Container carrier

Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier including a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one center panel, and at least one mounting panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, the at least one center panel for positioning between and mounting adjacent containers of the plurality of containers. The carrier also includes at least one access mechanism positionable to provide access to at least one container of the plurality of containers, the at least one access mechanism including a peripheral portion of the top panel and a peripheral portion of the at least one mounting panel.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 426,066, filed May 30, 2019, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 779,689, filed December 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 783,752, filed December 21, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 796,830, filed January 25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 797,840, filed January 28, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 799,850, filed January 29, 2019. This application claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 797,585, filed February 25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 810,015, filed March 6, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 814,412, filed March 12, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 817,120, filed March 12, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 841,449, filed May 1, 2019.

[0002] [Incorporated by reference] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 779,689, filed December 14, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 783,752, filed December 21, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 796,830, filed January 25, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 797,585, filed January 28, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / No. 810,015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 814,412, filed March 6, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 817,120, filed March 12, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 841,449, filed May 1, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 16 / 426,050, filed May 30 ... No. 6 / 426,057, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 426,060, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 426,063, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 426,066, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,992, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. The disclosures of each of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,993, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,994, filed May 30, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,996, filed May 30, 2019, and U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,997, filed May 30, 2019, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth in their entireties herein. [Technical field]

[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 of the disclosure, a carrier for holding a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one mounting panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers. The at least one central panel is positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers. The carrier further comprises at least one access mechanism positionable to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers, the at least one access mechanism comprising a peripheral portion of the top panel and a peripheral portion of the at least one mounting panel.

[0005] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one mounting panel, and at least one access mechanism including a peripheral portion of the top panel and a peripheral portion of the at least one mounting panel, the at least one access mechanism being positionable to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and the at least one central panel being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method including obtaining a blank including a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one mounting panel, and at least one access mechanism including a peripheral portion of the top panel and a peripheral portion of the at least one mounting panel. The method further includes folding the plurality of panels such that the at least one central panel is positioned between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers, and attaching the at least one container to the at least one central panel, the at least one access mechanism being positionable to provide access to at least one container of the plurality of containers.

[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a package comprises a plurality of containers and a carrier for holding the plurality of containers. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one mounting panel for receiving a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, the at least one central panel being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers. The carrier further comprises at least one access mechanism positionable to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers, the at least one access mechanism comprising a peripheral portion of the top panel and a peripheral portion of the at least one mounting panel.

[0008] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above advantages and other advantages of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description and with reference to the drawings, as set forth below. It is within the scope of this disclosure that the above-described aspects may be provided individually and in various combinations.

[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.

[0010] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carrier and a package according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment; [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of another partially folded configuration of a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment; [Figure 4] 2 is a front view of a carrier having a container formed from and removed from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment; [Diagram 5] 5 is a rear view of the carrier of FIG. 4 with a container removed therefrom. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of another partially folded carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment; [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment and having an access mechanism in a first configuration; [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of FIG. 7 with the access mechanism in a second configuration. [Figure 9] 8 is another perspective view of the package and carrier of FIG. 7 with one access mechanism in a second configuration. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the package and carrier of FIG. 9 with a container removed therefrom. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carrier and package according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, etc. for holding and displaying containers such as vials, bottles, cans, etc. 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 directions that are determined relative to a fully upright carrier.

[0014] As described herein, a 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 a blank may be designated in relative terms with respect to one another, e.g., "first," "second," "third," and other sequential or non-sequential references, without departing from this disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior surface 101 of a blank 103 used to form a carrier 105 (FIG. 7) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The carrier 105 can be sized to accommodate or support six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 attached to a front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 attached to a rear portion 108 of the carrier 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be beverage cans or any other suitable type and size of container without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers. In one embodiment, the front portion 106 and the rear portion 108 of the carrier 105 each have three containers, while in other embodiments, the front portion 106 and the rear portion 108 of the carrier 105 can carry more or less than three containers without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 105 may be provided with one or more containers as a package 110 (FIG. 7).

[0016] 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 103 has a front portion 107 that forms a front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and a rear portion 109 that forms a rear portion 108 of the carrier 105. The front portion 107 and the rear portion 109 of the blank 103 are folded and connected at a lateral fold line 112 that forms a lateral centerline CL of the blank 103, as shown. As described further below, the blank 103 is at least partially formed within the carrier 105 by folding the blank 103 at the fold line 112 along the centerline CL such that the front portion 107 and the rear portion 109 of the blank 103 overlap at least partially in face-to-face contact.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 107 of the blank 103 includes a front central panel 125a having a first front row RF1 of laterally spaced adhesive or adhesive apertures 127a and a second front row RF2 of laterally spaced adhesive or adhesive apertures 127a. An upper end of each adhesive aperture 127a in the first row RF1 is spaced from the fold line 112 a longitudinal distance D1 that is less than the longitudinal distance D2 that an upper end of each adhesive aperture 127a in the second row RF2 is spaced from the fold line 112.

[0018] The front container-retaining panel or front attachment panel 131a is foldably connected to the front central panel 125a at a transverse fold line 133a and includes a container-retaining portion 135a defined at least partially between a pair of longitudinally spaced transverse fold lines 137a, 139a (broadly, respective "second fold lines") interrupted by a respective pair of longitudinally spaced cuts 141a, each of which may include one or more curved and / or angled portions. As shown, the longitudinally spaced cuts 141a define container-retaining tabs 148a extending outwardly from the container-retaining portion 135a. Also as shown, each oblique cut 143a, 145a extends outwardly from each cut 141a to define a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the front attachment panel 131a facing the respective container-retaining tabs 148a.

[0019] As shown, an inner peripheral portion 136a of the mounting panel 131a is defined between fold lines 137a, 133a, and an outer peripheral portion 138a of the mounting panel 131a is defined between fold line 139a and transverse fold line 171a.

[0020] The blank 103 may include a pair of handle openings 130a that interrupt the fold line 133a and extend from a portion of the front central panel 125a to a portion of the front mounting panel 131a. As shown, the handle opening 130a may include a longitudinal portion 132a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 and a pair of lateral portions 134a that intersect and diverge in a substantially parallel relationship to the lateral axis L2 and extend perpendicularly away from the longitudinal portion 132a. In this regard, the diverging portions 132a, 134a of the handle opening 130a are in communication with one another. As described further herein, the portions 132a, 134a of the handle opening 130a provide multiple engagement surfaces that allow a consumer to grasp the carrier 105 in different orientations. Also shown, a reinforcing flap 136a is foldably connected to each mounting panel 131a at a respective curved fold line 140a and extends into each longitudinal portion 132a. The carrier 105 may have different configurations of handle features or may lack handle features without departing from this disclosure.

[0021] The blank 103 further includes a bevel or front side panel 169a foldably connected to the front attachment panel 131a at a transverse fold line 171a, and a top panel 173 foldably connected to the front side panel 169a at a transverse fold line 175a. As shown, the top panel 173 includes additional handle features (broadly a "first handle feature" and a "second handle feature") each including a pair of opposing curved cuts 177, 179 and a longitudinal cut 181 extending from the curved cut 177 to the curved cut 179 to define a pair of handle flaps 183, 185. A pair of longitudinal lines of weakness 187, 189 and a pair of transverse lines of weakness 190, 191 extend along a portion of each flap 183, 185 to provide an at least partially reconfigurable arrangement, as further described herein. In one embodiment, one or more of the lines of weakness 187, 189, 190, 191 can be surface features, such as embossed or debossed features. The handle features of the carrier 205 include the handle features of the top panel 173 and can also include handle openings 130a, 130b. The carrier 105 can have different configurations of handle features or can lack handle features without departing from this disclosure.

[0022] 1, the top panel 173 further includes a pair of laterally spaced fold lines 193, 195 (broadly the "first fold line" and the "second fold line," respectively) defining a central portion 197 therebetween, which further define a first peripheral portion 199 of the top panel 173 defined between the fold lines 175a, 193, and a second peripheral portion 201 of the top panel 173 defined between the fold line 195 and a lateral free edge of the top panel 173. In this regard, the first peripheral portion 199 of the top panel 173 is defined between the fold line 193 and the front side panel 169a.

[0023] As further described herein, during formation of the carrier 105, a central portion 197 of the top panel 173 is positioned so as to substantially overlap and align with the respective container retaining portions 135a of the front mounting panel 131a and the container retaining portions 135b of the rear mounting panel 131b, a first peripheral portion 199 of the top panel 173 is positioned so as to substantially align with the outer peripheral portion 138b of the rear mounting panel 131b, and a second peripheral portion 201 of the top panel 173 is positioned so as to substantially align with the outer peripheral portion 138a of the front mounting panel 131a.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the rear portion 109 of the blank 103 includes a rear central panel 125b and a rear container-retaining panel or rear attachment panel 131b having associated features that are generally mirror images of the corresponding panels and flaps of the front portion 107 of the blank 103. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) are designated by corresponding reference numerals that vary with an "a" or "b" suffix, with the "a" components corresponding to the front portion 107 of the blank 103 and the "b" components corresponding to the rear portion 109 of the blank 103. The rear portion 109 of the blank 103 further includes a rear side panel 169b foldably connected to the rear attachment panel 131b at a transverse fold line 171b, and an attachment flap 203 foldably connected to the rear side panel 169b at a transverse fold line 175b.

[0025] As shown, a pair of generally U-shaped notches 157 extend from the centerline CL and have respective lateral portions that define an upper end of each adhesive aperture 127b in a first rear lateral row RB1 of laterally spaced adhesive apertures 127b. As shown, the upper end of each adhesive aperture 127b in the first lateral row RB1 of adhesive apertures 127b is spaced from the fold line 112 by a longitudinal distance D3 that is less than the longitudinal distance D4 that the upper end of each adhesive aperture 127b in the second rear lateral row RB2 of adhesive apertures 127b is spaced from the fold line 112.

[0026] In this regard, the blank 103 includes forward rows RF1 and RF2 of laterally spaced apart front adhesive apertures 127a spaced longitudinal distances D1 and D2, respectively, from the centerline CL, and rearward rows RB1 and RB2 of laterally spaced apart rear adhesive apertures 127b spaced longitudinal distances D3 and D4, respectively, from the centerline CL. The adhesive apertures 127a, 127b are longitudinally staggered such that D2>D4>D1>D3. Upon formation of the carrier 105 from the blank 103, the longitudinal centerline CL / fold line 112 may form the bottom ends of the central panels 125a, 125b.

[0027] As described herein, the arrangement of the adhesive openings 127a, 127b is such that, when the carrier 105 is assembled, the adhesive openings 127a, 127b provide access to each of the multiple surfaces of each central panel 125b, 125a onto which each container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached, enhancing retention and support of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 by the carrier 105.

[0028] 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 the disclosure. Blank 103 may be sized and / or shaped to accommodate more or less than four containers without departing from this disclosure.

[0029] 2, the inner or lower surface of the blank 103 can be positioned atop the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that the container retaining portion 135a of the front attachment panel 131a overlaps the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, and the container retaining portion 135b of the rear attachment panel 131b overlaps the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. Further downward positioning of the attachment panels 131a, 131b over a plurality of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can actuate each container retaining portion 135a, 135b to engage each container. For example, when the front attachment panel 131a is lowered or urged downwardly by 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 notch 141a. In such an arrangement, the upper portion or top portion T of each container CA1, CA2, CA3 can extend at least partially through each opening formed by each notch 141a such that the container retaining tabs 148a can engage, for example, with recesses in a rim or other upper structure of the respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, and the multiple reconfigurable edges of the peripheral portions 136a, 138a can engage, for example, with a rolled rim edge or other top structure of the respective container CA1, CA2, CA3.

[0030] Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of rear mounting panel 131b may occur when rear mounting panel 131b is lowered or urged downwardly onto containers CB1, CB2, CB3. During engagement of each of the container-retaining portions 135a, 135b with a respective container as described above, peripheral portions 136a, 138a of mounting panel 131a may be folded at least partially downwardly at respective fold lines 137a, 139a in such a configuration, and similarly, peripheral portions 136b, 138b of mounting panel 131b may be folded at least partially downwardly at respective fold lines 137b, 139b.

[0031] With further reference to FIG. 3, the front central panel 125a and the rear central panel 125b may be folded at the fold line 112 so that the front central panel 125a and the rear central panel 125b are positioned between the respective adjacent containers in at least partial face-to-face contact in the direction of arrows A1, A2, and so that the respective adhesive openings 127a, 127b are aligned laterally but offset longitudinally by the different relative spacings of the respective rows RF1, RF2 of the front adhesive openings 127a and the respective rows RB1, RB2 of the rear adhesive openings 127b away from the fold line 112, as described above.

[0032] In this regard, the central panels 125a, 125b are positioned such that a portion of the front central panel 125a overlaps each of the adhesive openings 127b and a portion of the rear central panel 125b overlaps each of the adhesive openings 127a to provide communication between the central panels 125a, 125b and respective surfaces to which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 may be adhered or otherwise attached, as described further herein. Such repositioning of the central panels 125a, 125b may involve folding each central panel 125a, 125b downwardly at each fold line 133a, 133b relative to its respective attachment panel 131a, 131b.

[0033] 4 and 5, with each container CA3, CB3 removed for clarity of illustration, adhesive G can be provided to adhere containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to respective portions of central panel 125b exposed through respective adhesive openings 127a, and adhesive G can be provided to adhere containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to respective portions of central panel 125a exposed through respective adhesive openings 127b. The multiple row arrangement of respective adhesive openings 127a, 127b provides multiple attachment points of each container to its respective opposing central panel 125a, 125b such that each container has a robust attachment to its respective central panel 125a, 125b. The attachment of containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to respective central panels 125a, 125b may provide retention and support for the respective containers in addition to or in place of the container retention and support provided by respective container retaining portions 135a, 135b, e.g., to prevent the containers from becoming detached from carrier 105 under their own weight. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 may be attached to respective central panels 125a, 125b with adhesive G without the additional retention and support provided by such container retaining portions.

[0034] The adhesive G described herein can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive, a high tack adhesive, an epoxy, a polymer cement, or the like, or a combination thereof. The adhesive G can have different configurations without departing from the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the adhesive G can be applied to one or more portions of the exterior surface of the blank 103 / carrier 105.

[0035] Such enhanced attachment of each container to its respective central panel 125a, 125b by adhesive G may also provide enhanced integrity to the carrier 105, for example, by providing opposing adhesive forces to the respective central panels 125a, 125b such that the central panels 125a, 125b are compressed therebetween. For example, in one embodiment, when the carrier 105 is lifted, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 may at least partially pull the portions of the rear central panel 125b to which they are attached through their respective adhesive openings 127a toward the front central panel 125a under at least a partial weight of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3. The respective portions of the front central panel 125a may be pulled by the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 toward the rear central panel 125b through their adhesive openings 127b in a similar manner.

[0036] 6 and 7, the front side panel 169a may be folded upward at fold line 171a into an oblique arrangement relative to the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2, CB3, for example, and the top panel 173 may be folded generally in the direction of arrow A3 at fold line 175a into at least partial face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the attachment panels 131a, 131b. Similarly, the rear side panel 169b may be folded upward at fold line 171b into an oblique arrangement relative to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the attachment flap 203 may be folded generally in the direction of arrow A4 at fold line 175b into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel 173 and / or the attachment panel 131b. Such a configuration may be maintained by an adhesive substance, such as a glue.

[0037] Each handle flap 183, 185 may be at least partially separated from the top panel 173 at a respective notch 177, 179, separated from each other at a respective notch 181, and folded or bent downwardly into an interior portion of the carrier 105 / package 110. The handle openings 130a, 130b provide clearance for the handle flaps 183, 185 to extend downwardly in such a configuration. In one embodiment, one or both of the handle flaps 183, 185 may be provided reconfigurably positioned to be contoured or angled relative to one or more of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, for example, such that at least a central portion of each handle flap 183, 185 may be positioned between adjacent containers.

[0038] In one embodiment, the peripheral portion of each handle flap 183, 185 may at least partially encase or surround a consumer's fingers, for example, to minimize or prevent the consumer's fingers from contacting edges or corners of the carrier 105 / package 110 and / or the respective container. Additionally, as discussed above, the diverging nature of the respective longitudinal portions 132a, 132b and respective lateral portions 134a, 134b of each handle opening 130a, 130b allows the consumer to have multiple edges and surfaces for engaging and lifting the carrier 105 such that the consumer can engage the carrier from multiple directions, e.g., laterally or longitudinally, or directions in between.

[0039] Once the handle openings 130a, 130b are engaged at the edges of the respective longitudinal portions 132a, 132b, the respective reinforcing flaps 136a, 136b can be folded at least partially downwardly at respective curved fold lines 138a, 138b, e.g., in a three-ply configuration, to provide additional reinforcing structure between the customer's fingers and the respective mounting panels 131a, 131b.

[0040] With additional reference to Figures 8-10, at least partial reconfiguration of carrier 105 to facilitate removal of one or more of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 is described in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] 7 and 8, one or both of the first and second peripheral portions 199, 201 of the top panel 173 can be folded at least partially upwardly at respective fold lines 193, 195. The upward movement of the first peripheral portion 199 can carry the outer peripheral portion 138a of the front panel 169a and the front mounting panel 131a with it, such that the first peripheral portion 199, the front panel 169a and the outer peripheral portion 138a together can form an articulated access mechanism 205 (broadly the “first access mechanism”) that provides at least partial access to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 in the front portion 106 of the carrier 105. Similarly, the second peripheral portion 201 of the top panel 173, the attachment flap 203 underlapped to the peripheral portion 201, the rear panel 169b, and the outer peripheral portion 138b can together form an articulated access mechanism 207 (broadly defined as a "second access mechanism") that provides at least partial access to containers CB1, CB2, CB3 within the rear portion 108 of the carrier 105.

[0042] For example, the access mechanism 205 can be grasped by a customer, for example, by wrapping fingers around portions of the first peripheral portion 199 of the top panel 173, the front panel 169a, and / or the outer peripheral portion 138a of the mounting panel 131a and lifting upwardly such that these panels / portions at least partially fold and articulate at the aligned fold lines 193, 139a of the respective top panel 173 and mounting panel 131a. In one embodiment, the fold lines 193, 139a can be positioned in an offset relationship.

[0043] Such movement of the access mechanism 205 can cause at least partial release of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 from the mounting panel 131a, for example, by pulling the tops T of the respective containers through openings formed by the respective notches 141a along the respective mounting panels 131a.

[0044] Similarly, the access mechanism 207 can be grasped by a customer by wrapping fingers around portions of the second peripheral portion 201, rear panel 169b, and / or outer peripheral portion 138b of the top panel 173 and lifting upward at the aligned fold lines 195, 139b of the respective top panel 173 and mounting panel 131a, thereby providing access to the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in the rear portion 108 of the carrier 105. Such movement of the access mechanism 207 can cause at least partial release of one or more of the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 from the mounting panel 131b, as described above with respect to containers CA1, CA2, CA3. In one embodiment, the fold lines 195, 139b can be positioned in an offset relationship.

[0045] Thus, the access mechanisms 205, 207 are reconfigurable / positionable between a first configuration / position in which one or both of the peripheral portions 199, 201 of the top panel 173 are generally perpendicular to the central panels 125a, 125b, and a second configuration / position in which one or both of the peripheral portions 199, 201 of the top panel 173 are generally elevated or upright relative to the central panels 125a, 125b, e.g., the peripheral portions 199, 201 are disposed parallel or obliquely relative to the central panels 125a, 125b to provide access to the containers. In the second configuration of the access mechanisms 205, 207, at least the respective peripheral portions 138a, 138b of the respective mounting panels 131a, 131b may also be generally elevated or upright relative to the central panels 125a, 125b.

[0046] In one embodiment, each peripheral portion 138a, 138b of each mounting panel 131a, 131b can be considered to be generally perpendicular to the central panels 125a, 125b when the access mechanisms 205, 207 are in the first configuration / position.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the accessors 205, 207 may be reconfigured / positioned from the second configuration / position, respectively, by reversing the movement of the accessors 205, 207 described above. For example, the accessors 205, 207 may be folded at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 193, 139a and 195, 139b toward a generally perpendicular orientation relative to the central panels 125a, 125b. Such movement of the accessors 205, 207 may at least partially re-engage one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 with the respective mounting panels 131a, 131b, as described above.

[0048] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, where only the second access mechanism 207 is shown in a second configuration / position, each of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be further removed from the carrier 105 by peeling the respective container from the respective central panel 125a, 125b. Peeling or pulling the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the respective central panel 125a, 125b can include pulling the respective container with sufficient force to overcome the adhesive bond between the respective container and the respective central panel 125a, 125b provided by the adhesive G. In one embodiment, for example, the adhesive G can be selected to remain on the respective central panel 125a, 125b such that little or no adhesive G remains on the container when removed.

[0049] In one embodiment, one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be reattached to the respective central panels 125a, 125b by pressing the container onto the respective area of ​​adhesive G.

[0050] It will be understood that a different number of rows or arrangements of adhesive openings can be provided without departing from this disclosure, and the central panels can be sized and configured to accommodate such arrangements. In one embodiment, the central panels 125a, 125b can be devoid of adhesive openings, such that the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 are only adhered to the respective central panels 125a, 125b. In another embodiment, adhesive G can be provided to both the portions of the respective central panels 125a, 125b exposed through the respective adhesive openings 127b, 127a and the portions of the respective central panels 125a, 125b adjacent to the respective adhesive openings 127a, 127b, such that the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered to portions of both central panels 125a, 125b.

[0051] The carrier 105 / package 110 described above has a compact structure that can provide, for example, raw material savings and waste reduction. Additionally, the placement of adhesive G between the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and the central panels 125a, 125b provides multiple attachment points that provide a robust structure for holding and carrying the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3. Additionally, exposing one or more portions of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 to the exterior portion of the carrier 105 / package 110 allows a label or surface graphic associated with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 to be clearly visible to a consumer while providing convenient access for removing one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the carrier 105 / package 110.

[0052] 11, there is shown a blank 203 for forming a carrier 205 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The blank 203 and carrier 205 may have one or more features similar to the blank 103 and carrier 105 of the first embodiment, and like or similar reference numbers refer to like or similar features.

[0053] As shown, mounting panels 131a, 131b of blank 203 include three laterally spaced notches 141a, 141b, respectively, such that carrier 205 is sized and configured to support and hold six containers, three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 at the front 206 of carrier 205 and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 at the rear 208 of carrier 205.

[0054] As also shown, the U-shaped notches 157 interrupt the fold lines 112 to define respective tabs 159 extending away from the centerline CL. When the blank 203 is formed into a carrier, the tabs 159 can separate from the surrounding material of the central panel 125b at each notch 157 to expose a pair of adhesive openings 127b in the first rear row RB1.

[0055] It will be understood that the blanks and carriers described herein can be provided in different configurations without departing from this disclosure.

[0056] Generally, the blank may be constructed of paperboard having a caliper (thickness) such that it is heavier and more rigid than regular paper. The blank may also be constructed of other materials such as corrugated board, 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. The clay coating may then be overprinted with product, advertising, and other information or images. Additionally, the blank may 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, at selected panels or panel portions, to one or more sheet-like materials.

[0057] As described herein, the line of weakness can include one or more tear lines, score lines, etc. As an example, the tear line can include a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of spaced slits that extend partially into the material along the desired line of weakness and / or completely through the material, 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 extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits spaced slightly apart such that nicks (e.g., small, somewhat bridge-like portions of material) are defined between adjacent slits to typically temporarily connect the material across the tear line. The nicks break upon tearing along the tear line. The nicks are typically a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn at the tear line such that the tear line is a continuous score line. That is, it is within the scope of this disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, etc. For example, the score line may be a continuous slit or may be wider than the slit without departing from this disclosure.

[0058] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the fold line need not necessarily be a straight line, but may be any substantially straight form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, and not for purposes of narrowing the scope of this disclosure, fold lines include score lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife or the like, that form a collapsed or recessed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness, incisions that extend partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of cuts that extend partially and / or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, and various combinations of these features. In situations where incisions are made to form fold lines, the incisions are typically not overly enlarged in such a manner that a reasonable user may mistake the fold line for a tear line.

[0059] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by an adhesive during assembly of the carrier embodiment. The term "adhesive" is intended to encompass any type of adhesive substance commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.

[0060] The foregoing description of the present disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc. can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All matters contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the present disclosure shows 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 be changed or modified within the scope of the inventive concepts expressed herein, consistent with the teachings above and within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, the specific features and characteristics of each embodiment can be selectively substituted and applied to other illustrated and unillustrated embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising: a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one mounting panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, the at least one central panel being positioned and attached between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers and including a first row of openings and a second row of openings spaced apart from the first row of openings; and at least one access mechanism positionable to provide access to at least one of the plurality of containers, the at least one access mechanism including a peripheral region of the top panel and a peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel.

2. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the at least one central panel is adhered to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

3. 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one access mechanism is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the peripheral region of the top panel is generally perpendicular to the at least one central panel and a second configuration in which the peripheral region of the top panel and the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel are raised to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers.

4. the access mechanism further comprises a side panel foldably connected to the peripheral region of the top panel and to the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel; and The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the peripheral region of the top panel overlaps the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel.

5. the access mechanism further comprises a side panel foldably connected to the peripheral region of the top panel and to the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel; and 4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the peripheral region of the top panel is a first peripheral region of the top panel, the carrier further includes a second peripheral region of the top panel, the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel, the carrier further includes a rear attachment panel, the at least one side panel is a front side panel, the carrier further includes a rear side panel foldably connected to the rear attachment panel, the top panel includes a central region, the at least one access mechanism is a first access mechanism foldably connected to the central region of the top panel at a first fold line, and the carrier further includes a second access mechanism including the second peripheral region of the top panel and a peripheral region of the rear attachment panel, the second access mechanism foldably connected to the central region of the top panel at a second fold line.

6. 6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein the at least one central panel is a front central panel foldably connected to the front mounting panel, the carrier further including a rear central panel foldably connected to the rear mounting panel and adapted to be in at least partial face-to-face contact with the front central panel.

7. 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the first row of openings is spaced a first distance from a bottom edge of the at least one central panel and the second row of openings is spaced a second distance from the bottom edge of the at least one central panel, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

8. 8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one central panel is a front central panel, the plurality of panels further includes a rear central panel in face-to-face contact with the front central panel, the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel foldably connected to the front central panel, and the plurality of panels further includes a rear attachment panel foldably connected to the rear central panel.

9. 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one central panel and the at least one mounting panel includes at least one handle opening, and the top panel includes at least one handle mechanism, the at least one handle mechanism aligned with the at least one handle opening.

10. 1. A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, said blank comprising: a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one center panel, and at least one mounting panel; and at least one access mechanism including a peripheral region of the top panel and a peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel, the at least one access mechanism being positionable to provide access to at least one container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank; The at least one central panel is positioned and attached between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and includes a first row of openings and a second row of openings spaced apart from the first row of openings.

11. The blank of claim 10 , wherein the at least one central panel is adhered to the plurality of adjacent containers.

12. 11. The blank of claim 10, wherein when the carrier is formed from the blank, the at least one access mechanism is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the peripheral region of the top panel is generally perpendicular to the at least one central panel and a second configuration in which the peripheral region of the top panel and the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel are raised to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers.

13. 13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the access mechanism further comprises a side panel foldably connected to the peripheral region of the top panel and the peripheral region of the at least one attachment panel, the peripheral region of the top panel being a first peripheral region of the top panel, the carrier further comprises a second peripheral region of the top panel, the at least one attachment panel being a front attachment panel, the carrier further comprises a rear attachment panel, the at least one side panel being a front side panel, the carrier further comprises a rear side panel foldably connected to the rear attachment panel, the top panel includes a central region, the at least one access mechanism is a first access mechanism foldably connected to the central region of the top panel at a first fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second access mechanism including the second peripheral region of the top panel and a peripheral region of the rear attachment panel, the second access mechanism foldably connected to the central region of the top panel at a second fold line.

14. 14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the at least one central panel is a front central panel foldably connected to the front attachment panel, and the carrier further includes a rear central panel foldably connected to the rear attachment panel.

15. 11. The blank of claim 10, wherein the first row of openings is spaced a first distance from a bottom edge of the at least one central panel and the second row of openings is spaced a second distance from the bottom edge of the at least one central panel, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

16. 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one central panel is a front central panel, the plurality of panels further includes a rear central panel, and the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel foldably connected to the front central panel, and the plurality of panels further includes a rear attachment panel foldably connected to the rear central panel.

17. 11. The blank of claim 10, wherein at least one of the at least one central panel and the at least one mounting panel includes at least one handle opening, and the top panel includes at least one handle mechanism for being aligned with the at least one handle opening when the carrier is formed from the blank.

18. 1. A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising: obtaining a blank including a plurality of panels including a top panel, at least one central panel, and at least one mounting panel, and at least one access mechanism including a peripheral region of the top panel and a peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel, the at least one central panel including a first row of openings and a second row of openings spaced from the first row of openings; folding the plurality of panels such that the at least one central panel is positioned between adjacent ones of the plurality of containers; and The method includes mounting at least one of the plurality of containers to the at least one central panel, the at least one access mechanism being positionable to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the at least one central panel is adhered to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one access mechanism is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the peripheral region of the top panel is generally perpendicular to the at least one central panel and a second configuration in which the peripheral region of the top panel and the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel are raised to allow access to at least one container of the plurality of containers.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the access mechanism further includes a side panel foldably connected to the peripheral region of the top panel and the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel, and the peripheral region of the top panel overlaps with the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel.

22. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the access mechanism further comprises a side panel foldably connected to the peripheral region of the top panel and the peripheral region of the at least one mounting panel, and the peripheral region of the top panel is a first peripheral region of the top panel, the carrier further comprises a second peripheral region of the top panel, the at least one mounting panel is a front mounting panel, the carrier further comprises a rear mounting panel, the at least one side panel is a front side panel, the carrier further comprises a rear side panel foldably connected to the rear mounting panel, the top panel includes a central region, the at least one access mechanism is a first access mechanism foldably connected to the central region of the top panel at a first fold line, and the carrier further comprises a second access mechanism foldably connected to the central region of the top panel at a second fold line, the carrier further comprises the second peripheral region of the top panel and a peripheral region of the rear mounting panel.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the at least one central panel is a front central panel foldably connected to the front mounting panel, and the carrier further includes a rear central panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the front central panel and foldably connected to the rear mounting panel.

24. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first row of openings is spaced a first distance from a bottom edge of the at least one central panel and the second row of openings is spaced a second distance from the bottom edge of the at least one central panel, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one central panel is a front central panel, the plurality of panels further includes a rear central panel in face-to-face contact with the front central panel, and the at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel foldably connected to the front central panel, and the plurality of panels further includes a rear attachment panel foldably connected to the rear central panel.

26. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the at least one central panel and the at least one mounting panel includes at least one handle opening, and the top panel includes at least one handle mechanism, the at least one handle mechanism being aligned with the at least one handle opening.

27. A package comprising: A package comprising a plurality of containers and the carrier of claim 1 holding the plurality of containers.

28. 30. The package of claim 27, wherein the at least one central panel is adhered to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

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