Method of manufacturing a device for carrying containers

Abstract

 There is disclosed a method of assembling a bottle retaining device from a paperboard blank 10 so that one of the handle panels is engaged in an angle between the other handle panel and a securing flap. Downward pressure is exerted to glue the handle panels together and engage bottle shoulders in cut away portions with a snap fit.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a method of making a paperboard device for carrying two or more containers each having an annular shoulder. One particular but not exclusive application is in the carrying of a number of PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate) bottles containing beverages.

[0002] According to the present invention there is provided a method of assembling from a paperboard blank a carrier device for carrying two or more containers each having an annular shoulder projecting from the neck portion, said carrier device comprising a base having two or more apertures for receiving the respective neck portions of the containers, two side walls which in use are angled relative to the base and extend towards each other from opposite side of the base, a cut away portion being formed for each container in each side wall such that the portions of the side walls below a cut away portion engage below the shoulder of the associated container, the side walls being hingedly connected to respective handle portions which incorporate handle means, the cut away portions extending into the handle portions to accommodate the container caps, a securing flap extending from one handle portion and being folded over and adhesively secured to the marginal portion adjacent the free edge of the other handle portion, the handle portions being foldable so as to lie adjacent one side wall, said method comprising the steps of:

1. placing the blank on to the containers such that the necks extend through the respective apertures,

2. folding said securing panel relative to its handle portion so as to make an angle therebetween,

3. engaging the free edge of the other handle portion in said angle,

4. folding and adhesively securing the securing panel to said other handle portion,

5. initiating the folding between the side walls and their handle portions,

6. pushing the handle portions towards the containers so as to engage the shoulders with the cut away portions and adhesively secure together the two handle portions, and

7. folding over the handle portions towards and into engagement with one of the side walls.

[0003] Preferably glue is applied to the securing panel before step 2. At the same time glue may also be applied to the upper and lower edges of one of the handle portions. Also, the actual securing of the securing panel could be effected at a later stage if desired.

[0004] In one arrangement the fold initiation of step 5 is effected using suitable guide means, as are steps 6 and 7.

[0005] With a preferred arrangement the handle portions are also a snap fit below at least one of the shoulders when folded against said one side wall. In some arrangements the handle means comprises slot shaped elements which are cut in the handle portions, but which remain hingedly connected to the respective handle portions, said elements being snap fit below the shoulders. In addition or alternatively the upper edges of some or all of the cut out portions in the handle portions are a snap fit below respective shoulders.

[0006] In preferred arrangements each aperture is defined at least in part by flap means hingedly connected at the junction of the base and side walls which flap means fold upwardly when the blank is placed on to the containers and engage below the shoulders of the containers.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a blank for use with the method according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side view of the carrier device made from the blank of figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side view from the other side,

Figures 4a and 4b are perspective representations showing the method steps for assembling the carrier device from a blank similar to that shown in figures 1 to 3, and

Figures 5a and 5b are plan view representations of the figure 4 views.

[0008] In figure 1 there is shown a paperboard blank 10 for producing the carrier device 11 shown in figures 2 to 5. The device 11 is for use in coupling together, in this embodiment, three PET beverage bottles 12, each having a volume of two litres. The device 11 enables three such bottles 12 to be carried as a multipack safely and conveniently. Each bottle 12 has a general neck portion 13, a closure 14 and an annular shoulder 15 just below the closure 14.

[0009] The device 11 is made from the paperboard blank 10 and has a base 16 which is hingedly connected at each side edge 17, 18 to a side wall 19, 20 which extend upwardly and towards each other. The side walls 19, 20 are in turn hingedly connected along fold lines 21, 22 to handle portions 23, 24. One handle portion 24 is hingedly connected along fold line 25 to a securing panel 26.

[0010] In the base 16 cuts 27 are made to define, in this embodiment six flaps 28 which remain hingedly attached along fold lines 29. These flaps are, however, not essential. When the flaps 28 are folded out of the plane of the base 16, apertures are defined in the base 16.

[0011] Holes 31 are also cut out of the blank 10, which holes span the fold lines 21, 22. The holes 31 are generally rectangular, although in this embodiment the edges 32, 33 parallel to the fold lines 21, 22 have their ends angled slightly towards the fold line and the side edges 31a are angled upwardly so as to effect a slight waist at the location of fold lines 21, 22. This waisted area tends to grip the closures 14 of the bottles but is not essential

[0012] Bordering on the upper edge 33 of the central holes are slot-like handle elements 34 which are cut from the blank 10, but which remain hingedly attached along fold lines 35.

[0013] To assemble the carrier device, the blank 10 is aligned with the bottles 12 and is placed over the necks of the bottles 12. The flaps 28 are pushed upwardly by the closures 14 and engage below the shoulders 15 of the bottles 12. This is clearly represented in figures 4 and 5.

[0014] The side walls 19, 20 are then folded upwardly and the securing panel 26 is folded towards the other handle portion 24 so as to create an angle between the securing panel 26 and the side wall 20 to which it is attached. Adhesive 40 is also applied to the securing panel 26 and to the upper and lower marginal portions of one of the handle portions.

[0015] The free edge 41 of the other handle portion 23 is then engaged in the angle between the securing panel and the first handle portion 24. Guide means (not shown) then initiates the inward folding of the folds 21, 22.

[0016] The securing panel 26 is then folded down on to the other handle portion 23 and downward pressure is applied via guide surfaces to the handle portions. This results in the joining together of the two handle portions. The location of the edge 41 in the angle ensures that the handle portions are correctly positioned relative to each other when they are glued together such that an accurate triangular form is taken up by the base and the side walls. In prior arrangements the handle portions were simply brought together and great care had to be taken to ensure correct alignment before gluing.

[0017] Once the handle portions have been brought together, they are folded over one of the side walls. This folding continues until a snap fit is effected by the edges 33 of the handle portions and the handle elements 34 below the shoulders 15 of the bottles. In order to effect this snap fit, some pressure is clearly exerted and this pressure serves to ensure that the adhesive connections are well formed. This step therefore not only engages the handle in retracted position, but also ensures sound adhesive connection of the handle portions without the need for a separate compression stage.

[0018] Clearly the above method can be adapted for devices for bottles of any shape size or number. Also it will be appreciated that certain changes could be made to the order of some of the steps disclosed above. For example, the glue could be applied earlier or the securing panel may be folded before the blank is applied to the bottles.

Claims

1. A method of assembling from a paperboard blank a carrier device for carrying two or more containers each having an annular shoulder projecting from the neck portion, said carrier device comprising a base having two or more apertures for receiving the respective neck portions of the containers, two side walls which in use are angled relative to the base and extend towards each other from opposite side of the base, a cut away portion being formed for each container in each side wall such that the portions of the side walls below a cut away portion engage below the shoulder of the associated container, the side walls being hingedly connected to respective handle portions which incorporate handle means, the cut away portions extending into the handle portions to accommodate the container caps, a securing flap extending from one handle portion and being folded over and adhesively secured to the marginal portion adjacent the free edge of the other handle portion, the handle portions being foldable so as to lie adjacent one side wall, said method comprising the steps of:

1. placing the blank on to the containers such that the necks extend through the respective apertures,

2. folding said securing panel relative to its handle portion so as to make an angle therebetween,

3. engaging the free edge of the other handle portion in said angle,

4. folding and adhesively securing the securing panel to said other handle portion,

5. initiating the folding between the side walls and their handle portions,

6. pushing the handle portions towards the containers so as to engage the shoulders with the cut away portions and adhesively secure together the two handle portions, and

7. folding over the handle portions towards and into engagement with one of the side walls.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein glue is applied to the securing panel before step 2.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein at the same time glue is applied to the upper and lower edges of one of the handle portions.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the actual securing of the securing panel could be effected at a later stage if desired.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fold initiation of step 5 is effected using suitable guide means, as are steps 6 and 7.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the handle portions are also a snap fit below at least one of the shoulders when folded against said one side wall.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the handle means comprises slot shaped elements which are cut in the handle portions, but which remain hingedly connected to the respective handle portions, said elements being snap fit below the shoulders.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the upper edges of some or all of the cut out portions in the handle portions are a snap fit below respective shoulders.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each aperture is defined at least in part by flap means hingedly connected at the junction of the base and side walls which flap means fold upwardly when the blank is placed on to the containers and engage below the shoulders of the containers.

Drawing