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.

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.