IE53678B1

IE53678B1 - Package unit carriers

Info

Publication number: IE53678B1
Application number: IE2792/82A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works
Priority date: 1981-11-25
Filing date: 1982-11-24
Publication date: 1989-01-04
Also published as: HK68986A; FI824040A0; DK155788B; IT1153352B; GB2111938A; IT8224373A1; SE501732C2; SE8206701L; FI70858C; FI824040L; SE8801775L; AU8961582A; GR77784B; FI70858B; NL8204115A; FR2516897B1; DE3241474A1; FR2516897A1; DE3241474C2; BR8206467A

Abstract

A resilient plastics carrier for combining two six-packs of cans into a package of 12 cans, or similarly for assembling eight bottles, includes a strip (28) which encircles the outside of the assembly of cans (20) or bottles, and further provides a central stabilizing strip (36), which may be constituted by one or two strips (36-1, 36-2).

Description

Various types of carriers have been revealed in the patent arts and have been used conrnercially for assembling a predetermined number of containers, often six in number, for carrying of the containers. Typically, six cans may be carried together, and in a preferred form of package there is a sheet of plastics having six apertures therein each slightly less in diameter than the cans, so that the plastics material is stretched about the respective cans in generally inverted conical shape, thus securely underlying the can beads to prevent undesired withdrawal of the cans. As is known, a lateral movement of a can stretches the respective encircling band so that the can can be tipped from carrying position. Such carriers are shown, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,874,835 and 3,874,502. Larger numbers of cans have been handled by similar carriers, for example U.S. Patent No. 4,018,331 shows a carrier of the type in question for 12 cans.

Under some circumstances a package of 12 cans may be somewhat unstable or difficult to carry, and in U.S. Patent No. 4,269,308 there is shown and described a plastics encircling band which circumscribes the 12 cans and holds them in close continuous relation. The band is provided with a handle for carrying of the 12 pack.

A carrier according to the present invention, for use in packaging a plurality of cylindrically-bodied containers in an array of rows and columns, is integrally formed of a resiliently deformable material and in a packaging condition presents a peripheral strip - 2 defining a continuous loop for circumscribing all of the containers, an intermediate strip extending across said loop from the peripheral strip for dividing said loop into two areas such that the body of each of the containers is in surface engagement with at least one of the peripheral and intermediate strips, and a planar handle extending outwardly of said loop from the peripheral strip for allowing the containers to be lifted as a unitary package.

Preferably, said plurality of containers is further packaged by a pair of carrier units located near the ends of the containers to form a pair of sub-packs.

By means of the carrier each sub-pack is retained in stable condition independently, while the total package is also retained in stable condition. The carrier can be initially provided, stamped from a sheet of plastics material, in collapsed condition, and successive carriers can be integrally joined together in an elongated strip, and are separated preferably after assembly with the cans or other containers.

In one arrangement, the intermediate strip consists of a pair of strips of equal length, each greater in length than the straight line, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, between opposite end junctions of the intermediate strip with the peripheral strip, and adapted to be pulled into side-by-side relationship.

In another arrangement, however, the intermediate strip consists of a single piece of a length greater than the straight line, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, between opposite end junctions of the intermediate strip with the peripheral strip.

The accompanying drawings show examples of package units and carriers, which embody the invention. In these drawings:Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of six-packs secured together by a first carrier; Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the carriers prior to assembly with cans; Figure 3 shows a modification of the carrier as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the somewhat different relative dimensions for carrying a different assembly of containers, such as a double four-pack of bottles; Figure 5 is a somewhat simplified view on a reduced scale - 3 53678 showing the carrier of Figure 3 assembled with a double six-pack of cans; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the carrier of Figure 4 assembled with a double four-pack of bottles; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a somewhat different carrier; and Figures 8 to 11 are views generally similar to Figure 7 and showing further modifications.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, and 10 first to Figures 1 and 2, there will be seen a plurality of cylindrical containers, specifically cans 20 totalling 12 in the illustrative exanple. As seen in Figure 1, the cans are disposed with their axes horizontal, in four columns of three cans each. The two left columns are secured together by a plastics Can carrier 22, preferably made of polyethylene, the carrier shown in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 2,874,835 being illustrative. A similar carrier 24 secures the two right columns of cans together. There are thus two six-packs of cans which could be carried separately, generally with the can axes in vertical position. Although such carriers are set forth in detail in prior art patents, such as the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 2,874,835, it is noted by way of summary at this point that each such carrier comprises an apertured sheet having six apertures therein, each slightly less in diameter than a can, thus effectively providing six separate bands which aggressively grip the cans beneath the beads thereof. Inherent resilient or stretchable characteristics of the plastics material allow a can to be pulled a slight distance sideways to stretch the respective band, whereby the can can be tipped away from the respective carrier.

In many instances, it is convenient to carry 12 cans as a unit, rather than six. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a carrier 26 is provided.

The shape of the 12-pack carrier 26 in blank form before assembly with the cans is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a continuous outer strip 28 having arcuate end portions 30, each extending over an arc greater than a semi-circle, and joined to elongated reversely curved portions 32 integrally interconnecting the arcuate portions.

The strip 28 is of uniform width and at its vertical centreline is provided with integral attachment points 34 for narrower V-shaped - 4 53678 strips 36-1 and 36-2 arranged in mirror-image relation. The apices of the strips 36-1 and 36-2 are rounded as indicated at 38-1 and 38-2, while the roots 40-1 and 40-2, and 42-1 and 42-2 are also rounded to avoid stress areas that might tear.

The carrier 26 is completed by a handle 44 integral with the strip 28. The handle is symmetrical about the vertical midline of the carrier (as shown in Figure 2) and is integral with the reversely curved portion 32. The handle 44 is provided with two apertures 46 and 48 in mirror-image relation. Since the apertures are of the same shape, only the left one is described, and includes an elongated, rather narrow portion 50 running the length of the aperture 46, and having a generally circular enlargement 52 at the upper edge of the narrow portion 50 and at the left end thereof. This leaves a flap 54 which can be folded up. An integral tab 56 on the vertical midline of the carrier connects the central portion of the handle with the strip 28. The first two fingers of a hand may be Inserted through one of the apertures 46 and 48, while the last two fingers are inserted through the other of these apertures. The flap 54 in each instance rolls up to present a smooth, surface engagement with the fingers, rather than a sharp edge. This promotes comfort of the person doing the carrying, and also inhibits tearing of the plastics material.

A succession of 12-pack carriers 26 is provided in the form of a continuous web, and ragged lines 58 at either end in Figure 2 indicate where successive carriers are supplied integrally joined together. The connection preferably is severed during or inmediately prior to assembly with a pair of six-packs, hereinafter respectively referred to by numerals 10 and 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the strip 28 is extended around the two six-packs 10 and 12, with the respective intermediate strips 36-1 and 36-2 pulling together to appear as a single, straight strip 36. As will be appreciated, the lengths of the strip 28 and of the strip 36 are such that they will fit in the positions just shown and described, each under some tension. Accordingly, all of the cans are held in tight assemblage whereby the double six-packs can conveniently be carried by the handle 44 without danger of any of the cans coming loose either from the package unit carrier 26, or from the respective six-pack carriers 22 and 24.

A modification of the carrier as just described is shown in - 5 53678 Figures 3 and 5. In this embodiment of the invention, the parts are essentially identical with those previously described and are correspondingly numbered. The distinction is that the handle 44 has been moved to the left end of the strip 28 (as seen in Figure 3). The handle is provided with two apertures 60 and 62, again in mirror-image relation. Due to the shape of the arcuate end portion 30, the inner edge of each aperture is a continuous curve at 64, while the outer edge 66 thereof is straight. This results in a relatively large width adjacent to the top and bottom of the apertures (as seen 1n Figure 3), but with a very restricted opening adjacent the horizontal centre-line. Accordingly, an integral centre tab 68 may be scored or otherwise weakened as indicated at 70 so that, when it is desired to pick up a double six-pack, the tab 68 may be readily torn to allow all four fingers to be inserted comfortably in the combined apertures 60 and 62.

An embodiment of the invention adapted for carrying eight bottles is shown in Figures 4 and 6. The parts are generally similar or identical to those previously shown and described, and therefore similar parts are identified by similar numerals with the addition of the suffix Points of distinction are that the strip 28a is narrower than the strip 28, while the intermediate strip 36a is considerably shorter, having to span only two bottles 20a, instead of three cans. Accordingly, as seen in Figure 4, the strips 36^-1 and 36a-2 do not extend as far to the right and to the left as is the case with the corresponding intermediate strip portions in Figure 2.

The·bottles, as shown in Figure 6, are arranged in two groups of four, and each group preferably is held together by a plastics carrier (not shown) receiving the necks of the bottles, and generally is similar to the plastics six-pack carriers of Figure 1, but with smaller holes having greater spacing. The two four-pack units are arranged with one vertically above the other, with the strip 28a encircling the assemblage, and the intermediate strip 36a extending between the two four-bottle units, whereby the eight bottles are securely held together for transport, hanging from the handle 44a.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 7.

This embodiment is generally similar to those previously disclosed, and similar parts are identified by similar numerals with the addition of the suffix b to avoid prolixity of discussion. The handle 44b is shown - 6 at the left end, as in Figures 3 and 4, but it could equally well be along the top as indicated in broken lines, and as previously shown in Figure 2. The essential distinction of the present embodiment over prior embodiments is that the strips 36b-l and 36b-2 ultimatley forming the centre strip 36 are of generally horseshoe-shaped configuration rather than V-shaped. Thus, there are side legs 72-1 and 74-1, in close proximity and near parallelism with the adjacent reversely curved portions 32b, these legs being connected by a large arcuate section 76. Similarly, there are straight legs 72-2 and 74-2 interconnected by a large arcuate section 78. With the proximity to the reversely curved portions 32b, there are integral connections 80-1, 80-2, and 82-1 and 82-2 between the respective legs and the respective reversely curved portions. These interconnections are rather narrow, and may be weakened by means such as score lines for ready severability during assembly of the carrier with the containers. Prior to such severing, the connections hold the centre strip portions 36b-l and 36b-2 in the same plane as the remainder of the carrier 26b without requiring any separate handling thereof.

The carrier of Figure 7 is especially adapted for retaining eight bottles, but it could be used for a double six-pack if dimensions were changed accordingly. Additional embodiments especially adapted to carry eight bottles are shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10. With reference at this time to Figure 8, parts there are similar to those previously described, and similar numerals are utilized with the addition of the suffix c to identify like parts. Distinctions reside in the fact that the arcuate end portions 30c are of considerably greater arcuate extent than in previous embodiments, and instead of having the arcuate portions at opposite ends of the carrier merge into a single rather long portion of reverse curvature, there are rather short portions 84 of reverse curvature of considerably smaller radius, joining the end portions to straight side portions 86. This results in the top and bottom portions of the strip 28£ being considerably closer together than in previous embodiments of the invention. The strip portions ultimately to form the intermediate or divider strip 36£ are again of generally horseshoe shape, but considerably narrower (less height from top to bottom in Figure 8). The adjacent ends of the leg pairs 72£-1, 74£-l and 72£-2, 74£-2 are integrally interconnected by roots 88-1 and 88-2. The roots have margins which are radiussed to avoid stress - 7 53678 concentrations, and a central aperture 90 is defined by the roots and associated structure.

Attention next should be directed to the embodiment of Figure 9 in which like numerals are again utilized to identify similar parts, this time with the addition of the suffix d. Production of the carrier illustrated in Figure 9 results in a minimum of scrap, since the width of the blank is minimized. The arcuate end portions 30d extend over only 180°, and are of shorter radius than in previous embodiments.

There are no reversely curved or inverse sections such as 32 or 84, but rather the straight side portions 86d are tangent to the arcuate end portions 30d. It will be apparent in connection with both embodiments of Figures 8 and 9 that the roots 88-1 and 88-2 (numbered only in Figure 8) could be scored or otherwise weakened to facilitate severence thereof upon assembly of the carrier with a plurality of bottles.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 10.

Similar parts again are identified by like numbers with the addition of the suffix e. This carrier is similar to that in Figure 9 in that there are straight upper and lower portions 86e of the outer strip 28e. In this instance the curved end portions 30e are of greater diameter, and the straight portions 86e thus are spaced farther apart. The portions 36^-1 and 36e-2 destined to form the intermediate strip are semi-circular, and are joined along the horizontal median line of the carrier 26e by a crossbar 88 integrally formed therewith and having fillets formed by small radii. As in carriers described above, the two strip portions 36&-1 and 36a-2 are being pulled together, not apart, and there is no particular danger of a split between these strip portions. Nevertheless, it is preferred that the strip portions be joined to one another by a small radius at either end to avoid any problems of splitting or tearing.

A still further modification is shown in Figure 11, again with similar elements identified by like numerals with the addition of the suffix f. The distinction here is that intermediate strip 36f is a single strip rather than a double strip. It is, therefore, noted that the intermediate strip 36f initially is secured with a vertical upper portion 34f connected at 42f to the straight portion 31f of the strip 28f. The strip continues down to an upwardly curved, nearly semi-circular portion 64f, which then reversely curves into a horizontal section 66f joined to the straight upper portion 31f along a - 8 53678 fracture line 68f which may be perforated, creased, or otherwise weakened for severability at that location during assembly. The horizontal portion 66f continues into a substantially semi-circular portion 70f which leads to a slightly inclined upward portion 72f connected to the reversely curved strip portion 32f along a severability line 74f which may be perforated, creased, or otherwise weakened for subsequent severance during assembly of the carrier with a double six-pack of cans. The intermediate strip portion 72f continues into a generally semi-circular portion 76f which continues vertically down at 78f in alignment with the upper portion 34f, being integrally connected to the reversely curved strip portion 32f at the roots 40f. The two semi-circular portions 64f and 76f abut and are integrally joined to one another along a severable area 80f which again may be perforated, creased, or otherwise weakened.

The upper portion of the strip 36f defines an aperture 82f between the intermediate and the horizontal strip portion 31f, while a like aperture 84f is defined between the lower portion of the intermediate strip 36f and the reversely curved strip portion 32f. The generally straight portions 66f and 72f of the intermediate strip, plus the semi-circular portion 70f and adjacent portions of the smaller radius semi-circular portions 54f and 76f, define another aperture 86f.

In each embodiment of the invention as shown and described herein, there is a band-type carrier for a 12-pack of cans or an eight-pack of bottles which has a band encircling the outside of the package, and which further has an intermediate band extending between containers within the package, whereby every container is engaged by a portion of the package carrier, thereby to provide enhanced stability for the overall package. The carrier is inexpensive to produce, being made from a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, and being stamped from a continuous web of such material with the scrap being capable of reclamation. In the instance of the embodiments of Figures 2 to 10, the intermediate strip comprises initially a pair of narrow strips initially displaced from one another, which strips are pulled into close contiguity upon assembly with the containers, forming 1n effect a single strip. The carrier forms surface engagement with the containers as the parts are stressed into position. In the Instance of the embodiment of Figure 11, the intermediate strip comprises only a single initially collapsed strip or band.

Claims

1. A carrier, for use in packaging a plurality of cylindrically-bodied containers in an array of rows and columns, which 5 is integrally formed of a resiliently deformable material and in a packaging condition presents a peripheral strip defining a continuous loop for circumscribing all of the containers, an intermediate strip extending across said loop from the peripheral strip for dividing said loop into two areas such that the body of each of the containers is in 10 surface engagement with at least one of the peripheral and intermediate strips, and a planar handle extending outwardly of said loop from the peripheral strip for allowing the containers to be lifted as a unitary package. 15

2. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the intermediate strip consists of a pair of strips of equal length, each greater in length than the straight line, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, between opposite end junctions of the intermediate strip with the peripheral strip, and adapted to be pulled into side-by-side 20 relationship.

3. A carrier as set forth in claim 2, wherein said strips forming the intermediate strip are of mirror-image shape. 25

4. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the intermediate strip consists of a single piece of a length greater than the straight line, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, between opposite end junctions of the intermediate strip with the peripheral strip.

5. A carrier as set forth in claim 4, wherein portions of the intermediate strip commencing from said opposite end junctions are aligned and approach one another, said portions then each leading to a reverse curve back to an adjacent portion of said loop, and continuing 35 as a further opposite curve and integrally joining one another, said portions adjacent to said end junctions extending into integral contact with one another and being joined by a readily severable section, the intermediate strip beyond said reverse curves closely approaching said - 10 loop on substantially opposite sides thereof and being integrally joined thereto by readily severable sections.

6. A carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the intermediate strip comprises a bend lying to one side of the straight line, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, between opposite end junctions of the intermediate strip with the peripheral strip, there being severable attachments between said bend and said peripheral strip.

7. A carrier as set forth in claim 6, wherein there is an additional severable attachment between portions of said bend at locations adjacent to said opposite end junctions.

8. A carrier as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein said peripheral strip lies substantially in a common plane, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, and said intermediate strip lies substantially in the same common plane.

9. A carrier as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein said loop defined by said peripheral strip has major and minor axes, in a collapsed condition of the carrier, and said intermediate strip has its ends disposed substantially along said minor axis.

10. A carrier as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the handle defines a finger opening or finger openings of substantially less total area than either of said two areas defined in said loop by the intermediate strip.

11. A carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 Figure 10, or Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A carrier as set forth in any preceding claim when assembled with a plurality of cylindrically-bodied containers in an array of rows and columns to form a unitary package.

13. A package as set forth in claim 12, wherein said plurality of containers comprises twelve cans in two groups of six, said - 11 53678 intermediate strip lying between said groups of six.

14. A package as set forth in claim 12, wherein said plurality of containers comprises eight bottles in two groups of four, said 5 intermediate strip lying between said groups of four.

15. A package as set forth in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said plurality of containers is further packaged by a pair of carrier units located near the ends of the containers to form a pair of 10 sub-packs.