Carton with locking mechanism, related system and method

Abstract

A carton for holding one or more articles includes a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a body of the carton, and a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the carton and forming a lid of the carton, the lid being foldably connected to the body such that the lid is repositionable between an open position and a closed position. The carton further includes a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each panel of the first and second plurality of panels, and a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the lid in the closed position, the locking mechanism including a first locking flap foldably connected to the body and positioned to engage a second locking flap foldably connected to the lid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 425,831, filed November 16, 2022.

[0002] Incorporation by reference The entire disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 425,831, filed November 16, 2022, and U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 906,942, filed November 14, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if set forth in their entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to containers for holding one or more items. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cartons for holding one or more items, the carton including a locking mechanism for maintaining the carton in a closed configuration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a carton for holding one or more articles, the carton including a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton to form a body of the carton and a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the carton to form a lid of the carton. The lid is foldably connected to the body such that the lid is repositionable between an open position, in which the interior of the carton is accessible, and a closed position, in which the lid at least partially overlaps the interior of the carton. The carton includes a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each panel of the first and second plurality of panels, and a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the lid in the closed position, the locking mechanism including a first locking flap foldably connected to the body and positioned to engage a second locking flap foldably connected to the lid.

[0005] According to another aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a blank for forming a carton for holding one or more articles, the blank including: a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank to form a body of the carton formed from the blank; and a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around the interior of the carton formed from the blank to form a lid of the carton formed from the blank, the lid being foldably connected to the body when the carton is formed from the blank so as to be repositionable between an open position in which the interior of the carton formed from the blank is accessible and a closed position in which the lid at least partially overlaps the interior of the carton formed from the blank. The blank includes a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each panel of the first and second plurality of panels; and a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the lid in the closed position when the carton is formed from the blank, the locking mechanism including a first locking flap foldably connected to the body of the carton formed from the blank and positioned to engage a second locking flap foldably connected to the lid of the carton formed from the blank.

[0006] According to another aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to a method of forming a carton for holding one or more articles, the method including: obtaining a blank including a first plurality of panels, a second plurality of panels, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each of the first and second plurality of panels, and a locking mechanism including a first locking flap and a second locking flap; positioning the first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a body of the carton; positioning the second plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a lid of the carton such that the lid is foldably connected to the body of the carton and is repositionable between an open position in which the interior of the carton is accessible and a closed position in which the lid at least partially overlaps the interior of the carton; and positioning the first locking flap foldably connected to the body to engage with the second locking flap foldably connected to the lid such that the lid can be selectively maintained in the closed position.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate these 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 explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank for forming a carton according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1A] 2 is an enlarged portion of the blank of FIG. 1. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of a closed configuration of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 3]3A-3C are a series of perspective views of the opening of the carton of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 3A-3C are a series of perspective views of the opening of the carton of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 3A-3C are a series of perspective views of the opening of the carton of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 3A-3C are a series of perspective views of the opening of the carton of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present disclosure generally relates to containers, such as cartons, carriers, clips, and other packages for shipping and dispensing articles that hold one or more articles, such as personal care products (e.g., soaps, lotions, cosmetics, medicines, rinses such as mouthwash, etc.), household products (e.g., detergents, soaps, hand or skin sanitizers, etc.), food products, or other items. As described herein, such articles can be provided in specialized packaging, or the containers described herein can be configured to directly hold materials associated with such products.

[0012] It will be appreciated that it may be desirable to restrict access to some items, which may include items placed in the containers described herein, by certain users. In some cases, these users may be children or other individuals for whom a parent / guardian / provider of a consumer product may want to avoid providing overly simple access to items, such as those providing sweets or other treats that pose a choking hazard, non-food products that may be accidentally ingested, etc. It is desirable to provide limited access to contained items to such selected individuals or groups of individuals while simultaneously maintaining ease of access to the intended end users of such items. Thus, there is a need for a container solution that provides access restriction functionality while maintaining general ease of use for the intended end users.

[0013] Containers according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For purposes of illustration, and not for purposes of limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the following detailed description describes product-holding containers (e.g., paperboard trays and sleeves). As used herein, the terms "inner," "inside," "outside," "outside," "lower," "bottom," "upper," and "top" refer to orientations determined with respect to a fully erect carton and an upright carton.

[0014] As described herein, a carton may be formed by a plurality of overlapping panels, end flaps, and / or other portions of a blank. Such panels, end flaps, and / or other portions of a blank may be designated in relative terms with respect to one another, e.g., "first," "second," "third," etc., with consecutive or non-consecutive reference, without departing from this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface 101 of a blank 103 used to form a carton 105 (Figure 3) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The carton 105 defines an interior 107 (Figure 6) that can hold one or more articles therein. Figure 1A is an enlarged portion of the exterior surface 101 of the blank 103.

[0016] As shown, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a transverse axis L2. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the longitudinal axis L1 and the transverse axis L2 can be transposed.

[0017] The blank 103 can have a body portion 109 for forming a body 111 of a carton 105 formed from the blank 103, and a lid portion 113 for forming a lid 115 of a carton 105 formed from the blank 103. As described further herein, the lid portion 113 of the blank 103 can be foldably connected to the body portion 109 of the blank 103 such that the lid 115 is foldably connected to the body 111 of the carton 105 formed from the blank 103, and such that the lid 115 is repositionable between an open position and a closed position corresponding to an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively, of the carton 105.

[0018] The blank 103 has a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around the interior 107 of the carton 105. In particular, the body portion 109 of the blank 103 can have a first plurality of panels including a first body side panel 121, a front body panel 123 foldably connected to the first body side panel 121 at a horizontal fold line 125, a second body side panel 127 foldably connected to the front body panel 123 at a horizontal fold line 129, and a back body panel 131 foldably connected to the second body side panel 127 at a horizontal fold line 133.

[0019] The lid portion 113 of the blank 103 can have a second plurality of panels that can include a back hinge panel 135 foldably and / or separably connected to the main body back panel 131 at a longitudinal line of weakness 137, a first lid side panel 139 foldably connected to the hinge panel 135 and the main body back panel 131 at respective portions of horizontal fold lines 141, a lid front panel 143 foldably connected to the lid side panel 139 at a horizontal fold line 145, and a lid second side panel 147 foldably connected to the lid front panel 143 at a horizontal fold line 149. As described further herein, the hinge panel 135 can be foldably connected to the main body back panel 131 and to each of the end flaps foldably connected to each of the plurality of panels of the blank 103 / carton 105.

[0020] As described further herein, the first lid side panel 139 can include a base or attachment portion 140 separably connected to a distal or lid portion 142 at an oblique line of weakness 144 .

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, at least one end flap can be foldably connected to each of the plurality of panels of the blank 103. With respect to the main body portion 109 of the blank 103, a first locking end flap or first locking flap 151 can be foldably connected to the main body front panel 123 at a longitudinal fold line 153.

[0022] With respect to the lid portion 113 of the blank 103, a first top end flap 155 can be foldably connected to the hinge panel 135 at respective longitudinal fold lines 157, and a second top end flap 159 can be foldably connected to the side panel 139 at respective fold lines 157. A third top end flap 161 can be foldably connected to the front panel 143 at respective fold lines 157, and a fourth top end flap 163 can be foldably connected to the side panel 147 at respective fold lines 157.

[0023] As also shown, the first bottom end flap 165 can be foldably connected to the main body front panel 123 at each of the longitudinal fold lines 167, the second bottom end flap 169 can be foldably connected to the main body second side panel 127 at each of the fold lines 167, the third bottom end flap 171 can be foldably connected to the main body back panel 131 at each of the fold lines 167, and the fourth bottom end flap 173 can be foldably connected to the first lid side panel 139 at each of the fold lines 167.

[0024] As described further herein, the second locking end flap or second locking flap 175 may be foldably connected to the lid front panel 143 at a respective portion of the fold line 167. As shown, the portion of the fold line 167 may be at least partially interrupted by an opening or notch 174.

[0025] In this regard, end flaps 151, 155, 159, 161, 163 may be a first plurality of end flaps arranged along a first edge of blank 103, and end flaps 165, 169, 171, 173, 175 may be a second plurality of end flaps arranged along a second edge of blank 103.

[0026] It will be understood that the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom can have different numbers, configurations, and / or arrangements of panels, end flaps, and / or related features without departing from this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the body side panel 121 and the lid second side panel 147 can be considered end flaps of the blank 103 / carton 105.

[0027] The blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom may also include a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the carton 105 in a closed / locked configuration with the lid 115 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism may include locking flap 151 and locking flap 175. Additionally, the locking mechanism may include an unlocking tab 177 that is at least partially separable from the lid front panel 143 at a generally U-shaped cut line 179.

[0028] Additionally, the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom can include an access mechanism to facilitate transitioning the carton 105 from an initial closed configuration to an open configuration. As best shown in FIG. 1A , the access mechanism can include a tear strip 181 positioned to interrupt the line of weakness 144 along the lid side panel 139. In the illustrated embodiment, the tear strip 181 can be separably connected from the distal portion 142 of the lid side panel 139 at a diagonal line of weakness 185 that is collinear with the line of weakness 144 to the base portion 140 of the lid side panel 139 at a diagonal line of weakness 183. As also shown, each diagonal line of weakness 187, 189 can extend from a respective endpoint of the line of weakness 183 to a respective endpoint of the line of weakness 185. In some embodiments, the tear strip 181 can be at least partially bisected by an additional diagonal line of weakness 190 to form an access tab 192 therealong.

[0029] The access mechanism of the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom may also include an access tab 191 that is separably connected to the main side panel 127 at a generally horizontal line of weakness 193 that extends from the free edge of the panel 127 to the end of a generally vertical or diagonal line of weakness 195 that intersects the fold line 133.

[0030] It will be understood that the blank 103 and the carton 105 formed therefrom can include different numbers and / or arrangements of access features without departing from this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the unlocking tabs 177 and associated features can be considered access features of the blank 103 and carton 105 formed therefrom.

[0031] 2, according to one embodiment, the carton 105 can be formed from the blank 103 by positioning the blank 103 on a support surface with the outer surface 101 facing downward and the inner surface facing upward. The locking flaps 175 can be folded at respective portions of the fold lines 167 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the lid front panel 143.

[0032] The main body front panel 123 is folded at fold line 129 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the main body side panel 127, the back panel 131, and the hinge panel 135, such that the main body side panel 121 is in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the back panel 131 and the hinge panel 135. Additionally, respective portions of the locking flap 151 may be in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the top end flap 155, and the bottom end flap 165 may be in at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the bottom end flaps 169, 171.

[0033] The locking flap 151 can then be folded at the fold line 153 into at least partial face-to-face contact with a respective portion of the outer surface 101 of the blank 103 along the main body front panel 123 .

[0034] The lid side panel 139 can be folded at fold line 141 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the body side panel 121, with the top end flap 159 being brought into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top end flap 155, and the bottom end flap 173 being brought into at least partial face-to-face contact with a respective portion of the bottom end flap 171. As described further herein, the base portion 140 of the lid side panel 139 can be attached to a respective portion of the body side panel 121.

[0035] Simultaneously or subsequently, the lid side panel 147 can be folded at fold line 149 into at least partial face-to-face contact with respective portions of the lid front panel 143 and locking flap 175, and the top end flap 163 is brought into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top end flap 161. In this regard, when the lid front panel 143 is moved while the lid side panel 139 is being folded at fold line 141 as described above, the lid front panel 143 and lid side panel 147 come into at least partial face-to-face contact with the locking flap 151 and the body front panel 123.

[0036] Such a configuration can be thought of as an at least partially folded configuration of the blank 103, or a folded configuration of the carton 105. This configuration can be maintained at least in part by the application or application of an adhesive, such as glue. In one embodiment, an adhesive, such as glue, can be applied to the outer surface 101 of the blank 103 along a portion of the body side panel 121 (e.g., such that the outer surface of the body side panel 121 is adhered to the inner surface of the lid side panel 139) and to the inner surface of the blank 103 along a portion of the locking flap 175 (e.g., such that the inner surface of the locking flap 175 is adhered to the inner surface of the lid front panel 143).

[0037] Such a configuration can provide an open sleeve configuration for the carton 105, in which the overlapping lid front panel 143, locking flap 175, locking flap 151, and main body front panel 123 are positioned in a spaced-apart parallel relationship with the back panel 131 and hinge panel 135, and the overlapping lid side panels 139 and main body side panels 121 extend from the front panel 143 to the back panel 131 and hinge panel 135 and are in a spaced-apart parallel relationship with the overlapping lid side panels 147 and main body side panels 127, which similarly extend from the front panels 143, 123 and locking flaps 175, 151 to the back panel 131 and hinge panel 135.

[0038] In this configuration, the panels 121, 123, 127, 131, 135, 139, 143, 147 extend at least partially around the interior 107 of the carton 105, and the end flaps 155, 159, 161, 163, 165, 169, 171, 173 extend away therefrom.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an initial closed configuration of the carton 105, which can be formed by further folding the top end flaps 159, 163 toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 at their respective portions of fold line 157 (e.g., in a generally perpendicular relationship to the panels 121, 123, 127, 131, 135, 139, 143, 147), and folding the top end flap 161 at their respective portions of fold line 157 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top end flap 161 at their respective portions of fold line 157 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the top end flap 161 at their respective portions of fold line 157 into at least partial overlapping relationship to at least partially form the closed top end / lid 115 of the carton 105.

[0040] Similarly, the bottom end flaps 169, 173 can be folded toward the interior 107 of the carton 105 at their respective portions of the fold line 167 (e.g., in a generally perpendicular relationship to the panels 121, 123, 127, 131, 135, 139, 143, 147) and can be arranged in at least a partial overlapping relationship to form a closed bottom of the carton 105.

[0041] In view of the above, the first plurality of panels of the blank 103 / carton 105 and the second plurality of panels of the blank 103 / carton 105 can each extend at least partially around the interior 107 of the carton 105 .

[0042] In the initial closed configuration of the carton 105, locking flap 151, which is folded downward toward the outer surface of the body front panel 123 and positioned between the body front panel 123 and the lid front panel 143, can be positioned to engage locking flap 175, which is folded into at least partial face-to-face contact with the inner surface of the lid front panel 143. In particular, free edge 152 (FIG. 1) of locking flap 151 can be positioned to at least partially engage edge-to-edge with free edge 176 (FIG. 1) of locking flap 175 and / or the outer surface of locking flap 175. In view of the above, each locking flap 151, 175 can be positioned between the body front panel 123 and the lid front panel 143 when the lid 115 is in the closed position.

[0043] In such a configuration, the lid 115 of the carton 105 may be in a closed or first position at least partially overlapping the interior 107 of the carton 105 so as to block and / or prevent access to items within the interior 107 of the carton 105. In some embodiments, the closed position of the lid 115 of the carton 105 may include at least partial contact with one or more portions of the body 111 of the carton 105.

[0044] 3-5 , to facilitate repositioning the lid 115 to transition the carton 105 from the initial closed configuration to the open configuration, a user can, for example, engage the tear strip 181, e.g., by pinching the access tab 192 between their fingers and pulling the tear strip 181 away from the lid side panel 139, causing the tear strip 181 to at least partially separate from the lid side panel 139 at one or more of the lines of weakness 183, 185, 187, 189. The distal portion 142 of the lid side panel 139 is then freely separable from the base portion 140 of the lid side panel 139 along the line of weakness 144.

[0045] Upon such removal of the tear strip 181, the aforementioned engagement of the locking flaps 151, 175 can be at least partially released by a user by pressing the unlocking tab 177, causing at least partial separation thereof from the lid front panel 143 at the notch 179 and toward the underlying aligned locking flap 151. Thus, pressing the unlocking tab 177 can move the locking flap 151 out of engagement with the locking flap 175 attached to the lid front panel 143. In this regard, the locking flap 151 is movable toward and away from the body front panel 123 via its foldable connection to the body front panel 123 at the fold line 153.

[0046] Upon engagement and disengagement of the locking flaps 151, 175, the lid 115 of the carton 105 can be lifted away from the body 111 of the carton 105 to an open position that provides access to items within the interior 107 of the carton 105. In some embodiments, the notch 174 can provide a prominent location along which a user can position a finger or knuckle to engage the lid 115.

[0047] The lid 115 of the carton 105 can be moved by folding at respective fold lines 157 that foldably connect the top end flaps 155 to the hinge panel 135 and / or at weakened lines 137 that foldably connect the hinge panel 135 to the back panel 131, such that the lid 115 has an articulatable hinge configuration that can be folded at multiple points of attachment to the remainder of the carton 105. Such a lid configuration can be advantageous compared to, for example, a lid configuration that is pivotable to the remainder of the carton at only one foldable connection.

[0048] Thus, the lid 115 can be lifted away from the body 111 of the carton 105 to an open or second position to allow one or more users to access and / or remove one or more articles from the interior 107 of the carton 105. When it is desired to re-close the carton 105, the user can lower the lid 115 onto the interior 107 of the carton 105 by folding the lid 115 at one or both of the fold lines 157, 137. Furthermore, such lowering of the lid 115 onto the body 111 of the carton 105 can position the locking flaps 151, 175 into locking engagement as described above to provide not only an openable and reclosable configuration of the carton 105 via the lid 115, but also a lockable and unlockable configuration of the carton 105 via the engagement and subsequent release of the locking flaps 151, 175 via the unlocking tabs 177.

[0049] The locking and access mechanisms described above can be configured to provide convenient access for an intended user possessing the necessary physical characteristics, e.g., strength, dexterity, etc., to relatively easily open / unlock and close / lock the carton 105. On the other hand, a user lacking such physical characteristics may experience one or more barriers to at least opening / unlocking the carton 105 for one or more items in the interior 107 of the carton 105. In some embodiments, such physical characteristics can include the ability to simultaneously grasp the carton 105 with both hands, as described above, and the dexterity to engage the locking mechanism and lift the lid 115, as described above.

[0050] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, situations may arise where, for example, limited access to the interior 107 of the carton 105 for a particular user is not necessary or desirable. In such situations, the lid 115 and associated locking features of the carton 105 can be removed from the carton 105 by engaging the access tab 191, separating the tab 191 from the side panel 127 at the lines of weakness 193, 195, and then tearing the hinge panel 135 from the back panel 131 at the line of weakness 137, thereby partially or completely removing the lid 115 from the body 111 of the carton 105.

[0051] It will be understood that one or more features of the carton 105 may have alternative configurations and / or arrangements without departing from this disclosure.

[0052] Generally, the blanks of the present disclosure may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper that is heavier and more rigid than regular paper. The blanks may also be constructed from other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having suitable properties that enable the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blanks may be coated, for example, with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect the information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated, for example, with a moisture barrier layer on one or both sides of the blank. The blanks may also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0053] By way of example, the tear line can include a slit extending partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of spaced slits extending 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 extending completely through the material, with adjacent slits spaced slightly apart, typically defining nicks (e.g., somewhat bridge-like pieces of material) between adjacent slits to temporarily connect the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. Nicks are typically a relatively small percentage of the tear line; alternatively, nicks can be omitted from or positioned within the tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to replace each tear line with a continuous slit, etc. For example, the cut line may be a continuous slit or may be wider than the slit without departing from the present disclosure.

[0054] According to exemplary embodiments, fold lines need not necessarily be straight, but can be any substantially linear form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, without intending to narrow the scope of this disclosure, fold lines include score lines, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife or the like, that create a crushed or depressed 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. In situations where cuts are used to create fold lines, the cuts typically are not excessive in a manner that would cause a reasonable user to mistakenly consider the fold line to be a tear line.

[0055] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels glued together by an adhesive during assembly of the carton embodiment. The term "glue" is intended to encompass any manner of adhesive typically used to secure carton panels in place.

[0056] The foregoing description of the present disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. Because various changes can be made in the above configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure encompasses various modifications, combinations, variations, and the like of the above-described embodiments. Additionally, while the present disclosure illustrates and describes only selected embodiments, various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the present disclosure as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and / or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A carton for holding one or more items, comprising: a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a body of the carton; a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a lid for the carton, the second plurality of panels being foldably connected to the body such that the lid is repositionable between an open position, in which the interior of the carton is accessible, and a closed position, in which the lid at least partially covers the interior of the carton; and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each panel of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels; a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the lid in the closed position, the locking mechanism including a first locking flap foldably connected to the body and positioned to engage a second locking flap foldably connected to the lid.

2. 2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of panels comprises a main body front panel, a main body back panel, and at least one main body side panel, and the first locking flap is foldably connected to the main body front panel.

3. 3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the second plurality of panels comprises a lid front panel and at least one lid side panel, and the second locking flap is foldably connected to the lid front panel.

4. 4. The carton of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second locking flaps is for being positioned between the body front panel and the lid front panel when the lid is in the closed position.

5. 5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the first locking flap is movable toward and away from the main body front panel.

6. 6. The carton of claim 5, wherein a free edge of the first locking flap is for contacting a free edge of the second locking flap when the lid is in the closed position.

7. 7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the second locking flap is in at least partial face-to-face contact with the lid front panel.

8. 6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a release tab defined at least in part by a notch in the lid front panel, the release tab being movable relative to the lid front panel to disengage the first locking flap from the second locking flap when the lid is in the closed position.

9. 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the at least one lid side panel comprises a base portion at least partially separable from a distal portion at a line of weakness, the base portion of the at least one lid side panel being attached to the body back panel, and the distal portion of the at least one lid side panel being adapted to separate from the base portion of the at least one lid side panel when the lid is in the open position.

10. 10. The carton of claim 9, wherein the lines of weakness are interrupted by tear strips for at least partially separating from each of the base and distal portions of the at least one lid side panel to facilitate repositioning of the lid from the closed position to the open position.

11. 9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap foldably connected to a respective panel of the second plurality of panels, the first top end flap and the second top end flap at least partially overlapping to at least partially form the lid.

12. 12. The carton of claim 11, wherein the at least one body side panel is a body first side panel, the first plurality of panels comprises a body second side panel, the at least one lid side panel is a lid first side panel, the second plurality of panels comprises a lid second side panel, the second top end flap is foldably connected to the lid front panel, and the plurality of end flaps includes a third top end flap foldably connected to the lid second side panel and at least partially overlapping the second top end flap to at least partially form the lid.

13. 13. The carton of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of panels includes a hinge panel foldably connected to each of the body back panel and the first top end flap to facilitate repositioning of the lid between the closed position and the open position, the first top end flap being foldably connected to the hinge panel.

14. 1. A blank for forming a carton for holding one or more articles, comprising: a first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank to form a body of the carton formed from the blank; a second plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank and for forming a lid for the carton formed from the blank, the second plurality of panels being foldably connected to the body when the carton is formed from the blank such that the lid is repositionable between an open position in which the interior of the carton formed from the blank is accessible and a closed position in which the lid at least partially covers the interior of the carton formed from the blank; and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each panel of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels; a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the lid in the closed position when the carton is formed from the blank, the locking mechanism including a first locking flap foldably connected to the body of the carton formed from the blank and for positioning to engage with a second locking flap foldably connected to the lid of the carton formed from the blank.

15. 15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the first plurality of panels comprises a main body front panel, a main body back panel, and at least one main body side panel, and the first locking flap is foldably connected to the main body front panel.

16. 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the second plurality of panels comprises a lid front panel and at least one lid side panel, and the second locking flap is foldably connected to the lid front panel.

17. 17. The blank of claim 16, wherein each of the first and second locking flaps is intended to be positioned between the body front panel and the lid front panel when the lid of the carton formed from the blank is in the closed position.

18. 18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the first locking flap is movable toward and away from the main front panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

19. 19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a lock release tab defined at least in part by a notch in the lid front panel, the lock release tab being movable relative to the lid front panel to disengage the first locking flap from the second locking flap when the lid of the carton formed from the blank is in the closed position.

20. 20. The blank of claim 19, wherein the at least one lid side panel comprises a base portion at least partially separable from a distal portion at a line of weakness, the base portion of the at least one lid side panel being attached to the body back panel, and the distal portion of the at least one lid side panel being adapted to separate from the base portion of the at least one lid side panel when the lid of the carton formed from the blank is in the open position.

21. 21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the lines of weakness are interrupted by tear strips for at least partially separating from each of the base and distal portions of the at least one lid side panel to facilitate repositioning of the carton lid formed from the blank from the closed position to the open position.

22. 20. The blank of claim 19, wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap foldably connected to a respective panel of the second plurality of panels, the first top end flap and the second top end flap at least partially overlapping to at least partially form the lid of the carton formed from the blank.

23. 23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the at least one body side panel is a body first side panel, the first plurality of panels comprises a body second side panel, the at least one lid side panel is a lid first side panel, the second plurality of panels comprises a lid second side panel, the second top end flap is foldably connected to the lid front panel, and the plurality of end flaps comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the lid second side panel and at least partially overlapping the second top end flap to at least partially form the lid of the carton formed from the blank.

24. 24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the first plurality of panels includes a hinge panel foldably connected to each of the body back panel and the first top end flap to facilitate repositioning of the lid of the carton formed from the blank between the closed position and the open position, and the first top end flap is foldably connected to the hinge panel.

25. 1. A method of forming a carton for holding one or more items, comprising: obtaining a blank comprising a first plurality of panels, a second plurality of panels, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to each panel of the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, and a locking mechanism comprising a first locking flap and a second locking flap; positioning the first plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and forming a body of the carton; positioning the second plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the carton and form a lid of the carton, the second plurality of panels being foldably connected to the body of the carton such that the lid of the carton is repositionable between an open position in which the interior of the carton is accessible and a closed position in which the lid at least partially covers the interior of the carton; positioning the first locking flap foldably connected to the body to engage the second locking flap foldably connected to the lid such that the lid is selectively maintainable in the closed position.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first plurality of panels comprises a main body front panel, a main body back panel, and at least one main body side panel, and the first locking flap is foldably connected to the main body front panel.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second plurality of panels comprises a lid front panel and at least one lid side panel, and the second locking flap is foldably connected to the lid front panel.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein each of the first and second locking flaps is for being positioned between the body front panel and the lid front panel when the lid is in the closed position.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the first locking flap is movable toward and away from the body front panel.

30. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein a free edge of the first locking flap is for contacting a free edge of the second locking flap when the lid is in the closed position.

31. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein positioning the second plurality of panels includes positioning the second locking flap in at least partial face-to-face contact with the lid front panel.

32. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a release tab defined at least in part by a notch in the lid front panel, the release tab being movable relative to the lid front panel to disengage the first locking flap from the second locking flap when the lid is in the closed position.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising positioning the lid in the closed position.

34. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising moving the unlocking tab to disengage the first locking flap from the second locking flap.

35. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising positioning the lid in the open position.

36. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one lid side panel comprises a base portion at least partially separable from a distal portion at a line of weakness, the base portion of the at least one lid side panel being attached to the body back panel, and the distal portion of the at least one lid side panel being adapted to separate from the base portion of the at least one lid side panel when the lid is in the open position.

37. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the lines of weakness are interrupted by tear strips for at least partially separating from each of the base and distal portions of the at least one lid side panel to facilitate repositioning of the lid from the closed position to the open position.

38. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the plurality of end flaps comprises a first top end flap and a second top end flap foldably connected to a respective panel of the second plurality of panels, the method further comprising at least partially overlapping the first top end flap and the second top end flap to at least partially form the lid.

39. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one body side panel is a body first side panel, the first plurality of panels comprises a body second side panel, the at least one lid side panel is a lid first side panel, the second plurality of panels comprises a lid second side panel, the second top end flap is foldably connected to the lid front panel, and the plurality of end flaps comprises a third top end flap foldably connected to the lid second side panel, the method further comprising at least partially overlapping the second top end flap and the third top end flap to at least partially form the lid.

40. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first plurality of panels comprises a hinge panel foldably connected to each of the body back panel and the first top end flap to facilitate repositioning of the lid between the closed position and the open position, the first top end flap being foldably connected to the hinge panel.

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