US3594891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container carrier
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1970-01-27
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1990-01-27
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a plastic container carrier and the provision of a generally U-shaped bail portion for the container carrier. The carrier is formed from a strip of thermoplastic material and the bail portion is formed coplanar with the remaining portion of the carrier. The bail portion is cold worked to increase its length, decrease its thickness and provide a flexible handle for the container carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest R Cunningham
- 👤 Ronald C Owen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:05
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44D; B44D3/00; B44D3/12; B44D3/14; B65; B65D; B65D25/00; B65D25/28; B65D25/2867; B65D25/2873; B65D25/2876; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of forming a package from a carrier and container comprising the steps of forming a blank from a sheet of resilient, deformable and elastic material, the blanks being in the form of an endless band with an integral handle strap coplanar with and spanning the aperture of the endless band, decreasing the thickness and increasing the length of the handle strap relative to the endless band, and stretching the endless band transversely while inserting the container through the aperture to embracingly engage the container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of forming a package from a carrier and container comprising the steps of forming a blank from a sheet of resilient, deformable and elastic material, the blanks being in the form of an endless band with an integral handle strap coplanar with and spanning the aperture of the endless band, decreasing the thickness and increasing the length of the handle strap relative to the endless band, and stretching the endless band transversely while inserting the container through the aperture to embracingly engage the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of forming a package in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the handle strap are changed by calendering only the handle strap.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of forming a handle for a unitary plastic container carrier comprising the steps of forming a blank having at least one handle strap means coplanar with the container-engaging portions of the carrier prior to assembly to a container and cold working the handle strap means in order to substantially decrease the strap thickness and increase the strap length thereby forming an integral upwardly extending generally U-shaped handle.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of forming a handle for a unitary plastic container carrier comprising the steps of forming a blank having at least one handle strap means coplanar with the container-engaging portions of the carrier prior to assembly to a container and cold working the handle strap means in order to substantially decrease the strap thickness and increase the strap length thereby forming an integral upwardly extending generally U-shaped handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of forming a handle in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cold working is done prior to applying the carrier to a complementary container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of forming a handle in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cold working is done simultaneous with the placing of the carrier on a complementary container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of forming a handle in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cold working is done after the carrier is applied to a complementary container.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of forming a container carrier of thermoplastic material comprising the steps of blanking a strip of thermoplastic material to form an endless band having a major and minor axis, said endless band including a bail portion extending within the endless band and coinciding with the major axis of the endless band, thus forming a strap which separates two elongated apertures, and cold working only the bail portion by calendering to reduce its thickness and increase its length relative to the endless band, wherein the cold working thus forms a generally U-shaped bail integral with and extending upwardly from the endless band.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of forming a container carrier of thermoplastic material comprising the steps of blanking a strip of thermoplastic material to form an endless band having a major and minor axis, said endless band including a bail portion extending within the endless band and coinciding with the major axis of the endless band, thus forming a strap which separates two elongated apertures, and cold working only the bail portion by calendering to reduce its thickness and increase its length relative to the endless band, wherein the cold working thus forms a generally U-shaped bail integral with and extending upwardly from the endless band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of forming a container carrier in accordance with claim 7, wherein the cold working is accomplished by inserting the bail portion between a set of intermeshing gears thereby increasing the length of the bail portion while reducing its thickness and producing an accordionlike configuration on the bail portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A unitary container carrier of thermoplastic material adapted for engaging and snugly holding a complementary container comprising an endless band having an inner and outer periphery, a connecting bail portion integral with and connected to the inner periphery of the endless band and extending across the aperture formed by the endless band, said connecting bail portion being of lesser thickness than the endless band and of a length greater than the length of an imaginary line extending between opposite points of connection of the bail portion to the inner periphery of the endless band, wherein the endless band snugly receives the complementary container and the connecting bail portion forms an integral, upwardly extending, generally U-shaped handle for the container carrier in combination with a complementary container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
A unitary container carrier of thermoplastic material adapted for engaging and snugly holding a complementary container comprising an endless band having an inner and outer periphery, a connecting bail portion integral with and connected to the inner periphery of the endless band and extending across the aperture formed by the endless band, said connecting bail portion being of lesser thickness than the endless band and of a length greater than the length of an imaginary line extending between opposite points of connection of the bail portion to the inner periphery of the endless band, wherein the endless band snugly receives the complementary container and the connecting bail portion forms an integral, upwardly extending, generally U-shaped handle for the container carrier in combination with a complementary container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A container carrier in accordance with claim 9 wherein the bail portion is pleated to provide stretching capabilities for the bail.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |