Abstract:
A container carrier especially suitable for larger containers and for packages having a larger number of containers, to provide a feeling of strength as the carrier is lifted. The carrier includes loops for surround and retaining each container, a handle portion and linear struts connecting ends of the handle to outermost loops holding containers. As the containers are lifted, minimal movement of the handle occurs relative to the containers. A supply of the carriers includes multiple carriers connected in an end-to-end arrangement by two separate frangible links.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to packaging devices, and, more particularly, to a plastic toplift carrier for holding and carrying a plurality of containers such as bottles, cans and the like. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Different types of carriers for bottles, cans and other containers are known. Both cardboard and plastic are materials commonly used. One such type of carrier is made of stretchable plastic, with apertures therein that stretch and engage the periphery of the container. A number of containers are held in an aligned row, or in a plurality of adjacent aligned rows. 
   For convenient carrying of a group of containers held by the carrier, various types of hand-grasps are known. For example, it is known to provide holes for finger-tip grasping of the package. It is also known to provide a handle on the carrier, either along one side of the group of containers or at the tops of the containers. 
   In one such known design, the carrier is formed from two webs of plastic material juxtaposed over one another. Handle portions and container engaging portions are stamped from the juxtaposed webs simultaneously. The webs are fused or welded along selected portions such as by heat sealing. The resulting handle portion is thereby a double thickness of material and the container engaging portions freely depend from the remainder of the carrier, from either side thereof. The container engaging portions are a single ply of material, and may include one or more rows of container engaging apertures. When assembled with the containers attached, the handle projects upwardly from the tops of the containers, centrally located between the aligned rows of containers. 
   It is known to use both the stretchiness of the plastic material and the design of the carrier itself to allow the handle to stretch and/or extend away from the containers as the package of containers is lifted. In a carrier of this type, the handle nests between the containers until the handle is grasped and the package lifted. It is known to design the handle, and the connection between the handle and the remainder of the carrier, to allow the handle to elongate and narrow as the package is lifted. Inwardly directed straps from the outer ends of the handles form “elbows” that straighten as the package is lifted, thereby generally moving away from the tops of the containers and providing separation between a hand of the person carrying the package and the tops of the containers. Stretching and/or elongating of the handle in this manner reduces the chance that the persons hand or knuckles with rap against the top of the containers, and thereby provides a more comfortable carrying arrangement. 
   Such carriers have achieved wide acceptance for use with six packs of twelve ounce containers, for example. More recently, marketing demands have tended toward the packaging of larger volume containers and/or more containers in a single package. While the plastic material used, and the structural designs of such previous carriers are adequately strong for carrying larger packages of containers, the natural stretchiness of the material and the elongation and narrowing of the handle as the package is lifted can provide a sensation that the carrier is about to fail structurally. Thus, it is desirable to provide a more ridged or taut feel to the carrier as a person carries the package with all containers suspended from a relatively thin and flexible handle on the carrier. 
   A more stiff or taut feeling can be achieved using a substantially solid web of material, with apertures provided only for the handle and the container engaging portions. However, the amount of material required for a carrier of this type would make the carrier expensive to manufacture, requiring a significant amount of plastic material, making the final cost unacceptably high. It is desirable to make the carrier both light weight and inexpensive, since a carrier is used only once and then recycled. Therefore, it is advantageous to minimize the volume of material required for the carrier, as much as possible. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a carrier for containers such as bottles, cans and the like that includes a handle portion and a carrier portion depending therefrom, the carrier portion securing and holding a plurality of the containers in one or more aligned rows on either side of the handle. The handle portion is attached to the carrier portion to provide minimized stretching and/or elongation of the handle as the package is lifted. 
   The invention provides, in one form thereof, a container carrier with a handle having a first end and a second end, and an array of loops for holding containers arranged in a row. The array includes a first end loop and a second end loop, with remaining the loops disposed between the first end loop and the second end loop. A suspension portion interconnects the handle and the array. The suspension portion includes a substantially linear first end strut connecting the first end of the handle to the first end loop, and a substantially linear second end strut connecting the second end of the handle to the second end loop. 
   The invention provides, in another form thereof, a container carrier with an array of loops for holding containers, the array of loops including first and second end loops and other loops disposed in substantial alignment between the first and second end loops. A handle includes a first handle end and a second handle end. Substantially linear support is provided between the first and second handle ends and the first and second end loops, respectively. 
   In a further form thereof, the invention provides a container carrier with first and second sheets in juxtaposition, each having a handle portion, a container holding portion and a suspension portion interconnecting the handle portion to the container holding portion. At least one line of securement is provided between the first sheet and the second sheet. The container holding portions of the sheets extend outwardly of the at least one line of securement. The container holding portions are each adapted to retain separate rows of containers, each row having first and second outer most containers. The suspension portions include linear struts connecting the handle portions with the container holding portions near the outer most containers. 
   In yet another form thereof, the invention provides a package of containers with first and second rows of containers, each row including a first outer most container and a second outer most container. A carrier includes a first array of loops for securing individually therein each container of the first row; a second array of loops for securing individually therein each container of the second row; a handle; and linear struts from the handle to the loops securing the first and second outer most containers. 
   In still another form thereof, the invention provides a supply of carriers for attachment to containers, with a plurality of individual carriers each having a handle portion, a container holding portion and a suspension portion. Individual carriers of the plurality are arranged in end to end alignment. Adjacent carriers are connected to each other by at least two spaced frangible links. 
   An advantage of the present invention is providing a light weight and inexpensive carrier for heavier packages of containers such as bottles, cans and the like. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is providing a carrier for containers such a bottles, cans or the like having a handle portion and a container holding portion, with the handle portion more firmly secured in position relative to the container holding portion. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is providing a plastic carrier for containers such a bottles, cans and the like which can be manufactured easily and quickly using known manufacturing techniques. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is providing an inexpensive plastic carrier for containers such as bottles, cans and the like that conveys a firm and secure feel of the package to a person carrying the package suspended from a handle of the carrier. 
   Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a first side of a carrier according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the carrier of  FIG. 1 , but showing the side opposite the side of the carrier shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the carrier shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , illustrating the carrier attached to bottles; and 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a supply of the carriers, prior to attachment of individual carriers to groups of containers. 
   

   Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising”, and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and to  FIGS. 1 and 2  in particular, numeral  10  designates a container carrier in accordance with the present invention. Carrier  10  includes a handle portion  12  and a container holding portion  14  connected to each other by a suspension portion  16 . Carrier  10  is made of flexible, resilient material that can be stretched significantly without breaking. Low density polyethylene is a suitable plastic from which carrier  10  can be made. 
   Carrier  10  is formed of two juxtaposed webs or sheets  20  and  22 , respectively, joined to each other by a plurality of welds  24 ,  26  and  28 . Sheet  20  of carrier  10  can be seen in  FIG. 1 , and sheet  22  can be seen in  FIG. 2 . Welds  24 ,  26  and  28  adhere sheets  20  and  22  together in discrete areas. Three such welds  24 ,  26  and  28  are shown in the drawings; however, it should be understood that more or fewer welds  24 ,  26  and  28  can be used, and can be located in different areas of carrier  10 . Further, each weld  24 ,  26  and  28  can be a continuously fused bond between sheets  20  and  22  throughout the length of the weld, or may include a plurality of discrete weld segments within the length of the weld. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , weld  24  near the top of carrier  10 , and weld  26  generally between handle portion  12  and suspension portion  16  each include a plurality of discrete weld segments as a result of the open structure of suspension portion  16 . Weld segment  28  between suspension portion  16  and container holding portion  14  includes a substantially continuous seam joining sheets  20  and  22 . The manner of making welds  24 ,  26  and  28 , such as by hot pressing with a tape of material between sheets  20  and  22  similar to the material of sheets  20  and  22 , is well-known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in greater detail herein. In the areas between welds  24 ,  26  and  28  sheets  20  and  22  are separate from each other, but coextensively positioned. 
   Sheets  20  and  22  are provided as solid sheets from edge to edge, and are processed through a punch press, in known manner, to form the configuration of carrier  10 , including handle portion  12 , container engaging portion  14  and suspension portion  16 . Material removed during punching to create the open structure shown is readily recyclable to form additional sheets  20  and  22 . Waste is minimal, and reducing the amount of material used in each carrier has a direct impact on the cost for the carrier. 
   Handle portion  12  is a double thick layer formed from sheets  20  and  22  secured by welds  24  and  26 . Handle portion  12  in each sheet  20  and  22  includes a top segment  30 , a bottom segment  32  and end segments  34  and  36  generally defining a first handle end  38  and a second handle end  40 , respectively. Segments  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  define there between a handle opening  42 , through which the hand of a person can be extended for grasping carrier  10 . A downwardly depending flap  44 , from top segment  30 , can be provided for user comfort, by providing a widened element and a curve shape for top handle segment  30  to more readily conform to a hand grasping it. In the embodiment shown, weld  24  includes individual weld segments connecting sheets  20  and  22  at juxtaposed flaps  44 , juxtaposed first end segments  34  and juxtaposed second end segments  36 . Again, it should be understood that the number of and locations for welds  24 ,  26  and  28  can differ for different embodiments of and uses for carrier  10 . 
   Container engaging portion  14  comprises a first array  50  of individual loops or sleeves  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  formed in first sheet  20 , and a second array  70  of individual loops or sleeves  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  formed in second sheet  22 , each adapted to be stretched over an end of a container to be transported in carrier  10 . First and second arrays  50  and  70  extend freely and separately away from weld  28 , weld  28  being formed as a continuous bond between juxtaposed stringer  84  in first and second sheets  20  and  22 . Stringer  84  of each sheet  20 ,  22  extends adjacent the respective array  50 ,  70  of the sheet  20 ,  22 . Each stringer  84  has a first stringer end  86  and a second stringer end  88 . Arrays  50  and  70  in sheets  20  and  22  are not attached to each other outwardly beyond weld  28  in stringer  84 , thereby allowing each array  50  and  70  to be moved laterally with respect to weld  28 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the shapes of loops  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  will be different for different applications and uses for carrier  10 , depending on the type, size and shape of containers to be secured in carrier  10 . Thus, for example, the shapes thereof will be different for cans than for bottles. 
   Each loop or sleeve  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  is adapted to secure a container therein, individually and separately. In the embodiment illustrated, carrier  10  is capable of holding twelve containers, with six containers on each side of handle portion  14 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a first row  90  having six bottles  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100  and  102  held by sheet  20  in loops  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62 ; and a second row  110  of six bottles, including bottles  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and  122  held by sheet  22  in loops  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82 . Carrier  10  is, therefore, adapted for securing and transporting a so-called “twelve-pack”; however, it should be understood that carrier  10  can be adapted for securing more or fewer containers. Further, carrier  10  can be adapted for securing two rows of containers on each side of handle portion  12 . In such case, arrays  50  and  70  each include two adjacent rows of adjacent loops. 
   Apertures  126 , of various size, shape and location, are cut into sheets  20  and  22  during stamping, to provide the necessary stretching and shaping of loops  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  to secure containers therein. 
   Suspension portion  16  interconnects handle portion  12  with container engaging portion  14 . While suspension portion  16  could be provided as a solid, uninterrupted piece, doing so is not practical, commercially. It is preferred that carrier  10  be as inexpensive as possible. Thus, it is desirable to remove as much material as possible during stamping, to reduce cost. However, the remaining material advantageously provides a firm, taut and secure carrier, even when a large number of or large volume containers are to be transported by carrier  10 . 
   Suspension portion  16  is a double thick layer formed from sheets  20  and  22 , secured by welds  26  and  28 . Suspension portion  16  in each sheet  20  and  22  includes a plurality of straps  130 , including first and second end struts  132  and  134 , respectively. End struts  132  and  134  interconnect first and second handle ends  38  and  40 , respectively, with stringer  84  near the outermost container loops of container holding portion  14 . Handle portion  12  has a length between first and second handle ends  38  and  40  less than the length of stringer  84 . In a preferred embodiment, end struts  132  and  134  of each sheet  20 ,  22  are connected to outer loops  52 ,  62 , and  72 ,  82  outwardly of a centerline of each respective loop that is perpendicular to stringer  84 . Thus, first end strut  132  of each sheet  20  and  22  is stamped as a substantially straight segment angling outwardly from first handle end  38  to near the outer ends of sleeves  52  and  72 , and second end strut  134  of each sheet  20  and  22  is stamped as a substantially straight segment angling outwardly from second handle end  40  to near the outer ends of sleeves  62  and  82 , respectively. Each first end strut  132  and second end strut  134  are formed contiguous to stringer segments  84  in sheets  20  and  22 , thereby providing a direct connection between handle portion  12  and the outermost containers secured in arrays  50  and  70 , through stringers  84 . Struts  132 ,  134  restrict the distance by which handle ends  38  and  40  can separate from the outermost containers. 
   To reduce downward buckling at the center of first and second arrays  50  and  70 , suspension portion  16  includes center struts  136  and  138  in each sheet  20  and sheet  22 , between handle portion  12  and container holding portion  14 . A beam  140  also is provided in each sheet  20  and  22 . Center struts  136  extend between handle bottom segments  32  and beams  140 , and center struts  138  extend between beams  140  and stringers  84 . For additional center stability when handling carriers  10  prior to and during attachment, handle struts  142  are provided between handle top segments  30  and bottom segments  32  in each sheet  20  and  22 , substantially in alignment with center struts  136  and  138 . Handle struts  142 , in known manner, are designed to break as a package of containers is lifted, thereby allowing handle portion  12  to better conform for carrying comfort. 
   Beams  140  are of insufficient length to extend the full distance between end struts  132  and  134 , and are shorter in length than handle portion  12 . Angular, first elbow-like tie members  144  are provided in each sheet  20  and  22 , between beams  140 , stringers  84  and the juncture of first end struts  132  with handle portions  12 . Angular, second elbow-like tie members  146  are provided in each sheet  20  and  22 , between beams  140 , stringers  84  and the juncture of second struts  134  with handle portion  12 . Braces  148  connecting center portions of end struts  132 ,  134  to elbow members  144 ,  146  can be used to facilitate handling, including during the formation and application of carrier  10 , by stabilizing the orientations of end struts  132  and  134 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the manner in which carriers  10  are provided from a suitable press in which the carriers are made. Carriers  10  of the present invention are provided in a band or supply  160  that includes a plurality of carriers  10  connected in an end to end arrangement. A length of supply  160  containing a desired number of carriers  10  is wound on a spool, fan-folded in a container, or otherwise accumulated in suitable fashion to be provided to automated equipment for applying individual carriers  10  on groups of containers. It is important that the carriers remain properly oriented relative to each other, even as the handle portions  12  and arrays  50 ,  70  are maneuvered during the application process. 
   Within supply  160 , each carrier  10  is connected to the next adjacent carrier  10 , either in front or in back thereof, by two frangible links  162  and  164 . The first frangible link  162  is provided by the interconnection of lobes  166  and  168  projecting outwardly of first and second end struts  132  and  134 , respectively, near the juncture of end struts  132  and  134  to stringer  84 . Thus, first frangible link  162  comprises the interconnection of lobe  168  from second strut  134  of a downstream carrier  10  with lobe  166  of first end strut  132  of an upstream carrier  10 . Further, first frangible link  162  is provided outwardly of lines of stress defined by struts  132  and  134  of adjacent carriers  10 , between handle portions  12  and the outer most loops in arrays  50  and  70 . Second frangible link  164  comprises the interconnection of outermost sleeves in arrays  50  and  70 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , loop  82  of a down stream carrier  10  is connected to loop  72  of the next adjacent upstream carrier  10 . 
   It should be understood that  FIG. 4  illustrates only first sheets  20  of the adjacent carriers  10 , and that juxtaposed there behind are identical second sheets  22  for each carrier  10 . Similar frangible links  162  and  164  are provided between adjacent second sheets  22  of each adjacent carrier  10 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with first frangible link  162  provided on lobes  166  and  168  extending outwardly of struts  132  and  134 , and second frangible link  164  provided by the outer edges of adjacent loops  72  and  82 , each link  162  and  164  is thereby provided outwardly of weld  28 . Specifically first and second ends  170  and  172  of weld  28  are located within recesses  174  and  176  formed between lobes  166  and.  168  and loops  72  and  82 , respectively. Frangible links  162 ,  164  are provided on opposite sides of weld  28 . 
   Advantageously, first frangible link  162  and second frangible link  164  are each provided as perforations in the contiguous sections of sheets  20  and  22 . Thus, each frangible link  162  and  164  is readily fractured along perforation lines  178  and  180 , respectively. Individual carriers  10  are stable within supply  160  as a result of the frangible links  162  and  164  provided on opposite sides of weld  28 . 
   During use of carrier  10 , individual carriers  10  are separated from supply  160  by fracturing frangible links  162  and  164  along perforation lines  178  and  180 . Containers can be secured in each loop  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  by stretching each loop to surround the container. Machines for performing the separating, stretching and attaching procedures are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail herein. 
   Each loop  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  is formed contiguous with loops adjacent it within its respective array  50  or  70 . Further, each loop  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  is formed contiguous with stringer  84  of its sheet  20  or  22 . Therefore, other than from minimal material stretching, the relative positions for each bottle in rows  90  and  110  remains the same relative to stringers  84 , even as carrier  10  is lifted. The configuration of suspension portion  16  restricts the relative movement between handle portion  12 , and particularly top segment  30  thereof, relative to stringers  84 . Thus, as carrier  10  is lifted and the full weight of bottles  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  is suspended from top segments  30 , other than from minimal material stretching, the relative spacing between top segments  30  and stringers  84  remains relatively constant. End struts  132  and  134  stabilize the relative positioning of handle ends  38  and  40  relative to stringers  84  such that the handle ends can not move further away from stringers  84  as weight is applied thereto when carrier  10  is lifted. Center struts  136  and  138  and elbow members  144  and  146  restrict relative movement of handle portion  12  relative to arrays  50  and  70 . A person lifting a fully loaded carrier  10  senses stability and firmness in the carrier. 
   Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
   Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.