Divider for package
View Patent ↗A divider for dividing at least two layers of articles in a package. The divider comprises a central panel, and at least one article attachment flap foldably connected to the central panel. The at least one article attachment flap is for attaching the divider to at least one of the articles as the divider and the articles are formed into the package.
1. A method of forming a package comprising:
obtaining a divider comprising a central panel and at least one article attachment flap foldably connected to the central panel, the at least one article attachment flap comprises a longitudinal edge, a first curved edge, and a second curved edge, each of the first curved edge and the second curved edge extending from a respective end of the longitudinal edge;
obtaining a plurality of articles, each article of the plurality of articles is generally cylindrical;
arranging the plurality of articles into at least a first layer of articles and a second layer of articles, the first layer of articles defining at least one gap between at least two articles of the plurality of articles;
positioning the central panel of the divider against the first layer of articles; and
folding the at least one article attachment flap relative to the central panel so that the at least one article attachment flap extends at least partially into the at least one gap.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the folding of the at least one article attachment flap comprises engaging a respective one of the first curved edge and the second curved edge of the at least one article protection flap with a respective article of the at least two articles.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising wrapping at least a portion of the first layer of articles, the divider, and the second layer of articles with an overwrap.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the second layer of articles on the central panel of the divider so that the central panel is at least partially disposed between the first layer of articles and the second layer of articles.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
each article comprises a shoulder; and
the folding the at least one article attachment flap comprises pushing at least a portion of the longitudinal edge, the first curved edge, and the second curved edge past the shoulder of the at least two articles adjacent the at least one gap so that the respective ends of the longitudinal edge engages a respective one of the at least two articles below the respective shoulder and the respective shoulders of the at least two articles are received in the respective first curved edge and second curved edge.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first curved edge of the at least one article attachment flap contacts the shoulder of a first article of the at least two articles and the second curved edge of the at least one article attachment flap contacts the shoulder of a second article of the at least two articles.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first article and the second article each comprise a cylindrical body portion that has a larger diameter than the shoulder of the first article and the second article, and the at least one article protection flap engages the cylindrical body portion of the first article and the second article.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one article attachment flap is foldably connected to the central panel along a longitudinal fold line that is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the divider.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the folding the at least one article attachment flap comprises forming an opening in the central panel, the longitudinal fold line extends adjacent the opening, and the opening is spaced apart from the outer periphery of the divider.