Article carrier and blank thereof

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a top engaging article carrier ( 90 ) for packaging one or more articles blanks ( 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D) for forming the carrier ( 90 ) and a method of forming the carrier ( 90 ). An aspect provides a plurality of connected blanks ( 1 ), comprising two or more blanks ( 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D) each for forming an article carrier ( 90 ). Each blank ( 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D) comprises an engaging panel ( 12 ) having at least one article-receiving device (RT 1 ) and a pair of side or shoulder panels ( 20, 22 ) hingedly connected to opposing sides of the engaging panel ( 12 ). A first side panel ( 20 ) of a first one of the two or more blanks ( 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D) is frangibly connected to an adjacently disposed side panel ( 22 ) of a second one of the two or more blanks ( 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D) by one or more frangible connections (N). The frangible connections (N) are broken automatically in response to application of the plurality of connected blanks ( 1 ) to a group of articles (B).

1 . A plurality of connected blanks for forming two or more article carriers, each blank comprising an engaging panel, having at least one article-receiving device, and at least one shoulder panel hingedly connected to the engaging panel, wherein at least one shoulder panel of a first one of the plurality of connected blanks is frangibly connected to an adjacently disposed at least one shoulder panel of a second one of the plurality of connected blanks by one or more frangible connections. 
     
     
         2 . A plurality of connected blanks according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more frangible connections are broken automatically in response to folding said shoulder panels with respect to the engaging panel to which it is hinged. 
     
     
         3 . A plurality of connected blanks according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more frangible connections are broken automatically in response to application of the plurality of connected blanks to a group of articles. 
     
     
         4 . A plurality of connected blanks for forming two or more article carriers, each blank comprising an engaging panel, having at least one article-receiving device and a pair of side panels hingedly connected to opposing sides of the engaging panel, the plurality of connected blanks comprising at least one pair of pair of frangibly connected side panels by one or more frangible connections, the at least one pair of frangibly connected side panels including a first side panel hingedly connected to an engaging panel of a first one of the plurality of connected blanks and a second side panel hingedly connected to an engaging panel of a second, adjacently disposed, one of the plurality of connected blanks. 
     
     
         5 . A plurality of connected blanks according to claim  5  wherein one or more frangible connections between the first side panel and the second side panel are broken automatically in response to folding said side panels with respect to the engaging panel to which it is hinged. 
     
     
         6 . A plurality of connected blanks according to  claim 5  wherein the one or more frangible connections are broken automatically in response to application of the plurality of connected blanks to a group of articles. 
     
     
         7 . A plurality of connected blanks according to  claim 5  wherein an article-receiving device in the first one of the plurality of connected blanks is spaced apart from an article-receiving device in the second one of the plurality of connected blanks by a first distance, and wherein the first distance is equal to or less than the maximum diameter of the articles receivable in the article-receiving devices of said first and second blanks. 
     
     
         8 . 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 hingedly connected to the main panel by a linear fold line and at least one second tab partially disconnected from the main panel by a non-linear cut. 
     
     
         9 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein the plurality of engaging tabs comprises at least one third tab struck from the main panel and integral with a side panel hingedly connected to the main panel. 
     
     
         10 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein each of the plurality of engaging tabs is substantially trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         11 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein a side edge of each of the plurality of engaging tabs abuts a side edge of an adjacent one of the plurality of engaging tabs. 
     
     
         12 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein a free end edge of each of the plurality of engaging tabs provides an engaging edge for engaging an article. 
     
     
         13 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one second tab comprises a plurality of second tabs disposed substantially about a portion of the perimeter of the receiving aperture opposing the side panel from which the third tab extends. 
     
     
         14 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one second tab is defined in part by at least one “T” shaped cutline. 
     
     
         15 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one second tab is defined in part by at least one “L” shaped cutline. 
     
     
         16 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one second tab is defined in part by at least one “J” shaped cutline. 
     
     
         17 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one second tab is defined in part by at least one cutline having a first radial cutline portion and a second circumferential cutline portion. 
     
     
         18 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 17  wherein the first radial cutline portion extends along a notional radial line extending from a centre of the article top-receiving device. 
     
     
         19 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 17  wherein the second circumferential cutline portion is linear. 
     
     
         20 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 17  wherein the second circumferential cutline portion comprises at least a part which is perpendicular to the first radial cutline portion. 
     
     
         21 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 17  wherein the at least one second tab comprises a plurality of second tabs and wherein the first radial cutline portions define a notional circle. 
     
     
         22 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein outermost ends of the first radial cutline portions lie on the notional circle, said notional circle having a centre disposed at the intersection between notional extensions of two or more first radial cutline portions. 
     
     
         23 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein the second circumferential cutline portions are tangential to said notional circle and comprise a terminal end disposed outside the notional circle. 
     
     
         24 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein the non-linear cut is disposed inside the notional circle. 
     
     
         25 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 23  wherein a bridging connection is defined between a terminal end of the non-linear cut and a terminal end of an adjacent second circumferential cutline portion. 
     
     
         26 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein an outermost terminal end of a radial cutline defining the at least one first tab is disposed outside of the notional circle. 
     
     
         27 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein an outermost terminal end of a radial cutline defining the at least one third tab is disposed outside of the notional circle. 
     
     
         28 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein the linear fold line of the at least one first tab is disposed outside of the notional circle. 
     
     
         29 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 21  wherein the linear fold line of the at least one first tab comprises a linear cut which partially disconnects the at least one first tab from the main panel. 
     
     
         30 . Ab article top-receiving device according to  claim 29  wherein the linear cut of the at least one first tab is disposed outside of the notional circle. 
     
     
         31 . An article top-receiving device according to  claim 8  wherein the linear fold line of the at least one first tab comprises a linear cut which partially disconnects the at least one first tab from the main panel. 
     
     
         32 . A method of forming two or more article carriers from a plurality of connected blanks, the plurality of connected blanks comprising two or more blanks each forming an article carrier, each blank including an engaging panel having at least one article-receiving device and at least one side panel hingedly connected to the engaging panel, a side panel of a first one of the two or more blanks being frangibly connected to a side panel of a second one of the two or more blanks by one or more frangible connections, the method comprising:
 forming a group of articles;   applying the plurality of connected blanks to the group of articles;   pressing the plurality of connected blanks about ends of the articles forming the group of articles;   folding the side panels of the first and second blanks with respect to the engaging panel to which it is hinged, wherein the frangible connections between the side panels of the first and second blanks are broken automatically in response to folding said side panels;   receiving an article in each of the at least one article-receiving devices such that two or more distinct article carriers are formed.   
     
     
         33 . A method of forming two or more article carriers according to  claim 32  wherein the articles each comprise an upper end having an end diameter, a main body having a body diameter and a shoulder portion disposed between the main body and upper end, the body diameter is greater than the end diameter such that when two articles are placed in juxtaposition a void exist therebetween in a region between shoulder portions of said articles, and wherein the method comprises displacing the side panels of the first and second blanks into the void, said displacement facilitating separation of the first blank from the second blank. 
     
     
         34 . An article carrier of the top engaging type comprising an engaging panel having at least one article-receiving device struck from the engaging panel and at least one side panel comprising a severed frangible connection along an edge of the at least one side panel opposing its hinged connection to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         35 . An article carrier according to  claim 34  wherein the at least one side panel comprises a tab struck from the engaging panel and interrupting the hinged connection between the at least one side panel and the engaging panel.