CARTON FOR CONTAINERS

Abstract

A carton for holding a plurality of containers, the carton comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and first and second side panels. The panels may be arranged to define an interior of the carton having a top opening opposite of the bottom panel. The top opening may communicate with the interior. An end flap may be foldably connected to the first side panel. The end flap may comprise a partition portion extending into the interior of the carton between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers. The partition portion may separate individual containers to prevent contact and potential damage. The panels may be configured to maintain structural integrity of the carton when loaded with containers. The carton may provide structural support for containers during transport and storage.

Claims

1. A carton for holding a plurality of containers, the carton comprising: a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and first and second side panels, the panels arranged to define an interior of the carton; and an end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and comprising a partition portion extending into the interior of the carton between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

2. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a handle comprising a handle panel having a loading configuration in which the handle panel is disposed generally parallel to the bottom panel, and having a closed configuration in which the handle panel is disposed generally orthogonal to the bottom panel.

3. The carton of claim 1 having a loading configuration in which the front panel is generally parallel to the bottom panel, the end flap is generally parallel to the first side panel and the handle panel is generally parallel to the bottom panel, defining a first opening; and the carton further having a closed configuration in which the end flap is generally orthogonal to the first side panel, the front panel is in a face-to-face relationship with the end panel and the handle panel is generally orthogonal to the bottom panel.

4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the plurality of containers are transferred to the interior via the front opening when the carton is in the loading configuration.

5. The carton of claim 3, wherein the plurality of containers are removable from the interior via a top opening that is positioned opposite the bottom panel when the carton is in the closed configuration.

6. The carton of claim 2, wherein the handle comprises a plurality of gusset panels that enable the handle to translate from the loading configuration to the closed configuration.

7. The carton of claim 2, wherein the handle further comprises a handle reinforcement panel disposed in face-to-face contact with the handle panel.

8. A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising: a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and first and second side panels, the panels arranged such that, upon erection of the blank, the panels define an interior of the carton; and an end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and comprising a partition portion for extending into the interior of the carton between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

9. The blank of claim 8, further comprising a handle comprising a handle panel arranged to move between a loading configuration in which the handle panel is disposed generally parallel to the bottom panel, and a closed configuration in which the handle panel is disposed generally orthogonal to the bottom panel.

10. The blank of claim 8 arranged to form the carton, the carton having a loading configuration in which the front panel is generally parallel to the bottom panel, the end flap is generally parallel to the first side panel, and the handle panel is generally parallel to the bottom panel, defining a first opening; and the carton further having a closed configuration in which the end flap is generally orthogonal to the first side panel, the front panel is in a face-to-face relationship with the end panel, and the handle panel is generally orthogonal to the bottom panel.

11. The blank of claim 10, wherein the plurality of containers are transferred to the interior via the front opening when the carton is in the loading configuration.

12. The blank of claim 10, wherein the plurality of containers are removable from the interior via a top opening that is positioned opposite the bottom panel when the carton is in the closed configuration.

13. The blank of claim 9, wherein the handle comprises a plurality of gusset panels that enable the handle to translate from the loading configuration to the closed configuration.

14. The blank of claim 9, wherein the handle further comprises a handle reinforcement panel disposed in face-to-face contact with the handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

15. A method of forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising: providing a blank comprising a bottom panel, a front panel, first and second side panels, and an end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, the end flap including a partition portion; arranging the panels such that, upon erection, the panels define an interior of the carton; and positioning the partition portion within the interior between adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming a handle comprising a handle panel adapted for movement between a loading configuration in which the handle panel is disposed generally parallel to the bottom panel, and a closed configuration in which the handle panel is disposed generally orthogonal to the bottom panel.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising arranging the front panel to be generally parallel to the bottom panel, the end flap to be generally parallel to the first side panel, and the handle panel to be generally parallel to the bottom panel to define a first opening in the loading configuration, and securing the end flap in a generally orthogonal orientation relative to the first side panel, such that the front panel is in a face-to-face relationship with the end panel, and the handle panel is generally orthogonal to the bottom panel in the closed configuration.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning the plurality of containers within the interior via the front opening when the carton is in the loading configuration.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the plurality of containers from the interior via a top opening that is positioned opposite of the bottom panel when the carton is in the closed configuration.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a plurality of gusset panels as part of the handle to enable the handle to translate from the loading configuration to the closed configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a container for use with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail A of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIGS. 4-12 illustrate the use and formation of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 14-18 illustrate the use and formation of a carton from the blank of FIG. 13, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0018] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

[0020] Techniques disclosed herein relate generally to packaging systems for consumer products. More specifically, techniques disclosed herein relate to carton structures including multiple coupled panels that may provide container retention with both high structural integrity and efficient loading capabilities. The carton may comprise a bottom panel that may serve as a foundation for the packaging structure. A front panel may be foldably connected to the bottom panel and may provide access during loading operations. A back panel may be positioned opposite the front panel and may contribute to the overall structural stability of the carton. First and second side panels may extend from the bottom panel and may define lateral boundaries of the carton interior.

[0021] The panels may be arranged to define an interior space having a top opening that may communicate with the interior. The top opening may be positioned opposite the bottom panel and may facilitate removal of containers during dispensing operations. An end flap may be foldably connected to the first side panel and may comprise a partition portion that may extend into the interior of the carton. The partition portion may be positioned between adjacent containers of a plurality of containers and may provide separation functionality.

[0022] The carton may further comprise a handle assembly that may facilitate transportation and manipulation of the loaded carton. The handle may comprise a handle panel that may have multiple operational configurations. In a loading configuration, the handle panel may be disposed generally parallel to the bottom panel. In a closed configuration, the handle panel may be disposed generally orthogonal to the bottom panel. The handle may comprise a plurality of gusset panels that may enable translation between the loading configuration and the closed configuration. A handle reinforcement panel may be disposed in face-to-face contact with the handle panel and may provide additional structural support.

[0023] Article retention features may be formed in the bottom panel to secure containers in position during transport. The cartons can be adapted for various container sizes and numbers by altering panel and partition arrangements, and allow containers to be loaded horizontally from either end. Strain relief features may be integrated at fold intersections to improve durability, and the structural elements are designed to deploy automatically through standard folding and assembly processes.

[0024] In order to better appreciate the features and aspects of the present disclosure, further context for the disclosure may be provided in the following section by discussing one particular implementation of a carton structure according to embodiments of the disclosure. These embodiments may be for explanatory purposes only and other embodiments may be employed in other packaging applications. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may be used with any carton that holds or contains consumer products. In some instances, embodiments of the disclosure may be particularly well suited for use with beverage container packaging systems because of the ease of accessing beverage containers via a basket-type container.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side or surface 101 of a blank 100 used to form a carton 105 (see e.g., FIG. 7), in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the carton 105 may be sized to hold six containers B (FIG. 2). For example, three containers B may be positioned towards a front of the carton 105 and three containers B may be positioned towards a rear of the carton 105. The carton 105 may be provided with one or more of the containers B as a package 110 for transport, handling, storage, display, and/or other uses.

[0026] While FIGS. 7-12 show space for six containers B, the carton 105 may be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers B. In some embodiments, the front and rear of the carton 105 may each have three containers B. In other embodiments, the front and rear of the carton 105 may hold more or less than three containers B without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments the containers B may be beverage bottles (e.g., bottles formed of glass, metal, plastic, or other materials) having upper portions that include an at least partially tapered neck N portion intersecting a flange F that at least partially supports a cap CP. In other embodiments, the containers B could be beverage cans, paperboard vessels, or another suitable type and size of container.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the blank 100 may have a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 100 may include a front portion 111 for forming the front of the carton 105, and a back portion 113 for forming the rear of the carton 105.

[0029] In one embodiment, the blank 100 includes a plurality of panels that include a bottom panel 121, a front panel 123 foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 at a longitudinal fold line 125, and a back panel 127 foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 at a longitudinal fold line 129. A first side panel 131 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 121 at a lateral fold line 133. The blank 100 is arranged such that, when folded and erected along prescribed fold lines, the bottom panel 121, front panel 123, back panel 127, and first and second side panels 131, 187 define an interior with a top opening opposite the bottom panel 121.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 100 and the carton 105 formed therefrom include a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. As shown, the plurality of end flaps include a first or front side end flap 199 foldably connected to the first side panel 131 at a longitudinal fold line 201, a second or back side end flap 203 foldably connected to the first side panel 131 at a longitudinal fold line 205, a third or front side end flap 215 foldably connected to the second side panel 187 of the blank 100 at a longitudinal fold line 217, and a fourth or back side end flap 219 foldably connected to the second side panel 187 at a longitudinal fold line 221. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the plurality of end flaps may be positioned so as to at least partially enclose the sides and/or ends of the carton 105 when the carton is formed from the blank 100.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first side panel 131 of the blank 100 is connected to one or more handle reinforcement panels 157, 161 through a transition panel 132, which is foldably connected to the first side panel 131 at a lateral fold line 134. Similarly, the second side panel 187 of the blank 100 is connected to one or more handle reinforcement panels 157, 161 through a transition panel 188, which is foldably connected to the back panel 187 at a lateral fold line 189.

[0032] The plurality of panels further includes a handle panel 207 foldably connected to handle reinforcement panel 157 at a longitudinal fold line 209, and a handle panel 211 foldably connected to handle reinforcement panel 161 at a longitudinal fold line 213. In one embodiment, a first gusset panel 135 is foldably connected to the handle panel 207 and transition panel 132 and a second gusset panel 139 is foldably connected to handle panel 211 and transition panel 132. On the opposing side of the handle reinforcement panels 157, 161, a third gusset panel 167 is foldably connected to the handle panel 207 and transition panel 188 and a fourth gusset panel 169 is foldably connected to handle panel 211 and transition panel 188. In some embodiments, the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 and transition panels 132 and 188 may be further subdivided by additional fold lines (e.g., minor fold lines 156 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) to provide a compact and repeatable folding transition between the handle panels 207, 211 and other panels of the plurality of panels when a handle 120 of the carton 105 is formed from the blank 100. At least some of the minor fold lines 156 may be oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis L1 and the lateral axis L2 (i.e., at least a portion of one or more of the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 and at least a portion of one or more of the transition panels 132 and 188 may fold obliquely to each other and/or the handle panels 207, 211, the first side panel 131, and the second side panel 187).

[0033] One or more of the handle panel 207, the handle panel 211, the handle reinforcement panel 157, and the handle reinforcement panel 161, and associated features, form handle features of the blank 100 and carton 105 formed therefrom for forming the handle 120 of the carton 105 in the folded position. As also shown, a handle opening 231 is at least partially defined in the handle panel 207, and a handle opening 233 is at least partially defined in the handle panel 211. Similarly, a handle opening 223 is at least partially defined in the handle reinforcement panel 157 and a handle opening 225 is at least partially defined in the handle reinforcement panel 161. A handle reinforcement tab or handle reinforcement flap 227 is foldably connected to the handle reinforcement panel 161 at a longitudinal fold line 229 so as to at least partially extend into the handle opening 225.

[0034] Handle reinforcement panel 157 is separably connected to the transition panels 132 and 188 at lateral tear lines 159 and 171, respectively. Handle reinforcement panel 161 is separably connected to the transition panels 132 and 188 at lateral tear lines 163 and 173, respectively. The handle reinforcement panels 157, 161 are separably connected to one another at a longitudinal line 165.

[0035] In some embodiments, strain relief features such as slits, radii, chamfers, and cutouts may be used to withstand creasing stress and deformation during folding of the blank 100, particularly where multiple fold lines, tear lines, and/or panels intersect. As shown in FIG. 1, the first side panel 131, the front side end flap 199, the transition panel 132, and the gusset panel 135 may be at least partially defined and/or separated by cutouts 155 at the corners where they intersect. The second side panel 187, the gusset panel 167, the transition panel 188, and front side end flap 215 may also be at least partially defined and/or separated by cutouts 155 where they intersect. Other strain relief features may also be employed at locations of the blank 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Additionally, the location, size, and geometry of the strain relief features are not intended to be limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

[0036] The blank 100 and carton 105 formed therefrom may also include a plurality of article retention features 235 for at least partially engaging a respective container B when the carton 105 is formed. As shown, each of the article retention features 235 may include an article retention flap 237 separably connected to the bottom panel 121 at a line of weakening 239 that has a generally triangular or delta-shaped profile that may include one or more of straight, angled, and/or curved segments. Each article retention flap 237 of the plurality of article retention features 235 may include a respective first section 241 foldably connected to a respective second section 243 at a respective longitudinal fold line 245 such that the respective article retention flaps 237 are at least partially bisected by the respective fold lines 245.

[0037] As shown in detail in FIG. 3, each of the end flaps (e.g., front side end flaps 199 and 215 and back side end flaps 203 and 219) has one or more partition portions foldably attached thereto. For example, FIG. 3 shows end flap portions 146 and 148 together forming a partition portion 145 attached to front side end flap 199 at longitudinal fold line 253 and lateral tear line 256. Similarly, end flap portions 176 and 178 may form a partition portion 175 foldably attached to front side end flap 215, end flap portions 150 and 152 may form a partition portion 149 foldably attached to back side end flap 203, and end flap portions 182 and 184 may form a partition portion 181 foldably attached to back side end flap 219. End flaps are dimensioned and oriented to at least partially close the sides of the carton and support partition portions.

[0038] It will be understood that while each side end flap 199, 215, 203, 219 in the illustrated embodiment has a respective partition portion 145, 149, 175, 181 with two end flap portions, however a lessor or greater number of end flap portions may be used without departing from the disclosure. For example, larger cartons containing a greater number of containers may have larger partition portions with additional end flap portions (and/or a greater number of partitions) to separate the individual containers or groups of containers.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 are hingedly connected to the respective end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219 at respective longitudinal fold lines 253, 255, 257, and 221. The end flap portions of the respective partition portions may be folded to extend into an interior I of the carton 105 during the folding sequence of side end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) to extend between adjacent containers B and separate containers B within the carton 105. For example, referring again to FIGS. 1, 3, and 7, end flap portions 146 and 148 of partition portion 145 may move relative to one another via at least partial folding at the fold line 147, and/or may at least partially hinge or fold relative to an inwardly-facing portion of front side end flap 199 at longitudinal fold line 201. When viewed in profile, at least a portion of one or more of the end flap portions may have an angled and/or curved segment 251 to profile the edges of the minor end flaps for folding.

[0040] As shown, in some embodiments at least one of the end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, 184 may extend at an oblique angle relative to one or more of the respective inwardly-facing panels and/or end flaps (e.g., inwardly-facing portions of front panel 123, back panel 127, or end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219) when the carton 105 is formed from the blank 100. In some embodiments, side end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219 may each have at least one retaining portion (e.g., portion 257 in FIG. 3) which may at least partially enclose the containers B within the front portion 111 and back portion 113 when the carton 105 is formed from the blank, and provide a substantially planar mating surface for at least partial face-to-face contact with the front panel 123 and the back panel 127.

[0041] Turning now to FIGS. 4-12, formation of the carton 105 and package 110 from the blank 100 will be described according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. The blank 100 can be inverted, e.g., such that an interior surface 102 of the carton 105 may be positioned facing upwardly and such that the exterior surface 101 can be positioned facing downwardly toward a supporting surface such as a table, bench, bedplate, conveyor, etc. as shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] The handle reinforcement panels 157, 161, can be folded at the respective fold lines 209, 213 in the direction of the respective arrows A1, A2 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the respective handle panels 207, 211 (see e.g., FIG. 5).

[0043] The first side panel 131 can be folded at the fold line 133 in the direction of the arrow A3 into a substantially orthogonal relationship, with the bottom panel 121. The second side panel 187 can be folded at fold line 189 into at least partial face-to-face contact, or an orthogonal relationship, with the transition panel 188, and the combined construct (including, e.g., the handle panels, handle reinforcement panels, gusset panels, and transition panels) is carried therewith and folded over fold line 134 (orthogonally between side panel 131 and transition panel 132) such that side panel 187 comes into at least partial face-to-face contact the attachment end flap 195 and side panels 131 and 187 face each other on opposing sides of bottom panel 121 (see e.g., FIG. 6).

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10, in some embodiments the respective gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 can be folded with respect to handle panels 207 and 211 (and respective handle reinforcement panels 157 and 161) at the respective fold lines 269, 271, 273, and 275 (see e.g., FIG. 1). Such movement of the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 causes the handle panels 207 and 211 (which are, as shown, in overlapping and/or at least partial face-to-face contact with respective handle reinforcement panels 157, 161) to extend above side panels 131 and 187 and transition panels 132 and 188. In this position, at least a portion of the handle panels 207 and 211 (and respective handle reinforcement panels 157, 161 underlapped therewith) are in a generally planar (e.g., parallel) and spaced relation with the bottom panel 121 and generally perpendicular to side panels 131 and 187. As illustrated for example in FIG. 9, portions of the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 may fold and/or flex about minor fold lines 155 such that the interior I of the carton 105 is accessible.

[0045] In the open sleeve arrangement/loading configuration shown in e.g., FIG. 6, one or more containers B can be loaded into the interior I of the carton 105 via one or more openings. The containers B can be loaded, for example, from the front or rear (e.g., over front panel 123 and/or rear panel 127). The carton 105 can include a front opening 153, which may be defined adjacent the front panel 123 to allow containers B to be loaded into or removed from the interior I through the front of the carton. In some embodiments, one or more containers B are moved along a path indicated by arrow A4 in FIG. 7 into the interior I of the carton 105, e.g., in concert with a movable element such as a movable conveyor, one or more loading arms, etc. In some embodiments, containers B may be grouped into one or more product groups at an upstream location before being moved into the interior I of the carton 105. In the loading configuration, the front panel 123 and the handle panels 207, 211 can be generally parallel to the bottom panel 121.

[0046] Once the containers B are loaded into the interior I of the carton 105/package 110, one or more of the article engaging features 235 of the bottom panel 121 can be activated to engage a portion of a respective container B. In some embodiments, the respective article retention flap 237 (see e.g., FIG. 1) can be at least partially separated from the bottom panel 121 at the line of weakening 239 and the sections 241, 243 thereof can be at least partially folded relative to one another at the fold line 245. In such an arrangement, e.g., with the respective sections 241, 243 obliquely arranged relative to one another, the respective article retention flap 237 can be positioned between adjacent containers B, for example, as a buffer to inhibit relative movement therebetween. The carton 105 can further define a top opening 151 for permitting access to the interior and removal or placement of containers B.

[0047] The side end flaps 199, 215 can be folded at the respective fold lines 201, 217 in the direction of the arrows A5 (see FIG. 8) into generally perpendicular relation with the side panels 131, 187. The front panel 123 can be folded at the fold line 125 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the side end flaps 199, 215 to form a first closed end 117 (see e.g., FIG. 11) of the carton 105.

[0048] Similarly, the side end flaps 203, 219 (see e.g., FIG. 1) can be folded at the respective fold lines 205, 221 into generally perpendicular relation with the side panels 131, 187. The back panel 127 can be folded at the fold line 129 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the side end flaps 203, 219 to form a second closed end of the carton 105.

[0049] Simultaneously or thereafter, the end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 of partition portions 145, 149, 175, and 181 can hinge and articulate into the interior I of the carton 105 about fold lines 147, 153, 177, 183, 253, 255, 257, and 259. The partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 can thus be inserted between containers B, in the direction of arrows A5 (see e.g., FIG. 8), to extend between adjacent containers B to provide protection from breakage and organization/structure during transport and display of the carton 105/package 110. The partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 are thus integral with the carton 105, and inserted between adjacent containers B to separate the containers B as part of the sequence of normal folding method to form the carton 105 from the blank 100 (i.e., from a flat initial position to the folded position), without requiring additional folding steps or outside material. For example and as shown in FIG. 8, the end flap portions 146, 148, 150, 152, 176, 178, 182, 184 of the partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 are foldable relative to the respective end flaps 199, 203, 215, 219 to isolate and protect the containers B during the folding of the side end flaps with respect to the side panels 131, 187 in the rotational direction of arrows A5 to close the respective end of the carton 105.

[0050] Each of the partition portions 145, 149, 175, and 181 may, for example, separate two respective containers B relationally oriented in one direction (i.e., front-to-back, side-to-side) in the carton 105. In some embodiments, each partition portion 145, 149, 175, 181 may interweave and extend between three or more containers B. As seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 12, at least one end flap portion 146, 148, 150, 152, 176, 178, 182, 184 of the partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 may be generally orthogonal to the bottom panel 121 when folded into the interior I of the carton 105, such that the planar surface of the respective end flap 199, 203, 215, 219 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the containers B.

[0051] As defined herein, generally parallel can mean that an angle between two planar surfaces, between two lines, or between a planar surface and a line can be between 0 and 5 degrees, between 0 and 10 degrees, between 0 and 15 degrees, etc. Generally perpendicular or generally orthogonal can mean that an angle between two planar surfaces, between two lines, or between a planar surface and a line can be between 85 and 90 degrees, between 80 and 90 degrees, between 75 and 90 degrees, etc. In some embodiments, each end flap portion 146, 148, 150, 152, 176, 178, 182, 184 may be generally orthogonal to the bottom panel 121 when folded into the interior I of the carton 105.

[0052] In some embodiments, in the folded position, the carton 105 may be at least partially biased lengthwise along plane L1, as shown in FIG. 12. Such a generally flattened arrangement of the folded blank 100 may be considered a collapsed configuration of the carton 105, e.g., that presents a low profile and space saving arrangement, for example, for shipping, storage, etc.

[0053] In the aforementioned position in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the handle panels 207, 211 and respective handle reinforcement panels 157, 161 underlapped therewith arranged in a generally planar and spaced relation relative to the bottom panel 121 may be a first configuration or loading configuration of the handle features or a first configuration of a handle 120 of the carton 105.

[0054] To transition the handle features or the handle 120 of the carton 105 from the first configuration to a second configuration or closed configuration, the handle panels 207, 211 can be folded about the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 and the transition panels 132 and 188 in the direction of the arrows A6 in FIG. 9 such that handle reinforcement panel 157 underlapped on the handle panel 207 is positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the handle reinforcement panel 161 underlapped on handle panel 211. In order to facilitate such movement of the handle features of the carton 105, the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 can move relative to one another via at least partial folding relative to the transition panels 132 and 188 at minor fold lines 156 and downward relative to handle panels 207 and 211 at the respective lateral fold lines 269, 271, 273, and 275. When the carton 105 is in the closed configuration, the plurality of containers B may be removed from the interior I of the carton 105 through the top opening 151. The top opening 151 provides access for end users to grasp and extract containers B without disassembling the carton structure.

[0055] The plurality of gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 are configured so that, during transition from the loading configuration to the closed configuration, the handle panel translates from a generally parallel disposition relative to the bottom panel to a generally orthogonal orientation. This movement is facilitated by folding of the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 along pre-formed fold lines, permitting smooth articulation of the handle between the two configurations.

[0056] The handle 120 of the carton 105 is thus presented in a second configuration positioned extending upwardly from the interior I of the carton 105 thereof for being grasped by a user. The overlapping arrangement of the handle panel 207, handle reinforcement panel 157, handle reinforcement panel 161, and handle panel 211 provides a robust, multi-ply arrangement that may be configured to resist tearing and/or other unwanted deformation incidental to use thereof, e.g., including use supporting the weight of the containers B therebeneath. Similarly, the transition panels 132 and 188 can be folded upward about fold lines 134 and 189 in the direction of arrow A7 (see, e.g., FIG. 10) into at least partial face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 to form additional multi-ply reinforcement for the handle 120. The folded transition panels 132, 188can take on a triangular or delta shape having one or more planar surfaces generally orthogonal to the panels making up the handle 120 of the carton 105.

[0057] The handle openings 231, 223, 225, and 233 of the respective handle panel 207, handle reinforcement panel 157, handle reinforcement panel 161, and handle panel 211 can provide a passage through which a user may curl his or her fingers to engage the carton 105. Alternatively, in some embodiments the handle 120 may be configured for interaction with an automated machine and/or machine system. In some embodiments, the handle reinforcement flap 227 may be at least partially folded at the fold line 229 into overlapping relation through the handle openings 225, 233, 231, 223 and into at least partial face-to face contact with one or more of the handle panel 211, the handle panel 207, and the handle reinforcement panel 157, for example, to provide a more comfortable gripping structure to a user.

[0058] In the closed configuration, the handle 120 can be arranged in different states. The states can be distinguished based on a distance between the handle openings 231, 223, 225, and 233 and the bottom panel 121. For example, in a raised state a first distance between the handle openings 231, 223, 225, and 233 and the bottom panel 121 can describe a first state where the openings are above the interior I of the carton 105 so that when a user places their hand within the opening their hand is above the caps CP of the containers. In a second lowered state, the distance between the handle openings and the bottom panel 121 is less than the first distance. In the lowered state the handle openings can be approximately at the level of the caps CP of the containers. The gusset panels 135, 139, 167, and 169 can be rearranged to transfer between the different states of the handle 120 associated with the closed configuration. To affix the handle in the lowered state glue,

[0059] FIG. 12 shows a top view the carton 105 in the folded position without containers B. The handle 120 of the carton 105 can be positioned between the front portion 107 and the back portion 109 of the carton 105 thereof so as to at least partially define a front container receiving space 247 in the interior I of the carton 105 for receiving respective containers B associated with the front portion 107 of the carton 105, and a back container receiving space 249 in the interior I of the carton 105 for receiving respective containers B associated with the back portion of the carton 105. The end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 of partition portions 145, 149, 175, and 181 extend into the interior I of the carton 105 as shown to subdivide the front container receiving space 247 and back container receiving space 249 and to be positioned between adjacent containers B, when the containers are loaded into the carton 105. Each partition portion 145, 149, 175, or 181, when folded with its associated end flap, is dimensioned and positioned to extend into the interior I of the carton 105 so as to be located between adjacent containers B. The integral connection between the end flap and partition portion enables the partition portion to automatically deploy between containers B during standard folding and assembly of the carton, without need for separate insertion or manual alignment.

[0060] The blank 100 and carton 105/package 110 formed therefrom thus provide a container holding structure with reconfigurable handle features to facilitate the formation of the handle 120 extending upwardly from an interior I of the carton 105/package 110 to facilitate grasping, and partitions to separate containers B therein. The carton 105/package 110 may also be formed without the need to load the containers B vertically into the interior I of the carton 105/package 110. As discussed above, the formation of the closed ends 117, 119 of the carton 105/package 110 is such that containers B can be loaded into one or more ends of the carton 105/package 110 during folding of the blank 100 and before the closure thereof, allowing for the versatility of loading the containers B from an end thereof with a movable element such as a movable conveyor, one or more loading arms, etc. Accordingly, machine operations that might otherwise involve vertical container loading into the interior I of the carton 105/package 110 may be streamlined and/or removed.

[0061] It will be understood that the blank 100 and the carton 105 formed therefrom may have one or more features with a different arrangement and/or configuration without departing from the disclosure. The present disclosure generally relates to cartons, packages, constructs, sleeves, carriers, or the like, for holding, transporting, and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers may be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers may be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to glass, plastics (such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon) and the like, aluminum and/or other metals, or any combination thereof.

[0062] Cartons according to the present disclosure may accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., glass bottles) at least partially disposed within the carton embodiments.

[0063] As described herein, cartons may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, portions, and/or end flaps. Although several different aspects, implementations, and embodiments are disclosed, numerous interrelationships between, combinations thereof, and modifications of the various aspects, implementations, and embodiments are contemplated hereby. Such panels, portions, and/or end flaps may be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., first, second, third, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure. Similarly, the terms inner, interior, outer, exterior, lower, bottom, upper, side, and top indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.

[0064] Turning to FIG. 13, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the exterior surface 301 of a blank 300 for forming a carton 305 is illustrated. When folded from the blank 300, the carton 305 may be provided with one or more containers B as a package 310 for transport, handling, storage, display, and/or other uses.

[0065] The blank 300 and carton 305/package 310 formed therefrom may have one or more features that are the same or similar to those described above with respect to the blank 100 and carton 105/package 110 formed therefrom, with like or similar features designated with like or similar reference numerals.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 13, the blank 300 and carton 305/package 310 formed therefrom have a longitudinal axis L1, a lateral axis L2, the panels 121, 123, 127, 131, 187, 320, 324, and 330, end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219, and other associated features. In this regard, the blank 300 can include a front portion 307 for forming a front of the carton 305 formed therefrom, and a back portion 309 for forming a back of the carton 305 formed therefrom.

[0067] A top panel 330 is foldably connected to a first side panel 131 and a second side panel 187 at lateral fold lines 331 and 333, respectively. A first side flap 320 is foldably connected to the top panel 330 at longitudinal fold line 322. Opposite the first side flap 320, a second side flap 324 is foldably connected to the top panel 330 at longitudinal fold line 326.

[0068] The blank 300 and carton 305 formed therefrom can also include a plurality of article retention features 235 (for example, in bottom panel 121) for at least partially engaging a respective container B when the carton 305 is formed. As shown, each of the article retention features 235 can have a generally triangular or delta-shaped profile that may include one or more of straight, angled, and/or curved segments.

[0069] The blank 300 and the carton 305 formed therefrom include a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. As shown, the plurality of end flaps includes a first front side end flap 199 foldably connected to the first side panel 131 at a longitudinal fold line 201, and a first back side end flap 203 foldably connected to the first side panel 131 at a longitudinal fold line 205. Similarly, the plurality of end flaps includes a second front side end flap 215 foldably connected to the second side panel 187 at a longitudinal fold line 217, and a second back side end flap 219 foldably connected to the second side panel 187 at a longitudinal fold line 221.

[0070] In some embodiments each of the front side end flaps 199 and 215 and each of the back side end flaps 203 and 219 can have one or more partition portions 145, 175 foldably attached thereto. For example, end flap portions 146 and 148 together are shown in FIG. 13 forming a partition portion 145 foldably and hingedly attached to the side end flap 199 at longitudinal fold line 253 and lateral tear line 256. Similarly, end flap portions 176 and 178 form a partition portion 175 hingedly attached to the side end flap 215, end flap portions 150 and 152 form a partition portion 149 hingedly attached to the side end flap 203, and end flap portions 182 and 184 form a partition portion 181 hingedly attached to the side end flap 219. A lesser or greater number of partition portions, and/or minor end flap portions, may also be anticipated.

[0071] The end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 making up partition portions 145, 149, 175, and 181 are hingedly connected to the side end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219 in similar fashion to that described above with respect to the formation of the carton 105/package 110 from the blank 100. The end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 of the partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 can be folded to extend into an interior I of the carton 305 as part of the folding sequence of the side end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) so that the end flap portions divide adjacent containers and/or form individual reception spaces to separate containers B within the carton 305. For example, the end flap portions 146 and 148 may move relative to one another via at least partial folding at longitudinal fold line 147, and/or may at least partially fold relative to front side end flap 199 at longitudinal fold line 253. When viewed in profile, at least a portion of one or more of the end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 may have an angled and/or curved segments to profile the edges of the end flap portions for folding.

[0072] As shown, in some embodiments at least one of the end flap portions can extend at an oblique angle relative to the respective inwardly-facing panels or end flaps (e.g., inwardly-facing portions of front panel 123, back panel 127, or end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219) when the carton 305 is folded from the blank 300. The end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 of each of the partition portions 145, 149, 175, and 181 can, for example, separate two respective adjacent containers B, or may be configured to separate three or more containers B. In some embodiments, the side end flaps 199, 203, 215, and 219 may each have at least one retaining portion (portions 257 in FIGS. 15 and 16) which may at least partially enclose the front portion 307 and back portion 309 when the carton 305 is formed from the blank 300, and provide a substantially planar mating surface for the front panel 123 and the back panel 127.

[0073] With reference to FIGS. 14-18, the carton 305/package 310 can be formed from the blank 300 in a manner generally similar to that described above with respect to the formation of the carton 105/package 110 from the blank 100. In this regard, the plurality of panels of the blank 300 and carton 305 formed therefrom extend at least partially around the interior I of the carton 305, and a first closed end 335 and a second closed end 337 of the carton 305 (see, e.g., FIG. 17) may be formed in the manner described above.

[0074] The blank 300 may be inverted, e.g., flipped over laterally and longitudinally, such that the interior surface 302 of the carton 305 may be positioned facing upwardly and such that the exterior surface 301 may be positioned facing downwardly toward a supporting surface such as a table, bench, bedplate, conveyor, etc.

[0075] The side panel 131 can be folded at the fold line 133 into an orthogonal relationship with the bottom panel 121. Side panel 187 can be folded at fold line 333 into at least partial face-to-face contact, or an orthogonal relationship, with the top panel 330, and the combined construct (including, e.g., side panels, the top panel, the side flaps, and the end flaps) is carried therewith and folded over bottom panel 121 about lateral fold line 331 such that side panel 187 comes into at least partial face-to-face contact the attachment end flap 195 and side panels 131 and 187 face each other on opposing sides of bottom panel 121 (FIG. 15).

[0076] With access to the interior I of the carton 305, one or more containers B (not shown in FIGS. 14-18) can be loaded into the interior I. The containers B may be loaded, for example, from the front or rear (e.g., passing over front panel 123 and/or rear panel 127) of the carton 305. Once the containers are loaded into the interior I of the carton 305/package 310, one or more of the article engaging features 235 of the bottom panel 121 can be activated to engage a portion of a respective container B, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0077] In some embodiments, the side end flaps 199, 215 may be folded at the respective fold lines 201, 217 into generally perpendicular relation with the side panels 131, 187, and similarly, the side end flaps 203, 219 may be folded at the respective fold lines 205, 221 into generally perpendicular relation with the side panels 131, 187.

[0078] Thereafter, or simultaneously, the end flap portions 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 of the partition portions 145, 149, 175, and 181 are folded into the interior I of the carton 305 about fold lines 147, 153, 177, 183, 253, 255, 257, and 259. The partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 can be inserted/positioned between containers to protect and cushion the containers and/or create an individual reception space for each. The partition portions 145, 149, 175, 181 are integral with the blank 300 and carton 305 formed therefrom, and inserted to separate/divide the adjacent containers during the sequence of normal folding method to form the carton 305 from the blank 300 (i.e., from an initial position to a folded position), without requiring additional folding steps or outside material. As seen in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, at least one end flap portion 146, 148, 176, 178, 150, 152, 182, and 184 can be generally orthogonal to the bottom panel 121 when folded into the interior I of the carton 305, such that the planar surface of the respective side end flap 199, 203, 215, 219is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the containers B.

[0079] The front panel 123 may be folded at the fold line 125 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the side end flaps 199, 215. The back panel 127 may be folded at the fold line 129 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the side end flaps 203, 219. The first side flap 320 may be folded about fold line 322 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the side end flaps 199, 215 and front panel 123 to form the first closed end 335 of the carton 305. The second side flap 324 may be folded about fold line 326 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the side end flaps 203, 219 and back panel 127 to form the second closed end 337 and fully enclose the interior I of the carton 305.

[0080] The blank 300 and carton 305/package 310 formed therefrom thus provide a container holding structure, without the need to load the containers B vertically into the interior I of the carton 305/package 310 with advantages and functionality similar to that described above with respect to the carton 105/package 110.

[0081] It will be understood that one or more features of the blanks, carriers, and packages described herein may be differently configured and/or arranged without departing from the disclosure. Blanks 100 and 300 and cartons 105 and 305 formed therefrom are illustrated for example purposes, and are not intended to be limiting. For example, one or more of the minor end flaps of the partitions may have a different arrangement and/or configuration than those illustrated herein without departing from the disclosure. In some embodiments, the partitions may have a lesser or greater number of minor end flaps than shown in the figures and not all partitions need to have the same number and arrangement of minor end flaps. In some embodiments, at least some of the minor end flaps may be folded at oblique angles relative to the side end flaps. The side end flaps may also be foldably connected to other panels of the plurality of panels beyond those illustrated in the example blanks herein.

[0082] In accordance with the example embodiments, a fold line may be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines may include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.

[0083] A tear line as disclosed herein may include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks may be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a tear line may be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

[0084] The above example embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered and/or sealed together (e.g., by glue or other adhesive) during erection of the carton embodiments. The term glue is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

[0085] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.