Carrier for containers

A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:

• a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;
• at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings for being aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank;
• a plurality of container retention features for engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab;
• and
• at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.

A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:

• obtaining a blank comprising a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings, at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings, a plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab, the blank further comprising at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap;
• folding the at least one container retention flap relative to the top panel such that respective container retention openings of the first plurality of container retention openings are aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings;
• and
• positioning the respective aligned container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers.

A package comprising a carrier holding a plurality of containers, the package comprising:

• the plurality of containers;
• and
• the carrier, the carrier comprising:
• a top panel comprising a first plurality of container openings at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;
• at least one container retention flap foldably connected to the top panel and comprising a second plurality of container openings aligned with respective container openings of the first plurality of container openings and at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;
• a plurality of container retention features engaging respective containers of the plurality of containers, the plurality of container retention features comprising at least one first container retention tab foldably connected to the top panel and extending toward a respective container opening of the first plurality of container openings, and at least one second container retention tab foldably connected to the at least one container retention flap and extending toward a respective container opening of the second plurality of container openings, the at least one second container retention tab is circumferentially offset relative to the at least one first container retention tab;
• and
• at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the top panel and the at least one container retention flap.