Container carrier

Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels forming a front, a rear, and a central portion extending from the front to the rear, the front portion having a front mounting panel that at least partially receives each container of the plurality of containers, the rear portion having a rear mounting panel that at least partially receives each container of the plurality of containers, and the central portion having the central panel; and locking features for maintaining the carrier in an assembled configuration, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 222,225, filed on July 15, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 260,881, filed on September 3, 2021.

[0002] [Incorporated by reference] The disclosures of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 222,225, filed July 15, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 260,881, filed September 3, 2021, and U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 838,186, filed May 11, 2022, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth in their entireties in this disclosure.

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to cartons or carriers for holding, displaying, and / or transporting containers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier including a plurality of panels forming a front portion, a rear portion, and a central portion extending from the front portion to the rear portion. The front portion includes a front mounting panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, the rear portion includes a rear mounting panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, and the central portion includes a central panel and locking features for maintaining the carrier in an assembled configuration. The locking features include at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels.

[0005] According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank including a plurality of panels forming a front portion, a rear portion, and a central portion extending from the front portion to the rear portion, the front portion including a front attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, the rear portion including a rear attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, and the central portion including a central panel and locking features for maintaining an assembled configuration of the carrier formed from the blank, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least partially received within a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels when the carrier is formed from the blank.

[0006] According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method including obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels including a front attachment panel, a center panel, and a rear attachment panel, the blank comprising locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from each of the plurality of panels and at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each of the plurality of panels, the method further including arranging the plurality of panels to form a front portion of the carrier including the front attachment panel, arranging the plurality of panels to form a rear portion of the carrier including the rear attachment panel, arranging the plurality of panels to form a central portion of the carrier including the center panel and extending from the front portion of the carrier to the rear portion of the carrier, and inserting at least one male locking feature at least partially through the at least one female locking feature to maintain the carrier in an assembled configuration.

[0007] According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a plurality of containers and a carrier for holding the plurality of containers. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels forming a front, a rear, and a central portion extending from the front to the rear. The front portion comprises a front attachment panel for at least partially receiving each container of the plurality of containers. The rear portion comprises a rear attachment panel for at least partially receiving each container of the plurality of containers. The central portion comprises a central panel and locking features for maintaining the carrier in an assembled configuration. The locking features include at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels.

[0008] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above advantages, as well as other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments, upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings listed below. The above-described aspects, provided individually and in various combinations, are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings described 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 embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank forming a carrier and package according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the package and carrier of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a portion of the package and carrier of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank forming a carrier and package according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic side view of a portion of a package and carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 5 according to a second exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding reference characters throughout the drawings.

[0012] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, configurations, sleeves, cartons, and the like for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, and the like. The containers can be used, for example, to package food and beverage products. The containers can be made from materials of a composition suitable for packaging a particular food or beverage product, including, but not limited to, glass, plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and nylon, aluminum and / or other metals, or any combination thereof.

[0013] Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of many different shapes. For purposes of illustration, and not for purposes of limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the following detailed description describes a beverage container (e.g., an aluminum can) that is at least partially disposed within an embodiment of the carrier. As used herein, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper," "top," "front," and "rear" refer to orientations defined with respect to the fully assembled carrier.

[0014] As described herein, the carrier may be formed by a plurality of overlapping panels, end flaps, and / or other portions of a blank, which panels, end flaps, and / or other portions of the blank may be designated in relative terms to one another, such as by sequential or non-sequential reference numerals, for example, "first," "second," "third," etc., without departing from this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a plan view of an exterior surface 101 of a blank 103 used to form a carrier 105 (Figure 2) according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the carrier 105 is sized to accommodate or support six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 attached to a front 106 of the carrier 105 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 attached to a rear 108 of the carrier 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 may be beverage cans or may be any other suitable type and size of containers without departing from the present disclosure.

[0016] Carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers. In one embodiment, front 106 and rear 108 of carrier 105 each have three containers, while in other embodiments, front 106 and / or rear 108 of carrier 105 can carry more or less than three containers without departing from this disclosure. Carrier 105 can be provided with one or more containers as package 110 (FIG. 2).

[0017] 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a transverse axis L2. The blank 103 has a front portion 107 for forming a front portion 106 of the carrier 105, a rear portion 109 for forming a rear portion 108 of the carrier 105, and a central portion or connecting portion 111 for forming a central portion or connecting portion 113 of the carrier 105. Thus, the central portion 111 of the blank 103 / central portion 113 of the carrier 105 can extend from the front portion 107 of the blank 103 / front portion 106 of the carrier 105 to the rear portion 109 of the blank 103 / rear portion 108 of the carrier 105. In some embodiments, the central portion 111 of the blank 103 / central portion 113 of the carrier 105 can be separate from the front portion 107 / 106 and the rear portion 109 / 108, or can form at least a portion of the front portion 107 / 106 and / or the rear portion 109 / 108.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 111 of the blank 103 includes a central panel 115 having a connection portion 117 foldably connected to a front reinforcement portion 119a at a lateral fold line 121a. The lateral fold line 121a is interrupted by a plurality of laterally spaced apart cuts 141a, each of which may include one or more curved and / or angled portions. As described further herein, the central panel 115 also includes a rear reinforcement portion 119b foldably connected to the connection portion 117 of the central panel 115 at a lateral fold line 121b. The lateral fold line 121b is interrupted by a plurality of laterally spaced apart cuts 141b, each of which may include one or more curved and / or angled portions. In some embodiments, the cuts 141a, 141b in the central panel 115 may define tabs that are separated from the respective portions 119a, 119b that are superimposed on the respective containers when the carrier 105 is formed from the blank 103.

[0019] Also as shown, the central panel 115 of the blank 103 can include a pair of laterally spaced apart handle flaps 130 positioned within the connector 117. Each handle flap 130 can include a respective main section 132 foldably connected to the central panel at a respective transverse fold line 134, and a respective pair of minor sections 140 foldably connected to the central panel 115 at respective curved fold lines 142, as shown. The minor sections 140 of the handle flap 130 can be separated from one another at respective transverse cuts and from the respective main sections 132 at respective longitudinal cuts. The handle flaps 130 can have different configurations without departing from this disclosure.

[0020] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the front portion 107 of the blank 103 can include a front container retention or attachment panel 131a that is foldably connected to the reinforcement portion 119a of the central panel 115 at a transverse fold line 133a.

[0021] The front attachment panel 131a may also include a container retaining portion 135a defined at least in part between a pair of longitudinally spaced lateral fold lines 137a, 139a that are each interrupted by a respective plurality of laterally spaced cuts 141a, which may each include one or more curved and / or angled portions.

[0022] As shown, the laterally spaced cuts 141a can define container-retaining tabs 148a extending outwardly from the container-retaining portion 135a. Also as shown, each diagonal cut 143a, 145a can extend outwardly from one or more of the cuts 141a that interrupt the fold line 139a. Additionally, a longitudinal cut 146a can extend outwardly from a respective central portion of one or more of the cuts 141a.

[0023] In the above-described configuration, an inner perimeter 136a of the mounting panel 131a can be defined between fold lines 137a, 133a, and an outer perimeter 138a of the mounting panel 131a is defined between fold line 139a and a lateral fold line 157a adjacent the mounting panel 131a. In this regard, the inner perimeter 136a of the mounting panel 131a is foldably connected to the forward reinforcement portion 119a of the central panel 115 at the lateral fold line 133a.

[0024] A bevel panel or front side panel 155a is foldably connected to the front attachment panel 131a at a transverse fold line 157a as shown, and a top panel 159a is foldably connected to the front side panel 155a at a transverse fold line 161a, which may be interrupted by a plurality of cuts 141a to define container-retaining tabs 148a projecting from the top panel 159a, as described further herein.

[0025] The blank 103 / carrier 105 formed from the blank 103 may also include a locking flap or panel 171 foldably connected to the front top panel 159a at a transverse fold line 173.

[0026] The blank 103 may also include locking features that form / maintain the assembled configuration of the carrier 105 / package 110 formed from the blank 103. The locking features of the blank 103 / carrier 105 formed from the blank 103 may include a plurality of male locking features and a plurality of female locking features configured to at least partially receive a portion of the male locking feature passing therethrough. As shown, the locking features may include a plurality of laterally spaced locking breaks / openings 175 (broadly, "female locking features" or "first female locking features") that interrupt the central panel 115. The breaks / openings 175 may include one or more curved, angled, and / or straight portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the breaks / openings 175 may have one or more relief breaks extending therefrom.

[0027] The locking features of the blank 103 / carrier 105 formed from the blank 103 may also include a plurality of locking tabs 177 (broadly, "male locking features" or "second male locking features") having one or more curved, angled, and / or straight portions and defined by cuts 179 that interrupt the fold lines 173, and the locking tabs 177 extend from the locking panel 171 / at least partially into the top panel 159a.

[0028] 1, locking tabs 181 (broadly, "male locking features" or "first male locking features") may be foldably connected to or otherwise extend from locking panel 171 at respective lateral fold lines 183. As shown, locking tabs 181 may have a base that expands into a distal portion or locking head / feature to present multiple locking edges.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the rear 109 of the blank 103 includes a rear container retention panel or rear attachment panel 131b, a rear side panel 155b, and a rear top panel or rear attachment flap 159b having associated features that are generally mirror images of corresponding portions of the front 107 of the blank 103. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) are designated by corresponding reference numerals with different suffixes "a" or "b," where "a" is the component that corresponds to the front 107 of the blank 103 and "b" is the component that corresponds to the rear 109 of the blank 103.

[0030] The rear top panel 159b can include a plurality of laterally spaced apart breaks / openings 185 (broadly, "female locking features" or "second female locking features" or "fifth female locking features") having one or more straight, curved, and / or angled portions as shown. Each locking opening 187 (broadly, "female locking feature" or "third female locking feature" or "fourth female locking feature") can extend from a respective break 185 toward a free lateral edge of the rear top panel 159b. Although the locking openings 187 are shown as having a generally trapezoidal profile, it will be understood that one or more of the locking openings 187 can have a different configuration without departing from this disclosure.

[0031] Also, as shown, the rear top panel 159b can include a pair of handle openings 144 and respective handle reinforcement flaps 150 positioned to extend within the respective handle openings 144 and foldably connected to the rear top panel 159b at respective longitudinal fold lines 152.

[0032] Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features may be otherwise shaped, positioned, and / or omitted from blank 103 without departing from this disclosure. Blank 103 may be sized and shaped to accommodate more or less than six containers without departing from this disclosure.

[0033] 2-4, blank 103 can be inverted so that outer surface 101 of blank 103 can be positioned over containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, and CB3, such that container retaining portion 135a of front mounting panel 131a overlies containers CA1, CA2, and CA3, and container retaining portion 135b of rear mounting panel 131b overlies CB1, CB2, and CB3. By positioning mounting panels 131a, 131b further below the multiple containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, and CB3, each of container retaining portions 135a, 135b can be actuated to engage a respective container.

[0034] For example, when the front attachment panel 131a is lowered or urged downwardly onto the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, the container-retaining portion 135a can at least partially separate from the remainder of the front attachment panel 131a at the breaks 141a that interrupt the fold lines 137a, 139a, such that the container-retaining tabs 148a can seat within a recess in the container CA1, CA2, CA3, e.g., within the concave top of the container CA1, CA2, CA3 below its rolled upper rim. In such a configuration, the top or top T of each container CA1, CA2, CA3 can extend at least partially through a respective opening formed by the respective breaks 141a that interrupt the fold lines 139a and the opening 142a that interrupts the fold line 137a.

[0035] In such a configuration, the peripheral portions 136a, 138a of the mounting panel 131a can be folded at least partially downwardly at respective fold lines 137a, 139a, and such movement can cause the outer peripheral portion 138a of the top mounting panel 131a to reconfigure at respective breaks 143a, 145a, 146a to engage the rounded rims or other top structures of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3.

[0036] The rear mounting panel 131b and corresponding container retainers 135b can engage containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the engagement of the front mounting panel 131a and container retainers 135a to containers CA1, CA2, CA3.

[0037] The above-described engagement of blank 103 with containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be performed with the front row of containers CA1, CA2, CA3 spaced apart from the rear row of containers CB1, CB2, CB3. As the rows of containers are moved together, forward reinforcement portion 119a of central panel 115 can be folded downwardly at fold line 121a relative to connection portion 117 of central panel 115 and further folded at fold line 133a into at least partial face-to-face contact with inner periphery 136a of attachment panel 131a.

[0038] Similarly, the rear reinforcement portion 119b of the central panel 115 can be folded downwardly at fold line 121b relative to the connection portion 117 of the central panel 115 and can be further folded at fold line 133b into at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner periphery 136b of the attachment panel 131b. In such a configuration, portions of the connection portion 117 of the central panel 115 can be separated from the reinforcement portions 119a, 119b at respective cuts 141a, 141b and positioned to at least partially overlap the openings 142a, 142b in the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b.

[0039] The above-described configuration of reinforcing portion 119a of central panel 115 with inner periphery 136a of mounting panel 131a and reinforcing portion 119b of central panel 115 with inner periphery 136b of mounting panel 131b provides a reinforcing structure to support containers attached to carrier 105, which resists tearing, bending, warping, twisting, other deformations, and the like.

[0040] 2-4, the front side panel 155a can be folded upwardly at fold line 157a, for example, into an oblique configuration with respect to containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and / or into at least partial face-to-face contact with the outer perimeter 138a of the attachment panel 131a, and the front top panel 159a can be folded at fold line 161a. Such movement of the top panel 159a can cause the container-retaining tabs 148a to separate from the front side panel 155a at their respective breaks 141a and at least partially overlap the container-retaining tabs 148a associated with the attachment panel 131a. In this regard, the rolled rim or other top structure of each container CA1, CA2, CA3 can be at least partially received through slit 141a along fold line 161a, and container retaining tabs 148a extending from top panel 159a can also be seated within the concave tops of containers CA1, CA2, CA3.

[0041] Similarly, rear side panel 155b can be folded upwardly at fold line 157b into an angled configuration with containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and / or into at least partial face-to-face contact with outer perimeter 138b of attachment panel 131b, and top panel 159b can be folded at fold line 161b into at least partial face-to-face contact with attachment panel 131b. Such movement of top panel 159b can result in engagement with containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to engagement of top panel 159a with containers CA1, CA2, CA3.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the front top panel 159a can ultimately be positioned at least partially above and in face-to-face contact with the rear top panel 159b, although it will be understood that the front top panel 159a can be positioned at least partially below the rear top panel 159b without departing from this disclosure.

[0043] This positioning of the top panel 159b allows the cut 185 in the rear top panel 159b to be positioned over the cut 175 in the central panel 115. Additionally, the handle opening 144 in the rear top panel 159b can be positioned over / aligned with the handle flap 130 that is attached to the central panel 115 in such a configuration.

[0044] The above-described configuration of the carrier 105 / package 110 may be formed / maintained at least in part by relative engagement of the locking features as described above.

[0045] In particular, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4, the locking tabs 181 protruding from the locking flaps 171 can be at least partially inserted through the cuts 185 in the rear top panel 159b and further through the cuts / openings 175 in the central panel 115. Such a configuration also allows the locking tabs 177 protruding from the locking flaps 171 to be positioned so as to be at least partially inserted through their respective locking openings 187 to further maintain the configuration of the carrier 105 / package 110. In some embodiments, such positioning of the locking tabs 177 can include at least partially positioning the locking tabs 177 with a machine tool or element, and can include at least partially inserting through one or more layers of material forming the carrier 105.

[0046] In view of this, the carrier 105 / package 110 can be formed / maintained with reduced / minimal presence of adhesives such as glues through engagement of the locking features thereof. In one embodiment, the carrier 105 / package 110 can be formed / maintained without adhesives such as glues.

[0047] In the formed carrier 105 / package 110, the containers can be engaged by respective mounting panels 131a, 131b and can extend beneath respective container retainers 135a. In such a configuration, containers CA1, CA2, CA3 extend beneath container retainer 135a at the front 106 of the carrier 105, and containers CB1, CB2, CB3 extend beneath container retainer 135b at the rear 108 of the carrier 105, where front top panel 159a overlies respective portions of mounting panels 131a, 131b and center panel 115, and rear top panel 159b overlies a portion of rear mounting panel 131b.

[0048] In this regard, each of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 is engaged by carrier 105 at multiple points and layers, i.e., each container CA1, CA2, CA3 is at least partially received through cut 141a in mounting panel 131a and engages respective edges and surfaces associated therewith, as well as through cut 141a in front side panel 155a / top panel 159a and engages respective edges and surfaces associated therewith, and each container CB1, CB2, CB3 is at least partially received through cut 141b in mounting panel 131b and engages respective edges and surfaces associated therewith, as well as through cut 141b in front side panel 155b / top panel 159b and engages respective edges and surfaces associated therewith.

[0049] Such multi-layer, eg, two-ply clip-fastening engagement of the carrier 105 provides a reinforcing configuration that secures the container to the carrier 105 while resisting unwanted or unintended disengagement of the container from the carrier 105 .

[0050] Additionally, the row of containers CA1, CA2, CA3 at the front 106 of the carrier 105 / package 110 and the row of containers CB1, CB2, CB3 at the rear 108 of the carrier 105 / package 110 are joined by the engagement of the top panels 159a, 159b with the connection 117 of the center panel 115, but are separated below for free tilting, rocking, or otherwise moving relative to one another. Due to the two-layer clip-fastened engagement of the carrier 105 with the containers, the carrier 105 minimizes / resists / avoids / prevents accidental or undesired disengagement of the containers from the carrier 105 due to accidental movement of the containers during shipping, handling, etc. of the carrier 105 / package 110.

[0051] 2-4, the carrier 105 can be grasped by inserting a user's finger through each handle opening 144 to contact each handle flap 130 and at least partially separate the handle flap 130 from the central panel 115 to provide an opening through which the user's finger(s) can further extend to contact the bottom of the carrier 105 / package 110, for example, at a portion of the central panel 115.

[0052] In one embodiment, the handle reinforcement flap 150 and one or more of the portions 132, 136, 138 of the handle flap 130 can be positioned between the user's finger(s) and the underside of the carrier 105 / package 110, for example, for comfort, to avoid pinching, etc., and / or to provide a reinforcing structure for the user to engage that resists tearing or other deformation due to shipping stresses.

[0053] In one embodiment, by moving a user's fingers through an opening formed by movement of one or more of the handle opening 144 / handle flap 130 portions 132, 140, longitudinally adjacent containers can be tilted away from one another to provide additional clearance for the user's fingers. In another embodiment, the portion of the central panel 115 exposed through the opening formed by movement of one or more of the handle opening 144 / handle flap 130 portions 132, 140 can be provided with printed graphics or indicia to blend in with the overall aesthetic of the carrier 105 / package 110 to provide advertising or pricing information, etc.

[0054] The above-described package 110 / carrier 105 has a compact structure that can provide, for example, material savings and waste reduction, for example, by minimizing the amount of adhesive required to form / maintain the assembled configuration of the carrier 105 / package 110 and the engagement of the containers with the carrier 105 / package 110. Additionally, exposure of portions of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 on the exterior portion of the carrier 105 / package 110 provides a clear consumer view of the labels or surface graphics associated with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, as well as convenient access to remove one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the carrier 105 / package 110, for example, by pulling the respective containers through the respective breaks 141a, 141b / openings 142a, 142b to disengage the containers from the respective panels 159a, 159b, 131a, 131b.

[0055] 5, there is shown an exterior surface 201 of a blank 203 forming a carrier 205 (FIG. 6) according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The blank 203 and the carrier 205 formed therefrom may have one or more features that are the same or similar to those described above with respect to the blank 103 and the carrier 105, and similar or like features are designated with similar or like reference numerals. The carrier 205 may be provided with one or more containers to form a package 210 (FIG. 6).

[0056] Thus, the blank 203 can have a front portion 207 for forming a front portion 206 of the carrier 205 / package 210, a rear portion 209 for forming a rear portion 208 of the carrier 205 / package 210, and a central portion 211 for forming a central portion 213 of the carrier 205 / package 210 that extends from the front portion 206 to the rear portion 208.

[0057] The blank 203 can have a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2, a central panel 115, mounting panels 131a, 131b, side panels 155a, 155b, top panels 159a, 159b, a locking panel 171, and associated features.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking panel 171 can be a front locking panel 171a that is foldably connected to the front top panel 159a at a horizontal fold line 173a, and the multiple panels of the blank 203 / carrier 205 can include a rear locking panel 171b that is foldably connected to the rear top panel 159b at the horizontal fold line 173a.

[0059] Additionally, the breaks 185, locking openings 187, handle openings 144, handle reinforcement flaps 150, and associated features may be positioned within the rear locking panel 171b of the blank 203 / carrier 205. The handle features associated with the rear locking panel 171b may be laterally aligned with respective handle features in the central panel 115, each of which may include a series of laterally spaced apart handle openings 240 having respective handle reinforcement flaps 244 positioned to extend within the respective openings 240, the flaps 244 being foldably connected to the central panel 115 at respective longitudinal fold lines 246.

[0060] 6, the cuts interrupting the fold lines 137a extending along the respective portions of the mounting panel 131a can be at least partially enclosed cuts having a semicircular or at least partially circular profile that form locking openings 242a (broadly, a "female locking feature" or "third female locking feature") at least partially defined in the mounting panel 131a. Similarly, the cuts interrupting the fold lines 137b extending along the respective portions of the mounting panel 131b can have a similar configuration to form locking openings 242b (broadly, a "female locking feature" or "sixth female locking feature") at least partially defined in the mounting panel 131b.

[0061] The blank 203 and the carrier 205 formed from the blank 203 may also have a respective series of laterally spaced locking openings 256 (broadly, "female locking features" or "second female locking features") that are at least partially defined at the connection 117 of the central panel 115 and positioned longitudinally spaced from the respective breaks 175.

[0062] Additionally, the locking tab 177 extending from the locking panel 171a and interrupting the fold line 173a can be a front locking tab 177a (broadly, a "male locking feature" or "second male locking feature"), and a series of laterally spaced apart locking tabs 177b (broadly, a "male locking feature" or "third male locking feature") can be defined by respective cuts 179b that interrupt the fold line 173b to extend from the rear locking panel 171b.

[0063] In this regard, the blank 203 and the carrier 205 / package 210 formed therefrom can have a different number and configuration of panels, handle features, and locking features as compared to the blank 103 and carrier 105 / package 110 described above. It will be understood that the blank 203 / carrier 205 / package 210 can have further different arrangements and / or configurations without departing from this disclosure.

[0064] 6, the blank 203 may be formed into a carrier 205 / package 210 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the formation of the carrier 105 / package 110 from the blank 103. For example, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 may be at least partially received through openings formed in the respective mounting panels 131a, 131b, e.g., through the cuts 141a, 141b and the openings 242a, 242b, by folding one or more of the respective mounting panels 131a, 131b relative to one another as described above. The side panels 155a, 155b may further be positioned generally obliquely relative to the respective portions of the mounting panels 131a, 131b as described above, and the top panels 159a, 159b may be positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the respective portions of the mounting panels 131a, 131b as described above. Such movement of the top panels 159a, 159b can bring the locking panels 171a, 171b into at least partial overlapping, face-to-face contact with the central panel 115.

[0065] During formation of carrier 205 / package 210 from blank 203 as described above, peripheral portion 136a of mounting panel 131a is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with reinforcement portion 119a of central panel 115, and peripheral portion 136b of mounting panel 131b is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with reinforcement portion 119b of central panel 115, such that respective mounting portions 135a, 135b of respective mounting panels 131a, 131b can be brought into proximity with connecting portion 117 of central panel 115. In this regard, respective portions of connecting portion 117 of central panel 115 can be positioned to overlap respective portions of mounting portions 135a, 135b of respective mounting panels 131a, 131b.

[0066] In such a configuration, the break 185 in the rear locking panel 171b can be aligned over the break 175 in the central panel 115. Additionally, the locking opening 256 can be aligned over respective portions of the locking opening 242a, and respective portions of the locking opening 187 can be aligned over the locking opening 256 in the central panel 115 and the locking opening 242a in the front mounting panel 131a.

[0067] 6, where the underlying panels are shown in dashed lines for clarity, the locking tabs 177a can separate from the front top panel 159a at respective breaks 179a and be at least partially inserted / received through respective locking openings 187 in the rear locking panel 171b, locking openings 256 in the central panel 115 aligned therebelow, and locking openings 242a in the front mounting panel 131a aligned therebelow, such that the locking tabs 177a are tucked under the front mounting panel 131a. In some embodiments, the locking tabs 177a can extend into the recessed top of the respective containers under respective portions of the mounting panels 131a.

[0068] The locking tabs 177b can be at least partially wedged under the rear mounting panel 131b by separating from the rear top panel 159b at respective breaks 179b and positioning to be at least partially inserted / received through the locking openings 242b in the rear mounting panel 131b. In some embodiments, the locking tabs 177b can extend into the recessed top of the respective container under a respective portion of the mounting panel 131b.

[0069] Additionally, the locking tab 181 extending from the locking panel 171a can be extended / tucked under the central panel 115 by being positioned to be at least partially inserted / received through the slit 185 in the rear locking panel 171b and further through the slit 175 in the central panel 115 below. In some embodiments, the locking tab 181 can be at least partially bent / folded relative to the locking panel 171a in the process of such positioning through the slits 185, 175.

[0070] In use, the carrier 205 may be grasped by inserting a user's fingers through the respective handle openings 144 and the underlying aligned handle openings 240 to facilitate passage of the user, e.g., to contact the bottom of the carrier 205 / package 210 at a portion of the central panel 115. Such movement of the user's finger(s) through the carrier 205 may cause the handle reinforcement flaps 150 and 244 to fold at the respective fold lines 152, 246, e.g., to be positioned between the user's finger(s) and the underside of the carrier 205 / package 210 for comfort, to avoid pinching, etc., and / or to provide a reinforcing structure for the user to engage that resists tearing or other deformation due to shipping stresses.

[0071] The above-described structure of the carrier 205 / package 210 can provide robust and secure engagement of the various panels and portions thereof that support one or more of the containers, with similar advantages as those described above with respect to the carrier 105 / package 110. In some embodiments, such structure of the carrier 205 / package 210 can be provided to avoid or minimize the use of adhesives, e.g., polymeric materials such as glues.

[0072] It will be understood that the blanks and carriers described herein can be provided with different configurations without departing from the present disclosure.

[0073] Generally, the blank may be made of cardboard having a thickness such that it is heavier and stiffer than normal paper. The blank may also be made of other materials such as cardboard, or any other material having suitable properties to enable the carrier to function at least generally as described above. The blank may be coated, for example, with a clay coating. Objects, advertisements, and other information or images may then be printed on the clay coating. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect the information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated, for example, with a moisture barrier layer on one or both sides of the blank. The blank may also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials on selected panels or panel sections.

[0074] As an example, the tear line can include a slit partially cut into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of spaced slits that are partially cut 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 slits that are completely through the material, with adjacent slits spaced slightly apart such that a nick (e.g., a small piece of material somewhat like a bridge) is defined between them to sandwich the tear line and usually temporarily connect the material. The nicks are broken along the tear line during tearing. Nicks usually make up a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively, the nicks can be omitted from the tear line or broken on the tear line so that the tear line is a continuous break line. That is, it is within the scope of this disclosure to replace each of the tear lines with a continuous slit, etc. For example, the break lines can be continuous slits or wider than the slits without departing from this disclosure.

[0075] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fold lines can be any substantially linear, though not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, and not to narrow the scope of this disclosure, fold lines include score lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife or the like that create a crushed or recessed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness, cuts partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of cuts 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 form the fold lines, the cutting is typically not overly extensive so that a reasonable user may erroneously consider the fold line to be a tear line.

[0076] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels that are adhered together by glue during assembly of the carrier embodiment. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.

[0077] The foregoing description of the present disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, alterations, etc. may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matters contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the present disclosure illustrates and describes only selected embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can make modifications or alterations within the scope of the inventive concepts as described herein, modifications or alterations equivalent to the above teachings, and / or modifications or alterations within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment can be selectively interchanged and applied to other described and undescribed embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, comprising: a plurality of panels forming a front section, a rear section, and a central section extending from the front section to the rear section, the front portion includes a front mounting panel that at least partially receives a respective container of the plurality of containers; the rear portion includes a rear mounting panel that at least partially receives a respective container of the plurality of containers; the central portion having a plurality of panels including a central panel; locking features that maintain the carrier in an assembled configuration, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels; A carrier equipped with:

2. 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said plurality of panels further comprises a front top panel in at least partial facing contact with said front mounting panel and a rear top panel in at least partial facing contact with said rear mounting panel.

3. 3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a front side panel foldably connected to each of the front mounting panel and the front top panel, and the plurality of panels further includes a rear side panel foldably connected to each of the rear mounting panel and the rear top panel.

4. the plurality of panels further includes a locking panel foldably connected to the front top panel, the at least one male locking feature extending from the locking panel; The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the at least one female locking feature is at least partially defined in the central panel.

5. 5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the at least one male locking feature is at least one locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is at least one discontinuity.

6. 5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature, the locking feature further comprising a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear top panel, the second female locking feature being aligned with the first female locking feature, and each of the first and second female locking features being adapted to at least partially receive the at least one male locking feature.

7. 7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature, the locking features further comprising a second male locking feature extending from the locking panel and a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear top panel and at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

8. the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature, the locking feature being at least partially defined in the central panel and further including a second female locking feature spaced apart from the first female locking feature; the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the locking panel, the locking feature being further including a second male locking feature extending from the locking panel and at least partially received in the second female locking feature; 5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the locking features further include a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the front mounting panel, the third female locking feature being aligned with the second female locking feature, and each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature at least partially receiving the second male locking feature.

9. the locking panel is a front locking panel, the plurality of panels further includes a rear locking panel foldably connected to the rear top panel, the locking features further include a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear locking panel, the fourth female locking feature being aligned with each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature, each of the fourth female locking feature, the third female locking feature, and the second female locking feature being adapted to at least partially receive the second male locking feature; the locking features further include a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear locking panel, the fifth female locking feature being aligned with the first female locking feature, each of the first female locking feature and the fifth female locking feature being adapted to at least partially receive the first male locking feature; 9. The carrier of claim 8, wherein the locking features further include a third male locking feature extending from the rear top panel and a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear attachment panel, the sixth female locking feature at least partially receiving the third male locking feature.

10. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the central panel is foldably connected to each of the front and rear mounting panels.

11. The carrier of claim 10 , wherein the central panel includes a connecting portion foldably connected to each of the front and rear reinforcements.

12. The carrier of claim 11 , wherein the front stiffener is foldably connected to the front mounting panel and the rear stiffener is foldably connected to the rear mounting panel.

13. the forward attachment panel comprises an attachment portion, an inner periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion, and an outer periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion, the forward reinforcement portion of the central panel being foldably connected to the inner periphery of the forward attachment panel and in at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner periphery; 13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the rear mounting panel comprises a mounting portion, an inner periphery foldably connected to the mounting portion of the rear mounting panel, and an outer periphery foldably connected to the mounting portion of the rear mounting panel, and the rear reinforcement portion of the central panel is foldably connected to the inner periphery of the rear mounting panel and is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner periphery.

14. A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, comprising: a plurality of panels forming a front section, a rear section, and a central section extending from the front section to the rear section, the front portion includes a front mounting panel that at least partially receives a respective container of the plurality of containers; the rear portion includes a rear mounting panel that at least partially receives a respective container of the plurality of containers; the central portion having a plurality of panels including a central panel; locking features that maintain an assembled configuration of the carrier formed from the blank, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least partially received within a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels when the carrier is formed from the blank; Equipped with blanks.

15. 15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a front top panel positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the front attachment panel when the carrier is formed from the blank, and a rear top panel positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the rear attachment panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

16. 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a front side panel foldably connected to each of the front attachment panel and the front top panel, and the plurality of panels further includes a rear side panel foldably connected to each of the rear attachment panel and the rear top panel.

17. the plurality of panels further includes a locking panel foldably connected to the front top panel, the at least one male locking feature extending from the locking panel; The blank of claim 15 , wherein the at least one female locking feature is at least partially defined in the central panel.

18. 20. The blank of claim 17, wherein the at least one male locking feature is at least one locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is at least one discontinuity.

19. the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature, the locking features further including a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear top panel, the second female locking feature being aligned with the first female locking feature, each of the first female locking feature and the second female locking feature being adapted to at least partially receive the at least one male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank; 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature, the locking features further comprising: a second male locking feature extending from the locking panel; and a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear top panel and at least partially receiving the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

20. the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature, the locking feature being at least partially defined in the central panel and further including a second female locking feature spaced apart from the first female locking feature, the at least one male locking feature being a first male locking feature extending from the locking panel, the locking feature further including a second male locking feature extending from the locking panel, the second male locking feature being at least partially received within the second female locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank; 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the locking features further include a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, the third female locking feature being aligned with the second female locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank, and each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature being adapted to at least partially receive the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

21. the locking panel is a front locking panel, the plurality of panels further includes a rear locking panel foldably connected to the rear top panel, the locking features further include a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear locking panel, the fourth female locking feature aligns with each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank, and each of the fourth female locking feature, the third female locking feature, and the second female locking feature are adapted to at least partially receive the second male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank; the locking features further include a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear locking panel, the fifth female locking feature being aligned with the first female locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank, and each of the first and fifth female locking features being adapted to at least partially receive the first male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank; 21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the locking features further include a third male locking feature extending from the rear top panel and a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear attachment panel, the sixth female locking feature at least partially receiving the third male locking feature when the carrier is formed from the blank.

22. The blank of claim 14 , wherein the central panel is foldably connected to each of the front and rear attachment panels.

23. 23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the central panel includes a connection portion foldably connected to each of the front and rear reinforcements.

24. the front reinforcement portion is foldably connected to the front mounting panel, and the rear reinforcement portion is foldably connected to the rear mounting panel; The front attachment panel comprises an attachment portion, an inner periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion, and an outer periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion, the front reinforcement portion of the central panel being foldably connected to the inner periphery of the front attachment panel and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner periphery of the front attachment panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the rear mounting panel comprises an attachment portion, an inner periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion of the rear mounting panel, and an outer periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion of the rear mounting panel, and the rear reinforcement portion of the central panel is foldably connected to the inner periphery of the rear mounting panel and is positioned so as to be in at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner periphery of the rear mounting panel when the carrier is formed from the blank.

25. 1. A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, comprising the steps of: Obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels including a front attachment panel, a center panel, and a rear attachment panel, the blank comprising locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from each panel of the plurality of panels and at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in each panel of the plurality of panels; arranging the plurality of panels to form a front portion of the carrier including the front mounting panel; arranging the plurality of panels to form a rear portion of the carrier including the rear mounting panel; arranging the plurality of panels to define a central portion of the carrier that includes the central panel and extends from the front portion of the carrier to the rear portion of the carrier; at least partially inserting the at least one male locking feature through the at least one female locking feature to maintain the carrier in an assembled configuration; A method comprising:

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a front top panel and a rear top panel, the method further comprising positioning the front top panel into at least partial face-to-face contact with the front mounting panel, and the method further comprises positioning the rear top panel into at least partial face-to-face contact with the rear mounting panel.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a front side panel foldably connected to each of the front attachment panel and the front top panel, and the plurality of panels further includes a rear side panel foldably connected to each of the rear attachment panel and the rear top panel.

28. the plurality of panels further includes a locking panel foldably connected to the front top panel, the at least one male locking feature extending from the locking panel; 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one female locking feature is at least partially defined in the central panel.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one male locking feature is at least one locking tab and the at least one female locking feature is at least one discontinuity.

30. the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature, the locking feature further comprising a second female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear top panel, and positioning the rear top panel comprises aligning the second female locking feature with the first female locking feature, each of the first female locking feature and the second female locking feature adapted to at least partially receive the at least one male locking feature; 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature, the locking feature further comprising a second male locking feature extending from the locking panel and a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear top panel, the method further comprising at least partially inserting the second male locking feature into the third female locking feature.

31. the at least one female locking feature is a first female locking feature, the locking feature further comprising a second female locking feature defined at least partially in the central panel and spaced apart from the first female locking feature, the at least one male locking feature is a first male locking feature extending from the locking panel, the locking feature further comprising a second male locking feature extending from the locking panel, the method further comprising at least partially inserting the second male locking feature through the second female locking feature; 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the locking features further include a third female locking feature at least partially defined in the front attachment panel, and wherein positioning the plurality of panels includes aligning the third female locking feature with the second female locking feature, and the method further includes inserting the second male locking feature at least partially through each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature.

32. the locking panel is a front locking panel, the plurality of panels further includes a rear locking panel foldably connected to the rear top panel, the locking features further include a fourth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear locking panel, positioning the plurality of panels includes aligning the fourth female locking feature with each of the third female locking feature and the second female locking feature, the method further includes at least partially inserting the second male locking feature through each of the fourth female locking feature, the third female locking feature, and the second female locking feature; the locking features further include a fifth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear locking panel, and positioning the plurality of panels includes aligning the fifth female locking feature with the first female locking feature, and the method further includes at least partially inserting the first male locking feature through each of the first and fifth female locking features; 32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the locking features further include a third male locking feature extending from the rear top panel and a sixth female locking feature at least partially defined in the rear attachment panel, the method further comprising inserting the third male locking feature at least partially through the sixth female locking feature.

33. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the central panel is foldably connected to each of the front and rear mounting panels.

34. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the central panel comprises a connection portion foldably connected to each of the front and rear reinforcements.

35. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the front stiffener is foldably connected to the front mounting panel and the rear stiffener is foldably connected to the rear mounting panel.

36. the front attachment panel comprises an attachment portion, an inner periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion, and an outer periphery foldably connected to the attachment portion, the front reinforcement portion of the central panel being foldably connected to the inner periphery of the front attachment panel, the method further comprising positioning the front reinforcement portion of the central panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner periphery of the front attachment panel; 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the rear mounting panel comprises a mounting portion, an inner perimeter foldably connected to the mounting portion of the rear mounting panel, and an outer perimeter foldably connected to the mounting portion of the rear mounting panel, and the rear reinforcement portion of the central panel is foldably connected to the inner perimeter of the rear mounting panel, the method further comprising positioning the rear reinforcement portion of the central panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner perimeter of the rear mounting panel.

37. A package comprising: A plurality of containers; A carrier according to claim 1 for holding the plurality of containers; A package comprising:

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