Container carrier

Abstract

A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers including a plurality of outer bands and inner bands forming an array of container receiving apertures arranged in two or more transverse pairs. Each outer band of the plurality of outer bands forms a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture. A central grasping aperture is positioned between each transverse pair of container receiving apertures and includes opposite radiused ends and a central expanded opening. A stress relief cutout is positioned along each inner band between each container receiving aperture and each central grasping aperture.

1 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a plurality of outer bands and inner bands forming an array of container receiving apertures arranged in two or more transverse pairs;   each outer band of the plurality of outer bands forming a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   a central grasping aperture positioned between each transverse pair of container receiving apertures, the central grasping aperture having opposite radiused ends and a central expanded opening; and   a stress relief cutout positioned along each inner band between each container receiving aperture and each central grasping aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein the stress relief cutout comprises an arcuate channel. 
     
     
         3 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein the stress relief cutout comprises an inner edge following a contour of the central expanded opening of the central grasping aperture and an outer edge following a contour of the pair of container receiving apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The container carrier of  claim 1  wherein each container receiving aperture is engageable with a chime of a can. 
     
     
         5 . A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers, the container carrier comprising:
 a plurality of outer bands and inner bands forming an array of container receiving apertures arranged in two or more transverse pairs;   each outer band of the plurality of outer bands forming a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   each inner band of the plurality of inner bands forming a convex container engaging portion of each container receiving aperture;   a central grasping aperture positioned between each transverse pair of container receiving apertures, the central grasping aperture having opposite radiused ends and a central expanded opening; and   an arcuate stress relief cutout positioned along each inner band between each container receiving aperture and each central grasping aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The container carrier of  claim 5  wherein the stress relief cutout comprises an arcuate channel. 
     
     
         7 . The container carrier of  claim 5  wherein the stress relief cutout comprises an inner edge following a contour of the central expanded opening of the central grasping aperture and an outer edge following a contour of the pair of container receiving apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The container carrier of  claim 5  wherein each container receiving aperture is engageable with a chime of a can. 
     
     
         9 . The container carrier of  claim 5  wherein each container receiving aperture is engaged with a container to form a unitized package.