CA1175787A

CA1175787A - Package unit carrier

Info

Publication number: CA1175787A
Application number: CA000413668A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Robert C. Olsen; Mindaugas J. Klygis
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 1981-11-25
Filing date: 1982-10-18
Publication date: 1984-10-09
Also published as: FI70858C; SE501732C2; AU8961582A; MX155568A; HK68986A; GB2111938A; IT1153352B; GB2111938B; AU558213B2; DK155788B; DE3241474C2; SE8801775L; SE8206701L; DK524882A; IT8224373A1; CH650991A5; SE8801775D0; DE3241474A1; BR8206467A; FI824040A0

Abstract

Case No. 3906 20 PACKAGE UNIT CARRIER

Abstract A plastic band is provided for encircling and combining into a single package two six-pack assembly of cans into a package of 12 cans, or simi-larly for assembling eight bottles. The plastic carrier or band of the present invention encircles the outside of the assembly of cans or bottles, and further provides a central stabilizing band or strap.

Description

~175'787 5ase 3906 20 Back~round of the Invention Various types of carriers have been revealed in the patent arts and have been used commercially for assembling a predetermined number of containers, often six in number, for carrying of the containers. Typically, six cans may be carried together, and in a preferred form of package there 5 is a sheet of plastic having six apertures therein respectively slightly less in diameter than the cans, so that the plastic material is stretched about the respective cans in generally inverted conical shape, thus secrely under-lying the can beads to prevent undesired withdrawal of the cans. As is known, a lateral movement of a can stretches the respective encircling lo band so that the can can be tipped from carrying position. Such carriers are shown, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,~74,~35 and 3,g74,502.
Larger numbers of cans have been handled by similar carriers, see for example, U.S. Patent No. 4~OI8J331 shows a carrier of the type in question for 12 cans.

Under some circumstances a package of 12 cans may be somewhat unstable or difficult to carry, and in U.S. Patent No. 4,269,30~ there is shown and described a plastic encircling band which circumscribes the 12 cans and holds them in close continuous relation. The band is provided with a handle for carrying of the 12 pack.

20 Summary of the Present Inve~tion The present invention seeks to provide an encircling band carrier for a plurality of cylindrical containers which may be otherwise secured together, which carrier ensures stability of the resulting package of containers.
More specifically, this invention seeks to provide an integral band plastic carrier for a double six pack of cans, or a double !;

~17S7~
Case 3906 20 1 four pack of bottles in which each of the subpackages is fully encircled, In one broad aspect, the invention pertains to a package unit comprising a plurality of cylindrical containers arranged in rows and columns, and a package unit carrier comprising a first resilient strip circumscribing all of the containers in surface contact therewith and an intermediate resilient strip integral with the first strip and extending between spaced portions thereof. The intermediate strip extends between predetermined adjacent containers in surface engagement therewith, each of the containers being engaged by at least one of the strips to provide a stable package.
The invention also pertains to a package unit carrier comprising a first integral resilient plastic strip formed as a continuous loop, handle means integral therewith, and an intermediate strip extending across the loop and having opposite ends integral with the first strip.
More particularly, the present invention provides for a plastic package unit which completely encircles a group of cylindrical containers, such as a double six pack of cans, or a double four pack of bottles. A subsidiary dividing band is provided which lies between the subpacks, such as the two six packs of cans, whereby each subpack is retained in stable condition independently, while the total package is also retained in stable condition. The band or package unit is initially provided stamped from a sheet of plastic material in collapsed condition, with the outer portion thereof forming the overall encircling band, and with an inner portion providing a collapsed separating strip. Successive package units are integrally joined together in an elongated strip, and are separated preferably after assembly with the cans or other containers.

---` 1175787 The Drawin,~s The present invention will best be understood from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of six packs secured together by a package unit or band constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the package units or bands of the present invention prior to assembly with cans or other containers, and showing a handle along the long dimension for carrying of the resulting package;

FIG. 3 is a modification of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 with the handle at one end rather than along the side;

,~..'~

-- ~ 175787 Case 3906 20 FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the somewhat different relative dimensions for carrying a different assembly of containers, such as a double four pack of bottles, appearing with Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat simplified view on a reduced scale showing 5 the carrier or package unit of FIG. 3 assembled with a double six pack of cans, appearin~ with Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the carrier or unit of FIG. 4 assembled with a double four pack of bottles, appearing with Figs.
1, 2, 4 and 5;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a somewhat different con-10 figuration of parts;

FIG. 8 is a view generally similar to FIG. 7 and showing a further modification;

FIG. 9 illustrates a further modification;

FIG. 10 illustrates another modification of the present invention; and FIG. Il illustrates yet another modification of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Referring now in ~reater particularity to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 19 2 and 5, there will be seen a plurality of cylindrical containers, specifically cans 20 totalling 12 in the illustrative example. As seen in FIG. 1, the cans are displayed with their axes in horizontal disposition in 20 four columns oI three cans each. The two left columns are secured to-gether by a pJastic can carrier 22, preferably made of polyethylene, the carrier shown in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 2,874,S35 being illustrative.
A similar carrier 24 secures the two right columns of cans together. There are thus two six packs of cans which could be carried separately, ~enerally ,, :

11757~37 Case 3906 20 with the can axes in vertical position. Although such carriers are set forth in detail in prior art patents, such for exampied the aforesaid U.S.
Patent No. 2,874,835, it is noted by way of summary at this point that each such carrier comprises an apertured sheet having six apertures therein, 5 each slightly less in diameter than a can, thus effectively providing six separate bands which aggressively grip the cans beneath the beads thereof.
Inherent resilient or stretchable characteristics of the plastic material allow a can to be pulled a slight distance sideways to stretch the respective band, whereby the can can be tipped away from the respective carrier.

In many instances, it is convenient to carry 12 cans as a unit, rather than six. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a 12 pack band or package unit carrier 26 is provided.

The shape of the 12 pack band or package unit carrier 26 in blank form before assembly with the cans is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises a continuous outer strip 28 having arcuate end portions extending over greater than a semicircle and ~oin to elongated reversely curved portions 32 integrally interconnecting the arcuate portions. The strip 28 is of uni-form width and at its vertical centerline is provided with integral attach-ment polnts 34 for narrower V-shaped strips 36-1 and 36-2 arranged hori-zontally in mirror-image relation. The apices of the strips 36-1 and 36-2 are rounded as indicated at 38-1 and 38-2, while the roots 40-1 and 40-2, and 42-1 and 42-2 are also rounded to avoid stress areas that might tezr.

The pack band or package unit carrier 26 is completed by a handle 44 integral with the strip 28. The handle is symmetrical about the vertical midline of the carrier and is integral with the reversely curved portion 32.

The handle 44 is provided with two apertures 46 and 48 in mirror-image relation. Since the apertures are of the same shape, only the left one is described, and includes an elongated, rather narrow opening 50 running the 117578~
Case 3906 20 length of the aperture 46, and having a generally circular enlargement 52 at the upper edge of the narrow portion 50 and at the left end thereof.
This leaves a flap 54 which can be folded up. An integral tab 56 on the vertical midline of the carrier connects the central portion of the handle 5 with the strip 28. The first two fingers of a hand may be inserted through one of the apertures 46 and 48, while the last two fingers are inserted through the other of these apertures. The flap 54 in each instance rolls up to present a smooth, surface engagement with the fingers, rather than a sharp edge. This promotes comfort of the person doing the carrying, 10 and also inhibits tearing of the plastic material.

A succession of 12 pack bands or package unit carriers 26 is pro-vided in the form of a continuous web, and ragged lines 58 at either end in FIG. 2 indicate where successive carriers are supplied integrally joined toE~ether. The connection preferably is severed during or immediately prior 15 to assembly with a pair of six packs, hereinafter respectively referred to by numerals 60 and 62.

As shown in Fl(~. 1, the strip 28 is extended around the two six packs 60 and 62 with the respective intermediate strips 36-1 and 36-2 pulling together as a single, straight strip 36. As will be appreciated, the 20 length of the strip 28 and of the strip 36 are such that they will fit in the positions just shown and described, each under some tension. Accord-ingly, all of the cans are held in tight assemblage whereby the double six packs can conveniently be carried by the handle 44 without danger of any of the cans coming loose either from the package unit carrier 26, or from 24 the respective six carriers 22 and 24.

A modification of the invention as just described is shown in FIGS.
3 and 5. In this embodiment oi the invention, the parts are essentially identical with those previously described and are correspondingly numbered.

~:175787 Case 3906 20 The distinction is that the handle 44 has been moved to the left end of the strip 28. The handle is provided with two apertures 60 and 62, again in mirror-image relation. Due to the shape of the arcuate end portion 30 the inner edge of each aperture is a continuous curve at 64, while the 5 outer edge 66 thereof is straight. This results in a relatively large di-mension at the maximum upper and lower vertical limits, but with a very restricted opening adjacent the hori~ontal centerline. Accordingly, the integral center tab 68 may be scored or otherwise weakened as indicated at 70 so that when it is desired to pick up a double six pack the tab 68 10 may be readily torn to allow all four fingers to be inserted comfortably in the apertures 64 and 66.

An embodiment of the invention adapted for carrying eight bottles is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The parts are generally similar or identical to those previously shown and described, and therefore similar parts are iden-15 tified by similar numerals with the addition of the suffix a. Points oIdistinction are that the strip 28a is narrower than the strip 28, while the intermediate strip 36a is considerably shorter, having to span only two bottles 20a, instead of three cans. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 4, the strips 36a-1 and 36a-2 do not extend as far to the right and to the left 20 as is the case with the corresponding intermediate strip portions in FIG.

2.

The bottles, as shown in FIG. 5, are arranged in two groups of four, and each group preferably is held together by a plastic carrier (not shown) receiving the necks of the bottles, and generally is similar to the plastic 25 six pack carriers of FIG. 1, but with smaller holes having greater spacing.
The two four pack units are arranged with one vertically above the other, ~ith the strip 28a encircling the assemblage, and the intermediate strip 36a extending between the two four bottle units whereby the eight bottles are securely held together for transpor t, hanging from the handle 44a.

~l~S787 Case 3906 20 A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7. This embodiment is generally similar to those previously disclosed, and similar parts are identified by similar numerals with the addition of the suffix b to avoid prolixity of discussion. The handle 44b is shown at the left end, 5 as in FIGS. 3 and 4, but it could equally well be along the top as indi-cated in broken Jines, and as previously shown in FIG. 2. The essential distinction of the present embodiment over prior embodiments is that the strips 36b-1 and 36b-2 ultimately forming the center strip 36 are of generally horseshoe-shaped configuration rather than V-shaped. Thus, there are side legs 72-1 and 74-1 in close proximity and near parallelism with the adjacent reverse curved sections 32b, connected by a large arcuate section 76. Similarly, there are straight legs 72-2 and 74-2 interconnected by a large arcuate section 78. With the proximity to the reversely curved strip portions 32b, there are integral connections 80-1, 80-2, 82-1 and 82-2 15 between the respective legs and the respective reverse curvature portions of the strip 30b. These interconnections are rather narrow, and may be weakened by means such as score lines for ready severability during assembly of the carrier with the containers. Prior to such severing, the connections hold the center strip portions 36b-1 and 36b-2 in the same plan as the 20 balance of the carrier 36b without requiring any separate handling thereof.

The carrier of ~IG. 7 is especially adapted for retaining eight bottles, but it could be used for a double six pack if dimensions were changed accordingly. Additional embodiments especially adap~ed to carry eight bottles are shown in FIGS. ~, 9 and 10. With reference at this time to 25 FIG. 8, parts there are similar to those previously described, and similar numerals are utilized with the addition of the suffix _ to identify like parts. Distinctions reside in the fact that the arcuate end portions 30c are of considerably greater arcuate extent than in previous embodiments, and instead of having the arcuate portions at opposite ends of the carrier ~17S787 Case 3906 20 merge into a single rather long portion of reverse curvature, there are rather short portions of reverse curvature of considerably smaller radius joining the end portions to straight side portions 86. This resu~ts in the top and bottom portions of the strip 86 being considerably closer together 5 than in previous embodiments of the invention. The strip portions ulti-mately to form the intermediate or divider strip 36c are again of generally horseshoe shape, but considerably narrower (less height from top to bottom in FIG. 8). The adjacent end of the leg pairs 72c-1, 74c-1 and 72c-2, 74c-2 are integrally interconnected by roots 88-1 and 88-2. The roots have margins of relatively small radius to avoid stress concentrations, and a central aperture 90 is defined by the roots and associated structure.

Attention next should be directed to the embodiment of FIG. 9 in which like numerals are again utilized to identify similar parts, this time with the addition of the suffix d. Production of the embodiment illustrated 15 in FIG. 9 results in a minimum of scrap, since the width of the blank is minimized. The arcuate end portions 30d extend over only 180, and are of shorter radius than in previous embodiments. There are no reversely curved or inverse sections such as 32 or 84, but rather the straight side portions 86d are tangent to the arcuate end portions 30d. It will be 20 apparent in connection with both embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 that the roots 88-1 and 88-2 could be scored or otherwsie weakened to facilitate severence thereof upon assembly of the carrier with a plurality of bottles.

A further embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein is shown in FIG. 10. Similar parts again are identified by like numbers with the 25 addition of the suffix e. This form of the invention is similar to that in FIG. 9 in that there are straight upper and lower portions 86e of the outer strip 28e. In this instance the curved end portions 30e are of greater diameter and the straight portions 86e thus are spaced farther ~17S787 Case 3906 20 apart. The portions 36e-1 and 36e-2 destined to form the intermediate strip are semi-circular in the present form of the invention, and are joined along the horizontal median line of the carrier 36d by a crossbar 88 integrally formed therewith and having fillets formed by small radii.
As in prior forms of the invention, the two strip portions 36e-1 and 36e-2 are being pulled together, not apart, and there is no particular danger of a split between these strip portions. Nevertheless, it is preferred that the strip portions be joined to one another by a small radius at either end to avoid any provlems of splitting or tearing.

A still further modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 11, again with similar elements identified by like numerals with the addition of the suffix f. The distinction being that intermediate strip 36f is a single strip rather than a double strip. It is, therefore, noted that the intermediate strip 36f initially is secured with a vertical upper portion 34f connected at 42f to the straight portion 31f of the strip 2~f. The strip continues down to an upwardly curved, nearly semi-circular portion 64f, which then reversely curves into a horizontal section 66f ]oined to the straight upper portion 31i along a fracture line 68f which may be perforated, creased, or otherwlse weakened for severability at that location during assembly. The horizontal portion 66f continues into a substantially semi-circular portion 70f which leads to a slightly inclined upward portion 72f connected to the reverseiy curved strip portion 32f along a severability line 74f which may be perforated, creased, or otherwise weakened for sub-sequent severance durlng assembly of the carrier with a double six pack of cans. The intermediate strip portion 72f continues into a generallv semi-circular portion 76f which continues vertically down at 78f in alignment with the upper portion 34f, being integrally connected to the reversely curved strip portion 32f at the roots 40f. The two semi-circular portions 64f and 76f abut and are in~egrally Joined to one another along a severable area 80 which again may be perf orated, creased, or otherwise weakened.

~ ~ ~ f C~ ~ Case 39G6 20 The upper portion of the strip 36f defines an aperture 82f between the intermediate and the horizontal strip portion 31f, while a like aper-ture ~4f is defined between the lower portion of the intermediate strip 36f and the reversely curved strip portion 32f. The generally straight 5 portions 66f and 72f of the intermediate strip, plus the semi-circular por-tion 70f, and adjacent portions of the smaller radius semi-circular portions 64f and 76f define another aperture ~6f.

In each embodiment of the inven~ion as shown and described herein, there is provided a band-type carrier for a 12 pack of cans or an eight pack of bottles which has a band encircling the outside of the package, and which further has an intermediate band extending between containers within the package, whereby every container is engaged by a portion of the pack band or package unit carrier, thereby to provide enhanced stability for the overall package. The carrier is inexpensive to produce, being made 15 from a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, and being stamped from a continuous web of such material with the scrap being capable of reclama-tion. In the instance of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 through 10, the inter-mediate strip or band comprises initially a pair of narrow strips initially displaced from one another, which strips are pulled into close contiguity 20 upon assembly with the containers, forming in effect a single strip. The carrier forms surface engagement with the containers as the parts are stressed into position. In the instance of the embodiment of FIG. 11, the intermediate strip comprises but a single initially collapsed strip or band.

The specific examples of the invention as herein shown and described 25 are for illustrative purposes. Various changes in struction will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art, and will be understood as forming a part of the present invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I I _

Claims

Case 3906 20 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Claim 1. A package unit comprising a plurality of cylindrical con-tainers arranged in rows and columns, and a package unit carrier comprising a first resilient strip circumscribing all of said containers in surface contact therewith, and an intermediate resilient strip integral with said first strip and extending between spaced portions thereof, said intermediate strip ex-tending between predetermined adjacent containers in surface engagement therewith, each of said containers being engaged by at least one of said strips to provide a stable package.
Claim 2. A package unit as set forth in Claim 1 and further in-cluding integral handle means on said first strip.
Claim 3. A package unit as set forth in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said intermediate strip comprises two bands interconnected at their ends integrally with said first strip and lying in close contiguous relation to one another.
Claim 4. A package unit as set forth in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said in-termediate strip comprises a single piece band integrally connected at its ends with said first strip.
Claim 5. A package unit as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said plurality of containers comprises 12 cans, and additional carriers means comprising 12 bands respectively gripping the plurality of said cans beneath the beads thereof, at least certain of said bands being interconnected.
Claim 6. A package unit as set forth in Claim 5 wherein said bands are interconnected in two groups of six and provide two six packs of cans, said intermediate strip lying between said two six packs.
Claim 7. A package unit as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said plurality of containers comprise eight bottles in two groups of four, said intermediate strip lying between said groups of four.

Case 3906 20
Claim 8. A package unit carrier comprising a first integral resilient plastic strip formed as a continuous loop, handle means integral therewith, and an intermediate strip extending across said loop and having opposite ends integral with said first strip.
Claim 9. A package unit carrier as set forth in Claim 8 wherein said loop lies substantially in a common plane, said intermediate strip lying in the same common plane but displaced from a straight line between said opposite ends.
Claim 10. A carrier as set forth in Claim 8 wherein said interme-diate strip comprises a loop lying to one side of a straight line between said opposite ends, and further including additional severable attachments between said first strip and said intermediate strip.
Claim 11. A carrier as set forth in Claim 8 wherein the interme-diate strip comprises a pair of bands of equal length and mirror-image shape each greater in length than a straight line between said opposite ends, and adapted to be pulled into side-by-side relationship.
Claim 12. A carriers as set forth in Claim 9 wherein the interme-diate strip consists of a single piece of a length greater than a straight line between said opposite ends.
Claim 13. A carrier as set forth in Claim 9 wherein said loop has major and minor axes, said intermediate strip having said ends disposed substantially along said minor axis and being displaced in the direction of said major axis.
Claim 14. A carrier as set forth in Claim 13 wherein said interme-diate strip comprises a loop lying to one side of a straight line between said opposite ends, and further including additional severable attachments between said first strip and said intermediate strip.

Case 3906 20
Claim 15. A carrier as set forth in Claim 14 wherein said interme-diate strip has a re-entrant shape.
Claim 16. A carrier as set forth in Claim 15 wherein said interme-diate strip is interconnected adjacent said ends by readily severable areas.
Claim 17. A carrier as set forth in Claim 15 wherein said interme-diate strip is at least in part arcuate.
Claim 18. A carrier as set forth in Claim 12 wherein said opposite ends are aligned and approach one another, then leading to a reverse curve back to an adjacent portion of said loop, and continuing as a further opposite curve and integrally joining one another, said ends extending into integral contact with one another and being joined by a readily severable section, said intermediate strip beyond said reversely curved portions closely approaching said loop on substantially opposite sides thereof and is integrally joined thereto by readily severable sections.
Claim 19. A carrier as set forth in Claim 11 wherein said bands comprise confronting V-shapes.
Claim 20. A carrier set forth in Claim 11 wherein said bands are of confronting horseshoe shape.
Claim 21. A carrier set forth in Claim 11 wherein said bands are of substantially semicircular shape.
Claim 22. A carrier set forth in Claim 20 and further including additional, readily severable attachments between said bands and said loop.