TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates generally to a secondary package and an expandable partition therewith, for storing items, separated from each other, in said secondary package.

BACKGROUND

[002] In the recent years, there has been a many-fold increase in the trend of grouping large number of items, e.g. beverage containers together in the form of multipacks, for various purposes such as to enable an easy transportation, handling, and the like. For example, cans and bottles are often packaged in groups of six, twelve, and more for sale to consumers.

[003] Consequently, there has been a considerable increase in the use of foldable cartons to produce secondary packages for holding such groups of items. Most of these secondary packages include multipack cartons made of paperboard and/or cardboard material.

[004] To avoid the problem of breakage or damage of, in particular, glass items during transportation, much attention went into the development of partitions or dividers for use within such secondary packages, preventing, in particular, glass items bumping to each other during handling.

[005] Traditionally, such partitions or dividers are rather rigid panels of the cushioning type of paper material, such as corrugated board or paper board, and positioned to form compartments. While these known partitions are very effective in preventing item damage during transportation, they have an important drawback. Typically these known partition panels need to be cut individually and slotted together by crossing each other at the cuts (so called fence partitions). This generally causes the construction of the entire partition structure to be rather slow.

[006] The trend has been shifting towards using partitions adapted to form generally three-dimensional partitions formed of thin foldable material. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,505,371 discloses a partition structure constructed from a single cut and scored blank of corrugated paperboard that is folded and erected to form a modified Z-type divider with three loading cells.

[007] U.S. Patent No 4,583,677 discloses an inner partition foldable to form opposite end walls, opposite side walls, and a divider, thereby providing two cells between the divider and the partition opposite end walls. The partition further includes spacer tabs projecting endwise beyond the partition end walls to cooperate with the box end walls to enable stability of the partition.

[008] One prominent Typical of these prior art partitions is that they first need to be erected to final partition shape and then placed within the packaging, wherein this placement typically is by sliding the outer circumferential edges of the partition, along the inner sidewalls of a top-open package until the partition touches the inner bottom of the package, so as to fix the partition position in the package.

[009] From a sustainability point of view, where the reduction of material use plays an important role, the partitions of the prior art consume relative high amounts of material. The challenge addressed with the present invention is to provide partitions with minimal material use, while securing the necessary strength to the overall package and separating the packed items efficiently against damage during transportation.

SUMMARY

[0010] The present invention provides a secondary package formed of a top open housing, having a base portion, and a plurality of walls including a pair of opposite sidewalls and a pair of opposite end-walls, connected to and extending away from the base portion to define an inner space there between, accessible through a top open surface. The secondary package is characterized by a folding partition with a height smaller than the height of the package in closed condition, which is positioned folded out at a certain height in the interior of the package, at a predetermined height away from the bottom of the package. [0011] The partition insert includes a plurality of partition panels defining a pair of opposite end-wall panels and a pair of opposite sidewall panels connected across a plurality of scored joining lines such that when folded across the scored joining lines, the partition insert is adapted to form a three-dimensional partition structure.

[0012] During assembly of the final packaging,

(a) blanks for respectively the top open housing and the partition insert are provided; each being brought in a condition wherein the top open housing is enabled to receive the folding partition, in a way that;

(b) when the partition insert is received in the inner space of the top open housing, the folded partition is unfolded along its scoring lines, until at least one of its end- wall or sidewall panels touches at least one of the inner end- or sidewalls of the top open housing;

(c) wherein the unfolded partition insert is positioned at a predetermined height away from the bottom of the package and,

(d) wherein the at least one of the end-wall or sidewall panels of the partition insert and the at least one of the the inner end- or sidewalls of the top open housing are positioned opposite each other so that their position relative to each other cannot change substantially.

[0013] The three-dimensional partition structure may have any geometric shape suitable to partition the individual items in the final secondary packaging.

[0014] Optionally, the partition structure includes a pair of opposite panel sidewalls, each having a length in width being substantially the same as that of the pair of opposite sidewalls of the housing, and a pair of opposite panel end-walls, each having a length in width substantially lesser than the pair of opposite end-walls of the top open housing.

[0015] Optionally, the said at least one of the end-wall or sidewall panels of the partition insert and the said at least one of the inner end- or sidewalls of the top open housing may be engaged with each other tusing one or more engagement means selected from one or more of but not limited to glue-based affixation, notch-based engagement, adhesive strips, and the like.

[0016] Particularly, the one or more engagement means include a first engagement means adapted to engage a first panel end-wall of the pair of opposite panel end-walls of the partition structure to a first end-walls of the top open housing. [0017] Further, the one or more engagement means include a second engagement means adapted to engage the second panel end-wall of the pair of opposite panel end-walls of the partition structure to the second end-wall of the top open housing.

[0018] Optionally, the first or second panel end-wall of the pair of opposite panel end-walls of the partition structure may be adapted to frictionally engage with the corresponding end-walls of the top open housing.

[0019] Optionally each of the partition panels has a length in height lower than the maximum height of the sidewalls or end-walls of the housing such that the height of each of the panel walls of the partitioning structure is lower than the sidewalls of the top open housing.

[0020] Further optionally, the partition structure includes an upper portion that extends within the top open housing to a height substantially same as the maximum height of the outer housing, while a lower portion of the partition structure is positioned at a distance away from the base portion of the top open housing.

[0021] Optionally, the upper portion of the partition structure extends to a height above the maximum height of the outer housing, while a lower portion of the partition structure is positioned at a distance away from the base portion.

[0022] Further optionally, the upper portion of the partition structure includes one or more gripping means configured at one or more of the sidewalls and/or end-walls of the partition structure. [0023] Yet further optionally, the gripping means may include any suitable holding mechanism known in the art and selected from one or more of but not limited to a looping structure, holding means, and the like.

[0024] Optionally, the final packaging includes a handle integrated, affixed, glued or otherwise configured to an outer surface of the top open housing for facilitating gripping of the primary container.

[0025] Generally, the top open housing may be made of a foldable carton blank formed of a material selected from one or more of but not limited to all kind of papers, fiberboard, paperboard, any hybrid material and the like.

[0026] Further, the partition insert may be made of a foldable carton blank formed of a material selected from one or more of but not limited to all kind of papers, fiberboard, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, any hybrid material and the like.

[0027] In another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling the secondary package is disclosed. The method includes receiving a folded partitioning insert within the inner space of the top open housing and attaching at least one of the end-wall panel thereof to one of the end walls of the housing, or at least one of the sidewall panel thereof to one of the sidewalls of the housing, at a predetermined distance away from the base portion thereof. The method further includes unfolding and/or expandingthe partitioning insert to form a three-dimensional partition structure. [0028] Preferably, the predetermined distance away from the base portion of the top open housing is more than half the height of the sidewalls of the top open housing.

[0029] The details other aspects, features and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1a illustrates a schematic diagram representing a secondary package, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; [0031] FIG. 1b illustrates a partitioning insert and a corresponding partition structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a primary container of a secondary package having a partition structure, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a foldable blank for forming an outer housing of the primary container, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 4a illustrates an exemplary partitioning insert and a corresponding partition structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 4b illustrates an exemplary installation of the exemplary partition insert within the outer housing in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 5a illustrates a second exemplary partitioning insert and a corresponding partition structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 5b illustrates an installation of the second exemplary partition insert within the outer housing in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 6a illustrates a secondary package with a first exemplary partitioning structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure

[0039] FIG. 6b illustrates a secondary package with another exemplary partitioning structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure [0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a secondary package with another exemplary partitioning structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present application discloses a secondary package formed of a top open housing and a partition insert adapted to form a three-dimensional partition structure, for holding a plurality of individual items, such as e.g. beverage containers. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention may be applied in combination with various type of items irrespective of size, shape and materials, used in the beverage or other industry.

[0042] FIG.1a illustrates a schematic diagram representing a secondary package 100 for holding a plurality of individual items, such as beverage containers 190. The secondary package 100 includes a a top open housing 110. The housing 110 includes a base portion 111 , and a plurality of walls 112 including a pair of sidewalls 112a and a pair of end-walls 112b, connected to the base portion 111 and extended towards an open top surface 113, defining an inner space 119 there between.

[0043] The secondary package 100 further includes a partitioning insert 120 adapted to be positioned within the top open housing 110. The partitioning insert 120, as illustrated in Fig. 1b, includes a plurality of partition panels 121 connected to each other sequentially to form a looped structure when in unfolded state. The plurality of partition panels 121 includes a pair of opposite end-wall panels 121a and a pair of opposite side-wall panels 121b. Each of the partitioning panels 121 is connected to the other through a scored folding line 127, adapted to facilitate folding and unfolding of the partitioning insert 120 between an unfolded state P _UF and a folded state P _F. Starting from the folded state, the partitioning insert 120 is expanded to form a three- dimensional partitioning structure 130 defined by a plurality of panel walls 131 including a pair of opposite sidewalls 135 and a pair of opposite end-walls 136 joined together to define an inner space there between.

[0044] The secondary package 100 further includes one or more engagement means 170 for facilitating a position of at least one end- or sidewall panel of the top open housing and at least one end-or side wall panel of the partition insert to be opposite each other so that their position relative to each other cannot change substantially.. Such an engagement means 170 can be either configured onto the pair of end-wall panels 121a and/or the corresponding sidewalls 112 of the housing 110, and/or configured onto the pair of end-wall panels 136 and/or the corresponding sidewalls 135 of the partition insert 130.. In a preferred embodiment, the said engagement means 170 may be an adhesive patch or strip configured at a predetermined distance L away from the base portion 111.

[0045] In use, the folded partitioning insert 130 allows dividing the top housing 110 into three compartments, without utilizing any additional support means for installation thereof. The partition insert may be configured to allow dividing the top housing into more than three compartments.

[0046] The secondary package 100 further includes a handle 180 attached on to the top open housing 110 using one or more fixation mechanisms (not shown) at one or more sidewalls 112 thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the handle is configured to be affixed, glued or configured around the extremities of the sidewalls 112a generally transversal to the partition end-walls 136, such that a gripping portion of the handle is visibly accessible through the top open housing 110 and may be stretched out there from. The handle 280 in such a case may either be affixed to the extremities of the sidewalls 112a or may be passed through one or more handle openings configured onto the corresponding sidewalls 112a. [0047] FIG. 1 schematically shows the arrangement of the basic components of the secondary package 100 of the present disclosure. However, in the construction of commercial functional units, secondary components such as flaps, handles, support structures and other functional components, known to one of skill in the field of secondary packages, may be incorporated within the secondary package 100. Such commercial arrangements are included in the present invention as long as the structural components and arrangements disclosed herein are present. Accordingly, it is to be contemplated that the secondary package 100 may be configured to be used for any kind of item or object, including beverage and/or liquid and/or food containers and may be incorporated in any possible shape as deems possible without deviating from the scope of the current invention.

[0048] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the housing panels 262 of the secondary package 210 , in some embodiments, include one or more closing flaps 269 configured onto one or more sidewall panels 265 for enabling a closure of the housing. In operation, the plurality of housing sidewall panels 265 is erected around the base panel 263 such that when folded and joined together, the three-dimensional outer housing 210 is formed.

[0049] The top open housing 210 thus formed includes a receiving portion 202 for vertically receiving the plurality of items. The receiving portion 202 includes an inner space defined by a base portion 263 connected to a plurality of upstanding sidewalls

265.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the housing 210 may be made of a foldable blank of a material selected from one of but not limited to all kind of papers, fiberboard, cardboard, paperboard, any hybrid material and the like. However, in other embodiments, the housing 210 is integrally molded and made of a light weight plastic material selected from one or more of but not limited to plastic material such as group of thermoplastics including acetal, acrylic, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and nylon. In such instances.

[0051] Referring to FIG 4a, a folded partitioning insert, generally represented by a numeral 300 _F is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In a first embodiment, the partitioning insert 300 _F is in the form of a generally parallelogram shaped loop, and is formed of a folded blank 350 comprising a plurality of partition panels joined together and including a first end-wall panel 311 , a second end-wall panel 312, a first sidewall panel 313, and a second sidewall panel 314. Specifically, the first sidewall panel 313 is extended towards a second sidewall panel 314 through the first end-wall panel 311 in a first direction F . Further, the first side-wall panel 313 is extended towards the second sidewall panel 314 through the second end-wall panel 312 in a second direction F ₂ . The partition insert 300 further includes foldable lines 317 defining the folding positions of the each of the plurality of panels 310 which when unfolded or expanded forms a three-dimensional partition open structure 300 _UF partitioning the housing 210as shown on the right hand side of Fig.4a.

[0052] In the current example, where the shape of the primary container 200 is cuboidal, each of bottom surface 211 , the top open surface 213, the plurality of sidewalls 212, has a generally rectangular shape. In further preferred embodiments, the housing 210, may have different shapes such as e.g. rounded corners C.

[0053] In some other embodiments of the current disclosure, as illustrated in Fig. 5a, 5b, the partitioning insert 300 is in the form of a shape of two similar chevrons connected together. The partitioning insert 300, in such an embodiment, includes a pair of V- shaped portions 360 connected together at their narrow ends 362, to form a central connecting portion 364 such that when pulled apart, the insert 300 expands to form a generally cuboidal shaped partition structure 400. In such embodiments, the engagement may be achieved simply due to the engagement means 370 connected at both end-walls 435 of either the housing or the partition insert or a combination thereof.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in Fig. 4b, the dimensions of the insert 300 are such that the partition structure 400 formed is rotated at a predetermined angle so as to be engaged within the corresponding sidewalls either through the engagement means 370, or otherwise due to frictional engagement between the partition end-walls 436 and the corresponding end-walls 233, 234 of the housing.

[0055] In some embodiments, each of the sidewalls 212 of the top open housing 210 is of a height H _M P substantially greater than a height H, of the items, , 290 to be stored there within such that the complete item is covered there within. However, as to be seen in Fig. 6a, in other embodiments, the height H _Mp Of each of the sidewalls 212 of the top open housing 210 is lesser than the height H, of the items 290 and in case the items are beverage containers extends up to a shoulder height H _SB thereof.

[0056] Further, in some instances, each of the partition walls 431 has a height Hp _W , lesser than height H _M P. Yet in some embodiments, the height H _PW of each of the partition walls 431 is generally lesser than half of the height H _MP . Further in all such embodiments, each of the partition walls extends till the height H, such that in case of beverage containers a collision of the shoulder portion 294 and body is avoided. Further in such embodiments, a lower portion 450 of the partition structure 400 extends at a distance D away from the base portion 211 towards an upper portion 460 extending towards the top open upper surface 213 of the housing 210. However, in some other instances, the height H _PW is such that the lower portion 450 of the partition structure 400 is in contact with the base portion 211 of the housing 210.

[0057] In an embodiment, the height H _PW of each of the partition walls, the distance L of the point of attachment is configured in such a way that the distance D is generally more than half the height H _PW of the partition walls 431. Such an embodiment particularly saves a lot of material required for the formation of the partition insert 300 while providing a sufficient strength to the point of contact between the partition structure 400 and the sidewalls 212 of the top open housing 210.

[0058] In some other embodiments, as illustrated in Fig. 6a, the upper portion 460 of the partition structure 400 extends below the maximum height Hi of the items 290 such as for example till the shoulder height H _SB, in case of beverage bottles.

[0059] However, in other embodiments, the upper portion 460 of the partition structure 400 extends above the maximum height H _| of the items 290. In such embodiments, in some examples, the partition structure 400 may further include a handle and/or gripping means 470 configured onto one or more sidewalls thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 6b for facilitating the handling and/or gripping of the secondary package. The gripping means 470 may be selected from one or more of but not limited to a looping structure, a soft cushioning handle, and the like.

[0060] In the secondary package of fig. 7, the partition structure 400 includes a handle or gripping structure 480. This handle or gripping structure 480 may be part of the partition structure 400, or may be (at least partially) supported by the partition structure 400, or may be fixed to the partition structure 400, or may be fully separated from it. The handle or gripping structure may be attached on to the top open housing using one or more fixation mechanisms (not shown) at one or more sidewalls 112a thereof, or alternatively to the bottom, or alternatively only attached to partition structure 400.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the handle or gripping structure 480 is separated from partition structure 400 and affixed, glued or configured on the extremities of the sidewalls 112 of the top open housing and transversal to the partition end-walls 401. A benefit of the latter embodiment is that, while the partition structure 400 provides sufficient strength to the point of contact between the partition structure 400 and the end-walls 112b of the top open housing, the handle or gripping structure 480 provides sufficient strength to its point of contact with the side-walls 112a. Further, a benefit is also that by keeping the handle or gripping structure 480 and partition structure 400 separated, the handle or gripping structure may be installed into the secondary package in assembly while already loaded with primary containers, followed by closing the sidewalls of the top open housing, as a result of which the handle or gripping structure and the partition structure 400 is aligned and kept in place by the primary containers while closing the sidewalls.

[0062] In all embodiments, the combined usage of handle 280 and the partition structure 400 provides support to each of the sidewalls 212 of the housing 210 and therefore strengthens the package 100 in a cost-efficient way.