Carton with dispenser having access features
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorsPatrick DeBusk, Michael Schmal, Graham Hand, Elaine Yokubat, Raymond Spivey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A carton has a removeable dispenser that forms a dispenser opening that allows articles to be removed from the carton. The dispenser also has access flaps that create access openings that provide access to articles in the carton.
Claims31
A blank for forming a carton, comprising:
- a first side panel;
- at least one top panel;
- a second side panel;
- a bottom panel;
- at least one first end flap extending along a first marginal area of the blank;
- at least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of the blank;
- a dispenser pattern extending through at least the top panel and the first side panel, wherein the dispenser pattern defines a first side dispenser panel and a first access flap adjacent to the first side dispenser panel.
A blank for forming a carton, comprising:
- a first side panel;
- at least one top panel;
- a second side panel;
- a bottom panel;
- at least one first end flap extending along a first marginal area of the blank;
- at least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of the blank;
- and
- a dispenser pattern extending at least through the top panel and the first side panel and defining a first side dispenser panel and a first access flap extending from a bottom portion of the first side dispenser panel, the dispenser pattern comprising:
- a first line defining an upper portion of the first access panel and extending through the first side panel;
- at least one access flap line partially defining the first access flap in the first side panel;
- and
- a first generally downwardly extending line extending through the first side panel generally along a length of the blank, wherein the first generally downwardly extending line extends to a point adjacent to the first line defining the upper portion of the first access panel.
A carton, comprising:
- a first side panel;
- a top panel;
- a second side panel;
- a bottom panel;
- an end panel;
- an exiting end panel;
- and
- a dispenser defined at least in part by a dispenser pattern extending through the top panel, the first side panel, and the exiting end panel, wherein
- the dispenser comprises a first side dispenser panel and a first access flap in the first side panel, the first access flap extending from the first side dispenser panel.
A method of removing articles from a carton, comprising:
- providing a carton having a dispenser pattern defining a dispenser, the dispenser having at least one access flap;
- providing a plurality of articles disposed within the carton;
- tearing the carton along at least a part of the dispenser pattern;
- removing a portion of the carton defined by the dispenser pattern to create a dispenser opening and to separate the removed portion from the at least one access flap;
- moving the at least one access flap with respect to a remainder of the carton to create at least one access opening extending from the dispenser opening;
- and
- removing an article by accessing the article through the at least one access opening and pulling the article through the dispenser opening.
The method of claim 29, wherein providing a plurality of articles comprises providing a plurality of substantially cylindrical beverage cans arranged in at least a first column and a second column disposed below the first column, the at least one access opening extending substantially downwardly from the dispenser opening and allowing access to the second column.
A method of removing articles from a carton, comprising:
- providing a carton having a dispenser pattern defining a dispenser, the dispenser having at least one access flap;
- tearing the carton along at least a part of the dispenser pattern;
- removing a portion of the carton defined by the dispenser pattern to create a dispenser opening and to separate the removed portion from the at least one access flap;
- removing the at least one access flap from a remainder of the carton to create at least one access opening extending from the dispenser opening;
- and
- removing an article by accessing the article through the at least one access opening and pulling the article through the dispenser opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.