Wrap around carrier for returnable bottles

Abstract

A wrap around carrier package for returnable beverage bottles is disclosed which is formed by wrapping about an assembly of the bottles which are arranged in double row and transversely paired relation, a cut and scored blank of foldable sheet material, so as to form a tubular configuration, having bottle retention means, and securing the end panels of the blank by interengaging locking and latching elements thereon with cooperating elements on the bottom margin of a center partition forming member which is disposed between the rows of bottles and which has a handle portion at its top margin, the handle portion being rendered accessible by tearing out a substantial portion of the top wall panel of the package so as to release the bottles for removal through the resulting top opening and permit return of the empty bottles, thereby converting the carrier to an open-top basket style carrier. In one form of the carrier, the center partition has hinged panels at its opposite ends which are adapted to be positioned so as to close the ends of the package.