Container package with carrier and surrounding sleeve

Abstract

A package for containers such as beverage bottles and cans includes a carrier with an array of loops, one loop provided for surrounding each container. A wide sleeve surrounds the group of containers held by the carrier. In a preferred arrangement, the carrier includes four rows of loops, with a handle extending upwardly between the middle two rows. The loops are disposed within the sleeve.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A package for a group of containers including individual containers to be held in rows and ranks, said package comprising; 
 an integral plastic carrier including a container holding portion of interconnected stretchable loops, one said loop for each said container, each said loop surrounding a different one of said containers, and a handle portion connected to said container holding portion, said handle portion extending upwardly between adjacent rows of containers, to above tops of the containers; and    a sleeve of stretchable material surrounding the group of containers.    
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , said container holding portion having two rows of loops on each side of said handle portion.  
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , said sleeve having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a sleeve height between said top edge and said bottom edge, and said sleeve height substantially covering said containers.  
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , said container holding portion having two rows of loops on each side of said handle portion.  
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , said container holding portion disposed within said sleeve.  
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , said container holding portion disposed within said sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , said sleeve having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a sleeve height between said top edge and said bottom edge, said sleeve height being a substantial portion of a height of the containers, and said sleeve providing an informational billboard surface thereon.  
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , said container holding portion disposed within said sleeve.  
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , said sleeve having an outer billboard surface adapted for carrying visually communicative markings thereon.  
     
     
         10 . A package of containers, comprising; 
 a group of individual containers arranged in at least four rows, with a plurality of containers in each said row;    a stretchable array of interconnected loops, one said loop for each said container, each said container disposed in a separate said loop surrounding said container; and    a handle substantially parallel to said rows and integrally connected to said array, said handle disposed between adjacent rows of containers and extending upwardly between said containers, with two of said at least four rows of containers on each side of said handle.    
     
     
         11 . The package of containers of  claim 10 , each said row including three said containers.  
     
     
         12 . The package of containers of  claim 10 , including a stretchable sleeve surrounding said group of containers.  
     
     
         13 . The package of containers of  claim 12 , said array disposed within said sleeve.  
     
     
         14 . The package of containers of  claim 13 , each said row including three said containers.  
     
     
         15 . A carrier for a group of containers, comprising; 
 an array of interconnected loops arranged in rows and ranks, said array including four said rows; and    a handle connected to said array, with two said rows disposed on each side of said handle.    
     
     
         16 . The carrier of  claim 15 , each said row including three said loops.  
     
     
         17 . The carrier of  claim 15 , said handle being connected to said array by a suspension portion, said array said suspension portion and said handle being integrally formed.  
     
     
         18 . The carrier of  claim 15 , said array and said handle being of stretchable plastic.  
     
     
         19 . The carrier of  claim 18 , each said row including three said loops.  
     
     
         20 . The carrier of  claim 19 , said handle being connected to said array by a suspension portion; said array, said suspension portion and said handle being integrally formed.