WO2005112558A2

WO2005112558A2 - Container carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2005112558A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/015279
Authority: WO
Inventors: James H. Sewell
Original assignee: Roberts Polypro Inc.
Priority date: 2004-05-13
Filing date: 2004-05-13
Publication date: 2005-12-01
Also published as: GB0620369D0; WO2005112558A3; DE112004002843T5; GB2427125A

Abstract

A container carrier comprises a collar defining an opening for receiving the neck of the container. A handle includes a base and a pair of handle arms. The proximal ends of the handle arms are integral with the ends of the base and the distal ends of the handle arms are integral with the collar at opposed points on the collar. A flange integral with the base extends inwardly from the base in a direction towards the collar. The inner periphery of the collar and the handle define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to wrap around the base and the flange. The weight of the container during transport of the container causes the base and flange to flex upwardly above the plane of the collar and the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers

Description

CONTAINER CARRIER

Background This invention relates to a container carrier, and more particularly to a container carrier for carrying a container by its neck. Bottles and other containers can weigh a substantial amount. For example, a filled one gallon milk jug weighs approximately 8.3 pounds. When shoppers purchase such gallon containers, they generally must use a handle to carry the container. Sometimes a handle which is integral with the container is provided. Alternatively, a separate carrier is secured to the container. Carriers which enable containers to be carried by their necks are well known. However, conventional container carriers have suffered from a number of deficiencies. For example, some container carriers are quite elaborate and, as a result, are difficult to manufacture or cumbersome to ship and store. Further, container carriers can be uncomfortable to use because the handle of the container carrier bites into the fingers of a user when the user lifts and transports the containers with the container carrier. Containers having annular flanges in their necks, such as bottles or jugs, have presented a particularly troublesome problem for accommodating container carriers. In particular, the neck- engaging rings of the carriers are required to be resilient enough to fit over the larger diameter of the neck flange while at the same time having a sufficiently small diameter to fit snugly against the smaller diameter of the container neck immediately below the flange and having sufficient tensile strength to support the weight of the container. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a container carrier that securely attaches to the container to be transported, and that is easy and comfortable to use. The new container carrier should be durable and resistant to tearing or ripping when under the weight and stress of heavy containers. Ideally, the design of the container carrier is one that can be efficiently and inexpensively manufactured and that allows for uniform and high speed installation of the carrier onto containers.

Summary According to the present invention, an apparatus is provided for a carrier including a flexible platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, a handle extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a pair of handle arms. The proximal ends of the handle arms are integral with the ends of the handle and the distal ends of the handle arms are integral with the carrier such that the inner periphery of the carrier, the handle, and the handle arms define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to wrap around the handle. The carrier apparatus comprises a flange adapted to be integral with the handle and extending from the handle in a direction toward the platform for substantially the length of the handle. During transport, a user's fingers wrap around the handle and the flange, and the weight of the container causes the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers. Also according to the present invention, a carrier is provided for use with a container including a neck. The container carrier comprises a flexible platform having an upper surface and a lower surface. The platform includes a container-engaging portion defining an opening through the platform for receiving the neck of the container and a handle portion. The handle portion comprises a base extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of the platform, a pair of handle arms, and a flange. The proximal ends of the handle arms are integral with the ends of the base and the distal ends of the handle arms are integral with the container-engaging portion at opposed points on the container-engaging portion. The flange is integral with the base and extends inwardly of the base for substantially the length of the base. The inner periphery of the container-engaging portion and the handle portion define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to wrap around the base and flange portion. The weight of the container causes the base and flange to be flexed upwardly above the plane of the platform and the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers. Further according to the present invention, a carrier is provided for use with a container including a neck. The container carrier comprises a collar defining an opening for receiving the neck of the container and a handle including a base and a pair of handle arms. The proximal ends of the handle arms are integral with the ends of the base and the distal ends of the handle arms are integral with the collar at opposed points on the collar. A flange integral with the base extends inwardly from the base in a direction towards the collar. The inner periphery of the collar and the handle define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to wrap around the base and the flange. The weight of the container during transport of the container causes the base and flange to flex upwardly above the plane of the collar and the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers.

Drawings For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a container carrier according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the container carrier shown in FIG. 1 in position on a container; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container carrier and the container shown in FIG. 2 demonstrating a user's fingers entering from beneath the container carrier to grasp the handle; and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container carrier and the container shown in FIG. 2 demonstrating the user's hand and the handle in a carrying position when used to transport the container. FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the container carrier and container shown in FIG. 2 demonstrating the user's hand and the handle in a carrying position when used to transport a carrier. FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a container carrier according to the present invention.

Description Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the various drawings, an embodiment of a container carrier according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated at 10. The container carrier 10 comprises a thin substantially planar flexible platform 12. The platform 12 has an upper surface 14, a lower surface 16 (which is not visible in FIG.l), an outer perimeter 18 and an inner region. The inner region of the platform 12 includes a container-engaging portion 20 and a handle portion 22. The platform 12 is preferably formed from a synthetic polymer. Suitable synthetic polymers are those that are tear resistant, relatively rigid, flexible, capable of temporary deformation and relatively easy to perforate, including without limitation, polycarbonate, polyethylene (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, nylon polymers (i.e., polyamides) and the like, and blends thereof. Nevertheless, the container carrier 10 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by the materials herein, but may be carried out using any materials that allow the construction and use of the described container carrier according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the container-engaging portion 20 comprises a collar 24 which defines a circular opening 26 through the platform 12. The handle portion 22 of the container carrier 10 is generally U-shaped, comprising a base 30 and two handle arms 32. The ends of the base 30 are integral with the proximal end of each of the handle arms 32. The handle arms 32 extend from the base 30 nearly parallel to and equally distanced from a central longitudinal axis 34 of the container carrier 10. The distal end of each handle arm 32 is integral with the collar 24 at opposed points on the collar 24. The handle arms 32 and the collar 24 are arranged so that the load of a container is generally balanced during transport, as will be described below. As seen in FIG. 1, the inner periphery of the container-engaging portion 20 and the handle portion 22 define an opening 36. Preferably, the base 30 is sized so that the opening 36 is wide enough to provide finger access to the opening 36. The base 30 of the handle portion 22 includes a flange 38 extending inwardly from the base 30. The width of the flange 38 is about twice the width of the base 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the flange 38 is scored by two parallel lines 40, 42 formed in the lower surface 16 of the platform 12. Both score lines 40, 42 traverse the width of the flange 38. The first score line 40 is formed at the boundary where the base 30 and the flange 38 meet. The second score line 42 is formed along the central longitudinal axis of the flange 38. The score lines 40, 42 generally function to impart rigidity to the flange 38. To achieve this purpose, the number and location of the score lines may vary. For example, the score lines do not have to be parallel to one another or to the base 30 of the handle portion 22 as shown in the FIGs. When a plurality of score lines are formed, two or more of the score lines may intersect. Moreover, the score lines can be formed in either the upper surface 14 or the lower surface 16 of the platform, or both. The ends 44, 46 of the handle arms 32 are outwardly radiused where the handle arms 32 are integral with the base 30 of the handle portion 22 and the collar 24. The outwardly radiused ends 44, 46 provide for curvature in the opening 36 defined by the inner periphery of the container-engaging portion 20 and the handle portion 22 and help to distribute the forces exerted upon the handle portion 22 and collar 24 for preventing tearing or ripping at the connection points of the handle arms 32. The outwardly radiused ends 44, 46 also enable the handle arms 32 to take on a convex shape when the handle arms 32 are under the weight of a container when the container is lifted by the container carrier 10. Referring now to FIG. 2, the container carrier 10 of the present invention is shown installed onto a container 48. For installation, the container carrier 10 is first preheated and the opening 26 of the container-engaging portion 20 is temporarily widened by mechanical means and positioned over the container 48 so that the opening 26 of the container-engaging portion 20 is aligned with the neck of the container 48. The container carrier 10 is then forced downwardly onto the container 48 such that the neck of the container 48 passes through the opening 26 in the container-engaging portion 20. The container carrier 10 is advanced onto the container 48 until the collar 24 of the container-engaging portion 20 is beyond the enlarged rim 50, or stop ring, on the container neck. Within a period of about ten to fifteen minutes, the opening 26 of the container-engaging portion 20 returns to about its original size, engaging the neck of the container 48 underneath the stop ring 50. As a result, the container carrier 10 securely holds the container 48, and there is no possibility of the container 48 becoming disengaged from the container-engaging portion 20 during normal use. The flat profile of the container carrier 10 lends itself to unitizing into cartridges of stacked carriers 10 which have been fusion bonded as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,811,861, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This arrangement allows for easier shipment and loading of the container carriers 10 into machinery for installation of the container carriers 10 onto containers 48. A suitable machine for installing the container carriers 10 is a Manual Single Bottle Carrier Applicator which is available from Roberts

Polypros, Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina. For uniform high-speed installation, the container carriers 10 may be automatically installed on containers 48 using an Intermittent Single Bottle Carrier Applicator, also available from Roberts PolyPro, Inc. As shown in FIG. 1, opposed parallel elliptical slots are formed at the distal ends of the handle arms for facilitating the loading of the container carrier 10 in an automated loading machine. The slots are configured for receiving drive cleats on the machine for advancing the container carrier 10 in the machine for installation on a container 48. In addition to installing the container carrier 10 onto containers 48, the machine also bends the flange 38 upwardly along the score lines 40, 42. Once the container carrier 10 is installed on the container 48, the user may lift and transport the container carrier 10 and the secured container 48 as a single package. As shown in FIGs. 3 - 5, to use the container carrier 10, the user inserts his fingers from below the platform 12 through the opening 36 defined by the container-engaging portion 20 and the handle portion 22 (FIG.3). The user then curls his fingers toward the flange 38 so that the flange 38 rests in the region beneath the finger pads of the hand, and then lifts the container carrier 10. When the user begins to lift the container carrier 10 with its secured container 48, the base 30 and the flange 38 rest on the finger pads of the hand, and the handle arms 32 begin to rise upwardly above the plane of the platform 12 until the handle arms 32 are fully extended under the weight of the container 48 and assume a slightly convex shape (FIG. 4). As best seen in FIG. 5, when the container carrier 10 is so lifted, the score lines 40, 42 in the flange 38 enable the flange 38 to assume a slightly parabolic shape. The weight of the container 48 is evenly distributed across the handle portion 22 and flange 38 which rest comfortably in the user's hand. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the flange 38 does not have score lines. In use, when the user begins to lift the container carrier 10 and secured container 48, the base 30 of the handle portion 32 and the flange 38 bow upwardly across the user's fingers due to the weight of the container 48. As in the previously described embodiment, the weight of the container 48 is thus evenly distributed in the user's hand. It is contemplated that, in one embodiment, the container carrier 10 of the present invention will carry elongated containers 48, such as the bottle shown in the FIGS. However, it is understood that cans, jars, jugs, spray bottles, oil containers and other types of containers or packages may be used in connection with the present invention. Furthermore, although the handle portion 22 of the present invention is shown and described as including a single container-engaging portion 20, the handle portion 22 of the present invention can be adapted to be used with a container carrier 10 wherein there are a plurality of container-engaging portions 20. The container carrier 10 of the present invention can be manufactured by numerous methods known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the container carrier 10 may be manufactured utilizing a punch and die set to form the container carrier 10 from a substantially planar sheet of polymeric material. This method includes the steps of providing a sheet of polymeric material to a punch and die set; punching openings through the sheet to form the container-engaging portion 20, the handle portion 22, the flange 38 and the slots; scoring the flange 38; punching the sheet to define the outer perimeter 18 of the container carrier 10; and severing the container carrier 10 from the sheet of polymeric material. A first die is preferably shaped so that one stroke forms all of the openings in the inner region of the platform 12. A lathe or other equivalent apparatus is used to score the two parallel lines 40, 42 transversely across the flange 38. A second die is shaped so that one stroke forms the collar 24 of the container-engaging portion 20 and the outer perimeter 18 of the container carrier 10 and severs the container carrier 10 from the sheet of polymeric material. A steel rule die cutter could also be used for the manufacture of the container carrier 10 of the present invention. The punch and die set is preferred, however, since the punch and die set allows for smaller, more precise cuts to be made in the platform material in order to form the handle portion 22 according to the present invention. In particular, the use of a punch and die set allows for the openings forming the handle portion 22 and slots to be cut with outwardly radiused ends 44, 46, and further allows for the handle arms 32 to taper outwardly from the proximal end to the distal end where the handle arms 32 connect with the collar 24 of the container-engaging portion 20. As previously described herein, this feature aids in distributing the forces exerted upon the container carrier 10, and helps to prevent tearing at the ends of the openings where the base 30 integrally connects with the handle arms 32, and where the handle arms 32 integrally connect with the collar 24 of the container-engaging portion 20. The container carrier 10 according to the present invention has many advantages, including, but not limited to, a flexible handle portion 22 comprising a base 30 integrally connected to an upwardly movable flange 38 which allows the container carrier 10 to be securely and comfortably transported and used. The combination of the base 30 and flange 38 provides a large and comfortable area whereby the weight of the container is spread more evenly over the fingers of the user's hand. When the user lifts upwardly upon the handle portion 22, a larger opening 36 is created which allows the user to insert his fingers so that the base 30 and flange 38 come to rest upon the fingertips of the user's hand, thereby providing the secure and comfortable container carrier 10 for transporting and moving containers 48. Further, because the container carrier 10 can be made of recyclable material, the container carrier 10 of the present invention can be recycled together with the container 48. Although the present invention has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, although the opening 26 of the container- engaging portion 20 is illustrated as generally circular in shape, it is understood that the opening 26 may be any shape necessary to accommodate a particular container 48 to be packaged.

Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omissions, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for use with a container including a neck, the container carrier comprising: a flexible platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, the platform including a container-engaging portion defining an opening through the platform for receiving the neck of the container, and a handle portion comprising a base extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of the platform, a pair of handle arms, the proximal ends of the handle arms integral with the ends of the base and the distal ends of the handle arms integral with the container-engaging portion at opposed points on the container-engaging portion, and a flange integral with the base and extending inwardly of the base for substantially the length of the base,

wherein the inner periphery of the container-engaging portion and the handle portion define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to engage the base and flange portion, the weight of the container causing the base and flange to be flexed upwardly above the plane of the platform and the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers.

2. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle arms taper outwardly from the proximal ends to the distal ends.

3. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the flange has a transverse score line formed in a surface of the platform.

4. A container carrier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the flange has a plurality of transverse score lines formed in a surface of the platform.

5. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the flange has a transverse score line formed in the upper surface and the lower surface of the platform.

6. A container carrier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the platform is substantially planar.

7. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform.

8. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein each handle arm has a longitudinal slot.

9. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the platform is formed from a polymeric material.

10. A container carrier as recited in claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyethylene (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon polymer, and blends thereof.

11. A container carrier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the proximal ends of the handle arms adjacent to the ends of the base define curvatures in the opening defined by the inner periphery of the container-engaging portion and the handle portion.

12. A container carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the handle arms adjacent the container-engaging portion define curvatures in the opening defined by the inner periphery of the container-engaging portion and the handle portion.

13. An apparatus for a carrier comprising a flexible platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, a handle extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a pair of handle arms, the proximal ends of the handle arms integral with the ends of the handle and the distal ends of the handle arms integral with the carrier, wherein the inner periphery of the carrier, the handle, and the handle arms define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to wrap around the handle, the carrier apparatus comprising: a flange adapted to be integral with the handle and extending from the handle in a direction toward the platform for substantially the length of the handle,

so that, during transport of a container, a user's fingers engage the handle and the flange, the weight of the container causing the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers.

14. An apparatus for a carrier as recited in claim 13, wherein the flange is formed from a polymeric material.

15. An apparatus for a carrier as recited in claim 14, wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyethylene (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon polymer, and blends thereof.

16. An apparatus for a carrier as recited in claim 13, wherein the flange has a transverse score line formed in a surface of the flange.

17. An apparatus for a carrier as recited in claim 13, wherein the flange has a plurality of transverse score lines formed in a surface of the flange.

18. An apparatus for a carrier as recited in claim 13, wherein the flange has an upper surface and a lower surface and the flange has a transverse score line formed in the upper surface and the lower surface of the flange.

19. A carrier for use with a container including a neck, the container carrier comprising: a collar defining an opening for receiving the neck of the container; a handle including a base and a pair of handle arms, the proximal ends of the handle arms integral with the ends of the base and the distal ends of the handle arms integral with'the collar at opposed points on the collar; and a flange integral with the base and extending inwardly from the base in a direction towards the collar,

wherein the inner periphery of the collar and the handle define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to engage the base and the flange, the weight of the container during transport of the container causing the base and flange to flex upwardly above the plane of the collar and the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers.

20. A container carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the handle arms taper outwardly from the proximal ends to the distal ends.

21. A container carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the proximal ends of the handle arms adjacent to the ends of the base define curvatures in the opening defined by the inner periphery of the collar and the handle.

22. A container carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the distal ends of the handle arms adjacent to the collar define curvatures in the opening defined by the inner periphery of the collar and the handle.

23. A container carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the flange has a transverse score line formed in a surface of the flange.

24. A container carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the flange has a plurality of transverse score lines formed in a surface of the flange.

25. A container carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the flange has an upper surface and a lower surface and has a transverse score line formed in the upper surface and the lower surface.

26. In combination: a container including a neck; a collar defining an opening for receiving the neck of the container; a handle including a base and a pair of handle arms, the proximal ends of the handle arms integral with the ends of the base and the distal ends of the handle arms integral with the collar at opposed points on the collar; and a flange integral with the base and extending inwardly from the base in a direction towards the collar,

wherein the inner periphery of the collar and the handle define an opening for allowing a user's fingers to wrap around the base and the flange, the weight of the container during transport of the container causing the base and flange to flex upwardly above the plane of the collar and the flange to provide a surface for the user's fingers.

27. The combination as recited in claim 26, wherein the handle arms taper outwardly from the proximal ends to the distal ends.

28. The combination as recited in claim 26, wherein the proximal ends of the handle arms adjacent to the ends of the base define curvatures in the opening defined by the inner periphery of the collar and the handle.

29. The combination as recited in claim 26, wherein the distal ends of the handle arms adjacent to the collar define curvatures in the opening defined by the inner periphery of the collar and the handle.

30. The combination as recited in claim 26, wherein the flange has a transverse score line formed in a surface of the flange.

31. The combination as recited in claim 26, wherein the flange has a plurality of transverse score lines formed in a surface of the flange.

32. The combination as recited in claim 26, wherein the flange has an upper surface and a lower surface and has a transverse score line in the upper and lower surfaces.