Rigid PET or HDPE Container Carrier for Can and Bottle Multipacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional container carriers, particularly plastic ring carriers, are not fully curbside recyclable, contributing to environmental waste and requiring a transition to more sustainable packaging solutions that can accommodate various container types and sizes.

Innovation Solution

A container carrier made from 100% curbside recyclable rigid PET and HDPE plastics, featuring engagement means for cans and bottles, with flexible radial tabs and clips, and a handle for easy handling, allowing for multipacks of 4, 6, or 8 containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If plastic ring carriers are used to unitize containers, then operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness are improved, but recyclability deteriorates because flexible plastics cannot be recycled in most curbside programs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidrecyclability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from flexible plastic to rigid plastic (HDPE or PET), which transforms the recyclability status from non-recyclable in curbside programs to 100% curbside recyclable, while maintaining the structural functionality needed for operational efficiency in unitizing containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies using rigid plastic materials (HDPE or PET) that are 100% curbside recyclable, creating a composite solution that combines the structural integrity needed for container unitization with the environmental benefit of full recyclability, resolving the contradiction between operational efficiency and recyclability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If conventional plastic ring carriers are used, then simple design and competitive pricing are achieved, but environmental impact worsens due to improper disposal and waste accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameter to 100% curbside recyclable rigid plastics (HDPE or PET), which maintains design simplicity while eliminating the environmental harm associated with non-recyclable flexible plastics, as these materials can be properly recycled in municipal streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful non-recyclable flexible plastic into a beneficial 100% curbside recyclable rigid plastic, transforming the environmental harm into a benefit by enabling proper recycling while maintaining the simple and competitive design characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single carrier design is used for both cans and bottles, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to different container dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer type compatibilityVSAvoidengagement means precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single carrier structure with engagement means that can accommodate both cans and bottles of various sizes, making the carrier multi-functional and adaptable to different container types while maintaining feasible manufacturing precision through standardized rigid plastic construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4426622B1Container carrier

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

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AI summary

A container carrier (100) for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a first engagement means configured to engage a can (20) and a second engagement means configured to engage a bottle (30), wherein the first engagement means and the second engagement means are generally superimposed upon each other.