Package and method of making same

Claim 2

In combination: a plurality of containers each having a tubular sidewall, a saddlelike carrier supported against the top portions of at least two of said containers, said carrier having a substantially rectangular central portion which has a top surface defining a bearing surface, and an overwrap shrunk in position around said containers and against said carrier, said overwrap holding said containers with their sidewalls in intimate contact and having a finger-receiving opening therein adjacent one edge portion of said carrier enabling a finger to be inserted therethrough and engaged under said carrier for carrying purposes, said bearing surface transmitting the entire weight of said containers to said overwrap and distributing said entire weight over a substantially large area and thereby preventing localized stretching and loosening of said overwrap which would provide space between said containers and allow jostling and possible damage to said containers.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said carrier has extension flaps extending downwardly from the periphery thereof, said extension flaps providing greater rigidity for said carrier.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising another opening in said overwrap arranged adjacent both said first-named opening and the edge portion of said carrier opposite said one edge portion, said openings enabling easier carrying of said containers.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising another opening in said overwrap arranged adjacent both said first-named opening and the edge portion of said carrier opposite said one edge portion, said openings comprising circular openings each being arranged so that a fractional portion thereof is arranged over said carrier to enable easier insertion of a thumb and finger therethrough and thereby enable easier carrying of said containers.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said overwrap comprises a heat-shrinkable plastic overwrap which is heat shrunk in position.

Claim 7

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said overwrap comprises a seamless tubular sleeve made from a heat-shrinkable plastic material which is heat shrunk in position, said sleeve having another opening provided therein and arranged adjacent both said first-named opening and the edge portion of said carrier opposite said one edge portion, said openings enabling easier carrying of said containers.

Claim 8

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said plurality of containers comprise a pair of rows of containers having a plurality of containers in each row with said carrier being arranged substantially transverse said pair of rows.

Claim 9

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said top surface of said carrier has an area which is roughly one-third of the area of the top wall of the package defined by said combination.

Claim 10

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said plurality of containers comprise a plurality of breakable bottles each having a tubular sidewall and a closure, said carrier preventing said localized stretching to prevent damage by breaking of said bottles.

Claim 11

In combination: a plurality of breakable bottles each having a tubular sidewall and a closure, a carrier supported against the top portions of at least two of said bottles, said carrier having a top surface defining a bearing surface, and an overwrap shrunk in position around said bottles and against said carrier, said overwrap holding said bottles with their sidewalls in intimate contact and having a finger-receiving opening therein adjacent one edge portion of said carrier enabling a finger to be inserted thereThrough and engaged under said carrier for carrying purposes, said bearing surface transmitting the entire weight of said bottles to said overwrap and distributing said entire weight over a substantially large area and thereby preventing localized stretching and loosening of said overwrap which would provide space between said bottles and allow jostling and possible breading thereof, said carrier comprising a saddlelike paperboard carrier having a substantially rectangular central portion and having a pair of extension flaps extending downwardly from its opposite end edges and another pair of extension flaps extending downwardly from its side edges, said extension flaps providing greater rigidity for said carrier.

Claim 12

In combination: a plurality of breakable bottles each having a tubular sidewall and a closure, a carrier supported against the top portions of at least two of said bottles, said carrier having a top surface defining a bearing surface, and an overwrap shrunk in position around said bottles and against said carrier, said overwrap holding said bottles with their sidewalls in intimate contact and having a finger-receiving opening therein adjacent one edge portion of said carrier enabling a finger to be inserted thereThrough and engaged under said carrier for carrying purposes, said bearing surface transmitting the entire weight of said bottles to said overwrap and distributing said entire weight over a substantially large area and thereby preventing localized stretching and loosening of said overwrap which would provide space between said bottles and allow jostling and possible breading thereof, said carrier comprising a saddlelike paperboard carrier having a substantially rectangular central portion and having a pair of extension flaps extending downwardly from its opposite end edges and another pair of extension flaps extending downwardly from its side edges, said extension flaps providing greater rigidity for said carrier.

Claim 13

A combination as set forth in claim 10 in which said overwrap comprises a seamless tubular sleeve made from a heat-shrinkable plastic material which is heat shrunk in position, said sleeve having another opening provided therein and arranged adjacent both said first-named opening and the edge portion of said carrier opposite said one edge portion, said openings enabling easier carrying of said bottles.

Claim 14

A combination as set forth in claim 10 in which said plurality of bottles comprise a pair of rows of bottles with said carrier arranged substantially perpendicular to said pair of rows and between a pair of adjoining bottles.

Claim 15

A combination as set forth in claim 10 in which said substantially rectangular central portion of said carrier has a roughly semicircular projection extending from each end thereof defined by a substantially semicircular cut in said carrier, an extension flap extending from each end, each extension flap having a base portion provided with a substantially semicircular opening therein defined by an associated cut and said substantially semicircular opening defining side edges in its extension flap which face toward each other, said carrier being supported in position on the closures of two of said bottles with each projection covering an associated closure and with said side edges in each extension flap engaging opposed portions of an associated closure to prevent shifting of said carrier, and said extension flaps being held in position by said overwrap and providing greater rigidity for said carrier.