Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02714090 2010-09-03
SHIPPING AND DISPENSING CARTON
[0001] This application is a division of Canadian Patent Application No.
2,624,631, filed October 13, 2006.
Background of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to cartons for holding and
dispensing containers or other types of articles.
[0003] Cartons are typically shipped in bulk quantities. During shipping, the
cartons may be vertically stacked upon each other in order to maximize the
amount of
product shipped in a particular vessel. The amount of product shipped may
depend,
however, on the load-bearing capacity of the stacked cartons. It is therefore
sometimes desirable to produce cartons having high rigidity and/or strength in
compression for shipping, and for other purposes such as the protection of the
carton
contents in general.
[0004] A conventional method for increasing the strength of a carton is to
produce the carton from a blank of a different, stronger board material, or to
produce
the blank from the same carton material but of greater thickness. Such methods
typically increase the costs associated with manufacturing the carton, with
the
material costs of manufacture generally increasing according to the cost of
increasing
the strength and/or thickness of the entire blank. Some sections of the blank,
however,
may not be load-bearing, and the additional costs associated with increasing
the
strength of non load-bearing bearing sections of the blank are wasted.
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[0005] Furthermore, a need often exists for a satisfactory carton suitable for
containing the product or containers during shipping and for displaying and
dispensing the product or containers.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention is generally directed to a
carton formed from a primary blank and at least a first reinforcing blank. The
carton
comprises a first side panel, a bottom panel, a second side panel, and a top
panel. At
least one first end flap at least partially closes a first end of the carton.
At least one
second end flap at least partially closes a second end of the carton. The
first
reinforcing blank is adhered to the primary blank at the first end of the
carton, at
which end the carton is multi-ply. A dispensing feature is located in the
primary
blank.
[0007] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a carton
blank comprising a primary blank. The primary blank comprises a plurality of
foldably connected primary panels and a plurality of first primary end flaps.
Each first
primary end flap is foldably connected to at least one of the primary panels.
The
primary blank comprises a plurality of second primary end flaps. Each second
primary end flap is foldably connected to at least one of the primary panels.
A first
reinforcing blank is attached to the primary blank. The first reinforcing
blank
comprises a plurality of foldably connected first reinforcing panels. A
dispensing
feature is located in the primary blank.
[0008] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a
combination shipping and dispensing carton for containing a plurality of
articles. The
carton comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around
an interior
of the carton, wherein the interior is for containing the plurality of
articles. At least
one line of separation at least partially divides the carton into a first
portion and a
second portion. The first and second portions are configured for being at
least
partially separated from one another along the line of separation to convert
the carton
from a shipping carton to at least one dispensing carton in which the first
portion is a
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first dispensing portion for containing a first subset of the articles, and
the second
portion is a second dispensing portion for containing a second subset of the
articles.
[00091 In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a blank
for forming a combination shipping and dispensing carton. The blank comprises
a
plurality of panels and at least one line of separation that at least
partially divides the
blank into a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions
are
configured for being at least partially separated from one another along the
line of
separation in a carton erected from the blank to convert the carton from a
shipping
carton to at least one dispensing carton. In the dispensing carton, the first
portion is a
first dispensing portion for containing a first subset of the articles, and
the second
portion is a second dispensing portion for containing a second subset of the
articles.
[0010] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a method
of enclosing and displaying a plurality of articles. The method comprises
providing a
blank. The blank comprises a plurality of panels and at least one line of
separation
that at least partially divides the blank into a first portion and a second
portion. The
method further comprises erecting the blank into a carton. The erecting of the
blank
into the carton comprises erecting the first portion of the blank into a first
portion of
the carton, and erecting the second portion of the blank into a second portion
of the
carton. The method further comprises enclosing a plurality of articles in the
carton
and providing access to at least some of the plurality of articles. The
providing of the
access comprises at least partially separating the first and second portions
of the
carton from one another along the line of separation to respectively form a
first
dispensing portion containing a first subset of the articles, and a second
dispensing
portion containing a second subset of the articles.
[0011] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a carton
formed from a primary blank and at least a first reinforcing blank. The carton
generally comprises a plurality of panels and at least one first end flap at
least partially
closing a first end of the carton. The first reinforcing blank is adhered to
the primary
blank at a first end of the carton, at which end the carton is multi-ply. A
dispensing
feature is located in the primary blank.
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[0012] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a carton
blank. The carton blank comprises a primary blank, a first reinforcing blank
attached
to the primary blank, and a dispensing feature in the primary blank.
[0013] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a
combination shipping and dispensing carton for containing a plurality of
articles. The
carton comprises at least one line of separation that at least partially
divides the
carton into a first portion and a second portion. The first and second
portions are
configured for converting the carton from a shipping carton to at least one
dispensing
carton in which the first portion is a first dispensing portion and the second
portion is
a second dispensing portion.
[0014] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a blank
for forming a combination shipping and dispensing carton. The blank comprises
at
least one line of separation that at least partially divides the blank into a
first portion
and a second portion. The first and second portions are configured to convert
a carton
erected from the blank from a shipping carton to at least one dispensing
carton in
which the first portion is a first dispensing portion and the second portion
is a second
dispensing portion.
[0015] In another embodiment, the invention is generally directed to a
method of enclosing and displaying a plurality of articles. The method
generally
comprises providing a blank. The blank comprises at least one line of
separation that
at least partially divides the blank into a first portion and a second
portion. The
method further comprises erecting the blank into a carton, enclosing a
plurality of
articles in the carton, and providing access to at least some of the plurality
of articles.
The providing of the access comprising at least partially separating the first
and
second portions of the carton from one another along the line of separation to
respectively form a first dispensing portion and a second dispensing portion.
[0015.1 ] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
carton for holding a plurality of articles, the carton being formed from a
primary
blank and at least a first reinforcing blank, the carton comprising a first
side panel; a
bottom panel; a second side panel; a top panel; at least one first end flap at
least
partially closing a first end of the carton; at least one second end flap at
least partially
closing a second end of the carton, wherein the first reinforcing blank is
adhered to
the primary blank at the first end of the carton, at which end the carton is
multi-ply,
wherein the first reinforcing blank comprises reinforcing panels and foldably
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attached reinforcing end flaps, the reinforcing end flaps overlie and
generally
conform in shape to corresponding end flaps of the primary blank, and the
reinforcing panels are aligned with respective panels of the primary blank so
that the
reinforcing blank folds along transverse fold lines in the primary blank; and
a
dispensing feature in the primary blank, the dispensing feature comprises a
dispenser
for allowing access to the articles in the carton, the dispenser comprises a
dispenser
panel that is at least partially removable from the carton to create a
dispenser opening
for removing at least one of the articles from the carton.
[0015.2] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided a carton blank, comprising a primary blank, the primary blank
comprising:
a plurality of foldably connected primary panels; a plurality of first primary
end
flaps, each first primary end flap being foldably connected to at least one of
the
primary panels; and a plurality of second primary end flaps, each second
primary end
flap being foldably connected to at least one of the primary panels; a first
reinforcing
blank attached to the primary blank, the first reinforcing blank comprising a
plurality
of foldably connected first reinforcing panels and foldably attached
reinforcing end
flaps, wherein the first reinforcing panels are aligned with the respective
primary
panels so that the reinforcing blank folds along transverse fold lines in the
primary
blank, and the reinforcing end flaps overlie and generally conform in shape to
the
corresponding first primary end flaps; and a dispensing feature in the primary
blank,
the dispensing feature comprises a dispenser panel that is at least partially
removable
from the primary blank to create a dispenser opening for removing at least one
article
contained within a carton formed by the blank through the dispensing feature.
[0016] 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.
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[0017] 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
[0018] Fig. 1 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0019] Fig. 2 illustrates the blanks of Fig. 1 combined into a multi-ply
blank.
[0020] Figs. 2A-2C illustrate erection of the first carton embodiment from the
blank of Fig. 2.
[0021] Fig. 3 illustrates the first carton embodiment.
[0022] Fig. 4 illustrates the first carton embodiment converted to a
dispensing
carton.
[0023] Fig. 5 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Figs. 6-8 illustrate the second carton embodiment.
[0025] Fig. 9 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to a third embodiment of the invention.
[0026] Figs. 10-12 illustrate the third carton embodiment.
[0027] Fig. 13 is a plan view of a blank used to form a carton according to a
fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0028] Figs. 14-16 illustrate the fourth carton embodiment.
[0029] Fig. 17 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
[0030] Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate the fifth carton embodiment.
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[0031] Fig. 20 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
[0032] Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate the sixth embodiment of the invention.
[0033] Fig. 23 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.
[0034] Fig. 24 is a plan view of primary and reinforcing blanks used to form a
carton according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.
[0035] Figs. 25 and 26 illustrate the eighth carton embodiment of the
invention.
[0036] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference
numbers throughout the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiments
[0037] The present invention generally relates to cartons that contain
articles
such as pouches, containers, bottles, cans, etc. The articles can be used for
packaging
food and beverage products, for example. The articles can be made from
materials
suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item,
and the
materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum and/or other metals;
glass; plastics
such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like,
or any combination thereof.
[0038] Cartons according to the present invention can accommodate articles,
or subsets of articles, of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not
for the
purpose of limiting the scope of the invention, the following detailed
description
describes beverage containers (e.g., beverage pouches) as disposed within the
carton
embodiments. In this specification, the terms "lower," "bottom," "upper" and
"top"
indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright
cartons.
[0039] Fig. 1 is a plan view of interior sides of a primary blank 6 and first
and
second reinforcing blanks 8, 9. The blanks 6, 8, 9 are used to form a carton
100
(illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4) according to a first embodiment of the
invention. The
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interior sides of the blanks 6, 8, 9 will generally be disposed in the
interior of the
erected carton 100. The blanks 6, 8, 9 may be combined, for example, into a
blank 10
(Fig. 2) having multi-ply sections formed from adhering or otherwise attaching
the
first and second reinforcing blanks 8, 9 to the primary blank 6. As discussed
in
further detail below, the primary blank 6 can have a periphery that is
complementary
to portions of the peripheries of the reinforcing blanks 8, 9.
[0040] Referring to Fig. 1, the primary blank 6 comprises a first side panel
20
foldably connected to a bottom panel 30 at a first transversely extending fold
line 31, a
second side panel 40 foldably connected to the bottom panel 30 at a second
transverse
fold line 41, and a first top panel 50 foldably connected to the second side
panel 40 at
a third transverse fold line 41. A second top panel 60 is foldably connected
to the first
side panel 20 at a fourth transverse fold line 61, and a third top panel 70 is
foldably
connected to the second top panel 50 at a fifth transverse fold line 71. The
bottom
panel 30 is foldable at its spine or midpoint at a sixth transverse fold line
35 extending
across the width of the bottom panel.
[0041] The first side panel 20 is foldably connected at each end to a first
side
end flap 22. The bottom panel 30 is foldably connected at each end to two
bottom end
flaps 32. The bottom end flaps 32 are separated by transversely extending cuts
34,
which more specifically typically are slits. The second side panel 40 is
foldably
connected at each end to a second side end flap 42. The first top panel 50 is
foldably
connected at each end to a first top end flap 52. The second top panel 60 is
foldably
connected at each end'to a second top end flap 62. Handle apertures or
knockouts 54
may be formed in one or both of the first and third top panels 50, 70. The end
flaps
22, 32, 42, 52, 62 extend along a first and a second marginal area of the
blank 6, and
may be connected at first and second longitudinally extending fold lines 65,
66. The
longitudinal fold lines 65, 66 may be straight, or they may be offset at one
or more
locations to account for, for example, blank thickness.
[00421 The primary blank 6 includes a line of separation (broadly "dispensing
feature"), generally indicated 68 extending the length of the blank. In the
embodiment
of Fig. 1-4, the line of separation 68 comprises two spaced apart tear lines
75, 77
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forming a tear strip 79 removably attached to the blank 6. In the illustrated
embodiment, the tear strip 79 extends between the longitudinal ends of the
blank and
comprises a portion of the third top panel 7, the first top panel 50, the
second side
panel 40, the top panel 30, the first side panel 20, and the second top panel
60. The
tear strip 79 could be otherwise shaped and arranged without departing from
the scope
of this invention. For example, the tear strip 79 could be replaced with a
single tear
line.
[0043] The first reinforcing blank 8 has a perimeter that may be ; in part
generally complementary to a part of the first marginal area of the primary
blank 6.
The first reinforcing blank 8 is meant to overlie a part of the first marginal
area of the
primary blank 6 in order to reinforce the blank 6. The first reinforcing blank
8
includes a strip 80 of sequentially arranged rectangular reinforcing panels
81, 82, 83,
84, 85, 86, 87, and foldably attached reinforcing end flaps 62', 22', 32',
32', 42', 52'.
During erection, the blank 8 is placed over the primary blank 6 so that the
reinforcing
end flaps 62', 22', 32', 32', 42', 52' of the first reinforcing blank 8
overlie and
generally conform in shape to corresponding end flaps 62, 22, 32, 32, 42, 52,
respectively, of the primary blank 6. The sequentially arranged reinforcing
panels 81,
82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 are aligned with respective panels 60, 20, 30, 40, 50,
70 of the
primary blank 6 so that the reinforcing blank 8 folds along the transverse
fold lines 61,
31, 35, 41, 51, 71 in the primary blank 6.
[0044] Similarly, the second reinforcing blank 9 has a shape that may be in
part generally complementary to a part of the second marginal area of the
primary
blank 6, and is meant to overlie and reinforce a second part of the first
blank 6. The
second reinforcing blank 9 includes a strip 90 of sequentially arranged
rectangular
reinforcing panels 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, and reinforcing end flaps 62',
22', 32',
32', 42', 52'. During erection, the second reinforcing blank 9 is placed over
the
primary blank 6 so that the reinforcing end flaps 62, 22', 32', 32', 42', 52'
of the
reinforcing blank 9 overlie and generally conform in shape to the end flaps
62, 22, 32,
32, 42, 52 of the primary blank 6. The reinforcing panels 91, 92, 93, 94, 95,
96, 97
are aligned with respective panels 60, 20, 30, 40, 50, 70 of the primary blank
6 so that
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the second reinforcing blank 9 folds along the transverse fold lines 61, 31,
35, 41, 51,
71 of the primary blank 6. Portions of the second reinforcing blank 9 may be,
for
example, a mirror image of the first reinforcing blank 8, and certain common
reference numerals are therefore used in the reinforcing blanks 8 and 9.
[0045] Fig. 2 illustrates the primary blank 6 and the reinforcing blanks 8, 9
combined into a multi-ply blank 10. In Fig. 2, the reinforcing blanks 8, 9 are
placed
over the respective first and second marginal areas of the primary blank 6 and
secured
thereto 6. Glue, for example, or other adhesives, or other means, may be used
to
secure the reinforcing blanks 8, 9 to the primary blank.
[0046] Figs. 2A-2C illustrate an exemplary method of erecting the multi-ply
blank 10 (Fig. 2) into the carton 100. Certain elements of the blanks 6, 8, 9
referred to
in the following description may not be visible in Figs. 2A-2C, and such
elements can
be found in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 2 illustrates the multi-ply blank 10 ready for
erection.
In Fig. 2A, the end flaps 22, 32, 32, 42, 52, 62 (along with the reinforcing
end flaps
62, 22', 32', 32', 42', 52') and the top panels 50, 60, 70 are folded
inwardly. In Fig.
2B, the exterior sides of the end flaps 62, 32 are adhered to the interior
sides of the
reinforcing end flaps 22', and the exterior sides of the end flaps 32 and 52
are adhered
to the interior sides of the reinforcing end flaps 42'. Fig. 2C illustrates
the partially
erected blank 10 being folded in the direction of the arrows to bring the
opposed
halves of the partially erected carton together. The interior side of the
third top panel
70 may be adhered to the exterior side of the second top panel 60 to complete
erection
of the carton 100, as shown in Fig. 3. One or more articles P (Fig. 4) may be
loaded
into the carton 100 at any time prior to fully closing the carton 100.
[00471 Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the erected carton 100. The carton 100 may be,
for example, generally parallelepipedal, and may have a closed or nearly
closed
configuration. In Fig. 3, the carton 100 rests on the bottom panel 30. The
first and
second side end flaps 22, 42 along with the reinforcing end flaps 22, 42'
adhered
thereto close the ends 53, 55 of the carton 100. The optional handle apertures
54 are
accessible in the top panels 50, 70.
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[0048] Fig. 4 illustrates the erected carton 100 with the tear strip 79
removed
and the carton converted from a shipping carton to a two-piece dispensing
carton. In
the illustrated embodiment, the carton 100 is converted to the dispensing
carton by
grasping and removing the tear strip 79 to separate the carton into a first
dispensing
portion 25 and a second dispensing portion 45. Each of the first and second
dispensing portion 25, 45 contains a respective subset of the articles P. As
shown in
Fig. 4, the first dispensing portion 25 is smaller than the second dispensing
portion 45.
Both the first and second dispensing portions 25, 45 have an open top for
access to
articles P contained therein. It is understood that the dispensing portions 25
could be
alternatively shaped and sized. For example, in alternative embodiments, the
two
dispensing portions may be approximately equal in size. Further, the
dispensing
portions may be foldably attached along a fold line and more than two
dispensing
portions may be provided without departing from the scope of this invention.
[00491 The reinforcing blank 9, as well as the reinforcing blank 8
(illustrated
in Fig. 1), provides additional strength and rigidity to the carton 100. For
example,
when the carton 100 is supported on the bottom panel 30 as shown in Fig. 3,
the
panels and flaps 92, 95, 22', 42' of the reinforcing blank 9, and the
reinforcing panels
and flaps 82, 85, 22', 42' of the reinforcing blank 8 extend vertically within
the carton
100 interior and provide significant strength against vertical axial
compression.
Similarly, if the carton 100 is supported on either of its side panels 20, 40,
the first and
second reinforcing blanks 8, 9 provide significant additional axial
compressive
strength and rigidity to the primary blank 6.
[0050] Fig. 5 illustrates a multi-ply blank 110, according to a second
embodiment of the invention. The blank 110 comprising a primary blank 106 and
first and second reinforcing blanks 108, 109. In Fig. 5, like reference
numbers as to
the reference numbers shown in Figs. I and 2 indicate like or similar
elements, with
the reference numbers in Fig. 5 being preceded by "l." The resultant multi-ply
blank
formed from the primary and reinforcing blanks 106, 108, 109 can be erected
into a
carton 200 (Figs. 6-8) using the method shown in Figs. 2A-2C.
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100511 The primary blank 106 is substantially identical to the primary blank
6,
except the blank includes, a line of separation (broadly "dispensing feature")
168
comprising a first tear line 169 in the first side panel 120 and the second
top panel
160, and a second tear line 172 in the second side panel 140 and the top
panels 150,
170. The two tear lines 169, 172 are connected by a longitudinal fold line 173
in the
bottom panel 130 of the primary blank 106. The first tear line 169 has a first
portion
141 extending longitudinally from the fold line 131 into the first side panel
120 and a
second portion 143. The second portion 143 is generally V-shaped and extends
from
the first portion 141 into the second top panel 160 to the edge of the blank
106. The
second tear line 172 has a first portion 146 extending longitudinally from
fold line 141
into the second side panel 140 and a second portion 148 that is generally V-
shaped
and extending from the first portion across the first and second top panels
150, 170 to
the edge of the blank 106.
100521 As shown in Figs. 6-8, the carton 200 has a dispenser 107 including a
removable dispenser panel 111 for forming a dispenser opening 113 in the
carton.
The dispenser panel 111 is formed in the top panels 150, 160, 170 and the
first and
second side panel 120, 140 by the of the tear lines 169, 172. To convert the
carton
200 from the shipping carton to the dispensing carton, the dispenser panel 111
is
removed by tearing along the respective second portions 143, 148 of the first
and
second tear lines 169, 172. Next, the carton 200 is further separated along
respective
first portions 141, 146 of the tear lines 169, 172. The carton 105 is then
folded along
fold line 173 to form the first and second dispensing portions 125, 145 that
are
foldably connected. As in the previous embodiments, the first dispensing
portion 125
contains a first subset of articles P and the second dispensing portion 145
contains a
second subset of articles to be dispensed from the carton 105. As shown in
Fig. 8, the
dispensing portions 125, 145 have an open top for grasping of articles P from
the
carton 106 and a profile formed by the dispenser 107 that facilitates access
to the
articles. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second dispensing
portions 125,
145 are adjacent each other and are foldably attached at fold line 173.
Alternatively,
the dispensing portions 125, 145 could be separated (e.g., the fold line 173
could be
replaced with a tear line) without departing from the scope of the invention.
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[0053] Fig. 9 shows a multi-ply blank 210 according to a third embodiment of
the invention. The third embodiment is like the prior embodiments, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the
art. For example, the blank 210 is formed into a shipping and dispensing
carton 300
(Figs. 10-12) in a similar manner as the previous embodiments. The carton 300
includes a dispenser 207 having a removable dispenser panel 211 forming a
dispenser
opening 213. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser panel 211 comprises
a
portion of the second side panel 240, the bottom panel 230, and the second top
panel
250. The blank 210 includes a line of separation 268 (broadly "dispensing
feature")
that includes a longitudinal tear line 241 in the second top panel 260, a
longitudinal
tear line 243 in the bottom panel 230, and a longitudinal tear line 248 in the
third top
panel 270. The line of separation 268 includes a dispenser tear line 246 in
the bottom
panel 230, the second side panel 240, and the first top panel 250. A
longitudinal fold
line 273 in the first side panel 220 connects the tear lines 241, 243. The
carton 300 is
converted from the shipping carton to the dispensing carton having the two
foldably
attached dispensing portion 225, 245 (Fig. 12) in a similar manner as the
previous
embodiment.
[0054] Fig. 13 shows a blank 305 for a fourth embodiment of the invention.
In accordance with the fourth embodiment, the blank 305 is a single ply.
Nonetheless,
the blank 305 is formed into a shipping and dispensing carton 400 (Figs. 14-
16) in a
similar manner as the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the line of
separation 368 comprises a tear strip that includes a first portion 323 in the
top panel
330 and the first side panel 340 of the blank 305, and a second portion 325 in
the
bottom panel 310. Each of the first and second portions 323, 325 of the tear
strip 368
extends generally in the longitudinal direction and is formed by respective
spaced-
apart, longitudinally extending tear lines 375, 377. The first portion 323
extends
longitudinally from the lateral fold line 341 across the top panel 330 and the
first side
panel 320, and across an adhesive panel 360 adjacent to the first side panel
to the edge
of the blank 305. The second portion 325 of the tear line 368 extends from the
lateral
fold line 351 across the bottom panel 350 to the edge of the blank 305. A
longitudinal
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fold line 327 connects the first portion 323 to the second portion 325 of the
tear line
368.
[00551 The carton 400 includes two dispensers 307, 309. In the illustrated
embodiment, the two dispensers 307 include identical components and are
arranged to
be a mirror image of each other, thus common references numerals are used to
indicate common components of the dispensers. Each dispenser 307 includes a
dispenser panel, generally indicated at 372, removably attached to the blank 1
at a tear
line, generally indicated at 374. When the dispenser panel 372 is removed from
the
carton 400, a dispenser opening 375 (Figs. 15 and 16) is exposed to allow the
containers C to be selectively dispensed from the carton. In the illustrated
embodiment, the dispenser panel 372 includes a first portion 376 in the top
panel 330
of the blank 1, a second portion 378 in the first side panel 320, and a third
portion 380
in the second side panel 340. The dispenser panel 372 includes a foldable flap
381
foldably attached to the third portion 380 at a lateral fold line 383. Each
dispenser
307 includes an access opening 385 in the first side panel 320 for grasping
the flap
381 to initiate removal of the dispenser panel 372 from the carton 400.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the tear line 374 includes a first
portion
384 extending in the lateral direction in the side panel 320 from the access
opening
385 to a curved second portion 386. The second portion 386 extends from the
first
portion 384 to the longitudinal fold line 331. The tear line 374 includes a
third
portion 390 extending laterally in the top panel 330 between the longitudinal
fold line
331 and the longitudinal fold line 341. A fourth portion 392 of the tear line
374
extends from the intersection of the third portion 390 with the longitudinal
fold line
341. The fourth portion 392 of the tear line 374 is curved and extends down
from the
longitudinal fold line 341 into the side panel 340 and extends upward to the
fold line.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth portion 392 is generally
semicircular in
shape but it is understood that it may be otherwise shaped without departing
from the
scope of this invention. The tear line 374 includes a fifth portion 394
extending
generally in the lateral direction in the top panel 330 between the
intersection of the
fourth portion 392 with the longitudinal fold line 341 to the access opening
385 in the
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CA 02714090 2010-09-03
side panel 320. In the illustrated embodiment the fifth portion 394 of the
tear line 374
is generally parallel to the fourth portion, but the tear line may be
otherwise sized and
shaped without departing from the scope of this invention.
[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the dispensers 307 each include a hinge,
generally designated 405 that allows the dispenser opening 375 of each
dispenser to
be expanded to facilitate access to the container in the carton 400. Each side
end flap
322, 342 of the blank 305 includes a respective longitudinal fold line 409,
412 parallel
to the longitudinal fold lines 365, 366. The hinge 405 includes a first curved
tear line
411 that extends from the second portion 386 of the tear line 374 in the first
side panel
320, across the lateral fold line 365, 366 and across the longitudinal fold
line 409 in
the end flap 322. A second curved tear line 413 extends from the fourth
portion 392
of the tear line 374 in the second side panel 340, across the lateral fold
line 365, 366
and across the longitudinal fold line 412 in the end flap 342. The first and
second
curved tear lines 411, 413, respective portions of the second and fourth
portions 386,
392 of the tear line 374, and the third portion 390 of the tear line define a
pivotable
flap 415 of the carton 400. The pivotable flap 415 includes a portion of the
first side
panel 320, a portion of the top panel 330, a portion of the second side panel
340, and
portions of the end flaps 322, 342 forming the closed end of the carton 400.
The
pivotable flap 415 is generally pivotable at the closed end of the carton 400
about the
longitudinal fold lines 409, 412 of the overlapped side end flaps 322, 342
forming the
closed end of the carton to expand the dispenser opening 375. The various
features
one or both of the dispensers 307, 309 may be otherwise shaped and arranged,
or may
be omitted, without departing from the scope of this invention.
[0058] As shown in Figs. 14-16, the carton 400 is converted from a shipping
container to a dispensing container (Fig. 14) by removing the first and second
portions
325, 325 of the tear 368 and folding the carton along fold line 327 to
position the first
and second dispensing portions 425, 445 adjacent to each other. The first
dispensing
portion 425 has one of the dispensers 307 formed therein, and the second
portion 445
has the other of the dispensers formed therein. Containers or other articles
may be
dispensed from either or both of the first and second dispensing portions 425,
445
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CA 02714090 2010-09-03
through the respective open top of the dispensing portion or through the
respective
dispenser opening 375 of the dispenser 307.
[00591 Fig. 17 shows a multi-ply blank 505 for a fifth embodiment of the
invention. The fifth embodiment is like the first embodiment, except for
variations
noted and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. For
example, the blank 505 is formed into a shipping and dispensing carton 600
(Figs. 18
and 19) in a similar manner as the first embodiment. In the fifth embodiment,
the
blank 505 includes a dispenser 521 (broadly "dispensing feature") shaped to
form a
dispenser opening 519 (Fig. 19) in the front and top of the carton 600. The
dispenser
521 includes a tear line, generally indicated at 523, forming a dispenser
panel 525
comprising a portion of the second side panel 540 and the top panel 550 of the
blank
505. The dispenser panel 525 is foldably attached to the second side panel 540
by a
lateral fold line 527. The tear line 523 includes a first portion 545
extending
longitudinally from a first end of the fold line 527 and a second portion 547
extending
obliquely from the intersection of the first portion with the fold line 551. A
third
portion 549 of the tear line 523 is curved and defines an actuation panel 553
in the top
panel 550. The tear line 523 includes a fourth portion 555 extending obliquely
from
the bottom of the third portion 549 to the fold line 551, and a fifth portion
557
extending longitudinally from the fourth portion to an end of the lateral fold
line 527.
[0060] As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the dispenser 521 is activated by folding
the actuation panel 553 and grasping the dispenser panel 525 to tear the
carton 600 at
tear line 523 to create the dispenser opening 519 in the carton. Articles P or
other
containers may be removed through the dispenser opening 519. Optionally, the
dispenser panel 525 may be partially or fully removed from the carton 600 by
further
tearing along fold line 527 without departing from the scope of this
invention.
[00611 Fig. 20 shows a multi-ply blank 605 for a sixth embodiment of the
invention. For example, the blank 605 is formed into a shipping and dispensing
carton 700 (Figs. 21 and 22) in a similar manner as the previous embodiment.
In the
sixth embodiment, the carton 600 includes a dispenser 621 (broadly "dispensing
feature") shaped to form a dispenser opening 619 in the front of the carton.
The
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CA 02714090 2010-09-03
dispenser 621 includes a tear line, generally indicated at 623, forming a
dispenser
panel 625 comprising a portion of the second side panel 640. The dispenser
panel 625
is foldably attached to the second side panel 640 by a longitudinal fold line
627. The
tear line 623 includes a first portion 645 extending laterally from a first
end of the fold
line 627 and a second portion 647 extending obliquely from the first portion.
A third
portion 649 of the tear line 623 is curved and defines an actuation panel 653
in the
side panel 640. The tear line 623 includes a fourth portion 655 extending
obliquely
from the bottom of the third portion 649 and a fifth portion 657 extending
laterally
from the fourth portion to an end of the longitudinal fold line 627.
[00621 The dispenser 621 is activated by tearing at tear line 623 and folding
the dispenser panel at fold line 627 to create the dispenser opening 619 in
the front of
the carton 700 to dispense articles therefrom. As with the other embodiments
described herein, the dispenser 621 may be otherwise shaped and positioned
without
departing from the scope of this invention.
[0063] Fig. 23 shows a multi-ply blank 705 for a seventh embodiment of the
invention. The seventh embodiment is like the sixth embodiment, except for
variations noted and variation that will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
For example, the blank 705 is formed into a shipping and dispensing carton
(not
shown) in a similar manner as the previous embodiments. In this embodiment,
the
blank 705 includes a dispenser 721 (broadly "dispensing feature") including a
dispenser panel 725 similarly shaped as the previous embodiment but being
located in
the bottom panel 730 of the blank 705. The dispenser 721 forms a dispenser
opening
in the bottom panel 730 of the blank 705 when the blank is erected into the
carton. In
the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser panel 725 is foldably attached to
the bottom
panel 730 by a longitudinal fold line 727. The dispenser may be otherwise
shaped and
positioned without departing from the scope of this invention.
[0064] Fig. 24 shows a multi-ply blank 805 for an eighth embodiment of the
invention. The eighth embodiment is like the seventh embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the
art. For example, the blank 805 is formed into a shipping and dispensing
carton 900
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CA 02714090 2010-09-03
(Figs. 25 and 26) in a similar manner as the previous embodiments. In this
embodiment, the blank 805 includes a dispenser 821 (broadly "dispensing
feature")
shaped to form a dispenser opening 819 (Fig. 26) in the carton. The dispenser
821
includes a tear line, generally indicated at 823, forming a dispenser panel
825
comprising a portion of the second side panel 840, the bottom panel 830, and
the first
side panel 820 of the blank 805. The tear line 823 includes a first portion
845 that is
curved and extends from the fold line 831 into the first side panel 820 and a
second
portion 847. The second portion 847 extends longitudinally from a first end of
the
first portion 845 across the bottom panel 830 to the fold line 841. A third
portion 849
is curved and extends from the fold line 841 into the second side panel 840. A
fourth
portion 855 in the bottom panel 830 is parallel to the second portion 847 and
connects
respective ends of the curved first and third portions 845, 849. It is
understood that
the tear line 823 and the dispenser panel 825 could be otherwise shaped and
arranged.
For example, the dispenser 821 could be positioned so that the tear line 823
forms the
dispenser panel 825 in the top panels 850, 860, 870 so that the dispenser
opening 819
is in the top of the carton 900. Also, the dispenser 821 could include a hinge
as in the
embodiments of Figs. 13-16 to allow the dispenser opening 819 to be expanded.
[0065] As shown in Fig. 26, the dispenser 821 is activated by grasping the
dispenser panel 825 to tear the carton 900 at tear line 823 to create the
dispenser
opening 819 in the carton 900. Articles or containers P may be removed from
the
carton 900 through the dispenser opening 819. Alternatively, the dispenser
panel 825
may remain foldably attached to the carton 900 by only partially tearing the
dispenser
panel 825 along tear line 823.
[00661 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 blank 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 blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect
any
information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated with, for
example, a
moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance
with the
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CA 02714090 2010-09-03
above-described embodiments, the blank may be constructed of paperboard of a
caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank
can also
be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other
material
having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least
generally as
described herein. The blank can also be laminated or coated with one or more
sheet-
like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
[0067] 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 can
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.
[0068] As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially
into
the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced
apart slits
that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the
desired line
of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific
example,
one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that
extend completely
through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that
a nick (e.g.,
a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the
adjacent
slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line.
The nicks
are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a
relatively small
percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from
or torn in a
tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is
within the scope
of the present invention for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a
continuous slit,
or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be
wider than a
slit without departing from the present invention.
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CA 02714090 2010-09-03
[00691 The above embodiments may be described as having one or more
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.
[0070] The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes
various embodiments of the present invention. As various changes could be made
in
the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is
intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a
limiting sense.
Furthermore, the scope of the present covers various modifications,
combinations,
alterations of the above-described embodiments that are within the scope of
the
claims. 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 herein,
commensurate with the above teachings, and/or'within the skill or knowledge of
the
relevant art. Further certain features and characteristics of each embodiment
may be
interchanged and applied to other embodiments of the invention with out
departing
from the scope of the invention.
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