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(11) | EP 1 058 655 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
A CARTON HAVING A LOCKING ARRANGEMENT SCHACHTEL MIT VERSCHLUSSVORRICHTUNG CARTON PLIANT A FERMETURE |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0001] This invention relates to locking arrangements for locking together first and second panels of a carton. In particular, but not exclusively, the two panels may be the base panels of a carton. This may be a multipack for a number of articles such as bottles or cans and may take the form of a wrap, basket type package or any other type of carton.
[0002] FR-A-2 139 874 discloses a carton having a lock arrangement for locking together first and second panels of the carton. The arrangement comprises a flap projecting from the edge of the first panel and hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line, an arcuate cut formed in the first panel, cut engaging means provided on the flap and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs which engage behind the cuts, and a cooperative aperture in the second panel such that in use the flap is passed through the aperture in the outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture and the free edge of the second panel and is inserted into the cut in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap is retained by the cut as a main lock.
[0003] According to the present invention there is provided a carton having a lock arrangement for locking together first and second panels of the carton, the arrangement comprising a flap projecting from the edge of the first panel, an opening formed in the first panel, opening engaging means provided on the flap and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally extending barbs which engage behind cuts which extend laterally from the opening, and a cooperating aperture in the second panel, said flap being hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line which is in two parts, the opening extending therebetween, part way into the flap, such that in use the flap is passed through the aperture in an outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the second panel between the aperture and the free edge of the second panel and is inserted into the opening in the first panel such that the engaging means of the flap is retained by the opening as a main lock.
[0004] Preferably an initial lock is provided by a tab on the second panel projecting into the aperture from the side of the aperture closest to the free edge of the second panel, which tab engages an edge of a hole formed in the first panel. Ideally said hole edge is constituted by the opening.
[0005] In some embodiments the aperture is generally rectangular having a width similar to the width of the flap which has generally parallel sides.
[0006] Conveniently a second fold is provided in the flap substantially parallel to the hinge connection to the remainder of the first panel to facilitate insertion of the barbed end of the flap in the opening. Normally the carton will provide a number of said lock arrangements at spaced locations along the base.
[0007] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a blank for producing a carton according to the present invention, and
Figures 2 to 6 are perspective views of the various phases of the locking action of the carton.
[0008] There is shown a paperboard blank 10 which is folded around a 2 x 3 group of six bottles 11 to form a wrap which retains the six bottles 11 in the 2 x 3 formation as a multipack. The blank 10 provides a top 12, two first side panels 13 hingedly connected to the top 12, two second side panels 14 hingedly connected to respective first side panels 13, two heel panels 15 hingedly connected to respective second side panels 14 and first and second base panels 16, 17 hingedly connected by folds 18 to respective heel panels 15.
[0009] The first side panels provide first holes 19 for receiving the closures of the bottles 11 in use and the heel panels 15 provide second holes 20 for receiving the heel portions of the bottles 11. The holes 19, 20 are standard features for retaining the bottles 11 in such cartons although alternatives are known and could be used here.
[0010] Cut away portions 21 are also provided in the top panel 12 to constitute handle means. Other types of handle could, however, be provided.
[0011] To close the blank 10 in a secure manner around the bottles 11 there are provided a series of three pairs of cooperating locking formations 22, 23 in the first and second base panels 16, 17 respectively. Each formation 23 in the second base panel 17 comprises a generally rectangular aperture 24 having a tab 25 projecting into the aperture 24 from the direction of the free edge 26 of the second base panel 17.
[0012] Each formation 22 in the first base panel 16 comprises a flap 27 projecting away from the first base panel 16 which flap 27 remains hingedly connected to the first base panel 16 by means of a hinge line formed in two sections 28. Between the two hinge sections 28 is a quadrilateral opening 29 having a tab engaging edge 30 at one end which edge 30 has a similar lateral extent to the tab 25 and a pair of cuts 31 at the other end. The cuts 31 initially extend from the lateral edges of the opening 29 slightly towards the adjacent heel panel 15 before extending laterally outwards.
[0013] Each projecting flap 27 has an end section 32 which is hingedly connected to the remainder by way of fold 33. The flap 27 is cut away at the areas 34 at the ends of the fold 33 to give the end section 32 a pair of spaced barbs 35.
[0014] The assembly of the blank 10 around the bottles 11 will be described below in more detail. Firstly the blank 10 is placed over the bottles 11 such that the top 12 engages the closures of the bottles. The side panels 13, 14 are then folded down in a standard manner. Figures 2 to 6 show a slightly simplified arrangement for the sake of clarity in that the heel panels 15 and second holes 20 have been omitted. The function of the locking formations 22, 23 however remains the same.
[0015] The two base panels 16, 17 are folded slightly underneath the bottles 11 such that the projecting flaps 27 pass through the corresponding apertures 24 in the second base panel 17 from the inside to the outside. The tabs 25 engage behind the respective tab engaging edges 30 of the openings 29 in the first base panel 16. This effectively constitutes an initial lock as shown in figure 3 and ensures correct positioning of the two base panels.
[0016] The flaps 27 are then folded back about the hinge line sections 28 as shown in figure 4 over the portions of the second base panel 17 between the apertures 24 and the free edge 26. The end sections 32 are then bent about folds 33 relative to the remainders of the flaps 27 as shown in figure 5. The end sections 32 are then inserted into the still exposed areas of the respective openings 29 such that the barb 35 engage securely behind the cuts 31. The assembled base panels are clearly shown in figure 6. The result is a simple yet strong locking arrangement.
[0017] It will be appreciated that modifications could be made to the locking formations 22, 23. Also any number could be provided on a given carton. Furthermore any type or size of carton could employ such locking arrangement for the base panels. In other cartons each openings 29 may be of any chosen shape and may comprise a pair of holes, one for engaging the tab and the other for receiving the free end of the flap 27.
1. A carton having a lock arrangement (22,23) for locking together first and second panels
(16,17) of the carton, the arrangement comprising a flap (27) projecting from the
edge of the first panel (16), an opening (29) formed in the first panel (16), opening
engaging means provided on the flap (27) and constituted by oppositely disposed, laterally
extending barbs (35) which engage behind cuts (31) which extend laterally from the
opening (29), and a cooperating aperture (24) in the second panel (17), said flap
being hingedly connected to the remainder of the first panel along a fold line 28
which is in two parts, the opening (29) extending therebetween, part way into the
flap (27), such that in use the flap (27) is passed through the aperture (24) in an
outwardly direction relative to the carton, is folded back over the portion of the
second panel between the aperture (24) and the free edge (26) of the second panel
(17) and is inserted into the opening (29) in the first panel such that the engaging
means of the flap (27) is retained by the opening (29) as a main lock.
2. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein an initial lock is provided by a tab (25) on
the second panel (17) projecting into the aperture (24) from the side of the aperture
closest to the free edge (26) of the second panel, which tab (25) engages an edge
(30) of a hole formed in the first panel.
3. A carton as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hole edge (30) is constituted by the opening
(29).
4. A carton as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tab engaging edge (30) is at the flap-side
extremity of the opening and the cuts (31) are at the opposite extremity.
5. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the aperture (24) is generally
rectangular having a width similar to the width of the flap (27) which has generally
parallel sides.
6. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a second fold (33) is provided
in the flap (27) substantially parallel to the hinge connection (28) to the remainder
of the first panel (16) to facilitate insertion of the barbed end of the flap (27)
in the opening (29).
7. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein there are provided a number
of said lock arrangements (22,23) at spaced locations along the base.
8. A paperboard blank (10) for producing a carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
7.
1. Karton mit einer Verschlussanordnung (22, 23) zum Verschließen einer ersten und einer
zweiten Platte (16, 17) des Kartons miteinander, wobei die Anordnung folgendes umfasst:
eine Klappe (27), die von der Kante der ersten Platte (16) vorsteht, eine Öffnung
(29), die in der ersten Platte (16) ausgebildet ist, ein in die Öffnung eingreifendes
Mittel, das an der Klappe (27) vorgesehen und durch gegenüberliegend angeordnete,
seitlich verlaufende Widerhaken (35) ausgebildet ist, die Einschnitte (31) hintergreifen,
die seitlich von der Öffnung (29) verlaufen, und einen kooperierenden Schlitz (24)
in der zweiten Platte (17), wobei die genannte Klappe klappbar mit dem Rest der ersten
Platte über eine Falzlinie 28 verbunden ist, die aus zwei Teilen besteht, wobei die
Öffnung (29) dazwischen und teilweise in die Klappe (27) verläuft, so dass die Klappe
(27) bei der Verwendung durch den Schlitz (24) in einer Auswärtsrichtung relativ zum
Karton geführt, über den Abschnitt der zweiten Platte zwischen dem Schlitz (24) und
der freien Kante (26) der zweiten Platte (17) zurückgefaltet und in die Öffnung (29)
in der ersten Platte eingefügt wird, so dass das Eingriffsmittel der Klappe (27) von
der Öffnung (29) als Hauptverschluss festgehalten wird.
2. Karton nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein erster Verschluss von einer Zunge (25) an der zweiten
Platte (17) gebildet wird, die in den Schlitz (24) von der Seite des Schlitzes vorsteht,
die der freien Kante (26) der zweiten Platte am nächsten ist, wobei die Zunge (25)
in eine Kante (30) eines in der ersten Platte ausgebildeten Lochs eingreift.
3. Karton nach Anspruch 2, wobei die genannte Lochkante (30) von der Öffnung (29) gebildet
wird.
4. Karton nach Anspruch 3, wobei sich die in die Zunge eingreifende Kante (30) am Klappenseitenende
der Öffnung befindet und die Einschnitte (31) am gegenüberliegenden Ende befinden.
5. Karton nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der Schlitz (24) im Allgemeinen rechteckig
ist und eine ähnliche Breite wie die Breite der Klappe (27) hat, die im Allgemeinen
parallele Seiten hat.
6. Karton nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei eine zweite Falz (33) in der Klappe
(27) im Wesentlichen parallel zur Klappverbindung (28) mit dem Rest der ersten Platte
(16) vorgesehen ist, um das Einsetzen des Widerhakenendes der Klappe (27) in die Öffnung
(29) zu erleichtern.
7. Karton nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei eine Reihe der genannten Verschlussanordnungen
(22, 23) an voneinander beabstandeten Orten entlang der Basis vorgesehen ist.
8. Pappkartonrohling (10) zum Herstellen eines Kartons nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis
7.
1. Une boîte en carton ayant un agencement de verrouillage (22,23) pour verrouiller ensemble
un premier et un deuxième panneaux (16,17) de la boîte en carton, l'agencement comportant
une patte (27) qui fait saillie depuis le bord du premier panneau (16), une ouverture
(29) formée dans le premier panneau (16), des moyens d'engagement d'ouverture prévus
sur la patte (27) et constitués par des picots (35) s'étendant latéralement, qui sont
disposés en opposition et qui s'engagent derrière des découpes (31) qui s'étendent
latéralement depuis l'ouverture (29), et une ouverture coopérante (24) dans le deuxième
panneau (17), ladite patte étant connectée de façon articulée au reste du premier
panneau le long d'une ligne de pli 28 qui est en deux parties, l'ouverture (29) s'étendant
entre les deux, partiellement dans la patte (27) de sorte que, pendant l'utilisation,
la patte (27) passe à travers l'ouverture (24) vers l'extérieur relativement à la
boîte en carton, est repliée au-dessus de la partie du deuxième panneau comprise entre
l'ouverture (24) et le bord libre (26) du deuxième panneau (17) et est introduite
dans l'ouverture (29) dans le premier panneau de sorte que les moyens d'engagement
de la patte (27) sont retenus par l'ouverture (29) comme un verrouillage principal.
2. Une boîte en carton selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle un verrouillage initial
est fourni par une languette (25) sur le deuxième panneau (17) faisant saillie dans
l'ouverture (24) depuis le côté de l'ouverture le plus proche du bord libre (26) du
deuxième panneau, ladite languette (25) s'engageant avec un bord (30) d'un trou formé
dans le premier panneau.
3. Une boîte en carton selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ledit bord du trou (30)
est constitué par l'ouverture (29).
4. Une boîte en carton selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le bord d'engagement de
languette (30) se trouve à l'extrémité côté patte de l'ouverture et les découpes (31)
sont à l'extrémité opposée.
5. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans laquelle
l'ouverture (24) est généralement rectangulaire et a une largeur semblable à la largeur
de la patte (27) qui a des bords généralement parallèles.
6. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle
un deuxième pli (33) est prévu dans la patte (27) sensiblement parallèle à la connexion
articulée (28) au reste du premier panneau (16) pour faciliter l'introduction de l'extrémité
à picots de la patte (27) dans l'ouverture (29).
7. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle
sont prévus plusieurs de ces agencements de verrouillage (22,23) en des points espacés
le long de la base.
8. Une ébauche (10) en carton pour produire une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 1 à 7.