US3384229A

US3384229A - Method and apparatus for packaging and shipping gable topped containers

Info

Publication number: US3384229A
Application number: US636893A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy H Kaschyk; Lloyd S Jackman
Original assignee: Roy H. Kaschyk; Lloyd S. Jackman
Current assignee: LLOYD S JACKMAN; ROY H KASCHYK
Priority date: 1967-05-08
Filing date: 1967-05-08
Publication date: 1968-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 1985-05-21

Description

May 21, 1968 R. H. KASCHYK ET AL 3,384,229

METHOD AND APPARAT FOR PACKAGING AND v SHIPPI S NG GABLE PED CONTAINER Filed May 8, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVE 0R5, Qor H A445 YK? Mora 52 (/ACKMA/V May 21, 1968 R. H. KASCHYK ET AL 3,384,229

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING AND SHIPPING GABLE TOPPED CONTAINERS Filed May 8, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS, Qor H. A/ASCHYK g? f BYZLOYO 5L (/ACKMAA/ United States Patent 0 3,384,229 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAG- ING AND SHIPPING GABLE TOPPED CONTAINERS Roy H. Kaschyk, 33555 Quaker Valley Road, Farmington, Mich. 48024, and Lloyd S. Jackman, 31198 Pickwick Lane, Birmingham, Mich. 48009 Filed May 8, 1967, Ser. No. 636,893 15 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for incorporating a plurality of gable topped containers in a single, light weight disposable package suitable for shipment or storage, and geometrically configured to facilitate tiered stacking of the packages. A top protector which has a portion thereof contoured to receive and engage the gable tops of a plurality of contiguous containers is first placed in position on the gable tops of the containers. These containers, with the top protector in place, are then wrapped about with a flexible material of sufiicient length to surround the containers, so that the containers are retained in juxtaposition to each other in an integrated package. The preferred form of the top protector is such that when it is in position on the gable tops of the containers, a substantially monoplanar, horizontal upper surface of the top protector is exposed and stacking of the packages in tiers is facilitated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to the packaging, shipment and storage of a plurality of irregularly shaped containers in strong, yet light weight packages or cases which are sufliciently inexpensive to be disposed of after the containers are received at their ultimate destination. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the invention relates in particular to the packaging and shipment of comestibles, such as, for example, dairy products, in gable topped fibrous or plastic containers.

Description of the prior art It has heretofore been proposed to package numbers of comestible containers in carrying or shipment cartons or packages for the purpose of protecting the containers and their contents, facilitating the ease with which the containers can be moved about, and better adapting the containers geometrically for stacking and storage in locations where available space is limited. In some instances, the mechanical strength of the containers, or the fragility and susceptibility to spoilage of their contents, or both, have necessitated special and somewhat sophisticated packaging techniques and structures in order to minimize loss or damage during shipment and storage.

A structure of this specialized type is that which is disclosed in Wheeler U.S. Patent 2,348,509. In the Wheeler patent a package is proposed in which may be enclosed a number of flexible sub-packages of the type conventionally used for storing potato chips and the like. In this structure, allowance for expansion and flexing of the potato chip-containing sub-packages is important, as is avoidance of crushing. The package in which the sub-packages are located is thus fairly rigid and surrounds the subpackages on all sides. Means is also provided for retaining each sub-package in a certain preferred location within the package and in relation to the other sub-packages.

ICC

In this instance, the ratherunique fragility of the particular sub-packages, and their readily frangible contents, prevents grouping the sub-packages in relation to each other within the package so as to enhance the mechanical strength of the composite package. Thus, except for such mechanical strength as may be inherent in the material of which the surrounding package is itself constructed, the composite package has little resistance to crushing or compressional loading. Since avoidance of crushing is absolutely essential, the strength of the material which surrounds and protects the sub-packages must be high, and thus such packages must be made of heavy, strong material which increases their material cost and the difficulty of fabrication and assembly.

Another and older packaging technique once proposed for grouping a plurality of milk containers for shipment, but not presently in use due to its inherent expense, and due also to recent marked changes in the geometric configuration of milk cartons, is that which is described in Nordquist U.S. Patent 2,291,645. In the Nordquist packaging technique, a plurality of fiber milk cartons of rectangular transverse and longitudinal cross-section are grouped together in contiguous relation to each other, and heavy fiberboard plates or sheets are placed on top of, and beneath, the cartons. These are large enough to extend beyond the edges of the outermost cartons so that they may be bent downwardly and upwardly, respectively, adjacent their outer edges to extend along the sides of the outer cartons. A strip of light weight paper is then wound around the exposed sides of the outer cartons and is adhered to the top and bottom fiberboard plates to complete the composite package.

Packaging by the Nordquist technique was fairly simple due to the regular parallelepiped shape of the milk containers then in use. The packages thus produced, however, added nothing to the compressional strength of the individual milk containers, since the weight of tiered packages constructed by the Nordquist method still acted vertically downwardly on each individual container in the lowermost package. Moreover, the fiberboard plates and wrapping materal afforded a minimum of protection to the milk containers or cartons against impact, puncture and structural damages, and in particular, from blows imparted to a package from above when it rested upon the floor, loading dock or other surface.

In recent years, the shape of fibrous or plastic milk containers of quart, half-gallon or gallon size has been altered, so that at the present time, milk is most often sold to the consumer in a container having a V-shaped or gabled top, and having a vertically extending, expandible dispensing lip flange portion projecting upwardly from the apex or ridge line of each of the gabled tops. The Nordquist packaging method is not susceptible to use with containers or cartons of this configuration. It is the present practice, therefore, to provide protection for the gabled top milk containers, and to facilitate their handling in large quantities, by shipping and storing a plurality of such containers in reusable, rigid cases. These cases are made of wood, plastic or steel, and weigh from five to nine pounds. They are therefore relatively costly to manufacture, and because of their weight, to ship. They require substantial space in handling at the dairy plant, at the store and in transit, and must, because of their cost, be reused, thus eliminating the possibility of hauling a pay load back to the dairy plant. Moreover, the cases must be washed each day and frequently repaired.

Brief description of the invention The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for packaging for shipment, handling and storage, a plurality of gabled top containers, with the containers being positioned in a low cost, disposable package having substantial mechanical strength. Broadly described, the method of the invention comprises initially placing a plurality of the gabled top containers in juxtaposition to each other with the gabled tops of the containers all projectin g in a common direction. The gabled tops are then all engaged by a unitary top protector structure which is contoured to receive the gabled tops and retain them in a fixed relation to each other. With the top protector in position and the containers in juxtaposition to each other, the containers are wrapped about by a flexible sheet of material which is secured in place by any suitable means to complete the package. Although a single wrap about the grouped containers will suffice to complete the package if the sheet material is carried over the top protector and also across the bottoms of the containers, it is much preferred to extend the sheet material around the sides of all containers, in addition to extending it across the tops and bottoms thereof, since this makes a much more substantial package, and affords better protection for the individual containers.

The top protector which is utilized in practicing the method of the invention comprises a substantially 1nonoplanar top or cover structure, which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a plate or sheet having a plurality of flanges extending substantially normal to the plane of the plate from the edges thereof. The cover structure is dimensioned so that the flanges will extend downwardly substantially flush or coplanar with the side walls of the grouped containers when the top protector is placed on top of the containers with the cover structure extending horizontally and substantially parallel to the surface upon which the bottoms of the containers are supported. Means is provided on one side of the cover structure and between the flanges for engaging the gabled top of each container and retaining the several containers in a fixed geometric and spacial relation to each other. This engaging and retaining means preferably includes slotted members containing elongated slots dimensioned to receive the flat, elongated dispensing lip flange portion of each container.

The material used to wrap the containers after the top protector is placed in position can be any flexible, inexpensive material having mechanical and chemical properties adequate to lend structural strength to the completed package, and to provide protection against moisture, grease, dirt or the like. Heavy paper and polyethylene or polyvinyl shrink film plastics are typical materials which can be suitably used.

The package of the invention, constructed in the manner described, achieves a major object of the invention, which is to provide a low cost, disposable package for handling, shipping and storing gabled top milk cartons in a safe, economical and expeditious manner.

Another object achieved by the invention is the provision of a light weight package for fibrous or plastic milk cartons which has sufficient structural strength to permit the packages to be stacked in tiers to a substantial height without collapsing or otherwise damaging the cartons in the lowermost package in the tier.

An additional object of the invention is to use a new and improved packaging technique in a way such that gabled top fibrous or plastic milk containers can be stored or stacked, in any position, including up-sidedown, when so packaged.

A further object of the invention is to improve the economy with which collapsible containers having gahled tops can be shipped from a factory or plant, at which such containers are filled and sealed, to a remote location.

In addition to the described objects and advantages of the invention, additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective View of a portion of a package constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of one type of top protector used in the package of the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one type of package constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a different type of package constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of yet another type of package constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a different type of top protector which can be used in the practice of the invention.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of yet another type of top protector useful in the practice of the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the open substructure of the top protector shown in FIGURE 8.

In the accompanying drawings, lead lines carrying arrowheads will be employed to designate structural combinations which include a plurality of sub-combinations and/or elements. Reference numerals which are underlined and related to structure by a plain lead line shall be used to refer to sub-combinations including a plurality of elements, and plain reference numerals having plain lead lines will be used to refer to individual elements of structure.

Referring initially to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an exploded view is there depicted which illustrates the arrangement assumed by a plurality of cartons or containers preparatory to carrying out the initial step involved in the formation of the package of the invention. A plurality of fibrous or plastic milk cartons 10, which, in each instance, is provided with a gabled top structure 12, are grouped together so that the sides of the containers are in abutting contact, the flat bottoms of the containers are in horizontal, coplanar alignment, and the gabled tops all extend upwardly. Although containers 10 of generally rectangular cross-section are illustrated for purposes of explaining the invention, containers which are of polygonal cross-section or even circular cross-section are also susceptible to inclusion in the package assembled by the process of the present invention. The most useful application of the process of the invention is, however, to containers which are rectangular in cross-section (that is, of generally right parallelepiped shape), and which have gabled tops formed by two substantially planar, inclined top walls 14 which converge and are joined at an apex 0r ridge line. Extending upwardly from the ridge line is a double thickness, flange-like portion 16 which constitutes, at "least in part, an expansible pouring lip which may be opened out to provide a spout through which the liquid contents of the containers 10 can be dispensed. Typically, containers of the type described are made from a one piece blank of fibrous or plastic material which is folded along certain bend lines to achieve the depicted configuration.

With the containers 10 positioned in juxtaposition to achieve the generally rectangular grouping depicted in FIGURE 1, and with the flange-like portions 14 aligned, a composite grouping is attained in which four substantially monoplanar, vertically extending outer walls are presented, and in which a substantially monoplanar bottom surface of the group of containers rest upon a sup porting surface. It should be pointed out that instead of the depicted arrangement of the containers 10, a different arrangement of generally rectangular configuration could be employed, rather than the square grouping which is shown.

For the purpose of enclosing in an integrated package, the nine containers 10 which are grouped as depicted in FIGURE 1, a top protector is provided for engaging the gabled tops of the containers, and for retaining them in a fixed predetermined relation to each other. To this end, a top protector of the type depicted in FIGURE 1, and designated generally by referencenumeral 18 can be utilized. The top protector 18 includes a substantially monoplanar top or cover structure which, in the illustrated embodiment, is in the form of a top plate 20. The top plate 20 has secured to the edges thereof a plurality of downwardly depending side walls variously designated by

reference numerals

22, 24, 26 and 28. The side walls 22-28 preferably extend substantially normal to the top plate 18, and the top plate is dimensioned so that the side walls extend in substantially the same plane as that occupied by the outwardly facing sides of the grouped containers 1t). Stated differently, the side walls 2228, which depend from, or extend normal to, the top plate 20, are flush and aligned with the exposed side of the containers when the top protector 18 is placed in its operative position as hereinafter explained. Extending upwardly from a central or intermediate portion of each of the edges of the top plate 18 are stacking lips 30. The stacking lips 30 protrude outwardly beyond the plane of the downwardly depending flanges 22-28 so that a series of the packages, when completed as hereinafter described, can be stacked vertically upon each other to form a tier of a plurality of packages. The function and operation of the stacking lips 30 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

The top protector used in the package of the invention may be fabricated in a number of ways, several of which will be explained in the present application. In the embodiment of the top protector 18 depicted in FIGURES 1-3, however, a plastic molding operation has been utilized to form a unitary, light weight top protector which may be made of Styrofoam or other open-celled light weight synthetic resin. In forming the top protector in this manner, it is desirable to form in the

side walls

22 and 26 of the top protector, a pair of apertures or recesses 32 and 34 which may serve as hand holds for lifting either the top protector or the completed package.

It will be noted in referring to the figures illustrating the top protector 18 that the

side walls

22 and 26 are substantially rectangular in configuration, whereas the

walls

24 and 28 are provided with a serrated or angled lower edge 36. The angulation of the serrations in the lower edges of the

walls

24 and 28 is such that the edges are complementary in configuration to, and cooperate with, the gabled tops of the containers 10 when the top protector 18 is placed in position on the grouped containers as hereinafter described. Stated in another way, the serrated or angled lower edges 36 of the

side walls

24 and 28 of the top protector 18 abut the fold lines forming the end edges of the gabled tops of the outermost cartons when the top protector 18 is in position. The lower edges 37 of the

rectangular side walls

22 and 24 also abut the lateral fold lines of the gabled tops. It is to be noted that with the molded plastic type of top protector 18 depicted in FIGURES 1-3, a very large surface area of contact exists between the top protector and the top walls 14 of the grouped containers 10. This large area of contact between the top protector 18 and the gabled tops 12 of the containers 10 assures a wide and even distribution of the weight transmitted downwardly to the containers through the top protector when a plurality of the packages constructed in accordance with the present invention are stacked in vertical alignment as hereinafter described.

At the apex or crest of each serration in the lower edges 36 of the

side walls

24 and 28 of the top protector 18, an elongated slot 38 is provided which extends across the top protector 18 between the

side walls

24 and 28. The slots 38 are dimensioned to receive and engage the aligned flange-like portions 16 of the several containers 10 so that when the top protector 18 is placed in position over the containers 10, the containers are prevented from changing their spacial relation with respect to each other.

In assembling the package of the invention, the top protector 18 is lowered from its position depicted in FIGURE 1 to a position in which it rests upon the grouped containers 10 with the lower surface of the top protector (which is complementary in configuration to the surface formed by the gabled tops of the containers) contacting these gabled tops, and with the flange-like portions 16 of the gabled tops 12 projecting upwardly into the slots 38 formed in the top protector. With the top protector 18 thus positioned, the next step carried out in the formation of the composite package is the wrapping about of the grouped containers 10 with a thin flexible material so as to retain the containers in engagement with the top protector in any position which the containers may assume.

Maximum economy may be achieved in the packaging operation by providing a single circuitous wrap extending around the grouped containers across the top or cover structure of the top protector, and beneath the bottoms of the containers. This type of wrap is depicted in FIGURE 4 where a relatively thin band 40 of paper having relatively high mechanical strength has been extended around the grouped containers 10 in a direction such that it crosses the top protector 18 and passes beneath the containers. It will be noted that with this arrangement, the hand holes 32 and 34 in the top protector 18 are exposed, as are the side walls of six of the containers 10. The containers 10 are prevented from moving downwardly away from the top protector 18 by the encircling band 40 of paper, and movement of the containers 10 apart from each other in a lateral sense is prevented by the engagement of the gabled tops 12 of the several containers 10 with the top protector 18.-'

It should be noted that although the encircling flexible band 40 is shown as passing over two of the stacking lips 30, :it may be desirable in many instances, in order to assure tight encirclement of the containers 10 by the band, to provide slots in the band through which these stacking lips may project.

Although wrapping with the band 40 as depicted in FIGURE 4 is the most economical wrapping which can be carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention, it presents some disadvantages relative to other embodiments of the package of the invention insofar as structural strength and stability in shipment are concerned. Thus, extreme vibration and mechanical shock may cause some of the containers 10 to Work loose from the retaining encirclement of the band 40 and thus be lost from the package, and it will be readily apparent that once any one of the containers 10 has worked loose from the package, it is not difficult for the other containers to also become loosened and lost from the package. Therefore, although the package depicted :in FIGURE 4 is adequate for local handling purposes where more attention is likely to be paid to proper handling of the package, it may not be entirely satisfactory in many instances of long transshipments where the packages are roughly handled and are jostled about severely during the transport.

For the purpose of providing a mechanically stronger and more protective packaging arrangement, the grouped containers 10 can be substantially completely encircled by a flexible material which is wrapped around the containers in a plurality of directions, rather than a single direction as in FIGURE 4. A package made by this method is shown in FIGURE 5. In this arrangement, all exposed sides of the containers 10 are covered by the flexible material 42 and, in some instances, it may be desirable to wrap the containers about several times so as to form several layers of the flexible material surrounding the containers. In most instances, the flexible material utilized will be sufficiently thin that, at such time as it may be desirable to manually lift the composite package, the fingers may be utilized to punch through the encircling flexible material at the locus of the hand holds 32 and 34 so that these recesses or apertures may be utilized to permit the package to be handled.

A particularly suitable method of wrapping the containers when the top protector 18 has been placed in position is depicted in FIGURE 6. Here a package 44 is illustrated which has been formed by providing a shrink film 46 of thin polyethylene, polypropylene, or other suitable synthetic resin material around the grouped containers 10 and the top protector 18. Packaging by shrink film techniques is now well understood in the art, and details of the method of shrinking the thin layer of resin material on the grouped containers and top protector will not here be discussed in detail. It will be noted in referring to the package depicted in FIGURE 6 that the use of the shrink film technique leaves an aperture or opening 48 through two sides of the film so that identifying indicia or labels carried by the containers may be viewed through the outer covering of the package constituted by the shrink film.

A modified embodiment of the top protector utilized in the package of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 7, and is designated by reference numeral 49. In this arrangement, the top or cover structure which corresponds to the top plate in theFIGURE 1 embodiment of the top protector is an open grille or framework 50. As provided for in the grouping of containers 10 depicted in FIGURE 1, the top protector 49 is of generally rectangular configuration and corresponds in area to the area of a cross-section taken horizontally through the group of containers 10. A plurality of stacking lips 51 are provided at the edges of the top protector 49.

The framework 50 is formed in part by a pair of opposed flanges or side walls 52 and 54, having elongated

upper edges

56 and 58, respectively. Extending between the ends of the

upper edges

56 and 58 of the side walls 52 and 54 are a pair of upper transverse end brace-

s

60 and 62 which are positioned directly above a second pair of transverse end braces 64 and 66 which interconnect the lower ends of the side walls 52 and 54. The framework or grille 50 constituting the top structure further includes the aligned upper edges of a plurality of transverse intermediate braces 68, which interconnect the side walls 52 and 54, and extend substantially parallel to each other. The transverse intermediate braces 68 are positioned to correspond with the apexes or crests and troughs of an angulated or serrated lower edge 70 which is provided on each of the side walls 52 and 54 in the manner hereinbefore described, and in a configuration which is complementary to the configuration of the gabled tops 12 of the containers 10. The transverse intermediate braces 68 are of a thickness such that those of these braces which extend between the apexes or crests of the serrations in the lower edges 70 of the side walls 52 and 54 can be provided with an elongated slot 72 in the manner hereinbefore described for the purpose of receiving the flange-like portions 16 of the gabled tops 12 of the containers. The grille or framework 50 comprising the top structure of the top protector 49 is completed by the provision of a plurality of cross braces 74 which extend across the top protector in a direction normal to the transverse intermediate braces 68 and interconnect and strengthen these intermediate braces.

It will be noted that the upper edges of the

side walls

52 and 58, of the transverse braces 60, 62, and 68, and of the cross braces 74 terminate in a common, substantially horizontal plane and thus present a fiat or monoplanar supporting surface similar in its function to the top plate 20 as will be hereinafter explained in greater detail. To provide for the maximum distribution of the weight of the vertically stacked packages in an even manner, a plurality of supporting plates 76 are provided on the lower side of the top protector 49 and extend between the transverse and cross braces 68 and 74 which are provided so as to present a solid (as contrasted with an open) supporting structure which contacts the gabled tops 12 of the containers 10 over a large surface area.

The top protector 49 depicted in FIGURE 7 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic or Wood, and functions in substantially the same manner as the top protector 18 depicted in FIGURE 1. It provides advantages in fabrication costs and mechanical strength in some instances, but has the disadvantage of providing less support for the overwrapped material by reason of the apertures or openings formed through the grille-type top structure which characterizes this embodiment of the top protector.

Yet another form of top protector useful in the invention is depicted in FIGURES 8 and 9. This form of the top protector, designated generally by reference numeral 78, has an open grille or framework top structure 8%) formed similarly to the embodiment of the top protector 49 depicted in FIGURE 7. The substructure of the top protector 78 differs to some extent, however, from that of the top protector 49 shown in FIGURE 7 in that the substructure is an open lattice or framework which is not provided with plates adapted for contacting the top walls 14 of the containers 10 over a large surface area. The open character of the substructure of the top protector 78 is best illustrated in FIGURE 9.

It will be noted that in referring to FIGURES 8 and 9 that the substructure of the top protector 78, as shown, includes a pair of substantially parallel, lower

transverse brace members

82 and 84 which extend between pairs of corner posts 8688 and 90-92. There are also provided in the substructure at each of the opposite sides of the top protector 78, a plurality of angulated members 94 which collectively form a structure complementary in shape to the top Walls 14 of the gabled tops 12 of the containers 10. A plurality of transversely extending, flange-receiving members 96 extend across the top protector 78 in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse brace members 82 and are each provided with a slot 98 as hereinbefore described for the purpose of permitting the flange-like portions 16 of the gabled tops 12 to be engaged by the top protector. Additional transverse members 100 are connected to the angulated members 94 and are positioned between, and extend parallel to, the flange-receiving members 96. Cross braces 102 extend across the substructure and interconnect the

transverse members

82 and 100. A stacking lip 104 is secured to the outer edge of each side of the top structure 80.

When a top protector of one of the several forms hereinbefore described has been placed in position on top of the grouped containers 10 so as to engage the flangelike portions 16 of the gabled stops 12, and the package then completed by wrapping a flexible material about the top protector and grouped containers, the packages thus formed may be shipped, stored and handled easily, and the top protectors and flexible wrapping material may be discarded when the packages are disassembled to remove the containers at the point of ultimate use. Moreover, the mechanical strength inherent in the packages formed in accordance with the present invention permits these packages to be stacked in vertical tiers without the containers included in the lowermost package being crushed or damaged by the Weight of the superimposed packages. The stacking lips which are provided on the top protectors assure vertical alignment and stability of the stacked packages. The ability of the packages to withstand compressional loading is, in large part, due to the manner in which the top protectors used in the packages evenly distribute the weight of the stacked packages to all of the containers contained in the interior and lowermost packages. Thus, each top protector has a relatively large surface area in contact with a large surface containers, and through the containers to the supporting floor or platform.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein described in order to provide examples which may be utilized by those skilled in the art in the practice of the invention, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the described method and structure can be effected without departure from the basic principle-s which underlie the invention. All changes and modifications of this type are therefore deemed to be within the pale of the spirit and scope of the invention, except as the same may be necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for packaging a plurality of gabled top containers comprising:

placing the containers in juxtaposition to each other with the gabled tops thereof extending in the same direction and the bottoms thereof in coplanar alignment;

placing a rigid top protector contoured to contact the gabled tops of each container over the gabled tops of the juxtapositioned containers and in engagement with each container to retain the containers in a fixed, predetermined relation to each other; then wrapping the containers about with a flexible material in a direction to retain the top protector on the containers and in engagement therewith in any position of the containers.

2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein engagement between said top protector and the containers is effected so that each individual container is immobilized against movement in any direction except away from said top protector.

3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said wrapping is earried out by extending an elongated, flexible material across said top protector and across the bottoms of said containers to form a band encircling said containers to prevent their movement away from said top protector, while leaving at least one side of some of the containers exposed.

4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said wrapping is carried out to completely enclose said containers and top protector in said flexible material.

'5. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said wrapping is accomplished by shrinking a film of synthetic resin onto and around said containers and top protector.

6. A package comprising;

a plurality of closed containers having flat bottoms and gabled tops, said containers being grouped in contact with each other and having their bottoms in substantially coplanar alignment and their gabled tops extending in a common direction;

a rigid top protector having a portion complementary in configuration to the collective gabled tops of said containers and in contact with said gabled tops, said top protector having a configuration on one side for engaging and retaining in fixed relation to each other, the gabled tops of said containers, and having a substantially monoplanar horizontally extending top structure positioned on the opposite side of said top protector from said complementary portion thereof; and

a flexible material extending at least partially around 16 said grouped containers and retaining said containers in engagement with said top protector, and cooperating with said top protector to maintain the grouping and spacial relationship of the containers.

7. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein said complementary portion of the top protector comprises:

a plurality of side walls projecting substantially normal from said top structure toward the bottoms of said containers and aligned with the outer sides of the outermost containers in said group of containers, each of said side walls having a lower edge contacting the gabled tops of a plurality of said containers; and

brace means extending substantially horizontally between at least two of said side walls and contacting the gabled tops of a plurality of said containers.

8. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said containers further includes a substantially monoplanar, vertically extending flange portion projecting upwardly from the gabled top of the container, and wherein said top protector is slotted to receive and engage the flange portions of the containers.

9. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said containers is of rectangular cross-sectional configuration and said containers are grouped in a generally rectangular grouping, and wherein said top structure is a rectangular plate of substantially the same area as the area of a horizontal cross-section through said group of containers.

10. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein said complementary portion comprises:

a plurality of elongated, interconnected members contacting the gabled tops of said containers along the fold lines thereof which impart the gabled geometric configuration to the tops of the containers; and

means projecting downwardly from said top structure and interconnecting said support members with said top structure.

11. A package as defined in claim 10 wherein said containers are each of rectangular parallelepiped geometric configuration below the gabled top thereof, and wherein said top structure comprises a rectangular framework including elongated members positioned in vertical alignment with, and spaced vertically upwardly from, said elongated interconnected support members.

12. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein said flexible material is a shrink film of synthetic resin material.

'18. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein said flexible material extends around, and in contact with, said top protector, and beneath, and in contact with, the bottoms of said containers, and wherein said containers on two opposite sides of said package are exposed to view by the absence of said flexible material.

14. A package as defined in claim 6 wherein said top protector is a unitary, synthetic resin structure.

l15. A package as defined in claim 6 and further characterized to include a plurality of stacking lips secured to the outer edges of said top protector.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,176,275 10/ 19 39 Pierce 217- 19 2,260,424 10/ 1941 Waters 20 66-5 3,009,283 11/ 1961 Gogins 22097 3,331,502 7/ 1967 Stroop et al. 206 65 3,338,404 8/ 1967 Becker et al 206- 65 WILLIAM T. DIXSON, 111., Primary Examin r.