WO2019021001A1

WO2019021001A1 - A packaging box, a box blank and a packaged product

Info

Publication number: WO2019021001A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/052098
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olly SIMPSON; Alex MARGETTS; Will Maskell; Peter Booth; Kelly NGUYEN
Original assignee: Mars, Incorporated
Priority date: 2017-07-26
Filing date: 2018-07-26
Publication date: 2019-01-31
Also published as: GB201717519D0

Abstract

Described herein is a packaging box (2), a box blank (102) and a packaged product. The corners of the box may be inverted to form a tetrahedron-shaped recess (10) for easy handling. The box (2) may also comprise a handle (12) which is recessed below an upper level of the box to aid stacking of the boxes. The box (2) may be used to hold a pair of bags (158a, 158b) and a supplementary carton (160) may be provided between the bags in an upper region of the box.

Description

A PACKAGING BOX, A BOX BLANK AND A PACKAGED PRODUCT

The invention relates to a packaging box, a box blank for forming a packaging box and a packaged product.

Various forms of boxes are known for packaging products. Such packaging boxes may be used to transport the products from the manufacturer to the consumer (or to an appropriate point therebetween) and are intended to provide protection to the products so that they reach the consumer in an unspoiled condition. The boxes should also be easily and efficiently stackable and movable.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a packaging box comprising: four side walls arranged in a rectangle and defining edges between adjacent sides; a lower wall formed by flaps which extend from each of the side walls along a fold line and defining corners where the lower wall meets each edge. Each of at least one pair of adjacent side walls comprises a first diagonal fold line and each of their respective flaps comprises a second diagonal fold line. Each first diagonal fold line extends from a position which is partway along the edge between the adjacent side walls and intersects the adjacent fold line formed between the side wall and its flap so as to form a first triangular portion. Each second diagonal fold line extends from a position which is partway along an edge of the flap and intersects the adjacent fold line formed between the side wall and its flap so as to form a second triangular portion. Folding the flap relative to the side wall causes the first and second triangular portions to be deflected inwards into an interior of the box. The first and second triangular portions of the adjacent folded side walls and flaps cooperate to form a tetrahedron- shaped recess projecting into the interior of the box.

Each corner of the box may comprise a tetrahedron-shaped recess. The first triangular portions of the adjacent side walls may form two sides of the tetrahedron-shaped recess and the second triangular portions of the adjacent flaps may overlay one another to form a third side of the recess.

The fold lines may be creases. Such creases do not pierce the external layers of the material (e.g. corrugated fibreboard) and so retain the structural integrity of the material. In accordance with another aspect there is provided a method of folding a box blank to form a packaging box as described previously. The method comprises: folding a first flap of a first one of the side walls relative to the first side wall so as to deflect the first and second triangular portions inwards; folding a second flap of an adjacent, second one of the side walls relative to the second side wall so as to deflect the first and second triangular portions inwards such that the second triangular portion of the second flap overlies the second triangular portion of the first flap to form a first side of the tetrahedron-shaped recess and the first triangular portions of the first and second side walls form second and third sides of the recess.

In accordance with another aspect there is provided a packaging box comprising: a perimeter wall defining an interior space therewithin; a lower wall connected to the perimeter wall and closing one end of the interior space; an upper wall connected to the perimeter wall and closing the other end of the interior space, the upper wall being formed by a pair of upper wall portions connected to opposing sides of the perimeter wall. The upper wall portions each comprise a vertical portion which projects into the interior space and an inner horizontal portion which extends inwardly from the vertical portion so as to define a recess in the upper wall. A handle projects upwards within the recess but below an upper level of the perimeter wall.

The upper wall portions may each comprise an outer horizontal portion which is connected to the perimeter wall, wherein the inner horizontal portion is separated from the outer horizontal portion by the vertical portion such that the recess occupies only a portion of the cross-section of the box.

At least one of the upper wall portions may comprise a handle portion at its distal end which projects upwards to form the handle. Both the upper wall portions may comprise a handle portion which project upwards and lie against one another to form the handle.

At least one of the handle portions may comprise a tab which passes through an opening in the other handle portion and is folded over the outer surface of the other handle portion. The handle portion may extend across the box parallel to the vertical portions.

The packaging box may further comprise a pair of locking tabs which are positioned on the perimeter wall and spaced from the upper wall portions so that they are

perpendicular to the upper wall portions, wherein the locking tabs engage with the upper wall portions to retain them in a closed position.

The locking tabs may be folded downwards into the recess and engage with the inner horizontal portion of the upper wall portions.

The locking tab may comprise a slot which defines a bifurcated portion that is received on either side of the handle.

The handle may comprise a pair of retention shoulders and the locking tabs are held between the perimeter wall and the retention shoulders.

The perimeter wall may comprise four side walls arranged in a rectangle.

The box may be formed from a folded box blank.

The box may be formed from cardboard, such as corrugated fibreboard.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a packaged product comprising: a packaging box comprising four side walls arranged in a rectangle and defining an interior space therewithin, a lower wall and an upper wall; first and second bags containing items, the first and second bags being disposed side-by-side within the box against opposing side walls of the box; and a carton disposed between the first and second bags in an upper part of the box and spaced from the lower wall of the box.

The carton may be supported by the first and second bags.

The carton may be oriented parallel to the first and second bags. The upper wall of the box may be formed by a pair of upper wall portions connected to said opposing sides of the box. The upper wall portions may each comprise an outer horizontal portion connected to the side wall, a vertical portion connected to the outer horizontal portion and projecting into the interior space, and inner horizontal extending inwardly from the vertical portion so as to define a recess in the upper wall. A handle may project upwards within the recess but below an upper level of the side walls.

The carton may be positioned beneath the recess.

The first and second bags may be located either side of the recess beneath the outer horizontal portions.

The carton may taper from its upper end to its lower end. The carton may comprise a rim which projects outwards. The bags may contain different items to the carton.

The bags may contain pellets (i.e. kibbles) of dry pet food.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the

accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging box according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a lower corner of the packaging box;

Figure 3 shows the lower corner of the packaging box from the inside of the box; Figure 4 is a top view showing a handle of the box;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank for forming the packaging box of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing two bags of items which may be carried within the packaging box; Figure 7 is side view of a carton which may be carried within the packaging box; and

Figure 8 is a top view of the packaging box showing the bags of Figure 6 and the carton of Figure 7 inserted therein.

Figure 1 shows a packaging box 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The box 2 may be constructed from cardboard, such as corrugated fibreboard. As shown, the box 2 has a generally cuboidal form. Specifically, the box 2 generally comprises four side walls 4a-4d (only walls 4b and 4c are visible in Figure 1), a lower wall 6 and an upper wall 8 which together form a cavity therewithin.

As shown, each of the four lower corners formed at the intersection between each pair of side walls 4a-4d and the lower wall 6 is inverted to form an open (i.e. three-sided) tetrahedron-shaped recess 10 which projects into the interior of the box 2.

As shown in Figure 4, the upper wall 8 comprises a handle 12 which lies within a recess formed by the upper wall 8. The handle 12 thus sits below an upper level of the box 2. Figure 5 shows a blank 102 for forming the box 2 and the features of the box 2 described above and their formation will be described further in relation to this blank 102.

The blank 102 comprises four side panels, specifically a first side panel 104a, a second side panel 104b, a third side panel 104c and a fourth side panel 104d. The side panels 104a-104d are connected in series such that the first side panel 104a is connected to the second side panel 104b, the second side panel 104b is in turn connected to the third side panel 104c, and the third side panel 104c is connected to the fourth side panel 104d. A connecting tab 1 14 runs along the opposing side of the fourth side panel 104d to the third side panel 104c. The connecting tab 1 14 can be used to connect the fourth side panel 104d to the free side of the first side panel 104a to form a so-called manufacturer's joint. The manufacturer's joint may be formed using an adhesive, tape, staples or in any other suitable manner.

Fold lines 116a-1 16d are provided between the first and second side panels 104a, 104b, the second and third side panels 104b, 104c, the third and fourth side panels 104c-4d and between the fourth side panel 104d and the connecting tab 114. The fold lines 1 16a- 1 16d define side edges of the box 2.

A lower flap 106a-106d extends from a lower end of each of the side panels 104a- 104d. A fold line 118a-118d is provided between each side panel 104a-104d and its respective lower flap 106a-106d.

As shown, although all of the fold lines 1 18a-118d are parallel to one another, the fold lines 1 18a and 118c are offset slightly from the fold lines 118b and 118d such that the lower flaps 106a and 106c form an inner pair of lower flaps and the lower flaps 106b and 106d form an outer pair of lower flaps when folded. The lower flaps 106a-106d together form the lower wall 6 of the box 2 when folded.

Both side edges of each side panel 104a-104d are provided with a first diagonal fold line 120 which extends from a position which is partway along the respective edge and intersects the adjacent fold line 1 18a-1 18b formed between the side panel 104a-104d and the lower flap 106a-106d. In a similar manner, both side edges of each lower flap 106a-106d are provided with a second diagonal fold line 122 which extends from a position which is partway along the edge of the flap and intersects the adjacent fold line 1 18a-1 18b formed between the side panel 104a-104d and the lower flap 106a-106d.

The first diagonal fold lines 120 thus form a first triangular portion 124 in each lower corner of each side panel 104a-104d and the second diagonal fold lines 122 thus form a second triangular portion 126 in each upper corner (i.e. adjacent the side panel 104a- 104d) of each lower flap 106a-106d.

The first and second diagonal fold lines 120, 122 intersect the respective fold line 11 Sai led at the same position and so the first and second triangular portions 124, 126 share a common side formed by the fold line 1 18a-118d. The portion of the fold line 1 18a-1 18d between the first and second triangular portions 124, 126 and the first and second diagonal fold lines 120, 122 allow the first and second triangular portions 124, 126 to move out of the plane of the remainder of the side panel 104a-104d and the lower flap 106a-106d as the lower flap 106a-106a is folded relative to the side panel 104a-104d to form the lower wall 6. Specifically, the first and second triangular portions 124, 126 are deflected inwards into the interior of the box 2, preferably such that they are perpendicular to the remainder of the side panel 104a-104d and the lower flap 106a-106d.

The first and second triangular portions 124, 126 of adjacent side panels cooperate to form the tetrahedron-shaped recess 10. As described previously, the recesses 10 are open and so have three triangular sides. As best shown in Figure 2, the first and second triangular portions 124, 126 of one side panel (and its associated lower flap) form two of the three sides of the tetrahedron, whereas the third side is formed by the first triangular portion 124 of the adjacent side panel. Specifically, the side panel whose lower flap forms one of the outer pair of lower flaps (i.e. side panel 104b or 104d) forms two of the sides of the recess 10 and the side panel whose lower flap forms one of the inner pair of lower flaps (i.e. side panel 104a or 104c) forms the third side of the recess 10. The first diagonal fold lines 120 of the adjacent side panels intersect the edge between the panels at the same point such that edges of the first triangular portions 124 of the adjacent side panels abut against one another. When folded, the shape and orientation of the second triangular portions 126 of the two side panels are the same such that they lie against one another, with one behind the other.

It will be appreciated that, as shown in Figure 3, the recess 10 forms a corresponding tetrahedron-shaped projection into the interior of the box 2. In this manner, the side panel whose lower flap forms one of the inner pair of lower flaps (i.e. side panel 104a or 104c) forms two of the sides of the internal projection and the side panel whose lower flap forms one of the outer pair of lower flaps (i.e. side panel 104b or 104d) forms the third side of the internal projection.

The recesses 10 allow the box 2 to be easily picked up and also provide protection to the corners of the box 2.

The opposing first and third side panels 104a, 104c are each provided with an upper flap 108a, 108c which cooperate to form the upper wall 8 and its recessed handle 12. Each upper flap 108a, 108c comprises an outer horizontal portion 128, an inner horizontal portion 130 and a vertical portion 132 between the outer and inner horizontal portions 128, 130, with fold lines provided between each portion. When folded, the vertical portion 132 projects inwardly from the outer horizontal portion 128 such that the outer and inner horizontal portions 128, 130 are parallel to one another, but offset, with the inner horizontal portion 130 lying inward of the outer horizontal portion 128. The lateral edges of the outer horizontal portion 128 are each provided with a tab 134. The tab 134 comprises a first portion 136a and a second portion 136b. A fold line 138 is formed between the outer horizontal portion 128 and the first portion 136a which runs along the lateral edge of the outer horizontal portion 130. A fold line 140 is formed between the first and second portions 136a, 136b of the tab 134 and is perpendicular to the fold line 138. The second portion 136b is connected to the outer horizontal portion 130 only via the first portion 136a. When folded, the first portion 136a of the tab 134 projects vertically downwards from the outer horizontal portion 128 and lies against and parallel to the adjacent side panel. The second portion 136b is also arranged vertically, but is perpendicular to the first portion 136a such that it lies against and parallel to the vertical portion 132.

The lateral edges of the inner horizontal portion 130 are also each provided with a tab 142. When folded, the tab 142 projects vertically upwards from the inner horizontal portion 130 and lies against and parallel to the adjacent side panel.

A handle portion 144 projects from the inner horizontal portion 130. The handle portion 144. When folded, the handle portions 144 of the upper flaps 108a, 108c of the first and third side panels 104a, 104c are arranged vertically and against one another. The handle portions 144 thus project upwards into the recess formed between the vertical portions 132 of the upper flaps 108a, 108c. The handle portions 144 have a height which is less than or equal to the depth of the recess (i.e. they are less than or equal to the height of the vertical portion 132) and so the top of the handle portions 144 lies below the upper level of the side walls 4a-4d.

As shown, each handle portion 144 comprises a central cut-out 146. The cut-outs 146 of each handle portion 144 align to form an opening for receiving a user's hand, thus allowing the box 2 to be easily carried. The material from each cut-out 146 may only be partially removed from the handle portions 144 so as to form a tab. In particular, the cut-out 146 of one of the handle portions 144 may form a tab which is connected only along an upper fold line, whereas the cut-out 146 of the other handle portion 144 may form a tab which is connected only along a lower fold line. Each tab may therefore be pushed through the cut-out 146 of the opposing handle portion 144 so as to couple the handle portions 144 together. The opposing second and fourth side panels 104b, 104d are each provided with a locking tab 148 which engage with the handle portions 144 to keep the upper flaps 108a, 108c closed. Each locking tab 148 comprises a slot 150 which projects from a free edge spaced away from the side panel partway into the body of the locking tab 148. The slot 150 therefore causes the locking tab 148 to be bifurcated at its free end and so defines a pair of pull tab portions 152a, 152b. The pull tab portions 152a, 152b are connected to the side panel 104b, 104d by a body portion 154. Fold lines are formed between the side panel 104b, 104d and the body portion 154 and in turn between the body portion 154 and the pull tab portions 152a, 152b. As shown in Figure 4, the locking tab 148 is folded over such that the tabs 142 are captured between the body portion 154 of the locking tab 148, which is oriented vertically, and the adjacent side wall 104b, 104d. The body portion 154 has a length which substantially corresponds to that of the vertical portion 132 such that the pull tab portions 152a, 152b lie against the surface of the inner horizontal portion 130.

The slot 150 extends partially into the body portion 154 and allows the body portion to pass over a retention shoulder 156 formed at either side of the handle portion 144. The retention shoulder 156 holds the locking tab 148 between it and the tabs 142 and thus prevents the locking tab 148 from being easily removed. The locking tabs 148 therefore hold the upper flaps 108a, 108c in position and allow the weight of the box 2 and its contents to be taken by the handle 12.

As described previously, the handle 12 sits within the recess formed in the upper wall 8 of the box 2. The handle 12 therefore is flush with the top of the box and does not project above the upper wall 8. Consequently, the handle 12 does not interfere when stacking multiple boxes 2 one on top of the other so that the lower wall 6 of one box sits on the upper wall 8 of another.

The box 2 may be used to package any item. As one example, Figure 6 shows a pair of bags 158a, 158b of items which may be packaged within the box 2. The bags 158a, 158b may hold consumables, such as food, and particularly dry food or kibbles (i.e. pellets) for pets. The bags 158a, 158b may form an air-tight seal around the items therewithin to maintain their freshness. The bags 158a, 158b are dimensioned such that their height, width and depth correspond to (or are smaller than) the height, width and depth of the box in the region of the outer horizontal portion 128. Consequently, as shown in Figure 8, the bags 158a, 158b are arranged on either side of the handle 12 of the box 2. The vertical portions 132 of the upper flaps 108a, 108c may act to retain the bags 158a, 158b and maintain a space between the bags 158a, 158b at least at their upper ends. The bags 158a, 158b are deformable and so the box 2 provides protection to the items therewithin.

Figure 7 shows a supplementary carton 160 which may be included in the box 2. The supplementary carton 160 may contain a different type of item to the bags 158a, 158b. The carton 160 comprises a tray 162 and a lid 164 which covers the tray 162. The items within the carton 160 may be separately packaged to maintain their freshness, if required.

As shown in Figure 8, the carton 160 may be placed between the upper ends of the bags 158a, 158b. The items within the bags 158a, 158b may settle such that the upper ends of the bags contain only air. Accordingly, the provision of the carton 160 in the top of the box between the bags 158a, 158b provides an efficient use of space.

Furthermore, the carton 160 is immediately presented to the consumer when they open the box 2 via the upper flaps 108a, 108b. The position of the carton 160 may therefore be particularly useful for presenting promotional items (e.g. free samples) included within the packaged product.

The tray 162 of the carton 160 may taper from its upper end to its lower end and thus occupy a narrowing gap between the bags 158a, 158b. For example, the tray 162 may have a substantially semi-cylindrical form. The upper end of the tray 162 may be provided with a rim 166 which projects outwards and which supports the carton 160 within the box 2.

Although it has been described that each corner of the box is provided with a tetrahedron-shaped recess, it will be appreciated that only some of the corners may have recesses. Further, in other arrangements, the upper corners could also be provided with such recesses. Further still, the recesses may be provided in an open- topped box which does not have an upper wall. It will be appreciated that a recessed handle may be formed in other ways to that described herein. Further, the recessed handle may be used with other forms of box. For example, a pair of upper flaps could be used to form a recessed handle in a cylindrical box or any other form of box. The outer horizontal portion may be reduced in size or removed entirely such that the vertical portion extends immediately from the side wall to form a larger recess.

References herein to orientations and positions, such as horizontal, vertical, upper, lower, are intended to refer to the normal orientation of the box with the handle at the top. To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or

embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be modified or adapted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A packaging box comprising:

a perimeter wall defining an interior space therewithin;

a lower wall connected to the perimeter wall and closing one end of the interior space;

an upper wall connected to the perimeter wall and closing the other end of the interior space, the upper wall being formed by a pair of upper wall portions connected to opposing sides of the perimeter wall;

wherein the upper wall portions each comprise a vertical portion which projects into the interior space and an inner horizontal portion which extends inwardly from the vertical portion so as to define a recess in the upper wall;

wherein a handle projects upwards within the recess but below an upper level of the perimeter wall.

2. A packaging box as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the upper wall portions each comprise an outer horizontal portion which is connected to the perimeter wall, wherein the inner horizontal portion is separated from the outer horizontal portion by the vertical portion such that the recess occupies only a portion of the cross-section of the box.

3. A packaging box as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the upper wall portions comprises a handle portion at its distal end which projects upwards to form the handle.

4. A packaging box as claimed in claim 3, wherein both the upper wall portions comprise a handle portion which project upwards and lie against one another to form the handle.

5. A packaging box as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the handle portions comprises a tab which passes through an opening in the other handle portion and is folded over the outer surface of the other handle portion.

6. A packaging box as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the handle portion extends across the box parallel to the vertical portions.

7. A packaging box as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a pair of locking tabs which are positioned on the perimeter wall and spaced from the upper wall portions so that they are perpendicular to the upper wall portions, wherein the locking tabs engage with the upper wall portions to retain them in a closed position.

8. A packaging box as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking tabs are folded downwards into the recess and engage with the inner horizontal portion of the upper wall portions.

9. A packaging box as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking tab comprises a slot which defines a bifurcated portion that is received on either side of the handle.

10. A packaging box as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the handle comprises a pair of retention shoulders and the locking tabs are held between the perimeter wall and the retention shoulders.

1 1. A packaging box as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the perimeter wall comprises four side walls arranged in a rectangle.

12. A packaging box as claimed in any of claims 1 to 1 1 preceding claim, wherein the box is formed from a folded box blank.

13. A packaging box as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the box is formed from cardboard.

14. A box blank which when folded forms a packaging box as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13.

15. A packaging box comprising:

four side walls arranged in a rectangle and defining edges between adjacent sides;

a lower wall formed by flaps which extend from each of the side walls along a fold line and defining corners where the lower wall meets each edge;

wherein each of at least one pair of adjacent side walls comprises a first diagonal fold line and each of their respective flaps comprises a second diagonal fold line; wherein each first diagonal fold line extends from a position which is partway along the edge between the adjacent side walls and intersects the adjacent fold line formed between the side wall and its flap so as to form a first triangular portion;

wherein each second diagonal fold line extends from a position which is partway along an edge of the flap and intersects the adjacent fold line formed between the side wall and its flap so as to form a second triangular portion;

wherein folding the flap relative to the side wall causes the first and second triangular portions to be deflected inwards into an interior of the box and wherein the first and second triangular portions of the adjacent folded side walls and flaps cooperate to form a tetrahedron-shaped recess projecting into the interior of the box.

16. A packaging box as claimed in claim 15, wherein each corner of the box comprises a tetrahedron-shaped recess.

17. A packaging box as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the first triangular portions of the adjacent side walls form two sides of the tetrahedron-shaped recess and wherein the second triangular portions of the adjacent flaps overlay one another to form a third side of the recess.

18 A packaging box as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fold lines are creases.

19. A box blank which when folded forms a packaging box as claimed in any preceding claim.

20. A method of folding a box blank to form a packaging box as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising:

folding a first flap of a first one of the side walls relative to the first side wall so as to deflect the first and second triangular portions inwards;

folding a second flap of an adjacent, second one of the side walls relative to the second side wall so as to deflect the first and second triangular portions inwards such that the second triangular portion of the second flap overlies the second triangular portion of the first flap to form a first side of the tetrahedron-shaped recess and the first triangular portions of the first and second side walls form second and third sides of the recess.

21. A packaged product comprising:

a packaging box comprising four side walls arranged in a rectangle and defining an interior space therewithin, a lower wall and an upper wall;

first and second bags containing items, the first and second bags being disposed side-by-side within the box against opposing side walls of the box; and

a carton disposed between the first and second bags in an upper part of the box and spaced from the lower wall of the box.

22. A packaged product as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the carton is supported by the first and second bags.

23. A packaged product as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the carton is oriented parallel to the first and second bags.

24. A packaged product as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the upper wall of the box is formed by a pair of upper wall portions connected to said opposing sides of the box;

wherein the upper wall portions each comprise an outer horizontal portion connected to the side wall, a vertical portion connected to the outer horizontal portion and projecting into the interior space, and inner horizontal extending inwardly from the vertical portion so as to define a recess in the upper wall;

wherein a handle projects upwards within the recess but below an upper level of the side walls.

25. A packaged product as claimed in claim 24, wherein the carton is positioned beneath the recess.

26. A packaged product as claimed in claim 21 or 25, wherein the first and second bags are located either side of the recess beneath the outer horizontal portions.

27. A packaged product as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the carton tapers from its upper end to its lower end.

28. A packaged product as claimed in any of claims 21 to 27, wherein the carton comprises a rim which projects outwards.

29. A packaged product as claimed in any of claims 21 to 28, wherein the bags contain different items to the carton.

30. A packaged product as claimed in any of claims 21 to 29, wherein the bags contain pellets of dry pet food.