Patent Publication Number: US-8967380-B2

Title: Carton with reinforcing insert

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/687,593, filed Apr. 27, 2012. 
    
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/687,593, which was filed on Apr. 27, 2012, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/419,740, which was filed on Mar. 14, 2012, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for holding beverage containers or other types of articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cartons having a reinforcing insert. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel. A plurality of end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The plurality of end flaps can comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. A reinforcing insert can comprise a central panel and at least one reinforcing end panel foldably connected to the central panel. The top panel at least partially overlaps the central panel, and the top end flap at least partially overlaps the reinforcing end panel. At least one reinforcing end flap can be foldably connected to the at least one reinforcing end panel. A handle can comprise at least a first handle feature in the top end flap and a second handle feature in the reinforcing end panel. The second handle feature can be generally aligned with the first handle feature. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to, in combination, a carton blank and a reinforcing insert blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton blank comprises a plurality of panels comprising a top panel and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps are for being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the carton blank. The plurality of end flaps comprises a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel. The carton blank also can comprise a first handle feature in the top end flap. The reinforcing insert blank comprises a central panel, at least one reinforcing end panel foldably connected to the central panel, at least one reinforcing end flap foldably connected to the at least one reinforcing end panel, and a second handle feature in the reinforcing end panel. The top panel is for at least partially overlapping the central panel, the top end flap is for at least partially overlapping the reinforcing end panel, and the second handle feature is for being generally aligned with the first handle feature when the carton is formed from the carton blank. The first handle feature and the second handle feature can at least partially form a handle in the closed end when the carton is formed from the carton blank. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers. The method comprises obtaining a carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a plurality of end flaps comprising a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel, and a first handle feature in the top end flap. The method further can comprise obtaining a reinforcing insert blank comprising a central panel, at least one reinforcing end panel foldably connected to the central panel, at least one reinforcing end flap foldably connected to the at least one reinforcing end panel, and a second handle feature in the reinforcing end panel. The method also can comprise forming a reinforcing insert from the reinforcing insert blank by at least partially overlapping the at least one reinforcing end flap with the at least one reinforcing end panel, positioning the reinforcing insert on the carton blank so that the top panel at least partially overlaps the central panel and the top end flap at least partially overlaps the reinforcing end panel, and forming an interior of the carton at least partially defined by the plurality of panels. The forming the interior of the carton can comprise forming an open-ended sleeve. The method further can comprise at least partially closing an end of the carton by at least partially overlapping the plurality of end flaps with respect to one another. The at least partially closing the end of the carton can comprise forming a handle in the end of the carton from at least the first handle feature and the second handle feature. The second handle feature can be generally aligned with the first handle feature. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is an exterior plan view of a carton blank used to form a carton according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exterior plan view of a reinforcing insert blank used to form a reinforcing insert in the carton according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the reinforcing insert formed from the reinforcing insert blank of  FIG. 2  overlaid on the carton blank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a partially-erected carton in the form of an open-ended sleeve formed from the reinforcing insert and the carton blank of  FIG. 3  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a partially-closed end of the sleeve of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are interior views of the partially-erected carton with one closed end according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the assembled carton according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is an exterior plan view of a reinforcing insert blank used to form a reinforcing insert in the carton according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure generally relates to cartons that contain articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The articles can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The articles can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum and/or other metals; glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or any combination thereof. 
     Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., glass beverage bottles) as disposed within the carton embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the exterior side  1  of a blank, generally indicated at  3 , used to form a carton  5  ( FIG. 7 ) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The carton  5  can be used to house a plurality of articles such as containers C ( FIG. 6B ). In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C are bottles having a wide bottom B and a narrow top T including a cap CP. In the illustrated embodiment, the carton  5  is sized to house eighteen containers C in a single layer in a 3×6, arrangement, but it is understood that the carton  5  may be sized and shaped to hold containers of a different or same quantity in more than one layer and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1×6, 2&#39;36, 4×6, 3×8, 2×6×2, 3×4×2, 2×9, 3×4,, etc.), or just a single article. The top and ends of the carton  5  can be reinforced by a reinforcing insert  105  ( FIGS. 3-6B ) formed from an insert blank  103  ( FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the carton  5  includes a first end  7  and a second end  9 , each with a respective handle, generally indicated at  10  ( FIGS. 6A and 7 ) for grasping and carrying the carton at each of the ends  7 ,  9 . As will be discussed below in more detail, the handles  10  are formed from various features in the carton blank  3 . 
     In one embodiment, the first end  7  and the second end  9  of the carton  5  each have article protection features  11  ( FIG. 11 ) for protecting at least one article C of the plurality of articles. Additionally, the carton  5  of the first embodiment may have article protection flaps  13  for protecting the at least one article. The article protection features  11  cushion the ends  7 ,  9  of the carton and prevent or reduce the likelihood of breakage of the containers C. In one embodiment, the article protection flaps  13  are movable between a first position ( FIG. 5 ) and a second position (not shown) placed between adjacent containers C in the carton to reduce movement of the containers in the carton and prevent breakage of the containers. The article protection features and flaps can be similar to, or the same as, those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/419,740,, filed Mar. 14, 2012,, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The article protection features  11  and/or the article protection flaps  13  can be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. Further, the article protection features  11  and/or article protection flaps  13  can be omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     The carton blank  3  has a longitudinal axis L 1  and a lateral axis L 2 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the blank includes a bottom panel  15  foldably connected to a first side panel  17  at a lateral fold line  19 . A second side panel  21  is foldably connected to the bottom panel  15  at a lateral fold line  23 . A top panel  25  is foldably connected to the first side panel  17  at a lateral fold line  27  and foldably connected to an attachment panel  29  at a lateral fold line  31 . Any of the top and bottom panels  25 ,  15 , the first and second side panels  17 ,  21 , and the attachment panel  29  can be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, or omitted, without departing from the disclosure. For example, the carton blank  3  can alternatively include two top panels cooperating to form a top of the carton  5  or two bottom panels cooperating to form a bottom of the carton. Additionally, the attachment panel  29  could be foldably connected to the second side panel  21  in an alternative embodiment. 
     The bottom panel  15  is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap  33  and a second bottom end flap  35 . The first side panel  17  is foldably connected to a first side end flap  37  and a second side end flap  39 . The second side panel  21  is foldably connected to a first side end flap  43  and a second side end flap  45 . The top panel  25  is foldably connected to a first top end flap  47  and a second top end flap  49 . In one embodiment, when the carton  5  is erected, the end flaps  33 ,  37 ,  43 ,  47 , close the first end  7  of the carton, and the end flaps  35 ,  39 ,  45 ,  49  close the second end  9  of the carton. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, different flap arrangements can be used for closing the ends  7 ,  9  of the carton  5 . 
     The end flaps  33 ,  37 ,  43 ,  47  extend along a first marginal area of the carton blank  3 , and are foldably connected at a first longitudinal fold line  61  that extends along the length of the blank. The end flaps  35 ,  39 ,  45 ,  49  extend along a second marginal area of the carton blank  3 , and are foldably connected at a second longitudinal fold line  63  that also extends along the length of the blank. The longitudinal fold lines  61 ,  63  may be, for example, substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors. In one embodiment, the side panels  17 ,  21  have respective diamond panels  65  that are formed by a fold line  67  that is spaced inwardly from the respective longitudinal fold line  61 ,  63 . Also, the side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 ,  45  have a respective lateral fold line  69  extending from a diamond panel  65  to allow a respective end  7 ,  9  to angle inwardly so that the top of the carton  5  at each end (the portion of the fold line  61 ,  63  connecting the respective top end flap  47 ,  49 ) is closer to the center of the carton than the bottom of the carton at each end (the portion of the fold line  61 ,  63  connecting the respective bottom end flap  33 ,  35 ). In this way, the ends  7 ,  9  are tapered ends, but it is understood that the ends of the carton  5  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured (e.g., straight or non-tapered) without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, one or both of the side panels could be at least partially tapered so that the top panel  25  could be narrower than the bottom panel  15  in the longitudinal direction L 1  of the blank  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 ,  45  can include a recessed top edge  70  extending from the respective lateral fold lines  27 ,  23  with an oblique portion  70   a , and a generally lateral portion  70   b . The lateral portions  70   b , of the upper edges  70  can be offset from the respective lateral fold lines  27 ,  23  toward the bottom panel  15  to accommodate the end portions of the insert  105  in the closed ends  7 ,  9  of the carton  5  ( FIGS. 5-6B ). The side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 ,  45  and the upper edges  70  can be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the carton blank  3  has handle features for forming the handles  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle features comprise handle flaps  73  foldably connected to a respective top end flap  47 ,  49  at a longitudinal fold line  75  and separable from the respective top end flap  47 ,  49  along cut lines  74 . The handle features can also include notches or openings  77  in the side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 , and  45 . The openings  77  cooperate to provide an opening at a respective closed end  7 ,  9  to allow a respective handle flap  73  to be inwardly folded so that the carton  5  can be grasped at a respective end. The side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 ,  45  can also include respective upper portions  72  disposed above the respective openings  77 . Each of the handle flaps  73  can include a longitudinal fold line  76 , oblique fold lines  78 , and a lateral cut  79 . The oblique fold lines  78  and the lateral cut  79  can form generally triangular flaps  80  in the handle flaps  73  that can help accommodate the narrow top T of a container C adjacent the respective handle  10 . Accordingly, when the respective handle flap  73  is folded inwardly through the openings  77  in the carton  5 , the triangular flaps  80  can separate along the respective cuts  79  and fold outwardly along the oblique fold lines  78  upon contact with the narrow top T of the respective container C. The carton blank  3  can have other features for forming the handles  10 , or the carton blank  3  and/or carton  5  can have one or more handles that are alternatively shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. Further, one or both of the handles  10  can be omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the carton blank  3  has features for forming the article protection features  11  of the carton  5 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 ,  45  have deformations in the form of indentations  81  on the exterior surface of the carton blank  3  such that the indentations from a protrusion on the interior surface of the blank. The bottom end flaps  33 ,  35  each have two rows of deformations in the form of indentations  83  on the interior surface of the carton blank  3  such that the indentations on the interior surface form a protrusion on the exterior surface  1  of the carton blank  3 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the top end flaps  47 ,  49  each have a respective distal edge  87 ,  89  having corner notches  91  and a center notch  93  for accommodating the article protection features  11  in the closed ends  7 ,  9  of the carton  5  ( FIG. 7 ). The indentations  81 ,  83  can be any deformation on a surface of a respective side end flaps  37 ,  39 ,  43 ,  45  or bottom end flap  33 ,  35  such that the deformation can be any suitable shape (e.g., a concave depression or protrusion, convex depression or protrusion, flat depression or protrusion, embossed area, debossed area, etc., or any other suitable shape). Furthermore, the indentations  81 ,  83  could be formed on the interior or exterior surface of one or more of the first side panel  17 , second side panel  21 , top panel  25 , bottom panel  15 , or top end flaps  47 ,  49  without departing from the disclosure. 
     In the first embodiment, the carton blank  3  includes nine article protection flaps  13  arranged in a 3×3, arrangement, but the blank could have more or less than nine article protection flaps, and the flaps could be otherwise arranged in other suitable row/column arrangements or in a random configuration on the bottom panel  15 , including a single row or single column configuration, or any other suitable configuration. In other embodiments, the carton blank  3  can include article protection flaps that are different, similar, or identical to other article protection flaps without departing from the disclosure. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the middle row of article protection flaps  13  are oriented 180 degrees relative to a row of article protection flaps that are closer to the respective longitudinal fold lines  61 ,  63 . In other embodiments, the article protection flaps  13  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the article protection flaps  13  are each foldably connected to the bottom panel  15  at a respective lateral fold line  95  and are each at least partially defined by a cut  97  in the bottom panel. Alternatively, the cut  97  could comprises other forms of weakening (e.g., a tear line that comprises cut lines separated by breakable nicks, a tear line that is formed by a series of spaced apart cuts, etc.) that allows the article protection flap  13  to be separated from the bottom panel  15  without departing from the disclosure. In one embodiment, a slit or cut  98  extends laterally from a portion of the cut  97  that is opposite to the lateral fold line  95 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the article protection flap  13  can comprise generally longitudinal fold lines  99  extending from the lateral fold line  95 . Any of the fold lines  95 ,  99  and/or cuts  97 ,  98  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted such that the article protection flap  13  has any other suitable shape or configuration without departing from the disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exterior surface  101  of the reinforcing insert blank  103  used to form the reinforcing insert  105  ( FIG. 3 ) for use in the carton  5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the longitudinal axis L 1  and the lateral axis L 2  of the insert blank  103  are oriented so that the longitudinal axis L 1  and the lateral axis L 2  of the insert blank  103  comport with the respective longitudinal axis L 1  and lateral axis L 2  of the carton blank  3  established in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the insert blank  103  can be generally symmetric about a longitudinal central axis and a lateral central axis. The insert blank  103  can include a central panel  107  and two reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  respectively foldably connected to the central panel  107  at opposite ends of the thereof. A first fold line or area  113  connects the first reinforcing end panel  109  to the central panel  107  at the first end of the insert blank  103 , and a second fold line or area  115  connects the second reinforcing end panel  111  to the central panel  107  at the second end of the insert blank  103 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the fold areas  113 ,  115  can include several fold lines (e.g., scores, creases, cut-crease lines, etc.). Alternatively, the fold areas  113 ,  115  can be other lines or areas of weakening for folding the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  relative to the central panel  107  (e.g., a single fold line). Openings  117  can interrupt the fold areas  113 ,  115  to help avoid bunching of the insert blank material at the folds of the insert  105  in the erected carton  5 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the insert blank  103  can include first reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121  foldably connected to opposite sides of the first reinforcing end panel  109  along respective lateral fold lines  123 ,  125 , and second reinforcing end flaps  127 ,  129  foldably connected to the second reinforcing end panel  111  along respective lateral fold lines  131 ,  133 . The insert blank  103  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the insert blank  103  includes features for forming the handles  10  in the carton  5 . Each of the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  can include a handle cutout or opening  135  with an internal handle flap  137 . The internal handle flaps  137  can be foldably connected to the respective reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  along longitudinal fold lines  139 , and each of the internal handle flaps  137  can include an intermediate fold line  141 . The reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129  can each include a handle notch or opening  143  that is generally aligned with the respective handle openings  135  in the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111 . An upper portion  145  can be disposed above each of the openings  143  in each of the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129 . 
     According to the first embodiment, the insert blank  103  can be formed into the insert  105  by folding the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129  along the respective lateral fold lines  123 ,  125 ,  131 ,  133 , and gluing the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129  in face-to-face contact with the respective reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  such as by glue strips applied to the reinforcing end flaps and/or the reinforcing end panels. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129  are adhered to the interior surface  149  ( FIG. 3 ) of the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111 . Alternatively, the reinforcing end flaps could be adhered to the exterior surface  101  of the reinforcing end panels. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one exemplary embodiment, the carton  5  can be assembled by initially adhering the reinforcing insert  105  to the top panel  25  and the top end flaps  47 ,  49  of the carton blank  3  after forming glue strips  151  on the exterior surface  101  of the reinforcing insert  105  and/or the interior surface  153  of the carton blank  3 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the glue strips  151  can be formed on the central panel  107  and the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111 , for example. The reinforcing insert  105  can be positioned on the carton blank  3  so that the central panel  107  is generally in face-to-face contact with the top panel  25 . In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the reinforcing insert  105  is in contact with the interior surface  153  of the carton blank  3 . The reinforcing insert  105  is sized so that the fold areas  113 ,  115  are generally aligned with and overlay the respective fold lines  61 ,  63  where the top end flaps  47 ,  49  are connected to respective ends of the top panel  25 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the reinforcing insert  105  is positioned relative to the top panel  25  so that the handle opening  135  in the reinforcing end panel  109  and the handle openings  143  in the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 , are generally aligned with and overlap the handle flap  73  in the top end flap  47 . Similarly, the handle opening  135  in the reinforcing end panel  111  and the handle openings  143  in the reinforcing end flaps  127 ,  129 , are generally aligned with and overlap the handle flap  73  in the top end flap  49 . The reinforcing insert  105  could be otherwise assembled to the blank  3  without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  are not adhered to the top end flaps  47 ,  49 . In another alternative, the fold areas  113 ,  115  could be offset from the fold lines  61 ,  63 . 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the carton blank  3  with reinforcing insert  105  can be further erected into the carton  5  by folding along the lateral fold lines  31 ,  19  and gluing the attachment flap  29  to the second side panel  21 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the blank can be folded along fold lines  19 ,  23 ,  27 ,  31  to form an open-ended sleeve  155 . The carton blank  3  and reinforcing insert  105  may be otherwise formed into the open ended sleeve  155  using alternative folding and gluing steps without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the side end flaps  37 ,  43  are inwardly folded along the longitudinal fold line  61  and the fold lines  67  to at least partially close the first end  7 , and the bottom end flap  33  is folded upwardly along the longitudinal fold line  61  into face-to-face contact with the lower portions of the side end flaps  37 ,  43 . The upper edges  70  of the side end flaps  37 ,  43  can be disposed proximate the fold area  113  of the reinforcing insert  105 . The top end flap  47  and the reinforcing end panel  109  can be downwardly folded along the respective longitudinal fold line  61  and fold area  113  so that the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121  are in face-to-face contact with the side end flaps  37 ,  43 . The handle  10  in the first end  7  can be formed when the handle flap  73  of the top end flap  47 , the handle openings  135 ,  143  of the insert  105 , and the handle openings  77  of the side end flaps  37 ,  43  are generally aligned in the closed end  7 . Accordingly, the top end flap  47 , the reinforcing end panel  109 , the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 , the side end flaps  37 ,  43 , and the bottom end flap  33  can be selectively adhered to one another to close the first end  7  of the carton  5  ( FIGS. 6A and 7 ). 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6B , containers C can be loaded into the partially-erected carton  5  through the open second end  9 . The second end  9  of the carton  5  can be closed in a similar manner as the first end  7  by folding, respectively overlapping, and selectively adhering the side end flaps  39 ,  45 , the bottom end flap  35 , the top end flap  49 , the reinforcing end panel  111 , and the reinforcing end flaps  127 ,  129 . The erected carton is shown in  FIG. 7 . One or both of the ends  7 ,  9  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, or omitted, without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the open-ended sleeve  155  can be alternatively loaded with containers and closed without departing from the disclosure. For example, the ends  7 ,  9  can be closed in any order, and the containers C could be loaded before or after closing either or both of the ends  7 ,  9 . 
     Each of the handles  10  can include the handle flap  73  (e.g., the first handle feature), the handle opening  135  and handle flap  137  (e.g., the second handle feature), the handle openings  143  (e.g., the third handle feature), and the handle openings  77  (e.g., the fourth handle feature), which are generally aligned in the ends  7 ,  9  of the carton. The handles  10  can be used to grasp the carton  5  by pressing against the elongate handle flaps  73  inwardly through the handle openings  135 ,  143  of the insert  105  and the handle openings  77  of the side end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129  to provide a handle opening in the closed ends  7 ,  9  of the carton  5 . The inwardly folding handle flaps  73  can contact the handle flaps  137  in the respective handle opening  135  and fold the handle flaps  137  inwardly along fold lines  139 ,  141 . Accordingly, the handle flaps  137  can help the handles  10  feel thicker where the user grasps the handles for helping to provide comfort to the user and/or helping to reinforce the handles. The upper portions  72  of the side end flaps  37 ,  43 ,  39 ,  45 , the upper portions  145  of the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  121 ,  127 ,  129 , and the portions of the reinforcing end panels  109 ,  111  and the top end flaps  47 ,  49  above the handles  10  form respective reinforcing portions  157  in the respective closed ends  7 ,  9 , which can provide at least four layers of material above the handles  10  ( FIGS. 6A and 7 ) that can help reinforce the carton  5  above the handles  10 . The handle flaps  73  can further reinforce the carton  5  above the handles  10  when folded inwardly against the upper portions  72  of the respective side end flaps  37 ,  43 ,  39 ,  35 . Accordingly, the reinforcing portions  157  can include five layers of material above the handles  10  for reinforcing the closed ends  7 ,  9  above the handles. The handles  10  could be alternatively, shaped, arranged, configured, and/or reinforced without departing from this disclosure. 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of an exterior surface  301  of an alternative reinforcing insert blank  303  for forming a reinforcing insert (not shown) according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. The insert blank  303  can be for use with the carton blank  3  of the first embodiment or an alternative carton blank for forming a reinforced carton (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 8 , the blank  303  includes reinforcing top flaps  361 ,  363  foldably connected to the central panel  107  along lateral fold lines  365 ,  367 , which can be collinear with or offset from the respective lateral fold lines  123 ,  131  and  125 ,  133 . The reinforcing top flap  361  can be foldably connected to the reinforcing end flaps  119 ,  127  along the respective fold areas  113 ,  115 , and the reinforcing top flap  363  can be foldably connected to the reinforcing end flaps  121 ,  129  along the respective fold areas  113 ,  115 . When the insert blank  303  is formed into a reinforcing insert (not shown), the reinforcing top flaps  361 ,  363  are folded into face-to-face contact with the central panel  107  to help reinforce the top panel of the carton (not shown). The insert blank  303  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     The blanks according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. 
     As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure. 
     The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments that are within the scope of the claims. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.