Composite package, tray and blank therefor

Abstract

A composite package ( 100 ) comprising a handle structure insert ( 10 ), a group of articles (A) disposed in part on the handle structure insert ( 10 ) and a polymeric film ( 80 ) tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles (A) and the handle structure insert ( 10 ), wherein the handle structure comprises one or more piercing projections ( 44 a - d ) configured to pierce the polymeric film ( 80 ).

1 . A composite package comprising a handle structure insert, a group of articles disposed in part on the handle structure insert and a polymeric film tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles and the handle structure insert, wherein the handle structure comprises one or more piercing projections configured to pierce the polymeric film. 
     
     
         2 . A composite package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle structure insert, a group of articles disposed in part on the handle structure insert and a polymeric film tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles and the handle structure insert, wherein the handle structure comprises a reinforced handle panel formed contiguously with and extending into a bottom panel of the handle structure insert. 
     
     
         3 . A composite package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle structure insert, a group of articles disposed in part on the handle structure insert and a polymeric film tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles and the handle structure insert, wherein the handle structure comprises a bottom panel comprising shaped edges, wherein the shaped edges are at least partially similarly shaped to the shape of an adjacent part of the group of articles to facilitate tight wrapping of the polymeric film about the group of articles and the handle structure insert. 
     
     
         4 . A composite package according to  claim 1  wherein the handle structure insert comprises a bottom panel and said one or more piercing projections is formed at the end of a corner section of the bottom panel. 
     
     
         5 . A composite package according to  claim 4  wherein the piercing projection has a point and a barb and the polymeric film catches on the barb. 
     
     
         6 . A composite package according to  claim 2  wherein the corner section comprises a longitudinally extending weakened line formed from the group consisting of: a cut line, a perforated line, a score line, a crease line, an embossment, a debossment, a line comprising a series of half-depth cut and fold lines. 
     
     
         7 . A composite package according to  claim 2  wherein the reinforced handle has a width along a lateral axis that is less than the maximum width along a lateral axis of the bottom panel. 
     
     
         8 . A composite package according to  claim 7  wherein the reinforced handle panel comprises a primary handle panel and a pair of reinforcing handle panels hingedly attached and affixed thereto, the reinforcing handle panels comprising leg portions formed from material taken from the bottom panel and wherein the reinforced handle panel contiguously extends into a section of the bottom panel that is the same width as the width of the reinforced handle panel, which section is partially reinforced by a leg portion of the reinforcing handle panel. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A composite package according to  claim 8  wherein said section is defined in part by a pair of longitudinal weakened lines which each terminate in an arcuate or curved or semi-circular cut line. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A composite package according to  claim 3  wherein the shaped edges comprise undulated curved portions which follow the contour of two adjacent articles disposed in the composite package. 
     
     
         13 . A handle structure insert for a composite package comprising a group of articles disposed in part on the handle structure insert and a polymeric film tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles and the handle structure insert, wherein the handle structure insert comprises one or more piercing projections configured to pierce the polymeric film. 
     
     
         14 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 13 , further comprising a group of articles disposed in part on the handle structure insert and a polymeric film tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles and the handle structure insert, wherein the handle structure insert comprises a reinforced handle panel formed contiguously with and extending into a bottom panel of the handle structure insert. 
     
     
         15 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 13 , further comprising a group of articles disposed in part on the handle structure insert and a polymeric film tightly wrapped about a substantial portion of the group of articles and the handle structure insert, wherein the handle structure insert comprises a bottom panel comprising shaped edges, wherein the shaped edges are at least partially similarly shaped to the shape of an adjacent part of the group of articles to facilitate tight wrapping of the polymeric film about the group of articles and the handle structure insert. 
     
     
         16 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 13 , further comprising a bottom panel and wherein said one or more piercing projections is formed at the end of a corner section of the bottom panel. 
     
     
         17 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 16  wherein the piercing projection has a point and a barb and the polymeric film catches on the barb. 
     
     
         18 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 13  wherein the corner section comprises a longitudinally extending weakened line formed from the group consisting of: a cut line, a perforated line, a score line, a crease line, an embossment, a debossment, a line comprising a series of half-depth cut and fold lines. 
     
     
         19 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 14  wherein the reinforced handle has a width along a lateral axis that is less than the maximum width along a lateral axis of the bottom panel. 
     
     
         20 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 19  wherein the reinforced handle panel comprises a primary handle panel and a pair of reinforcing handle panels hingedly attached and affixed thereto, the reinforcing handle panels comprising leg portions formed from material taken from the bottom panel and wherein the reinforced handle panel contiguously extends into a section of the bottom panel that is the same width as the width of the reinforced handle panel, which section is partially reinforced by a leg portion of the reinforcing handle panel. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 20  wherein said section is defined in part by a pair of longitudinal weakened lines which each terminate in an arcuate or curved or semi-circular cut line. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A handle structure insert according to  claim 15  wherein the shaped edges comprise undulated curved portions. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)