Carton and Two-Part Carton Blank

Abstract

A carton for containing a group of bottles is constructed by combining a pair of complementary U-shaped structures ( 10, 20 ). One ( 10 ) of the U-shaped structures comprises a bottom panel ( 24 ) and opposing end walls ( 16, 18 ). The other ( 20 ) of the U-shaped structures comprises a top panel ( 22 ) and opposing side walls ( 12, 14 ).

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A two piece carton for containing a group of similar articles, said carton comprising a tray and a cover, wherein said tray comprises panels for providing a bottom wall and a pair of opposed end walls of said carton, said bottom wall and said end walls together forming a first U-shaped structure, wherein said cover comprises panels for providing a top wall and a pair of downwardly extending opposed side walls of said carton, said top wall and said side walls together forming a second U-shaped structure complementary to said first U-shaped structure, and wherein said top wall is positioned at an elevation lower than an upper edge of at least one of said end walls and said side walls, said first and second U-shaped structures together providing a substantially fully enclosed carton. 
   
   
       14 . The carton according to  claim 13  wherein said at least one wall comprises said end walls of said first U-shaped structure. 
   
   
       15 . The carton according to  claim 13  wherein said at least one wall comprises said side walls of said second U-shaped structure. 
   
   
       16 . The carton according to  claim 13  wherein said first U-shaped structure comprises side flaps, and wherein said side flaps provide support to said side walls of said second U-shaped structure and surfaces to which said side walls of said second U-shaped structure can be secured. 
   
   
       17 . The carton according to  claim 13  wherein said top wall comprises apertures for receiving articles, each of said apertures having a frangible connection extending to at least another one of said apertures to facilitate removal of said articles from the carton. 
   
   
       18 . The carton according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one reinforced handle aperture struck from one of said side and end walls. 
   
   
       19 . The carton according to  claim 17  wherein said frangible connection is arranged such that upon removal of said articles, said carton retains sufficient structural integrity to be re-used for returning empty articles. 
   
   
       20 . A two part blank for forming a two piece carton for containing a group of similar articles, said blank comprising a first part of forming a first U-shaped structure including a bottom wall and a pair of opposing end walls, and a second part for forming a second U-shaped structure including a top wall and a pair of opposing side walls, said first and second U-shaped structures being complimentary to each other, wherein said first and second U-shaped structures are disposed in an opposed relationship when said carton is in a setup condition, wherein said side walls of said second U-shaped structure are disposed at least in part below said top wall when said carton is in a setup condition, and wherein said top wall of said second U-shaped structure is disposed at an elevation below an upper edge of one of said end walls and said side walls when said carton is in a setup condition. 
   
   
       21 . The blank according to  claim 20  wherein said first part comprises flaps for providing support to said side walls of said second part and surfaces to which said side walls of said second part can be secured. 
   
   
       22 . The blank according to  claim 20  wherein said top wall of said second part is at an elevation below upper edges of said end walls of said first part when said carton is in a set up condition. 
   
   
       23 . The blank according to  claim 20  wherein said top wall of said second part comprises apertures for receiving articles, and wherein each of said apertures has a frangible connection with at least another one of said aperture to facilitate removal of said articles.