Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Other

Edward J Slomski

Peter Lems

A novel top lift carrier and a novel method of forming same are disclosed herein. The carrier is used to carry a plurality of containers, such as cans, bottles and the like. The carrier is formed from a single ply, plastic handle portion which has a plurality of tabs along an edge thereof and a planar, plastic container engaging portion which has a plurality of apertures therethrough that are provided in rows. Each aperture carries one of the containers. The handle portion and the container engaging portion are formed separately and may be made of dissimilar materials. To form the completed carrier, the tabs are fused or welded to the container engaging portion between the rows of apertures. In a first embodiment, the container engaging portion is provided with a plurality of spaced slots between the rows of apertures. The tabs on the handle portion are respectively inserted through the slots and fused or welded to an underside of the container engaging portion to form a strong, peel resistant weld. When the carrier is carried with containers therein, the weld is placed in shear. In a second embodiment, the slots are eliminated and the tabs are fused or welded directly to the upper surface of the container engaging portion. This embodiment is preferably used for lighter weight items in which peel forces do not need to be substantially eliminated.

Two-piece fused top lift carrier

This invention relates to a package of a plurality of elongated containers unitized with a flexible container carrier. The carrier is constructed from a plastic planar sheet having a plurality of first receiving openings positioned near a first lateral edge of the sheet and a plurality of second receiving openings at a distance from the first receiving openings. Each of the first receiving openings engages with a neck portion of one of the elongated containers and each of the second receiving openings engages with a middle portion of one of the elongated containers. A panel integral with the sheet is positioned on an outer surface of the package between the first receiving openings and the second receiving openings. The dimensions of the panel correspond with the dimensions of the package to create a package having a large promotional area for advertising and product information.

Panel container carrier

Method of forming a two-piece fused top lift carrier

A novel plastic carrier for carrying a plurality of containers and a method of forming same is provided by the present invention. The carrier includes a handle portion being of a single ply of plastic material and a pair of container engaging portions freely depending from the handle portion at a joint. Each engaging portion has a plurality of apertures therethrough for carrying an associated container. One of the engaging portions is integrally formed with the handle portion and the other engaging portion is joined thereto at the joint. The carriers are preferably formed continuously. To form the carrier, first and second container engaging portions and the handle portion are stamped out of a single sheet of plastic material, and zipper strips, if provided, are formed thereon. The engaging portions are connected together and the second engaging portion and the handle portion are connected together. Thereafter, the first engaging portion is folded over onto the second engaging portion along a fold line. The first and second engaging portions are welded together along an edge thereof opposite to the fold line. Next, the fold line is severed. Finally, the completed carriers are collected onto a roll. A plurality of apertures may be formed during the stamping step or may be stamped after the container engaging portions are folded over onto each other.

One-piece folded top lift carrier

The cup carrier of this invention comprises a sheet of flat flexible material which forms at least one cup receiving opening and a handle. Each cup receiving opening is surrounded by a cup engaging portion that engages a tapered sidewall of a cup when the cup is inserted within the cup receiving opening. The cup engaging portion of the sheet forms an inner ring and an outer ring and bands connect the inner ring to the outer ring. A generally radial slit is positioned, preferably at an approximate midpoint, between two adjacent bands. The cup carrier permits a user to insert cups having a range of diameters into the cup receiving openings. A user can insert a small cup within the cup receiving opening and engage a sidewall of the small cup with the inner ring of the cup engaging portion. A user may alternatively insert a large cup within the cup receiving opening after breaking the inner ring along each of the generally radial slits, and engage a sidewall of the large cup with the outer ring of the cup engaging portion.

Dual size cup carrier

This invention relates to a container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising two sheets of material joined along at least two generally parallel lines of connection. A panel is defined by at least one of the sheets between the lines of connection. Each sheet of the material contains at least one first receiving opening for engaging an upper portion of a container separated from the panel by a first line of connection. Each sheet of material also contains at least one second receiving opening for engaging a lower portion of a container separated from the panel by a second line of connection. After, during, and just before, application to a plurality of containers, each first receiving opening is preferably vertically aligned with each second receiving opening of each sheet. The carrier according to this invention engages a plurality of containers to comprise an assembled package. Preferably, an integral handle is positioned on the package, such as at an area near a front side of the package, to enable a consumer to conveniently grasp the package.

Welded container carrier

A combination, or distributor package including upper and lower groups of sub- packages of containers each created by a unitary multi-packaging device, a thin, flexible sheet separating the upper group from the lower group and a tightly, tensioned, envelop around the top, bottom and sides of the groups created by a spirally applied stretch film.

Film encased package

A combination, or distributor package including upper and lower groups or sub- packages of containers each created by a unitary multi-packaging device, a thin, flexible sheet separating the upper group from the lower group and a tightly, tensioned, envelop around the top, bottom and sides of the groups created by a spirally applied stretch film.

Growing community of inventors

Crystal Lake, IL, United States of America

Edward J Slomski