Abstract: A paperboard carrier for containers arranged in the carrier in side-by-side positions with the carrier formed with apertures to receive the filling ends of the containers in which the apertures are delineated by embossed ring formations, each one surrounding a group of tabs radiating inwardly from the ring formation to terminal ends which are shortened to leave an open space. One of the group of tabs in each aperture is formed with an enlarged inner end to substantially fill the space left by the terminal ends of the other tabs. The group of tabs in each of the embossed ring formations close the aperture but are responsive to the insertion of a container filler end to hinge outwardly on the embossed ring formation into a conic shape to engage the container filling end, with the special feature of the one tab hinging outwardly to position its enlarged inner end alongside the container for easy grasping to tear that one tab out of the paperboard for effectively releasing the container.

Abstract: Manually operated apparatus for assembling a multi-container pack in a carrier wherein the apparatus has a base formed with apertures in a pattern to form a multi-container pack, a carrier supported on the base and it being formed with a pattern of container receiving apertures having bendable fingers ringing the inner circumference of the container apertures, and a container guide positioned over the carrier for steering the containers into positions with the ends thereof grasped by the fingers ringing the ends of the containers.

Abstract: A fiber carrier for ringing beverage containers has upstanding walls to engage a flange or chime on a beverage container. The walls extend circumferentially around container engaging apertures in the carrier. The carrier may have concentric strengthening members, such as scores or corrugations surrounding the container engaging apertures. The carriers may be installed on arrays of beverage containers by automated or manually driven ringing machines. These machines index the carriers to locations which correspond to the location of an array of containers received in the machines. The machines have mechanisms to utilize preformed webs of joined carriers. The ringing machines position the carriers over an array of containers and force the carriers into ringing engagement with the arry. The fiber carrier may be compatible with modern disposal methods including incineration and biodegradation.