CN114803046A - Carton and blank therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carton and a blank therefor. A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of main panels forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure. The plurality of main panels includes a second panel and a fourth panel disposed opposite to each other. The end closure structure includes second and fourth end closure panels hingedly connected to the second and fourth panels, respectively. The second end closure panel overlies an outer surface of a portion of the fourth end closure panel. The fourth end closure panel has a recessed corner cut at least partially defined by a first edge that is complementary in shape to a corresponding portion of the free end edge of the second end closure panel, and the second and fourth end closure panels are configured such that said first edge is not covered by said second end closure panel.

Description

Carton and blank therefor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a carton and a blank for forming the carton.

Background

In the packaging art, it is known to provide cartons for carrying a plurality of articles. Cartons are well known in the art and enable consumers to transport, store and access articles for consumption. For cost and environmental reasons, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible in order to waste as little material as possible from which the carton or carrier is formed. A further consideration is the strength of the carton and its adaptability in applications where heavy articles are held and transported. It is desirable that the contents secured in the carton be safe.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in the field of cartons generally formed from paperboard or the like.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton comprising a plurality of main panels forming a tubular structure and an end closure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure. The plurality of main panels includes a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a fourth panel, wherein the second panel and the fourth panel are arranged to be opposite to each other. The end closure structure comprises a second end closure panel hingedly connected to the second panel along a second fold line and a fourth end closure panel hingedly connected to the fourth panel along a fourth fold line, the second and fourth end closure panels overlapping one another such that the second end closure panel overlies an outer surface of a portion of the fourth end closure panel, the second end closure panel having a free end edge opposite the second fold line, the fourth end closure panel having a free end edge opposite the fourth fold line, the free end edge of the fourth end closure panel having a recessed corner cut defined at least in part by the first edge; the first edge and a corresponding portion of the free end edge of the second end closure panel are mutually matched, in particular complementary in shape, and the second end closure panel and the fourth end closure panel are configured such that the first edge is not covered by the second end closure panel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a blank for forming a carton is provided. The blank comprises a plurality of main panels for forming the walls of the tubular structure and a plurality of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for at least partially closing the ends of the tubular structure. The plurality of main panels are hinged to one another in a linear arrangement and include a first panel, a second panel, and a fourth panel. The second and fourth panels are oppositely disposed in the formed tubular structure. The end closure structure comprises a second end closure panel hingedly connected to the second panel along a second fold line and a fourth end closure panel hingedly connected to the fourth panel along a fourth fold line. In the manufacture of the blanks, two adjacent blanks are arranged rotated 180 ° relative to each other with the upper and lower edges flush.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second end closure panel has a free end edge opposite the second fold line, the fourth end closure panel has a free end edge opposite the fourth fold line, the free end edge of the fourth end closure panel has a recessed corner cut at least partially defined by a first edge and a second edge, the recessed corner cut being complementary in shape to a corner of the second end closure panel such that, for two blanks arranged adjacently, a corner of the second end closure panel of one blank can be received in a corner cut of the fourth end closure panel of the other blank.

Within the scope of the present application, it is contemplated that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims, and/or in the following description and drawings may be employed independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is an incompatibility of the features.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a top plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carton formed from the blank of fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a piece of substrate and illustrates how a plurality of blanks similar to the blank shown in FIG. 1 may be cut from the substrate;

fig. 4 is a top plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carton formed from the blank of fig. 4;

fig. 6 is a top plan view of a piece of substrate and illustrates how a plurality of blanks similar to the blank shown in fig. 4 can be cut from the substrate.

Detailed Description

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of packages, blanks, and cartons are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the ways in which certain aspects of the invention may be practiced and are not representative of all ways in which the invention may be practiced. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used broadly to refer to an embodiment that is used as a drawing, specimen, model, or pattern. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks, and cartons described herein can be embodied in various and optional forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods have not necessarily been described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a blank 10 that can be formed into a carton or carrier 90. The carton or carrier 90 can form a secondary package to be used to package and contain a group of primary product containers or packages, such as but not limited to cans.

In the embodiments described in detail herein, for non-limiting purposes of illustrating various features of the invention, the terms "carton" and "carrier" refer to containers for engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as primary product containers. It is envisioned that the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to a variety of product containers that may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (e.g., metal, glass, or plastic bottles), cans (e.g., aluminum cans), tins, bags, sachets, and the like.

The blanks described herein are formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It will be understood that, as used herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes a wide variety of foldable sheets, such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It will be appreciated that one or more blanks may be employed, for example, where appropriate, to provide a carrier structure described in more detail below.

The packaging structures or cartons described herein may be formed from a sheet-form substrate (such as paperboard) that may be made or coated with a particular material to increase its strength. One surface of the substrate may have different characteristics than the other surface. For example, the surface of the substrate on the outside of the finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating (such as a clay coating) or be subjected to other surface treatment measures to provide good printability. On the other hand, the inward-facing surface of the substrate may be provided with a coating, cladding, surface treatment or otherwise prepared to provide desired characteristics, such as tear resistance, good adhesion, heat sealability or one or more other desired functional characteristics.

In an exemplary embodiment, the blank 10 is configured to form a carton 90 or carrier 90 for packaging articles. Wherein the carton 90 can be sized and shaped, for example, for packaging cans arranged in a 2 x 6 matrix. It should be noted that the blanks can be configured to form cartons or carriers for packaging any other type, number, and size of articles and/or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration, as desired.

Referring to fig. 1, a blank 10 for forming a carton 90 (see fig. 2) according to a first embodiment is shown. The blank 10 comprises a plurality of main panels comprising: a first panel 12 hingedly connected to a second panel 14 by a fold line 11; a second panel 14 hingedly connected to a third panel 16 by fold line 13; a third panel 16 hingedly connected to a fourth panel 18 by fold line 15; and a fourth panel 18 hingedly connected to the fixed panel 20 by fold line 17.

Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the securing panel 20 and/or to corresponding areas of the first panel 12 when the carton 90 is assembled. A portion of the first panel 12 is brought into face contacting relationship with the securing panel 20 to secure the first panel 12 to the securing panel 20.

The plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18 of the first blank 10 form an open-ended tubular structure when the carton 90 is erected.

The ends of the tubular structure are at least partially closed by end closure structures. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the tubular structure defined by the plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18 are fully enclosed by first and second end enclosure structures, respectively.

The first end closure structure includes a plurality of end closure panels 22a, 24a, 26a, 28a and is configured to close a first end of the tubular structure. Wherein a first end closure panel 22a is hingedly connected to a first end of the first panel 12 by fold line 21 a. A second end closure panel 24a is hingedly connected to a first end of the second panel 14 by fold line 23 a. A third end closure panel 26a is hingedly connected to a first end of the third panel 16 by fold line 25 a. A fourth end closure panel 28a is hingedly connected to a first end of the fourth panel 18 by fold line 27 a.

The second end closure structure comprises a plurality of end closure panels 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b and is configured to close the second end of the tubular structure. Wherein a fifth end closure panel 22b is hingedly connected to the second end of the first panel 12 by fold line 21 b. A sixth end closure panel 24b is hingedly connected to the second end of the second panel 14 by fold line 23 b. A seventh end closure panel 26b is hingedly connected to the second end of the third panel 16 by fold line 25 b. An eighth end closure panel 28b is hingedly connected to the second end of the fourth panel 18 by fold line 27 b.

In the first end closure structure, both the second and fourth end closure panels 24a, 28a form a primary end closure panel and both the first and third end closure panels 22a, 26a form a secondary end closure panel.

In the second end closure structure, both the sixth and eighth end closure panels 24b, 28b form a primary end closure panel and both the fifth and seventh end closure panels 22b, 26b form a secondary end closure panel.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second end closure panel 24a has a free end edge 31 opposite the fold line 23a, and a free side edge 51 extending between the fold line 23a and the free end edge 31.

The fourth end closure panel 28a has a free end edge 33 opposite the fold line 27 a. At one end of the free end edge 33, there is a corner cut that is recessed with respect to the free end edge 33. At the end of the free end edge 33 of the fourth end closure panel 28a proximate the third panel 16, the first edge 53 at least partially defines a corner cut that is recessed from the free end edge 33. At one end of the fourth end closure panel 28a, proximate the fixed panel 20, the fourth end closure panel 28a has a free side edge 57 extending from the fold line 27a towards the free end edge 33.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and turning to fig. 2, fig. 2 shows a first end closure of a first end of the erected carton 90. In fig. 2, the edge of a panel shown in dashed lines indicates that it is occluded. As shown in fig. 2, the second end closure panel 24a and the fourth end closure panel 28a partially overlap each other, and wherein the second end closure panel 24a overlies an outer surface of a portion of the fourth end closure panel 28a so as to be located outwardly relative to the fourth end closure panel 28 a. The first edge 53 of the fourth end closure panel 28a is complementary in shape to a corresponding portion of the free end edge 31 of the second end closure panel 24a corresponding to the extent of the first edge 53. In the illustrated embodiment, the first edge 53 of the fourth end closure panel 28a is spaced a distance from the free end edge 31 of the second end closure panel 24a and is not covered by the second end closure panel 24a, such that the first edge 53 of the fourth end closure panel 28a is exposed when viewed from the exterior of the carton.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, first edge 53, free end edge 31, and free end edge 33 are all generally parallel to fold lines 23a and 27 a.

In a more preferred embodiment, the second edge 55 also at least partially defines a corner cut that is recessed from the free end edge 33. The second edge 55 of the fourth end closure panel 28a is complementary in shape to a portion of the free side edge 51 of the second end closure panel 24a extending proximate the free end edge 31.

At the end of the first end closure structure proximate the third panel 16, the free side edge of the second end closure panel 24a is substantially co-linear with the parallel section of the free side edge of the fourth end closure panel 28a that is substantially parallel to the fold line 25 a. In the embodiment shown, the free side edge of the second end closure panel 24a comprises an inclined section and a parallel section parallel to the fold line 21 a. The free side edge 51 on the side of the second end closure panel 24a adjacent the first panel 12 has a longer inclined section and/or a greater angle of inclination than the free side edge on the side adjacent the third panel 16 so that the corner of the second end closure panel 24a adjacent the first panel 12 is closer to the central axis of the tubular structure than the corner adjacent the third panel 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, at the end of the first end closure structure proximate the first panel 12, the free side edge 51 of the second end closure panel 24a extends adjacent the free side edge 57 of the fourth end closure panel 28 a. As shown in fig. 2, on either side of the free end edge 31 of the second end closure panel 24a, the first distance D1 from the fold line 21a of the free side edge 57 of the fourth end closure panel 28a not covered by the second end closure panel 24a is less than the second distance D2 from the fold line 21a of the free side edge 51 of the second end closure panel 24 a. In other words, the free side edge 51 of the second end closure panel 24a is closer to the central axis of the tubular structure than the free side edge 57 of the fourth end closure panel 28 a.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the second edge 55 is substantially perpendicular to the first edge 53 and the free end edge 31 of the second end closure panel 24 a. On either side of the free end edge 31 of the second end closure panel 24a, the free side edge 57 of the fourth end closure panel 28a and the free side edge 51 of the second end closure panel 24a are generally parallel to each other and to the fold line 21 a.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner cut of the fourth end closure panel 28a defined by the first and second edges 53 and 55 is complementary in shape to the corner of the second end closure panel 24a defined by the free side edge 51 and the free end edge 31 on the side opposite the corner cut.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third panel 16 defines a display window W1. At least a portion of at least one article disposed adjacent the display window is visible from outside the carton through the display window when the articles are loaded into the carton. Advantageously, the at least one article can be placed in a desired orientation relative to the opening provided by the display window W1 such that various labels and advertising material to be displayed attached to or printed on the exterior surface of the at least one article can be optimally visible, such as in cooperation with the graphics printed on the carton 90, to collectively provide a desired visual effect.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth panel 18 defines a generally triangular opening W2. Through which product information provided on the surface of the articles loaded in the carton, such as expiry dates, which are typically printed on the outer surface of the articles, or bar codes in the form of printed stickers, as well as any other desired information, can be read from outside the carton. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening W2 is provided on the bottom surface of the carton 90 so that product information on the bottom of an article, such as a can, can be viewed. It should be understood that the opening W2 can be provided on any main panel as desired.

The display window W1 and the opening W2 can be sealed with a clear plastic film or any other suitable material as desired to prevent dust and moisture from entering into the carton 90.

As shown in fig. 2, the second end closure panel 24a is provided with a line of weakness 71 which extends from the free end edge 31 through the second end closure panel 24a and connects with a line of weakness 73 provided in the second panel 14. The line of weakness 73 is arcuate with one end meeting the line of weakness 71 and the other end terminating at the intersection of the fold line 11 and the fold line 23a to define the arcuate portion 46 in the second panel 14. To facilitate tearing of the second end closure panel 24a, a line of weakness 91 may be provided. The line of weakness 91 is arcuate in shape and extends from the free end edge 31 and terminates at the line of weakness 71. The lines of weakness 91 and lines of weakness 71 together define the cut out tab 42.

The fourth end closure panel 28a is provided with a line of weakness 75 which extends from the free end edge 33 through the fourth end closure panel 28a and connects to a line of weakness 77 provided in the fourth panel 18. The line of weakness 77 is arcuate with one end meeting the line of weakness 75 and the other end terminating at the intersection of the fold line 17 and the fold line 27b to define the arcuate portion 48 in the fourth panel 18. To facilitate tearing of the fourth end closure panel 28a, a line of weakness 93 may be provided. The line of weakness 93 is arcuate in shape and terminates at its ends at the line of weakness 75. The lines of weakness 93 and lines of weakness 75 together define the cut out tabs 44.

With continued reference to fig. 2, upon opening the carton 90 for access to articles, the material on either side of the lines of weakness 91 and 93 can be readily separated first, thereby facilitating insertion of a finger through the cut-out tabs 42 and 44 into the carton 90, and pulling outwardly so that the second end closure panel 24a tears along the line of weakness 71 and the fourth end closure panel 28a tears along the line of weakness 75, followed by the second panel 14 tearing along the line of weakness 73 and the fourth panel 18 tearing along the line of weakness 77. Thus, the portion of the second end closure panel 24a to the right of the line of weakness 71, the portion of the fourth end closure panel 28a to the right of the line of weakness 75, the arcuate portion 46 of the second panel 14, the arcuate portion 48 of the fourth panel 18, and the third end closure panel 26a collectively form a channel. The channel is hinged to the first panel 12 via fold line 21b and is pivotable relative to the first panel 12 to form an opening at the end of the carton 90 closed by the second end closure to enable access to the articles loaded inside the carton 90.

Fig. 3 depicts a single substrate and illustrates how a plurality of carton blanks B1, B2 can be arranged or nested to maximize the utilization of the single substrate.

B1 and B2 are both substantially identical to blank 10 shown in fig. 1. When cut, blank B1 and blank B2 are disposed at a 180 ° rotation relative to each other, with the upper and lower edges of blanks B1 and B2 being flush, and with a corner of the second end closure panel of blank B1 being snugly received in a corner cut defined on the fourth end closure panel of blank B2, and correspondingly, with a corner of the second end closure panel of blank B2 also being snugly received in a corner cut defined on the fourth end closure panel of blank B1.

According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, since the profiles of the second end closure panel and the fourth end closure panel of the blanks are at least partially complementary, the distance between two adjacent blanks can be shortened by proper nesting arrangement, thereby effectively reducing the consumption of base material for making the carton blanks.

Fig. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment according to the present invention. In the illustrated second embodiment, identical numerals are used to indicate identical parts, where possible, although a prefix "100" has been added to indicate that these features belong to the second embodiment. The second embodiment has many technical features in common with the first embodiment, and therefore, only its differences from the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3 will be described in more detail.

Fig. 4 illustrates a blank 110 for forming a fully enclosed type carton 190 (see fig. 5) according to a second embodiment. The blank 110 comprises a first panel 112 hingedly connected to a fourth panel 118 by fold line 111; a fourth panel 118 hingedly connected to the third panel 116 by fold line 113; a third panel 116 hingedly connected to the second panel 114 by fold line 115. The second panel 114 is hingedly connected to the fixed panel 120 by fold line 117.

Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the securing panel 120 and/or to corresponding areas of the first panel 112 when the carton 190 is assembled. A portion of the first panel 112 is brought into face contacting relationship with the fixed panel 120 to secure the first panel 112 to the fixed panel 120.

The plurality of main panels 112, 114, 116, 118 of the blank 110 form an open-ended tubular structure when the carton 190 is erected.

The ends of the tubular structure are at least partially closed by end closure structures. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the tubular structure defined by the plurality of main panels 112, 114, 116, 118 are completely enclosed by the first and second end enclosure structures, respectively.

Wherein the first end closure structure comprises a plurality of end closure panels 122a, 124a, 126a, 128a and is configured to close a first end of the tubular structure. Wherein a first end closure panel 122a is hingedly connected to a first end of the first panel 12 by fold line 121 a. A second end closure panel 124a is hingedly connected to a first end of the second panel 14 by fold line 123 a. A third end closure panel 126a is hingedly connected to a first end of the third panel 116 by fold line 125 a. A fourth end closure panel 128a is hingedly connected to a first end of the fourth panel 118 by fold line 127 a.

The fourth end closure panel 128a has a free end edge 133 opposite fold line 127a and has a corner cut at the end of the free end edge 133 that is recessed relative to the free end edge 133. In the illustrated embodiment, at the end of the free end edge 133 of the fourth end closure panel 128a proximate the first panel 112, the first edge 153 and the second edge 155 at least partially define a corner cut that is recessed from the free end edge 133.

The second end closure panel 124a has a free end edge 131 opposite the fold line 123 a.

With continued reference to fig. 4, and turning to fig. 5, fig. 5 illustrates a second end closure of an end of the erected carton 190. The second end closure panel 124a and the fourth end closure panel 128a partially overlap each other, and wherein the second end closure panel 124a overlies an outer surface of the fourth end closure panel 128a so as to be outboard with respect to the fourth end closure panel 128 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first edge 153 of the corner cut of the fourth end closure panel 128a is contiguous with and aligned with the free end edge 131 of the second end closure panel 124a, is complementary in shape, and the first edge 153 is not covered by the second end closure panel 124a, so that the first edge 153 of the fourth end closure panel 128a is exposed when viewed from the exterior of the carton.

Fig. 6 depicts a single substrate and illustrates how a plurality of carton blanks B3, B4 can be arranged or nested to maximize the utilization of the single substrate.

Both B3 and B4 are substantially identical to the blank 110 shown in fig. 4. When cut, blank B3 and blank B4 are disposed at a 180 ° rotation relative to each other, with the upper and lower edges of blanks B3 and B4 being flush, and with a corner of the second end closure panel of blank B3 being snugly received in a corner cut defined on the fourth end closure panel of blank B4, and correspondingly, with a corner of the second end closure panel of blank B3 also being snugly received in a corner cut defined on the fourth end closure panel of blank B4.

According to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention, the second end closure panel and the fourth end closure panel of the blank are at least partially complementary in profile, thereby enabling an effective reduction in the consumption of substrate material from which the carton blank is made by a proper nesting arrangement.

It will be appreciated that various changes can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels, windows, and openings may be adjusted to accommodate articles of different sizes or shapes.

It will be appreciated that, as used herein, directional references such as "top," "bottom," "base," "front," "back," "end," "side," "inner," "outer," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientations, but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

As used herein, "line of weakness" refers to any line defining a separation line in a foldable sheet (such as paperboard) that serves to facilitate separation of portions of a blank formed from the sheet from one another, or otherwise indicate an optimal separation location on the blank. The line of weakness can be formed by a single cut line, a single half cut line, a perforated line, a cut line, a slit cut line, a half cut line, any combination thereof, and the like.

As used herein, the term "hinge" refers to all manner of attachment provided by one or more fold lines defining hinge features of the sheet or substrate of the blank. Such one or more fold lines facilitate folding respective portions of the blank or substrate relative to one another, or otherwise indicate an optimal fold location for the blank or substrate. Any reference to "hinged" should not be construed as necessarily referring to a connection provided by only a single fold line; in practice, "hinged" may refer to a connection formed by two or more fold lines.

The term "fold line" as used herein refers to any line defining a hinge line in a foldable substrate (such as paperboard) for facilitating folding of portions of the substrate or blank relative to one another, or otherwise indicating an optimal folding location on the substrate or blank. The fold line may be formed by a single indentation, a single half cut, a perforated line, a cut line, a slit cut line, a half cut, a pressed line, and the like, any combination thereof, and the like.

It should be understood that the elements of the fold lines or cut lines, such as cut lines, indentations, half-cuts, seam cuts, perforations, etc., may be sized to provide the desired functionality. For example, the perforation lines can be sized or designed to be weaker to define fold lines and/or severance lines. Perforated lines can be designed to promote folding and prevent breakage, to promote folding and promote breakage with more force, or to promote breakage with less force.

Claims (11)

1. A carton (90, 190) for packaging articles, the carton comprising a plurality of main panels for forming a tubular structure, the plurality of main panels comprising a first panel (12, 112), a second panel (14, 114), a third panel (16, 116) and a fourth panel (18, 118), and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure, wherein the second panel (14, 114) and the fourth panel (18, 118) are arranged opposite one another, the end closure structure comprising a second end closure panel (24, 124) and a fourth end closure panel (28, 128), wherein the second end closure panel (24, 124) is hingedly connected to the second panel (14, 114) along a second fold line (23, 123), and the fourth end closure panel (28, 128) is hingedly connected to the second panel (14, 114) along a fourth fold line (27, 27), 127) Is hingedly connected to the fourth panel (18, 118),

wherein the second end closure panel (24, 124) and the fourth end closure panel (28, 128) overlap one another such that the second end closure panel (24, 124) overlies an outer surface of a portion of the fourth end closure panel (28, 128), the second end closure panel (24, 124) having a free end edge (31, 131) opposite the second fold line (23, 123), the fourth end closure panel (28, 128) having a free end edge (33, 133) opposite the fourth fold line (27, 127), wherein the free end edge (33, 133) of the fourth end closure panel (28, 128) has a concave corner cut defined at least in part by the first edge (53, 153);

wherein the first edge (53, 153) is complementary in shape to a corresponding portion of the free end edge (31, 131) of the second end closure panel (24, 124), and the second end closure panel (24, 124) and the fourth end closure panel (28, 128) are configured such that the first edge (53, 153) is not covered by the second end closure panel (24, 124) and is exposed to be viewable when viewed from outside the carton (90, 190).

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first edge is spaced a distance from the free end edge of the second end closure panel.

3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first edge is generally aligned with a free end edge of the second end closure panel.

4. The carton of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second end closure panel has a free side edge extending from the second fold line to its free end edge, wherein the free side edge of the second end closure panel on a side of the end closure opposite the corner cut has a longer angled section or a greater angle of inclination than the free side edge of the second end closure panel on the side of the end closure where the corner cut is located.

5. A carton according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the recessed corner cut on the fourth end closure panel is at least partially defined by a second edge, wherein the second end closure panel has a free side edge extending from the second fold line to a free end edge thereof, the fourth end closure panel has a free side edge extending from the fourth fold line toward a free end edge thereof, wherein at least a portion of the free side edge of the second end closure panel is complementary in shape to the second edge, and wherein, in the vicinity of the free end edge of the second end closure panel, compared to the portion of the free side edge of the fourth end closure panel not covered by the second end closure panel, the free side edge of the second end closure panel is closer to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular structure.

6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the first edge and the second edge are perpendicular to each other.

7. The carton of claim 5, wherein the recessed corner cut of the fourth end closure panel defined by the first and second edges is complementary in shape to the corner of the second end closure panel defined by the free side edge and the free end edge.

8. The carton of claim 1, wherein at least one of the main panels has a display window (W1) cut therein such that when articles are loaded into the carton (90, 190), at least a portion of at least one article disposed adjacent the display window (W1) is visible from outside the carton through the display window (W1).

9. The carton of claim 1, wherein at least one of the main panels has an opening (W2) cut therein such that when articles are loaded into the carton, indicia on at least one article disposed adjacent the opening (W2) are visible from outside the carton through the opening (W2).

10. A blank comprising a plurality of main panels for forming walls of a tubular structure and a plurality of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure, the plurality of main panels being hinged to one another in a linear arrangement and comprising a first panel, a second panel and a fourth panel, wherein the second panel and the fourth panel are oppositely disposed in the formed tubular structure, the end closure structure comprising a second end closure panel and a fourth end closure panel, wherein the second end closure panel is hingedly connected to the second panel along a second fold line and the fourth end closure panel is hingedly connected to the fourth panel along a fourth fold line,

wherein, in manufacturing the blanks, two adjacent blanks are arranged in a manner of 180 DEG rotation relative to each other, and the upper and lower edges are flush;

wherein the second end closure panel has a free end edge opposite the second fold line, the fourth end closure panel has a free end edge opposite the fourth fold line, the free end edge of the fourth end closure panel has a recessed corner cut at least partially defined by a first edge and a second edge, the recessed corner cut being complementary in shape to a corner of the second end closure panel such that, for two adjacently arranged blanks, the corner of the second end closure panel of one blank is receivable in the corner cut of the fourth end closure panel of the other blank.

11. The blank according to claim 10 for forming a carton according to any one of claims 1-9.

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