Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a pair of opposed end panels. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. A primary partition panel is hingedly connected to one of the pair of end panels along a first fold line, the primary partition panel comprises the partition structure. The partition structure comprises at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap. The at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint. The distal end joint is adjoined by a tab interrupting the first fold line. The tab protrudes from the end panel into the primary partition panel to be in close proximity or contact with the distal end joint.

1 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure defining an interior chamber, the plurality of primary panels being arranged in a longitudinally extending linear series hinged one to the next;   a first medial panel hingedly connected to an end of the linear series, and   a second medial panel hingedly connected to the first medial panel by a longitudinally extending first fold line,   wherein the second medial panel has a free edge disposed at a position opposing the first fold line, the free edge of the second medial panel comprising:
 a longitudinally extending first linear portion, 
 a longitudinally extending second linear portion spaced apart from the first linear portion, and 
 a third linear portion extending between the first and second linear portions and obliquely disposed with respect to the first and second linear portions. 
   
     
     
         2 . A blank of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second medial panels is provided with only one handle aperture. 
     
     
         3 . A blank of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second medial panels has an upper portion, wherein the one handle aperture is defined within the upper portion of each of the first and second medial panels. 
     
     
         4 . A blank of  claim 3 , wherein the first fold line defines part of a lower edge of each of the first and second medial panels. 
     
     
         5 . A blank of  claim 1 , wherein the second linear portion is spaced longitudinally apart from the first linear portion. 
     
     
         6 . A blank of  claim 1 , wherein the second medial panel comprises a partition structure which comprises a partition panel and a glue panel formed from the second medial panel, the glue panel being coupled with the partition panel by a distal end joint formed from a portion of the blank adjoining a securing panel that is hingedly connected to the first medial panel. 
     
     
         7 . A blank of  claim 6 , wherein the first medial panel is hingedly connected at a first end thereof to the linear series of the plurality of primary panels, the securing panel is hingedly connected to a second end of the first medial panel opposing the first end, the securing panel has a lower end thereof adjoining the portion of the blank. 
     
     
         8 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure defining an interior chamber, the plurality of primary panels comprising a pair of opposed end panels;   a first medial panel and a second medial panel hingedly connected to the first medial panel by a first fold line,   wherein the first medial panel is hingedly connected to a securing panel for securing to one of the pair of opposed end panels,   wherein the second medial panel comprises a partition structure comprising at least one lateral partition flap and a glue flap each formed from the second medial panel,   wherein the at least one lateral partition flap and the glue flap are coupled together by a distal end joint, and   wherein at least a part of the distal end joint is formed from a part of the blank adjoining the securing panel.   
     
     
         9 . A blank of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of primary panels are arranged in a longitudinally extending linear series hinged one to the next,
 wherein the first fold line extends longitudinally with respect to the linear series,   wherein the first medial panel is hingedly connected at one end thereof to an end of the linear series, and   wherein the securing panel is hingedly connected to another end of the first medial panel that is opposite to the one end.   
     
     
         10 . A blank of  claim 8 , wherein the first fold line defines part of a lower edge of each of the first and second medial panels. 
     
     
         11 . A blank of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second medial panels is provided with only one handle aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A blank of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second medial panels has an upper portion, wherein the one handle aperture is defined within the upper portion of each of the first and second medial panels. 
     
     
         13 . A blank of  claim 8 , wherein the distal end joint is formed from a portion of the blank adjoining a securing panel that is hingedly connected to the first medial panel. 
     
     
         14 . A blank of  claim 12 , wherein the securing panel has a lower end thereof adjoining the portion of the blank.