Carton with dispenser

#The invention relates to cartons, and more particularly, to a carton for multiple articles having a dispenser for constrained removal of individual articles.

#Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages. When such a multiple-pack of articles is obtained, a consumer frequently desires to remove one article from the carton at a time. Thus, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that facilitates the removal of a single article from the carton at a time.

#When the articles contained in the carton are cylindrical, and are disposed in the carton upon their sides, it is important that the articles be constrained such that the remaining articles do not roll out of the dispenser when one is removed. It is also important that the dispenser provide a condition where the articles are easily accessed. It is further often desirable when removing individual articles from a carton to be able to determine how many articles remain in the carton. Thus, it can be further appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that constrains remaining articles so that they do not undesirably roll from or otherwise exit the carton when one article is removed. It can also be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a carton with a dispenser that facilitates access to the articles. It can be further appreciated that it would be desirable to be able to determine how many articles remain in a carton from which individual articles are removed.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a carton having a dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,

#FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of the carton of FIG. 1 with the dispenser trough pivoted away from the upper portion of the end portion of the carton,

#FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank for forming the carton with the dispenser shown in FIG. 1,

#FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. Throughout these drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or like features of the invention.

#For convenience of understanding, reference may be made to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a carton 10 having a dispenser in accordance with the first embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates the blank 12 from which the carton of FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed. Cans “C” arranged in a 6×2 array are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as an aid in understanding the invention. More specifically, the cans “C” are arranged in a group consisting of two vertically disposed tiers each including six cans. The cans “C” in each tier are disposed on their sides in a side-by-side parallel fashion.

#Referring to FIG. 3, the blank 12 include four primary panels for forming the carton walls, i.e., a first side wall panel 64, a top wall panel 62, a second side wall panels 66 and a bottom wall panel 68 foldably connected one to the next along fold lines 82, 84 and 86. A glue flap 88 is foldably connected to the first side wall panel 64 along a fold line 90. Reference numerals 72, 72a, 74, 74a, 76, 76a, 78, 78a designate end flaps foldably connected the ends of the primary panels 62, 64, 66, 68. The end flaps arranged along each of the upper and lower edges (as viewed in FIG. 3) of the blank 12 form a composite end wall such as shown at 70 in FIG. 1.