Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a top engaging carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The top engaging carrier comprises a top panel with at least one article-engaging feature. The top engaging carrier may comprise a pair of side panels hingedly connected the top panel and a pair of end panels. Each of the pair of end panels bridges between the side. At least one of the end panels is at least partially detachably connected to the top panel along a severance line.

1 . A article carrier for engaging at least one article, the carrier comprising:
 a top panel having at least one article-engaging feature;   a pair of side panels hingedly connected the top panel; and   a pair of end panels, each of the pair of end panels bridges between the side panels, wherein at least one of the end panels is at least partially detachably connected to the top panel along a severance line.   
     
     
         2 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the severance line extends entirely along an end edge of the top panel so that the at least one end panel is fully separable from the top panel. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the severance line extends partially along an end edge of the top panel so that the at least one end panel is partially separable from the top panel. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier, according to  claim 3 , wherein the partially extending severance line stops short of the opposite ends of the at least one end panel. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the severance line comprises at least one line segment which includes a slit passing through a midpoint of the end edge of the top panel. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the side panels is secured at one of its ends to the at least one end panel. 
     
     
         7 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the side panels is connected at one of its ends to the at least one end panel by a locking feature. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the top panel comprises at least two bevelled corners, and the end edge of top panel extends between the bevelled corners. 
     
     
         9 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the severance line forms a hinged connection between the at least one of the end panels and the top panel, the hinged connection being severable to facilitate deployment of a carrying handle formed in part by the at least one of the end panels. 
     
     
         10 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the severance line forms a hinged connection between the at least one of the end panels and the top panel, the hinged connection being severed upon deployment of a carrying handle formed in part by the at least one of the end panels. 
     
     
         11 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the severance line forms a hinged connection between the at least one of the end panels and the top panel, the hinged connection being severable in consequence of deployment of a carrying handle formed in part by the at least one of the end panels. 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the article carrier further comprises a bundling structure for encircling the at least one article, the bundling structure comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment includes:
 a first side panel hingedly connected to the top panel; and   a bridging portion hingedly connected to the first side panel,   
       wherein the second segment includes:
 an outer end panel at least partially severably connected to the top panel; 
 an inner end panel hingedly connected to the outer end panel and disposed in an overlapping position with the outer end panel; and 
 a bridge-engaging feature in engagement with the bridging portion of the first segment, wherein the bridge-engaging feature is provided at least by the inner and outer end panels such that at least part of the bridging portion is disposed between the inner and outer end panels in face-contacting arrangement with the inner and outer end panels. 
 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the article carrier further comprises a bundling structure for encircling the at least one article, the bundling structure comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment includes:
 a first side panel hingedly connected to the top panel; and   a bridging portion hingedly connected to the first side panel,   
       wherein the second segment includes:
 an end panel at least partially severably connected to the top panel; 
 wherein the bridging portion of the first segment is secured to the end panel in face-contacting arrangement therewith. 
 
     
     
         14 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bundling structure for encircling the at least one article, the bundling structure comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment includes:
 a first end panel at least partially severably connected to the top panel; and   a bridging portion hingedly connected to the first end panel,   
       wherein the second segment includes:
 a side panel hingedly connected to the top panel; 
 wherein the bridging portion of the first segment is secured to the side panel in face-contacting arrangement therewith. 
 
     
     
         15 . A package comprising a top-engaging carrier and at least one article, the carrier comprising:
 a top panel having at least one article-engaging feature retaining a respective article;   a pair of side panels hingedly connected the top panel; and   a pair of end panels, each of the pair of end panels bridges between the side panels, wherein at least one of the end panels is at least partially detachably connected to the top panel along a severance line and wherein the at least one of the end panels forms part of a carrying handle and the severance line comprises at least one frangible connection element, the at least one frangible connection element being intact prior to initial use of the carrying handle.   
     
     
         16 . A blank for forming a top-engaging carrier, the blank comprising:
 a top panel having at least one article-engaging feature;   a pair of side panels hingedly connected the top panel; and   a pair of end panels, each of the pair of end panels bridges between the side panels, wherein at least one of the end panels is at least partially detachably connected to the top panel along a severance line such the severance line remains unbroken upon formation of a top-engaging carrier.