Package, Carrier Components and Blanks Therefor

The present invention relates to packages, carrier components and to blanks for forming the same. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a package comprising tray for receiving bases of a plurality of articles and a separate cover for covering tops of the plurality of articles.

In the field of packaging, it is known to provide cartons for carrying multiple articles. Cartons are well known in the art and are useful for enabling consumers to transport, store and access a group of articles for consumption. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Further considerations are the strength of the carton and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. It is desirable that the contents of the carton are secure within the carton.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package comprising tray in which a plurality of articles is received and a cover, formed from a separate blank, for covering tops of the plurality of articles.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of cartons, typically formed from paperboard or the like.

A first aspect of the invention provides a combination of a tray blank and a covering blank for forming package. The covering blank comprises a pair of foldable flaps hingedly connected to respective ones of opposed edges of a top panel. Each of the foldable flaps extending to a free end. A free end of a first one of pair of foldable flaps is disposed a first distance from a free end of a second one of pair of foldable flaps when the covering blank is erected form to create a cover. The first distance is equal to or less than a linear dimension of a tray formed from the tray blank.

Optionally, the pair of foldable flaps are arranged at least partially enclose opposed ends or sides of the package and wherein the linear dimension of a tray is defined between a pair of opposing panels hinged to a base panel said pair of opposing panels partially enclosing said opposed ends or sides of the package enclosed by the pair of foldable flaps.

Optionally, the linear dimension extends parallel to the first distance.

Optionally, the linear dimension and the first distance each extend transversely of the package.

Optionally, the linear dimension and the first distance each extend longitudinally of the package.

Optionally, each of the foldable flaps comprises a corner-forming panel for forming a rounded corner and wherein the first distance is defined between a first corner-forming panel forming part of the first one of pair of foldable flaps and a second corner-forming panel forming part of the second one of pair of foldable flaps.

A second aspect of the invention provides a package formed from a combination of a tray and a covering and a group of articles. The covering comprises a pair of foldable flaps hingedly connected to respective ones of opposed edges of a top panel for partially enclosing either of the opposed ends and the opposed sides of the article group. Each of the foldable flaps extends to a free end. A free end of a first one of pair of foldable flaps is disposed a first distance from a free end of a second one of pair of foldable flaps. The first distance is equal to or less than a linear dimension of a tray one of the first length dimension and the first width dimension.

The group of articles has a first length dimension defined between opposed ends thereof and a first width dimension defined between opposed sides thereof. Optionally, the first distance is equal to or less than one of the first length dimension and the first width dimension.

Optionally, a linear dimension of a tray, formed from the tray blank and defined between said opposed ends or sides of the article group, may be greater than said one of the first length dimension and the first width dimension.

Optionally, a linear dimension of a tray, formed from the tray blank and defined between said opposed ends or sides of the article group, may be equal to said one of the first length dimension and the first width dimension.

A third aspect of the invention provides a package formed from a combination of a tray blank and a covering blank and a group of articles. The group of articles has a first width dimension defined between opposed sides thereof. The covering blank comprises a pair of foldable flaps hingedly connected to respective ones of opposed edges of a top panel for partially enclosing the opposed sides of the article group. Each of the foldable flaps extends to a free end. A free end of a first one of pair of foldable flaps is disposed a first distance from a free end of a second one of pair of foldable flaps. The first distance is equal to or less than the first width dimension. A linear dimension of a tray, defined between said opposed sides of the article group, is equal to or greater than the first width dimension.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a package formed from a combination of a tray blank and a covering blank and a group of articles. The group of articles has a first length dimension defined between opposed ends thereof. The covering blank comprises a pair of foldable flaps hingedly connected to respective ones of opposed edges of a top panel for partially enclosing the opposed ends of the article group. Each of the foldable flaps extends to a free end. A free end of a first one of pair of foldable flaps is disposed a first distance from a free end of a second one of pair of foldable flaps. The first distance is equal to or less than the first length dimension. A linear dimension of a tray, defined between said opposed ends of the article group, is equal to or greater than the first length dimension.

Within the scope of this application, it is envisaged or intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be considered or taken independently or in any combination thereof.

Features or elements described in connection with, or relation to, one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is an incompatibility of features. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into, or combined with, any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, said features or elements extracted from said one embodiment may be included in addition to, or in replacement of one or more features or elements of said other embodiment.

A feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment disclosed herein may be extracted in isolation from other features of that embodiment. Alternatively, a feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment may be omitted from that embodiment.

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and carrier components are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks, and carrier components described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring to, there is shown a plan view of a blankwhich is capable of forming a carton or carrierin the form of a tray, as shown in, for containing and carrying a group of primary products such as, but not limited to, bottles or cans, hereinafter referred to as articles B, as shown in. The blankforms part of a secondary package P, P′ for packaging at least one primary product container or package. The carriertakes the form of an open topped carton, tray, or crate.

Referring to, there is shown a plan view of a blankwhich is capable of forming a carton or carrier, as shown in. The carrieris configured to receive a group of primary products or articles B. The carriertakes the form of a cover or shroud.

Referring to, there are shown a plan views of further alternative blanks;which are capable of forming alternative cartons or carriers;, as shown in. The carriers;are configured to engage a group of primary products or articles B. The carriers;take the form of a top-engaging cartons or cover panels.

In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging and carrying articles, such as primary product containers. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminum cans), tins, pouches, packets, and the like.

The blanks;;;are formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.

The packaging structures or cartons described herein may be formed from a sheet material such as paperboard, which may be made of or coated with materials to increase its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear resistant NATRALOCK® paperboard made by WestRock Company. It should be noted that the tear resistant materials may be provided by more than one layer, to help improve the tear-resistance of the package. Typically, one surface of the sheet material may have different characteristics to the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material that faces outwardly from a finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating such as a clay coating or other surface treatment to provide good printability. The surface of the sheet material that faces inwardly may, on the other hand, be provided with a coating, a layer, a treatment or be otherwise prepared to provide properties such as one or more of tear-resistance, good glue-ability, heat sealability, or other desired functional properties.

In the illustrated embodiments, the blanks;;;are configured to form a carton or carrier;;;for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles B. In the embodiment illustrated in, the arrangement is a 3×4 matrix or array; three rows of four articles B are provided, and the articles B are beverage cans. In the embodiment illustrated in, the arrangement is a 4×6 matrix or array; four rows of six articles B are provided, and the articles B are beverage cans. Alternatively, the blanks;;;can be configured to form carriers for packaging other types, number, and size of articles and/or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration.

Referring tothere is shown a blankcomprising a plurality of panels,,,,, including a main panelfor forming base wall of a carrier(see). The blankcomprises a first end panelhingedly connected to a first end of the main panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. The blankcomprises a second end panelhingedly connected to a second end of the main panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line

The blankcomprises a first side panelhingedly connected to a first side of the main panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. The blankcomprises a second side panelhingedly connected to a second side of the main panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line

A first securing flapis hingedly connected to a first end of the first side panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A second securing flapis hingedly connected to a second end of the first side panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line.

A third securing flapis hingedly connected to a first end of the second side panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A fourth securing flapis hingedly connected to a second end of the second side panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line

The blankis formed into a carrierby folding the first and second side panels,about fold lines,respectively. First and second securing flaps,are folded with respect to the first side panel, about fold lines,, to be substantially perpendicular to the first side panel

Third and fourth securing flaps,are folded with respect to the second side panel, about fold lines,, to be substantially perpendicular to the second side panel

Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the first, second, third and fourth securing flaps,,,or to corresponding regions of the first and second end panels,

The first end panelis folded with respect to the main panelabout fold lineto be substantially perpendicular to thereto. The first end panelis brought into face contacting relationship with the first and third securing flaps,. The first end panelis secured to the first and third securing flaps,

The second end panelis folded with respect to the main panelabout fold lineto be substantially perpendicular to thereto. The second end panelis brought into face contacting relationship with the second and fourth securing flaps,. The second end panelis secured to the second and fourth securing flaps,

illustrates the carrierformed from the blank. The carrieris loaded with a plurality or group of articles B, a coveris applied to the articles B as shown in.

Referring tothere is shown a blankfor forming the cover, the blankcomprises a plurality of main panels,,. The plurality of main panels,,comprises a first main or top panel. A first side panelis hingedly connected to a first side of the top panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A second side panelis hingedly connected to a second, opposing, side of the top panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line.

The corners of the top panelmay be rounded, beveled, chamfered, or filleted.

The blankcomprises an end closure structure for partially closing each end of a tubular structure defined in part by the cover.

A first end closure structure comprises a first end panelhingedly connected to a first end of the top panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A first corner panelA is hingedly connected to a first side of the first end panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineA. A second corner panelA is hingedly connected to a second, opposing, side of the first end panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineA. A first securing or anchor panelA is hingedly connected to the first corner panelA by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineA. A second securing or anchor panelA is hingedly connected to the second corner panelA by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineA.

A first web panelA is hingedly connected between the first anchor panelA and the first side panel, by fold linesA,A respectively. A second web panelA is hingedly connected between the second anchor panelA and the second side panel, by fold linesA,A respectively.

Optionally, the first end closure structure comprises a reinforcing structure including a first reinforcing panelhingedly connected to the first end panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A second reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to a first side of the first reinforcing panelby a hinged connection in the form of a pair of fold lines F. The second reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to the first corner panelA by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineA. A third reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to a second, opposing, side of the first reinforcing panelby a hinged connection in the form of a pair of fold lines F. The third reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to the second corner panelA by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineA.

The reinforcing panels,,forming the first end closure structure may be hingedly connected to a recessed edge defined in the first end paneland in the first and second corner panelsA,A. The reinforcing panels,,can be considered to be struck, at least in part, from (or provided at least in part) by material which would otherwise form the first end panel, the first corner panelA, and the second corner panelA.

The first end closure structure may provide a handle structure, the handle structure may be struck in part, or defined in part in the first end panel. The handle structure may be struck in part or defined in part in the first reinforcing panel. The handle structure may comprise a cutaway or opening in the first end paneldefined at least in part by a handle flaphingedly connected to the first end panel. The cutaway or opening extends into the first reinforcing paneland is defined by a handle aperture A. The opening interrupts the hinged connection between the first end paneland the first reinforcing panel. In an assembled condition the cutaway or opening defines a recess in lower edges of each of the first end paneland the first reinforcing panel, said recesses being disposed in registry with each other.

The first corner panelA is separated from the top panelby an aperture A. The aperture Aseparates the first web panelA from the top panel. The aperture Amay separate a portion of the first anchor panelA from the first side panel. The aperture Adefines a first rounded or filleted corner of the top panel.

The second corner panelA is separated from the top panelby an aperture A. The aperture Aseparates the second web panelA from the top panel. The aperture Amay separate a portion of the second anchor panelA from the second side panel. The aperture Adefines a second rounded or filleted corner of the top panel.

A second end closure structure comprises a second end panelhingedly connected to a second end of the top panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A third corner panelB is hingedly connected to a first side of the second end panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineB. A fourth corner panelB is hingedly connected to a second, opposing, side of the second end panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineB. A third securing or anchor panelB is hingedly connected to the third corner panelB by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineB. A fourth securing or anchor panelB is hingedly connected to the fourth corner panelB by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineB.

A third web panelB is hingedly connected between the third anchor panelB and the first side panel, by fold linesB,B respectively. A fourth web panelB is hingedly connected between the fourth anchor panelB and the second side panel, by fold linesB,B respectively.

Optionally, the second end closure structure comprises a reinforcing structure including a fourth reinforcing panelhingedly connected to the second end panelby a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A fifth reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to a first side of the fourth reinforcing panelby a hinged connection in the form of a pair of fold lines F. The fifth reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to the third corner panelB by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineB. A sixth reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to a second, opposing, side of the fourth reinforcing panelby a hinged connection in the form of a pair of fold lines F. The sixth reinforcing panelis hingedly connected to the fourth corner panelB by a hinged connection in the form of a fold lineB.