Carton and insert and blank for forming the same

• US 7,427,011 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Inventors: Auclair, Jean-Michel, Daniel, Jean-Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai; Tri M
• Application Number:
  US11/456,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20060249413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 229/120.27, 229/120.29, 229/120.24, 229/132, 229/125.33, 229/122.21, 229/199, 229/164, 229/240, 229/242, 229/244, 229/117.16, 206/526
• US Class Current: 229/244
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0032 inserted the wrapper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00425 Four rows of more than two cells
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00469 Straps made between two handholes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00512 movable or foldable between an extended and a retracted position
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00543 consisting of cut-outs, slits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00549 consisting of fold lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00574 whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0066 formed from one single sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00728 the end walls being closed by gluing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00814 for reinforcing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0087 Special features for machine processing, e.g. gripper apertures
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/16 the tubular body being formed with an aperture or removable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents through one or more sides contents-dispensing means B65D5/72
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4204 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46192 formed by incisions in the container or blank forming straps used as handles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/48028 formed by folding a single blank B65D5/48034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/48036 Longitudinal partition provided with cut flaps folded perpendicular to the partition
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5405 for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/36 having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls

Abstract

A package and two part blank for forming a package for carrying one or more articles comprising a carton having a plurality of wall panels for forming a tubular structure wherein each end of the carton is closed by a first panel hingedly connected to one of the wall panels, an intermediate panel hingedly connected to another wall panel of the carton and adapted to be placed in face contacting relationship within the inner face of the first panel. There further comprises within the carton an insert structure for supporting the one or more articles including a second panel. An aperture or recess is provided in the intermediate panel such that glue applied to an outer face of the second panel and the intermediate panel secures together said first, second and intermediate panels when placed together in face contacting relationship to close the end of the carton.

Claims

1. A carton for handling a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

(a) a bottom panel, a first side panel, a top panel, and a second side panel being hingedly connected to form a tubular carton having opposite open ends that are closed with opposite end wall structures, wherein at least one of the end wall structures comprises a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel, a side end flap hingedly connected to each side panel, a bottom end flap hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and means for securing the end flaps together in a closed position;

(b) the carton having a first aperture in the top end flap, the aperture configured so that at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand can be extended through the first aperture; and

(c) the carton having an insert secured to at least one of the end wall structures having the first aperture, the insert having a second aperture that is sufficiently aligned with the first aperture such that at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand can be inserted through the aligned apertures, wherein the insert allows articles to be loaded through one of said opposite open ends, the insert having at least two sidewalls defining an opening corresponding to one of the opposite open end.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the insert is secured to the top end flap that includes the first aperture.

3. The carton of claim 1, further including contiguous tear lines in the top panel which extend into at least one side panel to form at least one dispenser flap, which when torn open allows the removal of articles from the closed carton.

4. The carton of claim 2, wherein the insert extends along at least one of the panels from one end wall structure to an opposite end wall structure.

5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the insert is hingedly connected with at least one fold line that is positioned adjacent to the hinged connection between one of the panels and respective flap of the end wall structure.

6. The carton of claim 5, wherein contiguous tear lines define at least one dispenser flap for removing articles when the dispenser flap is opened, and the insert defines a substantially similar opening configuration that likewise permits access to the articles.

7. A carton for handling a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

(a) a bottom panel, a first side panel, a top panel, and a second side panel being hingedly connected to form a tubular carton having opposite open ends that are closed with opposite end wall structures, wherein at least one of the end wall structures comprises a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel, a side end flap hingedly connected to each side panel, a bottom end flap hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and means for securing the end flaps together in a closed position;

(b) the carton having a first aperture in the top end flap, the first aperture configured so that at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand can be extended through the aperture; and

(c) the carton having an insert configured and positioned to reinforce at least one of the panels and one of the end wall structures, the insert having a second aperture that is sufficiently aligned with the first aperture such that at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand can be inserted through the aligned apertures, wherein the insert is placed within said carton such that one of said opposite open ends of said tubular carton comprises a loading end through which articles are loaded into said tubular carton, the insert having at least two sidewalls defining an opening corresponding to one of the opposite open end.

8. The carton of claim 7, further including contiguous tear lines in the top panel which extend into at least one side panel to form at least one dispenser flap, which when torn open facilitates removal of articles from the closed carton.

9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the contiguous tear lines define at least one dispenser flap for facilitating removal of articles when the dispenser flap is opened, and the insert defines a substantially similar opening configuration that allows access to the articles.

10. The carton of claim 7, wherein the insert is hingedly connected with at least one fold line that is positioned adjacent to the hinged connection between one of the panels and respective flap of the end wall structure.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the insert extends along at least one of the panels from one end wall structure to an opposite end wall structure.