Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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A CARRIER FOR CANS, A CARDBOARD BLANK FOR A CARRIER FOR
CANS AND A METHOD TO ASSEMBLE A CARDBOARD BLANK
s Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a carrier of cardboard, preferably
corrugated cardboard, for connecting a plurality of generally cylindrical
cans being disposed in at least two rows and having an inclined upper
part and a top closure with a projecting circular rim. The carrier is pro-
1o duced from a plane blank, having, for each can connected by the car-
rier, two mutually opposing, essentially arcuate slits, the outer edges of
which engage below the rim of the cans when the carrier is assembled
on the plurality of cans to connect the carrier and the cans and form a
package assembly.
is The invention also relates to a plane blank of cardboard for a car
rier for cans and a method to assemble a plane blank of cardbord.
Background of the invention
Cylindrical cans are used in the beverage industries for drinks,
2o such as for instance mineral water, bear and soft drinks. For carrying a
plurality of cans, package assemblies are provided, which may comprise
from two up to ten cans. Heretofore there have been many different
types of package assembly means provided for enabling a plurality of
cans to be lifted and handled by, for example, a consumer.
2s Plastic materials are used as package assembly means, e.g. in the
form of a plastic film wrap extending around the packaged cans or in
the form of mutually connected plastic rings which are applied around
the cans. These package assembly means, however, are costly and
cause environmental problems. Other types of carriers for cans, made of
3o cardboard, having both environmental and commercial advantages,
have thus been introduced. Also combinations of plastic and cardboard
materials have been used as package assembly means.
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Considering the extensive use of package assemblies for drinks and
the great quantity of cans sold in these packages or assemblies, the cost
of the individual package, including material as well as assembly costs,
is an important factor in the cost of the packaged assembly as sold.
s Hence, relatively small changes in the costs of the package assemblies
are very important. In addition, it is important that the contents of the
packages are clearly visible and can be identified in the package assem-
bly.
One type of carrier of cardboard configured as a banderole or a so
Io called wrap-around extending around the group of cans are frequently
used and is, for example, disclosed in US-A-3,194,476. This wrap-
around carrier is costly and complicated to apply around the cans in a
continuously running production line. A further disadvantage is that
the contents of the package can not easily be identified by the con-
IS sumer.
Other types of carriers of cardboard are known, which are adapted
to be applied against the upper side of the group of containers and to be
connected to the containers. A carrier of this type is described, for ex-
ample, in US-A-3,094,210. The carrier is produced from a plane card-
2o board blank having two opposing U-shaped slits for each container to
be connected by the carrier. The plane blank is assembled on the group
of containers by folding side flanges downwardly towards the sides of
the container, such that outer edges of the slits in the carrier engage
below the shoulder of the containers. However, in order to prevent the
25 edges of the slits to disengage from the shoulder, following mutual
movements between the containers, an additional corresponding carrier
must be applied on the bottom part of the containers. The carrier as
described above is disadvantageous in that it can be used for a single
row of containers only and is costly due to material costs and a more
3o complicated assembly of a two-piece carrier. A further disadvantage is
that the side flanges of the carrier projecting downwardly along the
sides of the containers, may easily get caught by an adjacent package
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assembly or some other element, such that the flanges are forced up-
wardly and the edges of the slits are disengaged from the shoulder of
the container.
A similar carrier for cans is disclosed in EP-B-0496807. The carrier
comprises two opposing arcuate slits for each can and short incisions
extending radially from said slits. A plurality of flaps, formed between
the incisions, engage below the projecting neck of the cans. Grasping
flaps are provided on each side of the carrier adapted to be folded when
the carrier with the cans is grasped and lifted by the user. The carrier
1o as disclosed has proven insufficient to securely engage the carrier on
the cans, especially when lifting forces are applied in the gripping re-
cesses in the sides of the carrier. The carrier has a centrally arranged
folding line, which serves as a "hinge " when the lifting forces are app-
lied in the gripping recesses in the opposing sides of the carrier, such
that the cans are separated and tend to disengage from the carrier. In
addition, the side flaps are forced by the lifting forces in an upward
direction, thus further increasing the risk for disengagement of the
carrier from the cans.
2o Basic idea of the invention
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned
problems by providing a carrier, for a plurality of cans disposed in at
least two rows, which may be securely fitted to the cans in order to
connect, lock and support the cans and provide a package assembly
which may be lifted and handled without risking disengagement, and
which is material-effective and may be readily and effectively applied to
and assembled on a plurality of cans.
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in a car-
rier for cans, a cardboard blank and a method to assemble a cardboard
3o blank as described above and with the characterising features as de-
fined in the appended claims.
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In accordance with the invention, gripping recesses are disposed
between the rows of cans and a bowl-shaped indentation is formed in
the carrier between the gripping recesses and the rows of cans. The
plane blank has a central portion intended to be accommodated bet-
s ween the rows of cans in the assembled state, which portion is slightly
wider than the actual spacing between the cans, such that indentations
are formed between the rows of cans when the carrier is assembled on
the cans. The assembled carrier according to the invention is stiffened
by the centrally disposed bowl-shaped indentations, such that the cans
1o are steadily supported in the carrier. The lifting forces, applied in the
gripping recesses between the rows of cans, are distributed in the direc-
tion of the engagement tongues in the inner slits, such that the abutting
pressure on and below the rim of the can is increased. In forming the
bowl-shaped indentation in the centre of the plane blank, the engage-
1s ment tongues in the outer slits abutting the rim of the can, are forced
towards the centre of the package assembly, thus increasing the pres-
sure of the engagement tongues in the outer slits on the rim of the can
and tightening the connection of the carrier to the cans. By these
means, a steady and secure connection of the cans in the carrier is
2o achieved. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, op-
posing arcuate slits for each can to be connected by the carrier com-
prise an arcuate intermediate section between two arcuate end sections.
The intermediate section is formed radially inside the arcuate end sec-
tions of the slit, such that an engagement tongue is formed in the inter-
25 mediate section of the slit. The engagement tongue is adapted to slip
over the projecting rim of the can when the side panels and the centre
portion of the blank are forced towards the inclined sides of the can and
to snap in below the rim to securely and effectively lock the carrier to
the cans. The curvature of the engagement tongue thoroughly follows
3o the curvature of the can and through the deflection of the end sections
of the slits and the ensuing tension is these sections, the engagement
tongues are tightened to provide a secure and steady connection.
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The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention
will be made more apparent in the following description of embodiments
of the invention and in the appended drawings.
s
Short description of the drawings
The invention will be described more in detail below with reference
to the appended drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows a plane cardboard blank for a carrier for cans
according to an embodiment of the invention, said carrier being adapted
for two rows of cans with six cans,
Figure 2 shows in a perspective view a package assembly com-
prising a carrier with six cans, the carrier being produced from the
cardboard blank of Figure 1,
1s Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the package assembly of Figure
2 along the line III-III in Figure ~,
Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the package assembly of Figure
2 along the line IV-IV in Figure 2, and
Figure 5 shows a plane cardboard blank for a carrier for cans
2o according to a second embodiment of the invention, said carrier being
adapted for two rows of cans with four cans.
Detailed description of embodiments of the invention
The carrier according to the invention is produced from a plane
2s blank of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard. A thin and com-
pact F-flute corrugated cardboard is preferably used. However, a thicker
E-flute corrugated cardboard may also constitute a suitable material in
the carrier. In order to minimise the humidity effect on the material, the
corrugated cardboard may be coated with a plastic layer, preferably on
3o its inner side. Besides that the plastic layer increases the resistance of
the material against moisture, the layer also increases the ductility of
the material. The advantages of the environment friendly corrugated
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cardboard remain also with a plastic coating, since the plastic material
in the coated layer may be recycled.
Figure 1 shows the plane cardboard blank 32 for a carrier
according to an embodiment of the invention. The carrier is adapted to
s connect and hold a plurality of cans 4 disposed in two rows, as shown
in Figure 2. The blank 32, in the embodiment as shown adapted for six
cans 4, is shown in the assembled state in Figures 2 - 4. The cans 4,
which do not form part of the present invention, are conventionally de-
signed with an essentially circular-cylindrical basic form. The upper
part of the can is slightly inclined and is closed by a top closure 6 which
is sealed by means of a projecting circular rim 8.
The plane blank 32 has an essentially rectangular basic form, pre-
ferably with dented or inclined corners 10, for reducing the risk that a .
projecting part of the carrier may get caught by an adjacent element,
is such as for example another package assembly. At least two gripping
recesses 42 are centrally disposed in the blank between the rows of
cans 4. In the embodiment as shown, the gripping recesses 42 are form-
ed as oval openings and provide a secure finger grip for two fingers to
lift and handle the package assembly. The gripping recesses 42 may,
2o however, be circular or be formed differently and may be provided with
a foldable flap 43, as shown in Figure 1. The foldable flaps 43 are ad-
apted to be folded backwards between the cans in order to provide a
reinforced and fingergrip-friendly lifting edge in the gripping recess 42.
In Figure 2, the foldable flaps 43 have been folded back underneath the
2s carrier between the cans.
Two mutually opposing and essentially arcuate slits 44, 45 are dis-
posed in the blank 32 for each can 4 to be connected by the carrier 31.
Each pair of slits comprises an outer slit 44, preferably having a first
configuration, and an inner slit 45 adjacent to a centre line 34 between
3o the rows of cans, having a second configuration.
The outer slit 44 in each pair of slits consists of an arcuate inter-
mediate section 16 having arcuate end sections 18 on both sides there-
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of. Step-like portions 20 are disposed between the intermediate section
16 and the end sections 18. The arcuate end sections 18 are part cir-
cular, the radius of which is equal to or slightly larger than the radius
of the projecting rim 8 of the top closure 6, such that the edge of the
s end sections 18 in the assembled state is in line with or projects slightly
outside the edge of the shoulder 8, as shown in Figure 2. The outer edge
of the slit 44 may thus, along the end sections 18, easily be displaced
downwardly past the rim 8, as will be explained more in detail below.
The arcuate intermediate section 16 of the slit 44 is formed radially
to inside the extended arcuate end sections 18 of the slit, such that the in-
termediate section forms an arched edge inside the arched line formed
by the extensions of the two end sections 18. The arched edge of the in-
termediate section 16 with its step-like end portions 20, thus forms a
projecting engagement tongue 22 directed towards the centre of the
Is blank. As mentioned above, the engagement tongue 22 is arched and
may be part circular, the radius of which corresponds to the radius of
the can just below the rim. The engagement tongue 22 may also be dif
ferently arched, for example, the arc may be part circular and "wider".
This engagement tongue 22 has a larger radius and a centre which does
2o not coincide with the centre of the cans in the assembled state of the
carrier. The engagement tongue is adapted to snap in below the pro-
jecting rim 8 of the can 4 to connect and lock the can to the carrier, as
will be described further below.
The inner slit 45 differs from the outer slit 44, primarily in the
25 design of the intermediate section 46, but also in that the arcuate end
sections 48 are smaller than the corresponding end sections 18 in the
outer slit 44. As a consequence, the intermediate section 46 of the inner
slit is larger than the corresponding intermediate section 16 in the outer
slit 44.
3o The intermediate section 46 of the inner slit 45 has at least one, in
the embodiment as shown two, radially extending incisions 47. The in-
cisions 47 extend between the edge of the slit 45 and an arcuate folding
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line 53, extending between the end sections 48 and delimiting an en-
gagement tongue between the step-like portions 50. The incisions 47
divide the engagement tongue into three engagement flaps 52. The cur-
vature of the intermediate section 46 of the slit 45 differs from the cur-
s vature of the arcuate folding line 53 in that it is wider and has a larger
radius that the folding line 53. As a consequence, the height of the en-
gagement flaps 52 varies, such that it is higher in the centre of the en-
gagement tongue and decreases continuously towards the ends of the
engagement tongue, as shown in Figure 1. The arcuate folding line 53 is
1o configured to correspond with the curvature of the contact line on the
inclined surface of the can, as will be described more in detail below
with reference to Figures 2 - 4.
As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of additional folding lines are dis
posed in the blank 32. Three longitudinal folding lines 54, for each row
1s of cans, extend parallel to the long sides 56 of the blank and to the rows
of the cans. Two of the three longitudinal folding lines 54 connect the
ends of the arcuate slits 44, 45 with each other or with an adjacent
short side 58 of the blank and the third folding line 54 connects the
step-like portions 20 in the outer slits 44 with each other or with an ad-
2o jacent short side 58 of the blank. In addition, a plurality of folding
lines
55 are disposed in the centre portions of the blank, said folding lines in
the embodiment as shown being oblique and are disposed between the
rows of cans in the blank. The oblique folding lines 55 connect the outer
engagement flaps 52 with an adjacent gripping recess 42 or with an ad-
25 jacent short side 58 of the blank. Portions 62, C4 of the plane blank are
formed between the oblique folding lines 55, the arcuate folding lines 53
and the gripping recesses 42 or the side edges 58 of the blank. A width
b, see Figure 1, of said portions 62, 64, extending between a pair of ad-
jacent arcuate folding lines 53, is slightly larger than a spacing a, see
3o Figure 3, extending between the contact lines of the adjacent arcuate
folding lines 53 on the inclined surfaces of the cans in the assembled
state of the carrier, as will be described more in detail below.
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The plane blank 32, in the preferred embodiment made of cor-
rugated cardboard, is punched out of the corrugated material such that
the direction of the flutes of the corrugated material (marked with a
double arrow 65 in Figure 1) coincides with the direction of the engage-
s ment tongues 22, 52. Through this orientation of the flutes, the engage-
ment tongues may withstand a maximum of compressive force.
The outer dimensions of the plane blank 32, i.e. the length and the
width of the blank, are chosen such that the side edges of the assemb-
led carrier, with its side panels 60 being folded towards the inclined
surfaces of the cans, do not exceed the maximum outer dimensions of
the group of cans. As a consequence, the risk of an unintentional dis-
engagement of the carrier from the cans due to upwardly directed forces
on the side panels or other parts of the blank, is considerably reduced.
The plurality of cans 4, disposed in two rows, are connected and
15 held together by the carrier 31 in a package assembly, as shown in
Figures 2 - 4. In forming the carrier as shown in Figure 2 from the
plane blank 32 of Figure 1, the plane blank is first superimposed on the
group of cans. The essentially circular portions of the blank disposed
between the opposing slits 44, 45 bear on and cover the top closures 6,
2o such that the slits 44, 45 in the blank on the whole coincide with the
projecting rim of the can. Then, pressure is applied against the plane
blank.
Pressure is first applied against the side panels 60 on the outer
sides of the group of cans, said panels being forced in a downward
25 direction. Through the downwardly directed pressure, the blank 32 is
folded in the folding lines 54. The side panels 60 are thus folded in two
steps in the parallel folding lines 54 towards the inclined surface on the
upper part of the cans 4, as shown in Figure 3. The arcuate end sec-
tions 18 of the outer slits 44 are displaced in a downward direction past
3o the rim 8 of the can and the projecting engagement tongue 22 is turned
slightly upwards. Hence, the arcuate end sections of the slit 44 pass
outside the projecting rim 8 and the engagement tongue 22 slips over
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and snaps in below the rim 8, to connect and lock the carrier to the
cans. The arcuate engagement tongue 22 is formed to fit the cylindrical
curvature of the can 4, such that the entire tongue 22 bears on the sur-
face of the can below the rim 8 and exerts a tightening force ensuing
s from tensions distributed in the carrier along the outer edges of the end
sections 18 of the slits from the contact pressure of the carrier 1 on the
top closure 6, such that a secure and stable connection between the
carrier and the cans is achieved.
As shown in Figure 2, the upper plane parts of the assembled
1o carrier, cover the upper portions of the cans 4, i.e. the top closures 6,
such that these portions are protected from contamination during
transportation and storing.
In a subsequent assembly step, preferably a special pressure-
applying tool with individually spring-loaded rolls, applies pressure in
1s the the centre 34 of the blank, especially in the portions 62, 64. The
pressure is preferably applied at certain points in the blank, however
with a certain longitudinal extension, forcing the portions 62, 64 in a
downward direction. Through the pressure, the blank is folded in the
longitudinal inner folding lines 59-, such that the outer edges of the
2o inner slits 45 are displaced downwardly past the rim 8 of the can. In
addition, the blank 32 is folded in the oblique folding lines 55 and in
the arcuate folding lines 53. The downward pressure is applied, such
that the arcuate folding lines 53 are forced against the inclined surfaces
of the cans, and the engagement flaps 52 are folded upwards and snap
25 in below the rim 8 of the can into a locking position. The downward
pressure is applied in central portions 62, 64 between the pairs of cans,
thus forming bowl-shaped indentations 66, 68 between the oblique fold-
ing lines 55 and the arcuate folding lines 53. Figure 4 shows that the
bottom level of each bowl-shaped indentation 66, 68 is formed centrally
3o between each pair of cans and that the top level of the bowl is formed at
the edge of the gripping recesses 42. The level of the bowl-shaped in-
dentation 68 at the edge of the carrier 31 is slightly lower than the top
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level at the edge of the gripping recess 42. The bowl-shaped inden-
tations 66, 68 are obtained by means of the oversized width b in the
central portions 62, 64 of the blank and the declining height of the
engagement tongue towards its ends and also the oblique folding lines
s 55. In this assembly step, i.e. when the bowl-shaped indentations 66,
68 are formed, the spacing between the outer slits 44 in the carrier is
slightly reduced. As a result, the pressure of the engagement tongues
22 on the rim 8 are increased by means of the tightening forces from
the central portions 62, 64. From this assembly step, the cans 4 are
1o held and supported in the package assembly in a steady and secure
engagement by the carrier.
When the carrier 31 of Figure 2, with its heavy Load of liquid-filled
cans 4, is lifted by a two finger grip in the gripping recesses 42, the lift-
ing force L is applied in the carrier between the rows of cans 4. Through
is the bowl-shaped indentations 66, 68 in the portions 62, 64 between the
rows of cans 4, a stiffening of the central portions of the carrier is ob-
tained. The stiffening of the central portions of the carrier prevents that
these portions are forced upwardly by the upwardly directed lifting for-
ces L, such that the tongues would be disengaged from the cans. Unlike
2o the carriers of the prior art, in which the lifting forces tend to
disengage
the carrier from the cans, the lifting forces L in the carrier according to
the invention are partly transformed to forces F tending to press the
cans together (see Figures 3 and 4) and partly the lifting .forces L in the
gripping recesses 42 are distributed in the direction of the oblique fold-
25 ing lines 55 and are transformed to an increased pressure of the en-
gagement flaps 52 on the rim 8, such that the cans are held steadily by
the carrier and are securely connected by the carrier. The bowl-shaped
indentations, the gripping recesses provided centrally between the rows
of cans and the projecting arcuate engagement tongues in the carrier
3o according to the invention, contribute to a secure and steady con-
nection of the cans, a stiffening of the assembled carrier and a trans-
formation of the lifting forces to an increased engagement pressure, an
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increased tightening of the carrier and a reduced tendency of move-
ments of the cans in the carrier.
Figure 5 shows a second exemplifying embodiment of a cardboard
blank for a carrier for four cans in two rows of cans. Opposing pair of
s slits 44, 45 in the blank for each can to be connected by the carrier and
folding lines are disposed in a corresponding manner as in the blank as
shown in Figure 1. Two gripping recesses 42 are disposed in the blank.
One gripping recess 42 is formed as an oval opening with a foldable flap
43 and is disposed centrally in the blank between the rows of cans. The
to other gripping recess 42 is disposed centrally in the edge of the blank
and is formed as an open recess with a foldable flap 43. In a third em-
bodiment of the invention (not shown in the drawings) the blank is ad-
apted for two cans arranged in two rows, as in Figures 1 and 5. In this
embodiment, there are two gripping recesses, both of which are cent-
is rally disposed in opposing edges of the blank and axe formed as open
recesses, similar to the gripping recesses 42 of Figure 5.
According to the invention, the blanks may effectively be assembled
on the cans in an automated production Iine. The blanks may however
also effectively be assembled in a semi-automated line or in a packaging
20 line and it is also convenient to assemble the blank manually into a
package assembly.
It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the
aforedescribed exemplifying embodiments thereof and that several con-
ceivable modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of
2s the following claims.
