Carton For Containers
A carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of articles can comprise a plurality of panels that can comprise at least a top panel, a side panel, and a bottom panel. A plurality of article receiver features can be disposed in at least the top panel in at least a first row and a second row. The first row can comprise at least one more article receiver feature than the second row. Each article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver features can be for at least partially receiving a respective article of the plurality of articles. A retention feature can extend in at least one of the side panel and the bottom panel. The retention feature can be for at least partially retaining at least one article that is at least partially received in a respective one of the article receiving features in the first row.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/876,250, filed on Oct. 6, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/122,022, filed on Oct. 8, 2014.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEThe disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/876,250, which was filed on Oct. 6, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/122,022, which was filed on Oct. 8, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to carriers for holding and dispensing beverage containers or other types of articles.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of articles. The carrier can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a top panel, a side panel, and a bottom panel. A plurality of article receiver features can be disposed in at least the top panel in at least a first row and a second row. The first row can comprise at least one more article receiver feature than the second row. Each article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver features can be for at least partially receiving a respective article of the plurality of articles. A retention feature can extend in at least one of the side panel and the bottom panel. The retention feature can be for at least partially retaining at least one article that is at least partially received in a respective one of the article receiving features in the first row.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of articles. The blank can comprise A plurality of panels comprising at least a top panel, a side panel, and a bottom panel. A plurality of article receiver features can be disposed in at least the top panel in at least a first row and a second row. The first row can comprise at least one more article receiver feature than the second row, and each article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver features can be for at least partially receiving a respective article of the plurality of articles when the carrier is formed from the blank. A retention feature can extend in at least one of the side panel and the bottom panel. The retention feature can be for at least partially retaining at least one article that is at least partially received in a respective one of the article receiving features in the first row when the carrier is formed from the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a carrier having substantially open ends. The carrier can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The package further can comprise a plurality of articles at least partially disposed in the interior of the carrier. The articles of the plurality of articles can be arranged in at least a first row and a second row, and the first row can comprise at least one more article than the second row.
In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method of forming a package comprising obtaining a plurality of articles and a blank comprising a plurality of panels, and arranging the articles of the plurality of articles in at least a first row and a second row. The first row can comprise at least one more article than the second row. The method also can comprise forming a carrier from the blank by wrapping the plurality of panels at least partially around the plurality of articles. The carrier can have substantially open ends.
Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.
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. Further, 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 various features for cartons or carriers that contain articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The articles can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The articles 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, aluminum and/or other metals; glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or any combination thereof.
Cartons or carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. 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 beverage bottles) as disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “interior,” “outer,” “exterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.
Various other nested bottle arrangements could be used with the first embodiment, or other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure. Alternative nested pack arrangements can include an arrangement with eleven bottles with two outer rows of four bottles per row and one inner row of three bottles, an arrangement with ten bottles with two outer rows of three bottles per row and two inner rows of two bottles per row, etc. In one embodiment, such nesting arrangements can be considered “internal nesting arrangements” since the interior row(s) of containers are generally shorter than the outer rows of containers (e.g., the outer rows have one more container each than the inner row(s)). Other nested or non-nested arrangements of the containers could be provided without departing from the disclosure. For example, the inner row(s) could be longer than the outer rows in an alternative embodiment. In another embodiment, an arrangement with thirteen containers can have two outer rows with three bottles per row, two inner rows with two bottles per row, and a central row with three bottles disposed between the two inner rows, for example. In the different arrangements, the containers can be nested in an at least partially staggered arrangement so that the containers in the inner row(s) are generally offset from the containers in the outer rows, as generally shown in
The blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 comprises a top panel 20 foldably connected to a first side panel 22 at a first lateral fold line 24, a first bottom panel 26 foldably connected to the first side panel 22 at a second lateral fold line 28, a second side panel 30 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at a third lateral fold line 32, and a second bottom panel 34 foldably connected to the second side panel 30 at a fourth lateral fold line 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first bottom panel 26 includes a first bottom bevel panel 38 defined by lateral fold lines 28 and 40 and having an intermediate fold line 41. The second bottom panel 34 includes a second bottom bevel panel 42 defined by lateral fold lines 36 and 44 and having an intermediate fold line 45. The lateral fold lines 40, 44 can include multiple segments each, wherein a longitudinal cut is disposed at each end of each segment. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side panel 22 can include a first top bevel panel 46 defined by lateral fold lines 24 and 47 and having an intermediate fold line 48, and the second side panel 30 can include a second top bevel panel 49 defined by lateral fold lines 32 and 50 and having an intermediate fold line 51. The blank 3 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, any of the bevel panels 38, 42, 46, 49 could be omitted or otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
The first bottom panel 26, which is the inner bottom panel in the assembled carrier 5, includes cutouts forming primary female locking edges 52 that are shaped and positioned to engage primary male locking tab projections 54 on the second bottom panel 34. The first bottom panel 26 also includes slits 56 shaped and positioned to receive outer secondary locking tab projections 58 of the second bottom panel 34. As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the bottom retention features 11 in the first side panel 22 and the first bottom panel 26 are shown in detail in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, as the bottom panels 26, 34 are folded inwardly toward one another, the bottoms B of the containers C in the outer rows R1, R3 can be at least partially received in the respective corner openings 66 to engage the respective retention tabs 64. Also, while the bottom panels 26, 34 are folded along lateral fold lines 28, 36, the bottom bevel panels 38, 42 can fold along the respective fold lines 40, 41 and 44, 45 to extend obliquely between the side panels 22, 30 and the remainder of the bottom panels 26, 34. As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, one or both of the handles 13 can be actuated by folding the finger flaps 94 inwardly along the respective fold lines 98 for grasping the respective side panel 22, 30 at the respective openings formed therein. The package 7 could be otherwise carried without departing from the disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the nested arrangement of the containers can help the wrap-style carrier 5 to hold the containers in the three rows R1, R2, R3. For example, the nested configuration can allow the containers in the outer rows R1, R3 to retain the containers in the inner row R2 in the interior of the carrier. The containers C adjacent the ends of the carrier 5 in the outer rows R1, R3 interfere with the containers in the inner row R2 so that containers in the inner row would have to push past the outer, end containers to be forced out of the carrier prior to intended removal. The containers in the outer rows are further retained by retention tabs 64, the corner openings 66, and the corner retainers 74. Accordingly, while the containers C in the inner row R2 are spaced from the side panels 22, 30 and the retention features 11, they are at least partially retained by the respective top openings 9 in the top panel 20 and the respectively nested containers C in the outer rows R1, R3. In one embodiment, a non-nested inner row in an alternative carrier with more than two rows will generally fail. For example, it can be more difficult to retain the containers in the inner row if they are not nested with and retained by the containers in the outer row. If one or more containers is unintendedly removed from (e.g., falls out of) the alternative carrier, the alternative carrier could collapse, some or all of the containers could fall out of the alternative carrier, and/or the alternative carrier could otherwise fail. Additionally, the nested arrangement of the containers C can be generally narrower than an arrangement with aligned rows that are not nested, and the amount of material added to the blank 3 to include the third row (e.g., the inner row) is less than would be required if the containers were arranged in three non-nested rows. Further, the carrier 5 can be more noticeable on a shelf by having a different look than other cartons and carriers, in one embodiment.
Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Further, it is noted that the retention features and/or the container configurations of the various embodiments can be incorporated into a carton or carrier having any carton style or panel configuration. The carrier styles and panel configurations described above are included by way of example. Additionally, the shapes of the retention features can be substantially any shape. The shapes described above and included in the figures are included by way of example.
In general, the blanks according to the present disclosure can be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks 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. The blanks 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.
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.
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 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 embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A method of forming a package comprising:
- obtaining a plurality of articles;
- obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels comprising at least a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and a bottom panel foldably connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel;
- arranging the articles of the plurality of articles in at least a first row, a second row, and a third row, the first row and the third row comprising at least one more article than the second row;
- positioning the articles in the second row to be nested with the articles in the first row and the third row;
- forming a carrier from the blank by wrapping the plurality of panels at least partially around the plurality of articles, the carrier having a first open end and a second open end, a first end article of the first row is disposed adjacent the first open end, a first end article of the third row is disposed adjacent the first open end, a first end article of the second row is spaced inward from the first open end in an interior of the package,
- the positioning the articles in the second row to be nested with the articles in the first row and the third row comprises positioning the articles so that a bottom portion of the first end article of the first row and a bottom portion of the first end article of the third row are positioned relative to a bottom portion of the first end article in the second row to retain the first end article of the second row in the carrier and prevent removal of the first end article of the second row through the first open end.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the carrier comprises engaging the top panel with top portions of the articles of the plurality of articles and folding the first side panel with respect to the top panel to position the first side panel adjacent the articles in the first row, the articles in the second row being spaced from the first side panel by the articles in the first row.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the carrier comprises folding the second side panel with respect to the top panel to position the second side panel adjacent the articles in the third row, the articles in the second row being spaced from the second side panel by the articles in the third row.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the blank further comprises a plurality of article receiver features disposed in at least the top panel, and the forming the carrier comprises positioning the top panel relative to the articles of the plurality of articles so that each article receiver feature of the plurality of article receiver features at least partially receives a top portion of a respective article of the plurality of articles.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the blank further comprises a retention feature extending in at least one of the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel, and the forming the carrier further comprising positioning the at least one of the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel so that the retention feature at least partially retains one of the end article in the first row and the end article of the third row.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the forming the carrier from the blank comprises forming the retention feature into a corner retainer that at least partially retains the one of the first end article of the first row and the first end article of the third row.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the corner retainer comprises a retention panel foldably connected to at least one of the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel, a first gusset panel foldably connected to the retention panel, and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and to the bottom panel, the retention panel extending at least partially over the first open end of the carrier.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming the carrier comprises positioning the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with one another and at least partially disposed between the bottom panel and the one of first end article of the first row and the first end article of the third row.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of articles comprises three articles in the first row, two articles in the second row, and three articles in the third row.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein each article in the second row is nested in an at least partially staggered arrangement so that the containers in the second row are generally offset from the containers in the first row and the containers in the third row.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein at the open end of the carrier, the width between the first side panel and the second side panel is less than a maximum width of three articles of the plurality of articles.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the bottom portion of the end article in the first row and the bottom portion of the end article of the second row contact and overlap the bottom portion of the end article in the second row to restrict movement of the end article in the second row through the open end.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2021
Publication Date: Jul 8, 2021
Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, SR. (Mableton, GA), Kevin T. May (Kennesaw, GA)
Application Number: 17/205,592