DE2316415A1 - MULTIPACK AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

Dr.-lng. E. BERKENFELD · Dipl.-Ing. H. 3ERKENFELD, patent attorneys, Cologne

system

for submission of March 27, 1973 HIV // Named. GRIP-EAK ₅ InC,

G 69/2
Multipack and method of making the same

It is now common practice to use a variety of canned products to be packaged together as a group through the use of carrying devices made of recessed plastic film, from wrap-around devices made of cardboard or from shrink-on devices made of plastic tubing. Each of the known devices has features which they in use make advantageous for special containers. However, from the standpoint of penetrating the market, the supports have made of recessed plastic film of the type described in US Pat. No. 2,874,835 in the field because of the multiple packaging of cans had the greatest success the economic advantages of multiple packs and their adaptability to a fast-running application device. the The invention is directed to a multiple pack made of plastic, which is made of plastic film provided with recesses is generally similar, but has distinctly different and improved features which provide significant advantages surrender to the same.

The carrying devices made of plastic film provided with recesses are punched out of a tape or sheet of the plastic material, wound up on a roll for storage purposes and then unwound from the roll for association with the cans by a high speed applicator. Although the Tragvorriehtungen made of recessed plastic film of those involved in this development achieved the best success these devices have drawbacks, especially when it comes to making effective use of the material from the standpoint of Manufacture, storage and use. In particular, produce the support devices from plastic film provided with recesses a large amount of waste during manufacture, they require special storage and transport rollers and they demand due to certain thicknesses of the pile material and certain machines

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the way in which the material surrounding the recesses in the plastic film is stretched and in the shape of a tubular Neck is deformed before application to the container.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a new one and improved multi-pack of plastic and a container pack.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide training a multipack made of plastic, which.the manufacture, the Facilitates transportation and storage as well as the use thereof in the formation of container packs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of making multiple packs of plastic for containers.

The invention therefore relates to a multiple pack for containers, the a variety of flattened bands made of stretchable and elastic Has plastic material which is connected to one another are a sequence of material bands when opening for capturing and holding containers together as a group. Perner is a method for making multiple packages described from one or more elongated flattened tubular plastic elements.

These and other features and advantages of the invention are achieved by the arrangement of a plurality of flattened ribbons of stretchable and resilient plastic material which, at least initially, are joined together to form a succession of ribbons of material when opened. By means of the method according to the invention, a plurality of pairs of parallel slits is formed in at least one elongated, flattened tube made of stretchable and elastic plastic material, from '^; each delimiting flattened strips of material with connecting webs between the flattened strips, which form an interconnected series of flattened strips of material. '"^

In the drawings shows:

FIG. 1: a perspective view of a container pack,

which encloses a large number of preserved products, as well as a multi-pack made of plastic or a support device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is,

Figure 2: a plan view on a slightly smaller scale

on the container pack according to Figure 1,

FIG. 3: a side view on a scale similar to FIG. 2 the container pack according to Figure 1,

Figure 4: an end view of an interconnected pair of flattened tubular elements; from which an embodiment of the multiple pack or the carrier device according to the invention can be shaped,

Figure 5: a plan view of an interconnected

Series of flattened strips of material of the type shown in Figures 1-3 Multiple pack forms,

Figure 6: a diagrammatic view of each other

connected series of flattened strips of material according to Figure 5, which illustrates how the flattened ribbons are opened to form the multi-packs,

FIG. 7: a diagrammatic top view of a multiple pack made of plastic, which is formed from the interconnected row of the flattened strips of material according to FIGS. 5 and 6,

Figure 8: an end view of an interconnected pair of flattened tubular elements; which are connected along the sides of the same,

FIG. 9: a plan view of an interconnected

Row of flattened strips of material, we.lehe in a previously selected pattern from the tubular elements according to Figure 7 are formed,

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Figure 10 is an end view illustrating the _s a plurality of interconnected pairs of flattened tubular elements can be made of which a modified embodiment of the multi-packaging formed,

Figure 11: a plan view illustrating the manner in which an interconnected series of flattened strips of material from the plurality the pairs of tubular elements according to Figure 10 can be formed to multiple packs to shape

Figure 12 is a side elevational view illustrating a plurality of multiple packs formed from the M preselected pattern shown in Figure 11, with each multiple pack axi / opposite alternating ends connected to / an adjacent multiple pack,

FIG. 13: a view similar to FIG. 10, in which a

Variety of pairs of interconnected flattened ones tubular elements is shown,

Figure l4: a plan view showing a pre-selected pattern

illustrates from which another modified Embodiment of the multi-pack can be molded, and

FIG. 15: a plan view of the modified embodiment

of the multiple packs, which are formed from the previously selected pattern according to Figure 1h , the multiple packs being connected along the sides thereof.

As can be seen from the description below, the the plastic films provided with recesses known- ' th support devices made of a film or sheet of the plastic material punched out, while the multiple packs or support devices according to the invention are flattened from one or more tubular plastic elements are molded. The knowledge this is important to the structural and functional parts

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To be able to appreciate improvements of the present invention over the known, which are described below.

The container pack 10 shown in Figures 1-3 contains a plurality of cans or containers 12 which are arranged in the form of the known six-pack. Each of the cans 12 has at opposite ends, upper and lower extensions or bulges 14, 16. In addition to the cans shown with top and The invention can be applied in the same way to containers with only one upper extension or with none annular extension application, although 3 each can preferably with at least one upper annular extension is provided.

Each can 12 is captured and as a unit in the container pack 10 held together by the Mehrfachpaekung or support device 18. It can be seen from FIGS. 1-3 that the multiple pairs 18 are made up of a plurality of interconnected Perimeter bands of material 20 are made, which each can 12 preferably immediately below the upper annular extension 14 each of the peripheral material bands 20 is associated with an adjacent one Band connected by connecting webs 22.

To encompass the cans 12 in the aforementioned wöise, is the Mehrfaehpaekung 18 from a flattened tubular Molded element of a stretchable and elastic plastic material, of which polyethylene is a preferred example. The circumferential material bands 20 are arranged so that they have a circumferential dimension prior to union with the cans 12 so that the Ribbons of material 20 over the cans, by an appropriate applicator can be stretched relative to the cans 12 in resilient and comprehensive engagement. If the multiple assembly 18 is united in this way with the cans 12, the same forms a container pack 10 * in which the S cans 12 for carrying and Be kept together as a group for transportation purposes. From figure 2 it can be seen * that the fingers of a user are in those of the Container pack 10 formed diamond-shaped openings introduced

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can be made to the sides of the middle cans. 12 for lifting and transport of the container pack 10. capture.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 to 7 which illustrate how the multiple pack IS is manufactured and configured. FIG. 4 shows a pair of flattened tubular elements 24 which are connected to one another at one end at 26. While the interconnected flattened tubular members 24 can be shaped in any suitable manner, they are preferably extruded generally in the form shown in Figure 4 the walls of the tubular elements in this embodiment and in the embodiments described below. The wave-shaped elements 24 can also be pressed out in a more rounded elliptical or circular shape and then later flattened before the multiple packing is produced. The ¹ section 26 which connects the flattened tubular elements 24 is a thickened web which connects the flattened tubular elements 2: 4 at one end thereof.

After the flattened tubular members 24 are generally shaped in the shape shown in Figure 4, it is possible to form an interconnected set of flattened strips of material to form the multiple packages 18 "as shown in Figure 5 showed this happens, _r by the flattened schlauehför ^i-shaped elements 24 are slit * so that a plurality of interconnected flattened strips of material 28 is obtained w / ird" each of Materialbänder- 2 is durcii a Faar- paamlleler ⁵ Sehlftse 30 * 32 formed, which with the exception of the · Connect &NGS; s: TEG: e extend 3-4 and 36, on the flattened sciilauchförmigen elements 24, as is ersieht Ilen ,, each ^pair; DER slots ^ Q _s, 3-2 'so formed, that a pair of binding webs 34 * 3 & on j: e-> the side of the thickened web 26 is obtained, which connects the flattened tubular elements 2: 4. From the indicated with full and broken lines given representations of each couple

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From connecting webs 34, 36 it results that the connecting webs on opposite walls of the flattened, tubular Elements 24 are provided to enable the flattened bands 28 to open and the tubular or Form peripheral bands 20 of multiple pack 18 for mating with cans 12.

This can best be seen from Figure 6, in which the flattened Straps 28 are shown from the flattened to the fully open position. The opposite alternating Arrangement of the connecting webs 34, 36 for each flattened Ribbon of material allows ribbons 28 to open in a continuous sequence of multiple packages 18. this enables the multiple packs 18 to be fed while they are being combined with the cans 12 by the applicator. After union with the cans 12, the multiple pack 18 is separated from the interconnected row of strips of material separated.

The fully opened multiple pack 18 has the one shown in FIG shown form. When open, each of the interconnected strips of material 20 takes on a generally tubular shape Shape. It is therefore not necessary that each of the im generally tubular straps 20 is stretched to form a tubular neck, as in the case of carriers made of recessed plastic film prior to joining with the cans. The tubular material strips 20 according to FIG of the invention also enable the thickness or wall thickness of the walls of the tubular belts 20 to be predicted to be as small as possible Amount of material to use. In the known carrying devices made of plastic film provided with recesses the recesses unevenly stretched to the shape of a tubular neck before the union with the cans, what makes it difficult to use the least amount of material possible for multiple packaging purposes to use. According to the invention, however, the opening of the material strips allows the material strips to be shown in FIG Form to stretch the tubular bands 20 evenly for application to the cans, as well as the special thickness

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to regulate greater accuracy.

The connecting webs 34, 36 connect opposite, alternating marginal edges of adjacent material strips 20 with one another, '^ ^: This results in the multiple pack 18 shown in FIG. This does not affect the operation of the multi-pack 18 since the strips of material 20 can engage the cans 12 at generally the same circumferential location. While the connecting webs 34, 36 shown in FIG. 7 connect the material strips 20 in the same row, the connecting webs 38 connect opposing material strips 20 in adjacent rows. The connecting web 38 is formed from the thickened web 26 as the slots 30,32 are formed in the flattened tubular members 24. It should be noted that the connecting webs 38 of the multiple pack 18 are smaller than the connecting webs 34, 36 because the thickness of the thickened web 26 is less than the width of the connecting webs 34, 36.

When a single row of interconnected bands of material is desired, the result is that the slots 30, 32 with the corresponding connecting webs 34 and 36 only in one single flattened tubular element 24 must be formed. Out of the other embodiments of the invention is it can be seen that more than two tubular elements 24 are pressed out depending on the particular multipack that is desired.

In the other embodiments of the invention, which are described below, the same parts are given the same reference numerals denotes, to which the letters a, b and c are added to distinguish between the various embodiments.

As FIGS. 8 and 9 show, a multi-pack 3-8 of the The type shown in FIG. 7 can be formed by a different design of the flattened tubular elements, as well

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by the way in which the tubular elements are slotted will. In particular, the flattened ones are tubular Elements 24a attached to one another at a central portion 40 along the sides thereof rather than at one end of the loop-shaped ones Elements as shown in FIG. In order to form the multiple pack 18 according to FIG. 7, a large number of pairs become more parallel Slots 30a, 32a in each of the superimposed tube-shaped Elements formed except at opposite ends thereof. The slot 30a therefore extends over each of the tubular elements 24a lying one above the other, but ends kutz in front of the upper end of the tubular elements, as in figure 9 as the slot 32a extends over each of the superimposed tubular members 24a extending from the upper end thereof but just short of the lower end thereof in FIG Figure 9 ends. Each of the slots 30a, 32a is delimited at the opposite ends by small circular holes 42, which prevent the seat braid from tearing into the plastic material. The unslit areas at the opposite ends of the tubular elements 24a form the connecting webs 34a, 36a, which the adjacent strips of material 28a in the same Connect the row, while the thickened connecting portion 40 cut through by the slits 30a, 32a, the connecting portion between opposing strips of material in adjacent rows.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12 is now referred to Referenced. Referring to Figure 10, there are a plurality of pairs of interconnected flattened tubular members 24b, with each pair of tubular members 24b juxtaposed along the sides thereof at a central portion 40b while adjacent pairs of tubular members 24b are connected together at one end thereof at 26b are. The arrangement is therefore a combination of the method of connecting the tubular members to one another, as in FIGS Figures 4 and 8 is shown.

As has already been explained, the tubular elements 24b generally in the illustrated flattened shape or in

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a more open mold and after pressing later to be flattened. In any event, the arrangement of tubular members 24b is generally that shown in FIG Figure 10 is shown before the strips of material are formed by slitting the tubular elements 24b. The distance between however, the walls of each tubular element may be less than that shown before and during the sealing process is.

It can be seen from FIG. 11 that the slots 30b and 32b _s, which form the material bands 28b, are formed in each of the tubular elements 24b, except at the lower and upper ends of the tubular arrangement. The slot 30b extends over each pair of the superimposed tubular elements 24b with the exception of the connecting web 46 is provided. As FIG. 12 shows, by slitting the tubular elements ü4b in the manner indicated above, a plurality of multiple packs 18b connected to one another is obtained, which are attached to the opposite. overlying ends are connected by the connecting webs 46 and 48, respectively. Since each of the multiple packs 18b contains a strip of material 28b which is formed from each of the tubular elements 24b, the connecting webs 26b and 40b, which connect the strips of material 28b in the same and adjacent rows, have a substantially uniform size in comparison to the uneven size of the connecting webs 34, 36 and the connecting webs 38 in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1-9. The uniform or uneven size of the connecting webs results from the way in which the tubular elements are connected to one another and from the way in which they are protected. In no case, however, will the effect of the multiple packing be affected.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-15 is that similar to FIGS. 10-12 with the exception that in this one If the tubular elements are slotted so that, between

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see adjacent multiple packs leave middle connecting webs will. In particular, it can be seen that the plurality of pairs of flattened tubular elements 24c with one another connected at 40c and connected to adjacent pairs of tubular members 24c at 26c. This is the same Shaping, which is shown in FIG. However, when slitting the plurality of pairs of tubular members 24c the slots 30c, 32c arranged in such a way that opposing alternating central connecting webs 50 and 52, respectively, remain so that adjacent multi-packs 18c are connected to one another along the sides thereof, as in FIG is shown. Each multi-pack 18c will therefore expand relative to an adjacent multi-pack through an opening along the sides unfold in relation to the arrangement connected at the ends, which is shown in FIGS. 10-12. As with the embodiment According to FIGS. 10-12, however, the connecting webs 26c and 40c in each multi-pack 18c essentially have an even size.

The various illustrated embodiments of the invention are only given as an example, as the multi-pack comes in different Variants with single or multiple rows can be made and used. While the description mainly The multi-pack can also be used for containers of other shapes and sizes. Further Adjacent tubular straps of the multi-pack can be torn connected to one another in order to create the tubular straps To maintain tape on the individual container as it is severed from the remainder of the container package.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the invention provides a new and improved multi-pack and method of manufacture the same concerns the efficient and economical use of material during manufacture, storage and the union of the same with containers in a way that has not previously been possible. The multitude of Applications of multiple packings and the types of products which

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which can be packed in multiple packs makes the same thing suitable for extensive commercial use.

PATENT CLAIMS '

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Claims (10)

Dr.-lng. E. BERKENFELD · Dipl.-Ing. H. BERKENF6LD, patent attorneys, Cologne Attachment file number for input, ™haben 27 »Mal? Z 1973 Bly // Named. Note. PATENT CLAIMS 1.JMultiple pack, characterized in that a large number of There are generally flattened ribbons of stretchable and resilient plastic material, in each of which the flattened Openings are generally aligned in the longitudinal direction that the flattened strips of material at least initially are connected to one another by connecting webs on opposite alternating marginal edges of the flattened bands, and that the connecting webs have a transverse dimension, which a sufficiently smaller predetermined width than the transverse dimension of the Has flattened bands to allow the flattened Ribbons opened from their flattened state as a series of generally cylindrically shaped ribbons are, the generally cylindrically shaped openings of the same are not aligned. 2. Multiple pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting webs are arranged generally in the middle relative to the opposite ends of the flattened bands. 3. Multiple pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the opposite alternating marginal edges consist of alternating upper and lower marginal edges of the flattened strips of material. 4. Multiple pack according to claim 1, marked * by a plurality von'parallel rows of flattened strips of material which are connected to one another. 5. Multiple pack according to claim 4, characterized in that each flattened strip of material in a row with a flattened Band of material is connected in an adjacent row. 309843/0429 6. Multiple pack according to claim 1, characterized by a Large number of flattened strips of material in the same row, which connected to a corresponding number of flattened strips of material in an adjacent row. 7. Multiple pack according to claim 6, characterized in that the flattened strips of material in the adjacent rows on one End connected. 8 .. Multiple pack according to claim 6, characterized in that the flattened strips of material in the adjacent rows are joined together along the sides. 9. A method for producing multiple packs aaeh claim I ₉ characterized by the following steps: that at least one elongated flattened tube made of stretchable and lea elastic material is provided and that a plurality of parallel slots is formed, each of which delimits flat material bands between them with connecting bars between the flattened strips of material to hold an interconnected series of flattened strips of material which form the multi-pack. 10. The method according to claim 9 _S, characterized in that at least two interconnected flattened tubular elements are provided and that a plurality of pairs of slits and connecting webs are formed in each of the flattened tubular elements. 309843/0429