WO2008131115A1

WO2008131115A1 - Partitioned beverage distribution tray

Info

Publication number: WO2008131115A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/060652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aaron L Bates
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2007-04-17
Filing date: 2008-04-17
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-17

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of a tray-style carrier includes a base (102) and a partition structure (104) that is combined with the base (102). The partition structure (104) includes one or more beams (112) that at least partially extend between the side walls (204, 208) to separate rows (R) of articles (B). The beams (112) provide structural support that allows the tray-style carrier (100) to be formed from a lightweight material while maintaining the ability to carry a heavy load.

Description

PARTITIONED BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION TRAY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/912,393, filed April 17, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to carriers, and more specifically to partitioned tray style carriers for carrying articles arranged in rows.

BACKGROUND

Plastic trays are often used to transport multiples of articles to a location where the articles are disposed for individual handling. For instance, plastic trays are used to transport beverage containers such as cans or bottles to points of purchase such as retail establishments or vending machines for sale as individual articles. This is particularly true when the beverages are intended to be sold in individual units at the points of purchase, for example in vending machines or refrigerated cases. A shortcoming of transporting articles in plastic trays is that the trays require extensive handling after they have been unloaded. Typically, the trays must be transported back to the place of loading, must be stored, and may have to be cleansed before being used again. Oftentimes, plastic trays are lost or inadvertently left behind after a delivery is made. Thus, the handling requirements and the potential for loss add costs to the process of stocking the points of purchase. It can be appreciated that it would be useful to have a means for simplifying and reducing the cost of transporting individual articles to points of purchase. Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a tray-style carrier that is a low-cost, easy to handle alternative to a plastic tray for transporting quantities of individual articles such as beverage bottles and cans. The carrier is lightweight but durable enough to accommodate the weight of multiple individual beverage bottles or cans.

An exemplary embodiment of the tray-style carrier includes a base and a partition structure secured to side walls of the base. The partition structure includes one or more beams that extend between the side walls to separate rows of articles. The beams provide structural support that allows the tray- style carrier to be formed from a lightweight material while maintaining the ability to carry a heavy load.

According to one aspect of the invention, each beam includes a pair of beam sections hingedly connected to one another along a medial fold line. The hingedly connected beam sections are oriented at an acute angle with respect to one another. Each end of the beam is connected to a side wall by means for connecting. In an exemplary embodiment, means for connecting includes a flange that secures the partition structure to a side wall. In an alternative embodiment, means for connecting includes a pair of gusset panels and a central panel. The gusset panels connect the beam sections to the central panel. The central panel can be hingedly connected to one of the side walls or to a flange that is secured to one of the side walls.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beam is oriented such that the central panel extends above the side walls and the free edge of each beam section extends downward and toward the bottom wall. Specifically, the central panel is folded along a fold line to point inward and upward. In an alternative embodiment, the beam is oriented such that the central panel extends below the upper edge of the side walls and the free edge of each beam section extends upward and away from the bottom wall. Specifically, the central panel is folded along a fold line to extend inward and downward towards the bottom wall. 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 combining various aspects of 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 DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary package including an embodiment of a partitioned tray.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustration of a blank for forming the base of the partitioned tray of FIG. 1.

FIGs. 3 and 4 are plan views showing various steps in folding the blank of FIG. 2 to form the base of the partitioned tray.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the fully erected base of the partitioned tray. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustration of the partitioning structure for the partitioned tray of FIG. 1 , shown prior to being set up.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the partitioning structure of FIG. 6, shown in its erected condition.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional end view of a beam according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary package of illustrating an alternative embodiment of a partitioned tray.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank for forming an alternative base portion of the package of FIGs. 8 and 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word exemplary is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. 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 components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

With regard to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a tray-style earner 100 that is particularly useful in a product distribution context, to transport, carry, and stack multiple articles such as beverage bottles B. It should be noted, however, that other uses and potential contents are contemplated, including retail applications such as bulk sales of any suitable product in membership warehouses and the like.

The carrier 100 has two principal components. First, a base 102 provides the compartment portion of the tray-style carrier 100. The second principal component is a partition structure 104 that includes multiple dividing strips 106 that partition the contents that are partially enclosed by the base 102. The partition structure 104 also functions to enhance the structural integrity of the carrier 100, thereby increasing the rigidity and stability of the carrier 100. To that end, the partition structure 104 is overlaid on the base 102 such that it straddles the carrier 100, with at least one flange 108 being secured to the outside surface of an adjacent side wall, as will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIGs. 2-5, the exemplary base 102 is formed from a base blank 200 (best shown in FIG. 2), although any number of blank configurations and erecting methods are contemplated to yield a suitable compartment portion of the tray-style carrier.

The base blank 200 includes a number of panels that are hingedly connected to one another such that all of its components are interconnected elements of a single unitary sheet of substrate, although certain components of alternative blanks for forming the base 102 may be separate.

The base blank.200 includes a centrally located primary panel, hereinafter referred to as a bottom wall.202, which is bordered by several peripheral panels that will form the side and end walls of the erected base 102, as will now be described in more detail.

The bottom wall.202 is hingediy connected to a first side wall 204 along a fold line 206, and is hingediy connected to a second side wall 208 along a fold line 210. As used herein, the term fold line refers to all manner of lines that define the hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal folding locations for the blank. A fold line is typically, but not necessarily, a scored or perforated line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. end walls E1, E2 of the base 102 are formed by arranging panels and flaps that are hingediy connected along the end edges of the bottom wall 202 and of the side walls 204, 208. The base blank 200 is substantially symmetric such that the end flaps that are hingediy connected to the opposite ends of the bottom wall 202 and each side wall 204, 208 are substantially similar. Accordingly, the end walls E1, E2 of the base 102 and the base blank 200 are substantially identical and like references have been used with a suffix "a" or "b" affixed to distinguish one end of the base 102 from the other. Thus, the description of an element or group of elements having a suffix "a" is suitable for a like-numbered element or group of elements having a suffix "b". In certain instances, for clarity, only one of the like referenced elements may be described unless a description of the other or both of the like referenced elements is useful for teaching purposes.

More specifically, an end edge of the bottom wall 202 is hingediy connected along a fold line 212a to an outer end wall panel 214a, which in turn is hingediy connected along a fold line 216a to an inner end wall panel 218a that has a free distal edge 220a. The outer end panel 214a includes a handle aperture 222a, and the inner end wall panel 218a includes a corresponding handle aperture 224a. The handle apertures 222a, 224a are approximately equidistant from the fold line 216a so that the handle apertures 222a, 224a substantially align when the outer and inner end panels 214a, 218a are folded into substantially flat face contact with one another.

An intermediate end flap 226a is hingedly connected along a fold line 228a to an end edge of the side wall 204, and intermediate end flap 230a is hingedly connected along a fold line 232a to an end edge of the side wall .208. The intermediate end flaps 226a, 230a cooperate to form an intermediate panel 226a/230a (obstructed in FIG. 5) when the base 102 is erected. The intermediate end flaps 226a, 230a include notches or cutouts 234a, 236a that together approximate and align with the handle apertures 222a, 224a when the base 102 is erected, such that each resultant end wall is three plies thick. An exemplary method for erecting the base 102, consisting primarily of a series of folding operations, is shown in FIGs. 3-5. The folding operations can be performed by automatic erecting machinery and/or manually. The erecting method is not limited to the order or number of steps shown, which can be altered according to manufacturing requirements. Steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary. The surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, VELCRO®, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like. First, the side wall 204, along with the attached intermediate end flaps

226a, , 226b, is folded upwardly and inwardly along fold line 206 to a substantially upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall 202. Similarly and perhaps simultaneously, the side wall 208, along with the attached intermediate end flaps 230a, 230b, is folded upwardly and inwardly along the fold line 210 to a substantially upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall 202. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate panels 226a, 230a are folded along the fold lines 228a, 232a, respectively, to align with the adjacent end edge of the bottom wall 202, as defined by the fold line 212a. In this position, the distal edges of the intermediate panels 226a, 230a substantially abut and the cutouts 234a, 236a align to approximate a handle opening 234a/236a. The intermediate end flaps 226b, 230b are folded along the fold lines 228b, 232b, respectively, to align with the opposite end edge of the bottom wall 202, as defined by the fold line 212b. The distal edges of the intermediate end flaps 226b, ,230b also substantially abut such that the cutouts 234b, 236b align to approximate another handle opening 234b/236b.

With reference to FIG. 4, the outer end wall panel ,214a is folded upwardly and inwardly along the fold line 212a until it is in flat face contact with the outer surfaces of the intermediate panels 226a, 230a, and the outer end wall panel 214b is folded upwardly and inwardly along the fold line 212b until it is in flat face contact with the outer surfaces of the intermediate end flaps 226b, .23Ob. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner end wall panels 218a, 218b are then folded inwardly along the fold line 216a to overlap the intermediate panels 226a/230a, 226b/230b (obstructed) in a face contacting arrangement. In this configuration, the distal edge 220a, 220b of each inner end wall panel 218a, 218b is aligned with and in proximity to the fold line 212a.

To secure the arrangement of the end wall panels and intermediate flaps, means of securing the substrate may be utilized, such as but not limited to adhesive, mechanical fasteners, VELCRO, and the like. Alternatively, the panels and flaps may be frictionally secured, such as by wedging the distal edges 220a, 220b of the inner end wall panels 218a, 218b against the bottom wall 202 to tightly entrap the intermediate panels 226a/230a,.226b/230b between the inner end wall panels 218a, 218b and the outer end wall panels 214a, 214b.

As mentioned above, the base 102 is combined with a partition structure 104 to form the carrier 100 of the present invention. The exemplary partition structure 104, shown in FIG. 6, is initially completely separate from the base 102, although it is contemplated that the partition structure could alternatively be integrally formed together with the base blank 200. To facilitate automatic loading and construction of the carrier 100, the base 102 is formed, articles B are loaded into the interior compartment of the base 102, and the partition structure 104 is lowered into the arrangement of articles B and secured to the base 102. Alternatively, articles may be lowered into the carrier 100 afterthe partition structure 104 is secured to the base 102.

The partition structure 104 includes a number of dividing strips 106 extending between a pair of flanges 108a, 108b. Each dividing strip 106 is substantially identical, so for simplicity, the elements of a single dividing strip will now be described. Each dividing strip 106 is hingedly connected to the flanges 108a, 108b along a fold line 110. The primary component of each dividing strip 106 is a beam 112 that spans at least the majority of the width of the base 102. The beam 112 includes two beam sections 112a, 112b that are disposed at an angle A with respect to one another when the partition structure 104 is erected for use. The beam sections 112a, 112b.are hingedly connected together along a medial fold line i 14 that runs along the length of the beam 112.

A connection structure S, connecting each end of the beam 112 to a flange 108a, 108b, includes a pair of gusset panels 116a, 116b, 126a, 126b and a generally triangular central panel 120, 130. Each of the gusset panels 116a, 116b is hingedly connected to one end of the respective beam section 112a, 112b along a fold lineHδa, 118b. The gusset panels 116a, 116b in turn are hingedly connected to the central panel 120 along fold lines 122a, 122b. The central panel 130 is hingedly connected to the flange 108b along the fold line 110b. Similarly, each of a pair of gusset panels 126a, 126b is hingedly connected to the other end of the respective beam section 112a, 112b along a fold line 128a, 128b. The gusset panels 126a, 126b in turn are hingedly connected to the central panel 130 along fold lines 132a, 132b. The central panel 130 is hingedly connected to the flange 108b along the fold line 110b.

The free side edges of each dividing strip 106 are defined by two severance lines 134 or one severance line 134 and an end edge 136 of the partition structure 104. In other words, the endmost dividing strips 106 are defined in part by an end edge 136 and by a severance line 134, and the remaining dividing strips 106 are defined in part by two severance lines 134. The severance lines 134 may be precut, frangible, or printed. As used herein, the terms frangible line, tear line, and severance line refer to all manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. For example, severance lines may include weakened lines, cut lines, or slits. For ease of understanding, the fold lines in the partition structure 104 are shown as dashed lines, while severance lines therein are shown as solid lines.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that instead of continuous flanges to which multiple dividing strips 106 are connected, an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the partition structure 104 may comprise one or more dividing strips 106 that are each connected to a separate flange that is individually secured to the side wall panels .204, 208. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the partition structure 104 can be integrally formed with the base blank 200, which can be accomplished by omitting one of the flanges 108a, 108b and hingedly connecting the partition structure 104 to one of the side wall panels.,204, 208 along the corresponding one of the fold lines 110a, 110b.

The partition structure 104 can be erected or otherwise configured for use as follows, with reference to FIGs. 6 and 7, which show the outside surface of the partition structure 104. The flanges 108a, 108b are folded downward. Each beam 112 is folded along medial fold line 114 such that the inside surfaces of the beam sections 112a, 112b approach one another, and a cross-section of the beam 112 resembles an inverted "V." As the beam sections 112a, 112b approach one another, the central panels 120, 130 is vaulted upward and inward about the fold line 110a, 110b and the pair of gusset panels 116a, 116b and 126a, 126b rotate downward along the respective fold lines 122a, 122b and 132a, 132b.

The lengths L1 the dividing strips 106 and the lengths L2 of the beams 112 can be adjusted with respect to the width W of the base 102 or to achieve the desired height of vaulting of the central panels 120, 130. With regards to the former, this feature facilitates use of the partition structure 104 with bases of varying size. With regard to the latter, this feature facilitates use of the partition structure with articles having varying shoulder heights and body shapes so as to optimize the ability of the dividing strips 106 to separate the articles at critical contact points along the height of the article. The vaulted central panels 120, 130 and the inverted V configuration of the dividing strips 106 are beneficial in that the partition structure 104 stabilizes taller articles without the need for extending the height of the perimeter walls of the base 102.

In general, the length L1 is greater than the width W and the length L2 is less than the width W.

The inverted V shape of each beam 112 serves to cushion adjacent rows R of articles, which may be glass or plastic beverage bottles B. To that end, the fold lines 114 may be less aggressively scored or otherwise pre- broken so that the inherent resiliency of the substrate is preserved. In this manner, the beam 112 functions somewhat like a spring disposed between adjacent bottles B in that the beam 112 is compressed when the bottles B press toward one another and the beam 112 tends to force the bottles B apart from one another when it expands to resist the compression. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the cushioning effect can be optimized by manufacturing the partition structure 104 from a substrate that has a thickness and resiliency that corresponds to the characteristics of the bottles B with which it will be used.

The connection structures S are arranged to provide cushioning between the side walls 204, 208 and adjacent articles B. Specifically, the central panels 120, 130 extend inwardly to position the gusset panels 116a, 116b, 126a, 126b to compress against and wrap around the bottles B. Thereby, the partition structure 104 protects the bottles B from damage due to impact and tightly packages the bottles B.

In certain alternative embodiments, the beam sections 112a, 112b are disposed in flat face contact and only the connecting structures S provide cushioning to the endmost articles in each row R. An alternative embodiment of a tray-style carrier 300 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the partition structure 104 is inverted and combined with a base 302. Certain structural differences between the bases 102, 302 represent mere design decisions that depend at least in part upon factors such as aesthetics and the characteristics of intended contents of the carrier 100.

Notably, the base 302 differs in the formation and structure of its end walls E1 , E2. The base 302, like the base 102, has an open interior that is surrounded by perimeter walls that enclose articles B that are supported by a bottom wall 502. The base 302 also provides a slot handle H in each of its end walls E1 , E2, the slot handle opening H being reinforced by and being formed from cooperating apertures, notches, cutouts and the like formed in three or more plies of material that make up at least part of the end wall E1, E2. The variation in the features of the base 102 and the base 302 demonstrate that the teachings of the present invention can be applied in concert with any number of tray-style base configurations.

Referring generally to FIG. 9, inversion of the partition structure 104 provides advantages in certain applications. For example, automatic placement of the partition structure 104 with respect to the loaded base 302 is facilitated because the free edges i 34, 136 of each of the dividing strips 106 extend upward. This configuration provides that the dividing strips 106 are less likely to be deformed or damaged as the partition structure 104 is automatically lowered over and between the articles B, the sides of which engage and guide the passage of the dividing strips iO6 therebetween. The flange 108 is folded and secured in flat-face contact with a side wall 402, 404.

As with the carrier 100, the base 302 is loaded with articles B, which are arranged in several rows R. The outermost rows R extend along the end walls E1 , E2 of the carrier 300 and each row R is separated from each adjacent row R by a dividing strip 106, which includes a beam 112

(obstructed) that is inverted, as compared to the beam 112 of the carrier 100. A cross section of the beam 112 would approximate an upright "V." In this embodiment, the beam 112 provides a similar cushioning effect, but can be countersunk with respect to the side walls 402, 404. That is, the exemplary partition structure 304 is positioned substantially at or below the upper edge of the side walls 402, 404. The height of the end wall E1, E2, in contrast, is extended, which may serve to retain taller articles B in the carrier 300 and to position the handle aperture H with respect to the articles B.

The base 302 is formed from an exemplary blank 500. The blank 500 includes a number of panels, each foldably or hingedly connected one to another as needed to define the features of the base 302 once the blank has been folded, arranged, secured, and otherwise configured into its finished (erected) form.

The blank 500 includes a central panel, hereinafter referred to as a bottom panel 502, which is substantially rectangular, having four side edges that are each hingedly connected to one of four peripheral panels, including a first end panel 506, a second end panel 510, a first side panel 504, and a second side panel 508. The side panels 504, 508 become the side walls 402, 404 of the erected base 302. More specifically, the bottom panel 502 is connected to the first end panel 506 along the fold line 514, to the second end panel 510 along a fold line 516, to the first side panel 504 along a fold line 51.2, and to the second side panel 508 along a fold line 518.

The adjacent peripheral panels are interconnected as well to create a webbed connection that reinforces the structure of the article carrieriOO, potentially contains liquids, and facilitates set up in one or two steps, as is described in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/908,110, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the exemplary embodiment, each end panel 506, 510 is indirectly connected to both side panels 504, 508 via a corner structure 520 that includes a gusset panel 522 hingedly connected along a fold line ^'524 to a side panel 504, 508 and along a fold line 526 to a reinforcing panel :528. The reinforcing panel 528, in turn, is hingedly connected along a fold line 530 to the end panel 506, 510. To distinguish the four corner structures and their elements and connections, the suffixes "a", "b", "c", and "d" have been affixed to the element numbers.

To achieve an inward tilt of the side panels 504, 508, the angle θi is greater than the angle Θ₂, where Θ₁ is the angle between the fold line 526 and the fold line 530, and θ₂ is the angle between the fold line 526 and the fold line 524. The angle Θ₂ is preferably less than 45 degrees, and angle θi combined with angle θ₂ total 90 degrees. It is contemplated that the combined angles 0₁, G₂ could exceed 90 degrees, but such an arrangement may cause delamination of the end wall, which will be described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment, θ₂ is equal to 43 degrees while θi is equal to 47 degrees. Each reinforcing panel 528 includes a notched cutout 532 that cooperates to reinforce at least the weight bearing edge of the slot shaped handle apertures 546, 544 formed in each end panel 506, 510.

The blank 500 also includes reinforcing flaps 534, 538 that are hingedly connected to the side panels 504, 508 along fold lines 536, 540. Along each end of each of the reinforcing flaps 534, 538, linking tabs 542 are hingedly connected along fold lines 543.

An exemplary method for erecting the base 302 from the blank 500 will now be described. It should be noted that the steps are described in an order that is intended to provide a non-limiting example, and thus, that many alternative methods can be substituted. The alternative methods may include more or fewer.steps, the steps described may be performed in a different sequence, and one or more steps may be performed simultaneously.

In accordance with the exemplary method, first, glue, adhesive, or other means for securing sheet material is applied to the inside surface of each reinforcing flap 534, 538, and to the inside surface of each linking tab 542a, 542b, 542c, 542d. The edge flaps 534, 538 along with the linking tabs 542a, 542b, 542c, 542d are folded along the fold lines 536, 540, respectively. This action places the edge flaps 534, 538 into face contacting arrangement with the side panels 504, 508, respectively, and also secures the linking tabs 542a, 542b, 542c, 542d to the adjacent gusset panels 522a, 522b, 522c, 522d. Glue is then applied to the inside surface of the reinforcing panels 528a, 528b, 528c, 528d, and the entire blank 500 is folded along the fold lines 530a, 512, 530b and again along the fold lines 530c, 518, 53Od. Either concurrently or subsequently with the previous step, the inside surface of the reinforcing panels 528b, 528d are pressed and secured to the end panel 506. In so doing, the cutouts 532b, 532d are brought into reinforcing registry with the handle aperture 546, with one cutout 532b aligning with one half of the handle aperture 546 and the other cutout 532d aligning with the other half of the handle aperture 546. In another simultaneous or successive step (not shown), the reinforcing panels 528a, 528c are pressed and secured to the end panel 510, bringing the cutouts 532a, 532c into registry with the handle aperture 544. In this fashion, each handle aperture 544, 546 is reinforced by doubling the thickness and number of plies of the material along its periphery.

At this point, the blank 500 is now a partially erected base portion of the carrier, which can be stored, shipped, or fed to a packaging machine in its presently flattened condition. To complete the process of erecting the base 302, glue is applied to the outside surface of each gusset panel 522a, 522b, 522c, 522d, and then, each end panel 506, 510 is lifted upward to form the end walls E1, E2. Lifting the end panels 506, 510 brings the outside surface of the gusset panels 522a, 522b, 522c, 522d (to which glue has been applied) into a face contacting arrangement with a portion of the adjacent reinforcing panel 528a, 528b, 528c, 528d. More specifically, each gusset panels 522a, 522b, 522c,.522d fold toward the adjacent reinforcing panel 528a, 528b, 528c, 528d along the fold line 526a, 526b, 526c, 526d.

Inasmuch as the gusset panels 522a, 522b, 522c, 522d are connected to the side panels 504, 508 and the linking tabs 542a, 542b, 542c, 542d reinforce this connection, the same lifting step also erects the side walls of the base 302. Once the gusset panels 522a, 522b, 522c, 522d are secured to the reinforcing panels 528a, 528b, 528c, 528d, the side panels 504, 508 are raised to be almost normal to the plane of the bottom panel 502.

It should be understood that frangible lines, tear lines, severance lines, and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, combinations thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with various degrees of weakness so as to define a fold line and/or a frangible line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort. It must be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.

Claims

1. A carrier for packaging a plurality of articles arranged in a plurality of rows, comprising: a base including a bottom wall, side walls, and end walls; and a partition structure comprising: a beam extending at least partially between the side walls, said beam including a pair of beam sections hingedly connected to one another along a medial fold line said beam sections being arranged at an acute angle (A) with respect to one another.

2. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein said partition structure further includes a flange that is secured to the outer surface of one of the side walls.

3. The carrier of claim 1 , the partition structure further comprising a connecting structure at each end of the beam, each connecting structure comprising: a pair of gusset panels; and a central panel, each gusset panel connecting one of the beam sections to the central panel.

4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein a surface of each of the gusset panels is spaced apart from a surface of the central panel.

5. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the central panel is positioned below the upper edges of the side walls.

6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein a surface of the central panel is spaced apart from a surface of an adjacent one of the side walls.

7. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the central panel is positioned above the upper edges of the side walls.

8. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the central panel extends inwardly from the adjacent side wall.

9. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the central panel is hingedly connected to one of the following: one of the side walls, a flange that is secured to the outer surface of one of the side walls.

iθ. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the beam is configured to extend between adjacent rows of articles in said carrier.

11. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein a free edge of each beam section is closer to the bottom wall than the opposite edge that is defined by the medial fold line.

12. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein an edge of each the pair of beam sections defined by the medial fold line is closer to the bottom wall than an opposite free edge.

13. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the length of the beam is less than the distance between the side walls.

14. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the end walls are formed from at least two plies of material.

15. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein one of the side walls and an adjacent one of the end walls are connected by a gusset panel and a reinforcing panel.

16. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the end walls extend above the side walls.

17. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein handle apertures are formed in portions of the end walls that extend above the side walls.

18. A package, comprising: a carrier, comprising: opposed side walls; and at least one partition that extends between the opposed side walls, the at least one partition comprising a beam that is attached to each of the side walls by a connecting structure; and a plurality of articles arranged in rows, wherein the at least one partition is disposed between adjacent rows and each connecting structure provides cushioning between a side wall and at least one adjacent article.

19. The package of claim 18, wherein each cushioning structure comprises an arrangement of gusset panels.

20. The package of claim 18, wherein the beam comprises beam sections that are biased away from one another to provide cushioning between the adjacent rows.