IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,195,256
Granted Patent B2
US 12,195,256 · App. 17/851,200 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

Carrier for containers

Inventor: Colin P. Ford (Woodstock, GA)
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
B65D71/20B65D71/32B65D71/44B65D2571/0016B65D2571/00277B65D2571/00444B65D2571/0066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,195,256
App. No.
17/851,200
Granted
Jan 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier including a plurality of panels having at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels.

Claims (83)

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

a plurality of panels comprising at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment panel comprising a container retention portion and at least one marginal portion foldably connected to the container retention portion; and

locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier, the locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels and being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in the container retention portion of the at least one attachment panel.

2. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is a locking opening.

3. The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, the at least one side panel is a front side panel, the at least one top panel is a front top panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, a back side panel, and a back top panel.

4. The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front top panel, the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front top panel, and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel and at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

5. The carrier of claim 4 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the back top panel and at least partially received in a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel.

6. The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the locking features further comprising a fourth male locking feature extending from the back top panel and at least partially received in the second female locking feature.

7. The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the fourth female locking feature at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

8. The carrier of claim 7 , wherein the fourth female locking feature is aligned with the second female locking feature such that each of the fourth female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough.

9. The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel and a back locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel and at least partially receiving the first male locking feature.

10. The carrier of claim 9 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel and at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

11. The carrier of claim 9 , wherein the front locking panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the back locking panel, the locking features comprise a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, the third female locking feature aligned with the second locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough.

12. The carrier of claim 11 , wherein the third female locking feature is aligned with the first female locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the first female locking feature at least partially receive the first male locking feature.

13. The carrier of claim 11 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the front top panel and a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel and at least partially receiving the third male locking feature.

14. The carrier of claim 13 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, the fifth female locking feature aligned with the first female locking feature such that each of the fifth female locking feature and the first female locking feature at least partially receive the third male locking feature therethrough.

15. The carrier of claim 14 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth male locking feature extending from the front attachment panel and in at least partial face-to-face contact with a portion of the back locking panel.

16. The carrier of claim 15 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth male locking feature extending from the back locking panel and at least partially received in a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel.

17. The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel and at least partially receiving the first male locking feature.

18. The carrier of claim 17 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the second female locking feature at least partially receiving the second male locking feature, the front locking panel and the back top panel are positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact.

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

a plurality of panels comprising at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment panel comprising a container retention portion and at least one marginal portion foldably connected to the container retention portion; and

locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier formed from the blank, the locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels for being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels when the carrier is formed from the blank, the at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in the container retention portion of the at least one attachment panel.

20. The blank of claim 19 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is a locking opening.

21. The blank of claim 20 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, the at least one side panel is a front side panel, the at least one top panel is a front top panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, a back side panel, and a back top panel.

22. The blank of claim 21 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front top panel, the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front top panel, and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel for at least partially receiving the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

23. The blank of claim 22 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the back top panel for being at least partially received in a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

24. The blank of claim 23 , wherein the locking features further comprising a fourth male locking feature extending from the back top panel and for being at least partially received in the second female locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

25. The blank of claim 23 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the fourth female locking feature for at least partially receiving the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

26. The blank of claim 25 , wherein the fourth female locking feature is for being aligned with the second female locking feature such that each of the fourth female locking feature and the second female locking feature are for at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough when the carrier is formed from the blank.

27. The blank of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel and a back locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel and for at least partially receiving the first male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

28. The blank of claim 27 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel and for at least partially receiving the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

29. The blank of claim 27 , wherein the locking features comprise a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, the third female locking feature for being aligned with the second locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature is for at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough when the carrier is formed from the blank.

30. The blank of claim 29 , wherein the third female locking feature is for being aligned with the first female locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the first female locking feature are for at least partially receive the first male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

31. The blank of claim 29 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the front top panel and a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel and for at least partially receiving the third male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

32. The blank of claim 31 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, the fifth female locking feature for being aligned with the first female locking feature such that each of the fifth female locking feature and the first female locking feature are for at least partially receiving the third male locking feature therethrough when the carrier is formed from the blank.

33. The blank of claim 32 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth male locking feature extending from the front attachment panel and for being in at least partial face-to-face contact with a portion of the back top panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

34. The blank of claim 33 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth male locking feature extending from the back locking panel and for being at least partially received in a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

35. The blank of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel and for at least partially receiving the first male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

36. The blank of claim 35 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the second female locking feature for at least partially receiving the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

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

obtaining a blank comprising plurality of panels including at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers and comprising a container retention portion and at least one marginal portion foldably connected to the container retention portion, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels and at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in the container retention portion of the at least one attachment panel;

positioning the at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving one or more containers of the plurality of containers; and

at least partially inserting the at least one male locking feature through the at least one female locking feature to maintain an erected configuration of the carrier.

38. The method of claim 37 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is a locking opening.

39. The method of claim 38 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, the at least one side panel is a front side panel, the at least one top panel is a front top panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, a back side panel, and a back top panel.

40. The method of claim 39 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front top panel, the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front top panel, and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the second male locking feature in the second female locking feature.

41. The method of claim 40 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the back top panel and a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the third male locking feature in the third female locking feature.

42. The method of claim 41 , wherein the locking features further comprising a fourth male locking feature extending from the back top panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the fourth male locking feature in the second female locking feature.

43. The method of claim 41 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the second male locking feature in the fourth female locking feature.

44. The method of claim 43 , wherein the method further comprises aligning the fourth female locking feature with the second female locking feature such that each of the fourth female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough.

45. The method of claim 39 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel and a back locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel, the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the first male locking feature in the first female locking feature.

46. The method of claim 45 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the second male locking feature in the second female locking feature.

47. The method of claim 45 , further comprising positioning the front locking panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the back locking panel, the locking features comprise a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, and the method further comprises aligning the third female locking feature with the second locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough.

48. The method of claim 47 , wherein the method further comprises aligning the third female locking feature with the first female locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the first female locking feature at least partially receive the first male locking feature.

49. The method of claim 47 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the front top panel and a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the third male locking feature in the fourth female locking feature.

50. The method of claim 49 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, and the method further comprises aligning the fifth female locking feature with the first female locking feature such that each of the fifth female locking feature and the first female locking feature at least partially receive the third male locking feature therethrough.

51. The method of claim 50 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth male locking feature extending from the front attachment panel, and the method further comprises positioning the fourth male locking feature in at least partial face-to-face contact with a portion of the back locking panel.

52. The method of claim 51 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth male locking feature extending from the back locking panel and a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the fifth male locking feature in the sixth female locking feature.

53. The method of claim 39 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the first male locking feature in the first female locking feature.

54. The method of claim 53 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the method further comprises positioning the front locking panel and the back top panel in at least partial face-to-face contact, and the method further comprises at least partially inserting the second male locking feature in the second female locking feature.

55. A package, the package comprising:

a plurality of containers; and

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

a plurality of panels comprising at least one attachment panel receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment panel comprising a container retention portion and at least one marginal portion foldably connected to the container retention portion; and

locking features maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier, the locking features comprising at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels and being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in the container retention portion of the at least one attachment panel.

56. The package of claim 55 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is a locking opening.

57. The package of claim 56 , wherein the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, the at least one side panel is a front side panel, the at least one top panel is a front top panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, a back side panel, and a back top panel.

58. The package of claim 57 , wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front top panel, the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front top panel, and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel and at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

59. The package of claim 58 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the back top panel and at least partially received in a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel.

60. The package of claim 59 , wherein the locking features further comprising a fourth male locking feature extending from the back top panel and at least partially received in the second female locking feature.

61. The package of claim 59 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the fourth female locking feature at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

62. The package of claim 61 , wherein the fourth female locking feature is aligned with the second female locking feature such that each of the fourth female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough.

63. The package of claim 57 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel and a back locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel and at least partially receiving the first male locking feature.

64. The package of claim 63 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined between the front attachment panel and the back attachment panel and at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

65. The package of claim 63 , wherein the front locking panel is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the back locking panel, the locking features comprise a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, the third female locking feature aligned with the second locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receives the second male locking feature therethrough.

66. The package of claim 65 , wherein the third female locking feature is aligned with the first female locking feature such that each of the third female locking feature and the first female locking feature at least partially receive the first male locking feature.

67. The package of claim 65 , wherein the locking features further comprise a third male locking feature extending from the front top panel and a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel and at least partially receiving the third male locking feature.

68. The package of claim 67 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back locking panel, the fifth female locking feature aligned with the first female locking feature such that each of the fifth female locking feature and the first female locking feature at least partially receive the third male locking feature therethrough.

69. The package of claim 68 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fourth male locking feature extending from the front attachment panel and in at least partial face-to-face contact with a portion of the back locking panel.

70. The package of claim 69 , wherein the locking features further comprise a fifth male locking feature extending from the back locking panel and at least partially received in a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel.

71. The package of claim 57 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front locking panel, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature at least partially defined in the back attachment panel and at least partially receiving the first male locking feature.

72. The package of claim 71 , wherein the locking features further comprise a second male locking feature extending from the front locking panel and a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the back top panel, the second female locking feature at least partially receiving the second male locking feature, the front locking panel and the back top panel are positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2022
From: FORD, COLIN P.
To: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 061071/0048 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63216062 · Jun 29, 2021
Related Publication 20220411155A1 · Dec 29, 2022
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