PACKAGE FOR CONTAINERS
A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has a top panel, end panels, and side panels. The package has retention features for retaining the containers. The package has gussets for positioning the end panels and side panels around the containers.
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This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/271,253, filed Nov. 14, 2008, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/988,291, filed on Nov. 15, 2007.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEThe disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/271,253, which was filed Nov. 14, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/988,291, which was filed on Nov. 15, 2007, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to packages or cartons for holding and carrying containers.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has a top panel and a side panel. The package has retention features for retaining the containers and gusset features for facilitating forming of the package.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package for containing a plurality of articles. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel, a side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and an end panel foldably connected to the top panel. At least one opening in the top panel is for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles. A first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel, and a second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the end panel.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a package for containing a plurality of articles. The blank comprises panels that comprise a top panel, a side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and an end panel foldably connected to the top panel. At least one receptacle is in the top panel. A first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel, and a second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the end panel.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a package. The method comprises providing a blank comprising a top panel, a side panel foldably connected to the top panel, an end panel foldably connected to the top panel, a plurality of receptacles in the top panel, a first gusset panel foldably connected to the side panel, and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the end panel. The method further comprising positioning a plurality of articles relative to the blank and positioning the blank relative to the articles so that the plurality of articles are at least partially received in respective receptacles of the plurality of receptacles. The method further comprises downwardly folding the end panel relative to the top panel to at least partially enclose the articles in an interior space of the package and downwardly folding the side panel relative to the top panel to at least partially enclose the articles in the interior space of the package.
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.
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.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTSThe present disclosure generally relates to 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.
Packages 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., plastic containers) at least partially disposed within the package embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected packages.
The present embodiments are addressed to cartons or packages for attachment to and accommodation of containers. A package or carrier 150 is illustrated in its erected state in
In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 8 includes six receptacles 12 formed by tabs 22 and 24, which are connected to the top panel 10 by respective fold lines 37, 39. Slits 62 and 63 separate the tabs 22, 24 and arcuate slits 64 separate the tab fold lines 37, 39. The arcuate slits 64 and tab fold lines 37, 39 extend around and define a periphery of each of the openings 18 in the top panel 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 22, 24 surrounding each opening 18 (
The diameter of the openings 18 (
The blank 8 includes corner cutouts 32 generally adjacent a respective corner of the top panel 10. Fold line 42 in the side panel 40 and fold line 52 in side panel 50 extend between respective cutouts 32 in each side panel to form sloped side panel sections which generally conform to the slope of the bottles in the transition area between the bottle neck and the barrel of the bottle. The corner cutouts 32 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured, or could be omitted without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 8 is preferably formed of paperboard, but may be of any suitable material having sufficient strength and flexibility to function in the manner of paperboard. The side panels 40, 50 are longer than the length of the top panel 10, terminating beyond the cutouts 32. First and second gusset panels 45, 47 are located at each corner of the blank 8 between respective side panels 40, 50 and end panels 20, 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the end panels 20, 30 comprise a corner portion 49 foldably connected to the second gusset panels 47 and connected to the end panels. The gusset panels 45, 47 and corner portions 49 of the end panels 20, 30 are foldably connected by respective fold lines 53, 55, 57, 59. The gusset panels 45, 47 and corner panels 49 facilitate forming of the package 150 in a manner so that the package conforms to the shape of the containers C.
At each corner of the blank 8, the first gusset panel 45 is foldably connected to one of the side panels 40, 50 at the fold line 53, and the second gusset panel 47 is foldably connected to the first gusset panel at a fold line 55. The second gusset panel is foldably connected to the corner portion 49 of the end panels 20, 30 at the fold line 57. The corner portion 49 is foldably connected to a respective end panel 20, 30 at the fold line 59. The first and second gusset panels 45, 47 and corner portion 49 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the corner portions 49 of each end panel 20, 30 could be omitted without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 8 includes two handle panels 84 foldably connected to the top panel 10 by lateral fold lines 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle panels 84 are further defined by curved cuts 87, 89, 91 in the top panel. The blank 8 could include handle features other than the handle panels 84 or the handle panels could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
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The package 150 can be formed by other folding and panel positioning steps. For example,
In either forming configuration, the package 150 can be maintained in the assembled configuration by the adhesive between the overlapped and adhered gusset panels 45, 47 or other panels. Other folding, assembly, or forming steps and configurations are within the scope of this disclosure.
In the embodiment of
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In the embodiment of
The blanks according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, 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 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.
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 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.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
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 claims. 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 embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A package for containing a plurality of articles, the package comprising:
- a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package, the plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and an end panel foldably connected to the top panel;
- at least one opening in the top panel for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles;
- a first gusset panel foldably connected to the side panel, at least a portion of the side panel being in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the first gusset panel; and
- a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the end panel, wherein the first gusset panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with a first portion of the second gusset panel, and at least a portion of the side panel is in face-to-face contact with at least a second portion of the second gusset panel.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the second gusset panel comprises a base portion foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the second portion of the second gusset panel comprises an extension comprising a distal end of the second gusset panel.
3. The package of claim 2 wherein the extension extends laterally beyond an edge of the first gusset panel and is free from connection to the first gusset panel.
4. The package of claim 1 wherein the second gusset panel is adhesively attached to both the first gusset panel and the side panel.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel along a second fold line, and the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the end panel along a third fold line.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein the end panel comprises a corner portion at least partially defined by an oblique fold line extending in the end panel, the package at least partially conforming to the shape of an article at the corner portion.
7. The package of claim 6 wherein the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel along a second fold line, and the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the corner portion of the end panel along a third fold line.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein each article of the plurality of articles comprises a beverage container having an upper portion and a flange, the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings, each of the openings of the plurality of openings comprises a periphery, and the top panel comprises a plurality of tabs foldably attached to the top panel at the periphery of each of the openings of the plurality of openings.
9. The package of claim 8 wherein the plurality of tabs at each opening of the plurality of openings comprises two shorter tabs that contact the upper portion the respective container at least partially received in the respective opening and two longer tabs that contact an underside of the flange of the respective container to at least partially retain the respective container in the package.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein each of the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel comprises a free edge that is free from foldable connection to another feature of the package.
11. A blank for forming a package for containing a plurality of articles, the blank comprising:
- a plurality of panels that comprises a top panel, a side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and an end panel foldably connected to the top panel;
- at least one receptacle in the top panel for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles when the package is formed from the blank;
- a first gusset panel foldably connected to the side panel, at least a portion of the side panel for being in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the first gusset panel when the package is formed from the blank; and
- a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the end panel, wherein the first gusset panel is for being at least partially in face-to-face contact with a first portion of the second gusset panel when the package is formed from the blank, and at least a portion of the side panel is for being in face-to-face contact with at least a second portion of the second gusset panel when the package is formed from the blank.
12. The blank of claim 11 wherein the first portion of the second gusset panel comprises a base portion foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the second portion of the second gusset panel comprises an extension comprising a distal end of the second gusset panel.
13. The blank of claim 12 wherein the extension extends laterally beyond an edge of the first gusset panel and is free from connection to the first gusset panel.
14. The blank of claim 11 wherein the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel along a second fold line, and the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the end panel along a third fold line.
15. The blank of claim 11 wherein the end panel comprises a corner portion at least partially defined by an oblique fold line extending in the end panel, the package formed from the blank at least partially conforming to the shape of an article at the corner portion.
16. The blank of claim 15 wherein the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel along a second fold line, and the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the corner portion of the end panel along a third fold line.
17. The blank of claim 11 wherein the at least one receptacle comprises a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprises a plurality of tabs foldably connected to the top panel.
18. The blank of claim 17 wherein the plurality of tabs at each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprises two shorter tabs and two longer tabs.
19. The blank of claim 11 wherein each of the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel comprises a free edge that is free from foldable connection to another feature of the blank.
20. A method of forming a package, the method comprising:
- providing a blank comprising a top panel, a side panel foldably connected to the top panel, an end panel foldably connected to the top panel, a plurality of receptacles in the top panel, a first gusset panel foldably connected to the side panel, and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the end panel;
- positioning a plurality of articles relative to the blank;
- positioning the blank relative to the articles so that the plurality of articles are at least partially received in respective receptacles of the plurality of receptacles;
- downwardly folding the end panel relative to the top panel to at least partially enclose the articles in an interior space of the package; and
- downwardly folding the side panel relative to the top panel to at least partially enclose the articles in the interior space of the package, wherein the downwardly folding the side panel comprises inwardly folding the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel to position the first gusset panel in face-to-face contact with a first portion of the second gusset panel, and the downwardly folding the side panel comprises positioning at least a portion of the side panel in face-to-face contact with the first gusset panel and positioning at least a portion of the side panel in face-to-face contact with a second portion of the second gusset panel.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the first portion of the second gusset panel comprises a base portion foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the second portion of the second gusset panel comprises an extension extending beyond an edge of the first gusset panel.
22. The method of claim 20 further comprising applying adhesive to at least one of the first gusset panel, the second gusset panel, and the side panel to secure the end panel and the side panel in the downwardly folded position.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel along a second fold line, and the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the end panel along a third fold line.
24. The method of claim 20 wherein the end panel comprises a corner portion at least partially defined by an oblique fold line extending in the end panel, and the downwardly folding the end panel comprises positioning the end panel so that the corner portion at least partially conforms to the shape of an article of the plurality of articles.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the first gusset panel along a second fold line, and the second gusset panel is foldably connected to the corner portion of the end panel along a third fold line.
26. The method of claim 20 wherein each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprises a plurality of tabs foldably connected to the top panel.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the plurality of tabs at each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprises two shorter tabs and two longer tabs.
28. The method of claim 20 wherein each of the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel comprises a free edge that is free from foldable connection to another feature of the blank.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 9, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 30, 2014
Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland (Kennesaw, GA)
Application Number: 14/021,061
International Classification: B65D 71/42 (20060101);