AU2013204561A1 - Basket carrier and blank therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD A basket style carrier comprising: a bottom wall (16/18), first and second side walls (12, 14), end walls (32/34/36/38, 26/28/30/40/42) interconnecting the first and second side walls, a handle panel (22, 24) and at least one retention structure (71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80). The retention structure extends 5 between the handle panel and the first side wall and wherein the retention structure is hingedly connected to the handle panel by a fold line such that the fold line is substantially parallel to the bottom wall and is disposed at a maximum elevation that is below the elevation of the uppermost edge of the first side wall. - 20 -

Description

Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD BASKET CARRIER AND BLANK THEREFOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of UK Patent Application No. 1205068.8, filed 5 March 22, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a carrier for articles such as bottles, more specifically, but not exclusively to a basket style carrier, and blank therefor, in which 10 a retention structure is provided to assist in the separation and/or retention of articles held within the basket style carrier. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package 15 comprising multiple primary product containers. Where premium goods in bottles are packaged, it is often required to use a basket style carrier wherein the bottles are displayed and arranged to promote the sale of articles. Such basket style carriers typically have a centrally disposed handle panel having a handle aperture (and optionally cushioning flaps). The centrally disposed handle can be used to carry the 20 loaded basket style carrier. Furthermore such carriers often comprise some form of retention or partition structure to separate a body of the carrier into separate cells to separate the individual articles. Separating the articles mitigates against damage of the articles that can be caused if the articles can contact one another. This is especially the case with glass bottles. Many different styles of basket carrier have 25 been created to date. The automated and high-speed assembly of a basket style carrier from a blank of material presents many challenges. Furthermore, the blanks are often unusually shaped and efficient nesting of the blanks in order to cut as many blanks as possible from a standard sized sheet of paperboard as is used in the industry is not always possible. - 1- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD It is desirable therefore to have a basket style carrier and a blank therefor in which an effective partition and/or retention structure is provided for separating and/or supporting the articles. The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate 5 the problems of the prior art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a basket style carrier comprising: a bottom wall, first and second side walls, end walls 10 interconnecting the first and second side walls, a handle panel and at least one retention structure, wherein the retention structure extends between the handle panel and the first side wall and wherein the retention structure is structured and arranged such that the retention structure is hinged to the handle panel or to the first side wall by a fold line that is disposed horizontally or generally parallel to the bottom 15 wall at a maximum elevation that is below the elevation of the uppermost edge of the first side wall. Optionally, the basket carrier comprises two retention structures. Alternatively, the basket carrier comprises four retention structures wherein two of the four retention structures are each disposed at an elevation within the basket carrier that is lower than the other two retention structures. Optionally, the handle panel is disposed in a central position of the basket carrier and extends from, and is affixed to, the bottom wall and has its upper end at the maximum elevation that is above the elevation of the uppermost edge of the first and second side walls and end walls of the basket carrier. Preferably, the bottom wall is formed from two bottom panels and a glue panel and wherein the handle panel is a two-ply structure comprising first and second handle panels wherein a first of the handle panels is hinged to a bottom panel and wherein -2- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD the second handle panel is affixed to the glue panel and is affixed to the first handle panel. Further optionally, the basket style carrier may comprise first and second handle panels wherein the first and second handle panels are hinged together along a common side connection and wherein the common side connection is co-extensive with about 40% to about 60% of the first and second side panels. Optionally, the basket style carrier comprises at least one retention panel that is disposed in a plane extending between the handle panel and the first side panel and wherein the retention panel comprises at least one article support. Preferably, the at least one article support is formed from a shaped cut-out selected from the group consisting of: circular, semi-circular, arcuate, square, trapezoidal and triangular shaped. Optionally, the basket carrier may comprise a bottle disposed in an inverted position with a neck portion disposed, at least partially, within an article support provided a retention panel. Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described 5 in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings, in which: -3- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD FIGURE 1. is a plan view of a blank for forming a basket style carrier according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2. is a plan view of the other-side of the blank of Figure 1 showing where adhesive may be applied in accordance with a first optional step in the construction 5 of the basket style carrier; FIGURE 3. is a plan view of a part-formed blank, wherein folding and adhesion of the central handle panels is shown; FIGURE 4. is a plan view of the blank of Figure 3 wherein further folding steps are illustrated; 10 FIGURE 5. shows the part-constructed blank of Figure 4 wherein said further folding steps have been completed; FIGURE 6. is a plan view of the blank of Figure 5 wherein the application of glue and yet further folding steps are shown; FIGURE 7. is a plan view of a basket carrier in flat-form; 15 FIGURE 8. is a perspective view from above and from the side of a basket carrier formed by opening the flat-form carrier of Figure 7; FIGURE 9. is a perspective end view from above of the carrier of Figure 8 having a bottle disposed in a compartment or retention opening provided by a retention structure; 20 FIGURES 10 and 11. are side and top views of the basket carrier fully loaded with articles; FIGURE 12. is a blank for forming a basket style carrier according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 13. is a plan view of the other-side of the blank of Figure 12 showing where 25 adhesive may be applied in accordance with a first optional step in the construction of the basket carrier; FIGURE 14. is a plan view of a part-formed blank, wherein folding and adhesion of the central handle panels is shown; -4- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD FIGURE 15. is a plan view of the blank of Figure 14 wherein further folding steps are illustrated; FIGURE 16. is a plan view of the blank of Figure 15 wherein the application of glue and yet further folding steps are shown; 5 FIGURE 17. is a plan view of a basket carrier in flat-form according to a second aspect of the invention; FIGURE 18. is a perspective view from above and from the side of a basket carrier formed by opening the flat-form carrier of Figure 17; FIGURE 19. is a perspective view from above and from the side of a basket carrier 10 formed by opening the flat-form carrier of Figure 18; FIGURE 20. is a perspective view from above of the carrier of Figure 19 having bottles disposed upon their tops disposed in compartment formed from the retention structure, wherein the tops and necks of the bottles are supported by a supplementary retention feature; and 15 FIGURES 21. Is a side view of the basket carrier fully loaded with articles and showing the neck portions of the bottom-up bottles being retained by the supplementary retention feature. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT 20 INVENTION Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and carriers are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention 25 may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and carriers described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid -5- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention. 5 In general aspects of the invention relate to the provision of a retention structure that is struck from central handle panels of the basket carrier. The retention structure is preferably substantially horizontal and then rotatable into a position wherein it separates an article from any adjacent articles and preferably is formed such that it is 10 disposed below the uppermost edge of a side or end wall of the basket style carrier. Preferably the side walls of the carrier are of equal height to give a smart and uniform appearance to the basket carrier. Furthermore the side panels are free of any seams on order to provide a bill-board effect advertising area where graphics and logos can be printed and will be free of interruption from manufacturing seams. 15 The provision of retention structures formed from the central handle panels enables easy assembly because manipulation of awkwardly shaped and sometimes flimsy partition structure panels is eliminated. The retentions structures are preferably moveable along with the central handle panels which are of sufficient size and are of 20 such a shape that their handling by an automated packaging machine is not complex. Furthermore the risk of tearing of the retention structures of the present invention is mitigated by virtue of them being formed entirely from and housed within the central handle panels during much of the carrier assembly. 25 Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a blank 10 for forming a basket style carrier 97 (which is shown in Figures 8 to 11). The blank 10 is formed from a unitary piece of foldable sheet material such as paperboard. The blank 10 comprises: a first handle panel 24 foldably connected along a side connection 44 to a second handle panel 22. Optionally the side connection 44 extends for between about 40% and about 30 60% of the height of the handle panels 22, 24 to provide a strong connection therebetween which is unlikely to fail during the manipulation, folding and construction of the basket carrier 97. Each handle panel 24, 22 comprises a handle aperture 90 with an arrangement of cushioning flaps 92, 94, 96 hinged thereto along fold line 88. The illustrated configuration of the handle aperture 90 and cushioning -6- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD flaps 92, 94, 96 is entirely optional. Two handle panels 24, 22 are preferably provided in order that two retention structures can be provided, one on either side of the basket carrier body. The retention structures are described in further detail below. 5 Returning to Figure 1, the blank 10 also comprises: a first bottom panel 16 hinged directly to the first handle panel 24 along fold line 46a; a first side panel 12 foldably connected to the first bottom panel 16 along fold line 46b; a second side panel 14; and a second bottom panel 18 foldably connected to the second side panel 14 along 10 a fold line 48b and connected to a glue panel 20 along a further fold line 48a. A series of end wall forming panels 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are provided either side of the first side panel 12 and are hinged thereto along fold lines 50a and 50b. Part of the series of end wall forming panels 32, 34, 36, 38 are disposed between the first and second side panels 12, 14 as is shown in Figure 1. These panels 32, 34, 36, 15 38 form a first end wall whereas the other panels of the series, 26, 28, 30 and 40 form a second end wall. Optional fold lines 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 enable the end wall forming panels 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 to fold in a slightly rounded manner in order to follow the 20 contour of round articles (such as bottles). In other envisaged embodiments, the end walls are straight or flat and fold lines 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 are omitted. An end wall glue panel 42 is provided to adhere end wall panel 40 to end wall panel 26. Optional apertures 66, 68 are provided to assist in the folding and construction of the 25 blank 10 into a basket carrier 97, during construction, the material either side of apertures 66 and 68 forms part of a three-ply layer of panels 22, 24/16, 20/18 that is folded (about fold lines 46a and 48a) so that the bottom panels 16, 18 can be folded substantially perpendicularly relative to the handle panels 22, 24. The apertures 66, 68 are provided to remove some of the thickness of material around this fold 46a, 30 48a and to mitigate against undesired creasing of the paperboard material. Referring now to the retention structures 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80, 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 that are struck respectively from the handle panels 22, 24, each retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 comprises a pair of partition -7- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD tabs 84/78, 86/82. Each partition tab 84/78, 86/82 is optionally includes two integral and contiguous parts a first part 78, 82 which is optionally shaped similarly to the base of a wine glass and a second part 84, 86 which is optionally shaped similarly to the bowl of a wine glass. As such, each partition tab 84/78, 86/82 has a shape 5 approximately similar to a wine glass. The shape of the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 is optional, but arises at least to some extent because of the provision of corner joint panels 71, 73, 75, 77 that are defined at least in part by fold lines 70, 76, 74, 72. The corner joint panels 71, 73, 75, 77 enable each partition tab 84/78, 86/82 once folded, approximately 900, out of the plane of the first and second handle panels 24, 22 (see 10 Figure 8), to rotate or hinge, approximately another 900, out of the plane of the corner joint panels 71, 73, 75, 77 so that each partition tab 84/78, 86/82 forms a partition between two cells for receiving articles. When articles are received in the adjacent cells, the respective partition tab between the cells forms a barrier between two articles (see Figure 11). 15 Each corner joint panel 71, 73, 75, 77 is defined by two fold lines 70, 74; 72, 74; 72, 76; 70, 76 that are linked by a radiused or arcuate line of separation 79. The arcuate lines of separation 79 define the bowl-shaped portions or second parts 84, 86 of the pairs of partition tabs 84/78, 86/82. What becomes, in a set up basket, a lower edge 20 of each of the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 is defined by a common line of separation 81 that separates the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 of each retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80. The respective first parts 78, 82 of the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 of each retention 25 structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 are connected to the respective handle panel 22, 24 by means of the respective fold line (or first fold line) 70. More specifically, the first parts 78, 82 of each retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 are hingedly connected to the corner joint panels 71, 73 along the fold lines 76, 74 respectively. The corner panels 71, 73, in turn, are hingedly connected to the 30 respective handle panel 22, 24 along the respective fold line 70. The fold lines 76, 74 are disposed generally perpendicularly to the adjacent fold line 70 which is disposed generally parallel to the fold line 46a, 48a for hingedly connecting the handle panels to the bottom panels 16, 18 and/or to the fold lines 46b, 48b for hingedly connecting the bottom panels 16, 18 to the side panels 12, 14, respectively. -8- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD As such, all the corner joint panel fold lines 70, 72, 74, 76 are disposed horizontally or otherwise substantially parallel to the bottom panels 16, 18 when the basket carrier 97 is erected. The first parts 78, 82 of the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 of each retention structure are integrally formed with, and contiguous with, the second parts 5 84, 86 respectively, by what may be described as the stem of the wine glass. The partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 of each retention structure are further hingedly connected to a glue flap 80 by virtue of the corner joint panels 77, 75. More specifically, the glue flap 80 is hinged to the corner joint panels 77, 75 along fold line 72 and the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 are hinged to the same corner joint panels 77, 75 10 respectively by means of fold lines 76, 74. In the constructed/erected carrier 97 (see Figures 8-11), the glue flaps 80 connect the retention structures to the internal faces of the side panels 12, 14 respectively. In this way, a single glue flap 80 is required for two partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 thus making construction easier compared to prior art carriers where each partition tab requires its own glue flap. 15 The glue panel 20 is provided to affix the second bottom panel 18 to the first handle panel 24. Glue panel 20 is provided with a notch or shaped cut edge 98. The glue panel 20 is provided with the shaped edge 98 in order to enable the glue flap 80 of the retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 struck from the first handle panel 20 24 to become adhered to the inside face of second side panel 14 during construction (see Figure 6). In other envisaged embodiments, the glue panel 20 may have a straight edge and may be shorter and in that way may serve to affix the second bottom panel 18 to the first handle panel 24 (see Figures 12 onwards). 25 Turning to the construction of a basket carrier 97 (illustrated in Figures 8 - 11), it is envisaged that the carrier 97 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations, optionally in a straight line machine so that the carrier is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing 30 requirements. Referring now to Figures 2 to 6 a sequence of folding and gluing operations is illustrated. In Figure 2 it is shown that a first step in the construction of a basket carrier 97 is to apply an affixing means, optionally a hot-melt adhesive, to an inside -9- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD face of the first handle panel 24 in an optional region G2 and to the inside face of first bottom panel 16 in an optional region G3. As indicated by arrow F1 in Figure 3, the second handle panel 22 is then folded 5 about the side connection 44 until the inside face of second handle panel 22 is disposed in flat face contacting relationship with the first handle panel 24. Affixing means, optionally a hot melt adhesive, is then applied to the first side panel 12, optionally in region G7 to affix a glue flap 80 of the retention structure formed from the second handle panel 22 to the inside face of the first side panel 12. As indicated 10 by arrow F3, the first and second handle panels 24, 22 are together folded about fold line 46b and thereby the second handle panel 22 is brought into face contacting relationship with the inside face of the first side panel 12 and the glue flap 80 is affixed thereto. At the same time (optionally using the same folding means on a packaging machine) the second bottom panel 18 together with glue panel 20, is 15 folded about fold line 48b as is indicated by arrow F2 in Figure 4, so that the second bottom panel 18 overlays the second side panel 14. The second bottom panel 18 is not affixed to the second side panel 14. The resulting arrangement is shown in Figure 5. 20 The next step in the exemplary construction sequence being described is to affix the glue flap 80 of the retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 struck from the first handle panel 24 to the second side panel 14; to affix the end wall glue panel 42 to end panel 26; and to affix the glue panel 20 to the first handle panel 24. The end wall panel 26 is folded about fold line 54, as is illustrated by arrow F4 in Figure 6. 25 Adhesive, optionally a hot melt glue, may be applied in optional glue regions G6, G5, G4 on the second side panel 14; glue panel 20 and end wall glue panel 42 respectively (as is illustrated in Figure 6). The part-formed blank is then folded about fold line 60 (as indicated by arrow F5 in Figure 6) until the first bottom panel 16 overlays the second bottom panel 18; the glue flap 80 is affixed to the second side 30 panel 14; the glue panel 20 is affixed to the first handle panel 24 and the end wall glue panel 42 is affixed to the end wall panel 26. The resulting structure as shown in Figure 7 is a flat-folded basket carrier. The basket carrier can be transported in this condition to a converting or bottling plant where the flat-folded basket carriers are -10 - Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD opened into basket carriers 97 (see Figure 8) and then top loaded with articles (such as bottles A) as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11. As is illustrated in Figure 8, the open basket carrier 97 comprises a retention 5 structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 that extends from each of the second and first handle panels 22, 24 across the body of the basket carrier to the opposite first and second side panel 12, 14 respectively. The plane of each retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 is below the top edge of each of the first and second side panels 12, 14. In use (as described above), each retention structure is 10 separated by moving its constituent partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 away from one another by rotating each partition tab 84/78, 86/82 about fold line 76, 74 of the corner joint panels. In this illustrated embodiment, the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 are separated by a cut line 81; in other embodiments, the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 may be frangibly connected by a perforation line or connecting nick portions. Optionally, 15 though preferably, top-loading of a bottle A into a central cell (relative to the side walls 12, 14) can automatically cause the separation of the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 and cause the pivotal rotation of the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 about fold line 76, 74 of the corner joint panels. In Figure 9, a single bottle A has been top-loaded into a central cell between the first side panel 12 and the second handle panel 22. As 20 can be seen a partition tab 86/82 is disposed alongside the bottle A. In its constructed and in-use position the partition tab 86/82 has been rotated substantially 900 relative to the plane of the corner joint panels 71, 73, 75, 77 which have been rotated to a position where the corner joint panels are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the second handle panel 22. In the constructed position shown in 25 Figures 9 and 11, the joint panels 71, 73, 75, 77 as well as their fold lines 70, 72, 74, 76 are substantially parallel to the bottom panels 16, 18 and are located at a maximum elevation that is lower than the uppermost edge of the first side wall 12. The pivotal movement of the partition tab 86/82 can be described with reference to 30 Cartesian axes of the set-up basket carrier 97 depicted in Figure 8. An axis between the top edge and bottom edge (46b) of the first handle panel 24 is an x-axis; an axis along the width of that first handle panel 24, as defined by fold line 46a, is a y-axis; and an orthogonal axis between the upright first handle panel 24 and the first side panel 14 (in a set-up basket carrier 97 - see Figure 8) is a z-axis. The retention - 11 - Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 is moved from the x-y plane into the y-z plane and then the partition tab 86/82 of the retention structure is moved from the y-z plane into the x-z plane. This is achieved because the retention structure 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 is rotated about fold line 70 and then the partition tab 5 86/82 is rotated about fold line 74 wherein the fold lines 70, 74 are disposed at 900 relative to one another. The formation of retention structures 71/77/78/84/73/75/82/86/80 directly from the first and second handle panels 22, 24 may provide a blank 10 that is manipulable at 10 high speeds in an automated packaging line in a straightforward manner avoiding the need to handle small connecting nick portions and loose flapping panels that are only weakly connected to the blank structure (as is the case with some prior art basket carrier blanks). Furthermore, the provision of a central handle structure that is affixed to the bottom panels and that is fully extensive from the bottom of the carrier 15 97 to the top of the carrier 97 may provide strength, structural integrity and robustness to the basket carrier 97. Further, the provision of partition tabs 84/78, 86/82 that rotate from a y-z plane into an x-z plane may assist with bottle alignment as there is a clear target to direct the central bottle toward. 20 Referring now to Figures 12 to 21, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the second illustrated embodiment, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix "100" to indicate that these features belong to the second embodiment. The alternative embodiment shares many common features with the first embodiment and therefore 25 only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 11 will be described in any greater detail. In Figure 12 it can be seen that the end wall forming panels 140, 138, 136, 134, 132, 130, 128, 126; first and second side panels 112, 114 and end wall panel glue flap 30 142 of the blank 110 are deeper than in the first embodiment. This is optionally so that the basket carrier 197 formed from the blank 110 can accommodate larger sized articles (optionally bottles) 'A' and/or so that a supplementary retention structure for supporting and retaining the tops and necks of the bottles can be provided. Each of the first and second side panels 112, 114 is provided with a supplementary retention - 12 - Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD structure that is provided in part by a retention panel 121, 117 that is hinged to the first and second side panel 112, 114 along a fold line 139a and 131a respectively. Each retention panel 121, 117 is otherwise separated or separable from the first or second side panel 112, 114 from which it is formed. The fold lines 139a and 131a 5 are disposed substantially parallel to the bottom panel fold lines 146b and 148b so that they are disposed horizontally or otherwise substantially parallel to the bottom panels 116 and 118 when the basket carrier 197 is erected. A retention panel glue flap 119, 115 is provided to affix the retention panel 121, 117 to the juxtaposed second and first handle panel 122, 124 respectively (see Figures 18 and 21 for an 10 illustration of the supplementary retention structure formed from the retention panel 121 struck from the first side wall 112). Optionally, an article support 141, 143, 145, 133, 135, 137 is provided by the retention panels 121, 117 for each article to be held by the basket carrier 197. In the 15 illustrated example a circular aperture 141, 133 is provided by each retention panel 121, 117, into which a neck portion of a rounded article (such as a bottle 'A') can be placed to support a bottle and limit the degree of freedom of movement that bottle 'A' then has. A semicircular notch 143, 145, 135, 137 is formed at each end of each retention panel 121, 117 for supporting, in a similar manner a neck portion of a 20 rounded article (such as a bottle 'A'). Turning to the construction of a basket carrier 197 (illustrated in Figures 18 - 21), it is envisaged that the carrier 197 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations, optionally in a straight line machine so that the carrier is not required to 25 be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. Referring now to Figures 13 to 17 a sequence of folding and gluing operations is 30 illustrated. In many respects the construction sequence is similar to that already described and illustrated in Figures 2 to 6 with reference to the first embodiment. As such only the differences will be described. After the first and second handle panels 122, 124 have been affixed together and the second handle panel 122 affixed to the first bottom panel 116, (optionally by means of adhesive applied in regions G1', G2' - 13 - Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD and G3' and folding in the direction of arrow F1), affixing means may be applied to the retention panel glue flaps 119, 115 in optional regions G4'. Adhesive in the region of G5' is also applied for affixing the glue flap 180 to the first side panel 112. In Figure 14, it is shown how the second and first handle panels 122, 124 are folded 5 in the direction indicated by arrow F3' (see Figure 15), into overlapping relationship with the first side panel 112. In this way, the retention panel glue flap 119 and the glue flap 180 of the retention structure 171/177/178/184/173/175/182/186/180 are affixed to the second handle panel 122. Additionally, the second bottom panel 118 and glue panel 120 are together folded about fold line 148b so that the glue panel 10 120 is affixed to the retention panel glue flap 115 as indicated by arrow F2' illustrated in Figure 15. The subsequent construction of the basket carrier 197 is illustrated in Figure 16. Glue panel 120 is then affixed (by using adhesive applied in optional regions G6') to 15 the first handle panel 124 in this way, the retention panel 117 is indirectly affixed to the first handle panel 124. Adhesive, optionally a hot melt glue, may be applied in optional glue regions G8', G6', G7' on the second side panel 114; glue panel 120 and end wall glue panel 142 20 respectively (as is illustrated in Figure 16). The part-formed blank is then folded about fold line 160 (as indicated by arrow F5' in Figure 17) until the first bottom panel 116 overlays the second bottom panel 118; the glue flap 180 is affixed to the second side panel 114; the glue panel 120 is affixed to the first handle panel 124 and the end wall glue panel 142 is affixed to the end wall panel 126. The resulting structure, 25 as shown in Figure 17, is a flat-folded basket carrier. The basket carrier opened out from the flat-form structure of Figure 17 is illustrated in perspective view in Figure 18. The configuration, structure and operation of the retention structure 171/177/178/184/173/175/182/186/180 are the same as in the 30 basket carrier 97 of the first embodiment and therefore are not described further. The retention panels 117, 121 are disposed in the y-z plane (see definition above) extending between the second and first handle panels 122, 124 and the second and first side panels respectively 116, 112. The retention panels 117, 121 provide a supporting structure above the plane of the bottom panels 118/116 into which the -14- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD necks and/or top portions of the bottles 'A' can be positioned and thereby supported. In Figure 20 three bottles 'A' are shown in an upside down (inverted) configuration with the base of the bottles 'A' disposed uppermost and the necks of the bottles supported in bottle supports 143, 141, 145. Bottles oriented in this manner may allow 5 for example, sediment (for example fleshy parts of a juice), flavouring or a first-part of a two-part beverage to settle in the neck of the bottle. Then, prior to opening of the bottle 'A', when the bottle is replaced into a normal upright position with the neck uppermost, the sediment, flavouring or first-part of a two-part beverage will flow through other liquid within the bottle to mix or distribute the sediment, flavouring or 10 first-part of a two-part beverage. It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. In other 15 embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that in a 2 x 2 basket carrier, the retention structure may comprise only one partition tab 84/78 or 86/82; 184/178 or 186/182. In further embodiments only one retention structure may be provided extending from only one of the handle panels 22, 24, 122, 124. It is also envisaged that basket carriers utilizing the retention structure of the present invention may be 20 shaped, sized and configured to accommodate more or fewer than six articles. The articles contained in the basket carrier is not limited to bottles as illustrated, but other containers may be placed in the basket carriers of the invention. Furthermore, the partition tabs 84/78, 86/82, 184/178, 186/182 may take many and various shapes and are not limited to the "wine-glass-shaped" partition tabs 84/78, 86/82, 184/178, 25 186/182 shown. Furthermore it can be appreciated that in other basket carriers only one retention panel may be provided. It is also envisaged that where provided the article supports 141, 143, 145, 133, 135, 137 may all be similarly shaped, or differently sized. 30 Furthermore, one or more of the article supports 141, 143, 145, 133, 135, 137 may be sized to support a base portion of an article and the basket carrier may comprise a combination of upright and inverted articles. Alternatively, the retention panels in other embodiments, may be sized sufficiently such that each article support 141, -15- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD 143, 145, 133, 135, 137 is an endlessly edged aperture (as per the supports 141 and 133). It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", 5 "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, 10 a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention. - 16 -

Claims (14)

1. A basket carrier comprising: a bottom wall, first and second side walls, end walls interconnecting the first and second side walls, a handle structure and at least one retention structure, wherein the at least one retention structure extends between the handle structure and at least one of the first and second side walls and wherein the at least one retention structure is hingedly connected to at least one of the handle structure and the first and second side walls by a first fold line that is disposed substantially parallel to the bottom wall, at a maximum elevation that is below the elevation of an uppermost edge of one of the first and second side walls.

2. A basket carrier according to claim 1 wherein the at least one retention structure comprises at least one partition panel disposed substantially parallel to the end walls.

3. A basket carrier according to claim 2 wherein the at least one retention structure further comprises at least one joint panel hingedly connected to the at least one of the handle structure and the first and second side walls by the first fold line, wherein the at least one partition panel is hingedly connected to the at least one joint panel by at least one second fold line that is disposed substantially parallel to the bottom wall.

4. A basket carrier according to claim 3 wherein the first fold line and the at least one second fold line are both disposed at an elevation that is lower than an uppermost edge of either of the first and second side walls.

5. A basket carrier according to claim 3 wherein the at least one partition panel comprises two partition panels both hingedly connected to the at least one joint panel.

6. A basket carrier according to claim 1 wherein the at least one retention structure comprises upper and lower retention structures wherein the lower -17 - Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD retention structure is disposed at an elevation within the basket carrier that is lower than the elevation of the upper retention structure.

7. A basket style carrier according to any preceding claim wherein the handle structure is disposed between the first and second side walls and extends from and is affixed to the bottom wall, and the handle structure having a maximum elevation that is above the elevation of the uppermost edges of the first and second side walls and end walls.

8. A basket style carrier according to claim 7 wherein the bottom wall comprises two bottom panels and a glue panel, and wherein the handle structure is a two-ply structure comprising first and second handle panels wherein the first handle panel is hinged to one of the bottom panels and wherein the second handle panel is affixed to the glue panel and to the first handle panel.

9. A basket style carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle structure comprises first and second handle panels wherein the first and second handle panels are hinged together along a common side connection and wherein the common side connection is co-extensive, at least in part, with the first and second side panels.

10.A basket style carrier according to claim 1 wherein the at least one retention structure comprises at least one retention panel which comprises at least one article support.

11.A basket style carrier according to claim 10 wherein the at least one article support comprises a cut-out having a shape selected from the group consisting of: circle, semi-circle, arc, square, trapezoid and triangle.

12.A basket style carrier according to any proceeding claim further comprising a bottle disposed in an inverted position with a neck portion disposed, at least partially, within an article support provided by the at least one retention structure. -18- Case Docket No. 70493-WOORD

13.A blank for forming the basket style carrier according to any preceding claim.

14.A basket carrier, blank therefor or a package comprising a basket carrier and articles substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying Figures. - 19 -