GB2114529A - Packaging groups of elongate parallelepiped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A pack for use when transporting, palletizing or storing e.g. cartons containing tubes of toothpaste comprises a transparent sheet material cover (30), e.g. of heat shrinkable plastics, surrounding an assembly formed by a box containing a group of the cartons, the box comprising only a rear wall, a bottom, and two side walls. During transport and storing, the pack is turned in such a manner that the long sides of the cartons are vertically positioned in order to increase the rigidity of the pack against downwardly directed forces. When on display or for sale, the pack may be turned so that the cartons are horizontally positioned. In this manner a very simple pack is obtained which reduces the expenses of packing and at the same time being suited for display and sales purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A packaging The present invention relates to a packaging for use when transporting, palletizing, storing, displaying, and selling small, box-shaped articles such as cartons containing tubes, the said packaging with the box-shaped articles being formed as a substantially right-angled box.

It is known to pack small, box-shaped articles into larger cardboard boxes in connection with transportation and storage. However, the packagings usually used make heavy demands on storage space as well as consuming material, and they are therefore expensive to use. The packaged box can be difficult to unpack and may be unsuited for use when presenting the small, box-shaped articles with a view to sale thereof. Furthermore, it does not appear immediately what the closed box contains nor how it's contents should be handled and turned so as to avoid damage thereof during transportation and storage.

It is also known to pack small, box-shaped articles into a basket- or tray-shaped packaging of cardboard or like material, in which the small, box-shaped articles are retained by a plastic film such as for instance shrink-wrapped plastics. However, this type of packaging does not provide sufficient protection of those parts of the packed articles which project above the basket or tray. The outermost articles are especially liable to be subjected to bumps during handling, transportation, and storage of such ready packed baskets.

The present invention aims to provide a simple and inexpensive packaging, which can be used for transporting, storing, displaying, and selling pur poses, both for large purchases, i.e. so-called bulk or wholesale purchases, and for retail distribution and selling.

According to the present invention there is provided a pack for transporting, palletizing, and stor ing, small, box-shaped articles, such as cartons containing tubes, the said pack comprising packag ing arranged with the box-shaped articles as a substantially rectangular assembly, the packaging comprising only a rear wall, a bottom, and two side walls, the rectangular assembly being surrounded by transparent sheet material.In this manner a surprisingly simple solution of the previously en countered problems in connection with existing packagings is obtained, since the packaging accord ing to the invention uses less expensive packing material, simplifies the manner of packing in connec tion with continuous production of the assemblies, and reduces the demand for space in the shop or store whilst at the same time it is easy to unpack the cartons from the pack, and price-mark, display, and sell the cartons from the pack.

The invention has been devised with particular reference to (though not being limited to) use with small, oblong, box-shaped articles such as cartons containing tubes of toothpaste. When the width of the packaging is called W, the height thereof is called H, and the length thereof is called L, W usually corresponds almost to the length of the oblong article or carton, H is an integer, preferably 3 to 5 times the height of the article or carton, and L is an integer, preferably 5 to 20 times the width of the oblong article or carton. Usually, the articles or cartons are placed in parallel layers above the bottom surface of the packaging which thus measures W multiplied by L. The dimensions W, H, and L of the packaging should preferably be chosen such that the cartons may rest reliably on the bottom surface measuring W x L, and on the rear wall measuring H x L.Therefore, the width W should preferably not be greater than twice the height H, and also it should preferably not be greater than twice the length L either. Usually, L is greater than both the width and the length. Correspondingly, the height H should preferably not be greater than twice the width Wand also it should preferably not be greater than twice the length L.

The stability on the rear wall is important since the pack incorporating the preferably oblong, boxshaped articles possesses the highest resistance to downwardly directed compressive forces when resting on its rear wall in such a manner that the oblong articles are substantially verticaly positioned and can co-operate in reinforcing the pack. During the transportation and storage, the pack should therefore be placed and stacked with its rear surface facing downwards in such a manner that the oblong articles are substantially vertically positioned.

However, when displaying and selling the articles, the box may advantageously be placed with its bottom surface facing downwards in such a manner that the oblong articles are horizontally positioned.

In this position, the protecting film can be removed without the articles falling out of the packaging.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a packaging according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cut and scored blank for the packaging shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the packaging of Figure 1 filled with articles and surrounded by shrink wrapped plastics and thus constituting a pack in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of packaging according to the present invention; Figure 4a shows a corner of a third embodiment of the packaging of Figure 4; Figure 5 shows a cut and scored blank for the packaging of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a cut and scored blank for a fourth embodiment of packaging according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment of packaging according to the present invention;; Figure 8 shows a sixth embodiment of packaging according to the present invention, and cartons ready for installation therein; and Figure 9 shows a seventh embodiment of a pack according to the present invention orientated in the position to be used during transportation.

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of packaging according to the present invention. The packaging box 10 onlycomprises a rearwall 11,a bottom 12, and two partially double side walls 13, 14.

The packaging box 10 is preferably made of corrugated paper, e.g. type A, B or E, but it may also be made of any other rigid, impact-absorbing material such as for instance plastics or laminate comprising one or several different materials.

For the sake of clarity, the thickness of the material is greatly exaggerated in the drawings. All the end rims of the material, e.g. the corrugated paper, as indicated by double lines.

Figure 2 illustrates a cut and scored blankforthe packaging of Figure 1. This blank is very simple since it is formed as a rectangle with two transverse fold lines 21, 22 located symmetrically about the transverse centre line of the rectangle outwardly of the midpoint between the centre line and the end of the blank. A further fold line is located parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the blank and a little to one side of it. This fold line 26 extends between the fold lines 21 and 22. A pair of cuts 23 and 24 extend out from the ends of the fold line 26 to the ends of the blank in the same direction as the fold line 26. The blank thus makes use of the whole of the rectangle and no waste is involved in the cutting and processing of the blank into the packaging.

Parallel to and slightly inwardly of the fold line 21 there is provided a tear-off strip 25 the function of which will be described in more detail below.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment in which the inner side walls 14 are extensions of the rear wall 11, and are therefore called the rear wall extensions.

Correspondingly, the outer side walls 13 are extensions of the bottom 12 and are therefore called the bottom panel extensions.

When the height of the packaging almost corresponds to the width thereof, the rear wall panel extensions and the bottom panel extensions are almost square and almost cover each other and consequently reinforce each other across the major portion of the side surfaces.

Usually, the width W of the packaging box corresponds substantially to the length of the preferably oblong articles. Furthermore, the height H, the width W, and the length L of the box may be such that the said box can rest reliably on the rear wall 11 too.

Such a stability is ensured when the width W of the bottom 12 is not greater than twice the height H, and also it should not be greater than twice the length L.

Usually, L is greater than both the width and the height, L may for instance be 150, 200,250,300,350, 400, 550 or 600 mm. The height H should preferably be greater than or equal to a quarter of the length L in such a mannerthatthe supporting surface, i.e. the rear wall 11, is not disproportionately narrow compared to the length L. When the pack is positioned with the rear wall 11 of the packaging box facing downwards, the narrow, oblong, box-shaped articles are substantially vertically positioned, and through their rigidity they increase the capacity of the pack for resisting a downwardly directed pressure, e.g.

from other packs piled thereon.

When the pack is positioned with the bottom surface 12 ofthe packaging box facing downwards, it is, however, less resistant to downwardly directed pressures. in this position, however, it is well suited for display and sale of the packed articles (once the shrink wrap has been removed) since the said articles are immediately visible and since the plastic film may be removed completely or partially without the oblong articles or cartons falling out of the packaging box.

The exact proportions of the height, the width, and the length of the packaging box depend on the sizes of the articles to be packed therein, and therefore, the side surfaces 13, 14 usually are not completely square. Therefore either the bottom panel 12 or the rear panel 11 is the largest surface, and it is obvious that the most impact resistant pack is obtained by placing the largest panel outermost.

Figures 4 and 5 shows a second embodiment in which the blank (Figure 5) is cut in such a manner that the smallest panel of the panels 13, 14 is sufficiently large to cover the entire side wall. The largest panel being greater than the side wall in this embodiment, is folded to form an additionally reinforced rim by means of an additional fold line 28 (see Figure 5). Each large panel 13 is folded inwards about itself (see Figure 4) or outwards about itself (not shown).

In a third embodiment which is a modification of the second embodiment the larger panel 13 is folded over the edge of the smaller panel (see Figure 4a).

Figure 3 shows the way the packaging box is used to form a pack. A predetermined number of articles or cartons are stacked side by side on the flat bottom of the packaging in its flat blank condition, the rear wall and side surfaces of which are simultaneously folded upwards about the articles. Subsequently, the packaging and the articles are wound with or surrounded by transparent shrinkable sheet material 30, such as heat shrinkable plastics, which is then shrunk to shrink wrap the articles and the packaging and form the pack.

During transportation and storage, the pack is desirably oriented in such a manner that the oblong articles are substantially vertically positioned (see Figure 9). As a result, the oblong, box-shaped articles co-operate in improving the resistance ofthe pack against pressures from above.

Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment in which the cut lines 23 and 24 are moved in such a manner that they occupy the parts of the two folding lines 21,22 which extend beyond the fold line 26 (from the longitudinal fold line). In this embodiment, the fold line 26 extends the full length of the blank. As a result, a packaging is obtained whereby the additional panels afford reinforcement of either the bottom orthe rear wall.

Compared to the above embodiments, the packaging may be further simplified by the rear wall 11 and/or the side walls 13, 14 only partially covering the packed articles, as shown in Figure 7, wherein the side walls are obliquely cut, or as shown in Figure 8, wherein the height h of the rear wall 11 and the side walls 13, 14 are substantially smaller than the height H of the pack formed when the oblong articles or cartons are located in the packaging box.

These embodiments provide an additional saving of material, and the weight of the packaging is also reduced. Furthermore, the contents of the packaging can be seen from the side.

The pack may be opened in one of the surfaces above the bottom or the rear wall, (see Figure 3), e.g.

by cutting between two layers of articles and subsequently by removing the plastic layer from the end surfaces of the articles. In this manner the individual articles may be price-marked in an easy manner. The entire packaging may subsequently be placed on a sales shelf, and a buyer may easily take one or several articles out of the packaging. One side surface or end wall may optionally be completely removed by means of the tear-off strip 25 (see Figure 2) in the rearwall and/or the bottom.

Claims (21)

1. A pack for transporting, palletizing, and storing, small, box-shaped articles such as cartons containing tubes, the said pack comprising a packaging box arranged with the box-shaped articles as a substantially rectangular assembly, the packaging box comprising only a rear wall, a bottom, and two side walls, the rectangular assembly being surrounded by a transparent, sheet material.

2. A pack as claimed in Claim 1 in which the side walls are completely or partially double.

3. A pack as claimed in Claim 1 in which the bottom or the rear wall are completely or partially double.

4. A pack as claimed in Claim 1 in which the rear wall and/or the side walls only cover part of the packed articles.

5. A pack as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the sheet material is shrink wrapped plastics.

6. A pack as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 5 in which the packaging box is made of a rigid material such as plastics or corrugated paper.

7. A pack as claimed in Claim 6 in which the rigid material is type A, B, or E corrugated paper.

8. A pack as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 in which the width W of the pack, i.e. the width of the bottom, substantially corresponds to the longest dimension, i.e. the length, of the box-shaped article, and is smaller than or equal to twice the height H of the pack, and the height H of the pack is greater than or equal to a quarter of the length L of the pack.

9. A pack as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 in which the bottom is slightly less broad than the height of the rear wall, the outer side walls are connected by fold lines to the bottom, and the inner side walls are connected to the rear wall by fold lines

10. A pack as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 in which the two side walls comprise a bent rim reinforcing the pack.

11. A pack as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 in which a tear-off strip is provided in the rear wall and the bottom.

12. A pack as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as specifically described herein with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A cut and scored blank for a pack as claimed in Claim 1 in which the blank is substantially rectangular and has a first fold line connecting a rear wall panel of the packaging to a bottom panel of the said packaging, and two transverse fold lines symmetrically located on either side of the transverse centre line of the blank, two cuts in extension of the first fold line extending from each transverse fold line outwardly to the ends of the blank, each end of the blankthereby having a rear wall panel side flap and a bottom panel side flap connected to the rear panel and bottom panel at one end of the blank by one of the transverse fold lines and at the other end of the blank by the other of the transverse fold lines.

14. A cut and scored blank as claimed in Claim 13 in which the first fold line is substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the rectangle, and the two transverse fold lines are substantially parallel to the transverse centre line of the rectangle.

15. A cut and scored blank as claimed in Claim 13, in which the length (Y) of the rear wall panel side flap almost corresponds to the width (Y') of the bottom panel, and each bottom panel. side flap has a fold line located at a distance (X) from its transverse fold line substantially corresponding to the height (X') of the packaging.

16. A cut and scored blank for a pack as claimed in Claim 1 in which the blank is substantially rectangular and has a first fold line connecting a rear wall panel of the packaging to a bottom panel of the said packaging, and two transverse fold lines symmetrically located on either side of the transverse centre line of the blank, a cut in extension of each of the transverse fold lines extending in the direction of each transverse fold line outwardly to the rear of the blank beyond the first fold line, each end of the blank thereby having a bottom panel side flap connected by one of the transverse fold lines to the bottom panel, each bottom panel side flap carrying a rear panel side flap connected to the bottom panel side flap by an extension of the first fold line.

17. A cut and scored blank as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 16 in which one or more of the side flaps are obliquely cut.

18. A cut and scored blank as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 17 in which a tear-off strip is punched out in one or both ends of the rear wall panel or the bottom panel, the said tear-off strip being substantially parallel to the transverse centre line of the rectangular blank.

19. A cut and prescored blank substantially as specifically described herein with reference to Figure 2, Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of manufacturing a pack as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12 which comprises providing a cut blank as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 19, the bottom panel being an integral multiple of the dimension of the small, box-shaped articles, placing a rectangular array of the said articles on the bottom panel, folding the rearward panel and the side flaps upwards to form a rectangular assembly, surrounding the rectangular assembly with shrinkable transparent, sheet material, and shrinking the said shrinkable material around the rectangular assembly to form the pack.

21. A method of storing and transporting a pack as claimed in Claims 1 to 12 or a pack made as claimed in Claim 20 which comprises orienting the pack so that the longest dimension, i.e. the long side of the box-shaped articles, is substantially vertically positioned.