Carton for containers

A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:

• a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel at a fold line;
• a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and for being overlapped to form at least one closed end of the carton formed from the blank;
• and
• handle features for facilitating lifting the carton formed from the blank, the handle features comprising a first handle opening in the top panel, a second handle opening spaced apart from the first handle opening in the top panel, and a handle strap in the top panel between the first handle opening and the second handle opening, a first line of weakening in the top panel extending from the first handle opening to a first endpoint, and a second line of weakening in the top panel extending from a second endpoint to the fold line, the first line of weakening and the second line of weakening offset from one another,
• the first end endpoint of the first line of weakening being spaced apart from the second endpoint of the second line of weakening to at least partially define a bridging portion between the first endpoint and second endpoint,
• the first line of weakening extending from the first handle opening to the first endpoint in a direction generally oblique to the fold line, the second line of weakening extending obliquely from the second endpoint to the fold line, the first line of weakening and the second line of weakening being generally parallel.

A method of forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:

• obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel at a fold line, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and handle features comprising a first handle opening in the top panel, a second handle opening spaced apart from the first handle opening in the top panel, and a handle strap in the top panel between the first handle opening and the second handle opening, a first line of weakening in the top panel extending from the first handle opening to a first end point, and a second line of weakening in the top panel extending from a second endpoint to the fold line, the first line of weakening and the second line of weakening offset from one another,
• the first end endpoint of the first line of weakening being spaced apart from the second endpoint of the second line of weakening to at least partially define a bridging portion between the first endpoint and second endpoint,
• the first line of weakening extending from the first handle opening to the first endpoint in a direction generally oblique to the fold line, the second line of weakening extending obliquely from the second endpoint to the fold line, the first line of weakening and the second line of weakening being generally parallel;
• positioning the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton;
• overlapping the plurality of end flaps to form at least one closed end of the carton;
• and
• positioning the handle features for facilitating lifting of the carton.