ARTICLE ARRAY

Abstract: There is provided an array of articles (11) arranged such that an empty volume (18) is provided. The array is encircled by a paperboard wrap which combines with the volume (18) to define a closed volume for receiving an object.

Description: ARTICLE ARRAY This invention relates to arrays of articles in particular articles in a parallelepiped form such as rectangular aseptic containers or "bricks" for liquids. Other parallelepiped articles such as boxes etc. are, however, envisaged. Such articles are often sold in multipacks of 9 or 6 articles for example. Sometimes it is desirable to include in the multipack a different object or objects such as a gift or a sample of a different product. It is preferable, however, that the multipack retains a rectangular, box shape for more efficient stacking. According to the present invention there is provided in combination a paperboard retaining member and a plurality of similarly sized rectangular parallelepiped articles arranged and retained in an array by said retaining member, said array incorporating at least one article which is orientated differently from the remaining articles so as to form a volume in which is received an object or objects, said volume being generally enclosed by said articles and said retaining member. In some arrangements the bases of all of the articles are in the same plane, with said at least one article being rotated through 90° relative to the remaining articles about an axis perpendicular to said plane. In other arrangements the bases of the remaining articles are in the same plane and said at least one article is rotated through 90° relative to the remaining articles about an axis parallel to said plane. In this type of arrangement the disorientated articles have a side wall or an end wall in said plane. Preferably the retaining member is in the form of an open ended sleeve. The sleeve may incorporate end panels which close off or partially close off the open ends of the sleeve. In all of the arrangements the articles could be in the form of aseptic containers or "bricks". One particular problem with producing such a multipack is that the array will in most instances be pushed through a packaging machine from behind with the remaining articles as defined above standing on their bases. It is important that the volume for the object or objects is not closed off by relative movement of a forward article relative to the rear or directly pushed articles. In other words, the space created must not be of a size or positioned such that an article in the array immediately downstream can move into the space by simple movement of the array through the packing machines. Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an array of articles before a paperboard retaining member is applied to produce a combination according to the present invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the array of figure 1 enclosed in a paperboard retaining member, Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative array of articles, Figure 4 is a plan view of the figure 3 arrangement, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the figure 3 array of articles enclosed in a paperboard retaining member. In figures 1 and 2 where is shown an array 10 of articles 11 of rectangular parallelepiped form. In this case the articles 11 are aseptic containers for beverages which articles have a top wall 12, side walls 13, end walls 14 and a base 15 (which is not visible in this embodiment). The array 10 is formed in the manner illustrated and is intended to be pushed through a packing machine in the direction of arrow 16 by engaging the rearwardly facing side walls 13 of the rearmost pair of containers. The two containers of the middle row are spaced from each other to leave a central empty volume 18. The outer side walls 13 of the central pair of containers are generally aligned with the end walls 14 of the rear containers. It will be clear that the two central containers are orientated differently compared to the rear containers, having been rotated through 90° about a vertical axis. Forward of the middle row, the front row is again orientated in a similar manner to the rear row. The volume 18 is, therefore, closed on four sides leaving the top and bottom open. A simple paperboard wrap 19 is applied to the array. An object or objects can be put into the volume 18 before the wrap 19 encircles the containers 11 and is secured in place by adhesive, interlocking means or other technique. The wrap 19 closes off the top and bottom of the volume 18 thereby preventing escape of the object or objects. Partial end panels 20 are provided at the front and rear ends of the array 10 to prevent the articles 11 coming out of the front or rear ends of the wrap 19. It will be appreciated that the panels could be larger and could even close the ends completely. Alternatively they could be omitted provided other means were provided for preventing movement of the articles. Adhesive or formations could be used to achieve this. It will be seen that, in the direction of movement of the array 10 through the machine, the articles immediately in front of the volume 18 are not able to move relative to the other articles in such a way as to move in and block the volume. There is, therefore, no need to adapt the machine in such a way as to prevent an article from moving into the volume because the geometry of the array renders such adaptation unnecessary. The arrangements shown in figures 3 to 5 are very similar to those shown in figures 1 and 2 and so like elements have been given like reference numerals . The principal difference between the two arrangements is that in figure 3, one article 11 of the middle row 17 is orientated the same as those articles in the front and rear rows. In a normal 3 X 3 array there would be two further similarly orientated articles, but in this arrangement they are replaced with a single article which is lying on a side face. The proportions of these containers is such that they are twice as high as they are wide. The base panel 15 of the article lying on its side is still, therefore, in the same plane as the side panels of the outside front and rear articles. Again a volume 18 is defined and this volume can receive an object or objects prior to being fully enclosed by the application of the paperboard wrap 19. Again, partial end panels 20 are shown. It will be appreciated that if a fuller end panel is provided, the volume 18 can be made in the front or rear row of articles 11 in a similar manner, the fuller end panel serving to enclose the volume 18 so as to prevent removal of the enclosed object or objects. Also that part of the wrap 19 overlying the volume 18 could incorporate some form of window so that the object or objects could be visible. Other sizes and types of array are of course possible and different sizes and proportions of the articles allow for much variation, although it will be appreciated that the arrangement will not work if the bricks have six equal sized square walls.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. In combination a paperboard retaining member and a plurality of similarly sized rectangular parallelepiped articles arranged and retained in an array by said retaining member, said array incorporating at least one article which is orientated differently from the remaining articles so as to form a volume in which is received an object or objects, said volume being generally enclosed by said articles and said retaining member. 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bases of all of the articles are in the same plane, with said at least one article being rotated through 90° relative to the remaining articles about an axis perpendicular to said plane. 3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bases of the remaining articles are in the same plane and said at least one article is rotated through 90° relative to the remaining articles about an axis parallel to said plane. 4. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the retaining member is in the form of an open ended sleeve. 5. The combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein the sleeve incorporates end panels which close off or partially close off the open ends of the sleeve. 6. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the articles are in the form of aseptic containers or "bricks".

Inventors: MULLER ROLF, MULLER, ROLF
Applicants: MULLER ROLF, RIVERWOOD INT CORP, RIVERWOOD INT LTD, MULLER, ROLF, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D71