AU2019280057A1

AU2019280057A1 - Hanging device and package with hanging device

Info

Publication number: AU2019280057A1
Application number: AU2019280057A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yoko Matsuba
Original assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2018-12-13
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2020-07-02
Also published as: JP2020093820A; KR20200074019A; JP7624795B2

Abstract

HANGING DEVICE AND PACKAGE WITH HANGING DEVICE ABSTRACT The hanging device (100, 200) comprises amain portion (110) joined with an attaching means (120) for releasably attaching the main portion (110) to an article (500), the attaching means (120) including a first engaging panel (130) and at least one second engaging panel (140, 150), the at least one second engaging panel (140, 150) being connected to the first engaging panel (130) to hang between a locked position and a released position, the at least one second engaging panel (140, 150) being arranged at a first acute angle relative to the first engaging panel (130) when in the locked position, the at least one second engaging panel (140, 150) being arranged at a second acute angle relative to the first engaging panel (130) when in the released position, and the first acute angle being greater than the second acute angle. 0C CID CIOA!

Description

0C

CID CIOA! HANGING DEVICE AND PACKAGE WITH HANGING DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a hanging device and to a package with a hanging device.

BACKGROUNDART

[0002] Cartons packed with a plurality of articles have been used for some time. Examples of these cartons are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The cartons disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a pair of bottom panels, a pair of side panels hinge-connected to the pair of bottom panels via fold lines, and a top panel hinge-connected to the side panels via fold lines. An engaging means for engaging a recessed end on the bottom of the articles is provided in the bottom panels, and an engaging means for engaging the recessed end on the top of the articles is provided in the top panel. The cartons disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can house and pack the plurality of articles when the pair of bottom panels are secured to each other.

[0003] A method for selling products is known in which a hanging device displaying an advertisement for a product is attached to the product in order to increase the promotional effect of advertising for the product when, for example, a new product is introduced or a special sales campaign is being conducted. A hanging device can be attached to the package for example, by inserting the hanging device in the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article or by attaching the hanging device to the carton using an adhesive. Prior art documents include JP 4721611 and JP 5832734.

[0004] However, when a hanging device is inserted into the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article, the hanging device can be easily inserted but the hanging device cannot be attached to the carton securely. As a result, hanging devices often fall off when packages on which hanging devices have been attached are delivered and displayed, and additional labor and costs are entailed each time hanging devices are reattached to packages. When an adhesive is used, hanging devices cannot be easily removed from the cartons and the cartons themselves may tear when hanging displays are removed from cartons at the end of a sales campaign.

OBJECT

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hanging device that can be easily inserted into the space between the carton and the top of the article, a hanging device that can remain securely attached to both the carton and the article, and a hanging device that can be easily removed from the carton and the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Specifically, the present invention in a preferred embodiment is a hanging device comprising a main portion joined with an attaching means for releasably attaching the main portion to an article, the attaching means including a first engaging panel and at least one second engaging panel, the at least one second engaging panel being connected to the first engaging panel to hang between a locked position and a released position, the at least one second engaging panel being arranged at a first acute angle relative to the first engaging panel when in the locked position, the at least one second engaging panel being arranged at a second acute angle relative to the first engaging panel when in the released position, and the first acute angle being greater than the second acute angle.

[0007] In this configuration, the first acute angle between the first engaging panel and the second engaging panel in the locked position is greater than the second acute angle between the first engaging panel and the second engaging panel in the released position. As a result, the hanging device can be securely attached to the carton and the article and the user can easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article.

[0008] In this hanging device, the first acute angle may be greater than 0 degrees and the second acute angle 0 degrees or greater than 0 degrees.

[0009] In this configuration, the first acute angle between the first engaging panel and the second engaging panel is greater than 0 degrees in the locked position, and the second acute angle between the first engaging panel and the second engaging panel is 0 degrees or greater than 0 degrees in the released position. As a result, the hanging device can be securely attached to the carton and the article and the user can easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article

[0010] This hanging device may further comprise a releasing means for operating the attaching means to move the attaching means from the locked position to the released position, the releasing means having a finger panel hinge-connected to the at least one second engaging panel.

[0011] In this configuration, the user can operate the releasing means, in particular the finger panel, for operating the attaching means to move a second engaging panel from the locked position to the released position. As a result, the user can easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article.

[0012] In this hanging device, the at least one second engaging panel may be a flap having a near end and a far end on the opposite side, the near end being hinge-connected to the first engaging panel along a first fold line, and the far end not being connected to the finger panel.

[0013] In this configuration, the portion of each second panel able to make contact with the inner surface of the recessed end at the top of the article is increased. As a result, the hanging device can be securely attached to the carton and to the article.

[0014] In this hanging device, the finger panel may have an outermost edge, the outermost edge being arranged away from the first engaging panel when the hanging device is in flat blank form, and the outermost edge being arranged closer to the first fold line than to the far end when the hanging device is in flat blank form.

[0015] In this configuration, the distance that the far end of each second engaging panel moves when the user operates the finger panel can be increased, thereby enabling the user to easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article.

[0016] In this hanging device, the at least one second engaging panel may have two or more engaging panels, and the finger panel may span the two or more engaging panels.

[0017] In this configuration, the two or more engaging panels connected to the finger panel can move along with the finger panel when the user operates the finger panel, thereby enabling the user to easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article.

[0018] In this hanging device, the finger panel may be connected to the first engaging panel via at least one of the second engaging panels instead of being connected directly.

[0019] In this configuration, the finger panel is connected to the first engaging panel via the second engaging panel to increase the range in which the finger panel can move relative to the first engaging panel, thereby enabling the user to easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article. Also, in this configuration, the range in which the finger panel can move relative to the first engaging panel increases and the second engaging panel connected to the finger panel can move along with the finger panel when the finger panel is operated by the user, thereby enabling the user to easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article.

[0020] In this hanging device, the at least one second engaging panel may be connected to the first engaging panel along a first fold line, the finger panel connected to the at least one second engaging panel along a second fold line, and the second fold line arranged transversely relative to the first fold line.

[0021] In the present configuration, the portion of each second engaging panel and the recessed end at the top of the article in contact with each other is increased by the second fold line and each second engaging panel comes into close contact with the inner surface of the recessed end at the top of the article. As a result, the hanging device can be securely attached to the carton and to the article.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is a package comprising at least one article, a carton arranged at least partially around the at least one article, and a hanging device releasably attached to the at least one article. The at least one article has a recessed end, the carton has a plurality of wall panels hinge-connected to each other, the plurality of wall panels include a first panel arranged along the recessed end of the at least one article. The hanging device has a main portion arranged adjacent to at least a portion of the outside of the carton and an attaching means joined with the main portion, the attaching means being arranged between the first panel of the carton and the recessed portion of the at least one article, the attaching means having a first engaging panel and at least one second engaging panel hinge-connected to the first engaging panel, the first engaging panel arranged in contact with an inner surface of the first panel of the carton, the at least one second engaging panel arranged in contact with the recessed end of the at least one article, and the at least one second engaging panel being in a locked position with the at least one second engaging panel arranged at an acute angle with respect to thefirst engaging panel.

[0023] In this configuration, when the hanging device attaching means is arranged between the first panel of the carton and the top of the article, each second engaging panel makes contact with the inner surface of the recessed end at the top of the article, and each engaging panel and the first engaging panel form an acute angle. As a result, the second engaging panels are less likely to become detached from the space between the first panel of the carton and the top of the article, thereby enabling the hanging device to be securely attached to the carton and to the article.

[0024] In this package, the plurality of wall panels may define a tubular structure having at least one open end, and the main portion may be arranged in a position so that the main portion at least partially closes the at least one open end of the tubular structure.

[0025] In this configuration, a hanging device can be securely attached to a carton and to an article by inserting the hanging device into the space between the first panel of the carton and the article.

[0026] In this package, the at least one article may be two or more articles, the at least one second engaging panel may have two or more second panels contacting the recessed end of each of the two or more articles, the hanging device may further include a releasing means for moving the attaching means from the locked position, the releasing means may have a finger panel spanning the two or more second engaging panels, and the releasing means may extend between two adjacent articles among the two or more articles so as to be operable by a user.

[0027] In this configuration, the user can operate the releasing means, in particular the finger panel, for operating the attaching means to move a second engaging panel from the locked position to the released position. As a result, the user can easily remove the hanging device from the space between the top panel of the carton and the top of the article.

[0028] The effect of the present invention is to provide a hanging device that can be easily inserted into the space between the carton and the top of the article, a hanging device that can remain securely attached to both the carton and the article, and a hanging device that can also be easily removed from the carton and the article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a blank of the hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a blank of a carton for housing articles in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an assembled hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention being inserted into an assembled carton.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an assembled hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention being attached to an assembled carton.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an assembled hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention being inserted into an assembled carton.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an assembled hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention being attached to the carton.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an assembled hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention being detached from an assembled carton.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an assembled hanging device in an embodiment of the present invention attached to an assembled carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a blank of the hanging device 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The hanging device 100 has a main portion 110 and an attaching means 120 provided on one side of a main portion 110 so as to project outward from the main portion 110. The attaching means 120, as described below, is used to attach the hanging device 100 to a carton. In the present embodiment, the hanging device 100 is made of carboard.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the main portion 110 is a substantially rectangular panel, and a promotional advertisement for a product can be printed on the panel. The main portion 110 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape. It may have any shape such as a round shape, oval shape, square shape, or polygonal shape. The main portion 110 is hinge connected to the attaching means 120 via a fold line 111, and the center line of the main portion 110 in the Y direction is aligned with the center line of the attaching means 120 in the Y direction.

[0040] The attaching means 120 has a first engaging panel 130 hinge-connected to the main portion 110 via a fold line 111, and a pair of second engaging panels 140, 150 connected to the first engaging panel 130 via fold lines 141, 151 on the side opposite to the side connected to the main portion 110.

[0041] The first engaging panel 130 has a square shape but may have any shape. The area of the first engaging panel 130 is preferably in a range from about 10% to 25% of the area of the main portion 110, and more preferably about 15% of the area of the main portion 110. The length of the first engaging panel 130 in the X direction is shorter than the length of the main portion 110 in the X direction, is preferably in a range from about 10% to 30% of the length of the main portion 110 in the X direction, and is more preferably about 20% of the length of the main portion 110 in the X direction. The length of the first engaging panel 130 in the Y direction is shorter than the length of the main portion 110 in the Y direction, is preferably in a range from about 55% to 75% of the length of the main portion 110 in the Y direction, and is more preferably about 65% of the length of the main portion 110 in the Y direction. The center line of the first engaging panel 130 in the Y direction is aligned with the center line of the main portion 110 in the Y direction. Length LI of the first engaging panel 130 in the Y direction (see FIG. 1) is either the same as the length L2 in the X direction between the start point and end point of the recessed portion 331 in the top panel 330 (see FIG. 2) or, preferably, shorter than the length L2 in the X direction between the start point and end point of the recessed portion 331 (see FIG. 2).

Length L2 can also be referred to as the spacing dimension between the pair of shoulder panels 3a, 3a hinge-connected to each end of the top panel 330 among the shoulder panels 3a described below. As suggested in FIG. 3, the first engaging panel 130 is set to length LI to enable insertion into a carton 400 without being obstructed by the shoulder panels 3a, 3a. The length WI of the first engaging panel 130 in the X direction is preferably longer than the length W2 of each second engaging panel 140, 150 in the X direction. However, length WI may be shorter than length W2. In this case, an additional panel such as a connector panel is required between the main portion 110 and the first engaging panel 130.

[0042] The pair of second engaging panels 140, 150 are spaced apart from each other, and the distance between the centers of the second engaging panels 140, 150 is determined by the size of the article 500 housed inside the carton 400 described below. When the article 500 housed inside the carton 400 is a 350 ml beverage can, the distance between the centers of the second engaging panels 140, 150 is about 56 mm. The pair of second engaging panels 140, 150 are semicircular, and have near ends 140a, 150a and far ends 140b, 150b on the sides opposite the near ends 140a, 150a. The near ends 140a, 150a of the second engaging panels 140, 150 form the straight portion of the semicircle, and are hinge-connected to the first engaging panel 130 via fold lines 141, 151. The far ends 140b, 150b of the second engaging panels 140, 150 form the curved portion of the semicircle, and are formed so as to make substantial contact with the inner surface of the recessed end on top of an article. The curvature radius of the curved portion depends on the size of the article housed inside the carton described below. When the article 500 housed inside the carton 400 is a 350 ml beverage can, the curvature radius of the curved portions is about 15 mm. The length D1 between the outermost point of far end 140b and the outermost point of far end 150b (see FIG. 1) is preferably smaller than the length between the centers of two adjacent articles 500 among the articles 500 housed in the carton 400. However, length D1 may be the same length as or longer than the length between the centers of two adjacent articles 500. The shape of the second engaging panels 140, 150 may be a shape other than semicircular. Alternative shapes include a semi-elliptical shape and a fan shape (such as a quarter-circle shape or pie shape).

[0043] The hanging device 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a releasing means for moving the attaching means 120 from the locked position shown in FIG. 6 to the released position shown in FIG. 7. This releasing means has a finger panel 160 arranged between the pair of second engaging panels 140, 150. The finger panel 160 is hinge-connected to the second engaging panels 140,

150 via fold lines 143, 153 so that one of the second engaging panels 140 extends toward the other second engaging panel 150. The finger panel 160 is formed so as to be separated from the first engaging panel via a slit or cutting line 161. The finger panel 160 also has a linear outermost edge 163 on the side opposite the slit or cutting line 161. As shown in FIG. 1, the outermost edge 163 of the finger panel 160 is provided closer to the fold lines 141, 151 than to the far ends 140b, 150b of the second engaging panels 140, 150. The fold lines 143, 151 between the finger panel 160 and the second engaging panels 140, 150 are arranged substantially transverse to the fold lines 141, 151. In other words, they are arranged substantially in the X direction. The length L3 of the slit or cutting line 161 in the Y direction is substantially equal the length LI of the first engaging panel 130 in the Y direction minus four times the length W2 of second engaging panel 140 or second engaging panel 150 in the X direction. (L3 ~ LI - 4-W2)

[0044] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a blank 300 of a carton 400 for housing articles in an embodiment of the present invention. The blank 300 has a first bottom panel 310, a first side panel 320 hinge-connected to the first bottom panel 310 via a fold line 311, a top panel 330 hinge-connected to the first side panel 320 via a fold line 321, a second side panel 340 hinge connected to the top panel 330 via a fold line 341, and a second bottom panel 350 hinge connected to the second side panel 340 via a fold line 351.

[0045] The first bottom panel 310 and the second bottom panel 350 are connected to each other using any appropriate adhesive or any appropriate engaging means. The first bottom panel 310 and the second bottom panel 350 are connected so that the tubular structure does not open. In this way, a carton with a tubular structure can be constructed. An engaging means may also be provided on the first bottom panel 310 and the second bottom panel 350 to engage the bottom of the article 500 housed inside the carton 400.

[0046] Holding means 323, 325, 343, 345 are provided at both ends of the first side panel 320 and the second side panel 340 adjacent to the top panel 330 and/or the first bottom panel 310 or the second bottom panel 350 to hold the article 500 housed inside the carton 400. Each holding means 323, 325, 343, 345 has a shoulder panel 3a and a connecting panel 3b. The shoulder panel 3a is hinge-connected to the top panel 330 via a diagonal fold line. The connecting panel 3b is hinge-connected to the top panel 3a via a fold line extending in the Y direction. The connecting panel 3b is also hinge-connected to a folding panel 3c via a diagonal fold line. The folding panel

3c is hinge-connected to both ends of both side panels 320, 340 via a fold line extending in the X direction. When the carton 400 has been completely assembled, each folding panel 3c is folded into the carton at 180 degrees along the fold lines in the X direction. As this folding operation progresses, the connecting panels 3b are folded outward from the carton at 180 degrees along the diagonal fold lines. At this time, the shoulder panels 3a are pulled downward by the connecting panels 3b and folded downward along the diagonal fold lines with the shoulder panels 3a. The angle of the folding operation for the shoulder panels 3a is usually 90 degrees or less. The shoulder panels 3a and connecting panels 3b folded in this way engage the cans inside the carton to keep the cans secure. The recessed portions 331 are provided at both ends of the top panel 330 to enable articles housed inside the carton to be easily removed, and a gripping means 333 is provided near the center of the top panel 330 to allow the user to easily grip the carton 400. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the centerline of the recessed portion 331 is aligned between two articles 500 when a plurality of articles 500 are housed in the carton 400. Also, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the plurality of articles 500 may be six beverage cans, specifically six 350 ml beverage cans arranged in three rows of two. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second engaging panels 140, 150 are depicted using dotted lines.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an assembled hanging device 100 in an embodiment of the present invention being inserted into an assembled carton 400. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the assembled hanging device 100 being attached to the carton 400. The hanging device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is folded along the fold line 110 between the main portion 110 and thefirst engaging panel 130 so that the main portion 110 and the first engaging panel 130 substantially form a right angle. Also, the hanging device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is folded along fold lines 141, 151 between the first engaging panel 130 and each of the second engaging panels 140, 150. As a result, the second engaging panels 140, 150 and the finger panel 160 form an acute angle with respect to the first engaging panel 110. Preferably, the second engaging panels 140, 150 and the finger panel 160 may be folded to make contact with the first engaging panel 130 so that the hanging device 100 can be easily inserted into the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans. Meanwhile, the carton 400 shown in FIG. 3 is assembled from the blank 300 shown in FIG. 2 to house a plurality of articles such as beverage cans 500. At least one open end 410 is formed in the carton 400, and the open end 410 exposes at least some of the housed beverage cans 500 to the outside.

[0048] Before insertion as shown in FIG. 3, the center line of the hanging device 100 in the Y direction is aligned between two beverage cans 500 arranged inside the carton 400. Afterwards, the hanging device 100 assembled in the manner described above is inserted between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans 500 from the open end 410 of the carton 400 housing the beverage cans 500. In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the two engaging panels 140, 150 can be arranged inside the recessed portions 510 formed on top of each beverage can 500. The far ends 140b, 150b of the second engaging panels 140, 150 make contact with the inner surface 511 of the recessed portions 510 formed in the tops of beverage cans.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram showing an assembled hanging device 100 being inserted into the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans 500. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hanging device 100 being inserted that corresponds to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 6. The second engaging panels 140, 150 and the finger panel 160 form an acute angle relative to the first engaging panel 110 so that the hanging device 100 is more easily inserted into the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans 500. The range of movement by the finger panel 160 is increased relative to the first engaging panel 130 by the slit or cutting line 161 between the first engaging panel 130 and the finger panel 160, and preferably the second engaging panels 140, 150 and the finger panel 160 can be folded so as to come into contact with the first engaging panel 110. Thus, the hanging device 100 in the present embodiment is configured so that the hanging device 100 can be easily inserted into the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans 500.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the assembled hanging device 100 being attached to the carton 400 and beverage cans 500. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line V V in FIG. 4, and shows a cross-sectional view of the hanging device 100, the carton 400, and the beverage cans 500 (in the locked position). The hanging device 100 is inserted into the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans 500 until the main portion 110 comes into contact with beverage cans 500 housed inside the carton 400. After insertion of the hanging device 100, the second engaging panels 140, 150 are moved away from the first engaging panel 130 in the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and, in particular, the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500. In this way, the far ends 140b, 150b of the second engaging panels 140, 150 are arranged inside the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500 so as to engage with the inner surface 511 of the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500, and more specifically so as to make contact with the inner surface 511 of the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500. At this time, a first acute angle is formed between the first engaging panel 130 and the second engaging panels 140, 150 within the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the tops of the beverage cans 500 and, in particular, within the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500. This first acute angle is greater than 0 degrees. When the hanging device 100 is arranged inside the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500, the area of contact between the second engaging panels 140, 150 and the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500 is increased by the fold lines 143, 153, and the second engaging panels 140, 150 can securely engage the inner surface 511 of the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500 or, stated more specifically, come into secure contact with the inner surface 511 of the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500. Thus, the hanging device 100 in the present embodiment is configured so that the hanging device 100 can be securely attached in the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the beverage cans 500.

[0051] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the first engaging panel 130 of the hanging device 100, more specifically the first engaging panel 130 at both ends near the second engaging panels 140, 150, comes into contact with the top panel 430 of the carton 400. When the hanging device 100 is to be removed from the carton 400, the user attempts to pull the attaching means 120 in the direction opposite that of the insertion direction. At this time, the user also attempts to turn the attaching means 120 upward using the locked position where the far ends 140b, 150b of the second engaging panels 140, 150 come into contact with the inner surface 511 of the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500 as the fulcrum. However, because the range of movement by the second engaging panels 140, 150 is restricted by the top panel 430 of the carton 400, the attaching means 120 cannot be turned upward and the hanging device 100 cannot be removed from the carton 400.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the assembled hanging device 100 being detached from the assembled carton 400. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 6 showing the hanging device 100 being removed. When the hanging device 100 is removed from the carton 400, the finger panel 160, in particular the central portion of the finger panel 160 between two beverage cans 500, is pushed upwards using a finger 600. In this way, the finger panel 160 and thefirst engaging panel 130 can be moved upward using the recessed portion 331 of the top panel 330 of the carton 400. At this time, the second engaging panels 140, 150 connected to the finger panel 160 move with the finger panel 160 towards the first engaging panel 130. This forms a second acute angle between the first engaging panel 130 and the second engaging panels 140, 150. The second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle at the locked position, More specifically, it is either 0 degrees or greater than 0 degrees. The range of movement by the finger panel 160 relative to the first engaging panel 130 is increased by the slit or cutting line 161 between the first engaging panel 130 and the finger panel 160 and, preferably, the first engaging panel 130 comes into contact with the second engaging panels 140, 150 so that the hanging device 100 is more easily removed from the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the top of the beverage cans 500. In other words, the finger panel 160 is pushed upwards so that the finger panel 160 comes into contact with the first engaging panel 130, and this brings the second engaging panels 140, 150 into contact with the first engaging panel 130 from the locked position in the recessed ends 510 at the top of the beverage cans 500. This configuration is substantially identical to the configuration of the hanging device 100 when it was inserted into the carton. Therefore, the hanging device 100 in the present invention is configured so that the hanging device 100 can be easily removed from the space between the top panel 430 of the carton 400 and the top of the beverage cans 500.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a hanging device 200 with a box-shaped main portion 210. The main portion 210 of the hanging device 200 is a box as shown in FIG. 8. The rest of the hanging device 200 has the same configuration as the hanging device 100 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 8, the second engaging panels 240, 250 corresponding to the second engaging panels 140, 150 in the previous embodiment are depicted using dotted lines. The box can contain a promotional item and an outer surface of the box can mention the promotional item and advertise the product. The main portion 110, 210 of the hanging device 100, 200 may also have a supporting back panel that allows for attachment of a bag containing a promotional item or coupons. The main portion 110, 210 of the hanging device 100, 200 may be any type of carton or box. Examples include a basket-type carton, a cup-type carton, an end-side carton, a wrap around carton, or a hanging carton attached at the top. There are no particular restrictions on the material used to construct the main portion 110, 210 of the hanging device 100, 200.

[0054] Embodiments of the present invention were described above with reference to embodiments depicted in the drawings. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not restricted to the depicted embodiments and the present invention includes any design modification that does not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the embodiments, there were two second engaging panels. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, two or more second engaging panels, more specifically, three or more second engaging panels, may be employed. In a hanging device with three second engaging panels, two finger panels are provided with a finger panel arranged between each of the second engaging panels. The open end of a carton with a hanging device including three second engaging panels exposes three articles, and each of the second engaging panels engages the recessed end at the top of each of the three articles. In the embodiments, the articles were beverage cans. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the article can be a packaged product made of any material with a recessed end at the top, such as a glass bottle or PET bottle. The embodiments were described using cylindrical beverage cans. However, the present invention is not restricted to this configuration and articles that do not have a cylindrical shape can also be used. The embodiments were described using beverage cans containing a beverage. However, the present invention is not restricted to this configuration. The articles may be filled, for example, with an alcoholic beverage such as beer, a non-alcoholic beverage such as juice, a food product, a cosmetic product, a pharmaceutical product, a daily product, automotive parts, agricultural supplies, or building supplies.

[0055] In the embodiments, the carton contained six beverage cans. However, the present invention is not restricted to this configuration and the carton can contain fewer than or more than six articles. In the embodiments, the six beverage cans were arranged in two rows of three cans inside the carton. However, the present invention is not restricted to this configuration. The arrangement can be something other than two rows of three articles, for example, two rows of two articles or three rows of two articles.

[0056] In the embodiments, the hanging device and/or the carton was made of cardboard. However, the present invention is not restricted to this configuration. They can be made of any type of sheet with the desired flexibility and rigidity such as a paper and resin composite or laminate.

100: Hanging device 110: Main portion 111: Fold line 120: Attaching means 130: First engaging panel 140: Second engaging panel 140a: Near end 140b: Far end 141: Fold line 143: Fold line 150: Second engaging panel 150a: Near end 150b: Far end 151: Fold line 153: Fold line 160: Finger panel 161: Slit or cutting line 163: Outermost edge 200: Hanging device 210: Main portion of box 300: Blank 310: First bottom panel 320: First side panel 323, 325: Holding means 3a: Shoulder panel 3b: Connecting panel 3c: Folding panel 330: Top panel 331: Recessed portion 333: Gripping means 340: Second side panel 343, 345: Holding means 350: Second bottom panel 400: Carton

500: Article or beverage can 600: User's finger

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hanging device comprising a main portion joined with an attaching means for releasably attaching the main portion to an article, the attaching means including a first engaging panel and at least one second engaging panel, the at least one second engaging panel being connected to the first engaging panel to hang between a locked position and a released position, the at least one second engaging panel being arranged at a first acute angle relative to the first engaging panel when in the locked position, the at least one second engaging panel being arranged at a second acute angle relative to the first engaging panel when in the released position, and the first acute angle being greater than the second acute angle.

2. A hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the first acute angle is greater than 0 degrees and the second acute angle is 0 degrees or greater than 0 degrees.

3. A hanging device according to claim 1, further comprising a releasing means for operating the attaching means to move the attaching means from the locked position to the released position, the releasing means having a finger panel hinge-connected to the at least one second engaging panel.

4. A hanging device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second engaging panel is a flap having a near end and a far end on the opposite side, the near end being hinge-connected to the first engaging panel along a first fold line, and the far end not being connected to the finger panel.

5. A hanging device according to claim 4, wherein the finger panel has an outermost edge, the outermost edge being arranged away from the first engaging panel when the hanging device is in flat blank form, and the outermost edge being arranged closer to the first fold line than to the far end when the hanging device is in flat blank form.

6. A hanging device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second engaging panel has two or more engaging panels, and the finger panel spans the two or more engaging panels.

7. A hanging device according to claim 3, wherein the finger panel is not directly connected to the first engaging panel but is connected via the at least one second engaging panel.

8. A hanging device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second engaging panel is connected to the first engaging panel along a first fold line, the finger panel is connected to the at least one second engaging panel along a second fold line, and the second fold line is arranged transversely relative to the first fold line.

9. A package comprising: at least one article, a carton arranged at least partially around the at least one article, and a hanging device releasably attached to the at least one article, the at least one article having a recessed end, the carton having a plurality of wall panels hinge-connected to each other, the plurality of wall panels including a first panel arranged along the recessed end of the at least one article, the hanging device having a main portion arranged adjacent to at least a portion of the outside of the carton and an attaching means joined with the main portion, the attaching means being arranged between the first panel of the carton and the recessed portion of the at least one article, the attaching means having a first engaging panel and at least one second engaging panel hinge-connected to the first engaging panel, the first engaging panel arranged in contact with an inner surface of the first panel of the carton, the at least one second engaging panel arranged in contact with the recessed end of the at least one article, and the at least one second engaging panel being in a locked position with the at least one second engaging panel arranged at an acute angle with respect to the first engaging panel (130).

10. A package according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of wall panels define a tubular structure having at least one open end, and the main portion is arranged in a position so that the main portion at least partially closes the at least one open end of the tubular structure.

11. A package according to claim 9, wherein the at least one article is two or more articles, the at least one second engaging panel has two or more second panels contacting the recessed end of each of the two or more articles, the hanging device further includes a releasing means for moving the attaching means from the locked position, the releasing means has a finger panel spanning the two or more second engaging panels, and the releasing means extends between two adjacent articles among the two or more articles so as to be operable by a user.

WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person

SPRUSON&FERGUSON

~ (6 12 Dec 2019

100 120 \ 110 2019280057

40b 43 163 .0 53 151 150

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