Abstract: Carrier stock for machine application to substantially identical containers, such as beverage cans, has tear-open capability provided by tear-open band segments. Such segments, which extend between adjacent containers, are divided into half segments and have slits and frangible bridge, whereby a tear beginning at a crotch at one end can propagate through such a half segment. The slits include slits common to the half segments and slits staggered transversely.

Abstract: A generally planar paperboard or polymeric sheet for stabilizing a rectangular array of substantially identical cans of a type having an openable end with a chime and for covering substantial portions of the openable ends of the arrayed cans. Pairs of parallel slits in the sheet define can-stabilizing strips. The sheet is clippable onto the cans in such manner that portions of the chimes extend into the paired slits and that each strip fits, without folding such strip, under portions of two adjacent cans. A package for merchandizing such cans can be readily assembled by steps that include providing such cans in a rectangular array and clipping the sheet onto the cans in the specified manner.

Abstract: Carrier stock formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as low density polyethylene, for machine application to substantially identical containers. The stock is severable, along transverse lines that are perforated, to form individual carriers with container-receiving apertures and additional apertures, as defined by band segments, and with integral handles. The additional apertures facilitate reconfiguration of the stock from an as-formed configuration to an application configuration. Band segments defining the container-receiving apertures at each end rank at each end rank at each edge row includes an outer cross segment, an outer edge segment, an inner cross segment, and an inner oblique segment. The inner cross segment extends from the outer edge segment to the margin of one of the additional apertures.

Abstract: A generally planar paperboard or polymeric sheet for stabilizing a rectangular array of substantially identical cans of a type having an openable end with a chime and for covering substantial portions of the openable ends of the arrayed cans. Pairs of parallel slits in the sheet define can-stabilizing strips. The sheet is clippable onto the cans in such manner that portions of the chimes extend into the paired slits and that each strip fits, without folding such strip, under portions of two adjacent cans. A package for merchandising such cans can be readily assembled by steps that include providing such cans in a rectangular array and clipping the sheet onto the cans in the specified manner.

Abstract: A carrier device (1) for connecting together an array of flanged containers (13) comprises a corresponding array of interconnected container encircling bands (2, 3; 5, 6) made from flexible resilient material. Each of the bands (2, 3; 5,6) is elongate and each has a strap (4, 7) extending across it from end to end. The carrier device (1) connects the array of flanged containers (13) together by each band (2, 3; 5, 6) engaging its corresponding container (13) beneath its flange (14) and with each strap (4, 7) extending across the top of the container (13). The strap (4, 7) helps to support the weight of any other packages of containers placed on top of the first containers so as to prevent the second containers from damaging the foil lids (15) of the first containers (13). When the containers (13) include a substantial taper the strap (4, 7) also holds the container encircling band (2, 3; 5,6) at the top of the container (13) immediately adjacent its flange (14).

Abstract: A unitary package for retaining and handling a plurality of generally elongate containers arranged in array includes an arranging structure in which an apertured sheet of resiliently deformable material has a plurality of apertures within which respective lower end portions of the containers are gripped in mutually spaced apart relationship. A film envelope is stretched over the container array and bonded to the sheet of the arranging structure to provide tensioned cohension between the sheet and the envelope which cooperate to produce structural integrity of the package and handling as a stabilized unit without relative skewing of the containers.

Abstract: A bottle carrier device utilizing a single sheet-like resilient carrier device with a plurality of outer rank and middle rank apertures adapted to be positioned midway of the body of the bottles for individually grasping the bottles. The outer rank apertures are elongated longitudinally while the middle rank apertures are elongated transversely. A pair of handles are created in diagonally opposed outer rank apertures.

Abstract: A simple two-piece carrier is disclosed for accommodating at least four containers having two rows to two containers each. The main part of the carrier is a foldable blank having coining lines which define four foldable sidewall panels. The second part of the carrier is a generally cruciform shaped handle member which slidingly cooperates with the four sidewall panels to provide pockets for each container. The carrier also includes a locking feature which maintains the carrier in a flat folded condition prior to use.

Abstract: A package for bottles utilizing a single sheet-like resilient carrier device positioned midway the body of the bottles and individually grasping the bottles. A pair of handles are designed to extend up from the plane of the carrier when applied to facilitate handling.

Abstract: A multi-package of a group or array of bottles and a packaging device which covers and supports the array of bottles on all six sides of the array. The device includes side walls and end restraining means integrally connected to top regions and bottom supporting means. The bottom supporting means contacts at least portions of the bottoms of all the bottles in the array and the perimeter defined by a combination of the side walls and end restraining means is not substantially less than the perimeter of the array. The top region includes at least a pair of opposed, generally oblong holes that facilitate telescopic association with at least two bottles in the middle ranks of the array and permits tightening in the vertical direction in the array.

Abstract: A plastic band is provided for encircling and combining into a single package two six-pack assembly of cans into a package of 12 cans, or similarly for assembling eight bottles. The plastic carrier or band of the present invention encircles the outside of the assembly of cans or bottles, and further provides a central stabilizing band or strap.

Abstract: A strip of relatively thin thermoplastic material particularly designed to be longitudinally permanently stretched so as to be transformed from a preform having a plurality of relatively small apertures into a container multi-packaging device having a similar plurality of larger can receiving apertures. The apertures in the preform are formed by bands which are designed to be reconfigured by stretching by the design of segments of the strip which are configured to have a non-uniform width with a narrow region intermediate the extremities of such a segment to effectively control the stretching of such a segment when subjected to stretching forces sufficient to elongate the segment beyond its elastic limit.

Abstract: A packaging device and package created by the packaging device with a plurality of bottles. In a preferred embodiment a highly stretched tubular sleeve of resilient elastic plastic material is positioned about an array of bottles so that the upper extremity of the tube extends in a stretched condition over the shoulder of the bottles as well as substantially covering the cylindrical body portion of the bottles and exerts a resilient compressive force on all areas of contact between the sleeve and bottles to effectively unitize the package.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved vessel for containing a quantity of fluid to be poured therefrom. The vessel includes a hollow body for containing a quantity of fluid and an elongated pouring spout communicating with the hollow body. The pouring spout is bendable between a pouring position to permit pouring of the fluid from the hollow body, and a storage position substantially along the hollow body to permit efficient storage of the vessel. The hollow body includes a retaining means for releaseably receiving and retaining the spout when the spout is bent to the storage position.

Abstract: A multipackaging device made from resilient plastic material and flat strip stock for producing a plurality of such devices. The strip comprises a pair of rows of bands of laterally aligned container encircling bands, each which define noncircular apertures. The plurality of bands are integrally connected by first web means joining laterally aligned pairs of bands and second web means joining longitudinally adjacent bands in a given row. The laterally innermost section of each band being generally V-shaped with an apex region and pair of legs extending from each apex with the first web means connecting laterally opposed legs of each pair of laterally aligned bands. This construction permits the strip to be stretched laterally by application of forces solely at the outer edge of the strip so each aperture is reconfigured from a noncircular aperture to a substantially circular aperture for application about a container.

Abstract: A package for a linear array of bottles or the like and a carrier included in the package made of sheet plastic material configured to be generally tubular, having side walls diverging downwardly from an upper region which is interrupted by longitudinally spaced openings for receiving the inserted neck portions of the bottles in supporting engagement with at least side marginal edges of the apertures. The bottom wall of the carrier is designed to include lower apertures formed therein in registry with the upper apertures. The portion of the bottom wall intermediate the lower apertures is V-shaped in cross section permitting lateral forces to decrease the upper aperture dimension as the carrier and package is grasped in regions intermediate the bottles.

Abstract: A multiple container package for consumer direction with filled containers and for return direction with empty containers; the containers, such as cans or bottles, being of the type having a reduced generally cylindrical neck portion with an outward shoulder or bead formation below the neck opening; and including a resilient and deformable plastic carrier sheet positioning the containers in the packaged array by means of bands presenting apertures in the carrier sheet receiving the neck portions and with edges of the bands engaging beneath the shoulder or bead formations, and with tabs projecting laterally outwardly from opposite edges of the carrier sheet adjacent the apertures so that upon association of the neck portions with the band apertures, the tabs and carrier material along these outer edges will assume the curvature of the container neck portions with minimum stretching and tendency toward taking a set during storage and shelf life of the filled containers and with the tabs to deflect sharply downw