초록 ▼

A novel top lift carrier and a novel method of forming same are disclosed herein. The carrier is used to carry a plurality of containers, such as cans, bottles and the like. The carrier is formed from a single ply, plastic handle portion which has a plurality of tabs along an edge thereof and a plan

A novel top lift carrier and a novel method of forming same are disclosed herein. The carrier is used to carry a plurality of containers, such as cans, bottles and the like. The carrier is formed from a single ply, plastic handle portion which has a plurality of tabs along an edge thereof and a planar, plastic container engaging portion which has a plurality of apertures therethrough that are provided in rows. Each aperture carries one of the containers. The handle portion and the container engaging portion are formed separately and may be made of dissimilar materials. To form the completed carrier, the tabs are fused or welded to the container engaging portion between the rows of apertures. In a first embodiment, the container engaging portion is provided with a plurality of spaced slots between the rows of apertures. The tabs on the handle portion are respectively inserted through the slots and fused or welded to an underside of the container engaging portion to form a strong, peel resistant weld. When the carrier is carried with containers therein, the weld is placed in shear. In a second embodiment, the slots are eliminated and the tabs are fused or welded directly to the upper surface of the container engaging portion. This embodiment is preferably used for lighter weight items in which peel forces do not need to be substantially eliminated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A method of continuously forming a plurality of carriers, each said carrier for use in carrying a plurality of containers, said method comprising the steps of:providing at least one continuous web of plastic material;forming a plurality of handle portions out of sai

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A method of continuously forming a plurality of carriers, each said carrier for use in carrying a plurality of containers, said method comprising the steps of:providing at least one continuous web of plastic material;forming a plurality of handle portions out of said continuous web of plastic material to form a continuous web of handle portions, each said handle portion having a plurality of tab portions on an edge thereof;forming a plurality of container engaging portions out of said continuous web of plastic material to form a continuous web of container engaging portions, each said container engaging portion having a plurality of apertures in rows thereon such that said container engaging portions are separate from said handle portions;aligning said continuous web of handle portions and said continuous web of container engaging portions and overlapping a portion of said continuous web of handle portions onto said continuous web of container engaging portions such that said tab portions of each said handle portion are positioned between said rows of apertures of respective container engaging portions; andfusing said tab portions of each said handle portion to respective container engaging portions between said rows of apertures to form the completed carriers.