Flexible carrier and system for application to a plurality of containers

1. A method of packaging multiple containers in unitized packages, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of containers to an applicating machine;

separating a desired quantity of containers from the plurality of containers;

spacing the desired quantity of containers in at least one column;

clamping and holding the desired quantity of containers in a position;

moving a carrier through the applicating machine;

lowering a jaw assembly downwardly to position the carrier over the desired quantity of containers to form a unitized package;

raising the jaw assembly in a reciprocating motion back upwardly to a position clear of the unitized package;

releasing the desired quantity of containers;

advancing the unitized package from beneath the jaw assembly; and

reciprocating the jaw assembly over another continually indexed plurality of containers.

2. The method of packaging of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

sensing a length of carrier provided to the applicating machine.

3. An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed, the applicating machine comprising:

a conveyor positioned inline with the infeed;

a plurality of spacers to space each container in a column of the plurality of containers from each adjacent container;

a container indexer positioned inline with the conveyor to index a desired quantity of containers for the jaw assembly and to permit continuous indexing of the desired quantity of containers;

a jaw assembly positioned with respect to the conveyor to move in a reciprocating up and down motion to urge the flexible carrier downwardly over the desired quantity of containers of the plurality of containers and subsequently release upwardly from a resulting package: and

a set of pneumatic clamps positioned with respect to the jaw assembly to grasp and hold the desired quantity of containers as the jaw assembly is raised from the containers.

4. The applicating machine of claim 3 wherein the jaw assembly includes a plurality of fingers that engage openings within the flexible carrier to engage the flexible carrier with the plurality of containers.

5. The applicating machine of claim 3 further comprising:

a scanner positioned to count container receiving apertures of the flexible carrier.

6. An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers, the applicating machine comprising:

a plurality of spacers to space each container in a column of the plurality of containers from each adjacent container;

a container indexer positioned inline with the conveyor to index a desired quantity of containers for the jaw assembly and to permit continuous indexing of the desired quantity of containers;

a jaw assembly positioned to move in a reciprocating up and down motion to urge the flexible carrier downwardly over the desired quantity of containers and subsequently release the flexible carrier as the jaw assembly moves upwardly from a resulting package of container;

a clamp positioned with respect to the jaw assembly to grasp the containers and hold the containers in place as the jaw assembly is raised from the containers.

7. The applicating machine of claim 6 further comprising:

a carrier unwinder providing a generally continuous string of flexible carriers to the jaw assembly.

8. The applicating machine of claim 7 further comprising:

a scanner positioned between the carrier unwinder and the jaw assembly to meter a proper length of flexible carriers to provide to the jaw assembly.