Patent ID: 8061587

Claim:
A carton comprising a plurality of similar, substantially cylindrical articles, a plurality of panels connected together to form a substantially tubular structure in which the articles are received, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side wall panel, a top panel and a second side wall panel, the carton further comprising opposed end closure walls for at least partially closing opposed ends of the tubular structure respectively, the carton further comprising a dispensing feature integrally formed with at least one of the plurality of panels, the dispensing feature being defined by an endless tear line which comprises a first segment extending completely across the top panel between the opposed ends of the tubular structure, a second segment extending completely across one of the first and second side wall panels between the opposed ends of the tubular structure and a third segment extending in each of the opposed end closure walls between the first and second segments, the dispensing feature providing an opening for allowing the articles to be accessed therethrough when removed from the carton, the dispensing feature providing a retainer adjacent the opening for retaining the articles to prevent the articles from being inadvertently dislodged when the dispensing feature removed from the carton, wherein the articles are arranged such that the articles sit on the bottom panel and such that an axis of each of the articles is disposed substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel.