CONTAINER CARRIER

SUPPORT DE RECIPIENT

English Abstract

This invention relates to a package of a plurality of containers (20) unitized with a flexible carrier (10). The carrier is constructed from a plastic planar sheet (15) having a plurality of container receiving apertures (25) and a panel (50) or handle (60) positioned with respect to the planar sheet. The panel or handle are die cut to form at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and a fanciful design.

French Abstract

L'invention porte sur un emballage d'une pluralité de récipients (20) unifiés avec un support souple (10). Le support est construit à partir d'une feuille plane en matière plastique (15) ayant une pluralité d'ouvertures de réception de récipient (25) et d'un panneau (50) ou d'une poignée (60) positionné(e) par rapport à la feuille plane. Le panneau ou la poignée sont estampés de façon à former au moins l'un parmi un nom de produit, une propriété de produit, une forme publicitaire, une marque de fabrique, un nom de marque, des caractères alphanumériques, des symboles et un dessin fantaisie.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A carrier (10) for carrying a plurality of containers (20), the carrier
comprising:
a planar sheet (15) of a plastic material, the sheet having a plurality of
container receiving
apertures (25) arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks;
a panel (50) integrally formed with the sheet, the panel extending outward
from an edge
of the sheet (15),
characterised in that
the panel (50) is die cut to form at least one of a product name, a product
shape, a
promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols
and a fanciful
design.
2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal panel length is less than
a longitudinal
sheet length.
3. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising an integral handle (60)
positioned between
longitudinal rows of container receiving apertures (25).
4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the integral handle (60) is die cut to
form a corresponding
at least one of the product name, the product shape, the promotional shape,
the trademark, the
tradename, the alpha-numeric characters, symbols and the fanciful design as
the panel (50).
5. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a handle (60) integrated with
the panel (50).
6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the die cut comprises an asymmetric
shape.
7. The carrier of claim 1 comprising at least two panels (50), each panel
associated with a
container receiving aperture (25) of the plurality of container receiving
apertures (25).
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8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein two or more die cut panels (50) are each
associated with
one rank of two or more transverse ranks of container receiving apertures.
9. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the panel (50) is die cut to form an
outline of the
container (20).
10. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a handle (60) positioned
between the panel and
the longitudinal rows of container receiving apertures (25).
11. A package (80) of a plurality of containers (20), the package
comprising:
a planar sheet (15) of a plastic material, the sheet having a plurality of
container receiving
apertures (25) arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks;
a plurality of containers (20) positioned within a corresponding one of the
plurality of
container receiving apertures (25);
a panel (50) integrally foliated with the sheet (15), the panel (50) extending
outward from
an edge of the sheet (15) and across one or more containers (20) of the
plurality of containers,
characterised in that
the panel (50) is die cut to form at least one of a product name, a product
shape, a
promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols
and a fanciful
design.
12. The package of claim 11, wherein the panel (50) includes one or more
weakened areas
(85) to provide a hand hold when grasped therein while still providing
billboard space on the
panel (50) prior to purchase.
13. The package of claim 11, wherein a two or more panels (50) are
positioned across the
package (80), each panel corresponding with a rank of the transverse ranks of
container receiving
apertures (25).
14. The package of claim 11 further comprising a handle (60).
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15. The package of claim 14, wherein the handle (60) is die cut to form at
least one of a
product name, a product shape, a promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename,
alpha-numeric
characters, symbols and a fanciful design.
16. A carrier (10) for carrying a plurality of containers (20), the carrier
comprising:
a planar sheet (15) of a plastic material, the sheet having a plurality of
container receiving
apertures (25) arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks;
a handle (60) integrally formed with the sheet (15), the handle extending from
the sheet,
characterised in that
the handle (60) is die cut to form at least one of a product name, a product
shape, a
promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols
and a fanciful
design.
17. The carrier of claim 16, wherein the handle (60) extends from between
longitudinal rows
of the container receiving apertures (25).
18. The carrier of claim 16 further comprising a panel (50) extending from
an edge of the
longitudinal rows of container receiving apertures (25).
19. The carrier of claim 18, wherein the panel (50) includes a
corresponding die cut to that of
the handle (60) and forms at least one of a product name, a product shape, a
promotional shape, a
trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and a fanciful
design.
20. The carrier of claim 18, wherein the panel (50) is separable along a
removal element (90)
to release individual containers (20) from the carrier (10), wherein the
removal element (90)
forms an integral portion of the product name, the product shape, the
promotional shape, the
trademark, the tradename, the alpha-numeric characters, the symbols and the
fanciful design.
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Description

CA 02871509 2014-10-23
WO 2013/166495 PCT/US2013/039710
CONTAINER CARRIER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a container carrier for unitizing a desired quantity
of
containers.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Container carriers connect two or more containers into a sturdy unitized
package or "multipack" of containers. Carriers are generally planar arrays of
rings,
sometimes referred to as "six-pack carriers," typically formed from a
thermoplastic sheet
material. Carriers are applied to containers of various sizes and shapes.
Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of
similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes, although
other packages or
containers may be unitized. Plastic ring carriers and box carriers are two
such conventional
container carriers.
The plastic ring carrier produces a unitized package for containers using
little
material. However, when used alone has little or no advertising or promotional
printing
space. Conversely, the box carrier generally has a relatively large amount of
area for
promotional graphics. Disadvantageously, the box carrier requires a relatively
large amount
of material, permits bottles to fall out if it is not maintained in an upright
position, and
usually shrouds much of the actual containers. Therefore, there is a need for
a package that
incorporates the stability and economy of a ring carrier and the promotional
properties of a
box carrier.
This invention relates to a carrier, for unitizing a plurality of containers,
having a plurality of container receiving apertures configured with an
integral panel and/or
handle that is shaped to convey additional information regarding the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A container carrier according to this invention carries a plurality of
containers
such as cans or bottles. The carrier comprises a planar, preferably plastic,
sheet formed with
a plurality of container receiving apertures. The container receiving
apertures are formed in
longitudinal rows and transverse ranks.
A panel is preferably integrally formed with the sheet so that the panel
extends
outward from a panel edge of the sheet. The panel is preferably shaped to
convey at least one
of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a trademark, a
tradename, alpha-
1

,
,
numeric characters, symbols and/or fanciful design intended to draw attention
to the product.
Alternatively, or in addition, a separate handle may be likewise configured to
convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional
shape, a trademark,
a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design
intended to draw
attention to the product.
Still further, the handle may be integrally formed with the panel and be
likewise
configured to convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a
promotional shape,
a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful
design intended
to draw attention to the product.
The containers are positioned in each container receiving aperture o form a
package having a panel and/or a handle that is prominent with respect to the
package and visible
to a consumer such that its stylized form projects the intended image of the
product. Such a
configuration of the panel and/or handle results in a package of containers
having a prominent
display area or "billboard" for advertising, information, graphics and other
marketing material.
In a broad aspect, the invention pertains to a carrier for carrying a
plurality of
containers, and comprises a planar sheet of a plastic material. The sheet has
a plurality of
container receiving apertures arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse
ranks. A panel is
integrally formed with the sheet, and extends outward from an edge of the
sheet and is die cut
to form at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional
shape, a trademark,
a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and a fanciful design.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a package of a plurality of
containers.
The package comprises a planar sheet of a plastic material, the sheet having a
plurality of
container receiving apertures arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse
ranks. A plurality of
containers are positioned within a corresponding one of the plurality of
container receiving
apertures, and a panel is integrally formed with the sheet. The panel extends
outward from an
edge of the sheet and across one or more containers of the plurality of
containers. The panel is
die cut to form at least one of a product name, a product property, a
promotional shape, a
trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and a fanciful
design.
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Still, further the invention embodies a carrier for carrying a plurality of
containers and comprises a planar sheet of a plastic material. The sheet has a
plurality of
container receiving apertures arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse
ranks, and a handle
integrally formed with the sheet. The handle extends from the sheet and is die
cut to form at
least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a
trademark, a tradename,
alpha-numeric characters, symbols and a fanciful design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and aspects of this invention will be
better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction
with the drawings
wherein:
Fig. 1 is a top view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred
embodiment
of this invention;
Fig. 2 is a top view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred
embodiment
of this invention;
Fig. 3 is a front view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of
this invention;
Fig. 4 is a front view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of
this invention;
Fig. 5 is a front view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of
this invention;
Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of a package according to one preferred
embodiment of this invention;
Fig. 7 is a top view of a flexible carrier used in the package shown in Fig.
6;
Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of a package according to one preferred
embodiment of this invention; and
Fig. 9 is a top view of a flexible carrier used in the package shown in Fig.
8.
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CA 02871509 2016-06-29
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1-9 show carriers 10 and packages 80 according to various preferred
embodiments of this invention. Containers 20 shown in Figs. 3-5, 6 and 8 are
preferably
bottles. Although bottles are shown in Fig. 3-5, 6 and 8, cans or any other
commonly
unitized container 20 may be used with carrier 10 according to this invention.
Containers 20
are preferably like-sized within a single carrier 10 to form package 80.
Carrier 10 unitizes a plurality of containers 20 to create package 80, such as
package 80 shown in Figs. 3-5. Carrier 10 comprises planar sheet 15 preferably
constructed
from a flexible, resilient material such as plastic. In one preferred
embodiment of this
invention, sheet 15 is made from low density polyethylene.
Sheet 15 of material is preferably cut, using means known to those skilled in
the art, such as a stamping die, to form a plurality of container receiving
apertures 25 in sheet
15. Preferably, six or more container receiving apertures 25 are formed in
sheet 15 in
longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. Preferably, container receiving
apertures 25 are
configured in two rows of three ranks or in two rows of four ranks. Sheet 15
may include
other configurations of container receiving apertures 25 depending on the size
of package 80
desired.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, panel 50 is integrally formed
with sheet 15. Panel 50 preferably has an overall longitudinal panel length
less than an
overall length of sheet 15. Panel 50 preferably accommodates, on one or both
sides, UPC
and proof of purchase labels, graphics, and promotional and/or other
information related to
contents and/or ingredients of package 80.
Panel 50 preferably extends outward from a longitudinal edge of sheet 15. As
shown in Figs 1-5, panel 50 is at least partially formed along a portion of
each container
receiving aperture 25.
Panel 50 is preferably integrally formed with the sheet 15 so that the panel
50
extends outward from a longitudinal edge of the sheet 15. Panel 50 is
preferably shaped to
convey at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional
shape, a trademark,
a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design
intended to draw
attention to the product.
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CA 02871509 2014-10-23
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In a preferred embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, carrier 10
further comprises integral handle 60 positioned between rows of container
receiving
apertures 25 or along an opposite longitudinal edge of sheet 15. Handle 60 is
particularly
important in configurations of carrier 10 that contain many container
receiving apertures 25
to facilitate ease of handling of package 80.
Alternatively, or in addition, handle 60 may be likewise configured to convey
at least one of a product name, a product property, a promotional shape, a
trademark, a
tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols and/or a fanciful design intended
to draw
attention to the product. Both handle 60 and panel 50 may include
corresponding die cuts,
either identical or complementary including the product name, the product
property, the
promotional shape, the trademark, the tradename, the alpha-numeric characters,
symbols
and/or the fanciful design.
Still further, handle 60 may be integrally formed with the panel 50 and be
likewise configured to convey at least one of a product name, a product
property, a
promotional shape, a trademark, a tradename, alpha-numeric characters, symbols
and/or a
fanciful design intended to draw attention to the product.
As shown in Figs. 3-5, containers 20 are preferably positioned in each
container receiving aperture 25 to form package 80. Panel 50 is preferably
generally flat and
parallel with respect to containers 20 and prominent with respect to package
80. If panel 50
is curled or folded in a perpendicular position with respect to package 80,
then advertising or
other material positioned on panel will not be legible to a consumer. In
addition, a panel 50
that protrudes with respect to package 80 will create difficulties in
packaging, handling and
stacking packages 80 because of interference between panels 50 of adjacent
packages 80 and
between panel 50 and packaging equipment.
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 6 and
7, panel 50 is similarly formed in a decorative configuration however cutouts
or similar areas
for grasping the panel are not provided. Instead one or a series of weakened
areas 85, such as
slits and/or perforations, are formed with respect to the panel 50 that permit
a user to insert
her hand through the panel 50 and "create" the handle at the point of sale. In
this manner,
billboard space on the panel 50 is maximized until purchase. The one or more
slits and/or
perforations may protrude directly through the graphics and/or decorative
configuration
within the panel 50 and are thus best positioned to open only following a
purchase decision
by a consumer.
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CA 02871509 2014-10-23
WO 2013/166495
PCT/US2013/039710
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 8 and
9, a panel 50 is formed relative to a carrier 10 and a group of containers 20
in a package 80
such that a decorative component forms a portion of a removal element 90 such
as a
perforation or tear strip so that a user may remove containers 20 from the
package 80
generally along an interface between the panel 50 and at least one row of the
containers 20.
For example, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a tail of a lizard may be pulled along
a removal
element 90 to release individual containers 20 from the package 80. In this
manner, the
removal element 90 preferably forms an integral portion of the product name,
the product
property, the promotional shape, the trademark, the tradename, the alpha-
numeric characters,
the symbols and the fanciful design of the panel 50.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in
relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been
set forth for
purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
the invention is
susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details
described herein can be
varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the
invention.
5

Representative Drawing