WO2008050135A1

WO2008050135A1 - Packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2008050135A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/004083
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Taylor
Original assignee: Mondi Packaging (Uk) Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-26
Filing date: 2007-10-26
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Also published as: GB2456100B; GB0907591D0; GB2456100A

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for use in transporting items such as bottles, from a first location to a second, typically retail location in a first format and in a second format to a further location. In this first format the container takes the shape of a conventional box. At the retail location the container may be reconfigured to allow the display of the items. The container can be moved to a further format in which a carrying means (146, 148) provided with the container is moved to a position to provide a handle which can be used to carry the container and items therein when the handle is gripped.

Description

Packaging

The invention to which this application relates is to an improvement in a form of packaging which allows the package, and items therein, to be carried more conveniently various formats of use. It is also an aim to provide the packaging in a form which allows the same to be carried whilst reducing the need for differing materials to be used to achieve the carrying of the items from the point of manufacture to the point of end use.

The provision of packaging for an item or items is well known and the packaging can be formed of plastics and/or card material. A problem with using plastics material is that it is generally regarded as being environmentally unfriendly and therefore there is an increasing demand to use packaging which is formed of card. This is particularly the case with outer packaging such as boxes into which the items can be placed for storage and/or transport to and/or for display purposes at, retail environments.

There are many variations in the forms of packaging which can be used but a problem which is typically experienced, particularly with heavier items such as, for example, wine bottles, is that the original packaging for transport when it arrives at the retail environment, is difficult to carry by purchasers both from the point of display to the checkout and on an ongoing basis back to their premises.

In some instances, when the articles are relatively light, indented portions or apertures can be provided in the walls of the packaging to allow the same to be carried. It is also known to provide plastic handles, which can be selectively engaged into apertures formed into the packaging such that when the handles are inserted, the packaging and items can then be carried via the plastic handle. However, as already stated, the use of plastic is unattractive and furthermore, it is often the case that the packaging has to be specially strengthened at the interface between the handle and the packaging in order to ensure that the handle does not detach in use.

The alternative to using the original packaging, is to remove the items held in the boxes and place the same on display at the retail environment and then provide further carrying means, typically in the form of a fold-flat cardboard carrier, which is required to be used by the customer, who places items into the carrier to allow the same to be carried to the checkout and ongoing from there. This represent a significant waste of material in that two forms of packaging are used for the same items but also the carrying means tend to be required to be formed of a higher grade of card than that which is used for the original packaging in which the items are originally transported.

A further problem which is experienced is that the packaging is generally required not to have any protrusions on the external surfaces thereof such that a number of boxes can be stacked relatively securely. It is found that if handles or other protrusions exist during the stacking and transport, then the stacks can become unstable and are liable to topple.

A yet further limitation is that when placing the items into the packaging and/or forming the packaging around the groups of items, relatively complex and expensive machinery is installed and therefore there is a general reluctance at that point, for any further complication or action to be required with regard to the packaging which would require a change of machinery and/or a slow down in the packaging process. As a result of any one or combination of the above problems, there is still to be found a satisfactory packaging arrangement with a carrying means which can be used to carry the box efficiently and safely and, if required, in one form, with one hand, and which allows the box to be carried efficiently by an unskilled person such as a customer at a retail premises.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide packaging which can be converted to a form including carrying means which can be gripped and used to carry the packaging, with the items located therein. A further aim is to provide the packaging in a first form in which the packaging can be formed and transported and, if required, the item displayed therefrom, and a second form in which the carrying means is exposed to allow the packaging to then be gripped and carried via the carrying means.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for one or more items held therein, said container provided with a base, side walls and a top, said container is provided in a first form to allow said items to be carried therein and wherein the container is provided with carrying means convertible to a second form to allow the items and container to be carried thereby.

In one embodiment, in the conversion between the first and second formats, portions of the top of the container, are moved between first and second positions. In one embodiment, in a first position, said portions lie substantially in the plane of the top and in the second position, the portions are moved to lie substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top to form the handle of the carrying means . In one embodiment, when moving the said portions from said first to second positions, at least one part of each portion, is detached to allow the conversion to occur.

In one embodiment, the corners of each of said portions are detached and remain in the original contact position with the top of the container.

Typically, at least one of the said portions, when moved to the second position, is provided with an aperture into which the user may place their fingers and/or hand to use the same as a carry handle.

Typically, the aperture passes through both portions and at least one of said apertures is formed by the removal of part of the container.

Typically, the carrying means includes said portions which are provided as part of an intermediate wall part which depends downwardly into the container. In one embodiment the wall part passes along at least part of the length of the container.

In one embodiment, said wall part of the carrying means may also act as a divider for items held within the container.

Typically, said wall part depends from one side wall and passes across to the opposing side wall at which a tab or free end of the intermediate wall is engaged to the said opposing side wall.

In one embodiment the carrying means is an integral part of the blank from which the container is formed, and the handle which is formed has a relatively high strength and therefore can be used safely in carrying the container. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container, said container having a base, opposing side walls, opposing end walls and a top, said container further including a carrying means with at least one handle portion said portion movable between a storage condition in which the same lies substantially parallel with the top, and a second position for use in carrying in which the same lies substantially perpendicular to the top.

In one embodiment, to allow movement of the said portion of the carrying means between the storage and in-use positions, part of the top is detached and moved along with the said portion. Typically, said detached part and portion are adhered together so as to form a double-ply handle portion.

Typically, the carrying means is of a double-ply thickness and has a first portion as part of the first ply and a second portion as part of the second ply in a direction opposed to that of the first portion, said first and second portions, in a storage condition, underlying respective flaps of the top and adhered thereto. In this embodiment, typically the first portion is moved to the in-use position and the second portion is moved to the in-use position adjacent to the first portion, with both the first and second portions, carrying thereon, detached parts from the first and second flaps separately thereby forming, a handle, which is of 4-ply thickness and thereby providing, a handle which is sufficiently strong and sufficiently integrated with the container, to provide safe carrying of the box and items held therein.

In one embodiment, the carrying means is provided as an integral part of the blank from which the container is formed, said carrying means attached, at one edge to an inner wall of the container. Typically the carrying means includes a wall part provided and located so as to be positioned substantially centrally of the container in a plane parallel with the side walls of the box.

In one embodiment, the handle portion which is formed, is in a plane parallel with the side walls of the container.

In one embodiment, the container is used to contain a plurality of items therein, such as bottles filled with liquid and therefore allows said bottles to be safely carried via the handle in the same container in which the items were originally packaged and transported to the retail outlet.

In one embodiment, the carrying means wall part depends to a sufficient distance into the container interior so as to act as a separation means for one or more items held within the container.

In one embodiment, the container includes one or more detachable sections, typically on the side and/or end walls, said sections typically removed at the point of retail display to allow the items held within the container to be at least partially visible and displayed to potential customers, without the need to remove the items from the box. This therefore provides a further advantage of the current invention in that the container box is not required to be unpacked and the unpacked items placed on display prior to purchase. Instead the box configuration can be changed to a display configuration without removing the items. Typically this change can be performed without the need to move the carrying means to expose the handle. Typically the detachable sections can be accessed via one or more apertures formed adjacent the same in the side walls or end walls as appropriate. The apertures allow access to the detachable sections to allow the same to be gripped and torn from the remainder of the container box.

Typically, one or more apertures are provided at the top of the container box to allow access to be gained to move the handle portions between the storage and in-use positions.

The present invention therefore provides a container which can be used both for the original transport of the items and subsequent carrying of the items, with the box movable between different configurations to suit the specific requirements at that stage between the point of manufacture or filling and use.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a container which can be moved between a first configuration in which items within the container are substantially enclosed, a second configuration in which sections of the container are removed to allow the items held therein to be displayed and a third configuration in which at least one portion of the container is moved to a handle configuration to allow the container and items therein to be carried via the handle.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for a container in accordance with the invention as herein described, said blank comprising a series of interconnected panels, said panels connected via fold lines and panels are provided to allow two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls to be formed once the blank is erected, and wherein said blank includes a carrying means arranged with a flap at a free edge, said flap provided to be attached, to an internal face of one of the other panels of the container, once the blank has been erected.

In one embodiment, the panels which form the side walls have lines of weakening defined therein to define a detachable section therein.

In one embodiment, flaps depending from one common edge of the said side wall panels, have lines of weakening defined therein to define sections which can be selectively detached during the formation of the handle portion of the carrying means in the in- use position. Typically, the first and second handle portions are formed as part of the carrying means, said carrying means including a line of weakening and/or fold line to allow the wall part of the carrying means to be folded about itself to form a double-ply thickness and the handle portion is to be folded about the common edge of the side panels from the top of the container with the said flaps.

In a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for one or more items which are at least partially enclosed within the same wherein said container includes a carrying means with a handle portion, said carrying means movable so as to move the handle portion from a location within or in line with a wall of the packaging container to protrude from the container and via which the container and items therein can be carried.

Typically the handle portion is moved through an aperture provided in one of the walls of the container.

In one embodiment, the carrying means is movable with regard to the packaging container such that in a first form the handle portion does not protrude beyond a face of the packaging container, and a second form in which the handle portion of the carrying means does protrude from a face of the packaging container.

In one embodiment, the container is in the form of a box and in the first form, the container can be stacked in a conventional manner without the carrying means impeding the same.

In one embodiment, the carrying means is slidably movable with respect to the container so as to move the same between the first and second forms.

In one embodiment, the carrying means also acts as a retention or positioning means for at least one of the items held in the packaging container so as to retain said at least one item in position in the packaging container. Preferably, the carrying means acts as a retention or positioning means both when the container is in the first and second forms .

In one embodiment, the retention is achieved by a portion of the carrying means passing around at least part of the item or in an alternative embodiment, the retention is achieved by the carrying means including one or more dividers which pass between adjacent items so as to retain the items in their respective adjacent positions within the container.

In one embodiment, the container is in the form of a box which has a dimension between two opposing walls and the distance between the opposing end faces of the carrying means, is such that the end faces lie substantially adjacent the inner faces of the opposing walls of the box.

In one embodiment, the container includes at least one aperture via which the carrying means can be accessed and moved between the first and second forms. In one embodiment, an aperture is provided through which the handle portion of the carrying means passes when moving between the first and second positions and is moved by the user gripping the handle portion through the aperture.

In one embodiment, in addition to the aperture for the handle portion, one or more of the opposing walls of the packaging container includes an aperture through which the carrying means can be accessed and moved.

In one embodiment, the apertures are provided in the opposing walls of the container and the carrying means is provided with one or more tabs which protrude through the slots so as to define a portion which can be easily accessed and gripped to cause the movement of the carrying means between the first and second positions.

Typically, when the carrying means is in the second position, a face of the carrying means abuts against the inner surface of the wall of the packaging container through which the handle portion passes such that the face of the carrying means supports the weight of the packaging container and the items therein and therefore allows the carrying of the same.

In one embodiment, the items are placed within the container with each of the respective longitudinal axes parallel and the carrying means is slidingly movable between the first and second positions in a plane parallel with said longitudinal axes.

Typically, the container can be formed using conventional package forming machinery with the carrying means located with the packaging container during the forming process. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming and carrying a container including a plurality of items located therein, said method comprising the steps of providing a group of items in a required configuration, surrounding said items with card material and adhering appropriate flaps of said card material to form a container substantially enclosing said items, and wherein carrying means are located with the said container, said carrying means including a handle portion and by selective movement of the carrying means the handle portion can be selectively moved to a position external of the outer surfaces of the packaging container so as to be gripped and allow the container to be carried via the handle portion.

In one embodiment, when the carrying means is first provided with the container, the carrying means is completely enclosed within the packaging container.

Typically, the carrying means lies in a position between and dividing adjacent items within the container and acts as a retaining means to retain the position of the items within the container.

Typically, the handle portion is moved to the in-use position through an aperture formed in at least one of the faces of the container.

In one embodiment, further apertures are provided in opposing walls, said further apertures allowing the carrying means to be accessed and moved so as to move the handle portion into the protruding position.

In one embodiment, the end walls of the carrying means, include tabs which protrude through said further apertures to improve the gripping of the carrying means when moving the carrying means.

In one embodiment, at least some of the aforementioned apertures are, when the packaging container is in the first form, filled by card material and defined by lines of weakening, so as to allow the lines of weakening to be subsequently broken to allow the card material to be removed and the apertures to be formed.

In whichever embodiment, the packaging container may include further lines of weakening which allow at least a portion of at least one of the walls of the packaging container to be selectively removed so as to allow at least one of the items within the packaging container to be viewable. It is envisaged that this arrangement will be utilised in the retail environment where it will be possible to expose the items within the packaging container for display purposes for purchase.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a container for items, which can be used for the initial packaging of the items, the transport of the items, the display of the items and subsequent carrying when purchased. This avoids the need for additional carrier devices to be provided at a point of purchase, avoids the need for the items to be removed from the original packaging to be put on shelves for display purposes and also reduces the amount of packaging material which is required to be used to move the items from point of manufacture to final use, which is therefore environmentally beneficial.

The invention further allows packaging which conventionally, would be discarded as soon as the items are received at a point of retail, to be continued to be used during the display and for subsequent use at least in carrying the purchased items to a person's premises. Indeed, there is no reason why the packaging may not thereafter be continued to be used both to store and locate the items which have been purchased until they are used and also, to be used thereafter for the location and storage of further items which fit therein.

A further advantage to the manufacturer is that relatively low grade card material can be used to form the packaging and the carrying means, which is therefore cheaper and also without the need to particularly strengthen any portions of the packaging which therefore maintains the ability to use the packaging using conventional machinery in a fast and efficient manner.

It is important to note that in the transport from the point of filling to the retail environment, the container is typically part of a larger batch of containers which will normally be held on a pallet or in cages and therefore are not normally carried by hand. However, when the items and container are selected for purchase, it will normally be the case that one or two containers will be selected at one time and each can therefore be carried by the person's hand by moving the said portions of the top, to the second format to form a handle to be grasped.

As the said portions of the carrying means can be moved between the first and second formats, so the form of the container during the first stage of transport is that of a normal cardboard box and therefore can be used in normal transport handling means and indeed with initial package forming apparatus at the time of filling the container with the items.

Thus, in addition to the savings in material which are achieved in accordance with the invention in that only one form of container carrier is required to be used through the whole manufacture and purchase procedure, savings are also achieved in terms of the display of the items, as the items are not required to be removed from the containers for display or purchase. This reduces time and labour costs and produces material wastage.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 illustrates a blank for a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the blank having been moved to an erected position in a first format of the container;

Figure 3 illustrates the container of Figure 2, having moved to the second format.

Figure 4 illustrates a container according to one embodiment of the invention, in a first configuration;

Figure 5 illustrates the container of Figure 4, in a second configuration;

Figure 6 illustrates the container with Figures 4 and 5 in a third configuration;

Figure 7 illustrates a blank used to form the container of Figures 4 to 6; and

Figure 8 illustrates a more detailed view of the carrying means of the container, in one embodiment.

Figure 9 illustrates a blank of packaging in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 illustrates a blank of carrying means in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 illustrates a blank of carrying means in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 illustrates packaging in accordance with the blank of figure 9 in a first position;

Figure 13 illustrates packaging of Figure 12 in one embodiment with a display window formed;

Figure 14 illustrates the packaging with a display window formed; and

Figures 15a and b illustrate the embodiments of Figures 13 and 14 respectively with the carrying means moved to the second position to expose the handle portion for use.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , there is illustrated a blank 2 of card material in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The blank comprises fold lines 4 which serve to define a series of panels, namely panels 8, 10, 12 which each define side walls, panels 14 and 16 which, when joined together form a further side wall and panels 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 which define, when folded inwardly, the top, and panels 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 which, when folded inwardly, define the base. Panel 42 can be folded about fold line 4¹ to form a double ply wall part of 44 of the carrying means and which has panels 46, 48 with portions 50, 52 which can be selectively moved as will be described below.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a container 54, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention which has been erected from the blank shown in Figure 1 into a first format. The erection of the blank to the first format will typically occur at the filling of the items into the container or forming of the container around the items and it will be seen how the container in this format is substantially cuboid in shape. In this case, the items held within the container are bottles, six in total (not shown) . In this case, the intermediate wall 44 also acts as a divider and three bottles will lie to each side of the wall part. As is seen, the container has a conventional form at this stage, with the handle portions 50, 52 of the carrying means joined to the wall panel being folded down onto the top 56 of the container and the corner portions 60, 62, 64, 66 of said portions, are glued onto the top of the container.

To move the container from the first format to the second format shown in Figure 3 requires the breaking of the lines of weakening 68. By breaking these lines of weakening, so the remainder of the handle portions 50, 52 are free to be moved as indicated by arrows 70, 72 as the remaining portions are not glued to the top of the container. Thus, the corner portions 60, 62, 64, 66 are retained in the glued position on the top 56. The handle portions 50, 52 are brought to lie side by side in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top 56. Aperture 74 is then formed to form the handle through which a person's hand may be placed to use the portions in this form as a handle for the container and thereby allow the container to be carried in a second format.

If required, but not shown, further parts of the container side walls may be selectively removable by lines of weakening, so that, at the point of display, said parts can be removed to allow the items within the container to be viewed by potential consumers. Even with these portions removed the carrying of the container in the second format can still be achieved. There is therefore provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention, a form of container which can be manipulated between first and second formats in an effective and efficient manner.

Referring now to the figures 4-8, there is illustrated a packaging container 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. For ease of illustration, Figure 4 shows in broken lines, the various components of the box and certain of these components are removed in Figures 5 and 6 in order to show particular features of the container more clearly.

The container is formed of sheet card material from a blank as shown in Figure 7. The blank is typically of corrugated card and comprises a series of panels, first and second panels 104, 106 which form side walls of the erected container box, and panels 108, 110 and 112, with panel 108 forming one end wall of the box and panels 110 and 112 in combination, forming the opposing end wall of the box, with the free edge 114 of panel 112 being attached to the external surface of panel 110 as shown in Figure 4.

In addition, there is provided a carrying means panel 116 which has a flap 1 18 which is adhered to the internal face of panel 108 as shown in Figure 4.

The base portion 120 is formed in a conventional manner by the overlapping flaps 112, 124, 126, 128 and 130. The top 132 is formed by flaps 134, 136, 138 which are folded inwardly to lie at right angles to the side and end walls and which are overlaid by flaps 140 and 142 which are also folded inwardly as shown in Figure 4. In addition, the carrying means panel 116 is folded about fold line 144 and positioned substantially centrally within the container in parallel with the side walls 104, 106. The folding of the panel 116 about line 144 brings the handle portions 146, 148 of the carrying means together and renders the main body 150 of the carrying means of a double ply, as shown in Figure 4. The respective handle portions 148, 146, are folded in opposing directions about respective fold lines 152, 154 to lie substantially parallel with the top 132 of the box and underneath and typically adhered to the respective flaps 140, 142. The external shape of the portions 146, 148 matches lines of weakening, 156, 158 on flaps 140, 142 respectively, the purposes of which will be described subsequently. In addition, the handle portions 146, 148, include aperture 160, one of which is left open and the other of which can be defined by lines of weakening so as to allow a section 162 to be partially removed and folded through the aperture 160 in the other portion to form a more rigid handle for subsequent use.

Figure 4 illustrates the container 102, in the erected form, in a first configuration in which a series of items can be placed into the box and then the top is closed by adhering together the respective flaps 140, 142, 134, 136, 138 as required, thereby trapping the items within the box container and protecting them from damage during the subsequent transport. It is envisaged that this first configuration will be used once the items have been manufactured or filled and are then required to be transported, in bulk, to a retail environment. During this configuration, the main aim is to protect the items therein and allow for ease of transport. What is also achieved is the possession of a container base of standard dimensions and external features thereby ensuring that the container box can be formed and packed using conventional apparatus.

At the point of retail, the aim and purpose of the container box changes in that the main purpose at this stage, once the container box is on a display shelf, is to ensure that the items held within the container box are available for display and purchase by the consumer. For this reason, the box in accordance with this embodiment, is provided to be movable to a second configuration which is shown in Figure 5. In the second configuration, sections 164, 166 have been removed from the side walls 104, 106, typically with access being gained to the same via apertures 168, 170 and 172, 174 respectively as shown in Figure 7. With these sections removed, the items held within the box container, in this case, bottles of wine, can be clearly viewed. It should however be noted that the items are still securely retained within the box container. The apertures 176, 178 which are formed thereby allow the free viewing and display of the items 180, one of which is shown for illustrative purposes in Figure 5. It should be appreciated that typically the box will be filled with the items. In this case, six of the items 118 are provided in the box. It should also be mentioned at this point that the carrying means 116 can also act as a separation means to effectively split the interior of the box into two side portions thereby separating at least some of the items from each other during transport.

If the consumer wishes to purchase the items which are displayed from the container box 102, then there is often a need for the user to be able to safely carry the items, both to the point of purchase, and to the point of subsequent use. Conventionally this could be achieved by using an additional carrier which the purchaser would be required to fill with the items which they intend to purchase. However, in accordance with the invention, the additional carrier is not required and instead, the container box can be moved to a third configuration, to allow the items to be retained and carried in the container box as illustrated in Figure 6. This is achieved by the purchaser breaking the lines of weakening 156 and 158 respectively so as to release a part 182, 184 from the respective flaps 14O₃ 142 and, in turn, the respective portions 148, 146 of the carrying means which are adhered to the underside. With the release of the parts and portions, the portions can then be folded about the respective fold lines 152, 154 to a position in which the same lie substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8. Furthermore, the apertures 160 are both opened and lie in line so as to form an aperture through which the portion 162 can be placed to strengthen the same and into which the purchaser's fingers can be placed. In addition, as the handle 186 of the carrying means which is formed, is formed of 4-ply corrugated card material, the handle is of sufficient thickness and strength so as to be able to safely carry the container box and items therein. Furthermore, as the carrying means is formed as an integral part of the container box blank, so the integral strength of the container box is maintained. Thus, in the configuration as shown in Figure 6, the box and items therein can be carried via the handle 186 as shown.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional end elevation of the carrying means 116 along line A-A of Figure 6 and shows how the strength of the carrying means is provided by folding and adhering the body portions 190, 192 together.

Referring now to Figure 9, a further embodiment is described in which there is illustrated a blank 202 for use in forming a container box, said blank having wall portions 204, 206, 208, 210 and flap 211 which form the side and/or walls of the box and flap portions 212-219 which, when glued together, form the other of the side and/or end walls of the box. A line of weakening 220 which defines an aperture which is formed on one of the walls in this embodiment, and slots 220, 224 (not shown) are formed in opposing wall portions, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. A further line of weakening 226 with finger holes 228 is shown and this is selectively provided such that it allows a portion of the packaging material to be removed, to form a display window in the box.

Figure 10 illustrates a first embodiment of a blank for a carrying means in accordance with the invention. In this case, the blank 230 is provided with first and second portions 232, 234 which, in use, are pivotally moved together around hinge line 236 and glued together to form a double wall thickness body. Lines of weakening and/or slits 238 are formed which allow portions of the body to be separated and moved to lie in a substantially perpendicular plane to the remainder of the body and these portions act as retention means in the form of dividers for items to be placed into the box. At one end of the carrying means, there is provided a handle portion 240 with a line of weakening 244 which defines an aperture when punched out through which a person's fingers can pass. At opposing end walls of the body, there are provided tab portions 246, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

Figure 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a blank for a carrying means in which the parts common to Figure 10, are provided with the same reference numerals. The main difference is that in this case different forms of retention means are provided. In this case, rather than dividers, the retention means are provided as a series of grips 248 which are formed so as to pass at least partially around one or more of the items within the packaging to thereby grip and retain the items in the packaging.

In Figure 12, there is illustrated a packaging container 250 formed in accordance with the invention in a first form which is formed at the time of assembly of the items, in this case bottles 252, in the packaging and the carrying means is also inserted into the packaging at this stage. Thus, it will be appreciated that the packaging, in this first form, is of the same shape and/or configuration as is required for a conventional box. Furthermore, the carrying means provides the retention of the items within the packaging for transport purposes.

Figure 13 illustrates the box of Figure 12, with a display window 254 formed therein by removing a portion of the packaging along line 226 and shows the carrying means 230 of Figure 10 in a first position within the box and it will be seen that the carrying means handle portion is enclosed within the packaging. However, it will also be seen that the tab portions 246 of the carrying means extend through the slots 222, 224 in the box to thereby allow access to be gained by the user to the carrying means. It is also shown how the retaining portions 238 lie between adjacent items 252 to retain the same in position.

Figure 14 illustrates a box in a similar form to that shown in Figure 13 with the carrying means 230 of the form shown in Figure 11 illustrated in position and again, the tabs 246 extend through the slots 222, 224 in the box.

To move the carrying means from the first form of Figures 13 and 14 to the second form, as shown in Figures 15a and 15b respectively for the two different embodiments to allow the handle portion 240 to protrude, the broken line 220 at the top end of the box, is broken to form the aperture through which the handle portion of the carrying means can pass . The tab portions 246 of the carrying means can then be gripped or moved slidingly upwardly as indicated by arrow 245, along the slots and, as they do so, they serve to move the handle portion 240 through the aperture 220 to be exposed for use. The line of weakening 244 in the handle portion can then be broken to form an aperture through which the user's fingers can pass and the handle portion 240 can then be used to carry the box thereafter. The top edges 260 of the body of the carrying means abut with the inner surface of the wall of the box through which the handle portion 240 passes and this provides the required support and strength to ensure that the box can be carried safely via the handle portion.

It is also illustrated in Figures 15a and b how the retention means 238, 248 continue to act as retention means even when the carrying means has been moved upwardly. Although this is not critical to the invention, it is of benefit that the retention means still act on the items to retain the same in position, thereby to prevent or minimise the risk of the items falling out of the display window which may selectively be formed in the box and/or maintaining the items in the required position thereby maintaining the balance of the box when being carried via the handle portion.

Claims

1. A container for one or more items to be held therein, said container provided with a base, side walls and a top, said container provided in a first form to allow said items to be carried therein and wherein the container is provided with carrying means convertible to a second form to allow the items and container to be carried thereby.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein in the conversion between the first and second formats, at least one portion of the carrying means at the top of the container, is moved between first and second positions.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein in a first position, said at least one portion lies substantially in the plane of the top and in the second position, the at least one portion is moved to lie substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein when moving the said at least one portion from said first to second positions, at least one part of each portion, is detached from the container to allow the conversion to occur.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the free corners of each of said portions remain in contact with the top of the container.

6. A container according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the said portions, when moved to the second position, is provided with an aperture into which the user may place their fingers and/or hand to use the same as a carry handle.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein the aperture passes through two portions provided in the second position side by side.

8. A container according to claim 2 wherein the carrying means are provided with a wall part which depends downwardly into the container.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the wall part passes along at least part of the length of the container and is attached to an inner surface of a wall of the container.

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein the wall part acts as a divider for items held within the container.

1 1. A container according to claim 8 wherein said wall part depends from one end wall and passes across to the opposing end wall at which the same is engaged.

12. A container according to claim 8 wherein the carrying means is an integral part of the blank from which the container is formed.

13. A container, said container having a base, opposing side walls, opposing end walls and a top, said container further including a carrying means with at least one handle portion, said portion movable between a storage condition in which the same lies substantially parallel with the top, and a second position for use in carrying in which the same lies substantially perpendicular to the top .

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein, to allow movement of the said handle portion between the storage and in-use positions, part of the top is detached and moved along with the said portion.

15. A container according to claim 14 wherein said detached part and portion are adhered together so as to form a double-ply handle portion.

16. A container according to claim 13 wherein the carrying means is of a double-ply thickness and has a first portion as part of the first ply and a second portion as part of the second ply.

17. A container according to claim 16 wherein in a storage condition the first and second portions underlie respective flaps of the top and are adhered thereto.

18. A container according to claim 17 wherein the first portion is moved to the in-use position and the second portion is moved to the in-use position adjacent to the first portion to form a handle.

19. A container according to claim 18 wherein the carrying means is provided as an integral part of the blank from which the container is formed.

20. A container according to claim 18 wherein the carrying means is attached, at one edge to an inner surface of a side wall of the container.

21. A container according to claim 18 wherein the carrying means is provided and located so as to be positioned substantially centrally of the container in a plane parallel with the side walls.

22. A container according to claim 21 wherein the handle which is formed, is in a plane parallel with the side walls of the container.

23. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container is used to contain a plurality of items therein, in the form of bottles filled with liquid.

24. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container includes one or more detachable sections on the side and/or end walls, said sections removable to allow the items held within the container box to be displayed without the need to remove the items from the container.

25. A container according to claim 24 wherein the detachable sections can be accessed via one or more apertures formed adjacent the same in the side walls or end walls of the container.

26. A container which can be moved between a first configuration in which items within the container are substantially enclosed, a second configuration in which sections of the container are removed to allow the items held therein to be displayed and a third configuration in which at least on portion of the container is moved to form a handle to allow the container and items therein to be carried via the handle.

27. A blank for a container in accordance with any of the claims 1 -26 said blank comprising a series of interconnected panels, said panels connected via fold lines and panels are provided to allow two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls to be formed once the blank is erected, and wherein said blank includes a carrying means including a wall part, said wall part arranged with a flap at a free edge, said flap provided to be attached, to an internal face of one of the other panels of the container box, once the blank has been erected.

28. A blank according to claim 27 wherein at least the panels which form the side walls have lines of weakening defined therein to define a detachable section therein.

29. A blank according to claim 27 wherein flaps depending from one common edge of the said side wall panels, have lines of weakening defined therein to define sections which can be selectively detached during the formation of the handle portion.

30. A blank according to claim 27 wherein first and second handle portions are formed as part of the wall part, said wall part including a line of weakening and/or fold line to allow the wall part to be folded about itself to form a double-ply thickness .

31. A packaging container for one or more items which are at least partially enclosed within the same wherein said packaging includes a carrying means with a handle portion, said carrying means movable so as to move the handle portion from a location within, or in line with a wall of, the packaging container to a position to protrude from the packaging container and via which the packaging and items therein can be carried.

32. A container according to claim 31 wherein the handle portion is moved through an aperture provided in one of the walls of the container.

33. A container according to claim 32 wherein the handle portion is movable with regard to the container such that in a first form the handle portion does not protrude beyond a face of the packaging container, and a second form in which the handle portion of the carrying means does protrude from a face of the packaging container.

34. A container according to claim 31 wherein the handle portion is slidably movable with respect to the container so as to move the same between the first and second forms.

35. A container according to claim 31 wherein the wall part acts as a retention or positioning means for at least one of the items held in the packaging container so as to retain said at least one item in position in the packaging container.

36. A container according to claim 31 wherein the container includes at least one aperture via which the handle portion can be accessed and moved between the first and second forms.

37. A container according to claim 36 wherein one or more of the walls of the packaging container includes an aperture through which the wall portion can be accessed and moved.

38. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first form the container is substantially cuboid in shape.

39. A method of forming and carrying a packaging container including a plurality of items located therein, said method comprising the steps of providing a group of items in a required configuration, surrounding said items with card material and engaging appropriate flaps of said card material to form a container substantially enclosing said items, and wherein carrying means are located with the said container, said carrying means including a handle portion and by selective movement of the carrying means the handle portion can be selectively moved to a position protruding from the outer surfaces of the container so as to be gripped and allow the packaging container to be carried via the handle portion.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein when the carrying means is first provided in the container, the carrying means is attached with the packaging container.

41. A method according to claim 39 wherein the container includes further lines of weakening which allow at least a portion of at least one of the walls of the packaging container to be selectively removed so as to allow at least one of the items within the packaging container to be viewable.

42. A method according to claim 38 wherein in the first position the container is substantially cuboid in shape.