ARTICLE CARRIER

Abstract: An article carrier and blank for packaging articles, for example cans, said articles having a diametrically reduced portion (48) at or adjacent one of their ends wherein said article carrier comprises angularly related panels including side wall panels (18, 22) and a second wall panel such as a bottom or top wall panel which are foldably interconnected, article receiving and retaining means (12) extending between a side wall and a second wall panel, said means comprising an aperture (28) adapted to receive a portion of an article contained within the carrier, and a flap (30, 32) struck from an hingably connected to an edge of said aperture which flap is adapted to abut the article received in the aperture, characterised in that the flap is pivotal about its hinged connection to put a tab (51, 74) into an operative position whereby it protrudes into said aperture and engages said diametrically reduced portion of the article to assist in retention of the position of that article within the article carrier.

Description: ARTICLE CARRIER This invention relates to article carriers and blanks which are particularly useful for carrying articles, for example, cans. More particularly, the invention relates to an article carrier of the wrap-around type and is concerned with an improved article retention and carrier reinforcing feature which receive heel portions of cans or bottles accommodated in the carrier. Bottle heel retention means in wraparound carriers are well known. EP 0 171 229 Bl discloses a known bottle carrier of the wraparound type having top, bottom and side walls interconnected to form a tubular open-ended structure. A sloping heel panel interconnects each side wall along a fold line with an associated bottom lap panel. The bottom corners of the carton formed by the sloping heel panel comprise bottle heel receiving apertures formed in each sloping heel panel which extend into the associated side wall and lap panels. The receiving apertures form part of the bottle heel retaining feature which further comprises bottle engaging and carrier flaps which are foldably joined along opposed peripheral edges of the bottle heel receiving apertures. In particular, EP 0 171 229 Bl discloses bottle engaging and carrier reinforcing flaps which extend across the associated sloping heel panel and into the associated side wall and lap panel; the flaps comprising hinged portions so that in the formed bottle carrier a portion of the bottle engaging and carrier reinforcing flap is substantially parallel with the inner surface of the associated lap panel. In this construction, a portion of the heel of a bottle protrudes from the carrier without being protected and the tighter the package is made, the more is the tendency for the eel to protrude further. Also, tears can be created in the carton surrounding a receiving aperture due sometimes to an "over-tight" package and in part, at least, to any movement of a bottle acting directly against the edge of the receiving aperture. Another type of bottle heel retaining structure is shown by WO 94/25367. This reference discloses a heel retaining flap extending primarily inwardly of the carton, although C shaped cuts provided cause a small portion of the flap to extend outwardly of the carton. The folding action of the retaining flaps is inward, i.e. the pivoting action is inward and not outward. The flaps are severed by a cut line from a sloping heel panel and the flaps are adapted to engage the heel of an article. One aspect of the present invention provides an article carrier for packaging articles, for example cans, said articles having a diametrically reduced portion at or adjacent one of their ends wherein said article carrier comprises angularly related panels including side wall panels and a second wall panel such as a bottom or top wall panel which are foldably interconnected, article receiving and retaining means extending between a side wall and a second wall panel, said means comprising an aperture adapted to receive a portion of an article contained within the carrier, and a flap struck from and hingably connected to an edge of said aperture which flap is adapted to abut the article received in the aperture, characterised in that the flap is pivotal about its hinged connection to put a tab into an operative position whereby it protrudes into said aperture and engages said diametrically reduced portion of the article to assist in retention of the position of that article within the article carrier. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, said protruding tab may correspond substantially to the profile of said diametrically reduced portion. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, said protruding tab maybe located in a sloping panel disposed between a side wall and an adjacent second wall of the carrier. Preferably, the opposite ends of the protruding tab are respectively at the upper and lower limits of said sloping panel. Optionally, said upper and lower limits of said sloping panel are between 0.9 and 1.1 cm apart. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, said receiving and retaining means may comprise a pair of complementary hinged flaps, each being hinged on opposite edges of said aperture and a second protruding tab is formed along part of said opposite aperture edge. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the or each protruding tab may extend between a pair of spaced hinged connections about which the flap is pivotal out of the plane of said aperture. According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, said aperture is struck partially from each of said side panel, said sloping panel and said second wall panel. According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a cut line may be formed in said sloping panel between the first and second hinges of the flap which hinges are formed in the side and second panels respectively. According to yet a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a cut line may be formed partially in said sloping panel and partially in said second wall panel between the first and second hinges which hinges are formed at least partially in said side panel and in said second wall panel respectively. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, said cut line may define the protruding edge of said protruding tab is substantially arcuate. According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, said protruding engaging edge is arcuate. Another aspect of the invention provides an article receiving and retaining means for an article carrier for packaging articles with a diametrically reduced portion, said article receiving and retaining means being struck from corner panels in adjacent walls of the carrier comprises an aperture within the corner panels and a flap struck from and hingably connected to an edge of the aperture which flap is adapted to pivot into an operative position about its hinge to provide a portion thereof which extends inwardly of the carrier, characterised in that part of said aperture edge is shaped to define a protruding tab which protrudes into said aperture and conforms to the profile of said diametrically reduced portion of the article being adapted to engage respective parts of an article retained in the means in use, said flap being adapted to be put into said operative position by pivoting said operatively inwardly extending flap portion inwardly. Another aspect of the invention provides a blank comprising side wall panels and a second wall panel such as a bottom or top wall panel which are foldably interconnected, article receiving and retaining means extending between a side wall panel and said second wall panel, said means comprising an aperture adapted to receive a portion of an article in use and a flap struck from and hingably connected to an edge of said aperture which flap is adapted to abut the article received in the aperture in use, wherein the flap is adapted to pivot into an operative position about its hinged connection to provide a portion thereof which extends inwardly through the aperture in use, a portion of said flap being adapted to engage part of an article with a diametrically reduced portion internally of a carrier formed from the blank and part of said aperture edge is shaped to define a protruding tab which protrudes into said aperture and conforms to the profile of said diametrically reduced portion of the article, said protruding tab being adapted to engage part of the article of the carrier, said flap being put into its operative position by pivoting inwardly of the carrier. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a retaining means according to the invention in a portion of an unformed blank; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the retaining means shown in Figure 1 in a formed position in engagement with article A; and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2 as seen internally of the carton with the article removed. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown an embodiment of a blank 10 incorporating retaining means 12 according to the invention. The blank 10 comprises a first base panel 14, inclined heel (or sloping) panel 16, first side panel 18, top panel 20, second side panel 22, inclined heel panel 24 and second base panel 26 hingably connected one to the next. Retaining means 12 is formed in a side wall comprising side panel 18, inclined heel panel 16 and a second wall panel which in this embodiment is base panel 14 of a wraparound carrier of a known type as shown in Figure 1. The retaining means 12 is not exclusively intended for the heel portion of an article and might be used for an upper shoulder of an article for example. The retaining means 12 can be formed at the ends of the tubular structure of a wraparound carton, for example to retain the end corner articles or alternatively, can be provided for only any one or more of the articles held in a carrier. The retaining means 12 comprises a retaining aperture 28 which in this example receives the heel of a can A, as shown in Figure 2. The retaining means 10 also comprises retaining flaps 30, 32 which in the formed carton provide internal flap portions which abut that part of the heel of an article A adjacent the inclined heel panel 16. The general form of flap is known and is described in detail in WO94/25363. Turning in detail to the retaining means in this particular embodiment, there comprises a first flap 30 comprising upper, middle and lower flap portions 34, 36, 38 respectively. Upper portion 34 is hinged to side wall 18 along fold line 40. Middle portion 36 is hinged to upper portion 34 along fold line 42 and to lower portion 38 along fold line 44. Lower flap portion 38 is hinged to base panel 14 along fold line 46. Figure 2 shows article A with a tapered or diametrically reduced portion 48 positioned between a side wall and base. Often, articles and in particular cans include a standard size of reduced portion, which is typically 1cm in width: shown in Figure 2 as dimension 'B'. An arcuate cut line 50 extends from fold line 40 to fold line 46 to define a tab portion 51 shown in Figure 2 which is shaped to conform to the profile of the diametrically reduced portion 48. It is envisaged that the shape of the cut line can be altered according to the particular profile of the diametrically reduced portion of the article, described above. These fold lines 40, 46 and cut line 50 together define a lateral edge of first flap 30, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. First flap 30 is struck from carton panels 14, 18 by a bottom cut line 52, an upper cut line 54 which is interconnected by a third cut line 56 defining a side edge of first flap 30. First flap 30 is pivotal about the fold lines 40 and 46. Similarly, a complementary second flap 32 comprises upper, middle and lower flap portions 58, 60, 62 respectively. In this embodiment of the invention, second flap 32 is the mirror image of first flap 30 along the central cut line 56. It is anticipated that the first and second flaps 30, 32 need not necessarily be mirror images and indeed, one flap only might be provided in a given retaining means 10. It is envisaged that where two flaps are provided, they need not abut along cut line 56 and indeed, a significant gap could be provided between the flaps, for example. Turning to the construction of second flap 32, the upper portion 58 is foldably connected to side wall 18 along fold line 64. Middle portion 60 is foldably connected to upper portion 58 along fold line 66 and to lower portion 62 along fold line 68. Lower portion 62 is hingably connected to base panel 14 along fold line 70. Likewise, a second arcuate cut line 72 extends from fold line 64 to fold line 68 to define a tab portion 74 which is also shaped to conform to the profile of the diametrically reduced portion 48, shown in Figure 2. Again, the shape of the cut line can be altered according to the particular profile of the diametrically reduced portion of the article, described above. These fold lines 64, 70 and cut line 72 together define a lateral edge of second flap 32, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Second flap 32 is struck from carton panels 14, 18 by a bottom cut line 76, an upper cut line 78 which is interconnected by a third cut line 80 defining a side edge of second flap 32. Complementary flap 32 is pivotal about fold lines 64, 70. When both flaps 30, 32 are co-planer, such as when the carrier is in blank form illustrated in Figure 1, the aperture 28 is substantially closed. In this embodiment, the carrier is formed to package two rows of three articles. The blank 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a further retaining means 12 for one row of articles formed from side wall 18 inclined heel panel 16 and base panel 14. In addition, retaining means 11 for a second row of articles is formed from side wall 22, inclined heel panel 24 and base panel 26. Retaining means 11 is substantially the same as retaining means 12 and is therefore not described in any greater detail. In order to erect a wraparound carrier comprising retaining means 12, the top panel 20 of the carrier blank 10 is applied to the tops of a group of articles A to be packaged in the carrier, and the side walls 18, 22 folded downwardly to be disposed in flanking relationship along the side walls of the articles. Thereafter, flaps 30, 32 are displaced inwardly by suitable means which may be similar, at least in function to those known, for example from WO 94/25363. Displacement of flaps 30, 32 thus causes flap portions to be disposed internally of the carton to reveal tab portions 51, 74. The heel portion of an article A is thereby engaged in the aperture 28 and also received by the flaps 30, 32 of retaining means 10. Tab portions 51 and 74 engage diametrically reduced portion 78, 76 of article A as shown in Figure 2. These tab portions can be pressed against the article to provide a tighter carrier. Base panel 14 can then be folded inwardly and upwardly into engagement with the base portions of the articles A as illustrated in Figure 2. A similar operation on the other side of the group of articles is also performed, and the wraparound carrier can be completed by securing the overlapping base panels 14, 26 together by means known in the art, for example by gluing or preferably by mechanical lockings. Thus, the carrier is in a set-up condition and the retaining means is such that the internal retaining flap portions 30, 32 are provided to engage the heel of article A. Further, the protruding tab portions 51 and 74 is adapted to engage the diametrically reduced part of the can. Thus, the retaining flaps and protruding tabs are particularly able to conform to the bottom portions of the articles. It is apparent that a large amount of paperboard may be put into contact with the retained article using a retaining structure according to the invention, thereby providing both protection and securing for the article. Additionally, the improved conformity enables a relatively strong pack tightening whilst minimising the risk of tearing. Further, the rigidity of the intermediate panel sections is improved. The accurate alignment of the protruding tabs and the improved rigidity of the intermediate panels enables the width W of intermediate panel sections to be reduced, as illustrated in Figure 3. Thus, a reduction in the amount of paperboard is achieved. Further, the invention is not limited to a configuration as described above, and it is envisaged, it would be possible to provide a retaimng means according to the invention comprising one or more hinged means per retaining flap in order to enable the protruding tab to be provided in the assembled carrier. Also, it is envisaged that when the two hinges are provided form, each flap might connect the flap to a side and inclined panel of a carton or a bottom and inclined panel or a side and bottom panel for example. The present invention and its preferred embodiment relate to an article carrier which is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to hold the bottle securely but with a degree of flexibility so that the load transferred to the retaining means is absorbed by the carrier. The shape of the blank minimises the amount of paperboard required. The carrier can be applied to an array of bottles by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carriers and not limited to those of the wraparound type.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An article carrier for packaging articles, for example cans, said articles having a diametrically reduced portion at or adjacent one of their ends wherein said article carrier comprises angularly related panels including side wall panels and a second wall panel such as a bottom or top wall panel which are foldably interconnected, article receiving and retaining means extending between a side wall and a second wall panel, said means comprising an aperture adapted to receive a portion of an article contained within the carrier, and a flap struck from and hingably connected to an edge of said aperture which flap is adapted to abut the article received in the aperture, characterised in that the flap is pivotal about its hinged connection to put a tab into an operative position whereby it protrudes into said aperture and engages said diametrically reduced portion of the article to assist in retention of the position of that article within the article carrier. 2. An article carrier according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said protruding tab is located in a sloping panel disposed between a side wall and an adjacent second wall of the carrier. 3. An article carrier according to claim 2 wherein the opposite ends of the protruding tab are respectively at the upper and lower limits of said sloping panel. 4. An article carrier according to claim 3 wherein said upper and lower limits of said sloping panel are between 0.9 and 1.1 cm apart. 5. An article carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said protruding tab corresponds substantially to the profile of said diametrically reduced portion. 6. An article carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said receiving and retaining means comprises a pair of complementary hinged flaps, each being hinged on opposite edges of said aperture and a second protmding tab is formed along part of said opposite aperture edge. 7. An article carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the or each protmding tab extends between a pair of spaced hinged connections about which the flap is pivotal out of the plane of said aperture. 8. An article carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said aperture is stmck partially from each of said side panel, said sloping panel and said second wall panel. 9. An article carrier according to claim 1 wherein a cut line is formed in said sloping panel between the first and second hinges of the flap which hinges are formed in the side and second panels respectively. 10. An article carrier according to claim 1 wherein a cut line is formed partially in said sloping panel and partially in said second wall panel between the first and second hinges which hinges are formed at least partially in said side panel and in said second wall panel respectively. 11. An article carrier according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said cut line defines the protmding edge of said protmding tab is substantially arcuate. 12. An article carrier according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said protmding engaging edge is arcuate. 13. An article receiving and retaining means for an article carrier for packaging articles with a diametrically reduced portion, said article receiving and retaining means being stmck from comer panels in adjacent walls of the carrier comprises an aperture within the comer panels and a flap stmck from and hingably connected to an edge of the aperture which flap is adapted to pivot into an operative position about its hinge to provide a portion thereof which extends inwardly of the carrier, characterised in that part of said aperture edge is shaped to define a protmding tab which protmdes into said aperture and conforms to the profile of said diametrically reduced portion of the article being adapted to engage respective parts of an article retained in the means in use, said flap being adapted to be put into said operative position by pivoting said operatively inwardly extending flap portion inwardly. 14. A blank comprising side wall panels and a second wall panel such as a bottom or top wall panel which are foldably interconnected, article receiving and retaining means extending between a side wall panel and said second wall panel, said means comprising an aperture adapted to receive a portion of an article in use and a flap stmck from and hingably connected to an edge of said aperture which flap is adapted to abut the article received in the aperture in use, wherein the flap is adapted to pivot into an operative position about its hinged connection to provide a portion thereof which extends inwardly through the aperture in use, a portion of said flap being adapted to engage part of an article with a diametrically reduced portion internally of a carrier formed from the blank and part of said aperture edge is shaped to define a protmding tab which protmdes into said aperture and conforms to the profile of said diametrically reduced portion of the article, said protmding tab being adapted to engage part of the article of the carrier, said flap being put into its operative position by pivoting inwardly of the carrier.

Inventors: AUCLAIR JEAN-MICHEL, AUCLAIR, JEAN-MICHEL
Applicants: AUCLAIR JEAN MICHEL, MEAD CORP, AUCLAIR, JEAN-MICHEL, THE MEAD CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D71