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(11) | EP 2 546 156 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Crate cover and blank |
| (57) A package, in particular a crate (C), for holding one or more articles (B), the package
comprising one or more apertures (A) disposed in one or more walls of the package,
the package comprising a detachable display panel (10) comprising a main panel (12,14)
and first and second locking mechanisms (16,18) each of the first and second locking
mechanisms being hingedly connected to the main panel and being folded with respect
to the main panel, the main panel (12,14) being disposed in face contacting relationship
with an outer surface of the crate and at least a portion of each of the first and
second locking mechanisms (16,18) being inserted into one, or a respective one of
a pair of apertures, of the one or more apertures, each of the first and second locking
mechanisms comprising at least one tab (54,56,58,68) in engagement with an inner surface
of the crate.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a package, crate cover and blank forming the same, more specifically, but not exclusively to an advertising panel having a locking mechanism for engaging with a crate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers, such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles.
[0003] It is desirable to provide a display panel or information panel which is detachable or interchangeable on a package, especially when the package may be recycled or reused. In particular it is desirable that the application and removal of display panel to and from the package does not compromise the package's integrity or appearance.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a package, in particular a crate, for holding one or more articles, the package comprising one or more apertures disposed in one or more walls of the package, the package comprising a detachable display panel comprising a main panel and first and second locking mechanisms, each of the first and second locking mechanisms being hingedly connected to the main panel and being folded with respect to the main panel, the main panel being disposed in face contacting relationship with an outer surface of the package and at least a portion of each of the first and second locking mechanisms each being inserted into an aperture, of the one or more apertures, each of the first and second locking mechanisms comprising at least one tab in engagement with an inner surface of the package.
[0006] Preferably, the package comprises one or more article receiving structures hingedly connected to the main panel.
[0007] Optionally, the first and second locking mechanisms are inserted into the same aperture. More preferably, the or each article receiving structure comprises a top panel hingedly connected to an inner panel which is hingedly connected to an article receiving panel, the top panel disposed on an upper edge of the package, the inner panel disposed in face contacting relationship with an inner surface of the package, and the article receiving panel comprising an aperture into which an upper portion of an article is received.
[0008] Optionally, the article receiving panel is disposed at an elevation below the upper edge of the package.
[0009] Optionally, the main panel comprises one or more fold lines, the one or more fold line being aligned with a respective corner of the package.
[0010] Preferably, the article receiving panel comprises a first series of tabs disposed about the periphery of the article receiving aperture.
[0011] More preferably, the article receiving panel comprises a second series of tabs disposed about the article receiving aperture, wherein each tab of the second series of tabs is struck from a tab of the first series of tabs.
[0012] Optionally, the article receiving panel engages a flange or protrusion of an article or article closure.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a display panel for a crate comprising a main panel and first and second locking mechanisms hingedly connected thereto, each of the first and second locking mechanisms being foldable with respect to the main panel for insertion into an aperture or respective aperture disposed in a wall of the crate, the first and second locking mechanisms each comprising at least one tab for engaging an inner surface of the crate.
[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a display panel comprising a main panel and a first locking panel and a second locking panel hingedly connected thereto each of first and second locking panels forming first and second locking mechanisms respectively, the first and second locking panels each comprising at least one tab for engaging an inner surface of the crate when each of the first and second locking mechanisms are folded and inserted into an aperture or respective aperture disposed in a wall of the crate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming the display panel according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from above of a crate upon which the blank of Figure 1 may be assembled to form a display panel;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view from above of first stage of assembly of the blank of Figure 1 into a display panel;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view from above of a second stage of assembly of the blank of Figure 1 into a display panel;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from above of third stage of assembly of the blank of Figure 1 into a display panel;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view from above of fourth stage of assembly of the blank of Figure 1;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view from above of fifth stage of assembly of the blank of Figure 1;
FIGURE 8 is an end view of an end of the crate with the display panel according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view from above of the crate with the display panel according to the first embodiment;
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view from above of an internal portion of the crate with the display panel of the first embodiment;
FIGURE 11 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a display panel according to a second embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 12 is a perspective view from above of a crate with a display panel formed from the blank of Figure 11;
FIGURE 13 is a perspective view from above of an internal portion of the crate with the display panel of Figure 12;
FIGURE 14 is a perspective view from above of a crate comprising the display panel formed from the blank of Figure 1 and the display panel formed from the blank of Figure 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0016] Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
[0017] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a display panel or cover for a crate C for packaging one or more articles B such as cans or bottles.
[0018] Blank 10 comprises a first main panel 12 and a second main panel 14 hingedly connected to one another by a fold line 13. A first article engaging mechanism E1 is hinged to a first, upper, end edge of first main panel 12. First article engaging mechanism E1 comprises a first article receiving panel 20 hingedly connected to a first inner panel 24 along a fold line 19. First inner panel 24 is hinged to a top panel 28 by fold line 23. Top panel 28 is hingedly connected to the first main panel 12 along a fold line 27.
[0019] A second article engaging mechanism E2 is hinged to a first, upper, end edge of second main panel 14. Second article engaging mechanism E2 comprises a second article receiving panel 22 hingedly connected to a second inner panel 26 along a fold line 21. First inner panel 26 is hinged to a top panel 30 by fold line 25. Top panel 30 is hingedly connected to the main panel along a fold line 29.
[0020] The first and second article receiving panels 20, 22 each comprise an article receiving aperture 40. A plurality of major tabs 42, defined in part by radial cut lines 48, are disposed about the perimeter of each of the article receiving apertures 40. A plurality of minor tabs 46 are provided about the perimeter of each of the article receiving apertures 40. Each minor tab 46 is struck from a respective one of the major tabs 42.
[0021] Each of the major tabs 42 is substantially trapezoidal in shape. Each of the minor tabs 46 is defined in part by an arcuate cut line 44 and is substantially D-shaped. The major tabs 42 and the minor tabs 40 are hingedly coupled to the first or second article receiving panel 20, 22.
[0022] First main panel 12 comprises a first locking mechanism 16, the first locking mechanism 16 is hinged to a side edge of the first main panel 12 along a fold line 15. First locking mechanism 16 comprises upper and lower tabs 64, 58 respectively. The upper and lower tabs 64, 58 are separated from the first main panel 12 by a cut line, and are preferably in a spaced apart relationship with the first main panel 12. A recess 62 is provided in the upper tab 64 adjacent the fold line 15. A recess 60 is provided in the lower tab 58 adjacent the fold line 15. The recess 62, 60 define engaging edges in the upper and lower tabs 64, 58 for securing the first main panel 12 to a crate C.
[0023] Second main panel 14 comprises a second locking mechanism 18, the second locking mechanism 18 is hinged to a side edge of the second main panel 14 along a fold line 17. Second locking mechanism 18 comprises upper and lower tabs 54, 56 respectively. The upper and lower tabs 54, 56 are separated from the second main panel 14 by a cut line, and are preferably in a spaced apart relationship with the second main panel 14. A recess 50 is provided in the upper tab 54 adjacent the fold line 17. A recess 52 is provided in the lower tab 56 adjacent the fold line 77. The recess 50, 52 define engaging edges in the upper and lower tabs 54, 56 for securing the second main panel 14 to a crate C.
[0024] The first and second main panels 12, 14 each comprise a lower end edge 66, which edge may be shaped to any desired shape, optionally the lower end edge 66 is shaped to complement a feature 70 of the crate C to which the display panel is to be attached.
[0025] Turning to the construction of the display panel as illustrated in Figures 2 to 10, it is envisaged that the display panel or cover can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the display panel is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
[0026] Figure 3 illustrates a stage of assembly of the display panel about a portion of the crate C. First and second main panels 12, 14 have been folded about fold line 13 substantially about a corner of the crate C. Second top panel 33 has been folded about fold line 29 to overly an upper edge of the crate C. Second inner panel 26 has been folded internally of the crate C such that the portion of the crate C is disposed between the second main panel 14 and the second inner panel 26.
[0027] Article receiving panel 22 has been folded to be substantially perpendicular to the second inner panel 26. An article closure T, such as a crown cork, of an article B has been received within the article receiving aperture 40 of the second article receiving panel 22.
[0028] The first top panel 20 has been folded about fold line 21 to overly an upper edge of the crate C.
[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a further stage of assembly of the display panel in which the first upper panel 24 has been folded about fold line 23 such that a portion of the crate C is disposed between the first inner panel 24 and the first main panel 12. A portion of the article B, such as the article closure T (which in the illustrated embodiment is a crown cork), has been received within the article receiving aperture 40 of first article receiving panel 20.
[0030] Figure 5 illustrates securing the second main panel 14 to the crate C by engaging the second locking mechanism 18 with the crate C.
[0031] Crate C comprises an aperture A in a first side wall, which defines in part a carrying handle H through which a user may engage the crate C to carry the crate C. Second locking mechanism 18 is inserted through the aperture A as shown in Figure 5 and 6. The upper and lower tabs 54, 56 engage with inner surfaces of the crate C to secure the second main panel 14 in position. Similarly the first locking mechanism 16 is inserted through an aperture A in a first end wall; again the aperture A may define in part a carrying handle H, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
[0032] Figure 9 illustrates the crate C in which the display panel 12, 14 has been secured thereto. It can be seen that the lower end edge 66 of the first and second main panels 12, 14 mate with an upper edge of an embossment or feature 70 of the crate C.
[0033] Figure 10 illustrates an internal view of the display panel 12, 14 in securement with the crate C. In the illustrated embodiment the crate C comprises substantially vertically orientated grooves or recesses G disposed on an inner surface of the crate C, upper tab 54 of second locking mechanism 18 and upper tab 64 of first locking mechanism 16 have been secured in a respective one of the grooves or recesses G.
[0034] The crate C may comprise a lip or extended edge of bearing disposed about the periphery of the apertures A, in particular upper portions of the periphery of the apertures A; such lip or extended edge of bearing may provide a more comfortable carrying handle H.
[0035] The recesses 50, 52, 60, 62 of the first and second locking mechanisms 16,18 are preferably shaped to accommodate the lip or extended edge of bearing as illustrated in Figure 10.
[0036] The crate C may also comprise a pillar P which may provide structural support to the crate C; in the illustrated embodiment the second inner panel 26 is shaped to accommodate the pillar P, by being provided with a cutout or recess. In alternative embodiments either or both of the first and second inner panels 24, 26 may be shaped to accommodate internal features of the crate C.
[0037] Referring now to Figures 11 to 14, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the second illustrated embodiment, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix "100" and so on to indicate that these features belong to the second embodiment. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 will be described in any greater detail.
[0038] Blank 110 comprises a first main panel 112 and a second main panel 114 hingedly connected to one another by a fold line 113.
[0039] First main panel 112 comprises a first locking mechanism 116, the first locking mechanism 116 is hinged to a side edge of the first main panel 112 along a fold line 115. First locking mechanism 116 comprises upper and lower tabs 164, 158 respectively. The upper and lower tabs 164, 158 are separated from the first main panel 112 by a cut line, and are preferably in a spaced apart relationship with the first main panel 112. A recess 162 is provided in the upper tab 164 adjacent the fold line 115. A recess 160 is provided in the lower tab 158 adjacent the fold line 115. The recess 162, 160 define engaging edges in the upper and lower tabs 164, 158 for securing the first main panel 112 to a crate C.
[0040] Second main panel 114 comprises a second locking mechanism 118, the second locking mechanism 118 is hinged to a side edge of the second main panel 114 along a fold line 117. Second locking mechanism 118 comprises upper and lower tabs 514, 156 respectively. The upper and lower tabs 154, 156 are separated from the second main panel 114 by a cut line, and are preferably in a spaced apart relationship with the second main panel 114. A recess 150 is provided in the upper tab 154 adjacent the fold line 117. A recess 152 is provided in the lower tab 156 adjacent the fold line 177. The recess 150, 152 define engaging edges in the upper and lower tabs 154, 156 for securing the second main panel 114 to a crate C.
[0041] The first and second main panels 112, 114 each comprise a lower end edge 166, which edge 166 may be shaped to any desired shape, optionally the lower end edge 166 is shaped to complement a feature or embossment 70 of the crate C to which the display panel is to be attached.
[0042] In the illustrated second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 11 the first and second article engaging mechanisms E1, E2 have been omitted. Figure 12 illustrates the application of the display panel of the second embodiment to a crate C. It is envisaged that the method of assembly of the second embodiment will be similar to that of the first embodiment herein before described, wherein the steps of assembling the first and second article engaging mechanisms E1, E2, such as securing the first and second article engaging panels 20, 22 to an article B, will be omitted.
[0043] As can be seen from Figure 13 in the second embodiment the display panel is not secured to an article B within the crate C thereby allowing an unrestricted access to all of the articles B within the crate C.
[0044] Figure 14 illustrates a crate C in which the display panels of both the first and second embodiments have been applied to a crate C, each of the display panels is secured to walls of the crate C.
[0045] It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape.
[0046] In alternative embodiments of the invention the fold line 13, 113 may be omitted, such that the display panel comprises only one main panel to which the first and second locking mechanisms are hingedly connected. In such embodiments the main panel may not be folded about a corner of the crate C such that it engages with a side or end wall only, In yet further embodiments the display panel may comprise three or more main panels hingedly connected to one another such that the display panel is secured to three or more walls of the crate C respectively.
[0047] It will be appreciated that the first and second locking mechanisms 16, 18, 116, 118 may be dimensioned and arranged so as to restrict movement of the display panel with respect to the crate C, for example preventing slipping of the display panel in a horizontal or vertical over the surface of the crate C.
[0048] It is envisaged that the display panel may comprise one, two or more than two locking mechanisms. Further it is envisaged that each of the provided locking mechanisms may be inserted into different apertures of the crate or into the same aperture of the crate; that is to say more than one of the locking mechanisms provided may be inserted into the same aperture of the crate, however, all the provided locking mechanisms need not be inserted into the same aperture. The aperture of the crate which receives the locking mechanism may or may not also be suitable for use as a carrying handle.
[0049] 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 short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
1. A package comprising a crate for holding one or more articles, the crate comprising
one or more apertures disposed in one or more walls of the crate, the package further
comprising a detachable display panel comprising a main panel and first and second
locking mechanisms each being hingedly connected to the main panel and being folded
with respect to the main panel, the main panel being disposed in face contacting relationship
with an outer surface of the crate, at least a portion of each of the first and second
locking mechanisms each being inserted into an aperture of the one or more apertures,
each of the first and second locking mechanisms comprising at least one tab in engagement
with an inner surface of the crate.
2. A package according to claim 1 comprising one or more article receiving structures
hingedly connected to the main panel.
3. A package according to either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first and second locking
mechanisms are inserted into the same aperture.
4. A package according to either one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the or each article receiving
structure comprises top panel hingedly connected to an inner panel which is hingedly
connected to an article receiving panel, the top panel disposed on an upper edge of
the crate, the inner panel disposed in face contacting relationship with an inner
surface of the crate, and the article receiving panel comprising an aperture into
which an upper portion of an article is received.
5. A package according to claim 4 wherein the article receiving panel is disposed at
an elevation below the upper edge of the crate.
6. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the main panel comprises one
or more fold lines, the one or more fold lines being aligned with a respective corner
of the package.
7. A package according to claim 4 wherein the article receiving panel comprises first
series of tabs disposed about the periphery of the article receiving aperture.
8. A package according to claim 7 wherein the article receiving panel comprises comprising
a second series of tabs disposed about the article receiving aperture, wherein each
tab of the second series of tabs is struck from a tab of the first series of tabs.
9. A package according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the article receiving panel
engages a flange or protrusion of an article or article closure.
10. A display panel for a crate comprising a main panel and first and second locking mechanisms
hingedly connected thereto, each of the first and second locking mechanisms being
foldable with respect to the main panel for insertion into an aperture or respective
aperture disposed in a wall of the crate, the first and second locking mechanisms
each comprising at least one tab for engaging an inner surface of the crate.
11. A blank for forming a display panel comprising a main panel and a first locking panel
and a second locking panel hingedly connected thereto each of first and second locking
panels forming first and second locking mechanisms respectively, the first and second
locking panels each comprising at least one tab for engaging an inner surface of a
crate when each of the first and second locking mechanisms are folded and inserted
into an aperture or respective aperture disposed in a wall of the crate.