AU2020101977A4

AU2020101977A4 - Multipack packaging rings for beverage cans

Info

Publication number: AU2020101977A4
Application number: AU2020101977A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kim Louise Johnston; Rodney David Johnston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-09-04
Filing date: 2020-08-25
Publication date: 2020-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-25
Also published as: GB202013319D0; AU2020223663B2; GB202013070D0; US20210061502A1; AU2020101977B4; GB2591535A; AU2020223663A1

Abstract

Multipack packaging rings for holding a plurality of beverage cans of a type having a upper portions formed into circular necks 13 of reduced diameter which seal to lids14 around circumferential seams 15. The rings are formed from a foldable sheet material having in a first panel 1 a first set of circular apertures 2 with inwardly directed tabs 3. In use of the rings the tabs 3 engage under the circumferential seams 15. In an adjoining second panel 5 a second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures 6 correspond in layout to the first set so that when the second panel 5 is folded over along a line 7B between the panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to those of the first set and the second panel overlies and reinforces the first panel. -14- 3/6 9 6 5 14 A 14 1s Fig.3

Description

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MULTIPACK PACKAGING RINGS FOR BEVERAGE CANS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to multipack packaging. More particularly, although not

exclusively, it discloses an improved form of packaging rings for beverage cans

and other like containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While it is common to use what is known in the packaging industry as six pack

rings to secure and transport beverage cans such existing packaging has

disadvantages. One important problem is that non-biodegradable plastic versions

of the rings are difficult to dispose of without degrading or polluting the

environment. Although single layer biodegradable paperboard or cardboard

versions are known the thickness required to achieve the strength to hold the

beverage cans makes printing indicia on the packaging difficult. With current six

pack rings there is also no convenient area for printing a bar code which can be

easily located and scanned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned

disadvantages and accordingly multipack packaging rings are disclosed for

holding a plurality of beverage cans of a type having upper portions formed into

circular necks of reduced diameter which seal onto lids around circumferential

seams, said rings being formed by a foldable sheet material having in a first panel

thereof a first set of apertures with inwardly directed tabs which in use of the rings engage under said circumferential seams and in an adjoining second panel thereof a second set of substantially smooth edged apertures corresponding in layout to said first set whereby when said second panel is folded over along a line between said panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective ones of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said first panel.

Preferably said sheet is of a thickness not exceeding .7 mm to facilitate printing.

It is further preferred that one of said sections is formed with a display tag which

is adapted in a position of use to extend downwardly from an edge thereof.

It is further preferred that the circumferential edges of said second set of apertures

are substantially smooth and are sized for a push fit over the seams.

It is further preferred that there are six apertures in each of said first and second

sets which are arranged in a rectangular array.

It is further preferred that finger holes are formed in said panels for carrying the

packaging rings.

In another aspect a flat blank is disclosed for constructing multipack packaging

rings, said blank being of foldable sheet material and including first and second

panels joined along a fold line, said first panel having a first set of apertures with

inwardly directed tabs forming an inside edge thereof and said second panel

having a second set of substantially smooth edged apertures corresponding in

layout to said first set.

In another aspect the invention also discloses a method of assembling said

multipack packaging rings, said method including the steps of:

- Pressing said first section down over the seams of an arrangement of

said cans corresponding to the position of said first set of apertures

whereby said tabs resiliently bend upwardly and outwardly before

displacement back to engage under said seams, and

- Folding said second panel along said line between the panels whereby

the apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective ones

of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces the first

panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with

reference to the attached representations in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a flat blank of foldable sheet for constructing

multipack packaging rings according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing one type of beverage can

for which the packaging rings may be used,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the first panel when placed over the lids

of a rectangular arrangement of six beverage cans of the

type shown in figure 2,

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the neck and lid of one of the beverage cans

of figure 3 which shows the engagement of the tabs of the

first panel located under the circumferential seam of said can.

Figure 4A is a another detailed view of said neck and lid of one of the

beverage cans with the second panel folded over,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of assembled multipack packaging

rings for a six pack of said beverage cans in accordance with

the invention , and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a plate for pressing the panels over the

can lids when assembling the multipack packaging rings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to figure 1 there is shown a flat blank 1 of foldable material. It is

preferably between .4 mm to .7 mm thickness to provide the necessary strength to

hold the beverage cans while still facilitating printing. Suitable material for the

blank may be paperboard, cardboard, card stock or other biodegradable materials

including plastics such as a biodegradable PLA film as would be known to a

person skilled in the art. With this embodiment the currently preferred material is

508ums/391 gms Custom Kote as produced by Westrock Packaging Systems of

Atlanta Georgia United States of America. The blank is die cut using known

methods and apparatus to form a set of circular apertures 2 arranged in a

rectangular array within a first panel section 1A. There are inwardly directed tabs

3 formed between notches 4 arranged around the circumference of these apertures

2. With this example of an embodiment for use with known 375 ml aluminium

drink cans as described below the diameter 4A of the apertures 2 as measured

between opposite inside edges of the tabs 3 may be 47.5 mm. The length 4B of the

tabs 3 in the radial direction may be 4 mm. The sheet further includes an adjoining

second panel section 5 of similar shape and size to panel 1A. Panel 5 is cut to form

a set of circular apertures 6 with smooth edges 7. These apertures 6 correspond in

arrangement to the aforementioned apertures 2 in panel 1A and with this embodiment which is intended for 375ml cans may have diameters 7A of 53 mm.

On one side panel 5 joins with panel 1A along a fold line 7B. The other side joins

a display tag 8 along another fold line 9. Both panels 1A and 5 preferably have

rounded corners 10.

An example of a 375ml aluminium beverage can for use with the invention, as

shown in figure 2, is a well known design as manufactured for example by

Visy Industries Australia Pty Ltd of Southbank Victoria 3006 Australia. It has a

one piece side wall 11 and bottom 12 which is stamped and pressed from a single

sheet of aluminium. The upper portion of the can is formed into a neck 13 of

reduced diameter and the top edge of the wall seals to the lid 14 along a

circumferential seam 15. The outside diameter of this seam with this embodiment

is 54 mm. so that the aforementioned apertures 6 are preferably a push fit

thereover.

To form the packaging rings panel 1A is first pressed down over the seams 15 of

an arrangement of cans corresponding to the position of the apertures 2 as shown

in figure 3. The diameters of the apertures 2 between the inside edges of opposite

tabs are, with this embodiment, preferably 6.5 mm less than the diameter of the

seam 15 so that as they are pressed down over the seam the tabs 3 are initially bent

in the region of their base 15A upwardly and outwardly before resiliently

displacing at least partially back to engage under said seam as shown in figure 4.

The cans are thereby held by the tabs 3 within the panel apertures 2 in accordance

with the invention. The second panel 5 is then folded over along line 7A (see

arrow A) so that the smooth edged apertures 6 push fit over respective ones of the

seams 15 whereby said panel 5 overlies and reinforces panel 1A underneath. As

shown in figure 4A the edges 7 of the apertures 6 also press inwardly against the

tabs 3 above their base 15A to hold and lock them under the seams 15. This novel

locking action secures the cans against accidental slippage out of the rings. The

display tag 8 may then be bend down along fold line 9 to locate at the front of the

multipack rings as shown in figure 5. This tag 8 is ideally placed for scanning of

bar codes or the display of other indicia. There may also be finger holes 16 along

the centre of the multi-pack packaging rings which align through both panels when

folded over. This folded over double layered construction for the rings according

to the invention provides improved packaging strength for lifting and transporting

the cans while still only requiring a relatively thin biodegradable sheet. This

facilitates printing and subsequent disposal of the packaging rings after use.

It is to be understood that the dimensions provided for the aforementioned

embodiment are given by way of nonlimiting illustrative example for a 375 ml

berverage cans and may change for other can sizes and designs without departing

from the scope of the invention.

It will also be understood that directional references used herein such as

"upper", "upwardly", "over", "bottom", "down", "downwardly" and the like refer

to the packaging rings in one position of use as illustrated and are not to be

construed as necessarily limiting.

A plate 17 as shown in figure 6 is also disclosed for simultaneously pressing the

panels apertures over the can seams. In this case there is a rectangular array of

apertures 18 with bevelled edges 19 on one face. When the sheet panels are

aligned over the cans and then pressed down with this plate the apertures 2 and 6

are quickly and neatly fitted over the seams. With high volume packaging

operations this plate would preferably be incorporated into a suitable mechanical

press.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the

embodiment disclosed provides novel and improved multipack packaging rings for

beverage cans. The example disclosed however is only the currently preferred

form of the packaging rings and a variety of modifications may be made within the

scope of the invention. For example the number and arrangement of the cans

packaged by the rings may vary from the six-pack rectangular array shown. The

shape, size dimensions, configuration and placement of the apertures as well as the

shape and position of the display tag may all be changed in accordance with the size, design and number of the cans to carried by the packaging rings without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims:

1. Multipack packaging rings for holding a plurality of beverage cans of a type

having a upper portions formed into circular necks of reduced diameter which

seal to lids around circumferential seams, said rings being formed from a

foldable sheet material having in a first panel thereof a first set of circular

apertures with inwardly directed tabs which in use of the rings engage under

said circumferential seams and in an adjoining second panel thereof a second

set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures corresponding in layout to

said first set whereby when said second panel is folded over along a line

between said panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to

respective ones of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces

said first panel.

2. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inwardly

directed tabs are formed between notches arranged around the circumference of

said first set of apertures.

3. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 2 wherein diameters of said first

set of apertures as measured between inside edges of opposite ones of said tabs

are sufficiently less than the diameters of the seams whereby during assembly

of said rings as said first set of apertures are pressed down over the seams the tabs are initially bent upwardly and outwardly to clear said seams before displacing at least partially back to engage under said seams.

4. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second set of

apertures are sized to provide a push fit over said seams.

5. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 4 wherein when said second

panel is folded over along said line and the second set of apertures is press

fitted over said seams the edges of said second set of apertures press inwardly

against the tabs to hold and lock said tabs under the seams.

6. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 5 wherein said line comprises a

preformed crease in said sheet.

7. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said panels is

formed with a display tag which in a position of use extends downwardly from

an edge thereof.

8. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 7 wherein there are six

apertures in each of said first and second sets which are arranged in a

rectangular array.

9. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 8 wherein said sheet material

is of a thickness not exceeding .7 mm.

10. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 10 wherein finger holes are

formed in said panels for carrying the packaging rings.

11. Multipack packing rings as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sheet material is

biodegradable paperboard, cardboard or card stock or a biodegradable plastic.

12. A method of assembling multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 1 said

method including the steps of:

- Pressing said first panel down over the seams of an arrangement of said

cans corresponding to the position of said first set of apertures whereby

said tabs resiliently bend upwardly and outwardly before displacing at

least partially back to engage under said seams.

- Folding said second panel along said line between said panels whereby

said apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective

ones of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said

first panel.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 and including a further step of

bending a display tag formed as part of one of said sections down along

another fold line to locate at the front of said multipack packaging rings.

14. A plate for assembling multipack packing rings as claimed in claim 1 by simultaneously pressing said sets of panel apertures over the can seams said plate including an array of circular holes with bevelled edges on one face which correspond in position to said sets of panel apertures.

15. A flat blank for constructing multipack packaging rings, said blank being of

foldable sheet material and including first and second panels joined along a

fold line, said first panel having a first set of circular apertures with inwardly

directed tabs forming an inside edge thereof and said second panel having a

second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures corresponding in

layout to said first set.