Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
  • B65D71/08—Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
  • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/14—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
  • B65D65/02—Wrappers or flexible covers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
  • B65D2571/00493—Handles or suspending means attached to the wrapper
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
  • B65D2571/00561—Lines of weakness
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
  • B65D2571/00672—Films
  • B65D2571/00679—Shrink films
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00833—Other details of wrappers
  • B65D2571/00919—Informative or decorative surfaces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
  • B65D2571/00981—External accessories
  • B65D2571/00987—Straps, strings, or similar elements

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to multipack packaging assemblies, and more particularly to packaging assemblies that include a plurality of containers retained by a film.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging assembly
• FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the packaging assembly of FIG. 1 , depicting a plurality of containers in phantom;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the packaging assembly of FIG. 1 , depicting the packaging assembly after the removal of a plurality of containers and a segment or portion of the assembly;
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of the packaging assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
• FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the packaging assembly of FIG. 4, taken along the view line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
• FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the packaging assembly of FIG. 4, taken along the view line 6A-6A in FIG. 4;
• FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the packaging assembly of FIG. 4, taken along the view line 6A-6A in FIG. 4;
• FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a packaging assembly.
• FIGS. 1 -2 depict an embodiment of a packaging assembly 100, according to the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the packaging assembly 100; and FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the packaging assembly 100, depicting a plurality of containers 1 10 in phantom. As shown in FIGS. 1 -2, the packaging assembly 100 comprises a plurality of containers 1 10 and a film 120. The packaging assembly 100 further comprises one or more tear lines 130. In some embodiments, the packaging assembly 100 further comprises a handle 140.
• the film 120 is configured to retain the plurality of containers 1 10 within the packaging assembly 100.
• the film 120 retains the plurality of containers 1 10 in a substantially fixed position within the packaging assembly 100.
• the plurality of containers 1 10 can be retained by the film 120 such that they are not free to move about or exit the interior region 122 of the packaging assembly 100.
• the packaging assembly 100 can be referred to as a multipack packaging assembly 100.
• the film 120 can retain the plurality of containers 1 10 in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, the film 120 is wrapped or otherwise disposed around the plurality of containers 1 10. In other embodiments, the film 120 is wrapped or otherwise disposed around at least a portion of the plurality of containers 1 10. Further, in some embodiments, the film 120 is shrink wrapped around the plurality of containers 1 10. For example, the film 120 can be wrapped or otherwise disposed around the plurality of containers 1 10, and then, using any suitable shrink wrap process and equipment, the film 120 can be made to shrink around the plurality of containers 1 10. In some embodiments, shrinking the film 120 around the plurality of containers 1 10 can cause the film 120 to substantially conform to the shape of the plurality of containers 1 10, minimizing the amount of excess space within the packaging assembly 100.
• the film 120 comprises plastic and/or other polymeric materials.
• plastic and/or polymeric materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyolefin polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers and copolymers, polyethylene polymers and copolymers, polypropylene polymers and copolymers, and mixtures thereof.
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• the film 120 comprises one or more thermoplastic materials or resins.
• the film 120 comprises a shrinkable film.
• film 120 packaging material offers significant cost savings as compared to traditional paperboard packaging materials.
• the cost of film 120 packaging materials can be up to 75% less than the cost of paperboard packaging materials.
• Film 120 packaging materials are also advantageous when placing the packaging assembly 100 in a cooler or other environment with ice and/or water.
• the film 120 disclosed herein is not substantially affected by ice or the water derived therefrom.
• Other advantages of using film 120 packaging materials are also contemplated.
• the packaging assembly 100 further comprises one or more tear lines 130.
• the tear lines 130 are disposed in the machine direction of the film 120.
• Various types of tear lines 130 can be used, including, but not limited to, scored tear lines and perforated tear lines.
• the tear lines 130 can be laser scored or laser perforated tear lines.
• Other mechanical means can also be used to create the scored or perforated tear lines, including blades or other implements.
• Scored tear lines, including laser scored tear lines can extend partially through the film 120.
• a laser, blade, or other implement can be used to create a taper, or channel, along a surface of the film 120.
• Perforated tear lines can extend completely through the film 120.
• a laser, blade, or other implement can be used to create a series of perforations that extend completely through the film 120.
• the tear lines 130 can be disposed on the film 120 in one or more locations. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, for example, one or more tear lines 130 can be disposed between adjacent containers 1 10 (e.g., between a first container and a second container). In further embodiments, one or more tear lines 130 can be disposed between adjacent rows of containers 1 10 (e.g., between a first row of containers and a second row of containers). [0021] In some embodiments, the tear lines 130 are disposed around a perimeter of the film 120. For example, the tear lines 130 can substantially extend around a perimeter of the film 120 (i.e., about 360° around the perimeter). In other embodiments, the tear lines 130 can extend around a portion of the perimeter of the film 120.
• the tear lines 130 can extend for about 120°, about 180°, about 240° (or more or less as desired) around a perimeter of the film 120.
• the tear lines 130 can also extend continuously or discontinuously.
• discontinuous tear lines 130 can include one or more tear lines 130 that are spaced apart from each other along the perimeter of the film 120.
• the tear lines 130 can facilitate removal of one or more containers 1 10 from the packaging assembly 100.
• a user can puncture the film 120 (e.g., via insertion of one or more fingers) at a tear line 130.
• the user can then grasp the one or more containers 1 10 to be removed (including the portion of the film 120 disposed around them), and pull them away from the remainder of the packaging assembly 100.
• the film 120 is torn along the tear line 130 until the one or more containers 1 10 to be removed (including the portion of the film 120 disposed around them) are separated from the remainder of the packaging assembly 100.
• An illustrative packaging assembly 100 depicted after the removal of one or more containers (including the portion of the film 120 disposed around them) is depicted in FIG. 3 and further discussed below.
• FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the packaging assembly 100 of FIG. 1 , depicting the packaging assembly 100 after the removal of one or more of containers 1 10 therefrom.
• the film 120 has been torn along a first tear line 130a and one or more containers 1 10 (including the portion of the film 120 disposed around them) have been removed from the packaging assembly 100. Further, the film 120 has been torn along a substantially controlled path located at the tear line 130a. The remainder of the film 120 and packaging assembly 100 is left substantially unaffected. Further, the remainder of the containers 100 is retained in the interior region 122 of the packaging assembly 100.
• one or more additional containers 1 10 can be removed from the packaging assembly 100 by tearing the film 120 along another tear line 130, such as tear line 130b or 130c.
• another tear line 130 such as tear line 130b or 130c.
• two containers 1 10 can be removed by grasping and tearing the film 120 at tear line 130b, while four containers 1 10 can be removed by grasping and tearing the film 120 at tear line 130c.
• the user can thus remove any number of containers 1 10 at their discretion by grasping and tearing the film 120 at a desired location.
• the film 120 can comprise printed indicia to indicate the location of the tear lines 130 if desired.
• the size or footprint of the packaging assembly 100 can be decreased by selectively removing the containers 1 10 from the packaging assembly 100 via tearing the film 120 along the tear lines 130.
• This is advantageous in many ways.
• traditional paperboard packaging remains the same size regardless of how many containers have been removed from the packaging. This can be inconvenient when there are only a few containers remaining within the packaging.
• the packaging assemblies 100 disclosed herein become smaller as the containers 1 10 are removed.
• a portion of the film 120 of the packaging assembly 100 can be torn and removed from the packaging assembly 100 along with the containers 1 10. The size of the remaining portion of the packaging assembly 100 can thus correspond to the number of containers 1 10 being retained therein.
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of the packaging assembly 100 of FIGS. 1 -2.
• the packaging assembly 100 comprises a plurality of containers 1 10 and a film 120.
• the packaging assembly 100 further comprises one or more tear lines 130.
• the packaging assembly 100 further comprises a handle 140.
• the tear lines 130 are disposed between several of the containers 1 10.
• a tear line 130d is disposed between a first container 1 10a and a second container 1 10b.
• the first container 1 10a can be removed from the packaging assembly 100 by tearing the film 120 along the tear line 130d.
• any number of containers 1 10 can be retained within the packaging assembly 1 10. Further, in some embodiments, the containers 1 10 can be arranged within the packaging assembly 100 in a predetermined format. For example, the containers 1 10 can be arranged in row and column format. In some embodiments, the containers 1 10 within the packaging assembly 100 can be arranged to form two or more rows 1 14 and one or more columns 1 12a, 1 12b. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the containers 1 10 are arranged to form six rows 1 14 and two columns 1 12a, 1 12b. Arrangements of more or less rows 1 14 and/or more or less columns 1 12a, 1 12b are also contemplated.
• the tear lines 130 can be disposed between rows 1 14 of containers 1 10.
• a tear line 130d is disposed between a first row 1 14a of containers 1 10 and a second row 1 14b of containers 1 10.
• the first row 1 14a of containers 1 10 can be removed from the packaging assembly 1 10 by tearing the film 120 along the tear line 130d.
• a plurality of rows 1 14 can be removed simultaneously from the packaging assembly 100 by tearing the film 120 along any desired tear line 130.
• three rows 1 14 of containers 1 10 (six containers 1 10) can be removed simultaneously by tearing the film 120 along the tear line 130e.
• one or more tear lines 130 can be disposed between one or more columns of containers 1 10, such as columns 1 12a, 1 12b. In yet further embodiments, one or more tear lines 130 can be disposed between one or more rows 1 14 of containers 1 10, and one or more columns of containers 1 10.
• the containers 1 10 can also be arranged within the packaging assembly 100 such that they stand upright. As can be appreciated, arranging the containers 1 10 in an upright configuration can provide increased stability to the packaging assembly 100, for example, when it is placed on a shelf. In other embodiments, the containers 1 10 can be arranged within the packaging assembly 100 such that they are disposed on their sides, if desired.
• containers 1 10 can be packaged in the packaging assemblies 100 disclosed herein, including, but not limited to, beverage containers, food containers, and non-food containers.
• the containers 1 10 can also be made of various materials, including metals and/or non-metals.
• the containers 1 10 comprise one or more metals, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, tin, and combinations thereof.
• Non- metal materials can also be used.
• the containers 1 10 comprise one or more plastic and/or other polymeric materials.
• the containers 1 10 comprise glass materials.
• the containers 1 10 can also be various shapes and/or sizes.
• the containers 1 10 are substantially cylindrical in shape.
• the containers 1 10 are shaped like traditional cans (e.g., beverage cans, canned food, etc.).
• the containers 1 10 are shaped like traditional bottles (water bottles, beverage bottles, etc.)
• Other shaped containers 1 10, including both traditionally used shapes and non-traditionally used shapes, are also contemplated.
• the tear lines 130 comprise laser scored tear lines, as illustrated in FIG. 5.
• FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the packaging assembly 100 of FIG. 4, taken along the view line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
• FIG. 5 depicts a portion of a tear line 130 disposed on the film 120.
• the tear line 130 can comprise a laser scored tear line that extends through a first surface 124 (e.g., an exterior surface) of the film 120.
• the tear line 130 can be described as a taper or a channel.
• the tear line 130 extends only through a portion of the film 120 such that a second surface 126 (e.g., the interior surface) remains substantially unaffected.
• the tear line 130 can extend all the way through the film 120.
• the tear line 130 can comprise a series of perforations that can extend through the film 120.
• the packaging assembly 100 can further comprise a handle 140.
• the handle 140 can facilitate carrying the packaging assembly 100. Further, in some embodiments, one or more additional handles (e.g., a second handle, etc.) can be used if desired. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the handle 140 can further include printed indicia 141 and can be used for labeling purposes.
• the handle 140 can be coupled to the film 120.
• a first portion 142 of the handle 140 is coupled to a surface of the film 120 at a first location
• a second portion 144 of the handle 140 is coupled to a surface of the film 120 at a second location.
• a third portion 146 of the handle 140 extends outwardly from the packaging assembly 100 to facilitate grasping and carrying the packaging assembly 100.
• the handle 140 can securely retain the packaging assembly 100 as it is being carried by the user.
• the handle 140 can be coupled to the packaging assembly 100 at various locations.
• the handle 140 is coupled to a longitudinal end 101 of the packaging assembly 100.
• the handle 140 also extends from a side of the packaging assembly 100.
• the printed indicia 141 can thus be clearly viewed when the packaging assembly 100 is placed on a shelf.
• the packaging assembly 100 comprises a bulls-eye region (i.e., a region devoid of film 120) that may be formed during a shrink wrap process.
• the absence of film 120 at the bulls-eye region can make it difficult to label the packaging assembly 100.
• these difficulties can be overcome by placing a handle 140 comprising printed indicia 141 over the bulls-eye region, as shown in the illustrated embodiment.
• a second handle can also be used.
• a second handle can be coupled to the longitudinal end of the packaging assembly 100 that is opposite the longitudinal end 101 wherein the first handle 140 is coupled.
• Coupling handles 140 to each longitudinal end of the packaging assembly 100 can be advantageous in many ways, including handling, packaging, or otherwise moving the packaging assembly 100.
• a handle may optionally extend upward from the packaging assembly 100, for example, from a central region of the packaging assembly 100, if desired. Such a handle could be present alone or in combination with one or more handles placed at longitudinal ends of the packaging assembly 100.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B depict cross-sectional views of various embodiments of the packaging assembly 100 of FIG. 4, taken along the view line 6A-6A in FIG. 4.
• the handle 140, 240 can be coupled to the packaging assembly in various ways.
• the handle 140 is directly adhered to the film 120.
• the handle 140 can be heat sealed, or melted to the film 120.
• the handle 240 is coupled to the film 220 via an adhesive 241 . Any suitable adhesive can be used.
• FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a packaging assembly 300 that can resemble the packaging assembly 100 described above in certain respects. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to "3." Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the packaging assembly 300 may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the packaging assembly 300.
• the packaging assembly 300 comprises a plurality of containers 310 and a film 320.
• the packaging assembly further comprises one or more tear lines 330.
• the tear lines 330 are a series of discontinuous tear lines 330.
• the tear lines 330 can be scored tear lines, or perforated tear lines.
• the scores or perforations can be formed via a laser, or can be cut with a blade or other implement. Other suitable methods of forming scores or perforations can also be employed.
• the method comprises a step of disposing a film around a plurality of containers.
• the plurality of containers can be arranged in any desired format, including row and column formats.
• the method can further comprise a step of shrinking the film around the containers.
• Exemplary shrink film processes can include applying heat to the film which can cause the film to shrink around the containers.
• the method can further comprise a step of applying tear lines to the film.
• the tear lines can be applied with a laser and can be disposed around a perimeter of the film. Scored tear lines, or perforated tear lines can be used.
• the method can further comprise a step of coupling a handle to the packaging assembly.
• the handle can be coupled to a surface of the film. Additional method steps can be derived from the disclosure herein.
• Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method.
• the method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another.
• the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=53879021

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (6)

Family Cites Families (14)

• 2015
  • 2015-02-20 WO PCT/US2015/016833 patent/WO2015127213A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-02-20 US US15/120,350 patent/US20170066580A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-02-20 EP EP15752425.7A patent/EP3107824A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-02-20 CA CA2940293A patent/CA2940293A1/en not_active Abandoned

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