Patent Publication Number: US-7712653-B2

Title: Carton with dispenser having access features

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/614,862, filed Sep. 29, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/614,797, filed Sep. 30, 2004, the entire contents of both applications being hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Enclosed cartons with dispensing features have been used in the past. Many of these cartons include a dispenser defined by tear lines. The dispenser is removable from the carton to create an opening through which articles can be removed from the carton. In many instances, after the user engages and opens the dispenser, some of the articles, especially those disposed in a lower column or layer, are positioned substantially, or entirely, below the edge of the dispenser opening. In order to dispense the cans or articles that are substantially or entirely disposed below the dispenser opening, a user must insert their finger or other object into the carton in order to remove the can from the carton. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention generally relates to a carton with a dispenser that forms an opening to dispense articles from the carton. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the dispenser includes an additional access feature in the form of one or more access flaps that create access openings in the side panels of the carton. An access flap can be formed in only one side panel of the carton, or multiple access flaps can be formed in multiple panels of the carton. 
     The access flaps may be formed by lines of disruption such as tear lines, cuts, scores, etc. in the blank and may provide access to the articles in the carton. The access flaps may also be formed to minimize weakening of the panel or panels in which the access flaps are disposed. For example, the access flaps may be smaller than a characteristic dimension of articles held within the carton, such as the diameter of a can or other container, while being large enough to allow access to the articles. 
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton having a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a partially erected carton according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is another perspective view of the erected carton according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the erected carton according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4-9  illustrate opening of the carton dispenser according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 10A-10F  illustrate alternative access flap configurations. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton having a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the erected carton according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 13-14  illustrate opening of the carton dispenser according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a partial side elevational view of a carton having a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a partial side elevational view of a carton having a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a dispenser for a carton. 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 invention, the following detailed description describes generally cylindrical beverage containers as disposed within the carton embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected cartons. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank  8  used to form a carton  200  (illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The blank  8  comprises a first top flap or panel  10  foldably connected to a first side panel  20  at a first fold line  21 , a bottom panel  30  connected to the first side panel  20  at a second transverse fold line  31 , a second side panel  40  foldably connected to the bottom panel  30  at a third transverse fold line  41 , and a second top flap or panel  50  foldably connected to the second side panel  40  at a fourth transverse fold line  51 . An adhesive flap  60  can be foldably connected to the second top flap  50  at a fifth transverse fold line  61 . 
     The first top panel  10  is foldably connected to a first top end flap  12  and a first top exiting end flap  14 . The first side panel  20  is foldably connected to a first side flap  22  and a first side exiting end flap  24 . The bottom panel  30  is foldably connected to a bottom end flap  32  and a bottom exiting end flap  34 . The second side panel  40  is foldably connected to a second side end flap  42  and a second side exiting end flap  44 . The second top panel  50  is foldably connected to a second top end flap  52  and a second top exiting end flap  54 . 
     When the carton  200  is erected, the end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52  close one end of the carton  200 , and the exiting end flaps  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54  close an exiting end of the carton  200 . The end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52  extend along a first marginal area of the blank  8 , and may be foldably connected at a first longitudinally extending fold line  62  that extends along the length of the blank  8 . The exiting end flaps  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54  extend along a second marginal area of the blank  8 , and may be foldably connected at a second longitudinally extending fold line  64  that extends along the length of the blank  8 . The longitudinally extending fold lines  62 ,  64  may be substantially straight and parallel to one another. The fold lines  62 ,  64  may also be offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors, for example. The blank  8  may include first and second handle apertures  16 ,  56  in the first and second top flaps  10 ,  50 , respectively. 
     The blank  8  includes a dispenser pattern  100  that defines a dispenser  150  in the erected carton  200  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The dispenser pattern  100  comprises first through sixth opening lines  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  in the top panels  10 ,  50 , first and second generally downwardly or longitudinally extending lines  116 ,  136  that extend generally along the length of the blank  8 , and first and second generally laterally or horizontally extending lines  128 ,  138  that extend generally along a width of the blank  8 . The lines  116 ,  128  and the fold lines  21 ,  64  define a first side dispenser panel  102  in the first side panel  20 , and the lines  136 ,  138  and the fold lines  51 ,  64  define a second side dispenser panel  104  in the second side panel  40 . 
     The dispenser pattern  100  also includes a first access flap  120  defined by first, second and third access lines  122 ,  124 ,  126  and the laterally extending line  128 , and a second access flap  140  defined by fourth, fifth and sixth access lines  142 ,  144 ,  146  and the laterally extending line  138 . The first access flap  120  extends from a bottom portion of the first side dispenser panel  102 , and the second access flap  140  extends from a bottom portion of the second side dispenser panel  104 . In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the first and second access flaps  120 ,  140  are designed to be folded or pivoted or otherwise moved away from the side panels  20 ,  40  in order to provide access to containers C disposed in the carton  200 . 
     The access lines  122 ,  124 ,  142 ,  144  may be, for example, cuts or tear lines formed from a series of cuts and/or scores. The lines  126 ,  146  may be, for example, fold lines formed from creases, cuts, and/or scores. The lines  116 ,  136  may be, for example, tear lines formed from offset cut/space lines. The lines  128 ,  138  may be tear lines formed from offset cut/space lines along a majority of their lengths. The lines  128 ,  138  define upper boundaries of the access flaps  120 ,  140 , respectively, and may also include, for example, portions formed by cuts or scores and combinations thereof in order to facilitate opening of the dispenser  150 . 
     The opening lines  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  in the top flaps  10 ,  50  are adjacent to one another in the erected carton  200  and define an opening pattern  139  ( FIG. 3A ). The opening lines  110 ,  114 ,  130 ,  134  may be, for example, cut/space lines, and the lines  112 ,  132  may be cut/crease lines. Other lines of disruption may be used to form the lines of the dispenser pattern  100  so that the dispenser  150  operates in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an erection step in which the carton  200  is partially erected. The carton  200  may be erected by gluing or otherwise adhering the adhesive flap  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the underside of the first top flap  10  so that the flaps  10 ,  50  and the panels  20 ,  30 ,  40  may be opened to form a generally tubular sleeve. The ends of the tubular sleeve may then be closed by folding and gluing or otherwise adhering the end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52  and the exiting end flaps  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54 . Articles such as, for example, generally cylindrical containers C may be loaded into the tubular sleeve in a conventional manner before one or both ends of the carton are closed by the end flaps. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the carton  200  is erected by adhering the top panels  10 ,  50  using the adhesive flap  60 . This configuration is merely exemplary, however, and the tubular structure of the carton  200  can be obtained by joining ends of a blank at other panels, such as at the side or bottom panels. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the erected carton  200  loaded with containers C (indicated by hidden lines) stacked therein. In the first embodiment, the carton  200  encloses twelve 12 ounce can containers C. The containers C are arranged in the carton  200  in a two column and six row (2×6) configuration. In the erected carton  200 , the end flaps  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52  form a first end panel  160 , the exiting end flaps  14 ,  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54  form a second, exiting end panel  170 , and the top panels  10 ,  50  form a top panel  180 . The dispenser  150  extends across the first and second side panels  10 ,  20 , the top panel  180 , and the exiting end panel  170 . The opening lines  110 ,  112 ,  124 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  may be generally aligned in the top panel  180  to define the opening pattern  139 . Opening of the dispenser  150  is discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 4-9 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the dispenser  150  being opened. Opening may be initiated by pressing downwardly on the top panel  180  generally at the area defined by the opening pattern  139  so that the top panel  180  tears along the opening line  110 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the dispenser  150  is further opened by tearing along the lines  116 ,  136 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the dispenser  150  may then be pivoted open at the lines  128 ,  138  to expose the carton contents. The flap defined by the opening pattern  139  can be, for example, folded into the dispenser  150  or the carton  200 , or removed during opening of the dispenser  150 . If containers C are stacked in the carton  200 , a container C adjacent to the dispenser  150  may be, for example, carried out of the carton  200  as the dispenser  150  is pivoted open. According to the first embodiment, the access flaps  120 ,  140  remain attached to the carton  200  upon opening of the dispenser  150 . 
       FIG. 8  is a partial side elevational view of the carton  200  with the dispenser  150  partially opened and removed from the carton, with the remaining containers C shown by hidden lines. A first container C has been removed from the carton  200  during opening of the dispenser  150 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the user may pivot the access flaps  120 ,  140  outwardly so that containers C in the bottom or lower column of containers adjacent to the exiting end panel  170  can be grasped and removed from the carton  200 . The first and second access flaps  120 ,  140  need not be pivoted open immediately upon removing the removable section of the dispenser  150 . For example, one or both of the access flaps  120 ,  140  may be opened after dispensing of the top column (or a middle column(s), if present) of containers C, or at any other time the consumer desires. 
     The height H 1  of the carton  200  may be, for example, a rough multiple of the diameter of the containers C in the carton, plus a small tolerance allowance. For example, the height H 1  can be approximately one, two, three, four, etc. times the container diameter D. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the height H 2  of an upper edge  152  of the dispenser opening may be sufficient to maintain the lower column of containers C in the carton  200 , and may actually be larger than a diameter D of the containers C so that the upper column of containers is also retained in the carton  200  by the upper edge  152 . In one embodiment, the height H 2  of the upper edge  152  of the opening formed by removing the dispenser  150  can be in the range of about 50%-150% of the container diameter D for a two column carton. For a three column carton, the height H 2  can be in the range of about 150%-250% of container diameter D. 
     The first and second access flaps  120 ,  140  may extend downwardly into the first and second side panels  20 ,  40  with a height H 3  that is sufficient to allow a user to grasp a container C in the bottom or lower column of containers when the access flaps  120 ,  140  are pivoted outwardly. The height H 3  of the access flaps  120 ,  140  may be generally described as any height that allows easy access to containers in the carton  200 . In general, the height H 3  of the access flaps  120 ,  140  may be selected so that H 2 -H 3  is less than the container diameter D, so that the access flaps  120 ,  140  allow access to a container C in the bottom column of containers. 
     The depth D 1  that the dispenser  150  extends into the carton  200  may be selected so that containers C in the upper columns of the carton can be accessed. For example, the depth D 1  can be in the range of about 70-130% of container diameter D. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     A carton as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  accommodates twelve 12 ounce beverage cans having a diameter D of about 2 and ½ in. The cans are arranged in two columns, six cans to each column (2×6 configuration). The carton has a height H 1  of about 5 and 7/32 in. and a width W 1  of about 4 and 27/32 in. The distance D 1  is about 2 and 19/32 in. The height H 2  of the upper edge  152  of the dispenser opening is about 2 and 23/32 in., and the height H 3  of the access flaps  120 ,  140  is about 1 and ¼ in. 
     The opening lines  110 ,  114 ,  130 ,  134  are cut/space lines and the lines  112 ,  132  are cut/crease lines. The access lines  122 ,  124 ,  142 ,  144  are cut lines and the lines  126 ,  146  are fold lines. The lines  116 ,  128 ,  136 ,  138  are offset cut/space lines. 
       FIGS. 10A-10F  illustrate alternative access flap configurations that are suitable for inclusion in a dispenser pattern according to the present invention, such as the dispenser pattern  100  discussed above. In general, the access flaps can be of a configuration that enables the insertion of a user&#39;s fingers into the carton to enable an article to be removed therefrom. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 10A , the access flap  120 A may be formed in a side panel of a carton, and may be situated similarly with respect to the line  128  as is the access flap  120  of the carton  200  shown in  FIG. 8 . The access flap  120 A may be defined at its upper edge by the line  128 , and along its lower perimeter by an access flap pattern  121 A. The access flaps  120 B- 120 F shown in  FIGS. 10B-10F  illustrate additional alternative flap forms that may also be arranged in a side panel as shown in  FIG. 8 , where like reference numerals may indicate like or similar elements to those of  FIG. 10A . 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view of a blank  208  used to form a carton  400  (illustrated in  FIG. 12 ) having a dispenser  350  according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the carton  400 , first and second access flaps  320 ,  340  are removed along with the dispenser  350  when the dispenser is opened. The carton  400  may, for example, be generally similar in shape, function and erection to the carton  200 , and like reference numbers in the figures illustrating the two embodiments may indicate like or similar elements. 
     The blank  208  comprises a first top flap or panel  210  foldably connected to a first side panel  220  at a first fold line  221 , a bottom panel  230  connected to the first side panel  220  at a second transverse fold line  231 , a second side panel  240  foldably connected to the bottom panel  230  at a third transverse fold line  241 , and a second top flap or panel  250  foldably connected to the second side panel  240  at a fourth transverse fold line  251 . An adhesive flap  260  can be foldably connected to the second top flap  250  at a fifth transverse fold line  261 . 
     The blank  208  includes a dispenser pattern  300  that defines the dispenser  350  in the erected carton  400  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). The dispenser pattern  300  may comprise opening lines in the top flaps  210 ,  250  that define an opening pattern  339  that is similar in arrangement and operation to the opening pattern  139  of the carton  200  illustrated in  FIG. 3A . The dispenser pattern  300  further comprises first and second generally downwardly or longitudinally extending lines  316 ,  336 , and first and second generally laterally or horizontally extending lines  328 ,  338 . The lines  316 ,  328  and the fold lines  221 ,  264  define in part a first side dispenser panel  302  in the first side panel  220 , and the lines  336 ,  338  and the fold lines  251 ,  264  define in part a second side dispenser panel  304  in the second side panel  240 . 
     A first access flap  320  is defined in part by first, second and third access lines  322 ,  324 ,  326 , and a second access flap  340  is defined in part by fourth, fifth and sixth access lines  342 ,  344 ,  346 . The first access flap  320  extends from a bottom portion of the first side dispenser panel  302 , and the second access flap  340  extends from a bottom portion of the second side dispenser panel  304 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the first and second access flaps  320 ,  340  are continuous with the first and second side dispenser panels  302 ,  304 , respectively, and are designed to be removed along with the dispenser  350  during opening. 
     The access lines  322 ,  324 ,  342 ,  344  may be, for example, cuts or tear lines formed from a series of cuts and/or scores. The lines  326 ,  346  may be, for example, tear lines formed from offset cut/space lines. The lines  316 ,  336  may be, for example, tear lines formed from spaced cuts. The lines  328 ,  338  may be tear lines formed from offset cut/space lines along a majority of their lengths. The lines  328 ,  338  may also include, for example, portions formed by cuts or scores and combinations thereof in order to facilitate opening of the dispenser  350 . Other lines of disruption may be used to form the lines of the dispenser pattern  300  so that the dispenser  350  operates in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the erected carton  400 . The carton  400  may enclose, for example, twelve 12 ounce containers C in an arrangement similar to the containers in the carton  200  ( FIG. 3A ). The carton  400  is closed at a first end by a first end panel  360 , and at a second, exiting end by an exiting end panel  370 . The top flaps  210 ,  250  form a top panel  380 . Opening of the dispenser  350  is discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the carton dispenser  350  being opened. Opening may be begun by pressing downwardly on the top panel  380  generally at the opening pattern  339  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). The dispenser  350  is further opened by tearing along the lines  316 ,  326 ,  328 ,  336 ,  346 ,  338  so that the dispenser  350  may be pivoted open and tom off of the carton  400 . One or more of the tear lines in the dispenser pattern  300  may include portions interspersed with cuts, gaps and/or scores etc. to facilitate opening of the dispenser  350 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the carton  400  with the dispenser  350  opened and removed from the carton. If the containers C are stacked in multiple columns in the carton  400 , a container C adjacent to the dispenser  350  may remain in place as shown in  FIG. 14 , or, the container may be carried out of the carton  400  as generally shown in  FIG. 7 . Removal of the access flaps  320 ,  340  creates a first access opening  325  in the first side panel  220  and a second access opening in the second side panel (not shown in  FIG. 14 ) that allow easy access to a lower column of containers C, regardless of the height of the upper edge  352  of the dispenser opening. 
     The height H 1  of the carton  400  may be, for example, a rough multiple of the diameter of the containers C in the carton, plus a small tolerance allowance. For example, the height H 1  can be approximately one, two, three, four, etc. times the container diameter D. 
     The height H 4  of an upper edge  352  of the dispenser opening may be sufficient to maintain both the upper and lower columns (and a middle column(s), if present) of containers C in the carton  400 , and, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the upper edge  352  may be higher than a diameter D of the containers C in  FIG. 14 . In one embodiment, the height H 4  of the upper edge  352  of the opening formed by removing the dispenser  150  can be in the range of about 50%-150% of the container diameter D for a two column carton. For a three column carton, the height H 4  can be in the range of about 150%-250% of the container diameter D. 
     The height H 5  of the bottom of the access openings may be of any height to allow easy access to containers in the carton  400 , and the bottom of the access openings may be extended downwardly to a point adjacent to the bottom panel of the carton  400 . In general, the height H 5  of the bottom of the access openings can be less than the container diameter D so that the access openings allow access to a container C in the bottom column of containers. 
       FIG. 15  is a partial side elevational view of a carton  600  according to a third embodiment of the invention. The carton  600  can be generally similar to the cartons  200 ,  400  discussed above, and like reference numbers in the cartons  200 ,  400  may indicate like or similar elements in  FIG. 15 . The carton  600 , however, is designed to accommodate three columns of containers C. The carton  600  may, for example, be designed to accommodate any number of rows and columns of containers C. The height of the carton  600  is illustrated as generally corresponding to three times a container diameter D so that it may accommodate the three columns of cylindrical containers C. 
     The carton  600  has a dispenser  550  defined by a dispenser pattern  500 . A first side dispenser panel  552  may be defined in a first side panel  520 , and may have a first access flap  520  extending from a bottom portion thereof. The first access flap  520  may be separated from the first side dispenser panel  552  by a tear line  528 , and may be pivotable in a manner similar to the access flaps  120 ,  140  ( FIG. 9 ). The access flap  520  may have a height H 7  extending down into the first side panel  520  that allows containers in both a middle column and a bottommost column of the carton  600  to be accessed when the dispenser  550  is opened. In general, the height H 7  may be selected so that H 6 -H 7  is less than the container diameter D so that the access openings allow access to a container C in the bottom column of containers. The height H 6  of the tear line  528  may be, for example, greater than about twice the container diameter D so that the edge of the dispenser opening (defined by the tear line  528 ) retains the uppermost column of containers C when the dispenser  550  is opened. A second access flap (not shown) may be formed in a second side panel of the carton  600 . 
       FIG. 16  is a partial side elevational view of a carton  800  according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The carton  800  is illustrated with its dispenser flap removed. The carton  800  can be generally similar to the cartons  200 ,  400  discussed above, and like reference numerals in the cartons  200 ,  400  may indicate like or similar elements in  FIG. 16 . 
     The dispenser of the carton  800  may be substantially identical to the dispenser  150  in the carton  200  ( FIG. 3A ). The first access flap  720 , however, is not pivotably attached to the first side panel  720 . Instead, the first access flap  720  may have the form of a tear strip defined by spaced tear lines  721 ,  722  and a cut  723  that defines a tear tab  725 . The height H 8  of the upper edge  752  of the opening formed by removing the dispenser can be in the range of about 50%-150% of container diameter D for a two column carton. The height H 9  of the access flap  720  may be of any height to allow easy access to containers in the carton  800 . A second access flap may be formed in a second side panel (not shown) of the carton  800 . 
     The alternative flap forms shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B  may be defined at their top or upper edges by tear lines  128 , as shown in the figures, or, they may be continuous with the remainder of a side dispenser panel, as generally shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . If the access flaps  120 B- 120 F are continuous with the remainder of their respective dispensers, there may be no tear lines  128  at the upper edges of the access flaps, and the access flaps may be removed when the dispenser is opened. 
     The access flaps described above are illustrated as extending from a lower portion of side dispenser panels, and allow containers and other articles to be accessed from the sides of cartons. Access flaps according to the present invention can also be formed in other panels of cartons. For example, referring to  FIG. 3A , an access flap could be formed to extend downwardly from either of the lines  128 ,  138 , so that a consumer could access a container in the bottom column through the exiting end panel. Such an access flap could be either pivotably attached to the exiting end panel, or continuous with the dispenser such that it is removed along with the dispenser. 
     For purposes of illustration, the present invention is disclosed in the context of paperboard cartons sized and dimensioned to contain cylindrical beverage cans. The cartons illustrated in the drawing figures are sized to accommodate articles in a two or three column configuration, 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 articles 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 also 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. 
     Also for purposes of illustration, the embodiments of the present invention are shown with dispensers primarily formed by non-oblique dispenser lines that are shown as generally perpendicular to some panels and parallel to other panels. However, the present invention is not limited to any specific size, dimension, orientation of the dispenser, or opening formed by the dispenser. For example, the present invention would operate satisfactorily if the dispenser is formed with oblique lines that extend through the side and/or top panels. 
     The access flaps discussed herein can extend from the dispenser opening to the bottom of the carton. Additionally, the access flaps can be of any width and at any position along the panels of the carton. For example, the access flaps can be formed to intersect, abut, or otherwise be adjacent to the exiting end panels at the dispensing ends of the cartons. Further, the access flaps can be formed as an extension of the dispenser opening perforations, and can be formed as a portion extending deeper into the side panels behind the dispenser perforations. 
     The pivotable flaps discussed above can remain attached to the cartons and provide the access openings when desired by a user, while being hingedly returnable to fill all or part of the access openings. Accordingly, the flaps can return to their original positions in order to occlude the access openings, and can subsequently be hingedly opened to dispense subsequent articles. 
     The access flaps of the present invention can be comprised of individual and/or separate segments or extensions that can be removed at a later time to provide a deeper access opening to more easily reach articles in cartons of larger dimension. For example, any of the access flaps described in the present specification can include a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections are removeable or pivotable at different times. 
     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 column, 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.