GB1461733A - Coupling rings for flanged containers - Google Patents

Abstract

1461733 Making coupling rings for flanged containers METAL BOX Ltd 16 Oct 1975 [13 Jan 1975] 1429/75 Heading B5A [Also in Division B8] A pair of containers is coupled together, by the snap engagement of an outwardly projecting flange 16, at each container end, within one of a pair of annular grooves 14 around the bore of a resilient annular plastics ring e.g. of polyethylene. In the Fig. 1 embodiment the grooves 14 are defined between an inwardly projecting rectangular annulus 12, and an annular bead 13 of triangular section on each side of the annulus. The annulus 12 may be provided inwardly, with an axially extending flange, Fig. 3 (not shown). The ring is formed from a continuously extruded shape corresponding to a section axially through the ring, which is cut into lengths which are each bent longitudinally into the configuration of, and joined into the ring at their ends by one or more staples 41, Fig. 4, leaving a gap 42 for insertion of a screwdriver to prise the coupled containers out of the ring. The coupled containers may contain contents for mixing together to form a treatment for floors, or may comprise food cans coupled at their double end seams 16 for transit, display and/or sale. A string of three of more cans may be coupled together, and two or more such strings arranged in parallel relationship. In making the rings, the shape is extruded, Fig. 2 (not shown) along a cooling table to be cut into the lengths by a guillotine, after which they are bent and the ends stapled either at the same, or different stations.