James K Bader, 84325 E Tyler Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701

4216859, Aug 12, 1980

Jan 22, 1979

6/005435

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO
James C. Sciacca - Westminster CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65D 7100

206159

A clip for joining together a plurality of cans having a chime on their upper edge employs a body supporting a chime-engaging hook at its lower end and a spaced pair of chime-engaging tabs at its upper end, all of which cooperate to engage one can chime. The body is flexibly hinged between portions dedicated to engage each can so that the hook and tabs engaging one can are not deformed by pivotal motion of other cans in the clip. For greatest material efficiency each hook engages the chime over an arc segment, and the tabs engage the chime over a non-overlapping arc segment at each end of the segment engaged by the hook. The tabs extend downwardly against the inside chime surface to abutment with the can end. A cover sheet may be used in association with the clip, and may have a peripheral skirt protecting the can sides.

4588079, May 13, 1986

Nov 17, 1983

6/552606

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65D 7100

206158

A cover for multiple unit container packages of containers secured by at least one clip device having a central opening wherein the cover includes a tab device extending through the clip opening and engaging clip bottom surfaces to hold the cover in place on the top of the multiple unit package.

4548021, Oct 22, 1985

Jun 3, 1983

6/501008

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO
Larry M. Dugan - Boulder CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65B 2124
B65B 6114

53398

A system for applying clips and covers to cans to form multiple container packages. The system utilizes a prefeed device to obtain a preferential distribution of clips supplied in bulk form. An orienter separates and orients the clips in a manner suitable for application to the cans. The cans are fed in 2 rows and held with a predetermined spacing so that the clips can be applied to form a multiple container package. A cover applicator then applies a cover or coupon to the multiple container package by forcing a prescored portion of the cover into the clip so that it interlocks with the clip. Apparatus is also provided for folding and gluing skirted portions of the cover around the periphery of the multiple container package.

4423810, Jan 3, 1984

Aug 14, 1981

6/292811

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65D 7100

206158

A cover for multiple unit container packages of containers secured by at least one clip device having a central opening wherein the cover includes a tab device extending through the clip opening and engaging clip bottom surfaces to hold the cover in place on the top of the multiple unit package.

4552265, Nov 12, 1985

Aug 17, 1983

6/524129

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65D 7100

206159

A clip for forming a multiple container package which is capable of securely holding cans to form a multiple can package and allowing ease of disengagement and relative bending of adjacent cans in directions parallel to the multiple container package. A cover is also disclosed which engages the clip which can comprise a coupon. The clip is designed to engage cans having a wide range of counter-sink depths by providing an ear having a guiding portion with sufficient flexibility to conform to the top portion of the can. A hook portion of the clip is designed to securely engage the chime portion of the can while uniform support is provided by a concentric support wall, to maintain engagement of the can in a secure manner with increased holding ability. A rib structure extends into the ear portion to provide additional support. Flange means limit movement of discrete body portions of the clip to allow ease in disengagement in response to radial diagonal movement of cans during disengagement.

4599848, Jul 15, 1986

Apr 20, 1984

6/602502

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65B 2704
B65B 3558

53398

A device for applying molded plastic clips to unattached containers to form multiple container packages which includes a container alignment device for aligning the unattached containers for application of the clips by generating uniform forces between the unattached containers during the application of the clips. This is accomplished by a series of star wheels that generate a predetermined downstream force and a predetermined upstream force by adjusting the predetermined phase angle between the star wheel means. This results in a substantially zero resultant force which ensures uniform expansion and precise alignment of the containers during application of the clips. Also disclosed is a clip orienting device for reorienting plastic molded clips from a transverse cross configuration to a longitudinal cross configuration which includes an alignment guide device for transporting clips in a transverse cross configuration, a retaining device for releasably retaining the clips in the alignment guide, such that the clips can be removed from the alignment guide at a predetermined angle, a clip removal device for sequentially displacing the clips from the retaining device at the predetermined angle, and an alignment track means disposed to engage the clips upon displacement from the retaining device at the predetermined angle such that the clips are disposed in the alignment track means in a longitudinal cross configuation.

4673104, Jun 16, 1987

Mar 17, 1986

6/840061

James S. Bader - Lakewood CO

Adolph Coors Company - Golden CO

B65B 2704
B65H 300

221261

A device for applying molded plastic clips to unattached containers to form multiple container packages which includes a container alignment device for aligning the unattached containers for application of the clips by generating uniform forces between the unattached containers during the application of the clips. This is accomplished by a series of star wheels that generate a predetermined downstream force and a predetermined upstream force by adjusting the predetermined phase angle between the star wheel means. This results in a substantially zero resultant force which ensures uniform expansion and precise alignment of the containers during application of the clips. Also disclosed is a clip orienting device for reorienting plastic molded clips from a transverse cross configuration to a longitudinal cross configuration which includes an alignment guide device for transporting clips in a transverse cross configuration, a retaining device for releasably retaining the clips in the alignment guide, such that the clips can be removed from the alignment guide at a predetermined angle, a clip removal device for sequentially displacing the clips from the retaining device at the predetermined angle, and an alignment track means disposed to engage the clips upon displacement from the retaining device at the predetermined angle such that the clips are disposed in the alignment track means in a longitudinal cross configuration.