Article carrier

Abstract

An article carrier comprises a primary panel and a first side panel connected together along a first fold line. The primary panel has at least one article receiving aperture for receiving a tapered article. The at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the first fold line.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 116,878, filed Nov. 21, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to packaging articles, and more specifically, to a carrier for articles each having tapered bottoms.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Article carriers are known in the art, and desirably facilitate a visually appealing packaging alternative, while providing convenience for transporting and supporting articles. Some article carriers are constructed to transport and support tapered articles (e.g., cans, bottles and cups) each having a top and / or bottom narrower than the other part of that article. Such carriers generally include top and bottom walls, one or both with opening, and perimeter walls for retaining the articles in contact with the bottom wall. Yet, the walls do not fully enclose the articles, thus providing inadequate support when ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention with its various embodiments provides a carrier that will visually expose articles such as cans, bottles, cups, etc. while maintaining them stability and portability. The carrier may have closed ends, thereby providing additional support and increased strength to the carrier and the loaded articles.

[0007]The top panel may includes a plurality of receiving apertures that are positioned, in the embodiments, in a grid-like pattern with each receiving aperture being equal distance apart from each adjacent receiving aperture. However, it is contemplated that the apertures may be arranged in any suitable pattern, regular or irregular. Each base panel may also include a plurality of base apertures positioned side by side in a grid. When the carrier is assembled, the pair of base panels forms a composite base panel, and the base apertures are vertically aligned beneath the receiving apertures of the top panel. Each base aperture has a continuous edge and may have at least two legs hingedly connected along the continuous edge of each base aperture. The receiving apertures and the base apertures are positioned in registry with one another to cooperatively support articles, specifically a tapered article including wide mouth containers. As used herein, the term “tapered article” refers to a container having a top or bottom the circumference or cross section of which less than that of the remainder of the article. The term “wide mouth container” refers to a container having an opening the circumference or cross-section of which is relatively larger than that of its base. For example, a wide mouth container may be a flared cylinder with outwardly sloping walls. The legs of the base apertures may extend obliquely from the edge of the base apertures when a container is placed into the receiving aperture and subsequently into the base aperture. In this position, the legs support the articles and maintain the stability of the carrier.

[0008]The carrier includes a handle that is formed from the insert panel described above. The handle extends upright through the slot in the top panel while the means for support prevents the handle from passing completely through the slot. The handle therefore provides a means for transporting the carrier and supporting the structural integrity of the carrier. Optionally, the handle is strengthened with one or more hingedly connected overlays that form a multi-ply composite handle. The handle also includes an aperture with a foldably attached cushioning flap for comfort and ease when the carrier is being carried. In alternate embodiments, the handle may be strengthened by using a stronger material for the insert panel or by laminating the insert panel. The handle aperture can be replaced with an ergonomically shaped handle that provides a comfortable hand-hold, such as a T-shaped handle.

[0009]In other alternative embodiments, the carrier may be modified to accommodate additional or fewer articles. The blank for a larger carrier, for example, would include larger panels and side panels to accommodate more receiving apertures and base apertures or smaller panels and side panels for fewer receiving apertures and base apertures. The blank for a carrier of larger articles might have fewer and larger receiving apertures and base apertures. The number or size of insert panels may increase or decrease.

Problems solved by technology

Yet, the walls do not fully enclose the articles, thus providing inadequate support when transporting the articles.

Thus, the height of the perimeter walls limit the extent to which it is possible to display a tapered article and the extent to which one may carry the carrier and the enclosed articles.

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