CARRIER WITH RETAINING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CONTAINER

Abstract

A carrier for holding at least one container includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels includes a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel extending between the front and back panels. The carrier further includes container retention features for stabilizing the at least one container within the carrier. The container retention features include at least one container retention cutout formed in an upper portion of at least one of the front and back panels.

Description

CARRIER WITH RETAINING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CONTAINER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 031,764, filed on May 29, 2020. INCORPORATION AS A REFERENCE The description of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 031,764, filed on May 29, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes, as if set forth herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE DESCRIPTION This description generally relates to carriers for holding items. In particular, this description refers to a carrier that has a central panel or divider with container retention features to stabilize containers placed on the carrier. SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION According to one aspect, the description is generally directed to a carrier for holding at least one container. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the carrier. The plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel extending between the front and back panels. The carrier further comprises container retention features for stabilizing the at least one container within the carrier. The container retention features comprise at least one container retention cut formed in an upper portion of at least one of the front and back panels. According to another aspect, the description generally refers to a rough piece for forming a carrier to hold at least one container. The rough piece comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the carrier formed from the rough piece. The plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel. The rough piece further comprises container-retaining features for stabilizing the at least one container within the carrier formed from the rough piece. The container-retaining features comprise at least one container-retaining cut formed in an upper portion of at least one of the front and back panels. According to another aspect, the description is generally directed to a method for forming a carrier to hold at least one container; the method comprises obtaining a rough piece comprising a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel, and container retention features comprising at least one container retention cutout QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YILI formed in an upper portion of at least one of the front and rear panels. The method further comprises folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the container, so that the handle panel extends between the front and rear panels. Those experienced in the technique will appreciate the advantages outlined above, as well as other benefits of the various additional modalities, by reading the following detailed description of the modalities, with reference to the figures in the drawings listed below. It is within the scope of this description that the aspects discussed above may be provided individually or in various combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate the description. Figure 1 is a plan view of an outer surface of a rough-cut piece to form a carrier, according to an exemplary modality of the description. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a carrier formed from the rough piece of Figure 1, according to an exemplary modality of the description. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carrier in Figure 2, with the container retention features activated. Figure 4 is another perspective view of the carrier in Figure 2, with the container retention features activated. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a package formed from a pair of carriers having the configuration of the carrier in Figure 2, according to an exemplary modality of the description. The corresponding parts can be designated by reference numbers corresponding to the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY MODALITIES This description generally relates to carriers, packaging, constructs, sleeves, cardboard boxes, or similar items for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers may be used to package food and beverage products, for example. The containers may be made of materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and such materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and similar materials; aluminum and / or other metals; or any combination thereof. The carriers described herein can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For illustrative purposes, and not to limit the scope of the description, the following detailed description includes beverage containers (e.g., cardboard and / or polymer cups). QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YILI placed at least partially within the carrier's modalities. In this specification, the terms “lower”, “lower part”, “upper”, “top part”, “front part” and “rear part” indicate the orientations determined in relation to fully armed carriers. As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping portions, panels, and / or end tabs. Such portions, panels, and / or end tabs may be designated relative to one another, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in a sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the description. Figure 1 is a plan view of the outer side 101 of a rough piece, usually indicated as 103, which can be obtained and used to form a cardboard box or carrier 105 (Figure 2), according to an exemplary modality of the description. As described herein, the rough part 103 / carrier 105 may include container retention features to couple and stabilize one or more containers held in the carrier 105, for example, to minimize, inhibit, avoid and / or prevent unwanted tilting of the containers and / or spillage of the beverage contents therein. As shown in Figure 1, the rough part 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The rough part 103 comprises a front panel 121 foldably connected to a first side panel 123 and a second side panel 125, at the respective side fold lines 127, 129. A rear panel 131 is foldably connected to the first side panel 123 at a side fold line 133. The front panel 121, as shown, may include a first portion or lower portion 135 and a second portion or upper portion 137, extending upwards from the lower portion 135. Similarly, the rear panel 131 may include a first portion or lower portion 139, and a second portion or upper portion 141, extending upwards from the lower portion 139. In the illustrated version, the second side panel 125 may define a securing tab 126 that protrudes from it, and which may have a configuration corresponding to a cut or slot 134, which interrupts the side fold line 133, as further described in this document. The rough part 103 may also include a first handle panel 143 foldably connected to the upper portion 137 of the front panel 121 at a side fold line 145, and separated from the lower portion 135 of the front panel 121 by a longitudinal cut 146. As shown, the cut 146 may have a curved portion or other transition region intersecting the fold line 145. A handle reinforcing tab 147 may be defined by at least a partially curved cut 149 and may be foldably connected to the handle panel 143 at a longitudinal fold line 151. Similarly, a second handle panel 153 can be folded to the upper portion 141 of the back panel 131 at a side fold line 155, and can be detachable from the lower portion 139 of the back panel 131, at a longitudinal cut 156, which can have a curved portion or other transition region intersecting the fold line 155. A handle reinforcing tab 157 can be defined by a cut 159 and folded to the handle panel 153 at a longitudinal fold line 161. QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YILI As described herein, handle panels 143,153 and handle reinforcing tabs 147,157, can be handle features to form a handle 109 (Figure 2) of the carrier 105. Referring again to Figure 1, the rough part 103 may include a plurality of end tabs foldably connected to the respective panels of the panel plurality. As shown, a front bottom end tab 163 may be foldably connected to the front panel 123 at a respective portion of a longitudinal fold line 165, a first side bottom end tab 167 may be foldably connected to the first side panel 123 at a respective portion of the fold line 165, a second side bottom end tab 171 may be foldably connected to the second side panel 125 at a respective portion of the fold line 165, and a rear bottom end tab 173 may be foldably connected to the rear panel 131 at a respective portion of the fold line 165. The front lower end tab 163 may include a base portion 175 foldably connected to the front panel 121 at the respective portion of the fold line 165, and a distal portion 177 foldably connected to the base portion 175, at an oblique fold line 179. The base portion 175 of the end tab 163 may define a flange / notch 181 or other recessed portion along the same. Similarly, the rear lower end tab 173 may include a base portion 175 foldably connected to the rear panel 131 at the respective portion of the fold line 165, a distal portion 177 foldably connected to the base portion 175 at an oblique fold line 179, and a flange / notch 181 formed along the base portion 175. With continued reference to Figure 1, a joining tab 183 can be folded to a free edge of the back panel 131 on a respective portion of a side fold line 185, and a joining tab 186 can be folded to a retaining tab of the container 209 on a respective portion of the fold line 185. As described herein, the rough part 103 / carrier 105 may include vessel retention features for coupling / stabilizing one or more vessels held in the carrier 105. As shown, a vessel retention cut 187 may be formed in the upper portion 137 of the front panel 121, and may include a first longitudinal cut section 189 extending from a free edge of the upper portion 137 to an endpoint of a vertical cut section 191, the vertical cut section 191 extending to an endpoint of a second longitudinal cut section 193, which intersects with a curved cut section 195.In this respect, the retaining cuts of the vessel 187 form a flange or notch 196 adjacent to a protruding portion 198 of the upper portion 137 of the front panel 121, when the upper portion 137 of the front panel 121 is at least partially separated from the remainder of the front panel 121, as further described herein. It shall be understood that the retaining cut of the vessel 187 may have a different configuration, without departing from the description. With continued reference to Figure 1, the container retention features of the rough part 103 may include a container retention tab 197 foldably connected to the front panel 121 at an oblique fold line 199. A container retention tab 201 may also be connected QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YΙΛΙ foldable to the first side panel 123 on an oblique fold line 203, which intersects with oblique fold line 199 and side fold line 127. As shown, the container retaining tab 197 can be folded to the container retaining tab 201, on a portion of fold line 127. A retaining tab of the container 205 can also be folded to the second side panel 125 on an oblique fold line 207, and a retaining tab of the container 209 can be folded to the rear panel 131 on an oblique fold line 211. Any of the panels, tabs, fold lines, cuts, and other features may be formed, arranged, and / or otherwise omitted from rough piece 103 without departing from the description. Rough piece 103 may be sized and / or formed differently, for example, to accommodate a different number or arrangement of containers, without departing from this description. Referring to Figure 2, the carrier 105 formed from the rough part 103 is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the description. In one embodiment, the rough part 103 can be positioned with its outer surface 101 facing downwards on a support surface, and with its inner surface facing upwards. The lower end tabs 163, 167, 171, 173, can be folded upwards at the respective portions of the fold line 165, in at least partial face-to-face contact with the respective portions of panels 121, 123, 125, 131. The distal portion 177 of the lower end tab 163 can be folded at the fold line 179, in at least partial face-to-face contact with the base portion 175 of the lower end tab 163. Similarly, the distal portion 177 of the lower end tab 173 can be folded at the fold line 179, in at least partial face-to-face contact with the base portion 175 of the lower end tab 173. Subsequently, the rear panel 131 can be folded along the fold line 133 in at least partial face-to-face contact with the respective portions of the first side panel 123 and the front panel 121, such that the joining tabs 183 and 186 are positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the front panel 121. During such folding, the handle panel 153 can also be brought into partial face-to-face contact with a portion of the handle panel 143, such that the handle reinforcing tabs 147 and 157 are positioned in alignment. Furthermore, the second side panel 125 can be folded along the fold line 129 in at least partial face-to-face contact with the joining tabs 183 and 186. The aforementioned arrangement of panels, tabs, and other features of the rough part 103 can be held in place with an adhesive such as glue. In this respect, a folded / collapsed configuration of the carrier 105 can be provided. Carrier 105 can be further armed by arranging the front panel 121 and the rear panel 131 in a separate parallel relationship, with the first side panel 123 and the second side panel 125 arranged in a separate parallel relationship, and such that panels 121, 123, 125, 131 extend at least partially around an interior 107 of carrier 105. Such movement of panels 121, 123, 125, 131, may cause the panels to overlap. QJ I η / 77Π7 / Β / YILI handle 143, 153, to separate from the respective front panel 121 and rear panel 131, at the respective cuts 146, 156, and fold in relation to the respective upper portions 137, 141 thereof at the respective fold lines 145, 155. In this respect, the overlapping handle panels 143, 153 may extend between the front panel 121 and the rear panel 131, and with the handle reinforcing tabs 147, 157 aligned, for example, vertically, so that a handle 109 of the carrier 105 is provided. Furthermore, the aforementioned movement of panels 121, 123, 125, 131, may cause the lower end tabs 163, 167, 171, 173 to fold down on the respective portions of the fold line 165, to form a closed bottom portion of the carrier 105. The end tabs 163, 167, 171, 173 may be positioned in an at least partially overlapping arrangement, with the distal portion 177 of end tab 163 in at least partial face-to-face contact with end tab 171, the distal portion 177 of end tab 173 in at least partial face-to-face contact with end tab 167, and the notches 181 of the respective end tabs 163, 173, in at least partial edge-to-edge / face-to-face / interfering coupling. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the C containers can be inserted at least partially into the interior 107 of the carrier 105, with the upper portions thereof held in at least partial separation by the handle panels 143, 153 extending from the front panel 121 to the rear panel 131. Although the carrier 105 is illustrated as accommodating two C containers side by side, it is understood that a different number and / or arrangement of containers may be provided. Containers C, as shown, may be beverage containers having a cup or body portion B, and a lid or cap portion T coupled to the body portion B. In one embodiment, the body portion B may be a cardboard construct having a bottom and at least one side wall to define an interior for receiving one or more beverages, and the cap T may be a polymeric element mechanically coupling a rolled edge or top rim of the body portion B. Containers C may be provided to hold hot or warm fluids (e.g., tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cider, etc.), or cold fluids (carbonated beverages, iced beverages, ice cream, sweet drinks, etc.). As shown, inserting the C containers into the carrier 105 interior 107 can cause the retaining tabs of the containers 197, 201, 205, 209 to fold down at the respective fold lines 199, 203, 207, 211, into the carrier 105 interior 107. In one embodiment, one or more of the retaining tabs of the containers 197, 201, 205, 209 can be folded manually or by a part of a machine, for example, after the carrier 105 has been assembled and / or before the C containers have been inserted into the carrier 105. As shown, the retaining tabs of containers 197, 201, 205, and 209 can be positioned to extend away from the respective panels 121, 123, 125, and 131 to engage the body portion B of the respective containers C with the respective rim or surface portions thereof. In this respect, the retaining tabs of containers 197, 201, 205, and 209 can be provided to engage the containers C so that the movement of the containers C within the interior 107 of the carrier 105 is restricted, minimized, inhibited, or prevented, for example, to stabilize the containers C during the movement or transport of the carrier. QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YILI 105, to prevent unwanted tilting of containers C and / or spillage of the beverage contents held in containers C. Furthermore, since the retaining tabs of the container 197, 201, 205, 209 are movable with respect to the respective panels 121, 123, 125, 131, a carrier 105 can be provided with an interior 107 of a predetermined size, and the retaining tabs of the container 197, 201, 205, 209 can be reconfigured at least partially, to move in the presence of different-sized C containers, to accommodate and stabilize a variety of different C containers. In the arrangement mentioned above, adjacent container retaining tabs can be positioned to intersect / butt together / be closely adjacent to each other, for example, with the retaining tab of container 205 adjacent to the retaining tab of container 209, and with the retaining tab of container 197 adjacent to the retaining tab of container 201. According to the discussion above, such adjacent container retaining tabs are also movable relative to each other. Also as shown, the upper portions 137,141 of the respective front panel 121 and rear panel 131 are separable / movable, in relation to the rest of the respective front panel 121 and rear panel 131, to be positioned so that the edges thereof defined by the respective cuts 187 are positioned to fit the T lids of the respective containers C. For example, the upper portions 137, 141 of the respective front panel 121 and rear panel 131 can be flexed, bent, twisted, tilted, etc., so that the notches 196 of the respective upper portions 137, 141 can rest against / engage a raised edge or other protrusion of the respective T-caps, with the protruding portion 198 of the respective upper portions 137, 141 extending into a recessed portion of the respective T-caps.In this respect, the T lids or other portions of the C containers can be lifted over the edges of the respective panels 121,131, defined by the respective cuts 187. The geometry of the respective cuts 187, for example, the intersection of the respective cut sections 189, 191, 193, and 195, can provide edges of varying geometry along the respective cuts 187, in which the respective upper portions 137 and 141 of the respective front panel 121 and rear panel 131 can engage the features of the respective T-caps. In one embodiment, one or both of the respective upper portions 137 and 141 can engage the peripheral edge portion protruding from the respective T-caps. In another embodiment, the upper portions 137 and 141 can be configured to directly engage a portion of the body of a vessel, for example, an edge or upper rim of a vessel, without any cap present. In use, a user or customer can grasp the carrier 105 by the handle 109 to lift and / or carry it. In one embodiment, the user / customer can detach the handle reinforcement tabs 147 and 157 from the respective handle panels 143 and 153 at the respective cuts 149 and 159, and fold the handle reinforcement tabs 147 and 157 along the respective fold lines 151 and 161, for example, to provide a handle opening through which a user / operator can insert one or more fingers to grasp the handle 109. Furthermore, the handle reinforcement tabs 147 and 157 can provide additional layers of material, which can be overlapped with the handle panels 143 and 153 to provide additional strength and tear resistance to the handle 109 during use. QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YΙΛΙ carrier lifting / transport 105. In view of the above, the rough part 103 / carrier 105 may be provided with container retention features, for example, one or more of the cuts 187 / associated features and / or the container retention tabs 197, 201, 205, 209, to couple and stabilize one or more C-shaped containers supported on the carrier 105, for example, to minimize, inhibit and / or prevent unwanted tilting of the containers and / or spillage of the beverage contents therein. Referring further to Figure 5, a plurality of carriers 105 can be provided and joined together to form a packing 213. In one embodiment, the locking tab 126 of a first carrier can be inserted at least partially into the groove 134 of a second carrier 105 to join / couple the carriers 105 and provide the packing 213. In this respect, the locking tab 126 can be provided with a geometry that provides secure coupling to prevent unwanted decoupling of the carriers 105, for example, hooks, tabs, notches, protrusions, etc. The space for the securing tab 126 of the first carrier 105 to enter the slot 134 of the second carrier 105 can be provided by separating the container C from the panels 123,131 on the second carrier 105, due to the coupling of the retaining tabs of the container 201,209 with the container C. In this respect, multiple carriers 105 can be coupled together as a package 213, and in one embodiment, they can be carried together by coupling one or both of the respective handles 109 of the carriers 105 by a user / operator. Although the package 213 is illustrated as including two carriers 105, it is understood that more than two carriers 105 can be coupled together in the manner described above to provide a package configured differently. Any of the features of the various modalities described may be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with features of other modalities described, without departing from the scope of the description. Furthermore, the panels, tabs, and / or other features shown and described in conjunction with the rough parts may be formed, arranged, and / or configured in other ways, without departing from the description. Carriers according to the present description may, for example, be formed from rough pieces of coated cardboard and similar materials. For example, the inside and / or outside sides of the rough pieces may be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed with product information, advertising, and other information or images. The rough pieces may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on them. The rough pieces may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides. According to the embodiments described above, the rough pieces may be constructed from cardboard of a thickness that is heavier and stiffer than ordinary paper.The rough pieces may also be constructed from other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material with suitable properties to allow the cardboard box to function at least generally as described herein. The rough pieces may also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials on selected panels or panel sections. QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YILI According to the modalities described above in this description, a fold line can be any substantially linear, though not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding along it. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of this description, fold lines include: a scored line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, that creates a flattened or pressed portion in the material along the desired weakening line; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired weakening line; and / or a series of cuts that extend partially into and / or completely through the material along the desired weakening line; and various combinations of these features. As an example, a rip line may include: a groove that extends partially into the material along the desired weakening line, and / or a series of separate grooves that extend partially into and / or completely through the material along the desired weakening line, or various combinations of these features. More specifically, one type of rip line consists of a series of separate grooves that extend completely through the material, with adjacent grooves slightly separated, so that a notch (e.g., a small, bridge-like piece of material) is defined between adjacent grooves to temporarily connect the material across the rip line. The notches break during ripping along the rip line.The notches are typically a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively, the notches may be omitted or torn into a tear line, so that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of this description that each of the tear lines be replaced with a continuous groove, or something similar. For example, a cut line may be a continuous groove or could be wider than a groove without departing from this description. The above modalities can be described as having one or more panels, tabs, or features bonded together with glue during the assembly of the carrier modalities. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all forms of adhesives commonly used to secure the carrier panels in place. The foregoing disclosure of the description illustrates and describes several embodiments. Since various changes could be made to the construction without departing from the scope of the description, it is intended that all material contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present description covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the embodiments described above that are within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the description shows and describes only the embodiments selected from the description, but the description is capable of being used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept expressed herein, in accordance with prior teaching, and / or within the scope of relevant experience or knowledge of the art.Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each modality can be selectively exchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated modalities of the description.

Claims

1. A carrier for supporting at least one container, the carrier comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel extending between the front panel and the back panel; and container retention features for stabilizing the at least one container within the carrier, the container retention features comprising at least one container retention cut formed in an upper portion of at least one of the front panel and the back panel.

2. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the at least one of the front panel and the rear panel is movable relative to the remainder of the at least one of the front panel and the rear panel in the at least one retention cut of the container.

3. The carrier according to claim 2, wherein the at least one retaining cut of the container forms a notch adjacent to a portion protruding from the upper portion of the at least one of the front and rear panels, when the upper portion of the at least one of the front and rear panels moves relative to the remainder of the at least one of the front and rear panels in the at least one retaining cut of the container.

4. The carrier according to claim 3, wherein the notch and the protruding portion of the upper portion of at least one of the front panel and the rear panel are configured to engage at least one container in the carrier.

5. The carrier according to claim 4, wherein the at least one container retention cut is a container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the front panel, and the container retention features further comprise a container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the rear panel.

6. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the container retention features further comprise a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the respective panels of the panel plurality, and extending into the interior of the carrier.

7. The carrier according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of container retaining tabs comprises a container retaining tab foldably connected to the front panel, a container retaining tab foldably connected to the rear panel, and a container retaining tab foldably connected to at least one side panel.

8. The carrier according to claim 7, wherein the container retaining tab foldably connected to at least one side panel is positioned to intersect one of the container retaining tabs foldably connected to the front panel and the container retaining tab foldably connected to the rear panel.

9. QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YILI The carrier according to claim 8, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the container retaining tab foldably connected to at least one side panel is a container retaining tab foldably connected to the first side panel, and the plurality of container retaining tabs further comprises a container retaining tab foldably connected to the second side panel.

10. The carrier according to claim 9, wherein the container retaining tab foldably connected to the front panel is foldably connected to the container retaining tab foldably connected to the first side panel.

11. The carrier according to claim 10, wherein the container retaining tabs adjacent to the container retaining tabs are movable relative to each other.

12. The carrier according to claim 3, wherein at least one handle panel is foldably connected to one of the front panel and the rear panel.

13. The carrier according to claim 12, wherein the at least one handle panel is a first handle panel foldably connected to the front panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second handle panel foldably connected to the rear panel, the first handle panel being in at least partial face-to-face contact with the second handle panel.

14. The carrier according to claim 3, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, one of the first side panel and the second side panel comprising a locking tab projecting therefrom, the other of the first side panel and the second side panel adjacent to a slot configured to receive at least partially a locking tab of another carrier.

15. A rough piece for forming a carrier for holding at least one container, the rough piece comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier formed from the rough piece, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel; container retention features for stabilizing the at least one container within the carrier formed from the rough piece, the container retention features comprising at least one container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the at least one of the front and back panels.

16. The rough part according to claim 15, wherein the upper portion of at least one of the front panel and the rear panel is movable relative to the remainder of at least one of the front panel and the rear panel, in the at least one retention cut of the container.

17. The rough part according to claim 16, wherein the at least one retaining cut of the container forms a notch adjacent to a protruding portion of the upper portion of the at least one of the front and rear panels, when the upper portion of the at least one of the front and rear panels moves relative to the remainder of the at least one of the front and rear panels, in the at least one retaining cut of the container. QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YΙΛΙ 18. The rough part according to claim 17, wherein the notch and the protruding portion of the upper portion of at least one of the front panel and the rear panel are configured to engage at least one container in the carrier formed by the rough part.

19. The rough part according to claim 18, wherein the at least one container retention cut is a container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the front panel, and the container retention features further comprise a container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the rear panel.

20. The rough piece according to claim 15, wherein the container retention features further comprise a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the respective panels of the panel plurality, to extend into the interior of the formed carrier of the rough piece.

21. The rough part according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of container retaining tabs comprises a container retaining tab foldably connected to the front panel, a container retaining tab foldably connected to the rear panel, and a container retaining tab foldably connected to at least one side panel.

22. The rough part according to claim 21, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the container retaining tab foldably connected to the at least one side panel is a container retaining tab foldably connected to the first side panel, and the plurality of container retaining tabs further comprises a container retaining tab foldably connected to the second side panel.

23. The rough part according to claim 22, wherein the container retaining tab foldably connected to the front panel is foldably connected to the container retaining tab foldably connected to the first side panel.

24. The rough part according to claim 23, wherein the container retaining tabs adjacent to the container retaining tabs are movable relative to each other.

25. The rough piece according to claim 17, wherein at least one handle panel is foldably connected to one of the front panel and the rear panel.

26. The rough piece according to claim 25, wherein the at least one handle panel is a first handle panel foldably connected to the front panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second handle panel foldably connected to the rear panel, the first handle panel being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the second handle panel when the carrier is formed from the rough piece.

27. The rough part according to claim 17, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, one of the first side panel and the second side panel comprising a securing tab projecting therefrom, the other of the first side panel and the second side panel adjacent to a groove, is configured to receive at least partially a securing tab from another carrier.

28. A method for forming a carrier for holding at least one container, the method comprising: obtaining a rough piece comprising a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, at least one side panel, and at least one handle panel, and container retention features comprising at least one container retention cut formed in an upper portion of at least one of the front panel and the back panel; and folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the container, such that the handle panel extends between the front panel and the back panel.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising moving the upper portion of at least one of the front panel and the rear panel relative to the remainder of at least one of the front panel and the rear panel in the at least one retention cut of the container.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the at least one retaining cut of the container forms a notch adjacent to a portion protruding from the upper portion of the at least one of the front and rear panels, when the upper portion of the at least one of the front and rear panels moves relative to the remainder of the at least one of the front and rear panels in the at least one retaining cut of the container.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising attaching at least one container to the carrier with the notch and the protruding portion of the upper portion of the at least one of the front panel and the rear panel.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the at least one container retention cut is a container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the front panel, and the container retention features further comprise a container retention cut formed in an upper portion of the rear panel.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the container retention features further comprise a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the respective panels of the plurality of panels, and the method further comprises folding the plurality of container retention tabs so that the plurality of container retention tabs extend into the carrier.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the plurality of container retaining tabs comprises a container retaining tab foldably connected to the front panel, a container retaining tab foldably connected to the rear panel, and a container retaining tab foldably connected to at least one side panel.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the container retaining tab foldably connected to at least one side panel is positioned to intersect one of the container retaining tabs foldably connected to the front panel and the container retaining tab QJ I Π / 77Π7 / Β / YΥΙΛΙ foldably connected to the rear panel.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, the container retaining tab foldably connected to the at least one side panel is a container retaining tab foldably connected to the first side panel, and the plurality of container retaining tabs further comprises a container retaining tab foldably connected to the second side panel.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the container retaining tab foldably connected to the front panel is foldably connected to the container retaining tab foldably connected to the first side panel.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the container retaining tabs adjacent to the container retaining tabs are movable relative to each other.

39. The method according to claim 30, wherein at least one handle panel is foldably connected to one of the front panel and the rear panel.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the at least one handle panel is a first handle panel foldably connected to the front panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a second handle panel foldably connected to the rear panel, the method further comprises positioning the first handle panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with the second handle panel.

41. The method according to claim 30, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, one of the first side panel and the second side panel comprising a locking tab projecting therefrom, the other of the first side panel and the second side panel adjacent to a slot, is configured to receive at least partially a locking tab from another carrier.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising receiving the locking tab from another carrier in the groove.

Images