Owens-illinois Plastic Products Inc.

David A Pratt

James A Karabedian

J Thomas Brinker

A carrier and carrier stock comprising a plurality of severable interconnected carriers formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material such as low density polyethylene for machine application to substantially identical containers. Each carrier has container receiving apertures which are defined by band segments that include outer segments formed with tear tabs. Each tab has a pair of diverging slits extending from the sides thereof toward the outer segments, each slot terminating short of the outer segment. In this manner, the tab can be grasped either with a right hand or left hand and pulled to sever the outer segment releasing a container in the associated aperture.

Carrier stock with tear tabs

A container package comprising an array of cans, each of which has a body portion, an annular bead on the upper end thereof having a smaller diameter than the body portion and an inclined portion extending from the body portion to the bead, and a carrier. The carrier comprises a sheet of flexible plastic material having a plurality of openings forming an array for receiving the ends of the cans. The cans are inserted upwardly into the openings and retained by the carrier by flexing of the periphery of each opening upwardly against the bead of each can. The modulus of elasticity, the thickness of the sheet and the spacing and size of the openings are such that the cans are maintained in abutting relationship. The upper ends of the cans are substantially in a single plane when the package is lifted through finger openings in the sheet.

Container package

A container package comprising an array of cans, each of which has an annular bead on the upper end thereof and a carrier. The carrier includes a sheet of flexible plastic material having a plurality of openings forming an array for receiving the ends of the cans a film of plastic material coextensive with the sheet and bonded to the periphery of the sheet so that it is flat and taut on the sheet. The cans are inserted upwardly into the openings and retained by the carrier by flexing of the periphery of each opening upwardly against the chime or bead of each can. As the cans are inserted, the film is stretched so that it is taut about the upper ends of the cans. The film is stretched substantially flat and taut from one peripheral edge to an opposite peripheral edge. The carrier thus protects the cans from contaminants. The carrier supports the array of the cans so that the upper ends of the cans are in a single plane when the package is lifted through finger openings in the film and sheet. The film and sheet define a substantially flat planar upper surface. Indicia such as printing, advertising, logos, artwork, and other markings are provided on the film preferably on the entire surface of the film.

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Waterville, OH, United States of America

David A Pratt