Today in 1972, US Patent 3677458 A was issued, an invention of Dickinson Gosling, assigned to John Labatt Ltd, for his “End Loading Twin Beverage Carton,” which is fancy way of saying a 12-pack carton. Here’s the Abstract:

An end loading, twin carton separable into two cartons, embodying folded handles usable in the twin and also the separated mode. A blank for the carton is also disclosed.