Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

A top engaging carrier ( 90; 190 ) comprises an engaging panel ( 12; 112 ) with at least one article retention structure (RT 1 , RT 2 ). The article retention structure (RT 1 , RT 2 ) comprises a plurality of tabs ( 40, 42, 44, 46, 70, 72, 74, 76; 140, 142, 144, 146, 170, 172, 174, 176; 240, 246, 276; 340, 346, 376 ) disposed about an article receiving aperture (A 1 , A 2 ). The plurality of tabs comprises a first pair of article-engaging tabs ( 40, 46; 140, 146; 240, 246; 340, 346 ) separated by a separation element. The separation element extends from the aperture toward a corner of the engaging panel ( 12; 112 ). The corner is defined by an intersection between a first fold line ( 13, 15; 113 A, 115 A; 213, 215; 313 A, 315 A), hingedly connecting an end panel ( 14, 16; 114 A/ 114 B, 116 A/ 116 B) to the engaging panel ( 12; 112 ), and a second fold line ( 17, 19; 117 A, 119 A; 217, 219; 317 A, 319 A), hingedly connecting a side panel ( 18, 20; 118 A/ 118 B, 120 A/ 120 B) to the engaging panel ( 12; 112 ). The separation element terminates with a barrier element ( 57; 157 ) disposed in the engaging panel ( 12; 112 ). The barrier element ( 57; 157 ) is disposed between the corner and the separation element such that it is spaced from the corner and hinders the separation element from reaching the corner.

1 . An article retention structure in an engaging panel of a blank for forming an article carrier, the article retention structure comprising a plurality of article-engaging tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of article-engaging tabs including a first pair of article-engaging tabs separated from each other by a separation element, the separation element extending from the article receiving aperture toward a corner of the engaging panel, the corner being defined by an intersection between a first fold line, hingedly connecting an end panel to the engaging panel, and a second fold line, hingedly connecting a side panel to the engaging panel, wherein a barrier element is disposed in the engaging panel between the corner and the separation element such that the barrier element is spaced from the corner and hinders the separation element from reaching the corner. 
     
     
         2 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier element extends perpendicularly to the separation element. 
     
     
         3 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier element defines a portion of a side edge of each of the article-engaging tabs of the first pair. 
     
     
         4 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier element extends, obliquely, between the first fold line and the second fold line. 
     
     
         5 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier element defines, in part, a generally triangular corner portion of the engaging panel, the corner portion of the engaging panel coupling the end panel to the side panel. 
     
     
         6 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the separation element is a first cutline. 
     
     
         7 . An article retention structure according to  claim 6 , wherein a notional line collinear with the first cut line passes through the corner of the engaging panel. 
     
     
         8 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier element is a cut. 
     
     
         9 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the article-engaging tabs of the first pair is hingedly connected by a respective hinged connection to one of the side panel and the end panel. 
     
     
         10 . An article retention structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the article-engaging tabs of the first pair is joined integrally with one of the side panel and the end panel. 
     
     
         11 . An article retention structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the hinged connection of each of the article-engaging tabs of the first pair is coincident with a portion of the one of the first and second fold lines. 
     
     
         12 . An article retention structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the article retention structure comprises a second pair of article-engaging tabs separated from each other by a second cutline. 
     
     
         13 . An article retention structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the second cutline is collinear with the first cutline. 
     
     
         14 . An article retention structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the second cutline terminates with a second barrier element. 
     
     
         15 . An article retention structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the second barrier element extends orthogonally to the second cutline and defines a portion of a side edge of each of the article-engaging tabs of the second pair. 
     
     
         16 . An article retention structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the second cutline defines a portion of a side edge of each of the article-engaging tabs of the second pair. 
     
     
         17 . An article retention structure according to  claim 12 , wherein a first one of the article-engaging tabs of the first pair is disposed opposite a first one of the article-engaging tabs of the second pair and a second one of the article-engaging tabs of the first pair is disposed opposite a second one of the article-engaging tabs of the second pair. 
     
     
         18 . A top-engaging article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising:
 an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure according to  claim 1 ;   a pair of side panels hingedly connected the engaging panel along opposed side edge thereof; and   a pair of end panels hingedly connected the engaging panel along opposed end edge thereof.   
     
     
         19 . An article retention structure in an engaging panel of a blank for forming an article carrier, the article retention structure comprising a plurality of tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of tabs comprising a pair of asymmetrical tabs disposed adjacent to each other and separated, at least in part, by a separation element, each of the asymmetrical tabs being defined, at least in part, by a first radial cut extending from the article receiving aperture to a hinged connection between the engaging panel and one of the asymmetrical tabs, wherein each of the asymmetrical tabs is defined at least in part by a second radial cut extending from the article receiving aperture and terminating at its outer end at a barrier element, the second radial cut being shorter in length than the first radial cut, said separation element comprising either one of the first and second radial cuts. 
     
     
         20 . A top-engaging article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure according to  claim 19 . 
     
     
         21 . An article retention structure in an engaging panel of a blank for forming an article carrier, the article retention structure comprising a plurality of tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of tabs comprising a pair of asymmetrical tabs disposed diametrically opposite to each other, each of the asymmetrical tabs being defined, at least in part, by a radial cutline extending from the article receiving aperture, wherein the radial cutline terminates at its outer end at a barrier element, the asymmetrical tabs together form a configuration which is symmetrical about a center of the article receiving aperture defined at least by the asymmetrical tabs. 
     
     
         22 . A top-engaging article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure according to  claim 21 . 
     
     
         23 . An article retention structure in an engaging panel of a blank for forming an article carrier, the article retention structure comprising a plurality of tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of tabs comprising a pair of asymmetrical tabs disposed diametrically opposite to each other, each of the asymmetrical tabs being defined, at least in part, by a radial cutline extending from the article receiving aperture, wherein the radial cutline terminates at its outer end at a barrier element, wherein the asymmetrical tabs in combination form a configuration having mirror symmetry about a notional line passing thought a center of the article receiving aperture defined at least by the asymmetrical tabs. 
     
     
         24 . An article retention structure according to  claim 23 , wherein the notional line is oriented parallel to hinged connections each connecting between the engaging panel and one of the asymmetrical tabs. 
     
     
         25 . An article retention structure according to  claim 23 , wherein the notional line extends perpendicularly to a side or end edge of the engaging panel. 
     
     
         26 . An article retention structure according to  claim 23 , wherein a third tab is disposed between the asymmetrical tabs, and wherein the opposite sides of the third tab are defined by radial cuts respectively, each of the radial cuts having its radially outer end free of a barrier element. 
     
     
         27 . An article retention structure according to  claim 26 , wherein each of the radial cuts terminates on a hinged connection hinging one of the asymmetrical tabs to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         28 . A top-engaging article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure according to  claim 23 . 
     
     
         29 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising an engaging panel, a side panel hingedly connected to a side edge of the engaging panel, and an end panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the engaging panel, the article carrier comprises a joint flap at an end of the side panel, the joint flap has no direct connection to the end panel when the carrier is in the blank form, the joint flap has a first fold line disposed in registry with a second fold line in the end panel, an upper portion of the joint flap is directly secured to an upper portion of the end panel in a face-contacting arrangement therewith. 
     
     
         30 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising an engaging panel, a side panel hingedly connected to a side edge of the engaging panel, and an end panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the engaging panel, the article carrier comprises a joint flap at an end of the side panel, the joint flap is frangibly connected to the end panel when the carrier is in the blank form, the joint flap has a first fold line disposed in registry with a second fold line in the end panel, an upper portion of the joint flap is directly secured to an upper portion of the end panel in a face-contacting arrangement therewith. 
     
     
         31 . A blank for forming a top-engaging carrier, the blank comprising:
 an engaging panel;   a side panel hingedly connected to a side edge of the engaging panel;   an end panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the engaging panel; and   a joint flap at an end of the side panel, wherein the joint flap has no direct connection to the end panel, the joint flap has a first fold line arranged to be disposed in registry with a second fold line in the end panel when the blank is erected into a top-engaging carrier in which an upper portion of the joint flap is directly secured to an upper portion of the end panel in a face-contacting arrangement therewith.   
     
     
         32 . A blank for forming a top-engaging carrier, the blank comprising: an engaging panel; a side panel hingedly connected to a side edge of the engaging panel; an end panel hingedly connected to an end edge of the engaging panel; and a joint flap at an end of a side panel, wherein the joint flap is frangibly connected to the end panel, the joint flap has a first fold line arranged to be disposed in registry with a second fold line in the end panel when the blank is erected into a top-engaging carrier in which an upper portion of the joint flap is directly secured to an upper portion of the end panel in a face-contacting arrangement therewith. 
     
     
         33 . A blank for forming a top-engaging carrier, the blank comprising: an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure comprising a plurality of tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of tabs comprising a pair of asymmetrical tabs disposed diametrically opposite to each other, each of the asymmetrical tabs being defined, at least in part, by a radial cutline extending from the article receiving aperture, wherein the radial cutline terminates at its outer end at a barrier element, the asymmetrical tabs together form a configuration which is symmetrical about a center of the article receiving aperture defined at least by the pair of asymmetrical tabs. 
     
     
         34 . A blank for forming a top-engaging carrier, the blank comprising an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure comprising a plurality of tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of tabs comprising a pair of asymmetrical tabs disposed adjacent to each other and separated, at least in part, by a separation element, each of the asymmetrical tabs being defined, at least in part, by a first radial cut extending from the article receiving aperture to a hinged connection between the engaging panel and one of the asymmetrical tabs, wherein each of the asymmetrical tabs is defined at least in part by a second radial cut extending from the article receiving aperture and terminating at its outer end at a barrier element, the second radial cut being shorter in length than the first radial cut, the separation element comprising either one of the first and second radial cuts. 
     
     
         35 . A blank for forming a top-engaging carrier, the blank comprising:
 an engaging panel having at least one article retention structure;   a pair of side panels hingedly connected the engaging panel along opposed side edge thereof; and   a pair of end panels hingedly connected the engaging panel along opposed end edge thereof;   wherein the at least one article retention structure comprises a plurality of article-engaging tabs disposed about an article receiving aperture, the plurality of article-engaging tabs includes a first pair of tabs separated from each other by a separation element, the separation element extends from the article receiving aperture toward a corner of the engaging panel, the corner is defined by an intersection between a first fold line, hingedly connecting one of the end panels to the engaging panel, and a second fold line, hingedly connecting one of the side panels to the engaging panel, wherein a barrier element is disposed in the engaging panel between the corner and the separation element such that the barrier element is spaced from the corner and hinders the separation element from reaching the corner.