Container Carrier Tabs for Secure Multi-Can Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carriers for containers lack efficient and secure mechanisms to hold and retain multiple containers, particularly cylindrical containers like aluminum cans, without causing material distortion or damage during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A carrier design featuring an attachment panel with container retention openings and tabs that engage the containers' necks, allowing for secure retention through overlapping tab edges and flexible material manipulation during assembly, enhancing material utilization and aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional carrier designs are used to hold multiple containers, then containers can be carried, but secure retention mechanism is insufficient and material distortion occurs during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer retention securityVSAvoidmaterial distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment panel is divided into multiple container retention openings, each capable of independently receiving and securing a container. This segmentation allows secure retention of multiple containers simultaneously while distributing assembly forces to prevent material distortion at any single location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Container retention tabs are introduced as intermediary elements between the attachment panel and the containers. These tabs engage with the containers' necks or bodies to provide secure retention, while the panel itself remains undistorted during assembly. The tabs act as mediators that transfer holding forces without requiring the panel material to deform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If container retention tabs are positioned between adjacent containers, then containers are urged into engagement with the attachment panel, but the carrier structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer engagementVSAvoidcarrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container retention tabs are integrated directly into the attachment panel as a single unified structure. Multiple tabs are formed from one continuous panel material, merging the retention function with the structural panel. This integration provides reliable container engagement while avoiding the complexity of separate, discrete retention components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework of the carrier, contains the container retention openings, and forms the container retention tabs that engage containers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall carrier structure while maintaining reliable container engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12565367B2Carrier for containers

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes an attachment panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving respective containers of the plurality of containers, and container retention features including the plurality of container retention openings and at least one container retention tab in at least partial face-to-face contact with the attachment panel and for being positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers to urge the plurality of containers into engagement with the attachment panel.