Patent Publication Number: US-11046493-B2

Title: Container carrier apparatus and methods of making and using the same

Description:
The present invention claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/430,638, titled “Container Carrier Apparatus and Methods of Making and Using the Same,” filed Feb. 13, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/437,891, titled “Container Carrier Apparatus and Methods of Making and Using the Same,” filed Jun. 9, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily for carrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily for carrying container having any type of products contained therein. Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows a user to transport various amounts and types of containers securely, minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, contained therein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount of containers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount of containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is, of course, generally known to utilize carriers to carry products, such as food products. A need, however, exists for a carrier apparatus that allows for the transport of a plurality of different amounts and types of containers. For example, pizzas are known to be transported in square or round cardboard containers, and more specifically, pizza slices are individually contained within triangular “slice”-shaped cardboard containers. Packaging individual slices may be desired where hungry people wish to each have their own pizza slice that may be different than the others. Indeed, it is often the case that individuals wish to have a pizza slice having toppings specific to their tastes, without having to compromise by ordering a full pizza in which everyone can agree. 
     Commonly, a flexible bag is often used to carry one or more containers for products, such as food products. However, flexible bags do not provide sufficient rigidity and strength to ensure that containers maintain their upright position so as not to upset the products contained therein. Carrying a flexible bag containing product containers therein is often difficult and awkward, and if handled incorrectly, may upend products contained therein. Moreover, flexible bags do not provide a clean, flat surface for graphics, logos, advertising, etc. that may be clearly discerned by a user. A need, therefore, exists for a carrier apparatus that maintains product containers in desired upright positions so as not to upset products contained therein. Further, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that includes a flat surface for presentation of graphics, logos, advertising, or other like indicia. 
     While it may be relatively easy to transport a single full pizza within a relatively large pizza box, it may be difficult to easily and securely carry and transport a plurality of pizza slice containers in the same manner. A need, therefore, exists for a carrier apparatus designed specifically to carry one or more pizza slice containers securely and safely. In addition, individuals may desire to order one or more pizza slices and other food products, such as salads, garlic bread, cheeses, spices, sauces, and other like products. Likewise, individuals may further desired to further transport utensils, napkins, wipes, and other like non-food products with their food. A need, therefore, exists for a carrier apparatus that allows for the safe and secure transport of different kinds of food products together, or food products and non-food products at the same time. 
     Likewise, other food products are also difficult to transport, and a need exists for a carrier apparatus that maintains products, such as food products, within individual containers in an upright position without tipping. Oftentimes, individual pizzas, such as single serve pizzas, deep dish pizza pies, bakery pies, cakes, cupcakes, and other like products may be packaged in cardboard containers for transport, and it is often desired to maintain these products in a certain position or orientation to avoid damage to the food products. A need, therefore, exists for a carrier apparatus that easily and effectively maintains products contained therein in upright desired position or orientation. Specifically, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that minimizes or even prevents damage to products, such as food products, within containers during transport of the same. 
     It is further often difficult to transport a plurality of containers at the same time when the containers are of different shapes and/or sizes. Specifically, in the example above, a user may order a pizza slice that may be contained within a triangular-shaped pizza slice container, and a salad, pie, cake or other food product that may be contained within a square container. Likewise, a user may order another product, whether a food product or otherwise, that may be contained in a round container. A need exists for a carrier apparatus that can effectively and securely carry and transport a plurality of containers of different types and sizes, such as triangular-shaped, square, round, or other geometric shape, at the same time using one or more carrier apparatuses. More specifically, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that allows a user to mix and match different types and sizes of containers depending on the products transported therein. 
     Moreover, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that is easy to manufacture using inexpensive materials. Specifically, a need exists for a method of making a carrier apparatus that is easily manufactured for one or more specific types and/or sizes of containers. More specifically, a need exists for a method of using a carrier apparatus that allows a user to adopt a first configuration for a first amount and/or type of containers, and/or adopt a second configuration for a second amount and/or type of containers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily for carrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily for carrying containers having any type of products contained therein. Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows a user to transport various amounts and types of containers securely, minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, contained therein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount of containers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount of containers. 
     To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a carrier apparatus is provided. The carrier apparatus comprises a base section, a first wing, a second wing, and an extended slotted lock flap, wherein the first wing and the second wing are foldable along a first set of fold lines wherein folding at the first set of fold lines and engaging with the extended slotted lock flap in a first location forms a first internal space having a first volume, and a second set of fold lines, wherein folding at the second set of fold lines and engaging with the slotted lock flap in a second location forms a second internal space having a second volume. In an embodiment, the carrier apparatus comprises three wings. In an embodiment, the carrier apparatus comprises four wings. 
     It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that allows for the transport of a plurality of different amounts and types of containers. 
     More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus designed specifically to carry one or more pizza slice containers securely and safely. 
     Generally, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that allows for the safe and secure transport of different kinds of food products together, or food products and non-food products at the same time. 
     Still further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that includes a flat surface for presentation of graphics, logos, advertising, or other like indicia. 
     Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that easily and effectively maintains products contained therein in an upright position. 
     Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that minimizes or even prevents damage to products, such as food products, within containers during transport of the same. 
     In addition, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that can effectively and securely carry and transport a plurality of containers of different types and sizes. 
     More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that allows a user to mix and match different types and sizes of containers depending on the products transported therein. 
     Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus that is easy to manufacture using inexpensive materials. 
     Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a method of making a carrier apparatus that is easily manufactured for one or more specific types and/or sizes of containers. 
     More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a method of using a carrier apparatus that allows a user to adopt a first configuration for a first amount and/or type of containers, and/or adopt a second configuration for a second amount and/or type of containers. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a carrier apparatus  10  in an unassembled configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a carrier apparatus in a partially formed first configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a carrier apparatus in a fully formed first configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a carrier apparatus having containers therein in a first configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a carrier apparatus having containers therein in a second configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a carrier apparatus having different sizes and types of containers therein in a second configuration in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a carrier apparatus in an unassembled configuration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a carrier apparatus in a partially formed first configuration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a carrier apparatus in a partially formed first configuration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a carrier apparatus in a fully formed first configuration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a carrier apparatus in a fully formed second configuration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a carrier apparatus in an unassembled configuration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 13A-13F  illustrate a carrier apparatus transforming from an unassembled configuration to a fully formed configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily for carrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily for carrying containers having any type of products contained therein. Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows a user to transport various amounts and types of containers securely, minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, contained therein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount of containers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount of containers. 
     Referring now to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a carrier apparatus  10  in an unfolded, or flat, unassembled configuration, such as how the carrier apparatus  10  may exit a die-cutting machine or other like machine of manufacture. Specifically, the carrier apparatus  10 , in a preferred embodiment, may be made from a single piece of flat material, such as, preferably, corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, card stock, or other like material, although any material may be utilized as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as plastic, metal, wood, wood pulp, composite material, or other like material, and the present invention should not be limited as described herein. The carrier apparatus  10  may be utilized, as apparent in the following figures, to hold and transport containers that are triangular in shape, preferably, or square in shape, as described herein, although the carrier apparatuses described herein may be formed to hold any shaped-containers. 
     The carrier apparatus  10  may comprise a first wing  12  and a second wing  14  that may extend outwardly from two sides, respectively, of a triangular-shaped main body portion  16 , and an extending flap  18  that may extend from the third side of the triangular-shaped main body portion  16 . The first wing  12  may be folded upwardly from the main body portion  16  via fold line  22  that may be disposed on a first side of the triangular-shaped main body portion  16 . The second wing  14  may be folded upwardly from the main body portion  16  via fold line  24  that may be disposed on a second side of the triangular-shaped main body portion  16 . Finally, the extending flap  18  may be folded upwardly from the main body portion  16  via fold line  26  that may be disposed on a third side of the triangular-shaped main body portion  16 . The first wing  12 , the second wing  14  and the extending flap  18  may work in conjunction to form an internal space thereby encasing a container that may be disposed therein, as described in more detail below. 
     The first wing  12 , the second wing  14 , and the extending flap  18  may have a plurality of fold lines that provide optional configurations for holding and transporting a first quantity of containers or a second quantity of containers. Specifically, first wing  12  may comprise fold lines  30   a ,  30   b  and  32   a ,  32   b  that optionally are used depending on the quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus  10  when in a fully folded, assembled configuration. Likewise, second wing  14  may comprise fold lines  40   a ,  40   b  and  42   a ,  42   b  that optionally are used depending on the quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus  10  when in a fully folded, assembled configuration. Finally, extending flap  18  may comprise fold lines  50   a ,  50   b  that optionally are used depending on the quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus  10 . 
     In a first configuration, shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the first and second wings  12 ,  14  may be folded upwardly relative to the main body portion  16 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , only first wing  12  is illustrated, but it should be noted that second wing  14  may also be folded upwardly to mirror the first wing  12 . In the first configuration, the first wing  12  may be folded along fold line  30   a  and the second wing may be folded along fold line  40   a  inwardly and parallel with the main body portion  16  to form a top  60   a  for the carrier apparatus  10 . The first and second wings  12 ,  14  may converge in the center of the top  60   a , and may further be folded along fold lines  32   a ,  42   a  so that the remaining portions of the first and second wings  12 ,  14  are disposed upwardly and adjacent each other. 
     First wing  12  may comprise a handle slot  62 , and second wing  14  may comprise a foldable handle portion  64 . When the remaining portions of the first and second wings  12 ,  14  converge and are disposed together upwardly, the foldable handle portion  64  may be pushed within the handle slot  62 , and folded therewith to hold the adjacent and upwardly extending remaining portions of the first and second wings together, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The first and second wings  12 ,  14  thus form an interior space  66   a  in which a plurality of containers may be placed, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Once containers (not shown in  FIGS. 2-3 ) are placed therein, extending flap  18  may be folded upwardly, and slot  68  within extending flap  18  may be disposed over the remaining portions of the first and second wings  12 ,  14  such that the remaining portions  12 ,  14  are disposed through the slot  68  of the extending flap  18 . 
     When the first and second wings  12 ,  14  are disposed adjacent each other and upwardly, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a first engaging end  70  of the extending flap may engage one of two catch slots  72   a ,  72   b  that may be formed when the first and second wings  12 ,  14  come together. Specifically, catch slot  72   a  may be formed from slot  34   a  and  44   a  of the first and second wings  12 ,  14 , respectively, and catch slot  72   b  may be formed from slot  34   b  and  44   b  of the first and second wings  12 ,  14 , respectively. Extending flap  18  may therefore be folded at fold line  50   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , to enclose the interior space  66   a . Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the extending flap  18  is shown disposed over the first and second wings  12 ,  14  such that the first and second wings  12 ,  14  are disposed through the slot  68  in the extending slot, and the first end  70  of the slot  68  is engaged with the catch slot  72   a.    
     In the first configuration, the interior space  66   a  may have a size and a shape to hold a first plurality of containers. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the interior space  66   a  is shown to hold three pizza slice containers  80 . The interior space  66   a  may have the shape and volume of a triangular prism to hold the plurality of triangular-shaped containers therein. Because fold lines  30   a ,  40   a ,  32   a ,  42   a  and  50   a , and catch slot  72   a , are utilized, the interior space  66   a  may have a configuration to hold snugly and securely the plurality of pizza slice containers  80 , as needed. In the first configuration, fold lines  30   b ,  40   b ,  32   b ,  42   b  and  50   b  are not used. 
     In a second configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , fold lines  30   b ,  40   b ,  32   b ,  42   b , and  50   b , and catch slot  72   b  may be utilized to form an interior space  66   b  that may be larger than the interior space  66   a , as described above and shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . Specifically, in the second configuration, fold lines  30   a ,  40   a ,  32   a ,  42   a  and  50   a , as well as catch slot  72   a , are not used. The interior space  66   b , therefore, is larger in volume than the interior space  66   a  and can thus hold a different quantity of containers therein. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the interior space  66   b  can hold four pizza slice containers  80  instead of just three, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The interior space  66   b  further has a top  60   b  formed from the first and second wings  12 ,  14 , respectively, that is formed by different portions of the first and second wings  12 ,  14 . Moreover, the first engaging end  70  of the extending flap  18  may engage catch slot  72   b  as opposed to catch slot  72   a . Therefore, the second configuration may hold a different quantity of containers therein than the first configuration. 
     First and second wings  12 ,  14  may further have side flaps  36   a ,  36   b  that may be folded inwardly, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , or otherwise removed to provide spaces  38   a ,  38   b  in the first and second wings  12 ,  14 . The spaces  38   a ,  38   b  may allow corners of one or more square containers  82  to be disposed therethrough so that the interior spaces  66   a  and  66   b  may hold the square containers  82  snugly and securely. An additional interior space  84  may be formed in front of the square containers  82  that may be utilized for holding items, such as condiments, utensils, and the like. 
     Therefore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , the carrier apparatus  10  may be alternately configured to hold a first quantity of containers, a second quantity of containers, or a mix of types of containers, such as triangular-shaped containers and square containers. The containers may contain any product, such as, preferably, food products like pizza slices, salads, garlic bread, desserts, such as pies, cakes, cupcakes, or other like food products. Moreover, the carrier apparatus  10  may further have spaces disposed around the various parts thereof that may be printed thereon with advertising, instructions, graphics, text, or other like indicia, as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the carrier apparatus  10  may have a flap  17  or a plurality of flaps disposed in the main body portion  16  that may extend downwardly from the main body portion  16  to form a leg or prop for the carrier apparatus  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , so that the carrier apparatus  10  may be set on an inclined surface and yet still maintain a horizontal disposition. Therefore, any items contained within containers carried by the carrier apparatus  10  may not slide due to gravity, and may therefore maintain their positions within the containers. For example, the carrier apparatus  10  may contain a plurality of pizza slice containers having pizza slices contained therein. The carrier apparatus  10  may be placed on an automobile seat that may have a generally inclined surface. By extended the flap  16  from the main body portion along fold line  17 , the flap  16  may act as a leg or prop to maintain the pizza slices within the containers in a generally horizontal configuration, preventing the pizza sliced from sliding and causing damage to the pizza slices. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 7-11 , an alternate embodiment of a carrier apparatus  100  is shown and described herein. The carrier apparatus  100  is similar to the carrier apparatus  10 , as described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , except the carrier apparatus  100  is primarily designed to hold square, rectangular or round containers therein. The carrier apparatus  100  comprises a square-shaped base portion  102 , a first wing  104  extending from a first side  105  of the square-shaped base potion  102 , a second wing  106  extending from a second side  107  of the square-shaped base portion  102  opposite the first side  105 , a third wing  108  extending from a third side  109  of the square-shaped base portion  102 , and a fourth wing  110  extending from a fourth side  111  of the square-shaped base portion  102  opposite the third side  109 . Each of the wings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  may have a plurality of fold lines for forming a first or a second internal space, as disclosed in more detail below. 
     The first wing  104  may have a first handle portion  112  on an end thereof, and the second wing  106  may have a second handle portion  114  on an end thereof, such that the first wing  104  and the second wing  106  may fold in a manner to be adjacent each other so that the first and second handle portions  112 ,  114  align together forming a handle  113 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The first wing  104  may have a first fold line  120   a  and a second fold line  120   b  at different locations on the first wing  104 . Likewise, the second wing  106  may have a first fold line  130   a  and a second fold line  130   b  at different locations on the second wing  106 . The third wing  108  may further have a first fold line  140   a  and a second fold line  140   b  at different locations on the third wing  108 . And the fourth wing  110  may have a first fold line  150   a , a second fold line  150   b  and a third fold line  158  at different locations on the fourth wing  110 . 
     Each of the first, second, third and fourth wings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  may have a fold line  122 ,  132 ,  142 ,  152 , respectively, disposed at the first, second, third and fourth sides  105 ,  107 ,  109 ,  111 , respectively, of the square-shaped base portion  102 . The fold lines  122 ,  132 ,  142 ,  152  allow each of the wings  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  to fold upwardly and form sides for an internal space  118   a  or  118   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 . 
     More specifically, the carrier apparatus  100  may be configured to have either a first internal space  118   a  or a second internal space  118   b  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ), depending on whether fold lines  120   a ,  130   a ,  140   a ,  150   a  are used, or whether fold lines  120   b ,  130   b ,  140   b ,  150   b  are used. If fold lines  120   a ,  130   a ,  140   a ,  150   a  are folded, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , then the internal space  118   a  may be formed. If fold lines  1220   b ,  130   b ,  140   b ,  150   b  are folded, as shown in  FIG. 11 , then internal space  118   b  may be formed. Internal space  118   b  has a greater height than the internal space  118   a  forming a greater volume, allowing for one or more additional containers to be placed therein, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the first and second wings  104 ,  106  may be folded upwardly from the base section  102 , and, for forming internal space  118   a , the first and second wings  104 ,  106  may be folded at fold lines  120   a  and  130   a . The first wing  104  may further have a fold line  124   a  and the second wing  106  may have a fold line  134   a  that may be folded so that the first and second wings  104 ,  106  may be disposed upwardly where the first and second wings  104 ,  106  converge. Thus, handle portions  112 ,  114  may be disposed adjacent each other, and together may form the handle  113  that may be used by a user to carry the carrier apparatus  100 . In addition, first wing  104  may have an open-ended first slot  126   a  and an open-ended second slot  126   b  disposed at different locations on the first wing  104 . Likewise, the second wing  104  may have an open-ended first slot  136   a  and an open-ended second slot  136   b  disposed at different locations on the second wing  106 . When the first and second wings  104 ,  106  converge, the first open-ended slots  126   a ,  136   a  may align together to form first catch slot  160 , and second open-ended slots  126   b ,  136   b  may align together to form second catch slot  162 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , third wing  108  and fourth wing  110  may be folded upwardly at fold lines  142 ,  152 , respectively, to form the remaining two sides of the internal space  118   a  (or  118   b , as shown in  FIG. 11 ). Third wing  108  may contain an open-ended slot  146  disposed therein that may extend to the terminal end of the third wing  108 , and fourth wing  110  may contain a closed slot  156  that may extend between the ends of the fourth wing  110 . 
     To form internal space  118   a , the third wing  108  may be folded at fold line  140   a  and fourth wing  110  may be folded at fold line  150   a . Preferably, the fourth wing  110  is folded first, and disposed over the handle  113  so that the handle  113  and portion of first and second wings  104 ,  106  are disposed through the closed slot  156 . Fourth wing  108  may further have a fold line  158  that may be folded downwardly adjacent to a container within internal space  118   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . After fourth wing  110  is disposed in the manner described above, the third wing  108  may be folded at fold line  140   a  such that the handle  113  is disposed through open-ended slot  146 . Open-ended slot  146  may be disposed through catch slot  160 , and may further have an engaging end  147  that may catch in catch slot  160 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10  to fully form the internal space  118   a  for one or a plurality of containers. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the internal space  118   a  may have sufficient room for two square containers, although it should be noted that the internal space  118   a  may be sized in any manner to hold any number of desired containers, as needed. 
     Importantly, internal space  118   b  may be formed in a similar manner, and because internal space  118   b  is larger, may be used to hold more containers therein as compared to internal space  118   a . To form internal space  118   b , first and second wings  104 ,  106  may be folded at fold lines  120   b ,  130   b , respectively, instead of at fold lines  120   a ,  130   a  as described above to form internal space  118   a . In addition, fold lines  124   b ,  134   b  of first and second wings  104 ,  106  may be folded, instead of fold lines  124   a ,  134   a , as described above, to form handle  113 . 
     Likewise, third and fourth wings  108 ,  110  may be folded at fold lines  140   b ,  150   b , respectively, instead of fold lines  140   a ,  150   a  as described above. Preferably, and as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , third wing  108  may first be disposed over handle  113 , such that the handle  113  is disposed through the open-ended slot  146  prior to folding and disposing fourth wing  110  thereon. Thus, open-ended slot  146  may be disposed through and engaging end  147  may engage with catch slot  162  instead of catch slot  160 . Next, fourth wing  110  may be disposed over handle  113  such that the handle  113  is disposed within slot  156 , thereby fully forming internal space  118   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , internal space  118   b  may be larger than internal space  118   a  and may hold more containers than internal space  118   a . Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , internal space  118   b  may hold three containers, whereas internal space  118   a  may hold only two containers, securely. Of course, it should be noted that the internal spaces  118   a ,  118   b  may be designed to hold any number of containers. Further, although containers shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  are square, round containers or containers of other shapes may also be snugly contained therein. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13A-13F , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein. Specifically,  FIG. 12  illustrates a plan view of a carrier apparatus  200  in a flat and unconstructed configuration. The carrier apparatus  200  may have a first body  202  and a second body  204  disposed side-by-side. As such, this may be how the carrier apparatus  200  is created, wherein cardboard stock may be cut and perforated to form the various separation lines and fold lines necessary to form the constructed embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13F . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the first body  202  may be separable from second body  204 , except along fold line  206  and fold line  208 , wherein between fold line  206  and fold line  208  may be a triangular-shaped tab  207  bridging the first body  202  and the second body  204 . The first body  202  and the second body  204  may each have several fold lines disposed therein that may be utilized to fold around containers that may be placed within internal spaces created when the carrier apparatus  200  is in its constructed embodiment. As with the embodiments of the carrier apparatuses  10 ,  100 , described above, separate fold lines may be utilized to form either a first internal space or a second internal space, depending on the series of fold lines utilized to form the first or second internal space. Therefore, more or fewer containers may be contained within the first or second internal spaces, respectively. 
     The first body  202  may have fold lines  210 ,  212  and second body  204  may have fold lines  214 ,  216 , each of which may form a base  218  on which containers may be placed and/or stacked, as illustrated in  FIG. 13B . First body  202  may have fold lines  220   a ,  220   b  on a first side  222  of first body  202  and first body  202  may further have fold lines  230   a ,  230   b  on a second side  232  of first body  202 . First body  202  may also have a first slot  224  disposed on the first side  222  of the first body  202 . The first slot  224  may have a relatively wide portion  226  and a relatively narrow portion  228 , which can be used to frictionally hold other elements of the carrier apparatus  200 , as described in more detail below. First body  202  may further have second slot  234  disposed on the second side  232  of the first body  202 . Second slot  234  may have a relatively side portion  236  and a relatively narrow portion  238 , which also can be used to frictionally hold other elements of the carrier apparatus  200 , as described in more detail below. 
     Likewise, second body  204  may have fold lines  240   a ,  240   b  on a first side  242  of the second body  204  and the second body  204  may have further have fold lines  250   a ,  250   b  on a second side  252  of the second body  204 . The first side  242  of the second body  204  may further have fold lines  260   a ,  260   b , wherein fold line  260   a  may have catch slots  262   a ,  262   b  disposed on opposite sides thereof, and fold line  260   b  may have catch slots  264   a ,  264   b  disposed on opposite sides thereof. Further, first side  242  of the second body  204  may have a handle portion  244  disposed therein. Second side  252  of the second body  204  may have fold lines  270   a ,  270   b , wherein fold line  270   a  may have catch slots  272   a ,  272   b  disposed on opposite sides thereof, and fold line  270   b  may have catch slots  274   a ,  274   b  disposed on opposite sides thereof. First, second side  252  of the second body may have a handle portion  254  disposed therein for matching with handle portion  244  when the carrier apparatus  200  is constructed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13F , described in more detail below. 
       FIGS. 13A-13F  illustrate steps for forming or constructing the carrier apparatus  200  into a form that may be utilized to carry one or more containers therein. As illustrated in  FIG. 13A , after first body  202  and second body  204  are separated from each other, except along fold lines  206 ,  208 , the fold line  206  may be folded, which causes second body  204  to rotate 90 degrees and be placed atop first body  202 . In a second step, illustrated in  FIG. 13B , the fold line  208  may be folded along fold line  208  so that the second body  204  is centrally and perpendicularly on first body  202 . When disposed in this position illustrated in  FIG. 13B , the first body  202  and the second body  204  form the base  218  on which one or more containers may be disposed and/or stacked. Indeed, the base  218  may be the area on the first and second bodies  202 ,  204  within fold lines  210 ,  212 ,  214  and  216 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 13C , a plurality of pizza boxes  290  may be positioned, although it should be noted that any containers may be disposed thereon and the present invention should not be limited as described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13D , first side  242  and second side  252  of the second body, forming wings, may be folded along lines  214 ,  216 , respectively, and again at fold lines  240   a ,  240   b , respectively, to then meet one another on a top of the boxes  290 . When mated thereon, the handle portions  244 ,  254  may meet as the first and second sides  242 ,  252  are folded at fold lines  260   b ,  270   b , respectively. Thus, the first and second sides  242 ,  252  may wrap around the pizza boxes  290  around the sides and along the top thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13E , second side  232  of first body  202  may be folded at fold line  212  and  230   b  to wrap around the side and along the top of the pizza boxes. The slot  234  may be disposed over the handle portions  244 ,  254 , wherein the handle portions  244 ,  254  may be disposed through the slot  234 . To aid in the positioning of the handle portions  244 ,  254  through the slot  234 , the wide portion  236  of the slot may easily allow the handle portions  244 ,  254  to slide therethrough, and the narrow portion  238  may frictionally lock the slot onto the handle portions  244 ,  254 . Moreover, an end of the slot  234  may further engage the catch slots  264   b ,  274   b  that may be mated together when handle portions  244 ,  254  meet holding the second side  232  over the handle portions  244 ,  254 . 
     Likewise, as illustrated in  FIG. 13F , first side  222  of first body  202  may be folded at fold line  210  and  220   b  to wrap around the side and along the top of the pizza boxes. The slot  224  may be disposed over the handle portions  244 ,  254 , wherein the handle portions  244 ,  254  may be disposed through the slot  224 . To aid in the positioning of the handle portions  244 ,  254  through the slot  224 , the wide portion  226  of the slot may easily allow the handle portions  244 ,  254  to slide therethrough, and the narrow portion  228  may frictionally lock the slot onto the handle portions  244 ,  254 . Moreover, an end of the slot  224  may further engage the catch slots  264   a ,  274   a  that may be mated together when handle portions  244 ,  254  meet holding the second side  232  over the handle portions  244 ,  254 . 
     The above description is apt when a specific sized container or a plurality of containers that fit therein. However, alternate fold lines may be utilized on the first and second bodies  202 ,  204  to hold a different sized container or different number of containers. Specifically, instead of three pizza boxes  290 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13F , only two pizza boxes may cause alternate fold lines  220   a ,  230 ,  240   a ,  240   b  and  260   a ,  260   b  to be utilized, allowing fewer containers to be disposed therein. 
     Further, a flap (not shown) may be disposed in one of the bodies  202 ,  204  that may extend and form a leg or prop that may allow the carrier apparatus  200  to be disposed horizontally when disposed on an inclined surface, such as an automobile seat. Specifically, the flap may be a cut-out having a fold line that may be pushed downwardly to extend from the base  218  (as illustrated in  FIG. 13B ). 
     Described herein are two exemplary embodiments showing a plurality of containers that may be held by carrier apparatuses  10  and  100 . It should be noted that the shapes of the carrier apparatuses and/or the positions of the fold lines may be changed without detracting from the scope of the present invention, to form various carrier apparatuses for additional types, sizes, shapes, etc. of containers, and the present invention should not be limited as described herein. 
     The carrier apparatuses  10  and  100 , as noted above, may be made via any manufacturing method, including but not limited to, die cutting, laser scoring, or other like manufacturing techniques. Preferably, the carrier apparatus  10  may be made from a flat sheet of cardboard or corrugated fiber board that has strategically placed cut lines and fold lines disposed therein to create the functionality described herein. 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.