Carton With Differently Shaped Ends

Abstract

A blank is erected into a tubular structure having opposite end openings. One of the end openings is substantially rectangular. The other end opening is generally rectangular with substantially rounded corners. The erected blank includes an end panel that is substantially rectangular and obstructs the substantially rectangular end opening. The erected blank includes an end panel that is generally rectangular with rounded corners. The generally rectangular end panel with rounded corners obstructs the end opening that is generally rectangular with rounded corners.

1 . A carton comprising,
 a tubular structure having
 an upper end defining a substantially closed first shape, and 
 a lower end defining a substantially closed second shape that is substantially different from the first shape; 
   the tubular structure having a shape that transitions from the first shape to the second shape between the upper and lower ends of the tubular structure;   a top panel connected to the tubular structure and obstructing the upper end of the tubular structure, wherein the top panel has an outer periphery that substantially defines the first shape; and   a bottom panel connected to the tubular structure and obstructing the lower end of the tubular structure, wherein the bottom panel is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the top panel, and the bottom panel has an outer periphery that substantially defines the second shape.   
     
     
         2 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the top panel includes an end flap, and the end flap includes a fold line adapted for allowing the end flap to be formed into a spout. 
     
     
         3 . The carton according to  claim 1 , further comprising a viewing window within and positioned between the upper and lower ends of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         4 . The carton according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bag positioned in the tubular structure, wherein the bag includes a spout. 
     
     
         5 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lower end of the tubular structure includes a lower edge and a recessed edge;   as compared to the lower edge, the recessed edge is recessed into the plurality of panels; and   the bottom panel is foldably connected to the recessed edge.   
     
     
         6 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first shape comprises a substantially rectangular shape having corners that substantially define right angles, and   the second shape comprises a generally rectangular shape having beveled corners.   
     
     
         7 . The carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the beveled corners are substantially rounded corners: 
     
     
         8 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tubular structure comprises at least one panel that extends around and defines a longitudinal axis of the carton;   the at least one panel includes a plurality of score lines that extend along the longitudinal axis, from proximate the upper end of the tubular structure toward the lower end of the tubular structure.   
     
     
         9 . The carton according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of score lines do not extend to the lower end of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         10 . The carton according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tubular structure comprises at least one panel that extends around and defines a longitudinal axis of the carton;   the at least one panel includes a plurality of fold lines that extend along the longitudinal axis, from proximate the upper end of the tubular structure toward the lower end of the tubular structure.   
     
     
         11 . The carton according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fold lines do not extend to the lower end of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         12 . A blank for being erected into a carton, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of panels that are foldably connected to one another and are for being formed into a tubular structure, wherein the plurality of panels includes opposite first and second edges;   a first end flap foldably connected to the first edge for obstructing an end of the tubular structure, wherein the first end flap has an outer periphery that defines a first shape; and   a second end flap foldably connected to the second edge for obstructing an end of the tubular structure, wherein the second end flap has an outer periphery that defines a second shape that is substantially different from the first shape.   
     
     
         13 . The blank according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the plurality of panels further includes a third edge that is opposite from the first edge;   the third edge is proximate both the second edge and the second end flap; and   as compared to the third edge, the second edge is recessed into the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         14 . The blank according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first shape comprises a substantially rectangular shape having corners that substantially define right angles, and   the second shape comprises a generally rectangular shape having beveled corners.   
     
     
         15 . The blank according to  claim 14 , wherein the beveled corners are substantially rounded corners: 
     
     
         16 . The blank according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the plurality of panels is formed into the tubular structure;   the ends of the tubular structure are opposite first and second ends that respectively include the first and second edges of the plurality of panels;   the first end of the tubular structure is adapted for substantially defining the first shape when the blank is erected into the carton; and   the second end of the tubular structure is adapted for substantially defining the second shape when the blank is erected into the carton.   
     
     
         17 . The blank according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panels includes a plurality of fold lines that extend from proximate the first end of the tubular structure toward the second end of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         18 . The blank according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of fold lines do not extend to the second end of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method of forming a carton, comprising:
 forming a tubular structure from a blank, comprising forming an end of the tubular structure into a generally rectangular shape having substantially rounded corners; and   obstructing the end with a panel having a generally rectangular shape with substantially rounded corners, comprising forming the panel from the blank.   
     
     
         20 . The blank according to  claim 19 , wherein the forming of the panel from the blank comprises folding a plurality of end flaps respectively about a plurality of recessed edges of the tubular structure into an interior of the tubular structure, and fastening at least some of the end flaps to one another.