Structural Strapped Multi-Pack Packaging

Abstract

A composite unitary package for transporting goods in containers includes a wrapper assembly having two side portions extending vertically from a bottom portion and around the outside of a plurality of the containers. Spacers partially or fully extend between certain of the containers, and one or more inelastic tensioned straps extends around the side portions of the wrapper assembly, and compressively binds the side wrapper assembly portions, the spacers and the containers together such that the frictional forces on the combination of wrapper assembly, spacers and containers form a stable, load-bearing package that withstands transportation forces.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A composite unitary package for transportation, storage and display, comprising:
 an assembly comprising a bottom portion and at least two side portions, said side portions extending vertically around the outside of a plurality of containers, the containers located on the bottom portion;   at least one spacer extending at least partially between and being in contact with certain of said containers;   at least one laterally extending tensioned member compressively binding said side portions, the at least one spacer, and the containers together;   each container being immobile in relation to adjacent containers and said side portions;   the lateral compression establishing a frictional force between the at least one spacer and said certain of said containers in contact with said at least one spacer, the frictional force resisting movement of said certain of said containers relative to said assembly and relative to other of said containers;   the lateral and frictional forces combining to provide a mutual binding, laterally compressive tightly packed package with each container immobilized in relation to other containers, and the lateral and frictional forces frictionally integrating the binding member, the wrapper, the at least one spacer, and the containers, forming a stable load-bearing reinforced structural unit.   
     
     
         2 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer comprises at least a first flap on said assembly, the flap projecting from said assembly into contact with at least two of said containers. 
     
     
         3 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer includes a panel portion inserted between two adjacent rows of said certain of said containers. 
     
     
         4 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spacer comprises a protective cushion between said certain of said containers. 
     
     
         5 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer further includes a cap structure engaging at least a part of certain of said containers. 
     
     
         6 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said cap structure engages with certain of said containers by one of apertures and D-cuts in the cap structure. 
     
     
         7 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spacer is fixed to one of said bottom portion and at least one of said side portions. 
     
     
         8 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said side portions of the assembly have recesses to receive said tensioned member. 
     
     
         9 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spacer is made of materials selected from the group consisting of paper, corrugated paperboard, plastic, corrugate, labels and sleeves, expanded and non-expanded carpet, rubber, fabric, pre-form egg-carton style material, adhesive, plastic ring carriers, semi-structural and structural wood, cellulose and oil-based products, fiber products and interposed secondary product. 
     
     
         10 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said containers comprise material selected from the group consisting of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible materials. 
     
     
         11 . A composite unitary package containing a plurality of substantially identical containers for transportation, storage and display, comprising:
 a wrapper having a bottom portion and side portions, said side portions extending laterally around the outside and at least partially in engagement with and receiving said containers;   said containers disposed in multiple layers in said wrapper, and said multiple layers separated and supported by rows of containers;   at least one spacer extending between said containers;   at least one laterally extending tensioned inelastic strap compressing the at least one spacer, the side portions of the wrapper, and at least one layer of said containers into mutual lateral binding frictional compressive relation;   the wrapper, the at least one tensioned strap, the at least one spacer combining to immobilize the positions of the containers and spacer relative to the wrapper and forming a stable load-bearing reinforced structural package unit.   
     
     
         12 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one spacer comprises an inverted U-shaped section that separates and encloses said rows of containers. 
     
     
         13 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one spacer is formed from conjoined L-shaped sections that overlap an adjoining L-shaped section to form a cap structure engaging a top of each of said containers. 
     
     
         14 . A composite unitary package containing a plurality of containers, said containers being of two different sizes with a plurality of a first size container interposed between a plurality of containers of a second size, comprising:
 a wrapper extending at least partially in engagement with and receiving said first size containers;   at least one inelastic tensioned strap compressing the wrapper and the first and second sized containers into mutual lateral compressive relation, the wrapper, the at least one tensioned strap, and the first and second sized containers in compressive contact and immobilizing the positions of the first and second sized containers in the wrapper and forming a stable load-bearing reinforced structural unit.   
     
     
         15 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said assembly is made of materials selected from the group consisting of cardboard, corrugated paperboard, molded materials and fabricated materials. 
     
     
         16 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one spacer is independent from said wrapper. 
     
     
         17 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the side portions have vertically extending flutes providing additional columnar load-bearing strength to said package. 
     
     
         18 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the binding member is selected from the group consisting of self-adherent strap, pealable strap, friction-welded strap, strapping with interlocking tabbed ends that are separable by transverse sliding disengagement, and knotted strapping having a pull-release free end. 
     
     
         19 . The composite unitary package as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of the assembly comprises a tray, and said side portions have a first pair of side panels and a second pair of side panels extending vertically around the outside of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         20 . A composite unitary package for transportation, storage and display, comprising:
 an assembly comprising a bottom portion and at least two side portions, said side portions extending vertically around the outside of a plurality of containers, the containers extending vertically from the bottom portion;   at least one laterally extending tensioned inelastic strap member compressively binding said side portions and said containers together, each container being immobile in relation to adjacent containers and said side portions;   the lateral compression establishing a frictional force between the containers and said side portions, the frictional force resisting movement of said containers relative to said assembly and relative to other of said containers;   said bottom portion including adhesive disposed in one of: between a portion of each of said containers and between a bottom of the container and the bottom portion of said assembly, said adhesive providing a force restraining movement of said containers relative to said bottom portion of said assembly and relative to other containers;   the lateral, frictional and adhesive forces combining to provide a mutual binding, laterally compressive tightly packed package with each container immobilized in relation to other containers and the side portions, forming a stable load-bearing reinforced structural unit.