Carton With Locking Features

• US 20190016500A1
• Filed: 07/16/2018
• Published: 01/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Oliveira, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 11,273,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0219 the closure presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the bottom or peripheral elements projecting from the bottom of a superimposed container B65D21/0222 and B65D21/0223 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/064 the movable parts being an attached or integral cover made of one or two pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/001 stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/0015 the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/005 Separate or attached stacking elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/10 with end closures formed by inward-folding of self-locking flaps hinged to tubular body
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2057 Inter-engaging self-locking flaps B65D5/4254 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/244 and the gussets folds connected to the outside of the container body B65D5/247, B65D5/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/3621 collapsed along two fold lines of the tubular body
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46112 either the handle elements being formed with lugs which engage with the other side walls or closure flaps, or the other closure flaps folding over a part of the handle to maintain the handle in position
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46144 either the handle elements being formed with lugs which engage with the other side walls or closure flaps, or the other closure flaps folding over a part of the handle to maintain the handle in position
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/48016 formed by folding extensions hinged to the upper or lower edges of a tubular body B65D5/48008 takes precedence

Abstract

A carton for holding one or more articles includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel. The carton also includes a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and forming a closed top portion of the carton, the closed top portion of the carton is reconfigurable between a first configuration having a substantially flat profile and a second configuration forming a handle of the carton. The carton also includes locking features for engaging at least one other carton.

Claims

1. A carton for holding one or more articles, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel;

a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and forming a closed top portion of the carton, the closed top portion of the carton is reconfigurable between a first configuration having a substantially flat profile and a second configuration forming a handle of the carton; and

locking features for engaging at least one other carton.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the locking features comprise at least one locking tab foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps.

3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the locking features further comprise at least one locking flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels.

4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, wherein the at least one locking flap is a first locking flap foldably connected to the first side panel and the locking features further comprise a second locking flap foldably connected to the second side panel.

5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the at least one end flap is a first top end flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second top end flap, wherein the at least one locking tab is a first locking tab foldably connected to the first top end flap, and wherein the locking features further comprise a second locking tab foldably connected to the second top end flap.

6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap foldably connected to the front panel and a second top end flap foldably connected to the back panel.

7. The carton of claim 6, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a base portion foldably connected to a handle portion.

8. The carton of claim 7, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a handle opening disposed in a portion of at least one of the respective base portion and the handle portion.

9. The carton of claim 7, wherein, in the first configuration of the closed top portion, the first top end flap and the second top end flap are in overlapping, generally planar relation.

10. The carton of claim 9, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a fourth top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, and wherein, in the first configuration of the closed top portion, each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap is in a generally upright configuration and a receiving space is defined between the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein, in the second configuration of the closed top portion, the base portions are obliquely disposed relative to each another and the handle portions are in at least partial face-to-face contact.

12. The carton of claim 11, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a pair of handle tabs and each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap comprises an aperture, and wherein, in the second configuration of the closed top portion, each handle tab is at least partially inserted through a respective aperture.

13. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel and a bottom panel, the bottom panel foldably connected to each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel.

14. The carton of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of gussets, the plurality of gussets comprising a first gusset foldably connected to each of the front panel and the first side panel, a second gusset foldably connected to each of the first side panel and the back panel, a third gusset foldably connected to each of the back panel and the second side panel, and a fourth gusset foldably connected to each of the second side panel and the front panel.

16. The carton of claim 1, wherein the plurality of end flaps is a plurality of top end flaps, the carton further comprising a plurality of bottom end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels.

17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlap to form a closed bottom of the carton.

18. The carton of claim 17, wherein at least one bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps comprises a proximal section foldably connected to a distal section, the distal section positioned in a generally upright position in the interior of the carton to form a plurality of interior sections.

15. The carton of 14, wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of gussets provide a substantially continuous surface that at least partially forms a bottom receptacle of the carton.

19. A blank for forming a carton for holding one or more articles, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel;

a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps is for forming a closed top portion of the carton that is reconfigurable between a first configuration having a substantially flat profile and a second configuration forming a handle of the carton formed from the blank; and

locking features for engaging at least one other carton when the carton is formed from the blank.

20. The blank of claim 19, wherein the locking features comprise at least one locking tab foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps.

21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the locking features further comprise at least one locking flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels.

22. The blank of claim 21, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, wherein the at least one locking flap is a first locking flap foldably connected to the first side panel and the locking features further comprise a second locking flap foldably connected to the second side panel.

23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the at least one end flap is a first top end flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second top end flap, wherein the at least one locking tab is a first locking tab foldably connected to the first top end flap, and wherein the locking features further comprise a second locking tab foldably connected to the second top end flap.

24. The blank of claim 19, wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap foldably connected to the front panel and a second top end flap foldably connected to the back panel.

25. The blank of claim 24, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a base portion foldably connected to a handle portion.

26. The blank of claim 25, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a handle opening disposed in a portion of at least one of the respective base portion and the handle portion.

27. The blank of claim 24, wherein, in the first configuration of the closed top portion of the carton formed from the blank, the first top end flap and the second top end flap are in overlapping, generally planar relation.

28. The blank of claim 27, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a fourth top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, and wherein, in the first configuration of the closed top portion of the carton formed from the blank, each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap is in a generally upright configuration and a receiving space is defined between the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap.

29. The blank of claim 28, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a pair of handle tabs and each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap comprises an aperture, and wherein, in the second configuration of the closed top portion of the carton formed from the blank, each handle tab is at least partially inserted through a respective aperture.

30. The blank of claim 19, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel and a bottom panel, the bottom panel foldably connected to each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel.

31. The blank of claim 30, further comprising a plurality of gussets, the plurality of gussets comprising a first gusset foldably connected to each of the front panel and the first side panel, a second gusset foldably connected to each of the first side panel and the back panel, a third gusset foldably connected to each of the back panel and the second side panel, and a fourth gusset foldably connected to each of the second side panel and the front panel.

33. The blank of claim 19, wherein the plurality of end flaps is a plurality of top end flaps, the blank further comprising a plurality of bottom end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels.

34. The blank of claim 33, wherein at least one bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps comprises a proximal section foldably connected to a distal section, the distal section is for being positioned in a generally upright position in the interior of the carton formed from the blank to form a plurality of interior sections.

32. The blank of 31, wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of gussets provide a substantially continuous surface that at least partially forms a bottom receptacle of the carton formed from the blank.

35. A method of forming a carton for holding one or more articles, the method comprising:

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, the blank further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the blank further comprising locking features for engaging at least one other carton;

folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carton; and

folding the plurality of end flaps to form a closed top portion, the closed top portion of the carton is reconfigurable between a first configuration having a substantially flat profile and a second configuration forming a handle of the carton.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the locking features comprise at least one locking tab foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the locking features further comprise at least one locking flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, wherein the at least one locking flap is a first locking flap foldably connected to the first side panel and the locking features further comprise a second locking flap foldably connected to the second side panel.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one end flap is a first top end flap and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second top end flap, wherein the at least one locking tab is a first locking tab foldably connected to the first top end flap, and wherein the locking features further comprise a second locking tab foldably connected to the second top end flap.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap foldably connected to the front panel and a second top end flap foldably connected to the back panel.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a base portion foldably connected to a handle portion.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a handle opening disposed in a portion of at least one of the respective base portion and the handle portion.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein, in the first configuration of the closed top portion, the first top end flap and the second top end flap are in overlapping, generally planar relation.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a fourth top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, and wherein, in the first configuration of the closed top portion, each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap is in a generally upright configuration and a receiving space is defined between the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein, in the second configuration of the closed top portion, the base portions are obliquely disposed relative to each another and the handle portions are in at least partial face-to-face contact.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap comprises a pair of handle tabs and each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap comprises an aperture, and wherein, in the second configuration of the closed top portion, each handle tab is at least partially inserted through a respective aperture.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one side panel is a first side panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a second side panel and a bottom panel, the bottom panel foldably connected to each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel.

48. The method of claim 35, further comprising a plurality of gussets, the plurality of gussets comprising a first gusset foldably connected to each of the front panel and the first side panel, a second gusset foldably connected to each of the first side panel and the back panel, a third gusset foldably connected to each of the back panel and the second side panel, and a fourth gusset foldably connected to each of the second side panel and the front panel.

50. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of end flaps is a plurality of top end flaps, the blank further comprising a plurality of bottom end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlap to form a closed bottom of the carton.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein at least one bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps comprises a proximal section foldably connected to a distal section, the distal section positioned in a generally upright position in the interior of the carton to form a plurality of interior sections.

49. The method of 48, wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of gussets provide a substantially continuous surface that at least partially forms a bottom receptacle of the carton.

53. A system, comprising:

a first carton for holding one or more articles, the first carton comprising;

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the first carton, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel;

a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and forming a closed top portion of the first carton, the closed top portion of the first carton has a substantially flat profile and defines a receiving space; and

a second carton for holding one or more articles, the second carton positioned in the receiving space of the first carton and secured to the first carton, the second carton comprising;

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the second carton, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel;

a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and forming a closed top portion of the second carton, the closed top portion of the second carton forms a handle of the second carton.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein each of the first carton and the second carton comprises locking features to secure the second carton to the first carton.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the locking features of the first carton comprise at least one locking tab foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps of the first carton.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the locking features of the second carton comprise at least one locking flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels of the second carton, the at least one locking tab of the first carton is at least partially inserted into an opening between the at least one locking flap of the first carton and a respective panel of the first carton.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the at least one side panel of the second carton is a first side panel and the plurality of panels of the second carton further comprises a second side panel, wherein the at least one locking flap of the second carton is a first locking flap foldably connected to the first side panel of the second carton and the locking features of the second carton further comprise a second locking flap foldably connected to the second side panel of the second carton.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one end flap of the first carton is a first top end flap and the plurality of end flaps of the first carton further comprises a second top end flap, wherein the at least one locking tab of the first carton is a first locking tab foldably connected to the first top end flap of the first carton, and wherein the locking features of the first carton further comprise a second locking tab foldably connected to the second top end flap of the first carton.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the receiving space is defined between the first top end flap of the first carton and the second top end flap of the first carton.

60. The system of claim 53, wherein the plurality of end flaps of the second carton comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap, each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap of the second carton comprises a base portion foldably connected to a handle portion.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the base portions of the second carton are obliquely disposed relative to each another and the handle portions of the second carton are in at least partial face-to-face contact.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the plurality of end flaps of the second carton further comprises a third top end flap and a fourth top end flap, each of the third top end flap and the fourth top end flap of the second comprises an aperture, wherein each of the first top end flap and the second top end flap of the second carton comprises a pair of handle tabs, and wherein each handle tab is at least partially inserted through a respective aperture.