Carton and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton ( 90 ) comprises a side wall ( 14,18 ) and a top portion formed in part by a top wall panel ( 16 ) and an upper end closure panel ( 34 ) hinged to the top wall panel along a first end edge thereof. A carrying handle (H) is defined in the top portion. A gusset panel ( 32 ) is hinged to the upper end closure panel along a first side edge. An anchor panel ( 26 ) is hinged to the gusset panel and to the side wall. The anchor panel is folded into a face to face relationship with the side panel so as to secure the upper end closure panel in a closed condition. A handle-reinforcing structure ( 12 ) is disposed at least in part about the carrying handle. The handle-reinforcing structure is coupled to the anchor panel by two or more connecting panels.

1 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising:
 a first side wall;   a top portion formed in part by a top wall panel and a first upper end closure panel hinged to the top wall panel along a first end edge thereof;   a carrying handle defined in the top portion;   a first gusset panel hinged to the first upper end closure panel along a first side edge;   a first anchor panel hinged to the first gusset panel and to the first side wall, the first anchor panel being folded into a face to face relationship with the first side panel so as to secure the first upper end closure panel in a closed condition;   and a first handle reinforcing structure disposed at least in part about the carrying handle,   
       wherein the first handle reinforcing structure is coupled to the first anchor panel by two or more first connecting panels. 
     
     
         2 . A carton according to  claim 1  comprising:
 a second upper end closure panel hinged to the top wall panel along a second end edge thereof; 
 a second gusset panel hinged to the second upper end closure panel along a first side edge; 
 a second anchor panel hinged to the second gusset panel and to the first side wall, the second anchor panel being folded into a face to face relationship with the first side panel so as to secure the second upper closure panel in a closed condition; 
 wherein the first handle reinforcing structure is coupled to the second anchor panel by two or more second connecting panels. 
 
     
     
         3 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carrying handle comprises a handle strap portion defined in the top wall panel by a pair of openings defined in the top wall panel. 
     
     
         4 . A carton according to  claim 3  wherein each of the pair of openings is defined at least in part by a cushioning flap hinged to the handle strap portion. 
     
     
         5 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carrying handle comprises an aperture defined in the top wall panel of the carton. 
     
     
         6 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carrying handle comprises an aperture defined in the at least one upper end closure panel. 
     
     
         7 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carrying handle comprises a strap which is deployable through an opening in the top wall panel. 
     
     
         8 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carrying handle comprises a strap which is automatically deployed through an aperture in the top wall panel when the at least one end closure panel is folded with respect to the top wall panel. 
     
     
         9 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the top portion is formed from a first blank and the carton comprises a base portion including a base panel formed from a second blank. 
     
     
         10 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carton is of the wrap-around type and comprises a second side wall and a base wall formed from a single unitary blank. 
     
     
         11 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the carton comprises:
 a second side wall; 
 a third gusset panel hinged to the first upper end closure panel along a second side edge opposing the first side edge; 
 a fourth gusset panel hinged to the second upper end closure panel along a second side edge opposing the first side edge; 
 a third anchor panel hinged to the third gusset panel and to the second side wall, the third anchor panel being folded into a face to face relationship with the second side panel so as to secure the first upper end closure panel in a closed condition; 
 a fourth anchor panel hinged to the fourth gusset panel and to the second side wall, the fourth anchor panel being folded into a face to face relationship with the second side panel so as to secure the second upper end closure panel in a closed condition; 
 and a second handle-reinforcing structure disposed at least in part about the carrying handle, 
 wherein the second handle reinforcing structure is coupled to the third anchor panel by two or more third connecting panels and to the fourth anchor panel by two or more fourth connecting panels. 
 
     
     
         12 . A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising:
 a first side wall panel;   a top portion formed in part by a top wall panel and a first upper end closure panel hinged to the top wall panel along a first end edge thereof;   a carrying handle;   a first gusset panel hinged to the first upper end closure panel along a first side edge;   a first anchor panel hinged to the first gusset panel and to the first side wall panel;   and a handle reinforcing structure comprising a first handle reinforcing panel coupled to the first anchor panel by two or more first connecting panels.