Carton and carton blank

Abstract

A carton includes panels forming a tubular structure. The panels include a first top panel ( 12 ), a second top panel ( 20 ), a first side panel ( 14 ), a second side panel ( 18 ) and a base panel ( 16 ). The first top panel is secured to an inner surface of the second top panel. The first top panel extends from the first side panel of the carton and partially across the tubular structure, wherein at least a portion of the second top panel extends from the second side panel of the carton and across the tubular structure to the first side panel. The second top panel includes a handle strap (S 2 ) for carrying the carton while the first top panel includes a protruding portion ( 60, 62 ) defining at least in part a handle reinforcing member (S 1 ) for reinforcing the handle strap.

1 . A blank for forming a carton the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure, the plurality of panels being hinged one to the next in a linear series and including a first top panel, a first side panel, a base panel, a second side panel and a second top panel, the first top panel comprising a protruding portion forming a handle reinforcing member for reinforcing a handle strap provided in the second top panel, the handle strap extending substantially longitudinally with respect to a tubular axis of the tubular structure, the protruding portion protruding from a free side edge of the first top panel, the second top panel comprising a recess defined along a free side edge thereof, at least part of the recess being shaped in a complementary manner to the protruding portion such that a protruding portion of a similar blank is nestable within the recess, wherein the recess defines an edge of the second top panel and an edge of the handle strap and wherein the recess is shaped so as to redirect load forces in the handle strap towards the free side edge of the second top panel. 
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein a second handle reinforcing member is provided and is hinged to the first top panel by a first fold line. 
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 2 , wherein the first top panel is shorter in length than the first side panel to which it is hinged such that a portion of the second handle reinforcing member is provided by material disposed adjacent to the first top panel. 
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 2 , wherein the first top panel is hinged to the first side panel by a second fold line, and the first fold line and the second fold line define a non-perpendicular angle therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 4 , wherein the first fold line and the second fold line define an oblique angle therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The blank of  claim 3 , further comprising a tab hinged at least to the second top panel, which tab is for being disposed about a free side edge of the first top panel, which free side edge is formed by folding the second handle reinforcing member into face contacting relationship with the first top panel. 
     
     
         7 . The blank of  claim 6 , wherein the first top panel comprises a second recess along a free side edge thereof, the second recess being configured and arranged such that a tab of a similar second blank is nestable in the second recess of the blank when the first and second blanks are being formed. 
     
     
         8 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the second top panel comprises a fold line configured and arranged to redirect load forces in the handle strap towards an opposing side edge of the second top panel hinged to the second side panel. 
     
     
         9 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the first top panel comprises a fold line configured and arranged to redirect load forces in the handle strap towards a side edge of the first top panel hinged to the first side panel. 
     
     
         10 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second top panels overlaps each other when the blank is erected into the tubular structure, the second top panel has an handle aperture which defines part of the handle strap, the protruding portion comprises a pair of shoulders and a recess defined between the shoulders, and the recess is positioned and dimensioned such that the recess is disposed in substantial registry with the handle aperture in the second top panel in the tubular structure. 
     
     
         11 . A carton comprising a plurality of panels forming a tubular structure, the plurality of panels including a first top panel, a second top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel and a base panel,
 the first top panel being secured to an inner surface of the second top panel, the first top panel extending from the first side panel of the carton and partially across the tubular structure, wherein at least a portion of the second top panel extends from the second side panel of the carton and across the tubular structure to the first side panel,   the second top panel comprising a handle strap for carrying the carton,   the first top panel comprising a protruding portion defining at least in part a handle reinforcing member for reinforcing the handle strap,   the handle strap extending substantially longitudinally with respect to a tubular axis of the tubular structure, the protruding portion protruding from a free side edge of the first top panel,   the second top panel comprising a recess defined along a free side edge thereof, the recess being configured and arranged in a complementary manner, at least in part, to the protruding portion, wherein the recess defines an edge of the second top panel and an edge of the handle strap, the recess being shaped so as to redirect load forces in the handle strap towards a side edge of the second top panel.   
     
     
         12 . The carton of  claim 11 , wherein the second top panel comprises a fold line configured and arranged to redirect load forces in the handle strap towards an opposing side edge of the second top panel hinged to the second side panel. 
     
     
         13 . The carton of  claim 11 , wherein the first top panel comprises a fold line configured and arranged to redirect load forces in the handle strap towards a side edge of the first top panel hinged to the first side panel. 
     
     
         14 . The carton of  claim 11 , wherein a second handle reinforcing member is provided and is hinged to the first top panel by a first fold line. 
     
     
         15 . The carton of  claim 14 , wherein the first top panel is shorter in length than the first side panel to which it is hinged such that a portion of the second handle reinforcing member is provided by material disposed adjacent to the first top panel. 
     
     
         16 . The carton of  claim 14 , wherein the first top panel is hinged to the first side panel by a second fold line, and wherein the first fold line and the second fold line define a non-perpendicular angle therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The carton of  claim 16 , wherein the second handle reinforcing member is disposed in face contacting relationship with the first top panel and wherein the first fold line and the second fold line define an acute angle therebetween. 
     
     
         18 . The carton of  claim 17 , wherein a tab is hinged, at least, to the second top panel and is disposed about a free side edge of the first side panel, which free side edge was formed by folding the second handle reinforcing member into face contacting relationship with the first top panel. 
     
     
         19 . The carton of  claim 11 , wherein the second top panel partially overlies the first top panel, the second top panel has an handle aperture which defines part of the handle strap, the protruding portion comprises a pair of shoulders and a recess defined between the shoulders, and the recess is disposed in substantial registry with the handle aperture in the second top panel such that the shoulders underlines areas of the second top panel on the opposite sides of the handle aperture. 
     
     
         20 . A carton comprising a plurality of panels forming a tubular structure, the plurality of panels including a first top panel, a second top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel and a base panel,
 the first top panel being secured to an inner surface of the second to panel, the first top panel extending from a first side of the carton partially across the tubular structure, wherein at least a portion of the second top panel extends from a second side of the carton across the tubular structure to the first side,   the second top panel comprising a handle strap for carrying the carton, the first top panel comprising a protruding portion defining at least in part a handle reinforcing member for reinforcing the handle strap,   the handle strap extending substantially longitudinally with respect to a tubular axis of the tubular structure, the protruding portion extending from a side edge of the first top panel,   the second top panel comprising a recess defined along a free side edge thereof, the recess being configured and arranged in a complementary manner, at least in part, to the protruding portion, and wherein the recess and the protruding portion define a nonlinear seam between the first top panel and the second top panel.