Patent Application
20230249873
The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for holding and dispensing articles.
According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for holding at least one article, the carton comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps at least partially overlapped to form at least one reclosable end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps comprising at least one top end flap foldably connected to at least one side panel of the plurality of side panels, the at least one top end flap comprising a base portion foldably connected to a distal portion, and a reconfigurable lid comprising the at least one top end flap, the reconfigurable lid for at least partially overlying the interior of the carton when the carton is in an open configuration, the reconfigurable lid for forming a dispenser when the carton is in a closed configuration.
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for holding at least one article, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels, a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps for being at least partially overlapped to form at least one reclosable end of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of end flaps comprising at least one top end flap foldably connected to at least one side panel of the plurality of side panels, the at least one top end flap comprising a base portion foldably connected to a distal portion, and the at least one top end flap for forming a reconfigurable lid of the carton formed from the blank, the reconfigurable lid for at least partially overlying the interior of the carton when the carton formed from the blank is in an open configuration, the reconfigurable lid for forming a dispenser when the carton formed from the blank is in a closed configuration.
According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton for holding at least one article, the method comprising obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of side panels, the plurality of end flaps comprising at least one top end flap foldably connected to at least one side panel of the plurality of side panels, the at least one top end flap comprising a base portion foldably connected to a distal portion, folding the plurality of panels at least partially around an interior of the carton, at least partially overlapping the plurality of end flaps to form at least one reclosable end of the carton, and positioning the at least one top end flap to form a reconfigurable lid, the reconfigurable lid for at least partially overlying the interior of the carton when the carton is in an open configuration, the reconfigurable lid for forming a dispenser when the carton is in a closed configuration.
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.
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 disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes articles such as food products. Such food products can be provided in discrete or granular portions, e.g., as in snacks, for example, candy, gum, chocolate, granola, cereal, nuts, trail mix, raisins, dried fruit, etc. It will be understood that a different type of article such as a different type of food product can be held in cartons according to the present disclosure without departing from the disclosure. It will be further understood that articles other than food products can be held in cartons according to the present disclosure.
In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons. As described herein, cartons can be formed from blanks by overlapping multiple panels, portions, and/or end flaps. Such panels, portions and/or end flaps may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in
The blank 103 can also include a plurality of end flaps for forming at least one closed end of the carton 105. The end flaps can include a top end flap 139 (broadly, “third top end flap” or “fourth top end flap”) foldably connected to the first side panel 121 at a respective portion of a longitudinal fold line 140, a top end flap 141 (broadly, “first top end flap” or “second top end flap”) foldably connected to the second side panel 123 at a respective portion of the longitudinal fold line 140, a top end flap 143 (broadly, “first top end flap” or “second top end flap”) foldably connected to the third side panel 127 at a respective portion of the longitudinal fold line 140, and a top end flap 145 (broadly, “third top end flap” or “fourth top end flap”) foldably connected to the fourth side panel 131 at a respective portion of the longitudinal fold line 140. The end flaps 139, 141, 143, 145 can be for being at least partially overlapped to form a reclosable first end 109 of the carton 105 formed form the blank 103. As discussed herein, the end flaps 141, 143 can be for at least partially forming the reclosable lid 113 (
The top end flap 141, as shown, can include a base portion 149 foldably connected to the second side panel 123 at the respective portion of the fold line 140 and a distal portion 151 foldably connected to the base portion 149 at an oblique fold line 153. Similarly, the top end flap 143 can include a base portion 155 foldably connected to the third side panel 127 at the respective portion of the fold line 140 and a distal portion 157 foldably connected to the base portion 155 at an oblique fold line 159. As also shown, the distal portion 151 of the top end flap 141 and the distal portion 157 of the top end flap 143 can be foldably connected at a longitudinal fold line 161 that intersects the oblique fold lines 153, 159 and the fold line 129.
Each distal portion 151, 157 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 defines a respective locking protrusion 163, 167 adjacent a respective notch 165, 169. As described further herein, the locking protrusions 163, 167 and/or notches 165, 169 can cooperate with the locking opening 138 to form locking features of the blank 103/carton 105.
A top attachment flap 171 can be foldably and separably connected to the top end flap 141 at a lateral line of weakening 173 that is interrupted by a curved cut 175. Similarly, a top attachment flap 177 can be foldably and separably connected to the top end flap 143 at a lateral line of weakening 179 that is interrupted by a curved cut 181. The top end flap 139 can be separated from the top attachment flap 171 at a cut 142 having one or more curved, straight, and/or angled segments, and the top end flap 145 can be separated from the top attachment flap 177 at a cut 144 having one or more curved, straight, and/or angled segments.
Still referring to
The blank 103 also includes access features for facilitating reconfiguration of the carton 105 between an open configuration of the carton 105, in which the end 109 provides access to the interior 107 of the carton 105, and a closed configuration of the carton 105, in which the end 109 of the carton 105 restricts access to the interior 107 of the carton 105. As described further herein, the access features can comprise one or more of the top attachment flaps 171, 177 and respective portions of the top end flaps 141, 143.
Referring additionally to
The panels 121, 123, 127, 131 can be folded at the fold lines 125, 129, 133 at least partially around the interior 107 of the carton 105 and to position the first side panel 121 and the third side panel 127 in generally spaced and parallel relation and to position the second side panel 123 and the fourth side panel 131 in generally spaced and parallel relation, with the first side panel 121 and third side panel 127 extending from the second side panel 123 to the fourth side panel 131.
The attachment flap 135 can be folded at the fold line 137 and positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the fourth side panel 131. The aforementioned arrangement of the carton 105 can be maintained with one or more applications of an adhesive such as glue.
The end flaps 183, 185, 187, 189 can be folded at respective portions of the fold line 191 into at least partial overlapping relation to form the second closed end 111 of the carton 105. In one embodiment, the second end 111 of the carton 105 can be maintained in the closed configuration with one or more applications of an adhesive such as glue.
To close the first end 109 of the carton 105, the top end flaps 139, 145 can be folded at respective portions of the fold line 140 toward the interior 107 of the carton 105.
Simultaneously or thereafter, the top end flaps 141, 143 can be folded downwardly at respective portions of the fold line 140 toward the interior 107 of the carton 105. As the top end flaps 141, 145 fold downwardly, the distal portion 151 of the top end flap 141 can be folded relative to the base portion 149 of the top end flap 141 and the distal portion 157 of the top end flap 143 can be folded relative to the base portion 155 of the top end flap 143 at the fold line 159 such that the distal portions 151, 157 extend obliquely or perpendicularly away from the respective base portions 149, 155. Such movement of the top end flaps 141, 143 may involve relative movement of the distal portions 151, 157 via at least partial folding at the fold line 161.
The top attachment flaps 171, 177 can be folded at the respective fold lines 173, 177 into at least partial face-to-face contact with portions of the respective side panels 121, 131. As the top attachment flaps 171, 177 fold at the respective fold lines 173, 177, protruding portions of the respective base portions 149, 155 separate therefrom at the respective curved cuts 175, 181 to define respective user engagement tabs 176, 182 extending from the respective top end flaps 141, 143 and the end 109 of the carton 105, extending outwardly and away from the interior 107 of the carton 105.
It will be understood that one or more articles P (
In the initially closed configuration of the carton 105/end 109, the top end flaps 139, 145 can be positioned in generally perpendicular relation to the respective side panels 121, 131, the base portions 149, 155 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 can be positioned in at least partial overlying and/or face-to-face contact with the respective top end flaps 139, 145, and the distal portions 151, 157 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 can be positioned extending generally downwardly from the respective base portions 149, 155 into the interior 107 of the carton 105. In such an arrangement, the distal portions 151, 157 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 can be folded at the fold line 161 into at least partial face-to-face contact with one another and extending downwardly between a gap 193 defined between the top end flaps 139, 145 so as to be at least partially positioned in the interior 107 of the carton 105.
In this regard, at least the top end flaps 141, 143 can cooperate to form a reconfigurable lid 113 of the carton 105 that overlies and at least partially restricts access to the interior 107 of the carton 105 when the top end 109/carton 105 is in the closed configuration, and which is reconfigurable to form a dispenser or spout when the top end 109/carton 105 is in the open configuration.
As described above, the top attachment flaps 171, 177 can be positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the respective side panels 121, 131 along an exterior surface of the carton 105. In one embodiment, the top attachment flaps 171, 177 can attached to the respective side panels 121, 131 with an adhesive such as glue.
In such arrangement, the locking protrusions 163, 167 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 can be positioned extending at least partially through the locking opening 138, with the respective notches 165, 169 at least partially receiving respective portions of the panel 121/flap 135 adjacent the locking opening 138. Such action/positioning of the locking protrusions 163, 167 and associated features can facilitate maintenance of the end 109/carton 105 in the closed configuration.
With additional reference to
When it is desired to open the end 109/carton 105, a user can separate the top end flaps 141, 143 from the respective top attachment flaps 171, 177 at the respective lines of weakening 173, 179. In one embodiment, a user can engage the user engagement tabs 176, 182 with one or more of his or her fingers and lift upwardly to cause such separation of the top end flaps 141, 143 from the respective top attachment flaps 171, 177.
Simultaneously or thereafter, the locking protrusions 163, 167 can be withdrawn from the locking opening 138. In one embodiment, opposing surfaces of the carton 105 can be squeezed by the user, e.g., via manual exertion of a compressive force F proximate the fold lines 125, 133 to cause at least partial deformation, e.g., twisting, bending, flexing, etc., of one or more portions of the carton 105 to urge the top end flaps 141, 143 upwardly away from the carton 105, with the locking protrusions 163, 167 being incidentally withdrawn from the locking opening 138 during such movement of the top end flaps 141, 143.
Additionally or alternatively, the locking protrusions 163, 167 and/or other portions of the top end flaps 141, 143 can be directly engaged by a user to facilitate such disengagement from the locking opening 138.
As the top end flaps 141, 143 are raised (e.g., via squeezing of the carton 105 by a user and/or via direct engagement of the top end flaps 141, 143 by the user) in the direction of the arrow A1, the distal portion 151 of the top end flap 141 can be folded relative to the base portion 149 of the top end flap 141 at the fold line 153 and the distal portion 157 of the top end flap 143 can be folded relative to the base portion 155 of the top end flap 143 at the fold line 159. Such movement of the top end flaps 141, 143 can involve relative movement of the distal portions 151, 157 via at least partial folding at the fold line 161.
In this regard, and as shown in
Turning to
In this regard, in the reclosed configuration of the carton 105/end 109, the top end flaps 139, 145 can be positioned in generally perpendicular relation to the respective side panels 121, 131, the base portions 149, 155 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 can be positioned in at least partial overlying and/or face-to-face contact with the respective top end flaps 139, 145, and the distal portions 151, 157 can be positioned extending generally downwardly from the respective base portions 149, 155 into the interior 107 of the carton 105 as described above with regard to the initially closed configuration of the top end 109/carton 105.
The locking protrusions 163, 167 of the respective top end flaps 141, 143 can also be positioned at least partially extending through the locking opening 138 so as to maintain the closed configuration of the end 109/carton 105. Such a configuration is similar to that described above with regard to the initial closed configuration of the end 109/carton 105, with the exception that the top end flaps 141, 143 remain separated from the top attachment flaps 171, 177, and thus such the need for such separation is obviated when it is desired to again open the end 109/carton 105. In this regard, the top end flaps 141, 143 can together form a lid of the carton 105 that can be selectively raised and lowered to access or restrict access to the interior 107 of the carton 105.
In view of the foregoing, the blank 103/carton 105 is reconfigurable between an open configuration of the carton 105, in which at least one reclosable end of the carton 105 provides access to the interior 107 of the carton 105, and a closed configuration of the carton 105, in which the at least one reclosable end of the carton 105 restricts access to the interior 107 of the carton 105.
The blanks according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed 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 may then 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 blanks. In accordance with the 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 blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the cartons, to function at least generally as described above. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, 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 disclosure, fold lines 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.
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 of 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 spaced apart slits to be replaced with a continuous slit, a continuous score, 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. Also, a tear line can be a series of cut scores passing completely, or partially, through the material, that are separated by nicks.
The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels 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 disclosure. 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 Pat. Application No. 63/307,313, filed on Feb. 7, 2022. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/307,313, filed on Feb. 7, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63307313 | Feb 2022 | US |
