Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARTON WITH POUR SPOUT
PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims benefit and priority of US Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/935,198 and incorporates such by reference as if
repeated
in entirety herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to cartons or sleeves used to store or carry
products. The cartons or sleeves are formed from blanks and generally surround
or
hold at least a portion of the product or articles placed therein.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, the present invention provides a carton with a pour
spout, including one formed from two layers of paperboard. The first layer of
the
paperboard forming a vertical hinged punch out with a generally angled top.
The
second layer of paperboard folds directly in line with the first layer of
paperboard to
create the pour spout. In one embodiment, the pour spout opens on a horizontal
creased line at the bottom with two flaps that fold inward. In order to create
the
spout, the two flaps are folded inside the punch out in the first layer of
paperboard. A
re-closing features is created in this configuration, with the second layer
spout able to
be closed into the first layer punch out.
[0004] In a further aspect, the present invention includes a blank having a
first
end and a second end. The blank including a first side panel connected to a
second
side panel along a first fold line, the second side panel connected to a third
side panel
along a second fold line, the third side panel connected to a fourth side
panel along a
third fold line, and a reinforcement panel connected to the fourth side panel
along a
fourth fold line. A first end flap at the first end of the blank is attached
along a first
transverse fold line to either the first side panel, the second side panel,
the third side
panel, or the fourth side panel. A second end flap at the second end of the
blank is
attached along a second transverse fold line to either the first side panel,
the second
side panel, the third side panel, or the fourth side panel. A spout is formed
in the first
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side panel, with the spout including a spout flap and an aperture. A spout
guide flap
is formed in the reinforcement panel. Optionally, the spout has three
sections,
including a center section between a first side section and a second side
section, with
the first side section connected to the center section along a first spout
fold line, and
with the center section connected to the second side section along a second
spout fold
line. Optionally still, the spout can be partially separable from the first
side panel
along a spout tear line extending at least partially along a periphery of the
spout. The
spout can include a gripping protrusion at an upper portion, with the gripping
protrusion adjacent the aperture. The gripping protrusion capable of being
grasped to
separate the spout along the spout tear line.
[0005] In another aspect, the present invention includes a carton having a
first
side panel connected to a second side panel along a first fold line, the
second side
panel connected to a third side panel along a second fold line, the third side
panel
connected to a fourth side panel along a third fold line, and a reinforcement
panel
connected to the fourth side panel along a fourth fold line. A first end flap
at the first
end of the blank is attached along a first transverse fold line to either the
first side
panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, or the fourth side panel.
A second
end flap at the second end of the blank is attached along a second transverse
fold line
to either the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel,
or the fourth
side panel. The reinforcing panel is connected by adhesive to the first side
panel. A
spout is formed in the first side panel, with the spout adjacent an aperture
formed in
the first side panel. A spout guide flap is formed in the reinforcement panel.
Optionally, the spout has three sections, including a center section between a
first side
section and a second side section, with the first side section connected to
the center
section along a first spout fold line, and with the center section connected
to the
second side section along a second spout fold line. The spout is partially
separable
from the first side panel along a spout tear line extending at least partially
along a
periphery of the spout. At least a portion of the spout is aligned with the
spout guide
flap, and adhesive is not applied to the spout or the spout guide flap. The
spout
optionally including a gripping protrusion at an upper portion, with the
gripping
protrusion adjacent the aperture. The gripping protrusion capable of being
grasped to
separate the spout along the spout tear line.
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[0006] In yet another aspect, the present application includes a method of
forming a spout in a carton. The method including providing a blank including
a first
side panel connected to a second side panel along a first fold line, the
second side
panel connected to a third side panel along a second fold line, the third side
panel
connected to a fourth side panel along a third fold line, and a reinforcement
panel
connected to the fourth side panel along a fourth fold line. The blank also
including a
first end flap at the first end of the blank attached along a first transverse
fold line to
either the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, or
the fourth side
panel. The blank also including a second end flap at the second end of the
blank
attached along a second transverse fold line to either the first side panel,
the second
side panel, the third side panel, or the fourth side panel. The blank further
including a
spout guide flap formed in the reinforcement panel and the spout formed in the
first
side panel, with the spout having three sections including a first spout side
section, a
spout central section, and a second spout side section. The first spout side
section
connected to the central spout section along a first spout fold line and the
central
spout section being connected to the second spout side section along a second
spout
fold line. The method further including separating the spout along a spout
tear line
formed at least partially along a periphery of the spout. The method further
comprising folding the first spout section inward along the first spout fold
line and
folding the second spout section inward along the second spout fold line to
form the
spout. The method further including hinging the spout into the spout guide
flap. The
method optionally can include a grasping protrusion at an upper portion of the
spout,
and the step of separating the spout along a spout tear line can further
include
grasping the grasping protrusion at a portion adjacent the aperture to begin
separating
the spout from the first side panel. The method optionally can include, prior
to
hinging the spout into the spout guide flap, separating at least partially the
spout guide
flap along a spout guide flap tear line disposed at least partially along a
periphery
thereof. Optionally still, the spout guide flap can be generally rectangular
and can be
hinged into the inside of the carton. Further, the first side portion can
include a first
hook portion and the second side portion can include a second hook portion.
Further
still, the first hook portion and the second hook portion can be disposed in
the interior
of the carton when the spout is hinged into the spout guide flap.
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[0007] The foregoing and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
invention will become more apparent upon review of the detailed description of
the
embodiments set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing figures, which are briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] 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.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan schematic view showing a carton blank according
to one embodiment of the invention.
[00010] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating initial steps of
forming
a sleeve from the blank of FIG. 1 into a shipping or storage configuration.
[00011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating opening the sleeve from the
shipping or storage configuration of FIG. 3 into a carton.
[00012] FIGS. 5-8 are perspective views of steps of closing the ends of the
carton.
[00013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the carton formed upon the
completion of the steps of FIGS. 2-8.
[00014] FIG. 10 illustrates preliminary steps of forming a spout in the carton
of
FIG. 9.
[00015] FIG. 11 illustrates a subsequent step of forming the spout.
[00016] FIG. 12 shows the spout formed in the carton in a closed
configuration.
[00017] FIG. 13 show the spout of FIG. 12 folded outward into an open
configuration for pouring contents out of an interior of the carton.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00018] Briefly described, the present invention is directed to cartons. In
this
specification, the terms "side," and "end" are used for ease of description
are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention or to imply relative sizes or
orientations of
panels or flaps.
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[00019] FIG. 1 is a top plan schematic view showing the outer side (e.g.,
printed surface) of a carton blank 1, according to one embodiment of the
invention.
In the following description, the terms "side wall panel" and "end wall panel"
are
used to refer to panels that are arranged to form the side walls and end walls
of a
carton formed from the blank. Furthermore, references to the right hand and
left hand
sides of the carton blank 1 are respective to a person's right and left sides
when
viewing the blank 1 in the orientation shown in FIG. 1.
[00020] As shown in FIG. 1, the carton blank 1 includes a first side wall
panel
and a second side wall panel 20. Although size and shape variations are within
the
scope of the invention, the side wall panels 10 and 20 are shown as both
having the
same height and width, and are rectangular in shape. In the orientation shown
in FIG.
1, side wall panel 10 is located on the left-hand side of the blank 1 and side
wall 20 is
located on the right-hand side of the blank 1.
[00021] A first end wall panel 30 is pivotally attached to side wall panel 10
along a fold line 12, which forms a left side edge of the side wall panel 10
and a right
side edge of the end wall panel 30. A second end wall panel 40 is disposed
between
side wall panels 10 and 20. End wall panel 40 is pivotally attached to side
wall panel
10 along a fold line 14, which forms a right side edge of side wall panel 10
and a left
side edge of end wall panel 40. End wall panel 40 is pivotally attached to
side wall
panel 20 along a fold line 22, which forms a left side edge of side wall panel
10 and a
right side edge of end wall panel 40.
[00022] Still referring to FIG. 1, blank 1 includes rectangular top flaps 60,
80
that are pivotally attached to upper edges of respective side wall panels 10,
20 along
fold lines 16, 26, and rectangular bottom flaps 70, 90 that are pivotally
attached to
bottom edges of side wall panels 10, 20 along fold lines 18, 28. Blank 1 is
additionally provided with top flaps 100, 120 that are pivotally attached to
top edges
of respective end wall panels 30, 40 along fold lines 36, 46, and bottom flaps
110, 130
that are pivotally attached to bottom edges of end wall panels 30, 40 along
fold lines
38, 48. Top flaps 100, 120 are separated from adjacent side edges of top flap
60 by
vertical cut lines 104, 124, and bottom flaps 110, 130 are separated from
adjacent side
edges of bottom flap 70 by cut lines 114, 134. Similarly, top flap 120 is
separated
from the adjacent side edge of top flap 80 by a cut line 126, and bottom flap
130 is
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separated from the adjacent side edge of bottom flap 90 by a cut line 136.
Preferably,
cut lines 104, 124, 114, 134, 126, 136 are continuous cut lines extending
entirely or
substantially entirely through blank 1, however they may be replaced with tear
lines,
such as tear lines formed with an alternating series of slits and nicks. The
outer side
edges of top flap 100 and bottom flap 110 may have cut-away portions 102, 112
to
provide clearance gaps in the erected carton 2 (FIGS. 7 and 5). Similarly, the
side
edges of top flap 120 and bottom flap 130 that are adjacent the top pane180
and
bottom panel 90, respectively, may include cut-away portions 122, 132
extending
from cut lines 126, 136, respectively to provide clearance gaps in folded
carton 2 (see
FIGS. 5 and 7).
[00023] A reinforcement wall panel 50 for reinforcing end wall panel 30 is
attached to side wall panel 20 along a fold line 24. Fold line 24 forms a
right side
edge of side wall panel 20 and a left side edge of reinforcement wall panel
50.
Reinforcement wall panel 50 includes a free outer edge 57 on the right side
thereof,
and top and bottom edges 56, 58. As shown in FIG. 1, in order to provide extra
clearance for folding top flaps 100, 120 and bottom flaps 110, 130 (FIGS. 5
and 7),
top and bottom edges 56, 58 may be slightly tapered such that the height of
the
reinforcement wall panel decreases from fold line 24 to free side edge 57.
[00024] Referring again to FIG. 1, end wall panel 30 includes a spout flap 31
formed by an arrangement of tear lines and fold lines. Specifically, spout
flap 31
includes wing-shaped side portions 33, 34 disposed on opposite sides of a
central lip
portion 32.
[00025] As shown in FIG. 1, lip portion 32 is pentagonal in shape and includes
a bottom edge formed by a horizontal fold line 32a, two lower side edges
formed by
vertical fold lines 32b, 32c extending from opposite ends of the fold line
32a, and two
upper side edges formed by tear lines 32d, 32e which extend from fold lines
32b, 32c,
respectively, at an incline and join each other at the top of lip portion 32.
Upper side
edges 32d, 32e form an inverted V-shaped protrusion 32f which is designed to
be
gripped by a user's finger.
[00026] Side portions 33, 34 of spout flap 31 are mirror images of each other.
Side portion 33 is formed by a series of tear lines 33a, 33b, 33d that extend
from the
intersection point of fold lines 32a and 32b to the intersection point of fold
line 32b
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and tear line 32d. Tear line 33a extends laterally outward and then obliquely
upward
and outward from the intersection point of fold lines 32b and 32c, thereby
forming a
bottom edge of side portion 33. Tear line 33b extends in a hook-shaped path
from
tear line 33a and defines a catch member 33c. Tear line 33d extends obliquely
inward
and upward from tear line 33b to the intersection point of fold line 32c and
tear line
32d, thereby forming a top edge of side portion 33.
[00027] Side portion 34 is formed by a series of tear lines 34a, 34b, 34d that
extend from the intersection point of fold lines 32a and 32c to the
intersection point of
fold line 32c and tear line 32e. Tear line 34a extends laterally outward and
then
obliquely upward and outward from the intersection point of fold lines 32a and
32c,
thereby forming a bottom edge of side portion 34. Tear line 34b extends in a
hook-
shaped path from tear line 34a and defines a catch member 34c. Tear line 34d
extends obliquely inward and upward from tear line 34b to the intersection
point of
fold line 32c and tear line 32e, thereby forming a top edge of side portion
34.
Although tear lines 32d, 32e, 33a, 33b, 33d, 34a, 34b, 34d are described as
being
individual lines, these lines can be continuous so as to constitute segments
of a single
tear line. Additionally, fold lines 32a, 32b, 32c may be segments of a single
fold line.
[00028] Spout flap 31 can be partially punched out of blank 1 to form a spout
300 for pouring contents out of carton 2, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. An
aperture
35 is formed in end wall panel 30 directly above inverted V-shaped protrusion
32f, to
allow a user to access protrusion 32f of spout flap 31/spout 300 with a
finger.
Although aperture 35 is shown to have a partial diamond shape, other shapes
are
possible.
[00029] As shown in FIG. 1, reinforcement wall panel 50 includes a spout
guide flap 51. Spout guide flap 51 is substantially rectangular in shape and
is defined
by tear lines 51a, 51b, 51c and a fold line 51e. Tear lines 51a and 51c form
bottom
and top edges of flap 51. Fold line 51e and tear line 51b form opposite side
edges of
flap 51. An inverted V-shaped segment is provided in tear line 51c, thereby
forming a
small protrusion 51d at the top of flap 51 for accommodating side portions 33,
34 of
the spout flap, as will be described later. Spout guide flap 51 can be
partially punched
out of blank 1 to form a spout guide 51' for spout 31' (see FIG. 13).
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[00030] The particular shapes and sizes of spout flap 31 and spout guide flap
51 illustrated and described herein are merely examples. Other shapes and
sizes are
possible for spout flap 31 and spout guide flap 51. Additionally, the
locations of fold
line 51e and tear line 51b may be reversed. Alternatively, spout guide flap 51
may be
replaced with an aperture.
[00031] FIGS. 2-13 illustrate an exemplary procedure for erecting a carton 2
from blank 1, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG.
2, in
a first step, reinforcement wall panel 50 is folded inward approximately 180
degrees
along fold line 24 such that the interior side of reinforcement wall panel 50
and the
interior side of side wall panel 20 are in contact with each other, or are
nearly in
contact with each other. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, side wall panel 10
and end
wall panel 20 are folded inward together approximately 180 degrees along fold
line
14 such that the interior side of end wall panel 30 lies on top of
reinforcement wall
panel 50, and free edge 37 of end wall panel 30 is aligned with fold line 24.
In this
configuration, lip portion 32 of spout flap 31 is positioned over spout guide
flap 51.
The interior side of end wall pane130 may be secured to the outer side of the
reinforcement wall panel with an adhesive material or any other suitable
mechanism.
As shown in FIG. 1, adhesive material may be applied, for example, to the
outer side
of reinforcement wall panel 50 at adhesive locations 53, 55. Alternatively,
adhesive
material may be applied at other locations on the outer side of reinforcement
wall
pane150, or on the interior side of end wall panel 30. However, spout flap 31
and
spout guide flap 51 should be free of adhesive material.
[00032] In the position shown in FIG. 3, blank 1 is prefolded in a
substantially
flat configuration. Blank 1 may be configured as shown in FIG. 3 prior to
shipping
from the manufacturer to a distributor or retailer in order to allow for quick
and
simple erecting of carton 2. Thus, as indicated in FIG. 1, fold lines 14 and
24 may
each be referred to as a "prebreak", since blank 1 can be arranged in a
substantially
flat shipping or storage configuration, prior to final assembly of carton 2,
by folding
blank 1 flat along fold lines 14, 24.
[00033] As shown in FIG. 4, once blank 1 has been arranged in the
shipping/storage configuration of FIG. 3, the process of erecting carton 2 can
be
continued by folding blank 1 along fold lines 12, 22 such that end wall panels
30, 50
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are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to side wall panels 10, 20.
At this
stage, blank 1 is converted to a partially erected carton or sleeve 2'.
Thereafter, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, bottom flaps 110, 130 are folded inward along their
respective
fold lines 38, 48 such that bottom flaps 110, 130 are positioned within side
walls 10,
20 and end walls 30, 40 and are substantially perpendicular to side walls 10,
20 and
end walls 30, 40. Referring to FIG. 6, bottom flaps 70, 90 are then folded
inward
along respective fold lines 18, 28 such that bottom flaps 70, 90 extend
between side
wall panels 10, 20 and such that one of bottom flaps 70, 90 overlaps the
other.
Bottom flaps 70, 90 can then be secured together with adhesive material, which
can
be applied to the outer side of inner bottom panel 90 or 70, or to the
interior side of
outer top panel 70 or 90. Partially erected carton 2' is ready to be filled
with food or
other materials.
[00034] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, top flaps 100, 120 are folded inward along
respective fold lines 36 and 46 such that top flaps 100, 120 extend within
side walls
10, 20 and end walls 30, 40 and are substantially perpendicular to side walls
10, 20
and end walls 30, 40. Turning now to FIG. 8, top flaps 60, 80 are then folded
inward
along their respective fold lines 16, 26 such that top flaps 60, 80 extend
between side
wall panels 10, 20 and such that one of the top flaps 60, 80 overlaps the
other. Top
flaps 60, 80 can then be secured together with adhesive material, which can be
applied
to the outer side of inner top panel 80 or 60, or to the interior side of
outer top panel
60 or 80.
[00035] In the above description, bottom flaps 110, 130, 70, 90 are folded
before top flaps 100, 120, 60, 80 are folded. However, it is possible to first
fold top
flaps 100, 120, 60, 80 to form a partially erected carton, then fill the
partially erected
carton and subsequently fold bottom flaps 110, 130, 70, 90. This variation is
not
shown, but is evident based on FIGS. 5-8 and the related description.
[00036] The completion of the step shown in FIG. 8 yields a carton 2, as shown
in FIG. 9. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, carton 2 forms a rectangular
prism
having opposing rectangular end walls 30, 40, rectangular opposing side walls
10, 20,
a rectangular top wal160/80 and a rectangular bottom wall 70/90. Spout flap 31
typically remains fully attached to end wall 30 and aligned with spout guide
flap 51,
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which is positioned behind spout flap 31. An example of a procedure for
converting
spout flap 31 to an operational spout 300 is described below.
[00037] As shown in FIG. 10, to form spout 300, spout flap 31 is first
partially
separated, or struck from end wall panel 30 along tear lines 33a, 33b, 33d,
32d, 32e,
34a, 34b, 34d and then folded outward away from end wall panel 30 along fold
line
32a, thereby creating an opening 39 having the shape of spout flap 31, and
exposing
the underlying spout guide flap 51 on reinforcement wall panel 50. This step
may be
accomplished by a user inserting a finger into the aperture, or finger hole
35, then
gripping protrusion 32f of lip portion 32 with finger and thumb, and then
pulling
spout flap 31 outward.
[00038] Still referring to FIG. 10, spout guide flap 51 is then partially
separated
or struck from reinforcement wall panel 50 along tear lines 51a, 51b, 51c, and
typically folded inward into the interior volume of carton 2 along fold line
51e,
thereby creating a spout guide opening 59 having the shape of spout guide flap
51.
The top side of spout guide opening 59 includes a small extension channe159a
which
corresponds to protrusion 51d of spout guide flap 51. Thereafter, as
illustrated in
FIG. 11, side portions 33, 34 of spout flap 31 are folded inward towards each
other
and into alignment with spout guide opening 59 such that catch members 33c,
34c are
aligned with extension channel 59a.
[00039] As shown in FIG. 12, spout flap 31 is then pushed inward such that
side portions 33, 34 are inserted through openings 39, 59 and into the
interior volume
of carton 2, and lip portion 32 of spout flap 31 is substantially flushly
aligned with
end wall pane130. Once side portions 33, 34 are inserted through openings 39,
59,
side portions 33, 34 typically fold outward and away from each other along
fold lines
32b, 32c such that catch members 33c, 34c extend vertically above openings 39,
59.
Upon the completion of this step, spout flap 31 and openings 39, 59 cooperate
to form
spout 300 configured in a closed position. Gripping protrusion 32f engages the
outwardly facing surface of reinforcement wall panel 50 in a manner that seeks
to
prevent lip portion 32 from being pushed all the way through opening 59.
[00040] As shown in FIG. 13, spout 300 can be moved to an open position by
pulling spout flap 31 outward, thereby exposing a portion of openings 39, 59
such that
food or other materials can be poured out of spout 300. Spout 300 may be moved
to
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the open position by the user inserting a finger into the aperture, or finger
hole 35,
then gripping protrusion 32f of lip portion 32 with finger and thumb, and then
pulling
spout flap 31 outward. When spout flap 31 is pulled outward, there is a
frictional
interaction between side portions 33, 34 and spout guide opening 59, thereby
supporting spout flap 31 and guiding the outward movement of spout flap 31.
Outward movement of spout flap 31 is limited by catch members 33c, 34c, which
will
engage the interior side of reinforcement wall pane150 to prevent spout flap
31 from
being pulled completely out of openings 39, 59. Thus, spout 300 can be
selectively
opened and closed by a user.
[00041] For exemplary purposes only, the carton can be formed from a blank
with dimensions including an overall example length of panels 10, 20, 30, 40,
and 50
of at least approximately about 20 to 25 inches, such as for example at least
approximately 21.375 inches with panel 50 having a length of at least
approximately 2
to 3 inches, such as for example at least approximately 2.406-inch, panels 10
and 20
having lengths of at least approximately 5 to 10 inches, such as for example
at least
approximately 7 inches, panel 30 having a length of at least approximately 2
to 3
inches, such as for example at least approximately 2.469-inch, and pane140
having a
length of at least approximately 2 to 3 inches, such as for example at least
approximately 2.5-inch. The blank 5 can have an example width of at least
approximately 10 to 20 inches, such as for example at least approximately
14.938-
inch, with a width between longitudinal fold lines 16 and 28 at least
approximately 5
to 15 inches, such as for example at least approximately 10-inch, and end flap
widths
at least approximately 2 to 3 inches, such as for example at least
approximately 2.469-
inches. The blank 1 can be formed of any caliper. All dimensional information
presented herein is intended to be illustrative of typical embodiments of the
disclosure
and is not intended to be limiting. Further, the various features of the
blanks 5 and 6
and the carton formed therefrom can have dimensions other than listed herein,
without
departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[00042] The blank 1 can be selectively reinforced at any specified locations
by
one or more reinforcing blanks. Cartons formed from the resulting multi-ply
blanks
can accordingly have enhanced strength and rigidity at selected sections of
the carton.
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Selected reinforcement of specific areas of a blank can produce high strength
cartons
while using relatively small amounts of reinforcing blank.
[00043] In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the cartons may be
constructed of paperboard, for example. The blanks, and thus the cartons, can
also be
constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, solid unbleached sulfate
(SUS)
board, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the
carton to
function at least generally as described above.
[00044] The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more
additional sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. One or
more
panels of the blanks discussed above can 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 may also be
coated
to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may be coated with,
for
example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.
[00045] For purposes of the description presented herein, the term "line of
disruption" or "line of weakening" can be used to generally refer to cuts,
tear lines,
creases, scores, and fold lines (or overlapping and/or sequential combinations
of at
least one cut, crease, score, tear line, or fold line). A "breachable line of
disruption"
is a line of disruption that is intended to be breached during ordinary use of
the carton,
such as when placing the carton in a dispensing configuration. An example of a
breachable line of disruption is a tear line.
[00046] In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not
necessarily straight,
form of disruption or weakening in a blank that facilitates folding, pivoting
or bending
therealong.
[00047] In the present specification, a "panel" or "flap" need not be flat or
otherwise planar. A "panel" or "flap" can, for example, comprise a plurality
of
interconnected generally flat or planar sections.
[00048] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more
panels adhered together by glue. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all
manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
WCSR 3942886v1 12
CA 02694491 2010-01-25
WO 2009/018400 PCT/US2008/071676
[00049] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the
present
invention has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments,
various additions, modifications and changes can be made thereto without
departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, embodiments of the
invention have been described as having several features included in
combination,
whereas each of these features may be included in a carton in isolation and in
various
combinations.
WCSR 3942886v1 13
