IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,565,367
Granted Patent B2
US 12,565,367 · App. 18/773,677 · Granted Mar 3, 2026

Carrier for containers

Inventor: Colin P. Ford (Woodstock, GA)
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
B65D71/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,565,367
App. No.
18/773,677
Granted
Mar 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes an attachment panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving respective containers of the plurality of containers, and container retention features including the plurality of container retention openings and at least one container retention tab in at least partial face-to-face contact with the attachment panel and for being positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers to urge the plurality of containers into engagement with the attachment panel.

Claims (45)

1 . A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:

an attachment panel having a container retention openings for at least partially receiving a pair of adjacent containers;

at least one top panel foldably connected to the attachment panel and defining a container retention tab; and

wherein the container retention tab is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the attachment panel and is positioned between the pair of adjacent containers to engage each of the adjacent containers with respective edges of the container retention opening.

2 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel.

3 . The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel at a line of weakening, the line of weakening defines at least one container retention tab edge of the container retention tab.

4 . The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the at least one top panel is spaced apart from the attachment panel.

5 . The carrier of claim 4 , wherein the container retention opening comprises a first portion, a central portion, and a second portion.

6 . The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the container retention tab is generally aligned with the central portion of the container retention opening.

7 . The carrier of claim 4 , comprising a plurality of container retention openings and wherein at least one container retention opening is defined by a first container retention edge and a second container retention edge, at least one tapered cutout positioned between the first container retention edge and the second container retention edge.

8 . The carrier of claim 4 , wherein the at least one top panel is a first top panel, and the carrier further comprises a second top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel.

9 . A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:

an attachment panel having a container retention openings for at least partially receiving a pair of adjacent containers;

at least one top panel foldably connected to the attachment panel and defining a container retention tab; and

wherein the container retention tab is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the attachment panel and is positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank to engage each of the adjacent containers with respective edges of the container retention opening.

10 . The blank of claim 9 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel.

11 . The blank of claim 10 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel at a line of weakening, the line of weakening defines at least one container retention tab edge of the container retention tab.

12 . The blank of claim 11 , wherein the container retention opening comprises a first portion, a central portion, and a second portion.

13 . The blank of claim 12 , wherein the container retention tab is for being-generally aligned with the central portion of the container retention opening when the carrier is formed from the blank.

14 . The blank of claim 11 , comprising a plurality of container retention openings and wherein at least one container retention opening is defined by a first container retention edge and a second container retention edge, at least one tapered cutout positioned between the first container retention edge and the second container retention edge.

15 . The blank of claim 11 , wherein the at least one top panel is a first top panel, and the blank further comprises a second top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

16 . A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:

obtaining a blank comprising an attachment panel and at least one top panel foldably connected to the attachment panel and defining a container retention tab, the attachment panel having a container retention opening for at least partially receiving a pair of adjacent containers;

positioning the attachment panel so that the container retention opening at least partially receives the pair of adjacent containers; and

positioning the container retention tab in at least partial face-to-face contact with the attachment panel and positioning the container retention tab between the pair of adjacent containers to engage each of the adjacent containers with respective edges of the container retention opening.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel at a line of weakening, the line of weakening defines at least one container retention tab edge of the container retention tab.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising positioning the at least one top panel spaced apart from the attachment panel.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the container retention opening comprises a first portion, a central portion, and a second portion.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one top panel is positioned such that the container retention tab is generally aligned with the central portion of the container retention opening.

22 . The method of claim 19 , the blank comprising a plurality of container retention openings and wherein at least one container retention opening is defined by a first container retention edge and a second container retention edge, at least one tapered cutout positioned between the first container retention edge and the second container retention edge.

23 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one top panel is a first top panel, the blank further comprises a second top panel, and the method further comprises positioning the second top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel.

24 . A package, the package comprising:

a plurality of containers; and

a carrier holding the plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:

an attachment panel having a container retention opening at least partially receiving a pair of adjacent containers;

at least one top panel foldably connected to the attachment panel and defining a container retention tab; and

wherein the container retention tab is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the attachment panel and is positioned between the pair of adjacent containers to engage each of the adjacent containers with respective edges of the container retention opening.

25 . The package of claim 24 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel.

26 . The package of claim 25 , wherein the container retention tab is at least partially separably connected to the at least one top panel at a line of weakening, the line of weakening defines at least one container retention tab edge of the container retention tab.

27 . The package of claim 26 , wherein the at least one top panel is spaced apart from the attachment panel.

28 . The package of claim 27 , wherein container retention opening comprises a first portion, a central portion, and a second portion.

29 . The package of claim 28 , wherein the container retention tab is generally aligned with the central portion of the container retention opening.

30 . The package of claim 27 , the attachment panel comprising a plurality of container retention openings and wherein at least one container retention opening is defined by a first container retention edge and a second container retention edge, at least one tapered cutout positioned between the first container retention edge and the second container retention edge.

31 . The package of claim 27 , wherein the at least one top panel is a first top panel, and the carrier further comprises a second top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the first top panel.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2024
From: FORD, COLIN P.
To: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 067994/0283 →
Continuity (4)
Division 17848682 · Jun 24, 2022
Provisional Application 63219896 · Jul 9, 2021
Provisional Application 63214868 · Jun 25, 2021
Related Publication 20240367879A1 · Nov 7, 2024
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