Sanitary snap-on can carrier and transport device

Abstract

A sanitary snap-on multiple-can carrier and transport device is disclosed which facilitates bundling, storage and transport of cans in multi-pack units of two, four, six, eight and 12 cans. The configuration of the device permits multiples of the device to be loaded into magazines, which in turn may be loaded into and dispensed from high speed machine applicators to apply the devices to cans. The design also permits stacking of rows of cans bound together for purposes of storage and even permits the formation of entire palletloads of cans without the extra support of conventional shipping containment material such as strapping, cardboard and shrinkwrap.

1 . A multiple-can carrier for cans with annular beaded rims comprising multiple substantially planar annular rings joined together by coupling webs, each of said rings having a downwardly projecting flange, a plurality of arcuate standing ribs, an upwardly projecting flange integral with a substantially planar cap, each downwardly projecting flange having an exterior and an interior, said exterior provided with at least one tab and said interior provided with a multiplicity of arcuate hooks. 
     
     
         2 . The carrier of  claim 1  wherein said at least one tab is oriented at a downward angle relative to horizontal and terminates in a substantially horizontal foot. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier of  claim 2  including a handle. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier of  claim 3  wherein said handle comprises two finger loops. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier of  claim 4  wherein said handle comprises two substantially U-shaped half-loops. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier of  claim 3  made of resilient material. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein said resilient material is high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 1  comprising two of said substantially planar rings. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 1  comprising four of said substantially planar rings. 
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 1  comprising six of said substantially planar rings. 
     
     
         11 . The carrier of  claim 1  comprising eight of said substantially planar rings. 
     
     
         12 . The carrier of  claim 1  comprising twelve of said substantially planar rings. 
     
     
         13 . The carrier of  claim 10  attached to six cans. 
     
     
         14 . Multiples of the carrier of  claim 13  forming a stack of multiple layers of bundles of six cans in each bundle. 
     
     
         15 . The stack of  claim 14  wherein adjacent layers are oriented 90° relative to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The stack of  claim 15  on a pallet. 
     
     
         17 . The carrier of  claim 11  attached to eight cans. 
     
     
         18 . Multiples of the carrier of  claim 17  forming a stack of multiple layers of bundles of eight cans in each bundle. 
     
     
         19 . The stack of  claim 18  wherein adjacent layers are oriented at 90° relative to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The stack of  claim 19  on a pallet. 
     
     
         21 . The carrier of  claim 12  attached to twelve cans. 
     
     
         22 . Multiples of the carrier of  claim 21  forming a stack of multiple layers of bundles of twelve cans in each bundle. 
     
     
         23 . The stack of  claim 22  wherein adjacent layers are oriented 90° relative to each other. 
     
     
         24 . The stack of  claim 23  on a pallet.