Container carrier

Abstract

A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers includes a plurality of outer bands and inner bands forming an array of container receiving apertures arranged in two or more transverse pairs. Each outer band of the plurality of outer bands forms a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture. Each inner band of the plurality of inner bands forms a concave container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture. A central grasping aperture is positioned between each transverse pair of container receiving apertures and includes opposite radiused ends and a pair of radiused finger holds extending along each side. An oblong stress relief cutout is positioned along each inner band between each container receiving aperture and each central grasping aperture. The resulting geometry enables a rim applied carrier that is resistant to failure due to large temperature swings from ambient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a plurality of outer bands and inner bands forming an array of container receiving apertures arranged in two or more transverse pairs;   each outer band of the plurality of outer bands forming a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   each inner band of the plurality of inner bands forming a concave container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   a central grasping aperture positioned between each transverse pair of container receiving apertures, the central grasping aperture having opposite radiused ends and a pair of radiused finger holds extending along each side; and   an oblong stress relief cutout positioned along each inner band between each container receiving aperture and each central grasping aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The container carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a finger aperture positioned within the inner bands on each side the central grasping aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The container carrier of  claim 2  wherein the finger aperture is pear shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The container carrier of  claim 3  wherein the finger aperture includes opposing radii of different sizes wherein a larger radius is positioned on a side facing the central grasping aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein the oblong stress relief cutout includes an outer edge that follows a contour of the concave container engaging portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container carrier of  claim 5  wherein the oblong stress relief cutout includes an inner edge that is generally linear. 
     
     
         7 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein each container receiving aperture is engageable with a chime of a can. 
     
     
         8 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a plurality of outer bands and inner bands forming an array of container receiving apertures arranged in two or more transverse pairs;   each outer band of the plurality of outer bands forming a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   each inner band of the plurality of inner bands forming a concave container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   a central grasping aperture positioned between each transverse pair of container receiving apertures, the central grasping aperture having opposite radiused ends and a pair of radiused finger holds extending along each side;   an oblong stress relief cutout positioned along each inner band between each container receiving aperture and each central grasping aperture; and   a finger aperture positioned within the inner bands on each side the central grasping aperture, the finger aperture having opposing radii of different sizes.   
     
     
         9 . The container carrier of  claim 8  wherein the finger aperture is pear shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The container carrier of  claim 8  wherein the finger aperture includes opposing radii of different sizes wherein a larger radius is positioned on a side facing the central grasping aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The container carrier of  claim 8  wherein the oblong stress relief cutout includes an outer edge that follows a contour of the concave container engaging portion. 
     
     
         12 . The container carrier of  claim 11  wherein the oblong stress relief cutout includes an inner edge that is generally linear.