Expandable Carton

Abstract

A carton including a tubular structure defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall and a first end wall and a second end wall, each enclosing an open end of the tubular structure. The top wall includes a first chimney side panel and a second chimney side panel that are separable from one another. A first collapsible chimney end wall and a second collapsible chimney end wall, each being positioned adjacent one of the walls of carton, wherein the first chimney side panel, the second chimney side panel, the first collapsible chimney end wall, and the second collapsible chimney end wall can be raised to be substantially upright to form a chimney so as to expand the volume of the carton.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 60 / 828,375, filed Oct. 5, 2006; 60 / 828,633, filed Oct. 7, 2006; and 60 / 829,473, filed Oct. 13, 2006.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates generally to cartons and, more specifically, to cartons that are expandable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Certain cartons are expandable or can otherwise be arranged to include an expanded open top, which is sometimes referred to as a chimney. The expanded open top increases the volume or capacity of the carton and allows a consumer to, for example, pour ice into the expanded open top and on top of the contents of the carton. Thus, these expandable cartons are sometimes referred to as ice-pack cartons. It is also desirable for such cartons to retain liquid that may accumulate in the bottom of the carton. [0004] However, the expandable cartons found in the prior art are ill-suited for being erected, end-loaded, closed,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an expandable carton with an expansion feature that is configured to form a chimney. The carton can be pre-formed (i.e. pre-folded and pre-glued) into a collapsed tubular structure by a carton pre-folding machine, which is sometimes referred to as in-plant equipment (IPE). Advantageously, the chimney is formed during the IPE phase such that the automatic packaging machine, sometimes referred to as out-plant equipment (OPE), does not have to be highly specialized so as to form the chimney during the OPE phase. Additionally, the chimney is formed in a step that is independent of the formation of the collapsed tubular structure by securing the end edges of the blank are secured together. Thus, the blank requires less precise handling on the IPE.

[0008] The exemplary embodiments described herein also provide a versatile blank that can be folded according to various methods so as to select the positions of collapsible end walls of the chimney. Accordingly, the positions of the collapsible end walls of the chimney can be selected so as not to obstruct end loading of the carton when configured as a tubular structure. The positions of the collapsible end walls, in combination with means for separating described herein, provide that the exemplary cartons include a chimney that is easy to erect.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, the blank requires less precise handling on the IPE.

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