Package for Containers

Abstract

A package is formed from a carton and containers extending through a bottom panel of the carton. First and second struts and brace apertures in the carton sidewalls provide support for the containers accommodated within the carton.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a carton, comprising:
 a top panel; 
 a bottom panel; 
 a first side panel; 
 a second side panel; 
 a plurality of first struts extending from the bottom panel along a first row, each first strut comprising an upper first strut section, a lower first strut section foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a first inner brace aperture; 
 a plurality of second struts extending from the bottom panel along a second row, each second strut comprising an upper second strut section, a lower second strut section foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a second inner brace aperture; 
 a first row of first container apertures, each first container aperture being adjacent to one of the plurality of first struts; and 
 a second row of second container apertures spaced from the first row of container apertures, each second container aperture being adjacent to one of the plurality of second struts; and 
   a plurality of containers, each container being accommodated in one of the container apertures and having a flange with an underside, wherein   the flange of the container in each first container aperture is at least partially accommodated in the first inner brace aperture of the adjacent first strut, and   the flange of the container in each second container aperture is at least partially accommodated in the second inner brace aperture of the adjacent second strut.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein each first inner brace aperture comprises a first lower brace edge, the underside of the flange of the container at least partially accommodated in each first inner brace aperture being supported on the first lower brace edge of the first inner brace aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the upper first strut section of each first strut lies on a top surface of the container accommodated in the adjacent first container aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a plurality of first outer brace apertures in the first side panel; and   a plurality of second outer brace apertures in the second side panel, wherein   each container is supported by at least one of the outer brace apertures at the underside of its flange.   
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein each first strut's upper first strut section is connected to its lower first strut section at a fold line. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the upper first strut section of each first strut lies on a top surface of the container accommodated in the adjacent first inner container aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of first outer brace apertures in the first side panel; and   a plurality of second outer brace apertures in the second side panel, wherein   each container is supported by at least one of the outer brace apertures at the underside of its flange.   
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rows of container apertures are arranged in a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel comprises a first top panel and a second top panel, the second top panel having a plurality of recesses, each recess in the second top panel being complementary in shape with a distal edge of an adjacent upper second strut section. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the lower first strut sections are substantially upright. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the carton has a substantially tubular shape with open ends. 
     
     
         12 . A blank, comprising:
 at least one top panel;   a first side panel, the first side panel having at least one first outer brace aperture;   a bottom panel;   a second side panel, the second side panel having at least one second outer brace aperture;   a first row of at least one first container-receiving pattern in the bottom panel, each first container-receiving pattern defining an upper first strut section, a lower first strut section foldably connected to the upper first strut section, and a first inner brace aperture; and   a second row of at least one second container-receiving pattern in the bottom panel, each second container-receiving pattern defining an upper second strut section, a lower second strut section foldably connected to the upper second strut section, and a second inner brace aperture, wherein   each first outer brace aperture is aligned with a first container-receiving pattern.   
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein:
 each second container-receiving pattern is aligned with a first container-receiving pattern; and   each second outer brace aperture is aligned a first container-receiving pattern.   
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 13 , further comprising a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the blank is constructed from paperboard. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one first container-receiving pattern comprises a plurality of first container-receiving patterns arranged in a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         17 . A method of erecting a package, comprising:
 providing a blank comprising:
 at least one top panel; 
 a first side panel, the first side panel having at least one first outer brace aperture; 
 a bottom panel; 
 a second side panel, the second side panel having at least one second outer brace aperture; 
 a first row of at least one first container-receiving pattern in the bottom panel, each first container-receiving pattern defining an upper first strut section, a lower first strut section foldably connected to the upper first strut section, and a first inner brace aperture; and 
 a second row of at least one second container-receiving pattern in the bottom panel, each second container-receiving pattern defining an upper second strut section, a lower second strut section foldably connected to the upper second strut section, and a second inner brace aperture, wherein each first outer brace aperture is aligned with a first container-receiving pattern; 
   providing a plurality of containers, each container having an upper portion with a flange;   moving the upper portion of one of the containers through each one of the first container-receiving patterns;   moving the upper portion of one of the containers through each one of the second container-receiving patterns;   for each first container-receiving pattern, folding the upper first strut section over a top of the container moved through the first container-receiving pattern;   for each second container-receiving pattern, folding the upper second strut section over a top of the container moved through the second container-receiving pattern; and   securing the top panel over the containers.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising moving the flanges of each container through a brace aperture in an adjacent one of the side panels. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 for each first container-receiving pattern, folding the lower first strut section upwardly before folding the upper first strut section; and   for each second container-receiving pattern, folding the lower second strut section upwardly before folding the upper second strut section.   
     
     
         20 . A package, comprising:
 a carton, comprising:
 a top panel; 
 a bottom panel; 
 a first side panel; 
 a second side panel; 
 at least one first strut extending from the bottom panel along a first row, each first strut comprising an upper first strut section and a lower first strut section foldably connected to the bottom panel; 
 at least one second strut extending from the bottom panel along a second row, each second strut comprising an upper second strut section and a lower second strut section foldably connected to the bottom panel; 
 at least one first container aperture, each first container aperture being adjacent to one of the at least one first struts; and 
 at least one second container aperture, each second container aperture being adjacent to one of the at least one second struts; and 
   a plurality of containers, each container being accommodated in one of the container apertures and having a flange with an underside, wherein   the upper first strut section of each first strut lies on a top surface of the container accommodated in the adjacent first container aperture, and   the upper second strut section of each second strut lies on a top surface of the container accommodated in the adjacent second container aperture.   
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a plurality of first outer brace apertures in the first side panel; and   a plurality of second outer brace apertures in the second side panel, wherein   each container is supported by at least one of the outer brace apertures at the underside of its flange.   
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein each first strut comprises a first inner brace aperture, the flange of the container in each first container aperture being at least partially accommodated in the first inner brace aperture of the adjacent first strut. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 22 , wherein each first inner brace aperture comprises a first lower brace edge, the underside of the flange of the container at least partially accommodated in each first inner brace aperture being supported on the first lower brace edge of the first inner brace aperture. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein:
 each first strut's upper first strut section is connected to its lower first strut section at a fold line; and   each first strut's lower first strut section is connected to the bottom panel at a fold line.   
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the lower first strut sections are substantially upright. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the carton has a substantially tubular shape with open ends.