Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an article carrier of the wraparound type and, more particularly,
to a carrier for packaging a plurality of articles in a row having an improved thread-and-punch
type lock for interlocking overlapping panels of the carrier.
Background Art
[0002] U.S. Patent 3,374,938 to Pierce, Jr., assigned to the present assignee, is directed
to an article carrier of the wraparound type in which the bottom panels are secured
in overlapping relation. A plurality of tongues on one of the bottom panels is threaded
into corresponding transversely elongated apertures in the other of the bottom panels.
Each of the tongues has a locking tab longitudinally aligned therewith for disposition
in the same transversely elongated aperture as the tongue. When the carrier is erected
and filled, the tab is punched through the aperture by the packaging machine to lock
the panels together. Each of the tongues is threaded in the position to have an edge
to edge engagement with a transverse locating edge of the corresponding aperture.
Each locking tab, after being punched into position, also has an edge to edge engagement
with the opposite transverse edge of the aperture to lock the overlapping bottom panels
of the elongated blank to form the carrier.
[0003] During the retail life of these carriers, many are subject to rough handling and
other conditions having a tendency to loosen or release the locks, Also, the carriers
are routinely exposed to refrigerated conditions. Under such conditions the paper
with which the carrier is formed may absorb moisture and consequently lose stiffness.
This causes the locks to be more susceptible to inadvertent lock release. Because
of this, improved locking strength and lock protection is a vital concern continually
sought by those skilled in the packaging art. As will be seen below, the carrier of
the present invention is an improvement over the prior art Pierce carrier in that
it does establish and retain better edge to edge relation along two substantially
parallel, transversely elongated slits, and provides lock protection by providing
a protector strap which overlies the tab along the interior of the carrier.
[0004] U.S. Patent 4,200,220 to Ganz is also part of the prior art. This patent is also
directed to an article carrier of the wraparound type in which the bottom panels are
secured in overlapping relation. The tongues on one of the bottom panels are threaded
into corresponding transversely elongated slits in the other of the bottom panels,
but this is done only after doubling over each bottom panel with a fold of 180°. Each
of the tongues has a tab longitudinally aligned therewith for disposition in a cooperating
elongated slit on the opposite bottom panel. However, when locked in place, there
is no edge to edge engagement for the best locking performance. Instead, the tab lies
in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the tongue lies.
[0005] This carton requires complicated machinery to perform the doubling over folds and
threading of the tongue and tab. Also, the tab which extends vertically into the interior
of the carton is susceptible to damage by the articles within the carrier and in a
damaged state, likely to slip back through the receiving slit. The doubling feature
greatly increases the cost of the carrier due to the increase in paperboard required.
[0006] Thus, the need for an improved article carrier lock that is more secure and reliable
is identified. In this regard, it is contemplated that the lock should have a tab
and tongue extending in opposite directions within substantially the same plane, thereby
providing a secure edge to edge engagement, and including a protective arrangement
for improved lock retention and for additional strength and support.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0007] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a wraparound
carrier which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art as described.
[0008] More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wraparound
carrier with improved locking retention and additional strength and durability.
[0009] Another object of this invention is to provide a wraparound carrier which minimizes
paperboard requirement and thus costs less to manufacture.
[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a lock structure in a wraparound carrier
including spaced locking slits to receive and retain a locking unit with protection
against inadvertent release.
[0011] Still another object of this invention is to provide a lock in a carrier having specially
formed slits for the purpose indicated to provide improved lock performance and additional
security.
[0012] Still another object of this invention is to provide a wraparound carrier with an
improved lock as described that is'easy to erect on existing high-speed equipment.
[0013] Additional objects, advantages, and other novel features of the invention will be
set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent
to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may.be learned with
practice -of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized
and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed
out in the appended claims.
[0014] To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of
the present invention as described herein, an improved wraparound carrier is provided
for the packaging of a plurality of articles in at least a single row. The carrier
includes an elongated blank having fold lines to form panels including closure panels
designed to overlap when applied to the articles to be packaged. One of the closure
panels has a plurality of locking units spaced from each other transversely of the
blank, each including a tongue and a locking tab in' longitudinal line with each tongue
and adjacent thereto. The other of the closure panels includes a plurality of two
substantially parallel, transversely elongated slits for receiving each locking unit
when the closure panels are in proper overlapping relation. Disposed between these
slits is closure panel material forming a protector strap. When properly locked, each
tongue is inserted through the corresponding slit furthest from the edge of the second
closure panel. The locking tab is then punched in the slit nearest the edge of this
closure panel so as to overlie this closure panel and create edge to edge engagement.
The protector strap overlies the tab along the interior of the carrier to hold the
tab in locked engagement and to provide extra strength.
[0015] The tongue and locking tab extending in opposing directions and engaging the locating
edge and the locking edge of the`two slits, respectively, are within the same plane
and thus provide the carrier with secure edge to edge engagement between the closure
panels. Since the tab does not extend vertically up into the carrier, but instead
is positively held down by the protector strap, it is protected from being inadvertently
damaged and dislodged by the articles therein. Also, the positive edge to edge engagement
prevents either the threaded tongue or the punched in tab from slipping through its
slit. Improved lock retention that in turn improves carton reliability is the favorable
result obtained.
[0016] Since the invention employs two, substantially parallel, transversely elongated slits,
and a protector strap in between, the need to strip the trim from a hole or aperture,
as often required in the prior art is avoided. This feature, coupled with reduced
paperboard required with respect to some designs, substantially reduces the cost incurred
by the manufacturer.
[0017] Advantageously, the present invention provides convenient mechanical threading and
punching for easy adaptation to high speed, state of the art automation techniques
and machines.
[0018] Still further, the protector strap which overlies the tab along the interior of the
carrier to hold the tab in locked engagement also increases the strength of the panel
in the lock area. Whereas before a relatively wide aperture(absence of material) existed,
the protector strap connected by bridges at each end span the lock area. This strap
provides an article carrier of increased strength over those in the prior art even
after exposure to refrigerated conditions wherein the paper absorbs moisture and loses
stiffness.
[0019] Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those
skilled in the art in the following description wherein there is shown and described
a preferred embodiment of this. invention, simply by way of illustration of one of
the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention
is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of
modification of various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature
and not as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification,
illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of an elongated blank from which an article carrier of
the present invention is formed;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article carrier of the present invention having
a plurality of articles such as bottles, supported therein after completion of forming
the blank into the carrier;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary inside perspective view of the carrier showing the relation
of the bottom panels of the blank when in proper overlapping and locked relation;
Figure 4A is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing in more detail the threading
of the tongue through the transversely elongated slit furthest from the edge of the
opposite closure panel;
Figure 4B is a similar fragmentary plan view showing the relationship of the closure
panels following the punching of the locking tab in the slit nearest the edge of the
opposite closure panel; and
Figure 4C is an underside fragmentary plan view showing the relationship of the locking
tab and the tongue within the transversely elongated slits of the blank.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0021] Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figure 2, there is shown an article
carrier 10 of the wraparound type for a plurality of articles such.as bottles 11,
for example, arranged in one or more rows. As shown in Figure 2, the bottles 11 are
arranged in two rows, but there can be only a single row or more than two rows.
[0022] The article carrier 10 is formed from an elongated blank 12(see Figure 1) of a suitable
foldable sheet material such as paperboard, for example. The elongated blank 12 has
a single top panel 14 with circular apertures 13 cut therein to accommodate the necks
of the bottles 11.
[0023] Side panels 16 are articulated or hingedly joined to opposite sides of the top panel
14 along a pair of top fold lines 15. The side panels 16 are designed to be substantially
vertical in the completed article carrier 10, as shown in Figure 2.
[0024] A bottom or closure panel 21 is articulated or hingedly joined to one of the side
panels 16 along a fold line 22(see top of Figure 2). Another bottom or closure panel
23 is articulated or hingedly joined to the other of the side panels 16 by fold line
24.
[0025] The bottom panel 21 has a plurality of transversely spaced lock units each including
a tongue 25(three shown in Figure 1) with the number of tongues 25 preferably being
equal to the number of bottles 11 (see Figure 2) in each of the rows. The tongues
25(see Figure 1) are spaced from each other by recessed edge portions 26 between the
tongues.
[0026] The outer ends of the edge along the panel 21 adjacent the end tongues 25 are formed
by an edge extension 30 and connect to longitudinal side edges 31 and 32 of the elongated
blank 12. The bottom panel 21 thus has its terminal edge defined by the edges of the
tongues 25, the recessed edge portions 26 and the connecting edge extensions 30.
[0027] The bottom panel 23 has a plurality of pairs of adjacent, substantially parallel,
transversely elongated slits for receiving the corresponding locking units when the
closure panels are in proper overlapping relation. First transversely elongated slits
33 are formed adjacent the terminal edge 34 of the bottom panel 23, between the terminal
edge 34 and second transversely elongated slits 35.
[0028] The bottom panel material disposed between the first slits 33 and second slits 35
forms protector strap 38. The first slit 33 may include relief extensions 33a at each
end thereof. These extensions 33a preferably are at an angle of about 135" from the
slit 33. Second transversely elongated slits 35 may include relief slits 35a at each
end thereof. These relief slits 35a extend toward the first transversely elongated
slits 33 at an angle of approximately 90° from the second transversely elongated slits
35. The corner is rounded to minimize the tendency to tear the paperboard.
[0029] The relief extensions 33a and relief slits 35a further define the bridges at the
ends of the protector strap 38. The bridges(see Figures 1 and 4) have a length substantially
equal to the combined length of relief extensions 33a and slits 35a to insure maximum
strength while at the same time providing the required relief for ease of engaging
the lock units.
[0030] Each of the tongues 25 is threadable into one of the transversely elongated slits
35 when the bottom or closure panels 21 and 23 are in overlapping relation. Each tongue
25 overlies the inner transverse edge of the corresponding slit 35 so as to have a
relatively large area of overlapping cbntact(Figure 4A). As can be seen, the edge
of the slit 35 forms a locating edge for the locking unit.
[0031] The bottom panel 21 has a set of locking tabs, designated by the reference numeral
39; a single locking tab being longitudinally aligned with each of the tongues 25.
The locking tabs 39 are formed through slitting the bottom panel 21 and may be bifurcated,
as shown in the preferred embodiment. The locking tabs 39 and the tongues 25 together
form the locking unit, generally designated by the reference numeral 40(Figures 1
and 3).
[0032] When the elongated blank 12 is folded to form the carrier 10 with the bottles 11
therein, the bottom panels 21 and 23 are in overlapping relation(see Figures 2 and
3). When each tongue 25 is first threaded within the corresponding transversely elongated
slit 35, the locking tab 39 underlies the closure panel 23(see Figure 4A looking from
inside).
[0033] The locking tab 39 is then punched(from below) through the transversely elongated
slit 33 so that the locking tab 39 directly overlies closure panel 23 thereby providing
edge to edge engagement with the transverse edge (see Figure 4B). Further, the protector
strap 38 overlies the tab 39 to hold the tab in locked engagement while providing
additional strength and support to the carrier 10. A fragmentary view of the fully
threaded article carrier 10 from below is shown in Figure 4C.
[0034] In forming the carrier 10 from the elongated blank 12, the elongated blank 12 is
first placed over the necks of the bottles 11. When the elongated blank 12 is properly
seated horizontally on the bottles 11, the side panels 16 are folded down the sides.
Then, the bottom panels 21 and 23 are folded under the bottoms of the bottles 11.
The tongues 25 are threaded into the trans- versely elongated slits 35 and the locking
tabs 39 are punched into the longitudinally aligned transversely elongated slits 33
by forcing with punching wheels(not shown) past the transverse edge of the slits 33.
[0035] The locking arrangement of the present invention enables a relatively large edge
to edge locating and lock- ing engagement in a transverse direction. A firm, secure
and protected locking engagement safe against inadvertent release is provided. The
improved performance is obtained without any increase in paperboard in the blank over
that used in the original Pierce carrier shown in the previous Certipak patent cited
above, and considerably less than that used in later patents seeking to improve the
strength.
[0036] The use of slits rather than apertures, as in the prior art, negates the need to
strip the trim from the closure panel that receives the locking unit. This not only
reduces the manufacturing costs incurred by carton manufacturers, but provides a protective
strap 38 overlying the locking tab along the interior of the carrier to hold the tab.in
locked engagement and provide extra strength. This is a particularly important consideration
under refrigerated conditions when the paper absorbs moisture and loses stiffness.
[0037] The lock structure of the present invention also provides convenient mechanical threading
and punching for adaptation with state of the art machines and improved automation
techniques.
[0038] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description.- It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the blank could
be provided with slits having different shapes and configurations. The edges of the
blank may not necessarily be as shown-but could include other shapes and separate
angled portions. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration
of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable
one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited to the - particular use contemplated. Also
such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined
by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they
are fairly, legally and equitably.entitled.
1. An article carrier (10) of the wraparound type of sheet material for packaging
a plurality of articles (11) in at least one row including an elongated blank (12)
having fold lines to form panels, comprising a pair of closure panels (21, 23) designed
to overlap when applied to the articles to be packaged, said first closure panel (21)
including a plurality of locking units (40), each locking unit having a tongue (25)
along a terminal edge (26) of said first panel and a locking tab (39) in longitudinal
alignment therewith, said second closure panel (23) including a plurality of first
and second transversely elongated slits (33, 35) said first slits (33) being adjacent
and substantially parallel to said second slits (35) and lying between said second
slits and a terminal edge (34) of said second panel, said terminal edge (34) of said
second closure panel (23) being opposite of said terminal edge (26) of said first
closure'panel on said blank, said second closure panel (23) being characterized by:
said first and second slits (33, 35) having closure panel material therebetween, said
material forming a protector strap (38), one protector strap (38) being in longitudinal
alignment with each locking unit (40); each of said second slits (35) having one of
said tongues (25) threadable therein so that said tongue (25) overlies said second
closure panel (23) when said closure panels (21, 23) are in overlapping relation,
each of said first slits (33) having one of said locking tabs (39) punchable therein
so that said tab (39 over- lies said second closure panel (23) and includes edge to
edge engagement with said second panel, said protector strap (38) overlying said tab
(39) along the interior of said carrier to retain said tab in locked engagement and
provide extra strength.
2. The article carrier disclosed in claim 1, wherein each of said first slits (33)
includes a pair of relief extensions (33a), one at each end of said first slit, said
extensions (33a) extending toward said adjacent second slit (35) at an angle of substantially
135° from said first slit; and each of said second slits (35) includes a pair of relief
slits (35a), one relief slit at each end of said second slit, said relief slits (35a)
extending toward said adjacent first slit at an angle of substantially 90° from said
second slit; said relief slits (35a) and said relief extensions (33a) terminating
with a bridge of closure panel material therebetween, said relief slits (35a) and
relief extensions (33a) further outlining said protector straps (38).
3. The article carrier disclosed in claim 2, wherein the pair of relief slits (35a)
for said second slits (35) are rounded to minimize strain at the 90° corner.
4. The article carrier disclosed in claim 2, wherein said bridge at each end of the
said slits is substantially equal in length to the combination length of the adjacent
relief extension (33a) and relief slit (35a) to insure sufficient strength and lock
retention.
S. The article carrier disclosed in claim 4, wherein said bridge at each end of said
slits extends along the line of the relief extension (33a) at substantially 135° toward
the end of the relief slit (35a).