U.S. patent application number 11/162543 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for carton with article opening.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. Invention is credited to John P. Fant, Noel G. Stewart.
Application Number | 20060108406 11/162543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35907007 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060108406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; Noel G. ; et
al. |
May 25, 2006 |
CARTON WITH ARTICLE OPENING
Abstract
A carton for containing a number of articles with each article
having an article diameter. The carton may include a front wall, a
pair of sidewalls, and an access panel positioned along the front
wall and the pair of sidewalls. The access panel may include a
height of less than about the article diameter along a portion of
the front wall and along the pair of sidewalls.
Inventors: |
Stewart; Noel G.; (Cumming,
GA) ; Fant; John P.; (Marietta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP
999 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Assignee: |
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
One Coca-Cola Plaza NW
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
35907007 |
Appl. No.: |
11/162543 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60522931 |
Nov 22, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/122.1 ;
229/122; 229/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/0045 20130101;
B65D 2571/00549 20130101; B65D 2571/00728 20130101; B65D 71/36
20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/122.1 ;
229/122; 229/242 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72; B65D 17/00 20060101 B65D017/00 |
Claims
1. A carton for containing a number of articles, with each article
having an article diameter, comprising: a front wall; a pair of
sidewalls; and an access panel positioned along the front wall and
the pair of sidewalls; the access panel comprising a height of less
than about the article diameter along a portion of the front wall
and along the pair of sidewalls.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a flap
so as to retain the number of articles within the carton when the
access panel is removed.
3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a
plurality of front tear lines defining in part the access
panel.
4. The carton of claim 3, further comprising a top wall and wherein
the plurality of front tear lines comprises a pair of front tear
lines extending horizontally from the pair of sidewalls and
diagonally towards the top wall.
5. The carton of claim 3, wherein the plurality of front tear lines
comprises a thumb guide tear line.
6. The carton of claim 3, further comprising a bottom wall and
wherein the plurality of front tear lines comprises a bottom tear
line positioned adjacent to the bottom wall.
7. The carton of claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a
plurality of flaps.
8. The carton of claim 1, wherein the pair of sidewalls comprises a
plurality of side tear lines defining in part the access panel.
9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the plurality of side tear lines
comprise semicircular tear lines.
10. The carton of claim 8, wherein the pair of sidewalls comprises
a plurality of curved tear lines adjacent to the access panel.
11. The carton of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises a two
article by six article configuration.
12. A carton for containing a number of articles, with each article
having an article diameter, comprising: a front wall; a top wall; a
pair of sidewalls; and an access panel formed along the front wall,
the top wall, and the pair of sidewalls; the access panel
comprising: a plurality of front wall tear lines; a plurality of
sidewall tear lines positioned on the pair of sidewalls and spaced
from an edge formed by the top wall and the pair of sidewalls; and
a top wall fold line aligning with the plurality of sidewall tear
lines.
13. The carton of claim 12, further comprising a bottom wall and
wherein the plurality of front wall tear lines comprises a pair of
diagonal tear lines extending from a middle portion of the front
wall adjacent to the bottom wall towards but short of the top wall
adjacent to the pair of sidewalls.
14. The carton of claim 12, wherein the plurality of front tear
lines comprises a thumb guide tear line.
15. The carton of claim 12, wherein the front wall comprises a
plurality of flaps.
16. The carton of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of top
wall fold lines.
17. The carton of claim 12, wherein the pair of sidewall tear lines
comprises a distance of about 1/16th to about 1/4th of an inch
(about 1.6 to about 6.35 millimeters) from the top wall.
18. The carton of claim 12, wherein the top wall comprises a handle
cutout and wherein the access panel can be positioned within the
handle cutout when the access panel is opened.
19. The carton of claim 12, wherein the front wall retains the
number of articles within the carton when the access panel is
removed.
20. The carton of claim 12, wherein the carton comprises a two
article by six article configuration.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/522,931, filed on Nov. 22,
2004, incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application relates generally to cartons and
more particularly relates to cartons with a dispenser opening that
provides access to the articles therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of cartons are known for enclosing various
types of articles, such as cans, bottles, and other objects. One
recent type of container is known as the "FRIDGE PACK.TM." carton.
Various types of "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons are produced for and
sold to bottlers under license with The Coca-Cola Company of
Atlanta, Ga. for the sale of Coca-Cola.RTM. brand products.
[0004] The "FRIDGE PACK.TM." cartons generally have a two by six
(2.times.6) product shape, with two (2) product columns in height
and six (6) product rows in length. One end of the carton generally
is scored so as to permit the removal of a section of the carton
such that a consumer can grasp the products within. The design of
two (2) columns and six (6) rows with the removable end generally
promotes the use of the carton within a standard refrigerator.
Other configurations, however, such as two (2) rows of four (4)
cans each (eight pack) and three (3) rows of four (4) cans each
("three by four twelve pack") also are possible and within the
scope of the present invention.
[0005] One of the shortcomings of known cartons may be difficulty
in opening the carton. For example, some cartons employ perforated
openings along a top corner. It is often difficult to design
perforations that will remain intact when the carton is being
shipped and yet will yield without undue effort when the consumer
desires to open the package. Another problem is preventing
articles, particularly the first article, from falling out of the
carton once it is opened. Still another problem is that consumers
may desire to be able to see inside the carton after it is opened
to take inventory of how many articles remain in the carton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present application thus describes a carton for
containing a number of articles with each article having an article
diameter. The carton may include a front wall, a pair of sidewalls,
and an access panel positioned along the front wall and the pair of
sidewalls. The access panel may include a height of less than about
the article diameter along a portion of the front wall and along
the pair of sidewalls.
[0007] The front wall may include a flap so as to retain the
articles within the carton when the access panel is removed. The
front wall may include a number of front tear lines defining in
part the access panel. The carton further may include a top wall
and the front tear lines may include a pair of front tear lines
extending horizontally from the sidewalls and diagonally towards
the top wall. The front tear lines may include a thumb guide tear
line. The carton further may include a bottom wall and the front
tear lines may include a bottom tear line positioned adjacent to
the bottom wall. The front wall may include a number of flaps. The
sidewalls may include a number of side tear lines defining in part
the access panel. The side tear lines may include semicircular tear
lines. The sidewalls may include a number of curved tear lines
adjacent to the access panel. The carton may have a two article by
six article configuration. Other configurations may be used.
[0008] The present application further describes a carton for
containing a number of articles with each article having an article
diameter. The carton may include a front wall, a top wall, a pair
of sidewalls, and an access panel formed along the front wall, the
top wall, and the pair of sidewalls. The access panel may include a
number of front wall tear lines, a number of sidewall tear lines
positioned on the sidewalls and spaced from an edge formed by the
top wall and the sidewalls, and a top wall fold line aligning with
the sidewall tear lines.
[0009] The carton further may include a bottom wall and the front
wall tear lines may include a pair of diagonal tear lines extending
from a middle portion of the front wall adjacent to the bottom wall
towards but short of the top wall adjacent to the sidewalls. The
front tear lines may include a thumb guide tear line. The front
wall may include a number of flaps. The carton further may include
a number of top wall fold lines. The sidewall tear lines may
include a distance of about 1/16th to about 1/4th of an inch (about
1.6 to about 6.35 millimeters) from the top wall. The top wall may
include a handle cutout and the access panel can be positioned
within the handle cutout when the access panel is opened. The front
wall retains the number of articles within the carton when the
access panel is removed. The carton may have a two article by six
article configuration. Other configurations may be used.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention will
become apparent to one or ordinary skill in the art upon review of
the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with
the drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is plan view of a blank as described herein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the
blank of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 with
the access panel removed.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank of an alternative
embodiment as described herein.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the
blank of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a
blank 100 that may be used to erect a carton as is described
herein. The blank 100 may be made out of cardboard, paperboard,
corrugated board, or similar types of foldable sheet materials.
Specifically, the blank 100 may be made out of coated unbleached
paperboard. The blank 100 may be die cut from a continuous sheet of
a material or individual sheets.
[0017] Each blank 100 may have a number of fold lines and tear
lines formed therein. The term "fold line" may refer to a weakened
line that facilitates folding of the material along the length of
the line. The fold line may include, but is not limited to, a score
line, a perforation, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
combination of slits and score lines, and similar arrangements. Any
reference to a fold line or any hinged connection should not be
construed as being limited to a single fold line. Any such fold
line or hinged connection may be formed from one or more fold
lines.
[0018] The term "tear" line may refer to a line of severance or any
other weakened line that facilitates separation along the length of
the weakened line. The tear line may include, but is not limited
to, a perforation, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
combination of slits and score lines, and similar arrangements.
[0019] The blank 100 may have a number of panels and flaps
separated by the fold lines. Specifically, the blank 100 may have a
top panel 110, a pair of bottom panels, a first bottom panel 120
and a second bottom panel 125 (which are typically glued together
along a seam to form the completed carton), and a pair of side
panels, a first side panel 130 and a second side panel 140.
Alternatively, the blank may have only one bottom panel, in which
case the seam for forming the carton will run along a corner rather
than the bottom panel. The top panel 110 and the bottom panels 120,
125 each may have a reinforcing flap positioned adjacent thereto, a
top reinforcing flap 150 and a pair of bottom reinforcing flaps
160, 165. The first side panel 130 and the second side panel 130
each may have a dispensing flap positioned adjacent thereto, a
first dispensing flap 170 and a second dispensing flap 180. The
respective panels and flaps may be connected by a number of the
fold lines. The top panel 110 may have a handle cutout 190 formed
therein.
[0020] The dispensing flaps 170, 180 each may have one or more tear
lines positioned therein. Specifically, the dispensing flaps 170,
180 each may have a dispensing flap tear line 200. As is shown, the
dispensing flap tear lines 200 may extend from an edge of each flap
170, 180 near the top reinforcing flap 150 diagonally through the
flaps 170, 180 for about more than half of the width of the flaps
170, 180. The dispensing flap tear lines 200 then may extend in a
direction largely perpendicular to the edge between the side panels
130, 140 and the flaps 170, 180. The dispensing flap tear lines 200
then may continue along the edge between the side panels 130, 140
and the dispensing flaps 170, 180 until the bottom panels 120, 125
are reached.
[0021] The top reinforcing flap 150 may have a number of top
reinforcing flap tear lines positioned therein. Specifically, the
top reinforcing flap 150 may have a thumb guide tear line 210
positioned therein. The thumb guide tear line 210 may be positioned
largely in the center of the top reinforcing flap 150 and may have
a substantially semicircular, semi-oval, or semi-elliptical shape,
or any other shape that facilitates insertion of one or more
fingers and/or the thumb of the user for purposes of gripping the
removable portion of the carton. Alternatively, the region defined
in FIG. 1 as a thumb guide tear line 210 may be a cutout portion.
The top reinforcing flap 150 also may have a pair of top
reinforcing flap tear lines formed therein, a first reinforcing
flap tear line 220 and a second reinforcing flap tear line 230. The
top reinforcing flap tear lines 220, 230 may extend largely in a
diagonal direction from the thumb guide tear line 210 to the
opposite edge of the reinforcing flap 150. When the carton is
folded as illustrated in FIG. 2, the reinforcing flap tear lines
220, 230 may, and preferably do, largely align with the dispensing
flap tear lines 200.
[0022] The bottom reinforcing flaps 160, 165 each also may have a
bottom reinforcing flap tear line 240. As is shown, the bottom
reinforcing flap tear lines 240 may extend along the edge between
the bottom reinforcing flaps 160, 165 and the bottom panels 120,
125 from the dispensing flap tear line 200.
[0023] Either or both of the side panels 130, 140 may have a first
side panel tear line 250 positioned thereon. The first side panel
tear lines 250 may be largely semicircular in shape and may extend
from the side panel tear line 200 towards the intersection of
either or both of the side panels 130, 140 with the bottom panels
120, 125. Either or both of the side panels 130, 140 may have a
second side panel tear line 260 positioned therein. The second side
panel tear lines 260 may be largely hook-like or curved in shape
and may extend from the intersection of the first side panel tear
line 250 and the dispensing flap tear line 200 along the edge
between the side panels 130, 140 and the dispensing flaps 170, 180
and then may extend in a largely semicircular direction towards the
first side panel tear line 250. These second side panel tear lines
260 work to prevent the front wall of the carton from being torn at
the corner when an article is being removed therefrom.
[0024] The blank 100 may be used to erect a carton 300 as is
described herein. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carton 300 may
have a top wall 310, a bottom wall 320, a front wall 330, a back
wall 340, a first sidewall 350, and a second sidewall 360. The
carton 300 may be erected by attaching the bottom flaps 120, 125,
folding the reinforcing flaps 150, 160, 165, and attaching the
dispensing panels 170, 180 to the reinforcing flaps 150, 160, 165
and/or to each other. A conventional adhesive or other type of
joinder means may be used.
[0025] A dispenser 400 may be positioned about the front wall 330,
the back wall 340, and/or both. The tear lines described above may
form the dispenser 400. The dispenser 400 may include a dispenser
panel 410. The dispenser panel 410 may extend across the front wall
330. Specifically, the dispensing panel 410 may be defined by the
thumb guide tear line 210 and the top reinforcing flap tear lines
220, 230 in combination with the dispensing flap tear lines 200.
The dispensing panel 410 also may extend into the first and second
sidewalls 350, 360 via the first sidewall tear lines 250.
[0026] To open the carton 300, the dispensing panel 410 may be
removed by pushing in along the thumb guide tear lines 210 such
that the panel 410 then may be grasped and pulled forward, thus
breaking the top reinforcing flap tear lines 220, 230, the
dispensing flap tear lines 200, and the first side panel tear lines
250. The dispensing panel 410 either may lie open or the panel 410
may be completely removed along the bottom reinforcing flap tear
lines 240. Once the dispensing panel 410 is opened and/or removed,
an access aperture 415 is formed.
[0027] The carton 300 may hold a number of articles 425 therein,
such as beverage containers, e.g., cans or PET bottles. The
remaining portion of the front wall 330 following removal of the
panel 410 to create the access aperture 415 preferably is of
sufficient dimension and stability such that the remaining portion
of the wall 330 keeps the first article 425 such as the first
beverage container in place when the access panel 410 is removed.
Portions of the access aperture 415 therefore may have a height of
less than the width of about one can diameter or the diameter of
any other article 425 to be positioned therein.
[0028] To remove the first article 425, the article 425 may be
grasped through the aperture 415, particularly about the opening
created by the sidewall tear line 250 in the sidewalls 350 and/or
360. The front wall 330 has sufficient "give" such that the wall
330 will bend and allow the article 425 to be removed. This is
accomplished by the lower portion of the front wall 330, which, in
conjunction with the second sidewall tear lines 260 form flaps 420
that both retain the article 425 within the carton 300 and flex a
sufficient amount to allow the article 425 to be removed by pulling
it past the flaps 420. The flaps 420 in the front wall 330 then
return to their original position so as to maintain the remaining
articles 425 within the carton 300. The flaps 420 also may include
a score, crease, or perforation to assist in providing flexibility
to the flaps 420. This score, crease, or perforation may be
positioned at about one article diameter from the bottom of the
carton 300.
[0029] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further embodiment. Specifically, FIG.
4 shows a blank 450. As above, the blank 450 may have a number of
panels and flaps separated by the fold lines. The blank may have
the top panel 110, a single bottom panel 120, the first side panel
130, and a second side panel 140. A glue flap 145 also may be used.
The top panel 110 and the bottom panel 120 may have the top
reinforcing flap 150 and the bottom reinforcing flap 160 attached
thereto. The first side panel 130 and the second side panel 140 may
have the first dispensing flap 170 and the second dispensing flap
180 attached thereto. The fold lines may connect the respective
panels and flaps. The top panel 110 may have the handle cutout 190
formed therein.
[0030] The bottom reinforcing flap 160 may have a thumb guide 460
formed therein. The thumb guide 460 may be largely semi-circular in
shape. As is shown, a pair of bottom reinforcing flap tear lines
470, 480 may extend from the thumb guide 460 along a diagonal
through the length of the flap 160.
[0031] The dispensing flaps 170, 180 each may have a dispensing
flap tear line 490 positioned therein. As is shown, the dispensing
flap tear lines 490 may extend from the outer edges adjacent to the
bottom panel 120 and the glue flap 145 in a diagonal across the
flaps 170, 180 to the edge between the dispensing flaps 170, 180
and the side panel 130,140 just short of the top panel 110. The
dispensing flap tear lines 490 largely may align with the
reinforcing flap tear lines 470, 480.
[0032] The side panels 130, 140 also each may have a side panel
tear line 500 positioned therein. The side panel tear lines 500 may
extend from the dispensing flap tear lines 490 in a direction
largely parallel to the edge between the side panels 130, 140 and
the top panel 110. Alternatively, the side panel tear lines 500 may
run at an angle up the side panels 130, 140 relative to the edge
between the side panels 130, 140 and the top panel 110. The side
panel tear lines 500 may extend about 1/16th to about 1/8th or
1/4th of an inch (about 1.6 to about 3.18 to about 6.35
millimeters) from the edge formed by the top panel 110 and each
side panel 130, 140. Other distances may be used. The side panel
tear line 500 may extend for about the width of one article 425,
such as beverage container, or more. Alternatively, the side panel
tear lines 500 may extend for all or part of the length of the side
panels 130, 140.
[0033] The top panel 110 may have a top panel fold line 510 formed
therein. The top panel fold line 510 may extend across the width of
the top panel. The top panel fold line 510 may be positioned at
about the end of the side panel tear lines 500 and may be about the
width of one beverage container or more from the edge between the
top panel 510 and the top reinforcing flap 150. Alternatively, the
top panel fold line 510 may be a tear line, for example, a
perforation. More than one top panel fold lines 510 may be
used.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a carton 550 formed from the blank 450. As
described above, the carton 450 may have the top wall 310, the
bottom wall 320, the front wall 330, the back wall 340, the first
sidewall 350, and the second sidewall 360. The carton 550 also may
have a dispenser 560 formed therein. The dispenser 560, similar to
the dispenser described above, may be defined by the tear lines
described above. Specifically, the dispenser 560 may be defined by
the tear lines 460-500 described above to form a dispensing flap
570. When the dispensing flap 570 is torn and folded, a dispensing
aperture may be formed.
[0035] In use, the dispensing flap 570 may be removed by pulling
along the thumb guide 460 and the bottom reinforcing flap tear
lines 470, 480 and pulling upward along the dispensing flap tear
lines 490. The dispensing flap 570 then may continue along the side
walls 350, 360 by ripping along the side panel tear lines 500. The
dispensing flap 570 then may be folded along the top panel fold
line 510. The dispensing flap 570 may be folded or tucked into the
handle 190.
[0036] The remaining portions of the front wall 330 maintain the
articles 425 within the carton 550 when the dispensing flap 470 is
removed and/or bent backwards. The articles 425 may be removed
through the dispensing aperture by grasping the articles 425
through the front wall 330 and the top wall 310 and lifting the
articles 425 over the front wall 330.
[0037] The dispenser 560 may be positioned on either end or both
ends of the carton 550. Likewise, the size of the aperture and the
remaining portion of the front wall 330 and the top wall 310 may
vary.
[0038] The embodiment shown herein also may be used with the
elements disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/680,364
entitled "Carton with Dispenser." U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/680,364 is incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to
the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that
numerous changes and modifications may be made herein without
departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *