Package with handle, blank therefor and part-formed structure

Abstract

A carton includes a bottom panel ( 12/22 ), and first ( 14/16 ) and second (side panels ( 24/26 ) each having upper ( 16, 26 ) and lower ( 14, 24 ) portions. The first side panel has first ( 32 a, 32 b ) and second ( 30 a, 30 b ) apertures. The first side panel ( 14/16 ) is arranged to be disposed on opposing sides of an article B while the second side panel ( 24/26 ) is arranged to be disposed on opposing sides of a second article B. The carton includes a reinforcing panel ( 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d ) coupling the first and second side panels together. The reinforcing panel is disposed in face contacting relationship with the upper portions ( 16, 26 ) of the first and second side panels so as to substantially ‘V’ shaped.

1 . A carton for packaging a plurality of articles, comprising:
 a bottom panel;   a first side panel and a second side panel each having upper and lower portions;   the first side panel having first and second apertures for receiving a first article, the first aperture being struck from the upper portion of the first side panel and the second aperture being struck from the lower portion of the first side panel;   the second side panel having third and fourth apertures for receiving a second article, the third aperture being struck from the upper portion of the second side panel and the fourth aperture being struck from the lower portion of the second side panel;   wherein the first side panel is folded between the first and second apertures such that a first portion of the first side panel is disposed on a first side of the first article and a second portion of the first side panel is disposed upon a second side of the first article;   and wherein the second side panel is folded between the third and fourth apertures such that a first portion of the second side panel is disposed on a first side of the second article and a second portion of the second side panel is disposed upon a second side of the second article;   the carton further comprising a reinforcing panel coupling the first and second side panels together;   the reinforcing panel comprising first and second openings each for receiving a respective one of the first and second articles;   the reinforcing panel comprising at least one first fold line disposed between the first and second openings; and   the reinforcing panel being disposed in face contacting relationship with the upper portions of the first and second side panels so as to be substantially ‘V’ shaped.   
     
     
         2 . The carton according to  claim 1  wherein at least one handle strap is struck from the reinforcing panel and is displaced out of the reinforcing panel for carrying the carton. 
     
     
         3 . The carton according to  claim 1  wherein the first side panel comprises at least one second fold line disposed between first and second aperture, and the second side panel comprises at least one third fold line disposed between the third and fourth apertures, the at least one second fold line being disposed proximate to the at least one third fold line. 
     
     
         4 . The carton according to  claim 3  wherein the at least one second fold line and the at least one third fold line are disposed proximate to the at least one first fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The carton according to  claim 1  wherein the first article is received in the first and second apertures of the first side panel such that at least one portion of the first article is disposed externally of the carton and wherein the second article is received in the third and fourth apertures of the second side panel such that at least one portion of the second article is disposed externally of the carton. 
     
     
         6 . The carton according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one portion of the first article is a neck portion of the first article and the at least one portion of the second article is a neck portion of the second article. 
     
     
         7 . The carton according to  claim 2  wherein the handle strap extends over tops of the first and second articles. 
     
     
         8 . The carton according to  claim 7  wherein the handle strap is shaped such that a portion of the handle strap is disposed over the tops the first and second articles. 
     
     
         9 . The carton according to  claim 7  wherein the handle strap is hinged to the upper portions of the first and second side panels such that in use the handle panel tightens the upper portions of the first and second side panels and the reinforcing panel about the first and second articles. 
     
     
         10 . A blank for forming a carton comprising:
 a first panel forming a reinforcing panel of the carton;   a second panel hinged to a first edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of a first side panel of the carton;   a third panel hinged to a second edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of a second side panel of the carton, the second edge opposing the first edge;   a fourth panel hinged to the second panel to form a lower portion of the first side panel;   a fifth panel hinged to the third panel to form a lower portion of the second side panel; and   a sixth panel hinged to at least one of the fourth and fifth panels to form a bottom panel of the carton.   
     
     
         11 . The blank according to  claim 10  wherein the first panel comprises openings for receiving an article, wherein the second and third panels each comprises at least one aperture which is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective one of the openings in the first panel, and wherein the fourth and fifth panels each comprise at least one aperture which is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective one of the openings in the first panel and with a respective one of the at least one aperture in the second or third panel when the second, third, fourth and fifth panels are folded so as to overlie, at least in part, the first panel. 
     
     
         12 . The blank according to  claim 10  wherein the first panel comprises openings for receiving an article, wherein the second and third panels each comprises at least one aperture which is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective one of the openings in the first panel, and wherein the fourth and fifth panels each comprise at least one aperture which is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective one of the openings in the first panel and with a respective one of the at least one aperture in the second or third panel when the second, third, fourth and fifth panels are folded so as to overlie, at least in part, the first panel. 
     
     
         13 . The blank according to  claim 10  wherein the sixth panel comprises a first part hinged to the fourth panel and a second part hinged to the fifth panel. 
     
     
         14 . A part-formed structure for forming a carton comprising:
 a first panel forming a reinforcing panel of the carton;   a second panel hinged to a first edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of a first side panel of the carton;   a third panel hinged to a second edge of the first panel to form an upper portion of a second side panel of the carton, the second edge opposing the first edge;   a fourth panel hinged to the second panel to form a lower portion of the first side panel;   a fifth panel hinged to the third panel to form a lower portion of the second side panel; and   a sixth panel hinged to at least one of the fourth and fifth panels, and wherein the first panel comprises openings for receiving articles and the second and third panels each comprise at least one aperture and the fourth and fifth panels each comprise at least one aperture,   wherein the second and third panels are each folded about a respective hinge line, coupling the second or third panel to the first panel, to overlay a portion of the first panel such that each of the apertures in the second and third panels is arranged to be in at least partial alignment with a respective one of the openings in the first panel,   the fourth and fifth panels are each folded about a respective hinge line, coupling the each of the fourth and fifth panels to a respective one of the second and third panels, to bring a portion of each of the fourth and fifth panels into an overlapping arrangement with the respective one of the second or third panels to which the fourth and fifth panels are hinged and to overlay the respective portion of the first panel which the second or third panel overlays.   
     
     
         15 . The part-formed structure according to  claim 14  wherein a handle panel is struck at least in part from the first panel and is coupled to each of the second and third panels. 
     
     
         16 - 26 . (canceled)