MINIMAL PACKAGING CAN MULTIPACK SYSTEM

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aluminum band for covering or wrapping at least partially a stack of substantially identical cans, said aluminum band being a composite strip comprising separation means intended to be positioned on a contact area of two adjacent cans of said stack, characterized in that, said separation means are torsion cutting means comprising at least two lines of notches separated from another by a separation portion intended to cover said contact area, and two lateral sides having a shape similar to V, U, or alike, and in that said aluminum band comprises an inner adhesive layer and an outer metal layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy foil.

Claims

1. An aluminum band for covering or wrapping at least partially a stack of substantially identical cans, said aluminum band being a composite strip comprising separation means intended to be positioned on a contact area of two adjacent cans of said stack, the aluminum band comprising: the separation means are torsion cutting means comprising at least two lines of notches separated from another by a separation portion intended to cover said contact area, and two lateral sides having a shape similar to V, U, or alike; and the said aluminum band comprises an inner adhesive layer and an outer metal layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy foil.

2. The aluminum band according to claim 1, wherein said inner adhesive layer of the aluminum band is chosen among polymers, metals and paper.

3. The aluminum band according to claim 1, wherein said inner adhesive layer of the aluminum band is polyethylene, preferably polyethylene with low-density.

4. The aluminum band according to claim 1, wherein the aluminum band comprises a 2 or 3 dimensional deep embossing tack label.

5. The aluminum band according to claim 4, wherein said tack label comprises QR codes or EAN barcodes.

6. A packaging can multipack system comprising an arrangement of cans and a least one aluminum band according to claim 1 covering or wrapping at least partially said arrangement of cans.

7. The packaging can multipack system according to claim 6, wherein said packaging can multipack system comprises one single aluminum band wrapping around all cans together being arranged either in a vertical or a horizontal stack.

8. The packaging can multipack system according to claim 6, wherein said packaging can multipack system comprises a plurality of aluminum bands applied on either side of the stack of cans.

9. A The packaging can multipack system according to claim 6, wherein said packaging can multipack system comprises two aluminum bands applied on two opposite sides of a vertical stack of cans.

10. A method for manufacturing a packaging can multipack system, comprising: alignment or superposition of a plurality of substantially identical cans so as to form a stack; application of a least on one aluminum band on the stack, so that the separation portion is superimposed on the sidewall of the cans; and application of pressure to the properly positioned aluminum band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will appear upon reading the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates two examples of prior art multipack systems;

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates in front perspective four cans superimposed and connected by two aluminum bands according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates in front perspective two cans horizontally aligned and connected by an aluminum band according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an aluminum band designed to covering three cans according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an aluminum band designed to covering four cans according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0041] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates five cans aligned and connected by an aluminum band according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0042] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates three cans aligned and connected by an aluminum band according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, before and after separation of one of the cans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Can Assembly

[0043] In the present description, the multipack system is intended to assemble a plurality of cans, that is to say at least two cans, by one or more aluminum bands. Cans are especially cans for transportation, storage and display of goods.

[0044] The cans can be arranged in different ways. They can be stacked, so as to form vertical stack in which the cans are superposed with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 2. In this first embodiment, multipack system 3 includes a plurality of parallelepiped cans 2 which are aligned in the straight line and in which the horizontal sides of the cans 2 are in contact.

[0045] The multipack 3 also includes two lengthwise aluminum bands 1 which makes it possible to link all the cans together. It should be noted that only one aluminum band is visible, but that this embodiment preferably comprises two identical aluminum bands. The second aluminum band, not visible, is positioned at the level of the opposite face to the face of the can where the other aluminum band 1 is applied. The aluminum band 1 is a composition strip which comprises separation means 11. These separation means 11 are intended to be positioned on the contact areas of two adjacent cans 2. In the FIG. 2, the covered contact areas correspond to a part of the perimeters of the horizontal sides of the cans 2 which are in contact with each other. In particular, the contact area is localized at the level of a sidewall of the cans in contact.

[0046] The cans 2 also can be positioned in adjacent arrangements, or horizontal stack, as shown in FIG. 3, in which the cans 2 are aligned in a straight line and a part of the vertical sides 22 of the cans 2 are in contact. These cans are held together by two aluminum bands 1 positioned on either side of these neighboring cans. As illustrated in this figure, the cans can have a different shape, and in particular cylindrical shape.

[0047] The packaging system accommodates a variety of can structures and weights, including, but not limited to, rounded can of varying diameter and height and cubic can of varying dimensions.

[0048] The cans can be metal cans, plastic cans or a combination of these.

Connections Between Cans

Structure of the Aluminum Band

[0049] According to a first embodiment, the aluminum band is in the form of a longitudinal strip, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4 to 7. Specifically, the aluminum band is intended to extend longitudinally along the overlying cans, and has a shape of a narrow strip.

[0050] In FIGS. 4 to 7, the aluminum band is designed to cover cans having a rectangular shape and which are aligned so that two neighboring cans have their horizontal sides in contact. These cans are assembled by a longitudinal aluminum band 1 so as to form a vertical stack.

[0051] In FIG. 4, the aluminum band is intended to assemble three cans. The aluminum band has an overall length of 103 mm and an overall width of 35 mm. A delimitation is represented and made 1.5 mm from the edge of the aluminum band, so as to form identification areas 23. In the embodiment shown, the identification areas 23 have a rectangular shape, which can accommodate a 2 or 3 dimensional deep embossing tack label. Preferably, the identification areas 23 located at the ends of the aluminum band has a length of 32 mm and a width of 28 mm while the identification areas which include two other identification areas on either side have a length of 32 mm and a width of 31 mm. Each of the delimited identification areas is thus positioned above a can. In this way, the rectangles of two neighboring cans are spaced apart by a space of 6.5 mm.

[0052] Such dimensions can be adapted to the dimensions of barcodes or QR codes usually used or imposed in different countries. In the same way, the dimensions of the aluminum band can be adapted so as to correctly bind a plurality of cans.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, each duo of two neighboring cans 2 has a contact area in which the vertical sides of the cans are in contact. At this contact area, the aluminum band which overlaps and connects the cans has a perforation zone 10. In other words, the perforation zone 10 of the aluminum band is superimposed on the contact areas of the two neighboring cans 2 located below the aluminum band 1.

[0054] The perforation zone 10 comprises separation mean or cutting mean. In particular, each separation means 11 has two lines of notches 111. The lines of notches 11 are separated from another by a distance corresponding to the portion of sidewall of cans covered by said aluminum band. The lines of notches, in the FIG. 4, are preferentially spaced 3.5 mm apart.

[0055] Each of the lines of notches 11 includes a plurality of notches 1111. The lines of notches are separated by a separation portion 12. The separation portion 12 comprises longitudinal sides corresponding to the lines of notches, and lateral sides 121 connecting the lines of notches. In the embodiments represented, the lateral sides 121 have a V-shape. In preferred modes, the lateral sides are in the form of U or V, or alike. In other words, the lateral sides can have a straight, rounded, or segmented shape. As shown, the point of the V or the U of the lateral sides is directed towards the interior of the separation portion.

[0056] A person skilled in the art will easily imagine other embodiments in which one or more lines of notches may be provided at the perforation zone.

[0057] According to a second embodiment, the packaging is in the form of a longitudinal aluminum band which assembles a plurality of adjacent and cylindrical cans, as shown in FIG. 3. These aluminum bands comprise separation means identical to those described for the previous embodiment.

Composition of the Packaging/Aluminum Bond

[0058] The aluminum band extends longitudinally along the superimposed boxes, and makes it possible to connect the cans with respect to each other, or in other words to assemble the cans into a multipack of cans, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0059] To enable this, the aluminum band includes a combination of aluminum and adhesive, more precisely an Aluminum/PE complex. In particular, the aluminum band comprises an adhesive inner layer and an aluminum outer layer. Preferably, the outer aluminum layer and the inner adhesive layer has a total thickness between 50 m and 200 m, preferably 70 m. This total thickness may or may not include a liner or backing-paper.

[0060] The adhesive elements can also vary such as polymer, metal, paper or combination of those.

[0061] The complex Aluminum/PE complex can be treated with a lacquer during printing.

[0062] The aluminum band can be recycled in the metal recycling stream. The sticker is strong enough to hold the pack and permits the practical detachment of individual cans.

[0063] The disclosure substrate is designed for creating 2 and 3 dimensional deep embossing aluminum bands, enabling very fine printed details such as QR codes and EAN barcodes.

Production Method

[0064] Initially, to make a packaging can multipack, i.e., a pack of cans assembled by an aluminum band are usually arranged in a straight row so that, in their stacked and orientated position (i.e., horizontally or vertically oriented), they can be transferred to a conveyor heading towards and through the labelers. This conveyor can be equipped with an additional top conveyor that provides stability to the stack of cans as it passes through the labelling applicator.

[0065] To apply the adhesive laminated strip to a stack of cans, the inner adhesive layer side must be directed against the cans, so that the separating portions overlap the sidewall portions of the neighboring cans. The degree of bond is influenced by the amount of pressure used to apply the adhesive strip to the surface of the cans.

[0066] Once the aluminum band is correctly positioned, sufficient pressure is applied for the inner layer of the band to adhere to the cans, for example by one or several 100 mm diameter soft rollers. The rollers are mounted on either side of the conveyor downstream of the label applicator. They should be designed not to splay or move when the multipack passes through them to ensure equal pressure is applied to the full length of the laminated strip.

[0067] This binding strength allows the aluminum band to have the strength it needs to hold the cans together in transit and on the shopper's journey. It also has the benefit that the multipack is easy to open in a rotational motion by applying a torque value of less than 3 Nm.

[0068] It is also possible to use an onboard printer which will print the label before it is applied to the superposed cans.

Use

[0069] It is easy to detach one or more cans from the multipack of cans. To do this, the consumer must perform a rotary movement by grasping the can that he wants to detach. This force must be exerted on one or more cans located on one end of the pack.

[0070] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which three cans 2 are aligned and connected by an aluminum band 1, before and after separation of one of the cans 2. The upper end can 2 could be separated from the multipack 1 by a simple rotation. In particular, the aluminum band, under the influence of the rotational force, is cut at one of the lines of notches 111. The aluminum band 1 is then cut into two separate parts which remain attached to their respective cans 2.

[0071] In other embodiment, comprising a horizontal stack as shown in FIG. 3, the cans are separated with ease by tearing the perforation down vertically. More precisely, the terms pulled vertically means that the consumer exerts a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of alignment of the cans. This force can be achieved by the fingers, in particular by pulling two parts of the aluminum band in the opposite sides, on either side of the lines of perforations. It is also possible to separate the cans by pulling vertically on the separation portion located between the two lines of perforations. It is also possible to separate the cans by pulling vertically on the separation portion located between the two lines of perforations, i.e., by pulling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of alignment of the cans.

[0072] The advantages of the aluminum band over other patent applications and existing products on the market is that it has the strength and durability to hold a heavier cans grocery weight more than 500 g and a lightness to be simply twisted open by hand.

[0073] The cans can be released in a twist type movement. In particular, the cans can be released by applying a rotational force with a torque value between 2 Nm and 3 Nm.

[0074] The aluminum band according to the disclosure offers the possibility of having a packaging can multipack system in which once the first can is removed the unused cans remain neatly stacked together and can still be moved and transported easily.

[0075] The aluminum band has notches built into the packaging design where two cans meet, to support the ease of separating the cans by rotating or twisting them, and allows easy separation of cans by all age groups. The notches are made just inside the edge of the aluminum band to give that additional binding strength.

Variations

[0076] Variations include a single band that wraps around all cans, multiple bands that may be applied on either side of the stack of cans. Bands may also vary in dimension (length and width) depending on application and can format.

[0077] It is also possible to provide a pack of cans held by one or a plurality of aluminum bands. The aluminum bands of the same pack can be identical or different, that is to say comprising different dimensions or a different number of separation means.

[0078] The aluminum bands can be positioned on the same face, on opposite faces or adjacent faces of the cans.

[0079] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.