Carton and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure. The end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (30a) having a handle opening (H1), a first side end closure flap (26a) and a web panel (28a). The web panel couples the top end closure flap to the first side end closure flap. The web panel is hingedly connected to the first side end closure flap along a first fold line (49a). The web panel comprises a handle-reinforcing edge (87a) which extends along at least part of an engaging edge of the handle opening when the web panel is folded into position between the top and first side end closure flaps.

1 . A carton for packaging articles comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure, the primary panels include a top panel, the end closure structure comprising a top end closure flap having a handle opening, a first side end closure flap and a web panel coupling the top end closure flap to the first side end closure flap, wherein the web panel is hingedly connected to the first side end closure flap along a first fold line, and wherein the web panel comprises a handle-reinforcing edge which extends along at least part of an engaging edge of the handle opening when the web panel is folded into position between the top and first side end closure flaps and wherein the first fold line is disposed at an acute angle with respect to a second fold line between the top end closure flap and the top panel when the carton is erected. 
     
     
         2 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the handle-reinforcing edge extends from the lower end of the first fold line. 
     
     
         3 . A carton according to  claim 2  wherein a distal end of the first fold line is located on the engaging edge of the handle opening. 
     
     
         4 . A carton according to  claim 2  wherein a lower end of the first fold line is located at the engaging edge of the handle opening. 
     
     
         5 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the engaging edge provides a load-bearing contact when the carrying handle is in use. 
     
     
         6 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the engaging edge of the handle opening is defined by at least one handle flap fold line defining a hinged connection between a cushioning flap and the top end closure flap. 
     
     
         7 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the end closure structure comprises a second side end closure flap and a second web panel coupling the top end closure flap to the second side end closure flap, wherein the second web panel is hingedly connected to the second side end closure flap along a third fold line, and wherein the second web panel comprises a second handle-reinforcing edge which extends along at least part of the engaging edge of the handle opening when the second web panel is folded into position between the top and second side end closure flaps and wherein the third fold line is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the second fold line when the carton is erected. 
     
     
         8 . A blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure and a plurality of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure, the primary panels include a top panel, the plurality of end closure panels comprising a top end closure panel having a handle opening, a first side end closure panel and a web panel for coupling the top end closure panel to the first side end closure panel, wherein the web panel is arranged to be hingedly connected along a first fold line to the first side end closure panel, and wherein the web panel comprises a handle-reinforcing edge, the handle-reinforcing edge is configured to extend along at least part of an engaging edge of the handle opening in a set up carton when the web panel is folded into position between the top and first side end closure panels and wherein the first fold line is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to a second fold line between the top end closure flap and the top panel. 
     
     
         9 . A carton for packaging articles comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure, the end closure structure comprising a top end closure flap having a handle opening, a first side end closure flap and a web panel coupling the top end closure flap to the first side end closure flap, wherein the web panel is hingedly connected to the first side end closure flap along a first fold line, and wherein the web panel comprises a handle-reinforcing edge which extends along at least part of an engaging edge of the handle opening when the web panel is folded into position between the top and first side end closure flaps and wherein the handle-reinforcing edge extends from the lower end of the first fold line. 
     
     
         10 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein a distal end of the first fold line is located on the engaging edge of the handle opening. 
     
     
         11 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein a lower end of the first fold line is located at the engaging edge of the handle opening. 
     
     
         12 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein the primary panels include a top panel to which the top end closure panel is hingedly connected along a second fold line, and wherein the first fold line is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the second fold line when the carton is erected. 
     
     
         13 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein the engaging edge provides a load-bearing contact when the carrying handle is in use. 
     
     
         14 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein the engaging edge of the handle opening is defined by at least one handle flap fold line defining a hinged connection between a cushioning flap and the top end closure flap. 
     
     
         15 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein the end closure structure comprises a second side end closure flap and a second web panel coupling the top end closure flap to the second side end closure flap, wherein the second web panel is hingedly connected to the second side end closure flap along a third fold line, and wherein the second web panel comprises a second handle-reinforcing edge which extends along at least part of the engaging edge of the handle opening when the second web panel is folded into position between the top and second side end closure flaps and wherein the second handle-reinforcing edge extends from the lower end of the third fold line. 
     
     
         16 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein the engaging edge of the handle opening is defined in part by a first handle flap fold line coupling a first handle flap to the top end closure flap and in part by a second handle flap fold line coupling a second handle flap to the top end closure flap. 
     
     
         17 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein the handle-reinforcing edge is defined in part by a first handle reinforcing flap fold line defining a hinged connection between a first handle reinforcing flap and the first side end closure flap. 
     
     
         18 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein the handle-reinforcing edge is defined in part by a second handle reinforcing flap fold line defining a hinged connection between a second handle reinforcing flap and the second side end closure flap. 
     
     
         19 . A carton according to  claim 9  wherein the first side end closure flap comprises a handle reinforcing flap hinged thereto by a handle reinforcing flap fold line. 
     
     
         20 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein the second side end closure flap comprises a second handle reinforcing flap hinged thereto by a second handle reinforcing flap fold line. 
     
     
         21 . A blank comprising a plurality of primary panels for forming walls of a tubular structure and a plurality of end closure panels for forming an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure, the plurality of end closure panels comprising a top end closure panel having a handle opening, a first side end closure panel and a web panel for coupling the top end closure panel to the first side end closure panel, wherein the web panel is arranged to be hingedly connected along a first fold line to the first side end closure panel, and wherein the web panel comprises a handle-reinforcing edge, the handle-reinforcing edge is configured to extend along at least part of an engaging edge of the handle opening in a set up carton when the web panel is folded into position between the top and first side end closure panels and wherein the handle-reinforcing edge extends from the lower end of the first fold line.