Object carrier

Abstract

The invention pertains to a planar packaging (1) adapted to retain a plurality of objects (12), 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 being substantially planar and comprising a plate;
 said plate being provided with a plurality of apertures for holding the objects, said apertures extending through the plate, preferably said apertures being provided in a grid formation comprising a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, more preferably whereby said apertures are equally spaced apart in both the longitudinal and the transverse direction;   wherein each of the apertures comprises a perimeter and one or more, preferably at least three, resilient retention tabs are provided on said perimeter, extending from said perimeter at least partially inwardly;   wherein the packaging substantially comprises, and preferably consists of, metal, wherein at least one, preferably each, retention tab is coiled, preferably whereby said coiled retention tabs comprising an outer edge perimeter and an inner edge perimeter, the ratio of said inner edge perimeter to said outer edge perimeter being at most 0.7 and at least 0.2.   
     
     
         2 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention tabs are positioned over regular intervals on the perimeter of the apertures, wherein said apertures being provided in a grid formation comprising a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, more preferably whereby said apertures are equally spaced apart in both the longitudinal and the transverse direction, and wherein each aperture is rotated over about 180° divided by the number of retention tabs with respect to each adjacent aperture with respect to each adjacent aperture positioned in both said longitudinal direction and transverse direction. 
     
     
         3 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the coiled retention tabs have a varying thickness over the width of the tab, preferably wherein the coiled retention tabs have a thickness profile which is highest centrally and diminishes towards the periphery of each tab. 
     
     
         4 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention tabs are provided non-symmetrically over the perimeter of the aperture. 
     
     
         5 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention tabs of an empty aperture protrude at least partially inwardly from said perimeter of each aperture at a first angle with respect to the plate of said packaging; whereby said retention tabs undergo an at least partially elastic deformation upon insertion of the objects, and whereby the retention tabs of an aperture occupied by an object, protrude at least partially inwardly from said perimeter at a second angle with respect to the plate of said packaging;
 preferably whereby said first and second angle are substantially different.   
     
     
         6 . Packaging according to  claim 5 , wherein the first angle ranges between 10° and 60° with respect to the plate, preferably between 20° and 55°, more preferably between 40° and 50°;
 and wherein the second angle ranges between 20° and 70° with respect to the plate, preferably between 30° and 65°, more preferably between 40° and 60°. 
 
     
     
         7 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate has a thickness ranging between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.25 mm. 
     
     
         8 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention tabs extend from the perimeter of the convex hull of the perimeter of the aperture over a minimal distance of 0.50 mm, preferably 1.0 mm. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of the apertures is polygonal, preferably regularly polygonal, whereby the retention tabs are provided on the edges of said substantially polygonal perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein each retention tab is provided with one or more indented recess sections provided at the non-attached side of each retention tab, said indented recess section being indented towards the perimeter of the aperture, thereby forming a humped structure in the retention tab. 
     
     
         11 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein around at least one, preferably all, of the apertures, the plate is provided with one or more weakened line sections at zones adjoining to the perimeter of said aperture wherefrom the retention tabs extend, preferably whereby said, the said weakened line sections define a generally U or V shaped form, and whereby the opening of said U or V shaped form is directed towards the perimeter of aperture. 
     
     
         12 . Packaging according to  claim 11 , wherein said weakened line sections are defined by a reduced thickness of the plate by at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 75%, most preferably by 100% with respect to the rest of the plate. 
     
     
         13 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein around at least one, preferably all, of the apertures, the plate is provided with one or more weakened line sections at zones adjoining to the perimeter of said aperture wherefrom the retention tabs extend, whereby the one or more weakened line sections extend over at least part of said perimeter wherefrom the retention tabs extend. 
     
     
         14 . 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. 
     
     
         15 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         16 . Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the packaging consists of metal, preferably of aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         17 . 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 aperture without considering the retention tabs is adapted to allow passage of the objects at said first end at least up to the recessed outer section, wherein the retention tabs extend inwardly over a distance so as to all extend into the recessed outer section when the object is inserted into the aperture with the first end of the object.   
     
     
         18 . 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 aperture of the first secondary packaging without considering the retention tabs thereof is adapted to allow passage of the objects at said first end at least up to the first recessed outer section, and wherein the retention tabs extend inwardly over a distance so as to all extend into the first recessed outer section when the object is inserted into the aperture with the first end of the object;   wherein the aperture of the second secondary packaging without considering the retention tabs thereof is adapted to allow passage of the objects at said second end at least up to the second recessed outer section, and wherein the retention tabs extend inwardly over a distance so as to all extend into the second recessed outer section when the object is inserted into the aperture with the second end of the object.   
     
     
         19 . Assembly according to  claim 17 , 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.