NL2024709B1

NL2024709B1 - Beverage can carrier, blank, set, assembly, method, and use

Info

Publication number: NL2024709B1
Application number: NL2024709A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Rutgers Bernd
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa Zedek B V
Priority date: 2020-01-20
Filing date: 2020-01-20
Publication date: 2021-09-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage can carrier. The carrier comprises a top having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The carrier comprises also a ﬁrst side panel extending down from the top at the ﬁrst side of the top, and a second side panel extending down from the top at the second side of the top. Further, the carrier comprises a first retention panel extending from a ﬁrst lower end of the ﬁrst side panel to the top under a ﬁrst angle With the ﬁrst side panel, the ﬁrst retention panel being connected to the top. The carrier also comprises a second retention panel extending from a second lower end of the second side panel to the top under a second angle With the second side panel, the second retention panel being connected to the top. The first retention panel is provided With a ﬁrst cut-out With a ﬁrst cut-line defining a first retention edge for engaging an underside of a rim of a beverage can. The second retention panel is provided With a second cut-out With a second cut-line deﬁning a second retention edge for engaging the underside of the rim of the beverage can.

Description

P124490NL00 Title: Beverage can carrier, blank, set, assembly, method, and use The invention relates to beverage can carriers, in particular can carriers for carrying multiple beverage cans.

Different can carriers are known, and they are often used to form multipacks, such as for example six-packs of beverage cans or so-called drink cans.

A first known type of beverage can carriers is formed by plastic six pack rings, which comprise six interconnected flexible plastic rings. A first disadvantage of such plastic six-packs rings may lie in their environmental impact, for instance as animals may become entrapped in the plastic rings when they are not properly disposed. Another disadvantage may for instance lie in that such plastic six-pack rings do not provide much space for printing, such as for marketing or promotional purposes.

Also relatively hard, injection molded plastic multipack can carriers are known, for example to form four packs, which for instance are marketed by the company PakTech. A disadvantage may lie in that such carriers comprise relatively large amounts of plastic material, and do still not provide relatively large surfaces for branding or the like.

Further it is known to pack multiple beverage cans together by means of plastic shrink-filled overwraps. Although such shrink wrapped packs of cans can provide relatively much space for printing, a disadvantage may lie in that they are made of plastic, which may have a relatively large environmental impact and/or a relatively bad image. Another disadvantage may lie in that one needs special tools to provide a shrink-wrap packaging.

Also cardboard beverage can carriers or so-called multipack cartons are known.

For example, paperboard basket type can carriers are known.

Although such carriers are often used for beer bottles or other bottles, these carriers are also used for cans, and may for example allow a craft beer shop or other re-seller of beer cans or other cans to assemble a custom-made gift pack. Although such basket type carriers can thus facilitate that one can easily adjust the contents held by the carriers, this may for instance form a disadvantage as malicious people may easily swap a relatively cheap can for amore expensive one unnoticed. Moreover, the basket type carriers usually block most of the printing on the can, which may impede that a potential buyer can look at the can.

Another example of a multipack carton is formed by boxes provided with a viewing window, which are often used to form gift packs comprising different beers. These boxes may make it more difficult for one to make unallowable changes to the contents of the cartons, but may also make it more difficult, more time consuming, and more expensive to assemble such a multipack. Further, such boxes may include relatively much cardboard material, which may not be beneficial to the costs and neither to their environmental impact.

Another type of known can carriers is formed by paperboard overwraps. Although they may provide for relatively much surface space for branding or other printing, they may also use relatively much cardboard material. Besides, the paperboard overwraps may be relatively difficult to manufacture and/or to assemble around a multiplicity of cans.

Further, paperboard top-gripping beverage can carriers are known. Many different designs of paperboard top-gripping beverage can carriers are known. However, such carriers often have the disadvantage that tolerances between the can and retention means of the carrier are very narrow in order to counteract that cans slip out of the carrier. Additionally or alternatively, it can be a disadvantage that moisture, such as condensation, for instance due to storing the beverage cans carried by such carrier in a refrigerator, can weaken the paperboard material, which may cause that beverage cans may slip out of the carrier. Therefore, the paperboard of top-gripping beverage can carriers usually comprises coatings or liners for forming moisture barriers. However, such a coating or liner, which can be made of a plastic such as for example polyethylene, can not only increase the price of the carrier, but can also make it difficult or even impossible to completely recycle the paperboard material.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative beverage can carrier. In particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide a beverage can carrier, wherein at least one of the disadvantages of a prior art beverage can carrier is counteracted. More in particular, the invention may aim to provide a beverage can carrier, wherein at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above is counteracted. In embodiments, the invention aims at providing an alternative top-gripping beverage can carrier, especially an alternative top-gripping beverage can carrier which may facilitate that cans can be retained therein relatively well and/or which can facilitate that said carrier can be recycled relatively well and/or which allows one to assemble a multipack without special packaging machines.

Thereto, the invention provides for a beverage can carrier, which comprises; a top; a first side panel extending down from the top at a first side of the top; a second side panel extending down from the top at a second side of the top opposite to the first side of the top; a first retention panel extending from a first lower end of the first side panel to the top under a first angle with the first side panel, the first retention panel being connected to the top; and a second retention panel extending from a second lower end of the second side panel to the top under a second angle with the second side panel, the second retention panel being connected to the top, wherein the first retention panel is provided with a first cut-out with a first cut-line defining a first retention edge for engaging an underside of a rim of a first beverage can or so-called drink can, and wherein the second retention panel is provided with a second cut-out with a second cut-line defining a second retention edge for engaging the underside of the rim of the first beverage can.

By providing the respective retention panel under an angle with the respective side panel to which it is connected, said respective retention panel and said respective side panel together with the top substantially form a triangular prism, as a result of which the carrier can be relatively rigid, in particular when being made of corrugated fiberboard material, as a result of which a beverage can can be held in said carrier relatively well.

By making the carrier of corrugated fiberboard material, the carrier can be relatively rigid, and can still be flexible and resilient to a certain degree.

This may facilitate that once the carrier has been fabricated, the beverage can can easily be installed into the carrier.

Thereto, a portion of the rim of the can may be placed in the first one of the two cut-outs and subsequently, a second portion of said rim located substantially at an opposite lateral side of the can may be snapped into the second cut-out, as the second retention panel provided with said second cut-out may flex away temporarily and subsequently substantially spring back.

It is noted that for example the respective retention panel may bend, especially by bulging in a direction into the triangular prism defined partly by said retention panel.

Additionally or alternatively, the top of the carrier may bend, especially such that the top of the carrier temporarily becomes hollow at its top side and bulges at its bottom side, and the top may subsequently substantially spring back once the second portion of the rim snaps into the second cut-out.

As the respective retention panel slopes, said retention panel can guide the respective portion of the rim towards the cut-out provided in said retention panel.

Instead of first sliding the first portion of the rim into the first cut-out and then guiding the second portion of the rim towards the second cut-out, each of the two portions of the rim may be brought in contact with a respective one of the retention panels, and then both portions may be guided substantially simultaneously towards the two cut-outs, such that the rim may be snapped into both cut-outs substantially simultaneously.

For example, before installing the can, the pre-formed carrier may be placed upside-down and the can, also held upside-down, may then be pushed into the carrier such as to snap it into the two cut-outs.

It will be appreciated that the carrier may thus allow a microbrewery, a re-seller or another user of the carrier, to assemble a gift 5 pack or other multi-pack in a relatively simple manner, for example without needing any special packaging machines.

Further, it has been found that such a top-gripping carrier of corrugated fiberboard material, even in embodiments in which said carrier is free of any plastic coating and free of any other plastic layer, can facilitate that cans can be retained therein relatively well, even if a multipack, which is formed by said carrier and beverage cans held therein, is exposed to moisture. Besides, by making said carrier free of any plastic coating or other plastic layer, the carrier may be suitable to be recycled relatively effectively and/or relatively efficiently.

Moreover, the top of the carrier, in particular at least a top panel of said top, may cover the top sides of all cans held in the carrier. This may be advantageous, for example as the carrier can then thus counteract dust or other dirt from accumulating on the lid or so-called end of a can.

Furthermore, the top-gripping beverage can carrier can keep large portions of the cans uncovered, such that a potential buyer can easily look at labels or printing on the side of the can, for instance to get more information about the beverage in the can. Also the bottom of the cans, which for instance may be provided with a best before date and/or a canning date, may be visible, for instance to a potential buyer, an inventory manager, a re-seller or someone else. Although information on the cans may be visible relatively well, the side panels and/or the top side of the top of the current carrier may, for instance contrary to plastic six pack rings and injection molded plastic multipack can carriers, still provide relatively much space for providing printing, for example providing additional information, for instance about a brewery, the contents of the multipack, etc.

The invention also relates to a blank for forming a carrier.

Further, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a beverage can carrier.

The invention also relates to a set comprising multiple pre-formed beverage can carriers.

Further, the invention relates to an assembly of a beverage can carrier and at least one beverage can.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of assembling an assembly of a carrier and at least one beverage can.

Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of two embodiments of a multipack formed as an assembly, comprising beverage cans and a beverage can carrier, according to an aspect of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a beverage can carrier according to an aspect of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a beverage can carrier according to an aspect of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic partly cut-away side view of a detail of one of the assemblies of Fig. 1; Figs. 5-7 show schematic partly cut-away cross-sectional views of the carrier of the assembly of Fig. 4 and one of the beverage cans during three subsequent stages of insertion into said carrier; and Fig. 8 shows a schematic partly cut-away cross-sectional view of the carrier of the assembly of Fig. 4 wherein the beverage can is being inserted in an alternative manner.

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows two embodiments of a beverage can carrier 1 according to an aspect of the invention, which is arranged for holding at least one beverage can 9. The beverage can carrier 1 can thus be used to carry at least one beverage can 9, and the carrier 1 and one or more cans 9 may together form an assembly 10 which may be a so-called multipack 10’. In the here shown embodiments, the assembly comprises three cans 9 and four cans 9, respectively. However, in alternative embodiments, the assembly 10 may comprise a single can 9, or more than four cans, such as for example five cans 9 or six cans 9.

Advantageously, the beverage can carrier 1 can hold a multiplicity of beverage cans 9a-9d in a single row, as can be seen in the embodiments shown in Figure 1. As a result, all beverage cans 9a-9d held by the carrier 1 can be held in a single line, and can together be presented, for instance to a potential buyer.

Also in Figure 2 an embodiment of the beverage can carrier 1 is shown in which the carrier 1 provides space for holding three cans 9. Here, the carrier 1 is placed upside-down to better show some details of said beverage can carrier 1.

The carrier 1 is preferably a cardboard carrier. In particular, the carrier 1 may be made of corrugated fiberboard material. Preferably, the cardboard material, in particular corrugated fiberboard material, can be free of a plastic coating and free of any other plastic layer.

Additional, or alternatively, the carrier 1 may be made out of sheet material, preferably cardboard sheet material, more preferably corrugated fiberboard sheet material. As is for example the case in the here shown embodiments, the carrier 1 may be formed out of a single blank of sheet 100 material, an embodiment of which is shown in Figure 3.

The carrier 1, which can be of the top-gripping type, comprises a top 2, which may be considered to be an upper part 2 of the carrier 1. During normal use of the assembly 10, the top 2 of the carrier 1 may form the upper end 10” of the assembly 10b, and said top 2 of the carrier 1 or at least its upper surface 2” may extend substantially horizontally and/or may be substantially flat, for instance to allow other products or assemblies, for instance a corresponding, second assembly 10a to be put onto the upper end 10” of said first assembly 10b.

Preferably, during use, the top 2 covers the top end 99 or so-called lid 99 of each of the one or more cans 9. As is the case in the here shown embodiments, the top 2 may preferably be substantially free of openings, and may provide a substantially continuous top surface 2”, for example to facilitate providing prints on the upper side top of the carrier 1. However, in alternative embodiments, the top 2 may be provided with one or more openings, for example to provide one or more finger grips for handling the carrier 1 and/or the assembly 10.

The top has a first side 21 and a second side 22, which is opposite to the first side 21. The top also has a first side panel 31 extending down from the top 2 at the first side 21 of the top 2, and a second side panel 32 extending down from the top at the second side 22 of the top 2. It is noted that, in embodiments, the top 2 may preferably comprise a top panel 20, and that more preferably said top panel 20 can extend from the first side panel 31 up to the second side panel 32.

Further, the carrier comprises a first retention panel 41 which extends from a first lower end 31’ of the first side panel 31 to the top 2, and which is connected to the top 2. Said first retention panel 41 is placed under a first angle al with the first side panel 31, such that the top 2, the first side panel 31 and the first retention panel 41 substantially form a triangle when seen 1n a direction transverse to a plane which is transverse to the top 2, to the first side panel 31 and to the first retention panel 41. As a result of such triangular shape, the carrier may be relatively rigid, and it may be counteracted that the first retention panel 41, which is provided with a first cut-out 61 for grasping the can 9, may easily be moved with respect to the top 2, such that it can be counteracted that a can 9 carried by the carrier 1 may slip out of the carrier 1. The top 2 also comprises a second retention panel 42 extending from a second lower end 32’ of the second side panel 32 to the top 2 under a second angle a2 with the second side panel 32. Said second retention panel 42 1s also connected to the top 2. For example, the respective retention panel 41, 42 can be adhered, preferably glued to the top 2, in particular by means of an attachment panel 51, 52 or attachment flap, which may be hingedly attached to the respective retention panel 41, 42. With regards to Figure 4, it is noted that the width W1 of the carrier 1 may preferably not substantially exceed the width W9 of the can 9. This may facilitate that the footprint of a number of cans held by a number of carriers may be substantially the same as an array of the same number of cans, for example four rows of six cans, not held by carriers, and that the cans held by carriers may be stored in the same container, e.g. the same box or same outer carton as loose cans.

As a typical beverage can has a diameter of about 66 mm, in embodiments, the width W1 of the carrier 1 may for example be about 66 mm and/or for example not more than 70 mm, preferably at most 68 mm.

However, other dimensions can be possible as well.

For example, for so-called sleek cans, which have a diameter of about 58 mm, a carrier 1 may be provided which has a width W1 which may for example be about 58 mm and/or for example not more than 62 mm, preferably at most 60 mm.

The first and second cut-outs 61, 62 are provided with a first cut-line 71 and a second cut-line 72, respectively.

Said cut-line 71, 72 defines a respective one of two opposite retention edges 71°, 72’, each of which are for engaging an underside 91 of a rim 90 of a first beverage can 9, 9a. Said rim 90 can be formed by the lid 99 or so-called end 99 of the can 9, and can be supported on the retention edges 71°, 72’.

As mentioned above, at least in embodiments, the carrier 1 may be formed out of corrugated fiberboard material or other sheet material. For example in such embodiments, the first side panel 31 may be connected to the top panel 20 by means of a first fold line 81 located at the first side 21 of the top 2. The second side panel 32 can then be connected to the top panel 20 by means of a second fold line 82, which can be parallel to the first fold line 81, and which is located at the second side 22 of the top 2.

Additionally or alternatively, the first retention panel 42 can be connected to the first side panel 31 by means of a third fold line 83, and the second retention panel 42 can be connected to the second side panel 32 by means of a fourth fold line 84.

Preferably, the carrier 1 may comprise a first attachment panel 51 which is connected to the first retention panel 41 by means of a fifth fold line 85 and/or a second attachment panel 52 connected to the second retention panel 42 by means of a sixth fold line 86. Said first attachment panel 51 and/or said second attachment panel 52 can then be attached to the top panel 20, preferably adhered, more preferably glued, for example by means of hot melt.

In particular, the respective attachment panel 52 can be attached, in particular adhered, more particular glued, to a bottom side 20’ or a bottom surface 20° of the top panel 20. As a result, the upper surface 2” of the top 2, and thus the upper surface 1” of the carrier 1, may be formed as a substantially continuous surface, which for example may facilitate providing a continuous print on the top surface of the carrier, and the upper surface may for instance thus not be formed by two, or more, connecting panels.

In embodiments, the first attachment panel 51 extends from a first upper end 41 of the first retention panel 41 in a first direction D51 towards a second upper end 42’ of the second retention panel 42, and wherein the second attachment panel 52 extends from the second upper end of the second retention panel 42 in a second direction towards the first upper end of the first retention panel 41. Preferably, said attachment panels 51, 52 may lie in line with each other, for example as they may be attached, preferably adhered, to the same surface, such as the bottom surface 20° of the top panel 20.

Additionally or alternatively, the attachment panels 51, 52 may abut each other, which for example may facilitate positioning of one or both of said attachment panels 51, 52 during the manufacturing of the carrier 1. In particular, the first attachment panel 51 may define a first edge 51 and may extend from the fifth fold line 85 up to said first edge 51’, wherein the second attachment panel 52 defines a second edge 52’ and extends from the sixth fold line 86 up to said second edge 52’, and wherein said first edge 51’ substantially abuts said second edge 52’. In this context, substantially abutting may for example be understood as not leaving a gap between said first edge 51’ and said second edge 52’ which is wider than 2 mm, especially not wider than 1 mm. Not having such gaps may for 1nstance also counteract that dust or other dirt may find its way to the upper surface of thecan 9.

The first retention panel 41 and the second retention panel 42 together with the top 2 of the carrier 1 can define a room 11 in which a top part 92 of the first beverage can 9, 9a, or at least a substantial portion of said top part 92, can be housed. Said room 11 may preferably taper towards the top 2 of the carrier 1.

Preferably, each of the first retention panel 41 and the second retention panel 42 may be under an angle with the top 2, and the side panels 31, 32 may then extend substantially transverse to the top 2 and/or substantially vertically. Such arrangement may for example facilitate that on the one hand the top 2 and/or the top panel 20 can have a width W2 corresponding with the width W1 of the carrier 1, which preferably may not substantially exceed the width W9 of the can 9, whereas said width W2 of the top 2 or the top panel 20 can still be relatively wide, such that the respective angle al, a2 between the respective side panel 31, 32 and the respective retention panel 41, 42 can be relatively large, even when the side panels are relatively high.

For example, in particular for standard beverage cans having a diameter W9 of about 66 mm, the height of each side panel 31, 32 can be between 1.5 cm and 2.2 cm, preferably between 1.7 cm and 2.0 cm, such as about 1.8 cm.

Such relatively large angle al, a2 may for example facilitate to provide relatively much rigidity to the structure of the carrier 1. However, other dimensions are possible.

For example, when the carrier 1 is to be used for holding so-called sleek cans, the height of the respective side panel 31, 32 can be between 1.2 cm and 1.8 cm, preferably between 1.3 cm and 1.7 cm, such as between 1.4 cm and 1.6 cm.

Such relatively large angle al, a2 may for example facilitate to provide relatively much rigidity to the structure of the carrier 1. As can be seen relatively well in Figure 7, each of the first cut-out 61 and the second cut-out 62 provided in the respective retention panel 41, 42 can extend up-to the top 2 of the carrier 1. In particular, as for example can be understood from Figure 3 as well, each of the first attachment panel 51 and the second attachment panel 52, which may be attached to the bottom side 20’ of the top panel 20, can comprise at least a portion 57 which has been cut-out of the respective retention panel 41, 42. As can be seen in Figure 7, in such embodiments, each of the first cut-out 61 and the second cut-out 62 may then extend up-to the respective attachment panel 51, 52, which may form part of the top 2 of the carrier 1. Said portion 57 of the attachment panel 51, 52 may facilitate that the rim 90 and/or the lid 99 may over substantially its complete circumference be in contact with the top 2 of the carrier, for example in order to try to keep the upper surface of the can 9 free of dust or other dirt.

Additionally or alternatively, it may facilitate that at the location of the respective retention opening 61°, 62’ forming cut-out 61, 62, the rim 90 can be clamped between the respective retention edge 71’, 72’ and the top 2, in particular said respective portion 57 of the respective attachment panel 51, 52 forming part of said top 2 of the beverage can carrier 1.

The height H6 of the retention opening 61°, 62’ formed by the cut-out 61, 62 in the respective retention panel 41, 42 may correspond with the height H90 of the rim 90 of the can 9. As the rim 90 of the can may for example be between about 2 mm and about 3 mm, the height H6 of the retention opening 61’, 62’ may preferably be at most about 5 mm, preferably between about 2 mm and about 5 mm.

As mentioned above, the carrier 1 may be formed from a blank 100 of sheet material, preferably cardboard material, more preferably corrugated fiberboard sheet material, in particular being free of plastic layers. An embodiment of such blank is shown in Figure 3. Here, the blank 100 is for forming a carrier 1 for carrying five cans, but it will be appreciated that other numbers of cans are possible in alternative embodiments. Preferably, the corrugated fiberboard may be E grade corrugated fiberboard material. However, in alternative embodiments, other types of corrugated fiberboard material are possible as well, such as for example F grade corrugated fiberboard material.

Asis the case in the here shown embodiment, the first side panel 31 and the second side panel 32 may be hingedly connected to two opposite sides 21, 22 of the top panel 20 by means of two fold lines 81, 82. The first retention panel 41 can then be hingedly connected to the first side panel 51 by means of the third fold line 83, whereas the second retention panel 42 can be hingedly connected to the second side panel 32 by means of the fourth fold line 84. Additionally, the first attachment panel 51 can be hingedly connected to the first retention panel 41 by means of the fifth fold

Line 85, and the second attachment panel 52 can then be hingedly connected to the second retention panel 42 by means of the sixth fold line 86. It is noted that the fold lines 81-86 can preferably all extend substantially parallel to each other.

For example, one or more of the fold lines, in particular the first, second, third and fourth fold lines 81-84, can be formed as so-called crease cut fold lines.

In embodiments, the fifth and sixth fold lines 85-86 can be formed as so-called reverse crease fold lines, wherein the crease is formed at a surface of the sheet material opposite to the side of the sheet material in which the creases for the first four fold lines 81-84 are provided. Additionally or alternatively, the fifth and sixth fold lines 85-86 can be formed as interrupted fold lines, which are interrupted by one or more cut-lines 71, 72 for forming the cut-outs 61, 62, as for example can be seen in Figure 3. Regarding the cut-lines 71, 72 for forming the cut-outs 61, 62, it is noted that each of said cut-lines 71, 72 can comprise multiple sections 73-75, in particular at least a central section 73 and two end sections 75. The central section 73 may be curved or arcuate, and may have a radius which substantially corresponds to the radius of the rim 90 of the can 9, preferably being slightly smaller than said radius of said rim 90. For example, in case the radius of the rim is about 27 mm, the radius of the central section 73 of the cut-line 71, 72 may be about 26 mm, or if the radius of the rim is about 28 mm, the radius of the central section 73 of the cut-line 71, 72 may for example be about 27 mm. However, other dimensions are possible. For example, in case of a so-called sleek can, which may have a rim having a radius of about 26 mm, the radius of the central section 73 of the cut-line 71, 72 may be about 25 mm. At both sides of the central section 73 of the respective cut-line, a respective end section 75 may be provided. Said end section 75 is arranged such that the opening 61’, 62’ formed by the cut-outs 61, 62 is locally wider. This can allow the edge of the cut-out to extend from the central section 73, which forms the retention edge 71’, 72’, and which engages under the rim 90 of the can, along a lateral side of the rim 90 towards the top 2 of the carrier

1. Said local widening may thus counteract that the carrier 1 may squeeze the can 9 out of the carrier 1.

In the here shown embodiment, the end sections 75 are also formed as curved sections, in particular arcuate sections, which may have a radius which is larger, preferably at least about 1.5 mm, more preferably about 2 mm larger, than the radius of the central section 73. However, the end sections 75 may have a different shape.

Between the central section 73 and the respective end section 75, a respective intermediate section 74 may be provided to interconnect said central section 73 with said end section 75. The transition between the central section 73 and the intermediate section 74 and/or the transition between the end section 75 and the intermediate section 74 may be rounded off, e.g. having a radius of between 3 mm and 8 mm, such as for example a radius of about 5 mm or about 6 mm.

A big advantage of the present beverage can carrier 1 can lie in that the carrier 1 can be completely pre-formed, and can for instance thus be completely adhered together by a manufacturer, before distributing the still empty pre-formed or pre-assembled carriers to a buyer who is to provide the carriers 1 with cans 9. Although a set comprising a certain multiplicity of finished or so-called pre-formed carriers 1, which are not yet provided with beverage cans 9, but which nevertheless are already finished, e.g. completely adhered together and ready for use, may take up more storage space than a set having the same number of plane blanks, said buyer does then not need to manufacture or assemble the carrier 1 himself, but only needs to install one or more cans 9 into the carrier 1. This can be done relatively easily, without any special machinery, and may for example be done by hand and/or by relatively unskilled persons. It will be appreciated that the set may for example comprise a box or other container holding a multiple number of the pre-formed carriers 1, still free of cans. Although the carriers 1 can preferably be distributed as finished, pre-formed carriers 1, it is also possible that blanks 100 for forming the carriers 1 may be distributed, and that a buyer of the blanks 100, such as for example a brewer or other user, has to assemble the carriers 1 himself. For example in such cases, the blank 100 may be provided with a pre- applied an adhesive, in particular double-sided adhesive tape, which for example may be provided at the bottom side 20’ of the top panel 20 and/or on one or more of the attachment panels 51, 52, and which preferably may be pre-applied by the manufacture of the blanks 100.

Figures 5-7 show steps of filling the pre-formed carrier 1 with one or more beer cans or other beverage cans in order to assemble an assembly 10 comprising the beverage can carrier 1 and at least one beverage can 9 held by said carrier 1. As can be seen in Figures 5-7, a first portion 90° of the rim 90 of the can 9 may be placed in the first cut-out 61 and subsequently, a second portion 90” of said rim 90 located substantially at an opposite lateral side of the can 9 may be pushed towards the second cut-out 62, while being guided over the lower surface 42” of the second retention panel 42, and may subsequently be snapped into the second cut-out 62. As can be seen in Figure 6, the second retention panel 42 provided with said second cut-out 62 may flex away temporarily, and may subsequently substantially spring back as may be understood by comparing figures 6 and 7. It is noted that for example the respective retention panel may bend, especially by bulging in a direction D42 into the triangular prism defined partly by said retention panel 42. Additionally or alternatively, as can be seen in Figure 6 as well, the top 2 of the carrier 1 may bend, especially such that the top 2 of the carrier 1 temporarily becomes hollow at its upper side and bulges at its bottom side. Once the second portion 90” of the rim 90 snaps into the second cut-out 62, the top 2 may substantially spring back, as may be understood by comparing figures 6 and 7. As the respective retention panel 42 slopes, said retention panel 42 can guide the respective portion 90” of the rim 90 towards the cut-out 62 provided in said retention panel 42.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that one or more cans 9 may be installed differently. For example, as schematically shown in Figure 8, both opposite portions 90’, 90” of the rim 90 can be brought in contact with a respective lower surface 41”, 42” of the respective retention panel 41, 42, and then both rim portions 90’, 90” may be guided substantially simultaneously towards the two cut-outs 61, 62 , such that the rim 90 may be snapped into both cut-outs substantially simultaneously.

For example, before installing the can 1, the pre-formed carrier 1 may be placed upside-down, such as shown in Figure 2, and the can, also held upside-down, may then be pushed into the carrier 1 such as to snap it into the two cut-outs 61, 62.

After placing the can 9 into the carrier 1, the can 9 may be rotated about its central axis A9, for example in order to align the labels of multiple cans 9 held by the carrier 1.

Regarding the retention panel 41, 42 of the carrier 1, it is noted that the retention panel 41, 42, in particular its lower face 41”, 42”, may extend under a third angle a3 with the bottom face 2” of the top, wherein said third angle a3 may correspond with, and preferably be slightly larger than, a corresponding inclination angle a93 of a shoulder portion 93 of the can 9. As a result, the retention panel 41, 42, at least at a location at or rear the respective retention edge 71’, 72’, may substantially abut the lower face 417, 42” of said retention panel 41, 42, which may counteract that the retention edge 71’, 72’ could sag down, which for instance therefore may counteract that the can can slip out of the carrier. In advantageous embodiments, said third angle a3 may be between 110° and 140°, preferably between 120° and 130°, especially about 125°.

Regarding the preferred corrugated fiberboard sheet material, which in particular may be E grade corrugated fiberboard material, it is noted that said corrugated fiberboard sheet material may advantageously have a thickness of at least 0.6 mm, preferably at least 0.7 mm, more preferably at least 0.8 mm, such as for instance between about 0.8 mm and

2.5 mm, for example between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm, such as about 1.6 mm,

1.7 mm, 1.8 mm or 1.9 mm. This may facilitate that the carrier can be relatively rigid, and may, alternatively or additionally, may facilitate that the retention edges 71°, 72’ can be in contact with the underside 91 of the rim 90 of the can 9 over a relatively large surface area of the retention edges 71’, 72’. As a result of the material being corrugated fiberboard sheet material, the material at the location of one or both of the retention edges 71’, 72’ may slightly deform upon snapping in the can 9, which one or more deformations may facilitate that the can 9 can be retained relatively well.

It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Further, it 1s noted that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

For example, the can carrier may be provided with printing, for instance at least at one or more surfaces facing upwards and/or outwards during use.

Such and other variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims

Conclusions

A beverage can carrier comprising: a top having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first side panel extending downwardly from the top to the first side of the top; a second side panel extending downwardly from the top to the second side of the top; a first retaining panel extending relative to the first side panel at a first angle from a first lower end of the first side panel toward the top, the first retaining panel connected to the top 1s; and a second retaining panel extending at a second angle relative to the second side panel from a second lower end of the second side panel to the top piece, the second retaining panel being joined to the top piece, the first retaining panel having a first cutout with a first cut line defining a first retaining edge for engaging a bottom edge of a rim of a first beverage can, and wherein the second retaining panel includes a second cutout with a second cut line defining a second retaining edge for engaging the bottom of the rim of the first beverage can.

The carrier of claim 1, wherein the top includes a top panel extending from the first side panel to the second side panel.

The carrier of claim 2, wherein the first side panel is connected to the top panel by a first fold line located on the first side of the top, and wherein the second side panel is connected to the top panel by a second fold line located on the second side of the top.

Carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first retaining panel is connected to the first side panel by means of a third fold line, and wherein the second retaining panel is connected to the second side panel by means of a fourth fold line.

The carrier of any one of claims 2-4, further comprising a first attachment panel connected to the first retaining panel by a fifth fold line, said first attachment panel being attached to the top panel.

The carrier of any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a second attachment panel connected to the second retaining panel by a sixth fold line, said second attachment panel being attached to the top panel.

The carrier of claims 5 and 6, wherein each of the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel is attached to an underside of the top panel.

The carrier of claims 5 and 6 or of claim 7, wherein the first attachment panel extends from a first top end of the first retaining panel in a first direction to a second top end of the second retaining panel, and wherein the second attachment panel extends from the second top end of the second holding panel in a second direction toward the first top end of the first holding panel.

The carrier of claim 7 or 8, wherein the first attachment panel defines a first edge and extends from the fifth fold line to said first edge, the second attachment panel defines a second edge and extends from the sixth fold line to said second edge and wherein said first edge substantially abuts said second edge.

A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first retaining panel and the second retaining panel together with the top of the carrier define a space in which a top portion of the first beverage can can be substantially accommodated, said space tapering towards the top of the carrier. the carrier.

The carrier of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first cutout and the second cutout extends up to the top of the carrier.

The carrier of claim 11 when dependent on claim 7, wherein each of the first mounting panel and the second mounting panel attached to the underside of the top panel includes at least a portion cut out of the respective retaining panel, and wherein each of the first cutout and the second cutout extends to the respective mounting panel.

A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier 15 is formed from a blank of sheet material, the blank being the top panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the first retaining panel, the second retaining panel, the first mounting panel and the second mounting panel wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are connected to two opposite sides of the top panel by means of two fold lines, the first retaining panel being connected to the first side panel by the third fold line, the second retaining panel being connected to the second side panel by means of the fourth fold line, wherein the first fastening panel is connected to the first retaining panel by means of the fifth fold line, and the second fixing panel is connected to the second retaining panel by means of the sixth fold line.

A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is made of corrugated cardboard material.

A blank for forming a carrier according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. Set comprising a plurality of preformed beverage can carriers according to any one of claims 1-14.

17. Assembly comprising a beverage can carrier according to any one of claims 1-14 and at least one beverage can held by the carrier.

A method for manufacturing a beverage can holder according to any one of claims 1-14, comprising the steps of: providing a blank of sheet material, preferably corrugated cardboard, wherein the blank comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a first retaining panel, a second retaining panel, a first fixing panel and a second fixing panel, the first side panel and the second side panel being connected to two opposite sides of the top panel by means of two fold lines, the first holding panel being connected to the first side panel by by means of a third fold line, the second retaining panel being connected to the second side panel by a fourth fold line, the first fastening panel being connected to the first retaining panel by a fifth folding line, and the second fixing panel being connected to the second retaining panel by means of a sixth fold line;

attaching, preferably adhering, the first attachment panel to the top panel, preferably to an underside of the top panel; and attaching, preferably adhering, the second D-mounting panel to the top panel, preferably to the underside of the top panel.

Use of a carrier according to any one of claims 1-14, preferably wherein the carrier is manufactured by means of a method according to claim 18, wherein the carrier is used for assembling an assembly according to claim 17, wherein said use is a comprises a step of providing a preformed beverage can carrier according to any one of claims 1-14, and a further step of snapping a first beverage can into the preformed beverage can carrier.