Carton having opening features

A carton includes a V-shaped opening in an exiting end of the carton that allows articles in the carton to be accessed through the exiting end.

BACKGROUND

Enclosed cartons with dispensing features have been used in the past. Many of these cartons include article dispensers defined by lines of disruption such as tear lines, cuts, score lines, and fold lines. A dispenser may be removable from, or hingedly attached to, a carton to create an opening from which articles can be removed from the carton. In many instances, after the user opens the dispenser, some of the cans or articles, especially those disposed in a lower row or rows, are positioned substantially or entirely below the opening created by the dispenser, rendering removal of cans from the carton difficult.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment of the invention, a carton comprises a dispenser that when opened, forms a dispenser opening having a V-shaped portion in an exiting end panel of the carton. Once the dispenser is opened or placed in a dispensing configuration, portions of the carton's exiting end remain intact and are capable of retaining articles within the carton.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the V-shaped opening provides access to selected articles through the exiting end panel. The V-shaped opening can be formed in the exiting end panel such that the strength and rigidity of the exiting end panel and the carton itself are not unnecessarily compromised.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.

According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to dispensers for cartons. The present invention can be used, for example, in cartons that contain articles or other products such as, for example, food and beverages. The articles can also include beverage containers such as, for example, cans, bottles, PET containers, or other containers such as those used in packaging foodstuffs. For the purposes of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the present invention, the following detailed description describes generally cylindrical beverage containers as disposed within the carton embodiments. In this specification, the relative terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” may indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected cartons.

FIG. 1is a plan view of a blank8used to form a carton150(illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The blank8comprises a first side panel10foldably connected to a top panel20at a first transverse fold line21, a second side panel30foldably connected to the top panel20at a second transverse fold line31, and a bottom panel40foldably connected to the second side panel30at a third transverse fold line41. An adhesive flap50may be foldably connected to the first side panel10at a fourth transverse fold line51. The blank8may include a handle26in the top panel20. The handle26can generally be any type of conventional handle.

The first side panel10is foldably connected to a first side end flap12and a first side exiting end flap14. The top panel20is foldably connected to a top end flap22and a top exiting end flap24. The second side panel30is foldably connected to a second side end flap32and a second side exiting end flap34. The bottom panel40is foldably connected to a bottom end flap42and a bottom exiting end flap44. The end flaps12,22,32,42may extend along a first marginal area of the blank8, and may be foldably connected along a first longitudinally extending fold line62. The exiting end flaps14,24,34,44,54may extend along a second or bottom marginal area of the blank8, and may be foldably connected along a second longitudinally extending fold line64. The longitudinal fold lines62,64may be straight or substantially straight fold lines, or may be offset at one or more locations to account for, for example, blank thickness. When the carton150is erected, the end flaps12,22,32,42close a back end of the carton150, and the exiting end flaps14,24,34,44close a front or exiting end of the carton150.

The carton blank8includes a dispenser pattern70that defines a dispenser100in the erected carton150(illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5). The dispenser pattern70comprises a first end tear line74that extends obliquely through the first side exiting end flap14, and a second end tear line92that extends obliquely through the second side exiting end flap34. The first end tear line74extends to a point at or adjacent to a first side tear line76extending generally transversely through the first side panel10. The second end tear line92extends to a point at or adjacent to a second side tear line90extending generally transversely through the second side panel30. A first longitudinally extending tear line78extends between a point at or adjacent to the first side tear line76and an opening feature80. A second side longitudinally extending tear line88extends between a point at or adjacent to the second side tear line90and the opening feature80. The opening feature80can be defined by, for example, an exterior tear line86and an intermediate fold line84, and can be generally conventional in construction. The bottom exiting end flap44can have a V-shaped notch or cutout46cut into the flap. The slope of the interior edges of the notch46may be selected to be complementary to the slope of the obliquely extending first and second end tear lines74,92in the erected carton150, as will be discussed further below.

The tear lines74,76,78,86,88,90,92of the dispenser pattern70can be formed from continuous or substantially continuous tear lines formed by, for example, scores, creases, cuts, gaps, cut/creases, perforations, offset cuts, and combinations thereof. If cuts are used to form the tear lines74,76,78,86,88,90,92, the cuts may be, for example, interrupted by breachable nicks.

The dimensions of the blank8may be selected to accommodate defining or characteristic dimensions of articles to be accommodated within the carton150. For example, the top panel20can have a width W1that generally corresponds to or slightly exceeds a height of containers C (illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 11) or other articles to be accommodated within the carton150. When cylindrical or substantially cylindrical containers C are used, the first and second side panels10,30can have, for example, a height H1that generally correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of a largest or characteristic diameter Dc of the containers C. For example, if the containers C are to be stacked in two rows in the carton150(FIGS. 9 and 11), the height H1of the carton150can be about equal to or slightly greater than twice the containers' C largest or characteristic diameter DC. If multiple generally cylindrical containers C, such as beverage containers, are to be accommodated, it may be expected that the containers will share at least one substantially equal common largest diameter DC. Erection of the carton is discussed below with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring toFIG. 2, the carton150may be erected from the blank8by gluing or otherwise adhering the adhesive flap50(shown inFIG. 1) to the inner side of the bottom panel40so that the bottom panel40, the first side panel10, the top panel20, and the second side panel30may be opened or set up to form a generally tubular sleeve, as shown inFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 3, the ends of the generally tubular sleeve may be closed, for example, by folding and adhering the end flaps12,22,32,42and the exiting end flaps14,24,34,44. The exterior surface of the bottom exiting end flap44can be, for example, glued to interior surfaces of the first and second side exiting end flaps14,34on either side of the V-shaped notch46. Substantially cylindrical containers C or other articles, for example, may be loaded into the sleeve in a conventional manner at any time before one or both ends of the carton are closed by the end flaps12,22,32,42,14,24,34,44.

FIGS. 4 and 5are perspective views of the carton150erected from the blank8illustrated inFIG. 1. In the erected carton150, the end flaps12,22,32,42form an end panel130and the exiting end flaps14,24,34,44form an exiting end panel120. The dispenser pattern70defines a dispenser100having a dispenser flap110that may be removed in order to place the carton150in an open or dispensing configuration.

FIG. 6is an end view of the carton150andFIG. 7is a partial top plan view of the carton150. Referring toFIG. 6, the first and second end tear lines74,92and the V-shaped notch46(illustrated inFIG. 1) in the bottom exiting end flap44define a generally V-shaped portion of the dispenser flap110in the exiting end panel120. The second end tear line92may be disposed at an angle α measured with respect to vertical, or alternatively, measured with respect to the upright first side panel10(FIG. 5). The first end tear line74may likewise be disposed at the angle α with respect to vertical, or with respect to the upright second side panel30(FIG. 4), so that an angle 2α is subtended by the first and second end tear lines74,92. Upper edges of the first and second end tear lines74,92may turn at arcuate portions and extend substantially horizontally across the upper portion of the exiting end panel120.

Opening of the carton dispenser100is discussed below with reference toFIGS. 8-9. Referring toFIG. 8, opening of the dispenser100may be initiated by inserting a finger, fingers, a tool, or other object into the carton150at the opening feature80and tearing along the tear line86. Referring also toFIG. 9, the dispenser100is fully opened by pulling the dispenser flap110outwardly and downwardly and tearing the carton150along the first and second end tear lines74,92and the first and second side tear lines76,90.

As shown inFIG. 9, removal of the dispenser flap110creates a dispenser opening112in the carton150. The dispenser opening112is defined by the laterally extending tear side lines76,90in the first and second side panels10,30, and the obliquely extending end tear lines74,92in the exiting end panel120. After removing the dispenser flap110, the exiting end panel120is left with a first end retainer section126and a second end retainer section128. The first side panel10is left with a first side retainer section18(FIG. 11), and the second side panel30is left with a second side retainer section38.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the first and second end retainer sections126,128define a V-shaped portion122of the dispenser opening112in the exiting end panel120. The V-shaped notch46in the bottom exiting end panel44(FIG. 1) can be substantially complementary in shape to the V-shaped portion122.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, the V-shaped portion122of the dispenser opening112subtends an angle of approximately 2α. The first and second end retainer sections126,128can have, for example, a height H2in the range of about 105-200% of the characteristic dimension or diameter DCof the containers C. The subtended angle 2α can be in the range of, for example, about 35-70 degrees. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 10, the angle 2αis about 45 degrees. The first and second side tear lines76,90can extend into the panels20,30a depth of D1in the range of, for example, about 90-300% of the characteristic dimension or diameter DC. The bottom exiting end flap44(indicated by hidden lines inFIG. 10) is covered by the end retainer sections126,128, and can be glued or otherwise adhered to the interior surfaces of the first and second end retainer sections126,128.

FIG. 12is a plan view of a blank208used to form a carton350(illustrated inFIG. 13) according to a second embodiment of the invention. The blank208comprises a first side panel210, a top panel220, a second side panel230, a bottom panel240, an adhesive flap250and a handle226in the top panel220. The blank208and the corresponding carton350constructed therefrom can be generally similar to the blank8and carton150discussed above, and like or similar reference numbers in the figures indicate like or similar elements.

The carton blank208includes a dispenser pattern270that defines a dispenser300in the erected carton350(illustrated inFIG. 13). The dispenser pattern270comprises a first end tear line274that extends obliquely through the first side exiting end flap214, and a second end tear line292that extends obliquely through the second side exiting end flap234. The first end tear line274extends to a point at or adjacent to a first side tear line276that extends generally transversely through the first side panel210. The second end tear line292extends to a point at or adjacent to a second side tear line290that extends generally transversely through the second side panel230. A first longitudinally extending tear line278extends between a point at or adjacent to the first side tear line276and an opening feature280. A second side longitudinally extending tear line288extends between a point at or adjacent to the second side tear line290and the opening feature280. The bottom exiting end flap244can have a V-shaped notch or cutout246cut into the flap. The tear lines274,276,278,286,288,290,292can be continuous or substantially continuous tear lines formed by, for example, scores, creases, cuts, gaps, cut/creases, perforations, offset cuts, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 13is a perspective view of the carton350erected from the blank208illustrated inFIG. 12. The carton350includes an end panel330and an exiting end panel320. The dispenser pattern270defines the dispenser300having a dispenser flap310that may be removed in order to open the carton350.

FIG. 14is a partial top view of the carton350andFIG. 15is an end view of the carton350. Referring toFIG. 15, in the second embodiment, the first and second end tear lines274,292and the V-shaped notch in the bottom exiting end flap244(shown inFIG. 1) define a generally V-shaped portion of the dispenser flap310in the exiting end panel320. The second end tear line292may be disposed at an angle β measured with respect to vertical, or alternatively, measured with respect to the first side panel210. The first end tear line274may likewise be disposed at the angle β with respect to vertical, or with respect to the second side panel230, so that an angle 2β is subtended between the first and second end tear lines274,292.

FIGS. 16-17illustrate opening of the carton dispenser300. Removal of the dispenser flap310creates a dispenser opening312in the carton350. Referring toFIGS. 18 and 19, after removing the dispenser flap310, the exiting end panel320is left with a first end retainer section326and a second end retainer section328. The first side panel210is left with a first side retainer section318(FIG. 19), and the second side panel230is left with a second side retainer section (not shown).

In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the first and second end retainer sections326,328define a V-shaped portion322of the dispenser opening312in the exiting end panel320. The V-shaped notch346(FIG. 12) in the bottom exiting end panel344can be substantially complementary in shape to the V-shaped portion322.

Referring toFIG. 18, the V-shaped portion322of the dispenser opening112subtends an angle of approximately 2β. The first and second end retainer sections326,328can have a height H5in the range of, for example, about 105-200% of the characteristic dimension or diameter DCof the containers C. The angle 2β can be in the range of, for example, about 70-120 degrees. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 18, the angle 2β is about 90 degrees. The second and third tear lines276,290can extend into the first and second side panels210,230a depth of D3in the range of, for example, about 90-300% of the characteristic dimension or diameter DC. The bottom exiting end flap244is partially covered by the end retainer sections326,328and can be glued or otherwise adhered to the interior surfaces of the sections326,328.

In this specification the term “V-shaped” indicates a profile defined by two lines that need not be perfectly straight. Further, the lines forming the V shape need not actually meet at the vertex of the “V.” As illustrated inFIG. 18, the sides of the retainer sections in the exiting end panel may be spaced a small distance at the bottom of the V.

According to the above embodiments, articles may be easily removed from the dispenser opening of a carton when the carton dispenser is opened. The V-shaped opening in the exiting end panel provides additional visibility of the articles inside the carton without entirely exposing all of the articles. The dispenser generally may be formed by perforations or cut lines, which are of such dimensions to provide access to cans or other articles in the carton, without unnecessarily weakening the panel or panels in which the dispenser is formed. The bottom exiting end flap may remain intact at its lower end in order to ensure the integrity of the lower edge of the exiting end of the carton. After the removal of the dispenser flap, the remaining portions of the carton at the exiting end and in the side panels prevent articles, and specifically the next article in the columns or rows of articles adjacent to the exiting end, from inadvertently falling or rolling out of the carton. Thus, the articles are securely retained inside the carton until selectively removed.

For purposes of illustration, the present invention is generally disclosed in the context of paperboard cartons or packages sized and dimensioned to contain cylindrical beverage containers. The cartons illustrated in the drawing figures are sized to accommodate containers in a two row configuration with multiple columns of containers included in each row, although the present invention is not limited to any specific size or dimension. For example, the present invention would work satisfactorily if sized and shaped to hold containers in alternative arrangements, such as 3×4, 4×3, 2×4, 2×5, 4×6, 4×5, 3×6, 5×6, etc.

The present invention can be used in cartons that include various features, including additional opening features that provide easy access to the articles, and tilt features that position the articles at the front end of the carton.

One of ordinary skill will recognize that the dispenser according to the present invention can be disposed in either or both ends of a carton.

The blanks according to the present invention can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier row, on either or both sides of the blanks. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the dispensers to function at least generally as described above. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present invention, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line or other line of disruption.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art.