Dispensing system for double stack carton

• US 7,780,003 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• 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:
  US12/274,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20090065388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 206427-429, 221/305, 229121-122, 229/235, 229/240, 229/242, 229/244
• 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. A package comprising:

a carton enclosing a plurality of containers;

the carton comprising;

two ends including an exiting end;

four panels connected to the two ends, the four panels including a first panel connected to a second panel the first panel connected to a third panel, and a fourth panel opposite the first panel;

the first panel, the second panel, and the exiting end meet at a first corner;

the first panel, the third panel, and the exiting end meet at a second corner;

a first panel flap connected to the first panel along a first fold line, a second panel flap connected to the second panel, a third panel flap connected to the third panel, and a fourth panel flap connected to the fourth panel;

the first panel flap, the second panel flap, the third panel flap, and the fourth panel flap form the exiting end;

a dispensing flap at the exiting end;

the dispensing flap including a first section and a second section;

the first section and the second section being connected along the first fold line;

the first section being defined at least partially by the first fold line;

the second section being defined at least partially by the first fold line, a first tear line, and a second tear line;

the first tear line extending at least partially along and collinear with a second fold line;

wherein the first section is defined at least partially by a third tear line and a fourth tear line;

the third tear line extending from the first corner and the fourth tear line extending from the second corner;

wherein the dispensing flap extends from the first corner to the second corner in the first panel and in the exiting end;

wherein the third tear line and the fourth tear line converge towards each other from the first corner and the second corner, respectively, to at least partially define the first section; and

wherein all the containers are retained in the carton when the dispensing flap is separated along the first tear line.

2. The package of claim 1, further including a pull tab formed in the first panel.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein each container has an axis and wherein the axes of said plurality of containers are arranged in the carton parallel to the first panel.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein the first section is detachable along the third tear line and fourth tear line, and the second section is detachable along the first tear line and the second tear line.

5. The package of claim 1 wherein the third tear line does not extend along the first fold line;

and wherein the fourth tear line does not extend along the first fold line.

6. The package of claim 5 wherein the first section extends from the first corner to the second corner.

7. The package of claim 1 wherein the first section extends from the first corner to the second corner.

8. The package of claim 1 wherein the containers are cans.

9. The package of claim 1 wherein the dispensing flap is capable of being hinged along the second section.

10. The package of claim 9 wherein the dispensing flap is capable of being detached from the carton.

11. The package of claim 1 wherein the dispensing flap is capable of being detached from the carton.

12. The package of claim 1 wherein the second tear line extends at least partially along and collinear with a third fold line.

13. The package of claim 12 wherein the second tear line extends from the second corner along the third fold line;

and wherein the second section of the dispensing flap is detachable along the second tear line.

14. A package comprising:

a carton and a plurality of containers;

the carton comprising;

four panels connected to two ends, the two ends including an exiting end;

the four panels including a first panel connected to a second panel, a third panel connected to the first panel, and a fourth panel opposite the first panel;

the first panel being connected to the exiting end along a first fold line;

the first panel, the second panel, and the exiting end meet at a first corner;

the first panel, the third panel, and the exiting end meet at a second corner;

a dispensing flap at the exiting end;

the dispensing flap including a first section and a second section;

the first section and the second section being connected along the first fold line;

the first section being defined at least partially by the first fold line;

the second section being defined at least partially by the first fold line, a first tear line, and a second tear line;

the first tear line extending from the first corner at least partially along and collinear with a second fold line;

wherein the first section is defined at least partially by a third tear line and a fourth tear line;

the third tear line extending from the first corner and the fourth tear line extending from the second corner;

wherein the third tear line is not collinear with the first fold line;

wherein the fourth tear line is not collinear with the first fold line;

wherein the third tear line and the fourth tear line converge towards each other from the first corner and the second corner, respectively, to at least partially define the first section; and

wherein all the containers are retained in the carton when the dispensing flap is separated along the first tear line.

15. The package of claim 14 wherein each container has an axis and wherein the axes of said plurality of containers are arranged in the carton parallel to the first panel.

16. The package of claim 14 including means for facilitating separation of the dispensing flap.

17. The package of claim 16 wherein the means is a pull tab that is spaced from the first fold line.

18. The package of claim 14 wherein the containers are cans that are positioned in rows and columns.

19. The package of claim 14 wherein the dispensing flap includes an entirety of the first fold line.

20. The package of claim 14 wherein the first tear line extends from the first corner.

21. The package of claim 14 wherein the third tear line extends from the first corner to a means for facilitating separation of the dispensing flap.

22. The package of claim 21 wherein the means is a pull tab.

23. A carton comprising:

four panels connected to two ends;

the two ends including an exiting end;

the four panels including a first panel connected to a second panel, a third panel connected to the first panel, and a fourth panel opposite the first panel;

the first panel being connected to the exiting end along a first fold line;

the first panel, the second panel, and the exiting end meet at a first corner;

the first panel, the third panel, and the exiting end meet at a second corner;

a dispensing flap at the exiting end;

the dispensing flap including a first section and a second section;

the first section and the second section being connected along the first fold line;

the first section being defined at least partially by the first fold line;

the second section being defined at least partially by the first fold line, a first tear line, and a second tear line;

the first tear line extending from the first corner at least partially along and collinear with a second fold line;

wherein the first section is defined at least partially by a third tear line and a fourth tear line;

the third tear line extending from the first corner and the fourth tear line extending from the second corner;

wherein the third tear line is not collinear with the first fold line;

wherein the fourth tear line is not collinear with the first fold line; and

,

wherein the third tear line and the fourth tear line converge towards each other from the first corner and the second corner, respectively, to at least partially define the first section.

24. The carton of claim 23 wherein the dispensing flap includes an entirety of the first fold line.

25. The carton of claim 24 wherein the first section extends from the first corner to the second corner.

26. The carton of claim 23 wherein the first section extends from the first corner to the second corner.

27. The carton of claim 23 wherein the carton encloses containers and wherein all the containers are retained in the carton when the dispensing flap is detached along the first tear line and the second tear line.

28. The carton of claim 27 wherein the containers are cans.

29. The carton of claim 23 wherein the dispensing flap is capable of being hinged along the second section.

30. The carton of claim 29 wherein the dispensing flap is capable of being detached from the carton.

31. The carton of claim 23 wherein the dispensing flap is capable of being detached from the carton.

32. The carton of claim 23 wherein the second tear line extends at least partially along and collinear with a third fold line.

33. The carton of claim 32 wherein the second tear line extends from the second corner along the third fold line;

and wherein the second section of the dispensing flap is detachable along the second tear line.