IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,820,569
Granted Patent B2
US 11,820,569 · App. 17/690,208 · Granted Nov 21, 2023

Carrier for containers

Inventor: Ana Maria Gonzalez Manzano (Igualada, ES)
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
B65D71/42B65B17/025B65D2571/0066B65D2571/00567
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,820,569
App. No.
17/690,208
Granted
Nov 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including a top panel foldably connected to at least one attachment panel, and attachment features for attaching the carrier to the plurality of containers and for selectively separating one or more containers from the carrier.

Claims (53)

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

a plurality of panels comprising a top panel foldably connected to at least one attachment panel; and

attachment features for attaching the carrier to the plurality of containers and for selectively separating one or more containers from the carrier, the attachment features being separable from the at least one attachment panel and intersecting at least one free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

2. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the at least one attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

3. The carrier of claim 2 , wherein each line of weakening comprises a longitudinal portion intersecting at least one lateral portion, the lateral portion extending to a first free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

4. The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the at least one lateral portion of the line of weakening associated with at least one attachment tab extends to a second free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

5. The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel.

6. The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the back attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

7. The carrier of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of container receiving openings defined in the top panel for at least partially receiving a respective portion of the containers of the plurality of containers.

8. The carrier of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of container receiving openings at least partially extends into the at least one attachment panel.

9. The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a back attachment panel, the plurality of panels further comprises a front attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel, and the attachment features further comprise a tear strip separably connected to the front attachment panel.

10. The carrier of claim 9 , wherein the attachment features further comprises a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the tear strip at a respective line of weakening.

11. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the attachment features are for being adhered to the respective containers of the plurality of containers.

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

a plurality of panels comprising a top panel foldably connected to at least one attachment panel; and

attachment features for attaching the carrier formed from the blank to the plurality of containers and for selectively separating one or more containers from the carrier formed from the blank, the attachment features being separable from the at least one attachment panel and intersecting at least one free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

13. The blank of claim 12 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the at least one attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

14. The blank of claim 13 , wherein each line of weakening comprises a longitudinal portion intersecting at least one lateral portion, the lateral portion extending to a first free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

15. The blank of claim 14 , wherein the at least one lateral portion of the line of weakening associated with at least one attachment tab extends to a second free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

16. The blank of claim 13 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel.

17. The blank of claim 16 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the back attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

18. The blank of claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of container receiving openings defined in the top panel for at least partially receiving a respective portion of the containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank.

19. The blank of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of container receiving openings at least partially extends into the at least one attachment panel.

20. The blank of claim 13 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a back attachment panel, the plurality of panels further comprises a front attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel, and the attachment features further comprise a tear strip separably connected to the front attachment panel.

21. The blank of claim 20 , wherein the attachment features further comprises a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the tear strip at a respective line of weakening.

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

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel foldably connected to at least one attachment panel, the blank further comprising attachment features, the attachment features being separable from the at least one attachment panel and intersecting at least one free edge of the at least one attachment panel;

at least partially folding the plurality of panels to form the carrier; and

attaching the attachment features to the plurality of containers such that the attachment features are configured for selectively separating one or more containers from the carrier.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising separating at least one attachment feature from the at least one attachment panel.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the at least one attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein each line of weakening comprises a longitudinal portion intersecting at least one lateral portion, the lateral portion extending to a first free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the at least one lateral portion of the line of weakening associated with at least one attachment tab extends to a second free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

27. The method of claim 24 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the back attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

29. The method of claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of container receiving openings defined in the top panel for at least partially receiving a respective portion of the containers of the plurality of containers.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the plurality of container receiving openings at least partially extends into the at least one attachment panel.

31. The method of claim 24 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a back attachment panel, the plurality of panels further comprises a front attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel, and the attachment features further comprise a tear strip separably connected to the front attachment panel.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the attachment features further comprises a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the tear strip at a respective line of weakening.

33. The method of claim 23 , wherein attaching the attachment features comprises adhering the attachment features to respective containers of the plurality of containers.

34. A package, comprising:

a plurality of panels comprising a top panel foldably connected to at least one attachment panel; and

attachment features attaching the carrier to the plurality of containers such that one or more containers are selectively separable from the carrier, the attachment features being separable from the at least one attachment panel and intersecting at least one free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

35. The package of claim 34 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the at least one attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

36. The package of claim 35 , wherein each line of weakening comprises a longitudinal portion intersecting at least one lateral portion, the lateral portion extending to a first free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

37. The package of claim 36 , wherein the at least one lateral portion of the line of weakening associated with at least one attachment tab extends to a second free edge of the at least one attachment panel.

38. The package of claim 35 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel.

39. The package of claim 38 , wherein the attachment features comprise a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the back attachment panel at a respective line of weakening.

40. The package of claim 35 , further comprising a plurality of container receiving openings defined in the top panel at least partially receiving a respective portion of the containers of the plurality of containers.

41. The package of claim 40 , wherein the plurality of container receiving openings at least partially extends into the at least one attachment panel.

42. The package of claim 35 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a back attachment panel, the plurality of panels further comprises a front attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel, and the attachment features further comprise a tear strip separably connected to the front attachment panel.

43. The package of claim 42 , wherein the attachment features further comprises a plurality of attachment tabs separably connected to the tear strip at a respective line of weakening.

44. The package of claim 34 , wherein the attachment features are adhered to the respective containers of the plurality of containers.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2022
From: GONZALEZ MANZANO, ANA MARIA
To: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 059915/0028 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63159619 · Mar 11, 2021
Related Publication 20220289445A1 · Sep 15, 2022