Separable article carrier.

The invention relates to an article carrying case adapted to be separated into at least two separate article carrying cases, comprising top and bottom panels connected to the side panels along the length of the carrying case;

a top and bottom panel including an attenuated region extending along its length;

the second top and bottom panels comprising first and second panel portions;

a first septum connected to the first panel portion along a first fold line between the side panels, the first fold line extending through the entire length of the first panel portion;

a second partition wall connected to the second panel portion along a second fold line between the side panels, the second fold line extending through the entire length of the second panel portion;

the first and second fold lines and the first and second partitions being located adjacent to each other;

a member connecting the first and second partitions to a panel within the interior of the carrying case in a generally parallel relationship with the side panels and to opposite sides of a weakened area of ​​a panel;

end panels connected to the top and bottom panels along the width of the carrying case;

each end panel comprising two end flaps, one end flap of each end panel being connected to the first panel and the other end flap of each end panel being connected to the second panel, the flaps being connected to each other;

an end flap including a weakened area extending from the weakened area of ​​the second panel completely across an end flap, the weakened area of ​​one end flap being substantially parallel to adjacent first and second partitions;

the second end flap comprising first and second independent flap portions having adjacent edges substantially parallel to the weakened region of one end flap;

wherein the carrying case can be separated along the weakened areas into two smaller carrying cases, each of the first and second partitions thus forming a side panel of a smaller carrying case.

,. It is usually more economical to carry articles in large than small packages'; 20 sa. However, this often results in small retailers and retailers. memories have to order articles from the manufacturer in excessive quantities because the articles are only available in large packages. Although small ···. the supply of packaging is not economically desirable for the manufacturer, b · only the supply of large packaging can reduce business, leaving the manufacturer in a difficult situation.

• · · • · · • ·; '·': One way to solve this problem is to pack the products in large carrying cases,: ·, ·. which can be separated into smaller units for those customers who need, ···. only small amounts. In this case, it is required that such a package can be formed with conventionally existing / or only slightly modified /.**. packaging equipment in order to avoid unnecessary investment in new equipment.

The packaging must be strong and sturdy enough to remain intact3

<td></td><td>I am subjected to normal loads during handling and transport, and so that it however, can be easily separated into smaller units by hand if necessary. The structure must also not be too complex or require significant amounts of cardboard, as this would increase the costs too much. No practical</td>

<td> 5</td><td>A carrying case that meets these requirements has not been available before invention. The article carrying case according to the invention is characterized in that</td>

<td> 10</td><td>a relatively narrow strip is located; as an integral part of one of the first and second flap portions near its outer edge and extends across the adjacent edges of the first and second independent flap portions with the flap glued to the second flap part so that the flap parts can move together as an integral part</td>

<td> 15</td><td>during manufacture and filling of the carrying case; and that the strip includes a weakened area parallel to an end flap with the weakened area. The present invention provides a separable article carrying case which</td>

<td> ./: ²⁰</td><td>comprises top and bottom panels connected side by side along the length of the carrying case panels so that either the top or bottom panel includes the full length of the panel</td>

<td> • · · • • · · · • · · * · · ; : : •</td><td>advancing weakened area. The second top or bottom panel consists of the first and other panel portions foldably connected to the side panels. Each panel part is connected by a fold line to a partition wall extending from the carrying case</td>

<td> 25 • • · · • · · 4» · · • · · • · · • 4 · • • • » · «</td><td>to the interior in an adjacent surface relationship with the second septum and in general in parallel with the side panels of the carrying case. Each partition is connected to the panel containing the weakened portion on opposite sides of the weakened area. The carrying case can be divided into two smaller carrying cases</td>

<td> 1</td><td>tearing the panel from the weakened area to allow adjacent but unconnected</td>

<td> 30 • ) «</td><td>the partitions can be separated from each other, making them two smaller ones carrying case side panels.</td>

The handle, which can be used in both large and small carrying cases, is traced to the top panel. In addition, end panels are provided which allow the carrying case to be completely closed and separated into different units, as explained above. The end panels preferably consist of flaps which are connected to each other and also to the top and bottom panels and which have weakened areas parallel to the weakened area of ​​the top or bottom panel. Dust flaps operating in a conventional manner can also be provided.

The second end flap consists of two adjacent flaps connected to the first and second panel parts 10. These end flaps are located side by side, but are not connected to each other except for a small strip or flap that exits the second flap and is connected to the other flap. This strip helps orient the flaps during formation and secures the flaps together. It further includes a weakened area parallel to the weakened area of ​​the second main end flap to separate the package into two separate units.

The carrying case is formed of a single sheet of material, such as a cardboard sheet, which is easy to fold into a shape. Although any means of holding the blank in the form of a carrying case can be used, adhesive strips are recommended because they minimize adhesion steps and provide strong joints. For example, partitions can be easily connected to the opposite panel from the right place by means of adhesive strips. *: * Placed on opposite sides of the weakened parts of the opposite panel.

* * · ♦

The above features of the invention and its other advantages will be readily apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the inner surface of a blank from which a separable carrying case according to the present invention is formed;

Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of the carrying case in the intermediate stage of its formation;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the carrying case taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the top of the septum located within the dashed circle 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the septum located within the dashed circle 5 in Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a pictorial representation of a fully formed carrying case according to the invention; and

Figure 7 is a pictorial representation of the carrying case after it has been separated into two smaller individual units.

In Figure 1, the substantially rectangular blank 10 comprises a centrally located base portion 12 connected by fold lines 14 and 16 to the side panel portions 18 and 20, respectively. The side panel portion 18 is connected by a fold line 22 to the first top panel portion 24, and the side panel portion 20 is connected by a fold line 26 to the second top panel portion 28. The top panel portion 24 includes two finger holes 25, and the top panel portion 28 includes two finger holes 29, respectively. The main panel portions 24 and 28 are connected by fold lines 30 and 32 to the spacer portions 34 and 36, respectively.

The adhesive flap 38 is connected to the end of the partition portion 34 by a fold line 40. The adhesive flap 42 is connected to the end of the partition part 36 by a fold line 44. Said various fold lines are all substantially parallel to each other and to the ends of the blank. The width of the blank corresponds to a distance between the edges 46 and 48 of the partition part 34, which is the same as the distance between the edges 50 and 52 of the partition part 36.

Connected to the bottom panel portion 12 along fold lines 54 are end panel flaps 56, each of which includes a weakened area located midway between the ends of the flaps 56 and extending substantially parallel to the fold lines 14 and 16. The second weakened area 60 connects the inner ends of the weakened areas 58 to each other and extends across the width of the bottom panel portion. By means of the weakened areas 58 and 60, the main parts of the carrying case can be separated from each other, as described in more detail below.

The end panel flaps 62 are connected to the top panel portion 24 along fold lines 64, and the end panel flaps 66 are connected to the top panel portion 28 by fold lines 68. The strips 70 are also connected to the end flaps 62 along , as described in more detail below.

The dust flaps 76 are connected to the side panel portion 18 along fold lines 78, and the dust flaps 80 are connected to the side panel portion 20 along fold lines 82. The fold lines with which the end flaps and dust flaps are connected to the different panel parts are parallel to the edges of the side wall part 46,50 and 48,52 and perpendicular to the fold lines connecting the different panel parts to each other.

As the carrying case is further assembled from the blank 10 with reference to Figure 1, in the first step, glue is applied to the dotted area adjacent the weakened area 60. The dotted area on either side of the weakened area generally corresponds to the shape of the adhesive flaps 38 and 42. The glue is also applied to the strips 70. Since the surface of the blank facing the viewer corresponds to the inside of the carrying case, the blank is then folded around the fold lines 14, 22, 30 and 44 to bring the outer surface of the adhesive flap 42 into contact with the adhesive on the proximal side of the weakened area 60. The blank is folded around fold lines 16,26,32 and 40, respectively, to bring the outer surface of the second adhesive flap 38 into surface contact with the adhesive on the proximal side of the weakened area 60. The folding can, of course, take place simultaneously, so that the adhesive flaps 38 and 42 are folded into place simultaneously and not in succession.

The result of folding and gluing is shown in Figure 2, which illustrates a partially formed carrying case. The end flaps 62 are connected to the end flaps 66 by adhesive strips 70 so that the combined end flaps 62 and 66 can function as a unit at this point. The end flaps 62, 66 and 56 and the dust flaps 76 and 80 have not yet been folded in, so that the partially formed carrying case remains open.

<td></td><td>Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 show in detail that when the panel parts are folded to form the partially formed carrying case according to Figure 2, the</td>

<td> 5</td><td>the panel parts 24 and 28 are not connected to each other, but are located close to each other. Their fold lines 30 and 32 are substantially opposite, and extend downward the partitions 34 and 36 are in substantial surface contact with each other.</td>

<td> 10</td><td>Adhesive strips 38 and 42 are attached from the bottom of the partitions to the inner surface of the base panel 12 on either side of the weakened area 60. When the formation of the carrying case is at this stage, the case remains closed only along the adhesive strips 38 and 42 and at the strips 70, and neither the top panel parts 24 and 28 nor the partitions 34 and 36 are connected.</td>

<td> 15</td><td>In Figures 2 and 6, the formation of the carrying case is completed by first folding in the dust flaps 76 and 80, folding the end flap 56 up against them, and then folding down the combined end flaps 62 and 66. The end portions of the combined outer end flaps 62 and 66 overlap with the inner end flap 56 and are glued</td>

<td> « » ²⁰</td><td>from an overlapping area. The end flaps 62, 66 and 56 are also adhered to the dust flaps 76 and 80. The final structure consists of a housing with parallel weakened areas in the bottom panel and the inner end flaps. The top panel portions 24 and 28 are not joined, nor are the outer end flaps 62 and 66 except for the adhesive strips 70 which hold the flaps 62 and 66 together. The weakened areas 74 at the bottom of the adhesive strips are parallel to the weakened areas 58.</td>

<td>• · · • • · · · «· · t:</td><td>It will be appreciated that the articles to be packaged have been omitted from the drawing for clarity but would have been placed in the housing of Figure 2 prior to the main type.</td>

<td> •</td><td>en closure. The finished carrying case according to Fig. 6 can be carried by gripping</td>

<td> 25 • : : : • · · • · · • · · • * · • • •</td><td>finger holes 25 and 29. The carrying case can be separated into two smaller units by simply grasping the carrying case and pulling it in opposite directions, as shown in Figure 7.</td>

<td> :/.: 30</td><td>shown by arrows. This causes the attenuated areas 58.60 and 74 to rupture, resulting in two separate closed units 84 and 86 are obtained. The side panels of the carrying case 84 consist of a side panel 20 and a wall panel 34, and the side panels of the second carrying case 86 consist of a side panel 18 and a wall panel 36. Each</td>

96852 the top panel of the carrying case unit includes its own finger holes so that each carrying case unit is provided with its own handle.

Although the bottom panel of the carrying case has been described as having a weakened area to which a partition wall is connected, it is understood that the panel containing the weakened area could be a top panel instead. In any case, the finger holes would be arranged in the top panel regardless of where it is located in the blank.

Although end flaps and end strips have been described for glue joining, it would also be possible to use mechanical locking. However, the adhesive is recommended because the assembly is fast, the resulting joint is strong and secure, and because the adhesive joint is more comfortable for the customer than mechanical locking.

The finger holes shown here are mainly illustrative examples of one type of handle that can be arranged in the carrying case according to the invention. If a stronger handle is required due to the weight of the package, one of skill in the art can easily use other types of known handle designs. However, regardless of its type, the handle is preferably arranged on the top panel of each of the smaller carrying case units so that the separate units can be easily handled after separating the larger package.

It can now be seen that the invention provides an inexpensive, comfortable and relatively large carrying case that can be easily separated into two separate smaller carrying cases that can be delivered to small resale units and, if desired, to the final consumer. The blank used to form the carrying case requires a minimal amount of material and can be easily formed into a basic carrying case in just a few steps. The strips connecting the outer end panel flaps together act as simple means by which the units can be oriented correctly and the flaps can be held in place until the carrying case is separated, and the housing is separated by a weakened area of ​​the strips.

KU 1 i

It should now be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to all specific details described in connection with the preferred embodiment, but that those skilled in the art may make changes to certain features of the preferred embodiment that do not affect the overall basic function and concept without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.