Patent Abstract:
A product container formed from a continuous blank that permits the inclusion of literature from the product manufacturer or packager. The container contains structures that prevent the included literature from interfering with high-speed, automated filling of products into the container.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional patent application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/724,411, filed Dec. 21, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/578,505 filed Dec. 21, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to folding cartons used for product packaging. More specifically, the invention is to a folding carton that makes the literature insertion process more efficient and less prone to assembly line down time. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Folded cartons supplied to the public typically have, on their outer surfaces, printed information—product usage instructions, warnings, indications, directions for use and other types of information. This printed information on the outside of the carton suffers from the limited surface area that can be provided on the outer surface of a carton which is inadequate in those situations where detailed instructions, federal, state or locally required information, or in the case of pharmaceuticals, patient directions for use, drug facts or other important information, must be provided. In these situations additional literature is often added to the inside of the carton by the manufacturer on their packaging line. 
         [0004]    The typical carton and literature insertion process is as follows: Cartons are glued and folded by the folding carton manufacturer with the carton end flaps left unglued. They are shipped to the manufacturer of the product to be packaged, erected by this manufacturer, filled with the product and then the literature is placed into the package just before the carton end flaps are glued and closed. Arrangement of the literature inside the carton is important to the manufacturer filling the carton with product. The literature must be placed inside the carton in a position that allows for easy removal of the product and the literature. The current process of filling a carton with both literature and product is a complex packaging operation. During insertion of the literature and product into the carton they collide and interfere with each other causing line stoppages. 
         [0005]    There are various methods for increasing copy space on or in a carton. One alternative is to include a loosely folded sheet of literature inside of the carton. This method can provide adequate information space. However, the literature is likely to be disposed of after opening of the package. Pharmaceutical packages in particular require that the important information be available to the patients when they take their medication. 
         [0006]    In addition, this normally supplied literature inside the carton must be inserted into the package either by hand or by automated equipment in the carton filling production or packaging line during the manufacture of the product. This literature insertion step by the product manufacturer is a known cause of line downtime, increased waste and a loss of revenue. The literature insertion equipment is costly to install and maintain, and is often a limiting factor in productivity on a filling or packaging line. 
         [0007]    Another known method for increasing copy space on or in a carton is to attach folded literature to the outside of the carton. This makes the literature susceptible to damage, accidental removal during handling and transport and detracts from the aesthetics of the outer canon. 
         [0008]    Still another method is a carton with a fifth and/or sixth panel which wraps around the typical exterior of the carton providing additional information space. The disadvantages of a fifth/sixth panel carton include: higher material costs, limited space compared to folded literature, additional complexity for senior citizens, and they can be difficult to open for people with limited use of their hands such as the elderly or those with arthritis. 
         [0009]    Another method would include the customer attaching literature to the inside of a carton on their filling and/or packaging lines. This is problematic since the literature attached to the inside of the carton, prior to the carton being filled with product, must be folded down to very small dimensions and is typically bulky and protrudes into the inside of the carton causing interference and making automated high speed product insertion difficult or impossible. 
         [0010]    A primary objective of this invention is to provide a carton with attached literature that simplifies the step of enclosing the literature from the product manufacturer or packager. Another primary objective is to provide a carton with attached literature inside that allows the product manufacturer or packager to achieve high-speed, automated filling of products into the carton without the attached literature interfering with insertion of the product during the carton filling, closure and gluing process. 
         [0011]    The invention describes methods of forming folding carton styles that protect literature attached by the carton manufacturer from interfering with the high speed automatic insertion of product into the folding carton. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a layout view showing cut and fold locations of a flat that can be folded to form a fifth panel carton with a location to attach literature; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a projection view of the carton containing literature attached to the fifth panel area formed from the layout of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an isometric side view of the literature attached inside of the fifth panel from the layout of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side section view of the attached literature enclosed inside the fifth panel from the layout of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a layout view of a flat that has been cut and that can be folded to form an internal partition intended to hold attached literature away from product contact and interference during product filling; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a projection view of the carton containing literature attached to the internal partition area formed from the layout of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an isometric side view of the literature attached inside of the internal partition from the layout of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side section view of the literature enclosed inside the internal partition from the layout of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a layout view of a flat that has been cut and that can be folded to form an internal ramp intended to direct the product being inserted away from the attached literature and preventing the literature from interfering with the product insertion; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a projection view of the carton containing literature attached to the inside of the carton before the internal ramp is folded into its functioning position formed from the layout of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a projection view of the of the carton containing literature attached to the inside of the carton with the internal ramp folded into its functioning position formed from the layout of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an isometric side view of the literature attached inside of the carton with the internal ramp with the ramp covering the attached literature from the layout of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a side section view of the literature enclosed inside of the carton with the internal ramp from the layout of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a layout view showing cut and fold locations of a flat carton that can be folded to form a carton with a location to attach literature; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a projection view of the carton containing literature attached to the panel area formed from the layout of  FIG. 14  showing the applied label partially overlapping the edge of the literature; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an isometric side view of the literature attached inside of the carton from the layout of  FIG. 14  with the applied label partially overlapping the edge of the literature; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a layout view of a flat that has been cut and that can be folded to form an internal partition intended to hold attached literature away from product contact and interference during product filling; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is an isometric side view of the literature attached inside of the carton from the layout of  FIG. 17  with the internal partition covering a portion of the literature but allowing a portion of the literature to present itself above the top of the formed carton so as to make it easier for the consumer to remove from the package. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Various embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. However, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0031]    Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 
         [0032]    In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” 
         [0033]    In the following description, the same numbers are used to describe parts having corresponding functions in different embodiments. The parts with the same numbers are not and need not be identical, although in some instances they may be identical in some aspects. 
         [0034]    The present invention discloses several methods of enclosing literature within a carton formed from a folded blank such that the literature does not interfere with the insertion of customer product. As used herein, the term “literature” means any type of regulatory materials, marketing materials, coupons, membership cards, product promotions, medical usage literature, instructions or other written materials that may accompany products that are sold to consumers. The term “customer product” means any type of product that is shipped, sold or otherwise delivered to a consumer and that is shipped within a box container or carton. A square shape for sides or ends of a carton is intended to fall within the definition of rectangular. 
       Embodiment #1 
       [0035]    A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 .  FIG. 1  shows six panel carton  1  in the unfolded state. The configuration of six panel carton  1  may be created from a blank or flat by die cutting and creasing and/or marking or any other suitable method. The blank or flat may be comprised of paperboard, plastic, cardboard, cardboard laminate, or similar materials. 
         [0036]    Six panel carton  1  is typically a single piece of material hat is partitioned into four side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 , fifth panel  90  and sixth panel  100 . The panels are respectively formed in the blank or flat by creasing and/or marking for folding, pre-folding and/or folding along pre-defined fold lines. Fold line  32  separates side panel  10  from  30 , fold line  42  separates side panel  30  from  50 , fold line  62  separates side panel  50  from  70 , fold line  82  separates side panel  70  from fifth panel  90  and fold line  92  separates fifth panel  90  from sixth panel  100 . 
         [0037]    Side panel  10  is formed with end panels  12 ,  16  by fold lines  14  and  18 , and side panel  50  is formed with end panels  52 ,  56  by fold lines  54 ,  58 , respectively. Side panel  30  is formed with flaps  34 ,  38  formed by fold lines  36 ,  40 , and side panel  70  is formed with flaps  72 ,  76  by fold lines  74 ,  78 , again respectively. Side panel  10  also is separated from side flap  22  by fold line  24 . 
         [0038]    In forming six panel carton  1  into its assembled state, side flap  22  is folded along fold line  24  so that side flap  22  is perpendicular to side panel  10 . Side panel  30  is folded along fold line  32  so that side panel  30  is perpendicular to side panel  10  and parallel to side flap  22 . Next, side panel  50  is folded along fold line  42  so that it is perpendicular to side panel  30  and parallel to side panel  10 . Finally, side panel  70  is folded along fold line  62  so that side panel  70  is perpendicular to side panel  50 , parallel to side panel  30  and co-planarly adjacent to side flap  22 . Adhesive may be placed in region  28  of side flap  22  to fixedly hold side flap  22  against side panel  70 . The adhesive or glue used in constructing the carton is typically a cold liquid glue. However, a hot melt glue can also be used. One end of six panel carton  1  may be sealed by closing the end panels and flaps at that end of the carton. For example, flaps  34 ,  72  and end panels  12 ,  52  may be folded along the fold lines that connect the flaps and end panels to the respective carton side panels to close off one end of the carton, leaving the other end of the carton open so that it can be filled during assembly of the final product. 
         [0039]    In attaching side flap  22  to side panel  70 , panel extension  84  extends beyond the plane formed by side panel  10  as it intersects with side panel  70 . Fifth panel  90  is then disposed separated from but coplanar with side panel  10  by a right angle fold along fold line  80 . Sixth panel  100  then extends back toward side panel  10  by a right angle fold along fold line  92 , so that sixth panel  100  is adjacent to and coplanar with side panel  30 , leaving a distance equal to panel extension  94  between side panel  90  and side panel  10 . The space between the side panels  10  and  90  form a compartment within which literature, such as information on a medication, instructions, or other literature may be placed. Adhesive may be placed in regions  102  and  104  (on the back side of the six panel carton  1  as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to connect together sixth panel  100  and side panel  30 . 
         [0040]    As apparent, two separate compartments, one entirely enclosed and the other open at the ends, are formed by six panel carton  1 . First compartment  110  ( FIG. 3 ) is formed by side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50  and  70  on the sides and enclosed by end panels  16 ,  56  on one end and end panels  12 ,  52  on the other end. Second compartment  112  is formed by sixth panel  100 , side panel  10 , panel extension  84  and panel extension  94  on the sides, with openings at the opposite ends. Second compartment  112  may contain literature insert  114 , which may be held in place by an adhesive. The adhesive used in attaching the literature is preferably a glue or adhesive that has the property of preventing fiber-tear of the insert on removal by the end user. For example, the adhesive may be a peel-away adhesive that enable the literature to be removed without damage. 
         [0041]    The illustrated carton has features enabling the product manufacturer to fill the carton with a product while avoiding interference with the literature. For example, the end panels  16  and  56  and the end flaps  38  and  76  are left open when the carton is to be filled. A product, such as medication or other product, may be inserted into the interior space of the carton regardless of whether the literature is present in the separate literature space  112  defined by the sixth panel  100  and side panel  10  or not. The separate literature compartment  112  can be filled with the literature before insertion of the product into the compartment  110  or the separate literature compartment can be filled with the literature after the product has been inserted into the compartment  110 . In either instance, the insertion of the product does not have interference from the literature and the insertion of the literature does not have interference from the product. In a preferred embodiment, the literature is inserted first and adhered in place during assembly of the carton. The product is inserted thereafter. 
         [0042]    The carton ends  16  and  56  are provided with cuts  20  and  60 , respectively, that are out of line with the fold lines  18  and  58 . These cuts facilitate folding of the carton ends by automated box filing and closing machines. The flaps  38  and  6  are of course closed prior to closing the carton ends  16  and  56 . 
         [0043]    The present carton provides easy opening features for the end user. For instance, the tab  106  on the sixth panel  100  may be grasped by the user and pulled away from the side  30 . The adhesive at the regions  102  and  104  cause the corners of the panel  100  to remain attached to the side  30  and the center portion of the panel  100  to tear loose along the diagonal perforations that extend from the ends of the tab  106  to the ends of the line  96 . The result is that the panel  90  may be pivoted open away from the side  10  to provide access to the literature by the user. The user may remove the literature such as by peeling the literature from the panel or side that it is adhered to by the peel-away adhesive. 
         [0044]    The separate literature compartment can be reclosed by positioning the panel  100  at the side  30  and inserting cut-out tab  108  of the panel  100  into slit  41  of the side  30 . To facilitate insertion of the tab  108  into the slit  41 , the tab  106  may be pivoted or folded along the fold line extending from the ends of the tab  108  to cause the tab  108  to extend from the plane of the panel  100  and into the slit  41 . 
         [0045]    The user may also open the carton to remove the product using the tear-away tab  106 . For example, after the tab  106  is pulled from the side  30  and the literature compartment has been opened, the panel  90  can be pulled to cause the fold  24  between the side  10  and the flap  22  to tear so that the carton interior is accessible. The cut  26  that extends along a majority of the fold line  24  facilitates tearing along the fold line  24  by decreasing the length of the tear. The tearing along the fold line  24  is a result of the adhesion between the flap  22  and the side  70  caused by the adhesive patch  28 . Tearing of the flap  22  may be facilitated by grasping the tab formed by cut  26 . It is foreseeable that the adhesive patch  28  may separate prior to tearing of the fold  24 . In this case, the flap  22  may be lifted to access the interior of the carton. The flap  22  may also be torn loose along fold  24  after separation of the adhesive patch  28 , if desired. 
         [0046]    Once the carton is opened, either by tearing the fold  24  or separation of the adhesive  28 , the side  70  may be pivoted to an open position to provide access to the carton interior. Pivoting movement of the side  70  away from the carton structure is facilitated by the curved edges of the flaps  72  and  76 , which enable the flaps  72  and  76  to slide in an arc in the end of the opening of the carton without binding as would be the case with rectangular flaps. 
         [0047]    Even after opening of the carton by tearing the fold or separating the adhesive, the carton can be reclosed, such as by folding the panel  90  back over the side  10  and inserting the tab  108  into the slit  41 . 
         [0048]    Thus, the carton provides for interference-free filing of the product into the carton without the literature being in the way. The user may easily open the carton and reclose it after opening. The user may open just the literature compartment without opening the product compartment, or the user may open both compartments. The carton may be reclosed by the user and secured in the closed position regardless of whether the user has opened one or both compartments. 
         [0049]    Of course, the end flaps and possibly other portions of the carton may receive adhesive as well to hold the carton closed. These commonly known adhesive locations, for the present embodiment as well as for the following embodiment, are not shown but will be understood by those of skill in this field. 
       Embodiment #2 
       [0050]      FIGS. 5 through 8  illustrate a six panel carton forming an internal partition for literature according to a second embodiment of the invention. The configuration and assembly of side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50  and  70  are in many ways similar to that shown and described in embodiment 1 above. The differences are highlighted below. 
         [0051]    On assembly, internal fifth panel  120  is folded along fold line  80  so that the panel  120  extends at a right angle to side panel  70  whereby when the carton is assembled the panel  120  is disposed adjacent to and parallel to the plane formed by side panel  10 . Adhesive is placed in region  124  to bond internal fifth panel  120  to side panel  10 . Internal sixth panel  130  is folded along fold line  122  so that internal sixth panel  130  is perpendicular to internal fifth panel  120  and parallel but spaced apart from side panel  30 . Side flap  134  is folded along fold line  132  and bonded through adhesive placed in region  136  to side panel  50 . The distance from the fold  80  to the fold  122  is less than the fold lines that define the sides  10  and  50 . As a result, the fifth panel  120  forms an internal partition within the carton. The internal fifth panel  120  includes curved cut-outs at two opposite ends that provide clearance for access to literature placed within a literature area of the carton. 
         [0052]    Two sections, both internal, are formed in this embodiment. First compartment  140  ( FIG. 7 ) is formed by side panels  50 ,  70 , internal fifth panel  120  and internal sixth panel  130 , with end panels  35 , 77  on one end and end panels  37 ,  72  on the other end. Second compartment  142  is formed by side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50  and internal sixth panel  130 , with end panels  38 ,  77  on one end and end panels  37 ,  72  on the other end. Literature  114  may be placed, with or without adhesive, within the enclosed carton within section  142 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , a product may be readily inserted into the carton without interference from the literature, even if the literature is already provided in the carton prior to insertion of the product. As noted earlier, the literature may be inserted prior to insertion of the product into the carton or after insertion of the product into the carton. The internal fifth panel  120  which divides the literature compartment from the product compartment may have the curved cut-outs on one end or on both ends (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) or may have no curved cut-outs (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). The ends of the fifth panel may be set back from the ends of the carton. The user may thereby grasp and remove the literature that has been placed into the literature compartment. 
       Embodiment #3 
       [0053]      FIGS. 9 to 13  illustrate another embodiment of a carton forming an internal partition for literature. The configuration and assembly of side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50  and  70  are in many ways similar to those of embodiments 1 and 2 above. Side flap  134  is attached through adhesive in region  136  to side panel  10 , and the ends of the carton are closed by flaps  12 ,  16 ,  52 ,  56  and end panels  34 ,  38 ,  72 ,  77 , 
         [0054]    In this embodiment, end panel  38  is connected to internal partition  150  by fold line  154 . Internal partition  150  may contain sections  152  and  156  separated by fold lines  158  and  160 . Internal partition  150  may have cutout  162  at the fold line  154  and second curved cutout  164  at the end of the end panel  150  for ease of handling during assembly and filling of the carton. On assembly, while the end of the carton having end panel  38  is in the open position, internal partition  150  is folded back along fold line  154  so that section  156  is disposed within the internal cavity of the carton as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Literature  114  may be placed or secured within the cavity on the inside of side panel  30 . Internal partition  150  forms a ramp over literature  114  so that literature  114  is prevented from interfering with the carton filling process. The product being introduced into the carton slides along the ramp and the edge of the literature does not catch on the product during insertion. 
         [0055]    Once the carton is filled, end panel  38  and the other end flaps on that end of the carton may be moved to their closed positions to close the carton. For example, the portion of the panel  38  attached at the fold to the side panel  30  is folded to approximately a right angle to the side panel  30  to close the end of the carton. The section  152  is initially nearly parallel with the portion  38  while serving as a ramp and remains nearly parallel with the portion  38  during and after the folding process. The section  156  lies against the literature  114  during filling of the product and remains against the literature during and following folding of the portion  38 . The double folds  158  and  160  accommodate the presence of the literature in the carton and help prevent binding as the portion  38  is folded over. For instance, the fold  158  when the portion  38  is folded closed is adjacent the fold between the side panel  30  and the portion  38  and lying against or nearly against the side panel  30 . The narrow portion between the folds  158  and  160  extends from the side panel  30  to the surface of the literature between the literature and the product. In a preferred embodiment, the narrow portion is at least as wide as the literature is thick. The end portion  156  lies between the literature and the product. The curved cut-out  164  facilitates the user&#39;s finger reaching and pulling the literature-covering flap open to remove the literature. 
         [0056]    Once the carton is closed with the product inside, the user will seek to open the carton. The other end flaps are of single thickness and will deform readily during opening, but the end flap  38  is essentially of double thickness and so is not at easily deformed and moved to an open position. To accommodate easier opening of the end flap  38 , the opening  162  provides a space for the user&#39;s finger to engage the end of the closed flap and lift an open position. 
         [0057]    When and if the literature is removed from the carton, the panel  38  can be folded into the carton. The panel  38  and the portion  152  lie against the interior surface of the side panel  30  and the end portion  156  is disposed against the inside of the opposite end of the carton, against the end formed by the closed flaps  12 ,  34 ,  52  and  72 . 
       Embodiment #4 
       [0058]      FIGS. 14 through 16  illustrate another embodiment of a carton that simplifies the filling process by segregating the literature from the product, or more exactly shielding the product from the edge of the literature during product insertion. The configuration and assembly of side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50  and  70  are in many was similar to those shown and described in embodiments 1, 2 and 3 above. Side flap  134  is attached through adhesive in region  136  to side panel  10 , and the ends of the carton are closed by flaps  12 ,  16 ,  52 ,  56  and end panels  34 ,  38 ,  72 ,  77 . In these aspects, the carton of this embodiment is the same as many known cartons. However, in embodiment 4, flap or label  160  is placed on side panel  30  and affixed to the side panel with a pressure-sensitive adhesive in region  162  so that the flap or label has a secured edge and a free edge, the free edge extending over the edge of the literature. Alternatively, full label adhesive may be deadened at the free edge portion to achieve a similar effect. Label or flap  160  may be made of paper, plastic or any other suitable material. Label or flap  160  acts as a ramp or separator for literature contained within the carton when product is inserted into the carton. The product that is placed in the carton will not catch or hit the literature during the filling procedure because label  160  prevents the product from contacting the edge of the literature. 
         [0059]    Access to the literature by the user is facilitated by the user removing the label or flap  160  from the interior of the carton such as by pulling loose the adhesive  162  or by merely folding the free edge of the label or flap  160  upward to release the literature. The label or flap can be folded back once again to secure the literature when the user has finished with it. 
       Embodiment #5 
       [0060]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate yet another embodiment of a carton that simplifies the filling process. The configuration and assembly of side panels  10 ,  30 ,  50  and  70  are similar to those described with regard to embodiments 1, 2, 3 and 4 above. Side flap  134  is attached through adhesive in region  136  to side panel  10 . In this embodiment, additional side panel  170  is disposed on assembly parallel and next to side panel  10  to cover the literature  114  which is positioned against the side panel  10 . Flaps  12 ,  16 ,  52 ,  56  are similar to embodiment #1 through #4 above. However, end panels  38  and  72  contain extensions  172  and  174 , and there is no opposing end panel on the other side of each of side panels  30  and  70 . Extensions  172  and  174  are folded inwardly at fold lines  176  and  178  to form a right angle between end panel  38  and extension  172  and between end panel  72  and extension  174  and the extensions  172  and  174  are tucked into the ends of the carton, in a manner that is well known. In particular, in closing the end of the carton having end panel  38 , first flaps  16  and  56  are folded inwardly so that they are perpendicular to the side panels, next end panel  38  is folded inwardly into a position perpendicular to the side panels while sliding extension  172  into the space between side panel  70  and additional side panel  170 . Fold lines in this embodiment are provided with pre-break folds at 160 degrees and 120 degrees at two opposite corners to facilitate forming of the carton. 
         [0061]    Next, literature  114  is inserted between the side panel  10  and the extra flap  170  so that it partially extends out of the carton as shown in  FIG. 17 . Literature  114  may be held in place with hot-melt non-fiber tearing glue such that when the customer opens the carton and grasps the end of the insert, the hot melt glue releases from the carton giving the user access to the literature. The literature extends up and onto flap  12  of the carton. This design allows for a bar code on the literature to be easily scanned by the customer/product manufacturer on their packaging lines since it is exposed on the outside of the carton, thereby assuring that the proper literature accompanies the product. Automated filing machines can insert the product, for example, by pushing the product against the side of the extended portion of the literature and pressing the literature sideways to move the literature out of the way prior to insertion of the product into the carton. After insertion of the customer product, the flaps are folded in as per the usual carton erection process and the attached literature becomes folded over the product. To finally close the carton, end panel  72  is folded inwardly over the end of the carton and extension  174  is folded into the interior of the carton adjacent to side panel  30 . 
         [0062]    The user has ready access to the literature without the literature being loose and in the way during insertion of the product into the carton. In each of the embodiments, the literature is held out of the way of automated product insertion. 
         [0063]    The dimensions shown in the above embodiments are a matter of design choice depending on the ultimate size and shape of the carton required for the specific product that is ultimately going to be placed within the folded carton. Cutouts, relief sections, shoulder cutouts and the like may be chosen to facilitate the erection or closure of the cartons and various shapes and dimensions may be utilized to carry out the invention. Additionally, all of the above embodiments may be used with conventional carton filling machines. In these embodiments, the literature may be attached prior to the filling process. 
         [0064]    Thus, there has been shown and described several alternative embodiments for placement of literature within a carton that aides in the automatic insertion process for customers&#39; products. Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1