Three-dimensional carrier with adaptable tabs

Abstract

The invention pertains to a three-dimensional packaging (1) adapted to retain one or more object, and in particular for holding containers such as cans. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly comprising the packaging according to the invention, holding a set of objects.

1 . Packaging for holding a plurality of objects, preferably containers, said packaging comprising a plate having an upper outside surface and a bottom outside surface;
 said plate further comprising a plurality of retention means, preferably said retention means being provided in a grid formation on the plate;   wherein each retention means comprises a hollow receiving portion protruding from the plate, said receiving portion comprising a wall and a top;   wherein the wall of the receiving portion is provided with at least  3 , preferably  6  or more, inward protrusions, protruding radially inwards from said wall;   characterized in that the packaging consists of metal;   and wherein the hollow receiving portion is closed at the upper outer surface of the packaging, and wherein the walls do not comprise openings.   
     
     
         2 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions have a width between 1.0 mm up to 10.0 mm, and preferably between 1.0 mm up to 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         3 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are provided non-symmetrically over the perimeter of the wall. 
     
     
         4 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall is substantially cylindrical, extending over a height with respect to the plate of at least 0.25 cm, preferably at least 0.5 cm, more preferably at least 0.75 cm, wherein the protrusions extend inwardly from the wall over a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, more preferably at least 2.0 mm, most preferably at least 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         5 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein each inward protrusion is substantially local and does not extend over the perimeter of the wall. 
     
     
         6 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the inward protrusions comprise cut-out tabs from the wall with an essentially U-shaped cut, wherein the U-shape is open facing either towards the top of the hollow receiving portion, or facing away therefrom, and wherein the tabs are bent radially inwards with respect to the wall. 
     
     
         7 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall is essentially cylindrical and wherein the protrusions extend inwardly from the wall over a distance of at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, of the radius of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         8 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the inward protrusions protrude inwardly from the wall over a distance of at most 1.5 mm, preferably at most 1.0 mm, more preferably at most 0.75 mm. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the inward protrusions are positioned with constant intervals along the perimeter of the wall, said inward protrusions defining the vertices of a regular polygon. 
     
     
         10 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate comprises two finger loops extending through the plate, preferably said finger loops comprising a substantially circular perimeter, wherein each of said finger loops are positioned adjacent to four retention means wherein said four retention means define a square with the finger loop at the center of said square. 
     
     
         11 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging consists of aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         12 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate consists of metal, preferably aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy, and wherein the plate is provided with rolled edges over the perimeter of the plate, said rolled edges preferably extending over at least 2 mm in height from the plate. 
     
     
         13 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate consists of metal, preferably aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy, wherein the plate comprises two finger loops extending through the plate and wherein the plate is provided with rolled edges over the perimeter of the finger loops, said rolled edges preferably extending over at least  2  mm in height from the plate. 
     
     
         14 . Assembly comprising a secondary packaging and a plurality of objects, said secondary packaging being a packaging according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein each of the objects comprises a recessed cross-sectional outer section at a first end of the object, said recessed outer section being at least partly, preferably entirely, inwardly recessed with respect to an adjoining outer section adjoining said recessed outer section, said adjoining outer section proximal to the first end of the object;   and wherein the receiving portion without considering the protrusions is adapted to allow insertion of a section of the objects at said first end, wherein the protrusions extend inwardly over a distance so as to all extend into the recessed outer section when the object is inserted into the receiving portion with the first end of the object.   
     
     
         15 . Assembly comprising a first and a second secondary packaging and a plurality of objects, said first and secondary packaging each being a packaging according to  claim 1 :
 wherein each of the objects comprises a first and a second recessed cross-sectional outer section on opposite ends of the objects, said first recessed outer section at least partly, preferably entirely, inwardly recessed in view of a first adjoining outer section adjoining said first recessed outer section, said first adjoining outer section proximal to the first end of the object, and said second recessed outer section at least partly, preferably entirely, inwardly recessed in view of a second adjoining outer section adjoining said second recessed outer section, said second adjoining outer section proximal to the second end of the object;   wherein the receiving portion of the first secondary packaging without considering the protrusions thereof is adapted to allow insertion of a section of the objects at said first end, and wherein the protrusions extend inwardly over a distance so as to all extend into the first recessed outer section when the object is inserted into the receiving portion with the first end of the object;   wherein the receiving portion of the second secondary packaging without considering the protrusions thereof is adapted to allow insertion of a section of the objects at said second end, and wherein the protrusions extend inwardly over a distance so as to all extend into the second recessed outer section when the object is inserted into the receiving portion with the second end of the object.   
     
     
         16 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the objects are cylindrical containers, preferably cans, comprising a double seam along the perimeter of the first end of the container, said double seam functioning as the adjoining outer section proximal to the first end of the object.