Abstract:
A carrier for beverage containers formed of a sheet material such as plastic or paperboard which includes a bottom panel attached to side panels, a pair of opposed end panels connected to the bottom and side panels, and a central handle formed of two halves folded together in a first position for ease in carrying. The handle is pivotal to an open position along its top fold line, allowing the carrier to spread outwardly to form a central cavity capable of holding ice for the purpose of cooling the beverage containers. The top panels are provided with a plurality of openings, for example, six or eight, each of which is adapted to receive a beverage container. The method for forming the beverage container is disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a beverage carrier suitable for sale and transportation of beverages in containers such as cans or bottles, and which also may serve as a disposable cooler for the containers. 
     Collapsible paperboard carriers for beverages contained in cans or bottles are commonplace in the industry. Examples of various such carriers are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,860,816 issued Nov. 18, 1958 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,672 issued Aug. 20, 1991. Such carriers are examples of one of the many types of commercially used packaging used in the transportation and sale of canned and bottled beverages such as soda, beer, wine coolers, etc. My earlier patent application Ser. No. 09/782,113, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,558 describes an adaptation of a common beverage package that enables the same to perform a dual function wherein it also serves as an ice-containing cooler for the beverage containers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel adaptation of a common beverage six-, eight-, or other carrier which enables the same to perform a dual function wherein it also may serve as an ice-containing cooler for the beverage containers while, yet, minimizing the retail shelf space required to display the carrier for sale. The cooler may be either disposable either after a single use or, optionally, after multiple uses. 
     Briefly summarized, the invention provides a carrier for beverage containers formed of a sheet material such as plastic or paperboard which includes a bottom panel attached on opposite lateral sides to side panels, a pair of opposed end panels connected at their lower peripheries to the bottom and side panels, and a central handle which is formed of two halves folded together in a first position for ease in carrying and for economy of display space for retail sale display. The handle is pivotal to an open position along its top fold line, allowing the carrier to spread outwardly to form a central interior cavity capable of holding ice for the purpose of cooling the beverage containers. Each end panel is also provided with pleated panels that enable the outwardly opened carrier to be capable of providing a tray that holds ice and resultant water after melting of the ice. The pleated panels are integrally connected to a flat, rectangular panel of the end panels, which in turn is connected to the peripheries of the side panels. The carrier has a pair of top panels that are provided with a plurality of openings, for example, six or eight, each of which is adapted to receive a beverage container. While eight openings are used in the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that other configurations having four, six or even twelve openings can be used. Alternatively, the carrier may be provided with two larger storage spaces, rather than separate openings. The top panels, which are preferably connected to the handle along their internal lateral edges, are also integrally connected at opposite sides to the upper edges of the side panels. The interior of the carrier may be provided with waterproof protective inner coating or a lining, which may be a flexible plastic sheet material such as polyethylene or polypropylene or a wax-like substance. 
     The invention may also be equipped with a microchip that would relay an audio display when the invention is moved from a closed to an open position. 
     Also, the invention explains a method for forming the beverage containers in either paperboard or plastic form. 
     The invention will be further set forth in the detailed description, accompanying claims and in the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a carrier/cooler of the present invention in conjunction with bottled beverages; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but showing the device in the open position to accept ice or other chill product. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the invention in FIG. 2, taken along line  3 — 3  thereof and showing ice in place in the resultant cavity; 
     FIG. 4A is a fragmentary top view of an end of the device in the closed position and showing a folded end panel; 
     FIG. 4B is a fragmentary top plan view, similar to that of FIG. 4A, but showing the device in the open position and an unfolded, flattened end panel; 
     FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5B is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, but illustrating the opened position; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment and illustrating a loop-type handle; 
     FIG. 6B is a cutaway view of the device shown in FIG. 6A as seen from the central axis of the device; 
     FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the device shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, but illustrating the opened position; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention, whereby the invention is made with vacuum formed plastic parts. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of one example of a template to be used in the manufacture of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a carrier device  10  of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, carrier  10  is designed to contain eight individual beverage containers, which in the illustrated embodiment are conventional beverage bottles  12 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 1, carrier  10  is formed from a sheet material such as paperboard or, alternatively, of a plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or any other similar type substance. Carrier  10  is defined by a bottom panel  14 , which has a pair of side panels  16  and  18  attached on each lateral side and extending upwardly from said bottom panel  14 . The side panels  16  and  18  are also connected to a pair of opposed end panels  20  and  22 . The upper edges  24 F and  26 F of the side panels  16  and  18 , respectively, are integrally connected to a pair of top panels  24  and  26 , respectively. A plurality of openings  28  and  30  are provided in the top panels  24  and  26 , respectively for access to and display of the containers  12 . The top panels  24  and  26  are also integrally connected at their opposed edges to the end panels  20  and  22 . The upper edges of the side panels  16  and  18 , as well as the end panels  20  and  22 , are all integrally connected to the top panels  24  and  26 . The top panels  24  and  26  are integrally connected along their internal lateral sides to a central handle  32 . The handle  32  is formed of two folded halves of material,  34  and  36 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the end panels  20  and  22  each are made up of three panels,  42 ,  44 , and  46 , and  48 ,  50 , and  52 , respectively. The panels  42  and  44  of the end panel  20  are flat, quadrilateral panels. The internal longitudinal edges  42 G and  44 G of the panels  42  and  44  connect to the edges of the internal panel  46 , which is triangular in shape and pleated inwardly along a central axis  54 . The panels  48 ,  50 , and  52  of the end panel  22  are connected in a similar fashion as the panels of the end panel  20 , with the central panel  52  being triangular in shape and also pleated along a central axis  56 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, the handle  32  is pivotally moved outward to form an enlarged cavity  38 , with through opening  41 . Access through the opening  41  enables filling of the cavity  38  of the carrier with ice cubes  40  (see FIG.  3 ), as desired. The inverted pyramidal cavity  38  is defined by the unfolded central side panels  46  and  52  and a pair of internal walls  58  and  60  of the carrier  10 . The internal walls  58  and  60  are connected at a common foldable divider line  14   a  of the bottom panel  14 . The expanded handle  32  can also act as an insulator to slow the melting process of the ice cubes  40 . 
     The carrier  10  may be adorned with markings  68 . Also, a microchip  70  may be placed within the handle  32  so that an audio display results when the handle  32  is pivotally moved outward. Alternatively, the microchip could be placed anywhere within the carrier  10  where it would be activated as the carrier  10  is moved to an open position. The microchip  70  is suitable to be used on any perceived embodiments of the present invention. Together the markings  68  and the microchip  70  can give one the appearance of an engine block when the carrier  10  is in the open position and enhance the use and enjoyment of the carrier  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 of the carrier  10  is shown with the ice cubes  40  placed in the resultant cavity  38 . The ice cubes  40  rest along the internal panels  58  and  60  of the carrier  10  to cool the container  12 . The handle  32  acts as a cover for the ice  40 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4A, a fragmentary top view of an end of the carrier  10  in the closed position is shown. The central pleated panel  46  of the end panel  20  is shown folded inwardly. When the carrier  10  is in the closed position, it will be easier to transport and store the carrier  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4B, a fragmentary top view of an end of the carrier  10  in an open position is shown. The central panel  46  of the end panel  20  is expanded, forming the cavity  38 . The open position allows the carrier  10  to be used to cool the containers  12  (not shown) or other products, which are placed within the openings  28  and  30  of the top panels  24  and  26 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5A,  5 B, and  5 C, another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment the carrier  110  is designed to carry more than just beverages, but other food products or objects, as well. 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 5A, carrier  110  is formed from a sheet material such as paperboard or, alternatively, of a plastic material. Carrier  110  is defined by a bottom panel  114 , which has side panels  116  and  118  attached on each lateral side, and extending upwardly from said bottom panel  114 . The side panels  116  and  118  are also connected to a pair of opposed end panels  120  and  122 . The top of the carrier  110  is open, thereby forming storage areas  128  and  130 . The storage area  128  is defined by a bottom panel portion  114 X of the bottom panel  114 , the side panel  116 , an internal panel  158  of the carrier  110 , a flat quadrilateral panel  142  of the end panel  120  and a flat quadrilateral panel  148  of the end panel  122 . The storage area  130  is defined by a bottom panel portion  114 Y of the bottom panel  114 , the side panel  118 , an internal panel  160  of the carrier  110 , a flat panel  144  of the end panel  120  and the panel  150  of the end panel  122 . A handle  132  is formed of two folded halves of material,  134  and  136 . The handle  132  is integrally connected along the upper edges of the internal panels  158  and  160 . 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 5B, a side view of FIG. 110 is shown. The handle  132  is folded over to one side of the carrier  110 , thereby allowing multiple containers  110  to be easily stacked and stored upon one another. 
     Referring to FIG. 5C the carrier  110  of FIGS. 5A and 5B is shown in an open position. The end panels  120  and  122  each are made up of three panels,  142 ,  144 , and  146 , and  148 ,  150 , and  152 , respectively. The panels  142  and  144  of the end panel  120  are flat, rectangular panels. The internal longitudinal edges of the panels  142  and  144  connect to the edges of the internal panel  146 , which is triangular in shape and pleated inwardly along a central axis  154 . The panels  148 ,  150 , and  152  of the end panel  122  are connected in a similar fashion as the panels of the end panel  120 , with the central panel  152  being triangular in shape and pleated inwardly along a central axis  156 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 5C, handle  132  is pivotally moved outward to form an enlarged cavity  138 , with access through opening  141 . Access through opening  141  enables filling of the cavity  138  of the carrier  110  with ice cubes  40  (not shown), as desired. The inverted pyramidal cavity  138  is defined by the unfolded central end panels  146  and  152  and internal panels  158  and  160  of the beverage carrier  110 . The internal walls  158  and  160  are connected at a common foldable divider line  114 A of the bottom panel  114 . The expanded handle  132  can also act as an insulator to slow the melting process of the ice cubes  40  (not shown). 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6A,  6 B, and  6 C. In this embodiment, a carrier  210  is designed with a handle  232  (FIGS. 6B &amp; 6C) that may be folded inside of the carrier  210  for easier stacking of multiple carriers. 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 6A, carrier  210  is formed from a sheet material such as paperboard or, alternatively, of a plastic material. The carrier  210  is defined by a bottom panel  214 , which has side panels  216  and  218  attached on each lateral side and extending upwardly from said bottom panel  214 . The side panels  216  and  218  are also connected to opposed end panels  220  and  222 . The top of the carrier  210  is open, thereby forming storage areas  228  and  230 . The storage area  228  is formed by a bottom panel portion  214 X of the bottom panel  214 , the side panel  216 , an internal panel  258  of the carrier  210 , a flat panel  242  of the side panel  220  and a flat panel  248  of the side panel  222 . The storage area  230  is formed by a bottom panel portion  214 Y of the bottom panel  214 , the side panel  218 , an internal panel  260  of the carrier  210 , a flat panel  244  of the side panel  220  and a flat panel  250  of the side panel  222 . The handle  232  is formed of a pliable loop of material, thereby allowing the handle to be folded inwardly of the carrier  210 . The handle  232  is integrally connected along the upper edges of the internal panels  258  and  260 , and is folded inwardly between the internal panels  258  and  260 . 
     Referring in particular to FIG. 6B a sectional view of the carrier  210  described in FIG.  6 A and taken along line  6 A— 6 A is shown. The panels  246  and  252  are shown folded inwardly along central axes  254  and  256 , respectively. The handle  232  is folded inwardly of the carrier  210 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6C the carrier  210  of FIG. 6A and 6B is shown in an open position. The end panels  220  and  222  each are made up of three panels,  242 ,  244 , and  246 , and  248 ,  250 , and  252 , respectively. The panels  242  and  244  of the end panel  220  are flat, quadrilateral panels. The internal longitudinal edges of the panels  242  and  244  connect to the edges of the internal panel  246 , which is triangular in shape and pleated inwardly along the central axis  254  (See FIG.  6 B). The panels  248 ,  250 , and  252  of the end panel  222  are connected in a similar fashion as the panels of the end panel  220 , with the central panel  252  being triangular in shape and pleated along the central axis  256  (See FIG.  6 B). 
     Still referring to FIG. 6C, handle  232  is pivotally moved outward to form an enlarged cavity  238 , with access through opening  241 . Access through opening  241  enables filling of the cavity  238  of the carrier  210  with ice cubes  40 , as desired. The pyramidal cavity  238  is defined by the unfolded central end panels  246  and  252  and internal walls  258  and  260  of the carrier  210 . The internal walls  258  and  260  are connected at a common foldable divider line  214 A of the bottom panel  214 . The expanded handle  232  is made of a flexible material. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the present invention, as it would be made with from a plastic material. The carrier  10  is designed from two vacuum formed parts,  10 A and  10 B. The formed part  10 A comprises the bottom panel  14 , the side panels  16  and  18 , and the end panels  20  and  22 . The end panel  20  is made up of three panels, the flat panels  42  and  44 , and the triangular shaped pleated panel  46 . The panels  42  and  44  are integrally connected to the pleated panel  46  along the edges  42 G and  44 G, respectively. The end panel  22  is made up of the three panels,  48 ,  50 , and  52 , in the same fashion as the end panel  20 . 
     The formed part  10 B comprises a cover and includes the handle  32  and the top panels  24  and  26 . The top panels  24  and  26  contain the plurality of openings  28  and  30 , respectively. The formed part  10 B is welded electronically onto the formed part  10 A. The carrier  10  made as shown in FIG. 7 preferably does not include the internal panels  58  and  60  (see FIG.  3 ). The ice cubes  40  are allowed to fall around the beverage container  12 . The carrier  10 , when formed, should allow the top of the beverage container  12  to be visible when the container  12  is placed within the carrier  10  through the openings  28  or  30 . 
     FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a blank template  11 , which may be used in the manufacture of the carrier  10  of the present invention. One method of forming the carrier  10  includes the folding the blank  11  upwardly along fold lines  14 F and  14 G, leaving the blank  11  perpendicular to the bottom panel  14 . Next, the flat panels  42 ,  44 ,  48 , and  50  are folded inwardly along fold lines  42 F,  44 F,  48 F, and  50 F, respectively, so that the panels  42 ,  44 ,  48 , and  50  are perpendicular to the blank  11  and also to the bottom panel  14 . 
     Tabs  42 A,  44 A,  48 A, and  50 A are then folded along fold lines  42 H,  44 H,  48 H, and  50 H, respectively, so that the tabs  42 A,  44 A,  48 A, and  50 A are perpendicular to the base  14  and also parallel to the panels  42 ,  44 ,  48 , and  50 . Then, the tabs  42 A,  44 A,  48 A, and  50 A are fixedly secured to the panels  42 ,  44 ,  48 , and  50 , respectively, known in a manner such as with a water-resistant glue. Tabs  42 B,  44 B,  48 B, and  50 B are then folded inwardly along fold lines  42 G,  44 G,  48 G, and  50 G, respectively, so that the tabs  42 B,  44 B,  48 B, and  50 B are perpendicular to the bottom panel  14 . The tabs  42 B,  44 B,  48 B, and  50 B are aligned along a central axis  14 A of the bottom panel  14 . 
     Next, the panels  46  and  52  are folded inwardly along fold lines  46 F and  52 F so that the panels  46  and  52  are flush with the inner panel  60 . The panels  46  and  52  are then folded in half along fold lines  46 G and  52 G so that both halves of  46  and  52  are flush with the panel  60 . Tabs  46 A and  52 A are folded inwardly so that they are flush with the panels  46  and  52 , and, also, flush with the panel  60 . 
     The handle halves  34  and  36  are folded inwardly towards the center of the carrier  10  along lines  34 A and  36 A and the folded over handles are fixedly secure to themselves. That is, the half  34  is secured to the folded over portion of  34 , and the half  36  is secured to the folded over portion of  36 . The inner panels  58  and  60  are folded outwardly along fold lines  58 B and  60 B, leaving the panels approximately perpendicular to the folded handle halves  34  and  36 . Tabs  58 A and  60 A are folded inwardly so that they are perpendicular to the panels  58  and  60 . 
     The top panels  24  and  26  are folded inwardly so that they are perpendicular to the side panels  16  and  18 . Tabs  24 A,  24 B,  26 A, and  26 B are folded inwardly so that they are perpendicular to the top panels  24  and  26 . The tabs  24 A,  24 B,  26 A, and  26 B are then fixedly secured to the panels  42 ,  48 ,  44 , and  50 , respectively. 
     The tabs  58 A and  60 A are then fixedly secured to the bottom panel  14  approximately near the axis  14 A. The tabs  46 A and  52 A are fixedly secured to the flat panels  42  and  48  approximately along the fold lines  42 G and  48 G, respectively. 
     The handle halves  34  and  36  are then folded inwardly along lines  34 B and  34 C, and  36 B and  36 C, respectively, towards the central axis  14 A, thus forming the cavity  38  (not shown). 
     While a method of folding and forming the carrier  10  has been shown, it is understood that a person skilled in the art could form the carrier in a similar fashion and not change the scope of the invention. Likewise, any securing materials could be employed to seal and form the carrier  10 . 
     It is also desirable to provide the interior of carrier  10  with a protective inner lining of a flexible plastic sheet material for example polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., particularly in cases where the body of carrier  10  is formed from paperboard, which requires the benefit of a protective liner to avoid damage from the melting ice. As seen in FIG. 3, the liner may be in the form a somewhat heavier plastic tray liner  39 , if desired. 
     It will be understood that if the sheet material from which the carrier  10  is itself formed of a plastic sheet material or molded plastic, the carrier will be provided with a longer life permitting reuse for the consumer. 
     The markings  68  may be provided, if desired, to give the carrier  10  the appearance of a mock engine block. Thus, the invention can be marketed as a novelty item to racecar enthusiasts. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the foregoing illustrative embodiment are possible. Thus, the invention also encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.