Abstract:
A carton for holding containers, such as beverage containers, is disclosed. The carton includes one or more openings in a top wall thereof for receiving necks of containers contained within the carton. One or more at least partially removable tabs are provided in the top wall, whereby the openings can be enlarged for individually removing the containers from the carton. The carton further includes flaps on a bottom panel thereof for retaining heels of the containers. A blank for forming the carton is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Cartons that are used to contain multiple containers, such as beverage containers, often are constructed to be sufficiently durable to withstand shipping, stocking, and transportation to the purchaser&#39;s home. At the same time, such sturdy cartons may be difficult to open to access the containers therein. Thus, there is a continuing need for improved cartons that are sufficiently robust yet allow for ready access to the containers therein. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed generally to a carton that may be used with, for example, cans and bottles of the types used to contain soft drinks, beer and the like. The carton includes various features that provide improved access to the containers therein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary blank from which a carton may be formed, according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2-5  depict enlarged views of various aspects of the exemplary blank of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary carton formed according to the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  depict various perspective views of the carton of  FIG. 6  illustrating removal of a bottle therefrom. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention may be best understood by referring to the following figures. For purposes of simplicity, like numerals may be used to describe like features. However, it should be understood use of like numerals is not to be construed as an acknowledgement or admission that such features are equivalent in any manner. It also will be understood that where a plurality of similar features are depicted, not all of such identical features may be labeled on the figures. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary blank  10  for forming a wrap-around carton is provided. The exemplary blank  10  can be folded into a carton that is capable of containing cans or bottles, for example, in two rows of four containers each, as will be discussed below. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that while particular exemplary blanks and cartons are shown and described herein, the various aspects of the present invention may be used with any carton or package, as needed or desired. Thus, numerous blanks and cartons are contemplated hereby. 
     Still viewing  FIG. 1 , the exemplary blank  10  includes a top panel  12  connected to a first angular panel  14  at fold line  16  and a second angular panel  18  at fold line  20 . The first angular panel  14  is connected to a first side panel  22  at fold line  24 . The first side panel  22  is connected to a first bottom panel section  26  at fold line  28 . The second angular panel  18  is connected to a second side panel  30  at fold line  32 . The second side panel  30  is connected to a second bottom panel section  34  at fold line  36 . 
     The top panel  12  includes one or more opposed finger flaps  38  that may be pressed inward toward the interior of a carton formed from the blank  10  to serve as a gripping feature. The finger flaps  38  may have any suitable shape, for example, circular, rectangular, square, triangular, oval, or any other shape. In the exemplary blank  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the finger flaps  38  are defined by substantially circular slits  39  and a straight, recessed fold line  40 . If desired, the finger flaps may be separably attached to the top panel  12  along one or more nicks  42 , or other attachment points. A pair of opposed, separably joined thumb flaps  44  defined by arcuate slits  41  and substantially linear fold lines  43  may be located substantially equidistant from the finger flaps  38 . The thumb flaps may be separably joined by one or more nicks  46  or other attachment points. 
     While particular combination of finger and thumb flaps are provided herein, it will be understood that any combination or configuration of such flaps may be used with the present invention. If desired, the flaps may be substituted by one or more apertures or openings. Additionally, it will be understood that other handle types and geometries are contemplated hereby. It further will be understood by those of skill in the art that more than one handle, opening, or finger or thumb flap may be provided, and that such one or more of such features may be provided in any of the various panels and on any of the sides of the resulting carton. Thus, while certain flap configurations are depicted and described herein, numerous configurations are contemplated hereby. 
     The top panel  12  of the exemplary blank  10  of  FIG. 1  includes a plurality of truncated teardrop shaped openings  48  extending into the first angular panel  14  and the second angular panel  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the truncated portion  50  of each opening  48  includes a linear segment  52  and a point  54  at each end  56  of the linear segment  52 . In this example, the openings are configured in two rows, each having four openings. However, the configuration of such openings depends on the number of containers to be supported by the carton. Each opening is dimensioned to receive a neck of a bottle or other container, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Thus, the neck opening may have any suitable shape, for example, a circle, oval, square, rectangle, or any other shape capable of receiving the neck of the container. It will be understood that although such features are shown as being in the top panel, such features may be included in other panels, for example, a side panel, as desired. 
     Still viewing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an optionally removable tab  58  extends from the truncated portion  50  of each opening  48  through the first angular panel  14  or second angular panel  18  onto the first side panel  22  or second side panel  30 . The tab  58  may have any suitable shape and, in this example, the tab  58  is generally elongated in shape with curved “corners.” In this example, tear lines  60  are zipper cuts to facilitate tearing, and tear line  62  is perforated. Where such a blank is used to form a carton, the tab may be separated partially or completely from the carton to form an enlarged opening to remove a container in the carton. However, other types of fold or tear lines may be used. Thus, for example, lines  60  may be tear lines and line  62  may be a fold line. Where such a blank is used to form a carton, the tab may be separated partially from the carton to form an enlarged opening, and optionally folded away from the carton to remove a container in the carton. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a heel receptacle  64  extends from the first side panel  22  and second side panel  30 , and into the first bottom panel section  26  and second bottom panel section  34 , respectively. The heel receptacle  64  may be used in a carton formed from the blank  10  to receive the heel or bottom portion of a bottle or other container. Various heel receptacles may be used with the present invention. 
     In the exemplary heel receptacle  64  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a substantially linear slit  66  includes a J-cut  68  at each end  70  thereof. A lateral slit  72  extends substantially perpendicularly from about a midpoint of slit  66 . A transverse slit  74  is substantially perpendicular to lateral slit  72 . Angular slits  76  are spaced from and extend angularly away from each J-cut  68  in a direction toward the transverse slit  74 . Angular perforations  78  extend between the angular slits  76  toward the transverse slit  74 . Slits  80  extend between and are spaced from the angular perforation lines  78  and the lateral slit  72 . A plurality of perforations form generally diamond-shaped fold lines or perforation pattern  82  extending between the angular slits  76  across the lateral slit  72  and substantially aligned with fold line  28  or  36 . The various slits and perforated lines define a plurality of pairs of panels  84 ,  86 ,  88 , and  90 . 
     As stated above, when the blank  10  is formed into a carton and containers are placed therein, the heel receptacle is used to support the heel of a bottle or other container. In this example, to use the heel receptacle  64 , panels  86 ,  88 , and  90  are pivoted toward the interior carton along angular slits  76  and angular perforation lines  78 . When the blank  10  is folded along fold line  28  or  36 , the diamond shaped fold lines  88  allow panels  86  and  90  to fold toward one another. In doing so, flaps  88  and  90  become available to support the heel of a container, for example, a plastic bottle. Flaps  86  also become available to contact the surface of the bottle or container. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the first side panel  22  and the second side panel  30  each include a pair of outer edges  92 . Working from fold lines  24  and  32 , each outer edge  92  includes a first, substantially linear portion  94  that terminates with jot  96 . A second, tapered portion  98  extends angularly from jot  96  towards the adjacent heel receptacle  64 . A third portion  100  extends from the second portion angularly away from the adjacent heel receptacle  64 . A substantially linear fourth portion  102  extends from the third portion  100  and terminates at fold line  28  or  36 . The fourth portion is substantially perpendicular to fold line  28  or  36 . However, it will be understood that various edge patterns and configurations may be used with the present invention, and such patterns and configurations are contemplated hereby. 
     Still viewing  FIG. 1 , the first bottom panel section  26  and the second bottom panel section  34  include features that join the panel sections to form a bottom panel. For example, various locking features may be included. Alternatively, the panel sections may be joined using an adhesive or other fastening material. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the first bottom panel section  26  also includes a plurality of substantially triangular shaped openings  104 . In this example, the first bottom panel section  26  includes three openings  104  that resemble isosceles triangles having rounded vertices  106 . The base  108  of each opening  104  is substantially parallel to the terminal edge  110  of the first bottom panel section  26 . Although a particular configuration is shown herein, other numbers and shapes of the openings may be used in accordance with the present invention as desired. 
     The first bottom panel section  26  further includes a plurality of elongated receiving flaps  112 . In this example, the first bottom panel section  26  includes four receiving flaps  112  in a staggered configuration with the substantially triangular shaped openings  104 . However, the number and shape of the receiving flaps may vary, depending on the particular application. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , each receiving flap  112  includes a substantially linear slit  114  having a protrusion  116  extending therefrom. Arcuate cuts  118  extend from the terminal points  120  of the substantially linear cut portion  114 . J-cuts  122  extend away from the arcuate cuts  118 . The elongated receiving flaps  112  further include a somewhat arcuate fold line  124 , in this example, a perforated line, connected to the first bottom panel section  26 . In this configuration, the receiving flaps  112  can be displaced partially from the first bottom panel section  26  and pivoted inward or outward along while remaining connected to thereto. 
     The second bottom panel section  34  further includes a plurality of cut crease segments  128  separated by substantially trapezoidal shaped flaps  130 . In this example, the blank  10  includes four cut crease segments  128  and three flaps  130 . It will be understood that the number of flaps may vary for a particular application. In one aspect, the number of flaps  130  may correspond to the number of substantially triangular shaped openings  104 , and are spaced to be in alignment with the substantially triangular shaped openings  104  when a carton is formed from the blank  10 . 
     Each flap  130  is defined by a score line having a first portion  132  substantially parallel to fold line  36  and a pair of angular portions  134  extending away from the ends  136  of the first portion  132 . The angular portions  134  terminate in J-cuts  138  that abut creases  140  of the various cut crease segments  128 . Although a particular flap and cut crease configuration is shown herein, it will be understood that other shapes and configurations are contemplated hereby. 
     The major edge  142  of the second bottom panel section  34  is defined by a plurality of alternating recessed segments  144  and protruding segments  146 . The number of protruding segments  146  may generally correspond to the number of receiving flaps  112  in the first bottom panel section  26 , and are spaced to be in alignment with the elongated receiving flaps  112  when a carton is formed from the blank  10 . While a particular major edge configuration is shown herein, other configurations are contemplated hereby. 
     In this example, each protruding segment  146  includes a portion  148  that is substantially linear and substantially parallel to fold line  36 . Each protruding segment  146  further includes edges  150  substantially perpendicular to fold line  36  and that adjoin the substantially linear portion  148  at curved corners  152 . Another pair  154  of substantially linear segments that are substantially parallel to fold line  36  extends from edges  150  toward each other and terminates with a slight curvature to define neck  156 . The neck  156  has a width that is less than the width of the protruding segment  146 . The protruding segment  146  may be joined to the second bottom panel section  34  by a cut crease line  158 . Each recessed segment  144  includes a substantially linear central portion  160  that is substantially parallel to fold line  36 . Angular edges  162  extend therefrom towards neck  156  and meet the substantially linear segments  154  at cut crease line  158 . 
     To form the blank  10  into a carton  164  (best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the first bottom panel section  26  and the second bottom panel section  34  are brought towards each other. The blank  10  is folded at fold lines  16 ,  20 ,  24 ,  28 ,  32 , and  36 . Each protruding segment  146  is brought into alignment with each receiving flap  112  with the second bottom panel section  34  overlapping the first bottom panel section  26 . Each protruding segment  146  then may be inserted into the corresponding receiving flap  112 , which folds toward the interior of the carton  164  along the arcuate perforated portion  124 . Additionally, the substantially trapezoidal shaped flaps  130  may be directed toward the interior of the carton  164  and inserted into the substantially triangular openings  104 . By doing so, a carton having two open ends is formed. If desired, the first bottom panel section and the second panel section may be glued together using an adhesive or other technique to strengthen the carton further. The terms “glue” and “glued” are intended to encompass any adhesive or manner or technique for adhering materials as are known to those of skill in the art. While use of the terms “glue” and “glued” are used herein, it will be understood that other methods of securing the various panels are contemplated hereby. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary carton formed according to the present invention. In this example, two rows or four containers C are held within the carton  164 . Flaps  86 ,  88 , and  90  are directed to the interior  166  of the carton  164 , with the heel H of the base B of each container C resting against flaps  86  and on flaps  88  (see  FIG. 8) and 90 . It will be understood that other containers having a base without a heel may be used in accordance with the present invention. The neck N of each container C extends through the openings  48 . The neck N of each container C typically is inserted into the each opening  48  prior to the blank  10  being wrapped around the containers C and formed into the carton  164 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a container C can be easily removed from the carton  164  by using the fingers F and the thumb T of a hand. To do so, a user grasps the tab  58  and pulls the tab away from the carton  164  along tear line  60  and optionally also along tear line  62 . When the user has separated the tab  58  from the carton  164 , the user may discard the removed tab  58  if desired. It will be understood that where line  62  is a fold line, the tab  58  is at least partially pulled away from the carton  164 , and optionally folded along line  62 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , once the tab  58  is removed the user may grasp the container C to be removed and pull the container C through an enlarged opening  168  formed by removing the tab  58  (not shown) adjacent the opening  48 . In this manner, each container may be removed individually while the remaining containers continue to be secured within the carton. Thus, unlike other cartons, the containers may be removed without tearing the carton apart or otherwise destroying the carton. 
     It will be understood that the exemplary cartons shown herein may be used for cans or other types of cylindrical containers. Some of such cartons and dispensers may be particularly useful for PET bottles having a stubby configuration. 
     According to the various aspects of the present invention described herein or contemplated hereby, the blank and carton may be formed from a foldable sheet material. In one aspect, the blank is formed from paperboard. In another aspect, the blank may be formed from paperboard having a basis weight of at least about 100 pounds per ream. In another aspect, the blank may be formed from paperboard having a thickness of at least about 0.012 inches. The blank, and thus the carton formed therefrom, also may be constructed from other materials, for example, cardboard or any other suitable material. In the exemplary embodiments discussed above, the blanks are formed from coated solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) board. In general, the SUS board may have a caliper in the range of from about 18 to about 30, for example, 26. If needed or desired, the blank may be laminated to or coated with one or more different or similar sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     Optionally, one or more panels of the blanks and cartons discussed herein may be coated with varnish, clay, or other materials, either alone or in combination. The coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks also may be coated to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. 
     It will be understood that in each of the various blanks and cartons described herein and contemplated hereby, 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, a fold line may be 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. Where cutting is used to create a fold line, the cutting typically will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to consider incorrectly the fold line to be a tear line. 
     For example, one type of conventional tear line is in the form of a series of cuts that extend completely through the material, with adjacent cuts being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent cuts for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. Such a tear line that includes nicks can also be referred to as a slit, since the nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the subject line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from such a slit. As stated above, where cutting is used to provide a fold line, the cutting typically will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to consider incorrectly the fold line to be a tear line. Likewise, where nicks are present in a slit (e.g., tear line), typically the nicks will not be overly large or overly numerous in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to consider incorrectly the subject line to be a fold line. 
     Accordingly, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that, in view of the above detailed description of the invention, the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the above detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. 
     While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to specific aspects, it is to be understood that this detailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed description set forth herein is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements of the present invention.