JP2004115129A - Package - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container package in which a loop-arranged type plastic carrier having a large bill-board area and its upper handle holds containers of groups well-balanced and tightly held. <P>SOLUTION: This package is used for groups of containers including a respective container held in several rows and several lateral columns. This package includes an integral plastic carrier. The integral plastic carrier has a plurality of loop-type container holding units connected to each other and extendable. Each of the containers has one loop. Each of the loops encloses one different container in groups of containers. The integral plastic carrier has further a handle unit connected to the container holding unit. The handle unit extends above the upper part of the container between the containers of adjoining rows. The package further comprises a sleeve made of a material extendable to enclose the containers of one group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to packages for several groups of containers, and in particular, the invention relates to a plastic carrier having an array of loops for engaging and holding individual containers, especially for many groups of containers.

容器 Container carriers are frequently used to unite multiple containers, such as bottles or cans, in convenient sellable quantities. Cardboard and plastic are commonly used materials. Cardboard carriers generally comprise a box in which the container is retained. The box has a totally closed or open top surface and has individual compartments for each container. The closed box is provided with a handle in the form of an opening or slot in the box. For open top boxes, handles may extend upward between several rows of container compartments. The disadvantage of cardboard carriers is that they exceed materials and costs. Further, once opened, the closed box no longer holds the container securely. A carrier with an open top surface may spill into the carrier if inverted.

Plastic carriers vary widely in performance, light weight, low cost and versatility to suit containers of different sizes and shapes. The general shape of the plastic carrier also includes the formation of holes in the extensible plastic. These holes are sized and shaped to extend around the entire circumference of a holding container, such as a bottle or can. Automatic devices are available to quickly and efficiently attach the extensible plastic carrier to the container.

Various types of handles are known for conveniently carrying a group of containers held by a carrier. For example, it is known to provide a hole for gripping the package with the tip of a finger. It is also known to provide a handle on a carrier along one side of, or at the top of, a group of containers.

In such a known configuration, the carrier is formed by two webs of plastic material juxtaposed to one another. The handle portion and the container engaging portion are stamped simultaneously from the two webs juxtaposed. These webs are melted or welded along selected portions, such as by lamination. Thereby, the resulting handle portion is a material of double thickness and the container engaging portion is free to hang from the rest of the carrier on each side of the handle portion. The container engaging portion is a single piece of material.

Quick or instant visual product recognition is one aspect of many beverage manufacturers' market transactions. While containers individually identify themselves to the consumer, the visible area on any of the containers in the group held in the carrier is small, potentially limiting the impact of the printed area or "billboard". Would. In this regard, the cardboard carrier has the advantage of providing an integral billboard area on the side of the box, whether of the closed type or the open top type. Shrinkable packaging is used to provide an integral billboard area. However, once the package is torn, the integrity of the package as a carrier may be lost and all containers held in the package may be free. Furthermore, shrink wrap carriers do not have an aesthetic appeal at their ends, making it difficult to incorporate the handle into the shrink wrap carrier.

The beverage industry tends to group larger quantities of sales containers. As mentioned above, plastic carriers have been used in so-called twelve boxes, but known carriers for twelve boxes are generally of the type having a handle on the side. That is, the containers are fastened in the carrier and arranged in a vertical position, and a carrier handle is provided on one side of the group of containers. In the transport position, the container is positioned horizontally at right angles to the vertical position. Some consumers find it largely unfounded, but think that transporting beverage containers horizontally is awkward because there is a risk that the container seal will break and spill all or a significant amount of the beverage. . In addition, large batches of containers, whether bottles or cans, which are fastened by only extendable rings in an array of plastic carriers, have a sense of instability, with the individual containers being the other of the batch containers. It can bend or twist with respect to the container.

A container package having a carrier in the form of a plastic loop having a large billboard area and having an upper handle arranged to carry a well balanced and securely held group of containers is known in the art. is needed.

The present invention provides a plastic carrier having an array of rings, one ring for each container, and an extensible sleeve for surrounding and retaining the group of containers, and further comprising a plastic carrier having a plurality of containers. The side provides a large information billboard. In a preferred arrangement, the containers are held in four rows with the upper handle extending upward between the middle two rows.

In one aspect, the invention provides a package for a group of containers, including individual containers held in several rows and rows. The package has an integral plastic carrier with interconnected extendable loop container holders. One loop is provided for each container, each loop surrounding a different one of the group of containers. The handle is connected to the container holder. The handle portion extends upward between adjacent rows of containers and above the top of the containers. A sleeve of extensible material surrounds the group of containers.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a package for a group of individual containers arranged in at least four rows, each row being a plurality of containers. The interconnected loops of the extendable array have one loop for each container. Each container is located in a separate loop surrounding the container. The handles are located between adjacent rows of containers and extend upwardly between the plurality of containers, with at least two of the four rows of containers on each side of the handle.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a family of container carriers having an array of interconnected loops arranged in a number of rows and rows. This array contains four rows. The handles are connected in an array in which two rows are located on each side of the handle.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description, the claims, and the drawings where like reference numerals are used to indicate like features. Will.

Before describing embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to application to the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Will be done. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Further, it is understood that the phraseology and terms used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be construed as limiting. Use of the words "comprising" and "comprising" and variations thereof in the present specification is intended to include the items described below, their equivalents, as well as additional items and equivalents.

With particular reference to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, the container package 10 of the present invention is shown. The package 10 has a carrier 12 and a sleeve 14. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the package 10 is provided for so-called twelve boxes and is shown for packing a plurality of individual containers 16 into a group 18 of containers 16. However, it should be understood that the invention may be used to advantage with more or fewer containers 16 than the twelve boxes shown. Further, while the package 10 is shown for packaging individual containers 16 in the form of bottles, the package 10 can be used to package containers 16 other than bottles. For example, package 10 may be used to package cans.

2 and 3, the carrier 12 has a handle portion 20, a container holding portion 22, and a truss-like suspension portion 24 connecting the handle portion 20 to the container holding portion 22. The actual configuration of carrier 12 will vary depending on the size, type and amount of container 16 held within carrier 12. In the preferred design for the carrier 12 holding the twelve boxes shown, the carrier 12 is a two piece structure having a first sheet 26 and a second sheet 28. In FIG. 2, the first sheet 26 is easily visible, and the second sheet 28 is located directly behind the first sheet 26. The first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28 are connected by one or more joints 30, 32, two joints 30 and 32 shown in the drawing. The manner in which such joints can be made is known to those skilled in the art, and methods of applying or extruding material between the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28 to melt the sheets 26, 28 together are also known. included. As shown, the joints 30 and 32 are provided near the top of the handle 20 and near the bottom of the suspension 24, respectively. Additional joints may be provided between the top of the handle 20 and the bottom of the suspension 24. The handle part 20, the container holding part 22, and the suspension part 24 are formed as an integral part of each sheet 26 and the sheet 28. Joints 30, 32 join the sheets 26 and 28 such that each of the portions 20, 22, and 24 forms one integral carrier 12.

The suspension portion 24 includes a plurality of columns 34, 36, including a first end column 34 and a second end column 36 formed in each of the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28, and a plurality of intermediate columns 38. 38 is a double thick layer with 38. The suspension 24 essentially connects the handle 20 to the container holder 22.

The handle portion 20 has a handle opening 40 formed through the two layers of the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28. The handle portion 20 extends within the assembled package 10 above the suspension portion 24, and the handle opening 40 is provided on the top of the handle portion 20 so that it can be easily used by a person carrying the package 10. Above the top of the container 16.

The container holder 22 includes individual loops 52 in an array 50 formed of rows 54, 56, 58, 60 parallel to the handle 20 and rows 62, 64, 66 perpendicular to the handle 20. I have. In the carrier 12 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, two of the rows 54 and 56 are provided on one side of the handle portion 20 and two of the rows 58 and 60 are provided on the opposite side of the handle portion 20. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, each row of loops 52 is a single layer of material, with rows 54 and 56 being formed in the first sheet 26 and rows 58 and 60 being formed in the second sheet 28. .

Each loop 52 is configured to be stretched to entirely surround an individual container 16. A plurality of voids 68 are optionally provided in the sheets 26 and 28 so that the loops 52 can be extended and shaped to surround the individual containers 16. The material for sheets 26 and 28 is flexible and elastic, and can stretch significantly without breaking. Low density polyethylene is a suitable plastic from which the carrier 12 can be manufactured.

The sleeve 14 is formed as an endless band surrounding the entire circumference of the container 16 of the group 18 held by the carrier 12. The sleeve 14 has an upper edge 80 and a lower edge 82, an open top surface 84 and an open bottom surface 86. The container 16 extends above the upper edge 80 and below the lower edge 82 through an open top surface 84 and an open bottom surface 86, respectively. Sleeve 14 has a sleeve height 88 between upper edge 80 and lower edge 82. Preferably, sleeve height 88 extends a significant portion of the full height of container 16.

Sleeve 14 may be formed of a strip-like extensible material that is formed into an endless band by joining the ends of the strip at seam 90. At least the outer surface 92 of the sleeve 14 is suitable for receiving printed matter, attaching labels, or holding other visual communication indicia on this surface 92. Thereby, the sleeve 14 provides a large billboard area 94 for a consumer information logo or other product identification feature to make it easier for consumers to recognize.

好 適 In the preferred configuration of the package 10, the array 50 is located within the sleeve 14. That is, the loop 52 engages the container 16 at one location on the container 16 between the level of the upper edge 80 and the level of the lower edge 82. In the procedure intended for using the package 10, the sleeve 14 is applied after the carrier 12 has been attached to the individual containers 16. Sleeve 14 is stretched to surround containers 16 of group 18 and is positioned therearound to cover carrier 12. Applying the carrier 12 to the individual containers 16 to form a group 18 and arranging the sleeve 14 around the group 18 can be performed using automated equipment known to those skilled in the art.

In addition to providing a large billboard area 94, the sleeve 14 can stabilize the group 18 and minimize the possibility of individual containers 16 twisting or bending with respect to other containers 16 in the group 18. The cooperative association of the carrier 12 and the sleeve 14 provides a solid sense of stability to the package, increasing the security and confidence of the consumer carrying the package. Arranging the containers 16 in groups 18 with three containers 16 in each row in four rows 54, 56, 58, 60 further provides a well balanced and stable group 18. By providing the handle 20 in the middle of the group 18 such that the handle 20 has two rows 54, 56 on one side of the handle 20 and two rows 58, 60 on the other side of the handle 20, Further help to balance group 18 for transport to.

The combination of carrier 12 and sleeve 14 can be used in other configurations than the four-row, three-row group 18 shown in FIGS. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the present invention provides a package 120 having a carrier 122 and a sleeve 124. Carrier 122 is provided with loops 126 arranged in two rows 128 and 130 parallel to handle 132 of carrier 122.

In the package 120, the sleeve 124 surrounds the entire circumference of the container 16 held by the carrier 122 in the group 18. The sleeve 124 thereby provides stability to the package 120, while also providing a large billboard area for advertising sales benefits.

The present invention improves the stability of large packages, such as 12 boxes, by providing an encircling band to stabilize the containers held within the carrier. This band provides space for advertising information and product recognition information.

変 形 Variations and modifications of the above are within the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all other combinations of two or more of the individual features described in or apparent from the text and / or drawings. Understood. These different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. The embodiments described herein illustrate the best mode known for practicing the invention, and therefore those skilled in the art will be able to practice the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent possible in the prior art.

The various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

It is a perspective view of the container package of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a carrier in the container package shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 2 with a container held therein. It is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container package of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Package 12 ... Carrier 14 ... Sleeve 16 ... Container 20 ... Handle part 22 ... Container holding part 54 ... Row 56 ... Row 58 ... Row 60 ... Row 62 ... Row 64 ... Row 66 ... Row

Claims (20)

In a package for a group of containers comprising individual containers held in several rows and several rows,
The package comprises a one-piece plastic carrier, the one-piece plastic carrier having a plurality of interconnected, extensible, looped container holders, one for each of the containers, wherein each of the loops is Enclosing a different one of the group of containers, wherein the integral plastic carrier further comprises a handle portion connected to the container holding portion, wherein the handle portion includes a handle portion of the adjacent row of containers. Extending upwardly between and above the top of the container,
The package further comprising a sleeve of extensible material surrounding the group of containers. The package according to claim 1, wherein the container holder has two rows of loops on each side of the handle. 2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an upper edge and a lower edge, and a sleeve height between the upper edge and the lower edge, the sleeve height substantially extending over the container. Package described in. The package according to claim 3, wherein the container holder has two rows of loops on each side of the handle. The package according to claim 4, wherein the container holding portion is held in the sleeve. The package according to claim 1, wherein the container holding portion is held in the sleeve. The sleeve has an upper edge and a lower edge, and a sleeve height between the upper edge and the lower edge, wherein the sleeve height is a significant portion of the height of the container. The package of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises an information billboard surface. The package according to claim 7, wherein the container holding portion is disposed in the sleeve. The package of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a billboard outer surface adapted to carry visual communication markings. A plurality of containers in each of at least four rows, a group of individual containers arranged in at least four rows;
A plurality of loops in an interconnected extensible array, wherein there is one of a plurality of loops for each of said containers, each of said containers being disposed in one separate said loop surrounding said container;
A handle substantially parallel to said row and integrally connected to said array, wherein said handle is disposed between containers in adjacent rows and extends upward between said containers; A handle, wherein at least two of the four rows of containers are on each side of the handle. The package of claim 10, wherein each of said rows comprises three of said containers. The container package according to claim 10, comprising an extensible sleeve surrounding said group of containers. The package for a container according to claim 12, wherein the array is disposed within the sleeve. The container package of claim 12, wherein each of said rows comprises three of said containers. An array of interconnected loops arranged in a number of rows and a number of rows, wherein the array includes four of the rows; and
A carrier for a group of containers comprising a handle connected to said array, wherein said two rows are arranged on each side of the handle. 16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein each of said rows has three said loops. The carrier according to claim 15, wherein the handle is connected to the array by a suspension, and the array, the suspension, and the handle are integrally formed. 16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein the array and the handle are extensible plastic. 19. The carrier of claim 18, wherein each of said rows has three said loops. 20. The carrier of claim 19, wherein the handle is connected to the array by a suspension, and the array, the suspension, and the handle are integrally formed.

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