Carton with multiple closure formations

Abstract

A blank capable of being formed into a carton with multiple closure formations that includes combinations of closure features that enable formation of the carton into different enclosed arrangements. These arrangements include a traditional gable top formation, a closed-end, flat-top formation with ends tucked in for stacking, and a handle insertable into an opposing flap, a closed-end, flat-top formation with ends tucked into end walls and an exposed handle, and a closed carton with end flaps tucked into end walls in flat-top formation with handle flap inserted into an opposing flap for stacking. The carton can also include internal fold-flap auto-bottom features.

1 . A blank for forming a carton with multiple closure formations, the blank comprising: 
 a first side panel connected to a second side panel at a first fold line;    the second side panel connected to a third side panel at a second fold line;    the third side panel connected to a fourth side panel at a third fold line;    the fourth side panel connected to an adhesive flap at a fourth fold line;    the first and third side panels having locking means disposed in a portion thereof;    a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about top folding panel fold lines into a multiplicity of closure configurations;    four end flaps each respectively attached to one of the side panels.    
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the locking means are capable of receiving a portion of the top folding panels in at least one closure configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein three triangular top folding panels are disposed adjacent the first side panel and wherein three triangular top folding panels are disposed adjacent the third side panel.  
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 3 , wherein portions of each of the three triangular top folding panels disposed adjacent the first side panel and portion of each of the three triangular top folding panels disposed adjacent the third side panel are foldable about second top panel fold lines.  
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein a second top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the second side panel and a fourth top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the fourth side panel.  
     
     
         6 . The blank of  claim 5 , further including a first handle means disposed adjacent and above the second top folding panel and a second handle means disposed adjacent and above the fourth top folding panel.  
     
     
         7 . The blank of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second handle means include handholds formed therein.  
     
     
         8 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the second top folding panel and the fourth top folding panel include vent holes formed therein.  
     
     
         9 . In combination, a substantially parallelepipedal carton formed from the blank of  claim 1  and at least one article enclosed within the carton.  
     
     
         10 . A carton capable of being formed with multiple closure formations, the carton comprising: 
 a first side panel connected to a second side panel at a first fold line;    the second side panel connected to a third side panel at a second fold line;    the third side panel connected to a fourth side panel at a third fold line;    the fourth side panel connected to an adhesive flap at a fourth fold line;    the first and third side panels having locking means disposed in a portion thereof;    a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about top folding panel fold lines into a multiplicity of closure configurations;    four end flaps each respectively attached to one of the side panels;    wherein the four end flaps are foldable to create a bottom portion; and    wherein at least a portion of at least one top folding panel can be received in the locking means in at least one of the multiplicity of closure configurations.    
     
     
         11 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein three triangular top folding panels are disposed adjacent the first side panel and wherein three triangular top folding panels are disposed adjacent the third side panel.  
     
     
         12 . The carton of  claim 1   1 , wherein portions of each of the three triangular top folding panels disposed adjacent the first side panel and portion of each of the three triangular top folding panels disposed adjacent the third side panel are foldable about second top panel fold lines.  
     
     
         13 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein a second top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the second side panel and a fourth top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the fourth side panel.  
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 13 , further including a first handle means disposed adjacent and above the second top folding panel and a second handle means disposed adjacent and above the fourth top folding panel.  
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second handle means include handholds formed therein.  
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the second top folding panel and the fourth top folding panel include vent holes formed therein.  
     
     
         17 . In combination, a substantially parallelepipedal carton formed from the blank of  claim 10  and at least one article enclosed within the carton.  
     
     
         18 . A method of erecting a carton from a blank that includes a first side panel connected to a second side panel at a first fold line, the second side panel connected to a third side panel at a second fold line, the third side panel connected to a fourth side panel at a third fold line, the fourth side panel connected to an adhesive flap at a fourth fold line, a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about top folding panel fold lines into a multiplicity of closure configurations, four end flaps each respectively attached to one of the side panels, wherein a second top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the second side panel and a fourth top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the fourth side panel, a first handle means disposed adjacent and above the second top folding panel, and a second handle means disposed adjacent and above the fourth top folding panel, the method comprising: 
 folding the four end flaps into a bottom portion;    adhering the adhesive flap to the first side panel; and,    folding the top folding panels inwardly with the first handle means and the second handle means meeting to form a two part handle portion.    
     
     
         19 . A method of erecting a carton from a blank that includes a first side panel connected to a second side panel at a first fold line, the second side panel connected to a third side panel at a second fold line, the third side panel connected to a fourth side panel at a third fold line, the fourth side panel connected to an adhesive flap at a fourth fold line, a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about top folding panel fold lines into a multiplicity of closure configurations, four end flaps each respectively attached to one of the side panels, wherein a second top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the second side panel and a fourth top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the fourth side panel, a first handle means disposed adjacent and above the second top folding panel, and a second handle means disposed adjacent and above the fourth top folding panel, the method comprising: 
 folding the four end flaps into a bottom portion;    adhering the adhesive flap to the first side panel; and,    folding the top folding panels inwardly and inserting one of the first handle means or second handle means into an internal cavity below the opposing handle flap.    
     
     
         20 . A method of erecting a carton from a blank that includes a first side panel connected to a second side panel at a first fold line, the second side panel connected to a third side panel at a second fold line, the third side panel connected to a fourth side panel at a third fold line, the fourth side panel connected to an adhesive flap at a fourth fold line, the first and third side panels having locking means disposed in a central portion thereof, a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about top folding panel fold lines into a multiplicity of closure configurations, four end flaps each respectively attached to one of the side panels, wherein a second top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the second side panel and a fourth top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the fourth side panel, a first handle means disposed adjacent and above the second top folding panel, and a second handle means disposed adjacent and above the fourth top folding panel, the method comprising: 
 folding the four end flaps into a bottom portion;    adhering the adhesive flap to the first side panel; and,    folding the top folding panels outwardly and tucking at least a portion of the top folding panels into the first locking means.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising tucking at least a portion of the top folding panels into the second locking means.  
     
     
         22 . A method of erecting a carton from a blank that includes a first side panel connected to a second side panel at a first fold line, the second side panel connected to a third side panel at a second fold line, the third side panel connected to a fourth side panel at a third fold line, the fourth side panel connected to an adhesive flap at a fourth fold line, the first and third side panels having locking means disposed in a central portion thereof, a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about top folding panel fold lines into a multiplicity of closure configurations, four end flaps each respectively attached to one of the side panels, wherein a second top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the second side panel and a fourth top folding panel is disposed adjacent and above the fourth side panel, a first handle means disposed adjacent and above the second top folding panel, and a second handle means disposed adjacent and above the fourth top folding panel, the method comprising: 
 folding the four end flaps into a bottom portion;    adhering the adhesive flap to the first side panel; and,    folding the top folding panels outwardly and inserting one of the first handle means or second handle means into an internal cavity below the opposing handle flap.    
     
     
         23 . A blank for forming a carton with multiple closure formations, the blank comprising: 
 a plurality of side panels connected at fold lines;    locking means disposed in at least one side panel;    a plurality of top folding panels capable of being articulated about fold lines into one of a multiplicity of closure configurations;    at least one end flap attached to at least one of the side panels.