EP3060494B1 - Container carrier - Google Patents
Container carrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3060494B1 EP3060494B1 EP14790978.2A EP14790978A EP3060494B1 EP 3060494 B1 EP3060494 B1 EP 3060494B1 EP 14790978 A EP14790978 A EP 14790978A EP 3060494 B1 EP3060494 B1 EP 3060494B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ranks
- apertures
- container
- carrier
- container carrier
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/50—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
- B65D71/504—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article
Definitions
- This invention relates to a container carrier according to the preamble of claim 1.
- Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/or similar containers that require unitization.
- Flexible plastic ring carriers are one such conventional container carrier.
- Flexible plastic ring carriers having a plurality of container receiving apertures that each engage a corresponding container may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelve or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipackage.
- Flexible ring carriers may include a handle that extend upwardly from the carrier to enable a consumer to carry the package from the top (called a “top lift carrier”) or outwardly from a side of the carrier to enable a consumer to carry the package from the side (called a “side lift carrier").
- Flexible plastic carriers are known, such as those disclosed in European patent publication number EP1004518 A2 , comprising a plurality of container receiving openings and a handle. Such flexible plastic carriers are used to unitise a plurality of containers into a package.
- the present invention is directed to a container carrier for packaging containers according to claim 1.
- the carrier is suitably configured with a combination of webs and container receiving apertures that permit opening up and generally even, distributed stretching for application to the containers.
- the shape and width of the outer three container receiving apertures in end ranks are quite different from the central six container receiving apertures in middle ranks.
- Such a design overcomes the natural tendency of the central apertures to foreshorten during stretching.
- the resulting carrier is configured to enable placement over at least three rows of containers to result in a tight, unitized bricklike package.
- Figs. 1-4 show flexible carrier 10 for unitizing six or more containers and a resulting unitized package, shown in one embodiment in Fig. 5 .
- Figs. 1-5 illustrate various structures for flexible carrier 10 of the invention, the illustrations are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to the flexible carriers 10 or packages shown for twelve containers.
- Containers are preferably cans, however, bottles or any other commonly unitized container may be used with flexible carrier 10 according to this invention.
- the containers are preferably, though not necessarily, like-sized within a single flexible carrier 10.
- Each flexible carrier 10 preferably includes a single layer of flexible sheet 20 having a width and length defining therein a plurality of container receiving apertures 25, each for receiving a container.
- the plurality of container receiving apertures 25 are preferably arranged in at least three longitudinal rows and multiple longitudinal ranks so as to form an array of container receiving apertures 25, such as three rows by four ranks for a twelve container multipackage as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or three rows by four divisible ranks for a dividable twelve container multipackage as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 .
- Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably elongated in a longitudinal direction of flexible carrier 10.
- the resulting configuration includes at least two middle transverse ranks 40 through a middle area of the carrier and exactly two end transverse ranks 45 on each opposite end of the carrier 10.
- Each rank preferably includes three container receiving apertures 25 (one for each row in the carrier 10). Of these three container receiving apertures 25 per rank, there are two outer apertures 27 and one center aperture 29 formed therebetween.
- container receiving apertures 25 are preferably formed within flexible sheet 20. As such, one row of container receiving apertures 25 is preferably formed along each side of the carrier 10 and one intermediate row is formed therebetween. Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably formed in a geometry that results in a uniform application of the carrier 10 to containers to produce a tight unitization of containers within flexible carrier 10. Such a result is difficult when carrier 10 is engaged with three rows of container receiving apertures 25 over three rows of containers as described herein.
- one or more jaws engage with an edge of the container receiving apertures 25 in outer rows and stretch the carrier open so as to apply the carrier to individual containers.
- the jaws cannot directly engage container receiving apertures in that row which results in inadequate stretching of the container receiving apertures in that row and/or misapplication of the carrier to the plurality of containers.
- the subject invention is configured to enable that the container receiving apertures 25 in that intermediate row to adequate stretch and engage the associated containers resulting in a desired package shown in Fig. 5 .
- container carrier 10 includes a series of interconnecting webs 30 that define the plurality of container receiving apertures 25.
- Webs 30 are stretchable around container during application and recoverable around container following application.
- center webs 32 are located between middle transverse ranks and are wider than outer webs 36 located between middle ranks and end transverse ranks.
- each center aperture 29 in middle transverse ranks 40 is longer than each outer aperture 27 in middle transverse ranks 40.
- center apertures 29 in end transverse ranks 45 are wider than outer apertures 27 in end transverse ranks 45.
- the center aperture 29 in end transverse ranks 45 preferably tapers wider to an outer extremity of the container carrier 10 and outer apertures 27 in end transverse ranks 45 taper narrower to an outer extremity of the container carrier 10.
- center apertures 29 in the end ranks 45 preferably include a different configuration than center apertures 29 in the middle ranks 40.
- center apertures 29 in the end ranks 45 are longitudinally asymmetric while the center apertures in the middle ranks 40 are longitudinally symmetric.
- outer apertures 27 in end transverse ranks 45 are longer than outer apertures 36 in middle transverse ranks 40.
- a handle 50 extends from a longitudinal edge of carrier 10.
- Handle 50 may comprise one or more elongated apertures positioned along the outer periphery of handle 50 or may comprise a similar configuration that provides an ample area for a consumer to grasp by inserting his hand through and still maintain the purpose and integrity of package.
- a pair of secondary handles 55 may be positioned along a longitudinal edge of the carrier 10 opposite the edge of the handle 50.
- one or both of the handle 50 and/or the secondary handles 55 may be divisible along a line of weakness. In this manner, the package may be configured as a twelve pack or a six pack or any similar combination depending on the number of container receiving openings 25 and the configuration of the handles 50, 55 employed.
- the container carrier 10 may further include asymmetric dividing apertures 70 positioned between middle ranks 40 and end ranks 45 of container receiving apertures.
- a dividing aperture 75 positioned between middle ranks 40 of container receiving apertures 25 is center offset though symmetrical along a transverse direction of the carrier 10.
- the configuration of the carrier 10 described above includes a combination of webs and container receiving apertures that permit opening up and even stretching for application to the containers.
- the shape and width of the outer three container receiving apertures in end ranks are quite different from the central six container receiving apertures in middle ranks.
- the design of the center row container receiving apertures is different from the design of the outer row container receiving apertures. Such a design overcomes the natural tendency of the central apertures to foreshorten during stretching.
- a package 100 resulting from flexible carrier 10 includes a plurality of unitized containers such as shown in Fig. 5 .
- Flexible carriers 10 are generally applied to containers by stretching flexible sheet 20 surrounding container receiving apertures 25 around container, and requiring the stretched carrier 10 to recover, thereby providing a tight engagement.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a container carrier according to the preamble of claim 1.
- Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/or similar containers that require unitization. Flexible plastic ring carriers are one such conventional container carrier.
- Flexible plastic ring carriers having a plurality of container receiving apertures that each engage a corresponding container may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelve or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipackage. Flexible ring carriers may include a handle that extend upwardly from the carrier to enable a consumer to carry the package from the top (called a "top lift carrier") or outwardly from a side of the carrier to enable a consumer to carry the package from the side (called a "side lift carrier").
- Flexible plastic carriers are known, such as those disclosed in European patent publication number
EP1004518 A2 , comprising a plurality of container receiving openings and a handle. Such flexible plastic carriers are used to unitise a plurality of containers into a package. - Typically, larger-capacity carriers result in challenges in application to containers in that carriers having more than two rows tend to open in an undesirable sequence and thus cannot be applied at high speeds. In addition, the resulting package tends to sag at the ends when lifted resulting in a sloppy appearance. As such, a need arises for a carrier capable of carrying a large number of containers that permits high speed application and results in an aesthetically pleasing package for the consumer to handle.
- The present invention is directed to a container carrier for packaging containers according to claim 1. The carrier is suitably configured with a combination of webs and container receiving apertures that permit opening up and generally even, distributed stretching for application to the containers. In the described configuration, the shape and width of the outer three container receiving apertures in end ranks are quite different from the central six container receiving apertures in middle ranks. Such a design overcomes the natural tendency of the central apertures to foreshorten during stretching. The resulting carrier is configured to enable placement over at least three rows of containers to result in a tight, unitized bricklike package.
- The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
-
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. -
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. -
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. -
Fig. 5 is a top view of a package of containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. -
Figs. 1-4 showflexible carrier 10 for unitizing six or more containers and a resulting unitized package, shown in one embodiment inFig. 5 . AlthoughFigs. 1-5 illustrate various structures forflexible carrier 10 of the invention, the illustrations are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to theflexible carriers 10 or packages shown for twelve containers. - Containers are preferably cans, however, bottles or any other commonly unitized container may be used with
flexible carrier 10 according to this invention. The containers are preferably, though not necessarily, like-sized within a singleflexible carrier 10. - Each
flexible carrier 10 preferably includes a single layer offlexible sheet 20 having a width and length defining therein a plurality ofcontainer receiving apertures 25, each for receiving a container. The plurality ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 are preferably arranged in at least three longitudinal rows and multiple longitudinal ranks so as to form an array ofcontainer receiving apertures 25, such as three rows by four ranks for a twelve container multipackage as shown inFigs. 1 and 2 or three rows by four divisible ranks for a dividable twelve container multipackage as shown inFigs. 3 and 4 .Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably elongated in a longitudinal direction offlexible carrier 10. - The resulting configuration includes at least two middle
transverse ranks 40 through a middle area of the carrier and exactly two endtransverse ranks 45 on each opposite end of thecarrier 10. Each rank preferably includes three container receiving apertures 25 (one for each row in the carrier 10). Of these threecontainer receiving apertures 25 per rank, there are twoouter apertures 27 and onecenter aperture 29 formed therebetween. - As shown in
Figs. 1-4 , three parallel rows ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 are preferably formed withinflexible sheet 20. As such, one row ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 is preferably formed along each side of thecarrier 10 and one intermediate row is formed therebetween.Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably formed in a geometry that results in a uniform application of thecarrier 10 to containers to produce a tight unitization of containers withinflexible carrier 10. Such a result is difficult whencarrier 10 is engaged with three rows ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 over three rows of containers as described herein. - In particular, one or more jaws engage with an edge of the
container receiving apertures 25 in outer rows and stretch the carrier open so as to apply the carrier to individual containers. When an intermediate row is formed between the outer rows, the jaws cannot directly engage container receiving apertures in that row which results in inadequate stretching of the container receiving apertures in that row and/or misapplication of the carrier to the plurality of containers. The subject invention is configured to enable that thecontainer receiving apertures 25 in that intermediate row to adequate stretch and engage the associated containers resulting in a desired package shown inFig. 5 . - As described above,
container carrier 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a series of interconnectingwebs 30 that define the plurality ofcontainer receiving apertures 25.Webs 30 are stretchable around container during application and recoverable around container following application. Specifically, as described,center webs 32 are located between middle transverse ranks and are wider thanouter webs 36 located between middle ranks and end transverse ranks. - As shown in
Figs. 1 and 2 , eachcenter aperture 29 in middletransverse ranks 40 is longer than eachouter aperture 27 in middletransverse ranks 40. For example,center apertures 29 in endtransverse ranks 45 are wider thanouter apertures 27 in endtransverse ranks 45. Further, as shown inFigs. 1-4 , thecenter aperture 29 in endtransverse ranks 45 preferably tapers wider to an outer extremity of thecontainer carrier 10 andouter apertures 27 in endtransverse ranks 45 taper narrower to an outer extremity of thecontainer carrier 10. Partially as a result,center apertures 29 in the end ranks 45 preferably include a different configuration thancenter apertures 29 in themiddle ranks 40. - In addition, according to one embodiment the
center apertures 29 in theend ranks 45 are longitudinally asymmetric while the center apertures in themiddle ranks 40 are longitudinally symmetric. Also, according to one embodiment,outer apertures 27 in endtransverse ranks 45 are longer thanouter apertures 36 in middletransverse ranks 40. The particular arrangement of apertures described enables thecarrier 10 uniformly open up and stretch for application to containers despite having three rows ofcontainer receiving apertures 25. - As shown in
Fig. 1 , ahandle 50 extends from a longitudinal edge ofcarrier 10.Handle 50 may comprise one or more elongated apertures positioned along the outer periphery ofhandle 50 or may comprise a similar configuration that provides an ample area for a consumer to grasp by inserting his hand through and still maintain the purpose and integrity of package. As shown inFigs. 3 and 4 , a pair ofsecondary handles 55 may be positioned along a longitudinal edge of thecarrier 10 opposite the edge of thehandle 50. As shown inFigs. 3 and 4 , one or both of thehandle 50 and/or thesecondary handles 55 may be divisible along a line of weakness. In this manner, the package may be configured as a twelve pack or a six pack or any similar combination depending on the number ofcontainer receiving openings 25 and the configuration of thehandles - As shown in the figures, the
container carrier 10 may further include asymmetric dividingapertures 70 positioned betweenmiddle ranks 40 andend ranks 45 of container receiving apertures. According to one preferred embodiment, a dividingaperture 75 positioned betweenmiddle ranks 40 ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 is center offset though symmetrical along a transverse direction of thecarrier 10. - The configuration of the
carrier 10 described above includes a combination of webs and container receiving apertures that permit opening up and even stretching for application to the containers. In the described configuration, the shape and width of the outer three container receiving apertures in end ranks are quite different from the central six container receiving apertures in middle ranks. Also, the design of the center row container receiving apertures is different from the design of the outer row container receiving apertures. Such a design overcomes the natural tendency of the central apertures to foreshorten during stretching. - A
package 100 resulting fromflexible carrier 10 includes a plurality of unitized containers such as shown inFig. 5 .Flexible carriers 10 are generally applied to containers by stretchingflexible sheet 20 surroundingcontainer receiving apertures 25 around container, and requiring the stretchedcarrier 10 to recover, thereby providing a tight engagement. - While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
flexible carrier 10 andpackage 100 susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention and limited only by the following claims.
Claims (12)
- A container carrier (10) for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising:a flexible web (30) forming a plurality of container receiving apertures (25) arranged in at least three longitudinal rows and at least four transverse ranks characterized in that a centre aperture (29) in at least two middle transverse ranks (40) is longer than an outer aperture (27) in the at least two middle transverse ranks (40) and wherein the center aperture (29) in end transverse ranks (45) is wider than the outer aperture (27) in end transverse ranks (45).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein the center aperture (29) in end transverse ranks (45) tapers wider to an outer extremity of the container carrier (10) and outer apertures (27) in end transverse ranks (45) taper narrower to an outer extremity of the container carrier (10).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 further comprising a handle (50) positioned along one longitudinal edge of the flexible web (30).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein center apertures (29) in the end ranks (45) are shaped differently than center apertures (29) in the at least two middle ranks (40).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 comprising three rows of container receiving apertures (25).
- The container carrier of Claim 5 comprising four ranks of container receiving aperture (25).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein center apertures (29) in the end ranks (45) are longitudinally asymmetric.
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein center apertures (29) in the at least two middle ranks (40) are longitudinally symmetric.
- The container carrier of Claim 1 further comprising asymmetric dividing apertures (70) positioned between the at least two middle ranks (40) and end ranks (45) of container receiving apertures (25).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein a dividing aperture (75) positioned between the at least two middle ranks (40) of container receiving apertures (25) is center offset.
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein outer apertures (27) in end transverse ranks (45) are longer than outer apertures (27) in the at least two middle transverse ranks (40).
- The container carrier of Claim 1 wherein a center web (32) between the at least two middle transverse ranks (40) is wider than an outer web (36) between middle (40) and end (45) transverse ranks.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361893707P | 2013-10-21 | 2013-10-21 | |
US14/517,112 US9079700B2 (en) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-10-17 | Container carrier |
PCT/US2014/061306 WO2015061196A1 (en) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-10-20 | Container carrier |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3060494A1 EP3060494A1 (en) | 2016-08-31 |
EP3060494B1 true EP3060494B1 (en) | 2017-08-16 |
Family
ID=52993415
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14790978.2A Not-in-force EP3060494B1 (en) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-10-20 | Container carrier |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3060494B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112016008893A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015061196A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
PT3774574T (en) | 2018-04-05 | 2022-04-13 | British Polythene Ltd | Improvements in or relating to container carriers |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4548317A (en) * | 1983-11-17 | 1985-10-22 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Bottle multi-package and multi-packaging device |
US4782955A (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1988-11-08 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Bottle carrier device |
ES2042586T3 (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1993-12-16 | Illinois Tool Works | PACK OF MULTIPLE JARS. |
US5018620A (en) * | 1990-05-07 | 1991-05-28 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Carrier stock with band segments extending between opposite edges |
US5139137A (en) * | 1990-06-14 | 1992-08-18 | Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | Carrier stock with tear-open tabs |
US6148994A (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2000-11-21 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Large label panel container carrier |
US6182821B1 (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2001-02-06 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Divisible container carrier |
-
2014
- 2014-10-20 BR BR112016008893-0A patent/BR112016008893A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2014-10-20 WO PCT/US2014/061306 patent/WO2015061196A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-10-20 EP EP14790978.2A patent/EP3060494B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3060494A1 (en) | 2016-08-31 |
BR112016008893A2 (en) | 2020-08-25 |
WO2015061196A1 (en) | 2015-04-30 |
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