US3002612A - Can carrier - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 o J. POUPITCH 3,002,612

CAN CARRIER Filed Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 g. 5. i 42a,

l .1331: 135a J3 34 INVENTOR. l 0&9? flsL vaw Oct 1961 o. J. POUPITCH 3,002,612

CAN CARRIER Filed Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 J /4g JE Od/ i I W C INVENTOR.

:21 1" I 4 v i 0 Z 664/4; fi W 25 7 i Z 703mm 35 fi 25 a Mafia/4&4?

Oct. 1961 o. J. POUPITCH 3,002,612

7 CAN CARRIER Filed Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 n! .ZNVENIOR.

United States Patent G i 3,002,612 CAN CARRIER Ougljesa Jules Poupitch, Itasca, Ill., assignor to Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 6, 1956, Ser. No. 620,695 22 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) The present invention relates to novel carrier means for a plurality of cans or the like, and more particularly to a novel clip structure adapted to be applied to annular end rims of a plurality of cans or the like so as to connect the cans in a package which may be readily handled, stored or carried.

Packages of cans of the type contemplated herein are often subjected to considerable amounts of rough treatment. For example, during shipment by truck, train or the like the packages will be subjected to road shocks and when the packages are being handled for storing or display purposes or even when they are being carried by the ultimate consumer they may be accidentally dropped. Thus, it is important that the cans be retained in the package in a manner which will prevent them from be coming detached from the package even when subjected to rough treatment of the type mentioned above in order to obtain a commercially satisfactory package.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel one-piece sheet material clip which is adapted to be applied to and to interlock with rims of a plurality of adjacently disposed cans or the like for connecting the cans together in a manner which will prevent them from becoming detached when the package is subjected to rough treatment of the above described type.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel one-piece sheet material clip of the above described type which may be readily applied to a plurality of cans while the cans are in adjacent substantially parallel relationship whereby to facilitate assembly of the clip and the cansand which clip, when fully applied to the cans, interlocks with the can rims in a manner which prevents detachment of the cans until portions of the clip have been shifted with respect to each other and spread apart.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier for cans including one or more clips of the above described type which are adapted to be grasped directly by a person desiring to carry cans retained by the clips or adapted to interengage with a separate handle member to be used for carrying the cans.

Still another object of the present invention is to providea can carrier including novel clips of the above described type and a handle member, which clips and handle member are constructed so that, they will not project unduly beyond ends of the can when the handle member is not in use so as to reduce space requirement for packages including the carrier and to enable a plurality of the packages to be stacked upon each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel carrier structure including clips of the above described type and/or a handle member which are adapted to facilitate stacking of a plurality of can packages by resting with cans stacked onto a package with which the clips and/ or handle are connected.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein- FIG. -1 is a perspective view showing a package including a plurality of cans disposed in side by side substantially abutting and parallel relationship and retained by clips incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a novel clip incorporating features of the present invention;

3,002,612 Patented Oct. 3, 1961 FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the clip shown in FIG. 2 and further shows in broken lines the manner in which a plurality of cans are associated with the clip prior to deforming or shifting of certain of the clip elements to elfect an interlock between the clip and the cans;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the clip taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 and further shows in broken lines the manner in which the clip is initially associated with a plurality of cans;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the novel clip fully applied to a plurality of cans;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the clip taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 and further shows in broken lines portions of the cans associated with the clip;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the arcuate line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified package incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a package and a handle member in position to be assembled with the clip members of the package;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the package shown in FIG. 9 with the handle member associated with the clips, which handle member is shown in solid lines in a fully collapsed inoperative position and in broken lines in a raised or extended operative position;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 but show modified clip and handle structures;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a clip structure incorporating a modified embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a sheet material handle incorporating a further modification of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view showing clip structures of the type shown in FIG. 13 and the handle member of FIG. 14 applied to a plurality of cans;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a clip structure incorporating another modification of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 17 but shows a further modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing still another modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the clip structure of FIG. 19 applied to a plurality of cans;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary plan view showing the clip structure of FIGS. 19 and 20 applied to a plurality of cans;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing another modified form of the present invention; g

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary plan view showing the clip of FIG. 22 applied to a plurality of containers:-

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 24-24 in FIG. 23;

'FIG. 25 is a fragmentary plan view showing another embodiment of the present invention wherein a pair of clips having the can rim engaging strtucture of the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 is integrally interconnected;

FIG. 26 shows a modified wire handle structure especially suitable for application to clip means of the type shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing the manner in which the handle structure of FIG. 26 is applied to the clip means;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 28-28 in FIG. 25; and i FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken generally along line 29-29 of FIG. 28.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a package 20 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Inv the embodiment shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention the package includes three pairs of cans 22-24, 26-28 and 30-32, which cans are disposed in substantially abutting parallel relationship so that the cans 22-24 and 26-28 define a space 34 therebetween and the cans 26-28. and 30-32 define another space 36 therebetween. It will be appreciated that the cans defining these spaces within their areas of substantial abutment are positioned uniformly around central points of the spaces. The cans may be of any known construction providing annular upper end rims all of which are designated by numeral 38 and also preferably providing similar annular lower end rims all of which are generally. designated by the numeral 40. Clip members 42 constructed in accordance with the present invention and described fully hereinbelow are respectively applied to the upper ends of the cans 22-24 and 26-28 and to the upper ends of the cans 26-28 and 30-32 for retaining the cans together in a compact rugged package. In this embodiment additional clip members 42 are similarly applied to the bottom end rims of the cans for enhancing the strength and ruggedness of the package.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 through 7, it is seen that the one-piece clip '42 is formed from sheet material, preferably sheet steel, and is provided with a central generally flat body portion 44 which is adapted to traverse the space between pairs of adjacently disposed cans. The body is formed with arcuate margins 46, '48, 50 and 52 having a curvature complementary to the curvature of the can rims and adapted to be positioned in close association with adjacent can rims when the clip is applied to the cans. Arcuate marginal flanges 54, 56, 58 and 60 integral and substantially coextensive with the margins 46 through 52 extend generally axially from the clip body for overlying outer peripheral surfaces of the can rims. As shown in the drawings, corner portions 62, 64, 66 and 68 of the body are adapted to project substantially between adjacent cans and the corner portions are cut off so that the cans may be positioned with at least their rims in substantially abutting relationship to enable the most compact package to be obtained.

Adjacent the terminal ends of each of the corner portions there is respectively provided pairs of generally oppositely disposed locking elements or lugs 70-72, 74-76, 78-80 and 82-84, which lugs are adapted to project beneath rims of adjacent cans. More specifically, the lug 70 is struck from the flange 54 and extends laterally outwardly from an integral junction with the margin 46, and the lug 72 is struck from the flange 56 andextends laterally outwardly from an integral junction with the margin 48. It is important to note that an arcuate rib 86 is embossed in the body corner portion 62 in a direction away from the flanges and so that it traverses the corner portion between the lugs 70 and 72 and also extends into the lugs. This arrangement of the rib 86 not only strengthens and rigidifies the lugs 70 and 72 so as to prevent them from being deflected when a package including the clip is subjected to an impact or other rough treatment, but also prevents the body corner portion 62 from twisting or collapsing in a manner which might permit the lugs 70 and 72 to become disengaged from the can rims- It is further to be noted that the rib 86 terminates short of the outer ends of the lugs 70 and 72 so that, as shown in FIG. 7, the lugs are provided with upwardly facing relatively sharp tooth edges 88 and 90, respectively, substantiallyentirely across their outer ends, which edges are adapted aggressivelyto engage the end surfaces of the canrimswhen the clip is applied to the cans to promote a more effective connection between the clip and the can. The remaining lugs 74-84 are formed in substantially the same manner as the lugs '70 and 72 and ribs 92, 94 and 96 substantially identical to the arcuate rib 86 traverse the remaining corner portions of the clip body, and it is believed that these remaining lugs and the additional ribs need not be described in detail.

Extending from integral junctions with the marginal flanges 54-60, respectively, are elements or tabs 98, 100, 102 and 104 which are adapted to extend over the rims of the cans and along inner surfaces of the rims for cooperating with the lugs positively to interconnect the clip with the cans. The elements 98 through 104 are substantially coextensive in length to the edges of the flanges to which they are joined so that they are engageable with areas of can rims of substantial arcuate extent. Mid portions of the elements 98 through 104 have a width which is sufircient to enable these mid portions to engage the inner can rim surfaces throughout substantially the entireheight of these surfaces so as to obtain the most efiective, can locking action. It will be noted that outer free edges of the elements 98 through 104 are substantially straight so as to reduce the amount of stock material required for the clip. Rounded protrusions 106, 108, and 1 12 are formed in the outer margins of the elements 98 through 104, respectively, which protrusions rigidify the margins of these elements and also enable a tool, not shown, to be inserted beneath the elements when the clip is applied to a can for deflecting the elements outwardly to enable removal of the can.

A central aperture 114 is provided in the clip body 44, which aperture is adapted to receive a finger of a person desiring to utilize the clip as a handle for carrying the package. The internal margin of the body 44 is provided with a rolled annular section 116, shown best in FIGS. 4 and 6, so that the edge which is engageable with a persons finger is rounded. Preferably, the section 116 is rolled so that it extends upwardly from the plane of the body 44 and then downwardly and outwardly so as to reinforce the body and also to locate the free terminal edge-of the section 116 in a manner which will substantially eliminate any possibility of a personcutting or injuring his finger on the free edge.

The elements 98 through 104 are initially formed as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 so that they extend laterally from the marginal flanges substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the clip body 44 and axially spaced from the clip body a distance substantially equal to the height of the can rims. Thus, spaces between outer ends of the lugs and outer margins of adjacent elements 98 through 104 are laterally unobstructed. This enables the clip to be easily initially assembled with a plurality of cans disposed in a rectangular pattern and in parallel slightly spaced apart relationship merely by aligning the clip with the space between the cans and relatively moving the clip and the can together until the elements 98 through 104 engage the ends of the can rims. Then the cans are shifted laterally inwardly toward the center of the space therebetween until the outer peripheral surfaces of the can rims abut or at least substantially abut each other and the marginal flanges of the clip. Then the elements 98 through 104 are folded beyond the elastic limit of the stock material and shifted toward the lugs and into engagement with the inner can rim surfaces as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7 so that the can rims are positively locked between the elements and the lugs. It is to be noted that when the clip is fully applied to the cans, the spaces or throats between the ends of the lugs and the free margins of the cooperating elements 98 through 104 are sufficiently restricted to prevent detachment 0f the cans until-the elements 98 through 104 have been reverselyshifted or folded away from the lugs to openthe throats. This can be accomplished by inserting a too l,.not.,shown, between the. tops of thecans and sesame the rounded protrusions 106 through 112 and prying the elements upwardly.

FIG. 8 shows a modified package 2011 in which the cans and the clips are identical to those described above as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suflix a added to corresponding elements. In this embodiment the clips have been omitted from the lower ends of the cans and instead the lower end portions of the cans are bound together so as to prevent them from twisting or tilting with respect to each other or to the clips by a band 118. The band 118 may be in the form of an endless rubber band or, if desired, it may be provided by a strip of various types of adhesive tapes or any other suitable material. The tape is applied so that there is a free tab 119 at the end thereof to facilitate its removal. This embodiment simplifies detachment of the cans from the package by the ultimate consumer since the band may be easily broken and removed from the cans whereupon the lower end portions of the cans may be manually pulled apart to thereby deform the clip sufficiently to release the cans.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a carrier structure incorporating a further modification of the present invention. An added feature of this modification is the provision of a handle member 120 adapted to be interconnected with the clips 42b. In this embodiment the handle member is formed from wire stock and includes a transverse section 122 and a pair of depending legs 124 and 126 which terminate in reversely bent outwardly flaring hook sections 128 and 130, respectively. .The leg portions 124 and 126 are adapted to extend through the centralapertures of the clip members 42b and during assembly of these elements the leg portions are flexed toward each other to permit the hook portions 128 and 130 to pass through the apertures 114b which are in the form of elongated slots so that when the leg portions are released the hook sections will project outwardly beneath the bodies of the clip members to prevent removal of the handle member. A central portion 129 of the section 122 is offset upwardly so that when, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle member is pushed downwardly to a collapsed inoperative position indicated'by solid lines, opposite end portions of the section 122 rest within the top rims of the cans so as to minimize the space required for the package during storing, shipping or the like. The handle memher need only be pulled upwardly to the broken line position to adapt it for use for carryingthe package.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 the clip means comprise a pair of the clips 42b which are integrally connected with eachother by an element 132. The narrow element 132 is adapted to passbetween the middle pair of cans below the rims of theselcans'and is preferably provided with opposite down turned rigidifying flanges as is the corresponding element shown best in FIG. 28 and described below. .Also in this embodiment the lower ends of the cans are applied to and retained together by a flat sheet 133 having its upper surface coated with a suitable adhesive material. 7 f

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the clip means comprisea pair of clips 42c integrally connected like the clips 42b. In addition, clip portions 137 extend from opposite ends of the clip means, each of which clip portions is essentially identical to acorner portion of the basic clip 42. Thus, the clip portions 137 have lugs projecting beneath the rims and tabs extending within the rims. The clip portionsengage areas of thecans outside of the points of abutment of the cans and serve to retain the outer cans 22c-.24c and 30c32c so as to resist any tendency for their lower ends to spread apart in a manner which might cause the cans to be twisted loose from the clip. Thispermits the elimination of separate means for retaining the lower ends of the cans. The integral pair of clips 42b may be formed as a unit as shown or a large number of the clips may be provided in strip form joined by a plurality of elements 132 for facilitating handling of the clips prior to application to the cans.

Another additional feature shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 isthe provision of the body portions of the clips 420 with crossed slots 134 and 136. This slotted structure adapts the clips to accommodate a sheet material or metal handle member 1200 having diverging barbs 128s and 130s at the lower ends of its legs. During application of the handle member to the clip, the entering ends of the handle member legs are inserted through the slots 134 and the barbs are snapped through the slots. The sheet metal handle member provides a broader surface which will be more comfortable to the hand of a person carrying the package, and the elimination of the large central aperture in the clip body portions further enhances the strength of the clips. It is understood that the sheet metal handle member and the slotted clip body construction may be used for clips which are separate from each other as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 22 as well as for integrally connected clips of the types shown in FIGS. 9 and 11.

FIGS. 13 through 16 show another embodiment of the present invention wherein the clip 42d is identical to the above described clip 42 except that it is provided with the crossed centrally located slots 134d and 136d for accommodating the handle member 120d. An added feature of this embodiment is the provision of a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding arcuate flanges 140 and 142 at opposite margins of the transverse grip section of the handle member. It will be appreciated that there are many instances when it is desirable to stack a plurality of the container packages on top of each other, and the flanges 140 and 142 are disposed fornesting within lower end rims of a pair of cans in a package placed on top of the package with which the handle member is connected as shown in FIG. 16. When the can packages are stacked in this manner it is to be noted that the flanges 140 and 142 provide an interlock between the packages so as to prevent them from sliding laterally with respect to each other so that the stack of packages is more stable and the possibility of a package being accidentally knocked from the stack is materially reduced. It will be appreciated that the handle member 120d could be used in combination with integrally joined clips of the type shown in FIGS. 9 and 12.

FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 show another modified clip 42a which is especially adapted for facilitating stacking of a plurality of can packages on top of each other. In this embodiment integral upstanding tabs 144, 146, 148 and 15 0 are respectively struck from the foldable elements 982 through 104e and are spaced slightly laterally outwardly from the adjacent upstanding marginal flanges of the clip body. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the upstanding tabs are located so that when the elements 98e through 104e are crimped downwardly into locking engagement with upper ends of a plurality of cans in one package, the tabs are adapted to nest within lower end rims of a second can package for interlocking the can packages in stacked relationship. It will be appreciated that the upstanding stack interlocking lugs or elements are especially useful when the handle member 120d is not to be provided, and the clip 42a may be used either without any handle member or with handle members of the type shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 or even of the type shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 or in FIGS. 25-27 if in the latter cases the body of the clip 422 is modified to replace the large central aperture with the appropriate slot or aperture structure.

FIGS. 17 and 18 respectively are fragmentary disclosures of modified clips 42 and 42g wherein the principal modification is found in the form of the upstanding stack interlocking elements. Thus, instead of tabs as shown in FIGS. 19-21, the clip 42] includes tightly folded upstanding flanges of which only flange 150i is shown, which flanges may extend for the full length of the deformable elements and provide increased strength and holding powerv as compared withthelugsofthe clip 42e. Similarly, the clip 42g is provided with upwardly deformed beads of. which. only the bead 150g isv shown, which beads have many of the advantages of: the folded flanges of the clip 42 and are easier to produce. It will be appreciated that, if desired, the upstanding stack interlocking elements of the clips. 42 and 42g may be incorporated and the clip structures shown in- FIGS. 9A3.

Referring; now particularly to FIGS. 2224, there is shown! a-clip member 4211 similar to the above described clip member 42: as indicated by the application of identical reference numeralswith-the-sufiix 11 added to corresponding elements. This embodiment difiers in the manner in which the locking; projections or lugs that are adapted to extend beneath the rimsof the cans are formed. Referring particularly to the locking, projections or lug 80h as shown best in FIG. 22, it is seen that this lug is formed by slitting theupstanding flange 60h along vertical lines 160and 162, which extend-for substantially the full height. of the flange 60h. In. addition, the flange 60h is severed between the lines 160 and 162substantially at the junction with-the body -portion.44h and the lower end portion of the element 80h is folded upwardly. The re maining locking lugs engageable beneath the can rims are formed in the same manner in this embodiment. FIG. 24 shows in detail the manner. in which cooperable pairs of locking elements embrace the can rims. An advantage of this embodiment is that in the event the can package is subjected to a severe shock which tends to deform the elements 98h and 104k, for example, outwardly from the positions shown in FIG. 24, the cooperable locking lugs 70h and 72h which aggressively engage the can rims will tend to maintain their engagement with the rims and flex outwardly so that even though the locking elements may be flexed. or deformed the gap or throat between cooperable pairs of elements will remain substantially closed so as to prevent release of the cans. It will be appreciated that by extending the slits 160 and 162 of the locking element. 80h and the corresponding slits for the remaining corresponding locking elements substantially above the can engageable terminal ends of the locking elements, the flexing action of these locking elements just described is facilitated.

FIGS. 25 through 29, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention in which elements corresponding to those described above are designated by the samenumerals with the sufiix i added. This em bodiment combines features of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-10 and 22-24. in that a pair of clip members 42i are integrally connected by an element 132i as are the clipmembers of the FIG. 9 device and the clip members 42i are provided with cooperable can rim engaging elements of thetype shown in FIG. 22. As shown best in FIG; 28, the integralconnecting element 132i is adapted to passthrough the-narrow space between an intermediate. pair of cansbeneath the can rims and is provided with dependingflanges 164 and 166 for increasing the strength and rigidity of the connecting element withoutincreasingr its width so that it may be passedbetween thecans in.a manner which enables the can rims to be. disposed in abutting or substantially abutting relationship.

FIGS. 25-29 also. show a modified handle member 120i which-is formed from wire stock. This handle member differs from the, corresponding handle member shown in- FIGS. 9 and in that the wire is provided with a half round crosssectionalshape as shown best in FIG. 27. With the handle formed so that the flat face of the wire projects outwardly, the flexible hook portion 128i may be resiliently folded substantially against the leg portion124i during assembly of the handle member withthe clip. structure. as shown-in FIG. 27 so that the combined cross. section ofltheseelements is substantially, circular rather than, elongated as would be the case, if the wire had a round'cross section. This enables the wire to be made wider so as to provide a better and more comfortable hand grip-while at the same time the-diameter of the aperture 1141' in the clip member may be reduced to a minimum for enhancing: the strength of the clip: member body. While the handle member i is shown as applied to a pair of integrally connected clip members, it is to be understod that his handle member may also be used with separate clip members of any of the, above described embodiments particularly when such clip-members are modified to provide them with small: aperturesfor obtaining the best results in combination withthe. handle member 120i, and the clip structure of FIGS. 11 and 12 may also be modified for accommodating the handle 120i.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been. shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structuraldetailsmay be changed without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A one-piece sheet material clip for securely connecting at least three generally cylindrical cans or the like having annular end rims disposed in substantially abutting parallel relationship so that a space is enclosed between the cans, comprising polygonal body means having a generally flat central. portion for substantially traversing the space between:the cans and including at least three corners portions respectively for projecting at least partially between immediately adjacent pairs of the cans, each of said corner portions comprising a pair of generally oppositely disposed upstanding sections for extending along outer surfaces of adjacent rims, a pair of generally oppositely projecting substantially rigid lugs integral with and struckfrom the upstanding sections of each of said corner portions adjacent outer terminal ends of the corner portions for engaging beneath rims of immediately adjacent cans, deformable elements integral with and extending from margins of said corner portions for engaging inner surfaces of the can rims for cooperating with said lugs when the clip is fully applied to the cans for preventing removal of the cans until said deformable elements have been shifted away from the lugs, and rib meansformed in said body means corner portions and respectively extending longitudinally between the pairs of lugs for resisting twisting or collapsing of the corner portions when the clip is fully assembled with the cans and the cans are subjected to rough treat ment.

2. A one-piece sheet material clip, as defined in claim 1, wherein said deformable elements are substantially coextensive with their associated margins of the corner portions for engaging areas of the inner rim surfaces of substantial arcuatev extent.

3. A can carrierincluding a clip, as defined in claim 1, and means associated with said body means for facilitating holding the clip, said holding means comprising a large central aperture in said body means for accommodating a finger of a person for carrying purposes, an internal marginal. section of said body means defining said aperture being curled upwardly from the plane of the body means and then downwardly and outwardly for strengthening the body means and for positioning a terminal edge of said marginal section for abutting contact with a finger inserted into the aperture.

4. A can carrier including a pair of adjacently disposed spaced clips, as defined in claim 3, and a handle member including depending leg portions insertable through the apertures in said clips, and hook portions respectively extending'from said leg portions for engaging beneath the body means of said-clips.

5. A can carrier including a clip, as defined in claim 1, which clip includesintegral elements projecting away from said-body meansand axially outwardly from said deformable elements. for nesting. with one can to be stacked .upon second, ;can,.when .the clip is appliedto the second can for restraining lateral displacement of said one can with respect to the second can.

6. A can carrier including a clip, a defined in claim 1, and endless flexible band means for snugly encircling said cans substantiallylbelow the upper rims of said cans for substantially eliminating any possibility of lower end portions of the cans relatively spreading apart during rough treatment of the package.

7. A can carrier including a clip, as defined in claim 1, and sheet means for abutting and adhesively connecting lower terminal ends of said cans for preventing said lower ends from relatively spreading apart.

8. A clip structure including a pair of clips as defined in claim 1, and a strip portion extending between and integrally connecting a pair of corner portions of said clips, said clips being adapted to be applied to a pair of groups of cans, and said integral connecting strip being disposed for avoiding interference with cans between said clips when the clip structure is applied to the groups of cans.

9. A one-piece sheet material clip, as defined in claim 1, which includes a portion integral with and extending radially from one of said corner portions for extending beneath substantially abutting rim areas of one pair of cans and outwardly of said substantially abutting rim areas, said radially extending portion including oppositely projecting lugs for engaging beneath the rims of said one pair of cans outwardly of said areas of substantial abutment, and deformable elements for engaging inner rim surfaces of said one pair of cans outwardly of said areas of substantial abutment for cooperating with said last mentioned lugs for restraining relative tilting of said one pair of cans with respect to each other.

-1( A one-piece clip structure comprising a pair of clips, as defined in claim 1, disposed in laterally spaced relationship, a connecting member extending between and integrally joining opposing corner portions of said clips, said connecting member being narrow for passing between a pair of cans located between said clips when the clip structure is applied to groups of cans, and a pair of portions respectively integral with and extending radially outwardly from other corner portions of said clips each for extending beneath substantially abutting rim areas of one pair of cans and outwardly of said substantially abutting rim areas, each of said radially extending portions including oppositely projecting lugs and cooperable deformable elements respectively for engaging beneath the rims and for engaging inner rim surfaces of an associated pair of cans outwardly of said area of substantial abutment for restraining relative tilting of said one pair of cans with respect to each other.

11. A one-piece clip, as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said lugs is integrally joined to an associated flange at an area spaced axially outwardly from said body, said lugs including reversely extending free end portions for engaging beneath the can rims and being flexible to follow any unauthorized shifting of said shiftable element during rough handling or the like of the cans when the clip is fully applied to the cans for preventing relative spreading of the shiftable elements and the lugs which will permit unauthorized release of the can rims.

12. A one-piece sheet material clip, as defined in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing rib means respectively extend into adjacent lugs for rigidifying the lugs.

13. A can carrier comprising a one-piece sheet material clip, as defined in claim 1, and holding means for facilitating handling of the clip, said holding means comprising relatively narrow cross slots in a central portion of said body means for enabling a portion of a handle member having laterally projecting clip engaging means to be inserted through said body means for operatively connecting the handle member and the clip.

14. A can carrier comprising a pair of adjacent spaced clips as defined in claim 13, and a sheet material handle member having spaced leg portions insertable through the slot means in said clips, and laterally projecting means on said leg portions adapted to be snapped through the body means of said clips for engaging beneath the clip body means.

15. A carrier, a defined in claim 14, wherein said handle member includes a transverse grip section, said handle member being axially collapsible with respect to the clips until said grip section substantially abuts said clips, and upstanding elements integral with and projecting from said grip section for nesting with additional cans to be stacked on said first mentionedcans for restraining lateral displacement of said additional cans.

16. A one-piece sheet material clip for securely connecting at least three generally cylindrical cans'or the like having annular end rims disposed about a point in substantially abutting parallel relationship so that a space is enclosed between the cans, comprising a body disposable in said space between the cans for substantially traversing the space and having concavely arcuate margins positionable adjacent rims of the cans between areas of substantial abutments of the cans, generally axially extending arcuate flanges respectively integrally joined to and substantially coextensive with said arcuate margins for extending along outer peripheral surfaces of the can rims, integral lug means respectively struck from said flanges adjacent corner portions of the clip and extending outwardly of said margins for engaging beneath the can rims, shiftable elements respectively integral with and extending from said flanges for engaging inner can rim surfaces when the clip is fully applied to the cans for cooperating with the lugs to prevent removal of the cans until said elements have been shifted away from the lugs, and rib means formed in and traversing corner portions of said body between adjacent lugs, each of said rib means also extending into the adjacent lugs for resisting deflection of the lugs and the body when the clip is assembled with the cans and the cans are subjected to rough treatment.

17. A one-piece sheet material clip, as defined in claim 16, wherein each of said lugs presents a terminal tooth edge for aggressively engaging a can rim when the clip is fully applied to the cans for restraining shifting movement of the can rims relative to the lugs.

18. -A one-piece sheet material clip for interconnecting a plurality of cans and the like having end rims disposed in adjacent substantially parallel relationship and for engaging additional cans or the like when said additional cans are stacked on top of said first mentioned cans for restraining lateral displacement of said additional cans, comprising a body portion disposable between adjacent cans, cooperable pairs of first and second locking means for interlocking with rims of said adjacent cans, and integral upstanding elements for pro jecting into nesting relationship with ends of additional adjacent cans when said additional adjacent cans are disposed in end to end stacked relationship with said first mentioned adjacent cans.

19. In a can carrier structure, a sheet material handle member connectable to means which in turn is connectable with a first group of adjacently disposed cylindrical cans or the like, said handle being vertically shiftable relative to said means between raised and lowered positions, said handle comprising a substantially horizontal grip portion, and upstanding elements having arcuate cross sections in a horizontal plane and integral with said grip portion for nesting with ends of additional cans when said additional cans are disposed in end to end stacked relationship with said first mentioned cans for restraining lateral displacement of said additional cans.

20. A one-piece clip structure for securely connecting groups of at least three generally cylindrical cans or the like having annular end rims, which cans are disposed so that an intermediate pair thereof is common to a pair of adjacent groups with the cans of each group arranged in substantially abutting parallel relationship so that a space is enclosed therebetween, comprising-a pair of body members respectively disposable in spaces defined. by adjacent groups of cans, a plurality of cooperable pairs of lugs and deformable elements integral with each of said body members respectively for engaging beneath and within rims of adjacent cans forconnecting said body members with the can rims, aconnecting member extending between and integrally joining opposing corners ofsaid body members and being narrow for passing between the intermediate pair ofcans beneath the rims thereof when the clip structure is applied to the groups ofcans, and a pair. of portions respectively integral with and extending radially outwardly from other corner portions of said body members each for extending beneath substantially abutting rim areas of a pair of cans and outwardly of said substantially abutting rim areas, each ofsaid radially extending portions including pairsof lugs and deformable elements respectively for engaging beneath and within the rims of an associated pair of cansoutwardly of said areas of substantial'abutment for resisting tilting of said pair of cans with respect to each-other.

21. A one-piece sheet material clip for securely connecting at least three generally cylindrical cans or the like having annular end rims disposed in substantially abutting parallel relationship so that a spaceis enclosed therebetween, comprising a body disposable in said space between the cans for substantially traversing the space and having margins positionable adjacent'rims'of the cans between areas of substantial abutment of the-cans, generally axially extending flanges respectively integrally joined to said margins for extending along outer peripheral surfaces of the can rims, lugs respectively struck from said flanges, and elements respectively extending from said flanges for engaging inner can-rim surfaces when the clip is fully applied to the cans, each of said lugs having an integral junction with an associated flange spaced axially outwardly from said body, said lugs including reversely extending free end' portions for engaging beneath can rims and being. flexible to-follow any flexing ofsaid elements during rough handling'or the like ofthecanswhen the clip is fully'applied' to the cans for preventing relative spreading of the elementsand the'lugs which will permit unauthorized'releaseof the can rims.

22. A one-piecesheet material clip for connecting at least there generally cylindrical cans or the like having annular end rims disposed in substantially abutting parallel relationship so that a space is enclosed therebetween, comprising a body disposable in said space between the cans, a-plurality of cooperable pairs of means respectively for engagingbeneath and within rims of adjacent cans for connecting the'clip to the can rims, and a plurality of integral upstanding elements projecting above the means engageable within the can rims to be stacked on said first mentioned cans so as to restrain laterally shifting of the stacked additional cans with respect to the first mentioned cans.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,800,109 Selig Apr. 7, 1931 2,384,112 Meyer Sept. 4, 1945 2,525,633 Arne-tt Oct. 10, 1950 2,646,911 Holmberg July 28, 1953 2,667,995 Bruce Feb. 2, 1954 2,702,641 Arthur -2 Feb. 22,1955 2,815,855 Fisher Dec. 10, 1957 2,838,818 Brennan June 17, 1958 2,876,896 Ziehmer Mar. 10, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,002,612 October 3 l9( Ougljesa Jules Poupitch It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 62, for. "strtucture" read structure column 7, line 44, before "FIGS." insert In 3 column 8 line "I for "understod" read understood same line 7 for "his" read this line 28, for "corners" read corner same column 8, line 75, after "upon" insert a column 12, line 11, for "there" read three Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1962..

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER I DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

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