Film multipackage

DESCRIPTION

MULTI — FILM PACKAGING

This invention relates to a one-piece conveyor device for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container having a retainer sheet for coupling an upper portion of the containers integrated with a film wrapper for wrapping the containers.

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 combined into one unit.

Plastic ring conveyor device produces a unitized container packaging using little material. However, the plastic ring carrier, when used only, has little or no space for advertising or promotional printing. On the other hand, the box-type carrier generally has a relatively wide area for ad printing. Disadvantageously, the box-type conveying device requires a relatively large amount of material, may drop if not held upright, and conceal most or all of the containers if generally containers. Thus, there is a need for a package that incorporates the stability and economy of a ring-type carrier and the promotional area of ​​a box-type carrier.

US 3,460,863, US 4,712,680 and US 5,439,111 each disclose one-piece conveyor devices comprising a holding portion formed by a plurality of openings for receiving the containers within it.

A transport device according to this invention carries a plurality of containers, such as cans or bottles. The transport device unitizes a plurality of containers to create a package. The conveying device is a one-piece device comprising a retaining sheet integrated with a film wrapper, each preferably constructed of a flexible and resilient material such as plastic. The retaining sheet has a different and thicker first thickness than a second film-shell thickness.

The holding sheet is formed by a plurality of openings for receiving the containers, the number of which depends on the desired size of the package. The retaining sheet is integrated with the film wrap, preferably along the longitudinal sides of the retaining sheet.

The film wrap may be designed to create an open package at the bottom of the package or along the bottom edge of the carrier. Preferably, each side edge of the film wrap is connected by a seal. It is preferable that when formed, the conveyor is generally symmetrical about the fold lines of the conveyor.

The containers are inserted into the conveyor so that the containers are surrounded on five or six sides by the conveyor. Each opening for receiving the containers in the retainer sheet preferably engages a container around an upper portion of the container. Thus, the stiffness and elasticity of the retaining sheet support each container.

film wrapping is positioned around the plurality of containers, preferably in an extensible coupling with the containers.

Preferably, the film wrap is printed with graphic, promotional and / or other designs related to the contents and / or ingredients of the packaging.

Thus, the wrapper serves to both unitize the plurality of containers and to announce the nature of the contents of the containers.

Preferably, the carrier is manufactured according to one of several preferred methods in which a generally continuous extension of carrier devices is formed. In summary, a film substrate is printed with the desired graphic designs and other promotional information. A retainer sheet material is then attached to the film substrate by extrusion coating, lamination, profile extrusion or bonding of the retainer sheet material to the film substrate. The joined retention sheet material and film substrate is then folded along a fold line to create a symmetrical double layer or laminate to an identical section of joined retention sheet material and film substrate. Thereafter, they are added together by heat sealing or by laminating the symmetrical double layer or retaining sheet material and the film substrate together. Finally, the conveying device is formed by molding the double layer of retainer sheet material and the film substrate to create openings for receiving the containers and for defining a film wrap and retainer sheet.

A one-piece conveyor for carrying a plurality of containers, a packaging for a plurality of containers, and a method for manufacturing a one-piece conveyor for transporting a plurality of containers in accordance with aspects of the present invention are of as defined in the appended claims.

An advantage of this invention is the provision of a carrying device which provides a prominent advertising space for promotional information. It also restricts the lateral and vertical movement of the containers with respect to each other. Additionally, it provides a container carrier which incorporates the stability and economy of a ring-type carrier with the promotional area of ​​a box-type carrier.

Specific embodiments according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a transport device for transporting a plurality of containers according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a conveying device for conveying a plurality of containers according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container package using a carrier similar to the carrier shown in Fig. 2 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a conveying device for conveying a plurality of containers according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a container package using a conveying device similar to the conveying device shown in Fig. 4, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a method for manufacturing a transport device for holding a plurality of containers according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a method for manufacturing a conveyor device, similar to the conveyor devices illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 for holding a plurality of containers according to another preferred embodiment of this invention; and Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a method for manufacturing a conveyor device for holding a plurality of containers according to yet another preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figs. 1 to 8 illustrate transport devices 10 for transporting a plurality of containers 5. Preferably, containers 5 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are cans. Although cans are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, 10 bottles or any other generally used container 5 according to this invention may be used with the carrier device. The containers 5 are preferably the same size in a single transport device 10.

The transport device unitizes a plurality of containers 5 for creating the package 1, such as the package 1 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. The carrier 10 is preferably a one-piece device comprising a retainer sheet 15 integrated with the film wrapper 30, each preferably constructed of a flexible and resilient material such as plastic. . For the purpose of this specification and claims, a shell is defined as a tube-like component capable of engaging with or around a plurality of containers 5.

In one embodiment of this invention, the retainer sheet 15 is made of low density polyethylene. The retaining sheet 15 has a first thickness as

0.008 (0.2 mm), preferably thinner than the thickness of traditional ring-type conveying devices. As discussed in further detail below the retainer sheet 15 is preferably cut using means known to those skilled in the art, such as molding, to form a plurality of openings for receiving containers 20 in the retainer sheet 15. Two or more openings are formed to receive the containers 20 in the retaining sheet 15 in longitudinal rows and one or more transverse columns. In a preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, the openings for receiving the containers 20 are configured in two rows of three columns. Retention sheet 15 may include other configurations of openings for receiving containers 20 depending on the desired package size 1.

The retaining sheet 15 is integrated with the film wrap 30 to form a one-piece conveyor 10 as described in detail below. The film wrapper 30 has a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness of the retaining sheet 15, such as 0.004 to 0.006 (0.10 to 0.15 mm). The total thickness of the retaining sheet 15 is approximately 0.012 to 0.014 (0.3 to 0.4 mm), according to one embodiment of this invention. Preferably, the film wrap 30 has a higher elasticity and lower stiffness than the retention sheet 15. The film wrap 30 comprises an extensible low density polyethylene (LDPE) film or similar material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. technique.

In one embodiment of this invention, illustrated in Figs 6 and 8, the handle 50 is integrated into the retainer sheet 15. The handle 50 preferably has the same or similar thickness as the retainer sheet 15. In one embodiment of this In this invention, illustrated in Figs 6 and 8, the handle 50 is integrated between the longitudinal rows of the openings for receiving the containers 20. Alternatively, the package 1 may be carried using strips 55 formed between the openings to receive the containers 20 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

Preferably, the film wrap 30 is integrated with the retainer sheet 15 along the longitudinal sides of the retainer sheet.

15.

In one embodiment of this invention, the film wrapper 30 is not bonded along two side edges. The film wrapper 30 is preferably printed on one or both sides with UPC and proof of purchase labels, graphic information. information and / or other information concerning the contents and / or ingredients of the package.

Further, the film wrapper 30 may be at least partially transparent to effectively display the nature of the containers 5. Thus, the film wrapper 30 the containers 5 within serve the dual purpose of retaining a securely assembled package 1 and to advertise the sales attributes of the containers and / or packaging 1.

In one embodiment of this invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the film wrapper 30 is opened along the lower edges 33 of the transport device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower edge 33 of the transport device 10 may further include the lower portion 35 of the film housing 30. Each side edge 37 of the film housing 30 is preferably connected with the gasket 40. Thus, the film wrapper 30 extends from the openable bottom edge 33 of the conveyor to the joints 40 on each side edge 37 of the film wrapper to the retainer sheet 15 on the upper portion of the conveyor. 10

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, preferably the conveyor 10 is generally symmetrical around the fold lines 25. As discussed in detail below, the conveyor 10 is manufactured such that the retainer sheet 15 and the film wrap 30 are preferably each symmetrical around the fold lines 25.

The transport device 10 is applied to a plurality of containers 5 to form a package 1, illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. The containers 5 are inserted into the transport device 10 which joins the containers 5 around five to six sides of the package 1. Preferably, each opening for receiving the containers 20 couples the container 5, preferably around edge 7 or similar upper portion of container 5. The stiffness and elasticity of the retainer sheet 15 support the container 5 within the opening for receiving the containers 20. An upper portion of the package 1 is thus at least partially covered by the retainer sheet 15.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the film wrapper 30 is positioned around the plurality of containers

5 Preferably, the film housing 30 is extensively coupled with the containers 5 and the combination of the openings for receiving the container 20 and the housing 30 prevents lateral or oblique movement of the containers 5 relative to each other. In one embodiment of this invention, illustrated in Figs 2 and 3, the film wrapper 30 covers at least a portion of the four horizontal sides of the package 1.

The containers are positioned within the package 1 so that the film envelope 30 is flat and firm with respect to the containers 5 and prominent with respect to the package 1. The film envelope 30 is preferably sized to extend when slid over a plurality of containers 5. Such a configuration of the film wrapper 30 results in the package 1 having a prominent advertising area or advertising panel for advertisements, information, graphic designs and other promotional materials.

In another embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the film wrapper 30 covers at least a portion of the bottom of the package 1. Preferably the film wrapper 30 covers at least a portion of the bottom of the package 1 when one or more containers 5 are not coupled to the openings for receiving the containers 20. For example, the transport device 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 needs bottom 35 because retaining sheet 15 includes only two openings for receiving containers 20 in conveyor 10 holding more than two containers 5. Conveyor 10 illustrated in Fig. 5 also needs bottom 35 because Of the twelve containers 5 in package 1, the lower six containers 5 in package 1 are not supported around the edge 7 by the retaining sheet 15. Thus, the bottom 35 provides support for those unsupported containers 5 within the openings for receiving the containers 20.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 additionally containing tabs 5, the casing 1 may be removable 45 and / or perforation lines 47 positioned on the film wrap 30.

Using an arrangement as illustrated in Figs 3 to

5, the package 1 may be opened by pulling the removable tabs along the longitudinal side 17 of the package 1, thereby breaking the perforation line to gain access to the containers 5.

A package according to Figs. 4 and 5 will have the innovative feature of having an upper level of containers 5 removable from a lower level of containers 5 while keeping the upper level of containers 5 integrated as a subpackage and allowing lower level containers 5 to be freely removable for individual consumption or storage.

According to an embodiment of this invention, perforated peel off strip 49 facilitates effective removal of the upper level of containers and the retainer sheet 15 of the lower level of containers.

30 The perforated peel off strip is designed so that a single drawing action of the tongue circumferentially around the package

1 will separate the retainer sheet 15 and the upper level of containers from the shell 30. The tabs welded at one end of the package 1 allow such a single draft removal action on each side of the package 1. Fig. 6 illustrates the conveyor device. 10 according to this embodiment, which is considered to be manufactured similarly to Fig. 7, described below.

Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate methods for manufacturing the conveyor device 10 according to three methods of this invention. The methods illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 demonstrate, from right to left, the assembly of various components of the transport device 10, each step in the method designated by a letter of the alphabet. Each step of each manufacturing method includes two conveyors 10 to demonstrate a representative segment of conveyors 10 that are typically formed to a generally continuous extent.

Fig. 6 illustrates a method of manufacturing a package 10 according to an embodiment of this invention. In step [A] the film substrate 28 is printed with the desired graphic designs and other promotional information. In step [B] the retainer sheet material 13 is joined to the film substrate 28 by extrusion coating, lamination, profile extrusion or bonding of the retainer sheet material 13 to the film substrate 28. In step [C] the retainer sheet material 13 and the film substrate 28 are folded along fold line 25 to create a symmetrical double layer. In step [D] joints 40 are added by heat sealing or laminating the symmetrical double layer of retainer sheet material 13 and the film substrate 28 together. In step [E] the conveying device 10 is formed by cutting, as in a punch press, the double layer of retaining sheet material 13 and the film substrate 28 to define the wrapping.

<td>film 30</td><td>and the sheet of</td><td colspan="2">retention 15. 0</td><td>step [F]</td><td>(no</td>

<td>illustrated),</td><td colspan="2">preferably,</td><td>understand</td><td>accumulate the</td><td>strip</td>

<td>continuous</td><td>devices</td><td>in</td><td>transport</td><td>10 fold</td><td>in the</td>

<td>perforations</td><td>or curl</td><td>The</td><td>around</td><td>a core.</td><td>The</td>

<td>devices</td><td>carriage</td><td> 10,</td><td colspan="3">according to this invention,</td>

<td colspan="3">regardless of the method of</td><td colspan="3">manufacture are not conducive</td>

for winding in reels because of the various thicknesses between film wrap 30 and retaining sheet 15.

Fig. 7 illustrates a method of manufacturing a package 10 according to another embodiment of this invention. In step [A] the film substrate 28 is printed with the desired graphic designs and other promotional information. In step [B] the retainer sheet material 13 is joined to the film substrate 28 by extrusion coating, lamination, profile extrusion or bonding of the retainer sheet material 13 to the film substrate 28. In step [C] the retainer sheet material 13 and film substrate 28 are folded along fold line 25 to create a symmetrical double layer and joints 40 are added by heat sealing or laminating the symmetrical double layer of the retention sheet material 13 and film substrate 28 together. In step [D] the conveying device 10 is formed by cutting, as in a punch press, the double layer of retainer sheet material 13 and the film substrate 28 to define the film envelope 30 and the retainer sheet 15. Step [E] (not shown) preferably comprises accumulating the continuous strip of conveyor devices 10 by bending into perforations or wrapping around a core.

Fig. 8 illustrates a method of manufacturing a package 10 according to yet another embodiment of this invention. In step [A] the film substrate 28 is printed with the desired graphic designs and other promotional information. In step [B] the retainer sheet material 13 is joined to the film substrate 28 by extrusion coating, lamination, profile extrusion or bonding of the retainer sheet material 13 to the film substrate 28. In step [C] two identical sheets of retention sheet material 13 and film substrate 28 are laminated to each other along lamination lines 42. Step [C] requires careful registration to align the two identical portions of the laminate. retaining sheet material 13 and film substrate 28 bonded prior to lamination. In step [D] joints 40 are added by heat sealing or laminating the two identical sheets of retaining sheet material 13 and the film substrate 28 together. In step [E] the conveyor 10 is formed by cutting, as in a punch press, the two sheets of retainer sheet material 13 and the film substrate 28 to define the film wrapper 30 and the retainer sheet 15 . Step [M] (not shown) preferably comprises accumulating the continuous strip of conveyor devices 10 by bending into the perforations or wrapping around a core.