Film multipackage

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a device and method of manufacture of the device for unitizing a plurality of containers, the carrier having a retainer sheet for engaging a top portion of the containers integrated with a film sleeve for surrounding the containers.

#2. Description of Prior Art

#The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a top view of a carrier for holding a plurality of containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

#FIG. 2 is a top view of a carrier for holding a plurality of containers according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

#FIGS. 1-11 show carriers 10 for carrying a plurality of containers 5. Containers 5 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are preferably cans. Although cans are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, bottles or any other commonly unitized container 5 may be used with carrier 10 according to this invention. Containers 5 are preferably like-sized within a single carrier 10.

#Carrier 10 unitizes a plurality of containers 5 to create package 1, such as package 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Carrier 10 is preferably a single-piece device comprising retainer sheet 15 integrated with film sleeve 30, each preferably constructed from a flexible, resilient material such as plastic. For the purposes of this specification and claims, a sleeve is defined as a tubelike component capable of fitting over or around a plurality of containers 5.

#In one preferred embodiment of this invention, retainer sheet 15 is made from low density polyethylene. In other embodiments, a higher density polyethylene is preferable having a different thickness. Retainer sheet 15 preferably has a first thickness, such as between 0.008-0.020″, possibly thinner than the thickness of traditional plastic ring carriers. As discussed in additional detail below, retainer sheet 15 is preferably cut, using means known to those skilled in the art such as a stamping die, to form a plurality of container receiving openings 20 in retainer sheet 15. Two or more container receiving openings 20 are formed in retainer sheet 15 in longitudinal rows and one or more transverse ranks. In one preferred embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 2-5, container receiving openings 20 are configured in two rows of three ranks. Retainer sheet 15 may include other configurations of container receiving openings 20 depending on the size of package 1 desired.