Abstract:
A package comprises a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/351,554, filed Feb. 10, 2006, which application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/652,138, filed Feb. 11, 2005 and entitled “Tower Pack/Twin Stack Carton” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/657,148, filed Feb. 28, 2005 and entitled “Stacked Can Divider Pad”. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0002]    The entire contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/351,554, filed Feb. 10, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/652,138, filed Feb. 11, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/657,148, filed Feb. 28, 2005 are hereby incorporated by reference as if presented herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to cartons for holding and dispensing cylindrical containers or other types of articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to cartons with a divider to separate at least two layers of articles and to keep the articles level and separated in stacks. 
         [0004]    Fully enclosed cartons that are capable of carrying containers have been used in the past that have a feature for dispensing the containers one at a time. Many of these dispensers do not work in a satisfactory fashion when the containers are carried in two layers. The dividers on existing dual layer cartons typically do not readily permit the dispensing of cans from each layer in a carton that contains two layers of cans. A dual layer carton is needed having a divider that supports the containers such that the containers in one layer do not interfere with the dispensing of containers in the other layer. Further, a carton is needed having a divider that remains in place during the dispensing of all the containers in the carton. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention generally relates to a carton in a tower pack/twin stack configuration. The present invention can be used, for example, with articles that contain products such as food and beverages. These articles can include canned food such as soup, cat food, or beverage containers such as cans, bottles, and PET containers, as well as other containers preferably being round in shape, such as those used in packaging food stuffs. 
         [0006]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, a carton comprises a divider having a securing flap for interlocking engagement with side flaps and a bottom flap of the carton. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the divider keeps each level of containers separated and in a dispensable formation. The divider can be substantially secured in the carton without the use of glue or other adhesive to secure the divider to the carton. The divider is secured in the carton such that the divider typically remains substantially stationary during the removal of containers from the carton. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a blank used to form a divider according to one embodiment of this invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective of the carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 1  with the divider formed from the blank of  FIG. 2  placed between two layers of containers and removed from the carton. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective of a first end of the carton with the containers loaded into the carton. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing side flaps of the carton closed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  but showing a bottom flap of the carton partially closed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective of a second end of the carton with containers loaded into the carton. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective similar to  FIG. 7  but showing side flaps of the carton closed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective similar to  FIG. 7A  but showing a bottom flap of the carton closed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the carton with containers loaded and the first and second ends closed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a blank used to form a divider according to a second embodiment of this invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective of the carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 10  with the divider formed from the blank of  FIG. 11  placed between two layers of containers and removed from the carton. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective of a first end of the carton of the second embodiment with the containers loaded into the carton. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 13  but showing side flaps of the carton closed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing a bottom flap of the carton closed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective of a second end of the carton with containers loaded into the carton. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective similar to  FIG. 16  but showing side flaps of the carton closed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a perspective similar to  FIG. 17  but showing a bottom flap of the carton closed. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the carton and divider of the second embodiment with containers loaded and the first and second ends closed. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of a blank used to form a divider according to the third embodiment of this invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the carton and divider of the third embodiment with containers loaded and a first end of the carton open. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The present invention generally relates to cartons including packages including a carton housing a plurality of articles and a divider positioned between layers of the articles. The present invention can be used, for example, in cartons that contain articles or other products such as, for example, food and beverages or pet food. The articles can also include soup cans or other food or 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 containers as disposed within the carton embodiments. In this specification, the relative terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” indicate relative orientations determined in relation to fully erected cartons. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the interior side of a blank, generally indicated at  8 , used to form a carton  150  (illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 9 ) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The carton  150  can be used to house a plurality of articles such as containers C ( FIG. 3 ) typically arranged in at least two layers in the carton. The layers of containers C are separated by a divider, generally indicated at  90  ( FIG. 3 ) formed from a blank, generally indicated  11  ( FIG. 2 ). As will be discussed in more detail herein, the divider  90  is secured in the carton  150  so that the divider remains in a generally fixed position in the carton when the containers are removed from the carton. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C are arranged in an upper layer and a lower layer with each of the upper and lower layers comprising six containers arranged in two rows, three containers per row. This arrangement is generally referred to as a 2×3×2 arrangement. It is understood that the containers C may be arranged in more than two layers and that each layer may have more or less than six containers without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0036]    The blank  8  has a longitudinal axis L 1  and a lateral axis L 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  8  comprises a bottom panel  10  foldably connected to a first side panel  20  at a first transverse fold line  21 , a top panel  30  foldably connected to the first side panel  20  at a second transverse fold line  31 , and a second side panel  40  foldably connected to the top panel  30  at a third transverse fold line  41 . An adhesive flap  50  can be foldably connected to the bottom panel  10  at a fourth transverse fold line  51 . 
         [0037]    The bottom panel  10  is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap  12  and a second bottom end flap  14 . The first side panel  20  is foldably connected to a first side flap  22  and a second side flap  24 . The top panel  30  is foldably connected to a first top end flap  32  and a second top end flap  34 . The second side panel  40  is foldably connected to a first side flap  42  and a second side flap  44 . When the carton  150  is erected, the end flaps  12  and  32  and side flaps  22  and  42  close one end of the carton  150 , and the end flaps  14  and  34  and side flaps  24  and  44  close a second end of the carton  150 . In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, different flap arrangements can be used for closing the ends of the carton. 
         [0038]    The end flaps  12  and  32  and side flap  22  and  42  may extend along a first marginal area of the blank  8 , and may be foldably connected at a first longitudinal fold line  62  that extends along the length of the blank  8 . The end flaps  14  and  34  and side flaps  24  and  44  may extend along a second marginal area of the blank  8 , and may be foldably connected at a second longitudinal fold line  64  that also extends along the length of the blank  8 . The longitudinal fold lines  62 ,  64  may be, for example, substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors. In the illustrated embodiment side flaps  22 ,  24 ,  42 , and  44  each have a corresponding notch  23 ,  25 ,  43 , and  45  in a respective lateral edge  26 ,  27 ,  46 ,  47  of the flap. The lateral edge  26 ,  27 ,  46 ,  47  of each flap  22 ,  24 ,  42 , and  44  is spaced apart from the corresponding fold line  62 ,  64  that attaches each flap to a respective panel  20 ,  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, each notch  23 ,  25 ,  43 ,  45  is generally V-shaped and is located generally on the longitudinal centerline of each flap  22 ,  24 ,  42 ,  44 , midway between opposite ends of each flap, although differently shaped and positioned notches are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0039]    The carton blank  8  may include a dispenser, generally indicated  70 , that includes a dispenser panel  72  removably attached to the side panel  20 . The dispenser panel  72  is attached to the carton blank  8  at a first tear line  74  extending longitudinally in the side panel  20  and a second tear line  76  generally parallel to the first tear line. The tear lines  74  and  76  are spaced apart a predetermined distance to form an opening  93  ( FIG. 9 ) in the side panel  20  that is sized to allows the selective removal of articles from the carton  150  when the dispenser panel  72  is removed. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tear line  74  and second tear line  76  are connected by a third tear  78  in the top panel  30  that is curved to correspond to the shape of the containers C in the carton  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser  70  has a fourth tear line  80  in the bottom panel  10  that is arcuate and extends from the first tear line  74  into the bottom panel. An access cutout  82  is located directly above an access flap  84 . The access flap  84  is defined by first and second cut lines  86 ,  88  and is foldable at a fold line  89 . The tear lines  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  and the access cutout  82  define the dispenser panel  72  of the dispenser  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser panel  72  extends across the longitudinal length of the first side panel  20  into a portion of the top panel  30  and a portion of the bottom panel  10 . The cuts forming the dispenser  70  may extend, for example, through the entire thickness of the blank  8 . 
         [0040]    The dispenser  70  also includes first and second arcuate base tear lines  83 ,  85  and first and second pivot cut lines  87 ,  91 . The first base tear line  83  extends from the fourth tear line  80  to the fold line  62  and the second base tear line  85  extends from the third tear line  78  to the fold line  62 . The first pivot cut line  87  extends from the fold line  62 , at a point adjacent to the first base tear line  83 , through a pivot fold line  63  in the first bottom flap  12 . The second pivot cut line  91  extends from the fold line  62 , at a point adjacent to the second base tear line  85 , through a pivot fold line  65  into the first top end flap  32 . The base tear lines  83 ,  85  and the pivot cut lines  87 ,  91  define a pivotable flap  75  of the dispenser  70 . 
         [0041]    The dispenser panel  72  may be removed from the carton  150  to form the opening  93  by grasping the access flap  84  and tearing the carton at the tear lines  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  and removing the panel from the carton. The opening  93  is sized to allow the containers C to be grasped and removed from the carton  150  as desired by the user. It is understood that the dispenser  70  of the illustrated embodiment may be further opened by pivoting the flap  75  outward by separating the flap at the first and second base tear lines  83 ,  85 . The flap  75  pivots about the first and second pivot cut lines  87 ,  91  to effectively widen the opening  93  of the dispenser and allows articles to be more easily removed from the carton. It is understood that the carton  150  may have more than one dispenser  70  or that the dispenser may be omitted from the carton without departing from the scope of this invention. Further, the dispenser  72  may be otherwise sized and shaped to correspond with various other sizes and shapes of containers which may be housed in the carton  150 . The first through fourth tear lines  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  of the dispenser  70  can be 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 dispenser pattern tear lines  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 , the cuts may be interrupted by, for example, one or more breachable nicks. 
         [0042]    The dimensions and shape of the blank  8  may be selected to accommodate the characteristic dimensions of the containers C to be accommodated within the carton  150 . For example, the top panel  30  and bottom panel  10  can have widths W 1  that generally correspond to or slightly exceed a combined width W 2  ( FIG. 3 ) of the adjacent rows of containers C to be held within the carton  150 . The first and second side panels  20 ,  40  can have, for example, heights H 1  that generally correspond to or slightly exceed a combined height H 2  ( FIG. 3 ) of the layers of containers C. The bottom panel  10 , top panel  30 , and side panels  20  and  40  may have a length LT ( FIG. 1 ) that generally corresponds to or slightly exceeds a combined length LC ( FIG. 3 ) of the adjacent rows of containers C. It is understood that heights H 1  may correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the height of each container C, the widths W 2  may correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the width of each container, and the length LT may correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the length of each container C. For example, the widths W 1  of the bottom panel  10  and top panel  30  are approximately twice the width of each container C, the heights H 1  of the side panels  20 ,  30  are approximately twice the height of each container, and the length LT of the panels  10 ,  30 ,  20 , and  40  is approximately three times the length of the container. The dimensions W 1 , H 1 , and LT of the illustrated embodiment correspond with a carton sized to accommodate a 2×3×2 stacked arrangement of the containers C. In the illustrated embodiment the containers C are cylindrical so that the width and length of each container corresponds with a diameter of the container. It is understood that the heights H 1 , widths W 2 , and lengths LT each may be greater or less than the dimensions shown and described herein depending on the arrangement and size of the containers C in the carton  150 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blank  11  used to form the divider  90  of the illustrated embodiment has a divider panel  92  for positioning between the layers of containers C when the containers are loaded into the carton  150 . The divider panel  92  may be sized to generally correspond with the size of the bottom panel  10  and top panel  30  of the carton blank  8 . The blank  11  for the divider  90  includes a retention panel  96 , foldably attached to the divider panel  92  along a lateral fold line  98  at a first end of the divider panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention panel  96  has a narrowing width across the length of the blank  11 , and a first locking flap (broadly “first securing flap”)  102  is foldably attached to the retention panel  96  along a lateral fold line  104 . The first locking flap  102  has an outer edge  106  corresponding to a first longitudinal end  107  of the blank  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  11  has a second locking flap (broadly “second securing flap”)  108  foldably attached to the divider panel  92  along a lateral fold line  110 . The second locking flap  108  has an outer edge  112  corresponding to a second longitudinal end  113  of the blank  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the divider panel  92  has two notches  114 ,  116  in a corresponding longitudinal edge margin  118 ,  120  of the blank  11 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the notches  114 ,  116  are positioned along the longitudinal length of the divider panel  92  so that at least one of the notches is aligned with the dispenser  70  of the carton  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the two notches  114 ,  116  are shown on opposite sides of the divider panel to accommodate the location of an additional dispenser (not shown) in the carton. The alignment of one of the notches  114 ,  116  with the dispenser  70  can help to facilitate removal of the containers C through the opening  93  in the dispenser  70 . 
         [0044]    The carton  150  may be erected from the blank  8  by first gluing or otherwise adhering the adhesive flap  50  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the inner side of the side panel  40  so that the bottom panel  10 , the first side panel  20 , the top panel  30 , and the second side panel  40  may be opened or set up to form a generally tubular sleeve. The generally tubular sleeve may be closed, for example, by folding and adhering the end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42  at one end of the carton to form a first end panel  120  ( FIG. 9 ), and by folding and adhering the end flaps  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44  at the other end of the carton to form a second end panel  130  ( FIG. 9 ). Containers C or other articles, for example, may be loaded into the sleeve at any time before one or both ends of the carton are closed by the end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44 . Preferably the containers C are configured in a stacked arrangement ( FIG. 3 ) with the divider  90  positioned between the two layers of containers prior to placing the containers in the carton  150 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the carton  150  erected from the blank  8  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the erected carton  150 , the end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42  form the first end panel  120  and the end flaps  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44  form the second end panel  130 . The divider  90  is secured to the carton  150  by interlocking engagement of the first locking flap  102  with the first end panel  120  and the interlocking engagement of the second locking flap  108  with the second end panel  130  of the carton  150 . Loading of the carton  150  with containers C arranged in a stacked configuration will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3-9 , and in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the containers C may be arranged in a stacked configuration comprising an upper layer and a lower layer of containers C. In the illustrated embodiment, each layer comprises two rows of three containers C. The divider  90  is positioned between the upper and lower layers of containers C such that the divider panel  92  is positioned between the containers C and the retention panel  96  and first locking flap  102  extend from one end of the stacked containers and the second locking flap  108  extends from the other end of the stacked containers. The retention panel  96  is downwardly folded relative to the divider panel  92  along fold line  98  so that an inner surface of the retention panel  96  is generally adjacent the lower layer of containers C. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the locking flap  102  is folded along the fold line  104  and positioned at an oblique angle relative to the retention panel  96 . After the containers C are arranged in the stacked configuration with the divider  90  positioned between the two layers, the stacked containers are loaded into the carton  150  ( FIG. 4 ) such that the outer edge  106  of the locking flap  102  contacts an inner surface  134  of the end flap  14 . 
         [0047]    After the stacked containers are loaded, the side flaps  24 ,  44  are moved to the closed position shown in  FIG. 5  such that an inner surface  136 ,  138  of each of the flaps is in face-to-face relation with an outer surface  142  of the retention panel  96  and the locking flap  102  protrudes outward from beneath the bottom edges of the closed side flaps. As shown in  FIG. 6  the end flap  14  is raised to the closed position and is positioned such that the inner surface  134  of the end flap  14  is in generally face-to-face relation with an outer surface of the locking flap  102 . With the bottom end flap  14  raised to the closed position, the locking flap  102  is folded and lodged between the side flaps  24 ,  44  and the bottom end flap  14  so that the divider  90  is secured to the carton  150 . In the closed position of the bottom end flap  14 , an inner surface  144  of the locking flap  102  is in face-to-face relation with an outer surface  146 ,  148  of each of the side flaps  24 ,  44 . The top end flap  34  is closed to complete the closure of the first end panel  120  of the carton  150 . The top end flap  34  can be secured to the bottom end flap  14  with an adhesive material such as glue. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows the second end panel  130  of the carton  150  with the stacked containers loaded in the carton and the second locking flap  108  extending from the divider panel  92  in an unfolded position generally coplanar with the divider panel. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the second end panel  130  of the carton  150  is closed by first folding the side flaps  22 ,  42  such that the second locking flap  108  is received in the notches  23 ,  45  in a respective side panel. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 8A , the bottom end flap  12  is folded upward relative to the bottom panel  10  such that the inner surface of the bottom end flap contacts the second locking panel  108  and folds the second locking panel upward relative to the divider panel  92  of the divider  90 . In this way, the second locking panel  108  is folded upwardly along fold line  104  such that the second locking panel is lodged between the side flaps  22 ,  42  and the bottom end flap  12  so that the divider  90  is in interlocking engagement at the second end panel  130  of the carton  150 . The top end flap  32  is folded downward to complete the closure of the second end panel  130  of the carton  150 . The top end flap  32  can be secured to the bottom end flap  12  with an adhesive material such as glue. 
         [0049]    In the assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 9 , containers C may be withdrawn from the upper level or the lower level of the stacked configuration housed in the carton  150  through the dispenser opening  93 . A container or containers C adjacent to the dispenser opening  93  can be easily accessed and removed from the carton  150 . The divider  90  is secured at both ends  130 ,  120  of the carton  150  so that when the containers C are removed, the divider remains substantially stationary in the carton and the containers remains arranged in a stacked configuration wherein the containers may be easily dispensed from the carton. The securement of the divider  90  in the carton  150  of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention is accomplished by the interlocking engagement of the first locking flap  102  with the side flaps  24 ,  44  and end flap  14  at the first end panel  120  of the carton, and the interlocking engagement of the second locking flap  108  with the side flaps  22 ,  42  and end flap  12  at the second end panel  130  of the carton. In this way, the divider  90  is secured to the carton  150  without the use of glue or other adhesive and is positioned to divide an interior space of the carton into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. 
         [0050]    For purposes of illustration, the present invention is generally disclosed in the context of paperboard cartons or packages sized and dimensioned to contain cylindrical containers. The cartons illustrated in the drawing figures are sized to accommodate containers in a two level configuration with multiple columns of containers included in each level, although the present invention is not limited to any specific size or dimension. For example, the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9  is shown to accommodate twelve containers arranged in a 2×3×2 configuration, however, the present invention would work satisfactorily if sized and shaped to hold other quantities of containers in alternative arrangements, such as 3×4×2, 2×4×2, 2×5×2, 4×6×2, 4×5×2, 3×6×2, 5×6×2, etc. Further, multiple dividers could be used such that more than two layers of containers could be housed in the carton without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the interior side of a blank, generally indicated at  208 , used to form a carton  250  (illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 18 ) according to a second embodiment of the invention. The carton  250  can be used to house a plurality of articles such as containers C 2  ( FIG. 12 ) typically arranged in at least two layers in the carton. The layers of containers C 2  are separated by a divider, generally indicated at  290  ( FIG. 3 ) formed from a blank, generally indicated  211  ( FIG. 2 ). As will be discussed in more detail herein, the divider  290  is secured in the carton  250  so that the divider remains in a generally fixed position in the carton when the containers are removed from the carton. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C 2  are generally cylindrical and of a relatively small height in comparison to the diameter of the containers. The relatively small height-to-diameter ratio of the containers C 2  and the design of the containers allow the containers be nested into one another in stacks such that each layer of containers C 2  includes two containers in a stacked arrangement. Thus, as shown in the  FIG. 12 , the bottom layer of containers C 2  and top layer of container may each include a plurality of stacked containers arranged in columns and rows. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the containers C 2  are arranged in an upper layer and a lower layer with each of the upper and lower layers comprising twelve containers arranged in two columns and three rows. This arrangement is generally referred to as a 2×3×4 arrangement. It is understood that the containers C 2  may be arranged in more than two layers and that each layer may have more or less than twelve containers without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0052]    The blank  208  has a longitudinal axis L 3  and a lateral axis L 4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  208  comprises a bottom panel  210  foldably connected to a first side panel  220  at a first transverse fold line  221 , a top panel  230  foldably connected to the first side panel  220  at a second transverse fold line  231 , and a second side panel  240  foldably connected to the top panel  230  at a third transverse fold line  241 . An adhesive flap  250  can be foldably connected to the bottom panel  210  at a fourth transverse fold line  251 . 
         [0053]    The bottom panel  210  is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap  212  and a second bottom end flap  214 . The first side panel  220  is foldably connected to a first side flap  222  and a second side flap  224 . The top panel  230  is foldably connected to a first top end flap  232  and a second top end flap  234 . The second side panel  240  is foldably connected to a first side flap  242  and a second side flap  244 . When the carton  250  is erected, the end flaps  212  and  232  and side flaps  222  and  242  close one end of the carton  250 , and the end flaps  214  and  234  and side flaps  224  and  244  close a second end of the carton  250 . In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, different flap arrangements can be used for closing the ends of the carton. 
         [0054]    The end flaps  212  and  232  and side flap  222  and  242  may extend along a first marginal area of the blank  208 , and may be foldably connected at a first longitudinal fold line  262  that extends along the length of the blank  208 . The end flaps  214  and  234  and side flaps  24  and  44  may extend along a second marginal area of the blank  208 , and may be foldably connected at a second longitudinal fold line  264  that also extends along the length of the blank  208 . The longitudinal fold lines  262 ,  264  may be, for example, substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors. In the illustrated embodiment side flaps  222 ,  224 ,  242 , and  244  each have a corresponding notch  223 ,  225 ,  243 , and  245  in a respective lateral edge  226 ,  227 ,  246 ,  247  of the flap. The lateral edge  226 ,  227 ,  246 ,  247  of each flap  222 ,  224 ,  242 , and  244  is spaced apart from the corresponding fold line  262 ,  264  that attaches each flap to a respective side panel  220 ,  240 . In the illustrated embodiment, each notch  223 ,  225 ,  243 ,  245  is generally V-shaped and is located generally on the longitudinal centerline of each flap  222 ,  224 ,  242 ,  244 , midway between opposite ends of each flap, although differently shaped and positioned notches are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0055]    The carton blank  208  may include a dispenser, generally indicated  270 , that includes a dispenser panel  272  removably attached to the side panel  220 . The dispenser panel  272  is attached to the carton blank  208  at a first tear line  274  extending longitudinally in the side panel  220  and a second tear line  276  generally parallel to the first tear line. The tear lines  274  and  276  are spaced apart a predetermined distance to form an opening  293  ( FIG. 19 ) in the side panel  220  that is sized to allow the selective removal of articles from the carton  250  when the dispenser panel  272  is removed. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser includes a third tear line  278  in the top panel  230  and a fourth tear line  280  in the bottom panel  210  that are each curved to correspond to the shape of the containers C 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser  270  includes a first finger panel  273  in the top panel  230  and a second finger panel  275  in the bottom panel  210 . The first and second finger panels  273 ,  275  are formed by a respective curved tear line  277 ,  279  curved inwardly from a respective third and fourth tear line  278 ,  280 . The finger panels  273 ,  275  include the respective portion of the top or bottom panel  210 ,  230  between the curved tear line  277 ,  279  and a portion of the tear line  278 ,  280  between the intersection of the respective ends of the curved tear lines with the third and fourth tear line. The tear lines  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280  and finger panels  273 ,  275  define the dispenser panel  272  of the dispenser  270 . In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser panel  272  extends across the longitudinal length of the first side panel  220  into a portion of the top panel  230  and a portion of the bottom panel  210 . The cuts forming the dispenser  270  may extend, for example, through the entire thickness of the blank  208 . 
         [0056]    The dispenser  270  also includes first and second arcuate base tear lines  283 ,  285  and first and second pivot cut lines  287 ,  291 . The first base tear line  283  extends from the third tear line  278  to the fold line  262  and the second base tear line  285  extends from the fourth tear line  280  to the fold line  262 . The first pivot cut line  287  extends from the fold line  262 , at a point adjacent to the first base tear line  283 , through a pivot fold line  263  in the first top end flap  232 . The second pivot cut line  291  extends from the fold line  262 , at a point adjacent to the second base tear line  285 , through a pivot fold line  265  into the first bottom flap  212 . The base tear lines  283 ,  285  and the pivot cut lines  287 ,  291  define a pivotable flap  275  of the dispenser  270 . 
         [0057]    The dispenser panel  272  may be removed from the carton  250  to form the opening  293  by tearing the finger panels  273 ,  275  along the curved tear lines  277 ,  279  and grasping the dispenser panel and tearing the carton at the tear lines  274 ,  276 ,  278 , and  280  and removing the panel from the carton. The opening  293  is sized to allow the containers C 2  to be grasped and removed from the carton  250  as desired by the user. It is understood that the dispenser  270  of the illustrated embodiment may be further opened by pivoting the flap  275  outward by separating the flap at the first and second base tear lines  283 ,  285 . The flap  275  pivots generally about the first and second pivot cut lines  287 ,  291  to effectively widen the opening  293  of the dispenser and allows articles to be more easily removed from the carton. It is understood that the carton  250  may have more than one dispenser  270  or that the dispenser may be omitted from the carton without departing from the scope of this invention. Further, the dispenser  272  may be otherwise sized and shaped to correspond with various other sizes and shapes of containers which may be housed in the carton  250 . The first through fourth tear lines  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280  and the curved tear lines  277 ,  279  of the dispenser  270  can be 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 dispenser pattern tear lines  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280 , the cuts may be interrupted by, for example, one or more breakable nicks or may be continuous over a length of the tear line. 
         [0058]    The dimensions and shape of the blank  208  may be selected to accommodate the characteristic dimensions of the containers C 2  to be accommodated within the carton  250 . For example, the top panel  230  and bottom panel  210  can have widths W 3  ( FIG. 10 ) that generally correspond to or slightly exceed a combined width W 4  ( FIG. 12 ) of the adjacent rows of containers C 2  to be held within the carton  250 . The first and second side panels  220 ,  240  can have, for example, heights H 3  ( FIG. 10 ) that generally correspond to or slightly exceed a combined height H 4  ( FIG. 12 ) of the layers of containers C 2 . The bottom panel  210 , top panel  230 , and side panels  220  and  240  may have a length LP ( FIG. 10 ) that generally corresponds to or slightly exceeds a combined length LR ( FIG. 12 ) of the adjacent rows of containers C 2 . It is understood that heights H 3  may correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the height of each container C 2 , the widths W 4  may correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the width of each container, and the length LP may correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the length of each container C 2 . For example, the widths W 3  of the bottom panel  210  and top panel  230  are approximately twice the width of each container C 2 , the heights H 3  of the side panels  220 ,  230  are approximately four times the height of each container, and the length LP of the panels  210 ,  230 ,  220 , and  240  is approximately three times the length of the containers. The dimensions W 3 , H 3 , and LP of the illustrated embodiment correspond with a carton sized to accommodate a 2×3×4 stacked arrangement of the containers C 2 . In the illustrated embodiment the containers C 2  are cylindrical so that the width and length of each container corresponds with a diameter of the container. It is understood that the heights H 3 , widths W 3 , and lengths LP each may be greater or less than the dimensions shown and described herein depending on the arrangement and size of the containers C 2  in the carton  250 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the blank  211  used to form the divider  290  of the illustrated embodiment has a divider panel  292  for positioning between the layers of containers C 2  when the containers are loaded into the carton  250 . The divider panel  292  may be sized to generally correspond with the size of the bottom panel  210  and top panel  230  of the carton blank  208 . The blank  211  for the divider  290  includes a retention panel  296 , foldably attached to the divider panel  292  along a lateral fold line  298  at a first end of the divider panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention panel  296  has a narrowing width across the length of the blank  211  and an outer edge  299  including a first longitudinal end  301  of the blank. A first securing tab (broadly “first securing flap”)  302  is foldably attached to the divider panel  292  along the fold line  298  and is spaced apart from the retention panel  296  by a cutout  304 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  211  includes a second securing tab (broadly “second securing flap”)  308  foldably attached to the divider panel  292  along the fold line  298  and spaced apart from the retention panel by a cutout  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the securing tabs  302 ,  308  are generally rectangular tabs laterally spaced along the longitudinal edge of the divider panel  392 . It will be understood that the securing tabs  302 ,  308  could be other shapes and sizes than shown and that more or less than two securing tabs may be connected to the divider panel  292  without departing from the scope of this invention. Further, the cutouts  304 ,  310  can be in different forms; for example, they can be replaced with slits. 
         [0060]    In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  211  has a third securing flap  314  foldably attached to the divider panel  292  along a lateral fold line  316 . The third securing flap  314  has an outer edge  318  including a second longitudinal end  319  of the blank  211 . In the illustrated embodiment, the divider panel  292  has two notches  320 ,  322  in a corresponding longitudinal edge  324 ,  326  of the blank  11 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the notches  320 ,  322  are positioned along the longitudinal length of the divider panel  292  so that at least one of the notches is aligned with the dispenser  270  of the carton  250 . In the illustrated embodiment, the two notches  320 ,  322  are shown on opposite sides of the divider panel  292  to accommodate the location of an additional dispenser (not shown) in the carton. The alignment of one of the notches  220 ,  222  with the dispenser  270  can help to facilitate removal of the containers C 2  through the opening  293  in the dispenser. 
         [0061]    The carton  250  may be erected from the blank  208  by first gluing or otherwise adhering the adhesive flap  250  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) to the inner side of the side panel  240  so that the bottom panel  210 , the first side panel  220 , the top panel  230 , and the second side panel  40  may be opened or set up to form a generally tubular sleeve. The generally tubular sleeve may be closed, for example, by folding and adhering the end flaps  214 ,  224 ,  234 ,  244  at one end of the carton to form a first end panel  330  ( FIG. 18 ), and by folding and adhering the end flaps  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242  at the other end of the carton to form a second end panel  340 . Containers C 2  or other articles, for example, may be loaded into the sleeve at any time before one or both ends of the carton are closed by the end flaps  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242 ,  214 ,  224 ,  234 ,  244 . Preferably the containers C are configured in a stacked arrangement ( FIG. 12 ) with the divider  290  positioned between the two layers of containers prior to placing the containers in the carton  250 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the carton  250  erected from the blank  208  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In the erected carton  250 , the end flaps  214 ,  224 ,  234 ,  244  form the first end panel  330  and the end flaps  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242  form the second end panel  340 . The divider  290  is secured to the carton  250  by interlocking engagement of the first securing flap  302  and second securing flap  308  with the first end panel  330  and the interlocking engagement of the third securing flap  314  with the second end panel  340  of the carton  250 . Loading of the carton  250  with containers C 2  arranged in a stacked configuration will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 12-19 , and in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 15 , the containers C 2  may be arranged in a stacked configuration comprising an upper layer and a lower layer of containers C 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, each layer comprises two rows of three stacked pairs of containers C 2 . In one embodiment, the divider  290  is positioned between the upper and lower layers of containers C 2  such that the divider panel  292  is positioned between the containers C 2  and the retention panel  296 , the first and second securing flaps  302 ,  308  extend from one end of the stacked containers, and the third securing flap  314  extends from the other end of the stacked containers. As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the retention panel  296  is downwardly folded relative to the divider panel  292  along fold line  298  so that an inner surface of the retention panel  296  is generally adjacent the lower layer of containers C 2 . The securing tabs  302 ,  308  are generally parallel with the divider panel  292  extending from the fold line  298  to be generally perpendicular with the retention panel  296 . After the containers C 2  are arranged in the stacked configuration with the divider  290  positioned between the two layers and the retention panel  296  downwardly folded, the stacked containers are loaded into the carton  250  ( FIG. 13 ). 
         [0064]    After the stacked containers are loaded, the side flaps  224 ,  244  are moved to the closed position shown in  FIG. 14  such that an inner surface  336 ,  338  ( FIG. 13 ) of each of the flaps is in face-to-face relation with an outer surface  342  of the retention panel  296  and the securing tabs  302 ,  308  protrude outward from and are received in a respective notch  225 ,  245  in the side flaps. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the end flap  214  is raised to the closed position and is positioned such that the inner surface  334  ( FIG. 14 ) of the end flap  214  is in generally face-to-face relation with an outer surface of the securing tabs  302 ,  308 . With the bottom end flap  214  raised to the closed position, the securing flaps  302 ,  308  are upwardly folded and lodged between the side flaps  224 ,  244  and the bottom end flap  214  so that the divider  290  is secured to the carton  250 . In the closed position of the bottom end flap  214 , an inner surface  344 ,  346  ( FIG. 14 ) of a respective securing tab  302 ,  308  is in face-to-face relation with an outer surface  347 ,  349  of each of the side flaps  224 ,  244 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the top end flap  234  is folded downward so that an inner surface  352  ( FIG. 15 ) of the top end flap contacts a respective outer surface  354 ,  356  of the upwardly folded securing tabs  302 ,  308 . The top end flap  234  can be secured to the bottom end flap  214  with an adhesive material such as glue to complete the closure of the first end panel  330 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 16  shows the second end panel  340  of the carton  150  with the stacked containers C 2  loaded in the carton and the third securing flap  308  extending from the divider panel  292  in an unfolded position generally coplanar with the divider panel. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the second end panel  340  of the carton  350  is closed by first folding the side flaps  222 ,  242  such that the third securing flap  314  is received in the notches  223 ,  245  in a respective side flap. As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the bottom end flap  212  is folded upward relative to the bottom panel  210  such that the inner surface  360  of the bottom end flap contacts the third securing panel  314  and folds the securing panel upward relative to the divider panel  292  of the divider  290  so that the inner surface  362  of the securing panel is in contact with the outer surfaces  364 ,  366  of the side flaps  222 ,  242 . In this way, the third securing panel  314  is folded upwardly along fold line  316  such that the securing panel is lodged between the side flaps  222 ,  242  and the bottom end flap  212  so that the divider  290  is in interlocking engagement at the second end panel  340  of the carton  350 . The top end flap  232  is folded downward so that the inner surface  368  ( FIG. 16 ) of the end flap  232  overlays a portion of the outer surface  370  of the securing flap  314  ( FIG. 18 ) and a portion of the outer surface  372  of the bottom end flap  212 . To secure the second end panel  340  in the closed position, the top end flap  232  can be secured to the bottom end flap  212  with an adhesive material such as glue. 
         [0066]    In the assembled configuration shown in  FIG. 19 , containers C 2  may be withdrawn from the upper level or the lower level of the stacked configuration housed in the carton  250  through the dispenser opening  293 . A container or containers C 2  adjacent to the dispenser opening  293  can be easily accessed and removed from the carton  250 . The divider  290  is secured at both ends  330 ,  340  of the carton  250  so that when the containers C 2  are removed, the divider remains substantially stationary in the carton and the containers remain arranged in a stacked configuration wherein the containers may be easily dispensed from the carton. The securement of the divider  290  in the carton  250  of the second embodiment of the present invention is accomplished by the interlocking engagement of the first and second securing flaps  302 ,  308  with the side flaps  224 ,  244  and end flap  214  at the first end panel  330  of the carton, and the interlocking engagement of the third securing flap  314  with the side flaps  222 ,  242  and end flap  212  at the second end panel  340  of the carton. In this way, the divider  290  is secured to the carton  250  without the use of glue or other adhesive and is positioned to divide an interior space of the carton into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. 
         [0067]    For purposes of illustration, the present invention is generally disclosed in the context of paperboard cartons or packages sized and dimensioned to contain cylindrical containers. The cartons illustrated in the drawings are sized to accommodate containers in a two level configuration with multiple columns of containers included in each level, although the present invention is not limited to any specific size or dimension. For example, the embodiment of  FIGS. 10-19  is shown to accommodate twenty four containers arranged in a 2×3×4 configuration, however, the present invention would work satisfactorily if sized and shaped to hold other quantities of containers in alternative arrangements, such as 3×4×4, 2×4×4, 2×5×4, 4×6×4, 4×5×4, 3×6×4, 5×6×4, etc. Further the containers C 2  may be sized such that one or more than two containers are contained in a stacked configuration in each layer. Further, multiple dividers could be used such that more than two layers of containers could be housed in the carton without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0068]      FIG. 20  illustrates a carton blank, generally indicated at  400 , used to construct a carton, generally indicated  402  ( FIG. 22 ), of a third embodiment of the present invention. The carton  402  can be used to house a plurality of containers C 3  ( FIG. 22 ) typically arranged in at least three layers in the carton. The layers of containers C 3  are separated by a divider, generally indicated at  404  ( FIG. 22 ) formed from a blank, generally indicated  406 . 
         [0069]    The blank  400  of the second embodiment includes a bottom panel  407 , a top panel  408 , first side panel  410 , and a second side panel  411 . The first side panel  410  is connected to a first side flap  412  having two notches  413 ,  414  and a second side flap  418  having two notches  420 ,  422 . The second side panel  411  is foldably connected to a first side flap  426  having two notches  428 ,  430  and a second side flap  432  having two notches  434 ,  436 . The first side flaps  412 ,  426  are foldably connected to a respective side panel  410 ,  411  at one end of the blank  402  by longitudinal fold line  440  and the second side flaps  418 ,  428  are connected to a respective side panel at the other end of the blank by longitudinal fold line  442 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , the first and second side panels  410 ,  411  have a height H 5  that generally corresponds to or slightly exceeds a combined height H 6  ( FIG. 22 ) of the layers of containers C 3 . 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 21 , the blank  406  comprises a first divider panel  450 , foldably attached to a connecting panel  452  at a first transverse fold line  454 , and a second divider panel  456  foldably connected to the connecting panel at a second transverse fold line  458 . The blank  406  optionally has three cutouts  464 ,  466 , and  468  on the fold line  454  and three cutouts  470 ,  472 ,  474  on the fold line  458 . The cutouts  464 ,  466 , and  468  assist the folding of the blank  406  along fold line  454  and the cutouts  470 ,  472 , and  474  assist the folding of the blank along fold line  458  when the divider  404  is assembled in the carton  402 . It is understood that the cutouts may be otherwise shaped and arranged or may be omitted from the blank  406  without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0071]    The blank  406  has a first retention panel  480  foldably connected to the first divider panel  450  along a lateral fold line  482  and a second retention panel  484  foldably connected to the second divider panel  456  along a lateral fold line  486 . A first securing tab  490  and a second securing tab  492  (broadly “first and second securing flap) are foldably attached to the first divider panel  450  along the fold line  482  and are spaced apart from the retention panel  480  by a respective cutout  494 , 496 . The blank  406  includes a third and fourth securing tab  500 ,  502  (broadly “third and fourth securing flap) foldably attached to the second divider panel  456  along the fold line  486  that are spaced apart from the retention panel  484  by a respective cutout  504 ,  506 . The cutouts  494 ,  496 ,  504 ,  506  can be in different forms; for example, they can be replaced with slits. The divider panel  450  has a fifth securing flap  510  attached at a fold line  514  at the second end of the blank  406  and the divider panel  456  has a sixth securing flap  512  attached at a fold line  516  at the second end of the blank. 
         [0072]    As with the previous embodiments, the securing tabs  490 ,  492 ,  500 ,  502  secure the divider  404  to a first closed end  520  ( FIG. 22 ) of the carton  402  and the fifth and sixth securing flaps  510 ,  512  secure the divider  404  to a second closed end  522  of the carton. Preferably the containers C 3  are configured in a stacked arrangement ( FIG. 22 ) of three layers of containers with the first divider panel  450  positioned between the bottom and middle layers of containers and the second divider panel  456  position between the middle and upper layers of containers prior to placing the containers in the carton  402 . When the stacked containers C 3  are placed in the carton  402 , the connecting panel  452  is generally adjacent the side panel  410  of the carton. The securing tabs  494 ,  496 ,  500 ,  502  and securing flaps  510 ,  512  of the divider  404  are attached to the carton  402  in a similar manner as described above for the divider  290 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 22 , the securing tabs  494 ,  496 ,  500 ,  502  are received in a respective notch  413 ,  414 ,  428 ,  430  when the side flaps  412 ,  416  are closed to form the closed end  525 . The securing tabs  500 ,  502  are upwardly folded with respect to fold lines  482  and  486  when the bottom end flap  526  is upwardly folded to close the end  520  of the carton  402 . The securing tabs  490 ,  492  are downwardly folded with respect to fold line  486  when the top end flap  528  is downwardly folded to close the end  520  of the carton  402 . When the side flaps  418 ,  432  are closed, the securing flaps  510 ,  512  of the divider  404  are received in respective notches  420 ,  422 ,  434 ,  436  at the second end  522  of the carton  402 . The first securing flap  510  is folded upward with respect to the fold line  514  when the bottom end flap  530  is upwardly folded to close the end  522  of the carton  402 . The second securing flap  512  is folded downward with respect to the fold line  516  when the top end flap  532  is downwardly folded to complete the closure of the end  522  of the carton  402 . In this way the divider  404  is secured to the carton  402  at the first end  520  by the interlocking engagement of the securing tabs  490 ,  492 ,  500 ,  502  with the side flaps  412 ,  426  and top and bottom end flaps  526 ,  528  and at the second end  522  the interlocking engagement of the securing flaps  510 ,  512  with the side flap  418 ,  432  and top and bottom end flap  530 ,  532 . 
         [0073]    The divider  404  of the third embodiment stays substantially in place when containers C 3  are removed from any of the three layers in the carton  402 . Accordingly, removal of containers C 3  from one side of a respective layer does not compromise the stability of the remaining containers of that layer. Accordingly, the containers C 3  in the carton  402  stay substantially organized until all the containers have been removed from the carton. 
         [0074]    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 or rear end of the carton. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, a divider panel is interlockingly engaged only to one of the closed ends of a carton. 
         [0075]    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 layer, 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 carton 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. 
         [0076]    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. 
         [0077]    As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present invention for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present invention. 
         [0078]    The above embodiments may be described as having one or more 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. 
         [0079]    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.