Carton with top gusset

• US 8,770,469 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Burke, Bradley J., Strand, Scott T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US12/622,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20100127061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 229/138, 229/137, 229/242, 229/139, 229/125.42
• US Class Current: 229/165
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/54 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/18 by folding a single blank to U-shape to form the base of the container and opposite sides of the body portion, the remaining sides being formed primarily by extensions of one or more of these opposite sides, e.g. flaps hinged thereto B65D5/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/302 combined with a slot provided in an adjacent side wall
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/545 for opening containers formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/548 for opening containers formed by erecting a blank to U-shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/6635 the lid-halves being held in closed position by flaps or tabs provided at their edge opposite to their hinge B65D5/6644, B65D5/6647 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24273 including aperture

Abstract

A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a gable top comprising two top panels at a top of the carton. The gable top comprises at least one gusset foldably connected to a side flap and one of the top panels. The first and second top flaps angle inwardly from a respective front panel and back panel of the carton.

Claims

1. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprises:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton, the panels comprise

a front panel,

a first top panel foldably connected to the front panel,

a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel,

a back panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and

a second top panel foldably connected to the back panel, wherein one of the front and back panels at least partially forms a lid and the other of the front and back panels at least partially forms a tray;

at least one side flap foldably connected to at least one of the front and back panels; and

at least one gusset foldably connected to the at least one side flap and one of the first and the second top panels, wherein the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to the at least one side flap and a second gusset panel foldably connected to one of the first top panel and the second top panel, and the second gusset panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of an interior surface of at least one of the first top panel and the second top panel;

wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second top panels angles upwardly and inwardly from a respective front panel and back panel and the first top panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second top panel to form a top of the carton.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein the at least one side flap comprises a first back side flap foldably connected to the back panel and a second back side flap foldably connected to the back panel, the bottom panel, the back panel, the first back side flap, the second back side flap, the at least one gusset, and the second top panel at least partially form the tray.

3. The carton of claim 2 further comprising a first bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel.

4. The carton of claim 2 further comprising a first front side flap foldably connected to the front panel, and a second front side flap foldably connected to the front panel, the first front side flap, the second front side flap, the front panel, and the first top panel at least partially form the lid.

5. The carton of claim 4 wherein the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset and a second gusset, the first gusset panel of each of the first gusset and the second gusset is foldably connected to a respective one of the first back side flap and the second back side flap, the second gusset panel of the first gusset is foldably connected to the first gusset panel of the first gusset, and the second gusset panel of the second gusset is foldably connected to the first gusset panel of the second gusset.

6. The carton of claim 5 wherein each first gusset panel is connected to a respective second gusset panel at an oblique fold line.

7. The carton of claim 6 wherein the first gusset is connected to the second top panel at a first longitudinal fold line and the second gusset is connected to the second top panel at a second longitudinal fold line, and the second gusset panel of each of the first and second gussets is in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the second top panel.

8. The carton of claim 5 wherein the first top panel comprises a first base portion foldably connected to the front panel and a first top flap at a respective marginal portion of the first top panel, and the second top panel comprises a second base portion foldably connected to the back panel and a second top flap at a respective marginal portion of the second top panel.

9. The carton of claim 8 wherein the first and second base portions slope inwardly from a respective front and back panel, and the first and second top flaps are at least partially in face-to-face contact and are generally parallel to the front and back panels.

10. The carton of claim 9 wherein the first top flap is adhered to the second top flap.

11. The carton of claim 8 wherein the second gusset panels of each of the first and second gussets are in face-to-face contact with the second base portion.

12. The carton of claim 11 wherein each of the second gusset panels is adhered to the second base portion.

13. The carton of claim 8 wherein each of the first gusset and the second gusset comprises a third gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel, wherein each of the third gusset panels is adhered to the first base portion.

14. The carton of claim 13 wherein for each of the first and second gussets, the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the second and third gusset panels at a respective first and second oblique fold line.

15. The carton of claim 13 wherein the first back side flap is connected to the back panel at a first longitudinal fold line, the second back side flap is connected to the back panel at a second longitudinal fold line, and each first gusset panel is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second back side flaps at a respective lateral fold line.

16. The carton of claim 2 wherein the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset and a second gusset, and each first gusset panel is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second back side flaps at a first oblique fold line and each second gusset panel is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second back side flaps at a second oblique fold line.

17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the first and second oblique fold lines are arranged to form an inverted V shape with the second oblique fold line extending from a transverse fold line connecting the second top panel to the back panel and the first and second gusset panels meet at the apex of the inverted V shape.

18. The carton of claim 17 wherein the at least one side flap further comprises a first front side flap foldably connected to the front panel and a second front side flap foldably connected to the front panel, and each of the first and second front side flaps comprises two oblique edges that form a pointed end proximate to the first top panel.

19. The carton of claim 16 wherein the at least one gusset further comprises a third gusset and a fourth gusset, each of the third gusset and the fourth gusset comprises a gusset panel connected to the first top panel.

20. The carton of claim 19 wherein the at least one side flap further comprises a first front side flap foldably connected to the front panel and a second front side flap foldably connected to the front panel, and the gusset panel of each of the third gusset and the fourth gusset is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second front side flaps at a respective oblique fold line.

21. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a dispenser that comprises at least one tear line extending at least partially across at least one of the front and back panels.

22. The carton of claim 21, the at least one tear line comprises a first tear line extending in the back panel and a second tear line extending in the front panel, at least one of the first and second tear lines extending across at least a portion of the at least one side flap.

23. The carton of claim 22, the second tear line extending generally laterally across at least a portion of the front panel.

24. The carton of claim 22, the first tear line comprises a first oblique portion and a second oblique portion, the first and second oblique portions converging on a finger flap in the back panel.

25. The carton of claim 1, the front panel defining an opening, wherein a generally transparent film is applied to the front panel to at least partially cover the opening.

26. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprises:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel, a back panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the back panel, wherein one of the front and back panels at least partially forms a lid and the other of the front and back panels at least partially forms a tray;

at least one side flap foldably connected to at least one of the front and back panels, wherein the at least one side flap comprises a first back side flap foldably connected to the back panel and a second back side flap foldably connected to the back panel;

at least one gusset foldably connected to the at least one side flap and one of the first and the second top panels, wherein the bottom panel, the back panel, the first back side flap, the second back side flap, the at least one gusset, and the second top panel at least partially form the tray; and

a first bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, wherein each of the first and second bottom flaps comprise a locking portion and the first and second back side flaps each comprise a respective cut that receives the locking portion of the respective first and second bottom flap;

wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second top panels angles upwardly and inwardly from a respective front panel and back panel and the first top panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second top panel to form a top of the carton.

27. The carton of claim 26 wherein the first and second bottom flaps are each at least partially in face-to-face contact with an external surface of the respective first and second back side flaps.

28. A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, the blank comprises:

a plurality of panels that comprise

a front panel,

a first top panel foldably connected to the front panel,

a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel,

a back panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and

a second top panel foldably connected to the back panel, wherein one of the front and back panels is for forming a lid in the carton formed from the blank and the other of the front and back panels is for forming a tray in the carton formed from the blank;

at least one side flap foldably connected to at least one of the front and back panels along a longitudinal fold line, the at least one side flap comprising a free edge that is generally parallel to the longitudinal fold line; and

at least one gusset foldably connected to the at least one side flap and one of the first and the second top panels, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second top panels is for being positioned to angle inwardly and upwardly from a respective front panel and back panel and the first top panel is for being positioned to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second top panel to form a top of the carton formed from the blank.

29. The blank of claim 28 wherein the at least one side flap comprises a first back side flap foldably connected to the back panel and a second back side flap foldably connected to the back panel.

30. The blank of claim 29 further comprising a first bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel.

31. The blank of claim 29 further comprising a first front side flap foldably connected to the front panel, and a second front side flap foldably connected to the front panel.

32. The blank of claim 31 wherein the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset and a second gusset, each of the first gusset and the second gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to a respective one of the first back side flap and the second back side flap, and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and one of the first top panel and the second top panel.

33. The blank of claim 32 wherein each first gusset panel is connected to a respective second gusset panel at an oblique fold line.

34. The blank of claim 33 wherein the first gusset is connected to the second top panel at a first longitudinal fold line and the second gusset is connected to the second top panel at a second longitudinal fold line.

35. The blank of claim 34 wherein the at least one gusset further comprises a third gusset and a fourth gusset, each of the third gusset and the fourth gusset comprises a gusset panel connected to the first top panel.

36. The blank of claim 35 wherein the gusset panel of each of the third gusset and the fourth gusset is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second front side flaps at a respective oblique fold line.

37. The blank of claim 32 wherein the first top panel comprises a first base portion foldably connected to the front panel and a first top flap at a respective marginal portion of the first top panel, and the second top panel comprises a second base portion foldably connected to the back panel and a second top flap at a respective marginal portion of the second top panel.

38. The blank of claim 32 wherein each first gusset panel is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second back side flaps at a first oblique fold line and each second gusset panel is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second back side flaps at a second oblique fold line.

39. The blank of claim 38 wherein the first and second oblique fold lines are arranged to form an inverted V shape with the second oblique fold line extending from a transverse fold line connecting the second top panel to the back panel and the first and second gusset panels meet at the apex of the inverted V shape.

40. The blank of claim 39 wherein each of the first and second front side flaps comprises two oblique edges that form a pointed end proximate to the first top panel.

41. The blank of claim 38 wherein the at least one gusset further comprises a third gusset and a fourth gusset, each of the third gusset and the fourth gusset comprises a gusset panel connected to the first top panel.

42. The blank of claim 41 wherein the gusset panel of each of the third gusset and the fourth gusset is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second front side flaps at a respective oblique fold line.

43. The blank of claim 32 wherein each of the first gusset and the second gusset comprises a third gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel, wherein each of the third gusset panels is adhered to the first base portion.

44. The blank of claim 43 wherein for each of the first and second gussets, the first gusset panel is foldably connected to the second and third gusset panels at a respective first and second oblique fold line.

45. The blank of claim 43 wherein the first back side flap is connected to the back panel at a first longitudinal fold line, the second back side flap is connected to the back panel at a second longitudinal fold line, and each first gusset panel is foldably connected to a respective one of the first and second back side flaps at a respective lateral fold line.

46. The blank of claim 28, further comprising a dispenser panel at least partially defined by at least one tear line extending at least partially across at least one of the front and back panels.

47. The blank of claim 46 wherein the at least one tear line comprises a first tear line extending in the back panel and a second tear line extending in the front panel, at least one of the first and second tear lines extending across at least a portion of the at least one side flap.

48. The blank of claim 28 wherein the front panel comprises an opening, and the blank comprises a generally transparent film is applied to the front panel to at least partially cover the opening.

49. A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles, the blank comprises:

a plurality of panels that comprise a front panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the front panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the front panel, a back panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the back panel, wherein one of the front and back panels is for forming a lid in the carton formed from the blank and the other of the front and back panels is for forming a tray in the carton formed from the blank;

at least one side flap foldably connected to at least one of the front and back panels, wherein the at least one side flap comprises a first back side flap foldably connected to the back panel and a second back side flap foldably connected to the back panel; and

at least one gusset foldably connected to the at least one side flap and one of the first and the second top panels, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second top panels is for being positioned to angle inwardly and upwardly from a respective front panel and back panel and the first top panel is for being positioned to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second top panel to form a top of the carton formed from the blank; and

a first bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a second bottom flap foldably connected to the bottom panel;

wherein each of the first and second bottom flaps comprise a locking portion and the first and second back side flaps each comprise a respective cut that receives the locking portion of the respective first and second bottom flap.