This invention relates generally to a carton for containing a plurality of articles and a blank for forming the carton. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a carton having panels which separate adjacent articles.

Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for protecting such articles as they are transported. There is an increasing consumer trend where products are purchased online and shipped to the consumer directly. Cartons used for packaging such products can be exposed to more aggressive environments than those used in conventional in-store environments.

As such, carton designs must be strong enough to support multiple articles, whilst preventing or at least mitigating any impact from being transferred to the products during transportation. This can be particularly challenging where aggregate, liquid or semi-liquid products are transported in fragile containers designed to minimise packaging.

US2014263353 and EP0084497 both describe cartons incorporating partition panels, which segment the internal volume of the carton to produce individual chambers for receiving a plurality of articles in the same carton whilst keeping the products separate. Whilst effective for their intended purpose, these cartons could be improved and simplified to accommodate and protect more effectively articles intended to be transported directly to consumers in individual cartons.

US3300116, US2089067 and US2003/029753 each disclose cartons having multiple compartments.

It is therefore a non-exclusive aim of the invention to provide a carton which is simpler and/or more effective for shipping directly to consumers aggregate, liquid or semi-liquid products in fragile containers.

It is a more general non-exclusive aim of the invention to provide an improved and/or simplified carton.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a carton for holding a plurality of articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels hingedly connected to one another and describing an internal volume, the panels including: a pair of side panels; a pair of end panels hingedly connected to the side panels; a first top panel hingedly connected to one of the side panels; a second top panel hingedly connected to one of the end panels; and a lid panel hingedly connected to the other one of the side panels or to the other one of the end panels and overlying the first and second top panels; wherein each top panel have a respective partition panel, which is hingedly connected thereto, and the partition panels extend into the internal volume, are orthogonal to one another and inter-engage with one another to partition the internal volume of the carton.

The carton may comprise an insert. The insert may be received within the internal volume.

The insert may describe two or more chambers, for example upper and lower chambers.

The insert may separate or delineate the internal volume into the two or more chambers.

The insert may have one or more, for example two or more or a plurality of, receiving portions or receptacles, e.g. for receiving articles. In embodiments, the insert has four receiving portions or receptacles.

The partition panels may describe two or more or a plurality of chambers. The partition panels may separate or delineate the internal volume into the two or more or plurality of chambers.

In embodiments comprising the insert, at least one of the chambers, e.g. each chamber, may comprise one of the receptacles.

In embodiments comprising the insert, at least one, for example each, of the partition panels may abut the insert.

In embodiments without the insert, at least one, for example each, of the partition panels may abut a base or bottom wall or panel of the carton.

The carton or a top or bottom wall or panel thereof may be polygonal, square or rectangular, e.g. in plan. In such embodiments, the insert may comprise four receptacles, for example one in each of four quadrants of the insert and/or of the internal volume.

At least one of the top panels, e.g. the first top panel, may comprise a slot. At least part of the partition panel hingedly connected to the other of the top panels, e.g. the second top panel, may extend through the slot, e.g. to inter-engage the partition panels.

At least one of the partition panels may comprise a slot through which the other partition panel extends, e.g. to inter-engage the partition panels.

Preferably, each of the partition panels comprises a slot through which the other partition panel extends, e.g. to inter-engage the partition panels.

The first and/or second top panel may cover only part of the internal volume. The partition panel hingedly connected to the first top panel may extend from a free end thereof.

The partition panel hingedly connected to the second top panel may extend from a free end thereof.

At least one of the top panels may comprise grasping means or feature. The grasping means or feature may comprise an aperture or hole, for example extending through the top panel. The grasping means or feature may comprise a tab, which may extend from the or a free end of the top panel.

In embodiments, the slot in the first top panel comprising a grasping aperture or hole, e.g. at an intermediate portion thereof.

In embodiments, the second top panel comprises a grasping tab, e.g. extending from a free end thereof and/or configured to cover the grasping aperture or hole in the first top panel.

The grasping aperture or hole and/or the grasping tab may be circular or semi-circular.

In embodiments where the carton is polygonal with three or five or more side panels, the first and second top panels may be hingedly connected to adjacent side panels and the carton may comprise one or more additional top panels each with a partition panel hingedly connected thereto that may interengage one or both of the partition panels of the first and second top walls. References herein to end panels may correspond to side panels of such polygonal cartons.

The lid panel may cover only part of the, but preferably all of the or the entire, internal volume. The lid panel may comprise a locking means or feature, e.g. a locking tab, for engaging one of the top panels and/or one or more of the plurality of panels. The locking means may be at or adjacent, e.g. located at or adjacent, and/or extend or depend from a free end of the lid panel.

The lid panel may comprise a grasping means or feature, which may be at or adjacent, e.g. located at or adjacent, and/or extend or depend from the or a free end of the lid panel.

The grasping means or feature may be adjacent the locking means or feature. The grasping means or feature may comprise a tab, which may be circular or semi-circular

The side panel to which the first top panel is hingedly connected may comprise a hole or aperture adjacent the hinged connection, which may be shaped to cooperate with the grasping means or feature of the lid panel.

The carton may comprise a further, e.g. third, top panel. The further top panel may cover only part of the, but preferably most or substantially all of the internal volume.

The further top panel may be contiguous and/or overlie and/or cover and/or abut the top panel(s), e.g. one or more or all of the top panels.

The further top panel may overlie the first or second top panel in a coplanar, face-contacting relationship.

The lid panel may be contiguous and/or overlie and/or cover and/or abut the further top panel.

In embodiments, the first top panel is hingedly connected to a first side panel and/or the second top panel is hingedly connected to a first end panel and/or the further or third top panel is hingedly connected to a second side panel and/or the lid panel is hingedly connected to a second end panel.

The second top panel may overlie the first top panel. The further or third top panel may overlie the second top panel. The lid panel may overlie the further or third top panel.

Another aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton having an internal volume, the blank comprising a plurality of panels hingedly connected to one another and including: a pair of side panels; a pair of end panels hingedly connected to the side panels; a first top panel hingedly connected to one of the side panels; a second top panel hingedly connected to one of the end panels; and a lid panel hingedly connected to the other one of the side panels or to the other one of the end panels and overlying the first and second top panels; wherein each top panel has a respective partition panel hingedly connected thereto, and the partition panels extend, in use, into the internal volume, are orthogonal to one another and inter-engage with one another to partition the internal volume of the carton when the blank is erected into a carton.

The blank may comprise, or be provided in combination with, an insert. The insert may be for describing two or more chambers, for example upper and lower chambers.

The blank or the plurality of panels may comprise one or more base or bottom panels. The base or bottom panel(s) may be hingedly connected to or securable to each of the side panels and/or each of the end panels.

In embodiments, the blank or the plurality of panels comprises a respective base or bottom panel connected to each of the side panels and end panels.

The base or bottom panels may be secured or interconnected to one another.

A package may comprise a carton as described above with a plurality of articles received therein.

At least two of the articles may be separated by one of the partition panels. Preferably, at least one article is received in each of the aforementioned chambers.

In embodiments where at least one partition panel abuts the base or bottom panel, a pair of stacked articles may be received in each chamber.

In embodiments with the insert, each receptacle may receive a respective article and a further article may be stacked on top of each of the articles received in the receptacles. At least one or each article may comprise a tray, which may be formed of a flexible material such as a foil material, e.g. a metallic foil such as aluminium.

The or each tray may be covered or comprise a cover or lid formed of a flexible material such as a foil material, e.g. a metallic foil such as aluminium.

The or each tray may contain an aggregate, liquid or semi-liquid product. The or each tray may contain food, such as pet food.

For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention. For example, the blank may comprise any one or more features of the carton relevant thereto.

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or", "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present.

Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed but only insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a carton according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figure 1 in a fully-open condition and with the insert located therein;
• Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figures 1 and 2 in a first state of closure;
• Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figures 1 to 3 in a second state of closure;
• Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figures 1 to 4 in a third state of closure;
• Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figures 1 to 5 in a fully-closed condition;
• Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a carton according to another embodiment of the invention in a fully-open condition;
• Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figure 7 in a first state of closure;
• Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figures 7 and 8 in a second state of closure;
• Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the carton of Figures 7 to 9 in a fully-closed condition.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a carton 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for holding a plurality of articles (not shown). The carton 1 has a pair of spaced apart, opposed side panels 21, 22 and a pair of spaced apart, opposed end panels 31, 32 hingedly connected to the side panels 21, 22 at respective fold lines F. The side panels 21, 22 and end panels 31, 32 are attached at their lower edges to a square base 4 formed of a plurality of bottom panels 40. The side panels 21, 22 and end panels 31, 32 extend orthogonally from the base 4 and define, together therewith, an internal volume V with an open top.

The carton 1 includes a first top panel 5 hingedly connected to the upper edge of a first side panel 21 along a first, upper fold line F₁ and a second top panel 6 hingedly connected to the upper edge of a first end panel 31 at second, upper fold line F₂. A first partition panel 7 is hingedly connected along a free end of the first top panel 5 at a third, upper fold line F₃ and a second partition panel 8 is hingedly connected to a free end of the second top panel 6 at a fourth, upper fold line F₄. The carton also includes a third top panel 9a hingedly connected to the upper edge of a second end panel 32 at a fifth, upper fold line F₅ and a lid panel 9b hingedly connected to the upper edge of a second side panel 22 at a sixth, upper fold line F₆. The first, third and sixth upper fold lines F₁, F₃, F₆ are parallel to one another and the second, fourth and fifth upper fold lines F₂, F₄, F₅ are parallel to one another and orthogonal to the first, third and sixth upper fold lines F₁, F₃, F₆.

Each of the first and second top panels 5, 6 is sized to cover approximately half of the open top of the internal volume V. The first top panel 5 is rectangular in plan, while the second top panel 6 is trapezoidal in plan. The third top panel 9a is trapezoidal in plan and is sized to cover the majority of the open top of the internal volume V. The lid panel 9b is square in plan and is substantially coextensive with the base 4, thereby to cover the entire open top of the internal volume V.

The first top panel 5 includes a central through-slot 51 extending from the third upper fold line F₃ toward the first upper fold line F₁. The first top panel 5 also has a finger aperture 52 and a locking slot 53. The finger aperture 52 is located at the centre of the first top panel 5 and is in the form of a circular cut-out. The finger aperture 52 intersects an intermediate part of the through-slot 51. The locking slot 53 located at the centre of, and extends along, the first upper fold line F₁.

The second top panel 6 includes a side edge 61 adjacent the first top panel 5, which tapers or converges toward its second side edge 62. The second top panel 6 also includes a semi-circular grasping tab 63 extending from the fourth upper fold line F₄.

The first partition panel 7 includes a central engagement slot 71 extending from the third upper fold line F₃ toward a free end 72 of the first partition panel 7. The engagement slot 71 is aligned with the through-slot 51 in the first top panel 5 such that they form a continuous slot extending through the third upper fold line F₃.

The second partition panel 8 includes an engagement slot 81 extending from a free end 82 thereof toward the fourth upper fold line F₄. The grasping tab 63 is formed by a correspondingly shaped cutout 83 in the second partition panel 8 and extends parallel to the second top panel 6.

The third top panel 9a has a side edge 91a adjacent the first top panel 5, which tapers or converges toward its second side edge 92a in a similar manner to the tapering side edge 61 of the second top panel 6. The lid panel 9b has a locking tab 91b hingedly connected to and extending from a free edge 92b thereof along a seventh upper fold line F₇ and a small grasping tab 93b extending from the seventh upper fold line F₇, which is formed by a correspondingly shaped cutout 94b in the locking tab 91b and extends parallel to the second lid panel 9b.

In this embodiment, an insert 10 is received within the internal volume V of the carton 1. The insert 10 is square in plan and includes four receptacles or receiving areas 11 in a support panel 12 for accommodating articles (not shown). Each receptacle 11 is in the form of a square cutout in the support panel 12 and includes four trapezoidal, hinged tabs 13 hingedly connected along each edge of the receptacle 11. The insert 10 also includes leg panels 14 hingedly connected to and extending along opposing peripheral edges of the support panel 12. The leg panels 14 support the insert 10 within the internal volume V of the carton 1 such that the support panel 12 is in a spaced relationship with the base 4. When the insert 10 is received within the internal volume V of the carton 1, the support panel 12 divides the internal volume V into upper and lower chambers.

Each receptacle 11 is configured to receive an article, in the form of a tray containing pet food, in interference fit therewith. The hinged tabs 13 are configured to be folded downward, toward the bottom panel 4 of the carton 1 and provide additional support to the articles received in the receptacles 11. Each receptacle 11 is separated from adjacent receptacles by margins of the support panel 12 of the insert 10. In use, the margins of the support panel 12 provide support to flanges (not shown) of the trays (not shown) received in the receptacle, whilst the edges of the cutout and the hinged tabs 13 engage the outer surface of the body of the trays.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 6, there is shown the carton 1 at different states of closure.

In Figure 2, the insert 10 is received within the internal volume V of the carton 1. The first partition panel 7 is folded about the third upper fold line F₃ until it is perpendicular to the first top panel 5 and the second partition panel 8 is folded about the fourth upper fold line F₄ until it is perpendicular to the second top panel 6. Similarly, the locking tab 91b is folded about the seventh upper fold line F₇ until it is perpendicular to the lid panel 9b.

In Figure 3, the first top panel 5 is folded about the first upper fold line F₁ to overlie the open top of the internal volume V until it is perpendicular to the first side panel 21 and parallel to the base 4. The first partition panel 7, lying perpendicular to the first top panel 5, now lies parallel to the side panels 21, 22 and extends into the internal volume V. The first partition panel is sized such that its free end 72 abuts the support panel 12 of the insert 10 in this condition. As such, the upper chamber of the internal volume V is divided into two equally sized cells. One of the cells is enclosed by the first top panel 5, first partition panel 7, first side panel 21 and opposing end panels 31, 32.

In Figure 4, the second top panel 6 is folded about the second upper fold line F₂ toward the first top panel 5. The second partition panel 8, lying perpendicular to the second top panel 6, is inserted into the through-slot 51 of the first top panel 5 such that it extends into the internal volume V. The second top panel 6 is urged toward the first top panel 5 until it overlies the first top panel 5 in a coplanar, face-contacting relationship, and is perpendicular to the first end panel 31.

As the second top panel 6 is urged toward the first top panel 5, the engagement slot 71 on the first partition panel 7 and the engagement slot 81 of the second partition panel 8 inter-engage with one another so as to form an inter-engaging joint. In this, overlying position, the free end 82 of the second partition panel 8 abuts the support panel 12 of the insert 10 and the first and second partition panels 7, 8 lie at right angles to one another to divide the upper chamber of the internal volume V into four equally sized cells, with three of the cells enclosed. The partition panels 7, 8 are arranged such that each of the cells contains one of the receptacles 11 of the insert 10.

In Figure 5, the third top panel 9a is folded about the fifth upper fold line F₅ to overlie the second top panel 6 in a coplanar, face contacting relationship. In Figure 6, the lid panel 9b is folded about the sixth upper fold line F₆ toward the third top panel 9a. The locking tab 91b, extending perpendicular to the lid panel 9b, is inserted within the locking slot 53 to lock the lid panel 9b in place, with the lid panel 9b overlying the third top panel 9a in a coplanar, face contacting relationship. In this condition, the entire internal volume V is covered and the carton 1 is in a fully closed state.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a carton 100 according to another embodiment of the invention similar to the carton 1 according the embodiment described above, wherein like references a augmented by a factor of 100. The carton 100 according to this embodiment differs from that of the previous embodiment in that the insert 10 is omitted and the partition panels 107, 108 extend to abut the base 104. As such, the internal volume V is divided into four chambers extending the entire height of the carton.

The stages of closing are illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 and are similar to those described above in relation to the carton 1 according to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment the partition panels 107, 108 each extend from the respective first and second top panels 105, 106 across the entire height H of the side and end panels 121, 122, 131, 132.

In Figure 8, the first partition panel 107 extends into the internal volume V and extends the entire depth of the internal volume V. As such, the free end 172 of the first partition panel 107 abuts the base 104. In this state, the entire internal volume V is divided into two equally sized cells. In Figure 9, the second partition panel 108 is inserted into the through-slot 151 of the first top panel 105 such that it extends into the internal volume V and extends the entire depth of the internal volume V. As such, the free end 182 abuts the base 104 so as to divide the interior volume V into four equally sized cells.

The carton 1, 100 is formed from cardboard in this embodiment. It will be understood that this need not be the case, and instead, the carton 1, 100 may be formed from any suitable foldable material or substrate. Suitable materials or substrates include, but are not limited to, paperboard, corrugated board, plastics or combinations thereof.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that directional references used herein, such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these features from one another. As used herein, the terms "hingedly connected", "hinged connection" and "fold line" refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features and/or facilitate folding portions. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. Any reference to "hingedly connected", "hinged connection" or "fold line" should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only. Indeed, it is expressly envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or multiple fold lines with intermediate panels without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the side panels 21, 22, 121, 122, end panels 31, 32, 131, 132, top panels 5, 6, 9a, 105 106, 109a and lid panel 9b, 109b may vary in shape or proportion. Moreover, the partition panels 7, 8, 107, 108 may vary in number, shape or proportion and their number may vary depending on the shape of the carton 1, 100 and/or the number of desired cells within the internal volume V.

The insert 10 may include more or less than four receptacles 11 and/or the partition panels 7, 8 may extend through slots in the insert 10 and abut the base 4. The slot or opening in the insert 10 may act to lock the partition panels 7, 8 in place relative to the insert 10. One of the slots 71, 81 in the partition panels 7, 8 may be omitted and/or the other slot 71, 81 may extend the length of the partition panel 7, 8.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.