CN114258378A

CN114258378A - Carton and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: CN114258378A
Application number: CN201980099778.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱琳
Original assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2019-06-25
Filing date: 2019-09-23
Publication date: 2022-03-29
Also published as: WO2020258545A1; AU2019453912A1; TW202110721A; JP2022539520A

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an article retention device, a carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and a blank for forming a carrier. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including a bottom panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier comprises article retention means. The article retention device includes an anchor tab for engaging an article. The article retention device includes at least one protection flap for protecting the article. The anchor tab and the at least one protective flap partially define an opening in at least one wall of the carrier. A portion of the article may protrude through the opening. The anchor tab is hingedly connected to the bottom panel along a fold line. The anchor tab extends from the fold line to its free end edge. The at least one protective flap is spaced from at least a middle portion of the free end edge of the anchor tab when the carrier is in the blank form.

Description

Carton and blank therefor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a carton and a blank for forming a carton. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a wrap-around carrier having article-engaging structure for securing the ends of an article.

Background

In the field of packaging, it is known to provide cartons for carrying a plurality of articles. Cartons are well known in the art and are useful for enabling a consumer to transport, store, and access a group of articles for consumption. For cost and environmental reasons, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little loss of material from which they are formed. A further consideration is the strength of the carton and its suitability for containing and transporting heavy weight articles. It is desirable that the contents of the carton be safe within the carton.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an article engaging structure for securing an end of an article so that the article is less susceptible to damage or failure when in use.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in the field of cartons generally formed from paperboard or the like.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including a bottom panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier comprises article retention means. The article retention device may include an anchor tab for engaging an article. The article retention device may comprise at least one protection flap for protecting the article. The anchor tab and the at least one protective flap partially define an opening in at least one wall of the carrier. A portion of the article may protrude through the opening. The anchor tab may be hingedly connected to the bottom panel along a fold line. The anchor tab extends from the fold line to its free end edge. The at least one protective flap may be spaced from at least a mid-portion of the free end edge of the anchor tab when the carrier is in the form of a blank.

Optionally, the at least one protective flap is hingedly connected to the at least one wall of the carrier by a fold line.

Optionally, the polyline is non-linear.

Optionally, the fold line is interrupted by a first cut line.

Optionally, the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection.

Optionally, the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection, and wherein the hinged connection is terminated by a first cut line.

Optionally, the article retention means comprises a second cut line spaced from the first cut line.

Optionally, the article retention means comprises a second fold line extending between the first cut line and a terminal end of the second cut line.

A second aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming the walls of the tubular structure. The plurality of panels includes a bottom panel. The blank comprises article retention means. The article retention device may include an anchor tab for engaging an article. The article retention device may comprise at least one protection flap for protecting the article. The anchor tab and the at least one protective flap partially define an opening in the blank for receiving a portion of the article. The anchor tab may be hingedly connected to the bottom panel along a fold line. The anchor tab extends from the fold line to its free end edge. The at least one protective flap may be spaced from at least a mid-portion of the free end edge of the anchor tab.

A third aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel. The heel panel is disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article. The article retention device may include at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening. The at least one protective flap may protect a portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the heel panel and may extend into the side panel. The heel panel may be hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line. The first fold line may be interrupted by the article receiving opening such that the first fold line stops short of the at least one protective flap. A tear-blocking region may be provided between the first fold line and the at least one protective flap. A second fold line may extend from the at least one protective flap into the tear-blocking region. The second fold line is offset from the first fold line.

Optionally, the polyline is non-linear.

Optionally, the fold line is interrupted by a first cut line.

Optionally, the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection, the hinged connection being terminated by a first cut line.

Optionally, a second fold line extends between the first cut line and a terminal end of the second cut line.

Optionally, the lower part comprises a cut-out arranged divergently with respect to the hinge connection.

Optionally, the carrier comprises a folded structure disposed between the article retention means and the free edge of the tubular structure.

Optionally, the folding structure comprises at least one raised tab (relief tab) extending from the second cut line.

A fourth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel. The heel panel is disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article. The article retention device may include at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening. The at least one protective flap may protect a portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the heel panel and may extend into the side panel. The heel panel may be hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line. The first fold line is interrupted by the article receiving opening. The first fold line includes a terminal portion spaced apart from the at least one protective flap to provide a tear-stop region between the first fold line and the at least one protective flap. A second fold line may extend from the at least one protective flap into the tear-blocking region. The second fold line is offset from the first fold line.

A fifth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming the walls of the tubular structure. The plurality of panels includes a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel. The heel panel is disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel. The blank includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article. The article retention device may include at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening. The at least one protective flap may protect a portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the heel panel and may extend into the side panel. The heel panel may be hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line. The first fold line is interrupted by the article receiving opening such that the first fold line stops short of the at least one protective flap. A tear-blocking region may be provided between the first fold line and the at least one protective flap. A second fold line may extend from the at least one protective flap into the tear-blocking region. The second fold line is offset from the first fold line.

A sixth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming the walls of the tubular structure. The plurality of panels includes a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel. The heel panel is disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel. The blank includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article. The article retention device may include at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening. The at least one protective flap may protect a portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the heel panel and may extend into the side panel. The heel panel may be hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line. The first fold line is interrupted by the article receiving opening. The first fold line includes a terminal portion spaced apart from the at least one protective flap. A tear-blocking region may be provided between the first fold line and the at least one protective flap. A second fold line may extend from the at least one protective flap into the tear-blocking region. The second fold line is offset from the first fold line.

A seventh aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including side panels and a bottom panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article, and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the side panel. The at least one protective flap may comprise a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel along a non-linear fold line. The side flaps are foldable outwardly from the carrier about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

Optionally, the non-linear fold line is curved.

Optionally, the carrier comprises an inclined heel wall provided by a corner panel hingedly connected between the side panel and the bottom panel, and wherein the article receiving opening is defined in the corner panel and extends into the side panel.

Optionally, the side flaps are hingedly connected to the corner panels and side panels by the non-linear fold line.

Optionally, the article retention means comprises a pair of side flaps, each side flap being hingedly connected to the side panel along a respective non-linear fold line in an opposed manner to each other.

Optionally, the pair of side flaps are separated from each other by a dividing line.

Optionally, the first non-linear fold line that hinges a first of the pair of side flaps to the side panel is separated by a cut line from the second non-linear fold line that hinges a second of the pair of side flaps to the side panel.

An eighth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel. The heel panel is disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article, and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the heel panel and extends into the side panel. The heel panel is hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line. The first fold line is interrupted by the article receiving opening. The carrier includes an article retention device that includes an article receiving opening. The article retention means comprises side flaps hingedly connected to the side panels along non-linear fold lines. The side flaps are foldable outwardly from the carrier about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

Optionally, the side flaps are hingedly connected to the heel panel and the side panels by the non-linear fold line.

Optionally, the non-linear fold line provides a biasing means such that the side flaps resist outward folding while providing a flexible, cushioned article bottom retention feature.

A ninth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including side panels and a bottom panel. The plurality of panels form a wall of a tubular structure. The carrier includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article, and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the side panel. The at least one protective flap comprises a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel and at least partially spaced from a bottom engagement tab that defines a portion of an opening that is also partially defined by the side flap.

A tenth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming a wall of the tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising side panels and a bottom panel. The blank includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of the article, and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the side panel. The at least one protective flap comprises a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel along a non-linear fold line and foldable outwardly about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article-receiving opening.

An eleventh aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming a wall of the tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel. The heel panel is disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel. The blank includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of the article, and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the heel panel and extends into the side panel. The heel panel is hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line. The first fold line is interrupted by the article receiving opening. The article retention means comprises side flaps hingedly connected to the side panels along a non-linear fold line and foldable outwardly about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

A twelfth aspect or embodiment of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming a wall of the tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising side panels and a bottom panel. The blank includes an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of the article, and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article. An article receiving opening is defined in the side panel. The at least one protective flap comprises a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel and at least partially spaced apart from a bottom engagement tab defining a portion of an opening also partially defined by the side flap.

Within the scope of the present application, it is contemplated or intended that various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be considered or taken independently or in any combination thereof.

Features or elements described in connection with or in relation to one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of the features. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be combined with or combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein, and the features or elements extracted from the one embodiment may be included in addition to or in place of one or more features or elements of the other embodiment.

Features or combinations of features of embodiments disclosed herein may be extracted in isolation from other features of the embodiments. Alternatively, a feature or a combination of features of an embodiment may be omitted from the embodiment.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a top plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of fig. 1;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the carton of fig. 3;

fig. 5 is an alternative perspective view of a portion of the carton of fig. 3;

fig. 6 is a top plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank of FIG. 6;

fig. 8 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of fig. 6; and

fig. 9 is an alternative perspective view of a portion of the carton of fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of packages, blanks, and cartons are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the ways in which certain aspects of the invention may be practiced and do not represent an exhaustive list of all ways in which the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used in a broad sense to refer to embodiments that are used as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks, and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in detail in order to avoid 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 present invention.

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a carton or carrier 90 as shown in fig. 3 for containing and carrying a group of primary products, such as but not limited to beverage cans, hereinafter referred to as articles B, as shown in fig. 3. The blank 10 can be assembled to form a secondary package for packaging at least one primary product container or package.

Referring to fig. 6, there is shown a plan view of a blank 110 capable of forming a carton or carrier 190 as shown in fig. 8 for containing and carrying a group of primary products, such as but not limited to beverage cans, hereinafter referred to as articles B, as shown in fig. 8. The blank 110 can be assembled to form a secondary package for packaging at least one primary product container or package.

In the embodiments detailed herein, for non-limiting purposes of illustrating various features of the invention, the terms "carton" and "carrier" refer to

containers

90, 190 for engaging and carrying articles B, such as primary product containers B. It is contemplated that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to a variety of product containers B, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Other exemplary containers include bottles (e.g., metal, glass, or plastic bottles), cans (e.g., aluminum cans), tins, cups, jugs, pouches, bags, and the like.

The blank 10, 110 is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It will be understood that, as used herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes a wide variety of foldable sheet materials, such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It will be appreciated that one or other number of blanks may be employed where appropriate, for example to provide a carrier structure described in more detail below.

The packaging structures or

cartons

90, 190 described herein may be formed from a sheet material (such as paperboard) that may be made from or coated with various materials to increase its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear resistant NATRALOCK paperboard made by Westrock Company. It should be noted that the tear resistant material may be provided by more than one layer to help improve the tear resistance of the package. Typically, one surface of the sheet material may have different properties than the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material facing outwardly from the finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating (such as a clay coating or other surface treatment) to provide good printability. On the other hand, the inwardly facing surface of the sheet material may be provided with a coating, layer, treatment or otherwise prepared to provide properties such as one or more of tear resistance, good adhesion, heat sealability or other desired functional properties.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, the blank 10 is configured to form a carton or carrier 90 for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles B. In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement is an m x n matrix or array having two rows (m = 2) and two columns (n = 2); in the illustrated embodiment, two rows of two articles B are provided, and these articles B are 500 ml beverage cans.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 8, the blank 110 is configured to form a carton or carrier 190 for packaging the exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles B. In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement is an m x n matrix or array having two rows (m = 2) and three columns (n = 3); in the illustrated embodiment, two rows of three articles B are provided, and these articles B are 330 ml beverage cans.

Alternatively, the

blanks

10, 110 can be configured to form carriers for packaging other types, numbers, and sizes of articles B, which may be bottles or cans, and/or for packaging articles B in different arrangements or configurations, such as, but not limited to, fully enclosed cartons or basket carriers.

Turning to fig. 1, a blank 10 for forming a carton 90 (see fig. 3) according to a first embodiment is illustrated. The blank 10 includes a plurality of

main panels

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of

main panels

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 comprises: a first base panel 12, a first bevel or corner panel 14, a first side panel 16, a second bevel or corner panel 18, a top panel 20, a third bevel or corner panel 22, a second side panel 24, a fourth bevel or corner panel 26, and a second base panel 28. The plurality of

panels

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 may be arranged to be hinged one to the next in a linear series (linear series) by corresponding

fold lines

13, 15, 17, 19, 25, 27, 29, 31.

In an alternative embodiment, any of the first, second, third and

fourth corner panels

14, 18, 22, 26 may be omitted, and the fold lines 15, 17, 27, 29 may be omitted.

The first and fourth corner panels 14, 26 may be considered to form a lower portion of a respective one of the first or

second side panels

16, 24, or alternatively to form portions of the first or

second base panels

12, 28 to which they are hingedly connected.

The first and fourth corner panels 14, 26 are folded around the lower portion or heel of the article B and are also referred to herein as heel panels 14, 26.

The second and

third corner panels

18, 22 can be considered to form an upper portion of a respective one of the first or

second side panels

16, 24, or alternatively, a portion of the top panel 20.

The blank 10 is foldable to form a package 90 as illustrated in fig. 3. The first and

second base panels

12, 28 can be joined to one another in an overlapping relationship to form the composite base wall 12/28 of the carton 90. The blank 10 may include a complementary locking mechanism for securing the second base panel 28 to the first base panel 12. The second substrate panel 28 may include at least one first portion F of the complementary locking mechanism. The first substrate panel 12 may include at least one second portion M of the complementary locking mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the second substrate panel 28 includes a plurality of female tabs F that define openings in the second substrate panel 28. The first base panel 12 includes a plurality of male tabs M; and the opening in the second base panel 28 is configured to receive a respective one of the male tabs M. The female tab F is arranged to be displaced out of the second base panel 28 to form an opening and to press against the male tab M when the male tab M is received therein. In some embodiments, the complementary locking mechanism M/F may be omitted; and the first and

second substrate panels

12, 28 may be secured to one another by other means, such as, but not limited to, adhesive or staples.

Optionally, the first and

second substrate panels

12, 28 may include at least one first aperture a 1. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and

second substrate panels

12, 24 includes two first apertures a 1. The first aperture a1 may be employed to facilitate the construction of the carton 90. The wrapper component may be engaged with the first aperture a1 to enable the plurality of

panels

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 to be gathered about a group of articles B. The first aperture a1 may also be employed to facilitate alignment of the first and

second substrate panels

12, 28 relative to each other or to align the first portion F of the complementary locking mechanism with the second portion M of the complementary locking mechanism.

The complementary locking mechanisms illustrated and described are entirely optional.

Optionally, the top panel 20 includes a pair of

fold lines

21, 23 extending between opposite edges of the top panel 20.

Blank 10 includes at least one article engaging structure N1, N2, N3, N4 for engaging the heel, toe or lower portion of article B. The blank 10 illustrated in fig. 1 includes four heel engaging structures N1, N2, N3, N4, each for engaging a respective article B. Each of the heel engagement structures N1, N2, N3, N4 is substantially similar in construction and will only be described with reference to heel engagement structure N3 disposed in the second side panel 24 as shown in fig. 2, 4, and 5.

The heel engaging structure N3 includes an opening for receiving a portion of article B. The opening is defined in part by the heel aperture a3 and in part by the at least one

heel tab

50a, 50b, 52a/56a, 52b/56b, 54.

First heel tab 54 (also referred to herein as an anchor tab) is hingedly connected to second base panel 28. The first heel tab 54 is struck at least in part from the fourth corner panel 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the first heel tab 54 is struck in part from the fourth corner panel 26 and in part from the second base panel 28. The first heel tab 54 is hingedly connected to the second base panel 28 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 55, which in the illustrated embodiment is arcuate or curvilinear. The first and second side edges of the first heel tab 54 are defined by a first cut or partition line 65a and a second cut or partition line 65b, respectively. The first end portion 65c of the first cut line 65a separates the first marginal portion of the first heel tab 54 from the second base panel 28. The second end portion 65d of the second cut line 65b separates the second marginal portion of the first heel tab 54 from the second base panel 28. First end portion 65c and second end portion 65d separate fold line 55 from

fold lines

31, 31a, fold

lines

31, 31a hinging fourth corner panel 26 to second base panel 28. First heel tab 54 may comprise a pair of fold lines 63a, 63b, which may define a foldable portion of first heel tab 54; each of the fold lines 63a, 63b may be formed by a cut line. The pair of fold lines 63a, 63b may be divergently arranged with respect to each other, and may be arranged to diverge towards fold line 55 and may define a foldable corner portion of first heel tab 54. Each of fold lines 63a, 63b may be arranged to terminate at a respective one of the terminal portions of fold line 55.

The first heel tab 54 forms a lower or engagement heel tab. First heel tab 54 is configured to engage a recess or indentation in the base of article B.

The first heel tab 54 defines a lower edge of the heel aperture a 3.

The heel engagement structure N3 includes a

second tab

50a, 50b, and the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of

second tabs

50a, 50b separated from each other by an optional cut or split line 51. In other embodiments, the cut line 51 is omitted and the

second tabs

50a, 50b are integral.

Second heel tab

50a, 50b defines an upper edge of heel aperture a 3. The

second tabs

50a, 50b are integral with the second side panel 24. The

second tabs

50a, 50b are struck at least in part from the second side panel 24. In some embodiments, the

second tabs

50a, 50b are partially struck from the fourth corner panel 26.

The heel engagement structure N3 includes a pair of opposing heel tabs 52a/56a, 52b/56b, also referred to herein as protective flaps.

The third heel tab 52a/56a is struck in part from the second side panel 24 and in part from the fourth corner panel 26. Third heel tab 52a/56a is hingedly connected to at least one panel of blank 10 by a hinged connection in the form of fold line 53a/57 a. The hinge connection or fold line 53a/57a is interrupted by a cut line 58 a. The cut line 58a is contiguous with the upper portion 57a of the fold line 53a/57a (contiguous). Cut line 58a is contiguous with lower portion 53a of fold line 53a/57 a.

The lower portion 53a of fold line 53a/57a may include or may be defined in part by a cut line. The cut line may be collinear with the lower portion 53a of fold line 53a/57 a.

The third heel tab 52a/56a comprises an upper portion 52a and a lower portion 56a, the upper portion 52a being hingedly connected to the lower portion 56a by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 59 a. The upper portion 52a of the third heel tab 52a/56a is hingedly connected to the second side panel 24 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 57 a. The lower portion 56a of the third heel tab 52a/56a is hingedly connected to the fourth corner panel 26 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 53 a.

The fold line 59a may be interrupted by a cut line 58 a. The cut line 58a may define or intersect a first or proximal end of the fold line 59 a.

Fold line 59a may be substantially collinear with fold line 29.

The fold line 59a may comprise or may be defined in part by a cut line arranged co-linearly with the fold line 59 a.

The upper portion 52a and the lower portion 56a of the third heel tab 52a/56a may assume a non-coplanar relationship with each other when the heel engagement structure N3 engages the article B in use.

Third heel tab 52a/56a may include an optional fold line 61 a. A fold line 61a is defined in the lower portion 56a of the third heel tab 52a/56 a. The fold line 61a is arranged divergently with respect to the fold line 59 a. The fold line 61a may be defined in part by a cut line.

The fourth heel tab 52b/56b is struck in part from the second side panel 24 and in part from the fourth corner panel 26. Fourth heel tab 52b/56b is hingedly connected to at least one panel of blank 10 by a hinged connection in the form of fold line 53b/57 b. The hinge connection or fold line 53b/57b is interrupted by a cut line 58 b. Cut line 58b is contiguous with upper portion 57b of fold line 53b/57 b. Cut line 58b is contiguous with lower portion 53b of fold line 53b/57 b.

The lower portion 53b of fold line 53b/57b may include or may be partially defined by a cut line. The cut line may be collinear with the lower portion 53b of fold line 53b/57 b.

The fourth heel tab 52b/56b comprises an upper portion 52b and a lower portion 56b, the upper portion 52b being hingedly connected to the lower portion 56b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 59 b. The upper portion 52b of the fourth heel tab 52b/56b is hingedly connected to the second side panel 24 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 57 b. The lower portion 56b of the fourth heel tab 52b/56b is hingedly connected to the fourth corner panel 26 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 53 b.

The fold line 59b may be interrupted by a cut line. The cut line 58b may define or intersect a first or proximal end of the fold line 59 b.

Fold line 59b may be substantially collinear with fold line 29.

The fold line 59b may comprise or may be defined in part by a cut line arranged co-linearly with the fold line 59 b.

The upper portion 52B and the lower portion 56B of the fourth heel tab 52B/56B may assume a non-coplanar relationship with each other when the heel engagement structure N3 engages the article B in use.

Fourth heel tab 52b/56b may include an optional fold line 61 b. A fold line 61b is defined in the lower portion 56b of the fourth heel tab 52b/56 b. The fold line 61b is arranged divergently with respect to the fold line 59 b. The fold line 61b may be defined in part by a cut line.

Third heel tab 52a/56a and fourth heel tab 52b/56b define the lateral edges of heel aperture A3.

The heel engagement structure N3 includes a first relief notch 62 a. The first relief notch 62a is oriented substantially perpendicular to the fold line 29.

The first bump cutouts 62a may be disposed substantially parallel to the cutting line 58 a. The first tab cutout 62a is spaced apart from the cut line 58 a.

The end portion 29a of the fold line 29 that hingedly connects the second side panel 24 to the fourth corner panel 26 terminates at a first tab cutout 62 a. The first tab cutout 62a and the cut line 58a at least partially define an area α 1 therebetween. The area α 1 interrupts the end portion 29a of the folding line 29 and the folding line 59a or spaces the end portion 29a of the folding line 29 and the folding line 59a apart. The region α 1 may form a tear barrier or a zone of inhibition.

An optional fold line 64a extends between the first relief notch 62a and the cut line 58 a. Fold line 64a is offset from fold line 29 and fold line 59 a. A fold line 64a may extend from a first or upper end of the first relief cut 62a to a first or upper end of the cut line 58 a.

A fold line 64a may be defined in the second side panel 26. Fold line 64a may be substantially parallel to fold line 29 or to fold line 59a or to fold line 29 and fold line 59 a.

The heel engagement structure N3 includes a second relief notch 62 b. The second relief notch 62b is oriented substantially perpendicular to the fold line 29.

The second bump cutouts 62b may be disposed substantially parallel to the cutting line 58 b. The second tab cutout 62b is spaced apart from the cut line 58 b.

The fold line 29 that hingedly connects the second side panel 24 to the fourth corner panel 26 terminates at the second tab cutout 62 b. The second tab cutout 62b and the cut line 58b at least partially define an area α 2 therebetween. The area α 2 interrupts the folding line 29 and the folding line 59a or separates the folding line 29 and the folding line 59 a. The region alpha 2 may form a tear barrier or a zone of inhibition.

An optional fold line 64b extends between the second relief cut 62b and the cut line 58 b. Fold line 64b is offset from fold line 29 and fold line 59 b. The fold line 64b may extend from a first or upper end of the second relief cut 62b to a first or upper end of the cut line 58 b.

A fold line 64b may be defined in the second side panel 26. Fold line 64b may be substantially parallel to fold line 29 or to fold line 59b or to fold line 29 and fold line 59 b.

The heel engagement formation N3 interrupts the fold line 29.

Heel engaging structure N3 interrupts fold line 31.

Fold

lines

53a, 57a, 59a, 64a all terminate at cut line 58 a.

Fold

lines

53b, 57b, 59b, 64b all terminate at cut line 58 b.

During erection and packaging of the articles B, the blank 10 is manipulated such that each heel aperture a3 receives the bottom of a respective article B to retain the article B within the carton 90. First heel tab 54 is folded to assist in retaining article B. This can be achieved by: the first and

second base panels

12, 28 are folded outwardly such that the first heel tab 54 extends inwardly, the first heel tab 54 being disposed under the respective article B when the first and

second side panels

16, 24 are folded about the group of articles. The first and

second base panels

12, 28 are then subsequently folded about the base of the group of articles and, in so doing, the first heel tab 54 engages with the respective article B and is folded relative to the respective one of the first and

second base panels

12, 28 to which they are hingedly connected by fold line 55.

First heel tab 54 facilitates securing or locking the heel or base of article B in place.

The second tabs 50a, 50B and the pairs of opposing heel tabs 52a/56a, 52B/56B are deformed or folded outwardly about the received article B. The second tabs 50a, 50B and the pairs of opposing heel tabs 52a/56a, 52B/56B may protect the heel or lower portion of the item B received in the heel opening. The

second tabs

50a, 50b and the pairs of opposing heel tabs 52a/56a, 52b/56b may reduce stress or redirect forces in the substrate to reduce the likelihood of tear propagation when the carton 90 is in use.

The blank 10 may include at least one deformable or foldable structure FS. The illustrated blank 10 includes a plurality of fold structures FS, optionally four fold structures FS being provided. Each fold structure FS forms a deformable corner region, optionally a bottom or bottom corner region, of the carton 90. The folding structure FS comprises an arrangement of fold lines and is adapted to eliminate or reduce the sharpness and/or rigidity of corners or edges of the carton 90. This may be advantageous when the carton 90 is transported or carried in a carrier bag (particularly, but not exclusively, a carrier bag formed of plastic, paper, or similar sheet material). The fold structure FS may prevent or reduce the likelihood of the carton 90 perforating, tearing, or otherwise puncturing or damaging the material forming the carrier bag. It will be appreciated that any puncture in the carrier bag may compromise the load bearing capacity of the carrier bag; and once damaged, the tear is likely to propagate. This can lead to the possibility of carrier bag failure and undesirable breaking out (egr) of the carton 90 or other article disposed in the carrier bag, and thus damage thereto.

Each of the folding structures FS is substantially similar in construction and will be described with reference to the folding structure FS provided in the second side panel 20 and shown in fig. 2.

The folded structure FS includes raised

tabs

60, 66, 68 formed by marginal portions of the second side panel 24 and the fourth corner panel 26. The folded structure FS includes a first raised tab 68 and a second raised tab 66 formed by the second side panel 24. The third raised tab 60 is formed by the fourth corner panel 26.

In embodiments where the corner panel 26 is omitted, the third raised tab 60 may be formed at least partially by the second side panel 24 and partially by the second base panel 28, or alternatively, entirely by the second side panel 24.

The first raised tab 68 is defined in part by a first fold line 69 provided in the second side panel 24 and in part by a second fold line 67 provided in the second side panel 24.

The second raised tab 66 is defined in part by the second fold line 67 and in part by the end portion 29a of the fold line 29 that hinges the second side panel 24 to the fourth corner panel 26.

The third raised tab 60 is defined in part by the end portion 29a of the fold line 29 that hinges the second side panel 24 to the fourth corner panel 26 and in part by the third fold line 49.

The third fold line 49 extends from a second or lower end of the first relief cut 62 a. The third fold line 49 may extend to a first or outer end of the end portion 31a of the fold line 31 that hinges the fourth corner panel 26 to the second base panel 28.

The first fold line 69 is divergently arranged with respect to the second fold line 67. The first fold line 69 and the second fold line 67 diverge toward the longitudinal or free side edges of the blank 10. The first fold line 69 and the second fold line 67 include a first end portion disposed close to each other (proximal to) and a second end portion disposed away from each other (digital from).

The first, second, and

third fold lines

69, 67, 49 each extend inwardly from the free end edge E1 of the blank 10.

The raised

tabs

60, 66, 68 are disposed between the longitudinal or free end edge E1 of the blank 10 and the adjacent heel engaging structure N3.

The folding structure FS enables a portion of the second side panel 24 (and optionally the second corner panel 26 when provided) to be folded or deformed about the end of the endmost adjacent article B so as to bring the free edge of the portion into closer proximity with the endmost article B. Which reduces the rigidity of the outer or end region of the part so that it is easily deformed. In this manner, the likelihood of the lower corner portions of the carton 90 piercing or otherwise damaging the walls of the carrier bag when disposed inside during either loading or carrying of the carrier bag is reduced. This may reduce the practice of "double bagging," i.e., placing a first carrier bag inside a second carrier bag to form a stronger double-walled carrier bag.

The top panel 20 may include an optional handle structure H. The handle structure H includes finger tabs 70. The finger tab 70 is hingedly connected to the top panel 20 by a fold line 71 and is defined in part by a cut or split line 73. The parting line 73 may include

extensions

73a, 73b extending outwardly from the finger tab 70 (substantially from the fold line 71). The

extension portions

73a, 73b may each terminate in a "J" or "C" shaped cut. The

extensions

73a, 73b may provide a raised means for controlling or directing the load force when the handle H is in use. This may mitigate the propagation of a tear in the top panel 20 when the handle is in use.

Optionally, the top panel 20 includes a first cut-out or recess R1 struck from the first free end edge. Optionally, the top panel 20 includes a second cut-out or recess R2 struck from the second free end edge. The second free end edge is opposite the first free end edge. The first recess R1 and the second recess R2 may be configured to align with a gap or void disposed between a pair of adjacent articles B. One or both of the recesses R1, R2 may be employed to grasp the carton 90. The user can grasp the carton by engaging either both recesses R1, R2 simultaneously, or by engaging one of the first recess R1 and the second recess R2 along with the handle opening formed by folding the tab 70 out of the plane of the top panel 20.

Each end of the blank 10 includes an end retention feature to prevent the contents of the carton 90 from escaping from the carton 90 when the blank 10 is erected into the carton 90.

Each end retention structure includes an anchoring

portion

30a, 30b, 40a, 40b hingedly connected to an

adjacent side panel

16, 24 along a

fold line

33a, 33b, 47a, 47 b. Each end retention structure includes a

web portion

32a, 32b, 38a, 38b hingedly connected to an

anchor portion

30a, 30b, 40a, 40b along a

fold line

35a, 35b, 45a, 45 b. Each

web portion

32a, 32b, 38a, 38b is hingedly connected to the top panel 20 by a

gusset panel

34a, 34b, 36a, 36 b. Each

web portion

32a, 32b, 38a, 38b is hingedly connected to a

respective gusset panel

34a, 34b, 36a, 36b by a hinged connection in the form of a

fold line

37a, 37b, 43a, 43 b. The

gusset panels

34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are hingedly connected to the top panel 20 by respective hinge connections in the form of

fold lines

39a, 39b, 41a, 41 b.

The optional aperture a2 may be struck in part from the top panel 20, in part from the first or

second side panels

16, 24 or the second and

third corner panels

18, 22, and in part from portions of the end retention structure. Aperture a2 defines fold

line

17, 19, 33a, 35a, 37a, 39 a; 17. 19, 33b, 35b, 37b, 39 b; 25. 27, 41a, 43a, 45a, 47 a; 25. 27, 41b, 43b, 45b, 47b, and is disposed at the apex of the above-described fold line.

Folding of the end retention structure is achieved during erection of the carton 90. To form the top engagement structure from each end retention structure, the

anchor portions

30a, 30b, 40a, 40b are folded about 180 degrees into face contacting relationship with the inner surface of the

adjacent side panel

16, 24. The anchoring

portions

30a, 30B, 40a, 40B are held in the folded position by one of the packaged articles B being pressed against the

adjacent side panel

16, 24. The folding of the anchoring

portions

30a, 30B, 40a, 40B causes the

web portions

32a, 32B, 38a, 38B to fold outwardly about the

fold lines

35a, 35B, 45a, 45B such that the

web portions

32a, 32B, 38a, 38B extend outwardly from the

fold lines

35a, 35B, 45a, 45B along the side walls of the one packaged article B and are caused to fold about the one packaged article B so as to extend from the

fold lines

35a, 35B, 45a, 45B towards the top panel 20 to which it is hinged by one of the

gusset panels

34a, 34B, 36a, 36B, respectively. The completed top engaging structures are thus illustrated in fig. 3, where each structure is shown tightly engaging the top of the endmost article B.

Turning to the erection of the carton 90 as illustrated in fig. 3, the carton 90 can be formed in a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that there is no need to rotate or invert the carton 90 to complete its erection. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may vary according to specific manufacturing requirements.

Assembling a group of articles B; in the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, four articles B are arranged in a2 x 2 array. The top panel 20 of the blank 10 is disposed over the group of articles B to provide the top wall 20 of the carton 90.

The second corner panel 18 and the third corner panel 22 are folded about

fold lines

19, 25, respectively, with respect to the top panel 20, with respect to the upper or shoulder portions of the adjacently disposed articles B.

The first side panel 16 and the second side panel 24 are folded about

fold lines

17, 27, respectively, with respect to the top panel 20 about opposite sides of the set of articles B so as to be disposed about opposite sides of the set of articles B to form the first side wall 16 and the second side wall 24 of the carton 90.

Substantially simultaneously with folding the first and

second side panels

16, 24 relative to the top panel 20, the anchoring

portions

30a, 30b, 40a, 40b can be folded into face contacting relationship with a respective one of the first and

second side panels

16, 24 to form a top engaging structure as described above.

Alternatively, the top engagement structure may be formed after erecting the carton 90 into a tubular form. The anchoring

portions

30a, 30B, 40a, 40B are foldable between the adjacently disposed articles B and the respective one of the first and

second side panels

16, 24 to which they are hingedly connected.

The first and fourth corner panels 14, 26 are folded about fold lines 15, 29, respectively, with respect to a respective one of the first and

second side panels

16, 24, about the heel or lower portion of an adjacently disposed article B.

The first heel tab 54 may be folded out of the plane of the first and fourth corner panels 14, 26 about the fold line 55 prior to folding the first and fourth corner panels 14, 26 relative to the respective one of the first and

second side panels

16, 24.

In some embodiments, this is achieved by: folding the first and

second base panel

12, 28 outwardly such that the first heel tab 54 extends inwardly under the group of articles to engage one of the articles B, and then folding the first and

second base panel

12, 28 in opposite directions under the base of the group of articles.

The second base panel 28 is then folded about fold line 31 so as to be disposed adjacent the base of the group of articles B. Folding the first base panel 12 about the fold line 13 so as to be in at least partial overlying relationship with the second base panel 28; in so doing, each of first heel tabs 54 may be brought into engagement with the base of a respective article B.

The first and

second substrate panels

12, 28 are secured together. Each of the male tabs M is displaced inwardly out of the plane of the first base panel 12. In so doing, each of the female tabs F is displaced inwardly, thereby forming a corresponding opening in the second substrate panel 24. The male tabs M are received in respective ones of the openings to lock the first and

second base panels

12, 28 together. In this way, a tubular structure is formed around the group of articles B.

The assembled carton 90 is shown in fig. 3. Fig. 4 and 5 show enlarged views of one of the folded structures FS and one of the heel engagement structures N3 in an erected carton 90.

The second, third and

fourth heel tabs

50a, 50B, 52a/56a, 52B/56B are folded outwardly over the article B, the second, third and

fourth heel tabs

50a, 50B, 52a/56a, 52B/56B protecting a lower portion of the article B, more particularly but not exclusively, a portion of the article B protruding through the article receiving opening.

Referring now to fig. 6-9, additional embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. In the additional illustrated embodiment, like numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like parts, except with the addition of the prefix "100" to indicate that such features belong to the additional embodiment. This additional embodiment shares many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 to 5 will be described in detail.

The blank 110 includes a plurality of

main panels

112, 114, 16, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of

main panels

112, 114, 16, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 includes: a first base panel 112, a first bevel or corner panel 114, a first side panel 116, a second bevel or corner panel 118, a top panel 120, a third bevel or corner panel 122, a second side panel 124, a fourth bevel or corner panel 126, and a second base panel 128. The plurality of

panels

112, 114, 16, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 may be arranged to be hinged one to the next in linear series by

respective fold lines

113, 115, 117, 119, 125, 127, 129, 131.

In alternative embodiments, any one(s) of the first, second, third and

fourth corner panels

114, 118, 122, 126 may be omitted, and the

respective fold lines

115, 117, 127, 129 may be omitted.

The first and fourth corner panels 114, 126 (also referred to herein as lower corner panels) may be considered to form a lower portion of a respective one of the first or

second side panels

116, 124, or alternatively to form portions of the first or

second substrate panels

112, 128 to which they are hingedly connected.

The first and

fourth corner panels

114, 126 are folded about the lower portion or heel of the article B and are also referred to herein as

heel panels

114, 126.

The second and

third corner panels

118, 122 may be considered to form an upper portion of a respective one of the first or

second side panels

116, 124, or alternatively to form a portion of the top panel 120.

The pair of

fold lines

21, 23 provided in the top panel 20 of the embodiment of fig. 1 have been omitted from the top panel 120 of the embodiment of fig. 8, but may be incorporated into the top panel 120 in other embodiments (not shown).

The blank 110 may be folded to form a package 190 as illustrated in fig. 8. The first and

second base panels

112, 128 can be joined to one another in an overlapping relationship to form the composite base wall 112/128 of the carton 190. The blank 110 may include a complementary locking mechanism for securing the second base panel 128 to the first base panel 112. The second base panel 128 may include at least one first portion F of the complementary locking mechanism. The first substrate panel 112 may include at least one second portion M of the complementary locking mechanism.

Optionally, the first and

second base panels

112, 128 may include at least one first aperture a 1. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and

second substrate panels

112, 124 includes three first apertures a 1.

The top panel 120 may include an optional handle structure H. The handle structure H includes a pair of finger tabs 170 arranged in an opposing manner to each other. Each finger tab 170 is hingedly connected to the top panel 120 by a fold line 171 and is defined in part by a cut line or a split line 173. The dividing line 173 may include

extensions

173a, 173b extending generally outwardly from the fold line 171 from the respective finger tab 170. The

extensions

173a, 173b may each terminate in a "J" or "C" shaped cut. The

extensions

173a, 173b may provide a raised means for controlling or directing the load force when the handle H is in use. This may mitigate the propagation of a tear in the top panel 120 when the handle is in use.

The blank 110 may include at least one deformable or foldable structure FS. The illustrated blank 110 includes a plurality of folding structures FS, optionally four folding structures FS being provided. Each fold structure FS forms a deformable corner region, optionally a bottom or bottom corner region, of the carton 190. The folding structure FS comprises an arrangement of fold lines and is adapted to eliminate or reduce sharpness and/or rigidity of corners or edges of the carton 190. This may be advantageous when the carton 190 is transported or carried in a carrier bag, particularly but not exclusively a carrier bag formed of plastic, paper or similar sheet material. The fold structure FS may prevent or reduce the likelihood of the carton 90 perforating, tearing, or otherwise puncturing or damaging the material forming the carrier bag. It will be appreciated that any puncture in the carrier bag may compromise the load bearing capacity of the carrier bag; and once damaged, the tear is likely to propagate. This may lead to failure of the carrier bag and the possibility of undesirable breaking out of, and thus damage to, the carton 190 or other article disposed in the carrier bag.

Each of the folding structures FS is substantially similar in construction and will be described with reference to the folding structure FS disposed in the second side panel 120 and shown in fig. 7.

The folded structure FS includes raised

tabs

160, 166 formed by marginal portions of the second side panel 124 and the fourth corner panel 126. The folded structure FS includes a first raised tab 166 formed by the second side panel 124. The second raised tab 160 is formed by the fourth corner panel 126.

In embodiments where the corner panel 126 is omitted, the second raised tab 160 may be formed at least partially by the second side panel 124 and partially by the second base panel 128, or alternatively, entirely by the second side panel 124.

The first raised tab 166 is defined in part by the first fold line 167 and in part by the end portion 129a of the fold line 129 that hingedly connects the second side panel 124 to the fourth corner panel 126.

The second raised tab 60 is defined in part by the end portion 129a of the fold line 129 that hinges the second side panel 124 to the fourth corner panel 126 and in part by the second fold line 149.

The second fold line 149 extends from a second or lower end of the relief notch 162 a. The second fold line 149 may extend to a first or outer end of the end portion 131a of the fold line 131 that hinges the fourth corner panel 126 to the second base panel 128.

The first and

second fold lines

167, 149 each extend inwardly from the free end edge E1 of the blank 110.

The raised

tabs

160, 166 are disposed between the longitudinal or free end edge E1 of the blank 110 and the adjacent heel engaging structure N3.

The folding structure FS enables a portion of the second side panel 124 (and optionally the second corner panel 126 when provided) to be folded or deformed about the end of the endmost adjacent article B so as to bring the free edge of the portion into closer proximity with the endmost article B. It reduces the rigidity of the outer or end region of the part so that it is easily deformed. In this manner, the likelihood of the lower corner portions of the carton 190 piercing or otherwise damaging the walls of the carrier bag when disposed inside during either loading or carrying of the carrier bag is reduced. This may reduce the practice of "double bagging," i.e., placing a first carrier bag inside a second carrier bag to form a stronger double-walled carrier bag.

Blank 110 includes at least one article engaging structure N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 for engaging the heel, end, or lower portion of article B. The blank 110 illustrated in fig. 8 includes six heel engaging structures N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, each for engaging a respective article B. The blank 110 includes four endmost heel engaging structures N1, N3, N4, N6 and two intermediate heel engaging structures N2, N5. In other embodiments, the carton 190 may be configured to carry more than six articles B, in which embodiments, the blank (not shown) would include a greater number of intermediate heel engagement structures.

The heel engaging structure N4 shown in fig. 7 includes an opening for receiving a portion of article B. The opening is defined in part by the heel aperture a3 and in part by at least one heel tab 150a/152a, 150b/152b, 154.

Heel engagement structures N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 include a first heel tab 154 (also referred to herein as an anchor tab), which first heel tab 154 is hingedly connected to second base panel 128. First heel tab 154 is struck at least in part from fourth corner panel 126. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 7, the first heel tab 154 is struck in part from the fourth corner panel 126 and in part from the second base panel 128. First heel tab 154 is hingedly connected to second base panel 128 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 155, which in the illustrated embodiment is arcuate or curvilinear.

The first and second side edges of first heel tab 154 are defined by a first cut or partition line 165a and a second cut or partition line 165b, respectively. A first end portion 165c of first cut line 165a separates a first marginal portion of first heel tab 154 from second base panel 128. The second end portion 165d of the second cut line 165b separates the second marginal portion of the first heel tab 154 from the second base panel 128. First end portion 165c and second end portion 165d separate fold line 155 from

fold lines

131, 131a, fold

lines

131, 131a hinging fourth corner panel 126 to second base panel 128. First heel tab 154 may include a pair of

fold lines

163a, 163b, which may define a foldable portion of first heel tab 154; each of the

fold lines

163a, 163b may be formed by a cut line. The pair of

fold lines

163a, 163b may be arranged divergently with respect to each other, and may be arranged to diverge toward the fold line 155 and may define a foldable corner portion of the first heel tab 154. Each of the

fold lines

163a, 163b may be arranged to terminate at a respective one of the terminal portions of the fold line 155.

First heel tab 154 forms a lower or engagement heel tab. First heel tab 154 is configured to engage a recess or indentation in the base of article B.

First heel tab 154 includes a free end edge E2 opposite the hinged edge defined by fold line 155, which free end edge E2 defines the lower edge of heel aperture A3.

Heel engaging structures N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 include at least one second heel tab 150a/152a, 150b/152 b. The or each second heel tab 150a/152a, 150b/152b defines an upper edge of a heel aperture a 3.

The or each second heel tab 150a/152a, 150b/152b is struck at least in part from one of the

side panels

116, 124, which in the embodiment illustrated in figure 7 is the second side panel 124. The or each second heel tab 150a/152a, 150b/152b may be struck in part from the one of the

side panels

116, 124 and in part from one of the

lower corner panels

114, 126.

Referring to FIG. 7, the heel engagement structure N4 may include a pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b separated from each other by a cut line or split line 151 a.

The pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b define an upper edge of heel aperture A3. The pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b is struck at least in part from the second side panel 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b are struck in part from the second side panel 124 and in part from the fourth corner panel 126.

Each of the pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b comprises an

upper portion

150a, 150b hingedly connected to a

lower portion

152a, 152b by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. The fold line may be defined in part by

cut lines

159a, 159 b; alternatively, the fold line may be defined in part by a crease, score, or embossed line disposed contiguously with the

cut lines

159a, 159 b. The fold line may be collinear with

fold lines

131, 131 a.

Each

lower portion

152a, 152b is hingedly connected to the fourth corner panel 126 by a respective lower second

tab fold line

153a, 153 b.

Each

upper portion

150a, 150b is hingedly connected to the second side panel 124 by a respective upper second

tab fold line

157a, 157 b. Each of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b may be non-linear. A first one of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b may be separated from a second one of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b by cut line 151 b. Cut line 151b intersects a first or upper end of cut line 151 b. Cut line 151a may bisect cut line 151 b.

Each of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b is disposed contiguously with a respective one of the lower second

tab fold lines

153a, 153 b.

Each of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b is disposed divergently from a respective one of the lower second

tab fold lines

153a, 153 b.

Each of the pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b is hingedly connected to blank 110 or carton 190 by a non-linear fold line 153a/157a, 153b/157 b.

The heel aperture a3 may be substantially triangular in shape. In this manner, at least a medial or central portion of heel tab 154 is spaced apart from the pair of second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152 b.

The upper portion 150a, 150B of the second heel tab 150a/152a, 150B/152B may assume a non-coplanar relationship with the lower portion 152a, 152B of a respective one of the second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150B/152B when the heel engagement structure N4 engages the article B in use.

The heel engagement structure N4 is spaced from the relief notch 162 a. The relief notch 162a is oriented substantially perpendicular to the fold line 129 a.

The end portion 129a of the fold line 129 that hingedly connects the second side panel 124 to the fourth corner panel 126 terminates at a tab cutout 162 a. The raised cutout 162a and the fold line 153a/157a at least partially define an area α 2 therebetween. The area α 2 interrupts the end portion 129a of the folding line 129 and the folding line 159a or spaces the end portion 129a of the folding line 129 and the folding line 159 a. The region alpha 2 may form a tear barrier or a zone of inhibition.

The heel engaging structure N4 is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the folded structures FS.

The fold line 129 that hingedly connects the second side panel 124 to the fourth corner panel 126 terminates at fold line 153b/157 b. The fold line 129 can be considered to be contiguous with the fold line defined in part by the cut line 159 b.

The endmost heel engaging structures N4, N6, N1, N3 may be spaced apart from an adjacent one of the folded structures FS.

The fold lines 115, 129 can be considered to be contiguous with the fold lines defined in part by

cut lines

159a, 159b provided in the second heel tab of medial heel engagement structures N2, N5, respectively.

The heel engagement structures N4, N5, N6 interrupt the fold line 129.

The heel engagement structures N1, N2, N3 break the fold line 115.

The heel engagement structures N4, N5, N6 interrupt the fold line 131.

The heel engagement structures N1, N2, N3 interrupt the fold line 113.

During erection and packaging of the articles B, the blank 110 is manipulated such that each heel aperture a3 receives the bottom of a respective article B to retain the article B within the carton 190. First heel tab 154 is folded to assist in retaining article B. This can be achieved by: folding first and

second base panels

112, 128 outwardly such that first heel tab 154 extends inwardly, first heel tab 154 is disposed under a respective article B when first and

second side panels

116, 124 are folded about the group of articles. Then, first and

second base panels

112, 128 are subsequently folded about the base of the group of articles, and in so doing, first heel tab 154 is engaged with the respective article B and folded about the respective one of first and

second base panels

112, 128 to which they are hingedly connected by fold line 155.

First heel tab 154 facilitates securing or locking the heel or base of article B in place.

Second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150B/152B deform or fold outwardly about received article B. The second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150B/152B may protect the heel or lower portion of the item B received in the heel opening. The second heel tabs 150a/152a, 150b/152b may reduce stress or redirect forces in the substrate to reduce the likelihood of tear propagation when the carton 190 is in use.

In some embodiments, the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b may be substantially linear. The upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b may be convergently arranged with respect to each other. Optionally, each of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b may be defined in part by or include one or more cut lines.

In some embodiments, cut line 151b may be omitted.

In some embodiments, a cut line (not shown) may space the upper second

tab fold line

157a, 157b from its respective adjacent lower second

tab fold line

153a, 153 b. The cut line may be non-linear and define a vertex, for example, but not limited to, the cut line may be a shallow "V" shape. The fold line may extend from the apex of the cut line between the upper second tab fold line 157a and the lower second tab fold line 153a towards the cut line 162 a. The fold line 129 may intersect or meet the lower second tab fold line 153b, along with the upper second tab fold line 157b, below the apex.

In some embodiments, the fold line may extend from one of the upper second tab fold line 157a and the lower second tab fold line 153a to the cut line 162 a.

In some embodiments, a fold line may extend from the intersection or vertex between the upper second tab fold line 157a and the lower second tab fold line 153a to the cut line 162a, which may meet or intersect the upper end of the cut line 162 a.

Alternatively, the

cut lines

159a, 159b may be divergently arranged with respect to each other. The cut lines 159a, 159b may be arranged so as to diverge away from the heel aperture a 3. The cut lines 159a, 159b may be arranged to extend from an apex between a respective one of the upper second

tab fold lines

157a, 157b and an adjacent one of the lower second

tab fold lines

153a, 153 b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper second tab fold line 157b and the lower second tab fold line 153b meet at an apex located on the fold line 129. In other embodiments, the vertex may be offset from the polyline 129.

The upper second tab fold line 157a and the lower second tab fold line 153a meet at an apex, which may be collinear with the fold line 129 and/or the fold line 129 a; in other embodiments, the vertex may be offset.

In alternative embodiments, the shape of heel aperture a3 may be different, such as, but not limited to, generally trapezoidal, rather than the triangular shape illustrated.

The present disclosure provides a carrier 90 or carrier blank 10 that includes article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 (also referred to herein as article engaging structures). Article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 include an anchor or heel tab 54 for engaging article B and at least one protection flap 52a/56a, 52B/56B for protecting article B. The anchoring tab 54 and the at least one protective flap 52a/56a, 52B/56B partially define an opening in the carrier 90 or carrier blank 10 through which a portion of the article B protrudes. The at least one protective flap 52a/56a, 52B/56B is disposed outside the article B. Anchor tab 54 is hingedly connected to bottom panel 28 along fold line 55 and extends from fold line 55 to its free end edge E2. When the carrier 90 is in the form of a blank, the at least one protection flap 52a/56a, 52b/56b is spaced from at least an intermediate portion (and optionally the entirety) of the free end edge E2 of the anchor tab 54.

The present disclosure also provides a carrier 90 or carrier blank 10 comprising article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4, which comprise article receiving openings A3. The article receiving opening a3 is configured to receive a portion of an article B. Article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 include at least one protection flap 52a/56a, 52b/56 b. The at least one protective flap 52a/56a, 52b/56b defines a portion of the article receiving opening a 3. The at least one protection flap 52a/56a, 52B/56B protects a portion of the article B when in use. An article receiving opening a3 is defined in the heel or corner panel 26 disposed between the bottom panel 28 and the side panel 24. The article receiving opening a3 extends into the side panel 24. Heel or corner panel 26 is hingedly connected to side panel 24 along a first fold line 29. The first fold line 29 is interrupted by the article receiving opening a3 such that the first fold line 29 stops short of the at least one protective flap 52a/56a, 52b/56b to provide or define a tear blocking area α 1, α 2 between the first fold line 29 and the at least one protective flap 52a/56a, 52b/56 b. A

second fold line

64a, 64b extends from the at least one protection flap 52a/56a, 52b/56b into the tear-blocking area α 1, α 2. The

second fold lines

64a, 64b are offset from the first fold line 29.

The present disclosure also provides a carrier 190 or carrier blank 110 comprising article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 having article receiving openings A3. The article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 may include side flaps 150a/152a, 150b/152b hingedly connected to

carton side walls

116, 124 along non-linear or curved fold lines 157a/153a, 157b/153b to fold outwardly from the carton 190 about the non-linear or curved fold lines. In some embodiments, the side flaps 150a/152a, 150b/152b may be hingedly connected to the

carton side walls

116, 124 and the angled heel walls of the carton provided by the

corner panels

114, 126. The non-linear or curved fold lines may provide a biasing or resistance means such that the side flaps 150a/152a, 150b/152b resist folding outward while providing a stretchable or flexible, shock-absorbing article bottom retention feature.

The present disclosure also provides a carrier 190 or carrier blank 110 comprising article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 having article receiving openings A3. The article retention devices N1, N2, N3, N4 may include side flaps 150a/152a, 150b/152b hingedly connected to the

carton side walls

116, 124 and at least partially spaced from a bottom engagement tab 154 that defines a portion of a common opening A3 that is also partially defined by the side flaps 150a/152a, 150b/152 b.

It will be appreciated that various changes can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of different sizes or shapes. The illustrated embodiment shows a carton or blank for forming a wrap-style article carrier; in other embodiments, the article carrier may take on alternative formats or styles and may take on one or more of the features of the present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that, as used herein, directional references (such as "top," "bottom," "base," "front," "back," "end," "side," "inner," "outer," "upper," and "lower") do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such an orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish the panels from one another.

As used herein, the terms "hinge connection" and "fold line" refer to a wide variety of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding of portions of the blank relative to one another, or otherwise indicate an optimal panel folding position of the blank. Any reference to "a hinged connection" should not be construed as necessarily referring to only a single fold line; in practice, the hinged connection can be formed by two or more fold lines, wherein each of said two or more fold lines can be rectilinear/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape. When the linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be arranged parallel to each other or at a slight angle with respect to each other. When the curved fold lines form a hinge connection, they may intersect one another to define a shaped panel in the area enclosed by these curved fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arcuate or bow-shaped fold lines which intersect at two points such that they define an oval panel therebetween. The hinge connection may be formed by one or more linear fold lines and one or more curved fold lines. Typical examples of such hinged connections may include a combination of linear fold lines and arcuate or arcuate fold lines, where the fold lines intersect at two points such that they define a half moon panel therebetween.

As used herein, the term "polyline" may refer to one of: a score line, an embossed line, a recessed line, a row of perforations, a row of short slits, a row of half cuts, a single half cut, an interrupted cut line, a row of aligned slits, a row of scores, and any combination of the above.

It should be understood that the hinge connection and fold line can each include elements formed in the base material of the blank, including perforations, a row of short slits, a row of half cuts, a single half cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. These elements can be sized and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a row of perforations can be sized or designed with a weakness to define a fold line and/or a cut line. The row of perforations can be designed to promote folding and resist breaking, to promote folding and promote breaking with more effort, or to promote breaking with less effort.

The phrase "aligned with … …" as used herein refers to the alignment of two or more elements in an erected carton, such as an aperture formed in a first of two stacked panels and a second aperture formed in a second of two stacked panels. Those elements that are aligned with each other may be aligned with each other in the thickness direction of the stacked panels. For example, when an aperture in a first panel is "aligned" with a second aperture in a second panel placed in a stacked arrangement with the first panel, an edge of the aperture may extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture and may be aligned with the second aperture in the thickness direction of the first and second panels.

Claims

1. A carrier for packaging one or more articles, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, the plurality of panels forming a wall of a tubular structure, the carrier comprising an article retention device having an anchor tab for engaging an article, and at least one protective flap for protecting the article, the anchor tab and the at least one protective flap partially defining an opening in at least one wall of the carrier through which a portion of the article protrudes, wherein the anchor tab is hingedly connected to the base panel along a fold line and extends from the fold line to a free end edge thereof, and wherein the at least one protective flap is spaced from at least a mid-portion of the free end edge of the anchor tab when the carrier is in blank form.

2. The carrier according to claim 1 wherein the at least one protective flap is hingedly connected to the at least one wall of the carrier by a fold line.

3. A carrier according to claim 2 wherein the fold line is non-linear.

4. A carrier according to claim 2 wherein the fold line is interrupted by a first cut line.

5. The carrier according to claim 1 wherein the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection.

6. The carrier according to claim 4 wherein the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection, and wherein the hinged connection is terminated by the first cut line.

7. A carrier according to claim 4 wherein the article retention means comprises a second cut line spaced from the first cut line.

8. A carrier according to claim 7 wherein the article retention means comprises a second fold line extending between terminal ends of the first and second cut lines.

9. A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming walls of a tubular structure and comprising a bottom panel, the blank comprising an article retention device having an anchoring tab for engaging an article, and at least one protection flap for protecting the article, the anchoring tab and the at least one protection flap partially defining an opening in the blank for receiving a portion of the article, wherein the anchoring tab is hingedly connected to the bottom panel along a fold line and extends from the fold line to a free end edge thereof, wherein the at least one protection flap is spaced from at least a middle portion of the free end edge of the anchoring tab.

10. A carrier for packaging one or more articles, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels including a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel, the plurality of panels forming a wall of a tubular structure, the carrier comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the heel panel and extending into the side panel, the heel panel being hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line, the first fold line being interrupted by the article receiving opening such that the first fold line stops short of the at least one protection flap to stop between the first fold line and the at least one protection flap And wherein a second fold line extends from the at least one protective flap into the tear-blocking region, the second fold line being offset from the first fold line.

11. The carrier according to claim 10 wherein the at least one protective flap is hingedly connected to at least one wall of the carrier by a fold line.

12. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the fold line is non-linear.

13. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the fold line is interrupted by a first cut line.

14. The carrier according to claim 10 wherein the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection.

15. The carrier according to claim 13 wherein the at least one protective flap comprises an upper portion hingedly connected to a lower portion by a hinged connection, the hinged connection being terminated by the first cut line.

16. The carrier of claim 13, wherein the article retention device comprises a second cut line spaced from the first cut line.

17. The carrier of claim 16, wherein the second fold line extends between terminal ends of the first and second cut lines.

18. The carrier according to claim 14 wherein the lower portion comprises a cut-out arranged divergently with respect to the hinge connection.

19. A carrier according to claim 16, comprising a fold formation provided between the article retention means and the free edge of the tubular structure.

20. The carrier according to claim 19 wherein the fold structure comprises at least one raised tab extending from the second cut line.

21. A carrier for packaging one or more articles, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels including a side panel, a bottom panel and a heel panel disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel, the plurality of panels forming a wall of a tubular structure, the carrier comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the heel panel and extending into the side panel, the heel panel being hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line interrupted by the article receiving opening, the first fold line including a terminal end portion spaced apart from the at least one protection flap, so as to provide a tear blocking area between the first fold line and the at least one protective flap, and wherein a second fold line extends from the at least one protective flap into the tear blocking area, the second fold line being offset from the first fold line.

22. A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming walls of a tubular structure and comprising a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel, the heel panel disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel, the blank comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the heel panel and extending into the side panel, the heel panel being hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line interrupted by the article receiving opening such that at least a middle portion of the first fold line stops short of the at least one protection flap to be between the at least middle portion of the first fold line and the at least one protection flap And wherein a second fold line extends from the at least one protective flap into the tear-blocking region, the second fold line being offset from the first fold line.

23. A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming walls of a tubular structure and comprising a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel, the heel panel being disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel, the blank comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article, and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the heel panel and extending into the side panel, the heel panel being hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line interrupted by the article receiving opening, the first fold line comprising a terminal portion spaced from the at least one protective flap, so as to provide a tear blocking area between the first fold line and the at least one protective flap, and wherein a second fold line extends from the at least one protective flap into the tear blocking area, the second fold line being offset from the first fold line.

24. A carrier for packaging one or more articles, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels including a side panel and a bottom panel, the plurality of panels forming a wall of a tubular structure, the carrier comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the side panel, the at least one protective flap comprising a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel along a non-linear fold line and folded outwardly from the carrier about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

25. The carrier of claim 24, wherein the non-linear fold line is curved.

26. The carrier according to claim 24 wherein the carrier comprises an inclined heel wall provided by a corner panel hingedly connected between the side panel and the bottom panel, and wherein the article receiving opening is defined in the corner panel and extends into the side panel.

27. The carrier according to claim 24 wherein the side flaps are hingedly connected to the corner panel and the side panels by the non-linear fold lines.

28. The carrier according to claim 24 wherein the article retention means comprises a pair of side flaps, each side flap being hingedly connected to the side panel along a respective non-linear fold line in an opposed manner to one another.

29. The carrier according to claim 28 wherein the pair of side flaps are separated from each other by a dividing line.

30. The carrier according to claim 24 wherein a first non-linear fold line that hinges a first of the pair of side flaps to the side panel is separated by a cut line from a second non-linear fold line that hinges a second of the pair of side flaps to the side panel.

31. A carrier for packaging one or more articles, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels including a side panel, a bottom panel and a heel panel disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel, the plurality of panels forming a wall of a tubular structure, the carrier comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the heel panel and extending into the side panel, the heel panel being hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line interrupted by the article receiving opening, the article retention device comprising a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel along a non-linear fold line, and the side flaps fold outwardly from the carrier about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

32. The carrier according to claim 31 wherein the side flaps are hingedly connected to the heel panel and the side panels by the non-linear fold lines.

33. The carrier according to claim 31 wherein the non-linear fold line provides a biasing means such that the side flaps resist outward folding while providing a flexible, shock absorbing article bottom retention feature.

34. A carrier for packaging one or more articles, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels including a side panel and a bottom panel, the plurality of panels forming a wall of a tubular structure, the carrier comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protection flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the side panel, the at least one protection flap comprising a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel and at least partially spaced apart from a bottom engagement tab defining a portion of an opening, the opening also being defined in part by the side flap.

35. A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming walls of a tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel and a bottom panel, the blank comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article, and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the side panel, the at least one protective flap comprising a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel along a non-linear fold line and being foldable outwardly about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

36. A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming walls of a tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel, a bottom panel, and a heel panel disposed between the bottom panel and the side panel, the blank comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening being defined in the heel panel and extending into the side panel, the heel panel being hingedly connected to the side panel along a first fold line interrupted by the article receiving opening, the article retention device comprising a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel along a non-linear fold line, and the side flaps are foldable outwardly about the non-linear fold line when an article is received in the article receiving opening.

37. A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming a wall of a tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising a side panel and a bottom panel, the blank comprising an article retention device having an article receiving opening for receiving a portion of an article and at least one protective flap defining a portion of the article receiving opening to protect the portion of the article, the article receiving opening defined in the side panel, the at least one protective flap comprising a side flap hingedly connected to the side panel and at least partially spaced apart from a bottom engagement tab, the bottom engagement tab defining a portion of an opening, the opening further defined in part by the side flap.