Carrier stock with tear-open capability

Abstract: Carrier stock (10) for machine application to substantially identical containers (12), such as beverage cans, has a tear-open capability provided by tear-open band segments. Such segments (38), which extend between adjacent containers (12), are divided into half segments (38a, 38b) and have slits (50, 62, 64) and frangible bridges, whereby a tear beginning at a crotch (42) at one edge can propagate through such a half segment (38a, 38b). The slits include slits (50) common to the half segments (38a, 38b) and slits (62, 64) staggered transversely.

Description: This invention pertains to carrier stock for machine application to substantially identical containers. This invention pertains, more particularly, to carrier stock that is severable to form individual carriers with separate apertures to receive the individual containers. The carrier stock has a tear-open capability. Typically, carrier stock with individual container-receiving apertures for machine application to substantially identical containers is formed, by die-cutting, from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material. Various attempts have been made to provide such carrier stock with tear-open capability. An example is disclosed in Olsen US-A-4,064,989. As disclosed therein, outer band segments of such carrier stock are formed with tear-open tabs. US-A-3,504,790 discloses a carrier device provided with a perforated line adjacent each aperture which extends through an arc of 90° to facilitate the separation of containers. FR-A-2,175,378 discloses a carrier stock provided with slits which tend to tear if adjacent containers are manipulated by separating their lower ends while using their upper ends as a fulcrum. In EP-A-0,461,748 and in EP-A-92302456.6 a carrier stock with tear-open capability is provided by tear-open tabs. Such tear-open tabs offer significant advantages over tear-open tabs known previously. In some instances, however, consumer preferences, characteristics of application machines, regulatory considerations, or other factors may dissuade packagers of beverage cans or other containers from using carrier stock having tear-open tabs. Thus, there has been a need, to which this invention is addressed, for carrier stock having tear-open capability that does not rely upon tear-open tabs. According to this invention, a carrier stock for machine application to substantially identical containers, said stock being formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material and being severable transversely to form individual carriers, each carrier having band segments defining separate apertures in a rectangular array comprising longitudinal rows and transverse ranks to receive the individual containers, said segments comprising outer segments extending in a generally longitudinal direction when said stock is unstressed, inner segments extending in a generally longitudinal direction when said stock is unstressed, and cross segments extending in a generally transverse direction when said stock is unstressed, each individual carrier having two opposite edges, wherein the band segments defining each container-receiving aperture of each carrier include at least one cross segment joined integrally to two outer segments so as to define a generally Y-shaped junction with a crotch narrowing generally toward a transverse mid-line of the cross segment, the transverse mid-line dividing the cross segment into two half segments and frangible means to enable the bands to be broken to release the containers; is characterised in that each cross segment has a primary slit extending substantially along its transverse mid-line and spaced from the crotch by a primary frangible bridge formed of the sheet material, and a series of secondary slits, staggered transversely from the primary slit, the series including an inner slit and an outer slit, the inner slit being transversely spaced from the primary slit by a frangible bridge formed of the sheet material and from the outer slit by another frangible bridge formed of the sheet material, whereby a tear beginning at the crotch can propagate from the crotch to the primary slit, from the primary slit to the secondary slit, and from the secondary slit to the container-receiving aperture, so as to break the half segment having the secondary slits. The carrier stock in accordance with this invention has a tear-open capability, which does not rely upon tear-open tabs and which is arranged to co-operate with its containers during the tear-open operation. The present invention also embraces a package comprising a carrier stock in accordance with this invention in combination with substantially identical containers having upper and lower ends and having side walls, the carrier stock being applied to the containers, along the inside walls, between their upper and lower ends in such manner that the cross segments having the primary and secondary slits is positioned between the side walls of two adjacent containers, whereby the cross segment having the primary and secondary slits tends to tear if the adjacent containers are manipulated by separating their lower ends while using their upper ends as a fulcrum. Accordingly when stressed in this way a tear begins at the crotch and propagates from the crotch to the primary slit, from the primary slit to the secondary slit, and from the secondary slit to one of the container-receiving apertures, so as to break the half segment. When such half segment breaks, a container that had been received by that container receiving aperture can be easily removed. A particular example of a carrier and a package in accordance with this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package comprising six substantially identical containers and a carrier, which has a handle, and which is severed from carrier stock according to this invention; Figure 2 is a plan of carrier stock according to this invention; Figure 3, on an enlarged scale, is a detail showing band segments defining one container-receiving aperture of such a carrier before one half segment is torn. Figure 4, on a similar scale, is a detail showing such segments after the half segment has been torn; and, Figure 5 is a plan of the same carrier after various half segments have been torn. As shown in the drawings, carrier stock 10 for machine application to substantially identical containers 12 constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention. Such stock 10 is severable, along transverse lines L, to form individual carriers 20 that are substantially identical. As shown in Figure 2, the transverse lines L may be perforated, so as to facilitate severing the stock 10 into such carriers 20. As shown in Figure 1, the containers 12 are beverage cans of a type used commonly for beer, soft drinks, and other beverages. Also, each container 12 has a chime 16 at one end, which is provided with a pull tab 18. This invention is not limited, however, to usage with such cans but is useful with cans, bottles, and other containers of various types. In Figure 1, a package is shown, which comprises six such containers 12 and on such carrier 20, as severed from such stock 10. One such carrier 20 is shown fully in Figure 2, which also shows fragmentary portions of the next carriers 20, at opposite ends of the fully shown carrier 20. The carrier stock 10 is formed in an indeterminate length, by die-cutting, from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material. A preferred material is low density polyethylene. A preferred thickness for such stock 10 in an unstressed condition, if low density polyethylene is used, is about 0.36 mm (14 mils). The carrier stock 10 is formed, for each individual carrier 20, with integrally joined band segments defining six separate, substantially rectangular, container-receiving apertures 14, along with two smaller apertures 22. As shown in Figure 2, the container-receiving apertures 14 are in a rectangular array with longitudinal rows and transverse ranks, namely two longitudinal rows and three transverse ranks for each carrier 20. Each of the smaller apertures 22 is disposed amid four container-receiving apertures 14. Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, the carrier stock 10 is applied to the side walls of the respective containers 12, away from the chime 16 of each container 12, between the upper and lower ends. Accordingly, it is possible to manipulate two adjacent containers 12 by separating their lower ends manually (as indicated by a curved arrow in Figure 1) while using their upper ends as a fulcrum where their upper ends abut near their chimes 16, so as to stress the carrier 20 at the band segments between the adjacent containers 12. As shown in Figure 2, the band segments for each carrier 20 comprise three outer segments 30 at a handle edge of such carrier 20, three outer segments 32 at an opposite edge of such carrier 20, three inner segments 34 between the outer segments 30 and the outer segments 32, two cross segments 36 at each of the opposite ends of such carrier 20, and two cross segments 38 in each of two transverse regions between the cross segments 36 at such ends. The outer segments 30, 32, at the respective edges of such carrier 20 and the inner segments 34 therebetween extend in a generally longitudinal direction when the carrier stock 10 is unstressed. The cross segments 36 at the opposite ends of such carrier 20 and the cross segments 38 located therebetween extend in a generally transverse direction when the carrier stock 10 is unstressed. The cross segments 36 at the carrier ends are bisected transversely by the transverse lines L, along which the carrier stock 10 is severable. Each inner segment 34 has a slit 46, which extends in a generally longitudinal direction when the carrier stock 10 is unstressed, and which facilitates folding of such inner segment 34 when the carrier stock 10 is applied to the containers 12. As shown in Figure 3, each cross segment 38 is joined integrally at its outer end to two outer segments 30 so as to define a generally Y-shaped junction 40 with a crotch 42 narrowing generally toward a transverse mid-line of such cross segment 38. The transverse mid-line of each cross segment 38 divides such cross segment 38 into two half segments, namely a first half segment 38a at one of the container-receiving apertures 34 and a second half segment 38b at another such aperture 14. At its inner end, each cross segment 38 is joined integrally to two outer segments 30 so as to define a generally Y-shaped junction 44 at one of the smaller apertures 22. Near its outer end, each cross segment 38 has a primary slit 50 extending substantially along the transverse mid-line of such cross segment 38 and being spaced from the crotch 42 of such cross segment 38 by a frangible bridge formed of the sheet material. Each of the first and second half segments 38a, 38b of such cross segment 38 has a series of secondary slits extending transversely, namely an inner slit 62a and an outer slit 64a in the half segment 38a and an inner slit 62b and an outer slit 64b in the half segment 38b. Near its inner end, each cross segment 38 has a tertiary slit 54, which is aligned transversely with the inner slit 60 and with the primary slit 50. The tertiary slit 54, which is disposed between the inner slit 60 and the nearest aperture 22, serves to further weaken such cross segment 38. The inner slit 62a of the half segment 38a is spaced from the inner slit 60 by a frangible bridge formed of the sheet material. The inner slit 62a thereof is spaced from the outer slit 64a thereof by another frangible bridge formed of the sheet material. The inner slit 62b of the half segment 38b is spaced from the outer slit 64b thereof by another frangible bridge formed of the sheet material. The outer slit 64a of the half segment 38a is spaced from the nearer aperture 14 by another frangible bridge formed of the sheet material. The outer slit 64b of the half segment 38b is spaced from the nearer aperture 14 by another frangible bridge formed of the sheet material. As shown in Figure 3, the primary slit 50, the inner slit 62a of the half segment 38a, and the outer slit 64a thereof are staggered transversely. similarly, the primary slit 50, the inner slit 62b of the half segment 38b, and the outer slit 64b thereof are staggered transversely. From a comparison of Figures 3 and 4, it is evident that a tear beginning at the crotch 42 can propagate so as to tear through one such half section to the aperture 14 bounded partly by the same half section. Thus, the tear can propagate from the primary slit 50, through the frangible bridge spacing the inner slit 62a of the half section 38a from the primary slit 50, to the inner slit 62a thereof, from the inner slit 62a thereof, through the frangible bridge spacing the outer slit 64a thereof from the inner slit 62a thereof, to the outer slit 64a thereof, and from the outer slit 64a thereof, through the frangible bridge spacing the nearest aperture 14 from the outer slit 64a thereof, to the nearest aperture 14. Alternatively, or additionally, the tear can propagate through the half section 38b in like manner. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the carrier stock 10 may be desirably provided, at each carrier 20, with an integral handle 80 having two end legs 82 and a middle leg 84. Each of the end legs 82 is joined integrally to one of the outer segments 30 defining one of the opposite ends of such carrier 20. The middle leg 84 is joined integrally with the outer segment 30 between the outer segments 30 defining the opposite ends of such carrier 20. Also, the middle leg 84 has a slit 86 weakening the middle leg 84, which tends to break at the slit 86 when a package comprising such carrier 20 is carried by the handle 80. Accordingly, as a user removes the containers 12 from a package comprising a carrier 20 severed from the carrier stock 10, at least one of the half segments 38a, 38b of each slitted cross segment 38 of the carrier 20 tends to be completely torn from the crotch 42 of such slitted cross segment 38 to the nearest aperture 14. An exemplary pattern of torn half segments is shown in Figure 5, in which such a carrier 20 is shown in a final condition wherein none of the container-receiving apertures 14 remains surrounded on all sides by unbroken band segments. Different patterns of torn half segments are possible, in which none of the container-receiving apertures 14 remains surrounded on all sides by unbroken band segments, or in which few of the container-receiving apertures 14 remain surrounded on all sides by unbroken band segments. The actual pattern of torn half segments depends upon vagaries of consumer usage. In one alternative embodiment (not shown) contemplated by this invention, each individual carrier severable from the carrier stock has container-receiving apertures in three (or more) longitudinal rows. The carrier stock would be thus severable along band segments comparable to the band segments 32 of the carrier stock 10. Also, if a handle were provided in the alternative embodiment, the handle would be preferably attached at band segments comparable to the band segment 36. In another alternative embodiment (not shown) each cross segment having primary and secondary slits, as described above, has its primary slit divided by a frangible bridge formed of the sheet material into a longer slit near the crotch defined where such cross segment joins two outer segments and a shorter slit near the tertiary slit of such cross segment.

Claims: Carrier stock (10) for machine application to substantially identical containers (12), said stock (10) being formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material and being severable transversely to form individual carriers (20), each carrier (20) having band segments (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) defining separate apertures (14) in a rectangular array comprising longitudinal rows and transverse ranks to receive the individual containers (14), said segments comprising outer segments (30, 32) extending in a generally longitudinal direction when said stock (10) is unstressed, inner segments (34) extending in a generally longitudinal direction when said stock (10) is unstressed, and cross segments (36, 38) extending in a generally transverse direction when said stock (10) is unstressed, each individual carrier (20) having two opposite edges, wherein the band segments defining each container-receiving aperture (14) of each carrier include at least one cross segment (38) joined integrally to two outer segments (30, 32) so as to define a generally Y-shaped junction (40, 44) with a crotch (42) narrowing generally toward a transverse mid-line of the cross segment (38), the transverse mid-line dividing the cross segment (38) into two half segments (38a, 38b) and frangible means to enable the bands to be broken to release the containers (12); characterised in that each cross segment (38) has a primary slit (50) extending substantially along its transverse mid-line and spaced from the crotch (42) by a primary frangible bridge formed of the sheet material, and a series of secondary slits (62a, 62b, 64a, 64b), staggered transversely from the primary slit (50), the series including an inner slit (62a, 64a) and an outer slit (62b, 64b), the inner slit (62a, 64a) being transversely spaced from the primary slit (50) by a frangible bridge formed of the sheet material and from the outer slit (62b, 64b) by another frangible bridge formed of the sheet material, whereby a tear beginning at the crotch (42) can propagate from the crotch (42) to the primary slit (50), from the primary slit (50) to the secondary slit (62a, 62b, 64a, 64b), and from the secondary slit (62a, 62b, 64a, 64b) to the container-receiving aperture (14), so as to break the half segment having the secondary slit (62a, 62b, 64a, 64b). A carrier stock according to claim 1, wherein each cross segment (38) has another slit (54) aligned transversely with the primary (50) slit and spaced from the primary (50) and secondary slits (62a, 62b, 64a, 64b) by another frangible bridge of the sheet material. A carrier stock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each cross segment (38) separates two of the container-receiving apertures (14), wherein each cross segment (38) is divided by the transverse mid-line into a first half segment (38a) adjacent one of the apertures (12) and a second half segment (38b) adjacent the other aperture (14), and wherein each of the first and second half segments has similar slits (50, 62, 64) and frangible bridges. A package comprising a carrier stock in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, combined with substantially identical containers (12) having upper and lower ends and having side walls, the carrier stock (20) being applied to the containers (12), along the inside walls, between their upper and lower ends in such manner that the cross segments (38) having the primary (50) and secondary (62, 64) slits is positioned between the side walls of two adjacent containers (12), whereby the cross segment (38) having the primary (50) and secondary (62, 64) slits tends to tear if the adjacent containers (12) are manipulated by separating their lower ends while using their upper ends as a fulcrum.

Inventors: KLYGIS MINDAUGAS J, MARCO LESLIE S, KLYGIS, MINDAUGAS J., MARCO, LESLIE S.
Applicants: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D67, B65D71