CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/614,647, which was filed on January 8, 2018.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/614,647, which was filed on

January 8, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers for holding and carrying beverage containers or other types of articles.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a carrier for carrying a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one bottom panel. At least one gusset is foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel and one of the first side panel and the second side panel, the at least one gusset extending between the one of the first side panel and the second side panel and the at least one bottom panel. At least one top retainer is foldably connected to the top panel and extends across one end of the carrier. A handle extends across at least the top panel, the handle for grasping and carrying the carrier.

[0005] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming a carrier for carrying a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier formed from the blank. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one bottom panel. At least one gusset is foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel and one of the first side panel and the second side panel, the at least one gusset extending between the one of the first side panel and the second side panel and the at least one bottom panel in the carrier formed from the blank. At least one top retainer is foldably connected to the top panel for extending across one end of the carrier formed from the blank. A handle extends across at least the top panel. [0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming a carrier for carrying a plurality of containers comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one bottom panel. At least one gusset is foldably connected to the at least one bottom panel and one of the first side panel and the second side panel, and at least one top retainer is foldably connected to the top panel. A handle extends across at least the top panel. The method further comprises folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carrier such that the at least one gusset extends between the one of the first side panel and the second side panel and the at least one bottom panel, and such that the at least one retainer extends across one end of the carrier.

[0007] Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.

[0008] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. Further, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank used to form a carrier according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a sequence of folding of the blank of Fig. 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a sequence of folding of the blank of Fig. 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a carrier formed from the blank of Fig. 1 in a closed configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carrier of Fig. 4.

[0014] Fig. 6 is another perspective view of the carrier of Fig. 4, with a handle in a raised configuration. [0015] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure generally relates to various features for cartons or carriers that contain articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The articles can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The articles can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum and/or other metals; glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0017] Cartons or carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum beverage cans) as disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms“inner,”“interior,”“outer,” “exterior,”“lower,”“bottom,”“upper,” and“top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface 2 of a blank 3, used to form a carrier 5 (Fig. 5) according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The carrier 5 can be used to house a plurality of articles such as containers C (Fig. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C are beverage cans and the carrier 5 is sized to house six containers in a single layer in a 2x3 arrangement, but it is understood that the carrier 5 may be sized and shaped to hold containers C of a different or same quantity in more than one layer and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1x6, 2x6, 2x4, 2x2, 2x6x2, 2x4x2, 2x9, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 5 can include bottom comer gussets 11 for engaging bottom portions BP or bottoms B of the containers C at side comers 100 of the carrier 5. In addition, the carrier 5 can include a handle, generally indicated at 7, for grasping and carrying the carrier 5. The carrier 5 can also include top retainers 9 at each end 6, 8 (broadly,“first end” and“second end”, respectively”) for retaining the containers C in an interior 10 of the carrier 5.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the ends 6, 8 of the carrier 5 are generally open ends and the carrier 5 wraps around the containers C (e.g., the carrier 5 may be referred to as a wrap-around carton). In the illustrated embodiment, the top retainers 9 at least partially close a respective end 6, 8, but the carrier 5 could be otherwise shaped and arranged such that one or both the top retainers 9 are omitted or the ends 6, 8 are at least partially closed by other closing mechanisms such as other panel and/or flap arrangements. [0020] The blank 3 has a longitudinal axis Ll and a lateral axis L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 comprises a top panel 20 foldably connected to a first side panel 22 at a first lateral fold line 24, a first bottom panel 26 foldably connected to the first side panel 22 at a second lateral fold line 28, a second side panel 30 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at a third lateral fold line 32, and a second bottom panel 34 foldably connected to the second side panel 30 at a fourth lateral fold line 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first bottom panel 26 includes a first bottom bevel panel 38 defined by the lateral fold line 28 and a lateral fold line 40. The second bottom panel 34 includes a second bottom bevel panel 42 defined by the lateral fold line 36 and a lateral fold line 44. The first side panel 22 includes a first top bevel panel 39 defined by the lateral fold line 24 and a lateral fold line 41. The second side panel 30 includes a second top bevel panel 43 defined by the lateral fold line 32 and a lateral fold line 45. The blank 3 could be otherwise configured, for example, such that the bevel panels 38, 39, 42, 43 are otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.

[0021] In one embodiment, the blank 3 includes central openings 46 in the respective first top bevel panel 39 and second top bevel panel 43 between respective segments of the fold lines 24, 41 and 32, 45. Also, the blank 3 includes end openings 50 at respective ends of the first top bevel panel 39 and second top bevel panel 43 and extending along portions of the respective side panels 22, 30. The central openings 46 and the end openings 50 are for receiving at least a portion of a top portion TP or top T of a respective container C, as described further herein. As shown in Fig. 1, the blank 3 includes bottom openings 48 in the first bottom bevel panel 38 and the second bottom bevel panel 42 between respective segments of the fold lines 28, 40, 36, 44. The bottom openings 48 are for receiving at least a portion of a bottom portion BP or bottom B of a respective container C. In one embodiment, the first bottom panel 26 includes a bottom central opening 49 spaced inwardly from the first bottom bevel panel 38. The bottom central opening 49 is for viewing indicia (e.g., date of production or“best by” date, label, etc.) located or printed on the bottom portion BP or bottom B of one of the containers C in the carrier 5. The openings 46, 48, 49, 50 of the blank 3 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.

[0022] The first bottom panel 26 includes cutouts 51 that form primary female locking edges 52 that are shaped and positioned to engage primary male locking tab projections 54 that are foldably connected to the second bottom panel 34. The first bottom panel 26 also includes slits 56 shaped and positioned to receive outer secondary locking tab projections 58 of the second bottom panel 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the second bottom panel 34 includes a lateral fold line 60 that is interrupted by slits 61 that define the primary male locking tab projections 54. In addition, each of the secondary locking tab projections 58 can include a lateral fold line 62 and a flap 63 at least partially defined by a cut in the interior of the secondary locking tab projections 58. The slits 56 cooperate with a respective fold line 57 in the first bottom panel 26 to form a locking flap 59 having a projection 64 that is for engaging the flap 63 of the secondary locking tab projections 58. Although the locking elements of the blank 3 are illustrated to demonstrate a particular bottom panel locking arrangement suitable for use with the carrier 5, it is understood that any alternative form of bottom panel locking structure may be employed without departing from the disclosure.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 includes top retainer features in the form of a top retainer 9 located at each longitudinal end of the top panel 20. The top retainers 9 each include a top retention panel 94 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at a longitudinal fold line 92. Each top retention panel 94 includes a central portion 95, respective first comer portions 97 foldably connected to opposing sides of the central portion 95 at respective oblique fold lines 96, respective second comer portions 99 foldably connected to the respective first comer portions 97 at respective oblique fold lines 101, and respective third comer portions 103 foldably connected to the respective second comer portions 99 at respective lateral fold lines 105. The arrangement of the top retention panel 94 allows one or more of the portions 95, 97, 99, 103 to rearrange to conform to the shape of a container C at a respective side comer 100 of the carrier 5. Respective comer flaps 98 are foldably connected to respective third comer portions 103 of the top retention panels 94 at respective lateral fold lines 107. In one embodiment, the comer flaps 98 are respective portions of the top retention panels 94. Tuck-in panels 102 are foldably connected to respective comer flaps 98 at respective oblique fold lines 109, and are foldably connected to respective side panels 22, 30 at respective fold lines 111. The top retainers 9 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 includes bottom retainer features in the form of the bottom gussets 11 foldably connected to respective tuck-in panels 102 at respective oblique fold lines 106. In one embodiment, each bottom gusset 11 includes a first gusset panel 108 foldably connected to a respective tuck-in flap 102 at the fold lines 106, and a second gusset panel 110 foldably connected to respective first gusset panels 108 at oblique fold lines 112 and foldably connected to a respective bottom panel 26, 34 at respective oblique fold lines 114. In this regard, the bottom gussets 11 are foldably connected to the top retainers 9. In one embodiment, the bottom retainer features include respective openings 116 comprising an edge of the respective first gusset panels 108, an edge of the respective second gusset panels 110, an edge of the respective tuck-in panels 102, an edge of the respective bottom bevel panels 38, 42, and an edge of the respective side panels 22, 30. The bottom retainer features of the blank 3 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. [0025] In this regard, the carrier 5 includes a first top retainer 9 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at the first end 6 of the carrier 5, a second top retainer 9 foldably connected to the top panel 20 at the second end 8 of the carrier 5, a first gusset 11 foldably connected to the first side panel 22 at the first end 6 of the carrier 5, a second gusset 11 foldably connected to the second side panel 30 at the first end 6 of the carrier 5, a third gusset 11 foldably connected to the first side panel 22 at the second end 8 of the carrier 5, and a fourth gusset 11 foldably connected to the second side panel 30 at the second end 8 of the carrier 5.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the handle 7 includes two access features 120 in the top panel 20 and two pairs of tear lines or cuts 122, 124 (broadly, “first pair of cuts” and“second pair of cuts”, respectively) extending from each of the access features 120 across a respective top bevel panel 39, 43 and into a respective side panel 22, 30. In one embodiment, each access feature 120 includes two pairs of access flaps 128, 130 (broadly,“first pair of access flaps” and“second pair of access flaps”, respectively) foldably connected to the top panel 20 at respective fold lines 132, 134, which can each have one or more curved portions. The access flaps 128, 130 are defined by a longitudinal tear line 136, 138 extending between respective ends of the fold lines 132, 134. In one embodiment, the handle 7 includes a handle panel 140 defined by the cuts 122, 124, 136, 138 and extending across the top panel 20, the top bevel panels 39, 43 and partially into the side panels 22, 30. The handle panel 140 can further include the access flaps 130 and the openings 46 in the top bevel panels 39, 43 that define respective central edges 143 of the handle panel 140. The handle panel 140 can include fold lines 142 in the top panel 20 and cuts 144, 145 in the side panels 22, 30 adjacent a respective opening 46. The fold lines 142 and cuts 144, 145 facilitate forming the handle 7 by allowing one or more portions of the handle panel 140 to flex when lifted. For example, the cuts 144, 145 are positioned the respective openings 46 to permit flexing of the region adjacent the openings 46 when a container C is at least partially received therethrough, as described further herein. The handle 7 could include other features for carrying the carrier 5, or the features shown could be otherwise positioned, shaped, and/or arranged, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure.

[0027] Referring additionally to Figs. 2-4, in one embodiment, the carrier 5 can be erected by wrapping the blank 3 around the containers C and interlocking the first and second bottom panels 26, 34 to form a generally open ended sleeve that wraps around the containers C. In one embodiment, the containers C can be placed with the respective tops T facing down on the interior side of the top panel 20 of the blank 3. The side panels 22, 30 are then folded upwardly toward the containers C along the lateral fold lines 24, 32 in the direction of the respective arrows Al and A2. As the side panels 22, 30 are folded upwardly, the tuck-in panels 102 are respectively tucked inwardly about the fold lines 111 in the direction of the respective arrows A3 and A4 to be in face-to-face contact with the respective side panels 22, 30. Accordingly, the top retention panels 94 are folded upwardly relative to the top panel 20 in the direction of the arrow A5 to extend across the ends 6, 8 of the carrier 5. The top retention panels 94 partially wrap around portions, e.g., top portions TP, of the containers C at the ends 6, 8 of the carrier 5 to respectively form the top retainers 9 that contain the containers C at four top comers 147 of the carrier 5.

[0028] As the tuck-in panels 102 are tucked inwardly, the bottom gussets 11 are activated, e.g., such that the respective gusset panels 108, 110 are folded toward the interior 10 of the carrier 5 in the direction of the respective arrows A6, A7 and A8, A9 at the respective fold lines 106, 114 and folded with respect to each other at the respective fold lines 112. In such an arrangement, the respective first gusset panels 108 extend from the respective tuck-in panels 102 and the respective second gusset panels 110 extend to a respective bottom panel 26, 34. The tuck-in panels 102 are held in place by virtue of the tuck-in panels 102 being respectively sandwiched (e.g., held, pinched, braced etc.) between the containers C and the interior surface of the side panels 22, 30. While the aforementioned folding has been shown and described with respect to the end 8 of the carrier 5, it will be understood that the panels and flaps associated with the opposite end 6 of the carrier 5 can be formed in a substantially similar manner.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second bottom panels 26, 34 are folded along the respective fold lines 28, 40 and 36, 44, and, as shown in Fig. 4, the second bottom panel 34 is secured to the first bottom panel 26 by first respectively engaging primary male locking tabs 54 with the primary female locking edges 52. The secondary male locking flaps 58 are respectively inserted through, and cooperatively interact with, the slits 56 to further secure the second bottom panel 34 to the first bottom panel 26. The interlocked bottom panels 26, 34 cooperate to form a bottom panel of the carrier 5. As the first and second bottom panels 26, 34 are folded over the bottoms B of the containers C, the top retainer 9 is positioned to extend across each of the ends 6, 8 of the carrier 5 and the bottom gussets 11 are positioned to extend generally between a respective side panel 22, 30 and bottom panel 26, 34 at a respective bottom comer 149 of the carrier 5.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the handle 7 is activated by accessing the handle panel 140 at the access features and tearing the carrier 5 along tear lines 122, 124, 136, 138 to allow the handle panel 140 to be lifted relative to the top panel 20 and side panels 22, 30. The access flaps 128, 130 are inwardly folded along the respective fold lines 132 and the handle panel 140 is grasped, e.g., along an underside of the handle panel 140 accessed between portions of the respective access flaps 128, 130, to lift or carry the carrier 5. The openings 46 in the handle panel 140 are shaped to receive, engage, and/or attach to the top portion TP and/or top T of two respective containers C to lock the handle 7 in a raised or activate position (Fig. 6), e.g., such that a portion of the top portions TP and/or tops T of the containers C adjacent the respective openings 46 protrude at least partially therethrough. For example, the respective central edges 143 of the handle panel 140 can engage containers C at or between a respective rim R and top T recessed below the rim R. In this regard, further movement, e.g., flexing, bowing, or flattening, of the handle 7 can be minimized, inhibited, and/or prevented such that the handle 7 is maintained in a lifted position. The handle 7 could be activated in an alternative manner without departing from the disclosure.

[0031] The bottom gussets 11 of the carrier 5 help retain the containers C located at the side comers 100 of the carrier C and extend between the respective side panels 22, 30 and a respective bottom panel 26, 34 to provide coverage of indicia (e.g., barcode, label, etc.), e.g., by at least partially obscuring portions thereof, on the containers C near the bottom comers 149 of the carrier 5 that would otherwise be exposed to a consumer. Covering of the barcode or other indicia on the individual containers C by the bottom gussets 11 prevents any confusion at the point of sale with a different, but similar, barcode or other indicia printed on the carrier 5, for example such that the consumer is provided with the barcode or indicia of the package and is not confused by a barcode or indicia associated with any individual container C thereof. Further, the top retainers 9 at the respective ends 6, 8 of the carrier 5 also retain the containers C in the carrier 5 can provide coverage of indicia (e.g., barcode, label, etc.) on individual containers C. In one embodiment, the containers C can be placed in the carrier 5 with the respective bottoms B positioned adjacent the top panel 20 to facilitate coverage of indicia by the top retainers 9. Furthermore, the handle 7 has locking features for locking the handle panel 140 in a raised or activated position that allows the carrier 5 to be easily grasped and carried.

[0032] While the carrier 5 has been described above as a construct that is configured to receive the containers C, it will be understood that the carrier 5 can be provided together with the containers C as a package 151. Furthermore, it will be understood that the handle 7 can be incorporated into a different configuration of the carrier 5, for example, a configuration of the carrier 5 in which one or both of the ends 6,8 of the carrier 5 are enclosed, e.g., in a wraparound or fully-enclosed configuration. The carrier 5 can also be arranged in a different configuration in which panels and/or flaps thereof are wrapped around the containers C, e.g., around the sides, tops, and/or bottoms thereof, and include the handle 7. In another embodiment, the carrier 5 can be configured as an enclosed or open carton provided with the handle 7.

[0033] Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Further, it is noted that the any of the features of the various embodiments can be incorporated into a carton or carrier having any carton style or panel configuration. The carrier styles and panel configurations described above are included by way of example.

[0034] In general, the blanks according to the present disclosure can be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blanks can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0001] As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or tom in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

[0035] In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a cmshed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line. [0036] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term“glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

[0037] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.