초록 ▼

First and second handle flaps can at least initially be adjacent to one another, for at least partially obstructing a first handle opening. The first handle flap can pivot at least partially into the interior of the carrier so that the first handle flap at least partially covers, and at least partia

First and second handle flaps can at least initially be adjacent to one another, for at least partially obstructing a first handle opening. The first handle flap can pivot at least partially into the interior of the carrier so that the first handle flap at least partially covers, and at least partially conforms to the shape of, a first article within the carrier, whereby the first handle flap at least partially blocks the first article from view. The second handle flap can pivot at least partially into the interior of the carrier so that the second handle flap at least partially covers, and at least partially conforms to the shape of, a second article within the carrier, whereby the second handle flap at least partially blocks the second article from view. The first and second articles are adjacent to one another and proximate the handle opening.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A carrier in combination with articles, the carrier comprising: at least one panel that partially defines an interior of the carrier, wherein the articles are in the interior; and at least first and second handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one ano

What is claimed is: 1. A carrier in combination with articles, the carrier comprising: at least one panel that partially defines an interior of the carrier, wherein the articles are in the interior; and at least first and second handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a handle opening in the panel, with the first and second handle flaps being operative for allowing the first and second handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier so that the handle opening in the panel is at least further exposed, the first handle flap at least partially covers a first article of the articles so that the first handle flap at least partially blocks the first article from view, and the second handle flap at least partially covers a second article of the articles so that the second handle flap at least partially blocks the second article from view, wherein the first and second articles are adjacent to one another, are within the interior of the carton, and are proximate the handle opening, the first article includes encoded pricing information, and the first article is arranged and the first handle flap is adapted so that the first handle flap is for substantially blocking the encoded pricing information from view when the first handle flap is pivoted substantially into the interior of the carrier so that the handle opening is substantially exposed. 2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the panel is a top panel, and the carrier further comprises: opposite end panels respectively connected to a first pair of opposite edges of the top panel, opposite front and rear panels respectively connected to a second pair of opposite edges of the top panel, and a bottom panel having edges respectively connected to the end, front and rear panels. 3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein: there are first and second pivotable connections respectively between the first and second handle flaps and the panel, and the first and second pivotable connections are operative for respectively allowing the first and second handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier to at least further expose the handle opening in the panel; and for each handle flap of the first and second handle flaps, the handle flap includes at least one fold line positioned between an edge of the handle flap and the pivotable connection between the handle flap and the panel, with the fold line being operative for allowing a first portion of the handle flap to be pivoted relative to a second portion of the handle flap and farther into the interior of the carton than the second portion of the handle flap, so that the edges of the first and second handle flaps can be at least partially pivoted away from one another. 4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein: the fold line of the first handle flap is distant from, and extends at least about parallel to, the pivotable connection between the first handle flap and the panel; and the fold line of the second handle flap is distant from, and extends at least about parallel to, the pivotable connection between the second handle flap and the panel. 5. The combination according to claim 3, wherein: the fold line of the first handle flap extends obliquely with respect to the edge of the first handle flap; and the fold line of the second handle flap extends obliquely with respect to the edge of the second handle flap. 6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein: an end of the fold line of the first handle flap is contiguous with the edge of the first handle flap; and an end of the fold line of the second handle flap is contiguous with the edge of the second handle flap. 7. The combination according to claim 3, wherein the edges of the first and second handle flaps are at least initially adjacent to one another. 8. The combination according to claim 7, further comprising at least one nick connecting the edge of the first handle flap to the edge of the second handle flap. 9. The combination according to claim 3, wherein: the handle opening is a first handle opening; the carrier further comprises third and fourth handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one another, with there being third and fourth pivotable connections respectively between the third and fourth handle flaps and the panel; the third and fourth pivotable connections are operative for respectively allowing the third and fourth handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier to at least further expose a second handle opening in the panel; the first and second articles are also proximate the second handle opening; for each handle flap of the third and fourth handle flaps, the handle flap includes at least one fold line positioned between an edge of the handle flap and the pivotable connection between the handle flap and the panel, with the fold line being operative for allowing a first portion of the handle flap to be pivoted relative to a second portion of the handle flap and farther into the interior of the carton than the second portion of the handle flap, so that the edges of the third and fourth handle flaps can be at least partially pivoted away from one another, the third handle flap can at least partially cover, engage and bend partially around the first article, whereby the third handle flap at least partially blocks the first article from view, and the fourth handle flap can at least partially cover, engage and bend partially around a second article, whereby the fourth handle flap at least partially blocks the second article from view; the first and second handle openings are spaced apart from one another; the carrier further comprises a multi-ply handle positioned between the first and second handle openings; and each of the first, second, third and fourth handle flaps is adjacent the multi-ply handle. 10. The combination according to claim 1, wherein: the encoded pricing information is adjacent the handle opening; the first handle flap is pivoted substantially into the interior of the carrier so that the handle opening is substantially exposed; and the first handle flap is substantially blocking the encoded pricing information from view while the first handle flap is pivoted substantially into the interior of the carrier so that the handle opening is substantially exposed. 11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the first handle flap at least partially covers, engages and bends partially around the first article. 12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the first handle flap is engaged to and bent partially around the first article. 13. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a handle, each of the first and second handle flaps is adjacent the handle, and the handle is a multi-ply handle. 14. A carrier that is for carrying articles and at least partially blocking the articles from view, the carrier comprising: at least one panel that partially defines an interior of the carrier, wherein the interior is for receiving the articles; first and second handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a first handle opening in the panel, with there being first and second pivotable connections respectively between the first and second handle flaps and the panel, and the first and second pivotable connections being operative for respectively allowing the first and second handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier to at least further expose the first handle opening in the panel; third and fourth handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a second handle opening in the panel, with there being third and fourth pivotable connections respectively between the third and fourth handle flaps and the panel, and the third and fourth pivotable connections being operative for respectively allowing the third and fourth handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier to at least further expose the second handle opening in the panel; and a handle positioned between the first and second handle openings, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth handle flaps is adjacent the handles, the first handle opening includes opposite first and second ends, the first handle opening includes opposite first and second sides, the first and second sides extend from the first end to the second end, the first handle opening has a length that extends from the first end to the second end, the first handle opening has a width that extends from the first side to the second side, the length is greater than the width, the first pivotable connection, which is between the first handle flap and the panel, comprises a first fold line that is located at, and extends along, the first end of the handle opening, and the second pivotable connection, which is between the second handle flap and the panel, comprises a second fold line that is located at, and extends along, the second end of the handle opening. 15. The carrier according to claim 14, wherein the carrier is a parallelepiped-shaped carton. 16. The carrier according to claim 14, wherein the panel comprises first and second panels that are at least partially overlapping with respect to one another, and the handle is a multi-ply handle. 17. The carrier according to claim 14 in combination with the articles, wherein the articles are in the interior of the carrier. 18. The carrier according to claim 14, wherein the panel is a top panel and the carrier further comprises: a front panel that is connected to the top panel at a front fold line, wherein the front panel extends downwardly from the front fold line, a rear panel that is connected to the top panel at a rear fold line, wherein the rear panel extends downwardly from the rear fold line, a right end panel that is connected to the top panel at a right fold line, wherein the right end panel extends downwardly from the right fold line, and a left end panel that is connected to the top panel at a left fold line, wherein the left end panel extends downwardly from the left fold line, wherein each of the first and second fold lines is not collinear with any of the front, rear, right and left fold lines. 19. A carrier that is for carrying articles and at least partially blocking the articles from view, the carrier comprising: at least one panel that partially defines an interior of the carrier, wherein the interior is for receiving the articles; first and second handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a first handle opening in the panel, with there being first and second pivotable connections respectively between the first and second handle flaps and the panel, and the first and second pivotable connections being operative for respectively allowing the first and second handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier to at least further expose the first handle opening in the panel; third and fourth handle flaps that are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a second handle opening in the panel, with there being third and fourth pivotable connections respectively between the third and fourth handle flaps and the panel, and the third and fourth pivotable connections being operative for respectively allowing the third and fourth handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier to at least further expose the second handle opening in the panel; and a handle positioned between the first and second handle openings, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth handle flaps is adjacent the handle, wherein for at least each handle flap of the first and second handle flaps, the handle flap includes at least one fold line positioned between an edge of the handle flap and the pivotable connection between the handle flap and the panel, with the fold line being operative for allowing a first portion of the handle flap to be pivoted relative to a second portion of the handle flap and farther into the interior of the carton than the second portion of the handle flap, so that the edges of the first and second handle flaps can be at least partially pivoted away from one another, and the edges of the first and second handle flaps are at least initially adjacent to one another. 20. The carrier according to claim 19, wherein: the fold line of the first handle flap is distant from, and extends at least about parallel to, the pivotable connection between the first handle flap and the panel; and the fold line of the second handle flap is distant from, and extends at least about parallel to, the pivotable connection between the second handle flap and the panel. 21. The carrier according to claim 19, wherein: the fold line of the first handle flap extends obliquely with respect to the edge of the first handle flap; and the fold line of the second handle flap extends obliquely with respect to the edge of the second handle flap. 22. The carrier according to claim 21, wherein: an end of the fold line of the first handle flap is contiguous with the edge of the first handle flap; and an end of the fold line of the second handle flap is contiguous with the edge of the second handle flap. 23. A carrier that is for carrying containers and at least partially blocking the containers from view, with the containers having walls respectively extending around the container's axes, the carrier comprising: at least one panel that partially defines an interior of the carrier, wherein the interior is for receiving the containers so that the container's axes extend in a lateral direction; and at least a pair of handle flaps, with the pair of handle flaps including first and second handle flaps that each have an edge, wherein the edges of the first and second handle flaps are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a handle opening in the panel, and the first and second handle flaps are operative for allowing the first and second handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier, so that the edges of the first and second handle flaps at least partially pivot away from one another to at least further expose the handle opening in the panel, wherein the pair of handle flaps extends in a longitudinal direction that is crosswise with respect to the lateral direction, the pair of handle flaps has a overall length that extends in the longitudinal direction, the edges of the first and second handle flaps extend at least generally in the lateral direction, the pair of handle flaps has a width that extends in the lateral direction, and the overall length is greater than the width, the panel comprises a handle, and each of the first and second handle flaps is adjacent the handle, the handle opening includes opposite first and second ends that each extend in the lateral direction, the handle opening includes opposite first and second sides that each extend in the longitudinal direction, the handle opening has a length that extends in the longitudinal direction, from the first end to the second end, the handle opening has a width that extends in the lateral direction, from the first side to the second side, the length of the handle opening is greater than the width of the handle opening, the first handle flap is connected to the panel by a first fold line that is located at, and extends along, the first end of the handle opening, and the second handle flap is connected to the panel by a second fold line that is located at, and extends along, the second end of the handle opening. 24. The carrier according to claim 23, further comprising at least one nick connecting the edge of the first handle flap to the edge of the second handle flap. 25. The carrier according to claim 23, wherein the overall length is at least about twice as large as the width. 26. The carrier according to claim 23, wherein: the handle opening is a first handle opening; the pair of handle flaps is a first pair of handle flaps; the carrier further comprises a second pair of handle flaps, with the second pair of handle flaps including third and fourth handle flaps that each have an edge; the edges of the third and fourth handle flaps are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a second handle opening in the panel; the third and fourth handle flaps are operative for allowing the third and fourth handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier, so that the edges of the third and fourth handle flaps at least partially pivot away from one another to at least further expose the second handle opening in the panel; the second pair of handle flaps extends in the longitudinal direction and has a overall length that extends in the longitudinal direction; the second pair of handle flaps has a width that extends in the lateral direction; the overall length of the second pair of handle flaps is greater than the width of the second pair of handle flaps; the first and second handle openings are spaced apart from one another; the handle is positioned between the first and second handle openings; and each of the first, second, third and fourth handle flaps is adjacent the handle. 27. The carrier according to claim 23 in combination with the containers, wherein the containers are in the interior of the carrier, and the container's axes extend in the lateral direction. 28. The carrier according to claim 23, wherein the panel is a top panel and the carrier further comprises: a front panel that is connected to the top panel at a front fold line, wherein the front panel extends downwardly from the front fold line, a rear panel that is connected to the top panel at a rear fold line, wherein the rear panel extends downwardly from the rear fold line, a right end panel that is connected to the top panel at a right fold line, wherein the right end panel extends downwardly from the right fold line, and a left end panel that is connected to the top panel at a left fold line, wherein the left end panel extends downwardly from the left fold line, wherein each of the first and second fold lines is not collinear with any of the front, rear, right and left fold lines. 29. A carrier that is for carrying containers and at least partially blocking the containers from view, with the containers having walls respectively extending around the container's axes, the carrier comprising: at least one panel that partially defines an interior of the carrier, wherein the interior is for receiving the containers so that the container's axes extend in a lateral direction; and at least a pair of handle flaps, with the pair of handle flaps including first and second handle flaps that each have an edge, wherein the edges of the first and second handle flaps are for being at least initially adjacent to one another for together at least partially obstructing a handle opening in the panel, and the first and second handle flaps are operative for allowing the first and second handle flaps to be pivoted at least partially into the interior of the carrier, so that the edges of the first and second handle flaps at least partially pivot away from one another to at least further expose the handle opening in the panel, wherein the pair of handle flaps extends in a longitudinal direction that is crosswise with respect to the lateral direction, the pair of handle flaps has a overall length that extends in the longitudinal direction, the edges of the first and second handle flaps extend at least generally in the lateral direction, the pair of handle flaps has a width that extends in the lateral direction, and the overall length is greater than the width; the panel comprises a handle, and each of the first and second handle flaps is adjacent the handle; there are first and second pivotable connections respectively between the first and second handle flaps and the panel; and for each handle flap of the first and second handle flaps, the handle flap further includes at least one fold line positioned between the edge of the handle flap and the pivotable connection between the handle flap and the panel, with the fold line being operative for allowing a first portion of the handle flap to be pivoted relative to a second portion of the handle flap and farther into the interior of the carton than the second portion of the handle flap, so that the edges of the first and second handle flaps can be at least partially pivoted away from one another. 30. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising: a first panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the first panel includes at least first and second handle flaps that each have an edge, the edges of the first and second handle flaps are adjacent to one another, the first and second handle flaps together at least partially obstruct a handle opening in the first panel, the handle opening includes opposite first and second ends, the handle opening includes opposite first and second sides, the first and second sides extend from the first end to the second end, the handle opening has a length that extends from the first end to the second end, the handle opening has a width that extends from the first side to the second side, the length is greater than the width, the first handle flap is connected to the first panel by a first fold line that is located at, and extends along, the first end of the handle opening, the second handle flap is connected to the first panel by a second fold line that is located at, and extends along, the second end of the handle opening, the first panel further includes a handle, and each of the first and second handle flaps is adjacent the handle; a second panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the first panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the second panel; a third panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the second panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the third panel; and a fourth panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the third panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the fourth panel. 31. The blank according to claim 30, further comprising at least one nick connecting the edge of the first handle flap to the edge of the second handle flap. 32. The blank according to claim 30, wherein the first and second handle flaps are positioned between, and distant from, the first and second longitudinal edges of the first panel. 33. The blank according to claim 30, wherein: for each handle flap of the first and second handle flaps, the handle flap includes at least one fold line; the fold line of the first handle flap is distant from, and extends at least about parallel to, the edge of the first handle flap; and the fold line of the second handle flap is distant from, and extends at least about parallel to, the edge of the second handle flap. 34. The blank according to claim 30, wherein: for each handle flap of the first and second handle flaps, the handle flap includes at least one fold line; the fold line of the first handle flap extends obliquely with respect to the edge of the first handle flap; and the fold line of the second handle flap extends obliquely with respect to the edge of the second handle flap. 35. The blank according to claim 34, wherein: an end of the fold line of the first handle flap is contiguous with the edge of the first handle flap; and an end of the fold line of the second handle flap is contiguous with the edge of the second handle flap. 36. The blank according to claim 30, further comprising a fifth panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the fourth panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the fifth panel, the fifth panel includes at least third and fourth handle flaps that each have an edge, and the edges of the third and fourth handle flaps are adjacent to one another. 37. A carton formed from the blank according to claim 36, wherein: predetermined portions of the fourth and fifth panels are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, the carton includes a multi-ply handle that is at least partially defined by the predetermined portions of the fourth and fifth panels that are in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another, the multi-ply handle includes opposite first and second sides; the first and second handle flaps are adjacent the first side of the multi-ply handle; and the third and fourth handle flaps are adjacent the second side of the multi-ply handle. 38. The blank according to claim 30, wherein each of the first and second fold lines is not collinear with either of the first and second longitudinal edges of the first panel. 39. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising: a first panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the first panel includes (a) at least first and second handle flaps that each have an edge, and the edges of the first and second handle flaps are adjacent to one another, (b) a handle, and each of the first and second handle flaps is adjacent the handle; a second panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the first panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the second panel; a third panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the second panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the third panel; a fourth panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the third panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the fourth panel; a fifth panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the fourth panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the fifth panel, the fifth panel includes at least third and fourth handle flaps that each have an edge, and the edges of the third and fourth handle flaps are adjacent to one another; a sixth panel having first and second longitudinal edges that are laterally spaced apart from one another, wherein the second longitudinal edge of the fifth panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the sixth panel; and an opening in the blank, wherein the fold line which connects the fifth and sixth panels together is divided into two parts by the opening in the blank, the first panel includes first and second lateral edges that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another and respectively have end panels foldably connected thereto, the second panel includes first and second lateral edges that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another and respectively have end panels foldably connected thereto, the third panel includes first and second lateral edges that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another and respectively have end panels foldably connected thereto, the fourth panel includes first and second lateral edges that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another and respectively have end panels foldably connected thereto, and the fifth panel includes first and second lateral edges that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another and respectively have end panels foldably connected thereto. 40. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising: a plurality of panels that are respectively foldably connected to one another for being erected into the carton, wherein the plurality of panels includes at least a first panel; the first panel includes first and second peripheral edges that are opposite one another, third and fourth peripheral edges that are opposite one another, and at least first, second and third lines that together at least partially define at least first and second handle flaps that each have an edge; none of the first, second and third lines is contiguous with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel; the edges of the first and second handle flaps are adjacent to one another; the first and second handle flaps are positioned between the second and third lines; each of the first, second and third lines is selected from the group consisting of a tear line, a slit, and a combination of a tear line and a slit, so that each of the first, second and third lines is adapted for there being a complete separation therealong; a first end of the first line is proximate an intermediate portion of the second line; a second end of the first line is proximate an intermediate portion of the third line; the first line extends between the second and third lines so that the first line defines the edges of the first and second handle flaps, the first and second handle flaps together have an overall length that extends in a longitudinal direction, with the second and third lines extending in the longitudinal direction, the first and second handle flaps each have a width that extends in a lateral direction that is crosswise with respect to the longitudinal direction, with the first line extending in the lateral direction, and the overall length is greater than the width, so that the first line is shorter than each of the second line and the third line. 41. The blank according to claim 40, wherein: the second line comprises a tear line; and the third line comprises a tear line. 42. The blank according to claim 40, wherein: the first handle flap includes at least a first fold line that is not collinear with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel, the first fold line includes a first end that is proximate the second line, the first fold line includes a second end that is proximate the third line the second handle flap includes at least a second fold line that is not collinear with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel, the second fold line includes a first end that is proximate the second line, and the second fold line includes a second end that is proximate the third line. 43. The blank according to claim 42, wherein: the first handle flap includes a third fold line that is not collinear with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel, the third fold line is positioned between the first fold line and the edge of the first handle flap, the third fold line includes a first end that is proximate the second line, the third fold line includes a second end that is proximate the third line the second handle flap includes a fourth fold line that is not collinear with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel, the fourth fold line is positioned between the second fold line and the edge of the second handle flap, the fourth fold line includes a first end that is proximate the second line, and the fourth fold line includes a second end that is proximate the third line. 44. The blank according to claim 40, wherein: each line of the second and third lines includes opposite first and second ends, the first end of the second line is closer to the first end of the third line than to the second end of the third line, at least a fourth line extends from proximate the first end of the second line to proximate the first end of the third line, the fourth line is not collinear with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel, at least a fifth line extends from proximate the second end of the second line to proximate the second end of the third line, and the fifth line is not collinear with any of the first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges of the first panel. 45. The blank according to claim 44, wherein the fourth line is a fold line and the fifth line is a fold line. 46. The blank according to claim 44, wherein the fourth line is an arcuate score line and the fifth line is an arcuate score line. 47. The blank according to claim 44, wherein: a sixth line extends from proximate the first end of the second line to proximate the first end of the third line, at least a portion of the sixth line is positioned between the first line and the fourth line, a seventh line extends from proximate the second end of the second line to proximate the second end of the third line, and at least a portion of the seventh line is positioned between the first line and the fifth line. 48. The blank according to claim 40, wherein: the first and second peripheral edges of the first panel respectively are first and second longitudinal edges that extend in a longitudinal direction and are laterally spaced apart from one another; each of the second and third lines extends in the longitudinal direction; and the plurality of panels further includes a second panel having first and second longitudinal edges that extend in the longitudinal direction and are laterally spaced apart from one another, and the second longitudinal edge of the first panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the second panel, and a third panel having first and second longitudinal edges that extend in the longitudinal direction and are laterally spaced apart from one another, and the second longitudinal edge of the second panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the third panel. 49. The blank according to claim 48, wherein: the plurality of panels further includes a fourth panel having first and second longitudinal edges that extend in the longitudinal direction and are laterally spaced apart from one another, the second longitudinal edge of the third panel is connected at a fold line to the first longitudinal edge of the fourth panel, and each of the second and third lines extends parallel to each of the first and second longitudinal edges of the first panel.