KR970004143Y1 - Package comprising multiple containers, such as beverage cans - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Packages containing multiple containers, such as beverage cans

The present invention is directed to a package having a plurality of substantially identical containers, such as beverage cans, and a carrier formed of a single sheet made of elastomeric material. Some cross segments of the carrier are partially cut along its transverse centerline to facilitate removal of individual containers.

Typically, a carrier stock with band segments forming a container receiving hole for machining almost identical containers is formed from a single sheet made of elastomeric material, such as by die cutting. After the carrier assembly is made to be received in the aperture, the individual package can be formed by cutting the assembly laterally along a portion of the band segment.

Each package thus formed has a predetermined number of containers, for example 6, 8 or 12, in two or three longitudinal rows with individual carriers cut from the carrier assembly. Often, the container is a beverage can, such as a soft drink or beer can.

Apparatus used to apply the aggregate to the container and cut the aggregate to form such a package are described in US Pat. No. 3,204,386 to Creed et al., US Pat. No. 3,383,828 to Cunningham, US Pat. No. 3,816,968 to Morgan, US Pat. Known from US Pat. No. 3,991,640.

As is known from Creed et al. (See FIGS. 3 and 4) and schlueter patents (see FIGS. 2 and 5), the band segments that are laterally cut to form individual packages are attached to the knife assembly on the star wheel. Cut by an operatively mounted knife. The knives are arranged reciprocally in the transverse direction.

It is known to provide such collections with tear-open-capability. A recent example of such a carrier assembly provided with a rupture open tab is US Pat. No. 5,020,661 to Marco. An earlier example is known from Olsen, US Pat. No. 4,064,989.

As known from U.S. Patent No. 5,115,910 to Klygis et al., Such carrier aggregates have burst opening properties according to burst opening band segments rather than burst opening tabs. In particular, the cross segment of the carrier assembly has first and second slits and breakable bridges, so that the rupture spreads in one of the container receiving holes by spreading in the cross segments having slits and bridges. Other arrangements of slots provided within the carrier assembly to facilitate separation of the individual packages are illustrated in Cunningham, US Pat. No. 3,383,828, Smith's US Pat. No. 3,778,096, and Klygis, US Pat. No. 3,860,361.

Other arrangements of slots provided in the carrier assembly to facilitate removal of individual packages are illustrated in Poupitch's US Pat. No. 2,997,169, Poupitch's US Pat. No. 3,086,651 and Owen's US Pat. No. 3,504,790.

The present invention seeks to improve a package containing the same container and carrier as a beverage can.

The present invention provides a package comprising a plurality of nearly identical containers having cylindrical sidewalls and a carrier formed from a single sheet of elastomeric material. The package has a burst initiation slit to facilitate removal of the container as described below.

In the band segment, there are formed container receiving holes arranged in a rectangle including vertical and horizontal rows. The band segment also forms an additional hole, which is separated from the container receiving hole. A carrier having two opposite edges is applied such that the container is received in the container receiving hole and the band segment abuts the cylindrical sidewall of the container. The segment includes an outer segment extending generally in the longitudinal direction and a cross segment extending generally in the transverse direction. The cross segment includes a longitudinal cross segment forming both ends of the carrier and an intermediate cross segment separating the container receiving holes in each column along the opposite edges of the carrier. Each of the intermediate cross segments has a transverse centerline.

In the package, each intermediate cross segment has a tear initiation slot that extends at one of the carrier both edges at equal intervals along the transverse centerline of the intermediate cross segment. Suitably the burst initiation slit of each intermediate cross segment extends from about three quarters to about two quarters of the transverse centerline.

Each intermediate cross segment has a second slit spaced apart from the burst initiating slit and located between the transverse centerline and one of the container receiving holes.

Further, in the present invention, a package is formed from a carrier assembly formed from a container and a single sheet of elastomeric material in the following manner. Carrier assemblies having two opposing edges are cut laterally so that they can be formed as individual carriers. Wherein each carrier is similar to the carrier as described above and has similar band segments. Arrange the containers into rectangles containing columns and rows. The carrier assembly is applied such that the container is received in the container receiving hole and the band segment abuts on the cylindrical side of the container.

In this method, each end cross segment at one end of one carrier is completely cut along the transverse center line and each middle cross segment of the same carrier is partially cut along the transverse center line and each end at the other end of the carrier The cross segment is cut along the middle cross segment.

Suitably, the cross segment mentioned in the above paragraph is continuously cut. Suitably, each intermediate cross segment is cut such that the tear initiation slit of the intermediate cross segment extends over about two quarters of the transverse centerline of the intermediate cross segment.

The cutting process of the terminal cross segment and the cutting process of the intermediate cross segment can be performed well by moving the knife laterally to cut the carrier assembly from both edges toward further small holes.

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

1 is a perspective view of a package according to the present invention including six beverage cans and one carrier assembly.

2 is a partial plan view of a carrier assembly including a carrier used in the package shown in FIG.

3 is a partially enlarged plan view of a portion of a carrier contained within a carrier assembly.

4 shows a similar view of the same part after the carrier is used

5 is a partial plan view showing two rows of cans, the carrier assemblies to which the cans are applied, and some elements of the apparatus used to cut the cross segments of the carrier assemblies for the purposes of the present invention.

6 is an enlarged detailed view of FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

14 container receiving hole 16 border

20: carrier 32: outer segment

34: internal segment 38: cross segment

42: crotch 50: first slit

54: second slit 62, 64: bridge

74: transverse bridge 82: leg

100: star wheel 102: concave pocket

112: long knife 122: short knife

As shown in FIG. 1, the package P, which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes six substantially identical containers, each of which is housed in the container receiving hole 14 of the carrier 20 and the carrier 20. And (12). According to the present invention, some band segments of the carrier 20 are partially cut, so that a portion of the container 12 can be easily removed from the carrier 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 12 is a beverage can, usually used for beer, soft drinks and various types of beverages. Each container 12 also has a rim 16 at the end of the side face on which the pull tab 18 is provided. The vessel 12 has two columns shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of beverage cans of the type described above, but can be used in various types of cans, bottles, and other containers.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carrier 20 is formed from one of a series of carriers cut from the carrier assembly 10 formed to an incorrect length through operations such as die cutting in a single sheet of elastomeric material. . A good material for the carrier assembly 10 is low density polyethylene. A suitable thickness for the aggregate 10 in the absence of force is about 0.0356 cm (14 mils, 14/1000 inches) if low density polyethylene is used.

Each individual carrier 20 of the carrier assembly 10 is formed with an integrally joined band segment that forms six substantially rectangular container receiving holes 14 together with two additional small holes 22. As shown in Fig. 2, the container receiving holes 14 are rectangular in vertical and horizontal rows. That is, each carrier 20 has two columns and three rows. Each small hole 22 is disposed between four container receiving holes 14.

Suitably, as shown in FIG. 1, the carrier assembly 10 is applied to the sidewall of each container 12 away from the rim 16 of each container 12 between the upper and lower ends of the container 12. Thus, in order to force the carrier 20 in the band segment between adjacent vessels 12, the two adjacent vessels 12 are separated by pulling the lower end by hand using the upper end adjacent to the rim 16 as a lever. can do. Alternatively, two adjacent vessels 12 can be separated by pulling the upper end by hand to force the carrier 20 in the band segment between the adjacent vessels 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the band segment for each carrier 20 comprises an outer segment 30 at the handle edge of the carrier 20 and three outer segments 32 at the edge opposite the carrier handle, Three inner segments 34 between the segment 30 and the outer segment 32, two cross segments 36 at each end of the carrier 20, and two transverse directions between the cross segments 36. Each includes two cross segments 38 in the region.

The outer segments 30, 32 at each edge of the carrier 20, and the inner segments 34 therebetween, generally extend in the longitudinal direction when the carrier assembly 10 is unforced. Cross segments 36 at both ends of the carrier 20 and cross segments 38 positioned between them generally extend transversely when the carrier assembly is unforced. Each inner segment 34 extends generally in the horizontal direction when the carrier assembly 10 does not receive a heap, and facilitates folding of the inner segment 34 when the carrier assembly 10 is applied to the container 12. It has a slit 46.

For convenience, cross segments 36 at both ends of the carrier 20 are referred to as end cross segments, and cross segments 38 disposed therebetween are referred to as intermediate cross segments.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each intermediate cross segment 38 forms a Y-shaped junction with a crotch 42 that generally narrows toward the transverse centerline to form two outer segments and a cross segment ( The outer end of 38) is combined to be integral. The transverse centerline of each intermediate cross segment 38 divides the intermediate cross segment 38 into two half segments. The inner end of each intermediate cross segment 38 forms a Y-shaped junction in one of the small holes 22 to integrally join the two inner segments 34.

Near the outer end of the intermediate cross segment 38 has a first slit 50 extending along the transverse centerline of the cross segment 38, the breakable bridge 52 formed in the sheet material of the cross segment 38. It is spaced apart from the crochet 42.

One of the half segments of the intermediate cross segment 38 closer to the end of the carrier 20 includes a second slit 54 extending laterally. In the vicinity of the inner end of the work intermediate cross segment 38, it has a third slit 56 which is laterally aligned with the first slit 50. The third slit 56 disposed between the first slit 50 and the hole 22 serves to weaken the cross segment 38.

In each intermediate cross segment 38, the first slit 50 is spaced apart from the second slit 54 by a breakable bridge 62 formed of sheet material. Moreover, the second slits 54 are spaced apart from the holes 14 more closely by the sheet-formed breakable bridge 64.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, each terminal cross segment 36 has a transverse centerline having a series of slits 72 between the transverse bridges 74. Slit 72 and transverse bridge 74 allow each end cross segment 36 to be easily cut along its transverse centerline.

In each carrier 20, the carrier assembly 10 has an integral handle 80 having two opposing legs 82 and an intermediate leg 84. Legs 82 and 84 are respectively coupled successively with the outer segment of carrier 20. The intermediate leg 84 has a slit 86 to facilitate breaking of the intermediate leg 84. As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 80 is folded down when the carrier assembly 10 is applied to the container 12. The handle 80 therefore does not interfere with the cross portion of the carrier assembly to be cut, as described below.

Therefore, the carrier assembly 10 is in many cases very similar to the carrier assembly described in US Pat. No. 5,115,910 to Klygis et al. It will be appreciated that the present invention can be used with altered carrier aggregates described herein.

In Figures 5 and 6, two star wheels 100 are shown. Except for the portions described and described herein, the star wheel 100 is described in prior patents, including US Pat. No. 3,204,386 to Creed et al. And US Pat. No. 3,991,640 to Schlueter. The star wheel 100 is a part used in a machine (not shown) similar to the machine known in the patent.

Each star wheel 100 is mounted for rotation about a vertical side on one side of a row of containers 12 having a carrier assembly 10 used herein. Each star wheel is generally arranged at its circumference with a concave pocket 102 corresponding to the cylindrical sidewall of the container 12. The recessed pocket 102 is separated by the radial protrusion 104. When the vessel 12 contained in the carrier assembly 10 moves through the machine including the star wheel 100, the star wheel 100 is rotated, and the continuous vessel 12 is moved to the star wheel 100. It is received in the continuous pocket 102. The pocket 102 of the star wheel 100 allows the cross segments 36 and 38 of the carrier assembly 10 to pass when the container 12 contained in the carrier assembly 10 passes between the star wheels 100. Spaced adjacent to extend slightly in the longitudinal direction (ie along the carrier assembly 10).

Each star wheel 100 extends in a long radial direction with two sets of knife assemblies, namely, a pointed vertical outer edge 114.

A set of knife assemblies 120 each having a set of knife assemblies 110 each having an elongated knife 112 and a radially extending short knife 122 having sharp and vertical proximal edges 124. Each has Knife assemblies 110, 120 are positioned around star wheel 100 such that pairs of adjacent knife assemblies 120, including fairly short knives 122, work with a single knife assembly containing fairly long knives 112. do.

The rather long knife 112 is used to completely cut the end band segment 36, each of which is cut along the transverse centerline between one of both edges of the carrier assembly 10 and one of the small apertures 22. A fairly short knife 122 is used to partially cut the intermediate band segment 36, which is cut from one of both edges of the carrier assembly 10, from about three quarters one to about two quarters one of the transverse centerlines. .

Each star wheel 100 has a knife movement mechanism (not shown) associated with each knife assembly of the star wheel 100 for moving the knife of the knife assembly reciprocally radially inward and radially outward. The knife moving mechanism is similar to the knife moving mechanism described in US Pat. No. 3,204,386 to Creed et al.

The star wheel 100 is arranged such that the container 12 having the carrier assembly 10 applied thereto is advanced between the star wheels 100 and the star wheel 100 rotates, and around the star wheel 100. The continuous knife of is moved by the above-described mechanism so that the sharp edges join both edges of the carrier assembly 10 at the continuous crochet and each knife 42 at both edges of the carrier assembly 10. In the transverse direction into continuous cross segments.

Therefore, each end cross segment 36 is cut completely along the transverse centerline between one of the opposing edges of the carrier assembly 10 and one of the small apertures 22, so that packages P (each having six containers and carriers) The carrier 20 cut from the assembly 10). In addition, each intermediate cross segment 38 is partially cut from the crochet 42 of one of the opposite edges of the carrier assembly 10 to about two-quarters of the transverse center line. When each intermediate cross segment 38 is partially cut as described above, the breakable bridge 52 is completely cut, while other breakable bridges, including the breakable bridges 62 and 64, are not cut. Left. Therefore, the tear initiation slit S (see also first, fourth, sixth) including the first slit 50 is formed. The burst initiation slit S extends from about three quarters to about two branches one, suitably two branches one in the transverse centerline.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tear in the intermediate cross segment 38 extends from the burst initiating slit S to the second slit 54 via the breakable bridge 62 and from the second slit 54. It propagates through one of the possible bridges 64 into one of the container receiving holes 14. The rupture therefore extends entirely in the intermediate cross segment 38 and propagates to the container receiving hole 14.

Since the intermediate cross segment may be torn, it is easy to remove the end container 12 of the package P from the carrier 20. To remove this vessel 12, two adjacent vessels 12 are used by levering the upper end adjacent to the rim 16 so as to stress the middle cross segment 38 between the vessels 12. Operation and pull the lower part by hand.

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

In the present invention, a tear initiation slit and a second slit are provided in the cross segment for easy removal of the container from the package, so that the container can be completely separated from the carrier.

Claims (3)

10. A package comprising a plurality of identical containers having cylindrical sidewalls and carriers formed from a single sheet of elastomeric material, said carriers having band segments defining a container receiving aperture arranged in a rectangle comprising longitudinal and transverse rows, The carrier has two opposing edges, the container is received in the container receiving hole, the band segment engages the cylindrical sidewall of the container, and the segment has a longitudinal cross segment that forms both ends of the carrier and the container receiving hole in the column. A middle cross segment separating the cross along both edges of the carrier, Each intermediate cross segment has a transverse centerline and extends longitudinally along the centerline, the tear initiation slit extending from one of both edges of the carrier, and the intermediate cross spaced apart by a breakable bridge at the tear initiation slit. And a second slit positioned between the tear initiation slit of the segment and one of the container receiving apertures. The package of claim 1, wherein the tear initiation slit of each intermediate cross segment extends from about 1/3 to about 1/2 of the centerline of the intermediate cross segment. 3. A package according to claim 2, wherein the second slit in each intermediate cross segment extends transversely between one of the transverse centerlines and the container receiving aperture.