Packaging method and apparatus, article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus for forming an article carrier, to a method of constructing a package, to a package, to an article carrier (290) for packaging one or more articles and a blank (210) for forming the carrier (290). The present disclosure provides an apparatus (1) for packaging articles (B) in an article carrier (290). The apparatus (1) comprises an article translation device or conveyor for moving a group of articles (B) in a downstream direction (D1) through an application section. The apparatus (1) comprises a carrier-preforming device (10, 110) for folding and gluing a carrier blank (210) into a top-engaging carrier (290) and conveying the top-engaging carrier (290 in a downstream direction (D1) to the application section where the top engaging carrier (290) is applied to the group of articles (B).

1 . An apparatus for packaging articles in an article carrier, the apparatus comprising an article translation device for moving a group of articles in a downstream direction through an application section, and a carrier-preforming device for folding and gluing a carrier blank into a preformed top-engaging carrier and conveying the top-engaging carrier in a downstream direction to the application section where the top engaging carrier is applied to the group of articles. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier-preforming device comprises an internal mould and an external applicator to effect folding of the carrier blank about the internal mould. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the external applicator comprises at least one carrier retention device for retaining the preformed top-engaging carrier whilst conveying the top-engaging carrier in a downstream direction to the application section. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the internal mould comprises a groove for receiving at least a portion of the at least one carrier retention device to allow the external applicator to slide with respect to the internal mould. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the external applicator comprises an opening at least one end thereof to accommodate an end portion of the internal mould. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the external applicator comprises a pair of opposed side walls each comprising a recess in an end edge thereof, the recesses being aligned to receive a static panel folding guide. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the internal mould comprises an opening in an end thereof the opening providing a channel in which the static panel folding guide is receivable. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the external applicator comprises a pair of opposed side walls each comprising a chamfered lower edge for engaging with a panel of the article carrier to effect folding thereof. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the external applicator comprises at least one aperture for receiving a portion of an article during application of the top engaging carrier to the group of articles. 
     
     
         10 . A method of packaging articles comprising translating a group of articles in a downstream direction through an application section of a packaging system, the method comprising folding and gluing a carrier blank into a preformed top-engaging carrier and conveying the top-engaging carrier in the downstream direction to the application section and applying the top-engaging carrier to the group of articles. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , comprising folding and gluing the carrier blank about an internal mould using an external applicator to effect folding of the carrier blank about the internal mould. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , comprising conveying the preformed top-engaging carrier within the external applicator. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , comprising applying the top-engaging carrier to the group of articles using the external applicator and receiving the articles in the external applicator. 
     
     
         14 . A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the interior tool comprising a plurality of mandrel surfaces which include a pair of opposed side surfaces and at least one end surface for supporting at least two end closure flaps of a carrier in an overlapping arrangement with an end closure pane of the carrier, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of the carrier into downwardly folded positions along the pair of opposed side surfaces of the interior tool, wherein the exterior tool is structured and dimensioned such that when the side members bring the side panels of the carrier into the folded positions, the at least one end surface of the interior tool is offset outwardly from adjacent ends of the side members of the exterior tool. 
     
     
         15 . A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of a carrier into downwardly folded positions along an exterior of the interior tool, at least one of the side members of the exterior tool comprising an engaging ledge for engaging the carrier, the engaging ledge being movably connected to the side member for movement between an engaging position, in which the ledge is disposed within the interior of the exterior tool, and a yielding position, in which the ledge is disposed outside the interior of the exterior tool, wherein the ledge is biased towards the engaging position when disposed in the yielding position. 
     
     
         16 . A carrier-forming device according to  claim 15 , wherein the interior tool comprises a pair of side surfaces, and wherein at least one of the side surfaces of the interior tool has a groove for receiving the ledge of the exterior tool, the groove extending over the at least one of the side surfaces such that the ledge is movable along the grove. 
     
     
         17 . A carrier-forming device according to  claim 16 , wherein the ledge is slidably translatable within the grove. 
     
     
         18 . A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of a carrier into downwardly folded positions along an exterior of the interior tool, the pair of opposed side members of the exterior tool each comprising a recess along an end thereof for receiving a static machine guide. 
     
     
         19 . A carrier-forming device according to  claim 18 , wherein the interior tool comprises a channel for receiving the static guide, the channel extends between opposed side surfaces of the interior tool. 
     
     
         20 . A carrier-forming device according to  claim 19 , wherein the interior tool has a top surface having an end edge, the top surface comprises a recess in the end edge, the recess being in communication with the channel. 
     
     
         21 . A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of a carrier into downwardly folded positions along an exterior of the interior tool, at least one of the pair of opposed side members of the exterior tool is provided at an end thereof with a protrusion, the protrusion projecting inwardly beyond the plane of the inside surface of the at least one of the pair of opposed side members. 
     
     
         22 . A method of packaging articles comprising pre-forming a carrier blank into a top-engaging carrier using a carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the method comprising disengaging the carrier from the interior tool while maintaining the carrier in engagement with the exterior tool, bringing the exterior tool along with the carrier into engagement with a group of articles such that the group of articles are connected together by the carrier, and removing the exterior tool from the carrier as well as from the group of articles. 
     
     
         23 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a top panel, a pair of side panels and an end closure structure for closing at least one of opposed ends of the carrier, the end closure structure comprising a plurality of end closing flaps which includes a pair of side end flaps and a top end flap, the top end flap having no direct foldable connection with the pair of side end flaps, at least one of the pair of side end flaps comprises a corner panel, wherein the top end flap is provided along at least one of its side edges with a recess, the plurality of end closing flaps are secured together to form the end closure structure, and wherein the recess of the top end closure is in alignment, along a virtual axis perpendicular to the top panel, with at least a part of the corner panel. 
     
     
         24 . An article carrier according to  claim 23 , wherein the recess is disposed over the corner panel and exposes to view a portion of the corner panel which would otherwise be concealed. 
     
     
         25 . An article carrier according to  claim 23 , wherein the corner panel is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the top end closure, and a gap is provided therebetween, the recess providing an opening in vertical alignment with the gap and allowing access to the gap from above. 
     
     
         26 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a top panel, a pair of side panels and an end closure structure for closing at least one of opposed ends of the carrier, the end closure structure comprising a plurality of end closing flaps including a pair of side end flaps and a top end flap, the top end flap having no direct foldable connection with the pair of side end flaps, at least one of the pair of side end flaps comprising a corner panel with an upper edge, wherein the top end flap is provided along at least one of its side edges with a recessed edge, and wherein the plurality of end closing flaps are secured together to form the end closure structure in which the upper edge of the corner panel intersects the recessed edge of the top end flap.