WO2006044583A2

WO2006044583A2 - Article carrier and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2006044583A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/036909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabien Jego
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Llc
Priority date: 2004-10-15
Filing date: 2005-10-13
Publication date: 2006-04-27
Also published as: EP1833737A2; JP2009511362A; RU2389668C2; CN101076481A; CN101076481B; GB0422962D0; RU2007117908A; JP5148280B2; KR20070099546A; WO2006044583A3

Abstract

A carton for containing bottles (B) arranged in rows having a keel structure disposed intermediate the rows of bottles. The keel structure is formed within a main panel of the carton and comprises a locking mechanism having two complementary parts (54, 56; 154, 156) such that engaging the complementary parts together forms the keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles, thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

Description

ARTICLE CARRIER AND BLANK THEREFOR

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to cartons for packaging a plurality of similar articles, such as bottles. More particularly the invention relates to a carton of the top gripping type which attaches to the tops of the bottles.

It is known to provide top gripping article carriers which comprise apertures for receiving articles. The apertures are often sunburst apertures which have a series of circumferentially arranged tabs engage on the underside of a bottle top or crown cork to prevent the removal of the bottle from the aperture. A problem with such apertures is the location in which the tab engages the bottle which can create a carton that is unstable and the tabs can become weakened by the unstable nature of the bottles within the carton. It is therefore desirable to have a top gripping carton which restricts the movement of the bottles within the carton. It is also often desirable to have a carton where a top panel protects the tops of the articles having perforable tops, for example yoghurt pots.

Cartons of this type are known, for example in US 5, 984, 086, Foushee discloses a carton having a keel construction suitable for retaining and separating articles contained in two rows. A problem associated with such a carton is that the tops of the articles of one row can bow toward the tops of the articles in the other row. This can make carrying difficult and is a weakness of the carton. This problem is partially overcome by having side panels which are a significant proportion of the article height, but this requires additional material which is uneconomical. It is therefore desirable to have a top gripping carton which is strong and rigid and which supports the articles held within. It is also desirable to have and article carrier which restricts the movement of the articles held within the carton and which is simple to construct and requires minimum material.

The invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate these and other problems of the prior art. Positional support is provided to maintain top and base panels in a spaced arrangement while limiting the movement of the bottles. Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a carton for containing a plurality of similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows, the carton having a plurality of main panels and comprising a keel structure for restricting movement of the bottles contained within the rows. The keel structure is formed in one of the main panels and being disposed intermediate the rows of articles. The keel structure comprises a series of primary panels hinged one to the next, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises two complementary parts, one part being provided by the first side panel and being hinged to the one main panel, the other part being provided by the second side panel. The first and second parts are characterized in that they are mutually engaged to secure the first and second side panels together thereby forming a rigid keel structure intermediate the rows of articles in such a manner that each of the first and second side panels is orientated so as to transmit and/or absorb both horizontal and vertical components of force exerted by the articles against the keel structure and thereby restricting the inward movement of the articles contained in each row.

Preferably the keel structure is substantially triangular in cross section and preferably the first and second panels of the keel structure further comprise apertures each for engaging a portion of a bottle, thereby restricting vertical movement of said bottle.

Additionally the part of the locking mechanism hinged to said main panel may be a tab and the other part of the locking mechanism may be an aperture for receiving said tab.

Preferably said main panel is a bottom panel and the carton may further comprise a pair of side wall panels and a top wall panel and wherein the top panel of the keel structure is secured to the top wall panel of the carton.

Preferably wherein the aperture is defined by a displaceable tab, which displaceable tab facilitates the locking of said main panel tab within said aperture.

Alternatively wherein the main panel tab is angled to form an inverted "V" shape. Optionally the displaceable tab comprises an indent and the angled tab is fittable into the indent to further facilitate the engagement of the first and second engagable elements.

Additionally the aperture is defined by two displaceable tabs and wherein the main panel tab is sandwiched between those two displaceable tabs to maintain the main panel tab in an engaged and locked position.

Preferably the second of said displaceable tabs comprises a complementary protrusion, the protrusion and indent operable together to further facilitate the locking of the main panel tab therebetween

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows and having a keel structure for restricting movement of the bottles contained within each row. The blank comprises a main panel that includes a first side panel, a top panel and a second side panel, hinged one to the next in series for forming the keel structure. The keel structure further comprises a locking mechanism that comprises two complementary parts, one part being provided by the first side panel and being hinged to the main panel, the other part being provided by the second side panel, wherein upon construction of the carton, the first part engaging said second part locks the first and second side panels together thereby forming a rigid keel structure intermediate the rows of articles in a set up carton each of the first and second side panels being orientated so as to transmit and/or absorb both horizontal and vertical components of force exerted by the articles against the keel structure and thereby restricting the inward movement of the articles contained in each row.

Preferably the keel structure in a set up carton is substantially triangular in cross section and even more preferably the first and second panels of the keel structure further comprise apertures each for engaging a portion of a bottle, thereby restricting vertical movement of said bottle in a set up carton.

Additionally the part of the locking mechanism hinged to said main panel may be a tab and the other part of the locking mechanism may be an aperture for receiving said tab. Optionally said main panel is a bottom panel, the blank further comprising a pair of side wall panels and a top wall panel and wherein the top panel of the keel structure is secured to the top wall panel in a set up carton.

Preferably the bottom panel has a series of apertures struck therefrom, each for receiving a bottle.

According to a third aspect the invention provides a carton for containing similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows, the carton having a plurality of main panels hinged one to the next in series for forming a tubular structure, including a top wall panel, a first side wall panel, a bottom panel and a second side wall panel and comprising a keel structure, the keel structure being formed within the bottom panel and being disposed intermediate said rows of bottles, the keel structure comprising a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two complementary parts, one part being struck from said first side panel and being hinged to said bottom panel, the other part being struck from said second side panel and wherein said first part engaging said second part locks the first and second side panels together thereby forming a rigid keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles, and thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

Preferably the top panel of the keel structure is secured to the top wall panel of the carton thereby providing rigidity to the carton.

Optionally the first and second side walls of the keel structure and the first and second side wall panels of the carton each comprise apertures for receiving a portion of a bottle, thereby restricting vertical movement of each bottle.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides an article carrier comprising, a pair of first and second opposed panels upstanding from a pair of first and second wing panels extending away from each other respectively from the lower ends of the first and second upstanding panels, wherein a male tab is formed from the first upstanding panel and joined to the first wing panel, characterized in that a female tab is formed from the second upstanding panel to define a locking aperture for receiving the male tab, the female tab being hingedly connected to the second upstanding panel to retain the male tab locked in the locking aperture.

Preferably each of the wing panels comprises article receiving apertures.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method of forming a carton for containing similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows, the carton being formed from a flat blank, the blank having plurality of main panels hinged one to the next in series for forming a tubular structure, including a top wall panel, a first side wall panel, a bottom panel comprising apertures each for receiving an article and a second side wall panel, the carton comprising a keel structure, the keel structure being formed within the bottom panel and being disposed intermediate said rows of bottles, the keel structure comprising a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two complementary parts, one part being struck from said first side panel and being hinged to said bottom panel, the other part being struck from said second side panel, said method comprising the steps of:

(i) loading rows of bottles into the apertures formed in said bottom panel of the blank; (ii) raising the bottom panel toward the tops of said bottles; (iii) moving said rows towards each other, such that the first and second side panels of the keel structure are displaced out of the plane of the bottom panel; engaging said first part with said second part of the locking mechanism, thereby forming the keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles and thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Two exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton for containing bottles; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Fig. 1 arranged around a group of bottles in preparation of constructing the carton;

Fig 2A is a prespective view of a part formed keel structure formed within the carton of the present embodiment illustrating the interengagement of two complementary locking elements;

Fig. 3 is a perspective front, side and top view of a stage in the construction of a carton from the blank of Fig 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective front, side and top view of a second stage in the construction of a carton from the blank of Fig 1; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective front, side and top view of the carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton for containing bottles according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a prespective view of a part formed keel structure formed within the carton of the second embodiment illustrating the interengagement of two complementary locking elements.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figs. 1 to 5 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. Throughout these drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or like features of the invention. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the second embodiment and like reference numerals have been used to denote like parts in the second embodiment but to distinguish between the two embodiments the reference numerals have been raised by a factor of 100. Fig. 1 illustrates a blank 12 from which the carton 10 of Fig. 5 is formed. The blank 12 is vertically elongate as viewed in Fig. 1 and is formed, in this embodiment, of paperboard. However the blank 12 maybe formed of other foldable material such as a plastic sheet or the like. Bottles 'B' arranged in a 2 x 3 array are shown in Figs. 2 - 5 as an aid in understanding the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the blank 12 includes a series of primary panels for forming the carton walls, i.e., a first top panel 60, a first side panel 62, a first bottom panel 64, a first intermediate panel 66, a glue panel 68, a second intermediate panel 70, a second bottom panel 72, a second side panel 74 and a second top wall panel 76. The primary panels are hinged one to the next in series along interrupted fold lines 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94.

Each of the first and second bottom panels 64, 72 are provided with three article receiving apertures 50, which are shaped to each accommodate a bottle 'B'. The carton 10 of the present invention is particularly intended for use with bottles 'B' which are shaped such that they are wider in dimension at a top portion than at a bottom. Therefore each aperture 50 is sized to receive the bottom of a bottle 'B' and to engage an underside of a flanged top portion of the bottle 'B'. This is illustrated in Figure 2.

The first and second side panels 62, 74 and first and second intermediate panels 66, 70, are each provided with a series of shaped apertures 52 each for receiving a portion of the flanged top portion of a bottle 'B'. Furthermore the first and second intermediate panels 66, 70 are provided with a complementary locking or fastening mechanism which in this embodiment comprises at least one male tab 54 which is structured to be received in a suitably configured female aperture 56. In this embodiment the male tabs 54 are struck in part from the second intermediate panel 70 and in part from the second bottom panel 72 so that the engaging part of each male tab 54 is defined by a shaped cut line and each male tab 54 remains hinged to the second bottom panel 72. Similarly the complementary female apertures 56 are defined by a shaped tab 56 which is struck from the first intermediate panel 66 and hinged thereto along fold line or weakened line 57. The shaped tab 56 is displaceable out of the plane of the first intermediate panel 66 such that an aperture is formed within the first intermediate panel, in which the male tab 54 can be received. The male tab 54 and female aperture 56 are shaped such that the male tab is interengageable with and lockable within the female aperture 56.

In the second embodiment illustrated by blank 112 in Figure 6 and part formed carton of Figure 7, the complementary locking mechanism takes a different form. The male tabs 154 are shaped such that the tab 154 can be angled about a centrally disposed weakened line 143.

The male tabs 154 remain hinged to the second bottom panel 172 by angled fold lines 158 and 159. Additionally the female aperture 146 is formed in part by displacing a first complementary shaped tab 156 which is displaceable out of the plane of the first intermediate panel 166 and remains hinged thereto along fold line 157. In the second embodiment the first tab 156 comprises a radial indent defined by semicircular line 145 which locates upon the angled male tab 154 to hold the malde tab 154 within the aperture 146. Although in the second embodiment as illustrated in Figure 6, the female aperture 146 is defined by a single displaceable tab 156, it is envisaged that a second displaceable tab 146 could be provided, which is also struck from the first intermediate panel 166 but remains hinged to the carton along fold line 182. In this further example the two displaceable tabs 156 and 146 cooperate together to maintain the male tab 154 in a locked position.

The locking mechanisms of the first and second embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the construction of a keel structure formed within the top gripping clip 10 of the present invention. Although the keel structure and locking mechanism of the present invention are described in relation to a carton of the top gripping clip type it will be understood by one skilled in the art after reading the foregoing description that the keel structure and locking mechanism each have application in other types of carton and the invention should not be construed as being limited in its application to the carton described herein which is used only as an example of one application.

Turning to the construction of the carton 10 of the first embodiment, a series of folding and gluing steps are required, which preferably can be performed in a straight line machine, so that the carton 10 and/or blank 12 are not required to be rotated or inverted to complete the construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. To form an erected carton 10 from the blank 12. six bottles 'B' arranged in two rows of three are each placed in alignment with the bottle receiving apertures 50 formed in the first and second bottom panels 64, 72. The blank 12 is then raised substantially vertically upward, as shown in Figure 2. The two rows of bottles are then brought towards each other and the blank 12 folded about fold lines 88 and 86. In this way the first and second intermediate panels 66, 70 are moved out of the plane of the first and second bottom panels 64, 72 and are moved closer together. The glue panel 68 or keel structure top panel 68 is displaced upwardly, out of the plane of the bottom panels 64, 70 until the first and second intermediate panels 66, 70 contact each other at edges defined by fold lines 86 and 88 wherein the glue panel 68 comes to rest in flat face contact with the tops of the bottles 'B'. As the first and second intermediate panels 66, 70 are advanced together; the male tabs 54 engage corresponding shaped tabs 56, and can be used to displace the shaped tabs out of the plane of the first intermediate panel such that the male tab 54 is received within the female aperture 56 thereby locking the first and second intermediate panels 66, 70 together. In this way the glue panel 68, first intermediate panel 66 and second intermediate panel 70 form a keel structure of triangular cross-section, as shown in Figure 3.

The shaped apertures 52 provided in each of the intermediate panels 66, 70 each engage a portion of a bottle 'B' and enable said portion to protrude into the triangular cavity of the keel structure. This enables the glue panel 68 to rest on top of the bottles 'B'. The glue panel 68 is can be secured to the first top panel 60 in such a way as to sandwich the flanged edges, of the bottles received in the carton 10 adjacent the keel structure, between the top panel of the carton and a lower edge of an aperture 52. In this way the shaped apertures 52 provided in each of the first and second intermediate panels 66, 70 may also assist in restricting and limiting movement of the bottles 'B' within the completed carton 10.

To complete construction of the carton 10 around the bottles 'B', the first and second side panels 62, 74 are folded upwardly 90° about fold lines 82 and 92 respectively as shown in Figure 4. The apertures 52 in the first and second side panels 62, 74 each engage an upper and lower edge of a flanged portion of bottle 'B'. The second top panel 76 is then folded about fold line 94, to be brought into flat face contact with an upper edge of each adjacent bottle. Glue is then applied to the outer faces of the second top panel 76 and glue panel 68. Finally the first top panel 60 is folded about fold line 80 and brought into flat face contact with the second top panel 76 and glue panel 68. This secures the first top panel 60 to the second top panel 76 and glue panel 68 and thereby completes construction of the carton 10, which is shown in Figure 5.

The resulting carton 10 securely contains the array of six bottles and can restrict movement of the bottles within the carton 10. Any inward movement of the bottle tops may be prevented by the keel structure and any outward movement may be prevented by both the complementary locking mechanism and the first and second side panels 62, 74. The bottom loading carton 10 may provide a secure and strong carrier for an array of bottles 'B' which can be easily constructed about the bottles in a straight line machine. Pre-breaking of the fold lines 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 may facilitate the construction of the carton 10.

The keel structure, which comprises a first side panel 66, 166 i.e. the first intermediate panel 66, 166, a second side panel 70, 170, i.e. the second intermediate panel 70, 170 and a top panel 68, 168 i.e. the glue panel 68, 168 primarily is held together within the carton 10 by the complementary interengagable locking mechanism provided by one or more pairs of male tabs 54, 154 and female apertures; the female apertures being provided by displaceable tabs 56, 156.

In the second embodiment the male tab 154 is angled about central fold line 143 such that a peak or crest of the male tab 154 is locked within a substantially semicircular indent or trough 145 formed within tab 156. Additionally tab 146 may be provided and if a tab 146 rather is rovided is may have a radial protrusion shaped similarly to the radial indent of tab 156 such that the angled male tab 154 is held in a locked engaged position between tab 145 which rests on top of the male tab and tab 146 which is displaceable from the plane of the first side panel 166 of the keel structure into an upstanding position relative to the bottom panels 164, 172 of the carton. In order to securely lock the male tab 154 within the aperture 146, a second displaceable tab is not necessary but it is envisaged that in a further example of the invention a second displaceable tab 146 hinged to the first bottom panel 164 along fold line 184 can further assist in the engagement of the male tab 154 within the female element of the complementary locking mechanism.

The arrangement and construction of such a locking mechanism provides a female aperture by displacing the two tabs 156 and 146 outward of the plane of the first intermediate panel 166 as the male tab 154 is pushed against the tabs and is thereby received within the aperture 146. The male tab 154 cannot return back through the female aperture because the natural resilience of the material from which the locking tabs 156, 146 are formed causes the locking tabs 156 and 146 to relax toward their original position i.e. back toward the plane of the first intermediate panel 166, thus partially reclosing the female aperture. The release of the male tab 154 back through the aperture is thereby restricted. In the second embodiment a second displaceable tab 146 is not provided however the natural resilience of only the first displaceable tab 156 is sufficient to partially recluse the female aperture 146 and restrict the release of the male tab 154 therefrom.

In both the second embodiment and the further envisaged example, fold line 143 is provided to cause the male tab 156 to be angled in a " ^A " or inverted " V " shape. The male tab 156 fits into the radial indent 145 of the first displaceable tab. If a seconddisplaceable tab 156 is provided then the radial protrusion of tab 146 first beneath the male tab 156 and into the " V " shaped male tab. Due to the fitting together of the three tabs 146, 154 and 145 the male tab 154, if moved in a returning direction, towards its original position, pulls with it the other two tabs 146 and 156 which close the aperture formed in the first intermediate panel and thereby restrict any further backward movement of the male tab thus maintaining the intermediate panels or first and second side panels of the keel structure in their erected positions. Again, if tab 146 is not provided, the first displaceable tab and male tab 156 are located together sufficiently to achieve a similar locking effect.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. For example, the size of the carton may be adapted to accommodate more or less articles which may be contained in alternative configurations. The size and shape of the apertures may be altered to accommodate alternatively shaped articles and the carrier may be adapted for cartons of the wraparound type with no apertures provided in the bottom wall panels. The carrier may also be adapted to incorporate a carrying means such as hand apertures formed in the top panel or indeed a handle panel extending upwardly from one the top panels could be incorporated. Furthermore, the carton is not limited to having one keel structure and one or more additional keel structures and locking mechanisms may be employed if for example bottles were arranged in a three by three array. It is also envisaged that in other embodiments of the invention the keel structure may have a cross-section which is not triangular without departing from the scope of the present invention. The arrangement of the male and female parts of the locking mechanism may also be altered in other embodiments of the invention and it is envisaged that each intermediate panel could contain one of each part of the complementary locking mechanism with another intermediate panel having the reciprocal part to be aligned therewith.

It is envisaged that the locking mechanism and keel structure described herein may have application in other types of carton and the locking keel structure and/or locking mechanism are not limited in their application to cartons of the top gripping type.

It should be also appreciated that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "end", "side", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

It should be further appreciated that any reference to hinged or foldable connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.

The following are statements of invention:

A carton for containing articles arranged in rows, the carton comprising a hollow keel structure disposed between adjacent rows of articles, the keel structure comprising a series of main panels hinged one to the next and a complementary locking mechanism, the complementary locking mechanism comprising two engageable elements, a first engageable element connected to one of said main panels, a second engageable element connected to another of said main panels, the series of main panels and complementary locking mechanism being structured such that the first element is engageable with the second element to facilitate the locking of said one main panel to said other main panel to maintain the hollow keel structure in an erected form, the rigidity of the keel structure being enhanced by the complementary locking mechanism such that the keel structure is operable to restrict relative movement of the rows of articles contained within the carton.

Preferably said one main panel and said other main panel each comprise apertures, each aperture for receiving a portion of an article contained in an adjacent row to further restrict the relative movement of the rows of articles.

Even more preferably, the first engageable element comprises an aperture defined by a displaceable tab, the second engageable element comprises a tab which is insertable into the first engageable element and which is lockable therein by said displaceable tab.

Preferably the tab of the second element is angled to form an inverted "V" shape.

Optionally the displaceable tab may comprise an indentation such that the tab of the second element is fittable into the radial indent to further facilitate the engagement of the first and second engagable elements.

Optionally the first engageable element may comprise two displaceable tabs disposed to sandwich the tab of the second engageable element therebetween thereby to lock the two engageable elements together.

Alternatively the second of said displaceable tabs comprises a complementary radial indent, the protrusion and indent operable together to further facilitate the locking of the tab of the second engageable element therebetween. Preferably the tab of the second element is angled to form an inverted "V" shape which is fittable between the radial indent and protrusion to further facilitate the engagement of the first and second engagable elements.

Preferably the keel structure is triangular in cross-section and even more preferably a further main panel of the keel structure is secured to the carton to further increase the rigidity of the keel structure.

Claims

1. A carton for containing a plurality of similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows, the carton having a plurality of main panels and comprising a keel structure for restricting movement of the bottles contained within the rows, the keel structure being formed in one of the main panels and being disposed intermediate said rows, the keel structure comprising a series of primary panels hinged one to the next, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two complementary parts, one part being provided by the first side panel and being hinged to said one main panel, the other part being provided by the second side panel, the first and second parts characterized in that they are mutually engaged to secure the first and second side panels together thereby forming a rigid keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles each of the first and second side panels being orientated so as to transmit and/or absorb both horizontal and vertical components of force exerted by the bottles against the keel structure and thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the keel structure is substantially triangular in cross section.

3. A carton according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second panels of the keel structure further comprise apertures each for engaging a portion of a bottle, thereby restricting vertical movement of said bottle.

4. A carton according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the part of the locking mechanism hinged to said main panel is a tab and wherein the other part of the locking mechanism is an aperture for receiving said tab.

5. A carton according to claim 4 wherein the aperture is defined by a displaceable tab, which displaceable tab facilitates the locking of said main panel tab within said aperture.

6. A carton according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the main panel tab is angled to form an inverted "V" shape.

7. A carton according to claim 4 wherein the displaceable tab comprises an indent and the angled tab is fittable into the indent to further facilitate the engagement of the first and second engagable elements.

8. A carton according to claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the aperture is defined by two displaceable tabs and wherein the main panel tab is sandwiched between those two displaceable tabs to maintain the main panel tab in an engaged and locked position.

9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the second of said displaceable tabs comprises a complementary protrusion, the protrusion and indent operable together to further facilitate the locking of the main panel tab therebetween.

10. A carton according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said main panel is a bottom panel, the carton further comprising a pair of side wall panels and a top wall panel and wherein the top panel of the keel structure is secured to the top wall panel of the carton.

11. A carton according to claim 10, the bottom panel having a series of apertures struck therefrom, each for receiving a bottle.

12. A blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows and having a keel structure for restricting movement of the bottles contained within each row, the blank comprising a main panel, the main panel including a first side panel, a top panel and a second side panel, hinged one to the next in series for forming the keel structure, the keel structure further comprising a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two complementary parts, one part being provided by the first side panel and being hinged to said main panel, the other part being provided by the second side panel, wherein upon construction of the carton, said first part engaging said second part locks the first and second side panels together thereby forming a rigid keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles in a set up carton each of the first and second side panels being orientated so as to transmit and/or absorb both horizontal and vertical components of force exerted by the bottles against the keel structure and thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

13. A blank according to claim 12 wherein the keel structure in a set up carton is substantially triangular in cross section.

14. A blank according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the first and second panels of the keel structure further comprise apertures each for engaging a portion of a bottle, thereby restricting vertical movement of said bottle in a set up carton.

15. A blank according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the part of the locking mechanism hinged to said main panel is a tab and wherein the other part of the locking mechanism is an aperture for receiving said tab.

16. A blank according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein said main panel is a bottom panel, the blank further comprising a pair of side wall panels and a top wall panel and wherein the top panel of the keel structure is secured to the top wall panel in a set up carton.

17. A blank according to any one of claims 12 to 16, the bottom panel having a series of apertures struck therefrom, each for receiving a bottle.

18. A carton for containing similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows, the carton having a plurality of main panels hinged one to the next in series for forming a tubular structure, including a top wall panel, a first side wall panel, a bottom panel and a second side wall panel and comprising a keel structure, the keel structure being formed within the bottom panel and being disposed intermediate said rows of bottles, the keel structure comprising a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two complementary parts, one part being struck from said first side panel and being hinged to said bottom panel, the other part being struck from said second side panel and wherein said first part engaging said second part locks the first and second side panels together thereby forming a rigid keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles, and thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

19. A carton according to claim 18 wherein the top panel of the keel structure is secured to the top wall panel of the carton thereby providing rigidity to the carton.

20. A carton according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the first and second side walls of the keel structure and the first and second side wall panels of the carton each comprise apertures for receiving a portion of a bottle, thereby restricting vertical movement of each bottle.

21. An article carrier comprising, a pair of first and second opposed panels upstanding from a pair of first and second wing panels extending away from each other respectively from the lower ends of the first and second upstanding panels, wherein a male tab is formed from the first upstanding panel and joined to the first wing panel, characterized in that a female tab is formed from the second upstanding panel to define a locking aperture for receiving the male tab, the female tab being hingedly connected to the second upstanding panel to retain the male tab locked in the locking aperture.

22. An article carrier according to claim 21 wherein each of the wing panels comprises article receiving apertures.

23. A method of forming a carton for containing similar articles, such as bottles, arranged in rows, the carton being formed from a flat blank, the blank having plurality of main panels hinged one to the next in series for forming a tubular structure, including a top wall panel, a first side wall panel, a bottom panel comprising apertures each for receiving an article and a second side wall panel, the carton comprising a keel structure, the keel structure being formed within the bottom panel and being disposed intermediate said rows of bottles, the keel structure comprising a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two complementary parts, one part being struck from said first side panel and being hinged to said bottom panel, the other part being struck from said second side panel, said method comprising the steps of: (i) loading rows of bottles into the apertures formed in said bottom panel of the blank; (ii) raising the bottom panel toward the tops of said bottles; (iii) moving said rows towards each other, such that the first and second side panels of the keel structure are displaced out of the plane of the bottom panel; and

(iv) engaging said first part with said second part of the locking mechanism, thereby forming the keel structure intermediate the rows of bottles and thereby restricting the inward movement of the bottles contained in each row.

24. A panel interlocking arrangement for locking together two panels, the interlocking arrangement comprising two complementary engageable elements, a first engageable element comprising an aperture defined by two oppositely disposed displaceable tabs connected to that panel, a second engageable element comprising a single tab connected to the other of said panels, the tab of the second element insertable into the aperture of the first engageable element, between said two displaceable tabs and engageable therebetween to lock said two panels together.

25. A panel interlocking arrangement according to claim 24 wherein a first of said displaceable tabs comprises a radial protrusion and the second of said displaceable tabs comprises a complementary radial indent, the protrusion and indent operable together to further facilitate engagement of the second engageable element between the displaceable tabs of the first engageable element.

26. A panel interlocking arrangement according to claim 25 wherein the tab of the second element is angled to form an inverted "V" shape which is fittable between the radial indent and protrusion of the displaceable tabs to further facilitate the engagement of the first and second engagable elements.