MXPA00003773A - Multi-pack carrier for molded bottles and containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrier (1) for holding and transporting a plurality of bottles (B) includes a top panel (3), a bottom panel, and two side panels (5) extending between said top and bottom panels to form a sleeve through which the bottles extend. When the carrier is formed to carry six or more bottles, the top panel (3) has at least two rows of outboard apertures (0) adapted to receive and engage the bottles within the carrier. The bottom panel (7) extends between the side panels (5) and also includes at least two rows of outboard apertures (270) which are aligned with, but radially offset from the outboard apertures (0) of the top panel (3), such that the centers of the bottom panels outboard apertures are closer to the side panels than are the outboard apertures of the top panel.

Description

MULTIPLE PACKAGE CONVEYOR FOR MOLDED BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to carriers of multiple unit packages for bottles and other molded containers, and in particular to a carrier for multiple unit packages that is simple to manufacture, easy to assemble and which will securely hold bottles and containers in the container. same. - TECHNICAL BACKGROUND For a long time, multi-unit package carriers have been available to facilitate the carrying of bottles or the like so that customers can buy beverage containers in packages. Many of these carriers, however, do not at all consider the economic aspects of high speed manufacturing, bulk shipment of the carriers in a flat state and ease and speed of assembly of the carrier. Other available carriers, although suitable for their intended purpose, are complicated in terms of their construction and assembly and it is not easy for the customer to remove the bottles from the carrier.

The containers for beverages of packages of multiple units of bottles more common is the carrier type basket, which, as its name indicates, is formed as a basket that receives the bottles. Frequently packets of 6 units are observed in such basket carriers. The basket-type carriers, as they are known, form a plurality of individual compartments that separate the bottles from one another. Basket-type containers are formed from complex preforms that produce a significant amount of waste. Because the preforms of the basket type carriers are complex, they require complex machinery to assemble the basket type carriers. Typically, basket carriers are formed and placed in a shipping container and filled with empty bottles. The bottles in the basket are then transported to the filling plant. In the filling plant, the bottles are removed from the basket type carrier, washed and then placed in the filling line. Once the bottles are filled and capped, crowned, or otherwise closed and labeled, they are placed back on the carrier. The basket type carriers also create difficulties during storage. These are difficult to stack, and when they stack, a basket can catch the crown of a bottle in a basket adjacent to the selected basket. This can cause the bottles in the adjacent basket to fall, which results in the breakage and loss of the product, as well as an associated revenue for the store.

To overcome the problems related to the basket type carriers, many other carriers have been supplied which are in the form of deflated or flat carriers that accept the bottles or in the form of covers through which the bottles extend. In the patent E.U.A. do not. 5,590,776, as indicated above, there is described a package box type carrier of 6 units, whose basic construction leads by itself to being used in a suitable manner for a variety of designs or types of bottles. However, there is a need for carriers that can hold up to 12 or more bottles. In the patent E.U.A. above, it is described that two packages of 6 units can be combined to form a package of 12 units. However, the mechanics of a pack of 12 individual units (as opposed to a pack of 12 units drawn from 2 packs of 6 connected units) is significantly different from that of a pack for 6 units, and such differences must be overcome in order to elaborate a single carrier or in a single box-type piece that can contain 12 or more bottles of drink. There is also a need for a basic design for a carrier that can easily be modified to carry a desired number of beverage containers and that can be easily modified to carry different sizes of beverage containers. Glass bottles are relatively tall and have narrow diameters when compared to drinking cans. In this way, when the bottle is held by its neck, the bottle can form a pendulum with respect to the carrier and be able to oscillate when it is held by the carrier. If the bottles are allowed to oscillate too much, they can come into contact with each other and break. Regulatory and practical requirements are established against a construction that allows the bottles to oscillate in the carrier. In the patent E.U.A. do not. No. 5,590,776, which is incorporated in the present invention for reference, describes a box-type carrier that substantially prevents bottles, when placed on the carrier, from oscillating in relation to the carrier and one relative to the other. However, that carrier can be improved, and in the application with serial number 895,055 indicated above, the carrier was modified to allow the bottles, when packaged with the carrier, to be inserted in a shipping case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-unit package carrier that safely carries a plurality of bottles (including PET bottles) or other molded containers. Another objective is to provide a carrier as such that can carry a small container arrangement (for example a two or three unit package) or a larger container arrangement (for example a package of 12 units or more). Another objective is to provide a flexible handle to facilitate the carrying of heavy packages (ie packages of 12 units).

Another objective is to provide a carrier as such that maximizes the flat strength of the carrier. Another object is to provide a carrier as such that minimizes or substantially prevents the bottles from colliding with each other when they are carried on the carrier. Another objective is to provide a carrier as such in which the bottles and containers are tightly bonded together. Another objective is to provide a carrier as such that can be produced at high speed and shipped in bulk in a flat state and that is easy to erect and apply to a group of bottles, either manually or mechanically. Another objective is to provide a carrier as such that can be applied to bottles while the bottles are in their shipping cases. These and other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. Briefly, a carrier for holding and transporting a plurality of bottles includes an upper panel, a lower panel, and two side panels extending between said upper and lower panels. The panels are connected to each other to define a cover which fits over the upper parts of the bottles and which is adapted to retain the bottles in the cover. The top panel includes a plurality of openings through which the neck of the bottle extends and which are adapted to engage the bottle to hold the bottle in the holder. Preferably, the top panel has at least one top layer and a second layer. The upper layer has a plurality of surrounding openings through which the necks of the bottles extend. The second layer includes a plurality of container receiving openings formed concentrically with, and having a diameter smaller than, said surrounding openings in the upper layer. From one edge of the container receiving openings extend slots defining a plurality of tabs around the container receiving openings. The diameter of the receiving opening of the container is smaller than the diameter of the bottle at the point where the receiving opening of the container engages the bottle. The tabs engage the bottle (typically on the flange of the bottle or on the top of the bottle) to attach the bottle to the carrier. However, the tabs may engage a rib or slot in the bottle. The lower panel has openings through which the bottles extend and which are generally aligned with the openings in the upper panel. To improve the overall strength of the carrier, the lower panel has continuous and uninterrupted edges extending between the side panels. The side panels have a height such that the lower panel is tensioned when the bottles are placed on the carrier and in such a way that an arc is generated in the lower panel when said bottles are inserted in said carrier. The arc generated in the lower panel can cause a fold or cut line to be formed in the lower panel. To control the place where the cutting line is formed, and to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the carrier, a cutting line can be formed in the lower panel. The preferred cut line is formed at the approximate location where the cut line would occur naturally, and runs generally parallel to the side panels. This basic case design is very adaptable and can be used to form a variety of carriers that can hold different numbers of bottles of different sizes and types. The invention is shown and described with respect to a pack of twelve units, a pack of 6 units and a pack of 3 units. However, it will be understood that the carrier can be adapted for other sizes in the same way. The 6 unit package carrier includes two rows of 3 openings each, and the 12 unit package carrier, in one embodiment, includes 4 rows of 3 openings each. In a second embodiment, the carrier for a package of 12 units includes 3 rows of 4 openings each. In the 12-unit package, the two rows adjacent to the side panels are known as outboard openings and the rows between the outboard openings are known as outboard openings. In the 6-pack, for PET bottles, the openings in the lower panel are displaced outwardly from the openings in the upper panel so that the center of the openings in the lower panel are closer to the side panels than the center of the panels. the openings of the upper panel. If the centers of the openings of the upper and lower panels were aligned, the opening in the lower panel would have to be generally elliptical. In the twelve unit package, the outboard openings of the lower panel are offset, similarly outwardly, from the outboard openings of the upper panel. The outwardly directed displacement of the openings of the lower panel relative to the openings of the upper panel causes the side panels to tilt inwardly and downwardly. When the bottles are placed in the carrier, the outer edges of these openings come into contact with the bottle. The slope generated from the side panels increases this contact force when the carrier is lifted. This joins the bottles and moves them towards the center of the carrier. This will keep the bottles in a narrow formation and will substantially prevent the movement of the bottles one in relation to the other. Because the bottles are pulled in, when the carrier is applied to a group of bottles, the openings of the upper panel adjacent to the side panels would have to be moved slightly inwards. Therefore, the center-to-center distance between the openings of the upper panel of the adjacent figures is smaller than the center-to-center distance of the bottles. For example, for bottles that have a diameter of 6.35 cm, the center of the openings in the top panel will be separated by less than 6.35 cm. In package carriers of 12 units, the openings inboard of the upper and lower panels are preferably generally concentric with one another. In addition, the outboard lower panel openings are larger than the inboard openings in the lower panel. The openings inboard of the lower panel are sized to be at least equal to or greater than the diameter of the surrounding openings within the board. In addition, they are at least equal to a diameter of the bottle received in the carrier at the point where the lower panel inboard openings surround the bottle. This allows the bottle to pass through the opening of the bottom panel. Preferably, the openings inboard of the lower panel are approximately equal to the diameter of the bottle at the point at which the openings inboard are engaged with the bottle. Due to the weight transported by the twelve unit pack, the side panels can be dimensioned so that the arc generated in the lower panel contacts the lower panel with the upper panel. Finger holes are then provided which extend through the upper and lower panels to facilitate handling of the carrier when it is filled with bottles. The holes in the bottom panel are preferably elongated so that when the carrier is lifted, the lower panel will not be held by the consumer, so that the carrier, with bottles, will be carried only by means of the upper panel. The holes in the lower panel, however, can be dimensioned, so that the bottom panet can be gripped, such that the carrier is lifted by both the upper and lower panels. Alternatively, a cardboard handle can be provided which is formed as a single unit with the carrier. The use of finger holes allows the lower panel not only to additionally gather the bottles in a package when the package is lifted, but also to offer resistance and support so that the package can be lifted. - The carrier, alternatively, can be provided with a flexible handle which will rest flat when the carrier is bent and when applied to a group of bottles. The handle can be moved to a carrying position in which it extends above the plane of the upper panel of the carrier when the handle is gripped to carry a package of bottles. The handle includes a central handle body, a neck extending from each end of the body of the handle and a head at the end of each neck. The rear edges of the heads are preferably tilted back and out from the handle collars. The upper panel of the carrier includes an opening through which the handle slides. This handle opening can be round similar to the finger openings, but is preferably crescent or U-shaped, or it can be a slot. The handle collars have a width smaller than the width of the handle body and the handle heads. Each of the handle heads has a pair of beards that engage a lower surface on the upper panel when the handle moves to the carrying position. The heads preferably have a tapered shape at their front ends. Beards are defined by grooves extending inward from the trailing edges of the handle heads. The grooves that define the beards are tilted inward from the back surface of the handle head. The rear corners of the barbs are blunt or almost square, so that the rear corners of the barbs have no point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box-type carrier for twelve unit pack of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the box type carrier for a twelve unit pack. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the twelve-unit box-type carrier that faces upwards. Figure 4 is a plan view of a preform used to form the box-type carrier for twelve unit pack. Figures 5-8 are top and bottom side elevational views of a box-type carrier for a twelve-unit alternating pack having a flexible handle. Figure 9 is a plan view of the handle. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier with the handle therein, the carrier being in a flat state, and the handle resting flat on the carrier. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier with the handle but with the carrier open and the handle shown in a hauling position. Figures 12-15 are perspective views, in lateral elevation, upper and lower floor of a box-type carrier for a 6-unit package; and Figures 16-19 are perspective views, in lateral elevation, upper and lower floor of a box-type carrier for a three-unit package. Corresponding reference numbers will be used throughout the various figures of the drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable the person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes adaptations, variations, alternatives and use of the invention, including what is currently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. In Figures 1-3 a box-type carrier for a pack of twelve units 1 of the present invention is shown. The carrier 1 can be made of any desired material, but preferably it is made from cardboard, so that the carrier can be recycled after use. The carrier can be made from virgin or recycled cardboard, or a combination of virgin and recycled cardboard. Preferably, the board is Krafft board, solid unbleached sulfate virgin with a wet strength, instead of corrugated board, as used in Kidd, US patent. 4,850,478. As the need arises, resistance, purity and superior stiffness of the cardboard can be obtained by increasing the density of the cardboard, varying the formulation of the cardboard, varying the machining or layering techniques used to produce the cardboard, using cardboard made from according to the Fordranier process or other methods, or using a cardboard in which the cardboard layers are laminated together, such that the direction of the machine of the layers is displaced from each other at, for example, 90 °. In addition, the cardboard can be made from layers with different resistances. The cardboard for the carrier can also be formulated to provide a higher wet strength. The brown cardboard, as such, can also be used for the carrier. However, the cardboard is commonly produced in white, either by whitening it or by coating the Kraft cardboard, to allow the use of quality graphics and to produce an aesthetically pleasing carrier. Other techniques can also be used to whiten the brown cardboard, as such. The carrier can also be made from plastics or other materials without departing from the concept of the invention. The conventional bottles B, shown in phantom in figures 1 and 2, are received in the carrier 1. Each of the bottles B has a body BB, a short neck N that extends upwards from the body, a rim T in the upper part of the neck N and below the mouth of the bottle, and a closure C which closes the mouth. The flange T forms a bell with the neck of the bottle where the lower part of the flange intersects the neck. Although the invention is described in relation to bottles, such as plastic bottles, it will be understood that the invention can be applied in the same way to glass bottles and bottles made with other materials, as well as for bottles with other shapes and sizes. Said other bottles may be provided with ribs or grooves and may not include the flanges of the bottle. The carrier 1 (figures 1-3) includes a top panel 3, side panels 5 and a bottom panel 7 which are connected together to form an open end sheath. The front and / or rear panels can be added to close one or both ends of the carrier. The upper panel 13 is made from two layers and has an upper layer 9 and a lower or reinforcing layer 11. The two layers are used to provide positive retention of the bottles, as will be described later, as well as to provide resistance Increased flatness and stiffness for shipping, handling and hauling container packages. Two layers are preferred for the top panel. If more strength is required, the top panel can be made with three or more layers, or the width of the layer can be varied according to the resistance that is required. The upper layer 9 of the carrier has a plurality of surrounding openings 13. Preferably, the openings 13 are evenly spaced around the upper layer. In carrier 1, twelve openings are formed in the top panel in a 4x3 array. Therefore, the array of openings includes two rows O of outboard openings adjacent to the sides 5 of the carrier 1 or two rows I of openings inboard between the rows of the outboard openings. The reinforcing layer 11 has a plurality of container receiving openings 15 having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottle where the bottle is hooked by the opening 15. Preferably, the openings 15 engage the bottle as length of the neck of the bottle N at a point below the flange T. A plurality of grooves 17 radiated outwardly from the container receiving openings 15 define the projections or tabs 19. (Figures 1 and 2). The container receiving openings 15 are positioned to be concentric with the surrounding openings 13 in the upper layer 7. The surrounding openings 13 have a diameter configured to be approximately equal to the diameter of a circle defined by the radially outermost end of the container. these grooves 17. Therefore, the edge of the surrounding opening 13 defines a bending point for the tongues 19. The mark or emboss typically used to define the bending line for the tongue is therefore not necessary. The removal of this fold line in the carrier maintains the structural integrity of the carrier in its tabs and reduces the carrier's susceptibility or vulnerability to weakening by moisture absorption. The carrier 1 is also provided with holes for the fingers 23 which pass through both layers of the top panel 3 so that a consumer can easily lift and carry the carrier for multiple unit packages 1. When the bottles are placed on the carrier , the tongues 19 engage the lower part of the flange T, as seen in Figure 2. The tongues 19 are of such a length that they form an angle, preferably of approximately 60 °, with the upper layer 9 when the bottle is in place. in the carrier and the tip 25 of the tab engages with the rim T. If the angle is much greater than 60 °, (ie, greater than about 75 °), the tabs 19 will be very vertical and will decrease the capacity of the catch tongue 19 on the rim T. If the angle is much less than 60 ° (ie, less than about 45 °, the tabs will be very horizontal and will tend to collapse, without having enough vertical resistance to hold the bottles B in the carrier. Currently, the use of virgin Kraft cardboard for the carrier provides sufficient strength and rigidity for the tabs 19 without the need to consider weakness in the transverse direction or in the direction of the machine. The tongues 19 are formed from the receiving apertures of the container 15 and therefore have an internal edge defining a circular arc of the receiving opening of the container. Due to the arch edge of the tongue, the tongues 19 will not come into contact with the flange T of the bottle along 100% of its edges. In contrast, the contact of each tab 19 against the flange T will be at a pair of points. Despite this, the use of circular container receiving openings is preferred. However, the container receiving openings, and therefore the tongues 19, can be formed so that 100% contact between the tabs and the flange of the bottle is obtained. The number of slots 17 formed around the container receiving openings 15 depends on the diameter of the receiving openings of the container 15 to prevent the tabs being very narrow or very wide. If the tabs are very wide, there will be insufficient contact of the tip or radially innermost board 25 of the tongue 19 with the flange T of the bottle and the bottle will not be adequately supported by the tabs 19 on the carrier. When a round hole is used, it has been found that a tongue with a side-by-side width of about 0.635 to 0.9 cm at the tip 25 of the tongue (i.e. at the radially innermost edge of the tongue) works properly. To maintain this dimension, it has been found that it is preferable to provide eight tabs when the container receiving opening 15 has a diameter of 1.59 cm to 2.2 cm; for diameters between 2.2 cm and 3.49 cm, there are preferably twelve (12) tabs; and for diameters between 3.49 cm and 4.79 cm, there are preferably sixteen (16) tabs. As the diameter of the container receiving openings 15 becomes larger than 4.79 cm, the number of tabs 19 will have to be increased appropriately. As indicated above, the tabs are long enough to form an angle of about 45 ° to about 75 ° with the top panel of the carrier, and preferably about 60 ° with the top panel 5 of the carrier when the tab engages the tab. T-flange of the bottle. This preferred tongue size (i.e., length and width) provides a tongue that will clear the diameter of the flange T when the bottle is passed through the opening, yet allowing the tongue to be elastic, so that the tongue will return to engaging the flange T of the bottle B. The tongues 19 engage the lower part of the flange T of the bottle. Because the caps in the PET or plastic bottles are screw caps, the tabs 19 can engage the bottom of the lid, instead of the bottle lip, without fear of disabling a bottle seal. Some bottles or molded containers are provided with ribs or grooves in the shape of a circle. Frequently these are placed on the bottle to facilitate the holding of the bottle by the client, or only for aesthetic purposes. Alternatively, the tabs may engage these ribs or slots to hold the bottle in the carrier. However, it is preferred that the tongues engage the flange of the bottle, when this is provided. The lower panel 7 has four rows of openings that allow the box-type carrier 1 to be applied to a group of bottles. The lower panel openings are divided into two sets of openings - there are two rows of outboard openings 27 O and two rows of inboard openings 27 I. The lower panel openings 27 O, I are aligned with the openings 13 and 15 on the top panel 3 so that a bottle B can pass through the openings. The inboard openings 27 I are preferably substantially coaxial with the inboard rows I of the openings in the upper panel. The outboard openings 27 O, however, are radially displaced from the outboard openings O in the upper panel 3. Therefore, the center of the lower panel openings 27 O is closer to the side panels 5 than the centers of the outboard openings 13 O of the top panel. In addition, the outboard openings of the lower panel 27 O are larger than the openings inboard 27 I. In the present design, the lower panel 7 comes into contact with the upper panel 3 when the carrier is applied to a group of bottles . Therefore, the lower panel 7 is provided with holes 29 that are positioned to be concentric with the finger holes 23 in the top panel 3. The holes 29 are elongated to prevent the bottom panel 7 from being grasped by a consumer when the carrier is lifted. Therefore, the carrier will be lifted only by the top panel. If desired, however, the holes of the lower panel 25 can be dimensioned so that the carrier can be lifted by both the upper and lower panels. As seen in Figure 2, the inboard openings of the lower panel 27 I are dimensioned, such that when the bottles are received in the carrier 1, they come into contact with the edges of the openings inside the board 27 I The outboard openings of the lower panel 27 O are sized and placed on the lower panel, so that when the bottles are placed on the carrier, the outboard edges of the openings 27 O engage a surface of the bottle B. Openings 27 O, 1 are shown as circular, but could be in other ways. For example, the openings could be oval, oblong or irregularly shaped. With respect to the shape of the outboard openings of the lower panel 27 O, what is important is that they generally conform to the surface of the bottle which is hooked by the individual openings, so that there is an opening contact. with the bottle in an outboard position and preferably also in an outboard position. This allows the outboard openings 27 O to be hooked with the bottle in at least two points, the two points being in two different planes or elevations relative to the bottle. In addition, the adjacent inboard openings 27 I could be replaced with ovals, so that there could be a row of three ovals instead of two rows of three circles. The preform of the carrier 31 (Figure 4) from which the carrier 1 is preferably a preform of a single piece made from a single piece of material. As discussed in the patent E.U.A. No. 5,590,776, the upper panels of the carrier 1 can be made more rigid by adding a third layer. This third layer can be incorporated in the preform from which the carrier is made, or can be formed from a second preform. The preform 31 has two end sections 9 'and 1 V which form the upper and second layers 9 and 11 (figure 6), respectively, of the upper panel 3. The sections of the preform 5' are connected in the form of a hinge to the sections 9 'and 11', respectively, and form the side panels 5 of the carrier 1. The sections 5 'are separated from the sections 9' and 11 'by the fold lines 41 and 43. A central section T is connected in the form of the hinge to the sections 5 'along the fold lines 47 and 49 to define the lower panel 7 of the carrier 1. The preform of the carrier 31 is preferably cut with a die in a single step. As you can see, the preform is linear or quadrilateral. The preforms can therefore be configured with a minimum amount of waste. The preforms 31 are bent as carriers 1 using normal bending equipment. In the forming or bending process, the two end sections 9 'and 1 V are glued, glued or otherwise connected together to ensure that the preform is bent as, and remains as, a sheath. Other methods could be used to secure the two sections 9 'and 11', for example these could be stapled or latched. The carrier 1, when formed, can be flattened so that the preform can be shipped in bulk easily. In a packing plant, the flattened carriers are easily erected to their open form, and can be easily applied to a group of bottles to form a package. To apply carrier 1 to a group of bottles B, the bottles are initially grouped in an array of the appropriate number of bottles. Then the carrier is taken in its flattened state and configured or opened as a sheath. The carrier is then simply applied, either manually or by machine, to the upper parts of the bottles, so that the bottle caps can be forced through the receiving openings of the container 15 to press the tongues. up until the flange T of the bottle (or other attachment point) is engaged by the ends 25 of the tabs 19. As described above, the edge of the surrounding opening 13 will form the fold line of the tabs 19. Therefore the tabs 19 will all bend at the desired point, so that these will all be of the desired size. Because there is no fold line in the lower layer 1 1 to define the ends of the tabs 19, the surrounding openings 13 maintain the stability of the tongue at the base of the tongue and prevent the stretching of the slots 17 in the layer upper 11 of the top panel as the carrier 1 is applied onto the bottles B. The design of the carrier allows the carrier to be applied to bottles individually or in groups. further, the carrier can be applied to bottles while they are in their shipping cases. When the carriers are applied to the bottles manually, a first carrier is applied to the 12 bottles of a 24-bottle case while the bottles are still in the case. A second pack carrier of 12 units 1 is then applied to the remaining 12 bottles in the case, again, while the bottles are still in the case. When the carriers are applied automatically (that is, by machine instead of manually) two carriers can be applied to pack 12 units simultaneously to the 24 bottles in a case, while the bottles are in the case for shipment. As can be seen in figure 3, the openings of the lower panel 27 O, I are smaller than the diameter of the bottle, at the point of the bottle in which the lower panel openings 27 O, I surround the bottle. The side panels 5 are of such a length that when the carrier is applied to the bottles, the top panel 3 will bow slightly downwards and the bottom panel 7 will arch upwards. The arch in the lower panel 7 is sufficient to bring the lower panel 7 into contact with the upper panel 3. This puts the outboard edges of the outboard openings 27 O (i.e. the edges of the opening closest to the openings). sides of the carrier 5) in the lower panel 7 in a closer contact with the outer surfaces of the bottle. When the carrier (with the bottles) is lifted, the contact between the outboard openings 27 O and the B bottles increases, causing the bottles to pull inward to direct the bottles toward each other. In this way the bottles are put together in the carrier. The carrier could be designed such that the upper and lower panels do not contact each other by increasing the diameter of the lower panel openings and / or increasing the height of the side panels. If the bottles have long necks, it may not be necessary to increase the diameter of the lower panel openings. As best seen in Figure 4, the bottom panel 7 is substantially equal in length with the layers 9 and 11 of the top panel. In this way, when the carrier is open and square, before receiving the bottles, this is generally rectangular at an end elevation. However, due to the size of the side panels 5, and the offset position of the outboard openings of the lower panel 27 O in relation to the openings in the outboard rows O of the upper panel 3, the side panels 5 will tilt downwards and inwards, as seen in figure 2, when the carrier is applied to a group of bottles. This inward inclination of the side walls increases the contact of the lower panel openings 27 O with the bottles B with the bottle holder 1 is lifted. When the multi-unit pack carrier 1, with bottles B therein, is raised, the outer edge of the openings 27 O will be in contact with the bottles more forcefully. When the carrier 1 is raised, the upper panel 3 flattens out or becomes flatter and pushes the side panels further inwards, relative to the bottles, causing the lower panel 7 to bow up even more. Because the arched aspect of the lower panel facilitates the joining of the bottles, the lower panel is preferably made in a single section, and thus has a continuous uninterrupted lateral edge extending between the two side panels 5. The openings of bottom panel 27 O, I, and therefore the openings of the upper panel 13 and 15, are placed on the carrier in such a way that the bodies of the bottles are in contact with the bodies of the adjacent bottles, when the carrier is applied to the bottles. This contact increases when the carrier, with the bottles, it is raised to increase the binding effect of the carrier on the bottles. Because the bottles are in contact with one another, when the carrier is lifted, the bottles will not be able to oscillate one in relation to the other. This will additionally help to prevent the bottles from moving one relative to the other and to avoid crashing between the bottles. The mechanics of the carrier push the outboard rows of the bottles inward toward the row inside the bottles so that the body of the bottle moves towards the other slightly. This gentle movement of the bottles toward each other will increase the binding effect of the carrier on the bottles. As indicated above, this binding effect is increased when the carrier, with the bottles, is lifted. Because the arc in the lower panel is not very pronounced, a fold line or cut line can be formed in the lower panel 7 when the arc is generated in the panel. The cutting line is formed by itself, can not be controlled, and can diminish the aesthetic appearance of the wearer. Therefore, to control the how and where the bending line is formed, a cutting line 51 (FIG. 3) can be enhanced or formed in another way, in the lower panel 7. This cutting line preferably is formed wherein it is envisaged that the natural rupture line will be formed and runs generally parallel to the side panels 5. Returning to Figures 5-11, a carrier 1A is shown for an alternative twelve-pack. The carrier 1A is substantially similar to the carrier 1 of figures 1-4. However, instead of having four rows of openings through the arched direction of the lower panel, the carrier 1A has three rows of openings extending through the arched direction of the lower panel. The carrier 1A in this way has a 3x4 arrangement, instead of a 4x3 array, of openings in the upper and lower panels. This gives the carrier two outboard rows of openings and a single row of inboard openings. By reducing the number of outboard openings, the carrier becomes more resistant. The carrier 1A is provided with a flexible handle 61 which is received in the handle holes 23A in the top panel. Because the handle 61 is provided, the holes for the fingers are omitted in this carrier.

The handle holes 23A are generally preferably crescent-shaped or "U" -shaped, but with rounded ends, instead of pointed, and are positioned such that the two handle holes 23A move away from each other . That is, the half moons open far apart from each other. With minor modifications to the handle heads, the hole 23A can be replaced with a slot through which the handle can slide. Alternatively, the hole 23A can be T-shaped, oval or keyhole shaped. In addition, the direction of the holes 23A can be reversed, so that the half-moon-shaped holes face each other, instead of being away from each other. The handle 61 is shown in plan view in Figure 9. The handle 61 includes a central section or body 63 that is grasped by the consumer. The central section 63 preferably has a length no greater than the distance between the two handle holes 23A so that the handle can remain flat when applied to the carrier for bulk shipping, as seen in Figure 10. A neck 65 extends from each end of the body 63. The collars 65 are less wide than the body 63 and can be separated from the body by a fold line 67. A head 69 is formed from the end of each neck 65, and is separated from the head by a fold line 65. The head 69 preferably has rearward bevelled rear edges 71 and sides 73. The sides 73 are generally parallel to the body 63 and neck 65. The front of the head 69 is composed of edges 75. which slopes inwardly from the front of the side edges 73 and a flat front edge 77 extending between the front ends of the edges 75. A pair of slots 79 extends rearwardly from the line of bending 68 to form beards 81 adjacent the neck 65. The beards can flex away from the body 83 of the head 69 along the fold lines 68. The outer corners of the beards are blunt to eliminate the tip that could normally be formed from the inclination of the rear edges 71 of the handle heads 69. A series of release slots 85 are formed in the head 69 and at the end of the neck 65 to allow the head to be bent about its longitudinal axis to facilitating the insertion of the handle 61 in the carrier 1A. the slots 85 (which can be replaced by a fold line, or other equivalent structure) preferably extend along the longitudinal axis or center of the head 69. To insert the handle 61 into the carrier 1A, the heads 69 they are folded around the grooves 68 and inserted into the handle holes 23A. the holes 23A have a larger diameter or dimension that is smaller than the width of the head 61 between the side edges 73. Preferably, the largest diameter or dimension of the holes 23A is between the neck width 65 of the distance between the rear ends of the slot 79. Once the heads 69 are inserted into the holes 23A, the neck 65 of the handle will follow. The collars 65 and the heads 69 are dimensioned such that they can be flattened when inserted in the carrier (Figure 10). In this way, the distance from the back of the neck 65 towards the front edge 77 of the head 69 is not greater than the distance between the hole 23A and the side panel of the carrier. When a consumer lifts a package of bottles in the carrier 1A, the consumer simply pulls on the body of the handle 63. As the handle is pulled upward, the handle necks 65 will pull through the openings 23A. as the heads 69 are pulled towards the holes 23A, the whiskers 81 of each head will separate from the bodies of the head 83 or will bend relative to the body of the head 83. Therefore, as the bodies of the head 83 begin to bend, the beards 81 will remain generally straight. The whiskers 81 will thus be trapped on the underlying side of the top panel 3A to prevent the head 61 from being pulled completely through the openings. (Figure 11).

When the package is lifted, the handle 61 can be folded into the fold line 67 to form a rectangular or square-shaped handle. That is, the transition from the necks 65 to the body 63 will be defined by a more acute angle and less than that of a curve. As shown in Figure 10, the handle rests flat between the bottles before being raised to its hauling position. Therefore, the handle 61 does not interfere with the application of the carrier to a group of bottles. In addition, because the handle 61 is flexible, it will not interfere with the stacking of the bottle packages, even when the handle is in an elevated position. If the handle is raised, for example, a person can stack a package on top of the package with the handle raised. The handle of the lower package will simply bend or flex, and allow the upper package to sit on top of the lower package. Returning to Figures 12-15, a carrier 101 is shown for a pack of six units. The carrier 101 is substantially similar (except for the number of bottles of the carrier) to the twelve-unit pack carrier 1 of Figures 1-4. The carrier 101 includes a top panel 103, side panels 105, and a bottom panel that are connected together to form an open end sheath. The upper panel 103 is made of two layers and has an upper layer 109 and a lower or reinforcing layer 111. The upper layer 109 of the carrier has a plurality of surrounding openings 113, which are evenly spaced around the upper layer. In carrier 101, six openings are formed in the top panel in a 2x3 array. The reinforcing layer 111 has a plurality of container receiving openings 115 having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the neck of the bottle N at a point below the flange T of the bottle. A plurality of slots 117 radiate outwardly from the container receiving openings 115 to define projections or tabs 119. The container receiving openings 115 are positioned to be concentric with the surrounding openings 113 in the upper layer 109. The surrounding openings 113 have a diameter configured to be substantially equal to, or slightly smaller than, the diameter of a circle defined by the radially outermost end of this slot 117. The edge of the surrounding opening 113 thus defines a bend point for the tabs 119. The carrier 101 is also provided with finger holes 123 which pass through both layers of the top panel 130 so that a consumer can easily lift and carry the carrier for multiple unit packages 1. The bottom panel 107 it has two rows of openings 127 that allow the box-type carrier 101 to be applied to the bottles. The lower panel openings 127 are aligned with the openings 113 and 115 in the upper panel 103 so that a bottle B can be passed through the openings. However, these are radially displaced from the openings 113 and 115 in the upper panel 103. In this way, the center of the openings of the lower panel 127 is closer to the side panels 105 than the openings in the upper panel 103. Because the lower panel 107 is closer to the upper panel 103 when the bottles are placed in the carrier, the lower panel 107 is preferably provided with elongated holes 129 which are positioned to be in line with the finger holes 123. in the upper panel 103. The provision of elongated holes 129, instead of round holes, will prevent the lower panel from being gripped when a consumer lifts the carrier. The carrier preform 131 (FIG. 15) from which the carrier 101 is processed is preferably a one-piece preform made from a single piece of material. The preform 131 has two end sections 109 'and 111' forming the upper and second layers 109 and 111, respectively, of the upper panel 103. The sections 105 'of the preform are connected in a hinge to the sections 109' and 111 'respectively, and form the side panels 105 of the carrier 101. The sections 105' are separated from the sections 109 'and 11' by fold lines 141 and 143. A central section 107 'is hingedly connected to the sections 105' along the fold lines 147 and 149 to define the lower panel 107 of the carrier 101. If desired, the carrier 101 can be provided with a handle H extending upwardly from the upper panel 103. The handle H, in the preform 131, is connected in the form of a hinge to the upper layer forming the portion 109 '. . The carrier 101 may also be provided with a cutting line in the lower panel, in the same way that the carrier 1 is provided with the cutting line 51. The openings in the lower panel 127 are slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottle , at the point of the bottle where the openings of the lower panel 127 surround the bottles. The side panels 105 are of a length such that when the carrier is applied to the bottles, the top panel 103 will bow slightly downwardly and the bottom panel 107 will arch slightly upwards. The arch in the lower panel 107 is sufficient to bring the lower panel 107 closer to the upper panel 103. Although the upper and lower panels do not come into contact with each other in the carrier 101 as they do in the carrier 1 (Figure 1), the distance between the upper and lower panels is close enough that the lower panel 107 is preferably provided with elongated holes 129. The lower panel holes 129 are positioned to be in line with the finger holes of the upper panel 123 when the bottles are received in the carrier. Again, this will prevent the bottom panel from being held when the carrier is lifted by a consumer. The arching of the lower panel places the outer edges of the openings of the lower panel 127 (i.e. the edges of the opening closest to the sides of the carrier 105) in closer contact with the outer surfaces of the bottles. When the carrier (with the bottles) is lifted, the contact between the openings 127 and the bottles B increases, causing the bottles to pull or move inwards to bring the bottles closer to each other.

The lower panel 107 is substantially equal in length to the upper panel layers 109 and 111. In this way, when the carrier opens and squares, before receiving the bottles, it is generally rectangular at extreme elevation. However, due to the size of the side panels 105, and the displaced position of the lower panel openings 127 relative to the openings in the upper panel 103, the side panels 105 will tilt downwards and inwards when the bottles are placed. in the carrier. This inward inclination of the side walls will help to increase the contact of the openings of the lower panel 127 with the bottles B when lifting the carrier with bottles. When the carrier for multi-unit packages 101, with bottles B therein, is lifted, the outer edge of the openings of the lower panel 127 will contact the bottles more forcefully. When the carrier 101 is raised, the upper panel 103 flattens out or becomes flatter and pushes the side panels a little further down, relative to the bottles, causing the lower panel 107 to bow up even more. Because the arched aspect of the bottom panel makes it easier to prevent the bottles from oscillating, the bottom panel is preferably made from a single section, and thus has a continuous, uninterrupted side edge extending between the two side panels 105. The lower panel openings 127, and therefore the upper panel openings 103 and 115 are placed on the carrier in such a way that the bottle bodies will be in more forced contact with the bodies of the neighboring bottles, when the carrier is lifted. This will increase the binding effect exerted by the carrier on the bottles. Because the bottles are in contact with one another, when the carrier is lifted, the bottles will not be able to oscillate one in relation to the other. If desired, the carrier may be provided with tabs, lips, or extensions 151 extending from the ends of the upper panel 103 between the side panels. These extensions 151 extend beyond the side panels 105 and the bottom panel 107 in such a way that the top panel 103 is larger than the side and bottom panels. The extensions 151 provide an area of the carrier that can be fastened by high speed machinery to facilitate the opening or square of the carrier to apply the carrier to the bottles. Returning to Figures 16-19, a carrier for a 3-unit package is shown. The carrier 201 is substantially similar (except for the number of bottles held by the carrier) to the carriers for packages of 6 and 12 units. The carrier 201 includes a top panel 203, side panels 205 and a bottom panel 207 that are connected together to form an open end sheath. The top panel 203 is made of two layers and has an upper layer 209 and a lower or reinforcing layer 211. The upper layer 209 of the carrier 203 has a plurality (two or more) of surrounding openings 213 that are uniformly spaced along of the upper layer. In the carrier 201, three openings are formed in the upper panel in a single row. The reinforcement layer 21 1 has a plurality of container receiving openings 215 having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the neck N of the bottle at a point below the flange T of the bottle. A plurality of slots 217 are radiated outwardly from the receiving openings of the container 215 to define projections or tabs 219. The container receiving openings 215 are positioned to be concentric with the surrounding openings 213 in the upper layer 209. The openings surrounding 213 have a diameter dimensioned to be substantially equal to, or slightly less than, the diameter of a circle defined by the radially outermost end of the slots 217. The edge of the surrounding opening 213 thus defines a bend point for the tabs 219. Therefore the highlight or mark typically used to define the fold line for the tongue is not necessary. The carrier 201 is also provided with finger holes 223 which pass through both layers of the top panel 203 so that a consumer can easily lift and carry the carrier for multiple unit packages 201. The bottom panel 207 has a single row of openings 227 that allow the box type carrier 201 to be applied on a bottle. The lower panel openings 227 are aligned with the openings 203 and 215 in the upper panel 103 so that a bottle B can pass through the openings. The openings in the lower panel are generally concentric with the openings 203 and 215 in the upper panel 203.

The carrier preform 231 (FIG. 19) from which the carrier 201 is preferably made is a one-piece preform made from a single piece of material. The preform 231 has two end sections 209 'and 211', which form the upper and second layers 209 and 211, respectively, of the upper panel 203. The sections of the preform 205 'are connected in a hinge to the sections 209' and 211 ', respectively, and form the side panels 205 of the carrier 201. The sections 205' are separated from the sections 209 'and 211' by the fold lines 241 and 243. A central section 207 'is connected in the form of a hinge. with the sections 205 'along the fold lines 247 and 249 to define the lower panel 207 of the carrier 201. In view of the foregoing, it will be noted that the various objects and advantages of the present invention have been achieved and that they have obtained other advantageous results. Because various changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all of the aspect contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, although the carriers are shown without release mechanisms, release mechanisms could be incorporated in the preform, and thus in the carrier, to facilitate the removal of the bottles from the carrier. The release mechanisms could, for example, correspond to the release mechanisms shown in the patent E.U.A. 5590,776 and in the copending application serial number 895,055, currently patent E.U.A. number Other release mechanisms could also be used. Carriers - shown and described for use with circular bottles. The carriers could be applied to bottles in various ways (for example, syrup bottles, bottles for children's drink, etc.) by reconfiguring the openings of the lower panel in such a way that when the carrier is applied to the bottles, the outboard edges (and preferably those inboard) of the lower panel openings come into contact with the bottle. The edges of preference will generally conform to the shape of the bottle when applied to the bottle. These examples are only illustrative.

Claims (34)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A carrier for holding and transporting a plurality of bottles or other molded containers; said carrier including: an upper panel, a lower panel, and two side panels extending between said upper and lower panels, said panels being operatively connected to define a sheath; said top panel having at least one top layer and a second layer; said top layer defining a plurality of surrounding openings through which the necks of said bottles extend, said second layer defining a plurality of container receiving openings formed concentrically with and having a smaller diameter than said surrounding openings said upper layer, said second layer including a plurality of slots extending from an edge of said container receiving openings to define a plurality of tabs around said container receiving openings; said lower panel having continuous and uninterrupted edges extending between said panels. laterals and a plurality of openings; said lower panel openings being radially offset from the openings of the upper panel such that the center of the lower panel openings is closer to the side panels than the center of the upper panel openings; said lower panel openings engaging a surface of said bottles when the bottles are placed in said carrier; said side panels having a height such that said lower panel is tensioned when said bottles are placed in said carrier, such that an arc is generated in said lower panel when said bottles are inserted in said carrier.

2. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that said side panels are placed in compression when the bottles are inserted into said carrier.

3. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that the upper and lower panels are separated from each other.

4. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that said lower panel includes a cutting line generally parallel to said side panels.

5. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that said side and bottom panels are substantially of the same length and said top panel has a length greater than said side and bottom panels to have an extension on at least one end of said top panel extending beyond said bottom and side panels.

6. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that said lower panel openings are sized and configured to engage said bottle in at least two points, said two points of engagement being in two different planes relative to said bottle.

7. The carrier according to claim 6, further characterized in that one of said hooking points is an interior point and the other of said hooking points is an outer point, said interior hooking point being in a first plane and being said second hooking point in a second plane, said first plane being above said second plane.

8. The carrier according to claim 7, further characterized in that said lower panel openings are configured so that they generally conform to the surface of the bottle at the point of engagement of the lower panel opening with the bottle received therein. carrier.

9. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that when the bottles are received in said carrier, said panels are inclined downwards and inwards.

10. The carrier according to claim 1, further characterized in that the upper panel openings have a center-to-center distance that is equal to, or less than, the diameter of a bottle to be carried on the carrier. 1.

The carrier according to claim 1, which includes a hole for the fingers in said upper panel.

12. A carrier for holding and transporting a plurality of bottles or other molded containers; said carrier including: an upper panel, a lower panel and two side panels extending between said upper and lower panels, said panels being operatively connected to define a sheath; said upper panel including 5 holes for the fingers and having at least one upper layer and a second layer; said upper layer defining a plurality of openings

< surrounding through which the neck of the bottle extends, said second layer defining a plurality of container receiving openings concentrically formed with and having a smaller diameter than said surrounding openings of said upper layer, said second layer to a plurality of slots extending from an edge of said receiving openings the container to define a plurality of tabs around said container receiving openings; said lower panel having continuous and uninterrupted edges

*) 15 extending between said side panels, a plurality of openings generally aligned with said surrounding openings and said container receiving openings of said upper panel, and elongated holes in said lower panel; said lower panel openings engaging a surface of said bottles when the bottles are placed in said carrier; 20 said elongated bottom panel holes being in line with said holes for the upper panel fingers; said elongated bottom panel holes being dimensioned to prevent the bottom panel from being clamped when the carrier is lifted; said side panels having a height such that said lower panel is tensioned when said bottles are placed in said carrier, such that an arc is generated in said lower panel when said bottles are inserted in said carrier.

13. A carrier for holding and transporting a plurality of bottles or other molded containers including said carrier: a lower panel, an upper panel, and two side panels extending between said upper and lower panels, said panels being operatively connected to define a case; said top panel having at least one top layer and a second layer; said upper layer defining a plurality of surrounding openings through which the bottlenecks extend, said second layer defining a plurality of container receiving openings concentrically formed with and having a smaller diameter than said surrounding openings of the container. said top layer, said second layer comprising a plurality of grooves extending from an edge of said container receiving openings to define a plurality of tabs around said container receiving openings; said lower panel having continuous and uninterrupted edges extending between said side panels and a plurality of openings generally aligned with said surrounding openings and said container receiving openings of said upper panel, said lower panel openings engaging a surface of said bottles when the bottles are placed in said carrier; said top and bottom panels comprising at least three rows of openings, said rows including a row of outboard openings adjacent to the side panels and at least one row of openings inboard between the rows of outboard openings, having the outboard openings of the lower panel a center that is radially out of phase with a center of the outboard openings of the upper panel; said side panels having a height such that said lower panel is tensioned when said bottles are placed in said carrier, such that an arc is generated in said lower panel when said bottles are inserted in said carrier.

14. The carrier according to claim 13, further characterized in that the centers of the outboard openings of the lower panel are closer to the side panels than the centers of the outboard openings of the upper panel.

15. The carrier according to claim 13, further characterized in that the openings inboard of the upper and lower panels are generally concentric.

16. The carrier according to claim 13, further characterized in that the outboard openings of the lower panel are larger than the openings inside the lower panel.

17. The car according to claim 13, further characterized in that said lower panel openings and said side panel are configured such that when the bottles are received in said car said lower panel is brought into contact with said upper panel.

18. The car according to claim 13, further characterized in that said car includes a flexible handle, said handle being movable between a first position in which it is substantially flat and a second position in which a portion of the handle extends through above the top panel of the car to facilitate carrying the car.

19. The car according to claim 18, further characterized in that said handle comprises a central handle body, a neck extending from said end of said handle body, and a head at the end of each neck; said upper panel of the carrier including an opening through which said handle slides; the neck of said handle being of reduced width in relation to the body of the handle and the handle heads; each of the handle heads having a pair of beards that engage with a lower surface of the upper panel when the carrier moves into its second position.

20. The carrier according to claim 19, further characterized in that the handle head has a tapered front end.

21. The carrier according to claim 19, further characterized in that said handle head has a trailing edge, said grooves of the beards extending rearwardly from said trailing edge of the handle head.

22. The carrier according to claim 21, further characterized in that said beards have a trailing edge at an angle relative to said neck; said beards having a blunt outer corner.

23. The carrier according to claim 21, further characterized in that said handle includes a fold line at a junction between said collars and said handle heads. t 24. The carrier according to claim 19, further characterized in that said handle includes a fold line between said handle body and said handle collars. 10 25.- The carrier to hold and transport a plurality of bottles; said carrier including: an upper panel, a lower panel, and two side panels extending between said upper and lower panels, said panels being operatively connected to define a sheath; said top panel having a row of outboard openings

15 adjacent to each side panel, said openings having a center and being adapted to receive said bottles to retain said bottles in said carrier; said lower panel extending between said side panels and including a row of outboard openings adjacent to each side panel, said outboard openings having lower panel.

20 a center; the center of the outboard openings of the lower panel being radially out of phase with the center of the outboard openings of the upper panel.

26. The carrier according to claim 25, further characterized in that said lower panel includes a cutting line generally parallel to said side panels.

27. The carrier according to claim 25, further characterized in that the centers of the outboard openings of the lower panel are closer to the side panels than the centers of the outboard openings of the upper panel.

28. The carrier according to claim 27, further characterized in that said rows of upper panel openings have a center-to-center distance that is smaller than the largest diameter of a bottle to be carried on said carrier.

29. The carrier according to claim 27, further characterized in that when the bottles are received in said carrier, said side panels are inclined downwards and inwards.

30. The carrier according to claim 25, further characterized in that said upper panel and said lower panel each include at least one row of openings inside the board between said outboard openings.

31. The carrier according to claim 30, further characterized in that the openings inside the upper and lower panels are generally concentric.

32. The carrier according to claim 30, further characterized in that the outboard openings of the lower panel are larger than the openings inside the lower panel.

33. - The carrier according to claim 30, further characterized in that the lower panel openings and the side panels are sized such that when the bottles are received in said carrier said lower panel comes into contact with said upper panel.

34. The carrier according to claim 25, further characterized in that the upper panel includes at least one upper layer and a second layer; the top layer extending at least two rows of outboard openings; said second layer having at least 2 rows of inboard receiving openings formed concentrically with and having a diameter smaller than said surrounding openings of said upper layer; said second layer further having a plurality of slots extending from an edge of said container receiving openings to define a plurality of tabs around said container receiving openings.