EP1491457A2 - Wiederverwendbarer Dosenträger - Google Patents

Wiederverwendbarer Dosenträger Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1491457A2
EP1491457A2 EP04253639A EP04253639A EP1491457A2 EP 1491457 A2 EP1491457 A2 EP 1491457A2 EP 04253639 A EP04253639 A EP 04253639A EP 04253639 A EP04253639 A EP 04253639A EP 1491457 A2 EP1491457 A2 EP 1491457A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
containers
carrier
lever
slots
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04253639A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1491457A3 (de
Inventor
William N. Weaver
Edward J. Slomski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
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
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Publication of EP1491457A2 publication Critical patent/EP1491457A2/de
Publication of EP1491457A3 publication Critical patent/EP1491457A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • B65D71/504—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 the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to plastic carriers having an array of loops for engaging and holding individual containers, such as aluminum containers containing beverages.
  • Container carriers are used frequently to unitize a plurality of containers into conveniently saleable quantities.
  • Plastic carriers have achieved wide acceptance for their performance, lightweight, low cost and versatility in being adaptable for containers of different sizes and shapes.
  • the general design for plastic carriers includes apertures in a stretchable plastic. The apertures are sized and shaped to stretch around the periphery of the containers to be held. Automated machinery is available for attaching stretchable plastic carriers to containers quickly and efficiently.
  • the carrier includes some type of hand grasp or handle, which may be at the side of the containers, or may rise above the containers.
  • Carriers of this type are known in many different styles and shapes. Some are single ply, and others multiply, at least in portions thereof. Carriers of this type have been used widely and have achieved great acceptance.
  • the present invention meets these objectives by providing a plastic carrier of the stretchable type with additional slots for securing the empty containers.
  • the carrier can then be used to return the containers in the same quantity and package as originally purchased. Further advantageously, the carrier itself can be recycled at the location at which the containers are received.
  • the present invention provides a container carrier and a plurality of pop top containers each having a rupturable opening and a lever integral with the container for rupturing the opening upon elevating the lever relative to the container to open the container, with an array of interconnected loops for holding unopened containers.
  • the array includes material forming a margin around the loops; and slots in the margin are configured for attachment to open containers.
  • the present invention provides a container carrier for pop top containers having a rupturable opening and a lever integral with the can for opening the can upon elevating the lever relative to the can.
  • the carrier has an array of interconnected loops for encircling individual containers.
  • the array includes material forming a margin around each loop; and slots in the margin are configured to encircle a lever of an opened container.
  • the present invention provides a package of opened pop top containers having bendable levers associated therewith for opening the container.
  • the package includes a carrier of substantially sheet-like material forming an array of loops for surrounding containers, and at least one empty container having a lever inserted through a slot defined in a margin of the material.
  • An advantage of the present invention is providing a carrier that can be used for returning empty containers for recycling in addition to carrying the full containers from the retailer.
  • Another advantage of the present invention is providing a more sanitary way for handling empty beverage containers for recycling.
  • Carrier 10 is used to form a package 12 (Fig. 2) that includes a plurality of containers 14.
  • Fig. 2 a package 12
  • carrier 10 is used for beverage containers 14, but also can be used with containers 14 or containers of other types holding other fluids.
  • Carrier 10 includes an array of a plurality of loops 16, each of which can be stretched to receive a can therein, as known to those skilled in the art.
  • a handle portion 18 is provided along the side of the containers, with the loops 16 receiving the containers substantially midway between the top and bottom of the containers. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific type of carrier shown. The invention can be used with carriers having top handles or no handles, carriers for more or fewer containers 14, carriers for containers of other shapes and for carriers that grasp the containers near ends of the containers.
  • Carrier 10 is made of a flexible, resilient material that can be stretched significantly without breaking. Low-density polyethylene is a suitable plastic from which carrier 10 can be made. In some embodiments of carrier 10, two juxtaposed webs or sheets may be used welded together and having a central handle. In other known forms of carrier, a single ply of sheet-like material is used. The present invention can be used for these as well as other carrier constructions.
  • a plurality of relatively narrow slots 20 is provided in carrier 10, one slot 20 for each can 14 that carrier 10 is designed to hold. Thus, for each loop 16 a corresponding slot 20 is provided.
  • six containers 14 are held by carrier 10 in six loops 16, and six slots 20 are provided.
  • Slots 20 are provided in the margin of material that forms loops 16. In the example shown slots 20 are provided in slightly enlarged flaps 22 of the margin material forming loops 16.
  • Carrier 10 may further define one or several voids 24 to allow stretching of loops 16 by automated equipment for attaching carrier 10 to a group of containers 14.
  • the size, shape, location and number of voids 24 will vary depending upon the type of carrier 10 and containers 14 being used. Such features of carrier 10 are well-known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in greater detail herein.
  • Containers 14 held by carrier 10 are typical pop-top type containers having a lever or key 30 that is lifted to pivot above its fulcrum 32, to rupture an opening 34 in container 14 from which the contents of can 14 is poured.
  • each lever 30 has a first end 36 by which it is grasped and operated, and a second end 38 forming the opening 34 by depressing a rupturable area of container 14.
  • First end 36 and second end 38 are provided on opposite sides of fulcrum 32.
  • Carrier 10 is used as known to package containers 14 for distribution and sale. Automated equipment can be used to stretch each loop 16 and insert a container 14 therein. Flaps 22 will lie substantially flat against the sides of containers 14. Containers 14 are removed from carrier 10 in known fashion, by twisting or pulling each container 14 to release it from loop 16 in which it is held. In some embodiments of carrier 10, it is known to provide an outer margin portion having tabs and tear lines for releasing containers 14 held in loops 16 by tearing the carrier to open each loop 16. The present invention can be used with such carriers by providing slots 20 in inward portions of the material forming each loop 16, so that the locations of slots 20 are relatively stable even after loops 16 have been opened to release the individual containers 14 held therein.
  • a container 14 After a container 14 has been is emptied, it can be re-attached to carrier 10 via one of the slots 20. First end 36 of lever 30 is inserted into slot 20 and slid therethrough until the material adjacent slot 20 encounters fulcrum 32. Slot 20 can be stretched to slide over second end 38, then surrounding fulcrum 32. As illustrated in the fragmentary view of Fig. 3, lever 30 is disposed on one side of carrier 10, with the bulk of container 14 disposed on the opposite side of carrier 14. Empty containers 14 are held securely by carrier 10, suspended therefrom by each lever 34. Handle 18 or one or another of the empty loops 16 can be used as a handle for carrying the package of empty containers. The empty containers are held securely, yet are removed easily for deposit into a reverse vending machine or the like. Containers 14 are held upright, reducing accidental spillage of any beverage or other fluid remaining in opened containers 14.
  • Repackaging carrier 10 with empty containers 14 also facilitates recycling of carrier 10. After containers 14 have been removed at the recycling facility, carriers 10 also can be collected separately.
  • the present invention provides an easy and convenient device for carrying empty containers for the purpose of returning and recycling the containers to receive a return of the deposit therefrom.
  • the containers along with the carrier can be properly recycled.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
EP04253639A 2003-06-23 2004-06-17 Wiederverwendbarer Dosenträger Withdrawn EP1491457A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48075603P 2003-06-23 2003-06-23
US480756 2003-06-23
US10/830,684 US20040256251A1 (en) 2003-06-23 2004-04-23 Returnable can carrier
US830684 2004-04-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1491457A2 true EP1491457A2 (de) 2004-12-29
EP1491457A3 EP1491457A3 (de) 2006-02-08

Family

ID=33424145

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04253639A Withdrawn EP1491457A3 (de) 2003-06-23 2004-06-17 Wiederverwendbarer Dosenträger

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20040256251A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1491457A3 (de)
AU (1) AU2004202765B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2470312A1 (de)
MX (1) MXPA04006243A (de)
NZ (1) NZ533339A (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6596272B2 (en) 2001-03-01 2003-07-22 Ultra Biotech Limited Biological fertilizer compositions comprising poultry manure
US11434058B2 (en) * 2015-12-03 2022-09-06 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Divisible container carrier

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4296082A (en) * 1978-04-26 1981-10-20 Albright & Wilson Limited Purification of wet process phosphoric acid
US4191290A (en) * 1979-04-18 1980-03-04 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Two-way container package
US4234082A (en) * 1979-04-19 1980-11-18 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Two-way container package
US4557375A (en) * 1984-08-03 1985-12-10 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Multi-packaging device
US4740415A (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-04-26 Owens-Illinois Plastic Products, Inc. Low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene blended composition and articles prepared therefrom
US4911288A (en) * 1989-08-15 1990-03-27 Dantoin Jr Kenneth R Can carrier
US5139137A (en) * 1990-06-14 1992-08-18 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Carrier stock with tear-open tabs
US5193673A (en) * 1991-04-12 1993-03-16 Thomas Rathbone Environmentally safe holder device
US5265718A (en) * 1992-05-29 1993-11-30 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Package comprising multiple containers, such as beverage cans
US5305877A (en) * 1993-04-21 1994-04-26 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Carrier stock with outer band segments having concave edge portions
US6230880B1 (en) * 1999-08-18 2001-05-15 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Label panel container carrier
US6874620B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2005-04-05 Roberts Polypro Container carrier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MXPA04006243A (es) 2005-06-08
AU2004202765A1 (en) 2005-01-13
US20040256251A1 (en) 2004-12-23
AU2004202765B2 (en) 2006-04-06
CA2470312A1 (en) 2004-12-23
NZ533339A (en) 2004-12-24
EP1491457A3 (de) 2006-02-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2790821C (en) Container assemblies for storing, shipping, and/or dispensing fluids, and related methods
US6886980B1 (en) Plastic coin bag
EP1308398B1 (de) Behälterträger und Verpackung
US4779731A (en) Cluster package construction with reinforcing and tear structure
US20080224489A1 (en) Combination multiple-canister carrier and lip protection device
CA2287297C (en) Divisible container carrier
US20080029345A1 (en) Devices And Methods For Merchandising Non-Beverage Consumer Items
US20050279650A1 (en) Three pack container carrier
ATE99258T1 (de) Spenderpackung.
EP1491457A2 (de) Wiederverwendbarer Dosenträger
US20200283210A1 (en) Beverage Container Interlocking Carrier
AU2003261500B2 (en) Banded container package with opening feature
MXPA06012530A (es) Portador divisible para envases.
US3203580A (en) Carrying device for cans
US4620681A (en) Apparatus for receiving empty beverage cans
US11993413B2 (en) Heat-shrinkable packaging
JP3197123U (ja) 廃棄物回収装置
US4434895A (en) Strapped wicketed bags packet
WO2022155602A1 (en) Container case
EP0688722A1 (de) Verpackung für Metallprofile
WO2004113191A1 (en) Article carrier and blank
NZ242366A (en) Container carrier of deformable elastic material: bridge portions connecting tear strips with container encircling bands having weakened sections for releasing a container
FI97366C (fi) Pullojen kantoteline
GB2460906A (en) Transit and display container for stacked sheets with integral pick-up means for picking up sheets individually.
JPH11130128A (ja) ボトルキャリア

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060727

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070131

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20070811