|
(11) | EP 1 207 114 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | A packing carton |
| (57) A packing carton comprises an outer generally parallelepipedic case and an inner
layer (1, 2), the outer case and inner layer both formed from stiff but foldable board
material, wherein portions of the inner layer act as spacers maintaining a space between
the outer case and the inner layer (1, 2). This space preferably extends around the
inside of the four sides of the outer case which are intended to be vertical, and
may also extend inside a base of the outer case and/or inside a lid thereof. Thus,
an impact absorbing buffer or "crumple zone" is provided so that a can and its contents
can be protected from impacts. A set of blanks for forming the carton, comprising
two slotted inner blanks (1, 2) and an outer blank, is also disclosed. |
[0002] It is often desired to send, through the mail or otherwise, cans of liquid of different viscosities. Examples of such liquids include paint, grease and industrial detergents.
[0003] It is an aim of the invention to provide a packing carton for transporting a can of liquid which minimises the risk of damage to the can caused by rough handling of the carton.
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides a packing carton comprising an outer generally parallelepipedic case and an inner layer, the outer case and inner layer both formed from stiff but foldable board material, characterised in that portions of the inner layer act as spacers maintaining a space between the outer case and the inner layer. This space preferably extends around the inside of the four sides of the outer case which are intended to be vertical, and may also extend inside a base of the outer case and/or inside a lid thereof. Thus, an impact absorbing buffer or "crumple zone" is provided so that a can and its contents can be protected from impacts.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the outer case is formed from a single blank, for example of single-faced corrugated board. The outer case may comprise a lid closable by means of an adhesive portion for sticking the lid to another panel of the carton. In this way, a tamper-evident seal can be provided with enhanced product security.
[0006] Whilst the inner layer may be formed from a single inner blank, preferably it is formed from two inner blanks fitted together, for example by means of slots. In particular, vertical slots on a first inner blank providing at least two parallel vertical sides of the inner layer may fit into vertical slots on a second inner blank providing at least two further parallel vertical sides of the inner layer. The first and second inner blanks preferably each comprise a base panel interconnecting two vertical sides, the two base panels overlapping in use. The inner layer preferably includes flaps for covering a contained article, the flaps being provided on one or both of the inner blanks.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the outer case is provided with opening means in the form of a tear strip. For example, the tear strip may run horizontally around the case and may have ends comprising tabs cut from the case material. If the tear strip is located relatively near the lid or the base of the outer case, its removal, causing opening of the case, may provide a drip-tray formed from the lid or base respectively and portions of the walls of the outer case.
[0009] The present invention also provides a set of blanks for forming a packing carton, of stiff but foldable board material, comprising an outer blank for forming a generally parallelepipedic outer case and at least one inner blank for forming an inner layer, characterised in that portions of the inner blank(s) act as spacers for maintaining a space between the outer case and the inner layer.
[0010] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a set of blanks according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows the blanks of Figure 1 after erection;
Figure 3 shows the assembly of an inner layer and insertion of a can of liquid;
Figures 4 and 5 show the folding of the outer case and insertion of the inner layer;
Figure 6 shows the closing of the outer case; and
Figure 7 shows the carton after opening.
[0011] As shown in Figure 1, a customer wishing to package a can of liquid is supplied with a set of three blanks, namely first and second inner blanks 1, 2 and an outer blank 3.
[0012] The inner blanks 1, 2 are cut and creased from double-faced corrugated board. First inner blank 1 comprises a rectangular base panel 10 interconnecting rectangular side panels 12. Top flaps 14 are connected to the side panels 12 along major portions of the edges of the side panels remote from the base panel 10. Two slots 16 are cut into each of these edges at the ends of the top flaps, running parallel and directly towards the base panel 10, extending for about one half of the width of the respective side panels 12. The opening 18 of each slot may taper towards the slot 16 as shown.
[0013] Second inner blank 2 comprises a rectangular base panel 20 interconnecting rectangular side panels 22 along major edges thereof. Two parallel slots 24 are cut into the blank, parallel and close to the minor edges of each of the panels 20, 22. The slots 24 each extend for about one half of the width of each side panel 22 and across the base panel 20. At the crease lines between the panels, each slot 24 may include a substantially rhombic widening 26.
[0014] Outer blank 3 is formed in a conventional manner by cutting and creasing a sheet of single-faced corrugated board, the facing sheet lying on an outer surface of the blank. The outer blank 3 comprises a series of four rectangular panels comprising a front panel 300, side panels 302 and a rear panel 304 (shown in Figure 2). Figure 1 shows a configuration in which the outer blank can be supplied to a customer. The two panels at the ends of the series are joined by means of a flange (not shown).
[0015] A tear strip 306, indicated by broken lines, runs along the series of panels 300, 302, 304 nearer the lower than the upper edges of the panels. The tear strip may be formed in any conventional manner, but is conveniently formed by a length of reinforced material, such as 6mm wide Kraft backed polyester fibre tape, applied to an inner surface of the outer blank 3. The tear strip 306 terminates in two opposed pulling tabs 308 in the front panel 300 which are cut from the blank.
[0016] A conventional closing tab 310 is provided at the centre of the upper edge of the front panel 300. A lid panel 312 is connected to the rear panel 304 and terminates in a flap 314 with radiused comers. A slit 318 is formed centrally along the crease between the flap and the lid panel 312.
[0017] A transverse strip of touch adhesive 320, shown in Figure 2 on the inner side of the lid panel 312, is preferably protected by means of a backing strip.
[0018] Each of the side panels 302 has a top flap 322 at its upper edge. A front edge of each top flap is inclined to taper the flap in an upward direction. Two parallel crease lines 324 extend across each top flap, nearer to its top edge than to the respective side panel 302. At the junctions of the crease lines 324 and the inclined edge, indentations 326 are provided.
[0019] Figure 2 shows the three blanks 1, 2, 3 after erection. Inner blanks 1, 2 have been erected by folding their respective side panels 12, 22 upwardly through 90° with respect to the base panels 10, 20. Outer blank 3 has been formed into a parallelepipedic case by erecting the blank and gluing at least one base panel (not shown) connected to at least one of the front, side and rear panels 300, 302, 304.
[0020] Figure 3 shows how the inner blanks 1, 2 are slotted together by lowering second inner blank 2 onto first inner blank 1, with the slots 24 of the second inner blank engaging the slots 16 of the first inner blank. This engagement is assisted by the tapered openings 18 and the widenings 26. The lengths of the slots 16, 24 is such as to allow the base panel 20 of the second inner blank 2 to rest on the base panel 10 of the first inner blank 1. A can of liquid 40 is inserted into the central space of the inner layer thusly formed by the first and second inner blanks.
[0021] Figure 4 shows the erected outer case with one of the top flaps 322 folded over at the two crease lines 324. The other top flap is then folded likewise and the inner layer with its contained can is inserted into the outer case as shown in Figure 5.
[0022] The outer case is closed as shown in Figure 6, by continuing the folding of the top flaps 322, bringing the crease lines 324 of the two flaps together so that the doubled over flaps are horizontal. The backing strip of the adhesive strip 320 is then removed and the lid panel 312 is closed, tucking the tab 310 into the slit 318 and sticking the adhesive strip 320 to the top flaps 322.
[0023] The closed carton comprises a "crumple zone" extending vertically around the can by virtue of the outermost portions of the inner blanks 1, 2, which portions act as spacers between the inner layer and outer case. An additional "crumple zone" is provided above the can by the doubled over top flaps 322.
1. A packing carton comprising an outer generally parallelepipedic case (3) and an inner
layer (1, 2), the outer case and inner layer both formed from stiff but foldable board
material, characterised in that portions of the inner layer (1, 2) act as spacers maintaining a space between the
outer case (3) and the inner layer.
2. A carton according to claim 1, wherein said space extends around the inside of the
four sides (300, 302, 304) of the outer case (3) which are intended to be vertical.
3. A carton according to claim 2, wherein said space also extends inside a base of the
outer case (3) and/or inside a lid (312) thereof.
4. A carton according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the outer case (3) comprises a lid
(312) closable by means of an adhesive portion (320) for sticking the lid to another
panel of the carton.
5. A carton according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer is formed from
two inner blanks (1, 2) fitted together by means of slots (16, 24).
6. A carton according to claim 5, wherein vertical slots (16) on a first inner blank
(1) providing at least two parallel vertical sides of the inner layer fit into vertical
slots (24) on a second inner blank (2) providing at least two further parallel vertical
sides of the inner layer.
7. A carton according to claim 6, wherein the first and second inner blanks (1, 2) each
comprise a base panel (10, 20) interconnecting two vertical sides (12, 22), the two
base panels (10, 20) overlapping in use.
8. A carton according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner layer (1, 2) includes
flaps (14) for covering a contained article.
9. A carton according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer case (3) is provided
with opening means in the form of a tear strip (306).
10. A carton according to claim 9, wherein the tear strip (306) runs horizontally around
the case (3) relatively near the lid (312) or the base of the outer case (3), such
that removal of the tear strip (306), causing opening of the case (3), provides a
drip-tray formed from the lid (312) or base respectively and portions of the walls
(300, 302, 304) of the outer case (3).
11. A carton according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the tear strip (306) has ends comprising
tabs (308) cut from the case material.
12. A set of blanks for forming a packing carton, of stiff but foldable board material,
comprising an outer blank (3) for forming a generally parallelepipedic outer case
and at least one inner blank (1, 2) for forming an inner layer, characterised in that portions of the inner blank(s) act as spacers for maintaining a space between the
outer case and the inner layer.