Container clip

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel packaging clip for retaining a plurality of containers. The clip comprises a rectangular frame made of a resilient material and having length and width dimensions. The rectangular frame has a plurality of circular apertures having open mouths and two arms adjacent to and forming the open mouths. The number of arms is one more than the number of circular apertures. The circular apertures have inner diameters that are substantially equivalent to the diameters of the containers to be retained by the clip. The open mouths of the circular apertures are positioned along the length dimension of the frame so that the mouths open in only one direction. Additionally, the open mouths of the circular apertures are smaller than the inner diameter of the circular apertures and smaller than the diameter of the containers to be retained by the clip.

1 . A clip for retaining a plurality of containers, the clip comprising a rectangular frame made of a resilient material and having length and width dimensions, comprising: 
 a. a plurality of circular apertures, each having an open mouth and two arms adjacent to and forming the open mouth, wherein the number of arms is one more than the number of circular apertures;    b. the circular apertures being adapted to receive and retain a container between the arms, the circular apertures having inner diameters that are substantially equivalent to the diameters of the containers to be retained by the clip;    c. the open mouths of the circular apertures being positioned along the length dimension of the frame so that the mouths open in only one direction; and    d. the open mouths of the circular apertures being smaller than the inner diameter of the circular apertures and smaller than the diameter of the containers to be retained by the clip.    
   
   
       2 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein each of two adjacent apertures share an arm therebetween to define a portion of the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular frame flexibly adjusts to receive the container.  
   
   
       4 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular frame flexibly adjusts at the base of each circular aperture to receive the container.  
   
   
       5 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the two arms adjacent to and forming the open mouth are sized and shaped differently.  
   
   
       6 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein a first arm adjacent to and forming an open mouth is more flexible a second arm adjacent to and forming the open mouth.  
   
   
       7 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance from the midpoint of a first circular aperture to the midpoint of a neighboring second circular aperture is approximately 1.4 times the diameter of the circular aperture.  
   
   
       8 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the width dimension of the clip is approximately equivalent to the diameter of the circular aperture.  
   
   
       9 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the width dimension of the clip is greater than the diameter of the circular aperture.  
   
   
       10 . The clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is formed from a plastic material.  
   
   
       11 . The clip according to  claim 1  comprising at least two circular apertures.  
   
   
       12 . The clip according to  claim 1  comprising three circular apertures.  
   
   
       13 . The clip according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a handle.  
   
   
       14 . A packaging assembly for retaining a plurality of containers, said packaging assembly comprising: 
 a. a clip for retaining a plurality of containers, the clip comprising a rectangular frame made of a resilient material and having length and width dimensions, comprising: 
 i. a plurality of circular apertures, each having an open mouth and two arms adjacent to and forming the open mouth, wherein the number of arms is one more than the number of circular apertures;  
 ii. the circular apertures being adapted to receive and retain a container between the arms, the circular apertures having inner diameters that are substantially equivalent to the diameters of the containers to be retained by the clip;  
 iii. the open mouths of the circular apertures being positioned along the length dimension of the frame so that the mouths open in only one direction;  
 iv. the open mouths of the circular apertures being smaller than the inner diameter of the circular apertures and smaller than the diameter of the containers to be retained by the clip; and  
   b. a plurality of containers, wherein the containers are retained within the circular apertures of the clip.    
   
   
       15 . The packaging assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the assembly is sealed within a flexible pouch.  
   
   
       16 . A clip for retaining a plurality of containers, the clip comprising a frame having a length-dimension and a plurality of arms extending from only one side of the frame length, wherein the frame length, a flexible arm and a relatively fixed arm form at least one circular aperture adapted to receive and retain a container.  
   
   
       17 . The clip according to  claim 16 , wherein the flexible arm flexibly adjusts to receive the container.  
   
   
       18 . The clip according to  claim 16 , wherein a insertion aid is located at the terminal end of each flexible arm.  
   
   
       19 . The clip according to  claim 16 , comprising three circular apertures.  
   
   
       20 . A packaging assembly for retaining a plurality of containers, said packaging assembly comprising: 
 a. a clip comprising a frame having a length dimension and a plurality of arms extending from only one side of the frame length, wherein the frame length, a flexible arm and a relatively fixed arm form at least one circular aperture adapted to receive and retain a container; and    b. a plurality of containers, wherein the containers are retained within said circular apertures.