Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a carton which is useful for carrying articles, and more particularly to a carton having one or more retention tabs for preventing the contents (i.e., articles) from exiting the tubular carton body through its opposed open ends.

Background of the Invention

Cartons for packaging multiple articles such as cans have been often used because they are convenient for storing the articles as well as for transporting the same.

Conventional cartons such as shown in Documents 1 to 4 (see below) each includes a top wall, a pair of opposed side walls hingedly connected to the opposed side edges of the top wall respectively, and a bottom wail hingedly connected to the respective lower edges of the side walls. These top, side and bottom walls together form a tubular carton body with opposed open ends so that articles may be received in the tubular body.

Those cartons disclosed in Documents 1 to 4 are each provided with retention tabs connected, for example, to its top and bottom wails. These tabs have a function to prevent the articles in the tubular body from exiting the tubular body through the open ends. Each retention tab is generally semi-circular in shape and is connected to the respective one of the top and bottom walls at its end along a fold line. The tabs projects outward from the respective wall end before the carton is set up. However, the tab is folded inwardly of the tubular body before the articles are received in the tubular body so that the tab can engage an end article when the articles are loaded into the tubular body. Each tab is particularly designed to engage a projection such as a flange or can chime at either end of a substantially cylindrical article. Once engaging an end article, the tab prevents that end article from exiting the tubular body through the adjacent open end of the tubular body. Some of the conventional cartons are also provided with handle means for facilitating carrying of the cartons. Document 5 (see below), for example, shows a carton having an upwardly extending handle while Documents 2 and 3 show finger holes that serve as handle means.

The following are more details of the prior art documents discussed above:

Document 1 : International Publication No. 2005/044549

Document 2: US Patent No. 2,684,759

Document 3: US Patent No. 2,863,413

Document 4: US Patent No. 2,571 ,833

Document 5: US Patent No. 2,963,198

Those conventional cartons having the retention tabs discussed above often encounter a problem particularly when the cartons are provided with handle means. When those cartons are lifted by the handle means, the tops are pulled somewhat upwards, which fends to result in bowing of the fop walls. Such bowing often causes the retention tabs to be disengaged from the associated articles. Such disengagement should be avoided by all means to decrease the chance of unintentional exit of the packaged articles from the cartons.

Summary of the invention

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a carton comprising a fop wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls hingedly connected together to form a tubular structure for receiving at least one substantially cylindrical article. The carton further comprises a handle device associated with the fop wall, and an article retention mechanism at at least one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure. The at least one of the open ends being dimensioned such that a single cylindrical article may fit in the at least one open end. The retention mechanism comprises a pair of engaging tabs hingedly connected to the top wall facing the at least one open end and folded into the tubular structure. - -

In a preferred embodiment of the carton, the pair of engaging tabs may be disposed in an overlapping relationship when the carton is lifted by the handle device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a package comprising at least one substantially cylindrical article, and a carton of a tubular structure in which the at least one article is received. The carton includes a top wail, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls hingediy connected together to form the tubular structure, a handle device associated with the top wail, and an article retention mechanism at at least one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure. The retention mechanism comprises a pair of engaging tabs hingediy connected to the top wall facing the at least one open end. The pair of engaging tabs both are in engagement with one of the opposed ends of one of the at least one article.

In a preferred embodiment of the package, the pair of engaging tabs may be disposed in an overlapping relationship when the package is lifted by the handle device.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a top wail, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls hingediy connected in series to form a tubular structure when the blank is erected into a carton. The blank further comprises one or more portions for providing a handle device associated with the top wail when erected into a carton. The blank further comprises an article retention mechanism for retaining an article in the tubular structure when the blank is erected into a carton. The top wall is dimensioned such that a single row of substantially cylindrical articles may be placed under the top wall when the blank is formed into a carton. The retention mechanism comprises a pair of engaging tabs hingediy connected to the top wail at one of the opposed end edges of the top wall which defines part of one of opposed open ends of the tubular structure. ln a preferred embodiment of the blank, the engaging tabs of the pair may be disposed side by side along the one of the opposed end edges of the top wail with a slot interposed therebetween.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carton of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line A-A of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a carton blank for forming the carton of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged end view of the carton of Figure 1 with a can loaded thereinto, showing the positions of retention tabs when the carton is lifted by the handle of the carton;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a carton blank for forming a carton of the second embodiment according to the present disclosure;

Figure 6 is a cross section of the carton formed from the blank of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the carton of the third embodiment according to the present disclosure; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming the carton of Figure 7.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The carton of the present disclosure is now described referring to Figures 1 to 8 showing three preferred embodiments.

For the illustration purpose, the articled described herein below are those generally cylindrical cans each having substantially circular top and bottom and a side face extending therebetween. Each can is provided with an upwardly extending chime along the perimeter of the top as well as with a downwardly extending flange along the perimeter of the bottom. As a result, the top and bottom each is provided with a recess within the respective one of the chime or flange. However, the articles that are useful with the invention are not limited to cans but include any substantially cylindrical articles. The recess at the bottom of each can may be almost dome- shaped. The First Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a carton of the first embodiment is described. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the carton 1 of the first embodiment is designed to receive two cans and includes a first top wail 2, a pair of opposed side walls 3A, 3B, and a bottom wall 5. These four walls are connected together to form a tubular structure 6. The carton 1 also includes a handle 7 protruding upwards from the first top wail 2.

Figure 3 shows a blank 22 from which the carton 1 of Figures 1 and 2 is formed. As shown in Figure 3, the first top wall 2 of carton 1 of this embodiment are composed of a pair of top panels 2a, 2b which are disposed side by side with a space therebetween. The carton 1 further includes a second top wail 8 in addition to the first top wail 2.

Referring further to Figure 3, a handle panel 9 is disposed between the top panels 2a, 2b. The handle panel 9 is hingediy connected along one of its opposed side edges to the top panel 2a by a fold line 10 and along the other of the side edge to the other top panel 2b by a fold line 1 1 . The handle panel 9 is provided at about a mid position between the fold lines 10, 1 1 with a center fold line 12 that is substantially parallel to the fold lines 10, 1 1 . Upon forming a carton 1 from the blank 22, the top panels 2a, 2b and handle panel 9 are folded such that the fold line 12 makes a ridge while the fold lines 10, 1 1 are brought into substantial abutment on each other. By this means the handle panel 9 is formed into the handle 7 upwardly projecting above the top wail 2.

The top panel 2b is hingediy connected to a first shoulder panel 14A along a fold line 13. The first shoulder panel 14A in turn is hingediy connected at its lower edge to the side wall 3A along a fold line 15. The side wall 3A is then hingediy connected at its lower edge to a first heel panel 14B along a fold line 18. The first heel panel 14B is hingediy connected at its lower edge to one of the opposed side edges of the bottom wall 5 along a fold line 17. The other side edge of the bottom wall 5 is hingediy connected to a second heel panel 14C along a fold line 18. Then, the second heel panel 14C is hlnged!y connected at its upper edge to the other side wall 3B along a fold line 19. The upper edge of the side wail 3B is hingediy connected to a second shoulder panel 14D along a fold line 20. The second shoulder panel 14D is hingediy connected at its upper edge to the second top wail 8 along a foid line 21 .

The blank 22 may be folded and secured to form the carton 1 in the following way although the carton forming process is not limited to such a process: The handle panel 9 is folded double about the center foid line 12 while the top panels 2a, 2b are brought into a side-by-side position. By this means, the composite first top wall 2 is formed with the handle 7 projecting upwards from the top wall 2. The other part of the blank 22 is then folded about the fold lines 10, 1 1 , 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , and the outside surface of the second top wall 8 is secured by adhesive to the inside surface of the first top wail 2 in a face-contacting arrangement. Optionally, glue is applied to the hatched area of the top panel 2a as viewed in Figure 3 to secure the top panels 2a, 2b together in a partially overlapping relationship. Thus created is an open ended tubular structure 8 with an upstanding handle 7 at the top. The opposed open ends of the tubular structure are designated by "6A" in Figure 1 .

The first top wall 2 is provided with a retention mechanism 23 for retaining cans within the carton. The retention mechanism 23 of the first top wall 2 includes four segment-shaped engaging tabs 28. Two of the engaging tabs 28a, 26a are hingediy connected to the opposite end edges of the top panel 2a along fold lines 25 respectively while the other two engaging tabs 28b, 26b are hingediy connected to the opposite end edges of the top panel 2b along fold lines 25 respectively. !N blank form, these engaging tabs 28 extends outward from the end edges of the respective top panels; however, in use, they are folded inward of the tubular structure 8 about the foid lines 25, as best shown in Figure 2, to engage the can chimes F of the respective cans C inside the carton 1 . When the blank 22 is set up into the carton 1 , the tabs 26a, 26b cooperate with each other to retain the cans C. As best illustrated in Figure 1 , the engaging tabs 26a, 28b at one end of the top wall 2 provide a retention device while the other engaging tabs 26a, 28b at the other end of the top wall 2 provide another retention device. The engaging tabs 26a, 26b at each end of the top wall 2 are arranged side by side on the upper end of the associated can C as shown in Figure 1 . In a preferred embodiment, however, the engaging tabs 28a, 26b at each end are partially overlapped with each other as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

The second top wail 8 is also provided with an article retention mechanism that includes a pair of generally semi-circular engaging tabs 27, 27, These engaging tabs 27 are hingedly connected to the opposed end edges of the second top wall 8 along fold lines 28, 28 respectively. In blank form, these tabs 27, 27 extend outward from the respective end edges of the second top wall 8; however, they are folded inward of the tubular structure upon formation of the carton 1 to engage the can chimes F of the respective cans C in the carton 1 . More specifically, each engaging tab 27 is placed over the respective pair of the engaging tabs 26a, 26b to serve as an anchoring means for urging the respective pair of the engaging tabs 26a, 26b toward the associated can top. Such function of the semi-circular tabs 27 is available based on the natural resiliency of the material from which the carton 1 is formed. The material preferably used with the present disclosure is a foldable sheet material which may include paperboard, corrugated board, plastic sheet, paper- plastic composite sheet, or the like.

The bottom wall 5 is also provided with a retention mechanism that includes a pair of larger semi-circular tabs 29 and a pair of smaller semi-circular tabs 32. The larger tabs 29 are hingedly connected to the opposed end edges of the bottom wall 5 along fold lines 30 respectively. The smaller tabs 32 are also hingedly connected to the bottom wall 5 along fold lines 31 respectively. The fold lines 31 are shorter than the fold lines 30 and disposed substantially parallel to the fold lines 30. Each fold line 31 is offset inwardly of the bottom wail 5 from the adjacent fold line 30 such that the respective smaller tab 32 extends from that fold line 31 toward the adjacent fold line 30. Each smaller tab 32 is defined in part by an arched cut that extends from one end of the respective fold line 31 to the other end of the same fold line 31 . The arched cut extends beyond the adjacent fold line 30 into the adjacent larger tab 29 such that part of the respective smaller tab 32 is formed from the adjacent larger tab 29. Such an arrangement is of advantage because folding of each larger tab 29 inwardly about the respective fold line 30 causes the adjacent smaller tab 32 to be folded inwardly about the respective fold line 31 along with that larger tab 29. When the larger and smaller tabs 29, 32 are folded together, at least the larger tab 29 is brought into engagement with the inside surface of the recessed lower end of the respective can. The smaller tab 32 serves to urge the overlying larger tab 29 upwards to press the larger tab 29 on the recessed lower end of the associated can even if it is not engaged directly with the recessed lower end.

The side wail 3B is provided with a pair of substantially parallel severance lines 33 each extends substantially across the side wail 3B from one side end edge of the side wall 3B to the other side end edge. A pair of tear strips 35 are defined between the severance lines 33 and are arranged in an end-to-end relationship. The tear strips are separated from each other by a cut 38 extending between the two severance lines. Such a cut defines a common tear initiation end of the two tear strips 35.

Loading of the Carton with Cans

After the blank 22 are formed into the tubular structure with the upstanding handle 7, the engaging tabs 28, 27, 29 and 32 are folded about their respective fold lines so that they are disposed inside the tubular structure 6. Two cans C are then inserted into the tubular structure 6 through the opposed open end of the structure 8 with the upper and lower end of each can C facing the top and bottom walls 2/8 and 5 of the carton respectively. As the cans C are inserted, the engaging tabs 26, 27, 29 and 32 are initially thrust away from the respective can ends. However once the chimes F at the upper ends of the cans and the flanges at the lower ends of the cans clear the engaging tabs 28, 27, 29 and 32, the engaging tabs spring back toward the cans C to bring their distal edges into engagement with the respective inside surfaces of the can chimes F and the can flanges, as best shown in Figure 2. The spring back movement is caused by the natural resiliency of the material from which the carton is formed. Such material for forming the carton of the disclosure may be any foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, plastic sheet or film or any composite material thereof. Once engaged with the cans, the engaging tabs 26, 27, 29 and 32 retain the cans C at the open end of the carton as best illustrated in Figure 1 .

Lifting of the Carton and Reaction of the Engaging Tabs

The carton 1 thus loaded with the cans C may be lifted by the handle 7 so that the carton can be transported. When the carton 1 is lifted by the handle 7, the top wall 2 and 8 are pulled upwards and thereby the side walls 3A, 3B, or otherwise the shoulder panels 14A, 14D, are pulled toward each other. This causes the top panels 2a, 2b to be tilted upwards toward the handle 7 (see Figure 4) and the second top wall 8 to bow upward, convexiy as viewed from the top of the carton 1 . Under these circumstances, the engaging tabs 27, 27 might also bow upwards along with the second top wall 8 and might thereby be moved upward away from the respective can end. This could cause disengagement of the engaging tabs 27 from the respective can ends. However, the engaging tabs 26 react differently from the engaging tabs 27 in that the engaging tabs 26a, 26b at each end of the tubular structure 6 are separate from each other. Instead of bowing upward, the engaging tabs 26a, 26b at each end of the carton 1 rotate about a notional vertical axis, or otherwise move, toward each other so as to overlap partially with each other. This is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. As a result, the distal edges of the engaging tabs 26a, 26b are held at substantially the same elevation to remain engaged with the respective can chime F, despite the upward movement of the handle 7 with respect to the cans C. The more the handle 7 is upwardly moved, the greater the size of the overlapping area of the engaging tabs 26a, 26b becomes to allow the tabs 26a, 26b to remain engaged with the respective can. The retention of the cans C at the opposed ends of the tubular structure 6 is thereby insured.

In the foregoing embodiment, the engaging tabs 27 each is a one-piece construction; however, each engaging tab 27 may be split into two separate pieces by a center cut extending, for example, from the respective fold line 28 to the distal end of that tab 27. In such an alternative arrangement, the split portions of each tab 27 may funciion in a similar way to the engaging tabs 26a, 26b to assist the tabs 26a, 26b in retaining the cans C in the carton 1 .

The Second Embodiment

Figure 6 illustrates a carton of a second embodiment of the present disclosure whereas Figure 5 shown a blank from which the carton 1 of Figure 6 is formed. To describe the second embodiment, like references are used for those portions similar to the carton and blank of the first embodiment.

The carton of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the second top wall 8 and its associated engaging tabs 27 in the first embodiment have been replaced by a single glue panel 37 according to the second embodiment. Such a difference is apparent in view of the blank 22 shown in Figure 5. To form a carton from the blank 22 of Figure 5, the glue panel 37 is secured to the inside surface of the top panel 2a. The top panels 2a, 2b are secured together in an overlapping relationship as illustrated in Figure 6. To secure the top panels 2a, 2b together, glue may be applied to either the top panel 2a at the hatched area or the top panel 2b at the portion struck from the handle panel 9. Despite the above- described differences, the engaging tabs 26a, 26b at each end of the carton function similarly to, or in the same way as, those in the first embodiment. The positions of the engaging tabs 26a, 26b upon their engagement with the respective can ends are shown in Figure 6.

The Third Embodiment

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 shows a carton of the third embodiment whereas Figure 8 shows a blank for forming the carton of Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 8, the carton of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the carton of the third embodiment employs a pair of handle apertures in place of the upright handle 7 in the first embodiment. In the particular embodiment illustrated by Figure 8, the handle apertures are provided by four openings 40, 40, 41 , 41 , i.e., two 40, 40 being defined in the first top wail 2 and the other two 41 , 41 being defined in the second top wall 8. The first top wall 2 in this embodiment is not split into two portions but is provided by a single panel. The two openings 40, 40 in the first top wail 2 are defined by finger tabs 40c struck from the top wall 2 by arched cuts 40b. The finger tabs 40c are hingedly connected to the top wall 2 by fold lines 40a. The other two openings 41 , 41 in the second top wall 8 are defined by finger tabs 41 c struck from the second top wail 8 by arched cuts 41 b. The finger tabs 41 c are hingedly connected to the second top wall 8 by fold lines 41 a.

A pair of segment-shaped separate engaging tabs 26a, 28b are hingedly connected to each of the opposed end edges of the first top wail 2 along the respective fold line 25. The engaging tabs 26a, 26b of each pair are separated by a slit or slot located between the tabs 26a, 26b of that pair. Each of the slits or slots extends to separate the engaging tabs 26a, 26 and terminates at the respective fold line 25. The other portions of the carton or blank of the third embodiment are identical to those corresponding portions of the first embodiment. As such, like reference numerals are used to denote the like portions and description of the like portions is omitted.

To form a carton from the blank of Figure 8, the first and second top walls 2, 8 are secured together in a face-contacting arrangement by adhesive applied to the outer surface of the second top wall 8. The two top panels 2, 8 are secured together such that the openings 40, 40 in the first top wail 2 are brought into vertical alignment with the openings 41 , 41 in the second top wail 8 respectively. Once aligned, the aligned openings 40, 41 of each pair provides a single handle aperture so that the erected carton is provided with a pair of handle apertures at the top.

Unlike the engaging tabs 28a, 28b in the foregoing embodiments, the engaging tabs 26a, 28b of the third embodiment are hingedly connected to the single panel 2. However, the engaging tabs 26a, 26b at each end of the carton yet moves toward each other into an overlapping relationship when the carton is lifted by the handle apertures. Therefore, the tabs 26a, 26b of the third embodiment also insure that the cans loaded into the carton are retained in the carton despite the potential upward bowing of the first and second top walls 2, 8 upon lifting of the carton.

Although the foregoing embodiments illustrates cartons each designed to package two cans, the carton of the present disclosure may be designed to package only one can or three or more cans. In the embodiment wherein only one can is packaged, one of the open ends of the carton may be at least partially closed to prevent the one can from dislodged from that end while the other open end is provided with a pair of separate engaging tabs. In the embodiment wherein three or more cans are packaged, the intermediate cans between the two end cans may be retained simply by the two end cans that are retained in the carton by means of the engaging tabs at each end of the carton.

It should be also readily apparent that the shape of the engaging tabs is not limited to the segment shape illustrated in the attached figures. Each engaging tab may be triangular and/or provided with jagged or undulated engaging edge.

It should be further readily apparent that the engaging tabs at each end of the tubular carton may be fully struck from the top wail of the carton by, for example, a substantially E-shaped cut and hingediy connected to the top panel..

It will be recognized 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 or a fold line 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.

What is claimed is: