Carton and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D 1 ) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D 2 ) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D 1 ) is less than a third distance (D 3 ) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A blank for forming an article carrier configured to hold a plurality of articles having a maximum diameter (D c ) or a maximum cross-sectional width (if there's support for width in addition to diameter), the blank comprising:
 a main panel having a plurality of top-receiving apertures arranged in an array of columns and rows, each of which is configured to receive a portion of a generally cylindrical article; and   a plurality of tabs formed about a periphery of each aperture in the main panel, the plurality of tabs being connected to the main panel such that the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel to bear against the article received in the aperture, wherein the main panel is configured to be dimensioned to have a maximum width (W) greater than a product of the maximum diameter (D c ) of each of the article and a number of the columns of the array.   
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 14 , wherein the main panel is dimensioned to have a maximum length greater than a product of the maximum diameter (D c ) of each article and a number of the rows of the array. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 14 , wherein each tab is separated from its adjacent neighbor tab by a first cutline, wherein each first cutline defines side edges of the tabs, wherein the first cutline is a linear cutline. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 16  further comprising a second cutline disposed proximate each of the first cutlines, wherein each second cutline is an arcuate cutline. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of article retention structures (RT), each of which defines an opening formed in part by its respective top-receiving aperture and from the tabs associated with each aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 14  wherein the opening comprises a diameter or maximum lateral dimension less than the maximum diameter (D c ) of the article to be received therein. 
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 14  wherein a first distance (D 1 ) is a distance between respective centers of two adjacent ones of the apertures of the blank, wherein the first distance (D 1 ) is substantially equal to the maximum diameter (D c ) of the article adapted to be engaged by the blank. 
     
     
         21 . The blank of  claim 14  wherein a distance (R s ) is a distance between the center of one of the two adjacent apertures and an outer end of a tab among the plurality of tabs, and a spaced distance (x) is a distance between respective cutlines at the outer ends of two adjacent tabs, each one of the two adjacent tabs belonging to a respective one of the two adjacent apertures, wherein the first distance (D 1 ) is substantially equal to a sum of twice the distance (R s ) and the spaced distance (x). 
     
     
         22 . The blank of  claim 14  is for forming a top engaging carrier applicable to articles of a slim or sleek design, such articles comprising a top end closure, a neck, and a main body, in which there is little or no difference in diameter or width between the top end closure or the neck and a side wall of the main body of the articles. 
     
     
         23 . The blank of  claim 14  wherein the main panel is defined by a perimeter including convexly curved edges and concavely curved edges, wherein a radius of curvature of the convexly curved edges is substantially equal to a radius of curvature of the concavely curved edges. 
     
     
         24 . A top engaging carrier for holding a plurality of articles having a maximum diameter (D c ) or a maximum cross-sectional width, the blank comprising:
 a main panel having a plurality of top-receiving apertures arranged in an array of columns and rows, each of which is configured to receive a portion of a generally cylindrical article; and   a plurality of tabs formed about a periphery of each aperture in the main panel, the plurality of tabs being connected to the main panel such that the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel to bear against the article received in the aperture, wherein the main panel is configured to be dimensioned to have a maximum width (W) greater than a product of the maximum diameter (D c ) of each of the article and a number of the columns of the array.   
     
     
         25 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein the main panel is dimensioned to have a maximum length greater than a product of the maximum diameter (D c ) of each article and a number of the rows of the array. 
     
     
         26 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein each tab is separated from its adjacent neighbor tab by a first cutline, wherein each first cutline defines side edges of the tabs, wherein the first cutline is a linear cutline. 
     
     
         27 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 26 , wherein a second cutline is disposed proximate each of the first cutlines, wherein each second cutline is an arcuate cutline. 
     
     
         28 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein the main panel further comprises a plurality of article retention structures (RT), each of which defines an opening formed in part by its respective top-receiving aperture and from the tabs associated with each aperture. 
     
     
         29 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein the opening comprises a diameter or maximum lateral dimension less than the maximum diameter (D c ) of the article to be received therein. 
     
     
         30 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein a first distance (D 1 ) is a distance between respective centers of two adjacent ones of the apertures of the blank, wherein the first distance (D 1 ) is substantially equal to the maximum diameter (D c ) of the article adapted to be engaged by the blank. 
     
     
         31 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein a distance (R s ) is a distance between the center of one of the two adjacent apertures and an outer end of a tab among the plurality of tabs, and a spaced distance (x) is a distance between respective cutlines at the outer ends of two adjacent tabs, each one of the two adjacent tabs belonging to a respective one of the two adjacent apertures, wherein the first distance (D 1 ) is substantially equal to a sum of twice the distance (R s ) and the spaced distance (x). 
     
     
         32 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24  configured to be applicable to articles of a slim or sleek design, such articles comprising a top end closure, a neck, and a main body, in which there is little or no difference in diameter or width between the top end closure or the neck and a side wall of the main body of the articles. 
     
     
         33 . A top engaging carrier of  claim 24 , wherein the main panel is defined by a perimeter including convexly curved edges and concavely curved edges, wherein a radius of curvature of the convexly curved edges is substantially equal to a radius of curvature of the concavely curved edges.