Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles and a blank (10) for forming the same. The carton blank comprises a plurality of panels including a first primary panel (12) which comprises at least two partition panels (40, 44) formed at least in part therefrom. The at least two partition panels comprise a first partition panel (40) and a second partition panel (44), the second partition panel being separate from the first partition panel. The first partition panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a first line (41) and the second partition panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a second fold line (45) such that each of the first partition panel and the second partition panel is independently foldable with respect to the first primary panel. The first and second partition panels extend in opposite directions from their respective fold lines to respective glue tabs (42, 46).

Description

[0001] 25008-US

[0002] ARTICLE CARRIER AND BLANK THEREFOR

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to carriers and to blanks for forming the same. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a carrier having a partition structure feature defining cells or compartments within an interior of a carrier of the basket-style.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In the field of packaging, it is known to provide article carriers or cartons for carrying multiple articles. Cartons are well known in the art and are useful for enabling consumers to transport, store and access a group of articles for consumption. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Further considerations are the strength of the carton and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. It is desirable that the contents of the carton are secure within the carton.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide to a basket carrier having a medial panel for dividing the carrier longitudinally into two chambers and partition panels dividing each of the chambers transversely of the carrier. It is a further object of the present disclosure to minimize the sheet material required to form the basket carrier.

[0008] It is desirable that the blank from which the carrier is formed can be readily assembled into a carrier in a simple and efficient manner.

[0009] The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of cartons, typically formed from paperboard or the like.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] An aspect of the disclosure provides a carton blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels including a first primary panel comprising at least two partition panels formed at least in part therefrom. The at least two partition panels comprise a first partition panel and a second partition panel, the second partition panel being separate from the first partition panel. The first partition panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a first line and the second partition panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a second fold line such that each of the first partition panel and the second partition panel is independently foldable with respect to the first primary panel. The first and second partition panels extend in opposite directions from their respective fold lines to respective glue tabs. 25008-US

[0012] Optionally, the first fold line and the second fold line are longitudinally aligned and continuous with each other.

[0013] Optionally, the first fold line and the second fold line are spaced apart from each other with a portion of the first primary panel disposed therebetween.

[0014] Optionally, the first fold line and the second fold line are longitudinally aligned with each other.

[0015] Optionally, the first and second partition panels are disposed parallel with each other and a portion of the first primary panel is disposed therebetween.

[0016] Optionally, the glue tab of the first partition panel is formed from the first primary panel and the glue tab of the second partition panel is formed from a second primary panel of the plurality of panels.

[0017] Optionally, the second primary panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a fold line.

[0018] Optionally, the first fold line and the second fold line define proximal ends of the first partition panel and second partition panel respectively.

[0019] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a carton for packaging a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, and a medial partition panel. The medial partition panel comprises at least two partition panels formed at least in part therefrom. The at least two partition panels comprise a front partition panel and a back partition panel, separate from front partition panel. Each of the front partition panel and the back partition panel is hingedly connected to the medial partition panel by front and back fold lines respectively. The front partition panel extends from the medial partition panel to a hinged front glue tab that is bonded to the front panel. The back partition panel extends from the medial partition panel to a hinged back glue tab that is bonded to the back panel.

[0020] Optionally, the first fold line and the second fold line are longitudinally aligned and continuous with each other.

[0021] Optionally, the first fold line and the second fold line are spaced apart from each other and a portion of the medial partition panel is disposed therebetween.

[0022] Optionally, the plurality of panels further includes a first end panel which hingedly interconnects the medial partition panel with the front panel, the front glue tab is formed from the medial partition panel and wherein the back glue is formed from one of the first end panel and the medial partition panel.

[0023] Optionally, proximal ends of the front and back partition panels are defined respectively by the front fold line and back fold line. 25008-US

[0024] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings and discussed below.

[0025] Within the scope of this application, it is envisaged or intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings may be considered or taken independently or in any combination thereof.

[0026] Features or elements described in connection with, or relation to, one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is an incompatibility of features. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into, or combined with, any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, said features or elements extracted from said one embodiment may be included in addition to, or in replacement of one or more features or elements of said other embodiment.

[0027] A feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment disclosed herein may be extracted in isolation from other features of that embodiment. Alternatively, a feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment may be omitted from that embodiment.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carrier according to a first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the blank of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate stages of construction of the blank of Figure 1 into a carrier;

[0033] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate further stages of construction of the blank of Figure 1 into a carrier;

[0034] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a carrier formed from the blank of Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 5B is an alternative perspective view from above of a carrier formed from the blank of Figure 1 ;

[0036] Figure 6 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carrier according to a second embodiment;

[0037] Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of the blank of Figure 6; and

[0038] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a carrier formed from the blank of Figure 6. 25008-US

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a carton or carrier 90, as shown in Figures 5 and 5B, for containing and carrying a group of primary products such as, but not limited to, bottles, hereinafter referred to as articles. The blank 10 forms a secondary package of the basket-carrier style for packaging at least one primary product container or package. An alternative blank 110 is illustrated in Figure 6 for forming an alternative carrier 190 shown in Figure 8.

[0042] In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container 90; 190 for engaging and carrying articles, such as primary product containers. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which may or may not be tapered and / or cylindrical. Other exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminum cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.

[0043] The blanks 10; 1 10 are formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.

[0044] The packaging structures or cartons 90; 190 described herein may be formed from a sheet material such as paperboard, which may be made of or coated with materials to increase its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear-resistant NATRALOCK® paperboard made 25008-US by WestRock Company. It should be noted that the tear resistant materials may be provided by more than one layer, to help improve the tear-resistance of the package. Typically, one surface of the sheet material may have different characteristics to the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material that faces outwardly from a finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating such as a clay coating or other surface treatment to provide good printability. The surface of the sheet material that faces inwardly may, on the other hand, be provided with a coating, a layer, a treatment or be otherwise prepared to provide properties such as one or more of tear-resistance, good glue-ability, heat sealability, or other desired functional properties.

[0045] In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the blanks 10; 110 are configured to form a carton or carrier 90 for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles. In the illustrated embodiments, the arrangement is an m x n matrix or array, having two rows (m=2) and three columns (n=3); in the illustrated embodiment, two rows of three articles are provided. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the articles are 330ml bottles whereas in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the articles are 200ml bottles. The bottles may be formed from a suitable material such as, but not limited to, glass, Aluminum or PET (polyester - polyethylene terephthalate).

[0046] The blanks 10; 110 can be configured to form a carrier for packaging other types, number and size of articles and / or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration for example, but not limited to, fully enclosed cartons or wrap-around carriers, the articles may be cups, pouches, pots or cans.

[0047] Turning to Figure 1 , there is illustrated a blank 10 for forming a carton 90 (see Figures 5 and 5B) according to a first embodiment. The blank 10 comprises a plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 arranged in a linear series hinged one to the next by fold lines 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 respectively.

[0048] The blank 10 comprises a plurality of outer panels 16, 18, 20, 22 for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of outer panels 16, 18, 20, 22 comprises a first side panel 16. A first end panel 18 is hingedly connected to the first end panel 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 17. A second side panel 20 is hingedly connected to the first end panel 18 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 19. A second end panel 22 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 20 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 21 .

[0049] The blank 10 comprises a first base panel 32 hinged to the first side panel 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 31. The blank 10 comprises a second base panel 34 hinged to the second side panel 20 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 33. The first and 25008-US second base panels 32, 34 are also referred to herein as end closure flaps since they close an end of the tubular structure formed by the plurality of outer panels 16, 18, 20, 22.

[0050] The first and second base panels 32, 34 are engageable with one another in an overlapping relationship to form a composite base wall 32 / 34 of the carrier 90. The blank 10 may comprise a complementary locking mechanism M / F for securing the second base panel 34 to the first base panel 32. The first base panel 32 may comprise at least one first part F of the complementary locking mechanism M / F. The second base panel 34 may comprise at least one second part M of the complementary locking mechanism M / F. In the illustrated embodiment, the first base panel 32 comprises a plurality of female tabs F defining openings in the first base panel 32. The second base panel 34 comprises a plurality of male tabs M; and the openings in the first base panel 32 are configured to receive a respective one of the male tabs M. Each of the female tabs F is arranged to be displaced out of the first base panel 32 to form an opening and to bear against a male tab M when received therein. In some embodiments, the complementary locking mechanism M / F may be omitted; and the first and second base panels 32, 34 may be secured to each other by other means such as but not limited to adhesive or staples.

[0051] The complementary locking mechanism M / F illustrated and described is entirely optional.

[0052] The blank 10 may comprise an assembly device. The assembly device facilitates tightening of the blank 10 about the group of articles B. The assembly device may comprise an alignment feature. The assembly device takes the form of at least one opening in the first base panel 32 and at least one opening in the second base panel 34. The opening (also referred to herein as a machine pull opening) may be defined by an aperture A2, the aperture A2 may comprise a portion which is substantially triangular in shape.

[0053] The blank 10 comprises a divider for dividing the tubular structure into two chambers. The divider comprises a divider panel 12 (also referred to as an intermediate or medial panel). The divider panel 12 is coupled to the first side panel 16 by an inner end panel 14. The divider panel 12 is hingedly connected, along a first side thereof, to the inner end panel 14 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 13. The inner end panel 14 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 15. The inner end panel 14 is configured to space apart the divider panel 12 from the first side panel 16.

[0054] A securing flap 8 is hingedly connected to a second side of the divider panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 9. The second side opposes the first side.

[0055] An upper portion of the divider panel 12 forms a first handle panel 12b and comprises a handle opening. The handle opening is defined at least in part by a handle aperture A1 .

[0056] The first handle panel 12b forms part of a carrying handle for transportation of the carrier 90. 25008-US

[0057] The carrying handle comprises a second handle panel 24. The second handle panel 24 is hingedly connected to the first handle panel 12b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 23. Fold line 23 is collinear with fold line 13 hinging the divider panel 12 to the inner end panel 14. The second handle panel 24 is disposed alongside the inner end panel 14 and a portion of the first side panel 16 and is separated therefrom by a cut line C1.

[0058] The second handle panel 24 comprises a first handle structure H1 having a handle opening. The handle opening is defined at least in part by a handle aperture A3 (see Figure 2). The handle opening may be defined in part by a first handle flap 60, the first handle flap 60 is struck from, or defined in, the second handle panel 24 and is hingedly connected thereto by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 61 . The handle opening may be defined in part by second and third handle flaps 62, the second and third handle flaps 62 are struck from, or defined in, the second handle panel 24 and are hingedly connected thereto by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 63. The fold lines 63 are divergently arranged with respect to the fold line 61 .

[0059] The second handle panel 24 is coupled to the first end panel 18 by a connecting panel 26 (also referred to herein as a second inner end panel). The second handle panel 24 is hingedly connected to the connecting panel 26 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 25. The connecting panel 26 is hingedly connected to the first end panel 18 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 17a. Fold line 17a is collinear with fold line 17 hinging the first end panel 18 to the first side panel 16.

[0060] The carrying handle comprises a third handle panel 28. The third handle panel 24 is hingedly connected to the first end panel 18 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 27. The third handle panel 28 is disposed alongside the first end panel 18 and a portion of the second side panel 20 and is separated therefrom by a cut line C2.

[0061] The third handle panel 28 comprises a second handle structure H2 having a handle opening. The second handle structure H2 is substantially the same in construction as the first handle structure H1 and will not be described in further detail.

[0062] The third handle panel 28 is coupled to the second end panel 22 by a second connecting panel 30 (also referred to herein as a third inner end panel). The third handle panel 28 is hingedly connected to the second connecting panel 30 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 29. The second connecting panel 30 is hingedly connected to the second end panel 22 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 21 a. Fold line 21 a is collinear with fold line 21 hinging the second end panel 22 to the second side panel 20. 25008-US

[0063] Figure 2 shows the divider panel 12, the divider panel 12 comprises a partition structure P for dividing chambers on each side of the divider panel 12 into cells. Each chamber comprises at least two cells; in the illustrated embodiment, the chambers are each divided into three cells.

[0064] The partition structure P is provided in a lower portion 12a of the divider panel 12 and comprises a partition panel 40 struck from the divider panel 12. The partition panel 40 is hingedly connected, at a first end thereof, to the divider panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 41 . The partition structure P comprises a partition panel 44 struck from the divider panel 12. The partition panel 44 is hingedly connected, at a first end thereof, to the divider panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 45. The fold line 45 is collinear with fold line 41 and may be continuous or contiguous therewith. The partition panel 44 extends towards the inner panel 14, towards a first end of the divider panel 12 whereas the partition panel 40 extends towards the securing flap 8, towards a second opposing end of the divider panel 12.

[0065] A first securing panel 42 is hingedly connected to a second end of the partition panel 40, the second end opposes the first end that is hingedly connected to the divider panel 12. The partition panel 40 is hingedly connected to the first securing panel 42 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 43.

[0066] A second securing panel 46 is hingedly connected to a second end of the partition panel 44, the second end opposes the first end that is hingedly connected to the divider panel 12. The partition panel 44 is hingedly connected to the second securing panel 46 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 47.

[0067] The second securing panel 46 is struck from, or defined in, the inner end panel 14. The fold line 47 may be collinear with the fold line 13 hinging the inner end panel 14 to the divider panel 12.

[0068] A cutaway C4, in the form of an aperture, separates the second securing panel 46 from the inner end panel 14. The aperture is substantially “C” shaped and may extend into the divider panel 12. The cutaway C4 may separate an end portion of the partition panel 44 proximate the fold line 47 from the divider panel 12.

[0069] The partition structure P comprises a partition panel 52 struck from the divider panel 12. The partition panel 52 is hingedly connected, at a first end thereof, to the divider panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 53.

[0070] The partition panel 52 is disposed below the partition panel 40 and may be spaced apart therefrom. The fold line 53 may be collinear with the fold line 43. The partition panel 52 extends towards the inner panel 14, towards a first end of the divider panel 12, that is to say in the same direction as the partition panel 44. 25008-US

[0071] The partition structure P comprises a partition panel 48 struck from the divider panel 12. The partition panel 48 is hingedly connected, at a first end thereof, to the divider panel 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 49. The fold line 49 is collinear with fold line 53 and may be separated or spaced apart therefrom. The partition panel 48 extends towards the securing flap 8, towards a second opposing end of the divider panel 12, that is to say in the same direction as the partition panel 40.

[0072] A third securing panel 54 is hingedly connected to a second end of the partition panel 52, the second end opposes the first end that is hingedly connected to the divider panel 12. The partition panel 52 is hingedly connected to the third securing panel 54 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 55. The fold line 55 may be collinear with one of the fold line 41 and the fold line 45 or with both of the fold line 41 and the fold line 45.

[0073] A fourth securing panel 50 is hingedly connected to a second end of the partition panel 48, the second end opposes the first end that is hingedly connected to the divider panel 12. The partition panel 48 is hingedly connected to the fourth securing panel 50 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 51 . The fold line 51 may be collinear with the fold line 9 hinging the securing flap 8 to the divider panel 12.

[0074] The second securing panel 46 is struck from, or defined in, the inner end panel 14. The fold line 47 may be collinear with the fold line 13 hinging the inner end panel 14 to the divider panel 12.

[0075] Turning to the construction of the carton 90 as illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, the carton 90 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight-line machine so that the carton 90 is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

[0076] Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the second handle panel 24 and connecting panel 26. Alternatively, glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to corresponding regions of the first handle panel 12a and securing flap 8.

[0077] Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the first securing panel 42 and to the fourth securing panel 50, as shown in Figure 3A. Alternatively, glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to corresponding regions of the first side panel 16.

[0078] The divider panel 12 and the securing flap 8 are folded, with respect to the inner end panel 14 about fold line 13, as shown in Figure 3B. The divider panel 12 is brought into face contacting relationship with the first side panel 16 and the inner end panel 14. The securing flap 8 is brought into face contacting relationship with the first side panel 16 and the connecting panel 26. 25008-US

[0079] The second handle panel 24 is secured to the divider panel 12, specifically to the first handle panel 12a. The securing flap 8 is secured to the connecting panel 26. The first and fourth securing panels panel 8 are secured to the first side panel 16.

[0080] Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the first handle panel 12a or alternatively to the third handle panel 28. Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the securing flap 8 or alternatively to a corresponding region of the first end panel 18. Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the second securing panel 46 and to the third securing panel 54 or alternatively to corresponding regions of the second side panel 20.

[0081] The first side panel 16 and connecting panel 26, along with the divider panel 12, inner end panel 14 and securing flap 8 and first base panel 32, are folded about fold lines 17, 17a respectively, as shown in Figure 4A.

[0082] The securing flap 8 is brought into face contacting relationship with the first end panel 18 and is secured thereto. The first handle panel 12 is brought into face contacting relationship with the third handle panel 28 and is secured thereto. The second and third securing panels 46, 54 are brought into face contacting relationship with the second side panel 20 and are secured thereto.

[0083] Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the inner end panel 14 or alternatively or a corresponding region of the second end panel 22. Glue G or other adhesive treatment is applied to the second connecting panel 30 or alternatively or corresponding regions of the second end panel 22.

[0084] The second end panel 22 is folded with respect to the second side panel 20 and the second connecting panel 30 about fold lines 21 , 21 a respectively as shown in Figure 4B to form a flat collapsed carrier.

[0085] The second end panel 22 is brought into face contacting relationship with the inner end panel 14 and with the second connecting panel 30.

[0086] The second end panel 22 is secured to the inner end panel 14 and to the second connecting panel 30.

[0087] A flat collapsed carrier is shown in Figure 4B, the flat collapsed carrier can be readily shipped or distributed in the flat condition to a plant for erecting and loading with primary product containers.

[0088] The flat collapsed carrier can be opened into a basket-style article carrier 90, as shown in Figures 5 and 5B, by separating the first and second side panels 16, 20 to form a tubular structure defined by the outer panels 16, 18, 20, 22. The outer panels 16, 18, 20, 22 define an interior divided into two chambers, one chamber on each side of the divider panel 12. The partition 25008-US structure P is automatically erected when the flat collapsed carrier is opened out or erected into the tubular form and divides each chamber into a plurality of cells.

[0089] Once the flat collapsed carrier is erected into a tubular structure the first base panel 32 is folded with respect to the first side panel 16, about fold line 31 , to partially close an end of the tubular structure. The second base panel 34 is then folded with respect to the second side panel 20, about fold line 33, to close the end of the tubular structure. The first base panel 32 and second base panel 34 form a composite base panel 32 / 34 upon which articles (not shown) can be loaded.

[0090] The carrier 90 may be loaded with a group of articles; in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 5B, six articles (not shown) are arranged in a 3 x 2 array.

[0091] The group of articles may be loaded through an upper end of the tubular structure formed by the outer panels 16, 18, 20, 22.

[0092] Referring now to Figures 6 to 8, there is shown an additional embodiment of the present disclosure. In the second illustrated embodiment like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “100” to indicate that these features belong to the second embodiment respectively. The additional embodiment shares many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5B will be described in detail.

[0093] Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment and shows a blank 1 10 having a plurality of panels 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 arranged in a linear series hinged one to the next by fold lines 1 13, 115, 117, 119, 121 respectively.

[0094] The blank 110 comprises a plurality of outer panels 1 16, 118, 120, 122 for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of outer panels 1 16, 118, 120, 122 comprises a first side panel 116. A first end panel 118 is hingedly connected to the first end panel 116 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 1 17. A second side panel 120 is hingedly connected to the first end panel 118 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 119. A second end panel 122 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 120 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 121.

[0095] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 to 8, the partition panel 144 is spaced apart from the partition panel 140. A hinged connection, in the form of a fold line 145, hinging the partition panel 144 to divider panel 1 12 is spaced apart from a hinged connection, in the form of a fold line 141 , hinging the partition panel 140 to the divider panel 112. The fold line 145 may be collinear with the fold line 141. The fold line 145 may be arranged to be disposed at a higher elevation, with respect to composite base panel 132 / 134, than the fold line 141 in a set-up carrier 190.

[0096] A second securing panel 146 is hingedly connected to a second end of the partition panel 144, the second end opposes the first end that is hingedly connected to the divider panel 112. The 25008-US partition panel 144 is hingedly connected to the second securing panel 146 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 147.

[0097] The second securing panel 146 is struck from, or defined in, the inner end panel 1 14. The fold line 147 may be offset with respect to the fold line 1 13 hinging the inner end panel 114 to the divider panel 112. A portion of the partition panel 144 proximate the fold line 147 may be struck from, or defined in, the inner end panel 1 14.

[0098] A cutaway C4, in the form of an aperture, separates the second securing panel 146 and the portion of the partition panel 144 struck from the inner end panel 114 from the inner end panel 114. The aperture is substantially “C” shaped and is defined within the inner end panel 114, whereas in the embodiment of Figure 1 , the aperture extends into the divider panel 12.

[0099] The present disclosure provides a carton blank 10; 110 comprising a plurality of panels including a first primary panel 12; 112 which comprises at least two partition panels formed at least in part therefrom. The at least two partition panels comprise a first partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 and a second partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152, the second partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152 being separate from the first partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148. The first partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 is hingedly connected to the first primary panel 12; 112 along a first line 41 , 49; 141 , 149 and the second partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152 is hingedly connected to the first primary panel 12; 112 along a second fold line 45, 53; 145, 153 such that each of the first partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 and the second partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152 is independently foldable with respect to the first primary panel 12; 1 12. The first and second partition panels 40, 48, 44, 52; 140, 148,

[0100] 144, 152 extend in opposite directions from their respective fold lines 41 , 49, 45, 53; 141 , 149,

[0101] 145, 153 to respective glue tabs 42, 50, 46, 54; 142, 150, 146, 154.

[0102] The first fold line 41 and the second fold line 45 may be longitudinally aligned and continuous with each other.

[0103] The first fold line 141 and the second fold line 145 may be longitudinally aligned and spaced apart from each other.

[0104] The first fold line 41 , 49; 141 , 149 may be spaced apart from the second fold line 53; 153 with a portion of the first primary panel 12; 112 disposed therebetween.

[0105] The first and second partition panels 40, 52; 140, 152 may be disposed parallel with each other with a portion of the first primary panel 12; 112 disposed therebetween.

[0106] The glue tab 42; 142 of the first partition panel 40; 140 may be formed from the first primary panel 12; 112 and the glue tab 46; 146 of the second partition panel 44; 144 may be formed from 25008-US a second primary panel 14; 114 of the plurality of panels. The second primary panel 14; 1 14 is hingedly connected to the first primary panel 12; 1 12 along a fold line 13; 113.

[0107] The first fold line 41 , 49; 141 , 149 and the second fold line 45, 53; 145, 153 may define proximal ends of the first partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 and second partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152 respectively.

[0108] The present disclosure provides a carton 90; 190 comprising a plurality of panels including a front panel 16; 116, a back panel 20; 120, and a medial partition panel 12; 112 which comprises at least two partition panels formed at least in part from the medial partition panel 12; 1 12. The at least two partition panels comprise a front partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 and a back partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152, separate from front partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148. Each of the front partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 and the back partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152 is hingedly connected to the medial partition panel 12; 1 12 by front and back fold lines 41 , 49, 45, 53; 141 , 149, 145, 153, respectively. The front partition panel 40, 48; 140, 148 extends from the medial partition panel 12; 112 to a hinged front glue tab 42, 50; 142, 150 that is bonded to the front panel 16; 116. The back partition panel 44, 52; 144, 152 extends from the medial partition panel 12; 112 to a hinged back glue tab 46, 54; 146, 154 that is bonded to the back panel 20; 120.

[0109] The first fold line 41 and the second fold line 45 may be longitudinally aligned and continuous with each other.

[0110] The first fold line 141 , 49, 149 and the second fold line 145 may be longitudinally aligned and spaced apart from each other.

[0111] The first fold line 41 , 49; 141 , 149 may be spaced apart from the second fold line 53; 153 with a portion of the medial partition panel 12; 112 disposed therebetween.

[0112] The plurality of panels further includes a first end panel 14; 114 which hingedly interconnects the medial partition panel 12; 112 with the front panel 16; 1 16. The front glue tab 42; 142 may be formed from the medial partition panel 12; 112 and wherein the back glue tab 46, 54; 146, 154 may be formed from the first end panel 14; 114 or from the medial partition panel 12; 112. The front glue tab 50; 150 may be formed from the securing flap 8; 108.

[0113] Proximal ends of the front and back partition panels 40, 48, 44, 52; 140, 148, 144, 152 may be defined respectively by the front fold line 41 , 49; 141 , 149 and back fold line 45, 53; 145, 153.

[0114] It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The present invention is not limited to cartons of the basket carrier style, the invention may be employed with other carton styles such as, but not limited to, open top crates, lidded or closed top crates and fully enclosed cartons. 25008-US

[0115] In one embodiment the medial panels may be omitted, the partition structure may be formed from a first one of a pair of opposing wall panels or may be omitted.

[0116] It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", “base”, "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

[0117] As used herein, the terms “hinged connection” and “fold line” refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. Any reference to “hinged connection” should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed, a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight / linear or curved / curvilinear in shape. When linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed parallel with each other or be slightly angled with respect to each other. When curvilinear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a halfmoon shaped panel therebetween.

[0118] As used herein, the term “fold line” may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cutline, a line of aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options.

[0119] It should be understood that hinged connections and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cutline, an interrupted cutline, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line or a severance line or both. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort. 25008-US

[0120] The phrase "in registry with” and “in vertical registry with” as used herein refers to the alignment of two or more elements in an erected carton, such as an aperture formed in a first of two overlapping panels and a second aperture formed in a second of two overlapping panels. Those elements in registry with each other may be aligned with each other in the direction of the thickness of the overlapping panels. For example, when an aperture in a first panel is “in registry with” a second aperture in a second panel that is placed in an overlapping arrangement with the first panel, an edge of the aperture may extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture and may be aligned, in the direction of the thickness of the first and second panels, with the second aperture.

Claims

25008-USCLAIMS1 . A carton blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels including a first primary panel comprising at least two partition panels formed at least in part therefrom, the at least two partition panels comprising a first partition panel and a second partition panel, the second partition panel being separate from the first partition panel, the first partition panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a first line and the second partition panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a second fold line such that each of the first partition panel and the second partition panel is independently foldable with respect to the first primary panel, wherein the first and second partition panels extend in opposite directions from their respective fold lines to respective glue tabs.

2. A carton blank according to claim 1 , wherein the first fold line and the second fold line are longitudinally aligned and continuous with each other.

3. A carton blank according to claim 1 , wherein the first fold line and the second fold line are spaced apart from each other with a portion of the first primary panel disposed therebetween.

4. A carton blank according to claim 3, wherein the first fold line and the second fold line are longitudinally aligned with each other.

5. A carton blank according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second partition panels are disposed parallel with each other and wherein a portion of the first primary panel is disposed therebetween.

6. A carton blank according to claim 1 , wherein the glue tab of the first partition panel is formed from the first primary panel and the glue tab of the second partition panel is formed from a second primary panel of the plurality of panels.

7. A carton blank according to claim 6, wherein the second primary panel is hingedly connected to the first primary panel along a fold line.

8. A carton blank according to claim 1 , wherein the first fold line and the second fold line define proximal ends of the first partition panel and second partition panel respectively.

9. A carton for packaging a plurality of articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, and a medial partition panel, the medial partition panel comprising at least two partition panels formed at least in part therefrom, the at least two partition panels comprising a front partition panel and a back partition panel, separate from front partition panel, wherein each of the front partition panel and the back partition panel is hingedly connected to the medial partition panel by front and back fold lines respectively, the front partition panel extends from the medial partition panel to a hinged front glue tab that is bonded to the front panel, the25008-US back partition panel extends from the medial partition panel to a hinged back glue tab that is bonded to the back panel.

10. A carton according to claim 9, wherein the first fold line and the second fold line are longitudinally aligned and continuous with each other.

11. A carton according to claim 9, wherein the first fold line and the second fold line are spaced apart from each other and wherein a portion of the medial partition panel is disposed therebetween.

12. A carton according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of panels further includes a first end panel which hingedly interconnects the medial partition panel with the front panel, the front glue tab is formed from the medial partition panel and wherein the back glue is formed from one of the first end panel and the medial partition panel.

13. A carton according to claim 9, wherein proximal ends of the front and back partition panels are defined respectively by the front fold line and back fold line.

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