Article carrier having reinforced bottom wall

Abstract

An article carrier comprises upstanding walls adjoining a reinforced bottom wall. The reinforced bottom wall has an arrangement of lesser-reinforced regions. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise a region of enhanced deformability. The reinforced bottom wall comprises at least a first bottom-wall panel and a second bottom-wall panel disposed in face-contacting relationship with respect to one another. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise an aperture in one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise an embossment in one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise an embossment in one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel and an aperture in another one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel in alignment with the embossment.

1 . An article carrier comprising:
 a plurality of upstanding walls adjoining a reinforced bottom wall, said reinforced bottom wall having an arrangement of lesser-reinforced regions.   
   
   
       2 . The article carrier of  claim 1 , wherein each said lesser-reinforced region comprises a region of enhanced deformability. 
   
   
       3 . The article carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforced bottom wall comprises at least a first bottom-wall panel and a second bottom-wall panel disposed in face-contacting relationship with respect to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The article carrier of  claim 3 , wherein each said lesser-reinforced region comprises a predetermined pattern cut into one of said first bottom-wall panel and said second bottom-wall panel. 
   
   
       5 . The article carrier of  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined pattern comprises an aperture. 
   
   
       6 . The article carrier of  claim 3 , wherein each said lesser-reinforced region comprises an embossment in one of said first bottom-wall panel and said second bottom-wall panel. 
   
   
       7 . The article carrier of  claim 3 , wherein each said lesser-reinforced region comprises an embossment in one of said first bottom-wall panel and said second bottom-wall panel and an aperture in another of said first bottom-wall panel and said second bottom-wall panel in alignment with said embossment. 
   
   
       8 . A tray-style carrier, comprising:
 a bottom wall;   a pair of opposed side walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall;   a pair of opposed end walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall and hingedly interconnecting said side walls to form a tubular structure;   a reinforcing panel disposed against said bottom wall, said reinforcing panel comprising a plurality of first regions that will promote upward deformation of a plurality of second regions of said bottom wall that are in alignment with said plurality of first regions when an upward force is applied in registry with each of said first regions.   
   
   
       9 . The tray-style carrier of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of first regions comprise a plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       10 . The tray-style carrier of  claim 9 , wherein said reinforcing panel is disposed on an inner surface of said bottom wall. 
   
   
       11 . The tray-style carrier of  claim 9 , wherein said reinforcing panel is disposed on an outer surface of said bottom wall. 
   
   
       12 . The tray-style carrier of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of first regions comprise a plurality of embossed portions and wherein said reinforcing panel is disposed on an inner surface of said bottom wall such that said plurality of embossed portions extend upwardly with respect to said bottom wall. 
   
   
       13 . A tray-style carrier, comprising:
 a bottom wall comprising a plurality of apertures;   a pair of opposed side walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall;   a pair of opposed end walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall and hingedly interconnecting said side walls to form a tubular structure; and   a reinforcing panel disposed against said bottom wall, said reinforcing panel comprising a plurality of embossed portions in substantial alignment with said plurality of apertures wherein said plurality of embossed portions extend upwardly with respect to said bottom wall.   
   
   
       14 . The tray-style carrier of  claim 13 , wherein said reinforcing panel is disposed upon an outer surface of said bottom wall such that said embossed portions extend into said plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       15 . The tray-style carrier of  claim 13 , wherein said reinforcing panel is disposed upon an inner surface of said bottom wall such that said plurality of embossed portions substantially cover said plurality of apertures.