ES2976112T3 - Top Grip and Mount Drink Can Holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a top-grip beverage can holder comprising a main panel of cardboard sheet material having at least one opening (3) for receiving the can. The main panel is provided with a series of locking tabs (4) hingedly connected to the main panel by means of a respective fold line (5), and arranged around the can-receiving opening. Each locking tab extends from the respective fold line towards a retaining edge for engaging a bottom of a radially protruding portion of a beverage can to be received in the can-receiving opening. The retaining edge is located further inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening than said fold line. Each locking tab is pivotable about the respective fold line from an initial position of the respective locking tab, in which said respective locking tab is substantially in line with the main panel, to an upwardly folded position in which said locking tab is at an angle to the main panel. The main panel includes a series of neck support sections (20) that are integral parts of the main panel and that define neck support edges that are located more inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening than the fold lines of the locking tabs. At least in the initial position of the locking tabs, the retaining edges of the locking tabs extend more inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening than the neck support edges. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Top grip and mount beverage can holder

The invention relates to beverage can holders, in particular can holders for transporting multiple beverage cans.

Various can holders are known, which are often used to form multiple packs, such as six-packs of beverage cans or so-called beverage cans.

A first known type of beverage can holder is made up of plastic six-pack rings, which comprise six interconnected flexible plastic rings. A first disadvantage of such plastic six-pack rings may lie in their environmental impact, for example, as animals may become trapped in the plastic rings if they are not disposed of properly. Another disadvantage may be that these plastic six-pack rings do not leave much space for printing, for example for marketing or promotional purposes.

There are also relatively hard injection-moulded plastic can holders, such as those marketed by PakTech. A disadvantage may be that such holders comprise relatively large amounts of plastic material and do not yet provide relatively large surfaces for marking or the like.

Furthermore, it is well known to package multiple beverage cans together using shrink-wrapped plastic fillers. Although such shrink-wrapped can packs can provide relatively much space for printing, a disadvantage can be that they are made of plastic, which can have a relatively large environmental impact and/or a relatively poor image.

Cardboard holders for beverage cans or so-called multi-pack cartons are also known. For example, can holders of the cardboard basket type are known. The application of such basket-type holders for packaging multiple beverage cans can be relatively costly, for example, because they can be relatively complex to manufacture and/or relatively difficult to fill with beverage cans. Furthermore, such a basket type may include relatively much cardboard material, which may not be beneficial for its environmental impact.

Another popular type of can support is made up of cardboard wraps. While they can provide relatively much surface space for branding or other printing, they can also use relatively much cardboard material. In addition, cardboard wraps can be relatively difficult to manufacture and/or assemble around a multiplicity of cans.

Furthermore, paper-based top-grip beverage can holders are known. A known paper-based top-grip beverage can holder has a main panel with substantially round can-receiving openings with a so-called crown-style locking mechanism including a series of locking tabs arranged around the periphery of the receiving opening and extending radially toward the center of the receiving opening. When a can is inserted into a so-called sunburst-type can-receiving opening, the locking tabs are deflected upward and engage a bottom portion of the lid or the so-called end of the can. A disadvantage of such paper-based top-grip beverage can holders may reside in that they may require extremely close tolerances between the opening and the can. Additionally or alternatively, a disadvantage may lie in that such a sun-shaped type of opening for receiving cans cannot always hold the cans securely, as a result of which beverage cans may accidentally fall out of the holder.

For example, the can holder may be bonded to the cans, for example by hot melting. It is also possible to bond the bodies of several cans together by means of hot melt adhesives or other adhesives. However, the use of such hot melt adhesives or other adhesives may be undesirable from an environmental point of view. Additionally or alternatively, a disadvantage of using an adhesive may be that after a beverage can has been released, the hot melt adhesive or other adhesive may remain behind the beverage can, for example in or near an area of the can lid in which a beverage opening or pouring opening may be formed, which may be disadvantageous, for example, from the point of view of hygiene and/or taste perception.

Furthermore, an upper grip holder for use with bottles is known from WO 2005/113369 A1, in which an opening is created in a sheet of foldable material. The opening is designed to hold bottles securely, which is achieved by arranging around the circumference of the opening a series of main tabs and a series of minor tabs glued to the main tabs. The two series of tabs can engage the bottle at two different elevations relative to the plane of the sheet of foldable material. The main tabs and the minor tabs share a common periphery along which they fold when the bottle is received in the opening.

JP Publication 3 218593 U discloses a hang tag or holder according to the preamble of appended claim 1 with reduced possibility of rotation or falling. The hang tag has an engagement flap with an opening configured to receive the top of a first beverage bottle or can of a packaged group of bottles and is adapted to engage the top of the first bottle. The engagement flap is hingedly attached to a panel, in particular to an advertising panel, via a folding line. The panel of the hang tag also comprises a stabilizing tab, which is configured to engage the top of a second bottle of the group of bottles. Furthermore, JP 3 218593 U also describes a cardboard box with neck holes for receiving the necks of the packaged group of bottles. The neck hole is a substantially circular opening. A plurality of auxiliary tabs are arranged within the neck hole for locking the bottle. The plurality of auxiliary tabs are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the neck hole at the edge of the neck hole. The auxiliary tab protrudes from the edge of the neck hole to the inside of the neck.

An object of the invention is to provide an alternative beverage can multipack and/or an alternative beverage can holder. In particular, an object of the invention may be to provide a beverage can holder, in which at least one of the disadvantages of a prior art beverage can holder is counteracted. More in particular, the invention may aim to provide a beverage can holder, in which at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages is counteracted. In embodiments, the invention aims to provide an alternative paper-based top-grip beverage can holder, especially an alternative paper-based top-grip beverage can holder that can facilitate cans to be retained therein relatively well.

To this end, the invention provides a top-grip beverage can holder, comprising a main panel of cardboard sheet material having at least one, and preferably multiple, can receiving openings, wherein the main panel is provided with a plurality of locking tabs hingedly connected to the main panel by means of a respective fold line, and disposed about the can receiving opening, wherein each locking tab extends from the respective fold line toward a retaining edge for engaging a bottom of a radially protruding portion of a beverage can to be received in the can receiving opening, wherein said retaining edge is located more inwardly with respect to the can receiving opening than said fold line, wherein each locking tab is pivotable about the respective fold line from an initial position of the respective locking tab, wherein said respective locking tab is substantially in line with the main panel, ... a folded-up position in which said locking tab is under an angle with the main panel, wherein the main panel includes a plurality of neck support sections that are integral parts of the main panel, wherein therefore, said neck support sections are not formed as tabs hingedly connected to the main panel, but are integral parts of said main panel, and wherein said neck support sections define neck support edges that are located more inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening than the fold lines of the locking tabs, and wherein, at least in the initial position of the locking tabs, the retaining edges of the locking tabs extend more inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening than the neck support edges.

By providing neck support sections which are integral parts of the main panel, and which during use of the can holder are located further inwardly with respect to the can receiving opening than the fold lines around which the locking tabs are pivoted upwards, a beverage can having its protruding end edge supported by said locking tabs at a height level above the main panel, at the height level of the main panel can be additionally supported by said neck support sections. In particular, the neck support sections can rest against the neck of the can and can counteract the can from being displaced sideways within the receiving opening. Thus, it can be facilitated that the can is relatively well secured in the top-grip can holder.

Advantageously, at least the main panel and the series of locking tabs, and preferably substantially the entire support, are formed from a sheet of corrugated fibreboard.

By arranging the support so that the locking tabs extend over the perimeter of the can receiving opening so that the largest angle between two adjacent locking tabs in the series of locking tabs is less than 120°, it can be countered that a can, once supported by the locking tabs, may move sideways without encountering a locking tab.

By arranging the support so that the neck support sections extend over the perimeter of the can receiving opening such that the largest angle between two adjacent locking tabs of the series of locking tabs is less than 120°, the can can be countered from moving in a radial or lateral direction at the height level of the main panel, thus facilitating the can to be fixed relatively well.

At least in embodiments, the fold lines are formed as prefabricated fold lines, for example, by one or more slots, indentations and/or reliefs, which may facilitate the locking tabs to pivot into the intended location.

Advantageously, at least one, and preferably multiple, especially each, of the neck support sections may have a depth which is less than its width, preferably said depth being less than half of said width. As a result, the neck support section may be relatively rigid and may be countered from unintentionally bending or collapsing, for example when a beverage can, which is held in the partially confined opening by means of said support section, applies a lateral movement or radial force on said neck support section, thus facilitating the can to be secured relatively well.

By arranging the support so that at least one of the neck support sections of the main panel, and preferably several, especially each of them, has a depth, measurable in the radial direction, which is at most four times greater than the thickness of said neck support section, preferably even smaller, such as at most three times greater, the neck support sections, which may therefore be relatively thick compared to their depth, may be relatively rigid, which may counteract the fact that they may be accidentally bent or folded, which may thus facilitate that the can can be relatively well secured.

By arranging that at least one, and preferably several or all, of the neck support sections of the main panel have a depth greater than the thickness of an adjacent locking tab, preferably at least one and a half times greater, such as, for example, approximately two times greater, it can be relatively easily facilitated that the neck support edge defined by the neck support section can be located further inward than a can-facing side of a lower end section of a folded locking tab supporting said can. Thus, the neck support sections can relatively well support the neck of the can.

In embodiments, at least one of the neck support sections may have a depth that is at least one quarter of the depth of at least one locking tab adjacent the respective neck support section, preferably wherein said depth of the neck support section is at least one third, such as for example about one half, of the depth of the locking tab.

In embodiments, the can holder may hold at least one, and preferably multiple, beverage cans within a respective one of the one or more can receiving openings of the holder.

Advantageously, the can-receiving opening, when the locking tabs are folded into their folded positions, may leave open a passage having a passage diameter that is at least substantially equal to and preferably wider than the diameter of a beverage can lid to be held within said receiving opening. For example, in the case where the diameter of the beverage can lid is approximately 53 mm, said passage diameter may be at least approximately 53 mm, such as for example approximately 54 mm.

In advantageous embodiments, the main panel may comprise at least two openings for receiving cans, and preferably more, such as for example four or six, which, in embodiments, may be provided in parallel rows, for example two parallel rows, which may for example each have two, three or four openings for cans.

In embodiments, the centers of two adjacent openings for receiving cans may be separated by an interspace corresponding to the diameter at the widest point of the body of the cans to be held by the holder. For example, when said widest point of the can body is about 66 mm, said interspace may then be, for example, also about 66 mm. As a result, adjacent cans held in the holder may substantially contact each other, which may counteract their shifting and/or may facilitate the cans being held in a relatively compact arrangement.

Other advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the attached claims.

By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a top-grip beverage can holder according to one aspect of the invention in an initial flat state thereof;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the holder of Figure 1 in a state of use thereof in which it holds beverage cans;

Figure 3 shows a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional view of a detail of the can holder of Figure 3;

Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a can holder; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the holder of Figure 4 in a state of use thereof in which it holds beverage cans.

It is noted that the figures merely show preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a top-grip beverage can holder 1 according to the invention. Said can holder 1, which can also be considered to form a so-called neck holder, is intended to hold one or multiple beverage cans 6, for example as shown in Figure 2, which shows an assembly including the can holder 1 and multiple cans 6. It will be appreciated that the holder 1 can serve to form a multi-pack, such as a six-pack in the embodiment shown here. However, in alternative embodiments, the holder 1 can be arranged to hold another number of beverage cans 6 or so-called beverage cans 6, which may contain a beverage, such as for example a soft drink, in particular a carbonated soft drink, an alcoholic beverage, such as beer, wine or a mixed drink, such as for example an alcopop, fruit juice, water, tea, infusions, energy drinks, etc.

In the embodiments shown here, a main panel 2 of the holder 1 is provided with six openings 3 for receiving cans. However, in other embodiments, the main panel 2 may have another number, preferably a multiple number, of receiving openings 3 or so-called receiving openings 3, such as, for example, one, two, three, four or eight receiving openings 3.

Furthermore, the main panel 2 is provided with a series of locking tabs 4 connected in an articulated manner to the main panel 2 by means of a respective folding line 5, in particular a prefabricated folding line. The prefabricated folding line 5 is formed here by a slot. However, it can be formed in any other suitable manner, for example by means of multiple slots and/or one or more slits and/or reliefs or the like. The locking tabs 4 can thus be formed from the same sheet of material, in particular corrugated cardboard material, as the panel to which they are connected.

Each of the locking tabs 4, which are intended and arranged to retain a can 6 in the receiving opening 3, extends from the respective folding line 5 towards a retaining edge 40. In particular, the folding line 5 is located at a first or proximal end of the locking tab 4, while the retaining edge 40 is located at a second opposite end of the locking tab 4. Said retaining edge 40 serves to engage a bottom of a radially protruding portion 60 of a beverage can 6 to be received in the can-receiving opening 3, as can be seen, for example, in the partially cut-away schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 3. In particular, the radially protruding portion 60 of the can is formed by a lid 61, usually called end 61, of the can 6, which can be attached to a main body 62 of said can. 6.

The locking tabs 4 are pivotable about their respective folding lines 5 from an initial position of the respective locking tab 4, in which said respective locking tab 4 lies substantially in line with the main panel 2, towards an upwardly folded position in which said locking tab is under an angle to the main panel 2, as can be seen for example in Figure 3. Thus, in the initial position of the locking tab 4, it may be substantially flush with the main panel 2. Preferably, the locking tab 4, for example at least after being folded to a certain extent, can be biased in a direction substantially back to its initial position.

As can be seen, for example, in Figure 1, at least in the initial position of the locking tab 4, the retaining edge 40 is located further inward with respect to the can-receiving opening 3 than said folding line 5. In other words, at least in its initial position, the locking tab 4 can extend from the folding line 5 to the can-receiving opening 3, preferably in a substantially radial direction.

In addition, the main panel 2 includes a series of neck support sections 20, which can serve to bear against the neck of the beverage can. These neck support sections 20 form sections 20 or areas 20 of the main panel 2 and are integral parts of the main panel 2. In contrast to the locking tabs 4, the neck support sections are not formed here as tabs hingedly connected to the main panel 2, but are integral parts of said main panel 2. In particular, the neck support sections 20 may be intended and/or arranged to bear against a neck 63 of the beverage can 6. The neck support sections 20 define neck support edges 21, which serve to bear against the neck 63 of the can 6, and which during use may abut the neck 63 or the so-called neck portion 63 of the can held within the respective can receiving opening 3 of the holder 1.

Advantageously, the neck support edges 21 may be curved, in particular concave, more preferably substantially arc-shaped, to facilitate a proper fit with the neck 63 of the can 6. In particular, multiple neck support edges 21, preferably all neck support edges 21, defining portions of the boundary of a respective can receiving opening 3, may be located substantially on a virtual circle 210.

The can receiving opening 3, when the locking tabs 4 are folded towards their folded positions, leaves an open passage for letting at least an upper part of a can 6 pass through. Said passage and/or the vertical circle 210 in which the neck support edges 21 can be located may have a passage diameter D210 which is at least substantially equal to and preferably wider than the diameter D60 of the lid 61 of the beverage can 6 to be held within said receiving opening 3, so that the lid 61 or the so-called end 61 of the can 6 can be inserted into the can receiving opening 3 without substantially folding or flexing the neck support sections 20 of the main panel 2. In particular, especially as beverage cans 6 often have an end 61 or a lid 61 with a diameter D60 of about 52 mm or about 53 mm, said passage diameter D210 may be at least about 52 mm, preferably at least about 53 mm, such as about 54 mm.

As can be seen, for example, in Figure 1, the neck support edges 21 are located further inward with respect to the can receiving opening 3 than the fold lines 5 of the locking tabs 4.

At least in the initial position of the locking tabs 4, the retaining edges 40 of the locking tabs 4, which retaining edges 40 may be curved, in particular concave, more preferably substantially arc-shaped, for example, to facilitate a proper fit with the end 61 of the can 6. In particular, multiple retaining edges 40, preferably all retaining edges 40, may be located substantially on a virtual circle 400.

At least in the initial position of the locking tabs 4, the retaining edges 40 of the locking tabs 4 extend further inwards with respect to the can-receiving opening 3 than the neck support edges 21. In particular, when the locking tabs 4 are in their initial positions, the area of the opening 3 receiving the can not locked by the locking tabs 4 then extends towards said opening 3, which unlocked area at least in embodiments can be considered as the area closed by the virtual circle 400 in which the respective retaining edges 40 are substantially located, may have a diameter D400 smaller than the outer diameter D60 of the lid 61 or the so-called end 61 of the beverage can 6 to be held within said receiving opening 3. At least in the initial position of the locking tabs 4, in particular in case the diameter D60 of the lid 61 of the beverage can 6 is greater than the diameter D60 of the lid 61 of the beverage can 6. beverage 6 is approximately 53 mm and/or in particular in case the diameter of the passage d 210 is at least 53 mm, the diameter D400 of said unblocked area may be in embodiments smaller than 53 mm, preferably smaller than 51 mm, such as approximately 50 mm, approximately 49 mm, approximately 48 mm, approximately 47 mm or approximately 46 mm.

It will be appreciated that the locking tabs 4 may be arranged around the can receiving opening 3, in particular in a manner in which the locking tabs 4, at least in their initial positions in which they are substantially flush with the main panel 2, are spaced apart from one another. More particularly, the locking tabs 4 may be completely spaced apart from one another, both at their first outer ends where their folding lines 5 meet, and at their second opposite ends which form the retaining edges 40, as well as at any other portion of the side edges of the locking tabs 4.

In embodiments, the locking tabs 4 may be substantially evenly distributed along the periphery of said can-receiving opening 3. However, as can be seen in the embodiment shown here, in certain positions 23, such as for example relatively close to an edge 22 of the main panel 2, a relatively large part of the perimeter of the opening 3 may be free of said locking tab 4. This can be considered as that in said position 23, a locking tab 4 may be omitted, in particular to counteract the fact that otherwise the main panel 2 could be weakened to a relatively large extent by an incision extending which would otherwise extend relatively close to the edge 22 of the panel. This means that in such locations 23, the respective neck support section 20' of the main panel 2 may be relatively wide.

In embodiments, as is the case in the exemplary embodiments shown here, for example, at said locations 23, one or more additional tabs 44 may be hingedly connected to the main panel. In embodiments, unlike the embodiments shown here, the inner edges 47 of such additional tabs 44 may extend further inwardly with respect to the can receiving opening 3 than the retaining edges 40 of the locking tabs 4. For example, the additional tab 44 may have a depth that is arranged such that the inner edge 44 of the additional tab 44 forms an additional retaining edge that engages the radially protruding portion 60 of the can 6 formed by a lid 61.

In the embodiment shown here, eight locking tabs 4, and also two additional tabs 44, are provided in each opening 3. However, in alternative embodiments, another number of locking tabs 4 may be provided in one or more of the can receiving openings 3. Preferably, at least three locking tabs 4 are provided in the respective can receiving opening 3, especially to counteract movements of the can in the radial direction, and more preferably at least four locking tabs 4 may be provided, such as for example between five and twenty locking tabs.

In embodiments, each neck support section 20 may extend between two adjacent locking tabs 4, and/or each locking tab 4 may extend between two adjacent neck support sections 20. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of neck support sections 20 may correspond to the number of locking tabs 4 and, as is the case in the embodiments shown here, may be eight. However, in alternative embodiments, other numbers of neck support sections 20 are possible, for example at least three, at least four and/or between five and twenty neck support sections 20 in a respective can receiving opening 3.

Advantageously, the locking tabs 4 may extend over the perimeter of the can-receiving opening 3 such that the largest angle a44 between two adjacent locking tabs 4 of the series of locking tabs 4 is less than 120°. Said angle a44, which can be measured from the facing ends of the retaining edges 40, may preferably be less than 90°.

Additionally or alternatively, the largest angle a28 over which a neck support edge 21, in particular the widest of the neck support edges 21, extends may be less than 120°, preferably less than 90°. In this context, it is noted that said neck support edge 21, which may be formed by a cutting line 21', may in embodiments be formed by one folded edge, or may be formed by one or more cutting lines 21" and one or more folded edges 21™ together.

Furthermore, it is noted that the neck support sections 20 may extend over the perimeter of the can receiving opening 3 such that the largest angle a28 between two neck support sections of the plurality of neck support sections is less than 120°. In particular, said angle a28, which may be measured from a first lateral end of the respective neck support edge 21 to its second opposite rear end, may preferably be less than 90°.

It is noted that a respective one of the neck support sections 20, in the circumferential direction of the can receiving opening 3, may be located between two adjacent locking tabs 4, and that the folding lines 5 of said two adjacent locking tabs 4 may be substantially located on a virtual circle 500 extending around the centre 30 of the can receiving opening 3. Said respective one of the neck support sections 20 may then have a depth 24 extending, viewed in the radial direction of the can receiving opening 3, from the neck support edge 21 of the respective neck support section 2 to said virtual circle 500 on which the folding lines 5 of said two adjacent locking tabs 4 substantially lie.

It is noted that at least one, and preferably multiple, especially each, of the neck support sections 20 may have a depth 24 which is less than its largest width 25 and/or said width 25 measured at the location between the two adjacent fold lines 5, preferably said depth 24 being less than half of said width 25. As a result, the neck support section 20 may be relatively rigid and may be countered from unintentionally bending or folding, for example when a beverage can 6, which is held in the opening 3, is partially confined by means of said support section 20, applying lateral or radial forces on said neck support section 20, thus facilitating the can 6 to be secured relatively well.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the neck support sections 20 may have a depth 24 that is at least one quarter of the depth 45 of at least one of the locking tabs 4 adjacent the respective neck support section 20. Preferably, said depth 24 of the neck support section 20 may be at least one third, such as for example about half, of the depth 45 of the locking tab 4.

It should be noted that said depth 45 of the locking tab 4 can be measured in the radial direction of the can receiving opening 3, and can be measured from the folding line 5 to the retaining edge 40, and can be measured, for example, between the outermost virtual circle 500 and the innermost virtual circle 400.

Furthermore, it is noted that the central virtual circle 210, on which the neck support edges 21 may substantially rest, may be located between the outermost virtual circle 500 and the innermost virtual circle 400. In particular, the radial distance between the central virtual circle 210 and the outermost virtual circle 500 may not be more than 50% larger or smaller than the radial distance between said central virtual circle 210 and the innermost virtual circle 400. For example, both radial distances between the two respective virtual circles 210, 400; 210, 500 may be substantially equal, for example both about 3 mm.

In embodiments, the radial distance between the central virtual circle 210 and the outermost virtual circle 500 may be, for example, between 1.5 mm and 5 mm, such as about 2 mm, about 4 mm or in particular about 3 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the radial distance between the central virtual circle 210 and the innermost virtual circle 400 may be, for example, between 1.5 mm and 5 mm, such as about 2 mm, about 4 mm or in particular about 3 mm.

Furthermore, at least one, and preferably multiple or each, of the neck support sections 20 of the main panel 2 may have a depth 24 which is greater than the thickness of an adjacent locking tab 4, which may be measured in a direction transverse to the drawing in Figure 1. Preferably, said depth 24 may be at least one and a half times greater, such as for example approximately twice, than said thickness. For example, the main panel 2 may have a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm and the neck support section 20 may have a depth 24 of approximately 3 mm. Since the locking tab 4 may advantageously comprise only a single layer of sheet material, which may be the same sheet material from which the main panel 2 is made, and since the sheet of material may be substantially of the same thickness over substantially the entire surface of the main panel 2, this may mean that the neck support section 20 may have a depth 24 greater than its thickness. When the locking tab 4 is in its upwardly folded position, the neck support section 20 may thus, at the height level of the main panel 2, extend, in the direction towards the can 6, beyond the locking tab 4, as can be seen in Figure 3. In other words, during use, when the locking tab 4 is in its upwardly folded position, the neck support section 20 may extend inwardly beyond a lower portion of the locking tab 4.

Additionally or alternatively, the depth 24 of the neck support section 20 may be such that it is at most four times greater than the thickness of said neck support section 20. Preferably, said depth 24 of the neck support section 20 may not be more than three times its thickness, such as for example approximately twice as much.

As mentioned above, the main panel 2 may comprise multiple receiving openings 3. Advantageously, the centres 30 of two adjacent openings 3 for receiving cans may then be separated by an intermediate space 33 corresponding to the diameter at the widest point of the body 62 of the cans 6 to be held by the support 1. In particular, for example, as many beverage cans 6 of more or less standard size have a widest body diameter of about 66 mm, said intermediate space 33 may be, for example, about 66 mm. As a result, adjacent cans 6 held by the support 1 may contact each other, as is the case, for example, in the embodiments shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5.

In embodiments, one or more dimensions of the main panel 2 and/or one or more dimensions of the support 1, such as for example the respective length 27 and/or the respective width 29, may be chosen so as not to exceed, and/or substantially correspond to, the combined length or width of the cans held in that direction. It may therefore be facilitated that the supports 1 do not prevent cans 6 of two adjacently placed supports 1 from being placed side by side in a contiguous manner and/or may counteract the support 1 preventing the placement of the cans in a certain box, certain compartment of a shelf, etc., in which the cans would have fit when placed in the same formation, but without the support.

For example, in case the holder comprises two openings 3 for receiving cans, or two rows of openings 3 for receiving cans, side by side, the respective dimension of the holder 1, for example its width 29, may be such that it does not substantially exceed 132 mm, and preferably is substantially 132 mm. Additionally or alternatively, in the case of three openings 3, or three rows of openings 3, the respective dimension of the holder 1, for example its length 27, may in embodiments not be greater than about 198 mm or may be about 198 mm.

For example, in the case where only a relatively small edge section 23, 26 of the main panel 2 extends between the can receiving opening 3 and the edge 22 of the main panel 2, the locking tabs 4 may be arranged in a way that no locking tab is located at a position 23, 26 where the distance between the outer edge 22 of the main panels and the virtual circle 210 in which the neck supporting edges 21 can be located is the smallest, as can be seen, for example, in Figure 1, where both in the width direction and in the length direction a respective neck supporting section of the main panel 2 is present.

As is the case in the embodiments shown here, the support 1 may be provided with one or more, for example two, finger holes 9. For example, the main panel 2 may be provided with finger hole tabs 90, which may be hingedly connected to the main panel 2 by a pre-made folding line 91. The finger hole tabs 90, which may initially be substantially flush with the main panel 2, may facilitate that printing, for example for marketing or promotional purposes, may initially extend over the finger holes 9, for example until a user pushes these finger hole tabs 90 downwards to a position as shown in Figure 2.

In the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the upper gripping support 1 does not cover the upper sides of the lids 61 of the cans 6. This may, for example, make it easier for the bottoms of other cans 6, for example cans from another multi-pack, to be fitted onto said lids 61. Furthermore, such a design may require relatively little material.

However, in other embodiments, the holder 1 may further comprise at least one cover panel 7 for covering at least a part of at least one of the cans 6 that will be held by the holder 1. In particular, said cover panel 7 may cover one or multiple can lids 61 at least partially, and preferably substantially in their entirety. It is noted that such a cover panel 7 may be advantageous. For example, the cover panel 7 may counteract contamination on the lids 61, in particular at the location 66 where the user must form an opening for drinking or pouring, for example by means of a pop-up tab mechanism 67. Thus, the cover panel 7 may provide relatively hygienic embodiments.

An exemplary embodiment of such an alternative design of the can holder 1 is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a blank of such a holder in its initial flat state. Figure 5 shows the holder 1 in use.

Advantageously, the cover panel 7 may be hingedly connected to the main panel 2 and formed from the same sheet of cardboard material as the main panel. For example, the cover panel 7 may be hingedly connected to the main panel 2 via an intermediate panel 81, here formed as a strip 81, which may extend in the longitudinal direction of the main panel 2. The intermediate panel 81 may be hingedly connected to the main panel 2 by means of a first folding line 811 and may be hingedly connected to the cover panel 7 by means of a second folding line 812. Said first folding line 811 and/or said second folding line 812 may preferably be formed as a prefabricated folding line, in particular by means of slits 83 and/or slots 84, such as, for example, a slotted perforated line 811, 812.

In advantageous embodiments, the cover panel 7 may be provided with a connector for locking the cover panel 7 in its position where it covers one or more lids 61 at least partially. For example, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment shown here, a connector panel 82 may be hingedly connected to the cover panel 7, in particular by means of a third fold line 813, which may be located substantially on the opposite side of the cover panel 7 on which the second fold line 812 is located. The connector panel 82 may be provided with a connector edge 83, which may be formed by a slit 83 or cut 83 in the sheet material between said connector panel 82 and the cover panel 7. Preferably, said cut or slit may be curved, for example substantially in the form of an arc, so that the formed connector edge 83 may correspond to the size of the lid 61 of the can, and may be clicked or clamped under the protruding edge 60 of said lid 61 to lock the cover panel 7 in its covering position.

As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the connector panel 82 may be provided with pre-formed openings or cut-outs 94 which during use may be positioned substantially above the finger holes 9 in the main panel 2, as can be seen in Figure 5.

Although the cover panel 7 may thus be held in place by means of the connector panel 82 which may fit under one or more can lids 61, the cover panel 7 may alternatively, or additionally, be held in place by other means. For example, one or more locking tabs may be provided, which may, for example, be hingedly connected to the cover panel 7, and/or which may, for example, be locked in one or more slots or openings which may be provided in the support 1, in particular in its main panel 2. Alternatively or additionally, the cover panel 7 may be adhered or glued to hold it in place, for example by gluing it to the main panel 2, for example by hot melt. However, for example from an environmental point of view, it may be preferable to refrain from using hot melt or other type of glue. In particular, a design in which one or more connector edges 83 of one or more cover panels 7 can be engaged beneath one or more can lid edges 60 may be relatively advantageous. Such designs may not only facilitate the omission of the use of an adhesive, but may additionally, or alternatively, have the advantage that one or more cover panels 7 may be mounted in their cover positions with relative ease, for example in contrast to designs in which pivoting locking tabs must be carefully inserted into slot-shaped openings.

It should be noted that the can holder 1, in different embodiments, may comprise a main panel 2 of cardboard sheet material, preferably die-cut, especially die-cut, from a cardboard sheet material. Advantageously, the entire holder 1 may be made of cardboard, preferably of cardboard sheet material, more preferably of corrugated cardboard material. Although different types of cardboard sheet material may be used, such as for example cardboard, especially compressed cardboard material, it has been found that it may be advantageous to form at least the main panel 2 from corrugated cardboard material, preferably a single corrugated cardboard sheet. In particular, the corrugated cardboard may have a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm, for example, approximately 1.5 mm or less.

It should be noted that for the purposes of clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments; however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the described features.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

For example, the can holder may be provided with printing, for example, at least on one surface facing upwards and/or outwards during use.

As another example, the can holder may be provided with one or more handles, which may be used to carry the can holder, and which may preferably be made of the same sheet of cardboard material as its main panel.

As yet another example, the can holder, in particular its main panel, may be provided with one or more perforation lines, which may form part of a release tab or zipper pull, which may allow a user to tear off a portion of the main panel in a relatively easy manner to break the can-receiving opening into an opening that is open on one side thereof, and which is no longer enclosed by the main panel, thereby allowing the beverage to be removed with relative ease by sliding it substantially sideways toward the opening in the remaining portion of the main panel.

Such and other variants will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A beverage can holder (1) with a top grip, comprising a main panel (2) of cardboard sheet material having at least one can receiving opening (3), wherein the main panel (2) is provided with a series of locking tabs (4) hingedly connected to the main panel (2) by means of a respective folding line (5), and arranged around the can receiving opening (3), wherein each locking tab (4) extends from the respective fold line (5) towards a retaining edge (40) to engage a bottom of a radially protruding portion (60) of a beverage can (6) to be received in the can-receiving opening (3), wherein said retaining edge (40) is located further inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening (3) than said fold line (5), wherein each locking tab (4) is pivotable about the respective folding line (5) from an initial position of the respective locking tab, in which said respective locking tab is substantially in line with the main panel, towards an upwardly folded position in which said locking tab is at an angle to the main panel (2), 1. A can-receiving opening (3) comprising a main panel (2) comprising a plurality of neck support sections (20) which are integral parts of the main panel (2), wherein said neck support sections (20) are therefore not formed as tabs hingedly connected to the main panel (2), but are integral parts of said main panel (2), and wherein said neck support sections (20) define neck support edges (21) which are located further inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening (3) than the fold lines (5) of the locking tabs, and because, at least in the initial position of the locking tabs, the retaining edges (40) of the locking tabs (4) extend further inwardly with respect to the can-receiving opening (3) than the neck support edges (21). 2. Support (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least the main panel (2) and the series of locking tabs (4) are formed from a sheet of corrugated cardboard. 3. Holder (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking tabs (4) are extended over the perimeter of the can receiving opening (3) such that the largest angle (a44) between two adjacent locking tabs (4) of the series of locking tabs (4) is less than 120°. 4. Holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the neck support sections (20) are extended over the perimeter of the can receiving opening (3) such that the largest angle (a44) between two neck support sections (20) of the series of neck support sections (20) is less than 120°. 5. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding lines (5) are formed as prefabricated folding lines, for example by one or more slots, slits, and/or embossments. 6. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the neck support sections (20) has a depth (24) which is less than its width (25), said depth (24) preferably being less than half of said width (25). 7. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the neck support sections (20) has a depth (24) which is at least a quarter of the depth (45) of at least one locking tab (4) being adjacent to the respective neck support section (20), preferably wherein said depth (24) of the neck support section (20) is at least a third, such as for example approximately half, of the depth (45) of the locking tab (4). 8. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the neck support sections (20) of the main panel (2) has a depth (24) which is greater than the thickness of an adjacent locking tab (4), preferably at least one and a half times its size, such as for example approximately twice its size. 9. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the neck support sections (20) of the main panel (2) has a depth (24) which is at most four times greater than the thickness of said neck support section (20), preferably wherein the depth (24) of the neck support section (20) is at most three times greater than its thickness, such as for example approximately twice as large. 10. Holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the locking tabs (4) are in their initial positions, the area of the can receiving opening (3) not blocked by the locking tabs (4) has a diameter (D400) smaller than the diameter (D60) of a lid (61) of the beverage can (6) to be held within said receiving opening (3). 11. Holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (3) for receiving cans, when the locking tabs (4) are folded towards their folded positions, leaves an open passage having a passage diameter (D210) which is at least substantially equal to and preferably wider than the diameter (D60) of a lid (61) of the beverage can (6) to be held within said receiving opening (3). 12. Support (1) according to claim 11, wherein said pitch diameter is at least about 52 mm, preferably at least about 53 mm, such as about 54 mm. 13. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main panel (2) comprises at least two openings (3) for receiving cans, wherein the centres (30) of two openings (3) for receiving adjacent cans are spaced along an interspace (33) corresponding to the diameter at the widest point of the body (62) of the cans (6) to be held by the support (1), said interspace preferably being, for example, approximately 66 mm. 14. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one cover panel (7) for covering at least a part of at least one of the cans (6) to be supported by the support (1). 15. Assembly comprising a holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one beverage can (6) held within a respective opening (3) for receiving cans of the holder (1).