Folding carton

A blank for forming a foldable carton is provided, along and the carton formed thereby, where the blank includes a center panel having a first side and an adjacent second side, a first side panel attached to the center panel at the first side, a second side panel attached to the center panel at the second side, where the first and second side panels intersect at a corner of the center panel so as to form a unique acutely angled arrangement at said intersection which is configured to form a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention concerns a folding carton and, more particularly, a folding carton having the formal appearance of a rigid setup carton.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Cartons are widely used for containing consumer products. In the retail sector particularly, cartons are highly prevalent as gift boxes and as general packaging for purchased goods. Such cartons are typically of two types: rigid and foldable.

Rigid setup boxes typically have tighter seams and minimal visible raw edges and, thus, provide a more formal appearance than foldable boxes. However, rigid setup boxes require manual assembly which is often quite labor intensive and costly. Typically, a rigid setup box blank is cut from a larger sheet of paperboard. The blank is then folded by hand into box form and stay tape is applied to the corners in order to maintain the shape of the box. A covering or overwrap is then applied to the box to decorate and complete the rigid setup box.

Foldable boxes comprise blanks, typically top and bottom, which include seams to allow the blanks to be readily folded into box form. The blanks are typically shipped in the unfolded state to the premises of the end user or to a facility proximate thereto where the boxes are assembled manually or by machine. Foldable boxes are generally more convenient and less expensive to manufacture and assemble than rigid setup boxes. However, foldable boxes have wider seams and more visible raw edge material at corners and elsewhere to give the foldable boxes a less formal appearance than the rigid setup boxes.

Thus, a carton is needed which has the assembly conveniences of a foldable box but which provides the neat, formal appearance of a traditional rigid setup box.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a foldable carton comprising a top and a bottom formed by blanks which include unique features discussed herein which result in the carton having corners with tight narrow seams and minimal visible raw edges.

In one embodiment, a blank for forming a foldable carton is provided, comprising a center panel having a first side and an adjacent second side, a first side panel attached to the center panel at the first side, a second side panel attached to the center panel at the second side, wherein the first and second side panels intersect at a corner of the center panel so as to form an acute angle at said intersection. As will be discussed herein in detail, this acutely angled intersection allows the first side panel to hinge tightly atop the second side panel to form a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

In another embodiment, a blank for forming a foldable carton is provided, comprising a rectilinear center panel having first and second opposite sides and third and fourth opposite sides and first, second, third, and fourth side panels respectively attached to the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the center panel. The blank includes first and second side tabs attached to sides of the first side panel and extending freely therefrom and third and fourth side tabs attached to sides of the second side panel and extending freely therefrom. The first, second, third, and fourth side tabs form acutely angled intersections with the third and fourth side panels at corners of the center panel. Again, as will be discussed further herein, this acutely angled intersection is advantageously responsible for forming corners of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a carton, comprising a bottom, a first side extending generally perpendicular from the bottom, and a second side extending generally perpendicular from the bottom. The first side intersects the second side at a corner of the carton, where the intersection comprises an acute angle and a linear cut formed by edges of the first and second sides. This intersection results in a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the apparatus and method will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable carton according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary blank for forming the carton of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the blank of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another exemplary blank for forming the carton of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the blank of FIG. 2 in a partially assembled state; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the blank of FIG. 2 in a fully assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a foldable carton 10 in one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The carton 10 includes a top 12 and a bottom 14, where the top 12 is configured to fit over and to engage the bottom 14. The top 12 and bottom 14 are both formed of one-piece blanks which are folded, manually or by machine, into the configuration shown in FIG. 1. As discussed in more detail herein, the box 10 includes minimal visible raw edges at corners 16 thereof and narrow, less visible seams 18 at edges thereof, thus giving the carton 10 a more formal appearance, similar to that provided by rigid setup boxes.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a blank 20 which forms the bottom 14 of the carton 10. The blank 20 includes a center panel 22 which, in this example, is generally rectangular in shape having side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30. The blank 20 further includes side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 which are each generally rectangular in shape and which are attached to the center panel 22 at respective side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30. The blank 20 also includes side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46 attached to the respective side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 at edges thereof opposite from the center panel 22. The side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46 are substantially rectangular elements which extend outwardly from the respective side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38. The side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 and the respective side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46 have a length essentially the same as a length of the respective side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30 of the center panel 22, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2. The blank 20 further includes side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 attached to and extending from the respective side panels 32 and 36. Particularly, the side tabs 48 and 50 are respectively attached to side edges 56 and 58 of the side panel 32. The side tabs 52 and 54 are similarly attached to respective side edges 60 and 62 of the side panel 36.

All of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 include cut scores 55 formed therein. The cut scores 55 comprise a plurality of parallel lines scored into the respective side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 at angle of approximately forty-five degrees relative to the side edges 24 and 28 of the center panel 22. The cut scores 55 extend into the side tabs 48 a depth which is sufficient to facilitate adhesive attachment of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 to the respective side panels 34 and 38, as will be discussed herein further in detail. Of course, the exact number, angle, and depth of scoring of the cut scores 55 may vary as desired in accordance with the broad scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of the blank 20 of FIG. 2. Particularly, FIG. 3 shows section A of FIG. 2 of the blank 20 which comprises the intersection of the center panel 22, the side panels 36 and 38, and the side tab 54. As shown in the drawing, both of the side edges 30 and 62 of the center and side panels 22 and 36, respectively, intersect generally perpendicularly with the side edge 28 of the center panel 22 at point 64. Extending from the point 64 are a side edge 66 of the side panel 38 and a side edge 68 of the side tab 54.

The side edge 66 of the side panel 38 includes a common portion 70 located proximate to the point 64, an offset portion 72 adjacent the common portion 70, and first and second extending potions 74 and 75 which extend from the offset portion 72 to an outer edge of the side flap 46. Similarly, the side edge 68 of the side tab 54 includes a common portion 76, an offset portion 78 proximate to the common portion 76, and an extending portion 80 which extends from the offset portion 78 to an outer edge of the side tab 54. The common portions 70 and 76 of the side edges 66 and 68, respectively, lie immediately adjacent one another. The blank 20 may include a cut therethrough which delimits the common portions 70 and 76. Alternatively, the blank 20 may include scoring or perforation in the area of the common portions 70 and 76 such that when the panel 38 and/or flap 54 are folded the scoring or perforation is separated so as to form the common edge portions 70 and 76. The common portions 70 and 76 extend from point 64 a distance X of approximately 1/32 of an inch (i.e., 0.03125 in.).

The offset portions 72 and 78 are disposed adjacent to the common portions 70 and 76, respectively. The offset portions 72 and 78 extend from one another in diverging directions, as shown in FIG. 3. The offset portion 72 is a straight-line section which angles away from the common portion 70 at approximately forty-five degrees in a direction toward the side panel 38. The offset portion 78 first extends collinear with the common portion 76 and then angles away from the common portion 76 at approximately forty-five degrees in a direction toward the side tab 54. Importantly, the intersection of the offset portions 72 and 78 form an acute angle, i.e., a “V-shape”, the nadir of which is proximate to the common portions 70 and 76. As discussed in more detail below, this V-shape contributes to the overall formal appearance of the carton 10 by reducing the amount of visible raw edges at the corners 16 thereof.

The first extending portion 74 of the side edge 66 is a straight-line portion at an edge of the side panel 38. This first portion 74 extends from the offset portion 70 at a slight angle inward toward the side panel 38 such that the panel 38 tapers slightly inward proximate to the side flap 46. The second extending portion 75 is a straight-line portion at an edge of the side flap 46. This second portion 75 extends from the first portion 74 at a slightly outward angle. That is, the angle of the second portion 75 gives the side flap 46 a slightly flared corner distal from the side panel 38. The extending portion 80 of the side edge 68 of the side tab 54 is a straight-line portion which angles divergently from the common portion 78 such that the side 54 tapers toward its outer edge. As will be discussed herein in greater detail, these features of the extending edge portions 74, 75, and 80 contribute to the reduced seam width at the corners 16 of the carton 10.

The blank 20 show in FIGS. 2-3 is shown purely by way of example. The dimensions and relative sizing of the center and side panels, flaps, and tabs, may all be altered and varied as desired. For example, FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the blank 20 which includes all of the previously discussed panels, tabs, and flaps, but presents them in dimensions and relative sizing which is different from that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the section B of FIG. 4 which comprises the intersection of the center panel 22, the side panels 36 and 38, the side flaps 44 and 46, and the side tab 54. Here, the edge 66 of the side panel 38/side flap 46 and the edge 68 of the side tab 54 are configured identically to that discussed above with regard to FIG. 3 with the same offset features, etc., except here the relative dimensions of the panels, flaps, and tabs, is varied.

Generally, the offset portions 72 and 78 of the respective side edges 66 and 68 of the blank 20 serve to offset the first and second extending portions 74 and 75 of the edge 66 from the extending portion 80 of the side edge 68. That is, a space is created between the extending portions of the side edge 66 of the side panel 38/side flap 46 and the extending portions of the side edge 68 of the side tab 54. As shown in FIG. 5, the offset portion 78 of the side edge 68 offsets the extending portion 80 by a distance Y of approximately 0.044 inches. As mentioned above, the extending portion 80 angles in toward the tab 54 to thus give the tab 54 a tapered appearance. This configuration further increases the spacing between the tab 54 and the side panel 38/side flap 46. As also shown in FIG. 5, the offset portion 72 of the side edge 66 offsets the extending portions 74, 75 by a distance Z of approximately 0.0625 inches. As mentioned, the first extending portion 74 is angled in toward the side panel 38, thus serving to increase the spacing between the panel 38 and the side tab 54. As will be discussed herein in more detail, the increased spacing between the side panel/flap and the side tab provided by the offset portions and the shaping of the various panel/flap/tab elements result in less bulk and an overall cleaner, more formal appearance at the corners 16 of the carton 10.

The side edges 66 and 68 of the respective side panel 38/side flap 46 and the side tab 54 are discussed in detail herein only by way of example. Every other corner of the blank 20 includes the discussed V-shaped intersection and the offset features. That is, each of the side tabs 48, 50, and 52 include the side edge 68 having the common portion 76, the offset portion 78, and the extending portion 80. Similarly, the side panel 34 and the side flap 42 include the side edge 66 on one side adjacent to the side tab 50 and on an opposite side adjacent to the side tab 52. Thus, as will be discussed, every resulting corner 16 of the bottom 14 of the carton 10 has the formal appearance provided by the V-cut and offset features.

Fold lines are provided on the blank 20 at the interface of the various panels, flaps, and tabs. For example, referring to FIG. 2, fold lines extend along side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30 of the center panel 22. Additional fold lines extend between the side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 and respective side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46. Finally, fold lines extend between the side panels 32 and 36 and the respective side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54. These fold lines act as hinge points for the various panels, flaps, and tabs and permit the flat blank 20 to be folded into the bottom 14 of the carton 10, as will now be described.

The carton 10 of FIG. 1 may be assembled by the end user, e.g., a retail store, etc., or at an offsite location. The top 12 and the bottom 14 of the carton 10 may be assembled by hand or by machine, as desired. First, the side flaps 40 and 44 are folded over top of the respective side panels 32 and 36. The side flaps 40 and 44 may be adhered to the respective side panels 32 and 36 with a bonding agent. Then, the side panels 32 and 36, with side flaps attached, are folded into a position generally perpendicular to the center panel 22. The side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 are then brought into a position generally perpendicular to the side panels 32 and 36. The side panels 34 and 38 are folded upward into a position generally perpendicular to the center panel 22. Finally, the side flaps 42 and 46 are folded downward toward the center panel 22, over the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54. The side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 may be adhesively bonded on a first side thereof to the side panels 34 and 38 and/or may be adhesively bonded on a second side thereof to the side flaps 42 and 46. Additionally and/or alternatively, the side flaps 42 and 46 may be adhesively bonded at a central portion to the side panels 34 and 38, respectively.

As mentioned, during assembly of the bottom 14 of the carton 10, adhesive may be applied to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 to facilitate attachment thereof to the side panels 34 and 38. The adhesive is received in the cut scores 55 and bonds with the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 at their interior. Some of the adhesive remains at the surface of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and is thus available for bonding with the side panels 34 and 38. This use of the cut scores 55 is particularly advantageous when the blank 20 is formed of a material not conducive to adhesive bonding such as, for example, a foil-lined paperboard. In such a circumstance, the cut scores 55 allow the foil outer surfaces of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and the side panels 34 and 38 to readily and effectively adhere.

The adhesive bonding agent may be applied to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and/or to the side panels 34 and 38 in any desired amount and configuration sufficient to bond these various items as discussed above. Preferably a plurality of lines of the adhesive are formed on the side panels 34 and 38. For example, three lines of adhesive may be formed on the panels 34 and 38 in a direction generally perpendicular to the side edge 30 of the center panel 22. One of these lines can be formed at a central region of the panels 34 and 38 while the remaining two lines can be formed toward opposite outer edges of the panels 34 and 38. The center line of the adhesive bonds with the side flaps 42 and 46 while the outer lines of adhesive bond with the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and the cut scores 55 as discussed above. Of course, the amount and disposition of the adhesive on the blank 20 may be varied as desired. For example, the adhesive may be applied to the side panels 34 and 38 as horizontal lines, circular formations, etc. Additional adhesive may be applied to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 on the side opposite form the cut scores 55 in order to promote attachment of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 with the side flaps 42 and 46.

Similarly, the side flaps 40 and 44 are bonded to the side panels 32 and 36 by application of an adhesive agent thereto in any desired amount and configuration. For example the adhesive may be placed on the side panels 32 and 36 in the form of a plurality of lines oriented generally perpendicular to the respective side edges 24 and 28 of the center panel 22. The side panels 32 and 36 may include three of such lines, one formed in the center of the panels and one at each opposite end proximate to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54.

As discussed herein, the blank 20 forms the bottom 14 of the carton 10. The blank 20 is only discussed herein by way of example. A similar blank is used to form the top 12 of the carton 10. Such blank is identical to the blank 20 but has a center panel which is slightly larger than the center panel 22 of the blank 20. This ensures that the top 12, once assembled, fits over the bottom 14 in order to form the carton 10. Otherwise, the blank which forms the top 12 is substantially identical to the blank 20 in that it includes the unique edge features at the intersection of the side tabs with the side panels proximate to the center panel. That is, the blank which forms the top 12 of the carton 10 includes the edges 66 and 68 disposed at each corner thereof, as discussed above with respect to the blank 20.

The edge features of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and of the respective side panels 32, 34, 36, 38 and side flaps 40, 42, 44, 46 give the corners 16 of the carton 10 a formal appearance by minimizing the visible raw edges and by providing tight, narrow seams. Specifically, the V-shaped intersection of the side edges 66 and 68 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) result in an essentially squared corner 16 with minimal visible edges of the blank 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the unique intersection of the side tab 50 and the side panel 34 allows the side tab 50 to hinge over the side panel 34 with a very small tolerance thus providing a tight corner 16. More particularly, the side tab 50 and side panel 32 hinge such that the common portion 76 and the offset portion 78 of the side edge 68 of the side tab 50 are positioned above the side edge 26 of the center panel 22 of the blank 20. The blank 20 includes raw edges 82, i.e., untreated edges, extending around a perimeter thereof. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the hinging of the side tab 50 results in little to no raw edges 82 visible at the corner 16. FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the assembled bottom 14 of the carton 10. Here, the side panel 34 is folded upward adjacent to the side tab 50 (not visible) and the side flap 42 (not visible) is folded downward over the side tab 50. In this view, it can be seen that the common portion 70 of the side edge 66 of the side panel 34 remains beneath the side panel 34, beneath the side panel 32, and beneath the side tab 50. Here again, the visible raw edge 82 at the corner 16 is minimized. Additionally, the resulting seam 84 is very narrow and unobtrusive.

In this way, the carton 10 has the appearance of a rigid setup box but, in fact, is a foldable box with all the associated conveniences. Of particular advantage is that the carton 10 may be assembled automatically by machine at high speeds such, for example, approximately forty to sixty cartons per minute. This represents a significant improvement in assembly time over traditional setup boxes which require much slower, more labor intensive hand assembly.

As alluded to herein, the blank 20 described above, and the resulting carton 10, are presented by way of example only. The carton of the invention may take on any desired shape or size, for example, the carton may be rectangular, square, curvilinear, or any combination of these. In this way, the blanks which form the carton may be correspondingly shaped or sized accordingly. Also, the various dimensions discussed herein with respect to offset spacing, etc., are only provided as exemplary approximations and may vary as desired.

For example, FIG. 8 shows a blank 100 in an other embodiment of the invention. The blank 100 includes many of the elements of the blank 20 discussed herein above. Similar elements are represented herein with like reference numerals and are not re-introduced nor discussed herein in detail, instead reference is made to the above description of the blank 20.

The blank 100 includes the center panel 22 surrounded by the side panels 40, 42, 44, and 46. Importantly, the blank 100 includes the corner features 64, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 discussed above which result in the blank 100 being formable into a formal carton top and/or bottom with minimal visible raw edges and tight corner seams. In addition to sharing many of the features with the blank 20, the blank 100 further comprises an extending flap 102 which extends from the side flap 40 and is approximately the same shape and size as the center panel 22. The extending flap 102 meets the side flap 40 at a fold line 104 arranged generally parallel to the side edge 24. The fold line 104, generally, is a feature formed into the

The blank 100 is manually or machine formed into a top or bottom of a carton, similar to that shown in FIG. 1. As with the blank 20, if the blank 100 is to be formed into a carton top, it is sized slightly larger than if formed into the carton bottom. This allows the top to fit snugly over the bottom of the carton. In forming the carton top/bottom, the blank 100 is folded and stayed similar to that described above regarding the blank 20. That is, the side panels 32 and 36 are folded into a position perpendicular to the center panel 22; the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 are folded inward toward the side panels 34 and 38; the side panels 34 and 38 are then folded into a position perpendicular to the center panel; and the side flaps 42 and 46 are then folded downward over the side panels 34 and 38 and over the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 toward the center panel 22. The side flap 44 is also folded downward over the side panel 36 toward the center panel 22. The side flap 40 is then folded inward toward the center panel 22. The extending flap 102 is articulated about the fold line 104 in the opposite direction, i.e., away from the center panel 22. This allows the side flap 40 to fold over the side panel 32 and the extending flap 102 to be brought into engagement with the center panel 22. That is, the extending panel 102 is folded at the fold line 104 such that the extending panel lies on the center panel 22 at the interior of the carton top/bottom. The fold line 104 aligns with and is disposed atop the side edge 24. The extending flap 102 lies atop and completely covers the center panel 22. Various adhesives may be used to secure the various side panels, flaps, and tabs of the blank 100, as discussed concerning the blank 20. This described order of assembling the blank 100 into a carton top or bottom is of course exemplary. Various flaps and tabs may be arranged in different orders if desired, so long as the carton top or bottom is ultimately produced. For example, the extending flap 102 may be folded about the fold line 104 so as to be positioned atop the side flap 40, side panel 32, and the center panel 22 prior to erecting the side panel 32. In this situation, the side panel 32 would then rotated into its perpendicular position relative to the center panel 22 and the side flap then biased downward toward the center panel 22 such that the extending flap 102 assumes the above described end position upon the center panel 22.

The inclusion of the extending flap 102 in the blank 100 effectively provides a double-layer at the center panel 22 when the blank 100 is formed into a carton top or bottom. This gives the carton increased rigidity and provides an additional printing surface for graphics, text, etc. With regard to printing, when the blank 100 is formed into a carton top/bottom, the outer surface of the extending blank 102 is exposed at the interior of the carton. This outer surface is typically finished and is better suited for retaining print thereon than the opposite inner side of the blank 100 of which the center panel 22 is composed.

The blanks discussed herein are constructed of any desired material which is pliable enough to be folded into the carton and yet rigid enough to provide the carton with sufficient strength for its intended use. For example, the blanks may be constructed of a paper material, a cardboard, a plastic, etc., or any combination of these. The material forming the blanks may have one or more finished surfaces such that the resulting carton includes one or more outer and/or inner finished surfaces. Side edges of the material forming the blank are generally not treated, thus resulting in the raw edges 82 discussed hereinabove.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and variations can be made to the present apparatus and method disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the various embodiments have been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

1. A blank for forming a foldable carton, comprising:

a center panel having a first side and an adjacent second side;
a first side panel attached to the center panel at the first side;
a second side panel attached to the center panel at the second side;
wherein the first and second side panels intersect at a corner of the center panel so as to form an acute angle at said intersection.

2. The blank of claim 1, wherein the intersection is delimited by a first edge of the first side panel and a second edge of the second side panel, wherein the first and second edges each include adjacently disposed common portions and diverging offset portions, the diverging offset portions forming the acute angle, the adjacently disposed common portions forming a linear cut.

3. The blank of claim 2, wherein the offset portion delimits a spacing between the first and second edges.

4. The blank of claim 2, wherein the first edge further comprises a first extending edge which tapers in toward the first side panel and where the second edge further comprises a second extending edge which tapers in toward the second side panel such that the first and second extending edges diverge from one another in a direction away from the intersection.

5. The blank of claim 2, wherein the first side panel is foldable at the first side into an upright position relative to the center panel and wherein the common portion of the first edge is pivotal at the intersection into a position atop the common portion of the second edge.

6. The blank of claim 5, wherein the second side panel is foldable at the second side into an upright position relative to the center panel and wherein the common portion of the second edge is pivotal at the intersection into a position atop and in contact with the common portion of the second edge to form a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

7. The blank of claim 1, wherein the first and second side panels are configured to be oriented into a position generally perpendicular to the center panel such that a corner of the carton is formed at the intersection having minimal visible raw edges.

8. The blank of claim 2, wherein the first side panel includes a side tab extending therefrom capable of folding into a position generally perpendicular to a remaining portion of the first side panel and wherein the side tab comprises the first edge.

9. The blank of claim 1, further comprising a linear cut at the intersection, wherein the linear cut is delimited by the first and second side panels, wherein the linear cut extends from a vertex of the acute angle and terminates at the center panel, and wherein the acute angle is approximately forty-five degrees.

10. A blank for forming a foldable carton, comprising:

a rectilinear center panel having first and second opposite sides and third and fourth opposite sides;
first, second, third, and fourth side panels respectively attached to the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the center panel;
first and second side tabs attached to opposite sides of the first side panel and extending freely therefrom;
third and fourth side tabs attached to opposite sides of the second side panel and extending freely therefrom;
wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side tabs form acutely angled intersections with the third and fourth side panels at corners of the center panel.

11. The blank of claim 10, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side tabs and the third and fourth side panels are configured to be oriented into a position generally perpendicular to the center panel such that corners of the carton are formed at the acutely angled intersection, wherein the corners have minimal visible raw edges.

12. The blank of claim 10, wherein each of the acutely angled intersections comprises adjacently disposed common portions and diverging offset portions, the diverging offset portions forming an acute angle.

13. The blank of claim 10, further comprising a linear cut at each of the acutely angled intersections, wherein the linear cut extends from a vertex of an acute angle at the respective intersection and terminates at the center panel, wherein the acute angle is approximately forty-five degrees.

14. The blank of claim 10, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side tabs include cut scores formed in a surface thereof.

15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the cut scores are disposed linearly on the first, second, third, and fourth side tabs at an angle to the third and fourth sides of the center panel.

16. A carton, comprising:

a bottom;
a first side extending generally perpendicular from the bottom; and
a second side extending generally perpendicular from the bottom;
wherein the first side intersects the second side at a corner of the carton;
wherein the intersection at the corner comprises an acute angle and a linear cut formed by edges of the first and second sides;
wherein the intersection forms the corner with minimal visible raw edges.

17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the acute angle is approximately forty-five degrees, wherein the linear cut is delimited by a first edge of the first side and by a second edge of the second side, and wherein the linear cut extends from a vertex of the acute angle and terminates at the bottom.

18. The carton of claim 17, wherein the first side includes a first edge proximate to the intersection and the second side includes a second edge proximate to the intersection, wherein the first and second edges diverge from one another in a direction away from the intersection.

19. The carton of claim 16, further comprising an extending panel which extends from the first side panel and includes a first portion and an adjacent second portion wherein the first portion is shaped and sized approximately equivalent to the first side panel and the second portion is shaped and sized approximately equivalent to the center panel.

20. The carton of claim 19, wherein the first side panel is foldable into a position substantially perpendicular to the center panel, the first portion of the extending panel is foldable into a position atop the first side panel substantially perpendicular to the center panel, and the second portion is foldable into a position atop and in contact with the center panel.

21. The carton of claim 20, wherein the extending flap comprises a printing surface which is exposed when the extending flap folded into the position over the center panel.

Patent History
Publication number: 20070175971
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 2, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2007
Inventor: John Murray (Thomaston, CT)
Application Number: 11/345,711
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 229/190.000; 229/165.000; 229/173.000
International Classification: B65D 5/28 (20060101); B65D 5/00 (20060101);