Packages for Containers

Abstract

Packages are formed for holding containers that extend through a bottom panel of the package. Braces are provided for at least partially securing the containers in the package.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used to form a package according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blank partially formed into a package of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the package of the first embodiment with containers held therein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective similar to FIG. 3 but showing an opposite side of the package.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the package of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the package of the first embodiment from the opposite end as FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 in an enlarged portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 a plan view of a blank used to form a package according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 8 partially assembled into a package of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the package of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an exterior side of a blank used to form a package according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 a plan view of a blank used to form a package according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a blank used to form a package according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the package of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a blank used to form a package according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the package of the sixth embodiment.

Claims

1. A package for holding a plurality of containers, the package comprising: panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package, the panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel;at least one feature in the bottom panel for receiving and holding top portions of the container,the at least one feature comprising at least two apertures for receiving the top portions of the containers and a brace disposed between the apertures to engage the containers and at least partially restrain movement of the containers in the package,the brace comprising a first brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel and a second brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, the first and second brace panel being interlockingly engaged to form the brace.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein one of the first and the second brace panels comprises an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the other of the first and the second brace panels.

3. The package of claim 2 wherein the other of the first and the second brace panels comprises a projection received in the aperture.

4. The package of claim 2 wherein the aperture at least partially defines at least one flap attached to the first brace panel.

5. The package of claim 2 wherein the at least one flap is two flaps and the aperture comprises a slit between the two flaps.

6. The package of claim 1 wherein the first brace panel comprises an upper brace section foldably attached to a lower brace section and the second brace panel comprises an upper brace section foldably attached to a lower brace section.

7. The package of claim 6 wherein the second brace panel comprises a fold line foldably connecting the upper brace section and the lower brace section, and two spaced apart end cuts at each end of the fold line separating portions of the upper brace section from the lower brace section.

8. The package of claim 7 wherein the fold line is offset from the end cuts to form a container-receiving recess in the blank.

9. The package of claim 6 wherein the upper panel section of the first brace panel at least partially overlaps a portion of the upper brace section of the second brace panel.

10. The package of claim 1 wherein the first and second side panels have apertures for receiving at least a portion of the containers.

11. The package of claim 1 in combination with a plurality of containers, the plurality of containers comprising bottles having a top portion at least partially received in the bottom panel.

12. A blank for forming a package for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising: panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel;at least two apertures in the bottom panel,a first brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel and a second brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, the first and second brace panels being adapted for interlocking engagement with respect to one another, and the first and second brace panels being respectively positioned in the apertures.

13. The blank of claim 12 wherein one of the first and the second brace panels comprises an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the other of the first and the second brace panel.

14. The blank of claim 13 wherein the other of the first and the second brace panel comprises a projection for being received in the aperture in the one of the first and second brace panels.

15. The blank of claim 13 wherein the aperture in the one of the first and second brace panels at least partially defines at least one flap attached to the first brace panel.

16. The blank of claim 13 wherein the at least one flap is two flaps and the aperture which is in the one of the first and second brace panels comprises a slit between the two flaps.

17. The blank of claim 12 wherein the first brace panel comprises an upper brace section foldably attached to a lower brace section and the second brace panel comprises an upper brace section foldably attached to a lower brace section.

18. The blank of claim 17 wherein the second brace panel comprises a fold line foldably connecting the upper brace section and the lower brace section and two spaced apart end cuts at each end of the fold line separating portions of the upper brace section from the lower brace section.

19. The blank of claim 18 wherein the fold line is offset from the end cuts to form a container-receiving recess in the blank.

20. The blank of claim 17 wherein the upper panel section of the first brace panel is for at least partially overlapping engagement with a portion of the upper brace section of the second brace panel.

21. The blank of claim 12 wherein the first and second side panels have apertures for receiving at least a portion of the containers.

22. A method of forming a package for containing a plurality of containers, the method comprising: providing a blank having a bottom panel, a first brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel, and a second brace panel foldably attached to the bottom panel; andforming a brace by folding the first brace panel and the second brace panel so that the brace panels are in interlocking engagement.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein forming the brace comprises inserting at least a portion of the second brace panel into an aperture in the first brace panel.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein forming the brace comprises inserting a projection on the second brace panel into the aperture below two flaps in the first brace panel.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising inserting at least one container into a container-receiving aperture in the bottom panels and holding a top portion of the container in the package.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the top portion of the container is held in the package by engagement with the brace to at least partially inhibit withdrawal of the containers from the package.