Packaging method and packaging assembly for packages assembled with a pallet or the like

Abstract

A packaging method for unitizing or interlocking a large number of beverage multipackages together on a portable platform or pallet. The invention also comprises an assembly of unitized packages on a portable platform and includes the use of packages with upstanding handles and close slots in the bottom walls thereof which permit the handle of one package to telescope into the close slot of another of the packages. The invention also uses sheets between interlocked packages to unitize adjacent interlocked packages.

I claim: 
     
       1. A packaging method for a plurality of packages, wherein each of said packages comprises a body section having a handle section upstanding from the upper surface of said body section and further having a close slot extending upwardly into said body section from the lower surface of said body section with said slot having a configuration capable of telescopically closely receiving the handle section of another of said packages therewithin, comprising the steps of: providing a portable platform for carrying said plurality of packages,   positioning a first number of said packages on said platform with the handle sections thereof upstanding in a pattern .[.of rows and ranks.].,   providing a sheet having the general configuration of the upper surface of said platform,   providing said sheet with a plurality of openings shaped to permit said handle sections to extend therethrough and being arranged in said pattern .[.of rows and ranks.].,   positioning said sheet on top of said first number of said packages with said handle sections thereof upstanding through said openings,   positioning a second number of said packages on said sheet with said slots of each of said second number of packages telescopically applied over one of said upstanding handle sections of said first number of said packages to closely hold said handle sections,   providing a second sheet substantially in duplicate of said sheet,   positioning said second sheet on top of said second number of said packages with said handle sections of said second number of said packages upstanding through the openings of said second sheet, and   providing elastic resilient means on each of said packages for resiliently closing said close slot of each package.   
     
     
       2. A portable unitary assembly of a plurality of packages, each of said packages comprising a body section having generally flat planar upper and lower surfaces, a handle section upstanding from said upper surface, a close slot extending upwardly into said body section from said lower surface and having a configuration capable of telescopically closely receiving the handle section of another of said packages therewithin, a portable platform, a first number of said packages positioned on said platform with the handle sections thereof upstanding in a pattern .[.of rows and ranks.]., a sheet having the general configuration of the upper surface of said platform, said sheet having a plurality of openings shaped to permit said handle sections to extend therethrough and arranged in said pattern .[.of rows and ranks.]., said sheet mounted on top of said first number of said packages with said handle sections of said packages extending upwardly through said openings of said sheet, a second number of said packages positioned on said sheet with the slots of each of said second number of packages telescopically mounted over one of said upstanding handle sections of said first number of said packages extending upwardly through said sheet, a second sheet formed substantially as a duplicate of said sheet, and said second sheet mounted on top said second number of packages with said handle sections of said second number of packages extending upwardly through the openings of said second sheet, said portable platform being shaped as a pallet to permit the tines of a fork-lift truck to enter and lift said platform to carry said unitary assembly, and each of said packages having elastic means on said body section thereof for resiliently closing said close slot thereof. 
     
     
       3. In an assembly as defined in claim 2, said body section of each of said packages further comprising a plurality of containers arranged between said planar upper and lower surfaces and on both sides of said slot. 
     
     
       4. In an assembly as defined in claim 3, the handle section of each of said packages comprising folded paperboard with finger holds therethrough, said paperboard extending downwardly between said containers to form the opposed sidewalls of said slot. 
     
     
       5. In an assembly as defined in claim 4, and said elastic means comprising an elastic band stretched and tensioned circumferentially about said containers and said paperboard between said containers to resiliently close said close slot. 
     
     
       6. A portable unitary assembly of a plurality of packages, each of said packages comprising a body section having generally flat planar upper and lower surfaces, a handle section upstanding from said upper surface, a close slot extending upwardly into said body section from said lower surface and having a configuration capable of telescopically closely receiving the handle section of another of said packages therewithin, a portable platform, a first number of said packages positioned on said platform with the handle sections thereof upstanding in a pattern .[.of rows and ranks.]., a sheet having the general configuration of the upper surface of said platform, said sheet having a plurality of openings shaped to permit said handle sections to extend therethrough and arranged in said pattern .[.of rows and ranks.]., said sheet mounted on top of said first number of said packages with said handle sections of said packages extending upwardly through said openings of said sheet, a second number of said packages positioned on said sheet with the slots of each of said second number of packages telescopically mounted over one of said upstanding handle sections of said first number of said packages extending upwardly through said sheet, and said body section of each of said packages further comprising a plurality of containers arranged between said planar upper and lower surfaces and on both sides of said slot.