Container carrier

Abstract

A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers includes a flexible sheet having two rows of container apertures formed therein. A centerline divides the two rows of container apertures and a plurality of slits are positioned between the centerline and each row of container apertures so that the plurality of slits are positioned generally parallel to the centerline. The plurality of containers are each placed into a respective container aperture and are thus unitized in a package.

1 . A container carrier including a plastic sheet and a plurality of container apertures, each container aperture of the container apertures for engaging a container, the container carrier comprising:
 a centerline dividing two rows of container apertures;   a plurality of slits positioned between the centerline and each row of container apertures, the plurality of slits positioned generally parallel to the centerline.   
   
   
       2 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is generally aligned between the container apertures and the weld so that a single slit is positioned adjacent each respective container aperture. 
   
   
       3 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of slits and the plurality of container apertures are positioned through a double layer of the plastic sheet. 
   
   
       4 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein each slit of the plurality of slits extends generally parallel to a generally straight inside edge of each respective container aperture. 
   
   
       5 . The container carrier of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a handle positioned on an opposite side of the centerline as the plurality of slits.   
   
   
       6 . The container carrier of  claim 5  wherein each row of container apertures is positioned approximately 90 degrees from the handle. 
   
   
       7 . A package of container including a plastic sheet and a plurality of container apertures, each container aperture of the container apertures engaging a container, the package comprising:
 a weld positioned across the plastic sheet;   a first row of container apertures and respective containers extending along one side of the weld;   a second row of container apertures and respective containers extending along an opposite side of the weld;   a plurality of slits positioned between each row of container apertures and the weld; and   a handle extending upwardly from the weld and at approximately a 90 degree angle from each row of container apertures.   
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7  wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is generally aligned between the container apertures and the weld so that a single slit is positioned adjacent each respective container aperture. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 7  wherein each slit of the plurality of slits extends generally parallel to a generally straight inside edge of each respective container aperture. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the first row of container apertures is co-planar with the second row of container apertures. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 7  wherein exactly three slits are positioned between the weld and each row of container apertures. 
   
   
       12 . A container carrier including a plastic sheet and a plurality of container apertures, each container aperture of the container apertures for engaging a container, the container carrier comprising:
 a weld dividing two rows of container apertures, the two rows of container apertures overlapping each other;   a line of weakness positioned between the weld and each row of container apertures, the line of weakness positioned generally parallel to the weld; and   a handle extending upwardly from the weld.   
   
   
       13 . The container carrier of  claim 12  wherein the line of weakness comprises a plurality of slits. 
   
   
       14 . The container carrier of  claim 13  wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is generally aligned between the container apertures and the weld so that a single slit is positioned adjacent each respective container aperture. 
   
   
       15 . The container carrier of  claim 12  further comprising a generally triangular aperture having an inside edge aligned with the weld, each generally triangular aperture positioned in the plastic sheet between each container aperture. 
   
   
       16 . The container carrier of  claim 12  wherein the line of weakness is positioned approximately three times closer to the weld than to each container aperture.