Clip for elliptically-shaped containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers. The device comprises a frame having a length dimension with opposite sides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of the frame. The frame length, a flexible arm and a fixed arm arcuately form at least one container-retaining cavity adapted to receive and retain an elliptically-shaped container. The cavity has at least one length dimension that is slightly smaller than a major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained within the cavity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging device for elliptically-shaped containers.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Commercially available containers, such as infant feeding bottles, are typically packaged in groups. In order to do so, the containers are often packaged in paperboard cartons or shrink-wrapped trays. This type of packaging is designed to protect the containers from being separated from one another or being damaged during shipment, handling, and storage. Upon purchase of the packaged containers, the consumer must open the packaging and remove a container to further use it. Unfortunately, once the paperboard carton or shrink wrapped tray is opened, the carton or tray can no longer securely retain the remaining containers. The containers are permitted to move freely inside the packaging, causing them to become susceptible to being damaged or mishandled.

Plastic clip systems designed to retain such containers have been developed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,975 to Pezzoli, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,189 to Gialanella. In these systems, the clip device comprises an longitudinal central section and a plurality of opposed gripping members attached to the longitudinal central section. Each pair of gripping members forms an opening for receiving and retaining a cylindrical container, such as a baby bottle.

One disadvantage to the clip systems of Pezzoli and Gialanella is that they require two flexible members to retain each container. Because two flexible gripping members are required to retain each container, both gripping members must work against each other to flexibly adjust in order to receive a container or allow a container to be removed. This makes it physically difficult to insert or remove a container from the gripping members without using excessive force, which could ultimately damage the container or clip system.

Another disadvantage to the Pezzoli and Gialanella clip systems is that they are adapted to receive and retain only cylindrical containers. A container or bottle that has any other body configuration would not fit securely into the gripping members of the Pezzoli or Gialanella invention.

Non-cylindrical containers are becoming commercially popular. For example, some manufacturers of sports drinks are producing bottles with oval or elliptical body shapes in order to provide a bottle that is easy to grip and drink from while participating in a sports activity. The oval or elliptical shape fits into the hand more comfortably than a cylindrical drink bottle would.

Similarly, infant feeding bottles having an elliptical body configuration provide a bottle that is easier for both the infant and the caregiver to grasp. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,344 to Kipperman relates to a baby bottle having an elliptically-shaped body, which ensures that the bottle is sufficiently narrow to enable a caregiver to comfortably hold the bottle while feeding the infant. For premature infants, the elliptical configuration of the bottle is especially important, as it is often necessary to encourage the infant to feed by stimulating its cheek during feedings. In one embodiment of the Kipperman elliptically-shaped bottle, the caregiver can hold the bottle between her middle and forefinger, allowing her to stimulate the baby's cheek with her thumb during the feeding. Bottles having this shape could not be contained within either the Pezzoli or Gialanella clip.

Thus, it would be useful to provide a packaging device for elliptically-shaped containers that allows the containers to remain secure after one container is removed from the packaging and retains the containers through the use of one fixed arm and one flexible arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a novel packaging clip for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers. The packaging clip comprises a frame having a length dimension with opposite sides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of the frame. The frame length, a flexible arm and a fixed arm arcuately form an open cavity which is adapted to receive and retain an elliptically-shaped container. The cavity has at least one length dimension that is slightly smaller than a major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container.

The present invention is also directed to a novel packaging assembly for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers. The packaging assembly comprises a frame having a length dimension with opposite sides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of the frame. The frame length, a flexible arm and a fixed arm arcuately form an open cavity which is adapted to receive and retain an elliptically-shaped container. The cavity has at least one length dimension that is slightly smaller than a major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container. A plurality of elliptically-shaped containers are retained within said cavities.

The present invention is also directed to a novel packaging clip for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers. The packaging clip has a frame having a length dimension, the frame comprising a plurality of straight arms connected at substantially equal angles to form the length dimension and open cavities along the length dimension, wherein adjacent cavities open to opposite sides of the length dimension. The packaging clip also has two fingers located substantially equidistant from the vertex of each angle, adapted to receive and retain the elliptically-shaped containers within the open cavity.

The present invention is also directed to such a novel packaging clip having retained elliptically-shaped containers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device that retains a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers. It is also an object of the invention to provide a device that stabilizes containers during shipment, displays the containers while in inventory, distributes the containers easily and permits the re-storage of the containers.

Among the several advantages found to be achieved by the present invention is that the packaging device is adapted to receive elliptically-shaped containers and allows the containers to remain secure after one container is removed from the packaging. Additionally, the containers can be firmly reattached to the packaging device with ease by inserting the container into the cavity. This eliminates the possibility of dropping or mishandling due to unsecured containers. The present invention can be used to package containers for commercial distribution purposes, to collect empty containers, or re-used with other elliptically-shaped containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a packaging clip of the present invention in which one container is retained by the clip.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly of the present invention in which a plurality of containers are retained by the clip.

FIG. 2a is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a packaging clip of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a packaging clip of the present invention in which one container is retained by the clip.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a packaging clip of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not a limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to a novel packaging clip 10 for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers 40. The clip 10 has a frame 20 with a length dimension and opposite sides. A plurality of arms 21 and 22 extend from opposite sides of the frame 20. The frame length 20, flexible arms 21 and fixed arms 22 arcuately form opposing container-retaining cavities 30 that are adapted to receive and retain elliptically-shaped containers 40. In some embodiments, the cavities 30 may be present on only one side of the frame length (shown in FIG. 1a). In this embodiment, flexible arms 21 and fixed arms 22 would be disposed on one side of the clip length. The opposite side of the clip length would be, therefore, straight or have another design without cavities.

The cavity 30 has at least one length dimension that is slightly smaller than a major axis diameter of an elliptically-shaped container 40. In one embodiment of the invention, the cavity 30 has multiple length dimensions that are slightly smaller than the corresponding major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container 40 when a container is not being retained within the cavity 30. The length dimensions D1, D2 and D3 of the cavity 30 are shown in FIG. 1. The major axis diameters D4, D5 and D6 of the elliptically-shaped container 40 are also shown. In this embodiment, length dimensions D1, D2 and D3 are slightly smaller than the corresponding diameter dimensions D4, D5 and D6 of the elliptically-shaped container 40.

The elliptically-shaped container 40 can be retained by the packaging clip 10 by inserting the container 40 into the cavity 30 so that a minor axis diameter D7 is first positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis 23 of the frame 20. The container 40 should then be turned approximately 90°. In a particular embodiment, the container 40 is turned 90° in a direction toward the flexible arm 21. The flexible arm 21 flexibly adjusts to receive the container 40 in cavity 30. Once the container has been inserted into the cavity 30 and turned 90°, the flexible arm 21 returns to its original position, securely retaining the container.

The minor diameter D7 of the container 40 is then perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 23 of the frame 20 and the container is locked into position. The major axis diameter D5 of the container 40 is parallel to a length diameter D2 of the cavity 30 and will be parallel to the longitudinal axis 23 of the frame 20.

A container can be released from the packaging clip 10 by turning the container 40 approximately 90°. In a particular embodiment, the container 40 is turned 90° is the opposite direction, against the flexible arm 21. Again, the flexible arm 21 flexibly adjusts to release the container 40. The flexible arm 21 then returns to its original position. The container 40 can then be easily removed from the cavity 30.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the packaging clip 10 has a retention barb 24 on the terminal end of each flexible arm 21. The retention barb 24 enhances the ability of the packaging clip 10 to retain the containers 40. Although the retention barbs 24 are shaped in a particular manner in the drawings, the retention barbs 24 of the invention may encompass various shapes. The retention barbs 24 can be of any shape that enhances the ability of the clip 10 to retain the containers.

In an embodiment, the frame length 20 is substantially flat and has sufficient rigidity to support at least six containers 40 without being distorted. In a particular embodiment, the packaging clip of the present invention has a handle 25 fixedly attached to the frame length (shown in FIG. 2). The handle 25 can be present on any of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a packaging assembly 50 of the present invention. The packaging assembly 50 is designed to retain a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers 40. The packaging assembly 50 comprises a packaging clip 10 as described above and a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers 40 retained within the cavities of the clip 10.

Each of the elliptically-shaped containers 40 has an elliptically-shaped cylindrical body portion 41. With one particular container, a circular-shaped cylindrical upper body portion 42 and a circular-shaped cylindrical lower body portion 43 are also included. The circular-shaped upper body portion 42 and the lower body portion 43 have a diameter that is greater than the major diameter of the elliptically-shaped body portion 41. This prevents the elliptically-shaped body portion 41 from slipping out of the packaging clip 10. The containers 40 also comprise a cylindrical top portion 44 adapted to removably receive a closure.

If desired, a packaging assembly according to the invention could be enclosed in plastic wrap. Similarly, the packaging assembly could have the bottoms of the containers resting in a tray and the entire assembly could be enclosed in plastic wrap.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention employing this concept is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the packaging clip 100 has a frame 120 having a length dimension. The frame 120 comprises a plurality of straight arms 121 connected at substantially equal angles 122 to form the length dimension. Open cavities 130 are present along the length dimension 120, wherein adjacent cavities 130 open to opposite sides of the length dimension 120. The packaging clip 100 also has two fingers 123 located substantially equidistant from the vertex of each angle 122, adapted to receive and retain elliptically-shaped containers within the open cavity 130. In this embodiment, the substantially equal angles 122 can be right, obtuse or acute, depending on the size of the containers to be held by the clip.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is an elliptically-shaped bottle 140, positioned in one of the cavities 130. The elliptically-shaped bottle 140 has a minor diameter D8 and a major diameter D9. In a particular embodiment, there is enough space between the two fingers 123 that the minor diameter D8 of the bottle 140 can fit between the fingers 123 but the major diameter D9 cannot fit between the fingers 123.

In this embodiment, similar to the other embodiment described above, the elliptically-shaped container 140 can be received and retained by the packaging clip 100 by inserting the minor diameter D8 of the bottle 140 between the two fingers 123. Once the bottle 140 has moved into the cavity 103 and beyond the fingers 123, the bottle 140 is rotated approximately 900 in either direction. By rotating the bottle 140, the major diameter D7 is gripped securely by the arms 121 and fingers 123. To remove the bottle 140 from the packaging clip 100, the bottle 140 is again rotated 900 in either direction. This allows the bottle 140 to be removed from the packaging clip 100 by sliding the minor diameter D8 of the bottle 140 through the opening between the fingers 123.

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the packaging clip 200 comprises a length dimension 220 having opposite sides. A plurality of arms 221 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the frame 220. Each arm 221 extends substantially perpendicular to the frame length 220. Between each arm, a cavity 230 is formed. The arms 221 are adapted so that an elliptically-shaped bottle can be inserted into the cavity 230. The interior arms 222 are flexible and have two gripping surfaces 223 and 224, such that a bottle can be retained on each side of interior arm 222. The distances between the arms are designed such that they are smaller than a dimension of the elliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained within a cavity. In one embodiment, four arms 221 are present on each side of the frame 220.

Like the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the additional embodiments may have elliptical container-receiving cavities disposed on only one side of the frame length. Even the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 could have opposite side cavities or structures that would not be able to retain elliptically-shaped containers of the same size being retained on the opposite side.

In any of the embodiments, the packaging clip of the present invention may molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so that it is a unitary member of relatively uniform wall thickness. Any plastic material known in the art can be used to form the packaging clip. A suitable plastic for forming the packaging clip includes, but is not limited to, polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.

The present invention provides many advantages over packaging clips of the prior art. By requiring only a flexible arm and a fixed arm to retain a container, the present invention makes the insertion and removal of containers from the clip very easy. This may allow the user to remove or replace a bottle with only one hand.

The packaging clip of the present invention allows the remaining containers to remain secure after one container is removed from the clip. The packaging clip can be easily reused. It is durable and relatively inexpensive to produce. It stabilizes the containers during shipment and displays the containers while in inventory. Furthermore, it allows the assembly to be shrink-wrapped in plastic, placed in a cardboard container, or mounted on a carrier tray.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. For example, while methods for the production of a sterile liquid nutritional supplement made according to those methods have been exemplified, other uses are contemplated. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein.

Claims

1. A clip for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers, the clip comprising a frame having a length dimension with opposite sides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of the frame, wherein:

a. the frame length, a flexible arm and a fixed arm arcuately form at least one open container-retaining cavity adapted to receive and retain an elliptically-shaped container; and

b. the cavity has at least one length dimension that is slightly smaller than a major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained within the cavity.

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has multiple length dimensions that are slightly smaller than a corresponding major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container.

3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the flexible arm flexibly adjusts to receive the elliptically-shaped container.

4. The clip according to claim 1, wherein a retention barb is located at the terminal end of each flexible arm.

5. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the device is formed from a plastic material.

6. The clip according to claim 1, comprising multiple cavities.

7. The clip according to claim 1 comprising at least six cavities.

8. The clip according to claim 7, wherein at least three container-retaining cavities are located on each side of the length dimension of the frame.

9. The clip according to claim 1, further comprising a handle fixedly attached to the frame for carrying said clip.

10. A packaging assembly for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers, said packaging assembly comprising:

a. a packaging clip comprising a frame having a length dimension with opposite sides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of the frame, wherein: i. the frame length, a flexible arm and a fixed arm arcuately form at least one open container-retaining cavity adapted to receive and retain an elliptically-shaped container; ii. the cavity has at least one length dimension that is slightly smaller than a major axis diameter of the elliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained within the cavity; and

b. a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers, wherein the containers are retained within said container-retaining cavities.

11. The packaging assembly according to claim 10, wherein the elliptically-shaped container is retained by the packaging clip by inserting the container into the cavity so that the minor axis diameter is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and turning the container approximately 90°.

12. The packaging assembly according to claim 10, wherein the packaging assembly is shrink-wrapped.

13. The packaging assembly according to claim 10, wherein the packaging assembly is packaged in a cardboard container.

14. The packaging assembly according to claim 10, wherein the packaging assembly is mounted on a tray.

15. A clip for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers, said packaging clip comprising:

a. a frame having a length dimension, said frame comprising a plurality of straight arms connected at substantially equal angles to form the length dimension and at least one open cavity along the length dimension, wherein adjacent cavities open to opposite sides of the length dimension; and

b. two fingers located substantially equidistant from the vertex of each angle, adapted to receive and retain the elliptically-shaped containers within the open cavity.

16. The clip according to claim 15, wherein the angles are right.

17. The clip according to claim 15, wherein the angles are acute.

18. The clip according to claim 15, wherein the angles are obtuse.

19. A packaging assembly for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers, said packaging assembly comprising a packaging clip according to claim 15 and a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers retained within said cavities.