Carton with handle and dispenser

• US 9,376,230 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• 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, Sutherland, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US13/794,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20130186045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 229/243, 493/121
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00154 interlocked
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0016 by tabs protruding from one end and co-operating with openings at the other end
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00172 by tabs cut within one end and facing towards the other end when blank is unfolded, and co-operting with openings at the other end
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00259 inwardly folded tabs, i.e. elements substantially narrower than the corresponding package dimension
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00277 Slits or openings formed along a fold line
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00444 for fingers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0045 for hands
• 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 5/0227 with end closures formed by inward folding of flaps and securing them by heat-sealing, by applying adhesive to the flaps or by staples
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4208 Means facilitating suspending, lifting, handling, or the like of containers handles B65D5/46
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/542 the lines of weakness being provided in the container body
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/22 Openings or windows formed in the side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/30 unitary , i.e. integral with the tubular packaging elements
• 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

Abstract

A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton and a dispenser comprising a dispenser panel. The dispenser panel is at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The dispenser panel can be at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening. The carton also can comprise a handle for grasping and carrying the carton. The handle comprises a handle feature extending in at least the dispenser panel, and at least a portion of the handle can be removable from the carton with the dispenser panel.

Claims

1. A carton for holding a plurality of containers, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel and the second panel being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another;

a dispenser comprising a first dispenser panel and a second dispenser panel, the first dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a first tear line extending in at least the first panel, the second dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a second tear line extending in at least the second panel, the first dispenser panel being at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening allowing access to the interior; and

a handle for grasping and carrying the carton, the handle comprising a handle feature extending in at least the first dispenser panel, at least a portion of the handle being removable from the carton with the first dispenser panel.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the handle feature comprises a handle panel having a handle grip extending in at least the first dispenser panel, at least a portion of the handle grip being removable from the carton with the first dispenser panel.

3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the handle further comprises a handle aperture, the handle grip extending adjacent the handle aperture.

4. The carton of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second dispenser panel at least partially overlaps the first dispenser panel.

5. The carton of claim 4, wherein first tear line and the second tear line are curved, and the second tear line generally is a mirror image of the first tear line.

6. The carton of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the second tear line at least partially overlaps the first tear line.

7. The carton of claim 4, wherein the handle feature comprises a first handle panel extending at least partially in the first dispenser panel in the first panel and a second handle panel extending in at least the second dispenser panel in the second panel, at least a portion of the second handle panel overlapping the first handle panel.

8. The carton of claim 7, wherein the first handle panel comprises a first handle grip extending adjacent a first handle aperture and the second handle panel comprises a second handle grip extending adjacent a second handle aperture, the second handle grip at least partially overlapping the first handle grip.

9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the first tear line and the second tear line are curved so that a first distance between the first tear line and the second tear line proximate the first handle grip, the first handle aperture, the second handle grip, and the second handle aperture is greater than a second distance between portions of the first tear line and the second tear line that are spaced from the first handle grip, the first handle aperture, the second handle grip, and the second handle aperture.

10. The carton of claim 4, further comprising 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, the end flaps comprising at least a first end flap foldably connected to the first panel and a second end flap foldably connected to the second panel, wherein the first tear line further extends in the first end flap and the second tear line further extends in the second end flap.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the second end flap at least partially overlaps the first end flap.

12. The carton of claim 10, wherein the dispenser further comprises an access feature in the closed end of the carton, the access feature comprising at least one access opening in the first end flap adjacent a first end of the first tear line and at least one access flap in the second end flap adjacent a second end of the second tear line, the at least one access flap at least partially overlapping the at least one access opening.

13. The carton of claim 12, wherein the at least one access opening comprises at least two access openings in the first end flap, and the at least one access flap comprises at least two access flaps in the second end flap, each access flap of the at least two access flaps at least partially overlapping a respective access opening of the at least two access openings.

14. The carton of claim 12, wherein the first dispenser panel and the second dispenser panel comprise a respective fold line extending from respective ends of the respective first tear line and the second tear line, the fold lines being disposed at an opposing end of the respective first panel and second panel from the closed end of the carton, and the first tear line and the second tear line are configured to be torn from the access feature in the closed end of the carton toward the respective fold lines.

15. The carton of claim 1, further comprising 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 first dispenser panel and the first tear line at least partially extend into at least one of the end flaps.

16. The carton of claim 1, wherein:

the first panel comprises a score line extending from a corner of the first panel toward the handle; and

the first tear line comprises a series of slits and nicks and a gap between two of the slits, the gap being aligned with the score line.

17. The carton of claim 1, further comprising an access feature disposed adjacent the first dispenser panel, at least a portion of the first tear line extending from the access feature.

18. A carton for holding a plurality of containers, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton;

a dispenser comprising a dispenser panel, the dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the dispenser panel being at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening allowing access to the interior, the tear line comprising;

a first directional portion and a second directional portion, a first end of the first directional portion being adjacent a second end of the second directional portion; and

a series of slits and nicks, each slit comprising a main portion generally directed along the contour of the tear line and an oblique portion that is oblique with respect to the main portion, wherein the oblique portion is closer to the first end of the first directional portion of the tear line than the respective main portion for each slit in the first directional portion, and the oblique portion is closer to the second end of the second directional portion of the tear line than the respective main portion for each slit in the second directional portion;

a handle for grasping and carrying the carton, the handle comprising a handle feature extending in at least the dispenser panel, at least a portion of the handle being removable from the carton with the dispenser panel; and

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 dispenser panel and the tear line at least partially extend into at least one of the end flaps;

wherein the dispenser further comprises an access feature in the closed end of the carton, the access feature comprising an access opening in a first end flap of the end flaps and an access flap in a second end flap of the end flaps, the first end flap and the second end flap being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another so that the access flap at least partially overlaps the access opening, the access feature extending adjacent an end of the tear line in the at least one of the end flaps.

19. The carton of claim 18, wherein the first directional portion is configured to be torn toward the first end of the first directional portion, and the second directional portion is configured for being torn toward the second end of the second directional portion.

20. The carton of claim 18, wherein the handle feature comprises a handle grip extending in at least the dispenser panel, the first end of the first directional portion and the second end of the second directional portion being generally aligned with the handle grip.

21. The carton of claim 18, wherein the at least one panel comprises a centerline, and the first end of the first directional portion and the second end of the second directional portion are adjacent the centerline.

22. A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels for forming an interior of the carton formed from the blank, the plurality of panels comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel being for at least partially overlapping the second panel when the carton is formed from the blank;

dispenser features for forming a dispenser in the carton formed from the blank, the dispenser features comprising a first dispenser panel at least partially defined by a first tear line extending in at least the first panel and a second dispenser panel at least partially defined by a second tear line extending in at least the second panel, the first dispenser panel being at least partially removable from the carton formed from the blank to allow access to the interior; and

handle features for forming a handle in the carton formed from the blank, the handle features extending in at least the first dispenser panel, at least a portion of the handle features being removable from the carton formed from the blank with the first dispenser panel.

23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the handle feature comprises a handle panel having a handle grip extending in at least the first dispenser panel, at least a portion of the handle grip being removable from the carton formed from the blank with the first dispenser panel.

24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the handle further comprises a handle aperture, the handle grip extending adjacent the handle aperture.

25. The blank of claim 22, wherein first tear line and the second tear line are curved, and the second tear line generally is a mirror image of the first tear line.

26. The blank of claim 22, wherein the handle feature comprises a first handle panel extending at least partially in the first dispenser panel in the first panel and a second handle panel extending in at least the second dispenser panel in the second panel, at least a portion of the first handle panel for being overlapped with the second handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

27. The blank of claim 26, wherein the first handle panel comprises a first handle grip extending adjacent a first handle aperture and the second handle panel comprises a second handle grip extending adjacent a second handle aperture, the second handle grip being for at least partially overlapping the first handle grip when the carton is formed from the blank.

28. The blank of claim 22, further comprising 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 and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, the end flaps comprising at least a first end flap foldably connected to the first panel and a second end flap foldably connected to the second panel, wherein the first tear line further extends in the first end flap and the second tear line further extends in the second end flap.

29. The blank of claim 28, wherein the dispenser features further comprise at least one access opening in the first end flap adjacent a first end of the first tear line and at least one access flap in the second end flap adjacent a second end of the second tear line, the at least one access flap being for at least partially overlapping the at least one access opening when the carton is formed from the blank.

30. The blank of claim 29, wherein the at least one access opening comprises at least two access openings in the first end flap, and the at least one access flap comprises at least two access flaps in the second end flap, each access flap of the at least two access flaps being for at least partially overlapping a respective access opening of the at least two access openings when the carton is formed from the blank.

31. The blank of claim 29, wherein the first dispenser panel and the second dispenser panel comprise a respective fold line extending from respective ends of the respective first tear line and the second tear line, the fold lines being disposed at an opposing end of the respective first panel and second panel from the respective first end flap and second end flap, and the first tear line and the second tear line are configured to be torn toward the respective fold lines.

32. The blank of claim 22, further comprising 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 and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, wherein the first dispenser panel and the first tear line at least partially extend into at least one of the end flaps.

33. The blank of claim 22, wherein:

the first panel comprises a score line extending from a corner of the first panel toward the handle; and

the first tear line comprises a series of slits and nicks and a gap between two of the slits, the gap being aligned with the score line.

34. The blank of claim 22, further comprising an access feature disposed adjacent the first dispenser panel, at least a portion of the first tear line extending from the access feature.

35. A blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels for forming an interior of the carton formed from the blank;

dispenser features for forming a dispenser in the carton formed from the blank, the dispenser features comprising panel at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the dispenser panel being at least partially removable from the carton formed from the blank to allow access to the interior, the tear line comprising;

a first directional portion and a second directional portion, a first end of the first directional portion being adjacent a second end of the second directional portion; and

a series of slits and nicks, each slit comprising a main portion generally directed along the contour of the tear line and an oblique portion that is oblique with respect to the main portion, wherein the oblique portion is closer to the first end of the first directional portion of the tear line than the respective main portion for each slit in the first directional portion, and the oblique portion is closer to the second end of the second directional portion of the tear line than the respective main portion for each slit in the second directional portion;

handle features for forming a handle in the carton formed from the blank, the handle features extending in at least the dispenser panel, at least a portion of the handle features being removable from the carton formed from the blank with the dispenser panel; and

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 and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the blank, wherein the dispenser panel and the tear line at least partially extend into at least one of the end flaps;

wherein the dispenser features further comprise an access feature extending adjacent an end of the tear line in the at least one of the end flaps, the access feature comprising an access opening in a first end flap of the end flaps and an access flap in a second end flap of the end flaps, wherein the first end flap and the second end flap are for being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another so that the access flap at least partially overlaps the access opening in the carton formed from the blank.

36. The blank of claim 35, wherein the first directional portion is configured to be torn toward the first end of the first directional portion, and the second directional portion is configured for being torn toward the second end of the second directional portion.

37. The blank of claim 35, wherein the handle feature comprises a handle grip extending in at least the dispenser panel, the first end of the first directional portion and the second end of the second directional portion being generally aligned with the handle grip.

38. The blank of claim 35, wherein the at least one panel comprises a centerline, and the first end of the first directional portion and the second end of the second directional portion are adjacent the centerline.

39. A method of opening a carton, the method comprising:

obtaining a carton comprising;

a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel and the second panel being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another;

a dispenser comprising a first dispenser panel and a second dispenser panel, the first dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a first tear line extending in at least the first panel, the second dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a second tear line extending in at least the second panel, at least a portion of the second dispenser panel at least partially overlapping the first dispenser panel; and

a handle for grasping and carrying the carton, the handle comprising a handle feature extending in at least the first dispenser panel;

at least partially removing the first dispenser panel and the second dispenser panel to form a dispenser opening in the carton, the dispenser opening providing access to the interior of the carton, wherein the at least partially removing the first dispenser panel comprises at least partially removing the handle feature in the first dispenser panel.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the handle feature comprises a handle panel having a handle grip extending in at least the first dispenser panel adjacent a handle aperture, at least a portion of the handle grip being removable from the carton with the first dispenser panel.

41. A method of opening a carton, the method comprising:

obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, a dispenser comprising a dispenser panel, and a handle for grasping and carrying the carton, the dispenser panel being at least partially defined by a tear line extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, and the handle comprising a handle feature extending in at least the dispenser panel, the tear line comprising;

a first directional portion and a second directional portion, a first end of the first directional portion being adjacent a second end of the second directional portion; and

a series of slits and nicks, each slit comprising a main portion generally directed along the contour of the tear line and an oblique portion that is oblique with respect to the main portion, wherein the oblique portion is closer to the first end of the first directional portion of the tear line than the respective main portion for each slit in the first directional portion, and the oblique portion is closer to the second end of the second directional portion of the tear line than the respective main portion for each slit in the second directional portion; and

at least partially removing the dispenser panel to form a dispenser opening in the carton, the dispenser opening providing access to the interior of the carton, wherein the at least partially removing the dispenser panel comprises at least partially removing the handle feature in the dispenser panel, wherein;

the carton further comprises 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;

the dispenser panel and the tear line at least partially extend into at least one of the end flaps;

the dispenser further comprises an access feature in the closed end of the carton, the access feature comprising an access opening in a first end flap of the end flaps and an access flap in a second end flap of the end flaps, the first end flap and the second end flap being at least partially overlapped with respect to one another so that the access flap at least partially overlaps the access opening, the access feature extending adjacent an end of the tear line in the at least one of the end flaps; and

the at least partially removing the dispenser panel comprises actuating the access feature in the closed end of the carton by folding the access flap with respect to the second end flap at least partially through, gripping the dispenser panel adjacent the access feature, and tearing along the tear line.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least partially removing the dispenser panel comprising tearing the first directional portion toward the first end of the first directional portion and tearing the second directional portion toward the second end of the second directional portion.