BASKET-STYLE CARRIER FOR CONCESSIONS

Abstract

A basket-style concession carrier includes four receiving cells for receiving tapered beverage containers, the receiving cells being positioned two each on the front and rear side of a composite handle, and further includes a first pair of spacer strips that extend from the handle to a front panel and a second pair of spacer strips that extend from the handle to a rear panel. Each pair of spacer strips defines a purposeful void that separates and cushions adjacent containers positioned at a different relative elevation and spaced apart from a side panel at a different distance, so that one of the receiving cells on each side of the handle is larger than the other, and both receiving cells are larger than the void. The carrier further includes two base supports each defined as an invertible strip extending along an opposing corner to further restrict lateral movement of the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to basket-style carriers for packaging and transporting multiple articles, and more particularly to a basket-style carrier with spacers and base supports for concession beverage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basket-style carriers for carrying multiple articles, well known in the art, are useful for enabling consumers to transport, store and access the articles for consumption. For example, basket-style carriers are often used by concession stand vendors at public venues, such as sporting arenas and fairgrounds, where it is common for an individual consumer to purchase more beverages can be carried without some way of consolidating the load. Moreover, such concession stands frequently provide beverages in unsealed containers, such as wide mouth cups. In known carriers, such containers are apt to topple over or clash together, thereby deforming the containers, dislodging lids, and spilling the contents. This is particularly true with wide mouth containers, because the tops of which tend to touch one another in the carrier and bottoms of which tend to shift in the lower part of the carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a basket-style carrier for carrying multiple beverage containers that separates and cushions the containers and retains the containers in optimal position to reduce the chance of spillage and toppling.

The exemplary carrier is formed of a foldable sheet material and includes opposing side panels, opposing end panels, and a bottom panel. The carrier also includes a handle extending at least partially between the side panels. On each side of the handle, there is an upper spacer strip extending between the handle and the front or rear panel, and a lower spacer strip extending between the handle and the front or rear panel, the lower spacer strip being spaced apart from and positioned lower than the upper front spacer strip to define a void therebetween. The void is further defined by the front panel and the handle;

The spacer strips on either side of the carrier are substantially parallel to one another but are positioned at different elevations, and each spacer strip is spaced apart from each of the side panels. As such, the spacer strips separate adjacent containers and contact the adjacent containers at different elevations along the vertical extent of the containers.

Two receiving cells are defined on one each side of the handle, i.e., on the front and rear halves of the carrier. The first is defined between the upper front spacer strip, the front or rear panel, a first one of the side panels, and the handle, and the second receiving cell is defined between the lower spacer strip, the front or rear panel, a second one of the side panels, and the handle. The first receiving cell has a width that is greater than the width of the second receiving cell, as measured along the front or rear panel. The space between the lower spacer strip and the adjacent side panel defines the width of the smaller receiving cell, and the space between the upper spacer strip and the other side panel defines the width of the larger receiving cell. In the exemplary embodiments, the width of each of the first receiving cell and the second receiving cell is greater than the width of the void.

The different size of each of the two receiving cells corresponds to the cross-sectional width (diameter) of the intended container at the elevation at which the container is contacted by elements of the carrier that retain the container in the carrier and that maintain its relative position.

The carrier may also include a pair of base supports defined by pair of substantially parallel severance lines that extend across a portion of a first one of the side panels and an adjacent portion of the front panel, the pair of severance lines defining a strip for restraining lateral movement of the base of a container.

The present invention also provides a blank for constructing the exemplary basket-style carrier. The blank include a number of hingedly connected primary panels that extend longitudinally, i.e., along the length of the blank. The primary panels include a first side panel hingedly connected to the rear panel, which is hingedly connected to a second side panel, which is hingedly connected to the top panel. A rear handle panel is hingedly connected to both the second side panel and the rear panel, and the rear pair of the spacer strips is defined in part between the center of the rear handle panel and the rear panel. The front pair of the spacer strips is defined in part between the center of the front panel and a partial front handle panel. Each of the front and rear pairs of spacer strips is parallel to and offset from one other, and each is defined by a three parallel longitudinal severance lines and two pairs of transverse fold lines at either end. Another partial handle panel is hingedly connected to the center of the first side panel. Two base support strips are defined by substantially parallel severance lines that extend across the hinged connection between each side panel and an adjacent one of the front or rear panels.

The blank also includes several end flaps that are hingedly connected along longitudinal fold lines that define the bottom edges of the primary panels. The end flaps are complementary in that they combine to form the bottom panel of the erected carrier. An edge flap is hingedly connected along a free edge of the blank so that the primary panels can be interconnected to define the perimeter of the erected carrier.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carrier blank in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1, showing placement of an exemplary beverage container.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4. is a plan view of the carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view showing two exemplary beverage containers in the carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is another front elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2, emphasizing the contact points occurring at different elevations along the vertical extent of two exemplary beverage containers stored in the carrier.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the carrier of FIG. 2, illustrating the contact points as cross-sections of the two exemplary beverage containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples to illustrate aspects of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

The various embodiments will be described herein as a carrier for wide mouth plastic, paper or glass cups, although the teachings of the invention are applicable to any number of articles and containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical, including but not limited to plastic, metallic, or glass bottles, cans, and the like.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a carton blank 100 (“blank”) for forming a carrier 200 that incorporates one embodiment of a spacing and support arrangement in accordance with the present invention. The blank 100 is cut from or formed as a substantially unitary or composite foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, clear or opaque plastic, laminates, any combination thereof, or any other suitable substrate. As such, the blank 100 includes several panels that are hingedly connected to one another along transverse fold lines. The terms “fold line” and “severance line” refers to all manner of printed lines, frangible or otherwise weakened lines, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, scored lines, slits, any combination thereof, and the like.

More specifically, FIG. 1 is a plan view of blank 100 for forming an exemplary basket-style carrier 200 (best shown in FIG. 2), with the outside surface of the blank 100 shown. The outside surface may be used as its art side for printing product information, decorative designs, and brand specific indicia, such as logos, trademarks and associated copy. The opposite side (not shown) of the blank 100 is its inside surface. Either or both the inside and outside surface may be laminated or otherwise treated to make the carrier water-resistant, more durable, or to insulate the contents of the carrier.

The blank 100 includes various panels that are hingedly connected along transverse fold lines. More specifically, the blank 100 includes a first side panel 102, which is hingedly connected along transverse fold line 104 to a rear panel 106. The rear panel 106 is hingedly connected along transverse fold line 108 to a second side panel 110. The second side panel 110 is hingedly connected along transverse fold line 112 to a front panel 114. The front panel 114 is hingedly connected along transverse fold line 116 to an edge flap 118.

The blank 100 also includes several end flaps that are hingedly connected along longitudinal fold lines. More specifically, a first end flap 120 is hingedly connected along longitudinal fold line 122 to the first side panel 102. A second end flap 124 is hingedly connected along longitudinal fold line 126 to the rear panel 106. This second end flap 124 includes a tab 128 that is hingedly connected along diagonal fold line 130. A third end flap 132 is hingedly connected along longitudinal fold line 134 to the second side panel 110. A fourth end flap 136 is hingedly connected along longitudinal fold line 138 to the front panel 114. This fourth end flap 136 includes a tab 140 that is hingedly connected along diagonal fold line 142.

Several handle panels are defined in the blank 100. A rear handle panel 144 is defined in part by a portion of severance line 146 that extends longitudinally between transverse fold lines 148, 152, and also by transverse fold lines 154, 156 and severance line 158. Accordingly, the rear handle panel 144 is hingedly connected along the fold line 148 to the second side panel 110. Another longitudinal severance line 160 extends between and substantially parallel to the longitudinal severance line 158, 146 to define a pair of offset spacer strips 162, 164. The rear handle panel 144 is hingedly connected along the fold line 154 to the upper spacer strip 162 and along the fold line 156 to the lower spacer strip 164. The upper spacer strip 162 is hingedly connected to the rear panel 106 along transverse fold line 150, and the lower spacer strip is hingedly connected to the rear panel 106 along transverse fold line 152. The fold lines 150, 152 are offset from one another to the same extent as are the fold lines 154, 156, such that the upper spacer strip 162 is the same length as the lower spacer strip 164.

Two complementary front handle panel sections 166, 172 are also defined in the blank. The first front handle panel section 166 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 102 along a transverse fold line 168, and is further defined with respect to the first side panel 102 by a severance line 170. The second front handle panel section 172 is connected in a manner similar to the rear handle panel 144 described above. The second front handle panel section 172 is defined in part by a longitudinal severance line 174, and is hingedly connected along transverse fold lines 180, 182 to one end of each a second pair of spacer strips 190, 192 that are connected on each opposing end to the front panel 114 along transverse fold lines 176, 178. The fold lines 176, 178 are offset from one another to the same extent as are the fold lines 180, 182, such that the upper spacer strip 190 is the same length as the lower spacer strip 192. The spacer strips 190, 192 are defined from each other by longitudinal severance line 186, and the lower spacer strip 192 is further defined by a substantially parallel severance line 188.

Each pair of spacer strips 162, 164 and 190, 192 defines a partition space for separating containers C, the partition space having a width Y, as will be described in greater detail below with respect to the erected carrier 200.

The blank 100 also includes two base supports 194, 195. A front base support 194 is defined by longitudinal severance lines 183, 184 and extends between transverse fold line 196, which hingedly connects the front base support 194 to the first side panel 102, and transverse fold line 197, which hingedly connects the front base support 194 to the rear panel 106. A rear base support 195 is defined by longitudinal severance lines 185, 187 and extends between transverse fold line 198, which hingedly connects the rear base support 195 to the second side panel 110, and transverse fold line 199, which hingedly connects the rear base support 195 to the front panel 114. Each base support 194, 195 extends across a transverse fold line 104, 112 that otherwise will define a corner of the erected carrier 200. Thus, the fold lines 196, 197 are spaced apart from the fold line 104, and the fold lines 198, 199 are spaced apart from the fold line 112. Each base support 194, 195 is substantially rectangular in shape. Accordingly, the fold lines 196, 197 are substantially parallel to one another and to the fold line 104, the fold lines 198, 199 are substantially parallel to one another and to the fold line 112, and each pair of severance lines 183, 184 and 185, 187 are substantially parallel to one another.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, the primary panels 102, 106, 110, 114 approximately the same width, as each defines one the four sides of the substantially square carrier 200. In alternative embodiments, however, a more rectangular carrier can be designed by adjusting the width of opposing panels. Each upper spacer strip 162, 190 is hingedly connected to the respective rear panel 106 or front panel 114 at approximately mid-width along the fold lines 150, 176, and is also hingedly connected to a side edge of the respective rear panel 106 or front panel 114 along the fold lines 154, 180.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, the exemplary carrier 200 can be erected from the exemplary blank 100 as follows, although the steps can be performed in various sequences, some steps may be combined or omitted, and other alternative methods are contemplated. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that each blank 100 can be erected using automatic or manual means.

According to the exemplary method, the front panel 114 and the second side panel 110 are folded into an angular relationship, in that the second side panel 110 is folded into the plane of FIG. 1 and along fold line 112 until it is at a right angle with respect to the front panel 114. The second front handle panel section 172 is freed from the front panel 114 along severance line 188 and by folding the spacer strips 190, 192 into the plan of FIG. 1 and along fold lines 176, 178, at which point the second front handle panel section 172 is substantially parallel to the second side panel 110 (as are the spacer strips 190, 192). The front handle panel section 172 is folded away from the spacer strips 190, 192 and along the fold lines 180, 182 until the front handle panel section 172 is perpendicular to and adjacent to the midsection of the second side panel 110. The rear panel 106 is folded along fold line 108 toward the front panel 114 until the rear panel 106 is parallel to the front panel 114 and at a right angle with respect to the adjacent second side panel 110. At substantially the same time, the rear handle panel 144 and spacer strips 162, 164 are folded into place along fold lines 148, 150, 152, 154, 156. More specifically, the inside surface of the rear handle panel 144 is brought into a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the front handle panel section 172 and the spacer strips 162, 164 are parallel to the second side panel 110 and perpendicular to the rear panel 106. The first side panel 102 is folded along fold line 104 until it is at a right angle with respect to the rear panel 106 and its free edge is secured to the edge flap 118, which has been folded along fold line 116 so that its outside surface contacts the inside surface of the first side panel 102. At this point, the panels 102, 106, 110, 114 define the panels of the carrier 200.

The end flaps 120, 124, 132, 136 are folded upward and interlocked to form a bottom panel 202 of the carrier 200. The first front handle panel 166 is folded along fold line 168 to partially overlap the second front handle panel 172 and to bring it's inside surface into face contacting relation to the rear handle panel 144. The handle panels 144, 166, 172 are secured together with adhesive to form a composite handle H.

Certain embodiments include the base supports 194, 195, which are deployed by folding them inward with respect to the corners of the carrier 200 defined by the fold lines 104, 112. As such, the base supports are essentially inverted portions of corners of the carrier 200.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views that illustrate the carrier 200 in its fully erected condition, with the base supports 194, 195 deployed, the bottom panel 202 and composite handle H constructed, and the spacer strips in place. In FIG. 2, placement of an exemplary container C in one of the cells defined in the carrier 200 is demonstrated. With particular reference to FIGS. 4-6, it can be seen that each pair of spacer strips 162, 164 and 190, 192 defines a center cell for separating and cushioning containers in the carrier 200, and that each base support 194, 195 is in an optimal position for restraining lateral movement of container base, as will be described in more detail below.

The center cell 402 defined on the rear half of the carrier 200 by the pair of spacer strips 162, 164 has a width Y, which is substantially narrower than the widths of the adjacent cells 400, 404, which have much larger but unequal respective widths, X and Z, although all of the rear cells 400, 402, 404 have the same depth A as best shown in FIG. 9. Indeed, on the front half of the carrier (on the other side of the handle H), there are also defined two receiving cells 406, 410, which are separated by a second center cell 408, which is defined by the spacer strips 190, 192. The receiving cell 406 has a width Z as it extends between the second side panel 110 and the upper spacer strip 190. The center cell 408 has a width Y, and the receiving cell 410 has a width X as it extends between the first side panel and the lower spacer strip 192. All of the front cells 406, 408, 410 have the same depth A, as measured from the handle H to the front panel 114.

Accordingly, the relative widths of the cells can be represented as follows: Z>X>Y. In the exemplary embodiments, the following relationship between depth and maximum diameter of the container C is true: A<D2, however, the carrier 200 may be used with shorter similarly tapered articles, or with other articles that are just as tall, but do not have as wide of a mouth. As the carrier 200 is sized to correspond to the dimensions of the intended container C, the following relationship between the minimum and maximum diameters D1, D2 of the container C also holds true: Y<D1<X<Y. In the exemplary embodiment, this relationship can further be represented as: Y<D1<X<Y<D2, although as explained, this is not necessarily so.

It is important to note that, on each side of the carrier 200, the vertical height of each cell is also different. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the receiving cells 404, 406 are taller than the center cells 402, 408, which are taller than the receiving cells 400, 410. Therefore, the shorter receiving cells 400, 410 are also narrower than the taller receiving cells 404, 406.

These distinctions correspond to and can vary according to the profile of the intended container C, which in the exemplary embodiments is a wide-mouth cup having its minimum diameter D1 at its base and tapering outward as it approaches its maximum diameter D2 at its lip. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and with further reference to FIG. 9, the widths and heights of the cells 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 correspond approximately to the diameter of the container C at the elevations at which the container C contacts each of the elements of the carrier 200 that define the relevant cells 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410.

As stated above, at its lowest elevation E1, the container C has its smallest diameter D1, and at its highest elevation, the container C has its largest diameter D2. It follows that the center of gravity of the container C is relatively high when it is full. Accordingly, lateral movement of the base of the container C must be controlled. As viewed from the perspective of the front panel 114, the container C1 is present in the receiving cell 406. Lateral movement of its base is restrained by the base support 195, which may deform slightly as shown in HG. 7 to accommodate the diameter of the container C1 at the elevation E3. The container C1 is retained in the receiving cell 406 by contact at elevation E4 with the upper edges of the second side panel 110 and the front panel 114. Again, depending on the overall size of the intended container, any or all of the second side panel 110, the front panel 114 and the upper spacer strip 190 may deform at least slightly.

Similarly, a substantially identical container C2 is present in the receiving cell 410. The container C2 is both restrained and retained in the receiving cell 410 by contact at elevation E5 with the upper edges of the first side panel 110 and the front panel 114. As seen in FIG. 9, at its maximum diameter, the container C2 may extend further outside of the perimeter of the carrier 200, as the first side panel 102 and the front panel 114 restrain the container C2 at a lower elevation because the receiving cell 410 is smaller than the receiving cell 406. In addition, the first side panel 102, the lower spacer strip 192 and the front panel 114 may deform at least slightly

The center cell 408 does not receive any container, but rather, it defines a purposeful void between the upper spacer strip 190 and the lower spacer strip 192. Rather than simply partition the containers C1, C2, the containers C1, C2 are spaced one from the other by this void, so that any lateral movement of the containers C1, C2 relative to one another is limited.

The size of the exemplary containers C1, C2 was selected as the largest that can be accommodated by the exemplary carrier, for purposes of teaching only, as shorter containers could easily be housed. As such, the containers C1, C2 may touch one another at elevation E2, at their greatest diameter. However, the partition cell 408 prevents undesirable lateral movement that may, for example, otherwise cause the container C1 to knock the container C2 out of the receiving cell 410. Recall that the optional base support 195 supplements this function. Furthermore, the lower spacer strip 192 defines the narrower width X of the receiving cell 410 a compared to the wider width Z of the receiving cell 406, which provides a close fit between the receiving cell 410 and the container C2 between elevation E5 and E6, at which the diameters D5 and D6 are substantially smaller than the diameter D4 which approximates the width Z of the receiving cell 406 to also provide a close fit.

The carrier 200 is most suitable for containers having a maximum lateral width (i.e., diameter) near the top of each container, e.g., wide mouth cups and glasses. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the positions of the upper and lower spacer strips can be reversed, creating a carrier that more suitable for containers having a maximum diameter near the bottom rather than the top.

The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a particular embodiment which is intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, “front” and “rear” do not limit the respective 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 one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the shapes and sizes of cap, heel and handle apertures and of the handle are only examples of the various configurations that will be suitable for implementation of the various embodiments of the invention.

It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate containers of differing size or shape, and alternative shapes, sizes, and alternative configurations for interlocking bottom panel or handle elements may be used. The carrier may accommodate one or more articles in different arrangements, including in various 2×N arrangements, where N is the number of articles on either side of the composite handle.

Claims

1. A carrier, comprising a front panel;a pair of opposed side panels;a handle extending at least partially between the side panels;an upper front spacer strip extending between the handle and the front panel; anda lower front spacer strip extending between the handle and the front panel, the lower front spacer strip being spaced apart from and positioned lower than the upper front spacer strip to define a front void between the upper and lower front spacer strips.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the upper front spacer strip and the lower front spacer strip are substantially parallel to one another.

3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the upper front spacer strip and the lower front spacer strip are both spaced apart from each of the side panels.

4. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a base support defined by pair of substantially parallel severance lines that extend across a portion of a first one of the side panels and an adjacent portion of the front panel, the pair of severance lines defining a strip for restraining lateral movement of the base of a container.

5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein; a first receiving cell is defined between the upper front spacer strip and a first one of the side panels;a second receiving cell is defined between the lower front spacer strip and a second one of the side panels; andthe first receiving cell has a width that is greater than the width of the second receiving cell, as measured along the front panel.

6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein the width of each of the first receiving cell and the second receiving cell is greater than the width of the void, as measured along the front panel.

7. The carrier of claim 5, further comprising: a rear panel disposed substantially parallel to the front panel with the handle disposed between the front and rear panels;an upper rear spacer strip extending between the handle and the rear panel; anda lower rear spacer strip extending between the handle and the rear panel, the lower rear spacer strip being spaced apart from and positioned lower than the upper rear spacer strip to define a rear void between the upper and lower spacer strips;and wherein: a third receiving cell is defined between the upper rear spacer strip and the second one of the side panels;a fourth receiving cell is defined between the lower rear spacer strip and the first one of the side panels; andthe third receiving cell has a width that is greater than the width of the fourth receiving cell, as measured along the rear panel.

8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein the width of each of the third receiving cell and the fourth receiving cell is greater than the width of the rear void, as measured along the rear panel.

9. The carrier of claim 1, wherein; a first receiving cell is defined between the upper front spacer strip and a first one of the side panels;a second receiving cell is defined between the lower front spacer strip and a second one of the side panels; andthe upper and lower front spacer strips together form a single partition between the first and second receiving cells.

10. A blank for forming a carrier for receiving a plurality of containers, the blank comprising: a front panel having first and second opposed side edges;a pair of first and second side panels hingedly connected to the first and second side edges of the front panel respectively; anda handle panel disposed adjacent to both the front panel and the second side panel, handle panel being hingedly connected to the second side panel along one of opposed side edges of the handle panel and to the front panel through a pair of upper and lower substantially parallel front spacer strips, the upper front spacer strip having first and second opposed end edges and being hingedly connected to the front panel along the first end edge of the upper front spacer strip and to the second side panel along the second end edge of the upper front spacer strip, the lower front spacer strip having first and second opposed end edges and being hingedly connected to the front panel along the first end edge of the lower front spacer strip and to the second side panel along the second end edge of the lower front spacer strip,wherein the opposed side edges of the front panel are substantially parallel to the one side edge of the handle panel as well as to the first and second end edges of the upper and lower front spacer strips,wherein the first side edge of the front panel is disposed at a first distance from the first end edge of the upper front spacer strip,wherein the second side edge of the front panel is disposed at a second distance from the first end edge of the lower front spacer strip, andwherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

11. The blank of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second distance is greater than the distance between the first end edges of the upper and lower front spacer strips.

12. The blank of claim 10, wherein the distance between the second side edge of the front panel and the one side edge of the handle panel is generally equal to the distance between the first and second end edges of each of the upper and lower front spacer strips.

13. The blank of claim 10, wherein the distance between the first side edge of the front panel and the first end edge of the lower front spacer strip is greater than the first distance, the distance between the first side edge of the front panel and the second end edge of the upper front spacer strip is greater than the distance between the first side edge of the front panel and the first end edge of the lower front spacer strip, the distance between the first side edge of the front panel and the second end edge of the lower front spacer strip is greater than the distance between the first side edge of the front panel and the second end edge of the upper front spacer strip, and the distance between the first side edge of the front panel and the one side edge of the handle panel is greater than the distance between the front side edge of the front panel and the second end edge of the lower front spacer strip.