AU2013262795A1 - Package and carton with dispenser and blank therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton (330) has a detachable access structure formed at least in part of a composite end wall which includes a first major end flap (328a), a second major end flap (323b), a first minor end flap (321a/321b) and a second minor end flap (321c/321d). The first major end flap overlies the upper portions (321a, 321d) of the first and second minor end flaps. The second major end flap overlies the lower portions (321b, 321c) of the first and second minor end flaps. The access structure includes a frangible section (321a, 321d) of each minor end flap, a frangible section (323a) of the second major end flap, and at least a portion (328a) of the first major end flap such that upon separation of the detachable access structure, only a part of the composite end wall is removed.

Description

WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 PACKAGE AND CARTON WITH DISPENSER AND BLANK THEREFOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/670,007 filed July 10, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a package comprising a carton, a blank for forming the carton, and one or more articles. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a carton having a detachable access structure for providing access to articles in the package and to a blank for forming such a carton. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers. Such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. Such cartons 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 or more articles and yet retain the remaining articles together within the carton. Thus, it can be appreciated that it is desirable to have a carton with an access structure that facilitates a consumer's access to and removal of articles whilst securely retaining any articles that remain in the carton. Fully-enclosed type cartons that are loaded with articles from their ends are well-known. For example a carton of the fully enclosed-end-loading type is disclosed in W02002/47990 (to the present applicant). Advanced packaging machinery is available WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -2 for the high-speed construction and loading of end-loading type cartons. For example, in W02007/033267 (to the present applicant) an advanced packaging machine is disclosed that is suitable for the end-loading of cartons. It is further desirable for a new carton or package to be compatible with known packaging machines, so that construction of a carton and loading of that carton with articles can be automated using machinery that is already in use, without any or only little modification of that machinery being required. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. It may be further desirable for a new carton or package to be compatible with slot-handle carrying arrangements. The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of packaging by providing an access structure that facilitates access to one or more articles, whilst at the same time enabling any remaining articles to be held within the carton. Furthermore, in an optional application of the invention, the access structure is deployable in a carton arrangement that is fully-enclosed, of the end loading type, compatible with known packaging machinery and/or compatible with known handle arrangements. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging articles comprising a detachable access structure formed in part of a WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -3 composite end wall comprising: a first major end flap, a second major end flap, a first minor end flap and a second minor end flap, wherein the first major end flap overlays upper portions of the first and second minor end flaps and wherein the second major end flap overlays lower portions of the first and second minor end flaps, the detachable access structure comprising: a frangible section of each minor end flap defined by first and second frangible lines; a frangible section of the second major end flap defined by a third frangible connection; and at least a portion of the first major end flap defined by a fourth frangible line such that upon separation of the detachable access structure only a part of the composite end wall is removed. Preferably, the carton comprises a tubular body comprising: a top wall; first and second side walls; and a bottom wall and wherein the first major end flap is a top end closure panel hinged to the top wall; the second major end flap is a bottom end closure panel hinged to the bottom wall; and the first and second minor end flaps are each side end closure panels hinged to the first and second side walls respectively. Preferably, the fourth frangible line is coincident with and/or provides a hinge connection between the top end closure panel and the top wall and serves to separate the access structure from the top wall. Preferably, the first and second frangible lines are partially coincident with and/or provide a hinge connection between the side end closure panels and the side walls and serve to separate the access structure from the side walls. Preferably, the third frangible connection separates the bottom end closure panel into two portions: a first portion that forms part of the access structure and is separable from the carton and a second portion that remains attached to the carton side and bottom walls to provide a stopper wall to retain articles disposed within the remainder of the carton.

WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -4 Preferably, the first and second frangible connections separate each side end closure panel into two portions: a first portion that forms part of the access structure and is separable from the carton, and a second portion that remains attached to the carton side wall and provides a stopper wall with the bottom end closure panel to retain articles disposed within the remainder of the carton. Preferably, the third frangible connection and/or one or both of the first and second frangible connections is/are provided at least in part by a tear strip defined by two substantially parallel frangible lines. Preferably, only the third frangible connection and the first frangible connection are provided at least in part by a tear strip and the second frangible connection is provided by a single frangible line. Preferably, the tear strip in the bottom end closure panel and the tear strip in the first side end closure panel are affixed to one another and wherein the tear strip in the bottom end closure panel is disposed outermost of the carton. Preferably, the third frangible connection is provided entirely by a tear strip and an upper portion of the bottom end closure panel above the tear strip is affixed to the top end closure panel. Alternatively, the bottom end closure panel below the tear strip is affixed to lower remaining portions of the side end closure panels. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank of foldable sheet material pre-cut and creased to form a carton according to any of ci 1-to-1 comprising a detachable access structure, wherein the blank comprises: a first major end flap, a second major end flap, a first minor end flap and a second minor end flap for forming a composite end wall of the carton, and the detachable access WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -5 structure is formed from: a frangible section of each minor end flap defined by first and second frangible lines; a frangible section of the second major end flap defined by a third frangible connection; and at least a portion of the first major end flap defined by a fourth frangible connection such that detachable access structure formed therefrom is comprised entirely within the composite end wall of the carton. Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1. is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2. is a perspective view from the top and a composite end wall of a carton or package formed from the blank of Figure 1; FIGURE 3. is a further perspective view from the top, end and side of the carton of Figure 2 wherein detachment of a detachable access structure has been initiated; FIGURE 4. further perspective view from the top, end and side of the carton of Figure 3 wherein detachment of a detachable access structure has been further progressed; and WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -6 FIGURE 5. is a perspective view from the end, side and top of the carton of Figures 3 and 4 wherein detachment of the detachable access structure has been completed, exposing a front most row of articles for individual removal from the carton/package. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any 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 to variously employ the invention. In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms "carton" and "carrier" refer, for the non limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as bottles. However, it is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Other exemplary articles include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.

WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -7 Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a blank 310 that is formed from a sheet of suitable substrate, in this example, paperboard. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks 310 may be employed, for example, to provide the carton and package described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment, the blank 310 is configured to form a carton 330 (see Figures 2 to 5) for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles. For example, the arrangement is a 3 x 4 matrix and the articles are optionally glass bottles A. The blank 310 may alternatively be configured to form a carton for packaging other articles and/or different arrangements of articles. The blank 310 comprises a hinged series of main panels 318, 316, 314, 312 for forming the main body of a tubular carton 330 (see Figures 2 to 5), optionally of the end loading, fully enclosed type. The hinged series of main panels includes a top panel 318, a first side panel 316, a bottom panel 314 and a second side panel 312 interconnected by crease or fold lines 317, 315 and 313 respectively. Each end of the series of main panels 318, 316, 314, 312 is provided with an end closure flap 328a, 328b, 321c/321d, 326b, 323b, 324b, 321b/321a, 322b. Top end closure flaps 328a, 328b are hinged to each end of the top panel 318 by fold lines 325d, 327d; side end closure flaps 321c/321d, 326b, 321 b/321a, 322b are hinged to each end of the first and second side panels 316, 312 respectively, by fold lines 325c, 327c, 325a, 327a; and bottom end closure flaps 323b, 324b are hinged to each end of the bottom panel 314 by hinge connections 325b and 327b. Together the end closure flaps 328a, 328b, 321c/321d, 326b, 321b/321a, 322b, 323b, 324b, at each end of the main body panels 318, 316, 314, 312 can be folded about their connecting hinge lines 325d, 327d, 325c, 327c, 325a, 327a, 325b and 327b WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -8 respectively, to form composite end walls that at least partially close each end of the carton 330. Larger sized top and bottom end closure flaps 328a, 328b, 323b, 324b may be referred to as major end closure flaps or major flaps 328a, 328b, 323b, 324b. Smaller sized side end closure flaps 321c/321d, 326b321a/321b, 322b may be referred to as minor end closure flaps or dust flaps or minor flaps 321c/321d, 326b321a/321b, 322b. A glue panel 320 is hinged, optionally, to the top panel 318 along fold line 319 and is provided for affixing the top panel 318 to the second side panel 312. The blank 310 may be partially constructed, optionally by applying adhesive to the glue panel 320 and folding the blank 310 about fold line 315 so that the bottom panel 314 at least partially overlays the first side panel 316 and so that the second side panel 312 at least partially overlays the top panel 318 and the glue panel 320. Thereby, the second side panel 312 can be affixed to the top panel 318 to form a part-formed flat-folded blank 310 that may be shipped to a converter plant and loaded into a hopper of a packaging machine. Thereafter the part-formed blank 310 may be opened into an open-ended tubular structure, loaded from one or both ends with articles, such as bottles A and closed using the composite end wall structures 328a/321c/321d/323b/321a; 328b/326b/324b/322b. Optionally, handle apertures (denoted generally by 370, 366) are provided for assisting with the lifting and carrying of the carton package 330 formed from the blank 310. The handle apertures (denoted generally by 370, 366) may be provided with cushioning flaps hinged by fold lines 372, 368 to the top end closure flaps 328a, 328b respectively. Notches 364, 362 are optionally provided in the minor end flaps 321d/321c, 321a/321b, 326b, 322b to enable the handle aperture and cushioning flap to function properly by allowing a user to grasp the carton 330. The minor end flaps 321d/321c, 321a/321b, 326b, 322b are sized such that they would otherwise obscure part of the handle apertures (denoted generally by 370, 366), but the notches 364, 362 formed therein allow the handle cushioning flaps and a user's hand to move inside the carton 330. In other envisaged embodiments, the minor end flaps 321d/321c, 321a/321b, 326b, 322b WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 -9 may be otherwise shaped, structured or formed so that they do not obstruct the handle apertures (denoted generally by 370, 366). In yet other envisaged embodiments, the handle apertures may not be provided in the end walls, may not interfere with the minor end flaps 321d/321c, 321a/321b, 326b, 322b, and notches 364, 362 may not be required. The present invention provides an access structure, (also referred to as access means, dispenser or detachable portion). The access structure comprises a series of frangible sections (also referred to as perforable sections) 328a, 321d, 323a, 321a, 376, 332 (including an initiating sections/tear strips 376, 332). The frangible sections 328a, 321d, 323a, 321a, 376, 332 are defined by a series of frangible lines (also referred to as perforable lines) 352, 340, 334, 374a, 374b, 374c, 374d and 338, an initiating section notch 378 and a recess R. The recess R is formed as a substantially "V" shaped notch or cutout defined by convergent, non-parallel side cuts 370a, 370b and a blunt termination 373. The frangible line 334, that in part defines the frangible section 321d, terminates at the straight or blunt termination 373 of the recess R. The recess R described above facilitates the separation of the minor end closure flap 321c/321d into two separate sections. Alternatively, the termination 373 of the recess may be pointed or curved. Optionally, the access structure is provided at only one end of the carton 330. In other envisaged embodiments, an access structure may be provided only at the other end of the carton 330, or optionally at both ends of the carton 330. Turning to the construction of the carton 330 it is envisaged that the carton 330 can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. The part-formed, flat folded blank 310 (formed after attaching glue panel 320 to the second side panel 312) can be opened into an open-ended tubular sleeve. The carton WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 10 330 comprises two composite end wall structures, each constructed by first folding the minor end flaps 321c/321d, 321a/321b; 326b, 322b about their respective connections 340/325c, 338.325a; 327c, 327a with the main panels 316, 312. Optionally, the major end flaps 323b and 324b connected to the main panel 314 may then be folded about their respective connection 325b, 327b, with the bottom panel 314 into at least partial overlaying arrangement with the minor end flaps 321c/321d, 321a/321b; 326b, 322b respectively. Preferably, at least the tear strip 330 provided in the minor end panel 321a/321b, and preferably also the minor end flap 321a, is affixed to overlapping portions of the underside-face of the bottom end closure flap 323a/376. To achieve this, adhesive may be applied to one or both of the relevant portions of the minor end flap 321a and the bottom end closure flap 323a/376. Adhesive may be applied to either the remaining major end flap 328a, 328b and/or the folded major end flaps 323b, 324b and/or the minor end flaps 321c/321d, 321a/321b, 326b, 322b. The remaining major end flaps 328a, 328b are then folded about the connection 325d, 327d with the top panel 318 and affixed to the major end flap 323b, 324b disposed beneath it and/or the minor end flaps 321c/321d, 321a/321b, 326b, 322b. Preferably, the top end closure panel 328a forming part of the access structure is affixed to the upper portions 321d, 321a of the minor end flaps 321c/321d, 321a/321b and to the upper portion 323a of the outside-face of the bottom end closure flap 323b. In this way the frangible sections 328a, 321d, 323a, 376, 321a, 332 are connected or affixed together and may be removed substantially as a unitary piece or component 328a/321d/323a/321a (as is described below), albeit with the tear strip 376/332 being removed as a separate detachable piece. In Figure 2 an outer view of the composite end wall 328a/323b/321d/321c/321a/321b having the access structure 328a/321d/323a/321a/332/376 can be seen. The access structure in Figure 2 is shown in its unused state, wherein the carton structure 330 is intact and the articles A are not accessible. It can be seen that the WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 11 frangible line 352 is disposed in complete co-incidence with the hinge connection 325d between the top panel 318 and the top end closure panel 328a (also illustrated in Figure 1). The top end closure panel 328a provides a first frangible section of the access structure which may be completely removed from the carton 330 when the access structure is detached, to provide a full-carton-width opening of at least approximately half-carton-depth (see Figures 4 and 5). Preferably, the top end closure panel 328a is affixed, (optionally by hot-melt adhesive, but other suitable affixing means may be used), to an upper portion 323a of the bottom end closure flap 323b; to an upper portion 321d of the first side end closure flap 321c/321d; and to an upper portion 321a of the second side end closure flap 321a/321b (as described above). The top end closure flap 328a may optionally have tapered side edges and, apart from the frangible hinge connection 352 with the top panel 318, is otherwise not connected to part of the carton 330 body that is not also part of the access structure. The top end closure panel 328a may serve to connect together each other frangible section 321d, 323a, 321a of the access structure. Further frangible lines 340, 334 are disposed in the minor end closure flap 321c/321d and are configured to separate the minor end closure flap 321c/321d into two sections: 321d which is removed with the access structure; and 321c which remains attached to the carton 330 (via the hinge connection 325c with the first side panel 316). Frangible lines 374a, 374b disposed in the major end closure flap 323b form a perforable tear strip 376. At one end of the tear strip 376, an initiator section may be provided to assist a user in grasping the tear strip 376. Optionally an underlying minor flap 321a additionally comprises a portion of tear strip 332 defined by frangible or perforable lines 374c, 374d, along with an initiator section 378. The further frangible line 338 disposed in the minor end closure flap 321a/321d is configured to separate the minor end closure flap 321a/321b into two sections: 321a which is removed with the access structure; and 321b which remains attached to the carton 330 (via the hinge connection 325a with the second side panel 312).

WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 12 The initiator section 378 is provided for starting the detachment of the detachable access structure. Optionally the initiator section 378 comprises an aperture formed in the minor end flap 321a/321b. However, in other envisaged embodiments, the initiator section 378 may be formed in the major bottom end flap 323a/323b. In other envisaged embodiments, the initiator section 378 may comprise a push tab which may be defined at least in part by a frangible line or weakened line or fold line. Such a push tab may provide a weakened area which may more easily be broken away from the remainder of the minor end flap 321a/321b (or in yet further envisaged embodiments broken away from the major bottom end flap 323b). A user can exploit the initiator section aperture 378 to achieve a sufficiently strong grasp of the composite tear strip 376/332 for pulling on the composite tear strip 376/332 to propagate a tear or break along the frangible lines 374a, 374b, 374c, 374d (see Figure 3). After or during detachment of the tear strip 376/332, the remainder of the detachable access structure can be separated from the carton 330. After or during detachment of the tear strip 376/332 the frangible line 334 may be broken such that both minor flaps 321a/321b, 321c/321d are separated into their two parts. A user may then pull the remaining frangible sections upwardly to break the connections 340, 338 that are disposed co-incidentally with the hinge connections with the adjacent first and second side walls 316, 312 (see Figure 3). Then the detachable access structure can be completely separated from the remainder of the carton 330 by propagating a tear or break along the frangible connection 352 formed co-incidentally with the vertex or corner between the top end closure flap 328a and the top panel 318. As such no portion, or at least no substantial portion of any of the top panel 318, first side panel 316 or second side panel 312, is removed from the carton 330. Only a portion of a composite end wall structure is removed. The carton body 330 thereby retains its structural integrity and can be used to hold and retain the articles A contained therein. The remaining portion 323b/321c/321b of the composite end wall forms a stopper wall of sufficiently high height to resist unintentional egress of any articles and yet of WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 13 sufficiently low height to enable a consumer to easily remove an article through the opening provided. Beneficially, the body of the carton retains its structural integrity after detachment of the access structure. This is advantageous where the carton 330 may be stored in a humid environment, such as a refrigerator (humidity can weaken the paperboard substrate) and/or where the carton 330 contains heavy articles (such as 12oz/330ml glass bottles). Furthermore, it is desirable for a consumer to be able to place the carton 330 in a refrigerator where storage and shelf height restrictions may make access via the top of the carton more difficult. Therefore, by providing an opening (optionally disposed in the lowest width end, rather than in the wider side) in the end wall that will be disposed at the front when the carton 330 is placed on a refrigerator shelf, the need to withdraw articles through the top panel of the carton and, therefore, the need for height above the carton 330 within the refrigerator is alleviated. The relative orientation of the articles and carton bottom, top and end walls may be more of a consideration where the articles are tapered, such as bottles A, and for stability reasons as well as for the protection of frangible articles (where the bottles are glass) it is desirable to keep the carton 330 oriented such that its bottom panel 314 upon which the bases of the articles A are in contact, remains bottommost. It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing type, size, number, configuration and/or shape. In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that a frangible access opening may additionally be provided in the top panel 318 for providing an additional or alternative access point for a user, who may not choose to stow the carton within their fridge. It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 14 respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. As used herein, the terms "hinged connection" and "fold line" refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. Any reference to hinged connection or fold line should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from any one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention. 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. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, tear lines, cut lines, or slits. It should be understood that hinged connection, severance lines and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the 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. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort.

Claims (20)

1. A carton for packaging articles, comprising a detachable access structure formed at least in part of a composite end wall, the composite wall comprising: a first major end flap, a second major end flap, a first minor end flap and a second minor end flap, wherein the first major end flap overlies upper portions of the first and second minor end flaps and wherein the second major end flap overlies lower portions of the first and second minor end flaps, the detachable access structure comprising: a frangible section of each minor end flap defined by first and second frangible lines; a frangible section of the second major end flap defined by a third frangible line; and at least a portion of the first major end flap defined by a fourth frangible line such that upon separation of the detachable access structure only a part of the composite end wall is removed.

2. A carton according to claim 1 further comprising a tubular body comprising: a top wall; first and second side walls; and a bottom wall and wherein the first major end flap is a top end closure panel hinged to the top wall; the second major end flap is a bottom end closure panel hinged to the bottom wall; and the first and second minor end flaps are side end closure panels hinged to the first and second side walls respectively.

3. A carton according to claim 2 wherein the fourth frangible line is coincidental with a hinge connection between the top end closure panel and the top wall and serves to separate the top end closure panel from the top wall.

4. A carton according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second frangible lines is partially coincidental with a hinge connection between a respective one of the side end closure panels and an adjacent one of the side walls so as to separate the frangible sections of the side end closure panels from the side walls. WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 16

5. A carton according to claim 2 wherein the third frangible line separates the bottom end closure panel into two sections, the two sections including: the frangible section of the bottom end closure panel that forms part of the access structure; and the other section that remains attached to the bottom wall to provide part of a stopper wall to retain articles within the remainder of the carton.

6. A carton according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second frangible lines separate a respective one of the side end closure panels into two sections, the two sections including: the frangible section of the respective one of the side end closure panels that forms part of the access structure; and the other section that remains attached to a respective one of the side walls and provides part of a stopper wall to retain articles within the remainder of the carton.

7. A carton according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second frangible lines separate a respective one of the side end closure panels into two sections, the two sections of the respective one of the side end closure panels including: the frangible section of the respective one of the side end closure panels that forms part of the access structure; and the other section of the respective one of the side end closure panels that remains attached to a respective one of the side walls and provides part of a stopper wall to retain articles within the remainder of the carton.

8. A carton according to claim 7 wherein the access structure further comprises a first tear strip that is defined in part by the third frangible line, the first tear strip being formed from part of the frangible section of the bottom end closure panel.

9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the access structure further comprises a second tear strip that is defined in part by one of the first and second frangible lines, the second tear strip being formed from part of the frangible section of a respective one of the side end closure panels.. WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 17

10.A carton according to claim 9 wherein the first tear strip and the second tear strip are affixed to one another and wherein the first tear strip is disposed on an outer side of the second tear strip.

11.A carton according to claim 8 wherein part of the frangible section of the bottom end closure panel above the first tear strip is affixed to the top end closure panel.

12.A carton according to claim 8 wherein part of the bottom end closure panel below the first tear strip is affixed to the lower portions of the side end closure panels.

13.A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of end flaps for forming a composite end wall of a carton, the end flaps including a first major end flap, a second major end flap, a first minor end flap and a second minor end flap, the first major end flap overlies upper portions of the first and second minor end flaps when the blank is erected into a carton and wherein the second major end flap overlies lower portions of the first and second minor end flaps when the blank is erected into a carton, each of the minor end flaps comprising a frangible section defined by a respective one of first and second frangible lines, the second major end flap comprising a frangible section defined by a third frangible line, the first major end flap comprising a frangible section defined by a fourth frangible line, the frangible sections of the plurality of end flaps together provide a detachable access structure of a carton such that upon separation of the detachable access structure only a part of the composite end wall is removed.

14.A blank according to claim 13 further comprising: a top wall; first and second side walls; and a bottom wall and wherein the first major end flap is a top end closure panel hinged to the top wall; the second major end flap is a bottom end closure panel hinged to the bottom wall; and the first and second minor end flaps are side end closure panels hinged to the first and second side walls respectively. WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 18

15.A blank according to claim 14 wherein the fourth frangible line is coincidental with a hinge connection between the top end closure panel and the top wall and serves to separate the top end closure panel from the top wall.

16.A blank according to claim 14 wherein each of the first and second frangible lines is partially coincidental with a hinge connection between a respective one of the side end closure panels and an adjacent one of the side walls so as to separate the frangible sections of the side end closure panels from the side walls.

17.A blank according to claim 14 wherein the third frangible line separates the bottom end closure panel into two sections, the two sections including: the frangible section of the bottom end closure panel that forms part of the access structure; and the other section that remains attached to the bottom wall.

18.A blank according to claim 14 wherein each of the first and second frangible lines separate a respective one of the side end closure panels into two sections, the two sections including: the frangible section of the respective one of the side end closure panels that forms part of the access structure; and the other section that remains attached to a respective one of the side walls.

19.A blank according to claim 17 wherein each of the first and second frangible lines separate a respective one of the side end closure panels into two sections, the two sections of the respective one of the side end closure panels including: the frangible section of the respective one of the side end closure panels that forms part of the access structure; and the other section of the respective one of the side end closure panels that remains attached to a respective one of the side walls. WO 2013/173503 PCT/US2013/041224 - 19

20.A blank according to claim 19 wherein the access structure further comprises a first tear strip that is defined in part by the third frangible line, the first tear strip being formed from part of the frangible section of the bottom end closure panel.