Abstract: Rigid pack for rod-shaped articles includes; a parallelepiped-shaped container, which houses the group of articles and has at least a lower wall, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls; and a support system arranged in the container and has at least a first containing wall, which is parallel to the lower wall and is provided with a plurality of through holes, each engaged by a corresponding smoking article. The support system consists of a first articulated parallelogram having a frame glued to the rear wall of the container, two cranks and a connecting rod, which only rests against the front wall of the container, so that, while the rigid pack is being manufactured, the support system can be formed with the first articulated parallelogram in a flat condition and can subsequently be expanded by opening the first articulated parallelogram by rotation of both cranks.

Abstract: Package material comprises one or more layers of plastic laminate, a first side, a second side and a penetration area (40). A weakening line (30) extends from the penetration area (40) and provides an opening area (12) in the package material. The package material comprises a plastic opening device (2), with a first and second portion (4) attached to the first and second side, respectively and a material bridge (45) penetrating through the penetration area (40). The second portion covers at least partly the penetration area and comprises a guiding portion (35, 36) extending from the penetration area (40) adjacent to the at least one weakening line (30) as to facilitate rupturing substantially along the at least one weakening line.

Abstract: A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers within a plurality of corresponding container receiving apertures formed in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks that includes three rows of container receiving apertures and a handle extending parallel to the three rows of container receiving apertures.

Abstract: A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers within a plurality of corresponding container receiving apertures formed in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks that includes at least three rows of container receiving apertures wherein a center aperture in middle transverse ranks is longer than an outer aperture in middle transverse ranks and wherein the center aperture in end transverse ranks is wider than the outer container aperture in end transverse ranks.

Abstract: A carton (12) includes a first wall (22) and a second wall (20). The first wall (22) includes a first edge (21) and a second edge (23) that are opposed to one another. The first wall (22) and the second wall (20) are adjoined along the first edge (21). The carton (12) includes a handle (30). The handle (30) includes a handle opening (80) that is elongated along a longitudinal axis that extends transversely to the first edge (21). The handle opening (80) is configured to be engaged no closer to the second edge (23) than to the first edge (21).

Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has a top panel and side panels. The package has retention features for retaining the containers and reinforcement features for reinforcing the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching removable containers, comprising a central body on both sides of which the containers are arranged in a matricial form. Independent fixing means are provided between the central body (5) and each container (1), said fixing means comprising a flap that projects laterally from the central body (5) and has an essentially U-shaped profile that can be coupled to a hinge (4) forming part of an upper cover (2)-lower ring (3) set provided on the container (1), by being pressed downwards over said hinge.

Abstract: The present invention relates a carrier comprising: (a) a bottom wall; (b) two sidewalls; and (c) a top wall having a first edge that forms an edge of at least one collapsible tab when the tab is uncollapsed and a second edge that forms an edge of at least one other collapsible tab when the tab is uncollapsed, wherein the collapsible tabs are adapted to collapse downward and fold inward and out of the plane of the top wall. The carrier of the present invention provides a grasping and handling feature which eliminates the formation of concentrated stress areas while providing a comfortable grip for the consumer.

Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has a top panel and side panels. The package has retention features for retaining the containers and handle features for grasping and lifting the package.

Abstract: The invention is a beverage cup tote to be carried on the forearm or with the hand. The construct has an enlarged first end attached with bridge section to an enlarged second end. There is a first hole in the first enlarged end, and a second hole in a second enlarged end. The holes may be rectangular or round to receive typical food containers or beverage cups. The bridge section has either symmetrical or asymmetrical quarter circle trimmings. A pair of constructs maybe affixed with each other with a pin clip, glue, or staples to produce a generally X shaped combination construct. The beverage cup totes may be manufactured as a combination construct by the manufacturer to produce a strengthened unit, or manufactured as a generally X shaped combination construct unit with cup openings on each branch. The process of using the invention is described.

Abstract: The invention is a carrier container to transport beverage bottles. The carrier has scores which create a portion about the bottles whereas as the bottle is removed the scored portion remains on the bottle which retained portion has holes to attach the beverage bottle to a person or device. That carrier has attachment hoop openings to receive the bottles and finger orifices to carry the multi pack. The attachment hoop openings may have extensions. The generic carrier attachment hoop openings may be affixed to the bottle necks or to the body of the beverage bottle or container.

Abstract: A bottle carrier includes a base and one or more arms extending downwardly from the base. The arms include an inwardly facing surface for contacting a neck of a bottle, and also include an inwardly extending tab having an upper surface for supporting a lip on the neck of the bottle. The tabs further include a lower surface angled away from the base as it extends away from the bottle. Upon insertion of a bottle into a bottle receiving area defined by the arms, the upper surface of the bottle contacts the lower surfaces of the tabs, thereby causing at least one of the arms to deflect outward, permitting insertion of the bottle cap and lip on the neck of the bottle into the bottle receiving area. Once the lip of the bottle is inserted past the tabs, the arms return toward their undeflected position, with the tabs positioned below the lip, retaining the bottle in the bottle neck receiving area.

Abstract: A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers includes a flexible sheet having two rows of container receiving apertures formed therein. The plurality of containers are each placed into a respective container receiving aperture and are thus unitized in a package. The flexible carrier further includes a loop extending between the two rows of container receiving apertures at a periphery of the flexible sheet on an end of the package and beyond a longitudinal edge of the rows of the unitized containers. The loop is preferably capable of supporting the package when grasped by a consumer. The flexible carrier may further include an upwardly extending handle and/or a panel integrated with respect to the flexible sheet. The resulting package may be grasped from an end with the loop or, alternatively, from the top with the handle.

Abstract: A beverage holder is especially adapted for securing a three-pack arrangement of beverage containers. Three panels are joined along a central axis. The panels are spaced 120° from one another. Lower ends of the panels form stationary bases, and lower portions of the panels may be cut to form foldable base portions that may be deployed or retracted. When deployed, the foldable base portions form additional base support for the holder, and also support the bottom surfaces of the containers. One or more flexible retention members may be secured to the panels and routed around the containers. Because the holder has no top cover and open gaps exist between the panels, the holder is adapted for securing beverage containers of varying heights, diameters, and shapes.

Abstract: A carrier and method of manufacture for a carrier that results in a package of containers includes a plastic sheet having an array of container apertures and a portion having a matte finish where the matte finish includes a lower coefficient of friction relative to a container than a remaining surface of the plastic sheet. A plurality of containers are each positioned within an aperture of the array so that the matte finish of the plastic sheet is positioned along an inner portion of the package and the remaining surface of the plastic sheet is positioned along an outer portion of the package.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carrier and method of packaging containers into a unitized package that includes a generally continuous plastic sheet having a plurality of container apertures extending longitudinally in adjacent pairs. A container is positioned within each container aperture and the plastic sheet is separated along central lines of weakness and peripheral lines of weakness, resulting in multiple unitized packages of exactly three containers arranged in a generally triangular configuration.

Abstract: A container carrier especially suitable for larger containers and for packages having a larger number of containers, to provide a feeling of strength as the carrier is lifted. The carrier includes loops for surround and retaining each container, a handle portion and linear struts connecting ends of the handle to outermost loops holding containers. As the containers are lifted, minimal movement of the handle occurs relative to the containers. A supply of the carriers includes multiple carriers connected in an end-to-end arrangement by two separate frangible links.

Abstract: An integrally molded carrier for carrying three containers by their necks includes a substantially planar web having three nodes and defining three annular support rings. Annular neck-engaging flanges integral with the web are arranged around the inside of the support rings for releasably engaging the necks of containers. The centers of the support rings are situated in the web such that they correspond to the three corners of a triangle.

Abstract: A wrap around bottle carton with closed ends which has a top end panel and a bottom end panel interconnected by a triangular shaped web panel, a tuck-in panel with a holding flap and a triangular shaped gusset panel which facilitates the closing the bottom end panel of the carton.

Abstract: A divider panel (60) for separating two or more tiers of stacked articles (A) in a packaged carton (100) has deformable means (62, 62b, 62c, 62d) adapted operably to nest between stacks articles (A) on adjacent sides of the panel (60).

Abstract: This invention relates to a single-piece carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers with a retainer sheet integrated with a film sleeve. The retainer sheet may comprise a thicker material than the film sleeve. The retainer sheet comprises a plurality of container receiving openings for engaging a top portion of each container while the film sleeve surrounds the plurality of containers. Packages may comprise one or more layers of containers within the film sleeve.

Abstract: A reinforced planar carrier is provided which can carry, for example, four 2-liter bottles, without significantly bending. The carrier is made from a one piece paperboard blank having a machine direction. It has a center line, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges. The carrier includes a top ply and a bottom ply joined together along a hinge line which extends generally perpendicularly to the machine direction of the paperboard and defines one of said carrier's end edges. Finger holes are formed on opposite sides of the carrier centerline, approximately midway between the end edges of the carrier. The finger holes are positioned such that the carrier is lifted at points near the load. The finger holes are elongate. A tab from the top ply finger hole extends through the bottom ply finger hole when the carrier is lifted to define a rib extending generally parallel to the machine direction of the paperboard.

Abstract: This invention relates to a single-piece carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers with a retainer sheet integrated with a film sleeve. The retainer sheet may comprise a thicker material than the film sleeve. The retainer sheet comprises a plurality of container receiving openings for engaging a top portion of each container while the film sleeve surrounds the plurality of containers. Packages may comprise one or more layers of containers within the film sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a package of a plurality of containers unitized with a flexible carrier. The carrier is constructed from a plastic planar sheet having a plurality of container receiving openings arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A panel extends from a longitudinal edge of the planar sheet that is arranged to either remain flat and tight with respect to the package or, alternatively, follow an external contour of the package.

Abstract: An integral carrier for carrying multiple containers by their necks has a substantially planar web defining a pair of centrally located annular support openings. Each support opening is surrounded by a support rib having a radiused inner surface. A plurality of annular neck-engaging structures is integral with the web and arranged around the periphery of the support openings. Each of the neck-engaging structures has a respective circumferential rib and a plurality of flanges projecting inwardly from the circumferential rib for releasably engaging the necks of the containers. At least two interior ribs each extend between one of the support ribs and one of the plurality of neck-engaging structures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers wherein a sheet of resilient polymeric material is formed with a plurality of container receiving apertures aligned in opposing transverse pairs so that each container receiving aperture has a small radius defining an apex at an interior edge of the container receiving aperture. A transverse web is formed between each opposing transverse pair of container receiving apertures and an elongated aperture is positioned in the transverse web between each apex of the opposing transverse pairs of container receiving apertures. The elongated apertures are preferably sized to permit a small amount of stretch in the transverse web depending upon the diameter and/or contour of the containers resulting in controlled transverse spacing between containers regardless of diameter.

Abstract: A carrier and container assembly that includes a plurality of containers of identical size and geometry, and having identical labels with UPC indicia identically positioned thereon. A carrier of one-piece as-made plastic composition has a top flat wall with openings into which the containers are fastened such that the containers depend from the top wall, and a skirt that extends entirely around the periphery of the top wall and depends therefrom for a distance sufficient at least partially to cover the UPC indicia on the labels of the containers. UPC indicia associated with the carrier and container assembly is externally positioned on the carrier skirt.

Abstract: To prevent honeycombing of containers of adjacent multipacks each having a container positioning top-carrier and which are combined together by means of a strapping band, cardboard or other material is placed between the juxtaposed surfaces of the cylindrical containers in each group before the strapping band is applied. Good package stability and minimal waste result.

Abstract: A receptacle holder for lockable necked receptacles has a plate provided with at least two apertures. Each aperture has a diameter just smaller than the maximum diameter of the neck, and the plate is made of alveolar polypropylene with a density of at least 330 g/m.sup.3.

Abstract: A bottle carrier is formed of one or more panels of paperboard and includes a plurality of bottle neck receiving openings. Each opening has a plurality of radially extending fingers whose ends engage beneath a portion of an abutment associated with each bottle neck. Each finger is bent upwardly at about 45 degrees after insertion of a bottle into a respective opening. Each radial finger is provided with a microcut line extending downwardly from its upper surface, each microcut line extending about 10-50% through the paperboard. The microcut lines weaken the radial fingers and facilitate removal of the bottles from the carrier.

Abstract: A sleeve style closed end carton for a can matrix. The carton includes a corner flap formed integral with each side wall at each end of each side wall. Those corner flaps are wrapped around the matrix corner cans in the carton relatively tightly so as to draw all cans of the matrix against one another in a plane normal to the can axis in order to aid in minimizing movement of the cans within the can matrix one relative to the other. The carton also includes a primary compound panel foldably connected along one edge to a first top wall section, and foldably connected along an opposite edge to a second top wall section, those top wall sections together forming the carton's top wall.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including upper and lower corner restraint panels for preventing outward movement of packaged articles. The partial end panels are locked in place by side panel locking flaps which extend between an adjacent end article and a connected side panel. Transversely extending fold lines in the corner restraint panels relieve carrier forming stresses.

Abstract: A triangular carrier comprised of a top panel and converging end panels connected to triangular side panels. The carrier holds a plurality of rows of articles, each article extending between the side panels, with each row containing a greater number of articles than the next lower row. For an equilateral carrier, each row contains one more article than the next lower row. Openings at the corners of the carrier allow portions of adjacent articles to protrude.

Abstract: There is provided a package (10) for a plurality of cans (11). The package incorporates an inner blank (13) which incorporates pairs of arcuate cuts which are pressed over and engage below the can rims. An outer blank (14) is adhered to the inner blank (13) and hinged side panels (25, 27) are wrapped around the cans and the other side panels (26, 28) are adhered to them.

Abstract: A bottle neck carrier and a spaced band encircling the bottles. The band snugly holds the bottles in place while they are supported by the carrier and at the same time covers the pricing code on the bottles. The support panel of the carrier may be separate from the band or attached to it. The support panel may be formed from two layers of material, and in the embodiment where the support panel is attached to the band, each layer is connected to the band along fold lines. Side panels connect the support panel layers to the band in the latter arrangement.

Abstract: A bottle carrier is formed of two superposed panels of paperboard having a plurality of bottle neck receiving openings and a handle sandwiched between the panels. Each opening has a plurality of radially extending fingers whose ends engage beneath a portion of an abutment associated with each bottle neck. Each finger is bent upwardly at about 45 degrees after insertion of a bottle into a respective opening. Each finger is provided with a microcut line on its upper surface, each microcut line extending about 10-50% through the paperboard. Such microcut lines facilitate removal of the bottles from the carrier by permitting easier rupture. The handle has a manually accessible flexible strip at the upper surface of the uppermost panel or section, one end of the strip being folded prior to use.

Abstract: Carrier stock for beverage cans or other cans of a type having a chime at an upper end and having a frusto-conical wall below the chime is formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as low density polyethylene, with outer band segments defining can-receiving apertures and including outer band segments and inner band segments, which include a pair of substantially linear edges connected by a relatively small radius at an apex, with webs separating the can-receiving apertures in each longitudinal row, with finger-gripping straps, and with a strut-producing strap. The finger-gripping straps are arranged in pairs and configured such that each finger-gripping strap of each pair extends generally transversely between two of the inner band segments and is curved inwardly toward the other finger-gripping strap of the same pair when the carrier stock is in a flat, unstressed condition.

Abstract: A carrier for articles such as beverage cans of the type that grip the top portions of the cans so as to suspend them from the carrier. The upper ends of the cans extend through apertures in the bottom panel of the carrier, and the chimes or lips of the cans are engaged by locking tabs surrounding the aperture. One of the tabs of each aperture is foldably connected along the fold line connecting the bottom panel to the adjacent side panel, and the fold lines connecting the top panel to the side panels include slits through which portions of the can chimes protrude.

Abstract: A carrier for a plurality of bottles or like containers having a plurality of collars in an integral frame for securing the necks of the bottles and a skirt depending from each collar to engage each bottle to restrain relative movement between the bottle and the carrier.

Abstract: A bottle carrier of the type employing tabs surrounding bottle neck openings to support the underside of bottle flanges. The carrier is comprised of an inner clip member and an outer shroud, each having aligned bottle neck openings and tabs. The outer shroud incorporates side panels which fold around adjacent bottles and are adhered to the inner face of the end panels. The side panels are moved into place by the pulling action of gusset panels as the latter are folded into position at the inner face of the end panels. The outermost bottle support tabs are of greater height than the innermost tabs to accommodate bowing of the carrier during lifting, and the other tabs have angled edges adapted to contact the bottle flanges when the carrier is lifted. The inner clip includes short flaps underlying the side and end flaps of the outer shroud.

Abstract: A bottle carrier of the type employing support tabs at the periphery of bottle neck, openings for engaging the underside of shoulders on the bottles. The carrier is comprised of two plies, each containing aligned bottle openings and each opening being surrounded by support tabs. In one embodiment the support tabs of an opening in one ply are connected to the ply along fold lines which are at an angle to the fold lines of the tabs of the corresponding opening in the other ply so that the edges of the tabs engage the shoulder of a bottle at spaced points along the circumference of the shoulder.

Abstract: A clip-type carrier especially suited for carrying beverage cans. The carrier is comprised of a panel having slots in a folded, wedge-shaped inner support section and in outer support sections for receiving the can chimes. The inner support sections include finger holes covered by tabs connected by transverse fold lines. Curved transverse fold lines extend toward the central portion of the panel from the ends of the first transverse fold lines to form support segments for receiving and withstanding lifting stresses. A reinforcing strip overlies the inner support section of the panel and includes finger holes which are aligned with the finger holes in the support sections.

Abstract: Can carriers are provided with upwardly protruding can-receiving members having oppositely paired can-receiving recesses and can-stacking platforms. The can-receiving recesses each are defined by an annular locking ring is joined to a protective inverted cup-shaped cover wall sized and configured to closely correspond to the top bead of a conventional can. The locking ring thus seats below the top bead of the can thereby removably locking the can to the can carrier. A camming surface downwardly and radially outwardly extends from the locking ring and assists during the forcible insertion of a can into the can-receiving recess by urging the locking ring to bend and/or flex radially outwardly a sufficient amount to allow for the diametrically larger top bead to pass thereby. Once the top bead is seated in the can-receiving recess, the locking ring will again resiliently return to its normal state. Paired finger openings are preferably provided in association with a raised pad region.

Abstract: Carrier stock is disclosed, which has band segments defining container-receiving apertures and defining integral handles, along with tear-open tabs arranged in four-tab clusters. Each cluster includes two tabs proximate to each other and connected by a single, frangible bridge, respectively on opposite sides of the transverse midline of a generally transverse band segment. Each cluster includes two tabs proximate to each other and connected by a single, frangible bridge, respectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal midline of a generally longitudinal band segment. Each tab extends from one of the band segments, outwardly from one of the container-receiving apertures. Each tab and the band segment with such tab are slitted to define a series of frangible bridges between an additional aperture bounded partly by such tab and a container-receiving aperture. A package comprising containers and a carrier severed from such stock is disclosed.

Abstract: The carrier is provided with retention openings formed by two kinds of radial flanges of special shapes. The carriers are preferably made of cardboard or pasteboard diecast blanks which are introduced over the top of the containers and which by and adhesion form the carriers. The invention has application in the support and transport of containers in groups of one or more rows, especially soft drink cans or pots.

Abstract: A device for supporting and transporting a group of receptacles has a lower panel for retaining the receptacles and an upper panel connected to the lower panel for covering the receptacles held in openings of the lower panel. The openings of the lower panel are preferably circular and defined by alternating lines of weakness and cut lines, with a plurality of flanges extending from the lines of weakness for supporting the receptacles in the openings. A side panel can be provided for bar-code information. A handle is also provided.

Abstract: Carry pack for bottles made from a single-piece board blank which has a top panel, two side panels and two end panels. The side panels are divided up into three sections by oblique folding lines and their free ends are glued to the end panels. As a result, the bottle carry pack can be flattened again after it has been glued together.

Abstract: The article carrier for bottles and the like includes a bottom wall, opposed side walls joined to the bottom wall along opposite side edges thereof, and end wall panels joined respectively to the end edges of the side walls and extending inwardly of the carrier. A first pair of riser panels is foldably joined respectively to the end wall panels at one end of the carrier, is foldably joined to each other along a riser fold line, and extends medially inward of the carrier. A second pair of riser panels is foldably joined respectively to the opposite end wall panels and extends medially inward of the carrier. A pair of handle panels is foldably joined respectively to the first pair of riser panels and is foldably joined to each other along a handle fold line. The first pair of riser panels is provided with a plurality of elongated openings which lie with their axes of elongation along the riser fold line so as to extend into each of the first pair of riser panels.

Abstract: A container package comprising an array of cans, each of which has a body portion, an annular bead on the upper end thereof having a smaller diameter than the body portion and an inclined portion extending from the body portion to the bead, and a carrier. The carrier comprises a sheet of flexible plastic material having a plurality of openings forming an array for receiving the ends of the cans. The cans are inserted upwardly into the openings and retained by the carrier by flexing of the periphery of each opening upwardly against the bead of each can. The modulus of elasticity, the thickness of the sheet and the spacing and size of the openings are such that the cans are maintained in abutting relationship. The upper ends of the cans are substantially in a single plane when the package is lifted through finger openings in the sheet.

Abstract: A carrier to make a package of sealed cans is a flat sheet having a slot opening for each can. Each can has a tab fixed to its lid. The tabs are nested in the slots with the edges of the slots between the tabs and the lids. Frictional resistance between the cans and the carrier is sufficient to retain the cans in the carrier. A locking tongue can also be provided in the carrier to catch behind the tab for further assurance against retrograde movement. Moreover, the carrier can be made so that it dishes inside each can rim which enhances the strength and holding ability of the carrier.