Abstract: A beverage can container. More specifically a beverage can container for providing easy access to the beverage cans contained therein. The container has a scored or weakened line along which a hole is placed. The hole provides for easy insertion of a finger therein to break the container along the scored line and remove a portion thereof. The removed portion allows easy access by the consumer to the cans within the container.

Abstract: The neck-through the top carton blank for forming a carton with a four-ply handle and two-ply top panels with apertures through which the necks of bottles can be extended. The apertures in the top panel have an arcuate extended opening projecting towards the handle panel to minimize damage to the labels of the necks of bottles extending through the apertures. The fold lines for gluing this blank into a carton are parallel to each other.

Abstract: A bottle handling device for assisting in inserting a number of similar sized bottles into a secondary container, such as a partitionless beer carton. The device comprises a frame which, when inserted into the empty carton, provides a number of similar sized cells or compartments equal to the number of bottles which would completely fill the carton. The frame is maintained by support means above the shoulders of the bottles when located in the carton. Each bottle is inserted into, and its main body passes through, the frame until the bottle sits on the carton floor, the walls of each cell preventing a bottle in that cell from toppling over and hindering the insertion of further bottles and completion of filling of the carton. Upon completion and filling of the carton, the device is readily removed for reuse and the bottles are maintained in their upright condition by contacting adjacent bottles and the carton walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved canister for preserving aroma of coffee or other spices having aroma, comprising;

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for a beverage container is provided including a carbonated beverage container containing a carbonated beverage. A dispenser includes a body assembly screwably mounted on the carbonated beverage container with a dispenser spout extending therefrom. A tube depends from the dispenser into the container and remains in communication with the dispenser spout. Situated within a bore formed in the body assembly is a plunger. Such bore connects the tube and the dispensing spout. The plunger has a spring urging the same into a first orientation for preventing the flow of fluid from the tube to the dispensing spout. Also included is a lever connected to the plunger for urging the plunger into a second orientation for allowing the flow of fluid from the tube to the dispensing spout.

Abstract: A portable basket for water bottles (1) comprises a body (1) provided with a plurality of compartments (2) for individual bottles (3) in which body a handle device (9') is included. A main piping (9), which is closed at one end and open at the opposite end, is associated with the basket body and with which conduit a plurality of branch conduits (15) communicate, through which water or drinks may be fed out simultaneously from the main piping (9) to a plurality of bottles (3) in the compartments (2).

Abstract: A laminated paperboard package is produced by initially printing graphics by high speed printing on a sheet of clay-coated publication paper. The printed paper is then continuously applied to a surface of cellulosic substrate and bonded to the substrate, preferably through use of starch as an adhesive, to provide a laminated product. The laminated product is then die cut to the desired shape, folded and glued into the configuration of a box or container. A layer of water absorbent, cellulosic fiber material can be bonded to the inner surface of the substrate to prevent moisture from the contained product from seeping outwardly through the substrate to the printed paper.

Abstract: A composite carrier (10) has a handle structure (20) with a hand-gripping portion (22, 23) in upright relation to an attached article-engaging panel structure (24, 25). In one embodiment of the handle structure (20) the panel structure is a pair of panels (22, 23) formed from flexible sheet material. Each sheet (22, 24) has at least one deformable aperture (31) for engaging the neck of an article (31). In an alternate embodiment of the handle structure (40) the panel structure is a panel (44) attached in generally perpendicular relation to the hand-gripping portion. The generally horizontal panel has at least one neck-receiving aperture (46). Each neck-receiving aperture (46) has at least one foldably attached tab (48) extending inwardly into the aperture for engaging the flanged neck of an article such as the crown of a bottle. The second part of the composite carrier (10) is a tubular, wrap-around type carton (30) having top, side and bottom walls.

Abstract: An insulated beverage box is provided which is compatible with standard golf cart baskets and is designed to minimize problems of poor fit and excessive movement of current beverage box designs. The beverage box provides a plurality of chambers for the storage of various beverages and provides an accessible spigot for the dispensing of liquid beverages.

Abstract: A basket-style carrier constructed so as to maintain the carrier open during loading. One of the sections forming an end panel of the carrier includes a retaining tab extending across an opening in the adjacent end panel section. This prevents the end panel from collapsing about the fold lines connecting the end panel sections to the handle panel support structure during loading. The opening extends into the adjacent handle panel support structure, allowing the retaining tab to freely move through the opening in the support structure as the carrier is opened from collapsed condition.

Abstract: A collapsible article carrier (c) of the basket type, includes opposed side walls (22, 48), opposed end walls (28,44; 30,46), a base (12), a medial partition structure (62,64; 120,122) connecting together the opposed end walls and disposed substantially centrally of the carrier and a plurality of transverse partition panels (84,86; 100,102) connecting the medial partition structure with each of the side walls and thereby creating a number of article receiving cells within the carrier. Corner panels (32, 34, 50, 52) are provided between each of the end walls and side walls of the carrier to form a bevelled corner arrangement and the relationship between the dimensions of the various panels defining each corner cell is such as to allow the carrier to collapse. The transverse partition panels are set at an inclined angle (other than 90.degree.) between the medial partition structure and the associated side wall.

Abstract: A stackable bottle case including a tray having a floor structure with a plurality of bottle support areas on an upper surface thereof and a plurality of upward recesses on a lower surface thereof, and a tray cover positionable in a covering position over the bottles supported on the support areas. The tray cover has a cover top structure which includes a bottom side, with a plurality of downward receivers in which the tops of the bottles on the support areas are received when the tray cover is in the covering position, and a top side, with a plurality of protuberances that are positioned to lockingly fit in the upward recesses on the lower surface of a similar stackable bottle tray which is stacked on the tray cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely carrying or storing necked bottles, in particular wine bottles, has a top, a bottom having an opening, and an intermediate structure with an aperture axially aligned with the opening in the bottom. The neck of an inverted bottle is inserted through and supported by the aperture in the intermediate structure. The top of the neck of the bottle fits into, and is supported by, the opening in the bottom. A hinged, openable enclosure surrounds the area between the top and intermediate structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making an aluminum alloy sheet having controlled levels of strength properties for forming into a container panel. A body of an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 0.45 to 0.60 wt. % Cu, 1.1 to 1.7 wt. % Mg, 0.3 to 0.6 wt. % Si, 0.3 to 0.55 wt. % Fe, 0.5 to 1.2 wt. % Mn, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities, is hot rolled to a gauge in the range of 0.12 to 0.16 inch to provide a hot rolled product. The hot rolled product is cold rolled to provide a reduction of 50 to 80% in thickness, then solution heat treated in a range of 850.degree. to 110.degree. F. and rapidly cooled before cold rollign to a final sheet gauge by providing a reduction of 30 to 90% in thickness.

Abstract: An aluminum sheet having novel properties is provided. The strip stock is suitable for the fabrication of both container ends and container bodies in thinner gauges than are typically employed, has low earing characteristics and may be derived from recycled aluminum scrap. An alloy particularly suited to the fabrication of the aluminum sheet preferably has a magnesium concentration of from about 2 to about 2.8 weight percent and a manganese concentration of from about 0.9 to about 1.6 weight percent. A process particularly suited to the fabrication of the aluminum sheet preferably includes continuous chill block casting the alloy melt into a strip, hot rolling the strip to a first thickness, annealing the hot rolled strip and then cold rolling the annealed strip to a final thickness. Cold rolling preferably includes two stages with an intermediate anneal step between the two stages. The process increases tensile and yield strength while decreasing earing percentage, even in very thin gauges, such as 0.

Abstract: A lubricant and surface conditioner for formed metal surfaces, particularly beverage containers, which reduces the coefficient of static friction of said metal surfaces and enables drying said metal surfaces at a lower temperature.The conditioner is a water-soluble organic material selected from a phosphate ester, alcohol, fatty acid including mono-, di-, tri-, and poly-acids; fatty acid derivatives such as salts, hydroxy acids, amides, esters, ethers and derivatives thereof; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for the storage and transport of used and unused beverage containers is provided, wherein a matrix of tubular housings are arranged in a plurality of rows, including a central web directed orthogonally and medially of the tubes to secure the tubes together, with the web including a handle at a forwardmost end thereof. The web includes a rear projection, wherein the rear projection includes a plurality of tether lines, with the tether lines fixedly mounting lid members at equal spacings therealong for securement removably to upper terminal end portions of each tube. Lower portions of each tube include bottom lids, wherein the bottom lids are provided for containment of the beverage containers therewithin.

Abstract: A degradable bottle and can carrier comprising a body having a plurality of openings for receiving the bottles or cans. The body is made of a plastic material which is degradable upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. A water soluble ultraviolet absorber is applied to the exposed surface of the carrier such that the carrier is protected from degrading under ultraviolet radiation until such time that the carrier is discarded and becomes wet by rainfall, water or snow.

Abstract: Carrier side and end walls foldably joined at their end edges to form a tubular sleeve of generally rectangular cross sectional configuration includes a reinforcing panel foldably joined to the top edge of each of the end walls and secured in flat face contacting relation with the inner surface thereof together with an anchoring panel struck from each of the reinforcing panels and foldably joined to the associated end wall and with top closure panels foldably joined to the top edge of the side walls respectively and secured to the anchoring panels together with a bottom wall structure secured to the lower portions of the sleeve.

Abstract: A carrier (10) for a six pack (20) of beverage containers (14) has rings (12) interconnected by strips (16) and (18). The rings (12) fit around the beverage containers (14) in a friction fit. The strips (16, 18) are severed from adjacent rings (12) to remove one of the beverage containers (14) from the six pack (20). The ring (12) is moved so that it extends partially below bottom (24) of the container (14) so that the ring (12) will function as a coaster by supporting the container (14) above a surface (26) to prevent condensation on the container (14) from contacting the surface (26).

Abstract: A device for loading cans, bottles, or similar containers into a dispensing mechanism of a vending machine is disclosed. The device includes a rectangular box having a receiving opening and a discharge opening. The rectangular box temporarily stores the containers and includes a cover plate to control the opening and closing of the discharge opening. The cover plate is manually controlled by a control mechanism. The receiving box is also provided with a guide portion which extends into the open loading space of a dispensing mechanism of an automatic vending machine to facilitate the loading operation.

Abstract: A carrier to make a package of sealed cans is a flat sheet having a slot opening for each can. Each can has a tab fixed to its lid. The tabs are nested in the slots with the edges of the slots between the tabs and the lids. Frictional resistance between the cans and the carrier is sufficient to retain the cans in the carrier. A locking tongue can also be provided in the carrier to catch behind the tab for further assurance against retrograde movement. Moreover, the carrier can be made so that it dishes inside each can rim which enhances the strength and holding ability of the carrier.

Abstract: A floating beverage carrier apparatus (10) for cans (102) and bottles (101) wherein the apparatus includes an apertured flotation member (13) provided with a plurality of collapsible receptacles (16) for supporting the beverage containers (100) in the apparatus (10) during use; and, wherein the receptacles (16) are adapted to be collapsed within the apertures (15) during storage of the apparatus.

Abstract: A composite package comprising a group of cans (C1-C6), a band (PB) of a plastics material which passes around the group of cans intermediate their tops and bases, an outer paperboard wrapper (10) passing around the group. The wrapper includes spacer portions each of which locates in a space at the top and base ends between an adjacent pair of cans so as to urge the cans apart whereby the cans exert a force on the plastics band tending to expand the band into tension around the group of cans.

Abstract: A flexible film package for carry-out meal items is fabricated from a pair of telescoped sack members, the outer sack member being made longer than the inner sack member in order to define a spill-confinement pouch in its bottom and the inner sack member being fabricated from relatively stiffer film material than the outer sack member and with one or more beverage cup receiving apertures in its bottom for promoting a stable, upright positioning of the beverage cups during carrying of the filled package and upon placement of the filled package on a generally horizontal support surface.

Abstract: A reuseable open top case having interconnected bottom, side and end walls is provided with a disposable overwrap which includes panels overlying the open top, side, end and bottom walls.

Abstract: A spacer tray 2 for containers 32 is formed of a plastic sheet material and is shaped to provide a plurality of container-bottom receptacles 4. Each container-bottom receptacle 4 is shaped to receive at least a part of a bottom portion of a container 32. A container spacer wall 30 is located between each pair of adjacent container-bottom receptacles 4 to maintain bottom portions of containers seated in the receptacles spaced apart from one another. The spacer tray 2 can include nesting-binding interference structures 40, 42 to prevent two spacer trays placed one atop the other from binding when one tray is rotated 180 degrees relative to but otherwise aligned with the other tray.

Abstract: A package accommodating a plurality of bottles, the package being of the type having a top wall (12) and a bottom wall interconnected by spaced side walls (22, 24) thereby providing a tubular structure and end retention panels (32, 32a) which partially close the ends of the tubular structure so as to assist in preventing endwise dislodgement of the bottles, stabilizing means (42, 42a) for better maintaining the bottles in spaced relationship and in a desired upright attitude. The spacing and stabilizing means comprising a top panel flap which is put into its operative position automatically upon folding of the end retention panels relative to the top panel into their end retention position.

Abstract: A bottle and carrier assembly adapted to facilitate the recycling of polyester resin bottles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a reusable bottle carrier having a side wall and a bottom surface, and a recyclable polyester resin bottle. The bottle has an upper neck portion, an elongate body portion, and a rounded bottom portion which prevents the bottle from standing upright when placed on a level surface. The bottle is removably disposed within the bottle carrier in an upright configuration, with the side walls of the bottle carrier overlying a major part of the bottle elongate body portion. The side walls of the bottle carrier and the elongate body portion of the bottle have interengaging portions for maintaining the upright configuration of the bottle. The rounded bottom portion of the bottle serves to discourage the removal, by a consumer, of the recyclyable bottle from the reusuable bottle carrier.

Abstract: A shipping container for glass bottles or other articles of uniform size and height, the container being formed of an upright structure of generally rectangular horizontal cross-sectional configuration and having internal partitions providing a plurality of vertical, loading columns extending from the bottom to the top, the structure having spaced apart horizontal slots extending from the front to the back, the spacing between the slots being slightly greater than the height of the articles for which the container is configured, and a plurality of trays, one being received in each of the slots, the trays being moveable to a loading position allowing articles to be inserted in each of the columns in the top until the bottom tray is filled, after which the next tray adjacent to the bottom is closed and additional articles inserted until, in sequence, each section between trays is filled.

Abstract: This relates to a closure interlock between closure panels of a carton of the wrap around type. The closure interlock provides for a primary locking tab on an outer one of the closure panels and a secondary locking tab on the inner one of the closure panels whereby a primary lock and a secondary lock may be formed generally in alignment longitudinally of the closure interlock thus providing for a savings of carton forming stock corresponding to the normal spacing of the primary lock and the secondary lock transversely of the general line of the closure interlock.

Abstract: This relates to a closure interlock for closure panels of cartons of the wrap around type. Each closure interlock includes a primary locking tab on an outer closure panel and a secondary locking tab and primary and secondary locking shoulders on an inner closure panel. The locking tabs are generally in alignment and the locking shoulders are spaced a very short distance transversely of the length of the closure interlock. This permits a very shallow angle of entry of the secondary locking tabs so that the closure interlocks may be aligned with and generally underlie items being packaged within the associated carton.

Abstract: A thermally insulated carrying container for an assembled plurality of beverage containers which is constructed entirely of a thin sheet plastic foam material. The carrying container is to include side flaps which are to be locatable in an open position to facilitate refrigeration and visibility of the beverage containers and also being movable to a lockable closed position so as to maintain the beverage condition cold for a substantial period of time. A handle means is provided to facilitate carrying of the container. A latching means is provided between the openable top of the carrying container and the bottom of the carrying container to maintain an enclosure of the carrying container when desired.

Abstract: A package for a plurality of containers having retained pull-tab openers. The package comprises a primary package for handling such containers when in the full condition, as well as a secondary package permitting users of the containers to repackage them when empty. A flat sheet member is secured by tabs which lock over an array of containers which have been packaged utilizing a thermoplastic-type packaging device. The flat sheet member includes tabs which lock the member to finger holes in the thermoplastic device. This sheet member further includes particularly designed slots, equal in number to the number of containers packaged, which lock the retained tabs in the sheet for efficient handling and return of empty containers.

Abstract: A carrier for transportation of a plurality of bottles comprising a rigid rectangular frame enclosing a plurality of generally hexagonal forms, each form provided with a plastic liner for supporting a bottle while transporting the same through a bottle washing machine.

Abstract: A formable removable enclosure for a container wherein the container has a top, bottom and geometrically shaped exterior outer surface, the enclosure having a pliable elongated substantially rectangular shaped covering member adapted to be positioned and formed around the exterior outer surface of the container and having a pair of planar opposed spaced protective layers which terminate in opposed ends and wherein the covering member has a width substantially equal to the geometrical dimension between the top and bottom of the container and a length which is greater than the geometrical dimension around the periphery of the exterior of the exterior outer surface to enable the edge of one of the opposed ends of the covering member to contact and overlap with the edge of the other end of the covering member when the covering member is positioned and formed around the container, a resilient insulating layer positioned between the pair of spaced opposed protective layers of the covering member which is adapted to

Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one unsaturated wax as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.

Abstract: A one-piece, integrally molded plastic carrier adapted for supporting a plurality of bottles (such as beverage bottles) in a space envelope which is essentially the same as that space previously utilized by cardboard cartons. In an embodiment for carrying six bottles, a pair of non-planar handle supports extend upwardly from the base, with each of the supports resting in the central space between groupings of four bottles that are arranged to form a "square". The handle supports may be generally cylindrical or T-shaped, or a combination thereof; but in any case they are non-planar. The moment of inertia of the handle supports is high, so that the stiffness of the carrier is correspondingly high. A substantial slot is provided in the base between the two handle supports, and the slot is sized so that two bottle carriers may be nested together--with the handle of one carrier passing through the slot and into the bottom of another carrier.

Abstract: A package for a plurality of containers having retained pull tab openers. The package creates a primary package for distributing and handling such containers as well as a secondary package permitting the users of the containers to return them when empty. The package incorporates a device with a plurality of slots, equal in number to the number of containers originally packaged, and of a size to accept the retained pull tabs on the containers thereby creating a secondary package for repackaging the containers, with the secondary package having generally the same configuration as the primary package. The package of this invention also incorporates a thermoplastic strip with a plurality of bands to resiliently retain the containers in the primary packaging mode. The slot devices may either be incorporated in a discrete paperboard overlay or in arms which are integral with the bands of the carrier device.

Abstract: A portable storage assembly for holding accessories in a vehicle has ambient and refrigerated spaces.

Abstract: A plastic bottle case adapted to receive for transport and storage bottles in carriers and also individual bottles has side walls which are higher than the bottles, a bottom spaced upwardly from the lower edges of the side walls and adapted to support bottles in carriers. The bottom has holes to receive individual bottles not in carriers with bottle receptacles comprising ribs extending downwardly from edges of the openings and horizontal ribs connecting the downwardly extending ribs. Portions of the bottom between the openings are preferably crowned or roof-shaped.

Abstract: An article carrier container is formed from an elongated blank including top deck sections with apertures or holes therein, side walls and a lower deck together with an extension flap extending from one row of holes of the top deck, the extension flap having a tongue cut from a central portion thereof adjacent the row of holes and a further portion which is adapted to be folded back under at least one row of holes and thence downward to be secured to the lower deck, the cutout tongue also being adapted to be secured to the lower deck so as to form a plurality of tubular compartments of the extension portion and flap forming the device.