U.S. patent application number 11/314319 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for carton with pressure sensitive opening device.
Invention is credited to Aaron L. Bates.
Application Number | 20060131370 11/314319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36121372 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060131370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bates; Aaron L. |
June 22, 2006 |
Carton with pressure sensitive opening device
Abstract
A device for breaking a series of perforations or cuts to open a
carton or otherwise separate materials connected by a frangible
severance line includes a pair of fold lines that converge away
from the severance line, a collapsible line perpendicular to
severance line and between the pair of fold lines, and third fold
line perpendicular to and intersecting the collapsible line. A tear
in the severance line is initiated by applying pressure in vicinity
of the intersection of the collapsible line and the third fold
line, which causes the device to apply tension to the frangible
line, which is further weakened by having an elongated perforation
that it centered on the axis of tension, and neighboring
perforations that are angled toward the axis of tension. The angle
of each perforation with respect to the axis of tension preferably
varies depending on its location relative to the axis of
tension.
Inventors: |
Bates; Aaron L.; (Powder
Springs, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PARKS KNOWLTON LLC
1117 PERIMETER CENTER WEST
SUITE W307
ATLANTA
GA
30338
US
|
Family ID: |
36121372 |
Appl. No.: |
11/314319 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60637826 |
Dec 20, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/122 ;
229/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/36 20130101;
B65D 2571/0058 20130101; B65D 2571/00635 20130101; B65D 2571/00728
20130101; B65D 2571/0045 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101; B65D
2571/00141 20130101; B65D 2571/00722 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/122 ;
229/242 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/00 20060101
B65D005/00; B65D 17/00 20060101 B65D017/00 |
Claims
1. A carton, comprising: a first wall having a frangible line
formed therein; and an opening device for breaking said frangible
line, said opening device being defined by at least a portion of
said frangible line and by a pair of convergent fold lines each
originating near said frangible line, the opening device comprising
a collapsible line disposed between said convergent fold lines such
that said collapsible line is disposed transversely to said
frangible line; wherein said convergent fold lines and said
collapsible line cooperate to break said frangible line when
pressure is applied proximate to said collapsible line.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the opening device further
comprises a transverse fold line disposed between said convergent
fold lines such that said transverse fold line is disposed
substantially perpendicular to and intersects said collapsible
line.
3. The carton of claim 2, wherein said opening device further
comprises: an elliptical score line disposed between said
convergent fold lines and having a major axis that coincides at
least in part with said transverse fold line.
4. The carton of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said
frangible line defining said opening device comprises a weakened
portion that is adjacent to said collapsible line.
5. The carton of claim 4, wherein a portion of said frangible line
comprises a plurality of interrupted cut lines in series with one
another and with said weakened portion, the plurality of cut lines
being angled toward said collapsible line.
6. The carton of claim 1, wherein said collapsible is disposed
along the direction of convergence of said convergent fold
lines.
7. The carton of claim 4, wherein said weakened portion is
perpendicular to said collapsible line.
8. A carton, comprising: a top wall; a pair of opposed side walls
each having upper and lower edges and each hingedly connected along
said upper edges to said top wall; a bottom wall having side edges
hingedly connected to said lower edges of said side walls; an end
wall hingedly connected to end edges of each of said side, top, and
bottom walls; an article dispenser including a removable portion
formed from at least a portion of said side, top, and end walls,
the removable portion being defined by a frangible line; and an
opening device for breaking said frangible line, said opening
device being defined by at least a portion of said frangible line
and by a pair of convergent fold lines each originating near said
frangible line, the opening device comprising: a severance line
disposed between said convergent fold lines, said severance line
being disposed along the direction of convergence of said
convergent fold lines; and a fold line disposed between said
convergent fold lines and perpendicular to said severance line.
9. The carton of claim 8, wherein said frangible line is
continuous.
10. The carton of claim 8, further comprising a collapsible line
disposed between said convergent fold lines, said collapsible line
being disposed along the direction of convergence of said
convergent fold lines.
11. The carton of claim 10, wherein a portion of said frangible
line comprises a plurality of interrupted cut lines in series with
one another and with a weakened portion, the plurality of cut lines
being angled toward said collapsible line, and the weakened portion
being adjacent and perpendicular to said collapsible line.
12. An opening device for breaking a frangible line connecting a
first section of material to a second section of material, said
opening device being defined by at least a portion of said
frangible line and by a pair of convergent fold lines each
originating near said frangible line, the opening device
comprising: a collapsible line disposed between said convergent
fold lines; and a fold line disposed between said convergent fold
lines and perpendicular to and intersecting said collapsible line;
wherein said fold line, said convergent fold lines, and said
collapsible line cooperate to break said frangible line when
pressure is applied proximate to the intersection between said fold
line and said collapsible line.
13. The opening device of claim 12, wherein said collapsible line
is disposed along the direction of convergence of said convergent
fold lines.
14. The opening device of claim 12, wherein said collapsible line
is perpendicular to said frangible line.
15. The opening device of claim 12, wherein said first section of
material and said second section of material are disparate.
16. The opening device of claim 12, wherein said first section of
material and said second section of material are constructed of the
same kind of material.
17. A method for opening a carton, wherein the carton includes a
top wall, a pair of opposed side walls each having upper and lower
edges and each hingedly connected along said upper edges to said
top wall, a bottom wall having side edges hingedly connected to
said lower edges of said side walls, an end wall hingedly connected
to end edges of each of said side, top, and bottom walls, and an
article dispenser including an at least partially removable portion
formed from at least one of said side, top, end, and bottom walls,
the removable portion being defined at least in part by at least
one frangible line, the method comprising: applying downward
pressure to an opening device for breaking said frangible line,
said opening device being defined by at least a portion of said
frangible line and by a pair of convergent fold lines each
originating near said frangible line, the opening device
comprising: a collapsible line disposed between said convergent
fold lines, said collapsible line being disposed along the
direction of convergence of said convergent fold lines; a fold line
disposed between said convergent fold lines intersecting said
collapsible line; discontinuing the application of pressure when
said frangible line tears sufficiently to grasp an edge of said
removable portion, said edge being defined by said frangible line;
grasping said edge; and tearing at least a portion of the remainder
of said frangible line until the carton is open.
18. A carton, comprising: a first wall having a frangible line
formed therein; and an opening device for breaking said frangible
line, said opening device being defined by at least a portion of
said frangible line and by a pair of convergent fold lines each
originating near said frangible line, the opening device
comprising: a fold line extending between said convergent fold
lines such that said fold line is disposed transversely to said
convergent fold lines; wherein said fold line and said convergent
fold lines cooperate to break said frangible line when pressure is
applied proximate to said fold line.
19. An opening device for breaking a frangible line connecting a
first section of material to a second section of material,
comprising a collapsible line disposed perpendicular and adjacent
to said frangible line; wherein said frangible line is broken when
pressure is applied proximate to said collapsible line.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/637,826, filed Dec. 20, 2004, the entirety of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to cartons for packaging
multiple articles such as beverage cans or bottles, and more
particularly, to a carton with an article dispenser that is opened
using a pressure sensitive opening device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cartons for encasing and dispensing multiple articles such
as soft drink cans or bottles are useful for enabling consumers to
transport, store, and access the articles for consumption. The
consumer typically prefers the flexibility of easily accessing the
articles without reducing the ability of the carton to enclose the
remaining articles. To that end, some cartons have dispensers which
allow one or more articles to be removed through an opening as the
carton continues to encase the remaining articles. The consumer
tears out a portion of the carton to form an opening from which
articles may be dispensed.
[0004] Beverage cartons with an article dispenser formed by a
removable section are known in the art. Typically, the removable
section is defined by a tear line. To open the carton, a finger
flap is pressed such that a portion of the removable section is
separated from the carton. Then, the removable section is gripped
and pulled outwardly, which causes the tear line to break all the
way down to the bottom wall. In so doing, the removable section is
allowed to swing down together with a part of the bottom end flap,
which creates an access opening through which the cans in the
carton are exposed. The opening is so dimensioned that at least
part of the periphery of the opening serves as a can stopper that
prevents the cans from undesirably rolling out of the carton
through the opening.
[0005] However, the typical finger flap has been found not to be
user-friendly because it is not easy to separate it from the carton
wall. This is because the entire side carton wall may yield to the
pressing force applied to the finger flap and, as a result,
sufficient shearing stress is not induced along the tear line.
Moreover, consumers such as children may not be able to apply
sufficient force to initiate a tear to open the carton to retrieve
an article. Furthermore, even when the finger flap successfully
initiates separation of the removable section from the carton wall,
the consumer must insert one or more fingers in the narrow space
between that portion of the removable section and the remaining
carton wall. Thus, the known means for tearing the carton to form
the opening can be somewhat difficult, particularly if the consumer
is unable to visibly distinguish the finger flap from the remainder
of the frangible line so as to find the appropriate point at which
to initiate the tear. The addition of a precut aperture such as an
insertion flap compromises the structural integrity of the carton
and increases its susceptibility to infiltration of light,
moisture, and dust.
[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a carton that includes article
dispenser that is conveniently opened. Such a carton should have a
user-friendly means for initiating the removal of the removable
portion, and for grasping and removing the removable portion, as
well as a reliable article stopper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention solves the problems identified above
by advantageously reducing the effort required to open a carton
dispenser to access the articles contained therein. More
specifically, the various embodiments of the invention provide an
improved means for opening a carton dispenser. The means for
opening the carton dispenser is pressure sensitive, and thus, a
user simply applies pressure to break the connection between the
dispenser and the remainder of the carton. The configuration of the
means for opening the carton dispenser reduces the amount of
pressure that is required to open the dispenser without
significantly degrading the integrity of the carton before and
after the dispenser has been opened.
[0008] Generally, the invention is described in the context of a
carton having a top wall, a pair of opposed side walls hingedly
connected to the top wall, a bottom wall hingedly connected to the
side walls, and an end wall hingedly connected to end edges of each
of the side, top, and bottom walls.
[0009] The carton includes an article dispenser with a fully or
partially removable portion that is formed from one or more of the
carton walls. The periphery of the removable portion is defined at
least in part by a frangible line or a series of cooperating
frangible lines.
[0010] The means for opening the carton dispenser includes an
opening device for breaking the frangible line. The opening device
is bounded by at least a portion of the frangible line and by a
pair of convergent fold lines. Each of the convergent fold lines
originates at or near the frangible line and converges toward the
other and away from the frangible line. In other words, the
convergent fold lines converge toward one another, but do not
necessarily meet or intersect one another. The divergent ends of
the convergent fold lines approach abut, meet, or intersect the
frangible line.
[0011] A collapsible severance line is disposed between the
convergent fold lines, preferably effectively bisecting the
triangle formed by the convergent fold lines and the frangible
line. One advantage of the severance line is that it reduces the
amount of pressure required to break the frangible line by
encouraging the carton to collapse inward in response to the
application of pressure, thereby buckling the top wall of the
carton so as to exert force upon the frangible line.
[0012] A transverse fold line extends between the convergent fold
lines, and in one embodiment is generally perpendicular to and
intersects the collapsible severance line. This fold line directs
externally applied pressure away from the frangible line, thereby
pulling the frangible line apart.
[0013] In certain embodiments, the opening device also includes an
elliptical score line disposed between the convergent fold lines.
The elliptical score line preferably has a major axis that
coincides with or parallels at least part of the transverse fold
line. The elliptical score line provides a target by which the user
can identify the appropriate point to apply pressure to open the
dispenser, and further encourages inward collapse so as to break of
the frangible line.
[0014] The frangible line is advantageously configured to respond
to the pressure applied to open the dispenser. To that end, in some
embodiments at least a portion of the frangible line is
substantially weakened, such as by means of an extended cut line
that may be adjacent and perpendicular to said collapsible
severance line. Here, this cut line is the weakest portion of the
frangible line and is configured to separate first, thereby
initiating the separation of the remainder of the frangible line,
which is relatively stronger. In other embodiments, the remainder
of the shared portion of the frangible line that defines the
opening device comprises multiple interrupted cut lines in series
with one another and with the cut line. Each of the cut lines is
angled toward the collapsible severance line, creating a saw-tooth
or zigzag tear when the frangible line is broken. The angled cut
lines may be continued along the entirety of the frangible line, or
some other combination series of cuts, half cuts, scores, or
perforations may be used to complete the periphery of the article
dispenser.
[0015] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and
features of the present invention, which should be construed to be
merely illustrative of various potential 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
[0016] FIG. 1 is a blank for forming an exemplary carton having an
article dispenser.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of an opening device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the
blank of FIG. 1, the carton including the opening device of FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating the
application of finger pressure to activate the exemplary opening
device.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating a user
using the exemplary opening device to access the edge of a
removable portion.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a partial side elevation illustrating the carton
of FIG. 3 in an opened condition with the removable portion
partially removed.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the carton of FIG.
3 in an opened condition with the removable portion completely
removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely examples to illustrate aspects of the
invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. As
used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to
embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model, or
pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some
features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or
methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the
present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art
to variously employ the present invention.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings
illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments
of a carton opening device according to the teachings of the
present invention. In the embodiments detailed herein, the term
carton refers, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the
various features of the invention, to a container for enclosing,
carrying, and dispensing articles such as beverage cans. However,
it is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be
applied to any container, the opening of which requires the
breaking a frangible connection.
[0025] The features and aspects of the invention are described with
reference to an exemplary carton 300 formed from a foldable sheet
material such as paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, laminates,
any combination thereof, or the like. To encourage an understanding
of the various aspects of the invention, the construction of an
exemplary carton will now be described in some detail. The foldable
sheet material is typically provided as a unitary blank 100, the
inside surface of which is shown in FIG. 1. The blank 100 includes
a bottom panel 102 hingedly connected along longitudinal fold line
103 to a first side panel 104, which is hingedly connected along
fold line 106 to a top panel 108, which is hingedly connected along
fold line 110 to a second side panel 112, which is hingedly
connected along fold line 114 to an edge flap 116. Each of the
panels is hingedly connected, respectively, to end flaps 118a,
120a, 136a or end wall panels 122a, 124a, which are defined in part
by respective transverse fold lines 126a, 130a, 138a, 128a, 132a
disposed along one edge of the blank 100. At the opposite edge of
the blank 100, the panels may also include hinged connections to
similar end flaps 118b, 120b, 136b or end wall panels 122b, 124b
defined in part by transverse fold lines 126b, 130b, 138b, 128b,
132b. More specifically, first side panel 104 is hingedly connected
to end wall panels 122a, 122b along respective fold lines 128a,
128b. Top panel 108 is hingedly connected to end flaps 120a, 120b
along respective fold lines 130a, 130b. Second side panel 112 is
hingedly connected to end wall panels 124a, 124b along respective
fold lines 132a, 132b. Bottom panel 102 is hingedly connected to
end flaps 118a, 118b along respective fold lines 126a, 126b. Edge
flap 116 is hingedly connected to end flaps 136a, 136b along
respective fold lines 138a, 138b.
[0026] The blank 100 includes a frangible line 140, which when the
carton is erected, defines a removable portion T. The removable
portion T can have any shape, size, or orientation that is suitable
for dispensing articles, and thus, the illustrated version is
provided as a non-limiting example. To define the exemplary
removable portion T, the frangible line 140 curves somewhat as it
extends from the distal edge of end wall panel 122a across fold
line 128a and onto side panel 104. The frangible line 140 traverses
a portion of side panel 104, extending longitudinally from fold
line 128a toward end wall panel 122b, transversely toward bottom
panel 102, longitudinally again toward end wall panel 122b, and
transversely toward top panel 108. The frangible line 140 crosses
fold line 106 to traverse top panel 108, then crosses fold line 110
onto side panel 112. The frangible line 140 extends across a
portion of side panel 112 and across the length of end wall panel
124a so as to approximate a mirror image of its path across side
panel 104 and end wall panel 122a. Thus, the exemplary removable
portion T is symmetrical, although symmetry is not requisite for
implementation of the systems or methods of the invention. It is
contemplated that the frangible line 140 includes, but is not
limited to, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line
of half cuts, a single half cut, any combination of slits, score
lines, and half cuts, or the equivalent, as will be understood by
those skilled in the art.
[0027] The section of frangible line 140 that traverses the top
panel 108 will now be referred to as frangible section 142. FIG. 2
provides an enlarged view of the carton 300 from the perspective of
the top panel 108, including the opening device 200. A subsection
144 of frangible section 142 is adjacent to and defines one edge of
the opening device 200 of the present invention. The opening device
200 is further defined by a first fold line 202 and a second fold
line 204. The fold lines 202, 204 converge toward one another. The
direction of convergence 206 of the fold lines 202, 204 is
substantially perpendicular to the subsection 144. In the
embodiment shown, means for weakening such as a slit, cut,
half-cut, or series of slits, cuts or half-cuts form a severance
line 208 that is in alignment with the direction of convergence
206. The extent of the severance line 208, as defined by the depth,
width, and length of the cuts or slits comprising the severance
line 208, is sufficient to compensate for or overcome the stiffness
of the carton material when pressure is applied to the opening
device 200, so as to encourage the opening device 200 to collapse
inward toward the interior of the carton. An additional fold line
212 extends transversely between the fold lines 202, 204, thereby
directing the applied pressure away from the frangible subsection
144, which is itself placed in tension. The configuration of the
opening device 200 concentrates and focuses the force generated by
a user pressing the opening device 200, preferably at or in the
vicinity of the intersection of the severance line 208 and the fold
line 212. The axis of tension 210 created by this pressure
preferably coincides generally with the direction of convergence
206. As the pressure exerted on the opening device 200 increases,
the tension applied to subsection 144 also increases. When the
tension exceeds the tear strength of the frangible subsection 144,
the subsection 144 separates so as to initiate separation of the
remainder of frangible line 140. Elliptical score line 213
indicates the preferred pressure point for tearing subsection 144
and further promoting an inward collapse. It is contemplated that
each of the fold lines in this embodiment includes, but is not
limited to, a line of perforations, a score line, a line of short
slits, a line of half cuts, a single half cut, any combination of
slits, score lines, and half cuts, or the equivalent, as will be
understood by those skilled in the art.
[0028] As is also illustrated in FIG. 2, the subsection 144
includes multiple angled perforations 214 that include any means
for controllably weakening the carton, including slits, cuts, or
half-cuts. The perforations 214 are interrupted by ties or nicks
216 that maintain the integrity of the subsection 144 until it is
desirable to initiate tearing thereof. It is known to relate the
depth and length of the perforations 214 and the width of the ties
216 that interrupt the perforations 214 to create a frangible line
with sufficient tear strength to withstand the forces generated by
carrying, stacking, or otherwise handling the carton 300 prior to
opening the carton 300, and to prevent the frangible line from
excessively reducing the burst strength of the carton wall. Thus,
such determinations are design choices dependent at least in part
upon the size of the package, configuration, and weight of the
contents. The angle of each perforation 214 is preferably
determined by referencing the axis of tension 210, so that at least
some of the perforations 214 comprising the top panel section 142
of the frangible line 140 are angled toward the axis of tension
210. The perforation 214a at the center of the subsection 144 is
preferably elongated to comprise the weakest segment of subsection
144, thereby encouraging the tear to initiate at the center of top
panel 108 and to radiate toward either side panel 104, 112. This
result can be intensified if the centermost perforation 214a is
also centered on and perpendicular to the axis of tension 210. The
angle of each perforation 214 with respect to the axis of tension
210 preferably varies depending on its location with respect to the
axis of tension 210. For example, the angle of perforations 214 may
decrease in inverse proportion to their distance from the axis of
tension 210 such that the angle of perforation 214d is less than
that of the adjacent perforation 214c that is less than the angle
of center perforation 214a. It is also preferred that the length of
each perforation 214 varies depending on its location with respect
to the axis of tension 210. For example, the length of perforations
214 may decrease in inverse proportion to their distance from the
axis of tension 210 such that the length of perforation 214d is
less than that of the adjacent perforation 214c that is less than
the length of center perforation 214a.
[0029] To erect the carton 300 shown in FIG. 3, the bottom panel
102 of the blank 100 is glued or is otherwise secured to the edge
flap 116 to form the composite bottom wall 102/116 of carton 300,
which is at this point open-ended and tubular. End flaps 136a, 136b
are secured to respective end flaps 118a, 118b to form composite
end flaps 118a/136a and 118b/136b. The first side panel 104 becomes
the first side wall 304 of the erected carton 300. Similarly, the
top panel 108 becomes the top wall 308, and second side panel 112
forms the second side wall 312 of the erected carton 300.
[0030] After articles are grouped and loaded through either or both
of the open ends of the carton 300, the end flaps and end wall
panels are folded and secured together to form opposing end closure
structures of carton 300. End wall panel 124a is secured to the
inside surface of end wall panel 122a. Additionally, end flaps
120a, 118a/136a may optionally support the integrity of the carton
300 by being secured to end wall panel 122a and/or to end wall
panel 124a. The end flaps 120b, 118b/136b, and end wall panels 122b
and 124b, cooperate similarly to form the opposing end closure
structure. As readily apparent from FIG. 3 (showing the carton 300
in a closed condition), the end closure structures form respective
end walls 302a and 302b.
[0031] The exemplary carton 300 illustrated in the drawings is
adapted to hold a group of similarly dimensioned, cylindrical
articles C (best shown in FIG. 6), in one or more vertically
arranged rows. The articles in each row are disposed on their sides
in a side-by-side parallel fashion. Referring again to FIG. 3, side
walls 304 and 312 are disposed alongside the ends of the articles
of the group, while each end wall 302a and 302b of the carton is
disposed adjacent to the side walls of the respective endmost
articles. The carton 300 further comprises a suitable known handle
H to allow the user to carry the carton.
[0032] A method for opening the exemplary article dispenser will
now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 7. A user
applies downward force 400 (FIG. 4) to activate the exemplary
opening device 200. The force is applied between the convergent
fold lines 202, 204 and the frangible subsection 144, and
preferably is concentrated within the bounds of elliptical score
213. The applied force 400 is preferably continuous and increases
in magnitude until subsection 144 begins to tear. The user can
apply the force 400 by pressing with one or more fingers, or by
using any implement to initiate separation of subsection 144. As
shown in FIG. 5, once subsection 144 is at least partially torn or
otherwise separated, the user inserts an implement or one or more
fingers between the opening device 200 and the removable portion T
so as to grasp the removable portion T. The user can then break the
remainder of frangible line 140 to at least partially remove
removable portion T, as can be seen in FIG. 6. If desired, the
removable portion T is completely removed (FIG. 7). In certain
embodiments, severance line is intended to or subject to tear in
response to the downward force F and preferably after subsection
144 tears, thereby creating a larger space between the opening
device 200 and the removable portion T.
[0033] 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. For example, as used herein, directional references
such as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer",
"upper", "middle", "lower", "front" and "rear" do not limit the
respective walls of the carton to such orientation, but merely
serve to distinguish these walls from one another. Any reference to
hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring
to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is
envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more
potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.
[0034] Moreover, the principles of the opening device can be
applied to any container that is opened by means of a frangible
severance line, or to any device or method for tearing a frangible
connection between disparate materials or adjacent sections of the
same material. Thus, the configuration, manufacture, and dimensions
of cartons and articles described herein merely provide a point of
reference for an understanding of an example of a suitable
application for implementing the systems and methods of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is
described by the claims appended hereto and supported by the
foregoing.
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