Carton and carton blank for forming a carton

Abstract

A blank ( 1 ) for forming a carton ( 9 ), when erected, reliably holds articles (D) in the carton and has an aptitude to an assembly using machine. The blank include a plurality of wall panels ( 2 ) connected together in a row. At least one section ( 10 ) for forming at least one article retaining structure is connected to the blank ( 1 ). At least one section includes a fold-back panel ( 12 ) hingedly connected to a first one of the wall panels a cover panel ( 15 ) hingedly connected to the fold-back panel. The cover panel is also hingedly connected to an end of a second one of the wall panels adjacent to the first wall panel. The side edge of the fold-back panels to which the cover panel is connected is provided with at least one tab ( 21 ).

1 . A carton blank comprising:
 wall panels disposed in a row and connected together to form an open ended tubular structure, the tubular structure comprising a top wall, a pair of side walls, and a bottom wall, and   at least one section for forming at least one article retaining structure for retaining one or more articles in the tubular structure, the at least one article retaining structure being connected to at least one of opposed ends of the tubular structure when the blank is erected into a carton,   wherein the at least one section comprises:
 a fold back panel hingedly connected to an end of a first one of the wall panels, the fold back panel being folded inward of the tubular structure when the blank is erected into a carton; 
 a first cover panel hingedly connected to the fold-back panel and hingedly connected to an end of a second one of the wall panels adjacent to the first wall panel, the cover panel covering a portion of an article to be received in the tubular structure; and 
 at least one tab protruding from the fold back panel into the cover panel, the at least one tab being positioned along an edge of the fold-back panel to which the cover panel is connected, the at least one tab extending inwardly of the tubular structure together with the fold back panel when the blank is erected into a carton. 
   
     
     
         2 . The carton blank according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one section comprises at least two sections for providing at least two article retaining structures, the at least two article retaining structures being connected to the opposed ends of the tubular structure when the bank is erected into a carton, wherein the fold-back panels of the at least two sections are hingedly connected to opposed ends of the first wall panel. 
     
     
         3 . The carton blank according to  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the fold-back panel comprises one end edge of the fold-back panel to which the cover panel is hingedly connected. 
     
     
         4 . The carton blank according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one section further comprises a second cover panel, and the first and second cover panels are hingedly connected to opposed end edges of the fold-back panel respectively, the second cover panel being hingedly connected to an end of a third one of the wall panels adjacent to the first wall panel. 
     
     
         5 . The carton blank according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab is struck from the first cover panel and joined to the fold back panel. 
     
     
         6 . The carton blank according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one tab is defined by a cut in the first cover panel. 
     
     
         7 . A carton comprising a plurality of carton walls connected together to form a tubular structure, the carton walls including a top wall, a pair of side walls, and a bottom wall, the tubular structure having opposed open ends, and at least one article retaining structure provided at at least one of the opposed ends of the tubular structure to retain one or more articles to be received in the tubular structure,
 wherein the at least one article retaining structure comprises:   a fold-back panel hingedly connected to an end of first one of the carton walls and folded inwardly of the tubular structure;   a first cover panel hingedly connected to the fold-back panel and to an end of a second one of the carton walls adjacent to the first carton wall, and the first, cover panel being disposed to engage part of an article to be received in the carton; and   at least one tab protruding from the fold back panel away from the first cover panel, the at least one tab being disposed along an end edge of the fold-back panel to which the first cover panel is hingedly connected, the at least one tab extending inwardly of the tubular structure along with the fold-back panel such that surface of the at least one tab is in abutment on an article to be received in the carton.   
     
     
         8 . The carton according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one article retaining structure comprises at least two article retaining structures which are connected to the opposed ends of the tubular structure respectively, wherein the fold-back panels of the at least two article retaining structures are hingedly connected to opposed ends of the first carton wall respectively. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The carton according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one article retaining structure further comprises a second cover panel, and the first and second cover panels are hingedly connected to opposed end edges of the fold-back panel respectively, the second cover panel being hingedly connected to an end of a third one of the carton walls adjacent to the first carton wall. 
     
     
         11 . The carton according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one tab is struck from the first cover panel and joined to the fold back panel. 
     
     
         12 . The carton according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one tab is defined by a cut in the first cover panel.