MX2012010628A

MX2012010628A - Carton.

Info

Publication number: MX2012010628A
Application number: MX2012010628A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair; Julien Merzeau; George Papasotiriou
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems
Priority date: 2010-04-22
Filing date: 2011-04-22
Publication date: 2012-10-09
Also published as: WO2011133851A3; WO2011133851A2; AU2016201391A1; KR20180124879A; AU2011242538B2; DE212011100026U1; KR102015238B1; ES2711962T3; KR101902896B1; DK2560895T3; NZ603258A; PT2560895T; KR20190100445A; SG184981A1; KR20130060190A; KR102067950B1; EP2560895A2; EP2560895B1

Abstract

A carton (3) for holding articles, which carton comprises walls (14, 16, 18, 20) that define an interior volume for accepting the articles, the carton (3) further comprising first (10) and second (31) partition panels for forming a partition to divide that interior volume, from which partition extends a handle structure, which handle structure is formed from a first handle element (28) provided by a portion of the first partition panel (10), and a second handle element (22) hinged to the first handle element (28), the two partition panels (10, 31) being hinged to one another, a third handle element (30) for forming the handle structure being provided by a portion of the second partition panel (31).

Description

CARTON BOX FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to the field of cardboard boxes for packing articles. More specifically though not exclusively, the invention relates to cardboard boxes having a partition panel by which the cardboard box can be constructed and which divides an interior volume of the cardboard box into two or more sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The cartons are required to allow items to be transported by some form of handling structure, and further so as to divide an inner volume of the carton into sections so that the items loaded inside the carton do not substantially come into contact one with another.

In order to create a division within the inner volume of the carton, it is necessary to provide a number of panels that, during the construction of the carton, are positioned between the outer walls of the carton to create sections within the carton. of which the items can be loaded. These panels have disadvantages at least in that they increase the area of the preform required to form such a carton, an increase in area leads to a higher cost per unit since each carton requires a quantity of material physically greater, such as cardboard. Another disadvantage is that the division requires a means by which the proximal parts of the walls of the carton are secured, which securing is required to be robust to withstand the stress placed on the carton during use.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the above disadvantages by providing a cardboard box preform that utilizes a reduced amount of material by providing the necessary panels to form a carton, and also by providing additional strength in the manner in which, at least part of the division is secured to the proximal portions of the wall of the carton.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention provides a cardboard box for containing articles, the cardboard box comprises the walls defining an interior volume for accepting articles, the cardboard box further comprises the first and second partition panels to form a partition for dividing the interior volume, from which division a handle structure extends, the handle structure is formed from a first handle member supplied by a portion of the first partition panel, and a second handle member hinged to the first Mango element, the two partition panels are hinged to one another, a third handle member to form the handle structure which is provided by a portion of the second partition panel.

Preferably, the second partition panel is bent in a coplanar contact with the first partition panel so that the third handle member is in a coplanar contact with the first handle member.

Preferably, the second handle member is one or more of (a) is bent into a coplanar contact with the third handle member thereby sandwiching said third handle member between the first and second handle elements; or (b) is hinged to a connecting tab connecting the second handle element to an end wall of the carton.

Preferably, the second partition panel comprises an articulated tab extending from a side edge of the second partition panel, through an opening formed in an end connection panel and secured to an end wall of the board, wherein the panel of extreme connection is connected at one end of the first partition panel with a side wall of the carton.

Preferably, the distance between the folded line connecting the first and second partition panels and the opposite edges of the two partition panels is less than or equal to one half of the total distance between those two opposite edges.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a preform for forming a cardboard box, whose preform comprises panels in linear series to form the walls of the carton defining an interior volume to receive the articles, the preform further comprises the first and second panels to form a division to divide that interior volume, from which the division extends a handle structure, whose handle structure is formed from the first and second elements of handles which are articulated with each other and which extend along an edge of the linear series mentioned above, the first handle element is conditioned by a portion of the first panel to form the partition, the second panel to form the division is hinged to the first panel to form the partition and provide a third handle element to form the handle structure.

Preferably, the second panel for forming the partition can be bent into a coplanar contact with the first panel to form the partition so that the handle member is in coplanar contact with the first handle member.

Alternatively, the second handle member is one or more of (a) is bent into a coplanar contact with the third panel thereby sandwiching the third handle member between the first and second handle elements; or, (b) is hinged to a connecting tab connecting the second handle member to a panel to form an end wall of the carton.

Preferably, the preform further comprises a first panel and a second bottom panel hinged to an edge of the aforementioned linear series adjacent the third handle member, and wherein the third handle member is substantially half the width of the first handle member so that a distance between the adjacent edges of the third handle member and the first lower panel is substantially equal to the width of the second lower panel.

Preferably, the first and second lower panels have an equal width and are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to that width to allow the first and second lower panels of an identical preform to be nested between the first and second bottom panels of the preform.

Preferably, the first panel to form the partition is hinged to a first panel of the linear array, whose first panel of the linear array connects the first panel to form the partition to a panel to form an outer wall of the carton and the which comprises an aperture defined therebetween, whereby a portion of the partition can be secured to a portion of an outer wall of the carton through the opening when the carton is constructed.

Preferably, the panels of the preform have the dimensions so that a cardboard box constructed from the preform has the capacity to receive 6 bottles each of a first volume, while the preform can be nested with other preforms to allow six such preforms are cut from a sheet of material measuring one meter by 1.4 meters, where the first volume is one of 330 mi; or 400 mi; or 500 mi.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for constructing a cardboard box for holding articles, from a preform, which method comprises folding a secondary partition panel of the preform into a coplanar contact with a primary partition panel in a manner that an articulated connecting tab extends away from an edge of the resulting composite partition and overlaps an opening formed in an end connection panel to which the composite division is articulated, the method further comprising folding an end panel of the preform in a coplanar contact with the end connection panel and securing the hinged end tab of the partition panel secondary to the end panel through the opening mentioned above, so that the construction of the carton causes the articulated end tab to pass through. through the aforementioned opening to extend along a divi end panel.

Preferably, a package comprising a carton is loaded with one or more articles.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a sheet of material within which a plurality of preforms are defined to form cardboard boxes, each preform comprising panels in linear series to form walls of the carton defining an interior volume to receive articles , the preform further comprises the first and second panels to form a division for dividing the interior volume, from which division a handle structure extends, whose handle structure was provided by a first and a second handle element which are articulated one with another and extending along an edge of the linear series mentioned above, the first handle member extends from the first panel to form the division that is hinged to the first element to form the partition and that comprises a third handle element for forming the handle structure, and each preform comprises a first and a second bottom panel hinged to an edge of the adjacent linear series mentioned above to the third handle member, and wherein the third handle member is substantially half the width of the first handle member such that a distance between the adjacent edges of the third handle member and the first lower panel, is substantially equal to the width of the second lower panel, and wherein the first and second lower panels have an equal width and are separated by a distance substantially equal to that of the width to allow the first and second lower panels of an identical preform are nested between the first and second lower panels of the preform.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a preform for forming a cardboard box for receiving a plurality of articles, the cardboard box comprising: an elongated middle section having an elongation axis and including the first and second side wall panels and the first and second end wall panels; a first outer section formed along the mid-section side and including a plurality of handle elements for, when the preform is constructed of a finished board, forming a handle structure by means of which the carton is constructed, the plurality of handle elements comprises the first and second handle elements, the first handle element being disposed at one end of the first outer section; and a second outer section formed along the middle section so that the middle section is disposed between the first and second outer sections, the second outer section includes the first and second lower panels and a third handle element for, when the The preform is constructed in a finished cardboard box, forming the composite handle structure in cooperation with the first and second handle elements.

Preferably, it further comprises the first and second partition panels to form a partition for dividing an interior volume of a cardboard box when the preform is constructed, wherein the first partition panel is hingedly connected to the middle section throughout of a first bending line disposed generally perpendicular to the elongation axis and wherein the second dividing wall is hingedly connected to the first dividing panel along a second folding line substantially parallel to the elongation axis.

Preferably, the second end wall panel is disposed at one of the opposite ends of the middle section, the middle section further includes an end connection panel which is disposed at the opposite end of the middle section for, when the preform is constructed , be secured to the second end wall panel, the first division is hingedly connected to the end connection panel along the first bending line.

Preferably, the first handle member is provided by a portion of the first partition panel and wherein the third handle member is provided by a portion of the second partition panel.

Preferably, the second handle member is hingedly connected to the first handle member along a third bend line that is disposed generally perpendicular to the axis of elongation.

Preferably, the third bend line is arranged collinear with the first bend line.

Alternatively, the first and second end panels and the first and second side panels are arranged in the sequence of the second end wall panel, the second side wall panel, the first end wall panel and the first side wall panel, and in where the end connection panel is hingedly connected to the first sidewall panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a carton preform in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of carton preforms of Figure 1 nested together in a manner that minimizes the amount of material necessary to produce them; Figure 3 illustrates a first step in a series of folding operations that can be employed to construct a cardboard box from the preform of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates a second step in the folded series of operations of Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates a third step in the series of bending operations of Figure 3; Figure 6 illustrates a fourth step in the series of bending operations of Figure 3; Figure 7 illustrates a cardboard box partially constructed of the preform of Figure 1; Figure 8 illustrates a cardboard box constructed from the preform of Figure 1; Figure 9 illustrates the preform of Figure 1 with marked dimensions; Figure 10 illustrates a preform according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 illustrates a view of the preform of the Figure 10 nested with other preforms; Figure 12 illustrates a preform in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 illustrates a view of the preform of Figure 11 nested with other of the preforms; Y Figures 14 to 19 illustrate sequential views of the preforms of Figure 12 undergoing bending operations to establish the preform in a carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cardboard box, especially a cardboard box comprising a division that divides an interior volume into two or more parts. The preform 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises panels to form a first embodiment of such a carton.

The preform 1 comprises a flap with glue 11, a main partition panel 10, an end connection panel 12, a first side panel 14, a first end panel 16, a second side panel 18 and a second end panel 20 connected, one with the next, in a linear series. The panels mentioned above are hinged to one another by corresponding bending lines 72, 88, 94, 98, 106, 110.

The main partition panel 10 is hinged along a lower edge thereof, by a bending line 80, to a secondary partition panel 31 and comprises the first 36 and second 38 spacer panels defined therein. The first partition panel is hinged to the main partition panel 10 by a folding line 74. The first 36 and second 38 partition panels overlap so that a tongue with hinged glue 37 of the first partition panel 36 is defined within the second partition panel 38 and interrupts the bend line 76 by articulating the second partition panel 38 to the main partition panel 10. This tongue with hinged glue 37 is connected to one end of the first partition panel 36 by a bending line 78. Similarly, a tongue with articulated glue 39 is connected, by a bending line 92, to one end of the second spacing panel 38. The second spacing panel 38 extends through a side edge of the main dividing panel 10 on the bending line 88, connecting the main partition panel to the end connection panel 12 so that the tongue with articulated glue 39 thereof is defined within the end connection panel 12. Conditioned by an upper end of the main partition panel 10, opposite to the secondary partition panel 31, whose handle element 28, comprises the first 52 and second 54 defined finger openings within which are the first 42 and second 40 finger flaps respectively. These first 42 and second 40 finger flaps are hinged to the handle member 28 by the respective bending lines 43, 41. As illustrated, the main dividing panel 10 and the handle element 28 comprise numerous glue points G which they will be discussed in more detail later. With reference to the process for lifting the cardboard box from the preform 1 of Figure 1.

Under the main partition panel 10 of the preform 1 the secondary partition panel 31 is provided. The secondary partition panel 31, however, does not extend completely through the width of the lower edge (in relation to the orientation of the panel of division in the raised carton) of the main partition panel 10. The main partition panel 10 extends at the full height of the proximal edge of the connection panel 12 adjacent thereto. The lower edge of the main partition panel 10 rises upwardly from, with the distance from the connection panel 12. The fold line 80 connecting the main partition panels 10 and secondary 31 then extends transversely away from the connection panel 12 from a higher point on this lower edge. On an opposite side of the fold line 80 the lower edge of the main panel 10 then descends away from the fold line 80, with proximity to the opposite side edge of the main partition panel 10. The fold line 80 connecting the first main partition panel 10 to secondary partition panel 31 in that manner is decentrally descended from the lowermost edge of main panel 10 adjacent to the panel with adhesive 11.

A lower end of this secondary partition panel 31, opposite the bending line 80 that connects the main partition panels 10 and secondary 31, provides an inner handle element 30. Defined inside the inner handle 30 is an opening 56 having the dimension and the mirror shape, on the fold line 80 connecting the main and secondary partition panels 10, the location and geometry of the second finger opening 54 in the handle element 28. Articulated on one side of the panel of secondary division 31, by means of a bending line 82, there is a third separating panel 32. This third separating panel 32 has a tongue with hinged glue 33 connected to the same length of a bending line 73. Partially defined within the dividing panel secondary 31 is also a fourth partition panel 34, hinged to the secondary partition panel 31 along a fold line 86. A tongue with glue The articulated joint 35 extends from the fourth separating panel 34 in a third separating panel 32, connected to the fourth separating panel by a bending line 84 which interrupts, and is coaxial with, the bending line 82 articulating the third separating panel 32 to the panel. of secondary division 31. Articulated to an opposite side of the secondary partition panel 31, closest to the end connection panel 12, is a tongue with hinged glue 29 connected thereto by a bend line 96.

A handle reinforcement panel 22 is hinged to a side edge of the handle member 28 by a bend line 90, within which a handle reinforcement panel 22, a third opening 48 and a fourth finger opening are defined. 50. The third 46 and fourth 44 flaps are defined, respectively, within the third 48 and fourth 50 finger openings, and these finger openings 48, 50 are connected to the handle reinforcing panel 22 by the respective fold lines 47. , 45. An edge of the handle reinforcing panel 22 opposite the bending line 90 is connected to a connecting tab 104 along the bending line 102. The connecting tab 104 connects the handle reinforcement panel 22. to the first end panel 16 by a short bend line 99. The operation of this connection tab 104 is discussed in more detail below. Both, the handle reinforcement panel 22 and the connection tab 104 comprise additional glue points G which will be described in more detail below.

The end connection panel 12, hinged to the main partition panel 10, comprises an opening 41 within which the hinged glue tab 39 of the second spacer panel 38 is defined. The tongue with articulated glue 39 only partially fills the opening 41 so that one edge of the opening is spaced from the free edges of the tongue. with articulated glue 39 for reasons that will be discussed later. A lower portion of the end connection panel 12 is cut away to receive the protrusion of the tongue with articulated glue 29 from the secondary partition panel 31. The position of this tongue with articulated glue 29, and of a calculated intersection between the bend line 80 articulating the main partition panels 10 and secondary 31 together, with the folding lines 88 articulating the end connection panel 12 to the main partition panel 10. This allows, in the manner described, in more detail below, that the tongue with articulated glue 29 of the secondary partition panel 31 be bent is a vertical register on the opening 41 in the end connection panel 12. As illustrated, the glue points G are located in the first side panel 14 to correspond with the position of the articulated glue tabs 33, 35 of, respectively, the third 34 and fourth 32 spacer panels when folded in the manner described below. The shape of the connection panel 12 is such that the side thereof connected to the main partition panel 10 is shorter than the opposite side thereof connected to the first side panel 14. This is because the uppermost edge of the connection panel 12 a smaller amount is raised, with the distance in the first side panel 14, than the ascending dimension of the cutout portion, described above, formed in the lower portion of the connection panel 12. The uppermost edge of elevation of the connecting panel 12 causes a corresponding elevation at a lowermost edge of the handle reinforcement panel 22, which consequently is narrower next to the main partition panel 10 which is at its opposite end.

Jointed to the opposite edge of the end connection panel 12 is the first side panel 14, the first side panel of which is hinged along an adjacent lower edge, by a bending line 100, to a first lower panel 26, and along of an edge opposite the first end panel 26 by a bending line 98.

The first lower panel 26 comprises the openings 70 and the securing flaps 58, 60 to provide a complementary securing means with a second lower panel 24 described below.

The first end panel 26 comprises a peak top edge and is connected along one side by the fold line 98 with the first side panel 14 and along a short coaxial fold line 99 to the connection tab 104. Along an opposite edge the first end panel 16 is hinged to the second side panel 18 along the fold line 106 defined in the first end panel 16 is a line of glue G to secure the first end panel 16 with the glue flap 11 of the main partition panel 10 in the manner described below.

The second side panel 18 is also articulated, along an opposite edge, by the bending lines 110, to the second end panel 20 and along a lower edge thereof with the second lower panel 24, by means of a bending line. 108. The second side panel 18 is further illustrated so as to comprise the glue spots G for securing the second side panel 18 to the glue flaps 37, 39 of the first 36 and second 38 spacer panels in the manner described below.

The second lower panel 24, similar to the first lower panel 26, comprises an opening 70 and comprises the securing tabs 62, 64 to secure in a complementary manner with the securing flaps 58, 60 for engaging the second lower panel 24 to the first lower panel 26 The second end panel 20 has a peak along its upper edge similar to the first end panel 16, and comprises a number of points and lines of glue G to secure the other panels of the preform 1 during the construction process described below .

It has been contemplated that the positioning of the reinforcing handle element 22 adjacent the handle member 28, in conjunction with a constriction of the inner handle member 30 at an angle complementary to a constriction of each of the first 26, and second 24 panels lower allows the preforms to be nested with other preforms with a minimum waste of intervening material, such as cardboard, from which the preforms are produced. This is achieved by allowing the adjacent preform 1 to nest together more closely by peripheral interfering edges thereof so that the overall spacing between a common point in each is reduced compared to a case in which the preform 1 it is arranged side by side without any interference. An example of this is shown in Figure 2, where six preforms are nested together so that they can be produced from a standardized sheet of cardboard measuring approximately 1 m by 1.4 m. A lateral spacing between the inner handle member 30 and the first lower panel 26, and a similar spacing between the first 26 and second 24 bottom panels allows these panels, from a second preform 1 (oriented 180 ° with respect to the first preform) are formed in mosaics between them, to help reduce wasted material. For this purpose, it is preferred that the preform 1 be restricted to provide only two handle elements (handle element 28, and reinforcing handle element 22) along the upper edge of the series of linear panels mentioned above, and that these two handle elements are positioned adjacent one another on a series end of linear panels. This is convenient in that, in the manner illustrated in Figure 2, a second preform one rotated 180 ° then can be located along the side of this first preform 1, so that the handle members 28, 22 of the first panel become substantially arranged. next to the handle elements 22, 28 of the second preform 1. It is also preferred that the inner handle element 30 be conditioned in only half the width of the handle structure resulting from the carton 3, so that the spacing between the adjacent terminal edges of the lower handle member 30 and the first lower panel 26 is sufficient to accept the second lower panel 24 of the other preform 1 nested thereunder. If the inner handle member 30 at substantially the same width, as the handle member 28, sufficient space would be provided for this to be possible. It is further preferred that the first lower panels 26, second 24 be of equal dimension and also preferably have a narrowing to partially allow the lower panels 26, 24 of a preform 1 to be nested between the lower panels 26, 24 of the other preform 1.

According to what is shown in Figure 9, it has been contemplated that the height Hl of the main partition panel includes the handle element 28, in this case, the distance between the upper edge and handle element 28 and the fold line 80. articulating the main partition panel 10 with the secondary partition panel 31, it is equal to the height Hl of the secondary partition panel 31 which includes the inner handle panel 30. Hl is substantially equal, or less than half of the vertical dimension maximum H2 of the preform 1, and less than the total height of the H4 carton. The total height H3 of the main partition panel 10 including the handle member 28 is smaller than H4. In the preferred embodiment of the preform 1, the spacing between the folding lines 82, 86, 74, 76 connecting spacing panels 32, 34, 36, 38 to the partition panels 10, 31 is 62 nun and the box of Cardboard 3, when constructed, can receive bottles of 330 ml volume (approximately 11-12 fluid ounces). The preferred embodiment of the preform 1 has a maximum vertical dimension of 870 mm and a maximum horizontal dimension of 275 mm. It has been contemplated that each of the above dimensions can be altered to receive different packaging requirements.

Returning now to a deferred method for choosing a cardboard box 3 (shown in the construction stages of Figures 3 to 8) from the preform 1 of Figure 1, it has been contemplated that an adhesive has been applied to the glue dots G in the main partition panel 10 and the handle element 28. The glue points G are preferably located below the first separation panel 36, and intermediate the separator panel 36 and the second finger opening 54, and by above the second finger opening 54. Additional glues points G are located close to the lateral edges of the handle element 28. It is contemplated that the secondary split panel 31 then be folded down, on the fold line 80, at a coplanar contact with the portions of the main partition panel 10. This results in the inner handle member 30 being carried in a coplanar contact with the portions of the handle member 28, and the aperture. 56 is defined within the inner handle member 30 which is located in a register in the second finger opening 54. The size of the opening 56 and the inner handle member is such that the registration of the opening 56 of the finger opening 54 of the handle element 28 does not fail in the articulation of the second finger flap 40 on the fold line 41. The resulting array of panels is shown in Figure 3. Where the adhesive applied to the glue spots described above G is sandwiched between the main partition panel 10 and the secondary partition panel 31 or between the handle member 28 and the inner handle member 30, this acts to secure the contact surfaces together, in the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3.

Adhesive is then applied to the glue spots G in the handle reinforcement panel 22, above and below the third finger openings 48 and fourth 50 defined therein. Additional adhesive is applied to the glue points G in the handle reinforcement panel 22 next to the connecting tabs 104, as well as to the glue points G in the first side panel 14 where the glued glue tabs 33, 35 of the third separator panels 32 and the fourth 34 are to contact the first side panel 14. Also, the connection tab 104 has an adhesive applied thereto. The main partition panel 10 is then folded over the fold line 88 to bring the portions of the secondary partition panel 31 and the main partition panel 10 in contact with the first side panel 14, leading, as a result, portions of the handle member interior 30 and the handle member 28 in contact with portions of the handle reinforcement panel 22. The resulting array of panels is illustrated in Figure 4 in which, concealed below the main partition panel 10, the third separator panels 32 and the fourth 34 are secured to the first side panel 14 by their hinged glue tabs 33, 35 and the handle recess panel 22 is secured to the handle member interior 30 and portions of handle element 28. The glue flap 11 is disposed on the first side panel 14 but is not secured thereto.

As seen from Figures 1, 3, 4 the hinged glue tab 39 of the second spacer panel 38 extends from one side of the main partition panel 10. This hinged glue tab 39 overlaps the hinged glue tab 29. of the secondary partition panel 31 (not shown in Figure 4), which is rotated through the opening 41 in the end connection panel 12 as the main partition panel 10 is folded over the fold line 88.

Adhesive is then applied to the glue spots G of the first end panel 16 and the second side panel 18 where, respectively, the hinged glue tabs 37, 39 of the first 36 and second 38 separator panels, and the glue flap 11, they will come into contact. The first side panel 14 is then folded over the fold line 98 to bring the main partition panel 10 in contact with the second panel 18 and thereby secure the separator panels of the first 36 and the second 38 thereto by the glue tabs articulated 37, 39. The glue flap 11 is secured to the first end panel 16 by the glue point G thereon, and the connection tab 104 is secured to the contact portions of the first end panel 16 in the arrangement shown in FIG. Figure 5 To complete the construction of a flat collapsed tubular structure of the preform 1, the glue is applied to the glue points G in the second end panel 20 before it is bent over the bending line 110 in an assurance with the portion of the end connection panel 12 and hinged glue tab 29 extending through opening 41 in end connection panel 12, to result in the arrangement shown in Figure 6 showing a partially built-up cardboard box 3, in a condition collapsed flat.

Once the above bending and glue operations have been completed, the carton 3 is ready to be partially constructed in the following preferred manner described below.

The partition structure, created by the main partition panel 10 and the secondary partition panel 31, is disposed intermediate the first 14 and second side panels 18 and secured to the first end panel 16 which is by the glue flap 11 and the connecting tab 14 to the second end panel 20 by the end connection panel 12 and the hinged glue tab 29 of the secondary partition panel 31. Articulating the first side panels 14 and the second 18 on the respective end panels 12, 20 of the cardboard box 3 is erected the cardboard box 3 in a tubular condition. This operation causes the first 36, second 38, third 32 and fourth 34 separator panels to be balanced from the main partition panels 10 and secondary 31 respectively and take an orientation perpendicular to the partition structure and interconnect the first side panels 14 and second 18 with the adjacent one corresponding to the main partition panels 10 or secondary 31. These partition panels 36, 38, 32, 34 create between them, individual storage wells for receiving the articles.

Once in the open tubular condition, the cardboard 3 can be loaded with articles of the above from above or from below and the bottom of the cardboard can be closed by folding the lower panels first 26 and second 24 over their respective fold lines 100 and 108 in the plane of the lower edge of the first side walls 14 and second 18, there they will be secured to each other by the complementary tab and the opening arrangement provided by the securing tabs 62, 64 and the balancing openings of the first lower panel 26 by bending the securing flaps 58, 60 out of the plane of the first lower panel 26. The securing tabs 62, 64 have elongated end portions which require a deformation to pass through those resulting openings, and which resist the unhook after that moment.

The carton 3 before or after being loaded with the articles can be constructed using a handle structure, the handle structure is formed with the handle member 28 and the reinforcing panel 22 between which is a handle element sandwich interior 30. This handle structure improves the robustness of the first and second finger openings 52 in the handle member 28 by providing an additional thickness of the preform material to withstand the weight stress of the carton 3 The flaps of fingers 42 are in register with the fourth flap of fingers 44 and similarly the second flap of fingers 40 is in register with the third flap of fingers 46 so that the pairs of corresponding flaps of fingers can be balanced from the respective finger openings simultaneously during insertion of the same fingers through those openings.

A second embodiment of a preform 101 is shown in Figure 10, the second preform 101 is very similar to the preform 1 illustrated in Figure 1. Similar reference numbers have been used in Figures 10 and 11 to indicate similar characteristics, with prefixes with "1" to denote the second modality. Only the differences between this second modality and the first will be discussed later.

The first 116 and second 120 end panels, and the connection panel 112 have no peaks in this second embodiment and instead have upper edges (relative to the existing orientation in the built box) that extends linearly between the corresponding upper edges of the first 114 and second 118 side panels. This is convenient in at least in that these panels provide a continuous flat edge against which a main dividing plane 110 and the handle reinforcement panel 122 of a subsequent preform 101 can be interleaved when they are nested in the manner shown, for example, in Figure 11.

The preform 101 lacks the connecting tab 104 of the first preform 1; the handle reinforcement panel 122 of the resulting cardboard box (not shown) is connected only at one end thereof, to the main partition panel 110.

The construction of a cardboard box from the second preform 101 follows the same process as that described above in relation to the first preform 1. The division structure resulting from the main partition panel 110, the reinforcement panel handle 122 and secondary partition panel 131 is connected at one end to first end panel 112, by glue flap 111 of main partition panel 110.

The opposite end of the main partition panel is connected by the hinged connection to the connection panel 112.

A third embodiment of a preform 201 is shown in Figure 12, the third preform 101 is similar to the second preform 101 described above, similar reference numbers have been used in Figures 12 to 19 to indicate characteristics common to Figures 10. , with a prefix "2" to denote this third modality. Only the differences between this third modality and the second modality will be discussed later.

The preform 201 shares most of the features in common with the preform 101 of Figure 10. The secondary partition panel 231, however, does not extend completely over the entire width of the lower edge (in relation to its orientation the box of cardboard e ruled 203 of Figure 19) of the main partition panel 210. The main partition panel 210 extends at the full height of the connection panel 212 adjacent thereto, and the lowermost edge thereof rises upwards, towards an upper edge thereof, with a distance from the connection panel 212. The bend line 280 connecting the main partition panels 210 and secondary 231 then extend, transversely away from the connection panel 212 from the uppermost point at the lowermost edge of the main dividing panel 210. On an opposite side of the folding line 280 of the lowermost edge then it descends away from the folding line 280, with proximity to the opposite side edge of the main partition panel 210. As illustrated, the main partition panel 210 is not symmetrical about a central axis thereof, and the lowermost edge thereof is higher at the edge thereof adjacent to the glue flap 211 which is on the edge thereof adjacent to the connection panel 212. The fold line 280 which connects the main partition panel 210 to the secondary partition panel 231 in that manner is displaced upwardly from the lowermost edge of the main panel 210 adjacent to the glue panel 211. This arrangement allows a larger portion of the main partition panel 210 to be connected to the panel with Expression 212 than in the preform 101 of Figure 10.

The preform 201 lacks the hinged glue tab 29 of the secondary partition panel 31 described above in relation to the preform 1 of FIG. 1. The connection panel 212 therefore lacks the cutout portion of the preform 101. Of that The arrangement of the cardboard box 203, when constructed in the manner shown in Figure 19, differs from the first and second embodiments in that there is no connection between the secondary partition panel 231 and the connection panel 212. this reason, it is particularly convenient that the connection between the main partition panel 210 and the connection panel 212 be maximized, to promote a structural integrity in the carton.

The first 212 and second 210 end panels and the connection panel 212 have flat top edges, as is the case with the second embodiment, and thus the preform 201 of the third embodiment can also be nested with a material in a further manner. Efficient material than the first embodiment, because these flat top edges allow for narrower interlacing of the adjacent preforms 201, as best shown in Figure 13.

The exemplary process described above for constructing the preform 1 of the first embodiment in the cardboard box 3 can be followed to form the preform 201 of this embodiment in a cardboard box 203. Figures 14 to 19 show a sequence of steps in this bending operation process. Briefly stated, as described above, the secondary partition panel 231 is hinged upwardly in contact with the main partition panel 210 (as shown in Figure 14), before the main partition panel 210 is then articulated through the first side panel 214, thereby sandwiching portions of the secondary partition panel 231 between the main partition panel 210 and the handle reinforcement panel 222. An opening 256 in the secondary partition panel 231 is aligned with the openings corresponding 254 and 250 in the main partition panels 210 and secondary 231 so that the resulting split array has openings defined therefor to be used by a user as finger holes to transport the resulting carton, as shown in Figure 15. The glue dots G in the main partition panel 210 and on the handle reinforcement panel 222 they ensure the division arrangement as a single unit. The lack of the articulated glue panel 29, 129 of the first and second embodiments means that, when the first side panel 214 is bent over the first end panel 216, as shown in Figure 16, the glue spots in the second panel end 220 need to be arranged to avoid securing the top surface of the glue tab 239 or the second spacer panel 238 visible through the opening 241 in the connection panel 212. By folding the second end panel 220 into an assurance with the connection panel 212 completes the collapsed tubular condition of the board, which can be completely constructed by separating the side panels 214, 218 and opposite ends 216, 220 and closing the lower panels 224, 226 as described above.

It can be appreciated that various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and openings can be adjusted to receive articles of different sizes or shapes, in other embodiments of the invention it has been It is envisioned that a different number of separator panels may be provided to create a different number of wells into which the articles may be inserted. In addition, it has been contemplated that spacing panels are not provided at all so that the board is divided only by the partition panels.

While the above description has described the supply of adhesive, it also contemplates, among other things, rigid adhesive substances such as glues and resins as well as the use of welding or mechanical fastening devices. It has been contemplated that the adhesive can be applied, instead of spots of glues indicated in Figure 1, to the surface of the preform 1 which will come into contact with the weld point positions, such as between other locations, the glued glue tabs 29, 33, 35, 37, 39 and the glue flaps 11. It has been further contemplated that the adhesive could be applied to both the weld spots and the contact surfaces, for additional improved belaying. It has also been contemplated that the secondary partition panel 31 may be articulated to the main partition panel 10 along the side edge thereof rather than a lower edge as described above. The glue flap 1 could, in this case, be balanced from the adjacent portions of the secondary partition panel 31, and be reduced in size to provide an edge of the main partition panel 10 to provide the necessary articulation. Alternatively, the hinge could be between the handle member 28 and the handle member 30, along an adjacent edge thereof opposite the reinforcement handle element 22.

It should be recognized that as used herein, the address references such as "upper", "lower", "frontal", "rear", "extreme", "lateral", "interior", "exterior", "superior" , and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientations, but simply serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to an articulated connection shall not be construed as necessarily referring to a single bending line only; in fact it has been envisaged that the articulated connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slot, a fracture line or a bend line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cardboard box for containing articles, characterized in that it comprises walls defining an interior volume for accepting articles, the cardboard box further comprises the first and second dividing panels to form a division for dividing the interior volume, from which division it is divided. extends a handle structure, the handle structure is formed from a first handle member supplied by a portion of the first partition panel, and a second handle member hinged to the first handle member, the first and second partition panels are articulated with each other, a third handle member to form the handle structure which is provided by a portion of the second partition panel.

2. The cardboard box in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the second partition panel is bent in a coplanar contact with the first partition panel so that the third handle member is in a coplanar contact with the first handle member.

3. The cardboard box in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the second handle element is one or more of (a) is bent in a coplanar contact with the third handle member thereby sandwiching said third handle member between the first and second handle elements; or (b) is hinged to a connecting tab connecting the second handle element to an end wall of the carton.

4. The cardboard box according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second partition panel comprises an articulated tab extending from a side edge of the second partition panel, through an opening formed in a connecting panel. and is secured to an end wall of the carton, wherein the end connection panel is connected at one end of the first partition panel with a side wall of the carton.

5. A preform for forming a cardboard box, characterized in that it comprises linear series panels to form the walls of the cardboard box defining an interior volume to receive the articles, the preform further comprises the first and second panels to form a division to divide that inner volume, from which the division extends a handle structure, whose handle structure is formed from the first and second handle elements which are hinged to one another and which extend along one edge of the handle. linear series mentioned above, the first handle element is conditioned by a portion of the first panel, the second panel is hinged to the first panel and provide a third handle member to form the handle structure.

6. The preform according to claim 5, characterized in that the second panel can be bent in a coplanar contact with the first panel so that the handle element is in a coplanar contact with the first handle element.

7. The preform according to claim 5, characterized in that the second handle element is one or more of (a) is bent in a coplanar contact with the third panel thereby sandwiching the third handle element between the first and second handle elements; or, (b) is hinged to a connecting tab connecting the second handle member to a panel to form an end wall of the carton.

8. The preform according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the preform further comprises a first panel and a second lower panel hinged to an edge of the linear series mentioned above, the first lower panel is disposed adjacent to the third handle element , and wherein the third handle member is substantially half the width of the first handle member such that a distance between the adjacent edges of the third handle member and the first lower panel is substantially equal to the width of the second lower panel.

9. The preform according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second lower panels have an equal width and are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to that width to allow the first and second lower panels of an identical preform to be nested between the first and second bottom panels of the preform.

10. The preform according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the first panel to form the division is articulated to a first panel of the linear series, whose first panel of the linear series connects the first panel to form the partition to a panel to form an outer wall of the carton, the first panel of the linear series comprises an opening defined therebetween, whereby a portion of the partition can be secured to a portion of an outer wall of the carton through the opening when the cardboard box is constructed.

11. The preform according to any of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the panels of the preform have the dimensions so that a cardboard box constructed from the preform has the capacity to receive 6 bottles each of a first volume, while the preform can be nested with other preforms to allow six such preforms to be cut from a sheet of material measuring one meter by 1.4 meters, wherein the first volume is one of to. 330 mi; or b. 400 mi; or c. 500 mi

12. A sheet of material within which a plurality of preforms are defined to form cardboard boxes, each preform characterized in that it comprises panels in linear series to form walls of the cardboard box defining an interior volume for receiving articles, the preform further comprises the first and second panels to form a division for dividing the interior volume, from which division a handle structure extends, whose handle structure was provided by a first and a second handle element which are articulated with each other and which extending along an edge of the linear series mentioned above, the first handle member extends from the first panel to form the partition that is hinged to the first element to form the partition and which comprises a third handle member to form the partition. handle structure, and each preform comprises a first and a second bottom panel hinged to an edge of the series l adjacent ineal mentioned above to the third handle member, and wherein the third handle member is substantially half the width of the first handle member such that a distance between the adjacent edges of the third handle member and the first lower panel is substantially equal to the width of the second lower panel, and wherein the first and second lower panels have an equal width and are separated by a distance substantially equal to that of the width to allow the first and second lower panels of an identical preform to be nested between the first and second lower panels of the preform.

13. The cardboard box according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distance between the bent line connecting the first and second dividing panels and the opposite edges of the two dividing panels is less than or equal to half of the total distance between the two opposite edges.

14. A preform for forming a cardboard box to receive a plurality of articles, the preform characterized in that it comprises: an elongated middle section having an elongation axis and including the first and second side wall panels and the first and second end wall panels; a first outer section formed along the mid-section side and including a plurality of handle elements for, when the preform is constructed of a finished board, forming a handle structure by means of which the carton is constructed, the plurality of handle elements comprises the first and second handle elements, the first handle element being disposed at one end of the first outer section; Y a second outer section formed along the middle section so that the middle section is disposed between the first and second outer sections, the second outer section includes the first and second lower panels and a third handle element for, when the preform It is constructed in a finished cardboard box, forming the composite handle structure in cooperation with the first and second handle elements.

15. The preform according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises the first and second partition panels to form a partition for dividing an interior volume of a cardboard box when the preform is constructed, wherein the first partition panel is connected to articulated manner to the middle section along a first bend line disposed generally perpendicular to the elongation axis and wherein the second partition wall is hingedly connected to the first partition panel along a second fold line substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.

16. The preform according to claim 14, characterized in that the second end wall panel is disposed at one of the opposite ends of the middle section, the middle section further includes an end connection panel which is disposed at the opposite end of the middle section for, when the preform is constructed, is secured to the second end wall panel, the first division is hingedly connected to the end connection panel along the first bend line.

17. The preform according to any of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the first handle element is provided by a portion of the first partition panel and wherein the third handle member is provided by a portion of the second partition panel.

18. The preform according to any of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the second handle element is hingedly connected to the first handle element along a third bending line that is arranged generally perpendicular to the axis of elongation.

19. The preform according to claim 18, characterized in that the third bending line is disposed collinear with the first bending line.

20. The preform according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second end panels and the first and second side panels are arranged in the sequence of the second end wall panel, the second side wall panel, the first end wall panel and the first side wall panel, and wherein the end connection panel is hingedly connected to the first side wall panel.