Patent Publication Number: US-10766663-B2

Title: Divider for package

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,305, filed Feb. 9, 2016, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/935,802, filed Jul. 5, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,284,090, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/690,998, filed Jul. 9, 2012. 
    
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,305, which was filed on Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/935,802, which was filed on Jul. 5, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/690,998, which was filed on Jul. 9, 2012, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to dividers for use in a package containing beverage containers or other types of articles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a divider for dividing at least two layers of articles in a package. The divider comprises a central panel, and at least one article attachment flap foldably connected to the central panel. The at least one article attachment flap is for attaching the divider to at least one of the articles as the divider and the articles are formed into the package. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package. The package can comprise a plurality of articles arranged in a first layer of articles and a second layer of articles. The first layer of articles can define at least one gap between at least two articles of the plurality of articles. The package can further comprise a divider comprising a central panel and at least one article attachment flap foldably connected to the central panel. The at least one article attachment flap can extend at least partially into the at least one gap. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a package having a divider between at least two layers of articles. The method can comprise obtaining a divider comprising a central panel and at least one article attachment flap foldably connected to the central panel, obtaining a plurality of articles, and arranging the plurality of articles into at least a first layer of articles and a second layer of articles. The first layer of articles can define at least one gap between at least two articles of the plurality of articles. The method can further comprise positioning the central panel of the divider against the first layer of articles, and folding the at least one article attachment flap relative to the central panel so that the at least one article attachment flap extends at least partially into the at least one gap. 
     Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims. 
     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. Further, 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 disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exterior plan view of a blank for forming a divider according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first layer of containers according to the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the divider on the first layer of containers according to the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top detail view of the divider of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective detail view of an underside of the divider according to the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a package including the divider of  FIG. 4  between two layers of containers according to the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 7  with an overwrap according to the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure generally relates to packages or cartons that contain a plurality of articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The article(s) can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example, or any other item. The article(s) can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, or other item, and the materials can include, but are not limited to, aluminum and/or other metals; glass or other breakable material; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; paperboard; and the like, or any combination thereof, or any other suitable material. 
     Dividers, packages, constructs, or cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum beverage cans) as depicted in the various illustrated embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the exterior side  1  of a blank, generally indicated at  3 , used to form a construct or divider  5  ( FIGS. 3-8 ) according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The blank  3  has a longitudinal axis L 1  and a lateral axis L 2 . The divider  5  can be used in a package  7  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) between two layers of containers C. In one embodiment, the stacked layers of containers with the divider therebetween can be secured together by an overwrap of shrink-wrap (e.g., shrinkable polymer film) or other packaging material M ( FIG. 8 ) so that the divider  5 , containers C, and packaging material form the package  7 . The divider  5  contacts the tops of the containers C in the first or bottom layer  8  ( FIGS. 2-4 and 6-8 ) and supports the bottoms of the containers C in the second or top layer  9  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) to stabilize the package and allow transport of the package. 
     In the illustrated embodiment the containers C are beverage cans, but the containers could be other types of containers suitable to be arranged in two stacked layers (soup cans, pet food cans, etc.) without departing from the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the divider  5  is sized for use in a package holding twenty-four containers C in two layers, each layer being arranged in a 3×4 arrangement so that the package  7  can be referred to as a 3×4×2 arrangement of containers, but it is understood that the divider and package may be sized and shaped to hold containers of a different or same quantity in more than one layer and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1×6, 2×6, 4×6, 3×8, 2×6×2, 3×6×2, 2×9, 3×4, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the containers C can include a top T, a bottom B, shoulder S, and a generally cylindrical body portion BP extending between the shoulder S and the bottom B. The containers C could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the blank  3  has a central panel  11  having a first end  13  and a second end  15 , with each end having a respective generally straight edge  17 ,  19 . The blank  3  has a first side  21  and a second side  23 , with each side having a respective generally curved edge  25 ,  27 . The blank  3  has an end flap  29 ,  31  at each respective end  13 ,  15  that is foldably connected to the central panel  11  at a respective fold line  33 ,  35  that is spaced in from a respective generally straight edge  17 ,  19 . The side  21  of the blank  3  comprises four side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  43  respective foldably connected to the central panel  11  at respective fold lines  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 . Similarly, the side  23  has four side end flaps  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59  foldably connected to the central panel  11  at respective fold lines  61 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67 . In one embodiment, the fold lines  33 ,  35 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 ,  61 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67  are formed by cut lines having spaced apart nicks, but it is understood that the fold lines could be other forms of weakening (e.g., crease or score lines, cut/crease lines, etc.). The central panel  11  and the end flaps  29 ,  31 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  43 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the central panel  11  has article attachment flaps  75  foldably connected to the central panel at respective fold lines  77 . In the illustrated embodiment, the central panel has two rows of three attachment flaps  75 , but the attachment flaps could be otherwise arranged without departing from the disclosure. The attachment flaps  75  are shaped and positioned to fit in between gaps G ( FIG. 2 ) between adjacent containers C arranged in the bottom layer  8 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the attachment flaps  75  can be at least partially defined by a respective tear or cut line  79  in the central panel  11 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cut lines  79  can form a longitudinal edge  85 , two concave curved edges  87  extending from respective ends  89  of the longitudinal edge  85 , and two lateral edges  91  extending from the respective curved edges  87  in each attachment flap  75 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fold line  77  for each attachment flap  75  is a longitudinal fold line, and the lateral edges  91  extend from respective ends of the longitudinal fold line  77 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the article attachment flaps  75 , including the longitudinal fold lines  77  and the cut lines  79 , are spaced apart from an outer periphery  93  of the blank  3  and divider  5 . In one embodiment, the outer periphery  93  could be at least partially defined by the edges  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23  and/or the fold lines  33 ,  35 ,  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51 ,  61 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67  (e.g., depending on the folding of the end flaps). The central panel  11  and the article attachment flaps  75  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the central panel  11  has oblique fold lines  81  that are reinforcing scores that help prevent the central panel from curling when placed on the bottom layer  8  of containers C. The oblique fold lines  81  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
       FIGS. 2-6  show one exemplary method of forming the package  7  with divider  5 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a group of containers C are first grouped and arranged in a 3×4 arrangement to form the first layer  8  of containers C with the adjacent containers in each row having gaps G between the containers. In one embodiment, the blank  3  is placed on top of the containers C to form the divider  5  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, the containers C could be placed on the blank  3  without departing from the disclosure. The divider  5  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the article attachment flaps  75  can be downwardly folded along the respective fold lines  77  so that the flaps extend into the gaps G between adjacent containers and the divider  5  is at least partially secured to the containers in the first layer  8 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the article attachment flaps  75  can form a respective opening  95  in the central panel  11  when the article attachment flap is separated from the central panel along the respective cut lines  79 . In one embodiment, each attachment flap  75  can be downwardly folded by pushing the longitudinal edge  85  and the curved edges  87  past the shoulders S of the containers C in the center row of the first layer  8  and adjacent the respective gap G so that the shoulders S are at least partially received by the respective curved edges  87 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , at least the ends  89  of the longitudinal edges  85  and/or portions of the curved edges  87  can engage and/or contact the body portions BP and/or the shoulders S of the containers C adjacent the respective gaps G and in the center row of the first layer  8  to help retain the article attachment flaps  75  in the respective gaps G. The downwardly folding of the article attachment flaps  75  helps to attach the divider  5  to the lower layer  8  of containers C so that the containers with attached divider can be further moved along a packaging line (not shown) to a location where the second layer  9  of containers is placed on top of the divider  5 . The attachment flaps  75  can be sized and positioned to extend downwardly into the gaps G and contact adjacent articles of the lower layer of containers C to prevent the divider  5  from sliding relative to the containers. The article attachment flaps  75  could be otherwise folded without departing from the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second layer  9  of containers C can placed on top of the divider  5  so that the divider  5  is disposed between the layers  8 ,  9  of containers C. In one embodiment, the divider can contact the tops T of the containers in the first layer  8  and the bottoms B of the containers in the second layer  9 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the two stacked layers  8 ,  9  of containers C with the divider  5  therebetween can be secured together by an overwrap of shrink-wrap (e.g., flexible polymer film) M or other packaging material to form the package  7 . 
     In one particular embodiment, one or more of the end flaps  29 ,  31  and one or more of the side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  43 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59  can be downwardly or upwardly folded during the application of the packaging material M ( FIG. 8 ). The end flaps  29 ,  31  and side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  41 ,  43 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59  are foldable to help prevent the edges of the divider  5  from penetrating or tearing the packaging material M when the divider  5  extends outward beyond the edges of the containers C. 
     In general, the blanks of any of the illustrated or non-illustrated embodiments may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank 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. 
     As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure. 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding there along. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, 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 disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, 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 disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosure 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 disclosure.