EP3475184A1 - Container carrier - Google Patents
Container carrierInfo
- Publication number
- EP3475184A1 EP3475184A1 EP17720977.2A EP17720977A EP3475184A1 EP 3475184 A1 EP3475184 A1 EP 3475184A1 EP 17720977 A EP17720977 A EP 17720977A EP 3475184 A1 EP3475184 A1 EP 3475184A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- carrier
- panel
- package
- sub
- elements
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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
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- 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
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/36—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
-
- 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
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/36—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/361—Modular elements with complementary shapes, interengageable parts or the like
-
- 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
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
-
- 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
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/02—Labels
Definitions
- This invention relates to a container carrier for unitizing a desired quantity of containers.
- Container carriers connect two or more containers into a sturdy unitized package or "multipack" of containers.
- Carriers are generally planar arrays of rings, sometimes referred to as “six-pack carriers,” typically formed from a thermoplastic sheet material. Carriers are applied to containers of various sizes and shapes.
- Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes, although other packages or containers may be unitized.
- Plastic ring carriers and box carriers are two such conventional container carriers.
- the plastic ring carrier produces a unitized package for containers using little material.
- the box carrier when used alone has little or no advertising or promotional printing space.
- the box carrier generally has a relatively large amount of area for promotional graphics.
- the box carrier requires a relatively large amount of material, permits bottles to fall out if it is not maintained in an upright position, and usually shrouds much of the actual containers. Therefore, there is a need for a package that incorporates the stability and economy of a ring carrier and the promotional properties of a box carrier.
- This invention relates to a carrier, for unitizing a plurality of containers, having a plurality of container receiving apertures configured with an integral panel and/or handle that includes a removable and assemblable novelty.
- a container carrier carries a plurality of containers such as cans or bottles.
- the carrier comprises a planar, preferably plastic, sheet formed with a plurality of container receiving apertures.
- the container receiving apertures are formed in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks.
- a panel is preferably integrally formed with the sheet so that the panel extends outward from a panel edge of the sheet.
- the panel is preferably shaped to convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alphanumeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
- a perforation or similar line of weakness is preferably positioned along the panel to permit removal of two or more sub-elements of the panel for assembly and reuse.
- the containers are positioned in each container receiving aperture to form a package having a panel and/or a handle that is prominent with respect to the package and visible to a consumer such that its stylized form projects the intended image of the product.
- a configuration of the panel and/or handle results in a package of containers having a prominent display area or "billboard” for advertising, information, graphics and other marketing material and further with some "value-added” giveaway for the consumer to remove, assemble and reuse.
- giveaways may include glasses, models, puzzles, wristbands, bookmarks, ornaments, and/or similar decorative and/or functional objects.
- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention
- Fig. 2 is a front view of a package of containers using the carrier shown in Fig. l ;
- Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 5 is a front view of a package of containers using the carrier shown in Fig.
- Fig. 6 is front view of a package of containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 7 is a front view of an ornament removed from the package shown in Fig.
- Fig. 8 is a front view of a package of containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 10 is a front view of a package of containers using the carrier shown in
- Fig. 1 1 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- Figs. 1-8 show carriers 10 and packages 80 according to various preferred embodiments of this invention.
- Containers 20 shown in Figs. 2 and 5 are preferably cans or bottles. Although cans are shown in Figs. 2 and 5, bottles or any other commonly unitized container 20 may be used with carrier 10 according to this invention.
- Containers 20 are preferably like-sized within a single carrier 10 to form package 80.
- Carrier 10 unitizes a plurality of containers 20 to create package 80, such as package 80 shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 8.
- Carrier 10 comprises planar sheet 15 preferably constructed from a flexible, resilient material such as plastic. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, sheet 15 is made from low density polyethylene.
- Sheet 15 of material is preferably cut, using means known to those skilled in the art, such as a stamping die, to form a plurality of container receiving apertures 25 in sheet 15.
- container receiving apertures 25 are formed in sheet 15 in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks.
- container receiving apertures 25 are configured in two rows of three ranks or in two rows of four ranks.
- Sheet 15 may include other configurations of container receiving apertures 25 depending on the size of package 80 desired.
- panel 50 is integrally formed with sheet 15.
- Panel 50 preferably has an overall longitudinal panel length less than an overall length of sheet 15.
- Panel 50 preferably accommodates, on one or both sides, UPC and proof of purchase labels, graphics, and promotional and/or other information related to contents and/or ingredients of package 80.
- Panel 50 preferably extends outward from a longitudinal edge of sheet 15. As shown in Figs 1-6 and 8, panel 50 is at least partially formed along a portion of at least one row of container receiving aperture 25.
- Panel 50 is preferably integrally formed with the sheet 15 so that the panel 50 extends outward from a longitudinal edge of the sheet 1 5.
- Panel 50 is preferably shaped to convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
- panel 50 is configured to include a "value-added" giveaway 90 such as a wristband 100 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or a bookmark 105 as shown in Figs. 3-5, or an ornament 110 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7; or trading cards 115 as shown in Fig. 8.
- the giveaway 90 is separated from the remainder of the panel 50 and/or sheet 15 by a line of weakness 60 such as a perforation or similar cut or series of cuts placed into the sheet 15 to permit removal of the giveaway 90 from the remainder of the package 80.
- a line of weakness 60 such as a perforation or similar cut or series of cuts placed into the sheet 15 to permit removal of the giveaway 90 from the remainder of the package 80.
- the giveaway 90 may be separated from the remainder of the package 80 using a knife or scissors or similar instrument and may include instructions and/or visual indications of where and/or how to do so.
- a pair of wristbands 100 are positioned alternatingly across the panel 50 and removable along line of weakness 60.
- the wristbands may be formed with locking tabs and corresponding adjustment apertures to facilitate placement on the wrist following removal from the carrier 10 or package 80.
- Figs. 3 and 4 show a bookmark 105 positioned within the panel 50 that is removable along a line of weakness and reusable as a placemark in a book.
- Figs. 6 and 7 show an ornament 1 10 that is removable from the package and separately displayable.
- Fig. 8 shows a pair of trading cards 1 15 that are removable from the package 80.
- Other giveaways 90 may be positioned in such removable fashion relative to the package 80 including decorative objects, novelty items like eye patches or false teeth or any other similar generally planar object that may be formed from the plastic sheet 15 and removably attached relative to the remainder of the package 80.
- the carrier 10 may further comprise an integral handle positioned between rows of container receiving apertures 25 or along an opposite longitudinal edge of sheet 15.
- the handle may be particularly important in configurations of the carrier 10 that contain many container receiving apertures 25 to facilitate ease of handling of package 80.
- the handle may be likewise configured to convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
- Both the handle and the panel 50 may include corresponding die cuts, either identical or complementary including the product name, the product property, the promotional shape, the trademark, the tradename, the alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or the fanciful design.
- the handle may be configured to include an integrated giveaway 90 for removal from the remainder of the package 80, either along a line of weakness 60 or with instructions and/or visual indications for removal.
- the handle may be integrally formed with the panel 50 and be likewise configured to convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
- a product name a product property
- a promotional shape a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
- a trademark e.g., a trademark
- a tradename e.g., alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
- such integrated handle and panel may be configured as a giveaway for removal and reuse by a consumer.
- containers 20 are preferably positioned in each container receiving aperture 25 to form the package 80.
- the panel 50 is preferably generally flat and parallel with respect to containers 20 and prominent with respect to package 80. If the panel 50 is curled or folded in a perpendicular position with respect to package 80, then the giveaway 90, advertising or other material positioned on panel will not be legible to a consumer. In addition, a panel 50 that protrudes with respect to the package 80 will create difficulties in packaging, handling and stacking packages 80 because of interference between panels 50 of adjacent packages 80 and between panel 50 and packaging equipment.
- a carrier 101 for carrying a plurality of containers may include planar sheet 135 having a plurality of container receiving apertures 125 arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. At least one panel 150 is integrally formed with the sheet and die cut to form at least two sub-elements 160 that are removable and assembled into a decorative or functional giveaway for reuse.
- the carrier 101 includes at least two sub-elements 160 that are separated within the panel 150 by one or more lines of weakness 170.
- Lines of weakness 170 are preferably formed by one or more perforations extending at least partially through the panel 150.
- Figs 9 and 10 show one preferred embodiment wherein the giveaway 190 comprises a pair of glasses.
- the glasses may comprise novelty, non-functional glasses or may comprise utilitarian glasses such as 3-D glasses for enjoyment of movies or fireworks.
- the carrier 1 10 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 preferably comprises two panels 150, 150', each panel 150, 150' positioned on an opposite side of the carrier 101 .
- at least one of the at least two sub-elements 160 are positioned within each of the two panels 150, 150'.
- the carrier 101 of comprises glasses that are assembled from at least three sub-elements 160 including a frame and two temples.
- Fig. 11 shows one preferred embodiment wherein the giveaway 190 comprises a puzzle.
- the carrier 101 shown in Fig. 1 1 preferably includes a plurality of sub-elements 160 that may be assembled to form a puzzle.
- the carrier 101 shown in Fig. 1 1 may comprise two panels 150, 150' wherein each panel 150, 150' includes a separate plurality of sub- elements 160 or pieces that together form a unitary puzzle.
- Fig. 12 shows one preferred embodiment wherein the giveaway 190 comprises a model.
- the carrier 101 shown in Fig. 12 preferably includes a plurality of sub-elements 160 that may be assembled to form a model, such as a miniature building, animal, vehicle, product or other object.
- the model may comprise, for example, a representation of the Eiffel Tower.
- the carrier 101 shown in Fig. 12 may comprise two panels 150, 150' wherein each panel 150, 150' includes a separate plurality of sub-elements 160 or pieces that together form a unitary model.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/195,633 US9533811B2 (en) | 2012-08-27 | 2016-06-28 | Container carrier |
PCT/US2017/028736 WO2018004794A1 (en) | 2016-06-28 | 2017-04-21 | Container carrier |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3475184A1 true EP3475184A1 (en) | 2019-05-01 |
Family
ID=58664839
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17720977.2A Withdrawn EP3475184A1 (en) | 2016-06-28 | 2017-04-21 | Container carrier |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3475184A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018004794A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6182821B1 (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2001-02-06 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Divisible container carrier |
US6145656A (en) * | 1998-12-24 | 2000-11-14 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Film multipackage |
US7510075B2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2009-03-31 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Container carrier |
US20130292272A1 (en) * | 2012-05-04 | 2013-11-07 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Container carrier |
US9376245B2 (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2016-06-28 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Container carrier |
-
2017
- 2017-04-21 EP EP17720977.2A patent/EP3475184A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-04-21 WO PCT/US2017/028736 patent/WO2018004794A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2018004794A1 (en) | 2018-01-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20181217 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Extension state: BA ME |
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DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20200128 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20200609 |