A carton

Abstract

A partially assembled carton (10) for the sealed containment of food, wherein the partially assembled carton is of paperboard laminated with a barrier film. The partially assembled carton comprises a front panel (20); a rear panel (18); first and second opposing side panels (24, 26), each extending between the front panel and the rear panel; and at least one corner (30) between a side panel and a front or rear panel. Said corner comprises a first portion (32) hingedly connected to one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel, and a second portion (34) hingedly connected to the first portion and to another one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel. The first portion is joined to said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is hingedly connected at a seam (38). The first portion comprises a laminated section (40) of paperboard and film, and a first film-only section (42) extending beyond the paperboard. The seam is adhesively (44) secured at the laminated section and at the film-only section of the first portion.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present teachings relate to a partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food, and to a method of forming a partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food from a blank.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cartons made from paperboard material for packaging food are well known, and are widely used for food sold in supermarkets, cafes and convenience food outlets. For example, paperboard cartons are used for ready-to-eat food such as salads. The board is readily printed so that the food is attractively presented on the shelf, and the packs are relatively low cost and user friendly for the consumer.

[0003] Where such a carton is intended to keep food fresh for some time, i.e. more than a few hours, the carton may be sealable. Such a sealable carton usually has a body to hold the food and a lid for sealing to the body once the body has been filled.

[0004] It is common for such a sealable carton to be provided by the manufacturer in a partially assembled form, i.e. with some panels folded and secured in place, but with the lid still openable. The partially assembled carton is typically folded flat for ease and efficiency of transport. Once transported the partially assembled carton is erected ready for filling. Once filled, e.g. with food, the lid is sealed to the body.

[0005] The lid must be sealed or hinged to the body on all sides to protect the food held therein. Typically a series of flanges is used to seal the lid to the body. The lid and / or the flanges conventionally include a cut (e.g. a perforated line) whereby contents of the carton can be accessed by a consumer tearing the lid away from the body.

[0006] Once sealed, such a carton can keep food fresh and in a safely edible condition for a number of days. In order to increase the shelf-life of food, cartons are known to be hermetically sealed, i.e. airtight, preventing air or other gases moving between the interior and exterior of the carton. A modified atmosphere can then be used to further extend the shelf-life of the contents of the carton, as is well known. That is, the oxygen level of the interior of the carton can be reduced, and replaced with an elevated level of an atmosphere that will prolong the shelf-life of the carton, e.g. elevated C02.

[0007] A paperboard carton with a body for holding food can be difficult to hermetically seal. Such cartons are often made up of folded panels of paperboard forming a body, the body having a peripheral flange for the sealing of a lid. The paperboard is commonly laminated with a heat-sealable film, so that heat sealed seams can be formed between the joins of the panels and between the flange and the lid.

[0008] The geometry of such a carton, i.e. the folds and joins required to form the body from the panels, make it difficult to provide a fully sealed carton. In particular, leaks can form or air holes can be left at corners of the carton. Any such air holes can lead to escape of the modified atmosphere, so that oxygen levels within the interior of the carton return to normal, i.e. atmosphere conditions, and the modified atmosphere is lost, resulting in decreased shelf-life of the contents of the carton.

[0009] The present teachings seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.SUMMARY

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present teachings there is provided a partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food, wherein the partially assembled carton is of paperboard laminated with a barrier film. The partially assembled carton comprises a front panel; a rear panel; first and second opposing side panels, each extending between the front panel and the rear panel; and at least one corner between a side panel and a front or rear panel.

[0011] Said corner comprises a first portion hingedly connected to one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel, and a second portion hingedly connected to the first portion and to another one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel. The first portion is joined to said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is hingedly connected at a seam. The first portion comprises a laminated section of paperboard and film, and a first film-only section extending beyond the paperboard. The seam is adhesively secured at the laminated section and at the film-only section of the first portion.

[0012] Extending adhesive to the film-only part of the corner leads to the formation of a better seal. The film-only is held in place by the adhesive seam during filling and sealing of the carton, so that hermetic sealing can be achieved. The ease of providing a hermetic seal is thus increased, and there is a reduction in the likelihood of leakage of modified atmosphere once the carton has been filled and sealed.

[0013] The first portion may be joined to one of the side panels.

[0014] An external face of the first portion may be joined to said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is joined.

[0015] The first portion may be joined to an external face of said side panel, front panel or rear panel.

[0016] Such an arrangement allows the adhesive seal to be formed at the most suitable point, i.e. between the corner first portion and an external wall of the carton. Specifically, where the adhesive seal is formed between the corner portion and a respective side panel or sidewall, the corner portions are folded to the side, away from the more complicated formations at the front and rear, e.g. a hinged lid.

[0017] Said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is joined may comprise a second film-only section, and the second film-only section may be adhesively secured to the first film-only section.

[0018] Securing the film-only sections to one another holds the film in place during sealing of the carton, so that a better seal is achieved.

[0019] The partially assembled carton may further comprise a peripheral flange, and a lid panel for sealing to the flange.

[0020] The lid panel may be for heat sealing to the flange.

[0021] An easily sealed carton is provided, as the lid can be simply secured to the flange by e.g. heat sealing after the carton has been filled.

[0022] The lid panel may be hingedly connected to the rear panel.

[0023] Providing a hinged lid reduces the area where sealing must be provided, thus reducing the likelihood of leakage.

[0024] The flange may comprise a single layer of paperboard laminated with a barrier film.

[0025] Providing a flange made up of a single layer paperboard meets the need for a flange to which a lid panel can be secured with a minimal amount of material. Minimal use of material is advantageous for environmental and cost purposes.

[0026] The flange may comprise at least one side panel flange, and the or each side panel flange may comprise a main segment hingedly connected to a side panel, and at least one corner segment hingedly connected to a respective first or second portion of the or one of said corners.

[0027] The or each corner segment may be configured to abut the main segment, such that a substantially continuous flange is provided.

[0028] The main and corner segments of the side panel flanges are necessarily of a complementary shape, i.e. such that each corner segment abuts the main segment in order to provide a substantially continuous single layered flange from multiple flange segments. Advantageously, the side panel flange can be made up of flange segments connected to different panels of the carton, allowing the carton to be made up of a suitable keyline with efficient use of material.

[0029] The corner segment may be hingedly connected to the second portion of said corner.

[0030] The corner segment may be hingedly connected to the lid panel.

[0031] The flange may comprise a front panel flange and at least one side panel flange, wherein a gap is defined between the paperboard of the front panel flange and the paperboard of the or each side panel flange, and wherein the barrier film extends over the or each gap.

[0032] The barrier film may be stretchable.

[0033] The film extending over gaps between the paperboard parts of the flange enables a more effective seal to be achieved. The film being stretchable allows the film to more easily extend over the gaps between the paperboard parts of the flange, such that hermetic sealing can be more effectively achieved.

[0034] The side panel flange may be of substantially constant width.

[0035] The side panel flange may comprise one or more chamfered ends.

[0036] Such chamfered ends improve ease of assembly of the partially assembled carton, and advantageously define the gap between the paperboard of the front panel flange and the side panel flanges.

[0037] The flange may comprise a front panel flange hingedly connected to the front panel, and the flange may define at least one aperture extending through the paperboard and not extending through the barrier film.

[0038] The or each aperture may be adjacent the hinged connection to the front panel.

[0039] Such an aperture or apertures advantageously reduces the amount of material used and eases opening of the lid of the carton following sealing.

[0040] The apertures may be substantially lozenge-shaped.

[0041] The lid panel may define a lid aperture extending through the paperboard and not extending through the barrier film.

[0042] Such a lid aperture provides a window for display of the contents of the carton, as well as advantageously reducing the amount of material used.

[0043] The front panel and the rear panel may be substantially quadrilateral in shape.

[0044] The front panel and the rear panel may be substantially trapezoid.

[0045] The first and second side panels may be substantially quadrilateral in shape.

[0046] The first and second side panels may be substantially trapezoid.

[0047] Such a shape allows the formation of a substantially trapezoidal prism-shaped carton, suitable for nesting for ease of transport. Such a shape also eases filling of a carton.

[0048] The barrier film has a first, heat sealable side and a second, non-heat sealable side, and the second side is laminated to the paperboard.

[0049] Advantageously, provision of a heat-sealable layer is restricted to one side of the film, avoiding unnecessary complexity and limiting use of material.

[0050] The barrier film may be configured for use with modified atmosphere packaging.

[0051] The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive.

[0052] Such an adhesive is suitable for use with food, whilst providing the required sealing properties for hermetic sealing.

[0053] There is further provided a partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food, wherein the partially assembled carton is of paperboard laminated with a barrier film. The partially assembled carton comprises a front panel; a rear panel; first and second opposing side panels, each extending between the front panel and the rear panel; a peripheral flange; and a lid panel for sealing to the flange. The flange comprises a single layer of paperboard laminated with a barrier film.

[0054] Providing a flange made up of a single layer paperboard meets the need for a flange to which a lid panel can be secured with a minimal amount of material. Minimal use of material is advantageous for environmental and cost purposes.

[0055] The partially assembled carton may further comprise at least one corner between a side panel and a front or rear panel, said corner comprising a first portion hingedly connected to one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel, and a second portion hingedly connected to the first portion and to another one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel; wherein the flange comprises at least one side panel flange, and wherein the or each side panel flange comprises a main segment hingedly connected to a side panel, and at least one corner segment hingedly connected to a respective first or second portion of the or one of said corners.

[0056] The or each corner segment may be configured to abut the main segment, such that a substantially continuous flange is provided.

[0057] The corner segment may be hingedly connected to the second portion of said corner.

[0058] The corner segment may be hingedly connected to the lid panel.

[0059] The main and corner segments of the side panel flanges are necessarily of a complementary shape, i.e. such that each corner segment abuts the main segment in order to provide a substantially continuous single layered flange from multiple flange segments. Advantageously, the side panel flange can be made up of flange segments connected to different panels of the carton, allowing the carton to be made up of a suitable keyline with efficient use of material.

[0060] The flange may comprise a front panel flange and at least one side panel flange, wherein a gap is defined between the paperboard of the front panel flange and the paperboard of the or each side panel flange, and wherein the barrier film extends over the or each gap.

[0061] The barrier film may be stretchable.

[0062] The film extending over gaps between the paperboard parts of the flange enables a more effective seal to be achieved. The film being stretchable allows the film to more easily extend over the gaps between the paperboard parts of the flange, such that hermetic sealing can be more effectively achieved.

[0063] There is yet further provided a blank of paperboard laminated with a barrier film for forming a partially assembled carton as described above.

[0064] There is also provided a method of forming a partially assembled carton as described above from a blank, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a blank as described above; b) applying adhesive to the laminated section and to the first film-only section of the first portion; and c) folding the first portion to meet one of a side panel, the front panel or the rear panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food according to an embodiment, with a lid in an open position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carton of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a fully assembled condition, with the lid in a closed position; Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank for the carton of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a partial schematic view of a folded portion of the carton of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the underside of the carton of Figures 1 and 2 after a second stage of assembly; Figure 6 is a schematic view of a press apparatus for the production of the blank of Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a schematic view of an apparatus for the partial assembly of the blank of Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] With reference to Figure 1, a partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food is indicated generally at 10. The carton 10 is of the tray-shaped type, for receiving food such as a salad. The carton 10 has a trapezoidal prism shaped body 12 defining a cavity 14 in which food is received. The trapezoidal prism shape advantageously makes the carton nestable for ease of storage and transportation, and easier to fill.

[0067] Once fully assembled, the carton 10 will be as shown in Figure 2, with a lid 16 sealed over the cavity 14.

[0068] The carton 10 is a modified atmosphere pack, i.e. intended for hermetic sealing so that the atmosphere within the cavity 14 can be controlled as described above.

[0069] The carton 10 has a rear panel 18 and a front panel 20 opposing one another across a base panel 22. The body 12 of the carton 10 is completed by two opposing side panels 24, 26. The side panels 24, 26 extend between the rear panel 18 and the front panel 20. The rear panel 18, front panel 20 and side panels 24, 26 are hingedly connected to the base panel 22, as illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows an underside of a blank 28 from which the carton 10 is formed, prior to partial assembly.

[0070] In this embodiment, the front and rear panels 20, 18 and the side panels 24, 26 are trapezoidal in shape. The base panel 22 is rectangular.

[0071] The carton 10 in this embodiment is of a flexible substrate nominated with a barrier film. In this embodiment, the flexible substrate is paperboard. In this embodiment, the film is a film suitable for modified atmosphere packaging. For example, in this embodiment, the film is a polypropylene / polyethylene co-extruded film with an ethyl vinyl alcohol barrier. The film is a blown film, advantageously providing a natural stretch. In alternative embodiments, the film is of some other type suitable for modified atmosphere packaging.

[0072] The side panels 24, 26 are connected to the front and rear panels 20, 18 at corners 30. In this embodiment, all four corners 30 are similar, each being a corner joint of folded parts as described in further detail below. In alternative embodiments, only one corner may be as described below, or two corners, e.g. the two corners between the rear panel and the two side panels, or the two corners between the front panel and the two side panels.

[0073] Each corner 30 has a first portion 32 and the second portion 34. The first and second portions 32, 34 are webs extending between the respective panels 18, 20, 24, 26. Each first portion 32 is adjacent and hingedly connected to an end of one of the side panels 24, 26. Each second portion 34 is adjacent and hingedly connected to an end of one of the front or rear panels 20, 18. The first and second portions 32, 34 of a respective corner 30 are hingedly connected to one another.

[0074] In an alternative embodiment, each first portion is adjacent and hingedly connected to an end of one of the front or rear panels 20, 18, and each second portion is adjacent and hingedly connected to an end of one of the side panels 24, 26.

[0075] In the partially assembled state shown in Figures 1 and 2, each first portion 32 is joined to the one of the panels 18, 20, 24, 26 to which that first portion 32 is hingedly connected. That is, a face of each first portion 32 is secured to the one of the panels 18, 20, 24, 26 to which that first portion 32 is hingedly connected. In this embodiment, each first portion 32 is secured to the adjacent side panel 24, 26. The first portion 32 being joined to one of the panels 18, 20, 24, 26 involves the respective second portion 34 being folded into contact with that first portion 32.

[0076] Each first portion 32 is secured to the adjacent side panel 24, 26 at a seam 38. In this embodiment, the seam 38 is an adhesive seam. That is, the first portion 32 is secured to the respective side panel 24, 26 by an adhesive.

[0077] In this embodiment, the adhesive is a hot melt type of adhesive, for example as produced by Henkel Limited of Hemel Hempstead, UK. In alternative embodiments, some other suitable adhesive is used.

[0078] For the creation of the seam 38, adhesive is applied to the blank 28 in addition to the existing paperboard and film laminate, as described in further detail below. That is, an additional adhesive is used as well as any adhesive that may be used in lamination of the film to the paperboard substrate.

[0079] As shown most clearly in the blank 28 of Figure 3, each first portion 32 has a first, laminated section 40 and a second, film-only section 42. The laminated section is of paperboard and film, i.e. as the majority of the remainder of the carton 10. The laminated section 40 is adjacent the base panel 22. The film-only section 42 is a section of the film of the laminate that extends beyond the paperboard, i.e. the paperboard is cut away at that point during manufacture. The film-only section 42 is at an end of the first portion 32 distal the base panel 22, i.e. an open or free end.

[0080] The seam 38 is formed from adhesive applied in the path indicated at 44 in Figure 3. The adhesive path 44 extends across the laminated section 40 and the film-only section 42. The seam 38 of the partially assembled carton 10 is thus adhesively secured at the laminated section 40 and at the film-only section 42.

[0081] Advantageously, such a seam 38, i.e. with adhesive extending to the film-only section 42, brings the film into place for sealing once the carton 10 has been filled. Such a seam reduces the likelihood of gaps in the area to be sealed, so improves the ease of achieving a hermetic seal.

[0082] In this embodiment, an external side of each first portion 32 is joined to one of the side panels 24, 26. As shown in Figure 1, as the first portion 32 is secured to the exterior of the adjacent side panel 24, 26, the second portion 34 is externally visible. Folding the first and second portions 32, 34 externally to the cavity 14 assists effective sealing of the carton 10.

[0083] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the carton 10 has a peripheral flange 46 skirting the cavity 14. In this embodiment, the flange 46 has a front panel flange 46a, hingedly connected to the front panel 20, and first and second side panel flanges 46b, 46c, each hingedly connected to a respective side panel 24, 26. When the carton 10 is in the sealed state shown in Figure 2, the lid 16 is sealed to the flange 46. In this embodiment, the lid 16 is heat sealed to the flange 46.

[0084] The barrier film has a heat seal layer as the outermost layer, i.e. on the side of the film not laminated to the paperboard. When the lid 16 is in the closed position against the flange 46, the heat sealed layers of the film are in contact with one another. Heat sealing of the lid 16 to the flange 46 is thus achieved, creating a hermetic seal.

[0085] In this embodiment, the lid is formed of a lid panel 16. In this embodiment, the lid panel 16 is hingedly connected to the rear panel 18. In alternative embodiments, the lid panel is secured to another of the panels 20, 24, 26.

[0086] In this embodiment, the lid 16 defines an aperture 60 that forms a window in the lid 16. That is, paperboard is removed at the aperture 60 whilst the barrier film remains.

[0087] Throughout the description, "hingedly connected" is used to indicate joined areas of laminate that can be folded with relation to one another. Ease of folding is in this embodiment improved by means of a scored, creased or perforated line.

[0088] In this embodiment, the flange 46 is of a single layer of paperboard. That is, there is no overlap of paperboard in the flange 46. A suitable flange, i.e. one suitable to be sealed to the lid 16 in order to create an effective seal, is provided with a minimum of material. The appearance of the carton is thus improved, and the amount of paperboard used is reduced.

[0089] Each side flange 46b, 46c is made up of a plurality of segments configured or shaped to fit around one another in order to provide a substantially continuous flange surface for sealing. In this embodiment, each side flange 46b, 46c has a main segment 50 and two corner segments 52. In this embodiment, the main segment is substantially T-shaped, with an extended part 50a at each end, lying outward of each corner segment 52. In other embodiments, the segments are of different complementary shapes.

[0090] Each main segment 50 of this embodiment is hingedly connected to the respective side panel 24, 26. Each corner segment 52 is hingedly connected to the second portion 34 of a respective corner 30. When partially assembled, it can be seen from Figure 1 that the folded corners 30 bring the corner segments 52 into position in relation to the main segment 50 to form a substantially continuous side flange 46b, 46c.

[0091] Such a single-layer flange, with corner segments provided by the folding of the corner portions 32, 34, in combination with the adhesive applied to the film-only area of the corner portion 32, leads to particularly effective production of a hermetic seal. The film-only area is brought into position by folding of the corner portions to create the flange, and held in place by the seam 38 such that, on sealing of the lid 16 over the cavity 14, the film of the flange is flared out into the corners of the carton. The formation of gaps that could lead to sealing issues is inhibited.

[0092] In this embodiment, as best seen in Figure 3, each corner segment 52 that is adjacent the lid panel 16 is hingedly connected to the lid panel 16. In an alternative embodiment, there is no such hinged connection between the flange (i.e. by means of the corner segment) and the lid 16. In this embodiment, the hinged connection between the lid and the flange encourages folding of the lid against the flange, and splaying of the flange to receive the lid, thus improving sealing of the lid to the flange.

[0093] Each main segment 50 is shaped to fit around the corner segments 52, as described. In this embodiment, such shaping is achieved by areas of paperboard being removed from the laminate. A film-only area 54 (see Figure 4) is thus produced. In the partially assembled carton 10, there is thus an overlay of the film-only section 42 against the film-only area 54. The seam 38 is in this embodiment formed between the film-only section 42 and the film-only area 54.

[0094] Figure 4 shows the location of the adhesive path 44 at the film-only section 42. As shown in Figure 4, the film-only section 42 is folded against the film-only area 54 of the side panel 24, 26 and secured thereto at the seam 38, i.e. with adhesive 44. As an inner face of the corner segment 52 is laminated with the barrier film, with a heat seal layer outermost, upon heat sealing of the lid to the flange, a seal is created between the unsupported from section 42 and the corner segment 52.

[0095] Advantageously, as heat sealing of the lid 16 to the flange 46 is carried out, there is a certain amount of re-melting of the hot melt adhesive 44. This aids fusing of the film layers to one another, creating a more comprehensive seal.

[0096] In this embodiment, the flange 46 extends around the cavity 14 along the three panels 20, 24, 26 not hinged to the lid 16. The flange 46 does not fully extend about the corners 30 of the carton 10. That is, there is an area at each corner 30 adjacent the front panel 20 where no paperboard flange is provided. In order to improve sealing, as shown in Figure 3, barrier film 56 is provided at these areas. That is, the blank 28 is cut out such that although paperboard is removed from these areas to allow folding of the blank 28, the barrier film layer remains. In this embodiment, as the barrier film is a blown film and thus stretchable or plastically deformable, the film stretches across the areas of no paperboard during partial assembly of the carton 10. A full seal can thus be provided.

[0097] In this embodiment, each flange part 46a, 46b, 46c is of substantially constant width, i.e. the distance between the hinged connection edge of each flange part and the opposing open edge. In this embodiment, each flange part is chamfered at each end. The chamfered ends allow bridging of the film between the flange parts 46a, 46b, 46c, and ease folding of the carton 10 into the partially assembled state.

[0098] In this embodiment, as best seen in Figures 3 and 5, apertures 58 are created in the paperboard of the front panel flange 46a. A film layer remains at these apertures 58. The apertures 58 are provided at the edge of the front panel flange 46a hingedly connected to the front panel 20. In this embodiment, three such apertures 58 are provided. In an alternative embodiment, some other number of apertures is provided. The apertures 58 reduce the amount of material required by the flange 46, and make opening the sealed carton easier. A perforated line may be provided around the hinged connections of the flange in order to ease opening.

[0099] The partially assembled carton is produced as follows, with reference to Figures 6 and 7. A web 140 of paperboard from which each blank 28 is to be cut is provided. The web 140 is run from a reel 142 through one or more print units 144 where a desired design is printed on the web 140. After each print unit 144 the paperboard is passed under a UV lamp 146, for curing each printed design.

[0100] The paperboard 140 is then passed through a first die station 148 for a first cut of each blank 28 to be made. For example, in this embodiment, an aperture 60 for a window is cut at the first die station 148. Fold lines are formed as required, for example by a cut part way through the web or by perforated lines.

[0101] The paperboard 140 is then passed through a lamination station 152, where lamination of a film 154 to the paperboard takes place. In this embodiment, the film 154 is secured to the paperboard 140 by a UV cured adhesive. UV curing of the resulting laminate 155 takes place at a curing station 156.

[0102] The web of laminate 155 is then passed through a second die station 158 where an outline cut is made to cut each blank 28 from the web. Exposed portions of film are cut at this stage, along with the outline of the blank 28. That is, some cuts are made through the depths of the paperboard only, rather than the full depth of the laminate, to leave exposed portions of film without corresponding paperboard e.g. at the film-only section 42 and the film-only area 54.

[0103] Each blank 28 is passed to a delivery belt 160 and stacked ready for partial assembly.

[0104] In the next stage of the process, shown in Figure 7, the blank 28 is passed through a series of process stations to be folded and glued to form the partially assembled carton 10. Folding and gluing of the blank 28 takes place at a carton-forming nester 170.

Claims

1. A partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food, wherein the partially assembled carton is of paperboard laminated with a barrier film, the partially assembled carton comprising: a front panel; a rear panel; first and second opposing side panels, each extending between the front panel and the rear panel; and at least one corner between a side panel and a front or rear panel, said corner comprising a first portion hingedly connected to one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel, and a second portion hingedly connected to the first portion and to another one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel; wherein the first portion is joined to said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is hingedly connected at a seam; the first portion comprising a laminated section of paperboard and film, and a first film-only section extending beyond the paperboard; wherein the seam is adhesively secured at the laminated section and at the film-only section of the first portion.

2. The partially assembled carton according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is joined to one of the side panels; and / or wherein an external face of the first portion is joined to said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is joined.

3. The partially assembled carton according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first portion is joined to an external face of said side panel, front panel or rear panel; and / or wherein said one of the side panel, front panel or rear panel to which the first portion is joined comprises a second film-only section, and wherein the second film-only section is adhesively secured to the first film-only section.

4. The partially assembled carton according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a peripheral flange, and a lid panel for sealing to the flange, preferably wherein the lid panel is for heat sealing to the flange.

5. The partially assembled carton according to claim 4, wherein the lid panel is hingedly connected to the rear panel; optionally wherein the flange comprises a single layer of paperboard laminated with a barrier film.

6. The partially assembled carton according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the flange comprises at least one side panel flange, and wherein the or each side panel flange comprises a main segment hingedly connected to a side panel, and at least one corner segment hingedly connected to a respective first or second portion of the or one of said corners, preferably wherein the or each corner segment is configured to abut the main segment, such that a substantially continuous flange is provided.

7. The partially assembled carton according to claim 6, wherein the corner segment is hingedly connected to the second portion of said corner; and / or wherein the corner segment is hingedly connected to the lid panel.

8. The partially assembled carton according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the flange comprises a front panel flange and at least one side panel flange, wherein a gap is defined between the paperboard of the front panel flange and the paperboard of the or each side panel flange, and wherein the barrier film extends over the or each gap; preferably wherein the barrier film is stretchable; and / or wherein the side panel flange is of substantially constant width, preferably wherein the side panel flange comprises one or more chamfered ends.

9. The partially assembled carton according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the flange comprises a front panel flange hingedly connected to the front panel, and wherein the flange defines at least one aperture extending through the paperboard and not extending through the barrier film; preferably wherein the or each aperture is adjacent the hinged connection to the front panel; and / or wherein the lid panel defines a lid aperture extending through the paperboard and not extending through the barrier film.

10. The partially assembled carton according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are substantially quadrilateral in shape, preferably wherein the front panel and the rear panel are substantially trapezoid, and / or wherein the first and second side panels are substantially quadrilateral in shape, preferably wherein the first and second side panels are substantially trapezoid.

11. The partially assembled carton according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the barrier film has a first, heat sealable side and a second, non-heat sealable side, and wherein the second side is laminated to the paperboard; and / or wherein the barrier film is configured for use with modified atmosphere packaging, and / or wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.

12. A partially assembled carton for the sealed containment of food, wherein the partially assembled carton is of paperboard laminated with a barrier film, the partially assembled carton comprising: a front panel; a rear panel; first and second opposing side panels, each extending between the front panel and the rear panel; a peripheral flange; and a lid panel for sealing to the flange; wherein the flange comprises a single layer of paperboard laminated with a barrier film.

13. The partially assembled carton according to claim 12, further comprising at least one corner between a side panel and a front or rear panel, said corner comprising a first portion hingedly connected to one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel, and a second portion hingedly connected to the first portion and to another one of said side panel, front panel or rear panel; wherein the flange comprises at least one side panel flange, and wherein the or each side panel flange comprises a main segment hingedly connected to a side panel, and at least one corner segment hingedly connected to a respective first or second portion of the or one of said corners, preferably wherein the or each corner segment is configured to abut the main segment, such that a substantially continuous flange is provided; and / or wherein the corner segment is hingedly connected to the second portion of said corner; and / or wherein the corner segment is hingedly connected to the lid panel; and / or wherein the flange comprises a front panel flange and at least one side panel flange, wherein a gap is defined between the paperboard of the front panel flange and the paperboard of the or each side panel flange, and wherein the barrier film extends over the or each gap; preferably wherein the barrier film is stretchable.

14. A blank of paperboard laminated with a barrier film for forming a partially assembled carton according to any preceding claim.

15. A method of forming a partially assembled carton according to any one of claims 1 to 11 from a blank, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a blank according to claim 14; b) applying adhesive to the laminated section and to the first film-only section of the first portion; and c) folding the first portion to meet one of a side panel, the front panel or the rear panel.

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