GB2362629A

GB2362629A - Object-holder assembly adapted to be mounted on a package to be associated therewith by snap-on connection

Info

Publication number: GB2362629A
Application number: GB0121754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Fresnel
Original assignee: Sleever International Co SA
Current assignee: Sleever International Co SA
Priority date: 2000-02-08
Filing date: 2001-02-05
Publication date: 2001-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-05
Also published as: FR2804660A1; GB2362629B; AU3197701A; WO2001058770A1; FR2804660B1; GB0121754D0

Abstract

The invention concerns a object-holder assembly adapted to be mounted on a package to be associated therewith by snap-on connection at the indentation in the cross-section of said package. The invention is characterised in that the object-holder assembly (10) comprises a tubular element (11) and associated elastically deformable snap-on means (12), said means projecting towards the inside of said tubular element, and a heat-shrinkable plastic envelope (13) with several sections, whereof one section is specific to the tubular element (11) with a wall which in shrunk state tightly encloses said tubular element activating the associated snap-on means (12), and a second section which specific to the object (20), with a wall which in shrunk state tightly encloses said object to retain it.

Description

1 2362629 AN ARTICLE-CARRIER ASSEMBLY FITTABLE ONTO A PACKAGE TO BE

ASSOCIATED THEREWITH BY SNAP-FASTENING The present invention relates to an article-carrier assembly for associating with a package.

It is becoming and more frequent to make provision for associating an article such as a gift with a package in order to promote sale of the product contained in the package. This can apply to a very wide variety of types of package, such as containers, flasks, bottles, said packages generally having a capsule or a stopper.

Several solutions have already been proposed for providing a package associated with a gift, for the purpose of promoting various products, e.g. in the food and the pharmaceuticals fields.

A first approach consists in providing an envelope of heat-shrink plastics material with two compartments, one compartment dedicated to the package and the other compartment dedicated to the article such as a gift associated with said package. on this topic, reference can be made to the Applicant's document FR-A-2 637 866.

Proposals have also been made for heat-shrink packaging including a pocket, as described in the Applicant's document EP-A-0 670 807, or indeed a combination envelope comprising a shell and a heat-shrink sleeve and described in the Applicant's document EP-A-0 669 266.

Another approach consists in providing an article carrier assembly fittable on a package for association therewith by snap-fastening against a step in the section of said package. On this topic, reference can be made to document FR-A-2 690 138 which describes a device for fixing a gift-article on the neck of a bottle, the article-carrier assembly being constituted by a thermoformed shell having independent side compartments, arranged on either side of a central tube which terminates on top in a conical end having snap-fastening tongues. Once the gifts have been placed in the corresponding compartments, the shell is closed by a 2 centrally-opening cap, and the resulting article-carrier easily can be fitted on the neck of a bottle to be associated therewith by snapfastening against a step in said neck.

Reference can also be made to documents FR-A2 704 209 and GB-A-2 321 892 which describe analogous receptacles that can be fitted on the neck of a bottle, and that are made from thermoformed shells.

In a variant, and still using the same approach, proposals have also been made for a glass-carrying assembly constituted by a frustoconical insert having a bottom stop ring on which the rim of the glass rests, said insert and said glass being held together by a heatshrink sleeve. The advantage of this second approach lies in the option of making the fittable article-carrier assembly separately and of being able to Install said assembly immediately before the package is put on the market, at a site remote from the site where the package is filled or bottled.

An object of the invention is to design a fittable article-carrier assembly which provides better performance than the solutions mentioned above, in particular by avoiding any need to make thermoformed components which are expensive and complex in shape, and which are often required to comply with dimensions to within tight tolerances.

According to the present invention, this problem is solved by an articlecarrier assembly fittable onto a package to be associated therewith by snap-fastening against a step in the section of said package, the assembly comprising:

- a rigid or semi-rigid tubular element and an associated snap-fastening means which is elastically deformable, said means projecting towards the inside of said tubular element; and - an envelope of heat-shrink plastics material presenting at least two independent juxtaposed 3 compartments, comprising a first compartment dedicated to the tubular element and having a wall which in the shrunken state closely surrounds said element and makes the associated snap-fastening means operational, and a second compartment dedicated to the article and having a wall which in the shrunken state surrounds said article closely so as to hold it.

Thus, in the context of the invention, one of the compartments of the envelope of heat-shrink thermoplastic material co-operates with the tubular element so as to make the associated snap-fastening means operational, thus enabling said snap- fastening means to perform its function in optimal manner. The co- operation between the heat-shrink plastic material envelope and the tubular is element and/or the associated snap-fastening means can be made operational in numerous different ways, some of which are described in greater detail below as nonlimiting examples.

In a first embodiment, the snap-fastening means is constituted by at least one hinged flap cut out in the wall of the tubular element, and the wall of the first compartment of the envelope is shrunk onto the hinge zone of the or each flap to ensure that it slopes towards the inside of said tubular element.

In a second embodiment, the snap-fastening means is constituted by at least one hinged tab projecting from one end of the tubular element, and the wall of the first compartment of the envelope is shrunk into the hinge zone of the or each tab so as to cause it to slope towards the inside of said tubular element.

In the above two cases, it is preferable to provide forthe tubular element to be made of plastics material and to present at least two flaps or two tabs that are spaced apart circumferentially, and that are formed integrally with the body of said element.

In another embodiment, the snap-fastening means is constituted by a serrated ring of an insert disposed at 4 one end of the tubular element, and the wall of the first compartment of the envelope is shrunk onto the periphery of the insert to secure it to said tubular element.

In yet another embodiment, the tubular element is arranged as two superposed segments with the snapfastening means interposed between them, and the wall of the first compartment of the envelope is shrunk onto the peripheries of both segments so as to hold them together. It is then possible for the interposed snap-fastening means is be constituted by inwardly-directed serrations of a flat ring, or in a variant by an O-ring or any other elastically-deformable shape.

In another embodiment, the tubular element is arranged as two semicylindrical segments touching each other along generator lines, at least one of the segments having inwardly- projecting serrations integrally molded therewith and constituting the snap-fastening means, and the wall of the first compartment of the envelope is shrunk onto the peripheries of the segments to hold them together.

In a variant, the tubular element is arranged as two semicylindrical segments connected to each other by a hinge extending along a generator line, at least one of the segments presenting inwardly-projecting serrations integrally molded therewith and constituting the snapfastening means, and the wall of the first compartment ofthe envelope is shrunk onto the peripheries of the segments to close said tubular element.

In both of the above two cases, the two-segment tubular element is preferably thermoformed.

It can also be advantageous to provide for the heatshrink plastics material envelope to present a third compartment mounted as a flag. In particular, the flag portion may then be printed and/or received a tag, or in a variant it may present perforations and/or a cutout so as to be detachable in part or in full.

The envelope of heat-shrink plastics material may present compartments that are all of the same axial height, or of different axial heights, depending on circumstances.

Finally, provision can be made for at least some of the compartments to be joined together by hinge ligaments.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the light of the following description and the accompanying drawings relating to particular embodiments, and with reference to the figures, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article- carrier assembly of the invention, in which the tubular is element has hinged flaps constituting the associated snap-fastening means; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tubular element and the article of the above-mentioned assembly, prior to being inserted in a two- compartment heat-shrink envelope, and Figure 3 is an axial section view through the assembly obtained after the walls of both compartments have shrunk, with chain- dotted lines representing a package such as a bottle with which the article-carrier assembly of Figure 1 is associated; - Figure 4 is similar to Figure 2, showing another variant in which the tubular element has hinged tabs constituting the snap-fastening means, and Figure 5 shows the article-carrier assembly made in this way after the walls of both corresponding compartments have shrunk, the heat-shrink envelope also including a third compartment mounted as a flag;

- Figure 6 shows snap-fastening means constituted by the serrated ring of an insert associated with the tubular element, and Figure 7 shows the resulting article-carrier assembly after the walls of the heatshrink envelope have shrunk; 6 - Figures 8 & 9 and Figures 10 & 11 show two other variants of the above- mentioned snap-fastening means having a serrated ring; Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of another variant in which the tubular element comprises two superposed segments with a flat ring having inwardlydirected snap-fastening serrations interposed between them and Figure 13 shows the resulting article-carrier assembly after the walls of the heat-shrink envelope have shrunk; - Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of another variant in which the tubular element is organized as two semicylindrical segments touching each other along generator lines, and Figure 15 shows the resulting is article-carrier assembly after the walls of the heatshrink envelope have shrunk; and Figure 16 shows another variant in which the tubular element is organized as two semicylindrical segments that are hinged together, and Figure 17 shows the resulting article-carrier assembly as obtained after the walls of the heat-shrink envelope have shrunk.

A first embodiment of an article-carrier assembly of the invention is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

It comprises an article-carrier assembly fittable onto a package in order to be associated therewith by snap-fastening against a step in said package.

Specifically, Figure 3 shows a package constituted by a bottle 50 having a step 51 in its section at the top of the neck of said bottle. Naturally, it will be understood that the invention is not limited in any way to one particular type of package, and that articlecarrier assemblies can be provided that are suitable for fitting on various types of container or flask, closed by a capsule or a stopper, the important point being that the package has a step in its section so as to be capable 7 of snap-fastening with the article-carrier assembly fitted on said package.

The article-carrier assembly, referenced 10, comprises a rigid or semirigid tubular element 11 and associated snap-fastening means 12 that is elastically deformable, said means projecting towards the inside of said tubular element. Specifically, the snap-fastening means is constituted by at least one hinged flap 12, and in this case two such flaps, cut out in the wall of the tubular element 11. The cutouts through the wall of the tubular element 11 are referenced 121 and the roots of the hinged flaps 12 are referenced 1211. In a variant, it is possible to provide only one hinged flap 12, or it is possible to provide more than two hinged flaps, in which case they should preferably be distributed circumferentially around the axis referenced 100 of the tubular element 11.

The article-carrier assembly 10 also comprises an envelope 13 of heatshrink plastics material having at least two independent juxtaposed compartments, and in this case having only two compartments, referenced 14 and 15. A first compartment 14 is dedicated to the tubular element 11, and a second compartment 15 is dedicated to the article referenced 20 that is to be carried. The 25 walls of the compartments 14 and 15 are referenced 17 and 18 respectively. Specifically, the two compartments 14 and 15 are joined together by a hinge ligament 16. Nevertheless, it is clear that in a variant it is possible to use a two- compartment heat-shrink envelope having two lines of heat sealing, as described in the Applicant's above-cited document FR-A-2 637 866. The description below relates only to the type of heat-shrink envelope shown in Figures 1 to 3 having an intermediate ligament 16, but it should be understood that the variant mentioned above could replace it on all occasions.

8 As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the wall 17 of the first compartment 14 when in the shrunk state fits closely around the tubular element 11, and the wall 18 of the second compartment 15 fits closely around the article 5 20.

The function provided by the wall 18 is in accordance with the abovementioned known techniques, insofar as said function consists merely in holding the article 20. In practice, in order to ensure that the article is held in satisfactory manner, it is ensured that the wall 18 of the compartment 15 is slightly taller than the article 20 so that both ends of the article are covered, thereby ensuring that it is held in completely reliable manner.

In contrast, the function provided by the wall 17 of the first compartment 14 is entirely original insofar as it is not restricted to holding the tubular element 11, but in that it also consists in causing the snapfastening means,.constituted in this case by the hinged flaps 12, to become operational. As can be seen more clearly in the section of Figure 3, shrinking the wall 17 of the heat-shrink envelope 13 causes a radial force to be exerted on the root zone of each hinged flap 12 during shrinking of said wall. This ensures that the hinged flaps 12 are put optimally into place, i.e. a completely reliable memory effect is recovered once the portion of the package having the larger inlet section has been passed over the step in its section. Naturally, it is important for the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 to be shrunk in the hinge zone of the or each flap 12 so as to ensure that said tubular element slopes inwards.

An embodiment constituting a variant of the above embodiment is described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

The rigid or semi-rigid tubular element, referenced 11.1 has at least one hinged tab 12.1, and in this case 9 is it has four such tabs, all projecting from one end of the tubular element. It is easy to understand that the slope of the hinged tabs 12.1 can vary depending on circumstances, such that snap-fastening the tubular element as it stands on the neck of a bottle 50 would not be completely reliable. This reliability is achieved by the above-mentioned effect in accordance with the invention whereby the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 shrinks onto the hinge zone of the or each tab 12.1 so as to ensure that it slopes towards the inside of said tubular element. Naturally, the wall 17 of the compartment concerned should be selected to have a height that is suitable for ensuring that at least a fraction of the height of these hinged tabs 12.1 is covered in order to ensure that the tabs are made to slope properly. The article- carrier assembly obtained after the walls of the heat-shrink envelope 13 have shrunk is referenced 10.1 (Figure 5).

Figures 4 and 5 also show the presence of a third compartment of the envelope 13 made of heat-shrink plastics material. Specifically, this is a flag compartment referenced 19 which can be printed as represented in the figure by letters A, B, and C, or in a variant can receive an identity tag (with the mechanical behavior of the tag being ensured by the wall of the flag compartment 19 shrinking, even if it shrinks only a little).

In the two embodiments described above, it is advantageous to provide for the tubular element 11 or 11.1 to be made of made of plastics material, and to present at least two flaps 12 or two tabs 12.1 that are circumferentially spaced apart and that are formed integrally with the body of said element.

Another variant embodiment is described below showing a different way of making the snap-fastening means operational using the shrinkage of the corresponding wall of the heat-shrink envelope.

A first embodiment is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this case, the snapfastening means is constituted by a crenallated ring 12.2 of an insert 121.2 disposed at one end of the tubular element 11.2. As can be seen in the section of Figure 7 showing the entire resulting articlecarrier 10.2, the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 is shrunk onto the periphery of the insert 121.2 to ensure that it is secured to the tubular element 11.2.

Although not shown herein, it is naturally possible to provide directly equivalent variants in which the serrated ring insert is fitted onto the opposite end of the tubular element 11.2, or indeed in which the insert is inserted inside one of the ends of the tubular embodiment 11.2, in which case the insert should have a collar enabling thrust to be applied axially.

Another variant relying on the same approach is shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this case, the snapfastening means is constituted by the serrated ring 12 of an insert 121.3 disposed at one end of the tubular element 11.3. The insert 121.3 is shaped so as to be frustoconical, having two outward projections 12111.3 which allow the outline 12.3 to extend radially as desired while the article-carrier assembly is being fitted onto the corresponding package. The insert 121 also has a bottom stop ring 1211.3 for coming into abutment against an end edge of the tubular element 11 As before, the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 is shrunk onto the periphery of the insert 30 121.3 so as to ensure that the tubular element 11.3 is secured thereto. The resulting article-carrier assembly as shown in Figure 9 is referenced 10.3. Yet another variant using the same approach is shown in Figures 10 and 11. The snap-fastening means is 3S constituted by the serrated ring 12.4 of an insert 121.4 that is not as tall as the insert 121.3 of the preceding variant. As before, the insert 121.4 has a stop rim 3 3.

11 1211.4 for bearing against the edge of one end of the tubular element 11. 4. The serrated ring 12.4 constitutes a portion of a top end facet 12111. 4. As before, the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 is shrunk onto the periphery of the insert 121.4 so as to secure it to the tubular embodiment 11.4. The resulting articlecarrier assembly as shown in Figure 11 is referenced 10.4.

In the above variants, the tubular element 11.2, 11.3, or 11.4 is a simple cylinder, suitable for being made out of plastics material or out of card. In all cases, the cylindrical element comprises a single piece; Nevertheless, it is possible for the tubular element to comprise a plurality of portions that are separate or that are interconnected by means of a hinge. The associated snap-fastening means is likewise made operational by shrinking the wall of the corresponding compartment of the heat-shrink envelope. In a first embodiment in compliance with this new approach, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the tubular embodiment 11.5 is arranged as two superposed segments 11.51 and 11.52 with the snapfastening means 12.5 interposed between them. Specifically, the snapfastening means is constituted by the inwardly-directed serrations of a flat ring 121.5 which is interposed between the two superposed segments forming the tubular element 11.5. As can be seen in Figure 13, the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 is shrunk onto the peripheries of the two segments 11.51 and 11.52 30 so as to hold the assembly together, and to make the snap-fastening mans operational so that it is ready to operate. The resulting article-carrier assembly is referenced 10.5. This configuration makes it possible to select with great accuracy the height at which the snap35 fastening means is located by suitably selecting the height for the two superposed segments that together form up the tubular element 11.5.

12 It would naturally be possible to provide a different shape for the snap- fastening means interposed between the two superposed segments 11.51 and 11.52. By way of non-limiting example, it is possible to provide 5;for the snap-fastening means to be an 0-ring or any other elastically deformable shape (variants not shown herein).

While conserving the same approach as in the variant of Figures 12 and 13, it is also possible to provide for the snap-fastening means no longer to be an element that is initially separate from the tubular element, but on the contrary for it to be integral with at least one of the components constituting said tubular element.

The variant shown in Figures 14 and 15 thus shows a tubular element 11.6 arranged as two semicylindrical is segments 11.61 and 11.62 which touch each other along generator lines. At least one of these segments, and in this case both of them, present inwardly-projecting serrations 12.6 formed integrally therewith. These inwardlydirected serrations constitute the snap- fastening means associated with the tubular element 11.6. The two semicylindrical segments 11.61 and 11.62 are then put into place in the corresponding compartment of the heat-shrink envelope 13 so that they touch each other along generator lines, and as can be seen in the section of Figure 15, the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 is shrunk onto the peripheries of the segments 11.61 and 11.62 so as to hold the assembly together. The clamping achieved by the compartment wall that is shrunk onto the outside faces of the two touching segments guarantees that the snap-fastening tabs 12.6 are properly positioned and confers the necessary strength to ensure that the two semicylindrical segments do not move apart when the article-carrier assembly 10.6 is put into place on the corresponding package.

In a variant, and as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the tubular element 11.7 can be arranged as two semicylindrical segments 11.71 and 11.72 which are connected 13 together via a hinge 111.7 along a generator line. At least one of the segments 11.71 and 11.72, and in this case both of them, has inwardly- projecting serrations 12.7 integrally molded therewith. These inwardly- projecting serrations 12.7 constitute the snap-fastening means associated with the tubular element 11.7. Specifically, the inwardly-projecting serrations 12.7 are provided adjacent to an end edge of the tubular element 11.7 comprising two hinge segments, but it would naturally be possible to provide these serrations at any level along the height of the tubular element. This reasoning also applies identically to the variant described above with reference to Figure 14 and 15 in which the inwardly-directed serrations 12.6 are shown as being substantially halfway up the tubular element 11.6.

As before, the wall 17 of the first compartment of the envelope 13 is shrunk onto the peripheries of the segments 11.71 and 11.72 so as to close the tubular element 11.7, with the difference residing in the method of closure which in this case is constituted by the two semicylindrical segments pivoting about their hinge 111.7. As can be seen in Figure 17, once the wall 17 has shrunk, the snap-fastening means constituted by the inwardly-projecting serrations 12.7 is ready to operate and the shrunk wall ensures that the assembly holds together and can withstand radial spacing apart of the serrations while the article- carrier assembly is fitted onto the associated package. The resulting articlecarrier assembly shown in Figure 17 is referenced 10.7.

The tubular element 11.6 of Figures 14 and 15, like the tubular element 11.7 of Figures 16 and 17 is preferably thermoformed.

Figures 15 and 16 also show an envelope 13 of heatshrink plastics material which, as in Figure 5, presents a third compartment 19 constituting a flag. Nevertheless, Figure 15 shows a flag portion 19 having perforations 191 which extend in this case parallel to 14 the axis 100 of the article-carrier assembly 10.6. This enables the entire flag portion 19 to be removed, which portion may carry printing.

Figure 17 shows a variant flag portion 19 presenting not only one microperforation 191, but also a cutout 191, so as to form the outline of a coupon 19111 which is detachable from the remainder of the flag portion 19. This forms part of a concept of immediate reimbursement by means of a coupon which can be detached from the envelope of heat-shrink material, and in this respect reference can be made to document EP-A-0 775 643 in the name of the Applicant.

As mentioned above, the envelope 13 of heat-shrink plastics material can have compartments which all have the same axial height, or in a variant it can present compartments of different axial heights., The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but on the contrary covers any variant using equivalent means to reproduce the essential 20 characteristics set out above.

1 is

Claims

CLAIMS 1/ An article-carrier assembly fittable onto a package to be

associated therewith by snap-fastening against a step in the section of said package, the assembly being 'characterized in that it comprises:

- a rigid or semi-rigid tubular element (11; 11.1; 11.7) and an associated snap-fastening means (12; 12.1;...; 12.7) which is elastically deformable, said means projecting towards the inside of said tubular 10 element; and an envelope (13) of heat-shrink plastics material presenting at least two independent juxtaposed compartments (14; 15), comprising a first compartment (14) dedicated to the tubular element (11; 11.1;... is 11.7) and having a wall which in the shrunken state closely surrounds said element and makes the associated snap-fastening means (12; 12.1;...; 12. 7) operational, and a second compartment (15) dedicated to the article (20) and having a wall which in the shrunken state 20 surrounds said article closely so as to hold it.

2/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap-fastening means is constituted by at least one hinged flap (12) cut out in the wall of the tubular element (11), and the wall (17) of the first compartment of the envelope (13) is shrunk onto the hinge zone of the or each f lap (12) to ensure that it slopes towards the inside of said tubular element.

3/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap-fastening means is constituted by at least one hinged tab (12.1) projecting from one end of the tubular element (11. 1), and the wall (17) of the first compartment of the envelope (13) is shrunk into the hinge zone of the or each tab (12. 1) so k 16 as to cause it to slope towards the inside of said tubular element.

4/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 2 or 5;claim 3, characterized in that the tubular element (11, 11.1) is made of plastics material and presents at least two flaps (12) or two tabs (12.1) that are spaced apart circumferentially, and that are formed integrally with the body of said element.

S/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap-fastening means is constituted by a serrated ring (12.2; 12.3; 12.4) of an insert (121.2; 121.3; 121.4) disposed at one end of the is tubular element (11.2; 11.3; 11.4), and the wall (16) of the first compartment of the envelope (13) is shrunk onto the periphery of the insert (121.2; 1213; 121.4) to secure it to said tubular element.

6/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular element (11.5) is arranged as two superposed segments (11.51, 11.52) with the snap-fastening means (12.5) interposed between them, and the wall (17) of the first compartment of the 25 envelope (13) is shrunk onto the peripheries of both segments (11.51, 11.52) so as to hold them together.

7/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the interposed snap-fastening means is constituted by inwardly- directed serrations (12.5) of a flat ring (121.5).

8/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the interposed snap-fastening means is an 0-ring.

k 17 9/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular element (11.6) is arranged as two semicylindrical segments (11.61, 11.62) touching each other along generator lines, at least one.-of the segments having inwardly-projecting serrations (12.6) integrally molded therewith and constituting the snap-fastening means, and the wall (17) of the first compartment of the envelope (13) is shrunk onto the peripheries of the segments (11.61, 11.62) to hold them together.

10/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular element (11.7) is arranged as two semicylindrical segments (11.71, 11.72) connected to each other by a hinge (11 1.7) extending along a generator line, at least one of the segments presenting inwardly-projecting serrations (12.7) integrally molded therewith and constituting the snapfastening means, and the wall (17) of the first compartment of the envelope (13) is shrunk onto the peripheries of the segments (11.71, 11.72) to close said tubular element.

11/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the two-segment tubular element (11.6, 11.7) is thermoformed.

12/ An article-carrier assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the heat-shrink plastics material envelope (13) presents a third compartment (19) mounted as a flag.

13/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the flag portion (19) is printed and/or receives a tag.

1.

18 14/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the flag portion (19) has perforations (191) and/or a cutout (1911) so as to be partially or completely detachable.

15/ An article-carrier assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the envelope (13) of heat-shrink plastics material presents compartments that are all of the same axial height.

16/ An article-carrier assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the envelope (13) of heat-shrink plastics material presents compartments of different axial heights.

is 17/ An article-carrier assembly according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that at least some of the compartments are held together by hinge ligaments (16).