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
  • B65D71/40—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 by folding a blank or several blanks
  • B65D71/42—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 by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a single layer element
• • 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
  • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
  • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
• • 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
  • B65D71/0085—Packaging elements adhered to the articles, e.g. a carton sheet
• • 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
  • B65D2571/00—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, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00006—Palletisable loads, i.e. loads intended to be transported by means of a fork-lift truck
  • B65D2571/00111—Arrangements of flexible binders

Definitions

• the invention relates to a package as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing such a package.
• the solution is designed for individual containers which will be separated after removal of the band, e.g. for filling shelves of a supermarket.
• the cardboard packaging which supports the containers will have to be removed and thrown away in the supermarket.
• such packs which have more than two rows of containers are formed generally using a honeycomb formation of containers, since the forces acting on the containers due to the tensioned strapping band will make the containers adopt this formation.
• the disadvantage with such a formation is however that the pack will have "dead" corner and/or end portions which take up a large amount of storage space, which is of importance especially on shop shelves.
• Even those packages which are originally formed from a plurality of containers arranged in rectangular groups i.e. not honeycombed) can have the problem that the containers will tend to assume their natural position and will tend to honeycomb during transport. This can lead to instability and the promotion of relative vertical movement on lifting the packages which may lead to package collapse.
• a further requirement which must be met, in order to increase sales and to provide a convenient handling means, is the supply of containers as a multi-pack, i.e. containing two or more packs held together, e.g. by a cardboard carrier, after the removal of the unsightly strapping band.
• a multi-pack carrier is shown in EP-A-496 807 for example, the subject matter of which is incorporated herewith by reference.
• the object of the present invention is thus to provide a solution for strapping together multi-packs of containers (i.e. rows or packs which each comprise a plurality of containers held together at their upper ends normally by a cardboard carrier) in such a way which prevents honeycombing and which results in a minimum of waste.
• multi-packs of containers i.e. rows or packs which each comprise a plurality of containers held together at their upper ends normally by a cardboard carrier
• the honeycombing effect can be substantially eliminated when a strapping band is applied.
• Fig.l shows a side view of four individual multi-packs joined together by a single strapping band
• Fig.2 shows a perspective view of four individual multi packs, similar to those of Fig.l, joined together as in Fig.l,
• Fig.3 and Fig.4 show respective side and perspective views of two multi-packs containing six containers per pack
• Fig.5 shows a view of five multi-packs containing four containers per pack
• Fig.6 shows the arrangement of Fig.l with various possible alternative adhesive locations marked thereon.
• the package shown in Fig.l and Fig.2 comprises twelve containers la-d arranged in four rows.
• the first row has three cans la, the second row has three cans lb etc.
• Each row of containers is thus joined in a multi-pack of three containers by means of a folded cardboard carrier blank 2a- 2d respectively.
• any number of containers greater than one may be used with the invention, e.g. two containers in each multi-pack row.
• many rows of multi-packs are possible (e.g. four rows of 2-packs or four rows of 3-packs etc.) or a multi- pack having packs arranged in two or more rows joined by one folded carrier element, or two carrier elements joined by adhesive so as to form a larger single joined multi- pack.
• a single strapping band 3 suitably of polypropylene, is tensioned around the four rows of containers to hold them together.
• the forces in the strapping band in its fixed state and the forces arising during its method of application during strapping would normally force the four rows to adopt a honeycomb formation as discussed above.
• the invention provides means for preventing the sideways movement of one pack with respect to the next, without adding significant amounts of extra material.
• One or both of the flaps 4 and 5 on the sides of the containers facing each other may be longer than the flaps 6 and 7 on the outer sides.
• the juxtaposed flaps 4 and 5 thus extend down into the region of contact of the cylindrical containers of each row.
• the frictional resistance to movement between said containers after application of the tensioned strapping band will normally be high enough to prevent side slip of one multi-pack container group with respect to the other (i.e. one in direction A, the other in direction B) due to the combined presence of the band, the frictional contact of the cardboard and the connection of the cans by the multi-pack carrier.
• the actual extent of the cardboard required between the two rows of containers is something which can be arrived at by experimentation and depends on the type and weight of container, the thickness of cardboard etc.
• a suitable dimension for the strapping band would normally be up to about 50mm, although larger dimensions could be used. Even with such narrow bands (50mm or under) the invention still provides a honeycomb-preventing solution.
• Fig.l shows a gap between the containers at their lower ends, this large gap is of course not present in reality since the tensioned band 3 will bunch the cans together. Similarly, whilst the cardboard flaps 4 and 5 are not shown as being in contact with one another, they will be since the band 3 is under tension.
• the cardboard provided by flaps 4 and 5 (as denoted in figures 1 to 4 and 6) between the containers can be separate from the carrier elements 2a-d.
• a separate strip or separate strips of cardboard could be inserted between the adjacent rows of multi-packs instead of these strips being joined to the carriers 2a-2d.
• the insert does not necessarily have to be between all the containers, but only some, although being between all containers would be the most preferred solution from many aspects. The important feature to be achieved is the adequate amount of frictional resistance between the containers at this particular location.
• Figs. 3 and 4 show respective side and perspective views of two multi-packs each having two rows of three containers le and If (or lg and lh) per multi-pack, said multi-packs being joined together by means of the tensioned band 3 with the flaps 8 and 9 in compressed contact.
• the figure is only a schematic representation and the container rows If and lg would of course normally be in contact at least at their lower ends.
• a third embodiment of the invention is, instead of any cardboard insert or extension between the containers, to use a small area of suitable adhesive, e.g. hot melt, between the containers of each row in order to obtain the required effect.
• suitable adhesive e.g. hot melt
• the adhesive could be used in addition to said cardboard.
• a suitable placement of the adhesive is between the container cylindrical surface and the cardboard flap which fixes the containers positionally with respect to each other.
• adhesive may be placed at any other suitable location between the cylindrical surfaces of adjacent cans or adjacent multi-packs.
• the various alternative locations for the adhesive will be outlined with reference to Fig.6.
• the adhesive should be such that the strength and adhesion in the longitudinal shear direction (i.e. direction A/B) should be significant whilst the strength in a lateral direction should be relatively insignificant so as to allow consumers to easily separate the multi-packs from each other or cans from their upper cardboard carrier when desired, yet still prevent sideways slipping.
• the package according to the invention In order to prevent honeycombing of the containers during packaging together using the band 3, the package according to the invention .should be assembled as follows.
• cardboard or the like As the frictional resistance producer between the containers, the cardboard will be unable to produce any resistance effect until the band 3 becomes taught.
• a frame member or other movement-preventing member e.g. on the banding machine
• a fourth embodiment is also possible, where shock absorbing properties (as described later) might be required.
• the banding function and the shock absorbing properties can be provided in one complete cardboard strip which can be supplied in rolls.
• the cardboard band is merely tensioned around the cylindrical containers and the ends glued together (or otherwise suitably joined) .
• a purely cardboard solution is used (i.e. no plastic band or adhesive) significant recycling advantages are obtained.
• a further embodiment as shown in Fig. 5 involves the use of a shock absorbing protective layer for the containers (such as if the retailer requires glass containers to be especially protected) .
• shock absorbing material 15 may be used which, in the shown example is in the form of an open ended (at one end) underlay to protect the lower and most vulnerable surfaces of the containers from damage (e.g. with glass containers).
• the underlay for the five multi packs 10 - 14 is held in position in the shown embodiment by the band 3 which is fastened around two extended portions 16 of the underlay. Also in this embodiment the band 3 may be made shock- absorbing if this is required.
• Fig.6 is a similar view to that of Fig.l, although adhesive (suitably hot-melt adhesive) is shown as applied in various alternative locations. In some cases a combination of certain locations could obviously be used however. Locations C, D, and E are shown as schematic representations of possible glue locations and thus the glue thickness at these locations can obviously vary within large limits.
• Location C shows, for example glue which is placed between the cardboard flaps of adjacent rows of containers.
• the glue of course, as in accordance with that aforementioned, has the purpose of obtaining a shear force resistance, but must naturally be weak in the direction which allows the rows to be separated from one another. A further application of this could be where it is desired to form a combined multi-pack between two or more rows such that the individual carrier elements would be attached together as a single pack.
• Location D is between the cardboard flap and the container itself, thus providing the particular advantage of a tamper-evident connection.
• Location E is between the adjacent cylindrical surfaces of the containers and serves not only to provide the required shear resistance at this location, but also provides a damage protection barrier between containers. Clearly the distance from the bottom of the containers of this glue location is not of the utmost importance, but it should be below the strapping band 3 for the best results when adhesive is indeed used.
• the packages which result from the invention are thus readily stackable with further packaging units on a pallet.
• a further strapping band may then be placed around one or several of the complete pallet layers if increased stability is required (e.g. for transport) .
• the package For shelf stacking in a supermarket or the like, the package merely needs to be put into the shelf, before or after severing the strapping bands. As will be apparent, all the available shelf space can then be used to best effect by appropriate stacking of the individual multi-packs which are ready for consumer purchase.
• the packaging idea of the invention may also be extended further to the joining together of multi-packs of containers each of which is in itself a honeycomb formation of containers (by virtue of the carrier element itself providing such an arrangement) .
• the strapping band with a combined shock absorbing layer (e.g. hot melt outer layer on the band) which will also help to increase the frictional resistance of the strapping band to the containers.
• a combined shock absorbing layer e.g. hot melt outer layer on the band
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but may be varied to a large extent within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
• the choice of materials, the size of the cardboard inserts or adhesive zones as well as the strapping band tension and location may all be varied depending on the type of container multi- packs in question. For example, long containers in a large multi-pack will require more frictional resistance to be achieved than those of a small group with small containers and a solution to this may be larger strips of cardboard for example.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
• Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
• Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
• Buffer Packaging (AREA)
• Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=20390944

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (39)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1993
  • 1993-09-01 SE SE9302822A patent/SE9302822D0/xx unknown
• 1994
  • 1994-08-31 FI FI960948A patent/FI960948A7/fi not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1994-08-31 JP JP50806095A patent/JP3324703B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-08-31 WO PCT/SE1994/000784 patent/WO1995006604A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1994-08-31 AU AU76265/94A patent/AU687873B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1994-08-31 AT AT94926423T patent/ATE193263T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1994-08-31 DE DE69424672T patent/DE69424672T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-08-31 HU HU9600503A patent/HUT74646A/hu unknown
  • 1994-08-31 EP EP94926423A patent/EP0715593B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1996
  • 1996-02-29 NO NO960830A patent/NO960830L/no unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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