Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carrier for packaging two or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The carrier comprises a main panel having at least one top-engaging article device for receiving and securing the main panel to a respective article. The carrier further comprises a keel structure. The keel structure comprises at least two keel panels arranged to be disposed between a first one of the at least two articles and a second one of the at least two articles. The keel structure comprises at least one keel tab struck from at least one of at least two keel panels. The at least one keel tab is arranged to be disposed between the first one of the at least two articles and the second one of the at least two articles.

1 . An article carrier for packaging at least two articles, the carrier comprising a main panel having at least one top-engaging article device for receiving and securing the main panel to a respective article, the carrier further comprising a keel structure, the keel structure comprising at least two keel panels arranged to be disposed between a first one of the at least two articles and a second one of the at least two articles, wherein the keel structure comprises at least one keel tab struck from at least one of at least two keel panels, the at least one keel tab arranged to be disposed between the first one of the at least two articles and the second one of the at least two articles. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the keel structure is formed from a pair of hinged panels, the pair of hinged panels being medially located in the main panel. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a pair of opposing side panels hingedly connected to the main panel. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the carrier comprises an end strap hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels and being free of direct connection to the main panel. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the keel structure comprises a plurality of keel tabs. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one keel tab is struck from both of the at least two keel panels. 
     
     
         7 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one keel tab comprises a fold line defining at least in part an upper and lower portion thereof. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the fold line is offset with respect to a hinged connection between the pair of panels of the keel structure. 
     
     
         9 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two keel panels are provided by portion of the main panel and are disposed between a pair of top panels. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one keel tab is struck in part from one of the pair of top panels. 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the pair of opposing side panels is hingedly connected to the main panel by a shoulder panel. 
     
     
         14 . An article carrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the carrier comprises a cutaway that separates the end strap from the main panel. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one top-engaging article device comprises a plurality of top-engaging article devices, and wherein the keel structure is disposed between a first row of the top-engaging article devices and a second row of the top-engaging article devices. 
     
     
         17 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a main panel having at least one top-engaging article device for receiving and securing the main panel to a respective one of at least two articles, the blank further comprising at least two keel panels for forming a keel structure, the keel structure arranged to be disposed between a first one of the at least two articles and a second one of the at least two articles, wherein the keel structure comprises at least one keel tab struck from at least one of at least two keel panels, the at least one keel tab arranged to be disposed between the first one of the at least two articles and the second one of the at least two articles. 
     
     
         18 . A blank according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one top-engaging article device comprises a plurality of top engaging article devices and wherein the at least one keel tab extends away from a first row of the top-engaging article devices. 
     
     
         19 . A blank according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one keel tab extends toward a second row of the top-engaging article devices. 
     
     
         20 . A blank according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the top-engaging article devices comprises at least one slit and wherein the at least one keel tab interrupts the at least one slit of at least one of the top-engaging article devices. 
     
     
         21 . A package comprising an article carrier and a plurality of articles, the carrier comprising a main panel having a plurality of top-engaging article devices for receiving and securing the main panel to a respective article, the plurality of top-engaging article devices arranged in rows and comprising a first row and a second row, the carrier further comprising a keel structure, the keel structure comprising at least two keel panels disposed between the first and second rows of top-engaging article devices, wherein the keel structure comprises at least one keel tab struck from at least one of at least two keel panels, the at least one keel tab being disposed between a pair of adjacently disposed articles, a first one of the pair of adjacently disposed articles being engaged by a top-engaging article device in the first row and a second one of the pair of adjacently disposed articles being engaged by a top-engaging article device in the second row. 
     
     
         22 . A package according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one keel tab is adhesively secured to said first and second ones of the pair of adjacently disposed articles. 
     
     
         23 . A package according to  claim 21 , wherein the carrier further comprising a pair of opposing side panels hingedly connected to the main panel, and an end strap hingedly connected between the pair of opposing side panels and being free of direct connection to the main panel.