Carrier with lid.

CARRIER WITH LID

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/028,631, filed on May 22, 2020.

Incorporation by reference

[0002] The disclosures of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/028,631, which was filed on May 22, 2020, and United States Design Patent Application No. 29/736,956, which was filed on June 4, 2020, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure generally refers to carriers or cardboard boxes for containing and/or displaying products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to basket-style carriers that may include tamper-resistant features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Generally, an aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carrier to contain one or more products. The carrier may comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the plurality of panels comprising at least a front panel and a side panel. A center panel may at least partially divide the interior of the carrier into a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel may extend at least partially from the front panel to the center panel. A lid may at least partially close a top portion of the carrier.

[0005] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier to contain one or more products. The blank may comprise a plurality of panels comprising at least a front panel and a side panel. A center panel may be to at least partially divide the carrier formed from the blank into a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel may be to extend at least partially from the front panel to the center panel when the carrier is formed from the blank. A cover feature may be to at least partially close a top portion of the carrier formed from the blank.

[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carrier to contain one or more products. The method may comprise obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels, a center panel, and a cover feature. The plurality of panels may comprise at least a front panel and a side panel. The method may further comprise forming an interior of the carrier by positioning the /Qhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ panels of the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around the interior of the carrier and positioning the center panel to at least partially divide the interior of the wearer in a front portion and a rear portion. The side panel may extend at least partially between the front panel and the center panel. Also, the method may comprise folding the cover feature to at least partially close a top portion of the carrier.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the aforementioned advantages and other advantages and benefits of different additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawing figures listed below.

[0008] In accordance with common practice, the different features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of different features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is an exterior plan view of a blank used to form a carrier according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] Figures 2A to 2C are plan views showing the folding of the blank of Figure 1 to form a folded construct in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 is a plan view of the construct in the form of a flattened carrier according to the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4A is a perspective view of an interior of an upright carrier formed from the flattened carrier of Figure 3 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the carrier of Figure 4A showing the closure of the top of the carrier in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upright wearer of Figures 4A and 4B in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] Figures 6A and 6B are views of folding features inside the carrier of Figure 5 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the carrier of Figure 5 with the handle panel folded into a portion of the carrier separated to show the folding features of Figure 6A in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present disclosure generally relates to cardboard carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, boxes /Qhb ίη/ΖΖΠΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ, or the like, for containing and displaying products such as agricultural products (for example, fruits and/or or vegetables), other food items, and/or other suitable items. Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate products of numerous different shapes. In this specification, the terms “internal”, “inside”, “external”, “outer”, “bottom”, “bottom”, “top”, “top”, “front”, “forward”, “rear” , “rear,” and “backward” indicate particular orientations relative to fully upright wearers.

[0019] Figure 1 is a plan view of an outer side 1 of a blank 3 used to form a basket-style carrier 5 (Figure 5) for containing products (not shown), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the carrier 5 is configured to contain one or more products in a front portion of the carrier and one or more products in a rear portion of the carrier. The carrier 5 may be sized and shaped to contain more or fewer products without departing from the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 5 includes a reinforced handle 7 (Figures 4B, 5, and 7), which may include handle features 14 (Figure 1) as described in more detail below. In one embodiment, the blank 3 and the carrier 5 may include front cover features 16a to form a lid to close the top of the front portion of the carrier 5 and rear cover features 16b to form a lid to close the front portion of the carrier 5. top of the rear portion of the carrier 5 as described in greater detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 5 is the upright carrier 5 of Figures 4A to 7 that receives the products. As shown in Figure 3, the carrier 5 may be in a collapsed configuration, which may be referred to as a folded or collapsed carrier 5a in one embodiment.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral or transverse axis L2 and has a front portion 9, a rear portion 11, front bottom features 12a foldably connected to the front portion, and rear lower features 12b foldably connected to the rear portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 9 and the rear portion 11 are to be folded around a lateral center line CL (Figures 1 and 2C) when the carrier blank 3 is formed on the carrier. As discussed in more detail below, the carrier blank 3 is formed in the collapsed carrier 5a by folding the carrier blank 3 around the center line CL such that the front portion 9 and the rear portion 11 generally overlap (e.g., Figure 3).

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 9 comprises a front panel 15a foldably connected to a first side panel 17a and a second side panel 19a. A front center flap 27a is foldably connected to the first side panel 17a at a longitudinal fold line 29a. The longitudinal fold lines 31a, 33a foldably connect the respective first and second side panels 17a, 19a to the front panel 15a. A side fold line 35a connects the front cover features 16a to the front panel 15a, the first side panel 17a, and the second side panel 19a. In one embodiment, the front portion 9 includes a front center panel 41a foldably connected to the second side panel 19a along a longitudinal fold line 43a.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, features of the rear portion 11 of the blank 3 include a rear panel 15b, a first side panel 17b, a second side panel 19b, a rear central fin /Qhb I Π/ 77η7/Β/ΥΙΛΙ

27b and a rear center panel 41b which are generally a mirror image of the corresponding panel or fin of the front portion 9. As shown in Figure 1, the rear center fin 27b and the front center fin 27a are foldably connected along of a lateral fold line 45, which may be collinear (for example, at least partially collinear and/or substantially collinear) with the central line CL. The corresponding components (e.g. panels, fins, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by the suffix “a” or “b”, where the components of “a” correspond to The front portion 9 and the components of “b” correspond to the rear portion 11 of the blank 3.

[0023] Any of the front portion 9, the rear portion 11, the front and rear panels 15a, 15b, the side panels 17a, 19a, 17b, 19b, the central fins 27a, 27b, the central panels 41a, 41b, are could be omitted or could be alternatively shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the present disclosure.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the handle features 14 and the cover features 16a, 16b are generally placed between the front and rear portions 9, 11 on the blank 3. In the embodiment illustrated , the handle features 14 include a front handle panel 47a and a rear handle panel 47b foldably connected to the front handle panel 47a along a lateral fold line or other line of weakness 49. In one embodiment, the side fold line 49 is collinear (e.g., at least partially collinear, generally collinear, and/or substantially collinear) with the center line CL of the blank 3. The front handle panel 47a connects foldably to the front center panel 41a along a side fold line 51a, and the rear grab panel 47b is foldably connected to the rear center panel 41b along a side fold line 51b. In one embodiment, the lateral fold lines 51a, 51b may be collinear (e.g., at least partially collinear, generally collinear, and/or substantially collinear) with the respective lateral fold lines 35a, 35b. The front handle panel 47a may include a front handle opening 53a and a front handle damping flap 55a foldably connected to the front handle panel along a side fold line 57a adjacent to the front handle opening 53a. The rear handle panel 47b may include a rear handle opening 53b and a rear handle damping flap 55b foldably connected to the rear handle panel along a lateral fold line 57b adjacent to the rear handle opening 53b. The handle damping fins 55a, 55b can be separated from the respective center panels 41a, 41b along the respective cuts 59.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the blank 3 may include folding features 61 to facilitate folding of the handle panels 47a, 47b along the side fold lines 51a, 51b in the box. cardboard 5 upright (for example, to stack the cardboard box 5 with other cardboard boxes 5) as described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the folding features 61 may include one or more folding openings 63a (e.g., three folding openings 63a) extending into the front center panel 41a and/or the front handle panel 47a. , interrupting the side fold line 51a and one or more fold openings 63b (e.g., four fold openings 63b) extending into the rear center panel 41b and/or the rear handle panel 47b, interrupting the lateral fold line 51b. In one modality,

JQhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ a cutting line 52a may extend from one end of the side fold line 51a to an edge of the blank 3 and a cutting line 52b may extend from one of the folding openings 63b or adjacent to one of the folding openings 63b at the edge of the blank 3. As shown in Figure 1, the folding openings 63a and the folding openings 63b are offset from each other (for example, in the lateral direction L2) such that the folding openings 63a are aligned (for example, at least partially aligned, substantially aligned, and/or generally aligned) along the longitudinal direction L1 with respective portions or segments of the lateral fold line 51b extending between the fold openings 63b and the fold openings 63b are aligned (e.g., at least partially aligned, substantially aligned, and/or generally aligned) along the longitudinal direction L1 with respective portions or segments of the lateral fold line 51a extending between the fold openings 63a. For example, fold line 51a may have four segments aligned with the four fold openings 63b, respectively, and fold line 51b may have three segments aligned with the three fold openings 63a, respectively. Accordingly, when the carrier 5 is formed, the folding openings 63a, 63b are aligned with the portions of the folding lines 51b, 51a (Figures 6A and 6B) such that the portions of the lateral fold line 51a can extend at least partially into the respective fold openings 63b or the portions of the lateral fold line 51b can extend to the less partially into the respective folding openings 63a when the handle panels 47a, 47b are folded relative to the center panels 41a, 41b in the formed cardboard box 5 (Figure 7) as described in more detail below.

[0026] The handle features 14 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the front cover features 16a may include a top or front cover panel 71a and top or front cover flaps 73a, 75a, each foldably connected to the front panel 15a, first side panel 17a, and respective second side panel 19a along the side fold line 35a. Similarly, the back cover features 16b may include a top or back cover panel 71b and top or rear cover fins 73b, 75b, each foldably connected to the back panel 15b, first side panel 17b, and second side panel 19b. respective along the lateral fold line 35b. In one embodiment, the cover panels 71a, 71b can be separated from each other along a lateral cut line 77, which can be collinear (e.g., at least partially collinear, generally collinear, and/or substantially collinear). with the center line CL, the cover fins 73a, 73b can be separated from each other by means of a cutout 78, and the cover fins 75a, 75b can be separated from each other by means of a cutout 79. As shown in Figure 1, the cover fins 73a, 73b can be separated from the respective center fins 27a, 27b along respective longitudinal cut lines 81 and the cover fins 73a, 73b can be separated from the panels of respective handles 47a, 47b along the respective longitudinal cuts 83.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the cover features 16a, 16b may include locking tabs 85 foldably connected to the cover panels 71a, 71b along longitudinal fold lines 86 /Qhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ respective ΥΙΛΙ. In one embodiment, the locking tabs 85 can be separated from the respective cover flaps 73a, 73b, 75a, 75b along the respective cut lines 87 and can be at least partially separated from the cover panels 71a, 71b along longitudinal cut lines or tear lines 88 extending on either side of the respective fold lines 86 (e.g., extending from the respective ends of the respective fold lines 86). In one embodiment, portions of the cover fins 73a, 75a, 73b, 75b can be separated from portions of the respective cover panels 71a, 71b along portions of the respective longitudinal cut lines 88. As shown in Figure 1, the cover fins 73a, 73b, 75a, 75b can be partially separated from the respective side panels 17a, 17b, 19a, 19b along the respective cuts 89 to form slots 139 (Figures 4B and 5) respective ones that can at least partially receive the respective locking tabs 85 as described in more detail below. The cover features 16a, 16b could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the lower front features 12a may include a lower front panel 91a foldably connected to the front panel 15a, a lower center panel 93a foldably connected to the center panel 41a, and a lower flap 95a foldably connected to the second side panel 19a. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower front panel 91a, the lower center panel 93a, and the lower flap 95a are foldably connected to the front panel 15a, center panel 41a, and second side panel 19a respectively along a line of lateral fold 97a. As shown in Figure 1, the lower front panel 91a may be connected to the first side panel 17a by means of a gusset 99a, which may include a first gusset panel 101a foldably connected to a second gusset panel 103a along an oblique fold line 105a and an intermediate reinforcement panel 107a foldably connected to the first reinforcement panel 101a and the second reinforcement panel 103a along respective oblique fold lines 109a, 111a. In one embodiment, the first reinforcement panel 101a can be separated from the second reinforcement panel 103a and the intermediate reinforcement panel 107a along a cut line 113a and an opening can extend along the reinforcement 99a, the panel lower front 91a, and the first side panel 17a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first reinforcement panel 101a can be foldably connected to the bottom front panel 91a along a longitudinal fold line 115a and the second reinforcement panel 103a can be foldably connected to the first side panel 17a at along a lateral fold line 117a. As shown in Figure 1, the lower center panel 93a may include a tie flap 119a defined at least partially by an oblique fold line 121a.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the rear lower features 12b may include a lower rear panel 91b, a lower center panel 93b, and a lower flap 95b foldably connected to the rear panel 15b, center panel 41b, and second side panel 19b along a lateral fold line 97b. As shown in Figure 1, the lower back panel 91b may be connected to the first side panel 17b by means of a gusset 99b, which may include a first gusset panel 101b foldably connected to a second gusset panel 103b along an oblique fold line 105b and an intermediate reinforcement panel 107b foldably connected /Qhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ to the first reinforcement panel 101b and the second reinforcement panel 103b along oblique fold lines 109b, 111b respective. In one embodiment, the first reinforcement panel 101b can be separated from the second reinforcement panel 103b and the intermediate reinforcement panel 107b along a cut line 113b and an opening can extend along the reinforcement 99b, the panel lower front 91b, and the first side panel 17b. In the illustrated embodiment, the first reinforcement panel 101b can be foldably connected to the lower front panel 91b along a longitudinal fold line 115b and the second reinforcement panel 103b can be foldably connected to the first side panel 17b at along a lateral fold line 117b. As shown in Figure 1, the lower center panel 93b may include a tie flap 119b defined at least partially by an oblique fold line 121b. In one embodiment, the lower rear panel 91b may be larger than the lower front panel 91a, and the lower rear panel 91b may include a side fold line 123.

[0031] Any of the lower features 12a, 12b could be omitted or could be shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or otherwise configured without departing from the disclosure.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the blank 3 may include a plurality of openings or cutouts 125 (e.g., decorative openings or windows) in the front panel 15a, the rear panel 15b, any of the side panels 17a, 17b, 19a, 19b, and/or in other portions of the blank 3 to show the products contained in the carton 5. Any of the cutouts 125 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned and configured without departing from the disclosure.

[0033] Any of the panels, fins, fold lines, cuts, or other features could be omitted or could be formed, arranged, positioned, and/or otherwise configured on the blank 3 without departing from the disclosure. The blank 3 could be sized and/or shaped to accommodate any size or number of products without departing from this disclosure.

[0034] Referring to Figures 2A to 3, in an exemplary method of erecting, the collapsed carton 5 can be formed from the blank 3 by positioning the panels 15a, 15b, 17a, 17b, 19a, 19b , the central fins 27a, 27b, the central panels 41a, 41b, the handle panels 47a, 47b, the lower panels 91a, 91b, 93a, 93b, the lower fins 95a, 95b, and the reinforcements 99a, 99b relatively to each other to form the front portion 9 and the rear portion 11 and by folding along the center line CL to form the collapsed carrier 5a (Figure 3). As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, glue strips or lines G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 can be applied on different portions of the blank 3 or the carrier partially formed during folding of the blank to form the carrier such as by means of a binder/gluer system (not shown).

[0035] As shown in Figure 2A, the blank 3 is positioned with the inner side 2 facing upward, and the lower center panels 93a, 93b are folded along the respective fold lines 97a, 97b onto the respective center panels 41a, 41b and the joining flaps 119a, 119b are folded along the respective oblique fold lines 121a, 121b onto the respective lower center panels 93a, 93b. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2A, the lower flaps 95a, 95b are folded along the fold lines /Qhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ

97a, 97b on the respective side panels 19a, 19b and lines of glue G1 are applied to the outer side 1 of the lower fins 95a, 95b.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2B, the center panels 41a, 41b and the handle panels 47a, 47b are folded over a remainder of the partially folded blank with the center panels 41a, 41b folding along the fold lines 43a, 43b such that the handle panels 47a, 47b at least partially overlap the respective cover fins 75a, 75b and the respective cover panels 71a, 71b such that the center panels 41a, 71b 41b at least partially overlap the respective side panels 19a, 19b and the respective front and rear panels 15a, 15b. As the center panels 41a, 41b are folded, the joining flaps 119a, 119b are brought into face-to-face contact with the respective bottom flaps 95a, 95b such that the glue lines G1 glue the inner side 2 of the connecting fins 119a, 119b to the outer side 1 of the respective lower fins 95a, 95b. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, glue lines G2 are applied along the outer side 1 of the center panels 41a, 41b and the handle panels 47a, 47b and glue lines G3 are applied along of the inner side 2 of the lower panels 91a, 91 b.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2C, the side panels 17a, 17b, the cover fins 73a, 73b, and the gussets 99a, 99b are folded over the remainder of the partially folded blank with the side panels 17a, 17b folding along the respective fold lines 31a, 31b and the stiffeners 99a, 99b folding along the respective fold lines 115a, 115b. As the side panels 17a, 17b are folded, the center flaps 27a, 27b come into face-to-face contact with the respective center panels 41a, 41b and the respective handle panels 47a, 47b such that the glue lines G2 glue the center fins 27a, 27b to the respective center panels 41a, 41b and the respective handle panels 47a, 47b. Additionally, as the side panels 17a, 17b are folded, the gussets 99a, 99b are brought into face-to-face contact with the respective bottom panels 91a, 91b such that glue lines G3 glue the first gusset panels 101a. , 101b to the respective lower panels 91a, 91b. In one embodiment, the locking tabs 85 that are adjacent to the cover fins 73a, 73b can be at least partially connected to the cover fins 73a, 73b by means of one or more notches (not shown) that interrupt the lines of cut 87 such that the locking tabs 85 are folded along the fold lines 86 together with the cover flaps 73a, 73b. This may assist the locking tabs 85 to protrude outward from the partially folded carrier and the collapsed carrier 5a. In other embodiments, any of the locking tabs 85 could be at least partially connected to the respective cover fins 73a, 73b, 75a, 75b with notches and/or any of the cut lines 87 could be a peel line. As shown in Figure 2C, glue lines G4 can be applied to outer surface 1 of the front center panel 41a, the front handle panel 47a, and the front center fin 27a and a glue line G5 is applied to the surface exterior 1 of the lower front panel 91a, where the outer surface of the lower front panel 91a is the hidden side in the view of Figure 2C. Alternatively, or additionally, glue lines G4 could be applied to outer surface 1 of the rear center panel 41b, the rear handle panel 47b, and the rear center flap 27b and/or the glue line G5 could be applied to /Qhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ inner surface 2 of lower outer panel 91 b.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment, the collapsed carrier 5a can be formed as shown in Figure 3, by folding the partially folded carrier of Figure 2C along the center line CL (for example, along the lines fold 45, 49) such that the front center flap 27a, the front center panel 41a, and the front grab panel 47a are in overlapping relationships with the rear center flap 27b, rear center panel 41b, and rear handle panel 47b respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the front center fin 27a, the front center panel 41a, and the front grab panel 47a can be glued in face-to-face contact with the rear center fin 27b, the rear center panel 41b, and the respective rear handle panel 47b. As shown in Figure 3, the collapsed carrier 5a can be further formed by folding the lower back panel 91b along the fold line 123 such that the inner side 2 of the distal portion of the lower back panel 91b is glued to the outer side 1 of the lower front panel 91a by means of the glue line G5. Any of the glue lines G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 could be omitted or could be shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or otherwise configured without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the blank 3 could be folded in another way to form the collapsed carrier 5a without departing from the disclosure.

[0039] In one embodiment, the central fins 27a, 27b are glued to the respective central panels 41a, 41b and the respective handle panels 47a, 47b by means of glue lines G2 (Figures 2B and 2C) and, when the partially folded carrier is folded along the center line CL (Figures 2C and 3), the center flaps 27a, 27b are glued together, the center panels 41a, 41b are glued together, and the handle panels 47a, 47b are glued together by means of the G4 glue lines. Accordingly, the center panels 41a, 41b and portions of the center fins 27a, 27b cooperate to form a center wall 131, and the handle panels 47a, 47b and portions of the center fins 27a, 27b cooperate to form the handle wall 133 extending upward from the central wall 131. In one embodiment, each of the central fins 27a, 27b can be considered to have a lower portion foldably connected to an upper portion along a respective fold line 127a, 127b (Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2C, the fold lines 127a, 127b can be aligned with the respective fold lines 51a, 51b (and can also at least partially overlap the respective cut lines 52a, 52b when the central flaps 27a , 27b are glued to the center panels 41a, 41b and the handle panels 47a, 47b. Accordingly, the lower portions of the central fins 27a, 27b may be parts of the central wall 131 and the upper portions of the central fins 27a, 27b may be parts of the handle wall 133 when the central wall 131 and the handhold wall 133.

[0040] As described above, the lower fins 95a, 95b can be glued to the respective joining fins 119a, 119b of the lower center panels 93a, 93b with glue lines G1 (Figures 2A and 2B), the first panels of reinforcement 101a, 101b can be glued to the respective lower front panel 91a and lower rear panel 91b with glue lines G3 (Figures 2B and 2C), and the lower back panel 91b can be folded along the side fold line 123 and glued to the outer surface of the lower front panel 91a with the glue line G5 (Figures 2C and 3). Accordingly, in one embodiment, the bottom panels 91a, 93a, 91b, 93b, the bottom fins 95a, 95b, and the gussets 99a, 99b may cooperate to at least partially form a bottom wall. 135 when carton 5 is formed and erected. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 135 is foldably connected to each of the front panel 15a, the back panel 15b, the center wall 131, and the side panels 19a, 19b along the fold lines 97a, 97b and each one of the side panels 17a, 17b along the fold lines 117a, 117b to help retain items inside 137 of the carrier 5. The center wall 131, the handle wall 133, and/or the bottom wall 135 could be omitted or could be shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured in another way without departing from the disclosure.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the folded carrier 5a can be further formed into the upright carrier 5 (for example, manually and/or by means of a packaging system). For example, the first side panels 17a, 17b and second side panels 19a, 19b can be positioned to be in a generally spaced, parallel plane relationship, and the front panel 15a and rear panel 15b can be positioned to be in a generally spaced, parallel relationship. generally separated plane, parallel with the central wall 131 dividing the interior 137 of the carrier 5 into the front portion 9 and the rear portion 11 (Figures 4 and 5). Such movement of the side panels 17a, 17b, 19a, 19b and front and rear panels 15a, 15b, causes the lower rear panel 91b to fold at least partially flat across the bottom of the carrier 5 and causes the lower center panels 93a , 93b and lower flaps 95a, 95b fold downward from the inside of the carrier to extend at least partially across the bottom (Figure 4).

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, once the carrier 5 is erected, one or more products can be loaded into the front portion 9 and/or the rear portion 11 of the interior 137 and the cover features 16a can be closed, 16b (Figure 5). In one embodiment, the front portion 9 can be closed by folding the front cover flaps 73a, 75a along the side fold line 35a over the open top of the front portion 9 (Figure 4B). In the illustrated embodiment, the cuts 89 may form slots 139 (Figure 4B) between the side panels 17a, 19a and the respective front cover flaps 73a, 75a to receive the locking tabs 85. As shown in Figure 4B, the locking tabs 85 can be folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines 86 towards the handle wall 133 and the front cover panel 71a can be folded along the line of side fold 35a over the front cover flaps 73a, 75a and the partially open top of the front portion 9. As the front cover panel 71a is folded down, the locking tabs 85 can be inserted into the respective slots 139 formed by the cuts 89 and the ends of the locking tabs 89 (e.g., where the locking tabs 89 are separated from the cover panel 71a along the cuts 88) can at least partially engage the front cover fins 73a, 75a adjacent to the slots on the interior of the carrier to help retain the front cover panel 71a in the closed position. In one embodiment, the rear cover flaps 73b, 75b and the rear cover panel 71b can be closed in a similar or identical manner to the front cover panel and flaps. As shown in Figures 4B and 5, the front cover panel 71a may overlap the front cover fins 73a, 75a and may extend from the front panel 15a to the center wall 131 such that the front cover panel 71a and the front cover fins 73a, 75a cover the

JQhb ίΠ/ΖΖηΖ/Ε/ΥΙΛΙ less partially the front portion of the carrier 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4B and 5, the rear cover panel 71b can be superimposed on the rear cover fins 73b, 75b and can be extending from the rear panel 15b the central wall 131 such that the rear cover panel 71b and the rear cover fins 73b, 75b can at least partially cover the rear portion of the carrier 5.

[0043] In one embodiment, the closure of the top panels 71a, 71b and the cover flaps 73a, 75a, 73b, 75b and the locking engagement of the locking tabs 89 can facilitate the tamper resistance feature of the wearer. 5. For example, the time required to open the top of the carrier 5 to access the contents makes it less likely that the products in the carrier will be accessed inadvertently and less likely that the products will be removed and/or contacted before buy them. Also, in some embodiments, the locking tabs 89 and/or other features of the carrier 5 may detach and/or bend when the top of the carrier is opened such that an observer can see that the carrier has been opened. For example, the edges of the locking tabs 89 formed along the cuts 88 (e.g., extending from the ends of the fold lines 86) may abut the undersides of the front cover flaps 73a, 75a to resist removal of the locking tabs 89 from the slot 139, which can lead to detachment and/or bending of the locking tabs 89 and/or being adjacent to the slots 139 when the locking tabs 89 are forcibly removed from the slots 139. Accordingly, the carrier 5 can help protect the personal health safety of a consumer/customer (for example, the consumer can be assured that there has been limited contact with the products on the carrier or can observe evidence of that the package has been previously opened).

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the closed carrier 5 can be stacked with other closed carriers 5 by folding the handle wall 133 into a vertical configuration (Figure 5) either over the closed top of the front portion 9 or the rear portion 11 of the carrier 5 to a folded configuration (for example, Figure 7). In an exemplary embodiment, folding features 61 may facilitate folding of handle wall 133 relative to center wall 131. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the fold line segments 51b connecting the handle panel 47b to the center panel 41b align with the respective fold openings 63a in the center panel 41a and the handle panel 47a, and the segments of the fold line 51a connecting the handle panel 47a to the center panel 41a align with the respective fold openings 63b in the center panel 41b and the handle panel 47b when the center wall 131 and the handle wall 133 are formed by superimposing the center panel 41a and the handle panel 47a with the respective center panel 41b and the handle 47b. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the handle wall 133 can be folded over the rear portion 11 of the carrier 5 (e.g., to at least partially overlap the rear cover panel 71b) by folding the handle panels 47a , 47b along the lateral fold lines 51a, 51b. The side fold line segments 51b and portions of the rear center panel 41b and the rear grab panel 47b connected along the segments inside the fold may extend at least partially into respective front fold openings 63a in the front center panel 41a and the front handle panel 47a on the outside of the fold to facilitate the folding of the handle panels 47a, 47b overlapped and glued (for example, the handle wall 133). In one embodiment, the segments of the side fold line 51a and portions of the front center panel 41a and the front grab panel 47a connected along the segments on the outside of the fold can be received at least partially in the fold openings. rears 63b into the fold as the fold line segments 51b extend through the front fold openings 63a (Figure 7). With the handle wall 133 folded against the rear cover panel 71b (e.g., as shown in Figure 7), another carrier can be stacked on top of the carrier 5 in an exemplary embodiment. The handle wall 133 could be folded onto the front portion 9 of the carrier 5 in a similar manner.

[0045] Any of the features of the different embodiments of the disclosure may be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0046] In general, the blank can be constructed from cardboard that has a gauge so that it is heavier and stiffer than ordinary paper. The blank may also be constructed from other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material that has suitable properties to allow the carrier or cardboard box to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay-filled layer. The clay-loaded layer can then be printed with product information, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks can 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 may also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials into selected panels or panel sections.

[0047] As an example, a line of peeling may include: an indentation that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of separate indentations that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or different combinations of these characteristics. As a more specific example, one type of rake line is in the form of a series of separate indentations that extend completely through the material, with adjacent indentations being slightly spaced so that an indentation is defined (e.g., a small bridge-like piece of material) between adjacent slits to typically temporarily connect the material across the rake line. The notches are broken during detachment along the detachment line. Generally, the notches are a relatively small percentage of the rake line, and alternatively the notches may be omitted or torn into a rake line such that the rake line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the detachment lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line may be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

/Qhb I Π/77η7/Β/ΥΙΛΙ

[0048] According to exemplary embodiments, a fold line may be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, shape of weakening that facilitates bending along it. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a ridged line, such as lines formed with a dull cutting blade, or the like, that creates a flattened 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 different combinations of these characteristics. In situations where the cut is used to create a fold line, generally the cut will not be very sharp in a way that would cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a peel line.

[0049] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by means of glue during assembly of the carrier embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all forms of adhesives commonly used to secure cardboard panels in place.

[0050] The above description of the disclosure illustrates and describes different exemplary embodiments. Different additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary modalities without departing from the essence and scope of the disclosure. All matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in other combinations, modifications, and different environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, in accordance with previous teachings, and/or within experience or knowledge of the relevant subject matter. Additionally, certain functions and features of each embodiment may be interchanged and selectively applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.