Article top engaging device, article carrier and blank therefor

A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a panel having a longitudinal direction, the panel including at least two top-receiving openings each defined, at least in part, by an aperture in the panel, the aperture having a perimeter, the panel comprising a plurality of tabs, each of the tabs coupled to the panel by a respective fold line and a plurality of cut lines each extending radially away from the perimeter and extending beyond the fold line, the at least two top-receiving openings being disposed along the longitudinal direction and configured to engage respective articles, the panel being formed from a material having a grain direction extending transversely of the longitudinal direction.

A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising:

• a main panel including an article top engaging device having at least one top-receiving opening defined, at least in part, by an aperture defined in the main panel, the aperture having a perimeter, the main panel comprising:
• a plurality of cut lines each extending radially away from the perimeter, the plurality of cut lines including a first cut line and a second cut line, each of the first and second cut lines comprising a linear portion and an arcuate portion, the arcuate portion being contiguously arranged with the linear portion;
• a first tab and a second tab, the first tab being disposed between the first and second cut lines, the second tab being disposed adjacent the first tab such that the second cut line is disposed between the first and second tabs, the arcuate portion of the first and second cut lines being disposed adjacent to the first and second tabs respectively and being curved to return towards the first and second tabs respectively.

A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising:

• a panel having a longitudinal direction, the panel including at least two top-receiving openings each defined, at least in part, by an aperture in the panel, the aperture having a perimeter, the at least two top-receiving openings being disposed along the longitudinal direction and configured to engage respective article;
• a handle structure disposed on a portion of the panel at least in part between two of the top-receiving openings in the longitudinal direction, wherein the handle structure comprises a first handle flap hingedly connected to the panel and a second handle flap hingedly connected to the panel, wherein the first handle flap and the second handle flap are substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction with a transverse distance therebetween, wherein the first handle flap and the second handle flap are configured such that, in the formed article carrier, the first handle flap comprises a free edge opposing its hinged connection and the second handle flap comprises a free edge opposing its hinged connection.