Carton and carton blank

Abstract

A carton of a traditional glue end type contains an additional flap which is revealed when the end of the carton is opened and which allows the consumer to lift and lock it into place as a resealing feature for the open carton end. The additional flap is folded through 180° and is be held down behind an end flap of the carton with a small glue spot. A zone of weakness is defined in the carton to allow easy opening of the end of the carton at the correct place for proper functioning of the additional flap. Advantageously, a consumer may easily open the carton end since the consumer can easily puncture the zone of weakness. However, the extra flap may be used by the consumer to reseal the carton end multiple times.

1 . A carton including side panels and at least a first and a second end flap defined at each end of the carton wherein the carton is closed by gluing a first end flap at each end over a second end flap characterised by: 
 a line of weakness extending between the first end flap of one end of the carton and an adjacent side panel; and    an additional flap folded behind one of said end flaps at said one end;    the arrangement being such that the carton may be opened along the line of weakness, the additional flap unfolded from behind said end flap so that the carton may be closed by means of the additional flap.    
   
   
       2 . The carton as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness comprises a series of perforations and defines a semicircular thumb tab portion which extends into the said adjacent side panel.  
   
   
       3 . The carton as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the additional flap is folded behind the second end flap and retained in position using adhesive or glue.  
   
   
       4 . A carton blank for making a carton, the carton blank defining; 
 a plurality of side panels; and    end flaps;    characterised by    an additional flap hinged to one end flap of a pair of opposed end flaps in the assembled carton; and preferably    a line of weakness linking the other end flap of opposed end flaps to a contiguous side panel.    
   
   
       5 . An assembled, un-erected carton, formed from a carton blank defining a plurality of side panels; and 
 end flaps;    characterised by    an additional flap hinged to one end flap of a pair of opposed end flaps in the assembled carton; and preferably    a line of weakness linking the other end flap of opposed end flaps to a contiguous side panel;    wherein the additional flap is folded back and glued behind the one end flap.    
   
   
       6 . A carton blank for forming a carton made in one piece from a sheet of material and comprising; 
 a first side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges;    one end flap foldably connected to the bottom end edge of the first side panel;    a second end flap being foldably connected to the top end edge of the first side panel along a hinge or score line, and an additional flap being foldably connected to the second end flap along a hinge or score line which is parallel to the hinge or score line connecting the second end flap to the first side panel;    a second side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges, one side edge of the second panel being foldably connected to a side edge of the first side panel;    a third side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges, one side edge of the second panel being foldably connected to a side edge of the second side panel;    one end flap foldably connected to the bottom end edge of the third side panel;    a second end flap being foldably connected to the top end edge of the third side panel;    a line of weakness being defined between the second end flap of the third side panel and the third side panel; and    a fourth side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges.    
   
   
       7 . The carton blank as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the line of weakness is defined by perforations formed in the material and includes a curved thumb tab portion which extends into said third side panel.  
   
   
       8 . The carton blank as claimed in  claim 6  wherein end flaps are hingedly connected to the top and bottom edges of the second and fourth side panels.  
   
   
       9 . The carton blank as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the panels are hingedly connected by means of score lines defined in the sheet material.  
   
   
       10 . An assembled, un-erected carton, formed from a carton blank comprising a first side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges; 
 one end flap foldably connected to the bottom end edge of the first side panel;    a second end flap being foldably connected to the top end edge of the first side panel along a hinge or score line, and an additional flap being foldably connected to the second end flap along a hinge or score line which is parallel to the hinge or score line connecting the second end flap to the first side panel;    a second side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges, one side edge of the second panel being foldably connected to a side edge of the first side panel;    a third side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges, one side edge of the second panel being foldably connected to a side edge of the second side panel;    one end flap foldably connected to the bottom end edge of the third side panel;    a second end flap being foldably connected to the top end edge of the third side panel;    a line of weakness being defined between the second end flap of the third side panel and the third side panel; and    a fourth side panel having a top end edge and a bottom end edge and two side edges;    wherein the additional flap is folded back and glued behind the second end flap of the first side panel.