Abstract:
A display unit including a front panel, an outer back panel, a bottom panel and side panels; first, second and third connected reinforcing panel sections folded into superposing relation to the outer back panel, the bottom panel and the front panel, respectively, such that a double-panel reinforcement is established on a portion of the display unit; wherein the first, second and third connected reinforcing panel sections are also connected with the front panel along a first fold line defined between the front panel and the third reinforcing panel section; an inner back panel is connected and folded into superposing relation with the outer back panel along a second fold line; and wherein a depth of the display unit is defined between the front panel and the outer back panel and the second connected reinforcing panel section extends an entirety of the depth between the front panel and the outer back panel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     A wide variety of different types of merchandising units are used to store, dispense, and display consumer goods at the point of sale. For example, in shops and kiosks, the majority of consumer goods are displayed on free standing counter top displays or similar wall mounted display units. However, it may be desirable to dispense certain items from units provided inside the kiosk or behind the counter top area. In such instance, it may be preferred to allow consumers to still view the goods, but not have them directly accessible by the consumer. 
     WORKING ENVIRONMENT 
     It would be desirable to provide a novel merchandising unit for consumer goods and in particular, for smoking articles, which provides increased flexibility in the display and access of the consumer goods at the point of sale. 
     The present invention relates to a folded merchandising unit adapted to be glued and shipped in a folded state and erected at a point of sale into a merchandising display carton. The invention finds particular application as a merchandising unit for smoking articles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein is a merchandising unit, i.e., display carton, particularly suited for packages of smoking articles, as well as smokeless tobacco products, or any other types of consumer goods. 
     According to one embodiment, a display (merchandising) unit includes a front panel, an outer back panel, a bottom panel and side panels; first, second and third connected reinforcing panel sections folded into superposing relation to said outer back panel, said bottom panel and said front panel, respectively, said first, second and third connected reinforcing panels also being connected with said front panel along a first fold line defined between said front panel and said third panel section; an inner back panel connected and folded into superposing relation with said outer back panel along a second fold line; whereby a double-panel reinforcement of the display unit is established. 
     A further embodiment provides a method of establishing a double-panel reinforcement of a display unit, comprising establishing a box structure comprising a front panel, an outer back panel, a bottom panel and side panels; folding first, second and third connected reinforcing panel sections into superposing relation to said outer back panel, said bottom panel and said front panel, respectively, said folding including folding along a first fold line defined between said front panel and said third panel section; and folding an inner back panel into superposing relation with said outer back panel along a second fold line. 
     According to one embodiment, a carton blank is adapted to be glued and shipped in a folded condition and erected at a point of sale into a merchandising display carton. The carton blank comprises a first rectangular panel having first and second short ends and first and second long ends, the first and second short ends being free ends and the first long end being a free end; a second rectangular panel having first and second short ends and first and second long ends, the first long end of the second rectangular panel hingedly connected to the second long end of the first rectangular panel along a first fold line; a third rectangular panel having first and second short ends and first and second long ends; a glue flap having first and second short ends and first and second long ends, the first long end of the glue flap hingedly connected to the second short end of the second rectangular panel along a second fold line, the second long end being a free end, and the first and second short ends being free ends; a first side panel having first and second short ends and first and second long ends, the first long end of the first side panel hingedly connected to the second short end of the third rectangular panel along a third fold line, the second long end of the first side panel hingedly connected to the first short end of the second rectangular panel along a fourth fold line, the second short end of the first side panel hingedly connected to a first dust flap along a fifth fold line and the first short end of the first side panel being a free end; a second side panel having first and second short ends and first and second long ends, the second long end of the second side panel hingedly connected to the first short end of the third rectangular panel along a sixth fold line, the second short end of the second side panel hingedly connected to a second dust flap along a seventh fold line and the first short end and first long end of the second side panel being free ends; a bottom panel having first and second short ends and first and second long ends, the first long end of the bottom panel hingedly connected to the second long end of the third rectangular panel along an eighth fold line, the second long end of the bottom panel hingedly connected to a tuck flap along a ninth fold line, and the first and second short ends of the bottom panel being free ends; and the third rectangular panel having first, second and third score lines parallel to the first and second long ends of the third rectangular panel and first and second perforated lines extending from the first long end and perpendicular to the first, second and third score lines to form first, second and third foldable inner reinforcement sections which are located inside the display carton when the display carton is erected; wherein the glue flap is adapted to be glued to an inside of the second side flap so as to provide a carton blank in a folded condition which can be erected to form a merchandising display carton by folding the first and second side panels at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels and form a rectangular opening between the first and second side panels and between the second and third rectangular panels, folding the first and second dust flaps by an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening, folding the tuck flap by an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom flap and folding the bottom flap by an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel so as to overlie the bottom of the rectangular opening with the tuck flap against an inside of the second rectangular panel, and folding the first rectangular panel by an angle of 180° with respect to the second rectangular panel so as to be inside the rectangular opening against the second rectangular panel  20 . 
     According to another embodiment, the carton blank further comprises a third perforated line in the first side panel, the third perforated line extending from the first short end of the first side panel to a fold line between the first side panel and the third rectangular panel; a fourth perforated line in the second side panel, the fourth perforated line extending from the first short end of the second side panel to a fold line between the second side panel and the third rectangular panel; a fifth perforated line extending between the fourth perforated line and the first perforated line; and a sixth perforated line extending between the second perforated line and the third perforated line, the first through sixth perforated lines allowing sections of the carton blank to be removed while leaving the three reinforcement sections, which fold about the first, second and third score lines such that the first reinforcement section abuts the second rectangular panel, the second reinforcement section abuts the bottom panel and the third reinforcement section abuts the third rectangular panel. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of erecting the glued and folded display carton comprises folding the first and second side panels at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels and forming a rectangular opening between the first and second side panels and between the second and third rectangular panels; folding the first and second dust flaps by an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening; folding the tuck flap by an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom flap; folding the bottom flap by an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel so as to overlie the bottom of the rectangular opening with the tuck flap against an inside of the second rectangular panel; folding the first rectangular panel by an angle of 180° with respect to the second rectangular panel so as to be inside the rectangular opening against the second rectangular panel; separating the first, second and third reinforcement sections from remaining portions of the carton blank by tearing the carton blank along the first and second perforation lines; folding the first reinforcement section 90° with respect to the second reinforcement section; folding the second reinforcement section 90° with respect to the third reinforcement section; folding the third reinforcement section 180° about the third score line such that the third reinforcement section abuts an inside of a lower portion of the third rectangular panel, the second reinforcement section abuts the bottom panel, and the first reinforcement section abuts a lower portion of the second rectangular panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a planar view of a blank for a merchandising unit in an unfolded state according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the blank in a glued and folded state. 
         FIG. 3  shows a planar view of a blank for a merchandising unit in an unfolded state according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows the merchandising unit in an erected state. 
         FIG. 5  shows the blank of  FIG. 3  in a partially erected state of forming the merchandising unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a carton blank  100  for a merchandising unit  300  is described herein. The blank  100  comprises a first (inner) back rectangular panel  10 , a second (outer) back rectangular panel  20  and a third rectangular panel  30 . The first rectangular panel  10  has first and second short ends  12 ,  14  and first and second long ends (or “edge portions”)  16 ,  18 , the first and second short ends  12 ,  14  being free ends and the first long end  16  being a free end. The second rectangular panel  20  has first and second short ends  22 ,  24  and first and second long ends  26 ,  28 , the first long end  26  of the second rectangular panel being hingedly connected to the second long end  18  of the first rectangular panel  10  along a first fold line L 1 . The third rectangular panel  30  has first and second short ends  32 ,  34  and first and second long ends  36 ,  38 . 
     The blank  100  further comprises a glue flap  40 , a first side panel  50 , a second side panel  60 , and a bottom panel  70 . The glue flap  40  has first and second short ends  42 ,  44  and first and second long ends  46 ,  48 , the first long end  46  of the glue flap being hingedly connected to the second short end  24  of the second rectangular panel  20  along a second fold line L 2 , the second long end  48  being a free end, and the first and second short ends  42 ,  44  being free ends. The first side panel  50  has first and second short ends  52 ,  54  and first and second long ends  56 ,  58 , the first long end  56  of the first side panel  50  being hingedly connected to the second short end  34  of the third rectangular panel  30  along a third fold line L 3 , the second long end  58  of the first side panel  50  being hingedly connected to the first short end  22  of the second rectangular panel  20  along a fourth fold line L 4 , and the second short end  54  of the first side panel  50  being hingedly connected to a first dust flap  59  along a fifth fold line L 5  and the first short end  52  of the first side panel  50  being a free end. The second side panel  60  has first and second short ends  62 ,  64  and first and second long ends  66 ,  68 , the second long end  68  of the second side panel  60  being hingedly connected to the first short end  32  of the third rectangular panel  30  along a sixth fold line L 6 , the second short end  64  of the second side panel  60  being hingedly connected to a second dust flap  69  along a seventh fold line L 7  and the first short end  62  and first long end  66  of the second side panel  60  being free ends. The bottom panel  70  has first and second short ends  72 ,  74  and first and second long ends  76 ,  78 , the first long end  76  of the bottom panel  70  being hingedly connected to the second long end  38  of the third rectangular panel  30  along an eighth fold line L 8 , the second long end  78  of the bottom panel  70  being hingedly connected to a tuck flap  79  along a ninth fold line L 9 , and the first and second short ends  72 ,  74  of the bottom panel  70  being free ends. 
     As shown best in  FIG. 1 , the third rectangular panel  30  has first, second and third score (fold) lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  extending transversely and parallel to the first and second long ends  36 ,  38  thereof in order to facilitate folding of the third rectangular panel  30  therealong, as described further below. The third rectangular panel  30  also includes first and second perforated lines P 1 , P 2  extending from the first long end  36  and perpendicular to the first, second and third score (fold) lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  to form, when broken, first, second and third foldable inner reinforcement sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3 . The carton blank  100  further comprises first and second cut lines C 1 , C 2  in the third rectangular panel  30 , the first cut line C 1  extending from the first perforated line P 1  to one end  35   a  of the third score line  35  and the second cut line C 2  extending from the second perforated line P 2  to an opposite end  35   b  of the third score line  35 , the perforated lines P 1 , P 2  and the cut lines C 1 , C 2  allowing the three reinforcement sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3  to be separated from the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  and folded about the first, second and third score lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  such that the first reinforcement section T 1  abuts the second rectangular panel  20 , the second reinforcement section T 2  abuts the bottom panel  70  and the third reinforcement section T 3  abuts the third rectangular panel  30  when the unit is erected. The first, second and third reinforcement sections T 1 -T 3 , can thus be folded into the interior of the erected merchandising unit to provide, together with back panels  10  and  20  when folded, a double-wall thickness along the front, bottom and back portions of the unit. 
     The glue flap  40  is adapted to be glued to an inner or inside surface of the second side panel  60  so as to provide an erectable carton blank structure in a folded condition which can be erected to form the display carton or merchandising unit  300 . Hence, the carton blank is configured to be readily glued and folded into a collapsed state to facilitate shipping to the sales force, and the collapsed unit is readily erected in the field. More particularly, fold lines L 2 , L 3 , L 4  and L 6  are preferably pre-broken by folding 180°, fold lines L 4  and L 6  are then folded 180° and glue flap  40  is glued to the inner surface of second side panel  60  to form a glued and folded blank structure. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the glued and folded blank  100  is erected by folding the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30  to form a rectangular opening  110  between the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  and between the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30 . Thereafter, the first and second dust flaps  59 ,  69  are folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening  110 , the tuck flap  79  is folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom flap  70  and the bottom flap  70  is folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel  30  so as to overlie the bottom of the rectangular opening  110  with the tuck flap  79  against an inside of the second rectangular panel  20 . The first rectangular panel  10  is then folded by an angle of 180° with respect to the second rectangular panel  20  so as to be inside the rectangular opening  110  and disposed against the second rectangular panel  20 . The folded over first rectangular panel  10  thus provides a double wall thickness and additional strength and support to the back portion of the erected merchandising unit. 
     The carton blank  100  further comprises a locking tab  21  extending from the second long end  28  of the second rectangular panel  20  and a slit  71  along fold line L 9  between the bottom panel  70  and the tuck flap  79 . The locking tab  21  is configured to fit into the slit  71  when the carton blank is erected. The locking tab  21  is hingedly connected to the second rectangular panel about a tenth fold line L 10  and is foldable about an eleventh fold line L 11  parallel to the tenth fold line L 10 , the locking tab being defined by cut lines C 3 , C 4  in the second rectangular panel extending between the tenth fold line L 10  and the eleventh fold line L 11 . 
     The carton blank  100  further comprises a first hole H 1  in the first rectangular panel  10  and a second hole H 2  in the second rectangular panel  20 , the first and second holes H 1 , H 2  forming a first axially aligned mounting hole when the first rectangular panel  10  is folded over the second rectangular panel  20 . Also shown are a third hole H 3  in the first rectangular panel  10  and a fourth hole H 4  in the second rectangular panel  20 , the third and fourth holes H 3 , H 4  forming a second axially aligned mounting hole when the first rectangular panel  10  is folded over the second rectangular panel  20 . The first and second holes H 1 , H 2  are equidistant to the first and fourth fold lines L 1 , L 4  and the third and fourth holes H 3 , H 4  are equidistant to the first and second fold lines L 1 , L 2 . The holes accommodate mounting the fully erected unit to be hung from hooks or wire. 
     The first side panel  50  includes a first rounded corner R 1  extending between the second perforation line P 2  and the first short end  52  of the first side panel  50  and the second side panel  60  includes a second rounded corner R 2  extending between the first second perforation line P 1  and the first short end  62  of the first side panel  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a carton blank  100 ′ according to another embodiment is shown, like reference numerals being used to refer to like elements shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . As in the previous embodiment, the blank  100 ′ comprises a first (inner) rectangular panel  10 , a second (outer) rectangular panel  20  and a third rectangular panel  30 . The first rectangular panel  10  has first and second short ends (or “edge portions”)  12 ,  14  and first and second long ends  16 ,  18 , the first and second short ends  12 ,  14  being free ends and the first long end  16  being a free end. The second rectangular panel  20  has first and second short ends  22 ,  24  and first and second long ends  26 ,  28 , the first long end  26  of the second rectangular panel being hingedly connected to the second long end  18  of the first rectangular panel  10  along a first fold line L 1 . The third rectangular panel  30  has first and second short ends  32 ,  34  and first and second long ends  36 ,  38 . 
     The blank  100  further comprises a glue flap  40 , a first side panel  50 , a second side panel  60 , and a bottom panel  70 . The glue flap  40  has first and second short ends  42 ,  44  and first and second long ends  46 ,  48 , the first long end  46  of the glue flap being hingedly connected to the second short end  24  of the second rectangular panel  20  along a second fold line L 2 , the second long end  48  being a free end, and the first and second short ends  42 ,  44  being free ends. The first side panel  50  has first and second short ends  52 ,  54  and first and second long ends  56 ,  58 , the first long end  56  of the first side panel  50  being hingedly connected to the second short end  34  of the third rectangular panel  30  along a third fold line L 3 , the second long end  58  of the first side panel  50  being hingedly connected to the first short end  22  of the second rectangular panel  20  along a fourth fold line L 4 , and the second short end  54  of the first side panel  50  being hingedly connected to a first dust flap  59  along a fifth fold line L 5  and the first short end  52  of the first side panel  50  being a free end. The second side panel  60  has first and second short ends  62 ,  64  and first and second long ends  66 ,  68 , the second long end  68  of the second side panel  60  being hingedly connected to the first short end  32  of the third rectangular panel  30  along a sixth fold line L 6 , the second short end  64  of the second side panel  60  being hingedly connected to a second dust flap  69  along a seventh fold line L 7  and the first short end  62  and first long end  66  of the second side panel  60  being free ends. The bottom panel  70  has first and second short ends  72 ,  74  and first and second long ends  76 ,  78 , the first long end  76  of the bottom panel  70  being hingedly connected to the second long end  38  of the third rectangular panel  30  along an eight fold line L 8 , the second long end  78  of the bottom panel  70  being hingedly connected to a tuck flap  79  along a ninth fold line L 9 , and the first and second short ends  72 ,  74  of the bottom panel  70  being free ends. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the third rectangular panel  30  has first, second and third score (fold) lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  extending transversely and parallel to the first and second long ends  36 ,  38  thereof in order to facilitate folding of the third rectangular panel  30  therealong, as described further below. The third rectangular panel  30  also includes first and second perforated lines P 1 , P 2  extending from the first long end  36  and perpendicular to the first, second and third score (fold) lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  to form, when broken, first, second and third foldable inner reinforcement sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3  which are located inside the display carton when the display carton is erected. Blank  100 ′ further comprises a third perforated line P 3  in the first side panel  50 , the third perforated line P 3  extending from the first short end  52  of the first side panel  50  to fold line L 3  between the first side panel  50  and the third rectangular panel  30 , a fourth perforated line P 4  in the second side panel  60 , the fourth perforated line P 4  extending from the first short end  62  of the second side panel  60  to fold line L 6  between the second side panel  60  and the third rectangular panel  30 , a fifth perforated line P 5  extending between the fourth perforated line P 4  and the first perforated line P 1 , and a sixth perforated line P 6  extending between the second perforated line P 2  and the third perforated line P 3 . The perforated lines P 1 -P 6  allow sections of the carton blank  100 ′ to be completely removed while leaving the three reinforcement sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3  to be folded about the first, second and third score lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  such that the first reinforcement section T 1  abuts the second rectangular panel  20 , the second reinforcement section T 2  abuts the bottom panel  70  and the third reinforcement section T 3  abuts the third rectangular panel  30  when the unit is erected, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The first, second and third reinforcement sections T 1 -T 3 , can thus be folded into the interior of the erected merchandising unit to provide, together with back panels  10  and  20  when folded, a double-wall thickness along the front, bottom and back portions of the unit. 
     The glue flap  40  is adapted to be glued to an inner or inside surface of the second side panel  60  so as to provide an erectable carton blank structure in a folded condition which can be erected to form the display carton or merchandising unit  300 ′. More particularly, fold lines L 2 , L 3 , L 4  and L 6  are preferably pre-broken by folding 180°, fold lines L 4  and L 6  are then folded 180° and glue flap  40  is glued to the inner surface of second side panel  60  to form a glued and folded blank structure. Hence, the carton blank is configured to be readily glued and folded into a collapsed state to facilitate shipping to the sales force, and the collapsed unit is readily erected in the field. The glued and folded blank  100 ′ is erected by preferably first removing the panels defined by the perforated lines P 1 -P 6 . Thereafter, with reference also to  FIG. 2 , the blank  100 ′ is similarly erected by folding the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30  to form a rectangular opening  110  between the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  and between the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30 . Thereafter, the first and second dust flaps  59 ,  69  are folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening  110 , the tuck flap  79  is folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom flap  70  and the bottom flap  70  is folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel  30  so as to overlie the bottom of the rectangular opening  110  with the tuck flap  79  against an inside of the second rectangular panel  20 . The first rectangular panel  10  is then folded by an angle of 180° with respect to the second rectangular panel  20  so as to be inside the rectangular opening  110  and disposed against the second rectangular panel  20 . The folded over first rectangular panel  10  thus provides a double wall thickness and additional strength and support to the back portion of the erected merchandising unit. 
     The carton blank  100 ′ further comprises a locking tab  21  extending from the second long end  28  of the second rectangular panel  20  and a slit  71  along fold line L 9  between the bottom panel  70  and the tuck flap  79 . The locking tab  21  is configured to fit into the slit  71  when the carton blank is erected. The locking tab  21  is hingedly connected to the second rectangular panel about a tenth fold line L 10  and is foldable about an eleventh fold line L 11  parallel to the tenth fold line L 10 , the locking tab being defined by cut lines C 3 , C 4  in the second rectangular panel extending between the tenth fold line L 10  and the eleventh fold line L 11 . 
     The carton blank  100 ′ further comprising a first hole H 1  in the first rectangular panel  10  and a second hole H 2  in the second rectangular panel  20 , the first and second holes H 1 , H 2  forming a first axially aligned mounting hole when the first rectangular panel  10  is folded over the second rectangular panel  20 . Also shown are a third hole H 3  in the first rectangular panel  10  and a fourth hole H 4  in the second rectangular panel  20 , the third and fourth holes H 3 , H 4  forming a second axially aligned mounting hole when the first rectangular panel  10  is folded over the second rectangular panel  20 . The first and second holes H 1 , H 2  are equidistant to the first and fourth fold lines L 1 , L 4  and the third and fourth holes H 3 , H 4  are equidistant to the first and second fold lines L 1 , L 2 . 
     The first side panel  50  includes a first rounded corner R 1  extending between the third perforation line P 3  and the first short end  52  of the first side panel  50  and the second side panel  60  includes a second rounded corner R 2  extending between the fourth perforation line P 4  and the first short end  62  of the first side panel  60 . 
     A method of erecting a folded carton blank  100  according to one embodiment comprises folding the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30  so as to form a rectangular opening  110  between the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  and between the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30 . Thereafter, folding the first and second dust flaps  59 ,  69  by an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening  110 . The tuck flap  79  is then folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom flap  70  and the bottom flap  70  is folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel  30  so as to overlie the bottom of the rectangular opening  110  with the tuck flap  79  against an inside of the second rectangular panel  20 . The first rectangular panel  10  is folded by an angle of 180° with respect to the second rectangular panel  20  so as to be inside the rectangular opening  110  against the second rectangular panel  20 . The first, second and third reinforcement sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3  are separated from the remaining portions of the carton blank  100  by breaking or tearing the carton blank along the first and second perforation lines P 1 , P 2 . 
     The method further comprises folding the first reinforcement section T 1  90° with respect to the second reinforcement section T 2 ; folding the second reinforcement section T 2  90° with respect to the third reinforcement section T 3 ; and folding the third reinforcement section T 3  180° about the third score line  35  such that the third reinforcement section T 3  abuts an inside of a lower portion of the third rectangular panel  30 , the second reinforcement section T 2  abuts the bottom panel  70 , and the first reinforcement section T 1  abuts a lower portion of the second rectangular panel  20 . Preferably the first section T 1  is disposed between the back panels  20  and  10  when the latter panel is folded down. In the alternative, section T 1  may be disposed directly against the folded inner back panel  10 . The method further comprises inserting the locking tab  21  into the slit  71 . 
     A method of erecting a folded carton blank  100 ′ according to one embodiment comprises folding the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30  so as to form a rectangular opening  110  between the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  and between the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30 . Thereafter, folding the first and second dust flaps  59 ,  69  by an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening  110 . The tuck flap  79  is then folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom flap  70  and the bottom flap  70  is folded by an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel  30  so as to overlie the bottom of the rectangular opening  110  with the tuck flap  79  against an inside of the second rectangular panel  20 . The first rectangular panel  10  is folded by an angle of 180° with respect to the second rectangular panel  20  so as to be inside the rectangular opening  110  against the second rectangular panel  20 . The first, second and third reinforcement sections T 1 , T 2 , T 3  are separated from the remaining portions of the carton blank  100  by tearing the carton blank  100 ′ along the perforation lines P 1 -P 6  and the material removed may be discarded. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the method further comprises folding the first reinforcement section T 1  90° with respect to the second reinforcement section T 2 ; folding the second reinforcement section T 2  90° with respect to the third reinforcement section T 3 ; and folding the third reinforcement section T 3  180° about the third score line  35  such that the third reinforcement section T 3  abuts an inside of a lower portion of the third rectangular panel  30 , the second reinforcement section T 2  abuts the bottom panel  70 , and the first reinforcement section T 1  abuts a lower portion of the second rectangular panel  20 . The method further comprises inserting the locking tab  21  into the slit  71 . 
     When erected, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the merchandising unit includes the glue flap  40  adhered to an inside of the second side flap  60 , and the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  being at an angle of 90° with respect to the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30  to form a rectangular opening  110  between the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  and between the second and third rectangular panels  20 ,  30 . The first and second dust flaps  59 ,  69  are at an angle of 90° with respect to the first and second side panels  50 ,  60  so as to overlie a bottom of the rectangular opening  110 , the bottom flap  70  is at an angle of 90° with respect to the third rectangular panel  30  and overlies the bottom of the rectangular opening  110  with the tuck flap  79  at an angle of 90° with respect to the bottom panel  70  and against an inside of the second rectangular panel  20 , and the first rectangular panel  10  is folded over the second rectangular panel  20  and located inside the rectangular opening  110  against the second rectangular panel  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the arcuate extent of cut lines C 1  and C 2  can be of sufficient length such that bottom section T 2  may be disposed between dust flaps  59  and  69  so as to provide the unit with a bottom portion of generally uniform double thickness. Such arrangement promotes an even (level) display of product. Perforation (or cut) lines P 5 , P 6  of  FIG. 3  may be sized for similar purpose and effect. In the alternative, the arcuate extent of cut (perforated) lines C 1  and C 2  of  FIG. 1  and the arcuate extent of perforated (or cut) lines P 5  and P 6  may be shortened so as to increase the transverse extent of the bottom section T 2  and increase an overlap of section T 2  over the dust flaps  59  and  69 , to enhance rigidity of the display structure. 
     The merchandising unit or display carton provides a large area on first rectangular panel  10  on which advertisements or merchandising information can be displayed and be viewed above the product P when it is loaded into the carton. The merchandising unit can be displayed on a counter top or, alternatively, holes H 1 -H 4  allow suction cups  200  or other securing means to be used to hang the merchandising unit on a wall surface. Still further, if the merchandising unit is going to be maintained within a kiosk or the like, a rear surface (not shown) of second rectangular panel  20  can be provided with desired advertisements or information. When the merchandising unit is disposed with the rear surface abutting a transparent wall or window, the advertisements or information is viewable to the consumer outside of the kiosk yet the product within the unit can only be accessed by the employee working within the kiosk. 
     While the above blank for the merchandising unit and method of forming the same have been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.