Device for carrying containers

Abstract: There is provided a carrier device (11) for a plurality of containers (12) each having an annular shoulder projecting from the neck portion. The device comprises a base (16) having apertures for receiving the respective neck portions of the containers (12), two side walls (19, 20) extending towards each other from opposite sides of the base (16) each having a cut away portion for engaging each container (12), upwardly projecting handle portions (23) which incorporate handle means (43) and into which the cut away portions extend to accommodate the container closures (14). The upwardly projecting handle portions (23) are hingedly connected to the side walls (19, 20) which each cut away portion having a flap portion (41) below which projections on the handle portions engage so that the handle portions (23) can be folded down so as to lie adjacent one side wall and to be retained in this configuration.

Description: This invention relates to devices according to the preambule of claim 1 for carrying two or more containers each having an annular shoulder. One particular but not exclusive application is in carrying a number of PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate) bottles container beverages. In W094/07760A there is disclosed a carrier device for carrying two or more containers each having an annular shoulder projecting from the neck portion, said carrier device being formed from paperboard and comprising: a base having two or more apertures for receiving the respective neck portions of the containers, two side walls which are angled relative to the base and extend towards each other from opposite sides of the base, a cut away portion being formed in each side wall for each container, each cut away portion having an active edge generally parallel to the side wall/base junction which active edges engage below opposite sides of the annular shoulder of the associated container, said side walls being hingedly connected to upwardly projecting handle portions which incorporate handle means and into which the cut away portions extend to accommodate the container closures, the cut away portions being dimensioned such that when in use the handle portions can be folded down so as to lie adjacent one side wall. According to the present invention at least one of the cut away portions has a flap portion in said one side wall which flap portion spans the active edge of its associated cut away portion and which hinges upwardly out of the plane of said one side wall when the associated container is engaged and the upper edge of said at least one cut away portion incorporates a projection which is a snap fit below said at least one flap portion when the handle portions are folded down adjacent said one side wall. Preferably each cut away portion has a flap portion in said one side wall and a cooperating projection. In certain embodiments the flap portion has two spaced hinges with the side wall both of which are disposed closer to the base than the associated active edge of the cut away portion. With further embodiments the flap portions extend through the cut away portions in the handle portions when the handle portions are folded down and the cut away portions in one or both of the handle portions are slightly narrower than the width of the flap portions such that, when the handle portions are folded down, the lateral edges of the flap portions are deformed so that the flap portions take up a curved form similar to that of the closure/shoulder of the bottle. Conveniently the projections are formed on the top edge of the cut away portions in the handle portion which is hingedly attached to the other side wall. Also each aperture is defined at least in part by a pair of oppositely disposed flaps hingedly connected at the junction of the base and the respective side walls which flaps in use are folded upwardly to be disposed against the respective side walls, said flaps also engaging below said annular shoulders. In preferred embodiments at least parts of the periphery of the aperture engage the container. In many of these each aperture will be generally circular for generally circular section containers. In turn each flap will be generally semi circular having a straight edge opposite the diametral edge, which straight edge constitutes the hinge line of the flap. A further preferred feature is that a further securing flap extends from one handle portion and is folded over the free edge of the other handle portion and adhesively secured thereto. Another feature is that the handle means is formed by cutting out slot-shaped elements which remain hingedly connected to the handle portion along an upper fold which is generally parallel to the hinge between the handle portions and the side walls, the lower edge of the slot shaped elements constituting the upper edge of the cut away portions in the handle portions. Also the handle portions are glued together immediately above the hinge line with the side walls. An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a blank for producing a carrier device according to the present invention, Figures 2 to 6 are perspective views of the steps for forming the device, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device in use. In figure 1 there is shown a paperboard blank 10 for producing the carrier device 11 shown in figures 2 to 7. The device 11 is for use in coupling together, in this embodiment, three PET beverage bottles 12. The device 11 enables three such bottles 12 to be carried as a multipack safely and conveniently. Each bottle 12 has a general neck portion 13, a closure 14 and an annular shoulder 15 just below the closure 14. The device 11 is made from the paperboard blank 10 and has a base 16 which is hingedly connected at each side edge 17, 18 to a side wall 19, 20 which when assembled extend upwardly and towards each other. The side walls 19, 20 are in turn hingedly connected along fold lines 21, 22 to handle portions 23, 24. One handle portion 24 is hingedly connected along fold line 25 to a securing panel 26. In the base 16 cuts 27 are made to define, in this embodiment, six flaps 28 which remain hingedly attached along fold lines 29 and which are generally semi-circular. When the flaps 28 are folded out of the plane of the base 16, generally circular apertures are defined in the base 16. Holes 31 are also cut out of the blank 10, which holes span the fold line 22. The holes 31 are generally rectangular having an active lower edge 32 although the upper side edges 33 of the end holes taper slightly inwards towards the top. These end holes also have a small arcuate projection 34 extending downwardly from the top edge. Adjacent the central hole 31 is a slot like handle element 35 which is cut from the blank 10, but which remains hingedly attached along fold line 36. The lower edge 37 of the element 35 effectively constitutes the top edge of the hole 31 and is provided with a projection 34 similar to those on the end holes. Holes 38 are also cut out of the blank 10 and span the fold line 21. Again the holes are somewhat rectangular and have active lower edge portions 39 which are spaced from fold 17 by substantially the same amount as active lower edges 32 are from the fold 18. Again, the upper side edges 40 of the end holes taper slightly inwards. Bridging the active lower edge portions 39 of each hole 38 is a flap portion 41 which is hingedly connected at 42 to the side wall 19. The hinges 42 are located slightly nearer the fold 17 than the active lower edge portions 39. Again, adjacent the central hole 38 is a slot like handle element 43 which is cut from the blank 10, but which remains hingedly attached along fold line 44. The lower edge 45 of the element 43 effectively constitutes the top edge of the central hole, and the handle elements 35, 43 correspond in terms of size, shape and location. In the figures the device 11 is shown as being assembled on-line around the bottles 12. It will be appreciated, however, that the device could also be pre-assembled and then clipped on to the series of bottles. The sequence of assembly is shown in figures 2 to 6. Initially the blank 10 is aligned over the bottles 12. It will be appreciated, however, that the device could also be pre-assembled and then clipped on to the series of bottles. The sequence of assembly is shown in figures 2 to 6. Initially the blank 10 is aligned over the bottles 12 and is then pressed down. The bottles force the flaps 28 upwards so that they engage below the shoulders 15 on opposite sides of each bottle 12 as is shown in figure 2. The side wall 20 and handle portion 24 are then folded up about fold 18 as is shown in figure 3. Glue 46 is then applied to the side wall 20 at a location immediately above the fold 22. Glue 46 is also applied to the securing panel 26. The other side wall 19 and handle portion 23 are then folded upwardly about the fold 17 as is shown more clearly in figure 4. The securing panel 26 is then folded over and the top of the handle portion 23 is engaged in the angle between the securing panel 26 and the handle portion 24 as shown in figure 5. The handle portions 23, 24 can then be folded over the side wall 19 provided the inward movement of fold 21 has been initiated. This folding of the handle portions brings the two side walls 19, 20 together at the folds 21, 22 such that the base and the two side walls form a triangular section. The bringing together of the side walls 19, 20 also results in the active edges 32, 39 engaging with a snap action below the shoulders 15 of the bottles with the flaps 28 lying generally against their respective side walls. Also the snap engagement of the active edges 32, 39 below the shoulders 15 forces the flap portions 41 to hinge upwardly about the hinges 42. As the handle portions are folded further over, the tapered side edges 33, 40 of the holes 31, 38 engage the lateral edges of the flap portions 41 causing the flap portions 41 to take up a somewhat curved shape in plan view, around the profile of the bottle 12 and/or its closure 14. As the handle portions 23, 24 are folded down into engagement with the side wall 19, as shown in figure 6, two things occur. Firstly the projections 34 engage with a snap fit below the flap portions 41 in the spaces created between the central parts of the flap portions and the respective parts of the side wall 19 immediately below the active edge portions 39. These snap fits retain the handle portions 23, 24 to remain in this compact folded position. Secondly the force required to engage the projections serves to ensure that the panels being held by the glue 46 are pressed together sufficiently to ensure good adhesion. This reduces the need for complex pressure application apparatus. The engagement of the projections 34 under the flap portion 41 ensures that the handle portions can be retained in a folded condition even if the shoulder 15 is not large enough to accommodate any further thicknesses of card below it, in addition that is to the flaps 28 and the active edges 32, 39. To use the device 11 as a carrying device after the glue has set, the handle portions can be lifted up by overcoming the snap fit of the projections below the flap portions as is shown in figure 7. The user can then open the handle slot by bending back the aligned handle elements 35, 43. It will be appreciated that the above described devices can be adapted for use with any reasonable number of bottles. Also, the term bottles can include glass or PET or other suitable materials and can also include any suitable container having a shoulder which can be engaged in the manner described. It will also be appreciated that the generally semi-circular flaps 28 are suitable for bottles having a neck of circular section. However, other shaped flaps 28 and cuts can be used for bottles of different section such as rectangular, hexagonal etc. Also, the taper on the upper side edges 33, 40 is an optional feature which has the benefit of reducing the amount by which the flap portions 41 protrude. Other shapes and dimensions for the flap portions 41 and projections 34 can be envisaged.

Claims: A carrier device (11) for carrying two or more containers (12) each having an annular shoulder (15) projecting from the neck portion (13), said carrier device (11) being formed from paperboard and comprising: a base (16) having two or more apertures for receiving the respective neck portions (13) of the containers, two side walls (19,20) which are angled relative to the base (16) and extend towards each other from opposite sides of the base, a cut away portion being formed in each side wall (19,20) for each container, each cut away portion having an active edge (32,39) generally parallel to the side wall/base junction which active edges (32,39) engage below opposite sides of the annular shoulder (15) of the associated container (12), said side walls (19,20) being hingedly connected to upwardly projecting handle portions (23,24) which incorporate handle means (35) and into which the cut away portions extend to accommodate the container closures (14), the cut away portions being dimensioned such that when in use the handle portions (23,24) can be folded down so as to lie adjacent one side wall (19) characterised in that, at least one of the cut away portions has a flap portion (41) in said one side wall (19) which flap portion (41) spans the active edge (39) of its associated cut away portion and which hinges upwardly out of the plane of said one side wall (19) when the associated container (12) is engaged and the upper edge of said at least one cut away portion incorporates a projection (34) which is a snap fit below said at least one flap portion (41) when the handle portions are folded down adjacent said one side wall. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cut away portion has a flap portion (41) in said one side wall (19) and a cooperating projection (34). A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flap portion (41) has two spaced hinges (42) with the side wall (19) both of which are disposed closer to the base than the associated active edge (39) of the cut away portion. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the flap portions (41) extend through the cut away portions in the handle portions (23,24) when the handle portions are folded down and the cut away portions in one or both of the handle portions are slightly narrower than the width of the flap portions (41) such that, when the handle portions are folded down, the lateral edges of the flap portions (41) are deformed so that the flap portions (41) take up a curved form similar to that of the closure/shoulder (14/15) of the bottle. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the projections (34) are formed on the top edge of the cut away portions in the handle portion (24) which is hingedly attached to the other side wall (20). A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each aperture is defined at least in part by a pair of oppositely disposed flaps (28) hingedly connected at the junction of the base (16) and the respective side walls (19,20) which flaps (28) in use are folded upwardly to be disposed against the respective side walls (19,20), said flaps also engaging below said annular shoulders (15). A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least parts of the periphery of the aperture engage the container (12). A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein each aperture will be generally circular for generally circular section containers (12) and each flap (28) will be generally semi circular having a straight edge opposite the diametral edge (27), which straight edge constitutes the hinge line (29) of the flap. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein a securing panel (26) extends from one handle portion (24) and is folded over the free edge of the other handle portion (23) and adhesively secured thereto. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the handle means is formed by cutting out slot-shaped elements (35,43) which remain hingedly connected to the handle portion (23,24) along an upper fold (36,44) which is generally parallel to the hinge (21,22) between the handle portions and the side walls, the lower edge of the slot shaped elements constituting the upper edge of the cut away portions in the handle portions. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the handle portions (23,24) are adhesively secured together immediately above the hinge line (21,22) with the side walls (19,20).

Inventors: NEGELEN EMANUEL, NEGELEN, EMANUEL
Applicants: RIVERWOOD INT CORP, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D71