EP1945519B8

EP1945519B8 - Carton having stacking strength-enhancing feature

Info

Publication number: EP1945519B8
Application number: EP06849069A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aaron Bates; John W. Cargile, Jr.
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2005-11-09
Filing date: 2006-11-09
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-09
Also published as: EP1945519B1; CA2628825A1; ATE472481T1; RU2008122939A; EP1945519A1; WO2007079283A1; US20070145105A1; DE602006015218D1; ES2348256T3

Abstract

A carton has a triangular shaped internal buttress arrangement for enhancing the stacking strength of the carton. The arrangment is formed from the distal portion of at least one of the side end flaps.

Description

CARTON HAVING STACKING STRENGTH-ENHANCING FEATURE

REFERE]iCEjg.RELAlE[lAPPLlCAT]C^

This application claims pnorlty under io US Provisional Application Sena! No. 60/735,619, filed November 9, 200S, the entirety of which is incorporated h&πsm by

J^CHNJCAL fIELO

The present invention relates generally to cartons for use in packaging articles ano\ more particularly, relates to a carton whose stacking strength is enhanced by a special arrangement of an end closure structure.

Cartons are useful for avowing consumers to purchase, transport and store a dessred quantity of articles. However, some articles are flexible and/or deformable such as juice pouches. Such articles tend to gel. easily rearranged and crushed within the carton. Moreover, not a!! cartons have sufneism strength to physically protect the cements when arranged Ir; a stacked condition. Cartons may tend to break open unintentionally when the cartons are subject to compression What is needed, therefore, *s an Improved carton for packaging flexible or deformabie articles. The improved carton should have good stacking strength to prefect the contents when stored or displayed with like cartons In a stacked condition.

SUMMAjRY-Of_..J±ILiiHyENllOlM The present invention provides a carter: which utilizes end flaps to increase the structural sntegnfy of the carton while continuing to facilitate easy access to the articles withsn the carton. Flexible and/or deferrable articles such as stend-up pouches may be retained withsπ the carton an organized manner,

Generally described, top and bottom opposed walls are hingedly interconnected by a pair of side walls to form a tubular body. An end closure structure is nrovsded to at least partially dose each end of the tubular body. A outtress arrangement, is provided by each end closure structure. Each buUress arrangement is disposed Withsn ihe interior of the carton and extends vertically between me top and bottom walls ro enhance rhe stacking strength of ihe carton,

in a preferred embodiment of the invention, each end closure structure may include a pair of side end fiaps joined to the side walls respectively. Each side end 'lap may include a proximal portion hmgedly connected to the respective side wall and extending toward the other side wall. Preferably at least one of the side end fiaps nr each end further includes a distal portion hingediy connected to rhe respective proximal portion The distal portion of the one side end flap may extend into the interior of the carton to form the respective buttress arrangement The other side end flap may also include a distal portion extending snto the interior of rhe carton The distal portions of the side end flaps of each end closure structure may be disposed to form, in con|unc?ion with its hmgedly attached proximal portion, and the adjacent side wall , a tubular structure with a manguiar cross section to ^orrn the respective buttress arrangement. The distal portion of any side end flap not formed into a trsanguiar cross section may he positioned such that that cnsial portion is disposed between the articles within the carton to serve as a partition. These dsstai portions extend a<i the way between rhe top and bottom walls to he in abutment at •hesr upper ana rower ends on the !op and bottom walls,

The present invention in a stHi another aspect, provides a carton comprising top and bottom opposed walls hhgedly interconnected by a pasr of side walls to form a tubular body, an end closure structure for at least partially closing each end oi the tubular body, and a buttress arrangement provided by each end closure structure Each buttress arrangement Is disposed within the interior of the carton and extends vertically between the top and bottom watls to enhance rhe stacking srrengih o? the carton. Each end closure structure comprises a patr of side end flaps joined to the side walls respectively. Each side end Haps of each end closure structure comprises a pasr of proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion ss hsngedly connected to the respective side wall whereas me distal portion is hlngediy connected to the respective proximal portion. The proximal portions of the side end flaps extend from the side walls toward each other while the distal portions extending from the respective proximal portions into the Interior of the carton. Preferably at least one distal portion at each end is disposed to form in conjunction with its respective proximal portion and the adjacent side watl a triangular iubular bultress arrangement Each side end flap includes a vertical fold line dividing that side end [^'lap into the distal and proximal portions. The distal portion has a horizontal transverse size greater than that of the proximal portion, and preferably between 1 ,2 and 1 ,8 times the horizontal traverse size of the proximal portion.

in a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, each buttress arrangement may be held in place without need for an extra glumg step by using silghi pressure from the articles within the carton to maintain the buttress arrangement tn the desired triangular cross section. Each distai portion of each buttress arrangement may extend all the way between the top and bottom walls to be In abutment a* its upper and lower ends on the top and bottom walls, while the distal ends of the distai portion abut the nearest side waii

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of she more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the Invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information In a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS fig. 1 substrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a carton of the present invention.

RQ 2 illustrates a plan view of a blank for forming me carton oi Fig. !

Fϊg. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the blank of Fig. 2. showing a first step for loading and erecting the carton, wherein articles are placed on the side walls.

Fig, 4 illustrates a perspective view of the blank of Fig 3, showing another carton- erecting step wherein the side walls are upwardly moved toward each other from the positions shown in Fig 3.

Rg. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the- blank of Fig, 4, showing a still another carton-erecting step wherein the side walls are moved to the vertical position snci the carton is partially erected.

Fig. 6 illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along hne 6-6 of FIg. 1 .

Figs 7-9 are perspective views of the blank of Fig. 2, showing different stages of an alternative carton-forming process to assemble rhe carton o\ Fig. 1. according to the present iπvenhoπ.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a carton of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig 1 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming the carton of FIg. 10.

Figs. 12-14 are perspective views of the blank of Rg 1 1 , showing different stages of a carton-forming process to form the carton of FSg. 10, according to the present invention. OilMEDjDiSCRJEOQfci

Referring now to the drawings in which lske numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiment of cartons 10 (Fig. 1 ): 12 (Fig. 7). and 13 (Rg. 10} of the present invention in these embodiments, she cartons 1 Q; 12, 13 are designed for packaging and dispensing articies "A" which may De beverage pouches made, for example, of a plastic- aluminum iamsnated film. An example ef such a pouch is disclosed m U S. Patent No. 5,927,498 which ss hereby included by reference.

Generally described, the cartons are formed from foldabie sheet material such as paperboard. Carton 10 shown *n Fig i is formed from a single plank 14 The blank 14 is configured as shown in Fig. 2 and includes at least four primary panels for forming the carton 10 The primary panels of the blank 14 are a top wall 24, a first side wall 20. a bottom well 18 and a second side wall 22. These panels 24, 20, 18 and 22 are NngecHy connected sn senes one to !he next along fold lines 30. 32 and 34. The top wall 24 is hmgedly connected to the first side wall H⁾ by fold line 30. The first side wall 20 Is then hsngediy connected to the bottom wall 18 by fold line 32. The bottom wall 18 is then hingeoly connected to the second side wall 22 by fold line 34 Each of rhe panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 Is provided with opposing end flaps that are connected to the respective pnmary panel along transverse fold lines 36 and 38. Fold isnes 36 and 38 each extends substantially rhe full length of the blank 14

Still referring to Fig. 2, the opposing end flaps include opposing lower end flaps 52 and 54, opposing uppe?^' end flaps 56 and 58 and opposing sloe end flaps 60, 62: and 64, 66 The end flaps 52, 56, 60 and 64 extend outward from the transverse fold line 36 whϋe- the end flaps 54, 58, 62 and 66 extend outward from the transverse fold line 38,

Side end flaps 60 62, 64 and 66 Include medial fold lines TO, 72, 74 and TO, respectively. The media! fold line of each side end flap dlv-des that end flap Into a ρa-r of proxsmal and distal portions 60a_; 00b, 02a, 62b, 64a, 64b; and 66a, 06b. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the width {or horizontal transverse size) WI of each of the distal portions 60b, 62d, 64b, and 66b is greater than the width {o? horizontal transverse size} VV2 of each of the proximal portions 6Oa₁ 62a, 64a, and $6a. Stated differently, the distance between transverse fold line 36 or 38 and each medial fold πne §s less than the distance between that medial fold line and the free end edge of the respective drsfal portion

The articles "A" are preferably stand-up pouches which may he deformahie and are made from a flexible material such as a ptastlc-aiuminum laminated film. In me empty condition, each article "A" ss flat in the billed condition, each article "A" has a fiat bottom and generally rectangular front and rear panels. The front and rear panels extend from the bottom into a mutual contacting and sealed relationship at the top of the pouch. The bottom of each pouch is In the form, generally, of a hexagon. Each side wall of each pouch has a generally triangular configuration with its base being at the bottom. Therefore, the bottom of each pouch is considerably wider than the top when viewed from the side .

In order to erect or form the carton 10. the side end flaps 60, 62_; 64 and 66 are folded upward along transverse fold lines 36 and 38 as shown in Fig 3. Side end fleps 60, 62, 64 and 66 are then folded along the medial fold lines 70, ?2, 74 and 76 respectively so that the proximal portions 60a, 62a, Θ4a and 66a remain In the vertical positions and me distal portions 60b. 62b, 64b and 66b extend inwardly of the blank to assume a bracing position wherein each distal portion extends downward at an angle toward the adjacent side wall 20 or 22 Stated differently, each distal portion when in the bracing position extends between the respective proximal portion and the adjacent side wall such that it is disposed obhquely with respect to either the respective proximal portion or the adjacent -side wall Each of the side end flaps thus form part of a tubular corner column having a triangular cross section; each triangular corner column is formed ;n part from the respective side end flap and in part from a portion of the adjacent side wall. Alternatively, the corner columns may be completed at the later stage of the carton- forming process, in such en alternative process, the distal portions 6Qb. 62b, 64b and 66b may be merely pre~folded along the medial fold lines ?0\ 72. 74 and 76 with respect to the verts call y-disposed proximal portions 60a, 62a_: 64a_; 68a to the extent that the distal portions lie somewhat inwardly of the blank to assume a posώor^; spaced above the adjacent side walls 20 and 22. The pre-folded distal portions, as described later, are subject to the load of the articles t boe placed on such distal portions during the article-loading step and will thereby further folded to reach the respective bracing positions where the disial portions provide part of the respective corner columns

In either carton-forming process. Hie d-staj portion of each side end flap ss not glued to, and thereby remains detached from, the adjacent side wall However, the corner columns are held sπ their erected tubular forms by means of the aή.;cles received in the carton, as will be described In more details later.

Next, two separate rows of filled pouches "A" are arranged on the side walls 20. 22 of blank 14 as shown sn Fig 3. The two rows are piaeed on the side walls 20 and 22 respectively such that each pouch "A" lies on its front or rear panel It Is preferred that the bottoms of the pouches "A" In the left-hand side row as viewed In Fig. 3 face the tops of the pouches "A" in 'he nght-hsnd side row. It ss also preferred that the pouches "A" :n each row are arranged one next to another in somewhat overlapping relationship as best illustrated in Fig. 6. The pouches ^''A" at the ends of each row are placed on the corner columns respectively and thus move and/or hold the distal portions 60b, 62b, 64b and 66b down in their bracing positions wherein the respective free end edges of the dislai portions are pressed against and thereby frictionally fsxed on, the adjacent side walls 20 and 22. The free end edges, therefore, do not require any glue, adhesive or any other securing means (such as staples and adherent rapes) to be attached to the side walls 2O₁ 22 and yet the corner columns are retained in their respective erected tubular forms Following the above step, the side walls 20 and 22, are Folded toward each other along fold lines 32 and 34 in order to further erect the carton. This is best illustrated so Fig. 4. If desired, mechanical means may be used to help hold the pouches "A" in piece during this step. This further erecting step eventually brings the side walls 20, 22 into (he upright positions as shown sn Fig 5. When ?he side wells 20 and 22 ere in the upright positions, the pouches "A" in one row become nested with the pouches "A" in the other SOW in such a manner that the bottoms of the pouches sn the one row face the iops of the pouches in tne other row. In the carton shown in Fig. 1 , the bottoms of the pouches in the left-hand side row and Hie tops of the pouches in the right-hand side row rest upon the bottom wall 18.

From lne condition of Fig 5. the top wall 24 end the edge flap 80 are folded down io thesr respective horizontal portions and glued or otherwise secured e toach other The edge flap 80 is hlngediy connected to the second side wall 22 aiong fold line 82. Fig. 1 illustrates the edge flap 80 as being glued io the outside surface of the top wall 24, however, it may alternatively be glued t moe snslde surface of the top waϋ 24 depending on the carton-forming process. After the above ojusng steρ_: the upper and lower end fiaps 56 and 52 are folded downward and upward respectively and giued io the adjacent proximal portions 60s and 64a io provide an end closure structure for closing she rear end of the carton. The upper and lower end fiaps 58 and 54 are also similarly folded end secured to the adjacent proximal portions 62a and 66a to provide the other end closure structure for closing the forward end of the carton. A fuHy erected carton ;$ thus provided as shown in Fig. 1. In the fully enclosed certon, the pouches "A" occupy a minimum space because the pouches "A" in the one row are nested with those of the other row and also because tne pouches sn each row are in the overlapping condition

FIg. 6 is a fragmentary αoss-seeiioπai view of the certon of Fig I and shows the condition of the inside of the fully erected carton As suggested in FIg. 6, the end ctosure structure at the forward end of the carton ss formed from the side end fiaps 62 and 66 and the upper and iower end flaps 58 and 54. The distal portions 62b and 66b of the side end Haps 8? and 66 extend divergency from me proxuna? portions 62a and 66a toward the side walls 20 and 22 respectively and are held in place against the side walls by pouches "A" so that a front buttress arrangement having the two tubular columns as shown is provided, at least p inart, by the frond end closure structure. In like manner, the end closure structure a* the rear end of Hie carton is formed from -he side end fiaps 60 and 64 and the upper as \ύ lower end flaps 56 and 52, and thus the rear buttress arrangement that includes the other two triangular tubular columns ;s provided at least in part by the rear end closure sin.iCiure The distai portions 62b. 66b; and 60b, 64b extend ell the way between the top and bottom walls 24 and 18 to allow the ironi and rear buttress arrangements to enhance the stacking strength of the carton. As viewed in Fig. 1 , the Ie-Id fines 3O₁ 32, 34 and 82 form the horizontal longitudinal edges of the carton 10 while the transverse fold lines 36 and 38 form she vertical edges and horizontal transverse edges of ^;he carton 10

As shown sn Figs 1 and 6, the side end fiaps and the upper and lower end Haps at each end of the carton provide the respective end closure structure. Particularly, the distai portions of the side end flaps of each end closure structure extend divergently from the corresponding proximal end portions toward the adjacent side walls This is best shown in Fig. 6 wherein the distal end portions &2b and &6b extend into the internal space of the carton at about 45 degiees with respect th teo proximal portions 62a and 66a Furthermore, the distal portions of each end closure structure extend all the way between the top and bottom walls 24 and 18 and provide a buttress arrangement for enhancing the stacking strength of the carton. The upper and lower ends of each distal portion are in direct abu^meni on the top and bottom walls 24 and 18 respectively to be able to bear the load transmitted from the top and bottom walls when the carton is arranged wsm like cartons ;n a stacked condiilon

As shown in Fig 6. she horizontal transverse Size or Width Wi tsee F ig, 2} or each distal portion (wh-eh becomes the hypotenuse of the respective manguiar tubular column) is greater rhan the horizontal transverse ss?.e or width of rhe corresponding proximal portion. This arrangement allows the disial portions to provide me sturdy tubular columns for achieving greater stacking strength The tubular columns also provide greater structural integrity to the carton 10 Because o^ the tubular columns the carton 10 may sustain greater weights when stacked wsthin a group of like cartons.

An alternative method of forming the carton of Fig 1 is illustrated sn Figs 7 - 9 A partially erected carton 12 as shown in Fig. 7 may he formed from the blank 14 of Fig. 2. The various panels, folds, etc have already been described.

In order to form she carton 12, the side end flaps 60. 62. 64 and 66 are folded upward along transverse fold lines 36 and 38 as showr* in Fig. 7 Side end flaps 60 62, 64 and 66 are then folded, or alternatively only pre-folded, along the medial fold lsnes 70, 72, 74 and 78 respectively so that the proximal portions 60a. 62a, 64a and 66a remain peφ&ndieular to the adjacent side walls 20 and 22 and the distal ponsons 60b, 62b. 64b and 66b extend inwardly and optionally downward toward the adjacent side walls 20 ano 22, As suggested above, the side end flaps may or may not form complete triangular columns at f.h;s stage of the carton-forming process.

Next, the top wall 24 =s folded upward along the ibid lsne 30, and the upper end flaps 56 and 58 are folded inward and respectively gk;ed to ?he adjacent proximal portions 60a and 62a The botiom wall 18 is folded upward along the fold tine 82. and fhe lower end flaps 52 and 54 are folded inward and respectively glued to the adjacent proxsmai portions €Oa and 62a This provides me partially fabricated carton 12 as shown sn Fig 7.

Next, two vertically-arranged, separate rows of fiϋed pouches "A^>! are placed or loaded, either simultaneously or one row ai a time, on side waii 26 as shown in Figs. 3 and 9 The two rows are placed on the side wall 20 such that each pouch "A^v> lies with its longer axis extending between the top and bottom walls 24 and 18. It is prefers ed that the bottoms of the pouches "A" in the upper row face the tops of the pouches "A" in the lower row. However , the bottoms of the pouches "A" in both She rows may face esiher the top or bottom wall as illustrated in Fig. 9 It is aiso preferred that the pouches "A" in each raw are arranged one next to another in somewhat overlapping relationship, and in particular, that some of me pouches are placed to overiap ihe distal portions 60b and 62b or the side end flaps 60 and 62 at each end of me carton The pouches A on the distal ponions 60b and 62b thus move and/or hoid the distal portions 60b and 62b down i tnhe bracing position to allow the respective triangular columns to be provided by the side end flaps 60 and 92. By this means, the free end edges of the distal portions 60b and 82b are pressed against, and thereby frictionally fixed on, the adjacent side walls 20 ar>d 22 but remain detached from the adjacent side walls 20 and 22.

After fully loading the carton as shown in FIg. 9. the side panel 22 is folded over along fold lsne 34 to cover the pouches "A" within lhe carton The side end flap 64 is inserted mto the carton to place the proximal portion 64a alongside the triside surfaces of the upper and lower end flaps 56 and S2 while the side ens flap 66 is inserted into the carton to place the proximal portion 66a alongside the inside surfaces of the upper and lower end flaps 58 and 54, By tnss means, the dsstai pontons 64 b and 66b are pressed against some of the pouches ^:'A^:' sn the carton and thereby are brought info, and/or retained in, the respective bracing position. The proximal portions 64a and 66a are not glued to, and thereby remain detached from, the adjacent upper and lower end flaps while the free end edges of the distal portions 64b and 66b are pressed agalnsL out remain detached from, the adjacent side walls 20 and 22. The edge flap 80 is then folded down to and glued or otherwise secured to the outside surface of the top wall 24, After that, a fully erected cadon is provided which will also have an appearance as shown sn Fig. 1. The carton will be essentially of the same construction as created following the steps shown sn Figs.3 - 5 in particular the carton will have the internal triangular columns for added strength A carton of a second embodiment ss illustrated sn Fig. 10 Trie carton 90 of Fig. 10 is formed from the blank 13 shown in Fig. 1 1 and assembled by following a further method of forming a carton that ;s illustrated in Figs. 12 ~ Η . A partially erected carton i 1 as shown in Fig. 12 is formed from thee blank 13 of Fig 1 1 . The blank 13 is ssmliar in structure to the blank 14 of Fig. 2. Therefore, the panels, flaps and other ρar?s of the blank 13 similar, if not identical, to those of the blank 14 are designated by like reference numerals, and only the differences wiii be described herein below \n any greater detail.

The proximal portion 64a and distal portion 64b of side flap 64 >n Fig 2 have been replaced by a single portion Hap 64c as shown in Fjg. 1 1 Likewise, the proximal portion 66a and distal portion 66b of side flap 66 have been replaced by a single portion flap 66c as shown sn Fig. 11. Preferably the transverse dimension W3 of the Haps 64c and 66c may he somewhat longer than transverse dimension W2 of she side end flap proximal portions 64a and 66a_λ while still be no greater than the iota! side-to-side dimension W4 of the finished carton.

The partially erected and fully loaded carton as shown Fig. 14 may be assembled following substantially the same steps as those for forming the partially erected and fully loaded carton of Fig. 9. except the steps of handling the single portion flaps 64c and 66c The Single portion flaps 64c and 66c may remain unfolded with respect to the side wall 22, and thereby lie in the plane of me side wall 22_: until the side wall 22 is folded to the closed position over the poaches "A\ Alternatively, the single portion flaps 64c and 66c are merely upwardly pre-folded (as shown in Fig 14) less than ninety (90) degrees prior to the folding of the side wall 22 to the closed position and prior, rnore specifically, to the folding of the top and bottom walls 24 and 18 to the respective vertical positions.

Aster fully loading she carson as shown In FIg. 14, the side panel 22 Is folded along fold line 34 to the closed position to cover the pouches "A" within the carton. The single portion flap 64c is folded about ihe fold line 36 onto the outside surfaces of the upper and tower enα Haps 5β and 52 and is glued thereto whsle the single portion flap 6Gc is folded about lhe fold hne 38 onro the outside surface of the upper and lower end ftøps 58 a^d 54 and ss glued thereto Esther prior or subsequent to the folding of the Single portion flaps 64c and 66c. the edge flap 60 is folded down onro the outssoe surface of she top wall 24 and glued, or otherwise secured, thereto A fully erected carton SO is thereby provided as shown in Fig. 10. The carton 90 ss essentially of the some construction as that of Fig. I ₁ but the carton 90 include only one {instead of two) internal triangular tubular corner columns at each end of the carton Stated differently, the end closure structure at each end of the carton 90 provides a buttress arrangement ϊhar include only one corner column for added strength.

It wiil be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "base", "end", ^'"side", inner", Outer", "upper". "Sower, forward" and "rear" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily refernng to a Single told line only, indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be tormed from one or more of one of the following, a score hne, a isne of perforation, a Hne of short slits o> their combination, without departing from the scope of invention

It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The carton may accommodate only one or more rhan two rows oi articles The carton may be provided with one or more removable portions for access to the contents. Also, the pouches contained within the carton, although generally described herein as being in rows or groups with pouch bottoms oriented in a particular direction, may also be placed in various other configurations, such as with every other pouch bouom facing an alternating direction, or sn other configurations where some pouches sn a row will face one direction and other pouches in a row will face another direction. The present invention and its preferred embodiment relate to enhancing stacking strength of a fully enclosed cation. It will, however, be apparent and those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is described by the claims appended hereto and supported by the foregoing

Claims

1 . A carlon comprising¹ top and bottom opposed watls hingedly interconnected by a pair of side walls to form a lobular body having an interior; at least one article received m said tubular body, an end closure structure for at least partially closing each of opposite ends of said tubular body. a buttress arrangement provided at teas! in pad by each of said end closure structures to enhance she stacking strength of the carton, each of said buttress arrangements including at least one tubular column of a generally triangular cross section, said at least one tubular column being disposed next ro said as leas? one article such that a portion of said at least one tubular column is pressed agatnst one of said side walls and thereby said at least one tubular column Is held sn an erected tubular form.

2. ^'The carton of Clatm 1 wherein said each end closure structure comprises a pasr of side end flaps joined to said side walls respectively, each of said side end Haps comprising a proximal portion hsngedly connected to a respective one of said side walls and extending toward the other side wall one of said side end flaps further comprising a distal portion hingediy connected ?α said proximal portion of said one side end flap, said distal portion of said one side end flap extending into said inienor to form a respective one of said buttress arrangements.

3. The carton o? Clatre 2 wherein said dsstal portion of said one side end flap extends ali the vvay between said sop and bottom walls to Pe m abutment at upper and lower ends thereof on said top and bottom walls,

4. The carton of Ciarm 1 wherein said buttress arranqesneni at said one end of said tubular body is removable from said carton along with a removable pori-oπ to permit said articles to be dispensed from said carton 5 The carton of Clatm 3 wherem said each side end Rap includes a vertical Ibid line dividing said each side end Oap into said distal and proximal portions. said distal portion having a horizontal transverse size greater than a horizontal transverse size of said proximal portion.

6. A carton comprising. lop and bottom opposed walls hiπgedly interconnected by a patr of side walls to form a tubular body havsng an interior; an end closure structure for at least partially closing each of opposite ends of said tubular body, and a buttress arrangement provided by each of said end closure structures, each of said buttress arrangements being disposed within said lntenor and extending vertically between said top and bottom walls to enhance the stacking strength of said carton, wherein said each end closure structure comprises a pair of side end fiaps losned to said side walls respectively, each of said side end fiaps of said each end closure structure eornpnsmg a proximal portion hmgedly connected to a respective one of said side walls, and a distal portion hlngedly connected to said proxi?τiat portion, said proxirnaϊ portions extending from said side watls tovvard each other, said distal portions extending from said proximal pontons into said interior and contacting a side ^aU to form a triangular buttress arrangements, wherein the trsangular buttress arrangement ss maintatned by ρ?essure from the confenis of the carters , and wherein said each side end Oaρ includes a vertical fold line dividing said each side end flap into said distal and proximal portions, said distal portion having a horizontal transverse size greater than a horizontal transverse size of said proximal portion. 7 The carton of Claim 6 wherein said respective buttress arrangement is achieved Without the use of a glued joint between the end of said distal portion and said contacted side watl.

8. The carton of Claim ? wherein each or said distal portions of said respective buttress arrangement extends att the way between said top and bottom walls to be in abutment at upper and lower ends thereof on said top and bottom

WSlIS,

9 A method for forming a carton for retaining a plurality of articles, said method comprising the steps of: folding opposed end Haps of each said side wall with respect ro the rematnder ol said blank to respective positions forming triangular buttress arrangements along the inside of the carton at the end and extending from top to bottom of the carton and: and

arranging a first row of articles on a first side wall of a blank for forming said carton; arranging a second row of articles on a second sloe wall of said blank; such that one or more articles lay upon the each said triangular buttress arrangement to help retain its shape, and moving said first and second side walls toward each other such that said articles in said first row are brought Into contact with said articles ;n said second row, whereby Upon closure of the carton the volume of the contents Is sufficient to nearly fill the carton and to exert pressure on the inner walls of said triangular buttresses to maintain their shape

10. The method of Clatm 9 wherein said end flaps folding step comprises, folding each said end flap upward along a first fold line between said each end flap and a respective one of said side walls, and folding said each end flap along a second ?oid line in said each end flap, said second fold line defining dividing said each end flap into a pair of proximal and distal portions such that said proximal portions of said each side wall extend upwardly from said each side wall and said distal portions of said each side wall extend inwardly from said proximal portions toward a side wall.