Divisible container carrier

ES 2 393 229 T3

DESCRIPTION

Container carrier that can be divided

Background of the invention

Invention field

The invention relates to a flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers such as cans or bottles.

Description of prior art

Conventional container holders are often used to unify a plurality of containers of similar size, such as cans, bottles, jars, and boxes and / or similar containers that require unification. Flexible plastic ring holders are one such conventional container holder.

Flexible plastic ring carriers can be used to unify groups of four, six, eight, twelve, or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipack or pack. A problem encountered with convenient multiple packs, such as six packs and twelve packs, is a lack of flexibility for the merchant. If the merchant stores only six-packs, then the consumer cannot purchase a smaller pack. This merchandising problem is especially intense for smaller, or small volume merchants who do not have the storage space or inventory capabilities to store multiple sizes of multiple packages.

WO-2005/110886 describes a flexible carrier having a longitudinal line of openings for containers the carrier being transversely separable into a plurality of subcarriers.

Traders have tried various solutions to the above problem. Some merchants use a knife to cut multiple packages into smaller sub-packages, resulting in an unstable package, usually without an effective handle for the consumer. Some merchants purchase multiple loose-pack flat cartons and repackage the containers at the facility on demand. This procedure is time consuming and also results in unstable and inconsistent multiple packets.

Both of the above unsuitable solutions also result in multiple packages that need to be re-priced according to the size of the multiple package. Often universal barcode symbols (UPC), barcodes or other means of marking prices reflect the price of previously sized multipacks, thus resulting in inappropriate scans and mislabeling of the repackaged multipack .

A corollary problem that bottlers face is applying machines designed for large multiple packs of, for example, 8 or 12 containers that often do not meet the needs of traders. Therefore, there is a need to accommodate the equipment used to assemble multiple packages of larger sizes and still provide merchants with multiple packages having containers in smaller multiples.

Document EP1981776 is a prior European right under article 54 (3) EPC and is therefore relevant to the novelty only of the present invention. Document EP1981776 describes a flexible carrier for transporting a plurality of containers, comprising a flexible sheet having two longitudinal rows of openings for containers formed in the flexible sheet, two panels each formed at a periphery of the flexible sheet along each longitudinal edge of the flexible sheet and a perforation extending between the longitudinal rows to divide the flexible carrier into two subcarriers, the perforations comprising a series of short perforations followed by a series of long perforations.

In accordance with the present invention a flexible carrier has been provided for transporting a plurality of containers, the flexible carrier comprising:

a flexible sheet;

two longitudinal rows of container openings formed in the flexible sheet, the container openings generally being triangular in shape;

two panels, each panel formed at a periphery of the flexible sheet along each longitudinal edge of the flexible sheet; and a perforation extending between the longitudinal rows, the flexible carrier being capable of being divided along the perforation into two subcarriers each of which has two container openings, the

ES 2 393 229 T3 perforation a series of short perforations followed by a series of long perforations.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a flexible carrier according to one example;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a flexible carrier according to one example;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a package according to an example;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the package shown in FIG. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the package shown in FIG. 3 showing the package partially divided into two sub-packages;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the carrier shown in FIG. 2; Y

Fig. 7 is a top view of a flexible carrier in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figs. 1-6 show flexible carrier 10 for unifying six containers to form a unified package. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate different structures for flexible carrier 10 having some features of the invention. Figs. 3-5 show the six-container pack 5. However, the flexible carrier 10 can be configured and used to unify four containers as shown in FIG. 7, eight containers, twelve containers, or any other desired number of containers 5.

The carrier 10 is used to unify a plurality of suitable containers 5, preferably cans or bottles. However, any commonly unitized container can be used with the flexible carrier 10 in accordance with this invention. Containers 5 are preferably similar in size within a single flexible carrier 10.

The package 16 resulting from the flexible carrier 10 includes a plurality of unitized containers 5. The flexible carriers 10 are generally applied to such containers 5 by stretching the flexible sheet 20 that surrounds the container openings 25 around a perimeter of the container, and allowing it to the stretched carrier 10 recovers, thereby providing a tight application. The flexible carrier 10 is typically applied to an edge or rib of the container 5, where this structure exists, or to a main side wall, as shown in FIGS. 3-5.

Each flexible carrier 10 preferably includes flexible sheet 20 having a width and a length defining therein a plurality of container openings 25, each for receiving a container 5. The plurality of container openings 25 are preferably arranged in longitudinal rows and longitudinal rows so as to form an array of container openings 25, such as two rows by three rows for a six-container multipack; two rows by six rows for a multipack of twelve containers, etc. The openings 25 for a container are preferably elongated in the longitudinal direction of the flexible carrier 10.

As shown in figs. 1 and 2, the flexible carrier 10 further includes two handles 30, each handle 30 formed at a periphery of the flexible sheet 20 along each longitudinal edge 40 of the flexible sheet 20. Each handle 30 is preferably suitable for manual gripping. and extends from each longitudinal edge 40 to allow transportation of the package 16 formed by the flexible carrier 10 and the plurality of containers 5.

The handle 30 is preferably positioned relative to the flexible sheet 20 so that it extends from a periphery of the flexible sheet 20, along a longitudinal edge 40 of the flexible sheet. The handle 30 preferably extends from each longitudinal edge 40 of the flexible carrier 10 thereby forming two handles 30 positioned relative to the flexible carrier 10. Specifically, the handle 30 may be integrally formed with the flexible sheet 20 or it may comprise a feature formed separately and fixedly from the flexible carrier 10.

The handle 30 may comprise one or more elongated handle openings 35 positioned along the outer periphery of the handle 30 or it may comprise a similar configuration that provides a wide area for a consumer to grasp, inserting a hand into and through, and still maintaining the purpose and integrity of the resulting package. The handle 30 preferably forms the handle opening 35 within the flexible carrier 10 and, as described in more detail below, is capable of supporting the weight of the resulting package when grasped by a consumer. As a result of the configuration of handle 30 relative to flexible sheet 20, including handle opening 35, it should be apparent to a consumer that handle 30 is intended to grip and lift the package.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, handle brace 50 extends through handle opening 35

ES 2 393 229 T3 to cut the handle 30 with the longitudinal edge 40 of the holder 10. The handle brace 50 can be cut from the handle 30 and / or the flexible sheet 20 to allow free access to the handle 30. Such an initial configuration of handle brace 50 helps maintain a position of handle 30 at each longitudinal edge 40 of flexible carrier 10, which is especially beneficial when winding and unwinding a generally continuous strip or chain of flexible carriers 10 on and off the production spool or spool.

As best shown in FIG. 1, panel 60 is preferably formed within handle 50. Panel 60 preferably accommodates, on one or both sides, UPC, barcodes and / or shopping labels, graphics, promotional information, and / or other content-related information and / or ingredients of the containers and / or the package. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, one or more subpanels 62 may be positioned on outer edges 45 of carrier 10 to provide redundant or additional information.

The flexible carrier 10 further includes the line of weakness 55 formed between the longitudinal rows of openings 25 for a container in what is commonly referred to as the machine sense of the flexible carrier 10, that is, parallel to the direction in which the carrier flexible 10 is extruded and shaped.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, when flexible carrier 10 is applied to groups of containers, flexible sheet 20 and surrounding container openings 25 are stretched around a perimeter of the container in a transverse, perpendicular direction. machine-wise, without breaking the line of weakness 55 positioned between such openings 25 for a container.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, line of weakness 55 comprises an intermittent perforation extending from near an outer edge 45 of flexible sheet 20 to near an opposite outer edge 45 of flexible sheet 20 and between the longitudinal rows of openings 25 for a container. As used herein, an intermittent perforation comprises a non-uniform perforation that alternates between the differently sized perforations. As shown in figs. 2 and 6, the flexible carrier 10 is thereby divisible along the intermittent perforation into two subcarriers 15 each forming a sub-grouping of the openings 25 for a container, as shown, three openings 25 for a container in a row or in a one-by-three grouping. Fig. 5 shows package 16 divided into two sub-packages 18.

The line of weakness 55 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a generally homogeneous set of perforations formed between separation openings 70 formed in flexible carrier 10 between rows of openings 25 for a container. Such a set of perforations is not part of the invention. As such, the flexible carrier 10 can be separated by stretching the two rows of openings 25 for a container apart thereby allowing the line of weakness 55 to separate to the separation opening 70 after which another set of perforations is separated until that the flexible carrier is divided into two subcarriers 15. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, particularly in the embodiment of the flexible carrier 10 shown in FIG. 1, a notch 57 is formed in one or both of the outer edges 45 of the flexible carrier 10 to help separate the line of weakness 55. The notch 57 is preferably formed during a secondary operation, such as with a reciprocating blade, after application of the carrier 10 to the plurality of containers.

In accordance with the invention, and as shown in fig. 6, the line of weakness 55 comprises an alternative perforation formed by a series of short perforations 57 and / or a series of long perforations 59. Accordingly, the flexible carrier 10 can be separated by pulling the two rows of container openings 25 through of the series of short perforations 57 followed by the separation of the series of long perforations 59. A reduced force is required to separate the long perforations 59 as a result of the moment of separating the short perforations 57 which facilitates and aids this subsequent separation. This is important because the combination of the two different perforations prevents the holder 10 from cutting at an angle relative to the openings 25 for a container when it is pulled away from it.

As described above, the separation of the line of weakness 55 can be done in the process and automatically, such as by means of a knife or wedge, or it can be done manually, either immediately after application or downstream in the distribution cycle. of the product.

As best shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a distance between transversely adjacent container openings 25 may narrow from each other as line of weakness 55 transits between short perforations 57 and long perforations 59. As shown, the first distance 65 is preferably narrower between transversely adjacent container openings 25 in that such container openings 25 are divided by long perforations 59. The second distance 67 is preferably wider between container openings 25 transversely adjacent in that such openings for the container are divided by a transition from long perforations 59 to short perforations 57. Such a configuration allows separation along the line of weakness 55 without tearing the carrier 10 in unwanted areas, such as between the line of weakness 55 and the openings 25 for the container.

ES 2 393 229 T3

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the flexible carrier 10 may further comprise a tear strip 75 positioned along each row of openings 25 for the container. The tear strip 75 may comprise a perforation, serrations, slits or holes in the flexible carrier 10 and may preferably be torn to allow removal of each container 5 from within each opening 25 for the container 25. The stretch tab 80 may be positioned to extend from the tear strip 75 thus facilitating removal of the containers from the flexible carrier 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when strip 75 is torn further results in removal of handle 30 as each container is removed from each subcarrier 15.

In accordance with a preferred method of operation of the attached flexible carrier 10, a plurality of containers 5 are inserted into the flexible carrier 10, preferably one container 5 in each carrier opening 25. As described above, it is preferable that the insertion of containers in the flexible carrier 10 does not affect the integrity of the line of weakness 55. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, six containers are placed within the six container openings 25 formed in the flexible carrier 10 to form a unitized package 16. The resulting unitized package 16 can then be packaged and shipped to a distributor or reseller.

The distributor can then separate the flexible carrier 10 and package 16 along line of weakness 55 into two or more sub-carriers 15 and sub-packages 18, such as shown in FIG. 5, each having a discrete handle 30 along a longitudinal edge of the flexible carrier 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible carrier 10 can be separated into two subcarriers 15 each of which accommodates three containers. Preferably, containers 5 are inserted into flexible carrier 10 resulting in package 16 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Package 16 can then be divided into two sub-packages 18 as shown in FIG. 5. Each sub-carrier 15 and / or sub-package 18 preferably includes the appropriate bar code or similar price and quantity information on the resulting panels 60 or sub-panels 62. The dealer can then sell the subcarrier 15, for example two packs of three containers, each grasped along a separate handle 30. A consumer can subsequently access individual containers by cutting the tear strip 75.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the flexible carrier 10 that includes the flexible sheet 20 having a width and a length defining therein four container openings 25, each for receiving container 5. The plurality of container openings 25 are preferably arranged in longitudinal rows and longitudinal rows so as to form an array of container openings 25, particularly two rows by two rows for a multipack of four containers. The container openings 25 as shown are generally triangular in shape.

As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible carrier 10 further includes two panels 60, each panel 60 formed at a periphery of the flexible sheet 20 along each longitudinal edge 40 of the flexible sheet 20. Each panel 60 is suitable for labeling, graphics or other material. generally desirable fitting in a flexible carrier advertising space 10.

According to a preferred method of operation of the flexible carrier 10 in question, a plurality of containers 5 are inserted into the flexible carrier 10, preferably a container 5 in each opening 25 of the carrier. As described above, it is preferable that the insertion of containers in the flexible carrier 10 does not affect the integrity of the line of weakness 55. As shown in FIG. 7, four containers are positioned within the four container openings 25 formed in the flexible carrier 10 to form a unified package. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the flexible carrier 10 may be automatically divided along the line of weakness 55 during the application process, such as by a blade, knife, or wedge. The result would thus include double retail packs of two each with panel 60. Such twin packs would then be palletized or otherwise packaged and transported to a distributor or reseller.

Alternatively, the resulting unitized package of four containers can then be packaged and shipped to a distributor or vendor. The distributor can then separate the flexible carrier 10 along the line of weakness 55 into two subcarriers, each having a discrete panel 60 along a longitudinal edge of the flexible carrier 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, regardless of the separation time, the flexible carrier 10 can be separated into two subcarriers each of which accommodates two containers. Each subcarrier preferably includes the appropriate bar code or similar price and quantity information on the resulting panels 60. The distributor can then sell the subcarrier for example two packs of two containers.

Although in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been described for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the flexible carrier 10 is susceptible to further embodiments and that some of the details described here can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.