US20080230405A1 - Container carrier - Google Patents

Container carrier Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080230405A1
US20080230405A1 US12/032,466 US3246608A US2008230405A1 US 20080230405 A1 US20080230405 A1 US 20080230405A1 US 3246608 A US3246608 A US 3246608A US 2008230405 A1 US2008230405 A1 US 2008230405A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
apertures
weld
slits
row
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/032,466
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert C. Olsen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority to US12/032,466 priority Critical patent/US20080230405A1/en
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. reassignment ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OLSEN, ROBERT C.
Priority to CA002674415A priority patent/CA2674415A1/en
Priority to EP08731492A priority patent/EP2139784A1/en
Priority to MX2009009254A priority patent/MX2009009254A/es
Priority to PCT/US2008/055981 priority patent/WO2008118622A1/en
Priority to CN2008900000194U priority patent/CN201442695U/zh
Publication of US20080230405A1 publication Critical patent/US20080230405A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/50—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
    • B65D71/504—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/02—Labels

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers such as cans or bottles.
  • Container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/or similar containers that require unitization.
  • Flexible plastic ring carriers are one such conventional container carrier. Flexible plastic ring carriers may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelve or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipackage.
  • the present invention is directed to a flexible carrier for packaging containers that includes an arrangement of container apertures and a plurality of slits that facilitate application of the flexible carrier to a plurality of containers.
  • each flexible carrier preferably includes two rows of container apertures, each for receiving a container, to form a package.
  • a centerline or weld preferably extends across a length of the flexible carrier and separates the two rows of container apertures.
  • the plurality of slits are located between each row of container apertures and centerline/weld.
  • a handle is preferably connected between the rows of container apertures and extends upwardly from between the rows of container apertures.
  • a plurality of struts may connect the handle with the flexible sheet between the rows of container apertures, preferably between a centerline of the flexible sheet and the handle.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of a package of containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a front left perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of a flexible carrier immediately prior to application to containers, the flexible carrier without slits between a centerline and rows of container apertures;
  • FIG. 5 is a front schematic view of a flexible carrier immediately prior to application to containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows flexible carrier 10 for unitizing six containers to form a unitized package.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show a package of unitized containers 80 .
  • FIGS. 1-3 illustrate various structures for flexible carrier 10 of the invention, the illustrations are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to the flexible carriers 10 or packages shown.
  • flexible carrier 10 may be configured and used to unitize four, eight, twelve or any other desired number of containers.
  • the containers are preferably bottles or cans. Although bottles are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , any other commonly unitized container may be used with flexible carrier 10 according to this invention.
  • the containers are preferably, though not necessarily, like-sized within a single flexible carrier 10 .
  • Each flexible carrier 10 preferably includes one or more layers of flexible sheet 20 having a width and length defining therein a plurality of container apertures 25 , each for receiving a container 80 .
  • the plurality of container apertures 25 are preferably arranged in longitudinal rows and longitudinal ranks so as to form an array of container apertures 25 , such as two rows by three ranks for a six container multipackage; two rows by six ranks for a twelve container multipackage, etc.
  • Container apertures 25 are preferably elongated in a longitudinal direction of flexible carrier 10 .
  • centerline 60 as used herein generally describes a segment between rows of container apertures 25 and/or between layers of flexible sheet 20 .
  • centerline 60 comprises a weld that joins the two layers of flexible sheet 20 .
  • the two layers of flexible sheet 20 may be coextruded, welded, or otherwise joined together to create flexible carrier 10 .
  • “Weld” as used in the specification and claims may be defined as a hot weld, cold weld, lamination or any other manner of connection that joins two sheets of material known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
  • a row of container apertures 25 is preferably formed on each side of centerline 60 and/or in each layer of the two layers of flexible sheet 20 . As such, one row of container apertures 25 is preferably formed along each side of the centerline 60 . Accordingly, six container apertures 25 are formed in flexible carrier 10 shown in FIG. 1 , i.e. two overlapping rows of three container apertures 25 each. Container apertures 25 are preferably formed in a geometry that results in a tight unitization of containers 80 without excess play and/or sliding between and among containers 80 and flexible carrier 10 .
  • centerline 60 comprises a weld extending longitudinally from one edge of flexible carrier 10 to an opposite edge.
  • the plurality of slits 30 are preferably positioned generally parallel to centerline 60 and are preferably positioned closer to centerline 60 than to container apertures 25 . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , slits 30 are preferably spaced at least approximately three times further away from respective container apertures 25 than to centerline 60 .
  • this ratio may change between approximately 2:1 and approximately 5:1 wherein the first number in the ratio is a distance between slit 30 and container aperture 25 and the second number in the ration is a distance between slit 30 and centerline 60 .
  • each slit 30 is preferably generally aligned between container apertures 25 and centerline 60 so that a single slit 30 is positioned adjacent each respective container aperture 25 .
  • the plurality of slits 30 and the plurality of container apertures 25 are positioned through a double layer of the plastic sheet 25 . Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of this invention having six container apertures 25 , three slits 30 are positioned adjacent three container apertures 25 on each side of centerline 60 dividing two rows of container apertures 25 . In this manner and in this embodiment, exactly three slits 30 are positioned between centerline 60 and each row of container apertures 25 .
  • slits 40 may be positioned between centerline 60 and each row of container apertures 25 .
  • a single slit 30 is shown associated with each respective container aperture 25 , additional embodiments are contemplated that may include multiple slits 30 associated with each container aperture 25 .
  • each slit 30 preferably extends generally parallel to a generally straight inside edge of each respective container aperture 25 .
  • flexible carrier 10 may further include a plurality of generally triangular apertures 45 having an inside edge aligned with centerline 60 , each generally triangular aperture 45 is preferably positioned in the plastic sheet between each container aperture 25 . Therefore, as shown, two generally triangular apertures 45 are positioned along centerline 60 of flexible carrier 10 .
  • slits 30 are positioned between centerline 60 and each row of container apertures 25 .
  • any suitable line of weakness 35 may be positioned between each row of container apertures 25 and centerline 60 .
  • Suitable lines of weakness 35 may include arrangements of perforations, slits, scores, a reduction in thickness of flexible sheet 20 or any other similar line of weakness 35 known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
  • handle 50 is formed along the centerline 60 between the two rows of container apertures 25 and, following application of flexible carrier 10 to containers 80 , in a separate plane from the two rows of container apertures 25 .
  • handle 50 is connected along a side of the row of container apertures 25 , and is preferably connected with respect to centerline 60 , such as the weld.
  • Handle 50 may be integrally formed with flexible sheet 20 or may be separately formed and attached relative to flexible sheet 20 .
  • Handle 50 may comprise one or more elongated apertures 55 positioned within handle 50 or may comprise a similar configuration that provides an ample area for a consumer to grasp by inserting his hand through and still maintain the purpose and integrity of package 100 .
  • a plurality of struts 70 connect handle 50 with the rows of container apertures 25 , preferably between centerline 60 and handle 50 .
  • struts 70 are preferably formed in both layers of flexible sheet 20 and one or more handle welds 75 may be positioned longitudinally across handle 50 .
  • the plurality of struts 70 may comprise inner struts located across internal portions of flexible carrier 10 and outer struts located across a periphery of flexible carrier 10 .
  • panel 40 is preferably formed along a side of the row of container apertures 25 opposite handle 50 .
  • Panel 40 preferably accommodates, on one or both sides, UPC and proof of purchase labels, graphics, and promotional and/or other information related to contents and/or ingredients of containers 80 and/or package 100 .
  • package 100 resulting from flexible carrier 10 includes a plurality of unitized containers 80 .
  • Flexible carriers 10 are generally applied to containers 80 by stretching flexible sheet 20 surrounding container apertures 25 around the perimeter of container 80 , and allowing the stretched carrier 10 to recover, thereby providing a tight engagement.
  • Carrier 10 is typically applied to a chime or rib or container 80 , where this structure exists, or to a main sidewall.
  • flexible carrier 10 is preferably fanned out from centerline 60 so that each row container apertures 25 is engageable with a respective group of containers 80 .
  • the two rows of container apertures 25 are generally co-planar with each other.
  • This preferred arrangement facilitates application of flexible carrier 10 to containers 80 , specifically through the use of an application drum having a plurality of jaws for engaging each container aperture 25 and stretching such container aperture 25 around a respective container 80 .
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show front schematic views of flexible carrier 10 without slits 30 ( FIG. 4 ) and with slits 30 ( FIG. 5 ) immediately prior to application to containers 80 .
  • jaws 110 engage each container aperture 25 and stretch each container aperture 25 around a respective container.
  • flexible carrier 10 without slits 30 between centerline 60 and rows of container apertures 25 is engaged with jaws 110 creating an arcuate transition between each row of container apertures 25 from remainder of flexible carrier 10 .
  • a distance “X” between a center of flexible carrier 10 and an outer edge is created to enable application of container apertures 25 to containers 80 .
  • FIG. 5 shows flexible carrier 10 immediately prior to application to containers 80 having a plurality of slits 30 as described above and shown in FIG. 1 .
  • a generally perpendicular or 90 degree transition is created between each row of container apertures 25 and the remainder of flexible carrier 10 .
  • a distance between a center of flexible carrier 10 and an outer edge of flexible carrier 10 is created that is greater than X to further promote application of container apertures 25 to containers 80 .
  • two layers of flexible sheet 20 joined with the longitudinally extending centerline 60 include a row of container apertures 25 formed in each layer of the two layers of flexible sheet 20 .
  • One row of container apertures 25 is formed on each side of centerline 60 resulting in flexible carrier 10 fanning out at centerline 60 to permit a generally flat plane of engagement within which containers 80 are inserted.
  • Handle 50 and container apertures 25 preferably extend in different planes in this configuration, preferably at approximately 90 degrees from each other. In this manner, each row of container apertures 25 engages a respective row of containers 80 to form package 100 .
  • Handle 50 suitable for manual grasping preferably extends from an approximate middle of flexible sheet 20 .
  • handle 50 preferably extends upwardly from centerline 60 and between each row of container apertures 25 .
  • Handle struts 70 permit proper separation between centerline 60 and handle 50 to permit a comfortable grasping area within package 100 .
  • package 100 may be carried by manually grasping handle 50 extending upwardly from package 100 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US12/032,466 2007-03-23 2008-02-15 Container carrier Abandoned US20080230405A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/032,466 US20080230405A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-02-15 Container carrier
CA002674415A CA2674415A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-03-06 Container carrier
EP08731492A EP2139784A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-03-06 Container carrier
MX2009009254A MX2009009254A (es) 2007-03-23 2008-03-06 Portador de envases.
PCT/US2008/055981 WO2008118622A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-03-06 Container carrier
CN2008900000194U CN201442695U (zh) 2007-03-23 2008-03-06 容器承载器

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US91977207P 2007-03-23 2007-03-23
US12/032,466 US20080230405A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-02-15 Container carrier

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080230405A1 true US20080230405A1 (en) 2008-09-25

Family

ID=39773619

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/032,466 Abandoned US20080230405A1 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-02-15 Container carrier

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20080230405A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP2139784A1 (zh)
CN (1) CN201442695U (zh)
CA (1) CA2674415A1 (zh)
MX (1) MX2009009254A (zh)
WO (1) WO2008118622A1 (zh)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013166495A1 (en) * 2012-05-04 2013-11-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container carrier
US20140054183A1 (en) * 2012-08-27 2014-02-27 Christopher Ludwig Container carrier
WO2014062400A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container package
CN106103288A (zh) * 2014-02-26 2016-11-09 富吉包装国际股份有限公司 用于储存容器的组件和方法

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5657863A (en) * 1995-09-18 1997-08-19 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Welded carrier device
US6148994A (en) * 1998-10-15 2000-11-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Large label panel container carrier
US6779655B2 (en) * 2001-10-31 2004-08-24 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Label panel container carrier with integral handle
US20060289315A1 (en) * 2005-03-07 2006-12-28 Robert Olsen Container carrier

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5657863A (en) * 1995-09-18 1997-08-19 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Welded carrier device
US6148994A (en) * 1998-10-15 2000-11-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Large label panel container carrier
US6779655B2 (en) * 2001-10-31 2004-08-24 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Label panel container carrier with integral handle
US20060289315A1 (en) * 2005-03-07 2006-12-28 Robert Olsen Container carrier

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013166495A1 (en) * 2012-05-04 2013-11-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container carrier
CN104395200A (zh) * 2012-05-04 2015-03-04 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 容器载架
US20140054183A1 (en) * 2012-08-27 2014-02-27 Christopher Ludwig Container carrier
US9376245B2 (en) * 2012-08-27 2016-06-28 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container carrier
US9533811B2 (en) * 2012-08-27 2017-01-03 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container carrier
WO2014062400A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container package
US9957093B2 (en) * 2012-10-18 2018-05-01 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Container package
CN106103288A (zh) * 2014-02-26 2016-11-09 富吉包装国际股份有限公司 用于储存容器的组件和方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN201442695U (zh) 2010-04-28
CA2674415A1 (en) 2008-10-02
EP2139784A1 (en) 2010-01-06
MX2009009254A (es) 2009-09-08
WO2008118622A1 (en) 2008-10-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OLSEN, ROBERT C.;REEL/FRAME:020614/0637

Effective date: 20080215

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION