Carrying device for grouping and transporting a set of beverage cans

Abstract

A carrier device (1) for grouping and transporting a set of beverage cans (A) into a package, wherein the cans are of the type having a conical upper body portion (a) having a raised upper ring (b) defining an upper plane (c), the device being made of a single laminate, each can having a receiving opening, the profile of which, when the device is mounted on multiple cans forming a package, has a series of retaining fins that engage below the raised ring of the can, wherein the device allows for strong gripping with minimal material, allows for grouping of cans without lateral protrusions of material, and provides protection for the cans and increases the continuous top surface area available for advertising printing; the carrier device (1) includes a top plane of the cans (A) (c) The upper central region (10) on the horizontal above; the peripheral fastening flange (20) is mounted around and abuts the conical body portion (a) of the can (A) and has a cover (21) with a beveled proximal end (22); a series of radial cuts (40) form two types of retaining fins (50), each retaining fin (50) including a peripheral profile (31) formed by an incomplete polygonal-elliptical cut line (32) which in turn forms a cover flap (60) that holds the central region (10) attached to the device (1) and is coplanar with it; and a transition portion (70) that extends downwardly as a continuation of the upper central region (10) and laterally engages with the beveled proximal end (22) of the peripheral fastening flange (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent application pertains to the technical field of packaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cardboard device for grouping and transporting a set of beverage cans to form a package that allows consumers to lift and handle multiple beverage cans. Background Technology

[0002] Cylindrical cans are used in the beverage industry to hold beverages, soft drinks, beer, and more, and for transporting multiple cans. Packaging kits are available, containing two to 24 cans (in the case of large-scale transport). However, for point-of-sale, consumer-level handling, different types of devices have been provided to date to combine cans into packages typically consisting of four or six containers, allowing consumers to lift and handle them together.

[0003] In the prior art, many developed devices can be seen to be made of plastic materials, and they are used as assembly packaging devices, for example in the form of a plastic film wrapping around a packaging can.

[0004] There are also solutions consisting of a series of plastic rings connected in a row (usually two parallel ones), which are applied around the can in such a way that they grip the portion of the can that typically has a reduced cylindrical diameter below the top ring. An example of this can be seen in U.S. Patent US5305877A to Illinois Tools Works.

[0005] The problem is that these plastic devices may end up as trash, scattered where animals are found, such as birds, fish, and aquatic rodents. Many of these animals may be captured in these rings, and unfortunately, once captured... If captured, they may be injured or killed. Similarly, fish and aquatic animals can become trapped in the rings and are often unable to be released; being trapped in a positioning ring usually results in death.

[0006] Manufacturers of various plastic devices used to package beverage components for bottles or cans have failed to adequately consider the well-known fact that people discard disposable items in inappropriate areas.

[0007] Prior art has discovered measures that cause less damage to such plastic devices than those described above, such as the can retainer described in Thomas Rathbone's U.S. Patent US5,193,673A, in which a plastic ring assembly is incorporated with a pre-cut line that forces the ring to break when the can is removed, thereby keeping the ring open and ensuring that the device does not become trapped inside an animal. While this is an improvement, the device is still plastic and, once discarded, can still enter the environment as waste and take years to degrade.

[0008] Other types of can holders have been introduced, which are made from a combination of cardboard and plastic as single-piece components, with a cardboard bottom and a stretched or shrunken wrap. This solution is primarily used for large units consisting of 24 cans, and while it contains multiple pieces of cardboard, the plastic still poses an environmental risk because there is no guarantee that it will not ultimately become waste that impacts nature.

[0009] There are also cardboard can packaging devices that completely enclose the container, such as the solution described in Canadian patent CA2124823 of Riverwood International Corp. This solution is unsatisfactory because the cost makes it unsuitable for transporting smaller six- or four-can sets. However, cardboard material offers significant environmental advantages compared to plastic, as it decomposes in nature, increasing its potential recyclability.

[0010] An improvement to the aforementioned product is a can holder for packaging cans, which has a cardboard device that only wraps around the smaller upper part of the can, such as the device described in Michael Fred Joyce's British Patent GB1604840, which provides a vertically folding flap that holds the bottom of the can lid by a straight perforated slot, i.e., it abuts against the edge of the can lid on opposite sides of the can's diameter. The problem with such devices is that they have several folded sections, require a significant amount of time and steps to assemble, and are functionally unsatisfactory because the way the user must lift or remove the components does not guarantee that the parts will unfold; the structure will be lost, and the cans will become loose.

[0011] Another common problem with devices that form can assemblies from small pieces of cardboard is related to having adequate or sufficient surface area to provide advertising information on the sides and top of the product for identification. Some developed solutions have an additional top cover, but the problem is that they end up using a large amount of material to provide the advertising support surface, as described in U.S. Patent US5503267 to Riverwood International Corp.

[0012] Some devices attempting to address the advertising support problem have incorporated attachments that partially cover the sides of the can assembly or a central plate that serves as a handle and graphic support, such as several embodiments described in Fishbone Packaging's North American application US2018362234A1.

[0013] However, the aforementioned devices, like other solutions made of very simple cardboard formed from a single sheet of material (such as those described in document ES1208411 from Alzamora Carton or document EP0595602A1 from Mead Corp.), have the problem that, despite occupying a single sheet, they lack the means to cover the top of the cans to protect them from the dirt that usually accumulates on the lid, they lack a suitable surface for advertising, and, most importantly, they are flat plates protruding toward the sides of the can walls, thus defining a wide margin and preventing the cans from being stored close together, where such proximity usually ends up causing the protruding edges to flatten or fold between identical packages.

[0014] On the other hand, several solutions have been developed that aim to provide a protective cover for the top of the can while simultaneously serving as a support for graphic information. Examples include the devices shown in European Patent EP1401728 of Smurfit Kappa Packaging and Spanish Patent ES2159235 of Enric García. In the former case, the device has a band covering the upper part of the can, where the band is in the form of a continuous circle linked by rectangular portions. This band is arranged in a plane higher than the base of the device, thus avoiding the creation of a continuous surface that occupies at least a significant percentage of the top, allowing for consistent placement and perception of advertising information. The second cited document is similar, comprising multiple biconvex graphics retained on the top of the can, all located in a plane raised relative to the base plane of the device. Therefore, it does not allow for consistent perception of the placed advertisement, whereas it would allow for consistent perception on a continuous surface. Furthermore, in the latter case, the covering flap engages with the base via an unfolding mechanism consisting of several opposing cuts, which is complex to manufacture.

[0015] WestRock Packaging application US20180222650A1 describes a prior art device that optimizes material use and proposes a fairly simple sheet to prevent edges or margins from protruding from the sides. The sheet, with a circular opening, includes flanges along its entire perimeter, and all flanges include fold lines in their base region, allowing these flanges to unfold relative to their base sheet for fitting under the entire perimeter of the can's top ring. While the solution is simple and uses very little material, the fact remains that these smaller dimensions only work when the material has greater resistance to commonly used cardboard, as evidenced in the description of this invention, where a material called Natralock, developed by the same applicant, is used to achieve resistance with a smaller cross-section. This material is composed of cardboard made of a resistance-enhancing material, or coated with a resistance-enhancing material, based on one or more polymer layers bonded to at least one layer of cardboard.

[0016] It can be seen that the manufacturing material is a composite material with a plastic layer, which again represents environmental damage because these materials are not recyclable and their degradation time is significantly longer compared to materials made of cardboard alone.

[0017] Therefore, a carrier device is needed to transport beverage cans assembled in packaging as individual units without causing harmful environmental impacts if mishandled. A major technical challenge is to achieve a simple device that uses minimal materials, has low production costs, is easy to assemble, and can withstand fracture stress, despite consuming only biodegradable materials such as cardboard. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The present invention generally relates to a carrier for transporting multiple beverage cans assembled in a package as a single unit, one of its main objectives being environmental safety.

[0019] Another primary objective of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that allows for a secure attachment using a small amount of material, without covering the sidewalls of the can or any portion of material that laterally protrudes from the periphery formed by the can assembly, so as to facilitate the storage and display of the package at the point of sale without causing mutual damage due to collision or friction.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a can-carrying device that, although formed with very little material, provides an upper surface that protects the top of the can by preventing the accumulation of dirt on these cans.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a can-carrying device that provides a continuous central area for use in advertising printing.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a can carrying device that provides a simple means for being lifted and manipulated by a user.

[0023] Another additional object of the present invention is to provide a template for forming a tank support device, which facilitates its installation on an assembled tank and ideally provides minimal material loss.

[0024] Therefore, the present invention provides a carrier for grouping and transporting beverage can assemblies formed into a package, wherein the can of this type is formed from a cylindrical body having a conical upper body portion having a raised upper ring, below which a neck having a diameter smaller than the upper ring is defined.

[0025] The support structure is made from individual pieces in the form of laminates made of semi-rigid materials, such as sheets weighing between 250 and 600 grams per square millimeter. More importantly, this material should be 100% biodegradable and recyclable cellulose, allowing for rapid disposal without posing a danger to wildlife.

[0026] The device mainly comprises the following parts: an upper central region, which is substantially horizontal and arranged at a horizontal position above the top of the can; a clamping flange that surrounds and conforms to the truncated conical shape of the can, made of a cover with a rising proximal end that terminates at a point inclined downwards; a can receiving opening having a series of radial cuts that form two types of retaining flaps, wherein each receiving opening includes a peripheral profile generated by polygonal-elliptical cutting lines, which in turn produces a covering flap that is attached to and coplanar with the central region of the device; and a radial transition portion that extends downwards as a continuation of the upper central region and connects laterally to the inclined proximal end of the flange.

[0027] The device has a quadrilateral profile, which may be rectangular, rhomboid, or similar in shape, preferably square, and is provided with a can receiving opening. The profile of the receiving opening has a series of radial cuts that form retention fins below the raised can ring when the device is mounted on multiple cans forming a package.

[0028] The profile of the device is preferably formed by a pair of four parallel side surfaces, having rounded or beveled corners or a combination thereof. The laminate has a top, a bottom, and a profile formed by a pair of four parallel side surfaces, such that the laminate can be virtually divided into quadrants or more portions based on a longitudinal central axis, a transverse central axis, and a diagonal axis intersecting at 45° at the center point of the laminate.

[0029] In cases where the four sides of the laminate are provided with at least one recess between the flanges, the recess may be triangular, trapezoidal, concave, or a combination of these shapes, preferably a triangular shape with a rounded bottom.

[0030] The can receiving openings can be an even number, preferably two, four, six or more, and preferably four. They have a polygonal-elliptical profile, with a larger diameter arranged along the opening and at least a smaller diameter arranged along the width of the opening, wherein these openings are diagonally oriented in the device, their maximum diameter coinciding with a diagonal axis forming a 45° angle with respect to the longitudinal and transverse central axes, and wherein the openings are arranged equidistantly and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal and transverse central axes.

[0031] As described above, the outline of the receiving opening is polygonal-elliptical and has a series of radial cuts that form retention fins mounted below the raised ring of the can. The retention fins extend integrally with them to the top of the flange, i.e., the retention fins cross the radial cuts without wrinkles or lines that would tend to cause the fins to tilt on a plane different from the flange.

[0032] These radial cuts are distributed along the profile, particularly in the central and distal regions of the profile, except in the proximal region of the opening adjacent to the center of the laminate, so that the can is not fixed in the opening in the proximal region because it has no retaining fins.

[0033] The device includes a generally horizontal, continuous central region arranged at a level above the upper plane of the can, with clamping flanges adapted to and surrounding the conical body shape of the can extending radially from the central region, and its cover including rising proximal ends, wherein these flanges engage with the upper central region of the device via radial transition portions.

[0034] The flange is tightly mounted on the upper conical body portion of the can, while the outline of the elliptical opening is mounted below the raised ring of the can throughout the perimeter, except for the area where the flaps appear.

[0035] The support device has a transition portion that extends continuously downward from the horizontal central region of the device to progressively engage laterally with the proximal end of the flange. The transition portion includes a recessed curved side edge, a rounded upper region (which integrates with the upper central region), and a lower end opposite the recessed curved edge that coincides with an entry recess on each side of the support device. Its upper region coincides with the starting portion (bird) of the clamping flange.

[0036] Each of these receiving openings is created by a polygonal-elliptical shaped cut line that is interrupted at a portion adjacent to the central region of the sheet, thereby creating a cover flap that is also polygonal-elliptical in shape. This cover flap remains attached to the sheet through the interrupted portion of the cut line, thus allowing the fins to be supported on the top of the can and positioned coplanar with the upper central region of the device.

[0037] The cover flaps protect the top of the can from contamination while being coplanar with the upper central area of ​​the laminate. Together with the laminate, they form a large, continuous top that can be used as a support for printed graphics or advertising information. Thus, the device allows for both protection against contamination and the arrangement of a large, continuous area for advertising without the need for additional top sheet or sheet sections around the sides of the can.

[0038] In the upper central region of the laminate, there is a central hole suitable for use as a handle, where a user inserts their fingers and lifts the can package collected by the device. The hole is formed by an incomplete circular cut, with one or more bridging portions joining the cut edge to the edge of the hole, so that the hole is initially kept covered as part of a continuous upper surface for displaying advertisements, and only when the user picks up the can package does the cut edge detach and sink into the device.

[0039] The receiving opening includes a series of radial cuts that form two types of retaining fins. These retaining fins allow the flanged portion of the receiving opening to be recessed below the raised ring of the can, while the portion diagonally opposite the radial cuts remains horizontal with respect to the upper horizontal center region of the device.

[0040] Both types of retaining fins consist of multiple pairs of radial cuts that are symmetrical and spaced apart from each other. Each cut consists of a straight distal portion that has one end that coincides with the polygonal-elliptical profile of the opening and a curved proximal portion, wherein the curved ends of two radial cuts are opposite each other.

[0041] The two radial cuts in each pair are spaced apart from each other by a distance smaller than the spacing between the cuts in each pair, and the distance between the two cuts in each pair forms an auxiliary retaining flange corresponding to one of the retaining fins of this type; conversely, the spacing between the auxiliary flanges corresponds to the trapezoidal retaining fins of the second type of fins described above.

[0042] The auxiliary flanges have engagement points with the flanges, which are given by the spacing between the opposing curved ends; however, in all their radial extensions, they are still cut to create a notch between the trapezoidal fins, wherein, when the flanges acquire the same conical body shape, these notches allow the inner edge of the opening to better fit the conical body portion of the can, which is why these notches compensate for the circumference variation of the opening.

[0043] The radial height of the radial cut is preferably equal to half the width of the flange, so that the flange can adapt to its deformation, thereby allowing controlled deformation in the form of folds to occur at the top of the cover.

[0044] The distance between the various receiving openings allows beverage cans to be arranged closely together without any gaps that could create clearances and damage the device components, causing the cans to become loose and tip over.

[0045] The polygonal-elliptical shape of the opening creates multiple straight segments that form the distal edges of the trapezoidal fins and auxiliary flanges. These distal edges are suitable for mounting below the can's raised ring. This straight shape of the edges ensures that the contact area between the edge and the can ring is generated in the central region of these edges, thereby increasing the compressibility of each fin. If the cut line creating the opening is severely bent, the distal edges of the fins and flanges tend to be concave, resulting in weakened resistance to the contact zone with the ring at its pointed end, and deformation due to compression.

[0046] On the other hand, the elliptical shape of the flaps compensates for the displacement they suffer when mounted on the ring of the can, so that the larger diameter of the flaps is in turn larger than the diameter of the round top of the can, so that when the flaps move toward the central area of ​​the device, part of their outline remains above the top edge of the can, and the rest remains inside the edge of the ring of the can, to fit its round shape without leaving obvious gaps.

[0047] The fact that the auxiliary flange, when it becomes conical, allows for adjustment of the flange circumference and remains attached to the receiving opening allows the flange to engage to increase the circumferential contact surface below the can ring, thus preventing it from occurring exclusively below the trapezoidal fins and thereby increasing the device's resistance.

[0048] Because the device can provide a large, continuous top surface for placing advertisements, which is formed by a central horizontal area extending coplanarly toward the covering flaps, it facilitates the handling of the device on the assembly line, as this area is a continuous large surface used as a gripping or suction area for the template by the assembly machine.

[0049] Due to the combination of the aforementioned features (primarily due to the combination of non-circular, particularly elliptical, openings and covering flaps with different retaining fins arranged in their contours, plus the transition portions arranged between the flanges together with the upper central region and diagonally oriented in the laminate through the openings), it is possible for the device to provide a continuous horizontal upper region and a clamping device mounted on the periphery of the can in the conical body portion. These features allow these more elliptical openings to extend from the outer edge located below the can ring to the inner opposite edge above the same ring, so that the flaps are coplanar with the upper central region without losing grip on the can.

[0050] This construction allows for the generation of radial tension from the center point once the device is installed in the tank assembly and the user inserts his finger through the center hole. This radial tension evenly tensions the transition section, and because the flanges are formed progressively, they cause the transition section to pull the flanges towards the center with a combined force pointing upwards. This results in the different retaining fins fitting more closely under the tank ring, especially in the first flange near where the flange is formed, where maximum compression occurs, while in the remaining flanges there is more traction, thus increasing the hugging effect around the conical body of the tank.

[0051] The invention also includes a template for forming the support device, the template having: a profile having four parallel peripheral sides in pairs, each side having at least one recess centered in its central region and having a beveled corner; a central region from which arched portions extend radially, the bases of the arched portions pointing toward the central region, and each arched portion surrounding a corresponding opening of a polygonal-elliptical shape (covered by a polygonal-elliptical flap portion), wherein the profile of the opening includes a series of radial cuts extending into the arched portions, which are paired to form two different types of retaining fins; and, while being inserted between the arched portions, radial transition regions of concave side wings extending from the central region to each of the intermediate partitions in the intermediate partitions of each of the four peripheral sides of the laminate.

[0052] The central area includes at least an incomplete circular cut that delineates a circular hinge that travels inward as the user inserts his finger and picks up the can; although these openings and flaps are created by elliptical, preferably polygonal, cut lines, these cut lines have interrupted sections arranged adjacent to the central area through which the cover flaps are attached to the laminate.

[0053] The cuts forming the retaining fins are all composed of straight distal portions, which have an end that coincides with the peripheral profile of the opening and a proximal curved end, wherein the curved ends of the two cuts in each pair of radial cuts face each other.

[0054] The two radial cuts in each pair of cuts are spaced apart by a distance less than the interval between each pair of cuts, and the distance between the two cuts in each pair forms an auxiliary clamping flange.

[0055] The spacing between the auxiliary flanges forms a trapezoidal clamping flange through which the auxiliary flanges are inserted, wherein the radial height of the radial cut is preferably equal to half the width of the arched portion.

[0056] The paired radial cuts are distributed on the outside of these arched sections, which is approximately three-quarters the length of the maximum diameter of these polygonal-elliptical openings.

[0057] The outlined polygonal-elliptical openings and the arched portions surrounding them are at least two for each template that carries two cans; preferably, there are four for each template, and alternatively, templates with a capacity of six cans can also be formed.

[0058] These templates can be manually installed on the cans, and they can be part of a semi-automatic or fully automatic assembly system. For this purpose, it has notches in certain areas of its outline, which allow the template to be positioned in the machine and then placed on the aligned can; preferably, these notches are arranged in central recesses appearing in the template outline and also in beveled corners.

[0059] Templates can be part of an arrangement of multiple templates to facilitate and optimize their installation; thus, for templates for four tanks, these templates can be arranged in an arrangement of three aligned templates to support twelve tanks arranged in two rows of six tanks each; alternatively, the arrangement of templates for four tanks can be arranged in an arrangement of six aligned templates arranged in two rows of three templates each, thereby covering a set of 24 tanks.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment of the six-can template, these can be arranged in a template arrangement to be installed simultaneously in a group of six, twelve, or twenty-four cans; thus, in the case of twelve cans, the templates are longitudinally aligned and joined by their adjacent smaller sides, such that six cans are each installed in two rows. In the case of a group of twenty-four cans, there are four templates, joined by their smaller sides and with their larger sides overlapping, which are placed on a group of cans arranged in four rows of six.

[0061] The array of templates facilitates the handling of components and their simultaneous installation on a large number of cans, wherein the templates are joined together by weakened joints so that each template separates from its adjacent template as the machine operates on the can components and is assembled into individual packages of two, four, six or more cans.

[0062] The pressure of the machine causes the template on top of the can to deform, which is initially flat, causing the arched part to fold downward into a conical body shape surrounding the conical part of the can, making the elliptical receiving opening tilted in the radial direction, and causing the edge of the opening (which coincides with the starting part of the flap) above the edge in the form of the can's raised ring, while being tilted and mounted below the ring of the can, where it is held in place by a set of flaps.

[0063] The template is made from a single laminate of 100% biodegradable and recyclable cellulose material. Preferably, heavy Sheets with a weight between 250 and 600 g / mm² . Attached Figure Description

[0064] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention may be carried out as shown in the accompanying drawings; however, the drawings are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention, allowing for multiple embodiments as long as they are within a common inventive concept. Therefore, a detailed description of the invention will be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which form an integral part of this presentation, wherein...

[0065] Figure 1 An isometric top view of the support device mounted on a set of four beverage cans is shown.

[0066] Figure 2 The image shows a top view of the support device mounted on a set of four beverage cans.

[0067] Figure 3 A front sectional view of the support device is shown.

[0068] Figure 4 An isometric sectional view of the support device is shown.

[0069] Figure 5 The top-level view of the support structure is shown.

[0070] Figure 6 A top-level view showing magnified details of the support device is displayed.

[0071] Figure 7 A front sectional view showing enlarged details of the support device is shown.

[0072] Figure 8 The top-level view of the support structure is shown.

[0073] Figure 9 An isometric top view of a support device mounted on a set of four beverage cans is shown.

[0074] Figure 10 An isometric top view of the template used to form the support device is shown.

[0075] Figure 11 An isometric top view of an alternative pattern for forming a support device is shown.

[0076] Figure 12 The top plan view shows enlarged details of the template used to form the support device.

[0077] Figure 13 The top view of the six-tank unit is shown.

[0078] Figure 14 An isometric view of three templates for four tanks is shown.

[0079] Figure 15 The top-level view of six templates is shown, each template being used for four tanks.

[0080] Figure 16 The top-level view shows the arrangement of twelve tanks, with two templates arranged together, each template for six tanks.

[0081] Figure 17 The top-level view shows the arrangement of twenty-four tanks, with four templates, each for six tanks. Detailed Implementation

[0082] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention relates to a carrying device (1) for grouping and transporting beverage can (A) assemblies forming a package, wherein the cans of this type have a truncated conical top (a) and a raised top ring (b) defining the upper plane (c) of the can. The device is made of a single laminate and has an opening for each can, the opening having a flap that engages below the raised ring (b) of the can (A) when the device is mounted on multiple cans (A) forming a package. The device provides a strong grip on the cans with very little material, allowing the cans to be assembled together without any material protruding laterally from the edges of the cans, and provides protection for the cans and increases the continuous top surface of the top area that can be used for advertising printing.

[0083] It includes: a basic horizontal upper central region (10) arranged on a horizontal plane above the upper plane (c) of the can (A); a peripheral fastening flange (20) surrounding and conforming to the conical body shape (a) of the can; a cover (21) having an ascending oblique proximal end (22); a can receiving opening (30) having a series of radial cuts (40) forming two types of retaining fins (50), wherein each receiving opening (30) includes a peripheral profile (31) generated by an incomplete cut line (32) of polygonal-elliptical shape, which in turn produces a covering flap (60) that remains attached to and coplanar with the central region (10) of the device (1); and a transition portion (70) arranged between the peripheral fastening flanges (20), which extends downwardly as a continuation of the upper central region (10) and engages laterally with the oblique proximal end (22) of the peripheral fastening flange (20).

[0084] refer to Figure 2 The transition portion (70) has a concave curved side edge (71), a circular upper end region (72) that merges with the upper central region (10), and a concave curved edge-shaped lower end (73).

[0085] Figure 3 Each peripheral fastening flange (20) is shown to adopt the conical body shape of the upper part (a) of the can (A), having a smaller upper base (23) of a polygonal-elliptical shape corresponding to the peripheral profile (31) of each receiving opening (30), and a larger lower base (24).

[0086] like Figure 4 As shown, the polygonal-elliptical incomplete cut line (32) forming the receiving opening (30) has an interrupted segment (33) arranged adjacent to the upper central region (10) of the device, through which the covering flap (60) is attached to the device. Figure 5 As shown appropriately, the receiving opening (30) has a larger diameter (34) arranged along its length and at least a smaller diameter (35) arranged along its width, wherein these openings (30) are diagonally oriented in the device (1), the larger diameter (34) coinciding with an imaginary diagonal axis (11) which is rotated 45° relative to the longitudinal central axis (12) and the transverse central axis (13), and wherein the openings (30) are equidistantly and symmetrically distributed with respect to these axes.

[0087] Now for reference Figure 6 Two types of retaining fins (50) consist of multiple radially symmetrical and spaced-apart pairs of cuts (51), each cut consisting of a distal straight portion (52), having an end (53) that coincides with the peripheral profile (31) of the opening (30) and having opposite ends (54) that are curved proximally, wherein the curved ends (54) of the two cuts (51) in each pair of cuts are opposite to each other; at the same time, the two radial cuts (51) are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance (d1). The distance is less than the larger distance (d2) between each pair of cuts, and because the distance (d1) between the two cuts (51) in each pair forms an auxiliary fastening flange (55); while the larger distance (d2) between the auxiliary fastening flanges (55) forms a trapezoidal fastening fin (56) into which these auxiliary fastening flanges (55) are inserted, and wherein the radial height (h1) of the radial cut (51) is preferably equal to half the width (h2) of the peripheral fastening flange (20).

[0088] like Figure 7 As shown, the assembly of the retaining fin (50) includes two end fins (57), each end fin (57) being located on a respective oblique proximal end (22) of the peripheral fastening flange (20), wherein these end fins (57) do not have a final radial cut (51) and have a curved shape extending from the bottom of the flange to the upper central region (10) of the device.

[0089] On the other hand, such as Figure 8As better illustrated, the support device (1) comprises an outer contour (14), a top (16), a bottom (17), and a chamfered corner (18) preferably formed by four pairs of parallel sides (15), wherein each of the four sides (15) of the contour has at least one entry recess (19) arranged between peripheral fastening flanges (20), which coincides with the lower end (73) of the transition portion (70); while the upper, substantially horizontal central region (10) includes a central hole (80) adapted to serve as a handle for a user to insert a finger and lift a can package assembled by the device (1). The central hole (80) consists of an incomplete circular cut (81) having one or more connecting bridges (82) that hold it as a weak connection to the upper central region (10) of the device.

[0090] The assembly formed by the peripheral fastening flange (20), the receiving opening (30), and the corresponding covering flap (60) comprises at least two components for each device (1); while Figure 9 In the preferred embodiment shown, the assembly formed by the peripheral fastening flange (20) and the receiving opening (30) and its corresponding covering flap (60) is at least four for each device (1).

[0091] The support device (1) is made of a single laminate formed of biodegradable cellulose material, wherein the cellulose material is preferably a sheet with a weight between 250 and 600 g / mm².

[0092] The invention also includes a template (100) adapted to the carrier (1) for grouping and transporting a set of beverage cans to form a package, wherein the template (100) is as follows: Figure 10 The template shown is composed of a flat plate and includes: a profile (140) having four parallel peripheral sides (150), each side having a recess (190) centered on the peripheral side (150) and a beveled corner (180); a central region (101) from which arched portions (200) extend radially, the bases (201) of the arched portions (200) pointing towards the central region (101), and each arched portion (200) surrounds a corresponding receiving opening (300) of a polygonal-elliptical shape (310), the receiving opening (300) being partially covered by a covering flap (600) also of a polygonal-elliptical shape. The recesses (190) are centered on each peripheral side (150) of the template, and the beveled corners (180) may have smooth edges.

[0093] like Figure 11As shown, the polygonal-elliptical profile (310) of the opening (300) includes a series of radial cuts (510) extending into the arched portion (200), which are grouped in pairs to form two different types of retaining fins (500); when inserted between the arched portions (200), there is a radial transition region (700) with concave sides (710) extending from the central region (101) to the recesses (190) of the peripheral side (150) of the template. Similarly, the central region (101) includes an incomplete circular cutout (801) marking a foldable circular piece (800), while the receiving opening (300) and these covering flaps (600) are formed by a cutting line (320) having a polygonal-elliptical path, the cutting line (320) having an interrupted segment (330) arranged adjacent to the central region (101), through which the covering flaps (600) engage with the template (100). In this alternative embodiment, the centrally located recesses (190) on each peripheral side (150) of the template and these beveled corners (180) include notches (900) that facilitate the handling and positioning of the template on the installation machine when the template is assembled onto the can.

[0094] like Figure 12 As shown, the radial cuts (510) forming the retaining fins (500) are each composed of a distal straight portion (520) having an end (530) that coincides with the polygonal-elliptical profile (310) of the opening (300) and having curved opposite ends (540), wherein these curved ends (540) of the two radial cuts (510) in each pair of cuts face each other. Although the two radial cuts (510) in each pair of cuts are spaced apart from each other by a small distance (d10) to a large distance (d20) between the pairs of cuts, and the distance (d10) between the two cuts (510) in each pair forms auxiliary fastening flanges (550); the distance (d20) between the auxiliary fastening flanges (550) forms trapezoidal fastening fins (560) through which these auxiliary fastening flanges (550) are inserted, and wherein the radial height (h10) of the radial cuts (510) is preferably equal to half the width (h20) of the arched portion (200). The pairs of radial cuts (510) are distributed on the outside of these arched portions (200), which is approximately three-quarters the length of the larger diameter (340) of these polygonal-elliptical openings (300).

[0095] In an alternative arrangement, the polygonal-elliptical openings (300), the surrounding arched portions (200), and the covering flaps (600) are two per template (100) to hold two cans, or six can be used to form a package of six cans, as shown below. Figure 13As shown. In this alternative template for six cans, there are two central regions (101), each including an incomplete circular cut (801) to define a foldable circular piece (800). Meanwhile, receiving openings (300) and these covering flaps (600) are also created by polygonal-elliptical cut lines (320), with interrupted segments (330) arranged adjacent to the central regions (101), through which the covering flaps (600) engage with the template (100).

[0096] The template (100) is made of a single laminate of 100% biodegradable and recyclable cellulose material, preferably a sheet weighing between 250 and 600 g / mm².

[0097] The templates can be manufactured in an array of multiple templates to facilitate the handling of components and their simultaneous installation on a large number of cans, especially in automated assembly systems; wherein the templates are joined together by weakened joints that break when pressure is applied to the template arrangement, causing them to separate, and each is installed on a corresponding set of cans, thereby forming a single package of two, four, six or more cans per pack.

[0098] like Figure 14 As shown, the templates (100) for supporting four tanks can be arranged in a single-row linear arrangement (F1), comprising at least three templates (100) joined by opposing peripheral sides (150) of the templates. Meanwhile, as... Figure 15 As shown, the same template (100) is arranged as an arrangement of six templates (100) arranged in two rows (F1, F2), with three templates (100) in each row, wherein the templates in the same row (F1) are joined to each other by opposite peripheral sides (150), and the templates (100) in the row (F1) are joined to the attached row (F2) by common side (151).

[0099] Similarly, such as Figure 16 As shown, the templates (100) for supporting six tanks can be arranged in a single-row linear arrangement (F1), comprising two templates (100) joined by opposite peripheral sides (150) of the templates. Meanwhile, as... Figure 17 As shown, the same template (100) is arranged to include an arrangement of six templates (100) arranged in two rows (F1, F2), with two templates (100) in each row, wherein the templates in the same row (F1) are joined to each other by opposite peripheral sides (150), and the templates (100) in the row (F1) are joined to the attached row (F2) by common sides (150).

Claims

1. A carrier device (1) for grouping and transporting a set of beverage cans (A) to form a package, wherein, The can is of the type having a truncated conical upper portion (a) having a raised upper ring (b) defining an upper plane (c). The device is made of a single laminate and has receiving openings for each can, the profile of which has a series of retaining fins that engage below the raised upper ring (b) of the can when the device is mounted on multiple cans forming a package. The device allows for durable fastening with a small amount of material and allows grouping of cans without lateral protrusions. The device is characterized by comprising: an upper central region (10) arranged horizontally above the upper plane (c) of the can (A); a number of receiving openings (30) for the can (A) associated with a number of peripheral fastening flanges (20) having beveled proximal ends (22). The flange (20) is engaged by the beveled proximal end (22) by a transition portion (70) arranged between the peripheral fastening flanges (20), the transition portion (70) extending radially downward from the upper central region (10); wherein the receiving opening (30) has a peripheral profile (31) having radial cuts (51) forming retaining fins (50); and the peripheral fastening flange (20) is adapted to surround the truncated conical portion (a) of the can (A) having a larger lower base (24) and a smaller upper base (23), wherein the upper base (23) forms the peripheral profile (31) of each of the receiving openings (30), the carrying device comprising an outer profile (14), a top (16), a bottom (17) and a beveled corner (18) formed by four parallel sides (15) of two by two, wherein the four sides (15) of the outer profile (14) are provided with at least one entry recess (19) arranged between the flanges.

2. The supporting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The peripheral contour (31) is formed by an incomplete cutting line (32), which produces a covering flap (60) that is attached to the upper central region (10) of the support device (1) and is coplanar with the upper central region (10) of the support device (1).

3. The supporting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The incomplete cut line (32) includes an interrupted segment (33) arranged adjacent to the upper central region (10) of the device, through which the covering flap (60) is attached to the device.

4. The bearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving openings (30) are elliptical, having a larger diameter (34) along their length and a smaller diameter (35) along their width, wherein the receiving openings (30) are diagonally oriented in the bearing device (1), and the larger diameter (34) of the openings matches an imaginary diagonal axis (11) which is rotated 45° relative to the longitudinal central axis (12) and the transverse central axis (13).

5. The bearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Some of the receiving openings of the receiving opening (30) are diagonally oriented in the carrier device (1) and matched with an imaginary diagonal axis (11) which is rotated 45° relative to the longitudinal central axis (12) and the transverse central axis (13).

6. The bearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition portion (70) has a recessed curved side edge (71), an upper region (72) continuous with the upper central region (10), and an opposite lower end (73) with a recessed curved edge.

7. The bearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining fin (50) is formed by a larger fold with interspersed auxiliary folds, and wherein the retaining fin (50) is formed by a plurality of radial cuts (51) arranged in pairs, symmetrical to each other and equidistant from each other; Each of the radial cuts (51) includes a distal straight portion (52) having an end (53) that matches the peripheral profile (31) of the receiving opening (30) and having opposite curved ends (54), wherein the curved ends (54) of the two radial cuts (51) in each pair of cuts face each other.

8. The bearing device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The two radial cuts (51) are spaced apart by a distance (d1), which is smaller than the larger distance (d2) between each pair of cuts, and the distance (d1) between the two radial cuts (51) in each pair of cuts forms an auxiliary fastening flange (55).

9. The bearing device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The larger distance (d2) between the auxiliary fastening flanges (55) forms a trapezoidal fastening fin (56) through which the auxiliary fastening flanges (55) are inserted, and the radial height (h1) of the radial cut (51) is equal to half the width (h2) of the peripheral fastening flange (20).

10. The bearing device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The retaining fin (50) includes two end fins (57), each end fin (57) being located at a respective oblique proximal end (22) of the peripheral fastening flange (20), wherein the end fin (57) has no final radial cut (51) and has a curved shape extending from the lower part of the flange to the upper central region (10) of the device.

11. The bearing device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The recess (19) matches the lower end (73) of the transition portion (70).

12. The supporting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper central region (10) is horizontal and includes a central hole (80) suitable for use as a handle, through which a user inserts a finger and lifts the package of the can collected by the carrying device (1).

13. The supporting device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The central hole (80) is formed by an incomplete circular cutout (81) with one or more connecting bridges (82) that hold it loosely attached to the upper central region (10) of the device.

14. The supporting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The kit formed by the peripheral fastening flange (20) and the receiving opening (30) and its corresponding covering flap (60) has at least two for each carrier device (1).

15. The bearing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The kit formed by the peripheral fastening flange (20) and the receiving opening (30) and its corresponding covering flap (60) has four for each carrier device (1).

16. The supporting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The kit formed by the peripheral fastening flange (20) and the receiving opening (30) and its corresponding covering flap (60) has six for each carrier device (1).

17. The bearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support device is made of a single laminate of biodegradable and recyclable cellulose material.

18. The bearing device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The cellulose material is a sheet with a basis weight between 250 and 600 g / mm².

19. A template (100) for forming a carrier device (1) according to claim 1, said carrier device (1) for grouping and transporting a set of beverage cans (A) for forming a package, said template (100) being formed of a flat laminate, characterized in that, The template includes: a profile (140) having four parallel peripheral sides (150) in pairs of two, each peripheral side (150) having a recess (190) centered on the peripheral side (150) and having a chamfered corner (180); a central region (101) from which arched portions (200) extend radially, the base (201) of the arched portions (200) pointing toward the central region (101), and each arched portion (200) surrounding a corresponding receiving opening (300) of the polygonal-elliptical profile (310). The polygonal-elliptical profile (310) of the receiving opening (300) includes a series of radial cuts (510) extending into an arched portion (200) having an arcuate shape, the series of radial cuts (510) being grouped in pairs to form two different types of retaining fins (500); when intersecting between the arched portions (200), there is a radial transition region (700) having concave wing sides extending from the central region (101) toward the peripheral side (150) of the template.

20. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The receiving opening (300) is partially covered by a polygonal-elliptical covering flap (600).

21. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The central region (101) includes an incomplete circular cut (801) that defines the folded circular piece (800).

22. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The receiving opening (300) and the covering flap (600) are generated by a cutting line (320) having a polygonal-elliptical path, the cutting line (320) having an interrupted segment (330) arranged adjacent to the central region (101), and the covering flap (600) is attached to the template (100) through the interrupted segment (330).

23. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The radial cuts (510) forming the retaining fins (500) are all formed by a distal straight portion (520), the distal straight portion (520) having an end (530) that matches the polygonal-elliptical profile (310) of the receiving opening (300) and having opposite ends (540) including curved ends, wherein the opposite ends (540) of the two radial cuts (510) in each pair of cuts face each other.

24. The template (100) for forming the support device (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that, The two radial cuts (510) in each pair of cuts are spaced apart by a distance (d10), which is smaller than the larger distance (d20) between each pair of cuts, and the distance (d10) between the two radial cuts (510) in each pair forms an auxiliary fastening flange (550).

25. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The distance (d20) between the auxiliary fastening flanges (550) forms a trapezoidal fastening fin (560) through which the auxiliary fastening flanges (550) are inserted, and wherein the radial height (h10) of the radial cut (510) is equal to half the width (h20) of the arched portion (200).

26. The template (100) for forming the support device (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that, The paired radial cuts (510) are distributed in at least three-quarters of the inner portion of the arc-shaped portion (200) and the perimeter of the receiving opening (300).

27. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The recess (190) and the beveled corner (180) centered on each peripheral side (150) of the template have smooth edges.

28. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The recess (190) and the beveled corner portion (180) centered on each peripheral side (150) of the template include a notch (900), which facilitates the handling of the template when it is assembled on the beverage can.

29. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The kit consisting of the receiving opening (300) having a polygonal-elliptical outline, the arched portion (200) surrounding the receiving opening (300), and the covering flap (600) consists of at least two pieces per template.

30. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The assembly formed by the receiving opening (300) having a polygonal-elliptical outline, the arched portion (200) surrounding the receiving opening (300), and the covering flap (600) is four per template.

31. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The template is made from a single laminate of recyclable and biodegradable cellulose material.

32. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 31, characterized in that, The cellulose material is a sheet with a basis weight of 250 to 600 g / mm².

33. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The templates are arranged in a linear arrangement comprising at least three templates for four tanks, which are joined together by opposite peripheral sides (150) of the templates.

34. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The templates are arranged in an arrangement comprising at least six templates for four tanks, arranged in two rows of three templates each, wherein the templates in the same row are joined to each other by opposite peripheral sides (150), and the templates in a row are joined to adjacent rows by means of a common peripheral side (150).

35. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The templates are arranged in a linear arrangement comprising at least two templates for six tanks, which are joined together by opposite peripheral sides (150) of the templates.

36. The template (100) for forming a support device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The templates are arranged to include an arrangement of at least four templates for six tanks, arranged in two rows of two templates each, wherein the templates in the same row are joined to each other by peripheral side (150), and the templates in a row are joined to adjacent rows by means of a common peripheral side (150).

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