Article carrier

An article carrier convertible from a first mode for initially accommodating a plurality of articles arranged in a pair of substantially parallel rows, to a second mode for accommodating rows of articles subsequent to the articles being initially removed from the carrier when in the first mode;

• said carrier comprising a base panel for subtending and supportingly engaging the rows of articles;
• a pair of opposed upright end panels connected to first peripheral segments of said base panel for disposition adjacent corresponding end articles of the rows;
• a pair of opposed upright side panels connected to second peripheral segments of said base panel for disposition adjacent all of the articles of a row, said panels being in the same predetermined angular relation when said carrier is in either mode;
• and a hand-gripping unit spanning the distance between said upright end panels and interconnecting corresponding upper peripheral segments of said end panels, said unit including a top panel having a plurality of folding scores formed therein and defining a pair of elongated major sections connected to one another by a common folding score and arranged in side-by-side relation, and a pair of minor sections separated from one another by said major sections, each minor section having a first peripheral segment foldably connected to the upper peripheral segment of an adjacent end panel, and second peripheral segments foldably connected to corresponding peripheral portions of said major sections, and a pair of opposed article-retaining flaps foldably connected to corresponding second peripheral portions of said major sections;
• when said carrier is in said first mode, said major and minor sections being disposed in substantially coplanar relation and said flaps extending outwardly and downwardly from said major sections and substantially overlying and concealing the article rows and having outer edge portions of said flaps secured to upper edge portions of the upright side panels;
• when said carrier is in said second mode, said major sections being folded relative to one another into substantially face-to-face relation and at least portions of said article-retaining flaps being separated from said side panels and disposed in substantially depending relation with the respective major sections and forming a pair of contiguous open top compartments, one for each article row when said carrier is in said second mode.