Packages, article carriers and blanks therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package (90, 390, 490), carriers (92, 94, 392, 492, 494) for forming the package and blanks (10, 110, 310, 410) for forming the carriers (92, 94, 392, 492, 494). The package (90, 390, 490) comprises a plurality of articles (B) arranged in a group and a top-engaging carrier (92, 392, 492) in engagement with tops of the articles (B) such that the tops of the articles (B) are connected and held together by the top-engaging carrier (92, 392, 492). The package (90, 390, 490) comprises a bundling carrier (94, 494) spaced apart from the top-engaging carrier (92, 392, 492) and being in engagement with portions of the articles (B) below the tops thereof such that the portions of the articles (B) are held together by the bundling carrier (94, 494).

1 . A package comprising:
 a plurality of articles arranged in a group;   a top-engaging device in engagement with tops of the articles such that the tops of the articles are connected and held together by the top-engaging device; and   a bundling device spaced apart from the top-engaging device and being in engagement with portions of the articles below the tops thereof such that the portions of the articles are held together by the bundling device, the bundling device comprising:
 a pair of opposed side panels; and 
 a pair of opposite end panels, each of the end panels being connected to the side panels by a pair of divergent fold lines respectively such that the side panels and the end panels together define a single band structure encircling the group of the articles. 
   
     
     
         2 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein each of the end panels is folded with respect to the side panels about the respective pair of divergent fold lines such that opposed end portions of each end panel are in overlapping arrangement with the side panels. 
     
     
         3 . A package according to  claim 2  wherein the opposed end portions of each end panel are adhesively secured to the side panels. 
     
     
         4 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein the bundling device is formed from a single blank of sheet material having first and second opposed sides, wherein the first side of the blank is exposed to view by the side panels and wherein the second side of the blank is exposed to view by the end panels. 
     
     
         5 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein each pair of divergent fold lines extends from an upper or lower edge of a respective one of the end panels divergently or obliquely toward the side panels. 
     
     
         6 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein the bundling device comprises at least a pair of keel panels hingedly connected to each other by a keel fold line, the at least pair of keel panels being disposed between at least two adjacent ones of the articles and connecting between the side panels. 
     
     
         7 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein a first one of the pair of divergent fold lines connects a first end of the end panels to the first side panel and a second one of the pair of divergent fold lines connects a second end of the end panels to the second side panel. 
     
     
         8 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein the bundling device is disposed about or below a medial portion of the articles. 
     
     
         9 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein the bundling device is initially connected to the top-engaging device. 
     
     
         10 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising:
 a top-engaging device for engagement with tops of the articles such that the tops of the articles are connected and held together by the top-engaging device; and   a bundling device spaced apart from the top-engaging device for engagement with portions of the articles below the tops thereof such that the portions of the articles are held together by the bundling device, the bundling device comprising:
 a pair of opposed side panels; and 
 a pair of opposite end panels, each of the end panels being connected to the side panels by a pair of divergent fold lines respectively such that the side panels and the end panels together define a single band structure for encircling the group of the articles. 
   
     
     
         11 . An article carrier according to  claim 10  wherein the bundling device is separate from the top-engaging device. 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier according to  claim 10  wherein the bundling device is initially connected to the top-engaging device. 
     
     
         13 . A pair of blanks for forming an article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the pair of blanks comprising:
 a first blank for forming a top-engaging device comprising an engaging panel having one or more retention structures for engaging with tops of the articles such that the tops of the articles are connected and held together by the top-engaging device; and   a second blank for forming a bundling device for engaging with portions of the articles below the tops thereof such that the portions of the articles are held together by the bundling device, the second blank comprising:
 a pair of opposed side panels; and 
 a pair of opposite end panels, each of the end panels being connected to the side panels by a pair of divergent fold lines respectively such that the side panels and the end panels together define a single band structure for encircling the group of the articles. 
   
     
     
         14 . A blank for forming an article carrier comprising a top-engaging device-forming portion and a bundling or grouping device-forming portion detachably connected to the top-engaging device-forming portion, the bundling device-forming portion comprising opposing end panels and opposing side panels, wherein each end panel is connected to said side panel by a pair of divergent fold lines such that the opposing end panels and opposing side panels define a single band structure for encircling the group of articles. 
     
     
         15 . A blank for forming an article carrier comprising a top-engaging device-forming portion and a bundling or grouping device-forming portion, the top-engaging device-forming portion comprising a main panel and a pair of opposed side panels hingedly connected to the main panel, wherein the bundling device-forming portion is detachably connected to each of the pair of opposed side or shoulder panels. 
     
     
         16 . An article top-receiving device in a main panel of an article carrier, the article top-receiving device comprising an opening and a plurality of engaging tabs, the plurality of engaging tabs comprising at least one first tab connected to the main panel by a linear fold line and at least one second tab partially connected from the main panel by a non-linear cut.