Container carrying device

Abstract

Apparatuses and embodiments related to container carrying devices. A container carrying device includes a plurality of full or partial apertures, each with a neck-engaging locking mechanism to receive and hold a container. The neck-engaging locking mechanism can include a mechanism to assist to hold and retain a container in the container carrying device, such as a clamping finger, a vertically oriented flange, a locking tab, etc. In some embodiments, a container carrying device can have a mechanical release strip that enables a portion of the container carrying device to be torn off, such as along a tear line that passes through one or more apertures. When a mechanical release strip is torn off, the container being held by the aperture through which the mechanical release strip passes is freed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging device, comprising:
 a carrier, formed from a substantially planar single layer of material, the material having a minimum grammage of about 350 g/m2 and a minimum caliper of about 505 microns, the carrier having at least three apertures, each aperture configured to receive a container;   a handle, formed from the sheet of material and being part of the carrier, the handle including one or more holes to enable a person to grasp the handle;   a mechanical release strip to enable the device to be broken or torn apart; and   at least one neck-engaging locking mechanism, formed from the sheet of material and being part of the carrier, each of the at least one neck-engaging locking mechanisms associated with a different one of the at least three apertures and configured to each hold one container,
 each neck-engaging locking mechanism of the at least one neck-engaging locking mechanism includes a plurality of scallop-shaped tabs configured to fold along a first fold line from a plane of the material to an angle of 55° to 90° to the plane upon application of pressure, thereby forming a crown-style support for the container; 
 wherein the plurality of tabs is configured to provide a positive locking mechanism to prevent the container from being removed in substantially a first direction when the container is being held by the plurality of tabs; 
 the mechanism including a fluted arc shaped valley section between each tab. 
   
     
     
         2 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the tabs are separated by relief cuts having shaped termination points. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging device of  claim 2 , wherein the shaped termination points include lollipop, diamond, straight, crescent or wavy line. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the tabs further comprise a second fold line perpendicular to the first fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the tabs have relief cuts at their ends. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the tabs comprise interlocking interdependent shapes. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging device, comprising:
 a carrier, formed from a substantially planar single layer of material, that includes at least one aperture for receiving a container; and   at least one neck-engaging locking mechanism, formed from the sheet of material and being part of the carrier, each of the at least one neck-engaging locking mechanisms associated with a different one of the at least one aperture and configured to hold one container,
 each neck-engaging locking mechanism of the at least one neck-engaging locking mechanism includes a plurality of tabs configured to fold from a plane of the material to an angle to the plane upon application of pressure, thereby forming a crown-style support for the container. 
   
     
     
         8 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a handle, formed from the sheet of material and being part of the carrier, the handle including one or more holes to enable a person to grasp the handle.   
     
     
         9 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the plurality of tabs is configured to provide a positive locking mechanism to prevent the container from being removed in substantially a first direction when the container is being held by the plurality of tabs.   
     
     
         10 . The packaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mechanical release strip to enable the device to be broken or torn apart.   
     
     
         11 . The packaging device of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the mechanical release strip is a zip release that is delineated by perforations in the carrier, the perforations being arranged to create a tear line that passes through the at least one aperture.   
     
     
         12 . The packaging device of  claim 7 , wherein the angle is 55° to 90°. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an arc shaped valley section between each tab.   
     
     
         14 . The packaging device of  claim 13 , wherein the section is fluted. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging device of  claim 13 , wherein the section is serrated. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging device of  claim 13 , wherein the section has a relieved end. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging device of  claim 13 , wherein the section has a shaped end. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging device of  claim 7 , wherein the planar single layer of material has a minimum grammage of about 350 g/m2 and a minimum caliper of about 505 microns. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs has a fold line. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is scallop shaped. 
     
     
         21 . A packaging device, comprising:
 a carrier, formed from a substantially planar single layer of material, that includes at least one aperture for receiving a container; and   at least one neck-engaging locking mechanism, formed from the sheet of material and being part of the carrier, each of the at least one neck-engaging locking mechanisms associated with a different one of the at least one aperture and configured to hold one container,
 each neck-engaging locking mechanism of the at least one neck-engaging locking mechanism includes a plurality of tabs configured to fold from a plane of the material to an angle to the plane upon application of pressure, thereby forming a crown-style support for the container; 
 the plurality of tabs comprising alternating primary and secondary tabs having interlocking interdependent shapes.