Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

An article carrier comprises a collapsible tubular structure and a foldable end closure. The end closure comprises a first panel and a second panel. The first panel comprises a proximal portion hinged to the tubular structure along a first fold line and a distal portion hinged to the proximal portion along a second fold line. The second panel is hinged to the tubular structure along third fold line. The second panel is secured to the distal portion in face-contacting arrangement. The first, second, third fold lines are parallel to one another. The distal portion has a first free edge non-parallel to the first fold line. The second panel has a second free edge which is configured identical, or complementary, at least in part to at least part of the first free edge.

1 . A collapsible article carrier comprising a collapsible tubular structure and an end closure, the end closure comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel comprising a proximal portion hinged to the tubular structure along a first fold line and a distal portion adjacent to the proximal portion, the second panel being hinged to the tubular structure along third fold line and being secured to the distal portion in face-contacting arrangement, and the first and third fold lines being parallel to one another, the distal portion having a first free edge non-parallel to the first fold line, wherein the second panel has a second free edge at least part of which is configured complementary to at least part of the first free edge and is disposed offset from the first free edge such that the first and second free edges extend alongside one another. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panels are bottom panels of the carrier. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of primary panels provide walls of the tubular structure and define an interior of the carrier, the walls including first and second opposed side walls and first and second opposed end walls. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second panels are hinged to a respective one of the first and second opposed side walls. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the second free edge offset o the first free edge in a direction along the first fold line. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second opposed end walls each comprise a hinge to facilitate folding of the collapsible tubular structure between a stowed condition and an erected condition. 
     
     
         7 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second edges comprises at least one straight segment extending obliquely with respect to the first fold line. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one straight segment comprises two or more straight edge segments each angled with respect to an adjacent one of the straight segments. 
     
     
         9 . An article carrier according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second edges further comprises at least one curved segment. 
     
     
         10 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second edges comprises a shaped edge. 
     
     
         11 . An article carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the shaped edge comprises at least one curved segment. 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the shaped edge has serpentine shape. 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier according to claim wherein the first panel may comprise at least one post receiving opening or recess. 
     
     
         14 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the second panel may comprise at least one post receiving opening or recess. 
     
     
         15 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion is hinged to the proximal portion along a second fold line. 
     
     
         16 . An article carrier according to  claim 15 , wherein the first panel may comprise at least one post receiving opening or recess. 
     
     
         17 . An article carrier according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one post receiving opening may interrupt the second fold line. 
     
     
         18 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the end closure is foldable. 
     
     
         19 . A collapsible article carrier comprising a collapsible tubular structure and a foldable end closure, the end closure comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel comprising a proximal portion hinged to the tubular structure along a first fold line and a distal portion hinged to the proximal portion along a second fold line, the second panel being hinged to the tubular structure along third fold line and being secured to the distal portion in face-contacting arrangement, and the first, second, and third fold lines being parallel to one another, the distal portion having a first free edge non-parallel to the first fold line, and wherein the second panel has a second free edge which is configured identical, at least in part, to at least part of the first free edge and is disposed offset from the first free edge such that the first and second free edges extend alongside one another. 
     
     
         20 . An article carrier according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second edges comprises at least one straight segment extending obliquely with respect to the first fold line. 
     
     
         21 . An article carrier according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one straight segment comprises two or more straight edge segments each angled with respect to an adjacent one of the straight segments. 
     
     
         22 . An article carrier according to  claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second edges further comprises at least one curved segment. 
     
     
         23 . An article carrier according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second edges comprises a shaped edge. 
     
     
         24 . An article carrier according to  claim 23 , wherein the shaped edge comprises at least one curved segment. 
     
     
         25 . An article carrier according to  claim 23 , wherein the shaped edge has a serpentine shape. 
     
     
         26 . An article carrier according to  claim 19 , wherein the article carrier comprises a medial partition wall interposed parallel between first and second side panels to divide the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. 
     
     
         27 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure defining an interior chamber, and a first panel and a second panel for forming a foldable end closure, the first panel comprising a proximal portion hinged, along a first fold line, to one of the panels forming a wall of the tubular structure and a distal portion hinged to the proximal portion along a second fold line, the second panel being hinged, along third fold line, to a second one of the panels forming an opposing wall of the tubular structure, the second panel being configured to be securable to the distal portion in face-contacting arrangement in at least partial overlapping relationship therewith, wherein the first, second, and third fold lines are parallel to one another, and wherein the distal portion has a first free edge non-parallel to the first fold line, and the second panel has a second free edge at least part of which is shaped complementary to at least part of the first free edge and wherein the second free edge is disposed offset from the first free edge when the blank is erected to form an article carrier. 
     
     
         28 . A blank according to  claim 27 , wherein the second free edge is offset from the first free edge in a direction along the first fold line when the blank is erected to form the carrier. 
     
     
         29 . A blank according to  claim 27 , wherein the second free edge is arranged to extend alongside the first free edge when the blank is erected to form the carrier. 
     
     
         30 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure defining an interior chamber, and a first panel and a second panel for forming a foldable end closure, the first panel comprising a proximal portion hinged, along a first fold line, to one of the panels forming a wall of the tubular structure and a distal portion hinged to the proximal portion along a second fold line, the second panel being hinged, along a third fold line, to a second one of the panels forming an opposing wall of the tubular structure, the second panel being configured to be securable to the distal portion in face-contacting arrangement in at least partial overlapping relationship therewith, wherein the first, second, and third fold lines are parallel to one another, and wherein the distal portion has a first free edge non-parallel to the first fold line, and the second panel has a second free edge at least part of which is shaped identical to at least part of the first free edge and wherein the second free edge is disposed offset from the first free edge when the blank is erected to form an article carrier. 
     
     
         31 . A blank according to  claim 27  or  claim 30 , wherein one of the plurality of primary panels comprises a medial panel, the medial panel comprising a plurality of score lines, the plurality of score lines being arranged substantially parallel to each other and in a series such that each score line is adjacent another score line. 
     
     
         32 . A blank according to  claim 27  or  claim 30 , wherein one of the plurality of primary panels comprises a medial panel. the medial panel comprising an embossed region. 
     
     
         33 . A blank according to  claim 31 , wherein the medial panel further comprises an embossed region positioned adjacent to respective end points of the plurality of score lines. 
     
     
         34 . A carton comprising a plurality of walls at least some of which define an interior of the carton, wherein one of the plurality of walls comprises a planar wall structure which includes a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels are secured together in an overlapping arrangement such that at least the first panel comprises a first area in flat-face contacting arrangement with the second panel and a second area which is free of contact with the second panel, wherein the first panel further comprises a plurality of score lines formed along the second area. 
     
     
         35 . A carton according to  claim 34  wherein each of the score lines is linear and the score lines are arranged substantially parallel to each other and in a series such that each score line is adjacent another score line. 
     
     
         36 . A carton according to  claim 34  wherein the second panel has a free edge disposed along a boundary of the first and second areas of the first panel and wherein the free edge extends substantially parallel to the plurality of score lines. 
     
     
         37 . A carton according to  claim 34  where the first panel further comprises an embossed region within the second area, the embossed region being positioned adjacent to respective end points of the plurality of score lines. 
     
     
         38 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles comprising a plurality of walls at least some of which define an interior of the article carrier, wherein one of the plurality of walls comprises a medial wall dividing the interior into at least two interior cells, the medial wall comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels being secured together in an overlapping arrangement such that at least the first panel comprises a first area in flat-face contacting arrangement with the second panel and a second area which is free of contact with the second panel, wherein the first panel further comprises a plurality of score lines formed along the second area. 
     
     
         39 . An article carrier according to  claim 38  wherein the plurality of score lines are arranged substantially parallel to each other and in a series such that each score line is adjacent another score line. 
     
     
         40 . A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of panels at least some of which define an interior of the carton when the bank is erected into a carton, the plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel which, when the blank is erected into a carton, are secured together in an overlapping arrangement such that at least the first panel comprises a first area in flat-face contacting arrangement with the second panel and a second area which is free of contact with the second panel, and wherein the first panel further comprises a plurality of score lines formed along the second area. 
     
     
         41 . A blank according to  claim 40  wherein each of the score lines is linear and the score lines are arranged substantially parallel to each other and in a series such that each score line is adjacent another score line. 
     
     
         42 . A blank according to  claim 40  wherein the second panel has a free edge which is disposed along a boundary of the first and second areas of the first panel when the blank is erected into a carton and wherein the free edge extends substantially parallel to the plurality of score lines. 
     
     
         43 . A blank according to  claim 41  wherein the first panel further comprises an embossed region within the second area, the embossed region being positioned adjacent to respective end points of the plurality of score lines. 
     
     
         44 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a collapsible tubular structure and an end closure, the end closure comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel being hinged to the tubular structure along a first fold line, the first panel comprising an opposing first free edge, at least one first panel-interlocking element, and a row of first handling openings, the row of first handling openings being located closer to the first fold line than the at, least one first panel-interlocking element, wherein the second panel is hinged to the tubular structure along second fold line and comprises an opposing second free edge and at least one second panel-interlocking element, the first and second panel-interlocking elements are aligned and engaged together such that the first and second panels are in face-contacting overlapping arrangement, the first panel has a first side edge extending between the first fold line and the first free edge, the second panel has a second side edge extending between the second fold line and the second free edge, wherein at least a part of the first side edge is configured complementary to at least a part of the second side edge, and wherein at least a part of the second side edge is disposed between the at least one first panel-interlocking element and one of the first handling openings such that no part of the second side edge overlaps any one of the at least one first panel-interlocking element and the first handling openings. 
     
     
         45 . An article carrier according to  claim 44  wherein at least part of the second free edge is disposed between the first fold line and a first notional line. 
     
     
         46 . An article carrier according to  claim 44  wherein at least part of the first free edge is disposed between second fold line and a second notional line. 
     
     
         47 . An article carrier according to  claim 44  wherein the second panel comprises a row of second handling openings. 
     
     
         48 . An article carrier according to  claim 47  wherein the row of second handling openings is located closer to the second fold line than the at least one second panel-interlocking element. 
     
     
         49 . An article carrier according to  claim 48  wherein at least a part of the first side edge is disposed between the at least one second panel-interlocking element and one of second handling openings such that no part of the first side edge overlaps any one of the at least one second panel-interlocking element and the second handling openings. 
     
     
         50 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels forming a tubular structure defining an interior of the article carrier and an intermediate wall dividing the interior into two chambers, wherein the intermediate wall comprises an article guard comprising at least one flap configured to be disposed between an article and a post of a tertiary package, receivable in the interior of the article carrier, the at least one flap defines, at least in part, an opening in the intermediate wall for receiving said post. 
     
     
         51 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels forming a tubular structure defining an interior of the article carrier, an end wall closing an end of the tubular structure, and an intermediate wall dividing the interior into a pair of chambers, the intermediate wall comprising a post receiving opening and a securing device for retaining the carrier in an erected condition, wherein the post receiving opening is arranged to accommodate at least one post of a tertiary package receivable in the article carrier through the end wall, the securing device comprises a hook or catch defined at least in part by a portion of post receiving opening, wherein the securing device and the post receiving opening are defined in entirety within the intermediate wall. 
     
     
         52 . An article carrier according to  claim 51  wherein the securing device and the post receiving opening defined in entirety within a panel forming the intermediate wall. 
     
     
         53 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels forming a tubular structure defining an interior of the article carrier and an intermediate wall dividing the interior into a pair of chambers, the intermediate wall comprises a post receiving opening and at least one partition structure, wherein the at least one partition structure separates one of the pair of chambers into two or more article-receiving cells, the post receiving opening is arranged to accommodate at least one post of a tertiary package receivable in the interior of the article carrier, wherein the post receiving opening is disposed between the at least one partition structure and an end wall closing an end of the tubular structure and is spaced apart from the at least one partition structure by a portion of the intermediate wall. 
     
     
         54 . A packaging system comprising the article carrier according to  claim 53 , a plurality of articles disposed in the interior of the carrier and a tertiary package in which the carrier is disposed, wherein the post is received in the interior of the carrier and is disposed in a void defined at least in part by two or more articles, and wherein the portion of the intermediate wall between the at least one partition structure and the post receiving opening is disposed over said at least one post. 
     
     
         55 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels forming a tubular structure defining an interior of the article carrier, an end wall closing an end of the tubular structure, and an intermediate wall dividing the interior into a pair of chambers, the intermediate wall comprising a first medial panel and a second medial panel, the second medial panel being hingedly connected to a first edge of the first medial panel by a hinged connection, the first edge of the first medial panel facing the end wall, the first medial panel and a second medial panel comprise at least one cutaway interrupting the hinged connection and defining a recess in each of first and second medial panels, the recess in each of first and second medial panels forms a post receiving opening between the intermediate wall and the end wall for receiving at least one post of a tertiary package. 
     
     
         56 . A blank for forming the article carrier according to any of  claims 44  to  55 .