US 12,103,751 B2
Carrier for containers
Douglas R. Hicks, Milton, GA (US); Kevin T. May, Kennesaw, GA (US); and Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Mableton, GA (US)
Assigned to Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/859,178.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/203,882, filed on Aug. 3, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/219,648, filed on Jul. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0008477 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B65D 71/50 (2006.01); B65B 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 71/508 (2013.01) [B65B 17/025 (2013.01); B65D 71/504 (2013.01)] 35 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
a top retainer formed from a top container retention blank comprising a top attachment panel for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers; and
a bottom retainer formed from a bottom container retention blank comprising a bottom attachment panel for being attached to the plurality of containers and comprising a plurality of bottom container retention tabs foldably connected to the bottom attachment panel and at least partially separable from the bottom attachment panel at a respective cut in the bottom attachment panel for being attached to a respective container of the plurality of containers, each bottom container retention tab of the plurality of bottom container retention tabs comprises a plurality of lines of weakening defining a plurality of reconfigurable sections of the respective bottom container retention tab, the top attachment panel is free from attachment to the bottom attachment panel.
 
18. A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:
obtaining a top container retention blank comprising a top attachment panel;
obtaining a bottom container retention blank comprising a bottom attachment panel and comprising a plurality of bottom container retention tabs foldably connected to the bottom attachment panel and at least partially separable from the bottom attachment panel at a respective cut in the bottom attachment panel for being attached to a respective container of the plurality of containers, each bottom container retention tab of the plurality of bottom container retention tabs comprises a plurality of lines of weakening defining a plurality of reconfigurable sections of the respective bottom container retention tab, the top attachment panel is free from attachment to the bottom attachment panel;
arranging the top attachment panel to form a top retainer for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers; and
arranging the bottom attachment panel to form a bottom retainer for being attached to the plurality of containers.
 
27. A package, the package comprising:
a plurality of containers; and
a carrier holding the plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
a top retainer formed from a top container retention blank comprising a top attachment panel at least partially receiving the plurality of containers; and
a bottom retainer formed from a bottom container retention blank comprising a bottom attachment panel attached to the plurality of containers and comprising a plurality of bottom container retention tabs foldably connected to the bottom attachment panel and at least partially separated from the bottom attachment panel at a respective cut in the bottom attachment panel and attached to a respective container of the plurality of containers, each bottom container retention tab of the plurality of bottom container retention tabs comprises a plurality of lines of weakening defining a plurality of reconfigurable sections of the respective bottom container retention tab, the top attachment panel is free from attachment to the bottom attachment panel.