Patent Description:
Containers enclosing liquid foods such as for example, water, beer, beverages, etc. have lately been proved invaluable in a wide array of situations. For example, water containers have widely been used across the globe by the people during travel. Also, campers, hikers and backpackers use portable beverage containers for excursions in remote areas. These containers range from small sized portable containers to large size barrel shaped containers, depending upon the quantity of the beverage enclosed therein.

In the recent years, there has been a many-fold increase in the trend of grouping large number of items such as food item including liquid foods, home essentials, stationary items, and the like, in the form of multipacks, for various purposes such as to enable bulk selling, easy transportation, handling, and the like. For example, single serving containers (e.g., cans or bottles) are commonly packaged in groups of six or twelve for sale to consumers. Most of these secondary package cartons are made of paperboard and / or cardboard material.

However, during transportation, including handling and shipping of such secondary packages, there has been a growing concern towards the protection of such multipacks from unwanted damages, movements, and shifting particularly within the package having a smooth surface made of paperboard having a relatively smooth surface and therefore causing slippage of the containers stored within. As the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the cartons and the individual bottles or cans, is generally comparatively low, they tend to move relative to each other in response to these various accelerations sudden stops, starts or turns of the vehicle, and may even fall resulting in possible damage to the containers and the product retained therein. Further, due to this shock, vibration and movement, the labels of the containers may get disoriented and may cause additional handling problems after the transportation is complete.

Accordingly, numerous efforts have been made to overcome this problem of movement of the individual containers within the secondary packages. In some instances, the individual containers were packed by mechanical means such as by synthetic resin films, straps, and other similar means, so as to prevent the movement of the containers there within. However, these mechanical means had several shortcomings as were not only complex but also were neither cost efficient nor time efficient. Further, they were more prone to damage the label of containers and therefore are not preferred.

In some other instances, the containers were temporarily bonded by bonding means such as using glues, adhesive either individually, or otherwise by coating a layer of glue on an entire surface within the container. However, such methods were also not preferred as these would adhere to the rims of containers and mar the finishes of the containers. Further, these are only temporary solution and are not usable once the containers were taken out of package, and / or after the temporary bonding fades out.

In yet other instances, individual handling means, such as several kind of carton dividers, and / or interlocking means were provided to grip the containers. These carton dividers as disclosed in, for example, in <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT> are typically formed of chipboard and divide the carton into individual cells which separate the containers from contact with one another to prevent breakage. However, such individual handling means requires specially constructed cartons as well as complex handling which add to the expense and time involved in the shipping operation.

Further, many kind of anti-skid sheets are available such as for example, as disclosed in <CIT>,<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. These anti-slip sheets, while having varying success, provide an overall comparatively low frictional surface and not a directed high friction at the point of contact between the container and the carton. Further, it is important to ensure that properties such as friction, strength, thickness, granularity etc. of these sheets used are commensurate with both the weight of the carton, and the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity etc.) likely to be encountered during the journey.

Accordingly, while all of the currently known diverse methods have had varying success for managing the collapse of the containers within the carton, these methods have had little success when desired to maintain the orientation of the containers within the which in turn avoid misalignment of the container labels as being an important consideration during handling, and particularly, automated operation by high speed packaging machinery.

Accordingly, as can be seen from the from the foregoing discussion, none of the existing solution completely overcomes the problem of maintaining the orientation of the containers within the carton. Thus, in the context of the above an improved orientation assembly is desired, which being cost effective and easy to implement, is recyclable and may be used for as long as desired.

<CIT> discloses method and means for unitizing palletized loads of cartons or trays of glassware of the type wherein the contained bottles, jars or the like have their upper portions extending above the level of the sides of the cartons so that the bottoms of the cartons are placed directly upon the glass finishes when stacking. A thin coating of a rubber-like or latex material is sprayed, extruded, brushed, or rolled on the undersides of the cartons, and on the sides if desired, to provide a non-marring and nonskid surface which frictionally contacts the rims of the glassware and prevents sliding or relative movement between the cartons in the palletized load.

In an aspect of the invention, an orienting assembly for orienting one or more beverage containers stored within a secondary package in accordance with claim <NUM> is disclosed.

The orienting assembly includes a base portion having a plurality of container regions and remaining non-container regions. The orienting assembly further comprises a layer of a predetermined material, at least partially, coated onto one or more of the plurality of the container regions such that a coefficient of friction at the coated container region is higher compared to that of non-container regions.

It is to be understood that the predetermined material is not a bonding means (glue, adhesive, cohesive or the like) as friction and adhesion are recognized as two separate principles. The predetermined material will not leave a mark on containers placed thereon, as opposed to when using bonding means (which typically cause a chemical process that results in the retention of the bound object to another). The main goal of the invention is to avoid movement of the containers in the plane of the support surface, thus horizontal (and particularly to avoid rotation), while adhesives are aimed at movement perpendicular to the support surface (vertical).

Generally, each of the plurality of container regions is a contact point adapted to be in contact with at-least one of the beverage containers.

The plurality of container regions includes a plurality of spaced apart depressions, each shaped and adapted to receive a contact surface of one the beverage containers.

Further potentially, the contact surface is a bottom surface of the beverage container.

Alternatively, the contact surface of the beverage container is a top surface of the beverage container.

Yet further potentially, each of the plurality of spaced apart depression has a depth ranging between <NUM> and <NUM> and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Generally, the predetermined material used for coating may be selected from one or more of but not limited to polymers having generally friction enhancing and/or surface roughening properties.

Further, the predetermined material used for coating may be selected from one or more of but not limited to polymers having rubber characteristics such that the coated container region imparts a higher degree of friction at the point of contact.

Furthermore, the predetermined material used for coating may further include one or more granular and / or aggregated filler material embedded therein.

Optionally, the coated container regions include a predetermined texture and / or pattern adapted to further enhance the friction of coefficient with the beverage containers.

The secondary package may be a carton formed of one or more material selected from but not limited to foldable blank, paperboard, cardboard, corrugated board, plastic, all kinds of paper, and the like.

Preferably, the beverage container is a can shaped container having a bottom surface extended towards a top surface through a body portion.

Alternatively, the beverage container is a bottle shaped container having a bottom surface extended towards a top surface through a shoulder portion.

Yet further possibly, each of the plurality of spaced apart depression has a shape and dimension complementary to a bottom surface of the beverage container so as to facilitate retaining a beverage container thereupon.

In another aspect of the invention, a secondary package for holding a plurality of beverage containers while maintaining an orientation thereof, is disclosed. The secondary package includes a primary container formed from a housing having a pair of horizontal surface including a top surface and a bottom surface, connected and extended towards each other through a plurality of sidewalls to define an inner surface there between. The primary container further includes one or more orienting assemblies configured onto at least one of the pair of horizontal surfaces such that the orientation of the containers contained within the primary container is maintained.

Generally, the orienting assembly is configured on at least one of the top horizontal surface and / or the bottom horizontal surface of the primary container.

Preferably, the orienting assembly is formed integrally within one of the top horizontal surfaces and / or bottom horizontal surface of the primary container, i.e. the base portion of the orienting assembly is at least an integral part of the bottom or top horizontal wall of the secondary packaging.

Alternatively, the orienting assembly is externally adhered to the top horizontal surface and / or the bottom horizontal surface using one or more fixation mechanism selected from one or more of but not limited to gluing, stapling, adhering, adhesive patches, and the like.

Possibly, the primary container includes a carton formed of one or more paper-based material selected from but not limited to foldable blank, paperboard, cardboard, corrugated board, all kinds of paper, and the like.

Alternatively, the primary container includes a carton made of a non-paper-based material selected from one or more of but not limited to plastics, metal, and the like.

Further possibly, the primary container may be made in the form of any suitable geometric shape selected from but not limited to a cuboidal, cubical, circular, hexagonal, and the like.

Further possible, each of the plurality of sidewalls of the housing has a height substantially greater than the height of the beverage containers to be stored there within.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sidewalls of the housing have a height substantially equal to the height of the beverage containers to be stored therein. This allows the assemblies to be stacked, and the above positioned layers of assemblies to partially hold the containers in the assemblies beneath in place. During transport, we note that, due to vibrations and such (for instance from bumps in the path, or quirks of the transport), the pressure from such above positioned assemblies can be temporarily removed/relieved, making the coating of the predetermined material crucial in holding onto the container and not allowing rotation thereof (or other movements). In a further preferred embodiment an assembly is provided both on the top and the bottom horizontal surfaces.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing an orienting assembly in accordance with claim <NUM> is disclosed. The method includes receiving a base surface formed of a paper-based material. The method further includes defining and / or forming a plurality of container regions onto the base surface. The method furthermore includes coating a layer of predetermined material, at least partially, onto the one or more of the plurality of the container regions such that the coated container regions have a coefficient of friction higher than that of the non-container regions. The method furthermore includes forming in the plurality of container regions, a plurality of spaced apart depressions, shaped and adapted to receive the contact surface of containers.

Potentially, the base portion is a horizontal surface of a primary container of a secondary package.

Further preferably, the step of coating may be preferably performed by spray coating.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

As required, a schematic, exemplary-only embodiment of the present application is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various and / or alternative forms. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure, falling within the scope of the invention, as set out in the appended claims.

Aspects, advantages and/or other features of the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, which discloses various non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology. It is to be understood that each specific portion includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose, and falling within the scope of the claims.

Exemplary embodiments may be adapted for many different purposes and are not intended to be limited to the specific exemplary purposes set forth herein. Those skilled in the art would be able to adapt the exemplary-only embodiment of the present disclosure, depending for example, on the intended use of adapted embodiment. Moreover, examples and limitations related therewith brought herein below are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the following specification and a study of the related figures.

The present application discloses an orienting assembly formed of a paper-based material, for use with secondary packages holding a plurality of beverage containers enclosing liquids such as cold drinks, beer, wines, mineral water etc. The orienting assembly is able to orient the beverage containers stored there within the secondary package. While the beverage containers suited for the current disclosure is a generally can or bottle shaped container having a bottom surface extended towards a top surface through a body portion, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention may be applied in combination with various type of containers irrespective of size, shape and materials, used in the beverage industry.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram displaying basic components of the orienting assembly of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the present disclosure provides an orienting assembly <NUM> for maintaining an orientation of one or more of a plurality of beverage containers <NUM> in contact therewith. The beverage container <NUM> is a generally can or bottle shaped container having a bottom portion <NUM> extended towards a top portion <NUM> through a body portion <NUM>. The orienting assembly <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> includes a plurality of container regions <NUM> and non-container regions <NUM>. Each of the plurality of container regions <NUM> are adapted to be in contact with at-least one of the beverage containers <NUM> either at the top portion <NUM> or at the bottom portion <NUM>. Further, the base portion <NUM> includes a layer of a predetermined material, at least partially, coated onto one or more of the plurality of the container regions <NUM> such that a coefficient of friction FC at the coated container regions <NUM> is higher compared to a second coefficient of friction FN at the non-container regions <NUM>.

The orienting assembly <NUM> of the current disclosure may be configured to be installed within a secondary package holding a plurality of containers, either as a multipack or as a group of different containers packed together, or may be formed integrally with the secondary packaging.

In the description of the <FIG> that follows, elements common to the schematic system will have the same number designation unless otherwise noted. In an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, an exemplary secondary package <NUM> employing an orienting assembly <NUM>, for holding a plurality of beverage containers <NUM> while maintaining their orientation there within, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, secondary package <NUM> includes a primary container <NUM> having a plurality of sidewalls <NUM> extending between a pair of horizontal surfaces <NUM>, including a top surface <NUM>, and a bottom surface, defining an inner surface <NUM> there within.

As disclosed earlier, the orienting assembly <NUM> a base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> includes a plurality of container regions <NUM> and non-container regions <NUM>. Each of the plurality of container regions <NUM> are adapted to be in contact with a beverage container <NUM>. Further, the base portion <NUM> includes a layer <NUM> of a predetermined material, at least partially, coated onto one or more of the plurality of the container regions <NUM> such that a coefficient of friction FC at the coated container regions <NUM> is higher compared to a second coefficient of friction FN at the non-container regions <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the number of container regions <NUM> is same as the number of beverage containers stored within the secondary package <NUM>. Further, the shape and position of the contact-regions is complementary to a contact surface of the beverage container <NUM>, such that each of the beverage containers <NUM> is in contact with one of the corresponding container regions <NUM> at its contact surface.

Further, the plurality of container regions <NUM> include a plurality of spaced apart depressions, each adapted to be coated with the predetermined material, and defining a contact point for contact with the plurality of beverage containers <NUM> in a spaced apart manner. Further, each of the plurality of the spaced apart depressions has a depth ranging between <NUM> and <NUM> and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Accordingly, the depressions are shaped according to a shape of the contact surface of the beverage container <NUM>. Further in such instances, the spaced apart depressions are coated with a layer of thickness T generally same as the size of depressions such that when coated, each of the container regions is in a plane same as of the non-container region. However, in some other instances, the spaced apart depressions are coated with a layer of thickness T generally lesser than the size of depressions such that when coated, each of the container regions <NUM>, while being frictional, provides a retaining structure at the contact point.

The base portion <NUM> may be formed of a single layer structure / multilayer structure, formed of a paper-based material selected from one or more of but not limited to a folded blank, all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, and the like. Further, the base portion <NUM>, in any above-mentioned configuration has a dimension in a horizontal plane substantially the same as an inner dimension of the primary container <NUM> in the horizontal plane.

However, in other embodiments, the base portion <NUM> may be a multilayer structure such as a carton, housing and the like. In such embodiments, in one instance, the base portion <NUM> includes a top layer and a bottom layer generally connected and extended away from the top layer. Preferably, the bottom layer is spaced apart from the top layer and includes a plurality of holes configured thereon and adapted to receive support from the underlying beverage containers. The number of plurality of holes is generally equal to the number of beverage containers adapted to be stored within the housing <NUM>. Further, this plurality of spaced apart holes are arranged such that when the base portion is positioned within the inner space, each of the beverage containers is adapted to support the base portion through a hole of the plurality of holes. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable when the beverage container is a generally bottle shaped container.

Looping back to <FIG>, the orienting assembly <NUM> is generally positioned within the inner surface <NUM> onto at least one surface of the pair of horizontal surfaces <NUM>. In some embodiments, the secondary package <NUM> includes only one orienting assembly <NUM>. In such embodiments, and in preferred instances, the orienting assembly <NUM> is positioned onto the bottom surface such that a bottom surface <NUM> of each of the plurality of the beverage container <NUM> acts as the contact surface and is in contact with one of the coated container regions <NUM>. However, in other instances, the orienting assembly <NUM> is positioned onto the top surface <NUM> such that a top portion <NUM> acts as the contact surface and is in contact with one of the coated container regions <NUM>.

In a modification of the first embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the secondary package <NUM> includes more than one orienting assembly <NUM> positioned within the primary container <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the primary container <NUM> includes generally two orienting assemblies <NUM>, one positioned onto the top surface <NUM> and the other positioned onto the bottom portion <NUM>. Such an embodiment while increasing the cost somewhat provides frictional support from both ends and therefore further negates the possibility of disorientation of the beverage containers <NUM> stored there within, even under high impact shocks, vibrations, and the like during the handling and transportation thereof.

<FIG> and <FIG> schematically show the arrangement of the basic components of the secondary package <NUM> of the present disclosure. However, in the construction of commercial functional units, secondary components such as couplers, connectors, support structure and other functional components known to one of skill in the field of secondary packages and more particularly the secondary package for beverage container technology, may be incorporated within the secondary package <NUM>. Such commercial arrangements are included in the present invention as long as the structural components and arrangements disclosed herein are present. Accordingly, it is to be contemplated that the secondary package <NUM> may be configured to be used for any kind of beverage and / or liquid and / or food containers and may be incorporated in any possible shape as deemed possible without deviating from the scope of the current invention, as set out in the appended claims.

In a preferred embodiment, the primary container generally represented by the numeral <NUM>, is a carton generally formed from a recyclable material selected from one or more of but not limited to any desired material such as including all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, foldable blanks, hybrid material, or any combinations thereof, any known housing formed by any known mechanism and suitable for use in accordance with the current disclosure without deviating from the scope thereof, may be used. Further, the shape and size, including the height of the primary container <NUM> may be varied depending on the design constraints and requirements for its application. For example, within the instances when the <NUM> is adapted to house twelve containers in one layer in a <NUM>×<NUM> arrangement the carton is dimension accordingly. Further, in other instances, the carton may be sized and shaped to hold containers of a different or same quantity in a single layer, more than two layers, and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>, <NUM>×<NUM>×<NUM>, etc.).

In another embodiment, the primary container <NUM> is integrally molded and made of a light weight plastic material selected from one or more of but not limited to plastic material such as group of thermoplastics including acetal, acrylic, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and nylon. In such instances, the orienting assembly <NUM> may be best configured on the top surface as well as the bottom surface of the primary container as within such instances due to smoothness of plastic, friction between the container and the primary container is very low.

In some embodiments, the predetermined material includes one or more polymer materials having generally rubber kind of characteristics in addition to high coefficient of friction. Such materials while imparting a high friction at the point of contact <NUM>, also produce high protuberances there at the contact surface of the beverage container <NUM>. Such a protuberance characteristic in addition to the friction, prevents the beverage containers from slipping relative to the container region at the point of the contact while providing a shock-absorbent characteristic enabling the container to overcome sudden shocks, vibrations, and the like.

In some embodiments, the predetermined coating material further includes one or more granular and / or aggregated filler material embedded therein.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer of high friction surface may further be embossed, debossed or otherwise processed in order to alter the final appearance and texture of the high friction container regions <NUM>. Such a processing including debossing and / or embossing may further increase the coefficient of friction Fc.

In use, as disclosed earlier, the orienting assembly <NUM> is adapted to be positioned within the inner surface <NUM> such that each of the beverage containers <NUM> meets one of the container regions <NUM> at the contact point <NUM>. In some embodiments, the orienting assembly <NUM> is affixed to one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the primary container <NUM>. In an embodiment, the orienting assembly <NUM> is fixed to the one of the pair of horizontal surfaces <NUM>, using one or more fixation mechanisms selected from one or more of but not limited to pocket-based fixation mechanism, notch-based fixation mechanism, stapling, gluing, adhesive patches, retention tab, stapling, rivets, and any other suitable mechanical attachment mechanism conventionally known in the art and suitable for use in current invention without deviating from the scope thereof.

However, particularly in a preferred embodiment where the primary container <NUM> is formed of a paper-based material, the orienting assembly <NUM> may be formed integrally within one or more of the pair of horizontal surfaces <NUM> of the secondary container <NUM>, i.e. the base portion of the orienting assembly is at least an integral part of the bottom or top horizontal wall of the secondary packaging. Such an embodiment further eases the implementation of the current invention as the orienting assembly is formed within the primary container <NUM> during the manufacturing thereof. Accordingly, a user is not required to externally adhere the orienting assembly <NUM> to one or more surface of the primary container <NUM> thereby saving time, cost, as well as unwanted tasks for the user.

<FIG> with reference to <FIG>, is a flow diagram illustrating a method <NUM> of manufacturing an orienting assembly not forming part of the present invention. The method starts at step <NUM> and proceeds to step <NUM> where the base portion <NUM> formed of a paper-based material is received. Thereafter, the method <NUM> proceeds to step <NUM> where a plurality of container regions <NUM> is identified. In some embodiments, the identification of the container regions <NUM> includes defining a plurality of regions having a size and / or shape corresponding to the contact surface <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>. In the flow diagram of <FIG>, the step where a plurality of spaced apart depressions <NUM> are formed, is not visualised. The container regions <NUM> are formed within the base portion <NUM> using any suitable mechanism already known in the art. Thereafter, the method proceeds to step <NUM> where each of the container regions <NUM> is at least partially coated with a layer of predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction Fc such that the beverage container <NUM>, once in contact with the container region <NUM>, is prevented from any movement and in particular disorientation thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of coating is performed by spraying the predetermined material onto the identified container regions <NUM>. In another embodiment, the coating of layer is performed by putting a mask having holes corresponding to the container regions <NUM> and then spreading the coating material thereupon, thereby coating the container regions <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the step of coating may be performed by any suitable mechanism conventionally known in the art such as including but not limited to extruding, brushing, or rolling the liquid solution on to the container regions <NUM>. In all such embodiments, the coating layer is allowed to dry before the orienting assembly <NUM> is used for its application in various situations.

The method <NUM> further includes additional optional step <NUM> of formation of various coating patterns and / textures onto the container regions <NUM> adapted to further enhance the friction thereof. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step <NUM> may be performed along with the step <NUM> while performing the step of coating the container regions <NUM>. Alternatively, the textures / patterns may be formed by applying one or more varnishes and / or a tactile coating material in a predetermined pattern so as to increase the friction of already coated container regions <NUM>.

In yet other embodiments, of the present invention, each of the step of the method <NUM> may be performed in any desired order, sequentially, and / or simultaneously.

<FIG> illustrates a method <NUM> of assembling the secondary package <NUM> employing the orienting assembly <NUM> of the present disclosure. The method starts at step <NUM> and proceeds to step <NUM> where the carton <NUM> is received and / or formed. The method <NUM> then proceeds to step <NUM> where one or more orienting assemblies <NUM> is positioned within the primary container <NUM>. In an embodiment, the orienting assembly <NUM> is positioned within the primary container <NUM> by adhering to one or more of the pair of horizontal surfaces <NUM> using one or more fixation mechanisms selected from but not limited to but not limited to pocket-based fixation mechanism, notch-based fixation mechanism, stapling, gluing, adhesive patches, retention tab, stapling, rivets, and any other suitable mechanical fixation mechanism. In another embodiment, the orienting assembly <NUM> may be formed within the one or more of the pair of horizontal surface using a mechanism similar to as disclosed in the step <NUM> of the method <NUM>. Thereafter, at step, <NUM>, a plurality of beverage containers <NUM>, are placed within the inner surface <NUM> of the primary container <NUM> such that each of the container <NUM> contacts the container region <NUM> at the contact point <NUM>.

In yet other embodiments of the present inventions, each of the step of the method <NUM> may be performed in any desired order, sequentially, and / or simultaneously.

The present disclosure relates to an orienting assembly <NUM> formed of a plurality of container regions, each coated with a predetermined material having a high coefficient of friction, generally ranging between <NUM> and0. <NUM> and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, for use in maintaining an orientation of a plurality of beverage containers <NUM> stored within a secondary package <NUM>. The plurality of beverage containers generally includes containers containing liquids, such as beer, wine, cider, hard liquor (e.g., distilled beverage, spirit, liquor, hard alcohol, etc.), soft drinks (e.g., cola, soda, pop, tonic, seltzer), iced tea, soda water and other types of carbonated / non-carbonated beverages. Such a high as well as focused friction at the point of contact, imparts a high stability as well as friction enough to resist any movement / misalignment of the beverage containers, with respect to the container. Therefore, any damage to the beverage containers and labels thereof is avoided. Accordingly, the containers made of fragile material such as glass may comfortably be carried using the secondary package of the current disclosure.

Further, the present disclosure provides the possibility of manufacturing the secondary packages <NUM> with integrally formed orienting assemblies on various horizontal surfaces of the primary container <NUM>. Such a secondary package <NUM> having integrally formed oriented assembly while being cost-efficient and portable, is very quick and easy to be assembled by retail consumers, or by the retailers, and offers an easy yet comfortable handling of packages of any shape, size or any variety of configurations.

While the secondary package <NUM> is described primarily for holding and orienting beverage containers, it is also contemplated for a person skilled in the art that the secondary package <NUM> of the current disclosure may be implemented in various industries such as food industry, transport industry, house hold appliance industry in transportation of any kind of product or group of products, of any shape, size or any variety of configurations, without limiting it to the beverage industry.

Moreover, while the orienting assembly <NUM> of the current disclosure has been disclosed in reference to the secondary package <NUM> of the current disclosure. it may also be used as an independent self-sustaining unit. Further it can be integrated with various suitable containers known in the art including various carton formed from foldable blank as well as cartons constructed of materials such as fabric, woven material, non-woven material, woven metallic fabric that may include ferrous or nonferrous metals, etc., or any other suitable material.

While the orienting assembly <NUM> is described for holding and orienting beverage containers having generally can shape, it is also contemplated for a person skilled in the art that the secondary package <NUM> of the current disclosure may be implemented in various industries such as food industry, transport industry, house hold appliance industry in transportation of any kind of containers of any shape, size or any variety of configurations, without limiting it to the beverage industry.

Claim 1:
An orienting assembly (<NUM>) for use within a secondary packaging holding a plurality of beverage containers, the assembly comprising:
a base portion (<NUM>) having a plurality of container regions (<NUM>) and remaining non-container regions;
wherein one or more of the plurality of container regions (<NUM>) is at least partially coated with a predetermined material such that a coefficient of friction at the coated container regions (<NUM>) is higher compared to the remaining non-container regions, said predetermined material not being a bonding means, characterised in that the plurality of container regions comprises a plurality of spaced apart depressions, each shaped and
adapted to receive a contact surface of one of the beverage containers.