Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B1) and a blank (10) for forming the carrier. The package comprises an article carrier and one or more articles. The carrier comprises a main panel (14) having at least one top-engaging article device (70A, 72A, 70B, 72B) for receiving a respective article and securing the main panel to the respective article. The carrier further comprises a pair of opposing side panels (18, 20) hingedly connected to the main panel, and an end strap (12, 16) hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels. The end strap is free of direct connection to the main panel. A bridging structure couples the end strap to the main panel, and the bridging structure comprises abridging panel (6, 8).

1 . An article carrier for packaging at least one article, the carrier comprising a main panel having at least one top-engaging article device for receiving a respective article and securing the main panel to the respective article, the carrier further comprising a pair of opposing side panels hingedly connected to the main panel, an end strap hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels and free of direct connection to the main panel, and a bridging structure coupling the end strap to the main panel, wherein the bridging structure comprises a bridging panel. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of opposing side panels is hingedly connected to the main panel by a shoulder panel. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a cutaway that separates the end strap from the main panel. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the cutaway comprises at least one of the elements selected from the following group of elements: a cutline, a severable line, a recess, a slot, and an aperture. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging panel is hingedly connected to the end strap by a first hinged connection. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier according to  claim 5 , wherein the bridging panel is hingedly connected to the main panel by a second hinged connection. 
     
     
         7 . An article carrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the second hinged connection is nonlinear. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the second hinged connection is shorter than the first hinged connection. 
     
     
         9 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging panel is tapered in shape so as to reduce in width towards the center of the main panel. 
     
     
         10 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging panel is hingedly connected to a medial portion of the main panel. 
     
     
         11 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging panel is hingedly connected to at least one panel forming a keel structure disposed between a first row of one or more top-engaging article devices and a second row of one or more top-engaging article devices. 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging panel is hingedly connected to each of a pair of panels forming a keel structure disposed between a first row of one or more top-engaging article devices and a second row of one or more top-engaging article devices. 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pair of opposing side panels comprises at least one securing region comprising an adhesive for being adhered to an adjacently disposed article. 
     
     
         14 . A package comprising an article carrier and a plurality of articles, the carrier comprising a main panel having a plurality of top-engaging article devices, each for receiving a respective article and securing the main panel to the respective article, the plurality of top-engaging article devices arranged in rows and comprising a first row and a second row, the carrier further comprising a pair of opposing side panels hingedly connected to the main panel, an end strap hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels and free of direct connection to the main panel, and a bridging structure coupling the end strap to the main panel, wherein the bridging structure comprises a bridging panel, wherein the bridging panel is disposed in a void between a first endmost article disposed in the first row of top-engaging article devices and a second endmost article disposed in the second row of top-engaging article devices, the second endmost article being disposed adjacent to the first endmost article. 
     
     
         15 . A package according to  claim 14 , wherein the bridging panel is inclined with respect to the main panel. 
     
     
         16 . A package according to  claim 14 , wherein the bridging panel is obliquely oriented with respect to the main panel and the end strap. 
     
     
         17 . A package according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the pair of opposing side panels is adhered to at least one adjacently disposed article. 
     
     
         18 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a main panel having at least one top-engaging article device for receiving a respective article and securing the main panel to the respective article, the blank further comprising a pair of opposing side panels hingedly connected to the main panel, an end strap hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels and free of direct connection to the main panel, and a bridging structure coupling the end strap to the main panel, wherein the bridging structure comprises a bridging panel.