Article carrier and blank

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, a package (P), article carriers (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) for packaging one or more articles and a joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190), and blanks (10; 110; 1010; 1110; 2010; 2110; 3010; 4110; 5110; 6110) for forming the article carriers (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) and joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190). The package P comprises a pair of sub-packages (90; 1090; 2090; 3090), including a first sub-package (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) and a second sub-package (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) disposed next to each other, or one on top of another, and a joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190), in the form of a handle strap, connecting the pair of sub-packages (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) together into a unitary tertiary package (P). The joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190) comprises a tubular structure disposed around the pair of sub-packages (90; 1090; 2090; 3090).

1 . A package comprising a plurality of sub-packages disposed next to one another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around each of the sub-packages such that part of a first one of the sub-packages extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of a second one of the sub-packages extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second engaging openings or tabs in engagement with the first and second sub-packages respectively. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint member provides a handle strap. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second engaging tabs are hinged to a top panel of the tubular structure by first and second fold lines, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second fold lines are divergently arranged with respect to each other to encourage the first and second sub-packages towards a middle of the top panel. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second engaging tabs each is configured to engage an article in a first row or column of articles within a respective one of the first and second sub-packages, the first row or column of articles being disposed proximate to a middle of the top panel and extending transversely with respect to a tubular axis of the joint member. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second engaging tabs each is configured to engage an article in a second row or column of articles within a respective one of the first and second sub-packages, the second row or column of articles being disposed distally from a middle of the top panel. 
     
     
         7 . An article carrier according to  claim 6 , wherein the second row or column of articles is disposed adjacent to a first row or column of articles within the respective one of the first and second sub-packages disposed proximate to the middle of the top panel and extending transversely with respect to a tubular axis of the joint member. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the tubular structure further comprises third and fourth engaging tabs hinged to the top panel of the tubular structure by third and fourth fold lines, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint member comprises a base panel that is smaller in dimension, in a lateral direction, than the combined footprint of the plurality of sub-packages. 
     
     
         10 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sub-packages comprise two or more rows of articles, and the joint member engages endmost articles in one row of the articles in the first sub-package and endmost articles in one row of the articles in the second sub-package, said one row of the articles in the second sub-package being disposed adjacent the one row of the articles in the first sub-package. 
     
     
         11 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second sub-packages comprise two or more rows of articles, the joint member engages endmost articles in a single row of the articles in each of the first and second sub-packages. 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier according to  claim 2 , wherein the joint member is reinforced by at least one reinforcement flap. 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one reinforcement flap comprises at least one extension hingedly connected to one of a pair of opposing side panels of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         14 . An article carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one reinforcement flap is hingedly connected to a side edge of a top panel of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         15 . An article carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one extension is hingedly connected to the at least one reinforcement flap. 
     
     
         16 . An article carrier according to  claim 12 , wherein the joint member comprises a handle flap struck from a top panel of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         17 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second engaging openings each engages a heel of an article in a respective one of the first and second sub-packages and is struck at least in part from a base panel of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         18 . An article carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second engaging openings each is struck in part from one of a pair of opposing side panels of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         19 . An article carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second engaging openings each is defined in part by a pair of flaps hingedly connected to the tubular structure. 
     
     
         20 . An article carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein the base panel of the tubular structure comprises at least two handling apertures, one of the at least two handling apertures is provided by a portion of one of the first and second engaging openings in the base panel, the other one of the at least two handling apertures is provided by an aperture disposed in a spaced apart relationship from the other one of the first and second engaging openings. 
     
     
         21 . A package comprising a pair of sub-packages, including a first sub-package and a second sub-package disposed next to each other, and a joint member connecting the pair of sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around each of the pair of sub-packages such that part of the first sub-package extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of the second sub-package extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second engaging openings in engagement with respective ones of the first and second sub-packages. 
     
     
         22 . A package comprising a pair of sub-packages, including a first sub-package and a second sub-package disposed next to each other, and a joint member connecting the pair of sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around each of the pair of sub-packages such that part of the first sub-package extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of the second sub-package extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second engaging tabs in engagement with respective ones of the first and second sub-packages. 
     
     
         23 . A package comprising a pair of sub-packages, including a first sub-package and a second sub-package disposed next to each other, and a joint member connecting the pair of sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around each of the pair of sub-packages such that part of the first sub-package extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of the second sub-package extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second engaging openings and first and second engaging tabs in engagement with respective ones of the first and second sub-packages. 
     
     
         24 . Blanks for forming a package, including at least two first blanks for forming sub-packages each first blank comprising a main panel having a plurality of article retention structures for engaging respective articles, and a second blank for forming a joint member for being disposed around the sub-packages, the second blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming an open ended tubular structure, wherein the second blank comprises first and second engaging openings or first and second engaging tabs for engagement with respective ones of the first and second sub-packages, the second blank being dimensioned such that in a set up condition part of a first sub-package extends outward from one of the open ends of the tubular structure and part of a second sub-package extends outward from the other one of the open ends of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         25 . A blank for forming a joint member for being disposed around at least two sub-packages, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming an open ended tubular structure, wherein the blank comprises first and second engaging openings or first and second engaging tabs for engagement with respective ones of the at least two sub-packages, the blank being dimensioned such that in a set up condition part of a first sub-package extends outward from one of the open ends of the tubular structure and part of a second sub-package extends outward from the other one of the open ends of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         26 . A package comprising a plurality of sub-packages disposed next to one another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around each of the sub-packages such that part of a first one of the sub-packages extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of a second one of the sub-packages extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein each of the sub-packages comprises a plurality of articles and a top-engaging carrier in engagement with an upper portion of each of the articles. 
     
     
         27 . A package comprising a stack of sub-packages disposed one on top of another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around the stack such that a part of each of the sub-packages of the stack extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and another part of each of the sub-packages of the stack extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein each of the sub-packages comprises a plurality of articles and a top-engaging carrier in engagement with an upper portion of each of the articles. 
     
     
         28 . A package comprising a stack of sub-packages disposed one on top of another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a tubular structure having opposed open ends and disposed around the stack such that a part of each of the sub-packages of the stack extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and another part of each of the sub-packages of the stack extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure comprises at least one engaging opening or tab in engagement with at least one of the sub-packages of the stack. 
     
     
         29 . A package comprising a plurality of sub-packages disposed next to one another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a plurality of panels connected together to form a tubular structure having opposed open ends, the plurality of panels including a pair of opposed side panels each having first and second opposed end edges, wherein one of the opposed open ends is defined, in part, by the first end edges of the pair of opposed side panels, the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure is defined, in part, by the second end edges of the pair of opposed side panels, the joint member is disposed around each of the sub-packages such that part of a first one of the sub-packages extends outwardly from said first end edges and part of a second one of the sub-packages extends outwardly from said second end edges, and wherein each of the sub-packages comprises a plurality of articles and a top-engaging carrier in engagement with an upper portion of each of the articles. 
     
     
         30 . A package according to claim  31 , wherein part of the first one of the sub-packages extends outwardly from a first end edge of a base wall of the joint member and part of the second one of the sub-packages extends outwardly from a second, opposing, end edge of the base wall. 
     
     
         31 . A package comprising a plurality of sub-packages disposed next to one another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a plurality of panels connected together to form a tubular structure having opposed open ends, the plurality of panels including a handle panel comprising a gripping portion extending transversely with respect to a tubular axis of the tubular structure, the gripping portion having a first transversely extending edge and a second opposing transversely extending edge, wherein one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure is defined in part by the first transversely extending edge of the gripping portion, the other one of the opposed open ends is defined in part by the second transversely extending edge of the gripping portion, the joint member is disposed around each of the sub-packages such that part of a first one of the sub-packages extends outwardly from the first transversely extending edge of the gripping portion and part of a second one of the sub-packages extends outwards from the second transversely extending edge of the gripping portion, and wherein each of the sub-packages comprises a plurality of articles and a top-engaging carrier in engagement with an upper portion of each of the articles. 
     
     
         32 . A package comprising a plurality of sub-packages disposed next to one another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a plurality of panels connected together to form a tubular structure having opposed open ends, the joint member being disposed around each of the sub-packages such that part of a first one of the sub-packages extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of a second one of the sub-packages extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, wherein each of the first and second ones of the sub-packages comprises an engaging projection, and wherein the joint member comprises at least one receiving feature in which the engaging projection of each of the first and second ones of the sub-packages is received. 
     
     
         33 . A package according to  claim 32 , wherein each of the at least first and second sub-packages comprises a plurality of articles and a top-engaging carrier in engagement with an upper portion of each of the articles, and wherein the engaging projection is provided by the top-engaging carrier of the each of the first and second ones of the sub-packages. 
     
     
         34 . A package according to  claim 33 , wherein the engaging projection is provided by a cover panel disposed over the upper portions of the articles. 
     
     
         35 . A package comprising a plurality of sub-packages disposed next to one another, and a joint member connecting the sub-packages together into a unitary package, the joint member comprising a plurality of panels connected together to form a tubular structure having opposed open ends and first tubular axis, the joint member being disposed around each of the sub-packages such that part of a first one of the sub-packages extends outwards from one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure and part of a second one of the sub-packages extends outwards from the other one of the opposed open ends of the tubular structure, each of the first and second ones of the sub-packages comprising a tubular structure having opposed ends and second tubular axis, wherein the second tubular axis is perpendicular to the first tubular axis and wherein the first and second tubular axis define a plane which is parallel to the plane of a top wall of the joint member and to the plane of a cover panel of the sub-packages. 
     
     
         36 . A package according to  claim 35 , wherein the top wall of the joint member is disposed in face-to-face relationship with the cover panel of the sub-packages. 
     
     
         37 . A package according to  claim 35 , wherein the top wall of the joint member is disposed in face contacting relationship with the cover panel of the sub-packages.