EP1491457A2 - Returnable can carrier - Google Patents
Returnable can carrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1491457A2 EP1491457A2 EP20040253639 EP04253639A EP1491457A2 EP 1491457 A2 EP1491457 A2 EP 1491457A2 EP 20040253639 EP20040253639 EP 20040253639 EP 04253639 A EP04253639 A EP 04253639A EP 1491457 A2 EP1491457 A2 EP 1491457A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- containers
- carrier
- lever
- slots
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/50—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
- B65D71/504—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to plastic carriers having an array of loops for engaging and holding individual containers, such as aluminum containers containing beverages.
- Container carriers are used frequently to unitize a plurality of containers into conveniently saleable quantities. Plastic carriers have achieved wide acceptance for their performance, lightweight, low cost and versatility in being adaptable for containers of different sizes and shapes. The general design for plastic carriers includes apertures in a stretchable plastic. The apertures are sized and shaped to stretch around the periphery of the containers to be held. Automated machinery is available for attaching stretchable plastic carriers to containers quickly and efficiently. Typically, the carrier includes some type of hand grasp or handle, which may be at the side of the containers, or may rise above the containers.
- Carriers of this type are known in many different styles and shapes. Some are single ply, and others multiply, at least in portions thereof. Carriers of this type have been used widely and have achieved great acceptance.
- The need for and desirability of recycling containers are ever increasing. Many communities have enacted strict recycling laws. To encourage recycling of containers, it is known to require payment of a deposit on the container when the product is purchased. Upon returning the empty containers, the container deposit is refunded to the individual returning the containers.
- It has been known to crush aluminum containers to reduce the space required for storing and transporting them for recycling. Many crushed containers can be contained in a relatively small bag or box. Since payment from recyclers to those returning the containers typically has been based on weight, crushing the containers before returning has been an acceptable and widespread practice.
- It is now known in some jurisdictions to provide relatively expensive deposits on aluminum containers to encourage the return thereof. Since the deposit is calculated on a per container basis, it is necessary to count the containers to calculate the refund. While counting crushed containers is possible, the task is somewhat time consuming, difficult and can be messy in that small amounts of the beverage may remain in the container and spill from the crushed container which often is ruptured along the side or bottom when crushed. So-called "reverse vending" machines are gaining popularity. The empty container is placed in the machine, and payment is dispensed from the machine based on container count received. The machines work best if the containers being deposited are relatively intact.
- Therefore, it is desirable to provide a means for returning containers intact for deposit into the machine, and for carrying the containers conveniently.
- The present invention meets these objectives by providing a plastic carrier of the stretchable type with additional slots for securing the empty containers. The carrier can then be used to return the containers in the same quantity and package as originally purchased. Further advantageously, the carrier itself can be recycled at the location at which the containers are received.
- In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a container carrier and a plurality of pop top containers each having a rupturable opening and a lever integral with the container for rupturing the opening upon elevating the lever relative to the container to open the container, with an array of interconnected loops for holding unopened containers. The array includes material forming a margin around the loops; and slots in the margin are configured for attachment to open containers.
- In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a container carrier for pop top containers having a rupturable opening and a lever integral with the can for opening the can upon elevating the lever relative to the can. The carrier has an array of interconnected loops for encircling individual containers. The array includes material forming a margin around each loop; and slots in the margin are configured to encircle a lever of an opened container.
- In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a package of opened pop top containers having bendable levers associated therewith for opening the container. The package includes a carrier of substantially sheet-like material forming an array of loops for surrounding containers, and at least one empty container having a lever inserted through a slot defined in a margin of the material.
- An advantage of the present invention is providing a carrier that can be used for returning empty containers for recycling in addition to carrying the full containers from the retailer.
- Another advantage of the present invention is providing a more sanitary way for handling empty beverage containers for recycling.
- A particular embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:-
- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a container carrier in accordance with the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in Fig. 1, with full beverage containers held thereby; and
- Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carrier shown in Fig. 1, with empty beverage containers held thereby.
- Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to Fig. 1 in particular, a
container carrier 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown.Carrier 10 is used to form a package 12 (Fig. 2) that includes a plurality ofcontainers 14. Commonly,carrier 10 is used forbeverage containers 14, but also can be used withcontainers 14 or containers of other types holding other fluids. -
Carrier 10 includes an array of a plurality ofloops 16, each of which can be stretched to receive a can therein, as known to those skilled in the art. Ahandle portion 18 is provided along the side of the containers, with theloops 16 receiving the containers substantially midway between the top and bottom of the containers. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific type of carrier shown. The invention can be used with carriers having top handles or no handles, carriers for more orfewer containers 14, carriers for containers of other shapes and for carriers that grasp the containers near ends of the containers. - Carrier 10 is made of a flexible, resilient material that can be stretched significantly without breaking. Low-density polyethylene is a suitable plastic from which
carrier 10 can be made. In some embodiments ofcarrier 10, two juxtaposed webs or sheets may be used welded together and having a central handle. In other known forms of carrier, a single ply of sheet-like material is used. The present invention can be used for these as well as other carrier constructions. - A plurality of relatively
narrow slots 20 is provided incarrier 10, oneslot 20 for each can 14 thatcarrier 10 is designed to hold. Thus, for each loop 16 acorresponding slot 20 is provided. In the example shown in the drawings, sixcontainers 14 are held bycarrier 10 in sixloops 16, and sixslots 20 are provided.Slots 20 are provided in the margin of material that formsloops 16. In the example shownslots 20 are provided in slightly enlargedflaps 22 of the marginmaterial forming loops 16. -
Carrier 10 may further define one orseveral voids 24 to allow stretching ofloops 16 by automated equipment for attachingcarrier 10 to a group ofcontainers 14. The size, shape, location and number ofvoids 24 will vary depending upon the type ofcarrier 10 andcontainers 14 being used. Such features ofcarrier 10 are well-known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in greater detail herein. -
Containers 14 held bycarrier 10 are typical pop-top type containers having a lever orkey 30 that is lifted to pivot above itsfulcrum 32, to rupture anopening 34 incontainer 14 from which the contents of can 14 is poured. Thus, eachlever 30 has afirst end 36 by which it is grasped and operated, and asecond end 38 forming the opening 34 by depressing a rupturable area ofcontainer 14.First end 36 andsecond end 38 are provided on opposite sides offulcrum 32. - Carrier 10 is used as known to package
containers 14 for distribution and sale. Automated equipment can be used to stretch eachloop 16 and insert acontainer 14 therein.Flaps 22 will lie substantially flat against the sides ofcontainers 14.Containers 14 are removed fromcarrier 10 in known fashion, by twisting or pulling eachcontainer 14 to release it fromloop 16 in which it is held. In some embodiments ofcarrier 10, it is known to provide an outer margin portion having tabs and tear lines for releasingcontainers 14 held inloops 16 by tearing the carrier to open eachloop 16. The present invention can be used with such carriers by providingslots 20 in inward portions of the material forming eachloop 16, so that the locations ofslots 20 are relatively stable even afterloops 16 have been opened to release theindividual containers 14 held therein. - After a
container 14 has been is emptied, it can be re-attached tocarrier 10 via one of theslots 20. First end 36 oflever 30 is inserted intoslot 20 and slid therethrough until the materialadjacent slot 20 encounters fulcrum 32.Slot 20 can be stretched to slide oversecond end 38, then surroundingfulcrum 32. As illustrated in the fragmentary view of Fig. 3,lever 30 is disposed on one side ofcarrier 10, with the bulk ofcontainer 14 disposed on the opposite side ofcarrier 14.Empty containers 14 are held securely bycarrier 10, suspended therefrom by eachlever 34.Handle 18 or one or another of theempty loops 16 can be used as a handle for carrying the package of empty containers. The empty containers are held securely, yet are removed easily for deposit into a reverse vending machine or the like.Containers 14 are held upright, reducing accidental spillage of any beverage or other fluid remaining in openedcontainers 14. - Repackaging
carrier 10 withempty containers 14 also facilitates recycling ofcarrier 10. Aftercontainers 14 have been removed at the recycling facility,carriers 10 also can be collected separately. - The present invention provides an easy and convenient device for carrying empty containers for the purpose of returning and recycling the containers to receive a return of the deposit therefrom. The containers along with the carrier can be properly recycled.
Claims (10)
- A container carrier (10) and a plurality of pop top containers (14) each having a rupturable opening (34) and a lever (30) integral with the container (14) for rupturing the opening (34) upon elevating the lever (30) relative to the container (14), to open the container comprising:an array of interconnected loops (16) for holding unopened containers, said array including material forming a margin around the loops (16); and,slots (20) in said margin configured for attachment to the levers of opened containers.
- A carrier according claim 1, wherein said margin includes one said slot (20) for each said loop (16).
- A carrier according to claim 1 or 2, including flaps (22) in said margin, and said slots (20) being defined in said flaps (22).
- A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said array is made of stretchable resilient material.
- A carrier according to claim 5, wherein said material is low-density polyethylene.
- A package comprising a container carrier in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, and a plurality of pop top containers (14) each having a rupturable opening (34) and a lever (30) integral with the container (14) for rupturing the opening (34) upon elevating the lever (30) relative to the container (14), to open the container;
a container (14) being located in and held by each loop (16); and,
the slots (20) each being configured to encircle a lever (30) of a container (14) after it has been opened to attach an opened container (14) to the carrier (10). - A package comprising a carrier (10) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, and at least one empty pop top container having a ruptured opening (34) and a lever (30) integral with the container (14), said lever being inserted through one of said slots (20) and, said slot (20) being configured to grasp said lever (30) and to attach said opened container (14) to the carrier (10).
- A package according to claim 7, including a plurality of said opened containers (14) each secured in a different slot (20).
- A package according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein each said slot (20) is configured to receive a first end (36) of a lever (30) of a container (14), and to be pulled over a second (38), opposite end of the lever (30) and thereby be captured.
- A package according to any one of claims 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein said lever (30) has first (36) and second (38) ends and a fulcrum (32) connecting said lever (30) to its respective container (14) between said ends (36, 38), said slot (20) surrounding said fulcrum (32) with said lever (30) on an opposite side of said carrier from said container (14).
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US48075603P | 2003-06-23 | 2003-06-23 | |
US480756 | 2003-06-23 | ||
US830684 | 2004-04-23 | ||
US10/830,684 US20040256251A1 (en) | 2003-06-23 | 2004-04-23 | Returnable can carrier |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1491457A2 true EP1491457A2 (en) | 2004-12-29 |
EP1491457A3 EP1491457A3 (en) | 2006-02-08 |
Family
ID=33424145
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04253639A Withdrawn EP1491457A3 (en) | 2003-06-23 | 2004-06-17 | Returnable can carrier |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040256251A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1491457A3 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004202765B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2470312A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA04006243A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ533339A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6596272B2 (en) | 2001-03-01 | 2003-07-22 | Ultra Biotech Limited | Biological fertilizer compositions comprising poultry manure |
US11434058B2 (en) * | 2015-12-03 | 2022-09-06 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Divisible container carrier |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4557375A (en) * | 1984-08-03 | 1985-12-10 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Multi-packaging device |
EP0507479A1 (en) * | 1991-04-02 | 1992-10-07 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Carrier stock with tear-open tabs |
US5193673A (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1993-03-16 | Thomas Rathbone | Environmentally safe holder device |
US20040134799A1 (en) * | 2003-01-10 | 2004-07-15 | Mattson Larry J. | Container carrier |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4296082A (en) * | 1978-04-26 | 1981-10-20 | Albright & Wilson Limited | Purification of wet process phosphoric acid |
US4191290A (en) * | 1979-04-18 | 1980-03-04 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Two-way container package |
US4234082A (en) * | 1979-04-19 | 1980-11-18 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Two-way container package |
US4740415A (en) * | 1986-07-10 | 1988-04-26 | Owens-Illinois Plastic Products, Inc. | Low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene blended composition and articles prepared therefrom |
US4911288A (en) * | 1989-08-15 | 1990-03-27 | Dantoin Jr Kenneth R | Can carrier |
US5265718A (en) * | 1992-05-29 | 1993-11-30 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Package comprising multiple containers, such as beverage cans |
US5305877A (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1994-04-26 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Carrier stock with outer band segments having concave edge portions |
US6230880B1 (en) * | 1999-08-18 | 2001-05-15 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Label panel container carrier |
-
2004
- 2004-04-23 US US10/830,684 patent/US20040256251A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-06-01 NZ NZ53333904A patent/NZ533339A/en unknown
- 2004-06-08 CA CA002470312A patent/CA2470312A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-06-17 EP EP04253639A patent/EP1491457A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-06-23 MX MXPA04006243A patent/MXPA04006243A/en unknown
- 2004-06-23 AU AU2004202765A patent/AU2004202765B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4557375A (en) * | 1984-08-03 | 1985-12-10 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Multi-packaging device |
EP0507479A1 (en) * | 1991-04-02 | 1992-10-07 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Carrier stock with tear-open tabs |
US5193673A (en) * | 1991-04-12 | 1993-03-16 | Thomas Rathbone | Environmentally safe holder device |
US20040134799A1 (en) * | 2003-01-10 | 2004-07-15 | Mattson Larry J. | Container carrier |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MXPA04006243A (en) | 2005-06-08 |
US20040256251A1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
CA2470312A1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
AU2004202765A1 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
AU2004202765B2 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
EP1491457A3 (en) | 2006-02-08 |
NZ533339A (en) | 2004-12-24 |
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