Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier ( 90; 190; 390; 490 ) for packaging one or more articles and a blank ( 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510 ) for forming the carrier. The carrier ( 90; 190; 390; 490 ) comprises a main panel ( 12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512 ) having one or more article retention structures (RT 1 , RT 2 ) for receiving and securing the main panel ( 12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512 ) to a respective article (B). The carrier ( 90; 190; 390; 490 ) comprises a side panel ( 18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420, 518, 520 ) hingedly connected to the main panel ( 12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512 ) by a hinged connection. The hinged connection between the main panel ( 12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512 ) and the side panel ( 18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420, 518, 520 ) is defined, at least in part, by a curved or arcuate fold line ( 13, 15, 17, 19 ).

1 . An article engaging carrier for packaging at least one article, the carrier comprising a main panel having at least one article retention structure comprising a plurality of teeth for engaging an article, the carrier comprising a side panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a first hinged connection and having a first free edge opposing the first hinged connection, wherein the first hinged connection between the main panel and the side panel is defined, at least in part, by a linear fold line, and wherein a further hinged connection between one of the plurality of teeth and the main panel is arranged to converge with the linear fold line. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein said further hinged connection between said one of the plurality of teeth and the main panel is spaced apart from the linear fold line. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of teeth defines a circumferential fold line surrounding an article receiving opening and defining an outer perimeter thereof, and wherein the circumferential fold line is spaced apart from the linear fold line. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the article engaging carrier further comprises an end panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a second hinged connection and having a second free edge opposing the second hinged connection, the end panel being disposed adjacent to the side panel, wherein the end panel comprises a rounded corner providing a portion of the second free edge and wherein the side panel comprises a squared corner providing a portion of the first free edge. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of teeth is a series of engaging teeth, each struck, at least in part, from the main panel and defining at least, in part, an article receiving opening. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of teeth comprising a first tooth integral with one of a side panel and an end panel. 
     
     
         7 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a main panel having at least one article retention structure comprising a plurality of teeth for engaging an article, the blank comprising a side panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a hinged connection and having a free edge opposing the hinged connection, wherein the hinged connection between the main panel and the side panel is defined, at least in part, by a linear fold line, and wherein a hinged connection between one of the plurality of teeth and the main panel is arranged to converge with the linear fold line. 
     
     
         8 . A blank according to  claim 7  wherein said further hinged connection between said one of the plurality of teeth and the main panel is spaced apart from the linear fold line. 
     
     
         9 . A blank according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of teeth defines a circumferential fold line surrounding an article receiving opening and defining an outer perimeter thereof, and wherein the circumferential fold line is spaced apart from the linear fold line. 
     
     
         10 . A blank according to  claim 7 , wherein the article engaging carrier further comprises an end panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a second hinged connection and having a second free edge opposing the second hinged connection, the end panel being disposed adjacent to the side panel, wherein the end panel comprises a rounded corner providing a portion of the second free edge and wherein the side panel comprises a squared corner providing a portion of the first free edge. 
     
     
         11 . A blank according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of teeth is a series of engaging teeth, each struck, at least in part, from the main panel and defining at least, in part, an article receiving opening. 
     
     
         12 . A blank according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of teeth comprising a first tooth integral with one of a side panel and an end panel. 
     
     
         13 . An article engaging carrier for packaging at least one article, the carrier comprising a main panel having at least one article retention structure for engaging an article, the carrier comprising a side panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a first hinged connection, and an end panel hingedly connected to the main panel adjacent to the side panel by a second hinged connection, a portion of the first hinged connection and a portion of the second hinged connection define, at least in part, a corner portion of the main panel, wherein a corner bumper panel is hingedly connected between an end of the side panel and an adjacent end of the end panel. 
     
     
         14 . An article carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the corner bumper panel is separated from the corner portion of the main panel by a severance line. 
     
     
         15 . An article carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the corner bumper is separated from the corner portion of the main panel by a cut line. 
     
     
         16 . An article carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the corner bumper panel is inclined with respect to the main panel. 
     
     
         17 . An article carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one article retention structure comprises an article receiving opening disposed adjacent to the side and end panels and wherein the portion of the first hinged connection extends between the corner bumper panel and the article receiving opening and a portion of the second hinged connection extends between corner bumper panel and the article receiving opening. 
     
     
         18 . An article carrier according to  claim 13  wherein the first hinged connection is defined, at least in part, by a linear fold line. 
     
     
         19 . An article carrier according to  claim 13  wherein second hinged connection is defined, at least in part, by a linear fold line. 
     
     
         20 . A blank for forming the article carrier according to  claim 13 .