BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The subject invention is directed to product packaging, and more particularly, to packaging systems and packaging methods of securing containers in a preferred orientation within a package for shipment and display.

Description of Related Art In the field of packaging, it is often required to orient a group of containers on a processing line into preferred rotated positions prior to their final packaging. Over the years, packaging methods for containers have undergone changes. For example, packaging designs and methods have advanced from securing six-packs of cylindrical beverage containers or cans with flat plastic six-pack carrier rings to packaging beverage containers in paperboard sleeves or wraps that are open at each end, with the beverage containers prominently displayed to the purchaser.

With these changes, it has become important from a sales standpoint that the packaged products be made as eye-catching and appealing to the consumer as possible. Consequently, it has been found necessary to provide means for orienting the exposed containers into particular rotated positions in their final packaging, so that all of the labels or graphics on the containers will face in the same direction, thus giving a pleasing appearance to the package as it is seen by the consumer. Furthermore, it has become important to orient the exposed containers in such a manner that the product bar code printed on each container remains hidden from the line of sight of a bar code reader, so as to avoid any pricing discrepancies at the point of sale. While machines and methods have been developed for orienting or otherwise rotating a group of containers prior to final packaging, there remains a need in the art for a method of securing the orientation of the containers within their packaging during shipment and during shelving, so that the containers remain in their intended orientation at all times, including up until the ultimate point of sale. The subject invention provides systems and methods for effectively achieving this goal.

SUMMARY OF THU DISCLOSURE

The subject invention is directed to new and useful systems and methods of securing an orientation of a container in a package. An example of one such new and useful method comprises the steps of orienting a plurality of containers in a predetermined orientation, wrapping the arrangement of containers in a paperboard package, and applying glue within the package to secure the orientation of at least one container in the package.

The step of applying glue within the package could include applying at least one glue spot to an interior surface of the package, which could include applying at least one glue spot to an interior surface of a side panel of the package or applying at least one glue spot to an interior surface of a bottom panel of the package. Alternatively, the step of applying glue within the package could include applying at least one glue spot between two adjacent containers in the package. The step of applying glue within the package could include applying at least one glue spot to an interior surface of the package before wrapping the containers in the package or applying at least one glue spot to an interior surface of the package after wrapping the containers in the package. The step of applying glue within the package could also involve applying the glue before orienting the containers or applying the glue after orienting the containers. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the orientation of the containers before or after applying glue involves rotating the containers into a preferred orientation.

Another example of a method of securing an orientation of a group of containers in a package having opposed open ends comprises the steps of orienting a plurality of containers in a predetermined orientation, wrapping the arrangement of containers in a paperboard package so that certain containers in the group are visible through the opposed open ends of the package, and applying glue in predetermined locations within the package to secure the orientation of the containers that are visible through the opposed open ends of the package. The step of applying glue in predetermined locations within the package could include applying glue spots to interior surfaces of the package, which could include applying glue spots to interior surfaces of side panels of the package or applying glue spots to interior surfaces of bottom panel portions of the package. Alternatively, the step of applying glue in predetermined locations within the package could include applying glue spots between adjacent containers in the package.

The step of applying glue in predetermined locations within the package could include applying glue spots to interior surfaces of the package before wrapping the containers in the package or applying glue spots to interior surfaces of the package after wrapping the containers in the package. The step of applying glue in predetermined locations within the package could also include applying glue spots before orienting the containers or applying glue spots after orienting the containers.

The subject invention is also directed to a package of containers that includes a plurality of containers in a predetermined orientation, a paperboard package blank wrapped around the containers, and glue applied within the package in predefined locations to secure the containers in the predetermined orientation within the package. The glue is applied to interior surfaces of the package to secure the containers in the predetermined orientation within the package.

It is envisioned that the glue may be applied to the interior surface of a side panel portion of the package to secure the containers in the predetermined orientation within the package, or the glue may be applied to the interior surface of a bottom panel portion of the package to secure the containers in the predetermined orientation within the package. Alternatively, the glue may be applied between two or more adjacent containers in the package to secure the containers in the predetermined orientation within the package. The subject invention is also directed to a system for packaging containers that includes a conveyor for transporting a group of containers in a predetermined orientation, a packaging station at a predetermined location along the conveyor wherein a package blank is wrapped around the group of containers, and a glue gun adjacent the packaging station for applying glue within the package to secure the group of containers in the predetermined orientation within the package.

Preferably, the glue gun is a high speed, hot melt adhesive gun that is adapted and configured to apply a hot melt adhesive onto a moving surface. The glue gun has a nozzle, and the glue gun is mounted relative to the packaging station so that an outlet of the nozzle is positioned about 2 to 5 mm from the surface to which glue is to be applied within the package. In an embodiment of the invention, the conveyor is adapted and configured to position the containers in the predetermined orientation in advance of the packaging station, and in another embodiment of the invention, the conveyor is adapted and configured to position the containers in the predetermined orientation within the packaging station or after passing through the packaging station.

These and other features of the packages, packaging systems and packaging methods of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject invention appertains from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following brief description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art will readily understand how to employ the new and useful packages, packaging methods, and packaging systems of the subject invention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail with reference to the following figures:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a paperboard blank for packaging containers;

Fig. 2 is an illustration corresponding to a method of applying glue to the interior surfaces of a packaging blank and folding the packaging blank around a group of containers positioned in a preferred orientation on a conveyer of a packaging machine;

Fig. 3 is an illustration corresponding to a method of applying glue to surfaces of adjacent containers in a package to secure the containers in a preferred orientation;

Fig. 4 is an illustration corresponding to a method of applying glue to interior surfaces of a package to secure containers in a preferred orientation;

Fig. 5 is an illustration corresponding to another method of applying glue to interior surfaces of a package to secure containers in a preferred orientation; and Fig. 6 is an illustration corresponding to a method of applying glue to interior surfaces of a packaging blank and then wrapping the packaging blank around a group of containers before the containers have been positioned in a preferred orientation.

PET ATT, ED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, with like reference numerals identifying similar structural elements or features of the subject invention, there is illustrated in Fig. 1 a die cut paperboard blank for constructing a package, which is designated generally by reference numeral 10. More particularly, the paperboard die cut blank 10 is adapted and configured to be wrapped around an arrangement or group of containers in such a manner so that the containers are readily visible to a consumer through the open ends of the package.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, and as discussed in more detail below, methods are described herein for securing the orientation or relative positions of a group of containers within a package with an adhesive, which provides certain advantages such as labels or graphics imprinted on the containers are prominently visible through the open ends of the package, while at the same time ensuring that bar codes imprinted on each of the containers are not visible through the open ends of the package so they are out of the line of sight of a bar code reader, thereby avoiding any pricing discrepancies that might otherwise arise at the point of sale.

Referring to Fig. 1, the die cut blank 10 includes a top panel 12, side panels 14 and 16, and a bottom panel formed by bottom panel portions 18 and 20, whereby bottom panel portion 18 is foldably connected to side panel 14 through an intermediate connective region 18a and bottom panel portion 20 is foldably connected to side panel 16 through an intermediate connective region 20a. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the die cut blank 10 of Fig. 1 is merely an example of the type of paperboard blank that could be used to form a package for beverage containers to be used in conjunction with the product securing systems and methods of the subject application. Indeed, as illustrated throughout the several figures of this application, several other similar paperboard blanks and packages constructed therefrom can be used in conjunction with the product securing systems and methods of the subject application. Furthermore, while some of the exemplary packages illustrated and described herein are configured to hold four beverage containers, the securing systems and methods described in the present application can be readily applied to packages that contain any number of containers.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a conveyor of a packaging machine designated generally by reference numeral 30, wherein paperboard blanks 10 are wrapped around spaced apart groups of four containers 40 at a packaging station in such a manner so that the two leading containers are visible through the open front end of each package and the two trailing containers are visible through the open rear end of each package. Importantly, as best seen in the group of containers on the conveyor of packaging machine 30 that is located in area A of the packaging station, an adhesive is applied at a plurality of spots 50 to interior surfaces of the package blank 10

For example, an adhesive may be applied at four spots 50 by an electric glue gun 32 on the interior surfaces of the side panels 14 and 16 of the package blank 10, wherein each spot 50 is arranged at a location to interact with or otherwise come into contact with the body of a respective one of the four containers 40 wrapped within the package blank 10. As illustrated, the glue gun 32 is shown mounted on one side of the packaging machine conveyor 30 to apply glue at two spots 50 to side panel 16 of package blank 10. It is envisioned that another similar glue gun may be mounted on the opposite side of the packaging machine conveyor 30 to apply glue at two spots 50 to side panel 14 of package blank 10.

Preferably, the type of glue gun 32 associated with the packaging station of the conveyor 30 is a compact high speed, hot melt adhesive gun that is adapted and configured to apply or otherwise deposit a hot melt adhesive onto a moving surface. The adhesive or glue can be applied or deposited by the gun as small dots, beads, lines, misted spray, or the like. An example of an electric glue gun of this type is manufactured and sold by Nordson Corporation of Duluth, Georgia. This type of glue gun has a nozzle, and the glue gun is mounted on a rigid support structure (e.g., a mounting bar) within the packaging station of conveyor 30, so that an outlet of the nozzle is positioned about 2 to 5 mm from the surface to which the adhesive is to be applied within the package. The glue gun 32 can be mounted in a fixed position relative to the packaging station of conveyor 30 or it can be mounted for movement relative to the packaging station of conveyor 30.

It should also be understood that, as shown in Fig. 2, the four containers 40 are oriented in a preferred orientation before the glue has been applied to the interior surfaces of the package blank 10. It is envisioned however, that in certain instances, for example when a glue with a long drying time is utilized, the containers 40 can be oriented after the side panels 14, 16 of the package blank 10 have been folded into place, as shown for example in area B of the packaging station illustrated in Fig. 2. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the glue used to secure the orientation of the beverage containers within the package has certain properties, whereby after the package has been opened, the glue applied at spots 50 remains attached to the interior surfaces of the package blank 10 and advantageously releases from the surfaces of the containers 40, so that when a container is removed from the package by a consumer, there will be no glue adhered to the surface of the container.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated another method of securing the orientation of a group of containers 40 in a package 25 formed from a blank 10, wherein glue is applied at spot 50 within the wrapped package 25 between adjacent containers 40 by a glue gun 32, so that graphics imprinted on the containers 40 (i.e., the LOGO) are prominently visible through the open ends of the package 25. At the same time, this method ensures that bar codes imprinted on those containers are not visible through the open ends of the package 25, thereby avoiding pricing discrepancies at the point of sale. Referring to Fig. 4, there is illustrated another method of securing the orientation of a group of containers 40 in a package 25 formed from a blank 10, wherein glue is applied at spots 50 within the package 25 on interior surfaces of the package 25. More particularly, the glue may be applied at spots 50 to interior surfaces of the bottom panel portions 18 and 20, or to surfaces defined by the intermediate regions 18a and 20a that exist between the bottom panel portions and side panels, as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 4, the glue may be applied at spots 50 by the glue gun 32 at locations where the outer periphery of the bottom of each container 40 is in contact with a respective deposit of glue at spot 50. In this arrangement, the location of glue at spots 50 not only functions to retain the predetermined orientation of the containers, but also to increase the retention characteristics of the outer chime locks 28 of the package 25 and to help resist tearing at those locations as well.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is illustrated another method of securing the orientation of a group of containers 40 in a package 25 formed from a blank 10, wherein glue is applied at spots 50 within the package 25 by glue gun 32 to interior surfaces of the bottom panel portions 18 and 20 near the edges of those panel portions. More particularly, the glue is applied at spots 50 to respective corner flaps or tabs 18b and 20b of the bottom panel portions 18 and 20 in order to contact the bottom surface of a respective container 40 that is visible through the open ends of the package 25.

It should also be understood that in the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3 through Fig. 5, the containers 40 may be oriented or otherwise rotated into a preferred orientation before the glue has been applied to the interior surfaces of the package 25. In these instances, the glue used would have a relatively short drying time. However, in certain instances, for example when a glue with a long drying tine is utilized, the containers 40 can be oriented or otherwise rotated within the package after all of the panels of the package blank 10 have been folded into place, as discussed below with respect to Fig. 6

In Fig. 6, there is illustrated a method of securing the orientation of a plurality of containers 40 that have not yet been oriented or otherwise rotated into a preferred orientation within a package 25. Thus, the logo or indicia that is imprinted on each of the containers 40 that are visible through the open ends of the package 25 are not properly aligned for viewing by a consumer. In this instance, glue may be applied at four spots 50 to the interior surfaces of the opposed bottom panel portions 18 and 20 of blank 10 by glue guns 32a and 32b before the bottom panel portions 18 and 20 are folded around the four containers, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Thereafter, because the glue utilized here has a relatively long drying time, the containers 40 can be subsequently rotated into a preferred orientation after the glue has been applied to respective surfaces of the package blank 10 and after the package blank 10 has been wrapped around the group of containers 40. In the embodiments and examples detailed herein, a beverage container is depicted and described for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles, cans, cups, bowls, tins, pouches, packets and the like, each of which may be made of various materials including, without limitation, metallics, paper, glass, plastics, and the like.

While the subject disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.