Carton blank

Abstract

A blank for forming a carton for packaging a plurality of articles includes a series of hingably interconnected top, first side, bottom and second side panels for forming an open ended sleeve capable of receiving articles. The top and bottom panels are similarly non-rectangularly shaped substantially to correlate with the cross-sectional shape of the array of articles in a plane parallel to the top and bottom panels. Each side panel has a plurality of panel portions including a pair of opposite end panel portions and at least one medial panel portion. The panel portions of each side panel are foldably interconnected by fold regions. Each side panel is adapted to be folded so as to put its end and medial panel portions into at least three different planes to conform with the respective shapes of the top and bottom panels. The blank further includes a pair of gussets provided for each side panel. Each gusset includes two hingably interconnected gusset panels. The pair of gussets connect one of the panel portions of each side panel to the top or bottom panel. Alternatively, the pair of gussets connect adjacent panel portions of each side panel to the top or bottom panel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.