# US 10,246,213 B2 · Carton with expansion features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,213 B2 - Document ID: US10246213B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/448,806 - Filed: 2017-03-03 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04 - Assignees: Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Applicants: Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Inventors: Robert Ayerst - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246213B2 ## CPC - B65D 5/0005: {of variable capacity} - B65D 5/10: with end closures formed by inward-folding of self-locking flaps hinged to tubular body - B65D 5/40: specially constructed to contain liquids - B65D 5/4266: {Folding lines, score lines, crease lines} - B65D 5/4608: {Handgrip holes} - B65D 5/54: Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing ({B65D5/06, B65D5/5233, B65D5/5253 take precedence } ; break-in flaps, or members adapted to be torn-off, to provide pouring openings B65D5/70) - B65D 5/62: External coverings or coatings {(B65D5/4245, B65D5/4262 take precedence)} - B65D 71/36: {having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with} end walls - B31B 50/26: Folding sheets, blanks or webs - B31B 50/81: Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings - B31B 2100/00: Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs - B31B 2110/35: rectangular, e.g. square - B65D 5/563: {Laminated linings; Coatings} - B65D 81/18: providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient (with thermal insulation B65D81/38) - B65D 2571/00141: glued - B65D 2571/0045: for hands - B65D 2571/00561: Lines of weakness (B65D2571/00864 takes precedence) - B65D 2571/0066: formed from one single sheet - B65D 2571/00728: the end walls being closed by gluing - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B31B: MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER (making wound articles, e.g. wound tubes, B31C; combined making and filling B65B) ## Abstract A carton for holding one or more containers includes a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels to form at least one closed end of the carton, and at least one gusset foldably connected between the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton. The plurality of panels includes a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel. The at least one gusset is positionable between a first position and a second position wherein the interior of the carton is expanded. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A carton for holding one or more containers, comprising: a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels to form at least one closed end of the carton; at least one gusset foldably connected between the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton, the at least one gusset comprising a first gusset panel foldably connected to a second gusset panel, the at least one gusset further comprising a tab extending from the first gusset panel to at least partially define a notch in the at least one gusset, the at least one gusset is positionable between a first position and a second position wherein the interior of the carton is expanded; and a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, wherein the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein the first gusset panel is attached to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps at the at least one closed end of the carton, and the second gusset panel is movable relative to the first gusset panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein the second gusset panel is larger than the first gusset panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein, in the first position, the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end are spaced apart a first distance, and in the second position, the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end are spaced apart a second distance that is larger than the first distance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein in the first position, the interior of the carton has a first volume, and in the second position, the interior of the carton has a second volume that is larger than the first volume. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one side panel comprises a first side panel and a second side panel, the at least one closed end of the carton comprises a first closed end and second closed end, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset foldably connected to the first side panel and the first closed end, a second gusset foldably connected to the second side panel and the first closed end, a third gusset foldably connected to the first side panel and the second closed end, and a fourth gusset panel foldably connected to the second side panel and the second closed end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, the at least one gusset, and the at least one side panel cooperate to form a bottom receptacle of the carton. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The carton of claim 7, wherein the bottom receptacle has a substantially liquid-tight configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein the second gusset panel comprises an expansion panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The carton of claim 9, wherein the expansion panel further comprises a first oblique fold line foldably connecting the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel, the second gusset panel comprises a second oblique fold line, and the expansion panel is at least partially defined by the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The carton of claim 10, wherein the angular distance between the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line is between about 1 degree and about 30 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The carton of claim 1, wherein the top panel comprises at least one access feature. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The carton of claim 12, wherein the at least one access feature comprises a plurality of access flaps foldably connected to the top panel, each access flap separable from an adjacent access flap along a respective tear line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The carton of claim 13, wherein the at least one access feature comprises a dispenser panel separable from the top panel. ### Claim 15 A blank for forming a carton for holding one or more containers, comprising: a plurality of panels for folding at least partially around an interior of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels for folding to form at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank; and at least one gusset foldably connected between the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to a second gusset panel, the at least one gusset further comprises a tab extending from the first gusset panel to at least partially define a notch in the at least one gusset, the at least one gusset is positionable between a first position and a second position wherein the interior of the carton is expanded; and a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, and wherein the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein the first gusset panel is for attachment to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps at the at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank, and the second gusset panel is movable relative to the first gusset panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein the second gusset panel is larger than the first gusset panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein, when the carton is formed from the blank, in the first position, the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end are spaced apart a first distance, and in the second position, the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end are spaced apart a second distance that is larger than the first distance. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein, when the carton is formed from the blank, in the first position, the interior of the carton has a first volume, and in the second position, the interior of the carton has a second volume that is larger than the first volume. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one side panel comprises a first side panel and a second side panel, the at least one closed end of the carton comprises a first closed end and second closed end when the carton is formed from the blank, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset foldably connected to the first side panel and the first closed end when the carton is formed from the blank, a second gusset foldably connected to the second side panel and the first closed end when the carton is formed from the blank, a third gusset foldably connected to the first side panel and the second closed end when the carton is formed from the blank, and a fourth gusset panel foldably connected to the second side panel and the second closed end when the carton is formed from the blank. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, the at least one gusset, and the at least one side panel are for cooperating to form a bottom receptacle of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The blank of claim 21, wherein the bottom receptacle has a substantially liquid-tight configuration. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein the second gusset panel comprises an expansion panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The blank of claim 23, wherein the expansion panel further comprises a first oblique fold line foldably connecting the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel, the second gusset panel comprises a second oblique fold line, and the expansion panel is at least partially defined by the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The blank of claim 24, wherein the angular distance between the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line is between about 1 degree and about 30 degrees. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The blank of claim 15, wherein the top panel comprises at least one access feature. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The blank of claim 26, wherein the at least one access feature comprises a plurality of access flaps foldably connected to the top panel, each access flap separable from an adjacent access flap along a respective tear line. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The blank of claim 27, wherein the at least one access feature comprises a dispenser panel separable from the top panel. ### Claim 29 A method of forming a carton for holding one or more containers, comprising: obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels, and at least one gusset foldably connected to the at least one side panel and at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, and a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to a second gusset panel, the at least one gusset further comprises a tab extending from the first gusset panel to at least partially define a notch in the at least one gusset; folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming at least one closed end of the carton so that the at least one gusset is foldably connected to the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton and so that the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton; and expanding the interior of the carton by positioning the at least one gusset from a first position to a second position wherein the carton is expanded. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the first gusset panel is attached to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps when the plurality of panels are folded, and the second gusset panel is movable relative to the first gusset panel. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the second gusset panel is larger than the first gusset panel. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein, in the first position, the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end are spaced apart a first distance, and in the second position, the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end are spaced apart a second distance that is larger than the first distance. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein, in the first position, the interior of the carton has a first volume, and in the second position, the interior of the carton has a second volume that is larger than the first volume. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one side panel comprises a first side panel and a second side panel, the at least one closed end of the carton comprises a first closed end and second closed end when the plurality of panels are folded, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset foldably connected to the first side panel and the first closed end when the plurality of panels are folded, a second gusset foldably connected to the second side panel and the first closed end when the plurality of panels are folded, a third gusset foldably connected to the first side panel and the second closed end when the plurality of panels are folded, and a fourth gusset panel foldably connected to the second side panel and the second closed end when the plurality of panels are folded. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, the at least one gusset, and the at least one side panel form a bottom receptacle of the carton when the plurality of panels are folded. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein the bottom receptacle has a substantially liquid-tight configuration. ### Claim 37 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the second gusset panel comprises an expansion panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the expansion panel further comprises a first oblique fold line foldably connecting the first gusset panel and the second gusset panel, the second gusset panel comprises a second oblique fold line, and the expansion panel is at least partially defined by the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the angular distance between the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line is between about 1 degree and about 30 degrees. ### Claim 40 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the top panel comprises at least one access feature. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The method of claim 40, wherein the at least one access feature comprises a plurality of access flaps foldably connected to the top panel, each access flap separable from an adjacent access flap along a respective tear line. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one access feature comprises a dispenser panel separable from the top panel. ### Claim 43 A carton for holding one or more containers, the carton comprising: a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels to form at least one closed end of the carton; and at least one gusset foldably connected between the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton, the at least one gusset comprising a first gusset panel foldably connected to a second gusset panel at a first oblique fold line and an expansion panel foldably connected to the second gusset panel at a second oblique fold line, the at least one gusset further comprising a notch at least partially defined by a free edge of the expansion panel, the free edge extends between the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line, the at least one gusset is positionable between a first position and a second position wherein the interior of the carton is expanded. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The carton of claim 43, further comprising a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton. ### Claim 45 A blank for forming a carton for holding one or more containers, the blank comprising: a plurality of panels for folding at least partially around an interior of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels for folding to form at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank; and at least one gusset foldably connected between the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to a second gusset panel at a first oblique fold line and an expansion panel foldably connected to the second gusset panel at a second oblique fold line, the at least one gusset further comprising a notch at least partially defined by a free edge of the expansion panel, the free edge extends between the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line, the at least one gusset is positionable between a first position and a second position wherein the interior of the carton is expanded; and a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, and wherein the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The blank of claim 45, further comprising a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, and wherein the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton when the carton is formed from the blank. ### Claim 47 A method of forming a carton for holding one or more containers, the method comprising: obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one side panel, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to the respective plurality of panels, and at least one gusset foldably connected to the at least one side panel and at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, the at least one gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to a second gusset panel at a first oblique fold line and an expansion panel foldably connected to the second gusset panel at a second oblique fold line, the at least one gusset further comprising a notch at least partially defined by a free edge of the expansion panel, the free edge extends between the first oblique fold line and the second oblique fold line; folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming at least one closed end of the carton so that the at least one gusset is foldably connected to the at least one side panel and the at least one closed end of the carton and so that the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton; and expanding the interior of the carton by positioning the at least one gusset from a first position to a second position wherein the carton is expanded. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The method of claim 47, wherein the blank further comprises a handle feature in at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps, and the plurality of panels are folded so that the notch aligns with the handle feature in the at least one closed end of the carton.