Carton and carton blank

Abstract

A carton ( 1 ) comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel ( 12 ), first and second side walls ( 14, 24 ) and first and second top panels ( 16, 22 ) coupled to one another by first and second handle panels ( 18, 20 ) wherein the first and second handle panels are in substantial face contacting relationship such that the first and second top panels form a top wall of the carton and wherein a reinforcing panel ( 34 a, 34 b ) is provided in face contacting relationship with both the first and second top panels such that the reinforcing panel forms a bridge connecting between the first and second top panels whereby a portion of each of the first and second top panels is at least two-ply in structure.

1 . A carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel, first and second side walls and first and second top panels coupled to one another by first and second handle panels wherein the first and second handle panels are in substantial face contacting relationship such that the first and second top panels form a top wall of the carton and wherein a reinforcing panel is provided in face contacting relationship with both the first and second top panels such that the reinforcing panel forms a bridge connecting between the first and second top panels whereby a portion of each of the first and second top panels is at least two-ply in structure. 
     
     
         2 . A carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing panel is hingedly connected to the first top panel and is secured to the second top panel. 
     
     
         3 . A carton according to  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing panel is connected to the first top panel along a first fold line, the reinforcing panel being folded about the first fold line into face contacting relationship with an inside surface of the first top panel. 
     
     
         4 . A carton according to  claim 3 , wherein the first fold line extends along an end edge of the first top panel, the first fold line being disposed transversely with respect to a hinged connection between the first top panel and the first handle panel. 
     
     
         5 . A carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing panel include an extension portion disposed along an end edge of the second top panel, the end edge of the second top panel extending transversely with respect to a hinged connection between the second top panel and the second handle panel. 
     
     
         6 . A carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel, first and second side walls and first and second top panels coupled to one another by first and second handle panels wherein the first and second handle panels are in substantial face contacting relationship such that the first and second top panels form a top wall of the carton and wherein a first reinforcing panel is hinged to the first top panel, the first reinforcing panel being folded into face contacting relationship with the first top panel and wherein the first reinforcing panel comprises an extension portion which is secured to the second top panel whereby forming a bridge between the first and second top panels. 
     
     
         7 . A carton according to  claim 6 , wherein a second reinforcing panel is hinged to the second top panel, the second reinforcing panel being folded into face contacting relationship with the second top panel and wherein the extension portion of the first reinforcing panel is in face contacting relationship with either the second reinforcing panel or the second top panel. 
     
     
         8 . A carton comprising a plurality of panels for forming a base panel, first and second side walls, a top panel, and a carrying handle, wherein the carrying handle is coupled to the top panel wherein the top panel comprises an access device and a plurality of apertures each for receiving a portion of a respective article, the apertures being struck from the top panel, the access device comprising a weakened line of severance for displacement or removal of a portion of the top panel disposed between two adjacent apertures. 
     
     
         9 . A carton according to  claim 8 , wherein the weakened line of severance is formed at least in part in the top panel. 
     
     
         10 . A carton according to  claim 8 , wherein the weakened line of severance extends between at least one of the apertures and an adjacent one of the apertures. 
     
     
         11 . A carton according to  claim 8 , wherein the weakened line of severance is formed solely in the top panel. 
     
     
         12 . A carton according to  claim 8 , wherein the weakened line of severance is formed at least in part in each of the side walls. 
     
     
         13 . A carton according to  claim 1  further comprising an access device, each of the first and second top panels includes apertures each for receiving a portion of an article, the access device comprising a weakened line of severance for displacement or removal of a portion of at least one of the first and second top panels disposed between two adjacent ones of the apertures of the at least one of the top panels. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)