IMPROVED TOP GRIPPING CARTON

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to cartons of the top gripping type, produced for packaging a plurality of articles, such as bottles and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improving the rigidity of such cartons.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Top gripping cartons which are attached to the upper portions of articles, such as bottles having flanged tops are known in the art (e.g. WO 99/26858). Such cartons are used for securing a number of articles such as bottles for containing yoghurt drinks in an array.

[0003] It is known, from WO98/49701, to provide cartons of the top gripping type, for the accommodation of bottles. Such cartons comprise a number of apertures formed within the bottom panel, into which the upper portions of the articles are inserted. Retaining flaps are often struck from the material used to form the apertures and during the process of insertion of an article these tabs then serve to engage the underside of the upper portion of the inserted article.

[0004] Due to the manner in which the articles are supported, the stresses put upon the carton are large, and may easily lead to tearing of the material of the carton during storage or handling. A known method of mitigating against this problem is to increase the thickness of the material used in forming the carton. This course of action, however, results in higher materials costs.

[0005] An alternative solution to the problem of the stresses being placed upon the carton is that of providing specific depending portions hinged to the top panel of the carton that may be deployed internally of the carton to act as a brace against the bottom panel. Furthermore, such depending portions may further engage the articles themselves, so as to distribute the stress across both the top and bottom panels of the carton. However, the cartons of the sort disclosed in WO98/49071 do not provide a means by which the bracing structure may be locked rigidly in place, and as such there is perceived limitation to the beneficial effects gained from the depending portions. Such a locking means to allow for greater stresses to be tolerated by the carton before tearing would occur and would also allow for heavier cartons to be inserted.

[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems associated with known designs by providing one or more depending portions hinged to the top panel of the carton and by providing complementary upstanding portions struck from the bottom panel, such that the depending portions and upstanding portions may lock together. The present invention thereby seeks to provide a more rigid carton than those known in the prior art, which is more resistant to bending and dislocation of the articles.

[0007] Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a carton for accommodating at least one container, the carton comprising a first panel having a container receiving aperture, a first retaining tab formed from material taken to form the aperture and the first retaining tab folded out of the plane of the first panel and engagable with a container when that container is present in that aperture, a second panel spaced from the first panel and a further retaining member hinged to the second panel, wherein the first retaining tab and the further retaining member have complementary locking means which co-operate to hold the retaining tab in engagement with the container and to enhance the rigidity of the carton, wherein the further retaining member and the co-operating retaining tab are locked together by a complementary aperture and protruding portion.

[0009] Preferably, the first retaining tab is formed from a bottom wall of the carton and is upstanding therefrom and wherein the further retaining member is struck from an upper wall of the carton and is depending therefrom.

[0010] Preferably the first retaining tab engages an underside of an upper flanged portion of a container when that container (B) is held within the carton.

[0011] Preferably, the further retaining member is shaped so as to engage an underside of an upper flanged portion of a container held within the carton.

[0012] Preferably, the carton comprises pairs of article receiving apertures arranged in rows and the further retaining member s disposed between a pair of article receiving apertures such that it can be locked with a co-operating first retaining tab formed from material used to create each of the article receiving apertures of said pair.

[0013] Optionally, the further retaining member comprises one or more shoulder portions wherein each shoulder portion is disposed in face contacting relationship with a co-operating first retaining tab when the further retaining member and the first retaining tabs are locked together.

[0014] Preferably,-the further retaining member is aligned between a pair of first retaining tabs such that each side of the further retaining member engages a different retaining tab.

[0015] Preferably, the insertion of one of the containers serves to secure the locking of the first retaining tab with the corresponding further retaining member.

[0016] Preferably, the carton further comprises a second retaining tab struck from material used to create said container receiving aperture, said second retaining tab being disposed oppositely to the first retaining tab and disposed for engagement with an opposed upper portion of the container when the container is held within that aperture.

[0017] A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for accommodating a container, the blank comprising first and second spaced panels, the first panel having a container receiving aperture struck therefrom and a first retaining tab struck therefrom and hinged to an edge of said container receiving aperture, the second panel having a further retaining member struck therefrom, wherein said first retaining tab and said further retaining member being formed with complementary locking means, such that when the blank is set-up into a carton, the rigidity of the carton is enhanced and a container is held in said container receiving aperture by co-operation of the first retaining tab and the further retaining member, wherein the further retaining member and the co-operating retaining tab are locked together by a complementary aperture and protruding portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an unfolded single paperboard blank from which a carton according to the first embodiment of the invention is formed;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an isometric view of the blank of figure 1 being loaded with bottles arranged in an array;

FIGURE 3 illustrates an isometric view of partially erected carton, being formed around the array of bottles;

FIGURE 4 illustrates an isometric view of the top side and end of a partially formed carton;

FIGURE 4A illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of a support tab depending from the top of the carton and engaging with a support dab upstanding from the bottom wall;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a fully formed and loaded carton;

FIGURE 6 illustrates the carton of Figure 5 being gripped between finger and thumb, using two finger apertures; and

FIGURE 7 illustrates the end view of the carton of Figure 5.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a carton blank 10 for forming a carton 80 of the top gripping type for retaining articles, such as bottles (B) as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The carton 80 comprises one or more retaining tabs 42, 44 struck from a first panel or bottom panel 16 and depending from a second panel or inner top panel 12, one or more further retaining members 60 for co-operation therewith. The further retaining members 60 are struck from a second panel or bottom panel 16 and depend therefrom. The first retaining tabs 40, 42 and further retaining member 60 are provided with complementary locking means which cooperate to hold a bottle within the carton and provide an arrangement with an improved rigidity and strength as to be described herein.

[0020] In the example shown, the blank 10 is sized to accommodate 6 bottles (B) held in a 2 x 3 array. The blank 10 is made from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material and comprises an inner top panel 12, a first side panel 14, a base panel 16, a second side panel 18, an outer top panel 20 and a facia panel 22 each hinged one to the next along corresponding fold lines 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32.

[0021] The inner top panel 12 comprises three further retaining members or depending portions 60. Each depending portion 60 is hinged to the inner top panel 12 by a respective one of fold lines 68. The length of the depending portions 60 is approximately equal to the height of the side walls 14, 18, so that when the blank 10 is set up into a carton 80 the depending portions act as a brace between the composite top panel 12 and bottom panel 16.

[0022] Referring now to the bottom panel 16 of the blank 10, two rows of three article receiving apertures are formed within the bottom panel. The article receiving apertures are arranged each to receive an upper portion of a bottle (B). Associated with each article receiving aperture is an upstanding portion or first retaining tab 42, 44. Each upstanding portion 42, 44 is formed from material used to create the article receiving aperture and is hinged to the bottom panel 16 by respective ones of fold lines 34, 36.

[0023] Additionally, associated with each article receiving aperture a second retaining tab 40, 46 which is formed from and hinged to the bottom panel 16. Additionally, the second retaining tabs are hinged to a respective one of the side walls 14, 18 by a corresponding fold line 26, 28. It is envisaged that in other embodiments the article receiving apertures may be arranged in more or fewer rows or indeed may not be arranged in rows and that the configuration of the apertures may differ significantly. The shape and size of the upstanding portions 42, 44 may therefore also differ from that shown in the figures, although it is a benefit of the example described herein that a retaining tab 40, 46 and corresponding upstanding portion 42, 44 associated with an aperture together utilise all material taken to create that article receiving aperture.

[0024] Outer top panel 20 comprises two optional finger receiving apertures 70 which are provided so that a user can easily grasp the carton 80, as shown in Figure 6. Each finger receiving aperture 70 is designed to receive a finger of the user so that the carton 80 is readily transportable. Each finger receiving aperture 70 is formed from a finger receiving flap 70 hinged to the outer top panel 20 by a fold line 72. Whilst the illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer top panel 20, it is strictly an unessential feature of the design, and may conceivably be omitted. In such embodiments glue flap or other means known in the art may be used to secure an upper edge of the second side wall panel 18 to the corresponding edge of the inner top panel 20. Likewise, although the illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises facia panel 22, it is strictly an unessential feature of the design, and may conceivably be omitted or repositioned such as to be, for example, hinged to the inner top panel 12.

[0025] Turning specifically to the details of the depending portions 60; each such depending portion is hinged, upon opposing sides, to shoulder portions 66 about a respective one of fold lines 64. The shoulder portions 66 are shaped such that, in the set up carton 80, an upper edge of each shoulder portion 66 is in alignment with an upper edge of an adjacent upstanding portion 42, 44 of the bottom panel so as to allow the upper edge of the shoulder portion to engage the underside of the upper portion of a bottle (B) held within the adjacent article receiving aperture. Additionally, the shoulder portions 66 are shaped such that they may be aligned in substantially face contacting relationship with the upstanding portions of the bottom panel 16. It is envisaged that the exact size and shape of the shoulder portion is a function of the nature of the underside of the article in question and it is therefore completely within the scope of this invention to provide for different shapes of shoulder portions. Optionally, the depending portions 60 may mirror the shape of a spade: displaying a step change in width at some point along their length. The step change in width would be positioned to correspond to the distance between the top panel 12 of the set up carton 80 and the underside of the articles (B). Thus the step change in width of the depending portion provides for a physical lip that may be used to engage the underside of an article (B).

[0026] Turning to the construction of the carton 80 from the blank 10, Figures 2 - 4 illustrate the steps taken to erect the blank 10 around an array of 6 bottles (B).

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates the way in which the first retaining tabs or upstanding portions 42, 44 of the bottom panel 16 are struck from the article receiving apertures and engage the undersides of the upper portions of the articles (B). The upstanding portions 42, 44 and second retaining tabs 40, 46 are each pushed out of the plane of the bottom panel 16 by the insertion of a bottle (B). As the second retaining tabs 40, 46 and upstanding portions 42, 44 are displaced, the article receiving apertures are formed and a bottle (B) is received in each one.

[0028] Figure 2 also illustrates the position of the second retaining tabs 40, 46 which are disposed oppositely the upstanding portions 42, 44. The second retaining tabs 40, 46 also engage the undersides of the upper portions of the bottles (B) and in combination with the upstanding portions 42, 44 prevent the bottles from being pulled downwardly out of the bottom panel 16 and being undesirably released from the carton 80.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates the carton in a partially set up state whereby, following insertion of the articles (B), the side wall panel 14 has been folded, upwardly toward the upper portions of the articles (B), about fold line 26 and the inner top panel 12 has been subsequently folded over upper portions of the articles (B) about fold line 24. Figure 3 illustrates the alignment of the further retaining members or depending portions 60, which are comprised within the inner top panel 12, above and between the upstanding portions 42, 44 of the bottom panel 16.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates the partially set up carton of Figure 3 whereby the depending portions 60 comprised within the inner top panel have been displaced out of the plane of the inner top panel 12 and folded internally of the carton 80, about corresponding ones of fold lines 68.

[0031] Figures 4 and 4A together illustrate one specific means of achieving a locking arrangement between the depending portions 60 and the upstanding portions 44, 46. In the illustrated embodiment, shoulder portions 66 have been folded about fold lines 64 such that detents 62 are prominent from the corner of the shoulder portions 66.

[0032] The detents 62 are structured and arranged such that each one can be located within a complementary aperture 52 formed in a co-operating upstanding portion 42, 44. Also illustrated is the nature by which the shoulder portion 66 may be aligned substantially in face contacting relationship with the upstanding portion 42, 44. Furthermore, the nature in which the shoulder portions 66 may engage the undersides of the upper portions of the articles (B) is illustrated.

[0033] As discussed above, the specific embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the figures provide for the depending portions 60 to be aligned with the upstanding portions 42, 44 such that each depending portion may lock with a pair of upstanding portions. This arrangement may be altered within the scope of the present invention such that each depending portion may lock with any number of upstanding portions 42,44.

[0034] Figure 5 illustrates the set up carton 80 whereby the second side panel 18 of the carton 80 of Figure 4 has been folded, toward the upper portions of the articles (B), about fold line 28. An optional outer top panel 20 has been folded, toward the upper portions of the articles (B), about fold line 30. Furthermore, the facia panel 22 has been folded, toward the base of the articles (B), about fold line 32. Gluing of the facia panel 22 to the first side wall 14 and/or gluing of the outer top panel 20 to the inner top panel 12, secures the carton in a set-up and loaded condition with the articles (B) secured therein. Other known securing means other than glue could be used to secure the carton panels together.

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates the insertion of a users fingers (H) into the finger receiving apertures of the inner and outer top panel (20 and 12 respectively). The insertion of the fingers causes the finger aperture flaps 70 to be struck from the outer top panel 20 and folded internally of the carton 80 about respective ones of fold lines 72. The finger receiving apertures of the outer top panel 20 are substantially aligned with the finger receiving apertures of the inner top panel 12 such that the struck finger aperture flaps 70 may pass through the finger receiving apertures of the inner top panel 12 whilst being folded about respective ones of fold lines 72. The resulting insertion of the fingers allows the user to grip the composite top panel of the carton 80 formed from the inner top panel 12 and the outer top panel 20. The provision of finger receiving apertures is optional and in other embodiments it is envisaged that other carrying means could be provided, such as a strap handle.

[0036] Figure 7 illustrates the alignment of the depending portions 60 of the inner top panel 12 between two corresponding upstanding portions 42, 44 of the bottom panel 16 such that each depending portion 60 is locked with a complementary upstanding portion 42, 44 associated with two opposed article receiving apertures. Figure 7 further illustrates the passing of the detents 66 through the complementary apertures 52, and in so doing affecting the locking mechanism that is the subject of the present invention. In this way the depending 60 and opposed upstanding portions 42, 44 provided a rigid bracing structure which limits and restricts the movement of bottles held within those apertures and provides a support between the top 12 and bottom panels 16.

[0037] It can be appreciated that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The bottom panel may be provided with more or less article receiving apertures to accommodate a different number of bottles and indeed the apertures may be arranged in a greater number of rows. Other variations may also be made within the scope of the invention. For example depending tabs 60 may be provided only between every other opposed pair of apertures and the depending tabs 60 may be arranged to each face in the same direction.

[0038] In another embodiment it is envisaged that the complementary locking mechanism would be provided by a detent on the upstanding portion making with an aperture formed on the depending portion.

[0039] Additionally in yet another embodiment the complementary locking of the upstanding and depending forms would be achieved by other co-operating locking mechanisms.

[0040] It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A carton for accommodating at least one container (B), the carton comprising a first panel (16) having a container receiving aperture, a first retaining tab (42) formed from material taken to form the aperture and foldable o ut of the plane of the first panel (16) and engagable with a container (B) when that container is present in that aperture, a second panel (12) spaced from the first panel (16) and a further retaining member (60) hinged to the second panel (12) wherein the first retaining tab (42) and the further retaining member (60) have complementary locking means which co-operate to hold the retaining tab (42) in engagement with the container (B) and to enhance the rigidity of the carton (80), characterised in that the further retaining member (60) and the co-operating retaining tab (42) are locked together by a complementary aperture (52) and protruding portion (62).

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the first retaining tab (42) is formed from a bottom wall (16) of the carton (80) and is upstanding therefrom and wherein the further retaining member (60) is struck from an upper wall (12) of the carton (80) and is depending therefrom.

3. A carton according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first retaining tab (42) engages an underside of an upper flanged portion of a container (B) when that container (B) is held within the carton (80).

4. A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the further retaining member (60) is shaped so as to engage an underside of an upper flanged portion of a container (B) when that container (B) is held within the carton (80).

5. A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the carton (80) comprises pairs of article receiving apertures arranged in rows and the further retaining member (60) is disposed between a pair of article receiving apertures such that it can be locked with a co-operating first retaining tab (42, 44) formed from material used to create each of the article receiving apertures of said pair.

6. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the further retaining member (60) comprises one or more shoulder portions (66) wherein each shoulder portion (66) is disposed in face contacting relationship with a co-operating first retaining tab (42, 44) when the further retaining member (60) and the first retaining tabs (42, 44) are locked together.

7. A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the further retaining member (60) is aligned between a pair of first retaining tabs (42, 44)such that each side of the further retaining member (60) engages a different retaining tab (42, 44).

8. A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the insertion of one of the containers (B) serves to secure the locking of the first retaining tab (42) with the corresponding further retaining member (60).

9. A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the carton (80) further comprises a second retaining tab (40) struck from material used to create said container receiving aperture, said second retaining tab (40) being disposed oppositely to the first retaining tab (42) and disposed for engagement with an opposed upper portion of the container (B) when the container (B) is held within that aperture.

10. A blank for forming a carton (80) for accommodating a container (B), the blank (10) comprising first (16) and second (12) spaced panels, the first panel (16) having a container receiving aperture struck therefrom and a first retaining tab (42) struck therefrom and hinged to an edge of said container receiving aperture, the second panel (12) having a further retaining member (60) struck therefrom, wherein said first retaining tab (42) and said further retaining member (60) being formed with complementary locking means, such that when the blank (10) is set-up into a carton (80), the rigidity of the carton (80) is enhanced and a container (B) is held in said container receiving aperture by co-operation of the first retaining tab (42) and the further retaining member (60), characterised in that the further retaining member (60) and the co-operating retaining tab (42) are locked together by a complementary aperture (52) and protruding portion (62).

Ansprüche

1. Schachtel zum Aufnehmen wenigstens eines Behälters (B), wobei die Schachtel eine erste Wandfläche (16) mit einer Behälteraufnahmeöffnung und einer ersten Rückhaltelasche (42) umfasst, die aus Material ausgebildet ist, das zur Ausbildung der Öffnung genommen worden ist, und aus der Ebene der ersten Wandfläche (16) herausgefaltet werden kann und mit einem Behälter (B) in Eingriff gebracht werden kann, wenn dieser Behälter in dieser Öffnung vorhanden ist, eine zweite Wandfläche (12), die von der ersten Wandfläche (16) beabstandet ist, sowie ein weiteres Rückhaltelement (60), das an die zweite Wandfläche (12) angelenkt ist, wobei die erste Rückhaltelasche (42) und das weitere Rückhaltelement (60) komplementäre Verriegelungsmittel aufweisen, die zusammenwirken, um die Rückhaltelasche (42) in In-Eingriffnahme mit dem Behälter (B) zu halten und die Festigkeit der Schachtel (80) zu steigern, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das weitere Rückhaltelement (60) und die zusammenwirkende Rückhaltelasche (42) durch eine komplementäre Öffnung (52) und einen abstehenden Abschnitt (62) miteinander verriegelt sind.

2. Schachtel nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Rückhaltelasche (42) aus einer Bodenwand (16) der Schachtel (80) ausgebildet ist und von dieser aufrecht absteht und wobei das weitere Rückhalteelement (60) aus einer oberen Wand (12) der Schachtel (80) gestanzt ist und von dieser herabhängt.

3. Schachtel nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei die erste Rückhaltelasche (42) eine Unterseite eines mit einem Flansch versehenen oberen Abschnitts eines Behälters (B) in Eingriff nimmt, wenn dieser Behälter (B) in der Schachtel (80) gehalten wird.

4. Schachtel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das weitere Rückhalteelement (60) geformt ist, um eine Unterseite eines mit einem Flansch versehenen oberen Abschnitts eines Behälters (B) in Eingriff zu nehmen, wenn dieser Behälter (B) in der Schachtel (80) gehalten wird.

5. Schachtel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Schachtel (80) Paare von Gegenstandsaufnahmeöffnungen umfasst, die in Reihen angeordnet sind, und das weitere Rückhalteelement (60) zwischen einem Paar von Gegenstandsaufnahmeöffnungen angeordnet ist, so dass dieses mit einer zusammenwirkenden ersten Rückhaltelasche (42, 44) verriegelt werden kann, die aus Material ausgebildet ist, das dazu verwendet wird, um jede der Gegenstandsaufnahmeöffnungen des Paares zu erzeugen.

6. Schachtel nach Anspruch 1, wobei das weitere Rückhaltelement (60) einen oder mehrere Schulterabschnitte (66) umfasst, wobei jeder Schulterabschnitt (66) in einer flächenberührenden Beziehung mit einer zusammenwirkenden ersten Rückhaltelasche (42, 44) angeordnet ist, wenn das weitere Rückhalteelement (60) und die erste Rückhaltelasche (42, 44) miteinander verriegelt sind.

7. Schachtel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei das weitere Rückhaltelement (60) zwischen einem Paar von ersten Rückhaltelaschen (42, 44) ausgerichtet ist, so dass jede Seite des weiteren Rückhalteelements (60) eine andere Rückhaltelasche (42, 44) in Eingriff nimmt.

8. Schachtel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei das Einbringen eines der Behälter (B) dazu führt, die Verriegelung der ersten Rückhaltelasche (42) mit dem entsprechenden weiteren Rückhaltelement (60) zu festigen.

9. Schachtel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei die Schachtel (80) ferner eine zweite Rückhaltelasche (40) umfasst, die aus Material ausgestanzt ist, das dazu verwendet wird, um die Behälteraufnahmeöffnung zu erzeugen, wobei die zweite Rückhaltelasche (40) gegenüber der ersten Rückhaltelasche (42) angeordnet ist und für eine In-Eingriffnahme mit einem gegenüberliegenden oberen Abschnitt des Behälters (B) angeordnet ist, wenn der Behälter (B) in dieser Öffnung gehalten wird.

10. Zuschnitt zum Ausbilden einer Schachtel (80) zum Aufnehmen eines Behälters (B), wobei der Zuschnitt (10) eine erste (16) und zweite (12) beabstandete Wandfläche umfasst, wobei die erste Wandfläche (16) eine Behälteraufnahmeöffnung aufweist, die daraus ausgestanzt ist, sowie eine erste Rückhaltelasche (42), die daraus ausgestanzt ist und an eine Kante der Behälteraufnahmeöffnung angelenkt ist, wobei die zweite Wandfläche (12) ein weiteres Rückhaltelement (60) aufweist, das daraus ausgestanzt ist, wobei die erste Rückhaltelasche (42) und das weitere Rückhaltelement (60) mit komplementären Verriegelungsmitteln ausgebildet sind, so dass dann, wenn der Zuschnitt (10) in eine Schachtel (80) aufgerichtet wird, die Festigkeit der Schachtel (80) gesteigert wird und ein Behälter (B) in der Behälteraufnahmeöffnung durch ein Zusammenwirken der ersten Rückhaltelasche (42) mit dem weiteren Rückhaltelement (60) gehalten wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das weitere Rückhaltelement (60) und die zusammenwirkende Rückhaltelasche (42) durch eine komplementäre Öffnung (52) und einen abstehenden Abschnitt (62) miteinander verriegelt sind.

Revendications

1. Une boîte en carton destinée à contenir au moins un contenant (B), la boîte en carton comprend un premier panneau (16) ayant une ouverture pour la réception des contenants, une première languette de retenue (42) formée d'un matériau servant à constituer l'ouverture, pliable en dehors du plan du premier panneau (16) et susceptible de s'enclencher avec un contenant (B) lorsque le contenant est présent dans cette ouverture, un deuxième panneau (12) séparé du premier panneau (16) et un membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) relié de façon articulée au deuxième panneau (12) où la première languette de retenue (42) et le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) ont des moyens de verrouillage complémentaires qui coopèrent de manière à pouvoir retenir la languette de retenue (42) en enclenchement avec le contenant (B) et ainsi améliorer la rigidité de la boîte en carton (80), caractérisée en ce que le membre de retenue (60) et la languette de retenue coopérante (42) sont verrouillés par une ouverture complémentaire (52) et une partie saillante (62).

2. Une boîte en carton selon la revendication 1 où la première languette de retenue (42) est formée d'une paroi de fond (16) de la boîte en carton (80) et se dresse à partir de la dernière et où le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) est réalisé d'une paroi supérieure (12) de la boîte en carton (80) et dépend de la dernière.

3. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2 où la première languette de retenue (42) s'enclenche avec un dessous d'une partie à rebords supérieure d'un contenant (B) lorsque ce contenant (B) est retenu dans la boîte en carton (80).

4. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3 où le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) est conçu de manière à pouvoir s'enclencher avec un dessous d'une partie à rebords supérieure d'un contenant (B) lorsque ce contenant (B) est retenu dans la boîte en carton (80).

5. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4 où la boîte en carton (80) comprend des paires d'ouvertures pour la réception d'articles disposées en rangées et le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) est disposé entre une paire d'ouvertures pour la réception d'articles de sorte qu'il peut être verrouillé avec une première languette de retenue coopérante (42, 44) formée d'un matériau utilisé pour créer chaque ouverture pour la réception d'articles de ladite paire.

6. Une boîte en carton selon la revendication 1 où le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) comprend une ou plusieurs parties d'épaulement (66) où chaque partie d'épaulement (66) est disposée en relation de contact de face avec une première languette de retenue coopérante (42, 44) lorsque le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) et les premières languettes de retenue (42, 44) sont verrouillés ensemble.

7. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 où le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) est aligné entre une paire de premières languettes de retenue (42, 44) de telle sorte que chaque côté du membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) s'enclenche avec une languette de retenue différente (42, 44).

8. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7 où l'insertion de l'un des contenants (B) sert à assurer le verrouillage de la première languette de retenue (42) avec le membre de retenue supplémentaire correspondant (60).

9. Une boîte en carton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8 où la boîte en carton (80) comprend en outre une deuxième languette de retenue (40) réalisée du matériau utilisé pour créer ladite ouverture pour la réception de contenants, ladite deuxième languette de retenue (40) est disposée de manière opposée à la première languette de retenue (42) et disposée de façon à pouvoir s'enclencher avec la partie supérieure opposée du contenant (B) lorsque le contenant (B) est retenu dans l'ouverture.

10. Une découpe destinée à former une boîte en carton (80) servant à contenir un contenant (B), la découpe (10) comprend des premier (16) et deuxième (12) panneaux espacés, le premier panneau (16) muni d'une ouverture pour la réception de contenants réalisée dans le dernier et une première languette de retenue (42) réalisée dans le même panneau et reliée de façon articulée à un bord de ladite ouverture pour la réception de contenants, le deuxième panneau (12) est muni d'un membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) qui y est découpé, ladite première languette de retenue (42) et ledit membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) étant formé par des moyens de verrouillage complémentaires, de telle sorte que lorsque la découpe (10) est mise en forme d'une boîte en carton (80), la rigidité de la boîte en carton (80) est renforcée et un contenant (B) est retenu dans ladite ouverture pour la réception de contenants grâce à la coopération de la première languette de retenue (42) avec le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60), caractérisée en ce que le membre de retenue supplémentaire (60) et la languette de retenue coopérante (42) sont verrouillés ensemble par une ouverture complémentaire (52) et une partie saillante (62).

Drawing