Packages for containers

Packages are formed for holding containers that extend through a bottom panel of the package. Braces are provided for at least partially securing the containers in the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to packages or cartons for holding and displaying containers. More specifically, the invention is directed to a package having one or more braces that engage the containers and at least partially restrain movement of the containers held by the package.

Packages or cartons for engaging upper portions of containers are known. The containers are typically inserted through apertures in a bottom panel of the package and secured by engaging a radially protruding part of the containers. One such package is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,891 to Bakx. Existing packages, however, may not sufficiently brace the containers, may be difficult to erect, and/or may occupy too much board space, which results in higher costs of construction. As such, a need exists for an improved package for holding and displaying containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, one aspect of the invention is directed to a package for holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel. At least one feature is in the bottom panel for receiving and holding top portions of the container. The at least one feature comprises at least two apertures for receiving the top portions of the containers and a brace disposed between the apertures to engage the containers and at least partially restrain movement of the containers in the package. The brace comprises a first brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel and a second brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel. The first and second brace panel are interlockingly engaged to form the brace.

In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a blank for forming a package for holding a plurality of containers. The blank comprises panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel. At least two apertures are in the bottom panel. A first brace panel is foldably attached to the bottom panel and a second brace panel are foldably attached to the bottom panel. The first and second brace panels are adapted for interlocking engagement with respect to one another. The first and second brace panels are respectively positioned in the apertures.

In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a method of forming a package for containing a plurality of containers. The method comprising providing a blank having a bottom panel, a first brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a second brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel. The method further comprising forming a brace by folding the first brace panel and the second brace panel so that the brace panels are in interlocking engagement.

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 invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, and packages for holding and displaying articles such as containers, jars, 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, 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 invention can accommodate articles of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the invention, the following detailed description describes food product 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 containers. A first package or carrier140embodiment is illustrated in its erected state inFIGS. 3-7, in which it is attached to containers C. In the illustrated embodiments the containers C are illustrated as single-serving beverage containers having a top flange portion F, but other containers may be held in the package140without departing from the invention.

FIG. 1is a plan view of a side3of a blank8used to form the package or carrier140according to the first embodiment of the invention. The blank8has a longitudinal axis L1and a lateral axis L2. The blank8comprises a top panel10foldably connected to a first side panel20at a first lateral fold line21, a bottom panel30foldably connected to the first side panel20at a second lateral fold line31, and a second side panel40foldably connected to the bottom panel30at a third lateral fold line41. An adhesive panel50may be foldably connected to the second side panel40at a fourth lateral fold line51.

One or more cuts may be included in each of the transverse fold lines21,31,41,51. In the blank embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the transverse fold lines21,31,41,51are cut/crease lines in which the cuts facilitate folding of the blank8at the fold lines. Any number of cuts may be formed in any of the fold lines, and the number and length of the cuts may be selected according to, for example, the gauge and/or the stiffness of the material used to form the blank8. The fold lines21,31,41, and51may be formed by other methods (e.g., crease lines without cuts) without departing from the invention.

The bottom panel30includes a plurality of first and second top-receiving patterns80,100, respectively. Each top-receiving pattern80,100is shaped and sized to receive an upper flange portion F of a container C (FIG. 3) that is to be at least partially accommodated within the package140. Each first top-receiving pattern80defines a first brace panel81foldably attached to the bottom panel30. Each first brace panel81includes an upper brace section84and a first lower brace section86. Each second top-receiving pattern100defines a second brace panel101foldably attached to the bottom panel30. Each second brace panel includes a second upper brace section104and a second lower brace section106. The brace sections84,86,104,106interconnect in the erected package140to form braces130(FIGS. 2-7) for contacting and supporting upper flange portions F of adjacent container C.

Referring toFIG. 1, each first upper brace section84is foldably connected to a first lower brace section86at a lateral fold line82, and each first lower brace section86is foldably connected to the bottom panel30at a lateral fold line88. Each first upper brace section84includes a brace aperture90. In the illustrated embodiment, the brace aperture90is formed by a pattern of slits (e.g., three slits extending from the convex side of an arcuate slit) that define two foldable panels91(e.g., flap-like tabs) that are moveable out of the plane of the upper brace section84of the blank8to open the aperture. Relief sections92can be formed at the ends of the first upper brace sections84. In the illustrated embodiment, the relief sections92comprise a lateral edge93of the brace section and a first and a second oblique edge95,97at respective ends of the lateral edge, and each relief section is adjacent a hole in the blank8while the blank is flat.

Each second upper brace section104is foldably attached to a second lower brace section106at a lateral fold line102, and each second lower brace section106is foldably connected to the bottom panel30at a fold line108. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral fold line102comprises a lateral cut109at each end of the lateral fold line102and a middle portion111between the lateral cuts that comprises a fold line longitudinally offset form the lateral cuts. The lateral fold line102may be otherwise shaped and arranged without departing from the invention. Each second upper brace section104includes a brace projection114that projects into a hole in the blank8while the blank is flat. Each of the brace projections114are sized to be received in the correspondingly opposed brace aperture90and to facilitate movement of the foldable panels to open the brace aperture.

First upper brace sections84, first lower brace sections86, second upper brace sections104, and second lower brace sections106of opposed top receiving patterns80,100are formed into respective braces130(FIGS. 2-7) between the receiving patterns. When braces130are formed, first container apertures85are formed at least in part in the space vacated by the upwardly folded first upper brace section84and first lower brace sections86, and second container apertures105are formed at least in part in the space vacated by the upwardly folded second upper brace sections104and second lower brace sections106.

The first side panel20typically includes side apertures22adapted to respectively receive an upper flange portions F of containers C disposed within the first container apertures85(illustrated inFIG. 2). The second side panel40typically includes second side apertures42adapted to receive upper flange portions F of containers C received within the second container apertures105(illustrated inFIG. 2).

FIG. 2illustrates a partially assembled package140and shows the interlocking engagement of the first upper brace sections84and the second upper brace sections104to form the braces130of the erected package. Referring also toFIG. 1, an exemplary method of erecting the braces130is described in the following. The first lower brace sections86are folded with respect to the bottom panel30about the fold lines88, and the first upper brace sections84are folded with respect to the lower brace sections86about the fold lines82. The second lower brace sections106are folded with respect to the bottom panel30about the fold lines108, and the second upper brace sections104are folded with respect to the second lower brace sections106about the fold lines102. Each brace projection114in a second upper brace section104is received in a corresponding brace aperture90in a first upper brace section84to form a secure engagement between the first brace panel81and the second brace panel101. As shown inFIG. 5, the second upper brace section104is partially overlapped with the foldable panels91which are upwardly folded from the remaining portion of the first upper brace section84to form the aperture90. The upper brace section104partially overlaps the remaining portion of the first upper brace section84. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposed brace sections84,86and104,106engage to form three braces130. However, more or less than three braces may be included to accommodate additional or fewer containers without departing from the invention. Also, the orientation of the fold line102, having a center portion111longitudinally spaced from end cuts109, forms a recessed lateral edge of the upper brace section104in the assembled braces130corresponding with the length of the center portion111. The recessed edge111forms a container-receiving recess and contacts the upper flange portion F of one of the adjacent containers.

FIGS. 3-7are various views of the erected package140holding containers C at least partially received therein. In the exemplary erected package140, the adhesive panel50may be attached to the top panel10by glue or other adhesive, for example. The first and second side panels20,40may extend generally upwardly from the bottom panel30toward the top panel10. The flanges F of the containers C are engaged with the first and second brace apertures22,42in the first and second side panels20,40, respectively. The blank8may be wrapped relatively tightly around the containers C in order to minimize movement of the containers C within the package140.

As shown inFIG. 7, the braces130engage the flanges F of the containers C accommodated in the package140. The containers C extend through the container apertures85,105in the bottom panel30so that the upper flange portions F of the containers are supported in part by the braces130. As discussed above with respect toFIG. 2, each brace projection114in a second upper brace section104is received in a corresponding opposed brace aperture90in a first upper brace section84to form a brace130. When the brace projection114is received in a corresponding brace aperture90foldable panels91are upwardly folded to receive the projection and then apply a downward force against the projection to secure the first brace panel81and second brace panel101in interlocking engagement. The support of the braces130under the flange sections F, along with the support of the first and second brace apertures22,42in the first and second side panels20,40, securely retain the containers C within the package140. Contact of the containers C with the bottom panel30at the apertures85,105, and contact with the top panel10also secure the containers C in the package140.

FIG. 8is a plan view of the exterior203or printed side of a blank208of a second embodiment, similar to the blank8of the first embodiment. The blank208is used to form a package or carrier340(FIG. 10) according to the second embodiment of the invention having braces330. Like reference numbers designating similar components of the blank208from the blank8of the first embodiment are designated with the prefix “2--” or “3--”.

The bottom panel230of the blank208includes a plurality of first and second top-receiving patterns280,300, similar to the top receiving patterns80,100of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the top receiving patterns280each include a relief section292formed by a straight lateral edge293of the first upper brace portion284of the first brace panel281of the first upper brace portion284. The lateral edge293extends between the opposed curved cuts separating the first upper brace section284from the bottom panel230. Also, the second brace panels301each includes a lateral fold line302connecting second upper brace section304with the second lower brace section306. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8-10, the lateral fold line302extends between opposed curved cuts defining the second brace panel301in the bottom panel230. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the lateral fold line302and the lateral fold line282form opposed edge surfaces of the braces330that contact the flange portion F of the containers.

FIG. 11is a plan view of a blank408used to form a package540according to a third embodiment of the invention. The blank408is similar to the package blank208illustrated inFIG. 8-10and discussed above, and like or similar reference numerals may indicate like or similar elements in the figures. The blank408includes brace apertures490formed in first upper brace sections484of first brace panel481, and brace projections514formed in second upper brace sections504of second brace panel501. The brace projections514are slightly larger in the lateral direction L2of the blank408than the brace projections214illustrated inFIG. 8.

FIG. 12is a plan view of a blank608used to form a package according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The blank608is similar to the blank8illustrated inFIG. 1, and like or similar reference numerals may indicate like or similar elements in the figures. The blank608includes brace apertures690formed in first upper brace sections684, and brace projections714formed in second upper brace sections604. The brace projections714are slightly larger in the lateral direction L2of the blank than the brace projections114illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 13is a plan view of a blank808used to form a package940(FIG. 14) according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The blank808is similar to the blanks8,208,408,608, and like or similar reference numerals may indicate like or similar elements in the figures. The bottom panel830includes a plurality of first and second top-receiving patterns880,900, respectively. Each first top-receiving pattern880defines a first brace panel881having a first upper brace section884and a first lower brace section886. Each second top-receiving pattern900defines a second brace panel901having a second upper brace section904and a second lower brace section906. The brace sections886,886,904,906of the first and second brace panels881,901interconnect in the erected package940to form braces930(illustrated inFIGS. 35-37). Each first upper brace section884includes a brace aperture890sized to receive a brace projection914located on a second upper brace section904. Each aperture890includes a brace tab891foldably attached to the upper brace section884at a lateral fold line893. When a brace projection914at least partially enters the brace aperture890(i.e., is received beneath the tab891), a bottom surface of a brace tab891on the first upper brace section884is pushed upwardly by the projection914.

Referring toFIG. 14, braces930engage undersides of the flanges F of the containers C. Each brace projection914in a second upper brace section904is received in a corresponding opposed brace aperture890in a first upper brace section884to form a brace930. The brace projections914respectively pressed into the brace apertures890force the brace tabs891on the first upper brace sections884upwardly. The tab891applies a downward force against the portion of the brace projection914received in the aperture890so as to secure the first brace panel881and second brace panel901in interlocking engagement.

FIG. 15is a plan view of a blank1008used to form a package1140according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. The blank1008is similar to the blank808of the fifth embodiment, and like or similar reference numerals may indicate like or similar elements in the figures.

The bottom panel1030includes a plurality of first and second top-receiving patterns1080,1100, respectively. Each first top-receiving pattern1080defines a first brace panel1081having a first upper brace section1084and a first lower brace section1086. Each second top-receiving pattern1100defines a second brace panel1101having a second upper brace section1104and a second lower brace section1106. The brace sections1086,1086,1104,1106interconnect in the erected package1140to form braces1130(FIG. 16). Each first upper brace section1084includes a brace relief section or aperture1090sized to receive a brace projection1114located on a second upper brace section1104.

Referring toFIG. 16, braces1130engage the undersides of flanges F of the containers C. Each brace projection1114in a second upper brace section1104is received in a corresponding opposed brace relief section or aperture1090in a first upper brace section1084to form a brace1130.

In the above-discussed embodiments, the term “top-receiving” pattern or aperture should be broadly construed, for example, to mean that an upper portion of a container may pass through an aperture designated as “top-receiving” when assembling a package.

The exemplary package embodiments discussed above accommodate six containers C arranged in two columns and three rows, but the present invention is not limited to these numbers. As one example, additional rows of containers may be added by increasing the width of the blanks (e.g., in the lateral direction L2inFIG. 1) and forming additional opposed patterns and brace apertures.

In the above embodiments, the packages are shown as accommodating containers C having a generally round upper rims or caps. Other types of containers, however, can be accommodated within a package according to the principles of the present invention.

The exemplary package embodiments discussed above include upper brace sections that are secured together by engaging brace apertures with brace projections. An alternative embodiment may include opposed upper brace sections that are secured together by an adhesive such as glue. In such an alternative embodiment, brace apertures and brace projections may be omitted.

In general, the blanks may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper of at least about 14, for example, 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 package 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.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or panels adhered together by glue. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure paperboard carton panels in place.

The term “line” as used herein includes not only straight lines, but also other types of lines such as curved, curvilinear or angularly displaced lines.

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 invention, 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 foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, 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. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments that are within the scope of the claims. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the invention, but the invention 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 invention without departing from the scope of the invention.