Package for Containers

Abstract

A carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can comprise a plurality of panels including a bottom panel, an outer side panel, a top panel, an inner side panel, a central panel, and an end flap. At least a first container receiver and a second container receiver extend in at least the bottom panel for at least partially receiving containers of the plurality of containers. An inner opening can extend in the inner side panel for at least partially receiving a first flange of a first container at least partially received in the first container receiver, and a free edge of the end flap can be for engaging a second flange of a second container at least partially received in the second container receiver. The central panel can extend at least partially between the first container receiver and the second container receiver.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, an outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the outer side panel, an inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a central panel foldably connected to the inner side panel, and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel;   at least a first container receiver and a second container receiver extending in at least the bottom panel, each of the first container receiver and the second container receiver being for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;   an inner opening extending in the inner side panel for at least partially receiving a first flange of a first container at least partially received in the first container receiver; and   a free edge of the end flap being for engaging a second flange of a second container at least partially received in the second container receiver, wherein the central panel extends at least partially between the first container receiver and the second container receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side panel is a first inner side panel and the inner opening is a first inner opening, and wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second inner side panel, a second inner opening extending in the second inner side panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the end flap and the second inner side panel are at least partially overlapped. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner side panel comprises a first inner engagement edge extending along the first inner opening and the second inner side panel comprises a second inner engagement edge extending along the second inner opening, the first inner engagement edge and the second inner engagement edge being for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the first inner side panel extends from the first inner opening to the bottom panel and at least a portion of the second inner side panel extends from the second inner opening to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first brace flap and the second brace flap being for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein an outer opening extends in the outer side panel for at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container, and wherein the inner side panel comprises an inner engagement edge extending along the inner opening and the outer side panel comprises an outer engagement edge extending along the outer opening, the inner engagement edge and the outer engagement edge being for engaging the first flange of the first container. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein the first container receiver comprises at least two brace flaps, each brace flap of the at least two brace flaps being for engaging the first flange of the first container. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 8 , wherein each of the brace flaps of the at least two brace flaps is foldably connected to the bottom panels on opposite sides of the first container receiver from one another. 
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the brace flaps of the at least two brace flaps are spaced apart from inner side panel and the outer side panel. 
     
     
         11 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the inner side panel extends from the inner engagement edge to the bottom panel and at least a portion of the outer side panel extends from the outer engagement edge to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         12 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the outer side panel is a first outer side panel, the top panel is a first top panel, and the inner side panel is a first inner side panel, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second top panel foldably connected to the second outer side panel, and a second inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel. 
     
     
         13 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the inner opening is a first inner opening, a second inner opening extends in the second inner panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container, a first outer opening extends in the first outer panel for at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container, and a second outer opening extends in the second outer panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         14 . The carrier of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first inner side panel, the second inner side panel, the first outer side panel, and the second outer side panel extends from the bottom panel to the respective first inner opening, second inner opening, first outer opening, and second outer opening. 
     
     
         15 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first brace flap and the second brace flap being for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         16 . The carrier of  claim 15 , wherein the first brace flap is spaced apart from the first inner side panel and the first outer side panel, and the second brace flap is spaced apart from the second inner side panel and the second outer side panel. 
     
     
         17 . The carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle at least partially defined in the central panel and the bottom panel. 
     
     
         18 . The carrier of  claim 17 , wherein the handle comprises a handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and a handle opening at least partially defined in the bottom panel, and wherein the handle flap is at least partially received through the handle opening. 
     
     
         19 . The carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining tab foldably connected to the central panel and a retaining aperture at least partially defined in the bottom panel, the retaining tab being at least partially received through the retaining aperture for resisting relative movement between the central panel and the bottom panel. 
     
     
         20 . A package comprising a carrier at least partially holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, an outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the outer side panel, an inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a central panel foldably connected to the inner side panel, and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel;   at least a first container receiver and a second container receiver extending in at least the bottom panel, each of the first container receiver and the second container receiver at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;   an inner opening extending in the inner side panel and at least partially receiving a first flange of a first container at least partially received in the first container receiver; and   a free edge of the end flap engaging a second flange of a second container at least partially received in the second container receiver, wherein the central panel extends at least partially between the first container receiver and the second container receiver.   
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the inner side panel is a first inner side panel and the inner opening is a first inner opening, and wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second inner side panel, a second inner opening extending in the second inner side panel at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the end flap and the second inner side panel are at least partially overlapped. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the first inner side panel comprises a first inner engagement edge extending along the first inner opening and the second inner side panel comprises a second inner engagement edge extending along the second inner opening, the first inner engagement edge and the second inner engagement edge engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first brace flap and the second brace flap engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein an outer opening extends in the outer side panel and at least partially receives the first flange of the first container, and wherein the inner side panel comprises an inner engagement edge extending along the inner opening and the outer side panel comprises an outer engagement edge extending along the outer opening, the inner engagement edge and the outer engagement edge engaging the first flange of the first container. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 25 , wherein the first container receiver comprises at least two brace flaps, and each brace flap of the at least two brace flaps is foldably connected to the bottom panels on opposite sides of the first container receiver from one another, each of the brace flaps engaging the first flange of the first container. 
     
     
         27 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the outer side panel is a first outer side panel, the top panel is a first top panel, and the inner side panel is a first inner side panel, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second top panel foldably connected to the second outer side panel, and a second inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and wherein the first top panel extends at least partially over the first container and the second top panel extends at least partially over the second container. 
     
     
         28 . The package of  claim 27 , wherein the inner opening is a first inner opening, a second inner opening in the second inner panel at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container, a first outer opening in the first outer panel at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container, and a second outer opening in the second outer panel at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         29 . The package of  claim 27 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first brace flap and the second brace flap engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         30 . A blank for forming a carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, an outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the outer side panel, an inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a central panel foldably connected to the inner side panel, and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel;   at least a first container receiver and a second container receiver extending in at least the bottom panel, each of the first container receiver and the second container receiver being for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;   an inner opening extending in the inner side panel for at least partially receiving a first flange of a first container at least partially received in the first container receiver when the carrier is formed from the blank; and   a free edge of the end flap being for engaging a second flange of a second container at least partially received in the second container receiver when the carrier is formed from the blank, wherein the central panel is for extending at least partially between the first container receiver and the second container receiver when the carrier is formed from the blank.   
     
     
         31 . The blank of  claim 30 , wherein the inner side panel is a first inner side panel and the inner opening is a first inner opening, and wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second inner side panel, a second inner opening extending in the second inner side panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         32 . The blank of  claim 31 , wherein the first inner side panel comprises a first inner engagement edge extending along the first inner opening and the second inner side panel comprises a second inner engagement edge extending along the second inner opening, the first inner engagement edge and the second inner engagement edge being for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         33 . The blank of  claim 31 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first brace flap and the second brace flap being for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         34 . The blank of  claim 30 , wherein an outer opening extends in the outer side panel for at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container when the carrier is formed from the blank, and wherein the inner side panel comprises an inner engagement edge extending along the inner opening and the outer side panel comprises an outer engagement edge extending along the outer opening, the inner engagement edge and the outer engagement edge being for engaging the first flange of the first container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         35 . The blank of  claim 34 , wherein the first container receiver comprises at least two brace flaps, each brace flap of the at least two brace flaps being for engaging the first flange of the first container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         36 . The blank of  claim 35 , wherein each of the brace flaps of the at least two brace flaps is foldably connected to the bottom panels on opposite sides of the first container receiver from one another. 
     
     
         37 . The blank of  claim 30 , wherein the outer side panel is a first outer side panel, the top panel is a first top panel, and the inner side panel is a first inner side panel, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second top panel foldably connected to the second outer side panel, and a second inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel. 
     
     
         38 . The blank of  claim 37 , wherein the inner opening is a first inner opening, a second inner opening extends in the second inner panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container when the carrier is formed from the blank, a first outer opening extends in the first outer panel for at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container when the carrier is formed from the blank, and a second outer opening extends in the second outer panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         39 . The blank of  claim 37 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first brace flap and the second brace flap being for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         40 . The blank of  claim 30 , further comprising a handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and a handle opening at least partially defined in the bottom panel, wherein the handle flap is for being at least partially received through the handle opening when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         41 . The blank of  claim 30 , further comprising a retaining tab foldably connected to the central panel and a retaining aperture at least partially defined in the bottom panel, wherein the retaining tab is for being at least partially received through the retaining aperture for resisting relative movement between the central panel and the bottom panel when the carrier is formed from the blank. 
     
     
         42 . A method of forming a package, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, an outer side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the outer side panel, an inner side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a central panel foldably connected to the inner side panel, and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel, the blank further comprising at least a first container receiver and a second container receiver extending in at least the bottom panel and an inner opening extending in the inner side panel;   engaging a plurality of containers with the blank so that each of the first container receiver and the second container receiver at least partially receives a respective first container and second container of the plurality of containers; and   forming a carrier by arranging the plurality of panels, the arranging the plurality of panels comprising positioning the inner side panel so that the inner opening at least partially receives a first flange of the first container, positioning the central panel to extend at least partially between the first container receiver and the second container receiver, and positioning the end flap so that a free edge of the end flap engages a second edge of the second container.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the inner side panel is a first inner side panel and the inner opening is a first inner opening, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a second inner side panel a second inner opening extends in the second inner side panel, and wherein the arranging the plurality of panels further comprises positioning the second inner side panel so that the second inner opening at least partially receives the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the positioning the end flap further comprises at least partially overlapping the end flap and the second inner side panel. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the first container receiver comprises a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second container receiver comprises a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, and wherein the engaging the plurality of containers with the blank comprises engaging the first brace flap and the second brace flap with the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein an outer opening extends in the outer side panel and the first container receiver comprises at least two brace flaps foldably connected to the bottom panel, and wherein the arranging the plurality of panels further comprises positioning the outer side panel so that the outer opening at least partially receives the first flange of the first container, and the engaging the plurality of containers with the blank comprises engaging the at least two brace flaps with the first flange of the first container. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the blank further comprises a handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and a handle opening at least partially defined in the bottom panel, and wherein the method further comprises at least partially overlapping the central panel and the bottom panel so that the handle flap is at least partially aligned with the handle opening. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising a retaining tab foldably connected to the central panel and a retaining aperture at least partially defined in the bottom panel, wherein the method further comprises folding the retaining tab relative to the central panel so that the retaining tab is at least partially received through the retaining aperture for resisting relative movement between the central panel and the bottom panel. 
     
     
         49 . A carrier for at least partially holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first outer side panel and a second outer side panel each foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel and a second top panel foldably connected to the respective first outer side panel and second outer side panel, and a first inner side panel and a second inner side panel foldably connected to the respective first top panel and second top panel;   a first inner opening extending in the first inner side panel being for at least partially receiving a first flange of a first container of the plurality of containers; and   a second inner opening in the second inner side panel being for at least partially receiving a second flange of a second container of the plurality of containers;   wherein at least a portion of the first inner side panel and the second inner side panel extends from the respective first inner opening and second inner opening toward the bottom panel.   
     
     
         50 . The carrier of  claim 49 , wherein each of the first inner side panel and the second inner side panel contacts the bottom panel. 
     
     
         51 . The carrier of  claim 49 , further comprising a first bottom aperture in the bottom panel for at least partially receiving a top portion of the first container, a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel adjacent the first bottom aperture, a second bottom aperture in the bottom panel for at least partially receiving a top portion of the second container, and a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel adjacent the second bottom aperture, wherein the first brace flap and the second brace flap are for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         52 . The carrier of  claim 49 , further comprising a first outer opening extending in the first outer panel for at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container and a second outer opening extending in the second outer panel for at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         53 . The carrier of  claim 52 , further comprising a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, wherein the first brace flap and the second brace flap are for engaging the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         54 . The carrier of  claim 49 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a central panel foldably connected to the first inner side panel and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel, and wherein the end flap extends from the bottom panel to the second inner opening in the second inner side panel for engaging the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         55 . The carrier of  claim 54 , wherein the central panel and the bottom panel are at least partially overlapped, and the end flap and the second inner side panel are at least partially overlapped. 
     
     
         56 . The carrier of  claim 54 , further comprising a handle extending in the central panel and the bottom panel. 
     
     
         57 . A package comprising a carrier at least partially holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
 a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first outer side panel and a second outer side panel each foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel and a second top panel foldably connected to the respective first outer side panel and second outer side panel, and a first inner side panel and a second inner side panel foldably connected to the respective first top panel and second top panel;   a first inner opening in the first inner side panel at least partially receiving a first flange of a first container of the plurality of containers; and   a second inner opening in the second inner side panel at least partially receiving a second flange of a second container of the plurality of containers;   wherein at least a portion of the first inner side panel and the second inner side panel extends from the respective first inner opening and second inner opening toward the bottom panel.   
     
     
         58 . The package of  claim 57 , further comprising a first bottom aperture in the bottom panel at least partially receiving a top portion of the first container, a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel adjacent the first bottom aperture, a second bottom aperture in the bottom panel at least partially receiving a top portion of the second container, and a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel adjacent the second bottom aperture, wherein the first brace flap and the second brace flap engage the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         59 . The package of  claim 57 , further comprising a first outer opening extending in the first outer panel at least partially receiving the first flange of the first container and a second outer opening extending in the second outer panel at least partially receiving the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         60 . The package of  claim 59 , further comprising a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, wherein the first brace flap and the second brace flap engage the respective first flange and second flange of the respective first container and second container. 
     
     
         61 . The package of  claim 57 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a central panel foldably connected to the first inner side panel and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel, and wherein the end flap extends from the bottom panel to the second inner opening in the second inner side panel and the end flap engages the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         62 . The package of  claim 61 , wherein the central panel and the bottom panel are at least partially overlapped, and the end flap and the second inner side panel are at least partially overlapped. 
     
     
         63 . A method of forming a package, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first outer side panel and second outer side panel each foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel and a second top panel foldably connected to the respective first outer side panel and second outer side panel, and a first inner side panel and a second inner side panel foldably connected to the respective first top panel and second top panel, the blank further comprising at least a first inner opening extending in the first inner side panel and a second inner opening extending in the second inner side panel;   engaging a plurality of containers with the blank, the plurality of containers comprising at least a first container and a second container; and   forming a carrier by arranging the plurality of panels, the arranging the plurality of panels comprising positioning the first inner side panel so that the first inner opening at least partially receives a first flange of the first container and so that at least a portion of the first inner side panel extends from the first inner opening toward the bottom panel, and positioning the second inner side panel so that the second inner opening at least partially receives a second flange of the second container and so that at least a portion of the second inner side panel extends from the second inner opening toward the bottom panel.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the engaging the plurality of containers with the blank comprises at least partially receiving at least a portion of the first container through a first bottom aperture in the bottom panel so that a first brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel adjacent the first aperture engages the first flange of the first container and at least partially receiving at least a portion of the second container through a second bottom aperture in the bottom panel so that a second brace flap foldably connected to the bottom panel adjacent the second aperture engages the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the blank further comprises a first outer opening in the first outer panel and a second outer opening in the second outer panel, and wherein the method further comprises positioning the first outer side panel so that the first outer opening at least partially receives the first flange of the first container and positioning the second outer side panel so that the second outer opening at least partially receives the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a central panel foldably connected to the first inner side panel and an end flap foldably connected to the central panel, and wherein the arranging the plurality of panels further comprises positioning the end flap to extend from the bottom panel to the second inner opening in the second inner side panel so that the end flap engages the second flange of the second container. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the arranging the plurality of panels further comprises positioning the central panel and the end flap to at least partially overlap the respective bottom panel and second inner side panel.