U.S. patent application number 14/718361 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-10 for carton for articles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Graphic Packaging International, Inc.. Invention is credited to O'Neal Alexander, Raymond R. Spivey, SR..
Application Number | 20150251828 14/718361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54016649 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150251828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spivey, SR.; Raymond R. ; et
al. |
September 10, 2015 |
CARTON FOR ARTICLES
Abstract
A package comprising a carton and a plurality of articles. The
carton can include a plurality of panels that extends at least
partially around an interior of the carton. The articles of the
plurality of articles can be arranged in a plurality of rows of
articles in the interior of the carton. The plurality of rows of
articles can include at least a first row and a second row, the
second row can be spaced apart from a panel of the plurality of
panels by at least the first row, and the first row can include at
least one more article than the second row.
Inventors: |
Spivey, SR.; Raymond R.;
(Mableton, GA) ; Alexander; O'Neal; (Covington,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Graphic Packaging International, Inc. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54016649 |
Appl. No.: |
14/718361 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14286343 |
May 23, 2014 |
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14718361 |
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61997147 |
May 22, 2014 |
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61855819 |
May 24, 2013 |
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61956388 |
Jun 7, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.16 ;
229/5.5; 53/443 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/46192 20130101;
B65D 2571/0066 20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101; B65D 2571/00265
20130101; B65D 2571/00561 20130101; B65D 71/36 20130101; B65D
2571/00728 20130101; B65D 2571/0045 20130101; B65D 2571/00882
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/36 20060101
B65D071/36; B65D 5/46 20060101 B65D005/46 |
Claims
1. A package comprising a carton and a plurality of articles, the
carton comprising: a plurality of panels that extends at least
partially around an interior of the carton; wherein the articles of
the plurality of articles are arranged in a plurality of rows of
articles in the interior of the carton, the plurality of rows of
articles comprises at least a first row and a second row, the
second row is spaced apart from a panel of the plurality of panels
by at least the first row, and the first row comprises at least one
more article than the second row.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the articles in the second row
are nested with the articles in the first row.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the carton further comprises an
at least partially closed end, the first row comprises a first end
article disposed adjacent the at least partially closed end, and
the second row comprises a second end article that is spaced apart
from the at least partially closed end to at least partially define
an interior space between the at least partially closed end and the
second end article.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein at least the second end article
of the second row is nested with the first end article and another
article of the first row.
5. The package of claim 3, wherein the carton further comprises a
handle extending in at least the at least partially closed end, and
the handle is at least partially aligned with the interior
space.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the handle comprises a handle
opening for providing access to the interior space from an exterior
of the carton.
7. The package of claim 5, wherein the at least partially closed
end comprises a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably
attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the
plurality of end flaps being at least partially overlapped with
respect to one another at the at least partially closed end.
8. The package of claim 7, wherein the plurality of panels comprise
at least a bottom panel, the at least two end flaps comprise at
least a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, and
the handle extends in at least the bottom end flap.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rows of
articles further comprises a third row and a fourth row, and the
third row is spaced apart from the first row and the second row by
at least the fourth row.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein the third row comprises at
least one more article than the fourth row.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein the articles in the second row
are nested with at least the articles in the first row and the
articles in the fourth row are nested with at least the articles in
the third row.
12. The package of claim 11, wherein the plurality of rows of
articles further comprises a central row comprising at least one
more article than the second row and the fourth row, the articles
of each of the second row and the fourth row being nested with the
articles of the central row.
13. The package of claim 9, wherein the panel is a first panel, the
plurality of panels further comprises a second panel disposed
generally opposite to the first panel, and the fourth row is spaced
apart from the second panel by at least the third row.
14. The package of claim 9, wherein the carton further comprises an
at least partially closed end, each of the first row and the third
row comprises a first end article disposed adjacent the at least
partially closed end, and each of the second row and the fourth row
comprises a second end article that is spaced apart from the at
least partially closed end to at least partially define an interior
space between the at least partially closed end and the second end
articles.
15. The package of claim 14, wherein the carton further comprises a
handle extending in at least the at least partially closed end, and
the handle is at least partially aligned with the interior
space.
16. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rows of
articles further comprises a third row that is spaced apart from
the first row by at least the second row.
17. The package of claim 16, wherein the articles in the second row
are nested with at least the articles in the first row and the
articles in the third row.
18. The package of claim 16, wherein the carton further comprises
an at least partially closed end, at least the second row comprises
an end article that is spaced apart from the at least partially
closed end to at least partially define an interior space between
the at least partially closed end and the second end article.
19. The package of claim 18, wherein each of the first row and the
third row comprises a first end article disposed adjacent the at
least partially closed end.
20. The package of claim 18, wherein the carton further comprises a
handle extending in at least the at least partially closed end, and
the handle is at least partially aligned with the interior
space.
21. A method of forming a package comprising: obtaining a blank
comprising a plurality of panels; obtaining a plurality of
articles; forming an interior of a carton at least partially
defined by the plurality of panels; arranging the plurality of
articles in a plurality of rows of articles in the interior of the
carton, the plurality of rows of articles comprising at least a
first row and a second row, wherein the arranging the plurality of
articles comprises disposing at least one more article in the first
row than in the second row and disposing the second row to be
spaced apart from a panel of the plurality of panels by at least
the first row.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the arranging the plurality of
articles comprises nesting the articles in the second row with the
articles in the first row.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising forming an at least
partially closed end of the carton, wherein the arranging the
plurality of articles further comprises disposing a first end
article of the first row adjacent the closed and at least partially
forming an interior space between the second row and the at least
partially closed end by disposing a second end article of the
second row to be spaced apart from the closed end.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the forming the at least
partially closed end of the carton comprises at least partially
aligning a handle in the at least partially closed end with the
interior space.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of rows of
articles further comprises a third row and a fourth row, and the
arranging the plurality of articles further comprises disposing the
third row and the fourth row so that the third row is spaced apart
from the first row and the second row by at least the fourth
row.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the arranging the plurality of
articles comprises nesting the articles in the second row with at
least the articles in the first row and nesting the articles in the
fourth row with at least the articles in the third row.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the panel is a first panel, the
plurality of panels further comprises a second panel, the forming
the interior of the carton comprises disposing the second panel to
be generally opposite to the first panel, and the arranging the
plurality of articles further comprises disposing the fourth row to
be spaced apart from the second panel by at least the third
row.
28. The method of claim 25, further comprising forming an at least
partially closed end of the carton, wherein the arranging the
plurality of articles further comprises disposing a first end
article of the first row adjacent the closed and at least partially
forming an interior space adjacent the at least partially closed
end by disposing a second end article of the second row to be
spaced apart from the closed end.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the forming the at least
partially closed end of the carton comprises at least partially
aligning a handle in the at least partially closed end with the
interior space.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of rows of
articles further comprises a third row and the arranging the
plurality of articles further comprises disposing the third row to
be spaced apart from the first row by at least the second row and
nesting the articles in the second row with the articles in the
first row and the articles in the third row.
31. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton
comprising: a plurality of panels that extends at least partially
around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels
comprising at least a bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel;
at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective
panels of the plurality of panels, the at least two end flaps being
at least partially overlapped with respect to one another and
thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton, and the
at least two end flaps comprising at least a bottom end flap
foldably connected to the bottom panel; a handle extending in at
least the bottom end flap; wherein the plurality of articles is for
being disposed in the interior of the carton so that an interior
space is formed between at least one article of the plurality of
articles and at least a portion of the closed end of the carton,
and the handle is for being at least partially aligned with the
interior space.
32. The carton of claim 31, wherein the handle is spaced apart from
the top panel by a first distance and is spaced apart from the
bottom panel by a second distance, and the first distance is
greater than the second distance.
33. The carton of claim 31, wherein the handle comprises a handle
flap foldably connected to the bottom end flap along a fold
line.
34. The carton of claim 33, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a side end flap foldably connected to the side
panel, the handle further comprising a cutout extending in the side
end flap and at least partially aligned with the handle flap in the
bottom end flap.
35. The carton of claim 34, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top
panel, and the handle flap comprises a first handle flap, the
handle further comprising a second handle flap foldably connected
to the top end flap, the first handle flap at least partially
overlapping the second handle flap.
36. The carton of claim 31, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top
panel, and the handle comprises a first handle feature in the
bottom end flap and a second handle feature in the top end flap,
the first handle feature being at least partially aligned with the
second handle feature.
37. The carton of claim 36, wherein the first handle feature
comprises a handle opening in the bottom end flap and a first
handle flap foldably connected to the bottom end flap along a first
fold line adjacent the handle opening, and the second handle
feature comprises a second handle flap foldably connected to the
top end flap adjacent a lowermost edge of the top end flap.
38. The carton of claim 31, wherein the handle comprises a handle
opening extending in the bottom end flap.
39. The carton of claim 31, wherein the plurality of articles are
for being arranged in at least a first row and a second row in the
interior of the carton, the first row is for having at least one
more article than the second row, and the interior space is for
being defined between the second row and the closed end.
40. The carton of claim 39, wherein the articles of the plurality
of articles for being arranged in the second row are for being
nested with the articles of the plurality of articles for being
arranged in the first row.
41. A blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of
articles, the blank comprising: a plurality of panels comprising at
least a bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel; at least two
end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of
the plurality of panels, the at least two end flaps for being at
least partially overlapped with respect to one another and thereby
at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the
blank, and the at least two end flaps comprising at least a bottom
end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel; handle features
for forming a handle extending in at least the bottom end flap when
the carton is formed from the blank; wherein the plurality of
articles is for being disposed in an interior of the carton formed
from the blank so that an interior space is formed between at least
one article of the plurality of articles and at least a portion of
the closed end of the carton formed from the blank, and the handle
is for being at least partially aligned with the interior space
when the carton is formed from the blank.
42. The blank of claim 41, wherein the handle features comprise a
handle flap foldably connected to the bottom end flap along a fold
line.
43. The blank of claim 42, wherein the bottom end flap is foldably
connected to the bottom panel along a fold line, the bottom end
flap comprises a free edge disposed opposite to the fold line, and
the handle flap is spaced apart from the fold line and the free
edge in the bottom end flap.
44. The blank of claim 42, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a side end flap foldably connected to the side
panel, the handle features further comprising a cutout extending in
the side end flap, and the cutout is for being at least partially
aligned with the handle flap in the bottom end flap when the carton
is formed from the blank.
45. The blank of claim 44, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top
panel, and the handle flap comprises a first handle flap, the
handle features further comprising a second handle flap foldably
connected to the top end flap, the first handle flap being for at
least partially overlapping the second handle flap when the carton
is formed from the blank.
46. The blank of claim 41, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top
panel, the handle features comprise a first handle feature in the
bottom end flap and a second handle feature in the top end flap,
and the first handle feature is for being at least partially
aligned with the second handle feature when the carton is formed
from the blank.
47. The blank of claim 46, wherein the first handle feature
comprises a handle opening in the bottom end flap and a first
handle flap foldably connected to the bottom end flap along a first
fold line adjacent the handle opening, and the second handle
feature comprises a second handle flap foldably connected to the
top end flap adjacent a lowermost edge of the top end flap.
48. The blank of claim 41, wherein the handle features comprise a
handle opening extending in the bottom end flap.
49. The blank of claim 41, wherein the plurality of articles are
for being arranged in at least a first row and a second row in the
interior of the carton formed from the blank, the first row is for
having at least one more article than the second row, and the
interior space is for being defined between the second row and the
closed end when the carton is formed from the blank.
50. The blank of claim 49, wherein the articles of the plurality of
articles for being arranged in the second row are for being nested
with the articles of the plurality of articles for being arranged
in the first row when the carton is formed from the blank.
51. A method for forming a package comprising a carton holding a
plurality of articles, the method comprising: obtaining a blank
comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom
panel, a top panel, and a side panel, at least two end flaps
respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the
plurality of panels, the at least two end flaps comprising at least
a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, and
handle features extending in at least the bottom end flap; forming
an interior of the carton at least partially defined by the
plurality of panels; inserting the plurality of articles into the
interior of the carton; at least partially overlapping the at least
two end flaps with respect to one another to at least partially
form a closed end of the carton, wherein the inserting the
plurality of articles comprises arranging the plurality of articles
to form an interior space between at least one article of the
plurality of articles and the closed end; and forming a handle in
the closed end from the handle features, the handle being at least
partially aligned with the interior space.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the forming the handle
comprises positioning the handle features so that the handle is
spaced apart from the top panel by a first distance and is spaced
apart from the bottom panel a second distance, and the first
distance is greater than the second distance.
53. The method of claim 51, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the top
panel, the handle features comprise a first handle feature in the
bottom end flap and a second handle feature in the top end flap,
and the forming the handle comprising at least partially
overlapping the first handle feature and the second handle
feature.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least two end flaps
further comprise a side end flap foldably connected to the side
panel, the handle features further comprise a cutout in the side
end flap, and the forming the handle further comprises at least
partially aligning the first handle feature and the second handle
feature with the cutout.
55. The method of claim 51, wherein the arranging the plurality of
articles comprises disposing the articles of the plurality of
articles in at least a first row and a second row in the interior
of the carton so that the first row comprises at least one more
article than the second row, the interior space being defined
between the second row and the closed end.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the disposing the articles of
the plurality of articles in the first row and the second row
comprises nesting the articles of the second row with the articles
of the first row.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/997,147, filed May 22, 2014. This
application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/286,343, filed May 23, 2014, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/855,819, filed May
24, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/956,388,
filed Jun. 7, 2013.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/997,147, which was filed May 22, 2014, U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/286,343, which was filed May 23, 2014, U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/855,819, which was filed on May 24, 2013,
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/956,388, which was
filed Jun. 7, 2013, are hereby incorporated by reference for all
purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for
holding beverage containers or other types of articles. More
specifically, the present disclosure relates to cartons configured
to receive articles in a nested arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a
package comprising a carton and a plurality of articles. The carton
can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially
around an interior of the carton. The articles of the plurality of
articles can be arranged in a plurality of rows of articles in the
interior of the carton. The plurality of rows of articles can
comprise at least a first row and a second row, the second row can
be spaced apart from a panel of the plurality of panels by at least
the first row, and the first row can comprise at least one more
article than the second row.
[0005] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a package. The method can comprise obtaining a
blank comprising a plurality of panels, obtaining a plurality of
articles, forming an interior of the carton at least partially
defined by the plurality of panels, and arranging the plurality of
articles in a plurality of rows of articles in the interior of the
carton. The plurality of rows of articles can comprise at least a
first row and a second row. The arranging the plurality of articles
can comprise disposing at least one more article in the first row
than in the second row and disposing the second row to be spaced
apart from a panel of the plurality of panels by at least the first
row.
[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton can
comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially
around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can
comprise at least a bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel. At
least two end flaps can be respectively foldably attached to
respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end
flaps can be at least partially overlapped with respect to one
another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the
carton, and the at least two end flaps can comprise at least a
bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel. A handle
can extend in at least the bottom end flap. The plurality of
articles is for being disposed in the interior of the carton so
that an interior space is formed between at least one article of
the plurality of articles and at least a portion of the closed end
of the carton, and the handle is for being at least partially
aligned with the interior space.
[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of articles.
The blank can comprise a plurality of panels comprising at least a
bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel. At least two end flaps
can be respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the
plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps are for being at
least partially overlapped with respect to one another and thereby
at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the
blank, and the at least two end flaps can comprise at least a
bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel. Handle
features for forming a handle can extend in at least the bottom end
flap when the carton is formed from the blank. The plurality of
articles is for being disposed in an interior of the carton formed
from the blank so that an interior space is formed between at least
one article of the plurality of articles and at least a portion of
the closed end of the carton formed from the blank. The handle is
for being at least partially aligned with the interior space when
the carton is formed from the blank.
[0008] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a package. The method can comprise obtaining a
blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising at least a bottom
panel, a top panel, and a side panel. At least two end flaps can be
respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the
plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps can comprise at
least a bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel.
Handle features can extend in at least the bottom end flap. The
method also can comprise forming an interior of the carton at least
partially defined by the plurality of panels, inserting a plurality
of articles into the interior of the carton, and at least partially
overlapping the at least, two end flaps with respect to one another
to at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The
inserting the plurality of articles can comprise arranging the
plurality of articles to form an interior space between at least
one article of the plurality of articles and the closed end. The
method further can comprise forming a handle in the closed end from
the handle features, the handle being at least partially aligned
with the interior space.
[0009] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated
advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional
embodiments reading the following detailed description of the
embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
[0010] According to common practice, the various features of the
drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be
expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of
the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the erected carton according
to the first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a closed end of the
carton of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of
an end of the carton of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the carton of FIG. 2 with a portion
cut away to show a portion of the interior of the carton.
[0016] FIG. 4A is a side view of a container for being disposed in
the carton of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 with a
dispenser partially actuated according to the first embodiment of
the disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the erected carton
according to the fifth embodiment of the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton
according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure.
[0025] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding
reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0026] The present disclosure generally relates to cartons that
contain articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The
articles can be used for packaging food and beverage products
and/or nonfood products, for example. The articles can be made from
materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food
or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited
to, glass; aluminum and/or other metals; plastics such as PET,
LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or
any combination thereof.
[0027] Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate
articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for
the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following
detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., glass
beverage bottles or aluminum cans) as disposed within the carton
embodiments. In this specification, the terms "inner," "outer,"
"lower," "bottom," "upper," and "top" indicate orientations
determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior side 1 of a blank,
generally indicated at 3, used to form a carton 5 (FIG. 2)
according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The
carton 5 can be used to house a plurality of articles such as
containers in the form of beverage bottles B (e.g., FIGS. 1, 4, and
4A). In one embodiment, the bottles B can have a wide bottom
portion BP and a narrow upper portion or neck N (FIGS. 4 and 4A).
Alternatively, the containers in a carton of any of the illustrated
and non-illustrated embodiments could be the beverage bottles B,
generally cylindrical cans C (e.g., as shown schematically in FIGS.
9, 11, and 12), or other containers. In the first embodiment, the
carton 5 is sized and configured to contain twenty-six bottles B in
a single layer in a "nested" (e.g., an "internal" or "inverted"
nested) arrangement having two outer rows R1 of seven bottles per
row and two inner rows R2 of six bottles per row.
[0029] In general, the internal nesting arrangements can have one
or more interior rows of containers B or C that are generally
shorter than the outer rows of containers. For example, the outer
row(s) R1 could have more containers each than the inner row(s) R2
respectively nested with the outer row(s). Exemplary variations
could include outer row(s) R1 having eight containers and inner
row(s) having seven containers, outer row(s) R1 having 4 containers
and inner row(s) R2 having three containers, etc. In the
alternative embodiments, the carton can be sized accordingly to
accommodate the arrangement of the containers B or C. Other nested
(e.g., fully nested arrangements, internal nested arrangements,
and/or other arrangements) or non-nested arrangements of the
containers including bottles B or cans C could be provided without
departing from the disclosure. For example, additional rows could
be included outside the outer rows R1 (e.g., the outer rows R1 are
not necessarily the outermost rows), and the additional rows could
have more, fewer, or the same number of containers as any of the
rows R1, R2. Additionally, the inner rows R2 are not necessarily
the innermost rows.
[0030] The blank 3 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis
L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 comprises a bottom
panel 10 foldably connected to a first side panel 20 at a first
lateral fold line 21, a top panel 30 foldably connected to the
first side panel 20 at a second lateral fold line 31, a second side
panel 40 foldably connected to the top panel 30 at a third lateral
fold line 41, and an attachment flap 50 foldably connected to the
bottom panel 10 at a fourth lateral fold line 51. Any of the top
and bottom panels 30, 10 and the side panels 20, 40 could be
omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured
without departing from the disclosure. For example, the attachment
flap 50 could be foldably connected to the second side panel 40.
Additionally, the blank 3 alternatively could include two top
panels cooperating to form a top of the carton 5 or two bottom
panels cooperating to form a bottom of the carton.
[0031] The bottom panel 10 is foldably connected to a bottom end
flap 12, the first side panel 20 is foldably connected to a first
side end flap 22, the top panel 30 is foldably connected to a first
top end flap 32, and the second side panel 40 is foldably connected
to a second side end flap 42. In one embodiment, the top and bottom
end flaps 32 and 12 and the side end flaps 22, 42 extend along a
marginal area of the blank 3 and are foldably connected at a first
longitudinal fold line 62 that extends along the length of the
blank. The longitudinal fold line 62 may be, for example,
substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to
account for blank thickness or for other factors.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 is generally a
mirror-image about its longitudinal centerline CL such that the end
flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 that extend along one marginal area of the
blank have similar or identical features at the second marginal
area of the blank that are mirror images of the features at the
first marginal area of the blank. The end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 at
the first marginal areal of the blank are configured to close a
first end 71 (FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B) of the carton 5 and the end
flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 at the second marginal area of the blank are
configured to close a second end 73 of the carton (FIGS. 2 and 4).
One or more of the bottom end flap 12, the side end flaps 22, 42,
and the top end flaps 32 could be omitted or could be otherwise
shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing
from the disclosure. Additionally, one or both of the ends 71, 73
of the carton could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured,
and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the side panels 20, 40 includes
a respective lateral fold line 75, 77 extending across each
respective side panel and across the respective side end flaps 22,
42. In the illustrated embodiment, the top panel 30 can be smaller
than the bottom panel 10 in one or both of the longitudinal
direction L1 and/or the lateral direction L2, and, as shown in FIG.
1, the portions of the longitudinal fold lines 62 between the fold
lines 75, 77 and the respective fold lines 31, 41 can be angled to
accommodate the smaller top panel 30. Accordingly, when the carton
5 is erected (FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B), the upper portion of the carton
above the fold lines 75, 77 can be sloped inwardly at the portions
of the side panels 20, 40 above the respective fold lines 75, 77
and at the portions of the closed ends 71, 73 above the fold lines
75, 77. In one embodiment, the inwardly sloped upper portion can
help retain the narrower neck portions N of the bottles B in the
interior of the carton 5 while the wider bottom portion of the
carton 5 below the fold lines 75, 77 can extend adjacent the wider
bottom portions BP of the bottles B. One or more of the fold lines
75, 77 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged,
configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure
without departing from the disclosure.
[0034] In one embodiment, the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 can have
handle features for forming a handle 105 in each end 71, 73 of the
carton 5 (FIGS. 2-4). As show in FIG. 1, the handle features
include a first handle flap 107 extending in each of the bottom end
flaps 12 adjacent a respective handle opening 108 and a second
handle flap 109 extending in each of the top end flaps 32 adjacent
a respective lowermost edge 120 of the respective top end flap. The
first handle flap 107 is foldably connected to the bottom end flap
12 along a fold line 111 and is at least partially separable from
the bottom end flap 12 along cut or tear lines 113. As shown in
FIG. 1, the first handle flap 107 and the handle opening 108 are
generally spaced from the free edges of the bottom end flap 12 and
from the fold line 62. The second handle flap is foldably connected
to the top end flap 32 along a fold line 115 adjacent a lowermost
free edge 120 of the top end flap 32. The second handle flap 109 is
at least partially separable from the top end flap 32 along cut or
tear lines 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the fold lines 111,
115 generally can be arcuate, and the handle flaps 107, 109 can
include respectively opposing fold lines 112, 116. Alternatively,
one or more of the fold lines 111, 112, 115, 116 could be omitted
or otherwise configured (e.g., one or more of the fold lines could
be generally straight). When the carton 5 is erected, the first
handle panel 107 can at least partially overlap and/or can be at
least partially glued to the second handle panel 109 to form the
handle 105 at each end 71, 73.
[0035] The handle features also can include cutouts 117 in the
respective side end flaps 22, 42 for being aligned with the handle
flaps 107, 109 when the respective ends 71, 73 of the carton 5 are
closed. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutouts 117 could be
notches extending from respective free edges of the side end flaps
22, 42. Accordingly, the cutouts 117 can form an opening at each
end 71, 73 of the carton for allowing the handle flaps 107, 109 to
fold inwardly past the side end flaps 22, 42 when the handles 105
are grasped by a user. Additionally, the portions of the side end
flaps 22, 42 above each of the handles 105 can cooperate with the
respective portions of the top end flap 32 and the bottom end flap
12 above the respective handle 105 to provide an at least three-ply
wall to help reinforce the respective handle. Either of the handles
105 and/or any of the handle features could be omitted or could be
otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without
departing from the disclosure.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 3 can include a dispenser 80
with two dispenser panels 81 at least partially separable from the
top panel 30 and the respective side panels 20, 40 by tear lines
83. The dispenser panels 81 are separable from one another along a
tear or cut line 84. An access feature 85 extends in each of the
side panels 20, 40 for helping to initiate tearing of the tear
lines 83 to actuate the dispenser 80. One or both of the dispenser
panels 81 can be at least partially removed to form a dispenser
opening 87 in the carton 5 (e.g., FIG. 5). The dispenser 80 could
be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured,
and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom panel 10 includes
ten article protection flaps 13 foldably connected to the bottom
panel. The article protection flaps 13 are for being upwardly
folded relative to the bottom panel 10 to be located between
adjacent bottles B. The article protection flaps 13 can help
protect the bottles B by providing cushioning between adjacent
containers that reduces breakage of the containers. In one
embodiment, the article protection flaps 13 and/or other article
protection features can be similar or identical to the features
described in any of the embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/419,740, which was filed on Mar. 14, 2012,
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/768,079, which was filed on
Feb. 15, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/833,542,
which was filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented
herein in their entirety. Any of the article protection flaps 13
could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged,
positioned, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure. For example, the article protection flaps 13 that are
aligned with the inner rows R2 could be omitted since the bottles B
in the inner rows R2 are spaced apart from the ends 71, 73 and,
accordingly, can be at a lower risk of breaking.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the carton 5 can be erected
by folding the panels 10, 20, 30, 40 along the lateral fold lines
21, 31, 41, 51 and gluing the attachment flap 50 to the second side
panel 40 to form an open-ended sleeve (not shown). One or both of
the ends 71, 73 can be at least partially closed by folding the end
flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 along the fold lines 62 over the respective
end. In one embodiment, the side end flaps 22, 42 can be folded
over the end, the top end flap 32 can be downwardly folded to at
least partially overlap the side end flaps so that the handle flap
109 is generally aligned with the cutouts 117, and the bottom end
flap 12 is upwardly folded to overlap the side end flaps 22, 42 and
the top end flap 32 so that the handle flap 107 is generally
aligned with the handle flap 109 and the cutouts 117. The erected
carton 5 is shown generally in FIG. 2, and the closed first end 71
is shown generally in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the top panel 30 can be
smaller than the bottom panel 10 in at least one of the directions
L1, L2 so that the side panels 20, 40 and the closed ends 71, 73
are at least partially sloped toward the top of the carton 5. In
one embodiment (e.g., wherein the fold lines 75, 77 are generally
aligned with the transitions between the bottom portions BP and the
necks N of the bottles B), the portions of the side panels 20, 40
and the closed ends 71, 73 above the fold lines 75, 77 can be
sloped inwardly toward the top panel 30, and the bottom portions of
the side panels 20, 40, and ends 71, 73 below the fold lines 75, 77
can be generally vertical. According the sloped sides and or ends
of the carton can help retain the narrower tops of the bottles B.
The carton 5 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured
without departing from the disclosure.
[0040] In one embodiment, the top end flap 32 can be glued to the
side end flaps 22, 42 in multiple locations, including adjacent the
handle flap 109 and the cutouts 117. Additionally, the bottom end
flap 32 can be glued to the side end flaps 22, 42 and the top end
flap 32 at multiple locations, including to the top end flap 32
adjacent the handle panels 107, 109. Accordingly, when the
respective end of the carton 5 is closed, two at least three-ply
handle reinforcement portions 119 can be formed above the handle,
each including a portion of the respective side end flaps 22, 42,
the top end flap 32, and the bottom end flap 12. One of the handle
reinforcement portions 119 is shown schematically in FIG. 3C
showing the cross-section of a portion of the first end 71 of the
carton 5. FIG. 3C schematically shows glue G adhering the
overlapped portions of the end flaps 12, 22, 32 together. The
carton 5 can be erected and/or the ends 71, 73 could be closed by
other forming or folding steps as described herein without
departing from the disclosure. For example, the side end flaps 22,
42 could be longer and/or could at least partially overlap so that
the closed end includes a continuous reinforcement portion over the
handle 105.
[0041] In one embodiment, the bottles B can be loaded into the
open-ended sleeve (not shown) or the carton 5 before or after
either of the ends 71, 73 is closed. In the illustrated embodiment,
the bottles B are arranged in an internal nested arrangement (e.g.,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) prior to, during, or after loading of
the containers. In one embodiment, the rows R1, R2 could be
considered to include a first row (e.g., outer row R1 adjacent the
fold line 21 and the first side panel 20), and a second row (e.g.,
inner row R2 nested with the first row), the first row having at
least one more bottle B than the second row and the second row
being spaced from the first side panel 20 by at least the first
row. Additionally, the rows R1, R2 can include a third row (e.g.,
the outer row R1 adjacent the fold line 51, the attachment flap 50,
and the second side panel 40), and a fourth row (e.g., the inner
row R2 nested with the third row), the third row having at least
one more bottle B than the fourth row, the third row being space
from the second row by at least the fourth row, and the fourth row
being spaced from the second side panel by at least the third row.
Any or all of the rows R1, R2 could be omitted or could be
otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without
departing from the disclosure.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the inner rows R2 include one
fewer bottle B than each of the outer rows R1 and each of the inner
rows R2 is nested with the respective outer rows R1. Accordingly,
as shown in FIG. 4, wherein a portion of the carton 5 is cut away
to show the nested bottles B in the interior 100 of the carton
adjacent the closed end 71, the inner rows R2 are spaced apart from
the first end 71 (and the fold line 62) by a distance D1 in the
illustrated embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 4). The bottles B are similarly
configured at the second end 73 so that the bottles B of the inner
rows R2 are spaced from the second end 73 by the distance D1.
Accordingly, there is a void, gap, or interior space 90 between the
end bottles B2 of each of the inner rows R2 and each of the closed
ends 71, 73 and adjacent the end bottles B1 of each of the outer
rows R1 as shown in FIG. 4. The interior spaces 90 can provide a
space for a user to reach into the interior of the carton 5 at the
handles 105 between the ends 71, 73 and the bottles B. For example,
the partially torn-away view of FIG. 4 shows the handle flap 107,
109 of the handle 105 at the first end 71 folded into the interior
space 90 (though only the handle flap 109 is visible in FIG. 4).
The inwardly folded handle flaps 107, 109 are shown from the
exterior of the closed end 71 in FIG. 3B in one exemplary
embodiment.
[0043] The internal nesting of the bottles B in the illustrated
embodiment and the interior spaces 90 allow the handles 105 to be
positioned in a lower portion of the carton 5 adjacent the wider
base portions BP of the bottles B, which would normally provide a
barrier at the ends of the carton and block the handle 105 if not
for the interior spaces 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the
handle 105 is spaced from the bottom panel 10 by a distance D2 and
is spaced from the top panel 20 by the distance D3, and the
distance D3 can be greater than the distance D2 so that the handle
105 is generally in the lower portion of the carton 5 and/or is has
a center that is spaced below the midpoint of the end of the
carton. In an exemplary embodiment, the handle 105 can be at least
partially or mostly below the fold lines 75, 77 in the carton 5. A
lower handle 105 can be easier to grasp and carry in one
embodiment.
[0044] The carton 5 could be otherwise erected and/or the bottles B
could be otherwise loaded into the carton 5 without departing from
the disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank 203 for forming a carton
(not shown) of a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second
embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. The blank 203 is configured (e.g., sized and
proportioned) to contain 14 bottles B in a single layer in an
internal nested arrangement having two outer rows R1 of four
bottles per row and two inner rows R2 of three bottles per row. The
blank 203 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured
without departing from the disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank 403 for forming a carton
(not shown) of a third embodiment of the disclosure. The third
embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. The blank 403 is configured (e.g., sized and
proportioned) to contain 22 bottles B in a single layer in an
internal nested arrangement having two outer rows R1 of six bottles
per row and two inner rows R2 of five bottles per row. The blank
403 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without
departing from the disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank 603 for forming a carton
(not shown) of a fourth embodiment of the disclosure. The fourth
embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. The blank 603 is configured to contain 27
bottles B in a single layer in an alternatively nested arrangement
(e.g., an external nesting arrangement) having two outer rows R4 of
five bottles per row, two inner rows R5 of six bottles per row, and
a central row R6 of five bottles. The inner rows R5 are similar to
the outer rows R1 of the above embodiments, and the central row R6
is similar to the inner rows R2 of the above embodiments. However,
the arrangement shown in FIG. 8 is different wherein the outer rows
R4 are nested with the longer inner rows R5. Additionally, the
interior space 690 is smaller than the interior space 90 of the
above embodiments since there is only one central row R6 forming
the interior space 690, and the above embodiments have two adjacent
inner rows R2 forming the interior space 90. The smaller interior
space 690 can still provide room for the handle flaps 107, 109 to
fold into the interior of the carton (not shown) and for a hand to
reach into the carton through the handle opening 108. The blank 603
could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured
without departing from the disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank 803 for forming a carton
805 (FIG. 10) of a fifth embodiment of the disclosure. The fifth
embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. The blank 803 is configured to contain 18
containers (e.g., beverage cans C) in a single layer in an internal
nesting arrangement having two outer rows R1 of five cans per row
and two inner rows R2 of four cans per row. The blank 803 includes
a bottom panel 820 foldably connected to a front panel 830 along a
lateral fold line 831 and a back panel 810 along a lateral fold
line 821, a first top panel portion 840 foldably connected to the
front panel 830 along a lateral fold line 841, and a second top
panel portion 850 foldably connected to the back panel 810 along a
lateral fold line 851. In the illustrated embodiment, the top panel
portions 840, 850 are overlapped and glued together to form the top
panel 860 (FIG. 10) of the carton 805 opposite to the bottom panel
820. In one embodiment, the overlapped top panel portions 840, 850
can be reinforced by, for example, a reinforcing tape and/or a
reinforcing flap (not shown).
[0049] Similarly to the first embodiment, the back panel 810 can be
foldably connected to two back end flaps 812, the bottom panel 820
can be foldably connected to two bottom end flaps 822, the front
panel 830 can be foldably connected to two front end flaps 832, the
first top panel portion 840 can be foldably connected to two top
end flaps 842, and the second top panel portion 850 can be foldably
connected to two top end flaps 852. The end flaps 812, 822, 832,
842, 852 at each marginal portion of the blank 803 can be foldably
connected to the respective panels along respective longitudinal
fold lines 862 extending along the length of the blank 803. The
longitudinal fold lines 862 may be, for example, substantially
straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank
thickness or for other factors. The end flaps 812, 822, 832, 842,
852 can be at least partially overlapped at each end of the carton
to form the closed ends 871, 873 of the carton 805 (FIG. 10).
[0050] The blank 803 can include handle features for forming a
handle 905 in the carton 805 (FIG. 10) including handle flaps 907
foldably connected to respective grip portions in the respective
top panel portions 840, 850 adjacent respective handle openings 908
in the top panel portions. Accordingly, the handle features can
form a "race track" style handle in the top panel 860 (FIG. 10)
formed by the top panels portions 840, 850. The handle flaps 907
can be foldably connected to the respective top panel portions 840,
850 along respective fold lines 911.
[0051] Similarly to the first embodiment, the containers in the
inner rows R2 can be spaced apart from the closed ends 871, 873 of
the carton 805 (FIG. 10) by a distance D4 (FIG. 9) to form an
interior space 90 at each end of the carton. Whereas the distance
D1 in the first embodiment can be generally equal to half the width
or cross-sectional diameter of one of the containers (e.g., bottles
B), in one embodiment, the distance D4 can be generally equal to
half the width or cross-sectional diameter of one of the containers
(e.g., cans C).
[0052] The blank 803 and/or the carton 805 could be otherwise
shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0053] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank 1003 for forming a carton
(not shown) of a sixth embodiment of the disclosure. The sixth
embodiment is generally similar to the fifth embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. The blank 1003 is configured to contain 38 cans
C in a single layer in a "modified" internal nested arrangement
having two outer rows R1 of eight cans per row, two inner rows R2
of seven cans per row, and a central row R3 of eight cans. In the
illustrated embodiment, each row R1, R2, R3 is nested with a
respectively adjacent row. Accordingly, the inner rows R2 can be
spaced apart from the closed ends of the carton (not shown) to form
an interior space 1090 on either side of the central row R3 at each
end of the carton. Similarly, to the interior spaces 690 of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the interior spaces 1090 of FIG. 11 are
formed by a single respective inner row R2 and are narrower with
respect to the interior spaces 90 shown in other embodiments. The
blank 1003 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured
without departing from the disclosure.
[0054] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank 1203 for forming a carton
(not shown) of a seventh embodiment of the disclosure. The seventh
embodiment is generally similar to the sixth embodiment, except for
variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. The blank 1203 is configured to contain 18
containers C in a single layer in a modified internal nested
arrangement (e.g., similar to the arrangement in FIG. 11) having
two outer rows R1 of four cans per row, two inner rows R2 of three
cans per row, and a central row R3 of four cans. The blank 1203 can
include a dispenser 1280 in the front panel 1230. In the
illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 1280 can include two
dispenser panels 1281 in the front panel 1230. The dispenser panels
1281 can be separable from at least the front panel 1230 along tear
lines 1283 and from one another along tear line 1284. As shown in
FIG. 12, the handle flap features can be omitted in the top panel
portion 1250, and a handle flap 1307 can extend in the top panel
portion 840 for forming an asymmetric handle in the carton (not
shown). The blank 1203 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or
configured without departing from the disclosure.
[0055] Any of the features of the various embodiments of the
disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, and/or otherwise
configured with other features of other embodiments of the
disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Further, it is noted that the nesting arrangements of the various
embodiments can be incorporated into a carton having any carton
style or panel configuration. The carton styles and panel
configurations described above are included by way of example.
[0056] The blanks according to any of the embodiments of the
present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated
paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or
exterior sides of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The
clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising,
price coding, and other information or images. The blank may then
be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the
blank. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture
barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance
with the above-described embodiments, the blank may be constructed
of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid
than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other
materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material
having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at
least generally as described herein. The blank can also be
laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at
selected panels or panel sections.
[0057] In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the
present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear,
although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that
facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the
purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold
lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt
scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the
material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends
partially into a material along the desired line of weakness,
and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or
completely through the material along the desired line of weakness;
and various combinations of these features.
[0058] As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends
partially into the material along the desired line of weakness,
and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into
and/or completely through the material along the desired line of
weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more
specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of
spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material,
with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick
(e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is
defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily
connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken
during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a
relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the
nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear
line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of
the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced
with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be
a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing
from the present disclosure.
[0059] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more
panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton
embodiments. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of
adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
[0060] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and
describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions,
modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary
embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected
embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use
in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and
is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the
inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above
teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant
art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each
embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other
illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.
* * * * *