Clip-type carrier

Abstract: A clip-type carrier (10) has a top wall which includes an inner (20) and an outer (40) panel that overlap at respective lap portions (22, 42). The inner panel (20) has an inner article-receiving aperture (24) for each flanged article (1) to be received. The inner article-receiving aperture (24) has radial cuts (26) that form gripping tabs (28) whose unattached inner edges define an inner aperture circumference and associated inner aperture diameter (D I1 ). Each gripping tab (28) terminates at the inner panel to form a second circumference (C I2 ) and associated second diameter (D I2 ). The second circumference (C I2 ) and diameter (D I2 ) are greater than the inner circumference and diameter (D I1 ). The lap portion (42) of the outer panel (40) has an outer article-receiving aperture (44) corresponding to and in concentric alignment with each inner article-receiving aperture (24). The outer article-receiving aperture (44) has a circumference and associated diameter (D O ) that are greater than those of the inner aperture and less than the respective second circumference (C I2 ) and diameter (D I2 ). The carrier (10) may have securement means such as adhesive (34), punch-type locks (36, 38) or locking tabs (49) in the outer panel (40) for securing the inner (22) and outer (42) lap portions to one another.

Description: The invention relates generally to article carriers for flanged articles, and more particularly to clip-type article carriers which engage flanged articles under their respective flanges. It is often desirable to use a so-called clip-type article carrier to transport flanged articles. The clip-type carrier is generally formed from at least one sheet of a flexible material such as paperboard or plastic which engages the underside of the flange of the article. For example, in a can the chime of the can is the flange to be engaged. A bottle may have a cap or annular bead which is the flange to be engaged by the clip. One example is DE 4 034 069 which shows an article carrier with first and second panels in overlapping arrangement. The first panel comprises a plurality of apertures with container gripping tabs to engage an article held in the carrier. The second panel comprises apertures in registry with those apertures of the first panel and adapted to receiving the portions of the tabs to maintain the carrier in a set up condition. A problem in using clip-type carriers, and in particular paperboard clip-type carriers, is that it is often difficult to insure that the carrier will effectively engage and remain engaged under the underside of a flange. Use of a paperboard article carrier is often desired because paperboard is inexpensive, readily available, accepts printing easily and can be environmentally friendly. What is needed is a clip-type article carrier, particularly one which can be made of paperboard, which more reliably engages flanged articles. One aspect of the invention provides an article carrier for packaging articles, for example cans, the articles having radially protruding portion at or adjacent one of their ends wherein the article carrier comprises a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected together in overlapping relationship. The first panel is provided with a plurality of apertures each of which operatively engages the underside of the radially protruding portion present in the aperture by the abutment of a plurality of container gripping tabs provided around the aperture and foldable to stand out of the general plane thereof. The second panel has apertures in registry with selected ones of those apertures of the first panel and is adapted to receive portions of the tabs wherein the carrier is maintained in its set-up condition by the presence of at least one article received in the respective registering apertures of the first and second panels. There further comprises securing means for securing the first and second panels in face contacting relationship. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the securing means may comprise one or more tabs formed in part by a plurality of cuts in the first panel, the cuts extending radially outwards of at least one of the first panel apertures, and preferably wherein the securing means further comprises at least one slit in transverse intersection with one of said plurality of cuts between adjoining ones of said plurality of tabs for receiving a security tab connected to the second panel. Preferably, the securing tab may abut the edges of the adjacent tabs formed by the slit thereby to maintain the adjacent container gripping tabs in an erected condition. Optionally, the at least one securing tab and the at least one slit may be arcuate. According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the securing means may comprise a flap struck from the second panel and a corresponding aperture struck from the first panel for receiving and retaining the flap. Preferably, the flap may comprise one or more retaining tabs for retaining the flap in the aperture. A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier for packaging articles, for example cans, the articles having radially protruding portion at or adjacent one of their ends wherein the blank comprises a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected together so as to be placed in overlapping face contacting relationship when the carrier is set up. The first panel of the blank has a plurality of apertures and a plurality of container gripping tabs provided around the aperture, the tabs adapted to be foldable to stand out of the general plane thereof. The second panel of the blank has corresponding apertures to be placed in registry with selected ones of those apertures of the first panel so as to receive the container gripping tabs. There further comprises securing means for securing the first and second panels in face contacting relationship in a set up condition. Preferably, the securing means of the first or second aspect of the invention may comprise one or more locking tabs and wherein the first panel having a pair of lip members for engaging one or more locking tabs to maintain the first and second panels in contacting relationship. More preferably, the pair of lip members may be formed from a cut-out defined by an auxiliary locking tab formed from the first panel and extending into the adjacent article receiving aperture to abut a radially protruding part of the article. Optionally, the auxiliary locking tab may be aligned with the locking tab. According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention the securing means may comprise one or more tabs formed in part by a plurality of cuts extending radially outwards and the first panel having at least one slit in transverse intersection with one of the plurality of cuts between adjoining ones of the plurality of container gripping tabs for receiving a securing tab connected to the second panel in a set up carrier. Preferably, the at least one securing tab and the at least one slit may be arcuate. According to a further optional feature of the second aspect of the invention the securing means may comprise a flap struck from the second panel and a corresponding aperture struck from the first panel for receiving and retaining the flap when the carrier is set up. Preferably, the flap may comprise one or more retaining tabs for retaining the flap in the aperture. Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to or as illustrated in the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for a clip-type carrier in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an isometric illustration of the clip-type carrier formable from the blank of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial sectional illustration of the carrier of Fig. 2 in engagement with a can 1; Fig. 4 is a partial sectional illustration like Fig. 3 except that a can around the periphery of the carrier is illustrated and the can is also engaged by a locking tab of the carrier; Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternate blank for a clip-type carrier in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a partial isometric illustration of the aperture locking feature of the blank of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a partial isometric illustration of a locking mechanism employing locking lip members in a clip-type carrier formed from the blank of Fig. 5 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 8 is a plan view of another alternate blank for a clip-type carrier in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and more particularly suitable for engaging bottles. For a general overview, reference is first made to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously. In Fig. 2 an overlapped, erected clip-type carrier 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown engaging several cans 1 about their respective chimes 3. Fig. 1 is a blank 10 suitable for forming the carrier of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is cross-sectional illustration of the elements of the carrier 10 engaging a can 1 about its chime 3. The features of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference first to the plan illustration of the blank 12 of Fig. 1. The blank 12 has an inner panel 20 and an outer panel 40. When the carrier 12 is in the erected engagement form illustrated by Fig. 2 the outer panel 40 overlaps the inner panel 20 generally throughout their respective lap portions 42, 22. An inner panel border 23 adjoins the inner lap portion 22 of the inner panel 20. The lap portion 22 of the lower panel has apertures 24 for receiving flanged articles, such as cans or bottles. For convenience, these apertures 24 are generally referred to herein as inner article-receiving apertures or inner apertures 24. The inner generally referred to herein as inner article-receiving apertures or inner apertures 24. The inner apertures have radial slits 26 extending from the circumference of the inner aperture 24 that create tabs 28. The inner edges of the tabs 28 define an inner circumference of the inner aperture 24 which has a diameter designated D I1 in Fig. 1. The tabs are of substantially equal length such that their inner edges which are attached to the inner panel 20 form an imaginary, or notional, circumference designated as C I2 having a second diameter designated D I2 . The lap portion 22 of the inner panel 20 also has finger hobs 32 and female lock elements 38 for receiving male lock elements 36 contained in the outer panel. In the outer panel 40 borders 41, 43 extend around the periphery of the lap portion 42 of the outer panel 40. The inner 20 and outer 40 panels are joined along a pair of respective borders 23, 43. The lap portion 42 of the outer panel 40 has apertures 44 which correspond to and are aligned for concentric alignment with the inner apertures 24 of the inner panel. For convenience, the apertures of the outer panel are referred to herein as outer article-receiving apertures or outer apertures 44. The outer apertures have a diameter designated D O . Strategically placed around the periphery of the outer lap portion 42 and extending inwardly into the outer apertures 44 from the borders 41, 43 of the outer panel 40 are locking tabs 49. Adhesive material 34 and male locking members 36 are also shown on the outer lap portion 42. The outer lap 42 portion also contains finger holes 52 which correspond to and are aligned to concentrically overlie the hand holes 32 of the inner lap portion 22. Referring now simultaneously to Figs. 2 and 3, it can be seen cans 1 inserted through the inner apertures 24 with the gripping tabs 28 pushed generally upwardly into a position of engagement under the underside of the can chimes 3. In the isometric illustration of Fig. 2 the carrier 10 is seen with the outer panel 40 in overlapping position with respect to the inner panel 20 (which cannot be seen in this view). The gripping tabs 28 project upwardly from the inner panel through the outer apertures 44 of the outer panel 40. The locking tabs 49 are also engaged under the underside of can chimes 3. The carrier 10 is very simply applied to cans 1 by insertion of the cans 1 through the face-contacting inner 24 and outer 44 apertures. The gripping tabs 28 are very firmly held in place under the flange (chime 3) of the engaged article (can 1) by the constrictive action of the outer aperture 44. The constrictive pressure applied by the outer aperture 44 results from the dimensional relationship between the apertures 24, 44 and tabs 28. That is, the diameter of the outer aperture D O which surrounds the gripping tabs 28 is less than the diameter of the inner aperture second circumference D I2 (the notional circumference) but greater than the diameter of the first inner aperture circumference D I1 which is defined by the unattached edges of the gripping tabs 28. The constriction urges the gripping tabs 28 against the can 1 wall or neck causing the unattached edges of the gripping tabs 28 to remain engaged under the chime 3. The snug fit between the outer aperture 44 and the gripping tabs 28 also help to maintain the inner 22 and outer 42 lap portions in flat face-to-face contact. The carrier 10 employs additional optional features that help keep the lap portions 24, 44 in contact with one another. One such feature is the locking tabs 49 which can be seen in operation in Figs. 2 and 4. Fig. 4 in particular shows the manner in which a locking tab 49 overlies the gripping tabs 28 to also engage the underside of a can chime 3. Once so engaged, the locking tab 49 helps retain the outer lap portion 42 in place under the chimes 3 and, thus, in face-to-face contact with the inner lap portion 22. Referring now again particularly to Fig. 1, other means for maintaining the lap portions 22, 42 together include adhesive 34 applied between the lap portions 22, 42 and a locking mechanism integrally formed with the lap portions. The integral locking mechanism illustrated contains a male portion 36 and cooperating female portion 38. An example of a suitable locking mechanism of this type is shown in US patent number 5,131,588, herein incorporated by reference. Referring now to Fig. 5, in an alternate configuration of a blank 14 for a clip-type carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, like the carrier 10 of Fig. 2, several additional features for locking the inner 22 and outer 42 lap portions together are illustrated. The alternate blank 14 has the same basic features as the blank 12 of Fig. 1. Identical features bear the same reference numerals. In addition to the features contained in the blank 12 of Fig. 1. the blank 14 of Fig. 5 illustrates an aperture lock structure. In the aperture lock structure at least one of the radial slits 26 terminates in an arcuate slit 27. Referring now also to Fig. 6, a securing tab 45 projects into the outer aperture 44 of the outer panel in alignment for engaging the arcuate notches 29 in the gripping tabs 28 defined by the arcuate slit 27. When the inner 22 and outer 42 lap portions are placed together and receive cans, the securing tab 45 engages the gripping tabs 28 through the arcuate notches 29 created by the arcuate slit 27. Referring now to Figs. 5 and 7 simultaneously, therein is illustrated the use of locking lip members 30, formed by the cut-out of the auxiliary locking tab 31, to retain the locking tab 49 in place and thereby maintain the outer 42 and inner 22 lap portions in contact. Referring again particularly to Fig. 5 therein is also illustrated a finger hole flap 54 which when folded under the outer panel 40 and through the finger hole 32 of the inner panel utilizes finger hole retaining tabs 55 to maintain the finger hole flap 54 in place folded under. This serves as an additional means of maintaining the outer 42 and inner 42 lap portions in contact with one another. Referring now to Fig. 8, therein is shown a blank 112 for forming a clip-type carrier particularly suitable for engaging bottles in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The carrier blank 112 has many of the features as the carrier 10 and blanks 12, 14 described above. However, as those carriers were described in the context of use with cans 1, the immediate blank 112 is described in the context of being particularly useful for bottles. Many of the same features are employed as are present in the blanks described above. For convenience a "100" series of numerals is used to describe the features of the immediate blank 112 and like features bear the same numerals except as a 100 series number. Since these features function in the same manner the above description is incorporated by reference and only the differing features will be described. The blank 112 forms a generally box-like, sleeve carrier suitable for receiving elongated, flanged necks of bottles. Additional features in the immediate blank 112 include a bottom panel 160, intermediate panels 170, an auxiliary intermediate panel 171 and set-up panels 180. The blank 112 also includes pull tabs 164 and tear strips 166. In use, the inner panels 120 are folded under and adhered to the outer panel 140 to form a composite top wall. The blank is formed into a box-like carrier by folding the composite top wall, bottom panel 160, intermediate 170, auxiliary intermediate 171 and setup panels 180 into place and adhering the auxiliary intermediate panel to the unattached edge of the endmost intermediate panel 170. The necks of bottles are inserted into the erected carrier through the bottom apertures 162 and further upwardly through the concentrically aligned inner 124 and outer 144 apertures so that the flanges of bottles are thereby engaged by the gripping tabs 128. In the erected and loaded carrier the pull tabs 164 are used to begin tearing of the tear strips 166 to remove selected bottles which have been engaged by the carrier. Other modifications may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Claims: An article carrier for packaging articles, for example cans, said articles having radially protruding portion at or adjacent one of their ends wherein said article carrier comprises a first panel (122, 20) and a second panel (142, 40) hingedly connected together in overlapping relationship, said first panel having a plurality of apertures (24) each of which operatively engages the underside of said radially protruding portion present in the aperture by the abutment of a plurality of container gripping tabs (28) provided around said aperture and foldable to stand out of the general plane thereof and wherein said second panel having apertures (44) in registry with selected ones of those apertures of the first panel and being adapted to receive portions of said tabs wherein the carrier is maintained in its set-up condition by the presence of at least one article received in the respective registering apertures (24, 44) of the first and second panels characterised in that there comprises securing means for securing the first and second panels in face contacting relationship. The carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises one or more locking tabs 49 struck from second panel and wherein the first panel (20) having a pair of lip members (30) for engaging one or more locking tabs (49) to maintain the first and second panels (20, 40) in contacting relationship. An article carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pair of lip members is formed from a cut-out defined by an auxiliary locking tab (31) formed from said first panel and extending into the adjacent article receiving aperture (24) to abut a radially protruding part of the article. The carrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the auxiliary locking tab (31) is aligned with said locking tab (49). An article carrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the securing means comprises one or more tabs (28, 128) formed in part by a plurality of cuts (26, 126) first panel (20, 120), the cuts extending radially outwards of at least one of the first panel apertures (24, 124). An article carrier as claimed in claim 5 wherein the securing tab (45) abuts the edges of the adjacent tabs formed by the slit thereby to maintain the adjacent container gripping tabs in an erected condition. An article carrier as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said at least one securing tab and said at least one slit are arcuate. An article carrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein securing means comprises a flap (54) struck from the second panel (40) and a corresponding aperture (32) struck from the first panel (20) for receiving and retaining the flap. An article carrier as claimed in claim 8 wherein the flap (54) comprises one or more retaining tabs (55) for retaining the flap in the aperture (32). The blank for forming an article carrier as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9. A blank for forming an article carrier for packaging articles, for example cans, said articles having radially protruding portion at or adjacent one of their ends wherein the blank comprises a first panel (122, 20) and a second panel (142, 40) hingedly connected together so as to be placed in overlapping face contacting relationship when the carrier is set up, said first panel having a plurality of apertures (24) and a plurality of container gripping tabs (28) provided around said aperture, the tabs adapted to be foldable to stand out of the general plane thereof and wherein said second panel having corresponding apertures (44) to be placed in registry with selected ones of those apertures of the first panel so as to receive the container gripping tabs characterised in that there comprises securing means for securing the first and second panels in face contacting relationship in a set up condition. The blank as claimed in claim 11 wherein the securing means comprises one or more locking tabs 49 and wherein the first panel (20) having a pair of lip members (30) for engaging one or more locking tabs (49) to maintain the first and second panels (20, 40) in contacting relationship. The blank as claimed in claim 12, wherein said pair of lip members (30) is formed from a cut-out defined by an auxiliary locking tab (31) formed from said first panel and extending into the adjacent article receiving aperture (24) to abut a radially protruding part of the article. The blank as claimed in claim 13, wherein the auxiliary locking tab (31) is aligned with said locking tab (49). A blank for forming an article carrier as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the securing means comprises one or more tabs (28, 128) formed in part by a plurality of cuts (26, 126) in the first panel (20, 120), the cuts extending radially outwards of at least one of the first panel apertures (24, 124). The blank as claimed in claim 15 wherein said at least one securing tab and said at least one slit are arcuate. The blank as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 wherein securing means comprises a flap (54) struck from the second panel (40) and a corresponding aperture (32) struck from the first panel (20) for receiving and retaining the flap when the carrier is set up. The blank as claimed in claim 17 wherein the flap (54) comprises one or more retaining tabs (55) for retaining the flap (54) in the aperture (32). An article carrier as claimed in claim 5 wherein the securing means further comprises at least one slit (27) in transverse intersection with one of said plurality of cuts (26) between adjoining ones of said plurality of tabs (28) for receiving a securing adjoining ones of said plurality of tabs (28) for receiving a securing tab (45) connected to the second panel (40). A blank as claimed in claim 15 wherein the securing means further comprises at least one slit (27) in transverse intersection with one of said plurality of cuts (26) between adjoining ones of said plurality of tabs (28) for receiving a securing tab (45) connected to the second panel (40).

Inventors: BAKX MARTINUS, BAKX, MARTINUS
Applicants: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D71