JPH0246467B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to wrap-around packaging for articles, and in particular for packaging in rows by means of a thread-punch type connection in which the panels forming the packaging themselves interlock and overlap. The present invention relates to a carrier for packaging a plurality of articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,938 to the present assignee, Pierce Giunier, suggests a wrap-around packaging device in which the bottom panels maintain an overlapping relationship. A plurality of tongues on one of the bottom panels pass through corresponding laterally extending apertures in the other panel. Each of the tongues has locking tabs arranged longitudinally such that the laterally extending opening and the tongue are co-located. When the packager is filled with articles and erected, the tabs are forced into the openings by the packaging machine that joins the bottom panel. Each of the tongues is threaded through the lateral edges of its respective aperture into edge-to-edge engagement.
After each latching tab is pushed into position, it engages the lateral edges of the opposing openings in edge-to-edge engagement to join the overlapping bottom panels of the distraction blank to form a package.

When these packaging devices are placed on the market, many of them are handled roughly, causing problems such as their connections coming loose or being damaged. Also, packaging containers are often exposed to freezing conditions. Under these conditions, the paper forming the packaging absorbs moisture and as a result loses its rigidity. This results in the bond coming off very inadvertently. For this reason, improving bond strength and bond protection is of great interest and desire among packaging manufacturers. As will be appreciated from the following, the packaging device of the present invention is an improvement over the prior art pierce packaging device. That is, by maintaining edge-to-edge engagement along two generally parallel laterally extending slits and by providing a protective strap that overlays the locking tab along the inner surface of the package. The improvement is to protect the

Ganz US Pat. No. 4,200,220 is also part of the prior art. This patent also teaches a wrap-around packaging device that has overlapping bottom panels to ensure packaging. One tongue of the bottom panel passes through a corresponding laterally extending slit in the other bottom panel. However, this was done after each bottom panel had been folded over at a 180° angle. Each of the tongues has a longitudinally arranged tab arranged in a cooperating elongated slit in the opposing bottom panel. However, bonding at that location does not provide edge-to-edge bonding for best bonding performance. Instead, the tab lies in a plane approximately perpendicular to the plane in which the tongue lies.

This carton requires complex machinery to pass through tongues and tabs and fold and overlap. Additionally, tabs extending perpendicular to the interior surface of the carton are susceptible to being damaged by the articles in the packager and slipping out of the slits in which they receive the tabs.
Double folding increases the amount of paperboard required, further increasing the cost of the packaging.

Thus, a need still exists for an improved packaging device that is highly reliable and safe. In view of this, the coupling has a tab and a tongue extending in opposite directions in the same plane. By doing so, it has been achieved to ensure edge-to-edge engagement, improve joint retention, and maintain alignment for added strength and support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a packaging device that overcomes the problems and limitations of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging device with improved bond retention and increased strength and durability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging device that requires less paperboard and is therefore less expensive to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling structure in a package that includes spaced latching slits for receiving and retaining the coupling unit while preventing inadvertent disconnection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bonding structure in a packager having a specially formed slit to add the improved bonding performance and security indicated above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packager having the aforementioned improved coupling structure that is easier to erect on current high speed equipment.

Improvements, advantages and features of the invention are set forth in the following description and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. . The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of suitable devices and combinations within the scope of the appended claims.

In pursuit of the objects of the invention set forth herein,
The improved packaging device provides for packaging of at least one row of multiple articles to accomplish the aforementioned objectives.
The wrapper includes a distraction blank having fold lines to form a panel, the panel including a closing panel designed to enclose the article to be packaged when abutting the article. One of the closing panels, the first closing panel, has a plurality of coupling units, each of which is spaced apart laterally of the blank, and each of which has a tongue and a latching tab. A tab is included on the radial line of each tongue and proximate the tongue. The other or second closing panel includes a plurality of laterally extending parallel two slits which receive respective coupling units when the closing panels are in proper overlapping relationship. The panel material of the second closing panel located between these slits forms a protective strap. When properly mated, each tongue passes through the corresponding slit furthest from the edge of the second closing panel, the second slit. The latching tab is then pushed into the slit closest to the edge of the second panel, the first slit, overlapping the closing panel to form an edge-to-edge engagement. A protective strap overlying the tabs along the inner surface of the package protects the tabs in the bonded condition and provides additional strength to the bond.

The tongues and the latching tabs extend in opposite directions and the engagement of the latching and resting edges of the two slits are each substantially in the same plane. Thus, a packaging device is provided that ensures edge-to-edge engagement between the closing panels. Because the tabs do not extend vertically within the wrapper and are partially held down by the protective straps, the tabs are protected from damage to the tabs due to accidental impact of articles within the wrapper. Positive edge-to-edge engagement also prevents embedded tongues and pressed tabs from slipping out of their slits. Improved bond retention improves carton reliability and achieves the objectives of the present invention.

By providing two parallel laterally extending slits with a protective strap between them, the present invention eliminates the need to remove unnecessary material from holes or openings in the prior art. can be avoided. This feature, along with the reduction in the amount of paperboard required for the design, substantially reduces the costs incurred by the manufacturer.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can be easily adapted to the high speed machinery and automation techniques currently in use, and is capable of being easily adapted by threading the tongue through the slit and pushing the tab into the slit, i.e., the thread-punch type. The advantage is that the connection can be done mechanically.

Furthermore, the protective straps that override the tabs that are present along the inner surface of the wrapper to hold the tabs in the latched position increase the strength of the panels at the joints. Comparing this to the packaging of the prior art with a wide opening (no panel material present), the difference is that the protective strap, which spans the edge of the opening with a strip, spans the joint. Even after the wrapper of the present invention is exposed to freezing conditions and the paper absorbs moisture and loses stiffness, this protective strap provides strength to the joint that exceeds that of prior art wrappers.

Other objects of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the preferred embodiments of the invention described and presented below. This embodiment is an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. It is clear that the present invention may take other different embodiments and may make various changes in its details, and all such embodiments are not contrary to the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be considered as illustrative of existing embodiments and not as limitations on the invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained using the drawings.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown a packaging device 10 of the type for packaging a plurality of articles, such as bottles 11 arranged in one or more rows. Although the bottles 11 are arranged in two rows as shown in FIG. 2, they may be arranged in one or more rows.

The packaging 10 is formed from a fold-stable plate-like material, such as paperboard, or an elongated blank 12 (see FIG. 1). The stretched blank 12 has a top panel 14 cut out with a circular opening 13 for receiving the neck of the bottle 11.

The side panels 16 are connected and separated along a pair of upper folding lines so that opposing sides of the top panel 14 can be folded. The side panels 16 are designed to be substantially vertical when assembled as the packaging device 10, as shown in FIG.

The bottom panel, that is, the closing panel 21 is on the fold line 2
2 (see the upper part of FIG. 2), it is bendably connected to one side panel 16 and separated from the other side panel 16. The other bottom panel or closing panel 2
3 is attached to the other side panel 1 by the fold line 24.
6 and are foldably connected and separated.

The closing panel 21 has a plurality of laterally spaced coupling units, each of which is connected to the tongue 2.
5 (three shown in FIG. 1), and the number of tongues 25 is preferably the same as the number of bottles 11 (see FIG. 2) in each row of bottles. The tongues 25 (see FIG. 1) are each separated from each other by a recessed edge 26 between the tongues.

The outer end of the edge along the panel 21 proximate the tongue 25 is formed by an end extension 30 and connects to the longitudinal side edges 31 and 32 of the distraction blank 12. The bottom panel 21 thus has a tongue 25, a recessed edge 26, and a terminal edge defined by each edge of the end extension 30.

The bottom panel 23 has a plurality of adjacent, generally parallel, laterally extending slits which receive corresponding coupling units when the closing panels are in the correct overlapping position. The first laterally extending slit 33 is formed near the terminal edge 34 of the bottom panel 23, ie between the terminal edge 34 and the second laterally extending slit 35.

The bottom panel material located between the first slit 33 and the second slit 35 forms a protective strap 38. The first slit 33 is the auxiliary extension part 33a.
may be provided at each end. These extensions 33
Preferably, a is at an angle of approximately 135° from the slit 33. The second lateral elongated slit 35 may be provided at the end of the auxiliary elongated portion 35a. These extensions 3
5a extends from the second laterally extending slit 35 toward the first laterally extending slit 33 at an angle of approximately 90°. The corners are rounded to minimize the tendency of the paperboard to tear.

The auxiliary extension portion 33a and the auxiliary slit 35a are
Furthermore, the ends of the protective straps 38 define a bridge. This design (see FIGS. 1 and 4) provides for the cooperation of the auxiliary extensions 33a and the auxiliary slits 35a to provide the desired gap for easy engagement of the coupling units and at the same time to ensure maximum strength. It has a length approximately equal to that of the

Each of the tongues 25 is configured such that when the bottom or closing panels 21 and 23 are in overlapping relationship;
It can be passed through one of the laterally extending slits 35.
Each tongue-shaped portion 25 overlaps the inner side edge portion of the corresponding slit 35 so that the overlapping contact portion is relatively wide (FIG. 4A). As can be seen, the edges of the slits 35 form edges that define the position of the coupling unit.

Bottom panel 21 has a pair of latching tabs. The latching tab is designated by reference numeral 39. The locking tabs are arranged vertically, one on each tongue 25. The latching tabs 39 are formed by scoring the bottom panel 21 and can also be bifurcated as shown in the embodiment. Latching tab 39 and tongue 25 together form a coupling unit. It is generally designated by the reference numeral 40 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

Bottom panels 21 and 23 are in overlapping relationship when stretched blank 12 is folded to hold bottle 11 therein to form package 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). ). Each of the tongues 25 is first passed through a corresponding laterally extending slit 35 so that the latching tab 39 is secured to the closing panel 2.
Located below 3.

The latching tabs 39 are then pushed (from below) through the transversely extending slits 33, so that the latching tabs 39 are superimposed directly on the closing panel 23 and thereby allow edge-to-edge engagement by the lateral edges. achieved. Additionally, the protective strap 38 overlies the tab 39 to support the wrapper 10 and provide additional strength while holding the tab in latching engagement.
A cutaway view from below of the package 10 after it has been completely passed through the coupling unit is shown in FIG. 4C.

In assembling the wrapper 10 from the distracted blank 12, the distracted blank 12 does not initially require the amount of bottle 11 and is considerably larger than the amount of paperboard required to increase the strength of the bond in that prior patent. The strength can be obtained with a small amount.

The use of slits, rather than openings as in the prior art, eliminates the need to remove unnecessary portions from the closing panel that receives the coupling unit. This not only reduces manufacturing costs incurred by the carton manufacturer, but also provides additional strength by overlaying the protective straps 38 over the latching tabs along the inner surface of the wrapper to hold the tabs together. can be achieved by giving This is especially important when the paper absorbs moisture and loses its stiffness under frozen conditions.

The coupling structure of the present invention provides a thread-punch type coupling, that is, a coupling in which the tongue is inserted into the slit and the engaging tab is pushed into the slit, which is convenient for compatibility with state-of-the-art machines and evolving automation technology. providing.

The preferred embodiments of the invention described above achieve the objects illustrated and described. The invention is not limited to the details shown. It will be obvious from the foregoing description that many modifications of the invention are possible. For example, the blank can be provided with slits of different shapes and arrangements. The edges of the blank are not necessarily as shown, but may have other shapes or include separate curved portions. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention, and will thereby facilitate those skilled in the art to utilize the invention with various modifications and variations for specific applications contemplated by those skilled in the art. I can do it. All such modifications and variations that are construed in accordance with the fair, lawful and equitably expressed content of the claims shall be within the scope of the invention as determined by the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the expanded state of a blank forming the packaging device of the present invention. Figure 2 shows
1 is a perspective view of the packaging device of the present invention, illustrating how the packaging device is assembled from blanks and contains a plurality of articles, such as bottles, therein; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of the interior of the packaging device of the present invention, showing the relationship in which the blank bottom panels are properly stacked and connected. FIG. 4A is an enlarged cutaway plan view of the packaging device of the present invention,
FIG. 6 shows the passage of the tongue through the laterally extending slit furthest from the opposite end of the closing panel. Fourth
Figure B is a similar enlarged cutaway plan view showing the relationship between the subsequent closing panels, with the locking tabs being fitted into the slits closest to the ends of the opposing closing panels. FIG. 4C is a bottom cutaway plan view of the packaging device of the present invention, showing the relationship between the hooking tab and the tongue in the laterally extending slit of the paperboard. Explanation of symbols of main parts, 12...Blank, 2
5...tongue, 16...side panel, 33...
First slit, 21, 23...Closing panel, 35...
...Second slit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A wrap-around packaging device for plate-like material, comprising an elongated blank 12 for packaging a plurality of articles 11 in at least one row and having fold lines forming a panel, the packaging device comprising: The first and second closing panels 21 and 23 are configured to wrap around the article when it comes into contact with the article, and the first closing panel 2
1 includes a plurality of connecting units 40, each of which connects one tongue 25 along the terminal edge 26 of the first closing panel and the tongue 2.
5 and one latching tab 39 arranged vertically, the second closing panel 23 includes first and second slits 33, 35 extending laterally, the first slit 33 being arranged in the second The slits 35 are substantially parallel to each other and are arranged between the second slit and the terminal edge 34 of the second closing panel, and the terminal edge 34 of the second closing panel 23 is substantially parallel to the slit 35. Opposite the terminal edge 26 of the first closing panel on the blank, the first and second slits 33, 35 in the second closing panel 23 have a closing panel material between them and the closing The panel material forms a protective strap 38, said protective strap 3
8 are arranged vertically with respect to each of the coupling units 40, and one of the closing panels 21, 23
One of the tongues 25 can freely pass through each of the second slits 35 such that the tongue 25 overlaps the second closing panel 23 when the two slits 35 are in an overlapping relationship. The latching tab 39 is arranged such that the tab 39 overlaps the second closing panel 23 and forms an edge-to-edge engagement with the second closing panel.
are pushable into each of said first slits 33, said protective straps 38 overlying said latching tabs 39 along the inner surface of said packager to maintain said latching tabs in a coupled condition; A packaging device characterized by providing strength. 2. Each of the first slits 33 includes a pair of auxiliary extensions 33a, each of the extensions 33a is located at both ends of the first slit 33, and the extensions 33a are connected to a pair of auxiliary extensions 33a located near the first slit. 2
Each of the second slits 35 includes a pair of auxiliary slits 35a, the slits 35a being at each end of the slit, and the auxiliary slits 35a extending toward the slits 35 at an angle of approximately 135°. It extends from the second slit toward the nearby first slit at an angle of approximately 90°,
The auxiliary slit 35a and the auxiliary extension portion 33
2. Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that a is defined by a bridge of said panel material between them and forms a lateral line of said protective strap (38). 3. The packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of auxiliary slits 35a of the second slit 35 are rounded at an angle of 90 degrees to minimize stress deformation. 4. The bridge at each end of the slit is connected to the auxiliary extension 33a and the auxiliary slit 35 in the vicinity to ensure sufficient strength and retention of the bond.
3. The packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the packaging device has a length approximately equal to the length of cooperation with a. 5. The bridge at each end of the slit extends at an angle of 135° along the line of the auxiliary extension 33a toward the end of the auxiliary slit 35a. The packaging device according to item 4.