Carrier for containers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11753226
  • Patent Number
    11,753,226
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, September 28, 2021
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 12, 2023
    a year ago
Abstract
A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a top panel having a first plurality of container openings, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and having a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings, at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/779,689, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/783,752, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/796,830, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/797,585, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/810,015, filed on Feb. 25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/814,412, filed on Mar. 6, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/817,120, filed on Mar. 12, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/84630227571,449, filed on May 1, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/426,050, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/426,057, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/426,060, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/426,063, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/426,066, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/692,992, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/692,993, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/692,994, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/692,996, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/692,997, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/598,282, filed on Oct. 10, 2019, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/709,918, filed on Oct. 18, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/952,839, filed on Dec. 23, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/956,882, filed on Jan. 3, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/985,997, filed on Mar. 6, 2020, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/829,346, filed on Mar. 25, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/015,898, filed on Apr. 27, 2020, U.S. Provisional patent application No. 63/022,757, filed on May 11, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/023,442, filed on May 12, 2020, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/735,178, filed on May 19, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/031,615, filed on May 29, 2020, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/739,927, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/739,929, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/739,931, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/739,933, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/739,934, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/085,365, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/086,681, filed on Oct. 2, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/120,863, filed on Dec. 3, 2020, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/119,040, filed on Dec. 11, 2020, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/118,999, filed on Dec. 11, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,400, filed on Jan. 12, 2021, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/775,557, filed on Mar. 24, 2021, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/775,558, filed on Mar. 24, 2021, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/775,559, filed on Mar. 24, 2021, U.S. Design patent application No. 29/775,560, filed on Mar. 24, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/208,568, filed on Jun. 9, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/208,646, filed on Jun. 9, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/728,454, filed on Sep. 7, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/767,188, filed on Nov. 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/770,566, filed on Nov. 21, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/214,868, filed on Jun. 25, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,062, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/219,648, file d on Jul. 8, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/222,225, filed on Jul. 15, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/203,882, filed on Aug. 3, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/260,881, filed on Sep. 3, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/261,582, filed on Sep. 24, 2021, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety. The disclosures of each of U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,784, issued on Mar. 5, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,413, issued on Jan. 17, 2012, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,027,905, issued on Jun. 8, 2021, are also hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.


BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers for holding, displaying, and/or transporting containers.


SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.


According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings for being aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.


According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising obtaining a blank comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings, a plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, the blank further comprising at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap. The method further comprises folding the at least one container retention flap relative to the top panel such that respective container retention openings of the first plurality of container retention openings are aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings, and positioning the respective aligned container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers.


According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a carrier holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises the plurality of containers and the carrier, the carrier comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings and at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a plurality of container retention features engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.


Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.



FIG. 1 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a carrier according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.



FIG. 2 is perspective view of a package including a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and a plurality of containers.



FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of overlapping container retention features of the carrier of FIG. 2.



FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carrier according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.



FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carrier according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.





Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or any combination thereof.


Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum cans) at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and “back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.


As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of blanks. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of the blank can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.



FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 101 of a blank 103 used to form a carrier 105 (FIG. 2) in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the carrier 105 is sized to contain or support six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 being attached to a front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 being attached to a back portion 108 of the carrier 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be beverage cans, or could be any other suitable type and size of container without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 105 can be provided together with one or more of the containers as a package 110.


The carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers. In one embodiment, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 each have three containers, and in other embodiments, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 can carry more or less than three containers without departing from the disclosure.


As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 103 has a front portion 107 for forming the front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and a back portion 109 for forming the back portion 108 of the carrier 105.


In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 comprises a top panel 125 (broadly, “first top panel” or “central panel”), a container retention flap 127 (broadly, “first container retention flap”, “first top flap”, “second top panel”, or “first container retention panel”) foldably connected to the top panel 125 at a lateral fold line 129 (broadly, “first fold line”), and a container retention flap 131 (broadly, “second container retention flap”, “second top flap”, “third top panel”, or “second container retention panel”) foldably connected to the top panel 125 at a lateral fold line 133 (broadly, “second fold line”).


The top panel 125 can have container retention features that include at least container openings 135 (broadly, “first plurality of container openings”). As shown, the container openings 135 can be provided in a column and row arrangement in a number that corresponds to a desired number of containers to be held by the carrier 105 formed from the blank 103. While the top panel 125 is shown having container openings 135 provided in two rows/columns of three openings 135 each, it will be understood that a different number and/or arrangement of container retention openings 135 can be provided without departing from the disclosure.


As shown in FIG. 1, the container openings 135 can have a generally circular configuration, with container retention tabs 137 (broadly, “first container retention tabs” or “first container retention protrusions”) at least partially foldably connected to the top panel 125 at respective curved fold lines 139 and positioned extending into/toward the container opening 135 on laterally and longitudinally opposite sides thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 can be devoid of container retention tabs 137 on sides of the container openings 135 adjacent free edges of the top panel 124. It will be understood that one or more of the container retention tabs 137 can have a different configuration or arrangement without departing from the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the container retention tabs 137 can have the form of edges of the top panel 125 that protrude into the respective container openings 135.


The blank 103/carrier 105 can also have handle features that include at least one handle tab 141 foldably connected to the top panel 125 at a longitudinal fold line 144 and at least partially defined by a curved cut 145 extending from one endpoint of the fold line 144 to the other endpoint of the fold line 144. As described further herein, the handle tabs 141 can be separated from the top panel 125 to form respective handle openings for user engagement of the carrier 105. In one embodiment, the top panel 125 can be devoid of the handle tabs 141, and can instead be provided with corresponding handle openings.


Still referring to FIG. 1, each of the container retention flaps 127, 131 includes respective container openings 147 (broadly, “second plurality of container openings”). The container openings 147 are for being aligned with the respective container openings 135 when the carrier 105 is formed from the blank 103, as described further herein.


As shown, the container openings 147 can have a generally circular configuration, with container retention tabs 137 (broadly, “second container retention tabs” or “second container retention protrusions”) at least partially foldably connected to the top panel 125 at respective curved fold lines 139 and positioned extending into/toward the container retention opening 147 on obliquely opposite sides thereof. In this regard, the container retention tabs 137 are arranged along the edges of the respective container retention openings 137 at positions generally 45° offset to those positions of the container retention tabs 137 arranged along the edges of the container retention openings 135 in the top panel 125 (e.g., as measured relative to an axis parallel to one of the axes L1, L2 and extending through the respective container openings 135). As described further herein, the container openings 135/container retention tabs 137 associated with the top panel 125 are circumferentially offset from and cooperate with the container openings 147/container retention tabs 137 associated with the container retention flaps 127, 131 to provide an enhanced engagement with containers held by the carrier 105.


In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of container retention tabs 138 (broadly, “second plurality of container retention tabs” or “third plurality of container retention tabs”) can be foldably connected to the respective container retention flaps 127, 131 at respective curved fold lines 140 along edges of the respective container openings facing a free edge thereof and adjacent the respective fold line 129, 133. It will be understood that one or more of the container retention tabs 138 can have a different configuration or arrangement without departing from the disclosure.


As also shown, the container retention flaps 127, 131 have respective lateral free edges 149, 151 that define respective recessed portions 153, 155. As described further herein, when the carrier 105 is formed from the blank 103, the recessed portions 153, 155 are positionable abutting and/or at least partially surrounding a respective handle tab 141 to provide clearance and/or reinforcement for user engagement of the carrier 105. In this regard, the recessed portions 153, 155 can also form handle features of the blank 103/carrier 105. In one embodiment, and as shown, handle reinforcement tabs 156 can be foldably connected to each container retention flap 127, 131 at respective longitudinal fold lines 158, and can be positioned to extend at least partially into the respective recessed portions 153, 155.


With continued reference to FIG. 1, the blank 103/carrier 105 formed therefrom can be configured to stiffen/inhibit relative movement of portions of the blank 103/carrier 105 when in use. As shown, a pair of laterally-spaced reinforcement panels 157 (broadly, “first reinforcement feature”) can be positioned interrupting the fold line 129. Each reinforcement panel 157, as shown, can be a region of the blank 103/carrier 105 between the top panel 125 and the container retention flap 127 and that is defined by a line of weakening 159 extending between endpoints of segments of the fold line 129.


The line of weakening 159, as shown, can include a plurality of intersecting oblique segments 159a, 159b, 159c, 159d. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the segments 159a, 159b, 159c, 159d can be arranged so as to form a generally rhomboid/diamond-shaped reinforcement panel 157. In one embodiment, each of the segments 159a, 159b, 159c, 159d of the line of weakening 159 can be arranged at an angle of about 45° relative to each of the axes L1, L2. It will be understood that one or more of the lines of weakening 159/reinforcement panels 157 can have one or more different features, e.g., curved and/or longitudinal/lateral portions, without departing from the disclosure.


As shown, a pair of longitudinally-spaced reinforcement panels 157 can also be provided interrupting the fold line 133 so as to be positioned between the top panel 125 and the container retention flap 131. It will be understood that a different number and/or arrangement of the reinforcement panels 157 can be provided without departing from the disclosure.


Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 103 without departing from the disclosure. The blank 103 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than eight containers without departing from this disclosure.


With additional reference to FIG. 2, according to one exemplary embodiment of forming the carrier 105/package 110, the blank 103 can be positioned above a group of containers and the container retention flaps 127, 131 can be folded toward the interior surfaced/underside of the blank 103 at the respective fold lines 129, 133 such that the container openings 147 of the respective container retention flaps 127, 131 align with the respective container openings 135 of the top panel 125.


In such an arrangement the top panel 125 can be in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the container retention flaps 127, 131 such that the container openings 135, 137 are aligned so as to have a common center X (FIG. 3)


In such an arrangement, the blank 103 can be lowered upon the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that upper or top portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can be at least partially received through the respective aligned container openings 135, 147.


Accordingly, the edge of the container retention flaps 127, 131 surrounding the respective container openings 147 at least partially receive a top portion T of the respective containers, e.g., a rolled rim of the respective containers, and the container openings 135 subsequently receive the respective top portions T of the respective containers.


Such movement of the respective top portions T of the respective containers through the respective container openings 135 can cause the container retention tabs 137, 138 to be urged upwardly at the respective fold lines 139 so as to extend at least partially upwardly relative to the top panel 125. In this regard, the container retention tabs 137, 139 can extend from the top panel 125 to contact the rolled rim or other structure of the top portion T of the respective containers to take up/fill any spacing therebetween and contribute to a stiff and stable engagement of the top panel 125 with the respective containers.


With additional reference to FIG. 3, the arrangement of the container retention tabs 137 foldably connected to the top panel 125 overlying the container retention tabs 137, 138 foldably connected to the respective container retention flaps 127, 131 is such to provide a generally overlapping arrangement thereof, with the respective container retention tabs 137 of the top panel 125 interspersed between respective container retention tabs 137, 138 of the container retention flaps 127, 131 therebelow.


As shown, the center of a container retention tab 137 can have a circumferential position along the container opening 135 an angle α1 of about 90° measured from an axis A extending through the common center X of the aligned container openings 135, 137, (broadly, “first circumferential position”) and container retention tab 138 can have a center with a circumferential position along the container opening 147 an angle α2 of about 45° measured from an axis A (broadly, “second circumferential position”), with next successive container retention tabs 137, 138 having circumferential positions repeating at 90° intervals measured from the axis A. Similarly, the center of a container retention tab 137 can have a circumferential position along the container opening 135 an angle α1 of about 90° measured from an axis B extending through the common center X of the aligned container openings 135, 137, (broadly, “first circumferential position”) and container retention tab 138 can have a center with a circumferential position along the container opening 147 an angle α2 of about 45° measured from an axis B (broadly, “second circumferential position”), with next successive container retention tabs 137, 138 having circumferential positions repeating at 90° intervals measured from the axis B. As shown, the axis A can be an axis generally parallel to the lateral axis L1 and the axis B can be generally parallel to the axis L2, though the axes can be any axes through the common center X of the aligned container openings 135, 137 such that the container retention tabs 137, 138 have circumferential positions at offset angles therefrom about the respective container openings 135, 137. For example, in one embodiment, container retention tabs 137 can be positioned at angles of about 0°, about 90°, about 180°, and about 270° relative to the axis B, and container retention tabs 137 can be positioned at angles of about 45°, about 135°, about 225°, and about 315° relative to the axis B. It will be understood that the container retention tabs 137, 138 can be positioned at different offset circumferential positions than shown, e.g., such that α1 and α2 have different values (and that differ from each other).


Furthermore, the container retention tabs 137, 138 are provided with a size sufficient to allow for circumferential overlap of the respective container retention tabs 137 of the top panel 125 interspersed between respective container retention tabs 137, 138 of the container retention flaps 127, 131 therebelow. In this regard, when the container retention tabs 137, 138 of the respective container retention flaps 127, 131 and the container retention tabs 137 of the top panel 125 are folded upwardly at the respective fold lines 139 to extend through the aligned container openings 147, 135, at least a portion of more than one respective container retention tab occupies the same circumferential location along the respective aligned container openings 147, 135, e.g., such that at least one of the container retention tabs 137 is in at least partial face-to-face contact with at least one of the container retention tabs 138. In this regard, the arrangement of container retention tabs 137, 138 against the respective containers minimizes empty space therebetween to ensure a tight and secure fit between the carrier 105 and the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3. In one embodiment, such overlapping arrangement of container retention tabs 137, 138 can serve to pin or brace the respective containers in a desired location.


In addition, the overlapping relationship of respective portions of the top panel 125 with the container retention flaps 127, 131 is such that the container retention flaps 127, 131 provide an underlying support or shelf-like feature that can minimize/resist bending, buckling, flexion, torsion, etc. and provide a stable platform from which the top panel 125 and container retention tabs 137, 139 extending upwardly therefrom are supported.


Further to the support provided by the 2-ply/overlapping engagement of the top panel 125 with the container retention flaps 127, 131, the reinforcement panels 157 are presented in an outward-facing arrangement relative to the top panel 125 and the container retention flaps 127, 131 so as to form a generally upright/vertical structure that further minimizes/resists bending, buckling, flexion, torsion, etc. of the carrier 105/package 110 relative to a plane defined by the top panel 125 and/or the container retention flaps 127, 131, e.g., such that the carrier 105/package 110 minimizes/resists such forces/movement along both the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2.


The package 110/carrier 105 can be grasped by a consumer by separating one or both handle tabs 141 from the top panel at the respective cuts 145 and folding the handle tab 141 downwardly at the respective fold line 144 to form a respective handle opening in the top panel 125 through which the user can insert one or more of his or her fingers. As described above, the recessed portions 153, 155 of the respective container retention flaps 127, 131 can be positioned abutting/surrounding the respective handle openings such that a user can engage the underside of the respective container retention flaps 127, 131 and/or a portion of the top panel 125, e.g., adjacent the respective recessed portion 153, 155, in order to engage and lift/carry or otherwise move the carrier 105/package 110. Such engagement of the underside of the carrier 105 can include at least partial folding of the handle reinforcement tabs 156 at the respective fold line 158.


Furthermore, upon formation of the package 110/carrier 105 respective containers CAL CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be removed from the carrier 105 by disengaging the container the top panel 125 and respective container retention flap 127, 131, for example, by withdrawing the top portion T of a respective container through respective aligned container openings 135, 147.


It will be understood that the carrier 105/package 110 can have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure.



FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of the exterior sides of blank, generally indicated at 203, 303, respectively, used to form carriers for supporting/holding one or more containers according to second and third exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, respectively. As shown, the blanks 203, 303 can be generally similar to the blank 103 of the first exemplary embodiment, and like or similar features are provided with like or similar reference numerals.


As shown, the blank 203 can include a different configuration of the container retention tabs 137 positioned extending into the container openings 135, designated 237. As shown, the container retention tabs 237 can have a generally bifurcated configuration so at to be at least partially separated into two portions at a line of weakening. It will be understood that a different number, configuration, and/or arrangement of container retention tabs can be provided without departing from the disclosure. The blank 203 can be formed into a package and carrier in a manner similar to that described above with regard to the carrier 105/package 110, so as to provide similar advantages.


As also shown, the blank 303 can include a different configuration of the container retention tabs 137 positioned extending into the container openings 135, designated 337. As shown, the container retention tabs 337 can have a generally bifurcated configuration so at to be at least partially separated into two portions at a line of weakening in a manner different than illustrated above with regard to the container retention tabs 237. It will be understood that a different number, configuration, and/or arrangement of container retention tabs can be provided without departing from the disclosure. The blank 303 can be formed into a package and carrier in a manner similar to that described above with regard to the carrier 105/package 110, so as to provide similar advantages.


In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.


As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.


In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.


The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.


The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims
  • 1. A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising: a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab; andat least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.
  • 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the top panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one container retention flap.
  • 3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is positioned about 90° from the axis extending through the common center, and the at least one second container retention tab is positioned about 45° from the axis extending through the common center.
  • 4. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one second container retention tab.
  • 5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is generally upright relative to the top panel.
  • 6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is formed by a line of weakening.
  • 7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein the line of weakening includes a plurality of oblique line segments, each oblique line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments intersecting at least one other line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments.
  • 8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel has a generally diamond-shaped configuration.
  • 9. The carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap, the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 11. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, and the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, wherein the second container retention flap comprises at least one container opening of the second plurality of container openings.
  • 12. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the first container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 13. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the second container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 14. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the top panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one container retention flap such that the respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings are aligned to have a common center with the respective container openings of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one first container retention tab has a first circumferential position measured from an axis extending through the common center, the at least one second container retention tab has a second circumferential position measured from the axis extending through the common center, the first circumferential position is different than the second circumferential position.
  • 15. A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising: a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings for being aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab; andat least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.
  • 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one second container retention tab when the carrier is formed from the blank.
  • 17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is formed by a line of weakening.
  • 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the line of weakening includes a plurality of oblique line segments, each oblique line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments intersecting at least one other line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments.
  • 19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel has a generally diamond-shaped configuration.
  • 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the at least one container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap, the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 22. The blank of claim 16, wherein the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, and the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, wherein the second container retention flap comprises at least one container opening of the second plurality of container openings.
  • 23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the first container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 24. The blank of claim 22, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the second container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 25. The blank of claim 15, wherein the top panel is for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one container retention flap such that the respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings are aligned to have a common center with the respective container openings of the second plurality of container openings when the carrier is formed from the blank, the at least one first container retention tab has a first circumferential position measured from an axis extending through the common center when the carrier is formed from the blank, the at least one second container retention tab has a second circumferential position measured from the axis extending through the common center when the carrier is formed from the blank, the first circumferential position is different than the second circumferential position.
  • 26. The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is positioned about 90° from the axis extending through the common center when the carrier is formed from the blank, and the at least one second container retention tab is for being positioned about 45° from the axis extending through the common center when the carrier is formed from the blank.
  • 27. A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising: obtaining a blank comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings, a plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, the blank further comprising at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap;folding the at least one container retention flap relative to the top panel such that respective container retention openings of the first plurality of container retention openings are aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings; andpositioning the respective aligned container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers.
  • 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the folding the at least one container retention flap comprises positioning the at least one container retention flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel.
  • 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is positioned about 90° from the axis extending through the common center, and the at least one second container retention tab is positioned about 45° from the axis extending through the common center.
  • 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the folding the at least one container retention flap comprises positioning the at least one first container retention tab in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one second container retention tab.
  • 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is generally upright relative to the top panel.
  • 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is formed by a line of weakening.
  • 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the line of weakening includes a plurality of oblique line segments, each oblique line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments intersecting at least one other line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments.
  • 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel has a generally diamond-shaped configuration.
  • 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap, and the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 37. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, and the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, wherein the second container retention flap comprises at least one container opening of the second plurality of container openings.
  • 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the first container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 39. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the second container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 40. The method of claim 27, wherein the folding the at least one container retention flap comprises positioning the at least one container retention flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel such that the respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings are aligned to have a common center with the respective container openings of the second plurality of container openings, and such that the at least one first container retention tab has a first circumferential position measured from an axis extending through the common center, and such that the at least one second container retention tab has a second circumferential position measured from the axis extending through the common center, the first circumferential position is different than the second circumferential position.
  • 41. A package comprising a carrier holding a plurality of containers, the package comprising: the plurality of containers; andthe carrier, the carrier comprising:a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings and at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;a plurality of container retention features engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab; andat least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.
  • 42. The package of claim 41, wherein the top panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one container retention flap.
  • 43. The package of claim 42, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is positioned about 90° from the axis extending through the common center, and the at least one second container retention tab is positioned about 45° from the axis extending through the common center.
  • 44. The package of claim 42, wherein the at least one first container retention tab is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one second container retention tab.
  • 45. The package of claim 44, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is generally upright relative to the top panel.
  • 46. The package of claim 45, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is formed by a line of weakening.
  • 47. The package of claim 46, wherein the line of weakening includes a plurality of oblique line segments, each oblique line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments intersecting at least one other line segment of the plurality of oblique line segments.
  • 48. The package of claim 47, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel has a generally diamond-shaped configuration.
  • 49. The package of claim 47, wherein the at least one container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 50. The package of claim 49, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap, the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 51. The package of claim 44, wherein the at least one container retention flap is a first container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, and the carrier further comprises a second container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel, wherein the second container retention flap comprises at least one container opening of the second plurality of container openings.
  • 52. The package of claim 51, wherein the first container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line, the at least one reinforcement panel interrupts the first fold line.
  • 53. The package of claim 51, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel is a first reinforcement panel, the second container retention flap is foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second reinforcement panel interrupting the second fold line.
  • 54. The package of claim 41, wherein the top panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one container retention flap such that the respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings are aligned to have a common center with the respective container openings of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one first container retention tab has a first circumferential position measured from an axis extending through the common center, the at least one second container retention tab has a second circumferential position measured from the axis extending through the common center, the first circumferential position is different than the second circumferential position.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/085,365, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/086,681, filed on Oct. 2, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/120,863, filed on Dec. 3, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,400, filed on Jan. 12, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/208,646, filed on Jun. 9, 2021.

US Referenced Citations (244)
Number Name Date Kind
1527399 Davidson Feb 1925 A
2289859 Arthur Jul 1942 A
2320440 Kruea Jun 1943 A
2331038 Meller Oct 1943 A
2397376 Caldwell Mar 1946 A
2397716 Wendler Apr 1946 A
2522950 Keith Sep 1950 A
2594376 Arneson Apr 1952 A
2594377 Arneson Apr 1952 A
2737326 Toensmeier Mar 1956 A
2798603 Grinspoon Jul 1957 A
2950041 Stone Aug 1960 A
2965410 Hughes Dec 1960 A
3001647 Liss Sep 1961 A
3046711 Harrison Jul 1962 A
3061141 Cote Oct 1962 A
3094210 Van Der Berg Jun 1963 A
3099475 Manizza Jul 1963 A
3118537 Copping Jan 1964 A
3128034 Weiss Apr 1964 A
3137109 Rapata Jun 1964 A
3146885 Grantham Sep 1964 A
3156358 Randrup Nov 1964 A
3200944 Rapata Aug 1965 A
3223308 Weiss Dec 1965 A
3245711 Dantoin Apr 1966 A
3257066 Williams Jun 1966 A
3281180 Spery Oct 1966 A
3302784 Copping Feb 1967 A
3387879 Wood Jun 1968 A
3404912 Watts Oct 1968 A
3410596 Slevin, Jr. Nov 1968 A
3432202 Ebelhardt Mar 1969 A
3463535 Beart Aug 1969 A
3528697 Wood Sep 1970 A
3587847 Graser Jun 1971 A
3601439 Poupitch Aug 1971 A
3612266 Graser Oct 1971 A
D222579 Oglesbee Nov 1971 S
3627121 Deasy Dec 1971 A
3653503 Arneson Apr 1972 A
3693787 Duerr Sep 1972 A
3698550 Graser Oct 1972 A
3701416 Lawrence Oct 1972 A
3722945 Wood Mar 1973 A
3726558 Klygis Apr 1973 A
3734278 Kerrigan May 1973 A
3876066 Klygis Apr 1975 A
3897873 Graser Aug 1975 A
3924739 Gravesteijn Dec 1975 A
3942631 Sutherland et al. Mar 1976 A
4029204 Manizza Jun 1977 A
4111298 Mascia Sep 1978 A
4120396 Mascia Oct 1978 A
4136772 Mascia Jan 1979 A
4155502 Forte May 1979 A
4190149 Oliff et al. Feb 1980 A
D257001 Oliff Sep 1980 S
4244617 Manizza Jan 1981 A
4304329 Graser Dec 1981 A
D265292 Killy Jul 1982 S
4339032 Wood Jul 1982 A
D265979 Arfert Aug 1982 S
4372599 Kiedaisch et al. Feb 1983 A
4378879 Killy Apr 1983 A
4382505 Sutherland et al. May 1983 A
4441611 Sommariva Apr 1984 A
4453630 Helms Jun 1984 A
4471870 Uhlig Sep 1984 A
4523676 Barrash Jun 1985 A
D294331 Panazzolo Feb 1988 S
4784266 Chaussadas Nov 1988 A
D304017 Oliff Oct 1989 S
4911288 Dantoin, Jr. Mar 1990 A
4974726 Klygis et al. Dec 1990 A
5002225 Bienaime Mar 1991 A
5065862 Mousseau Nov 1991 A
5103971 Schuster Apr 1992 A
5125506 Galbierz et al. Jun 1992 A
5135104 Jorba Aug 1992 A
5139147 Sutherland Aug 1992 A
D329807 Heider Sep 1992 S
5188225 Jorba Feb 1993 A
5193673 Rathbone et al. Mar 1993 A
5201412 Schuster et al. Apr 1993 A
5230425 Edqvist et al. Jul 1993 A
5246113 Schuster Sep 1993 A
5263299 Galbierz et al. Nov 1993 A
5267644 Tsao Dec 1993 A
5282348 Dampier et al. Feb 1994 A
5297673 Sutherland Mar 1994 A
5310050 Sutherland May 1994 A
5310051 Sutherland May 1994 A
5314224 Bates May 1994 A
5318178 Davies et al. Jun 1994 A
5323895 Sutherland et al. Jun 1994 A
5328024 Sutherland Jul 1994 A
5335774 Ganz Aug 1994 A
5351815 Fogle et al. Oct 1994 A
5351816 Sutherland et al. Oct 1994 A
5351817 Sutherland Oct 1994 A
5355999 Sutherland Oct 1994 A
5360104 Sutherland Nov 1994 A
5390784 Sutherland Feb 1995 A
5407065 Sutherland Apr 1995 A
5415278 Sutherland May 1995 A
5425446 Weaver Jun 1995 A
5443153 Sutherland Aug 1995 A
5445262 Sutherland Aug 1995 A
5452799 Sutherland Sep 1995 A
5484053 Harris Jan 1996 A
5485914 Martin Jan 1996 A
5487464 Galbierz et al. Jan 1996 A
5490593 Gordon et al. Feb 1996 A
5503267 Sutherland Apr 1996 A
5520283 Sutherland May 1996 A
5524756 Sutherland Jun 1996 A
5551566 Sutherland Sep 1996 A
5553704 Gordon et al. Sep 1996 A
5553705 Bakx Sep 1996 A
5573111 Gordon Nov 1996 A
5590776 Galbierz Jan 1997 A
5593027 Sutherland Jan 1997 A
5609247 Appleton Mar 1997 A
5609251 Harris Mar 1997 A
5609379 Harrelson Mar 1997 A
5639137 Bakx Jun 1997 A
5682982 Stonehouse Nov 1997 A
5706936 Bernstein Jan 1998 A
5711419 Beales et al. Jan 1998 A
5735394 Harrelson Apr 1998 A
5746310 Slomski May 1998 A
5762193 Marco Jun 1998 A
5791463 Negelen Aug 1998 A
5816391 Harris Oct 1998 A
5845776 Galbierz et al. Dec 1998 A
5878876 Galbierz et al. Mar 1999 A
5960945 Sutherland Oct 1999 A
6039181 Whiteside Mar 2000 A
6059099 Galbierz May 2000 A
6082532 Miess Jul 2000 A
6145656 Marco Nov 2000 A
6293392 Galbierz Sep 2001 B1
6315111 Sutherland Nov 2001 B1
6394272 Domansky May 2002 B1
6896130 Theelen May 2005 B2
D506925 Plumer Jul 2005 S
7011209 Sutherland et al. Mar 2006 B2
7690507 Sutherland Apr 2010 B2
7721878 Requena May 2010 B2
7762397 Coltri-Johnson et al. Jul 2010 B2
7789231 Requena Sep 2010 B2
7823721 Sutherland et al. Nov 2010 B2
8056709 Sutherland Nov 2011 B2
8096413 Coltri DePaula Jan 2012 B2
8162135 Oliveira Apr 2012 B2
8353398 DePaula et al. Jan 2013 B2
8387784 Gonzalez et al. Mar 2013 B2
8443968 DePaula May 2013 B2
8464866 Sutherland et al. Jun 2013 B2
8469184 Spivey, Sr. Jun 2013 B2
8602209 Jones et al. Dec 2013 B2
8631932 Holley, Jr. Jan 2014 B2
8701878 Spivey, Sr. Apr 2014 B2
8925720 Sutherland et al. Jan 2015 B2
8936149 Smalley Jan 2015 B2
8955674 Spivey, Sr. et al. Feb 2015 B2
9079699 Holley, Jr. Jul 2015 B2
9169050 Spivey, Sr. Oct 2015 B2
9284090 Lettre Mar 2016 B2
9359093 DePaula et al. Jun 2016 B2
9376250 Spivey, Sr. Jun 2016 B2
D767408 Shuster Sep 2016 S
9446891 Jones et al. Sep 2016 B2
9511916 Holley, Jr. Dec 2016 B2
9669976 Kastanek et al. Jun 2017 B2
9676535 Spivey, Sr. Jun 2017 B2
10077131 Lettre Sep 2018 B2
D881021 Bandinu Apr 2020 S
D881718 Bandinu Apr 2020 S
10836550 Zacherle Nov 2020 B2
D918057 L'Heureux May 2021 S
D918058 L'Heureux May 2021 S
11014727 McCree May 2021 B2
D920809 Chesnet et al. Jun 2021 S
D921493 Chesnet Jun 2021 S
D923416 Luciano Jun 2021 S
11027905 Ford Jun 2021 B2
11180301 Smalley Nov 2021 B2
D944656 Spivey, Sr. Mar 2022 S
D946416 Smalley Mar 2022 S
D946417 Gonzalez Manzano Mar 2022 S
D946418 Gonzalez Manzano Mar 2022 S
D946419 Gonzalez Manzano Mar 2022 S
D946420 Gonzalez Manzano Mar 2022 S
D946421 Gonzalez Manzano Mar 2022 S
11261013 Smalley Mar 2022 B2
11286094 Gonzalez Manzano Mar 2022 B2
D955889 Gonzalez Manzano Jun 2022 S
D955890 Gonzalez Manzano Jun 2022 S
D956574 Gonzalez Manzano Jul 2022 S
11401095 Rosenbrien Aug 2022 B2
11420802 Kooc Aug 2022 B2
D962789 Noel Sep 2022 S
20020195371 Brown Dec 2002 A1
20030080004 Olsen et al. May 2003 A1
20030213705 Woog Nov 2003 A1
20040206639 Karlsson Oct 2004 A1
20040211695 Karlsson Oct 2004 A1
20040226833 Daniel Nov 2004 A1
20050127151 Johnson Jun 2005 A1
20050199513 Bakx et al. Sep 2005 A1
20060255114 Hand et al. Nov 2006 A1
20070080084 Sutherland Apr 2007 A1
20070163908 Sutherland Jul 2007 A1
20090101526 Sutherland et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090127147 Sutherland May 2009 A1
20100078337 Sutherland et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100264043 DePaula Oct 2010 A1
20110000799 Gonzalez Jan 2011 A1
20120138489 Holley, Jr. Jun 2012 A1
20150191287 L'Heureux et al. Jul 2015 A1
20160325899 L'Heureux et al. Nov 2016 A1
20180111734 Jego Apr 2018 A1
20180222650 Zacherle Aug 2018 A1
20180362234 L'Heureux et al. Dec 2018 A1
20190119019 Patton Apr 2019 A1
20200010255 Zacherle et al. Jan 2020 A1
20200079564 Ford Mar 2020 A1
20200189817 Smalley Jun 2020 A1
20200189818 McCree Jun 2020 A1
20200189819 McCree Jun 2020 A1
20200189821 Smalley Jun 2020 A1
20200189822 Smalley Jun 2020 A1
20200223612 Swenson Jul 2020 A1
20210061502 Johnston Mar 2021 A1
20210094742 Gonzalez Manzano Apr 2021 A1
20210276776 Zammit Sep 2021 A1
20210316921 Holtz Oct 2021 A1
20210331847 Gonzalez Manzano Oct 2021 A1
20210331848 Gonzalez Manzano Oct 2021 A1
20210339928 Blin Nov 2021 A1
20220009685 Thompson Jan 2022 A1
20220097941 McCree Mar 2022 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (47)
Number Date Country
399701 Jul 1995 AT
2133827 Oct 1993 CA
298 13 672 Nov 1998 DE
203 19 247 May 2004 DE
10 2009 059 047 Jun 2011 DE
0 051 413 May 1982 EP
0 060 504 Sep 1982 EP
0 057 437 May 1985 EP
0 496 807 Jun 1993 EP
0 636 096 Feb 1995 EP
0 715 593 Jun 1996 EP
0 398 835 Oct 1996 EP
2 067 713 Jun 2009 EP
1 528 007 Oct 2010 EP
2739547 Jul 2017 EP
3 666 684 Jun 2020 EP
3 666 685 Jun 2020 EP
2 737 196 Jan 1997 FR
1 256 684 Dec 1971 GB
2 321 229 Jul 1998 GB
9006736716 Aug 2019 GB
2591535 Aug 2021 GB
6161591 Sep 2021 GB
10-297668 Nov 1998 JP
2001-519300 Oct 2001 JP
2003-146359 May 2003 JP
2004-189243 Jul 2004 JP
2015-048088 Mar 2015 JP
2016-124605 Jul 2016 JP
10-2005-0051616 Jun 2005 KR
10-2020-0106806 Sep 2020 KR
301130233 Oct 2021 KR
WO 9302941 Feb 1993 WO
WO 9321083 Oct 1993 WO
WO 9325439 Dec 1993 WO
WO 9422738 Oct 1994 WO
WO 9501289 Jan 1995 WO
WO 9506604 Mar 1995 WO
WO 9626128 Aug 1996 WO
WO 9632340 Oct 1996 WO
WO 2008058294 May 2008 WO
WO 2010006629 Jan 2010 WO
WO 2010101852 Sep 2010 WO
WO 2016112145 Jul 2016 WO
WO 2021168417 Aug 2021 WO
WO 2021188751 Sep 2021 WO
WO 2021262858 Dec 2021 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (48)
Entry
“Florida brewery unveils six-pack rings that spare sea turtles, not snare them,” by Thomas Leavy, CBSNews.com. Date posted: May 24, 2018. Site visited: Sep. 12, 2022. Available online: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-saltwater-brewery-non-plastic-six-pack-rings-spare-sea-turtles/ (Year: 2018).
“Pepsi trials molded pulp alternative to plastic rings” in BeverageDaily.com. Date posted: Feb. 28, 2020. Site visited: Sep. 12, 2022. Available online: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2020/02/28/Pepsi-trials-molded-pulp-alternative-to-plastic-rings# (Year: 2020).
Enviroclip. Date posted: 2022. Site visited: Sep. 12, 2022. Available online: https://www.graphicpkg.com/products/enviroclip/ (Year: 2022).
“Paperboard Can Handle Applicator,” as seen in Packaging World Online. Date first available: 2020. Site visited: Sep. 13, 2022. Available online: https://www.packworld.com/news/sustainability/article/21202650/paperboard-can-handle-applicator (Year: 2020).
“The ‘ECOGRIP’ Corrugated Bottle Carrier is a Plastic Alternative” in Trendhunter.com. Date published: Jan. 20, 2021. Site visited: Sep. 12, 2022. Available online: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corrugated-bottle-carrier (Year: 2021).
Cap-it packaging video on Vimeo. Date posted: 2021. Site visited: Sep. 19, 2022. Available online: https://vimeo.com/610619455?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=24551687 (Year: 2021).
2020 Package of the Year and Innovation of the Year on YouTube. Date posted: Oct. 19, 2020. Site visited: Sep. 12, 2022. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxwpM4hodFA (Year: 2020).
U.S. Appl. No. 16/426,050, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/426,057, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/426,060, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/426,063, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/426,066, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/692,992, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/692,993, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/692,994, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/692,996, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/692,997, filed May 30, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/598,282, filed Oct. 10, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/709,918, filed Oct. 18, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/829,346, filed Mar. 25, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/735,178, filed May 19, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/937,043, filed Jul. 23, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/739,927, filed Jun. 30, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/739,929, filed Jun. 30, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/739,931, filed Jun. 30, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/739,933, filed Jun. 30, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/739,934, filed Jun. 30, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/118,999, filed Dec. 11, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/119,106, filed Dec. 11, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/119,040, filed Dec. 11, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/562,957, filed Sep. 6, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/036,775, filed Sep. 29, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/231,368, filed Apr. 15, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/245,583, filed Apr. 30, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/478,025, filed Sep. 17, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/487,113, filed Sep. 28, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/487,131, filed Sep. 28, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/487,141, filed Sep. 28, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/775,557, filed Mar. 24, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/775,558, filed Mar. 24, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/775,559, filed Mar. 24, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/775,560, filed Mar. 24, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/818,355, filed Dec. 8, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/819,435, filed Dec. 15, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/819,437, filed Dec. 15, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/819,438, filed Dec. 15, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/819,440, filed Dec. 15, 2021.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/573,911, filed Jan. 12, 2022.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20220097938 A1 Mar 2022 US
Provisional Applications (5)
Number Date Country
63208646 Jun 2021 US
63136400 Jan 2021 US
63120863 Dec 2020 US
63086681 Oct 2020 US
63085365 Sep 2020 US