US-20260125193-A1 - CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS

Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one handle panel at least partially forms a handle of the carrier and at least partially defines a locking feature along a free edge for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the locking feature is positioned for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers.

Inventors

• Angus Milne
• Jon Thompson
• Steve M. Gould

Assignees

• GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251031

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel, the at least one handle panel at least partially forming a handle of the carrier, the at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, the handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the at least one locking feature is positioned for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers.
2. 2 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking feature comprises at least one notch in a free edge of the handle panel.
3. 3 . The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the at least one notch comprises three notches.
4. 4 . The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the at least one handle panel is a first handle panel, the at least one attachment panel is a first attachment panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second attachment panel and a second handle panel foldably connected to the second attachment panel.
5. 5 . The carrier of claim 4 , where the first handle panel and the second handle panel are foldably connected at a fold line and are in face-to-face contact to form the handle.
6. 6 . The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the locking feature comprises aligned curved edges of the first handle panel and the second handle panel that form the at least one notch.
7. 7 . The carrier of claim 6 , wherein the carrier comprises openings aligned with the fold line connecting the first handle panel and the second handle panel, the openings forming the locking feature when the first handle panel and the second handle panel are in face-to-face contact.
8. 8 . The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the first handle panel comprises a first handle opening and a first handle flap adjacent the first handle opening, the second handle panel comprises a second handle opening and a second handle flap adjacent the second handle opening, the first and second handle opening combine to form a handle opening of the handle and the first handle flap and the second handle flap combine to form a handle flap of the handle, the handle opening and the handle flap of the handle are for grasping and carrying the carrier when the handle is in the first position.
9. 9 . The carrier of claim 4 , wherein each of the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel have a plurality of container retention features, the plurality of container retention features comprises a plurality of container retention tabs surrounding a respective container retention opening for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers.
10. 10 . The carrier of claim 9 , further comprising a first end flap foldably connected to the first attachment panel and a second end flap foldably connected to the second attachment panel.
11. 11 . The carrier of claim 9 in combination with a lower construct, the lower construct supporting a base of the plurality of containers and the carrier is attached to the upper portion of the plurality of containers.
12. 12 . A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel, the at least one handle panel is for at least partially forming a handle of the carrier formed from the blank, the at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, the handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the at least one locking feature is positioned for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank.
13. 13 . The blank of claim 12 , wherein the at least one locking feature comprises at least one notch in a free edge of the handle panel.
14. 14 . The blank of claim 13 , wherein the at least one handle panel is a first handle panel, the at least one attachment panel is a first attachment panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second attachment panel and a second handle panel foldably connected to the second attachment panel.
15. 15 . The blank of claim 14 , where the first handle panel and the second handle panel are foldably connected at a fold line and are positionable in face-to-face contact to form the handle when the carrier is formed from the blank.
16. 16 . The blank of claim 15 , wherein the carrier comprises openings aligned with the fold line connecting the first handle panel and the second handle panel, the openings forming the locking feature when the first handle panel and the second handle panel are in face-to-face contact.
17. 17 . The blank of claim 14 , wherein each of the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel have a plurality of container retention features, the plurality of container retention features comprises a plurality of container retention tabs surrounding a respective container retention opening for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank.
18. 18 . The blank of claim 17 , further comprising a first end flap foldably connected to the first attachment panel and a second end flap foldably connected to the second attachment panel.
19. 19 . The blank of claim 17 in combination with a lower blank, the lower blank is for forming a lower construct for supporting a base of the plurality of containers and the carrier formed from the blank is attached to the upper portion of the plurality of containers.
20. 20 . A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising obtaining a blank having a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel, the at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, forming a handle of the carrier by positioning the at least one handle panel, the handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the locking feature at least partially engages a respective container of the plurality of containers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/715,732, filed on Nov. 4, 2024, entitled Carrier for Containers, and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/749,046, filed on Jan. 24, 2025, entitled Carrier for Containers. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/715,732 , filed on Nov. 4, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/749,046 , filed on Jan. 24, 2025 entitled Carrier for Containers, are hereby incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers for holding, displaying, and/or transporting containers. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one handle panel at least partially forming a handle of the carrier. The at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the at least one locking feature is positioned for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The blank comprising a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one handle panel is for at least partially forming a handle of the carrier formed from the blank. The at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the at least one locking feature is positioned for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank. According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising obtaining a blank having a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of container. The method comprises forming a handle of the carrier by positioning the at least one handle panel, the handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the locking feature at least partially engages a respective container of the plurality of containers. According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package holding a plurality of containers. The package comprising a carrier in combination with a lower construct. The carrier comprising a plurality of panels that comprises at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one handle panel at least partially forming a handle of the carrier. The at least one handle panel at least partially defining a locking feature along a free edge thereof for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is fol