The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
In a manner similar to the types of multi-package carriers described above, carrier 10 according to one preferred embodiment of this invention is constructed from a thermoplastic material, preferably an extruded low- to medium-density polyethylene sheet material, or plastic sheet 20 having a generally smooth surface. Plastic sheet 20 is preferably generally transparent. As is common in plastic extrusion, plastic sheet 20 is extruded such that a longitudinal direction of plastic sheet 20 is in a machine direction, by definition the direction of the extrusion that is perpendicular to the face of an extrusion die, and the lateral dimension of plastic sheet 20 is in a transverse direction, the direction of the extrusion that is parallel with the extrusion die.
According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, matte finish is integrated, along a generally single plane, with plastic sheet 20 in carrier 10 so as to create discrete segments of matte finish 40 integrated with respect to plastic sheet 20. Matte finish 40 is preferably imparted to plastic sheet 20 through the use of roller 70 to create a single, linear thickness of carrier 10, such as shown in
Roller 70 is preferably a generally smooth, metallic roller, such as an aluminum roller, used post-extrusion to create a generally flat, smooth plastic sheet 20 where desired and a matte finish 40 where desired. Roller 70 may be pitted or otherwise treated in one or more sections 75, rings or bands surrounding roller to result in a desired width and location along plastic sheet 20, as shown in
Following application of matte finish 40 to plastic sheet 20, plastic sheet 20 may include portions having a smooth surface and generally transparent appearance and portions having a matte finish 40 that typically includes a generally cloudy appearance. In addition, matte finish 40 includes a lower coefficient of friction against container 60, specifically relative to a sidewall of container 60, than the smooth surface of the plastic sheet. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, this lower coefficient of friction relative to container 60 results from a generally pitted surface imparted by roller 70 onto plastic sheet 20 in areas of matte finish 40. Pitted surface, though not visible with the naked eye include microscopic pitting and/or similar surface disruptions that may result in both a cloudy appearance and a lower coefficient of friction relative to container 60 than smooth surfaces of plastic sheet 20.
Thus, according to a preferred method of manufacturing carrier 10 according to this invention, plastic sheet 20 is fed across roller 70 following extrusion of plastic sheet 20. Roller 70 then applies matte finish 40 to a desired portion of plastic sheet 20 and carrier 10 is subsequently formed from plastic sheet 20 so that matte finish 40 is positioned in a desired location.
As such, after matte finish 40 is integrated with, or otherwise applied to, plastic sheet 20, the resulting plastic sheet 20 is preferably stamped or die-cut to create individual carriers 10. As described, plastic sheet 20 is preferably die-cut after the integration of plastic sheet 20 and matte finish 40 for the preferred embodiment of this invention shown in
Plastic sheet 20 having integrated matte finish 40 is die-cut to form a plurality of apertures 25, each aperture 25 capable of receiving container 60. A plurality of outer bands 35 are preferably positioned along outer portions of carrier 10 and partially define apertures 25. Outer bands 35 preferably do not include matte finish 40.
Apertures 25 are preferably arranged in an array of lateral rows and longitudinal ranks. As shown in
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, shown in
Apertures 25 may comprise any suitable opening, preferably, though not necessarily, an elongated opening having an elongation in the longitudinal direction. As shown in
When the preceding embodiment of carrier 10 is assembled into a package 50 such as shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in
Accordingly, the portion of plastic sheet 20 that includes matte finish 40 is preferably positioned along an inner portion of package 50. Outer bands 35 of carrier 10 are thus generally transparent and free of matte finish 40 so as not to block graphics on containers 60 or otherwise disrupt the aesthetics of package 50.
Carrier 10 will therefore unitize groups of containers having a range of diameters and a range of sidewall characteristics, including container sidewalls having high coefficients of friction. Carrier 10 according to this invention will permit a single carrier 10 to engage a relatively broad range of existing and conceivable containers.
In addition, according to another preferred embodiment of this invention, carrier 10 is engaged and applied to containers 60 by sets of moveable jaws (not shown). These moveable jaws typically engage carrier 10 along outer bands 35 and then stretch carrier 10 for application onto containers 60. As a result of the described embodiment, portions of carrier 10 that include matte finish 40 maintain exclusive contact with the sidewalls, and are slideable relative to the sidewalls, of the respective containers 60 until carrier 10 is applied to containers 60 and jaws are released from outer bands 35. Outer bands 35 are then released into engagement with containers 60 thereby providing a higher coefficient of friction relative to the sidewalls than matte finish 40 of carrier 10. This results in a package having containers 60 tightly and firmly maintained within carrier 10.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/840,768 filed on 29 Aug. 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60840768 | Aug 2006 | US |