Dispensing system for double stack carton

• US 7,134,551 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Harrelson, Glen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman, Bryon P.
• Application Number:
  US11/139,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 206/427, 206429-430, 221/303, 221305-309, 229240-242
• US Class Current: 206/427
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00401 inserted the wrapper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0045 for hands
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00469 Straps made between two handholes
• 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 5/541 the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/725 Incised or pre-scored openings or windows provided in the side wall of containers
• 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

The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.

Claims

1. An enclosed carton containing a plurality of cylindrical containers arranged in stacked layers from a topmost layer to a bottommost layer, including a first layer and a second layer thereabove, the containers in each layer lying on their sides with the containers in the first layer contacting the containers in the second layer along a substantially horizontal plane, the carton comprising:

a first panel adjacent and above the topmost layer and a second panel adjacent and below the bottommost layer, a third panel joining one edge of the first panel to one edge of the second panel, a fourth panel joining an other edge of the first panel to an other edge of the second panel, and two closed ends, at least one of the two closed ends being an exiting end, each closed end extending from the first panel to the second panel and from the third panel to the fourth panel;

a continuous tear line defining a removable portion that is removable from the carton to form an opening;

the opening comprising (1) a first area that includes a part of the first panel extending away from its intersection with the at least one exiting end, and (2) a second area that includes a part of the at least one exiting end extending downwardly from its intersection with the first panel;

the second area having a bottom edge which extends across the at least one exiting end below the first panel and between the third panel and the fourth panel, and comprises (1) at least one first portion positioned at a first level, the first level being lower than the substantially horizontal plane; and

(2) at least one second portion that extends from a second level, the second level being below the intersection of the at least one exiting end and the first panel and higher than the substantially horizontal plane, the at least one second portion extending from said second level to the at least one first portion of the bottom edge.

2. The carton of claim 1, where the at least one first portion of the bottom edge is substantially equidistant between the third panel and the fourth panel.

3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one second portion of the bottom edge extends from the intersection of the at least one exiting end and one of the third and fourth panels.

4. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge includes two second portions, each of which extends from the second level to the first portion of the bottom edge.

5. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge of the opening extends from the intersection of the at least one exiting end and the third panel at the second level to the first level, then from the first level to the intersection of the at least one exiting end and the fourth panel at the second level.

6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge prevents the containers in the second layer from rolling out of the carton when the removable portion is removed.

7. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge prevents the containers in the first layer from rolling out of the carton when the removable portion is removed.

8. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one first and second portions of the bottom edge prevent the containers in the first and second layers from rolling out of the carton when the removable portion is removed.

9. The carton of claim 1, including means for facilitating opening of the opening located on the first panel.

10. The carton of claim 1, wherein there are three layers of containers.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the containers are stacked in a 3-by-4 configuration.

12. The carton of claim 1, wherein the containers in the second layer are removable through the opening.

13. The carton of claim 1, wherein the containers are oriented with their longitudinal axes parallel to the at least one exiting end.

14. An enclosed carton containing a plurality of cylindrical containers having a diameter and arranged on their sides in stacked horizontal layers, including a first layer and a second layer above and adjacent the first layer, the carton comprising:

a first upper horizontal panel, a second lower horizontal panel, and third and fourth vertical side panels, the first, second, third and fourth panels being joined at their edges, the carton having two closed ends, at least one of which is an exiting end;

a tear line defining a removable portion that is removable from the carton to form an opening;

the removable portion including a section of the first panel adjacent the at least one exiting end, and a section of the at least one exiting end adjacent the first panel;

the section of the at least one exiting end including an upper portion and a lower portion;

the lower portion having a width that is less than the width of the at least one exiting end, the lower portion extending upwardly to the upper portion from a first level which is part way up the diameter of the containers in the first layer;

the upper portion extending from one side of the at least one exiting end to the other;

wherein the upper portion meets the lower portion at a second level that is above the diameter of the containers in the first layer and below the top of the containers in the second layer.

15. The carton of claim 14, wherein the distance of the second level from the top of the upper portion is slightly less than the distance of the bottom of the containers in the second layer from the top of the upper portion.

16. The carton of claim 14, wherein the second level is so located that when the removable portion is removed, the second layer of containers will be prevented from rolling out of the carton.

17. The carton of claim 14, wherein the lower portion is so configured that when the removable portion is removed, the first and second layers of containers will be prevented from rolling out of the carton.

18. The carton of claim 14, wherein the width of the lower portion increases as it extends upwardly to said upper portion.

19. The carton of claim 14, including means for facilitating removal of the removable portion on the first panel.

20. The carton of claim 14, including three layers of containers.

21. The carton of claim 20, wherein the containers are stacked in a 3-by-4 configuration.

22. The carton of claim 14, wherein the containers are oriented with their longitudinal axes parallel to the at least one exiting end.

23. A carton enclosing a plurality of cylindrical articles arranged on their sides in rows and columns, a first column being adjacent a first end of the carton, a top row cylindrical article being in a top row, being in the first column, and having a diameter, the carton comprising:

a top panel, two side panels, and a bottom panel;

at least one flap forming the first end of the carton and at least one flap forming a second end of the carton;

the first end comprising a detachable portion and a retainer portion;

the detachable portion removes an upper portion of the first end that is less than the diameter of the top row cylindrical article; and

the retainer portion retains the top row cylindrical article in the carton after the detachable portion is removed.

24. The carton of claim 23, wherein an upper portion of the top row cylindrical article is adjacent the top panel of the carton, and wherein the upper portion of the top row cylindrical article is exposed when the detachable portion is removed from the carton.

25. The carton of claim 23, wherein the retainer portion extends obliquely toward a lower portion of the first end.

26. The carton of claim 23, wherein the detachable portion extends obliquely downward from a side panel to a parallel portion parallel to the bottom panel.

27. The carton of claim 26, wherein the parallel portion is disposed lower than the retainer portion that retains the top row cylindrical article.

28. The carton of claim 26, wherein removal of the detachable portion creates an opening in the first end to allow removal of a cylindrical article in a row below the top row after the top row cylindrical article has been removed from the carton.

29. The carton of claim 23, wherein the structural integrity of the carton is maintained after removal of the detachable portion.

30. The carton of claim 23, wherein a finger flap assists removal of the detachable portion.

31. The carton of claim 30, wherein the finger flap is disposed in the top panel.

32. The carton of claim 23, wherein the detachable portion is formed by a substantially continuous tear line that extends in the first end below the top panel a first distance and extends at a first angle and at a second angle on either side of a parallel portion parallel to the bottom panel.

33. A package comprising a plurality of cylindrical articles disposed on their sides in rows and columns, a first column being adjacent a first end of the package, a top row cylindrical article being in a top row, being in the first column, and having a diameter, the package comprising:

a top panel, two side panels, and a bottom panel;

at least one flap forming the first end of the package and at least one flap forming a second end of the package;

the first end comprising a detachable portion and a retainer portion;

the detachable portion removes an upper portion of the first end that is less than the diameter of the top row cylindrical article; and

the retainer portion retains the top row cylindrical article in the package after the detachable portion is removed.

34. The package of claim 33, wherein an upper portion of the top row cylindrical article is adjacent the top panel of the package, and wherein the upper portion of the top row cylindrical article is exposed when the detachable portion is removed from the package.

35. The package of claim 33, wherein the retainer portion extends obliquely toward a lower portion of the first end.

36. The package of claim 33, wherein the detachable portion extends obliquely downward from a side panel to a parallel portion parallel to the bottom panel.

37. The package of claim 36, wherein the parallel portion is disposed lower than the retainer portion that retains the top row cylindrical article.

38. The package of claim 36, wherein removal of the detachable portion creates an opening in the first end to allow removal of a cylindrical article in a row below the top row after the top row cylindrical article has been removed from the package.

39. The package of claim 33, wherein the structural integrity of the package is maintained after removal of the detachable portion.

40. The package of claim 33, wherein a finger flap assists removal of the detachable portion.

41. The package of claim 40, wherein the finger flap is disposed in the top panel.

42. The package of claim 33, wherein the detachable portion is formed by a substantially continuous tear line that extends in the first end below the top panel a first distance and extends at a first angle and at a second angle on either side of a parallel portion.

43. A carton enclosing a plurality of cylindrical articles arranged on their sides in rows and columns, a first column being adjacent a first end of the carton, the carton comprising:

a top panel, two side panels, and a bottom panel;

at least one flap forming the first end of the carton and at least one flap forming a second end of the carton;

the first end comprising a detachable portion and a retainer portion;

the detachable portion removes an upper portion of the first end that is less than a diameter of a cylindrical article; and

the retainer portion retains all the cylindrical articles in the first column in the carton after the detachable portion is removed.

44. A carton blank comprising:

a top panel including a finger flap;

a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel at a first fold line;

a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel at a second fold line;

a first side panel end flap foldably connected to the first side panel at a third fold line;

a second side panel end flap foldably connected to the second side panel at a fourth fold line;

at least one tear line defining a dispenser flap in the top panel;

wherein the at least one tear line extends from the finger flap obliquely to the first side panel end flap and obliquely to the second side panel end flap;

wherein the at least one tear line extends a distance D along the third fold line and along the fourth fold line;

wherein the at least one tear line extends obliquely at an angle B in the first side panel end flap and in the second side panel end flap, continues a distance, extends obliquely at an angle A in the first side panel end flap and in the second side panel end flap, and extends to a marginal portion of the first side panel end flap and the second side panel end flap.

45. A carton formed from the blank of claim 44.

46. A method of erecting a carton from the blank of claim 44.

47. In combination, a parallelepiped carton formed from the blank of claim 44, and a plurality of containers within the carton.

48. A carton blank comprising:

a first panel including a finger flap and a first panel end flap;

a second panel foldably connected to the first panel at a first fold line;

a third panel foldably connected to the first panel at a second fold line;

a second panel end flap foldably connected to the second panel at a third fold line;

a third panel end flap foldably connected to the third panel at a fourth fold line;

at least one tear line defining a dispenser flap in the first panel;

wherein the at least one tear line extends from the finger flap obliquely to the second panel end flap and obliquely to the third panel end flap;

wherein the at least one tear line extends a distance D both along the third fold line and along the fourth fold line;

wherein the at least one tear line extends obliquely at an angle B in the second panel end flap and in the third panel end flap, continues a first distance, extends obliquely at an angle A in the second panel end flap and in the third panel end flap, and extends to a marginal portion of the second panel end flap and the third panel end flap.

49. A carton formed from the blank of claim 48.

50. A method of erecting a carton from the blank of claim 48.

51. In combination, a parallelepiped carton formed from the blank of claim 48, and a plurality of containers within the carton.

52. A carton blank comprising:

a first panel;

a second panel;

a third panel;

a second panel end flap;

a third panel end flap;

at least one tear line in the first panel;

wherein the at least one tear line extends from an intermediate portion of the first panel obliquely to the second panel end flap and obliquely to the third panel end flap;

wherein the at least one tear line extends a distance D both along the second panel end flap and along the third panel end flap;

wherein the at least one tear line extends obliquely at an angle B in the second panel end flap and in the third panel end flap, continues a first distance, extends obliquely at an angle A in the second panel end flap and in the third panel end flap, and extends to a marginal portion of the second panel end flap and the third panel end flap.

53. The blank of claim 52 wherein the first panel includes a finger flap and a first panel end flap.

54. The blank of claim 52 wherein the second panel is foldably connected to the first panel at a first fold line.

55. The blank of claim 54 wherein the third panel is foldably connected to the first panel at a second fold line.

56. The blank of claim 55 wherein the second panel end flap is foldably connected to the second panel at a third fold line.

57. The blank of claim 56 wherein the third panel end flap is foldably connected to the third panel at a fourth fold line.

58. A carton formed from the blank of claim 52.

59. A method of erecting a carton from the blank of claim 52.

60. In combination, a parallelepiped carton formed from the blank of claim 52, and a plurality of containers within the carton.