Packaging consisting of beverage cartons and outer packaging, as well as outer packaging for beverage cartons

Abstract

Containers made of beverage cartons (10) and an outer packaging (20) made of flat material for beverage cartons (10) comprising a base (25), two opposing side walls (21a, 21b), an end wall (22) and a back wall (23), wherein the base (25) and the walls (21a, 21b, 22, 23) may consist of several parts which do not necessarily form a closed surface, wherein the beverage cartons (10) each have a beverage carton base, beverage carton side walls and a beverage carton roof, wherein at least two beverage cartons can be placed in a row on the floor (25) which runs between the front wall (22) and the back wall (23), wherein the side walls (21a, 21b) have at least three sections at their upper edge which extend upwards at least as far as the beverage cartons (10) standing on the ground (25) at their highest point, wherein the side walls (21a, 21b) each have recesses (26) at their upper edge which allow a user's finger to be placed on a beverage carton (10) to lift the beverage carton (10) upwards out of the outer packaging (20), wherein the beverage carton roof has a closure cap (11), wherein a beverage carton (10) has on a beverage carton side wall facing a side wall (21a, 21b) an upper triangular double-walled corner flap (12) which is folded downwards against the adjacent beverage carton side wall and sealed thereto, and a recess allows a user's finger to be placed on the corner flap (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container made of beverage cartons and an outer packaging, as well as an outer packaging for beverage cartons.

[0002] Beverage cartons are packaging containers made of a flexible material that may contain a layer of paper or cardboard. Examples of beverage cartons include SIG Bloc cartons and Tetra Brik® cartons. Beverage cartons may have a cap on their top that protrudes upwards.

[0003] Retailers such as supermarkets are typically supplied with beverage cartons in the form of multipacks, meaning outer packaging containing several individual beverage cartons. This outer packaging not only simplifies the transport of multiple beverage cartons but also facilitates stacking. It is particularly important when the beverage cartons have a protruding lid. Without the supporting structure of the outer packaging, the cartons would be more likely to be deformed or even damaged during stacking due to force exerted on the lid. Damage can occur, for example, if the lid punctures the aluminum and PE film, allowing air to enter the product and potentially leading to bacterial growth.Even a mere deformation that only changes the external appearance, i.e., the look, of the beverage carton leads to many end customers in retail stores no longer being willing to buy the beverage carton.

[0004] In retail, there are two main ways of presenting beverage cartons. Either the cartons are displayed in their outer packaging or parts thereof, or they are removed from the outer packaging by hand by a user, i.e., a member of staff, and placed on a shelf or other surface. With the second method, practical experience has shown that carefully removing the cartons from their outer packaging—that is, avoiding deformation from overly rapid handling—is very time-consuming and therefore results in high labor costs. This problem is particularly pronounced with SIG Bloc beverage cartons, which have two opposing double-walled corner flaps at their top. These flaps are folded downwards against the adjacent side wall of the carton (left and right) and sealed to it.The material rests only once on the side of the beverage carton, which is the actual display side ("front"), and on the opposite side ("back"). This means that if the carton is handled from both the front and back, it is particularly prone to deformation, especially on the display side, which significantly diminishes its appeal to the buyer. In practice, it has been observed that users, i.e., service personnel, tend to unpack the outer packaging from front to back, gripping the beverage cartons at both the front (display side) and back, frequently resulting in deformation.

[0005] EP 2 282 948 B1 shows a package consisting of an outer packaging and packaging. DE 10 2005 003 722 A1 shows a package consisting of an outer packaging and beverage cartons.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an outer packaging for beverage cartons, in particular for beverage cartons with upwardly protruding closure caps, and a container which have advantages over known outer packaging or containers.

[0007] The problem is solved by a container according to claim 1 or an outer packaging according to claim 9. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims or are described below.

[0008] Because the side walls have at least three sections at their upper edge, extending upwards at least as far as the beverage cartons standing on the ground at their highest point, the side walls can provide support for a further outer packaging stacked on top of the outer packaging, thus preventing the beverage cartons from being deformed or even damaged by the weight of the upper outer packaging. Preferably, two sections from two adjacent side walls are connected to each other via a hinged edge, forming a corner that is particularly stable and provides support. At the same time, the cutouts in the side walls facilitate removal by a user, thus reducing the time and effort required.This reduces the personnel effort required to stock beverage cartons on shelves and also minimizes the risk of users deforming the carton while handling it, thus also reducing the risk of write-offs, i.e., losses. This is particularly true for beverage cartons whose sturdiest sides are parallel to the outer packaging. The cutouts encourage the user, i.e., the server, to grasp the carton by its two sturdiest sides, thereby reducing the risk of deformation.

[0009] Ideally, each of the beverage cartons in the row has a recess. This allows each beverage carton, which is against a side wall of the outer packaging, to be gripped from the side.

[0010] In the container according to the invention, a beverage carton has an upper triangular double-walled corner flap on a beverage carton side wall facing a side wall, which is folded downwards against the adjacent beverage carton side wall and sealed thereto, and a recess allows a user's finger to be placed on the corner flap.

[0011] Preferably, a beverage carton has such a corner flap on two opposite side walls. The recesses in the side walls of the outer packaging then make it easier to grip the beverage carton by the two sturdier side walls and thus reduce the likelihood of deformation during gripping.

[0012] In the container according to the invention, the beverage carton roof has a closure cap.

[0013] Preferably, the outer packaging can contain six beverage cartons arranged in two parallel rows running between the front wall and the back wall.

[0014] Preferably, the walls of the outer packaging are made of cardboard, corrugated board, or corrugated board. Preferably, the side walls are connected to the base via fold lines. Preferably, the end wall and / or the back wall comprises two partial walls, each connected to a side wall via a fold line. Preferably, the end wall and / or the back wall includes a flap that is hinged to the base.

[0015] Preferably, the upper edges of the side walls and / or the front wall and / or the back wall and / or the inner edges of the recesses are produced by wavy cuts. This reduces the risk of cuts to the user's hands.

[0016] In the outer packaging according to the invention, a part of the outer packaging is connected to the remaining outer packaging via a detachable connection, wherein the detachable connection is formed by a perforation that at least partially separates the detachable part from the remaining outer packaging, the perforation beginning in the lower region of a recess.

[0017] Preferably, the detachable part comprises at least the entire end wall.

[0018] A one-piece blank made of cardboard, corrugated board, or corrugated board for an outer packaging according to the invention for beverage cartons can comprise a rectangular base and two opposing side walls connected to the base via fold lines. Preferably, the blank comprises: a first end wall flap connected to one side wall via a fold line, a second end wall flap connected to the other side wall via a fold line, a third end wall flap connected to the base via a fold line, a first back wall flap connected to one side wall via a fold line, a second back wall flap connected to the other side wall via a fold line, and a third back wall flap connected to the base via a fold line.

[0019] A container according to the invention, consisting of beverage cartons and an outer packaging, preferably comprises six beverage cartons arranged in two parallel rows running between the front wall and the back wall.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures, each of which shows an exemplary embodiment. They show: Fig. 1: a container according to the invention. Fig. 2: an outer packaging according to the invention; Fig. 3: a cut according to the invention;

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a container according to the invention, consisting of six beverage cartons 10 and an outer packaging 20 made of corrugated cardboard. The outer packaging comprises two opposing side walls 21a and 21b, an end wall 22, and a back wall 23, the end wall 22 being formed by several parts. Three beverage cartons 10 are arranged in a row on the base of the outer packaging, extending between the end wall 22 and the back wall 23. The tops of the beverage cartons 10 each have a cap 11 that projects upwards. The side walls 21a and 21b each have four sections at their upper edge, extending upwards at least as far as the beverage cartons 10 standing on the base at their highest point, i.e., at the highest point of the cap 11.The side walls 21a and 21b each have three recesses 26 along their edge, which allow a user to place a finger on a beverage carton 10 to lift it upwards out of the outer packaging 20. There is one recess 26 for each beverage carton in a row. Each beverage carton 10 has an upper triangular, double-walled corner flap 12 on one side wall facing a side wall 21a or 21b. This flap is folded downwards against the adjacent side wall and sealed to it. The respective recess 26 in the side wall 21a or 21b allows a user to place a finger on the corner flap 12. The corner flap 12 reinforces the beverage carton 10 at this point. Therefore, if the user grasps the beverage carton 10 at these points, the risk of deformation is reduced.The upper edges of the side walls 21a and 21b and the end wall 22, and the inner edges of the recesses 26, are produced by corrugated cuts, thus reducing the risk of cuts. A perforation 24 allows a portion of the outer packaging 20, comprising the end wall 22, to be detached. The perforation line begins in the lower region of a recess 26 in the side wall 21a or 21b.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 shows an outer packaging 20 according to the invention.

[0023] Fig.Figure 3 shows a one-piece blank for an outer packaging 20 according to the invention. The side walls 21a and 21b are connected to the base 25 via hinged edges. The front wall and the rear wall each comprise two partial walls 22a and 22b or 23a and 23b, respectively, each of which is connected to a side wall 21a or 21b via a hinged edge. In addition, a tab 22c or 23c is hinged to the base 25. These tabs 22c or 23c each form part of the front wall or rear wall, respectively, when assembled.

Claims

[1] Container made of beverage cartons (10) and an outer packaging (20) made of flat material for beverage cartons (10) comprising a bottom (25), two opposing side walls (21a, 21b), an end wall (22) and a back wall (23), wherein the bottom (25) and the walls (21a, 21b, 22, 23) may consist of several parts which do not necessarily form a closed surface, wherein the beverage cartons (10) each have a beverage carton base, beverage carton side walls and a beverage carton roof, wherein at least two beverage cartons can be placed in a row on the floor (25) which runs between the front wall (22) and the back wall (23), wherein the side walls (21a, 21b) have at least three sections at their upper edge which extend upwards at least as far as the beverage cartons (10) standing on the ground (25) at their highest point, wherein the side walls (21a, 21b) each have recesses (26) at their upper edge which allow a user's finger to be placed on a beverage carton (10) to lift the beverage carton (10) upwards out of the outer packaging (20), wherein the beverage carton roof has a closure cap (11), wherein a beverage carton (10) has on a beverage carton side wall facing a side wall (21a, 21b) an upper triangular double-walled corner flap (12) which is folded downwards against the adjacent beverage carton side wall and sealed thereto, and a recess allows a user's finger to be placed on the corner flap (12). [2] Container according to claim 1, characterized by , that for each of the beverage cartons (10) in the row there is a recess (26). [3] Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the outer packaging (20) can contain six beverage cartons (10) arranged in two parallel rows between the front wall (22) and the back wall (23). [4] Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the walls (21a, 21b, 22, 23) of the outer packaging (20) are made of cardboard, carton or corrugated board. [5] Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the side walls (21a, 21b) are connected to the base (25) via kinks. [6] Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the front wall (22) and / or the back wall (23) comprises two partial walls (22a, 22b, 23a, 23b) which are each connected to a side wall (21a, 21b) via a hinge edge. [7] Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the front wall (22) and / or the back wall (23) includes a tab (22c, 23c) which is hinged to the base (25). [8] Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the upper edges of the side walls (21a, 21b) and / or the front wall (22) and / or the rear wall (23) and / or the inner edges of the recesses (26) are produced by wavy cuts. [9] Outer packaging (20) made of sheet material for beverage cartons (10) comprising a base (25), two opposing side walls (21a, 21b), an end wall (22) and a back wall (23), wherein the base (25) and the walls (21a, 21b, 22, 23) may consist of several parts which do not necessarily form a closed surface, wherein the beverage cartons (10) each have a beverage carton base, beverage carton side walls and a beverage carton top, wherein at least two beverage cartons (10) may stand in a row on the base (25) which runs between the end wall (22) and the back wall (23), wherein the side walls (21a, 21b) have at least three sections at their upper edge which extend upwards at least as far as the beverage cartons (10) standing on the base (25) at their highest point, wherein the side walls (21a, 21b) each exhibit exceptions (26),which allow a user's finger to be placed on a beverage carton (10) to lift the beverage carton (10) upwards out of the outer packaging (20), characterized by , that a part of the outer packaging (20) is connected to the remaining outer packaging (20) via a detachable connection, wherein the detachable connection is formed by a perforation (24) that at least partially separates the detachable part from the remaining outer packaging, wherein the perforation (24) begins in the lower region of a recess (26). [10] Outer packaging according to claim 9, characterized by , that the removable part includes at least the entire end wall (22).

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