Edible can holder with fins.

Abstract

EDIBLE CAN HOLDER WITH FINS. The utility model of the present invention relates to a modification in the configuration and structure of a can holder produced from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable and edible pulp. This modification refers to a fin, protrusion, flange, conical region or tongue with a thickness between 0.75mm and 1.8mm and whose radius, in its widest region, is R20, with the modification placed at each corner of the can holder.

Description

1 / 12 Edible can holder with fins. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention consists of a modification to the configuration and structure of a multi-ring can holder produced from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable and edible pulp paste. In particular, the present invention, which modifies the configuration and structure of a can holder produced from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable and edible pulp paste, improves its function and handling, since it facilitates its handling by distributing the can holders in the assembly area to be able to insert the cans into the can holder and also provides a support point to be able to release the cans from the can holder manually, avoiding destruction or damage to the structure of the can holder. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

[002] The following applications are incorporated by reference for all purposes, as if they were presented here in their entirety, as a background to the disclosure in this application; application MX / u / 2019 / 000154 UTILITY MODEL OF A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A MULTI-RING EDIBLE CAN HOLDER and MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS.

[003] Similarly, Mexican patent MX179288 refers to a can holder adapted to hold a number of cans, each can having an annular top head and a generally tapered bottom to allow the cans to be stacked collectively on top of one another, the holder comprising: a generally flat support sheet in one piece having a plurality of can stacking members that are projected upwards from it to establish a corresponding plurality of can stacking platforms; and the can stacking platforms having (i) an annular cover wall that defines an annular closing channel that corresponds exactly Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 7 / 25 2 / 12 to the upper edge of a can, (ii) a central platform wall, (iii) an annular support wall inclined downwards and inwards, integrally joining the lower wall to the cover wall and establishing an annular recess region that joins the central platform wall, which is dimensioned and configured to accept the tapered bottom of another can to allow it to nest with the stacking platform. This application does not mention the formation of a fin at each corner of the support and refers to the tapered region in relation to the can, as this is directed to an advantage only in the storage of beverage packaging.

[004] Mexican patent MX241178B refers to a can holder made of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard, which connects a plurality of generally cylindrical cans, which are placed in at least two rows and have an inclined top seal and a top seal with a protruding circular ring. The holder is produced from a thick flat piece, which has, for each can to be connected by the holder, two reciprocally opposed, essentially arched recesses, whose outer edges are engaged under the ring of the cans when the holder is mounted on the plurality of cans to connect the holder and the cans and form a can packaging assembly.The fastening slats, adapted to be held by the fingers so as to lift and handle the can packaging assembly, are centrally located on the rough piece of the support between the rows of cans; the invention also relates to a flat piece for a cardboard support and a method for assembling a flat piece of cardboard. This patent refers only to the general arrangement of the holder, and whose advantage at the time of its disclosure was the homology of its resistance to supporting beverage cans given the manufacturing material.

[005] International application WO / 2003 / 004376 refers to a support for cardboard cans, preferably corrugated cardboard, for connecting a plurality of generally cylindrical cans, arranged in one or more rows and having an inclined top and a top seal with a circular protruding edge. The support is produced from a flat blank, which has, for each can that can be connected by the support, two essentially arched, mutually opposed slots, the outer edges attaching under the rim. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 8 / 25 3 / 12 of the cans when the support is mounted on a plurality of cans to connect the support and the cans and form a packaging assembly. The essentially arched slots comprise an arched intermediate section and arched end sections on both sides thereof, forming such intermediate section radially within the extended arched end sections, so that a snap-fit ​​clip is formed that projects inward between the end sections. The tongue is adapted to rest and secure under the rim to connect the support and the cans to a packaging assembly. The invention also refers to a blank cardboard design for a can support. This patent, when referring to a tongue, refers to the packaging and arrangement of the can and never mentions a modification in the release of the can with the packaging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[006] The utility model of the present invention relates to a modification in the configuration and structure of an edible can holder formed from a pulp of vegetable fibers in a mold with internal cavities to accommodate at least four and / or six rings for carrying beverage cans, which confers advantages in terms of its usefulness.

[007] According to Patent Application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDER AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDER, the can holder is produced from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable, edible, and therefore environmentally friendly pulp paste.

[008] According to MX / u / 2019 / 000154 UTILITY MODEL OF A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A MULTI-RING EDIBLE CAN HOLDER, a new machine is designed, with the specific mechanical adjustment for the installation of a biodegradable multi-ring edible can holder onto cans, which is referenced in patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, p. 9 / 25 4 / 12

[009] The present invention relates to a new structure which gives advantages in terms of its usefulness for a multi-ring can holder, which is made of a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable and edible pulp paste, consisting of four extended fins, each configured at each corner of the can holder structure.

[010] The modification referred to in the utility model application of interest, based on the structure and configuration of the can holder provided for in patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDER AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS, has the advantages of accelerating the installation process of the can holder, multiple biodegradable rings on the cans, and facilitating the manual removal of the can from the can holder by the consumer, without causing damage or breakage to the entire structure of the can holder and / or the retaining rings of the can holder, or compromising the stable retention and fixation of the remaining cans, allowing it to maintain its rigid structure throughout its useful life and until all the cans it contains are manually released by consumers.

[011] Patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS AND The invention, "METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS," does not specifically refer to the shape of the structure or form of the can holder, as this invention refers only to its novel composition, the result of an inventive activity, and its manufacturing method. The patent application mentioned above, while disclosing that a rigid structure is obtained in the can holder from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable, edible pulp paste, and technically capable of holding the can safely and stably within the holder, has been found to have caused damage to the can holder structure when handled by the user, as it lacks a sufficiently rigid and stable support point and the necessary surface area to facilitate can release without compromising the holder's structure.

[012] Therefore, the present invention consists of incorporating a fin-shaped body into the can support structure from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable, edible pulp paste, with a surface and structural rigidity Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 10 / 25 5 / 12 are needed to function as a support point on the can holder and facilitate the manual release of cans, preventing damage or breakage to the can holder structure.

[013] It was also determined that having a fin with a thickness not exceeding The 1.2 mm difference in relation to the rest of the can holder body, which is 2.0 to 3.0 mm thick, and the fin radius, where its radius at the widest point is R20, does not require modification of the mechanical structure of the can holder assembly machine, referred to in utility model MX / u / 2019 / 000154 UTILITY MODEL OF A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A MULTI-RING EDIBLE CAN HOLDER. On the contrary, the addition of fins at each corner of the can holder, with the surface area and radius at their widest point referred to above, facilitates the separation of each of the can holders in the distribution area so that they can be placed in groups of 4 or 6 cans, respectively, improving the time required for the distribution and assembly of each of the can holders in the assembly machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[014] The systems, devices and methods provide multi-ring edible can holders with the ability to degrade rapidly upon environmental exposure and to be nutritionally neutral when consumed by animals (birds or fish), allowing them to be environmentally friendly.

[015] While the multi-ring edible can holder provided for in patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS fulfills the function for which it was designed, it has been shown that a modification to its configuration and physical structure, by including four fins, each positioned at the corners of the can holder structure, would generate advantages in terms of its usefulness both in the assembly phase and in the placement on the cans, as well as to reinforce the durability of its structure when handled by consumers, at the time of removing each fixed can and facilitating handling. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 11 / 25 6 / 12

[016] Therefore, a main objective of the invention is to provide a new arrangement in the configuration and structure of the biodegradable can support sheet for the unified transport of a group of beverage cans in a single package, wherein this new modification of the can support stands out because it comprises at each corner a protrusion, fin, clip, tapered area or tongue with a thickness of 0.75 mm-1.8 mm, of the can support sheet whose thickness is 2.0-2.5 mm. This protrusion, clip, tapered area or tongue, for reference to the present invention, will be considered as a fin.

[017] Another objective of the invention is to provide a new arrangement in the configuration and structure of the biodegradable can holder sheet, which allows the user / consumer to more easily and efficiently release the can from the can holder without causing damage to the rigid structure of the can holder.

[018] Yet another objective of this invention is to provide an accessory whose dimensions, due to the design of its fins in its structure, do not alter the transport and storage capacity, allowing horizontal and vertical stacking of the same number of can holders derived from patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS, nor do they compromise the rigidity and stability of the can holders with the remaining cans when a can is released.

[019] Similarly, another objective of the invention is that the incorporation of fins into the can holder structure referred to in patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS has adequate thickness and surface so as not to require modification of the mechanical structure of the can holder assembly machine referred to in utility model MX / u / 2019 / 000154 UTILITY MODEL OF A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A MULTI-RING EDIBLE CAN HOLDER. Conversely, the addition of fins at each corner of the can holder, with the surface and radius at their widest point, facilitates the way of separating each of the can holders in the distribution area so that they can be placed in a group of 4 or 6 cans, Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 12 / 25 7 / 12 respectively, improving the time required for the distribution and assembly of each of the can holders on the assembly machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[020] The specific structural and functional details described in this document should not be interpreted as limiting, but simply as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to use the innovation for the can support structure (10).

[021] Before describing the new modifications in the can support structure (10), it should be understood that the terminology used in this document is intended to describe only particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “comprise,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion of the list of elements comprising the invention of interest. An element preceded by “comprise” should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional identical elements. The terms “including” and / or “having,” as used in this document, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The terms “a” or “an,” as used in this document, are defined as one or more of one.

[022] The term “plurality”, as used in this document, is defined as two or more than two. The term “other”, as used in this document, is defined as at least one more. The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments”, which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments of the invention. The terms “fins” may refer to “protrusions”, “clip”, “tapered area” or “tongue” with a thickness smaller than the rest of the can holder body (10), similarly, the term “sheet” or “can holder body” should be understood as the body of the multi-ring edible can holder (10), which is produced from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable and edible pulp paste. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, p. 13 / 25 8 / 12

[023] The term integral with may be used together with its derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended to be synonymous with each other. Instead, in particular embodiments, integral with may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in physical contact with each other. Coupled may mean that two or more elements are in physical contact. However, coupled, as used in the present invention, refers to an element that derives from the main structure's own body, such as integral knives with rollers.

[024] The invention is manufactured from the same composition referred to in the can holder (10) described in patent application MX / a / 2019 / 000557 EDIBLE CAN HOLDER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING EDIBLE CAN HOLDERS. The sheet used to form the structure of the can holder (10) has been modified at its ends to mount the structure of each of the fins. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[025] The new aspects considered characteristic of the present invention should be particularly set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, both in terms of its organization and its method of operation, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood in the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention when read in connection with the appended drawings, in which:

[026] Figures 1 and 2 correspond to an isometric view of the six- and four-ring can holder, in which one of the four fins that is formed at each corner of its body is highlighted.

[027] Figure 3 corresponds to an enlarged view of one of the fins, in which the radius and thickness of the said tapered region of the can support are indicated. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 14 / 25 9 / 12

[028] Figure 4 corresponds to an enlarged view of one of the fins of the can holder body, at a scale of 1:0.7, in which the fin region is formed from the can holder body, without being an additional structure or a structure that extends beyond the original dimensions of the can holder.

[029] Figure 5 corresponds to a perspective view that schematizes the mechanism for forming the fins of a can holder, having 6 or 4 rings, which pass through the assembly machine which, in its last stage, passes through 4 rollers with knives simultaneously located at each corner of the can holder.

[030] Figure 6 corresponds to a side view, in which it can be observed that, starting from a stack of tin support sheets, they are separated and one by one pass through the rollers with knives that cut each corner, forming the fins.

[031] Figure 7 corresponds to an enlarged perspective view of one of the four rolls, showing how the knife contained in the roll simultaneously cuts the corners of the tin support, reducing its thickness relative to the rest of the sheet.

[032] The advantages of providing an edible and biodegradable can holder (10), made from vegetable pulp, are many, however, given its origin, consistency and structural nature, it is a rigid sheet, since the point of support for the user is, at the moment of releasing a can, the can holder itself (10), there is a risk of bending or damaging the rings in the vicinity of the released can, so that the generation of a clip in each corner of the can holder, of a thickness lower than the rest of the body of the can holder, greatly facilitates said handling, this advantage in the arrangement of the sheet arises from the fact that such protrusions in the corners are used by the assembly machine to be able to separate the can holders (10) when they are stacked to allow them to be applied to the cans;It speeds up and facilitates the separation of the can holders (10) when they are fixed, as the assembly machine has different types of mechanisms that use the corner protrusions to pull them. These mechanisms vary from low rates of 6 can holders per minute to 400 can holders per minute, depending on the rate required. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 15 / 25 10 / 12

[033] According to the present invention, the fins formed from the can holder body do not significantly alter the dimensions of the original sheet; this allows the machine to mount the sheet (10) onto the cans with the same mechanism for a can holder without fins as for the can holder with fins, in this way, when stacking the packages, it does not require a larger surface than that required for a surface required to pack 6 and / or 4 cans.

[034] More preferably, the fins or protrusions of the can holder have a thickness no greater than 1.2 mm relative to the rest of the can holder body, whose thickness varies from 2.0 to 3.0 mm, and the fin radius varies from R35 to R20, where in its widest region the radius is R20, as shown in Figure 3. This thickness and amplitude of the fin allows excellent handling when separating the can holders when they are being stacked and also allows a better distribution of the can holders in the assembly machine, since the assembly machine encounters a larger protrusion at each end, whose surface area is smaller than the rest of the can holder body, thus allowing the intended rollers or mechanisms to separate each of the stacked can holder bodies, to be easily held by the rollers for removal of the stacked can holder body and then the can holder can be inserted into the can body.

[035] According to the present invention, the fin is not an additional element attached to the can holder body, but instead is a small extension of the can holder body, the result of a modification in the can holder structure, i.e., the fins are formed from the same edible and biodegradable material as the rest of the can holder body, as shown in Figure 4, which highlights only in the dark the area that makes up the fin and can be more clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[036] The shape of the fin gives a fairly oval silhouette to the final structure of the can holder, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, which provides practical handling and reduces the risk of damage during handling, since, in many multi-product packages comprising a fin, they form a 90° beak or corner, which, being a rigid structure, could Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 16 / 25 11 / 12 damage nearby material or cause any damage during handling. Therefore, each of the fins, having a surface area lower than the rest of the can holder body, provides flexibility when used as a support point, absorbing torque force when the can is manually removed from the can holder.

[037] Preferably, the formation of the fins occurs at the time of forming the entire structure of the can holder body, which, as referred to in utility model MX / u / 2019 / 000154 UTILITY MODEL OF A SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A MULTI-RING EDIBLE CAN HOLDER, they are stacked in the assembly machine, where the rollers or generally the mechanism that allows the removal of each of the stacked can holders, which is illustrated as a roller for easy reference, but is not exclusive to other removal mechanisms, uses the fins as a fixing axis to facilitate the release of each of the can holders. This advantage is obtained when each of the fins has a thickness smaller than the thickness comprising the rest of each of the can holders, which allows the distribution mechanism to pick up each of the fins and separate them efficiently, thus preventing the can holders from sticking to each other or two or more can holders from being released together.Thus, any error in the dispensing machine is avoided, as it can separate each of the stacked can holders in a consistent, orderly, and sequential manner.

[038] According to the present invention and as observed in Figure 7, the present modification in the can holder structure, that is, the addition of fins at each end of the can holder, allows the constant, orderly and sequential separation of 6 to 400 can holders per minute.

[039] Although the invention has been shown and described in relation to a particular preferred embodiment or embodiments, equivalent alterations and modifications are incorporated as non-limiting embodiments to the scope of protection of this invention. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, page 17 / 25 12 / 12

[040] Therefore, it is anticipated that the claims will cover any of these modifications or embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.

[041] It should be noted that, from this date, the best method known to the applicant for implementing the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Petition 870220062788, dated 07 / 15 / 2022, p. 18 / 25

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIMS 1. Edible can holder with fins, produced from a biodegradable, recycled, 100% organic, compostable and edible pulp paste, with multiple rings (11) for packing 6 and / or 4 cans, characterized by having an extension, in the form of a fin (13), from the body of the can holder (10) towards its exterior, of smaller thickness than the rest of the body of the can holder (10).

2. Edible can holder with fins, according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal dimensions of the fin (13) have a radius R20 in their widest region.

3. Edible can holder with fins, according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the fin (13) is between 0.75mm and 1.8mm, always being smaller than the thickness of the rest of the can holder body (10).

4. Edible can holder with fins, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fin-shaped extension (13) is disposed at each of the four corners of the can holder (10).

5. Edible can holder with fins, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fin-shaped extension (13) facilitates the handling and maneuverability of the can holder (10) when manually removing each of the cans inserted therein.

6. Edible can holder with fins, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fin-shaped extension (13) allows the assembly machine to separate each of the can holders (10) in a constant, organized and sequential manner when they are stacked, and then allows the can holder (10) to be inserted into the group of 4 or 6 cans. Petition 870260058318, dated 06 / 15 / 2026, page 7 / 16

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