US3424302A

US3424302A - Carrier with center divider

Info

Publication number: US3424302A
Application number: US169444A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry Ganz
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1962-01-29
Filing date: 1962-01-29
Publication date: 1969-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1986-01-28
Also published as: DK120276B; GB1023835A; DE1293674B

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 GANZ CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER Sheet of'2 Filed Jan. 29, 1962 INVENTOR HEMEY Gmz BY K; M ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 H, GANZ 3,424,302

CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER Filed Jan. 29, 1962 Sheet 2 of2 I '22 w "5% 2 Q9 27 5 '28 "an 3'7 q 42 43 38 4: Q do 49 Q 46 E5 '56 35 INVENTOR E16 6 HENRY G ANL BY 4% am AW 2 ATTORNEY;

United States Patent Ofifice 3,424,302 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 3,424,302 CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER Henry Ganz, Teaneck, N.J., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc. New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 169,444 US. Cl. 206-65 16 Claims Int. Cl. B65d 75/02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in container packages, and more particularly to a novel container carrier of the wrap-around type.

In the container packaging field, particularly in the packaging of cans, such as beer cans, it has become well known to utilize container carriers of the wrap-around type. These container carriers encircle containers disposed in two rows and generally each row of containers contains three containers although the carriers are not restricted to such a number of containers. The carriers, however, have open ends and it is, therefore, necessary to provide either suitable end flaps or suitable means for interlocking with the containers to prevent the accidental removal of the containers through the open ends of the carrier. This field being highly competitive, it is necessary to utilize a minimum of material in the formation of a carrier. Accordingly, it is not economically feasible to provide the carrier with end flaps or other securing means requiring a large amount of additional material. On the other hand, it is desirable to completely encase the containers within the carrier and for that reason, it is preferred not to provide openings in the panels of the carrier through which portions of the containers are exposed.

In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel container carrier of the Wrap-around type wherein the carrier is provided with means disposed entirely within the carrier for interlocking with containers disposed within the carrier to prevent the accidental removal of a container from within the carrier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel container carrier of the wrap-around type for holding two rows of containers in a tightly wrapped pack-age which may be readily handled without the accidental loss of containers from the ends of the carrier, the carrier having at least one panel which is provided with a longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting rib adapted to be disposed between the containers of the two rows of containers to maintain the containers in separated relation and at the same time to form an interlock with the containers to prevent the accidental removal of the containers from the carrier.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container car-rier of the wrap around type with novel container retaining means for cooperation with containers of the type having a peripheral projection at at least one end thereof, the container retaining means being in the form of one panel of the carrier which is adapted to engage container ends in face-to-face relation, and which one panel is provided with a longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting riib adapted to be disposed between containers disposed in rows and the rib having longitudinally spaced openings in opposite sides thereof for receiving container projections to lock the containers within the carrier.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a container carrier a panel of the carrier having a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting rib adapted to be disposed between containers of the two rows of containers, the rib being generally V-shaped in cross section and being squeezed together between containers disposed on opposite sides thereof to react against side panels of the carrier whereby the containers are tightly held within the carrier, and the rib further being provided with openings for receiving peripheral projections on the containers whereby the containers are directly interlocked with the rib.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel container carrier of the wrap-ground type wherein one carirer wall adapted to engage ends of containers disposed within the container is formed of a pair of overlapped panels which are rigidly connected together and wherein the innermost panel of the overlap areas is provided with an inwardly projecting, longitudinally extending rib disposed centrally of the carrier for positioning between containers disposed in two rows within the carrier, the rib functioning both as a separator to urge the containers apart and into engagement with side panels of the carrier and having means for interlocking with projections on the containers to effect the forming of a tight package in which the containers are tightly secured against accidental removal.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container carrier and shows the same in its completely assembled form, containers being shown within the carrier by phantom lines.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and shows more specifically the details of the construction of the carrier and the relationship of the containers therewith, the containers being shown in phantom lines.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific construction of the overlapped panels of the carrier and the container retaining means carried thereby.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and shows the details of the panel of the carrier disposed in opposed relation to the overlapped panels and the container retaining means carried thereby.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG- URE 2 and shows more specifically the details of the container retaining means carried by the overlapped panels.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the blank from which the carrier is formed.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing a slightly modified manner of securing together the overlapped panels.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the invention relates to a container carrier of the wrap-around type, the container carrier being best illustrated in FIGURE 1 and being generally referred to by the numeral 10. The container carrier 10 is formed from a one-piece, elongated, rectangular blank, generally referred to by the numeral'll; Since the construction of the carrier may be best understood by reference to the blank 11, the blank 11 will be described in detail first.

The blank 11 is of a width corresponding to the length of the completed carrier 10 and is divided into a plurality of transversely extending panels by a plurality of transversely extending fold lines. The blank 11 is provided with a pair of

fold lines

12 and 13 which are symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal center of the blank 11 and define a panel 14. A fold line 15 is spaced longitudinally from the fold line 12 and cooperates therewith to define a panel 16. A fold line 17 cooperates with the fold line 13 to define a panel 18 which is identical with the panel 16. The fold line 15 sets off a panel 19 at the end of the blank 11 adjacent the panel 16 while the fold line 17 sets off a panel 20 at the end of the blank 11 adjacent the panel 18.

The panel 20 is provided with three

parallel fold lines

21, 22 and 23. The panel 20 is notched, as at 24, at the opposite ends of the fold line 22.

The notch 24 is provided to facilitate formation of rib 44 in present-day high-speed automatic machines. When the blank is placed over the upper ends of the containers C, the blank travels with the containers. While travelling,

the

side panels

16, 18 are folded downwardly after which the

bottom panels

19 and 20 are then folded upwardly beneath the bottoms of the containers C. During the upward folding of bottom panel 20, while the blank is travelling, the end section of

fold lines

21, 22, 23 comes into contact with a vertical plow blade. The vertical blade has an upwardly inclined edge. The notch 24 comes into contact with this blade. The notch acts as a guide to keep the blank at this end in position so that the blade hits directly at fold line 22. This thus acts to fold this end section of panel 20 upwardly and also forces it between the rows of containers C.

The

fold lines

21, 22 and 23, as illustrated in the preferred embodiment herein described, are interrupted by a pair of elongated openings 25 which extend longitudinally of the blank 11 and transversely of the

fold lines

21, 22 and 23. The openings 25 are disposed at approximately the third points of the length of the panel 20 which extends transversely of the blank 11 and the openings 25 have rounded ends. While I have illustrated the rib as being interrupted by elongated openings 25, it should be clearly understood that such openings may be eliminated so that the rib isnot interrupted but extends from one open end of the package to the other opposite open end thereof.

The

fold lines

21 and 22 are interrupted at spaced points by C-shaped cuts 26 which are disposed in back-to-back relation for the two

fold lines

21 and 23 and are centered on the same centers as containers which may be disposed within the carrier 10. Further, I may also eliminate the C-shaped cuts 26 so that the entire rib, extending from open end to open end, has no openings therein. In such an event, I may use openings at the top and bottom of the

side walls

16 and 18 so that portions of the chines or ends of the containers may project therethrough.

The fold line 23 and the associated cuts 26 define a terminal panel portion or flap 47.

The panel 20 is also provided with semi-circular cutouts 27 which are centered with the C-shaped cuts 26 and define openings 28 having straight borders 29 which are adjacent the fold line 21.

The panel 19 is provided adjacent its free end with a transverse fold line 30 which is interrupted by C-shaped cuts 31 corresponding to the C-shaped cuts 26. The fold line 30 and the cuts 31 define a terminal panel portion 46. The fold line 30 is also interrupted by openings 32 disposed at the third points of the panel 19 transversely of the blank 11, the openings 32 being formed by the pressing of the fiaps 33 from the plane of the panel 19, the flaps 33 being connected to the remainder of the panel 19 along fold lines 34 extending longitudinally of the blank 11.

The C-shaped out line 31 defines connecting tabs 35 which, in cooperation with an. adhesive coatin 36 on a terminal panel portion 46 of the panel 19, serve to secure together the

panels

19 and 20 in partial overlapping relation.

The panel 14 is provided with a plurality of flaps 37 which are hinged to the panel 14 along an aligned hinged line 38 which extends along the longitudinal center of the panel 14 and transversely of the blank 11. The flaps 37 are centered on the centers of the positions of the containers when the containers are disposed within the carrier 10.

The panel 14 is provided with a locking tab 39 for each of the outermost containers to be carried by the carrier 10. Each locking rib 39 is generally pie shaped in outline and is hingedly connected to the panel 14 along a fold line 40 which extends transversely of the blank 11. Each pie shaped locking tab 39 has an apex disposed along a line extending through the center of the position of a container within a carrier and longitudinally of the blank 11.

The panel 14 is also provided with a pair of finger receiving openings 41 disposed at the third points of the panel 14 and each opening 41 being defined by a flap 42 which is pressable out of the plane of the panel 14 and which is hingedly connected to the panel 14 along a hinge line 43 extending longitudinally of the blank 11.

When the blank 11 is to be utilized as the carrier 10 of FIGURE 1, the panel 14 is initially operated on to project the locking tabs 39 inwardly and beneath the panel 14 is closely spaced parallel relation with respect thereto. The flaps 37 are also projected inwardly out of the plane of the panel 14 and are disposed generally normal to the plane of the panel 14.

After the panel 14 has ben so operated on, the blank 11 is placed over the tops of six containers C disposed in two rows of thre containers each and the

panels

16 and 18 are folded down along the sides of the containers. During the folding of the panel 20 toward the chined ends of the containers, the folding of the rib end portion is brought about by folding the said panel along

fold lines

21, 22, 23 to form an upstanding rib 44. Forming of the rib 44 is taking place in the machine as the rib is being inserted between two rows of containers so that the chines 45 or other types of peripheral projections disposed at the ends of the containers C pass into the openings defined in the rib 44 between C-shaped cuts 26 as as to be interlocked therewith. The rib 44 also serves to urge the containers C apart, although during the closing or completion of the carrier 10, the rib 44 is compressed inwardly by the containers C. At this time, it is pointed out that the ends of the containers C opposing the panel 14 are separated in spaced longitudinal relation by the flaps 37 projetcing downwardly therebetween, as is best shown in FIGURES 2 and 4.

The

panels

19 and 20 are first connected together by the interlocking of the same through the passing of the locking flaps 35 through the openings 28 and locking behind the panel 20. Immediately following this action, an entire terminal panel portion 46 defined by the fold line 30 of the C-shaped cuts 31 is swung into face-to-face engagement with the underside of the panel 20 and is permanently secured thereto by means of either the adhesive 36, as shown in FIGURE 6, or by a conventional type of tongue and slot conection (not shown).

While panel portion 47 (as shown in FIGURES 1 through 6) does not have any adhesive thereon and overlaps a portion of panel 19 (as illustrated in FIGURE 1) in a sliding relation thereto, it should be clear that the three containers in one row have their weight resting on panel 47 thus retarding the movement of panel 47. However, it should be clearly understood that I can put an adhesive between panel 47, as is shown in FIGURE 7 at 48, and that part of panel 19 which it overlies to thus prevent any movement of panel 47 either towards or away from the rib 44, after the adhesive 48 has been set. Without the adhesive 48, the rib is capable of expanding and retracting.

At this time it is pointed out that although the carrier is illustrated with the panel 14 being disposed uppermost as the top panel and the

panels

19 and 20 being bottom closing panels, the carrier may be inverted, if desired, so that the panel 14 forms the bottom of the carrier and the

panels

19 and 20 form the top. When the panel 14 is disposed uppermost as the top panel, the completed package is carried by depressing the flaps 4 2 between adjacent containers C, as shown in FIGURE 4, so that the openings 41 may function as finger receiving openings to facilitate the carrying of the carrier and the package formed thereby. On the other hand, if the

panels

19 and 20 are disposed uppermost as the top, then the flaps 33 are projected inwardly to the edges of the center portion of the rib 44 through the elongated openings 25 to form finger receiving openings 32.

When fingers are inserted into openings 32, the flaps 33 are pushed downwardly and swing against the edges of the center rib 44. Thus, the person lifting the package exerts a vise-like presure against said edges and then lifts the package. In lifting the package an upward pull is exerted, in the first instance, against the center rib. Since the center rib has chine cuts therein through which portions of the chines extend and since each side of the center rib is in engagement with the top edge of the chine the lifting of the package by the finger holes 32 causes the two center containers to be lifted directly at this point which virtually eliminates the pull or tension which is normally exerted upon the corners formed at the outer ends by the fold lines between the top panels and the side walls.

In addition, this also takes the weight of these two center cans away from the bottom of the carrier.

When lifting the package through finger holes 41, the weight of the six containers is lifted by the bottom of the carrier. This puts great tension on the paperboard of the carrier and unless the caliber of the paperboard is great enough the carrier breaks. Particularly is this so when the package has ben refrigerated and the paperboard has absorbed moisture.

When finger holes 32 are used, the center rib 44 and the top panel plus the grip of the person lifting the package, lift the weight of the two center containers and the rest of the carrier only has to liftingly support four containers thus taking from the bottom and the side walls 33 /s% of the weight that they previously had to support. This means that not only can I obtain a far superior package by the use of my invention, but that I also achieve great economical advantage as a much lower caliber of paperboard can be used in producing a package equal to the packages now in use.

In addition, it will be readily apparent that the blank 11 requires only an extremely slight amount of additional material in the formation of the rib 44 and thereby the necessary container retaining means are provided at a minimum of cost. It will also be apparent that the rib 44 provides for the formation of a tight package due to the outward urging of the containers C by the rib 44. Further, due to the specific interlock provided between the containers and the carrier, accidental loss of a container from the package is prevented. It is to be understood that the carrier 10 may be applied to containers in substantially the same manner as existing carriers of the wrap-around type and with a minimum of effort. On the other hand, the carrier 10 is of such a construction whereby no portion of a container projects outwardly of the carrier and thus the containers C are completely protected by the carrier 10.

The flaps 37 and the locking tabs 39 carried by the panel 14 cooperate with the components of the

panels

19 and 20 and the securing of containers C within the carrier 10. The flaps 37, being disposed between containers of the two rows, urge the containers outwardly at the upper ends thereof and into compressible engagement with the

panels

16 and 18. At the same time, the locking tabs 39 are recessed within the recessed upper ends of the endmost ones of the container so as to prevent 6 the withdrawal of the containers through the open ends of the carrier 10, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Although a preferred embodiment of the inventin has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that minor modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrier of the wrap-around type for holding a plurality of containers disposed in two rows in a readily handleable package, said carrier having two panels with edges thereof disposed in partially overlapping relation and in combination forming a carrier wall adapted to oppose ends of containers, said panels being secured together and including an inner panel and an outer panel, said inner panel having a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting tubular rib adapted to extend between two rows of containers and wedge the containers of the two rows apart to form a tight package, said rib being provided with longitudinally spaced openings in the opposite faces thereof substantially at the base thereof for receiving projections on containers in interlocking relation, said outer panel and said rib having aligned finger receiving openings for facilitating the carrying of said carrier, and said finger receiving openings being disposed intermediate said longitudinally spaced openings.

2. A carrier of the wrap-around type for holding a plurality of containers disposed in two rows in a readily handleable package, said carrier having two panels with edges thereof disposed in partially overlapping relation and in combination forming a carrier wall adapted to oppose ends of containers, said panels being secured together and including an inner panel and an outer panel, said inner panel having a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting tubular rib adapted to extend between two rows of containers and wedge the containers of the two rows apart to form a tight package, said outer panel and said rib having aligned finger receiving openings for facilitating the carrying of said carrier.

3. A readily handleable package comprising a plurality of containers each having a peripheral projection at at least one end with said containers being arranged in rows, and a wrap-around carrier of the sleeve type encircling said containers, said carrier including two opposed panels for engaging ends of containers and two side panels, and an inwardly projecting folded tubular rib on one of said opposed panels disposed between the containers of the two rows and urging said containers apart and into engagement with said side panels, and longitudinally spaced openings in opposite sides of said rib receiving said container projections to interlock said rib and said containers, said one opposed panel being formed of an inner pan-e1 and an outer panel disposed in at least partial overlapping relation and secured together, and said rib being part of said inner panel, and said inner panel being secured to said outer panel at one side only of said rib with said rib being free to expand and contract.

4. A readily handleable package comprising a plurality of containers each having a peripheral projection at at least one end with said containers being arranged in rows, and a wrap-around carrier of the sleeve type encircling said containers, said carrier including two opposed panels for engaging ends of containers and two side panels, and an inwardly projecting folded tubular rib on one of said opposed panels disposed between the containers of the two rows and urging said containers apart and into engagement with said side panels, and longitudinally spaced openings in opposite sides of said rib receiving said container projections to interlock said rib and said containers, said one opposed panel being formed of an inner panel and an outer panel disposed in at least partial overlapping relation and secured together, and said rib being part of said inner panel, said outer panel and said rib having aligned finger receiving openings for facilitating the carrying of said carrier.

5. A one-piece blank for forming a container carrier of the wrap-around type, said blank being of an elongated rectangular outline and divided into a plurality of transversely extending panels by transverse fold lines; said panels including a central panel adapted to engage container ends, a pair of intermediate side forming panels, and a pair of terminal panels each having a free edge, cooperating means on said terminal panels for securing said terminal panels together in spaced relation to the free edge of one of said terminal panels with said one terminal panel being disposed innermost, at least three spaced parallel fold lines extending transversely of said blank on said one terminal panel intermediate the free edge thereof and said cooperating means for forming a rib, and identical broadly arcuate cut lines interrupting remote ones of said parallel fold lines to form container projection receiving openings in the opposite sides of the rib when formed.

6. A one-piece blank for forming a container carrier of the wrap-around type, said blank being of an elongated rectangular outline and divided into a plurality of transversely extending panels by transverse fold lines; said panels including a central-panel adapted to engage container ends, a pair of intermediate side forming panels, and a pair of terminal panels each having a free edge, cooperating means on said terminal panels for securing said terminal panels together in spaced relation to the free edge of one of said terminal panels with said one terminal panel being disposed innermost, at least three spaced parallel fold lines extending transversely of said blank on said one terminal panel intermediate the free edge thereof and said cooperating means for forming a rib, and broadly arcuate cut lines interrupting remote ones of said parallel fold lines to form container projection receiving openings in the opposite sides of the rib when formed, and aligned finger openings in said terminal panels with the finger openings in said one panel extending transversely across said parallel fold lines.

7. A one-piece blank for forming a container carrier of the wrap-around type, said blank being of an elongated rectangular outline and divided into a plurality of transversely extending panels by transverse fold lines; said panels including a central panel adapted to engage container ends, a pair of intermediate side forming panels, and a pair of terminal panels each having a free edge, cooperating means on said terminal panels for securing said terminal panels together in spaced relation to the free edge of one of said terminal panels with said one terminal panel being disposed innermost, at least three spaced parallel fold lines extending transversely of said blank on said one terminal panel intermediate the free edge thereof and said cooperating means for forming a rib, and broadly arcuate cut lines interrupting remote ones of said parallel fold lines to form container projection receiving openings in the opposite sides of the rib when formed, said central panel having container separating flaps and container retaining tabs.

8. A one-piece blank for forming a container carrier of the wraparound type, said blank being of an elongated rectangular outline and divided into a plurality of transversely extending panels by transverse fold lines; said panels including a central panel adapted to engage container ends, a pair of intermediate side forming panels, and a pair of terminal panels each having a free edge, cooperating means on said terminal panels for securing said terminal panels together in spaced relation to the free edge of one of said terminal panels with said one terminal panel being disposed innermost, at least three spaced parallel fold lines extending transversely of said blank on said one terminal panel intermediate the free edge thereof and said cooperating means for forming a rib, and broadly arcuate cut lines interrupting remote ones of said parallel fold lines to form container projection receiving openings in the opposite sides of the rib when formed, opposite sides of said blank being formed with notches aligned with the central one of said parallel fold lines for functioning as guide means when a folding blade engages said blank to form the rib.

9. A carrier of the wrap-around type for holding a plurality of containers disposed in two rows in a readily handleable package, said carrier having two panels with edges thereof disposed in partially overlapping relation and in combination forming a carrier wall adapted to oppose ends of containers, said panels being secured together and including an inner panel and an outer panel, said inner panel having a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting tubular rib adapted to extend between two rows of containers and wedge the containers of the two rows apart to form a tight package, said rib being provided with longitudinally spaced openings in the opposite faces thereof and substantially at the base thereof for receiving projections on containers in interlocking relation, said outer panel and said rib having aligned finger receiving openings for facilitating the carrying of said carrier, and said finger receiving openings being disposed intermediate said longitudinally spaced openings, said finger receiving openings dividing said rib into at least a central portion and terminal portions with each of said portions having said container projeciton receiving openings therein, whereby when said carrier having containers therein is lifted by placing ones fingers through said finger receiving openings a direct lifting force is applied to said central rib portion for directly lifting containers interlocked therewith.

10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein said outer panel has flaps hingedly connected thereto and defined in the forming of said finger receiving openings in said outer panel, said flaps passing through said inner panel finger receiving openings and engaging opposite ends of said central rib portion.

11. In a container carrier of the wrap-around type, container retaining means for receiving in interlocking engagement ends of containers of the type having a pcripheral projection at the end thereof, said container retaining means comprising a wall of said carrier for facetoface engagement with container ends, said wall being formed of first and second panels joined together in overlapping relation, said first panel having an inwardly projecting longitudinally extending rib adapted to be received between two rows of containers with said first panel projecting from opposite sides of said rib for engagement with container ends, and longitudinally spaced openings in opposite sides of said rib for receiving container projections, said rib being of a generally V-shaped cross section and said panel being anchored to said second panel on opposite sides of said rib to retain the cross section of said rib.

12. A carrier for holding a plurality of containers of the type having a peripheral projection at the end thereof and disposed in two rows, said carrier including container retaining means for receiving in interlocking engagement ends of the container, said container retaining means comprising a panel of said carrier for face-to-face engagement with container ends, said panel having an inwardly projecting longitudinally extending tubular rib adapted to be received between two rows of containers with said panel projecting from opposite sides of said rib for engagement with container ends, and longitudinally spaced finger receiving openings traversing said rib adapted for facilitating the carrying of said carrier, said rib being provided with longitudinally spaced openings in opposed faces thereof for receiving projections on containers in interlocking relation, said panel being a top panel of the carrier and said finger receiving openings dividing said rib into at least a central rib portion and terminal rib portions with each of said portions having said container projection receiving openings therein.

13. The carrier of claim 12 wherein each of said container projection receiving openings in said top panel is opposed by similar second container projection receiving openings in transverse coperative alignment therewith whereby said first-mentioned and second container projection openings engage at least two portions of each container end.

14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein said central and terminal rib portions are formed by at least a central fold line forming the apex of said rib portions and a base fold line parallel to and spaced from said central fold line at each side thereof, and said first mentioned container projection receiving opening being formed in each of said central and terminal rib portions between said central fold line and each of said base fold lines.

15. A carrier of the wrap-around type for holding a plurality of containers disposed in two rows in a readily handleable package; said carrier including a central panel, two side panels and two terminal panels; said terminal panels having edge portions disposed in overlapping connected together relation and forming a complete panel extending between said side panels remote from said central panel, said terminal panels including an inner panel and an outer panel; said inner panel edge portion having intermediate folds defining a tubular rib projecting into said carrier; and the connection between said terminal panels including a terminal flap on said inner panel overlying and being secured to said outer panel, and locking flaps on said outer panel interlocked with said inner panel on the side of said rib remote from said terminal flap whereby the cross section of said rib is maintained.

16. The carrier of claim 15 wherein said rib has container projection receiving openings at the base thereof in opposite sides thereof, and a flap carried by said inner panel in alignment with each opening and projecting into said rib in overlying relation to said outer panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,042,283 7/1962 De Paul 206-65 X 3,049,282 8/1962 Chidsey, Jr. et al 229-40 2,124,808 7/1938 White et al. 206-65 X 3,081,928 3/1963 Chidsey et al. 229-40 2,765,073 10/1956 Murray 206-65 3,006,530 10/1961 Forrer 229-40 20 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.