US2367066A

US2367066A - Carrier for containers

Info

Publication number: US2367066A
Application number: US412384A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Julian B Slevin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-09-26
Filing date: 1941-09-26
Publication date: 1945-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1962-01-09

Description

Jan. 9, 1945. J. B. SLEVlN, JR

CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /1? 1710671291: J Zlb/cji zezlub, tr;

Jan. 9, 1945. J. B. SLEVlN, JR 2,367,066

CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ufltor'ngy.

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Patented Jan. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARRIER FOB CONTAINERS Julian B. Slevin, Jr., Drexel Hill, Pa. Application September 26, 1941, Serial No. 412,384

8 Claims. (Cl. 229- 52) and preferably a single sheet of cardboard, paperboard orv similar tough flexible material.

Itis a further object of the present invention to provide acarrier for containers which may be inexpensively made, witha minimum of waste material, and which is in condition ready for use with automatic packaging machinery.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier for bottles and other containers capable of being placed in a carton in a set-up but empty condition to receive the bottles or other containers for hand or machine packing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid which is so constructed and arranged that the individual containers will be properly held in separate compartments in spaced relationship and gripped therein with sufficient tension to maintain the same against accidental displacement or removal from the carrier.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid which is so constructed and arranged that the individual containers may be separately removed from the carrier without disturbing any of the other containers mounted therein, and without requiring dismantling or disassembly of the carrier for the removal of the containers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid with an improved handle construction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid with an improved bottom wall or floor, and with provisions for restraining the containers at the ends thereof from endwise displacement.

It is a further oblect of the present invention to provide a carrier of the character aforesaid, in which increased strength of the struts or partitions separating the respective compartments is obtained.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

.Figure 1 is a plan view of a blanked sheet from which the carrier is made, the same being shown in the fiat condition before being set up:

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the carrier in flat or collapsed condition and ready for delivery to the initial users;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the carrier in flat or collapsed condition;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the carrier in set-up condition as seen from one end thereof;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the carrier in a set-up condition as seen from the other end thereof, and with bottles shown in place therein; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of an upper corner of the handle portion of the. carrier illustrating the construction of the handle flaps.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, the sheet or blank Ill from which the carrier is made preferably consists of a single sheet of material, such as cardboard, paperboard, or similar tough and flexible material, slitted and with crease lines formed thereon to provide the desired constituent portions. These portions preferably include a bottom panel at the center of the blank, side wall panels on each side of the bottom panels, inclined strips or struts formed by inclined slits in the blank to provide combined struts and partitions for conmeeting the side wall panels to central partition portions, handle portions located at the extremities of the blank, there being bridging tabs at the lower extremities of certain of the inclined strips or struts, and on one edge of the blank, to connect the struts to the side portions and provide partial end closing elements, and bridging tabs between the upper extremities of certain of the strut portions and the portions adjacent the handle portions. and at the other edge of the blank, for bridging the ends of these strut portions, and partial end closure elements formed on the bottom panels. The sheet or blank In, as illustrated, is preferably substantially symmetrical about a transverse crease line I I, Rectangular panels I! are provided on each side of the central crease line ll, these panels I! together forming the bottom'of the completed container.

The panels I! are each of a width substantially equal to that of the diameter of the container and a length equal to a multiple of the diameters of the containers in accordance with the number oi containers which are to be mounted in the carrier. The specific carrier shown is intended for six bottles, three on each side, but could readily be changed to accommodate a greater or lesser number of containers if desired.

The bottom panels l2 each have connected thereto, along marginal longitudinal crease lines i 3, end closure tongues l4, the tongues l4 having locking corner portions i3 and oppositely inclined clearance edges l8 terminating adjacent the crease line II, for purposes presently to be explained.

Each of the bottom panels i2 has a section I! Joined thereto along a transverse crease line l3, the sections l'l being adapted to form the outer side walls of the carrier, and preferably being slightly inclined inwardly from the vertical in the initial set-up condition, for assisting in holding the bottles or other containers in position.

Each of the sections I! is joined to a central partition section I! by means of a plurality of inclined strips or struts 23 which serve to space the sections I! from the sections l3 and which also serve as separating walls for the respective compartments. The sections I! are initially oilset to one side with respect to the sections i3, as illustrated particularly in Fig. l.

The inclined strips 20 are formed by means of a plurality of similar slits 2|, 2i", and H cut in the sheet or blank and

edge cuts

22 and 23. The slit 2 i and the edge cut 22 are curved where they join the section is for strength. The edge out 22 is preferably extended downwardly'as at 24, and then inwardly as at 23. to provide for engagement bythe locking corner portions II of the end closure tongues i4 at that end of the carrier. The slits 2| and 2|", at their termini adjacent the sections i1, are preferably slightly inclined, as at 25, for strength. The upper ends of the slits 2 i and 2| are preferably shaped in the form of open hooks 23, the terminal end of the hooks 23 being spaced from the inclined portions of the slits. Longitudinal crease lines 30, substantially vertical in use, are provided where the strips 20-join the sections i1, and longitudinal crease lines 3|, also substantially vertical in use, are provided where the strips 20 join the sections IS. The slits 2| and 2!" extend beyond the crease lines 3| for permitting a slight movement at the upper end of the strips 20, thus preventing tearlng of the sections IS in use.

On one side of each section II there are provided bridging tabs 32 extending across the ends of the slits 2 I and of the inclined strips 20 which are disposed at that end of the structure, the tabs 32 being joined to the strips 20 and to the sections I] along a longitudinal crease line 33 at which the slits 2 I terminate. The crease line 33 is preferably in alinement with the longitudinal crease line I3 at that end. The bridging tabs 32 each has a lower edge adapted for locking engagement with the locking portions I! of the end closure tongues l4 when the tongues II are vertically disposed. The tongues M are also adapted to engage the wall sections at the crease lines 33.

Bridging tabs 34 are also provided on one side of each section I9, the tabs extending across the upper ends of the slits 2| and of the inclined strips 23, and being joined to the strips 20 and the sections is along longitudinal crease lines 35. The strips 20, at one end of the carrier, are

preferably Joined to the sections I! along crease lines 43, preferably the crease lines l3 at that end.

Each section I! is provided with a handle portion 33 joined thereto along a transverse crease line 31, and each handle portion" is provided with one or more handhold portions 33, consisting of flaps hingedly Joined to the handle portions 33 along a transverse crease line 38 and with a out line of irregular shape. The out line preferably includes an outwardly convexed curved portion 43 terminating at the crease line 38, and

at the opposite end an outwardly concaved cut portion 4| toprovide a locking tongue 42- as hereinafter referred to. The flap 33 preferably also has a transverse crease line 43 spaced downwardly from the crease line 33 and within the confines of the portions 43 and 4!. The flaps 33 on the respective handle portions 33 areoppositely disposed (see Figs. 8 and 6), the tongue portions 42 being disposed to the right on the nearest handle portion 33 and to the left on the more remote handle portion 33 (see Figs. 1 and 6). The

. flaps 33 may thus be pushed or swung through from either side and upon being pushed through, the respective locking tongue portions 42 will pass the opposite handle portion 33, remain in the desired position, and will not return to their fiat initial positions. In this manner the handle flaps 33 may be readily positioned'as desired without injury or damage thereto, and if desired, may be bent upwardly along the crease lines 39 and 43 to a substantially vertical position. A transverse crease line 44 is also provided on each of the handle portions 36 which permits the upper part of the handle portions 33 to be bent to a horizontal position and downwardly without damage to the flaps.

In the setting up of the carrier, the tabs 32 are bent inwardly along the crease line 33 and fastened to the inclined strips 20 to which these tabs are joined, the fastening being effected in any preferred manner, such, for example, as by means of a wire stitching 45. The tabs 34 may also be folded inwardly and secured to the sections is if desired, although it is preferable that the blank be folded along the central transverse crease line II and the two sections fastened to each other by wire stitching at 46 and 41. The wire stitching 41 may extend through the four thicknesses of the material provided by the two sections it and by the inturned tabs 34, and thus hold the carriers in assembled condition. If desired, the tabs 34 may be separately and preliminarily secured to the sections IS, in any suitable manner, such as by wire stitchings 43.

The carriers may be supplied to the initial users in this condition, and opened up for use, but it has been found preferable, in order to reduce the time and effort required for filling the carriers and to prepare the carriers for use with automatic bottling and other packaging machinery that the bottom panel sections i2 be upset or infolded along the crease lines ii and is with the central transverse crease line H disposed inwardly. The clearance edges 16 of the end closure tongues II will permit this infolding to be effected without interference. It has been found preferable to position the strips or struts 20 so that they are bent along their

longitudinal crease lines

30 and 3| and to oflset the wall sections I! with respect to the sections is in the opposite direction from their initial positions in the blank. The relationship of the parts of the carrier is such that the carrier will readily tend formed as contlnuations of to assume a somewhat more expanded condition. A slight movement only is necessary to place the carrier in condition for receiving the bottles or other containers.

Prior to the introduction of the containers into the carrier, the end closure tongues H at one end are preferably moved intovertical positions, past the lower ends of the tabs 32 and into en- Basement with the wall sections II at the crease line 33 and in engagement with the inner faces of the lower portions of the tabs 32. The end closure tongues is at the other end are preferably also moved into vertical positions past the lower ends 25 of the strips or struts 20', into engagement with the wall sections I! at the crease line 49 and in engagement with the inner faces of the lower portions of'the strips or struts 20'. with these end closure tongues ll at each end in engagement in their locking positions, the bottom panels I! are maintained substantially flat and the carrier is in the condition for receiving the bottles or other containers. (See Figs. 4 and 5.)

It will be noted that the side wall sections H are initially inclined slightly inwardly from the bottom, so that when the bottles or other containers are placed in the respective compartments provided in the carrier in the set-up position, a slight deformation of the side wall-sections to conform to the shape of the containers will occur intermediate the strips or struts 20. This will provide a slight tension on each of the containers, and thus serve to prevent the same from being loose in their respective compartments, and provide for resistance against accidental removal of the containers from their respective compartments.

The carriers constructed as herein set forth may be placed in a set-up condition in the shipping cartons (not shown), and the containers then placed in the respective compartments in a manner which greatly facilitates the packaging of the containers in the shipping cartons. When the respective compartments have been fllled, the handle portions 38 may be bent together along the crease lines 31 and H to a substantially horizontal position or together to a down folded position. In the horizontal position the outer edges of the handle portion 38 may be looked under the crown caps of the bottles in the carrier on either side. A compact and protective package for the containers is thus provided.

When the cartons with the containers mounted in the carriers are delivered to the retail dealer, it is only necessary to open the top of the shipping carton, whereupon access is immediately had to the handle portions. These may be readily bent upwardly to a vertical position, and the handle flaps 38 may be pushed through from either side. The particular carrier may then be moved from the shipping carton and delivered to the purchaser with the containers mounted therein. Each container may be readily removed from the carrier without regard to the other containers and without any necessity for taking the carrier apart for removing'the containers. Each of the containers is separated from the containers in the adjacent compartments, and the containers are further firmly held from endwise dis.. placement by the end closure tongues It, so that likelihood of breakage of the containers in the cartons during shipment or during use by the rial, a pair of panels in back-to-back relationship, said panels having hinged handle flaps in back-to-back relationship adapted to be swung through opening in said panels from either side, and means for preventing the return of said flaps to their initial flat position, said means comprising the provision on at least one of said flaps of a portion extending beyond the marginal edge of the opening in the panel to which the other flap is hinged.

2. In a carrier formed of flexible sheet material, a pair of panels in back-to-back relationship, said panels having hinged handle flaps in back-to-back relatimiship adapted to be swung through said panels from either side, each of said flaps having a portion extending beyond an edge of the other flap for preventing the return of the flaps to their initial flat position.

3. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked and creased to provide bottom panels upon which the containers rest in the carrier, said bottom panels being joined to each other along a central transverse crease line, outer side sections joined directly at their lower edges to the bottom panels along transverse crease lines, centrally disposed upper sections, parallel inclined partition members disposed in substantially vertical planes and connecting upper portions of said outer side sections and lower portions of said upper sections and joined to said sections along longitudinal crease lines, end members disposed in substantially vertical planes and connecting said outer side sections and said upper sections, the outer side sections being laterally movable with respect to the upper central section to permit the carrier to be quickly brought from a flattened to a set-up condition, and end enclosure members extending between said bottom panels and said outer side sections and in engagement with said end members for restraining outward movement of the lower ends of the containers.

4. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked and creased to provide a bottom section upon which the containers rest in the carrier, outer side sections joined to the bottom section along transverse crease lines, centrally disposed upper sections, partition members disposed in substantially vertical planes and connecting upper portions of said outer side sections and lower portions of said upper sections, said partition members being connected to said sections along longitudinal hinge lines, end members disposed in substantially vertical planes and connecting said outer side sections and said upper sections, the outer side sections being laterally movable with respect to the upper central section to permit the carrier to be quickly brought from a flattened to a set-up condition, and bottom end closure members hinged to the ends of the bottom sections and in engagement with the end members.

5. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked and creased to provide bottom panels upon which the containers rest in the carrier, said bottom panels being Joined to each other along a transverse crease line, outer side panels joined directly at their lower edges to the bottom panels along transverse crease lines, centrally disposed upper sections. inclined partition members lying in substantially vertical planes and integrally joined to upper portions of said side wall panel and lower portions of said upper sections along longitudinal crease lines, inclined end members lying in substantially vertical planes and joined to said side wall panels and said upper sections, the outer side panels being laterally movable with respect to the upper central section to permit the carrier to be quickly brought from a flattened to a set-up condition, and bottom end closure members extending between said bottom panels and said outer side panels to assist in maintaining the carrier in set-up position,

nected to said bottom panels and in engagement with said side panels and said end members.

6. A carrier for containers such as bottles and the like, comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked and creased to provide bottom panels upon which the containers rest in the carrier, said bottom panels being joined to each other along a transverse crease line, outer side wall panels joined directly at their lower edges to the bottom panels along transverse crease lines, censaid end closure members being hingedly con- 1 trally disposed upper sections, end members and I asezoee ,7. A carrier for a plurality of containers formed of flexible sheet material including a bottom portion upon which the containers are adapted to rest, outer side wall sections joined directly at their lower edges along transverse crease lines to opposite sides of said bottom portion, centrally disposed upper sections, means tor connecting the side wall section to the upper sections comprising inclined partition members extending between upper portions of said side wallsections and lower portions 01' said central sections, said inclined partition members being connected to said sections along hinge lines, and cuts in said upper sections formed as continuations of the upper edges of said partition members and extending beyond the hinge lines between said partition members and said upper sections.

8. A carrier for a plurality of containers, formed of flexible sheet material comprising a bottom portion upon which the containers are adapted to rest, outer sidewall section's Joined directly at their lower edges-along transverse crease lines to opposite sides of said bottom portions, a centrally disposed upper section, substantially parallel inclined partition strips extending between upper portions 01' said outer side wall sections and lower portions of said upper sections, said inclined strips being hingedly connected to said sections along longitudinal hinge lines, and cuts in said upper section formed as continuations or the upper edges of said strips and extending beyond the hinge lines between said strips and said upper section.

JULIAN B. SLEVIN, JR.