Abstract:
A carton is provided that may be used for multiple packages of various products, such as food snack items, and includes a tear-away feature that allows ready access to and display of the products. The carton in its open/display configuration still has sufficient strength to allow other cartons to be stacked on top of each other. The carton may be formed from a blank of paperboard or corrugated board.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/734,381 filed Nov. 7, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to cartons, and blanks for forming such cartons, for shipping and handling various products. Such products can include, for example, packages of food snack products. The carton of this invention uses reduced amounts of material to form the carton and incorporates a tear-away feature that provides easy access to the products contained in the carton.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Manufacturers typically ship products, individual items or products packaged in small boxes, in a variety of different types of light weight paperboard containers. One particular type of carton has a wrap-around style. In this type of a carton, the product to be shipped and handled is placed on a portion of the carton blank that forms the bottom of the carton. The carton is then formed around the product by gluing the appropriate portions of the blank together. This style of carton is used mainly because it is easy to load and thus provides production efficiencies. For example, wrap-around style cartons can be run at higher speeds, there is less downtime when these styles of cartons are run and they tend to be less expensive.  
         [0004]     Another carton style that is machine assembled is a bliss style carton, which is formed from multiple blanks. In this style, the main wrapper blank is joined to the other blank pieces before the product is loaded into it. This style of carton is popular because it has stacking strength and is display-ready, i.e. it can be easily converted to a configuration that allows the products inside the carton to be displayed for sale to the ultimate consumer. Most of these styles of cartons typically work for their intended purpose but they could be improved. For example, the materials used to manufacture the cartons can be a significant source of cost for carton manufacturers. Thus, these cartons could be improved if lesser amounts of material were used to form the carton without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the resulting carton or decreasing the volume of product that can be located inside the carton. In addition, when the carton is converted to a display configuration, some of the strength of the carton can be compromised because a significant amount of carton material must be removed to allow display of the products. Finally, the carton typically is not stackable after the carton has been converted to its display configuration because of the significant amount of the carton material that has been removed.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The carton of this invention is formed from a blank that efficiently uses the raw material for forming the blank. The blank includes perforations and fold lines that allow a display ready carton to be formed with minimal effort. The resulting carton is display ready, allows easy access to the products contained therein and is capable of containing an appropriate volume of products therein. In addition, with the carton converted to its display configuration, the carton still has the desired physical properties to store the products contained therein and allows multiple cartons to be stacked on top of each other. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The invention will be described in detail in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures in which like reference numbers refer to like parts and wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the carton of this invention in its shipping configuration;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the carton of this invention in its open/display configuration;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is plan view of a blank for the carton of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of a second embodiment of the carton of this invention in its shipping configuration;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the carton of this invention in its open/display configuration;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the blank for the carton of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is perspective view of a third embodiment of the carton of this invention in its shipping configuration;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the carton of this invention in its open/display con figuration; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the blank for the carton of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]     The various aspects of the invention may be embodied in various forms. The following description shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is to be understood that various different types of products, such as motor oil, can be located in the carton, and food snack products are just an example of a product that can be stored, shipped and displayed in the cartons of this invention.  
         [0017]     The blanks for the various embodiments of the cartons of this invention are cost-effective because they each have a compact design that has very little wasted material. This can be seen by the minimal empty space located within the outer periphery of the blank. Reducing the amount of blank material used to form the unitary blank reduces the amount of substrate used, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. In each of the FIGS., the dotted lines on the blank represent either fold lines about which the blank may be folded to form. the desired carton or perforation lines that allow the blank material to be removed to allow easy access to the products stored and shipped in the carton or both. The description of such lines hereinafter will identify whether the lines are fold lines, perforation lines or both. As used herein, a fold line may be a thin band of a weaken region of material. The thin band can be formed by conventional manufacturing methods in the paperboard art. Alternatively, the fold line may be simply a predetermined line for folding of the blank without a weaken area. Perforations are formed from a cutting die that has a number of cutting surfaces. These cutting surfaces cut or slit the material to form the perforations.  
         [0018]     In the first embodiment of the carton of this invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the carton  100  is assembled by folding and adhering together portions of the blank  200 . One significant aspect of this embodiment of the invention is that the entire carton  100  can be formed with one blank. This eliminates the need for separate tops and bottoms and thus separate blanks are unnecessary. In order to gain access to the contents of carton  100 , perforation line  215  is formed in blank  200  along a portion of the top perimeter of carton  100  and across two corners thereof to create an easy opening top for carton  100 . Although not preferred, this invention contemplates that the perforation line does not extend along the perimeter of the carton but could be located inward of the perimeter and that the perforation line does not extend completely around the top of the carton. However, in each of these alternate embodiments, the access opening created by the perforation line should be large enough to provide easy access to the products contained in the carton.  
         [0019]     Blank  200  includes four main panels, a top panel  210 , a first end panel  220 , a bottom panel  230  and a second end panel  240 . Blank  200  also includes an adhesive tab  250 , which is connected along its right side to the left side of top panel  210  along a first vertical fold line  201 . Top panel  210  is connected along its right side to the left side of first end panel  220  along a second vertical fold line  202 . First end panel  220  is connected along its right side to the left side of bottom panel  230  along a third vertical fold line  203 . Bottom panel  230  is connected along its right side to the left side of second end panel  240  along a fourth vertical fold line  204 . Each of top panel  210 , first end panel  220 , bottom panel  230 , and second end panel  240  includes a top flap defined above a first horizontal fold line  260  and a bottom flap defined below a second horizontal fold line  270 . Top panel top flap  210 A is adjacent to top panel  210  above first horizontal fold line  260  while top panel bottom flap  210 B is adjacent to top panel  210  below second horizontal fold line  270 . First end panel top flap  220 A is adjacent to first end panel  220  above first horizontal fold line  260  while first end panel bottom flap  220 B is adjacent to first end panel  220  below second horizontal fold line  270 . Bottom panel top flap  230 A is adjacent to bottom panel  230  above first horizontal fold line  260  while bottom panel bottom flap  230 B is adjacent to bottom panel  230  below second horizontal fold line  270 . Second end panel top flap  240 A is adjacent to second end panel  240  above first horizontal fold line  260  while second end panel bottom flap  240 B is adjacent to second end panel  240  below second horizontal fold line  270 .  
         [0020]     Preferably, all of the top and bottom flaps, i.e. top panel top flap  210 A, top panel bottom flap  210 B, first end panel top flap  220 A, first end panel bottom flap  220 B, bottom panel top flap  230 A, bottom panel bottom flap  230 B, second end panel top flap  240 A, and second end panel bottom flap  240 B have substantially the same height. Preferably, top panel top flap  210 A, top panel bottom flap  210 B, bottom panel top flap  230 A and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B have substantially the same width. Preferably, first end panel top flap  220 A, first end panel bottom flap  220 B, second end panel top flap  240 A and second end panel bottom flap  240 B also have substantially the same width.  
         [0021]     Perforation line  215  is formed in top panel  210  and extends diagonally across the two left corners of that panel. Preferably, perforation line  215  extends from an upper portion of the left end of adhesive tab  250  generally perpendicular thereto to first vertical fold line  201 , then diagonally to a left portion of first horizontal fold line  260 , along first horizontal fold line  260  to and along second vertical fold line  202  toward and along second horizontal fold line  270  toward adhesive tab  250 , then, at a point long the left portion of second horizontal fold line  270 , diagonally to a lower portion of first vertical line  201  and then, at a point along the lower portion of first vertical fold line  201 , generally perpendicular to first vertical fold line  201  to the left edge of adhesive tab  250 . This configuration for perforation line  215  allows top panel  210  to be removed except for two triangular portions  280 A and  280 B. The removal of top panel  210  provides ready access to the products contained in carton  100  and also displays those products therein. The triangular portions provide support to allow other cartons to be stacked on top of carton  200  when top panel  210  has been removed and carton  100  has been put in its open/display configuration. Importantly, these triangular portions minimize the risk that one carton will fall or otherwise tip into the inside of the carton below it. The size and specific configuration of triangular portions  280 A and  280 B can be varied by changing the location where perforation line  215  intersects first vertical fold line  201 , first horizontal fold line  260  and second horizontal fold line  270 . The appropriate size and configuration is determined by striking a balance between larger triangular portions for added stacking surface area and structural integrity to the carton and a large access opening to the inside of the carton and can be varied based on the specific needs of the manufacturer.  
         [0022]     To assemble carton  100 , blank  200  is folded along first vertical fold line  201 , second vertical fold line  202 , third vertical fold line  203  and fourth vertical fold line  204  so that each of the adjacent panels, i.e. top panel  210 , first end panel  220 , bottom panel  230 , second end panel  240 , and adhesive tab  250  are generally perpendicular to each other. This will put adhesive tab  250  adjacent to second end panel  240  so that first vertical fold line  201  can be aligned with the right edge of second end panel  240 . When in this position, adhesive tab  250  can be glued, stapled or otherwise adhered by conventional means to second end panel  240  to form a box configuration that is open on both of its two sides. Thereafter, the top and bottom flaps are folded inward along first horizontal fold line  260  and second horizontal fold line  270 . First end panel top flap  220 A and second end panel top flap  240 A are folded first and then top panel top flap  210 A and bottom panel top flap  230 A are folded second so that top panel top flap  210 A and bottom panel top flap  230 A are on the outside of carton  100 . Although this is the preferred embodiment, top panel top flap  210 A and bottom panel top flap  230 A could be folded first so that top panel top flap  210 A and bottom panel top flap  230 A are on the inside of first end panel top flap  220 A and second end panel top flap  240 A inside of carton  100 . Similarly, first end panel bottom flap  220 B and second end panel bottom flap  240 B are folded first and then top panel bottom flap  210 B and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B are folded second so that top panel bottom flap  210 B and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B are on the outside of carton  100 . Again, although this is the preferred embodiment, top panel bottom flap  210 B and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B could be folded first so that top panel bottom flap  210 B and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B are on the inside of first end panel bottom flap  220 B and second end panel bottom flap  240 B inside of carton  100 . The top and bottom flaps are glued, stapled or otherwise adhered to each other by standard fastening means. Typically, products to be shipped and handled in carton  100  are placed on bottom panel  230  first and blank  200  is folded around the product. Thus when blank  200  has been folded as described above, the resulting carton  100 , with the product contained therein, can be shipped to the ultimate retail destination.  
         [0023]     A second embodiment of the carton and blank of this invention is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , This embodiment is substantially identical to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , except in this embodiment the perforation line extends across all four corners of the top of the carton. This provides even greater surface stacking area and structural integrity to the carton. Because of the similarity between this embodiment and the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the same reference numbers used for describing the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  will be used to describe the same features of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6  except that a prime (′) will be used to indicate that those items are for the different embodiment.  
         [0024]     Blank  200 ′ includes four main panels, a top panel  210 ′, a first end panel  220 ′, a bottom panel  230 ′ and a second end panel  240 ′. Blank  200 ′ also includes an adhesive tab  250 ′, which is connected along its right side to the left side of top panel  210 ′ along a first vertical fold line  201 ′. Top panel  210 ′ is connected along its right side to the left side of first end panel  220 ′ along a second vertical fold line  202 ′. First end panel  220 ′ is connected along its right side to the left side of bottom panel  230 ′ along a third vertical fold line  203 ′. Bottom panel  230 ′ is connected along its right side to the left side of second end panel  240 ′ along a fourth vertical fold line  204 ′. Each of top panel  210 ′, first end panel  220 ′, bottom panel  230 ′, and second end panel  240 ′ includes a top flap defined above a first horizontal fold line  260 ′ and a bottom flap defined below a second horizontal fold line  270 ′. Top panel top flap  210 A′ is adjacent to top panel  210 ′ above first horizontal fold line  260 ′ while top panel bottom flap  210 B′ is adjacent to top panel  210 ′ below second horizontal fold line  270 ′. First end panel top flap  220 A′ is adjacent to first end panel  220 ′ above first horizontal fold line  260 ′ while first end panel bottom flap  220 B′ is adjacent to first end panel  220 ′ below second horizontal fold line  270 ′. Bottom panel top flap  230 A′ is adjacent to bottom panel  230 ′ above first horizontal fold line  260 ′ while bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′ is adjacent to bottom panel  230 ′ below second horizontal fold line  270 ′. Second end panel top flap  240 A′ is adjacent to second end panel  240 ′ above first horizontal fold line  260 ′ while second end panel bottom flap  240 B′ is adjacent to second end panel  240 ′ below second horizontal fold line  270 ′.  
         [0025]     Preferably, all of the top and bottom flaps, i.e. top panel top flap  210 A′, top panel bottom flap  210 B′, first end panel top flap  220 A′, first end panel bottom flap  220 B′, bottom panel top flap  230 A′, bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′, second end panel top flap  240 A′, and second end panel bottom flap  240 B′ have substantially the same height. Preferably, top panel top flap  210 A′, top panel bottom flap  210 B′, bottom panel top flap  230 A′ and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′ have substantially the same width. Preferably, first end panel top flap  220 A′, first end panel bottom flap  220 B′, second end panel top flap  240 A′ and second end panel bottom flap  240 B′ also have substantially the same width.  
         [0026]     Perforation line  215 ′ is formed in top panel  210 ′ and extends diagonally across all four corners of that panel. Preferably, perforation line  215 ′ extends from an upper portion of the left end of adhesive tab  250 ′ generally perpendicular thereto to first vertical fold line  201 ′, then diagonally to a left portion of first horizontal fold line  260 ′, along first horizontal fold line  260 ′ to a right portion thereof in top panel  210 ′, then diagonally to an upper portion of second vertical fold line  202 ′, along second vertical fold line  202 ′ toward second horizontal fold line  270 ′, theii at a lower portion of second vertical fold line  202 ′ diagonally to second horizontal fold line  270 ′ along a right portion thereof in top panel  210 ′, along second horizontal fold line  270 ′ toward adhesive tab  250 ′, then, along a left portion of second horizontal fold line  270 ′ diagonally to a lower portion of first vertical line  201 ′ and then, at a point along the lower portion of first vertical fold line  201 ′, generally perpendicular to first vertical fold line  201 ′ to the left edge of adhesive tab  250 ′. This configuration for perforation line  215 ′ allows top panel  210 ′ to be removed except for four triangular portions  280 A′,  280 B′,  280 C and  280 D. The removal of top panel  210 ′ provides ready access to the products contained in carton  100 ′ and also displays those products therein. The triangular portions provide support to allow other cartons to be stacked on top of carton  200 ′ when top panel  210 ′ has been removed and carton  100 ′ has been put in its open/display configuration. Again, as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the specific size and configuration of triangular portions  280 A′,  280 B′,  280 C and  280 D can be varied by varying the location where perforation line  215 ′ intersects first vertical fold line  201 ′, first horizontal fold line  260 ′, second vertical fold line  202 ′ and second horizontal fold line  270 ′. Although the embodiments shown have four and two triangular portions, this invention also encompasses the use of one or three triangular portions.  
         [0027]     A pair of cut outs  290 A and  290 B can be formed along a left side of the portion of top panel  210 ′ that is to be removed. Cut outs  290 A and  290 B facilitate manipulation of top panel  210 ′ to allow a user to remove a portion of top panel  210 ′ to provide access to the interior of the carton. Such cut outs can also be incorporated into the carton and blank of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0028]     To assemble carton  100 ′, blank  200 ′ is folded along first vertical fold line  201 ′, second vertical fold line  202 ′, third vertical fold line  203 ′ and fourth vertical fold line  204 ′ so that each of the adjacent panels, i.e. top panel  210 ′, first end panel  220 ′, bottom panel  230 ′, second end panel  240 ′and adhesive tab  250 ′ are generally perpendicular to each other. This will put adhesive tab  250 ′ adjacent to second end panel  240 ′ so that first vertical fold line  201 ′ can be aligned with the right edge of second end panel  240 ′. When in this position, adhesive tab  250 ′ can be glued, stapled or otherwise adhered by conventional means to second end panel  240 ′ to form a box configuration that is open on both of its two sides. Thereafter, the top and bottom flaps are folded inward along first horizontal fold line  260 ′ and second horizontal fold line  270 ′. First end panel top flap  220 A′ and second end panel top flap  240 A′ are folded first and then top panel top flap  210 A′ and bottom panel top flap  230 A′ are folded second so that top panel top flap  210 A′ and bottom panel top flap  230 A′ are on the outside of carton  100 ′. Although this is the preferred embodiment, top panel top flap  210 A′ and bottom panel top flap  230 A′ could be folded first so that top panel top flap  210 A′ and bottom panel top flap  230 A′ are on the inside of first end panel top flap  220 A′ and second end panel top flap  240 A′ inside of carton  100 ′. Similarly, first end panel bottom flap  220 B′ and second end panel bottom flap  240 B′ are folded first and then top panel bottom flap  210 B′ and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′ are folded second so that top panel bottom flap  210 B′ and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′ are on the outside of carton  100 ′. Again, although this is the preferred embodiment, top panel bottom flap  210 B′ and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′ could be folded first so that top panel bottom flap  210 B′ and bottom panel bottom flap  230 B′ are on the inside of first end panel bottom flap  220 B′ and second end panel bottom flap  240 B′ inside of carton  100 ′. The top and bottom flaps are glued, stapled or otherwise adhered to each other by standard fastening means.  
         [0029]     In the third embodiment of the carton of this invention shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , the carton  300  is assembled by folding and adhering together portions of the blank  400 . Blank  400  includes five main panels, a first top panel  410 , a first side panel  420 , a bottom panel  430 , a second side panel  440  and a second top panel  450 . First top panel  410  is connected along its right side to the left side of first side panel  420  along a first vertical fold line  401 . First side panel  420  is connected along its right side to the left side of bottom panel  430  along a second vertical fold line  402 . Bottom panel  430  is connected along its right side to the left side of second side panel  440  along a third vertical fold line  403 . Second side panel  440  is connected along its right side to the left side of second top panel  450  along fourth vertical line  404 . Each of first top panel  410 , first side panel  420 , bottom panel  430 , second side panel  440  and second top panel  450  includes a top flap defined above a first horizontal fold line  460  and a bottom flap defined below a second horizontal fold line  470 . First top panel top flap  410 A is adjacent to first top panel  410  above first horizontal fold line  460  while first top panel bottom flap  410 B is adjacent to first top panel  410  below second horizontal fold line  470 . First side panel top flap  420 A is adjacent to first side panel  420  above first horizontal fold line  460  while first side panel bottom flap  420 B is adjacent to first side panel  420  below second horizontal fold line  470 . Bottom panel top flap  430 A is adjacent to bottom panel  430  above first horizontal fold line  460  while bottom panel bottom flap  430 B is adjacent to bottom panel  430  below second horizontal fold line  470 . Second side panel top flap  440 A is adjacent to second side panel  440  above first horizontal fold line  460  while second side panel bottom flap  440 B is adjacent to second side panel  440  below second horizontal fold line  270 . Second top panel top flap  450 A is adjacent to second top panel  450  above first horizontal fold line  460  while second top panel bottom flap  450 B is adjacent to second top panel  450  below second horizontal fold line  470 .  
         [0030]     Preferably, all of the top and bottom flaps, i.e. first top panel top flap  410 A, first top panel bottom flap  410 B, first side panel top flap  420 A, first side panel bottom flap  420 B, bottom panel top flap  430 A, bottom panel bottom flap  430 B, second side panel top flap  440 A, second side panel bottom flap  440 B, second top panel top flap  450 A and second top panel bottom flap  450 B have substantially the same height. Preferably, first top panel top flap  410 A, first top panel bottom flap  410 B, second top panel top flap  450 A and second top panel bottom flap  450 B have substantially the same width. Preferably, first side panel top flap  420 A, first side panel bottom flap  420 B, second side panel top flap  440 A and second side panel bottom flap  440 B also have substantially the same width. Preferably, bottom panel top flap  430 A and bottom panel bottom flap  430 B have substantially the same width.  
         [0031]     Perforation line  415 A extends across first top panel  410  and first side panel  420 . Similarly. perforation line  415 B extends across second top panel  450  and second side panel  440 . Perforation lines  415 A and  415 B extend diagonally across the top and bottom of first top panel  410  and second bottom panel  450  respectively. This allows four triangular portions  480 A,  480 B,  480 C, and  480 D to be formed in the top corners of carton  300 . As with the other embodiments, the specific size and configuration of triangular portions  480 A,  480 B,  480 C and  480 D can be varied by varying the location where perforation lines  415 A and  415 B intersect first horizontal fold line  460 , second horizontal fold line  470  and, in the case of triangular portions  480 A and  480 B, first vertical fold line  401  and, in the case of triangular portions  480 C and  480 D, fourth vertical fold line  404 . Although preferably four triangular portions are used, this invention contemplates the use of one, two or three triangular portions as well. Specifically, perforation line  415 A extends from an upper portion of the left end of first top panel  410  diagonally down to first vertical fold line  401 , then generally perpendicular thereto to a right portion of first side panel  420 , then generally vertically toward second horizontal fold line  470 , then generally horizontally to first vertical fold line  401  along a lower portion thereof and then diagonally across first top panel  410  to a lower portion of the left edge of first top panel  410 . Notch  490 A may be formed in first side panel  420  along perforation line  415 A to facilitate tearing of blank  400  along perforation line  415 A. Instead of extending to the left edge of first top panel  410 , perforation line  415 A could intersect first horizontal fold line  460  and second horizontal fold line  470  anywhere along their length in first top panel  410 . Perforation line  415 B is preferably a mirror image of perforation line  415 A. Specifically, perforation line  415 B extends from an upper portion of the right edge of second top panel  450  diagonally down to fourth vertical fold line  404 , then generally perpendicular thereto to a left portion of second side panel  440 , then generally vertically toward second horizontal fold line  470 , then generally horizontally to fourth vertical fold line  404  along a lower portion thereof and then diagonally across second top panel  450  to a lower portion of the right edge of second top panel  450 . Notch  490 B may be formed in second side panel  440  along perforation line  415 BA to facilitate tearing of blank  400  along perforation line  415 B. Again, instead of extending to the right edge of second top panel  450 , perforation line  415 B could intersect first horizontal fold line  460  and second horizontal fold line  470  anywhere along their length in second top panel  450 . The removal of portions of first top panel  410 , first side panel  420 , second side panel  440  and second top panel  450  provides ready access to the products contained in carton  300  and also displays those products therein. The tri angular portions provide support to allow other cartons to be stacked on top of carton  300  when it has been put in its open/display configuration. Although this embodiment is described with two perforation lines  415 A and  415 B, it is within the scope of this invention to use only one of the perforation lines. In addition, it is within the scope of this invention to have perforation lines  415 A and  415 B extend only along top panels  410  and  450  respectively. In such an embodiment, perforation line  415 A would extend vertically along first vertical fold line  401 , or along a right portion of top panel  410 , and would not extend into first end panel  420 . Similarly, perforation line  415 B would extend vertically along fourth vertical fold line  404 , or along a left portion of second top panel  450  and would not extend into second end panel  440 .  
         [0032]     To assemble carton  300 , blank  400  is folded along first vertical fold line  401 , second vertical fold line  402 , third vertical fold line  403  and fourth vertical fold line  404  so that each of the adjacent panels, i.e. first top panel  410 , first side panel  420 , bottom panel  430 , and second side panel  440  are generally perpendicular to each other. Second top panel  450  would be generally perpendicular to second side panel  440  but generally aligned with first top panel  410 . This will put the left edge of first top panel  410  in proximity to the right edge of second top panel  450 . When in this position, the top and bottom flaps may be folded inward along first horizontal fold line  460  and second horizontal fold line  470 . First top panel top flap  410 A, first side panel top flap  420 A, bottom panel top flap  430 A, second side panel top flap  440 A and second top panel top flap  450 A are folded and adhered by standard means to a separate end panel ( 301  in  FIG. 8 ) in standard bliss type carton fabrication technique. Similarly, first top panel bottom flap  410 B, first side panel bottom flap  420 B, bottom panel bottom flap  430 B, second side panel bottom flap  440 B and second top panel bottom flap  450 B are folded and adhered by standard means to a separate side panel ( 302  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) in standard bliss type carton fabrication technique. Typically, products to be shipped and handled in carton  300  are placed on bottom panel  430  first and blank  400  is folded around the product. Thus when blank  400  has been folded as described above, the resulting carton  300 , with the product contained therein, can be shipped to the ultimate retail destination  
         [0033]     While the present invention has been described in connection with the illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.