EP0824472A1

EP0824472A1 - Two-tier cup package having divider panel-retaining means

Info

Publication number: EP0824472A1
Application number: EP96906446A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ronald A. Baxter
Original assignee: Mead Corp
Current assignee: Mw Custom Papers Inc (a Delaware Corporation); MW Custom Papers LLC; WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 1996-02-14
Filing date: 1996-02-14
Publication date: 1998-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-14
Also published as: AU4982296A; CA2218063A1; EP0824472B1; WO1997029972A1; ES2179182T3; KR100429476B1; JPH11504304A; CA2218063C; KR19980703896A; EP1157938A1; DE69621927T2; MX9707924A; EP0824472A4; DE69621927D1; AU711475B2

Abstract

A package includes a plurality of articles (CU, CL, CA) arranged into a group of at least two vertically-arranged tiers, a divider member (12, 270a, 470a) having a main panel (14, 272, 472) disposed between upper and lower adjacent tiers, and a carton (30, 310, 410) disposed around the exterior of the group of articles. The divider member (12, 270a, 470a) has a shoulder (S1, S2, S11, S12, S111, S112) projecting therefrom laterally of one of the opposite side edges of the main panel. The carton (30, 310, 410) includes top and bottom panels (32, 38, 40, 316, 270b, 416, 470b) interconnected by a pair of side panels (34, 36, 314, 318, 414, 418) to form a sleeve structure. The side panels (34, 36, 314, 318, 414, 418) of the carton (30, 310, 410) are disposed alongside the divider member (12, 270a, 470a). The carton (30, 310, 410) includes a retention member for engaging the shoulder (S1, S2, S11, S12, S111, S112) of the divider member (12, 270a, 470a) along the axis of the sleeve structure.

Description

TWO-TIER CUP PACKAGE HAVING DIVIDER PANEL-RETAINING MEANS

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to packaging a group of articles such as cups, cans or the like, and more particularly to a package of articles arranged in two or more tiers with divider panels disposed between tiers of articles.

U.S. Patent No. 4,932,531 discloses a package in which multiple flanged cups are accommodated in a warp- around carton. The disclosed package includes a tubular, open-ended outer wrapper covering a group of flanged cups arranged in two tiers and a divider panel provided between the upper and lower tiers. The cups in the upper tier are retained in the outer wrapper by means of flange-receiving slots in the wrapper whereas the cups in the lower tier are retained by means of flange-receiving slots in the divider panel. The divider panel also assists in retention of the heel portions of the upper tier cups from endwise dislodge ent from the wrapper. One deficiency of such prior art packages is that the divider panels are retained in the respective wrappers by friction only. In the above patent, for example, the divider panel is merely in flat face contacting relationship at its side flaps with the outer wrapper. The package provides no substantial means for retaining the lower tier cups except for friction.

As a solution to this problem, it may be possible to glue the divider panels to the outer wrappers to better assure the retention of the cups within the wrapper. However, because such gluing can be an additional step to the packaging process, it is not preferred from the view point of efficient package manufacturing.

What is needed, therefore, is a package of a multiple-tier group of articles in which a divider panel(s) is provided between tiers of articles. Such a package should have the divider panel locked or mechanically retained in position without adhesive and should thereby provide improved article-retaining capability.

Summary of the Invention In meeting the foregoing needs, the present invention provides a package which includes a plurality of articles arranged into a group of at least two vertically- arranged tiers, divider means having a main panel disposed between upper and lower adjacent tiers, and a carton disposed around the exterior of the group of articles. The divider means has a shoulder projecting therefrom laterally of one of the side edges of the main panel. The carton includes top and bottom panels interconnected by a pair of side panels to form a sleeve structure. The side panels of the carton are disposed alongside the side edges of the main panel respectively. The carton has retention means for engaging the shoulder of the divider means so as to prevent movement of the divider means along the axis of the sleeve structure. The retention means may be an end flap foldably joined to the end edge of one of the side panels adjacent to the shoulder of the divider means. The end flap is folded into superposed relationship with the one side panel and disposed such that a free edge of the end flap is located adjacent to or in engagement with the shoulder.

The package of the invention has a good integrity because axial movement of the divider means is prohibited by the retention means. As a result, the divider means is locked in position without adhesive and thereby assists the package in obtaining improved article-retaining capability.

In a preferred embodiment, the divider means includes a side flap foldably joined to its one side edge along an interrupted fold line, and an engaging tab struck from the side flap and joined at its base to the divider panel along the interrupted portion of the interrupted fold line. In this embodiment, the engaging tab projects laterally from the one side edge of the divider panel to form the shoulder when the side flap is folded along the interrupted fold line.

According to an alternate definition, the invention may provide a carton of a wraparound type. Such a carton comprises top and bottom panels interconnected by a pair of side panels to form a sleeve structure, and end closure means at each end of the sleeve structure for at least partially closing that end of the sleeve structure. Each end closure means includes a connecting panel, an end panel and a pair of anchoring panels. The connecting panel is foldably joined to the respective end edge of the top panel and is folded into face contacting relationship with the lower surface of the top panel. The end panel is foldably joined to the inward edge of the connecting panel and is folded into a downwardly extended position in which the end panel at least partially closes the respective end of the sleeve structure. The anchoring panels are foldably joined to the side panels and are disposed in superposed relationship respectively with the inside surfaces of the side panels. The anchoring panels interconnect the end panel with the side panels so as to retain the end panel in the downwardly extended position.

According to another alternate definition, the invention may provide a blank for forming a carton. Such a blank includes a top panel, a side panel foldably joined to the side edge of the top panel, a connecting panel foldably joined at one of its opposed parallel edges to the end edge of the top panel, an anchoring panel foldably joined to the end edge of the side panel adjacent to the connecting panel, an end panel foldably joined to the other parallel edge of the connecting panel, and a gusset panel foldably interconnecting the anchoring panel and the end panel.

Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carton blank for forming a package according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blank at a certain stage in the folding process;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package according to the invention, showing the package in an inverted condition and without the contents; FIGS. 4 is a perspective view of the package according to the invention, showing the contents in a phantom line;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a plan view of a divider panel in blank form;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the divider panel, showing a slot thereof receiving the flange of a cup; FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG.

5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective views of a second embodiment of the package according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the blank of each tray used in the package in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the tray formed from the blank in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the blank of the carton used in the package in FIG. 9; FIG. 13 is a perspective views of a third embodiment of the package according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the blank of each tray used in the package in FIG 13; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the blank of the carton used in the package in FIG. 13.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention is intended primarily for use with plastic cups of the type used in packaging foods or beverages such as yogurt, puddings, mousses, jellies, fruit juice and the like. A typical example of a plastic cup includes a generally tubular tapered side wall with a closed bottom, a peripheral flange at the top end of the side wall and a lid ordinarily in the form of a film or foil attached to the flange to seal the open top of the side wall. A preferred type of such cups may be provided in a discrete or singular form wherein each cup is independent and separate from other cups. An example of such a cup is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 wherein the side wall and the flange of the cups CU and CL are designated by the numerals 200 and 202, respectively. Alternatively, the invention may be used with cups having interconnected flanges.

In accordance with the invention, a package is provided wherein a plurality of cups are arranged in multiple tiers with a divider panel placed between adjacent tiers. An example of such a cup arrangement can be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein two tiers of one discrete cup each are arranged to provide a package containing two cups CU and CL with a divider panel 12 therebetween. Of course, it will be recognized that the invention may be used with any arrangement or number of cups for each tier, and may also be used for cup arrangements having greater than two tiers.

A divider panel useful in the invention may be formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material. An example of such a divider panel is shown in blank form in FIG. 6 wherein the blank 12 includes a main panel 14 having an aperture 16 at the center thereof. The aperture 16 may be used to receive the bottom of the lower tier cup CL as will be described later in more detail. A pair of side flaps 18 and 20 are foldably joined to the main panel 14 along interrupted fold lines 22 and 24, respectively. A pair of engaging tabs 26 and 28 are struck respectively from the side flaps 18 and 20. The tabs 26 and 28 are joined at their respective bases to the main panel 14 along the respective interrupted portions of the fold lines 22 and 24. As a result, each tab projects from the respective side edge of the main panel 14 and provides a pair of shoulders SI and S2 at the opposite sides thereof.

A carton useful in the invention may also be formed from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material. An example of such a carton is shown in blank form in FIG. 1. The blank 30 includes a rectangular top panel 32, a pair of side panels 34 and 36 and a pair of bottom flaps 38 and 40. Each side panel consists of upper and lower foldably interconnected portions. More particularly, the side panel 34 includes an upper portion 42 foldably joined to one of the opposite side edges of the top panel 32 along a fold line 44 and a lower portions 46 foldably joined to the upper portion 42 along a fold line 48 opposite the fold line 44. Likewise, the side panel 36 includes an upper portion 50 foldably joined to the other side edge of the top panel 32 along a fold line 52 and a lower portion 54 foldably joined to the upper portion 50 along a fold line 56 opposite the fold line 52.

The bottom flap 38 is foldably joined to the lower portion 46 along a fold line 58 at the edge opposite the fold line 48. Likewise the bottom flap 40 is foldably joined to the lower portion 36 along a fold line 60 at the edge opposite the fold line 56. These bottom flaps 38 and 40, when secured together, form a single composite bottom panel. The portion of the bottom flap 40 along the free edge thereof is designed to serve as a glue area for securing the flaps 38 and 40 together. However, locking tabs and cooperating locking slits may be provided respectively for the flaps 38 and 40 instead of the glue area. The details of one arrangement for such locking tabs and slits are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,600,140 assigned to the Mead Corporation, which is hereby incorporated by reference. It should, however, be readily understood that any other types of known panel securing/interconnecting means, including but not limited to other locking arrangements, may be used in place of the glue area according to the invention. In order at least partially to close the ends of the carton when the carton is in its sleeve form, a set of end closure panels is provided along each of the straight longitudinal edges of the series of the primary panels 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40. In one set of the end closure panels, a connecting panel 62 is foldably joined to the top panel 32 along a fold line 64. An upper end panel 66 is foldably joined to the connecting panel 62 along a fold line 68 that is parallel to the fold line 64. The upper end panel 66 is provided with a large cutout 70 open to its free edge and thus it assumes a forked shape.

A pair of anchoring panels 72 and 74 are foldably joined to the upper portions 42 and 50 of the side panels 34 and 36 along fold lines 76 and 78 which are disposed in alignment with the fold line 64. These anchoring panels 72 and 74 are disposed adjacent to the connecting panel 62; however, there is no direct connection between the connecting panel 62 and the anchoring panels. In fact, the corner of the anchoring panel 72 defined between the upper portion 42 and the connecting panel 62 is bevelled and severed by an aperture 80 from the adjacent portions of the blank. Likewise, the corner of the anchoring panel 74 defined between the upper portion 50 and the connecting panel 62 is beveled and severed by an aperture 82 from the adjacent portions of the blank.

The anchoring panels 72 and 74 are connected to the upper end panel 66 by a pair of triangular gusset panels 84 and 86. The gusset panel 84 is foldably joined to the anchoring panel 72 along a fold line 88 and to the upper end panel 66 along a fold line 90. The fold lines 88 and 90 form an acute angle therebetween and are disposed to converge at the corner of the connecting panel 62 defined between the upper end panel 66 and the aperture 80. In like manner, the gusset panel 86 is foldably joined to the anchoring panel 74 along a fold line 92 and to the upper end panel 66 along a fold line 94. The fold lines 92 and 94 form an acute angle therebetween and converge at the corner of the connecting panel 62 defined between the upper end panel 66 and the aperture 82.

The length of the upper end panel 66 and the angles between the fold lines 88 and 90, and 92 and 94 may be varied depending on the desired function of the upper end panel. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the length of the upper end panel 66 is generally equal to or less than the width of the upper portions 42 and 50 along the fold lines 76 and 78 so that the upper end panel 66 serves, when the blank is set up, as a retainer for the upper tier cup only. However, the upper end panel 66 may be increased in length when desired to function also as a lower tier cup retainer or to fully close the associated end of the carton. A pair of end flaps 96 and 98 are foldably joined respectively to the lower portions 46 and 54 of the side panels along fold lines 100 and 102 which are collinear with the fold lines 76 and 78. The end flaps 96 and 98 are also foldably joined to the anchoring panels 72 and 74 along fold lines 104 and 106 that are collinear with the fold lines 48 and 56, respectively. The distance between the fold line 100 and the free edge of the end flap 96 is less than the distance between the fold line 76 and the free edge of the anchoring panel 72. In other words, the dimension of the end flap 96 is such that the anchoring panel 72 extends beyond the free edge of the end flap 96. The same is true regarding the dimension of the end flap 98 as compared to that of the anchoring panel 74.

A pair of lower end panels 108 and 110 are foldably joined respectively to the bottom flaps 38 and 40 along fold lines 112 and 114 which are disposed in alignment with the fold lines 100 and 102. The lower end panels 108 and 110 are connected respectively to the end flaps 96 and 98 by triangular web panels 116 and 118. The web panel 116 is foldably joined to the end flap 96 along a fold line 120 and to the lower end panel 108 along a fold line 122. In like manner, the web panel 118 is foldably joined to the end flap 98 along a fold line 124 and to the lower end panel 110 along a fold line 126. Such lower end panels or masking panels are described in more details in U.S. Patent No. 5,060,792 assigned to the Mead Corporation, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The opposite set of end closure panels foldably joined along the opposite longitudinal edge of the series of the primary panels of the blank is identical to the set of end closure panels described above, and accordingly like parts are designated by like reference numerals with the addition of the suffix "a".

To assemble the package shown in FIG. 4, a cup is first placed in an inverted condition to be a lower tier cup CL and then the divider panel 12 is placed on the bottom of the lower tier cup CL. The position of the panel 12 is adjusted so that the center aperture 16 of the divider panel 12 is aligned with and thus receives the bottom of the lower tier cup CL. Then, an inverted upper tier cup CU is placed on the divider panel 12, and the side flaps 18 and 20 of the divider panel 12 are folded up along the fold lines 22 and 24 so as to be disposed at about a right angle with respect to the main panel 14 as best illustrated in FIG. 5. By this means, the diametrically opposed portions of the flange 202 of the upper tier cup CU is received in the slots 204 (only one shown in FIG. 7) which are defined in the divider panel 12 by the tabs 26 and 28. As a result, a two-tier cup arrangement is prepared. The cup arrangement thus prepared is wrapped with the carton blank 30 in the manner described below to provide a complete package.

The carton blank 30 is placed above the cup arrangement so that the top panel 32 overlies the bottom of the upper tier cup CU. Then, the end closure panels of the blank 30 are folded inwardly of the blank along the opposite longitudinal edges of the primary panels, and at the same time the upper end panels 66 and 66a and their associated gusset panels 84 and 86, and 84a and 86a are folded down along the fold lines 68, 88 and 92; and 68a, 88a and 92a. This condition is best illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the cup arrangement is omitted. In the condition of FIG. 2, the connecting panels 62 and 62a are disposed in face contacting relationship with the inside surface of the top panel 32, and the anchoring panels 72, 74, 72a and 74a and the end flaps 96, 98, 96a and 98a are disposed in superposed relation with the adjacent inner surfaces of the side panels 34 and 36. After the above steps, the side panels 34 and 36 as well as the bottom flaps 38 and 40 are folded down about the fold lines 44 and 52, and the side panels 34 and 36 are folded about the fold lines 48 and 56 so that the upper portions 42 and 50 of the side panels are disposed generally along the tapered side wall 200 of the upper tier cup CU as best shown in FIG. 5. By this means, the gusset panels 84, 86, 84a and 86a are folded into superposed relationship with the anchoring panels 72, 74, 72a and 74a respectively and are tucked together with the associated anchoring panels in the positions between the upper tier cup CU and the adjacent side panels 34 and 36. This allows the upper end panels 66 and 66a to be held in the downwardly folded position to partially close the ends of the partially assembled carton. Meanwhile, the tab 26 of the divider panel 12 is brought into the position between the end flaps 98 and 98a, and the tab 28 is brought into the position between the end flaps 96 and 96a as best shown in FIG. 8. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the side edges of the main panel 14 is no more than the distance between the side panels 34 and 36 of the carton whereas the distance between the free edges of the tabs 26 and 28 is no less than that between the side panels 34 and 36. Such an arrangement assures proper engagement between the tabs 26 and 28 and the associated end flaps 96, 98, 96a and 98a.

After the foregoing steps, the bottom flaps 38 and 40 are folded toward each other about the fold lines 58 and 60 and are glued together in an overlapping relationship as shown in FIG. 3 so that the package is completed. As the bottom flaps 38 and 40 are folded, the lower end panels 108, 110, 108a and 110a are folded back to be disposed at approximately a right angle with the respective bottom flaps 38 and 40 and envelop the flange 202 of the lower tier cup CL. Details regarding the folding of the lower end panels in conjunction with that of the web panels may be found by reference to the aforementioned U.S. patent No. 5,060,792. When interconnected, the bottom flaps 38 and 40 form a composite bottom panel which underlie the top of the lower tier cup.

FIG. 4 shows the completed package. This package has a good integrity in that axial movement of the divider panel 12 is prohibited by the end flaps 96, 98, 96a and 98a of the carton and thereby the divider panel 12 is prevented from being accidentally dislodged through the carton ends. As will be more readily understood by reference to FIG. 8, if the divider panel 12 moves in either direction along the sleeve axis of the carton, the tabs 26 and 28 are brought into abutment at their shoulders SI and S2 upon either the end flaps 96 and 98 or the end flaps 96a and 98a. The divider panel 12 is retained in position due also to the arrangement wherein the side flaps 18 and 20 are positioned between the upper end panels 66 and 66a.

It will be recognized that many variations may be made to the foregoing within the scope of the present invention. For example, the carton design may be enhanced through the addition of a handle struck from the top panel, a tear opening feature provided for the carton walls and the like, using structures known and understood within the art. It should be further recognized that it would be possible to omit the end flaps on one of the aforementioned side panels 34 and 36 as well as the associated engaging tab on the divider panel 12. Such an arrangement requires less carton material and may also simplify the package forming process.

It should be further recognized that when each tier constitutes one or more rows of cups each, the tabs of each divider panel associated with the endmost cups of the respective tier serve to engage the end flaps of the carton, respectively. The cups in each tier may be disposed either upright with their tops up or in an inverted condition. It should however be understood that the side flaps of the divider panel may be folded down when the package contains lower tier cups which are arranged upright. The number of the cups in each tier may be the same as or different from that of the cups in the adjacent tier.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a second embodiment of a package according to the present invention. The package shown in FIG. 9 accommodates a plurality of beverage cans CA arranged in upper and lower tiers with a tray-shaped divider panel 270a placed between the tiers. More specifically, the package incorporates a pair of upper and lower trays 270a and 270b each being capable of receiving eight cans. The two tiers of eight cans received in the respective trays 270a and 270b are arranged to provide a package containing sixteen cans CA with the tray 270a disposed therebetween. A blank for forming each of the trays 270a and

270b is shown in FIG. 10. The blank includes a main panel 272 which is foldably joined to four side flaps 274, 276, 278 and 280 along interrupted fold lines 273b and 273d and continuous fold lines 273a and 273c, respectively. The side flaps 278 and 280 comprise corner arrangements 282 and in this example they are provided at each end of the flaps 278 and 280 thereby to provide a corner arrangement 282a, 282b, 282c and 282d for each corner of the tray. By way of example, a corner arrangement 282b comprises a series of panel portions 284, 286, 288 and 290 which are foldably joined in series to each other by fold lines 285, 287 and 289, and to the side flap 278 by fold line 283. The endmost panel portion 290 is foldably connected by a gusset panel 292 along fold lines 291 and 293 to a lateral edge of a side flap, such as 274 in the case of arrangement 282b. A pair of engaging tabs 297 and 298 are struck respectively from the side flaps 274 and 276. The tabs 297 and 298 are joined at their respective bases to the main panel 272 along the respective interrupted portions of the fold lines 273b and 273d. As a result, when the blank is formed into a tray, each tab projects from the respective side edge of the main panel 272 and provides a pair of shoulders Sil and S12. It should however be appreciated that the tabs 297 and 298 may be omitted from the lower tray 270b.

The tray described above is designed to accommodate eight cans in a three-two-three closely packed or nested arrangement wherein adjacent rows are displaced half a can apart longitudinally along the direction of the rows. Thus individual cans abut six neighbours, two in each adjacent row and two in the same row. Of course, a tray can be provided for any number of cans or rows of cans. The trays also comprise one or more keels such as keels 294a and 294b shown in FIG. 10. Each keel is struck partially from the main panel 272 and partially from a side flap 278 or 280 and comprises an upper panel 295a or 295b foldably connected to side flaps 278 or 280 by fold line 275a or 275b respectively. The upper panel 295a or 295b is foldably connected to a side panel 296a or 296b respectively at fold line 277a or 277b which is coincident with fold line 273a or 273c respectively. In turn, side panel 296a or 296b is foldably connected to the main panel 272 by a fold line 279a or 279b respectively. The keel conveniently abuts three adjacent articles to maintain the ordered arrangement when the tray is formed.

The keels 294a and 294b are put into a set-up condition automatically when the side flaps 278 and 280 are erected as shown in FIG. 11. To set-up and load the tray 270, the side flaps 278 and 280 are folded upwardly about fold line 273a and 273c respectively thus automatically setting up both keels 294a and 294b. It is then possible to load the partially formed tray by passing cans over the side flaps 274 and 276 prior to closing those sides of the tray. The keels 294a and 294b force the cans into proper position whereby they assume the three-two-two-three arrangement as shown in FIG. 11. To close the open sides, side flaps 274 and 276 are initially lowered by rotating about fold lines 273b and 273d respectively thereby causing gusset panels 292 to fold the associated corner arrangement 282 inwardly. This motion is continued so that each of the panels in each of the corner arrangements 282 is rotated slightly thereby to cause a substantially curved corner feature. The side flaps 274 and 276 can then be raised about respective fold lines 273b and 273d and attached to adjacent corner arrangements, for example by gluing between the inside surface of the side flap and the outside surface of end panel 290 of a corner arrangement 282. FIG. 12 illustrates a blank 310 of a carton used in this embodiment. Blank 310 is formed from paperboard and comprises an end panel 312 foldably connected to a side panel 314 which in turn is foldably connected to a top panel 16. Top panel 316 in turn is foldably connected to a second side panel 318 which is foldably connected to end panel 320. The panels just described are foldably connected in series respectively by fold lines 342, 344, 346 and 348. Side panels 314 and 318 preferably comprise tear strips 322a and 322b respectively. A carrying handle 350 is provided comprising a strap 352 having lateral finger tabs 354 foldably connected thereto. The handle 350 is struck from side panels 314 and 318 and top panel 316 by cut lines 356 which extend across hinge lines 344 and 346. In this example, gussets 324 are provided which extend between each side edge of the side panels 314 and 318 and the top panel 316. Thus, four gussets 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are provided. Referring to gusset 324a by way of example, each gusset comprises a fold line 326 which connects an end flap 328 to a side panel. The end flap 328 can be foldably attached to an intermediate gusset panel 332 by a fold line 330. Aperture 338 is provided between intermediate gusset panel 332 and the side panel thereby to facilitate folding of the gusset 324. The intermediate gusset panel 332 is connected to an upper gusset panel 336 by fold line 334. Upper gusset panel 336 is foldably connected to top panel 316 along a fold line 340.

To form the completed carton as shown in FIG. 9, the upper tray 270a loaded with cans CA is placed on top of the lower tray 270b loaded with can CA to form a two-tiered arrangement. The blank 310 can then be folded around the arrangement in the following manner. First, the gussets are formed by lowering top panel 316 onto the tops of the articles CA in the upper tray 270a. Then, the end flap 328 is folded inwardly to abut the inside of the associated side panel 314 or 318 of the carton. This causes the gusset panels 332 and 336 to fold into a cupping configuration which can accommodate part of the top of an article. This can be seen in FIG. 9. This motion also initiates partial downward bending of the side panels 314 and 318 about fold lines 344 and 346 which downward motion can be continued to wrap the two trays 270a and 270b.

Meanwhile, the tab 297 of the upper tray 270a is brought into the position between the opposite end flaps 328 on the side panel 314, and the tab 298 is brought into the position between the opposite end flaps 328 on the side panel 318. This arrangement and the gussets assure engagement between the carton and the upper tray 270a so that the upper tray 270a is retained within the carton without attaching it by gluing to the carton. Thus, a two- tiered package can easily be formed with minimal attachment of the carton to the trays whilst retaining individual tiers of cans. After the foregoing steps, the end panels 312 and

320 are folded toward each other about the fold lines 342 and 348 and are glued to the underside of the main panel 272 of the lower tray 270b so that the package is completed. When glued, the end panels 312 and 320 and the main panel 272 of the lower tray 270b form a composite bottom panel which underlies the lower tier cans and which is interconnected with the top panel 316 by the side panels 314 and 318. In other words, the lower tray 270b and the carton 310 in cooperation form a tubular structure that is disposed around the exterior of the two-tier group of cans.

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate a third embodiment of a package according to the invention, in which features similar to those shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 are labelled with the same last two digit reference number prefixed with the digit 4. Accordingly, a carton blank 410 comprises end panels 412 and 420, side panels 414 and 418 and a top panel 416. In this example, a shoulder panel 460a and 460b is provided in the uppermost portion of each of the side panels 414 and 418 respectively to contour the shoulders of the cans CA as shown in FIG. 13.

Trays shown in FIG. 14 is used to form the package in FIG. 13. The tray in FIG. 14 differs from that in FIG. 10 only in that a pair of engaging tabs 497 and 498 are struck respectively from the side flaps 478 and 480 rather than from the side flaps 474 and 476. The tabs 497 and 498 are joined at their respective bases to the upper panels 495a and 495b along the respective interrupted portions of the fold lines 475a and 475b. As a result, when the keels 494a and 494b are set up, the tabs 497 and 498 project outwardly from the respective side flaps 478 and 480 and provide a pair of shoulders Sill and S112. It should however be appreciated that the tabs 497 and 498 may be omitted from the lower tray 470b.

In order to form the package, the formed tray 470a is stacked on top of the formed tray 470b as described earlier in the second embodiment except that in this example, the orientation of the trays with respect to the carton 410 is different from that of the trays in the second embodiment. Here, the trays 470 a and 470b are arranged so that side flap 476 and 474 are exposed in the package, and the carton 410 abuts the side flaps 478 and 480 of the trays.

The carton and gussets 424 can be formed in the same manner as described earlier so that the tabs 497 and 498 are disposed between the respective pairs of opposite end flaps 428. However, an advantage of this arrangement is a handle which may be more easily manipulated by the consumer. It can be seen for example from FIG. 11 that a space exists above the keels, the space being located adjacent the lower portions of handle 450 struck from side panels 414 and 418 when the blank 410 is positioned about the trays. Upward lifting of handle 450 for carrying the package will draw these lower portions inward of the carton side panels, thereby increasing the distance above upper panel 416 which handle 450 may be moved. Additionally, this reduces the stresses in the handle in the regions adjacent the carton corners. Beneficially, this feature also provides greater stability when carrying the carton since it acts to retain the upper tray 470a by keying in between the outermost rows of three cans. Therefore, a combined retaining action is achieved through handle strap 452, the gussets 424 and the tabs 497 and 498 which co¬ operate to retain the upper tray within the carton.

It should be recognized that any desired multiple-tiered article arrangement may be used according to the invention. Such an arrangement may include a two, three, four or five-tier article group including one, two, three or four divider panels/trays wherein each tier constitutes one row of two, three, four or five articles, two rows of three, four or five articles or a greater number of rows of a desired number of articles.

It should be recognized that as used herein, the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" with respect to the various carton walls are relative terms, and that the carton and/or its contents may be re-oriented as necessary or as desired.

It should be further recognized that the article useful in the invention are not limited to cups or cans but they may be bottles, brick packs or the like. What is important according to the invention is that the divider panel(s)/tray(s) incorporated into a package has a shoulder for mechanical engagement with a portion of the carton of the package.

Claims

1. A package comprising: a plurality of articles arranged into a group of at least two vertically-arranged tiers; divider means having a main panel disposed between upper and lower adjacent ones of said tiers and in contact with said articles in said upper and lower adjacent tiers, said main panel having a pair of opposed side edges, said divider means having a shoulder projecting therefrom laterally of one of said side edges of said main panel; and a carton disposed around the exterior of said group of said articles and including top and bottom panels interconnected by a pair of side panels to form a sleeve structure defining a sleeve axis, said side panels being disposed respectively alongside said side edges of said main panel, and retention means for engaging said shoulder of said divider means so as to prevent movement of said divider means along said sleeve axis, wherein said retention means comprises a first end flap foldably joined to an end edge of one of said side panels disposed adjacent to said shoulder of said divider means, said end flap being folded into superposed relationship with said one side panel and disposed such that a free edge of said end flap is positioned adjacent to said shoulder.

2. The package according to claim l, wherein said divider means includes a side flap foldably joined to said one side edge of said main panel along an interrupted fold line, and an engaging tab struck from said side flap and joined at a base thereof to said main panel along an interrupted portion of said interrupted fold line whereby said engaging tab projects laterally from said one side ^dge of said main panel to form said shoulder.

The package according to claim 2, wherein said ging tab defines in said side flap a slot for receiving a portion of one of said articles whereby said divider means functions to retain said articles in said carton.

4. The package according to claim 2, wherein the distance between said side edges of said main panel is no more than the distance between said side panels of said carton.

5. The package according to claim 1, wherein said end flap of said carton is tucked between said one side panel and one of said articles adjacent said end flap whereby said end flap is held in said superposed relationship.

6. The package according to claim 2, wherein said retention means further comprises a second end flap foldably joined to the other end edge of said one side panel, said second end flap being folded into superposed relationship with respect to said one side panel and disposed such that said engaging tab is located between said free edge of said first end flap and a free edge of said second end flap whereby said divider panel is prevented from moving in either direction along said sleeve axis.

7. The package according to claim 3, wherein each of said articles has a tubular side wall defining a tube axis and a peripheral flange at one of top and bottom ends of said side wall, said tube axes of said articles disposed generally vertically, and said slot is disposed to receive said flange of one of a pair of vertically arranged ones of said articles located at one of opposite open ends of said sleeve structure.

8. The package according to claim 1, wherein said divider means includes a side flap foldably joined to said one side edge of said main panel, and an engaging tab struck from said side flap and joined to said side flap such that said engaging tab is capable of projecting laterally from said side flap to form said shoulder.

9. The package according to claim 8, wherein said divider means further includes a keel structure formed at least in part from said side flap and foldably joined to said side flap along an interrupted fold line, and said engaging tab is joined at a base thereof to said keel structure along an interrupted portion of said interrupted fold line whereby said engaging tab projects laterally and outwardly from said side flap to form said shoulder when said keel structure is folded inwardly of said side flap along said interrupted fold line.

10. A carton comprising top and bottom panels interconnected by a pair of side panels to form a sleeve structure, and end closure means at each end of said sleeve structure for at least partially closing opposite ends of said structure, each of said end closure means comprising: a connecting panel foldably joined to one of opposite end edges of said top panel and folded into face contacting relationship with a lower surface of said top panel, said connecting panel extending from said one end edge of said top panel to an inner edge; an end panel foldably joined to said inner edge of said connecting panel and folded into a downwardly extended position wherein said end panel at least partially closes respective one of said opposite ends of said structure; and a pair of anchoring panels foldably joined to said side panels and disposed in superposed relationship respectively with inside surfaces of said side panels, said anchoring panels interconnecting said end panel with said side panels so as to retain said end panel in said downwardly extended position.

11. The carton according to claim 10, wherein said end panel and each of said anchoring panels are interconnected by a gusset panel.

12. The carton according to claim 11, wherein said gusset panels are foldably joined to said anchoring panels along first fold lines respectively and to said end panel along second fold lines respectively, said gusset panels being disposed in superposed relationship with said anchoring panels respectively.

13. The carton according to claim 12, wherein each of said gusset panels is defined by respective one of said first fold lines and adjacent one of said second fold lines, said first and second fold lines of each said gusset panel being disposed to converge at a corner of said connecting panel adjacent to said end panel.

14. The carton according to claim 13, wherein a corner of each of said anchoring panels defined between said connecting panel and adjacent one of said side panels is severed by an aperture from adjacent portions of said carton.

15. The carton according to claim 10, wherein said end panel extends downwardly from said inner edge of said connecting panel to a lower edge and has a cutout open to said lower edge.

16. A blank for forming a carton comprising: a top panel having a side edge and an end edge; a side panel foldably joined to said side edge of said top panel; a connecting panel having opposed parallel edges and foldably joined at one of said parallel edges thereof to said end edge of said top panel; an anchoring panel foldably joined to an end edge of said side panel adjacent to said connecting panel; an end panel foldably joined to the other parallel edge of said connecting panel; and a gusset panel foldably interconnecting said anchoring and end panels.

17. The blank according to claim 16, wherein said gusset panel is foldably joined to said anchoring panel along a first fold line and to said end panel along a second fold line, said first and second fold lines are disposed to converge on said other parallel edge of said connecting panel.

18. The blank according to claim 16, wherein a corner of said anchoring panel defined between said side and connecting panels is severed by an aperture from adjacent portions of said blank.