Abstract:
A package for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a flexible carrier having an array of container receiving apertures formed in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks wherein each container receiving aperture engages with a respective container of the plurality of containers and includes an outer band having a sufficiently narrow width to result in permanent yield following stretching engagement with and application to a respective container and a secondary package positioned with respect to the carrier and containers to form a unitized package.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/751,685, filed 11 Jan. 2013. The co-pending Provisional Application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers, such as cans. 
     Description of Prior Art 
     Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/or similar containers that require unitization. Flexible plastic ring carriers are one such conventional container carrier. 
     Flexible plastic ring carriers having a plurality of container receiving apertures that each engage a corresponding container may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelve or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipackage. Plastic ring carriers may also be used to array a plurality of containers into a tray or similar package for distributors. In such a manner, a plurality of containers that are intended for individual sale may be easily and inexpensively arrayed and then removed for sale. 
     The present invention is intended to enable a simple, inexpensive and effective solution for single can unitization and then distribution. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a flexible carrier for arraying containers within a secondary package that includes a series of container receiving apertures that are sized to create outer bands that neck or yield with application. As described, a particular arrangement of the carrier results in a unitized package within a secondary package such as shrink film, a tray or box. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the flexible carrier of  FIG. 1  in a stretched condition; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a finished package used in connection with a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-3  show a flexible carrier  10  for arraying four, six or eight or more containers into a unitized sub-package which then may be placed into a secondary package, such as a shrink film wrap or a cardboard tray. Although  FIGS. 1  and  2  illustrate various structures for flexible carrier  10  of the invention, the illustrations are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to the flexible carriers  10  or packages shown. For example, flexible carrier  10  may be alternatively configured and used to unitize ten, fourteen or any other desired number of containers. 
     Containers are preferably cans, however any other commonly unitized container may be used with flexible carrier  10  according to this invention. The containers are preferably, though not necessarily, like-sized within a single flexible carrier  10 . The flexible carrier  10  is intended for cans of almost any size but primarily intended for 12 oz. to 20 oz. The subject invention seeks to minimize cost for transporting single containers for subsequent distribution by the merchandiser to the consumer. 
     Each flexible carrier  10  preferably includes a layer of flexible sheet  20  having a width and length defining therein a plurality of container receiving apertures  25 , each for receiving a container. The plurality of container receiving apertures  25  are preferably arranged in longitudinal rows and longitudinal ranks so as to form an array of container receiving apertures  25 , such as two rows by three ranks for a six container sub-package (a “six pack”) or two rows by four ranks for an eight container sub-package, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Container receiving apertures  25  are preferably arcuate toward a center of the flexible carrier and generally straight along an outer portion of flexible carrier  10 . The respective sub-packages are then preferably placed within a secondary package  60  such as shrink film wrap or a cardboard tray, or both such as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The package resulting from flexible carrier  10  includes a plurality of arrayed containers that are unitized within the secondary package  60 . Flexible carriers  10  are generally applied to containers by stretching flexible sheet  20  surrounding container receiving apertures  25  around a container to array the containers. However, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, portions of the stretched carrier  10 , particularly in the outer bands  40  do not recover, thereby providing a loose engagement in the array of containers. 
     The result of the above described arrangement is a minimal cost carrier  10  to be used preferably for single can distribution. The carrier  10  is intended to be loose on the can so as not to be confused with a multipack. In one commercial form this carrier  10  is preferably used in combination with shrink film wrap to make a can case. 
     The subject design of the carrier  10 , best shown in  FIG. 1 , allows for controlled necking or yielding of the carrier  10 , particularly in the outer bands  40 . In other words, carrier receiving apertures  25  have a section deliberately designed to give permanent deformation and thereby create a larger end result aperture. This aperture then is looser on the can body to allow for easier removal yet sturdy enough to array the cans through the distribution chain. 
     In this design, the yield section is preferably located at the outer web of the aperture bands, termed the outer bands  40  herein. Such outer bands  40  are preferably substantially narrower than the remaining webs in the carrier  10 . One factor in making this arrangement function as desired is that the apertures  25  must neck or yield uniformly. The apertures  25  are preferably all of similar size when stretched or else they will not be properly located for application to the containers. In other words, the stretched apertures must be centered as much as possible over the containers. This is important since the desired application method utilizes jaws that only engage the outer carrier perimeter to open the apertures and rely on the apertures themselves to assist in opening up the adjacent inner portions of the apertures. If one of the apertures in this typical two row carrier were to open substantially more than the other then the apertures would not be adequately centered to go over the container. 
       FIG. 2  shows a two row wide carrier as described above as it is being stretched by opposing jaws for application. The outer jaws preferably engage the outer bands  40  and the typical carrier inner oblique and transverse bands which transmit the stretch through to open both apertures. The subject design deliberately yields or necks the outer carrier bands adjacent to the jaws yet as is seen the apertures are very uniform. Attempts at yielding the carrier either in the inner oblique or transverse inner webs were unsuccessful as the stretch was uncontrollable and one or the other aperture would open excessively. 
     According to one theory of operation, all the elongation by definition must occur at the outer carrier perimeter which means that the center as defined by the section between the 2 horizontal lines (A) in the photo must remain consistent which results in the carrier being centered over the containers during application. 
     A resulting secondary package  60  will typically include a tray, box and/or shrink wrapped unitized package that contains a fairly relaxed array of containers. An end user may then unwrap the shrink wrap and/or open the box and remove individual containers from the carrier  10  for placement on a shelf or in a refrigerator or for immediate use. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show an alternative embodiment wherein an integral handle  150  is incorporated with a plastic sheet  200  having a plurality of container receiving apertures  250 . As in the preceding embodiments, a plurality of outer bands  140  are necked during application of the carrier  100  to individual containers. However, in this embodiment a secondary package is not used in connection with the carrier  100 . Instead, the carrier  100  is used to unitize and directly carry the series of containers. Such an embodiment may be more suited for smaller groups of containers where the collective weight of the package is not excessive and permits portability of a carrier  100  having intentionally necked outer bands  140 . 
     While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that flexible carrier  10  and package are susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.