EP3882174A1

EP3882174A1 - Device enabled for carrying beverage cans

Info

Publication number: EP3882174A1
Application number: EP19829662.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josep Maria Berga Ferres
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Alzamora Packaging SA
Priority date: 2018-11-14
Filing date: 2019-10-29
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-29
Also published as: US20220009686A1; ES2760824A1; ES2760824B2; EP3882174B1; EP3882174C0; MX2021005605A; WO2020099697A1; BR112021009314A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device enabled for carrying beverage cans, comprising a body of a laminar nature and with a symmetrical rectangular geometry, having on its surface at least one pair of incisions without mutual contact defining along their path a plurality of tabs with a folding or bending capacity in relation to the body itself, such that the proportions and the geometry of the incisions are suitable for the tight insertion into each pair of incisions of the upper base or mouth of a beverage can; the body furthermore has added cuts arranged transverse and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the same body and arranged between the pairs of incisions.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is the registration of a device enabled for carrying beverage cans, which incorporates significant innovations and advantages over the techniques used up until now.
More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a device enabled for carrying beverage cans which, because of its particular arrangement, allows the manual carrying of beverage cans grouped together in a "pack", in a comfortable, simple and effective manner for the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverage and refreshment cans which are usually carried manually by the user are known in the current state of the art.
It is also very common for said cans to be arranged by way of a "pack", when it is distributed, stored, marketed or carried by the user and consumer.
It is therefore a pressing necessity to enable carrying said beverage cans by way of a "pack", and to allow facilitating the distribution, storage, sale and carrying operations by the user.
The present invention contributes to solving and overcoming the present drawbacks, as it allows manually carrying beverage cans grouped in a "pack", in a comfortable, simple and effective manner for the user, in addition to facilitating their distribution, storage and sale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to the invention is essentially characterised in that it comprises a body of a laminar nature and with a symmetrical rectangular geometry, having on its surface at least one pair of incisions without mutual contact defining along their path a plurality of tabs with a folding or bending capacity in relation to the body itself, such that the proportions and the geometry of the incisions are suitable for the tight insertion into each pair of incisions of the upper base or mouth of a beverage can; the body furthermore has added cuts arranged transverse and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the same body and arranged between the pairs of incisions.
Preferably, the incisions have a semi-circumferential, arcuate or crescent geometry.
The geometry of the incisions may define a concavity. In a preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to the invention in which the geometry of the incisions defines a concavity, the tabs are extended towards the concave side of each incision.
The incisions of each pair preferably have a mutual symmetrical arrangement.
Preferably, the tabs defined by each incision are arranged adjacent to others and without a space between them.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, there are three tabs defined in each incision of each pair.
Alternatively, in the device according to the invention, there are two tabs defined in each incision of each pair.
Alternatively, in the device according to the invention, there are four tabs defined in each incision of each pair.
In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the tabs in turn have an incision in their region of contact with the body itself.
Preferably, in the device according to the invention, the tabs cover a central circular sector of 70° in each incision.
Additionally, in the device according to the invention, the body has a bending line from the end of at least one incision closest to the edge of the body, and said bending line directed towards the same closest edge of the same body.
Preferably, the other end of the same incision has another bending line symmetrical with the other bending line of the same incision.
Preferably, the bending line coming from the end of the incision closest to an edge of the body is perpendicular to said edge of the body and furthermore ends at said edge.
Alternatively, in the device according to the invention, the body has six pairs of incisions, the pairs of incisions being arranged symmetrically and regularly in two groups of three on each side of the axis of symmetry of the body which is parallel to its larger side.
Preferably, the body of the device according to the invention incorporates manual gripping means.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention when it incorporates manual gripping means, said gripping means comprise an extension of a side edge of the body attached to the same body by a bending line, and having at least one through opening enabled for fingers to pass through same, and the other bending lines of at least one pair of incisions ending at the bending line.
Preferably, the extension has two openings, said two openings configuring three regions or areas of contact and for the securing of the extension with the body itself, at least one of the three regions or areas of contact facing a pair of incisions and furthermore being in contact with their bending lines.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, there are three regions or areas of contact facing, respectively, three pairs of incisions and furthermore being in contact with their respective bending lines.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the body has at two opposite side edges V-shaped recesses towards the interior of the body itself, the axis of symmetry of the V-shaped recesses coinciding considerably with the main axis of the transverse cuts.
Additionally, the body of the device according to the invention has on at least one side edge an added segment or skirt, which is attached to the same body by a bending line.
Preferably, the segments arranged at the edges corresponding to the longest sides of the body have at their ends an added gluing area.
As a result of the present invention, the manually carrying of beverage cans grouped in a "pack", in a comfortable, simple and effective manner for the user, in addition to facilitating their distribution, storage and sale, is achieved.
Other features and advantages of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view indicating details of the use of a preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic view indicating the use of the preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of another preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic view indicating the use of the preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention depicted in Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown schematically in Figure 1, the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the invention comprises a body 1 of a laminar nature and with a symmetrical and rectangular geometry.
Said body 1 has on its surface at least one pair 2 of incisions 21 with a semi-circumferential, arcuate or crescent geometry, and with a mutual symmetrical arrangement without mutual contact.
Furthermore, each incision 21 defines a plurality of tabs 22 which are extended towards the interior or concave side of the semi-circumferential or arcuate geometry of each incision 21. In such sense, a semi-circumferential or arcuate geometry implies the existence of a concave side.
At the same time, the tabs 22 have a folding or bending capacity in relation to the body 1 itself.
The proportions and geometry of the incisions 21 are suitable for the tight insertion into each pair 2 of incisions 21 of the upper base or mouth of a beverage can 3, as can be seen schematically in Figures 2 and 3.
As can be seen in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the body 1 has added cuts 4 arranged transverse and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the body 1 and arranged between the pairs 2 of incisions 21.
In this preferred embodiment of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the invention and depicted in the drawings, the tabs 22 defined by each incision 21 are arranged adjacent to others and without spaces between them. As a result, this increases the surface area for anchoring the can 3 and furthermore facilitates the production of the punch used for the manufacture thereof.
Also in this preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings, each incision 21 of each pair 2 defines three tabs 22, as can be seen in Figure 1. The tabs 22 thereby act better in vertical mode, and the ridge of the body 1 covers more of the mouth of the can 3, which means that the cans 3 are better secured, hindering them from falling out.
In other preferred embodiments, there may be two tabs 22 or four tabs 22, for example.
For the best working performance of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention, the tabs 22 in turn have an incision 23 in their region of contact with the body 1 itself, as can be seen in Figure 1.
The presence of said incision 23 facilitates and improves the use and performance of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the present invention, as it prevents an eventual bending of the tab 22 in different and inappropriate areas, which would mean the loss of its height level and maximum securing.
The incision 23 furthermore weakens suitably and in the right proportion this precise region of contact of the tabs 22 with the body 1 itself. This means that when the cans 3 are positioned by means of a piston during the manufacturing process, the latter has sufficient force to bend all the tabs 22 easily, and at the same time, the same tabs 22 put up resistance and secure the ring of the can 3 on its entire surface. This represents an important improvement in relation to the state of the art known, facilitating its assembly and manufacture, particularly taking into account a high-output automatic process.
Also for better working performance of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the proposed invention, the tabs 22 cover a central circular sector of 70° in each incision 21, as can be seen in Figure 1. Said coverage is more effective for suitably securing the cans 3.
In this preferred embodiment, the body 1 has six pairs 2 of incisions 21, the pairs 2 of incisions 21 being arranged symmetrically and regularly in two groups of three on each side of the axis of symmetry of the body 1 which is parallel to its larger side, as can be seen in Figure 1. In such sense, a rectangular geometry implies the existence of two axes of symmetry perpendicular to one another.
The body 1 also has a bending line 20 from the end of each incision 21 closest to the edge of the body 1, and directed towards the same closest edge of the body 1, as can be seen in the preferred embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. At the same time, the other end of the same incision 21 can also have another bending line, which is symmetrical with the other bending line 20 of the same incision 21, as can be seen particularly in the preferred embodiments of Figures 1 and 4.
Furthermore, to facilitate the use of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the proposed invention, the body 1 can incorporate gripping means for being carried manually.
In this preferred embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 3, the gripping means comprise an extension 11 of one side of the body 1 attached to the same body 1 by a bending line 111, and having at least one through opening 12 enabled for fingers to pass through same.
In other preferred embodiments, such as the one depicted in Figures 4 and 5 for example, in the gripping means the extension 11 can have two openings 12, said two openings 12 configuring three regions 13 or areas of contact and for the securing of the extension 11 with the body 1 itself, each of the three regions 13 or areas of contact facing a pair 2 of incisions 21. This arrangement improves resistance, and when carried manually stresses are better distributed, providing better stability to the assembly.
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiments depicted in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the body 1 has at two opposite side edges V-shaped recesses 5 towards the interior of the body 1 itself, the axis of symmetry of the V-shaped recesses 5 considerably coinciding with the main axis of the transverse cuts 4. In this preferred embodiment, the arrangement of the V-shaped recesses achieves a better vertical area for the securing of the tabs 22 which bear the cans 3, since these securing points are located on the central axes of the cans 3.
In the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 3 of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the invention, it can be seen how the body 1 has at its side edges an added segment 6 or skirt, which is attached to the same body 1 by a bending line 66.
Furthermore, the segments 6 arranged at the edges corresponding to the longest sides of the rectangular body 1 have at their ends an added gluing area 61 to facilitate the use and carrying of the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the proposed invention, as can be seen particularly in Figure 3.
According to the preceding explanation, the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the invention allows manual carrying by the user of beverage cans grouped together by way of a "pack", in a manner that is more effective, safer and simpler than that known in the state of the art, furthermore exhibiting very good properties for the manufacture thereof.
The details, shapes, dimensions and other secondary elements, as well as the materials used in manufacturing the device enabled for carrying beverage cans of the invention, may be suitably replaced with others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essential nature of the invention or from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

A device enabled for carrying beverage cans, characterised in that it comprises a body (1) of a laminar nature and with a symmetrical rectangular geometry, having on its surface at least one pair (2) of incisions (21) without mutual contact defining along their path a plurality of tabs (22) with a folding or bending capacity in relation to the body (1) itself, such that the proportions and the geometry of the incisions (21) are suitable for the tight insertion into each pair (2) of incisions (21) of the upper base or mouth of a beverage can (3); the body (1) furthermore has added cuts (4) arranged transverse and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the same body (1) and arranged between the pairs (2) of incisions.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 1, characterised in that the incisions (21) have a semi-circumferential, arcuate or crescent geometry.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the geometry of the incisions (21) defines a concavity.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 3, characterised in that the tabs (22) are extended towards the concave side of each incision (21).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the incisions (21) of each pair (2) have a mutual symmetrical arrangement.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tabs (22) defined by each incision (21) are arranged adjacent to others and without spaces between them.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are three tabs (22) defined in each incision (21) of each pair (2).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that there are two tabs (22) defined in each incision (21) of each pair (2).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that there are four tabs (22) defined in each incision (21) of each pair (2).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tabs (22) in turn have an incision (23) in their region of contact with the body (1) itself.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tabs (22) cover a central circular sector of 70° in each incision (21).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body (1) has a bending line (20) from the end of at least one incision (21) closest to the edge of the body (1), and said bending line (20) directed towards the same closest edge of the same body (1).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 12, characterised in that the other end of the same incision (21) has another bending line symmetrical with the other bending line (20) of the same incision (21).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the bending line (20) coming from the end of the incision closest to an edge of the body (1) is perpendicular to said edge of the body (1) and furthermore ends at said edge.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) has six pairs (2) of incisions (21), the pairs (2) of incisions (21) being arranged symmetrically and regularly in two groups of three on each side of the axis of symmetry of the body (1) which is parallel to its larger side.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body (1) incorporates manual gripping means.
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 16 when it depends on claim 1 and 14, characterised in that the gripping means comprise an extension (11) of a side edge of the body (1) attached to the same body (1) by a bending line (111), and having at least one through opening (12) enabled for fingers to pass through same, and the other bending lines (20) of at least one pair (2) of incisions (21) ending at the bending line (111).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 17, characterised in that the extension (11) has two openings (12), said two openings (12) configuring three regions (13) or areas of contact and for the securing of the extension (11) with the body (1) itself, at least one of the three regions (13) or areas of contact facing a pair (2) of incisions (21) and furthermore being in contact with their bending lines (20).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 18, characterised in that there are three regions (13) or areas of contact facing, respectively, three pairs (2) of incisions (21) and furthermore being in contact with their respective bending lines (20).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) has at two opposite side edges V-shaped recesses (5) towards the interior of the body (1) itself, the axis of symmetry of the V-shaped recesses (5) considerably coinciding with the main axis of the transverse cuts (4).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) has on at least one side edge an added segment (6) or skirt, which is attached to the same body (1) by a bending line (66).
The device enabled for carrying beverage cans according to claim 21, characterised in that the segments (6) arranged at the edges corresponding to the longest sides of the body (1) have at their ends an added gluing area (61).