Carton and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank for forming the carrier. The carton comprises plurality of panels including a side panel and a heel panel hingedly connected to the side panel by a fold line. The carton comprises a plurality of bottom-receiving openings including first and second openings. Each of the first and second openings is formed in part in the side panel and in part in a heel panel. The first opening has a first maximum width measured along a notional line parallel to the fold line. The second opening has a second maximum width measured along a notional extension of the fold line. The second maximum width is greater than the first maximum width.

1 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising plurality of panels including a side panel and a heel panel hingedly connected to the side panel by a fold line, wherein the carton comprises a plurality of bottom-receiving openings including first and second openings, each being formed in part in the side panel and in part in a heel panel, wherein the first opening has a first maximum width measured along a notional line parallel to the fold line, the second opening has a second maximum width measured along a notional extension of the fold line and wherein the second maximum width is greater than the first maximum width. 
     
     
         2 . A carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels includes; a top wall, a base panel a first side panel, and a second side panel. 
     
     
         3 . A carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is disposed at a first distance from an end of the carton and the second opening is disposed at a second distance from the other end of the carton, and wherein the first distance is considerably less than the second distance. 
     
     
         4 . A carton according to  claim 1 , wherein the carton further comprises a handle in at least the top panel of the carton and wherein the handle is in a general vertical alignment with the second aperture when the carton is viewed in a side elevation. 
     
     
         5 . A carton according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of bottom-receiving openings further includes a third opening located at a third distance from the other end, the third distance being generally equal to the first distance such that the second opening is interposed between the first and third openings. 
     
     
         6 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising plurality of panels forming a tubular structure and including; a side panel, a heel panel hingedly connected to the side panel by a first fold line and a base panel hingedly connected to the heel panel by a second fold line, wherein the carton comprises a plurality of bottom-receiving openings including first and second openings, each being formed in part in the side panel and in part in a heel panel, wherein the first opening has an upper end defined by a first free edge which extends from the first fold line into the side wall and back onto the first fold line, wherein the first opening has a first maximum height extending from the second fold line to a point on the first free edge furthermost from the second fold line, wherein the second opening has an upper end defined solely by a second free edge which extends from the first fold line into the side wall and back onto the first fold line, wherein the second opening has a maximum height extending from the second fold line to a point on the second free edge furthermost from the second fold line and wherein the second maximum height of the second opening is greater than the first maximum height of the first opening. 
     
     
         7 . A carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the first opening is disposed at a first distance from an end of the carton and the second opening is disposed at a second distance from the other end of the carton, and wherein the first distance is considerably less than the second distance. 
     
     
         8 . A carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the carton further comprises a handle in at least the top panel of the carton and wherein the handle is in a general vertical alignment with the second aperture when the carton is viewed in a side elevation. 
     
     
         9 . A carton according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of bottom-receiving openings further includes a third opening located at a third distance from the other end, the third distance being generally equal to the first distance such that the second opening is interposed between the first and third openings. 
     
     
         10 . A carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the first opening has a first maximum width along a notional line parallel to the first fold line and the second opening has a second maximum width along a notional extension of the first fold line and wherein the second maximum width of the second opening is greater than the first maximum width of the first opening measured along the notional line parallel to the first fold line. 
     
     
         11 . A carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the second free edge is free of hinged connection with any other part of the carton. 
     
     
         12 . A carton according to  claim 6 , wherein the second free edge is symmetrical about a notional line perpendicular to the first fold line and extending along the side panel. 
     
     
         13 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising plurality of panels including a side panel and a heel panel hingedly connected to the side panel by a fold line, wherein the carton comprises a plurality of bottom-receiving openings including first and second openings, each being formed in part in the side panel and in part in a heel panel, wherein the first opening comprises a pair of opposed first side edges and wherein the second opening comprises a pair of opposed second side edges, the pair of opposed second side edges being divergently arranged with respect to each other and defining a second angle therebetween, the second angle being greater than a first angle defined by the pair of opposed first side edges. 
     
     
         14 . A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising plurality of panels including a side panel and a heel panel hingedly connected to the side panel by a fold line, wherein the blank comprises a plurality of bottom-receiving openings including first and second openings, each being formed in part in the side panel and in part in a heel panel, wherein the first opening has a first maximum width measured along a notional line parallel to the fold line, the second opening has a second maximum width along a notional extension of the fold line and wherein the second maximum width is greater than the first maximum width. 
     
     
         15 . A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising plurality of panels including; a side panel, a heel panel hingedly connected to the side panel by a first fold line and a base panel hingedly connected to the heel panel by a second fold line, wherein the blank comprises a plurality of bottom-receiving openings including first and second openings, each being formed in part in the side panel and in part in a heel panel, wherein the first opening has an upper end defined by a first free edge which extends from the first fold line into the side wall and back onto the first fold line, wherein the first opening has a first maximum height extending from the second fold line to a point on the first free edge furthermost from the second fold line, wherein the second opening has an upper end defined solely by a second free edge which extends from the first fold line into the side wall and back onto the first fold line, wherein the second opening has a maximum height extending from the second fold line to a point on the second free edge furthermost from the second fold line and wherein the second maximum height of the second opening is greater than the first maximum height of the first opening. 
     
     
         16 . A blank according to  claim 15 , wherein the second free edge is free of hinged connection with any other part of the carton. 
     
     
         17 . A blank according to  claim 15 , wherein the second free edge is symmetrical about a notional line perpendicular to the first fold line and extending along the side panel.