WO2010019870A1

WO2010019870A1 - Clip style article carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2010019870A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/053872
Authority: WO
Inventors: John W Cargile, Jr.
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc
Priority date: 2008-08-14
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2010-02-18

Abstract

An article carrier includes a wall (314) with an opening (360a, 360b) and a tab (362a, 362b, 362c, 362d) that is configured to support an article (200) that is received in the opening. The tab includes arm portions (381a, 383a) and a supporting edge (382a). The tab is inwardly biased and the arm portions position the supporting edge with respect to the article.

Description

CLIP STYLE ARTICLE CARRIER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to article carriers and, more specifically, to clip style article carriers.

BACKGROUND

Carriers that support multiple articles such as beverage cans or bottles are useful to enable consumers to transport and store the articles. The carriers can include openings with tabs that are configured to engage and support the neck of a conventional PET beverage bottle. PET beverage bottles have a cap and flange that are significantly larger in diameter that the neck of the bottle. The tabs are directed along the neck and under the flange or cap to support and retain the bottle. Typically, the tabs support the article substantially where the body meets the flange. As such, the tabs substantially abut the body, are obstructed from folding inwardly by the body, and are obstructed from folding outwardly by the flange.

However, other types of articles are not so easily engaged and supported. For example, articles that include a cap that does not greatly protrude from the body of the article are not necessarily easily engaged and supported by an opening with tabs arranged as described above. A tab may not be naturally led into a void under a cap or other region where bottle engagement can take place. Further, the body of the article may not obstruct inward folding of the tab, the flange or cap may not obstruct outward folding of the tab, or the tab may otherwise not be retained in a supporting position by the article. Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a carrier that can engage and support an article. The tab can support the article without the distal end or supporting edge of the tab being guided to a supporting position by the body of the article. The tab includes arm portions that maintain the supporting edge of the tab in position. In a supporting position, the tab is configured to brace against outward folding or is otherwise biased toward the opening so as to fold inwardly toward and against the article. The arm portions contact the article to maintain the tab in the outwardly folded supporting position. In the supporting position, the inward bias due to the configuration of the tab is opposed by the opposing outward force due to the contact between the arm portions and the article. This places the tab in tension and provides that the tab tightly supports the article.

The carrier includes an opening and a tab to engage and support an article that is received in the opening. According to a first exemplary embodiment, as an article is received in the opening, the article forces the tab to fold outwardly. As the tab nears a position where the tab is folded to support an article, the tab begins to brace against further outward folding and a distal end or supporting edge of the tab is forced against the article. The distal end follows the surface of the article until it is adjacent a region for engaging and supporting the article such as the region near an article edge. The inward bias of the tab forces the supporting edge into the region and under the article edge and the arm portions position the supporting edge against the article edge. Particularly, the arm portions limit the movement of the supporting edge into the region due to the inward bias of the tab. The supporting edge is positioned to support the article without the necessitating that the body or another portion of the article limits the inward or outward movement of the tab from the supporting position. A region of engaging or supporting can include or be defined by a flange, a ridge, a gap, an edge of a cap, a depression, a protrusion, combinations thereof, and the like.

In certain embodiments, a tab and a wall to which the tab is connected are each configured to cooperatively fold to permit the tab to fold to be arranged as a rigid structure that braces against outward folding or is inwardly biased towards the opening. According to a second exemplary embodiment, each of the tab and the wall include fold lines such that each of the wall and the tab has a substantially curved shape when folded. Herein, the term curved is used expansively to include sections that are folded and angled with respect to one another. The term curved is not limited to a continuous curve. The curved tab has an increased amount of rigidity that permits it to brace against outward folding and to support the article. In certain embodiments, to permit the tab to have a curved shape, the hinged connection between the tab and the bottom wall is curved or otherwise nonlinear. Here, the term curved can include line segments that are angled with respect to one another. The term curved does not necessarily refer to a continuous curve or to a continuous hinged connection. For example, the hinged connection between the tab and the wall can include segments that are at an angle with respect to one another. The tab can include gussets that are hingedly connected to the wall along the segments.

In still other embodiments, the tab is configured to vertically and laterally support an article. The tab prevents the article from dropping back through the opening and from shifting side to side in the opening. According to a third exemplary embodiment, a tab includes an supporting edge that is configured to be received in a region for engaging and supporting to vertically support the article and arm portions that laterally support the article. For example, the arm portions can be positioned at opposed sides of the supporting edge and so as to be configured to contact the outside surface of the article to prevent the article from moving in a direction that is substantially parallel to the supporting edge.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package that includes a carrier and articles according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an article of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank for forming the carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1 in a partially formed condition.

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carrier according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 9 is an end view of a package that includes a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carrier according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an end view of a package that includes a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, 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 now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of carriers. In the embodiments detailed herein, the term carrier refers, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the disclosure, to a packaging structure for engaging, supporting, and carrying articles such as beverage bottles or cans. However, it is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to any packaging structure with an opening for receiving, engaging, and supporting an article.

Referring to a first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 1-7, a package 10 includes a carrier 100 and articles 200. The carrier 100 is formed from a blank 300. The blank 300 is preferably a single sheet of suitable substrate. As used herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. The illustrated blank 300 is a unitary blank although two or more blanks can be used to provide the carrier 100. The illustrated blank 300 is configured to form a carrier for packaging an exemplary arrangement of the illustrated articles 200. The blank 300 can be alternatively configured to form a carrier for packaging other shapes of articles and different numbers and arrangements of articles.

As used herein, the term "fold line" refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal folding locations of the blank. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line.

As used herein, the term "severance line" refers to all manner of lines that separate or facilitate separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, cut lines, or slits.

It should be understood that severance lines and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.

Referring to FIG. 4, the blank 300 is described in detail. The blank 300 includes a series of primary panels which define the walls of a tubular structure of the illustrated carrier 100. The primary panels are aligned and are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines. The primary panels include an inner top panel 310, an inner first side panel 312, a bottom panel 314, a second side panel 316, an outer top panel 318, and an outer first side panel 320. The inner top panel 310 is hingedly connected to the inner first side panel 312 along a fold line 330, the inner first side panel 312 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 314 along a fold line 332, the bottom panel 314 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 316 along a fold line 334, the second side panel 316 is hingedly connected to the outer top panel 318 along a fold line 336, and the outer top panel 318 is hingedly connected to the outer first side panel 320 along a fold line 338. The blank 300 further includes a flap 322 that is hingedly connected to the outer first side panel 320 along a fold line 340.

The illustrated bottom panel 314 includes fold lines 342, 344 that define a medial panel 350 and edge panels 352, 354. The edge panels 352, 354 are hingedly connected to the opposed edges of the medial panel 350 along the fold lines 342, 344. The bottom panel 314 further includes openings 360a, 360b and tabs 362a, 362b, 362c, 362d. The openings 360 are substantially similar to one another and the tabs 362 are substantially similar to one another. Accordingly, like references have been used with a suffix (such as a, b, c, or d) affixed thereto in order to distinguish the elements from one another. The description of an element or group of elements having one suffix is generally suitable for a like-numbered element or group of elements having another suffix. In certain instances, for clarity, only one of the like elements may be described unless a description of the other or both of the like elements is useful for understanding the invention.

Tabs 362a, 362b are positioned on opposed sides of the opening 360a and configured to engage and support an article 200 that is inserted through the opening 360a. Each tab 362a includes fold lines 366a, 368a that define a medial portion 370a and gussets 372a, 374a. The gussets 372a, 374a are hingedly connected to the opposed sides of the medial portion 370a along the fold lines 366a, 368a. Each tab 362a is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 314 at the edge of a respective opening 360a. The illustrated tab 362a is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 314 at the edge of the opening 360a along fold lines 376a, 378a that are interrupted by a severance line 380a. Specifically, the gussets 372a, 374a are hingedly connected to edge panels 352, 354 along the fold lines 376a, 378a and the medial portion 370a is separable from the medial panel 350 along the severance line 380a. In the illustrated embodiment, the fold lines 366a, 368a substantially align with the fold lines 342, 344.

The tab 362a includes arm portions 381a, 383a that extend beyond an supporting edge 382a to facilitate engaging and supporting an article 200 as described in further detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal portions of the gussets 372a, 374a are the arm portions 381a, 383a and the distal end or edge of the medial portion 370a is the supporting edge 382a. The supporting edge 382a has a raised medial segment and lowered outside end segments to further facilitate engaging and supporting an article 200. Alternatively described, the tab 362a includes a notch formed in the distal end thereof that defines the supporting edge 382a and the arm portions 381a, 383a. In alternative embodiments, the medial portion 370a includes an arm portion and the gussets 372a, 374a include supporting edges.

Referring to FIG. 3, the illustrated article 200 is a bottle with a body 210 and a cap 212. There is a gap 214 between the body 210 and the cap 212 although the surface of the body 210 otherwise almost smoothly transitions to the outside surface of the cap 212. The region for engaging and supporting the illustrated article 200 is the cap edge 216 and/or inside surface of the cap 212 adjacent the gap 214. As previously mentioned, the article can have various alternative structures that provide an article edge or region where the tab can engage and support the article.

Assembling the package 10 can be accomplished with, but is not limited to, the exemplary method described herein. Particularly, the order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements and steps may be added or omitted. The method can be performed by automatic erecting machinery and/or manually.

Referring to FIGs. 4-7, the blank 300 and the articles 200 are assembled to partially form the package 10. The cap 212 of the article 200 is inserted through the opening 360a, which forces the tabs 362a, 362b to begin to fold outwardly from the opening 360a and the bottom panel 314 to fold inwardly towards the tabs 362a, 362b. As the gussets 372a, 374a fold outwardly from the opening 360a along the fold lines 376a, 378a, the configuration of the tab 362a causes the gussets 372a, 374a to fold inwardly toward the medial portion 370a along the fold lines 366a, 368a and the edge panels 352, 354 to fold inwardly towards the tabs 362a, 362b along the fold lines 342, 344. The edge panels 352, 354 fold inwardly toward the tab 362a to permit the medial portion 370a to fold outwardly from the opening 360a. The tabs 362a, 362b are configured to have a limited range of motion to facilitate tightly engaging the article 200. The range of motion of the tab 362a can be between an unfolded condition and a position or arrangement where the tab 362a substantially engages and supports the article 200. The article supporting arrangement is generally the limit that the tab 362a can fold outwardly from the opening 360a during typical operation. The illustrated tab 362a is configured such that the limit of rotation of the medial portion 370a with respect to the medial panel 350 is substantially ninety degrees. Generally, the range of motion of the medial portion 370a with respect to the medial panel 350 during operation is less than ninety degrees.

As the tab 362a nears the article supporting arrangement, the tab 362a increases resistance against further outward folding although the tab 362a can slightly flex to allow the article 200 to be further inserted through the opening 360a. The bottom panel 314 can initiate or contribute to the resistance of the tab 362a against further outward folding as the bottom panel 314 and the tab 362a are configured to fold as a unit and accordingly limit the range of motion of one another. For example, the inward folding of the edge panels 352, 354 can be obstructed by the article 200 as it is inserted through the opening 360a.

Once the tab 362a is substantially in the article supporting arrangement, the tab 362a is forced against the outside surface of the cap 212 as the article 200 continues to be inserted through the opening 360a. The supporting edge 382a of the medial portion 370a follows the surface of the article 200. The article 200 continues to be inserted through the opening 360a until the supporting edge 382a reaches and 370a is forced into the gap 214. As mentioned above, the tab 362a has some resiliency in the supporting arrangement such that it can flex to allow the article 200 through the opening 360a and to force the distal end of the medial portion 370a into the gap 214. As the supporting edge 382a moves into the gap 214, the arm portions 381a, 383a contact the outside surface of the cap 212 and limit the distance that the supporting edge 382a moves into the gap 214. The supporting edge 382a is positioned by the arm portions 381a, 383a to be adjacent the cap edge 216. The tab 362a supports and supports the article 200 as the cap edge 216 rests on the supporting edge 382a. Referring to FIG. 7, the supporting edge 382a is positioned by the arm portions 381a, 383a so as to be spaced apart from the body 210 and from the area where the body 210 meets the cap 212.

Referring momentarily to FIG. 1 , for clarity, a coordinate system is introduced. The exemplary coordinate system includes an x-axis, a y-axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular structure of the carrier 100, and a z-axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of each of the articles 200.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the supporting edge 382a has a raised medial segment and lowered outside end segments. The arm portions 381a, 383a are positioned at the ends of the supporting edge 382a. Referring to FIGs. 2, 5 and 6, the tab 362a is accordingly configured engage and support the article 200 in multiple directions D. The cap edge 216 rests on the lower outside end segments of the supporting edge 382a to vertically support the article 200, the raised medial segment of the supporting edge 382a extends underneath the cap 212 such that a distal portion of the medial portion 370a contacts the inside surface of the cap 212, and the arm portions 381a, 383a contact the outside surface of the cap 212 to restrain the article 200 from moving in opposed directions D along the length of the supporting edge 382a. For example, the arm portions 381a, 383a can provide opposing forces F. It should be noted that the directions D and the supporting edge 382a are substantially parallel to the x-axis.

Referring to FIGs. 1 , 2, and 5, the blank 300 is further arranged to form the carrier 100. The inner first side panel 312 and the inner top panel 310 are folded inwardly to substantially abut the sides and top of the caps 212, respectively. Adhesive is applied to the outside surfaces of the inner first side panel 312 and the inner top panel 310. The second side panel 316, the outer top panel 318, the outer first side panel 320, and the flap 322 are then folded such that the outer top panel 318 overlaps the inner top panel 310 and the outer first side panel 320 overlaps the inner first side panel 312. Thereby, the inside surface of the outer top panel 318 is secured to the outside surface of the inner top panel 310 and the inside surface of the outer first side panel 320 is secured to the outside surface of the inner first side panel 312. The surfaces of sheet material can be secured together by means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, hook and loop fasteners, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring again to FIGs. 1 and 2, the package 10 is fully formed with the primary panels forming the walls of a tubular structure. In this embodiment, overlapping panels provide composite walls. According to an alternative method, the carrier can be formed from the blank substantially as described above prior to receiving and supporting articles. Referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is described. The blank 400 and carrier 500 of the second exemplary embodiment have features that are substantially the same as the blank 300 and carrier 100 of the first exemplary embodiment. However, the first exemplary embodiment is configured for a single row of articles 200 whereas the second exemplary embodiment is configured for multiple rows of articles 200. The description of elements of the first exemplary embodiment that are substantially similar to elements of the second exemplary embodiment will not be repeated for the elements of the second exemplary embodiment. Rather, the description of the second exemplary embodiment will be directed to the alternative features of the second exemplary embodiment.

Generally described, the primary panels of the blank 400 are substantially the same as the primary panels of the blank 300 except that the inner top panel 410, the bottom panel 414 of the blank 400, and the outer top panel 418 are wider to accommodate two rows of articles 200. Further, the inner top panel 410 and the bottom panel 414 have additional features that provide the assembled carrier 500 with a spacer structure 510 positioned between the rows of articles 200. The inner top panel 410 includes fold lines 483, 484, 485, 486 that define inner top portions 490, 491 , spacer structure side panels 492, 493, and an inner spacer structure bottom panel 494. The spacer structure side panels 492, 493 are interrupted by apertures 496 that are configured to partially receive caps 212 of articles 200. The bottom panel 414 includes two of the bottom panels 314 of blank 300 that are connected by an outer spacer structure bottom panel 498.

As the carrier 500 is assembled from the blank 400, the inner top panel 410 is folded over the caps 212 of articles 200 that are received in the openings 460 and supported by the tabs 462. The spacer structure side panels 492, 493 and the inner spacer structure bottom panel 494 are folded to be positioned between the rows of articles 200. Specifically, the inner spacer structure bottom panel 494 is positioned in flat face contact with the outer spacer structure bottom panel 498 and the spacer structure side panels 492, 493 extend along the innermost sides of the caps 212. The apertures 496 are each shaped such that an edge 499 of the inner spacer structure bottom panel 494 is received in the gap 214 of and supports an adjacent one of the articles 200. Thereby, the inner spacer structure bottom panel 494 is retained in flat face contact with the outer spacer structure bottom panel 498, which holds the inner top panel 410 in place as the carrier 500 is additionally formed. The outer top panel 418 overlaps and is secured to inner top portions 490, 490, which set on top of the caps 212, and the outer first side panel 420 overlaps and is secured to the inner first side panel 412. The package is then formed as shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGs. 10 and 11 , a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is described. The blank 600 and carrier 700 of the third exemplary embodiment have features that are substantially the same as the blank 400 and carrier 500 of the second exemplary embodiment. However, the third exemplary embodiment includes a partitioning structure for separating rows of articles 200 and alternative tabs. The description of elements of the first and second exemplary embodiments that are substantially similar to elements of the third exemplary embodiment will not be repeated for the elements of the third exemplary embodiment. Rather, the description of the third exemplary embodiment will be directed to the alternative features of the third exemplary embodiment.

The bottom panel 614 includes features substantially similar to two of the bottom panels 314 of blank 300 that are connected by partitioning panels 692, 693. The partitioning panels 692, 693 are configured to fold down between the bodies 210 of articles 200 to maintain separation between the rows of articles. The partitioning panels 692, 693 are hingedly connected along a fold line 694 that is interrupted by severance lines 695. The severance lines 695 provide that the partition structure 710 provided by the folded partitioning panels 692, 693 extends further down between the articles than would be allowed were the severance lines omitted such that the fold line 694 is continuous.

The illustrated tabs 662 include gussets 672, 674 with shorter distal ends and medial portions 670 that include a fold line 671. Further the medial panel 650 is narrowed and the fold lines 666, 668 hingedly connecting the medial portion 670 and the gussets 672, 674 are angled with respect to the fold lines 642, 644 hingedly connecting the medial panel 650 and the edge panels 652, 654.

The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a particular embodiment which is intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper", "middle", "lower", "front" and "rear" do not limit the respective elements of the carrier to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these elements from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a junction including only a single hinge; indeed, it is envisaged that a hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.

Claims

1. A package, comprising: an article comprising an article edge; and an article carrier comprising: a wall comprising an opening and a tab that is configured to support the article that is received in the opening, the tab comprising a supporting edge and at least one arm portion, the supporting edge being configured to contact the article edge and the at least one arm portion being configured to contact the article above the article edge.

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm portion comprises a first arm portion and a second arm portion that are each positioned at an end of the supporting edge.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion are configured to restrain the article from moving in a direction that is substantially parallel to the supporting edge.

4. The package of claim 1 , wherein the tab is hingedly connected to the wall along a nonlinear fold line such that the tab is biased toward the opening when folded about the nonlinear fold line.

5. The package of claim 1 , wherein the wall is configured to facilitate folding of the tab.

6. The package of claim 1 , wherein a hinged connection between the tab and the wall includes two segments disposed at an angle with respect to one another.

7. The package of claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a gusset.

8. The package of claim 1 , wherein the article comprises a cap and the cap comprises the article edge.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the article edge comprises a lower edge of the cap.

10. The package of claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises a medial portion and a first gusset and a second gusset hingedly connected to opposed edges of the medial portion.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the at least one arm portion comprises a first arm portion and a second arm portion; the medial portion comprises the supporting edge and the first gusset and the second gusset comprise the first arm portion and the second arm portion respectively.

12. The package of claim 1 1 , wherein the first and the second arm portions are configured to contact laterally spaced portions of the article.

13. The package of claim 12, wherein the article comprises a generally cylindrical cap having a rounded side wall, and wherein the laterally spaced portions are located on the rounded side wall of the cap.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein the cap has a top adjoining an upper end of the rounded side wall, and wherein the rounded side wall tapers toward the top of the cap.

15. The package of claim 14, wherein the article further comprises a body having a shoulder portion located below the cap, and wherein the medial portion of the tab is disposed in contact with the shoulder portion such that the supporting edge of the medial portion is brought into engagement with a lower edge of the cap.

16. The package of claim 15, wherein the article has a longitudinal axis and a rounded transverse cross section, and wherein the shoulder portion generally tapers toward the cap.

17. The package of claim 1 , wherein the article has a longitudinal axis, wherein the article comprises a body and a cap disposed along the longitudinal axis, the body and the cap are disposed next to each other such that an endless groove is defined along the outside surface of the article around the longitudinal axis, and wherein the tab is partially received in the groove to bring the supporting edge of the tab into engagement with the cap.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein the groove has a width along the longitudinal axis of the article, the tab has a proximal edge opposed to the supporting edge, and wherein the width of the groove is less than the distance between the supporting edge and the proximal edge of tab.

19. The package of claim 18, wherein the proximal edge of the tab is defined by a cut separating the proximal edge from the wall, and wherein the tab is hingedly connected to the wall along a pair of fold lines extending divergently from the cut.