Carton capable of carrying take-out food and beverages

• US 7,617,969 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Oliveira, Steven Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse; Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US11/170,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20070000980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 229/120.15, 229/117.15, 229/904, 229/906, 206/158, 206/145, 206/45.26, 206/193, 206/197, 206/196, 206/194
• US Class Current: 229/117.15
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0029 Openings in top or bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0045 for hands
• 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 5/46096 two opposite closure flaps being provided with handle elements which are in contact with each other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/36 having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls

Abstract

A carton has side panels extending upwardly from respective edges of the carton'"'"'s bottom. Upright edges of the side panels are respectively connected to one another to define upright corners of the carton. At least a first opening to the carton'"'"'s interior extends across a first of the upright corners. At least one partition has opposite ends that are respectively pivotably connected to the side panels that define the first upright corner, so that the partition can be pivoted between a deployed configuration and an undeployed configuration. The partition at least partially closes the first opening in the undeployed configuration. The partition extends into the carton'"'"'s interior and at least partially around a compartment during the deployed configuration, whereby the partition at least partially defines the compartment during the deployed configuration. At least a second opening extends through the partition.

Claims

1. A carton capable of holding a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

a bottom;

a plurality of side panels extending upwardly from respective edges of the bottom, wherein upright edges of the plurality of side panels are respectively connected to one another to define a plurality of upright corners of the carton;

at least a first opening to the carton'"'"'s interior, wherein the first opening extends across an upright corner of the plurality of upright corners and through the side panels that define the upright corner; and

at least one partition having opposite ends that are respectively pivotably connected at first and second fold lines to the side panels that define the upright corner, so that the partition can be pivoted between a deployed configuration and an undeployed configuration, wherein

the partition at least partially closes the first opening in the undeployed configuration, and

the partition extends into the carton'"'"'s interior and at least partially around a compartment in the carton'"'"'s interior during the deployed configuration, whereby the partition at least partially defines the compartment during the deployed configuration, and

wherein the first and second fold lines extend obliquely with respect to the upright corner, all of the first fold line is spaced apart from the upright corner, and all of the second fold line is spaced apart from the upright corner.

2. The carton according to claim 1, wherein the partition is formed from the side panels that define the upright corner.

3. The carton according to claim 1, wherein the compartment is for holding at least one of the plurality of articles.

4. The carton according to claim 1, wherein during the undeployed configuration, the partition is at least substantially flush with the side panels that define the upright corner.

5. The carton according to claim 1, wherein the bottom includes a plurality of panels that are operative for automatically forming the bottom in response to predetermined folding of the plurality of side panels.

6. The carton according to claim 1, wherein:

upper edges respectively of the plurality of side panels extend around and define an upper opening to the carton'"'"'s interior,

the carton further comprises a cover for at least partially closing the upper opening,

the cover defines at least one opening, and

the opening that is defined by the cover is positioned at least partially aligned with the compartment while the cover is at least partially closing the upper opening during the deployed configuration.

7. The carton according to claim 1, wherein:

the first opening divides the upright corner into an upper corner section and a lower corner section, and

the upper corner section is positioned above the first opening.

8. The carton according to claim 1, wherein:

upper edges respectively of the plurality of side panels extend around and define an upper opening to the carton'"'"'s interior, and

the carton further comprises a cover for at least partially closing the upper opening, with the cover including

at least one handle, and

at least one pair of tabs extending upwardly from the handle, wherein the tabs are spaced apart from one another.

9. The carton according to claim 8, wherein each of the tabs is symbol-shaped.

10. The carton according to claim 8, wherein each of the tabs includes a plurality of lobes.

11. The carton according to claim 1, wherein:

upper edges respectively of the plurality of side panels extend around and define an upper opening to the carton'"'"'s interior;

the carton further comprises a plurality of top panels that are respectively pivotably connected to upper edges of the plurality of side panels, and operative for providing opened and closed configurations;

the upper opening is at least partially closed by the plurality of top panels during the closed configuration; and

at least some of the plurality of top panels are farther away from the upper opening in the opened configuration than in the closed configuration, so that the upper opening to the carton'"'"'s interior is at least partially open during the opened configuration.

12. The carton according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of top panels includes at least one top panel that includes at least one fold line for defining at least first and second sections of the top panel; and

at least the first and second sections are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another during the closed configuration.

13. The carton according to claim 12, wherein the overlapping first and second sections further overlap a side panel of the plurality of side panels during the closed configuration.

14. The carton according to claim 13, wherein the overlapping first and second sections at least partially define a fastening tab that is releasably fastened to the side panel during the closed configuration.

15. The carton according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of top panels is operative for defining opposite gable areas in the closed configuration.

16. The carton according to claim 12, wherein:

the closed configuration is a first closed configuration in which the plurality of top panels is operative for defining opposite gable areas;

the plurality of top panels is further operative for providing a second closed configuration in which the upper opening is at least partially closed by the plurality of top panels;

the first section overlaps the second section in the first closed configuration; and

the second section overlaps the first section in the second closed configuration.

17. The carton according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of top panels is operative for defining an at least substantially flat cover in the second closed configuration.

18. The carton according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of side panels includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel and a fourth side panel;

the plurality of top panels includes

a first top panel foldably connected to an upper edge of the first side panel,

a second top panel foldably connected to an upper edge of the second side panel,

a third top panel foldably connected to an upper edge of the third side panel, and

a fourth top panel foldably connected to an upper edge of the second side panel;

adjacent edges of the first and second top panels are foldably connected to one another;

adjacent edges of the second and third top panels are foldably connected to one another;

adjacent edges of the third and fourth top panels are foldably connected to one another;

adjacent edges of the fourth and first top panels are foldably connected to one another;

the second top panel includes at least a first section, a second section and a third section;

the second section is between the first and third sections at least during the open configuration;

there is an overlapping relationship between the first and second sections during the closed configuration; and

there is an overlapping relationship between the second and third sections during the closed configuration.

19. The carton according to claim 1, further comprising a second opening that extends both through the partition and all the way to a bottom edge of the partition, wherein:

the second opening includes opposite upper and lower ends,

each of the first and second fold lines includes opposite upper and lower ends, and

as compared to the lower ends of the first and second fold lines, the upper end of the second opening is farther away from the bottom of the carton.

20. The carton according to claim 1, further comprising a second opening that extends both through the partition and all the way to a bottom edge of the partition, wherein:

the second opening includes opposite upper and lower ends,

each of the first and second fold lines includes opposite upper and lower ends, and

as compared to the upper ends of the first and second fold lines, the upper end of the second opening is farther away from the bottom of the carton.

21. The carton according to claim 1, further comprising a second opening that extends through the partition, wherein:

the second opening includes opposite upper and lower ends, and a length that extends between the opposite upper and lower ends,

for each fold line of the first and second fold lines, the fold line includes opposite upper and lower ends, and a length that extends between the opposite upper and lower ends of the fold line, and

for each fold line of the first and second fold lines, the length of the fold line is smaller than the length of the second opening.

22. The carton according to claim 1, further comprising a second opening that extends both through the partition and all the way to a bottom edge of the partition, wherein:

the second opening includes opposite upper and lower ends,

each of the first and second fold lines includes opposite upper and lower ends, and

as compared to the lower ends of the first and second fold lines, the lower end of the second opening is closer to the bottom of the carton.

23. The carton according to claim 22, wherein, as compared to the upper ends of the first and second fold lines, the upper end of the second opening is farther away from the bottom of the carton.

24. The carton according to claim 1, wherein the partition includes:

a third fold line positioned between, and spaced apart from, the first and second fold lines, wherein the first and second fold lines extend obliquely with respect to the third fold line; and

a fourth fold line positioned between, and spaced apart from, the second and third fold lines, wherein the fourth fold line extends obliquely with respect to both the upright corner and the third fold line.

25. The carton according to claim 1, comprising a second opening that extends through the partition.

26. The carton according to claim 25, wherein the second opening is symbol-shaped.

27. The carton according to claim 25, wherein the second opening includes a plurality of lobes.

28. The carton according to claim 25, further comprising at least one tab that at least partially defines the first opening, wherein:

first opening extends at least partially around the tab, and

the tab at least partially closes the second opening during the undeployed configuration.

29. The carton according to claim 28, wherein:

the first opening divides the upright corner into an upper corner section and a lower corner section,

the upper corner section is positioned above the first opening, and

the tab extends upwardly from the lower corner section.

30. The carton according to claim 28, wherein the tab is part of the side panels that define the upright corner.

31. The carton according to claim 28, wherein the tab at least generally corresponds in shape to the second opening.

32. The carton according to claim 28, wherein the tab is symbol-shaped.

33. The carton according to claim 28, wherein the tab includes a plurality of lobes.

34. The carton according to claim 28, wherein the tab includes an upright base and three lobes protruding from an upper end of the base, with two of the lobes respectively protruding outwardly from opposite sides of the base, and another of the lobes protruding upwardly from the base.

35. The carton according to claim 34, wherein the tab at least generally corresponds in shape to the second opening.

36. A carton comprising:

a bottom;

a plurality of side panels extending upwardly from respective edges of the bottom, wherein upright edges of the plurality of side panels are respectively connected to one another to define a plurality of upright corners of the carton, wherein at least one upright corner of the plurality of upright corners includes at least one tab that protrudes upwardly, away from the bottom of the carton; and

at least one band that extends across the upright corner and at least partially around the tab, wherein

the band has opposite ends that are respectively pivotably connected at first and second fold lines to the side panels that define the upright corner,

each of the first and second fold lines includes opposite upper and lower ends,

the tab includes opposite upper and lower ends,

as compared to the lower ends of the first and second fold lines, the upper end of the tab is farther away from the bottom of the carton, and

the band is adapted

for being pushed inwardly so that the band extends into the carton'"'"'s interior and at least partially around a compartment in the carton'"'"'s interior, and

so that each of the first and second fold lines is substantially located at a periphery of the carton'"'"'s interior while the band extends into the carton'"'"'s interior and at least partially around the compartment in the carton'"'"'s interior.

37. The carton according to claim 36, wherein:

the band divides the upright corner into an upper corner section and a lower corner section,

the upper corner section is positioned above the band, and

the tab extends upwardly from the lower corner section.

38. The carton according to claim 36, wherein the tab is symbol-shaped.

39. The carton according to claim 36, wherein the tab includes a plurality of lobes.

40. The carton according to claim 36, further comprising at least one fold line that extends along the upright corner, wherein the fold line divides the tab.

41. The carton according to claim 40, wherein the fold line bisects the tab.

42. The carton according to claim 36, further comprising a plurality of lines that define the tab and the band in the side panels that define the upright corner.

43. The carton according to claim 42, wherein the plurality of lines includes at least one tear line.

44. The carton according to claim 43, wherein the tear line includes one or more nicks.

45. The carton according to claim 36, wherein, as compared to the upper ends of the first and second fold lines, the upper end of the tab is farther away from the bottom of the carton.

46. The carton according to claim 36, wherein, as compared to the lower ends of the first and second fold lines, the lower end of the tab is closer to the bottom of the carton.

47. The carton according to claim 36, wherein:

the tab has a length that extends between the opposite upper and lower ends of the tab,

for each fold line of the first and second fold lines, the fold line has a length that extends between the opposite upper and lower ends of the fold line, and

for each fold line of the first and second fold lines, the length of the fold line is smaller than the length of the tab.

48. The carton according to claim 36, wherein the band includes:

a third fold line positioned between, and spaced apart from, the first and second fold lines; and

a fourth fold line positioned between, and spaced apart from, the second and third fold lines.

49. A blank for being erected into a carton, the blank comprising:

a plurality of side panels;

a plurality of fold lines by which edges of the plurality of side panels are respectively connected to one another;

at least one band that extends across a first fold line of the plurality of fold lines, wherein

the band has opposite ends that are respectively pivotably connected at second and third fold lines to the side panels that are connected by the first fold line,

the second and third fold lines extend obliquely with respect to the first fold line,

all of the second fold line is spaced apart from the first fold line, and

all of the third fold line is spaced apart from the first fold line; and

a tab, wherein

the tab extends along the first fold line such that a portion of the first fold line is formed in the tab,

the band extends at least partially around the tab,

the tab has a length that extends between opposite ends of the tab,

each of the second and third fold lines has a length that extends between opposite ends of the second and third fold line, and

the length of each of the second and third fold lines is smaller than the length of the tab.

50. The blank according to claim 49, wherein the tab is symbol-shaped.

51. The blank according to claim 49, wherein the tab includes a plurality of lobes.

52. The blank according to claim 49, further comprising a plurality of lines that define the tab and the band in the side panels that are connected by the fold line.

53. The blank according to claim 52, wherein the plurality of lines includes at least one tear line.

54. The blank according to claim 49, wherein the first fold line divides the tab.

55. The blank according to claim 49, wherein the band includes a fourth fold line positioned between, and spaced apart from, the first and second fold lines,

wherein the fourth fold line extends obliquely with respect to the first fold line.

56. A blank for being erected into a carton, the blank comprising:

a plurality of side panels;

a plurality of fold lines by which edges of the plurality of side panels are respectively connected to one another;

at least one band that extends across a first fold line of the plurality of fold lines; and

a plurality of lines that define a tab and the band in the side panels that are connected by the first fold line, wherein

the plurality of lines includes at least one tear line,

the band has opposite ends that are respectively pivotably connected at second and third fold lines to the side panels that are connected by the first fold line,

the second and third fold lines extend obliquely with respect to the first fold line,

all of the second fold line is spaced apart from the first fold line, and

all of the third fold line is spaced apart from the first fold line.

57. A blank for being erected into a carton, the blank comprising:

a plurality of side panels that are respectively connected to one another;

a fold line; and

a top panel foldably connected by way of the fold line to at least one of the side panels, wherein the top panel includes

a handle with a handle opening and a gripping region adjacent to the handle opening, wherein the gripping region includes opposite first and second ends,

a first tab proximate the first end of the gripping region, wherein the first tab projects away from the handle opening, and

a second tab proximate the second end of the gripping region, wherein

the second tab projects away from the handle opening,

the second tab is spaced apart from the first tab so that a gap is defined between the first and second tabs,

the gap and the handle opening are positioned on opposite sides of the gripping region so that the gap extends in a first direction away from a first of the opposite sides of the gripping region, and the handle opening extends in a second direction away from a second of the opposite sides of the gripping region,

the first and second directions are opposite from one another,

the first and second directions are perpendicular to the fold line,

a maximal distance that the first tab extends in the first direction away from the fold line is substantially greater than a maximal distance that the gripping region extends in the first direction away from the fold line, and a maximal distance that the second tab extends in the first direction away from the fold line is substantially greater than the maximal distance that the gripping region extends in the first direction away from the fold line, so that, as compared to the gripping region, the first and second tabs are farther away from the fold line than any other portion of the top panel.

58. The blank according to claim 57, further comprising a handle flap positioned in the handle opening

59. A carton erected from the blank of claim 57, wherein:

the top panel at least partially closes an opening to the carton;

each of the gripping region and the first and second tabs extend upwardly; and

the first and second tabs extend substantially farther upwardly than the gripping region.

60. The blank according to claim 57, wherein:

the top panel is a first top panel, the handle is a first handle, the handle opening is a first handle opening, and the gripping region is a first gripping region;

the blank further comprises a second top panel foldably connected to at least one of the side panels; and

the second top panel includes

a second handle with a second handle opening and a second gripping region adjacent to the second handle opening, wherein the second gripping region includes opposite first and second ends,

a third tab proximate the first end of the second gripping region, wherein the third tab projects away from the second handle opening, and

a fourth tab proximate the second end of the second gripping region, wherein the fourth tab projects away from the second handle opening, and the fourth tab is spaced apart from the third tab so that a second gap is defined between the third and fourth tabs,

the second gap and the second handle opening are positioned on opposite sides of the of the second gripping region so that the second gap extends in the first direction away from a first of the opposite sides of the second gripping region, and the second handle opening extends in the second direction away from a second of the opposite sides of the second gripping region, and

as compared to the second gripping region, the third and fourth tabs extend substantially farther away from the plurality of side panels in the first direction.

61. A carton erected from the blank of claim 60, wherein:

the first and second top panels at least partially close an opening to the carton;

the first handle opening is aligned with the second handle opening;

the first gripping region is aligned with the second gripping region;

the first tab is aligned with the third tab;

the second tab is aligned with the fourth tab; and

the first, second, third and fourth tabs extend upwardly.

62. The carton according to claim 61, wherein:

the first and third tabs are in opposing face-to-face contact with one another; and

the second and fourth tabs are in opposing face-to-face contact with one another.

63. The blank according to claim 57, wherein each of the first and second tabs is immediately adjacent to the gripping region.