Container carrier
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsKayla E. Barreto, Christopher J. Samaras, George P. Moreland, Jimmy D. Whitten, Michael C. Czarnecki, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A container carrier forming a package of unitized containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a plane. An arrangement of inwardly extending tabs are formed in each container receiving opening toward a center of each container receiving opening. A handle is formed along one edge of the container carrier. The container carrier is engageable with a circumferential groove around a perimeter of a sidewall of each container so that each tab of the arrangement of tabs engages with the circumferential groove of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.
Claims12
A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
- a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings;
- an arrangement of inwardly extending tabs formed in each container receiving opening toward a center of each container receiving opening, each tab of the arrangement of tabs engageable with a circumferential groove in a corresponding container of the plurality of containers, wherein each tab of the arrangement of tabs comprises a central depression and the arrangement of tabs are positioned equidistantly around an inner edge of the plurality of container receiving openings and wherein each tab comprises a thickness less than a thickness of the network of molded ribs forming the plurality of container receiving openings;
- a handle formed along one edge of the container carrier;
- and
- wherein two to four container carriers are connected in a unitized stick and a pitch between adjacent container receiving openings is constant throughout the stick.
A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
- a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings;
- an arrangement of inwardly extending tabs formed in each container receiving opening toward a center of each container receiving opening, each tab of the arrangement of tabs engageable with a circumferential groove in a corresponding container of the plurality of containers;
- a handle formed along one edge of the container carrier;
- a hinge formed between the handle and the one edge of the container carrier, wherein the hinge is formed with a reduced thickness of material between the one edge of the container carrier and the handle and includes a fillet extending across the one edge of the container carrier along an underside of the container carrier;
- and
- wherein two to four container carriers are connected in a unitized stick and a pitch between adjacent container receiving openings is constant throughout the stick.
A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
- a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings;
- an arrangement of inwardly extending tabs formed in each container receiving opening toward a center of each container receiving opening, each tab of the arrangement of tabs engageable with a circumferential groove in a corresponding container of the plurality of containers;
- and
- a handle formed along one edge of the container carrier that further comprises a panel extending toward the one edge of the container carrier, wherein the panel comprises a reduced thickness of material from the network of molded ribs;
- and
- wherein two to four container carriers are connected in a unitized stick and a pitch between adjacent container receiving openings is constant throughout the stick.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.