Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for altering a package of containers encased by heat shrunk packaging material without structurally damaging the package. The package is modified in areas immediate of each container to expose a portion of each container for the affixing of a price mark thereupon, while providing sufficient structural strength to facilitate shipping of the package.

Abstract: This disclosure has to do with a bottle package of the type wherein at least four bottles arranged in two columns are formed into a package by wrapping a heat shrinkable plastics material film thereabout and effecting shrinking of that film to tightly grip bottles. In order to facilitate the carrying of the package, finger receiving openings are formed on opposite sides of central ones of the bottles with the film engaged over the top of the central ones of the bottles between the finger receiving openings defining a carrying strap. The shrinking of the film is effected in a shrink tunnel where hot air is directed against the film. The finger receiving openings are formed in the film between adjacent pairs of bottles after initial shrinking of the film has occurred, but before the film reaches the end of the shrink tunnel so that after slitting of the film occurs, there is further shrinking of the film, primarily down between adjacent pairs of bottles.

Abstract: This relates to the formation of packages of containers, particularly those formed by heat shrinking a plastics material wrap around a plurality of containers and wherein the package is intended to be picked up by engaging an upper central portion of the wrap. A reinforcing strip is interlocked with upper portions of central ones of the containers. The reinforcing strip is divided in roll form and is first perforated to interlock with upper portions of containers, then is applied to adjacent pairs of containers followed by pressing the reinforcing strip down to assure interlocking thereof with two adjacent containers of two adjacent pairs of containers with the strip being severed between the two adjacent containers while held in place relative thereto. The containers are continuously moving during the application of the reinforcing strip and a single movable support is provided for all of the apparatus components. The movable support is driven by a plurality of cooperating cranks.

Abstract: Packages are now being formed by applying plastic materials of the type which shrink upon being heated to form a casing or wrapper in which a plurality of containers are encased for ease in handling. The plastics material is very thin and in the form of a film and the usual articles packaged therein are containers, most particularly cans. A limited number of articles is presently being incorporated in such packages. It is proposed to join together at least two of such packages to form a further and larger package utilizing strips which will bond to the plastics material of the casings and wherein at least one strip is provided with an extension in the form of a pull tab and wherein when the one strip is pulled relative to the package, it will result in the tearing of portions of the casings so as to open the individual packages and make the articles therein readily available for use.