US 11,753,226 B2
Carrier for containers
Justin McCree, Bristol (GB); and Steve M. Gould, Bristol (GB)
Assigned to Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/487,262.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/208,646, filed on Jun. 9, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/136,400, filed on Jan. 12, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/120,863, filed on Dec. 3, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/086,681, filed on Oct. 2, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/085,365, filed on Sep. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0097938 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. B65D 71/72 (2006.01); B65D 71/42 (2006.01); B31B 50/26 (2017.01); B31B 50/86 (2017.01); B31B 50/20 (2017.01); B31B 100/00 (2017.01)
CPC B65D 71/72 (2013.01) [B31B 50/262 (2017.08); B65D 71/42 (2013.01); B31B 50/20 (2017.08); B31B 50/86 (2017.08); B31B 2100/00 (2017.08); B65D 2571/0029 (2013.01); B65D 2571/0066 (2013.01); B65D 2571/00141 (2013.01); B65D 2571/00259 (2013.01); B65D 2571/00444 (2013.01); B65D 2571/00561 (2013.01)] 54 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;
at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;
a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab; and
at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.
 
15. A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:
a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;
at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings for being aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;
a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab; and
at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.
 
27. A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:
obtaining a blank comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings, a plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, the blank further comprising at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap;
folding the at least one container retention flap relative to the top panel such that respective container retention openings of the first plurality of container retention openings are aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings; and
positioning the respective aligned container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers.