Having Apertured Panel For Receptacle Patents (Class 206/199)
  • Patent number: 12122579
    Abstract: A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a first plane and a plurality of radial tabs positioned within each container receiving opening. A plurality of raised rings are each formed over each container receiving opening and formed in a second plane. A band may be formed over each raised ring in the second plane and a rail may be positioned on an underside of the container carrier between each pair of container receiving openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Griffin E. Rustad, Christopher J. Samaras, Hyunchul Kim, Jacob M. Fornof
  • Patent number: 11731133
    Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: LABCYTE INC.
    Inventor: Richard N. Ellson
  • Patent number: 11396019
    Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: LABCYTE INC.
    Inventor: Richard N. Ellson
  • Patent number: 11350779
    Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to trays, tables, and storage compartments capable of securely holding glasses and other containers for beverages and other liquids. For example, the trays, tables, and storage compartments may include a retainer portion with a retainer that is adapted to flex to receive a portion of a glass or other container for a beverage or other liquid. The flexing of the retainer also applies a gripping friction force to securely hold the glass or other container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Teak Isle Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Brown, Sean Ciervo, Angel Ruslan Salcedo Colon
  • Patent number: 10981171
    Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Labcyte Inc.
    Inventor: Richard N. Ellson
  • Patent number: 10174995
    Abstract: The disclosure features various embodiments and aspects of a chest for quenching beverages. The chest can include a tank for holding a chilled mixture of ice and water, an ice maker adapted for making ice having an output for ejecting ice into a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, and a plurality of quench trays disposed above the tank for holding containers of beverages located in first and second positions. The trays can be filled with cold water by way of a conduit in fluid communication with the tank. The quench trays can include a compartment defined by a bottom and a plurality of walls, and defining therein a plurality of rows for aligning and containing a plurality of beverage containers. The drawers can further include at least one drain orifice configured to guide water out of the quench tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Blue Quench LLC
    Inventor: John Lauchnor
  • Patent number: 9861987
    Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LABCYTE INC.
    Inventor: Richard N. Ellson
  • Patent number: 9669977
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Olsen, Leslie S. Marco
  • Patent number: 9668573
    Abstract: A modular rack for storing wine bottles comprising a plurality of base frames, said base frames being rectangular and provided in a center thereof with a circular hole and in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots, a plurality of support rods provided in a periphery thereof with a plurality of slots; and said plurality of slots capable of coupling with any other of said plurality of slots when mated perpendicularly thus forming a friction-lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Larry A. Salani
  • Patent number: 9499320
    Abstract: A package for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a flexible carrier having an array of container receiving apertures formed in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks wherein each container receiving aperture engages with a respective container of the plurality of containers and includes an outer band having a sufficiently narrow width to result in permanent yield following stretching engagement with and application to a respective container and a secondary package positioned with respect to the carrier and containers to form a unitized package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie S. Marco
  • Patent number: 9132948
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a beverage carrier are disclosed. In one embodiment, four side walls and a bottom are joined together to form an open box-type structure. The open box-type structure comprises an opening sized and shaped to allow a disposable drink carrier to be placed inside. The beverage carrier additionally comprises an insert for placing and retrieving the disposable drink carrier inside the box-type structure, the insert comprising a frame for receiving the disposable drink carrier and placement handles connected to the frame for raising and lowering the disposable drink carrier into and out of the box-type structure. Further, the beverage carrier comprises means for removably securing the box-type structure to a portion of a vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Brett Stokes, Harry Lubin
  • Patent number: 9079700
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie S. Marco, Robert C. Olsen
  • Patent number: 8490785
    Abstract: A carrier for containing a plurality of articles. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around the interior of the carrier. The panels comprise a front panel, a back panel positioned opposite to the front panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to at least one of the front and back panels, at least one top panel foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel, and a divider flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirsten L. Brand
  • Patent number: 8297438
    Abstract: A multipack carrier for packaging containers is an apparatus that is used to hold, bundle, and transport packaging containers together. The packaging containers is any kind of bottle, can, or jar that is used to store consumer goods. The apparatus comprises of a plurality of plastic braces, a paper board carrier, a grasping mechanism, and a printed graphic. The plastic braces allows the apparatus to clutch each individual packing containers, and the paper board carrier allows the apparatus to simultaneous support all of the plastic braces. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic braces are created by injecting recyclable resin into a plastic injection mold and onto the paper board carrier. The printed graphic can be illustrated on the apparatus because of the material of the paper board carrier. The grasping mechanism allows a person to pick up and carry the apparatus with the packing containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen Arthur Crossman
  • Patent number: 8100256
    Abstract: A carton for cooperating with a packaging material to contain a plurality of articles and a package formed thereby. The carton comprises a plurality of panels comprising a central panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The side panels are positioned relative to the central panel to at least partially form a space for receiving the articles. A handle is in at least one of the side panels. The handle is adapted for grasping and carrying the carton. A reinforcement flap is foldably attached to the at least one of the side panels. The reinforcement flap has at least one opening for receiving an article. A handle reinforcement flap is foldably attached to the at least one of the side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Charles F. Ho Fung
  • Patent number: 8096413
    Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. At least one feature is in the top panel that receives and holds a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one feature comprises an opening in the top panel and a retention feature adjacent the opening to engage at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Coltri De Paula
  • Patent number: 8087511
    Abstract: A carrier for one or a plurality of beverage containing cups such as those supplied to carry out customers of carry out restaurants, fast food restaurants and the like. The cup carrier constructed in accordance the present invention includes a one piece blank which can be folded to form a base with one or a plurality of openings for receiving a beverage cup to provide an easily set up cup carrier that stably suspends the cup or cups in an upright position when the carrier is supported by a handle structure positioned above the cups so that the force of gravity will maintain the cup or cups in an upright suspended position. A paddle insert is used to expand the number of cups that can be held by the cup carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Sidney M. Libit, Jeanne E. Libit, Jeffrey M. Libit
  • Patent number: 8083126
    Abstract: A sling-type carrier with a two-layered handle that is connected to the panels that complete the sling in a cantilevered manner that resists tearing or separation of the handle layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jack Alan Fleming, Marion Jack Fleming
  • Publication number: 20110083976
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The panels comprise at least one bottom panel, at least one top panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least two side panels. The at least one top panel is foldably connected to one of the front panel and the back panel. The at least one top panel has a handle portion for forming a handle of the carrier and a retaining portion having container receiving openings for receiving the containers in the carrier. The carrier includes a reinforcement flap adjacent at least one of the container receiving openings for contacting at least one of the plurality of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Smalley
  • Patent number: 7832554
    Abstract: A single unit cardboard carrier is transformed from a collapsed state into an expanded multi-use carrier with a minimum of assembly actions. A preferred embodiment of the multi-use carrier has a central chamber, a plurality of vessel apertures located around the centered chamber, and has a handle spanning across the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kimada Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Sutton-Rainey, David M. Manthey
  • Publication number: 20100264043
    Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. At least one feature is in the top panel that receives and holds a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one feature comprises an opening in the top panel and a retention feature adjacent the opening to engage at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Andrea Coltri De Paula
  • Patent number: 7793779
    Abstract: A carton for cooperating with a packaging material to contain a plurality of articles and a package formed thereby. The carton comprises a plurality of panels comprising a central panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The side panels are positioned relative to the central panel to at least partially form a space for receiving the articles. A handle is in at least one of the side panels. The handle is adapted for grasping and carrying the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Charles F. Ho Fung
  • Patent number: 7780034
    Abstract: A portable bar including an ice chest, a removable tray, and a plurality of beverage containers attached to the upper surface of the tray. The ice chest has a rim located on the interior thereof adjacent its upper perimeter edge. The removable tray is adapted to rest on the rim with either its upper or lower surface facing towards the interior of the ice chest. Each of the beverage containers has a manually operated pump dispenser removably attached thereto and providing a lid thereto. In its transportation and storage configuration, the upper surface of the tray and attached beverage containers face downwardly towards the interior of the ice chest. In its service configuration, the upper surface of the tray and attached beverage containers face upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: John F. Richardson
  • Patent number: 7552820
    Abstract: A beverage carrier including at least two cartons and a tray having a retractable handle for holding the cartons is provided. The cartons and the tray are each formed from blanks of sheet material. Each carton includes a first and second side wall, a top panel, a bottom panel, and first and second end walls, wherein the side walls, the top panel, the bottom panel and the end walls are interconnected to form the carton. The tray includes a first and second side panel, a first and second bottom panel, a first and second divider panel, and a first and second end panel. The tray includes an opening through which a retractable handle is placed. The retractable handle is configured to move between a recessed position and an extended position. The tray is configured to hold at least two cartons for easy transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl A. Kohler
  • Patent number: 7337897
    Abstract: A single unit cardboard carrier is transformed from a collapsed state into an expanded multi-use carrier with a minimum of assembly actions. A preferred embodiment of the multi-use carrier has a central chamber, a plurality of vessel apertures located around the centered chamber, and has a handle spanning across the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Kimada Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Sutton-Rainey, David M. Manthey
  • Patent number: 6969098
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6945390
    Abstract: An article carrier for carrying one or more necked articles, has a plurality of panels including a pair of laterally spaced top panels, a pair of handle panels extending upwardly from the top panels to form a carrying handle, and a bridging panel provided to span the space between the top panels. One of the handle panels is formed with a medial fold line to cause the handle to be moved from an upright position downwards and/or to one side to reduce the height of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jean Michel Auclair
  • Publication number: 20040007480
    Abstract: A flexible carrier device for use in supporting, in portable and carryable fashion, a plurality of beverage containers such as returnable bottles, each of which further includes a narrowed and annular shaped neck proximate an end location of the container. The carrier device includes a substantially thin cross sectional, elongated and planar shape body exhibiting a first elongated aperture proximate an upper end and defining a carrying handle. A plurality of inwardly facing and annular shaped rim portions are defined through the sheet at further selected and spaced apart locations and define a second plurality of apertures. The narrowed and annular shaped neck of each beverage container is resistively engaged against a selected and inwardly facing rim portion in order to secure the container in fixed and extending fashion relative to the carrier device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel P. Pattee, Cheryl Lynn Pattee
  • Patent number: 6155412
    Abstract: A carton accomodating a plurality of articles, such as bottles, comprising a top (16, 26), a base (12, 30) and a pair of side walls (14, 28) interconnecting said top and base thereby forming a tubular structure, said top being provided with two spaced rows of apertures (54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) through which the top portions of said articles protrude and a carrying handle means (18, 20, 22) extending upwardly from said top characterised in that said handle means is located between said two rows of apertures and is off set from a plane disposed midway between said rows of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Le Bras, Jean-Michel Garnier
  • Patent number: 6089366
    Abstract: A bottle box has two half-casings engaging with each other. Both half-casings are made of plastics. Each half-casing has a hollow seat and a handle frame disposed on the hollow seat. The hollow seat has a hollow interior, a periphery flange, and a plurality of slots communicating with the hollow interior. A reinforced plate is disposed in a bottom of the hollow seat. The periphery flange has a click block, a click recess, a protrusion, a recess hole, at least a protruded block, and at least a click groove. The protruded block has a click hook. A flap bar is disposed in the click groove. The block has a hook end. A flap plate is disposed in the click recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Jackson Cheng
  • Patent number: 6082532
    Abstract: A blank for carrying bottles with an engaging edge has a center panel, a pair of securing panels, a pair of handle panels, an exterior grip support panel and an interior grip support panel. The center panel has a plurality of apertures formed therein. The securing panels have apertures formed therein to match the number of apertures in the center panel. The securing panels also have individual flaps formed in association therewith therein and aligned substantially perpendicular to the handle. When the blank is folded and formed into a carrier, the apertures of the center panel and the apertures and individual flaps of the securing panel create a corresponding number of bottle receiving collars. Consequently, when bottles are placed into the carrier, each bottle receiving collar engages the engaging edge of each bottle and supports each bottle during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Miess
  • Patent number: 5984086
    Abstract: A wrap package and method for making the package are disclosed. The wrap permits the packaging of a plurality of containers in an array of two or more rows. The wrap includes a top panel, side panels, and end panels all of which provide adequate area for product markings. The wrap is adapted to hold the containers in close proximity while preventing contact therebetween. The wrap package provides adequate package rigidity to support a plurality of containers packaged in any number of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Rock Tenn Company
    Inventors: Fred S. Foushee, Frank Crutchley
  • Patent number: 5833056
    Abstract: A non-spill steady cup holder (10) for beverage containers (12) comprises a panel (14) sized to snugly fit horizontally against an interior surface (16) of a paper bag (18). A facility (20) in the panel (14) is for holding a beverage container (12). When the panel (14) is placed within the paper bag (18), the beverage container (12) will be stabilized, allowing the paper bag (18) to be carried, to prevent the beverage from spilling out of the beverage container (12), wetting the paper bag (18) and losing the beverage from the beverage container (12). In other embodiments, a second beverage container (12) can be held in the panel (14), so that two beverage containers (12) can be carried in a side by side relationship within the paper bag (18). In still other embodiments, solid food can be held in the panel (14), so that a beverage container (12) and the solid food can be carried in a side by side relationship within the paper bag (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jay R Goldman
  • Patent number: 5746310
    Abstract: This invention relates to a container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising two sheets of material joined along at least two generally parallel lines of connection. A panel is defined by at least one of the sheets between the lines of connection. Each sheet of the material contains at least one first receiving opening for engaging an upper portion of a container separated from the panel by a first line of connection. Each sheet of material also contains at least one second receiving opening for engaging a lower portion of a container separated from the panel by a second line of connection. After, during, and just before, application to a plurality of containers, each first receiving opening is preferably vertically aligned with each second receiving opening of each sheet. The carrier according to this invention engages a plurality of containers to comprise an assembled package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Slomski
  • Patent number: 5743389
    Abstract: Prepared flat paper stock blank is disposed for assembly into a dual-configuration food and beverage carrier, selectively folded into an upright box with upward-extending side walls and end walls with handle panels extending from the box base around the side walls and meeting over the box as a handle or alternatively into an inverted box with downwardly-extending side and end walls with handle panels extending from the base upward and away from the side walls. When the handle panels are folded toward and around the base side walls, the carrier is disposed to enclose foodstuffs placed in the carrier. When the handle panels are folded away from the base side walls, the carrier becomes a cup and cone carrier, the box being carried inverted. One or more holes are provided in the base section for receiving cups and cones. Hinged sectors are provided at the hole perimeter to cover the hole, lightly connected until mildly urged downward to receive a cup thereby breaking the light connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: CLK Factor, Inc.
    Inventors: Donna Cutler, Thomas Cutler, Per-Axel Lindstrom, William Kawahara
  • Patent number: 5718330
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Plastirock Industries S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Auffret, Jean-Marie Auffret, Marie-Therese Van Kerk
  • Patent number: 5711419
    Abstract: A bottle carrier is formed of one or more panels of paperboard and includes a plurality of bottle neck receiving openings. The periphery of each opening is defined by the tips of a plurality of radially extending fingers, the tips engaging 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 at its widest portion with a base slit extending thouugh the paperboard. Another and intermediate slit is located about half way along the length of each finger, the intermediate slit also extending through the paperboard. These slits are of lesser width than that of their respective fingers and are parallel to each other and are at right angles to the length of the finger. The base slit permits bending of each finger upwardly upon bottle insertion, while the intermediate slit facilitates removal of each bottle from its respective opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Beales, Walter A. Krajci
  • Patent number: 5699926
    Abstract: The invention described consists of a five-piece container for carrying bottles and of a stabilizer tablet for steadying the bottles in their vertical position in the container. The container comprises a bottom piece formed of plastics material and of opposite side pieces and opposite end pieces also formed of plastics material and hingedly connected to the side and end edges of the bottom piece whereby the side pieces and the end pieces may be pivoted between an erected position and an outward foldback position and vice-versa. The stabilizer tablet consists of a flat board displaying a series of openings each having a size to engage the neck portions of the bottles and to thereby minimize up, down, and sideway movements of the bottles in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Jacques, Roch Nolet
  • Patent number: 5687847
    Abstract: A package includes a plurality of cylindrical beverage cans (10) arranged into at least two tiers with a carton disposed around the cans. A paperboard divider panel (30) is disposed between and in contact with the cans of adjacent tiers. The divider panel includes a plurality of apertures (32), each of the apertures having a generally circular edge concentric with the cylindrical axis of upper and lower cans and having a diameter (D4) smaller than the base of the upper can. The divider panel further includes a substantially circular embossment (38) concentric with each of the apertures, the embossment having an outer diameter generally equal to the diameter of the top flange of the lower can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Will L. Culpepper, James R. Oliff
  • Patent number: 5624024
    Abstract: A collapsible carrier for tapered articles is disclosed. The carrier includes a pair of upright handle panels secured together in a face-to-face contacting relationship, a pair of divergent upper panels foldably joined respectively to the lower edges of the handle panels, and a pair of convergent lower panels foldably interconnected with the upper panels to form in cooperation with the upper panels a tubular structure. Each upper panel has an article-receiving aperture. Each lower panel also has an article-receiving aperture. The receiving aperture in each upper panel is vertically aligned with that in the adjacent lower panel. The summation of the widths of the lower panels is less than that of the widths of the upper panels so that the tubular structure is prevented from collapsing flat when at least one of the vertically aligned pairs of the receiving apertures are loaded with an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Miess
  • Patent number: 5553705
    Abstract: A clip-type carrier (10) has a top wall which includes an inner (20) and an outer (40) panel that overlap at respective lap portions (22, 42). The inner panel (20) has an inner article-receiving aperture (24) for each flanged article (1) to be received. The inner article-receiving aperture (24) has radial cuts (26) that form gripping tabs (28) whose unattached inner edges define an inner aperture circumference and associated inner aperture diameter (D.sub.11). Each gripping tab (28) terminates at the inner panel to form a second circumference (C.sub.12) and associated second diameter (D.sub.12). The second circumference (C.sub.12) and diameter (D.sub.12) are greater than the inner circumference and diameter (D.sub.11). The lap portion (42) of the outer panel (40) has an outer article-receiving aperture (44) corresponding to and in concentric alignment with each inner article-receiving aperture (24). The outer article-receiving aperture (44) has a circumference and associated diameter (D.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Martinus C. M. Bakx
  • Patent number: 5487465
    Abstract: A plastic carrier for carrying containers includes container engaging portions which extend from a joint. The joint is at adjacent edges of the container engaging portions. The container engaging portions include a plurality of annular bands for securely holding containers therein. The joint is formed by bonding the layers of plastic material between the edges of the container engaging portions. The joint is interrupted along its length to enable the joint and container engaging portions to stretch when containers are placed in the carrier. The carrier may include a handle portion which extends from the joint for carrying the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Broskow
  • Patent number: 5445262
    Abstract: A bottle carrier of the type which supports bottles by tabs contacting the underside of shoulders on the bottles. An upper support panel and lower support panel flaps containing aligned bottle neck openings are spaced apart at one end by connected side panels and are in contact at their other ends. The edge portions adjacent the side panels function as reinforcing ribs. The tabs are of such shape and size as to accommodate the bowing that takes place when the carrier is lifted. Additional flaps may be provided to form two-ply lower support panel flaps and side panels, and to provide reinforcement strips beneath the upper support panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5439110
    Abstract: A carton containing two tiers of necked bottles. The bottles in the upper tier are inverted from the bottles in the lower tier, with the bottle necks of the upper tier extending between the bottle necks of the lower tier. The bottle necks extend through spaced separator sheets containing flaps that prevent contact between adjacent bottle necks. Partitions prevent contact between adjacent bottles in each tier. The carton is sloped in to a relatively small top panel, and the top panel is provided with a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Regan, II
  • Patent number: 5306060
    Abstract: An integrally formed bottle or jug carrier strap for securely and comfortably carrying a pair of bottles or jugs by their neck. An elongate grip has rings at each end and a neck-retaining collar attached to the inner circumference of each ring. Scores on the underside of each ring cause the ring to break at the score when the rings are deformed, permitting the bottle or jug to easily be removed from the carrier strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Oregon Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Borg
  • Patent number: 5221002
    Abstract: A beverage container carrier is shown formed from a single piece of rigid plastic material having two rows of container receiving apertures extending between a hinge end and a latch end. Separations are formed in the walls between apertures in each row and in the latch end in alignment with each row. A latch is formed in the latch end for each row of apertures. The longitudinal side portions are adapted, in the unlatched condition, to spring away from the center spine to receive containers and to snap back into a latched position to grip containers placed in the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Richard S. Garganese
  • Patent number: 5197656
    Abstract: A sleeve style closed end carton for a can matrix where the cans preferably are the type having necked in head and heel rims. The carton includes corner flaps that are wrapped around the corner cans of the matrix, the corner flaps, along with the top and bottom side wall corners, preferably being structured to make the tapered portion of each corner can's head and heel partially visible when the carton is viewed in top and bottom views, as well as side elevation view, thereby in effect eliminating the carton's corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: The C.W. Zumbiel Co.
    Inventors: Norbert Hoell, Charles A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5188413
    Abstract: A unitary plastic bottle carrier assembly designed to support a plurality of bottles by their neck portions. The carrier includes split collars through which the closure and bottle neck extends and the collars support the bottles through contact with the neck ring located below the closures. The spaced split-collar assemblies are connected to a central support member and are braced relative to each other by a channel-shaped member to form a handle receiver. A handle assembly is disposed in said handle-receiving means to provide for convenient transport of the carrier and associated bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Nathan
  • Patent number: 5186321
    Abstract: An improved paperboard multiple can carrier made of multilayered laminated paperboard which has at least two layers of recycled paper and two layers of virgin paper. Tearing of the paperboard is prevented by multiple indentations or notches circumferentially extending around the orifices through which cans and fingers are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Richard F. Fadus
  • Patent number: RE35288
    Abstract: An integrally formed bottle or jug carrier strap for securely and comfortably carrying a pair of bottles or jugs by their neck. An elongate grip has rings at each end and a neck-retaining collar attached to the inner circumference of each ring. Scores on the underside of each ring cause the ring to break at the score when the rings are deformed, permitting the bottle or jug to easily be removed from the carrier strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Oregon Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Borg