TW202502623A - Carton and carton blank - Google Patents

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier or carton (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10; 110) for forming the carrier (90). The article carrier (90) comprises a handle wall (24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B) and a carrying handle (H1/H2). The handle wall (24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B) comprises a pair of first (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) and second (28A, 28B; 128A, 128B) overlapping panels. The carrying handle (H1/H2) comprises a first handle flap (60A, 62A) hingedly connected to the first overlapping panel (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) by a first hinged connection and a second handle flap (60B, 62B) hingedly connected to the second overlapping panel (28A, 28B; 128A, 128B) by a second hinged connection. The first and second handle flaps (60A, 62A, 60B, 62B) are disposed in an overlapping arrangement with one another. The first and second handle flaps (60A, 62A, 60B, 62B) each have a distal end edge opposing the respective one of the first and second hinged connections. The distal end edges are defined by a severance line (65A, 65B; 165A, 165B) extending entirely across the handle wall (24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B).

Description

Cartons and carton blanks

The present invention relates to cartons and blanks for forming the same, and in particular but not limited to a carton including a carrying handle to facilitate transport of the carton.

In the packaging world, it is often necessary to provide consumers with a package that includes multiple primary product containers. This multi-pack format is ideal for shipping and distribution purposes and for the display of promotional information. Based on cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers must be formed with the least possible material and waste must be minimized. Other considerations are the strength of the package and its suitability for loading and shipping heavy items.

It is desirable to provide a carton that includes a carrying handle to facilitate shipping of the carton.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least improve the problems of the prior art.

The first aspect of the present invention is to provide a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton includes a handle wall and a carrying handle. The handle wall includes a pair of first and second overlapping panels. The carrying handle includes a first handle flap hinged to the first overlapping panel by a first hinge and a second handle flap hinged to the second overlapping panel by a second hinge. The first and second handle flaps are configured to overlap with each other. The first and second handle flaps each have an end edge so as to be opposite to a corresponding one of the first and second hinges. The end edges are defined by a cut line that extends completely across the handle wall.

Preferably, the handle wall panel may be formed by an end wall panel of the carton, the end wall panel enclosing a tubular structure formed by a plurality of main panels; the end wall panel being formed by a plurality of end closure panels. The carton may include a delivery portion so as to be provided on at least one, two or more main panels. The carrying handle and the delivery portion may be designed and configured to correspond to each other so that the integrity and strength of the carton are not compromised or at least any reduction is minimized. The arrangement of the carrying handle on the end wall panel may also have the advantage of increasing the space available for the delivery portion, thereby defining a larger removable portion than would otherwise be available.

In some embodiments, the carrying handle is assembled and formed by fixing the first and second overlapping panels after the carton is loaded with one or more articles.

Providing the carrying handle on the end wall panel may be a further advantage for moving the carton from a shelf or display device. When a carrying handle is provided on each of a pair of opposing end wall panels, the carrying handle is accessible to a user regardless of which end wall panel is presented first.

In some embodiments, the carrying handle may be oriented perpendicular to the filament stream or paper machine orientation, and the cut line may extend orthogonally to the filament stream or paper machine orientation. A dispensing portion, when provided with a dispensing seal line, may include a portion extending parallel or obliquely to the filament stream or paper machine orientation. The cut line may extend toward and terminate in a spaced relationship relative to the parallel or oblique extension of the dispensing seal line.

Optionally, the cut line extends into at least one plate hinged to one of the pair of first and second overlapping plates, and the cut line ends at a stop notch provided on the at least one plate.

Optionally, the carton comprises a plurality of main panels forming a tubular structure, and said at least one panel is provided by one of said main panels.

Optionally, the handle wall panel and a carrying handle form a first handle wall panel and a first carrying handle respectively, and the carton includes a second handle wall panel and a second carrying handle. The second handle wall panel includes a pair of third and fourth overlapping panels. The second carrying handle includes a third handle flap hinged to the third overlapping panel by a third hinge and a fourth handle flap hinged to the fourth overlapping panel by a fourth hinge. The third and fourth handle flaps are arranged to overlap with another one. The second handle wall panel is opposite to the first handle wall panel. The second carrying handle can be arranged to be opposite to the first carrying handle.

The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton includes a handle wall and a carrying handle. The handle wall includes a pair of first and second overlapping panels. The carrying handle includes a first handle flap hinged to the first overlapping panel by a first hinge and a second handle flap hinged to the second overlapping panel by a second hinge. The first and second handle flaps are configured to overlap with each other and are fixed together by bonding in a surface contact configuration.

Optionally, the handle panel further comprises at least one dust flap comprising an embossed area adhesively secured to at least one of the first and second overlapping panels.

Optionally, the relief area is laterally aligned with an overlapping area of the first and second overlapping panels.

Optionally, the handle wall further comprises at least one dust flap, and the first stacking plate has a cutout, so that the second stacking plate is fixed to the at least one dust flap by adhesive therethrough.

The third aspect of the present invention is to provide a carton for packaging one or more articles. The carton includes a handle wall and a carrying handle. The handle wall includes a pair of first and second overlapping panels. The carrying handle includes a first handle flap hinged to the first overlapping panel by a first hinge and a second handle flap hinged to the second overlapping panel by a second hinge. The handle wall further includes at least one dust flap, which is adhesively fixed to the first and second overlapping panels to form the handle wall.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is to provide a blank for forming a carton. The blank includes a plurality of main plates hinged in sequence to form a tubular structure. The blank further includes at least a pair of first and second end sealing plates hinged to corresponding main plates among the plurality of main plates, thereby forming an end sealing wall plate so as to seal an opposite end of the tubular structure. The plurality of main plates are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the plate perpendicular to a tube axis of the tubular structure. The first and second end sealing plates are arranged on one of the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The first end sealing plate includes a first handle flap hinged to the first end sealing plate by a first hinge. The second end sealing plate includes a second handle flap hinged to the second end sealing plate by a second hinge. The first and second hinge portions each extend in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis.

Optionally, the first and second hinges are each arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Optionally, the plurality of main plate sheets define first and second opposite longitudinal edges respectively extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second end closure plates are hinged along the first longitudinal edges of the plurality of main plate sheets.

Optionally, the first and second end sealing plates each include a flap hinge portion hinged to the corresponding main plate and a free end edge opposite to the flap hinge portion, and at least one of the first and second end sealing plates further includes a paint-free area along its own free end edge.

Optionally, the at least one pair of first and second end sealing panels include at least one dust flap to form the end sealing wall, and the at least one dust flap is hinged to a corresponding main panel among the plurality of main panels.

Optionally, the plurality of main plate sheets include a top plate sheet, a side wall plate sheet and a base plate sheet, which are hinged one to another in sequence, wherein the first end sealing plate sheet is hinged to the top plate sheet, and wherein the second end sealing plate sheet is hinged to the base plate sheet.

Optionally, the first and second end sealing plates each include a flap hinge portion hinged to the corresponding main plate and a free end edge opposite to the flap hinge portion, and the first and second end sealing plates extend from their corresponding flap hinge portions to their corresponding free end edges in the same direction.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and discussed below.

Within the scope of the application of this case, various aspects, embodiments, examples, features, and options contained in the aforementioned content, patent application scope and/or the following detailed description and drawings are all intended to be adopted separately or in combination.

Features or elements described in conjunction with one embodiment are applicable to all other embodiments unless they are incompatible. One or more features or elements from one embodiment may be incorporated into or combined with any other embodiment herein, and such features or elements from that embodiment may also be included in, added to, or substituted for one or more features or elements of the other embodiments.

A certain characteristic or a combination of several characteristics of an embodiment cited herein may be used alone without using other characteristics of the embodiment. Alternatively, a certain characteristic or a combination of several characteristics of an embodiment may also be omitted from the embodiment.

Some specific embodiments of the packaging, blanks and cartons of the present invention will now be described in detail. It is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the ways in which certain aspects of the present invention may be implemented and do not represent a complete list of all the ways in which the present invention may be embodied. In fact, the packaging, blanks and cartons described herein may be implemented in a variety of different and alternative forms. In addition, the drawings may not be to scale and some features may be exaggerated or reduced in order to show the details of certain specific components. Various well-known components, materials or methods may not be described in detail so as not to interfere with the content of the present invention. Any specific details on structures and functions described herein shall not be considered as limiting, but merely as the basis for the patent claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to apply the present invention in various aspects.

In the various embodiments described in detail herein, for the purpose of illustrating various features of the present invention without limitation, the term "carton" and "carrier" refers to a container 90 for joining and carrying items such as primary product containers. However, the teachings of the present invention are also contemplated to be applicable to a variety of product containers that may or may not be conical and/or cylindrical in shape. Other examples of containers include bottles (e.g., metal, glass, or plastic bottles), cans (e.g., aluminum cans), tin cans, pouches, and packets, etc.

The blanks 10; 110 are formed from a suitable substrate. It is to be understood that the "suitable substrate" referred to herein includes a variety of foldable sheets, such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, and combinations thereof. It should also be recognized that, if appropriate, the number of blanks used to produce the carrying device structure to be described in detail later can be, for example, one or other number of blanks.

The sheet material forming the packaging structure or carton 90 described herein can be, for example, paperboard, and can be made of a material that can enhance its strength, or a coating that can enhance its strength. An example of such a sheet material is tear-resistant NATRALOCK® paperboard produced by WestRock. It should be noted that more than one layer of tear-resistant material can be used to enhance the tear resistance of the package. Typically, the properties of one side of the sheet material can be different from those of the other side. For example, the surface of the sheet material facing outward from the finished package can be very smooth and can have a coating such as a clay coating or other surface treatment to achieve good printability. Additionally, the coating, layer or treatment on the inner surface of the sheet may have, or be otherwise prepared to have, one or more other properties, such as tear resistance, good adhesion, heat sealability, or other desired functionality.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the blank 10 is designed to form a carton or carrier 90 for packaging a certain configuration of a certain article. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the configuration is an m x n matrix or array with four columns (m=4) and six rows (n=6); there are four columns of six articles, which may be 11.2 US fl. oz. (330 ml) beverage cans. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the configuration is an m x n matrix or array with three columns (m=3) and six rows (n=6); there are three columns of six articles, which may be 11.2 US fl. oz. (330 ml) beverage cans. Alternatively, the blanks 10; 110 can also be designed to package items of other types, quantities or sizes and/or items of different configurations or arrangements, such as but not limited to basket-type carriers or wrap-around carriers, and the items can be cups, storage bags, pots or cans.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a plan view of a blank sheet 10 that can be used to form a carton or carrier 90 as shown in Fig. 2 for carrying a group of primary products (hereinafter referred to as articles) such as, but not limited to, bottles and cans. The blank sheet 10 is formed into a secondary package for packaging at least one primary product container or package.

The blank 10 comprises a plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 which are hinged from one panel to the next to form a linear assembly. A first sidewall panel 12 is hinged to a top panel 14 by a hinge such as a fold line 13. A second sidewall panel 16 is hinged to the top panel 14 by a hinge such as a fold line 15. A base panel 18 is hinged to the second sidewall panel 16 by a hinge in the form of a fold line 17. The second sidewall panel 16 is hinged to a glue panel 20 by a hinge such as a fold line 19.

The plurality of main sheets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 of the embryo sheet 10 form a wall of an open-ended tubular structure in an assembled state. The tubular structure is at least partially closed by an end sealing structure. The tubular structure has a tube axis defining a longitudinal direction.

Each end of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by an end sealing plate forming the end wall of the tubular structure. In the embodiment shown, the ends of the tubular structure are completely closed by end sealing plates 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B.

The end sealing plates 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A are designed to seal a first end of the tubular structure, while the end sealing plates 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B are designed to seal a second end of the tubular structure.

The first end of the tubular structure is closed by a first end sealing plate 22A, a second end sealing plate 24A, a third end sealing plate 26A and a fourth end sealing plate 28A. The first end sealing plate 22A is hinged to a first end of the first side wall plate 12 by a hinge such as a fold line 23A. The second end sealing plate 24A is hinged to a first end of the top plate 14 by a hinge such as a fold line 25A. The third end sealing plate 26A is hinged to a first end of the second side wall plate 16 by a hinge such as a fold line 27A. The fourth end closure plate 28A is hinged to a first end of the base plate 18 using a hinge such as a fold line 29A.

The second end of the tubular structure is closed by a fifth end sealing plate 22B, a sixth end sealing plate 24B, a seventh end sealing plate 26B and an eighth end sealing plate 28B. The fifth end sealing plate 22B is hinged to a second end of the first side wall plate 12 by a hinge such as a fold line 23B. The sixth end sealing plate 24B is hinged to a second end of the top plate 14 by a hinge such as a fold line 25B. The seventh end sealing plate 26B is hinged to a second end of the second side wall plate 16 by a hinge such as a fold line 27B. The eighth end closure plate 28B is hinged to a second end of the base plate 18 using a hinge such as a fold line 29B.

The first end sealing plate 22A and the fifth end sealing plate 22B each form a small end sealing plate or dust flap at the opposite end of the tubular structure. The third end sealing plate 26A and the seventh end sealing plate 26B each form a small end sealing plate or dust flap at the opposite end of the tubular structure. Such small end sealing plates or dust flaps are also referred to as side wall end sealing plates in this article.

The second end sealing plate piece 24A and the fourth end sealing plate piece 28A each form a large side end sealing plate piece at the first end of the tubular structure. The sixth end sealing plate piece 24B and the eighth end sealing plate piece 28B each form a large side end sealing plate piece at the second end of the tubular structure. The second end sealing plate piece 24A and the sixth end sealing plate piece 24B are also referred to as top end sealing plates in this article. The fourth end sealing plate piece 28A and the eighth end sealing plate piece 28B are also referred to as bottom end sealing plates in this article.

The blank 10 includes a first carrying handle H1/H2 at least partially defined in each of the second end closure sheet 24A and the fourth end closure sheet 28A. The first carrying handle H1/H2 includes a pair of elongate tabs 60A/60B, 62A/62B partially defined by a cut line 65A/65B. The second end closure sheet 24A includes a first portion H1 of the first carrying handle H1/H2, and the fourth end closure sheet 28A includes a second portion H2 of the first carrying handle H1/H2.

The first portion H1 of the first carrying handle H1/H2 includes the first portion 60A, 62A of the pair of extension lugs 60A/60B, 62A/62B so as to be pressed from or defined therein by the second end closure plate 24A and hinged therein by corresponding hinge portions 61A, 63A. The first portions 60A, 62A of the pair of extension lugs 60A/60B, 62A/62B are hinged to each other in an opposing manner and separated from each other by a first cut line portion 65A. Optionally, an end portion 67A included in the first cut line portion 65A includes a plurality of cut lines each arranged in parallel. The first cut line portion 65A may extend into the top plate 14. The first cut line portion 65A may terminate at a relief structure on the top plate 14, the relief structure comprising a "V"-shaped cut (also referred to herein as a stop cut), the apex of which is located at the end of the first cut line portion 65A. A fold line 67A, 69A extends from each end of the "V"-shaped cut toward the hinge, at the fold line 25A between the second end closure plate 24A and the top plate 14, and the fold lines 67A, 69A are arranged to diverge from each other.

The second portion H2 of the first carrying handle H1/H2 includes the second portions 60B, 62B of the pair of extension tabs 60A/60B, 62A/62B so as to be pressed from or defined in the fourth end closure plate 28A and hinged therein by corresponding hinge portions 61B, 63B. The second portions 60B, 62B of the pair of extension tabs 60A/60B, 62A/62B are hinged to each other in an opposing manner and separated from each other by a second cut line portion 65B. The second cut line portion 65B may extend into the base plate 18. The second cut line portion 65B may terminate at a relief structure on the base plate 18, the relief structure comprising a "V"-shaped cut (also referred to herein as a stop cut), the apex of which is located at the end of the second cut line portion 65B. A fold line 67B, 69B extends from each end of the "V"-shaped cut toward the hinge, between the fourth end closure plate 28A and the base plate 18, and the fold lines 67A, 69A are arranged to diverge from each other.

The second parts 60B, 62B of the pair of extended protrusions 60A/60B, 62A/62B are designed to be at least partially overlapped with the first parts 60A, 62A of the pair of extended protrusions 60A/60B, 62A/62B in the assembled state and fixed therein by adhesive or other suitable fixing means.

The end 67A of the first cut line portion 65A may be disposed at an overlap region between the first and second portions 60A, 62A, 60B, 62B of the pair of extended protrusions 60A/60B, 62A/62B.

Optionally, the fourth end closure sheet 28A includes a notch or recess R at each free corner, which is opposite to a corresponding hinged corner adjacent to the hinge of the fold line 29A between the fourth end closure sheet 28A and the base sheet 18. The notches or recesses R can be provided in an overlap region between the fourth end closure sheet 28A and the second end closure sheet 24A.

Optionally, each of the first and third end closure sheets 24A, 26A includes an embossed, relief or thickened area Em. The embossed area Em is designed to align with a corresponding notch or recess R in the fourth end closure sheet 28A.

Optionally, the blank 10 includes a second carrying handle H1/H2 at least partially defined in each of the sixth end closure plate 24B and the eighth end closure plate 28B. The second carrying handle H1/H2 is substantially the same as the first carrying handle H1/H2 in structure, and thus will not be described in detail below.

Optionally, the eighth end closure sheet 28B includes a notch or recess R at each free corner, which is opposite to a corresponding hinged corner adjacent to the hinged portion of the fold line 29B between the eighth end closure sheet 28B and the base sheet 18. The notches or recesses R may be provided in an overlap region between the eighth end closure sheet 28B and the sixth end closure sheet 24B.

Optionally, the fifth and seventh end closure plates 24B, 26B each include an embossed, relief or thickened area Em. The embossed area Em is designed to align with a corresponding notch or recess R in the eighth end closure plate 28B.

Optionally, the blank sheet 10 includes a delivery portion D for easy access to the contents of the carton 90. The delivery portion D includes a removable portion 14D/16D of the carton 90. The delivery portion D includes a plurality of cut lines 41, 43, 45. The removable portion 14D/16D is provided by a portion of at least one of the plurality of main sheet sheets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the removable portion 14D/16D is provided by a portion of the top panel sheet 14 and a portion of the second sidewall panel sheet 16.

The second side panel 16 includes a first cut line 41 extending from a first position of the hinge of the fold line 15 between the second side panel 16 and the top panel 14 to a second end position of the hinge. The first cut line 41 may be substantially "U" shaped.

A second break line 43A extends from the first position at the fold line 15 to a tear trigger device I. A third break line 43B extends from the second position at the fold line 15 to the tear trigger device I. The tear trigger device I includes a tab 40 so as to be pressed from the top panel 14 and hinged to a removable portion 14D of the top panel 14 using a hinge in the form of a fold line 47. The tear trigger device I is partially defined by a tear line component having a lower tear resistance than the second and third break lines 43A, 43B.

The delivery portion D may include a first partial cutting line 45A disposed parallel to at least a portion of the second cutting line 43A. The delivery portion D may include a second partial cutting line 45B disposed parallel to at least a portion of the third cutting line 43B.

The carton 90 can be formed on a linear machine by a series of bending operations performed in sequence so that the carton 90 can be made without turning or flipping. The bending process is not limited to that described below and can be modified according to specific manufacturing requirements. During the loading and assembly of the carton 90, the carton 90 is oriented so that one of the top or base panels 14, 18 forms a loading surface. The bases of one or more articles can slide into contact with the loading surface when inserted into the carton 90. Figure 1 shows the orientation of the articles relative to the blank 10, and the dotted lines shown on the top or base panels 14, 18 indicate the coverage area B of the articles. The shape of the articles can be substantially cylindrical and have a cylindrical axis. The cylindrical axis may be oriented perpendicular to the top plate 14, and it may also be substantially vertical in orientation.

When the handle structure H1/H2 is used as a carrying handle by the user, the first end sealing sheets 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, or the second end sealing sheets 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B selectively form the top sheet (top wall) 22A/24A/26A/28A, and this top wall is selectively arranged to be adjacent to the side edges of the articles. In terms of orientation, the top wall 22A/24A/26A/28A, 22B/24B/26B/28B is not substantially arranged to be flush with the top or bottom of the articles contained in the carton 90. In other words, the cylindrical axes of the articles are substantially parallel to the planes of the top walls 22A/24A/26A/28A, 22B/24B/26B/28B of the carton 90.

When the handle structure H1/H2 is used by the user as a carrying handle, the second end closure panels 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, or the first end closure panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A selectively form the base panels 22B/24B/26B/28B. The top panel 14 may also form the base panel 18 when the articles B are delivered from the carton 90 or when the carton 90 is placed on a surface such as a shelf. Therefore, it should be understood that the descriptive terms "top", "base" and "side" do not necessarily limit the carton 90 to a particular orientation, but are used to distinguish the differences between these panels. In other embodiments, the cylindrical axis of the articles may be oriented differently from the top wall 14 of the carton 90, such as, but not limited to, the cylindrical axis of the articles may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top wall 14 of the carton 90.

Now turn to refer to the production of the carton 90 as shown in Figure 2. The blank 10 is bent around the folding line 17 so that the base panel 18, the second side wall panel 16 and the top panel 14 are arranged in an overlapping relationship, and the fixed panel 20 and the top panel 14 are arranged in a surface contact relationship.

Glue or other adhesive treatment agent is applied to an outer surface of the fixing plate 20. Glue or other adhesive treatment agent can be optionally applied to the corresponding edge portion of an inner surface of the first sidewall plate 12.

The blank 10 is bent about the fold line 13 so that the first sidewall panel 12 is disposed in an overlapping relationship with the fixed panel 20 and a portion of the top panel 14. The first sidewall panel 12 is thus fixed to the fixed panel 20, thereby forming a manufacturer's roll seal, which is usually formed before shipping to a processing plant for loading products.

The blank 10 thus forms a flat folded tubular structure that is easily transported or delivered to a processing plant where it can be erected into an open-ended tubular structure and loaded with items.

The flat folding tubular structure can be formed by unfolding the first side wall panel 12 corresponding to the top panel 14 so that the first side wall panel 12 and the top panel 14 are substantially perpendicular to each other to form an open-end tubular structure.

The carton 90 in the form of an open-ended tube can be loaded with articles B through one or two openings of the carton 90. It should be understood that in some embodiments, one opening of the carton 90 can be closed before the articles are loaded therein through the remaining openings.

Once the carton 90 is loaded with articles B, the openings of the carton 90 are thereby closed.

A first end of the tubular structure is closed by bending the first end sealing plate 22A around the folding line 23A and bending the third end sealing plate 26A around the folding line 27A.

Around the fold line 29A, the fourth end closure plate 28A is then bent to contact the first and third end closure plates 22A, 26A.

Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the outwardly facing surfaces of the fourth end closure sheet 28A and the first and third end closure sheets 22A, 26A, as shown in FIG. 3 .

Around the fold line 25A, the second end closure sheet 24A (not shown in FIG. 3 ) is then bent to contact the fourth end closure sheet 28A, and optionally to contact the first and third end closure sheets 22A, 26A, specifically the embossed areas Em.

The second end closure plate piece 24A is fixed to the fourth end closure plate piece 28A. The second end closure plate piece 24A can be fixed to the first and third end closure plate pieces 22A, 26A.

It should be understood that the second end closure panel 24A may be secured to each of the second, third and fourth end closure panels 22A, 26A, 28A with a single application of glue; the second portions 60B, 62B of the pair of extension tabs 60A/60B, 62A/62B being secured to the first portions 60A, 62A of the pair of extension tabs 60A/60B, 62A/62B with the same application of glue. It is known that bonding, typically with hot melt glue, performed by the processing factory after loading of the article is sufficient to operate the end closure panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B as a handle panel 22A/24A/26A/28A, 22B/24B/26B/28B.

In other embodiments, alternative fixing methods may be used to fix the end sealing plates 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, such as but not limited to a mechanical locking device such as a stapler or a perforated lock integrated into the end sealing plates 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B.

A second end of the tubular structure is closed by bending the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth end closure plates 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to the first end closure plates 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A.

FIG. 2 shows the assembled carton 90 to form a package containing a plurality of articles.

2 , the carton 90 includes a delivery portion D that is partially disposed on the top panel 14 and partially disposed on the second side panel 16 , and when the removable portion 14D/16D is removed, an opening is created.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the second embodiment shown, similar reference numbers are used to represent similar components, where possible, with a number such as “100” added in front to indicate that the components belong to the second embodiment. The additional embodiment shares many common components with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , and thus only the differences from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 4 shows a blank 110 for forming a carton, wherein the blank 110 comprises a plurality of main panels 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, which are hinged from one panel to the next panel to form a linear assembly. A first side panel 112 is hinged to a top panel 114 by a hinge such as a fold line 113. The top panel 114 is hinged to a second side panel 116 by a hinge such as a fold line 115. The second side panel 116 is hinged to a base panel 118 by a hinge such as a fold line 117. The base panel 118 is hinged to a plywood panel 120 by means of a hinge in the form of a fold line 119 .

The construction of the embryo 110 is substantially the same as that of the embryo 10 of FIG. 1 , except that the notches or recesses R on the fourth end closure sheet 128A and the eighth end closure sheet 128B have been omitted, and similarly, the relief or thickening area Em on the first and third end closure sheets 24A, 26A have been omitted. In addition, a plurality of parallel break lines forming the end 67A of the first break line portion 65A have been omitted; the first break line portion 165A includes a single break line so as to extend across the second and sixth end closure sheets 124A, 124B.

The end sealing plates 122A, 124A, 126A, 128A, 122B, 124B, 126B, 128B can be formed in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and described above, thereby forming end wall plates 122A/124A/126A/128A, 122B/124B/126B/128B. In addition, in order to make the small end sealing plates 122A, 122B, 126A An additional gluing stage of securing the end closure panels 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B to the large end closure panels 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B may include applying glue to the outwardly facing surfaces of the small end closure panels 122A, 122B, 126A, 126B before bending the large end closure panels 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B to the corresponding main panels 114, 118 to which they are hinged. In some embodiments, the small end closure panels 122A, 122B, 126A, 126B may not be secured to the large end closure panels 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B, and the additional gluing stage may be omitted.

The blank 110 is configured to accommodate eighteen items arranged in a 3 x 6 matrix or array, with three rows of six items each, so that the position of the handle structure H1/H2 has been adjusted to align with the gap or space between an adjacent pair of items, so that the cut line 165A/165B is set off-center, and in the embodiment of Figure 1, the cut line 65A/65B divides the end wall panels 22A/24A/26A/28A, 22B/24B/26B/28B formed by the end sealing panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B into two halves.

The blank sheet 110 includes a delivery portion D for easy access to the contents of the carton. The delivery portion D includes a removable portion 114D/116D of the carton. The delivery portion D includes a plurality of cut lines 141, 143, 145. The removable portion 114D/116D is provided by a portion of at least one of the plurality of main sheet sheets 112, 114, 116, 118, 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the removable portion 114D/116D is provided by a portion of the top sheet 114 and a portion of the second sidewall sheet 116.

The second sidewall panel 116 includes a first cut line 141 extending from a first position of the hinge of the fold line 115 between the second sidewall panel 116 and the top panel 14 to a second end position of the hinge. The first cut line 141 may be substantially "U" shaped.

A second cut line 143 extends from the first position at the fold line 115 to the second position at the fold line 115. The second cut line 143 may be substantially "U" shaped. The first and second cut lines 141, 143 together define a substantially rectangular removable portion 114D/116D.

The dispensing portion D comprises at least one tamper-evident trigger device I. In the embodiment shown, a pair of tamper-evident trigger devices I are included. Each tamper-evident trigger device I is pressed from the removable portion 116D of the second sidewall panel 116 and hinged therein by a hinge in the form of a fold line 147, which may be provided by a pair of parallel fold lines. The tamper-evident trigger device I is partially defined by a tamper-evident line component having a lower tear resistance than the cut lines 141, 143.

The delivery portion D may include a first partial cutting line 145 disposed parallel to at least a portion of the cutting lines 141 , 143 .

The present invention provides an article carrier or carton 90 for packaging one or more articles. The carton 90 includes a handle panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B and a carrying handle H1/H2. The handle panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B includes a pair of first 24A, 24B; 124A, 124B and second 28A, 28B; 128A, 128B overlapping panels. The carrying handle H1/H2 includes a first handle flap 60A, 62A hinged to the first overlapping panel 24A, 24B; 124A, 124B by a first hinge and a second handle flap 60B, 62B hinged to the second overlapping panel 28A, 28B; 128A, 128B by a second hinge. The first and second handle flaps 60A, 62A, 60B, 62B are configured to overlap with each other. The first and second handle flaps 60A, 62A, 60B, 62B each have a terminal edge so as to be opposite to a corresponding first and second hinge. The end edges are defined by a cut line 65A, 65B; 165A, 165B that extends completely across the handle panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B.

The handle wall panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B may be formed by an end wall panel of the carton 90. The end wall panel closes a tubular structure formed by a plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20; 112, 114, 116, 118, 120. The end wall panel is formed by a plurality of end closure panels 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B; 122A, 124A, 126A, 128A, 122B, 124B, 126B, 128B. The carton 90 may include a delivery portion D, which is provided on at least one, two or more main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20; 112, 114, 116, 118, 120. The carrying handle H1/H2 and the delivery portion D may be designed and configured to correspond to each other so that the integrity and strength of the carton 90 are not compromised or at least any reduction is minimized. The arrangement of the carrying handle H1/H2 on the end wall panel may also have the advantage of increasing the space available for the delivery portion D, so that a larger removable portion 14D/16D; 114D/116D than would otherwise be available is defined.

In some embodiments, the carrying handle H1/H2 is assembled and formed by fixing the first and second overlapping panels 24A, 24B, 28A, 28B; 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B after the carton 90 is loaded with one or more articles.

Providing the carrying handle H1/H2 on the end wall panel may be a further advantage for moving the carton 90 from a shelf or display device. When a carrying handle H1/H2 is provided on each of a pair of opposing end wall panels, the carrying handle H1/H2 is usable by the user regardless of which end wall panel is presented in front.

In some embodiments, the carrying handle H1/H2 may be oriented perpendicular to the filament flow or paper machine orientation PMD (see Figures 1 and 4). The cut lines 65A, 65B; 165A, 165B extend orthogonally to the filament flow or paper machine orientation. When a delivery portion D is provided with a delivery opening and closing line 41, 43, 45; 141, 143, 145, it may include a portion extending parallel or obliquely to the filament flow or paper machine orientation PMD. The cut lines 65A, 65B; 165A, 165B may extend toward the parallel or oblique extension of the delivery opening and closing line 41, 43, 45; 141, 143, 145 and terminate in a spaced relationship relative thereto.

The cut line 65A, 65B; 165A, 165B may extend into at least one plate 14, 18; 114, 118 hinged to one of the first 24A, 24B: 124A, 124B and second 28A, 28B: 128A, 128B overlapping plates. The cut line 65A, 65B; 165A, 165B may terminate at a stop notch provided on the at least one plate 14, 18; 114, 118. The item carrier or carton 90 may include several main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20; 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 to form a tubular structure, and at least one panel 14, 18; 114, 118 may be provided by one of the main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20; 112, 114, 116, 118, 120.

The present invention also provides an article carrier or carton 90 for packaging one or more articles. The carton 90 includes a handle wall 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B and a carrying handle H1/H2. The handle wall 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B includes a pair of first 24A, 24B: 124A, 124B and second 28A, 28B: 128A, 128B overlapping panels. The carrying handle H1/H2 includes a first handle flap 60A, 62A hinged to the first overlapping plate 24A, 24B: 124A, 124B by a first hinge and a second handle flap 60B, 62B hinged to the second overlapping plate 28A, 28B: 128A, 128B by a second hinge. The first and second handle flaps 60A, 62A, 60B, 62B are configured to overlap with each other and are fixed together by bonding in a surface contact configuration.

The handle wall panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B further includes at least one dust flap 22A/26A, 22B/26B; 122A/126A, 122B/126B, which includes an embossed area Em that is adhesively fixed to at least one of the first and second overlapping panels 24A, 24B, 28A, 28B; 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B.

The relief area Em is laterally aligned with an overlapping area of the first and second overlapping panels 24A, 24B, 28A, 28B; 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B.

The handle wall panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B may further include at least one dust flap 22A/26A, 22B/26B; 122A/126A, 122B/126B, and the first stacked panel 24A, 24B; 124A, 124B has a cutout R, so that the second stacked panel 28A, 28B: 128A, 128B is adhesively fixed to the at least one dust flap 22A/26A, 22B/26B; 122A/126A, 122B/126B.

The present invention further provides an article carrier or carton 90 for packaging one or more articles. The carton 90 includes a handle panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B and a carrying handle H1/H2. The handle panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B includes a pair of first 24A, 24B: 124A, 124B and second 28A, 28B: 128A, 128B overlapping panels. The carrying handle H1/H2 includes a first handle flap 60A, 62A hinged to the first overlapping panel 24A, 24B; 124A, 124B and a second handle flap 60B, 62B hinged to the second overlapping panel 28A, 28B: 128A, 128B. The handle wall panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B further includes at least one pair of dust flaps 22A/26A, 22B/26B; 122A/126A, 122B/126B, which are adhesively fixed to the first and second overlapping panels 24A, 24B, 28A, 28B; 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B to form the handle wall panel 24A/28A, 24B/28B; 124A/128A, 124B/128B.

Please refer to Figure 1 again. The present invention further provides a kind of embryonic sheet 10, which includes a plurality of main sheets 12, 14, 16, 18 hinged in sequence to form a tubular structure as shown in Figure 2. The embryonic sheet further includes at least one pair of first and second end sealing plates 24A, 28A hinged to the corresponding main sheets 14, 18, thereby forming an end sealing wall plate 24A/28A (as shown in Figure 2) so as to seal an opposite end of the tubular structure. The plurality of main sheets 12, 14, 16, 18 are arranged along a longitudinal axis X-X (as shown in Figure 1) of the embryonic sheet which is perpendicular to a tube axis Y-Y (as shown in Figure 2) of the tubular structure. The first and second end sealing plates 24A, 28A are arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis X-X. The first end closure panel 24A includes a first handle flap 60A hinged to the first end closure panel 24A by a first hinge in the form of a fold line 61A. The second end closure panel 28A includes a second handle flap 60B hinged to the second end closure panel 28A by a second hinge in the form of a fold line 61B. The first and second hinges 61A, 61B each extend in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis X-X.

Optionally, the first and second hinges 61A, 61B are each arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X.

Optionally, the plurality of main board sheets 12, 14, 16, 18 define respective first longitudinal edges 23A, 25A, 27A, 29A extending along the longitudinal axis X-X and opposite second longitudinal edges 23B, 25B, 27B, 29B, wherein the first and second end sealing sheets 24A, 28A are hinged along the first longitudinal edges 23A, 25A, 27A, 29A of the plurality of main board sheets 12, 14, 16, 18.

Optionally, the first and second end sealing plates 24A, 28A each include a flap hinge 25A, 29A hinged to the corresponding main plate 14, 18 and a free end "DE1", "DE2" opposite to the flap hinge 25A, 29A, wherein at least one of the first and second end sealing plates further includes an unpainted area "VF" along its own free end "DE2". As shown in FIG. 1, the unpainted area "VF" covers the end of the second handle flap 60B. An adhesive is placed in the unpainted area "VF" to fix the second end sealing plate 28A to the first end sealing plate 24A in a surface contact configuration by bonding. This may allow the second handle flap 60B to be secured to the first handle flap 60A in an adhesively bonded, surface-contact configuration.

Optionally, the at least one pair of first and second end sealing panels 24A, 28A includes at least one dust flap 22A, 26A to form the end sealing wall panel, wherein the at least one dust flap 22A, 26A is hinged to the corresponding main board panels 12, 16 among the plurality of main board panels.

Optionally, the plurality of main plate sheets include a top plate sheet 14, a side wall plate sheet 16 and a base plate sheet 18, which are hinged one to another in the order described, wherein the first end sealing plate sheet 24A is hinged to the top plate sheet 14, and wherein the second end sealing plate sheet 28A is hinged to the base plate sheet 18.

Optionally, the first and second end sealing panels 24A, 28A each include a flap hinge portion in the form of a fold line 25A, 29A and hinged to the corresponding main panel 14, 18 and a free end edge "DE1", "DE2" opposite to the flap hinge portion 25A, 29A, and the first and second end sealing panels 24A, 28A extend from their corresponding flap hinge portions 25A, 29A in the same direction to their corresponding free end edges "DE1", "DE2".

Optionally, when the first handle flap 60A is bent, it defines a first opening or notch at least partially in the first end closure panel 24A, wherein the first end closure panel 24A further includes a first cut line 65A extending from the first opening or notch toward the first flap hinge 25A, so that the first end closure panel 24A is hinged to the corresponding main panel 14. Optionally, the first cut line 65A intersects the first flap hinge 25A and also extends into the corresponding main panel 14.

Optionally, when the second handle flap 60B is bent, it defines a second opening or notch at least partially in the second end closure panel 28A, wherein the second end closure panel 28A further includes a second cut line 65B extending from the second opening or notch toward the second flap hinge 29A, so that the second end closure panel 28A is hinged to the corresponding main panel 18. Optionally, the second cut line 65B intersects the second flap hinge 29A and also extends into the corresponding main panel 18.

Optionally, the first and second end closure panels 24A, 28A are designed and sized to overlap with one another when the blank is assembled into the carton. When the first and second end closure panels 24A, 28A overlap with one another, the first and second handle flaps 60A, 60B overlap with one another and form a single handle flap. When the single handle flap is bent to the interior of the carton, the first and second openings or notches together form a single handle slot, so that the user's hand can be inserted to grab a slot edge provided by the handle wall panel 24A/28A. The outermost layer of the handle wall panel provided by the first and second end closure panels 24A, 28A is an end closure panel.

It should be understood that various changes can be made without violating the scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the plates and openings can be adjusted to fit items of different sizes and shapes.

It will also be recognized that the various directional terms referred to herein, such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inside", "outside", "upper" and "lower", etc., do not necessarily limit the relevant panels to that orientation, but are merely used to distinguish between the panels.

The terms "hinge" and "fold line" as used herein refer to the various lines which define the hinges on the blank, which facilitate the bending of the parts of the blank relative to each other, or to the appropriate bending positions of the panels to which the blank belongs. Any reference to a "hinge" is not to be construed as necessarily being limited to a single fold line; in fact, a hinge may be formed by two or more fold lines, wherein the shape of each of the fold lines may be straight/rectangular or curved/curved. If the hinge is formed by straight fold lines, they may be arranged to be parallel to each other or to be slightly angled. Furthermore, if the hinge is formed by curved fold lines, they may be arranged to intersect each other, thereby defining a formed panel in the area they surround. A typical example of such a hinge may include a pair of arched or curved fold lines that intersect at two points to define an elliptical rounded sheet between each other. Furthermore, another typical example of such a hinge may include a combination of a straight fold line and an arched or curved fold line that intersect at two points to define a half-moon shaped sheet between each other.

The term "fold line" as used herein may refer to one of the following: a score line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a row of perforations, a row of short slits, a row of half cuts, a single half cut, an intermittent cut line, a row of alignment cracks, a row of scores, and any combination thereof.

It should also be understood that the hinge and fold line can each include elements formed on the substrate of the blank, such as perforations, a row of perforations, a row of short slits, a row of half cuts, a single half cut, a cut line, a continuous cut line, a crack, a notch, a convex line, a concave line, and any combination thereof. These elements can be sized and configured according to the functions they are intended to perform. For example, a row of perforations can be sized or designed to have a weakening that can define a fold line and/or a cut line. In addition, the row of perforations can be designed to be easy to bend and resistant to breaking, easy to bend and easy to break with more force, or easy to break with less force.

As used herein, "alignment" and similar or variant terms refer to the alignment of two or more elements in an assembled carton, such as aligning an aperture formed on a first sheet of two stacked panels with a second aperture formed on a second sheet. The elements that are aligned with each other may be aligned with each other in the thickness direction of the stacked panels. For example, when an aperture on a first panel is "aligned" with a second aperture on a second panel configured to overlap the panel, the edge of the aperture may extend along the edge of at least a portion of the second aperture and may be aligned with the second aperture in the thickness direction of the first and second panels.

10, 110: embryonic plate 12, 16, 112, 116: side wall plate 13, 15, 17, 19, 23A, 23B, 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B, 29A, 29B, 47, 61A, 61B, 63A, 63B, 67A, 67B, 69A, 69B, 113, 115, 117, 119, 147: fold line or hinge 23A, 23B, 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B, 29A, 29B: longitudinal edge 14, 114: top plate 18, 118: base plate 20, 120: fixed plate or plywood plate 14D, 16D, 114D, 116D: Removable part 22A, 22B, 24A, 24B, 26A, 26B, 28A, 28B, 122A, 122B, 124A, 124B, 126A, 126B, 128A, 128B: End seal plate 22A, 22B, 26A, 26B, 122A, 122B, 126A, 126B: Small end seal plate or dust flap 24A/28A, 24B/28B, 124A/128A, 124B/128B: Handle wall plate 24A, 24B, 124A, 124B: First overlapping plate 28A, 28B, 128A, 128B: Second overlapping plate 40: Tab 41, 43A, 43B, 65A, 65B, 141, 143, 165A, 165B: Cut line 45A, 45B, 145: Partial cut line 41, 43A, 43B, 45A, 45B, 141, 143, 145: Delivery opening and closing line 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B: Extension tab or handle flap 90: Carton or item carrier B: Item or item cover area D: Delivery section DE1, DE2: Free end H1, H2: Carrying handle H1, 60A, 62A: First part H2, 60B, 62B: Second part Em: Embossed area I: Opening and closing trigger device R: Notch, notch or cut-off VF: Unpainted area Y-Y: tube axis X-X: longitudinal axis

The present invention is now described in detail by enumerating embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank sheet used to form a carton according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top three-dimensional view of a carton formed by the blank sheet of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an end view of the carton of FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a blank sheet used to form a carton according to another embodiment of the present invention.

10: Embryo slice

12, 16: Side wall panels

13, 15, 17, 19, 23A, 23B, 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B, 29A, 29B, 47, 61A, 61B, 63A, 63B, 67A, 67B, 69A, 69B: fold line

14: Top plate

18: Base plate

20: Fixing plates or gluing plates

14D, 16D: Removable part

22A, 22B, 24A, 24B, 26A, 26B, 28A, 28B: End seal plates

22A, 22B, 26A, 26B: small end seal plates or dust flaps

40: convex piece

41, 43A, 43B, 65A, 65B: Cutting line

45A, 45B: Partial cutting line

60A, 60B, 62A, 62B: Extended tabs

B: Item coverage area

D: Distribution Department

DE1, DE2: Free end

Em: Relief area

I: Unsealing trigger device

R: notch, notch or cut

VF: Unpainted area

X-X: longitudinal axis

Claims (20)

A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a handle wall panel and a carrying handle, the handle wall panel comprising a pair of first and second overlapping panels, wherein the carrying handle comprises a first handle flap hinged to the first overlapping panel panel by a first hinge portion and a second handle flap hinged to the second overlapping panel panel by a second hinge portion, the first and second handle flaps being arranged in an overlapping configuration with one another, the first and second handle flaps each having an end edge so as to be opposite to a corresponding one of the first and second hinge portions, the end edges being defined by a cut line extending completely across the handle wall panel. A carton as described in item 1 of the patent application, wherein the cut line extends into at least one panel hinged to one of the first and second overlapping panels, and the cut line ends at a stop cut provided on the at least one panel. A carton as described in item 2 of the patent application, wherein the carton includes a plurality of main panels for forming a tubular structure, and the at least one panel is provided by one of the main panels. A carton as described in item 1 of the patent application, wherein the handle wall panel and the carrying handle respectively form a first handle wall panel and a first carrying handle, and the carton includes a second handle wall panel and a second carrying handle, the second handle wall panel includes a pair of third and fourth overlapping panels, the second carrying handle includes a third handle flap hinged to the third overlapping panel by a third hinge, and a fourth handle flap hinged to the fourth overlapping panel by a fourth hinge, the third and fourth handle flaps are arranged to be overlapped with another panel, and the second handle wall panel is opposite to the first handle wall panel. A carton as described in item 4 of the patent application, wherein the second carrying handle is arranged opposite to the first carrying handle. A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a handle wall panel and a carrying handle, the handle wall panel comprising a pair of first and second overlapping panels, wherein the carrying handle comprises a first handle flap hinged to the first overlapping panel by a first hinge and a second handle flap hinged to the second overlapping panel by a second hinge, the first and second handle flaps being arranged to overlap with one another and being fixed together by bonding in a surface contact configuration. A carton as described in item 1 or 6 of the patent application, wherein the handle wall panel further includes at least one dust flap, which includes an embossed area, and the embossed area is adhesively fixed to at least one of the first and second overlapping panels. A carton as described in claim 7, wherein the embossed area is laterally aligned with an overlapping area of the first and second overlapping panels. A carton as described in item 1 or 6 of the patent application, wherein the handle wall further includes at least one dust flap, and the first stacking panel has a cutout, so that the second stacking panel is fixed to the at least one dust flap by bonding. A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a handle wall panel and a carrying handle, the handle wall panel comprising a pair of first and second overlapping panels, wherein the carrying handle comprises a first handle flap hinged to the first overlapping panel by a first hinge and a second handle flap hinged to the second overlapping panel by a second hinge, the handle wall panel further comprising at least one dustproof flap, which is adhesively fixed to the first and second overlapping panels to form the handle wall panel. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising: a plurality of main sheets hinged in sequence to form a tubular structure; and at least one pair of first and second end sealing sheets hinged to corresponding main sheets among the plurality of main sheets, thereby forming an end sealing wall panel to seal one of the opposite ends of the tubular structure, the plurality of main sheets being arranged along a longitudinal axis of the sheet perpendicular to a tube axis of the tubular structure, The first and second end sealing plates are arranged on one of the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end sealing plate includes a first handle flap hinged to the first end sealing plate by a first hinge, wherein the second end sealing plate includes a second handle flap hinged to the second end sealing plate by a second hinge, and wherein the first and second hinges each extend in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis. As described in item 11 of the patent application scope, the first and second hinge parts are each arranged to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As described in item 11 of the patent application scope, the plurality of main plates define first and second opposite longitudinal edges extending along the longitudinal axis, and the first and second end sealing plates are hinged along the first longitudinal edges of the plurality of main plates. A blank as described in item 11 of the patent application scope, wherein the first and second end sealing plates each include a flap hinge portion hinged to the corresponding main plate and a free end edge opposite to the flap hinge portion, and at least one of the first and second end sealing plates further includes a paint-free area along its own free end edge. The blank as described in item 11 of the patent application scope, wherein the at least one pair of first and second end sealing plate sheets include at least one dust flap sheet to form the end sealing wall plate, and the at least one dust flap sheet is hinged to a corresponding main plate sheet among the plurality of main plate sheets. As described in item 13 of the patent application scope, the plurality of main plate sheets include a top plate sheet, a side wall plate sheet and a base plate sheet, which are hinged one to another in sequence, wherein the first end sealing plate sheet is hinged to the top plate sheet, and wherein the second end sealing plate sheet is hinged to the base plate sheet. The blank as described in Item 11 of the patent application scope, wherein the first and second end sealing plates each include a flap hinge portion hinged to the corresponding main plate and a free end edge opposite to the flap hinge portion, and the first and second end sealing plates extend from their corresponding flap hinge portions to their corresponding free end edges in the same direction. As described in item 11 of the patent application scope, the blank sheet, wherein when the first handle flap is bent, it at least partially defines a first opening on the first end sealing plate, and wherein the first end sealing plate further includes a cutting line extending from the first opening toward a flap hinge, so that the first end sealing plate is hinged to the corresponding main plate by means of the cutting line. As described in item 18 of the patent application scope, the cutting line intersects with the hinged portion of the flap and also extends into the corresponding main plate to which the first end sealing plate is hinged. The blank as described in item 11 of the patent application scope, wherein the configuration and size of the first and second end sealing plates are set so that when the blank is assembled into a carton, the first and second end sealing plates overlap with one another.

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