GB2591535A

GB2591535A - Multipack packaging rings for beverage cans

Info

Publication number: GB2591535A
Application number: GB2013319.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Louise Johnston Kim; David Johnston Rodney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-09-04
Filing date: 2020-08-26
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Also published as: GB202013319D0; AU2020101977B4; AU2020223663A1; AU2020101977A4; US20210061502A1; AU2020223663B2; GB202013070D0

Abstract

Multipack packaging rings for holding several beverage cans of a type having circular necks 13 of reduced diameter which seal to lids 14 around circumferential seams 15. The rings are formed from a foldable sheet material having in a first panel 1A a first set of circular apertures 2 with inwardly directed tabs 3. The rings engage under the circumferential seams. In an adjoining second panel 5 a second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures 6 correspond in layout to the first set so that, when said second panel is folded over along a line between the panels, apertures of said second set correspond in position to those of the first set and the second panel overlies and reinforces the first panel. A method of assembling the packaging rings and a flat blank for constructing them are also claimed.

Description

MULTIPACK PACKAGING RINGS FOR BEVERAGE CANS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invent -Thies to multipack packaging. More particularly, although nor exclusively, it discloses an improved form of packaging rings for beverage and other like containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While it s common to use what is known in the packaging industry as six pack rings to secure and transport beverage cans such existin packaging has disadvantages. One importantproblem is that no biodegradable plastic versions of the rings are difficult io dispose of without degrading polluti rig the environment. Although single layer biodegradable paperboard or cardboard versions are known the thickness required to achieve the streinth to hold the beveragmakes prmtng indlicia on the packaging difficult. With curtent six pack rings there is also no convenient area for printing a bar code which can easily located and scanned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the for mentioned disadvanta nd accordingly multipack packaging rings are disclosed for holding a plural i ige cans of a type having portions formed into circular necks of reduced diameter which seal onto lids around circumferential seams, said rings being ITormed by a foldable sheet matenal having in a first panel thereof a first e of apertures with inwardly directed tabs which in use of the rings engage under said circumferential seams and in g second panel thereof a second set of substantially smooth edged apertures corresponding in layout to d first set whereby when said ond panel is folded over along a line between said panels apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective o e-of said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said first panel.

Preferably said sheet is of a thickness not exceeding.7 mu to facilitate printing, rther preferred that e of said sections is formed with a display tag which ti a of use to extend downwardly front an edge thereof.

titer preferred that h circumferential edges of said second set of pertures are substantially smooth and are sized for a push fit over the seam rther preferred that there ae six apertures in each of said first and second sets which are arranged in a rectangular array.

s further preferred that finger holes are -on d in said panels for carrying the packiging rings.

in another aspect a flat blank is disclosed for constructing mu pack ing rings, said blank being of foldable sheet material and including and second panels joined along a fold line, said first panel having a first set of apertures with inwardly directed tabs formi having a second set of substantiall o said first set. de edge thereof and said second panel edged apertures corresponding in In another aspect the invention also discloses a method of assembling said mult pack packaging rings, said method including the steps of;-Pressiiw said first section down over s angemeni of said cans corresponding to the position of said first set of apertures whereby sa esiliently bend upwardly and outwardly before displacement back to engage under said seams, and Folding said second panel along said line between the panels whereby the apertures of said second set correspond in position to respective ones of said first said second panel overlies and reinforces the first pan

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One currendv preferred embodiment of the: invention will now be described with reference to the attached representations in which:-a plan view of a flat of foldable sheet for construct mudpack packaging rings according to the invention, perspective showing one type of beverage can for which the packaging rings may be used, Figure 3 is a ph the n placed over the lids ctangular arrangement of six beverage cans of the type shown in figur Figure 4 is a detailed view of the neck and lid of one of the beveiage ca of figure 3 which shows the engagement of the tabs of the first pane] locaied under the circumferential seam of said can, Figure 4A is a another detailed view of said neck and lid of one of Ihe beverage cans with the second panel folded over, Figure 5 is a perspective view of assembled multipack packaging rings for a six. pack. of said beverage cans in accordance. with the invention, and e 6 is a perspective view of, plate for pressing the panels over the can lids when assenibling the nultipack packaging rings, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to figure 1 there is shown a flat blank I of foldable 'material. It is preferably bet 4 111111 to:7 mm thickness to provide the necessary strength to hold the bey e still fa g printing. Suitable material for the.

blank n d, and stock t egradable materials ing plastics such as a biodegradable PLA film as would he known to a person skilled in the art. With this embodiment the currently preferred material is 508un gins Custom Kole as produced by Westrock Packaging Systems of Atlanta Georgia United erica, The blank is die cut using known methods and apparatus to form a set of circular apertures 2 arranged in a rectangular array within a first panel section 1A. There are inwardly directed tabs 3 formed tches 4 arranged around the circunitercnce of these apertures 2. With this example of an embodiment for h known 375 ml aluminium drink cans as described below the diameter 4A of the apertures 2 as measured between opposite inside edges of the tabs 3 may be 47.5 min, The length 4B of the tabs 3 in the radial direction may be 4 min, rnie sheet h * includes an. adjoining second panel section 5 of similar shape and size to panel IA. Panel 5 is cut to form a set of;Aar apertures 6 wrh smooth edges 7. These apertures 6 correspond in arrangement to the aforementioned apertures 2 in panel IA and with this embodiment which intended for 375m1 cans may have diameters 7A of 53 On one side panel 5 joins with panel IA along a fold line 713. The other joins a display tag 8 along another fold line 9. Both panels IA and 5 preferably have rounded corners 10, An example of a 375nd aluminium beverage can for use with the invention, shown in figure 2, is a well known design as manufactured for example by Pty Ltd of Southbant Victoria 3006 Austraia, It has a one piece side I and bottom I2 which is stamped and pressed from a single sheet of aluminium, The p er portion of the can is formed into a neck 13 of reduced diameter top edge of the wall seals to the lid 14 along a circumferentiai seam 15. The outside diameter of this seam with this embodiment is 54 min. so thatu ed apertures 6 are preferably a push fit thercover.

To form tt packaging rings panel IA is fi pressed down over the seams 15 of an arrangement of cans corresponding to the position of thk apertures 2 as shown figure 3. The diameters of the apertures 2 between the inside edges of opposite tabs are, with this enibodnneni, preferably 6,5 mm an. the diameter of the I5 so that as they are pressed down over the seam the tabs 3 are i iallv bent in the region of their base I5A upwardly and outwardly before resiliently displacing at least partially back to engage under said seam as shown in figure 4.

The cans are thereby held by' the tabs 3 within the panel apertures 2 in accordance with the invention. The second panel 5 is then folded over along line. 7A (see arrow A) so that the smooth edged apertures 6 push fit over respective s of the seams 15 whereby said panel 5 overlies and reinforces panel IA underneath, As shown in figure 4A the edges 7 of so press.1.1 This novel tabs 3 above their base 15A to hold and lock them under the locking display tag secures the cans against accidental slippage out of the rings. The len be bend down along fold line 9 to locale the frontof the.

multipack rings as shown in figure. 5. This tag 8 is ideally placed for scanning of bar codes or -di-play of other indicia. There may also be finger holes 16 along the. centre of the multi-pack packaging rings which align through both panels when folded over, This folded over double layered constniction for the rings according to the tvention provides improved packaging strength for lifting and transporting the cans while still only requiring a relatively thin biodegradable sheet. This facilitates printing and subsequent disposal of the packaging rings after usc.

e understood that ae dimensions provided for the. aforementioned embodiment are given by way of nonlimiting illustrative example for a 375 ml e for other can sizes and designs wtth.out departing from the scope of he invention.

It also be understood that directional references used herein such as "upper", "upwardly", "over", "bottom", "down", "downwardly" and the like refer to the packaging rings in one position of use as illustrated and are not to be construed as necessarily limiting.

A plate 17 as shown in figure 6 is also chsclosecl for simultaneously pressing the panels ap ures over the can seams. In this case there is a rectangular array of apertures 18 with bevelled edges 19 on one face. When the sheet panels are aligned over the cans and then pressed down with this plate the apertures 2 and 6 are quickly and neatly fitted over the seams. With high volume packaging operations this plate would preferably he incorporated into a suitable mechanical press.

hus appreciated that this Mon at lc Orin o embodiment disclosed provides improved multipack packaging rings for beverage cans. The example disclosed however is only the currently preferred farm of the packaging rings and a variety' of modifications may be made within the scope of the invention example the number and arrangement of the cans packaged by the nngs may vary from the six-pack rectangular array shown. The shape, size dimensions, configuration and placement of the apertures as well as the shape and positit»f the displa) may all be. changed hi accorda.

size, design and number of the cans to carried by the packaging without departing from the scope of

Claims

The claims:-Multipack packaging ri plurality of beverage cans having a upper portions formed into circular necks of reduced diameter which seal to lids around circumferential sear s said rings being formed from a foldable sheet material having first panel thereof a first set of circular apertures with inwardly directed tabs which in use cii the rings engage under said circumferential seams a id in an adjoining second panel thereof a second set of substantially smooth edged circular tures corre in layout to said first set whereby when said second panel is folded over along a line he.twctn said panels apertures of said second sei correspond in posuion IC respe Dl said first set and said second panel overlies and reinforces said first panel.
2. Multipack packagini, rings as ek erem said inwardly directed labs are formed heiween notches arranged around the circumference said first set of apertures.Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 2 wherein diameters of said first. set of apertures as measured between inside edges of opposite ones of said tabs are sufficient] than the diameters of the seams whereby during assembly of said rings as said first set of apertures are pressed down over the seams the initially bent upwardly and outwardly to clear said seams before displacing at least partially back to engage under said seams, 4. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim _ wherein said second set of apertures are sized to provide a push fit over said seams.5. Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 4 wherein when said second panel is folded over along said line and the second set of apertures is press fitted over said seams the edges of said seconci set of apertures press inwardly against the tabs to hold and lock said tabs under the seams.6. Multi pack packaging rings as claimed in clai 5 wherein said line compnses a preformed crease in said sheet 7. Multi-pack packaging rings as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said panels is formed with a display tag which in a position of use extends downwardly from an edge thereof.8. -Multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim 7 wherein there are six apertures in said first and second sets which are arranged in a rectangular at 9. Multlpack packaging rings as claimed in claim 8 wherein sheet in is of a thickness not exceeding 7 mm.iltipack packaging ri s as claimed in claim ( rei finger holes are formed in said panels for carrying the packaging rings 11. Multipack packing rings as claimed in claim 10 wherein said aterial is biodegradable paperboard, cardboard or card stock or a biodegradable plastic.d of assembling multipack packaging rings as claimed in claim said rnerhod °including the steps f;-- -Pressing said wn over the seams of an arrantzemeni of said cans corresponding to the position of said first set of apertures whereby said tabs resiliently bend upwardly and outwardly before displacing at least partially back engage under said seams.Folding said second panel along said line between said paiiels whereh said apertures of sajd second set correspond in position to respective ones of said first set and said second nanel overlies and reinforces said fi 13. The method as claimed in claim 12 and including a further step of bending display La ed as part of one of said sections down along another fold line it locale at the fro!nt of said multipack packaging rings.14. A plate for assembling multipack packing rings as claimed in claim I by simultaneously pressing said sets of panel apertures over the can seams said plate including an array of circular holes with bevelled edges on one face which correspond in position said sets of panel ap A flat blank for constructing multipack packaging rings, said hiani foldable sheet ma and including first and second panelsjoined alo 4-fold line, said first panel having a first set of circular apertures directed tabs forming an inside edge thereof and said second panel having second set of substantially smooth edged circular apertures coixespondi layout to said first set.