Article top engaging device, article carrier and blank therfor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device, a carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The top engaging article carrier comprises an engaging panel having upper and lower panels secured together in face-contacting relationship. The upper panel has at least one first top-engaging opening of a first diameter and the lower panel has at least one second top engaging opening of a second diameter. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. Each of the first and second top-engaging openings is defined by a substantially circular, uninterrupted perimeter.

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         10 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A blank for forming at least one article carrier, the blank comprising a main panel, wherein the main panel comprises:
 at least one article top engaging device; and   one or more fold lines each extending outward from the at least one article top engaging device, the one or more fold lines extending across the main panel to a free edge of the main panel.   
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more fold lines comprise one or more score lines and wherein the at least one top engaging device comprises an article receiving aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one article top engaging device is disposed adjacent to a corner of the main panel, and wherein the one or more fold lines extend from the corner to the at least one article top engaging device. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 14  wherein the one or more fold lines extend radially outward from the article receiving aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 13  wherein the at least one article top engaging device comprises a plurality of article receiving apertures arranged in a matrix or array. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 13  wherein the free edge of the main panel is curvilinear in shape. 
     
     
         19 . An article carrier comprising:
 a main panel; and   at least one article top engaging device formed on the main panel for engaging an article; and   one or more fold lines each extending outward from the at least one article top engaging device, the one or more fold lines extending across the main panel to a free edge of the main panel.   
     
     
         20 . The article carrier of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more fold lines comprise one or more score lines and wherein the at least one top engaging device comprises an article receiving aperture for receiving the article. 
     
     
         21 . The article carrier of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one article top engaging device is disposed adjacent to a corner of the main panel, and wherein the one or more fold lines extend from the corner to the at least one article top engaging device. 
     
     
         22 . The article carrier of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more fold lines extend radially outward from the article receiving aperture. 
     
     
         23 . The article carrier of  claim 19  wherein the at least one article top engaging device comprises a plurality of article receiving apertures arranged in a matrix or array for receiving a plurality of articles. 
     
     
         24 . The article carrier of  claim 19  wherein the free edge of the main panel is curvilinear in shape. 
     
     
         25 . The article carrier of  claim 19  further comprises a handle structure disposed on the main panel, wherein the handle structure comprises at least one opening. 
     
     
         26 . The article carrier blank of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one opening is defined in part by a flap hingedly connected to the main panel. 
     
     
         27 . The article carrier of  claim 25  wherein the at least one article top engaging device is disposed adjacent to a corner of the main panel, and wherein the one or more fold lines extend from the corner to the at least one article top engaging device and wherein the at least one article top engaging device is disposed between the at least one opening and the one or more fold lines. 
     
     
         28 . A package formed from a combination of an article carrier and at least one article, wherein the article carrier comprising:
 a main panel; and   at least one article top engaging device formed on the main panel for engaging the at least one article; and   one or more fold lines each extending outward from the at least one article top engaging device, the one or more fold lines extending across the main panel to a free edge of the main panel.   
     
     
         29 . The package of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more fold lines comprise one or more score lines and wherein the at least one top engaging device comprises an article receiving aperture for receiving the at least one article. 
     
     
         30 . The package of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one article top engaging device is disposed adjacent to a corner of the main panel, and wherein the one or more fold lines extend from the corner to the at least one article top engaging device. 
     
     
         31 . The package of  claim 29 , wherein the one or more fold lines extend radially outward from the article receiving aperture. 
     
     
         32 . The package of  claim 28  wherein the at least one article top engaging device comprises a plurality of article receiving apertures arranged in a matrix or array for receiving a plurality of articles.