MXPA00008042A - Carrier and package including it - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a package (11, Fig.2) of a plurality of containers (13) unitized with a flexible carrier (10). The carrier (10) is constructed from a plastic planar sheet having a plurality of container receiving openings (20) arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A panel (35) extends from a longitudinal edge (25) of the planar sheet and is arranged to either remain flat and tight against the container (13) in the package (11) or, alternatively, follow an external contour of the container (13) in the package (11).

Description

CONTAINER CONVEYOR WITH PANEL FOR LABEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a conveyor for uniting containers and having a plurality of openings for receiving containers, configured to allow an integral panel to remain in a flat and adjusted position or a contoured and adjusted position relative to the containers. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Conventional container conveyors are often used to unify a plurality of containers of similar sizes, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes, although other packages or containers may be unified. Plastic ring conveyors and box conveyors are two of these conventional container conveyors. The plastic ring conveyor produces a unified package for containers, using little material. However, when used alone, it has little or no space to print advertising or promotional material. Conversely, the box conveyor in general has a relatively large surface area for promotional graphic material. Disadvantageously, the box conveyor requires a relatively large amount of material, allows bottles to fall if it is not kept upright and generally covers a large part of the containers it transports. Accordingly, there is a need for a package that incorporates the stability and economy of a ring conveyor, and the promotional surface of a box conveyor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a container conveyor which is applied to the edges of the containers and provides a panel for marketing information. A further object of the present invention is to provide a container conveyor that restrains the lateral and vertical movement of the containers, one with respect to the other. A further object of the present invention is to provide a container conveyor that incorporates the stability and economy of a ring conveyor and the promotional surface of a box conveyor. A further object of the present invention is to provide a panel that can support the weight of a package of containers if it is inadvertently used as a handle for the package. It is a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a container conveyor that holds a panel in a flat, tight configuration relative to the unified containers. It is a further object of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a panel on a container conveyor that does not protrude from a package of containers, and instead molds to the outer contour of the package. The present invention transports a plurality of containers, such as cans The conveyor comprises a flat sheet, preferably plastic, formed with a plurality of openings for receiving containers The openings for receiving containers are formed in longitudinal rows and transverse columns. preferred embodiment of the present invention, the containers are placed in each container receiving opening to form a package having a panel that is flat, adjusted and parallel to the containers, and prominent with respect to the package. package of containers that has a prominent display surface or "poster" for advertising, information, graphic designs and other type of marketing material. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the containers are placed in each receptacle receiving opening to form a package with a contoured panel i that follows the outer contour of the package. This configuration of the contour panel results in a package of containers having a prominent display surface without the contoured panel protruding or otherwise interfering with the adjacent packages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description., taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a top view of a conveyor for holding six containers in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a package of containers using a conveyor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a top view of the package shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a top view of a conveyor for holding eight containers in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a top view of a conveyor for holding six containers in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fissure 6 is a top view of a! conveyor for holding six containers in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a top view of a conveyor for holding six containers in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a top view of a conveyor for holding six containers in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a package of containers using a conveyor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a top view of the package shown in Figure 9. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figures 1 to 10 show the conveyor 10 for transporting a plurality of containers 13. The containers 13 shown in Figures 2 and 9 are preferably cans. Although cans are shown in Figures 2 and 9, according to the present invention bottles or any other container 13 which is commonly linked to the conveyor 10 can be used. The containers 13 are preferably of similar size within each conveyor 10.

The conveyor 10 unifies a plurality of containers 13 to create the package 11, such as the package 11 shown in Figures 2 and 9. The conveyor 10 comprises a flat sheet 15 preferably constructed from a flexible and resistant material as plastic. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flat sheet 15 is made of low density polyethylene. The flat sheet 15 preferably comprises two transverse edges 30 and two longitudinal edges 25. The flat sheet 15 of material is preferably cut, using devices known in the art, as dies, to form a plurality of container receiving openings 20 in the flat sheet 15. Except as otherwise described, the openings for receiving containers 20 are preferably formed in a generally triangular shape with rounded corners. Preferably, six or more openings are formed to receive containers 20 in the flat sheet 15 in longitudinal rows and transverse columns. Preferably, the receptacle receiving openings 20 are formed in two rows of three columns or two rows of four columns. The flat sheet 15 may include other configurations of recipient receiving openings 20, depending on the package size 11 desired. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5 to 10, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor 10 i comprises a sheet 15 having six container receiving openings 20. As shown in Figure 4, the conveyor 10 comprises a sheet 15 with eight or more container receiving openings 20. Figures 1 to 4 show the conveyor 10 and the package 1, where the panel 35 is formed to be aligned in a generally flat position with respect to the package 1. Such a configuration of the panel results in a large, visible and unobstructed poster surface on one side of the package 1. Figures 5 to 10 show the conveyor 10 and package 1 where the panel 35 is formed to follow the outer contours of the containers 13 within the package 1. Such panel configuration results in a large poster surface on one side of package 1 that does not protrude from package 1, thereby reducing the possibility of snagging or interfering with 1 adjacent packages. As shown in a preferred embodiment of the present invention in Figures 1 to 4, container receiving openings 20 preferably include receptacle receiving openings in the corners 22 and I container receiving openings in the center 23. Receiving openings in the container. containers 20 are preferably longer in a longitudinal direction than wide in a transverse direction. Receiving openings of containers in the corners 22 are located at an intersection between an outer row of the longitudinal rows and an external column of the transversal columns. Each conveyor 10 includes four receptacle receiving openings in the corners 22 located in each of the four corners of the flat sheet 15 with a generally rectangular shape. The receptacle receiving openings in the corners 22 preferably have a reduced longitudinal length with respect to the receiving openings of containers 20 not placed in the corners of the flat sheet 15. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. the Figure 1, the receptacle receiving openings in the corners 22 include a corner at one end of the flat sheet 15 having a greater radius than the remaining corners in the container receiving openings 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the receiving aperture of containers in the corner 22 can include an edge in generally straight on the transverse edge 30 of the flat sheet 15.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle receiving aperture in the corner 22 is asymmetric with respect to the apex 27 of the receptacle receiving opening in the corner 22. Preferably, the receptacle receiving openings in the corners 22 are shorter on the vertex side 27 closest to the outer end of the flat sheet 15. Therefore, a corner radius of each container receiving opening in the corner 22 in the four outer ends of the flat sheet 15 is larger than the radii of the remaining corners of container receiving openings 20. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container receiving aperture in the center 23 of the plurality of container receiving openings 20 is located between the container receiving apertures in the corners 22. The container receiving aperture in the center 23 is positioned in the center. the planar sheet 15 adjacent to approximately the center of the longitudinal edge 25. In part because the four receiving openings of containers in the As corners 22 of the plurality of recipient receiving openings 20 each have a shorter longitudinal length, the conveyor 10 preferably has a non-uniform spacing. The spacing is a dimension between a central point of the receiving openings of adjacent containers 20 in the longitudinal rows. The spacing is traditionally important because this dimension must be conserved for the conventional application equipment used to apply the conveyor 10 to the containers 13. A non-uniform spacing between receiving apertures of longitudinally adjacent containers 20 results in a non-uniform stretching of the conveyor 10 during its application to the containers 13. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the panel 35 is integrally formed with the sheet and extends from the longitudinal edge 25 of the sheet . The panel 35 preferably has a general longitudinal length of panel approximately equal to a general length of the longitudinal edge 25. The panel 35 preferably accommodates, on one or both sides, UPC and purchase vouchers, graphic designs and promotional and other information. type related to the content or ingredients of the package 11. The panel 35 is preferably and in general continuous and uninterrupted, without cuts or openings in all its defined surface. The panel 35 preferably extends outwardly from the longitudinal edge 25 of the sheet 15. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two end strips 40 connect the panel 35 to the longitudinal edge 25 of the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15. The end strips 40 are preferably narrow and placed at one end of the corner, to influence the degree to which the conveyor 10 adjusts relative to the containers 13. In addition, the central strip 45 connects the panel 35 to a center about the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15. The container receiving opening of the center 23 of the plurality of container receiving openings 20 is placed in the flat sheet 15, directly adjacent to the central strip 45. The flat sheet 15 immediately adjacent to the container receiving aperture in the center 23 includes a depression 50 extending toward the central strip 45. The end strips 40 and the center strip 45 are preferably formed with a size and shape sufficient to form a solid connection with the flat sheet 15. The end strips 40 and the central strip 45 additionally assist to keep the panel 35 in a flat position with respect to the package 11 to increase the visibility and surface promotional of the conveyor 10. A width of the central strip 45 is preferably optimized to maintain such a flat position. Preferably, the central strip 45 is wider than the end strips 40. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the panel 35 is preferably bevelled over the transverse edges of the panel 37. The panel 35 preferably extends longitudinally by a section approximately equal to a whole longitudinal section of the flat sheet 15. Preferably, the panel further extends in a transverse direction at a height approximately equal to a height of the container 13. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the container 13 is placed in each container receiving opening 20 i to form the package 11. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the panel 35 is preferably flat and parallel to the containers 13, and prominent with respect to the package 11. If the panel 35 is folded or rolled in a position perpendicular to the package 11, then the advertising or other material is not readable by the consumer. In addition, panel 35 protruding from package 11 will create difficulties in packing, handling and stacking packages 11 due to interference between panels 35 of adjacent packages 11, and between panel 35 and packer equipment. Several of the aforementioned chaeristics of the conveyor 10 facilitate a panel 35 that is prominent and flat with respect to the package 11. For example, generally flat edges formed by portions of receptacle receiving openings 20 adjacent the edge 25 cause the panel 35 to acquire a position. in general planar with respect to the containers 13 of the package 11. Furthermore, the non-uniform spacing between receiving apertures of longitudinally adjacent containers 20 also helps to maintain the panel 35 relatively flat relative to the package 11, due to uneven stretching of the conveyor 10 during its application to the containers 13. 'The attachment points on the end strips 40 and the center strip 45 also create a flat panel 35 relative to the package 11. A relatively flat dimension of the end strip 40 and the position of the end strip are important. 40 at each end of package 11 to reduce the curl and crease of panel 35, or which help to wrap the panel 35 slightly around the containers 13 at the ends of the package 11. The result of a tightly unified container block 13 is a flat panel 35 with respect to the package 11. The depression 50 in the adjacent flat sheet 15 the container receiving aperture in the center 23 also creates a tightly unified block of containers 13 in the package 11. The depression 50 also aids the conveyor 10 in retaining each container 13 under its respective cap. As shown in a preferred embodiment of the present invention in Figures 5 to 10, the conveyor 10 comprises a flat sheet 15 of a plastic material as discussed above. A plurality of receiving apertures of generally triangular containers 20 are preferably arranged in the flat sheet 15 in two longitudinal rows. A plurality of rhomboidal openings 65 are arranged in a longitudinal row on a centrality of the flat sheet 15 between the two longitudinal rows of the container receiving openings 20. As shown in Figures 5 to 10, the diamond-shaped openings 65 are preferably placed so that each rhomboid opening 65 is positioned centrally with respect to four container receiving openings 20. The contoured panel 70 extends from the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15. The contoured panel 70 preferably comprises a width of smaller panel than a longitudinal edge length 25 of the planar sheet 15. The contoured panel 70 additionally comprises a height preferably less than half a transverse width of the planar sheet 15. A plurality of panel strips 75 preferably extend from the longitudinal edge 25 for connecting the contoured panel 70 to the flat sheet 15. According to a preferred embodiment of the p In this invention, four panel strips 75 extend from the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15 to connect the contoured panel 70. Two panel strips 75 preferably extend from a central portion of the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15 and two panel strips 74 preferably extend from external portions of the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each panel strip 75 extending from an outer portion of the longitudinal edge 25 extends from a junction point on, or within, a transverse centerline of the recipient receiving openings. 20 outside. These points of union, which are shown in the Figures 9 and 10, cause the contoured panel 70 to closely match and follow the contours of the containers 13 of the package 11. The two remaining panel strips 75 are preferably extended from a flat sheet portion 15 immediately adjacent to a receiving aperture. of central container 20. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in Figure 5, an additional contoured panel 70 extends from a longitudinal edge 25 of flat sheet 15. As shown in Figure 5, each contoured panel 70 extends from a common longitudinal edge 25, and each is connected with respect to the flat sheet 15 with two panel strips 75. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 7 and 8, the contoured panel 70 further comprises a central cut 80. The central cut 80 helps the contoured panel to adhere to the contour of the pack 11 on an assembled conveyor 10. In the pack 11 of a plurality of containers 13, such as that shown in Figures 9 and 10 Each receiving container opening 20 of the plurality of container receiving openings 20 is joined to a container 13. The diamond-shaped openings 65 preferably form a space within the central regions of the container. s of package 11 to create a handle. The contoured panel 70 according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention extends from the longitudinal edge 25 of the flat sheet 15 and conforms to an external contour of the package 11. This attachment to the contour diminishes the potential for the protruding section of the conveyor 10 interferes with, or joins, adjacent packages 11 or other items. Various features allow the contoured panel 70 to follow the outer contour of the package 11. A height and length of the contoured panel 70 are reduced relative to the conveyor 10 which, in part, allows the contoured panel 70 to follow the outer contour of the package 11. In addition, multiple panel strips 75 connecting the flat sheet 15 at predetermined intervals on the longitudinal edge 25 help to keep the panel contoured against the outer contour of the package 11. Specifically, two panel strips 75 connecting the longitudinal edge 25 directly adjacent to a central column of container receiving openings 20 and a panel strip 75 connecting the longitudinal edge 25 directly adjacent to each receiving opening of end column containers 20. While the above specification, of the present invention was described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, and many details were specified for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the conveyor 10 is susceptible to additional embodiments, and that certain The details described herein may vary considerably without departing from the basic principles of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS i 1. A conveyor for transporting a plurality of containers, wherein the conveyor comprises: a flat sheet of a plastic material, wherein the sheet has a plurality of recipient receiving openings arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse columns; a panel extending from a longitudinal edge of the flat sheet where the panel is connected with end strips at two ends of the longitudinal edge of the flat sheet; a central strip connecting the flat sheet with the panel in the approximate center of the longitudinal edge; and four container receiving openings in the corners of the plurality of container receiving openings, wherein each opening has a shorter longitudinal length and generally straight edges on a transverse edge of the flat sheet. The conveyor of claim 8, wherein the panel is further connected to the flat sheet with a central strip at an approximate center of the longitudinal edge. The conveyor of claim 9, further comprising a central receiver receiving aperture of the plurality of container receiving apertures positioned in the flat sheet directly adjacent to the central strip, wherein the center receiving aperture has a depression extending toward the central strip. 4. The conveyor of claim 8, further comprising a non-uniform spacing between receiving apertures of longitudinally adjacent containers. The conveyor of claim 8, wherein the four container receiving openings in the corners have generally straight edges on a transverse edge of the flat sheet.