# US 2022/0274754 A1 · Container carrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0274754 A1 - Document ID: US20220274754A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/637,879 - Filed: 2020-10-07 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-23 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Christopher J. SAMARAS; Rachell L. SLOVIK - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220274754A1 ## 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 - 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 container carrier (100) with a uniform pitch applicating feature for applying container carriers onto containers to form a multipackage. A uniform series of apertures (112) is formed on the container carrier in the machine direction of a multipack carrier. Application machines may use the apertures for synchronizing the container carrier material to the containers, thereby making it container pitch independent. The resulting internal features of the carrier that would receive the containers can then be varied to best match the containers with little to no impact to the application machine. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising: a plurality of flexible bands that form an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks; and a plurality of registration apertures aligned on each longitudinal row of the container carrier adjacent to, and outside of, the array of container receiving apertures. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the plurality of registration apertures extend along an outside perimeter of the container carrier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a handle and a panel formed adjacent to the array of container receiving apertures. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the plurality of registration apertures extend between at least one of the longitudinal rows of the array of container receiving apertures. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the array of container receiving apertures form a container carrier strip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The container carrier of claim 5 wherein the plurality of registration apertures extend to the container carrier strip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The container carrier of claim 6 wherein the container carrier strip has a stretch of less than 20%. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The container carrier of claim 6 wherein the container carrier strip has a stretch of less than 10%. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the plurality of registration apertures are spaced equidistant from each other. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the array of container receiving apertures includes a pitch of between two and three inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The container carrier of claim 10 wherein the plurality of registration apertures have a measurable center-to-center distance adapted for the respective pitch of two to three inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The container carrier of claim 11 wherein the measurable center-to-center distance between each of the plurality of registration apertures is the same regardless of the pitch of the container receiving aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the plurality of registration apertures are circular. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 wherein the plurality of registration apertures are a consistent shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The container carrier of claim 12 wherein the plurality of registration apertures are configured to accommodate containers having different diameters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The container carrier of claim 1 further comprising a diamond shaped aperture formed between each pair of container receiving apertures, wherein each side of each diamond shaped aperture is parallel to a portion of the adjacent container receiving aperture. ### Claim 17 A method for packaging a plurality of containers using a uniform container carrier strip and containers to form individual multipackages, the method comprising: providing a container carrier strip from a feed to an applicating machine; inserting a plurality of pins from the applicating machine into a plurality of registration apertures on the carrier strip; transferring a plurality of containers in a fixed position to a centerline; applying the carrier strip to the containers at the centerline; and removing the plurality of pins from the registration apertures, forming a container carrier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method for packaging a plurality of containers according to claim 17 wherein the carrier strip is applied to the containers by rolling the strip around a drum with the plurality of pins. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method for packaging a plurality of containers according to claim 17 wherein the carrier strip is applied to the containers by pushing the strip linearly from a belt onto the containers with the plurality of pins. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method for packaging a plurality of containers according to claim 17 wherein the carrier strip is applied to the containers by pushing the strip in a pattern from a belt onto the containers with the plurality of pins.