Abstract:
A package has an article group of at least one row of substantially cylindrical articles and a carton disposed around the article group. The carton includes a plurality of walls including a top wall, a base wall, a pair of opposed side walls connected to side edges of the top wall and side edges of the base wall, and an end wall interconnecting the side walls, and an article dispenser opening formed at the region of intersection of planes of the top wall, the opposed side walls and the end wall. A portion of the article dispenser opening is defined by the end wall terminating along an end wall severance line having all points disposed at elevations at a distance as measured from the plane of the top wall no greater than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical articles that lie in an upper row of the group.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/098,937, filed Apr. 4, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,474, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,646, filed Mar. 26, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,104, issued Jun. 7, 2005, both of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPEMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to cartons, and more particularly, to a carton for multiple articles having a dispenser for constrained removal of individual articles. In particular the invention relates to a carton, which is adapted to be inclined to improve access to the articles; and to a dispenser, which is formed by cross-tearing motion of a corner of the carton. 
   Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages. When such a multiple-pack of articles is obtained, a consumer frequently desires to remove one article from the carton at a time. Thus, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that facilitates the removal of a single article from the carton at a time. 
   When the articles contained in the carton are cylindrical, and are disposed in the carton upon their sides, it is important that the articles be constrained such that the remaining articles do not roll out of the dispenser when one is removed. It is also important that the dispenser provides a condition where the articles are easily accessed. It is further often desirable when removing individual articles from a carton to be able to determine how many articles remain in the carton. Thus, it can be further appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that constrains remaining articles so that they do not undesirably roll from or otherwise exit the carton when one article is removed. It can also be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that facilitates access to the articles. It can be further appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that facilitates determining how many articles remain in the carton as individual articles are removed. 
   A further problem associated with similar known cartons is that a user can have difficulty in grabbing articles furthest from the dispenser. The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least instigate the problems of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of walls including a top wall, a pair of opposed side walls connected to side edges of the top wall and an end wall interconnecting the side walls to provide a front wall of the carton. The carton further comprises an article dispenser at the front end of the carton for dispensing articles from the carton. The dispenser includes an opening for exposing an endmost article for removal. The opening is provided by removal of a portion of the carton formed from the top, side and end walls. The carton still further comprises a heel formed from the portion detached from the carton. The heel is engaged with a part of the carton to support the carton in an inclined position in which the carton is inclined to the front end of the carton. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the heel comprises a protruding portion that is formed from the top wall. The protruding portion of the heel engages the rear end of the carton to hold the heel in position. The rear end may include an end wall panel hingedly connected to one of the side walls, and the protruding portion may be placed to underlie the end wall panel. The rear end may further include a support flap hingedly connected to the base wall of the carton to underlie the end wall panel. In this arrangement, the protruding portion may be interposed between the end wall panel and the support flap. The end wall panel may include an engagement flap hingedly connected thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. 
   The heel may be positioned so that an edge of the heel abuts the base wall of the carton. Optionally, the protruding portion may include a pair of opposed short side edges in engagement with the side walls of the carton respectively. 
   Preferably, the heel comprises one or more side panels to abut the side walls of the carton to provide lateral stability to the inclined carton. 
   A second aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of walls including a top wall, a pair of opposed side walls connected to side edges of the top wall and an end wall interconnecting the side walls defining an upper corner of the carton and an article dispenser for dispensing articles from the carton. The dispenser includes a detachable portion of the carton formed from the top, side and end walls. The detachable portion is detachably connected to the top, side and end walls to be detached from the carton to define an opening for exposing an endmost article for removal. The carton of this aspect further comprises a tear initiation arrangement for grasping the detachable portion. The tear initiation arrangement is formed in one or more of the side walls to facilitate a cross-tearing motion of the detachable portion. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the detachable connection of the detachable portion comprises a frangible line of joinder for defining an edge of the opening. The tear initiation arrangement may comprise a hinged flap inwardly displaceable to define a finger aperture. Optionally, an edge of the finger aperture is provided by the frangible line of joinder to enable a user to grasp an edge of the detachable portion. 
   There may further comprise a beveled corner panel between the top wall and the end wall to provide support to a user&#39;s finger when the detachable portion is griped during the cross-tearing action. 
   A third aspect of the invention provides a package comprising an article group formed of at least one tier of cylindrical articles disposed on sides thereof in a side-by-side parallel fashion and a carton disposed around the group. The carton comprises a top wall, a pair of opposed side walls connected to side edges of the top wall and an end wall interconnecting the side walls defining an upper corner of the carton, and an article dispenser for dispensing articles from the carton. The dispenser includes a detachable portion of the carton formed from the top, side and end walls. The detachable portion is detachably connected to the top, side and end walls to be detached from the carton to define an opening for exposing an endmost article for removal. In this aspect, the carton further comprises a tear initiation arrangement for grasping the detachable portion. The tear initiation arrangement is formed in one or more of the side walls to facilitate a cross-tearing motion of the detachable portion. 
   The carton may further comprise a tear-assisting arrangement formed at least in the end wall to enable the user to grip an article positioned within the detachable portion. The tear-assisting arrangement may include a hinged flap inwardly displaceable to define a finger aperture. 
   The carton may further comprise a bevelled corner panel to provide support for a user&#39;s finger when the detachable portion is griped by the user during the cross-tearing action of the detachable portion and/or removal of the article and detachable portion from the carton. 
   The detachable connection of the detachable portion may comprise a frangible line of joinder for defining an edge of the opening. 
   The article group may comprise two or more vertically arranged tiers of cylindrical articles. The articles in each tier may be disposed on their sides in a side-by-side parallel fashion, and the frangible line may be disposed across the opposite ends of an endmost article of the lowermost tier. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton with a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a carton formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the carton with the detachable corner portion removed to reveal the dispenser opening; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the second embodiment of a blank for forming a carton having a dispenser; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a carton formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views illustrating the removal of a detachable portion to form a dispenser opening of the carton shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  are perspective views illustrating the construction of a heel of the carton shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view showing the third embodiment of a blank for forming a carton with a dispenser; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating the carton formed from the blank shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating a carton shown in  FIG. 12  in a position of use illustrating the heel; 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged partial plan view illustrating a portion of a fifth blank similar to the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 to 10  for forming a carton; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the construction of the heel to incline the carton formed from that part of the blank shown in  FIG. 14 ; and 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view of the heel in abutment with the carton shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings, there are shown cartons each having a dispenser for dispensing articles contained within the carton and blanks for forming the cartons. The blanks and cartons are formed from paperboard or other foldable sheet material, for example plastics material or the like, to which there has been added cut and fold lines. The cartons are used to hold one or more articles, for example cans or bottles, and to dispense the articles. In the illustrated embodiments a unitary blank is used to make a single carton, although it is envisaged that two or more blanks may be employed for example, to provide the dispenser or heel structure, described in more detail below. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a blank  10  for forming a carton with a dispenser. The blank  10  comprises in series a first base wall panel  12 , a first side wall panel  14 , a top wall  16 , a second side wall panel  18  and a second base wall panel  20  hingedly connected one to the next in series along fold lines  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  respectively. 
   Along each longitudinal edge, there comprises a series of end wall panels and flaps for forming an end wall of the carton. Each end wall is identical and therefore like references has been used, with the affix “a” or “b”. Therefore, only one end wall will now be described in any greater detail. 
   The rear end wall (i.e., the left end as viewed in  FIG. 1 ) comprises first end wall panel  30   a  hingedly connected to first side wall panel  14  along fold line  34   a  and a second end wall panel  32   a  hingedly connected to the second side wall panel  18  along fold line  36   a . There further comprises support flaps  40   a ,  38   a  and  44   a  hingedly connected to first base wall panel  12 , top wall panel  16  and second base wall panel  20  along fold lines  42   a ,  39   a  and  46   a  respectively. In use, the support flaps  40   a ,  38   a  and  44   a  are engaged with and support the respective end wall panels  30   a  and  32   a.    
   In one class of embodiments there further comprises beveled panels between the top and end walls and/or the base and end walls such that in  FIG. 1  there comprises a beveled panel  50   a  positioned intermediate end support flap  40   a  and base wall panel  12  hingedly connected thereto along fold lines  42   a  and  52   a . A second part of the beveled panel is provided by panel  54   a  hingedly connected to second base wall panel  20  and end support flap  44   a  along fold lines  46   a  and  56   a . Preferably, there further comprises a second beveled panel  58   a  hingedly interconnecting top wall panel  16  and end support flap  38   a  along fold lines  39   a  and  60   a.    
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the opposed end comprises a beveled panel  50   b ,  54   b  defined between the base wall and the end wall only. 
   A dispenser D is formed at one end of the blank which, in this embodiment, is provided by a plurality of panels formed from the respective end wall, opposed side walls  14  and  18  and top wall panel  16 . In use, a trough T ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is detachable from a corner portion of the side, end and opposed side walls to form the dispenser D shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 1  to explain the construction of the trough T, there comprises a series of panels: panel  65   a  formed from the end wall panel  30   b , panels  62 ,  64 ,  66  formed from the side wall panel  14 , the top wall panel  16 , and the second side wall panel  18  respectively. Panel  65   b  is formed from end wall panel  32   b . The panels forming the trough T are frangibly connected to the respective side, top and end wall panels by a weakened or frangible line of joinder  68 . The frangible line  68  is shaped to define the opening O ( FIG. 3 ), described in more detail below. In this embodiment, there comprises one or more tear initiation means in the form of finger punch-through arrangements, S 1 , S 2  for grasping the trough T. Preferably a finger punch-through arrangement is struck from each side wall panel so that the trough T is displaced from the carton by using a cross-tearing motion initiated at either side wall panel. 
   Each finger punch-through arrangement S 1 , S 2  is substantially the same and therefore the arrangement S 1  will be described only. The punch-through arrangement S 1  comprises a first panel  70   b  and a second panel  72   b  hingedly connected to second side wall panel  18  along fold lines  76   b ,  76   b  respectively. Each panel  70   b ,  72   b  is separated by the cut line  78  so that in use the panel  70   b  and  72   b  are pushed inwardly to allow the user to grasp the trough and, optionally the article positioned within the trough. 
   There may further comprise tear-assisting means in the form of additional or second finger punch-through arrangements S 3 , S 4  for allowing a user to grab an article C and to pull it outwards with the trough T to remove it (and the trough T) from the carton as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the second finger punch-through arrangements S 3 , S 4  are disposed astride fold lines  36   b ,  34   b  forming the corner between the end wall and the respective side wall panels  18 ,  14 . Either second punch-through arrangement S 3  or S 4  may be used along with the adjacent first punch-through arrangement S 1  or S 2  to facilitate the user&#39;s grasping of the article positioned within the trough. For example, the thumb of the user&#39;s left hand may be pressed against the punch-through arrangement S 3  to depress the front end wall while the forefinger of his left hand is inserted through the punch-through arrangement S 1 . By this means, the user can easily grasp the left end of the article. 
   The finger punch-through arrangement S 4  comprises first and second panels  92   a ,  94   a  hingedly connected to end wall panel along fold lines  91   a ,  93   a  respectively and to side wall panel along fold lines  97   a ,  95   a  respectively. First and second panels  92   a ,  94   a  are separated from each other by cut line  90   a  to allow the panels  92   a ,  94   a  to flex out of alignment. 
   It will be seen from  FIG. 1  that the blank further comprises a suitable known handle H to allow the user to carry the carton. 
   In order to form the completed carrier from the blank, a series of sequential folding and gluing operations are required and will be described. The folding and gluing operations can be performed in one or more straight-line machines, so that the tray is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. 
   In order to construct an erected carton shown in  FIG. 2  from the blank of  FIG. 1 , the first side wall panel  14  is folded inwardly along fold line  24  to lie flat on top wall panel  16 . Glue is applied to first base wall panel  12  as well as to the support flaps  40   a ,  40   b , and then second base wall panel  20  is folded inwardly along fold line  28  to lie flat on first base wall panel  12 . This means, the first and second base wall panels  12 ,  20  are glued together, the support flaps  40   a ,  44   a  are glued together and support flaps  40   b ,  44   b  are glued together. By this means, a flat tubular carton is provided. 
   The flat tubular carton is expanded into an open ended tubular form. Articles, for example cans C, are loaded through one or both of the open ends of the carton and the end walls are formed to close the ends of the carton. As each end wall is substantially the same and the rear end wall will hereinafter be described. 
   First, support flaps  40   a ,  38   a  and  44   a  are folded inwardly along fold lines  42   a ,  39   a  and  46   a  respectively. Thereafter, the end wall panels  30   a ,  32   a  are followed inwardly along fold lines  34   a  and  36   a  respectively and they are secured together by glue or other suitable securing means. Preferably, the support panels are also secured to the inner surface of panels  30   a  and  32   a  to provide additional support to the end wall. The opposing end wall is constructed in the same manner, and shall not be described in any further detail. Thus, the carton is in a completed and closed condition, shown in  FIG. 2  in which there is an erected carton. 
   The trough T is integrally formed as an end portion of the carton to be detachable to form the dispenser D. The user grabs the trough T, by pushing his fingers through the finger punch-through arrangement S 1  or S 2  to engage the cusp of the trough T on the side wall and severs the trough T from the carton along the frangible line  68  using a cross tearing motion. By removing or detaching the trough T from the carton, the end portion of the carton is exposed to provide a dispensing opening O for the articles. One advantage of having the punch-through arrangements S 1 , S 2  provided on the opposite side wall panels is that either right-handed or left-handed person can easily open the carton. 
   In those embodiments with or without secondary finger punch-through arrangements S 3 , S 4 , the consumer may grab the article, as well as the trough T to sever the trough T. Thus, the articles C are accessible through the opening O. 
   When the trough T is detached, the lower portion of the respective end wall forms a stopper wall that extends all the way between the side wall panels  14  and  18 . The upper edge of the stopper wall  85  is defined by the frangible line  68  that is spaced above the bottom wall  12 / 20  at a maximum distance, for example, less than the diameter of the cans “C”. The stopper wall  85  ( FIG. 2 ) by itself is capable of inhibiting the cans on the lower tier from inadvertently exiting the carton before intended removal and the contents of the carton are easily viewed through the opening O. 
   The part of the frangible line  68  formed in each side wall panel is shaped to extend across the adjacent end of the endmost can “C” in the lower tier so as to partially expose, the opposite ends of the endmost can “C” as shown in  FIG. 3 , so that a user can easily grasp that can by the opposite ends. The curvature of the upper edge  81  of the stopper wall  85  help to increase the exposed areas of the can ends. After the top, end-most can (the can “C” in the trough T) is removed from the upper tier, the remaining cans C in the upper tier will nest in the spaces between the cans of the lower tier. Nesting of cans in this manner is well known in the art and is not illustrated. The invention serves as a useful dispensing carton that can be placed upon a surface or within a compartment such as a refrigerator or pantry. 
   The position of each finger punch through arrangement is preferably in registry with the space at the center of four end cans, i.e., the two endmost cans and the two adjacent cans at the front end of the carton. This arrangement not only facilitates removal of the trough T but also assists in preventing a can from jumping out of, or being expelled from, the carton. It could prevent a “jumping can” because a consumer could hold the endmost can in the upper tier by inserting his pointing or middle finger through the punch-through arrangement and could use the endmost can as a tool for breaking the tear line  68 . In this case, the endmost can is held by the consumer whilst the trough T is detached and therefore the can is not ejected from the carton. 
   A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 4 to 10 , there comprises a blank  110  for forming a carton with a dispenser formed from paperboard or like foldable sheet material. In use, the carton is adapted to be placed in an inclined orientation to improve dispensing of the articles. The blank is similar to the first embodiment and like references have been used with the prefix “1”. The blank  110  comprises in series a first base wall panel  112 , a first side wall panel  114 , a top wall panel  116 , a second side wall panel  118  and a second base wall panel  120  hingedly connected one to the next in series along fold lines  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128  respectively. 
   Along each longitudinal edge, there comprises a series of end wall panels and flaps for forming an end wall of the carton. Each end wall is identical and therefore like references has been used, with the affix “a” or “b”. Therefore, only one end will now be described in any greater detail. 
   The rear end wall (i.e., the left end wall as viewed in  FIG. 4 ) comprises first end wall panel  130   a  hingedly connected to first side wall panel  114  along fold line  134   a  and a second end wall panel  132   a  hingedly connected to the second side wall panel  118  along fold line  136   a . There further comprises support flaps  140   a ,  138   a  and  144   a  hingedly connected to first base wall panel  112 , top wall panel  116  and second base wall panel  120  along fold lines  142   a ,  139   a  and  146   a , respectively. In use, the support flaps  140   a ,  138   a  and  144   a  are engaged with and support the respective end wall panels  130   a  and  132   a.    
   Beveled panels are provided, in some embodiments, between the top wall panel and end walls and/or the base wall panel and end walls such that in this embodiment there comprises a first beveled panel  150   a  positioned intermediate end support flap  140   a  and base wall panel  112  and hingedly connected thereto along fold lines  142   a  and  152   a . A second part of the first beveled panel is provided by panel  154   a  hingedly connected to second base wall panel  120  and end support flap  144   a  along fold lines  146   a  and  156   a . Preferably, there further comprises a second beveled panel  158   a  hingedly interconnecting top wall panel  116  and end support flap  138   a  along fold lines  139   a  and  160   a.    
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the opposed end comprises a beveled panel  158   b  defined between the top wall panel  116  and the respective end wall, and another beveled panel  150   b  and  154   b  between the base wall panel  112 / 120  and the end wall. The beveled panel  158   b  provides support to a user gripping the detachable portion (or trough L), shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   A dispenser D is formed at one end of the blank which, in this embodiment, is provided by a plurality of panels formed from end wall panels  130   b ,  132   b , opposed side wall panels  114 ,  118  and top wall panel  116 . In use, a trough L (or detachable portion) is removed from a corner portion of the side, end and opposite side wall panels to form the dispenser D shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Returning to  FIG. 4  to explain the detailed construction of the trough L, there comprises a series of panels, panel  165   a  formed from the respective end wall panel  130   b , panels  162 ,  164 ,  166  formed from the side wall panel  114 , the top wall panel  116 , and the second side wall panel  118  respectively and panel  165   b  formed from end wall panel  132   b . The panels forming the trough L are frangibly connected to the respective side, top and end wall panels by a weakened or frangible line of joinder  168 . The frangible line  168  is shaped to define an opening O that is different in shape from the first embodiment. More specifically, the V-shaped portion of the frangible line  168  in the top wall panel  116  results in the dispenser opening O that improves the view of the upper tier can. This V-shaped portion of the frangible line  168  is also advantageous because it is arranged so as to overlie the second endmost article in the upper tier, not to overlie the space between the endmost and the adjacent inner articles. This arrangement prevents or at least mitigates undesired breakage or rupture of that portion of the tear line  168  in the top wall panel  116  during transportation, storage and/or handling of the carton. 
   The portion of the frangible line  168  in the end wall panels  130   b ,  132   b  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) is curved to reach an elevation higher than the diameter of an article C. Stated differently, the highest point along the frangible line  168  within the end wall panels  130   b ,  132   b  is located at a distance greater from the base wall panel  112 / 120  than from the top wall panel  116 . This arrangement provides the following three benefits: (1) a large-sized front graphic area, (2) a longer and stronger manufacturer&#39;s seam  187  ( FIG. 7 ) between the end wall panels  130   b ,  132   b  that is less likely to break open during the removal of the trough L, and (3) a large-sized front stopper wall  185  ( FIG. 7 ) that is capable of retaining the upper tier articles C within the carton upon and after removal of the trough L. The large-sized front stopper wall  185  is also of utility when a user desires to place the endmost article C (in the upper tier) back into the carton after it is once removed from the carton. The endmost article C (such as a can) may be placed with its side down in the space between the second endmost article and the stopper wall  185 . Alternatively, the endmost article C may be placed with its bottom down on top of the stopper wall  185  while resting against the adjacent or second endmost article as shown in  FIG. 10 . When the articles packaged in the carton are those cans having recessed bottoms, it is preferred that the upper edge of the stopper wall  185  is arched, or upwardly convexly curved, with a suitable radius of curvature so as to snugly fit in the recessed bottom of the endmost can. Such an arrangement enhances the stability of the can on the stopper wall  185 . 
   The portion of the frangible line  168  formed in each side wall panel  114 ,  118  is shaped to extend across the adjacent end of the endmost article C in the lower tier so as to partially expose the opposite ends of the endmost can C as shown in  FIG. 7 , so that a user can easily grasp that can by the opposite ends. It is preferred that the intersection  161  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the frangible line  168  with either the fold line  134   b  or  136   b  is located at a distance greater from the base wall panel  112 / 120  than from the top wall panel  116  if not at the midpoint between the top and base wall panels  116  and  112 / 120 . This arrangement helps to increase the rigidity of the stopper wall  185  while allowing a part of the endmost can C in the lower tier to be exposed to view. 
   In this embodiment there comprises one or more finger punch-through arrangements, S 1 ′, S 2 ′ for grasping the trough L. Preferably a finger punch-through arrangement is struck from each side wall panel so that the trough L is displaced from the carton by using a cross-tearing motion. Each finger punch-through arrangement S 1 ′, S 2 ′ is substantially the same as those shown in  FIG. 1  described above and are therefore not described in any further detail. 
   It will be seen from  FIG. 4  that the blank further comprises a suitable known handle H 1  to allow the user to carry the carton. 
   In order to construct an erected carton shown in  FIG. 5  from the blank of  FIG. 4 , a carton-forming method similar to the first embodiment may be used. The first side wall panel  114  is folded inwardly along fold line  124  to lie flat on the top wall panel  116 . Glue is applied to first base wall panel  112  as well as to support flaps  142   a ,  142   b , and then second base wall panel  120  is folded inwardly along fold line  128  to lie flat on first base wall panel  112 . This means that the first and second base wall panels  112 ,  120  are glued together to form a composite base wall, the support flaps  140   a ,  144   a  are glued together to form a composite support flap and the support flaps  140   b ,  144   b  are glued together to form a composite support flap. By this means, a flat tubular carton is provided. 
   The flat tubular carton is expanded into an open ended tubular form. Articles, for example cans C, are loaded through one or both of the open ends of the carton and the end walls are formed to close the ends of the carton. As each end wall is substantially the same, the rear end wall will hereinafter be described. 
   First, support flaps  140   a ,  138   a  and  144   a  are folded inwardly along fold lines  142   a ,  139   a  and  146   a  respectively. Thereafter, the end wall panels  130   a ,  132   a  are followed inwardly along fold lines  134   a  and  136   a  respectively and they are secured together by glue or other suitable securing means. Preferably, the support panels are also secured to the inner surface of the end wall panels  130   a  and  132   a  to provide additional support to the end wall. The opposing end wall, i.e., the front end wall, is constructed in the same manner, and shall not be described in any further detail. Thus, the carton is in a completed and closed condition, shown in  FIG. 5  in which there is an erected carton. 
   The trough L is integrally formed as an end portion of the carton to be removed to form the dispenser D ( FIG. 7 ). The user grabs the trough L, by pushing his finger through either finger punch-through arrangement S 1 ′ or S 2 ′ to engage the edge of the trough L on the respective side wall and severs the trough L from the carton along the frangible line  168  using a cross tearing motion. Beveled panel  158   b  can be used to support the user&#39;s thumb during the tearing motion, shown in  FIG. 6 . By removing the trough L from the carton, the end portion of the carton is exposed to provide a dispensing opening O for the articles as shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the articles C are accessible through the opening O. 
   Removing the article C from the trough L, shown in  FIG. 7 , the trough is then used as a heel L to cause the carton to be inclined to encourage the remaining articles to the front end of the carton. 
   This is achieved by orienting the trough L so that the corner formed at the intersection between panels  164  and  165  (or in those embodiments with beveled panel  158   b ) is positioned lowermost point to define a recess R for receiving the lower-rear corner portion of the carton defined by base wall panel and the rear end wall opposite the dispenser as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   The trough L is then engaged with the carton. In this embodiment, this is achieved by inserting a protruding part  180  of the trough L into the gap between the composite support flap  140   a / 144   a  and the composite end wall panel  130   a / 132   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Thus, the composite base wall  112 / 120  of the carton abuts the edge of the composite panel  165   b / 165   a  ( FIGS. 7 and 10 ) of the trough L and the lower-rear corner of the carton abuts the inner surface of panel  164  thereby to define a heeled portion with the rear end of the carton raised relative the front end (having the dispenser). In order to provide further support, panels  162 ,  166  are shaped to be juxtaposed with the side wall panels  118 ,  114  of the carton thereby to provide additional lateral support to the heel L. Thus, the carton is in an inclined position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  whereby articles C are accessible through the opening and are gravity-fed to the front end to improve ease of access to the articles contained within the carton. 
   A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 11 to 13  in which the blank is similar to that of the second embodiment and therefore like references have been used but replacing the numeral “1” with the numeral “2”. Therefore, only the differences will be described in any greater detail. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the trough T for forming the dispenser differs in that the finger punch-through arrangements S 1  and S 2  are replaced by a hand panel  287  (i.e., an alternative form of the protruding portion  180 ) hingedly connected to panel  264  along fold line  289 . Hand panel  287  is frangibly connected to the top panel  216  along frangible line  268 . It will be seen that the shape of the frangible line  268  differs from the second embodiment to provide a different shape of dispenser opening O and trough T. When used as a heel, the trough T in this embodiment also provides an incline for the bottom wall of the carton. 
   In this embodiment, the rear support flaps  240   a ,  238   a ,  244   a  are hingedly connected to the end panels  230   a ,  232   a  by web panels  241   a  to improve the folding action of and construction of the end wall, described in more detail below. In addition, engagement flap  288  is provided to engage the heel in respect of the carton. Engagement flap  288  is hingedly connected to end wall panel  230   a  along fold line  286 . The structure of the front end wall is identical to that of the rear end wall except that the front wall is free of the engagement flap  288 . 
   Turning to the construction of the third embodiment of the blank shown in  FIG. 11 , the base wall, side wall and top wall panels are constructed and secured together in the same manner as the second embodiment so that a flat collapsed tubular structure is formed. Thereafter, the front and rear end walls are formed in like manner. The main difference is that when the end wall panels  230   a ,  232   a  are folded outwardly along the fold lines  234   a ,  236   a , the web panels  241   a  are folded inwardly and cause the support flaps  240   a ,  238   a  and  244   a  to be automatically folded inwardly along double fold lines  242   a ,  252   a ;  239   a ,  260   a ;  246   a ,  256   a . End wall panels  230   a ,  232   s  are then folded inwardly and secured together. The front end wall is formed in the same manner; however, at the rear end of the carton, engagement flap  288  preferably is secured to support flap  240   a , or support flaps  240   a  and  244   a , by glue or other suitable means known in the art. After the articles are loaded into the carton, the carton is supplied to an end user in the form shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   In order to form the dispenser D ( FIG. 13 ), the trough T is removed whereby the hand panel  287  is pushed inwardly by folding along fold line  289  and the user grips a portion of panel  264  and pulls the trough T to detach it from the remainder of the carton to reveal a dispenser opening O. 
   In order to construct the heel, the trough T is oriented in the same way as the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , and it is engaged with the carton. In this embodiment, the engagement flap  288  is separated or peeled from the support flap  240   a  so as to enable the hand panel  287  to be inserted into the gap between the composite end wall panel  230   a / 232   a  and the composite support flap  240   a / 244   a  to retain the heel. The shape of the trough T differs from the second embodiment in that the composite panel  265  is longer in vertical size so that the free edge of panel  265  in abutment with the base wall of the carton is positioned further forward along the carton thereby more effectively reinforcing the base wall. 
   A fourth embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16  and, again the blank shown in  FIG. 14  is substantially the same as the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, only part of the blank  310  is shown in  FIG. 14  and only the differences between the second and fourth embodiments will now be described. The tear line  368  includes two portions  369 ,  371  in which the tear line is cranked so as to provide the protruding portion  380  of the panel  364  with a pair of opposed short side edges E (only one shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The short side edges E are designed to engage the inside surfaces of the side wall panels  314 ,  318  respectively when the protruding portion  380  of the panel  364  of the trough or heel L is inserted into the gap between the composite end wall panel  330   a / 332   a  and the composite support flap  340   a / 344   a  as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . This arrangement stabilizes the heel L with respect to the carton. Referring to  FIG. 14 , it is preferred that the short side edges E are slightly divergent toward the support flap  338   b . The maximum distance between the side edges E, preferably, is generally equal to, or slightly greater than, the distance between the side wall panels  314  and  318  in the set up carton. This arrangement provides a wedging effect upon insertion of the protruding portion  380  into the gap so that the protruding portion  380  tightly fits in the gap to better stabilize the heel L. 
   It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “front” and “rear” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention. 
   It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used. The carton may accommodate more than one article in different arrays.