WO2023081459A1 - Support de récipient - Google Patents

Support de récipient Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023081459A1
WO2023081459A1 PCT/US2022/049120 US2022049120W WO2023081459A1 WO 2023081459 A1 WO2023081459 A1 WO 2023081459A1 US 2022049120 W US2022049120 W US 2022049120W WO 2023081459 A1 WO2023081459 A1 WO 2023081459A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
container carrier
engagement means
engage
carrier
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2022/049120
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Vincent Bowman
Griffin E. RUSTAD
Hyunchul Kim
Jacob M. FORNOF
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US17/981,064 external-priority patent/US20230147374A1/en
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc. filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority to CA3236028A priority Critical patent/CA3236028A1/fr
Publication of WO2023081459A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023081459A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/50—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to beverage multipacks and, more particularly, to multipacks made up of a plurality of containers.
  • Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/or similar containers that require unitization.
  • Flexible plastic ring carriers and paperboard boxes are two such conventional container carriers.
  • plastic ring carriers made from 50% post-consumer recycled content. This carrier is operationally efficient, competitively priced, simple, and has a low carbon footprint in comparison to other beverage multipack alternatives.
  • Today, this solution is not considered 100% curbside recyclable by the FTC Green Guide because 60%+ consumers cannot recycle flexible plastics.
  • Multi-packaging systems are generally used in the beer, soft drink, and general products industries.
  • a new and innovative beverage multipacking solution is desirable that includes a 4, 6, 8, and/or 12 beverage capacity.
  • a preferred design is produced using 100% curbside recyclable rigid plastics, like HDPE or PET. These carriers would be applied on PET bottles and/or aluminum cans.
  • the invention generally relates to a container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers into a multipack.
  • the subject container carrier is configured to unitize cans or bottles with the same device.
  • a preferred embodiment of the subject invention is made from materials that are 100% curbside recyclable, in particular rigid PET and HDPE plastics that can enter most municipal recycling streams. This invention focuses on end-user needs and structural plastics that can easily be recycled. A solution that is meaningful, practical and makes a positive impact to encourage people to recycle is desired.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 shows a side view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a multipack of bottles according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a multipack of bottles according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a multipack of cans according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows a side view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a multipack of bottles according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a multipack of bottles according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a multipack of cans according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 14 shows a top plan view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 15 shows a side view of a container carrier according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a multipack of cans according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a multipack of bottles according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the present invention provides a container carrier to unitize a plurality of containers into beverage multipacks.
  • the container carrier 100, 200, 300 according to this invention is shown in Figs. 1-17 and examples of unitized multipacks are shown in Figs. 4-6, 10-12, 16 and 17.
  • the container carrier is injection molded or otherwise formed from high density polyethylene (HDPE).
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • PET or HDPE plastics may be used.
  • the material is generally rigid and 100% postconsumer recyclable in most or all markets.
  • the container carrier as described is thus molded or formed into a plurality of ribs and/or struts that together define the structures described below and shown in the figures.
  • the container carrier includes a plurality of container receiving openings forming an array of rings corresponding with a desired size of multipack.
  • Figs. 1-17 show six container receiving openings in a 2x3 array, other desired container carriers may be 2x2 for a four pack, 2x4 for an eight pack, or other desired arrays forming a desirable quantity multipack size.
  • the container carrier 100, 200, 300 for unitizing a plurality of containers includes a first engagement means configured to engage a can 20 and a second engagement means configured to engage a bottle 30, wherein the first engagement means and the second engagement means are generally superimposed upon each other.
  • “Superimposed” as used throughout the specification and claims is generally defined as wherein a first engagement means and a second engagement means are aligned and/or positioned and/or laid over each other, in either order, typically so that both are still evident.
  • Figs. 1-6 show one preferred embodiment of a container carrier 100 wherein the first engagement means comprises a plurality of container receiving openings 110 configured to engage with a chime 25 of a can 20 and the second engagement means comprises a plurality of radial tabs 130 positioned within each container receiving opening 110 configured to engage with a cap 40 and/or neck 35 of a bottle 30.
  • the radial tabs 130 preferably extend inwardly and may include an arcuate leading edge 135 to engage with the cap 40.
  • the radial tabs 130 preferably flex to permit a range of cap 40 and neck 35 sizes of bottles 30 within the multipack.
  • the container receiving openings 110 may each include a plurality of circumferential tabs 120 located at spaced locations around the respective container receiving openings to engage with the chime 25.
  • the container carrier 100 may further include a handle 150 extending along a longitudinal edge of the container carrier 100.
  • the handle 150 is preferably capable of pivoting over a top of the container carrier 100.
  • the handle 150 may attach at two opposite ends of the container carrier 100 between transverse container receiving openings 110.
  • the handle 150 may be formed along one or more sides of the container carrier 100 and preferably is graspable so as to form a bail over the top of the multipack.
  • the handle 150 preferably flexes at two attachment points on the container carrier 100 and then extends above the containers so as to permit carrying the multipack in a comfortable manner.
  • the container carrier can accommodate both cans 20 within the outer perimeter of each container receiving opening 110, such as shown in Fig. 6, and also bottles 30, such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
  • Figs. 7-12 show an additional embodiment of the container carrier 200.
  • the container carrier 200 is formed in a plurality of container rings 210, wherein the first engagement means comprises a plurality of clips 220 extending outwardly from the container rings 210 and the second engagement means comprises a plurality of radial tabs 230 extending inwardly from the container rings 21-.
  • a central ring 240 may be formed between each four container rings 210.
  • a total of eight rings form the container carrier 200.
  • the central rings 240 may be used to grasp the resulting multipackage.
  • the plurality of radial clips 220 not only extend outward but also extend downward from the container rings 210.
  • the radial clips 220 include an outwardly extending overhang 225.
  • the overhang 225 may include at least one ridge 227. In use, the overhang 225 may be used to pull and release a can 20 from captive placement within the container carrier 200 and the respective ridge(s) 227 may be helpful in permitting a user to take hold of the overhang 225 in order to pull upwards and release the can 20.
  • the radial clips 220 thereby provide a manner of engaging with the chimes 25 of cans 20 so that the respective can is maintained below the container rings 210 in an assembled multipackage.
  • the container receiving opening rings 210 further each include three or more radial tabs 230 that extend inward from a perimeter of the respective container ring 210.
  • the container carrier 200 can accommodate both cans 20 within the perimeter of the radial clips 220, as shown in Fig. 12, but also bottles 30, such as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.
  • the radial tabs 230 preferably flex to permit a range of cap 40 and neck 35 sizes of bottles 30 within the multipack.
  • first engagement means comprises two or more arcuate clips 320 and the second engagement means comprises an oval aperture 330 configured to accommodate at least two bottles 30.
  • the container carrier 300 as shown preferably includes a pair of container engaging fittings 310 that engage a pair of cans 20 arranged in transverse ranks for each transverse pair of containers.
  • the oval aperture 330 is also preferably positioned within each transverse rank and may extend between each transverse pair of container engaging fittings 310.
  • the oval aperture 330 extending between each set of arcuate clips 320 may accommodate a pair of bottle necks 35 and/or caps 40. In this way, the container carrier can accommodate both cans 20 within the arcuate clips 320 of each container receiving fitting 310, as shown in Fig. 16, and also pairs of bottles 30, within respective oval apertures 330, such as shown in Fig. 17.
  • the container carrier 300 preferably includes container receiving fittings 310 formed by a discontinuous series of arcuate clips 320 that together are engageable around a can 20 along a perimeter of each container receiving fitting 310.
  • These arcuate clips 320 are preferably formed in pairs of container receiving fittings 310 within an oval fitting 310 having a corresponding oval aperture 330. In this way, the container receiving fittings 310 may engage with a chime 25 of a can 20 to retain the can 20 within the multipack.
  • the container carrier 300 may additionally include a pair of gripping apertures 340 formed along a center axis of the container carrier 300.
  • the gripping aperture 340 may be formed as a ring between each four of the container receiving fittings to provide an opening for grasping the multipack. As such, in a six pack arrangement, a pair of gripping apertures 340 are formed between six container receiving fittings.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un support de récipient (100) pour unifier une pluralité de contenants qui comprend un premier moyen de mise en prise conçu pour venir en prise avec une boîte métallique (20) et un second moyen de mise en prise conçu pour venir en prise avec une bouteille (30), le premier moyen de mise en prise et le second moyen de mise en prise étant généralement superposés l'un sur l'autre.
PCT/US2022/049120 2021-11-05 2022-11-07 Support de récipient WO2023081459A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3236028A CA3236028A1 (fr) 2021-11-05 2022-11-07 Support de recipient

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202163276304P 2021-11-05 2021-11-05
US202163276309P 2021-11-05 2021-11-05
US202163276296P 2021-11-05 2021-11-05
US63/276,309 2021-11-05
US63/276,304 2021-11-05
US63/276,296 2021-11-05
US17/981,064 US20230147374A1 (en) 2021-11-05 2022-11-04 Container carrier
US17/981,064 2022-11-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023081459A1 true WO2023081459A1 (fr) 2023-05-11

Family

ID=84488462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2022/049120 WO2023081459A1 (fr) 2021-11-05 2022-11-07 Support de récipient

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023081459A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5535879A (en) * 1995-01-13 1996-07-16 Appleton; Arthur J. System for packaging containers
US5718330A (en) * 1993-03-15 1998-02-17 Plastirock Industries S.A. Holder for receptacles
US9376238B2 (en) * 2013-08-06 2016-06-28 William A Landow Presentation package for mixed beverage components
US10518952B2 (en) * 2015-03-26 2019-12-31 Process4, Inc. Package carrying arrangement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5718330A (en) * 1993-03-15 1998-02-17 Plastirock Industries S.A. Holder for receptacles
US5535879A (en) * 1995-01-13 1996-07-16 Appleton; Arthur J. System for packaging containers
US9376238B2 (en) * 2013-08-06 2016-06-28 William A Landow Presentation package for mixed beverage components
US10518952B2 (en) * 2015-03-26 2019-12-31 Process4, Inc. Package carrying arrangement

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6874620B2 (en) Container carrier
US4487312A (en) Package for carrying two multicontainer packs
US5351814A (en) Stackable case for bottles
NZ196114A (en) Multi-unit container package
US3325004A (en) Multi-packaging device
CN210047853U (zh) 容器载体
US3302783A (en) Carrier for containers and the like
US4372598A (en) Contour bottle carrier
US20230147374A1 (en) Container carrier
US5535879A (en) System for packaging containers
US4460084A (en) Plural container package
AU2018220006A1 (en) Container carrier with flexible flange
WO2023081459A1 (fr) Support de récipient
US5096246A (en) Bottle carrier
AU688236B2 (en) Container carrier with different coefficients of friction
US5437364A (en) Package comprising containers, carrier, and handle
US20040007480A1 (en) Flexible carrier sheet for supporting and carrying such as returnable bottles and cans
US5452794A (en) Package comprising containers, carrier, and tray
US20230146714A1 (en) Container carrier
US20230391525A1 (en) Container carrier
US4915217A (en) Container package
WO2023235621A1 (fr) Porte-contenants
US20230145290A1 (en) Container carrier
WO2023081451A1 (fr) Porte-contenant
CA1064865A (fr) Collecteur de fluide et emballage multiple

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 22822751

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 3236028

Country of ref document: CA