Patent Publication Number: US-2020277116-A1

Title: Carton and blank therefor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to cartons and to blanks for forming the same. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a carrier having a keel structure formed from a pair of overlapping panels. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of packaging it is known to provide cartons for carrying multiple articles. Cartons are well known in the art and are useful for enabling consumers to transport, store and access a group of articles for consumption. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Further considerations are the strength of the carton and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. It is desirable that the contents of the carton are secure within the carton. 
     The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of cartons, typically formed from paperboard or the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     A first aspect of the invention provides a carrier for packaging a plurality of articles. The carrier comprises a composite wall formed from two at least partially overlapping layers, including an inner layer and an outer layer. The carrier further comprises a keel structure folded into an interior of the carrier. The keel structure has an inner member formed from the inner layer and an outer member formed from the outer layer. The inner and outer members are hingedly connected to a respective one of the inner and outer layers along inner and outer fold lines respectively. The inner and outer fold lines are generally aligned in the direction of the thickness of the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer members are disposed in an overlapping relationship such that at least part of the free outline of the outer member provides a folding guide to the inner member. The folding guide facilitates folding of an engaging portion of the inner member when the outer member is folded inward of the carrier along the outer fold line against the inner member. 
     Optionally, the keel structure is disposed between two adjacent articles packaged in the carton and provides a spacer between said articles. 
     Optionally, the keel structure is formed in part from the inner layer of the composite wall and in part from the outer layer of the composite wall. 
     Optionally, the keel structure interlocks the inner and outer layers of the composite wall together. 
     Optionally, the keel structure is hingedly connected to the base wall and is folded into an interior of the carrier. 
     Optionally, the outer member comprises a first tab. 
     Optionally, the first tab comprises a first spine portion and a first engaging portion hingedly connected to the first spine portion. 
     Optionally, the first inner member comprises a second tab. 
     Optionally, the second tab comprises a second spine portion and a second engaging portion hingedly connected to the second spine portion. 
     Optionally, the first spine portion overlaps with the second spine portion to form a two-ply structure. 
     Optionally, the first outer member comprises an engaging edge and a recess is provided in the engaging edge proximate to the outer fold line. 
     Optionally, the first inner member defines at least in part an inner opening, the inner opening defining at least in part an edge of an engaging region of the inner layer. 
     Optionally, the edge of the engaging region is non-linear. 
     Optionally, the edge of the engaging region is arcuate. 
     Optionally, the edge of the engaging region is non-perpendicular with the outer fold line. 
     Optionally, the edge of the engaging region is obliquely oriented with respect to the outer fold line. 
     Optionally, the carrier comprises a top engaging device T for engaging each article to be packaged, each top engaging device T comprising an opening for receiving a portion of an article. 
     Optionally, the carrier comprises a plurality of individual, disconnected articles. 
     Optionally, the carrier comprises a plurality of connected articles. 
     Optionally, the articles comprise a flange. 
     Optionally, the articles are connected to each other via their respective flanges. 
     Optionally, the carrier comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure which may include a top wall, a first side wall, a composite base wall comprising the inner and outer layers, and a second side wall. 
     Optionally, the plurality of panels are hingedly connected to each other in a linear series. 
     A second aspect of the invention provides an article carrier for at least one article. The carrier comprises a composite wall formed from two at least partially overlapping layers including an inner layer and an outer layer. The carrier further comprises a spacer device folded into an interior of the carrier. The spacer device comprises an inner member formed from the inner layer and an access opening defined in the outer layer. The inner member is hingedly connected to the inner layer. The inner member is disposed in an overlapping relationship with the access opening so that the inner member is accessible through the access opening to enable the inner member to be folded inwardly of the carrier. 
     Optionally, the inner member partially overlaps with the access opening. 
     Optionally, the access opening is defined by an outer member formed from the outer layer 
     Optionally, the inner member comprises an engaging portion foldable with respect to a hinged portion, the hinged portion being hinged to the inner layer, the engaging portion comprising an engaging edge which engages with an engaging portion of the outer layer to prevent or inhibit the inner member returning to an unfolded condition. 
     Optionally, the engaging portion of the outer layer is disposed in overlapping relationship with an opening in the inner layer created by folding the inner member inwardly of the carrier. 
     A third aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming walls of the carrier. The plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel for forming an inner layer and outer layer respectively of a composite wall of the carrier. The first and second panel are arranged to at least partially overlap. The blank further comprises a keel structure foldable into an interior of a set-up carrier. The keel structure has an inner member formed from the first panel and an outer member formed from the second panel. The inner and outer members are hingedly connected to a respective one of the first and second panels along inner and outer fold lines respectively. The inner and outer fold lines are arranged to be generally aligned in the direction of the thickness of the inner and outer layers in a set-up carrier. The inner and outer members are arranged to be disposed in an overlapping relationship such that at least part of the free outline of the outer member provides a folding guide to the inner member. The folding guide facilitates folding of an engaging portion of the inner member when the outer member is folded inward of the carrier along the outer fold line against the inner member. 
     A fourth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carrier. The blank comprises a plurality of panels for forming walls of the carrier. The plurality of panels comprises a first panel and a second panel for forming an inner layer and outer layer respectively of a composite wall of a set-up carrier. The first and second panel are arranged to at least partially overlap. The blank further comprises a spacer device foldable into an interior of the carrier. The spacer device comprises an inner member formed from the first panel and an access opening defined in the second panel. The inner member is hingedly connected to the first panel. The inner member is arranged to be disposed in an overlapping relationship with the access opening in a set-up carrier so that the inner member is accessible through the access opening to enable the inner member to be folded inwardly of the carrier. 
     Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a first end of the carton of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a second end of the carton of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views from below of a base portion of the carton of 
         FIG. 2  showing stages of construction of a keel structure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view from below of the carton of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of a keel structure erected in an interior of the carton of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first side of a keel structure disposed in an interior of the carton of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second side of the keel structure of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a plan view of a blank  10  capable of forming a carton or carrier  90 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , for containing and carrying a group of primary products such as, but not limited to, flanged containers, cups or yoghurt pots, hereinafter referred to as articles B, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The blank  10  forms a secondary package for packaging at least one primary product container or package. 
     In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container  90  for engaging and carrying articles B, such as primary product containers B. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers B, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Other exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like. 
     The blank  10  is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognised that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below. 
     The packaging structure or carton  90  described herein may be formed from a sheet material such as paperboard, which may be made of or coated with materials to increase its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear-resistant NATRALOCK® paperboard made by WestRock Company. It should be noted that the tear resistant materials may be provided by more than one layer, to help improve the tear-resistance of the package. Typically, one surface of the sheet material may have different characteristics to the other surface. For example, the surface of the sheet material that faces outwardly from a finished package may be particularly smooth and may have a coating such as a clay coating or other surface treatment to provide good printability. The surface of the sheet material that faces inwardly may, on the other hand, be provided with a coating, a layer, a treatment or be otherwise prepared to provide properties such as one or more of tear-resistance, good glue-ability, heat sealability, or other desired functional properties. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  10  is configured to form a carton or carrier  90  for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles B. In the illustrated embodiments the arrangement is an m×n matrix or array, having two rows (m=2) and three columns (n=3); in the illustrated embodiment two rows of three articles B are provided, and the articles B are individual 170 g cups with a cover or film lid a metallic or plastic material such as, but not limited to, Aluminium or PET (polyester-polyethylene terephthalate). Alternatively, the blank  10  can be configured to form a carrier for packaging other types, number and size of articles B and/or for packaging articles B in a different arrangement or configuration for example, but not limited to, fully enclosed cartons or basket carriers, the articles B may be bottles or cans. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a blank  10  for forming a carton  90  (see  FIG. 2 ) according to a first embodiment. The blank  10  comprises a plurality of main panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of main panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  comprises a first base panel (or outer layer)  12 , a first side panel  14 , a top panel  16 , a second side panel  18 , and a second base panel (or inner layer)  20 . The plurality of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , may be arranged in a linear series hinged one to the next by corresponding fold lines  13 ,  15 ,  17 ,  19 . 
     The blank  10  is foldable to form a package  90  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The first and second base panels  12 ,  20  are engageable with one another in an overlapping relationship to form a composite base wall  12 / 20  of the carton  90 . The blank  10  may comprise a complementary locking mechanism for securing the second base panel  20  to the first base panel  12 . The first base panel  12  may comprise at least one first part F of the complementary locking mechanism. The second base panel  20  may comprise at least one second part M of the complementary locking mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the first base panel  12  comprises a plurality of female tabs F defining openings in the first base panel  12 . The second base panel  20  comprises a plurality of male tabs M, the openings in the first base panel  12  being configured to receive a respective one of the male tabs M. Each of the female tabs F is arranged to be displaced out of the first base panel  12  to form an opening and to bear against a respective one of the male tabs M when received therein. In some embodiments the complementary locking mechanism M/F may be omitted, the first and second base panels  12 ,  20  may be secured to each other solely by a keel structure  70  described in detail below or by other means, such as but not limited to adhesive or staples. 
     Optionally, the first and second base panels  12 ,  20  may comprise at least one first aperture A 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second base panels  12 ,  20  comprises three first apertures A 1 . The first apertures A 1  may be employed to facilitate construction of the carton  90 . A packaging machine component (not shown) may engage with the first apertures A 1  to enable the plurality of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to be tightened about a group of articles B. The first apertures A 1  may also be employed to facilitate alignment of the first and second base panels  12 ,  20  with respect to each other or to align the first part of the complementary locking mechanism with the second part of the complementary locking mechanism. The complementary locking mechanism illustrated and described is entirely optional. 
     The blank  10  may comprise at least one heel engagement structure  40  for engaging with a heel or lower portion of an article B. The blank  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises six heel engagement structures  40  each is provided for engaging a respective article B. Each of the heel engagement structures  40  is substantially similar in construction and will be described by reference to a heel engagement structure provided in the second side panel  18 . 
     The heel engagement structure  40  may comprise a first cut line or severable line  41 . The first cut line  41  interrupts the fold line  19  hingedly connecting the second side panel  18  to the second base panel  20 . The first cut line  41  may be non-linear, formed from at least two linear cut lines divergently arranged with respect to each other and contiguous with each other, alternatively the first cut line  41  may be curved or arcuate in shape. A second cutline or severance line  43  extends from the first cut line  41 ; the second cutline or severance line  43  may extend from the middle or centre of the first cut line  41 . The second cutline or severance line  43  may be arranged to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the fold line  19 . The heel engagement structure  40  may comprise a pair of divergently arranged cut lines  45   a,    45   b.  The cut lines  45   a,    45   b  are arranged to diverge toward the first cut line  41 . In this way the cut lines  41 ,  43 ,  45   a,    45   b  define a pair of tabs, displaceable or foldable with respect to the second side panel  18 . It will be appreciated that cut lines  45   a,    45   b  may be replaced with fold or score lines to provide a hinged connection between each tab and the second side panel  18 . Each of the pair of tabs may be substantially triangular in shape. 
     The blank  10  is adapted to accommodate six articles B arranged in a  2 x 3  matrix or array. The blank  10  comprises six top engaging structures T. Each of the top engaging structures T is substantially similar in construction and will be described with reference to a top engaging structure T provided in the second side panel  18 . 
     Each of the top engaging structures T comprises an opening O 3  (see  FIG. 2 ) defined by a cut line or severable line  30 . The cut line  30  is struck from at least the second side panel  18 . Optionally, the cut line  30  is curved or arcuate in shape. The cut line  30  interrupts the fold line  17  between the top panel  16  and the second side panel  18 . A pair of further cut lines  32 ,  34  may extend radially outward from the cut line  30 . When the second side panel  18  is folded with respect to the top panel  16 , about fold line  17 , the cut line  30  opens up to form the opening O 3  which can receive a portion of an article B. In the illustrated embodiment the opening O 3  receives a flange F of an article B, best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The cut lines  30  each define a protrusion extending from the side edges of the top panel  16  and integrally formed therewith. The protrusions are struck from material which would otherwise form the second side panel  18 . In this way protrusions may be considered to be struck from one of the first and second side panels  14 ,  18 . The protrusions each form a protective top cover for a portion of an article B which is received in the opening O 3  formed by folding the side panels  14 ,  18 , see  FIG. 2 . 
     Optionally, the top panel  16  may comprise a second aperture A 2 , the second aperture A 2  may form a display window for displaying a portion of an article B disposed therebelow. The second aperture A 2  may also may improve air flow or ventilation of the carton  90  for example when in cold storage. 
     The first and second side panels  14 ,  18  comprise optional third apertures A 3 , which may improve air flow or ventilation of the carton  90  for example when in cold storage. 
     The blank  10  comprises three keel structures  70  arranged in pairs and denoted generally by references signs  70 , see  FIGS. 6A to 8 . The keel structures  70  are struck in part from the first base panel  12  and in part from the second base panel  20 . Each of the keel structures  70  is formed from a first part  50  struck from the first base panel  12  and from a second part  60  struck from the second base panel  20 . Each of the keel structures  70  is substantially similar in construction and will be described with reference to a keel structure  70  provided at a first end of the blank  10 . 
     The first part  50  of the keel structure  70  comprises a first tab  52 / 54  which forms an outer member of the keel structure  70 . 
     The first tab  52 / 54  is hingedly connected to the first base panel  12  by a fold line  51 , the fold line  51  is arranged to extend transversely with respect to the tubular axis of the carton  90 . The fold line  51  is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to the fold line  13  hinging the first base panel  12  to the first side panel  14 . 
     The first tab  52 / 54  is defined in part by the fold line  51  and in part by a cut line  55  or severable line provided in the first base panel  12 . Together the fold line  51  and the cutline  55  define the outline of an opening O 1  in the first base panel  12 . 
     The first tab  52 / 54  comprises a first spine portion  52 , the first spine portion  52  is hingedly connected to the first base panel  12  by the fold line  51 . The first tab  52 / 54  further comprises a first wing portion (or first engaging portion)  54 . The first wing portion  54  is hingedly connected to the first spine portion  52  by a fold line  53 . The first wing portion  54  is defined in part by a cutline or severance line such that the first wing portion  54  is separable from the first base panel  12 . The first wing portion  54  is coupled to the first base panel  12  by the first spine portion  52 , in this way the first spine portion  52  interconnects the first wing portion  54  and the first base panel  12 . The portion of the cutline  55  defining, in part, the first wing portion  54  comprises a cutaway or clearance recess  56  disposed proximate or adjacent to the fold line  51  hinging the first spine portion  52  to the first base panel  12 . The first wing portion  54  forms a first engaging portion which engages or interacts with the second base panel  20  in an erected condition. 
     The second part  60  of the keel structure  70  comprises a second tab  62 / 64  which forms an inner member of the keel structure  70 . 
     The second tab  62 / 64  is hingedly connected to the second base panel  20  by a fold line  61 , the fold line  61  is arranged to extend transversely with respect to the tubular axis of the carton  90 . The fold line  61  is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to the fold line  19  hinging the second base panel  20  to the second side panel  18 . 
     The second tab  62 / 64  is defined in part by the fold line  61  and in part by a cut line  65  or severable line provided in the second base panel  20 . Together the fold line  61  and the cutline  65  define the outline of an opening O 2  in the second base panel  20 . 
     The second tab  62 / 64  comprises a second spine portion  62 , the second spine portion  62  is hingedly connected to the second base panel  20  by the fold line  61 . The second tab  62 / 64  comprises a second wing portion (or second engaging portion)  64 . The second wing portion  64  is hingedly connected to the second spine portion  62  by a fold line  63 . The second wing portion  64  is defined in part by a cutline or severance line such that the second wing portion  64  is separable from the second base panel  20 . The second wing portion  64  is coupled to the second base panel  20  by the second spine portion  62 , in this way the second spine portion  62  interconnects the second wing portion  64  and the second base panel  20 . 
     The second spine portion  62  comprises a free side edge E 3  (see  FIG. 8 ) which is disposed opposite to the fold line  63  and adjacent to the fold line  61 . 
     The free side edge E 3  may be nonlinear or arcuate in shape such that the second spine portion  62  comprises a waist, narrower region in the middle. 
     The second wing portion  64  may be provided with a recess, proximate the fold line  61 , similar to the recess  56 . 
     The second wing portion  64  forms a second engaging portion which engages or interacts with the first base panel  12  in an erected condition. 
     Turning to the construction of the carton  90  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the carton  90  can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight-line machine so that the carton  90  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. 
     A group of articles B is assembled; in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2  six articles B are arranged in a 2×3 array. The top panel  16  of the blank  10  is disposed above the group of articles B to provide a top wall  16  of the carton  90 . 
     The first and second side walls  14 ,  18  are folded, with respect to the top panel  16  about fold lines  15 ,  17  respectively, about opposing sides of the group of articles B so as to be disposed about the opposing sides of the group of articles B. A flange or skirt F of each article B is received in a respective one of the openings O 3  of the top engaging structures T created when first and second side walls  14 ,  18  are folded. 
     The first base panel  12  is folded about the fold line  13  so as to be disposed adjacent the base of the group of articles B. The second base panel  20  is then folded about the fold line  19  so as to be in at least partial overlapping relationship with the first base panel  12 . The first and second base panels  12 ,  20  are secured together. Each of the male tabs M is displaced inwardly out of the plane of the second base panel  20 . In so doing, each of the female tabs F is displaced inwardly creating a corresponding opening in the first base panel  12 . The male tabs M are received in respective ones of the openings so as to lock the first and second base panels  12 ,  20  together. In this way a tubular structure is formed about the group of articles B. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrates erection of one of the keel structures  70 . A tool is engaged with the first spine portion  52 , the first spine portion  52  is folded inwardly about fold line  51 . In doing so the first wing portion  54  is automatically folded about fold line  53 . A portion of the second base panel  20 , which is in overlapping relationship with the first base panel  12  and is disposed proximate to the opening O 2 , provides a static folding guide  68  for facilitating folding of the first wing portion  54 . The folding guide  68  comprises an edge E 1 . The folding guide  68  has the effect of limiting the size of the opening O 1  in the composite base panel  12 / 20  through which the first tab  52 / 54  may pass. In order for the first tab  52 / 54  to pass through second base panel  20 , the first wing portion  54  must fold with respect to the first spine portion  52 , about the fold line  53  ( FIG. 4A ). 
     When the keel structures  70  are erected, the first base panel  12  comprises a first opening O 1  while the second base panel  20  comprises a second opening O 2 . The first opening O 1  is created by folding the first tab  52 / 54  out of the plane of the first base panel  12 . The second opening O 2  is created by folding the second tab  62 / 64  out of the plane of the second base panel  20 . The first opening O 1  and the second opening O 2  are partially aligned in the vertical direction (or the direction of the thickness of the first and second base panels  12 ,  20 ). That is to say, the first and second openings O 1 , O 2  partially overlap with each other. 
     When the first spine portion  52  is displaced inwardly, the second spine portion  62 , which is in vertical alignment or registry with the first spine portion  52 , is displaced inwardly also. The second wing portion  64  is folded with respect to the second spine portion  62  about fold line  63  in response to inward displacement of the second tab  62 / 64 . The second wing portion  64  is folded automatically. The second wing portion  64  is folded in order to allow the second tab  62 / 64  to pass into a gap or void between two adjacently disposed articles B in the carton  90 . An edge E 2  of the first spine portion  52  provides a mandrel or folding guide for facilitating folding of the second wing portion  64 . One of the two adjacently disposed articles B may interact with the second wing portion  64 , encouraging the second wing portion  64  to fold with respect to the second spine portion  62 . The article B may be considered to provide a static folding guide for folding the second tab  62 / 64 . 
       FIGS. 6A to 8  illustrate the keel structure  70  in an assembled condition the portion of the second base panel  20  which provides the folding guide  68  provides an engaging surface which serves to retain the keel structure  70  in the erected form. The first wing portion  54 , upon passing through the second opening O 2  in the second base panel  20 , at least partially unfolds with respect to the first spine portion  52 , about fold line  53 . The first wing portion  54  may naturally unfold due the inherent resilience of the sheet material from which the blank  10  is formed, alternatively the first wing portion  54  may be deliberately or intentionally unfolded during erection. In this way the first wing portion  54  engages with the folding guide  68  region of the second base panel  20 . An edge of the first wing portion  54 , which is collinear with the fold line  51  in the blank  10 , forms an engaging edge which contacts the folding guide  68  region of the second base panel  20  so as to prevent or inhibit the first tab  52 / 54  from returning to an unfolded state. 
     The edge E 1  of the folding guide  68  may be non-linear in shape, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the edge E 1  may be arcuate or curvilinear. In other embodiments, the edge E 1  may be formed of two or more linear section divergently arranged with respect each other. 
     In still other embodiments the edge E 1  may be linear. In some embodiments the edge E 1  may be non-parallel, or obliquely oriented, with respect to the free end edge of the second base panel such that the folding guide region  68  is wider at one end than it is at the other. For example, but not limited to, the folding guide region  68  may be narrower in the transverse direction at a first end proximate the fold line  51  than it is at second end distal from the fold line  51 . 
     The edge E 1  may be non-parallel or obliquely oriented with respect to the fold line  51  and/or with respect to the fold line  61 . 
     The first spine portion  52  overlaps with the second spine portion  62 , in this way the first spine portion  52  when held in the erected condition prevents or inhibits the second tab  62 / 64  from returning to an unfolded state. 
     The first spine portion  52  overlaps with the second spine portion  62  to provide a two-ply structure between the two adjacently disposed articles B, this may be advantageous, increasing strength, when the keel structure serves to function as a spacer or brace between the two adjacently disposed articles B to prevent or inhibit movement of the two adjacently disposed articles B. 
     The clearance recess  56  in the engaging edge of the first wing portion  54  facilitates erection of the first tab  52 / 54 . It aids complete insertion of the first tab  52 / 54  particularly the first wing portion  54  into the opening O 2  in the second base panel  20 . The clearance recess  56  can receive at least a portion of the folding guide  68 . The clearance recess  56  prevents or reduces the likelihood of collision of the engaging edge of the wing portion  54  with the edge E 1  of the folding guide  68  in the region proximate the fold line  51 . In this way allowance for the thickness of the sheet material of the folding guide  68  is made such that the wing portion  54  clears the folding guide  68 . 
     A portion  58  of the first base panel  12  which overlaps with the second opening O 2  so as to partially obscure or interrupt the second opening O 2  may also serve to retain the keel structure  70  in the erected form. The second wing portion  64  is folded with respect to the second spine portion  62 , about fold line  63  so as to at least partially overlie the portion  58 . The second wing portion  64  may engage with the portion  58  of the first base panel  12 . An edge of the second wing portion  64 , which is collinear with the fold line  61  in the blank  10 , forms an engaging edge which contacts the portion  58  of the first base panel  12  so as to prevent or inhibit the second tab  62 / 64  from returning to an unfolded state. 
     A free side edge E 2  of the first spine panel  52  provides a mandrel or folding guide about which the second wing portion  64  folds with respect to the second spine portion  62 . The free side edge E 2  of the first spine panel  52  may be substantially aligned with the fold line  63  coupling the second wing portion  64  to the second spine portion  62 . 
     The assembled carton  90  is shown in  FIGS. 2 to 3B .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the carton  90 , from a first end and a second end respectively. 
     The flange F of each article B has been at least partially received in the opening O 3  of the top engaging structure T. In the illustrated embodiment the articles B are disconnected or individual cups which are disposed in close proximity to their adjacent neighbours. The articles B are tapered in shape, they can be considered to be substantially frusto-conical in shape, albeit inverted such that the end having the smaller diameter is in contact with the composite base panel  12 / 20  and the end having the larger diameter is in contact with the top panel  16 . 
     A void or gap exists between lower portions of two adjacent articles B. A keel structure  70  is erected in the void between two adjacent articles B. Each keel structure  70  may serve to provide a spacer or brace. 
     The keel structures  70  may encourage the articles B towards one of the first and second side panels  14 ,  18  respectively. The keel structures  70  may push or force the articles B in a transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the tubular axis of the carton  90  and is substantially parallel to the composite base panel  12 / 20 . 
     The keel structures  70  may prevent or inhibit movement of the articles B towards each other, in particular the lower ends or base portions of the articles B. 
     In this way the keel structures  70  may be advantageous in maintaining secure engagement of the articles with their respective top engaging structure T. This may ensure the articles B are securely held within the carton  90  during transportation. 
     The present disclosure provides a carton  90  for packaging articles B. The carton may comprise a top engaging device T for flanged articles, such as flanged cups. The cups may be disconnected or may connected to each other via their respective flanges. The carton  90  comprises a composite wall  12 / 20  formed from two at least partially overlapping layers of sheet material and including an inner layer  20  and an outer layer  12 . The carton  90  comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure which may include a top wall  18 , a first side wall  14 , a base wall  12 / 20 , and a second side wall  18 , optionally hingedly connected to each other in a linear series. 
     The carton  90  may comprise a keel structure  70  for placement between two adjacent articles B to be packaged in the carton  90  which may provide a spacer between said articles B. 
     The carton  90  may comprise a keel structure  70  folded into an interior of the carton  90 , the keel structure  70  formed in part from the inner layer  20  of a composite wall  12 / 20  and in part from the outer layer  12  of a composite wall  12 / 20 . The keel structure  70  interlocks the inner and outer layers  20 ,  12  together. 
     The carton  90  may comprise a keel structure  70  having an inner member  60  formed from the inner layer  20  and an outer member  50  formed from the outer layer  12 . The inner and outer members  60 ,  50  are hingedly connected to the inner and outer layers  20 ,  12  along inner and outer fold lines  61 ,  51  respectively. The inner and outer fold lines  61 ,  51  are generally aligned in the direction of the thickness of the inner and outer layers  20 ,  12 . The inner and outer members  60 ,  50  are disposed in an overlapping relationship such that at least part E 2  of the free outline of the outer member  50 , the free outline is defined by a cutline  55  which defines in part the outer member  50 , said part E 2  provides a folding guide or mandrel to the inner member  60  to facilitate an engaging portion  64  of the inner member  60  to fold about the at least part E 2  of the free outline  55  when the outer member  50  is folded inward of the carton  90  along the outer fold line  51  against the inner member  60 . 
     The carton  90  may comprise a keel structure  70  hingedly connected to the base wall  12 / 20  and folded into an interior of the carton  90 . The keel structure  70  may comprise an outer member  50  in the form of a first tab  52 / 54 . The keel structure  70  may comprise an inner member  60  in the form of a second tab  62 / 64 . 
     The carton  90  may comprise a keel structure  70  or spacer device comprising an inner member  60  or second tab  62 / 64  formed from the inner layer  20  and an access opening O 1  defined in the outer layer  12 . The access opening O 1  may be defined by the outer member  50  or first tab  52 / 54 . The inner member  60  is hingedly connected to the inner layer  20 . The inner member  60  is disposed in an overlapping relationship with the access opening O 1  so that the inner member  60  is accessible through the access opening O 1  to enable the inner member  60  to be folded inwardly of the carton  90 . The inner member  60  may only partially overlap with the access opening O 1 . 
     The respective footprints—the space occupied in the respective one of the inner or outer layers  20 ,  12 —of the inner member  60  and of the access opening O 1  may be different in size, for example the access opening O 1  may comprise a smaller linear dimension or area than the inner member  60 . 
     The inner member  60  may comprise an engaging portion  64  foldable with respect to a spine or hinged portion  62 , the hinged portion  62  being hingedly connected to the inner layer  20 . The engaging portion  64  may comprise an engaging edge which engages with an engaging portion  58  of the outer layer  12  to prevent or inhibit the inner member  60  returning to an unfolded condition. The engaging portion  58  of the outer layer  12  is disposed in overlapping relationship with an opening O 2  in the inner layer  20  created by folding the inner member  60  inwardly of the carton  90 . 
     It can be appreciated 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. 
     It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “base”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. 
     As used herein, the terms “hinged connection” and “fold line” refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. Any reference to “hinged connection” should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed, a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape. When linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed parallel with each other or be slightly angled with respect to each other. When curvilinear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a half moon-shaped panel therebetween. 
     As used herein, the term “fold line” may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cutline, a line of aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options. 
     It should be understood that hinged connections and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cutline, an interrupted cutline, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort. 
     The phrase “in registry with” as used herein refers to the alignment of two or more elements in an erected carton, such as an aperture formed in a first of two overlapping panels and a second aperture formed in a second of two overlapping panels. Those elements in registry with each other may be aligned with each other in the direction of the thickness of the overlapping panels. For example, when an aperture in a first panel is “in registry with” a second aperture in a second panel that is placed in an overlapping arrangement with the first panel, an edge of the aperture may extend along at least a portion of an edge of the second aperture and may be aligned, in the direction of the thickness of the first and second panels, with the second aperture.