U.S. patent application number 10/716642 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for dispensing feature with built-in combination retention and ad panel.
Invention is credited to Bates, Aaron, Oliff, James R..
Application Number | 20040099558 10/716642 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34633193 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040099558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oliff, James R. ; et
al. |
May 27, 2004 |
Dispensing feature with built-in combination retention and ad
panel
Abstract
A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature
with a built-in retention feature capable of being utilized as a
promotional flag. A plurality of panels are connected together to
define an end of the carton. A displaceable portion at the end of
the carton may be detached from the carton end to define an opening
for dispensing the articles from within the carton. Within the
interior of the erected carton is a panel portion that is obscured
from view within the carton prior to the displaceable portion being
at least partially detached from the carton. The panel portion is
exposed to the exterior of the carton through the opening by at
least partial detachment of the displaceable portion from the
carton. A distal end of the panel portion extends into the opening
for restraining articles within the carton. The panel portion may
also be used as an ad panel to allow greater promotional
flexibility.
Inventors: |
Oliff, James R.;
(Douglasville, GA) ; Bates, Aaron; (Powder
Springs, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MeadWestvaco Corporation
Law Department
4850D North Church Lane
Smyrna
GA
30080
US
|
Family ID: |
34633193 |
Appl. No.: |
10/716642 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10716642 |
Nov 19, 2003 |
|
|
|
10179785 |
Jun 21, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/427 ;
206/170 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00141
20130101; B65D 2571/0045 20130101; B65D 2571/0058 20130101; B65D
5/541 20130101; B65D 71/36 20130101; B65D 5/725 20130101; B65D 5/54
20130101; B65D 2571/00876 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101; B65D
2571/00728 20130101; B65D 2571/00851 20130101; B65D 2571/00549
20130101; B65D 2571/00586 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/427 ;
206/170 |
International
Class: |
B65D 075/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A carton for dispensing articles, comprising: a plurality of
panels defining a carton end; a displaceable portion detachably
connected to said carton end to be at least partially detached from
said carton to define an opening for exposing an endmost article in
the carton for removal, said displaceable portion at least
partially defined by a first weakened line in some of said panels,
said opening defining an upper edge of said carton end when said
displaceable portion is at least partially detached from said
carton end along said first weakened line; and a panel portion
visually exposed to an exterior of said carton through said opening
by at least partial detachment of said displaceable portion from
said carton end, a distal end of said panel portion extending
upwardly beyond said upper edge and into said opening for
restraining articles within said carton, said distal end is
connected to a remainder of said panel portion along a second
weakened line corresponding substantially with said upper edge of
said carton end so as to be pivotable along said second weakened
line.
2. The carton of claim 1 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion is detachable along said weakened line.
3. The carton of claim 2 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion includes a graphic surface carrying promotional indicia
thereon.
4. The carton of claim 3 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion is a game piece.
5. The carton of claim 3 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion is a voucher.
6. The carton of claim 1 wherein said panel portion is formed from
an end flap hingedly connected to a bottom panel of the carton.
7. The carton of claim 1 wherein said panel portion is formed from
a pair of secured major end flaps hingedly connected respectively
to a pair of secured bottom panels of the carton.
8. A carton formed from a single blank, said blank comprising: a
top panel; a side panel connected along a fold line to each
opposing edge of said top panel; a first bottom panel connected
along a fold line to one of said side panels at an edge thereof
opposite said top panel, said top panel, said side panels, and said
bottom panel defining a tubular structure; an end structure for at
least partially closing each of opposite ends of said tubular
structure; a displaceable portion detachably connected to said
carton to be at least partially detached from said carton to define
an opening for exposing an endmost article in said carton for
removal, said displaceable portion at least partially defined by a
first weakened line in said carton, said opening defining an upper
edge of one of said end structures when said displaceable portion
is at least partially detached from said carton along said first
weakened line; and a panel portion within said interior obscured
from view prior to said displaceable portion being at least
partially detached from said carton, said panel portion visually
exposed to the exterior of said carton through said opening by at
least partial detachment of said displaceable portion from said
carton, a distal end of said panel portion extending beyond said
upper edge and into said opening for restraining articles within
said carton, said distal end being connected to a remainder of said
panel portion along a second weakened line corresponding
substantially with said upper edge of said one end structure so as
to be pivotable along said second weakened line.
9. The carton of claim 8 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion is detachable along said second weakened line.
10. The carton of claim 9 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion includes a graphic surface carrying promotional indicia
thereon.
11. The carton of claim 10 wherein said distal end said panel
portion is a game piece.
12. The carton of claim 10 wherein said distal end of said panel
portion is a voucher.
13. The carton of claim 8 wherein said panel portion is formed from
an end flap hingedly connected to said bottom panel.
14. The carton of claim 8 further comprising a second bottom panel
connected along a fold line to the other side panel at an edge
thereof opposite said top panel, said first and second bottom
panels being secured together so that said tubular structure is
formed by said top panel, said side panels, and said first and
second bottom panels, wherein said panel portion is formed from a
pair of secured major end flaps hingedly connected to said first
and second bottom panels respectively.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/179,785, filed Jun. 21, 2002, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to paperboard
cartons for use in packaging articles and, more particularly, to a
dispensing carton with a built-in combination retention and ad
panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cartons are useful for allowing consumers to purchase,
transport and store a desired quantity of articles such as soft
drinks. For the convenience of the consumer, some cartons have
dispensers which allow the articles to be removed one at a time
while continuing to encase the remaining articles. A portion of the
carton is torn out to form an opening from which articles may be
dispensed.
[0004] Unfortunately, more than one article is often dispensed at a
time through the opening which leads to many of the articles being
dispensed onto the floor. This is because the articles to remain
within the open carton are not sufficiently restrained by the open
carton.
[0005] Also, it is often desirable to have a large surface area on
the carton for labeling and advertising. However, in order to
utilize the dispensing features of known dispensing cartons,
portions of the carton may be permanently removed or positioned
such that the available surface area is reduced.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved carton having a
dispenser that is adapted to adequately restrain the articles
within the open carton while also facilitating access to the
endmost article to be dispensed from the carton. The improved
carton must also appeal to the customer while maximizing the
available surface area for advertising.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a carton having a dispensing
feature with a built-in retention panel portion adaptable to also
be utilized as a promotional flag to allow greater promotional
flexibility.
[0008] Generally described, a plurality of panels are connected
together to form the carton of the present invention. A
displaceable portion at an end of the carton may be detached from
the carton to define an opening for dispensing the articles from
within the carton. Within the interior of the erected carton is a
panel portion that is obscured from view prior to the displaceable
portion being at least partially detached from the carton. The
panel portion is exposed to the exterior of the carton through the
opening by at least partial detachment of the displaceable portion
from the carton. A distal end of the panel portion extends into the
opening for restraining articles within the open carton. The panel
portion may also have promotional indicia thereon to allow greater
promotional flexibility.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the carton
is formed from a single blank of a plurality of panels. At least
one bottom panel includes an elongated end flap for forming the
panel portion. The end flap is configured to extend into the
opening to become visible through the opening from the exterior of
the carton after the displaceable portion is at least partially
detached. The distal end of the panel portion restrains the endmost
article of a row of articles within the open carton until it is
desirable to remove the endmost article from the carton.
[0010] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more
pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These
should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more
prominent features and applications of the invention. Other
beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed
information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed
embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive
understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the
detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the
scope of the invention defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a blank
for forming the carton of the present invention having a built-in
retention feature.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the carton
of the present invention formed from the blank of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the carton
of the present invention formed from the blank of FIG. 1 with a
portion of the carton removed for dispensing articles and
illustrating the panel portion for restraining a lower row of
articles.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the carton
of the present invention formed from the blank of FIG. 1,
illustrating the panel portion pivoted outward while continuing to
restrain the lower row of articles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings
illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a carton 10 of the present
invention. In one embodiment, the carton 10 is for dispensing
articles such as beverage cans.
[0016] Generally, the carton 10 is formed from a foldable sheet
material such as paperboard blank 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The panels
of the blank 12 are a first bottom panel 16, a second bottom panel
18, a first side panel 20, a second side panel 22, and a top panel
24. Alternatively, the blank 12 may instead include only a single
bottom panel, similarly dimensioned to the top panel, rather than
utilizing the combination of the first and second bottom panels 16
and 18 for forming the bottom of the erected carton 10.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the panels of the blank 12 are hingedly
interconnected in series to one another to form the basic tubular
structure of the erected dispensing carton 10. The first bottom
panel 16 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 20 by fold
line 30. The first side panel 20 is then hingedly connected to the
top panel 24 by fold line 32. The second bottom panel 18 is
hingedly connected to the second side panel 22 by fold line 34. The
second side panel 22 is then hingedly connected to the top panel 24
by fold line 36. The blank 12 further includes a pair of end
structures for forming end walls for at least partially closing the
opposite ends of the tubular structure. One of the end structures
is formed from one minor end flap 48 and four major end flaps 40,
42, 44 and 46 while the other end structure is formed from three
minor end flaps 94, 96 and 98 and two major end flaps 100 and 102.
The end flaps 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 are hingedly connected
respectively to the panels 20, 22, 16, 18 and 24 by a transverse
fold line 28 whereas the end flaps 94, 96, 98, 100 and 102 are
hingedly connected respectively to the panels 16, 18, 24, 20 and 22
by a transverse fold line 26. Fold lines 26 and 28 each extends the
full length of the blank 12.
[0018] The major end flaps 40 and 42 extend from the side panels 20
and 22, respectively. The major end flaps 44 and 46 and the minor
end flap 48 extend from the bottom panels 16 and 18 and the top
panel 24 respectively and provide the innermost layer of the one of
the end walls of the carton 10. The one end wall constitutes at
least a part of the dispensing end from where the articles in the
carton are dispensed as described in more details later. The end
flaps of bottom panels of known dispensers are typically minor
flaps. However, the end flaps 44 and 46 of the present invention
are elongated to extend beyond the distal end of the minor end flap
48 and, preferably, beyond the distal ends of major flaps 40, 42 as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] The major end flaps 100 and 102 extend from the side panels
20 and 22, respectively. The minor end flaps 94, 96 and 98 extend
from the bottom panels 16 and 18 and the top panel 24 respectively
and provide the innermost layer of the other end wall of the carton
10. The bottom end flaps 94 and 96 are typical minor flaps and are
of a length as great as the minor end flap 98.
[0020] In order to erect the carton 10 as shown in FIG. 2, the
bottom panel 16 and the bottom panel 18 are glued or are otherwise
secured together to form the bottom of the carton 10. At the same
time, the side edges 52 and 54 of the major flaps 44 and 46 are
also secured together in an overlapping manner to create a
composite bottom major flap. The side edges of the minor flaps 94
and 96 are also secured together to form a composite bottom minor
flap. After the carton is erected in an open-ended tubular form and
the articles are loaded into the carton 10, the end structures are
folded to form the opposed end walls of the carton 10.
[0021] Closure of the dispensing end of the carton 10 is initiated
by folding the top end flap 48 along the fold line 28 through about
90 degrees and then folding the composite bottom major flap 44 and
46 along the fold line 28 through 90 degrees. Next, the side major
end flaps 40 and 42 are folded along the fold line 28 over the end
flaps 44, 46 and 48, and the distal ends of major flaps 40 and 42
are secured together in an overlapping manner to create an
outermost layer of the one end wall of the carton 10. Closure of
the other end of the carton may be achieved in a similar
manner.
[0022] The erected carton 10 illustrated in the drawings is adapted
to hold a group of similarly dimensioned, cylindrical articles
(such as cans or bottles), in a plurality of vertically arranged
rows (two rows in FIGS. 2 and 4). The articles in each row are
disposed on their sides in a side-by-side parallel fashion. The
side panels 20, 22 are disposed alongside the ends of the articles
of the group while each end flap of the carton is disposed adjacent
to the side walls of the respective endmost articles.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, a weakened line
60 extends across each major panel 40 and 42, side panels 20 and
22, and top panel 24, as best shown in FIG. 1. The weakened line 60
on the top panel 20 is displaced from the dispensing end of the
carton 10. Portions of the carton that lie on either side of the
weakened line 60 may be severed from one another along the weakened
line. In one embodiment, the portion of the weakened line 60 across
the major flaps 40 and 42 is a fold line segment that serves as a
hinge about which opposing panel portions may be pivoted with
respect to one another while the other portion of the weakened line
60 is a tear line segment along which the carton panels may be
severed.
[0024] The weakened line 60 is used as a reference for defining the
lower portions 62, 64 and upper portions 66, 68 of the major flaps
40, 42. The weakened line 60 may be a line of severance or a
hinge-providing line that facilitates separation or folding of the
panel portions lying on either side of the weakened line 60. It is
contemplated that weakened lines include, but are not limited to,
perforated lines, tear strips, score lines, half-cut lines, lines
of short slits, lines of nick members, or the equivalents.
[0025] The weakened line 60 terminates at edges 56 and 58 of the
major flaps 40 and 42, respectively. The full extension of the
weakened line 60 defines a displaceable portion 70 when the carton
10 is erected. The displaceable portion 70 may be configured as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or alternatively configured into what is
commonly referred to as a "trough" or "bucket". The displaceable
portion 70 is at least partially detachable from the carton 10, as
shown in FIG. 3, to form an opening to permit dispensing of the
articles from the carton 10. A tab 72 borders the weakened line 60,
preferably on the top panel 24, which may be pushed through or
pulled out to initiate detachment of the displaceable portion
70.
[0026] The weakened line 60 allows the upper portion 66 of the
major flap 40 and the upper portion 68 of the major flap 42 to be
removed from, or pivoted with respect to, the erected carton 10.
The upper portions 66, 68 removed from, or pivoted with respect to,
the overlapping major flaps 40, 42, along with portions of the side
panels 20, 22, and the top panel 20, define the preferred
configuration of the displaceable portion 70. The combined lower
portions 62, 64 of the major end flaps 40, 42 remain with the
carton 10 after the displaceable portion 70 has been removed or
pivoted downwardly. The upper edge 74 of the combined lower
portions 62, 64 partially defines the opening through which the
packaged articles are dispensed.
[0027] The bottom major end flaps 44, 46 each also includes a
weakened line 76 such as a fold line or a frangible/tear line for
defining on either side distal panel portions 78, 80 and proximal
panel portions 82, 84. In some embodiments, portions of the end
flaps 44, 46 that lie on either side of the weakened line 76 may be
severed from one another once the carton 10 is erected and opened.
Each weakened line 76 is preferably substantially parallel to
transverse fold line 28. When end flaps 44, 46 are secured together
to erect the carton 10, the weakened lines 76 of the end flaps 44
and 46 cooperate with one another to substantially form a
continuous line 76 across the width of the composite bottom major
flap 44 and 46. The full extent and orientation of the weakened
line 76 then preferably corresponds substantially with the adjacent
upper edge 74 of lower portions 62, 64.
[0028] Until the displaceable portion 70 is at least partially
detached from the remainder of the carton 10, the combined distal
panel portions 78, 80 are obscured from view. Because the end flaps
44, 46 are the innermost layer of the end wall at the dispensing
end of the erected carton 10, the proximal panel portions 82, 84
are behind the lower portions 62, 64 of the end flaps 40, 44 in a
face-to-face relationship. This face-to-face relationship is
maintained even after the displaceable portion 70 is completely
detached from the carton 10. Only after the displaceable portion 70
is at least partially detached from the carton 10, are the combined
distal panel portions 78, 80 visually exposed to the exterior of
the carton 10 through the opening.
[0029] As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the combined distal panel
portions 78, 80 extend beyond the upper edge 74 and into the
opening. The combined distal panel portions 78, 80 may be utilized
to retain the endmost article in the lower row of articles, yet
allow removal of the endmost article when desired by the consumer.
Alternatively, the combined distal panel portions 78, 80 may be
utilized to retain the endmost article in both the upper and lower
rows of articles when the blank 12 is configured differently such
that the bottom end flaps 44 and 46 are greater in vertical length
than the diameter of each cylindrical article packaged in the
carton 10.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the combined distal panel portions 78,
80 may be folded or pivoted along the weakened line 76 relative to
their corresponding proximal panel portions 82, 84. Even though the
combined distal panel portions 78, 80 are pivoted outward over the
upper edge 74, the endmost article may continue to be restrained
within the carton 10.
[0031] In one embodiment, the combined distal panel portions 78, 80
may include a graphic surface facing outwardly of the carton. The
graphic surface carries indicia such as advertising which becomes
visible to the consumer upon opening the carton 10 for dispensing
articles. The indicia may be such that the combined distal panel
portions 78, 80 serve as a voucher/coupon or a game piece (such as
a lottery ticket). In such case, the weakened line 76 may be a line
of severance or a tear line so that the voucher or the game piece
may be detached from the proximal panel portions 82, 84 along the
weakened line 76.
[0032] The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a
particular embodiment which is intended in all respects to be
illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the present invention is capable of many
modifications and variations without departing from the scope of
the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is
described by the claims appended hereto and supported by the
foregoing.
* * * * *