Carton with handle and dispenser

• US 8,978,963 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2012
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Kastanek, Raymond S., Baldino, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US13/402,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20120211552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 229/243, 493/121
• US Class Current: 229/117.13
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/26 Folding sheets, blanks or webs
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/86 Forming integral handles; Attaching separate handles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00469 Straps made between two handholes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00524 integral
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00549 consisting of fold lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00574 whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0066 formed from one single sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00728 the end walls being closed by gluing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/40 specially constructed to contain liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4608 Handgrip holes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/703 the score-lines or incisions extending in the body of the tubular container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/32 formed by finger-holes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/34 characterised by weakened lines or other opening devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/36 having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/18 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient with thermal insulation B65D81/38; ice-boxes with cooling means F25D

Abstract

A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. End flaps can be respectively foldably connected to respective panels and at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A dispenser panel can be at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line extending in at least the top panel and at least one of the end flaps. An opening section can be at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line and can be foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The dispenser panel is at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening, and the opening section is positionable relative the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening.

Claims

1. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel;

end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the end flaps being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton, wherein the end flaps comprise at least a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel; and

a dispenser comprising a dispenser panel and an opening section, the dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line comprising at least a first portion extending in at least the top panel and a second portion extending in the top end flap from an end of the first portion, the opening section being at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line in at least the top panel and an end tear line in the top end flap, the opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel, wherein the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends from the first end tear line in the top end flap away from the opening section so that the dispenser tear line is spaced apart from the first side panel by at least a portion of the opening section, the dispenser panel is at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening, and the opening section is positionable relative the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening;

wherein the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends to an edge of the top end flap that is spaced apart from the first side panel and the second side panel.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the dispenser panel is separable from the opening section along at least a portion of the first portion of the dispenser tear line.

3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the end tear line is a first end tear line and the opening section is further defined by a second end tear line extending in the top end flap.

4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the first end tear line extends from the dispenser tear line and the second end tear line extends from the first end tear line.

5. The carton of claim 3, wherein the end flaps further comprise a side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and the opening section is foldably connected to the first side panel along a lateral fold line.

6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the opening section is further defined by a third end tear line extending in the side end flap from an end of the lateral fold line, the second end tear line at least partially overlapping the third end tear line.

7. The carton of claim 6, wherein:

the first end tear line extends in a generally lateral direction, and the second end tear line and the third end tear line are oblique with respect to the first end tear line; and

the second portion of the dispenser tear line is arcuate and extends to a first edge of the top end flap, and the second end tear line extends to an opposing second edge of the top end flap, the second edge of the top end flap being disposed adjacent the first side panel.

8. The carton of claim 1, wherein:

the top panel is a first top panel, the dispenser panel is a first dispenser panel, and the dispenser tear line is a first dispenser tear line;

the carton comprises a second top panel;

the dispenser further comprises a second dispenser panel, the second dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a second dispenser tear line extending in at least the second top panel; and

the second dispenser panel at least partially overlaps the first dispenser panel.

9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the opening section is a first opening section, the first opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel along a first fold line, and the dispenser further comprises a second opening section that is at least partially defined by the second dispenser tear line and is foldably connected to the second side panel along a second fold line.

10. The carton of claim 9, wherein:

the top end flap is a first top end flap;

the end flaps further comprise at least a second top end flap foldably connected to the second top panel;

the first dispenser panel is separable from the first opening section along at least a portion of the first portion of the first dispenser tear line; and

the second dispenser tear line comprises a third portion extending in the second top panel and a fourth portion extending in the second top end flap from an end of the third portion, the second dispenser panel being separable from the second opening section along at least a portion of the third portion of the second dispenser tear line.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the end tear line is a first end tear line and the first opening section is further defined by a second end tear line extending in the first top end flap, the first end tear line extending from the first dispenser tear line and the second end tear line extending from the first end tear line, and the second opening section is further defined by a third end tear line and a fourth end tear line each extending in the second top end flap, the third end tear line extending from the second dispenser tear line and the fourth end tear line extending from the third end tear line.

12. The carton of claim 11, wherein:

the end flaps further comprise a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

the first opening section is further defined by a fifth end tear line extending in the first side end flap from an end of the first end fold line, the second end tear line at least partially overlapping the fifth end tear line; and

the second opening section is further defined by a sixth end tear line extending in the second side end flap from an end of the third end fold line, the fourth end tear line at least partially overlapping the sixth end tear line.

13. The carton of claim 12, wherein:

the second portion of the first dispenser tear line is arcuate and extends to a first edge of the first top end flap, and the fourth portion of the second dispenser tear line is arcuate and extends to a second edge of the second top end flap; and

the second top end flap at least partially overlaps the first top end flap, and the second portion of the first dispenser tear line at least partially overlaps the fourth portion of the second dispenser tear line.

14. The carton of claim 9, wherein the end flaps further comprise a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a side end flap foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel, the bottom end flap being connected to the side end flap by a gusset.

15. The carton of claim 14, wherein:

the side end flap is a first side end flap and the end flaps further comprise a second side end flap;

the gusset is a first gusset and the bottom end flap is connected to the second side end flap by a second gusset; and

at least the first gusset, the second gusset, the bottom end flap, and lower portions of the first side panel and the second side panel form an expandable bottom receptacle for expanding the dispenser opening after the first dispenser panel and the second dispenser panel are removed and the first opening section and the second opening section are pivoted along the respective first lateral fold line and second lateral fold line.

16. The carton of claim 15, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset each comprise a first gusset panel and a second gusset panel, the first gusset panels being foldably connected to the bottom end flap and the respective second gusset panels, the second gusset panel of the first gusset being overlapped with and adhered to the first side end panel and the first gusset panel of the second gusset being overlapped with and adhered to the second side end flap, the first gusset panels being free to pivot relative to the bottom end flap and the respective second gusset panels.

17. The carton of claim 16, wherein:

the top end flap is a first top end flap, and the end tear line is a first end tear line;

the end flaps further comprise at least a second top end flap foldably connected to the second top panel;

the bottom end flap at least partially overlaps and is adhered to the first top end flap and the second top end flap;

the first opening section comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being at least partially defined by at least the first end tear line extending in the first top end flap, and the second end portion being at least partially defined by at least one second end tear line extending in the second top end flap;

each of the first side end flap and the second side end flap comprises a respective first upper portion and second upper portion, the first upper portion being at least partially defined by a third end tear line, and the second upper portion being at least partially defined by a fourth end tear line; and

the first end portion of the first opening section at least partially overlaps and is adhered to the first upper portion of the first side end flap, and the second end portion of the second opening section at least partially overlaps and is adhered to the second upper section of the second side end flap.

18. The carton of claim 8, further comprising a handle comprising a first handle panel extending in at least the first dispenser panel and a second handle panel extending in the second dispenser panel, the first handle panel comprising a first gripping portion, and the second handle panel comprising a second gripping portion, wherein the first gripping portion at least partially overlaps the second gripping portion.

19. The carton of claim 1, wherein:

the end flaps comprise at least one side end flap foldably connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel and a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel; and

the bottom end flap is connected to the at least one side end flap by a gusset.

20. The carton of claim 19, wherein the gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to the bottom end flap and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the at least one side end flap, and wherein the second gusset panel at least partially overlaps and is adhered to the at least one side end flap.

21. The carton of claim 19, wherein:

the at least one side end flap comprises a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

the gusset is a first gusset foldably connected to the bottom end flap and the first side end flap, and a second gusset is foldably connected to the bottom end flap and the second side end flap; and

at least the bottom end flap, the first gusset, the second gusset, and lower portions of the first side panel and the second side panel form an expandable bottom receptacle for expanding the dispenser opening after the dispenser panel is removed and the opening section is pivoted relative to the first side panel.

22. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a handle comprising a handle panel extending in at least the dispenser panel.

23. The carton of claim 1, wherein:

the top panel is foldably connected to the first side panel along a first lateral fold line and the opening section is foldably connected to the first side panel along a second lateral fold line; and

the opening section comprises a top portion in the top panel and a side portion in the side panel, the top portion being at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line and the first lateral fold line, and the side portion being at least partially defined by the first lateral fold line and the second lateral fold line.

24. The carton of claim 23, wherein the opening section further comprises an end portion in at least the top end flap, the end portion being at least partially defined by the end tear line.

25. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel;

end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the end flaps for being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, wherein the end flaps comprise at least a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel; and

dispenser features for forming a dispenser in the carton formed from the blank, the dispenser features comprising a dispenser panel and an opening section, the dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line comprising at least a first portion extending in at least the top panel and a second portion extending in the top end flap from an end of the first portion, the opening section being at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line in at least the top panel and an end tear line in the top end flap, the opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel, wherein the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends from the first end tear line in the top end flap away from the opening section so that the dispenser tear line is spaced apart from the first side panel by at least a portion of the opening section when the carton is formed from the blank, the dispenser panel for being at least partially removed from the carton formed from the blank to create a dispenser opening, and the opening section for being positionable relative to the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening when the carton is formed from the blank;

wherein the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends to an edge of the top end flap that is spaced apart from the first side panel and the second side panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

26. The blank of claim 25, wherein the dispenser panel is separable from the opening section along at least a portion of the first portion of the dispenser tear line.

27. The blank of claim 26, wherein the end tear line is a first end tear line and the opening section is further defined by a second end tear line extending in the top end flap.

28. The blank of claim 27, wherein the first end tear line extends from the dispenser tear line and the second end tear line extends from the first end tear line.

29. The blank of claim 27, wherein the end flaps further comprise a side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and the opening section is foldably connected to the first side panel along a lateral fold line.

30. The blank of claim 29, wherein the opening section is further defined by a third end tear line extending in the side end flap from an end of the lateral fold line, the second end tear line is for at least partially overlapping the third end tear line when the carton is formed from the blank.

31. The blank of claim 30, wherein:

the first end tear line extends in a generally lateral direction, and the second end tear line and the third end tear line are oblique with respect to the first end tear line; and

the second portion of the dispenser tear line is arcuate and extends to a first edge of the top end flap, and the second end tear line extends to an opposing second edge of the top end flap, the second edge of the top end flap for being disposed adjacent the first side panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

32. The blank of claim 25, wherein:

the top panel is a first top panel, the dispenser panel is a first dispenser panel, and the dispenser tear line is a first dispenser tear line;

the carton comprises a second top panel;

the dispenser further comprises a second dispenser panel, the second dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a second dispenser tear line extending in at least the second top panel; and

the second dispenser panel is for at least partially overlapping the first dispenser panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

33. The blank of claim 32, wherein the opening section is a first opening section, the first opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel along a first fold line, and the dispenser further comprises a second opening section that is at least partially defined by the second dispenser tear line and is foldably connected to the second side panel along a second fold line.

34. The blank of claim 33, wherein:

the top end flap is a first top end flap;

the end flaps further comprise at least a second top end flap foldably connected to the second top panel;

the first dispenser panel is separable from the first opening section along at least a portion of the first portion of the first dispenser tear line; and

the second dispenser tear line comprises a third portion extending in the second top panel and a fourth portion extending in the second top end flap from an end of the third portion, the second dispenser panel being separable from the second opening section along at least a portion of the third portion of the second dispenser tear line.

35. The blank of claim 34, wherein the end tear line is a first end tear line and the first opening section is further defined by a second end tear line extending in the first top end flap, the first end tear line extending from the first dispenser tear line and the second end tear line extending from the first end tear line, and the second opening section is further defined by a third end tear line and a fourth end tear line each extending in the second top end flap, the third end tear line extending from the second dispenser tear line and the fourth end tear line extending from the third end tear line.

36. The blank of claim 35, wherein:

the end flaps further comprise a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

the first opening section is further defined by a fifth end tear line extending in the first side end flap from an end of the first end fold line, the second end tear line being for at least partially overlapping the fifth end tear line when the carton is formed from the blank; and

the second opening section is further defined by a sixth end tear line extending in the second side end flap from an end of the third end fold line, the fourth end tear line being for at least partially overlapping the sixth end tear line when the carton is formed from the blank.

37. The blank of claim 36, wherein:

the second portion of the first dispenser tear line is arcuate and extends to a first edge of the first top end flap, and the fourth portion of the second dispenser tear line is arcuate and extends to a second edge of the second top end flap; and

the second top end flap is for at least partially overlapping the first top end flap when the carton is formed from the blank, and the second portion of the first dispenser tear line is for at least partially overlapping the fourth portion of the second dispenser tear line when the carton is formed from the blank.

38. The blank of claim 33, wherein the end flaps further comprise a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a side end flap foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel, the bottom end flap being connected to the side end flap by a gusset.

39. The blank of claim 38, wherein:

the side end flap is a first side end flap and the end flaps further comprise a second side end flap;

the gusset is a first gusset and the bottom end flap is connected to the second side end flap by a second gusset; and

at least the first gusset, the second gusset, the bottom end flap, and lower portions of the first side panel and the second side panel are for forming an expandable bottom receptacle when the carton is formed from the bank.

40. The blank of claim 39, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset each comprise a first gusset panel and a second gusset panel, the first gusset panels being foldably connected to the bottom end flap and the respective second gusset panels, the second gusset panel of the first gusset being for overlapping the first side end panel when the carton is formed from the blank and the first gusset panel of the second gusset being for overlapping the second side end flap when the carton is formed from the blank.

41. The blank of claim 32, further comprising a handle comprising a first handle panel extending in at least the first dispenser panel and a second handle panel extending in the second dispenser panel, the first handle panel comprising a first gripping portion, and the second handle panel comprising a second gripping portion, wherein the first gripping portion is for at least partially overlapping the second gripping portion when the carton is formed from the blank.

42. The blank of claim 25, wherein:

the end flaps comprise at least one side end flap foldably connected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel and a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel; and

the bottom end flap is connected to the at least one side end flap by a gusset.

43. The blank of claim 42, wherein the gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to the bottom end flap and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the at least one side end flap, and wherein the second gusset panel is for at least partially overlapping the at least one side end flap.

44. The blank of claim 42, wherein:

the at least one side end flap comprises a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

the gusset is a first gusset foldably connected to the bottom end flap and the first side end flap, and a second gusset is foldably connected to the bottom end flap and the second side end flap; and

at least the bottom end flap, the first gusset, the second gusset, and lower portions of the first side panel and the second side panel are for forming an expandable bottom receptacle when the carton is formed from the blank.

45. The blank of claim 25, further comprising handle features comprising a handle panel extending in at least the dispenser panel.

46. The blank of claim 25, wherein:

the top panel is foldably connected to the first side panel along a first lateral fold line and the opening section is foldably connected to the first side panel along a second lateral fold line; and

the opening section comprises a top portion in the top panel and a side portion in the side panel, the top portion being at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line and the first lateral fold line, and the side portion being at least partially defined by the first lateral fold line and the second lateral fold line.

47. The blank of claim 46, wherein the opening section further comprises an end portion in at least the top end flap, the end portion being at least partially defined by the end tear line.

48. A method of forming a carton comprising:

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel, end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, and dispenser features comprising a dispenser panel and an opening section, wherein the end panels comprise at least a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel, wherein the dispenser panel is at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line comprising a first portion extending in at least the top panel and a second portion extending in the top end flap from an end of the first portion, and the opening section is at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line in at least the top panel and an end tear line in the top end flap, the opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel;

forming an interior of the carton at least partially defined by the plurality of panels, the forming the interior of the carton comprising forming an open-ended sleeve;

positioning the end flaps to be at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to at least partially close an end of the open-ended sleeve, at least partially forming a closed end of the carton;

wherein the forming the interior and the positioning the end flaps comprise forming a dispenser extending in at least the top panel and the closed end of the carton, the dispenser panel is at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening, the opening section is positionable relative the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening, and the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends from the first end tear line in the top end flap away from the opening section so that the dispenser tear line is spaced apart from the first side panel by at least a portion of the opening section, wherein the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends to an edge of the top end flap that is spaced apart from the first side panel and the second side panel.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the blank further comprises handle features comprising a handle panel extending in at least the dispenser panel.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein:

the end flaps comprise at least a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel, and a side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel;

the dispenser panel is separable from the opening section along at least a portion of the first portion of the dispenser tear line;

the opening section is foldably connected to the one of the first side panel and the second side panel along a fold line, the end tear line is a first end tear line, and the opening section is further defined by a second end tear line extending in the top end flap and a third end tear line extending in the side end flap from an end of the fold line;

the positioning the end flaps further comprising at least partially overlapping the second end tear line with the third end tear line.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein:

the first end tear line and the second end tear line at least partially define an end portion of the opening section in the top end flap, and the third end tear line forms an upper portion of the side end flap;

the positioning the end flaps further comprises at least partially overlapping the upper portion of the side end flap with the end portion of the opening section and adhering the end portion of the opening section to the upper portion of the side end flap.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein:

the end flaps comprise at least a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel and a side end flap foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel, the bottom end flap being connected to the side end flap by a gusset;

the positioning the end flaps further comprises at least partially overlapping the side end flap with the gusset and at least partially overlapping the gusset with the bottom end flap.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein:

the top panel is a first top panel, the dispenser panel is a first dispenser panel, the dispenser tear line is a first dispenser tear line, and the opening section is a first opening section, the first opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel along a first fold line;

the carton comprises a second top panel;

the dispenser further comprises a second dispenser panel and a second opening section, the second dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a second dispenser tear line extending in at least the second top panel, the second opening section is at least partially defined by the second dispenser tear line and is foldably connected to the second side panel along a second fold line; and

the forming the interior of the carton further comprises at least partially overlapping the first top panel and the second top panel so that the second dispenser panel at least partially overlaps the first dispenser panel.

54. A method of opening a carton comprising:

obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, and a dispenser comprising a dispenser panel and an opening section, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel, the end flaps comprise at least a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel, the end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton, the dispenser panel is at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line comprising at least a first portion extending in at least the top panel and a second portion extending in the top end flap from an end of the first portion, the opening section is at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line in at least the top panel and an end tear line in the top end flap, the opening section being foldably connected to the first side panel, and the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends from the first end tear line in the top end flap away from the opening section so that the dispenser tear line is spaced apart from the first side panel by at least a portion of the opening section, wherein the second portion of the dispenser tear line extends to an edge of the top end flap that is spaced apart from the first side panel and the second side panel;

removing the dispenser panel to form a dispenser opening by tearing along the first portion and the second portion of the dispenser tear line in at least the top panel and the top end flap, respectively; and

expanding the dispenser opening by tearing along at least the end tear line in the top end flap and pivoting the opening section relative to the first side panel.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the carton further comprises a handle comprising a handle panel extending in at least the dispenser panel, the removing the dispenser panel comprising removing the handle panel.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein:

the end flaps comprise at least a side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel and a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the bottom end flap being connected to the side end flap by a gusset;

the gusset comprises a first gusset panel foldably connected to the bottom end flap and a second gusset panel foldably connected to the first gusset panel and the side end flap, and the second gusset panel at least partially overlaps and is adhered to the side end flap;

the expanding the dispenser opening further comprises folding the first gusset panel relative to the side end flap and the bottom end flap.