US3454156A

US3454156A - Can package

Info

Publication number: US3454156A
Application number: US658386A
Authority: US
Inventors: Victor H Chatten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-08-04
Filing date: 1967-08-04
Publication date: 1969-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1986-07-08

Description

ul 8, 1969 v. H. CHATTEN 3,454,156

CAN PACKAGE Filed Aug. 4. 1967 Sheet of 5 INVENTOR V/CTOZ H CWATTEA/ July 8, 1969 v. H. CHATTEN 3,454,156

CAN PACKAGE Filed Aug. 4. 1967 1 Sheet EMZ BY I w zw/z u y 8.1969 I V .H.HAT1-EN 3,4 4,15

v CAN PACKAGE Filed Aug. 4. 1967 Shae 0f 5 INVENTOR V/C/UE H CHATTEA/ July 8,1969 v. H. CHATTEN 3,454,156

cm PACKAGE Filed Aug. 4; 1967 V Y Y Sheet 4 of 5 July 8,: 1969 VfH/CHATTEN I 3,

v 01m PACKAGE Filed Aug'. 4. 1967 7 Sheet 5 of 5 z INVENTOR V/CTOE H I CHATT/V 3,454,156 CAN PACKAGE Victor H. Chatten, 1567 W. 215th St., Torrance, Calif. 90501 Filed Aug. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 658,386 Int. Cl. B65d 85/62, 21/00, 25/22, 25/28, 75/00 U.S. Cl. 206-65 27 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package is formed of a group of duplicate cylindrical cans each having an annular bead at one end or both ends. A tension band encircling the junction of two tiers of such cans engages the annular beads and cooperates with a retainer device within the interior of the package to prevent radial or axial separation of the cans.

Background of the invention This invention relates to a package of duplicate cylindrical cans adapted to be marketed as a unit. A device of this type may be classified as a multiple article package. Packages of this general type are commonly employed for marketing beverages. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved can package for six, eight or twelve cans, which package requires a minimum of elements or parts, and which can be constructed at minimum costs. These objects are achieved by joining two groups or tiers of cans end-to-end by means of a flexible tension band which overlies the outward extending annular beads on adjacent tiers of the cans. A retainer element or device, which may take several forms, contacts the cans at locations within the package.

Summary Briefly stated, this invention uses a flexible tension band to encircle the junction of two tiers of cans mounted end-to-end, the flexible band engaging adjacent annular beads formed at the ends of the cans and also embracing portions of the cans immediately adjacent such beads; A retainer device contacting the cans within the interior of the package cooperates with the tension band to prevent unwanted separation of the cans. Six-pack, eightpack and twelve-pack groups of cans may be packaged in this manner. The adjacent ends of the cans in end-to-end relation are kept clean and are not exposed to dust and dirt. The invention is also useful in connection with packaging of cans which have an annular bead only at one end. Various forms of carrying handles may be employed, if desired.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 22 as shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation partly in section and partly broken away.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the ceneral retainer device shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlargement of a portion of FIGURE 3, partly broken away.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional plan view partly broken away. 7

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the retainer device shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation showing another modification, employing a U-shaped handle.

United States Patent 0 Patented July 8, 1969 FIGURE 10 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 1010 as shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the U-shaped handle.

FIGURE 12 is a side elevation showing another modification, together with a carrying handle.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view showing a device similar to that of FIGURE 12, but in which the handle of FIGURE 12 is omitted, and another form of handle is employed.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view partly broken away, showing another modification.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 15-15 as shown in FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view showing another modification, partly broken away.

FIGURE 17 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 1717 as shown in FIGURE 16. All of the cans are arranged about a central opening defined between them.

FIGURE 18 shows the parts of the retainer assembly employed in FIGURES 16 and 17, prior to assembly.

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view showing another modification, partly broken away.

FIGURE 20 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 2020 as shown in FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 is a side elevation showing the portion of the device of FIGURES l9 and 20 on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 22 shows the parts of the retainer device employed in the device of FIGURES 19, 20 and 21, prior to assembly.

FIGURE 23 is a perspective view partly broken away showing one form of tension band comprising a perforated metal strip.

FIGURE 24 is a perspective view partly broken away showing another form of tension band formed of extruded plastic material.

FIGURE 25 is a top plan view of a modified form of retainer.

FIGURE 26 is a sectional view taken substantially on the lines 26-26, partly broken away, and showing how the retainer of FIGURE 25 cooperates with abutting angular beads on superposed cylindrical cans.

FIGURE 27 is a side elevation partly broken away showing another form of can package containing twelve cana Description of the preferred embodiments The can package shown in FIGURES 1-5 is generally designated 10, and it includes eight duplicate cylindrical cans 11. Each of the cans is conventional in construction and each is provided with an outward extending bead 12 at each end. The cans are of the type commonly used for beverages, and therefore one end wall of each can may be provided with a suitable pull tab opening device, not shown. Four of the cans are arranged in a lower tier 13 with their annular beads 12 in tangent contact. The other four cans 11 are mounted in an upper tier 14 and each can in the upper tier is directly superposed upon a corresponding can in the lower tier 13. The cans 11 in the upper tier 14 also have their annular beads 12 in tangent contact. The cans in the lower tier 13 have their end walls 'with the pull tab opening devices at the upper end, whereas the cans in the upper tier 14 are inverted so that their end walls with the pull tab opening devices are on the lower ends. All of the end walls with the pull tab opening devices are therefore kept clean and are protected against dust and dirt.

In accordance with this invention, a retainer device 16 is located in the center of the can package 10. As best shown in FIGURE 4, the retainer device 16 has four arcuate concave contact surfaces 17 symmetrically positioned and each interrupted by a central groove 18. The surfaces 17 have the same curvature as the cylindrical wall portions of the cans 11, and the width of the grooves 18 is proportioned to receive two abutting annular beads, as shown in FIGURE 5. The surfaces 17 thus straddle the contacting beads. A central opening 19 reduces weight and saves material.

A tension band 20 encircles all of the cans in the package and overlies the junction between the tiers 13 and 14. The central portion of the tension band overlies the abutting annular beads 12, and the edge portions contact the cylindrical wall portions of the cans 11. The band tension holds the individual cans 11 in contact with each other and in engagement with the retainer 16. The cans 11 are thus effectively held against axial or radial separation.

When it is desired to remove the can 11 from the package 10, one of the cans 11 in the upper tier 14 is grasped manually and rocked or tilted in a manner so that the upper end of the can 11 moves away from the diagonally opposite can in the upper tier. This action bends or breaks the retainer 16 to permit withdrawal of the can 11.

In this form of the device, no separate carrying handle is provided. However, each of the four spaces 21 between the tension band 20 and the outer surfaces of the cans 11 is large enough to permit one or two fingers to be inserted, and thereby enable the tension band 20 to be used as a carrying handle.

In the form of the device shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the can package 25 is similar to that previously described, except that it contains six cans instead of eight. The cans 11 and annular beads 12 are the same as that previously described. The retainer 26 as shown in FIG- URE 8 has only three curved surfaces instead of four. However, the cooperative action between the retainer 26 and the encircling tension band 27 is the same as that previously described.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 9, 10 and 11, the can package 10a is the same as the can package 10, previously described, except that a U-shaped handle 29 is provided for carrying the package 10a. The handle has parallel legs 30 which straddle the tension band 20 and retainer 16 and which extend through the clearance space between cylindrical wall portions of adjacent cans 11. Enlargements 31 formed at the extending end of the legs 30 are wider than the clearance space between the cans 11, and accordingly the handle 29 is wedged between the cans and its accidental disassembly from the package is prevented.

FIGURE 12 shows a can package 35 which is similar to the can package 10 previously described, except that it has three tiers of cans instead of two; twelve cans are provided instead of eight. Two spaced tension bands 20 are provided, each encircling a retainer 16. A handle 36 is inserted between adjacent cans and between the two tension bands 20. The handle 36 has an enlargement 37 at its inner end similar to the enlargement 31 on the handle 29.

The can package 40 shown in FIGURE 13 is identical to the can package 35, except that a ditferent form of handle is provided. In this case, the handle 41 is formed as an extra loop of the same web that forms the tension bands 20a and 20b.

FIGURES 14 and 15 show a modified form of the invention in which the retainer device comprises a flat sheet which also serves as a carrying handle. The can package 45 includes eight cans 11 positioned in two tiers, and having the abutting annular beads 12 encircled by the tension band 20. The combined retainer and carrying handle 46 comprises a two-layer flat strip extending between cans in both tiers. The strip is provided with two wide slots 47 and two narrow slots 48. The wide slots 47 receive and straddle the abutting annular beads 12 on the superposed cans 11, and the narrow slots 48 receive the tangent annular beads on the upper end of the cans in the upper tier. The thickness of the strip is the same as the clearance distance between the cylindrical walls of adjacent cans 11. The handle portion projects from the upper tier of cans, and the two layers of the handle portion may be separated and spread apart, if desired, to facilitate stacking of one can package on another. The outline of the two parts of the handle 46 in separated position is shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 15.

Cutout tabs

49 and 50 may be deflected laterally from the remainder of the strip 46 and these cutout tabs have concave arcuate surfaces 51 for engagement with the cylindrical walls of the cans in the upper tier.

The can package 50 shown in FIGURES 16, 17 and 18 is the same as the can package 45 previously described, except that the retainer device is somewhat different in construction and does not include a carrying handle. The retainer generally designated 51 comprises two identical strips 52 each having spaced apertures 53 and a central slot 54. The two strips 52 are assembled to form a cross and this brings the apertures 53 into the same plane. These apertures receive and straddle the abutting annular beads 12 on the superposed cans 11. The retainer 51 thus cooperates with the tension band 20 to maintain the cans 11 against axial or radial displacement.

FIGURES 19-22 show details of a can package 55 composed of cylindrical cans 56 having an annular bead 57 at one end only. Aluminum cans presently in use are constructed in this fashion. The cans 56 are assembled in the same manner as the cans in the package 10, described above, with the annular beads 57 in tangent contact and with the cans in the upper tier oriented so that their annular beads abut the annular bead on the can therebelow. The tension band 20 operates in the manner previously described. The retainer 58 comprises two duplicate strips 59 each having laterally spaced apertures 60, and a slot 61. The strips are assembled at right angles to form a cross, with the aperture 60 all in the same plane. These apertures receive and straddle the abutting annular beads 57 on the cans 56 which are placed end-toend.

The tension band employed in any of the can packages described above must be flexible enough to conform to the abutting annular beads of the superposed cans, but should not lose its tension after installation. Various forms of plastic materials are suitable for the tension band. In FIGURE 23, there is shown a tension band formed of a perforated metal strip 65 having a series of holes 66. The metal portions between the holes readily deform to provide a locking grip on the abutting annular beads of the superposed cans.

The tension band shown in FIGURE 24 comprises a plastic strip 67 which may be extruded to provide a central offset portion 168. The groove 69 formed by this offset portion is just wide enough to accept the abutting annular beads on the superposed cans.

FIGURES 25 and 26 show a modified form of retainer device 71. This comprises a metal stamping having a plurality of

prongs

72 and 73 bent from the plane of the central portion 74. Alternate prongs extend in opposite directions, and these prongs are shaped so that they extend over and confine between them the abutting annular beads 12 of adjacent superposed cans 11. A central hole 75 may be provided for reduction in weight. This form of retainer may be used in any of the can packages shown in FIGURES l, 9, 12, 13 and 27, and FIGURE 6 by using a three-sided retainer.

FIGURE 27 shows a twelve-can package 75 having a combined handle and retainer 76 of the general type shown in FIGURES l4 and 15. The handle 76 is longer, however, since it is perforated at 77 and 78 to accommodate the two spaced groups of abutting annular beads 12.

I claim:

1. A can package comprising: at least three cans in a lower tier and the same number of cans in an upper tier, the cans being duplicates and arranged about a central opening defined by them, each can in the upper tier being directly superposed on a corresponding can in the lower tier, each of the cans in the lower tier having an annular bead at its upper end contacting the annular beads on adjacent cans in that tier, each of the cans in the upper tier having an annular bead at its lower end contacting the annular beads on adjacent cans in that tier, a tension band encircling all of the cans in both tiers and contacting a portion of the annular head of each can, a retainer element contacting a portion of each can in both tiers, said retainer element having can contacting surfaces straddling the contacting portions of the beads on said cans and being positioned within the central opening of the can package and encircled by said tension band, said tension band and said retainer element cooperating to prevent axial separation of the cans and to hold them against relative lateral movement.

2. The can package of claim 1 in which the cans each have annular beads on both ends, and wherein the tension band contacts annular beads only on adjacent ends 'of the cans in both tiers.

3. The can package of claim 1 in which the cans each have an annular head at one end only.

4. The can package of claim 1 in which there are four cans in each tier.

5. The can package of claim 1 in which there are three cans in each tier.

6. The can package of claim 1 in which the retainer element has a plurality of grooves each receiving a pair of annular beads on adjacent cans in different tiers.

7. The can package of claim 4 in which the retainer element has four curved grooves each receiving a pair of annular beads on adjacent cans in different tiers.

8. The can package of claim 5 in which the retainer element has three curved grooves each receiving a pair of annular beads on adjacent cans in different tiers.

9. A retainer for a plurality of duplicate cylindrical cans, each can having a laterally extending bead at each end, the retainer having a plurality of concave arcuate surfaces each interrupted by a central groove, each groove being proportioned to accept two adjacent annular beads on cans placed end-to-end.

10. The retainer of claim 9, in which there are four concave arcuate surfaces, for an eight-can package.

11. The retainer of claim 9, in which there are three concave arcuate surfaces, for a six-can package.

12. A can package comprising: at least three cans in a lower tier and the same number of cans in an upper tier, the cans being cylindrical duplicates and arranged about a central opening defined by them, each can in the upper tier being directly superposed on a corresponding can in the lower tier, each of the cans having an outward extending annular bead at each end, the annular beads on each can being tangent to annular beads on adjacent cans, a tension band encircling all of the cans in both tiers and contacting a portion of one of the annular beads on each can, and a retainer element located within the central opening and within said tension band and provided with can contacting surfaces, each surface being interrupted by a groove proportioned to receive and straddle two adjacent annular bands on adjacent cans in different tiers.

13. An eight-can package according to claim 12 in which there are four cans in each tier.

14. A six-can package according to claim 12 in which there are three cans in each tier.

15. The can package of claim 12 in which a U-shaped handle has legs straddling said tension band and said retainer, said legs each extending between a pair of adjacent cans, and means at the inner end of each leg preventing radial removal of said handle from said cans.

16. A twelve-can package comprising: three tiers of four cans each and arranged about a central opening defined by them, the cans being cylindrical duplicates, each with an annular bead at each end, the beads on cans in the same tier being tangent, each can in an upper tier being directly superposed on a corresponding can in a lower tier, two tension bands, the first band encircling the junction of the cans in the first and second tiers, and the second hand encircling the junction of the cans in the second and third tiers, two retainer elements each positioned within the central opening, one within each of said tension bands, respectively, and each having surfaces contacting cans in adjacent tiers, said surfaces straddling the contacting portions of the beads on said cans, said tension bands and retainer elements cooperating to prevent axial separation of the cans and to hold them against lateral movement.

17. The can package of claim 16 having a handle extending between adjacent cans in the second tier, the handle having means at its inner end preventing removal of said handle from said cans.

18. The can package of claim 16 having a handle connecting the two tension bands.

19. A can package comprising: a plurality of cans in a lower tier and a plurality of cans in an upper tier, the cans being duplicates, each can in the upper tier being directly superposed on a corresponding can in the lower tier, each of the cans in the lower tier having an annular bead at its upper end contacting the annular beads on adjacent cans in that tier, each of the cans in the upper tier having an annular bead at its lower end contacting the annular beads on adjacent cans in that tier, a tension band encircling all of the cans in both tiers and contacting a portion of the annular bead of each can, a combined handle and retainer element comprising a sheet inserted between cans in both tiers and having a first pair of apertures to receive abutting beads on end-to-end cans and having a second pair of apertures to receive upper beads on cans in the upper tier, said tension band and said retainer element cooperating to prevent axial separation of the cans and to hold them against lateral movement.

20. The can package of claim 19 in which the sheet has fold-out parts extending between adjacent cans in the upper tier.

21. An eight-can package comprising: four cans in a lower tier and four cans in an upper tier, the cans being cylindrical duplicates, each can in the upper tier being directly superposed on a corresponding can in the lower tier, each of the cans having an outward extending annular head at least at one end, the annular beads on each can being tangent to annular beads on adjacent cans, a tension band encircling all of the cans in both tiers and contacting a portion of an annular bead on each can, a retainer device comprising a pair of duplicate sheets each having a pair of slots to receive adjacent annular beads, the sheets being positioned at right angles and extending between adjacent cans in both tiers, said tension band and retainer device cooperating to prevent axial separation of the cans and to hold them against lateral movement.

22. The eight-can package of claim 21 in which the cans each have annular heads at both ends.

23. The eight-can package of claim 21 in which the cans have annular heads at one end only.

24. The can package of claim 1 in which the tension band comprises a perforated metal strip.

25. The can package of claim 1 in which the tension band comprises a strip having a longitudinal groove for reception of said annular beads.

26. A retainer for a plurality of duplicate cylindrical cans, each can having a laterally extending annular bead at least at one end, the retainer having a plurality of concave can-engaging portions each provided with two spaced series of prongs adapted to confine abutting beads between them on cans placed end-to-end.

27. The can package of claim 19 in which there are twelve cans in three tiers, and wherein the sheet form- 7 8 ing the combined handle and retainer element has two 3,208,588 9/1965 Mosse et a1. pairs of apertures to receive abutting annular beads. 3,275,134 9/1966 -Bixler.

3,343,670 9/ 1967 Stephan. References clted 3,348,674 10/1967 Poupitch. UNITED STATES PATENTS r 5/193O Hothersall WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner. 7/1941 Hothersall. 5/1954 Johnson et a1. CL 8/1961 Bruce. 22097, 102; 22952