BOX OF CARTON AND INSERT AND CANVAS TO FORM IT
. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a cardboard box and a canvas or jig to form a cardboard box for carrying a plurality of articles and an insert structure associated with the carton to provide additional protection to the articles contained in the carton. the cardboard box. The use of an insert or partition in a cardboard box is well known as a means to serve as a buffer between the articles and / or between the articles and the outer walls to protect them. In such known cardboard boxes, the insert is free to move in a vertical plane, which is undesirable because the insert will no longer serve as a buffer if it moves in an upward position, for example between bottlenecks. Some inserts are formed from a unitary canvas, which can reduce the rigidity of the built-in insert. Examples of inserts formed from an individual canvas are shown in US 4 294 398 and US 5 529 240. The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art. One aspect of this invention provides a package for carrying one or more articles comprising a carton having a plurality of wall panels to form a tubular structure wherein each end of the carton is closed by a first hingedly connected panel. to one of the wall panels, an intermediate panel hingedly connected to another wall panel of the carton and adapted to be placed in face contact relationship within the inner face of the first panel. An insert structure for separating and supporting one or more articles including a second panel is further comprised within the carton. An opening is provided in the intermediate panel such that the adhesive applied to an outer face of the second panel and the intermediate panel together secure the first, second and intermediate panels when placed together in face contact relationship to close the end of the panel. the cardboard box. An advantage of this arrangement is that the insert structure is held adjacent to the bottom of the carton. It is important to hold the insert structure in this position to allow the insert structure to function as a buffer between the bottles. Advantageously, the amount of cardboard used for the insert structure can be reduced and standard equipment can be used to secure the end panels to secure the insert structure to the outer carton. Preferably, the intermediate panel can be provided by an end flap and the opening is provided by a recess directed towards the free lateral edge of the end flap. More preferably, a second end flap can be provided with a recess in a seat with the first recess in such a way that the first panel is directly secured to the second panel by the application of glue to that part of the second panel on display through the first and second recesses According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention the insert structure may comprise a middle panel secured to one of the outer panels and a transverse partition panel connected in fold to a middle panel by a pair of intermediate spaced fold lines to the opposite ends of the transverse partition panel to thereby create a panel that extends outward from both sides of the middle panel when the insert structure is formed in a formed carrier. Preferably, the second middle panel can be provided with a transverse partition panel hingedly connected thereto to be secured to the transverse partition panel of the first middle panel. In one class of embodiments, one or more of the upper and end panels are defined by a brittle connection to facilitate the separation of part of the package to a display window with access to the items included therein.
Optionally, it further comprises a grab handle levelly and hingedly secured to one or more of the upper or end panels. A second aspect of the invention provides a cardboard box comprising a plurality of panels for forming an outer cardboard box and an insert structure comprising a middle panel secured to one of the outer panels and a transverse partition panel connected in a fold to a middle panel by a pair of fold lines spaced intermediate to the opposite ends of the transverse partition panel to thereby create a panel extending outward from both sides of the middle panel when the insert structure is formed in a shaped carrier. An advantage with the preferred feature is that the insert structure is more rigid because the opposed transverse partition panels are secured together. Preferably, a second middle panel can be secured to one of the outer carton panels by a spacer panel separating the first and second middle panels. More preferably, the second middle panel can be provided with a transverse partition panel hingedly connected thereto to be secured to the transverse partition panel of the first middle panel. A third aspect of the invention provides a canvas for forming a cardboard box for carrying a plurality of articles comprising upper, bottom and opposite side wall panels hingedly connected together in series, an end panel hingedly connected to the base panel and a fin of end hingedly connected to a side wall panel and a separate canvas to form an insert including a securing panel connected to the middle panel having a transverse partition panel leveled therefrom. An opening is provided in the end flap such that during the construction of the carton glue is applied to an exterior face of the securing panel and the end flap to secure the end panel, the end flap and the end panel. assurance when placed together in face contact relationship in a formed condition. Preferably, the intermediate panel can be provided by an end flap and the opening is provided by a recess directed towards the edge of the free side of the end flap. More preferably, a second end flap is provided with a recess in a seat with the first recess in such a manner that the first panel is directly secured to the second panel by the application of glue to that part of the second panel on display through the first and second recesses According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention the insert structure may comprise a middle panel secured to one of the outer panels and a transverse partition panel connected in fold to a middle panel by a pair of intermediate spaced fold lines to the opposite ends of the transverse partition panel to thereby create a panel that extends outward from both sides of the middle panel when the insert structure is formed in a formed carrier. A fourth aspect of the invention provides a canvas for forming an insert structure comprising a middle panel having a transverse partition panel secured thereto, wherein the transverse partition panel connected in fold to a middle panel by a pair of lines spaced apart at opposite ends of the transverse partition panel to create a panel extending outward from both sides of the mid panel when the insert structure is formed into a formed carrier. Preferably, a second middle panel can be secured to one of the outer panels by a spacer panel separating the first and second middle panels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates a canvas to form the outer cardboard box according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 illustrates the canvas to form the insert structure according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 illustrates the insert structure in a condition formed from the canvas shown in Figure 2; FIGURE 4 shows the carton and the insert structure in a condition constructed and loaded with the articles; FIGURE 5 illustrates the constructed and loaded carton illustrated in Figure 4, with the end panels secured to the end flaps to complete their construction; FIGURE 6 illustrates the canvas to form the outer cardboard box according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 7 illustrates the canvas to form the insert structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the construction and loading of the carton from the canvas of Figure FIGURE 11 illustrates the constructed and loaded carton illustrated in Figure 10, with the end panels secured to the fins of end to complete its construction; FIGURES 12 and 13 illustrate the cardboard box with the lid removed; FIGURE 14 illustrates the canvas to form the outer carton according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 15 illustrates the canvas to form the insert structure according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 16 and 17 illustrate the load construction of the carton from the canvas of Figure 15; FIGURE 18 illustrates the constructed and loaded carton illustrated in Figure 17, with the end panels secured to the end flaps to complete their construction; and FIGURE 19 illustrates the cardboard box with the lid removed. Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown one embodiment of a canvas to form a cardboard box and a canvas to form an insert structure made of cardboard or sheet material capable of similar folding. It is contemplated that a unitary canvas for the carton and the insert structure could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In the embodiments described below, the carton is of a "completely closed" type although it will be recognized that the invention could be applied to a "wrapper" type cardboard box or a "basket" type carton where it is required to secure an insert structure to one of the outer panels. Returning to the first modality shown in the
Figure 1, the canvas 10 comprises a plurality of panels to form the upper, base and opposite side walls, whereby an upper panel 12, a first panel 14 of the side wall, a bottom panel 16 and a second panel 18 of side wall hingedly connected one to the next in series along fold lines 13, 15 and 17 respectively. The ends of the carton are constructed by one or more end panels. In this embodiment, the opposite end panels 20 and 22 are hingedly connected to the opposite ends of the upper wall panel 12 along the fold lines 36 and 38 respectively. A second pair of end panels 24, 26 is provided along the opposite end edges of the base panel 16 and hingedly connected thereto along the fold lines 36 and 38 respectively. Preferably, a pair of end fins 28, 30 are hingedly connected to the first side wall panel 14 along the opposite end edges and connected thereto by the fold lines 36, 38, respectively. Similarly, a second pair of end fins 32, 34 are hingedly connected to the sidewall panel 18 along the fold lines 36, 38 respectively. The end panels 20, 22, 32, 34 are normally secured to the end flaps, so that in use, the end flaps support the end walls to improve stiffness. It may further comprise one or more level recesses from the end flaps. In use, the recess allows the insert structure I (Figure 4) to secure to one or more of the end panels 20, 24 described below. In this embodiment, a pair of recesses 42, 46 are provided on the end wings 28, 32 which are positioned at corresponding positions along the opposite side edges to join when the carton is constructed. Preferably, a second pair of recesses 44, 48 is applied to the opposite end fins 30, 34 so that the insert structure can be inserted from either end to be secured to the outer carton box described in greater detail below.
It is contemplated that the recess is not limited to the shape illustrated in Figure 1 and could certainly be replaced by other means to allow the insert structure to juxtapose the end panel. For example, the end flap 28 could terminate at the lower edge of the recess 46 or, alternatively, one or more openings could be directed towards the end flaps 28 and / or 32. Returning to the construction of the insert structure, it comprises a canvas 50, as shown in Figure 2, which comprises one or more middle dividing panels and an assurance panel. It additionally comprises at least one transverse partition panel. Therefore, for a cardboard box holding a group of four articles in an arrangement 2 2, an individual middle panel and transverse partition panel together with the end panel is required. Other arrangements are contemplated, so that for three rows of articles, two half-division panels are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, it comprises a first half-dividing panel 52, an end panel 54 and a second dividing panel 56 media jointed together along the fold lines 58 and 60 and adapted to receive twelve items in one arrangement 3 x 4. Figure 2 showing the middle division panel 52 is provided with three transverse partition panels 62a, 62b, and 62c. Each cross-sectional panel is similar and therefore only the division panel 62a is described in greater detail. The transverse partition panel 62a is connected to the middle dividing panel 52 along the upper and lower fold lines 66a and 68a to create a panel extending outward from both sides of the middle panel 52. It will be seen from Figure 2 that, in this embodiment, the fold lines 66 and 68 are aligned in a vertical plane. The upper and lower edges of the panel 62a are adapted to extend one side of the middle panel which is defined by the cutting lines 76 and 78 respectively separating the panel 62a from the middle panel 52. The cutting line 76 extends from the lower end of the fold line 66 towards the upper end of the upper fold line 66b connecting the panel 62b to the middle panel 52. Similary, the cutting line 78 extends from the upper end of the fold line 68 to the lower end of the lower bend line connecting the panel 62b to the middle panel 52. Additionally, the cutting lines 77 and 79 respectively define the upper and lower edges of the part of the transverse partition panel that will extend outwardly from the other side of the middle panel 52. The opposite lateral edges of the transverse partition panel 62a are provided by the respective cutting lines 72 and 74 and optionally, the openings 70a, 70b. Adjacent to one of the side edges 74 of the partition panel 62a, it comprises a protruding portion 98 used to overlap the portion 96 of the transverse panel 64a directed toward the other half-partition panel 56 and described in greater detail below. The second mid-division panel is also provided with three transverse partition panels 64a, 64b and 64c. It will be seen that each cross-sectional panel is similar and therefore only the division panel 64c is described in greater detail. The transverse partition panel 64c is similar to the transverse partition panel 62a in that it is preferably adapted to extend outwardly on the sides of the middle panel 56. Thus, the panel 64a is connected to the middle dividing panel 56 along the fold lines 80c and 82c which are aligned in a vertical plane, in this mode. The upper and lower edges of the panel 64a for extending one side of the middle panel are defined by the cutting lines 86 and 87 respectively that separate the panel 64a from the middle panel 56. The cutting line 86 extends from the upper end of the fold line 82c to the lower end of the upper fold line 82b connecting the panel 64b to the middle panel 56. Similarly, the cutting line 87 extends from the lower end of the fold line 80c to the upper end of the lower fold line 80b connecting the panel 64b to the middle panel 56. An additional cutting line 84 is formed to define the part that will extend outward from the other side of the middle panel 56. The cutting line 84 also defines a protruding portion 96 used to overlap the level portion 98 from the transverse panel 62c of the other mid-division panel 52 and described in greater detail below. It may further comprise a tongue 92 and cutting lines 90 extending from the end edge of the transverse panel 64a. Additionally or alternatively, it may also comprise the openings 70 leveled from the middle panel 52. In use, they assist to cause the panels 62a, 64a to separate from the panels 52 and 56 means respectively. A plurality of level openings 88, 94 can be provided from each of the transverse partition panels 64a, 64b, 64c and a corresponding opening 94 can be leveled from the end panel 54: they are used by suitable machinery to open the panels 64 cross section during the mechanical construction of the insert structure. Turning now to the second embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 6 to 13 which is similar to the first embodiment and therefore have been used where equal numbers are possible to denote equal parts with the addition of the prefix " 1". Only the differences between the first and second modalities will be described in some greater detail. In this embodiment, the recesses 142, 146 are provided in opposite and spaced positions on end fins 120, as shown in Figure 6. Further provided are means for connecting the outer panel to the insert structure at one end of the body. cardboard box only. -. The canvas is adapted to receive one or more articles, for example sachets and to be displayed inside the cardboard box by means of an exhibition window formed by the recesses in the end panels 122 and 126. To obtain access to the interior of the carton an access structure is provided, which in this embodiment is provided by a plurality of brittle lines. The brittle lines 101, 104, 102 and 108 are formed in panels 134, 118, 120, 114 and 130 to define a removable cover. The cover is provided by panels 147 and 145 as well as end flap 122, top panel 112 and part of end flap 120. To assist in removing the cover an aperture and retention tab 143 is provided in the end flap 120.
In some embodiments, the cover is provided with a fold line 106, which is used to partially fold the cover back to disclose the contents of the carton. The insert structure 150 is illustrated in
Figure 7 and placed intermediate 'to the outer edges of the bags and outer walls to provide extra protection. In this embodiment there are opposing panels 152 and 156 and the securing panel 154 connected together hingedly along the fold lines 158 and 160, as shown in Figure 7. Turning now to the third embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 14 to 18 which are similar to the first embodiment and therefore have been used where equal numbers are possible to denote equal parts with the addition of the prefix "2". Only the differences between the first and third modalities will be described in greater detail. It will be seen in Figure 14 that the construction of panels 224, 226; 220, 222 end and fins 232, 234; 228, 230 end is very similar to the first modality. The main difference is that in this embodiment a handle structure is provided. The handle is leveled from panel 212 at the top by lines 227a, 227b; 261a, 261b; 229a, 229b of opposing cuts to define a handle strip H and hingedly connected thereto along the fold lines proximate a central portion of the upper panel 212. Preferably handle strip H extends into adjacent side or end walls. In this embodiment, the handle strip extends within the panels 218 and 214 of the side wall and connects hingedly thereto along the fold lines 221 and 223 respectively. The handle strip is separated from the panels 218 and 214 of the side wall by extensions of the cutting lines 227 and 229 respectively terminating at the ends of the fold lines 221 and 223. It may further comprise hand support flaps 265 hingedly connected to the opposite side edges of the handle strip H. The insert fabric 250 is illustrated in Figure 15 and, again, intermediate to the outer edges of the pouches and the outer walls to provide extra protection. In this embodiment, there are the panels 252 and 256 opposing means and the securing panel 254 connected together hingedly along the fold lines 258 and 260, as shown in Figure 15. The insert canvas 250 is also provided with the additional fins 251 and 257. In use the fins wrap the bags to fit in position as they are loaded into the carton. Returning to the construction of the cardboard box from any of the cardboard box canvases illustrated in Figures 1, 6 or 14 and the insert structure of the insert canvases illustrated in Figures 2, 7 or 15, each Canvas requires a series of sequential bending and gluing operations that are preferably performed on a straight line machine, so that the carton and the canvas are not required to rotate or invert to complete their construction. The bending process is not limited to that described later and can be altered according to the particular manufacturing requirements. With the construction of the insert structure I of the first canvas embodiment 50, shown in Figure 2, the mid-division panels 52 and 56 are bent out of alignment of the securing panel 54 along the lines 58, 60 for bending in a substantially perpendicular arrangement whereby the mid-division panels 52 and 56 are substantially parallel and in a spaced arrangement. To construct the individual cells 0 (shown in Figure 3), the transverse partition panels 62 and 64 move out of alignment with the middle division panels 52 and 56 respectively. Returning first to cross sectional panel 62c, the panel is folded along the fold lines 66c and 68c so that the protruding portion 98 bends inwardly on one side of the middle panel 52. It will be seen that the transverse partition panel 62c is caused to rotate about the fold lines 66c and 68c so that the panel extends from both sides of the middle panel 52. Preferably, the transverse partition panel 62c is perpendicularly substantial to the middle panel 52. Similarly, the transverse partition panels 62a and 62b are formed in an equal shape. // The transverse partition panels 64a, 64b, 64c are formed in an equal shape whereby the panel 64c is bent out of alignment with the middle panel 56 along the fold lines 80c and 82c and caused to turn so that the transverse panel 64c extends from both sides of the middle panel 56 in a substantially perpendicular relationship with respect thereto. The protruding portion 96 extends inwardly and abuts the corresponding protruding portion 98. Preferably, the corresponding protruding parts 96, 98 are secured together with glue or other suitable means known in the art which creates a rigid insert structure I. The panels 64b and 64a are formed in an equal shape and therefore will not be described in greater detail. Thus, the insert structure is in a condition formed as noted in Figure 3. It will be seen that there are twelve OR cells formed to separate and support the articles in adjacent cells. The insert structure I is ready to receive the articles, which are loaded by relative vertical movement between the articles A and the insert structure I during the feed forward movement. The articles enter their respective cells through the open bottom of the insert structure. Alternatively, the articles may enter their respective cells through the top of the insert structure I. The outer carton C is constructed by folding the upper panel 12, the first side wall panel 14, the base panel 16 and the second side wall panel 18 out of alignment with each along the lines 13, 15 and 17 for bending in a tubular structure, shown in Figure 4. The upper panel 12 and the side panel 18 are secured together by the securing flap 40. In those embodiments with the securing fin 40, the side panel 18 is secured by bending along the fold line 41 to secure the side panel 18 with glue or other suitable means known in the art. The cardboard box is in an intermediate stage of construction whereby the articles and the structure of inserts are inserted inside the cardboard box C from one of the ends. It will be seen from Figure 4 that the end panels 20 and 24 and the end fins 28 and 32 fold outwardly along the fold line 36 to guide the articles and insert the structure into the carton. Preferably, the opposite end wall is formed prior to receiving the articles whereby the end wings 30 and 34 fold inwardly along the fold lines 31 and 39 respectively. Subsequently, the end wall panels 22 and 26 are folded inwardly along the fold lines 35 and 38 to be secured to the end fins 30 and 32 with glue or other suitable means known in the art. technique. Thus, the carton is in the stage illustrated in Figure 4. To complete the construction of the carton C, the insert structure I must be secured to one of the end wall panels 20 or 24. To this end, the end flaps 28 and 32 are folded inwardly along the fold line 36 so that a portion of the end flaps 28, 32 comes into splice with the end wall 54 of the structure I of insert, and recesses 42 and 46 are aligned, as shown in Figure 5. End wall panel 20 is folded down along fold line 36 and optionally secured to fins 28 and 32 end with glue or other suitable means known in the art. Alternatively, the end wall 20 is held in place by the end wall panel 24, which is secured to the end flaps described later. Subsequently, the lower end wall panel 24 is folded inwardly along the fold line 33 and secured to the end fins 28 and 32 with glue, such as the glue strip G2, or other known suitable means in the technique. To secure the insert structure I to the end wall panel 24, a strip Gl of glue is applied, in this embodiment, in a substantially straight line intermediate the edges of the opposite sides of the end flaps such that the Glue is applied through the recesses .42, 46 to the insert structure. In alternative modes, glue may be applied to different areas of the canvas such as where openings are used instead of recesses. By folding the end wall panel inwardly, it is secured in face contact with the end fins 28 and 32, and the part of the insert structure I discovered by the recesses 42, 46. In this form, the Insert structure I is directly secured to an outer wall of the carton by the application of glue in a standard method, that is, using a gun to stick in a straight line. Thus, the carton is in a formed condition. The construction of the cardboard box of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment that the outer cardboard box C is constructed by folding the upper panel 112, the first side wall panel 114, the base panel 116 and the second panel 118 of The side wall is out of alignment with one another along the fold lines 113, 115 and 117 for bending in a tubular structure, shown in Figure 8. The base panel 116 and the side panel 18 are secured together. In those embodiments, with the securing flap 140, the side panel 118 is secured by bending along the fold line 142 to be secured thereto with glue or other suitable means known in the art. The insert structure is inserted into the carton, as shown in Figure 8, which helps reinforce the outer carton and maintain it in a formed condition. The articles are then loaded into the carton and end flaps 130 and 134 and the end panels 122, 126 are folded inward and secured together to define a display window, as shown in Figure 9. Figure 10 shows the opposite end wall formed in the same manner as the first embodiment whereby the end wall panel 120 is folded down along the fold line 136 and optionally secured to the fins 128 and 132 end with glue or other suitable means known in the art. Subsequently, the lower end panel 124 is folded inwardly along the fold line 133 and secured to the end fins 128 and 132 with glue, such as glue portions G, or other suitable means known in the art. . To secure the insert structure to the end wall panel 124, a G-strip of glue is applied, in this embodiment, in a substantially straight line intermediate the opposite side edges of the end flaps such that the glue applied through the recesses 42, 46 to the insert structure. By folding the end wall panel 124 inward, it is secured in face contact relationship with the end fins 128 and 132, and the part of the insert structure disclosed by the recesses 142, 146. In this form, the structure of insert is directly secured to an outer wall of the carton by the application of glue in a standard method ie using a gun to stick in a straight line. Thus, the carton is in a condition formed as shown in Figure 11. To remove the cover to gain access to the inside of the carton, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the user pulls on the pull tab and breaks the cover of the carton breaking along the brittle lines 102, 113, 115, 104, 108, 101 and 103, to separate it as shown in Figure 13, to arrange items A with that.
Returning to the third embodiment illustrated in Figure 16, the outer carton is formed and loaded in a manner identical to that described above. In this embodiment the insert structure is attached to the outer panels of the end panels at each end. This is achieved by the arrangement of fins 251 and 257 appearing through the recesses 242, 246, as shown in Figure 17. Subsequently the end wall 226 is directly secured to one or both of the panels 251, 257 by the Application of glue in a standard method. The handle is constructed when the user pushes the manual flaps inward to reveal the handle strip shown in Figure 18. Lifting the handle strip will separate it from the top and side walls due to lines 227, 229 and 261 of cut. The handle strip articulates with the upper panel 212 by the passage of the panels 267, which rotate around their articulated connections between the handle strip H and the side walls 218 and 214 to dissipate some of the load when lifting the handle. To gain access to the interior of the carton shown in Figure 19, a cover panel is provided directed toward the upper panel 212 and hinged to the end wall panel 222. The cover panel is brittlely connected to the top and side walls by the brittle lines 227, 229 and 225 that separate them from the respective panels to reveal the items contained in the carton. The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to an arrangement for securing together the outer end panels and at least one panel of an insert structure, however it is anticipated that the invention may be applied to a variety of carriers and is not limited to those of the completely closed type described above and could be used for numerous applications where it is desired to secure a separate canvas in an outer carton in a face contact relationship in which an individual glue application is used. It will be recognized that as used herein, the directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "interior", "exterior", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to said orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these honeycombs from one another. Any reference to the articulated connection should not be construed as referring necessarily to an individual bending line only: it is certainly contemplated that the articulated connection may be formed from one or more of one of the following, a mixing line, a brittle line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and openings may be adjusted to accommodate articles of different size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used. An individual glue opening can be provided in some modalities. The cardboard box can accommodate more than one item in different ways. Additional panels or panels may be provided between the main and transverse panels receiving articles to form a curved interface therebetween.