Stackable cartons, system, and methods of using the same

A carton for holding at least one article, the carton comprising:

• a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front reinforcement panel foldably connected to the front panel, a first side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the second side panel;
• and
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton,
• the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the carton and the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the carton,
• an opening is formed in a portion of the front panel and a portion of the front reinforcement panel, and the top panel comprises a tab that engages the opening.

A carton blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the carton blank comprising:

• a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the carton blank, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is positionable below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion of the carton formed from the carton blank for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton and such that a top opening defined by the recessed top portion of the carton formed from the carton blank is larger than the bottom panel,
• the first top end flap is for being positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the carton formed from the carton blank and the second top end flap is for being positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the carton formed from the carton blank.

A carton blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the carton blank comprising:

• a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the carton blank, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front reinforcement panel foldably connected to the front panel, a first side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the second side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is positionable below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion of the carton formed from the carton blank for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton,
• the first top end flap is for being positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the carton formed from the carton blank and the second top end flap is for being positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the carton formed from the carton blank,
• an opening is formed in a portion of the front panel and a portion of the front reinforcement panel, and the top panel comprises a tab for engaging the opening in the carton formed from the carton blank.

A method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method comprising:

• obtaining a carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, the carton blank comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprising a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel;
• folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carton such that the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton and such that a top opening defined by the recessed top portion is larger than the bottom panel;
• and
• folding the plurality of end flaps so that the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the carton and so that the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the carton.

A method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method comprising:

• obtaining a carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front reinforcement panel foldably connected to the front panel, a first side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the second side panel, the carton blank comprising a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprising a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel, an opening is formed in a portion of the front panel and a portion of the front reinforcement panel, and the top panel comprises a tab for engaging the opening;
• folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carton such that the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion for receiving a portion of a vertically adjacent carton;
• and
• folding the plurality of end flaps so that the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the carton and so that the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the carton.

A system of cartons for holding at least one article, the system comprising:

• a first carton, comprising:
• a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the first carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and comprising a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion, the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the first carton and the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the first carton, a top opening defined by the recessed top portion is larger than the bottom panel;
• and
• a second carton at least partially disposed in the recessed top portion of the first carton.

A system of cartons for holding at least one article, the system comprising:

• a first carton, comprising:
• a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the first carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front reinforcement panel foldably connected to the front panel, a first side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second side reinforcement panel foldably connected to the second side panel, an opening is formed in a portion of the front panel and a portion of the front reinforcement panel, and the top panel comprises a tab for engaging the opening;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and comprising a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion, the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the first carton and the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the first carton;
• and
• a second carton at least partially disposed in the recessed top portion of the first carton.

A system of cartons for holding at least one article, the system comprising:

• a first carton, comprising:
• a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the first carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and comprising a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion, the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the first carton and the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the first carton;
• and
• a second carton at least partially disposed in the recessed top portion of the first carton, the second carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the second carton, the plurality of panels of the second carton comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and at least one side panel, and the top panel of the second carton is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one side panel of the second carton to form a recessed top portion of the second carton.

A system of cartons for holding at least one article, the system comprising:

• a first carton, comprising:
• a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the first carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and comprising a first top end flap and a second top end flap each foldably connected to the top panel,
• the top panel is recessed below a portion of each of the front panel, the back panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel to form a recessed top portion, the first top end flap is positioned adjacent the first side panel in the interior of the first carton and the second top end flap is positioned adjacent the second side panel in the interior of the first carton;
• and
• a second carton at least partially disposed in the recessed top portion of the first carton, the second carton is identical to the first carton.