Abstract:
A carton for packaging fragile article comprising an outer sleeve and an inner article receiving structure. The inner structure comprises an inner sleeve having a first pair of opposed side walls secured to a first pair of opposed side walls of the outer sleeve and a second pair of opposed side walls spaced apart from a second pair of opposed side walls of the outer sleeve. The inner structure further comprises a first bridging closure panel hingedly connected to one end of the inner sleeve for movement between an open position where the bridging closure panel allows the inner and outer sleeves to collapse into a flat form and a closed position where the bridging closure panel forms a first brace structure between one of the second pair side walls of the inner structure and the adjacent one of the second pair side walls of the outer sleeve.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation of international application No. PCT/US00/30740, filed Nov. 10, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a carton and a carton blank for forming said carton. More particularly, the invention relates to a carton and blank for packaging fragile articles such as bottles of perfume, for example.  
           [0003]    It is known to provide an inner support structure for fragile items. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,866 to Struble discloses a tubular carton comprising an inner and outer sections, the inner section having frangibly interconnected panels which may be separated in order to accommodate an article therebetween.  
           [0004]    Another example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,732,123 to Bolding which discloses a shock resistant tubular carton having inner and outer sections, the inner section being adapted to accommodate a vacuum type valve, and having a cut-away section provided therein.  
           [0005]    These structures provide a degree of support but for fragile items it is desirable to support the product from above and below as well as from all sides.  
           [0006]    A further problem with known carriers is that the inner section and outer sleeve need to be constructed and erected at the time of loading the article. This is undesirable for modem packaging machines as it limits the machine speeds. Accordingly, the present invention seeks to overcome this problem by providing a collapsible carrier.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention, and its preferred embodiments, seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.  
           [0008]    One aspect of the invention provides a carton for packaging fragile articles comprising an outer sleeve and an inner article receiving structure having an aperture for receiving the article wherein the aperture straddles at least one fold line between two adjacent article receiving panels of the article receiving structure. Preferably, the article receiving panels may be folded out of mutual alignment to provide an upstanding wall and a ledge adapted to engage and retain the article. More preferably, the panels forming the upstanding wall and the ledge may be arranged in a substantially perpendicular relationship.  
           [0009]    According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the upstanding wall may be arranged so as to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve.  
           [0010]    According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the ledge may be arranged to be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve.  
           [0011]    According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article receiving panel forming the ledge may be secured to the outer sleeve.  
           [0012]    According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, there may further comprise a platform panel struck at least in part from the upstanding wall, which platform panel is adapted to support the article. Preferably, an edge of the platform panel may abut a panel of the outer sleeve.  
           [0013]    A second aspect provides a carton for packaging fragile articles comprising an outer sleeve and an inner article receiving structure having an upstanding wall, a ledge and an aperture for receiving the article wherein the aperture straddles at least one fold line between the upstanding wall and the ledge of the article receiving structure and wherein there further comprises a platform panel struck at least in part from the upright wall, which platform panel is adapted to support the base of the article.  
           [0014]    According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, two article receiving structures may be provided. Preferably, the article receiving structures may be disposed in mutually opposed relationship. More preferably, a panel hingedly attached to one of the article receiving structures may be folded so as to bridge the gap between article receiving structures, thereby to impart rigidity to the article receiving structures.  
           [0015]    According to another optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the sleeve axis of the outer sleeve and the upstanding wall of the inner article receiving structure may be parallel to each other and the fold line(s) between the upstanding wall and the ledge is generally perpendicular to the axis of the outer sleeve thereby to enable the carton to move between collapsed and erected positions.  
           [0016]    According to a further optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the carton may be formed from two blanks. Preferably, one blank may be provided for the outer sleeve, and one blank may be provided for the article receiving structure(s).  
           [0017]    A third aspect of the invention provides a carton for packaging fragile articles comprising an outer sleeve including an end closure structure and an inner article receiving structure having an aperture for receiving the article wherein the article receiving structure may further comprise a beveled portion such that a securing flap of the end closure structure of the outer sleeve may be guided into a gap between the article receiving structure and the outer sleeve.  
           [0018]    A fourth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for packaging one or more fragile articles, the blank comprising panels for forming an outer sleeve and an inner article receiving structure comprising an upstanding wall panel and a ledge panel and an aperture for receiving the article wherein the aperture straddles at least one fold line between the upstanding wall panel and ledge panel of the article receiving structure.  
           [0019]    Preferably, there may further comprise a platform panel struck at least in part from the upright wall, which platform panel is adapted to support the article in a set up condition. More preferably, the platform panel may extend into the aperture.  
           [0020]    A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a carton for packaging fragile articles comprising an outer sleeve and an inner article receiving structure, which method comprises the steps of: folding and forming the article receiving structure such that article receiving panels in which an article receiving aperture is provided are folded out of mutual alignment; and folding and forming an outer sleeve so as to encircle the article receiving structure.  
           [0021]    Optionally, the article receiving panels may comprise an upstanding wall and a ledge wherein the panel forming the ledge is folded away from the axis of the outer sleeve to form the ledge and reveal the article receiving aperture.  
           [0022]    According to an optional feature of the firth aspect of the invention, there may further comprise the step of folding a bridging panel so as to span a gap between the article receiving structure and a second article receiving structure. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1A illustrates the blank of FIG. 1 part-constructed in a flat collapsed condition;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the blank of FIG. 1 when partially erected to form a carton;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blank at a later stage of the erection process than illustrated in FIG. 2;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the blank of FIG. 1 when partially erected to form a carton;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of the carton ready to receive an article;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the carton with an article in place viewed from the side thereof;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 7A and 7B are plan views of a two part blank according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank according to a third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a perspective view from below of the blank of FIG. 8 when partially erected to form a carton;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the blank at a later stage of the erection process than illustrated in FIG. 9;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of the blank of FIG. 8 when partially erected to form a carton;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10A is a perspective view from above of the carton ready to receive an article;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a perspective view from above the carton in a loaded and set up condition; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view through X-Y of the carton shown in FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, a carton is formed from a single blank  10  of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material adapted to accommodate an article such as a bottle, particularly a fragile article such as a bottle of perfume, for example. Of course, it is envisaged that one or more blanks could be used, one example of which is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, described in more detail below.  
         [0040]    The blank comprises two portions, outer sleeve  10   b , and inner sleeve  10   a . Turning first to outer sleeve  10   b , there comprises a first side wall panel  12 , first end wall panel  14 , second side wall panel  16  and second end wall panel  18  are hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines  64 ,  66  and  68  respectively. A base wall panel  26  is provided that is preferably hingedly connected to first side wall panel  12  along fold line  72 . A securing flap  34  is hingedly connected to base wall panel  20  along fold line  74 . First and second base end flaps  28  and  30  complete a base wall structure and are preferably hingedly interconnected to first and second end wall panels  14  and  18  along fold lines  76  and  78  respectively.  
         [0041]    Top wall structure preferably comprises a top wall panel  22  hingedly interconnected to second side wall panel  16  along fold line  82 , and top end flaps  20  and  24  hingedly connected to first and second end wall panels along fold lines  86  and  80  respectively. A securing flap  32  is, in this embodiment, hingedly connected to top wall panel  22  along fold line  84 . It should be recognised that in alternative classes of embodiment other known top and base closure structures may be employed.  
         [0042]    Turning to inner sleeve portion  10   a , there is provided in series first securing panel  62 , first article receiving structure  36 , second securing panel  52 , second article receiving structure  38 , and third securing panel  54 , hingedly interconnected along fold lines  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  respectively. First securing panel  62  is further hingedly connected to second side panel  18  of the outer sleeve  10   a  along fold line  70 .  
         [0043]    Second article receiving structure  38  is, in this embodiment, essentially identical to the first article receiving structure. Therefore, only first receiving structure  36  is described in greater detail. Structure  36  preferably comprises central bridging panel  40 , recessing panel  42 , main receiving panel  44 , transverse receiving panel  46  and end wall contacting panel  48  hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines  96 ,  98 ,  100  and  102  respectively. Advantageously, the corners of recessing panel  42  and main receiving panel  44  are beveled adjacent fold line  98  for reasons explained below.  
         [0044]    In addition, an elongate aperture  50  is provided in main receiving panels  44  for receiving the article A, once the blank has been erected to form a carton. Preferably, the aperture  50  extends into transverse receiving panel  46 . Naturally, the size and shape of the aperture may be altered to receive differing articles.  
         [0045]    An inner cover panel  56  is preferably hingedly connected to third securing panel  54  along fold line  104 . A securing flap  58  is further advantageously hingedly connected to inner cover panel  56  along fold line  106 .  
         [0046]    It is envisaged that the carton of the first, second or third embodiments of the present invention can be formed by a series of sequential folding and gluing operations in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.  
         [0047]    Turning to FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, glue is preferably first applied to securing panels  52 ,  54 . Of course, it is envisaged that other known securing means could be employed without departing from the scope of protection.  
         [0048]    The securing panels, together with article receiving structures  36  and  38  are then, in this embodiment, folded along fold lines  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  such that the receiving structures  36 ,  38  are placed in mutually opposed substantially parallel relationship, and second and third securing panels  52  and  54  are similarly placed in mutually opposed parallel relationship with the faces to which glue G has been applied facing outwardly. Free edge  108  of third securing panel  54  is now adjacent fold line  88 , first and third securing panels  62 ,  54  being co-planar with the glued faces effectively now facing in the same direction.  
         [0049]    Outer sleeve panels  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  are folded out of mutual alignment so as to form an open ended tubular structure enclosing the partially erected inner sleeve  10   b . First securing panel  62  secures the outer sleeve, and the panels of the inner sleeve are dimensioned such that second securing panel is brought into face contacting relationship with second side panel  16 , and is secured thereto by glue G. Third side panel  54  is likewise brought into face contacting relationship with first side panel  12 , and is secured thereto by glue G. The carton is now in the partially erected form as illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0050]    An alternative form of carton construction can be employed whereby the inner sleeve  10   a  is folded towards outer sleeve  10   b  along fold line  70  and securing panel  52  is secured to side wall panel  16  by glue or other suitable means known in the art. Thereafter, article receiving structure  38  and third securing panel  54  are folded out of alignment with second securing panel  52  along fold line  92  and into face contacting relationship with second securing panel and first article receiving structure  36 , whereby the end edge  108  abuts fold line  88  to provide a contiguous face. End wall panel  14  is folded along fold line  66  so as to be placed in overlapping arrangement with second receiving structure  38  and first side wall panel  12  is brought into face contacting arrangement with the outer surface of third securing panel  54  and first securing panel  62  to be secured therewith.  
         [0051]    At this stage of construction, the carton remains collapsible, and may optionally be supplied to the customer in collapsed form, shown in FIG. 1A, for subsequent complete erection on the customer&#39;s premises, thereby minimising space required during transport, and hence reducing costs.  
         [0052]    In order to complete construction of the carton, by reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, recess panel  42  is then folded inwardly along fold line  98  through substantially 180° as illustrated by arrow X so as to partially overlie main receiving panel  44 . Central bridging panel  40  is folded through substantially 90° in the opposite direction relative to recess panel  42 , so as to be positioned substantially perpendicular to main receiving panel  44 , spanning the space between the corresponding main bridging panel of he opposed receiving structure  38 . A similar operation is carried out with the corresponding panels of receiving structure  38  such that bridging panels  40  and  110  are in substantially face contacting relationship as is shown in FIG. 3. The bridging panels  40 ,  110  may optionally be secured together using glue or other suitable means known in the art.  
         [0053]    The base of the carton C is closed by folding base end flaps  28 ,  30  and base wall panel  26  inwardly out of alignment with corresponding end and side wall panels  12 ,  16  and  18 . Securing flap  34  may be sandwiched between second side panel  16  and the non-glued portion of second securing panel  52 . The beveled portions  43 ,  45  of main receiving panel  44  and recessing panel  42  help to guide the flaps  34  between inner part and outer sleeves the location of the flap  34 .  
         [0054]    As can be seen perhaps most clearly from FIG. 6, the bridging panels  40 ,  110  impart  5  rigidity to the carton whilst establishing an enclosed space between the bottom of Article A and the base of the carton.  
         [0055]    Turning now to the construction of the upper portion of the inner sleeve  10   a , as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, transverse receiving panel  46  is folded outwardly along fold line  100 , whilst end wall contacting panel  48  is, preferably, simultaneously folded in the opposite direction, the combination of both operations being represented by arrow Y. Thus, panel  48  is placed in a face contacting relationship with end wall panel  18 , and transverse panel  46  spans the gap between main receiving panel  44  and end wall panel  18 . By spanning the gap, the panel  48  acts as a brace to provide additional support to panel  44 , thereby reducing unwanted internal movement.  
         [0056]    In the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated, transverse panel  46  is dimensioned such that when panel  48  is brought into face contacting relationship with panel  18 , transverse panel  44  is substantially perpendicular to both main receiving panel  44 , and end wall contacting panel  48 . This allows both panels  46  and  48  to be mechanically maintained in their desired position without the need for additional securing means.  
         [0057]    In alternative classes of embodiment however, transverse panel may be dimensioned differently such that an acute or obtuse angle would exist between main receiving panel  44  and transverse receiving panel  46 . In these embodiments, it would be preferable for glue or other securing means known in the art to be provided between panel  48  and end wall panel  18 , so as to maintain the article receiving structure  36  in its set up condition.  
         [0058]    Article receiving structure  38  is also set up in a similar manner, as is illustrated in FIG.  5 .  
         [0059]    The article A is then loaded into the carton C, and is held by the apertures  50 ,  50   a  provided in the article receiving structures  36 ,  38 . Inner cover panel  56  is then folded inwardly along fold line  104  so as to overlie the top of article A. Securing flap  58  is folded along fold line  106  so as to be brought into face contacting relationship with second side panel  16 . The carton is then closed by folding top end flaps  20  and  24 , and top wall panel  22  inwardly along their respective fold lines  86 ,  80 ,  82  in a similar manner to the base wall panel end flaps of the base wall structure, as described above. Securing flap  32  is preferably held between an unsecured portion of third securing panel  54 , and first side panel  12 . Beveled corner portions (not shown) similar to those described above could be included to guide securing flap  32  to the desired position.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 6 illustrates in cross sectional view the fully erected carton with article A loaded therein. It should be understood that the base and sides of the article A are spaced from the adjacent walls of the carton  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  26 , but are held snugly such that substantially no movement of the article A within the carton is possible. It should be appreciated that the article receiving structures  36  and  38  provide one or more “crumple zone(s)” which may be deformed if there is an impact between the carton and another body, thus substantially absorbing the energy of such an impact without damaging the article A within. For example, the crumple zones may be provided by panels  42 / 44 ;  46  or  48 . In order to adjust the deformation characteristics of the article receiving structures  36  and  38 , the caliper of the paperboard or like materials may be changed and/or the dimension of the panels and apertures adjusted such that a greater or lesser distance between the article and the walls of the carton may be provided.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention in which like parts have been annotated with like numerals but with the addition of the prefix “1”. Therefore, only the differences will be described in any greater detail. FIG. 7A illustrates the inner sleeve  110   a  of a two part blank and FIG. 7B illustrates the outer sleeve  110   b  of a two part blank.  
         [0062]    Inner sleeve  110   a  is erected in a similar manner to inner sleeve  10   a  of the first embodiment however, glue G is applied to the same face of first support panel  162  as it is to second support panel  152  and third support panel  154 . As the inner sleeve  110   a  is folded along fold lines  188 ,  190 ,  192  and  194  so as to form a tubular structure in which article receiving structures  136  and  138  are placed in mutually opposing relationship, first securing panel  162  is folded such that its free edge is brought into contact with the cutaway portion of third securing panel  154  as is defined by free edge  108  thereof The shape of the cut-away portion, and first support panel may be altered within the scope of the invention.  
         [0063]    Outer sleeve  110   b  is erected in a similar manner to outer sleeve  10   b  of the first embodiment, the only difference being that an additional securing flap  119  is provided, being hingedly interconnected with second end panel  118  along fold  170 . As the outer sleeve is folded so as to form a tubular structure, glue or other suitable means known in the art secures flap  119  to first side panel  112 . The use of a two part blank, allows the inner sleeve to be made from a differing grade and/or caliper of paperboard or like material from the outer sleeve, and furthermore simplifies the application of glue to the inner sleeve, as glue needs to be applied to one face of the blank only.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in which a carton is formed from a single blank  210  of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material adapted to accommodate an article such as a bottle, particularly a fragile article such as a bottle of perfume, for example. Again, it is envisaged that the blank could be two parts.  
         [0065]    In this embodiment, the blank comprises two portions, outer sleeve  210   b , and inner sleeve  210   a . Turning first to outer sleeve  210   b , the panels correspond substantially to the first embodiment and like references have been used with the prefix “2”. Thus, there comprises a first side wall panel  212 , first end wall panel  214 , second side wall panel  216  and second end wall panel  218  are hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines  264 ,  266  and  268  respectively. A top wall and base wall structure are provided that in this embodiment correspond substantially to the first embodiment and are not therefore described in any greater detail. It should be recognised that in alternative classes of embodiment other known end closure structures may be employed.  
         [0066]    Turning to inner sleeve portion  210   a , there is provided a plurality of panels for forming an article support structure. In this embodiment, there is a first securing panel  262 , first article receiving structure  236 , first intermediate panel  254 , second article receiving structure  238 , and second intermediate panel  252 , hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines  288 ,  290 , 292  and  294  respectively. First securing panel  262  is further hingedly connected to second side panel  218  of the outer sleeve  210   a  along fold line  270 .  
         [0067]    Second article receiving structure  238  is, in this embodiment, substantially identical to the first article receiving structure except that in this embodiment structure  238  does not include an equivalent of bridging panel  240 . Like panels are designated with the same numeral with the addition of the letter “a”. Therefore, only the first article receiving structure  236  is described in greater detail. Structure  236  preferably comprises central bridging panel  240 , article receiving panel  244 , transverse receiving panel  246  and upper panel  248  hingedly interconnected in series along fold lines  296 ,  298  and  200  respectively.  
         [0068]    In addition, an aperture  250  is provided in main receiving panels  244  for receiving the article A, once the blank has been erected to form a carton. Preferably, the aperture  250  extends into transverse receiving panel  246 . Naturally, the size and shape of the aperture may be altered to receive differing articles.  
         [0069]    There may further comprise a platform panel  251  formed from one of the panels forming the article retention structure. In this embodiment the platform panel  251  is struck from one or more of the main and transverse panels  244 ,  246 . FIG. 8 illustrates panel  251  is hingedly connected to an edge of aperture  250 . Optionally, platform panel  251  conforms to the shape of a portion of the article.  
         [0070]    It is envisaged that a platform panel could be incorporated into the first or second embodiments.  
         [0071]    An inner cover panel  256  may be provided that is hingedly connected to intermediate panel  254 . Securing flap  258  is further advantageously hingedly connected to inner cover panel  256  along fold line  306 . There may also comprise spacer panel  255  hingedly connected to intermediate panel  254  along fold line  302  and to inner cover panel  256  along opposing fold line  304 .  
         [0072]    Turning now to the construction of the carton illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A,  10  and  10 A. In some embodiments, glue is first applied to securing panel  262 , to intermediate panels  252  and  254 , and optionally to spacer panel  255 .  
         [0073]    The inner sleeve is formed in like manner described above, whereby the panels forming the receiving structures are folded out of alignment to be placed in mutually opposed substantially parallel relationship, and first and second intermediate panels  254  and  252  are similarly placed in mutually opposed parallel relationship with the faces to which glue G has been applied facing outwardly. Thereafter, the outer sleeve panels  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  are now preferably folded out of mutual alignment so as to form an open ended tubular structure enclosing the partially erected inner sleeve  210   b  and is secured to the inner sleeve in like manner described above.  
         [0074]    Of course, the alternative approach can be used described above whereby the panels of the inner sleeve are folded into face contacting arrangement with the outer panels of the sleeve to provide a flap collapsed carton, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0075]    Like the first and second embodiments, the carton of this embodiment remains collapsible, and may optionally be supplied to the customer in collapsed form for subsequent complete erection on the customer&#39;s premises.  
         [0076]    The carton is then in a part-erected form shown in FIG. 9, the base structure is formed by folding central bridging panel  240  inwardly along fold line  296  through substantially 90° as illustrated by arrow Y so as to be positioned substantially perpendicular to main receiving panel  244 , spanning the space between the opposed receiving structures  236 ,  238 . The bridging panel  240  may optionally be secured to main receiving panel  244   a  using glue or other suitable means known in the art. In such embodiments, bridging panel  240  is advantageously provided with a securing flap that may be brought into contact with panel  244   a . The base of the carton is illustrated in FIG. 9A.  
         [0077]    The base of the carton is closed by folding base end flaps  228 ,  230  and base wall panel  226  inwardly out of alignment with corresponding end and side wall panels  214 ,  216  and  218  whereby panel  234  is sandwiched between first side panel  212  and a non-glued portion of second intermediate panel  252 . Beveled portions of main receiving panel  244  and recessing panel  242  may be provided to guide the flap  234  into position.  
         [0078]    Bridging panel  240  may advantageously be reduced in width so as not to engage first side panel  212 , thereby assisting the function of the beveled portions. As can be seen perhaps most clearly from FIG. 9A, the bridging panel  240  imparts rigidity to the carton.  
         [0079]    Turning to the construction of the upper portion of the inner sleeve  210   a , as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 10A, transverse receiving panel  46  is folded outwardly along fold line  298 , whilst upper panel  248  is preferably simultaneously folded in the opposite direction, the combination of both operations being represented by arrow Z. Upper panel  248  is placed in a face contacting relationship with end wall panel  218 , and transverse panel  246  spans the gap between main receiving panel  244  and end wall panel  218  to provide a brace, similar to the first embodiment.  
         [0080]    In the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated, transverse panel  246  is dimensioned such that when panel  248  is brought into face contacting relationship with side panel  218 , transverse panel  246  is substantially perpendicular to both main receiving panel  244 , and end wall contacting panel  248 . This allows both panels  246  and  248  to be mechanically maintained in their desired position without the need for additional securing means.  
         [0081]    In alternative classes of embodiment however, transverse panel may be dimensioned differently such that an acute or obtuse angle would exist between main receiving panel  244  and transverse receiving panel  246 . In these embodiments, it would be preferable for glue or other securing means known in the art to be provided between upper panel  248  and end wall panel  218 , so as to maintain the article receiving structure  236  in its set up condition.  
         [0082]    Article receiving structure  238  is also set up in a similar manner, as is illustrated in FIG. 10A.  
         [0083]    The article A (FIG. 11) is loaded into the carton, and is held by the apertures  250 ,  250   a  provided in the article receiving structures. Platform panels  251  and  251   a  are folded along fold lines  249  and  249   a  respectively into a substantially horizontal plane to define a platform P upon which the article A rests, shown in FIG. 11. In some embodiments, the panels  252  and  251   a  abut the adjacent side wall to be engaged therewith by suitable means. The platform P provides additional rigidity to prevent unwanted movement of the side walls and main receiving panels, and also substantially prevents the unprinted inner faces of the base, end and side wall panels being visible to the end user of the carton, when viewed from above.  
         [0084]    To complete construction of the carton, inner cover panel  256  is then preferably folded inwardly along fold line  204  so as to overlie the top of article A. Flap  258  is folded along fold line  206  so as to be brought into face contacting relationship with first side panel  216 . The carton is then closed by folding top end flaps  220  and  224 , and top wall panel  222  inwardly along their respective fold lines  286 ,  280 ,  282  in a similar manner to the base wall panel end flaps of the base wall structure, as described above. Tab  232  is preferably held between an unglued portion of spacer panel  255  or first intermediate panel  254 , and first side panel  212  to complete the carton as shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 11A illustrates in cross sectional view the fully erected carton with article A loaded therein. It should be understood that the base and sides of the article A are spaced from the adjacent walls of the carton  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  226 , but are held snugly such that substantially no movement of the article A within the carton is possible. It should be appreciated that the article receiving structures  236  and  238  provide a “crumple zone” which may be deformed if there is an impact between the carton and another body, thus substantially absorbing the energy of such an impact without damaging the article A within. In order to adjust the deformation characteristics of the article receiving structures  236  and  238 , the caliper of the paperboard or like materials may be changed and/or the dimension of the panels and apertures adjusted such that a greater or lesser distance between the article and the walls of the carton may be provided.  
         [0086]    It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “end”, and “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.  
         [0087]    It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used. A single article receiving structure may be provided in some embodiments, and in other embodiments a linear array of additional apertures may be provided in each of the article receiving structures such that the carton may accommodate more than one article. Additional panel(s) may be provided between the main and transverse article receiving panels so as to form a curved interface therebetween.