WO2015134126A1 - Support pour récipients - Google Patents

Support pour récipients Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015134126A1
WO2015134126A1 PCT/US2015/012406 US2015012406W WO2015134126A1 WO 2015134126 A1 WO2015134126 A1 WO 2015134126A1 US 2015012406 W US2015012406 W US 2015012406W WO 2015134126 A1 WO2015134126 A1 WO 2015134126A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
carrier
container receiving
receiving apertures
rows
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2015/012406
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert C. Olsen
Leslie S. Marco
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
Priority claimed from US14/517,155 external-priority patent/US9669977B2/en
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority to ES15705855.3T priority Critical patent/ES2664791T3/es
Priority to EP15705855.3A priority patent/EP3114042B1/fr
Priority to BR212016020491U priority patent/BR212016020491U2/pt
Publication of WO2015134126A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015134126A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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
    • 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

  • This invention relates to a container carrier having at least three rows of container receiving apertures for unitizing 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 are one such conventional container carrier.
  • Flexible plastic ring carriers having a plurality of container receiving apertures that each engage a corresponding container may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelve or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipackage.
  • Flexible ring carriers may include a handle that extend upwardly from the carrier to enable a consumer to carry the package from the top (called a “top lift carrier”) or outwardly from a side of the carrier to enable a consumer to carry the package from the side (called a “side lift carrier").
  • the present invention is directed to a flexible carrier for packaging containers that includes an arrangement of container receiving apertures that are configured to permit placement over containers in three distinct rows.
  • the carrier is suitably configured with a combination of webs and container receiving apertures that permit opening up and generally even, distributed stretching for application to the containers.
  • a flexible sheet forms webs defining container receiving apertures wherein tapered oblique bands at least partially define the respective container receiving apertures and a handle is positioned parallel with the three rows of container receiving apertures.
  • the resulting carrier is configured to enable placement over at least three rows of containers to result in a tight, unitized bricklike package.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention
  • Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a top view of a package of unitized containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Figs. 1-8 show flexible carrier 10 for unitizing six or more containers and a resulting unitized package, shown in one embodiment in Fig. 9.
  • Figs. 1-9 illustrate various structures for flexible carrier 10 of the invention, the illustrations are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to the flexible carriers 10 or packages shown for six, twelve or fifteen containers.
  • flexible carrier 10 may be alternatively configured and used to unitize three, nine, eighteen, or any other desired number of containers.
  • Containers are preferably cans, however, bottles or any other commonly unitized container may be used with flexible carrier 10 according to this invention.
  • the containers are preferably, though not necessarily, like-sized within a single flexible carrier 10.
  • Each flexible carrier 10 preferably includes a single layer of flexible sheet 20 having a width and length defining therein a plurality of container receiving apertures 25, each for receiving a container.
  • the plurality of container receiving apertures 25 are preferably arranged in at least three longitudinal rows and multiple longitudinal ranks so as to form an array of container receiving apertures 25, such as three rows by two ranks for a six container multipackage as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or three rows by four ranks for a twelve container multipackage as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 or three rows by five ranks for a fifteen container multipackage as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
  • Figs. 7 and 8 show three rows by four dividable ranks for a dividable twelve container multipackage.
  • Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably elongated in a longitudinal direction of flexible carrier 10.
  • Fig. 9 shows a representative package 100 resulting from flexible carrier 10 that includes a plurality of unitized containers.
  • Flexible carriers 10 are generally applied to containers by stretching flexible sheet 20 surrounding container receiving apertures 25 around container, and requiring the stretched carrier 10 to recover, thereby providing a tight engagement.
  • a preferred carrier configuration includes three distinct parallel rows of container receiving apertures 25 including a middle row and two outer rows of container receiving apertures 25.
  • Each rank includes three container receiving apertures 25 (one for each row in the carrier 10). Of these three container receiving apertures 25 per rank, there are two outer apertures and one center aperture formed therebetween.
  • each container receiving aperture 25 in a single row is configured identically from the other. As shown, this means that each container receiving aperture 25 in the center row is identical, each container receiving aperture in one outer row is identical and each container receiving aperture 25 in the other outer row is likewise identical.
  • the container receiving apertures 25 in one outer row are mirror images of the other outer row.
  • Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably formed in a geometry that results in a uniform application of the carrier 10 to containers to produce a tight unitization of containers within flexible carrier 10. Such a result is difficult when carrier 10 is engaged with three rows of container receiving apertures 25 over three rows of containers as described herein.
  • one or more jaws engage with an edge of the container receiving apertures 25 in outer rows and stretch the carrier open so as to apply the carrier to individual containers.
  • the jaws cannot directly engage container receiving apertures in that row which results in inadequate stretching of the container receiving apertures in that row and/or misapplication of the carrier to the plurality of containers.
  • the subject invention is configured to enable that the container receiving apertures 25 in that intermediate row to adequate stretch and engage the associated containers resulting in a desired package shown in Fig. 9.
  • the subject carrier 10 preferably stretches between approximately 31% and 51% thereby permitting application to a range of container diameters from 2.25" to 2.6".
  • container carrier 10 includes a series of interconnecting webs 30 that define the plurality of container receiving apertures 25.
  • Webs 30 are stretchable around container during application and recoverable around container following application.
  • the flexible sheet 20 forms webs 30 defining container receiving apertures 25 wherein the webs 30 are tapered oblique bands 35 at least partially defining the respective container receiving apertures 25.
  • the oblique bands 35 taper toward the web between the rows of container receiving apertures 25.
  • container receiving apertures 25 in the outer rows are longitudinally asymmetric while the container receiving apertures 25 in the middle rows are longitudinally symmetric.
  • the particular arrangement of apertures described enables the carrier 10 uniformly open up and stretch for application to containers despite having three rows of container receiving apertures 25.
  • a handle 50 extends from a longitudinal edge of carrier 10.
  • Handle 50 may comprise one or more elongated apertures positioned along the outer periphery of handle 50 or may comprise a similar configuration that provides an ample area for a consumer to grasp by inserting his hand through and still maintain the purpose and integrity of package.
  • a pair of secondary handles 55 may be positioned along a longitudinal edge of the carrier 10 opposite the edge of the handle 50.
  • one or both of the handle 50 and/or the secondary handles 55 may be divisible along a line of weakness 80.
  • the package may be configured as a twelve pack or a six pack or any similar combination depending on the number of container receiving openings 25 and the configuration of the handles 50, 55 employed.
  • each carrier 10 Preferably, each such tab 60 extends into a container receiving aperture 25 in outer rows of the three longitudinal rows. As shown, each container receiving aperture 25 in outer rows includes only one tab 60. Further each tab 60 preferably extends from an inner portion of each container receiving aperture 25 in the outer rows.
  • These tabs 60 form a desirable configuration in a center web of the carrier following application to containers and preferably prevent inversions in that web which would jeopardize a sturdy package and the aesthetics of the package.
  • the container carrier 10 may further include asymmetric dividing apertures 70 positioned between adjacent ranks of container receiving apertures 25. Further, dividing apertures 70 are preferably positioned between adjacent carriers 10 when formed in a generally continuous string of carriers prior to application.
  • a slit 75 is preferably positioned between each container receiving aperture 25 in a center row and an outer row.
  • the slit 75 also assists in a desired v-shape in the center web of the carrier following application to containers.
  • the configuration of the carrier 10 described above includes a combination of webs and container receiving apertures that permit opening up and even stretching for application to the containers.
  • the shape and design of the center row of container receiving apertures 25 is different from that of the outer rows of container receiving apertures 25. Such a design overcomes the natural tendency of the central apertures to foreshorten during stretching.
  • the subject carrier 10 preferably accommodates at least four different standard container sizes including 202/21 1 ; 202/209; 202/207.5 and 202/206.5 (2.6"; 2.48"; 2.36"; and 2.25" diameters, respectively).
  • Standard container heights between approximately 250 ml to 568 ml can also utilize the subject carrier 10.
  • adjacent containers touch in a transverse direction (TD) and are spaced at various intervals depending on container size in the longitudinal or machine direction (MD).
  • TD transverse direction
  • MD longitudinal or machine direction
  • the flexibility of the carrier 10 thereby permits a single applicating machine and carrier to accommodate a whole range of containers without changeover to a new carrier. This enables a more compact footprint for equipment, minimizes required inventories for carrier stock and simplifies changeover to different multipackages.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

Support (10) souple permettant de transporter une pluralité de récipients à l'intérieur d'une pluralité d'ouvertures (25) correspondantes recevant des récipients, formées en rangées longitudinales et transversales, le support comprenant trois rangées d'ouvertures (25) recevant des récipients et une poignée (50) s'étendant parallèlement aux trois rangées d'ouvertures (25) recevant des récipients.
PCT/US2015/012406 2014-03-03 2015-01-22 Support pour récipients Ceased WO2015134126A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES15705855.3T ES2664791T3 (es) 2014-03-03 2015-01-22 Soporte de envases
EP15705855.3A EP3114042B1 (fr) 2014-03-03 2015-01-22 Support pour récipients
BR212016020491U BR212016020491U2 (pt) 2014-03-03 2015-01-22 suporte de recipiente

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201461947232P 2014-03-03 2014-03-03
US61/947,232 2014-03-03
US14/517,155 2014-10-17
US14/517,155 US9669977B2 (en) 2013-10-21 2014-10-17 Container carrier

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015134126A1 true WO2015134126A1 (fr) 2015-09-11

Family

ID=54055714

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2015/012406 Ceased WO2015134126A1 (fr) 2014-03-03 2015-01-22 Support pour récipients

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3114042B1 (fr)
BR (1) BR212016020491U2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2664791T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015134126A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108367844A (zh) * 2015-12-03 2018-08-03 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 可分割的容器载体

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0318619A1 (fr) * 1987-12-04 1989-06-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Emballage multiple
EP0456359A2 (fr) * 1990-05-07 1991-11-13 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Bande de porte-articles et emballage l'utilisant
EP0507479A1 (fr) * 1991-04-02 1992-10-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Support de récipients à languettes déchirables

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0318619A1 (fr) * 1987-12-04 1989-06-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Emballage multiple
EP0456359A2 (fr) * 1990-05-07 1991-11-13 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Bande de porte-articles et emballage l'utilisant
EP0507479A1 (fr) * 1991-04-02 1992-10-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Support de récipients à languettes déchirables

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108367844A (zh) * 2015-12-03 2018-08-03 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 可分割的容器载体
EP3383761B1 (fr) * 2015-12-03 2022-02-02 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Support de contenants divisible

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3114042B1 (fr) 2018-01-10
BR212016020491U2 (pt) 2018-05-29
EP3114042A1 (fr) 2017-01-11
ES2664791T3 (es) 2018-04-23

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