Patent Publication Number: US-7216797-B2

Title: Tray container and blank

Description:
This is a continuation of international application No. PCT/US01/26240, filed Aug. 22, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a article carrier or tray for accommodating one or more articles, for example foodstuff or the like, formed from a blank of paperboard or suitable foldable sheet material, and more particularly to a corner arrangement for retaining liquid from the foodstuff. 
     Tray structures formed from board generally lack strength when compared to trays formed from plastic material so more commonly trays are formed from polystyrene or other plastics material and the foodstuff is protected by a plastic film. 
     It is known from WO93/15962 to provide a fluid tight packaging tray formed from cardboard comprising a single base panel surrounded by side and end wall structures connected by an enclosure arrangement to maintain a food tight seal and to prevent liquid from rising by capillarity. 
     Another example is illustrated in GB 1 237 895 which shows a box formed from a blank with a corner gusset arrangement to impart liquid-proofness to the box body. However, such arrangements involve complex folding operations, which limits the carton construction speeds. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,487 to Wood discloses an end loaded carton having an end closure structure comprising triangular corner panels hingedly connected with the lower edge of each side wall and a pair of closure panels hingedly connected to each corner panel and to a bottom end panel via a web panel. 
     Such trays are commonly of a unitary size which can cause the product to move within the tray which is undesirable as it can lead to degradation of the tray and an unsightly appearance. Furthermore, trays often have a large “foot print” in relation to the size of article to be packaged. Therefore, space is often wasted during storage and delivery of the tray. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art. 
     One aspect of the invention provides an article carrier for holding one or more articles, for example foodstuff or the like, comprising a base panel, a pair of outwardly sloping side wall panels hingedly connected to the base panel and one or more inwardly sloping end wall panels, hingedly connected to the base panel. Preferably, the or each end wall panels may be so constructed and arranged to be automatically erected from the flat collapsed condition into a position of use by inwardly folding the opposed side wall panels. 
     According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention each of the opposed side wall panels may connect the adjacent end wall panel by a corner arrangement comprising a web panel and an engagement panel wherein the web panel and engagement panel are adapted to be secured in overlapping arrangement. Preferably, the web panel may foldably interconnect the engagement panel by a pair of divergent fold lines to define a substantially triangular gusset panel. 
     According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the corner arrangement may inhibit the egress of fluid from the base panel at each corner of the carrier. 
     According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention the or each end wall panel may comprise an end panel, opposed web panels hingedly connected to the lateral edges of end panel, the web panels and the end panels being adapted to be folded upwardly and outwardly with respect to the base wall to form a tray. 
     According to a still further optional feature of this aspect of the invention the opposed side walls and base panel may be two-ply and wherein a void is provided between the inner and outer side wall panels, which void is adapted to receive liquid from the foodstuff. Preferably, the tray may further comprise a plurality of perforations on the inner base panels and/or the fold lines interconnected the base and the side wall panels to facilitate movement of liquid away from the foodstuff to be absorbed by absorbing means placed between the inner and outer base panel. 
     According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the base may be raised at its ends. 
     A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming an article carrier for holding one or more articles, for example foodstuff or the like, comprising a base panel, a pair of outwardly sloping side wall panels hingedly connected to the base panel and one or more inwardly sloping end wall panels, hingedly connected to the base panel wherein each of the opposed side wall panels connect the adjacent end wall panel by a corner arrangement comprising a web panel and an engagement panel. 
     According to an optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the web panel may hingedly interconnect the engagement panel by a pair of divergent fold lines to define a substantially triangular gusset panel. 
     The or each end wall panel of the blank of the second aspect of the invention, may comprise an end panel, opposed web panels hingedly connected to the lateral edges of end panel, the web panels and the end panels being adapted to be folded upwardly and outwardly with respect to the base wall to form a tray. 
     According to another optional feature of the second aspect of the invention, the opposed side walls and base panel are two-ply. The blank may further comprise a plurality of perforations on the inner base panels and/or said fold lines interconnected the base and the side wall panels to facilitate movement of liquid away from the foodstuff to be absorbed by absorbing means placed between the inner and outer base panel in a set up carrier. 
     A third aspect of the invention provides a carton for holding one or more articles, for example foodstuff or the like, comprising a base panel, side wall panels and an end wall panel hingedly connected to opposing edges of the base panel and a corner arrangement connecting the side wall to the end wall panel comprising the side panel and in overlying relationship with the end panel. An engagement panel inter-connects and is positioned intermediate the end wall panel and web panel. 
     Preferably, the or each end wall panels may be so constructed and arranged to be automatically erected from the flat collapsed condition into a position of use by inwardly folding the opposed side wall panels. 
     According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the invention a first fold line interconnecting the end wall panel and the engagement panel may be aligned with a second fold line interconnecting the side wall panel and web panel when the carton is in blank form. 
     Preferably, a third fold line may interconnect the web panel and the engagement panel and the angle subtended by the first and third fold lines is substantially the same as the angle subtended by the first fold line and a fourth fold line interconnecting the base wall panel and end wall panel. 
     According to another optional feature of the third aspect of the invention an engagement panel may be provided intermediate the web panel and engagement panel. 
     A fourth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for holding one or more articles, for example foodstuff or the like, comprising a base panel, having first and second end and side wall panels hingedly connected thereto along opposed side and end edges thereof, the blank further comprising a web panel hingedly connected to a side edge of at least one of the side wall panels and an engagement panel hingedly connected to a side edge of an adjacent one of the end wall panels. The engagement panel and web panel are mutually hingedly connected along a common side edge thereof thereby enabling the engagement panel to be placed intermediate the end wall panels and the web panel when the blank is erected to form a carton. 
     Preferably, a first fold line interconnecting the end wall panel and the engagement panel may be aligned with a second fold line interconnecting the side wall panel and web panel. More preferably, a third fold line interconnects the web panel and the engagement panel and the angle subtended by the first and third fold lines may be substantially the same as the angle subtended by the first fold line and a fourth fold line interconnecting the base wall panel and end wall panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a two part blank for forming a carton or tray according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  illustrate the construction of the tray from the blanks shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation of the tray in a set-up condition formed from the blanks shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the set-up carton illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a blank for forming a carton or tray according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  illustrate the construction of the tray from the blanks shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the set-up tray formed from the blank of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a blank for forming a carton or tray according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18  illustrate the construction of the tray from the blank shown in  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the set up tray formed from the blank of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a blank for forming a collapsible tray (or carton) made from one or more blanks of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material and adapted to hold foodstuff or the like. 
     In this embodiment, the tray is formed from a two part blank although a unitary blank could be used as with the second and third embodiments, without departing from the scope of invention. The blank  10  comprises a plurality of panels for forming the base, opposed sides and ends of the tray T ( FIG. 8 ). Thus, there is shown a base panel  14 , a first side wall panel  16  hingedly connected to base panel  14  along fold line  20 . A second side wall panel  18  is hingedly connected to the opposing edge of base panel  14  along fold line  22 . There further comprises opposed end panels  24  and  28  hingedly connected to base panel  14  along opposed fold lines  26  and  30  respectively. A corner arrangement  32  is provided between each end and adjacent side wall panels for retaining the liquids from the foodstuff. Each corner arrangement is adapted to secure together the side wall panel and an end wall panel of the tray. 
     Turning in detail to the corner arrangements  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d , each corner arrangement is substantially identical and like reference numerals have been used to illustrate the features of the corner arrangement therefore only corner arrangement  32   a  shall be described in any greater detail. 
     The corner arrangement  32   a  of the first embodiment comprises a web structure hingedly interconnecting the side panel  16  and adjacent end panel  28 . In this embodiment, the web structure comprises a gusset panel  34   a  hingedly connected to end wall panel  28  along fold line  36   a . It will be seen from  FIG. 1  that  36   a  is preferably in an acute angular relationship with lateral fold line  30  so that end wall panel  28  is substantially trapezoidal in shape. Of course, the end wall panel is not limited to this shape. In this embodiment, the web structure further comprises a web panel  38   a  and, optionally, one or more engagement panels  42   a  hingedly interconnected along fold line  44   a . Preferably, fold line  44   a  is an extension of fold line  30 . The engagement panel and/or web panel are secured to the end wall panel in a set up condition. In this embodiment, engagement panel  42  is hingedly connected to gusset panel  34   a  along fold line  46   a . Web panel  38   a  is hingedly connected to first side wall panel  16  along fold line  40   a . Preferably, fold line  40   a  is in an acute angular relationship with longitudinal fold line  20  so that in use, web panel  38   a  is folded inwardly to come into face contacting relationship with first side wall panel  16  and part of base panel  14 . 
     In this embodiment, a second blank  12  is provided comprising an inner base panel  52  and opposed inner side wall panels  54  and  56  hingedly connected to base panel  52  along fold lines  58  and  60  respectively. The inner blank may be coated with an impermeable layer to prevent the excess liquid from the foodstuff form being absorbed by the tray. As the coating process is expensive, the coated part of the tray is limited to those surfaces that come into direct contact with the foodstuff. Alternatively, a unitary blank such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  could be used and part (or all) of the inner surface is provided with an impermeable layer. 
     One advantage with the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is that a suitable void structure could be employed between the inner and outer panels, for example similar to the structure disclosed in WO 01/5520 and owned by the applicant. 
     In the second embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9 to 13 , there is shown a blank  110  for forming the tray which is similar to the first embodiment so like parts have been designated by the same reference numerals with the prefix “ 1 ”. Only the differences will be described in any greater detail. 
     A corner arrangement  132  is provided between each end and adjacent side wall panels for retaining the liquids from the foodstuff. Each corner arrangement is adapted to secure together the side wall panel and an end wall panel of the tray. The blank may further comprise “adpanels”  125  and  129  hingedly interconnected to end wall panels  124  and  128  along fold lines  123  and  127  respectively, and which have no structural purpose, but are provided to display advertising indicia and the like. 
     Turning in detail to the corner arrangements  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ,  132   d , each corner arrangement is substantially identical and like reference numerals have been used to illustrate the features of the corner arrangement therefore only corner arrangement  132   a  shall be described in any greater detail. 
     The corner arrangement  132   a  of the second embodiment comprises a web structure hingedly interconnecting the side panel  116  and adjacent end panel  128 . In this embodiment, the web structure comprises a gusset panel  134   a  hingedly connected to end panel  128  along fold line  136   a . It will be seen from  FIG. 1  that fold line  136   a  is preferably in an acute angular relationship with lateral fold line  130  so that end wall panel  128  has a substantial trapezoidal portion proximate fold line  130 . Of course, the end wall panel is not limited to this shape. 
     Preferably, gusset panel  134   a  is struck from end panel  128  and partially separated there from by cut line  137   a . This arrangement provides a flatter pack for when the carton is in a flat collapsed condition. 
     In this embodiment, the web structure further comprises a web panel  138   a  and optionally, one or more engagement panels  142   a  hingedly interconnected along fold line  144   a . The web panel  138   a  is connected to gusset panel  134   a . In this embodiment, engagement panel  142   a  is hingedly connected to gusset panel  134   a  along fold line  146   a.    
     In other classes of embodiment, the engagement panel(s) may be dispensed with and the web panel  138   a  is secured directly to the gusset panel  134   a  and/or end wall panel  228 . 
     Preferably, fold line  144   a  is an extension of fold line  130 . Web panel  138   a  is hingedly connected to first side wall panel  116  along fold line  140   a . Fold line  140   a  is in an acute angular relationship with longitudinal fold line  120  so that in use, web panel  138   a  is folded inwardly to come into face contacting relationship with first side wall panel  116  and part of base panel  114 . Furthermore, fold line  136   a  is preferably an extension of fold line  140   a  so that in use, gusset panel  134   a  overlies end panel  128  and engagement panel overlies base panel  114 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the angle subtended by fold lines  146   a  and  136   a  is substantially the same as the angle subtended by fold lines  130  and  136   a.    
     The third embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 19  and corresponds substantially to the fist and second embodiments so that like references have been used with the prefix “ 2 ” and only the differences will be described in any greater detail. 
     The corner arrangements  232  are similar to the corner arrangements  132  of the second embodiment, in that there comprises a gusset panel  234  extending into the adjacent end panel  224 ,  228 . The engagement panel  242  is larger in area to provide a greater area for securing to the end wall panel. Accordingly, the fold line  244  connecting web panel  238  to engagement panel  242  is in an acute angle with respect to fold line  240 . 
     There further comprises inner or as the case may be outer side walls  255 ,  257  hingedly connected to first and second side wall panels  216 ,  218  along fold lines  259  and  261  respectively, to provide a two ply structure. 
     The hinged connection between end panels  224 ,  228  is a double fold line  230 ,  231 ;  226 ,  227  to make it a flatter pack. 
     Base wall is formed in three parts so that there is a central base panel  214  and outer base panels  271  and  275  hingedly connected to central base panel  214  along fold lines  273  and  277  respectively. In use, the outer base panels are inclined with respect to central base panel  214  for improved aesthetic effect and to encourage exudate or other fluid from the articles to move towards the central base panel where it is absorbed or collected by suitable absorbent means known in the art. 
     The construction of the tray T from the blanks  10 ,  12 ;  110 ,  210  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 9  or  FIG. 14  requires a series of sequential of folding and gluing operations which can be performed either manually or in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. 
     The compartments C of the tray T, of the illustrated embodiments may be constructed with or without the use of glue. In the present embodiment, a method using glue is shown. The gluing positions of the blank are highlighted by hatching G although it is envisaged that the other glue positions could be adopted if required. 
     The first stage is for the inner and outer blanks  12 ,  10  to be secured together, in those embodiments with the two part blank. The inner base panel  52  and inner side wall panels  54  and  56  are brought into alignment with corresponding base panel  14  and outer side wall panels  18  and  16  respectively and are secured thereto by glue or other suitable means known in the art.  FIG. 3  illustrates the alignment of the inner blank with the outer blank whereby fold lines  58  and  60  are aligned with corresponding fold lines  20  and  22  respectively. 
     It will be seen from  FIGS. 7 and 8  that the tray T is formed with one or more inwardly sloping end wall panels  24 ,  28  and a pair of outwardly sloping side wall panels  16 ,  18 . The end wall structures are formed by constructing each corner arrangement  32  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The first step is for the web panels  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c ,  38   d  to be folded inwardly in directions U, V, W and X respectively along fold lines  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c  and  40   d . The web panels  38  are placed in face contacting arrangement with the adjacent side wall panel  16  or  18 , as the case may be, and part of inner base panel  52 . Glue G is applied to the web panels  38 . As the web panels  38  are indirectly connected to end wall panels  24  and  28  by the web structure, the inward folding action of the web panels  38  causes the end wall panels  24  and  28  to be folded inwardly in directions Y and Z so that each engagement panel  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c  and  42   d  is folded out of alignment with the adjacent gusset panel and web panel  34  and  38  respectively along fold lines  44  and  46 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     End wall panels  24  and  28  are then folded inwardly so that each gusset panel  34  is placed in overlapping arrangement with the adjacent engagement panel  42  to be placed in face contacting relationship with web panel  38  and is secured therewith. Each end wall panel  24 ,  28  is inwardly sloping about fold line  26 ,  30  so that the tray is in a substantially flat collapsed condition as shown in  FIG. 6 . The tray is ready to be supplied to a user to be loaded with the article(s) or foodstuff. 
     In order to erect the tray from a flat collapsed condition in  FIG. 6  to load it with articles, the side wall panels  16 ,  18  are folded inwardly in directions R 1  and R 2  along fold lines  20  and  22  respectively. This folding action causes the end wall structures to be automatically erected from the flat collapsed condition whereby the end wall panels  28 ,  24  are folded upwardly and outwardly about fold lines  30  and  26  respectively in direction P 1  and P 2 . The article is inserted into the tray and stretch film can thereafter be applied to the tray to seal the package. An advantage of the tray is that the corner arrangements are leak proof and a simple folding arrangement is provided to reduce “folding process” time. Thus, the carton is in a set up condition with compartments C to receive and retain one or more articles, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Turning to the second embodiment, it will be seen from  FIG. 13  that the tray is formed with one or more compartments C provided by inwardly sloping end wall panels  124 ,  128  and a pair of outwardly sloping side wall panels  116 ,  118 . The end wall structures are formed by constructing each corner arrangement  132  as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The first step is for the web panels  138   a ,  138   b ,  138   c ,  138   d  to be folded inwardly in directions U′, V′, W′ and X′ respectively along fold lines  140 . The web panels  138  are thus placed in face contacting arrangement with the adjacent side wall panel  116 . Glue G is applied to the web panels and/or engagement panels  134 . 
     As the web panels  138  are indirectly connected to end wall panels  124  and  128  by the web structure, the inward folding action of the web panels  138  causes engagement panels  142   a ,  142   b ,  142   c ,  142   d  and gusset panels  134   a ,  134   b ,  134   c ,  134   d  to be folded so as to overlie base wall panel  114  and end wall panels  128  and  124  respectively as can be seen from  FIG. 11 . This folding action preferably causes fold line  146  to overlie fold line  130 . End wall panels  124  and  128  are then folded inwardly in directions Y′ and Z′ so that each gusset panel  134  is folded out of alignment with the adjacent engagement panel  142  respectively along fold line  146 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     End wall panels  124  and  128  continue to be folded inwardly so that each gusset panel  34  is placed in overlying arrangement with the adjacent engagement panel  142  and portions of the end wall panel are, in this embodiment, secured to web panels  138  and preferably, engagement panels  134  by glue G. This folding action preferably causes fold line  136   a  to overlie fold line  144 . End wall panels  124  and  128  are thus inwardly sloping about fold lines  126 ,  130  so that the tray is in a substantially flat collapsed condition as shown in  FIG. 12 . The tray is ready to be supplied to a user to be loaded with the article(s) or foodstuffs. 
     In order to erect the tray from a flat collapsed condition in  FIG. 12 , the side wall panels  16 ,  18  are folded inwardly and upwardly along fold lines  120  and  122  respectively. This folding action causes the end wall structures to be automatically erected from the flat collapsed condition whereby the end wall panels  128 ,  124  are folded upwardly and outwardly about fold lines  130  and  126  respectively as shown in  FIG. 13 . The article is inserted into the tray and stretch film can thereafter be applied to the tray to seal the package. An advantage of the tray is that the corner arrangements are leak proof and a simple folding arrangement is provided to reduce “folding process” time. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the tray in an erected condition ready to receive one or more articles. The shape of the end wall structures provides compartments at each end of the tray to receive and retain part of the article contained in it. The tray is prevented from collapsing by the abutment of the end wall panels  124  and  128  against the article. Furthermore, the tray may be adapted so that the end wall panels  124 ,  128  and base panel  114  provide a “pincer” arrangement to receive and retain the article thereby to reduce article movement within the tray. 
     The third embodiment is constructed in like manner to the second embodiment by reference to  FIGS. 15 to 17  and therefore only the differences will be described below. 
     The first step, shown in  FIG. 15  is to construct the two ply side walls, whereby inner side wall panels  255  and  257  are folded inwardly in directions P and Q along fold lines  259  and  261  respectively and preferably are secured thereto by suitable known securing means, for example glue. 
     Thereafter, the corner arrangements  232  are constructed in like manner to the second embodiment and shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The end wall panels  224 ,  228  are substantially rectangular in shape and are therefore secured to the engagement panels  242  only by glue or other suitable securing means so that the tray is ready to be supplied to an end user in a flat collapsed condition. 
     The double fold line between the end panels  224 ,  228  and outer base panels  271 ,  275  allow a degree of flexing so that the end panels are juxtaposed the adjacent base panel. 
     In order to erect the tray the sides and ends are formed in like manner to the second embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 19 . The corner structures are arranged such that as the side walls are erected the outer base panels  271 ,  275  are inclined with respect to central base panel  214 . 
     In one class of embodiments, the side wall panels  255 ,  257  are not secured to the first and second side walls and form further ad panels, as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     In the illustrated embodiments the corner arrangements are positioned intermediate the side and end walls, although it is envisaged that the web structures could be formed externally of the end wall structures, without departing from the scope of invention. For example, as with the third embodiment, end walls  224 ,  228  could be folded inwardly first before construction of the corner arrangement, so that the outer surface of end walls  224 ,  228  are secured to the inner surface of engagement panels  242 . The advantage of this approach is that as the side and end walls are erected the end wall panels will be prevented from folding outwardly and separating from the corner structure as it is held by the engagement panels  242 . 
     The tray of any of the embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  13  or  19  in an erected condition ready to receive one or more articles. The shape of the end wall structures provided compartments C at each end of the tray T to receive and retain part of the article contained in it. The tray is prevented from collapsing by the abutment of the end wall panels against the article. 
     Furthermore, the tray T may be adapted so that the end wall panels and base panel provide a “pincer” arrangement to receive and retain the article thereby to reduce article movement within the tray. In those embodiments comprising a void between the inner and outer tray panels, the end wall panels and corner arrangements restrict upward movement of the inner side wall panels. 
     Beneficially, the tray described above provides a structure that is strengthened to retain foodstuff. The use of paperboard material provides an environmentally friendly alternative to trays formed from plastics material and the tray can include printed matter for marketing purposes. 
     It will be recognized that as used herein directional reference such as “top”, “base”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “lateral” and “longitudinal” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following: a score line, a frangible line, or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention. 
     The present invention and its preferred embodiment relates to an article carrier which is shaped to provide satisfactory rigidity to hold items such as meat or fish securely but with a degree of flexibility. The shape of the blank(s) minimizes the amount of paperboard required for the carton. The items can be applied to the carrier by hand or automatic machinery. 
     It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carton or tray types and not limited to those of a tray like structure. For example, the end closure arrangement can be attached to, say the top or bottom panels, could be applied to cartons in the beverage field without departing from the scope of invention, where it is required to automatically construct end (or side) wall panels of a carton. 
     The end wall structure could be applied to wraparound or end closure type cartons: the end panels would be foldably connected to a base or top panel and the glue flap secured to the adjacent side panel. Thus, the wraparound carton could be supplied in a flat collapsed form which would not look dissimilar to the end part of the tray shown in  FIG. 6 . To erect the end wall structure, the side walls would be folded inwardly, by known means, to automatically erect the end wall structure. The carton would then be applied to an array of articles, for example bottles by suitable means and the carton base panels secured together to form a wraparound carrier. Of course, this would result in a further reduction in folding time for forming the carton.