JP4413463B2 - Carton and carton blank - Google Patents

Abstract

An article carrier and a blank for an article carrier for holding an article, for example a tray, comprising a top wall (16, 116), opposed side walls (14, 18, 114, 118) and a base wall (12, 20; 112, 119, 120) hingedly connected together to form a tubular structure and wherein there further comprises article retention means (29, 129) hingedly connected to said top wall and said base panel, which article retention means is formed by a pair of interconnected panels (30, 32; 130, 132) formed from adjacent carton walls (18, 20; 118, 119) and inwardly folded to retain the article (A, T) within the carton.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a carton mainly having an article holding structure, and more particularly, a waist-wrap type article suitable for an article such as a plastic cup containing yogurt or an equivalent food product and connected to each other. About career.
[0002]
Conventionally, a waist-wound type carton having an end closing panel that closes an end of the carton has been disclosed. In this carton, the end closing panel is formed when an end closing panel is formed on each of a side panel and a base panel. Connected by a series of cooperating gusset panels. The gusset panel has various modes as shown in, for example, US Pat. No. 5,180,054 and French Published Application No. 144536. The technology disclosed in the prior art is a carrier for transporting articles with straight sides, such as cans and bottles, so that the end-holding structure is the end-piece at the corner of the carton and It is formed so as to have a linear relationship with each of the side portions.
[0003]
For example, when packing a plurality of articles having tapered side portions or articles having flanges such as yogurt containers and meat trays, the articles move unfavorably relative to each other or the carton. . Conventional cartons have not been sufficient to hold such articles.
In the prior art, there is a problem that the holding structure easily collapses in the carrier depending on the case.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention and its preferred embodiments are intended to solve at least the problems of the prior art.
[0005]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article carrier for holding one or more articles such as plastic cups coupled to each other, wherein the first wall, the side walls on both sides, and the second wall have a cylindrical structure. Comprising article holding means connected to each other so as to be foldable to the first wall and the second wall, the article holding means being formed from adjacent carton walls and placing the article in the carton An article carrier comprising a pair of panels connected to each other so as to be folded inward for holding, wherein the pair of mutually connected panels comprises a gusset panel connected to a holding side panel, the gusset panel Includes a portion that is foldably connected to the first wall and disposed between the first wall and the article, thereby holding the holding-side panel in a standing state. Goods carriers is provided.
[0006]
The article carrier has an advantage that it can be applied to an article having tapered or straight sides in a situation where a holding structure that does not require gluing is required.
[0007]
It is desirable that the gusset panel is folded inward to come into surface contact with the first wall, and the holding side panel is foldably connected to the second wall.
[0008]
The gusset panel preferably includes a tab portion disposed between the article and the first wall which are packed by extending from the gusset panel to the inside of the carton.
[0009]
According to another optional aspect of the present invention, an opening is formed between the holding-side panel and the side wall adjacent thereto, and the tab portion is a pair of mutually connected panels in a state where the carrier is flattened. It is desirable to protrude into the opening beyond the hinge joint.
[0010]
According to another optional aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the inner edge portion of the holding side panel is disposed so as to contact the article.
[0011]
According to another optional aspect of the present invention, the holding side panel includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are foldably connected to each other, and the holding side panel is assembled while the second wall is assembled. It is desirable that the upper part and the lower part are gradually bent outward from their alignment.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a carton blank for forming an article carrier for holding an article such as a tray, the first side panel, the first wall panel, the second side panel, The two wall panels are connected to each other continuously in a foldable manner, and are provided with article holding means that are foldably connected to the first wall panel and the second wall panel, and the article holding means includes a holding side panel. A carton blank is provided that is composed of a plurality of panels, and the holding side panel is inclined inward toward the second wall panel to match the shape of the article held in the assembled carton.
[0013]
The plurality of panels include a gusset panel connected to the holding-side panel, and the gusset panel includes a portion disposed between the second wall panel and the article, thereby holding the holding-side panel standing. It is desirable.
[0014]
An opening is formed between the holding side panel and the adjacent side wall, and the gusset panel has a tab portion that protrudes into the opening beyond the hinge joint between the gusset panel and the holding side panel. desirable.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a carton blank for forming a carton made of cardboard or similar foldable sheet material. In these embodiments, a waist-wound carton can be formed from a blank. The carton blank can be designed and deformed so that the base wall is composed of a plurality of panels coupled to each other, and the top panel and the side walls are composed of a plurality of panels coupled to each other.
[0016]
According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the blank 10 has a crease line between adjacent first panel 12, first side wall panel 14, top panel 16, second side wall panel 18, and second base panel 20. 22, 24, 26, and 28 are connected to each other so as to be foldable.
[0017]
A series of panels for forming the article holding structure is provided along one end of the carton. An article holding structure 29 provided at one of the corners formed by the side wall panel 18 and the base panel 20 includes an upper gusset panel 30 that is foldably connected to the top panel 16 along an extension line of the crease line 26; A holding-side panel 32 that is foldably connected to the base panel 20 along the crease line 36 is provided. The holding side panel 32 and the upper gusset panel 30 are connected to each other by a crease line 34. In this embodiment, the crease lines 26, 34, and 36 are substantially parallel to each other, but the direction of the crease lines can be changed according to the shape of the article to be packed.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, an opening 38 is desirably provided between the side wall panel 18 and the holding side panel 32 so as to protrude into the base panel 20.
[0019]
The upper gusset panel 30 includes a tab portion 31 that is separated from the side wall panel 18 by a cut line 40 and protrudes from the panel 30 beyond the crease line 34 to the opening 38. In use, the tab portion 31 is held between the article positioned outside and protruding from the article holding structure 29 and the top panel 16, thereby keeping the holding side panel 32 standing.
[0020]
Similarly to the above, an article holding structure 47 equivalent to the above is provided at the opposite side of the side wall panel 18 and the base panel 20. The article holding structure 47 includes an upper gusset panel 42 that is foldably connected to the top panel 16 along an extension line of the fold line 26, and a holding that is foldably connected to the base panel 20 along the fold line 48. And a side panel 44. The holding side panel 44 and the upper gusset panel 42 are connected to each other by a crease line 46.
[0021]
In FIG. 1, an opening 50 is preferably provided between the side wall panel 18 and the holding side panel 44 so as to protrude into the base panel 20.
[0022]
The upper gusset panel 42 includes a tab portion 43 that is separated from the side wall panel 18 by a cut line 52 and protrudes from the panel 42 beyond the crease line 46 to the opening 50. In use, the tab portion 31 has the same function as the tab portion 31.
[0023]
In some embodiments, the lower edges 39, 51 of the openings 38, 50 are spread from the intersection with the crease line 28 so as to form an obtuse angle with respect to the crease line 28. A protrusion is formed. The inner edge portions 54 and 56 of the holding side panels 32 and 44 can be formed so as to be inclined toward the inside, or matched with the shape of the article along the assumed vertical surface, and It is also possible to accommodate the difference in distance between the bottom and top flanges of the cup.
[0024]
The second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is configured to pack a meat tray. In the blank 110, adjacent ones of the first base panel 112, the first side wall panel 114, the top panel 116, the second side wall panel 118, the outer base panel 119, and the inner base panel 120 are creased 122. , 124, 126, 117 are connected to each other so as to be foldable.
[0025]
A series of panels are provided along one end of the carton to form one or more article holding structures 129, 147. The article holding structure 129 is desirably disposed on one end side of the side wall panel 118 and the inner and outer base panels 119 and 120. The article holding structure 129 includes a pair of panels connected to each other, which are connected to the bottom wall so as to be foldable and bent inward to be in contact with the bottom wall, and bendable to the top wall. And connected to the panel.
[0026]
As can be seen from FIG. 6, the pair of panels connected to each other includes a gusset panel 130 foldably connected to the outer base panel 120 along an extension line of the fold line 128, and an extension line of the fold line 126. And a holding side panel 132 that is foldably connected to the top panel 116. The holding side panel 132 and the gusset panel 130 are connected by a crease line 134.
[0027]
The holding side panel 132 preferably includes an upper portion 132a and a stock 32b connected to each other by a crease line 136.
[0028]
In FIG. 6, an opening 138 is provided between the side wall panel 118 and the holding side panel 132 so as to extend adjacent to the inner base panel 119.
[0029]
The gusset panel 130 includes a tab portion 131 that is separated from the inner base panel 119 by a cut line 140 and protrudes from the panel 130 beyond the fold line 134 to the opening 138. In use, the tab part 131 is held between the base panel 120 and the article T which protrudes to the inside of the holding side panel and is positioned outside, thereby standing the holding side panel 132 as shown in FIG. To maintain the state.
[0030]
Similar to the above, an article holding structure 147 equivalent to the above is provided at a position on the opposite side of the side wall panel 118 and the inner and outer base panels 119 and 120. The article holding structure 147 includes a gusset panel 142 that is foldably connected to the base panel 120 along an extension line of the crease line 128. Furthermore, the holding side panels 144a and 144b which consist of two parts connected foldably to the top panel 116 via the crease line 126 can also be provided. The holding side panel 144 and the gusset panel 142 are connected to each other by a crease line 146.
[0031]
An opening 150 is provided between the side wall panel 118 and the holding side panel 144 so as to extend adjacent to the inner base panel 119.
[0032]
Similar to the above, the gusset panel 142 includes a tab portion 143 that is separated from the side wall panel 118 by the cut line 152 and protrudes from the panel 142 beyond the fold line 146 to the opening 150. In use, the tab portion 143 is held between the outer base panel 120 and the article T that protrudes to the inside of the holding side panel 144 and is located outside, thereby maintaining the holding side panel 144 in a standing state. .
[0033]
The blank can be provided with a fixing means for fixing both ends thereof to form a waist-wound carton. In this embodiment, the fixing means extends beyond each of the ends of the base panels 112 and 120, and a pair of fold lines 162 and fold lines 166 that are intermittently connected thereto are connected to be foldable. Support panels 160 and 164 may be provided. In use, these support panels are reinforced by forming a double structure where the panels, which are generally the weakest points in the carton, engage. The fixing means in this embodiment includes a lock mechanism including a plurality of lock tabs 172a, 172b, and 172c protruding outward from the support panel 164. Corresponding openings are provided for receiving the locking tabs, and the openings are formed by cut lines 168a, 170a, 168b, 170b, 168c, 170c extending substantially along the interrupted crease lines 162. . As the fixing means, other known means, for example, gluing or other fixing structures can be employed without departing from the present invention.
[0034]
It is also one aspect that one or a plurality of display windows for making the contents of the articles contained in the carrier visible are provided. In this embodiment, the panel 116 is punched and two display windows 176 and 178 are provided.
[0035]
The carton structure formed from the carton blank shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 requires a series of folding and gluing of the blank 10 or 110, and such a process does not rotate or flip the carton. Is done with a linear line machine that can perform the formation. The bending process is not limited to the following, and can be changed according to manufacturing requirements.
[0036]
The carton blank of the first embodiment is assembled by the procedure shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 while being continuously bent forward and applied to the arrangement of articles A. The arrangement of the articles A is, for example, that four pieces are arranged two by two, and the top panel 16 is supported on the top of the articles A.
[0037]
The first step is shown in FIG. 2, in which the side wall panel 18 is folded outward along the fold line 26 from the alignment with the top panel 16 and the base panel 20 is outward from the alignment with the side panel 16. The side panel 18 and the base panel 20 are folded inward in the X direction. When the side panel 18 and the base panel 20 are folded, the article holding structures 29, 47 are automatically assembled as described below.
[0038]
Since each article holding structure is configured substantially the same, only the assembly of the article holding structure 29 will be described below. Usually, by appropriately designing the guide and / or positioning mechanism, a plurality of holding structures provided in the blank are assembled at the same time.
[0039]
To assemble the article holding structure 29, first, the upper gusset panel 30 is bent at the crease line 26 and brought into surface contact with the top panel 16 as shown in FIGS.
[0040]
When the upper gusset panel 30 is bent inward in the Y direction toward the top panel 16 (FIG. 3), the upper gusset panel 30 is bent at a substantially right angle along the crease line 34 from the alignment with the holding side panel 32, thereby holding the upper gusset panel 30. The side panel 32 moves outward from the alignment with the side wall panel 18 and is inclined with respect to the base panel 20 from the crease line 36. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding side panel 32 is inclined toward the inner side toward the base panel 20. The gusset panel 30 and the tab portion 31 described in the embodiment can be fixed to the top panel 16 by gluing or other known appropriate means.
[0041]
The article holding structure 47 on the opposite side is assembled in the same procedure as shown in FIGS.
[0042]
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the article A is loaded into the inside from the side or end of the carrier by a suitable packaging device, in which case the tabs 31 and 43 are placed in close proximity to the article and the inner surface of the top panel. Between. The article is held in an appropriate position by contacting the inner edge of the panels 32 and 44. Depending on the shape of the base panel 20, the article can be placed in a protruding portion 58 of the base panel 20 adjacent to the side wall panel 18.
[0043]
Next, when the operation of bending the base panel 12 and the side wall panel 14 along the crease lines 22 and 24 is completed, a part of the base panel 12 is overlapped with a corresponding part of the base panel 20. The two are fixed to each other by gluing or other known means to form a base structure as shown in FIG. In this way, the carton is fully up and loaded.
[0044]
FIG. 5 shows a carton formed from the blank of the first embodiment shown in FIG. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows an article carrier that holds a plurality of articles having tapered sides, such as plastic cups connected together. In the article carrier, the top wall 16, the side walls 14 and 18 on both sides, and the bases 12 and 20 are connected to each other so as to form a cylindrical structure, and can be foldably connected to either the side wall 14 or the base 12 The article holding structures 29 and 47 are formed of a pair of panels folded inward to hold a plurality of articles in the carton and connected to each other by adjacent carton walls. Is formed.
[0045]
It is desirable that the article is held at an appropriate position by the article holding structure so that the article is not accidentally detached. Since the tabs 31 and 43 are engaged between the article A and the top panel 16, the holding structure does not collapse.
[0046]
The carton blank 110 of the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and is assembled in the manner shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 while being continuously conveyed forward. This blank is applied to an article T, such as a tray, where the top panel 116 is supported by the top of the article.
[0047]
The first step is described in FIGS. 7 and 8 where the top panel 116 is abutted against the top of the tray T. FIG. Then, the side wall panels 114 and 118 are bent along the crease lines 124 and 126 respectively, outward from the row of the top panels 11 and 6 so as to be wound around the article. As shown in FIG. 9, the outer base panel 120 is folded outward along the crease line 128 from the alignment with the inner base panel 119, whereby the base panel 120 is folded outward in the X direction. When the side wall panel 118 and the outer base panel 120 are folded, the assembly of the article holding structure is started as described in detail below.
[0048]
Since each article holding structure is configured substantially the same, only the assembly of the article holding structure 129 will be described below. Usually, by appropriately designing the guide and / or positioning mechanism, a plurality of holding structures provided in the blank are assembled at the same time.
[0049]
When assembling the article holding structure 129, first, the gusset panel 130 is bent inward along the crease line 134. According to one embodiment, this step is performed automatically when the outer base panel 120 is folded outward from the alignment with the inner base panel 119.
[0050]
This folding operation is shown in FIG. 9, which shows that the gusset panel 130 is folded inward along the crease line 134 and out of line with the holding side panel 132 to be substantially orthogonal. ing. Further, the holding side panel 132 moves outward from the alignment with the side wall panel 118 and is inclined from the fold line 126 with respect to the top panel 116. Thus, since the positions of the crease lines 128 and 134 are shifted from each other, the holding side panel 132 is tapered so as to be directed inward with respect to the side panel 118 in a side view.
[0051]
Next, the inner base panel 119 is folded outward along the crease line 117 from the alignment with the side wall panel 118, whereby the holding-side panels 132a and 132b are folded outward along the crease line 136 with respect to the alignment. .
[0052]
The article holding structure 147 on the opposite side is assembled in the same procedure as shown in FIGS.
[0053]
When the side wall panels 114 and 118 are bent toward the side portion of the article T, the inner base panel 119 is bent inward in the W direction as shown in FIG. The distance to the panel 118 increases. The inner base panel 119 is bent along the fold line 117 so as to contact the base of the article T, and the outer base panel 120 is bent along the fold line 128 toward the gusset panels 130 and 142 in the Y direction. These are brought into surface contact with the tab portions 131 and 142. At this stage of assembly, the holding side panels 132, 144 are positioned across the end face of the carton to prevent the tray from sliding out of either end of the carton.
[0054]
In the above embodiment, the gusset panel 130 can be glued to the base panel 120 together with the tab portion 131 and fixed to other known appropriate means.
[0055]
The base panels 112 and 120 are secured together by gluing or other suitable known means, wherein the locking tabs 172 are inserted into the slits 168 and 170 and engage there. As shown in FIG. 11, the shoulder portion of the article T is engaged with the fixing tab 160 by abutting.
[0056]
Thus, the carton is assembled and raised as shown in FIG. 12, and the article carrier connects the top wall 116, the side walls 114 and 118 on both sides, and the base walls 112 and 120 to each other so as to form a cylindrical structure. The article holding structure is foldably connected to one of the side wall and the base wall, and the article holding structure is composed of adjacent carton wall portions and connected to each other, and a plurality of articles are placed in the carton. It is formed from a pair of panels 130 and 132 that are bent inwardly for holding.
[0057]
The article T abuts against the inner edge portions of the holding side panels 132 and 144 so as not to be carelessly detached, and is held at an appropriate position.
[0058]
As can be seen from FIG. 12, since the gusset panels 130 and 142 and / or the tab portions 131 and 143 are located between the bottom of the article T and the inner surface of the panel 120, the holding structure is prevented from being crushed.
[0059]
As used herein, terms indicating directions such as “top”, “base”, “end”, “side”, “inside”, “outside” do not limit each panel to that direction. It is only for distinguishing between panels. The hinged connection should not be construed as having to be a single crease line, but with one or more score lines or lines that can be easily folded or bent without departing from the scope of the present invention. There may be.
[0060]
The present invention and its preferred embodiments are an article carrier of sufficient strength to securely hold the article, but with the flexibility to hold the article in the carrier during transport. Yes. The blank shape minimizes the amount of cardboard required and the carrier can be applied to articles arranged manually or by automated machines. The present invention can be applied to various carriers, and is not limited to the waist-wrap type as described above.
[0061]
In addition, the carton can be applied to more or fewer articles than described without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a blank forming a carton characteristic of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a view showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which an article is loaded in a carton assembled from the blank shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
8 is a view showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG. 6;
9 is a diagram showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG.
10 is a diagram showing a process of assembling a carton from the blank shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
11 is a view showing a state in which an article is loaded in a carton assembled from the blank shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
12 is a view showing a state in which an article is loaded in a carton assembled from the blank shown in FIG. 6. FIG.

Claims (8)

  An article carrier for holding one or more articles such as a plastic cup coupled to each other, wherein a first wall, side walls on both sides, and a second wall are connected to each other so as to form a cylindrical structure, Article holding means foldably connected to the first wall and the second wall, the article holding means being formed from adjacent carton walls and being folded inward to hold the article in the carton. In an article carrier comprising a pair of mutually connected panels, the pair of mutually connected panels comprises a gusset panel connected to a holding side panel, and the gusset panel is foldably connected to the first wall. And an article carrier comprising a portion disposed between the first wall and the article, whereby the holding side panel is held in a standing state.   2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the gusset panel is bent inward to make surface contact with the first wall, and the holding-side panel is foldably connected to the second wall. Career.   The said gusset panel is provided with the tab part arrange | positioned between the goods and the said 1st wall which were packed by extending inward of a carton from a gusset panel, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The article carrier as described.   An opening is formed between the holding-side panel and the side wall adjacent to the holding-side panel, and the tab portion extends beyond the hinge joint portion of the pair of mutually connected panels with the carrier flattened. The article carrier according to claim 3, wherein the article carrier projects into the article carrier.   The article carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inner edge portion of the holding side panel is disposed so as to contact the article.   The holding-side panel includes an upper part and a lower part that are foldably connected to each other. While the holding-side panel is assembled along with the assembly of the second wall, the upper and lower parts are gradually moved from their alignment. The article carrier according to claim 1, wherein the article carrier is bent outward.   A carton blank for forming an article carrier for holding an article such as a tray, wherein the first side panel, the first wall panel, the second side panel, and the second wall panel are continuously foldable. Are connected to each other and foldably connected to the first wall panel and the second wall panel. The article holding means includes a plurality of panels including a holding side panel, and the holding side includes In the carton blank in which the panel is inclined inward toward the second wall panel so as to match the shape of the article held in the assembled carton, the plurality of panels are arranged on the holding side panel. A gusset panel connected to the gusset panel, the gusset panel including a portion disposed between the second wall panel and the article so that the holding panel stands upright; Carton blank according to claim Rukoto.   An opening is formed between the holding side panel and the adjacent side wall, and the gusset panel protrudes into the opening beyond a hinge joint between the gusset panel and the holding side panel. The carton blank according to claim 7, comprising:

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