Packaging carton and a method and blank for forming the same

Abstract

A re-closable packaging carton is configured to store at least a first row and a second 5 row of goods, such as individually wrapped tea bags. The re-closable packaging carton comprises a hollow body

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to packaging cartons, particularly although not exclusively, to packaging cartons for the containment of tea bags. The invention also relates to blanks for forming such packaging cartons and to a method of forming the inventive packaging cartons. Background to the Invention An exemplary tea box of the prior art is shown in figure 5. The tea box is a packaging carton specifically designed for storage of tea bags prior to sale and optionally in the home. The packaging carton is defined by a rectangular prism shaped hollow body (or open-topped box) 1 having an interior volume used to store individually wrapped tea bags 2. The rectangular prism is defined by two front and rear shorter panels 3a, 3b, and two opposing side panels 4a, 4b, which are of greater length. The box is intended to house two rows of upstanding individually packaged tea bags, with one row 2a extending left to right, between the side panels, at the front of the box and another row 2b extending left to right, between the side panels, at the rear of the box. The length of the side panels 4a, 4b, must be increased compared to boxes which accommodate just one row of tea bags in order to fit multiple rows of individually packaged tea bags. The known packaging carton also comprises lid 5 pivotably mounted to the rectangular prism shaped hollow body 1. The lid 5 moves between a closed position in which it closes off the interior volume, and an open position in which it enables a user to gain access to the tea bags within the interior volume. Also known are similar tea boxes with side panels half as long, which accommodate just one row of individually wrapped tea bags. With such single-row tea boxes, various approaches can be provided to attach the lid to the box in a tamper-evident fashion, such that the interior cannot be accessed without that access being revealed, for example, tear strips can be provided, or the lid can be glued to the front of the box, and provided with a frangible portion which will be left behind attached to the front of the box when the lid is lifted. As the length of the side panels increases, their rigidity decreases. As such, solutions as outlined above in terms of gluing the front of the lid to the front of the single-row tea box are unsuitable for a box as shown in figure 5. This is because such a box is vulnerable to an intentional act of adulteration in which a miscreant could pull the lid 5 apart from one of the side panels 4a, 4b, to form an opening, through which a finger can be inserted into the packaging carton between the lid 5 and the length of the side panels 4a, 4b, potentially extracting a tea bag prior to purchase or introducing foreign matter into the box without any evidence of this tampering. Consequently, the packaging cartons of figure 5 are wrapped in a protective overwrap formed of plastic film to render the box food safe and prevent tampering (or at least reveal any tampering) or potential food adulteration. Such protective overwraps can be difficult to remove and are usually discarded after purchase, resulting in wasted plastic material which has a detrimental impact on the overall sustainability of the package. These disclosed packaging cartons are typically formed from a blank of foldable material such as paperboard. Embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or ameliorate the issues with current packaging carton designs as discussed above, and / or to provide an improved packaging carton for the storage of goods such as individually wrapped tea bags. Summary of the Invention According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a re-closable packaging carton for storing at least a first row and a second row of goods; the re-closable packaging carton comprising a hollow body and a lid; the lid comprising a pivot line and a fold line; the fold line defining a first opening section of the lid and a second opening section of the lid. Preferably the lid can be selectively opened to a first configuration and a second configuration. Preferably in the first configuration the lid is folded about the fold line such that the first opening section is open and goods in a first row can be removed. Preferably in the second configuration the lid is folded about the pivot line such that both the first opening section and the second opening section are open, and goods in the second row can be removed. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a re-closable packaging carton for storing at least a first row and a second row of goods; the re-closable packaging carton comprising a hollow body and a lid; the lid comprising a pivot line and a fold line; the fold line defining a first opening section of the lid and a second opening section of the lid; whereby the lid can be selectively opened to a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein in the first configuration the lid is folded about the fold line such that the first opening section is open and goods in a first row can be removed; and wherein in the second configuration the lid is folded about the pivot line such that both the first opening section and the second opening section are open, and goods in the second row can be removed. The first configuration and the second configuration are both open configurations and the lid also has a closed configuration. In such a re-closable packaging carton, the lid may be selectively opened from a closed configuration to the first (open) configuration and reclosed to the closed configuration. Opening to the first, open, configuration facilitates easy access for a user to remove items from the first row of goods. Once all the goods in the first row are used up, the lid may then be selectively opened to the second, open, configuration allowing easy access for a user to remove items from the second row of goods, and again to reclose the lid to the closed configuration after removal of goods from the second row. Because the lid is foldable, with two open configurations, the “rear” half of the lid can be attached to the sides of the hollow body in a fashion which can avoid the “long side problem” referred to above, in which a miscreant can pull apart a side panel and the lid to form an opening big enough to insert a finger without damaging the carton and revealing the tampering. As such, there is no need to provide an additional plastic overwrap and therefore there is a significant reduction in the amount of material required which reduces the environmental impact of the product, the complexity of production of the product, and by extension the cost of production. In addition, the consumer experience is improved as the consumer does not have to remove and dispose of the overwrap material The lid may be a flip top lid. The flip top lid may be pivotally connected to the body along the pivot line. In this application the term “fold line” refers to a line along which a panel preferentially folds. The fold line may be a crease line. The fold line may be a score line. The fold line may be a line of perforations. In this application the term “pivot line” refers to a line about which the lid pivots. The pivot line may be a crease line. The pivot line may be a score line. The pivot line may be a line of perforations. The re-closable packaging carton may be configured to contain and / or may comprise at least a first row and a second row of goods. The rows may be a front row and a rear row. The first row may be the front row. The second row may be the rear row. The lid may be pivotally connected to the body at the rear of the re-closable packaging carton. The hollow body may be sized to house at least two rows of goods. The hollow body may be sized to house at least two rows of individually packaged tea bags in envelopes, or at least two rows of tea bags without envelopes. Each tea bag may have a width of at least 35mm or at least 40mm. Each tea bag may have a width of less than 60 or less than 50mm. For example, each tea bag may have a width of between 40 and 50mm, such as 45mm. Each individually packaged tea bag may have a width of at least 50mm (i.e. the width of the envelope containing the tea bag may be at least 50mm). Each envelope containing a tea bag may have a width of at least 55mm. Each individually packaged tea bag may have a width of less than 80mm (i.e. the width of the envelope containing the tea bag may be less than 80mm). Each envelope containing a tea bag may have a width of less than 70mm. For example, each individually packaged tea bag may have a width of between 55 and 65mm, such as 57mm or 60mm. Accordingly, the hollow body may be cuboid, having a rectangular (or possibly square) base panel, a rectangular front panel, a rectangular rear panel and a pair of rectangular side panels. The side panels may have a length approximately twice the width of a tea bag, or an individually packaged tea bag, for example, a length of at least 70mm, at least 80mm, at least 90mm, at least 100mm or at least 110 mm, and / or a length of less than 160mm, less than 140mm, less than 120mm, or less than 100mm for example, for a hollow body sized to house two rows of individually packaged tea bags, the length may be between 100 and 150mm, such as between 110 and 130mm, e.g. about 120mm, such as 122mm; and for a hollow body sized to house two rows of tea bags without individual envelopes, the length of the side panels may be between 70 and 120mm, such as between 80 and 100mm, e.g. about 90mm, such as 92mm. In other embodiments, the side panels may have a length approximately three or four times the width of a tea bag, or an individually packaged tea bag (in an envelope), for example, a length of at least 105mm, 140mm, 150mm or at least 200 mm, and / or a length of less than 320mm, less than 250mm, less than 240mm, or less than 180mm, for example, between 100 and 150mm, between 150 and 200mm, or between 200 and 300mm, e.g. about 120mm, 180mm, or 240mm. The fold line may extend laterally across the lid. The fold line may extend parallel with the pivot line. The lid may comprise a cover panel. The cover panel may comprise at least one flap depending from the cover panel. The cover panel may comprise a plurality of flaps depending from the cover panel. The fold line may extend across the cover panel to define a first section of the cover panel and a second section of the cover panel. The plurality of flaps may comprise a side flap. The plurality of flaps may comprise a pair of opposing side flaps. The side flap, at least one of the plurality of side flaps, or each of the plurality of side flaps may be separable about a line of weakness. The side flap, at least one of the plurality of side flaps, or each of the plurality of the side flaps may be separable into a first flap section and a second flap section. In this application the term “line of weakness” refers to a weakened line along which the lid preferentially breaks into at least two individual parts. One or more or each of the lines of weakness may be provided by a line of perforations. One or more or each of the lines of weakness may be provided by a perforated crease line. A line of weakness may be provided by a line of perforations and at least one of a fold line or pivot line may be provided by a line of perforations. In this case, the line of perforations defining the line of weakness may provide a greater ease of dissociation than those which define a fold line or pivot line. By way of a non-limiting example, a line of perforations that define a fold line or pivot line, may be less frangible than a line of perforations forming a line of weakness. For example, the line of perforations defining a fold line and / or a pivot line may have longer lengths of material between adjacent perforations than the line of perforations forming a line of weakness. The perforations defining a fold line or a pivot line may be shorter than perforations forming a line of weakness. A pivot line (and / or a fold line) may be provided by a line of perforations of between 5mm and 10mm with material of between 5mm and 20mm between adjacent perforations; and a (or each) line of weakness may be provided by a line of perforations of between 2mm and 10mm with material of between 0.1mm and 1mm between adjacent perforations. For example, a pivot line (and / or a fold line) may be provided by a line of alternating 10mm long perforations and 10mm long material; and a (or each) line of weakness may be provided by a line of alternating 5mm long perforations and 0.5mm long material. The first opening section of the lid may comprise the first section of the cover panel. The first opening section of the lid may comprise a flap. The first opening section of the lid may comprise a plurality of flaps. The first opening section of the lid may comprise a first flap section. The first opening section of the lid may comprise each first flap section. Each first flap section may depend from the first section of the cover panel. The line of weakness separating the first flap section and the second flap section of the side flap, at least one of the plurality of side flaps, or each of the plurality of the side flaps may extend from the fold line. This arrangement is particularly advantageous, because it allows for the first flap section(s) to be lifted with the first section of the cover panel, and can ensure that lifting the first section of the cover panel dissociates side flap(s) along the line of weakness, revealing that the re-closable packaging carton has been opened. The re-closable packaging carton may comprise a line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section; a line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or a pair of lines of weakness each separating the second section of the cover panel from a respective second flap section of the flaps. The second opening section of the lid may comprise the second section of the cover panel. The second opening section of the lid may not comprise the second flap sections. This enables the second flap sections to be adhered to the side panels of the hollow body as discussed below. As such, the effective length of the sides of the re-closable packaging carton that can be pulled apart is reduced. That is to say, a miscreant could only pull apart the first flap section from the side panel, and as such any opening is much smaller and the “long-side problem” does not come into play. Moreover, when access is required to the second row of goods, the second section of the cover panel may be dissociated from the second flap sections of the flaps (along the line of weakness) separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap sections to enable access to the second row of goods, without removing the second flap section(s) from the side panel(s) of the re-closable packaging carton, thereby avoiding revealing an ugly mark where the second flap section was glued to the hollow body. At least one line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from at least one second flap section may be arranged along a different axis from the line of weakness separating the first flap section from the respective second flap sections. Each line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from a respective second flap section may be arranged along a different axis from the line of weakness separating the first flap section from the respective second flap section Lines of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section, at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or each second flap section may be arranged along an axis in a horizontal plane (when the box is in its ordinary configuration with its base flat). The fold line may extend in a horizontal plane (when the box is in its ordinary configuration with its base flat). Lines of weakness separating the first flap sections from the second flap sections may be arranged in a vertical plane (when the box is in its ordinary configuration with its base flat). Lines of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section, at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or each second flap section may be orthogonal to the fold line. Lines of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section, at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or each second flap section may be orthogonal to lines of weakness separating the first flap sections from the second flap sections. The, at least one, or each line of weakness separating the first flap section from the second flap section may extend at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the side flap sections. The oblique angle may be between 15° and 75°. More preferably the oblique angle may be between 30° and 60°. Even more preferably the oblique angle may be between 40° and 55°. This is particularly advantageous as it assists the user in easily dissociating the first flap sections from the second flap sections by providing a less resistive and more easily accessible dissociation pathway than an angle which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the side flap sections. Lines of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section, at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or each second flap section may be at an oblique angle to respective lines of weakness separating the first flap sections from the second flap sections. Lines of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section, at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or each second flap section may be at an obtuse angle to respective lines of weakness separating the first flap sections from the second flap sections. This arrangement is particularly preferred because, with the line of weakness separating the cover panel from the second flap section extending from the pivot line at the rear of the re-closable packaging carton, the obtuse angle means that the second flap section extends further forward towards the front of the box, better protecting against unauthorised entry. Moreover, such an arrangement may make it easier to dissociate the first and second flap sections along the line of weakness that extends between them. Each side of the lid may comprise a line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section. Each side of the lid may comprise a line of weakness separating the first flap section from the second flap section. The fold line may extend from one side of the lid to the other side of the lid, between the lines of weakness separating the first flap section from the second flap section and / or between the lines of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap sections. On each side of the lid, the line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section and the line of weakness separating the first flap section from the second flap section may both be arranged along a different axis from the fold line, but may all share an origin. Thus, on each side of the lid there is an origin at which the fold line meets the line of weakness that separates the first and second flap sections, and meets the line of weakness that separates the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section. The second flap section, at least one of the plurality of second flap sections, or each second flap section may be attached to the side of the body more strongly than the first flap sections, at least one of the plurality of first flap sections, or each first flap section are attached to the side of the body. For example, the second flap section(s) may be adhered, e.g. glued, to the side of the hollow body and the first flap sections may be not adhered, e.g. free. Alternatively, the second flap sections may be adhered across their entire surface, but the first flap sections may just be tacked at a small area to the side, so that they are more readily released. This enables the first flap section(s) to be easily released from the side of the body as the first opening section of the lid is opened in the first configuration whereas in the second opening configuration, the second flap section(s), remain adhered to the side of the body as the second opening section of the lid is opened. Moreover, the strong adherence of the second flap sections means that they cannot be prised apart by a miscreant seeking to interfere with the contents of the re-closable packaging carton without revealing that tampering. The re-closable packaging carton may comprise a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism may be provided between at least one first flap section and the body. The closure mechanism may preferably be provided between each first flap section and the body. The closure mechanism is advantageous as it allows the re-closable packaging carton to be tightly closed when not in use, in particular, after the carton has been first opened, between uses. The closure mechanism may also get in the way of the finger of a miscreant seeking to interfere with the contents of the re-closable packaging carton. The closure mechanism may be a click mechanism. There may be one click mechanism provided between a first flap section and the body. More preferably there may be two click mechanisms, one provided between each of two first flap sections and the body. The or each closure mechanism may be provided on the body of the re-closable packaging carton. For example, the (or each) click mechanism may be a flap extending from the body of the re-closable packaging carton and arranged to clip behind a protrusion on the inside surface of the first flap section when the lid is closed. The protrusion may be formed by a tab extending from the front flap section. The, at least one, or each first flap section may have a depth of at least 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm or 25mm, for example about 27mm. This is particularly advantageous as a relatively deep first flap section makes it difficult to insert a finger underneath the lid. The, at least one, or each first flap section may have a length of no more than 100mm, 90mm, 80mm, 70mm or 65mm, for example about 61mm. Since the second flap section(s) can be firmly glued down, the only potential opening along the side of the carton can be defined by the length of the first flap section, as such, minimising this length, can avoid the “long side problem” referred to above. Indeed, the length of the first flap can be similar to the length of the side of a flap for a carton of a single row of goods, which does not suffer the “long side problem”. The re-closable packaging carton may comprise a front flap. The front flap may extend between the first flap sections of the lid. The front flap may extend be perpendicular to the side flaps. The flaps may overhang sides of the body. The front flap may overhang a front side of the body. The side flaps may overhang lateral sides of the body. The front flap may be attached to the body, for example adhered to the body, e.g. glued. The front flap may be releasably attached to the body. The rc-closablc packaging carton may be configured from at least one blank of foldable material. The material may be for example, but not limited to one of paperboard, cardboard, or laminate. In an advantageous arrangement, the re-closable packaging carton may be formed from a unitary blank of foldable material. The re-closable packaging carton may be a paperboard or cardboard box. The re-closable packaging carton may be for storing more than two rows of goods, for example a third row, and optionally a fourth row. As such in one embodiment the re-closable packaging carton is for storing at least a first row, a second row, and a third row of goods; the lid comprising a second fold line; the (first) fold line (defined above) and the second fold line defining a third opening section of the lid, between the first opening section and the second opening section; whereby the lid can be selectively opened to first, second, and third configurations; wherein in the first configuration the lid is folded about the (first) fold line such that the first opening section is open and goods in a first row can be removed; wherein in the third (intermediate) configuration the lid is folded about the second fold line such that both the first opening section and the third opening section are open and the goods in the second row can be removed, and wherein in the second configuration the lid is folded about the pivot line such that the first opening section, the second opening section, and the third opening section are open, and goods in the third row can be removed. The second fold line may be a crease line, a score line or a line of perforations. The second fold line may extend laterally across the lid (i.e. from one side of the lid to another side of the lid). The second fold line may be parallel to the pivot line and / or parallel to the first fold line. The second fold line may intersect with the line of weakness between the cover panel and the second flap sections. The second fold line may not intersect with the line of weakness between the first flap section and the second flap section of the or each side flap. Rather, as outlined above, the fold line (i.e. the first defined fold line) may intersect with the line of weakness between the first flap section and the second flap section of each side flap. As such, despite having much longer sides, to accommodate three rows of goods, the only potential opening along the side of the carton can still be defined by the length of the first flap section, with the second side sections being glued in place. In another alternative embodiment the re-closable packaging carton is for storing at least a first row, a second row, and a third row of goods; and in the first configuration the lid is folded about the fold line such that the first opening section is open and goods in the first row can be removed; and in the second configuration the lid is folded about the pivot line such that both the first opening section and the second opening section are open and goods in the first, second and third rows can be removed. In this alternative embodiment the fold line may still be arranged so as to only expose the first row of goods in the first open configuration, or it could expose more, for example, up to one and a half rows of goods. In either case, despite having much longer sides, to accommodate three (or more) rows of goods, the only potential opening along the side of the carton can still be defined by the length of the first flap section, with the second side sections being glued in place. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a box of goods comprising a re-closable packaging carton according to the first aspect (or broad aspect) of the invention (optionally including any optional features) containing a first row of goods and a second row of goods. The box of goods may be a box of tea and the rows of goods may be rows of teabags. Alternatively, the box of goods may be a box of coffee. The rows of goods may be rows of pods, pads, and / or stick packs, e.g. pods, pads or stick packs of coffee. Preferably, the rows of goods are individually packaged tea bags. Preferably in the first (open) configuration the first row of goods are exposed and in the second open configuration the first row of goods and the second row of goods are exposed. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a re-closable packaging carton according to any aspect of the previous inventions. The blank may comprise a body portion. The body portion may be configured to form a hollow body. The blank may comprise a lid portion. The lid portion may be configured to form a lid. The lid portion may comprise a pivot line. The lid portion may comprise a fold line. The fold line may define when formed, a first opening section of the lid and a second opening section of the lid. The blank may comprise two side panels. The blank may comprise a base panel. The blank may comprise a front panel and a rear panel. The blank may comprise a lid section. The blank may comprise a front flap section pivotably connected to the lid section. The blank may comprise two side flap sections pivotably connected to the lid section. Each side flap section may comprise a line of weakness such that it can be separated into a first side flap section and a second side flap section. The blank may comprise a line of weakness between the second opening section of the lid and the second flap section. On each side of the blank, the fold line may converge with a line of weakness between the second opening section of the lid and the second flap section and with a line of weakness between a first side flap section and a second side flap section. The blank may comprise a click mechanism to allow improved closure between the side flap sections and the side panels. The blank may comprise tabs for assisting in construction of the re-closable packaging carton. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a re-closable packaging carton comprising providing a blank (preferably as defined above) and forming a carton therefrom. The method may comprise folding and gluing the body portion of the blank to form a hollow body. The method may comprise folding, and gluing, the lid portion of the blank to provide a lid. The method may further comprise adhering a section of the lid to the body portion. In particular the method may comprise adhering a (or preferably each) second flap section of a (or preferably each) side flap to the body portion. This may eliminate the need for an additional plastic overwrap to mitigate tampering prior to purchase, the only potential opening along the side of the carton can be defined by the length of the first flap section, with the second side sections being glued in place. The method may comprise not adhering a (or preferably each) first flap section of a (or preferably each) side flap to the body portion. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of packaging tea comprising providing at least a first row and a second row of tea bags in a re-closable packaging carton according to the first aspect or the broad aspect of the invention, optionally including any optional features; or in a re-closable packaging carton manufactured according to the method as outlined above. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of packaging coffee comprising providing at least a first row and a second row of pods, pads, and / or stick packs in a re-closable packaging carton according to the first aspect or the broad aspect of the invention, optionally including any optional features; or in a re-closable packaging carton manufactured according to the method as outlined above. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging carton according to the invention in a closed configuration. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging carton of figure 1 in a first open configuration. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the packaging carton of figure 1 in a second open configuration. Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a blank for making the re-closable packaging carton of figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a prior art packaging carton. “Front”, “rear”, “side”, and “upper” refer to the re-closable packaging carton when it is in a generally upright position as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3. It will be appreciated however that the re-closable packaging carton can be held in other orientations and such terms should be construed accordingly. With reference to figures 1 to 3 a re-closable packaging carton 10 in accordance with the embodiment of the invention comprises a rectangular prism shaped hollow body 11 which defines an interior volume and a flip-top lid 12. The lid 12 comprises a pivot line 14, by which it is connected to a rear panel 13 of the hollow body 11, and which forms a hinge for the lid 12. The lid 12 is movable about the pivot line 14 and is shown in figure 1 in a closed configuration. In this embodiment the pivot line 14 is a crease line. In this particular embodiment, the re-closable packaging carton 10 is a tea box and houses two rows of individually packaged tea bags (not shown). The rows arc arranged one in front of the other, i.e. one row extending from one side to the other, adjacent to the rear of the hollow body, and the other row extending from one side to the other, adjacent the front of the hollow body. Of course the invention extends to boxes for other goods too. In an exemplary embodiment, each individually packaged tea bag has a width of about 60mm, a height of about 80mm and a depth of about 6mm. Accordingly, to accommodate two rows of 40 bags, the hollow body defines an interior volume of height = 80mm, width = 240mm, length (front to rear)= 120mm. In another embodiment (not shown) which houses two rows of tea bags without envelopes, each tea bag has a width of about 45mm, a height of about 60mm and a depth of about 7mm. Accordingly, to accommodate two rows of 25 bags, the hollow body defines an interior volume of height = 62mm, width = 184mm, length (front to rear)=92mm. The lid 12 comprises a fold line 15 extending laterally across the width of the lid 12 (i.e. from one side to the other). In this embodiment the fold line is arranged half way between the front and the rear of the lid and is parallel with the pivot line. The fold line 15 defines a first opening section 16 of the lid and a second opening section 17 of the lid. In the illustrated embodiment, the first opening section 16 of the lid is in front of the fold line 15 and the second opening section 17 of the lid is at the rear (between the fold line 15 and the pivot line 14). Accordingly, when the first opening section 17 of the lid is open, the first (front) row of goods is exposed, and when the second opening section 17 of the lid is open, the second (rear) row of goods is exposed. In this embodiment the fold line 15 is a line of perforations. However, the perforations are only intended to provide a line about which the lid will preferentially fold, not to be readily frangible and as such, the perforations are between 5mm and 10mm with material of between 5mm and 20mm between adjacent perforations, e.g. a line of alternating 10mm long perforations and 10mm long material. In this embodiment, the lid 12 is made up of a (rectangular) cover panel 9 which has a plurality of flaps 18 depending perpendicularly from it. The plurality of flaps 18 are a pair of opposing side flaps 18a which are substantially parallel to each other, and a front flap 18b, which is on the opposite side of the cover panel from the pivot line 14 and extends between, substantially perpendicular to, the opposing side flaps 18a. The opposing side flaps are each separable about a respective line of weakness 19, which is formed from a line of perforations in this embodiment. The perforations of the line of weakness provide for a readily frangible line of weakness, and as such comprise perforations of between 2mm and 10mm with material of between 0.1mm and 1mm between adjacent perforations, e.g. a line of alternating 5mm long perforations and 0.5mm long material. The line of weakness 19 allows each of the side flaps 18a to be separated into a first flap section 20 and a second flap section 21 (as best seen in figure 2). The first opening section of the lid 16 is made up of the section of the cover panel in front of the fold line 15 and the first flap sections 20, whereas the second opening section of the lid 17 is made up of the section of the cover panel to the rear of the fold line 15, but not the second flap sections 21. The line of weakness 19 and the fold line 15 extend from the same point of origin 22, located in this embodiment halfway along the depth of the lid 12. Each line of weakness 19 extends at an oblique angle of about 30-45 degrees from the fold line 15 towards the front of the carton 10. As such, whilst the first and second sections of each side flap are approximately equal in length at their top (about 60mm each), each second side flap section 21 is longer than each first side flap section 20 at the bottom. The opposing side flaps 18a are each joined to the front flap 18b by tabs 34 (shown in figure 4) secured with adhesive between the first flap sections 20 and the front flap 18b. Initially, with the goods packed into the carton, and prior to sale, in this embodiment, the front flap 18b is sealed by a releasable adhesive to the front panel 8 of the hollow body 11. For example, a small dot of adhesive may be provided behind the extending pip 40 on the front flap 18b, which a user will naturally grasp to open the flap. The second flap sections 21 of the side flaps are adhered more strongly to the side panels 23. For example, a substantial portion of the rear surface of each second side flap section, e.g. more than 50% of the area may be glued, e.g. by a hot-melt adhesive, to the side panels. This secures the cover panel 9 in a manner in which a miscreant cannot interfere with the contents through the long sides without evidence of such tampering. With reference to figure 2, the lid 12 is shown in a first open configuration. The opposing side flaps 18a have been separated about the line of weakness 19 into the first flap section 20 and the second flap section 21 as a result of the line of weakness 19 being dissociated. The second flap sections 21 remain adhered to the side panels 23 of the hollow body. This allows the first opening section of the lid 16 to pivot about the fold line 15, enabling access to the first row of goods in the re-closable packaging carton 10. As best seen in figures 2 and 3, closure mechanisms, specifically click mechanisms 24 are provided between the side flaps 20 18a (in particular the first flap sections 20 of the side flaps 18a) and the side panels 23 of the hollow body. In this embodiment there is a pair of click mechanisms, however, it is also possible to have a single click mechanism 24 on only one side of the re-closable packaging carton 10, on the side, rather than the flap, or indeed to have no closure mechanism. The click mechanism 24 is formed by a flap extending from the body 11 of the re-closable packaging carton 10 arranged to clip behind a protrusion 41 on the inside surface of the first flap section 20 when the lid is closed. The protrusion 41 is formed by a tab 38a, 38b extending from the front flap section 18b which is glued to the first flap section 20 of each side flap. The click mechanism secures the lid 12 in the closed configuration after the initial opening of the re-closable packaging carton 10, providing a tactile response when the packaging carton is opened and re-closed. A pair of lines of weakness 25 arc provided between the second opening section 17 of the lid 12 and the second flap sections 21, formed from a line of perforations. Again the perforations of the line of weakness provide for a readily frangible line of weakness, and as such comprise perforations of between 2mm and 10mm with material of between 0.1mm and 1mm between adjacent perforations, e.g. a line of alternating 5mm long perforations and 0.5mm long material. The lines of weakness 25 share an origin 22 with the fold line 15 and with respective lines of weakness that separate respective second flap sections 21 from their respective first flap sections 20. Each line of weakness 25 separating the second section 17 of the cover panel from a respective second flap section 21, is at an obtuse angle (for example 130 degrees) to the respective line of weakness separating the first flap section 20 from the respective second flap section 21. In the first open configuration shown in figure 2 the lines of weakness 25 separating the second section 17 of the cover panel from the second flap sections 21 remain intact so that the second row of goods remains covered. This arrangement, in which the second row of goods remains covered can reduce dirt and detritus entering the second row when the lid is opened to access the front row, improving the perception of freshness when, in due course, the lid is opened to a second open configuration as described below, to access the second row of goods. With reference to figure 3, the re-closable packaging carton 10 is shown in the second open configuration. The second opening section of the lid 17 and the second flap sections 21 are dissociated about the lines of weakness 25. This leaves the second flap sections 21 adhered to the side panels 23 of the hollow body 11. Simultaneously, the second opening section of the lid 17 is released allowing the entire lid 12 to be fully opened, by pivoting the lid about the pivot line 14. As such, complete access to both the first and second row of goods (not shown) is enabled. The re-closable packaging carton 10 is formed from a single unitary blank 26 shown in figure 4. The blank 26 comprises an elongate rectangular front panel 8 foldably connected to an elongate rectangular base panel 27 by a first edge 28, and foldably connected to two opposing tabs 29a, 29b by the short edges 30a, 30b respectively. The tabs 29a, 29b are provided with adhesive during construction and used to secure the front panel 8 to the side panels 23 at a perpendicular angle. The elongate rectangular base panel 27 is foldably connected to the two side panels 23 by a second 31a and third edge 31b respectively. On the upper edges 32a, 32b, of each side panel 23, a pair of click mechanisms 24 are provided. The click mechanisms 24 are arranged to interact with the side flaps 18a (see figure 1 and figure 2) of the re-closable packaging carton 10, when formed. The base panel 27 is foldably connected to the elongate rectangular rear panel 13 along a fourth edge 33. The rear panel 13 is foldably connected to an opposing pair of tabs 34a, 34b located along the short edges 35a, 35b. The tabs 34a, 34b are provided with adhesive during construction and used to secure the rear panel 13 to the side panels 23 at a perpendicular angle. When the blank 26 is formed, the front panel 8, base panel 27, side panels 23 and rear panel 13 define the prism shaped hollow volume 11 suitable for storing individually packaged tea bags in two rows (front and rear). The rear panel 13 is foldably connected to the elongate rectangular second opening section of the lid 17 by a pivot line 14 which enables the lid 12 to move about the pivot line 14. The elongate rectangular second opening section of the lid 17 is connected to the first opening section of the lid 16 by a fold line 15 about which in the first opening configuration, the first opening section of the lid 17 can move. The second opening section of the lid 17 is attached to the second flap section 21 of the opposing side flaps 18a (see figure 1 and figure 2) by the pair of lines of weakness 25 formed from a row of perforations. The pair of lines of weakness 25 enable the dissociation of the second opening section of the lid 17 and the second flap sections 21. The pair of second flap sections 21 are also attached to the pair of first flap sections 20 by a line of weakness 19 which extends from the origin 22 at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the side flaps 18a (as shown in figures 1 and 2). The line of weakness is formed from a line of perforations and enables the first flap sections 20 to be dissociated from the second flap sections 21. During formation of the blank, the side flaps 18a (shown in figures 1 and 2) are provided with a suitable adhesive and are attached to the side panels 23. When the side flaps 18a (shown in figures 1 and 2) are dissociated into their respective first and second flap sections 20, 21, the second flap sections 21 remain attached to the side panels 23 whilst the first flap sections 20 are released from the side panels 23. The first flap sections 20 are foldably connected to the first opening section of the lid 16 along the short edges 36a, 36b. The first opening section of the lid 16 is foldably connected to the front flap 18b along the long edge 37. In these embodiments the front flap 18b has a distinctive generally sinusoidal shape, with a pip 40 extending from it. However, in other embodiments the front flap 18b may be formed in other shapes, such as a conventional simple elongate rectangular shape. The front flap 18b is foldably connected to the opposing pair of tabs 38a, 38b along the short edges 39a, 39b. During formation of the blank 26 the tabs 38a, 38b are provided with adhesive and connected to the internal surface of the first flap sections 20 to secure the first flap sections 20 and front flap 18b perpendicularly to one another. In manufacture, the blank may be first folded and glued at the tabs 29a, 29b, 34a, 34b of the hollow body section to form the hollow body 11, then two rows of individually packaged tea bags can be introduced into the hollow body 11, one row adjacent the rear panel 13, the other adjacent the front panel 8. Then, the front flap 18b and side flaps 18a may be folded perpendicular to the cover panel and glued to each other by the tabs 38a, 38b, and the second flap sections 21 of the side flaps 18a, along with the pip 40 may be glued to the side panels 23 and front panel 8 respectively of the hollow body 11, to complete the filled re-closable packaging carton. On first use, a consumer can pull the pip 40 away from the front panel 8 releasing the front tab, and lift it upward, breaking the first (front) flap sections 20 away from the second (rear) flap sections 21, by tearing the material between the perforations in the lines of weakness 19 and simultaneously pivoting the first opening section of the lid about the fold line 15 into the first open configuration, in which the first row of goods are exposed. A teabag can be removed and used, and the first opening section 16 can be re-closed with the closure mechanism 24 maintaining the closed configuration until next use. This process of opening and closing can continue until all of the goods in the first row are used. At that point (or earlier) the box could be shaken to bring goods in the second row forward, so that they are exposed and accessible. Preferably, however, the consumer lifts the second opening section 17 of the lid 12, tearing the material between the perforations in the lines of weakness 25 between the second opening section 17 of 5 the lid 12 and the second flap sections 21 and exposing the goods in the second row. A teabag in the second row can then be removed and used and the whole lid can be reclosed with the closure mechanism maintaining the closed configuration until next use. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded 10 by the appended claims. For example, whilst the embodiment is intended for only two rows of goods, and has only one fold line extending across the lid, other embodiments are envisaged that include further rows of goods, either with a single fold line, arranged to first expose the first row of goods, then expose the second and further rows, or with additional fold lines in the lid, to expose one row after another, in turn. 15

Claims

1. A re-closable packaging carton for storing at least a first row and a second row of goods;the re-closable packaging carton comprising a hollow body and a lid;the lid comprising a pivot line and a fold line;the fold line defining a first opening section of the lid and a second opening section of the lid;whereby the lid can be selectively opened to a first configuration and a second configuration;wherein in the first configuration the lid is folded about the fold line such that the first opening section is open and goods in a first row can be removed; andwherein in the second configuration the lid is folded about the pivot line such that both the first opening section and the second opening section are open, and goods in the second row can be removed.

2. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 1 wherein the lid is a flip-top lid, which is pivotally connected to the body along the pivot line and the pivot line is a crease line.

3. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 2 wherein the rows are a front row and a rear row, the first row being the front row and the second row being the rear row; and wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the body at the rear of the re-closable packaging carton.

4. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 3 wherein the fold line extends laterally across the lid.

5. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 4 wherein the fold line extends parallel with the pivot line.

6. A re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim wherein the lid comprises a cover panel and a plurality of flaps depending from the cover panel; wherein the fold line extends across the cover panel to define a firstsection of the cover panel and a second section of the cover panel; and wherein the flaps include a pair of opposing side flaps.

7. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 6 wherein each of the side flaps is separable about a line of weakness into a first flap section and a second flap section.

8. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 7 wherein the first opening section of the lid comprises the first section of the cover panel and each first flap section; wherein each first flap section depends from the first section of the cover panel; and wherein each line of weakness separating the first flap section and the second flap section extends from the fold line.

9. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 8 further comprising a pair of lines of weakness each separating the second section of the cover panel from a respective second flap section of the flaps, wherein the second opening section of the lid comprises the second section of the cover panel, but not the second flap sections.

10. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 9 wherein each line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from a respective second flap section is arranged along a different axis from the line of weakness separating the first flap section from the respective second flap section.

11. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 10 wherein on each side of the lid, the line of weakness separating the second section of the cover panel from the second flap section and the line of weakness separating the first flap section from the second flap section are both arranged along a different axis from the fold line, but all share an origin.

12. A re-closable packaging carton according to any of claims 7 to 11 wherein one or more or each line of weakness is a line of perforations.

13. A re-closable packaging carton according to any of claims 7 to 12 wherein the second flap sections are attached to the side of the body more strongly than the first flap sections are attached to the side of the body.

14. A re-closable packaging carton according to any of claims 7 to 13 wherein a closure mechanism is provided between at least one and preferably each first flap section and the body.

15. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 14 wherein the closure mechanism is a click mechanism.

16. A re-closable packaging carton according to claim 7 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the line of weakness separating the first flap sections from the second flap sections extends at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the side flap sections.

17. A re-closable packaging carton according to any of claims 7 to 16 wherein the first flap sections are at least 20 mm deep.

18. A re-closable packaging carton according to any of claims 5 to 17 further comprising a front flap extending between the first flap sections of the lid, wherein the front flap and the side flaps each overhang sides of the body.

19. A re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim wherein the or each fold line is defined by a crease line.

20. A re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim, which is a paperboard or cardboard box.

21. A re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim for storing at least a first row, a second row and a third row of goods;the lid comprising a second fold line;the first fold line and the second fold line defining a third opening section of the lid, between the first opening section and the second opening section;whereby the lid can be selectively opened to first, second and third configurations;wherein in the first configuration the lid is folded about the fold line such that the first opening section is open and goods in a first row can be removed;wherein in the second configuration the lid is folded about the second fold line such that both the first opening section and the third opening section are open and goods in the second row can be removed andwherein in the third configuration the lid is folded about the pivot line such that the first opening section, the second opening section and the third opening section are open, and goods in the third row can be removed.

22. A box of tea, comprising a re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim; wherein the first and second rows of goods are rows of teabags, preferably individually packaged teabags.

23. A box of coffee, comprising a re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim; wherein the first and second rows of goods are rows of pods, pads, and / or stick packs.

24. A blank for forming a re-closable packaging carton according to any preceding claim; the blank comprising a body portion configured to form a hollow body and a lid portion configured to form a lid; the lid portion comprising a pivot line and a fold line; the fold line defining, when formed a first opening section of the lid and a second opening section of the lid.

25. A method of forming a re-closable packaging carton comprising providing a blank according to claim 24, folding, and gluing, the body portion of the blank to form a hollow body, and folding, and gluing, the lid portion of the blank to provide a lid, the method further comprising adhering a section of the lid to the body portion.

26. A method of packaging tea comprising providing at least a first row and a second row of tea bags in a re-closable packaging carton according to any of claims 1 to 21, or in a re-closable packaging carton manufactured according to the method of claim 25.

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