DESCRIPTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N/A

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a multi-container holder; more particularly, the present invention is directed to a holder that retains multiple containers in a single unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the past, metallic beverage containers, or cans, have been retained in groups of six, often called a six pack. These six packs have been retained by a polymeric web, the webs comprising six equally-sized rings, each ring frictionally engaging one of the six beverage containers passing through the ring’s center.

[0005] Drawbacks to these polymeric webs are primarily associated with an adverse effect on the environment. For example, animals have been known to become tangled in the web causing great distress and eventual death. Additionally, plastics, such as those used to produce the webs, often end up in landfills or in bodies of water.

[0006] The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior multi-pack holders of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

[0007] This disclosure is directed to a metallic multi -container holder and an assembly of the holder with a plurality of containers. The assembly of the plurality of containers is retained in a predetermined transport grouping by the multi-container holder.

[0008] One aspect of the invention is directed to a multi-container holder for securing a plurality of containers in a transport grouping. The multi-container holder comprises a webbing of a metallic material. The webbing comprises a plurality of container positioning elements formed from the webbing and a spacing element joining adjacent container positioning elements. Each container positioning element has a container receiver configured to fit over a terminal end of a container and a retainer configured to attach the container to the webbing.

[0009] This aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features, alone or in any reasonable combination. Each container positioning element may further comprise a curl of the webbing material sized and shaped to be passed over and around the terminal end of the container. The curl may terminate at a cutedge of the metallic material curled towards an upper surface of the webbing. The curl may have a radius of curvature less than 0.1 inches (0.254 cm). Each container positioning element may further comprise a plurality of lugs forming the retainer wherein each lug frictionally engages the container to retain the container to the webbing. The plurality of lugs may be equally spaced about a circumference of the container positioning element. Each lug may have a container engagement surface configured to frictionally engage a seaming curl of a container. Each lug may have a portion configured to wrap around the seaming curl such that the portion of the lug is located closer to a sidewall of the container than a radially outermost portion of a lid of the container. Each retainer may include a bend which deflects the portion configured to wrap around the seaming curl upwardly at an angle measured from a vertical axis greater than 10 degrees. The angle may be between 10 and 90 degrees. The angle may be between 15 and 40 degrees. Each container positioning element may further comprise a cup having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the cup sized and shaped to accept the terminal end of the container therein. The cup may comprise a first cup sidewall terminating at the retainer of each container positioning element, and a second cup sidewall joined to the first cup sidewall through a convex bend such that the second cup sidewall is located radially inwardly from the first cup sidewall. The cup may further comprise a third cup sidewall joined to the second cup sidewall through a concave bend such that the third cup sidewall extends upwardly relative to the second cup sidewall. The cup may further comprise a first cup diameter measured through a center longitudinal axis of the cup to the first cup sidewall, the first cup diameter greater than a diameter of the terminal end of the container. The cup may further comprise a second cup diameter measured through the center longitudinal axis of the cup to the third cup sidewall, the second cup diameter less than the diameter of the terminal end of the container. The second cup diameter may be less than a diameter of an opposing terminal end of the container defined by an enclosed bottom of the container. The third cup sidewall may extend into a cavity of an enclosed bottom of an axially stacked container atop the container positioning element. The webbing may further comprise a weakness line wherein the weakness line is fractured to separate the container positioning element from the webbing. The weakness line may be a frangible score of the metallic material. A container may be releasable from a corresponding container positioning element.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a multi-container holder for securing a plurality of containers in a transport grouping. The multi-container holder comprises a webbing of a metallic material. The webbing comprises a plurality of container positioning elements formed from the webbing. Each container positioning element comprises a cup, a retainer, and a receiver. The cup has an upper surface and a bottom surface and is sized and shaped to accept a lid of a terminal end of a container therein. The curl forms a rim of the cup. The retainer is in the form of a plurality of lugs formed from the curl and equally spaced about the rim. Each lug frictionally engages a seam attaching a lid of the container to a container body to retain the webbing to the container. The receiver is formed on the upper surface of the cup. The receiver is sized and shaped such that an annular substantially u- shaped base of a bottom of a second container stacked above the upper surface of the cup fits matingly with the receiver, and a portion of the receiver extends upwardly into a bottom cavity of the second container. The webbing further comprises a plurality of spacing elements and a plurality of weakness lines. The spacing elements are formed from the webbing. Each spacing element is integral with a first container positioning element and a second container positioning element such that adjacent container positioning elements are retained within the webbing. The weakness lines of the webbing are for separating each container positioning element from a remaining portion of the webbing by severing or fracturing a line of weakness in the plurality of weakness lines.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention is directed to an assembly of a plurality of containers and a multi-container holder securing the plurality of containers in a transport grouping. The assembly comprises a first grouping of substantially identically shaped containers and a webbing of a metallic material. Each container has a container body comprising a bottom joined to a lid through a circumferential sidewall. The lid is seamingly attached to the circumferential sidewall. A bottom is integral with the circumferential sidewall such that the bottom and the circumferential sidewall form a two-piece construction with the lid. The bottom comprises an annular substantially u-shaped base and a concave dome when viewed upwardly from the base. The webbing comprises a plurality of container positioning elements engaging each container in the first grouping to retain each container to the webbing. Each container positioning element comprises a cup, a curl, a retainer, and a receiver. The cup has an upper surface and a bottom surface and is sized and shaped to accept a lid of one of the plurality of containers therein. The curl forms a rim of the cup. The retainer is in the form of a plurality of lugs formed from the curl and equally spaced about the rim. Each lug frictionally engages a seam attaching one lid of one container to one container body of the one container to retain the webbing to the plurality of containers. The receiver is formed on the upper surface of the cup. The receiver is sized and shaped such that an annular substantially u-shaped base of a bottom of a container in a second grouping of substantially identically shaped containers stacked above the first grouping of substantially identically shaped containers fits matingly with the receiver. A portion of the receiver extends upwardly into a cavity of the container in the second grouping of substantially identically shaped containers. The webbing further comprises a plurality of spacing elements and a plurality of weakness lines. The spacing elements are formed from the webbing. Each spacing element is integral with a first container positioning element and a second container positioning element such that adjacent container positioning elements are retained within the webbing. The weakness lines of the webbing are for separating each container positioning element from a remaining portion of the webbing by severing a line of weakness in the plurality of weakness lines. The metallic material is an aluminum alloy.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of a plurality of like containers and a multi-container holder securing the plurality of like containers in a transport grouping;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembly of a plurality of like containers and a multi container holder securing the plurality of like containers in a transport grouping;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembly of a plurality of like containers and a multi container holder securing the plurality of like containers in a transport grouping rotated 90 degrees to the view of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a multi -container holder; [0018] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a weakness line which facilitates a detachment of a container positioning element from remaining portions of a webbing of the multi-container holder protected by a safety fold;

[0019] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of weakness lines which, when severed, create a metallic displaceable tab which remains hingedly connected to a container positioned element through a non-frangible hinge wherein the weakness lines are scores protected by

corresponding safety folds;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a container positioning element of a multi-container holder;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a container positioning element taken along 6-6 of the container positioning element of FIG. 5;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a pair of axially stacked containers with a container positioning element of a multi-container holder;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG, 4 showing a lug of the container positioning element and a seaming curl of a container;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a top view of alternative webbing showing weakness lines or scores located between a spacing element member and a container positioning element at a location where the spacing element transitions or blends into the container positioning element;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternative container positioning element showing an alternative position of a slot at a convex bend;

[0026] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a container positioning element showing a score for releasing a container from the container positioning element;

[0027] FIG. 12 is an elevational view of FIG. 11 showing the score having been severed to release a container from the container positioning element;

[0028] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an alternative multi-container holder showing a container positioning element comprising a polygonal aperture in a metallic webbing;

[0029] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an alternative multi-container holder showing a container positioning element comprising a polygonal aperture in a metallic webbing;

[0030] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-section taken along axis 15-15 of FIGS. 13 and 14 showing lugs of the container positioning element engaging a seaming curl of a container to retain the container within the metallic webbing;

[0031] FIG. 16 is a side view of a metallic tray for holding a plurality of beverage containers; and [0032] FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the metallic beverage tray of FIG. 16 showing containers retained therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0034] The present disclosure is directed to a multi-pack container holder, e.g. a ring structure, manufactured or produced from a metal or metal alloy, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The containers are held together at an upper part of the can, just below the lid. Each container, including a ring/cover, can be broken off and potentially used to reseal the container or protect an open container from contamination, for example, from particulate matter such as dust/dirt and insects. Because the multi-pack holder is produced from aluminum, it can be easily and infinitely recycled. The multi-pack container holders of the present invention act within an elastic range of deformation of the metals used to produce them such that a springback of the metal retains the holders to upper portions of the containers.

[0035] Now referring to the figures, multi-container holders 100 for securing a plurality of containers 10 in a transport grouping are illustrated. By way of example, the containers 10 can be conventional two-piece beverage containers having a can end or lid 14 seamed to an open end of a can body 18. The can body 18 has a substantially cylindrical sidewall 22 closed at an end opposite the open end by an integral bottom 26. The bottom 26 has an annular, substantially u-shaped base 30 and a dome 34 extending upwardly relative to a lowermost portion of the base 30 such that a volume or cavity 38 is formed at the bottom 26 of the can body 18 which extends upwardly into a fluid receiving volume of the container 14. These types of beverage containers are well-known in the art of consumer packaging.

[0036] It should be understood that the multi-pack holders 100 described herein can be used in conjunction with any known container unless specified and limited accordingly by the claims.

[0037] The multi -container holders 100 comprise a webbing 104. The webbing 104 can be produced or manufactured from metallic material. This webbing 104 can be produced from a combination of blanking, drawing, and forming techniques known in the art of metalworking. The webbing 104 includes a plurality of container positioning elements 108 coupled or joined by spacing elements 112. A thickness of the metal of the webbing can be 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to 0.015 inches (0.38 mm)

[0038] The container positioning elements 108 are formed from the webbing 104. There can be any number of container positioning elements 104, but there are preferably six as shown in the drawings. Each container positioning element 108 has a container receiver 120 configured to fit over a terminal end of a container 10 and a retainer 124 configured to attach the containers 10 to the webbing 104. The container positioning elements are generally substantially similar except of the location of the retainers 116 and connections with the spacing elements 112

[0039] The container positioning elements 108 can be in the form of cups or cup-shaped wherein the terminal end of each container 10 fits within an interior volume of the container positioning element 108. A curl 132 of the webbing material is sized and shaped to be passed over and around the terminal end of the container 14. The curl 132 forms a rim of the cup. This positions the lid 14 and a seaming curl 42, which attaches the lid 14 to the can body 18, to be located within the cup volume. The curl 132 terminates at a cutedge of the metallic material curled towards an upper surface 136 of the webbing 104, exposing a bottom surface 140 of the webbing, and generally having a radius of curvature Rc _uri less than 0.1 inches (0.254 cm) and more preferably between 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) and 0.074 inches 0.188 cm).

[0040] As will be understood from the description below. The cup structure forms a receiver 120 formed on the upper surface 136 of the cup. The receiver 120 is sized and shaped such that the annular substantially u-shaped base 30 of the bottom 26 of a second container 40 stacked above the upper surface 136 fits matingly with the receiver 120, and a portion of the receiver extends upwardly into the cavity 38 formed by the dome 34 of the second container 40.

[0041] The container positioning element has three sidewalls 144,146,148. A first cup sidewall 144 extends upwardly from the curl 132. Stated another way, the first cup sidewall 144 terminates at the retainer 124 of each container positioning element 108. An outwardly convex bend 152 as viewed from a perspective of the upper surface 136 of the container positioning element separates the first cup sidewall from a second cup sidewall 146 and may directly join the first cup sidewall with a second cup sidewall 146. An inwardly concave bend 156 as viewed from the perspective of the upper surface 136 separates the second cup sidewall 146 from a third cup sidewall 148 and may directly join the second cup sidewall 146 with a third cup sidewall 148. A cup closure wall 160 encloses a bottom of the cup (or a top of the cup in the orientation of use).

[0042] The second cup sidewall 146 angles radially inwardly with respect to a center longitudinal axis 50 of each container positioning element 108. Thus, the second cup sidewall 146 is located radially inwardly from the first cup sidewall 144. The second cup sidewall 146 preferably includes a support surface on which the base 30 of an axially stacked container 40 is supported. The support surface may be horizontally planar for this purpose.

[0043] The third sidewall 148 angles upwardly from the second sidewall 146. This structure creates a first cup volume 164 and a second cup volume 168. It is contemplated that the third sidewall 148 may extend substantially vertically and parallel to the longitudinal axis 50 such that it creates an impediment to shifting of the axially stacked container 40. Further, a height ¾ of the third sidewall is less than a height H _B of a radially inner wall 42 of the u- shaped base 30 of the axially stacked container 40 to avoid interference between the container positioning element and dome 34 of the axially stacked container 40.

[0044] The cup closure wall 160 may include a centrally positioned recess 162, which is centered about the longitudinal axis 50. The recess 162 extends downwardly and can engage an upper surface of a lid 14 when a mass of axially stacked containers reaches a

predetermined magnitude. However, a primary purpose of the recess 162 is for

manufacturing/metal forming. The recess 162 may add rigidity to the cup closure wall 160 and prevent the surface from“doming” and“oil can effect”.

[0045] The first cup volume 164 is bounded by the first cup sidewall 144, the second cup sidewall 146 and an imaginary plane 172 extending radially outwardly about the longitudinal axis 50 to the concave bend 156. The second cup volume 168 lies upwardly of the imaginary plane 172 and is further bounded by the third sidewall 148 and the closure wall 160. At least a portion of this second cup volume 168 can be located within the bottom cavity 38 of the axially stacked container 40.

[0046] The structure of the container positioning element creates a plurality of cup diameters as measured through the longitudinal axis 50. For example, the first cup sidewall 144 has a first cup diameter Di. The first cup diameter Di is greater than a diameter of the base 30 of the axially stacked container 40. For example, in a 211-sized can body with a 202- sized can end, this first cup diameter Di is typically about 2.12 inches (5.38 cm) to 2.14 inches (5.44 cm) but is generally determined by the need or desire to axially stack containers and the geometry of those containers. The length of the first diameter Di preferably leaves a slight gap on the order of between 0.005 inches (0.127 mm ) to 0.002 inches (0.051 mm) between the first cup sidewall 144 and the seam 42.

[0047] A second cup diameter D2 is measured through the center longitudinal axis 50 to the third cup sidewall 148. The second cup diameter D2 is less than a diameter of the base 30 of the axially stacked container 40. This allows the second volume 168 to fit within the cavity 38 of the axially stacked container 40. This second cup diameter D2 is typically about 1.765 inches (4.48 cm) to 1.770 inches (4.50 cm) but is generally determined by the need or desire to axially stack containers and the geometry of those containers

[0048] The retainer 124 or preferably retainers 124 can take the form of lugs 176. The lugs 176 can be formed from the curl 132 or by modifying the curl 132. Accordingly, each lug 176 may terminate at a cutedge of the metallic material curled towards the upper surface 136 of the webbing 104, exposing the bottom surface 140 of the webbing.

[0049] Each lug 172 frictionally engages the container 10 to retain the container 10 to the webbing 104. In one embodiment, a plurality of lugs 176 are equally spaced about a circumference of the container positioning element 108. In another embodiment, there are eight lugs 176 spaced 45 degrees about the circumference of the container positioning element 108.

[0050] Each lug 176 has a portion configured to wrap around the seaming curl 42 such that the portion of the lug 176 is located closer to the sidewall 18 of the container 10 than a radially outermost portion of the lid 14 of the container 10. The lugs 176 are likely to underhang, on the order of between 0.01 inches (0.25 mm ) to 0.02 inches (0.51 mm), or, alternatively, engage the seaming curl 42. In other words, a diameter of the container positioning element 108 measured though a given lug 176 can be shorter than the diameter of the terminal end of the container such that a distance from the longitudinal axis 50 to a radially innermost portion of each lug 174 is shorter than a distance from the longitudinal axis 50 to a radially outermost portion of the seaming curl 42.

[0051] Each lug 174 may extend downwardly from an uppermost portion of the seaming curl 42 a distance of 0.130 inches (3.30 mm) to 0.170 inches (4.32 mm).

[0052] A bend in the first sidewall 144 deflects the portion of the lug 176 to wrap around the seaming curl 42 upwardly and radially inwardly at an angle t measured from a vertical axis such that the portion of the lug 76 forms a container engagement surface 180 configured to frictionally engage a seaming curl 42 of the container 10. The angle t is greater than 10 degrees, more preferably between 10 and 90 degrees, and most preferably between 15 and 40 degrees, or any range or combination of ranges therein.

[0053] The container positioning elements 104 may further comprise slots 184 within the first cup sidewall 144. The slots 184 can be located above the lugs 176 to facilitate an elastic deformation of the container positioning element 108 making it easier to fit the container positioning element 108 over the lid 14, seam 42, and terminal end of the container 10.

Alternatively, or additionally, the slots 184 extend partially or completely around the convex bend 152 (see FIG. 10).

[0054] The slots 184 are openings in the first sidewall 144. The slots 184 are generally at least equal in length to the lugs 176 and have a width measured parallel to the longitudinal axis 50 of between 0.100 inches (2.54 mm) and 0.125 inches (3.18 mm)

[0055] Preferably, each slot 184 is coincident with each retainer on each container positioning element 108. They facilitate elastic deformation of each container positioning element 108 allowing each retainer to pass over the terminal end of each container and at least substantially return the retainer 124 to an original shape to frictionally engage the container 10.

[0056] The spacing elements 112 join adjacent container positioning elements 108. Like the container positioning elements 108, the spacing elements 112 are produced from the webbing material. Each spacing element 112 is integral with a first container positioning element 108 and a second container positioning element 108 such that adjacent container positioning elements 108 are retained within the webbing 104. Weakness lines 188 are located on a surface of the spacing elements 112. These weakness lines 188 facilitate a detachment of the container positioning elements 108 from the remaining portions of the webbing 104. The weakness lines 188 can be a score lines which are frangible by bending to cold work a residual metal below a score groove to fracture. The weakness line can also be fractured by a pulling force. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the weakness lines 188 can be protected by a safety fold 189 to guard against user contact with sharp edges subsequent to fracturing the weakness lines 188.

[0057] The spacing elements 112 can be hourglass- shaped such that each spacing element 112 has a width that is wider where the webbing 104 transitions from the spacing element 112 to the container positioning element 108. At a narrowest width, each spacing element 112 can be about 0.300 inches (7.62 mm) to about 0.400 inches (10.16 mm). [0058] Alternatively, the weakness lines 188 might also be located at the intersection of the spacing element 112 and the container positioning element 108 (see FIG. 9). This way no tails (remnant portions of spacing element 112) are left when a consumer fractures the weakness lines 188.

[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 4B, 11, and 12, a container positioning element 108 may also include weakness lines 190, such as frangible score lines. The weakness lines 190 are positioned along an arc of the container receiver 120, preferable on opposing sides of one or more lugs 176. The weakness lines 190 extend radially inwardly from the outer perimeter of the container receiver 120 and terminate at the recess 162. The weakness lines 190 can be severed by lifting an arc portion of the perimeter of the container 120 between the weakness lines 190. The severing of the weakness lines 190 creates a metallic displaceable tab 192 which remains hingedly connected to the container positioned element 108 through a non- frangible hinge 196. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the weakness lines 190 can be protected by a safety fold 189 to guard against user contact with sharp edges subsequent to fracturing the weakness lines 190.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, alternative multi -container holders 200 are illustrated. These holders 200 comprise container receivers which are generally apertures 204 in a metallic webbing 104. This design provides the advantage of being reusable by using the thickness and strength of the metal with an optimized metal punch which allows the metal to operate on the elastic deformation range of the stress/strain curve for a given metal alloy.

[0061] The apertures 204 are configured to engage upper portions of containers 10 generally just below the seaming curl 42. The metal about a peripheral edge of the apertures 204 is formed into a curl 132 to protect against sharp edges. One or more retainers 124 are formed from the curl 132. These retainers 124 can take the form of lugs 176.

[0062] Again, a configuration of apertures 204 is designed to engage the containers 10 just below the seaming curl 42. It follows that the apertures 204 are not similarly shaped to the containers 10. In the embodiments illustrated, the apertures 204 are polygonal such that only segments of the curl 132 engage the containers 10 is the desired location.

[0063] Still another alternative embodiment of a multi-container holder 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. Here, a fully integral metallic tray 300 is configured to hold 8 beverage containers 10. The tray 300 has a peripheral wall that includes a pair of side walls 314 and a pair of end walls 318. The peripheral wall preferably is of substantially uniform height, extending from a tray bottom 322 to a discontinuous top surface 324. [0064] An interior of the tray 300 preferably is divided into one or more rows of container receiving pockets 348. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the tray 300 is divided into two rows of container receiving pockets 348.

[0065] Columns 354,382 are formed between the pockets 348. Corner columns 356 preferably are formed at the corners of the tray. The columns 356, 382 are spaced apart to form the pockets 348. The columns may retainers for engaging the containers 10 and holding them within the tray 300.

[0066] One or more columns 354, may include openings through which ice and/or cold water can be inserted wherein the tray 300 servers as a cooler for chilling the beverage containers.

[0067] It is contemplated that the trays 300 of this embodiment are nestable and stackable as illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0068] It is further contemplated that the trays 300 can be reused multi times.

[0069] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.