Patent Application
20210316921
The present disclosure relates generally to a multi-pack carrier, and more specifically to a paperboard multi-pack carrier configured to removably receive and retain containers, for example, beverage cans.
Multi-pack carriers for removably receiving and retaining beverage cans and other containers are known in the art. Many such carriers are in the form of interconnected plastic rings, with each ring configured to removably receive and retain a corresponding container. The use of plastic for such carriers has several drawbacks. For one, plastic is manufactured from petroleum base stock, which may be in limited supply and costly. For another, such plastic carriers are single-use items that contribute significantly to the waste stream. Also, such plastic carriers are chemically stable and do not readily break down for long periods of time. Further, such plastic carriers present a hazard to wildlife that may come into contact with them.
It would be desirable to provide a multi-pack carrier that does not suffer from the foregoing drawbacks.
The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier is configured to removably receive and retain a plurality of containers, each of the containers including a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion. The cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperate to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius. The blank has an upper surface and a lower surface, and includes a center panel, a first side panel connected to the center panel by a first fold line, and a second side panel connected to the center panel by a second fold line.
The center panel defines a first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures. Each of the first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures has a first circular portion spaced from the first fold line and a first neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion. The first circular portion has a radius lesser than the first radius. The center panel also defines a second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures. Each of the second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures has a second circular portion spaced from the second fold line and a second neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion. The second circular portion has a radius lesser than the first radius. In some embodiments, the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user.
The first side panel defines a first plurality of bights. Each of the first plurality of bights corresponds to a respective one of the first plurality of apertures and has a radius less than the first radius. The second side panel defines a second plurality of bights. Each of the second plurality of bights corresponds to a respective one of the second plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius.
In some embodiments, the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank. The first fold line may be frangible.
In some embodiments, the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures.
In some embodiments, the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line. In some embodiments, the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a paperboard multi-pack carrier is formed from a blank according to any of the embodiments described above by folding the first side panel about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel, and by folding the second side panel about the second fold line so that the lower surface of the second side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel.
A further aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of using a multi-pack container to removably retain and receive a plurality of containers, each of the containers including a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion, the cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperating to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius. The method includes providing a blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier according to any of the embodiments described above. The method also includes inserting the cylindrical upper portion of one of the plurality of containers through a corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures so that a free edge of the circular portion of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures engages with the cylindrical groove of the one of the plurality of containers and folding the first side panel about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel and so that a free edge of a corresponding one of the first plurality of bights engages with the cylindrical, circumferential groove of the one of the plurality of containers.
These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.
In the embodiment shown, the container C is a can, for example, a beverage can. As best shown in
In other embodiments (not shown), the container C could be an alternative form of container. The lower portion L of the alternative form of the container C would have a cylindrical upper end interfacing with the upper portion U, for example, as described above. The remainder of the lower portion, however, could have other, non-cylindrical profiles, for example, without limitation, oval, square, rectangular, or other polygonal or non-polygonal profiles.
As shown in
The blank 100 includes a center panel 112, a first side panel 114, and a second side panel 116. Each of the center panel 112, the first side panel 114, and the second side panel 116 has a first or upper surface corresponding to the first or upper surface of the blank 100, and a second or lower surface corresponding to the second or lower surface of the blank 100. The first side panel 114 is connected to the center panel 112 along a first fold line 118. The second side panel 116 is connected to the center panel 112 along a second fold line 120. The second fold line 120 may be parallel to the first fold line 118.
Each of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be defined by a crease or scoring formed into the blank 100. In some embodiments, the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be defined by skiving or the like. As such, each of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may define a region of reduced thickness compared to other portions of the blank 100. This feature may facilitate folding of the first and second side panels 114, 116 about the first and second fold lines 118, 120, respectively. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be frangible. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be perforated.
The center panel 112 defines a plurality of apertures 122. In the embodiment shown, the center panel defines six apertures 122 arranged in two columns and three rows. As such, three of the apertures 122 are adjacent the first fold line 118, and another three of the apertures 122 are adjacent the second fold line 120. In other embodiments, the center panel 112 may define fewer or more apertures 122 in fewer or more rows of apertures 122.
Each of the apertures 122 incudes a circular portion 124 and a neck portion 126 contiguous with the circular portion 124. In the embodiment shown, the circular portion 124 and the neck portion of each of the apertures 122 cooperate to form a bulb shape. Each of the circular portions 124 is spaced from the first and second fold lines 118, 120. Each of the circular portions 124 has a third radius R3 lesser than the first radius R1. The third radius R3 may be less than, equal to, or greater than the second radius R2. In the embodiment shown, each of the neck portions 126 is adjacent to and contiguous with the corresponding first or second fold line 118, 120. In some embodiments, the neck portions 126 could be adjacent to but spaced apart from the respective fold lines 118, 120. In some other embodiments, the neck portions 126 could be spaced apart from but not adjacent to the respective fold lines 118, 120.
The center panel 112 may also define one or more holes 125 configured to receive a user's appendage to facilitate carrying of the multi-pack carrier 10 by the user.
The first side panel 114 defines a plurality of arcuate portions or bights 128. Each of the bights 128 has a fourth radius R4. In the embodiment shown, the fourth radius R4 is equal to the third radius R3. In other embodiments, the fourth radius R4 may be lesser than or greater than the third radius R3, and lesser than the first radius R1. Each of the bights 128 is configured to coincide with a corresponding portion of a corresponding aperture 122 when the first side panel 114 is folded about the first fold line 118 and against the center panel 112.
The second side panel 116 is the mirror image of the first side panel 114 and will not be discussed in further detail.
As shown in
As best shown in
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The first side panel 114 may be then be folded against the center panel 112 so that a free edge 132 of the bight 128 of the first side panel 114 becomes engaged with the groove G of the container C. In some embodiments, the aperture 122, the bight 128, and the groove G are configured so that there is 360 degree contact between the free edge 130 of the aperture 122, the free edge 132 of the bight 128, and the groove G when the container C is removably received and retained in the multi-pack carrier 10 as discussed above. In other embodiments, there may be less than 360 degree contact between the free edge 130 of the aperture 122, the free edge 132 of the bight 128, and the groove G when the container C is removably received and retained in the multi-pack carrier 10 as discussed above.
The container C may be removed from the multi-pack carrier 10 in a conventional manner, for example, by a user holding the multi-pack carrier with one hand, and pulling the container from the multi-pack carrier 10 with the other hand. The multi-pack carrier 10 may, but need not, fracture or tear as shown in
References to orientation, for example upper and lower that may be used herein refer to relative, and not absolute, orientation unless context clearly dictates otherwise.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/007,741 filed Apr. 9, 2020 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63007741 | Apr 2020 | US |
