MXPA03008542A

MXPA03008542A - Container package with carrier and surrounding sleeve.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03008542A
Application number: MXPA03008542A
Authority: MX
Inventors: C Olsen Robert
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works
Priority date: 2002-09-20
Filing date: 2003-09-19
Publication date: 2005-04-19
Also published as: CN1490226A; EP1400461A1; BR0303288A; AU2003241649A1; NZ528053A; US20040055905A1; TW200405881A; KR20040025837A; JP2004115129A; AU2003241649B2; CA2441296A1

Abstract

A package for containers such as beverage bottles and cans includes a carrier with an array of loops, one loop provided for surrounding each container. A wide sleeve surrounds the group of containers held by the carrier. In a preferred arrangement, the carrier includes four rows of loops, with a handle extending upwardly between the middle two rows. The loops are disposed within the sleeve.

Description

PACK OF CONTAINERS WITH CARRIER AND CIRCUNDATING CASE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention deals with packages for groups of containers, and more particularly, plastic carriers that have series of eyelets to lock and hold individual containers, particularly large groups and containers . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Container carriers that are frequently used to form a unit of a plurality of containers, such as bottles or cans, in suitably marketable quantities. The materials commonly used are paperboard and plastic. Cardboard carriers generally comprise a box in which the containers are held. The box can be fully closed, or it can have a top opening, with individual compartments for each container. In a closed box, a handle is provided in the form of an opening or slot in the box. In an open top box, a handle may extend upward between the rows of container compartments. The disadvantages of cartonboard carriers include excess material and cost. In addition, once opened, a locked box no longer holds containers safely. A carrier with an open top can spill the contents in it, if reversed.

Plastic carriers have gained great acceptance for their operation, light weight, low cost and versatility in adapting to different sizes of containers and their different forms. The general design of the plastic carriers includes the formation of openings in a stretchable plastic. The openings have sizes and shapes that stretch around the periphery of the containers to be fastened, either bottles or cans. Automated machinery is available to attach stretchable plastic carriers to containers quickly and efficiently. For convenient transportation of a group of containers held by a carrier, various types of lugs are known. For example, it is known to provide holes for holding with the tip of the fingers in the package. They are also known as a handle on the conveyor, either along one side of the group of containers or on top of the containers. In said known design, the carrier is formed of two fabrics of plastic material juxtaposed one over the other. The handle portions and the container coupling portions are stamped from the fabrics juxtaposed simultaneously. The fabrics are fused or welded along selected portions such as through lamination. The resulting handle portion is therefore a double thickness of material, and the coupling parts of the container depend freely on the rest of the carrier, on each side thereof. The coupling portions of the container are a single fold of the material. Rapid and instant visual product recognition is a marketing spectrum for many beverage suppliers. Although individual containers lend themselves to customer identification, the visible area in any of the containers within the group held by a carrier is small, potentially limiting the impact of the printed area or "sign". In this regard, the carton carriers have an advantage, in that the side of the box, whether of the closed type or of the open type in the upper part, provides a unitary area of the sign. Stretchable casings have been used and provide unitary sign areas. However, once broken, the integrity of the envelope as carrier is lost, and all containers held therein can be released. In addition, the stretchable wrap carriers are not aesthetically pleasing for their purposes, and it is difficult to incorporate a handle with a stretchable wrap carrier. A growing trend in the beverage industry is to group large quantities of containers for sale. Although plastic carriers, as described above, have been used for the well known packs of twelve, known carriers for packs of twelve have commonly been used of the side handle variety. That is, with the containers secured in the carrier, and arranged in a vertical position, the handle of the carrier is provided along one side of the group of containers. In a transport position, the containers are placed horizontally at right angles to the vertical position. For some consumers, transporting beverage containers orizontaimente is not comfortable, due to the fear, with great reason, that the seal of the container is broken, spilling all the substantial amount of the drink. In addition, a large number of containers, whether bottles or cans, secured only by stretchable rings in a series of a plastic carrier, may have a feeling of instability, allowing individual containers to become misaligned or twist relative to other containers in the group. . What is needed in the art is a package of containers that includes a type of series of plastic carrier rings that has an important sign area, and are positioned for a handle on the top conveyor of a group of supported containers with good balance and fixedly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plastic carrier with a series of rings having a ring for each container, and a stretchable wrapper that surrounds and secures the group of containers, at the same time as it also provides a large sign with information of each side of the group of recipients. In a preferred configuration, the containers are supported in four rows, with an upper handle extending upwards in the middle of two rows. In one form thereof, the invention provides a package for a group of containers that includes individual containers that are to be held in rows and lines. The package has an integral plastic carrier that includes a holding portion of interconnected stretchable ring containers. A ring is provided for each container, so that each ring surrounds one of the different containers. A handle portion is connected to the container holding portion. The handle portion extends upward between rows of adjacent containers, to the upper portions of the containers. A wrap of the stretchable material surrounds the group of containers. In another form thereof, the invention provides a package of a group of individual containers arranged in at least four rows, with a plurality of containers in each row. A stretchable series of interconnected rings has a ring for each container. Each container is placed in a separate ring surrounding the container. A handle is substantially parallel to the rows and is connected to the series. The handle is positioned between adjacent rows of containers and extends up between the containers, with two of at least four rows of containers on each side of the handle. In yet another form thereof, the invention provides a carrier for a group of containers with a series of interconnected rings placed in rows and lines. The series includes four rows. One handle is connected to the series, placing two rows on each side of the handle. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings, in which similar numbers are used to designate similar characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package of containers according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a carrier of a package of containers shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carrier that is shown in Figure 2, showing the containers retained therein; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a package of containers according to the present invention.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this application for the details of construction and configurations of the components stipulated in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various forms. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be considered as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof in the present are intended to encompass the items listed hereinafter, and equivalents thereof, as well as additional equivalent articles thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and to Figure 1 in particular, a container package 10 according to the present invention is shown. The package 10 includes a carrier 12 and a wrapper 14. In the exemplary embodiment and shown in the drawings, the package 12 is provided for a well-known pack of twelve, and is shown for packing a plurality of individual containers 16 in a group 18 of containers 16. However, it is to be understood that the present invention can advantageously be used to pack more or fewer containers 16 than the twelve pack shown. In addition, although the package 12 is illustrated for packaging individual containers 16 in the form of bottles, the package 12 can be used to pack different containers 16 to the bottles. For example, package 10 can also be used to pack cans. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the carrier 12 is illustrated. The carrier 12 includes a handle portion 20, a container holding portion 22 and a frame-like suspension portion that connects the handle portion 20 to the container holding portion 22. The actual configuration of the carrier 12 varies depending on the size , the type and amount of the containers 16 that are to be fastened on the carrier 12. In a preferred design for the carrier 12 to hold the package of twelve is illustrated, the carrier 12 is a two-fold structure having a first sheet 26 and a second sheet 28. In figure 2, only a first sheet 26 can actually be seen, leaving the second sheet 28 placed directly behind. The first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28 are connected by one or more welds 30, 32, which are shown in the drawings. The manner in which said welds can be made is well known to those skilled in the art and can include the application or extrusion of material between the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28, causing the sheets to fuse together. As illustrated, the welds 30 and 32 are provided, respectively, close to an upper portion of the handle portion 20 and a lower portion of the suspension portion 24. A weld or welds may be provided between these as illustrated. The handle portion 20, the container holding portion 22 and the suspension portion 24 are formed as integral portions of each sheet 26 and 28. The welds 30 and 32, join the sheets 26 and 28 so that the portions 20, 22 and 24 of each form a single integral carrier 12. The suspension portion 24 is a double thickness layer that includes a plurality of struts 34, 36 and 38, including first and second end struts 34 and 36, respectively, and a plurality of intermediate struts 38 formed in each first sheet 26 and second sheet 28. The suspension portion 24 and in an assembled package 10, the upper portion of the handle portion 20 is located above the upper portions of the containers 16. so that the handle opening 40 is fully accessible for holding by part of a person carrying the package 10. The container holding portion 22 comprises a series 50 of individual rings 52 formed in row 54, 56, 58 and 60 parallel to the handle portion 20; and row 62, 64 and 66 perpendicular to the handle portion 20. In the embodiment of the carrier 12 that is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, two of the rows 54 and 56 are provided on one side of the portion of handle 20 and two of rows 58 and 60 are provided on the opposite side of handle portion 20. As those skilled in the art will understand, each row of rings 52 is a layer of a single fold of material, and the rows 54 and 56 which are formed in the sheets 26 and the rows 58 and 60 that are formed in the second sheet 28. Each ring 52 is configured to stretch and completely surround an individual container 16. The empty spaces 68 are provided in the sheets 26 and 28 to allow stretching and forming of the rings 52, as necessary, to surround the individual containers 16. The material for the sheets 26 and 28 is both flexible and resilient, which allows for significant stretching without breakage. The low density polyethylene is a suitable plastic with which the carrier 12 can be made. The envelope 14 is formed as an endless band surrounding the perimeter of the group 18 of containers 16 held by the carrier 12. The envelope 14 has an edge upper 80 and a lower edge 82, with an open top 84 and an open bottom 86. The containers 16 extend above the upper edge 80 and below the lower edge 82, through the open top 84 and the bottom open 86, respectively. The wrapping 14 has a wrapping height 88 between the upper edge 80 and the lower edge 82. Preferably, the height of the wrapping 88 extends a substantial part of the overall height of the containers 16. The wrapping 14 can be formed from a stretchable material strip formed in an endless band by joining the ends of a strip to a seam 90. At least one outer surface 92 of the envelope 14 is adapted to receive printing thereon, adhesion of labels, or to hold other visually communicative signs. The wrapper 14 thereby provides an enlarged sign area 94 for printing consumer information, logos or other product identification features to promote consumer recognition. In a preferred structure of the package 10, the series 50 is placed inside the wrapper 14. That is, the rings 52 are attached to the containers 16 in a position in the containers 16 between the level of the upper edge 80 and the lower edge 82. In a method contemplated for use of the package 10, the wrapper 14 is applied after the carrier 12 has been attached to the individual containers 16. The wrapper 14 is stretched to encircle the group 18 of containers 16 and is placed around to cover the carrier 12. The application of the carrier 12 to the individual containers 16 to form the group 18 and the positioning of the envelope 14 around the group 18 can be performed with automated equipment that is known to those skilled in the art. In addition to providing an enlarged sign area 94, the casing 14 stabilizes the group 18 by minimizing the extent to which the individual containers 16 can be twisted or misaligned relative to another container 16 within the group 18. The cooperative association of the carrier 12 and the Wrap 14 provides a stable firm feel for the package, which increases the comfort and confidence of consumers when transporting the package. The configuration of containers 16 in group 18 having four rows 54, 56, 58 and 60, with three containers 16 in each row, also provides a group with good balance and stable 18. By providing handle 20 to half the group 18 with two rows 54 and 56 on one side of the handle 20 and two rows 58 and 60 on the other side of the handle 20 also helps to balance the group 16 for easy transportation. The combination of a carrier 12 and shell 14 can be used in other configurations than that of the group 18 of four rows and three lines which is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4, a second Embodiment of the invention provides a package 120 which includes a carrier 122 and a wrapper 124. The carrier 122 is provided with rings 126 which are arranged in two rows 128 and 130 parallel to a handle 132 of the carrier 122.

In the package 120, the wrapper 124 surrounds the perimeter of the container 16 supported by the carrier 122 in the grout 18. The wrapper 124 thereby provides stability to the package 120, while additionally providing an increased area of signs for advertise and market the benefits. The present invention provides improved stability of large packages such as packs of twelve, providing a surrounding band to stabilize the containers that are held in the carrier. The band provides space to advertise and give product recognition information. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features that are mentioned or that are evident from the text and or the drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative spectra of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best known modes for practicing the invention and will allow other persons skilled in the art to use the invention. The claims should be construed as including alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the art

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A package for a group of containers that includes individual containers to be held in rows and lines, package comprising; an integral plastic carrier including a holding portion of interconnected stretchable ring containers, a ring of the aforementioned for each said container, each ring surrounding a different container, and a handle portion connected to the container holding portion, the handle portion extending upwards between the adjacent rows of containers above the upper parts of the containers; and a wrap of stretchable material surrounding the group of containers. The package of claim 1, wherein the container holding portion has two rows of rings on each side of the handle portion. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has an upper edge and a lower edge and a wrapping height between the upper edge and the lower edge, and the height of the envelope substantially covers the containers. The package of claim 3, wherein the container holding portion has two rows of rings on each side of the handle portion. 5. The package of claim 4, wherein the container holding portion is positioned within the wrapper. 6. The package of claim 1, wherein the container holding portion is positioned within the envelope. 7. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has an upper edge and a lower edge and an envelope height between the upper edge and the lower edge, the height of the envelope is a substantial portion of a container height and the wrapping provides a surface for signs with information about it. 8. The package of claim 7 wherein the container holding portion is positioned within the envelope. The package of claim 1, wherein the envelope has an exterior sign surface adapted to visually convey communicative information therein. 10. The package of containers, comprising; a group of individual containers placed in at least four rows with a plurality of containers in each row; a stretchable series of interconnected rings, a ring for each container, each container placed in a separate ring surrounding the container; and a handle substantially parallel to the rows and integrally connected to the series, the handle is positioned between adjacent rows of containers and extends upwardly between the containers, having at least four rows of containers on each side of the handle. 11. The container package of claim 10, each row includes three containers. 12. The package of containers of claim 10, including a stretch wrap surrounding the group of containers. The package of containers of claim 12, wherein the series is placed within the envelope. 1 . The container pack of claim 13, wherein each row includes three containers. 15. A carrier for a group of containers, comprising; A series of interconnected rings placed in rows and lines. Series that includes four rows; and a handle connected to the series, with two rows placed on each side of the handle. 16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein each row includes three rings. 17. The carrier of claim 15, wherein the handle is connected to the series through a suspension portion, wherein the series, the suspension portion and the handle are formed integrally. 18. The carrier of claim 16, wherein the series and handle are of stretchable plastic. 19. The carrier of claim 18, wherein each row includes three rings. The carrier of claim 19, wherein the handle is connected to the series by a suspension portion; The series, the suspension portion and the handle are formed integrally.