Special receptacle or package – Portable segregating carrier for plural cylindrical... – Receptacle chime – or closure cap flange – engaging type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-18
2001-01-09
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Portable segregating carrier for plural cylindrical...
Receptacle chime, or closure cap flange, engaging type
C206S459500, C206S161000, C294S087200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170652
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a carrier for unitizing containers having a plurality of container receiving openings configured to allow an integral panel to remain in one of a flat and tight position or a contoured and tight position with respect to the containers.
2. Description of Prior Art
Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes, although other packages or containers may be unitized. Plastic ring carriers and box carriers are two such conventional container carriers.
The plastic ring carrier produces a unitized package for containers using little material. However, when used alone has little or no advertising or promotional printing space. Conversely, the box carrier generally has a relatively large amount of area for promotional graphics. Disadvantageously, the box carrier requires a relatively large amount of material, permits bottles to fall out if it is not maintained in an upright position, and usually shrouds much of the actual containers. Therefore, there is a need for a package that incorporates the stability and economy of a ring carrier and the promotional area of a box carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of this invention to provide a container carrier that is rim-applied to containers and provides a panel for merchandising information.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a container carrier which restricts lateral and vertical movement of the containers with respect to one another.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a container carrier that incorporates the stability and economy of a ring carrier and the promotional area of a box carrier.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a panel that can support the weight of a package of containers if inadvertently used as a handle for the package.
It is still another object of one preferred embodiment of this invention to provide a container carrier that maintains a panel in a flat and tight configuration with respect to the unitized containers.
It is yet another object of another preferred embodiment of this invention to provide a panel on a container carrier that does not protrude from a package of containers and instead follows an external contour of the package.
A carrier according to this invention carries a plurality of containers such as cans. The carrier comprises a planar, preferably plastic, sheet formed with a plurality of container receiving openings. The container receiving openings are formed in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks.
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, the containers are positioned in each container receiving opening to form a package having a panel that is flat, tight and parallel with respect to the containers and prominent with respect to the package. Such a configuration of the panel results in a package of containers having a prominent display area or “billboard” for advertising, information, graphics and other marketing material.
According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the containers are positioned in each container receiving opening to form a package having a contour panel that follows an external contour of the package. Such a configuration of the contour panel results in a package of containers having prominent display area without the contour panel protruding or otherwise interfering with adjacent packages.
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Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Luong Shian
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
Sewell Paul T.
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