Field

This invention relates to a carrier having a plurality of openings each adapted to receive a container to enable convenient carrying thereof. More particularly, the invention comprises a carrier which can be easily assembled from a unitary blank and preferably without use of adhesives.

Background

Container carriers are commonly provided at stadium or festival events by food and beverage retailers to enable customers to conveniently carry multiple containers of food or beverage with, ideally, a single hand.

Examples of the types of containers commonly used at such events include PET carbonated soft drink bottles; disposable paper, foam or plastic beverage cups; and paper or plastic food pottles, for example.

The food or beverage containers are commonly in the form of a generally cylindrical cup, pottle, or bottle, each having a radius or circumference suitable to be held in the hand, making it difficult for a plurality of such containers to be simultaneously held or carried. In particular, container carriers are commonly used to carry disposable paper cups filled with carbonated beverages dispensed from a soda fountain, which are difficult to carry in numbers and can easily spill if not carried upright, despite often having plastic lids fitted.

A number of container carriers exist to allow a person to carry multiple containers with a single hand.

A first type of container carrier of the prior art, commonly used by takeaway or fast- food retailers for example, comprises a moulded-fibre base having a plurality of moulded cup-receptacles which in use support a plurality of cups in an upright position by way of a friction fit, preventing the cup from falling over during transport.

One example of such a container carrier is described in United States Patent No.

6,398,056, for example. However, such a container carrier is not typically provided with a handle for easily carrying the carrier and containers, the carrier cannot typically accommodate containers of varying dimensions, and the moulded shape is not optimal for storage of large numbers of carriers by the retailer.

A second type of container carrier of the prior art, such as that disclosed by US Patent No. 5,738,217, comprises a folded cardboard arrangement including a plurality of openings each adapted to receive and suspend a container by having a radius greater than a lower portion of the container, but smaller than that of an upper portion of the container. The bottom of the container thus projects from the bottom of the carrier. Such carriers must generally be designed specifically for a particular container size, and cannot be used with containers which do not have outwardly- angled or upwardly-diverging sides (as the container will fall straight through the opening). Furthermore, the design of this type of container carrier means that one or more containers may be forced out of the carrier if it is placed on an uneven surface, potentially leading to spillage of the container contents.

A third type of container carrier, such as those disclosed by United States Patent No.'s 3,780,906, 5,052,522 and 6,202,836, and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0188278, typically comprises a plurality of openings or apertures each adapted to provide lateral support of a container (i.e. prevent the container tipping over), while the weight of the container is supported from below by resting upon a base. Common disadvantages of this type of carrier are that the carrier must be assembled from multiple parts, assembly requires adhesives, substantial parts of both sides of the blank are exposed externally when the carrier is assembled, and/or the carrier lacks sufficient strength for carrying larger or heavier containers, for example. Some carriers of this type are also designed to be collapsible once assembled, leading to an inherent structural weakness.

Further disadvantages of the container carriers of the prior art will become apparent upon reading the following description.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a container carrier which overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more disadvantages of the prior art, or alternatively to at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Summary of Invention

Accordingly in one aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in a container carrier comprising:

a base portion having a substantially planar bottom, opposing ends which depend upwardly and inwardly from the bottom to meet centrally above the bottom, and at least one aperture provided adjacent each end of the base portion whereby the apertures are substantially parallel with and spaced apart from the bottom;

a pair of support portions depending upwardly from opposing sides of the bottom of the base portion; and

a pair of handle portions depending upwardly in a facing relationship from respective opposing ends of the base portion, opposing sides of each handle portion each comprising at least one tab, wherein corresponding tabs of each handle portion are together engaged with a slot provided in the substantially orthogonal support portions.

Preferably the ends of the base portion curve upwardly and inwardly by approximately 180° from the bottom of the base portion, forming a radiused edge, whereby the handle portions are urged upwardly to securely engage said slots.

Preferably the handle portions and support portions together support any weight upon the bottom of the base portion from all four sides.

Preferably the handle portions are provided in a back-to-back relationship whereby respective tabs of each handle portion engage a single slot in the corresponding support portion.

Preferably the support portions are folded upwardly substantially vertical from the substantially horizontal bottom of the base portion.

Preferably the handle portions are folded upwardly substantially vertical from the respective ends of the substantially horizontal bottom of the base portion.

Preferably the apertures further comprise a plurality of radial cuts into the base portion. Preferably the handle portions each include a handle opening.

Preferably the support portions are substantially triangular. Preferably the length of the slots corresponds substantially with the height of the handle portions.

Preferably the container carrier is assembled from a unitary blank. Preferably the unitary blank is printed on one side only, said printed side forming the exterior of the container carrier when assembled.

According to a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a blank for a container carrier, the blank consisting of a sheet of material comprising:

a base portion having respective opposing side and end edges and including at least one aperture substantially adjacent each end edge;

a handle portion provided at each end edge of each of the base portion, each handle portion including at least one tab on each side; and

a pair of support portions provided at opposing side edges of the base portion adjacent a central area thereof, the support portions each having a slot adapted to engage with the tabs of the handle portion when the blank is assembled into a container carrier.

Preferably the blank is provided with folding means between the base portion and the handle portions, and the base portion and the support portions.

Preferably the unitary blank is printed on one side only, said printed side forming the exterior of the container carrier when assembled. Preferably the sheet of material comprises paperboard.

Preferably the grain direction of the paperboard is between the end edges of the base portion.

Preferably the apertures further comprise a plurality of radial cuts into the base portion. Preferably the blank is unitary.

Preferably the folding means comprises a crease or score.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagram of a blank for a first embodiment of a container carrier according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container carrier according to the present invention, assembled from the blank of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a diagram of a blank for a container carrier according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a diagram of a blank for a container carrier according to another alternative embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a diagram of a blank for a container carrier according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Throughout the description like reference numerals will be used to refer to like features in different embodiments.

Referring first to Figure 1 , a blank which can be assembled into a container carrier according to the present invention is shown. The blank comprises a substantially planar sheet of material which is shaped into a plurality of panels or portions with various apertures formed therein as described below, such that the container carrier can preferably be rapidly assembled from a single sheet of material without any adhesives. This means that a large number of such blanks can be easily stored by a retailer and rapidly assembled as required. The blank is preferably formed from a sheet of material using any suitable process, such as a die cutting process for example. The sheet of material is preferably cardboard or paperboard, the density (i.e. basis weight or grammage) and size of which may depend on the size of the carrier and/or the weight which it is designed to carry, for example. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, a blank having an overall length of 845 mm and a width of 650 mm formed from 450 grams per square meter (gsm or g/m ² ) paperboard is preferred. A smaller blank (such as that shown in Figure 3) of 765 x 565 mm also formed from 450 gsm paperboard will result in a smaller carrier which is stronger and sturdier, capable of carrying a greater weight.

The blank preferably comprises a plurality of portions which form various panels of the container carrier when assembled, as described in further detail below. In particular, the blank preferably comprises a central substantially rectangular base portion 10, the base portion having at least one aperture 18 provided at or adjacent each end.

The blank is preferably formed from the paperboard such that the grain of the paperboard is in the longitudinal direction of the blank. That is, the grain is preferably in the lengthwise direction of the base portion 10 between the apertures 18 provided at opposing ends thereof. Having the grain in this direction assists with proper folding of the base portion 10 to create the rolled or curved edges 20 in the base and a smoother fold of the support portions as described in further detail below, and also lends greater stability to the assembled carrier. Handle portions 11 extend from opposing ends of the base portion 10. Corresponding handle openings 12 are provided in the handle portions 11 substantially adjacent opposing ends of the blank. Opposing sides of the handle portions 11 are provided with tabs 13 which extend substantially along the entire length of the sides of the handle portions, or at least a significant proportion thereof. The tabs 13 preferably give the handle portions 11 a width greater, at least in part, than that of the base portion 10, and are preferably defined in part by channels 14 extending inwardly from the edge of the handle portion 11 , substantially towards the base portion 10 from an outer edge of the handle portion at the distal end thereof. The channels are preferably angular, having a narrowing first portion extending inwardly from the outer edge of the handle portion and a second portion having a "dog-leg" towards the base portion 10 to help secure the support portions in place when assembled. The second portion is preferably substantially vertical in use, whereby the first portion guides a slot in a support portion inwards towards the second portion for secure engagement therewith. According to the preferred embodiment, the curved tabs 13 give the handle portion a generally spherical outline, although the shape may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

Extending transversely from opposing sides of the base portion 10 at or adjacent a central area thereof are support portions 15. The support portions 15 are preferably substantially triangular as shown in the drawings, with the base of each support portion 15 joining the base portion centrally along a length less than half the overall length of the sides of the base portion 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 1 , the support portions 15 each substantially comprise an isosceles (or, in some embodiments, equilateral) triangle having rounded corners, the straight edges of each of the support portions 15 which join the base portion 10 having a length of approximately 37% of the overall length of the base portion (i.e. between the fold lines of the opposing handle portions 11). When assembled, the length of the join between the support portions 15 and the base portion 10 preferably defines the length of the sides of the bottom of the container carrier.

Provided centrally in each support portion 15 is a slot 16 adapted to engage with the tabs 13 of the handle portions 11. The slots extend substantially transversely relative to the base portion 10, and each have a width approximately equal to twice the thickness of the material from which the blank is formed. The length of each slot 16 preferably corresponds substantially with the length of the tabs 13, more specifically the distance between the innermost end of the channel 14 and the outer edge of the handle portion 11 at the fold line or folding means, or the proportion of the handle portion 11 having a width greater than the base portion 10.

A notch 19 may be provided at the apex of each support portion collinear with the slot 16. The joins of the base portion 10 with the handle portion 11 and/or the side portion 15 are defined by a fold line or means for facilitating the folding of the handle portion and/or side portion. The fold line or folding means, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1 , preferably comprise a pre-formed crease or creases 17 in the material of the blank where it is adapted to be folded to form the container carrier of the invention, but may alternatively comprise a scored line or perforation formed in the material, or any other suitable means for facilitating folding of the blank. Alternatively, however, the folding means may be omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the invention, in which case a user is guided in making the appropriate folds by the silhouette of the blank (in particular the angular intersections of the rectangular base portion with the elliptical handle portions and triangular support portions, respectively) which naturally suggests the folds required. Alternatively, or additionally, written and/or illustrated assembly directions or lines may be printed on the blank. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four apertures 18 provided in the base portion 10. The apertures preferably comprise holes cut in the blank with cuts formed to extend radially outward from the centre of the hole. The cuts define a plurality of inwardly-directed radial projections. The material of the blank which is removed to form the apertures may be entirely cut and removed from the blank upon manufacture, or may be substantially cut or perforated for removal upon assembly or use of the container carrier.

It will be seen from Figure 1 and the above description that a preferred blank according to the present invention is thus formed from a single planar sheet of a suitable material. Each blank can be stored in a single planar layer, without any adhesive or other fixing means or overlapping portions, thus having a thickness equal to the thickness of the material itself, A plurality of blanks can therefore be efficiently stacked, taking up the minimum amount of space. The blank described above can be assembled to a container carrier as shown in Figure 2. The blank will be referred to below as having a first surface and a second surface, comprising opposing planar surfaces of the blank. For the purposes of describing assembly of the blank, the first surface may be said to comprise the surface of the blank shown in Figure 1 , while the second surface may be said to comprise the reverse surface (not shown in Figure 1). In practice, however, it is to be appreciated that in some cases, for example where the blank is unprinted, it may make no practical difference as to which surface is which, as the symmetry of the blank means that it can be assembled with either side exposed as the outer surface of the carrier. In the example below, on the other hand, the second surface could be printed while the first surface (which is substantially hidden in the assembled carrier) may not.

It will be appreciated that various steps of assembly of the container carrier may be performed in an alternative order, and the following method is described by way of example.

The support portions 15 are preferably first folded upwardly in the direction of the first surface of the blank (i.e. towards the viewpoint of Figure 1) by an angle of approximately 90° (i.e. to be substantially orthogonal to the base portion 10). Planar handle portions 1 1 are folded in the opposite direction by approximately 90° towards the second surface of the blank (i.e. away from the viewpoint in Figure 1 ). Opposing ends of the base portion 10 adjacent the handle portions are then moved upwardly, in the direction of the first surface of the blank (i.e. towards the viewpoint of Figure 1 ), and inwardly towards the centre of the base portion 10 (but spaced apart therefrom) until the folded planar handle portions 1 1 are upwardly-directed and adjacent each other in a facing relationship, such that the apertures 18 are substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central area (forming a bottom) of the base portion 10. The bottom of the base portion 10, having a side length corresponding substantially with that of the join with the support portions 16, thus remains substantially horizontal and forms a substantially planar bottom of the container carrier when fully assembled. Between the apertures 18 and this bottom or central area of the base portion, and substantially adjacent and between the corresponding lower corners of the opposing support portions 15, the base portion 10 is bent backwards upon itself by approximately 180° to form a generally radiused edge 20 in the assembled container carrier.

The facing handle portions 1 1 are in a substantially vertical back-to-back relationship and form a central upright divider 21 between the one or more apertures 18 provided at opposing ends of the base portion 10. Each slot 16 of the support portion engages with both of the corresponding tabs 13 of the opposing handle portions 11. The support portions 15 and handle portions 1 1 are thus substantially orthogonal and form an "I-beam" profile from above when fully assembled.

Because the tabs 13 extend along substantially the entire length of the handle portions 11 , the engagement of the tabs 13 with the slots 16, in particular adjacent the fold between the handle portion 11 and the base portion 10, hold the handle portions 11 substantially adjacent despite the resilience of the material, in particular at the radiused edges 20, which naturally urges the handle portions 11 upwards and apart. This urges the handle portion 11 (in particular the channels 14) upwards, securely seating the support portions 15 (in particular the slots 16) therein, and the carrier thus maintains its shape, whether in use or not, without any adhesives or other fixing means. The engagement between the tabs and slots thus locks all of the handle portions, base, and support portions in position, assisted by the natural upward and outward urging of the handle portions.

A small part of the handle portion at or adjacent the top edge thereof at opposing ends preferably engages the notches 19, thereby helping reduce twisting or other movement of the distal end of the handle portions 11.

The handle openings 12 of the adjacent handle portions 11 form a hole or holes through which the user may insert their hand or fingers to carry the container carrier. Upon carrying the container carrier, the handle portions are lifted and the weight of any containers in the apertures 18 is supported from beneath by the base portion 10 upon which they rest. This weight is transferred at least in part to the support portions 15, the slots of which thereby become firmly seated in the channels 14 in the handle portions and suspended therefrom. At least some support of the central base portion is also provided by the remainder of the base portion 10 via the radiused edge 20, and the handle portions 11. In particular, the substantially orthogonal support portions 15 and radiused edge 20 of the base portion 10, with respect to the planar bottom of the base portion, resist any bending or flexing in the bottom in opposing directions. The central area (bottom) of the base portion is thus supported from all four edges. The apertures 18 of the present invention are largely provide only lateral support to containers to prevent tipping thereof. The internal diameter of the hole of the aperture (i.e. inside any of the radial projections) is preferably equal to or smaller than the diameter of the smallest container with which the container carrier is intended to be used. The external diameter of the aperture (i.e. defined by the extent of the radial cuts) is preferably larger than the diameter of the largest container to be used with the container carrier. The radial cuts define a plurality of projections which are adapted to deflect downwardly if a larger container is inserted. The projections are thereby naturally urged against the container, providing the necessary lateral support to prevent the container falling over. The apertures 18 are thus adapted to accommodate containers of varying dimensions.

From the above description it will be appreciated that one of the potential advantages of the container carrier of the present invention over the prior art is that a large number of such container carriers can be easily manufactured, transported, and stored stacked in the unitary blank form. Owing to their design, the container carriers may be rapidly assembled as required at the point of sale without any requirement for adhesives, staples, or any other such fixing means. The weight of any containers is borne by the central area of the base portion 10, which is supported along all four edges. In particular, the support portions 15 in use are suspended substantially vertically from the handle portion 11 , utilising the relatively significant tensile strength of the paperboard material in the planar directions. The only portion of the carrier relying on the flexural or bursting strength or rigidity of the paperboard is the central area (bottom) of the base portion 10, which is supported on all four edges.

Furthermore, a single side or surface of the blank forms substantially the entire external surface of the assembled container carrier. That is, the exposed outer surfaces of the base portion 10, handle portions 11 and support portions 15 are all formed from the second surface of the blank. The only parts of the first surface or un- printed side of a blank which are visible in the assembled container carrier are the facing reverse sides of the support portions 15, and the interior of the cavity formed by the base portion 10 and support portions 15 which may be visible through the apertures 18. The blank may thus easily be printed, painted, decorated, provided with a printed laminate or other graphics medium, or otherwise treated or coloured to have an improved aesthetic character, upon one side only to give a more attractive appearance to the assembled carrier while reducing printing/treating cost and complexity. The container carrier may be printed with the colours and/or logos or other get-up of the container carrier manufacturer, the food or beverage retailer, the food/beverage provider, and/or a third party for advertising purposes, for example. While the preferred embodiment of the invention is described above, a great many variations may be made to the design without departing from the scope of the invention. A number of such variations contemplated by the applicant are described below by way of example. The dimensions of the container carrier may be easily modified to suit the size of the food or beverage containers with which it is intended to be used. For example, a blank for a smaller holder is shown in Figure 3. The overall length and width of the blank is reduced, and the proportions of the handle portions 11 and support portions 15 in particular are modified such that they are both somewhat shorter and squatter than the corresponding portions of the larger container carrier blank of Figure 1.

The container carrier may also be modified to carry a different number of containers by having a different number of apertures 18. Figures 4 and 5, for example, show blanks for large and small carriers each adapted to carry a pair of containers, one on either side of the divider. The blank for the large two-cup container carrier of Figure 4 preferably has overall length and width dimensions of 765 x 490 mm, while the blank for the small two-cup container carrier preferably measures 845 x 550.6 mm.

In both of the blanks of Figures 4 and 5, the support portions 15 preferably join the base portions 10 along a central length thereof measuring approximately 190 mm, resulting in a bottom of the container having sides of approximately the same length. The adjacent sides of bottom of the container carriers of Figures 4 and 5 preferably both measure approximately 120 mm. The larger container, when assembled, is therefore taller, being adapted to carry taller containers.

The apertures 18 will typically be provided in equal numbers at opposing ends of the base portion 10, so that the container is balanced when carrying items on both sides of the central divider 21 formed by the handle portions 11. However, in some circumstances one end of the base portion 10 may comprise a greater number of apertures 18 than the other end, if the container carrier is adapted to carry and balance a plurality of containers of different weight, for example. Similarly, the size of all of the apertures 18 in a single carrier need not necessarily be identical. The material of the invention is preferably single-ply paperboard. It is envisioned that where the container carrier is to be used for stadium events, for example, ease of manufacture, low cost, disposability and/or recyclable nature of paperboard make it an excellent choice. However, the invention is not limited to single-ply paperboard, and may alternatively be multi-ply paperboard, single-or double-faced corrugated fibreboard, or any other material including plastic, for example.

The blank is preferably formed using a die-cutting process, but any other process may alternatively be used, including but not limited to a laser cutting process, for example.

In the most preferred embodiment, the blank is unitary (i.e. formed from a single sheet of the material, without any joins) as described above. However, in other embodiments one or more portions of the blank may alternatively be adhered, bonded, or otherwise attached to other portions by any suitable fixing means. Similarly, additional components may also be added during assembly of the container carrier. For example, an appropriately-shaped loose sheet of at least partially-rigid material may optionally be placed adjacent the first surface of a central area of the base portion 10 and contained within the container carrier upon assembly thereof, to lend greater flexural or bursting strength to the base, distributing weight to the edges which are supported from the handle portions 11. The container carrier may thus be adapted to carry greater weights without necessarily using a stronger (i.e. more expensive) material for the entire blank.

Compared to the small version of Figure 5, it can be seen that the handle portions 11 of the larger version of Figure 4 are elongated in the longitudinal direction of the blank. When assembled this places the handle openings 12 higher above the base portion 10, which makes the larger container suitable for carrying taller containers. In other embodiments of the invention, the base portion 10 when assembled is not necessarily bent or curved to form the radiused edge 20. The base portion 10 may alternatively be further divided by appropriate transverse folding means or crease lines 17 to form one or two sharp corners and a generally-vertical planar section of the base portion 10 extending between the support portions 15 when assembled. The term "bent", "depending" and the like are therefore intended to encompass a curved, radiused or rolled edge, a sharply folded edge, or combinations thereof.

While the support portions 15 are preferably substantially triangular with a broad base adjoining the base portion 10 and an apex at or adjacent the handle opening 12 when assembled, many other shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the preferred embodiment of the container carrier comprises a single tab 13 extending substantially along the full length of each side of the handle portions 11 , in other embodiments the tab may be shorter in length than the side of the handle portion 11. In yet other embodiments, the handle portions 11 may be provided with a plurality of tabs 13 and the support portions 15 provided with a corresponding plurality of slots 16. This may in fact be preferred in some cases, to balance or spread the weight upon the support portions 15 to a number of slots/tabs. The present invention is of course not limited in its use for carrying food or beverage containers, or containers of any particular shape (such as the circular cross section of most beverage cups), but may be adapted for use in carrying any item where an easily-assembled carrier may be desirable. From the foregoing it will be seen that a container carrier and a blank for forming the same are provided which offers one or more of a number advantages over the prior art. In particular, a unitary blank according to the invention can be rapidly and easily assembled to a strong container carrier without requiring adhesives or any other fixing means. Accordingly, the blanks may be stored stacked at the point of sale to minimise storage space requirements.

The container carrier can accommodate multiple containers and be carried with a single hand by way of the handle opening 12. The design of the container carrier also provides a flat base, which enables the container carrier to be placed on uneven surfaces (such as on a persons lap) without ejecting containers from the apertures. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Furthermore, where reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.