Patenting the Six Pack (Beer, not Abs)

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, a beer-focused patent seems like a timely subject for the Patent of the Day.  Take a look at U.S. Patent 2,371,317, issued March 13, 1945, for a bottle carrier.  Although technically not directed at beer, the essential characteristics of the folding paperboard six-pack carrier of this patent remain in use today, primarily for beer.

U.S. Patent 2,371,317, Issued March 13, 1945

If you are a regular Patent of the Day follower, you know that I love inventions that remain relevant over the passage of time.  This  innovation was not only a simple means to carry six bottles, but offered an efficiently foldable structure and a sturdy construction from materials that are now routinely recycled.  Cudos to forethinking  inventor, William Ringler from the Gardner-Richardson Company of Ohio. 

Now, as you pick up a six pack to dye green for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, you will be not only prepared to carry your beers easily, but will be set with some interesting and intelligent party banter on the inventive tote.  

If you’d like to know more history on the Miami Valley paper industry of Ohio, you can read an interesting article from the 1933 Dayton Daily News at  http://www.daytonhistorybooks.com/papertype.html.  If you’d like to read the Patent of the Day in its entirety, visit www.innovativeip.us and the “of interest” tab offers a download.  Enjoy!