JP2008013200A - Carton - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carton having a zipper which does not decrease strength of the carton, can surely propagate breakage along a weakened line, and can be broken from both directions. <P>SOLUTION: The carton includes a plurality of panels including a bottom wall/a side wall/a top wall forming a cylindrical structure. The top wall panel includes the zipper, both sides of which are partitioned by a pair of breaking lines to be broken when the carton is opened. Each breaking line is formed by arranging a plurality of Z-shaped/reverse Z-shaped short slits in line, and two sides at both ends of the three sides with the Z-shaped/reverse Z-shaped short slits are extended toward the extending direction of each breaking line. Each breaking line has a pair of dispersing parts which are mutually dispersed and extended from its breaking starting point, a pair of parallel parts which are mutually parallel and extended near the terminal ends of the dispersing parts, and a pair of converging parts which mutually converge near the terminal end of the parallel parts to the breaking end points. The breaking starting point and the breaking end point are mutually in mirror-image relation with the dispersing part and the converging part, and the zipper can be opened from both sides of the breaking starting point and the breaking end point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a carton that houses a plurality of articles such as cans, and more particularly to a technique for improving convenience when the carton is opened.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cartons that contain a plurality of articles such as beverage cans such as soft drinks, bottles, and the like for distribution and use by consumers have been provided. Generally, in a carton that contains articles, a box-like carton comprising a top wall panel, a bottom wall panel, and front, rear, left and right side wall panels, or a part of the box-like carton is cut out to have a window portion. A carton that can be confirmed, or a so-called round-up carton that has a top wall panel, a bottom wall panel, and a pair of side wall panels, has a cylindrical structure with an open front end and rear end, and can confirm the contents. It has been known. Furthermore, many cartons are known, such as a carton having a partially closed structure (side wall panel) at the opening of the round-up carton, or a carton that covers and grips only the top of the article. . Some of these cartons have a grip portion at one end of the top wall panel or a part of the top wall panel, and are thus carried and displayed.

  When a consumer purchases such an article in a carton unit, the carton is carried by a gripping means formed on the top of the carton, and when the article is taken out, for example, a cut-out panel (zipper formed on the top of the carton) ) Is pulled to break the carton.

  In a carton having a zipper as an opening means, generally, a carton is opened by pulling a strip-like cut panel (zipper) formed with a weakening line such as a perforation formed by punching from the breaking start point to the breaking end point. However, usually, the zipper's tensile direction is determined by the shape of the zipper and the weakening line, and the break start point and break end point are determined, and when trying to break the zipper from the break end point to the break start point The weakening line that should originally be broken does not break, but the breaking line propagates toward the center of the belt-like zipper, which is a problem.

  In order to solve such problems, various cartons have been proposed in which the break starting point and break end point are not determined and can be opened from both directions. As such a carton, for example, a carton blank is disclosed in which a breaking tape is embedded in a carton and the carton can be broken along the breaking tape by pulling this (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a carton is disclosed in which weakening lines such as perforations are continuously provided to form a zipper, and the zipper has both fracture starting portions at both ends (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4).

U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,237 U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,737 US Pat. No. 5,542,598 U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,366

  However, in the carton of Patent Document 1, an additional process of providing a breaking tape is required in addition to the punching formation of the carton blank, and there is a problem that the cost is increased. Further, in the cartons of Patent Documents 2 to 4, since the weakening lines such as perforations are arranged in a straight line, once the breakage occurs outside the weakening line, the breakage is propagated to the adjacent perforation. This makes it difficult to rupture a portion that should not be ruptured. In order to reliably propagate the fracture along the weakening line, the degree of weakening must be increased, which reduces the strength of the carton. Conversely, to improve the strength of the carton, the degree of weakening must be reduced. In other words, the propagation of breakage is more difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a carton having a zipper that can be broken from both directions and capable of reliably propagating breakage along a weakening line without reducing the strength of the carton and The purpose is to provide carton blanks.

  The present invention is a carton for holding a plurality of articles such as cans, and includes a plurality of panels including a bottom wall panel, a side wall panel, and a top wall panel for forming a cylindrical structure. The zipper is delimited on both sides by two pairs of break lines that break when the carton is opened, and each of the pair of break lines has at least one Z-shaped or inverted Z-shaped short slit. Two sides at both ends of the three sides forming a Z-shape or an inverted Z-shape of each short slit extend in the extending direction of each break line, and are arranged in a row. The break line includes a pair of spread portions extending from the break starting points and extending from each other, a pair of parallel portions extending in parallel from the vicinity of the ends of the spread portions, and the vicinity of the ends of the parallel portions. A pair of converging parts that converge toward each other at the break end point And a fracture starting point and breaking endpoint, the diverging section and converging section, have a relationship of each mirror images of each other, the zipper is characterized in that it can also be opened from either side of the fracture origin and the fracture endpoint.

  In the carton having the above configuration, two of the three sides of the short slit constituting the breaking line extend in the extending direction of the breaking line, so that the resulting breaking can be guided in the breaking line direction. Furthermore, the remaining one of the three sides extends at a certain angle with respect to the direction of the breaking line. That is, since this one side is arranged to face the breaking line, the breaking is the breaking line. Even when formed out of the range, the break is accepted by this one side and can be guided in the original break line direction.

  Furthermore, since the zipper break starting point and the break end point are formed symmetrically, the zipper can be broken from either the break starting point or the break end point.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a blank for forming a carton for accommodating a plurality of articles such as cans, which is made of cardboard or a similar foldable sheet material. In FIG. 1, the blank 10 a includes a first bottom wall panel 11, a first side wall panel 12, a top wall panel 13, a second side wall panel 14, and a second bottom wall panel 15, which are crease lines. It is connected continuously by 21, 22, 23, 24 so that it can be bent. These panels 11 to 15 form a rectangular cylindrical body, and various panels and flaps described below are formed on the edges of the panels 11 to 15.

  On the front end side (left side in FIG. 1) and the rear end side (right side) of the first side wall panel 12 and the second side wall panel 14, a plurality of folding panels 32 are formed so as to be foldable via the crease line 25. Yes. In addition, on the front end side and the rear end side of the carton 11 to 15, an article support panel 33 is formed so as to be foldable via the crease lines in a state of straddling the crease lines 21, 22, 23, 24. These article support panels 33 are hooked on and supported by the upper and lower ends of the contents such as cans in the assembled state of the carton, and prevent the contents from falling off the carton.

  The first bottom wall panel 11 is formed by punching a plurality of engagement flaps 31 that become joints when assembling the carton, and is foldably connected to the first bottom wall panel 11 via a crease line, A plurality of engagement flap receiving portions 41 for receiving these engagement flaps 31 are formed in the second bottom wall panel 15 by punching.

  The top wall panel 13 is formed with a cut-off panel (zipper) 16 in which weakening lines including a fracture starting point 51, a plurality of Z-shaped or inverted Z-shaped short slits 52 and a central mediating slit 53 are formed at both ends. Has been. These slits are ruptured from a pair of spread portions A that are spread apart from the break starting point portion 51, a pair of parallel portions B that extend in parallel from the vicinity of the end of the spread portion A, and the vicinity of the end of the parallel portion B. And a convergence portion C that converges and extends to the end point portion 54. Since the zipper 16 is symmetrically formed through the mediation slit 53 formed in the center of the parallel part B, the spread part A and the converging part C, and the break starting point part 51 and the break end point part 54 are equivalent to each other. Yes, these may be replaced.

  The plurality of short slits 52 constituting the spread portion A are formed by punching in an inverted Z shape, and each has three sides. Of the three sides constituting the inverted Z-shape of the short slit 52, the two sides 52a and 52b are oriented in the direction of the breaking line. Similarly, the plurality of short slits 52 constituting the parallel part B have an inverted Z shape and a Z shape, and two sides 52c and 52d of the three sides are oriented in the direction of the breaking line. An intermediary slit 53 having five sides is punched and formed at the center of the parallel part B, and 53a close to the spread part A, 53b close to the converging part C and one side of the center are oriented in the direction of the breaking line. Further, the plurality of short slits 52 constituting the converging portion C are punched and formed in a Z shape, and each has three sides. Of the three sides constituting the Z-shape of the short slit 52, the two sides 52e and 52f are oriented in the direction of the breaking line.

  A finger hook tab 35a is formed on the front end of the carton (left side in FIG. 1) of the zipper 16 to be a breaking start for opening the carton, and the carton is placed on the rear end of the carton (right side in FIG. 1). A finger hook tab 35b for opening from the reverse side is formed. Further, a gripping means 34 is punched and formed at the center of the zipper 16, and one side is foldably connected to the zipper 16 via a crease line. The user can insert and hold a finger into the gripping means 34 and carry the carton.

  In order to assemble the carton from the blank shown in FIG. 1, a continuous folding operation is performed. The bending operation is performed without reversing or rotating the blank or carton with a linear machine line. The following shows the procedure, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

  First, an article such as a can is placed on the top wall panel 13 placed horizontally. At this time, it is normal to place the can on the top wall panel 13 with the upper end of the can facing down, but there is no particular limitation. Next, the first side wall panel 12 and the second side wall panel 14 are moved vertically upward along the crease lines 22 and 23 while the folding panel 32 is bent 180 degrees inward in the carton along the crease line 25 and closely attached to the side wall panel. The side wall panels 12 and 13 are closely attached to the side surfaces of the articles. Subsequently, the first bottom wall panel 11 and the second bottom wall panel 15 are bent at 90 degrees with respect to the first side wall panel 12 and the second side wall panel 14 along the crease lines 21 and 24, respectively, to the lower end of the can. The second bottom wall panel 15 and the first bottom wall panel 11 are overlapped in this order to form a rectangular cylindrical body having both ends opened. The engagement flap 31 formed on the first bottom wall panel 11 is pressed with, for example, a finger to insert the engagement flap 31 into the engagement flap receiving portion 41, and the first bottom wall panel 11 and the second bottom wall panel 15. Join. Instead of joining by the engagement flap 31, a joining method such as gluing can be arbitrarily selected. Thus, a package in which a plurality of cans are loaded in the carton shown in FIG. 2 is completed.

  In order to take out the can from the carton, the finger hook tab 35a formed on the zipper 16 is grasped and pulled upward or toward the rear end of the carton. As a result, breakage occurs from the break starting point portions 51 at both ends of the finger hook tab 35a, and this break propagates to the short slit 52 formed closest to the break starting point portion 51, in particular, the side 52a. With the further tearing of the finger tab 35a, the short slit 52 is torn, and breakage occurs from the side 52b of the rear end portion of the slit 52 (the rear end side of the carton, right side in FIG. 1). This breakage propagates especially to the side 52a of the second short slit 52, and in the same manner, the breakage propagates sequentially between the adjacent short slits, and the spread portion A breaks. Subsequently, the break from the side 52b of the last slit 52 of the spread part A propagates to the side 52c of the first slit 52 of the parallel part B. Similarly, the break propagates between the slits, and the parallel part B and the convergent part. C breaks and the carton is opened.

  Generally, when the zipper is opened by pulling the finger tab upward, the fracture tends to propagate inward of the zipper. For example, in the conventional carton disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4, the slit is a straight line. Therefore, when the zipper is broken, the breakage does not propagate to the adjacent slit but goes inward, and the zipper is damaged. On the other hand, in the present invention, even if the break generated from the side 52b of the slit 52 is directed to the inside of the zipper, the central side of the three sides of the adjacent slit 52 is positioned inward of the break line direction. In addition, since it forms an angle with the direction of the fracture line, it is possible to receive a fracture directed inward. In addition, since the side 52a of the adjacent slit 52 extends further inward of the zipper than the central side, this side 52a can also receive the breakage. In the same manner, the breakage propagates sequentially through the adjacent slits 52 without damaging the zipper.

  In the conventional zipper, the slits are arranged in a straight line, so the break must be propagated accurately from one slit to the next, and this is a weakening line such as shortening the distance between the slits. However, in the present invention, the breakage caused by one slit is caused by the adjacent slits. Since it is received at the center side or the entire inner side, even if the fracture does not necessarily propagate in a straight line, a certain amount of width is allowed in the direction of fracture propagation, and the propagation of the fracture can be performed accurately while maintaining the carton strength. it can.

  Further, in the present invention, since the zipper is formed symmetrically with respect to the mediation slit 53, in FIG. 1, contrary to the above description, the finger tab 35b is pulled upward to break the break end point 54, Convergence part C → parallel part B → spreading part A → break start point part 51 and the breakage can be propagated to open the carton, improving the convenience for the user. A schematic diagram showing such a two-way opening state is shown in FIG.

  As described above, by narrowing the formation interval between the short slits 52, the propagation of breakage between the short slits is ensured and the zipper 16 can be smoothly opened, but the strength of the top wall panel is reduced. There is a problem that the carton before opening is destroyed unintentionally. Conversely, when the formation interval is widened, the strength of the carton is improved, but the breakage does not propagate well between the short slits, and the portions other than the zipper are broken, which is not preferable. Practically, it is appropriately selected in consideration of the breaking of the zipper and the strength of the carton.

  The present invention is not limited to the carton in which the top wall panel is linearly traversed and the zipper is removed, as exemplified in the embodiment, and any zipper shape can be used. For example, a carton (U) that curves so that a pair of zippers approach each other at the rear end side from the parallel portion, is connected to each other at the end of the zipper, and the top wall panel remains connected at the rear end portion after the zipper is removed. It is also possible to apply to a letter-shaped zipper.

  The terms used in the above description for directions such as top, bottom, end, tip, back, inside, and outside do not limit each panel to such a direction, but simply distinguish the panels from each other. It is only for the purpose. The term crease line does not necessarily refer to a single crease line, and can easily be one or more score lines, for example lines perforated or thinned by press embossing, etc., without departing from the scope of the present invention. It may be a line that bends or bends. The present invention can also be applied to cartons of articles of various arrangements without departing from the scope of the invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the rupture can be reliably propagated along the weakening line without reducing the strength of the carton, and the convenience of having a zipper that can be broken from both directions can be obtained. An improved carton and a carton blank for storing articles can be provided.

It is a top view of the carton blank for forming the carton of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the carton of this invention of the state which accommodated the articles | goods. It is a perspective view which shows the opening method of the carton of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10a carton blank
11 First bottom wall panel
12 First side wall panel
13 Top wall panel
14 Second side wall panel
15 Second bottom wall panel
16 Cut panel
21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Fold line
31 Engagement flap
32 Folding panel
33 Article support panel
34 Gripping means
35a, b Finger tab
41 Engagement flap receiving part
51 Breaking point 52 Z-shaped (reverse Z-shaped) short slit
52a, b One side of the short slit (spreading part A)
52c, d One side of short slit (parallel part B)
52e, f One side of short slit (convergence part C)
53 Mediation slit
53a, b One side of the mediation slit (parallel part B)
54 Break end point

Claims (2)

A carton for holding a plurality of articles such as cans,
The carton includes a plurality of panels including a bottom wall panel, a side wall panel, and a top wall panel for forming a cylindrical structure,
The top wall panel comprises a zipper delimited on both sides by a pair of two break lines that break when opening the carton,
Each of the pair of break lines is formed by arranging a plurality of Z-shaped or inverted Z-shaped short slits in at least one row,
Of the three sides forming the Z-shape or inverted Z-shape of each short slit, two sides at both ends extend in the extending direction of each break line,
The pair of break lines includes a pair of spread portions that are spread apart from the break starting points, a pair of parallel portions that extend in parallel from the vicinity of the end of the spread portions, and the parallel portions. A pair of converging portions that converge from the vicinity of the end of the region to the end of the break,
The breaking start point and the breaking end point, the spread portion and the convergence portion are in a mirror image relationship with each other,
The carton characterized in that the zipper can be opened from either side of the breaking start point and breaking end point. The carton is provided with a mediation slit consisting of five sides in the central portion of the pair of parallel portions,
Of the five sides of the intermediary slit, two ends and one center side extend in the extending direction of the breaking line,
The carton of claim 1, wherein the zipper is symmetrical with respect to the pair of mediating slits.

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