Container carrier

Abstract

A flexible container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. At least one of a handle and a panel is formed adjacent the array of container receiving apertures. A diamond shaped aperture is formed between each pair of container receiving apertures, wherein each side of each diamond shaped aperture is parallel to a portion of an adjacent container receiving aperture. The resulting carrier is capable of unitizing a variety of containers in a tight multipackage using less material than existing container carriers.

1 . A flexible container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising:
 a plurality of flexible bands that form an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks;   at least one of a handle and a panel formed adjacent the array of container receiving apertures; and   a diamond shaped aperture formed between each pair of container receiving apertures, wherein each side of each diamond shaped aperture is parallel to a portion of an adjacent container receiving aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible carrier of  claim 1  wherein each side of diamond shaped aperture is the same length. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible carrier of  claim 1  wherein each diamond shaped aperture includes rounded corners. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible carrier of  claim 1  further comprising an oval aperture positioned between each container receiving aperture in transverse ranks. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible carrier of  claim 4  wherein each oval aperture is positioned midway between each adjacent container receiving aperture in transverse ranks. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible carrier of  claim 4  wherein the oval apertures between outer ranks of container receiving apertures are longer than the oval apertures between center ranks of container receiving apertures. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a line of weakness positioned between the at least one of the handle and the panel and the array of container receiving apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible carrier of  claim 1  wherein outer bands are wider than inner bands. 
     
     
         9 . A flexible container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers comprising:
 a plurality of flexible bands that form an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks;   at least one of a handle and a panel formed adjacent the array of container receiving apertures;   a diamond shaped aperture formed between each pair of container receiving apertures, wherein each side of diamond shaped aperture is the same length and each side is parallel to a portion of an adjacent container receiving aperture; and   an oval aperture positioned between each container receiving aperture in transverse ranks.   
     
     
         9 . A flexible carrier of  claim 9  wherein each oval aperture is positioned midway between each adjacent container receiving aperture in transverse ranks. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible carrier of  claim 9  wherein the oval apertures between outer ranks of container receiving apertures are longer than the oval apertures between center ranks of container receiving apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible carrier of  claim 9  wherein outer bands are wider than inner bands. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible carrier of  claim 9  further comprising a line of weakness along a longitudinal row of container receiving apertures opposite the at least one handle and panel. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible carrier of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of adjacent carriers formed in a generally continuous string. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible carrier of  claim 14  further comprising two dividing apertures positioned between each adjacent carrier in a generally continuous string of carriers. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible carrier of  claim 15  wherein a major axis of the oval aperture is perpendicular to a major axis of the dividing aperture.