Carton with opening feature

• US 9,156,582 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2013
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Walsh, Joseph C., Sinclair, Mark, Sloat, Jeffrey T., Jesch, Norman L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELKINS, GARY E
• Application Number:
  US14/050,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20140034717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 229/117.3, 229/117.31
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 2120/40 lined or internally reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/26 Folding sheets, blanks or webs
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/81 Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/02 by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body B65D5/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/541 the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5435 and defining after rupture a lid hinged to the side edge of the container body
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/56 Linings or internal coatings , e.g. pre-formed trays provided with a blow- or thermoformed layer to protect the articles from mechanical damage B65D81/127
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/563 Laminated linings; Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/603 Flexible linings loosely glued to the wall of the container B65D5/0272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/606 Bags or bag-like tubes loosely glued to the wall of a "tubular" container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/701 Tearable flaps defined by score-lines or incisions provided in the closure flaps of a tubular container made of a single blank
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/725 Incised or pre-scored openings or windows provided in the side wall of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/727 Dispensing openings provided in the upper end-walls of tubular containers, the openings being closed by means of separate stopper or other closure elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/746 Spouts formed separately from the container

Abstract

A package for holding a product. The package can comprise a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton. A liner may optionally be at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton and can comprise an inner dispensing feature. A liner patch can overlap the inner dispensing feature and can be mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature of the liner.

Claims

1. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:

a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton;

a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined b a separating line in the liner and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line, the separating line comprising a cut line, the inner dispenser panel being at least partially separated from the sealing portion of the liner along the cut line; and

a liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the separating line comprises a tear line, the inner dispenser panel being separable from the sealing portion of the liner along the tear line.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the inner dispenser panel is generally rectangular, the separating line extending around the perimeter of the inner dispenser panel.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the liner, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the carton further comprises an outer dispensing feature that is generally aligned with the liner patch and the inner dispensing feature.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the outer dispensing feature comprises an outer dispenser panel at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the outer dispenser panel at least partially overlapping the liner patch.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the separating line of the inner dispensing feature is spaced apart from the tear line of the outer dispensing feature along a length of the separating line and the tear line.

9. The package of claim 7, wherein:

the at least one panel is respectively foldably connected to a side panel of the plurality of panels and a plurality of attachment flaps along a plurality of fold lines; and

the separating line of the inner dispensing feature is spaced apart from the plurality of fold lines.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the tear line of the outer dispensing feature comprises at least one segment that is collinear with a fold line of the plurality of fold lines.

11. The package of claim 9, wherein the inner dispensing feature comprises at least one expansion line extending from the separating line in the sealing portion of the liner toward the tear line in the outer dispensing feature, the liner patch overlapping the at least one expansion line.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a first material and the liner patch comprises a second material, the first material and the second material being different materials.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein the dispensing feature of the liner comprises an opening in the liner and the liner comprises a sealing portion extending around the opening, the liner patch being releasably adhered to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the liner.

14. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:

a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton;

a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

a liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel and the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner, and

wherein a first portion of the liner patch is pivotably attached to the sealing portion of the liner, and a second portion of the liner patch is adhered to the sealing portion of the liner by a resealable adhesive.

15. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:

a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton;

a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

a liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel and the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch is adhered to the inner dispenser panel by a first adhesive and is adhered to the sealing portion by a second adhesive, the first adhesive forming a stronger bond between the liner patch and the inner dispenser panel than a bond fanned by the second adhesive between the liner patch and the sealing portion of the liner.

16. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:

a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton;

a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line

a liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel and the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch is adhered to the inner dispenser panel by a first adhesive and is adhered to the sealing portion by a second adhesive, the first adhesive being substantially the same as the second adhesive.

17. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:

a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton;

a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

a liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch overlaps the sealing portion of the liner, and the inner dispensing feature comprises at least one expansion line extending from the separating line in the sealing portion of the liner, wherein removal of the inner dispenser panel forms an initial opening and portions of the sealing portion can be separated at the at least one expansion line to expand the initial opening after the opening of the inner dispensing feature.

18. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:

a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton;

a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature; and

a liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner comprises a first material and the liner patch comprises a second material, the first material and the second material being different materials, and the second material comprises a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers comprising at least a laser stop layer for controlling a laser cut depth when forming the separating line in the liner.

19. The package of claim 18, the laser stop layer of the second material comprising at least one of a foil layer, an ink layer, and a dye layer.

20. In combination, a carton blank, a liner, and a liner patch for forming a package for holding a product,

the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels respectively foldably connected to one another;

the liner being mounted on at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line, the separating line comprising a cut line, the inner dispenser panel being at least partially separated from the sealing portion of the liner along the cut line; and

the liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein the separating line comprises a tear line, the inner dispenser panel being separable from the sealing portion of the liner along the tear line.

22. The combination of claim 20, wherein the inner dispenser panel is generally rectangular, the separating line extending around the perimeter of the inner dispenser panel.

23. The combination of claim 20, wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the liner, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner.

25. The combination of claim 20, wherein the carton blank further comprises an outer dispensing feature that is generally aligned with the liner patch and the inner dispensing feature.

26. The combination of claim 25, wherein the outer dispensing feature comprises an outer dispenser panel at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the outer dispenser panel at least partially overlapping the liner patch.

27. The combination of claim 26, wherein:

the at least one panel is respectively foldably connected to a side panel of the plurality of panels and a plurality of attachment flaps along a plurality of fold lines; and

the separating line of the inner dispensing feature is spaced apart from the plurality of fold lines.

28. The combination of claim 27, wherein the inner dispensing feature comprises at least one expansion line extending from the separating line in the sealing portion of the liner toward the tear line in the outer dispensing feature, the liner patch overlapping the at least one expansion line.

29. The combination of claim 20, wherein the liner comprises a first material and the liner patch comprises a second material, the first material and the second material being different materials.

30. The combination of claim 20, wherein the dispensing feature of the liner comprises an opening in the liner and the liner comprises a sealing portion extending around the opening, the liner patch being releasably adhered to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the liner.

31. In combination, a carton blank, a liner, and a liner patch for forming a package for holding a product,

the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels respectively foldably connected to one another;

the liner being mounted on at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

the liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel and the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner, and

wherein a first portion of the liner patch is pivotably attached to the sealing portion of the liner, and a second portion of the liner patch is adhered to the sealing portion of the liner by a resealable adhesive.

32. In combination, a carton blank, a liner, and a liner patch for forming a package for holding a product,

the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels respectively foldably connected to one another;

the liner being mounted on at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

the liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel and the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch is adhered to the inner dispenser panel by a first adhesive and is adhered to the sealing portion by a second adhesive, the first adhesive forming a stronger bond between the liner patch and the inner dispenser panel than a bond formed by the second adhesive between the liner patch and the sealing portion of the liner.

33. In combination, a carton blank, a liner, and a liner patch for forming a package for holding a product,

the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels respectively foldably connected to one another;

the liner being mounted on at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

the liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch is adhered to at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel and the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch overlaps at least a portion of the separating line, the liner patch being separable from the sealing portion of the liner, and the liner patch is adhered to the inner dispenser panel by a first adhesive and is adhered to the sealing portion by a second adhesive, the first adhesive being substantially the same as the second adhesive.

34. In combination, a carton blank, a liner, and a liner patch for forming a package for holding a product,

the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels respectively foldably connected to one another;

the liner being mounted on at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, the inner dispensing feature comprising an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, and the liner comprising a sealing portion adjacent the separating line;

the liner patch overlapping the inner dispensing feature, and the liner patch being mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature; and

wherein the liner patch overlaps the sealing portion of the liner, and the inner dispensing feature comprises at least one expansion line extending from the separating line in the sealing portion of the liner, wherein removal of the inner dispenser panel forms an initial opening and portions of the sealing portion can be separated at the at least one expansion line to expand the initial opening after the opening of the inner dispensing feature.

35. A method of forming a package, the method comprising:

forming a package comprising a liner, a liner patch mounted on the liner, and a carton comprising a plurality of panels, the forming the package comprising;

mounting the liner patch to the liner;

forming an inner dispensing feature in the liner, the forming the inner dispensing feature comprising forming an inner dispenser panel in a portion of the liner that is overlapped by the liner patch, the forming the inner dispensing feature comprising forming a cut line in the liner, the cut line generally extends through the liner and defines an inner dispenser panel in the liner, and the liner patch generally forms a seal over the cut line; and

forming an interior of the carton at least partially defined by the plurality of panels, the liner being at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the forming the inner dispensing feature further comprises forming at least one expansion line in the liner, the at least one expansion line extends from the cut line, and the liner patch overlaps the at least one expansion line.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the mounting the liner patch to the liner comprises pivotally attaching a first portion of the liner patch to the liner and adhering at least a second portion of the liner patch to the liner.

38. A method of opening a package, the method comprising:

obtaining a package comprising a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton, a liner at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton, the liner comprising an inner dispensing feature, and a liner patch mounted on the liner and overlapping the inner dispensing feature, the inner dispenser opening comprising an initial inner dispenser opening, the liner comprising an expansion line extending from the initial inner dispenser opening;

forming an inner dispenser opening in the inner dispensing feature of the liner by at least partially removing the liner patch from the liner; and

expanding the initial inner dispenser opening by tearing a portion of the liner along the expansion line.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the carton comprises an outer dispensing feature comprising an outer dispenser panel that is generally aligned with the liner patch and the inner dispensing feature, and the method further comprises forming an outer dispenser opening by at least partially removing the outer dispenser panel.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the liner patch is mounted on the liner by an adhesive, and the method further comprises resealing at least a portion of the liner patch to the liner with the adhesive after the forming the inner dispenser opening.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the inner dispenser feature comprises an inner dispenser panel at least partially defined by a separating line in the liner, the liner patch is adhered to at least the inner dispenser panel, and the removing at least a portion of the liner patch removes at least a portion of the inner dispenser panel from the liner.