Circumferentially bound structural transit package

Abstract

Containerized goods are packaged for transit using a partial or fully circumferential wrapper about which a tensioned-strap is secured, to form an integrated structural package that facilities rapid loading of a machine magazine or picking platform such as a shelf with pre-oriented articles as well as shipping the units palletized in several tiers for distribution and display. The wrapper may be of sheet wood-fiber origin or other materials, the open wrapper ends permitting clear display of the goods labels. D-cuts into the wrapper provide displaceable tabs, for locating and/or separating the adjoining containers, and further integrating the wrapper with its contents, when strapped to form transit packages, able to withstand the rigors of palletized transit.

Claims

1. A composite circumferentially strapped load bearing transit package, comprising: a circumferential sheet wrapper continuously enwrapping a plurality of mutually ordered articles in a first circumferential direction, each of said articles positioned within the wrapper in mutually adjoining compressed vertical standing relationship with all adjacent articles; said articles each having a predetermined structural strength, said structural strength providing each vertical standing article with a vertical load bearing capability; an inelastic tensioned strap circumferentially enwrapping said articles and at least portions of said wrapper in a second circumferential direction normal to said first circumferential direction; said inelastic tensioned strap applying a compressive force to the articles and wrapper in a horizontal direction against all adjacent articles, each article and the wrapper held in an immobile position relative to all articles and said wrapper; the circumferential sheet wrapper comprising a one-piece sleeve structure continuously circumscribing and in contact with all of the articles, the sleeve structure having four main panels and at least one overlap panel, the overlap panel firmly attached to an opposite panel and forming the sleeve structure, the height of the continuous sleeve structure conforming to the height of the articles positioned in the wrapper; said compressive force of said inelastic tensioned strap integrating said package and combining the structural strength of the circumferential sheet wrapper, the vertical structural strength capability of each vertical standing article positioned within the wrapper, and the compression applied by said inelastic tensioned strap into a unitary, load bearing structure for use as a transit package; and, said articles retained in a vertical immobile position upon application of transit forces to the transit package.

2. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wrapper has upwardly extending walls; edge portions of said walls forming corners in conjunction with said articles, said corners having inwardly convergent recesses to receive said inelastic tensioned strap in positioned relation to compress said wrapper and said articles into said unitary structure.

3. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, said circumferential wrapper having a right-rectangular form with upwardly extending walls, enabling said wrapper to stand securely on-end, for purpose of inserting said articles within said wrapper, and for applying said inelastic tensioned strap about said wrapper.

4. The composite transit package set forth in claim 1, wherein said one-piece sleeve is positioned in contacting, reinforcing relation with at least some of said articles.

5. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, said wrapper having upstanding end panel portions positioned in adjacent facing, mutually reinforcing relation.

6. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 5, said upstanding end panel portions having a handle aperture extending therethrough.

7. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, said wrapper being of sheet material selected from the group consisting of paper, fiber board, polymeric sheet including polyethylene sheet, and composites comprising laminated sheets of paper, plastics glass fiber, carbon based fiber, and metals.

8. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inelastic tensioned strap is of linear tensionable material selected from the group consisting of metal strip, polyolefin material strip, plastic strip, fiberglass strip, composite strip material, string, twine, wire, wired paper tape, bundling ties and physically securable tension members.

9. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inelastic tensioned strap includes a quick-release, manually operable detachment having a digitally accessible free end readily manually disengageable from said package, by pulling loose said free end.

10. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inelastic tensioned strap is a first strap; said package having a second inelastic tensioned strap in supplementary relation to said first strap, and said second strap serving as a carrying handle for said package.

11. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein a frangible adhesive secures items selected from the group comprising said articles, said wrapper, and said circumferential inelastic tensioned strap, to adjoining members of said group.

12. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein said articles comprise open topped containers, said wrapper having article access apertures to provide clear access to the interior of said containers, for transference of containerized material and to enable the transfer of closure members to and from said containers.

13. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said articles positioned within the wrapper in mutually adjoining compressed vertical standing relationship include at least a first article stabilizing element positioned in integral relation between a portion of said articles, said stabilizing element being selected from the group consisting of D-cuts, tabs, occlusions, folded ridges, recesses, and protrusions.

14. The composite transit package as set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of said articles abuts all adjacent articles, said articles retained in said immobile position in abutment with all adjacent articles upon application of transit forces to the transit package.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) It will be understood that alternative embodiments of the present invention may be derived by persons skilled in the art, which, if lying within the ambit of the present claims form a part of the present invention.

(2) Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(3) FIG. 1 is a front/side perspective views of a strapped package with a one-piece wrap enclosing four plastic jugs, in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows the package of FIG. 1 in an up-ended, loaded condition prior to being strapped;

(5) FIG. 3 is a front/side perspective of a strapped package with a one-piece wrap, forming a six-pac of long-necked bottles;

(6) FIG. 4 is a front/side perspective of a strapped one piece package with 16 long-necked bottles;

(7) FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a one-piece strapped package with two internal conformance panels;

(8) FIG. 6 a front elevation of a two-piece strapped package with a drop-over sleeve;

(9) FIG. 7 is a front/side perspective view of a variant of the FIG. 6 embodiment;

(10) FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a strapped half sleeve package with down-folded sides;

(11) FIG. 9 is a front/side perspective view of a variant of the FIG. 8 embodiment;

(12) FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a belted one piece package incorporating a full interior tray;

(13) FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a belted one piece package with a one-piece internal tray;

(14) FIG. 12 is front/side perspective of a one-piece belted package with cut-outs for protruding long-necked bottles;

(15) FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a one-piece belted package with an asymmetrical extended interior vertical conformance panel;

(16) FIG. 14 is a front elevation of a one-piece belted package with a pair of symmetrical extended interior conformance panels;

(17) FIG. 15 is a front elevation of a one-piece belted package with an extended asymmetrical double-bottom panel;

(18) FIG. 16 is a front/side perspective of a 6-pac belted package with folded exterior handle flaps;

(19) FIG. 17 is a front elevation of a belted package with a folded central insert;

(20) FIG. 18 is a front/side perspective of a belted one piece 12-pac package of short-neck bottles;

(21) FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18, with some bottle contents inserted, and a portion of the wrapper removed to disclose the interior of the package; and,

(22) FIG. 20 is a front perspective of a partially filled, belted 12-pac package, with a folded insert and having a portion of the wrapper removed to reveal the interior of the package.

(23) FIG. 21 is a front/side perspective view of a strapped transit package enclosing four open-top articles or containers in accordance with the present invention, showing article access apertures in the top portion of the wrapper that provide access through the wrapper to the interior of the containers for adding material to the containers through the wrapper, and the application of closure members to the containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(24) Turning to FIG. 1, a multi-pac package 10 has a one-piece wrapper 12 enclosing four 4-liter jugs 14, and wrapped by a strap 16 of polypropylene. The wrapper 12 has an overlap 18, and sides 20 that are waisted at 22 of their side edges, such that the tensioning of stiff-strap 16 engages the edges of the wrapper 12 at the waist 22 and the respective jugs 14, to compress the wrapper 12, jugs 14 and strap 16 into an integrated package entity, capable of supporting a desired load under transit conditions. The overlap 18 may be glued or otherwise fastened to the adjacent side 20, and the wrapper 12 folded flat, prior to usage, or for bulk return purposes. The wrapper 12 shows a handle cut-out 19, one of a pair of such recesses.

(25) FIG. 2 shows the unstrapped wrapper 12 in an intermediate, upended condition, before the application of the strap 16, having been upended in order to facilitate the loading of the jugs 14, shown in their loaded condition within the wrapper 12, prior to being moved to a vertical strapping machine, where the strap 16 is applied at a predetermined high tension, to integrate, and unitize the package 10, reinforcing it by compression to the extent predetermined to meet transit requirements.

(26) FIG. 3 shows a 12-pack, strapped package 23 of long-necked bottles 24 in a one-piece, waisted wrapper 26, bound by a strap 16.

(27) FIG. 4 shows a U-shaped wrapper 30 for long-necked bottles, having two side panels 32, a top and bottom panel 34, 36 and a overlap panel 38, together with a strap 16, tensioned to unify the package to transit capability.

(28) In FIG. 5, the package 40 has a one-piece wrapper 42 with an overlap end panel 43, and a pair of interior fold panels 44 that constitute conformance panels, serving to maintain the internal organization of the contents of package 40. A strap 16 compresses the combined elements of long-necked containers 46 and the wrapper 42 into an integrated transit package.

(29) In FIGS. 6 and 7, a package 48 comprises a two-piece sleeve 50a lower U-shaped open tray 52 and an inverted U-shaped cap 54, secured by a strap 16 into a compressed, integrated transit package. The sleeve embodiment 50 of FIG. 7 is narrowed, permitting the containers 46 to protrude.

(30) The package 48 is illustrated as containing long-necked containers 46. The vertical capacity of the package 48 can be readily adjusted, owing to the overlap between sleeve 50 and tray 52, the dimensions of which can of course be selectively varied.

(31) FIGS. 8 and 9 portray a one-piece sleeve 56, the ends 57 of which are downturned, and have the strap 16 trained thereabout, in compressive relation. The narrower sleeve 56 of FIG. 9 permits the containers 46 to protrude from its sides.

(32) FIGS. 10 and 11 show package 60 having a one-piece wrap 62 with an overlap panel 63, and an inner U-shaped tray 64, shown oriented at right angles to the wrap 62 in FIG. 10, so that the base of the container contents 66 are fully enclosed. In FIG. 11 the wrap 62 and tray 64 are similarly oriented, to enable end-on loading of the containers 46 A strap 16 secures the package 60.

(33) FIG. 12 shows a one-piece belted package 70 with an overlap 72, the package top panel 74 having cut-outs 76 for protruding necks of long-necked bottles 78. The stacking capacity of this embodiment may be enhanced by the addition of a shallow-sided inverted tray closely fitted to just encompass the tops of the bottles 78.

(34) FIG. 21 shows the multi-pack package 10 of FIG. 1 having a plurality of article-access apertures 140 in top portion 142 of one-piece wrapper 12. Each of the apertures 140 are located directly above the open-tops (not shown) of each container 14. The open tops of the containers provide clear access to the interior of each article or container 14, allowing material to be transferred to each container while the wrapper 12 extends around the containers 14, and strap 16 extends laterally around the wrapper and compresses both the wrapper 12 and the containers 14. Apertures 140 are also large enough to allow the transfer or application of container closure members to and from the containers.

(35) FIG. 13 shows a one-piece strapped package 80 with an attachment panel 82, and an inside conformance panel 84 subdividing the interior. A strap 16 compresses the unit to a desired load capacity.

(36) FIG. 14 shows a one-piece strapped package 86, the ends of which extend upwardly within the package as adjacent conformance panels 87, 88. A strap 16 compresses the unit to a desired load capacity.

(37) In FIG. 15, a one-piece strapped package 90 has an attachment panel 92 and a supplemental end panel 94 that reaches up to approximately the shoulder of the illustrated long-necked bottles, and serves as a conformance panel, while providing a double bottom panel. A strap 16 compresses the unit to a desired load capacity.

(38) In FIG. 16, the one-piece strapped package 96 has its two end panels 98 projecting upwardly to form a handle, with handle apertures 99, and the package united by strap 16 that compresses the unit to a desired load capacity. A slight asymmetry of the handle panels 98 enables them to be folded flat to one side, as part of a palleted transit load.

(39) In FIG. 17 the two-piece strapped package 100 has an outer wrapper 102 with an attachment panel 104. Inserted within the wrapper 102 is a folded loose insert 106 having a pair of out-turned foot portions 108 and an upstanding pair of conformance panels 110. In the oriented position illustrated, before the strap 16 is applied, the wrapper 102 and insert 106 can be up-ended for loading purposes, and the bottles 112 inserted, and the strap 16 then applied. Alternatively, with the attachment panel 104 unsecured, the folded insert 106 may be reoriented at right angles to that illustrated, and the bottles 112 placed on the insert 106, and the package enclosed and strapped.

(40) This reoriented rearrangement provides enhanced lateral stability to the package 100.

(41) FIG. 18 shows a package 120 having a reduced wrapper 122 that extends to cover the caps 124 of the containers 126, and the wrapper edge 128 extends slightly past the centre axis of the row of containers 126 such that tightening of the strap 16 produces a slight wrap of the edges 128 about the containers 126. The outer, bottom edge portions of the containers 126 overhang the bottom front edge of the reduced wrapper 122.

(42) D-cuts 130 having inturned flap portions 132, are illustrated representationally.

(43) FIG. 19 shows a partially filled package 134 with a portion of the wrapper 136 cut away, to reveal the presence of frangible glue patches 138 by which the containers 126 are adhered.

(44) The strap 16 has Tee-ends 17 that are adhered by a coating of frangible glue to a common surface, such as the wrapper 136 or one of the containers 26

(45) In FIG. 20 the near side of wrapper 136 is cut away to reveal the loose insert 106 which has frangible glue patches 138 by which the containers 126 are adhered. Frangible glue patches may also be used to secure the loose insert 106 to the wrapper 136.

(46) It will be understood that the foregoing embodiments are intended to be illustrative of families of strapped packages, which may be modified in a variety of ways that are evident to those skilled in the art.