Multi-container carrier carton

Claim 2

In a carton having a flat top surface for use as a multicontainer carrier, the improvement comprising: a. a handle structure centrally located adjacent said flat top surface; and b. said handle structure including means for contacting the upper portions of only centrally located containers, adjacent said handle structure, and for holding centrally located containers, when received in said carrier, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room.

Claim 3

The carton according to claim 1 wherein said handle structure and said holding means are located completely below a top surface of said carton.

Claim 4

The carton according to claim 2 wherein said holding means includes an edge that locks under a closure of said containers.

Claim 5

The carton according to claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a panel section hingedly connected to a top wall of said carton, said panel section including an edge spaced from said hinge and positioned such that when said panel section is pivoted down into said carton, said edge will lock under a closure of a container positioned below said edge.

Claim 6

The carton according to claim 4 wherein said holding means includes a wedge panel separate from said top wall, said wedge panel including a free edge at one side thereof for locking under a container closure at the same side thereof as does said panel section edge.

Claim 7

In a carton for use as a multi-container carrier, the improvement comprising: a. a handle structure; b. means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room; c. said handle structure and said holding means being located completely below a top surface of said carton; d. said holding means including an edge that locks under a closure of said containers; e. said holding means comprising a panel section hingedly connected to a top wall of said carton, said panel section including an edge spaced from said hinge and positioned such that when said panel section is pivoted down into said carton, said edge will lock under a closure of a container positioned below said edge; f. said holding means including a wedge panel separate from said top wall, said wedge panel including an edge at one side thereoF for locking under a container closure; and g. wherein said wedge panel is glued adjacent the other side thereof to said handle structure and is adapted to be wedged with said edge under said closure.

Claim 8

In a carton for use as a multi-container carrier, the improvement comprising: a. a handle structure; b. means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room; c. said handle structure and said holding means being located completely below a top surface of said carton; d. said holding means including an edge that locks under a closure of said containers; e. said holding means comprising a panel section hingedly connected to a top wall of said carton, said panel section including an edge spaced from said hinge and positioned such that when said panel section is pivoted down into said carton, said edge will lock under a closure of a container positioned below said edge; f. said holding means including a wedge panel separate from said top wall, said wedge panel including an edge at one side thereoF for locking under a container closure; and g. wherein said wedge panel is glued adjacent the other side thereof to said handle structure and is adapted to be wedged with said edge under said closure.

Claim 9

The carton according to claim 3 wherein said holding means includes a wedge panel separate from said top wall said wedge panel being hingedly and movably connected to said handle structure along a hinge line, said wedge panel having a free edge located above said hinge line, for locking under a container closure.

Claim 10

In a carton for use as a multi-container carrier, the improvement comprising: a. a handle structure; b. means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room; c. said handle structure and said holding means being located completely below a top surface of said carton; d. said holding means including an edge that locks under a closure of said containers; and e. wherein said carton includes: i. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; ii. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; and iii. said top wall including a pair of breakaway flaps one on each side of said central divider, a hand hole in said central divider beneath said breakaway flaps, and an insert, separate from the remaining elements of said carton, and glued to said central divider over said hand hole, said insert including a pair of wedge panels one on each side of said central divider, each of said wedge panels and each of said breakaway flaps including edges adapted to lock underneath a closure of a container positioned in said carton.

Claim 11

In a carton for use as a multi-container carrier, the improvement comprising: a. a handle structure; b. means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room; c. said handle structure and said holding means being located completely below a top surface of said carton; d. said holding means including an edge that locks under a closure of said containers; and e. wherein said carton includes: i. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; ii. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; and iii. said top wall including a pair of breakaway flaps one on each side of said central divider, a hand hole in said central divider beneath said breakaway flaps, and an insert, separate from the remaining elements of said carton, and glued to said central divider over said hand hole, said insert including a pair of wedge panels one on each side of said central divider, each of said wedge panels and each of said breakaway flaps including edges adapted to lock underneath a closure of a container positioned in said carton.

Claim 12

The carton according to claim 8 wherein said edges of said breakaway flaps are formed by means of cutouts in said breakaway flaps.

Claim 13

The carton according to claim 9 wherein said insert includes a pair of reinforcing panels hingedly connected together including one on each side of said central divider, and each of said reinforcing panels including an opening therein in register with said hand hole.

Claim 14

The carton according to claim 10 wherein each of said reinforcing panels includes an extension flap hingedly connected thereto and projecting partway down into said hand hole for pivoting one way or the other to provide a relatively large, smooth surface for carrying said carton.

Claim 15

The carton according to claim 8 wherein said wedge flaps overlie said breakaway flaps.

Claim 16

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure centrally located adjacent said top wall; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; and e. said structures including means adjacent said handle structure for contacting the upper portions of only those containers located adjacent said handle structure and for holding only said adjacent containers tilted away from said handle structure to provide additional hand room.

Claim 17

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure centrally located adjacent said top wall; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; and e. said structures including means adjacent said handle structure for contacting the upper portions of only those containers located adjacent said handle structure and for holding only said adjacent containers tilted away from said handle structure to provide additional hand room.

Claim 18

The carton according to claim 13 including means cooperating with a hand associated with said handle structure for forcing containers adjacent said handle structure outwardly to provide additional knuckle room for said hand.

Claim 19

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure oF approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. means cooperating with a hand associated with said handle structure for forcing containers adjacent said handle structure outwardly to provide additional knuckle room for said hand; and f. wherein said handle structure is located completely below the upper surface of said top wall and includes a hand hole in said central divider and wherein said forcing means includes a pair of breakaway flaps hingedly connected to said top wall for providing a central opening in said top wall overlying said hand hole, said breakaway flaps being in directly opposed relationship to each other.

Claim 20

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure oF approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. means cooperating with a hand associated with said handle structure for forcing containers adjacent said handle structure outwardly to provide additional knuckle room for said hand; and f. wherein said handle structure is located completely below the upper surface of said top wall and includes a hand hole in said central divider and wherein said forcing means includes a pair of breakaway flaps hingedly connected to said top wall for providing a central opening in said top wall overlying said hand hole, said breakaway flaps being in directly opposed relationship to each other.

Claim 21

The carton according to claim 15 wherein each of said breakaway flaps is hingedly connected to an infolded shield flap extending down into said compartment for preventing said hand from scraping against said containers and for contacting centrally located containers for forcing them outwardly.

Claim 22

The carton according to claim 13 including means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room.

Claim 23

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room; and f. wherein said holding means includes an edge for locking under a closure of said containers.

Claim 24

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. means for holding predetermined ones of containers, located in said carton adjacent said handle structure, tilted away from said handle structure, to provide additional hand room; and f. wherein said holding means includes an edge for locking under a closure of said containers.

Claim 25

The carton according to claim 18 wherein said holding means includes at least one panel section hingedly connected to said top wall, and a separate insert, each of said panel sections and said insert including edges for locking under a closure of said containers, and means for wedging said panel sections and inserts between said central divider and said containers.

Claim 26

The carton according to claim 13 wherein said multi-cell structure divides said compartment into a plurality of identical cells.

Claim 27

The carton according to claim 13 wherein said handle structure exists completely below the upper surface of said top wall.

Claim 28

The carton according to claim 13 wherein said inner structure can be preglued to said outer structure to form a carton tube that can fold flat.

Claim 29

The carton according to claim 13 wherein said handle structure includes a hand hole in said central divider.

Claim 30

The carton according to claim 23 wherein said central divider extends the length of said compartment from one end wall to the other, parallel to and midway between said side walls, and wherein said central divider comprises a pair of separate central divider walls in contact with each other throughout their length along their respective inside surfaces.

Claim 31

The carton according to claim 24 wherein said multi-cell structure comprises a plurality of cell walls on each side of said central divider, said cell walls extending perpendicularly to said central divider and being equally spaced along the length of said compartment, and each cell wall being Positioned directly across from the adjacent cell wall on the opposite side of said central divider.

Claim 32

The carton according to claim 25 wherein each of said cell walls is formed from the material of the adjacent central divider wall and is hingedly connected thereto.

Claim 33

The carton according to claim 26 wherein each of said cell walls includes a terminal flap glued to the adjacent side wall.

Claim 34

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. said handle structure including a hand hole in said central divider; f. said central divider extending the length of said compartment from one end wall to the other, parallel to and midway between said sidewalls, and wherein said central divider comprises a pair of separate central divider walls in contact with each other throughout their length along their respective inside surfaces; g. said multi-cell structure comprising a plurality of cell walls on each side of said central divider, said cell walls extending perpendicualrly to said central divider and being equally spaced along the length of said compartment, and each cell wall being positioned directly across from the adjacent cell wall on the opposite side of said central divider; and h. wherein said pair of central divider walls comprises a first divider wall and a second divider wall and wherein said first divider wall is hingedly connected at one end thereof to a first divider wall end support section positioned parallel to and in contact with a first end wall, and wherein said second divider wall is hingedly connected at one end thereof to a second divider wall end support section positioned parallel to and in contact with a second end wall.

Claim 35

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. said handle structure including a hand hole in said central divider; f. said central divider extending the length of said compartment from one end wall to the other, parallel to and midway between said sidewalls, and wherein said central divider comprises a pair of separate central divider walls in contact with each other throughout their length along their respective inside surfaces; g. said multi-cell structure comprising a plurality of cell walls on each side of said central divider, said cell walls extending perpendicualrly to said central divider and being equally spaced along the length of said compartment, and each cell wall being positioned directly across from the adjacent cell wall on the opposite side of said central divider; and h. wherein said pair of central divider walls comprises a first divider wall and a second divider wall and wherein said first divider wall is hingedly connected at one end thereof to a first divider wall end support section positioned parallel to and in contact with a first end wall, and wherein said second divider wall is hingedly connected at one end thereof to a second divider wall end support section positioned parallel to and in contact with a second end wall.

Claim 36

The carton according to claim 28 wherein each of said cell walls is formed from the material of the adjacent central divider wall and is hingedly connected thereto and wherein said first and second divider walls are connected together by means of said second divider wall end support section being hingedly connected to a terminal flap hingedly connected to one of the cell walls formed from said first divider wall.

Claim 37

The carton according to claim 29 wherein said top wall includes a top side wall flap connected to each of said side walls and a top end wall flap connected to each of said end walls, and wherein said central divider is hingedly connected to said top end wall flaps.

Claim 38

The carton according to claim 30 wherein a first top end wall flap is hingedly connected to a first hinge strap, hingedly connected in turn to said first divider wall end support section, and wherein said second top end wall flap is hingedly connected to a second hinge strap, hingedly connected in turn to said second divider wall end support section.

Claim 39

The carton according to claim 31 wherein each of said first and second hinge straps include an opening therein sufficient to provide a container positioned in the cell directly below each of said hinge straps, the same head room as the remaining containers have.

Claim 40

The carton according to claim 32 wherein each of said separate central divider walls includes an upper reinforcing flap hingedly connected to the top edge thereof and folded down and glued to the respective outside surface thereof.

Claim 41

The carton according to claim 33 wherein at least one of said reinforcing flaps includes a hand hole flap hingedly connected thereto and extending partway into said hand hole for providing a relatively large, rounded carrying surface for a hAnd inserted into said hand hole.

Claim 42

The carton according to claim 23 wherein said top wall includes a pair of top sidwalls each of which includes a pair of hingedly connected breakaway flaps for providing a central opening for receiving a hand, said breakaway flaps being in directly opposed relationship to each other and being centrally positioned in said top wall directly over said hand hole.

Claim 43

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. said handle structure including a hand hole in said central divider; f. said top wall including a pair of top sidewalls each of which includes a pair of hingedly connected breakaway flaps for providing a central opening for receiving a hand, said breakaway flaps being in directly opposed relationship to each other and being centrally positioned in said top wall directly over said hand hole; and g. wherein each of said breakaway flaps is hingedly connected to an infolded shield flap extending down between said central divider and the adjacent containers, for preventing the hand from scraping against the containers, and for contacting the centrally located containers for forcing them outwardly to provide additional knuckle room.

Claim 44

A carton for use as a multi-container carrier and comprising: a. an outer structure of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a top wall, a bottom wall, two sidewalls, and two end walls completely enclosing a multi-cell compartment; b. an inner structure including a central divider and a multi-cell structure connected between said central divider and said sidewalls; c. a handle structure; d. said outer structure, said inner structure, and said handle structure being of one-piece construction; e. said handle structure including a hand hole in said central divider; f. said top wall including a pair of top sidewalls each of which includes a pair of hingedly connected breakaway flaps for providing a central opening for receiving a hand, said breakaway flaps being in directly opposed relationship to each other and being centrally positioned in said top wall directly over said hand hole; and g. wherein each of said breakaway flaps is hingedly connected to an infolded shield flap extending down between said central divider and the adjacent containers, for preventing the hand from scraping against the containers, and for contacting the centrally located containers for forcing them outwardly to provide additional knuckle room.

Claim 45

A one-piece carton blank for forming a multi-cell carrier carton having an outer structure, an inner structure and a handle structure, said carton blank comprising a first portion comprising an outer structure of a carton to be erected from said carton blank, a second portion comprising a central divider structure and a multi-cell structure, each of said portions including elements that cooperate in the carton to be erected from said carton blank to provide a complete handle structure for said carton, said first portion being hingedly connected to said second portion by means of a pair of hinge strap panel sections separate from said first and second portions, said hinge strap panel sections each including a central opening therethrough of sufficient size to accomodate a top of a container to be received within said carton.

Claim 46

A one-piece carton blank for forming a multi-cell carrier carton having an outer structure, an inner structure and a handle structure, said carton blank comprising a first portion comprising an outer structure of a carton to be erected from said carton blank, a second portion comprising a central divider structure and a multi-cell structure, each of said portions including elements that cooperate in the carton to be erected from said carton blank to provide a complete handle structure for said carton, said first portion being hingedly connected to said second portion by means of a pair of hinge strap panel sections separate from said first and second portions, said hinge strap panel sections each including a central opening therethrough of sufficient size to accomodate a top of a container to be received within said carton.

Claim 47

A one-piece carton blank for forming a multi-cell carrier carton having an outer structure, an inner structure and a handle structure, said carton blank comprising a first portion comprising an outer structure of a carton to be erected from said carton blank, a second portion comprising a central divider structure and a multi-cell structure, each of said portions including elements that cooperate in the carton to be erected from said carton blank to provide a complete handle structure for said carton, said first portion being hingedly connected to said second portion by means of a pair of hinge straps; and wherein said first portion includes, hingedly connected together in series, a first end wall, a first sidewall, a second end wall, and a second sidewall, wherein said first and second end walls are hingedly connected to first and second bottom end wall flaps respectively, wherein said first and second sidewalls are hingedly connected to first and second bottom sidewall flaps respectively, all of said bottom wall flaps being adjacent one edge of said carton blank, wherein said first and second end walls are also hingedly connected to first and second top end wall flaps respectively, wherein said first and second sidewalls are hingedly connected to first and second top sidewall flaps respectively, and wherein said pair of hinge straps are hingedly connected respectively to said first and second top end wall flaps.

Claim 48

A one-piece carton blank for forming a multi-cell carrier carton having an outer structure, an inner structure and a handle structure, said carton blank comprising a first portion comprising an outer structure of a carton to be erected from said carton blank, a second portion comprising a central divider structure and a multi-cell structure, each of said portions including elements that cooperate in the carton to be erected from said carton blank to provide a complete handle structure for said carton, said first portion being hingedly connected to said second portion by means of a pair of hinge straps; and wherein said first portion includes, hingedly connected together in series, a first end wall, a first sidewall, a second end wall, and a second sidewall, wherein said first and second end walls are hingedly connected to first and second bottom end wall flaps respectively, wherein said first and second sidewalls are hingedly connected to first and second bottom sidewall flaps respectively, all of said bottom wall flaps being adjacent one edge of said carton blank, wherein said first and second end walls are also hingedly connected to first and second top end wall flaps respectively, wherein said first and second sidewalls are hingedly connected to first and second top sidewall flaps respectively, and wherein said pair of hinge straps are hingedly connected respectively to said first and second top end wall flaps.

Claim 49

The carton blanK according to claim 38 wherein said second portion includes, hingedly connected together in series, a first divider wall end support section, a first divider wall, a second divider wall end support section, and a second divider wall.

Claim 50

The carton blank according to claim 39 wherein said first and second divider walls are hingedly connected to first and second reinforcing flaps respectively, along an edge of said first and second divider walls adjacent said first section.

Claim 51

The carton blank according to claim 39 wherein each one of said pair of hinge straps is hingedly connected between a respective one of said first and second divider wall end support sections and a respective one of said top end wall flaps.

Claim 52

The carton blank according to claim 41 wherein each of said first and second divider walls includes a plurality of cell walls partially cut out of the material of said first and second divider walls.

Claim 53

The carton blank according to claim 42 wherein said hinge straps each include a circular opening of sufficient size to accomodate a top of a container to be received within said carton.