Packaging

Abstract: A package for a battery or other article, comprising a sheet of material bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines 21, 22, 25, 26 to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region 15, an upper end locating region 11 extending forwardly from the lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb 3 extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the end locating region, a second limb 5 extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly and defining with the first limb a V-section channel region, a lower end locating region 13 extending rearwardly from the lower limb, and a rear panel region 17 extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region and secured to the first mentioned panel region 15. The limbs have aligned openings 7 shaped to fit closely about at least the forward circumference of said article, with the rear portion of said article positively located by said openings and/or by the said rear panel region and/or by material of said sheet at the juncture of said limbs. The sheet is initially set with a small angle between the limbs to facilitate insertion of the battery, then the angle between the limbs is increased so that the edges of the openings 7 press against the front of the battery.

Description: This invention relates to packaging, and in particular to the packaging of batteries and other consumer products. At present, batteries and other products are commonly packaged for sale in blister packs, with blisters made for example of transparent PVC on a card base. However it is considered that conventional blister packs are environmentally undesirable, and in particular they are made from a mixture of materials, not easily separable, which hinders waste disposal and recycling. Furthermore PVC is derived from non-renewable resources, and is not readily biologically degradable, so that discarded packs cause problems of disposal and litter. US-A-3918583 discloses a package for a three-dimensional article, comprising a sheet of stiff material, for example cardboard, folded about parallel lines to form a channel region of substantially V-shaped channel cross section, with a pair of aligned openings in opposite integral oblique limbs of the channel to receive and fit closely about the sides of end regions of a packaged article inserted in the openings, and end locating regions for retaining the article in the openings, in which the end locating regions comprise folded-over regions of the sheet material integral with the limbs of the channel region, and a portion of an edge of the openings conforms to at least the forward part of the circumference of the article. In the above-mentioned package, the article is of rectangular shape, as are the openings in which it is located. It is inserted into these openings from the rear, after which the package is fastened together to retain the article. An object of the present invention is to provide a form of packaging suitable in particular for batteries, which is capable of being made of a single material, preferably one which is biodegradable, and is derivable from renewable resources, in particular cardboard or other sheet material of vegetable original, and in which the articles can be held reliably in a desired orientation, for example with a Trade Mark facing forwards. According to the present invention, there is provided a package comprising at least one elongate article, and a sheet of cardboard or other sheet material folded about parallel lines to form a channel region of substantially V-shaped channel cross section, with a pair of aligned openings in opposite integral oblique limbs of the channel to receive and fit closely about the sides of end regions of a packaged article inserted in the openings, and end locating regions for retaining the article in the openings, in which the end locating regions comprise folded-over regions of the sheet material integral with the limbs of the channel region, and the edges of the openings conform to the forward part of the circumference of the article, characterised in that the limbs of the V are taut, thereby frictionally gripping and preventing rotation of the article. The channel configuration provides for reliable retention of the end regions of the article while exposing a large intermediate region of the article, so that a customer can see the article when displayed for sale or when stored. Because the sides or edges of the openings make close contact with and conform to at least the forward part of the circumference of the article, the article is restrained against rotating or otherwise moving in the openings (even if the article is of circular cross-section). In this way, the articles can be held reliably in a desired orientation, for example with a Trade Mark facing forwards. This is a significant advantage in the packaging of batteries and other consumer goods. In a preferred arrangement, the folded-over end locating or retaining regions of the sheet material are integral with extended flat panel regions of the sheet, forming display or information-carrying areas and arranged to ensure that the channel and the end locating or retaining regions retain their shape in which they hold the packaged article. It is to be understood that more than one article can be packaged in a similar manner using a single package provided with multiple pairs of aligned openings, arranged for example side by side. Thus, packages of two, four or eight batteries can be provided in an arrangement generally analogous to conventional blister packs for batteries. The or each pair of aligned openings may accommodate two or more articles. The present invention also provides a method of making a package as set out above, which method comprises: providing a sheet of foldable stiff material; folding the sheet about spaced parallel lines in such a manner as to form a channel region of V-shaped channel cross section; providing openings in the sheet, positioned so as to be in opposite integral oblique limbs of the said channel region; while the said limbs are in a V configuration, inserting the article or articles longitudinally through the opposed openings in the respective limbs, with the sheet in a configuration permitting easy insertion of the article(s); further folding the sheet to form end locating regions adjacent the ends of the inserted article(s) for retaining the article(s) longitudinally in the openings; and further folding and securing the sheet in such a manner as to form a rigid structure comprising the said oblique limbs of the V-shaped channel region and the said end locating regions, with the said limbs taut and thereby frictionally gripping and preventing rotation of article(s). Preferably, the package is made by a sequence of folding operations on a sheet of cardboard or similar material. For inserting the article to be packaged, in a preferred embodiment the sheet is initially folded to define an intermediate V-section region provided with the said aligned apertures in opposite limbs, with a relatively small angle between the limbs; the article is inserted through the apertures which in this configuration permit easy insertion of the article; the V is then flattened so that the angle between the limbs of the V is increased and the limbs may grip the article and thereafter the remainder of the sheet of packaging material is folded and, if appropriate, glued or otherwise secured, into its desired final form. The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a pack of four small batteries, Figures 2 to 5 show stages in the formation of the pack, Figure 6 shows a pack of eight small batteries, Figure 7 shows a blank for making the pack of Figure 6, Figure 8 shows a pack of four large batteries, Figure 9 shows a blank for making the pack shown in Figure 8, and Figure 10 shows a modification of the pack shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a pack of four batteries, suitable for packaging AA or AAA size batteries. The batteries are held by a pack made from a single sheet of cardboard or similar material. The pack comprises a V-shaped region 1, comprising two limbs 3, 5 with an obtuse angle between them. In each limb there are two openings 7, aligned in pairs so that each opening in one limb is opposite a matching opening in the other limb. Within these openings are housed respective end regions of batteries 9 arranged in pairs. one pair for each pair of opposite openings 7. It will be seen that most of the length of each battery is exposed to view between the limbs 3, 5. Thus the batteries are readily visible to a purchaser or user. The sides of each battery, at least over its forward and outer quarter-circumference, are closely embraced by, and positively located at least at the side and the front by, the edges of the apertures 7. In the illustrated case, each aperture has two parallel straight side portions extending rear to front, two forward side portions each a quadrant of an ellipse conforming to a quadrant of a battery circumference, and a straight front portion interconnecting the forward side portions. Only the forward side portions touch the batteries. At the rear the battery rests against and is positively located by a rear region of the pack, namely a web 4 and/or a rear panel 17. Alternatively or additionally the battery is positively located at the rear by edges of a rear portion of the aperture 7 if the latter is shaped to conform to the battery at the rear, as is the case in the packages shown in Figures 6 and 7 and in Figure 10. Thus, the batteries are firmly and positively located on all sides in the pack. In particular, even though they are of circular cross-section, the close contact and resulting friction between the side or circumferential surfaces of the batteries and the edges of the apertures 7 and the rear region of the pack ensure that the batteries cannot rotate within the apertures; thus the batteries are reliably held in their original orientations, normally with their Trade Marks facing forwards towards potential buyers. Integral with the outer end of each limb of the V, is a rearwardly bent or folded locating region 11, 13 of the sheet. These regions 11, 13 lie adjacent the ends of the batteries, holding these in place axially in the openings 7. In the illustrated example, the regions 11, 13 are parallel to one another. However, these regions may alternatively converge slightly towards one another, towards the rear of the pack, or may diverge towards the rear of the pack. It will be readily understood that the batteries cannot be removed without visible damage to the pack; this provides protection against theft of batteries from packs. The region 11 is integral with a front panel region 15 of the sheet which extends upwardly from the V-section region 1 carrying the batteries. The region 13 is integral with a rear panel 17 which extends upwardly behind the V-shaped region and the front panel 15 and is secured to the rear face of the latter, for example by an adhesive or by staples. The panel regions 15, 17 form a substantially rigid element ensuring that the V-section region 1 and the regions 11, 13 hold the illustrated shape, in which they positively locate and retain the batteries. The flat region formed by the panel regions 15, 17 above the batteries is provided with an aperture 19 by which the entire pack can be hung on a display stand. The surfaces of the panel regions can be provided with information and promotional material, trade marks and so on. In the illustrated embodiment, the limbs 3, 5 are connected to one another by a narrow web 4, which lies against and may be adhered to or stapled to the rear panel 17. The forward extremity of each limb 3, 5 is connected to the end locating region 11 or 13 by a narrow flat web 6, 8, which may be parallel to or inclined relative to the panel regions 15, 17. The openings 7 may be formed by completely removing the corresponding material. However, it is preferred that at least part of the material originally within the area of each aperture be retained, integral with the web 4 and extending upwardly and/or downwardly from the web, so as to lie against and optionally be attached to the rear panel 17 in order to provide a stronger and in particular more rigid structure. This structure will be seen more clearly from Figures 2 to 5. Figures 2 to 5 illustrate the manufacture of the battery pack. The starting material is a flat rectangular sheet of cardboard. In a transverse intermediate region, closer to one end than to the other, the sheet is cut or punched to form two parallel rows of two openings 7. Each of these openings has the shape already described, with the major axes of the ellipse quadrants perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the row of openings, the minor axes having a length equal to the diameter or other transverse dimensions of the article to be packaged. Before or after the formation of the openings, the said intermediate region is folded along two parallel lines 22 placed symmetrically between the rows of openings. Accordingly the said intermediate region is formed into a V-section shape with aligned openings 7 in opposite limbs of the V. Between the rows of openings is a narrow web 4 defined by the fold lines 22. On opposite sides of this are integral tabs 24 coplanar with the web, each tab being formed by a portion of the material originally present within the area of an aperture 7. These tabs extend the area of the web 4. With the limbs 3, 5 of the V-section region at a relatively small included angle, in general an acute angle, the batteries to be packaged are inserted in pairs longitudinally into respective pairs of aligned openings 7, as shown in Figure 3. Because of the small angle between the limbs of the V, the batteries fit relatively loosely within the openings and thus can be inserted easily. Before (or after) insertion of the batteries, the sheet is also folded along transverse lines 21 parallel to the fold lines 22 of the web 4 at the apex of the V, and in the opposite direction to the folds along the web fold lines 22. Preferably, folding along the lines 21 is performed before the batteries are inserted, and in such a way that the end regions 15, 17 of the sheet outside these fold lines are flat and coplanar with one another, and parallel to web 4, to facilitate manipulation and location of the sheet. After insertion of the batteries, the V-section region is flattened, that is to say the angle between the limbs 3, 5 of the V is increased, preferably to an obtuse angle, by moving the regions 15, 17 away from one another, as shown in Figure 4. This causes the edges of the forward major-axis end regions of the part-elliptical openings 7 to move into contact with the fronts and sides of the inserted batteries and to press the rear of each battery against the web 4, to hold the batteries firmly against rotation in the openings and to expose a large area of each battery between the limbs of the V. The regions 15, 17 of the sheet are then folded on fold lines 26 parallel to the fold lines 21, so that the regions of the sheet adjacent the fold lines 26 now lie at right angles to their original orientation and are adjacent opposite ends of the batteries, forming the end retaining regions 11, 13 shown in Figure 1. These regions 11, 13 cannot move away from the ends of the batteries (except by unfolding the sheet), because the limbs of the V are restrained against corresponding further movement by their engagement with the peripheries of the batteries. Consequently, in this configuration the batteries are positively located against any significant movement. The sheet is then folded again, along respective fold lines 25 each parallel to and spaced from one of the fold lines 26, thereby delimiting the regions 11, 13. The smaller end region 15 of the sheet is folded forwards (downwards and to the right in Figure 5) so as to extend away from, and parallel to the longitudinal axes of, the batteries. The larger end region 17 is folded in the same direction as the region 15 so as to lie behind the batteries and behind the region 15. The dimensions of the sheet and the positions of the fold lines are so selected that, after the final folding, the edges of the region 17 are in register with those of the region 15, as shown in Figure 1. The regions 15 and 17 and the web 4 with tabs 24 are then glued or otherwise fastened together to form a stiff panel. The illustrated package accommodates a single article, or a single line of articles. In a modified arrangement, the V-section region may accommodate two or more parallel lines of articles, one behind another. Thus, by providing two parallel rows of holes 7 in each limb region 3, 5, one can provide a single pack which will accommodate any desired number, for example eight cells in two rows of four. Such a pack is particularly convenient for cells of the smaller sizes. In a further modification, individual openings 7 may accommodate a single cell or other article. This modification is particularly applicable to the packaging of relatively large articles and in particular cells of larger types such as MN 1300/1400. In the case of cells or other articles packaged in multiple rows, the forward projection of the pack from the panel region can be reduced, by staggering the openings in adjacent rows, in the longitudinal direction of the rows. Figure 6 illustrates a modified pack capable of accommodating eight cells of the AA or AAA size. This pack contains several of the above-mentioned modifications. Thus, it has two parallel rows of holes for four batteries each; in each row at least one hole 7a is shaped to fit two batteries side by side; and the holes in each row are staggered relative to those in the adjacent row. Figure 7 shows the corresponding cardboard blank. In this case each aperture conforms to the entire periphery of the batteries, at the rear as well as at the front. In another modification, the pack may be provided in the front and/or back panel with a hinge or fold line 29 perpendicular to the lines 21, 22, 25, a cut being made on this line where it intersects the regions 3, 4, 5, 11, 13 which project forwards from the panel regions 15, 17 and optionally in one of the panel regions 15, 17, in particular the front panel 15. This modification consequently provides, in effect, a pack with two regions side by side, which can optionally be folded to lie back to back. Such a pack can be used as a double-face pack with two peg holes, or as a back-to-back pack carrying articles on both front and back, or can be divided along the vertical fold line 29. A pack of this nature is suitable for packaging larger articles such as batteries of MN1300 and MN1400 size for example as a four-pack. Figure 8 shows such a pack, and Figure 9 shows the corresponding cardboard blank at the stage of manufacture corresponding to Figure 2. The blank and the method of manufacture correspond generally to those of Figures 1 to 10. Figure 10 shows a pack generally similar to that shown in Figure 1. However in this embodiment, the webs 4, 6, 8 are absent. Instead, the limbs 3, 5 meet at a single sharp apex or fold line 10, and similarly the limbs 3, 5 meet the regions 11, 13 at single sharp apices or fold lines 12. Furthermore respective end regions of individual batteries 9 are held in individual openings 7: in each limb there are four elliptical openings 7, aligned in pairs so that each opening in one limb is opposite a matching opening in the other limb. The sides of each battery, over its entire circumference, are closely embraced by, and positively located by, the edges of the aperture 7, which is elliptically shaped to conform to the battery. Thus, the batteries are firmly and positively located on all sides in the pack. The illustrated packs are essentially rectangular. However, other shapes may be used, for example to provide a more striking appearance. By way of example only, the edges of the limbs 3, 5 of the V-shaped region may be cut away to form a V-shaped or otherwise recessed edge profile, with the rear panel 17 being correspondingly cut away. The V-section configuration has the advantages of simplicity and ease of manufacture, and mechanical stiffness providing excellent retention of its shape in use. The described V-section configuration inherently has excellent rigidity and shape retention by virtue of its shape and the close engagement with the batteries which it makes possible, and resists damage or deformation during handling. However, to enhance the strength of the package, the web 4 or apex 10 of the V (or the base or web region of other channel-section configurations) may be attached to the rear panel 17, for example by gluing or stapling. For packaging batteries or other articles of different shapes, the openings 7 would of course be shaped to match the peripheral contour of the article or articles. Thus, batteries and other articles of rectangular cross-section would require openings of rectangular shape.

Claims: A package comprising at least one elongate article (9), and a sheet of cardboard or other sheet material folded about parallel lines (21, 22, 25, 26) to form a channel region of substantially V-shaped channel cross section, with a pair of aligned openings (7) in opposite integral oblique limbs (3, 5) of the channel to receive and fit closely about the sides of end regions of a packaged article inserted in the openings, and end locating regions (11, 13) for retaining the article in the openings, in which the end locating regions comprise folded-over regions of the sheet material integral with the limbs of the channel region, and the edges of the openings conform to the forward part of the circumference of the article, characterised in that the limbs (3, 5) of the V are taut, thereby frictionally gripping ad preventing rotation of the article. A package as claimed in claim 1 in which the said folded-over regions (11, 13) are further integral with extended flat panel regions (15, 17) of the sheet, forming display or information-carrying areas and arranged to ensure that the channel region and the end locating regions retain their shape in which they hold the packaged article. The package of claim 1 or 2 comprising a plurality of said channel regions of substantially V-shaped cross section with a pair of aligned openings in opposite integral limbs of each respective channel. A package comprising at least one battery or other article (9), as claimed in claim 1, in which the said sheet of material is bent or folded to define a upwardly extending substantially flat panel region (15), the upper end locating region (11) extends forwardly from a lower extremity of the said panel region, the first limb (3) extends obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the upper end locating region, the second limb (5) extends obliquely forwardly and downwardly from a lower extremity of the first limb (3), the lower end locating region (13) extends rearwardly from the lower extremity of the lower limb, a rear panel region (17) extends upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region, and the rear portion of said circumference is positively located by edges of said openings and/or by the said rear panel region and/or by material of said sheet at the juncture of said limbs. The package of claim 4 wherein the rear portion of said circumference of the article is supported by a portion of said rear panel thereagainst. A package as claimed in claim 4 or 5 having a flat web (4) at the juncture between said limbs. The package of claim 6 wherein said web is a flat portion integral with and connecting said limbs. A package as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the flat web (4) which joins the said limbs is secured to the rear panel (17). A package as claimed in claim 8 in which the flat web (4) is secured to the rear panel (17) by an adhesive. The package claimed in claims 8 or 9 wherein said web when secured to said rear panel increases the friction between said limbs and the article. A package as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10 in which the flat web (4) has, at the position of each of the openings (7), an integral tab (24) coplanar with the web (4) and extending its area in the longitudinal direction of the packaged article (9). A package as claimed in claim 10 in which each tab (24) is formed by a portion of the sheet material originally present within the area of adjacent openings (7). A package as claimed in any of claims 2 to 12 in which the said panel regions (15, 17) are secured to one another. A package as claimed in claim 13 in which the panel regions are secured to one another by an adhesive. A package as claimed in any preceding claim having a flat web (6, 8) at the juncture of at least one said limb and the adjacent said end locating region. A package as claimed in any preceding claim in which the sheet material is card. A package as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which each said opening (7) accommodates a single article. A package as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 in which each said opening accommodates two articles side by side. A method of making a package as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which method comprises: providing a sheet of cardboard or similiar material; folding the sheet about spaced parallel lines (21, 22, 25, 26) in such a manner as to form a channel region of substantially V-shaped channel cross section; providing openings (7) in the sheet, positioned so as to be in opposite integral oblique limbs (3, 5) of the said channel region; while the said limbs are in a V configuration, inserting the article or articles (9) longitudinally through the opposed openings (7) in the respective limbs (3, 5), with the sheet in a configuration permitting easy insertion of the article(s); further folding the sheet to form end locating regions (11, 13) adjacent the ends of the inserted article(s) for retaining the article(s) longitudinally in the openings; and further folding and securing the sheet in such a manner as to form a rigid structure comprising the said oblique limbs (3, 5) of the V-shaped channel region and the said end locating regions (11, 13), with the said limbs taut and thereby frictionally gripping and preventing rotation of article(s). A method as claimed in the claim 23, characterized in that the sheet is folded initially with a relatively small angle between the limbs (3, 5); the article (9) is inserted longitudinally through the opposed apertures in respective limbs which in this configuration permit easy insertion of the article; the V-section region is then flattened so that the angle between the limbs (3, 5) of the V is increased and the limbs grip the article, and thereafter the remainder of the sheet of material is folded and, if appropriate, glued or otherwise secured, into its desired final form. A method as claimed in claim 19 or 20 in which the sheet material is card. A method as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21 in which the said sheet is folded so as to form integral extended flat panel regions (15, 17) of the sheet, forming display or information-carrying areas and arranged to ensure that the channel region and the end locating regions retain their shape in which they hold the packaged article. A method as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21 in which the sheet of material is bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines (21, 22, 25, 26) to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region (15), an upper end locating region (11) extending forwardly from a lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb (3) extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the upper end locating region, a second limb (5) integral with and extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly from a lower extremity of the first limb (3) and defining with the first limb a section channel region, a lower end locating region (13) extending rearwardly from the lower extremity of the lower limb, and a rear panel region (17) extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower panel region, each limb being provided with at least one opening (7), the openings in respective limbs being aligned with one another, in which a portion of an edge of the openings conform to at least the forward part of the circumference of the article, and the rear portion of said circumference is positively located by edges of said openings and/or by the said rear panel region and/or by material of said sheet at the juncture of said limbs. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23 in which the sheet is folded to form a flat web (4, 6, 8) at the juncture between said limbs and/or at the juncture of at least one said limb and the adjacent said end locating region. A method as claimed in claim 24 in which the flat web (4) which joins the said limbs is secured to the rear panel (17). A method as claimed in claim 25 in which the flat web (4) is secured to the rear panel (17) by an adhesive. A method as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26 in which the flat web (4) between the said limbs is cut to form, at the position of each of the openings (7), an integral tab (24) coplanar with the web (4) and extending its area in the longitudinal direction of the packaged article (9), which each tab (24) being formed by a portion of the originally present within the area of the adjacent opening (7). A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 27 in which the said panel regions (15, 17) are secured to one another. A method as claimed in claim 28 in which the panel regions are secured to one another by an adhesive. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 29 in which each said opening (7) has a single article inserted into it. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 29 in which each said opening has two articles inserted into it side by side. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 31 in which the or each article is maintained in a predetermined orientation while frictionally gripped by said limbs.

Inventors: BECKERS MARC, HARTMANN KAI, HEMMING ROWLAND, PAUMEN JACKY, BECKERS, MARC, HARTMANN, KAI, HEMMING, ROWLAND, PAUMEN, JACKY
Applicants: DURACELL BATTERIES, N.V. DURACELL BATTERIES S.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65D73
IPC codes: B65D85, B65D71, B65D5, B65D73