Paperboard gable top carrier with gussets

Abstract

A wrap-around carrier for carrying gable topped cartons with at least one end flap is formed without the use of adhesive by the addition of a gusset that holds the end flap securely in place. The gusset is held in place by the gable topped cartons that are contained within the wrap-around carrier. The wrap-around carrier also includes a paperboard locking mechanism that interconnects the bottom panel portions of the carrier together.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A one piece paperboard blank for a wrap-around carrier to package a linear series of cartons, said blank comprising: 
 (a) a top panel portion,    (b) top corner panel portions foldably attached to opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel portion,    (c) first and second side wall panel portions foldably attached to the top corner panel portions,    (d) a first bottom panel portion foldably attached to said first side wall panel portion,    (e) a second bottom panel portion foldably attached to said second side wall portion,    (f) an end flap foldably attached to one of said side wall panel portion,    (g) a gusset foldably attached to said end flap and at least one of said first or second bottom panel portion, and    (h) means for interlocking said first bottom panel portion and said second bottom panel portion together without the addition of glues or adhesives.    
     
     
         2 . The blank as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking means comprises a multiplicity of locking tabs foldably attached to said first bottom panel portion, and a multiplicity of inserts cutout of said second bottom panel portion, wherein said locking tabs fasten and interconnect with said inserts.  
     
     
         3 . The blank as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said gusset comprises a generally L-shaped connection between said end flap and one of said bottom panel portions.  
     
     
         4 . The blank as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the generally L-shaped connection comprises outer edges that connect at an angle greater than 90°, and inner edges that connect at an angle less than 90°.  
     
     
         5 . The blank as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said gusset further comprises two trapezoidal sections, wherein said trapezoidal sections are foldably connected to one another by a fold line that runs the length of the axis of said L-shaped connection.  
     
     
         6 . The blank as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one internal compression cut-out along the fold line between said first bottom panel portion and said first side wall panel portion, and diametrically opposed from at least one internal compression cut-out along the fold line between said second bottom panel portion and said second side wall panel portion.  
     
     
         7 . The blank as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said top panel portion has score lines along its foldable edges thereby providing an easily removable tear strip for access to the interior of said carrier.  
     
     
         8 . The blank as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said top corner panel portions further comprises oppositely disposed openings to receive portions of a top of a gable topped carton.  
     
     
         9 . The blank as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said top panel further comprises a multiplicity of generally circular cutouts remote from the sides of said top panel.  
     
     
         10 . A wrap-around carrier formed from a unitary bland of paperboard folded and interconnected into a tube-like structure, comprising: 
 (a) a first bottom panel portion and a second bottom panel portion, said first bottom panel portions interconnected to said second bottom panel portion,    (b) a first upstanding side wall portion foldably connected to said first bottom portion, and a second upstanding side wall portion foldably connected to said second bottom portion,    (c) corner panel portions foldably connected to said first and second side wall portions,    (d) a top panel portion foldably connected between the corner panel portions,    (e) at least one end flap foldably attached to one of said side wall portions that partially covers one end of the tube-like structure    (f) at least one gusset foldably attached to said end flap and one of said bottom panel portions, whereby the gusset is held still by the cartons positioned within the wrap-around carrier, holding the end flap in position.    
     
     
         11 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said first and second bottom panels are interconnected by a multiplicity of locking tabs foldably attached to said first bottom panel portion, with a multiplicity of inserts cutout of said second panel portion.  
     
     
         12 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said gusset comprises a generally L-shape connection between the said end flap and said bottom panel.  
     
     
         13 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said gusset further comprises two trapezoidal sections, said trapezoidal sections connected to one another by a fold line along the axis of the L-shaped gusset, wherein said trapezoidal sections are folded together in a face to face arrangement.  
     
     
         14 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said face to face arrangement is folded over said bottom panel portion and held in place by a gable topped carton that is loaded into said carrier.  
     
     
         15 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one internal compression cut-out along the crease between said first bottom panel portion and a said first side wall, and diaposed from at least one internal compression cut-out along the crease between said second bottom panel portion and said second side wall.  
     
     
         16 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said top panel portion has score lines along its foldable edges, thereby providing an easily removable tear strip for access to the interior of said carrier.  
     
     
         17 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said corner panel portions further comprises oppositely disposed openings that receive top opening tabs of a plurality of cartons positioned in a row within said carrier.  
     
     
         18 . The carrier as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said top panel further comprises a multiplicity of generally circular cutouts remote from the sides of said top panel portion.  
     
     
         19 . A one piece paperboard blank for a wrap-around carrier to package a linear series of cartons, said blank comprising: 
 (a) a top panel portion,    (b) top corner panel portions foldably attached to opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel portion,    (c) first and second side wall panel portions foldably attached to the top corner panel portions,    (d) a first bottom panel portion foldably attached to said first side wall panel portion,    (e) a second bottom panel portion foldably attached to said second side wall portion,    (f) an end flap foldably attached to one of said side wall panel portion,    (g) a gusset foldably attached to said end flap and at least one said bottom panel portion, and    (h) a multiplicity of locking tabs foldably attached to said first bottom panel portion, and a multiplicity of inserts cutout of said second bottom panel portion.    
     
     
         20 . The blank as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said gusset comprises a generally L-shaped connection between said end flap and one of said bottom panel portions.  
     
     
         21 . The blank as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the generally L-shaped connection comprises outer edges that connect at an angle greater than 90°, and inner edges that connect at an angle less than 90°.  
     
     
         22 . The blank as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said top corner panel portions further comprises oppositely disposed openings to receive portions of a top of a gable topped carton.