BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to carton assemblies for holding, displaying, dispensing, and/or transporting solid or at least partially solid portions of one or more dispensable materials and/or other types of articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to carton assemblies that cooperate with respective articles of dispensable materials to form packages that can be opened for selectively dispensing the dispensable materials.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a carton assembly for holding and dispensing a product. The carton assembly can include a base for holding the product at least partially in a base interior. The base can comprise a plurality of base panels extending at least partially around the base interior. The carton assembly further can include a sleeve comprising a plurality of sleeve panels extending at least partially around a sleeve interior. The base can be located at least partially in the sleeve interior for holding at least a portion of the product in the sleeve interior. The sleeve can comprise an open top end, and the base can be slidable along at least a portion of the sleeve for moving at least a portion of the product through the open top end of the sleeve from the sleeve interior.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a carton assembly holding a product. The carton assembly can include a base holding the product at least partially in a base interior. The base can comprise a plurality of base panels extending at least partially around the base interior. The carton assembly further can include a sleeve comprising a plurality of sleeve panels extending at least partially around a sleeve interior. The base can be located at least partially in the sleeve interior for holding at least a portion of the product in the sleeve interior. The sleeve can comprise an open top end, and the base can be slidable along at least a portion of the sleeve for moving at least a portion of the product through the open top end of the sleeve from the sleeve interior.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to, in combination, a plurality of blanks for forming a carton assembly. The plurality of blanks can include a base blank for forming a base of the carton assembly for holding a product at least partially in a base interior. The base blank can include a plurality of base panels for extending at least partially around the base interior when the base is formed from the base blank. The plurality of blanks further can comprise a sleeve blank for forming a sleeve of the carton assembly. The sleeve blank can comprise a plurality of sleeve panels for extending at least partially around a sleeve interior when the sleeve is formed from the sleeve blank. The base formed from the base blank can be located at least partially in the sleeve interior for holding at least a portion of the product in the sleeve interior when the carton assembly is formed from the plurality of blanks. The sleeve formed from the sleeve blank can comprise an open top end, and the base formed from the base blank can be slidable along at least a portion of the sleeve for moving at least a portion of the product through the open top end of the sleeve from the sleeve interior when the carton assembly is formed from the plurality of blanks.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton assembly. The method can include obtaining at least a base blank and a sleeve blank. The base blank can comprise a plurality of base panels and the sleeve blank can comprise a plurality of sleeve panels. The method further can include forming a base of the carton assembly by positioning the base panels of the plurality of base panels to extend at least partially around a base interior. The base can be for holding a product at least partially in the base interior. The method also can include forming a sleeve of the carton assembly by positioning the sleeve panels of the plurality of sleeve panels to extend at least partially around a sleeve interior. The sleeve can comprise an open top end. The method can include positioning at least a portion of the base in the sleeve interior for holding at least a portion of the product in the sleeve interior. The base can be slidable along at least a portion of the sleeve for moving at least a portion of the product through the open top end of the sleeve from the sleeve interior.
Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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. Further, 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 ore reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lid blank used to form a lid of a carton assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lid boot blank for cooperating with the lid blank to form the lid of the carton assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sleeve blank used to form a sleeve of the carton assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a base blank used to form a base of the carton assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a base boot blank for cooperating with the base blank to form the base of the carton assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lid, the sleeve, and the base of the carton assembly and a product in an unassembled configuration according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the product assembled with the base with a bottom portion of the product positioned in a receiving space of the base according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the base and the product assembled with the sleeve so that the carton assembly is in an open and/or dispensing configuration according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 8A is a perspective top view of the carton assembly in a closed configuration with the lid assembled over the sleeve and the base with the product enclosed within the carton assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIG. 8B is a perspective bottom view of the assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of the package of FIGS. 8A and 8B in an open or dispensing configuration according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The present disclosure generally relates to constructs, carriers, sleeves, cartons, or the like, and assemblies for holding and dispensing articles such as portions of solid or at least partially solid dispensable materials. The dispensable materials can include personal hygiene materials, such as bars of soap, deodorant, lip balm, sunscreen, etc., and/or other suitable materials, such as glue sticks, stain removers, food items (e.g., candy, frozen treats, and/or other edible items), etc. The parts of the assemblies can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular items, and the materials include, but are not limited to, paperboard and/or other paper products.
Constructs 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 bar-shaped articles of dispensable materials at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “outer,” and “inner” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected constructs or packages. As described herein, constructs may be formed by multiple panels, flaps, tabs, portions, sections, parts, fold lines, cuts, and/or other aspects that can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show plan views of a cover or lid blank 103 and a cover or lid boot blank 105 that cooperate to form a cover or lid 107 (FIGS. 6, 8A, and 8B) in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a sleeve blank 109 used to form a sleeve 111 (FIGS. 6 and 7B-9B) in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show plan views of a holder or base blank 113 and a holder or base boot blank 115 that cooperate to form a holder or base 117 (FIGS. 6-8B and 9B) in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lid 107, the sleeve 111, and the base 117 cooperate to form a carton assembly 119 that is configured for holding and dispensing a product P (e.g., an at least partially solid dispensable material, such as sunscreen, deodorant, soap, a glue stick, etc.; FIGS. 6-7B and 9A). The carton assembly 119 could be configured to hold and/or dispense any suitable number of products P having any suitable shape. In embodiments, the combination of the carton assembly 119 and the product P can form a package 121.
In the illustrated embodiments, the lid blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 extending generally in the direction of the length of the lid blank and a lateral axis L2 extending generally in the direction of the width of the lid blank. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid blank 103 can include a plurality of lid panels foldably connected along respective lateral fold lines. In the illustrated embodiments, the plurality of lid panels can include a first side panel 123a foldably connected to a first end panel 125a along a first lateral fold line 127a, a second end panel 125b foldably connected to the first side panel 123a along a second lateral fold line 127b, a third end panel 125c foldably connected to the second end panel 125b along a third lateral fold line 127c, a second side panel 123b foldably connected to the third end panel 125c along a fourth lateral fold line 127d, a fourth end panel 125d foldably connected to the second side panel 123b along a fifth lateral fold line 127e, and an attachment panel or attachment flap 129 foldably connected to the fourth end panel 125d along a sixth lateral fold line 127f. The lid blank 103 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, the attachment flap 129 could be foldably connected to the first end panel 125a.
In the illustrated embodiments, the lid boot blank 105 has a longitudinal axis L3 extending generally in the direction of the length of the lid boot blank and a lateral axis L4 extending generally in the direction of the width of the lid boot blank. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid boot blank 105 can have a lid boot panel or central panel 131 foldably connected to a plurality of lid boot flaps. In embodiments, the plurality of lid boot flaps can include two lid boot side flaps 133, each foldably connected to the central panel 131 along respective longitudinal fold lines 135, and four lid boot end flaps 137, each foldably connected to the central panel 131 along respective oblique fold lines 139. The lid boot blank 105 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, one or more of the flaps 133, 137 could be omitted.
In the illustrated embodiments, the sleeve blank 109 has a longitudinal axis L1 extending generally in the direction of the length of the sleeve blank and a lateral axis L2 extending generally in the direction of the width of the sleeve blank. As shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve blank 109 can include a plurality of sleeve panels foldably connected along respective lateral fold lines. In the illustrated embodiments, the plurality of sleeve panels can include a first side panel 141a foldably connected to a first end panel 143a along a first lateral fold line 145a, a second end panel 143b foldably connected to the first side panel 141a along a second lateral fold line 145b, a third end panel 143c foldably connected to the second end panel 143b along a third lateral fold line 145c, a second side panel 141b foldably connected to the third end panel 143c along a fourth lateral fold line 145d, a fourth end panel 143d foldably connected to the second side panel 141b along a fifth lateral fold line 145e, and an attachment panel or attachment flap 147 foldably connected to the fourth end panel 143d along a sixth lateral fold line 145f. The sleeve blank 109 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, the attachment flap 147 could be foldably connected to the first end panel 143a.
In the illustrated embodiments, the base blank 113 has a longitudinal axis L1 extending generally in the direction of the length of the base blank and a lateral axis L2 extending generally in the direction of the width of the base blank. As shown in FIG. 4, the base blank 113 can include a plurality of base panels foldably connected along respective lateral fold lines. In the illustrated embodiments, the plurality of base panels can include a first base side panel 149a foldably connected to a first base end panel 151a along a first lateral fold line 153a, a second base end panel 151b foldably connected to the first base side panel 149a along a second lateral fold line 153b, a third base end panel 151c foldably connected to the second base end panel 151b along a third lateral fold line 153c, a second base side panel 149b foldably connected to the third base end panel 151c along a fourth lateral fold line 153d, a fourth base end panel 151d foldably connected to the second base side panel 149b along a fifth lateral fold line 153e, and an attachment panel or attachment flap 155 foldably connected to the fourth base end panel 151d along a sixth lateral fold line 153f. In embodiments, the base blank 113 further can include a bottom tab or pull tab 157 foldably connected to at least the first base side panel 149a along a longitudinal fold line 159. The base blank 113 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, the attachment flap 155 could be foldably connected to the first end panel 151a. In another example, the bottom tab 157 could be foldably connected to any of the panels of the base blank 113 and/or more than one bottom tab 157 could be included.
In the illustrated embodiments, the base boot blank 115 has a longitudinal axis L3 extending generally in the direction of the length of the base boot blank and a lateral axis L4 extending generally in the direction of the width of the base boot blank. As shown in FIG. 5, the base boot blank 115 can have a base boot panel or central panel 161 foldably connected to a plurality of base boot flaps. In embodiments, the plurality of base boot flaps can include two base boot side flaps 163, each foldably connected to the central panel 161 along respective longitudinal fold lines 165, and four base boot end flaps 167, each foldably connected to the central panel 161 along respective oblique fold lines 169. The base boot blank 115 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, one or more of the flaps 163, 167 could be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 6, the lid 107, the sleeve 111, and the base 117 can be formed and prepared with the product P for assembly of the package 121. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8A, and 8B, the lid 107 can be formed by folding the lid blank 103 along the lateral fold lines 127a, 127b, 127c, 127d, 127e, 127f and positioning the attachment flap 129 at least partially in an overlapping relationship with the first lid end panel 125a. In embodiments, adhesive (e.g., a glue strip, etc.) can be applied to the attachment flap 129 and/or the first end panel 125a for gluing the attachment flap 129 in face-to-face contact with the first lid end panel 125a. Alternatively, the attachment flap 129 could be otherwise attached to the first lid end panel 125a. In the illustrated embodiments, the lid side panels 123a, 123b and the lid end panels 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d can be positioned to extend at least partially around a lid interior 171 (FIG. 8B). For example, the lid side panels 123a, 123b can be positioned opposite one another along the lid interior 171, the first lid end panel 125a and the fourth lid end panel 125d can be positioned to extend at an acute angle with respect to one another between the lid side panels 123a, 123b, (e.g., with the lateral fold line 127f as the vertex of the acute angle), and the second lid end panel 125b and the third lid end panel 125c can be positioned to extend at an acute angle with respect to one another between the lid side panels 123a, 123b (e.g., with the lateral fold line 127c as the vertex of the acute angle).
In the illustrated embodiments, the lid 107 further can be formed by folding the lid boot blank 105 along the longitudinal fold lines 135 and the oblique fold lines 139 to position the side flaps 133 and the end flaps 137 relative to the central panel 131 to form a lid boot 173. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8A, the lid boot 173 can be inserted at least partially into the lid interior 171 at a top end 175 of the lid 107 (FIGS. 6 and 8A) with the exterior surfaces of the side flaps 133 and the end flaps 137 at least partially in face-to-face contact with the interior surfaces of the respective lid side panels 123a, 123b and lid end panels 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d and/or the attachment flap 129. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8A, the central panel 131 of the lid boot 173 can extend along and at least partially close the top end 175 of the lid 107. In embodiments, the side flaps 133 and the end flaps 137 can be glued or otherwise attached to the lid side panels 123a, 123b and the lid end panels 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d and/or to the attachment flap 129 to secure the lid boot 173 at the top end 175 of the lid 107. The bottom end 177 of the lid 107 opposite to the lid boot 173 at the top end 175 can be at least partially open for receiving at least a portion of the sleeve 111, the base 117, and/or the product P (FIGS. 8A and 8B). The lid 107 could be otherwise formed and/or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 6, the sleeve 111 can be formed by folding the sleeve blank 109 along the lateral fold lines 145a, 145b, 145c, 145d, 145c, 145f and positioning the attachment flap 147 at least partially in an overlapping relationship with the first lid end panel 143a (e.g., gluing or otherwise attaching the attachment flap 147 to the first sleeve end panel 143a at the opposite end of the sleeve blank 109 from the attachment flap 147). In the illustrated embodiments, the sleeve side panels 141a, 141b and the sleeve end panels 143a, 143b, 143c, 143d can be positioned around a sleeve interior 179 (FIGS. 6 and 7B). For example, the sleeve side panels 141a, 141b can be positioned opposite one another along the sleeve interior 179, the first sleeve end panel 143a and the fourth sleeve end panel 143d can be positioned to extend at an acute angle with respect to one another between the sleeve side panels 141a, 141b, (e.g., with the lateral fold line 145f as the vertex of the acute angle), and the second sleeve end panel 143b and the third sleeve end panel 143c can be positioned to extend at an acute angle with respect to one another between the sleeve side panels 141a, 141b (e.g., with the lateral fold line 145c as the vertex of the acute angle). In embodiments, the sleeve 111 is open-ended (e.g., has two open ends) so that the base 117 and the product P can be pushed through the sleeve 111 as the product P is dispensed, as described in more detail below. For example, the sleeve 111 can include an open top end 181 and an open bottom end 183. In embodiments, the sleeve 111 can be symmetrical so that the open ends 181, 183 are interchangeable (e.g., the sleeve 111 could be positioned in the carton assembly 119 with either end at the top). The sleeve 111 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 6, the base 117 can be formed by folding the base blank 113 along the lateral fold lines 153a, 153b, 153c, 153d, 153e, 153f and positioning the attachment flap 155 at least partially in an overlapping relationship with the first base end panel 151a (e.g., gluing or otherwise attaching the attachment flap 155 to the first base end panel 151a at the opposite end of the base blank 113 from the attachment flap 155). In the illustrated embodiments, the base side panels 149a, 149b and the base end panels 151a, 151b, 151c, 151d can be positioned to extend at least partially around a base interior 185 (FIGS. 6 and 8B). For example, the base side panels 149a, 149b can be positioned opposite one another along the base interior 185, the first base end panel 151a and the fourth base end panel 151d can be positioned to extend at an acute angle with respect to one another between the base side panels 149a, 149b, (e.g., with the lateral fold line 153f as the vertex of the acute angle), and the second base end panel 151b and the third base end panel 151c can be positioned to extend at an acute angle with respect to one another between the base side panels 149a, 149b (e.g., with the lateral fold line 153c as the vertex of the acute angle).
In the illustrated embodiments, the base 117 further can be formed by folding the base boot blank 115 along the longitudinal fold lines 165 and the oblique fold lines 169 to position the side flaps 163 and the end flaps 167 of the base boot blank 115 relative to the central panel 161 to form a base boot 187. As shown in (FIGS. 6 and 8B), the base boot 187 can be inserted at least partially into the base interior 185 proximate a top end 189 of the base 117 (FIGS. 6 and 7A) with the exterior surfaces of the side flaps 163 and the end flaps 167 at least partially in face-to-face contact with the interior surfaces of the respective base side panels 149a, 149b and base end panels 151a, 151b, 151c, 151d and/or the attachment flap 155. In the illustrated embodiments, the base boot 187 can be positioned with the central panel 161 located in the base interior 185 of the base 117 and the side flaps 163 and the end flaps 167 extending upwardly so that their distal edges extend along the top end 189 of the base 117 opposite to the bottom tab 157 extending at a bottom end 191 of the base 117 (FIGS. 8B and 9B). Accordingly, the base boot 187 can form a receiving space 193 at the top end 189 of the base 117 for receiving a bottom end B of the product P (FIGS. 6 and 7A). As shown in FIG. 6, the central panel 161 of the base boot 187 is spaced downwardly from the top end 189 of the base 117 in the base interior 185. In embodiments, the central panel 161 also can be spaced upwardly from the bottom end 191 of the base 117. In embodiments, the side flaps 163 and the end flaps 167 can be glued or otherwise attached to the base side panels 149a, 149b and the base end panels 151a, 151b, 151c, 151d and/or to the attachment flap 155 to secure the base boot 187 in the base interior 185 of the base 117. In embodiments, the bottom tab 157 can be folded over a portion of the bottom end 191 of the base 117 as shown in FIG. 8B. The base 117 could be otherwise formed and/or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, the flaps 163, 167 could extend downwardly from the central panel 161 in the base interior 185.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the product P can be positioned at least partially in the receiving space 193 of the base 117. In exemplary embodiments, the bottom B of the product P can be mounted in the base 117 (e.g., to the central panel 161 of the base boot 187). For example, the product P could be adhered or otherwise secured to the base boot 187. As shown in FIG. 7A, the top T of the product P can be spaced apart from the base 117 so that a majority of the product P is exterior to the base 117, for example, In the illustrated embodiments, the carton assembly 119 can be formed by inserting the base 117 (e.g., at least the top end 189 of the base 117) and the product P into the open bottom end 183 of the sleeve 111, for example, so that at least a portion of (e.g., a majority or all of) the product P and at least a portion of (e.g., a majority or all of) the base 117 are contained in the sleeve interior 179, as shown in FIG. 7B. In embodiments, the sleeve 111 and the base 117 can cooperate as shown in FIG. 7B to form a partially assembled carton assembly (e.g., a carton subassembly). Further, the combination of the sleeve 111 and the base 117 with the product P mounted to the base 117 and at least partially contained in the sleeve 111 can be considered the open configuration of the package 121.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the carton assembly 119 further can be formed by inserting at least the top portion of the sleeve 111 into the open bottom end 177 of the lid 107 so that the lid 107 covers the open top end 181 of the sleeve 111. In embodiments, the carton assembly 119 can hold the product P secured in the receiving space 193 of the base 117 with the sleeve 111 at least partially surrounding the portion of the product P that extends upwardly from the base 117 and with the lid 107 covering the remainder of the product P (e.g., that would otherwise be exposed at the open top end 181 of the sleeve 111). For example, the product P can be at least partially enclosed between the lid 107 and the base 117. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, at least an upper portion of the carton subassembly (FIG. 7B), including at least a portion of the sleeve 111 and at least a portion of the base 117, can be received in the lid interior 171 via the open bottom end 177 of the lid 107. In exemplary embodiments, the lid 107 and/or the sleeve 111 can be temporarily secured to the base 117 and/or to one another by glue (e.g., fugitive glue), tape, and/or other suitable features to secure the package 121 in a closed configuration until a user is ready to dispense at least a portion of the product P. The carton assembly 119 and/or the package 121 could be otherwise formed and/or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, while the central panels 131, 161 of the boot blanks 105, 115 can be shaped with a rectangular central portion and triangular end portions so that the shapes of the lid 107, the sleeve 111, and the base 117 generally approximate the ovular or rounded rectangular cross-sectional shape of the product P, the carton assembly 121 could have any suitable shape for accommodating products with any suitable shape (e.g., rectangular, square, octagonal, etc.). In another example, the lid 107, the sleeve 111, and/or the base 117 could have other suitable orientations with respect to one another than those shown in the figures.
In the illustrated embodiments, the package 121 can be opened for dispensing the product P by sliding the lid 107 off of the sleeve 111 and away from the base 117 to expose the open top end 181 of the sleeve 111 so that the package 121 is in an opened/dispensing configuration (FIGS. 9A and 9B). In embodiments, the carton subassembly (e.g., the carton assembly 119 with the lid 107 removed) can at least partially form a telescopic dispenser 195 for selectively exposing a portion of the product P for dispensing the product P. For example, the base 117 can be pushed upwardly relative to the sleeve 111 and/or the sleeve 111 could be moved downwardly relative to the base 117 to move at least the top end T of the product P through the open top end 181 of the sleeve 111 (FIG. 9A). The dispensable material of the product P can be dispensed from its end extending through the open top end 181 of the sleeve 111, such as by rubbing the top end T of the product on a surface (e.g., rubbing sunscreen or deodorant on one's skin, rubbing a stain remover or detergent on an article of clothing or other material, rubbing glue onto a surface, etc.). As the product material is dispensed, the base 117 can be pushed upwardly though the sleeve 111 to move more of the product P through the open top end 181 of the sleeve 111 as needed. In some embodiments, the sleeve 111 could be removed from the base 117 and the product P, and a user can hold the base 117 during dispensing of the product P.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the open package (e.g., the telescopic dispenser 195) can be reconfigured so that the product P is at least partially (e.g., mostly or entirely) enclosed in the sleeve interior 171 (e.g., for protecting the product P) by moving the base 117 with the product mounted in the receiving space 193 downwardly through the sleeve 111 (e.g., toward and/or through the open bottom end 183 of the sleeve 111). For example, a user can grasp the base 117 (e.g., can grasp the bottom tab 157) in the sleeve interior 171 (e.g., via the open bottom end 183) and can pull the base 117 and the product P downwardly relative to the sleeve 111. Alternatively, or in addition, the top T of the product P could be pushed downwardly relative to the sleeve 111. In embodiments, the package 121 can be reclosed by positioning the lid 107 over the product P and the top end 181 of the sleeve 111 and sliding the lid 107 over at least a portion of the sleeve 111 and/or the base 117 to return the package 121 to its closed configuration (FIGS. 8A and 8B) to protect and/or preserve the product P until a user is ready to use the product again.
In embodiments, the present disclosure includes a three-piece carton assembly 119 that can be opened to provide a telescopic dispenser 195, wherein a base 117 holds a product P and can be pushed through a sleeve 111 to expose at least a portion of the product P for application to a surface. A cover 107 can at least partially close the package 121 for protecting and/or preserving the product P. In embodiments, the package 121 of the present disclosure can be compact, can facilitate easy application of a product P, can be intuitive to use, and can accommodate many different products. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the carton assembly 119 can be environmentally sustainable (e.g., can be more environmentally sustainable than other packages for dispensing similar products). For example, the carton assembly 119 can be made from paperboard and/or other materials made from renewable sources and/or that are recyclable and/or compostable. The renewable and/or recyclable and/or compostable carton assembly 119 can replace other packages made from materials (e.g., plastics) that are not renewable or are less renewable and are not recyclable and/or compostable or are more difficult to recycle or compost than the materials of the carton assembly of the present disclosure.
Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The carrier styles and panel configurations described above are included by way of example.
In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
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.
In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, 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 or depressed 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. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier 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.
Patent Application
20240400251
