Special receptacle or package – Portable segregating carrier for plural cylindrical... – Pendent from handle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2001-05-15
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Portable segregating carrier for plural cylindrical...
Pendent from handle
C206S180000, C206S198000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230881
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to foldable blanks for forming bottle carriers, and to a process and method for assembling a bottle carrier from foldable blanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packages are known in the prior art for carrying bottles or cans. Such carriers can be formed of plastic, cardboard, or other materials. However, it is a problem in the art to provide a bottle carrier using more cost efficient material which is relatively strong, inexpensive to manufacture, aesthetic in appearance, and easy to assemble.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,829 to Hughes teaches a display carton and blank therefor. The assembled carton has openable ends.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,640 to Joyce teaches a carton with separators, a blank, and an apparatus for erecting a carton from the blank. A relatively complex blank and folding operation are shown.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,077 to Champlin et al. teaches a carrier handle. The carrier handle is formed by a folded blank having two holes, the two holes being in overlying relationship in the assembled carrier to form a handle portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,365 to Kulig discloses a basket type bottle carrier. The bottle carrier has an integral handle portion formed from holes in the blank used to form the carrier.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,298 to Harris teaches a basket-style carrier with non-collapsing end panels. The carrier is formed from a single blank, the blank having holes forming the handle portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,294 to Graser teaches a two-piece beverage carrier. The carrier is formed from two foldable blanks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,240 to Elward teaches an article carrier carton. The carton is formed from a blank and can carry six bottles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,290 to Stout teaches an article carrier handle structure. The handle is formed from a blank having interrupted cut lines.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,382,844 to Arneson is directed to a bottle carrier. The carrier is formed from a blank, and includes hole portions used to form a handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,239,564 to Lyons, Jr., is directed to a folding bottle carrying carton. The carton is formed from a blank, and has a handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides a bottle carrier, which is relatively strong, inexpensive to manufacture, aesthetic in appearance, and easy to assemble while reducing the use of premium grade paper board.
The beverage industry markets products in a printed paper board carrier holding multiple units of glass and plastic containers. This package is commonly referred to as a “basket”. The “basket” provides individual product separation minimizing product damage during the shipping and distribution cycle. Current “baskets” in use provide attractive graphics, which are multi-color printed, have a substantial carry handle, and have an open top which facilitates easy access, removal, and replacement of the product.
The basic “basket” as now commonly used has existed for several decades. Over the years there have been minor revisions to this basic “basket” for the sake of cost reduction. The “basket” has survived the marketing needs of the beverage industry by providing a consumer friendly package to the end user.
The paper board used on current “baskets” is a special custom formulated sheet. This special sheet is used to manufacture the total one-piece “basket”. The sheet provides excellent white printing surface, superior tear strength, improved stiffness, and surfaces and furnish resistance to moisture absorption. The beverage and packaging industries are continually seeking a more cost effective package while retaining the consumer friendly features of the present “basket”.
The carrier according to the present invention has several advantages. It provides a reduction in paper board costs. It improves manufacturing costs of the present “basket”. It retains the “basket” features demanded by the marketing needs of the beverage industry. It provides continuous seamless printed display surfaces; and, it improves packaging line production at the beverage manufacturing location.
More specifically, the carrier according to the present invention is made by joining two blanks made from similar or different grades of paper board. One component is referred to herein as the shell. The shell provides all “basket” printed surfaces including a handle, visible to the consumer on the display shelf. The shell can be made from a white coated paper board or other material combination providing an adequate printing surface.
The second component representing a substantial portion of the total combined paper board area provides the internal longitudinal and transverse product separation, handle reinforcement, and bottom closure flaps. This component is referred to herein as a partition assembly. The partition assembly does not require printing, since it is not readily visible to the consumer when filled with articles to be carried and displayed.
The two blanks, namely the shell and the partition assembly, are preferably formed as die cut components, which are then accurately joined by adhesive applied to designated locations. The two blanks are then further folded and glued to form a collapsed “basket”. The collapsed “basket” is then delivered to the beverage or glass manufacturing location. The “basket” is then erected, bottom flaps are folded and can be either locked or adhesively secured, and thus is ready for filling with product. The “basket” can be filled either on or off a bottling line.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4469222 (1984-09-01), Graser
patent: 4770294 (1988-09-01), Graser
patent: 5680930 (1997-10-01), Stone
patent: 5941377 (1999-08-01), Hart et al.
patent: 5947273 (1999-09-01), Dalrymple et la.
patent: 6131729 (2000-10-01), Eckermann et al.
Bui Luan K.
Flagg Rodger H.
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