WO2011094473A1

WO2011094473A1 - Carrier and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2011094473A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/022829
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Lebras
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc
Priority date: 2010-01-29
Filing date: 2011-01-28
Publication date: 2011-08-04
Also published as: GB201001499D0; CN102811923A; AU2011210779A1; KR20120115410A

Abstract

A blank for use in the construction of a basket- style carrier includes a series of main panels (20, 22, 24a, 24b, 26a, 28b) for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier. The main panels include first and second side wall panels (20, 22). The first and second side wall panels positioned adjacent to each other in side-by- side relationship. The first and second side wail panels are bounded by each other long a line of separation (48) comprising a cert line or a frangible line disposed immediately between the first and second side wall panels

Description

. i -

CARRIER AND BLANK THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to carton or carrier for containing one or more articles such as bottles and a blank for forming the same. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a basket-style carrier of the top-loading type formed from one or more blanks shaped and configured to minimise wastage of the material from which the blanks is/are formed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers, such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. One such package is a basket-style carrier formed of foidabie sheet material such as paperboard or the like. Such carriers are often used to package high-end goods, such as premium beers and lagers contained in bottles. The basket carriers are typically top loaded and advertise the premium product held within the carriers because the tops of the bottles are on show and visible to the consumers. The carriers need to be strong to securely take the weight of say six bottles, and preferably foidabie into a flatfish condition for transportation and storage. Sn addition, the material from which the carrier is formed is usually provided in large sheets or rolls and the blanks (in the form of tessellated nets) are struck or cut from these sheets of rolls. The typical outline shape or net of the blanks used to form the carriers are awkward to fit together and often shapes that cause wastage of the sheets or roils. This wastage is costly and undesirable. It is therefore desirable to provide and improvement in the field of basket carriers by providing a more economically producible package.

One such basket-style carrier is shown in EP01 159200 in which an "in-line" blank is shown for forming a basket-style carrier having a crash-bottom. The side and end wall panels are adjoined one to the next in series which creates a main blank having a length that is nearly three times the length of a side wall of the overall carrier. These blanks nest or tesseiiate as shown in Figure 4C of EP '200. Separate blanks for forming partition structures that separate the internal volume of the formed basket carrier into separate cells to prevent the bottles banging against one another are also provided.

A further example of a basket-style carrier is disclosed in US6131729, wherein a blank for forming the carrier is configured in a parallel-type relationship wherein one set of side and end panels is disposed opposite the other set of side and end panels. The side panels are separated by handle panels and the overall blank has a roughly rectangular outline save for the bottom panel (see 9 in Figure 7).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for use in the construction of a basket-style carrier, the blank comprising a series of main panels for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier, said main panels including first and second side wail panels, said first and second side wall panels positioned adjacent to each other in side-by-side relationship and wherein the first and second side wall panels are either separated by a cut-line disposed immediately between them or are separable by means of a frangible line disposed immediately between them. Preferably, the first and second side wall panels are disposed in mirrored relationship and preferably, the first and second side wail panels share a common edge. Optionally, the common edge is a bottom edge of the first and second side wall panels, or is a top edge of the first and second side wall panels or is a bottom edge of one of the first and second side wall panels and is a top edge of the other one of the first and second side wail panels.

Optionally, the blank further comprises one or more handle panels and/or an insert partition structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a second blank for use in the construction of a basket-style carrier, the second blank comprises a foidable bottom panel securable to a first blank for forming the basket style-carrier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming a basket style carrier comprising a biank according to any of the preceding paragraphs for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier and a biank according to the immediately preceding paragraph for forming a bottom wall of the basket carrier.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination of first and second blanks, the first biank comprises a series of main panels for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier, said main panels including first and second side wail panels, said first and second side wall panels positioned adjacent to each other in side-by-side relationship, wherein the first and second side wail panels are either separated by a cut-line disposed immediately between them or are separable by means of a frangible line disposed immediately between them and the second biank comprises a foidable bottom panel securable to said first blank and wherein the second biank is insertabie between the first and second side wall panels where they are separated.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a basket carrier using a combination of blanks, the method comprising, folding the bottom panel and inserting the folded bottom panel into the separation between the first and second side wail panels of the first blank.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a basket style carrier having first and second side walls, end wails and a bottom wall, wherein the bottom is attached to the basket carrier by being secured to an inside surface of each of the first and second side wails of the basket carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an outer-shell blank according to a first illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2a is a plan view of an insert-structure blank according to a first illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2b is a plan view of an alternative insert-structure blank according to a different embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the insert-structure blank of Figure 2a having been folded in readiness for insertion into the outer-shell blank;

FIGURE 4a is a plan view of the outer-shell blank showing regions where adhesive could be applied for securing the insert-structure blank thereto;

FIGURE 4b is a plan view of the outer-sheli and insert-structure blanks having been combined by threading the folded base of the insert structure-blank through the outer-shell blank and securing the insert-structure to the outer-shell blank;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the combined blanks of Figures 1 and 2a showing the position of the folded bottom panel of the insert-structure and showing further regions where adhesive could be applied for affixing reinforcing handle panels to the main handle panels of the insert-structure and outer- shell; FIGURE 8 is a plan view showing the next step in the folding sequence and showing further regions where adhesive may be applied for further constructing a basket-style carrier from the combined outer-shell and insert-structure blanks;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the combined blanks showing a final region where adhesive may be applied;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a flat folded basket carrier;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of an outer-shell blank according to a second illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of an insert-structure blank according to the second illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 1 1 shows a plan view of a bottom-structure blank according to the second illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 12a shows the bottom structure blank being positioned for insertion into the outer-shell blank which is depicted with regions where adhesive could be applied for securing the bottom-structure blank thereto;

FIGURE 12b is a plan view of the outer-shell and bottom-structure blanks having been combined by threading the folded base of the bottom structure-blank through the outer-shell blank and securing the bottom-structure to the outer-shell blank;

FIGURE 13 is a plan view showing the next step in the construction sequence, showing the insert-structure blank having been secured to the outer- shell blank and showing further regions where adhesive may be applied for further constructing a basket-style carrier from the combined outer- shell and insert-structure blanks;

FIGURE 14 is perspective view of the combined blanks showing the adhesion of handle reinforcing panels to the insert-structure blank;

FIGURE 15 is perspective view of the combined blanks showing the adhesion of riser panels to the insert-structure blank; and

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of the basket carrier constructed from the blanks of Figures 9, 10 and 1 1 .

To assist in the understanding of the illustrated Figures and the features shown therein, the following table is provided which describes each of the numbered features illustrated:

Mumbered Brief Description Numbered Brief Description Feature Feature

10 Outer shell blank 20, 120 First side panel

1 12a Partition insert blank 22, 122 Second side panel

and alternative

partition insert blank

26b, 126b End panel 24a, 124a End panel

28, 128 First handle panel 24b, 124b End panel

30, 130 Second handle panel 26a, 126a End panel

38, 136 Reinforcing handle 32, 132 Handle flap

panel

38, 138 Reinforcing handle 34, 134 Handle flap

panel

40, 140 Handle aperture 88a, 88b Side panel reinforcements

44a, 44b, 46a, Riser panel 102a, 102b Insert handle panel 46b, 144a,

144b, 146a,

146b

48, 148 Line of 1 10 Outer shell blank of 3-piece separation/Bottom cut- line

50, 52, 150, Riser hinge line 1 12 Partition insert blank of 3~ 152 piece

54, 56, 154, Upper cut-line 1 13 Bottom panel insert of 3- 156 piece 57a, 57b, Upper edge of end 187a, 187b Bottom panel glue flaps 157a, 157b panel

58, 80, 158, Nick portion 188a, 188b Handle insert panel with 160, 162, 164, side panei reinforcements 166, 168

62, 64, 66, 68 Riser fold line 206 Fold line

70, 72, 74, 76, Side / end panei fold 210 Basket Carrier

170, 172, 174, line

1 6

78, 80, 178, Handle fold line G1 Region in which adhesive 180 may be applied to first and second handle panels for securing reinforcing handle panels thereto

82, 84, 182, Handle flap fold line G2 Region in which adhesive 184 may be applied to first and second side panels for securing side panel reinforcements thereto

86a, 86b, Bottom panels G3 Region in which adhesive 186a, 186b may be applied to first and second side panels for securing lateral partition structure glue flaps thereto

30a, 30b, 92a, Lateral partition G4 Region in which adhesive 92b, 190a, structures may be applied to insert 190b_s 192a, handle panei for securing 192b reinforcing handle panei thereto

94a, 94b, Lateral partition G5 Region in which adhesive 194a, 194b structure glue flaps may be applied to insert handle panel and end

panels for securing riser panel thereto

96a, 96b, 98a, Lateral partition fold G6 Region in which adhesive 98b, 100a, lines may be applied to insert 100b, 196a, handle panel and end 198b, 198a, panels for securing riser 198b, 200a, panel thereto

200b

104, 106a, Bottom pane! fold line G7 Region in which adhesive 106b, 204, may be applied to left hand 206a, 206b side reinforcing handle panel, riser panel handle insert panel and side panel reinforcement to secure similar features of right hand side

G8 Region in which adhesive may be applied to secure bottom pane! blank 1 13 to outer shell blank 1 10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 , an outer shell blank 10 formed of foidable sheet material, in this example paperboard, is shown comprising on a left hand side thereof: a first side panel 20; first handle panel 28; reinforcing handle panel 38 and end panels 24a, 26a. The end panel 24a is hinged to the first side panel 20 along fold line 70 and the end panel 26a is hinged along the opposite end of first side panel 20 along fold line 74. In mirrored fashion, the right hand side of blank 10 comprises: a second side panel 22; second handle panel 30; reinforcing handle panel 38 and end panels 24b, 26b. The end panel 24b is hinged to the second side panel 22 along fold line 72 and the end panel 26b is hinged along the opposite end of second side panel 22 along fold line 76.

The outer shell blank also comprises riser panels 44a, 44b, 46a, and 46b. The outer sheii blank 10 is arranged such that the first and second side panels 20, 22 are disposed in close proximity adjacent one another and bounded by each other along a line of separation in the form of a cut-line 48 (cut-line 48 could take the form of a perforate or other frangible line such that the two side panels 20, 22 may need to be separated for constructing the basket-style carrier). The line of separation or cut-line 48 between the two side panels 20, 22 will define a bottom edge of side wails of the carrier once the basket carrier has been constructed from the blank. Cut-line or line of separation (or frangible connection) 48 extends between end panels 24a, 24b of the left and right hand sides of the blank 10 and also between end panels 26a, 26b of the left and right hand sides of the blank.

The end panels 24a, 24b and 26a, 26b are disposed end-to end in blank form, but are connected by the riser panels 44a, 44b and 46a, 46b so that upon construction of the blank 10 into a basket carrier, the pairs of end panels 24a, 24b and 28a, 28b will be joined and connected together to form composite end walls of the basket style carton. Arranging the blank in this manner provides for a compact blank 10 construction that can be cut from larger sheet material with a minimum of wastage. In comparisons conducted against known basket style blanks it is suggested that the present arrangement of blanks can be cut from larger sheet material with a 20% gain in the material utilised (i.e. not wasted).

First and second handle panels 28 and 30 are disposed in a medial location within the completed basket carrier and as such are preferably free of connection to the first and second side panels 20, 22 and end panels 24a, 24b, 26a, 28b in blank form. The upper edge 57a of end panel 24a is preferably a cut-line or score line that cleanly separates the end panel 24a from the adjacent first handle panel 28. Though the blank 10 could be formed with a frangible connection 57a between the upper edge of end panel 24a and first handle panel 28, once broken, the upper edge 57a of the end panel may be rough or scruffy. Therefore it is preferred to define the upper edge 57a by a clean sharp accurate cut, Similarly, the upper edges 57a, 57b of end panels 24b, 28a, 26b and the upper edges 56, 54 of the first and second side panels 20, 22 are preferably defined by clean cut-lines such that these upper edges of the finished basket carrier are well-defined, distinct and not rough and therefore are aesthetically pleasing.

Riser panels 44a, 44b are hinged to or foidabiy connected to the first and second handle panels 28, 30 along fold lines 62, 64 (which also hinge or foidabiy connect those riser panels 44a, 44b to the end panels 24a, 24b). As such the riser panels 44a, 44b provide a connection between the first and second handle panels 28, 30 and the remaining main panels of the blank 10. Riser panels 46a, 46b are hinged to end panels 26a, 26b along fold lines 66 and 68. The riser panels 44a and 44b are connected by a fold line 50; likewise, riser panels 46a, 46b are connected via a fold line 52. Cut-line 48 terminates at each of its ends at fold lines 50 and 52. In blank form, some means of connection of the first and second handle panels 28, 30 to the remainder of the blank 10 at their ends opposite to riser panels 44a, 44b is preferred in order to maintain the blank 10 as a manageable work piece that can be manipulated easily for constructing the carton. One such means of connection is provided in the form of nick portions 60, 58 which are hinged or foldabiy connected at one of their ends to the first and second handle panels 28, 30 and connected at the other end by a very fine tapered portion to an upper corner edge of the first and second handle panels 20, 22 respectively. The fine tapered portion is broken after or during construction of the blank 10 into a basket carrier, but holds the connection between the handle panels 28, 30 and side panels 20, 22 sufficiently long enough to enable a sufficient amount of construction of the basket carrier to be completed that the handle panels 28, 30 are connected some other way to the remainder of the blank (for example by connection to the carton riser panels 46a, 48b) and therefore subsequent manipulation of the blank is not hindered by the blank 10 being floppy and difficult to manipulate.

The blank 10 also comprises optional reinforcing handle panels 38, 38 which are hinged to the main first and second handle panels 28, 30 by means of a fold or crease line 80, 78 respectively. Otherwise the reinforcing panels 36, 38 are preferably not connected to the main panels of the blank 10. The reinforcing panels 36, 38 are in other embodiments of the invention omitted. In yet further envisaged embodiments reinforcing handle panels 36, 38 are provided, but are hinged to the upper edges of the first and second handle panels 28, 30 or indeed to any other suitable location of the blank 10 and not necessarily hinged along fold lines 80, 78 running along an end edge of the first and second handle panels 38, 38.

First and second handle panels 28, 30 and reinforcing handle panels 36, 38 comprise handle apertures 40 (as are well known in the art). In this illustrated arrangement optional handle flaps 32, 34 are provided in the first and second handle panels 28, 30 and hinged thereto along fold lines 82, 84. In other arrangements, handle cushioning flaps 32, 34 are not provided or only one flap is provided or more than two flaps are provided. The flaps may take various configurations when provided and may be dimensioned and sized differently to those shown,

A partition insert blank 12 is shown in Figure 2a. In this illustrated arrangement, the partition insert blank 12 is made from the same material as outer shell blank 10 namely paperboard. In other embodiments, the partition insert blank 12 may be formed of a different material to the outer-shell blank 10 and both blanks may be formed of any foldabie sheet materials such as paperboard, cardboard, plastics materials and the like.

Partition insert blank 12 comprises bottom panels 86a, 86b which are hinged together along fold line 104; insert handle panels 102a, 102b; side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b and lateral partition structures 90a, 90b, 92a, 92b. The lateral partition structures 90a, 90b, 92a, 92b are attachable to one of the first or second side wall panels 20, 22 of the main basket carrier by means of lateral partition glue flaps 94a, 94b which are hinged to the blank 12 along fold lines 96a, 98a, 100a, 96b, 98b and 100b. The bottom panels 86a, 86b are each hinged or foidably connected to the side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b (along fold lines 106a, 106b) which are in turn connected via one of the lateral partition structure glue flaps 94a, 94b to the insert handle panels 102a, 102b. The insert handle panels 102a, 102b comprise handle apertures 40 and in other embodiments may comprise handle cushioning flaps. Alternatively in further embodiments of the invention, the insert handle panels 102a, 102b may not be sized similarly to the first and second handle panels 28, 30 and may stop short of fully reinforcing the first and second handle panels 28, 30, An alternative embodiment of partition insert blank 12a is illustrated in Figure 2b in which the side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b are connected to both of the lateral partition structure glue flaps 94a and 94b,

The shape, size, number and specific configuration of lateral partition structures 90a, 90b, 92a, 92b and lateral partition glue flaps 94a, 94b may take many and various forms that cannot ail be illustrated. The configurations will depend upon the number of cells it is required to divide the basket style carrier into; the size of the carrier and other design requirements. The provision of partition structures is in fact optional, though is preferred because basket style carriers are often used for bottles and the partition structures prevent clanging of the bottles against one another which can prevent damage of the bott!es. Where no partition structures are required, the section of blank 12 between the side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b and insert handle panel 102a, 102b may comprise no glue flaps, folds or partition elements. In yet further embodiments, the second blank for forming the basket carrier in conjunction with the outer shell blank 10 of Figure 1 may simply comprise a bottom wall only and securing panels (see the blank 1 13 of Figure 1 1 which could be employed with outer-shell blank 10 of Figure 1 to form a basket style carrier having no partition structures).

Turning now to the construction of a basket style carrier from the outer-shell blank 10 of Figure 1 and the insert partition structure 12 of Figure 2a it is envisaged that the carton can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the blank and part-formed blank are not required to be rotated or inverted to complete the construction of a basket carrier. The construction process including the folding sequence and positions of adhesive used is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

The partition insert blank 12 is foided about fold line 104 to bring the bottom panels 86a, 88b together into flat face contact and to bring fold lines 106a, 106b together such that, in the plane of the main partition insert blank 12, side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b are immediately adjacent one another. The folded bottom panels 86a, 88b extend approximately normal to the plane of the side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b. The initial foided position of blank 12 is shown in Figure 3; the bottom panels 86a, 86b cannot be seen as they extend out of the plane of the back of the paper.

The folded partition insert blank of Figure 3 is to be inserted into and attached to the outer-shell blank 10. In readiness for this attachment, adhesive may be applied to the outer-sheil blank 10 in the regions G1 , G2 and G3. As depicted in Figure 4a, adhesive, glue or other attachment means is applied in region G1 for securing the insert handle panels 102a, 102b to the first and second handle panels 28, 30 respectively. Adhesive, glue or other attachment means is applied in region G2 for attaching side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b to the inside faces of first and second side panels 20, 22 respectively; and adhesive, glue or other attachment means is applied in region G3 for attaching lateral partition structure glue flaps 94a, 94b to the first and second side panels 20, 22 respectively. The folded partition insert blank of Figure 3 is inserted into the outer-shell blank 10 by threading the flat faced and folded bottom panels 88a, 88b through a slot, slit, gap or separation defined by cut- line 48. In some construction methods, the outer shell blank 10 may be folded about its notional centre line defined by cut-line 48 and fold lines 50, 52 to open the gap between first and second side panels 20, 22 wider to facilitate the insertion of the folded blank 12 between the first and second side panels 20, 22. Such folding of the outer-shell blank may not be necessary. If the material from which the blanks are made has a "good side" that should appear outermost in the finished product and a "bad-side" which should appear innermost, then Figure 4a should be considered as showing the "bad-side" facing out with adhesive being applied to that side. The partition insert blank 12 should be folded so that when folded together it is the "good- sides" of the bottom panels 86a, 86b that are facing outer-most. As such it is the "good-side" of the remainder of the partition insert blank 12 that is placed into flat face contact with the outer-shell blank 10.

Once the folded bottom panels 88a, 86b are threaded through slot 48, the remainder of the partition insert blank 12 is placed into fiat face contact, aligned with and secured to the outer-shell blank 10 such that the insert handle panels 102a, 102b are secured to the first and second handle panels 28, 30 respectively; side panel reinforcements 88a, 88b are secured to the inside faces of first and second side panels 20, 22 respectively; and such that lateral partition structure glue flaps 94a, 94b are secured to the first and second side panels 20, 22 respectively. Figure 4b shows a plan view of the folded partition insert blank 12 and outer-shell blank 10 having been combined. Figure 4c shows a perspective view from the top of the folded partition insert blank 12 and outer-shell blank 10 having been combined, wherein the position of the folded bottom panels 86a, 86b is shown in dotted outline. Further shown in Figure 4c is a nominal position for the application of adhesive G4. This adhesive or other securement means is used to attach each reinforcing handle panel 36, 38 to the adjacent insert handle panel 102a, 102b (and therefore indirectly to the first and second handle panels 30, 32). The reinforcing handle panel 36, 38 is folded about its fold line 80, 78 and brought into fiat face contact with the ("bad-side") face of insert handle panel 102a, 102b. The resultant part-formed blank is shown in Figure 5.

Further shown in Figure 5 is a nominal position for the placement of adhesive G5. The adhesive G5 or other securement or fixing means is used to attach riser panels 44a, 44b to the insert handle panels 102a, 102b respectively. The riser panels 44a, 44b will subsequently be used to join the end panels 24a, 24b to form a composite end wall and therefore at this stage glue region G5 should not extend beyond the insert handle panels 102a, 102b and the riser panels 44a, 44b should not be attached directly to an inside face of the end panels 24a, 24b. Glue region G5 is depicted as a series of roughly parallel lines which run in the same direction as previously shown glue lines so that turning of the blank in a machine is avoided and glue guns can operate on the blanks 10, 12 as they travel along conveyors of the machine and pass the glue guns.

The riser panels 44a, 44b are folded about fold lines 62, 64 and secured to the insert handle panels 102a, 102b. This resultant part-formed blank is shown in Figure 8. Further shown in Figure 6 is the nominal position for the placement of adhesive G6. The adhesive G6 or other securement or fixing means is used to attach an upper portion of each riser panel 46a, 46b to the insert handle panels 102a, 102b and to attach the nick portions 60, 58 to upper portions of end panels 26a, 26b respectively. The resultant part-formed blank is shown in Figure 7 in plan view.

Further shown in Figure 7 is the nominal position for the placement of adhesive G7 which is used to secure the left-hand side of the blank to the right hand side of the blank. Specifically, glue regions G7 are positioned to secure reinforcing handle panel 36 to reinforcing handle panel 38; to secure the top of riser panel 44a, to the top of riser panel 44b; to secure the top of riser panel 46a to the top of riser panel 48b; to secure portions of the insert handle panels 102a, of the insert partition structure blank 10 that lie between the lateral partition structures 90a, 92a to portions of the insert handle panels 102b, of the insert partition structure blank 10 that lie between the lateral partition structures 90b, 92b, These secured portions form part of a medial partition structure, along with the composite handle panels 36/28/102a and 38/30/102b. The medial partition structure splits the basket carrier into two longitudinal sections. The final folding stage is completed by folding the right-hand side of the blank about fold lines 50 and 52. The completed, but flat-form glued blank is shown in Figure 8.

To open the blank of Figure 8 into a carton, the bottom panels 86b, 86a are separated from one another and the end panels 26a, 26b are folded into co-planar relationship; the internal structure "pops" into place as a result of opening the carton such that a six-celled basket carrier is formed. It may be useful (when the carton is empty at least) to employ a hook-shaped portion at the bottom of riser panels 46a, 46b and locate it in a complementarity hook-shaped edge of the bottom panel 86a/86b.

Referring now to Figures 9 through to 16, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this second illustrated embodiment three blanks are provided to form a basket-style carrier. In the second illustrated embodiment, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix 00" or "200" to indicate that these features belong to the second embodiment. The second embodiment shares many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 will be described in any greater detail.

Three blanks 1 10, 1 12, 1 13 are provided in this arrangement. The separation of the blank structure into three distinct parts may present further material savings by offering further flexibility in the layout or tessellation of multiple blanks on a larger sheet of material from which the blanks are cut. Each of the blanks 1 10, 1 12, 1 13 has a roughly or substantially rectangular cut-line or in other words has a perimeter shape that minimises wastage of material by not having extensive or odd shaped projections or appendages that leave odd-shaped and useless off-cuts of material. Outer-shell biank 1 10 of the three piece version is substantially identical in its construction to the outer-shell blank 10 of this first embodiment and is not described further. The biank 1 10 is shown in Figure 9. Together partition insert structure biank 1 12 and bottom insert biank 1 13 comprise the same component panels as the partition insert blank 12 of the first embodiment, albeit, the bottom panels 186a, 186b are provided in a separate blank 1 13 (see Figure 1 1 } which is additionally provided with bottom pane! glue flaps 187a, 187b. The partition insert structure biank 1 12 is illustrated as having different shaped lateral partition structures 190a, 190b, 192a, 192b, lateral partition structure glue flaps 194a, 194b and lateral partition fold lines 196a, 196b, 198a, 198b, 200a, 200b, though in essence and performance the lateral partition structure of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

Turning now to the construction of a basket style carrier 210 (see Figure 18) from the outer-shell biank 1 10 of Figure 9; the insert partition structure biank 1 12 of Figure 10 and the bottom insert structure blank 1 13 of Figure 1 1 . It is envisaged that the basket carrier can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the blank and part-formed blank are not required to be rotated or inverted to complete the construction of a basket carrier. The construction process including the folding sequence and positions of adhesive used is very similar to that used for the construction of the blanks 10 and 12 of the first embodiment and therefore only differences will be described, it being understood in addition that the construction process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

Bottom insert structure blank 1 13 is folded about fold line 204 to bring together the bottom panels 186a, 186b. The folded structure is threaded through the gap defined by cut-line 148 in outer shell blank 1 10 and the bottom panel glue flaps 187a, 187b are used to secure the bottom insert structure blank 1 13 to the outer-shell blank 10 using adhesive applied in the adhesive region G8 either side of cut-line 148 as shown in Figure 12a. The resultant combination of outer-shell blank 1 10 and bottom insert structure 1 13 is shown in Figure 12b. Thereafter, adhesive is applied (as described before) to secure the partition insert structure 1 12 onto the outer-shell- blank 1 10. The resultant part-formed blank is shown in Figure 13 where adhesive regions G5 are also depicted for securing the riser panels 144a, 144b to the side reinforcing panels/insert handle panels 188a, 188b.

Figure 14 depicts the folding of the riser panels 144a, 144b and the attachment of the reinforcing handle panels 136, 138 to the side reinforcing panels/insert handle panels 188a, 188b using adhesive applied in the region G4. The resultant part- formed structure is shown in Figure 15. Also shown in Figure 15 is the nominal position for the placement of adhesive G6. The adhesive G6 or other securement or fixing means is used to attach an upper portion of each riser panel 146a, 146b to the side reinforcing panels/insert handle panels 188a, 188b and to attach the nick portions 160, 158 to upper portions of end panels 126a, 126b respectively. The resultant part-formed blank is then further glued and folded in a similar fashion to the folding and securement of the blank of the first embodiment. The completed basket carrier is shown in Figure 16.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and handle apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The use of two or three blanks as illustrated may provide further benefit in terms of material savings, though the use of compact blanks with perimeter shapes that promote effective and efficient nesting and tessellation of the blanks in the raw sheet material from which they are cut is achieved to some degree at least by the positioning in the outer-shell of the side panels in adjacent-mirrored relationship. This positioning may be achieved by using one or more blanks. The positioning of the side-wails reduces the overall length of the blank required and enables the ratio of the length and width of the outer-shell h!ank to be compact. The use of compact blanks with perimeter shapes that promote effective and efficient nesting and tessellation of the blanks is to some degree at least achieved by the bottom panels for forming the bottom wail and/or the partition structure of the basket carrier not creating an odd-shaped projection of the blank which in some currently available blanks contributes to material being wasted. This benefit in the bottom panels not creating an odd-shaped projection is achieved by the bottom structure being provided by a separate blank, though in some embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that a single blank may be used which still has the benefit of being more compact because of the position of the side walls and/or the manner in which the bottom panels are threaded between the side walls.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged 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 the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A blank for use in construction of a basket-style carrier, the blank comprising a series of main panels for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier, said main panels including first and second side wall panels, said first and second side wall panels positioned adjacent to each other in side~by-side relationship and wherein the first and second side wall panels are bounded by each other long a line of separation disposed immediately between the first and second side wall panels.

2. The blank according to claim 1 wherein the line of separation comprises a cut- line.

3. The blank according to claim 1 wherein the line of separation comprises a frangible line.

4. The blank according to claim 1 wherein the first and second side wall panels are disposed in mirrored relationship.

5. The blank according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the line of separation defines respective bottom edges of the first and second side wall panels.

6. The blank according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the line of separation defines respective top edges of the first and second side wall panels.

7. The blank according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the line of separation defines a bottom edge of one of the first and second side wall panels and a top edge of the other one of the first and second side wall panels.

8. The blank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising one or more of handle panels and an insert partition structure.

9. The blank according to claim 1 , further comprising a separate pane! portion for use with the series of main panels to construct a basket-style carrier, the separate panel portion including a plurality of panels hingediy connected together, the plurality of panels including a foldable bottom panel securable to the series of main panels.

10. A combination of first and second separate blanks for forming a basket carrier, the first blank comprising a series of main panels for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier, said main panels including first and second side wall panels, said first and second side wa!i panels being positioned adjacent to each other in side-by-side relationship, wherein the first and second side wall panels are bounded by each other along a line of separation disposed immediately between the first and second side wail panels, and the second blank comprising a foldable bottom panel securable to said first blank and wherein the second blank is insertabie into a gap between the first and second side wail panels when the first and second side wall panels are separated along the line of separation.

1 1 . The combination of claim 10 wherein the line of separation comprises a cut- line.

12. The combination of claim 10 wherein the line of separation comprises a frangible line.

13. The combination of claim 10 wherein the second blank further comprises a pair of side pane! reinforcements securable to the first and second side wail panels respectively, the side panel reinforcements being hingediy connected to the bottom panel along opposite side edges of the bottom panel.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the second blank further comprises at least two lateral partition structures hingediy connected to the side panel reinforcements respectively to provide lateral partitions of the basket carrier.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the second blank further comprises a pair of insert handle panels hinged!y connected to the lateral partition structures respectively, the insert handle panels being securab!e to the first blank.

18. A method of forming a basket carrier using a combination of first and second separate blanks, the first blank comprising a series of main panels for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier, said main panels including first and second side wall panels, said first and second side wall panels being positioned adjacent to each other in side-by-side relationship, wherein the first and second side wall panels are bounded by each other along a line of separation disposed immediately between the first and second side wail panels, and the second blank comprising a foldable bottom panel securable to said first blank, the method comprising folding the bottom panel and inserting the folded bottom panel into a gap between the first and second side wall panels of the first blank when the first and second wail panels are separated from each other along the line of separation.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second blank comprises a pair of further comprising a pair of side panel reinforcements hingediy connected to the bottom panel along opposite side edges of the bottom panel, the method further comprising securing the side panel reinforcements to the first and second side wall panels respectively.

18. A two-piece basket carrier formed from first and second blanks, the first blank comprising a series of main panels for forming outer side and end walls of the basket carrier, said main panels including first and second side wall panels, said first and second side wall panels of the first blank being positioned adjacent to each other in side-by-side relationship, wherein the first and second side wail panels of the first blank are bounded by each other along a line of separation disposed immediately between the first and second side wall panels, and the second blank comprising a fo!dable bottom pane! and a pair of side panel reinforcements securabie to said first blank at the first and second side wall panels respectively.

19. The two-piece basket carrier of claim 18, wherein the side pane! reinforcements are hinged!y connected to the bottom panel along opposite side edges of the bottom panel respectively, and the side pane! reinforcements are securabie to respective inside surfaces of the first and second side wall panels of the first blank.

20. A basket style carrier having first and second side walls, end wails and a bottom wail, wherein the bottom wall is attached to the basket carrier by being secured to an inside surface of each of the first and second side walls.