Package incorporating flanged containers

Abstract: A package includes one or more flanged cups (14), the cups being arranged and interconnected at their respective flanges to form an array (12). A paperboard cover (10) having a polygonal main panel (22) of an area generally corresponding to the area of the interconnected cup flanges is disposed over the array. A side (24,26,28,30) panel is connected along an upper fold line to each side edge of the main panel, with each of the side panels projecting generally downwardly from the main panel. Each adjacent pair of side panels is foldably connected at their respective end edges through a pair of foldably interconnected web panels, the angle defined between each end edge of the side panels and the corresponding upper fold line being less than ninety degrees. Each of the web panel pairs are attached together in overlapping arrangement and disposed behind an associated one of the side panels, whereby the side panels are tapered inwardly with respect to the cups to secure the main panel to the cup array.

Description: The present invention relates to a package which incorporates at least one cup-like container having a top flange which extends outwardly from the cup. The package comprises the cups and an overlying paperboard cover. Products such as yogurt are frequently packaged into thermoplastic cups. Each cup is provided with an outwardly projecting flange at its upper end, and the cup may be sealed by a metal foil, plastic film or other lid sealed over the cup to the flange. For sale as a unit, a group of cups may be arranged in an array, with the cup flanges interconnected to hold the cups together. Score lines or similar means may be provided so that the individual cups can be separated for single servings. Flanged containers of this type may be incorporated into a package which includes a paperboard wrapper or cover. The paperboard protects the cups, particularly the sealing means for the cups, and provides an area on which advertising, product information and other printed material may be placed. EP-A-0 425 135 discloses a package for cups according to the preamble of claim 1 having top flanges in which the package includes a paperboard wrapper which is held in its completed form only by cooperation between the article(s) and end wall flaps which are trapped between the top of the adjacent article and the interior surface of the top panel. By contrast, in the present invention the corresponding side panels extend downwardly and inwardly and are held in that position by web panels attached together in overlapping relationship. The present invention provides a package comprising at least one cup, each of said cups having an outward projecting flange at an upper portion thereof, said cups being arranged and interconnected at their respective flanges to form an array; and a cover having a polygonal main panel of an area generally corresponding to the area of said interconnected flanges, said main panel disposed over said array, a side panel connected along an upper fold line to each side edge of said main panel, each of said side panels projecting generally downwardly from said main panel, each adjacent pair of side panels being foldably connected at their respective end edges through a pair of foldably interconnected web panels, the angle defined between each end edge of said side panels and the corresponding one of said upper fold lines being less than ninety degrees; characterised in that each of said pairs of web panels are attached together in overlapping arrangement and disposed behind an associated one of said side panels, whereby said side panels are tapered inwardly with respect to said cups thereby to secure said main panel to said array and said cover to said cups. According to a feature of the invention, said main panel may be rectangular. According to another feature of the invention, said array may comprise a plurality of said cups arranged in equal numbers in a plurality of rows. Preferably, each of said cups are formed of a thermoplastic material. According to another feature of the invention, each of said side walls may be generally of a trapezoidal shape, having long and short parallel edges therefor, said long parallel edge being coincident with said upper fold line. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the package in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the paperboard cover removed, showing the array of interconnected cups incorporated into the package; Figure 3 is a plan view showing the blank from which the paperboard cover is formed; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Figure 1. A preferred embodiment for the present invention can be seen by reference to FIG. 1. The package includes a paperboard cover 10 which is disposed over an array of interconnected cups 12. The array 12 of cups can be better seen by reference to FIG. 2, wherein the paperboard cover is shown removed. Each cup 14 includes a flange 16 which projects outwardly at the top of the cup 14. The flanges 16 of adjacent cups are interconnected to form the entire array 12 of cups. A score line 18 or similar means is defined on the interconnected flanges so that the individual cups 14 may be separated for single servings. A plastic film or metal foil cover 20 is secured in known manner to the tops of the flanges 16 to seal the contents of the cups 14. The cover 10 is shown in its flat, blank form in FIG. 3. The cover 10 includes a main panel 22 which is generally polygonal and is sized to correspond generally to the area of the interconnected flanges. Particularly, the longest dimensions of the main panel are generally equal to or slightly greater than the corresponding longest dimensions of the interconnected flanges. Stated differently, the main panel 22 is sized such that the outline of the main panel 22 circumscribes the outline of the interconnected flanges when the panel 22 is placed on the cup array 12. In the preferred embodiment, main panel 22 is rectangular. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the main panel, and hence the package, may be triangular, hexagonal, or any other polygonal shape. Connected along each edge of the main panel 22 is a side panel 24, 26, 28 and 30. Each panel 24, 26, 28 and 30 is connected to main panel 22 by a fold line 32, 34, 36 and 38, respectively. Each adjacent pair of side panels, for example side panels 24 and 26, are interconnected through a pair of web panels 40 and 42. Web panel 40 is attached along a fold line 44 to an end edge of the side panel 24, while web panel 42 is connected along a fold line 46 to the end edge of side panel 26. The web panels 40 and 42 are themselves connected along a fold line 48. It should be noted that the angle defined between each end edge of the side panels, and the adjacent fold line connecting the side panel to main panel 22, for example fold lines 32 and 44, is less than 90 degrees. This provides an inward taper to the side panels when erected, as will be described below. Each side panel 24, 26, 28 and 30 is, in the preferred embodiment, generally trapezoidal in shape. The long parallel side of each trapezoid coincides with the respective fold line 32, 34, 36 or 38 joining the side panel to the main panel. Of course, it is not necessary for the side panel to be trapezoidal to fall within the present invention. For example, the free edges of the side panels may be curved or comprised of a series of interconnected straight lines. Referring now back to FIG. 1, the cover 10 is placed over the cup array 12 by positioning main panel 22 over the interconnected flanges of the cups. Side panels 24 and 28 (the latter not shown) are folded downwardly through greater than 90° so that the lower edges of the side panels are against or near the side walls of the cups 14. The web panels 40 and 42 (see FIG. 3) are folded into an overlapping relationship and are adhered to each other by glue or the like. It will be recognized that folding and gluing of web panels 40 and 42 will fold side panels 26 and 30 downwardly, secure them in the position shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the side panels 24 and 28 taper inwardly with respect to the cups 14. (Side panels 26 and 30 occupy a similarly inwardly tapered position.) This captures the flanges 16 of the cups 14 between the main panel 22 and the side panels, thereby securing the cover to the cup array. It should be noted that the cover is thus attached to the cups without the need for gluing or otherwise connecting the cover directly to the cup array. The cover will then be retained throughout the distribution process, but may be easily removed by the consumer without affecting the packaged cups or particularly their sealing means. It will be recognized that various alternate embodiments may be used within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the array of cups may consist of a single cup, the cup including the outwardly projecting flange. Further, while the cups are preferably formed from a molded, thermoplastic material, it is possible for the cups to be formed of other materials such as molded paperboard, formed metal, and the like. In addition, the cups may include a removable and reclosable cover in addition to the paperboard, which cover may replace or supplement the foil or plastic film secured to seal the cups.

Claims: A package comprising: at least one cup (14), each of said cups having an outward projecting flange (16) at an upper portion thereof said cups being arranged and interconnected at their respective flanges to form an array; and a cover (10) having a polygonal main panel (12) of an area generally corresponding to the area of said interconnected flanges, said main panel disposed over said array, a side panel (24, 26, 28, 30) connected along an upper fold line (32, 34, 36, 38) to each side edge of said main panel, each of said side panels projecting generally downwardly from said main panel, each adjacent pair of side panels being foldably connected at their respective end edges through a pair of foldably interconnected web panels (40, 42), the angle defined between each end edge of said side panels and the corresponding one of said upper fold lines being less than ninety degrees; characterised in that each of said pairs of web panels are attached together in overlapping arrangement and disposed behind an associated one of said side panels, whereby said side panels are tapered inwardly with respect to said cups thereby to secure said main panel to said array and said cover to said cups. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein said main panel is rectangular. The package as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said array comprises a plurality of said cups arranged in equal numbers in a plurality of rows. The package as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein each of said cups are formed of a thermoplastic material. The package as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein each of said side walls is generally of a trapezoidal shape, having long and short parallel edges therefor, said long parallel edge being coincident with said upper fold line.

Inventors: SUTHERLAND ROBERT L, SUTHERLAND, ROBERT L.
Applicants: MEAD CORP, THE MEAD CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D67, B65D21, B65D71