KR0163379B1 - Carrier stock having finger gripping straps and strut producing straps - Google Patents

Abstract

Carrier stock for beverage cans or other cans of the type having a chime at the top and a truncated wall below the chime is formed of a single sheet of elastomeric material, such as low density polyethylene, and the carrier stock forms an opening for the can can An outer band portion having an outer band portion and an inner band portion having a pair of linear edges connected at relatively small radii, a web separating the can opening at each column, a finger gripping strap, and a strut making strap. Include. The finger gripping straps are aligned in pairs such that each pair of finger gripping straps extend transversely between two inner band portions and face the other pair of finger gripping straps when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. It is formed so that it can be bent inwardly. The strut manufacturing strap is a middle finger gripping strap and is aligned with the vertices of the opposite inner edges, at least twice the width of the pair of finger gripping straps and the width of the vertex radius. Each pair of finger gripping straps has an outer edge, which is bent inward toward the other pair of finger gripping straps in an opposite direction from the longitudinal centerline when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. Extend in the transverse direction.

Description

Carrier stock with finger gripping strap and strut manufacturing strap

1 is a perspective view of a package comprising six nearly identical cans and a carrier separated from a carrier stock in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of a package substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

4 is a plan view of a carrier stock in a flat, non-stressed state.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: package 20: truncated wall

30: carrier stock 32: can receiving opening

34: outer part 38: inner part

40: separation web 50: finger gripping strap

52: Strut Manufacturing Strap 62: Connecting Web

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier stock for almost identical cans, such as beverage cans of the type having a chime and a neck tapered inwardly under the chime. The carrier stock is formed of a single sheet of elastomeric material, such as low density polyethylene, so as to have a pair of finger-gripping straps and strut-producing straps. Each pair of finger gripping straps bend inwardly toward each other.

[Background of invention]

The carrier stock described in US Pat. No. 4,219,117 to Weaver et al. And US Pat. No. 3,959,949 to Benno et al. Is a machine or other like described in US Pat. No. 4,250,682 to Braun. Jaws and drum machines are commonly used in almost the same cans, such as beverage cans with beer or soft drinks. The can has an annular chime at their upper end and a cylindrical sidewall and a truncated wall between the chime and the sidewall. The stock is formed from a single sheet of elastomeric material, such as low density polyethylene, by die cutting.

Typically, along a separation web that generally extends transversely when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state, the stock includes an outer band portion and an inner band portion and integrally forms openings for cans in columns and columns. It has a combined band portion. The separating web separates the can opening for each column. When the stock is effectively applied, the band portion forming the can containment opening grips the truncated wall of the can tightly to join the bottom edge of the chime.

The stock may also have finger gripping straps aligned in pairs. As is known, the finger gripping strap has straight edges and generally extends transversely between two inner band portions when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. In order to lift a package that includes a carrier separated from the rectangular array and stock of the can and applied to the can in the rectangular array, the user must grip a pair of finger gripping straps with one thumb and four fingers. do.

The finger gripping strap acted to transfer the laterally directed stretching force from the outer band to the inner band, as described in US Pat. No. 4,219,117 to Weber et al.

The can manufacturer introduced cans known as necked-in cans with smaller chime diameters compared to the diameter of the sidewalls. Several newer modifications of the necked-in can have greatly reduced the ratio of chime diameter to sidewall diameter.

In newer types of necked-in cans, the truncated wall between the chime and the sidewall forms a conical angle greater than about 28 ° and in some cases about 37 °. In addition, some necked-in cans recently introduced have a greater height and capacity compared to the conventional cans described above.

A package comprising a carrier separated from a carrier stock of the type described above and a necked-in can, such as a can of large capacity, has a problem solved by the present invention. In addition, the ability to reduce the thickness of the carrier stock in order to obtain economics can cause problems.

In particular, since the cans tend to move independently of each other in the package, it becomes difficult to stack the packages on the pallet.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention solves the above problems and provides an improvement of the carrier stock for applying the machine to almost identical cans of the above-described type. The present invention also provides an improved package comprising a carrier separated from a carrier stock as improved by the present invention, and the can in a rectangular arrangement comprising columns and rows.

When made from a single sheet of elastomeric material such as low density polyethylene, the carrier stock is formed of an outer band portion and an inner band portion. The outer and inner band portions form can receiving openings in a rectangular arrangement with columns and rows. The carrier stock is formed of a web separating the can receiving openings at each column. The carrier stock is formed from finger gripping straps aligned in pairs.

According to the invention, the carrier stock has several novel features. Thus on each side of the longitudinal midline of the carrier stock, the inner band portions are aligned in pairs with each pair comprising a pair of linear inner edges connected at relatively small radii at the vertices. Further, each pair of finger gripping straps extend transversely between the two inner band portions, so that the carrier stock can be bent inwardly toward other finger gripping straps of the same pair when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. Finger gripping straps are formed. In addition, the carrier stock is formed of reinforcing and strut making straps between the finger gripping straps, which are aligned with the vertices of opposite inner edges, the strut making straps being relatively large compared to the radius of each vertex.

Each pair of finger gripping straps preferably has an outer edge, the outer edge being bent inward with the other pair of finger gripping straps, and from the longitudinal midline when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. It has a recess extending laterally in the opposite direction. The strut manufacturing strap is at least twice the width of any pair of finger gripping straps and at least twice the radial width of each vertex.

Each pair of finger gripping straps preferably has an outer edge, the outer edge being bent inwards towards the other pair of finger gripping straps, and from the longitudinal midline when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. It has a recess extending laterally in the opposite direction.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the package 10 comprises six nearly identical necked-in cans 12 of the type described above and a carrier separated from a carrier stock according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. (14). Each can 12 has an annular chime 16 of a predetermined diameter and a truncated wall 20 between the annular chime 16 and the cylindrical sidewall 18 of a larger diameter. The annular chime 16, the cylindrical sidewall 18 and the truncated wall 20 form a can axis. The upper end of each can 12 has a pull tab 22. Since each can 12 is newer of the type described above, the truncated wall 20 of the can 12 can form a cone angle greater than 28 ° with respect to the can axis.

As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier stock 30 is formed by die cutting to a length that is unsure as a single sheet of elastomeric material. Preferred materials are low density polyethylene. If low density polyethylene is used, the preferred thickness of the stock 30 in the non-stressed range is about 16 mils to 17.5 mils. The carrier stock 30 is detachable along the lateral line L to form each carrier carried by the carrier 14. The line L may be pre-cut or pre-lined to facilitate separation of the carrier stock 30.

The carrier stock 30 is formed of an integrally joined band portion defining six can receiving openings 32 in a rectangular arrangement with two columns and three rows for each carrier 14. The opening 32 extends in the transverse direction of the carrier stock 30 so that the opening of the carrier stock 30 is generally circular when a lateral application force is applied.

The band portion comprises, in two columns, a longitudinally extending outer portion 34 of each outer portion 34 partially surrounding one of the can receiving openings 32. The band portion also includes an inner portion 38 extending in the longitudinal direction to each inner portion 38 partially surrounding one of the can receiving openings 32 in two rows. On each side of the longitudinal centerline of the carrier stock 30, each can receiving opening 32 is partially surrounded by a pair of substantially straight inner portions 38, with the inner edge 39 having a very small vertex. In (A) it is connected with a small radius.

The carrier stock 30 is formed of a separation web 40, which separates the can receiving openings in each column, in which the carrier stock 30 extends laterally in a flat, non-stressed state. Each separating web 40 is integrally coupled to the ends of the two outer portions 34 and the ends of the two inner portions 38. Each line L extends across and separates the two separation webs 40. In FIG. 4, a typical one of the separating webs 40 is indicated by an enlarged dashed arc.

The carrier stock 30 is formed from a cluster of bands or straps formed so as to extend laterally when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state, the straps being paired with finger gripping straps ( 50) and a reinforced strut manufacturing strap 32. The finger gripping strap 5 has two bent legs 54 and a central section 51 between the legs 54. Each reinforced strut making strap 52 is between each pair of finger gripping straps 50. The carrier stock 30 is formed with an additional opening comprising a finger permitting opening 56 between each cluster and the next cluster and between two small openings 58 in each cluster.

Each pair of finger gripping straps 50 are reinforced strut manufacturing straps 52 between the legs 54 (the same pair of finger gripping straps 50) when the carrier stock 30 is in a flat, non-stressed state. Bent inward toward the other pair of finger gripping straps 50 of the same pair through the arcuate center section). The legs 54 of each finger gripping strap 50 are connected to the separating web 40 as well as the combined one of the inner portions 38.

A connecting web 60 extends from the leg 54 along the combined one of the inner portions 38 to connect the legs with the combined one of the separating webs 40 and the combined one of the inner portions 38. do. Each connecting web 60 forms a continuous web. In FIG. 4, a typical one of the connecting webs 60 is indicated by a smaller dotted circle.

At the outer edge 55, the central section 51 of each pair of finger gripping straps 50 of the strap has a recess 57, which is bent inwardly towards the other strap 50 of the same pair. When the carrier stock 30 is in a flat, non-stressed state, it extends transversely in the opposite direction from the longitudinal centerline of the carrier stock 30. The recess 57 allows for easy gripping of a given pair of finger gripping straps 50 central section 51 between the thumb and the other of the user's hand.

As shown in FIG. 4, each reinforced strut manufacturing strap 52 has an hourglass configuration when the carrier stock 30 is in a flat, non-stressed state. The strap 52 is at least twice the width of any pair of finger gripping straps 50 and at least twice the width of the radius of each vertex A when the carrier stock 30 is in a flat, non-stressed state. Good.

The carrier stock 30 is a machine described in US Pat. No. 4,250,682 to Brown or other similar jaw and drum machines, which is tensioned when applied to the can 12. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, each reinforced strut manufacturing strap 52 is generally reshaped to produce a strut or beam having a U-shaped cross section. Struts or beams made by the reinforced straps 52 substantially reduce the ability of the cans 12 in the package 10 to move independently of each other. The manufactured strut or beam thus facilitates the stacking of the package 10, such as a package on a pallet.

In other constructive and functional aspects, the carrier stock 30 is similar to some embodiments of the carrier stock described in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 292,604, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Thus, the carrier stock 30 causes the can receiving opening 32 to open in a circular manner in the manner described in US Pat. No. 4,219,117, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Further, when the user grips a pair of finger gripping straps 50 of the carrier 14 with one hand thumb and four fingers to lift the package 10, the legs of the gripped strap 50 The connecting web 60 at 54 connects to the same web 60 so that the gripped strap 50 can reduce the tendency of the carrier 14 to peel off the can 12 which is connected to the inner band portion 38. Some lifting force is distributed to the separating web 40. The strap 50 can be bent in a processed package because the outer edge of the strap 50 can be tensioned.

Various modifications may be made in the above-described preferred embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (8)

In a carrier stock for applying a machine to a nearly identical can of a type having a chime at the top and a truncated wall below the chime, the carrier stock is formed from a single sheet of elastomeric material and outer and inner band portions, and the carrier The inner band portion on each side of the longitudinal centerline of the stock includes a pair of straight inner edges connected by very small radii at the vertices, the outer and inner band portions in a rectangular array having two vertical and horizontal rows. Forming an opening for the can, the carrier stock being formed by a web separating the can receiving openings at each column, the carrier stock being formed by paired finger gripping straps, each pair of finger gripping straps having two inner bands The same pair when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state transversely between the parts The carrier stock is formed of a reinforced strut manufacturing strap between the finger gripping straps, aligned with the apex of the opposite inner edge, and the strut manufacturing strap being A carrier stock, which is relatively large compared to the radius of the vertex. 2. The pair of finger gripping straps of claim 1, wherein each pair of finger gripping straps have outer edges, the outer edges bent inward toward the other pair of finger gripping straps and from the longitudinal centerline when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. A carrier stock, comprising a recess extending laterally in the opposite direction. The carrier stock of claim 1 wherein the strut manufacturing strap is at least twice the width of any of the finger gripping straps. The carrier stock of claim 1, wherein the strut manufacturing strap is at least twice the width of any pair of finger gripping straps. The carrier stock of claim 1 wherein the strut manufacturing strap is at least twice the radial width of the vertex. The carrier stock of claim 1, wherein the strut manufacturing strap is at least twice the width of any pair of finger gripping straps and at least twice the width of the vertex radius. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein each pair of finger gripping straps have outer edges, the outer edges being bent inwardly toward another pair of finger gripping straps and the bellows when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. And a concave portion extending laterally in an opposite direction from the direction center line. In a package comprising a carrier formed from a single sheet of elastomeric material and formed of an outer band portion and an inner band portion, the inner band portions on each side of the longitudinal centerline of the carrier stock are connected by a very small radius at the vertex. A pair of straight inner edges, the outer and inner band portions forming can receiving openings in a rectangular arrangement with rows and columns, the carrier stock being formed of a web separating the can receiving openings in each column, The carrier stock is formed of paired finger gripping straps such that each pair of finger gripping straps are transverse between two inner band portions such that other finger gripping straps of the same pair when the carrier stock is in a flat, non-stressed state. The carrier stock is pinged inwardly toward the Formed with reinforced strut manufacturing straps between the gripping straps and aligned with the vertices of the inwardly inward edge, the strut manufacturing straps are relatively large relative to the radius of the vertices, the package being under the chime and the chime at the top And further comprising substantially identical cans of the type with truncated walls of which each can receiving opening receives one of the nearly identical cans and the strut making strap is received by the can receiving opening in two rows. And the carrier is applied to the can to produce a strut having a U-shaped cross section.