Carton having opening and positioning features
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorRaymond Rudolph Spivey, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A carton is provided for holding and positioning articles for easy access. The carton may also be used for dispensing articles that contain products such as food and beverages. The carton includes various unique features, including an opening feature that provides easy access to the articles, and a tilt feature that positions the articles at the front end of the carton. Also provided is a carton blank, such as a paperboard blank, which is cut to a specific shape, and creased and scored, cut or perforated in specific areas. Methods for forming the blanks into cartons and for operating the opening and positioning features are also described.
Claims45
An enclosed carton for carrying a plurality of containers comprising:
- a top panel, two side panels, a bottom panel, a first end, and a second end;
- a positioning assembly at the second end which elevates the second end above the first end such that the containers move toward the first end;
- and
- the positioning assembly being a unitary structure which remains attached to the carton, the positioning assembly comprising a portion of the bottom panel, a portion of at least one of the side panels, and a portion of the second end;
- and
- an opening defined by a first tear line in at least the top panel and the first end;
- wherein the positioning assembly is defined by a first fold line extending from a first point on the bottom panel to a second point on the bottom panel and a second tear line extending from the first point across the bottom panel, across the second end, and across the bottom panel to the second point.
An enclosed carton for carrying a plurality of containers comprising:
- a top panel, two side panels, a bottom panel, a first end, and a second end;
- a positioning assembly at the second end which elevates the second end above the first end such that the containers move toward the first end;
- and
- the positioning assembly being a unitary structure which remains attached to the carton, the positioning assembly comprising a portion of the bottom panel and a portion of the second end;
- and
- an opening defined by a first tear line in at least the top panel and the first end;
- wherein the positioning assembly is defined by a first fold line extending from a first point on the bottom panel to a second point on the bottom panel and a second tear line extending from the first point across the bottom panel, across one of the two side panels, across the second end, across the other side panel, and across the bottom panel to the second point.
A blank for forming an enclosed carton for carrying a plurality of containers comprising:
- a sheet of foldable material having first, second, third and fourth parallel fold lines therein, defining a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a fastening flap;
- at one end of the parallel fold lines, a first fold line transverse to the parallel fold lines, the first transverse fold line connecting (a) a first side end flap to the first side panel and (b) a second side end flap to the second side panel;
- at the other end of the parallel fold lines, a second fold line transverse to the parallel fold lines, the second transverse fold line connecting (a) a third side end flap to the first side panel and (b) a fourth side end flap to the second side panel;
- a first tear line defining an opening in the top panel and the first and second side end flaps;
- a first positioning fold line extending from a first point on the bottom panel to a second point on the bottom panel, the first positioning fold line being perpendicular to the parallel fold lines, but not intersecting any of the parallel fold lines;
- a second tear line extending from the first point across the bottom panel and the second side panel to the second transverse fold line and across the fourth side end flap;
- a third tear line extending from the second point across the bottom panel;
- and
- a fourth tear line extending across the fastening flap and the first side panel to the second transverse fold line and across the third side end flap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.