Article carrier with end panels

Abstract

This relates to a wraparound carrier for the packaging of articles in two rows. Primarily the articles are bottles. The wraparound carrier is provided at each end with a trap gusset and a pair of end panels. The gusset is specifically configurated to fold beneath an arched shaped top of a conventional wraparound container so as to effect the maintaining of the formed configuration of the upper part of the wraparound carrier while holding the associated end panels in a planar relationship. Not only does the relationship between the gusset and end panels at each end of the carrier provide for a complete closing of the carrier such as desired in the packaging of certain beers and other products, but also even after the carrier has been opened and the bottles or like articles removed therefrom, the gusset and the associated end panels cooperate with one another to maintain the shape of the erected carrier so that the opened carrier may have replaced therein the used bottles for return. The relationship of the gusset and the end panels to the remainder of the wraparound carrier permits the end panels and gusset to be folded within the confines of the carrier in advance of application of the carrier to a group of articles so that no space between article groups is required for folding of either the gusset or the end panels and therefore a maximum production can be obtained.