EASY-OPEN AND TRANSPORTABLE CARTONS

Abstract

Cartons or boxes (10, 40, 70, 90, 110, 130, 290, 330, 390) convertible between a closed, transport configuration and an open configuration permitting access to the carton contents are disclosed herein. The cartons (10, 40, 70, 90, 110, 130, 290, 330, 390) may provide the consumer or user an easy manner of transporting, opening, displaying, retaining, and/or protecting multiple individually wrapped packages or servings of product. In addition to graphics, these multipack cartons may include a handle (12), opening features (26, 28, 46, 96, 116, 138, 338), a changeable or alterable shape or configuration, and fasteners (118), among other features.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to cartons or packages configured to contain and/or display consumer products.

BACKGROUND

Packaged products are often shipped together in a closed container or carton to a retailer or consumer, who may then open the carton and remove the products therefrom. The closed carton may include a top that is openable to display the products therein, without removing them from the carton. However, simply removing the top of a carton that the products were shipped in and placing the carton flat on a shelf, display surface, or counter can result in the contents not being advantageously visible or displayed. Therefore, shipping cartons are available that can also double as display cartons.

Such shipping and display cartons, however, are often not easily portable. Indeed, shipping cartons can be cumbersome or difficult for consumers or end users to easily carry or transport. Furthermore, as bulk consumption or purchasing of food products has increased, consumers are often interested in purchasing cartons with multiple individually wrapped packages or servings. Such multipack cartons may be particularly difficult to transport given their larger size, which accommodates numerous individually wrapped packages or servings.

In addition to difficulties encountered with displaying and transporting cartons and their contents, some consumers find the cartons cumbersome to open or manipulate to access the contents therein. Thus, consumers may be interested in a multipack carton that provides easy access to the contents, is easily open, is easily reclosed, and/or is easily transported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 comprises a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a carton in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 comprises a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 comprises a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 comprises a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 5 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 4 in an open configuration;

FIG. 6 comprises a top perspective view of a third embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 7 comprises a top perspective view of a portion of the carton of FIG. 6 with a lid removed therefrom;

FIG. 8 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 6 in the closed configuration after being previously opened;

FIG. 9 comprises a package blank formable into the package of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 comprises a package blank formable into the package of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 comprises a package blank formable into a fourth embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 12 comprises a package blank formable into a fifth embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 13 comprises a top perspective view of a carton formed from the package blank of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 13 in a partially open configuration;

FIG. 15 comprises aside view of the carton of FIG. 13 in the closed configuration after being previously opened;

FIG. 16 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 13 in the closed configuration after being previously opened;

FIG. 17 comprises a cross sectional view of the package along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 comprises a bottom perspective view of the carton of FIG. 17 as the carton is being reconfigured into a closed configuration after being previously opened;

FIG. 19 comprises a top perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 20 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 19 in a first open configuration;

FIGS. 21 and 22 comprise a top perspective view of a carton similar to FIG. 19 with an alternative pattern of lines of weakness;

FIG. 23 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 19 in a second open configuration;

FIG. 24 comprises a top perspective of a seventh embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 25 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 24 being opened;

FIG. 26 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 24 in an open configuration with a tear strip removed therefrom;

FIG. 27 comprises a top perspective view of the carton of FIG. 24 in a closed configuration after initial opening;

FIG. 28 comprises a package blank formable into an eighth embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 29 comprises a side view of the carton formed of the package blank of FIG. 28 in a closed configuration after initial opening;

FIG. 30 comprises a top perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a carton;

FIG. 31 comprises a top perspective of the package of FIG. 30 in an open configuration;

FIG. 32 comprises a cross section along line 32-32 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 comprises a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 30 in an open configuration; and

FIGS. 34-36 comprise various configurations of a closure feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, a variety of containers, cartons, or boxes may provide the consumer or user an easy manner of transporting, opening, displaying, retaining, and/or protecting multiple individually wrapped packages or servings of product. These multipack cartons may include graphics on the outside thereof to inform the consumers or users of the contents of the cartons. This provides consumers with information about the contents of the carton prior to initial package opening and when the carton is in the closed configuration.

By one approach, a multipack carton may include a carrying handle formed by a pair of openings disposed into adjacent panels of the carton. For example, the carton may include one opening disposed on each panel adjacent to an edge of the carton such that the handle is disposed near the junction between the panels or sides. Together, the pair of openings form an integrated handle through which a consumer or retailer can extend portions of one of their hands. In short, the openings, and their arrangement proximate to a carton edge, permit a consumer to grasp onto an edge of the carton and a portion of the carton panels around the edge.

In one illustrative approach, the carton may further include a movable closure with an opening flap defined by a line of weakness. In such a configuration, one of the openings forming the handle may be disposed adjacent a leading edge or portion of the opening flap such that in addition to using one of the pair of openings to grasp and carry the multipack carton, a user may pull a portion of the movable closure of the carton to initiate tearing of the opening flap on a panel of the carton. More particularly, the consumer or user may pull or engage a pull tab of the movable closure disposed in between one of the openings and a leading edge of the movable closure formed by the line of weakness. Once the user has lifted the opening flap, the user may access to the contents within the carton. In this manner, the handle may double as an easy-open feature such that the carton may be transported and opened with one hand.

By another approach, a multipack carton may include a rectangular carton with a carton base and a carton lid or closure that can be at least partially removed from the base through at least a pair of openings disposed in a top panel of the carton lid. The pair of openings are disposed in an arrangement that permits the consumer or user to insert portions of one hand, such as the thumb and forefinger, into the openings. The carton lid may be attached to a remainder of the rectangular multipack carton in a number of manners including tear tape, a tear strip, or hooks, among others. In use, a consumer may remove the tear tape or tear strips or manipulate the hooks to thereby permit the carton lid to disengage from the remainder of the multipack carton.

By yet another approach, a rectangular multipack carton may include a base that can be modified from an initial rectangular configuration having side walls orthogonal to one another into a configuration with base side walls angled inward to reduce the footprint or perimeter of the top edge of the base. For example, one or more of the carton side walls may have lines of weakness that permit the side walls or a portion thereof to be moved inward. In one illustrative approach, the side walls may have a panel portion, inset, or segment, defined by the lines of weakness, which may be pushed toward the interior of the carton to move or angle the side walls inward. In this manner, the carton lid is more easily placed over the base to reclose the carton. Furthermore, in some configurations, the carton lid may slide or advance further down the carton base after initial opening, thereby saving space by collapsing the height of the multipack carton.

In one such embodiment, the rectangular multipack carton may further include a tear strip connecting the carton lid with the base. Though the tear strip may extend around the entire exterior of the carton, in one illustrative embodiment, the tear strip extends around less than the entire carton. In such a configuration, the carton may include a tear strip and a retaining side wall that prevents the carton lid from being completely separated from the carton base. In addition, the carton may have a hinge that permits the carton lid to rotate relative to the carton base after initial opening. For example, the hinge may include a pair of parallel lines of weakness formed in the retaining side wall. These lines of weakness may permit the retaining side wall to be folded over itself such that the height of the carton is reduced by the width of the hinge or the distance between the lines of weakness on the retaining side wall. In this manner, the carton lid may be replaced over the carton base to recluse the carton.

In another configuration, a rectangular multi pack carton, similar to some of those previously discussed, may include a hook or tab feature that permits the carton lid and the carton base to be attached or coupled together. The hook or tab feature and corresponding opening(s) may be found on one or more of the sides of the multipack carton. To disengage the carton lid from the carton base, a consumer may need to press the sides of the carton or otherwise manipulate the hook and tab feature. By one approach, the tab and hook feature may permit the carton lid to remain secured to the base until the package is initially opened. Further, in one illustrative embodiment, the tab and hook feature may provide a package integrity feature that indicates that the package has been opened subsequent to the initial opening. For example, the carton lid or base may include a hook die cut with extensions that may extend into slots on the other of the carton lid or base. When the user wants to open the carton, ends of the hook die cut are torn from a remainder of the extension to open the carton, thereby providing an indication that the package has been opened.

By yet another approach, a rectangular multipack carton includes a plurality of opening features disposed at different locations along the height of the carton. For example, the rectangular multipack carton may have tear tape or tear strips disposed at two different vertical intervals along the height of the carton. In one configuration, the consumer may be encouraged to open the uppermost opening feature (such as by graphics indicating the order of opening operations) thereby leaving at least one lower opening feature to be separated at a later point. Once a user removes the lower opening feature, a portion of the carton between the two opening features is separated from the remainder of the carton and thereby reduces the overall height of the carton. In this manner, the height of the carton can be reduced as the individually wrapped packages within the carton are consumed or used.

In yet another configuration, a multipack carton may have an overall trapezoidal shape with a top and bottom having generally rectangular profiles and the top being larger than the bottom such that the perimeter of the top package edge is larger than the perimeter of the bottom package edge. In one embodiment, the top and bottom carton faces are square, though other rectangular shapes also may be employed. In addition, such a trapezoidal multipack carton may include an opening feature, such as tear tape or a tear strip, which can be used to separate or detach a top portion or carton lid of the carton from a base or bottom portion. For example, the tear tape or tear strip may permit the carton lid or cap to be removed from a remainder of the trapezoidal multipack carton. Furthermore, due to the trapezoidal shape of the carton, the carton lid has a larger or wider cross section than the base or bottom portion of the carton, allowing the carton lid to easily telescope onto or cover the uppermost portion of the base to close the trapezoidal carton after initial opening. In one approach, the tear tape or strip has sufficient width or height such that upon removal of the tear tape or strip, the carton lid has a sufficiently larger perimeter than that of the base or bottom portion. The notably larger perimeter permits the carton lid to be easily placed over or around a portion of the base or bottom portion.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a display and carry carton 10 in a closed configuration, conveniently designed for transport. The display and carry carton 10 is convertible between a closed, easily carried configuration (FIG. 2) and an open, display configuration (FIG. 3). By one approach, the display and carry carton 10 may contain a number of individually wrapped packages 34 therein. The carton 10 is generally rectangular and includes a handle 12 with which a consumer or user can easily carry the carton 10, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the carton 10 includes an opening flap or panel 14 that is lifted away from a remainder of the carton 10 to expose the contents of the carton 10, such as individually wrapped packages 34.

More particularly, the carton 10 may include a number of panels, such as a pair of end walls 16 and four side walls 18 extending therebetween giving the carton 10 a generally rectangular body. In one embodiment, a movable closure 24 is disposed in the first side panel or wall 20 and first end panel or wall 22. The movable closure 24 includes the handle 12, which also may operate as an opening feature as detailed below, and the opening panel 14 that is lifted to expose the contents of the carton 10, when the carton is configured in the display configuration.

By one approach, the carton may be a top- or side-loaded carton formed on top- or side-loaded carton equipment. In one illustrative embodiment, the cartons discussed herein are die cut from large sheets and the features are formed into the sheet by, for example, lines of weakness, score lines, cuts, such as die cuts, or perforations. In one example, the movable closure 24 may be formed into the sheet by die cutting and/or mechanically or laser scoring lines of weakness such as perforations.

Further, the movable closure 24 may include a pair of openings 26, 28 disposed in adjacent panels, walls, ends, or sides of the carton 10. By one approach, a side opening 26 is disposed in the first side panel 20 and an end opening 28 is disposed in the first end panel 22. These openings 26, 28 may be punched into the carton material and, in one configuration, the cut out material may be removed therefrom. In one illustrative embodiment, the material forming the openings 26, 28 is die cut from a large sheet from which the carton 10 is cut. The openings 26, 28 are arranged such that a user can comfortably fit at least a first portion of one of their hands through one of the openings and at least their thumb of that same hand through the other of the openings. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the openings 26, 28 are disposed in adjacent panels, walls, ends, or sides of the carton 10 and within an inch or less from an edge 11 of the carton 10 that connects the adjacent panels or walls. In this manner, the portion of the carton 10 in between the openings 26, 28 is able to be grasped by the consumer and used to carry the carton 10. In another configuration, the openings 26, 28 are disposed at least about 0.7-in. or larger from the edge 11 of the carton 10 in between the first end panel 22 and the first side panel 20. By one approach, the width, w, of the openings 26, 28 will be about 2- to about 6-in. The width, w, of the openings 26, 28, in another configuration, may be between about 3.5-in. to about 5.0-in. In one illustrative embodiment, the width of the openings 26, 28 is about 4-in.

The carton 10 may be comprised of a number of different materials, such as cardboard, corrugated materials, paperboard, plastic, fiberboard, and a combination thereof, among others. The movable closure 24 is defined by a line of weakness 32 formed into the carton material, and the openings 26, 28 that form the handle may be formed by cuts in the carton material. The line of weakness 32 may include, for example, scores, perforations, and die cuts that are formed mechanically or with a laser.

Before carrying the carton, a user or consumer may need to pop out, reconfigure, move, or remove at least a portion of the material in the handle openings 26, 28 on either side of the carton edge. In some configurations, this can be accomplished as the user extends their hand into the openings 26, 28 on either side of the carton edge to carry the carton 10. By one approach, the openings 26, 28 are formed by line of weakness or cut that extends completely around the openings 26, 28 such that the carton material disposed where the opening is formed can be removed from the carton 10. In other configurations, the openings 26, 28 may be formed by a line of weakness or cut that only partially extends around the openings 26, 28 such that the portions of the panels are merely moved inward when the user wants to grasp the carton 10 by the handle 12.

The carton 10 also includes a pull tab 30 disposed adjacent the opening 28 disposed in the first end panel 22. The pull tab 30 is disposed at the leading or front edge of the movable closure 24 and is located between the line of weakness 32 and the cut into the carton that forms the opening 28. In operation, the pull tab 30 of the movable closure 24 can be pulled outward from a remainder of the carton 10 by inserting a portion of the consumer's hand into the opening 28 and grasping the pull tab 30 and pulling the movable closure 24 away from a remainder of the carton 10. By one approach, the pull tab 30 permits the consumer to initiate tearing of the movable closure 24 from the remainder of the carton 10 during initial carton 10 opening. When the pull tab 30 is pulled away from a remainder of the carton 10, the carton 10 is moved from the closed configuration (FIG. 1) to an open configuration (FIG. 3).

Conveniently, the movable closure 24 may provide both a handle 12 for carrying the carton 10 and a pull tab 30 that permits the carton 10 to be easily opened. Further, the features are economically provided by the openings 26, 28 formed in adjacent panels or walls of the carton 10.

In one illustrative configuration, the carton 10 can be used to hold a variety of individually packaged products 34, which can be particularly desirable for consumers who purchase large quantities of products that are meant to be consumed at a number of different times and/or by a number of different people. Further, the individually packaged products may include a variety of different products or varieties. In one illustrative embodiment, the carton 10 includes a plurality of graphics on the outside thereof to indicate the variety of individually wrapped packages 34 contained within the carton 10.

Another generally rectangular carton 40 that may hold a variety of individually packaged products 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The carton 40 may have a generally rectangular configuration with a top panel 41, side panels 43, and a bottom panel (not shown). Further, the carton 40 may include a lid 42 that fits over a portion of a base 44 to retain the individually wrapped packages 34 disposed within the carton 40. Similar to the display and carry carton 10 discussed above, the carton 40 may include graphics on at least one of the exterior surfaces of the carton 40 to inform consumers of the type of products located therein.

A variety of features may be incorporated into the carton 40 to attach or retain the lid 42 with the base 44 prior to initial opening of the carton including, for example, hooks (see, e.g., FIGS. 28-31), labels, stickers, tape, and glue beads, among others. Some of these securement mechanisms also might be used to form the carton or box by securing the carton seams together. To permit easy removal of the lid 42 from the base 44, the lid may include a pair of openings 46 in the top panel 41. The openings 46 are disposed in a spaced relationship that permits a user to insert at least two fingers from one hand into the openings 46 at the same time to thereby grasp and remove the lid 42 from the base 44. Prior to or during a user's initial carton opening, the user must disengage any opening feature such as, for example, the hooks, labels, stickers, tape, and glue beads.

Once the package is opened, such as by pulling and disengaging the hook(s) (not shown in this embodiment), a consumer can lift the lid 42 of the carton 40 by putting a portion of their hand through the lid openings 46 and thereby access the contents of the carton, such as individually wrapped packages 34. Further, once a consumer is finished accessing the contents, the lid 42 can be lifted by the openings 46 in the top panel 41 to replace the lid 42 onto the base 44.

Another carton 90, illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, also may hold individually wrapped packaged products 34. Similar to carton 40, the carton 90 has a generally rectangular shape with the walls or panels being generally orthogonal to one another prior to initial opening. As shown, the carton 90 includes with a rectangular top panel 91, a rectangular bottom panel (not shown), and side walls 93 therebetween. The carton 90 includes a lid 92 and a base 94 that may be separated from one another by a tear strip or tear tape 98. Once the tear strip 98 is removed, the carton 90 can be altered from its closed configuration to its open configuration.

As used herein, a tear tape may include a piece of tape, string, or other material that is built into the carton or box, such as on the inside surface, which can cut an opening into or through the carton as it is pulled away from the carton. In addition, a tear strip may be formed into a carton or box by a line or lines of weakness, such as perforations or cuts, disposed into the carton or box material to form a graspable portion that may be pulled to create an opening. For example, a tear strip may be primarily formed by a portion of the panel, wall, end, or side portion of the carton and not by a separate piece of material being incorporated into the carton.

Incorporating a tear tape or tear strip, may be particularly useful for consumers who desire the ability to open the carton and remove the lid without the need for additional opening tools, such as scissors or knives, or excessive force. When a consumer wants to open the carton, the tear tape or tear strip can be pulled through or away from the remainder of the carton material to separate the walls or panels of the carton into sections such as upper and lower walls or panels. With either formation, the tear tape or tear strip may include a pull tab that permits the tear tape or tear strip to be easily grasped and pulled or removed from a remainder of the carton.

While the base 94 generally has a rectangular configuration such that the side walls 93 and bottom panel are generally orthogonal to one another when connected to the lid 92 through the tear strip 98 (i.e., prior to initial opening), the base 94 is alterable into a slightly different shape after initial opening to facilitate reclosure of the carton 90. By reconfiguring the base 94, the lid 92 more easily fits around a portion of the base 94. This may be accomplished by having the lid 92 fit over and around the top portion of the base 94 like a sleeve. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower or base portions 100 of the side wall 93 may have fold lines or lines of weakness 99 that permit the base 94 to slightly collapse inward to more easily fit within the upper side walls 101 of the carton lid. The lines of weakness 99 may be disposed in a triangular configuration to form a triangular panel segment or portion. The lines of weakness 99 may permit the side walls 93 to be pushed inward to reduce the perimeter, size, or footprint of the top edge 89 of the base 94. In this manner, the base 94 more easily fits within the upper side walls 101 of the lid 92.

In one illustrative configuration, the lines of weakness 99 are formed into two oppositely disposed base side walls 100 such that the base side walls 100 may be pushed inward by applying pressure onto the triangular panel 104 defined by the lines of weakness 99. By moving the base side walls 100 inward, the footprint or perimeter of the upper edge 89 of the base 94 contracts or is reduced such that a top of the base more easily fits within the lower edge 87 of the lid 92 (as shown in FIG. 7). Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the height of the carton 90 is reduced by removal of the tear strip 98 and the distance that the lid 92 extends over the base side walls 100 of the base 94.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate package blanks 103, 105, respectively, that may be employed to make the carton 90. The package blank 103 includes a larger side flap 107 that may be adhered to the side wall 93 at the other end of the blank 103 when the carton is formed. Alternatively, the package blank 105 includes a smaller flap 109 that is adhered to the side wall 93 at the other end of the blank 105 upon carton formation. By one approach, the package blank 103 may be used with a top-loading machine to form the carton and the package blank 105 may be used with a side- or end-loading machine to form the carton.

FIG. 11 illustrates another package blank 111 that may be used to form a carton similar to carton 90 having base side walls 115 that may be pushed or moved inward after the carton is initially opened to facilitate carton reclosure. In the illustrative example of FIG. 11, the user may push at the mid-point along the top edge of the base side wall 115 (where the line of weakness 191 extends) or within the triangular panels 133 defined by the lines of weakness 190. Though the base side walls 115 of FIG. 11 may be adjusted to permit the carton to more easily reclose, the panel insets or sections 133 do not extend to the top edge of the base side walls 115 and may provide more structural integrity by limiting the amount of inward movement permitted of the side wall 115. Further, to permit the panel sections 133 to move inward without extending to the top edge of the base side wall 115, the side wall 115 includes a line of weakness 191 that extends between the top edge of the base side wall 115 to the lines of weakness 190, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

Another package blank 117, illustrated in FIG. 12, may be employed to form a carton 290 (FIG. 13), which is similar to carton 90, but also includes a hinge 291 formed by two lines of weakness or fold lines 297. Similar to the package blanks 103, 105, 111, the package blank 117 includes a tear strip 298 and lines of weakness 299 formed into base side walls 300 that permit the base side walls 300 to be moved inward after initial package opening. The package blank 117 also may be modified to include openings, such as opening 96 in the top panel, to permit the carton lid to be easily grasped and lifted from a remainder of the package. Further, the package blank 117 may be configured to be used with a top-loading machine or a side- or end-loading machine for forming the carton. The tear strip 298, however, does not extends around the entirety of the carton 290, but instead, extends only over a portion of the circumference or perimeter of the carton 290, thereby permitting the carton lid to be only partially separated from the carton base after initial opening. The carton 290, instead, may include a retaining side panel 293 that may have two lines of weakness 297 that extend thereacross. The two lines of weakness 297 may operate as a hinge 291 and also may permit the retaining to be folded over a portion of itself to reduce the height of the retaining side panel and permit the carton lid to be replaced over the carton base to reclose the carton.

To open the carton 290, the pull tab 230 may be grasped to remove the tear strip 298 from a remainder of the carton 290. Once the tear strip 298 is removed from the carton 290, the lid 292 can be tilted backward relative to base 294 or rotated about the hinge 291 in the retaining side panel 293. In this manner, the contents 234 can be access from within the carton 290 (see FIG. 14). Further, the lines of weakness 297 are generally parallel to one another and permit the lid 292 to be easily tilted or adjusted relative to the base 294. To reclose the carton 290, the side walls 300 may be pushed inward as discussed above. Further, the retaining side panel 293 may be folded back over itself (FIG. 17) to reduce the height of the panel 293 and provide a hinge 291 that permits the lid 292 to move relative to the base 294 without completely separating the two portions of the carton 290. In this way, the carton 290, after reclosure, has a reduced height (FIG. 15) as compared to before initial consumer opening. FIG. 18 illustrates the carton 290 as it is being reconfigured from its initial configuration. As shown, a portions of the side panel 293 including the hinge 291 is being folded over itself to reduce the height of the carton 290 and reclose the carton.

Further, the carton 290 also may include openings, such as openings 96, disposed in the top panel to assist with lifting or partially removing the lid 292 from the base 294 to expose carton contents, such as wrapped packages 34.

Similar to several of the cartons previously discussed, a carton 130 illustrated in FIG. 19 includes a lid 132 and a base 134. The carton 130 also may include a plurality of opening features, such as tear tapes or tear strips 140, 142, disposed at different vertical locations or intervals along the height of the carton 130. For example, the carton 130 includes a first tear strip 140 and a second tear strip 142 disposed a distance below the first tear strip 140. Consumers may be encouraged to open the uppermost tear strip 140 (such as by graphics indicating the order of opening operations) thereby leaving at least one lower, second tear strip 142 to be subsequently separated or opened. Once a user removes the lower, second tear strip 142, a removable portion 144 of the carton 130 may be removed or completely separated from a remainder of the carton 130. In this manner, the height of the carton can be reduced as product within the carton 130 is consumed or removed therefrom, as illustrated in FIGS. 20, 22, and 23. The removable portion 144 of the carton 130 is disposed between the first and second tear strips 140, 142. If the carton includes more than two tear strips, the carton may include multiple removable portions 144 between the tear strips. Similar to embodiments previously discussed, the carton 130 also may include openings 138 in the top panel 131 to permit a consumer to easily remove the lid 112 from the base 114, after initial opening or rupture of one of the tear strips 140, 142.

Further, the carton 130 may include lines of weakness 199 in one or more of the side panels of the base 134 and removable portion 144 to permit the base and removable portion 144 to move or angle inward to permit the carton lid 132 to be more easily replaced there over, as discussed above. In one exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the base 134 includes lines of weakness 199 in a triangular configuration and the removable portion 144 includes a line of weakness 193 extending from the apex of the triangular line of weakness 199 to the top of the removable portion 144. By one approach, the lines of weakness 193, 199 are disposed on opposite walls of the carton 130. In another configuration, lines of weakness may be disposed on all side walls of the carton.

In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a carton 330 includes a lid 332, a base 334, a plurality of tear tapes or strips 340, 342, a removable portion 344 between the tear strips 340, 342, and openings 338 in the top panel 331 of the lid 332. In this configuration, the lines of weakness may include a triangular line of weakness 399 disposed in opposing panels of the base 334 below the bottom most tear strip 342 and also a triangular line of weakness 393 in the removable portion 344. In one illustrative embodiment, the lines of weakness 393 are dispose on panels disposed orthogonal to the ones having lines of weakness 399. Whether the lines of weakness 193, 393 are disposed on the removable portion 144, 344 are triangular or linear or disposed on the same panel or another panel as the lines of weakness 199, 393, the lines of weakness 193, 393 still permit the upper edge 189, 389 of the base 134, 334 to be moved inward such that the lid 132, 332 to be more easily fit over the base 134, 334.

By having multiple opening features, such as tear strips 140, 142, 340, 342 the carton 130, 330 can be reduced in size once a certain amount of the packaged product has been consumed or removed from the carton. This provides a visual cue to consumers about the quantity of product remaining, which may be helpful in reminding the consumer about acquiring additional cartons of product. Furthermore, it permits the size of the carton to correspond to the amount of product being retained.

FIGS. 24-27 illustrate a generally trapezoidal carton 70 with a top panel 72 that has a larger perimeter than the bottom panel 74. Further, at least some of the side panels 76 between the top panel 72 and the bottom panel 74 have a generally trapezoidal shape. As shown, the top and bottom panels 72, 74 of the carton 70 may be square-shaped such that the carton is trapezoidal in both length and width. In other configurations, the top and bottom panels may be have other rectangular shapes such that the carton is only trapezoidal in the carton length (see, e.g., FIG. 28 illustrating a package blank for a package with a trapezoidal shape and a tear strip 178). The side panels 76 also may include a tear tape or tear strip 78 that may be used to separate a top portion, cap, or lid 80 from a base or bottom portion 82. Due to the overall trapezoidal shape of the carton 70, the lower edge 77 of the lid 80 will have a larger perimeter than the upper edge 79 of the base 82 thereby allowing the lid 80 to fit over or easily extend around the upper portion of the base 82 to thereby reclose the carton. More particularly, a lower edge or perimeter 77 of the lid 80 will generally be larger than an upper edge or perimeter 79 of the base 82 because of the trapezoidal configuration of the carton 70. By removing the tear strip 78, a portion of the height of the carton 70 is removed therefrom as discussed below. In this manner, the lower edge or perimeter 77 is measurably larger than the upper edge or perimeter 79 of the base 82. This difference in size between the lid 80 and base 82 permits a consumer to easily replace or telescope the lid 80 over the base 82. A width of the tear tape 78 may be chosen depending on the desired fit and ease of reclosure between the lid 80 and the base 82. By one approach, the tear strip 78 has a thickness, t, that is about 0.25-in. to about 1-in. In another illustrative example, the tear strip 78 may have a thickness, t, that is about 0.5-in. As noted above, the tear strip can be formed via perforations into the panels of the carton.

As noted above, the perimeter of the lower edge 77 is significantly larger than the perimeter of the upper edge 79. The size or thickness, t, of the tear strip 78 and the angles between the side panels 76 and the bottom panel 74 affects the location of the edges 77, 79 along the height of the side panels 76 and the size difference between the edges 77, 79.

Further, the gauge of material forming the carton 70 and the degree of the trapezoidal shape or the angle between the base 74 and the side walls 76 may impact the thickness, t, of the tear strip or tape 78 and adjusted to provide a large enough difference between the lower and upper edges of the base 82 and lid 80 to ensure that the lid 80 is easily replaced over the base 82. For example, a thicker material such as a corrugated one might require that the thickness, t, be larger than those used for a thinner material.

Like some of the previously discussed cartons, the trapezoidal carton 70 is easily convertible from a closed configuration (FIG. 24) to an open configuration (FIG. 26) by removal of the tear strip 78. To more easily permit the top portion 80 to be removed from a remainder of the carton 70, the top panel 76 may further include a pair of openings similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 28 illustrates a package blank 317 that may be formed into a carton 390 (FIG. 29). The blank 317 includes two side panels 393 that are trapezoidal and two side panels 395 that are rectangular. The trapezoidal-shaped carton formed out of the package blank 317 also includes a tear strip 378 that is disposed across each of the side panels 393, 395. After initial opening of the carton 390, the lid 380 will fit over the base 382, similar to the manner in which carton 70 recloses. In one illustrative approach, the length of the panels at the top end of the carton may be between 4.75 to 6.75-in and the length of the panels at the bottom end of the carton may be about 3.25-in. to about 5.0-in.

FIGS. 20-33 illustrate a carton 110 having a generally rectangular shape with a top panel 111, a bottom panel (not shown), and side walls 113 therebetween. The carton 110 includes a lid 112 and a base 114 that may be separated from one another. Similar to several previously discussed embodiments, the lid 112 may fit over the base 114 in a sleeve-like or telescoping manner. In addition, the carton 110 may have a hook and tab feature or arrangement 118 that retains the lid 112 on the base 114 until manipulation of the hook and tab arrangement 118.

The hook and tab arrangement 118 is formed by a hook die cut 119 in the lid 112 that forms a central portion 120 and a pair of extensions 122 and ends 123 extending therefrom. FIG. 31 illustrates the carton 110 prior to the lid 112 being secured to the base 114. FIG. 30 illustrates the lid 112 after it has been secured to the base 114 by inserting the extensions 122 into one or more corresponding slots 124 in the base 114. FIG. 32 illustrates the carton 110 from the inside in the closed position before initial opening. As shown, the ends 123 of the hook die cut 119 extend through the slots 124. By one approach, removal of the lid 112 from the base 114 is restricted until the hook die cut 119 is separated into pieces (such that the hook ends 123 are torn) to disengage the hook die cut 119 from the slots 124 in the base 114. In such a configuration, the hook die cut 119 operates as a package integrity feature. If the ends 123 are separated from a remainder of the hook die cut 119, then the carton 110 has been previously opened. The hook die cut 119 may have a variety of configurations, as shown in FIGS. 34-36. In addition, the carton 110 also may have openings 116 in the top panel 111 to permit a consumer to easily remove the lid 112 from the base 114.

One illustrative carton embodiment includes a lid with a plurality of lid side panels, a base with a plurality of base side panels corresponding to the lid side panels, and a hook and tab closure retaining the carton lid with the carton base. The hook may include a hook die cut disposed in one of the carton lid or the carton base configured such that the hook die cut has a central portion and a pair of extensions extending therefrom. The carton also may include a pair of slots disposed on the other of the carton lid or the carton base opposite of the hook die cut. Further, the hook die cut and pair of slots are configured on the carton lid and base such that a portion of the pair of extension extend through the corresponding pair of slots prior to initial package opening. By one approach, the hook die cut is disposed on one of the lid side panels and the pair of slots is disposed on one of the base side panels. By another approach, the carton may include two hook tab closures with one of each disposed on opposite side panels of the carton. In one approach, the extensions of the hook die cut extend into the pair of slots to retain the carton lid atop the carton base until ends of the hook die cut are torn from a remainder of the extensions. In addition, the torn extensions may provide a tamper evident feature.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. An easy open carton convertible between a closed configuration and an open configuration comprising: a generally rectangular base with a bottom panel and base side panels;a carton lid sized to cooperate with the rectangular base and having a top panel and lid side panels, wherein the rectangular base is sized to partially fit within the carton lid at least after initial carton opening;a tear strip connecting the carton lid with the rectangular base and configured to separate the lid side panels from the base side panels after initial opening; anda pair of openings in the top panel of the carton lid to permit a user to easily lift and remove the carton lid from the rectangular base after separation of the tear strip from a remainder of the carton.

2. The carton of claim 1 further comprising fold lines disposed on at least one of the base side panels, the fold lines permitting an upper perimeter of the base to be pushed inward thereby reducing the size of the upper end of the base to permit it to more easily fit within the carton lid.

3. The carton of claim 2 wherein the fold lines are formed in oppositely disposed base side panels and the fold lines form triangular sections on the base panels that can be pushed inward.

4. The carton of claim 1 wherein the base side panels are disposed generally orthogonal to one another prior to initial package opening and wherein the base side panels are movable from the generally orthogonal configuration subsequent to initial package opening to an angled configuration such that a smaller perimeter of a top end of the base fits easily within the carton lid subsequent to initial package opening.

5. The carton of claim 4 wherein at least two of the base side panels have an upper perimeter with midpoints configured to be pushed inward.

6. The carton of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tear strips disposed at different vertical intervals along a height of the carton.

7. The carton of claim 6 further comprising a removable portion disposed in between the plurality of tear strips that are removable to reduce the height of the carton.

8. A carton comprising: a carton for retaining food product, the carton have a plurality of side panels;a tear strip disposed in the carton permitting a carton lid to be partially separated from a carton base after initial opening, the tear strip extending over at least some of the plurality of side panels but not entirely around the carton such that a retaining side panel prevents the complete separation of the carton lid from the carton base when the tear strip is removed from the carton;a hinge permitting the carton lid to rotate relative to the carton base after initial opening, the hinge formed by two lines of weakness formed in the retaining side panel; anda panel segment formed in at least one of the lower side panel portions by a base line of weakness, the base line of weakness permitting the carton base to collapse slightly inward from its original orthogonal configuration to permit the carton lid to easily fit over a portion of the carton base.

9. The carton of claim 8 wherein the carton includes four side panels and the tear strip extends over at least three of the side panels and a fourth side panel has the hinge disposed therein.

10. The carton of claim 8 wherein two of the lower side panels have the panel segment formed therein.

11. The carton of claim 8 wherein the two lines of weakness forming the hinge are parallel to one another and permit the retaining side panel to be folded over a portion of itself thereby reducing a height of the retaining side panel and permitting the carton lid to be replaced over the carton base to reclose the carton.

12. A display and carry carton convertible between a closed configuration and an open configuration comprising: a generally rectangular body having first and second ends and four side walls therebetween;a movable closure disposed in the first end and a first side wall, the movable closure including a panel that is lifted to expose carton contents and a handle; andwherein the handle is disposed at the junction between the first end and the first side wall and the handle operates as an opening feature permitting a user to move the movable closure from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

13. The display and carry carton of claim 12 further comprising a pair of openings including an end opening disposed in the first end and a side opening disposed in the first side wall, the first end and first side walls being adjacent one another.

14. The display and carry carton of claim 1 further comprising a pull tab disposed adjacent the end opening disposed in the first end of the carton, the pull tab configured to permit a user to lift a front end of the movable closure along a line of weakness that defines the movable closure.

15. An easy open carton comprising: a generally trapezoidal body having a top panel with a larger area than a bottom panel and side walls therebetween, at least two oppositely disposed side walls having a generally trapezoidal shape;a tear strip formed in the side walls, the tear strip permitting the side walls to separate such that the carton includes a lid and a base; andwherein upon removal of the tear strip from the side walls, the lid can be removed from the base to open the carton and the lid can be fit around at least a portion of the base to close the carton.

16. The carton of claim 15 further comprising a pair of openings disposed in the top panel thereby permitting easy removal of the lid from the base.

17. The carton of claim 15 wherein the lid further comprises a lower perimeter and the base further comprises an upper perimeter and wherein the lower perimeter of the lid is measurably larger than the upper perimeter of the base thereby permitting the lid to be easily replaced over the base.

18. A carton comprising: a carton lid with a plurality of lid side panels;a carton base with a plurality of base side panels corresponding to the lid side panels;a hook and tab closure retaining the carton lid with the carton base;the hook including a hook die cut disposed in one of the carton lid or the carton base, the hook die cut having a central portion and a pair of extensions extending therefrom;a pair of slots disposed on the other of the carton lid or the carton base opposite of the hook die cut;wherein the hook die cut and pair of slots are configured on the carton lid and base such that a portion of the pair of extension extend through the corresponding pair of slots prior to initial package opening.

19. The carton of claim 18 wherein the hook die cut is disposed on one of the lid side panels and the pair of slots is disposed on one of the base side panels.

20. The carton of claim 19 wherein the extensions of the hook die cut extend into the pair of slots to retain the carton lid atop the carton base until ends of the hook die cut are torn from a remainder of the extensions.