End closure, article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an article carrier blank and an auto-end closure structure, an automatically erectable or foldable end closure for a tubular carrier. The auto-end closure structure comprises at least three overlapping end closure flaps. The end closure includes a pair of innermost flaps which are hinged to respective ones of a pair of opposing panels of the tubular carrier and provide a multi-ply handle. At least one of the pair of innermost flaps comprises a handle opening. At least one of the pair of innermost flaps may comprise a handle flap.

1 . An auto-end closure structure for a tubular carton, the structure comprising at least three overlapping end closure flaps including a pair of innermost flaps which are hinged to respective ones of a pair of opposing panels of the tubular carrier and provide a multi-ply handle. 
     
     
         2 . The auto-end closure structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of innermost flaps being arranged to be disposed in, at least partial, overlapping relationship with each other and provide a multi-ply handle, at least one of the pair of innermost flaps comprising a handle opening providing a first edge, the other one of the pair of innermost flaps comprising a second edge reinforcing the first edge. 
     
     
         3 . The auto-end closure structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pair of innermost flaps comprises a handle flap. 
     
     
         4 . The auto-end closure structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle flap is internally of the carton in use and is received in the handle opening. 
     
     
         5 . The auto-end closure structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least three overlapping end closure flaps comprises a first outer end closure flap hinged to first panel adjacent to each of the pair of opposing panels and comprising a first securing flap hingedly connected to the first outer end closure flap and secured to one of the pair of innermost flaps. 
     
     
         6 . The auto-end closure structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least three overlapping end closure flaps comprises a second outer end closure flap hinged to second panel opposing the first panel and comprising a second securing flap hingedly connected to the second outer end closure flap and secured to the other one of the pair of innermost flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The auto-end closure structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a first one of the pair of innermost flaps is disposed outside a second one of the pair of innermost flaps. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a tubular structure and an automatically erectable end closure structure for closing an end of the tubular structure, wherein the end closure structure comprises at least three overlapping end closure flaps including a pair of innermost flaps which are hinged to respective ones of a pair of opposing panels of the article carrier, the pair of innermost flaps being arranged to be disposed in, at least partial, overlapping relationship with each other, and wherein the pair of innermost flaps provide a multi-ply handle, at least one of the pair of innermost flaps comprises a handle opening providing a first edge, the other one of the pair of innermost flaps comprising second edge reinforcing the first edge. 
     
     
         9 . The article carrier according to  claim 8  wherein the first edge defining a first handle portion, and the second edge defining a second handle portion disposed in face-to-face relationship with the first handle portion to provide reinforcement. 
     
     
         10 . An end closure structure for a tubular carrier comprising inner and outer overlapping end flaps hinged to respective ones of a first pair of opposing panels of the tubular structure, the tubular carrier comprising a pair of first and second outermost end flaps hinged to respective ones of a second pair of opposing panels of the tubular structure, wherein the first outermost end flap has a first hinged securing flap portion secured to the outside surface of the inner flap, the second outermost end flap has a second hinged securing flap portion secured to the outside surface of the outer end flap, and wherein at least one of the inner and outer end flaps has a handle disposed between the outermost end flaps such that it is exposed to view from the outside of the carrier. 
     
     
         11 . A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure and an automatically erectable end closure structure for closing an end of the tubular structure, wherein the end closure structure comprises at least three overlapping end closure flaps including a pair of innermost flaps which are hinged to respective ones of a pair of opposing panels of the carton, the pair of innermost flaps being arranged to be disposed in, at least partial, overlapping relationship with each other in a set-up condition, and wherein the pair of innermost flaps provide a multi-ply handle, at least one of the pair of innermost flaps comprises a handle opening providing a first edge, the other one of the pair of innermost flaps comprising second edge reinforcing the first edge. 
     
     
         12 . The blank according to  claim 11 , wherein the first edge defining a first handle portion, the second edge defining a second handle portion disposed in face-to-face relationship with first handle portion to provide reinforcement.