GB2540959A

GB2540959A - A carton

Info

Publication number: GB2540959A
Application number: GB1513569.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allen Philip; Folchini Enrico
Original assignee: Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Current assignee: Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-31
Filing date: 2015-07-31
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Also published as: WO2017021361A1; GB201513569D0

Abstract

A carton 21 comprises a carton body 201, a first flap portion 222 arranged to cover an end 201a of the carton body and an appendix 270 coupled to the first flap portion via a first fold line 281. A main panel 214 of the carton body includes a second flap 261 arranged such that the first flap appendix engages with the second flap as the carton is closed. The carton body main panel 214 includes a break line 285 that is configured to break as the carton is opened. Also claimed is a carton 20 comprising a carton body (10, fig 2a; 200, fig 3a), a flap (16; 222) configured at least partially to cover an end (10a; 200a) of the carton body and an appendix (17; 270) coupled to the flap via a fold line (18; 280). The appendix is arranged resistively to engage with the carton body as the carton is closed, and the fold line between the flap and the appendix is configured to break when the flap is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

Description

A CARTON

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to packaging. In particular, the invention provides a carton that includes a tamper evidence feature.

BACKGROUND

The concept of “tamper evidence” is well known in the packaging community. Under its most general definition, the term refers broadly to any aspect of a sealed container that undergoes an irreversible change when the container is opened. If suitably conceived and realised, a tamper evidence feature can provide clear and unequivocal evidence that a container or package has been opened following its closure as part of the packaging process. Accordingly, the concept has assumed a central role in the healthcare and food industries, among others, in which it can be important to preclude the abuse or contamination of package contents.

Numerous tamper evidence solutions exist and are commonly applied to products ranging from bottles and jars to cartons and other boxes. These existing solutions can be broadly divided into two classes. A first group of ‘indirect’ tamper evidence features comprises, in essence, various retrospective modifications to an otherwise finished article or package. Perhaps the simplest example is the void tape commonly applied to cardboard packaging boxes, which must be destroyed in order to access the package contents. Other, ‘direct’ tamper evidence solutions are intrinsic to the packaging itself; that is, the feature or features providing evidence of tampering derive from the body of the packaging and/or the way in which it is assembled. One example of a direct tamper evidence solution is the inclusion in plastic bottle caps of a dedicated band that is designed to break as the bottle is opened for the first time.

The present invention is concerned in particular with tamper evident cartons, and more particularly still with cartons suitable for pharmaceutical and healthcare products. As is known to those of skill in the art, medicinal and other healthcare products are commonly housed in a first form of packaging such as a blister (for example, tablets or gels), a bottle (for liquids or pills) or a sachet (medicines in powder or granular form), which is in turn housed in a “secondary” package or carton. The blister, bottle or sachet may itself be tamper evident; however, it is also important for the carton to include a tamper evidence mechanism to provide assurance that its contents have not simpiy been exchanged en bioc for inferior or faisified products.

Figures 1a to 1e iiiustrate schematicaiiy five exempiary carton dosing mechanisms commoniy in use in the fieid. Figure la shows a carton having a Standard Reverse Tuck-in dosing mechanism; figure 1b shows a carton having a Fuii Overiap Seai End; figure 1c shows a carton having a Tuck and Seai End with Zipper; figure Id shows a carton having a 1-2-3 Snap Lock Bottom; and figure 1e shows a carton having a Crash Lock Automatic Bottom.

As iiiustrated by the exampies of figures la to 1e, the cartons used in the heaithcare sector can be grouped into two main categories: those having giued flaps, the giue being appiied after insertion of the product directiy in the packaging iine; and those having non-giued flaps, being instead mechanicaiiy foided and dosed. The Fuii Overiap Seai End of figure 1b is one exampie of a carton dosing using giued flaps, whiie the Standard Reverse Tuck-in dosing shown in figure la is the most prevaient exampie of a carton dosing mechanism that adopts non-giued flaps.

However, it wiii be appreciated that, irrespective of the use or otherwise of adhesive, aii five of the exampies just given inciude iittie by way of tamper evidence. Ciosing mechanisms invoiving non-giued flaps are particuiariy vulnerabie to being opened and re-dosed identicaiiy into their originai state. Giued flaps can be more difficuit to open without ieaving evidence of having done so, but cannot be considered tamper evident, in fact, the giue between carton surfaces can often easiiy be cut with a sharp biade, and additionai giue appiied to re-dose the carton into its originai state.

There is a growing demand in the pharmaceuticai industry for tamper evident cartons for heaithcare products. This is iikeiy to increase stiii further in the wake of the entry into force of the Faisified Medicines Directive (Directive 2011/62/EU) which, among other things, introduces obiigatory safety features to heip preserve the authenticity of medicinai products for human use.

Some indirect tamper evidence soiutions for heaithcare cartons are known. For exampie, tamper evident iabeis may be appiied at the opening edges of a carton and configured to reiease a void ink or a hoiogram onto the carton when broken. However, the production and appiication of such iabeis requires dedicated equipment, which can represent a significant investment on the part of the packager and, further, can compromise the speed of the packaging line. Alternatively, the labels must be bought from specialised companies, which can increase the cost of a single carton by up to 50%. In addition, these labels cannot be guaranteed to be 100% tamper evident.

Thus, there is a need for an improved tamper evidence solution for cartons. In particular, we have appreciated that it would be desirable to provide carton, suitable for a health product for example, that embodies a direct tamper evidence mechanism. Although there has been some activity in this respect, existing solutions are comparatively complex and can be difficult to implement effectively without substantially modifying the existing packaging line and reducing packing speed.

Accordingly, it is an aim of this invention to provide a carton including a simple and effective direct tamper evidence arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined in the independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Preferred features are set forth in the dependent claims.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a carton comprising a carton body, a first flap portion arranged to cover an end of the carton body, and an appendix coupled to the first flap portion via a first fold line. A main panel of the carton body includes a second flap arranged such that the first flap appendix engages with the second flap as the carton is closed and a break line that is configured to break as the carton is opened.

In some aspects, there is provided a carton comprising a carton body and a flap configured at least partially to cover an end of the carton body. An appendix is coupled to the flap via a fold line and is arranged resistively to engage with the carton body as the carton is closed. The fold line between the flap and the appendix is configured to break when the flap is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

In a second aspect of the invention, the carton comprises a carton body, a first flap portion arranged to cover an end of the carton, and an appendix coupled to the first flap portion via a first fold line. A main panel of the carton body includes a second flap arranged such that the first flap appendix engages with the second flap as the carton is closed, and the fold line is configured to break when the first flap portion is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a carton is provided that comprises a carton body, a first flap arranged to cover an end of the carton body, an appendix coupled to the first flap via a fold line, and a second flap arranged to cover at least partially the end of the carton body and including a slot. The appendix of the first flap is configured resistively to engage with the slot of the second flap as the carton is closed, and the fold line is configured to break when the first flap is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

The invention further provides blanks for the carton in its various aspects.

The carton may be a carton suitable for housing a health product, for example.

Embodiments of the invention may have the advantage of providing a simple mechanism, integral to a carton, for unambiguously determining whether or not the carton has been opened subsequent to its closure as part of the packaging process. Differently put, the ease with which the carton contents may be tampered with may be reduced. Thus, the safety and peace of mind of consumers may be improved.

The invention in some embodiments may also provide a carton including a tamper-evident mechanism but which, at the same time, is easily re-closable and re-openable by an end-user.

Further, since the tamper evidence of the invention is a direct tamper evidence solution that may require minimal modification to the packaging line, it may be simpler to implement, and with fewer or less adverse consequences for the efficiency of the packaging line, than existing solutions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figures 1a to 1e are schematic illustrations of exemplary, existing, non-tamper evident cartons; figure 2a is a schematic illustration of a tamper evident carton according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in an open configuration; figure 2b shows the carton of figure 2a in a partially closed configuration; figure 2c shows the carton of figure 2a in a fully closed configuration; figure 2d shows the carton of figure 2a once re-opened; figure 3a is a plan view of a blank for a tamper evident carton according to a second embodiment of the present invention; figure 3b is a plan view of the carton blank of figure 3a in partially assembled configuration; figure 3c is a sectional view of the carton of figure 3a, taken along the line A-A of figure 3b; figure 3d is a side view of the carton of figure 3a in a partially assembled configuration; figure 3e is a side view of the carton of figure 3a in a closed configuration; figure 3f is a side view of the carton of figure 3a once re-opened; and figure 4 is a plan view of a blank for a tamper evident carton according to an embodiment of the invention in one of its aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 2a to 2d illustrate an embodiment of a tamper evidence solution according to one aspect of the present invention.

As shown in figure 2a, a carton 1 includes a carton body 10 having an open end 10a, a tuck-in lid flap 12 and a pair of dust flaps 14a and 14b. The carton further includes a tamper evidence flap 16. The lid flap 12 includes a slot 13, and an appendix 17 is coupled to the tamper evidence flap 16 by a fold line 18.

The carton 1 in this embodiment is made from card, although any other suitable material could be chosen according to the qualities desired in any particular application. Those of skill in the art will appreciate, for example, that the thickness and type of the cardboard used to form the carton will vary according to the weight of the material to be packed. In other embodiments, the carton could instead be made from a plastic material such as PET that can be folded and glued in a similar manner to a cardboard material.

Figures 2b and 2c illustrate the closing of the carton 1. As shown in figure 2b, once a product has been inserted into the carton the dust flaps are closed over the open end of the carton body. The lid flap 12 is then closed over these so as to cover the end of the carton body. Moving on to figure 2c, once the tuck-in lid flap is in place in a fully closed position, the tamper evidence flap 16 is hinged about its join with the main carton body so as to fold over and cover the lid flap.

As can be appreciated from the drawings, as the tamper evidence flap 16 is closed the appendix 17 enters and engages with the slot 13 of the lid flap 12. In the embodiment shown, the appendix is shaped to include a pair of shoulders 17a, 17b (figure 2b) and has, at its widest point, a width greater than that of the slot 13. Thus, a force must be applied to insert the appendix 17 into the slot 13. Furthermore, once inserted the shoulders prevent the disengagement of the appendix from the slot. Thus, the tamper evidence flap 16 seals the carton 1 into the closed state.

As shown in figure 2a, the fold line 18 along which the appendix 17 is attached to the tamper evidence flap 16 is scored so as to weaken the carton material in this region. As a result, and because of the resistive engagement of the appendix with the lid flap 12 (more precisely, with the slot 13), the fold line 18 irreversibly breaks as shown in figure 2d as an attempt is made to open the sealed carton 1 by removing the outer, tamper evidence flap. Once the appendix is thus partially or fully detached from the tamper evidence flap, it becomes impossible to fix that outer flap back into position with respect to the main carton body; in other words, the carton cannot be re-sealed. Thus, the carton as a whole is damaged as a result of its first opening subsequent to its manufacture, and so carries a discernible indication that its contents may have been tampered with. At the same time, however, the use of a dedicated tamper evidence flap that is separate from the ‘standard’ lid flap 12, itself unaffected by the opening of the carton, guarantees that the carton is readily re-closable by an end-user. This may be beneficial where a medication needs to be taken periodically, for example.

Though not shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity, the skilled person will appreciate that the arrangement just described with reference to a first end 10a of the carton body may in some embodiments be replicated at the second, opposing end of the carton body. In this case, the risk of the carton contents being tampered with and the carton subsequently re-closed may be minimised.

Various modifications will be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, whilst it is preferred that the tuck-in flap 12 and the tamper evidence flap 16 each cover the end 10a of the carton substantially completely, as illustrated, this is not essential to the performance of the invention. The sole constraints on the design of the carton are that the two flaps should, between them, provide a substantially full coverage of the end of the carton body, and that the respective arrangement of the appendix 17 and the slot 13 should be such as to allow engagement of the two when the two flaps are closed.

Similarly, the shape and configuration of the appendix itself described above are given for the purposes of illustration only. The skilled person will readily appreciate that the use of shoulders such as shoulders 17a, 17b of figure 2b is not essential, and that the appendix may take any shape suitable for resistive engagement with the slot. These shoulders could be rounded or rectangular, for example.

Further, while it is common practice to include a pair of dust flaps at each end of a packaging carton, these are not essential to the present invention and may in some embodiments be omitted.

Finally, the fold line 18 in this embodiment is scored. In other embodiments, the line may be perforated or otherwise weakened in any suitable manner so as to achieve a sufficient likelihood that the line will break as the tamper evidence flap is removed from the end of the carton body.

Figure 3a is a schematic illustration of a blank for a carton 20 embodying a tamper evidence solution according to a second aspect of the present invention. Similarly to the carton 1 described above, the carton of this embodiment is again made from card, the gauge and type of which may be chosen in dependence on the intended application of the carton. In other embodiments, the carton could alternatively be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic material for example.

As shown, carton 20 includes a carton body 200 that comprises four panels 210, 212, 214, 216. At a first end 200a of the carton body, panel 210 is provided with a tuck-in lid flap 220, and panels 212 and 216 are each provided with a pair of dust flap (flaps 242 and 246, respectively). As shown, the lid flap 220 comprises a main flap portion 222 and an appendix 270, joined to the main flap portion at a fold line 280. As will be discussed below, fold line 280 is scored so as to weaken the carton material in the region in which the appendix 270 is joined to the main flap portion 222.

In this embodiment, the lid flap appendix 270 comprises a first appendix portion 272, similar to the tuck-in appendix of a standard lid flap, and a further or ‘extension’ appendix portion 274. Appendix 270 is divided into the two portions just described along a further fold line 282.

The panel 214 that will be opposite to panel 210 when the carton is assembled is provided, at carton end 200a, with a flap 260. The lid flap appendix 270 and the flap 260 provide the tamper evidence solution of the present embodiment of the invention, as will now be described with reference to figures 3b to 3f. (Figures 3a to 3c show a further, identical tamper evident appendix and flap arrangement provided to the second, distal end of the carton body 200. Though preferred, this is not essential, and the second end may in other embodiments include instead a simple lid flap, such as lid flap 12 of the carton 1 of the first embodiment, or any other suitable closing means. Furthermore, while the second end of the carton blank 200 mirrors the first, with the additional lid flap appended to panel 210 and the second hook flap provided to panel 214, this is not essential and the arrangement may in other embodiments be reversed with respect to the first end 200a of the carton.)

As shown in figure 3b, as a first step in assembly of the carton 20, the flap 260 is folded inwards (out of the page in figure 3b) along fold line 284, to oppose the surface of the carton body panel 214 that will ultimately face the inside of the assembled carton. The flap 260 is fastened, along a portion of its length and close to the fold line 284, to the panel 214. The fastening in this example takes the form of a line 290 of hot melt thick glue. In this way, the blank assumes a third dimension, the flap 260 being held slightly away from the inside of the main panel 214 into a ‘hook’ configuration by the thickness of the glue.

Similarly, the second portion (274; figure 3a) of the appendix 270 is folded outwards (into the page in figure 3b) along fold line 282, to oppose the outer surface of the first appendix portion 272.

Figure 3c is a sectional view of the carton 20 thus prepared, taken along the line A-A of figure 3b, and shows the flap 260 folded along fold line 284 towards the inside (IN) of the carton, fastened to the carton body panel 214 by a spot or line of hot melt glue 290, with the second portion 274 of the appendix of the lid flap 220 folded along fold line 282 towards the outside of carton 20 (OUT).

Figures 3d and 3e are side-views, taken from the panel 216, of the carton 20 in a partially assembled configuration and in a fully closed configuration, respectively.

In figure 3d, the main carton body is folded in the conventional manner into a parallelepiped shape that is open at one end (end 200a) and, further, the dust flaps shown in figures 3a and 3b have been closed. (The second end of the carton body is omitted from the drawing for the sake of simplicity.) Figures 3d and 3e show that the flap 260 that is glued to the inside surface of the body panel 214 presents a first, 3D hook within the carton, as described above. Similarly, the two appendix portions 272, 274 of the lid flap 220 present a second hook. Thus, as the lid flap is closed over the open end of the carton body, these two hooks engage one another to hold the lid firmly in place until the carton is opened.

As mentioned above, the fold line 280 at which the appendix 270 is joined to the main flap portion 222 of the lid flap is scored. Together with the resistive engagement between the two hooks, the line is caused to break as shown in figure 3f as an attempt is made to open the sealed carton 20 by removing the lid flap, thus providing irreversible evidence that the carton has been opened. Similarly to the carton 1 of the first embodiment, the carton is necessarily damaged on its first opening.

In addition to this tamper evidence, the carton of figures 3a to 3f may advantageously require minimal or even no modification of the packaging line. In particular, if the blank for the carton 20 is provided in the form shown in figure 3b (that is, with the second appendix portion 274 folded outwards and the flap 260 folded inwards and adhered to the inner surface of panel 214), the remaining assembly, filling and closing of the carton may be performed using the conventional machinery commonly used to fold, fill and close cartons of the Standard Reverse Tuck-in type of figure la, mentioned above. In this respect-the addition of a third dimension to the blank provided to a packaging line - the invention in this aspect differs from known direct tamper evidence solutions for cartons.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications are again possible. In particular, the two hooks may be chosen to have any shape and dimension other than the substantially rectangular design shown in the drawings that ensures a resistive engagement of the two when the carton is closed. Furthermore, the use of glue to hold the first flap 260 against, but away from, the inside of the carton is not essential. Other embodiments may use any alternative solution, such as a folding and tucking approach, to ensure that the flap is held in place firmly enough to realise its function in engaging the second hook of the lid flap appendix 270.

Figure 4 illustrates a blank for a carton 21 according to a variation of the second tamper-evidence solution of the invention described above with reference to figures 3a to 3f. Accordingly, in the drawings and in the following discussion, like parts are denoted with like reference numerals. Further, duplicated description of those parts and of the assembly and functioning of the carton is omitted.

The solution of figure 4 differs from that of figures 3a to 3f in the manner in which the arrangement is configured to break as the carton is opened, as follows.

As shown in figure 4, carton 21 includes a carton body 201 that comprises four panels 210, 212, 214, 216. At a first end 201a of the carton body, panel 210 is provided with a tuck-in lid flap 220, and panels 212 and 216 are each provided with a pair of dust flap (flaps 242 and 246, respectively). The lid flap 220 again comprises a main flap portion 222 and an appendix 270, joined to the main flap portion at a fold line 281. Further, the lid flap appendix again includes the first appendix portion 272 and the ‘extension’ appendix portion 274, divided from the first appendix portion along fold line 282.

Again as before, panel 214 of the carton body extends, at carton end 201a, to include a flap 261. Accordingly, panel 214 includes a fold line 284 similar to that of figure 3b. The flap 261 of this embodiment has a width that is less than the lateral dimension of the remainder of the panel 214.

In the embodiment of figure 4, the flap 261 is folded inwards to oppose the inner surface of panel 214 (to which it may be fixed as before with a line or one or more spots of hot melt glue), as before, so as to present a hook that engages the second hook formed by the two portions 272, 274 of the lid flap appendix 270 as the carton is closed. This hook-in arrangement holds the lid firmly in place until the carton is opened for the first time.

Unlike fold line 280 of the carton 20, however, fold line 281 is not scored or perforated in this embodiment. Instead, panel 214 of the carton body is scored along a curved line beginning and ending at fold line 284 and surrounding flap 261, as shown in the drawing.

In this way, as the carton 21 is opened for the first time the flap 261, together with a small portion of panel 214, is caused to detach from the remainder of the carton body 201, while the lid flap 220 remains intact.

The carton formed from the blank of figure 4 can thus have the further advantage that, since the appendix 270 of the tuck-in lid flap 220 is not made to detach from the flap portion 222 as the carton is opened, the carton may repeatedly be opened and re-closed securely by an end-user.

The skilled reader will appreciate that the score line 285 of the carton 21 of figure 4 is not limited to the curved shape shown in the drawing, but may instead take any other suitable or appropriate form. For example, the line 285 may in other embodiments delineate a rectangular, triangular or indeed any irregular portion of panel 214. Additionally, other embodiments may include a break line of any other sort; that is, a line that is weakened relative to the immediately surrounding material in any suitable fashion. Line 285 may in some embodiments be a perforated line, for instance.

Furthermore, where a similar arrangement is optionally provided at the second, opposite end of the carton 21, the relative configuration of the lid flap and the score line is preferably reversed with respect to that described in relation to the first end 201a. That is, the second tuck-in lid flap 220b is preferably appended to panel 214, while panel 210 includes the additional hook flap 261b and score line 285b. Again, this is not essential, and in alternative embodiments the two lid flaps 220, 220b may be appended to the same carton body panel, with the hook flaps 261,261b and score lines 285, 285b provided to the same, opposing carton body panel.

The invention has been described with reference to a carton for use in housing health products. The skilled person will appreciate that the concepts and features discussed herein find equal application wherever there exists a product of some value to be packaged for sale to an end user. For example, the present tamper evidence solution may be applied to cartons housing beauty products; perfumes; cosmetics; food and drink; or any other consumer product generally, where risk of tampering is a concern.

Claims

1. A carton (21) comprising: a carton body (201); a first flap portion (222) arranged to cover an end (201a) of the carton body; and an appendix (270) coupled to the first flap portion via a first fold line (281); wherein a main panel (214) of the carton body includes a second flap (261) arranged such that the first flap appendix engages with the second flap as the carton is closed; and wherein the carton body main panel (214) includes a break line (285) that is configured to break as the carton is opened.

2. A carton (1; 20) comprising: a carton body (10; 200); a flap (16; 222) configured at least partially to cover an end (10a; 200a) of the carton body; and an appendix (17; 270) coupled to the flap via a fold line (18; 280); wherein the appendix is arranged resistively to engage with the carton body as the carton is closed; and wherein the fold line between the flap and the appendix is configured to break when the flap is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

3. A carton (20) comprising: a carton body (200); a first flap portion (222) arranged to cover an end (200a) of the carton; and an appendix (270) coupled to the first flap portion via a first fold line (280); wherein a main panel (214) of the carton body includes a second flap (260) arranged such that the first flap appendix engages with the second flap as the carton is closed; and wherein the first fold line is configured to break when the first flap portion is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

4. The carton (21; 20) of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the appendix (270) and the second flap (261; 260) are arranged such that the appendix hooks onto the second flap as the carton is closed.

5. The carton (21; 20) of claim 4, wherein the appendix (270) includes a first appendix portion (272) coupled to the first flap portion (222) and a second appendix portion (274) coupled to the first appendix portion.

6. The carton (21; 20) of claim 5, wherein the second appendix portion (274) is coupled to the first appendix portion (272) via a second fold line (282) to form a hook such that the first flap appendix (270) hooks onto the second flap (261; 260) as the carton is closed.

7. The carton (21; 20) of any of claims 1 or 3 to 6, wherein the carton body (201; 200) is folded along a third fold line (284) such that the second flap (261; 260) opposes an inner surface of the carton body main panel (214).

8. The carton (21; 20) of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second flap (261; 260) is spaced from the inner surface of the carton body main panel (214) into a 3D configuration.

9. The carton (21; 20) of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the second flap (261; 260) is fastened along at least a portion of its length to the inner surface of the carton body main panel (214).

10. The carton (21; 20) of claim 9, wherein the fastening is proximate the third fold line (284).

11. The carton (21; 20) of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the fastening is by means of an adhesive (290).

12. The carton (21; 20) of claim 11, wherein the fastening is by means of a spot of adhesive (290).

13. A carton (1) comprising: a carton body (10); a first flap (16) arranged to cover an end (10a) of the carton body; an appendix (17) coupled to the first flap via a fold line (18); and a second flap arranged at least partially to cover the end of the carton body (13) and including a slot (13); wherein the appendix of the first flap is configured resistively to engage with the slot of the second flap as the carton is closed; and wherein the fold line is configured to break when the first flap is separated from the end of the carton body as the carton is opened.

14. The carton (1) of claim 12, wherein the appendix (17) is forcibly insertable into the slot (13).

15. The carton (1) of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein a width of the appendix (17) is greater than a width of the slot (13).

16. The carton (1) of claim 14, wherein the appendix (17) is shaped to include a pair of shoulders (17a, 17b) and has, at its widest point, a width greater than the width of the slot (13).

17. The carton (1) of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the second flap (12) is a tuck-in flap.

18. The carton (1) of any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the second flap (12) is arranged to cover the end (10a) of the carton body (10) substantially completely.

19. The carton (21; 20; 1) of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the break line (285) or the first fold line (280; 18) is scored.

20. The carton (21; 20; 1) of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the break line (285) or the first fold line (280; 18) is perforated.

21. The carton (21; 20; 1) of any preceding claim, wherein the carton body (201; 200; 10) further comprises at least one dust flap (242, 246; 14a, 14b).

22. A carton substantially as described herein with reference to any of figures 2a to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A blank for the carton of any preceding claim.