Article carrier

Abstract

An article carrier comprises a primary panel and a first side panel connected together along a first fold line. The primary panel has at least one article receiving aperture for receiving a tapered article. The at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the first fold line.

1 . An article carrier comprising a primary panel and a first side panel connected together along a first fold line, the primary panel having at least one article receiving aperture for receiving an article, wherein the at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the first fold line. 
   
   
       2 . The carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end panel hingedly connected to the primary panel along a second fold line, wherein the at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the second fold line. 
   
   
       3 . The carrier of  claim 2 , further comprises a second side panel hingedly connected to the primary panel and first and second base panels hingedly connected respectively to the first and second side panels, the first and second base panels being coplanar with each other to form a composite base panel underlying the top panel. 
   
   
       4 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second base panels comprises at least one base aperture, the at least one base aperture being substantially vertically aligned beneath the at least one receiving aperture. 
   
   
       5 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one base aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with a fold line along which the at least one of the first and second base panels is hingedly connected to a respective of the first and second side panels. 
   
   
       6 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one base aperture has a continuous edge and at least one leg hingedly connected along the continuous edge. 
   
   
       7 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein the primary panel comprises at least one elongated slot positioned generally away form the first fold line, the carrier further comprises a handle extending substantially upward from at least one of the first and second base panels through the at least one slot, the handle comprising an insert panel hingedly connected to the at least one of the first and second base panels, the insert panel including at least one shoulder for supporting the top panel. 
   
   
       8 . The carrier of  claim 3 , further comprising a second end panel hingedly connected to the composite base panel, the first and second end panels being at least partially overlappingly secured to one another to form a closed end. 
   
   
       9 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein the handle further comprises at least one overlay foldably connected along a side edge of the insert panel and folded into a face contacting arrangement with the insert panel. 
   
   
       10 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein the width of the insert panel at the shoulder is greater than width of the elongated slot. 
   
   
       11 . The carrier of  claim 8 , further comprising third and fourth end panels foldably attached to the first and second side panels, respectively. 
   
   
       12 . The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth end panels overlap to form the closed end. 
   
   
       13 . The carrier of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one leg extends in a substantially oblique manner from the continuous edge of the at least one base aperture when an article is received into the corresponding receiving aperture. 
   
   
       14 . The carrier of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one leg is hingedly connected to an innermost portion of the continuous edge of the at least one base aperture such that the visibility of the at least one leg is obstructed when articles are loaded into said carrier. 
   
   
       15 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a primary panel and a first side panel connected together along a first fold line, the primary panel having at least one article receiving aperture for receiving an tapered article, wherein the at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the first fold line. 
   
   
       16 . The blank of  claim 15 , further comprising a first end panel hingedly connected to the primary panel along a second fold line, wherein the at least one receiving aperture is in a tangential contacting relationship with the second fold line. 
   
   
       17 . The blank of  claim 16 , further comprises a second side panel hingedly connected to the primary panel and first and second base panels hingedly connected respectively to the first and second side panels. 
   
   
       18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first and second base panels comprises at least one base aperture. 
   
   
       19 . The blank of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one base aperture has a continuous edge and at least one leg hingedly connected along the continuous edge. 
   
   
       20 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein the primary panel comprises at least one elongated slot positioned generally away form the first fold line, the blank further comprises an insert panel hingedly connected to the at least one of the first and second base panels, the insert panel including at least one shoulder for supporting the top panel.