Abstract: A package accommodating a plurality of articles (c) arranged in two or more rows (R1, R2) and in at least one tier (T1, T2) comprises a top panel (18) and a pair of overlapped base panels (12, 24) forming a carton base which is spaced apart from the top panel by a pair of side wall panels thereby forming a tubular structure. One of the base panels (24) has a row of erected tabs (t) forming an interrupted separating keel between lower portions of one row of articles seated on the carton base and lower portions of an adjacent row of articles seated on the carton base. Each of the erected tabs has opposite wing portions (50, 52) which are supported against collapse by the outermost base panel (12) to maintain the tab in an erected position.

Abstract: A composite package comprising a group of cans (C1-C6), a band (PB) of a plastics material which passes around the group of cans intermediate their tops and bases, an outer paperboard wrapper (10) passing around the group. The wrapper includes spacer portions each of which locates in a space at the top and base ends between an adjacent pair of cans so as to urge the cans apart whereby the cans exert a force on the plastics band tending to expand the band into tension around the group of cans.

Abstract: A carton (C) accomodating a plurality of like articles such as bottles (B) arranged in a group, the carton comprising a top panel (18), base panel means (12,24) and spaced side wall panels (16,20) interconnecting and hinged to opposed side edges of top panel and base panel means. One of the bottles (Bc) is arranged centrally of the group and a locking and separating keel (38) being provided by the top panel which has portions displaced out of the plane of the top panel holds said central bottle centrally of the group while maintaining the relative spacing of adjacent bottles in the group.

Abstract: A package (46) of the wrap-around type has a central row of articles (48) and an auxiliary row of articles (50,52) one on either side of the central row. The articles of the auxiliary rows are disposed in abutting nested relationship with respect to those in the group. A securing strap (S) is provided to hold together the articles of the central row and the strap is held in position closely to embrace the articles in the central row by the abutting articles in the auxiliary rows. An outer open-ended wrapper (54) is provided for maintaining the articles of the auxiliary rows in their abutting nested relationship with respect to the articles in the central row.

Abstract: A package accommodating a plurality of bottles, the package being of the type having a top wall (12) and a bottom wall interconnected by spaced side walls (22, 24) thereby providing a tubular structure and end retention panels (32, 32a) which partially close the ends of the tubular structure so as to assist in preventing endwise dislodgement of the bottles, stabilizing means (42, 42a) for better maintaining the bottles in spaced relationship and in a desired upright attitude. The spacing and stabilizing means comprising a top panel flap which is put into its operative position automatically upon folding of the end retention panels relative to the top panel into their end retention position.

Abstract: A carton accommodating a group of articles disposed in at least three parallel rows (C) in which the arrangement of the articles in rows is such that a void (CR) is present at each end of the carton intermediate the outer rows (RL, RR) of articles. The carton has a top (22, 22a) and a base (12,32; 12a, 32a) interconnected by spaced side walls (14,24); 14a, 24a) thereby forming a tubular structure and end closure panels closing each end of the tubular structure. The end closure panels include a top closure panel (88,88a) hinged to the top which has a portion (94,94a) displaced into the void (CR) and a base end closure panel (50,50a) hinged to the base which has a portion secured to the displaced portion of the top end closure panel within the void. The bottom end closure panel is displaced into the void from a foldable connection (52,52a) to the base which is substantially aligned with opposed endmost articles in the outer rows.

Abstract: A package accommodating a group of flanged containers (C1-C4) includes two rows of containers in which portions of top flanges (f) of the containers (C1, C2) in one row are overlapped with portions of the top flanges of the containers (C3, C4) in the second row. The package includes a top panel having a locking tab (34) which is engaged beneath the top flanges of the containers in the second row.

Abstract: A carton (Cn) accommodating two rows (R.sup.1, R.sup.2) of uniform containers (C) comprising a top panel (12) overlying the tops of the containers and a base panel (16,18,20,22) interconnected by spaced side wall panels (14,24) to form a tubular structure. The base panel includes a pair of outer base panels (16,22) adjacent respective ones of the side wall panels and on which base portions of the containers are seated and a pair of inner base panels (18,20) dislodged upwardly between two adjacent rows of containers to form a keel (72) therebetween. Each inner base panel is formed with apertures (54,56,58 and 60,62,64) which receive and locate lower portions of the containers so that they are held spaced relative to one another. A plurality of partition panels (66,68,70) extend from the keel separating adjacent containers in one row from those in the neighboring row, the partition panels being connected to the top panel thereby maintaining the structural rigidity of the keel.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and method for forming composite packages comprising a first flexible material (11) and a second relatively rigid material (12) which are connected together without the use of additional connecting materials. The connection is achieved by causing the flexible material (11) to be deformed to cooperate in tension with interrupted zones (19) of the relatively rigid material (12). Many different packages may be formed for a variety of uses but the invention is particularly suitable for connecting a heat shrinkable plastics body part to a paperboard or like sheet material end part.

Abstract: The invention provides a package comprising a plurality of primary containers, such as bottles or cans, connecting means for holding said containers clustered together to form a unit, and an outer sleeve of paperboard passing around at least one such clustered unit, said outer sleeve providing handle means by which the package can be grasped and carried.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and method for forming composite packages comprising a first flexible material (11) and a second relatively rigid material (12) which are connected together without the use of additional connecting materials. The connection is achieved by causing the flexible material (11) to be deformed to cooperate in tension with interrupted zones (19) of the relatively rigid material (12). Many different packages may be formed for a variety of uses but the invention is particularly suitable for connecting a heat shrinkable plastic body part to a paperboard or like sheet material end part.