Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a pair of opposed end panels. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. A primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises the partition structure. The partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap. The at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint. The distal end joint is adjoined by a tab interrupting the first fold line. The tab protrudes from the end panel into the primary partition panel to be in close proximity or contact with the distal end joint.

1 . An article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior of the article carrier, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the distal end joint is adjoined by a tab interrupting the first fold line, and the tab protrudes from the end panel into the primary partition panel to be in contact with the distal end joint. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior of the article carrier, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the distal end joint is abutted by a tab interrupting the first fold line, and the tab protrudes from the end panel into the primary partition panel to be in close proximity with the distal end joint. 
     
     
         3 . The article carrier of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of primary panels includes a side panel, the glue flap is secured to the side panel, and the at least one lateral partition flap extends substantially between the side panel and the primary partition panel. 
     
     
         4 . The article carrier of  claim 2  wherein the at least one lateral partition flap is hingedly connected to the primary partition panel at a proximal end and is secured to the side panel at a distal end by the distal end joint and glue flap. 
     
     
         5 . The article carrier of  claim 1  wherein an end edge of the partition structure is offset with respect to the first fold line. 
     
     
         6 . The article carrier of  claim 1  wherein an end edge of the partition structure is inset with respect to the first fold line. 
     
     
         7 . The article carrier of  claim 1  wherein the distal end joint forms a twisted strip coupling the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap in a substantially perpendicular arrangement with respect to each other. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior of the article carrier, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are formed from the primary partition panel, the at least one lateral partition flap is separated from the glue flap along a cut line, the cut line terminates on a tear stopper element which defines in part a distal end joint between the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap, the tear stopper element comprises a first portion extending into the glue flap and a second portion extending into the at least one lateral partition flap, the first portion being greater in length than the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The article carrier of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second portions of the tear stopper element is curvilinear in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The article carrier of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second portions of the tear stopper element is linear in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The article carrier of  claim 8  wherein the tear stopper element is non-linear in shape. 
     
     
         12 . The article carrier of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second portions of the tear stopper element diverges away from a free end edge of the distal end joint. 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, the article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior of the article carrier, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a first primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, a second primary partition panel is hingedly connected to first primary partition panel along a second fold line, a securing panel is hingedly connected to the first primary partition panel, a connector panel is hingedly connected to the second primary partition panel and to the securing panel, the second primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are formed from the second primary partition panel, and at least a part of the distal end joint is formed from the connector panel. 
     
     
         14 . The article carrier of  claim 13  wherein the first primary partition panel comprises a further partition structure, the further partition structure comprises at least one second lateral partition flap and a second glue flap, the at least one second partition flap and the second glue flap being coupled together by a second distal end. 
     
     
         15 . 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, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the distal end joint is adjoined by a tab interrupting the first fold line, and the tab protrudes from the end panel into the primary partition panel to be in contact with the distal end joint. 
     
     
         16 . 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, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the distal end joint is abutted by a tab interrupting the first fold line, and the tab protrudes from the end panel into the primary partition panel to be in close proximity with the distal end joint. 
     
     
         17 . 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, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are formed from the primary partition panel, the at least one lateral partition flap is separated from the glue flap along a cut line, the cut line terminates on a tear stopper element which defines in part a distal end joint between the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap, the tear stopper element comprises a first portion extending into the glue flap and a second portion extending into the at least one lateral partition flap, the first portion being greater in length than the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . A blank for forming an article carrier of the basket carrier style, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure defining an interior chamber, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of opposed end panels, wherein a first primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, a second primary partition panel is hingedly connected to first primary partition panel along a second fold line, a securing panel is hingedly connected to the first primary partition panel, a connector panel is hingedly connected to the second primary partition panel and to the securing panel, the second primary partition panel comprises a partition structure, the partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are formed from the second primary partition panel, and at least a part of the distal end joint is formed from the connector panel.