U.S. patent application number 13/163897 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for flexible carrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc.. Invention is credited to Jason R. Moreau, Robert Olsen, William N. Weaver.
Application Number | 20110253561 13/163897 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36572982 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110253561 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weaver; William N. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
FLEXIBLE CARRIER
Abstract
A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers
includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of container receiving
apertures formed in the flexible sheet. An array of the container
receiving apertures extend longitudinally across the flexible sheet
wherein each container receiving aperture is substantially
rectangular and includes an aperture perimeter that increases more
than 42% following application to a container.
Inventors: |
Weaver; William N.;
(Northbrook, IL) ; Moreau; Jason R.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Olsen; Robert; (Medinah, IL) |
Assignee: |
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
36572982 |
Appl. No.: |
13/163897 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12415601 |
Mar 31, 2009 |
7963391 |
|
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13163897 |
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11006858 |
Dec 8, 2004 |
7510074 |
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12415601 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/150 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/504
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/150 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00 |
Claims
1. A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of generally
cylindrical containers, comprising a flexible sheet of polymer
material and a plurality of container receiving apertures formed in
the flexible sheet, each container receiving aperture for receiving
a container, the flexible carrier comprising: an array of the
container receiving apertures arranged in transverse pairs
extending across the flexible sheet wherein each container
receiving aperture is substantially rectangular and includes an
aperture perimeter that increases more than 42% following
application to the container and, after recovery, provides a snug
fit around the container, the container receiving apertures
including a straight perimeter section extending longitudinally
along outer edges of each container receiving aperture; and an
arcuate perimeter section extending longitudinally along inner
edges of each container receiving aperture; and wherein the entire
flexible sheet is a continuous extrusion of the polymer
material.
2. The flexible carrier of claim 1 wherein the container receiving
apertures each include a longitudinal axis that extends
longitudinally across the flexible sheet and wherein the container
receiving apertures are arranged in transverse pairs across the
flexible sheet and container receiving apertures in outer
transverse pairs of container receiving apertures are longer across
the longitudinal axis than container receiving apertures in inner
transverse pairs of container receiving apertures.
3. The flexible carrier of claim 1 further comprising: a straight
perimeter section extending transversely along both edges of each
inner transverse pair of container receiving apertures; and an
arcuate perimeter section extending transversely along outer edges
of each outer transverse pair of container receiving apertures.
4. The flexible carrier of claim 1 wherein a distance between each
container receiving aperture in a transverse pair is greater than
half the width of each container receiving aperture.
5. The flexible carrier of claim 1 wherein the aperture perimeter
increases more than 50% following application to the container.
6. The flexible carrier of claim 1 further comprising: at least one
of a handle and a display panel extending longitudinally along one
side of the flexible sheet.
7. The flexible carrier of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet
comprises a polymer composition of a high pressure low density
polyethylene polymer and a single-site catalyzed ethylene-alpha
olefin plastomer.
8. The flexible carrier of claim 7 wherein the single-site
catalyzed ethylene-alpha olefin plastomer comprises
metallocene.
9. A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers,
comprising a flexible sheet and a plurality of container receiving
apertures formed in the flexible sheet, each container receiving
aperture for receiving a container, the flexible carrier
comprising: an array of the container receiving apertures extending
longitudinally in transverse pairs across the flexible sheet
wherein container receiving apertures in outer transverse pairs of
container receiving apertures are longer than container receiving
apertures in inner transverse pairs of container receiving
apertures, each container receiving aperture having a substantially
rectangular perimeter prior to stretching engagement with the
container and a substantially circular perimeter at least 42%
greater than the substantially rectangular perimeter following
stretching engagement with the container and, after recovery,
providing a snug fit around the container, the container receiving
apertures including a straight perimeter section extending
longitudinally along outer edges of each container receiving
aperture; and an arcuate perimeter section extending longitudinally
along inner edges of each container receiving aperture; wherein the
entire flexible sheet is a continuous extrusion of the polymer
material.
10. The flexible carrier of claim 9 further comprising: a straight
perimeter section extending transversely along both edges of each
inner transverse pair of container receiving apertures; and an
arcuate perimeter section extending transversely along outer edges
of each outer transverse pair of container receiving apertures.
11. The flexible carrier of claim 9 wherein the substantially
rectangular perimeter of the container receiving aperture increases
more than 45% following application to the container.
12. The flexible carrier of claim 9 wherein the substantially
rectangular perimeter of the container receiving aperture increases
more than 50% following application to the container.
13. The flexible carrier of claim 9 further comprising: at least
one of a handle and a display panel extending longitudinally along
one side of the flexible sheet.
14. A package of containers unitized with a flexible carrier: a
flexible sheet; a plurality of container receiving apertures formed
in the flexible sheet in transverse pairs, wherein the entire
flexible sheet is a continuous extrusion of the polymer material,
each container receiving aperture having a substantially
rectangular perimeter with a longitudinal axis extending
longitudinally across the flexible sheet, the container receiving
apertures including a straight perimeter section extending
longitudinally along outer edges of each container receiving
aperture; and an arcuate perimeter section extending longitudinally
along inner edges of each container receiving aperture; and a
plurality of containers, each container inserted into a
corresponding container receiving aperture to form a container
receiving aperture having a substantially circular perimeter more
than 42% longer than the substantially rectangular perimeter and,
after recovery, providing a snug fit around the container, and a
distance between each container receiving aperture in a transverse
pair is greater than half the width of each container receiving
aperture.
15. The package of claim 14 wherein the substantially circular
perimeter of the container receiving aperture increases more than
45% from the substantially rectangular perimeter following
application to the container.
16. The package of claim 14 wherein the substantially circular
perimeter of the container receiving aperture increases more than
50% from the substantially rectangular perimeter following
application to the container.
17. The package of claim 14 wherein the container receiving
apertures extends longitudinally in transverse pairs across the
flexible sheet and each container receiving aperture in outer
transverse pairs of container receiving apertures is longer along
the longitudinal axis than each container receiving aperture in
inner transverse pairs of container receiving apertures.
18. The package of claim 14 wherein the flexible sheet comprises a
polymer composition of a high pressure low density polyethylene
polymer and metallocene.
19. The package of claim 14 wherein the flexible sheet comprises a
polymer composition of a high-pressure low-density polyethylene
polymer and a single-site catalyzed ethylene-alpha olefin
plastomer.
20. The package of claim 14 wherein the single-site catalyzed
ethylene-alpha olefin plastomer comprises metallocene.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/415,601, filed 31 Mar. 2009, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/006,858, filed
8 Dec. 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,510,074, issued 31 Mar. 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a flexible carrier for carrying a
plurality of containers such as bottles or cans.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a
plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles
and/or similar containers that require unitization. Plastic ring
carriers having a plurality of container apertures are one such
conventional container carrier.
[0006] Conventional carriers include multi-packaging devices that
engage the chime, rim or rib around the upper portion of the
container, called "rim-applied carriers" or "RAC carriers". Another
conventional carrier is the sidewall-applied carrier, called "SAC
carriers," wherein the multi-packaging device engages the sidewall
of the containers.
[0007] Flexible carriers are applied to containers by stretching
the carrier around the diameter of the container, and allowing the
stretched carrier to recover, providing a tight fit. The carrier is
typically applied to the chime or rib, where this structure exists,
or to the main sidewall.
[0008] Two modes of failure are common in existing carriers and
limit the amount of stretch designed into such carriers. A first
common mode of failure occurs if the container engaging portion of
the carrier is stretched too much during application. As a result,
the carrier may stretch beyond its yield strength and not
adequately recover, a condition also called "neck down," leading to
package failure. However, if the aperture is too large and the
container engaging portion is not stretched enough, it may not
develop enough tension to adequately engage the container, leading
to package failure.
[0009] Another common mode of failure is caused by stress risers
within the carrier created by notches or scratches within the
otherwise smooth flexible carrier. Small notches or scratches may
be formed during either the manufacturing process or when the
carrier is passed over and against the containers. These notches,
scratches or tears result in stress risers that propagate into
larger tears due to the stresses placed on the carrier during
application and/or by the weight of the package thereby causing
failure such as a dislodged container.
[0010] Traditionally, efforts to avoid some of the above problems
included minimizing stretch of the flexible carrier between a
static condition and an applied condition around the respective
containers. Accordingly, the bands surrounding the container
receiving apertures (the "container engaging portions") of prior
art carriers are not stretched greater than 15-41%. There is
therefore a need or desire for a flexible carrier that uses less
material and yet still exhibits improved recovery, improved
elongation at application, improved stretch to yield and is less
prone to tear when notched or scratched.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is directed to a flexible carrier for
containers which utilizes less material and has smaller container
receiving apertures and yet has improved recovery after stretch,
improved elongation at application, and is more resistant to
tearing when notched or scratched. The flexible carrier is
preferably formed using a polymer blend and a configuration and
geometry as described herein.
[0012] According to preferred embodiments of this invention, the
flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers includes a
flexible sheet and a plurality of container receiving apertures
formed in the flexible sheet. An array of the container receiving
apertures extend longitudinally across the flexible sheet wherein
each container receiving aperture is substantially rectangular and
includes an aperture perimeter that may increase greater than
approximately 42%, suitably approximately 43-54% and more
preferably approximately 46-53% following application to a
container. By increasing the stretch of the flexible carrier,
particularly the container engaging portions surrounding each
container receiving aperture, more material of the flexible carrier
is placed into contact with the vertical plane of the container
thereby resulting in tighter gripping engagement with such
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] 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:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art container carrier;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of a prior art package of
containers;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of a prior art package of
containers;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a package of containers using a
container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of the package of containers shown in
FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view of a flexible carrier for unitizing
four containers according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top view of a flexible carrier for unitizing six
containers according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a top view of a flexible carrier for unitizing
eight containers according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of a flexible carrier for unitizing
four containers according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top view of a flexible carrier for unitizing
six containers according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a top view of a flexible carrier for unitizing
eight containers according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a prior art container carrier for unitizing six
containers. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a similar prior art container
carrier as applied to six containers to form a unitized package.
The prior art container carrier includes a plurality of container
receiving apertures that are each stretched around a container to
form a unitized package of containers. As described in more detail
below, existing carriers include container receiving portions
surrounding the container receiving apertures that stretch between
15% and 41% from a static, unstretched condition to an applied
condition in stretching engagement with the respective container.
This range of elongation is traditionally limited by failure modes
including stretching or necking the carrier beyond yield and/or
stress risers, such as notches or nicks, that result in tears or
rips in the carrier following elongation.
[0026] Prior art packages, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
generally exhibit horizontal regions 15 between containers that
result from an uneven distribution of stress within the carrier
thereby resulting in material that does not directly engage with
the container. In other words, material within the carrier that is
directly adjacent the container receiving apertures stretches more
than material that is distant from the container receiving
apertures. The horizontal regions 15 of material that result from
such uneven distribution of stress within the carrier likely do not
directly assist in the support and engagement of the respective
containers.
[0027] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a package unitized with flexible
carrier 10 according to this invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 demonstrate a
substantial reduction in the horizontal regions 15 of material
shown in the prior art package of FIGS. 2 and 3. As described in
more detail below, portions of flexible carrier 10 are stretched a
sufficient amount to permit a tight, gripping engagement with the
containers. This tight, gripping engagement also maximizes the
amount of material of the flexible carrier 10 positioned in the
vertical plane, i.e., in contact with the sidewalls of the
containers.
[0028] FIGS. 6-11 illustrate various structures for flexible
carrier 10 of the invention. The illustrations are exemplary, and
the invention is not limited to the flexible carriers 10 or
packages shown. Each flexible carrier 10 preferably includes
flexible sheet 20 defining a plurality of container receiving
apertures 25, each for receiving a container. Flexible sheet 20
includes bands or rings of material, termed container receiving
portions 30 herein, that surround each container receiving aperture
25. Such container receiving portions 30 stretchingly engage or
grip the respective containers to form a unitized package of
containers.
[0029] The containers, such as those shown in packages in FIGS. 4
and 5, are preferably cans. Although cans are shown in FIGS. 4 and
5, bottles or any other commonly unitized container may be used
with flexible carrier 10 according to this invention. The
containers are preferably like-sized within a single flexible
carrier 10.
[0030] Flexible sheet 20 of material is preferably cut, using means
known to those skilled in the art, such as a stamping die, to form
a plurality of container receiving apertures 25 in flexible sheet
20, such as shown in FIGS. 6-11. Container receiving apertures 25
are preferably formed in a rectangular shape extending
longitudinally across flexible carrier 10 to sufficiently engage
and retain a respective container. Container receiving apertures 25
preferably extend lengthwise or longitudinally along flexible sheet
20 so that a length of each rectangular container receiving
aperture 25 is aligned longitudinally along flexible sheet 20 and a
width of each rectangular container receiving aperture 25 is
aligned transversely along flexible sheet 20. For example, in a six
container or "six pack" arrangement such as shown in FIG. 7,
flexible sheet 20 includes two longitudinal rows of three
transverse pairs or ranks of container receiving apertures 25.
Flexible sheet 20 may include other configurations of container
receiving apertures 25 depending on the size of package and/or the
number of containers desired. Specifically, according to a
preferred embodiment of this invention, flexible sheet 20 includes
a plurality of container receiving apertures 25 having a preferred
geometry as described in more detail below.
[0031] Flexible carrier 10 is preferably manufactured so that raw
carrier stock includes a generally continuous roll of flexible
sheet 20 having a plurality of adjacent flexible carriers 10 that
are punched and then wound onto a reel or spool (not shown) having
several thousand flexible carriers 10, each flexible carrier 10
attached to each adjacent flexible carrier 10. As a result of the
geometry of flexible carrier 10, particularly the elongated
rectangular shape of each container receiving aperture 25, flexible
carrier 10 is narrow enough to permit punching of at least one
additional lane of carrier stock within each continuous roll of
stock flexible sheet material. As such, numerous continuous,
longitudinal lanes of carrier stock may be punched simultaneously
in transversely adjacent rows. Flexible carriers 10 are later
applied to containers to form packages and, during such process,
are preferably unwound from the reels, stretched over the
containers, cut at selected points to separate and then separated
from each other to form individual packages.
[0032] Containers are positioned in each container receiving
aperture 25 using a conventional packaging machine known to those
having ordinary skill in the art. Weaver et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,122,893, and Cervantes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,225, each
describe various features of a packaging machine suitable for use
with the subject invention and such references are hereby
incorporated by reference. Preferably, the packaging machine, also
called an applicating machine, includes a drum having a plurality
of jaw pairs that engage each adjacent pair of container receiving
apertures 25 and transversely stretch flexible sheet 20 so as to
engage each container receiving aperture 25 with each container,
specifically about a sidewall of such container.
[0033] Secondary apertures 35 may also be provided between and
among container receiving apertures 25. As shown in FIGS. 6-11,
secondary apertures 35 are generally diamond-shaped and preferably
follow the contour of the adjacent container receiving apertures
25. Secondary apertures 35 may be used to carry the package formed
by flexible carrier 10 once the containers have been inserted into
container receiving apertures 25. Secondary apertures 35 may be
used to reduce material cost, and to control or modify the size and
stretching properties of container receiving portions 30.
[0034] The containers to be inserted in container receiving
apertures 25 may be bottles or cans having varying shapes and
diameters. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, for instance, each flexible
carrier 10 is installed on containers by stretching the container
receiving portions 30 in the cross direction, in opposing fashion,
as indicated by arrows 27 shown in FIG. 6. Carrier receiving
portions 30 are installed around the respective containers while
stretched, and are allowed to retract or recover to provide a snug
fit around the rib, chime or outside sidewall surface of the
respective containers.
[0035] As used herein, the percentage change in size for container
receiving aperture 25 from a static condition to an applied
condition is measured by comparing a perimeter length of container
receiving aperture 25 at rest (x) with a perimeter length of
container receiving aperture 25 following application to a
container (y). The resultant increase or delta is stated as a
percentage, that is, ((y-x)/x).times.100%.
Prior Art Carrier Stretch
[0036] As briefly described above, two traditional configurations
of container carrier to container are the sidewall-applied carrier
(SAC) position and the rim-applied carrier (RAC) position. A
sidewall-applied carrier requires that the carrier is applied lower
along the container than the rim-applied carrier. Sidewall-applied
carriers, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3, generally include container
receiving apertures having perimeters that stretch 15-41% from a
static condition to an applied condition.
[0037] In particular, the sidewall-applied carrier shown in FIG. 1
includes container receiving apertures that stretch 20-30%
depending upon the relative location of the container receiving
aperture within the sidewall-applied carrier. For example, the
sidewall-applied carrier shown in FIG. 1 includes a container
receiving aperture (in the outer pairs of apertures) having a
perimeter that stretches up to 30%.
[0038] Rim-applied carriers generally include container receiving
apertures having perimeters that stretch 20-30%. For example, a
common rim-applied carrier includes container receiving aperture
perimeters that are applied to containers resulting in an
elongation from a static condition to an applied condition of
20%.
Preferred Embodiment Carrier Stretch
[0039] Flexible carrier 10 for carrying a plurality of containers
according to a preferred embodiment of this invention includes an
array of container receiving apertures 25 extending longitudinally
across flexible sheet 10 that each include an aperture perimeter 40
that may increase greater than approximately 42%, suitably
approximately 43-54% and more preferably approximately 46-53%
following application to the container.
[0040] In particular, FIG. 6 shows flexible carrier 10 for
unitizing four containers. Flexible carrier 10 according to this
embodiment of the invention includes container receiving apertures
25 having aperture perimeters of approximately 5.45 inches.
Application of flexible carrier 10 to sidewalls of containers
having a container circumference or perimeter of 8.2 inches results
in stretch of approximately 50%.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows flexible carrier 10 for unitizing six
containers. Flexible carrier 10 according to this embodiment of the
invention includes outer transverse pairs 50 of container receiving
apertures 25 having aperture perimeters of 5.6 inches and inner
transverse pairs 60 of container receiving apertures 25 having
aperture perimeters of approximately 5.3 inches. Each container
receiving aperture 25 is applied to a container having a container
circumference of 8.2 inches resulting in stretch of between
approximately 46% and 54%.
[0042] FIG. 8 shows flexible carrier 10 for unitizing eight
containers. Flexible carrier 10 according to this embodiment of the
invention includes outer transverse pairs 50 container receiving
apertures 25 having aperture perimeters of 5.7 inches and inner
transverse pairs 60 of container receiving apertures 25 having
aperture perimeters of approximately 5.3 inches. Each container
receiving aperture 25 is applied to a container having a container
circumference of 8.17 inches resulting in stretch of between
approximately 43% and 54%.
[0043] As described, container receiving apertures 25 are
rectangular and include a lengthwise or longitudinal axis that
extends longitudinally with flexible carrier 10. As shown in FIGS.
6-11, each rectangular container receiving aperture 25 includes a
longitudinal axis that is 3-4 times longer than a corresponding
width, more preferably 3.2-3.9 times longer than wide and most
preferably 3.4-3.7 times longer than wide. As suggested by the
above measurements and shown in FIGS. 6-11, container receiving
apertures 25 extend longitudinally in transverse pairs across
flexible sheet 10 and each container receiving aperture 25 in outer
transverse pairs 50 of container receiving apertures 25 is longer
in the longitudinal direction and across the longitudinal axis than
each container receiving aperture 25 in inner transverse pairs 60
of container receiving apertures 25.
[0044] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of this
invention shown in FIGS. 6-11, container receiving apertures 25 are
arranged and configured so that a straight perimeter section 70
extends longitudinally along outer edges of each container
receiving aperture 25 and an arcuate perimeter section 80 extends
longitudinally along inner edges of each container receiving
aperture 25. In a transverse direction of each flexible carrier 10,
a straight perimeter section 75 extends transversely along both
edges of each inner transverse pair 60 of container receiving
apertures 25 and an arcuate perimeter section 80 extends
transversely along outer edges of each outer transverse pair 50 of
container receiving apertures 25.
[0045] Each corner of each container receiving aperture 25 includes
a radiused transition between adjoining section, even between two
connecting straight perimeter sections 70, 75. Such radiused
transitions avoid stress risers that may introduced in abrupt,
right angle corners that are otherwise present in a generally
rectangular geometry.
[0046] As a result of the above described geometry and the
characteristics of flexible sheet 20, flexible carrier 10 includes
a lesser amount of material than prior art carriers. In addition,
flexible carrier 10 according to this preferred embodiment of the
invention include container receiving portions 30 that, following
engagement with containers, are generally positioned in a vertical
plane relative to the containers and generally avoid an excess of
material in horizontal regions 15 found in the prior art, such as
FIGS. 2 and 3. By improving the elongation at container receiving
portions 30 and throughout flexible carrier 10, the material
approaches yield while maintaining a tight engagement with each
respective container. The resulting package, shown in FIGS. 4 and
5, is compact and tight, without excess material in the horizontal
plane, and includes container receiving portions 30 that tightly
engage with the sidewalls of the respective containers.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, flexible carrier 10 may further
include an integral handle 90 extending longitudinally along one
side of flexible sheet 20. According to this embodiment of the
invention, one or more handle apertures 37 are positioned between
handle 90 and the remainder of flexible sheet 20. Handle aperture
37 preferably includes a notch or indentation extending between
each container receiving aperture 25 positioned within flexible
sheet 20. Handle aperture 37 both provides a void within which to
grasp resulting package and permits a flexible interface between
handle 90 and remainder of flexible sheet 20.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, flexible carrier 10 may further or
alternatively include an integral display panel 100 extending
longitudinally along one side of flexible sheet 20. Display panel
100 may include printed advertising or billboard space, either
directly applied to flexible sheet 20 or applied with an adhesive
label, such as shown in FIG. 5. According to this embodiment of the
invention, one or more panel apertures 39 are preferably positioned
between display panel 100 and remainder of flexible sheet 20. Panel
aperture 39 preferably includes a notch or indentation extending
between each container receiving aperture 25 positioned within
flexible sheet 20. Panel apertures 39 preferably urge display panel
100 into a generally vertical alignment with the vertical sidewalls
of the containers within package.
[0049] The flexible sheet 20 used to form the flexible carrier 10
is desirably a polymeric or plastic sheet, which can be formed by
an extrusion process and then cut to form flexible carrier 10. The
flexible sheet 20 has a thickness which provides sufficient
structural integrity to carry a desired number of containers. For
instance, each flexible carrier 10 may be designed to carry two,
four, six, eight, ten or twelve containers of a desired product
having a specific weight, volume, shape and size. For most
applications, the flexible sheet 20 may have a thickness of about
3-50 mils, suitably about 5-30 mils, commonly about 10-20 mils.
[0050] Flexible sheet 20 used to form flexible carrier 10 is formed
using a polymer composition that preferably includes a high
pressure low density polyethylene polymer and a single-site
catalyzed ethylene-alpha olefin plastomer, such as metallocene, and
such as taught in U.S. Ser. No. 10/762,202 for FLEXIBLE CARRIER and
which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a composition
preferably provides carrier 10 with improved recovery after
stretch, improved elongation and strength at application, and
improved resistance to tearing when the carrier is notched or
scratched, compared to an otherwise similar carrier made using the
high pressure low density polyethylene polymer alone.
[0051] 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 purpose of illustration, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that carrier 10 and
the related method of manufacture are 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.
* * * * *