U.S. patent application number 14/910716 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for carton for dispensing articles.
The applicant listed for this patent is WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC. Invention is credited to Martinus C. Bakx.
Application Number | 20160185484 14/910716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51398902 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160185484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bakx; Martinus C. |
June 30, 2016 |
CARTON FOR DISPENSING ARTICLES
Abstract
A carton includes a top wall (132, 136) having an opposed side
edge, first and second opposed side panels (112, 116) extending
downward from the opposed side edges of the top wall respectively,
and a bottom wall (152, 156) extending between the first and second
side panels. The bottom wall is slanted downwardly from the back
end of the carton to the front end of the carton. A first wedge
panel (162) is hingedly connected to the lower end edge of the
first side panel and extending upwards to its upper end edge. The
bottom wall is hingedly connected to the upper end edge of the
first wedge panel.
Inventors: |
Bakx; Martinus C.; (Goes,
NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC |
Norcross |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51398902 |
Appl. No.: |
14/910716 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
August 8, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/050350 |
371 Date: |
February 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61863557 |
Aug 8, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/122 ;
229/5.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00617
20130101; B65D 2571/00728 20130101; B65D 2571/00561 20130101; B65D
2571/00148 20130101; B65D 2571/00222 20130101; B65D 2571/0058
20130101; B65D 2571/0074 20130101; B65D 2571/00469 20130101; B65D
2571/00753 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101; B65D 5/724 20130101;
B65D 71/36 20130101; B65D 2571/00746 20130101; B65D 2571/00154
20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101; B65D 5/103 20130101; B65D
2571/00228 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72; B65D 5/10 20060101 B65D005/10 |
Claims
1. A carton, comprising: a top wall having an opposed side edge;
first and second opposed side panels extending downward from the
opposed side edges of the top wall respectively; and a bottom wall
extending between the first and second side panels, the bottom wall
being slanted downwardly from a back end of the carton to a front
end of the carton, wherein a first wedge panel is hingedly
connected to a lower end edge of the first side panel and extending
upwards to an upper end edge of the first wedge panel, and wherein
the bottom wall is hingedly connected to the upper end edge of the
first wedge panel.
2. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a detachable portion
at the front end such that a dispensing opening is defined at the
front end upon removal of the detachable portion from the
carton.
3. The carton of claim 2, further comprising a front wall at the
front end, the front wall extending between the first and second
side panels, wherein the detachable portion is formed from a part
of the front wall.
4. (canceled)
5. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a back wall at the
back end, the back wall extending between the first and second side
panels, wherein the back wall comprises a back panel and a back
support panel extending upwards from a lower end edge of the back
panel.
6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall comprising a pair
of first and second bottom panels, the first and bottom panel and
the second bottom panel overlapping one another at least in
part.
7. The carton of claim 6, further comprising a front wall at the
front end, wherein the first bottom panel is hingedly connected to
the upper end edge of the first wedge panel and is connected to the
front wall through a first bottom flap, and wherein the second
bottom panel is hingedly connected to the second side panel through
a second wedge panel that is hingedly connected to the second
bottom panel and to the second side panel.
8. The carton of claim 7, further comprising a back wall at the
back end, wherein the second bottom panel is connected to the back
wall through a second bottom flap that is hingedly connected to the
bottom wall.
9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the first bottom flap is hingedly
connected to the front wall and to the first bottom panel.
10. The carton of claim 8, wherein the second bottom flap is
hingedly connected to the back wall and to the second bottom
panel.
11. The carton of claim 9, wherein the first bottom panel is
hingedly connected to a first gusset panel that is secured to the
first bottom flap in face-contacting arrangement.
12. The carton of claim 10, wherein the second bottom panel is
hingedly connected to a second gusset panel that is secured to the
second bottom flap in face-contacting arrangement.
13. The carton of claim 6, further comprising front and back
opposed walls at the front and back ends respectively, the front
wall and back wall each is hingedly connected to the first and
second side panels to form a collapsible tubular structure that is
collapsible into a flat tubular form, wherein the first bottom
panel is connected to the front wall through a first bottom flap,
and wherein the first bottom flap is hingedly connected to the
first bottom panel and to the front wall such that the first bottom
panel and the first bottom flap are folded into a face contacting
arrangement respectively with the first side panel and the front
wall when the tubular structure is collapsed into the flat tubular
form.
14. The carton of claim 13, wherein the second bottom panel is
connected to the back wall through a second bottom flap, and the
second bottom flap is hingedly connected to the second bottom panel
and to the back wall such that the second bottom panel and the
second bottom flap are folded into a face contacting arrangement
respectively with the second side panel and the back wall when the
tubular structure is collapsed into the flat tubular form.
15. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising: a pair of
first and second side panels; a first bottom panel hingedly
connected to the first side panel by a first wedge panel; and a
second bottom panel hingedly connected to a second wedge panel;
wherein the first and second panels are hingedly interconnected by
an end wall panel and the end wall panel is hingedly connected to a
first bottom flap which is hingedly connected to a first gusset
panel.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. A blank for forming a carton, comprising a first set of panels
that are hingedly connected one to the next and are configured to
form a tubular structure, the first set of panels comprising: a
first connecting panel; a first wedge panel joined together with
the first connecting panel; a first side panel hingedly connected
to the first wedge panel; a top panel hingedly connected to the
first side panel; a second side panel hingedly connected to the top
panel; a second wedge panel hingedly connected to the second side
panel; a bottom panel hingedly connected to the second wedge panel;
and a second connecting panel hingedly connected to the bottom
panel, wherein the first and second connecting panels are secured
together in face contacting arrangement upon formation of the
tubular structure.
19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the first and second side panels
are hingedly connected to opposite side edges of the top panel.
20. The blank of claim 19, further comprising a first set of flaps
comprising a first side back flap that is hingedly connected to the
first side panel and a second side back flap that is hingedly
connected to the second side panel, wherein the first and second
side back flaps together provide a single back wall for closing at
least in part a back end of the tubular structure when the tubular
structure is set up.
21. The blank of claim 19, wherein the first wedge panel is
hingedly connected to one of opposed side edges of the first side
panel and the second wedge panel is hingedly connected to one of
opposed side edges of the second side panel.
22. The blank of claim 19, wherein a front end edge of the first
side panel has a first height and a back end edge of the first side
panel has a second height, wherein a back end edge of the first
wedge panel has a third height, and wherein the second height is
substantially equal to the first height plus the third height.
23. The blank of claim 20, wherein the first set of flaps further
comprising a first side front flap that is hingedly connected to
the first side panel and a second side front flap that is hingedly
connected to the second side panel, wherein the first and second
side front flaps together provide a single front wall for closing
at least in part a front end of the tubular structure when the
tubular structure is set up.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/863,557 filed Aug. 8, 2013, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to cartons for dispensing
articles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When a carton is stored in a fridge, it is difficult to
visually determine if cans remain in the carton. The user must
reach through an opening into the carton to dispense a can from the
carton or tip the carton to roll cans to the opening.
SUMMARY
[0004] To address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies,
a carton includes tapered side panels and an angled bottom wall. As
the carton is placed on its side, gravity feeds the cans toward an
opening. According to an exemplary embodiment, A carton, includes a
first tapered side wall, a second tapered side wall, a bottom wall
slanted downwardly from a back end to a front end, a first side
rail, and a second side rail. The first side rail includes a
portion of the first tapered side wall that is below the bottom
wall. The second side rail includes a portion of the second tapered
side that is below the bottom wall.
[0005] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and
features, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of
various potential applications. Other beneficial results can be
obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different
manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed
embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive
understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed
description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in addition to the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a
blank.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from blank
of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom wall of the carton
of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottom wall of the carton
of FIG. 2.
[0010] FIGS. 5-7 are plan views of the blank of FIG. 1, which is
folded according to an exemplary method.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a
blank.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the
blank of FIG. 8.
[0013] FIGS. 10-11 are plan view of the blank of FIG. 8, which is
folded according to an exemplary method.
[0014] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the carton of FIG.
9, which is folded according to an exemplary method.
[0015] FIGS. 13-14 are partial perspective views of a bottom wall
of the carton of FIG. 9.
[0016] FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of an open back end of
the carton of FIG. 9.
[0017] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the
carton of FIG. 9.
[0018] FIG. 17 is an end elevational view of an exemplary
embodiment of a carton.
[0019] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a bottom wall of the carton
of FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of
various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used
herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to
embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or
patterns. 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 components,
systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in
order to avoid obscuring the disclosure. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
[0021] Generally described, a carton is formed from a blank. A
blank is a sheet of substrate. As used herein, the term "substrate"
includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard,
corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, and the like. Exemplary
embodiments of cartons described herein are configured to dispense
beverage cans. It is envisaged that the cartons can be configured
to dispense other articles and/or different arrangements of
articles that may be contained within a carton.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments of cartons described herein are
configured to dispense beverage cans contained therein. However,
cartons can be configured to dispense other articles (such as
bottles and any other cylindrical items) and/or different
arrangements of articles that may be contained within the
carton.
[0023] As used herein, directional references such as "top",
"bottom", "base", "front", "back", "rear", "end", "side", "inner",
"outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the
respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to
distinguish these panels from one another.
[0024] As used herein, the term "hingedly connect" refers to all
manner of connecting two or more areas or portions of a blank of
sheet material, that involves hinge features for facilitating
folding the areas or portions of the blank with respect to one
another, or otherwise involves structural features that indicate
optimal panel folding locations for the blank. Each of such hinge
features or structural features may include one or more fold
lines.
As used herein, the term "fold line" may refer to one of the
following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line
of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, aligned slits, a line of
scores and any combination of the aforesaid options. For ease of
distinguishing, fold lines are shown as dashed lines in
illustrations of blanks.
[0025] As used herein, the term "severance line" refers to all
manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the
substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation
locations. The term "severance line" may refer to one of the
following: a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of
half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, aligned
slits, and any combination of the aforesaid options.
[0026] Those elements of a fold line or a severance line such as
cuts, perforations and scores, can be dimensioned and arranged to
provide a desired functionality. For example, a line of
perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of
weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. For
example, a line of perforations can be designed to facilitate
folding and resist breaking in order to provide a fold line, to
facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort in
order to provide a severance line that can function also as a fold
line at least temporarily, or to facilitate breaking with little
effort in order to provide a regular severance line.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings
illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments
of a carton that is configured to dispense articles.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a blank 100 is configured to be folded
and secured to form a carton 102 that is described below with
reference to FIG. 2. Continuing with FIG. 1, the blank 100 includes
a first set of panels that are configured to form a tubular
structure. The first set of panels includes an edge panel 110, a
first side panel 112, a front panel 114, a second side panel 116,
and a back panel 118. The panels are hingedly connected one to the
next along fold lines. The edge panel 110 is hingedly connected to
the first side panel 112 along a fold line 120, the first side
panel 112 is hingedly connected to the front panel 114 along a fold
line 122, the front panel 114 is hingedly connected to the second
side panel 116 along a fold line 124, and second side panel 116 is
hingedly connected to the back panel 118 along a fold line 126.
[0029] The blank 100 includes a second set of panels that are
configured to form a wall at a top opening of the tubular
structure. The second set of panels includes a first top panel 132,
a first top flap 134, a second top panel 136, and a second top flap
138. The first top panel 132 is hingedly connected to the first
side panel 112 along a fold line 142, the first top flap 134 is
hingedly connected to the front panel 114 along a fold line 144,
the second top panel 136 is hingedly connected to the second side
panel 116 along a fold line 146, and the second top flap 138 is
hingedly connected to the back panel 118 along a fold line 148.
[0030] The blank 100 includes a third set of panels that are
configured to form a wall at a bottom opening of the tubular
structure. The third set of panels includes a first bottom panel
152, a first bottom flap 154, a second bottom panel 156, and second
bottom flap 158. The first bottom panel 152 is connected to the
first side panel 112 by a first wedge panel 162, the first bottom
flap 154 is hingedly connected to the first bottom flap 154 along a
fold line 164, the second bottom panel 156 is connected to the
second side panel 116, and second bottom flap 158 is connected to
the back panel 118 by a positioning panel 168. The first wedge
panel 162 is hingedly connected to the first side panel 112 by a
fold line 170, the first bottom panel 152 is hingedly connected to
the first wedge panel 162 along a fold line 172, a second wedge
panel 166 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 116 along
a fold line 174, the second bottom panel 156 is hingedly connected
to the second wedge panel 166 along a fold line 176, the
positioning panel 168 is hingedly connected to the back panel 118
along a fold line 178, and the second bottom flap 158 is hingedly
connected to the positioning panel 168 along a fold line 180. The
first and second wedge panels 162, 166 each is wedge shaped (e.g.,
triangular, trapezoidal or otherwise shaped substantially similarly
to a wedge so as to have a pair of divergently extending
edges).
[0031] The blank 100 includes a gusset panel 182 that is configured
to connect the first bottom panel 152 to the first bottom flap 154
and a gusset panel 184 that is configured to connect the second
bottom panel 156 to the second bottom flap 158. The gusset panel
182 is hingedly connected to the first bottom panel 152 along a
fold line 186 and the gusset panel 184 is hingedly connected to the
second bottom panel 156 along a fold line 188. The fold line 186 is
at an angle with respect to the fold line 172 and the fold line 188
is at an angle with respect to the fold line 176.
[0032] The first bottom panel 152 includes a hooked edge 190 and
the second bottom panel 156 includes a hooked edge 192. The hooked
edge 190 and the hooked edge 192 are configured to engage one
another to secure the first bottom panel 152 and the second bottom
panel 156 in place as a bottom wall of the carton 102.
[0033] The blank 100 includes a severance line 194 that defines a
detachable portion 196. The severance line 194 includes a first
segment 198, a second segment 200, and a third segment 202. The
first segment 198 extends across the first side panel 112 from the
fold line 122 and back to the fold line 122. The second segment 200
extends between the fold line 122 and the fold line 124. The third
segment 202 extends across the second side panel 116 from the fold
line 124 and back to the fold line 124. The second segment 200
includes a curved segment 204 that defines a tab portion 206. The
tab portion 206 facilitates initiation of tearing of the severance
line 194 and removal of the detachable portion 196.
[0034] The first top panel 132 includes a first securing tab 210
and a second securing tab 212. The blank 100 includes a second slot
214 and a first slot 216 that interrupt the fold line 146. The
second slot 214 and the first slot 216 are configured to receive
the first securing tab 210 and the second securing tab 212 to
secure the first top panel 132 and the second top panel 136 in
place as a top wall of the carton 102.
[0035] The first securing tab 210 is hingedly connected to the
first top panel 132 along a fold line 220 and the second securing
tab 212 is hingedly connect to the first top panel 132 along a fold
line 222. The first securing tab 210 is partially separable from
the first top panel 132 along a severance line 224 and a severance
line 226. The second securing tab 212 is partially separable from
the first top panel 132 along a severance line 228 and a severance
line 230. The first securing tab 210 includes a fold line 232 and a
fold line 234 and the second securing tab 212 include a fold line
236 and a fold line 238. The fold lines facilitate shaping the
first securing tab 210 and the second securing tab 212 to be
secured in the second slot 214 and the first slot 216.
[0036] The blank 100 includes features that form a handle of the
carton 102. The first top panel 132 includes a handle 240 including
a first elongated opening 242 and a second elongated opening 244.
The first elongated opening 242 includes a first cushioning flap
246 and the second elongated opening 244 includes a second
cushioning flap 248. The first cushioning flap 246 is hingedly
connected to an edge of the first elongated opening 242 along a
fold line 250. The second cushioning flap 248 is hingedly connected
to an edge of the second elongated opening 244 along a fold line
252. The second top panel 136 includes a third elongated opening
254 and a fourth elongated opening 256. The third elongated opening
254 is configured to align with the first elongated opening 242 and
the fourth elongated opening 256 is configured to align with the
second elongated opening 244 when a top wall of the carton 102 is
formed.
[0037] A tuck flap 260 is hingedly connected to the second top
panel 136 along a fold line 262. The tuck flap 260 facilitates
forming a top wall of the carton 102.
[0038] The first wedge panel 162 tapers at a first angle A1 and the
second wedge panel 166 tapers at a second angle A2. The first angle
A1 and the second angle A2 are substantially equal. The widest part
of the first wedge panel 162 and the second wedge panel 166 have a
first height H1. The positioning panel 168 also has a first height
H1. The first side panel 112 and the second side panel 116 are
tapered. The first side panel 112 narrows in the direction moving
from the fold line 120 to the fold line 122. The second side panel
116 narrows in the direction moving from the fold line 126 to the
fold line 124. Each of the first side panel 112 and the second side
panel 116 narrows moving toward the front panel 114. The widest
part of the first side panel 112 has a second height H2 and the
widest part of the second side panel 116 has a second height H2.
The back panel 118 also has a second height H2. The front panel 114
has a third height H3. The second height H2 is greater than the
third height H3. In the exemplary embodiment, the second height H2
is substantially equal to the third height H3 plus the first height
H1.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the carton 102 includes a first side
wall 312, a front wall 314, a second side wall 316, a back wall
318, a top wall 320, and a bottom wall 322. The bottom wall 322 is
forward slanted (e.g., at the first angle A1 and the second angle
A2) to move cylindrical articles 340 toward the front wall 314
where they can be dispensed through an opening created by partially
removing the detachable portion 196 along the severance line
194.
[0040] The bottom wall 322 is recessed or elevated. The first wedge
panel 162, the second wedge panel 166, and the positioning panel
168 space the bottom wall 322 from the lower end or edge of the
carton 102 (e.g., the lower edge of the first side wall 312, the
second side wall 316, and the back wall 318.) The bottom wall 322
is spaced from the lower edge of the back wall 318 (e.g., the fold
line 178) by the first height H1.
[0041] The first wedge panel 162, the second wedge panel 166, and
the positioning panel 168 provide rails or beams that support the
bottom wall 322 away from the lower edge of the carton 102. The
rails are two-ply structures as the first wedge panel 162 overlaps
the first side wall 312 (forming a first side rail 362), the second
wedge panel 166 overlaps the second side wall 316 (forming a second
side rail 364), and the positioning panel 168 overlaps the back
wall 318 (forming a back rail 366). The bottom wall 322 is now
described in further detail with respect to the formation of the
carton 102 from the blank 100.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5-7, the carton 102 can be formed
from the blank 100 with folding and securing operations described
below. For reference, the inside surface of blanks 100 is shown in
FIG. 1. The order of the steps can be altered, steps may be added
or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another
may vary. For example, surfaces of sheet material may be secured
together with tape, staples, interlocking folds, hook and loop
fasteners, glue, other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the
like.
[0043] According to a first series of steps, the blank 100 is
folded and secured into a collapsed tubular structure. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 5, adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the
first wedge panel 162, the inside surface of the second wedge panel
166, and the inside surface of the positioning panel 168. The first
bottom panel 152, first wedge panel 162, and gusset panel 182 are
folded as a unit along the fold line 170 to overlap the inside
surface of the first side panel 112. As such, the inside surface of
the first wedge panel 162 is secured to the inside surface of the
first side panel 112. The first bottom flap 154 is folded along the
fold line 164 such that the inside surface of the first bottom flap
154 is in flat face contact with the inside surface of the front
panel 114. The second bottom panel 156, the second wedge panel 166,
and the gusset panel 184 are folded as a unit along the fold line
174 to overlap the second side panel 116. As such, the inside
surface of the second wedge panel 166 is secured to the inside
surface of the second side panel 116. The second bottom flap 158
and the positioning panel 168 are folded as a unit along the fold
line 178 to overlap the inside surface of the back panel 118. As
such, the inside surface of the positioning panel 168 is secured to
the inside surface of the back panel 118.
[0044] The gusset panel 182 is folded along the fold line 186 such
that the outside surface of the gusset panel 182 is in flat face
contact with the outside surface of the first bottom panel 152. The
gusset panel 184 is folded along the fold line 188 such that the
outside surface of the gusset panel 184 is in flat face contact
with the outside surface of the second bottom panel 156. Adhesive
is applied to the inside surface of the gusset panel 182 and the
gusset panel 184.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the blank 100 is folded along
the fold line 122 such that the inside surface of the gusset panel
182 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the first
bottom flap 154. As such, the gusset panel 182 is secured to the
first bottom flap 154. Adhesive is applied to the outside surface
of the edge panel 110.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the blank 100 is folded along
the fold line 126 such that the inside surface of the gusset panel
184 is in flat face contact with the outside surface of the second
bottom flap 158. As such, the gusset panel 184 is secured to the
second bottom flap 158. In addition, the inside surface of the back
panel 118 overlaps the outside surface of the edge panel 110. As
such, the back panel 118 is secured to the edge panel 110 such that
the back panel 118 is hingedly connected to the first side panel
112 along the fold line 120.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, the blank 100 is formed as a collapsed
tubular structure. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the collapsed
tubular structure can be erected by folding the blank 100 along the
fold line 120, the fold line 122, the fold line 124, and the fold
line 126. The collapsed tubular structure is folded until the first
side panel 112 is substantially parallel to the second side panel
116 and the front panel 114 is substantially parallel to the back
panel 118. Here, the first side panel 112 forms the first side wall
312, the front panel 114 forms the front wall 314, the second side
panel 116 forms the second side wall 316, and the back panel 118,
forms the back wall 318.
[0048] As the first side panel 112 is pulled apart from the front
panel 114, the gusset panel 182 folds the first bottom panel 152
down along the fold line 186. When the first side panel 112 is
substantially perpendicular to the front panel 114, the first
bottom panel 152 is substantially perpendicular to the first side
panel 112.
[0049] Similarly, as the second side panel 116 is pulled apart from
the back panel 118, the gusset panel 184 folds the second bottom
panel 156 down along the fold line 188. When the second side panel
116 is substantially perpendicular to the back panel 118, the
second bottom panel 156 is substantially perpendicular to the
second side panel 116.
[0050] As the first bottom panel 152 and the second bottom panel
156 are folded downwardly, they overlap one another and the hooked
edge 190 and the hooked edge 192 are adjacent one another. The
hooked edge 190 and the hooked edge 192 can engage one another to
releasably secure the first bottom panel 152 and the second bottom
panel 156 in a folded position. Thereafter the bottom wall 322 is
formed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0051] Cylindrical articles 340 can then be loaded into the carton
102 through the top open end of the carton 102. The cylindrical
articles 340 are loaded with their ends adjacent the first side
wall 312 and the second side wall 316 and with their side walls
configured to roll on the bottom wall 322.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top open end of the carton
102 is closed by folding the first top flap 134 and the second top
panel 136 inwardly along the fold line 144 and the fold line 148.
The second top panel 136 is then folded inwardly along the fold
line 146 to overlap the first top flap 134 and the second top panel
136. The tuck flap 260 is folded along the fold line 262 and
inserted into the carton 102 with the outside surface of the tuck
flap 260 against the inside surface of the first side wall 312. The
first top flap 134 is then folded inwardly along the fold line 142
to overlap the second top panel 136. The first elongated opening
242 and the second elongated opening 244 align with the fourth
elongated opening 256 and the third elongated opening 254 to form a
handle 330. The first securing tab 210 is inserted into the first
slot 216 and the second securing tab 212 is inserted into the
second slot 214 to releasably secure the first top panel 132 in
place and form the top wall 320.
[0053] The first side wall 312, the second side wall 316, the top
wall 320, and the bottom wall 322 together have a substantially
constant cross sectional area along an axis between the front wall
314 and the back wall 318. As such the cylindrical articles 340 can
be tightly packed in the carton 102 (e.g., without extra space to
move around).
[0054] Summarizing the structure of the carton of FIGS. 1-7, the
front panel 114 and back panel 118 each is hingedly connected to
the first and second side panels 112, 116 to form a collapsible
tubular structure that is collapsible into a flat tubular form as
shown in FIG. 7. The first bottom panel 152 is connected to the
front panel 114 through the first bottom flap 154. The first bottom
flap 154 is hingedly connected to the first bottom panel 152 and to
the front panel 114 such that the first bottom panel 152 and the
first bottom flap 154 are folded into a face contacting arrangement
respectively with the first side panel 112 and the front panel 114
when the tubular structure is collapsed into the flat tubular form.
The second bottom panel 156 is connected to the back panel 118
through the second bottom flap 158. The second bottom flap 158 is
hingedly connected to the second bottom panel 156 and to the back
wall 118 such that the second bottom panel 156 and the second
bottom flap 158 are folded into a face contacting arrangement
respectively with the inside surface of the second side panel 116
and that of the back panel 118 when the tubular structure is
collapsed into the flat tubular form.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 8-16, another exemplary embodiment is
described. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a blank 400 is configured to
be folded and secured to form a carton 402. Referring to FIG. 8,
the blank 400 includes a first set of panels that are configured to
form a tubular structure with a front open end and a back open end.
The first set of panels includes a first connecting panel 410, a
first wedge panel 412, a first side panel 414, a top panel 416, a
second side panel 418, a second wedge panel 420, a bottom panel
422, and a second connecting panel 424.
[0056] The first set of panels are hingedly connected one to the
next along fold lines. The first connecting panel 410 is hingedly
connected to the first wedge panel 412 along a fold line 430.
Optionally, the fold line 430 may be omitted, and the first
connecting panel 410 may integrally be joined with the first wedge
panel 412 to form a single panel having a size as large as the
total size of the first connecting panel 410 and the first wedge
panel 412. The first wedge panel 412 is hingedly connected to the
first side panel 414 along a fold line 432, the first side panel
414 is hingedly connected to the top panel 416 along a fold line
434, the top panel 416 is hingedly connected to the second side
panel 418 along a fold line 436, the second side panel 418 is
hingedly connected to the second wedge panel 420 along a fold line
438, the second wedge panel 420 is hingedly connected to the bottom
panel 422 along a fold line 440, and the bottom panel 422 is
hingedly connected to the second connecting panel 424 along a fold
line 442.
[0057] The fold line 430 and the fold line 432 are formed at an
angle A3. The fold line 438 and the fold line 440 are formed at an
angle A4.
[0058] The blank 400 includes a first set of flaps that are
configured to form a front wall to close a front open end of the
tubular structure. The first set of flaps includes a first side
front flap 450 that is hingedly connected to the first side panel
414 along a fold line 452; a top front flap 454 that is hingedly
connected to the top panel 416 along a fold line 456; a second side
front flap 458 that is hingedly connected to the second side panel
418 along a fold line 460; and a bottom front flap 462 that is
hingedly connected to the bottom panel 422 along a fold line
464.
[0059] The blank 400 includes a second set of flaps that are
configured to form a back wall to close a back open end of the
tubular structure. The second set of flaps includes a first side
back flap 470 that is hingedly connected to the first side panel
414 along a fold line 472; a top back flap 474 that is hingedly
connected to the top panel 416 along a fold line 476; a second side
back flap 478 that is hingedly connected to the second side panel
418 along a fold line 480; and a bottom back flap 482 that is
hingedly connected to the bottom panel 422 along a fold line 484.
The bottom back flap 482 includes an inside supporting portion 486
and an outer supporting portion 488. The inside supporting portion
486 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 422 along the fold
line 484 and the outer supporting portion 488 is hingedly connected
to the inside supporting portion 486 along a fold line 490.
[0060] The inside supporting portion 486 has a height H5. The
widest part of the first connecting panel 410 has a height H6. The
front panel 114 is tapered. The front end of the first side panel
414 (e.g., the fold line 452) has a height H7 and the back end of
the first side panel 414 (e.g., the fold line 472) has a height
H8.
[0061] The widest part of the second wedge panel 420 has a height
H9. The second side panel 418 is tapered. The front end of the
second side panel 418 (e.g., the fold line 460) has a height H10
and the back end of the second side panel 418 (e.g., the fold line
480) has a height H11.
[0062] The height H5, the height H6, and the height H9 are
substantially the same. The height H7 and the height H10 are
substantially the same. The height H8 and the height H11 are
substantially the same. The height H8 is substantially equal to the
height H6 plus the height H7. The height H11 is substantially equal
to the height H9 plus the height H10.
[0063] The blank 400 includes a handle structure 500. The handle
structure 500 includes a severance line 502 and a severance line
504, each of which extends from the first side panel 414, across
the top panel 416, and onto the second side panel 418. Segments of
the severance line 502 and the severance line 504 that extend
across the top panel 416 are curved to approach one another. The
severance line 502 includes a curved segment 506 and the severance
line 504 includes a curved segment 508. The curved segment 506
partially defines a first cushioning flap 510 and the curved
segment 508 partially defines a second cushioning flap 512. The
first cushioning flap 510 is hingedly connected to the top panel
416 along a fold line 514 and the second cushioning flap 512 is
hingedly connected to the top panel 416 along a fold line 516. The
handle structure 500 further includes a fold line 518 and a fold
line 520. The fold line 518 extends between the severance line 502
and the severance line 504 on the second side panel 418. The fold
line 520 extends between the severance line 502 and the severance
line 504 on the first side panel 414.
[0064] The blank 400 includes features that provide a detachable
portion of the carton 402 through which cylindrical articles can be
dispensed. A first severance line 530 defines a first detachable
portion 532. The first severance line 530 extends from the fold
line 452 across the first side panel 414 and back to the fold line
452 and extends from the fold line 452 across the first side front
flap 450 to the distal end of the first side front flap 450. The
first severance line 530 includes a curved segment 534 that defines
a first tab portion 536.
[0065] A second severance line 540 defines a second detachable
portion 542. The second severance line 540 extends from the fold
line 460 across the second side panel 418 and back to the fold line
460 and extends from the fold line 460 across the second side front
flap 458 to the distal end of the second side front flap 458. The
second severance line 540 includes a curved segment 544 that
defines a second tab portion 546.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 9, the carton 402 includes as first side
wall 614, a top wall 616, a second side wall 618, a bottom wall
622, a front wall 624, and back wall 626. The bottom wall 622 is
forward slanted (e.g., at the angle A3 and the angle A4) to move
cylindrical articles 640 toward the first side wall 614 where they
can be dispensed through an opening created by partially removing
the detachable portions 536/546 along the severance lines
530/540.
[0067] The bottom wall 622 is recessed. The first wedge panel 412,
the second wedge panel 420, and the inside supporting portion 486
space the bottom wall 622 from the lower edge of the carton 402
(e.g., the lower edge of the first side wall 614, second side wall
618, back wall 626). The bottom wall 622 is spaced from the lower
edge of the back wall 626 by the height H5 (or height H6 or height
H9).
[0068] The first wedge panel 412, the second wedge panel 420, and
the inside supporting portion 486 provide rails or beams that
support the bottom wall 322 away from the lower edge of the carton
102. The rails are two-ply structures as the first wedge panel 412
overlaps the first side wall 614 (forming a first side rail 664),
the second wedge panel 420 overlaps the second side wall 618
(forming a second side rail 662), and the inside supporting portion
486 overlaps the back wall 626 (forming a back rail 666).
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10-11, the carton 402 can be formed
from the blank 400 with folding and securing operations described
below. For reference, the outside surface of the blank 400 is shown
in FIG. 8 and the inside surface of the blank 400 is shown in FIG.
10 (other than folded portions). The order of the steps can be
altered, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing
components to one another may vary. For example, surfaces of sheet
material may be secured together with tape, staples, interlocking
folds, hook and loop fasteners, glue, other adhesives, combinations
thereof, and the like.
[0070] According to a first series of steps, the blank 400 is
folded and secured into a collapsed tubular structure. Referring to
FIG. 8, adhesive is applied to the inside surface of the first
connecting panel 410, the inside surface of the first wedge panel
412, and the inside surface of the second wedge panel 420.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10 the blank 400 is folded along the fold
line 432 such that the inside surface of the first connecting panel
410 is secured to the inside surface of the first side panel 414
and inside surface of the first wedge panel 412 is secured to the
inside surface of the first side panel 414. The blank 400 is folded
along the fold line 438 such that the inside surface of the second
wedge panel 420 is secured to the inside surface of the second side
panel 418.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, adhesive is applied to the
outside surface of the second connecting panel 424 and/or the
outside surface of the first connecting panel 410. The blank 400 is
folded along the fold line 434 such that the outside surface of the
first connecting panel 410 and the outside surface of the second
connecting panel 424 are in contact with and secured to one
another.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 11, the blank 400 is formed as a collapsed
tubular structure. The collapsed tubular structure can be erected
as a tubular structure with a front open end and a back open end.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 15, the tubular structure is erected by
folding the blank 400 along the fold line 430, the fold line 434,
the fold line 436, and the fold line 440 to pull the first side
panel 414, the top panel 416, the second side panel 418, and the
bottom panel 422 away from one another such that panels connected
along the fold lines are substantially perpendicular to one
another. Referring to FIG. 15, the first side panel 414 forms the
first side wall 614, the top panel 416 forms the top wall 616, the
second side panel 418 forms the second side wall 618, and the
bottom panel 422 is the bottom wall 622.
[0073] The front wall 624 is formed at the front open end of the
tubular structure. The top front flap 454 is folded inwardly along
the fold line 456 and the bottom front flap 462 is folded inwardly
along the fold line 464. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface
of the top front flap 454 and the outer surface of the bottom front
flap 462. The first side front flap 450 is folded inwardly along
the fold line 452 to overlap and secure to the top front flap 454
and the bottom front flap 462. Adhesive is applied to the outside
surface of the first side front flap 450. The second side front
flap 458 is folded inwardly along the fold line 460 to overlap and
secure to the top front flap 454, the bottom front flap 462, and
the first side front flap 450.
[0074] Referring momentarily to FIG. 15, the back open end of the
carton 402 is loaded with cylindrical articles 640. Particularly,
the carton 402 is placed on the first side wall 614 (or the second
side wall 618) so that the cylindrical articles 640 can be loaded
onto a flat surface.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13, and 15, the back wall 626 is
formed at the back open end of the tubular structure. The top back
flap 474 is folded inwardly along the fold line 476. Adhesive is
applied to the outside surface of the top back flap 474 and the
inside surface of the inside supporting portion 486. The first side
back flap 470 is folded inwardly along the fold line 472 to overlap
and secure to the top back flap 474 and the inside supporting
portion 486. Adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the
first side back flap 470. The second side back flap 478 is folded
inwardly along the fold line 480 to overlap and secure to the first
side back flap 470, the top back flap 474, and the inside
supporting portion 486.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 12-16, adhesive is applied to the inside
surface of the outer supporting portion 488. The outer supporting
portion 488 is folded along the fold line 490 to overlap and secure
to the first side back flap 470 and the second side back flap 478.
Thereafter, the carton 402 is formed and can be placed on the rails
662, 664, 666 such that the bottom wall 622 is configured to
dispense the cylindrical articles 640.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, another exemplary embodiment
is described. The carton 702 is substantially similar to the carton
402, with the exception of a first side back flap 770, a second
side back flap 778, and a bottom back flap 782. For clarity, other
elements of the carton 702 are not described in detail. Rather, the
description provided above with respect to the carton 402 is
applicable to the carton 702. Like elements numbers have been used
for the carton 702 with the first numeral of the element number
increased by three with respect to the element number of the carton
402 for the same element. For example, bottom wall 622 is
substantially similar to bottom wall 922.
[0078] The first side back flap 770 includes a cutout portion 850
and the second side back flap 778 includes a cutout portion 852.
The cutout portion 850 defines a side rail support portion 854 and
the cutout portion 852 defines a side rail support portion 856. The
cutout portions 850, 852 define portions of the back wall 926
(e.g., side rail support portions 854, 856) that extend below the
bottom wall 922 (e.g., the bottom panel 722) adjacent the first
wedge panel 712 and the bottom panel 722 to support the side rails
962, 964. In other words, a back rail 966 includes a cutout/
[0079] The exemplary side rail support portions 854, 856 are
tapered toward the distal edges of the side rails 962, 964. The
exemplary side rail support portions 854, 856 provide lateral
support to the side rails 962, 964 to keep the side rails 962, 964
from collapsing or folding.
[0080] Because of the cutout portions 850, 852, the bottom back
flap 782 is a single flap and does not fold over the inside surface
and outside surface of the back wall, as does the bottom back flap
482 of the carton 402. The bottom back flap 782 is folded inwardly
like the top back flap 774 and the first side back flap 770 and the
second side back flap 778 are folded over the outside surface of
the top back flap 774 and the bottom back flap 782.
[0081] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary
illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear
understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations,
modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All
such variations, modifications, and combinations are included
herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following
claims.
* * * * *