Multiple Container Carrier

Abstract

A carrier device for use with multiple container carriers for retaining and transporting a plurality of multiple container carriers.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a carrier device for use with multiple container carriers such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,874,835. Container carriers of that patent are extensively used for the multi-packaging of containers, usually metal beverage containers, which are generally commercially sold in multiples of six. The present invention cooperates with a number of such multiple container carriers to form a single package of total the number of containers carried in multiple container carriers. With two such carriers each carrying six cans or containers, a convenient unitary package of twelve containers would be provided. The present invention contemplates the cooperation of the carrier device with the finger holds and longitudinal side edges of the individual multiple container carriers.

The carrier device of the present invention further includes an integral handle for convenient transporting of the unitary pack.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a simple carrier device for multiple separation carriers which is quickly and easily applied, provides a convenient carrying arrangement for multiple container packs, permits easy separation of the carrier device from the multiple container carriers, or easy removal of the individual containers from the unitary carrier pack.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier device for multiple container carriers such as shown, by way of example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,874,835.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are obtained by the provision of a carrier device formed from a sheet of rigid or semi-rigid plastic, in which certain depending tabs are provided for interlocking cooperation with a certain portions of known multiple container carriers. When two multiple container carriers with the containers therein are arranged in a longitudinal side-by-side relationship, the carrier device is positioned over and transversely of the multiple container carriers. The carrier device is then projected downwardly to snap the tabs into locking engagement with the pair of multiple container carriers. The individual containers are easily removed from the subject invention and the multiple container carriers by pulling and deflecting the individual containers downwardly and outwardly of the multiple container carriers. The carrier device may also be pulled from the multiple container carriers to separate the carriers for use of the containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carrier constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pair of multiple container carriers cooperating with the carrier device of the present invention to define a single unitary carrier package;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 and taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The carrier device of the present invention is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 in the form in which it is cut or otherwise formed from a sheet of plastic material. The plastic material is preferably rigid or semi-rigid and may be a material such as polyethylene. The carrier device 10 has a length sufficient to span the finger holds of a pair of multiple container carriers such as those shown in the noted patent.

The multiple container carriers are shown at 11 in FIG. 2 and generally comprise a flat unsupported sheet of plastic material provided with a plurality of spaced apertures, generally six in number. The apertures are somewhat smaller than the diameter of a can with which the carrier is to be assembled, and the plastic material generally is a resilient, flexible, elastic material which will not readily tear. Polyethylene is a preferred example. The carriers 11 are applied over the tops of the cans 12 so that the carriers 11 are positioned immediately below the top bead of the cans 12. Finger holes 13 are provided in the carriers 11 longitudinally centrally thereof and between each group of four apertures. The edge portions of the carriers 11 about the finger holes 13 and at the inter-connecting web portions form relatively stable horizontally extending edges. These edges may clearly been seen as the cross-sectional areas shown in FIG. 3.

The carrier device 10 of the present invention is further formed to have a central portion 14 and two integral side portions 15. In using the device, the side portions 15 are folded downwardly to depend from the central portion 14, as may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Areas of the central portion 14 are cut away or otherwise removed to form a convenient, integral handle 16.

The lower edge portions of each of the side portions 14 are formed to have a number of integral tabs 17. In the preferred embodiment there are three uniformly spaced tabs 17 on each side portion 15. The side edges of the tabs 17 are formed to generally converge in a downward direction to act as cams to spread the edge portions of the carriers 11 when the device 10 is projected downwardly over a pair of carriers 11 aligned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper side edges of the tabs 17 are provided with notches which interlock with the edge portions of the carriers 11 when the device 10 is completely depressed as particularly shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that in the interlocked condition of the device 10 with the carriers 11, the two center tabs 17 engage the longitudinal side edges of the opposed carriers 11 between pairs of the cam retaining apertures. The other tabs 17 each engage the opposed edges of one of the finger holes 13 of the carriers 11.

It is apparent from the foregoing that in use, the device 10 as shown in FIG. 1, but with the side portions 15 in a depending arrangement, is simply projected downwardly over multiple container carriers 11 as shown in FIG. 2 to interlock the device 10 with the carriers 11 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The resulting unitary package is a simple, convenient arrangement for retaining and transporting the containers 12. The carriers 11 are firmly and positively held together by the device 10, and the individual containers are easily removed from the package when desired. In many arrangements of carriers 11 on containers such as cans, the carriers 11 are applied axially below the chimes of the cans. In such arrangements and with the device 10, the device 10 will be aligned substantially on the upper surfaces of the cans and a plurality of such unitary packages may conveniently be vertically stacked.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of multiple container carriers, each of said carriers formed from a resilient, flexible, elastic plastic material and having two adjacent rows of three apertures interconnected by a web, the portions of said web between said rows and said apertures having holes therein, said carriers arranged in a longitudinal side-by-side relationship, a carrier device comprising a substantially U-shaped member with the legs thereof directed downwardly over and spanning said pair of carriers, and means on said legs of said U-shaped member interlocking with said holes and the opposing edge portions of said pair of carriers to form a unitary container carrier arrangement.

2. In a combination as defined in claim 1, and integral handle means formed in the cross member of said U-shaped element for transporting said unitary container carrier arrangement.

3. In a combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said last mentioned means comprises three tabs formed on each of said legs of said U-shaped member, said three tabs on each leg being aligned transversely of said rows with the center tab substantially between said pair of carriers and the end tabs over said holes in said web, and means on said tabs providing an interlocking arrangement of said center tabs with the opposed edge portions of said webs and of said end tabs with opposed edge portions of said holes.

4. In a combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said means on said tabs providing an interlocking arrangement comprises downwardly converging side edges formed on said tabs acting as cams to deflect said opposed edge portions of said webs and said holes upon downward projection of said carrier device over pair of carriers and further comprises notches formed in said side edges of said tabs above said converging side edges for receiving said opposed edge portions of said webs and said holes upon further downward projection of said carrier device over said pair of carriers.

5. A carrier device formed from a sheet of plastic material in an inverted U-shape comprising a rectangular central member and integral side members depending from opposite longitudinal edges of said central member, a handle member formed in said central member as a strap with the ends thereof integrally connected to said central member, a plurality of tabs integrally formed to depend from each of said side members in a longitudinally spaced apart relationship in the planes of said side members, each of said tabs having the opposite side edges coverging downwardly, and the integral connections of said tabs to said side members being substantially narrower than the spacing between the upper ends of said opposite side edges of each of said tabs.