# US 11,897,679 B2 · Container carrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,679 B2 - Document ID: US11897679B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/375,844 - Filed: 2021-07-14 - Published: 2022-01-20 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-15 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik; Patrick R. Van Tholen; Robert C. Olsen; Christopher J. Samaras - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897679B2 ## CPC - B65D 71/504: {the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article} - B65B 27/04: Bundling groups of cans or bottles - B65B 69/00: Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for - B65D 2571/00432: Handles or suspending means - B65D 2571/00438: Holes - B65D 2571/0045: for hands - B65D 2571/00555: Wrapper opening devices - B65D 2571/00561: Lines of weakness (B65D2571/00864 takes precedence) - B65D 2571/00672: Films - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A flexible container carrier and related method for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A series of frangible lines of separation are provided between each container receiving opening so that removing a container from the package results in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening and thus the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for packaging a plurality of containers in a flexible container, the method comprising: providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of bands defining a corresponding plurality of container receiving openings, wherein each container of the plurality of containers is positioned in a respective container receiving opening; providing a series of frangible lines of separation between each container receiving opening, wherein each receiving opening includes a longitudinal frangible line of separation and a transverse frangible line of separation, wherein the longitudinal frangible line of separation comprises a plurality of closely spaced perforations that extend laterally relative to a longitudinal direction of the carrier and laterally relative to the line of separation and wherein the closely spaced perforations are graduated longer toward each end of each aperture; and removing a container from the package resulting in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening, wherein the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein each container receiving opening is dividable from the package with a longitudinal and a transverse frangible line of separation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning at least two finger loops relative to the plurality of bands. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein at least one finger loop is severed upon removal of a proximate container from the package. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an integral handle with the plurality of bands. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein removal of six containers results in no remaining separate carrier portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising twisting the container to remove both the container and the respective band from the package. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising pulling the container downwardly to remove both the container and the respective band from the package. ### Claim 9 A flexible container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising: a plurality of bands defining a corresponding plurality of container receiving openings, wherein each container of the plurality of containers is positioned in a respective container receiving opening; a series of frangible lines of separation between each container receiving opening, wherein each container receiving opening includes a longitudinal frangible line of separation and a transverse frangible line of separation, wherein the longitudinal frangible line of separation comprises a plurality of closely spaced perforations that extend laterally relative to a longitudinal direction of the carrier and laterally relative to the line of separation and wherein the closely spaced perforations are graduated longer toward each end of each aperture; wherein the frangible lines of separation are adapted to remove a respective band of the plurality of bands when a corresponding container is removed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The flexible carrier of claim 9 further comprising at least one of a handle and a panel formed adjacent the array of container receiving apertures. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The flexible carrier of claim 9 further comprising at least two finger loops positioned relative to the plurality of bands. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The flexible carrier of claim 11 wherein at least one finger loop is configured to sever upon removal of a proximate container from the package. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The flexible carrier of claim 9 further comprising an integral handle formed relative to the plurality of bands. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The flexible carrier of claim 9 wherein removal of six containers results in no remaining separate carrier portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The flexible carrier of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of adjacent carriers formed in a generally continuous string.