GB2511852A

GB2511852A - Multi-pack container holder

Info

Publication number: GB2511852A
Application number: GB201304753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey; Daniel James Lyndon Cherry
Original assignee: Crown Packaging Technology Inc
Current assignee: Crown Packaging Technology Inc
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2013-03-15
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB201304753D0

Abstract

A multi-pack 1, which may be for drinks containers such as cans or bottles, with a detachable container holder 4. Once detached, the holder 4 is folded into a shape for receiving a container (figure 3), with one or more insulating air pockets (18, 19, 20, figure 3) created between the holder, or jacket, 4 and the container. The holder 4 may have interlocking members 7, 8 to keep the holder 4 together, which may form the insulating air pockets. The interlocking members may comprise at least one slot 7b, 8b and at least one tab 7a, 8a. The holder may comprise at least one sleeve 5a, 5b attached to a base 6. In a second embodiment, the container holder is not part of the packaging of a multi-pack, but has a base, a sleeve and insulating air pockets.

Description

MULTI-PACK CONTAINER HOLDER

Technical field

The invention relates to a multi-pack for storing a plurality of containers such as bottles or metal cans. The multi-pack includes a detachable container holder for receiving, supporting and insulating at least one of the containers.

Background

Containers such as bottles or metal cans are often the containers used to package food, beverages and other products. Bottles are commonly manufactured from glass or plastic and metal cans are commonly manufactured from aluminium, tin-plated steel or coated steel sheets.

Groups of containers are commonly packaged together in a single robust unit known as a multi-pack. Grouping the containers in this way makes them easier to stack, transport and distribute. It is also a convenient way to stack and present containers on supermarket shelves. The multi-packs can also be sold directly to the consumer.

Methods of grouping the containers together in a multi-pack include: using a plastic wrapping material to envelope the containers; placing the containers on a tray and enveloping in plastic wrap; and placing the containers cans inside a cardboard or paperboard box.

Conventional multi-pack boxes are typically used to store the bottles or metal cans in transit and at the place they are consumed. Typically, the bottles or cans may be unpacked from the multi-pack and stacked in a fridge for chilling before consumption.

For example, cans are chilled by serving from fridges in the on-trade, by consumers chilling in the fridge at home or by purchase from chilled vending cabinets / machines when travelling. At home, multi-packs known as Fridge Packs" may be used to store cans on the main shelves of a fridge to avoid unpacking the cans. In these multi-packs, a cut-out is used to dispense the cans when chilled.

Most containers such as bottled or canned beverages are more pleasant consumed when chilled. For example bottles or cans of carbonated soft drinks and also alcoholic beers and lagers are usually chilled prior to consumption, and it is known that the taste of these beverages can change substantially as they warm up. For some beers, a small 5 degree Celsius change in temperature can substantially affects the beer's taste. Due to the poor insulation properties of both bottles and metal cans the contents do not normally remain chilled during the consumption period which is typically around minutes. During this period the bottle or can is normally picked up and put down several times and the majority of heat input to the bottle or can is from a consumer's hand.

It is desirable to create an insulating layer to prevent the heat transfer from the hand.

For example, once a chilled container such as a bottle or can is removed from a fridge, there is no way of preventing heating of the container by a user's hand or by the temperature of the room without a further wastage of materials such as, for example, additional separately bought or supplied foam container holders for bottles and/or cans or preformed sleeves made from recycled materials as described in US6290091 and the like.

However, for the above solutions, the consumer needs to have the container holders readily available so that they can insulate their chilled bottled or canned beverages for consumption. However, this means consumer will need to make a substantial outlay in terms of either cost or time or both to acquire such container holders. This contributes to a waste of resources.

There is a desire to create an improved insulating layer to prevent the heat transfer from the hand at zero cost to a consumer, while at the same time reducing the amount of wastage of resources (e.g. materials from packaging and/or the consumer separately sourcing insulating layers e.g. foam or preformed recyclable layers). There is also a desire to efficiently construct a container holder while also improving the insulating capabilities of container holders made from commonly available materials such as paperboard, cardboard, carton board, corrugated board, thermo plastic, combinations thereof and the like.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-pack, the multi-pack comprising a plurality of containers arranged in a box or carton, the box including a panel with a detachable container holder, which when removed, is adapted to form a container holder for receiving one of the containers and to create one or more insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.

The containers may be metal cans or bottles for food or beverage. The detachable container holder is arranged to be adapted such that the container holder includes a sleeve foldably connected to a base for receiving and supporting one of the containers.

As an option, the detachable container holder is arranged to be adapted such that, when the formed container holder receives one of the containers, one or more insulating air pockets are formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the received container. Optionally, the detachable container holder may include interlocking members that are adapted to interlock or mate together to form the container holder. As an option the interlocking members form one or more of the insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container holder for insulating a container, the container holder comprising a sleeve for receiving the container and foldably connected to a base for supporting the container, where the container holder is adapted to create one or more insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.

The container may be a metal can or bottle for food or beverage. As an option, the container holder is arranged to be adapted such that, when the formed container holder receives one of the containers, one or more insulating air pockets are formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the received container. Optionally, the container holder may include interlocking members that are adapted to interlock or mate together to form the container holder. As an option the interlocking members form one or more of the insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.

Further preferred features are set out in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawincis

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la shows a multi-pack with a detachable container holder according to the invention; Figure lb shows the detachable container holder according to the invention detached from the multi-pack of Figure 1 a; Figure lc shows example interlocking members for use with the detachable container holder according to the invention; Figure 2a shows the detachable container holder of Figures la and lb being adapted to form a container holder; Figure 2b shows the detachable container holder of Figure 2a when fully adapted to form the container holder; Figure 2c shows a view of the base of the detachable container holder of Figure 2b; Figure 3a shows the detachable container holder of Figures 2b and 2c adapted to receive a can; Figure 3b shows a plan elevation view of the container holder and can of Figure 3a; Figure 4 shows a graph of temperature versus time of a beverage in a can with and without the detachable container holder of Figures 1 a-3b.

Detailed description

Generally, disclosed herein is a multi-pack for storing a plurality of containers such as, by way of example only, bottles or metal cans. The multi-pack includes the plurality of containers arranged in a box. The box includes a panel with a detachable container holder, which when removed, is adapted to form a container holder for receiving one of the containers. Using the box of a multi-pack for providing one or more container holders reduces the large amount of waste and recycling of the empty multi-pack box.

In addition, supplying a container holder in the form of a multi-pack also reduces wastage of materials and resources in supplying foam insulating container holders or preformed sleeves or container holders.

Although the containers in the following examples are described in relation to metal cans or canned products, it is to be appreciated that the multi-pack according to the invention is applicable to any container for food or beverage such as bottles, jars, tubs, pots, cups, or metal cans or any other container that is used to package food, beverages and other products.

Figures la and lb show an example of a multi-pack 1 and a detachable container holder 4 according to the invention. In these examples, the multi-pack 1 includes a plurality of metal cans (not shown) arranged in a box 2 (or carton). The box 2 (or carton) may be made of cardboard, paperboard, corrugated card, thermoplastic plastic sheet and the like or a combination thereof. The box 2 includes a panel 3 with a detachable container holder 4. The detachable container holder 4, which when removed from panel 3 of box 2, is adapted to form a container holder that is configured for receiving one of the cans (e.g. a can holder).

The detachable container holder 4 further includes a first sleeve section 5a, a second sleeve section Sb and a base section 6. The first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb are connected to the base section 6. The first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b are located adjacent and connected to first and second base ends Ga and Gb of base section 6. In this example, the first and second base ends 6a and Gb oppose each other. The base 6 has a size similar to that of a can from the multi-pack 1. The first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb are arranged to be foldable about the base section 6 of the detachable container holder 4 to form, when the detachable container holder 4 is removed/detached from panel 3, a sleeve (not shown) of the container holder for receiving a can (or a container). The sleeve is of a size to provide a snug fit with the can (or container).

Although outline, blank, or net of the detachable container holder 4 is shown by a solid line, the detachable container holder 4 may be formed in the panel 3 of box 2 of multi-pack 1 by weakened lines, perforations, or slots joined by bridges that can be torn so the detachable container holder 4 may be completely removed from panel 3 of multi-pack 1. Fold lines (e.g. 6a and Gb) may be pre-scored to facilitate assembly of the detachable container holder 4 to form the container holder.

The detachable container holder 4 includes interlocking members 7a, Ba and 7b, Sb that are adapted to interlock and/or mate together to form the container holder. The interlocking members 7a, Ba, 7b and Sb assist in forming and holding the container holder together without the requirement for adhesive or other binding agent. This provides the advantage that the detachable container holder 4 may be formed into a container holder immediately for use in insulating a can e.g. insulating a can to keep it chilled longer, or even insulating a can to reduce heat loss (e.g. for self-heating cans for hot meals/drinks etc). The interlocking members 7a, Ba, 7b and Sb are also arranged to form the creation of one or more insulating air pockets between a received container and the container holder. In this example, the interlocking members 7a, Ba and 7b, Sb include at least one tab and at least one slot for receiving said at least one tab located on the detachable container holder 4.

In particular, the first sleeve section 5a of the detachable container holder 4 includes first and second tabs 7a and 8a (or retention clips/tabs) and the second sleeve section Sb includes a first and second slot 7b and Sb. The first and second slots 7b and Sb are arranged on detachable container holder 4 for receiving and holding the first and second tabs 7a and Ba, respectively. The tabs 7a and Ba are shaped such that they interlock with slots 7b and 8b for use in forming and holding the sleeve of the container holder together. The first and second slots 7b and 8b for the tabs 7a and 7b may be pre-cut into the detachable container holder 4.

S Although the first sleeve Sa includes tabs 7a and Ba and the second sleeve Sb includes corresponding slots 7b and Sb, it is to be appreciated by the skilled person that other combinations may be used to form and hold the first and second sleeves 5a and Sb together. For example, first sleeve 5a may include a tab 7a and a slot Sb and second sleeve Sb may include a corresponding slot Ba for receiving tab 7a and corresponding tab 7b for insertion into slot Bb.

The first sleeve section Sa includes ends 9a and ba of the first sleeve section 5a that oppose each other and are arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the base 6 when configured into or to form the container holder. The distance between ends 9a and 1 Oa of the first sleeve section 5a is the length 11 a of the first sleeve section Sa.

The first sleeve section Sa also includes a top and bottom ends 12a and 13a that also oppose each other and are arranged to be substantially parallel to the base 6 when configured into the container holder. The distance between the top and bottom ends 11 a and 1 2a of the first sleeve section 5a and transverse to the length 1 3a is the height 14a of the first sleeve section 5a. Similarly, second sleeve section Sb includes ends 9b and 1 Ob of the second sleeve section Sb that oppose each other and are arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the base 6 when configured into the container holder.

The second sleeve section 5b also includes a top and bottom ends lib and 12b that also oppose each other and are arranged to be substantially parallel to the base 6 when configured into the container holder. The distance between the top and bottom ends 11 b and 1 2b of the second sleeve section 5b and transverse to the length 1 3b is the height 14b of the second sleeve section Sb.

The first and second tabs 7a and 8a are connected to the ends 9a and 1 Oa of the first sleeve section Sa. The bottom end 13a of the first sleeve section Sa is foldably connected to the base 6. In this example, a central portion of the bottom end 13a of the first sleeve section Sa is connected to the base 6 -i.e. connected to base end 6a.

The first and second slots 7b and Sb are located on the second sleeve section Sb in the vicinity to the ends 9b and lOb of the second sleeve section Sb. The bottom end 13b of the second sleeve section 5b is also centrally located and foldably connected to the base 6-i.e. connected to base end Gb opposing base end Ga.

The height 14a and 14b of the first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb are substantially equal. The height 14a and 14b defines the height of the container holder after detachable container holder 4 is removed and configured to form the container holder. The heights 14a and 14b are arranged to be less than the height of a can of multi-pack 1. In this example, the heights 14a and 14b are arranged to be substantially in the range of the average width of a human hand of a user. By way of example only, the height of the container holder, which is defined by heights 14a and/or 14b of the first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b, does not need to be greater than a typical hand height of around 90 mm. Taller container holders are possible and will provide slightly greater insulation.

The lengths 11 a and 11 b of the first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb, respectively, are arranged to be greater than the circumference of a can to form a sleeve. In this example, the length ha of the first sleeve section 5a is larger than the length lib of the second sleeve section Sb. The length ha including the tabs 7a and Ba is substantially similar to length 11 b. By way of example, the size of the base 6 and the first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb are arranged such that the diameter of the container holder may be approximately the size of a can (e.g. typically 66mm is the diameter for a standard sized 330 or 500 mL can). As can diameters vary, larger and smaller versions of the container holder are possible. For example, a can with a diameter size for 52, 56 and 82mm may have a volume of 150, 330, and 1000 mL, respectively. The lengths 1 la and llb and the size of base 6 are arranged so the resulting sleeve is a tight fit for a can. That is, a slight interference between the inner surface of the sleeve of the container holder and the can is desirable. This means the container holder seams can stretch slightly as the can is inserted giving a tight fit. In this way the can may be picked up without the container holder becoming detached.

This also reduces the likelihood of introducing air pockets that are large enough to provide convection of air, which can substantially reduce the insulating efficiency of the container holder. It is desirable the container holder provides a tight fit to a can while retaining an insulating air layer or one or more insulating air pockets that assist in insulating the can.

The detachable container holder 4 is arranged to be adapted such that, when the formed container holder receives one of the cans, one or more insulating air pockets are formed between the inner surface of the sleeve of the container holder and the can.

The insulating air pockets may assist in insulating the can to minimise heat transfer to or from the can, for example, to keep the can chilled or heated depending on whether the can is to be consumed chilled or heated (e.g. self heating can). By way of example only, the insulating air pockets improve the insulation capabilities of the container holder to prevent or minimise a user's hand from heating the can, prevent or minimise a user's hand from being heated/cooled by the can, and/or minimising the environment heating/cooling the can. As an example, if the can has been chilled in a fridge the insulating air pockets can assist in keeping the can chilled longer by minimising or preventing a user's hand from heating the can, and/or minimising or preventing the can chilling the user's hand to an uncomfortable temperature, and/or minimising the environment heating the can after it is removed chilled from a fridge and received by the container holder.

The first and second sleeves 5a and 5b, the first and second tabs 7a and 8a, and first and second slots 7b and Sb are arranged to allow one or more insulating air pockets (not shown) to be formed between the inner surface of the sleeve of the container holder when formed and a can when it is inserted or received by the sleeve. For each insulating air pocket, the maximum distance between the can and the inner surface of the sleeve is the distance that substantially reduces or prevents convection of the air within each air pocket. The air pockets assist in minimising heat transfer between the container and the sleeve and vice-versa. By way of example only, the distance between the inner surface of the sleeve and a can or container for minimising or reducing convection of air within the air pockets can be approximately between 0.5mm to 3mm.

To assist in creating insulating air pockets that reduce or assist in minimising heat transfer, the first and second slots 7b and Sb are arranged to receive the first and second tabs 7a and Ba from the surface of the second sleeve section Sb that forms part of the outer surface (not shown) of the sleeve (not shown). This means that the first and second tabs 7a and 8a are then located on the inner surface (not shown) of the sleeve (not shown) when the detachable container holder 4 is removed and formed into the container holder. The first and second tabs 7a and Ba create two spaced apart insulating air pockets in the vicinity of each of the tabs 7a and Ba between the inner surface of the sleeve and one of the cans when the can is received by said sleeve.

Depending on the size and location of the first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb.

Further insulating air pockets are formed between first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b. The first and second sleeves Sa and 5b of the detachable container holder 4 are arranged to overlap with each other to form a sleeve for receiving a can. Each of the first and second sleeves 5a and Sb may be adapted to overlap a portion of the second and first sleeves Sb and 5a to create two further insulating air pockets in the vicinity of each overlapping edge of the first or second sleeves 5a or 5b between the inner surface of the sleeve and one of the cans when received by said sleeve.

For example, the detachable container holder 4 may be removed from panel 3 and configured to form a container holder with a sleeve having the tabs 7a and 8a being inserted through the slots 7b and 8b such that the tabs 7a and 8a are located on the inner surface of the sleeve. The opposing ends 9b and lOb of the second sleeve section 5b will be located on the inner surface of the sleeve, which means that there are two further insulating air pockets in the vicinity of these ends 9b and lOb between the inner surface of the sleeve of the formed container holder and a can when inserted to/received by the sleeve.

Further insulating air pockets may be formed by including spaced apart fold lines on the first and second sleeve sections Sa and Sb, such that when the container holder is formed from the detachable section 4, the fold lines cause the first and second sleeves 5a and 5b to form a cylindrical sleeve with a polygon-type surface (e.g. a hexagonal/octagonal cylinder), where the vertices of the fold lines form insulating air pockets between the inner surface of the sleeve and the can so received.

It is apparent that the multi-pack 1 including detachable container holder 4 provides the advantage of the consumer having a container holder at no extra cost while minimising the wastage of materials in obtaining a container holder. No extra material for constructing the container holder is required. The container holder may simply be assembled by the consumer without additional adhesive or stitching. Due to the thickness of the card board of the container holder and/or the box 2 of multi-pack 1 the insulating effect is much improved, as shown in Figure 4 and described below, when compared with a metal can. Due to the arrangement of the detachable container holder 4, the insulating properties of the container holder are improved with specially designed insulating air pockets. The container holder may also have printed branded decoration as already used on the multi-pack 1. This means no additional cost is required for design and layout of the branded decoration on the container holder. The container holder is also reusable for other similarly sized cans. Several container holders may be formed from one multipack, where the number of container holders depends on the size of the can and the size of the multi-pack 1. A further advantage of having the first and second sleeves Sa and Sb attached to the base 6 is that the formed container holder may be that it can easily be slid over the top of a can (or bottle) whilst the can is not being held, which means the base 6 covers the mouth of the can to prevent dirt, dust, or insects entering the can and the food or beverage inside.

Although the formed container holders may nest with other container holders for storage, it is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the are that, as an option, the first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb may be configured to be tapered (or slightly tapered) so that the formed container holder and resulting sleeve of the formed container holder are tapered (or slightly tapered) to allow easy nesting with other container holders for easy storage. The tapering may be a slight tapering that allows nesting of container holders together (i.e. one container holder being stacked into another container holder) but, which, still allows the formation of insulating air pockets when a can is received by the sleeve.

Although the multi-pack 1 has been described as having a detachable container holder 4 formed in panel 3, it is to be appreciated by the skilled person that, depending on the size of the box 2 of multi-pack 1 and/or size of panel 3 of multi-pack 1, more than one detachable container holder 4 may be formed in the box of multi-pack 1. For example, multi-pack 1 may include one or more detachable container holders on each of the panels of the box 2, or at the very least, one or more detachable container holders on each of the panels of box 2 that can fit a suitable detachable container holder.

Figure lc shows an example of the interlocking members of tab 7a and corresponding slot 7b of detachable container holder 4. The interlocking members of tab 8a and corresponding slot 8b ma be similarly described and configured. In this example, the tab 7a has a shaft 7c and a head 7d in which the shaft 7c is smaller than the head 7d of tab 7a (e.g. length 7g of shaft 7c is less than length 7f of head 7d). The shaft 7c of tab 7a is also smaller than the corresponding slot 7b (e.g. length 7g of shaft 7c is less than length 7e of slot 7b). The head 7d of tab 7a is configured to be larger than the slot 7b (e.g. length 7f of head 7d of tab 7a is less than length 7e of slot 7b) and the rounded out corners 7h of tab 7a allow the tab 7a to be inserted at an angle (e.g. one corner at a time) into slot 7b. Since the head 7d of tab 7a is larger than slot 7b, once tab 7a has been inserted into slot 7b it cannot be easily removed and tab 7a and slot 7b form interlocking members that are sufficient to hold together the sleeve of the detachable container holder 4 when formed into a container holder.

Although the tab 7a has been described as having a rounded head 7d in which the shaft 7c of tab 7a is smaller than the length of the slot 7a, it is to be appreciated by the person skilled in that art that tab 7a may have a multitude of shapes that are sufficient for interlocking with slot 7b for retaining the first and second sleeves Sa and Sb together to form the sleeve of the formed container holder. For example, tab 7a may have an asymmetric shape such as a hook shape that hooks and interlocks with slot 7b to hold the first and second sleeves 5a and Sb together.

Figure 2a shows an example of the detachable container holder 4 of Figures 1 a and lb when removed from the multi-pack 1 and being formed into a container holder. Figure 2b shows a perspective view of the detachable container holder 4 of Figures 1 a and lb when it is formed into a container holder. Figure 2c shows a perspective view from the base 6 of the formed container holder.

Referring to Figure 2a, the detachable container holder 4, when detached from multi-pack 1, is arranged to be adapted to form a container holder that includes a sleeve foldably connected to the base 6 for receiving and supporting at least one of the cans from the multi-pack 1. Initially, when the detachable container holder 4 is removed, the first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb of the detachable container holder 4 are folded about the base ends Ba (not shown) and 6b of the base 6. The ends 9a and 1 Qa of the first sleeve section 5a are curved inwardly towards the base section 6. Likewise the ends 9b and lOb of the second sleeve section Sb are curved inwardly towards the base section 6. The first and second sleeve sections Sa and 5b are curved or bent to form a sleeve of the container holder.

Referring to figures 2a to 2c, the first and second sleeve sections Sa and Sb are bent or folded such that tabs 7a and 8a are received by slots 7b and 8b, respectively, from the outer surface of the second sleeve Sb, where tabs 7a and Ba are shaped such that they interlock with slots 7b and 8b when forming sleeve 5 of the container holder. Figure 2b shows tab 7a of first sleeve section 5a has been inserted into slot Yb on the outer surface of sleeve 5b such that tab 7a is located on the inner surface of the resulting sleeve 5. As the slot 7b is arranged to receive the tab 7a from the outer surface of the second sleeve section 5b onto the inner surface of the sleeve 5, this assists the creation of one of the insulating air pockets in the vicinity of the tab 7a between the inner surface of the sleeve 5 and a can when received by the sleeve 5. This also not only provides the advantage of a flush outer sleeve surface for improved handling by a user but also, as previously discussed, provides a means for creating insulating air pockets when a can is inserted into the sleeve 5. In addition, in the configuration provided, the opposing ends 9b (not shown) and lOb of the second sleeve section 5b are now located on the inner surface of the sleeve 5, such that a portion of the second sleeve section 5b overlaps a corresponding portion of the first sleeve section 5a. The first and second sleeve sections Sa and Sb are arranged to overlap with each other, and create one of the insulating air pockets in the vicinity of the overlapping edge or ends iDa and lOb (and ends 9a and Yb) of the first or second sleeve 5a and Sb between the inner surface of the sleeve 5 and one of the cans when received by the sleeve 5. As there are two areas of overlap, this means that two further insulating air pockets in the vicinity of the ends 9b and 1 Ob of the first and section sleeve sections Sa and Sb between the inner surface of the sleeve 5 and a can are created when the sleeve 5 receives a can.

Further insulating air pockets may be formed by including spaced apart fold lines 1 5a and 1 5b on the first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b, respectively. The fold lines 15a and 15b cause discontinuities in the curvature of the first and second sleeves 5a and 5b in which the vertices of the fold lines 15a and 15b form insulating air pockets between the inner surface of the sleeve 5 and a can. The insulating air pockets are arranged to provide an additional insulating layer of air between the can and the hand of a user, the depth of the insulating layer of air between the can and the inner surface of the sleeve S is sufficient to prevent convection of air in the air pocket and thus provide improved insulation to the can.

As mentioned previously, the detachable container holder may be arranged to nest, when formed into a container holder, with other container holders for storage. As an option, the first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b may be configured to be tapered (or slightly tapered) so that the formed container holder and resulting sleeve 5 of the formed container holder are tapered (or slightly tapered) to allow easy nesting with other container holders for easy storage. The tapering may be a slight tapering that allows nesting of container holders together (i.e. one container holder being stacked into another container holder) but, which, still allows the formation of insulating air pockets when a can is received by the sleeve.

Figures 3a and 3b shows a can 16 of the multi-pack 1 inserted into the container holder formed from the detachable container holder 4. The can 16 may be from multi-pack 1 or from another multi-pack. Figure 3b shows a plan view of Figure 3a from the direction of arrow A. Referring to figure 3a, the central axis 17 of the can 16 is parallel to the central axis of the sleeve 5 of the formed container holder. The height 14 of the container holder is defined by the heights 14a and 14b (see Figure ib) of the first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b. The height 14 of the container holder is arranged to be less than the height of the can 16 of multi-pack 1. In this example, the height 14 of the container holder is less than half the height of the can 16. However, as the size and height of cans can vary, the height 14 of the container holder may depend on the palm width of a human hand or width of the human hand when gripped around the container holder.

For example, the height 14 may be sufficient to insulate an average human hand, when gripped around the container holder, from the can once inserted into the container holder. The base 6 of the detachable container holder 4 and of the resulting formed container holder is arranged to be similar to the cross sectional area that is perpendicular to the central axis 17 of can 16. The base 6 and first and second sleeves 5a and Sb and resulting sleeve 5 of the container holder are arranged for a tight snug fit with can 16.

As described with reference to Figures la to 2c, Figure 3b shows insulating air pockets that are formed between the inner surfaces of sleeve 5 and can 16. Tabs 7a and Ba assist in providing a first set of insulating air pockets iSa and 18b. This is because these tabs 7a and 8a have been inserted into slots 7b and 8b through the outer surface of sleeve 5b so that tabs 7a and 8a are located on the inner surface of the resulting sleeve 5. The first set of insulating air pockets 18a and 18b are in the vicinity of tabs 7a and 8a, in which the air pocket may have a length similar to the height 14 of the container holder. In addition, the opposing ends 9b and lOb of the second sleeve section Sb are now located on the inner surface of the sleeve 5, such that a portion of the second sleeve section Sb overlaps a corresponding portion of the first sleeve section 5a. The first and second sleeve sections 5a and Sb are arranged to overlap with each other, and create a second set of insulating air pockets 19a and 19b in the vicinity of the overlapping edge or ends 1 Oa and 1 Ob with ends 9a and 9b, respectively, of the first or second sleeve 5a and 5b. The second set of insulating air pockets 1 9a and 19b are may also have a length or height similar to the height 14 of the container holder. A third set of insulating air pockets 20a-20d are formed between the can 16 and the sleeve 5 by the spaced apart fold lines 1 5a and 1 5b formed where the first and second sleeve sections 5a and 5b connect with the base 6. As seen in Figure 3b, the fold lines 15a and 15b form discontinuities in the curvature of sleeve 5 in which the vertices of the fold lines 15a and 15b form the third set of insulating air pockets between the inner surface of the sleeve 5 and can 16. The insulating air pockets iSa- 1 Sb, 1 ga-i 9b, and 20a-20d, may merge with one another to provide an insulating layer of air between the can and the hand of a user, the depth of the insulating air layer between the can and the inner surface of the sleeve 5 is sufficient to prevent convection of air in the air pocket(s) and thus provide improved insulation to the can.

Figure 4 shows a graph of temperature (y axis -degrees Celsius) versus time (x-axis -minutes) of a beverage in a can 16 with and without the detachable container holder 4 of Figures la-Sft The temperature-time graph line 21 of the can 16 without the container holder is depicted by the solid line with diamonds. The temperature-time graph line 22 with the can 16 with the container holder as described with reference to Figures 1 a-3b is depicted by the solid line with squares.

The experiment consisted of a 20 mm test at a room temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius with a first 500mL can without a container holder and a second 500mL can with a container holder according to the invention. The hand temperature at the beginning of the experiment for each can was initially around 30 degrees Celsius. Both cans were chilled to around 3.5 to 4 degrees Celsius. The cans were fully opened and then hold for 2 minutes and allowed to stand for 2 minutes in 4 minute cycles. The temperature of each can was measured every 1 minute from the centre of the opened full can.

As shown in the graph, the temperature increase for the first can without the container holder is represented by the temperature-time line 21 (the line depicted with diamonds). The temperature increase for the first can was 7.3 degrees Celsius. The temperature increase for the second can with the container holder according to the invention is represented by the temperature-time line 22 (the line depicted with squares). The temperature increase for the second can was 4 degrees Celsius; the container holder keeps a can cool for approximately twice as long as a can without the container holder.

Although the container holder has been described with reference to Figure 4 as having insulating air pockets suitable for insulating chilled food or beverages (e.g. drinks) from a consumers hands or the environment while being consumed, it is to be appreciated that the insulating air pockets and materials of the container holder may be suitable for minimising heat transfer between the container and the container holder (and a consumer's hand) for both chilled and heated containers containing food and beverages.

For example, the contents of self-heating containers (e.g. self-heating cans and the like) are preferably more pleasant consumed heated. After heating to around 70 degrees Celsius, consumers may use a detachable container holder from a multi-pack to form a container holder as described herein suitable for comfortably holding the container while consuming the hot contents. The container holder and insulating air pockets or gaps would insulate and protect the consumer's hands from the hot container and its contents, while at the same time insulating the hot container from the environment allowing it to stay warm or hotter for longer. A multi-pack including one or more detachable container holders removes the requirement for self-heating cans to have pre-formed insulating card or foamed plastic sleeves attached during manufacture/packaging, which minimises manufacturing costs, resources wasted, and cost to the consumer.

Although the containers in the examples of the invention as described with reference to Figures la-4 have been described in relation to metal cans or canned products, it is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the multi-pack according to the invention is applicable to any container that is used to package food or beverage and other products. Examples of containers may include, by way of example only, bottles, jars, tubs, pots, cups, or metal cans or any other container that is used to package food, beverages and other products.

For example, containers such as bottles and jars may be commonly manufactured from glass and/or plastics materials to include various food and beverage such as, but not limited to, jams or tomato sauce and vitamin and health drinks, juices, carbonated drinks or bottled water. In another example, containers such as tubs, pots and cups may be manufactured from plastics materials and/or cardboard/paperboard/carton board materials and sealed with lids or foil/plastic seals and the like to include various food and beverages, for example, ice cream, yoghurt, desserts and the like or various drinks and the like. Containers such as metal cans or canned products are commonly manufactured from aluminium, tin-plated steel or coated steel sheets and may include various food and beverages, by way of example, such as, but not limited to, various hot foods (e.g. foods for self-heating cans) or various drinks for chilling such as vitamin or health drinks, juices or carbonated drinks and the like.

Although the interlocking members of the detachable container holder and formed container holder have been described in terms of a tab/slot arrangement, it is to be appreciated that other arrangements of interlocking members may be used or applied for forming the sleeve of the container holder. For example, the interlocking members may include a first set of tabs on the first sleeve and a second set of tabs on the second sleeve such that the first and second sets of tabs dovetail together when forming the sleeve of the container holder.

Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only and that the claims are not limited to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and alternatives in view of the disclosure which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the appended claims. Each feature disclosed or illustrated in the present specification may be incorporated in the invention, whether alone or in any appropriate combination with any other feature disclosed or illustrated herein.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A multi-pack comprising a plurality of containers arranged in a box, the box comprising a panel with a detachable container holder, which when removed, is adapted to form a container holder for receiving one of the containers and is adapted to create one or more insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.
2. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable container holder comprises interlocking members that are adapted to interlock or mate together to form the container holder.
3. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interlocking members form one or more insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.
4. A multi-pack as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the interlocking members comprise at least one tab and at least one slot for receiving said at least one tab located in the detachable container holder.
5. A multi-pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detachable container holder is arranged to be adapted such that the container holder comprises a sleeve foldably connected to a base for receiving and supporting one of the containers.
6. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 5, wherein the detachable container holder is arranged to be adapted such that, when the formed container holder receives one of the containers, one or more insulating air pockets are formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the received container.
7. A multi-pack as claimed in claims 5 or 6, the detachable container holder further comprising a first sleeve section, a second sleeve section and a base section, the first and second sleeve section each connected to the base section, wherein the first and second sleeve sections are arranged to be foldable about the base to form the sleeve of the container holder for receiving the container.
8. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 7, the first sleeve section comprising at least one tab and the second sleeve section comprising at least one slot arranged for receiving the at least one tab for use in forming the container holder.
9. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one slot is arranged to receive the at least one tab from the outer surface of the second sleeve section onto the inner surface of the sleeve for creating one of the insulating air pockets in the vicinity of the tab between the inner surface of the sleeve and one of the containers when received by said sleeve.
10. A multi-pack as claimed in claims 5-9, wherein the first and second sleeves are arranged to overlap with each other for creating one of the insulating air pocket in the vicinity of the overlapping edge of the first or second sleeve between the inner surface of the sleeve and one of the containers when received by said sleeve.
11. A multi-pack as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, wherein the first and second sleeves are arranged for forming a tapered sleeve.
12. A multi-pack as claimed in any one of claims 1-11, wherein the multi-pack is a can multi-pack and the plurality of containers are metal cans.
13. A container holder for insulating a container, the container holder comprising a sleeve for receiving the container and foldably connected to a base for supporting the container, wherein the container holder is adapted to create one or more insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.
14. A container holder as claimed in claim 13, wherein the container holder comprises interlocking members that are adapted to interlock or mate together when forming the sleeve of the container holder.
15. A container holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein the interlocking members are arranged to form one or more insulating air pockets between the received container and the container holder.
16. A container holder as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein the interlocking members comprise at least one tab and at least one slot for receiving said at least one tab to form said sleeve.
17. A container holder as claimed in any one of claims 13-16, wherein the container holder is arranged to form one or more insulating air pockets between the inner surface of the sleeve and the container.
18. A container holder as claimed in any one of claims 13-17, the sleeve comprising a first sleeve section and a second sleeve section, wherein the first and second sleeve sections are each connected to the base section, wherein the first and second sleeve sections are foldable about the base to form the sleeve.
19. A container holder as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first sleeve section comprises at least one tab and the second sleeve section comprises at least one slot arranged for receiving the at least one tab for forming the sleeve.
20. A container holder as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one slot is arranged to receive the at least one tab from the outer surface of the second section onto the inner surface of the sleeve for creating one of the insulating air pockets in the vicinity of the tab between the inner surface of the sleeve and the container when received by the sleeve.
21. A container holder as claimed in any one of claims 13-20, wherein the first and second sleeves are arranged to overlap with each other for creating one of the insulating air pocket in the vicinity of the overlapping edge of the first or second sleeve between the inner surface of the sleeve and one of the containers when received by the sleeve.
22. A container holder as claimed in any one of claims 13-21, wherein the first and second sleeves are arranged for forming a tapered sleeve.
23. A container holder as claimed in any one of claims 13-22, wherein the container is a metal can.
24. A multi-pack as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A detachable container holder as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. A container holder as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.