US3327885A - Bottle carrier - Google Patents

Description

June 27, 1967 R. A.cARl.E ETAL 3,327,885

BOTTLECARRIER Filed Oct. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,327,885 BTILlE CARRIER Robert A. Carle and William A. Keene, Bartlesville, Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 461,914

9 Claims. (Cl. 22021) This application relates to a carryin-g case for bottles and similar articles. In one of its aspects, it relates to an open top container suitable for carrying a plurality of articles or of packs of articles. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a container, for carrying a plurality of separate articles such as bottles. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a container which is provided with a removable insert. In still another of its aspects, the invention relates to a container having a removable insert which insert has upstanding article positioning guides on the upper surface of the insert. In still another aspect, the invention relates to a carrying case that can be formed in one piece by vacuum molding or blow molding. In still another aspect, the invention relates to an insert for separating and positioning articles to be carried which insert is formed by vacuum or blow molding.

The marketing of beverages, particularly soft drinks, to the American consumer has undergone vast c-hanges in recent years. These changes are still going on and additional changes in marketing practices are to be expected. At one time soft drinks were available to the consumer as individual drinks sold at a soda fountain, or in case lots of 24 bottles. This has now been changed and most bottle-rs make available to the public smaller sized units where 6, 8 or l2 bottles may be packed in a single container. The bottlers also make available the conventional case of 24 bottles.

For the industry as a whole, bottled soft drinks are now sold in the ratio of approximately 1/2 in the smaller sized packages and 1/2 in the larger 24 bottle cases. The proportion sold in either one of the categories is subject to change at the whim of the ultimate consumer. A bottler who has been marketing a majority of his product in the 24 bottle case may be confronted rather suddenly with a change in demand of the smaller six-pack, eightpack, or l2-pack containers. This has presented something of a problem in the past for the reason that the carrying casesuitable for the 24-bottle sales was not also suitable for the handling and sale of the 6, 8, and l2 pack cont'ainers. Accordingly, it has been necessary for bottlers to maintain an adequate stock of containers of both types. A container can be partitioned to hold 24 individual bottles, or a container of the same outside dimensions without partitions can be utilized to hold four 6-packs, three 8-packs, or two 12-packs. However, because of, the partitions the containers are not interc-hangeable. Thus, with any change in demand the bottler must adjust his supply of suitable containers in accordance with the present marketing practice.

It is apparent from the foregoing that a universal container that is suitable for either of the two types of uses will -greatly simplify the marketing problems of the bottler.

. Bottle carrying cases are subjected to rough handling and continuous use. Because of recent advances in the marketing of soft drinks in supermarkets and other stores,

an attractive appearance is a necessity. The container,

should have a long li-fe expectancy and should be easily cleaned, as by washing. To this end, it is desirable that the container be of a material not harmed by water or detergents and that it be of a configuration such that the free flow of washing fluids is not impeded. The container ice should be suitable for use with automatic machinery in the bottling plant, it should be suitable for stacking and intermixing with other types of cases and desirab'ly will be of the same outside dimensions so that it may be intermixed on conveyor belts and on hand trucks and forklift trucks such as are in common use.

Accordingly, it is an object of our invention to provide a universal carrying case for bottles or the like which carrying case is adapted to carry articles separately or in groups. It is another object of the invention to provide a hollow outer shell which is adapted to receive groups of articles and to receive an insert whereby single articles can be carried in spatially separated relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a universal ca-rrying case having a hollow shell adapted to receive groups of articles or separate articles in spaced relation which articles are secured in said shell by a cover having article top locating means.

These and other objects, will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, the drawing and the appended claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided an outer case or shell and an insert. The insert is provided with a plurality of -upstanding guides or positioning means which serve to keep separate the bottles when the container is used to carry individual bottles. Removal of t-he insert converts the container to a carrying case for 6-pack, 8-pack or 12-pack assemblies.

Other aspects, objects and the several advantages of the invention are apparent from a study of this disclosure, the appended claims, and the drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the outer case or shell of the bottle carrier of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an insert for use in the shell of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a carrier showing the insert in the shell;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the shell of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the insert of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a modied form of the carrier having a. top cove-r.

Referring to the gures, there is shown in FIGURE 1` 10 is also provided with a top surface or rim 15 extendingA around the periphery of the shell. Depending downwardly from rim 15 is a lip or flange 16 which serves to stiiTen the upper surface as well as the entire hollow shell structure of the carrier.

Shell 10 may be formed as a unitary structure by blow molding or vacuum molding techniques. In the blow molding operation, a tube or parison of a suitable plastic material, such as rigid polyethylene, is extruded downwardly. A pair of mold sections are positioned below the extruder and are separated to allow the parison to descend into the Iopen space between the mold sections. When a sufficient length of the molten parison has been extruded, the mold sections are brought together and air under pressure is admitted to the interior of Vthe molten parison. The air inates the parison to conform to the inner sur face of the mold to convert the parison to a hollow closed shell of substantially uniform wall thickness. Upon contacting the inner surfaces 'of the rnold, the molten thermoplastic is rapidly cooled and assumes its final configuration. The mold may be shaped so that the outer edges meet at a sharp junction to sever any surplus portion of the parison above or below the mold from the completed shell.

A shell formed according to the foregoing process will be subs-tantially closed and can be further processed to make the carrier of the invention by removing the large depressed area extending across the top of the shell which area joins depending lip or flange 16. Also to be removed, if desired, are hand holes 13 at each end of the carrier.

It is Within the concept of the invention to use instead of a tubular parison, two flat sheets of molten plastic in Which instance the mold sections will pinch together the two sheets of plastic around the entire periphery of the joined molds. It is also contemplated that the shell 10 can be formed by vacuum molding techniques which would diiier from the foregoing only in that vacuum would be applied to the interior of the mold sections to draw the molten plastic into engagement therewith and atmospheric .air would be admitted to the interior of the parison. It desired, a combination of vacuum molding and blow molding can be employed. In fact, any arrangement can be used in which a differential pressure is utilized to iniiate the softened or molten plastic inside the mold sections.

The carrier just described will have utility for many purposes. The height of the sidewall 11 can be adjusted so that articles of many kinds or descriptions can be carried. In many manufacturing operations, tote trays are used to transport loose parts from one area of the plant to another, or to serve as temporary storage receptacles. The shell 10 is also eminently suited for use by bottlers of all kinds of beverages and in particular by bottlers of soft drinks. Shell Iii will receive a plurality of smalle-r packages of bottles such as four of the conventional 6-pack containers. It will also accommodate three S-pack or two l2-pack containers. Additionally, the carrier can be used to hold bottles placed loosely in the carrier.

Shell 10 can be adapted to hold and position a plurality of articles, such as 24 bottles, in spaced relation by use of the insert depicted in FIGURE 2. The insert, shown generally at 20, is intended to be placed inside .a shell such as shell 10 to position and retain the articles to be carried in spaced relation. Insert 2t) can be installed or removed readily and increases the utility of shell It? in that through the use or non-use of insert 20, shell 10 can 4be adapted to a wide variety of conditions and thus becomes a universal carrier. Insert 2@ can be vacuum formed from a single sheet of material according to well known procedure, or it may be blow molded from a tubular parison or a pair of sheets of plastic. In the blow molding operation, two inserts 20 can be formed at one time and need only be severed `and trimmed to create the final product.

The insert of FIGURE 2 will be described with particular lreference to an `insert adapted for use in a carrier where 24 bottles are to be carried. It is within the scope -of the invention to early different articles and in greater or lesser number with minor modification of the described structure. As shown in FIGURE 3, insert 20 is provided with a bottom or base 21. Upstanding therefrom are .a plurality of positioning elements yor guides 22. As shown, guides 22 are upward projections of the base 21 and are cruciform in cross-section. The cruciform nature of the guides is also illustrated in FIGURE where the interior of the guide is shown as a cruciform opening in t-he bottom of bas-e 21. Guides 22 are placed in the central portion of base 21 .and four such guides cooperate to position and retain a bottle. Each guide 22 is of a height sufficient to contact a substantial portion of the side of a bottle. In the embodiment shown, the height of guides 22 is about the same as the height of side walls 11 of the carrier. Other heights of guides can be used. The upper portion of guide 22 is tapered or it may be rounded as desired. The tapering or rounding is provided to facilitate insertion of the bottle into the bottle receiving area between the guides. Bottles which are tilted at the time of insertion, or which are inserted from an off-center position will be deected and guided by the tapered portion of the guide to the proper position with respect thereto. Guides 22 are also provided with a straight portion which is substantially vertical, the length of the straight portion being controlled somewhat by the desired height of the guides as well as the height .and configurati-on of the bottle to be carried. If bottles having a configuration other than straightsided are to be handled it usually is desirable that the vertical portion be high enough to contact a bottle at at least two points .along its side. If desired, guides 22 may have a configuration other than cruciform. For articles other than bottles another configuration such as circular, rectangular, triangular, etc. may be best suited to the article to be carried.

Insert 20 is further provided with upstanding guides 23 arranged about its outer periphery. Guides 23 serve the same purpose as guides 22 and may be a partial cruciform, as shown, or may have relatively flat sides. In either instance guides 23 are provided with .a tapered or rounded upper portion.

Insert 2t) may be dimensioned so as to drop easily into place in shell 10. However, it may also be dimensioned so that guides 23 fit under the downturned lip 16 of shell 10. Alternatively, the insert may be arranged so that only some of the guides 23 are inserted under lip 16. The insert 20, being somewhat ilexible, will be easily forced into position by a slight bending. Where some or all of guides 23 `are positioned under lip 16, the same will prevent the insert `from falling out if the carrier is inverted.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of shell 10 and insert 20 showing the preferred arrangement wherein the top portion of guides 23 lie under and are retained by lip 16.

The insert 20 may have portions cut away as at 2S to conform to inward projections in shell 10 and may further be cut away as at 26 to prevent binding at the corners. Additionally, insert 20 may be provided with raise-d portions or turtles 27 centered in each bottle receiving area. The turtles 27 are represented by recesses when viewed from below as in FIGURE 5.I When in carrying position, a bottle will rest on the raised portion or turtle 27. In some instances, the bottle may not be supw ported in such a manner as to make it stable. As is well known, a tripod is a very stable structure because the three legs each contact the floor and there is no tendency of the tripod to tilt. Accordingly, the turtles 27 may be shaped in a manner such that a bottle, or other article, will rest on three segments of the raised portion. The three point contact may be achieved by using extensions or legs Stich as indicated at 28. Three such extensions may be used, or only two. In the latter instance the two extensions cooperate with a larger segment of the turtle to provide the desired support.

It has been found, in stacking one filled case upon another, that it is sometimes desirable to tilt the outer row of bottles inwardly a small amount. When such is done the stack of filled cases is more stable. Tilting of the bottle is readily accomplished by the extensions 28. All that is required is to make the extensions 28 at the outer edge of the insert somewhat higher than the other portion of the outer row of turtles. In this manner a bottle resting thereon will be tilted slightly toward the center of the carrier.

Insert 20 may also have a plurality of drain holes 29 in the bottom thereof. These will serve to permit any liquid, rain, bottle contents, etc. to drain away. Corresponding drain holes 19 may be placed in the bottom of shell 10 for draining water or other liquid from the shell.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show in detail the outer shell and insert respectively, each viewed from beneath. While the bottom 14 of shell 1t) can be flat, it may also be provided with intersecting channels 41. Channels 41 are depressions when viewed from below or upward projections When viewed from above. These channels serve to stiffen the bottom 14. At each intersection of channels 41 there are turtles similar to those described in connection with insert 20. As was true with the turtles of the insert, turtles 47 may be provided with tilting pads 48. Drain holes 19 are located as desired for effective draining of water or other liquid in the shell. Desirably a drain hole 19 will be placed in the same relative position as each drain hole 29 of the insert as earlier discussed.

Bottle carriers are frequently moved about in bottling plants by means of conveyor belts. Where such belts are used, the conveyors may operate with inclines to raise or lower the carrier from one level to another. Plastic carriers, being lighter than wooden carriers, will not grip or frictionally engage the surface of the conveyor belt to the same degree as a wooden carrier. Additionally, the plastic material itself may have a low coefficient of friction. Accordingly, bottom 14 is provided with a plurality of straight and V-shaped ridges or friction elements. Referring to FIGURE 4, the straight ridges are shown at 45 and the V-shaped ridges at 46. These ridges, or grippers, engage the surface of the conveyor to prevent undue slipping on all inclines normally encountered. While all other features of the bottom of shell may embody recessed portions having sloping sides, the ridges or grippers are desirably made with sharply defined and even angular sides. This is so that the corners of the grippers can actually dig or bite into the surface of the conveyor to obtain a better engagement with the conveyor than would be possible through friction alone.

If desired, the carrier may be provided with a top cover such as the one illustrated in FIGURE 6. The cover comprises an upper surface 51 which may be provided with article or bottle top receiving means or article top locators 52 which conform to the shape of the top of the article and which may be raised portions or depressed portions as desired. As shown, the locators are shaped to conform to the bottle cap of a bottle and desirably 4are sized to be received in the turtles 47 of an upper carrier when the `carriers are stacked one above another. Side walls 53 may be provided for the cover according to the overall height of the article to be carried. For tall articles, the side wall may be relatively wider than for shorter articles. At the lower edge of the side Wall of the cover, curved interlock fingers 54 are provided. Fingers 54 are in any desired number, although at least two will be required to positively lock the cover in place. The fingers 54 engage the lower rim or periphery of lip or flange 16 as shown. If desired, an insert can be used at the same time as the cover, in which event the articles will be secured in a relatively immobile condition during handling and shipment.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of this disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims, the essence of which is that there is provided a universal carrier that is adapted through use or non-use of an insert and/ or cover to carry a wide variety of articles either as individual articles or as groups of articles according to the needs of the user.

We claim:

1. A carrying case for bottles and the like comprising in combination a one-piece molded outer shell having a bottom, side walls, and an inwardly turned lip extending inwardly from said side walls, a removable bottle positioning insert inside said outer shell having a base, a plurality of upwardly projecting post-like portions integral with said base, spaced at regular intervals, the upper extremities of said projections adjacent the outer edge of said base engaging the underside of said inwardly turned lip, whereby said insert is retained in said outer shell.

2. A carrying case according to claim 1 wherein the bottom of the said shell is further provided with (a) longitudinal and trans-verse intersecting channels constituting upwardly raised projections, said channels also serving as stiffeners for the bottom of said shell.

3. A carrying case according to claim 2 wherein the bottom of the said shell is further provided with (a) enlarged raised portions at the intersections of the said channels, said enlarged portions defining bottle receiving areas.

4. A carrying case according to claim 3 wherein the bottom of the said shell is further provided with (a) tilting pads constituting radial extensions of those enlarged raised portions adjacent the outer edges of said shell, said tilting pads being adapted to provide a stable support for a bottle and to tilt the same slightly toward the center of said shell.

5. An insert for use in an open top carrier for bottles and the like, said carrier having an inwardly turned lip extending inwardly from the side walls thereof, said insert comprising a base and a plurality of separate upwardly projecting portions integral with said base, spaced at regular intervals, the upper extremities of said projections adjacent one edge of said base being positioned relative to the upper extremities of upwardly extending projections adjacent the opposite edge of said base by a dimension greater than the distance between the inner extremities of opposing portions of said inwardly turned lip and being at an elevation above said base whereby said upper extremities engage the underside of said inwardly turned lip on insertion of said insert into said carrier, thereby retaining said insert in said carrier.

6. The insert of claim 5 wherein said projections adjacent the outer edge of said base are of open coniiguration and the remainder of said projections are of closed configuration.

7. The insert of claim 5 wherein said projections define bottle receiving areas provided with raised portions for supporting the bottoms of bottles to be carried.

8. The insert of claim 7 wherein the said raised portions are further provided with radial extensions whereby a three point support for each bottle is provided.

9. The insert of claim 8 wherein the said raised portions adjacent the edges of said base are provided with radial extensions somewhat higher than the said raised portion whereby bottles positioned near the edge of said base will be tilted slightly t-oward the center of said base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,923,428 2/ 1960 Averill 220-17 X 2,928,530 3/ 1960 Sauey.

2,935,222 5/ 1960 OConnell 220-21 3,037,658 6/ 1962 Schray 220-17 3,203,583 8/ 1965 Amberg 229-25 X 3,240,378 3/1966 Fox 220-21 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,351,453 12/1963 France.

1,163,237 2/ 1964 Germany.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A ONE-PIECE MOLDED OUTER SHELL HAVING A BOTTOM, SIDE WALLS, AND AN INWARDLY TURNED LIP EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID SIDE WALLS, A REMOVABLE BOTTLE POSITIONING INSERT INSIDE SAID OUTER SHELL HAVING A BASE, A PLURALITY OF UPWARDLY PROJECTING POST-LIKE PORTIONS INTEGRAL WITH SAID BASE, SPACED AT REGULAR INTERVALS, THE UPPER EXTREMITIES OF SAID PROJECTIONS ADJACENT WHT OUTER EDGE OF SAID BASE ENGAGING THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID INWARDLY TURNED LIP, WHEREBY SAID INSERT IS RETAINED IN SAID OUTER SHELL.

Images