Paperboard multi-pack carrier

Abstract

A paperboard multi-pack carrier includes a center panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The first side panel is connected to and folded against the center panel along a first fold line, and the second side panel is connected to and folded against the center panel along a second fold line. The center panel defines plural apertures configured to removably receive and retain corresponding containers. The side panels define plural bights having free edges configured to be received within corresponding grooves defined by upper and lower portions of the containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier configured to removably receive and retain a plurality of containers, each of the containers comprising a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion, the cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperating to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius, the blank having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank comprising:
 a center panel;   a first side panel connected to the center panel by a first fold line; and   a second side panel connected to the center panel by a second fold line;   wherein the center panel defines a first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a first circular portion spaced from the first fold line and a first neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion, the first circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius,   wherein the center panel also defines a second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a second circular portion spaced from the second fold line and a second neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion, the second circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius,   wherein the first side panel defines a first plurality of bights, each of the first plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the first plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius, and   wherein the second side panel defines a second plurality of bights, each of the second plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the second plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius.   
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1  wherein the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank. 
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 1  wherein the first fold line is frangible. 
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 1  wherein the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user. 
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 1  wherein the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The blank of  claim 1  wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line. 
     
     
         7 . The blank of  claim 6  wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line 
     
     
         8 . A paperboard multi-pack carrier formed from the blank of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first side panel is folded about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel, and   wherein the second side panel is folded about the second fold line so that the lower surface of the second side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel.   
     
     
         9 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 8  wherein the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 8  wherein the first fold line is frangible. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 8  wherein the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 8  wherein the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 8  wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 8  wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using a multi-pack container to removably retain and receive a plurality of containers, each of the containers comprising a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion, the cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperating to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier, the blank comprising:
 a center panel; 
 a first side panel connected to the center panel by a first fold line; and 
 a second side panel connected to the center panel by a second fold line; 
 wherein the center panel defines a first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a first circular portion spaced from the first fold line and a first neck portion contiguous with the circular portion, the first circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius, 
 wherein the center panel also defines a second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a second circular portion spaced from the second fold line and a second neck portion contiguous with the circular portion, the second circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius, 
 wherein the first side panel defines a first plurality of bights, each of the first plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the first plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius, 
 wherein the second side panel defines a second plurality of bights, each of the second plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the second plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius; 
   inserting the cylindrical upper portion of one of the plurality of containers through a corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures so that a free edge of the circular portion of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures engages with the cylindrical groove of the one of the plurality of containers; and   folding the first side panel about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel and so that a free edge of a corresponding one of the first plurality of bights engages with the cylindrical, circumferential groove of the one of the plurality of containers.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 15  wherein the first fold line is frangible. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 15  wherein the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 15  wherein the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 15  wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line. 
     
     
         21 . The multi-pack carrier of  claim 15  wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line.