line 104 and in turn connected to tuck-in panel 106 by fold line 108 which in turn is connected to a triangular shaped web panel 107 by fold line 112 which in turn is connected to bottom end panel 62 by 130. Tuck-in panel 106 has a triangular shaped extension 106A that projects towards bottom end panel 62 and tuck-in panel 106 also has a holding flap 113.

[0025] In a like manner, gusset panel 114 is connected to top end panel 70 by fold line 116 and in turn connected to tuck-in panel 118 by fold line 120. Tuck-in panel 118 is connected to upper side panel 18 by fold line 122 and to a triangular shaped web panel 119 by fold line 124 which in turn is connected to the bottom end panel 58 by fold line 132. The tuck-in panel has a holding flap 125 and triangular projection 118A that projects towards the bottom end panel 58.

[0026] The carton of this invention may be glued together or may have a conventional locking system. The locking system shown on the embodiment includes both a primary locking system and a secondary locking system. The primary locking system is the locking arrangement between primary male locks 134A-C in primary lock panel 12, and primary female openings 136A-C. The primary male locks 134A-C are hooked over the ledges of the primary female openings 136A-C during the locking of the carton. It is important to tighten the carton tightly about the bottles. The primary locks connect the ends of the carton together via the flaps.

[0027] The secondary locking system consists of secondary male locks 138A-C formed as an extension of primary lock panel 12 and secondary female openings 140A-C in bottom flap 34.

[0028] It should be understood that other locking systems might be used for this carton. In addition, this carton may be secured together by glue.

[0029] The carton of this embodiment of the invention is formed from the blank of FIGS. 1A and 1B by moving the top panel 22 of the blank over the top of a group of bottles B as illustrated in FIG. 2. The top end panels 66 and 70 are then folded downwardly over the bottles by the wrap machine as illustrated in FIG. 2. Fingers on the wrap machine push in the tuck-in panels 78, 92, 106, and 118. This in turn results the bottom end panels 50, 54, 58 and 62 being moved inwardly. Apertures or openings 142A-D may be provided between the tuck-in panel, upper side panel and gusset panel to facilitate folding the webbing. The upper side panels 18 and 26 are pushed downwardly as illustrated in FIG. 3. The primary lock panel 12 and bottom flap 34 are folded upwardly against the bottoms of the bottles and locked. The compression fingers are inserted through the heel apertures 46 to tighten the carton for locking. The secondary male locks 138A-C are pushed inwardly into secondary female openings 140A-C. The primary male locks 134A-C are pushed inwardly into primary female openings 136A-C. The secondary lock system serves the function of insuring that the primary lock system does not come undone.

[0030] While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims.

Unique Features of this Invention

[0031] One of the unique features of this invention is that the carton is a fully enclosed carton, but yet can be erected on a conventional wrap machine. This is accomplished by having the webbing between the bottom end panel and top end panel which facilitates folding these panels inwardly tightly against the bottles. Also, it should be noted that the bottom end panels overlap each other, which facilitates the bottom end panels, and top end panels being held in position against the bottles. Triangular gusset panels 74, 88, 102, and 114 and tuck-in panel 78, 92, 106, and 118 and holding flaps 86, 100, 113 and 125 tuck in between the upper side panels 18 and 26 and the bottles to facilitate holding the webbing between the bottom end panels and top end panels in place. This in turn holds the bottom end panels and top end panels tightly against the bottles. Triangular downwardly projecting portions 78A, 92A, 106A, and 118A on the respective tuck-in panels 78, 92, 106 and 118 facilitate holding the webbing between the upper side walls and the bottles which in turn hold the bottom end panels and top end panels in position.

[0032] It is also important that the gusset panels 74, 88, 102 and 114 and web panels 83, 99 107, and 119 be triangular in shape. The geometry of the various panels in the webbing is critical to the ability to make this a fully enclosed carton without any additional features.

Claims

1. A wrap-around fully enclosed carton for carrying bottles with shoulders and necks of a smaller diameter than the body of the bottle comprising:

a. a top panel which is interconnected to sloping upper side panels which are connected to bottom side panels which are connected to a bottom panel;

b. said carton having top end panels connected to the top panel and two bottom end panels on each end connected to the bottom side panels; and

c. each said bottom end panel being capable of being folded into a closed position on a wrap machine when the top end panel is closed by a three piece web connected by fold lines, said web interconnected to each bottom end panel and adjacent top end panel and consisting of a triangular shaped end web connected to the bottom end panel, a tuck-in panel connected to the top side panel and projecting towards the bottom side panel in a triangular shape which is the area of connection with the end web panel, said tuck-in panel having a holding tab attached away from the connection to the top side panel, said tuck-in panel being interconnected to the top end panel by a triangular shaped gusset panel.

2. The carton of claim 1 in which there is an opening between a portion of the upper side panel and triangular shaped gusset panel to facilitate folding the three piece web.

3. The carton of claim 1 in which the bottom panel consists of two flaps that are interconnected by locks.

4. The carton of claim 1 in which the bottom panel consists of two flaps that are glued together.

5. In a wrap-around fully enclosed carton having ends that are closed by a top end panel and by two bottom end panels on each end, the improvement being that each said bottom end panel is capable of being closed by a three piece web connected by fold lines, said web interconnected to each bottom end panel and adjacent top end panel and consisting of a triangular shaped end web connected to the bottom end panel, a tuck-in panel projecting towards the bottom side panel in a triangular shape which is the area of connection with the end web panel, said tuck-in panel having a holding tab attached thereto, said tuck-in panel being interconnected to the end panel by a triangular shaped gusset.

6. The carton of claim 5 in which there is an opening between portions of the tuck-in panel and the triangular shaped end web panel to facilitate folding the three piece web.

7. The carton of claim 5 in which the carton is one piece which is held together by locks.

8. The carton of claim 5 in which the carton is one piece which is held together by glue.

9. A blank for forming a wrap-around fully enclosed carton comprising:

a. a top panel which is interconnected to top side panels which are connected to bottom side panels which are connected to a bottom panel;

b. said blank having top end panel connected to the top panel and two bottom end panels on each end connected to the bottom side panels; and

c. a three piece web connected by fold lines, said web interconnected to each bottom end panel and top end panel and consisting of a triangular shaped end web panel connected to the bottom end panel, a tuck-in panel connected to the top side panel and projecting towards the bottom side panel in a triangular shape which is the area of connection with the end web panel, said tuck-in panel having a holding tab attached away from the connection to the top side panel, said tuck-in panel being interconnected to the top end panel by a triangular shaped gusset panel.