Cartons are useful for holding and transporting articles. In order to facilitate dispensing of articles from a carton, it is beneficial to form a dispenser with a portion of the carton.
The present disclosure generally relates to blanks, packages, or cartons for holding and/or dispensing product.
In one aspect, the present invention includes a blank with a first side panel connected along a first fold line to a second side panel, the second side panel is connected along a second fold line to a third side panel, the third side panel is connected along a third fold line to a fourth side panel, the fourth side panel is connected along a fourth fold line to a fifth side panel, the fifth side panel is connected along a fifth fold line to a sixth side panel, and the sixth side panel is connected along a sixth fold line to an adhesive panel. The blank includes end flaps connected along a first transverse fold line to a first end of the blank and along a second transverse fold line to a second end of the blank. The end flaps include a first end flap connected along the first transverse fold line and a second end flap connected along the first transverse fold line. The first end flap includes a tear line pattern that defines a dispenser. The tear line pattern extends across the first transverse fold line. The second end flap includes an opening. The first end flap overlaps the second end flap with the dispenser overlapping the opening in a carton formed from the blank.
A hanging end flap can be connected along a hanging fold line to the first end flap. The dispensing end flap can be connected along the first transverse fold line to the third side panel, and the tear line pattern can extend into the third side panel. The tear line pattern generally forms a tear tab in the third side panel. The tear line pattern can be substantially continuous and the dispenser can include sections of the third side panel and of the first end flap. The second end flap can be connected along the first transverse fold line to the sixth side panel. A third end flap can be attached along the first transverse fold line to the first side panel and a fourth end flap can be attached along the first transverse fold line to the fifth side panel. A fifth end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the first side panel, a sixth end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the third side panel, a seventh end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the fifth side panel, and an eighth end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the sixth side panel. The second end flap also can include at least one tuck-in flap capable of securing the second end flap in place in the carton formed from the blank. A projection can be provided adjacent the second transverse fold line, with the projection configured to form a stand to help support the carton formed from the blank in an upright configuration.
In another aspect of the present invention, a carton is provided. The carton includes a first side panel connected along a first fold line to a second side panel, the second side panel is connected along a second fold line to a third side panel, the third side panel is connected along a third fold line to a fourth side panel, the fourth side panel is connected along a fourth fold line to a fifth side panel, the fifth side panel is connected along a fifth fold line to a sixth side panel, a first end panel is connected at a first end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel, and a second end panel is connected at a second end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel. A tear line pattern is provided in the carton and defines a dispensing flap, with the tear line pattern extending from the first end panel into the third side panel. An end flap is connected to the sixth side panel, is disposed under the dispensing flap of the carton, and includes an opening. A hanging flap is connected along a hanging fold line to the first end panel. The dispensing flap is detachable along the tear line pattern and is capable of being hinged about the hanging fold line to allow the contents of the carton to be dispensed through the opening. The hanging flap generally is capable of being hinged about the hanging fold line to be disposed approximately perpendicular the first end panel. The hanging flap can include a hook opening that can be used to hang the carton from the hanging flap. A projection can be provided at the second end, with the projection is configured to form a stand to support the carton in an upright configuration.
In still another aspect, the invention includes a method of dispensing that includes providing a carton. The carton including a first side panel connected along a first fold line to a second side panel, the second side panel is connected along a second fold line to a third side panel, the third side panel is connected along a third fold line to a fourth side panel, the fourth side panel is connected along a fourth fold line to a fifth side panel, the fifth side panel is connected along a fifth fold line to a sixth side panel, a first end panel is connected at a first end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel, and a second end panel is connected at a second end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel. A tear line pattern also can be provided in the carton and defines a dispensing flap, with the tear line pattern extending from the first end panel into the third side panel. An end flap is connected to the sixth side panel, is disposed under the dispensing flap of the carton, and includes an opening. The dispensing flap is detachable along the tear line pattern and is capable of being hinged about the hanging fold line to allow contents to be dispensed through the opening from the carton. The method also includes separating the dispensing flap from a remainder portion of the carton by tearing along the tear line pattern and dispensing contents from the carton through the opening. A hanging flap can be connected along a hanging fold line to the first end panel. The separation of the dispensing flap along the tear line pattern can be initiated by a tear tab. The tear tab can be disposed in the third side panel. The separation of the dispensing flap along the tear line pattern can include hinging the dispensing flap along the hanging fold line in a first direction to expose the opening. The method can further include hinging the dispensing flap to close the carton after dispensing. The method can further include hinging the hanging flap about the hanging fold line to dispose the hanging flap approximately perpendicular the first end panel. Further, the hanging flap can include a hook opening that can be used to hang the carton from the hanging flap. A projection can be included at the second end, with the projection configured to form a stand to support the carton in an upright configuration.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the below listed drawing figures.
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 illustrate more clearly the embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
This disclosure generally relates to cartons suitable for storing and dispensing contents or articles, and methods of erecting such cartons from a carton blank. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the detailed description below describes several embodiments of the invention within the context of a carton with an opener for dispensing contents or articles from the carton. Further, references herein to “end,” “side,” “front,” “rear,” “bottom,” and “top” refer to orientations or positions of elements when the carton is erected and disposed in an upright orientation. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and “oblique,” and any variations thereof, generally refer to the location and/or orientation of an element or line with respect to a drawing figure in which it appears. Reference characters shared among the various embodiments disclosed herein indicate similar parts.
End flap 22 is foldably connected along fold line 23 at the first end 4 of panel 20 and end flap 24 is foldably connected along fold line 25 at the second end 6 of panel 20. End flap 42 is foldably connected along fold line 43 at the first end 4 of panel 40 and end flap 44 is foldably connected along fold line 45 at the second end 6 of panel 40. A hanging flap 46 is foldably connected along a fold line 47 to end flap 42. Hanging flap 46 is shown with an optional hook portion 100. Hook portion 100 is generally defined by a perimeter 102 surrounding an opening 104. Optionally, opening 104 can be covered with a flap or other cutout. In use, opening 104 receives an attachment element (not shown) such as, for example, a screw, nail, pin, hook, etc., for hanging the carton 200, such as from a support wall or other structure. The hanging flap 46 is shown as being generally trapezoidal in shape, but should not be limited to such shape. End flap 44 optionally can be divided into sections by fold lines, such as section 48 connected to the first end 4 of panel 60, and end flap 64 is foldably connected along fold line 65 to the second end 6 of panel 60. Fold lines 13, 15, 23, 25, 43, 45, 63, 65 are generally transverse to fold lines 9, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61. One or more of fold lines 13, 23, 43, 63 could be replaced by a single fold line, such as indicated at 73, and one or more of fold lines. Fold lines 15, 25, 45, 65 could be replaced by a single fold line, such as indicated at 75. End flaps 12, 14, 22, 24, 42, 44, 62, 64 generally extend in a direction away from respective fold lines 13, 15, 23, 25, 43, 45, 63, and/or 65 toward periphery 8 of the blank.
A dispensing feature 90 is shown in
To form the blank 5 into carton 200, the panels generally are folded about fold lines to form a sleeve. Next, the end flaps are folded toward the interior of the sleeve to close the ends of the carton. Either the top end or the base end can be enclosed first.
At the base end, end flaps 24 and 64 initially are folded inward, then end flap 14 is folded about fold line 15 and tuck-in flaps 18 and 28 are folded about fold lines 19 and 29, respectively, to tuck into the interior of the carton to secure the base portion in place. Finally, an adhesive can be applied to either end flap 14 or end flap 44, and end flap 44 is folded about fold line 45 to overlap end flap 14.
At the top end, end flaps 22 and 62 initially are folded inward, then end flap 12 is folded about fold line 13 and tuck-in flaps 16 and 26 are folded about fold lines 17 and 27, respectively, to tuck into the interior of the carton to secure the base portion in place. Finally, an adhesive is applied, generally to the non-dispensing sections of end flap 42 or to sections of end flap 12, and end flap 42 is folded about fold line 43 to overlap end flap 12.
Referring in particular to
End flaps 22, 62 may be folded inwardly towards the interior of the carton 200 (not shown) so as to extend transversely to the first and second side panels 20, 60, respectively. As shown in
Referring to
As shown in the cut-away sections in
The steps in the above-described process are not limited to the sequence in which they are described, and may be performed in a number of different sequences. Prior to closing the one or more of the top end panel 210 (
The carton 200 formed by the exemplary process provided above therefore includes: panel 10 (
When the carton 200 is in a closed configuration, such as shown in
The blank and carton formed can be of any dimensions, which dimensions can be modified to receive, transport, and/or dispense different contents. For exemplary purposes only, the following dimensioning is provided for a blank that forms a carton. In the example embodiment, the blank can be approximately 8 to 10 inches in width (as measured from end flap 44 to hanging flap 46) and approximately 12 to 14 inches in length (as measured from panel 7 to panel 60), with the exemplary carton having a width of 9.7408 inches and a length of 13 and 41/64 inches. The exemplary blank has a length of panel 7 of ⅝-inch, a length of panel 10 of 5-inches, a length of panel 20 of 1½ inches, a length of panel 30 of 1 25/64 inches, a length of panel 40 of 2¼ inches, a length of panel 50 of 1 25/64 inches, and a length of panel 60 of 1 31/64 inches. The exemplary blank has a width of hanging flap 46 of 1¼ inches, a width of end flap 42 of 2.0817-inches, a width of panels 10, 20, 40, and 60 of 3 15/16 inches, and a width of end flap 44 of 1.9567 inches. A carton formed from this exemplary blank has an approximate size of 5 by 1½ by 5 inches, has an approximate area of 100.95 inches, and has an approximate rule length of 141.433 inches. These dimensions are offered for exemplary purposes only and should not limit in any manner the scope of the invention or the claims.
In some instances in the foregoing, attaching parts together is described with reference to specific features and methods. However, the attaching may be carried out in any suitable manner, such as, but not limited to, through the use of adhesive material.
The term “fold line” is used throughout the description. It is noted that, unless stated otherwise, the term “fold line” can include any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening in the blank that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, conventional fold lines can include: a crease, such as formed by folding; a score line, such as formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; 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. The term “tear line” is also used throughout the specification. A tear line can be any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates tearing therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, conventional tear lines include a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or any combination of these features.
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 disclosure 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 disclosure.
The blanks according to the present disclosure can be formed, for example, from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating then may be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks 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 blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
The above embodiments also may be described as having a liner attached to the carton and/or one or more carton panels adhered together by glue during erection. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels or flaps in place.
The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc. could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. 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. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure 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 as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/198,392, which was filed on Nov. 5, 2008. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/198,392, which was filed on Nov. 5, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
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