EASY OPEN CARTON

The present application provides a carton for enclosing one or more products. The carton includes a pair of side walls, a top wall or a bottom wall, an end wall, and a tear away section extending across the pair of sidewalls, the top wall or the bottom wall, and the end wall in a number of perforations and a number of slits. The tear away section defines a notch on the end wall at the intersection of one of the pair of sidewalls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to cartons and other types of containers and packaging and more particularly relate to cartons for products such as micro-ingredient pouches and other items with the carton having an easy to open tear away section for assessing the products therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally described, current post-mix beverage dispensers usually mix streams of syrup, concentrate, sweetener, bonus flavors, other types of flavoring, and/or other types of ingredients with water and/or other types of diluent. The ingredients may be stored in bag-in-box containers and the like at a distance from the beverage dispenser. The ingredients may be pumped to the beverage dispenser and mixed with the diluent in or downstream of the nozzle.

Recent improvements in beverage dispensing technology have focused on the use of micro-ingredients. With micro-ingredients, the traditional beverage bases are separated into their constituent parts at much higher dilution or reconstitution ratios. For example, the “COCA-COLA FREESTYLE®” refrigerated beverage dispensing units offered by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Ga. provide a significant increase in the number and types of beverages that may be offered by a beverage dispenser of a conventional size or footprint. Generally described, the “COCA-COLA FREESTYLE®” refrigerated beverage dispensing units create a beverage by combining a number of highly concentrated micro-ingredients with a macro-ingredient such as a sweetener and a diluent such as still or carbonated water. The micro-ingredients generally are stored in cartons positioned within or adjacent to the beverage dispenser itself. The number and type of beverages offered by the beverage dispenser thus may be limited only by the number and type of micro-ingredient cartons positioned therein.

One of the issues with the micro-ingredients is how to provide an adequate package to transport the micro-ingredients to the beverage dispenser and to maintain the micro-ingredients while in the beverage dispenser given the relatively small amounts that may be used in each dispense. Such a package preferably would provide adequate protection against degradation of the micro-ingredients while being efficient in term of space, volume, and cost as well as easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application and the resultant patent thus provide a carton for enclosing one or more products. The carton includes a pair of side walls, a top wall or a bottom wall, an end wall, and a tear away section extending across the pair of sidewalls, the top wall or the bottom wall, and the end wall in a number of perforations and a number of slits. The tear away section defines a notch on the end wall at the intersection of one of the pair of sidewalls.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide a blank for erecting a carton. The blank includes a first side panel with a first side panel flap connected thereto, a second side panel with a second side panel flap connected thereto, a top or a bottom panel connected to the first side panel and the second side panel, and a tear away section extending across the first side panel flap, the first side panel, the top or bottom panel, the second side panel, and the second side panel flap in a number of perforations, a number of slits, and a number of notches.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide a method of filling a beverage dispensing system with micro-ingredients. The method may include filling a pouch with the micro-ingredients, packaging the pouch in a carton, transporting the carton to the beverage dispensing system, removing a tear away section of the carton by tearing along a number of perforations, a number of slits, and a number of notches, and positioning the carton within the beverage dispensing system.

These and other features and advantages of the present application and the resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views,FIG.1shows an example of a beverage dispensing system100as may be described herein. The beverage dispensing system100may be used for dispensing many different types of beverages or other types of fluids. Specifically, the beverage dispensing system100may be used with diluents, macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and other types of fluids. The diluents generally include plain water (still water or non-carbonated water), carbonated water, and other fluids. Any type of fluid may be used herein.

Generally described, the macro-ingredients may have reconstitution ratios in the range from full strength (no dilution) to about six (6) to one (1) (but generally less than about ten (10) to one (1)). The macro-ingredients may include sugar syrup, HFCS (“High Fructose Corn Syrup”), concentrated extracts, purees, and similar types of ingredients. The micro-ingredients may have reconstitution ratios ranging from about ten (10) to one (1) and higher. Specifically, many micro-ingredients may have reconstitution ratios in the range of about 20:1, to 50:1, to 100:1, to 300:1, or higher. The viscosities of the micro-ingredients typically range from about one (1) to about six (6) centipoise or so, but may vary from this range.

The various fluids used herein may be mixed in or about a dispensing nozzle110. The dispensing nozzle110may be a conventional multi-flavor nozzle and the like. The dispensing nozzle110may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The dispensing nozzle110may be positioned within a dispensing tower120. The dispensing tower120made have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The dispensing tower120may extend from a countertop and the like and/or the dispensing tower120may be a free-standing structure. The dispensing tower120may have a number of the dispensing nozzles110thereon.

The micro-ingredients may be stored in a number of micro-ingredient containers130or other types of micro-ingredient sources. The micro-ingredient containers130may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Any number of the micro-ingredient containers130may be used herein. The micro-ingredient containers130may be in communication with the dispensing nozzle110via a number of micro-ingredient pumps140positioned on a number of micro-ingredient conduits145. The micro-ingredient pumps140may have any suitable volume or capacity. The micro-ingredient containers130may be positioned in, adjacent to, and/or remote from the dispensing nozzle110. For example, the micro-ingredient containers130may be positioned under the counter top upon which the dispensing tower120rests. Some or all of the micro-ingredient containers130may be agitated.

A still water source150may be in communication with the dispensing nozzle110via a still water conduit160. Other types of diluents may be used herein. Still water or other types of diluents may be pumped to the dispensing nozzle110via a still water pump170. The still water pump170may be may be any type of conventional fluid moving device and made have any suitable volume or capacity. Alternatively, the pressure in a conventional municipal water source may be sufficient without the use of a pump. Any number of still water sources150may be used herein.

A carbonated water source180may be in communication with the dispensing nozzle110via a carbonated water conduit190. The carbonated water source180may be a conventional carbonator and the like. The carbonator may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Carbonated water or other types of diluents may be pumped to the dispensing nozzle110via a carbonated water pump200. The carbonated water pump200may be any type of conventional fluid moving device and made have any suitable volume or capacity. Any number of carbonated water sources180may be used herein. A carbonated water recirculation line also may be used herein.

One or more macro-ingredient sources210may be in communication with the dispensing nozzle110via one or more macro-ingredient conduits220. As described above, the macro-ingredient sources210may include sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, sugar solutions, and the like. The macro-ingredient sources210may be a conventional bag-in-box or other type of container in any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Any number of the macro-ingredient sources210may be used herein. The macro-ingredients may flow to the dispensing nozzle110via a macro-ingredient pump230. In this case, the macro-ingredient pump230may be a controlled gear pump and the like. Other types of pumps may be used herein.

FIGS.2-4show a micro-ingredient carton250as may be described herein. As will be described in more detail below, the micro-ingredients may be dispensed into flexible pouches260or other types of containers. The pouches260may be packaged within the cartons250and the cartons may be transported to the beverage dispensing system100. In describing the carton250, the terms “bottom,” “top,” “side,” “end,” “first,” “second,” and the like are used for purposes of relative orientation only and not as absolute positions. For example, any surface of the carton250may be used as the bottom or the top as oriented by a user. Further, the terms “length,” “width,” “height,” and the like also refer to relative orientations. Similarly, the term “carton,” is meant to encompass “containers,” “boxes,” “packages,” and any other type of enclosure or packaging.

The carton250may be made out of cardboard, paperboard, corrugated board, and other types of foldable sheet materials. Various types of polymers and laminates also may be used. Specifically, the carton250may be made out of coated, unbleached paperboard. The paperboard may be recyclable. Other types of materials may be used herein. The paperboard may have a caliper (thickness) of about 0.026 to about 0.028 inches (about 0.66 to about 0.71 millimeters). The thickness of the paperboard may vary. (Thinner paperboard may result is a significant decrease in the overall amount of paperboard used and a resultant cost savings.) The carton250may have any suitable overall size and shape. Any suitable type of graphics, messaging, or other types of indicia may be printed or otherwise applied to the carton250. The carton250may be constructed from a die cut blank as will be described in more detail below. Any number of the cartons250may be packaged and shipped together or separately.

The carton250may include a first sidewall270, a second sidewall280, a top wall290, a bottom wall300, a first end wall310, and a second end wall320. The carton250as a whole and the respective walls may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The carton250may include a tear away section330. The tear away section330may extend along each sidewall270,280at an angle from the top wall290to the first end wall310. The nature of the angle may vary. The tear away section330then extends across the top wall290and the first end wall310. The top wall290may have a tab section340formed therein. The first end wall310may have one or more notches350formed therein. The one or more notches350may be positioned at the intersection of the first end wall310and the sidewalls270,280. The notches350may have a substantial “V” shape360. The size, shape, and configuration of the notches350may vary. The tear away section330may be defined by a series of perforations370and slits380. The nature and orientation of the perforations370and slits380may vary and will be described in more detail below.

FIG.5shows a blank400that may be used to create a further example of the micro-ingredient carton250. The blank400may have a number of “fold” lines and/or “tear” lines formed therein. The terms “fold line” or “hinge” and the like refer to lines that define the hinge features that facilitate folding portions of the blank400. The terms may refer to any type of weakened line that facilitates folding the material along the length of the line. The term “tear line” may refer to lines that facilitate separating portions of the material from one another. Fold lines, tear lines, and the like include elements that are formed in the material of the blank, including perforations, slits, scores, cuts, and any combination thereof. The elements may be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations may be dimensioned or designed with differing degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a tear line. The lines of perforations also may be designed to facilitate holding and to resist breaking, to facilitate folding and to facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort. Other types of lines may be used herein.

Generally described, the blank400may have a number of panels and flaps separated by the fold lines and/or tear lines. The blank400may include a first side panel410that corresponds to the first side wall270, a second side panel420that corresponds to the second side wall280, a top panel430that corresponds to the top wall290, a bottom panel440and a glue panel450that correspond to the bottom wall300. Each of the panels may be separated from the next by a panel fold line460. The panels may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The first side panel410may have a pair of first side panel flaps470,480. The second side panel420may have a pair of second side panel flaps490,500. One of the first side panel flaps470and one of the second side panel flaps490may define the first end wall310and other of the first side panel flaps480and the second side panel flaps500may define the second end wall320. The top panel430may include a pair of top panel flaps510,520. The bottom panel440(and/or the glue panel450) may have a pair of bottom panel flaps530,540. The flaps may be attached to the panels via a number of flap fold lines550. The flaps may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The tear away section330may extend across one of the first side panel flaps470, the first side panel410, the top panel430, the second side panel420, and one of the second side panel flaps490. The tear away section330may be defined by a number of tear lines in the form of perforations560and slits570. The perforations560may be in the form of alternating or stagger right and left short cuts. The cuts may be about 1/16 inch (about 1.5875 millimeters) or so. Other lengths may be used. The slits570may be longer as is described below with gaps (non-cut areas) in between. In this example, the slits570may range from about ¼ inch to about ⅞ inch (about 6.35 millimeters to about 22.225 millimeters) with a gap of about 3/32 inch (about 2.3 millimeters) in between. The length and orientation of the perforations560and the slits570may vary. For example, different types or perforations560or slits570may be used depending the thickness and strength of the paperboard and the like.

In this example, the first side panel flap470includes a first side panel flap notch580, a first side panel flap perforation length590, and a first side panel flap slit600. The first side panel410includes a first side panel first slit610, a first side panel second slit620, a first side panel third slit630, and a first side panel perforation length640. The top panel430may include a top panel first perforation length650, one or more top panel slits660, and a top panel second perforation length670. The one or more top panel slits660may define the tab section340. The second side panel420includes a second side panel perforation length680, a second side panel first slit690, a second side panel second slit700, and a second side panel third slit710. The second side panel flap490includes a second side panel flap slit720, a second side panel flap perforation length730, and a second side panel flap notch740. As described above, the length of the slits570may vary. In this example, the slits570closer to the flap fold lines550may be longer than the ones closer to the panel fold line460of the top panel430. Other dimensions and other configurations may be used herein.

In use, the carton250may be erected by folding the various panels and flaps and applying glue or another adhesive as appropriate. Specifically, the manufacturer may fold the panels and glue the bottom panel440and the glue panel450and ship the carton to the filler. The pouch260or other item or items may be positioned therein and the carton250may be sealed by the filler. The carton250then may be transported to the end user. The end user may then open the carton250by removing the tear away section330. Specifically, the end user may depress the tab section340on the top wall290so as to break the top panel slits660and perforation lengths650,670. The end user may continue tearing through the slits610-630,690-710and perforation lengths640,680of the sidewalls270,280. At this point, the tear away section330is only attached via the first end wall310. The end user then may remove the tear away section330by tearing either right or left through the first notch480, the perforation lengths590,730, the slits600,720, and the second notch740of the first end wall310. The notches480,740assist in both starting the tear cleanly and ensuring that the tear away section330may be completely removed without any remaining material attached so as to hinder access therein.

The combination of the notches350in the V-shape360, the perforations370, and the slits380thus allows easy removal of the tear away section330without sacrificing the overall integrity and stability of the carton250. Moreover, the combination of the notches350in the V-shape360, the perforations370, and the slits380also accommodates at least some misalignment of the flaps when the carton250is originally closed.

FIGS.6A-6Gshow the use of the carton250with the beverage dispensing system100. InFIG.6A, one of the micro-ingredient container130may be pulled out of the beverage dispensing system100. InFIG.6B, the tear away section330of the carton250may be removed by tearing along the notches350in the V-shape360, the perforations370, and the slits380as described above. InFIG.6C, a cap750or other closure may be removed from a spout760of the pouch260. InFIGS.6D and6E, the carton250may be positioned in the micro-ingredient container130. InFIG.6F, a tamper evident seal770and the like may be removed from the spout760. InFIG.6G, the micro-ingredient container130, with the carton250therein, may be reinserted into the beverage dispensing system100. The beverage dispensing system100may now dispense the micro-ingredient therein. Many different components, configurations, and method steps may be used herein.

Although the carton250has been described herein in the context of the pouch260and the beverage dispensing system100, the carton250also may be used to package any type of items. For example, the carton may be used to package conventional beverage cans or other containers with the tear away section330offering easy access to the can or other containers therein as a dispensing opening. The carton250described herein is not limited by the products intended to be used therein.