Carton with opening mechanism

Abstract

A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a plurality of side panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels, the plurality of end flaps forming a reclosable end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps including at least one top end flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions and an opening mechanism for transitioning the reclosable end of the carton from a closed configuration to an open configuration when pressed by a user.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 324,900 (filed March 29, 2022).

[0002] Incorporation by Reference The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 324,900 (March 29, 2022) is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to cartons for holding and dispensing items. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to one aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a carton for holding at least one article, the carton comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels, the plurality of end flaps forming a reclosable end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps comprising at least one top end flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions and an opening mechanism for transitioning the reclosable end of the carton from a closed configuration to an open configuration when pressed by a user.

[0005] According to another aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the blank comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of a carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels. The plurality of end flaps for forming a reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of end flaps including at least one top end flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions and an opening end flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions. mouth An opening mechanism for transitioning the reclosable end of a carton formed from the blank from a closed configuration to an open configuration when the mechanism is depressed by a user. mouth and a mechanism.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method comprising: forming a carton having a plurality of panels, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels; and an opening assembly. mouth The present invention is directed to a method of forming a blank comprising: obtaining a blank having a reclosable end flap and an opening mechanism for opening the reclosable end flap of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels and the plurality of end flaps comprising at least one top end flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions. The method further includes positioning the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a reclosable end of the carton from the plurality of end flaps such that the opening mechanism is for transitioning the reclosable end of the carton from a closed configuration to an open configuration when depressed by a user.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings listed below.

[0008] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior of a blank used to form a carton according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 in an open configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 in an open configuration dispensing a food product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

[0011] A carton according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of many different shapes. For purposes of illustrating but not limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the following detailed description describes articles such as food products. Such food products can be provided in individual or granular portions, such as in snacks, e.g., candy, gum, chocolate, granola, cereals, nuts, trail mix, raisins, dried fruit, and the like. It will be understood that different types of articles, such as different types of food products, can be held within a carton according to the present disclosure without departing from the present disclosure. It will be further understood that articles other than food products can be held within a carton according to the present disclosure.

[0012] As used herein, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper," and "top" refer to orientations determined with respect to a fully erected carton and an upright carton. As described herein, a carton may be formed from a blank by overlapping multiple panels, multiple sections, and / or multiple end flaps. Such panels, sections, and / or end flaps may be designated herein in relative terms to one another, e.g., "first," "second," "third," etc., with consecutive or non-consecutive references, without departing from this disclosure.

[0013] 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface 101 of a blank, generally designated 103, used to form a container or carton 105 (FIG. 2) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As described further herein, the carton 105 can include an opening mechanism that facilitates reconfiguration of the carton 105 from a closed configuration in which at least one reclosable end of the carton 105 limits access to an interior 107 of the carton 105 to an open configuration in which at least one reclosable end of the carton 105 provides access to the interior 107 of the carton 105 (FIG. 3).

[0014] 1 , the blank 103 can have a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2 and a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior 107 of a carton 105 formed from the blank 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of panels of the carton 105 / blank 103 can include a first side panel 121, a front panel or second side panel 123 foldably connected to the first side panel 121 at a lateral fold line 125, a third side panel 127 foldably connected to the second side panel 123 at a lateral fold line 129, and a back panel or fourth side panel 131 foldably connected to the third side panel 127 at a lateral fold line 133.

[0015] An attachment flap or attachment panel 135 may be foldably connected to the first side panel 121 at a transverse fold line 137 .

[0016] The blank 103 may also include a plurality of end flaps. As described herein, the plurality of end flaps may include a plurality of top end flaps that may at least partially overlap to form a reclosable top end 109 of the carton 105, and the plurality of end flaps may include a plurality of bottom end flaps that may at least partially overlap to form a closed bottom end 111 of the carton 105.

[0017] The end flaps include a first top flap 139 foldably connected to the first side panel 121 at each of the longitudinal fold lines 140, a top flap 141 (broadly speaking, a “third top flap”) foldably connected to the second side panel 123 at each of the longitudinal fold lines 140 and foldably connected to a portion of the top flap 139 at each of the fold lines 125, and a second top flap 142 (broadly speaking, a “third top flap”) foldably connected to the second side panel 123 at each of the longitudinal fold lines 140 and foldably connected to a portion of the top flap 139 at each of the fold lines 125. and a fourth top flap 145 foldably connected to the fourth side panel 131 at respective longitudinal fold lines 140 and foldably connected to a portion of the top flap 143 at respective fold lines 133. In this regard, each end flap of the end flaps 139, 141, 143, 145 may be foldably connected to a respective adjacent end flap.

[0018] As also shown, the attachment end flap 136 may be foldably connected to an outer portion 149 of the top flap 149 at respective portions of the fold lines 137. In some embodiments, the attachment end flap 136 may be considered a portion of the attachment panel 135 that is at least partially separated from its remainder by a discontinuity along the free edge of the blank 103.

[0019] The end flaps 136, 139, 141, 143, 145 may be multiple top end flaps extending along a first periphery of the blank 103 to at least partially overlap to form a reclosable first end or top end 109 of the carton 105 formed from the blank 103.

[0020] It will be appreciated that the positioning of the fold line 140 may be varied based on the relative dimensions of the panels 121, 123, 127, 131 to which the end flaps 139, 141, 143, 145, respectively, are foldably connected.

[0021] The top flap 139 may include a plurality of reconfigurable portions, including a central portion 147 foldably connected to the side panel 121 at respective portions of fold lines 140, and a first outer portion 149 foldably connected to the central portion 147 at diagonal fold lines 151, as shown, and a second outer portion 153 foldably connected to the central portion 147 at diagonal fold lines 155 and to the top flap 141 at respective portions of fold lines 125.

[0022] 1, the top flap 141 can include a base 157 foldably connected to the top flaps 139, 143 at respective fold lines 125, 129, and a distal portion 159 foldably connected to the base 157 at a longitudinal fold line 161. As shown, the base 157 of the top flap 141 can be foldably connected to the outer portion 153 of the top flap 139 at respective fold lines 125.

[0023] The top flap 143 may include multiple reconfigurable portions, including a central portion 167 foldably connected to the side panel 127 at respective portions of fold line 140, a first outer portion 169 foldably connected to the central portion 167 at diagonal fold line 171 and to the base 157 of the top flap 141 at respective portions of fold line 129, and a second outer portion 173 foldably connected to the central portion 167 at diagonal fold line 175 and to the top flap 145 at respective portions of fold line 133, as shown.

[0024] 1 , top flap 145 can include a base 177 foldably connected to side panel 131 at respective portions of fold lines 140 and foldably connected to outer portion 173 of top flap 143 at respective portions of fold lines 133, and a distal portion 179 foldably connected to base 177 at longitudinal fold line 181. As described further herein, distal portion 179 can be an access tab or tamper-evident feature of carton 105 formed from blank 103.

[0025] With further reference to FIG. 1 , the multiple end flaps may include a bottom end flap 183 foldably connected to the first side panel 121 at each portion of the longitudinal fold line 191, a bottom end flap 185 foldably connected to the second side panel 123 at each portion of the fold line 191, a bottom end flap 187 foldably connected to the third side panel 127 at each portion of the fold line 191, and a bottom end flap 189 foldably connected to the fourth side panel 131 at each portion of the fold line 191.

[0026] The end flaps 183, 185, 187, 189 may be multiple bottom end flaps extending along a second peripheral edge of the blank 103 to at least partially overlap to form a closed second end 111 of the carton 105 formed from the blank 103.

[0027] The blank 103 also includes an opening mechanism for facilitating reconfiguration of the carton 105 from a closed configuration in which the top end 109 of the carton 105 limits access to the interior 107 of the carton 105 to an open configuration in which the top end 109 provides access to the interior 107 of the carton 105. As described herein, such reconfiguration of the carton 105 from the closed configuration to the open configuration may occur upon depression by a user.

[0028] As described further herein, the opening mechanism can include at least one user engagement area 193, 195 (generally a "first user engagement area" and a "second user engagement area," respectively) positioned at least partially along an upper portion of each side panel 121, 127 proximate a respective portion of the fold line 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the user engagement areas 193, 195 can be indicated by visual and / or tactile indicia, such as printed circular, oval, or thumbprint shaped areas, and / or distinctive surface patterns along the exterior surface 101 of the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom. In other embodiments, one or both of the user engagement areas 193, 195 can be devoid of visual and / or tactile indicia.

[0029] 2, formation of a carton 105 from a blank 103 is described in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The blank 103 can be placed with its exterior surface 101 in contact with a support surface, e.g., face down and inner surface up. A distal portion 159 of the top flap 141 can be folded at a fold line 161 to at least partially make face contact with a base 157 of the top flap 141 along the inner surface of the blank 103.

[0030] The panels 121, 123, 127, 131 may be folded at least partially about the interior 107 of the carton 105 at fold lines 125, 129, 133 to position the first side panel 121 and the third side panel 127 in a generally spaced apart parallel relationship and to position the second side panel 123 and the fourth side panel 131 in a generally spaced apart parallel relationship. In this regard, the first side panel 121 is positioned opposite the third side panel 127 and the second side panel 123 is positioned opposite the fourth side panel 131.

[0031] The attachment flap 135 may be folded at fold line 137 and positioned in at least partial face contact with an inner surface of the fourth side panel 131. Additionally, the attachment end flap 136 may be folded at respective portions of fold line 137 and positioned in at least partial face contact with respective portions of an inner surface of the base 177 of the top end flap 145.

[0032] The end flaps 183 , 185 , 187 , 189 can be folded into at least a partial overlapping relationship at respective portions of fold lines 191 to form the closed second end 111 of the carton 105 .

[0033] The aforementioned arrangement of the carton 105 may be maintained by one or more applications of adhesive, such as glue. For example, in some embodiments, one or more applications of adhesive, such as glue, may be applied to the outer surface 101 of the blank 103 / carton 105 along respective portions of the attachment flap 135, the attachment end flap 136, the distal portion 159 of the top flap 141, and the bottom flap 189. In some embodiments, one or more applications of adhesive, such as glue, may be applied to the inner surface of the blank 103 along the distal portion 159 of the top flap 141.

[0034] To close the first top end 109 of the carton 105, the top flaps 139, 143 may be folded toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 at their respective fold lines 140. Simultaneously or subsequently, the top flaps 141, 145 may be folded downward toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 at their respective fold lines 140.

[0035] As the top flaps 139, 143 are folded downward, respective portions 147, 149, 153 of the top flap 139 and respective portions 167, 169, 173 of the top 143 can be reconfigured relative to one another, for example at respective fold lines 151, 155, 171, 175, 140, 135, 137, 129, 133, to form an overlapping folded / gusset-reinforced engagement over the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0036] For example, the central portion 147 of the top flap 139 can be folded downward toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 at a respective portion of the fold line 140, and the outer portions 149, 153 of the top flap 139 are folded at least partially away from the interior 107 of the carton 105 at respective fold lines 151, 155. In some embodiments, one or both of the outer portions 149, 153 of the top flap 139 can be positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the central portion 147 of the top flap 139.

[0037] Similarly, the central portion 167 of the top flap 143 can be folded downward toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 at respective portions of fold line 140, and the outer portions 169, 173 of the top flap 143 are folded at least partially away from the interior 107 of the carton 105 at respective fold lines 171, 175. In some embodiments, one or both of the outer portions 169, 173 of the top flap 143 can be positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the central portion 167 of the top flap 143.

[0038] Such movement of top flaps 139, 143 can cause top flaps 141, 145, which are at least partially foldably connected at respective portions of fold lines 125, 129, 133, to fold downwardly at respective portions of fold line 140 above top flaps 139, 143. Thus, base 157 of top flap 141 and base 177 of top flap 145 are exposed outside of closed end 109 of carton 105. In some embodiments, distal portion 179 of top flap 145 can be adhered to base 157 of top flap 141.

[0039] In the aforementioned closed configuration of the carton 105 , at least the top flaps 141 , 145 can be positioned in a generally planar relationship to one another and in a generally perpendicular relationship to the plurality of panels 121 , 123 , 127 , 131 , 135 , and the top flaps 139 , 143 can be positioned within the interior 107 of the carton 105 .

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, when it is desired to transition the carton 105 from the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2 to an open configuration, a user can tear the distal portion 179 of the top flap 145 from the base 177 of the top flap 145, for example, to provide evidence of opening, tampering, etc.

[0041] The user can then press on one or both of the user engagement areas 193, 195 located along respective portions of the side panels 123, 131 to at least partially compress the side panels 123, 131 toward the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0042] Such pressing of one of the user engagement areas 193, 195 and / or compression of both user engagement areas 193, 195 can transition the top end 109 of the carton 105 from a closed configuration to an at least partially open configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0043] Such reconfiguration may be caused at least in part by the unfolding or unfolding of respective portions of the top flaps 139 , 143 and the movement of the top flaps 141 , 145 away from the interior 107 of the carton 105 .

[0044] In particular, the central portion 147 of the top flap 139 can be folded upward at each portion of the fold line 140 away from the interior 107 of the carton 105, and the outer portions 149, 153 of the top flap 139 are folded so as to be at least partially aligned with the central portion 147 at each fold line 151, 155.

[0045] Similarly, the central portion 167 of the top flap 143 can be folded upward at respective portions of the fold line 140 away from the interior 107 of the carton 105, and the outer portions 169, 173 of the top flap 143 are folded so as to be at least partially aligned with the central portion 167 at respective fold lines 171, 175.

[0046] Such movement of top flaps 139, 143 can cause top flaps 141, 145, which are at least partially foldably connected thereto at their respective portions of fold lines 125, 129, 133, to fold upwardly and away from the interior 107 of the carton 105 at their respective portions of fold line 140. Thus, in the open configuration of the carton 105, the end flaps 139, 143, 141, 145 can extend at least partially away from the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0047] In this regard, one or more of the respective fold lines 151, 155, 171, 175, 140, 137, 129, 133 can be positioned or configured to bias the top flaps 139, 141, 143, 145 toward the open configuration upon application of pressure to one or both of the user engagement areas 193, 195. Such transition of the carton 105 from the closed configuration to the open configuration can be accompanied by an audible and / or tactile pop, for example, to provide tactile feedback to such movement of the carton 105 as well as to draw attention to the carton 105 by a user or passersby.

[0048] 4, the open configuration of the carton 105 allows a user to dispense one or more articles, such as a food product P, from the interior 107 of the carton 105 in a generally controlled and / or metered manner, for example, into the palm of the user's hand, into the palm of another person's hand, into a serving container, etc. In some embodiments, the generally unfolded configuration of the top flaps 139, 141 can provide a dispenser feature to facilitate such controlled release of one or more food products P from the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0049] Reconfiguration of the carton 105 from an open configuration to a closed configuration can be accomplished by repeating the steps described during the initial formation of the carton 105 with respect to the top flaps 139, 141, 143, 145. In some embodiments, such reclosure of the top end 109 of the carton 105 can involve one or more of the top flaps 139, 141, 143, 145 being at least partially biased toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 upon at least an initial downward fold at a respective portion of the fold line 140. Such a bias can provide a snap-like sensation to a user of the carton 105.

[0050] From such a re-closed configuration, the carton 105 can be opened and closed again as described above. In some embodiments, the carton 105 can include one or more securing or locking features to maintain the carton 105 in one of the open or closed configurations.

[0051] In view of the above, the blank 103 / carton 105 is reconfigurable between an open configuration of the carton 105 in which at least one reclosable end of the carton 105 provides access to the interior 107 of the carton 105, and a closed configuration of the carton 105 in which at least one reclosable end of the carton 105 limits access to the interior 107 of the carton 105.

[0052] Blanks according to the present disclosure can be formed, for example, from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the inside and / or outside of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating can then be printed with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blank can then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank can also be coated, for example, with a moisture barrier layer, on one or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiment, the blank can be constructed of caliper paperboard so that it is heavier and stiffer than regular paper. The blank can also be constructed from other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having suitable properties to enable the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0053] In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, the fold line is not necessarily a straight line, but may be any substantially straight form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, and without intent to narrow the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include score lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife or the like, that create a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness, cuts that extend partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of cuts that extend partially into and / or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, and various combinations of these features.

[0054] As an example, the tear line can include a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of spaced slits that extend partially into the material along the desired line of weakness and / or completely through the material, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type of tear line is in the form of a series of spaced slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits spaced slightly apart such that nicks (e.g., somewhat bridge-like pieces of material) are defined between adjacent slits to typically temporarily connect the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks are typically a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively, the nicks can be omitted from or torn out of the tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of this disclosure for each of the spaced slits to be replaced with a continuous slit, a continuous score, or the like. For example, the cut line may be a continuous slit or may be wider than the slit without departing from this disclosure. The tear line may also be a series of score lines that pass completely or partially through the material and are separated by nicks.

[0055] The term "glue" is intended to encompass any style of adhesive commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

[0056] The foregoing description of the present disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc. can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matters contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. In addition, the present disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and changes or modifications can be made in accordance with the above teachings and / or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, within the scope of the inventive concept expressed herein. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively exchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A carton for holding at least one item, comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and including a plurality of side panels; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels forming a reclosable end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps including at least one top flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions; When pressed by the user, and an opening mechanism for transitioning the reclosable end of the carton from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

2. 2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism includes at least one user engagement area disposed along a top of each of the plurality of side panels.

3. 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the at least one top flap is foldably connected to a respective one of the plurality of side panels at a fold line, and the at least one user engagement area is positioned proximate to the fold line.

4. 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the plurality of side panels comprises a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, the first side panel being disposed opposite the third side panel and the second side panel being disposed opposite the fourth side panel, the at least one user engagement area being a first user engagement area disposed along the first side panel, and the opening mechanism further comprising a second user engagement area disposed along the third side panel.

5. the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the at least one top flap comprising a central portion foldably connected to at least one outer portion at an oblique fold line; the at least one top flap is for being disposed within the interior of the carton when the reclosable end of the carton is in the closed configuration, and the at least one top flap is disposed to extend away from the interior of the carton when the reclosable end of the carton is in the open configuration; 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the at least one outer portion is a first outer portion and the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the at least one top flap includes a second outer portion foldably connected to the central portion at an oblique fold line.

6. 6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the plurality of side panels comprises a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, the first side panel being disposed opposite the third side panel and the second side panel being disposed opposite the fourth side panel, the at least one top end flap being a first top end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and the plurality of end flaps further comprising a second top end flap foldably connected to the third side panel, the second top end flap comprising a plurality of reconfigurable portions.

7. 7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the second top flap comprises a central portion foldably connected to each of a first outer portion and a second outer portion at a respective diagonal fold line.

8. 7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel and a fourth top end flap foldably connected to the fourth side panel, each end flap of the plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective adjacent end flap of the plurality of end flaps.

9. 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the reclosable end of the carton is a reclosable top end of the carton, and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a plurality of bottom end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels, the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlapping to form a closed bottom end of the carton.

10. 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the first top flap is foldably connected to the third top flap, the third top flap is foldably connected to the second top flap, and the second top flap is foldably connected to the fourth top flap.

11. each of the third and fourth top flaps includes a respective base portion foldably connected to a respective distal portion; 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the distal portion of the fourth top flap is separable from the base of the fourth top flap, the distal portion of the fourth top flap being for attachment to the base of the third top flap when the reclosable end of the carton is in the closed configuration to provide a tamper-evident feature.

12. A blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels including a plurality of side panels; a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective ones of the plurality of side panels to define reclosable ends of the carton formed from the blank; a plurality of end flaps including at least one top flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions; and an opening mechanism that is depressed by a user to transition the reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

13. 13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the opening mechanism includes at least one user engagement area disposed along a top of each of the plurality of side panels.

14. 14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the at least one top flap is foldably connected to a respective one of the plurality of side panels at a fold line, and the at least one user engagement area is positioned proximate to the fold line.

15. 14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the plurality of side panels include a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, the first side panel positioned opposite the third side panel when the carton is formed from the blank, the second side panel positioned opposite the fourth side panel when the carton is formed from the blank, the at least one user engagement area is a first user engagement area disposed along the first side panel, and the opening mechanism further comprises a second user engagement area disposed along the third side panel.

16. the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the at least one top flap comprising a central portion foldably connected to at least one outer portion at an oblique fold line; the at least one top flap is for positioning within the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank is in the closed configuration, and the at least one top flap is for positioning extending away from the interior of the carton formed from the blank when the reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank is in the open configuration; the at least one outer portion is a first outer portion and the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the at least one top flap include a second outer portion foldably connected to the central portion at a diagonal fold line; 14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the plurality of side panels includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, the first side panel positioned opposite the third side panel when the carton is formed from the blank, the second side panel positioned opposite the fourth side panel when the carton is formed from the blank, the at least one top end flap is a first top end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, the plurality of end flaps further comprising a second top end flap foldably connected to the third side panel, the second top end flap comprising a plurality of reconfigurable portions.

17. 17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the second top flap comprises a central portion foldably connected to each of a first outer portion and a second outer portion at a respective diagonal fold line.

18. 17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel and a fourth top end flap foldably connected to the fourth side panel, each end flap of the plurality of end flaps being foldably connected to a respective adjacent end flap of the plurality of end flaps.

19. 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank is a reclosable top end of the carton formed from the blank, and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a plurality of bottom end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels, the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlapping to form a closed bottom end of the carton formed from the blank.

20. 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the first top flap is foldably connected to the third top flap, the third top flap is foldably connected to the second top flap, and the second top flap is foldably connected to the fourth top flap.

21. each of the third top flap and the fourth top flap includes a respective base portion foldably connected to a respective distal portion; 20. The blank of claim 18, wherein the distal portion of the fourth top flap is separable from the base of the fourth top flap, the distal portion of the fourth top flap being for attachment to the base of the third top flap when the reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank is in the closed configuration to provide a tamper-evident feature.

22. 1. A method of forming a carton for holding at least one item, comprising the steps of: obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, and an opening mechanism, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels, the plurality of end flaps comprising at least one top flap having a plurality of reconfigurable portions; disposing the plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton; and forming the reclosable end of the carton from a plurality of end flaps such that the reclosable end of the carton has an opening mechanism that, when pressed by a user, transitions the reclosable end of the carton from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the opening mechanism includes at least one user engagement area disposed along a top of each of the plurality of side panels.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising depressing the at least one user engagement area to transition the reclosable end of the carton from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

25. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one top flap is foldably connected to each of the plurality of side panels at a fold line, and the at least one user engagement area is positioned proximate to the fold line.

26. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of side panels comprises a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, and positioning the plurality of panels comprises positioning the first side panel opposite the third side panel and positioning the second side panel opposite the fourth side panel, and the at least one user engagement area is a first user engagement area disposed along the first side panel, and the opening feature further comprises a second user engagement area disposed along the third side panel.

27. the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the at least one top flap comprising a central portion foldably connected to at least one outer portion at an oblique fold line; the reclosable end of the carton is configured such that when the reclosable end of the carton is in the closed configuration, the at least one top flap is for placement within the interior of the carton and when the reclosable end of the carton is in the open configuration, the at least one top flap is for placement extending away from the interior of the carton; the at least one outer portion is a first outer portion and the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the at least one top flap include a second outer portion foldably connected to the central portion at a diagonal fold line; 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of side panels comprises a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel, and positioning the plurality of panels comprises positioning the first side panel opposite the third side panel and positioning the second side panel opposite the fourth side panel, and the at least one top end flap is a first top end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a second top end flap foldably connected to the third side panel, the second top end flap comprising a plurality of reconfigurable portions.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the plurality of reconfigurable portions of the second top flap comprises a central portion foldably connected to each of a first outer portion and a second outer portion at a respective diagonal fold line.

29. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the plurality of end flaps further comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the second side panel and a fourth top end flap foldably connected to the fourth side panel, each end flap of the plurality of end flaps being foldably connected to a respective adjacent end flap of the plurality of end flaps.

30. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the reclosable end of the carton is a reclosable top end of the carton, and the plurality of end flaps further comprises a plurality of bottom end flaps foldably connected to respective side panels of the plurality of side panels, the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlapping to form a closed bottom end of the carton.

31. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first top flap is foldably connected to the third top flap, the third top flap is foldably connected to the second top flap, and the second top flap is foldably connected to the fourth top flap.

32. each of the third top flap and the fourth top flap includes a respective base portion foldably connected to a respective distal portion; 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the distal portion of the fourth top flap is separable from the base of the fourth top flap and the reclosable end of the carton is configured such that the distal portion of the fourth top flap is attached to the base of the third top flap when the reclosable end of the carton is in a closed configuration, providing a tamper evident feature.

Images