Beverage Container Interlocking Carrier

Abstract

A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) utilizing a container member that is preferably made of plastic, on which beverage containers are placed. The container member is folded upward following contours of the beverage containers. The beverage containers are secured within the BCIC by inserting each beverage neck, with or without a cap, into one of a plurality of container orifices on the container member. After the BCIC is used to package, transport and/or store beverage containers, the container member can be unfolded and the empty beverage containers removed and inserted into and maintained within the orifices prior to recycling. A grasping member allows a folded or unfolded container member to be carried by hand. Or, at least one strap that secures side edges of the BCIC together can be used as a grasping member. Indicia is placed on the container member and is visible on a folded or unfolded BCIC.

1 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 at least one container orifice, 
 a grasping member having:
 a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and 
 a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The BCIC of  claim 1 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         3 . The BCIC of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and   at least one slice that extends from the orifice.   
     
     
         4 . The BCIC of  claim 1 , further comprising indicia on the outer surface of the container member, the indicia selected from the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional and educational. 
     
     
         5 . The BCIC of  claim 4 , wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, and adhesion. 
     
     
         6 . The BCIC of  claim 1 , further comprising securing means for maintaining the folded container member together, the securing means selected from the group consisting of adhesive, snap closure, male and female detents, interlock, clip, tape, hook and loop fastener, sliding rod through openings, buckle and strap. 
     
     
         7 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 at least one container orifice, 
 a grasping member having:
 a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and 
 a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and   at least one slice that extends from the orifice.   
     
     
         10 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice,   at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,   a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.   
     
     
         11 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member. 
     
     
         12 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward perimeter edge curving that taper to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross. 
     
     
         13 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle. 
     
     
         14 . The BCIC of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of cutouts in the two side edges of the container member wherein each cutout curves inward to a point, with the curves creating a semi-circular shape section with multiple sections along the container member edges. 
     
     
         15 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 at least one container orifice, 
 a grasping member having:
 a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and 
 a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The BCIC of  claim 15 , wherein the container member comprising indicia that is selected from the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional and educational. 
     
     
         17 . The BCIC of  claim 15 , wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the group consisting of printing, etching and adhesion. 
     
     
         18 . The BCIC of  claim 15 , further comprising a container strap that is placed around a group of beverage containers that are located within the BCIC, the container strap securing the containers together as a single body that is within or removed from the BCIC. 
     
     
         19 . The BCIC of  claim 15 , further comprising four side straps that extend outward from each side edge of the container member, wherein two of the straps, one on each opposing side edge, include truncated-triangle shaped tabs on a distal end, and two straps, one on each opposing side edge, that are positioned to interface with the triangle tabs and having at least one slot that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the triangle shape tabs, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, the side straps secure open sides of the BCIC together. 
     
     
         20 . The BCIC of  claim 15 , further having four slots, with two slots correspondingly positioned on each opposite side edge of the container member, and a securing strap comprising a length of material with a truncated triangle shaped tab on one distal end and a row of triangle shaped tabs correspondingly positioned and extending inward from the opposite distal end, wherein the strap end with the single tab is inserted into one of the slots on the container member side edge, and the strap edge with the series of tabs is inserted into one of the slots on the opposite side edge of the container member, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, the side straps secure open sides of the BCIC together. 
     
     
         21 . The BCIC of  claim 23  further comprising two straps that are correspondingly positioned on opposite side edges of the container member and have a series of triangle shaped tabs, with a row of tabs on each side edge extending outward from a distal end of the strap, wherein correspondingly positioned on each opposite side edge of the container member is a slot that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the triangle tabs on each strap, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, each strap is inserted into the corresponding slot, thereby securing open sides of the BCIC. 
     
     
         22 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 at least one container orifice, 
 a grasping member having:
 a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and 
 a second side extending from the second end and having an ° open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The BCIC of  claim 22 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         24 . The BCIC of  claim 22 , wherein each of the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and   at least one slice that extends from the orifice.   
     
     
         25 . The BCIC of  claim 22 , further comprising indicia on the container member, the indicia selected from the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional educational and image. 
     
     
         26 . The BCIC of  claim 22 , wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the group consisting of printing, etching, and adhesion. 
     
     
         27 . The BCIC of  claim 22 , further comprising a liner within the BCIC. 
     
     
         28 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 at least one circular container orifice comprising,
 at least one segment inwardly angled and directed into the orifice, 
 at least one slice that extends from the orifice, 
 
 a grasping member having:
 a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and 
 a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, a beverage container is placed on the container member, with a lower surface of the beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded around the beverage container with the beverage container neck entering the container orifice, the container member is folded further, elongating the container orifice into an elliptical shape with the at least one segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring. 
 
   
     
     
         29 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         30 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap. 
     
     
         31 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , wherein the grasping member is located at a substantial mid-point above the beverage containers. 
     
     
         32 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , wherein the grasping member is located on a side of the beverage containers. 
     
     
         33 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member. 
     
     
         34 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross. 
     
     
         35 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , further comprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle. 
     
     
         36 . The BCIC of  claim 28 , further comprising a plurality of cutouts in the two side edges of the container member wherein each cutout curves inward to a point, with the curves creating a semi-circular shape section with multiple sections along the container member edges. 
     
     
         37 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 at least one strap extending from the first edge to the second edge, 
 at least one circular container orifice, with at least one beverage container placed on the container member, a lower surface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded upward around the beverage container with the beverage container neck entering the container orifice, the container member is folded further, elongating the container orifice into an elliptical shape with the at least one segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member lying substantially flat on an upper surface of the at least one beverage container, and the container member secured in the flat configuration by the beverage container interlocked within the container orifice, with removal of the beverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the container member, thereby releasing the beverage containers from the container orifices and allowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers. 
   
     
     
         38 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         39 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one strap is permanently attached to one side edge and removably attached to an opposing side edge. 
     
     
         40 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one strap is configured as a grasping member that allows a person to grasp the strap and carry or lift the BCIC. 
     
     
         41 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and   at least one slice that extends from the orifice.   
     
     
         42 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice,   at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,   a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.   
     
     
         43 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member. 
     
     
         44 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein a plurality of container orifices are linearly arranged, equidistant from each other. 
     
     
         45 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , wherein the number of beverage containers enclosed within the BCIC is selected from the group consisting of four, six, eight, ten, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six. 
     
     
         46 . The BCIC of  claim 37 , further comprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle. 
     
     
         47 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member of material having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first side edge, 
 a second side edge, 
 at least one opening, 
 a grasping member having:
 a first side extending from the first end and having an open section, and 
 a second side extending from the second end and having an open section, the container member is folded upward around contours of multiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member and the two sides of the grasping member interface. 
 
   
     
     
         48 . The BCIC of  claim 47 , further comprising securing means for securing the handle side edges together, the attachment means are selected from the group consisting of adhesive, snap closure, male and female detents, interlock, clip, tape, hook and loop fastener, sliding rod through openings, buckle and strap. 
     
     
         49 . The BCIC of  claim 47 , further comprising means for securing at least two BCICs together, the securing means selected from the group comprising at least one attachment tube, at least one strap tube and at least one carrier strap. 
     
     
         50 . The BCIC of  claim 47 , further comprising at least one adhesive bead for securing an individual beverage container within the BCIC to at least one other beverage container. 
     
     
         51 . The BCIC of  claim 47 , further comprising indented corners. 
     
     
         52 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 a plurality of container orifices, 
 a first horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge, 
 a second horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge and below the first strap, 
 a vertical strap extending from the substantial center of the first horizontal strap to the substantial center of the second horizontal strap, and a group of containers is placed on the container member with a lower surface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded around the beverage container with one beverage container neck entering one of the container orifices, as the container member is folded the container orifice is elongated into an elliptical shape with at least one orifice segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member configured as a four surface structure having the two opposed side edges substantially open, and attachment means securing the side ends, with removal of the beverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the container member first end and second end, thereby releasing the beverage containers from the container orifices and allowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers. 
   
     
     
         53 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward onto the first side such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein the attachment means secure the second end. 
     
     
         54 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward across the first side and then folded downward onto an upper surface such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein attachment means secure the second end. 
     
     
         55 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the first end of the container member is folded upward and over onto a group of beverage containers with each container neck inserted into a container orifice, and then downward onto a second side of the carrier, wherein the second end extends upward and is then folded downward across the previously folded first end and terminating at a first side of the carrier, opposite the second side, wherein the attachment means secure the second end. 
     
     
         56 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         57 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the plurality of container orifices are comprised of twenty-five orifices. 
     
     
         58 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the plurality of container orifices are comprised of fifty orifices. 
     
     
         59 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the horizontal straps and vertical strap are configured as grasping members that allow a person to grasp the straps and carry or lift the BCIC. 
     
     
         60 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and   at least one slice that extends from the orifice.   
     
     
         61 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice,   at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,   a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.   
     
     
         62 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the segment having two sides that are inwardly angled and directed into the orifice. 
     
     
         63 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the container orifices are configured to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member. 
     
     
         64 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , wherein the attachment means are selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, at least one snap closer, at least one male and female detent, a hook and loop fastener, at least one clip, a tab and slot, at least one hook, and at least one plastic interlocking latch. 
     
     
         65 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , further comprising a grasping opening adjacent the first end and second end of the container member. 
     
     
         66 . The BCIC of  claim 52 , further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross. 
     
     
         67 . A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:
 a substantially flat container member having:
 an outer surface, 
 an inner surface, 
 a first end, 
 a second end, 
 a first edge, 
 a second edge, 
 fifty container orifices, 
 a first horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge, 
 a second horizontal strap extending from the first edge to the second edge and below the first strap, 
 a vertical strap extending from the substantial center of the first horizontal strap to the substantial center of the second horizontal strap, and eight beverage container is placed on the container member with a lower surface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member, the container member is folded around the eight beverage containers with one beverage container neck entering one of the container orifices, as the container member is folded the container orifice is elongated into an elliptical shape with at least one orifice segment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member configured as a four surface structure having the two opposed side edges substantially open, and attachment means securing the side ends, with removal of the beverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the container member first end and second end, thereby releasing the beverage containers from the container orifices and allowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers. 
   
     
     
         68 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of eight beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward onto the first side such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein the attachment means secure the second end. 
     
     
         69 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upward through one of the container orifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end of the container member folded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers and then upward across the first side and then folded downward onto an upper surface such that the second end is configured on top of the first end, wherein attachment means secure the second end. 
     
     
         70 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the first end of the container member is folded upward and over onto a group of beverage containers with each container neck inserted into a container orifice, and then downward onto a second side of the carrier, wherein the second end extends upward and is then folded downward across the previously folded first end and terminating at a first side of the carrier, opposite the second side, wherein the attachment means secure the second end. 
     
     
         71 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material. 
     
     
         72 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the horizontal straps and vertical strap are configured as grasping members that allow a person to grasp the straps and carry or lift the BCIC. 
     
     
         73 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and   at least one slice that extends from the orifice.   
     
     
         74 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of:
 at least one segment that extends into the orifice,   at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and,   a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.   
     
     
         75 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the container orifices are configured to provide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member, 
     
     
         76 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , wherein the attachment means are selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, at least one, snap closer, at least one male and female detent, a hook and loop fastener, at least one clip, a tab and slot, at least one hook, and at least one plastic interlocking latch. 
     
     
         77 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , further comprising a grasping opening adjacent the first end and second end of the container member. 
     
     
         78 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , further comprising at least one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross. 
     
     
         79 . The BCIC of  claim 67 , further comprising scanning means that facilitates automated counting or other identification of beverage containers within the carrier or on the container member when the member is in an unfolded, flat configuration.