WO2025251077A1

WO2025251077A1 - Carton and blank therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2025251077A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/031911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriano G. Da Costa Kohler; Kenneth BAUMEISTER
Original assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2024-05-31
Filing date: 2025-06-02
Publication date: 2025-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-30

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier or carton for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the article carrier. The carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a handle panel and a side panel. The handle panel is connected at one side thereof to the side panel. The side panel has a non-squared corner defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line. The handle panel has a second fold line extending from the end of the first fold line toward a handle defined in the handle panel.

Description

CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR

FIELD

The present invention relates to an article carrier or carton and to a blank for forming the same; more specifically, but not exclusively, to a carton comprising a tubular structure and end closure panels at least partially closing ends of the tubular structure, the carton comprising at least one end closure panel hingedly connected to a panel forming part of the tubular structure and arranged to be non-square with respect thereto.

BACKGROUND

In the field of packaging, it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers. Such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution purposes and for the display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage as possible in the materials from which they are formed. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of primary panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a pair of opposing panels including a first panel and a second panel. The carton further comprises four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels. Three of the four or more corners of the carton have different configurations.

Optionally, at least two of the four or more corners of the carton are non-square corners.

Optionally, each non-square corner takes the form of one selected from the group consisting of: a beveled corner, a rounded corner, and a diamond corner.

Optionally, each non-square corner comprises a corner panel extending between one of the plurality of panels and an end closure panel.

Optionally, the corner panel is obliquely oriented with respect to said one of the plurality of panels.

Optionally, the corner panel has a shape selected from the group consisting of: rectangle, diamond, rhombus, kite.

Optionally, the carton comprises a corner dispenser defined at one of the four or more corners of the carton. Optionally, the first and second panels each comprises four or more corners, at least two of the four or more corners are non-square corners and each of the at least two of the four or more corners takes the form of one selected from the group consisting of: a rounded corner, a filleted corner, a beveled corner, and a chamfered corner.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a pair of opposing panels including a first panel and a second panel. The carton further comprises four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels. The four or more corners comprise first and second adjacent corners at one end of the carton and third and fourth adjacent corners at the other, opposed, end of the carton. The first and third corners are diagonally opposed to each other and have first and third configurations, respectively. The second and fourth corners are diagonally opposed to each other and have second and fourth configurations, respectively. The first configuration is different from each of the second and third configurations and the second configuration is different from the third configuration.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a handle panel, a first end panel and a second end panel. The handle panel is connected at a second end thereof to the second end panel by a fold line. The handle panel is connected at a first, opposing, end thereof to the first end panel via a non-square corner. A pair of first and second handle openings are defined in the handle panel and arranged along a notional line extending between the first and second ends of the handle panel. The second handle opening is disposed closer to the second end than the first handle opening. A second distance between the second handle opening and the second end is greater than a first distance between the first handle opening and the first end.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a handle panel and a side panel. The handle panel is connected at one side thereof to the side panel by a first fold line. The side panel has a non-square corner defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line. The handle panel has a second fold line extending from the end of the first fold line toward a handle defined in the handle panel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure and a pair of opposed end closure structures closing the opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part. The carton further comprises a corner dispenser. A non-square corner is defined between one of the end closure structures and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. The dispenser comprises the non-square corner and part of the one of the end closure structures. The dispenser further comprises a tear initiation feature disposed at said one of the end closure structures.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure and a pair of opposed end closure structures closing the opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part. The carton further comprises a corner dispenser. A non-square corner is defined between one of the end closure structures and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. The dispenser comprises the non-square corner and part of the one of the end closure structures. The dispenser further comprises a tear initiation feature in at least one panel forming said one of the end closure structures.

Optionally, the tear initiation feature is disposed medially of one of the end closure structures.

Optionally, the tear initiation feature is provided in part by a first panel forming said one of the end closure structures and in part by a second panel forming said one of the end closure structures, the second panel being disposed adjacent to the first panel

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a pair of first and second opposing panels. The carton further comprises four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels. Two or more of the four or more corners of the carton are non-square corners. The carton further comprises two or more dispensers defined at two or more of the four or more corners, respectively.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of primary panels includes a pair of first and second panels for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton. Each of the first and second panels comprises four or more corners wherein three of the four or more corners of each of the first and second panels have different configurations.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels including a pair of first and second panels for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton. Each of the first and second panels comprises four or more corners which comprise first and second adjacent corners arranged to be disposed at one end of the carton and third and fourth adjacent corners arranged to be disposed at the other, opposed, end of the carton. The first and third corners of each of the first and second panels are diagonally opposed to each other and have first and third configurations, respectively. The second and fourth corners of each of the first and second panels are diagonally opposed to each other and have second and fourth configurations, respectively. The first configuration is different from each of the second and third configurations, and the second configuration is different from the third configuration.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of primary panels includes a handle panel, a first end panel and a second end panel. The handle panel is connected at a second end thereof to the second end panel by a fold line. The handle panel is connected at a first, opposing, end thereof to the first end panel via a corner panel. A pair of first and second handle openings are defined in the handle panel and arranged along a notional line extending between the first and second ends of the handle panel. The second handle opening is disposed closer to the second end than the first handle opening. A second distance between the second handle opening and the second end is greater than a first distance between the first handle opening and the first end.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of primary panels includes a handle panel and a side panel. The handle panel is connected at one side thereof to the side panel by a first fold line. The side panel has a non-square corner defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line. The handle panel has a second fold line extending from the end of the first fold line toward a handle defined in the handle panel.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and a set of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for closing one of opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part. The blank further comprises dispenser-forming portions for forming a corner dispenser. The dispenser-forming portions comprise a first one of the set of end closure panels, the first one being a corner panel for providing a non-square corner of the carton. The corner panel is disposed between a second one of the set of end closure panels and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. The dispenser-forming portions further comprise a tear initiation feature formed from at least a third one of the set of end closure panels.

Optionally, the dispenser-forming portions further comprise the second one of the set of end closure panels.

Optionally, the tear-initiation feature is formed further from a fourth one of the set of end closure panels.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and a set of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for closing one of opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part. The blank further comprises dispenser-forming portions for forming a corner dispenser. The dispenser-forming portions comprise a first one of the set of end-closure panels, the first one being a corner panel for providing a non-square corner of the carton. The corner panel is disposed between a second one of the set of end closure panels and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. The dispenser-forming portions further comprise a tear initiation feature defined at least in a third one of the set of end closure panels.

Optionally, the tear-initiation feature is defined further in a fourth one of the set of end closure panels.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a blank for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a pair of first and second panels for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton. The blank is configured to form four or more corners of the carton. Each of the four or more corners is arranged to extend between the first and second panels in a set-up carton. Two or more of the four or more corners of the carton are nonsquare corners. The blank further comprises dispenser-forming portions for providing two or more dispensers configured to be disposed at two or more of the four or more corners of the carton, respectively.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings and discussed below.

Within the scope of this application, it is envisaged or intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be considered or taken independently or in any combination thereof.

Features or elements described in connection with, or relation to, one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is an incompatibility of features. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into, or combined with, any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, said features or elements extracted from said one embodiment may be included in addition to, or in replacement of one or more features or elements of said other embodiment.

A feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment disclosed herein may be extracted in isolation from other features of that embodiment. Alternatively, a feature, or combination of features, of an embodiment may be omitted from that embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of the carton of Figure 7 in which a dispenser feature has been deployed;

Figure 10 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 12 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks, and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative 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 are not necessarily 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 invention.

In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the nonlimiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container 90; 190; 290; 390 for engaging and carrying articles, such as primary product containers. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Other exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminum cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.

The blanks 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 are formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.

The packaging structure or carton 90; 190; 290; 390 described herein may be formed from a sheet material such as paperboard, which may be made of or coated with materials to increase its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear-resistant NATRALOCK® paperboard made by WestRock Company. It should be noted that the tear resistant materials may be provided by more than one layer, to help improve the tear-resistance of the package. Typically, one surface of the sheet material may have different characteristics to the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material that faces outwardly from a finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating such as a clay coating or other surface treatment to provide good printability. The surface of the sheet material that faces inwardly may, on the other hand, be provided with a coating, a layer, a treatment or be otherwise prepared to provide properties such as one or more of tear-resistance, good glueability, heat sealability, or other desired functional properties.

In the illustrated embodiments, the blanks 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 are configured to form a carton or carrier 90; 190; 290; 390 for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles B. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, 10, 11 , and 12, the arrangement is an m x n matrix or array, having four row (m=2) and six columns (n=5); two rows of five articles B are provided, and the articles B may be 330ml beverage cans. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the arrangement is an m x n matrix or array, having four row (m=2) and three columns (n=3) ; two rows of three articles B are provided, and the articles B may be 330ml beverage cans. Alternatively, the blanks 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 can be configured to form a carrier for packaging other types, number and size of articles and/or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration for example, but not limited to, basket carriers or wrap-around carriers, the articles may be cups, pouches, pots or cans.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a carton or carrier 90, as shown in Figure 2, for carrying a group of primary products such as, but not limited to, cans or bottles, hereinafter referred to as articles. The blank 10 forms a secondary package for packaging at least one primary product container or package.

The blank 10 comprises a plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, hinged one to the next in a linear series. A base wall panel 12 is hinged to a first side wall panel 14 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 13. A top wall panel 16 is hinged to the first side wall panel 14 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 15. A second side wall panel 18 is hinged to the top wall panel 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 17.

The second side wall panel 18 is hinged to a securing panel or glue flap 20 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 19. The base wall panel 12 and the securing panel 20 are configured to be disposed in overlapping relationship to form a composite panel 12/20.

The plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18 of the blank 10 form walls of an open-ended tubular structure in a set-up condition and define an interior of the article carrier 90. The tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure structures. The tubular structure has a tubular axis defining a longitudinal direction.

Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels which form end walls of the tubular structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by end closure panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B.

End closure panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A are configured to close a first end of the tubular structure and end closure panels 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B are configured to close a second end of the tubular structure.

The first end of the tubular structure is closed by a first end closure panel 22A, a second end closure panel 24A, a third end closure panel 26A, a fourth end closure panel 28A, and a fifth end closure panel 30A. The first end closure panel 22A is hinged to a first end of the base wall panel 12 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 23A. The second end closure panel 24A is hinged to a first end of the first side wall panel 14 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 25A. The third end closure panel 26A is hinged to a first end of the top wall panel 16 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 27A. The fourth end closure panel 28A is hinged to the third end closure panel 26A by a hinged connection such as a fold line 29A. The fifth end closure panel 30A is hinged to a first end of the second side wall panel 18 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 31 A.

The second end of the tubular structure is closed by a sixth end closure panel 22B, a seventh end closure panel 24B, an eighth end closure panel 26B, a ninth end closure panel 28B, and a tenth end closure panel 30B. The sixth end closure panel 22B is hinged to a second end of the base wall panel 12 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 21 B. The seventh end closure panel 24B is hinged to a second end of the first side wall panel 14 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 23B. The eighth end closure panel 26B is hinged to a second end of the top wall panel 16 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 25B. The ninth end closure panel 28B is hinged to the eighth end closure panel 26B by a hinged connection such as a fold line 29B. The tenth end closure panel 30B is hinged to a second end of the second side wall panel 18 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 31 B.

The first end closure panel 22A and the sixth end closure panel 22B each form a minor end closure panel or dust flap at opposing ends of the tubular structure. The fourth end closure panel 28A and the ninth end closure panel 28B each form a minor end closure panel or dust flap at opposing ends of the tubular structure. The first end closure panel 22A and the sixth end closure panel 22B are also referred to herein as bottom end closure panels. The fourth end closure panel 28A and the ninth end closure panel 28B are also referred to herein as top end closure panels.

The second end closure panel 24A and the fifth end closure panel 30A each form a major side end closure panel at the first end of the tubular structure. The seventh end closure panel 24B and the tenth end closure panel 30B each form a major side end closure panel at the second end of the tubular structure. The major end closure panels or dust flaps are also referred to herein as side end closure panels.

The third end closure panel 26A forms a corner panel extending between the top wall panel 16 and a first end wall formed from the first end closure panel 22A, second end closure panel 24A, fourth end closure panel 28A, and fifth end closure panel 30A.

The eighth end closure panel 26B forms a corner panel extending between the top wall panel 16 and a second end wall formed from the sixth end closure panel 22B, seventh end closure panel 24B, ninth end closure panel 28B, and tenth end closure panel 30B.

The blank 10 comprises a carrying handle H defined in the top wall panel 16. The carrying handle H comprises a pair of handle or finger openings spaced apart from each other. Each finger opening may be defined, at least in part, by a tab 60 struck from, or defined in, the top wall panel 16 and hingedly connected thereto by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line. A first tab 60 is hinged in opposition to a second tab 60.

The blank 10 may comprise an access device or dispenser D1 , D2. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 comprises two dispensers D1 , D2. A first dispenser D1 is provided at a first end of the carton 90 and a second dispenser D2 is provided at a second end of the carton 90.

The first dispenser D1 comprises a first tear or severance line 51 A defined in the second end closure panel 24A. The first severance line 51 A extends from the hinged connection between the second end closure panel 24A and the first side wall panel 14 to an opposing free edge of the second end closure panel 24A. A second tear or severance line 51 B is provided in the first side wall panel 14. The second severance line 51 B extends from the hinged connection between the second end closure panel 24A and the first side wall panel 14 to the hinged connection between the first side wall panel 14 and the top wall panel 16. The second severance line 51 B is arranged to be contiguous or continuous with the first severance line 51 A. A third tear or severance line 51 C is provided in the top wall panel 16. The third severance line 51 C extends from the hinged connection between the first side wall panel 14 and the top wall panel 16 to the opposing hinged connection between the top wall panel 16 and the second side wall panel 18. The third severance line 51 C is arranged to be contiguous or continuous with the second severance line 51 B.

A fourth tear or severance line 51 D is provided in the second side wall panel 14. The fourth severance line 51 D extends from the hinged connection between the second side wall panel 18 and the top wall panel 16 to the hinged connection between the fifth end closure panel 30A and the second side wall panel 18. The fourth severance line 51 D is arranged to be contiguous or continuous with the third severance line 51 C.

A fifth tear or severance line 51 E is defined in the fifth end closure panel 30A. The fifth severance line 51 E extends from the hinged connection between the fifth end closure panel 30A and the second side wall panel 18 to an opposing free edge of the fifth end closure panel 30A. The fifth severance line 51 E is arranged to be contiguous or continuous with the fourth severance line 51 D.

In a set up carton 90, the fifth severance line 51 E and first severance line 51 A are configured to be aligned with each other such that the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth severance lines 51 A, 51 B, 51 C, 51 D, 51 E form a loop and define a removable corner portion of the carton 90.

The first dispenser D1 may comprise a tear initiation feature in the form of a tab 52. The tab 52 is struck from a portion of the top wall panel 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab

52 is struck from a removable portion of the top wall panel 16 at a first end of the top wall panel 16. The tab 52 is hingedly connected to the top wall panel 16 by hinged connection in the form of a fold line 53. The tab 52 is defined in part by a portion of the third severance line 51 C in the top wall panel 16. A pair of cutlines or severance line extend between the fold line

53 and the third severance line 51 C, each defining an end of the tab 52.

The second dispenser D2 is substantially similar in construction to the first dispenser D1 , albeit a mirror image thereof. The second dispenser D2 defines a removable corner portion of the carton 90 at a second end of the carton 90 and comprises first and fifth severance lines 51 A, 51 E defined in the seventh and tenth end closure panels 24B, 30B, respectively.

The blank 10 is arranged to form a carton 90 having at least one non-square corner. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 and 2, the carton 90 comprises two non-square corners and two square corners. The first and second side wall panels are arranged to have two non- square corners C1 , C2 and two square corners C3, C4. The non-square corners C1 , C2 are rounded or filleted. The non-square corners C1 , C2 are arranged to be upper corners of the carton 90. The non-square corners C1 , C2 are disposed adjacent to the top wall panel 16. The square corners C3, C4 are arranged to be lower corners of the carton 90.

The top wall panel 16 may comprise one or more folds 54 extending from a corner of the top wall panel 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a fold 54 extends from each corner of the top wall panel 16. The folds 54 may control or define deformation in the top wall panel 16 when the handle H is employed, or when one of the dispensers D1 , D2 is deployed.

Optionally, the blank 10 comprises an aperture A1 struck from, or defined in, the second side wall panel 18.

Optionally, the blank 10 comprises a pair of fold lines 56 defined in the securing panel 20. The pair of fold lines 56 extend from the fold line 19 to the opposing free side edge of the securing panel 20. Each fold line 56 is disposed proximate one of the ends of the securing panel 20. The pair of fold lines 56 may be divergently arranged with respect to each other and may be arranged to diverge towards the fold line 19.

The carton 90 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight-line machine so that the carton 90 may not be required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. During loading and assembly of the carton 90, the carton 90 may be orientated such that one of the first and second side wall panels 14, 18 forms a loading surface or bottom wall. The bases of one or more articles B may be in sliding contact with the loading surface when being inserted into the carton 90. The articles B may be substantially cylindrical in shape and have a cylindrical axis. The cylindrical axis is orientated perpendicularly to the first and second side wall panels 14, 18 and may also be orientated substantially vertically.

Top wall panel 16 forms the top wall of the carton 90 when the handle structure H is in use as a carrying handle by a user and this top wall is, optionally, disposed adjacent to the sides of the articles B. In this orientation the top wall is not disposed substantially planar to the tops or bottoms of the articles B held within the carton 90. In other words, the cylindrical axis of the articles B is substantially parallel with the plane of the top wall of the carton 90.

Composite panel 12/20 may form a base wall of the carton 90 when the handle structure H is in use as a carrying handle by a user. The composite panel 12/20 may form the base wall when the articles B are being dispensed from the carton 90 or when the carton 90 is at rest upon a surface such as a shelf. As such, it will be understood that descriptive terms “top”, “base”, and “side” do not necessarily limit the carton 90 to adopting a particular orientation but serve to distinguish those panels from one another. In other embodiments, the cylindrical axis of the articles B may be orientated differently with respect to the first and second side wall panels 14, 18 of the carton 90. For example, but not limited to, the cylindrical axis of the articles B be may orientated substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the composite panel 12/20 of the carton 90.

T urning to the construction of the carton 90 as illustrated in Figure 2, the blank 10 is folded, about the fold line 17, such that the securing panel 20 and second side wall panel 18 are disposed in overlying relationship with the top wall panel 16.

Glue, or other adhesive treatment, is applied to an outer surface of the securing panel 20. Alternatively, glue, or other adhesive treatment, may be applied to a corresponding portion of an inner surface of the base wall panel 12.

The blank 10 is folded, about the fold line 13, such that the base wall panel 12 is disposed in overlying relationship with the securing panel 20. The base wall panel 12 is thereby secured to the securing panel 20, this forms a manufacturers seam; the manufacturers seam is typically formed prior to shipping to a converter plant where loading with product takes place.

The blank 10 is thus formed into a flat collapsed tubular structure which can be readily shipped or distributed to a convertor plant, at which the flat collapsed tubular structure may be erected into an open-ended tubular structure and loaded with articles B.

The flat collapsed tubular structure may be erected to form an open-ended tubular structure by unfolding the composite panel 12/20 with respect to the first side wall panel 14 such that the first side panel 14 is disposed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the composite panel 12/20.

The carton 90, in its open-ended tubular form, may be loaded with articles through one or both open ends thereof. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, one of the open ends of the carton 90 may be closed before loading the interior with articles through the remaining open end.

Once the carton 90 has been loaded with articles, the open ends of the carton 90 are closed.

A first end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the first end closure panel 22A about fold line 23A, by folding the third end closure panel 26A about fold line 27A and the fourth end closure panel 28A about fold line 29A, the first end closure panel 22A and the fourth end closure panel 28A are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the top or base wall panel 16, 12 to which they are hingedly connected.

Glue, or other adhesive treatment, is applied to outward facing surfaces of the first end closure panel 22A and of the fourth end closure panel 28A.

The second end closure panel 24A is then folded, about the fold line 25A, to be brought into contact with the first and fourth end closure panels 22A, 28A.

The fifth end closure panel 30A is then folded, about the fold line 31 A, to be brought into contact with the first and fourth end closure panels 22A, 28A. The second end closure panel 24A is secured to the first and fourth end closure panels 22A, 28A. The fifth end closure panel 30 is secured to the first and fourth end closure panels 22A, 28A.

A second end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth end closure panels 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B in a manner substantially similar to that described above in relation to the first end closure panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A.

Figure 2 illustrates the assembled carton 90 forming a package with a plurality of articles. A dispenser D1 , D2 is provided at each end of the carton 90. The upper corners of the carton 90 are rounded, the third and eighth end closure panels 26A, 26B being contoured or deformed about the cylindrical side wall of the adjacently disposed articles. The first and fifth severance lines 51 A, 51 E are arranged to be contiguous and may be aligned with a gap or void between the first and fourth end closure panels 22A, 28A.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 12, there is shown embodiments of the present disclosure. In the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh illustrated embodiment like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “100”; “200”; “300”; “400”; “500”; “600” to indicate that these features belong to the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh embodiment respectively. The additional embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 will be described in detail.

Figure 3 shows a blank 1 10 for forming a carton 190, as shown in Figure 4, the blank 110 comprises a plurality of main panels 1 12, 1 14, 116, 1 18 hinged one to the next in a linear series. A base wall panel 112 is hinged to a first side wall panel 1 14 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 113. The first side wall panel 1 14 is hinged to a top wall panel 116 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 115. The base wall panel 1 16 is hinged to a second side wall panel 1 18 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 117.

The second side wall panel 1 18 is hinged to a securing panel 120 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 119.

The blank 1 10 is substantially similar in construction to the blank 10 of Figure 1 albeit the blank 1 10 comprises a single dispenser D1 arranged to be at a first end of the carton 190.

The blank 1 10 is configured to form a carton 190 having at least one non-square corner. The carton 190 comprises two non-square corners and two square corners. The first and second side wall panels 1 14, 118 are arranged to have two non-square corners C1 , C4 and two square corners C2, C3. The non-square corners C1 , C4 are rounded or filleted. The non- square corners C1 , C4 are arranged to be an upper corner and a lower corner of the carton 190 at a first end thereof, the end of the carton 190 at which the dispenser feature is provided. The square corners C2, C3 are arranged to be an upper corner and a lower corner at a second, opposing, end of the carton 190. The blank 110 comprises a corner or bevel panel 122C forming an end closure panel. The corner panel 122C is hingedly connected to the base wall panel 1 12 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 123C. The first end closure panel 122A is hingedly connected to the corner panel 122C by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 123A.

The ninth end closure panel 128B is hingedly connected directly to the top wall panel 1 16 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 129B (the eighth end closure panel 26B of the embodiment of Figure 1 has been omitted).

Figure 5 shows a blank 210 for forming a carton 290, as shown in Figure 6, the blank 210 comprises a plurality of main panels 212, 214, 216, 218 hinged one to the next in a linear series. A base wall panel 212 is hinged to a first side wall panel 214 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 213. The first side wall panel 214 is hinged to a top wall panel 216 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 215. The base wall panel 216 is hinged to a second side wall panel 218 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 217.

The second side wall panel 218 is hinged to a securing panel 220 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 219.

The blank 210 is substantially similar in construction to the blank 10 of Figure 1 albeit the blank 210 comprises a single dispenser D1 arranged to be at a first end of the carton 290.

The blank 210 is configured to form a carton 290 having at least one non-square corner. The carton 290 comprises two non-square corners and two square corners. The first and second side wall panels 214, 218 are arranged to have two non-square corners C1 , C3 and two square corners C2, C4. The non-square corners C1 , C3 are diagonally opposed to each other. The square corners C2, C4 are diagonally opposed to each other. A first non-square C1 corner is chamfered or beveled. A second non-square C1 corner is rounded or filleted. The first non-square corner C1 is arranged to be an upper corner of the carton 290 at a first end thereof. The second non-square corner C3 is arranged to be a lower corner at a second, opposing, end of the carton 290. A first square corner C2 is arranged to be an upper corner at the second end of the carton 290 and a second square corner C4 is arranged to be a lower corner at the first end of the carton 290.

The blank 210 comprises a corner or bevel panel 222D forming an end closure panel. The corner panel 222C is hingedly connected to the base wall panel 212 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 223D. The second end closure panel 222B is hingedly connected to the corner panel 222D by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 223B.

The ninth end closure panel 228B is hingedly connected directly to the top wall panel 216 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 229B (the eighth end closure panel 26B of the embodiment of Figure 1 has been omitted).

Figure 7 shows a blank 310 for forming a carton 390, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the blank 310 comprises a plurality of main panels 312, 314, 316, 318 hinged one to the next in a linear series. A top wall panel 312 is hinged to a first side wall panel 314 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 313. The first side wall panel 314 is hinged to a base wall panel 316 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 315. The top wall panel 316 is hinged to a second side wall panel 318 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 317.

The second side wall panel 318 is hinged to a securing panel 320 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 319. The securing panel 320 forms a composite panel 312/320 with the top wall panel 312

The blank 310 is substantially similar in construction to the blank 10 of Figure 1 albeit the blank 310 comprises a single dispenser D arranged to be at a second end of the carton 390.

The blank 310 is configured to form a carton 390 having at least one non-square corner. The carton 390 comprises three non-square corners and one square corner. The first and second side wall panels 314, 318 are arranged to have three non-square corners C1 , C2, C3 and one square corners C4. A first non-square C1 corner is rounded or filleted and is arranged to be an upper corner of the carton 390 at a first end thereof. A second non-square corner C2 is rounded or filleted and is arranged to be an upper corner at a second, opposing, end of the carton 390. A third non-square corner C3 is rounded or filleted and is arranged to be a lower corner at the second, opposing, end of the carton 390. The square corner C4 is arranged to be a lower corner at the first end of the carton 390.

The blank 310 comprises a first corner or bevel panel 322C forming an end closure panel. The first corner panel 322C is hingedly connected to the top wall panel 312 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 323C. The first end closure panel 322A is hingedly connected to the first corner panel 322C by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 323A.

The blank 310 comprises a second corner or bevel panel 322D forming an end closure panel. The second corner panel 322D is hingedly connected to the top wall panel 312 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 323D. The second end closure panel 322B is hingedly connected to the second corner panel 322D by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 323B.

The fourth end closure panel 328A is hingedly connected directly to the base wall panel 316 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 329A (the third end closure panel 26A of the embodiment of Figure 1 has been omitted).

The ninth end closure panel 328B is hingedly connected to the base wall panel 316 via an eighth end closure panel 326B.

The blank 310 comprises an access device or dispenser D. The dispenser D comprises a first tear or severance line 351 A defined in the seventh end closure panel 324B. The first severance line 351 A extends from the hinged connection between the seventh end closure panel 324B and the first side wall panel 314 to an opposing free edge of the seventh end closure panel 324B. A second tear or severance line 351 B is provided in the first side wall panel 314. The second severance line 351 B extends from the hinged connection between the seventh end closure panel 324B and the first side wall panel 314 to the hinged connection between the first side wall panel 314 and the base wall panel 316. The second severance line 351 B is arranged to be contiguous or continuous with the first severance line 351 A.

A fourth tear or severance line 351 D is provided in the second side wall panel 314. The fourth severance line 351 D extends from the hinged connection between the second side wall panel 318 and the base wall panel 316 to the hinged connection between the tenth end closure panel 330B and the second side wall panel 318.

A fifth tear or severance line 351 E is defined in the tenth end closure panel 330B. The fifth severance line 351 E extends from the hinged connection between the tenth end closure panel 330B and the second side wall panel 318 to an opposing free edge of the tenth end closure panel 330B. The fifth severance line 351 E is arranged to be contiguous or continuous with the fourth severance line 351 D.

In a set up carton 390, the fifth severance line 351 E and first severance line 351 A are configured to be aligned define a removable portion of the second end wall of the carton 390.

The dispenser D may comprise a tear initiation feature in the form of a tab PT. The tab PT is struck from portions of the seventh end closure panel 324B and tenth end closure panel 330B and is defined, at least in part, by portions of the first and fifth severance lines 351 A, 351 E. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab PT is provided by a removable portion of the end wall of the carton 390.

The first and second severance lines 351 A, 351 B define, at least in part detachable portions of the first side wall panel 314 and seventh end closure panel 324B. The fourth and fifth severance lines 351 D, 351 E define, at least in part detachable portions of the second side wall panel 318 and tenth end closure panel 330B.

The detachable portion of seventh end closure panel 324B is secured to the ninth end closure panel 328B and the detachable portion of the first side wall panel 314 is coupled to the ninth end closure panel 328B via the detachable portion of seventh end closure panel 324B.

The detachable portion of tenth end closure panel 330B is secured to the ninth end closure panel 328B and the detachable portion of the second side wall panel 318 is coupled to the ninth end closure panel 328B via the detachable portion of tenth end closure panel 330B.

The second severance line 351 B terminates at a corner of the base panel 316, at an intersection between fold line 315 and fold line 327B.

The fourth severance line 351 D terminates at a corner of the base panel 316, at an intersection between fold line 317 and fold line 327B.

The detachable portion of seventh end closure panel 324B remains connected to the ninth end closure panel 328B when the dispenser D is deployed. The detachable portion of tenth end closure panel 330B remains connected to the ninth end closure panel 328B when the dispenser D is deployed.

The detachable portions of the first and second side panels 314, 318 separate from the first and second side panel 314, 318 and remain coupled to the ninth end closure panel 328B, via the respective detachable portions of the seventh and tenth end closure panels 324B, 330B, when the dispenser D is deployed.

The eighth and ninth end closure panels 326B, 328B fold downwardly away from the end wall of the carton 390 to create an opening through which articles B can be dispensed or removed, as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 shows a blank 410 for forming a carton (not shown), the blank 410 comprises a plurality of main panels 412, 414, 416, 418, hinged one to the next in a linear series. A base wall panel 412 is hinged to a first side wall panel 414 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 413. The first side wall panel 414 is hinged to a top wall panel 416 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 415. The base wall panel 416 is hinged to a second side wall panel 418 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 417.

The second side wall panel 418 is hinged to a securing panel 420 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 419.

The blank 410 is substantially similar in construction to the blank 10 of Figure 1 , albeit the blank 410 comprises a single dispenser D1 arranged to be at a first end of the carton.

The blank 410 is configured to form a carton having at least one non-square corner. The carton comprises three non-square corners and one square corner. The first and second side wall panels 414, 418 are arranged to have three non-square corners C1 , C2, C3 and one square corners C4. A first non-square C1 corner is rounded or filleted and is arranged to be an upper corner of the carton at a first end thereof. A second non-square corner C2 is rounded or filleted and is arranged to be an upper corner at a second, opposing, end of the carton. A third non-square corner C3 is rounded or filleted and is arranged to be a lower corner at the second, opposing, end of the carton. The square corner C4 is arranged to be a lower corner at the first end of the carton.

The blank 410 comprises a corner or bevel panel 422D forming an end closure panel. The corner panel 422C is hingedly connected to the base wall panel 412 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 423D. The second end closure panel 422B is hingedly connected to the corner panel 422D by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 423B.

The ninth end closure panel 428B is hingedly connected to the top wall panel 416 via an eighth end closure panel 426B.

Figure 11 shows a blank 510 for forming a carton (not shown). The blank 510 comprises a plurality of main panels 512, 514, 516, 518, hinged one to the next in a linear series. A base wall panel 512 is hinged to a first side wall panel 514 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 513. The first side wall panel 514 is hinged to a top wall panel 516 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 515. The base wall panel 516 is hinged to a second side wall panel 518 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 517.

The second side wall panel 518 is hinged to a securing panel 520 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 519.

The blank 510 is substantially similar in construction to the blank 10 of Figure 1 , albeit the blank 510 comprises a single dispenser D1 arranged to be at a first end of the carton.

The blank 510 is configured to form a carton having at least one non-square corner. The carton comprises two non-square corners and two square corners. The first and second side wall panels 514, 518 are arranged to have two non-square corners C1 , C4 and two square corners C2, C3. The non-square corners C1 , C4 are arranged to be an upper corner and a lower corner of the carton 190 at a first end thereof. A first non-square C1 corner is chamfered or beveled. A second non-square C4 corner is rounded or filleted. The first non-square corner C1 is arranged to be an upper corner of the carton at a first end thereof, the second non- square corner C4 is arranged to be a lower corner at the first end of the carton. A first square corner C2 is arranged to be an upper corner at the second end of the carton and a second square corner C3 is arranged to be a lower corner at the second end of the carton.

The blank 510 comprises a corner or bevel panel 522C forming an end closure panel. The corner panel 522C is hingedly connected to the base wall panel 512 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 523C. The first end closure panel 522A is hingedly connected to the corner panel 522C by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 523A.

The ninth end closure panel 528B is hingedly connected directly to the top wall panel 516 by a hinged connection in the form of a fold line 529B (the eighth end closure panel 26B of the embodiment of Figure 1 has been omitted).

Figure 12 shows a blank 610 for forming a carton (not shown). The blank 610 comprises a plurality of main panels 612, 614, 616, 618, hinged one to the next in a linear series. A base wall panel 612 is hinged to a first side wall panel 614 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 613. The first side wall panel 614 is hinged to a top wall panel 616 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 615. The base wall panel 616 is hinged to a second side wall panel 618 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 617.

The second side wall panel 618 is hinged to a securing panel 520 by a hinged connection such as a fold line 619.

The blank 610 is substantially similar in construction to the blank 10 of Figure 1 , albeit the blank 610 comprises a single dispenser D1 arranged to be at a first end of the carton.

The blank 610 is configured to form a carton having at least one non-square corner. The carton comprises two non-square corners and two square corners. The first and second side wall panels 614, 618 are arranged to have two non-square corners C1 , C2 and two square corners C3, C4. The non-square corners C1 , C2 are arranged to be upper corners of the carton. A first non-square C1 corner is chamfered or beveled. A second non-square C2 corner is rounded or filleted. The square corners C3, C4 are arranged to be lower corners of the carton.

The fourth end closure panel 628A is hingedly connected to the top wall panel 616 via a third end closure panel 626A. The ninth end closure panel 628B is hingedly connected to the top wall panel 616 via an eighth end closure panel 626B.

The present disclosure provides an article carrier or carton 90; 190; 290; 390 for packaging one or more articles B and blanks 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 for forming the article carrier or carton 90; 190; 290; 390.

The present disclosure also provides an article carrier 90; 190; 290; 390 and/or blanks 10; 1 10; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 comprising a plurality of primary panels 12, 14, 16, 18; 1 12, 114, 1 16, 118; 212, 214, 216, 218; 312, 314, 316, 318; 412, 414, 416, 418; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 for defining an interior of the article carrier 90; 190; 290; 390 in which at least part of at least one article B is received.

The plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18; 112, 114, 1 16, 118; 212, 214, 216, 218; 312, 314, 316, 318; 412, 414, 416, 418; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 comprises a pair of opposing panels including a first panel 14; 1 14; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614 and a second panel 18; 1 18; 218; 318; 418; 518; 618. The carton 290 and/or blank 210; 510; 610 further comprises four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618, wherein three of the four or more corners of the carton 290 have different configurations or shapes.

At least two of the four or more corners of the carton 290 and/or blank 210; 510; 610 may be non-square corners. Each non-square corner may take the form of a beveled corner, a rounded corner, a diamond corner and may comprise a corner panel 222C, 226A; 522C, 526A; 626A, 626B extending between one of the plurality of panels 212, 214, 216, 218; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 and an end closure panel 222B, 228A; 522A, 528A; 628A, 628B. The corner panel 222C, 226A; 522C, 526A; 626A, 626B may be inclined or obliquely oriented with respect to said one of the plurality of panels 212, 214, 216, 218; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618. In some embodiments, the corner panel 222C, 226A; 522C, 526A; 626A, 626B may be rectangular in shape, in other embodiments the corner panel 222C, 226A; 522C, 526A; 626A, 626B may be diamond (rhombus) or kite shaped.

The carton 290 and/or blank 210; 510; 610 may comprise a corner dispenser D; D1 , D2 defined at one of the four or more corners of the carton 290.

The first and second panels 14, 18; 1 14, 1 18; 214, 218; 314, 318; 414, 418; 514, 518; 614, 618 comprise four or more corners C1 , C2, C3, C4. At least two of the four or more corners C1 , C2, C3, C4 are non-squared corners, and may be rounded, filleted, beveled, chamfered. The present disclosure also provides a carton 290 and/or blank 210; 510; 610 comprising a plurality of panels 212, 214, 216, 218; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 defining an interior of the carton 290. The plurality of panels 212, 214, 216, 218; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 comprises a pair of opposing panels including a first panel 214; 514; 614 and a second panel 218; 518; 618. The carton 290 further comprises four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618. The four or more corners comprise first and second adjacent corners at one end of the carton 290 and third and fourth adjacent corners at the other, opposed, end of the carton 290. The first and third corners are diagonally opposed to each other and have first and third configurations, respectively. The second and fourth corners are diagonally opposed to each other and have second and fourth configurations, respectively. The first configuration is different from each of the second and third configurations and the second configuration is different from the third configuration.

The present disclosure also provides a carton 190; 290 (and blank 1 10; 210; 510 for forming the carton 190; 290) comprising a plurality of panels 1 12, 1 14, 116, 118; 212, 214, 216, 218; 512, 514, 516, 518 defining an interior of the carton 190; 290. The plurality of panels 112, 114, 116, 118; 212, 214, 216, 218; 512, 514, 516, 518 comprises a handle panel 1 16; 216; 516, a first end panel 128A; 228A; 528A and a second end panel 128B; 228B; 528B, the handle panel 116; 216; 516 being connected at a second end thereof to the second end panel 128B; 228B; 528B by a fold line 129A; 229A; 529A, the handle panel 116; 216; 516 being connected at a first, opposing, end thereof to the first end panel 128A; 228A; 528A via a non-squared corner ( provided by a corner panel 126A, 226A, 526A). A pair of first and second handle openings are defined in the handle panel 1 16; 216; 516 and arranged along a notional line extending between the first and second ends of the handle panel 1 16; 216; 516. The second handle opening is disposed closer to the second end than the first handle opening. A distance d2 between the second handle opening and the second end is greater than a distance d1 between the first handle opening and the first end, see Figure 3.

The present disclosure also provides a carton 90; 190; 290; 390 (and blank 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 for forming the carton 90; 190; 290; 390) comprising a plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18; 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 118; 212, 214, 216, 218; 312, 314, 316, 318; 412, 414, 416, 418; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 defining an interior of the carton 90; 190; 290; 390. The plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18; 112, 114, 116, 1 18; 212, 214, 216, 218; 312, 314,

316, 318; 412, 414, 416, 418; 512, 514, 516, 518; 612, 614, 616, 618 comprises a handle panel 16; 1 16; 216; 312; 416; 516; 616 and a side panel 14, 18; 1 14, 1 18; 214, 218; 314; 414, 418, 514, 518; 614, 618. The handle panel 16; 116; 216; 312; 416; 516; 616 is connected at one side thereof to the side panel 14, 18; 114, 118; 214, 218; 314; 414, 418, 514, 518; 614,

618 by a first fold line 15, 17; 115, 1 17; 215, 217; 313; 415, 417; 515, 517; 615, 617. The side panel 14, 18; 114, 118; 214, 218; 314; 414, 418, 514, 518; 614, 618 has a non-squared corner C1 , C2 defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line 14, 18; 1 14, 1 18; 214, 218; 314; 414, 418, 514, 518; 614, 618. The handle panel 16; 116; 216; 312; 416; 516; 616 has a second fold line 54; 154; 254; 354; 454; 554; 654 extending from the end of the first fold line 15, 17; 115, 117; 215, 217; 313; 415, 417; 515, 517; 615, 617 toward a handle H defined in the handle panel 16; 1 16; 216; 312; 416; 516; 616.

The present disclosure also provides a carton 390 (and blank 310 for forming the carton 390) comprising a plurality of panels 312, 314, 316, 318 for forming a tubular structure and a pair of opposed end closure structures closing the opposed ends of the tubular structure at least in part. The carton 390 further comprises a corner dispenser D1 . A non-square corner is defined between one of the end closure structures and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels 312, 314, 316, 318. The dispenser D1 is formed from the non-square corner and part of the one of the end closure structures. The dispenser D1 comprises a tear initiation feature PT in at least one panel 324B, 330B forming said one of the end closure structures. The tear initiation feature PT may be disposed centrally or medially of one of the end closure structures. The tear initiation feature PT may be provided in part by a first panel 324B forming said one of the end closure structures and in part by a second panel 330B forming said one of the end closure structures, the second panel 330B being disposed adjacent to the first panel 324B.

The present disclosure also provides a carton 90 (and blank 10 for forming the carton 90) comprising a plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18 defining an interior of the carton 90. The plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18 comprises a pair of first and second opposing panels 14, 18. The carton 90 further comprises four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels 14, 18. Two or more of the four or more corners of the carton 90 are non-square corners. The carton 90 further comprises two or more dispensers D1 , D2 defined at two or more of the four or more corners, respectively.

The present disclosure also provides a blank 210; 510; 610 for forming a carton. The blank 210; 510; 610 comprises a plurality of primary panels 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520; 612, 614, 616, 618, 620 for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of primary panels 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520; 612, 614, 616, 618, 620 includes a pair of first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton. Each of the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 comprises four or more corners. Three of the four or more corners of each of the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 have different configurations.

The present disclosure also provides a blank 210; 510; 610 for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520; 612, 614, 616, 618, 620 including a pair of first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton. Each of the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 comprises four or more corners which comprise first and second adjacent corners C1 , C4 ; C4, C1 arranged to be disposed at one end of the carton, and third and fourth adjacent corners C3, C2; C2, C3 arranged to be disposed at the other, opposed, end of the carton. The first and third corners C1 , C3 of each of the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 are diagonally opposed to each other and have first and third configurations, respectively. The second and fourth corners C4, C2 of each of the first and second panels 214, 218; 514, 518; 614, 618 are diagonally opposed to each other and have second and fourth configurations, respectively. The first configuration is different from each of the second and third configurations, and the second configuration is different from the third configuration.

The present disclosure also provides a blank 110; 210; 510 for forming a carton. The blank comprises a plurality of primary panels 1 12, 114, 116, 118, 120; 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520 for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of primary panelsl 12, 114, 1 16, 1 18, 120; 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520 includes a handle panel 116; 216; 516, a first end panel 128A; 228A; 528A and a second end panel 128B; 228B; 528B. The handle panel 1 16; 226; 526 is connected at a second end thereof to the second end panel 128B; 228B; 528B by a fold line 129B, 229B; 529B. The handle panel 116; 216; 516 is connected at a first, opposing, end thereof to the first end panel 128A; 228A; 528A via a corner panel 126A; 226A; 526A. A pair of first and second handle openings 160, 160; 260, 260; 560, 560 are defined in the handle panel 1 16; 216; 516 and arranged along a notional line extending between the first and second ends of the handle panel 116; 216; 516. The second handle opening 160; 260; 560 is disposed closer to the second end 127A; 227A; 527A than the first handle opening. A second distance “d2” between the second handle opening 160; 260; 560 and the second end 129A; 229A; 529A is greater than a first distance “d1 ” between the first handle opening 160; 260; 560 and the first end 127A; 227A; 527A.

The present disclosure further provides a blank 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 for forming a carton. The blank 10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610 comprises a plurality of primary panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20; 112, 114, 116, 118, 120; 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 312, 314, 316, 318. 320; 412, 414, 416, 418, 420; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520; 612, 614, 616, 618, 620 for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of primary panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20; 112, 114, 1 16, 118, 120; 212, 214, 216, 218, 220; 312, 314, 316, 318. 320; 412, 414, 416, 418, 420; 512, 514, 516, 518, 520; 612, 614, 616, 618, 620 includes a handle panel 16; 116; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616 and a side panel 14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614. The handle panel 16; 1 16; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616 is connected at one side thereof to the side panel 14; 1 14; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614 by a first fold line 15; 1 15; 215; 313; 415; 515; 615. The side panel 14; 1 14; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614 has a non-square corner defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line 15; 1 15; 215; 313; 415; 515; 615. The handle panel 16; 116; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616 has a second fold line 54; 154; 254; 354; 454; 554; 654 extending from the end of the first fold line 15; 115; 215; 313; 415; 515; 615 toward a handle “H” defined in the handle panel 16; 116; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616.

The present disclosure further provides a blank 310 for forming a carton. The blank 310 comprises a plurality of primary panels 312, 314, 316, 318. 320 for forming a tubular structure and a set of end closure panels 322D, 322B, 324B, 326B, 328B, 330B for forming an end closure structure for closing one of the opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part. The blank 310 further comprises dispenser-forming portions for forming a corner dispenser. The dispenser-forming portions comprise a first one of the set of end closure panels, the first one being a corner panel 326B for providing a non-square corner of the carton. The corner panel 326B is disposed between a second one 328B of the set of the end closure panels and an adjacent one 316 of the plurality of panels. The dispenser-forming portions further comprise a tear initiation feature “PT” formed at least from a third one 324B of the set of end closure panels 322D, 322B, 324B, 326B, 328B, 330B.

The present disclosure further provides a blank 310 for forming a carton. The blank 310 comprises a plurality of primary panels 312, 314, 316, 318. 320 for forming a tubular structure and a set of end closure panels 322D, 322B, 324B, 326B, 328B, 330B for forming an end closure structure for closing one of the opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part. The blank 310 further comprises dispenser-forming portions for forming a corner dispenser. The dispenser-forming portions comprise a first one of the set of end closure panels, the first one being a corner panel 326B for providing a non-square corner of the carton. The corner panel 326B is disposed between a second one 328B of the set of end closure panels and an adjacent one 316 of the plurality of panel. The dispenser-forming portions further comprise a tear initiation feature “PT” defined in at least a third one 324B of the set of end closure panels 322D, 322B, 324B, 326B, 328B, 330B.

The present disclosure further provides a blank 10 for forming a carton. The blank 10 comprises a plurality of primary panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 for defining an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 comprising a pair of first and second opposing panels 14, 18 for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton. The blank is configured to form four or more corners of the carton. Each of the four or more corners are arranged to extend between the first and second panels 14, 16 in a set-up carton. Two or more of the four or more corners are non-square corners. The blank further comprises dispenser-forming portions “D1 ”, “D2” for providing two or more dispensers configured to be disposed at two or more of the four or more corners of the carton, respectively.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom”, “base”, "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

As used herein, the terms “hinged connection” and “fold line” refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. Any reference to “hinged connection” should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed, a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape. When linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed parallel with each other or be slightly angled with respect to each other. When curvilinear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a half-moon shaped panel therebetween.

As used herein, the term “fold line” may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cutline, a line of aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options.

It should be understood that hinged connections and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cutline, an interrupted cutline, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line or a severance line or both. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.

The phrase “in registry with” as used herein refers to the alignment of two or more elements in an erected carton, such as an aperture formed in a first of two overlapping panels and a second aperture formed in a second of two overlapping panels. Those elements in registry with each other may be aligned with each other in the direction of the thickness of the overlapping panels. For example, when an aperture in a first panel is “in registry with” a second aperture in a second panel that is placed in an overlapping arrangement with the first panel, an edge of the aperture may extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture and may be aligned, in the direction of the thickness of the first and second panels, with the second aperture.

Claims

1 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of primary panels defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a pair of opposing panels including a first panel and a second panel, the carton further comprising four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels, wherein three of the four or more corners of the carton have different configurations.

2. A carton according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the four or more corners of the carton are non-square corners.

3. A carton according to claim 2, wherein each non-square corner takes the form of one selected from the group consisting of: a beveled corner, a rounded corner, and a diamond corner.

4. A carton according to claim 2, wherein each non-square corner comprises a corner panel extending between one of the plurality of panels and an end closure panel.

5. A carton according to claim 4, wherein the corner panel is obliquely oriented with respect to said one of the plurality of panels.

6. A carton according to claim 4, wherein the corner panel has a shape selected from the group consisting of: rectangle, diamond, rhombus, kite.

7. A carton according to claim 1 , wherein the carton comprises a corner dispenser defined at one of the four or more corners of the carton.

8. A carton according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second panels each comprises four or more corners, at least two of the four or more corners are non-square corners and each of the at least two of the four or more corners takes the form of one selected from the group consisting of a rounded corner, a filleted corner, a beveled corner and a chamfered corner.

9. A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a pair of opposing panels including a first panel and a second panel, the carton further comprising four or more corners each extending between the first and second panels, wherein the four or more corners comprises first and second adjacent corners at one end of the carton and third and fourth adjacent corners at the other, opposed, end of the carton, the first and third corners are diagonally opposed to each other and have first and third configurations, respectively, the second and fourth corners are diagonally opposed to each other and have second and fourth configurations respectively, the first configuration is different from each of the second and third configurations and the second configuration is different from the third configuration.

10. A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a handle panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, the handle panel being connected at a second end thereof to the second end panel by a fold line, the handle panel being connected at a first, opposing, end thereof to the first end panel via a non-square corner, wherein a pair of first and second handle openings are defined in the handle panel and arranged along a notional line extending between the first and second ends of the handle panel, the second handle opening is disposed closer to the second end than the first handle opening, a second distance between the second handle opening and the second end is greater than a first distance between the first handle opening and the first end.

11 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a handle panel and a side panel, the handle panel being connected at one side thereof to the side panel by a first fold line, the side panel having a non-square corner defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line, wherein the handle panel has a second fold line extending from the end of the first fold line toward a handle defined in the handle panel.

12. A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure and a pair of opposed end closure structures closing the opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part, the carton further comprising a corner dispenser, wherein a non-square corner is defined between one of the end closure structures and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels, the dispenser comprises the non-square corner and part of the one of the end closure structures, the dispenser further comprises a tear initiation feature in at least one panel forming said one of the end closure structures.

13. A carton according to claim 12, wherein the tear initiation feature is disposed medially of one of the end closure structures.

14. A carton according to claim 12, wherein the tear initiation feature is provided in part by a first panel forming said one of the end closure structures and in part by a second panel forming said one of the end closure structures, the second panel being disposed adjacent to the first panel

15. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of first and second panels for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton, each of the first and second panels comprising four or more corners, wherein three of the four or more corners of each of the first and second panels have different configurations.

16. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of primary panels including a pair of first and second panels for forming a pair of opposing panels of the carton, each of the first and second panels comprising four or more corners, wherein the four or more corners comprises first and second adjacent corners arranged to be disposed at one end of the carton and third and fourth adjacent corners arranged to be disposed at the other, opposed, end of the carton, the first and third corners of each of the first and second panels are diagonally opposed to each other and have first and third configurations, respectively, the second and fourth corners of each of the first and second panels are diagonally opposed to each other and have second and fourth configurations respectively, the first configuration is different from each of the second and third configurations and the second configuration is different from the third configuration.

17. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of primary panels including a handle panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, the handle panel being connected at a second end thereof to the second end panel by a fold line, the handle panel being connected at a first, opposing, end thereof to the first end panel via a corner panel, wherein a pair of first and second handle openings are defined in the handle panel and arranged along a notional line extending between the first and second ends of the handle panel, the second handle opening is disposed closer to the second end than the first handle opening, a second distance between the second handle opening and the second end is greater than a first distance between the first handle opening and the first end.

18. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for defining an interior of the carton, the plurality of primary panels including a handle panel and a side panel, the handle panel being connected at one side thereof to the side panel by a first fold line, the side panel having a non-square corner defined by a corner edge extending from an end of the first fold line, wherein the handle panel has a second fold line extending from the end of the first fold line toward a handle defined in the handle panel.

19. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and a set of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for closing one of opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part, the blank further comprising dispenser-forming portions for forming a corner dispenser, wherein the dispenser-forming portions comprise a first one of the set of end closure panels, the first one being a corner panel for providing a non-square corner of the carton, the corner panel being disposed between a second one of the set of end closure panels and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels, the dispenser-forming portions further comprise a tear initiation feature formed at least from a third one of the set of end closure panels.

20. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and a set of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for closing one of opposed ends of the tubular structure, at least in part, the blank further comprising dispenser-forming portions for forming a corner dispenser, wherein the dispenser-forming portions comprise a first one of the set of end closure panels, the first one being a corner panel for providing a non-square corner of the carton, the corner panel being disposed between a second one of the set of end closure panels and an adjacent one of the plurality of panels, the dispenser-forming portions further comprise a tear initiation feature defined at least in a third one of the end closure panels.