Patent Description:
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a carrier for holding a plurality of containers is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a package comprising a plurality of containers is provided according to claim <NUM>.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.

The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or any combination thereof.

Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum cans) at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper," "top," "front," and "back" indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.

As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of blanks. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of the blank can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., "first", "second", "third", etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.

<FIG> shows a plan view of an exterior side <NUM> of a blank <NUM> used to form a carrier <NUM> (<FIG>) in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The carrier <NUM> can be sized to contain or support six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 being attached to a front portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 being attached to a back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be beverage cans, or could be any other suitable type and size of container without departing from the disclosure. The carrier <NUM> can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers. In one embodiment, the front portion <NUM> and the back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> each have three containers, and in other embodiments, the front portion <NUM> and the back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> can carry more or less than three containers without departing from the disclosure. The carrier <NUM> can be provided together with one or more containers as a package <NUM> (<FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the blank <NUM> has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank <NUM> has a front portion <NUM> for forming the front portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>, and a back portion <NUM> for forming the back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. The front portion <NUM> and the back portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM> are foldably connected at a lateral fold line <NUM> that forms a lateral centerline CL of the blank <NUM>, as shown. As discussed further below, the blank <NUM> is at least partially formed into the carrier <NUM> by folding the blank <NUM> at the fold line <NUM> along the centerline CL so that the front portion <NUM> and the back portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM> are overlapped in at least partial face-to-face contact.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM> comprises a front central panel 125a having a first front row RF1 of laterally spaced adhesive or glue openings 127a, and a second front row RF2 of the laterally spaced adhesive or glue openings 127a. The top edges of the respective glue openings 127a of the first row RF1 are spaced a longitudinal distance D1 apart from the fold line <NUM> that is less than a longitudinal distance D2 that the top edges of the respective glue openings 127a of the second row RF2 are spaced apart from the fold line <NUM>.

A front container retention panel or front attachment panel 131a is foldably connected to the front central panel 125a at a lateral fold line 133a, and includes a container retention portion 135a that is at least partially defined between a pair of longitudinally-spaced lateral fold lines 137a, 139a (broadly, respective "second fold line") that are each interrupted by respective pairs of longitudinally-spaced cuts 141a that can each include one or more curved and/or angled portions. As shown, the longitudinally-spaced cuts 141a define container retention tabs 148a that extend outwardly from the container retention portion 135a. As also shown, respective oblique cuts 143a, 145a extend outwardly from each respective cut 141a to define a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the front attachment panel 131a that face the respective container retention tabs 148a.

As shown, an interior marginal portion 136a of the attachment panel 131a is defined between the fold lines 137a, 133a, and an exterior marginal portion 138a of the attachment panel 131a is defined between the fold line 139a and a lateral fold line 171a.

The blank <NUM> can include a pair of handle openings 130a that interrupt the fold line 133a and that extend from a portion of the front central panel 125a into a portion of the front attachment panel 131a. As shown, the handle openings 130a can include a longitudinal section 132a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 and a pair of lateral sections 134a that intersect and diverge orthogonally away from the longitudinal section 132a in substantial parallel relation with the lateral axis L2. In this regard, the divergent sections 132a, 134a of the handle opening 130a are in communication with one another. As described further herein, the sections 132a, 134a of the handle opening 130a provide multiple engagement surfaces at which a consumer can grasp the carrier <NUM>, in different orientations. As also shown, a reinforcement flap 126a is foldably connected to the respective attachment panel 131a at a respective curved fold line 140a, and extends into the respective longitudinal section 132a. The carrier <NUM> can have a different arrangement of handle features, or can be devoid of handle features, without departing from the disclosure.

The blank <NUM> additionally includes a bevel or front side panel 169a that is foldably connected to the front attachment panel 131a at the lateral fold line 171a, and a top panel <NUM> that is foldably connected to the front side panel 169a at a lateral fold line 175a. The top panel <NUM>, as shown, includes additional handle features (broadly, "first handle feature" and "second handle feature") that each include a pair of opposed curved cuts <NUM>, <NUM> and a longitudinal cut <NUM> extending from the curved cut <NUM> to the curved cut <NUM> to define a pair of handle flaps <NUM>, <NUM>. A pair of longitudinal lines of weakening <NUM>, <NUM> and a pair of lateral lines of weakening <NUM>, <NUM> extend along a portion of each flap <NUM>, <NUM> so as to provide an at least partially reconfigurable arrangement, as described further herein. In one embodiment, one or more of the lines of weakening <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be a surface feature such as an emboss or deboss feature. Handle features of the carrier <NUM> include the handle features in the top panel <NUM>, and can also include the handle openings 130a, 130b. The carrier <NUM> can have a different arrangement of handle features, or can be devoid of handle features, without departing from the disclosure.

Still referring to <FIG>, the top panel <NUM> additionally includes a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal fold lines <NUM>, <NUM> (broadly, "first fold line" and "second fold line", respectively) that define a central portion <NUM> therebetween, and which further define a first marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> defined between the fold lines 175a, <NUM>, and a second marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> defined between the fold line <NUM> and a lateral free edge of the top panel <NUM>. In this regard, the first marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> is defined between the fold line <NUM> and the front side panel 169a.

As described further herein, upon formation of the carrier <NUM>, the central portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> is positioned to generally overlap and align with respective portions of the container retention portion 135a of the front attachment panel 131a and a container retention portion 135b of a back attachment panel 131b, the first marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> is positioned to generally align with an exterior marginal portion 138b of the back attachment panel 131b, and the second marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> is positioned to generally align with the exterior marginal portion 138a of the front attachment panel 131a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM> includes a back central panel 125b and the back container retention panel or back attachment panel 131b having associated features that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding panels and flaps of the front portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM>. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by the "a" or "b" suffix, with the "a" components corresponding to the front portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM> and the "b" components corresponding to the back portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM>. The back portion <NUM> of the blank <NUM> additionally includes a back side panel 169b foldably connected to the back attachment panel 131b at a lateral fold line 171b, and an attachment flap <NUM> foldably connected to the back side panel 169b at a lateral fold line 175b.

As shown, a pair of generally U-shaped cuts <NUM> extend from the centerline CL and have a respective lateral portion that defines the top edge of respective glue openings 127b of a first back lateral row RB1 of laterally spaced glue openings 127b. As shown, the top edges of the respective glue openings 127b of the first lateral row RB1 of glue openings 127b are spaced a longitudinal distance D3 apart from the fold line <NUM> that is less than a longitudinal distance D4 that the top edges of respective glue openings 127b of a second back lateral row RB2 of glue openings 127b are spaced apart from the fold line <NUM>.

In this regard, the blank <NUM> is provided with front rows RF1 and RF2 of laterally-spaced front glue openings 127a that are spaced respective longitudinal distances D1, D2 from the centerline CL, and back rows RB1 and RB2 of laterally-spaced back glue openings 127b that are spaced respective longitudinal distances D3, D4 from the centerline CL. The glue openings 127a, 127b have a longitudinally staggered arrangement such that D2 > D4 > D1 > D3. Upon formation of the carrier <NUM> from the blank <NUM>, the longitudinal centerline CL/fold line <NUM> can form a bottom edge of the central panels 125a, 125b.

As described herein, the arrangement of the glue openings 127a, 127b is such that, upon erection of the carrier <NUM>, the glue openings 127a, 127b provide access to a respective plurality of surfaces of the respective central panels 125b, 125a upon which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached to enhance retention and support of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 by the carrier <NUM>.

Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from the blank <NUM> without departing from the disclosure. The blank <NUM> could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate more or less than four containers without departing from this disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, an interior surface or underside of the blank <NUM> can be placed atop the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 such that the container retention portion 135a of the front attachment panel 131a overlies the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and such that the container retention portion 135b of the back attachment panel 131b overlies the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. Further downward positioning of the attachment panels 131a, 131b over the plurality of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can activate the respective container retention portions 135a, 135b to engage respective containers. For example, as the front attachment panel 131a is lowered or urged downwardly onto the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, the container retention portion 135a can at least partially separate from the remainder of the front attachment panel 131a at the cuts 141a. In such an arrangement, upper or top portions T of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can extend at least partially through respective openings formed by the respective cuts 141a such that the container retention tabs 148a can engage, for example, a recessed portion of a rim or other top structure of the respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, and such that a plurality of reconfigurable edges of the marginal portions 136a, 138a can engage, for example, a rolled rim edge or other top structure of the respective container CA1, CA2, CA3.

Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the back attachment panel 131b can occur as the back attachment panel 131b is lowed or urged downwardly onto the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. During the above-described engagement of the respective container retention portions 135a, 135b with the respective containers, the marginal portions 136a, 138a of the attachment panel 131a can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 137a, 139a in such a configuration, and, similarly, the marginal portions 136b, 138b of the attachment panel 131b can fold at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines 137b, 139b.

Referring additionally to <FIG>, the front central panel 125a and the back central panel 125b can be folded at the fold line <NUM> such that the front central panel 125a and the back central panel 125b are brought into at least partial face-to-face contact in the direction of the arrows A1, A2 to be positioned between respective adjacent containers and such that the respective glue openings 127a, 127b are positioned so as to be laterally aligned but longitudinally offset due to the different relative spacing of the respective rows RF1, RF2 of the front glue openings 127a and the respective rows RB1, RB2 of the back glue openings 127b away from the fold line <NUM> as described above.

In this regard, the central panels 125a, 125b are arranged such that a portion of the front central panel 125a overlaps each of the glue openings 127b and a portion of the back central panel 125b overlaps each of the glue openings 127a to provide communication between the central panels 125a, 125b and respective surfaces upon which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered or otherwise attached, as described further herein. Such rearrangement of the central panels 125a, 125b can also cause the respective central panels 125a, 125b to be folded downwardly relative to the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b at the respective fold lines 133a, 133b.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in which the respective containers CA3, CB1 are removed for clarity of illustration, an adhesive glue G can be provided to adhere the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 to respective portions of the central panel 125b exposed through the respective glue openings 127a, and the glue G can be provided to adhere the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to respective portions of the central panel 125a exposed through the respective glue openings 127b. The arrangement of multiple rows of respective glue openings 127a, 127b provides multiple points of attachment of each respective container to the respective opposite central panel 125a, 125b such that each container is provided with a robust attachment to a respective central panel 125a, 125b. The attachment of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, and containers CB1, CB2, CB3 to the respective central panel 125a, 125b can provide retention and support of the respective containers, e.g., such that the containers do not detach from the carrier <NUM> under their own weight, in addition to or alternative to the container retention and support provided by the respective container retention portions 135a, 135b. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be attached to a respective central panel 125a, 125b with glue G, without additional retention and support provided by a container retention portion as described above.

The glue G described herein can be, for example, a hot melt adhesive, a high tack glue, an epoxy, a polymeric cement, etc., or combinations thereof. The glue G can have a different arrangement without departing from the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the exterior surface of the blank <NUM>/carrier <NUM>.

Such enhanced attachment of the respective containers to the respective central panels 125a, 125b with the glue G can also provide enhanced integrity to the carrier <NUM>, e.g., by providing opposing adhesive forces on the respective central panels 125a, 125b such that the central panels 125a, 125b are compressed therebetween. For example, in one embodiment, as the carrier <NUM> is lifted, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 can at least partially pull the portions of the back central panel 125b to which they are attached through the respective glue openings 127a toward the front central panel 125a under the at least partial weight of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3. Respective portions of the front central panel 125a can be pulled toward the back central panel 125b through the respective glue openings 127b by the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a similar manner.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the front side panel 169a can be folded upwardly at the fold line 171a, for example, to be at an oblique arrangement relative to the containers CA1, CA2, CB1, CB2, CB3 and the top panel <NUM> can be folded at the fold line 175a generally in the direction of the arrow A3 into at least partial face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the attachment panels 131a, 131b. Similarly, the back side panel 169b can be folded upwardly at the fold line 171b into an oblique arrangement with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 and the attachment flap <NUM> can be folded at the fold line 175b generally in the direction of the arrow A4 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top panel <NUM> and/or the attachment panel 131b. Such an arrangement can be maintained with an adhesive such as glue.

The respective handle flaps <NUM>, <NUM> can be at least partially separated from the top panel <NUM> at the respective cuts <NUM>, <NUM>, and from each other at the respective cuts <NUM>, and folded or flexed downwardly into an interior portion of the carrier <NUM>/package <NUM>. The handle openings 130a, 130b provide clearance for the handle flaps <NUM>, <NUM> to extend downwardly in such an arrangement. In one embodiment, one or both of the handle flaps <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided with a reconfigurable arrangement, for example, so as to contour or angle against one or more of the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, e.g., such that at least a central portion of the respective handle flaps <NUM>, <NUM> can be positioned between adjacent containers.

In one embodiment, marginal portions of the respective handle flaps <NUM>, <NUM> can at least partially wrap around or surround a consumer's finger, for example, to minimize or prevent contact of the consumer's finger with edges or corners of the carrier <NUM>/package <NUM> and/or the respective containers. In addition, and as described above, the divergent nature of the respective longitudinal sections 132a, 132b and the respective lateral sections 134a, 134b of the respective handle openings 130a, 130b allows a consumer multiple edges and surfaces by which to engage and lift the carrier <NUM> such that the consumer can engage the carrier from multiple orientations, e.g., a lateral orientation or a longitudinal orientation, or orientations therebetween.

Should the handle openings 130a, 130b be engaged at the edges of the respective longitudinal sections 132a, 132b, the respective reinforcement flaps 126a, 126b can at least partially fold downwardly at the respective curved fold lines 138a, 138b to provide additional reinforcing structure between a customer's fingers and the respective attachment panel 131a, 131b, e.g., in a three-ply configuration.

Referring additionally to <FIG>, an at least partial reconfiguration of the carrier <NUM> to facilitate removal of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 will be described in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, one or both of the first marginal portion <NUM> and the second marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> can be folded at least partially upwardly at the respective fold lines <NUM>, <NUM>. Upward movement of the first marginal portion <NUM> can carry the front panel 169a and the exterior marginal portion 138a of the front attachment panel 131a therewith such that the first marginal portion <NUM>, the front panel 169a, and the exterior marginal portion 138a can together form an articulable access feature <NUM> (broadly, "first access feature") that provides at least partial access to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 in the front portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. Similarly, the second marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM>, the attachment flap <NUM> underlapped on the marginal portion <NUM>, the back panel 169b, and the exterior marginal portion 138a can together form an articulable access feature <NUM> (broadly, "second access feature") that provides at least partial access to the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in the back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>.

For example, the access feature <NUM> can be grasped by a customer, for example, by curling his or her fingers around portions of the first marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM>, the front panel 169a, and/or the exterior marginal portion 138a of the attachment panel 131a, and lifting upwardly such that these panels/portions articulate to fold at least partially at the aligned fold lines <NUM>, 139a in the respective top panel <NUM> and attachment panel 131a. In one embodiment, the fold lines <NUM>, 139a can be positioned in an offset relationship.

Such movement of the access feature <NUM> can cause at least partial disengagement of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 from the attachment panel 131a, for example, by withdrawing the top portion T of a respective container through an opening formed by a respective cut 141a along the respective attachment panel 131a.

Similarly, the access feature <NUM> can be grasped by a customer by curling his or her fingers around portions of the second marginal portion <NUM> of the top panel <NUM>, the back panel 169b, and/or the exterior marginal portion 138a and lifting upwardly at the aligned fold lines <NUM>, 139b in the respective top panel <NUM> and attachment panel 131a to provide access to the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in the back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>. Such movement of the access feature <NUM> can cause at least partial disengagement of one or more of the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 from the attachment panel 131b as described above with respect to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3. In one embodiment, the fold lines <NUM>, 139b can be positioned in an offset relationship.

Accordingly, the access features <NUM>, <NUM> are each reconfigurable/positionable between a first configuration/position, in which one or both of the marginal portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> are generally perpendicular to the central panels 125a, 125b, and a second configuration/position, in which one or both of the marginal portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> are generally raised or upright relative to the central panels 125a, 125b, e.g., such that the marginal portions <NUM>, <NUM> are parallel with or obliquely-disposed relative to the central panels 125a, 125b, for example, to allow access to the containers. In the second configuration of the access features <NUM>, <NUM>, at least the respective marginal portions 138a, 138b of the respective attachment panels 135a, 135b can also be generally raised or upright relative to the central panels 125a, 125b.

In one embodiment, the respective marginal portions 138a, 138b of the respective attachment panels 135a, 135b can be considered to be generally perpendicular to the central panels 125a, 125b when the access features <NUM>, <NUM> are in the first configuration/position.

It will be understood that the access features <NUM>, <NUM> can each be reconfigured/positioned from the second configuration/position by reversing the movement of the access features <NUM>, <NUM> described above. For example, the access features <NUM>, <NUM> can be folded at least partially downwardly at the respective fold lines <NUM>, 139a and fold lines <NUM>, 139b toward a generally perpendicular arrangement relative to the central panels 125a, 125b. Such movement of the access features <NUM>, <NUM> can cause at least partial re-engagement of one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 with the respective attachment panels 131a, 131b as described above.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in which only the second access feature <NUM> is shown in the second configuration/position, a respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be further removed from the carrier <NUM> by peeling the respective container away from the respective central panel 125a, 125b. Peeling or pulling the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 away from a respective central panel 125a, 125b can involve pulling the respective container with a force sufficient to overcome the adhesive bond of the respective container and the respective central panel 125a, 125b provided by the glue G. In one embodiment, the glue G can be selected so as to remain on a respective central panel 125a, 125b, e.g., such that substantially little or no glue G remains on the container as it is removed.

One or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 in one embodiment, can be reattached to a respective central panel 125a, 125b following therefrom by pressing the container against a respective region of glue G.

It will be understood that a different number of rows or arrangements of glue openings can be provided without departing from the disclosure, and that the central panels can be sized and configured to accommodate such arrangements. In one embodiment, the central panels 125a, 125b can be devoid of glue openings such that the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3 and CB1, CB2, CB3 are adhered only to the respective central panel 125a, 125b. In another embodiment, glue G can be provided both on portions of the respective central panels 125a, 125b exposed through the respective glue openings 127b, 127a as well as portions of the respective central panels 125a, 125b adjacent the respective glue openings 127a, 127b such that each container CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 can be adhered to portions of both central panels 125a, 125b.

The carrier <NUM>/package <NUM> described above has a compact structure that can, for example, provide materials savings and waste reduction. Additionally, the arrangement of the glue G among the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 as well as the central panels 125a, 125b provides multiple points of attachment that results in a robust structure for holding and carrying the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3. Further, the exposure of one or more portions of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 CB1, CB2, CB3 on exterior portions of the carrier <NUM>/package <NUM> provides a consumer with a clear view of labeling or surface graphics associated with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, as well as providing convenient access to remove one or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 from the carrier <NUM>/package <NUM>.

Referring additionally to <FIG>, a blank <NUM> for forming a carrier <NUM> according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated. The blank <NUM> and the carrier <NUM> can have one or more features that are similar to those of the blank <NUM> and the carrier <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment, and like or similar reference numbers refer to like or similar features.

As shown, the attachment panels 131a, 131b of the blank <NUM> are each provided with a respective three laterally spaced cuts 141a, 141b such that the carrier <NUM> is sized and configured to support and retain six containers, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 in a front portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 in a back portion <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>.

As also shown, the U-shaped cuts <NUM> interrupt the fold line <NUM> to define respective tabs <NUM> extending away from the centerline CL. Upon formation of a carrier from the blank <NUM>, the tabs <NUM> can separate from the surrounding material of the central panel 125b at the respective cuts <NUM> to expose a pair of glue openings 127b of the first back row RB1.

It will be understood that the blanks and carriers described herein can be provided in different configurations without departing from the disclosure.

In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

As described herein, a line of weakening can include one or more of tear lines, cut lines, etc. As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.

Claim 1:
A carrier (<NUM>) for holding a plurality of containers (CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3), the carrier comprising:
a plurality of panels comprising a top panel (<NUM>), at least one central panel (125a, 125b), and at least one attachment panel (131a, 131b) configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, the at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers; and
at least one access feature (<NUM>) that is positionable for allowing access to at least one container of the plurality of containers, the at least one access feature comprises a marginal portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the top panel and a marginal portion (138a, 138b) of the at least one attachment panel,
the at least one central panel comprises a front central panel (125a), and a back central panel (125b) in face-to-face contact with the front central panel, the at least one attachment panel comprises a front attachment panel (131a) foldably connected to the front central panel (125a) and a back attachment panel (131b) foldably connected to the back central panel (125b),
characterized in that
each of the front central panel and the back central panel has a
first row (RF1) of openings (127a, 127b) and a second row (RF2) of openings (127a, 127b) spaced apart from the first row of openings,
the first row of openings is spaced a first distance (D1) from a bottom edge of the at least one central panel, and the second row of openings is spaced a second distance (D2) from the bottom edge of the at least one central panel, the second distance is greater than the first distance such that the openings (127a) in the front central panel (125a) are in communication with the back central panel (125b) and the openings (127b) in the back central panel are in communication with the front central panel for providing respective points of attachment for each respective container to the respective opposite central panel.