Carton with at least one holder

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10661940
  • Patent Number
    10,661,940
  • Date Filed
    Monday, August 27, 2018
    6 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 26, 2020
    4 years ago
Abstract
A carton for holding at least one article includes a base, a lid, and a shoulder attached to the base. The base includes a first plurality of panels and the lid includes a second plurality of panels. The lid is foldably connected to the base such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton. The shoulder includes at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/554,760, which was filed on Sep. 6, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.


BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for holding at least one article. In embodiments, the present disclosure relates to cartons that include at least one holder for holding an accessory for the at least one article.


SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a carton for holding at least one article comprises a base comprising a first plurality of panels and a lid comprising a second plurality of panels. The lid is foldably connected to the base such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton. A shoulder is attached to the base, the shoulder comprising at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article.


According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article comprises a first plurality of panels for forming a base of the carton formed from the blank and a second plurality of panels for forming a lid of the carton formed from the blank. The first plurality of panels is foldably connected to the second plurality of panels such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton formed from the blank. The blank further comprises panels for forming a shoulder attached to the base of the carton formed from the blank. The panels for forming the shoulder comprise at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article in the carton formed from the blank.


According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming a carton for holding at least one article comprises obtaining a blank comprising a first plurality of panels, a second plurality of panels foldably connected to the first plurality of panels, and shoulder panels. The method further comprises at least partially folding the first plurality of panels to form a base of the carton, and at least partially folding the second plurality of panels to form a lid of the carton such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton. The method further comprises at least partially folding the shoulder panels to form a shoulder attached to the base, the shoulder comprising at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.


According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.



FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.



FIG. 2 is a first sequential perspective view of a partial folding of the blank of FIG. 1.



FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the partially folded blank of FIG. 2.



FIG. 4 is a second sequential perspective view of a partial folding of the blank of FIG. 1.



FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and in an open configuration according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.



FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the carton of FIG. 5 in a closed configuration.



FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 5 in the open configuration and having a pair of holders formed therein.



FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 7 in the open configuration and having accessories disposed in the holders.



FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.



FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a carton according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.





Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and “back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected cartons. As described herein, cartons may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end flaps, and/or other portions. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions may be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.



FIG. 1 shows an exterior surface 11 of a blank 13 for forming a carton 15 (FIG. 5) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As described herein, the carton 15 includes a tray or base 17 and a reclosable lid 19 foldably connected to the base 17 such that the base 17 and the lid 19 at least partially surround an interior 149 of the carton 15. Such an arrangement can be commonly referred to as a “clamshell” carton. The illustrated carton 15 can be useful for holding one or more articles such as food products F (FIG. 5) that may be provided in discrete portions, for example, chicken nuggets, chicken strips, French fries, chips, and/or other food items that can commonly be referred to as finger foods. Other types of articles that can include food products and/or nonfood products can be placed in the carton 15 for service to a customer without departing from the disclosure. Such products can be contained in additional packaging and then placed in the carton 15. As described further herein, the carton 15 includes a shoulder 20 attached to the base 17 and defining at least one holder 21 (FIG. 7) within which an accessory for one or more food products F can be held, for example, a container C for a condiment, for example, a sauce or dressing (e.g., ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, etc.) and/or another condiment. The carton 15 could be otherwise shaped and arranged and could be used to hold other products and/or articles in similar or different environments without departing from the disclosure.


As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 13 has a longitudinal axis L1 extending generally in the direction of the length of the blank 13 and a lateral axis L2 extending generally in the direction of the width of the blank 13. In one embodiment, the blank 13 comprises a front extension flap 23, a front extension panel 25, a front panel 27, a bottom panel 29, a first back panel 31, a second back panel 33, and a top panel 35, and a lid panel 37. As illustrated, the front extension flap 23 is foldably connected to the front extension panel 25 at a lateral fold line 39, the front extension panel 25 is foldably connected to the front panel 27 at a lateral fold line 41, the front panel 27 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 29 at a lateral fold line 43, the bottom panel 29 is foldably connected to the first back panel 31 at a lateral fold line 45, the first back panel 31 is foldably connected to the second back panel 33 at a lateral fold line 47, the second back panel 33 is foldably connected to the top panel 35 at a lateral fold line 49, and the top panel 35 is foldably connected to the lid panel 37 at a lateral fold line 51. In one embodiment, the first back panel 31, the bottom panel 29, and the front panel 27 can be a first plurality of panels at least partially forming the base 17 of the carton 15, the second back panel 33, the top panel 35, the lid panel 37 can be a second plurality of panels foldably connected to the first plurality of panels and for at least partially forming the lid 19 of the carton 15, and a portion of the bottom panel 29, the front panel 27, the front extension panel 25, and the front extension flap 23 can be shoulder panels that at least partially form the shoulder 20 of the carton 15.


In the illustrated embodiment, a first end flap 53 and a second end flap 55 are foldably connected to the front panel 27 at respective oblique fold lines 57, 59, a first end flap 61 and a second end flap 63 are foldably connected to the bottom panel 29 at respective longitudinal fold lines 65, 67, a first end flap 69 and a second end flap 71 are foldably connected to the first back panel 31 at respective oblique fold lines 73, 75, a first end flap 77 and a second end flap 79 are foldably connected to the second back panel 33 at respective oblique fold lines 81, 83, a first end flap 85 and a second end flap 87 are foldably connected to the top panel 35 at respective longitudinal fold lines 89, 91, and a first end flap 93 and a second end flap 95 are foldably connected to the lid panel 37 at respective oblique fold lines 97, 99. As shown, the end flaps 53, 61, 69, 77, 85, 93 extend along a first marginal area of the blank 13 and the end flaps 55, 63, 71, 79, 87, 95 extend along a second marginal area of the blank 13. As described herein, when the carton 15 (FIG. 5) is erected, the end flaps 53, 61, 69, 77, 85, 93 at least partially close a first lateral side 16 (FIG. 6) of the carton 15, and the end flaps 55, 63, 71, 79, 78, 95 at least partially close a second lateral side 18 of the carton 15. Different flap arrangements can be used for closing the sides of the carton 15 without departing from the disclosure.


Still referring to FIG. 1, two pairs of retention flaps 103, 105 are foldably connected to the front extension panel 25 at respective fold lines 107, 109. The retention flaps 103, 105 are at least partially defined by respective cuts 111, 113 and 117, 119 in the front extension panel 25 that interrupt the respective lateral fold lines 39, 41, and are separated by a respective cut 121 that may have an at least partially curved, e.g., wave-shaped or sinusoidal, configuration. As described herein, the retention flaps 103, 105 can be deflected away (e.g., downwardly) from the front extension panel 25 to form holders 21 (FIG. 7) in the carton 15, for example, to receive one or more accessories, such as the container C, for the one or more food products F.


As shown, the blank 13 comprises locking features which includes a tab 123 protruding from the front extension flap 23 into a portion of the front extension panel 25 adjacent a cut 125 extending between portions of the lateral fold line 39. In one embodiment, the cut 125 is curved or semi-circular, but the cut 125 and the tab 123 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. As described further herein, the tab 123 can be deflected away from the front extension panel 25 upon formation of the carton 15 to provide an opening 127 (FIG. 5) for receiving a lock 129 extending from a free edge of the lid panel 37 to maintain closure of the carton 15. As shown, the lock 129 includes a head 131 defined by a pair of notches 133 adjacent the free edge of the lid panel 37. The head 131 can have a trapezoidal profile, as shown, or in embodiments, may have a different configuration, for example, square or rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal, or any other suitable shape. The locking features may also include extensions 86, 88 protruding from the respective end flaps 85, 87 and respective ledges 26, 28 defined at lateral end portions of the front extension panel 25. The extensions 86, 88 can engage the respective ledges 26, 28 upon closure of the carton 15, as described further herein. The locking features can have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure.


As also shown in FIG. 1, the blank 13 comprises interengaging features to effect formation of the carton 15 (FIG. 5) that include openings 134 in the respective end flaps 61, 63 that receive tabs 135 extending from respective lateral edge portions of the front extension flap 23. A pair of cuts 137, 139, as shown, can extend from each opening 134 into the respective end flaps 61, 63 to provide relief portions that are activable, for example, during formation, use, and/or other manipulation of the carton 15.


In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the first back panel 31 comprises cuts 141 and second back panel 33 comprises cuts 143. As shown, the cuts 141, 143 intersect to form an X-shaped configuration and define relief portions 145, 147 in the back panels 31, 33. The relief portions 145, 147 can, for example, minimize, inhibit, and/or prevent the back panels 31, 33 from buckling when the carton 15 is opened, closed, or otherwise manipulated. The relief portions 145, 147 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the scope of the disclosure.


Referring additionally to FIGS. 2-5, in one exemplary embodiment of forming the blank 13 into the carton 15, the base 17 of the carton 15 can be formed by folding the front panel 27 upwardly relative to the bottom panel 29 at the fold line 43, folding the first back panel 31 upwardly relative to the bottom panel 29 at the fold line 45, and folding the end flaps 53, 61, 69, 59, 63, 71 upwardly at respective fold lines 57, 65, 73, 59, 67, 75, as shown. The base 17 can be arranged such that the end flaps 53, 69 are in at least partial face-to-face contact with the end flap 61 and the end flaps 55, 71 are in at least partial face-to-face contact with the end flap 63. As described herein, the flaps 53, 69 and the flaps 55, 71 can be positioned on an external surface or an internal surface of the respective end flaps 61, 63.


As shown, the lid 19 of the carton 15 can be formed by folding the second back panel 33 upwardly relative to the top panel 35 at the fold line 49, folding the lid panel 37 upwardly relative to the top panel 35 at the fold line 51, and folding the end flaps 77, 85, 93, 83, 87, 95 upwardly at respective fold lines 81, 89, 97, 83, 91, 99, as shown. The lid 19 can be arranged such that the end flaps 77, 93 are in at least partial face-to-face contact with the end flap 85 and the end flaps 79, 95 are in at least partial face-to-face contact with the end flap 87. As described herein, the flaps 77, 93 and the flaps 79, 95 can be positioned on an external surface or an internal surface of the respective end flaps 85, 87.


As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shoulder 20 can be formed by folding the front extension panel 25 at the fold line 41 into substantially parallel planar relation with the bottom panel 29 and folding the front extension flap 23 at the fold line 39 downwardly toward the bottom panel 29 and into general parallel relation with the front panel 27. The tabs 135 of the front extension flap 23 can then be inserted through the openings 134 in the respective end flaps 61, 63 such that and an interior chamber 136 is formed in the shoulder 20 and such that the above-described configuration of the shoulder 20 is maintained. The above-described arrangement of overlapping portions of the blank 13 to form the carton 15 can be maintained through the use of an adhesive such as glue.


Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the carton 15 is shown in an open configuration in which the lid 19 is foldably attached to but otherwise disengaged from the base 17 such that an interior 149 of the carton 15 is accessible. In such a configuration of the carton 15, one or more food products F can be placed in the interior 149, for example, for transport, storage, and/or serving.


Referring additionally to FIG. 6, in order to close the carton 15, the lid 19 can be folded at the fold line 47 toward the base 17, which may include at least partial camming or deflection of the extensions 86, 88 about the respective ledges 26, 28. Upon alignment of the lid 19 with the base 17, the lock 129 enters the opening 127 such that the carton 15 is maintained in the above-described closed configuration. In particular, the notches 133 of the lock 129 can become disposed between the head 131 and the front extension panel 25 adjacent the opening 127 to maintain closure of the carton 15. As also shown, the disposition of the extensions 86, 88 disposed beneath the respective ledges 26, 28 can assist in inhibiting or preventing opening of the carton 15 absent purposeful manipulation by a user.


Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, when received by a user, the carton 15 can be opened by a customer by disengaging the lock 129 from the opening 127 and raising the lid 19 away from the base 17, which may include camming or deflecting the extensions 86, 88 about the respective ledges 26, 28. In the open configuration, one or more food products F can be retrieved by a user from the interior 149 of the carton 15. In the course of using the carton 15, it may be desired to position one or more accessories for one or more of the food products F nearby. Accordingly, a user can fold one or more of the pairs of retention flaps 103, 105 downwardly relative to the front extension panel 25 at respective fold lines 107, 109 into the interior chamber 136 such that one or more holders 21 that are at least partially defined by the shoulder 20 and that extend into the interior chamber 136 are accessible. As described herein, the holders 21 can include the retention flaps 103, 105, and can additionally include portions of the interior chamber 136. As shown, the carton 15 includes a first holder 21 and a second holder 21, though a different number of holders can be provided without departing from the disclosure. The holders 21 provide convenient locations for one or more accessories for the one or more food products F, for example, a container C. As shown, the containers C can be partially recessed within the respective holders 21 such that the containers C or other accessories are at least partially disposed in the interior chamber 136 of the shoulder 20, and edge portions of the containers C, such as flanges or rims R, can rest upon the front extension panel 25 such that the containers C are suspended above the bottom panel 29 of the carton 15 for convenient access by a customer. In addition, the retention flaps 103, 105 can be disposed adjacent and in generally parallel relation to the sides of the containers C, for example, to provide support and stability for the containers C. In this regard, a user can dip or scoop one or more of the food products F into one or more of the containers C prior to consuming or serving one or more of the food products F. Alternatively, one or both of the holders 21 can be configured as openings formed in the front extension panel 25, such that one or both of the retention flaps 103, 105 could be omitted without departing from the disclosure.


It will be understood that the carton 15 can be formed, closed, and/or opened by other alternative methods and steps without departing from the disclosure.


Referring to FIG. 9, a blank 213 for forming a carton according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated. The blank 213 and the carton formed therefrom may have substantially similar features as the blank 13 and carton 15 (FIGS. 1, 6) of the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, but the lid panel 37 may be devoid of a lock, such as the lock 129 of the first exemplary embodiment, and the front extension flap 23 may be devoid of a tab (such as the tab 123 of the first exemplary embodiment) for forming an opening for receiving a lock. In this regard, a carton formed from the blank 213 can maintain closure of the lid 19 relative to the base 17 via engagement of the respective ledges 26, 28 with the respective extensions 86, 88, as described above.


Referring to FIG. 10, a carton 315 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated. The carton 10 may have substantially similar features as the blank 13 and the carton 15 (FIGS. 1 and 6) of the first exemplary embodiment described herein, but may have a single central holder 21 with retention flaps 103, 105 formed in the shoulder 20. It will be understood that a different number and/or arrangement of retention flaps and holders can be provided without departing from the disclosure.


In general, the blanks described herein may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, sheet plastics or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the cartons to function at least generally as described above. The blanks can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.


As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.


In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.


The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place, and is not intended to exclude heat, chemical, or frequency bonding techniques.


The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosure as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims
  • 1. A carton for holding at least one article, the carton comprising: a base comprising a first plurality of panels, the first plurality of panels comprising a first back panel, a bottom panel, and a front panel;a lid comprising a second plurality of panels, the second plurality of panels comprising a second back panel, a top panel, and a lid panel, the lid foldably connected to the base such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton;a shoulder attached to the base and comprising a portion of the bottom panel, the front panel, a front extension panel foldably connected to the front panel, and a front extension flap foldably connected to the front extension panel at a fold line, the shoulder comprising at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article; andlocking features comprising a lock extending from the lid panel and an opening in the shoulder for at least partially receiving the lock, the opening intersects the fold line.
  • 2. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels and forming a first lateral side of the carton and a second lateral side of the carton.
  • 3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the shoulder at least partially defines an interior chamber, the at least one holder extends into the interior chamber.
  • 4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the shoulder comprises at least one retention flap foldably connected to the shoulder, the at least one retention flap is folded downwardly into the interior chamber to form the at least one holder.
  • 5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the at least one holder is a first holder, and the carton further comprises a second holder extending into the interior chamber.
  • 6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the shoulder at least partially forms an interior chamber.
  • 7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the front extension flap extends in general parallel relation with the front panel.
  • 8. The carton of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap and a second end flap each foldably connected to the bottom panel and each comprising an opening, and wherein the front extension flap comprises a pair of tabs, each tab extending through a respective opening of the respective first end flap and the second end flap.
  • 9. The carton of claim 6, wherein the at least one holder comprises at least one retention flap foldably connected to the front extension panel, the at least one holder extends at least partially into the interior chamber.
  • 10. The carton of claim 9, wherein the at least one holder is a first holder, and the carton further comprises a second holder extending into the interior chamber.
  • 11. The carton of claim 1, wherein the front extension panel comprises the opening for at least partially receiving the lock.
  • 12. The carton of claim 11, wherein the lock comprises a head defined by a pair of notches.
  • 13. The carton of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one extension for engagement with at least one ledge of the front extension panel, and wherein the locking features further comprise the at least one extension and the at least one ledge.
  • 14. The carton of claim 13, wherein the at least one end flap is foldably connected to the top panel.
  • 15. The carton of claim 1, wherein the lid is foldably connected to the base such that the lid is positionable to form an open configuration of the carton in which the lid is positioned away from the base and a closed configuration of the carton in which the lid at least partially encloses the base, when the carton is in the closed configuration, the front extension panel extends between the lid panel and the front panel.
  • 16. The carton of claim 1, wherein the lid is foldably connected to the base such that the lid is positionable to form an open configuration of the carton in which the lid is positioned away from the base and a closed configuration of the carton in which the lid overlaps the base, the at least one holder is accessible in the closed configuration of the carton.
  • 17. A blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the blank comprising: a first plurality of panels for forming a base of the carton formed from the blank and comprising a first back panel, a bottom panel, and a front panel;a second plurality of panels for forming a lid of the carton formed from the blank and comprising a second back panel, a top panel, and a lid panel, the first plurality of panels is foldably connected to the second plurality of panels such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton formed from the blank;panels for forming a shoulder attached to the base of the carton formed from the blank, the panels for forming the shoulder comprising the front panel, a front extension panel foldably connected to the front panel, and a front extension flap foldably connected to the front extension panel at a fold line, the panels for forming the shoulder are for forming at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article in the carton formed from the blank; andlocking features comprising a lock extending from the lid panel and an opening in at least one panel of the panels for forming the shoulder, the opening intersects the fold line and being for at least partially receiving the lock in the carton formed from the blank.
  • 18. The blank of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels and for forming a first lateral side of the carton formed from the blank and a second lateral side of the carton formed from the blank.
  • 19. The blank of claim 17, wherein at least one retention flap is foldably connected to at least one panel of the panels for forming the shoulder in the carton formed from the blank.
  • 20. The blank of claim 19, wherein the at least one holder is a first holder, and the plurality of panels for forming the shoulder further comprises a second holder.
  • 21. The blank of claim 17, wherein the panels for forming the shoulder comprise a portion of the bottom panel, the shoulder at least partially forms an interior chamber in the carton formed from the blank.
  • 22. The blank of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap and a second end flap each foldably connected to the bottom panel and each comprising an opening, and wherein the front extension flap comprises a pair of tabs for extending through a respective opening of the respective first end flap and the second end flap in the carton formed from the blank.
  • 23. The blank of claim 21, wherein the at least one holder comprises at least one retention flap foldably connected to the front extension panel.
  • 24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the at least one holder is a first holder, and the plurality of panels for forming the shoulder further comprises a second holder.
  • 25. The blank of claim 17, wherein the shoulder in the carton formed from the blank comprises a portion of the bottom panel, wherein the front extension panel comprises the opening for at least partially receiving the lock in the carton formed from the blank.
  • 26. The blank of claim 25, wherein the lock comprises a head defined by a pair of notches.
  • 27. The blank of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one extension for engagement with at least one ledge of the front extension panel in the carton formed from the blank, and wherein the locking features further comprise the at least one extension and the at least one ledge.
  • 28. The blank of claim 27, wherein the at least one end flap is foldably connected to the top panel.
  • 29. A method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method comprising: obtaining a blank, the blank comprising a first plurality of panels comprising a first back panel, a bottom panel, and a front panel, a second plurality of panels foldably connected to the first plurality of panels and comprising a second back panel, a top panel, and a lid panel, shoulder panels comprising the front panel, a front extension panel foldably connected to the front panel, and a front extension flap foldably connected to the front extension panel at a fold line, and locking features comprising a lock extending from the lid panel and an opening for receiving the lock, the opening in at least one panel of the shoulder panels and intersecting the fold line;at least partially folding the first plurality of panels to form a base of the carton;at least partially folding the second plurality of panels to form a lid of the carton, the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton; andat least partially folding the shoulder panels to form a shoulder attached to the base, the shoulder comprising at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article.
  • 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, and further comprising at least partially folding the plurality of end flaps to form a first lateral side of the carton and a second lateral side of the carton.
  • 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the shoulder at least partially defines an interior chamber, the at least one holder extends into the interior chamber.
  • 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the shoulder comprises at least one retention flap foldably connected to the shoulder, the at least one retention flap is folded downwardly into the interior chamber to form the at least one holder.
  • 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one holder is a first holder, and the carton further comprises a second holder extending into the interior chamber.
  • 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the shoulder comprises a portion of the bottom panel, the shoulder at least partially forms an interior chamber.
  • 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the front extension flap extending in general parallel relation with the front panel.
  • 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprises a first end flap and a second end flap each foldably connected to the bottom panel and each comprising an opening, and wherein the front extension flap comprises a pair of tabs, each tab extending through a respective opening of the respective first end flap and the second end flap.
  • 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one holder comprises at least one retention flap foldably connected to the front extension panel, the at least one holder extends at least partially into the interior chamber.
  • 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one holder is a first holder, and the carton further comprises a second holder extending into the interior chamber.
  • 39. The method of claim 29, wherein the shoulder comprises a portion of the bottom panel, wherein the front extension panel comprises the opening for at least partially receiving the lock.
  • 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the lock comprises a head defined by a pair of notches.
  • 41. The method of claim 39, further comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps comprises at least one extension for engagement with at least one ledge of the front extension panel, and wherein the locking features further comprise the at least one extension and the at least one ledge.
  • 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one end flap is foldably connected to the top panel.
  • 43. The method of claim 29, wherein the lid is foldably connected to the base such that the lid is positionable to form an open configuration of the carton in which the lid is positioned away from the base and a closed configuration of the carton in which the lid at least partially encloses the base, and the method further comprises positioning the lid to form the closed configuration of the carton with the front extension panel extending between the lid panel and the front panel.
  • 44. The method of claim 29, wherein the lid is foldably connected to the base such that the lid is positionable to form an open configuration of the carton in which the lid is positioned away from the base and a closed configuration of the carton in which the lid overlaps the base, and the method further comprises positioning the lid to form the closed configuration of the carton, the at least one holder is accessible in the closed configuration of the carton.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/554,760, which was filed on Sep. 6, 2017.

US Referenced Citations (234)
Number Name Date Kind
662969 Roth Dec 1900 A
978569 Elkin Dec 1910 A
1048577 Pardoe Dec 1912 A
1516090 Gary et al. Nov 1924 A
1651848 Stevens Dec 1927 A
1667376 Fehrenkamp Apr 1928 A
1814561 Krumm Jul 1931 A
1824862 Young Sep 1931 A
2054596 Ford Sep 1936 A
2091126 Speer Aug 1937 A
2100888 Vine Nov 1937 A
2107946 Inman Feb 1938 A
2132966 O'Brien Nov 1938 A
2180808 Jacobstein et al. Nov 1939 A
2194220 Elder Mar 1940 A
2312595 Smith Mar 1943 A
2337654 Goodyear Dec 1943 A
2345000 Newsom Mar 1944 A
2363861 Goodyear Nov 1944 A
2565146 Okon Aug 1951 A
2583915 Whitley Jan 1952 A
2804252 Nute Aug 1957 A
2844294 Williams Jul 1958 A
2852177 Frasch Sep 1958 A
2862612 Brown Dec 1958 A
2877736 Simmons Mar 1959 A
2924371 Frankenstein Feb 1960 A
2955733 Wilson Oct 1960 A
2967610 Ebert Jan 1961 A
3071882 Eisman et al. Jan 1963 A
3099381 Meyers Jul 1963 A
3107039 Painter Oct 1963 A
3142430 Meyers Jul 1964 A
3146933 Moore Sep 1964 A
3204814 Mahon Sep 1965 A
3205603 Brumley Sep 1965 A
3240419 Spiering et al. Mar 1966 A
3324998 Farquhar Jun 1967 A
3352053 Anderson Nov 1967 A
3515331 Guthrie Jun 1970 A
3637130 Farquhar Jan 1972 A
3809310 VanderLugt, Jr. May 1974 A
3876131 Tolaas Apr 1975 A
3907195 Struble Sep 1975 A
3958744 Herglotz May 1976 A
4004691 Wihksne Jan 1977 A
4008849 Baber Feb 1977 A
4039120 Herzog Aug 1977 A
4076168 Ferri Feb 1978 A
4088262 Kuehlhorn May 1978 A
4105155 Forbes, Jr. Aug 1978 A
4228945 Wysocki Oct 1980 A
4313542 Roberts et al. Feb 1982 A
4431128 Dirico Feb 1984 A
4472896 Brauner et al. Sep 1984 A
4477014 Brandenburger Oct 1984 A
4492333 Roberts Jan 1985 A
4530459 Maroszek Jul 1985 A
4592914 Kuchenbecker Jun 1986 A
4630733 Fear Dec 1986 A
4684023 Cortopassi Aug 1987 A
4694987 Forbes, Jr. Sep 1987 A
4714190 Morrocco Dec 1987 A
4775771 Pawlowski et al. Oct 1988 A
4798323 Platt Jan 1989 A
4804137 Harby Feb 1989 A
4815609 Kiedaisch Mar 1989 A
4865921 Hollenberg et al. Sep 1989 A
4890439 Smart Jan 1990 A
4901457 Chandler Feb 1990 A
4919785 Willey et al. Apr 1990 A
4936935 Beckett Jun 1990 A
4944451 Forbes, Jr. Jul 1990 A
4963424 Beckett Oct 1990 A
4993625 Stease et al. Feb 1991 A
5034234 Andreas et al. Jul 1991 A
5039364 Beckett et al. Aug 1991 A
5047710 Mahoney Sep 1991 A
D320743 Alexander et al. Oct 1991 S
5058803 Gulliver Oct 1991 A
5071062 Bradley et al. Dec 1991 A
5078273 Kuchenbecker Jan 1992 A
5093364 Richards Mar 1992 A
5096723 Turpin Mar 1992 A
5117078 Beckett May 1992 A
RE33979 Cortopassi Jun 1992 E
5118033 Kula Jun 1992 A
5175404 Andreas et al. Dec 1992 A
5213902 Beckett May 1993 A
5221419 Beckett Jun 1993 A
5260537 Beckett Nov 1993 A
5266386 Beckett Nov 1993 A
5266763 Colombo Nov 1993 A
D342446 Parker et al. Dec 1993 S
5300748 Colombo Apr 1994 A
D346552 Krupa May 1994 S
RE34683 Maynard et al. Aug 1994 E
5338921 Maheux et al. Aug 1994 A
5340436 Beckett Aug 1994 A
5354973 Beckett Oct 1994 A
5358176 Rigby Oct 1994 A
5402931 Gulliver et al. Apr 1995 A
5410135 Pollart et al. Apr 1995 A
5424517 Habeger, Jr. et al. Jun 1995 A
5458283 Southwell et al. Oct 1995 A
D365272 Krupa et al. Dec 1995 S
5484100 Rigby Jan 1996 A
5503324 Bacchetti et al. Apr 1996 A
5510132 Gallo, Jr. Apr 1996 A
5519195 Keefer et al. May 1996 A
5520324 Cai May 1996 A
5542536 Sutherland Aug 1996 A
5575420 Whitnell Nov 1996 A
5582345 Lankhuijzen Dec 1996 A
5585027 Young Dec 1996 A
5628921 Beckett May 1997 A
5662265 Jensen Sep 1997 A
5672407 Beckett Sep 1997 A
5688427 Gallo, Jr. Nov 1997 A
5690273 Jensen Nov 1997 A
5697549 Yocum Dec 1997 A
5704483 Groh Jan 1998 A
5707004 Cai Jan 1998 A
5726426 Davis et al. Mar 1998 A
5735454 Jensen Apr 1998 A
5759422 Schmelzer et al. Jun 1998 A
5800724 Habeger et al. Sep 1998 A
5826781 Jensen Oct 1998 A
5890648 Cai Apr 1999 A
5938110 Bernstein Aug 1999 A
6027018 Yocum Feb 2000 A
6041997 Jensen Mar 2000 A
6063415 Walters May 2000 A
6068181 Cai May 2000 A
6102568 Davis Aug 2000 A
6114679 Lai Sep 2000 A
6150646 Lai et al. Nov 2000 A
6204492 Zeng et al. Mar 2001 B1
6213389 Cai Apr 2001 B1
6251451 Zeng Jun 2001 B1
6283364 Gray, Sr. Sep 2001 B1
D458127 de Groote Jun 2002 S
D460691 Morris et al. Jul 2002 S
6414290 Cole et al. Jul 2002 B1
6433322 Zeng et al. Aug 2002 B2
6440050 Capparelli Aug 2002 B1
6455827 Zeng Sep 2002 B2
D467499 Garza et al. Dec 2002 S
D473787 Jones, Jr. et al. Apr 2003 S
6552315 Zeng et al. Apr 2003 B2
6568586 VanEsley May 2003 B1
D484043 Hwang et al. Dec 2003 S
6677563 Lai Jan 2004 B2
6681983 Bill-Moore Jan 2004 B2
6683289 Whitmore et al. Jan 2004 B2
6695202 Miess Feb 2004 B2
6717121 Zeng et al. Apr 2004 B2
6744028 Chisholm et al. Jun 2004 B2
6765182 Cole et al. Jul 2004 B2
6851603 Carlson Feb 2005 B1
6866189 Nelson Mar 2005 B2
6966483 Manninen Nov 2005 B2
7004314 Pucillo Feb 2006 B2
7019271 Wnek et al. Mar 2006 B2
D532690 Oliveira Nov 2006 S
7159760 Pluck et al. Jan 2007 B2
7323699 Hopkins et al. Jan 2008 B2
7365292 Cole et al. Apr 2008 B2
7414230 Fitzwater Aug 2008 B2
7473875 Fitzwater Jan 2009 B2
7514659 Lafferty Apr 2009 B2
7617969 Oliveira Nov 2009 B2
7621439 McClure Nov 2009 B2
7652233 Keefe Jan 2010 B2
7667167 Fitzwater Feb 2010 B2
D622139 Marcott Aug 2010 S
D631743 Hubbard, Jr. Feb 2011 S
7893389 Fitzwater Feb 2011 B2
7938267 Cross May 2011 B2
7980454 Burton Jul 2011 B2
7982167 Fitzwater Jul 2011 B2
8006893 Burke et al. Aug 2011 B2
8056799 Burke et al. Nov 2011 B2
8309896 Fitzwater Nov 2012 B2
8523049 Fitzwater Sep 2013 B2
D695608 Pusta Dec 2013 S
8814033 House Aug 2014 B2
D752429 Mayer Mar 2016 S
9278774 Fairchild, Jr. Mar 2016 B2
D753994 Pantelleria Apr 2016 S
9346234 Hajek et al. May 2016 B2
D762468 Pantelleria Aug 2016 S
D769114 Montemayor Oct 2016 S
9499296 Mills et al. Nov 2016 B2
9540135 Robertson Jan 2017 B2
20030047595 Bill-Moore Mar 2003 A1
20030080120 Whitmore et al. May 2003 A1
20030106926 Beatificato et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030206997 Winkelman et al. Nov 2003 A1
20040074953 Yocum Apr 2004 A1
20040089656 Watkins May 2004 A1
20040101605 Sigel May 2004 A1
20040159698 Tallevi et al. Aug 2004 A1
20050284865 Fogle et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060049190 Middleton Mar 2006 A1
20060096978 Lafferty et al. May 2006 A1
20060113300 Wnek et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060278521 Stowell Dec 2006 A1
20070131742 Fitzwater Jun 2007 A1
20070131743 Fitzwater Jun 2007 A1
20070131744 Fitzwater Jun 2007 A1
20070131745 Fitzwater Jun 2007 A1
20070138247 Fitzwater Jun 2007 A1
20070251942 Cole et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070251943 Wnek et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070267467 Burke et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070267468 Burke et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070275130 Cole et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080000897 Robbins et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080047958 Cole et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080078759 Wnek et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080081095 Cole et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080179385 Nikolai et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080290149 Sweet Nov 2008 A1
20080308614 Fitzwater Dec 2008 A1
20090039077 Fitzwater Feb 2009 A1
20090090708 Requena et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090140032 Cai et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090200364 Oliveira Aug 2009 A1
20100051675 Sweet Mar 2010 A1
20100055260 Sweet Mar 2010 A1
20100243510 Cross Sep 2010 A1
20140353307 Pinkstone Dec 2014 A1
20150136843 Bell et al. May 2015 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (40)
Number Date Country
2 586 472 May 2006 CA
75 23 198 Nov 1975 DE
296 13 331 Oct 1996 DE
203 00 817 Apr 2003 DE
0 270 838 Jun 1988 EP
0 946 392 Jun 2002 EP
1 452 458 Sep 2004 EP
1 481 922 Dec 2004 EP
2 516 481 May 1983 FR
2 665 882 Feb 1992 FR
2 687 384 Aug 1993 FR
2 867 346 Sep 2005 FR
2 365 000 Feb 2002 GB
4-253670 Sep 1992 JP
08-207174 Aug 1996 JP
10-101056 Apr 1998 JP
03095906 Jun 2003 JP
2004-059022 Feb 2004 JP
2004 224402 Aug 2004 JP
0 3106317 Oct 2004 JP
2005-170517 Jun 2005 JP
2007-168832 Jul 2007 JP
2012-245989 Dec 2012 JP
20-0253232 Nov 2001 KR
10-2005-0090313 Sep 2005 KR
WO 9105448 Apr 1991 WO
WO 9405563 Mar 1994 WO
WO 0240374 May 2002 WO
WO 03066435 Aug 2003 WO
WO 2005077783 Aug 2005 WO
WO 2005085091 Sep 2005 WO
WO 2006052326 May 2006 WO
WO 2006076501 Jul 2006 WO
WO 2007067705 Jun 2007 WO
WO 2007127235 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2007133659 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2007136839 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2008137525 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2008137528 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2009023286 Feb 2009 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2018/048084 dated Dec. 14, 2018.
Hot Dog betaboard Box used for serving hot dog burgers and chips. [online]Published May 29, 2016. Retrieved Aug. 27, 2018 from U RL: http://www.packagingbiodegradable.conn.au/honne/1033-hot-dog-clam-ec-brown-400-pcs.htnnl.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20190071210 A1 Mar 2019 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62554760 Sep 2017 US