Container carrier

Abstract

A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a first engagement means configured to engage a can and a second engagement means configured to engage a bottle, wherein the first engagement means and the second engagement means are generally superimposed upon each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a plurality of container rings forming an array;   a first engagement means descending from the plurality of container rings and configured to engage and retain a can;   a second engagement means configured to engage and retain a bottle, wherein the first engagement means and the second engagement means are generally superimposed upon each other.   
     
     
         2 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein the first engagement means comprises a plurality of radial clips configured to engage with a chime of a can and the second engagement means comprises a plurality of radial tabs positioned within each container ring configured to engage with a neck of a bottle. 
     
     
         3 . The container carrier of  claim 2  wherein the radial clips each include an outwardly extending overhang to engage with the chime. 
     
     
         4 . The container carrier of  claim 2  wherein the radial tabs extend inwardly and include a concave leading edge to engage with the cap. 
     
     
         5 . The container carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a handle extending along a longitudinal edge of the container carrier, the handle capable of pivoting over a top of the container carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein the first engagement means comprises a plurality of clips extending outwardly from the container rings and the second engagement means comprises a plurality of radial tabs extending inwardly from the container rings. 
     
     
         7 . The container carrier of  claim 6  further comprising a central ring between each four container rings. 
     
     
         8 . The container carrier of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of radial clips extend downward from the container rings. 
     
     
         9 . The container carrier of  claim 6  wherein the radial clips include an outwardly extending overhang. 
     
     
         10 . The container carrier of  claim 9  wherein the overhang includes at least one ridge. 
     
     
         11 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a plurality of container rings, each of the plurality of container rings including a first engagement means configured to engage and retain a can around a chime, and a second engagement means configured to engage and retain a bottle, wherein the first engagement means and the second engagement means are generally superimposed upon each other;   an outer perimeter of the each of the plurality of container rings including a plurality of downwardly extending radial clips forming the first engagement means, wherein the radial clips in each container ring engage and retain the can; and   a plurality of radial tabs inwardly extending from the outer perimeter forming the second engagement means, wherein the plurality of radial tabs engage and retain the bottle.   
     
     
         12 . The container carrier of  claim 11  wherein the radial clips each include an outwardly extending overhang to engage with the chime. 
     
     
         13 . The container carrier of  claim 12  wherein the overhang includes at least one ridge. 
     
     
         14 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a container ring;   a plurality of radial tabs descending outwardly from the container receiving ring, wherein plurality of radial tabs form a first engagement means configured to engage and retain a can around a chime of the can; and   a plurality of radial tabs inwardly extending from the container ring and positioned within the container ring, wherein the plurality of radial tabs is a second engagement means configured to engage and retain a bottle.   
     
     
         15 . The container carrier of  claim 14 , wherein the container carrier is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high density polyethylene (HDPE).