EP2147611A1

EP2147611A1 - A container carrier

Info

Publication number: EP2147611A1
Application number: EP09004698A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Darren Karl Garrett
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Current assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Priority date: 2008-07-22
Filing date: 2009-03-31
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Also published as: GB2462083A; GB0813353D0

Abstract

A container carrier (01) for carrying a plurality of necked containers (09a, 09b) is provided. The carrier comprises two or more collar portions (02a, 02b) for engaging respective container necks (10a, 10b), at least one connecting portion (03) for linking the collar portions, and at least one handle portion (04) also linking the collar portions. The carrier is movable between a relaxed state and a carrying state. In the relaxed state the connecting portion and handle portion are spaced apart to allow the collar portions to be positioned around respective container necks; and, in the carrying state, the handle portion is moved towards the connecting portion to cause the collar portions to tighten around the container necks and to allow the containers to be lifted by the handle portion.

Description

The present invention relates generally to carriers and, more particularly, to carriers especially adapted for carrying a plurality of containers at a time.
It is often seen that due to the shape of a particular container, such as a typical 3-litre bottle for example, it becomes necessary to attach handles to the bottles to facilitate carrying them. Moreover, it is often desirable to carry two bottles at a time in one hand, but due to their size it becomes virtually impossible to grip both bottles sufficiently with one hand in order to lift them without causing significant distress to the person wishing to carry them. In this respect, throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to handles for carrying two bottles at a time; however, these innovations have often relied on complex and, arguably unnecessary, features which make them more difficult to use by the end user and more expensive to manufacture, thereby increasing costs.
For instance, a known container carrier includes a multi-pack plastic loop carrier for cans, which is shrink-fitted around the rim of each can to hold it in position. Removing a single can is accomplished by grasping the can and pulling or twisting it to remove it from its loop. However, the twisting and pulling often stretches the plastic loops undesirably causing more than one can to dislodge. Further, the twisting and pulling can also agitate the contents of the container causing uncontrolled fizzing and spurting of the contents when the container is opened. Due to the nature of such carriers, once they are stretched beyond a certain point to deformity, it is unlikely that they will be re-usable and consequently are generally discarded.
Another method of carrying containers involves the use of a hollow container, such as a box for example, in which the containers may themselves be placed before being lifted. Container carriers of this type, however, are often burdensome to store, when not in use, and do not always offer a desirable level of stability when being carried. For example, a person carrying a large box in front of them may have their view impaired.
There also exist devices which include two stiff loops having pre-determined internal diameters. Since the neck portions of different containers have different sizes, the use of these types of devices can be somewhat limited as they are unable to accept a variety of different bottleneck sizes.
From the discussion that is to follow, it will become apparent how the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with known container carriers, whilst providing numerous additional advantages not hitherto contemplated or possible with known devices.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container carrier for carrying two or more necked containers, said carrier comprising a plurality of collar portions for engaging respective container necks, at least one connecting portion for linking the collar portions, and at least one handle portion also linking the collar portions; the carrier being movable between a relaxed state and a carrying state, wherein in the relaxed state the connecting portion and handle portion are spaced apart to allow the collar portions to be positioned around respective container necks, and, in the carrying state, the handle portion is moved towards the connecting portion to cause the collar portions to tighten around the container necks and to allow the containers to be lifted by the handle portion.
In the carrying state the handle portion may contact the connecting portion. In some embodiments the handle portion crosses under the connecting portion in the carrying state.
The container carrier offers the benefit of being re-usable. For example, following use with a first set of necked containers, the structural integrity of the container carrier is not diminished upon its disengagement from the containers, and it can, therefore, be used with a second set of neck containers with the same level of efficacy.
By virtue of the container carrier's configuration, this allows it to engage with a variety of different sized necked containers. This is possible as a result of the way in which the container carrier is movable from its relaxed state to its carrying state; more specifically, as the handle portion is passed beneath the connecting portion, it can form part of the collar portion wall which contacts a container neck upon engagement therewith. For example, for container necks which have a larger diameter, more of the handle portion may be utilised to engage the container neck, essentially contributing to the length of the collar portion wall, rather than being utilised as a hand grasp. Conversely, where the container neck is of a smaller diameter, less of the handle portion may be utilised to engage to the container neck, essentially the collar portion wall may then contribute to the length of the hand grasp making this longer. If the bottle neck diameters exceed the natural capacity of the handle the carrier will still be useful as a carrier belt, but with no interlocking mechanism.
The container carrier may also be lightweight and compact making it easier to carry and to store when not in use. When compared to a container carrier, such as a box, it can be appreciated that the container carrier of the present invention may be carried in a user's pocket or the like and can be called upon when required. Generally, the same cannot be said for a box-type carrier, where it is often necessary that the box has similar dimensions to the containers which it is intended to carry, and this can make it more difficult to store in the same manner as that possible with the container carrier of the present invention. The container carrier of the present invention does not impair the user's visibility during use since the user is able to grasp the handle portion with one hand, placing the arm to the side of the body, rather than in front of the body which can lead to an obstruction of the user's view.
The container carrier may comprise two collar portions. The carrier would then be capable of engaging two container necks in order to carry two containers. Having two collar portions presents a plane of symmetry within the container carrier, which may lead to improved stability during a carrying operation since the load of the containers could be evenly distributed among the two respective collar portions.
The container carrier may comprise three or more collar portions.
A blank neck component may be provided to account for the absence of a necked container. The blank neck component may be engaged by the collar portion in place of a necked container to allow the container carrier to be operated in the manner described above. For example, the blank neck component could be employed with a container carrier having two collar portions, but in the situation where it is desired that only one container be carried, the blank neck component would be able to plug the collar portion, which would otherwise be empty. The same principle applies when a multiple-collar-portion carrier is used to carry less than the maximum of necked containers.
The container carrier may comprise two or more connecting portions. This may improve the overall strength of the container carrier. In the carrying state, the connecting portions are likely to be under tension and therefore providing a container carrier having at least two connecting portions enables the load to be distributed among them thereby reducing any potentially damaging effect of the tensional forces.
The container carrier may comprise two or more handle portions. Having two or more handle portions may provide a greater degree of comfort to the carrier's hand. The tensional forces normally experienced by a handle portion may instead then be distributed among two handle portions, thereby reducing any damaging effect that the tensional forces may otherwise have to the structural integrity of a single handle portion.
The collar portions, the connecting portion and the handle portion may be formed integrally with one another. They may, therefore, essentially define a one-piece continuous band. An integrally formed carrier may be less likely to disband; it being more robust in this respect, Conversely, a carrier formed from separate portions connected together offers the benefits of being capable of being assembled and disassembled for storage, packaging and repair purposes.
The container carrier may be operable to be moved to the carrying state to allow the load of a container to be transferred to the handle portion. In this way, the handle portion may be able to bear the weight of a container so that it, or they, may be carried with ease by one hand of a user. It may be that the load exerted by the containers on the handle portion is transmitted to the connecting portion.
The load of the containers may prevent the handle portion from passing back under the connecting portion, during use. It may be that the load exerted on the handle causes the collar portions to tighten. There is thus provided an automatic locking mechanism since the weight of the containers keeps the handle portion taut, which in turn ensures that the collar portions maintain a tight engagement with their respective container necks. When it is desired that the containers are to be disengaged from the container carrier, the containers may be placed on a surface which is able to bear their weight, allowing the handle portion to be released so that it may return beneath the connecting portion, which in turn loosens the collar portions enabling disengagement of the said containers from the container carrier.
The interior of each collar portion may comprise one or a plurality of teeth for engaging the container necks. Accordingly, the teeth may enjoy a mechanical engagement with ribbing that may be available on the exterior surface of the container necks, thereby improving the strength with which the collar portions engage the container necks. In such an arrangement, the collar portions would no longer rely upon a solely frictional engagement with the container necks for engagement purposes, which may otherwise be the case in the absence of teeth or the like. Although, it will be appreciated that the collar portions may be positioned below a container neck bead/flange, which could help retain the collar portions in position around the container necks and assist during the lifting procedure.
At least part of the handle portion may be flexible. Flexibility of the handle portion enables it more easily to be manipulated and passed beneath the connecting portion during transition from the relaxed state to the carrying state. Flexibility of the handle may also increase the user comfort to the hand.
The surface area of the handle portion may be greater than that of the connecting portion. This may enhance the efficiency of the container carrier because a smaller connecting portion provides less obstruction to the oncoming handle portion, and a handle portion having a large surface area is able to dissipate the forces caused by the weight of the containers so that the pressure exerted on the carrying hand is reduced.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of carrying a plurality of necked containers, said method comprising the steps of providing a container carrier comprising a plurality of collar portions for engaging respective container necks, at least one connecting portion linking the collar portion, and at least one handle portion also linking the collar portions; positioning the collar portions around respective container necks; and passing the handle portion under the connecting portion to cause the collar portions to tighten around the container necks and to allow the containers to be lifted by the handle portion.
The load exerted by the containers on the handle portion may cause the tightening of the collar portions; that is to say, the load of the containers may prevent the collar portions from loosening during use.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the container carrier shown in a relaxed state;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the container carrier of Figure 1 with the connecting portion and the handle portion drawn closer together;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container carrier of Figures 1 and 2 shown in a carrying state;
Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but with the container carrier positioned around two necked containers;
Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, but with the container carrier loosely engaging two necked containers;
Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, but with the container carrier tightly engaging two necked containers;
Figure 7 is a front view of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a carrier formed according to an alternative embodiment shown in a relaxed position;
Figure 9 is a plan view of the carrier of Figure 8 shown in an intermediate position;
Figure 10 is a plan view of the carrier of Figures 8 and 9 shown in a carrying position;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a carrier formed according to an alternative embodiment; and
Figure 12 is a plan view of the carrier of Figure 11.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a container carrier 01 formed according to an aspect of the present invention. The container carrier 01 is constituted, in this embodiment, by two collar portions 02a / 02b, a connecting portion 03 and a handle portion 04.
The four portions 02a / 02b / 03 / 04 form a continuous band or loop; said portions being integrally formed with one another.
Each of the collar portions 02a / 02b is generally circular but incomplete and has two free ends which merge into the connecting and handle portions respectively. The connecting and handle portions are generally rectilinear strips and extend generally parallel to each other between the collar portions.
The two collar portions 02a / 02b and the handle portion 04 are substantially of equal thickness. The connecting portion 03 is, in this embodiment, approximately a quarter of the thickness of the other portions 02a / 02b / 04, and consequently has a smaller surface area. The connecting portion 03 is elongate and extends between the two collar portions 02a / 02b. Due to the disparity of thicknesses, the connecting portion 03 defines an elongate gate or seat 05 under which the handle portion 04 may pass and lie against when it moves from a relaxed state to a carrying state. In other embodiments (not shown) the connecting portion is the same thickness as the other portions.
In Figure 1, the container carrier 01 is shown in its relaxed state, since the connecting portion 03 and the handle portion 04 are spaced apart.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown the container carrier of Figure 1, but with the connecting portion 03 and the handle portion 04 drawn closer together. As a result the collar portions 02a / 02b tighten and adopt a more circular shape. Figure 2 can, therefore, be viewed as an intermediate step between the relaxed state, as in Figure 1, and the carrying state, as in Figure 3.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown the container carrier 01 of Figure 1 in the carrying state. The handle portion is pulled through the gap between the collar portions and then lifted so that it partly curls around the connecting portion. Therefore, the handle portion 04 crosses the connecting portion 03 by being passed underneath it whilst simultaneously causing the collar portions 02a / 02b to tighten to form a substantially circular shape. The seat 05 of the connecting portion 03 is defined by the underside edge 07 of the connecting portion 03, and the opposing side edges 08a / 08b of the collar portions 02a / 02b. In this carrying state, the handle portion 04 makes contact with the collar portions 02a /02b and the connecting portions 03 at these two junctions. The first junction being where collar portion edge 08a meets connecting portion underside 07, and the second junction being where collar portion edge 08b meets connecting portion underside 07. The handle portion 04 can, therefore, be lifted upwardly whilst maintaining contact with the collar portions 02a / 02b and connecting portion 03 at these respective junctions. The handle portion 04, therefore, wraps partly around the connecting portion 03. Depending on the extent to which the handle portion 04 extends beyond the connecting portion 03, the diameter of the circle defined by each of the collar portion 02a / 02b can be adjusted.
Figures 4 to 7 show the container carrier 01 in use. Figures 4, 5 and 6 correspond to Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Referring to Figure 4, there is shown two necked containers 09a / 09b having neck regions 10a / 10b respectively. Above the neck regions 10a / 10b are provided cylindrical caps 11 a / 11 b respectively. In this embodiment, the necked container 09a / 09b are 3-litre bottles, but it will be appreciated that the container carrier 01 may be used with other containers of differing type and dimensions. Figure 4 depicts the container carrier 01 in its relaxed state so that the connecting portion 03 and the handle portion 04 are spaced apart thereby allowing the collar portions 02a / 02b easily to be positioned around the respective container neck regions 10a / 10b.
Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown the container carrier 01 in an intermediate, or transition state, where the handle portion 04 is drawn closer to the connecting portion 03 thereby causing the collar portions 02a / 02b to more intimately align with the peripheries of the respective neck regions 10a / 10b. In this state, however, the collar portions have not tightly engaged the neck regions 10a / 10b.
Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown the container carrier 01 in its carrying state so that the handle portion 04 lies across and beneath the connecting portion 03, simultaneously causing the collar portions 02a / 02b to tighten around the neck regions 10a / 10b of the necked containers 09a / 09b thereby allowing the containers 09a / 09b to be lifted by the handle portion.
The end position of the handle portion 04 is best seen in Figure 7, which shows a front view of Figure 6. Here, it clearly can be seen how the handle portion 04 extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the connecting portion 03 and collar portions 02a / 02b, when in the carrying state. The bodies 12a / 12b of the necked containers 09a / 09b, respectively, contact one another along their side edges 13a / 13b respectively. This contacting of the surfaces helps stabilise the overall structure, in that the container carrier 01 is more readily held in position during the carrying state because the necked container 09a / 09b are leaning against one another.
Figures 8 to 10 show a carrier 101 which is very similar to the carrier shown in Figures 1 to 7. In this embodiment each collar 102a / 102b includes a plurality of upturned flaps 115 which in use fit under a container closure or transfer bead to prevent the neck falling through the collar in use.
In this embodiment the carrier 101 is adapted for the unification and transport of two bottles (not shown). Unification is achieved by first pulling the connecting bar 105 and carry handle 104 together and then pulling the carry handle 104 beneath the connecting bar 105. The flexible handle 104 is then twisted upwards and partly wraps around the connecting bar 105. The weight of the bottles maintains the connection because the force applied to the handle is transmitted to the collars and causes them to tighten. In this embodiment the carrier 101 is manufactured from an injection moulded plastics material such as polypropylene.
Referring now to Figure 11 and 12 there is shown a carrier 201 formed according to an alternative embodiment.
The carrier 201 is very similar to the carriers 01, 101 except that it includes four bays each having a respective bottle collar portion 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d each with upturned neck-engaging flaps 215. The carrier includes a single common connecting portion 203 and a pair of handle portions 204a, 204b.
In this embodiment bottles are inserted into the collars and then the handles 204a, 204b are moved towards the central connector 203 to secure the bottle necks in position. Depending on the size of the bottle necks the handles may connect with the connector. The carrier is then picked up using both handles and the connector. In this embodiment the handles do not pass under the connectors, although in other embodiments this is the case.

Claims

A container carrier for carrying a plurality of necked containers, said carrier comprising two or more collar portions for engaging respective container necks, at least one connecting portion for linking the collar portions, and at least one handle portion also linking the collar portions; the carrier being movable between a relaxed state and a carrying state, wherein in the relaxed state the connecting portion and handle portion are spaced apart to allow the collar portions to be positioned around respective container necks, and, in the carrying state, the handle portion is moved towards the connecting portion to cause the collar portions to tighten around the container necks and to allow the containers to be lifted by the handle portion.
The container carrier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in the carrying state the handle portion crosses under the connecting portion.
The container carrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising two collar portions.
The container carrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising three or more collar portions.
The container carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collar portions, the connecting portion and the handle portion are formed integrally with one another.
The container carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the load exerted by the containers on the handle portion is transmitted to the connecting portion.
The container carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the load exerted on the handle causes the collar portions to tighten.
The container carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the interior of each collar portion comprises one or a plurality of teeth on the interior for engaging the container necks.
The container carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the carrier is flexible.
The container carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion comprises a seat for receiving the handle portion in the carrying state.
A method of carrying two or more necked containers, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a container carrier comprising a plurality of collar portions for engaging respective container necks, at least one connecting portion linking the collar portions, and at least one handle portion also linking the collar portions;

- positioning the collar portions around respective container necks; and

- passing the handle portion under the connecting portion to cause the collar portions to tighten around the container necks and to allow the containers to be lifted by the handle portion.