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US 7,690,507 B2Granted
Package for containers
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorRobert L. Sutherland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A package is formed from a carton and containers extending through a bottom panel of the carton. Engaged upper and lower strut pairs and brace apertures in the carton sidewalls provide support for the containers accommodated within the carton.
Claims22
A package, comprising:
- a carton, comprising:
- a top panel;
- a bottom panel;
- a first side panel;
- a second side panel;
- a plurality of upper struts extending from the bottom panel along a first row, each upper strut comprising an upper strut first section and an upper strut second section, the upper strut second sections being foldably connected to the bottom panel and extending generally upward from the bottom panel, the upper strut first sections each being folded relative to a respective upper strut second section;
- a plurality of lower struts extending from the bottom panel along a second row adjacent to the first row of upper struts, wherein each lower strut comprises a lower strut first section and a lower strut second section foldably connected to the lower strut first section, the lower strut second sections being foldably connected to the bottom panel and extending generally upward from the bottom panel, the lower strut first sections each being folded relative to a respective lower strut second section;
- a first row of container apertures, each container aperture in the first row of container apertures being adjacent to one of the plurality of upper struts;
- and
- a second row of container apertures, each container aperture in the second row of container apertures being adjacent to one of the plurality of lower struts;
- and
- a plurality of containers, each container being accommodated in one of the container apertures and having a flange with an underside, wherein
- each upper strut first section contacts the underside of a flange of a container accommodated in the first row of container apertures and the underside of the flange of an adjacent container accommodated in the second row of container apertures, and
- each upper strut comprises a receiving aperture and each lower strut first section comprises a projection extending through one of the receiving apertures, wherein each of the receiving apertures is at least partially defined by one of the upper strut second sections.
11 more elements
A blank comprising:
- a top panel;
- a first side panel;
- a bottom panel;
- a second side panel;
- a plurality of first container-receiving patterns in the bottom panel, each first container-receiving pattern defining an upper strut first section, an upper strut second section foldably connected to the upper strut first section and the bottom panel, and a first container aperture, the upper strut first section being foldably connected to the upper strut second section at a fold line for independently foldably positioning the upper strut first section relative to the upper strut second section;
- and
- a plurality of second container-receiving patterns in the bottom panel, each second container-receiving pattern defining a first lower strut first section, a lower strut second section foldably connected to the lower strut first section and the bottom panel, and a second container aperture, the lower strut first section being foldably connected to the lower strut second section at a fold line for independently foldably positioning the lower strut first section relative to the lower strut second section, wherein
- the first container-receiving patterns are arranged in a first row and the second container-receiving patterns are arranged in a second row, and
- each upper strut second section at least partially defines a receiving aperture and each lower strut first section comprises a projection extending from a distal edge of the lower strut first section, each receiving aperture being sized to receive one of the projections and each projection extending through one of the receiving apertures when the blank is erected into a carton.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.