ES2244455T3 - CARTON BOX AND HANDLE FOR SUCH CARTON BOX. - Google Patents

Abstract

Cardboard box for packing a quantity of articles, for example bottles containing a quantity of panels to form a tubular structure comprising an upper wall panel having opposite end edges and side edges, the upper wall panel (18) containing a handle ( 66), characterized in that a fold line (101) extends from the handle to a clipped line (89) placed along a side edge (28) of the upper wall panel to thereby relieve the handle (66) of tensile stresses

Description

Cardboard box and handle for said box paperboard.

The present invention relates generally to cuts of cardboard boxes of cardboard packaging intended to be Used to pack items. She is particularly useful in Concerning cardboard boxes intended to be packed containers, for example boxes or bottles of beverages, although the invention is not limited in this regard. More particularly the invention refers to a handle intended for said boxes of paperboard.

Containers, for example boxes or bottles, intended for beverages containing non-alcoholic beverages, beer, juices or similar drinks, are normally sold in several Units packed in a cardboard box of cardboard packaging. For That is practical for the consumer, the cardboard is normally provided by a handle, which in fact includes, as a characteristic main, one or two slits or other openings formed in the paperboard. These grooves are usually formed in a wall Top of the cardboard box. The user inserts the hand or the fingers in one of the slits, or both, to lift the box of cardboard. Numerous varieties of handles of this type.

The fact of lifting a cardboard box containing boxes or bottles introduces considerable tension in the cardboard with which the cardboard box is formed. For this reason, and to prevent the tearing of the cardboard and the weakness of the cardboard of Packing, a large number of cardboard packing handles have been conceived in the course of the years, which comprise a great variety of reinforcement structures, fittings and location of openings, fold lines orienting the tensions, stress discharge slits, and media Similar.

Recently, we have tried to introduce in the market cardboard boxes for drinks in which the boxes are place the corresponding boxes of each row in two rows They are aligned axially. We can see an example of such boxes of cardboard referring to US Patent No. 5 427 242. Said boxes cardboard are meant to contain relatively numbers important boxes, for example 24 or 36 boxes. The weight that contain such cardboard boxes converts the use of Reinforced handle structures particularly advantageous.

In addition, despite numerous conceptions of handles that have been developed previously, a need for the handles with results improved A more robust handle can allow the use of larger cartons to pack heavier loads, as well as offer the possibility of using a smaller cut dimension, or a lighter cardboard material. Considering the very numerous packing cartons that are manufactured, the cost price savings that can be realized thanks to These last advantages can be significant.

The present invention and its embodiment Preferred are to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

One of the aspects of the invention proposes a cardboard to pack a variety of items, for example bottles containing a variety of panels to form a structure tubular with an upper wall panel having edges of opposite end and side edges. Top wall panel It is provided with a handle. A fold line extends from the handle up to a cropped line placed along one edge side of the upper wall panel to thereby move away from the handle tensile stresses

Preferably, the fold line can terminate between the ends of the trimmed edge line side.

According to an optional feature of said aspect of the invention, the fold line may deviate from a rectilinear path in order to cut the trimmed edge line side.

According to another optional feature of said aspect of the invention, the handle may comprise first and second spaced openings defining a handle panel.

Preferably there may also be a second fold line extending from one edge of the first planned opening for the hand to the cut and spaced line with respect to the first fold line to define a part of the upper wall that is able to flex with respect to the wall upper, to thereby remove tension from the handle and / or absorb said tensile stresses.

More preferably, at least one line weakened extends from the first opening to connect from detachable way the handle to the top wall panel and the line of fold, or each fold line extending from a first weakened line

Optionally, the weakened line, or each line weakened, it can, before being finished, bend towards inside.

According to another optional feature of said aspect of the invention, the second fold line can extend from a place located on the edge of the opening next to the intersection of the first opening planned for the hand with the weakened line.

According to another optional feature of said aspect of the invention, the second fold line can extend from the edge of the first opening planned for the hand.

According to even another optional feature of said aspect of the invention, there may be, on one side of the handle, opposite weakened lines that extend from the handle and a second flexible part, the second flexible part being defined by a third fold line that extends from the second weakened line to a second trimmed side edge line provided on the lateral edge, and a fourth fold line that extends from the edge of the opening to one end of the second cut line, side edge.

Preferably, a part of each of the two fold lines, the second and fourth, can be placed from so that they have a partially common extension.

According to an optional feature of said aspect of the invention, the other side of the handle may comprise opposite weakened lines extending from the handle and a couple of flexible parts extending between the handle and the planned opening for the hand, as well as a couple of spaced trimmed lines formed from the opposite side edge, the pair of lines cropped and the first and second cropped lines meeting in different relative longitudinal positions on the edges opposite sides.

According to another optional feature of said aspect of the invention, the cut-out line, or each cut-off, side-edge line can be part of a structure receiving articles comprising opposite articulated flaps separated by a supplementary cut-out line extending practically perpendicular to the cut-off edge line
side.

A second aspect of the invention proposes a cardboard box intended to pack a variety of items, by example bottles placed in a quantity of spinners, said carton comprises a top wall panel having side edges articulated opposites to the respective side walls and the opposite end edges articulated to the end walls respective, the top panel containing a first and a second openings planned for the hand, spaced by defining, at less in part, a handle panel by which the cardboard box can be raised, characterized in that a couple of panel elements spacing extends from the handle panel to each of the edges respectively, each of said panel elements being defined by a pair of fold lines that cross said lateral edge at the level of a cropped line placed along said side edge, in which the handle panels are adapted to bend in order to direct the tensile stresses towards their respective cut lines when the cardboard box is lifted by the handle and in which each of said cut lines forms part of a window opening, in the associated side wall, said window opening covers the top of the article adjacent in the cardboard box and is adapted to be opened by the top of the article during the hold of the box cardboard by the handle panel to relieve tensile stresses in  the panel.

Preferably, window openings formed on a side wall make contact with an article placed the most outward in the two rows of items more centered adjacent, seen from the ends of the box cardboard, and the two are placed between the locations of the window openings of the opposite side wall.

According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, each window opening may be defined by one or more connected side opening flaps articulated to the respective side wall panel and adapted to be articulated outwards by an article present at the opening.

Brief description of the drawings

Forms of realization serving as an example will be described now, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the inner surface of a cut intended to make a box of cardboard fitted with a handle placement according to one of the aspects of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view representing a first stage of the realization of a box of cardboard from a section of figure 1;

Figure 3 represents the closing structure of sealed end to make the finished cardboard box; Y

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the part from the top panel of the cardboard box shown in the figure 3.

Detailed description of the embodiments preferential

In reference to the drawings, and in particular to the Figure 1, a die 10 intended for the realization of a cardboard of Packing of cardboard or other suitable folding sheet material It is represented. The die 10 comprises a variety of panels intended to form a tubular structure; this form of embodiment comprises a base wall panel 12, a panel 14 of side wall, a top wall panel 18 and a second panel 20 side wall connected together in an articulated way, respectively along the fold lines 26, 28 and 30. In this embodiment, the side wall panels 14 and 20 are placed in upper parts 16, 21 and in lower parts 15, 22. It will be seen later in Figure 1 that the upper part 16 is connected in an articulated manner to the bottom 15 of the wall lateral 14 along the fold line 34. Similarly, the upper part 21 is connected in an articulated manner to the part bottom 22 along the fold line 36. There may also be a fixing flap 24 connected in an articulated manner to the panel 20 sidewall along the fold line 32.

Optionally, end walls are provided at opposite ends of the tubular structure, and on one side of the tubular structure, they comprise wall panels 40, 42 of upper and lower end connected in an articulated manner to the panel 18 upper wall and base wall panel 12, respectively along the fold lines 46 and 44. You can there must also be one or several structures 50 of bag panels, for help the formation of one or two end walls. Every 50 bag panel structure is virtually identical to the another, therefore, only one of said structures 50 will be described with more detail later.

The bag panel structure 50 comprises the bottom bag panel 52 articulatedly connected to the panel 22 of lower side wall along the fold line 58 and the intermediate bag panel 54 connected in an articulated manner to the upper side panel 21 along the fold line 60. A connection part 64 connects the bag panels 52 and 54, but These are however separated by an opening. There may be also a top bag panel that interconnects so articulated upper end wall panel 40 and panel intermediate bag 54, along the fold line 62 and respectively of an extension of the fold line 30. To help folding, the fold line 62 is preferably configured to converge at the intersection of the lines 30 and 60 fold.

It will appear clearly according to figure 1 that the opposite end wall structure is practically the same than described above, therefore, numerical references identical are used, adding the letter "a".

Considering now the handle structure, a handle is provided in the upper wall panel 18 which, in a class of embodiments, comprises a pair of openings 68 and 70 intended for the hand, positioned on either side of a handle panel 66. The openings are generally oval in order to receive the hand of a user, although other forms can be used according to the requirements of the
Username.

Preferably panel 66 is connected to weakened way to upper panel 18 along the lines weakened 80 along a part of each side edge but, however, it is separated from the top by the openings 68, 70 planned for the hand. Preferably the lines weakened 80s curl inward before finishing. In this embodiment the handle panel 66 is oblong, although it is it is desirable that the shape of the handle can be modified according to the user preferred requirements. In the place where the lines weakened 80 deflect their rectilinear trajectory are preferably provided with cut lines 79 of relief of tension that are curved backwards outward in practically 180º.

There may also be a reinforcement band "S" fixed to panels 40 and 40a of upper end walls opposites and the band be equally attached to the handle panel 66, with glue aid or other suitable means known in the field. May there must also be a buffer flap 72 placed along the inner side edge of opening 68 and connected to panel 66 of handle along the fold line 76. A similar buffer flap 74 may be provided, which is connected to the side edge opposite of the handle panel 66 along the fold line 78. It will be noted that in the finished cardboard the fold lines 76 and 78, they are preferably placed practically on the lateral edges of the underlying reinforcement band "S".

A variety of provisions 81, 81a of Receipt of items are optionally provided for receive and / or make contact with an article, such provisions 81, 81a are cut respectively in the side panels superiors 16 and 21. Provisions 81, 81a of receipt of articles are practically identical and, therefore, only one of Such provisions will be described in more detail. It will look on the Figure 1 that the provision 81 for receiving articles comprises a pair of panels 82 and 84 for receiving items trimmed in the upper side wall panel 16 and respectively connected to it along fold lines 86 and 88 that diverge. The panels 82, 84 can have a practically triangular shape and they are separated from the cut by a pair of cut lines 87, 89 to allow panels 82, 84 to articulate on the lines of fold 86, 88 to define a retention opening. Preferably one of the trimmed lines 89 rides on the line fold 28 and ends in curved parts in order to seek some relief as far as tensions are concerned.

In other embodiments, no provision is made. provisions for receiving articles, although to help dissipate handle tensions, trimmed lines 89, 89a can be provided along one edge or several edges of the wall higher.

Each provision 81, 81a of reception of items is set up to receive an item located more outside, from one of the rows, as represented in the Figures 2 and 4, panels 82, 84 being folded in the direction of exterior, pointed with a top of the item received in the resulting retention opening. Preferably, the configuration of the 81st item receiving arrangement is located on one side of the upper wall 18 in order to receive two adjacent articles A1, A2, for example of the third and fourth rows and that of provision 81 of receiving articles is located on the other upper side wall in view to receive articles A3, A4 of different rows, for example of the second and fifth rows of figure 2.

A variety of deviation fold lines Tension are formed in the upper wall panel 18. On one side of the carton containing the reception arrangements 81a of items with adjacent locations, there is a fold line 90 extending from the handle panel 66 and ending at along the trimmed line 89a forming one of the provisions 81a of receiving items, preferably between the ends of the cut line 89a. In said embodiment, the line fold 90 preferably comprises two rectilinear parts that they form an obtuse angle to each other. There may be a second line of fold 96 extending from the opposite end of the panel of handle 66 and ending at the trimmed line 89a, following a edge of the other provision of receiving articles 81a formed from the upper side panel 21. In said embodiment, there are also a couple of cut lines 92, 94 that extend from the ends of the trimmed lines 89a and that converge in a point adjacent to a central part of the opening 70 and which they end on the outer edge of it.

The opposite side of the top panel comprises also a variety of fold lines that deflect tensions, However, as the provisions for receiving articles are more spaced, the fold lines are configured differently. The fold line 100 extends from the panel end 66 of handle and ends at the level of a trimmed line 89 layout 81 receiving items. The fold line 100 comprises preferably two rectilinear parts forming an angle to each other obtuse in such a way that the fold line 100 cuts practically perpendicularly the trimmed line 89 of one of the openings 81 of receiving items. A second fold line 98 is preferably extends from the fold line 88 to be finished at the level of an outer edge of the opening 68. similar, a second pair of fold lines 99, 101 connects the other placement 81 of receiving items respectively to panel 66 handle and opening 68.

The shape and configuration of the lines of Fold is not limited to those described above and is desirable that other placements can be used.

However each pair of fold lines adjacent must have a shape that defines a part 102, 104, 106, 108 of the upper wall panel 18, which is represented in figures 3 and 4, and which can be bent or curved, with respect to to the upper and / or side walls of the cardboard, in order, due to this, of transmitting, orienting and / or absorbing tensions of traction coming from the handle.

Now considering the realization of the container depicted in figures 2 and 3, it is desirable that the box of cardboard of the present invention can be made thanks to a series of successive folding and gluing operations that can be made on an online machine, so you don't have Need the cardboard box to be turned or turned to finish your realization. The folding process is not limited to that described previously and can be modified according to the requirements of private manufacturing

Referring now to figure 2, the cardboard it can be seen in a tubular state, formed from the cut 10. The "S" band of handle reinforcement is attached to the cardboard and the fixing flap 24 is fixed to the base panel 12 with glue aid or other suitable means known in the field.

The cardboard C is represented with its structure end closure, comprising wall panels 40 and 40a of upper end and lower end wall panels 42 and 42a, open so that the cardboard is loaded from one of the ends, or both, with "A" items, as represented here by way of example, with bottles of drinks placed in a single row. "A" items are positioned on the base wall panel 12 of the cardboard 10. Said operation Loading can be executed by means of a packing machine Adequate automated commercially available.

The closing operation of the closing structure end is preferably performed as follows. He upper end wall panel 40 is folded to get a closed position against packed A items, folding inwards the structures 50 of the bag panel. Applies glue on the bottom end wall panel 42 then the panel 42 bottom end wall is folded up and is fixed to the top end panel.

An identical operation is executed to form the end closure structure located at the opposite end of the paperboard. (In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cardboard is loaded from one end using a machine automatic packing). During said loading operation, the opposite end of the cardboard, not loaded, is closed and sealed before the bottles are pushed into the cardboard box. The cardboard box, in its fully realized and loaded state, is  represented in figure 3.

The placement of handle formed on the wall panel upper 18 upper panel can be seen in more detail observing figure 4. During its use, when lifting the cardboard box for the first time, a user inserts the hands and / or the fingers in one of the openings 68 and 70, or both, and grab the part of panel 66 located between them. Then the user lifts the carton C. The weight of the cardboard makes the lifting action  separate the handle panel 66 from the top wall panel along weakened lines 80, then deflects tear tension to along the fold lines 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 in direction to provisions 81 for receiving articles. It converts effectively tear tension present in the handle area, in a tension of tension along the fold lines. So, said parts 102, 104, 106, 108 of the upper wall, located between the fold lines mentioned above, they can bend and / or bend.

In the particular embodiment described, a specific place is represented for each provision of Receipt of articles. However, the reception provisions of articles may be located next to other articles of the item group and the place of the fold lines can be modified accordingly, within the scope of the invention.

It will also be noted that it is possible to use the handle of the present invention with a cardboard containing corners "beveled."

The lifting of the cardboard makes the panel 66 of handle curves upward in its central zone, and this is supported by the reinforcement band "S" in two layers. Because this, the weakened lines can be torn to allow the handle panel 66 overhang the wall panel top 18. Curved lines 79 release tension help also to prevent tearing to extend beyond the line weakened 80.

Due to the fact that the tear in the panel upper is directed, the general tear resistance is of made improved. Not only does the handle have a resistance improved, but also provides a "feeling" of user comfort during lifting and / or transport of paperboard.

It is easy to point out that although in the preferred embodiment, the present invention has been described in connection with a cardboard intended to pack bottles, the handle structure can also be used with a cardboard intended to pack two rows of bottles, or for a carton intended to pack boxes, boats or other containers or other articles. The containers may be oriented vertically, as described here, or horizontally.

In addition, it should be noted that various means of handle reinforcement other than those described here may be used with the handle described. For example, before a panel superior 18 unique and that the band "S" comprising a reinforcement structure, a top panel can be used comprising a ride of a generally known type. In said embodiment known in the field, the riding between the two parts of the upper panel it forms a two-layer band which extends down to the center of the upper wall of the carton box. We can see an example of a cardboard box of this type in US Patent No. 5 427 242 which is incorporated herein into reference title The handle structure is formed in the panel superior containing a ride, in the same way as the handle structure described here, as you will easily understand the experienced people in the field. In said embodiment, weakened lines 80 are formed so that they extend along the edges of the part presenting a riding

It will also be noted that, such as used here, the directional references as "top", "base", "end", "side", "top", "intermediate" and "lower" do not limit the panels respective to a certain address, but they only serve to  distinguish these panels from each other. Any reference to a articulated connection should not be understood in reference to a single fold line, in fact it is desirable that a connection articulated may consist of a marked line, a line weakened, or one, two or several fold lines without leaving the framework of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. Cardboard box for packing a number of items, for example bottles containing a number of panels to form a tubular structure comprising an upper wall panel having opposite end edges and side edges, the upper wall panel (18) containing a handle (66), characterized in that a fold line (101) extends from the handle to a clipped line (89) placed along a side edge (28) of the upper wall panel to thereby relieve the handle (66 ) of tensile stresses. 2. Cardboard box according to claim 1, in which the fold line ends between the ends of the line cropped (89) from the side edge. 3. Cardboard box according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fold line separates from a rectilinear path in order to cut the trimmed line (89) of the side edge. 4. Cardboard box according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the handle comprises a first and a second opening (68, 70) spaced defining a handle panel (66). 5. Cardboard box according to claim 4 further comprising a second fold line (99) that is extends from one edge of the first hand opening of the line cropped (89) and spaced with respect to the first line of fold to define a part of the upper wall and that is capable bending over the upper wall to relieve it of the handle the tensile stresses and / or absorb said stresses of traction. 6. Cardboard box according to claim 5, in which at least one weakened line (80) extends from the first opening (68) to detachably connect the handle (66) to the upper wall panel and in which the first fold line (101) extends from the or each weakened line (80). 7. Cardboard box according to claim 6, in which the or each weakened line (80) before termination, is inward curve. 8. Cardboard box according to claim 6 or 7, in which the second fold line (99) extends from a place located on the edge of the opening next to the intersection of the first hand opening with the line weakened 9. Cardboard box according to claim 6 or 7, in which the second fold line extends from one edge of the first hand opening (68). 10. Cardboard box according to any one of the claims 5 to 9, comprising, on one side of the handle, opposite weakened lines (80) extending from the first opening and a flexible second part, in which the second part flexible is defined by a third fold line (100) that extends from the second weakened line to a second line trimmed (89) side edge provided on the side edge, and a fourth fold line (98) extending from the edge of opening of one end of the second trimmed edge line side. 11. Cardboard box according to claim 10, in which the other side of the handle comprises opposite weakened lines (80) extending from the second opening (70) and a couple of flexible parts extending between the handle and a couple of lines spaced apart (89a), formed from the opposite side edge in which the pair of trimmed lines (89a) and the first and second cropped lines (89) are in longitudinal positions different relative on opposite side edges. 12. Cardboard box according to claim 11, in which the two flexible parts are arranged so that they are of the same extension. 13. Cardboard box according to any one of the preceding claims in which the or each clipped line (89, 89a) side edge is part of a structure receiving articles comprising opposite articulated flaps (82, 84) separated by a supplementary cropped line (87) extending practically perpendicular to the trimmed edge line side. 14. Die to form a cardboard box according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. Handle structure for a cardboard box that It is used to pack a quantity of items, for example bottles comprising: a top wall panel having the edges opposite sides and end edges, top panel having a first and second spaced openings planned inside in order to define a handle in which the fold line extends from the handle to a cut line arranged at along a side edge of the upper wall panel and a second fold line extending from one edge of the first hand opening to the trimmed and spaced line with respect to the first fold line to define a part of the upper wall which is able to bend with respect to the upper wall, to thereby alleviate tensile stresses and / or absorb said tensile stresses. 16. Cardboard box for packing a number of items, for example bottles in several rows, said cardboard box comprises an upper wall panel (18) having opposite side edges articulated in respective side walls (14, 20) and edges of opposite ends articulated to respective end walls (40, 40a), the upper panel (18) comprising a first and a second hand opening (68, 70) spaced apart defining, at least in part, a handle panel (66) by which the cardboard box can be lifted, characterized in that a pair of spaced panel elements extends from the handle panel (66) to each of the side edges respectively, each of said panel elements being defined by a pair of fold lines (101, 99; 96, 94) that cross said side edge at the level of a cut line placed along this side edge, in which the handle panel (66) is adapted to bend in order to direct the tension it is of traction towards its respective cut-out lines (89, 89a) when the cardboard box is lifted by the handle and because each of said cut-off lines forms part of a window opening, in the associated side wall, said window opening covers the upper part of an adjacent article in the cardboard box and is adapted to be opened by the upper part of the article during the elevation of the cardboard box by the handle panel (66) to lighten the tensile stresses in the panel. 17. Cardboard box according to claim 16 in which window openings formed in a side wall (20) they make contact with the outermost article in the two rows of adjacent more central items seen from the ends of the cardboard box and the two being placed between the locations of window openings on the opposite wall. 18. Cardboard box according to claim 15 or 16 in which each window opening is defined by one or several side opening flaps (82, 84) connected so articulated to the respective side wall panel (14, 20) and adapted to be articulated outwards by an article present in the opening. 19. Die to form a cardboard box according to any one of claims 15 to 18.