US3758021A

US3758021A - Divisible carton

Info

Publication number: US3758021A
Application number: US00229919A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ross R Gordon
Original assignee: Stone Container Corp
Current assignee: Stone Container Corp
Priority date: 1972-02-28
Filing date: 1972-02-28
Publication date: 1973-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-11

Abstract

The divisible carton is made from a single unitary blank of paperboard material which has a plurality of score lines, slits, cuts and handle formations therein. The carton has at least one continuous top wall, a continuous bottom wall, continuous side walls, continuous end walls and at least two juxtaposed internal walls. The divisible carton has a line of perforations extending around the carton midway between the end walls thereof and in the bottom wall, the side walls and the top wall. When the divisible carton is separated at the line of perforations to form two smaller cartons, the internal walls form respective end walls of the two separate and smaller cartons. Preferably, a handle formation is formed in each of the internal walls and each handle formation is completely enclosed within the divisible carton and is exposed only when the divisible carton is separated at the line of perforations into two smaller cartons. The handle formations can then be manipulated to form handles for easy carrying of each smaller carton.

Description

Utlitefl States Patent [1 1 Gordon-Ross Sept. 11, 1973 [54] DIVISIBLE CARTON 1,117,295 6/1968 Great Britain 229/51 DB [75] Inventor. 23:31: Gordon-Ross, Downers P y Examiner samuel B. Rothberg v i Assistant ExaminerStephen Marcus [73] Assignee: Stone Container Corporation, Att0rney'I. Irving Silverman et a1.

Chicago, Ill. 221 Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT l The divisible carton is made from a single unitary blank Appl- N05 229,919 of paperboard material which has a plurality of score lines, slits,'cuts and handle formations therein. The car- 52 us. CI. 229 51 DB, 229/52 B has at least one continuous p wall, a continuous [51} Int. Cl 865d 5/54 bottom wall continuous side walls, continuous end [58] Field of Search 229/16 R, 51 DB, Walls n at least twoiuxtaposed internal walls- The 229 B visible carton has a line of perforations extending around the carton midway between the end walls 5 References Citd thereof and in the bottom wall, the side walls and the UNITED STATES PATENTS top wall; When the divisible carton is separated at the 1 Y 1 line of perforations to form two smaller cartons, the in- Riegler R ternal walls form respective end wa o the p 2,359,986 10/1944 Grecco..... 229/51 DB 2'472674 6/1949 Morandm 229/5 DB rate and smaller cartons. Preferably, a handle forma- 247475] 6/1949 Morandm 229/5l DB tion is formed in each of the internal walls and each 2'634178 7/1954 Keel U 229/51 DB handle formation is completely enclosed within the di- 3 043 321 3 19 2 sa f rd 229 51 DB visible carton and is exposed only when the divisible 3,099,380 7/ I963 Nathan 229/51 DB carton is separated at the line of perforations into two 3,144,190 8/1964 Holt at a 229/5l DB smaller cartons. The handle formations can then be Gosling manipulated to form handles for easy carrying of each FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Canada 229/51 DB smaller carton.

26 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures minnow- 1 1w sum 1 nr 3 PATENTED I 3.758.021

sum 2 or 3 FIG.6

PATENTEDSEH 1 I973 sum 3 0F 3 FIG.7

FIG.8

DIVISIBLE CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to divisible cartons which are particularly useful as divisible candy boxes. The inventionalso relates to a unitary paperboard blank from which each divisible carton is formed. The separable smaller cartons or boxes each have a handle formation in a wall thereof. These walls are totally enclosed within the divisible carton before it is separated along a line of perforations circling the carton.

Heretofore, several different types of divisible cartons or containers have been proposed.

The advantages and distinctive features of the divisible carton and of the paperboard blank for making each carton of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a paperboard blank for forming a divisible carton separable into two. smaller cartons. The blank includes first and second substantially identical or mirror image blank portions separated by a line of reduced strength which extends between opposite side edges of the blank. Each of the blank portions extends between one end edge of the blank and the reduced strength line and includes a first section and a second section. Each first section extends between the reduced strength line and the second section, the junction between the sections being defined by a fold line extending generally parallel to the reduced strength line. The first section has a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel score lines each extending between the line of reduced strength and one of two free edges in each of the first sections; A bottom panel is defined in the first section between the fold line," the score lines and the line of reduced strength.

First and second side wall panels are hingedly connected at therespective score lines to the bottom panel. At least one portion of the first section extends outwardly from one of the side wall panels, said portion one of the fold lines and one of the end edges of the blank and includes an end wall panel hingedly connected at the fold line to the bottom panel. At least one portion of the second section extends the full length of one of the free edges in the first section and is hingedly connected tothe end wall panel at a score line extending generally parallel to the first mentioned score lines. At least one portion of the second section has a crease therein extending generally parallel to the score lines. An overlapping side wall panel is definedbetween a free edge of the second section, the crease and the score line in the second section, and one of the end edges of the blank. Lastly, a second end wall panel is defined between the last mentioned crease, the free edge in the second section, one of the side edges of the blank and one-of the end edges of the blank.

walls and extends within the carton. adjacent one of the side walls in juxtaposed relationship thereto a distance equal to substantially A the length of the side wall. An internal wall is hingedly connected to each overlapping side wall and is arranged to form an end wall of a smaller carton when the divisible carton is separated into two smaller cartons. Additionally,'a line of perforations extends around the carton midway between the end walls thereof such that the divisible carton can be separated along the line of perforations to form the. two smaller substantially identical cartons. Preferably, the internal wall has a handle formation therein, so that, after the divisible carton is separated into the two smaller cartons, the facing internal walls each form an end wall panel with a handle formation therein for one of the smaller cartons. The handle formation can be.

easily manipulated for extending a handle from the smaller carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the divisible carton of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the divisible carton aftera line of perforations extending around the carton has been broken to separate the divisible carton into two smaller cartons;'

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of one of the smaller cartons shown in FIG. 2 and showing an erected handle formed by manipulating the handle formation in the internal wall of the separable carton shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton shown in FIG. 1 is formed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partially folded position of the-blank as it is being folded into the carton shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 4 in a further folded position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 4 in a still further folded position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 and showing a modified blank as it is being folded into a divisible carton similar to the carton shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The divisible. carton of the present invention is identifiled by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. As shown,

- a line of reduced strength, namely, a line of perfora- FIGS. 4, S and 6. It is to be noted that the

walls

16, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 26a are continuous and provide the divisible carton 10 with continuous smooth top, bottom and side walls which facilitate the handling and stacking of the carton 10. Also, except for the line of perforations 11, each carton 10 has the shape and appearance of a single unitary carton.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and5, when the divisible carton 10 is divided along the perforated line 11 to form the two smaller cartons l2 and 14, the

internal end walls

30 and 30a each have a

handle formation

32 or 32a formed therein. The

handle formations

32 and 32a are easily extended to form a handle 38 or 38a which extends outwardly from the

end wall panel

30 or 30a of each of the

cartons

12 or 14. The handle 38 is shown extended in FIG. 3. The manner in which the handle 38 is erected will be explained hereinafter in detail in connection with the description of FIGS. 4, and 6.

The blank 40 from which carton is. assembled is shown in FIG. 4. Blank 40.has a plurality of panels which form the various walls of the carton 10 when the blank is erected. The blank 40 is divided into first and second portions 41 and 41a which are mirror images of each other and which extend between

end edges

43 and 43a. Since the portions 41 and 41a are substantially the same, only the blank portion 41 will be described in detail. Corresponding elements in the second blank portion 41a are identified with the same reference numeral and the subscript a appended.

The portion 41 includes a first section 44 and a second section 46. The first section 44 extends from perforated line 11 to a fold line 48 defining the junction between the first and

second sections

44, 46. The first section 44 has-a pair of spaced apart generally

parallel score lines

51 and 52 which extend between the perforated line and one of two

freeedges

53, 54 in the first section 44. A bottom wall panel 56 is defined in the first section between the fold line 48, the score lines 51 and 52 and the perforated line 11. Thus, the bottom wall panels 56 and 56a'together provide or form the bottom wall 24 of the carton 10.

First and second

side wall panels

61 and 62 are hingedly connected at the

respective score lines

51 and 52 to the bottom wall panel 56. The first section 44 extends outwardly from each of the

side wall panels

61 and 62. First and

second creases

63 and 64 extend respectively in each of these outwardly extending portions and between the perforated line 11 and one of the

free edges

53 or 54 so as to divide each into one of the

side wall panels

61 or 62 and a

top wall panel

65 or 66. Each

side wall panel

61 and 62 is defined between the perforated line 11, one of the score lines 51 or 52, one of the

creases

63 or 64, and one 'of the

free edges

53 or 54. Similarly, each of the

top panels

65 or 66 is defined between the perforated line 11, one of the

creases

63 or 64, one of the

free edges

53 or 54, and one of two

side edges

67 or 69 of the blank 40.

It will be noted that the side wall panels 61 and 61a form the side wall of the carton 10. Likewise, the side wall panels 62 and 620 form the opposite side wall 22 of the carton 10. Again,

panels

65 and 65a form the top wall 18 and

panels

66 and 66a form the top wall 16 of the carton 10. v

The second section 46 of the blank portion 41 extends between the fold line 48 and the end edge 43 of the blank 40 and includes the end wall panel 26 which is hingedly connected at the fold line 48' to the bottom wall panel 56. First and second portions of the second section extend, respectively, from the end wall panel 26 at least the full length of one of the

free edges

53 or 54 in the first section. As shown, these portions extend further outwardly than the

free edge

53 or 54 and beyond the end edges of the top panels and 66 in the first section 44. Each of these outwardly extending portions is hingedly connected to the end wall panel 26 at one of two

score lines

71 and 72 which extend generally parallel to, but not co-linear with, the score lines 51, 52 in the first section 44. Also, it will be noted that the score lines 71 and 72 are closer to each other than the score lines 51 and 52 so that'when'the end panel 26 is folded upwardly, its side edges at the score lines 71 and 72 will be inwardly of the

side wall panels

61 and 62. Then, the first and second overlapping

side wall panels

81 and 82 hingedly connected to the end panel-26 at the

respective score lines

71 and 72 easily can be fitted within the carton 10 adjacent the

side wall panels

61 and 62.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the outwardly extending portions of the second section 46 in which the overlapping

side wall panels

81 and 82 are found extends between one of the score lines 71 or 72, one of the side edges 67 or 69 of the blank, the end edge 43 of the blank and one of two free edges 83 or 84 in the first section. Each of the free edges 83 or 84 is adjacent one of the

free edges

53 or 54 in the first section. In this respect, each pair of adjacent

free edges

53, 83 or 54, 84, is formed by a

slit

85 or 86 formed in the blank portion and extending outwardly from the fold line 48.

The inner end of each of the

slits

85, 86 is defined by a

cut

87 or 88 which extends at an angle into the blank 40 from the pair of adjacent

free edges

53, 83 or 54, 84

in a direction generally toward the perforated line 11 and toward one of the score lines 52 or 51 in the first section and substantially to the fold line 48 which -is generally parallel to, but not co-linear with the

slits

85, 86 in the blank portion 41.

Each of the outwardly extending portions of the second section 46 includes a crease 93 or 94 which extends generally parallel to the score lines 71, 72, 51, 52

and between the free edge 83 or 84 and the end edge 43 of the blank 40. As shown, the crease 93 forms a junction in one portion of the first section 46 between the overlapping panel 81 and panel 30 which forms an overlapping internal wall within the carton 10 prior to the division of the carton into the two

smaller cartons

12, 14, after which the wall panel 30 forms the end wall 30 of the carton 12. Likewise, the crease 94 forms a junction in the other portion of the second section 46 between the overlapping panel 82 and another panel 96 which forms an overlapping internal wall 96 which will be folded behind the end wall 30.

It will be apparent that each of the overlapping

side wall panels

81 and 82 is defined between one of the free edges 83 or 84, one of the score lines 71 or 72,-the end edges 43 and one of the creases 93 or 94. Similarly, each of the

internal wall panels

30 and 96 is defined between the crease 93 or 94, the free edge 83 or 84, the

side edge

67 or 69 of the blank 40 and the end edge 43 of the blank 40.

, An end flap 100 is hingedly connected to the end wall panel 26 at a second fold line 102 which is spaced from and parallel to the first fold line 48. Side edges 103 and 104 of the end flap 100 are located outwardly of the score lines 71 and 72. The portion of theend edge 43 defining one side edge of each of the overlapping

side wall panels

81 and 82 is stepped or recessed as indicated at 107 and 108. This recess or

inner edge

107 or 108 is adapted to accommodate the extending

edge

103 or 104 of the end flap 100 when it is folded over the overlapping

side wall panels

81 and 82. To facilitate this folding, two cuts, 109 and 110 extend inwardly from the

inner edges

107 and 108 to the score lines 71 and 72 and to the second fold line 102 which is generally cQ-linear to the

inner edges

107 and 108.

Each of the

end wall panels

30 and 96 has a handle formation, such as 32 in the panel 31) and a handle formation 112 in the panel 96. The handle formation 32 is defined by an elongated'opening 114 which extends in panel 30 in a direction generally parallel to the edges 83 and 43. Spaced from each end of the opening 114 are two

cuts

115 and 116 which extend from a point midway between the edges 43 and 83 to the edge 83, which forms a bottom edge of the panel 30 when it is folded to form an internal wall in the carton 10. The U- shaped handle member 38 is defined between the opening 114 and the

cuts

115 and 116. The ends of the leg portions of the member 38 are hingedly connected within the panel 30 at

score lines

117 and 118 so that the handle 38 can be pulled outwardly and extended as shown in FIG. 3.

In like manner, the handle formation 112 in wall panel 96 is defined by an opening 124, two

cuts

125 and 126 and two

score lines

127 and 128 which define therebetween and the end edge 43 a U-shaped member 130. It will be noted that the

cuts

125 and 126 extend from a point between the

edges

43 and 84 to the edge 43, which forms a top edge of the internal wall 96 located behind the panel 30 whenthe'blank 40 is folded to form the carton 10, as best shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7- To erect the carton 10, the

end panels

26 and 26a are folded upwardly and the secondsections 46 and 46a are formed progressively into rectangles or boxes as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The end flaps 100 and 100a are folded over as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the

panels

96 and 96a are folded behind the

panels

30 and 30a. The

panels

30 and 96 combine to form a double strength internal wall which faces another double strengthv internal wall formed by the

wall panels

30a and 96a. Also, it will be noted that the

handle formations

32, 112, 32a, 112a are located in the

panels

30, 96, 30a, 96a inside the car- 7 ton 10. After the two boxlilre formations, which are open at the top, are formed by folding the

second sections

46 and 46a, they are folded inwardly over and onto the bottom wall panels 56 and'56a, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Then, the panels forming the

side walls

20 and 22 and the

top walls

16 and 18 are folded upwardly and over the boxlike formations with the top wall 18 being folded over first and then the other top wall 16 being folded thereover. If desired, prior to the folding over of the wall 16 on the wall 18, an adhesive can be applied to the upper surface of the wall 18 or to the underside of the wall 16 for securing the same together.

In the erected carton 10, the overlapping

side wall panels

81 and 82 will be juxtaposed the

side wall panels

61 and 62 respectively. If desired, the

panels

81,61 and the

panels

82, 62 can be secured together by an adhesive. Also, the end flap 100 can be adhesively secured underlying the top panel 18. In this way, a substantially rigid divisible carton including two substantially rigid smaller cartons is provided.

After the

cartons

12 and 14 are separated by breaking the carton 10 along the line of perforation 11, the

handle formations

32 and 112 can be easily extended. The U-shaped handle 38 is folded outwardly and the U-shaped handle 130. hidden from view in FIG. 2 behind the handle 38 is folded downwardly and then projected outwardly underneath the handle 38 as clearly shownin FIG. 3. This provides a firm, double-strength handle. It can be appreciated that upon separation, each of the

smaller cartons

12 and 14 are unitary cartonswith each having asmooth shape and appearance.

A modified blank for forming a divisible carton in accordance with the invention is designated in FIG. 8. The blank 140 is similar to the blank 40 except that in the second section of each blank. portion thereof, the panels, i.e.,

panels

141, 142, 141a and 142a which form the internal walls within the carton and later the end walls of each smaller carton, have a different handle formation therein. In this respect, the overlapping end wall panel 141 is divided by a crease 143 into two

panel portions

144 and 146. The outermost panel portion 146 has an elongated opening 148 which extends generally parallel to the crease 143. This opening 148 de fines part of a handle formation. The panel portion 146 is adapted to be folded outwardly so as to form a handle after the divisible carton fonned from the blank 140 is separated into the two smaller cartons.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: i

1. A paperboard blank for forming a divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said blank including first and second substantially mirror image blank portions separated by a line of reduced strength which extends between opposite side edges of said blank, each of said blank portions extending between one end edge of said blank and said reduced strength line and including a first section and a second section, said first section extending between said reduced strength line and said second section, the junction between said first and second sections in each blank portion being defined by a fold line extending generally parallel to said reduced strength line, said first section having a pair of spaced apart generally parallel score lines each extending between said line of reduced strength. and one of two free edges in each of said first sections, a bottom panel in said first section defined between. said fold line, said score lines and said line of reduced strength, first and second side wall panels hingedly connected'at said respective score lines to said bottom panel, at least one portion of said first section extending outwardly from one of said side wall panels, a crease in said one portion extending parallel to said score lines and between said line of reduced strength and one of said free edges, said one of said side wall panels extending between said crease, one of said score lines, one of said free edges and said line of reduced strength, a top panel defined between said line of reduced. strength, one of said free edges, said crease, and one of said side edges of said blank, each of said second sections extending between one of said fold lines and one of said end edges of said blank, said second section of each blank portion including an end wall panel hingedly connected at said fold line to said bottom "panel, at least one portion of said second section extending the full length of one of said free edges in said first section; and being hingedly connected to said end wallpanel at a score line extending generally parallel to said first mentioned score lines, a crease in said one portion of said second section extending generally parallel to said score lines, an overlappingside wall panel defined between a free edge in said second section, said crease and said score line in said second section, and one of said end edges of said blank, and a second end wall panel defined between said last mentioned crease, said free edge in said second section, one of said side edges of said blank and one of said end edges of said blank.

2. The blank as defined in claim ll wherein said line of reduced strength is a perforated line.

3. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said portion of said second section of each of said blank portions is longer than said portion of said first section thereof.

4. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein each blank portion has two cuts, each cut extending at an angle into said blank from one of said free edges in a direction generally toward said reduced strength line and toward one of said score lines in said first section and substantially to said fold line which is generally parallel to but not co-linear with said free edges.

5. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein part of each first section has another portion extending outwardly from the other side wall panel to the other one of said side edges of said blank, a second crease extends in said other portion generally parallel to said score lines, said other side wall panel being defined between said second crease, said other score line, said line of reduced strength and one of said free edges in said first section, and an overlapping second top panel defined between said second crease, said other side edge of said blank, said line of reduced strength and said oneof said free edges. Y

' 6. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said second end wall panel has a handle formation therein.

7. The blank as defined in claim 6 wherein said handle formation includes a Ushaped handle which is cut into said blank, the ends of the leg portions of said U- shaped handle being hingedly connected to and within second end wall panel, and the bight of said U-shaped handle being defined by an elongated opening in said second end wall panel.

8. The blank as defined in claim 7 wherein said handle has the shape of a shallow U with the legs thereof 'extending generally parallel to said crease and said score line in said second section.

9. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said second sections includes an end flap hingedly connected to said first end wall panel along a second fold line which is spaced from and generally parallel to said first fold line.

10. The blank as defined in claim 9 wherein the portion of said end edge of said blank defining one side edge of said overlapping side wall panel is stepped so as to form inner and outer side edges, the inner edge accomodading the thickness of said end flap when it is folded over to form said carton, said secondfold line being generally co-linear with said inner edge and being generally parallel to and spaced from the remaining portion of said side edge. I

11. The blank as defined in claim I wherein said second section has another portion extending outwardly from said first end wall panel, said other portion having a score line therein extending generally parallel to said other score lines and said other portion including a second overlap side wall panel hingedly connected to said end panel at said score line in said other portion.

12. The blank as defined in claim 11 wherein said score lines in said second section are spaced from and generally parallel to said score lines in said first section.

13. The blank as defined in claim 11 wherein said other portion of said second section has a crease therein, said second overlap side wall panel being defined between said score line and said crease in said other portion, one of said end edges of said blank and another free edge in said second portion, and said other portion includes an overlap second end panel defined between said crease, said other free edge, one of said side edges, and one of said end edges of said blank.

14. The blank as defined in claim 13 wherein said second end wall panel and said overlap second end wall panel each have a crease therein dividing said respective second end wall panels into two panel portions and wherein the outer panel portion defined between said last-mentioned crease, one of said free edges in said second section, one of said side edges and one of said end edges of said blank, has a handle formation therein.

15. The blank as defined in claim 14 wherein said handle formation is defined in part by an elongated opening in said outer panel portion, said opening extending generally parallel to said creases and score lines in said second section.

16. A paperboard blank for forming a divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said blank including first and second substantially identical, or mirror image, blank portions separated .by a perforated line which extends between opposite side edges of said blank, each of said blank portions extending between one end edge of said blank and said perforated line and including a first section and a second section, said first section of each blank portion extending between said perforated line and said second section of said blank portion, the junction between said first and second sections in each blank portion being defined by a fold line extending generally parallel to said perforated line, said first section having a pair of spaced apart generally parallel score lines, each extending between said perforated line and one of two free edges in each of said first sections, a bottom panel in said first section defined between said fold line, said score lines and said perforated line, first and second side wall panels hingedly connected at said respective score lines to said bottom panel, said first section extending outwardly from each of said side wall panels, a crease extending parallel to said score lines in each of said extending portions and between said perforated line and one of said free edges, each of said side wall panels extending between one of said creases, one of said score lines, one of said free edges and said perforated line, first and second top panels defined respectively between said perforated line, one of said free edges, one of said creases, and one of said side edges of said blank, each of said second sections extending between one of said fold lines and one of said end edges of said blank, said second section of each blank portion including an end wall panel hingedly connected at said fold line to said bottom panel, first and second portions of said second section extending respectively the full length of one of said free edges in said first section and each being hingedly connected to said end wall panel at one of two score lines extending generally parallel to, but not co-linear with,

said first mentioned score lines, said score lines in said second section being closer to each other than said score lines in said first section, each portion in'said second section including a free edge adjacent one of said free edges in said first section, each pair of adjacent free edges being formed by a slit extending in each blank portion outwardly from said fold line and between said sections, a cut extending at an angle into said blank from each pair of adjacent free edges in 'a direction generally toward said perforated line and toward one of said score lines in said first section and substantially to said fold line which is generally parallel to, but not co-linear with, said slits in said blank portion, a crease in each of said portions of said second section extending generally parallel to said score lines, respective overlapping side wall panels each defined between a free edge in said second section, one of said creases and one of said score lines in one portion of said second section, and one of said end edges of said blank, and re spective overlapping second end wall panels eachdefined between one of said last mentioned creases, one of said free edges in said second section, one of said side edges of said blank and one of saidend edges of said blank, an end flap hingedly connected to said first end wall panel at a second fold line which is spaced from and generally parallel to said first fold line, and each of said overlapping second end wall panels having a handle formation therein.

17. A divisible carton separable into two smaller car tons, said divisible carton being formed from a single unitary blank of paperboard'material and including a bottom wall, first and second side walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, at least one top wall hingedly connected to one of said side walls, first and second end walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, at least one overlapping side wall hingedly connected to one side edge of each end wall and extending within the carton adjacent one of said side walls in juxtaposed relationship thereto a distance equal to substantially the length of said side wall, an internal wall hingedly connected to each overlapping side wall and arranged to form an end wall of a smaller carton when said divisible carton is separated into two smaller cartons, and a line of perforations extending around said carton midway between said end walls of said divisible carton and insaid bottom wall, said side walls and said top wall, whereby said divisible carton can be easily separated along said line of perforations to form two smaller and substantially identicalcartons.

18. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 including a second top wall which is hingedly connected to' the other side wallof said carton and is juxtaposed overlapping said first top wall.

19. The divisible carton as defined in claim ll? wherein each of said internal walls has a handle formation therein, whereby after said divisible carton is separated into said two smaller cartons, the facing internal walls each form an end wall with a handle formation therein for each of the smaller cartons, said handle formations being easily manipulated for extending a handle from each of said end walls formed by one of said internal walls. i

20. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 wherein a second overlapping side wall is hingedly connected to the otherside edge of each of said end walls and extends a length substantially equal to one-half the length of one of said side walls of said carton and is located in juxtaposed relationship thereto.

21. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 wherein a second internal wall is hingedly connected to each of said second overlapping side walls and is located adjacent one of said first internal walls in juxtaposed relationship thereto.

22. The divisible carton as defined in claim 21 wherein each of said internal walls has a handle formation therein whereby, when the divisible carton is separated into two smaller cartons, said internal juxtaposed walls in each smaller carton form an end wall for that smaller carton, said handle formations being easily manipulated to extend a handle from each of said smaller cartons for easy carrying thereof.

23. The divisible carton' as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said juxtaposed internal walls has an elongated opening therein extending in a direction generally parallel to the top and bottom edges of said internal wall, and each internal wall has two spaced apart generally parallel cuts therein, saidi cuts extending generally parallel to the planes of said side walls, the cuts in one of said internal walls extending from a point between the top and bottom edges thereof to the top edge of that internal wall and the cuts in the juxtaposed internal wall extending from a point between the top and bottom edges thereof to the bottom edge of that internal wall.

24. The divisible carton as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said internal walls is divided at a score line into first and second wall panels, th first wall panel being connected to'one of said side walls and the second wall panel having a handle formation therein, said handle formation being defined in part by an elongated opening in said second wall panel extending in a direction generally parallel to the side walls of said carton.

25. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 wherein a flap is hingedly connected to the top edge of each one of said first and second end walls and extends adjacent said top wall of saidcarton in juxtaposed relationship thereto.

26. A divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said divisible carton being formed from a single unitary blank of paperboard material and including a bottom wall, first and second side walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, first and second top walls each hingedly connected to the top edge of one of said side walls, first and second end walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, an end flap hingedly connected to the top edge of each end wall and extending within said carton in juxtaposed relationship to said top walls, an overlapping side wall hingedly connected to each side edge of each end wall and extending within the carton adjacent one of said side walls in juxtaposed relationship thereto a distance equal to substantially the length of said side wall, an internal wall hingedly connected to each overlapping side wall and arranged to form an overlapping end wall of a smaller carton when said divisible carton is separated into two smaller cartons, a handle formation in each of said internal walls, said handle fonnations being easily manipulated for extending a handle from the overlapping internal walls when they define an end wall of a smaller carton and a line of perforations extending around said carton midway between said end walls of said divisible carton and in said bottom wall, said side walls and said top wall, whereby said divisible carton can be easily separated along said line 'of perforations to form two smaller and substantially identical cartons.

Claims

1. A paperboard blank for forming a divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said blank including first and second substantially mirror image blank portions separated by a line of reduced strength which extends between opposite side edges of said blank, each of said blank portions extending between one end edge of said blank and said reduced strength line and including a first section and a second section, said first section extending between said reduced strength line and said second section, the junction between said first and second sections in each blank portion being defined by a fold line extending generally parallel to said reduced strength line, said first section having a pair of spaced apart generally parallel score lines each extending between said line of reduced strength and one of two free edges in each of said first sections, a bottom panel in said first section defined between said fold line, said score lines and said line of reduced strength, first and second side wall panels hingedly connected at said respective score lines to said bottom panel, at least one portion of said first section extending outwardly from one of said side wall panels, a crease in said one portion extending parallel to said score lines and between said line of reduced strength and one of said free edges, said one of said side wall panels extending between said crease, one of said score lines, one of said free edges and said line of reduced strength, a top panel defined between said line of reduced strength, one of said free edges, said crease, and one of said side edges of said blank, each of said second sections extending between one of said fold lines and one of said end edges of said blank, said second section of each blank portion including an end wall panel hingedly connected at said fold line to said bottom panel, at least one portion of said second section extending the full length of one of said free edges in said first section and being hingedly connected to said end wall panel at a score line extending generally parallel to said first mentioned score lines, a crease in said one portion of said second section extending generally parallel to said score lines, an overlapping side wall panel defined between a free edge in said second section, said crease and said score line in said second section, and one of said end edges of said blank, and a second end wall panel defined between said last mentioned crease, said free edge in said second section, one of said side edges of said blank and one of said end edges of said blank.

2. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said line of reduced strength is a perforated line.

5. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein part of each first section has another portion extending outwardly from the other side wall panel to the other one of said side edges of said blank, a second crease extends in said other portion generally parallel to said score lines, said other side wall panel being defined between said second crease, said other score line, said line of reduced strength and one of said free edges in said first section, and an overlapping second top panel defined between said second crease, said other side edge of said blank, said line of reduced strength and said one of said free edges.

6. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said second end wall panel has a handle formation therein.

7. The blank as defined in claim 6 wherein said handle formation includes a U-shaped handle which is cut into said blank, the ends of the leg portions of said U-shaped handle being hingedly connected to and within second end wall panel, and the bight of said U-shaped handle being defined by an elongated opening in said second end wall panel.

8. The blank as defined in claim 7 wherein said handle has the shape of a shallow U with the legs thereof extending generally parallel to said crease and said score line in said second section.

10. The blank as defined in claim 9 wherein the portion of said end edge of said blank defining one side edge of said overlapping side wall panel is stepped so as to form inner and outer side edges, the inner edge accomodading the thickness of said end flap when it is folded over to form said carton, said second fold line being generally co-linear with said inner edge and being generally parallel to and spaced from the remaining portion of said side edge.

11. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said second section has another portion extending outwardly from said first end wall panel, said other portion having a score line therein extending generally parallel to said other score lines and said other portion including a second overlap side wall panel hingedly connected to said end panel at said score line in said other portion.

16. A paperboard blank for forming a divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said blank including first and second substantially identical, or mirror image, blank portions separated by a perforated line which extends between opposite side edges of said blank, each of said blank portions extending between one end edge of said blank and said perforated line and including a first section and a second section, said first section of each blank portion extending between said perforated line and said second section of said blank portion, the junction between said first and second sections in each blank portion being defined by a fold line extending generally parallel to said perforated line, said first section having a pair of spaced apart generally parallel score lines, each extending between said perforated line and one of two free edges in each of said first sections, a bottom panel in said first section defined between said fold line, said score lines and said perforated line, first and second side wall panels hingedly connected at said respective score lines to said bottom panel, said first section extending outwardly from each of said side wall panels, a crease extending parallel to said score lines in each of said extending portions and between said perforated line and one of said free edges, each of said side wall panels extending between one of said creases, one of said score lines, one of said free edges and said perforated line, first and second top panels defined respectively between said perforated line, one of said free edges, one of said creases, and one of said side edges of said blank, each of said second sections extending between one of said fold lines and one of said end edges of said blank, said second section of each blank portion including an end wall panel hingedly connected at said fold line to said bottom panel, first and second portions of said second section extending respectively the full length of one of said free edges in said first section and each being hingedly connected to said end wall panel at one of two score lines extending generally parallel to, but not co-linear with, said first mentioned score lines, said score lines in said second section being closer to each other than said score lines in said first section, each portion in said second section including a free edge adjacent one of said free edges in said first section, each pair of adjacent free edges being formed by a slit extending in each blank portion outwardly from said fold line and between said sections, a cut extending at an angle into said blank from each pair of adjacent free edges in a direction generally toward said perforated line and toward one of said score lines in said first section and substantially to said fold line which is generally parallel to, but not co-linear with, said slits in said blank portion, a crease in each of said portions of said second section extending generally parallel to said score lines, respective overlapping side wall panels each defined between a free edge in said second section, one of said creases and one of said score lines in one portion of said second section, and one of said end edges of said blank, and respective overlapping second end wall panels each defined between one of said last mentioned creases, one of said free edges in said second section, one of said side edges of said blank and one of said end edges of said blank, an end flap hingedly connected to said first end wall panel at a second fold line which is spaced from and generally parallel to said first fold line, and each of said overlapping second end wall panels having a handle formation therein.

17. A divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said divisible carton being formed from a single unitary blank of paperboard material and including a bottom wall, first and second side walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, at least one top wall hingedly connected to one of said side walls, first and second end walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, at least one overlapping side wall hingedly connected to one side edge of each end wall and extending within the carton adjacent one of said side walls in juxtaposed relationship thereto a distance equal to substantially 1/2 the length of said side wall, an internal wall hingedly connected to each overlapping side wall anD arranged to form an end wall of a smaller carton when said divisible carton is separated into two smaller cartons, and a line of perforations extending around said carton midway between said end walls of said divisible carton and in said bottom wall, said side walls and said top wall, whereby said divisible carton can be easily separated along said line of perforations to form two smaller and substantially identical cartons.

18. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 including a second top wall which is hingedly connected to the other side wall of said carton and is juxtaposed overlapping said first top wall.

19. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 wherein each of said internal walls has a handle formation therein, whereby after said divisible carton is separated into said two smaller cartons, the facing internal walls each form an end wall with a handle formation therein for each of the smaller cartons, said handle formations being easily manipulated for extending a handle from each of said end walls formed by one of said internal walls.

20. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 wherein a second overlapping side wall is hingedly connected to the other side edge of each of said end walls and extends a length substantially equal to one-half the length of one of said side walls of said carton and is located in juxtaposed relationship thereto.

23. The divisible carton as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said juxtaposed internal walls has an elongated opening therein extending in a direction generally parallel to the top and bottom edges of said internal wall, and each internal wall has two spaced apart generally parallel cuts therein, said cuts extending generally parallel to the planes of said side walls, the cuts in one of said internal walls extending from a point between the top and bottom edges thereof to the top edge of that internal wall and the cuts in the juxtaposed internal wall extending from a point between the top and bottom edges thereof to the bottom edge of that internal wall.

24. The divisible carton as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said internal walls is divided at a score line into first and second wall panels, th first wall panel being connected to one of said side walls and the second wall panel having a handle formation therein, said handle formation being defined in part by an elongated opening in said second wall panel extending in a direction generally parallel to the side walls of said carton.

25. The divisible carton as defined in claim 17 wherein a flap is hingedly connected to the top edge of each one of said first and second end walls and extends adjacent said top wall of said carton in juxtaposed relationship thereto.

26. A divisible carton separable into two smaller cartons, said divisible carton being formed from a single unitary blank of paperboard material and including a bottom wall, first and second side walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, first and second top walls each hingedly connected to the top edge of one of said side walls, first and second end walls hingedly connected to said bottom wall, an end flap hingedly connected to the top edge of each end wall and extending within said carton in juxtaposed relationship to said top walls, an overlapping side wall hingedly connected to each side edge of each end wall and exTending within the carton adjacent one of said side walls in juxtaposed relationship thereto a distance equal to substantially 1/2 the length of said side wall, an internal wall hingedly connected to each overlapping side wall and arranged to form an overlapping end wall of a smaller carton when said divisible carton is separated into two smaller cartons, a handle formation in each of said internal walls, said handle formations being easily manipulated for extending a handle from the overlapping internal walls when they define an end wall of a smaller carton and a line of perforations extending around said carton midway between said end walls of said divisible carton and in said bottom wall, said side walls and said top wall, whereby said divisible carton can be easily separated along said line of perforations to form two smaller and substantially identical cartons.