Apparatus for attachment of carrier sheet to containers

A plastic carrier sheet is attached to containers by passing the sheet, via openings therein, onto funnel members whose large-diameter portions are engaged with the peripheral edge of the containers, passing onto the funnel members, from the small-diameter portions to the large-diameter portions thereof, sleeve members each containing an opening having an edge diameter smaller than the largest diameter of the funnel members and having an edge which is expandable, whereby the sleeve members push the edges of the openings of the carrier sheet toward the large-diameter portions of the funnel members to expand the openings and enable the circumferential portions to ride over and past the peripheral edges of the corresponding containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the attachment of a 
plastic container carrier sheet to the peripheral edges of a plurality of 
containers such as for soft drinks, which carrier sheet is adapted to have 
the plurality of containers bound into one set for convenience in 
carrying. 
Among the carrier implements adapted to bind collectively the peripheral 
edges of a plurality of containers standing side by side on their flat 
ends for the purpose of ensuring convenience in carrying such containers, 
there is included a plastic container carrier sheet. 
The sheet has a plurality of openings each surrounded by a circumferential 
portion. In the remaining intervening spaces of the sheet, there are 
provided a few (say, two) grip holes adapted for insertion of the fingers. 
In an ordinary container such as a can for a soft drink, both or at least 
one of the opposite ends of the container has its end surface slightly 
bent inwardly except for the peripheral edge which circumferentially 
surrounds the end. The circumferential edge has a diameter slightly 
greater than the diameter of the main portion of the container which lies 
underneath. In most cases, these containers are made of aluminum. 
The openings in the carrier sheet have a diameter smaller than the diameter 
of the main portion of the container. This sheet, therefore, is attached 
to the containers by forcibly expanding the circumferential portions of 
the openings to enlarge the openings and allow the peripheral edges to 
slide past the circumferential portions, then allowing the circumferential 
portions to resume their original shape thereby causing the inner surfaces 
of the circumferential portions to come into tight contact with the outer 
surfaces of the main portions of the containers. After the sheet has been 
attached as described above, the user has only to insert his thumb and 
index finger into the grip holes and get hold of the remaining portion of 
the sheet. In this manner, he can carry the containers conveniently 
without requiring a holder as would otherwise be required in carrying the 
plurality of containers. 
As described above, the carrier sheet of such a construction proves to be 
highly useful. One problem which has been encountered by the conventional 
carrier sheet concerns the procedure involved when the openings are 
forcibly expanded out in effecting the attachment of the sheet to the 
containers. This forcible outward expansion of the openings, when made 
with the finger tips on all the containers, requires a considerable amount 
of force, though it is not impossible. From the standpoint of operational 
efficiency and in consideration of the large number of openings involved, 
such a manual procedure proves substantially impracticable. 
To cope with the situation, therefore, there has been suggested a device 
capable of mechanically effecting this work (U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,305). 
This device is adapted so that two pins are inserted inside a pair of 
opposed openings and the pair of openings are expanded outwardly. This 
device, consequently, has the disadvantage that the circumferential 
portions tend to be torn, expanded unevenly, and brought into contact with 
the outer surfaces of the containers with insufficient tightness. Besides, 
this device entails a serious problem that when the pins are removed after 
the ends of the containers have been inserted into the expanded openings, 
the pins, which must be of gret rigidity, tend to scratch the containers, 
possibly to the extent of impairing their commercial value. 
The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus 
for easily and effectively attaching a carrier sheet to containers without 
entailing any damage to the carrier sheet or the containers. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention as described above can be attained by 
passing a carrier sheet, via the openings thereof, onto funnel members 
each having a portion of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the 
openings in the carrier sheet and a funnel-shaped portion having an 
intermediate portion of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of 
the openings and a large-diameter leading-edge portion adapted for 
engagement with the peripheral edge of the container, until the carrier 
sheet reaches the portions of the funnel members having a diameter 
substantially equal to the diameter of the openings, and bringing the 
leading ends of the funnel members into engagement with the peripheral 
edges of the containers; passing sleeve members each containing an opening 
having an edge diameter smaller than the largest diameter of the 
large-diameter portion of the funnel member onto the funnel members from 
the smaller diameter end thereof, advancing the sleeve members onto the 
funnel members toward the large-diameter leading end thereof while 
allowing the edge thereof to be expanded in the radial directions, whereby 
the sleeve members push the edges of the openings of the carrier sheet 
toward the large-diameter leading end of the funnel members to expand the 
openings and enable the circumferential portions to ride over and past the 
peripheral edges of the corresponding containers. 
Thus, due to the uniform expansion of the openings in the carrier sheet, 
the attachment of the carrier sheet to the containers causes no damage to 
the carrier sheet and can easily be effected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 shows a plastic carrier sheet for containers and FIG. 2 a given set 
of containers held by the carrier sheet. In an ordinary container such as 
a can for a soft drink, as shown in FIG. 3, both or at least one of the 
opposite ends 6 has its end surface 8 bent slightly inwardly except for a 
peripheral edge 7 which circumferentially surrounds the end. The 
circumferential edge 7 has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter 
of the main portion 9 of the container which lies underneath. In most 
cases, these containers are made of aluminum. 
Openings 2 in the sheet 1 have a diameter smaller than that of the main 
portion 9 of the containers and, naturally, smaller than the diameter of 
the peripheral edge 7 which is greater than the diameter of the main 
portion. This sheet 1, therefore, is attached to the containers 5 as 
illustrated in FIG. 2 by forcibly expanding the circumferential portions 7 
of the openings to enlarge the openings 2 and allow the peripheral edges 7 
to slide past the circumferential portions, then allowing the 
circumferential portions to resume their original shape thereby causing 
the inner surfaces 3a of the circumferential portions 3 to come into tight 
contact with the outer surfaces of the main portions 9 of the containers. 
After the sheet 1 has been attached as described above, the user has only 
to insert his thumb and index finger T into the grip holes 4 and get hold 
of the remaining portion of the sheet. In this manner, he can carry the 
containers conveniently without requiring a holder as would otherwise be 
required in carrying the plurality of containers. 
As described above, the carrier sheet of such a construction proves to be 
highly useful. One problem which has been encountered by the conventional 
carrier sheet concerns the procedure involved when the openings 2 are 
forcibly expanded out in effecting the attachment of the sheet to the 
containers. This forcible outward expansion of the openings, when made 
with finger tips on all the containers, requires a considerable amount of 
force, though it is not impossible. From the standpoint of operational 
efficiency and in consideration of the large number of openings involved, 
such a manual procedure proves substantially impracticable. 
To cope with the situation, therefore, there has been suggested a device 
capable of mechanically effecting this work. This device is adapted so 
that pins 10 are inserted inside the openings 2 as indicated by chain 
lines in only two of the openings 2 of FIG. 1 and the pair of openings 2 
are expanded outwardly by moving the pins 10 outwardly as indicated by the 
arrows Y. As readily noted from the arrangement just described, each pin 
10 exerts its expanding force at only one point in the circumferential 
portion 3. This device, consequently, has the disadvantage that the 
circumferential portions tend to be torn, expanded unevenly, and brought 
into contact with the outer surfaces of the containers with insufficient 
tightness. Besides, this device entails a serious problem that when the 
pins are removed after the ends of the containers have been inserted into 
the expanded openings, the pins, which must be of great rigidity, tend to 
scratch the containers, possibly to the extent of impairing their 
commercial value. Generally the pins 10 are adapted so as to be driven 
straight outwardly in a common parallel plane. When about six containers 
are simultaneously packaged as illustrated, therefore, the device 
incorporating these pins inevitably occupies a fairly large space and 
tends to be impaired in the flexibility of its operation in field work. 
Moreover, as concerns the shape of the openings 2 for insertion of the 
containers, the mere fact that the openings 2 have a diameter smaller than 
the diameter of the peripheral edges 7 of the containers or preferably 
even smaller than the diameter of the main portions 9 of the containers, 
does not necessarily mean that the openings fulfill their function 
satisfactorily. In view of the directions in which the pins 10 are allowed 
to operate, the shape of the openings has unfortunately been limited to 
that of an ellipse having as its minor axis the distance covered by the 
movement of the pins. Since the circumferential portions 3 of the openings 
are made of a plastic material possessed of both deformability and 
adaptability of shape, the openings by nature should not be limited in 
shape. Further from the standpoint of the simplicity of the tool used for 
making such openings in the carrier sheet, the openings are naturally 
desired to be shaped as circles. Also from this point of view, the device 
falls short of satisfactoriness. 
In view of the state of affairs mentioned above, the present invention aims 
to provide a method for the attachment of a carrier sheet and an apparatus 
for carrying out the method which has the most convenient and compact 
construction and is free from the disadvantages suffered by the 
conventional apparatus as described above. 
The description of the present invention will be started with an embodiment 
which has a relatively small number of component elements. For the sake of 
convenience, the operation of the invention will be described by 
portraying the manner in which a sheet 1 possessing a plurality of 
openings 2 for insertion of as many containers 5 is attached to the 
containers one by one. 
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of this 
invention. The first member of this embodiment is a funnel member 11 which 
has a funnel-shaped opening at the leading end thereof. The funnel member 
11 in this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape up to a point 
near the middle of its entire length and, from the end of the cylindrical 
portion 12 or the portion of a relatively small diameter, begins to grow 
gradually in diameter toward the leading end 13 to form a diverging funnel 
portion 14. In this case, the outside diameter of the funnel member 11 is 
smaller than the initial diameter of the opening 2 (the diameter before 
the corresponding circumferential portion 3 are deformed) in the sheet 1 
not merely in its small-diameter portion 12 but also to a point halfway 
along the length of the diverging funnel portion 14. As the funnel member 
11 is inserted in the direction of the base end 15 into the sheet 1 
through the opening 2, the sheet 1 can be moved without exertion of force 
until it is fitted to the outer surface of the diverging funnel portion 14 
halfway along the entire length thereof (as indicated by the chain line in 
FIG. 1). 
In the leading end 13, the funnel member 11 is provided with a contact 
member 16 adapted for contact with the peripheral edge 7 of the container 
5 to which the sheet 1 is to be attached. This contact portion 16 
possesses a wall surface 19 destined to fall on the outer surface of the 
peripheral edge 7. In the present embodiment, the wall surface 19 forms a 
stepped portion 16' for the purpose of snugly embracing the peripheral 
edge 7 and ensuring the stability of the function described below. 
In the present embodiment, the funnel member 11 may have its interior 18 
filled or left empty. However, to heighten the ability of the funnel to 
restore to its original shape after the attachment of the sheet to the 
container is completed as described afterward, the funnel member 
preferably has a hollow construction. It is further desired to contain a 
plurality of spaced slits 17 cut in the longitudinal direction to halfway 
the entire length thereof, as illustrated, to divide the diverging funnel 
portion 14 completely and the smaller diameter portion 12 partly in the 
circumferential direction each into a plurality of portions and impart 
required flexibility and resilience to the funnel member. 
For the funnel member 11 of the aforementioned construction, a sleeve 
member 20 is separately provided. The sleeve member 20 has the shape of a 
column (cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment) which has its interior 
21 left empty and opens at at least one end. The inside diameter of the 
interior space 21 is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the 
inside diameter of the opening 2 formed in the sheet 1 for insertion of 
the container, so that the edge 22 of the opening collides with the 
surface of the circumferential portion 3 surrounding the opening 2 for the 
insertion of the container when the opening 3 formed in the sheet for the 
insertion of the container is fitted to the opening. The depth of the 
interior space 21 is at least equal to or greater than the entire length 
of the funnel member 11. 
The wall surface portion 23 of the sleeve member which defines the interior 
space 21 is divided in the circumferential direction by the slits 24 cut 
in the longitudinal direction from the edge 22 downwardly so as to acquire 
positive outward expansibility and ample resilience as is required for the 
function to be described afterward. The construction described above 
suffices as it is where desired expansibility and resilience are attained 
by adopting a plastic material, imparting resilience to the wall surface 
portion 23 itself or giving an ample wall thickness to the wall surface 
portion. Where more powerful resilience is desired, a resilient ring 25 
such as a rubber band may be wound around a portion of the peripheral 
surface of the wall surface portion 23 so as to improve the resilience. 
For the purpose of preventing the resilient ring 25 from moving out of 
position in the axial direction, a snap-ring means 26 (FIG. 5) or other 
similar means may be disposed on the outer surface of the wall surface 
portion 23. 
The funnel member 11, by nature, may be formed of any desired material. 
With a view to imparting resilience thereto and for the sake of ease of 
molding, it is desired to be made of a suitable plastic material. 
With the apparatus formed of the aforementioned components, the procedure 
by which the attachment of the sheet 1 to the container 5 is accomplished 
involves the steps illustrated sequentially in FIGS. 5-7. 
In the first step illustrated in FIG. 5, the sheet 1 surrounding the 
opening 2 for the insertion of the container is inserted around the funnel 
member 11, with the base end 15 thereof in the lead as touched upon 
briefly before. It is moved up the funnel member 11 and set firmly in 
position after it has advanced to a position halfway the entire length of 
the diverging funnel portion 14 where the outside diameter of the funnel 
portion 14 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the 
circumferential portion 3 and, therefore, the funnel portion 14 does not 
deform the circumferential portion 3. Then, the funnel member 11 is 
inserted in the direction of the base end 15 into the interior space 21 of 
the sleeve member 20. Because of the aforementioned correlation of 
diameters, this insertion can be continued until the edge 22 of the 
opening in the sleeve member collides with the peripheral surface of the 
diverging funnel portion 14 near the position at which the sheet 1 is 
fitted without exertion of force to the funnel portion. 
After the insertion is completed, the container 5 to which the sheet is to 
be attached is positioned so that the peripheral edge 7 used for the 
purpose of the attachment is snugly mounted on the aforementioned contact 
portion 16 or 16' (stepped portion) surrounded by the wall surface 19 at 
the end of the funnel member 11. 
With the container mounted on the funnel member, the bottom 27 of the 
sleeve member 20 is stably set on a suitable support surface F. 
Then, a force is exerted for the sleeve member 20 and the container 5 to be 
moved in mutually approaching directions. In the present case, a 
depressive force (indicated by the arrow P) is applied to the opposite end 
side of the container 5 toward the sleeve member 20 by the hand or some 
other means while the sleeve member 20 is kept on the support surface F. 
As a result, the funnel member 11 forces its way into the sleeve member 20 
while the gradually expanded portion of the diverging funnel portion 14 
pushes the wall of the sleeve member 20 outwardly. In this case, because 
of the presence of the wall surface 19 which comes into contact with the 
outer surface of the peripheral edge of the container, the funnel member 
11 is not bent inwardly even when it has a hollow interior 18. Conversely, 
the wall surface 23 of the sleeve member 20 is diverged as indicated by 
the arrow W in proportion to the increasing divergence of the outer 
surface of the diverging funnel portion 14 which is forcing its way into 
the sleeve member. Thus, the edge of the opening 22 appears to be 
advancing in the direction of the leading end 13 of the funnel member (as 
indicated by the chain line P'). 
While the aforementioned motion of the components is continuing, because 
the diverging funnel portion 14 of the funnel member 11 forces its way 
toward the point at which the sheet 1 is held up fast in position by the 
edge of the opening of the sleeve member, the sheet 1 is caused to advance 
in the direction of the arrow P' toward the leading end 13 of the 
diverging funnel portion where the outside diameter reaches its maximum 
(the wall surface 19 engaging the peripheral edge 7 of the container from 
outside). 
When this motion is further continued and the funnel member 11 is 
completely received as far as the leading end 13 into the sleeve member 
20, the sheet 1 is pushed up from behind by the edge 22 of the opening of 
the sleevemember and the circumferential portion 3 or the opening 2 is 
expanded to a diameter greater than the peripheral edge 7 of the 
container. Thereafter, the sheet 1 is pushed out of the leading end 13 of 
the funnel member. 
As a result, the sheet 1 which has been relieved of the outwardly expanding 
force slides to the base of the peripheral edge 7 of the container as it 
tends to cause the radially extended circumferential portion 3 to contract 
by its own resilience in the direction of resuming its original state. 
Since the inner edges of the opening 2 is held down with equal force by 
the peripheral edge, the outer edge of the circumferential portion 3 
generates a more positive resilient function. As viewed in cross section, 
the sheet 1 rotates or twists as indicated by the arrow R with the edge on 
the opening 2 side as the fulcrum, with the result that the surface of the 
circumferential portion 3, which has heretofore been flat, squeezes itself 
into an annular shape underneath the peripheral edge of the container. 
Thus, the attachment of the sheet 1 to the container 5 is completed. 
At this time, the circumferential portion 3 of the sheet must be prevented 
from being twisted in the reverse direction and wound around the side of 
the edge 22 of the opening in the sleeve. Perfect prevention of this 
trouble is obtained by causing an extended portion 28 protruding in the 
radial direction to be disposed along the whole, or at least part, of the 
edge 22 of the opening. 
Where this extended portion is incorporated, stable retention of the sheet 
under pressure can be obtained even during the intermediate step 
illustrated in FIG. 6. 
There is a possibility that, depending on the extent to which the sheet is 
outwardly expanded, the outer edge of the circumferential portion 3 of the 
sheet will roll up and cling to the diverging funnel portion 14 before it 
reaches the peripheral edge 7 of the container. If this happens, safe 
fitting may be obtained by causing the neighborhood of the inner edge of 
the opening 2 to be continuously pushed up with the edge 22 of the opening 
in the sleeve, then allowing the inner edge to ride over the edge 17 and 
also allowing the outer surface of the peripehral edge of the container to 
slide continuously in the axial direction. In any event, the sheet is 
allowed to cling by its own resilient force to the base of the peripheral 
edge of the container when the sheet 1 is continuously expanded outwardly 
and, at the same time, pushed up as far as the leading end 13 of the 
diverging funnel portion 14, then slid over the leading end 13 and finally 
relieved of the expanding force. 
Further, as is plain from the aforementioned description made of the 
sequential steps of the operation involved, the attachment can be 
alternatively obtained by pressing the sleeve member 20 down toward the 
container 5 which is kept in position. 
The attachment of the carrier sheet has so far been described as involving 
use of only one container. 
Collective attachment of one same carrier sheet 1 to a plurality of 
containers can be accomplished by repeating the aforementioned procedure 
successively on the containers or by preparing as many sleeve members 20 
and funnel members 11 as may conform with the number of containers being 
packaged and performing the packaging of all containers at one time. 
Particularly in this case, the attachment is effected more advantageously 
by having the sleeve members 20 fastened in advance at prescribed spaced 
locations onto the support surface F by means of flanges 29 disposed one 
each at the bases of the sleeve members 20 and screws 30 serving as 
securing means. 
Requiring special attention in connection with the aforementioned operation 
is the fact that the outward expansion of the circumferential portion and 
consequently of the opening 2 of the sheet 1 should be effected evenly in 
all the radial directions throughout the entire circumference. Insofar as 
this requirement is satisfied, the sheet is free from otherwise possible 
concentration of stress and breakage of the circumferential portions. In 
addition, the shape of openings 2 formed in the sheet for insertion of 
containers need not be specifically limited. Thus, the openings can be 
formed in the shape of a circle which excels both in fabricability and 
dispersion of stress. Of course, in an extreme case, the openings 2 may be 
formed in the shape of a rectangle where the sheet is made of a material 
possessing ample elasticity. 
After the sheet has been attached to the containers as described above, the 
containers 5 as fastened to the sheet 1 are removed from the funnel 
members 11. As the sleeve members 20 are gradually relieved of the 
pressure downwardly exerted thereto, they cause the aforementioned amply 
resilient force to be exerted without any hindrance upon the diverging 
funnel portions 14 of the funnel members 11. As a result, the force which 
acts upon the funnel members 11 particularly via the edges 22 of the 
openings in the sleeve members is transformed by virtue of the divergence 
of the outer surface of the diverging funnel portions 14 into a force 
tending to push up the funnel members 11. The funnel members 11, 
consequently, are caused to protrude to the position in which they were 
embraced without exertion of force within the sleeve members 20. In the 
meantime, the edges 22 of the openings in the sleeve members which have 
been generating the force mentioned above are allowed to resume their 
initial diameter. 
Particularly where the funnel members 11 have their interiors left empty 
and they are divided in the circumferential direction by insertion of 
spaced slits 17, they are deprived of internal support in consequence of 
the removal of the containers 5 and are consequently allowed to contract 
inwardly by virtue of the resilient force of the sleeve members, giving 
rise to an effect of facilitating the resumption of their original shape. 
It goes without saying that the components of the apparatus of the 
invention, whenever they have resumed their initial shapes, are allowed to 
produce the same function in the attachment of a newly supplied sheet and 
new containers. Optionally, the funnel members 11 may be continuously 
converged as far as the base ends 15. 
The embodiments which are illustrated in FIG. 8 and the following figures 
are so arranged or to eliminate the step of preparatorily fastening the 
sheet to the funnel members and the step of combining the funnel members 
with the sleeve members. The apparatuses in these embodiments are required 
to incorporate additional components to make the elimination of such 
operational steps possible. In the following description, the components 
identical or similar to those used in the embodiment described above will 
be denoted by like symbols. 
FIG. 8 represents an overall perspective view of another embodiment of this 
invention. This apparatus is provided with a bottom plate 31 of suitable 
size and weight which combines the function of stabilizing the apparatus 
as a whole as described afterward and the function of permitting a 
prescribed number of containers 5 to be mounted at the prescribed spaced 
locations (the illustrated embodiment assuming the attachment of six 
containers to the sheet designed for six containers as illustrated in FIG. 
1). On the opposite lateral sides of this base plate, side plates 32 rise 
from part of the lateral sides in the illustrated embodiment. Near the 
upper end of these side plates, a bridge frame 33 is fastened to and spans 
the space between the side plates. This bridge frame 33 serves to support 
in position at least one support bar 34 which rises from the base plate 
31. In the present embodiment, two such support bars were used. 
Below the bridge plate 33 is disposed a movable plate 35 which is adapted 
to move in the vertical direction up the support bar 34 pierced through 
the movable plate 35. To this movable plate 35 is connected, through the 
medium of a hinge 36, a sleeve support plate 37 which as described 
afterward serves to support in position the sleeves 20 corresponding to 
the sleeve members of the first embodiment. While this sleeve support 
plate 37 is allowed to move in a vertical direction in conjunction with 
the movable plate 35 with reference to the support bars 34, it is 
permitted t produce a rotary motion with reference to the movable plate 
itself. The movement of the sleeve support plate 37 as viewed in the cross 
section taken along the line IX--IX of FIG. 8 will be described. Beneath 
the hinge 36 which joins the movable plate 35 having the support bars 34 
pierce unconnectedly therethrough and the support plate 37 for the sleeves 
20, a stop member (plate shaped in the present embodiment) 38 is disposed 
astride the two plates mentioned above. This stop member 38 is fastened to 
the movable plate 36 by use of bolts or some other suitable means. 
Consequently, the sleeve support plate 37 is permmitted to rotate in the 
direction indicated by the arrow A around a proper fulcrum, the shaft 36a 
in the present embodiment, of the aforementioned hinge 36 but is 
prohibited from independently rotating in the downward direction with 
reference to the movable plate. When a force is applied to the sleeve 
supprot plate in the downward direction as indicated by the arrow B, the 
force is conveyed to the movable plate 35 via the stop plate 38 applied 
fast to the lower side of the sleeve support plate, with the result that 
both the movable plate and the sleeve support plate are caused to move 
straight downardly as indicated by the chain line (the arrow C) along the 
support bars 34. Between the movable plate 35 and the base plate 31, there 
are disposed spring means 39, which accumulate a replusive force when the 
movable plate 35 and the sleeve support plate 37 are concurrently moved 
downwardly by the force applied in the direction of B. Upon release of the 
force B, the spring means 39 push up the movable plate 35 and the sleeve 
support plate 37 together. The movable plate 35 is never allowed to rise 
past its original position, because at the original position, there is 
disposed the bridge plate 33. 
In other words, the bridge plate 33 combines its inherent function of 
aiding in the reinforcement of the apparatus as a whole and supporting in 
position the support bars 34 and an additional function of fixing the 
initial position of the movable plate or stopping otherwise possible 
excessive rise of the movable plate. As readily noted, these individual 
functions may be optionally fulfilled by separate component elements. 
As will be described afterward, one cycle of the operation of this 
apparatus comprises the step of preparatorily causing only the sleeve 
support plate 37 to be rotated in the direction of the arrow A until it is 
raised to its substantially vertical position as indicated by the chain 
line in FIG. 9, the step of causing the sleeve support plate to rotate in 
the reverse direction A' to reach its original position and, under the 
force applied in the direction of the arrow B, to move downwardly in 
conjunction with the movable plate 35 in the direction of the arrow C, and 
the step of relieving the sleeve support plate of the applied force and 
allowing the plate to be pushed back in the reverse direction C' by the 
spring means 39. 
This operation may be effected by the operator directly applying the 
necessary force to the sleeve support plate 37 by hand, for example. In 
the illustrated embodiment, a handle 40 is connected to the sleeve support 
plate 37 for the purpose of alleviating the burden of manual work by the 
principle of leverage. 
The handle 40 used in this case possesses a pair of arms 40a laid along the 
opposite sides of the sleeve support plate 37. The arms 40a are extended, 
then bent at right angles toward each other and joined. Thus, the handle 
40 has a general shape of three sides of a rectangle. The free ends 40b of 
the arms, as noted plainly by reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, are pivotally 
attached to the opposed side plates 32 through the medium of fulcrum 
shafts 41 such as aligned pins. Thus, the free ends are allowed to rotate 
about the aforementioned fulcrum shafts 41 not only in the direction 
indicated by the arrows A--A' but also in the downward direction indicated 
by the arrows D--D'. 
This handle 40 is operated by the operator using, as the grip portion 40c, 
the portion where the extended parts of the arms join into each other. In 
the case of the mechanism illustrated, the fulcrum shafts 41 are fastened 
at positions slightly deviating from the positions of the support shafts 
of the sleeve support plate 37. If the handle is otherwise disposed so 
that the slight positional deviation is eliminated, while the handle is 
allowed to rotate upwardly, it is not allowed to produce a straight 
downward motion because it is primarily designed to rotate around the 
fulcrum shafts 41. By this reason, this handle cannot be directly fastened 
to the sleeve support plate under any condition. In the present 
embodiment, therefore, pins 42 are raised one each from the opposite sides 
of the sleeve support plate 37 and complementary engaging members 44 each 
defining an oblong hole 43 therein are formed at the corresponding 
portions of the arms 40a of the handle 40 to have the pins 42 engaged 
inside the oblong holes 43 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Thus, linkages are 
established between the support points 36a and the fulcrum points 41 as 
viewed from the position of the engagement and between the fulcrum points 
41 and the support bars 34. By virtue of this arrangement, when the handle 
40 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the sleeve 
support plate 37 is concurrently rotated upwardly about the support shafts 
36a because the movable plate 35 is prevented from being raised upwardly 
by the bridge plate 33, with the result that the sleeves 20 are exposed to 
the operator who is holding the handle in his hand. When the handle is 
returned to its horizontal position and then further rotated downwardly 
(in the direction of the arrow D), the sleeve support plate 37 is allowed 
to be lowered straight downwardly in the direction of the arrow C in 
conjunction with the movable plate 35. 
It should be noted at this point that after the sleeve support plate 37 has 
been rotated up to its uppermost position, it must be maintained at that 
position at least for a period during which the sheet is inserted 
thoroughly around the funnel members 11 within the sleeves 20 as will be 
described afterward. It is a good practice for the safety of work that the 
operator should take some positive measure to keep the sleeve support 
plate 37 or the handle 40 from accidentally falling down because of slight 
vibrations or other impacts during the work of the insertion of the sheet. 
In due consideration of the operational safety mentioned above, the present 
embodiment has the opposite side plates 32 provided at the corresponding 
positions with stoppers 45 which are adapted to get gentle hold of the 
arms 40a while the handle 40 is retained in the position to which the 
handle has been rotated in the first step of operation (as indicated by 
the chain line in FIG. 9). 
One example of such stopper is clearly illustrated in FIG. 11. Small pins 
47 which are always kept protruding as by means of springs 46 concealed 
within the side plates are provided immediately in front of the position 
at which the handle arms 40a being rotated in the first step of the 
operation reach their uppermost position (a position slightly inclined to 
the rear in the illustrated embodiment) in the whole course of their 
rotation. After the handle arms 40 have collided with these small pins 47, 
the operator at his discretion continues the rotation of the handle 40 
with a slightly increased force. Then, by virtue of the converging outer 
surfaces 47a of the pins, the force of this rotation of the handle 
overcomes the force exerted on the small pins by the springs and causes 
the small pins to retract from the paths of rotation of the handle. 
After the handle which is being rotated upwardly has reached the point 
where the handle arms 40a collide with the small pins 47, the operator 
continues to rotate the handle in the same direction by slightly 
increasing the force being exerted upon the handle. Consequently, the 
small pins 47 are retracted from the path of the rotation of the arms. 
After the handle has completely traveled past the small pins, the small 
pins are allowed to resume their original protruding portions by virtue of 
the spring means 46. When the operator lets go of the handle after the 
handle has assumed the position mentioned above, the handle is naturally 
kept back by the stopper pins 47 unless it is subjected to some 
unexpectedly applied external force. Consequently, the sleeve support 
plate 37 is maintained in a position having the sleeves 20 exposed toward 
the operator. 
For the handle held in this position to be returned past the small pins 47 
to its original position, the operator is naturally required to increase 
the force applied to the handle only while the handle arms are riding over 
the small pins 47. 
Another relative motion which is involved in the present embodiment is 
observed on the sleeve support plate 37 between this sleeve support plate 
37 itself and a collective actuating plate 48 which serves as a member for 
actuating the funnel member contracting means (to be described afterward) 
disposed at a position opposite the position where the sleeves 20 are 
located below the sleeve support plate 37. Here, only the relative motion 
involved will be described. While the sleeve support plate 37 remains in 
its original horizontal position in conjunction with the movable plate 35, 
the actuating plate 48 is retained in a position slightly raised from the 
sleeve support plate by resilient means described afterward. At the time 
that the sleeve support plate 37 is brought to its erect position by the 
operation of the handle and the sheet is attached to the funnel member, 
the actuating plate 48 is pressed against the sleeve support plate 37 (as 
indicated by the arrow E in the diagram). Optionally, this operation of 
the actuating plate may be effected manually by the operator. In the case 
of the illustrated embodiment, however, a relative pressure pin 49 adapted 
to be pushed back toward the sleeve support plate 37 by the actuating 
plate at the time that the sleeve support plate 37 is held in its erect 
position is disposed on the bridge plate 33 through the medium of a column 
50 (FIGS. 8 and 9). 
Now that the overall movements of the component elements has been 
explained, the description will be extended to cover the arrangement 
whereby the operation for the attachment of the sheet 1 to the containers 
5, that for the attachment of the sleeves 20 and the funnel 11 involved in 
this case, and that for the preparatory attachment of the sheet 1 to the 
funnel members 11 additionally incorporated in the present embodiment as 
effected from the side of the leading end of the funnel members (as 
contrasted to the side of the base ends in the first embodiment) are to be 
performed. 
This embodiment contemplates simultaneous attachment of one sheet 1 to a 
total of six containers 5. For the sake of convenience, the operation and 
construction of the embodiment will be described with respect to the 
attachment of the sheet 1 to just one of such containers with reference to 
FIG. 12 and the following figures of drawing. 
The funnel member 11, similarly to the funnel member used in the first 
embodiment, has a leading end which has a diameter greater than the 
opening 2 formed in the sheet 1 for insertion of a container, and 
possesses a contact portion 15 incorporating a wall surface 19 having a 
diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the peripheral edge 7 of 
the container and enough to encircle the peripheral edge. In contrast to 
the first embodiment wherein the funnel member is not necessarily required 
to be flexible in the radial direction and is consequently allowed to be 
solid, the funnel member of the present embodiment requires due 
consideration to be paid to the fact that the sheet 1 is inserted around 
the funnel member from its leading end upwardly and, therefore, there is 
incorporated a new step of contracting the leading end of the funnel 
member during the insertion of the sheet 1. After the insertion of the 
sheet 1 has been completed, the leading end so contracted is naturally 
required to be expanded to its original diameter by virtue of resilience. 
To meet the requirement, the funnel member 11 is divided in the 
circumferential direction such as by spaced slits 17 and has its interior 
left empty. To avoid complication of the drawing, these slits 17 are 
represented only partially by chain lines in FIG. 13 and the following 
figures. 
Similarly to the funnel member used in the first embodiment, the funnel 
member 11 of the present embodiment possesses a funnel portion 14 whose 
outer surface is gradually converged toward the end portion or base end 15 
opposite the leading end. At one point halfway along the entire length, 
the funnel member 11 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of 
the opening 2 formed in the sheet 1. 
In this case, unlike the larger-diameter portion 14a which continues to 
diverge toward its leading end 13, the equal-diameter portion 14b 
continues to have the same diameter in the direction of the base end and 
eventually decreases the diameter toward the second diverging portion 14c. 
The funnel member of the construction described above is adapted so that, 
as illustrated in FIGS. 13-16, after the base end 15 has passed through 
the prescribed position in the sleeve support plate 37, a limiting ring 52 
set at the corresponding position in the base end of the funnel member is 
allowed to collide with a circumferentially stepped portion 51 disposed 
astride the outlet of the through hole perforated in the sleeve support 
plate so that the funnel member is allowed to slide only in one direction 
relative to their initial position illustrated in FIG. 13 (the initial 
state of FIGS. 8-9 existing before the handle or the sleeve support plate 
is actuated). 
For the funnel member 11 of such construction to assume the same relation 
as established in consequence of the initial insertion of the funnel 
members into the sleeve in the first embodiment, the individual sleeves 20 
are fastened by means of flanges 29 and screws 30 to the sleeve support 
plate in such a manner as to accommodate the funnel member and enable the 
edge 22 of the opening at the leading end to collide with the base of the 
diverging outer surface 14a. The construction of the sleeve may be similar 
to that of the sleeve used in the first embodiment. 
In other words, the funnel member 11 with reference to the sleeve is 
allowed to move inwardly in the axial direction from the position in which 
the equal-diameter portion 14b or the base of the larger-diameter portion 
having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the opening 2 of 
the sheet 1 is held in intimate contact with the edge 22 of the opening. 
To prevent the funnel member from protruding further, the aforementioned 
limiting ring 52 is adapted to come into engagement with the sleeve 
support plate 37. 
Between the radial direction of the sleeve 20 and that of the funnel member 
11, a contracting member 54 having its leading end 54 opposed to the 
second diverging portion 14c is inserted in the axial direction. The 
contracting member 54 slidably penetrates through the sleeve support plate 
37, with the base end thereof fastened to the actuating plate 48 disposed 
on the sleeve support plate 37. As viewed collectively in conjunction with 
the funnel member and the sleeve, the contracting member 54 appears to be 
in a cylindrical shape. If it was of a construction closed completely 
throughout the entire circumferential direction, it would separate the 
inner central portion 37a of the sleeve support plate from the respective 
outer portion 37b. Thus, it is generally divided into four equal portions 
at angular intervals of about 90.degree. so as to permit passage through 
the intervening gaps of the portions which connect the inner and outer 
portions of the sleeve support plate. 
In order that the actuating plate 48 supporting the concentrically disposed 
contracting members 54, its initial condition may remain in a position 
slightly raised by a prescribed distance from the sleeve support plate 37, 
spring means 56 is disposed between the actuating plate 48 and the sleeve 
plate 37. In this case, the spring means 56 has one end thereof disposed 
inside a recess formed to a small depth from the surface of the base end 
of the funnel member. It exerts a relative force to the sleeve support 
plate through the medium of the aforementioned controlling ring 52 and the 
stepped portion 51. 
Further in the present embodiment, there is adopted a guide member 57 of 
high rigidity to aid in stabilizing the operation to be described below. 
This guide member 57 is passed through the inner space 18 of the funnel 
member, pierced slidably through the base end 15 and screwed into the 
actuating plate 48. The leading end of the guide member 57 constitutes a 
swelled portion 58 which internally engages with the funnel member in the 
neighborhood of its leading end. 
This swelled portion 58 comprises an outwardly converging portion 58a, a 
stepped portion 58b continuing into the converting portion 58a and 
remaining in contact with the stepped portion 14d formed in the inner 
surface of the large-diameter portion 14a of the funnel member, and an 
inwardly converging portion 58c continuing into the stepped portion 58b in 
such a manner as to retain the upper surface of the stepped portin 58b 
intact. In its initial state illustrated in FIG. 13, the stepped portion 
58b engages with the corresponding stepped portion of the funnel member 11 
and retains the diverging funnel portion 14 of the funnel member in 
contact with the edge 22 of the opening in the sleeve. At the same time, a 
stop ring 59 is kept in contact with the entrance to the through hole 
formed in the funnel member's base end so that the funnel member may not 
be allowed to deviate from the aforementioned position inwardly in the 
axial direction (upward in the drawing). The energizing force exerted by 
the spring means 56, therefore, is distributed to the actuating plate 48 
fastened to one end thereof and to the other end via the stop ring 59 of 
the guide member 57 fastened to the actuating plate. Thus, the spring 
means fulfills an auxiliary function of allowing the actuating plate 48 to 
be kept in its prescribed raised position. 
The arrangement described above is provided for each of the plurality of 
containers (say, six) and all the arrangements are disposed so as to be 
interlocked with the sleeve support plate 37 and the actuating plate 48. 
The operation of the apparatus is now followed step by step, starting from 
FIG. 13 and referring to FIGS. 8 and 9. When the sleeve support plate 37 
as held in the state shown in FIG. 13 is upwardly rotated in the direction 
of the arrow A by the aforementioned operation, of the handle 40, the 
actuating plate 48 carrying the contracting member 54 thereon is caused to 
rotate in conjunction with the sleeve support plate as held in its 
position slightly raised from the support plate 37. When the actuating 
plate eventually collids with the relative pressure pin 49, it is pushed 
by the pressure pin and moved in the direction of the arrow E in spite of 
the energizing force exerted by the spring means 56 and, therefore, 
allowed to travel in the direction of colliding with the sleeve support 
plate 37 (FIG. 14). As a result, the guide member 58 protrudes relative to 
the funnel member 11 and causes the stepped portion 58b to move forward 
until it is opposed in the radial direction with ample space allowance to 
the stepped portion 14d inside the funnel member which has so far kept the 
inwardly converging portion 58c in contact therewith. At the same time, 
the contracting member 54 is allowed to produce a relative forward motion, 
and the leading end 53 thereof is caused to ride over the second diverging 
portion 14c of the funnel member and, by virtue of the pressure exerted 
reversely in the inward direction, the funnel member is contracted until 
the leading end 13 thereof shrinks to a size roughly equal to or smaller 
than the diameter of the edge of the opening in the sleeve. As a result, 
the sheet 1 to be attached to the container can be easily inserted through 
its own opening 2 around the funnel member from the leading end 13 
upwardly (as indicated by the chain line in FIG. 14). 
This operation is accomplished by bringing the prescribed number of 
openings 2 all at once into intimate contact with the plurality of funnel 
members disposed at prescribed intervals. 
During this operation, the handle 40 is temporarily fastened by means of 
the aforementioned stopper 45 (FIG. 11) so that the sleeve support plate 
37 is retained in its erect position in front of the operator until the 
work of contracting the funnel members is brought to completion (by having 
the actuating plate 48 held in a position pressed by the pin 49). 
After the attachment of the sheet 1 is completed as described above, the 
handle 40 is rotated back in the direction of the arrow A' and caused to 
ride over the stopper 45. Consequently, the actuating plate 48 is relieved 
of the pressure from the pin 49 and returned by the energizing force of 
the spring means 56 to resume its original position slightly raised by the 
prescribed distance from the sleeve support plate 37. 
Also the contracting member 54 is drawn back to its original position and 
the leading end 53 thereof releases itself from the pressed engagement 
with the second diverging portion 14c and allows the diverging funnel 
portion 14 of the funnel member to resume its original shape. At the same 
time, the guide member 58 substantially resumes its original shape and 
causes the diverging funnel portion 14 to support inwardly the relation 
between the stepped portion 58b and the stepped portion 14d. 
Although the direction in which the insertion of the sheet 1 around the 
funnel member is different from that involved in the first embodiment, the 
circumferential portions 3 surrounding the openings in the sheet are 
opposed to the edges 22 of the openings in the sleeves and are then set 
around the portions of the funnel members where their respective diameters 
are substantially equal to each other. 
While producing the steps of operation described above, the handle 40 is 
returned to its horizontal position. At least before the handle 40 assumes 
its horizontal position or, desirably while the aforementioned setting of 
the sheet is still in process, the prescribed number of containers 5 to 
which the sheet is to be attached are set in position on the base plate 31 
at positions opposed to the corresponding funnel members and sleeves. To 
facilitate this positioning of the containers on the base plate, it is 
generally desirable to have recesses 59 formed at the prescribed positions 
in the base plate 31 for receiving the ends of the containers opposite 
their ends intended for attachment of the sheet 1. 
As the sleeve support plate 37 is brought back to its horizontal position, 
the contact portion 16 formed on the leading end 13 of the funnel member 
for the purpose of contact with the container 5 comes into contact with 
the peripheral edge 7 of the container. The leading end portion 58a of the 
guide member is desired to have a length such that, when the contact 
portion 16 comes into contact with the peripheral edge 7, the leading end 
portion will protrude in the axial direction so much as to collide with 
the surface 8 of the container. 
When the handle 40 is further rotated downwardly in the direction of the 
arrow, D, since the sleeve support plate 37 is prevented by the stop 
member 38 from producing a downward rotation as described above, it is 
lowered straight in the downward direction in conjunction with the movable 
plate 35 (in the direction of the arrow B). As a result, the actuating 
plate 40 disposed on the sleeve support plate is now allowed to go down 
because the funnel member 11 and the guide member 56 are held in 
engagement with the end of the container 5. Thus, only the sleeve 20 is 
allowed to go down while the leading end 22 is slid on the larger-diameter 
portion 14a of the funnel member in the direction of divergence. As 
indicated by the chain line in FIG. 15, the circumferential portion 3 
surrounding the opening 2 in the sheet is pushed down in the axial 
direction similarly to the first embodiment (while entailing a twist R, 
for example) along the diverging surface of the larger-diameter portion 14 
of the funnel member 14, with the circumferential portion 3 being 
simultaneously expanded outwardly in the direction of the arrow W. 
When the leading end 22 of the sleeve 20 reaches the leading end of the 
diverging funnel portion 14, the outwardly deformed sheet 1 resumes its 
original shape underneath the peripheral edge 7 of the container 5 and 
clings to the container similarly to the first embodiment. Since the same 
operation is simultaneously performed on the other containers, the 
simultaneous attachment of the sheet 1 to the group of containers 5 can be 
accomplished (FIG. 16). In order for the sheet 1 to be pushed forward and 
expanded uniformly throughout the entire circumference thereof, the edge 
22 of the opening in the sleeve may be provided with a protuberance 28 as 
specifically noted with reference to the first embodiment. 
After the attachment of the sheet has been completed as described above, 
the handle 40 is returned to its original position. In this case, the 
force required to being the handle to its original position may be 
decreased or completely eliminted when the resilient force exerted by the 
spring 39 upon the movable plate and the aforementioned resilient force 
generated by the sleeve 20 are utilized to produce a force capable of 
lifting the sleeve support plate 37 to its original position separated by 
the prescribed distance from the actuating plate 48. (In this case, the 
handle jumps up when the pressure applied to the handle is removed.) 
Similarly to the first embodiment, a rubber band or some other similar 
elastic material may be wound around the sleeve so as to enhance the 
resilient force of the sleeve. 
From the state illustrated in FIG. 16, the apparatus moves in the direction 
of the arrow B' and returns to its original state illustrated in FIG. 13. 
Thereafter, the upward rotation of the handle is started to begin the next 
cycle of the attachment of the sheet to the containers. The replacement of 
the containers already bound with the sheet by a newly supplied set of 
containers is accomplished ideally during the step of inserting the sheet 
around the contracted funnel members with the handle retained in its 
uppermost position by the stopper 45. 
Incidentally in the present embodiment, the diverging funnel portion 14 of 
the funnel member 11 possesses first and second portions 14a, 14c of 
diverging surfaces in two separate steps. Optionally these diverging 
portions may be continued into each other without any intervening flat 
(equal-diameter) portion 14b. 
In view of the foregoing operation of the present embodiment, it may 
readily be understood that the sleeve support plate 37 serving to support 
in position the sleeve 20 in the second embodiment fulfills the function 
of the support surface F touched upon in the first embodiment. 
This function can otherwise be fulfilled by causing the base plate 31 of 
the apparatus to be pushed up in conjunction with the container in the 
aforementioned direction of the arrow P after the sheet has been 
temporarily set in position as illustrated in FIG. 15 and allowing the 
actuating plate 48 to be pushed up in conjunction with the funnel member 
11 and the guide member 57. Also the simultaneous upward movement of the 
sleeve support plate and the actuating plate for the purpose of temporary 
attachment of the sheet to the funnel members can be accomplished by 
having the plates translated in the vertical direction instead of causing 
them to be rotated. In the case, however, the efficiency of operation is 
degraded to some extent. 
In any event, according to the present invention, there is provided an 
effective apparatus for the attachment of a carrier sheet to containers, 
which, owing to the basic combination of the funnel members and the 
sleeves, permits the carrier sheet to be readily attached below the 
peripheral edges of the containers while enabling the sheet to be expanded 
uniformly in all the radial directions without entailing the possibility 
of the sheet sustaining breakage. Although the embodiments of this 
invention have all been described with respect to their operation upon 
just one container, simultaneous attachment of one same carrier sheet to a 
large number of containers can be accomplished all at once by causing as 
many apparatuses of the same construction to be parallelly arranged as 
required to handle a plurality, desirably a large number, of containers 
(specifically in the second embodiment, by having the same sleeve support 
plate and the actuating plate disposed commonly for such plurality olf 
apparatuses). The sheet thus attached to the containers may be cut into 
smaller carrier sheets each holding a proportionally smaller number of 
containers, conveniently for the purpose of carrying.