US20080073420A1 - Carton With Hand-Receiving Tear Initiation Feature - Google Patents
Carton With Hand-Receiving Tear Initiation Feature Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080073420A1 US20080073420A1 US11/863,201 US86320107A US2008073420A1 US 20080073420 A1 US20080073420 A1 US 20080073420A1 US 86320107 A US86320107 A US 86320107A US 2008073420 A1 US2008073420 A1 US 2008073420A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- carton
- line
- cushioning flap
- severance
- flap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/14—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
- B65D71/28—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls characterised by the handles
- B65D71/30—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls characterised by the handles unitary, i.e. integral with the tubular packaging elements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00438—Holes
- B65D2571/0045—Holes for hands
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00456—Handles or suspending means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00462—Straps made by two slits in a wall
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00537—Handles or suspending means with stress relieving means
- B65D2571/00543—Handles or suspending means with stress relieving means consisting of cut-outs, slits, or the like
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
- B65D2571/00561—Lines of weakness
- B65D2571/00574—Lines of weakness whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
- B65D2571/0058—The tear line defining a dispensing aperture provided with means for preventing the articles from freely exiting the wrapper, e.g. by rolling out
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00728—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by gluing
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to cartons and, more specifically, to cartons having an improved tear initiation feature.
- a tool box style carton typically includes two detachable portions which are separable to define a strap handle for carrying the carton.
- the detachable portions are relatively large in order to expose all or most of the articles in the carton, while preserving the ability to transport the articles in the opened carton by means of the strap handle. Because the detachable portions are so large, the severance lines that define the detachable portions typically should not be easily breakable in order to prevent the tool box carton from being inadvertently opened.
- the tool box style carton it would be desirable for the tool box style carton to include a tear initiation feature to facilitate separation of the detachable portions from the tool box carton.
- tear initiation features are difficult to operate and do not allow a user to get a firm grip of the detachable portion to steer and control the tearing of the severance lines.
- the tear initiation features are otherwise uncomfortable or difficult to use to remove the detachable portions.
- the tool box style carton is commonly used to carry a full load of glass bottles after the detachable portions have been removed, it is important that the strap which is defined by removing the detachable portions from the tool box carton be strong and comfortable for a user to grasp as well. Thus, it is also desirable to cushion the user's hand from the raw edges that remain after formation of the strap handle.
- the various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a carton for enclosing and transporting a plurality of articles that are arranged in rows, such as glass or plastic bottles having elongated necks.
- the carton includes an improved tear initiation feature for controlling the separation of one or more large detachable portions of the carton.
- Each of the detachable portions is defined by a substantially continuous severance line.
- the detachable portion can be separated from the carton along the severance line to define an opening for exposing articles in the carton.
- the tear initiation feature includes a cushioning flap that is hingedly connected to the detachable portion of the carton along a fold line.
- the cushioning flap is further defined by a segment of the severance line that defines the detachable portion and by severance lines that extend between the segment of the severance line and the fold line.
- the cushioning flap is separable along the severance lines and foldable along the fold line to provide an aperture for receiving the fingers of a user's hand and a cushioned edge that can be gripped or engaged to control separation of the detachable portion.
- a portion of the segment of the severance line is contoured and the cushioning flap is dimensioned and positioned in accordance with the relative positions of an arrangement of articles.
- the cushioning flap is dimensioned and positioned to fold inwardly into the carton so as to be disposed in the space defined by the sides or necks of articles between a first row and a second row.
- the contoured portion of the segment of the severance line forks from a proximal point that is located substantially between two centermost bottles in adjacent rows to distal points that are located between bottles in the second row, for example, on either side of the center bottle in the second row. Thereby, the bottles in the second row do not obstruct the cushioning flaps as it is folded inwardly.
- the contoured portion of the segment of the severance line for each detachable portion defines a handle flap to provide a cushioned edge for the strap handle.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank incorporating an exemplary embodiment of a tear initiation feature according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 3-5 are perspective views of the carton of FIG. 2 illustrating steps in an exemplary method of removing a detachable portion from the carton.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the carton of FIG. 2 illustrating the relationship between a tear initiation feature and an arrangement of articles in the carton.
- FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing an alternative embodiment of a tear initiation feature according to the present invention.
- the carton includes a substantially continuous severance line that defines a detachable portion of the carton and a tear initiation feature that facilitates separating the detachable portion of the carton from the rest of the carton along the severance line, as described in further detail below.
- a carton 200 (shown in FIG. 2 ) is formed from a blank 100 (the inside surface of which is shown in FIG. 1 ).
- the blank is preferably a single sheet of suitable substrate.
- suitable substrate includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like.
- the blank is dimensioned for packaging an arrangement of bottles. It is envisaged that other articles and/or different arrangements of articles may be contained within the carton and that the blank and carton can be sized accordingly.
- fold line and “severance line” refer to all manner of printed lines indicating optimal fold or cut locations, frangible or otherwise weakened lines, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, scored lines, slits, any combination thereof, and the like.
- the blank 100 includes a series of primary panels which define the walls of a tubular structure portion of the carton 200 .
- the blank 100 includes a first side panel 110 , a top panel 112 , a second side panel 114 , and a bottom panel 116 .
- the primary panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines.
- First side panel 110 is hingedly connected to the top panel 112 along fold line 120
- the top panel 112 is hingedly connected to the second side panel 114 along fold line 122
- the second side panel 114 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 116 along fold line 124 .
- an edge flap 118 is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 116 along fold line 126 .
- the blank 100 includes end flaps that are hingedly connected to opposite ends of each primary panel along fold lines.
- the end flaps can be folded and secured to form end closure structures at respective open ends of the tubular structure portion of the carton 200 and thereby to define the end walls of the carton 200 .
- the blank 100 is substantially symmetric such that the end flaps that are hingedly connected to opposite ends of each primary panel are substantially similar.
- certain other elements of the blank 100 are substantially similar. Accordingly, the end closure structures of the carton 200 are substantially identical and like references have been used with a suffix “a” or “b” affixed to distinguish one end of the carton from the other.
- a first side end flap 130 a is hingedly connected to first side panel 110 along fold line 140 a
- a top end flap 132 a is hingedly connected to top panel 112 along fold line 142 a
- a second side end flap 134 a is hingedly connected to second side panel 114 along fold line 144 a
- a bottom end flap 136 a is hingedly connected to bottom panel 116 along fold line 146 a.
- the blank 100 further includes substantially continuous severance lines 150 a , 150 b .
- the severance line 150 a extends from the distal end of the first side end flap 130 a across the first side end flap 130 a to the fold line 140 a , from the fold line 140 a across the first side panel 110 to the fold line 120 , from the fold line 120 transversely across the top panel 112 to the fold line 122 , from the fold line 122 across the second side panel 114 to the fold line 144 a , and from the fold line 144 a across the second side end flap 134 a to the distal end of the second side end flap 134 a.
- a segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a extends partially across the top panel 112 to partially define a tear initiation feature T that facilitates breaking the severance line 150 a .
- the tear initiation feature T includes a cushioning flap 160 a that is defined along its distal edge by the segment 152 a and along its proximal edge by a fold line 154 a that is offset from the severance line 150 a .
- the fold line 154 a hingedly connects the cushioning flap 160 to a detachable portion 250 a , as will be described in detail below.
- the cushioning flap 160 a is further defined by severance lines 156 a , 158 a that extend between the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a and the fold line 154 a . Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the cushioning flap 160 a includes an extensively weakened or precut slit 166 a that extends from the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a toward the fold line 154 a.
- the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a is contoured or curved to at least partially define extended distal ends 162 a , 164 a of the cushioning flap 160 a and to at least partially define a handle flap 170 a to cushion the edge of a strap handle 230 of the carton 200 , as described in further detail below.
- the handle flap 170 a is substantially semicircular such that the segment 152 a includes a section that is concave from the perspective of the handle.
- the handle flap 170 a is further defined by a fold line 172 a .
- the fold line 172 a is aligned with a substantially linear portion of the severance line 150 a that extends across the top panel 112 .
- the ends of the fold line 172 a intersect the ends of the contoured portion of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a.
- the fold line 154 a has a length L 1 that is substantially equal to the width of a user's hand.
- the fold line 154 a is offset from the fold line 172 a by a distance L 2 which, in the exemplary embodiment, defines the maximum length of the cushion flap 160 a .
- the maximum distance L 3 between the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a and the fold line 172 a defines the length of the handle flap 170 a .
- the fold line 172 a has a length L 4 that is ideally substantially equal to the width of a typical user's hand.
- the fold line 172 a defines the maximum width of the handle flap 170 a .
- the cushioning flaps 160 a , 160 b are positioned and dimensioned relative to an arrangement of articles that are enclosed in the carton 200 , as described in further detail below.
- the side end flaps 130 a , 134 a include a portion of a handle opening such as cutouts 180 a , 182 a that combine to define a handle opening as the end closure structure is formed.
- the top end flap 132 a includes an endless edged handle opening 184 a .
- the cutouts 180 a , 182 a are dimensioned and positioned to be in registry with the handle opening 184 a as the end closure structure is formed.
- Erecting the carton 200 from the blank 100 may be accomplished with the folding operations as described herein.
- the operations can be performed by automatic erecting machinery and/or manually.
- the erecting process is not limited to the exemplary method described herein. Particularly, the order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary.
- the surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by suitable means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, VELCRO®, glue or other adhesives, mechanical fasteners, chemical bonding, combinations thereof, and the like.
- the blank 100 is folded along the fold line 124 such that the inside surface of the bottom panel 116 is in a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the second side panel 114 .
- Glue or other adhesive is applied to the outside surface of the edge flap 118 and blank is folded along the fold line 120 such that the inside surface of the first side panel 110 is in a face contacting relationship with the inside surface of the top panel 112 .
- the inside surface of the first side panel 110 overlaps and is secured to the edge flap 118 and the blank 100 forms a collapsed tubular structure.
- FIG. 1 the outside surface of the blank 100 is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the collapsed tubular structure (not shown) can be erected to form the tubular structure portion of the carton 200 by pulling the panels that are in a face contacting arrangement away from one another. Articles can be easily loaded through one or both open ends (not shown) of tubular structure portion of the carton 200 .
- the exemplary carton 200 is adapted to hold a group of similarly dimensioned, preferably cylindrical articles such as bottles B.
- the end closure structures of the carton 200 are formed by folding the end flaps as described herein.
- First and second side end flaps 130 a , 134 a are folded toward the open end of the tubular structure portion of the carton 200 along fold lines 140 a , 144 a so as to be substantially coplanar with one another and such that the ends of the severance line 150 a are abutting or overlapping and are substantially aligned.
- the top and bottom end flaps 132 a , 136 a are folded toward and secured to the side end flaps 130 a , 134 a .
- the end closure structures of the carton 200 are formed, as shown in FIG. 2 , and the carton 200 is fully erected.
- the primary panels and the end closure structures define the walls of the carton 200 .
- the top panel 112 defines a top wail 212
- the side panels 110 , 114 define side walls 210 , 214
- the bottom panel 116 defines a bottom wall 216
- the end closure structures define end walls 218 , 220 , respectively.
- the top wall 212 of the carton 200 includes elements of the tear initiation features that facilitate separation of severance line 150 a to detach each of the detachable portions 250 a , 250 b of the carton 200 .
- the top wall 212 includes the cushioning flap 160 a that facilitates removing the detachable portion 250 a by breaking the severance line 150 a .
- the severance line 150 a extends substantially transversely across the top wall 212 , substantially diagonally across each of the side walls 210 , 214 , and transversely across the end wall 218 such that the detachable portion 250 a includes at least a portion of the top wall 212 , the side walls 210 , 214 , and the end wall 218 .
- the exemplary carton 200 includes an arrangement of bottles B, although any compatible article or group of articles can be accommodated.
- the bottles B include tapered necks and are arranged in a matrix configuration or otherwise in several rows R with multiple bottles B in each row.
- certain of the rows R are numbered in the figures beginning with the endmost row R 1 , the second endmost row R 2 , and so on.
- the carton 200 is dimensioned to enclose four rows of three bottles B.
- the carton can be configured to enclose a different number of articles and/or to enclose articles that are arranged in a different configuration.
- the tear initiation feature T is further described as it relates to the arrangement of bottles B.
- the fold line 154 a is disposed between adjacent first and second rows R 1 , R 2 of bottles B. Specifically, the fold line 154 a is aligned with and disposed above the space between a centermost bottle B in the first row R 1 and a centermost bottle B in the second row R 2 .
- the ends of the fold line 172 a intersect the contoured portion of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a at points P 1 and the slit 166 a intersects the contoured portion of the segment 152 a at a point P 2 such that the slit 166 a substantially bisects the contoured portion of the segment 152 a .
- the point P 2 is disposed between the centermost bottles B in the first and second rows R 1 , R 2 and the points P 1 are disposed substantially between two adjacent bottles B in the second row R 2 .
- the contoured portion Q of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a extends between the linear portions D of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a but curves or otherwise diverts to avoid being disposed over the cap C of the centermost bottle B in the second row R 2 . More specifically, the contoured portion Q of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a extends from the point P 2 that lies above the space between the first and second rows R 1 , R 2 of bottles B to points P 1 that each lie above the spaces between two adjacent bottles B in the second row R 2 .
- segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a curvingly or directly diverges or otherwise extends in different directions from the slit 166 a , or from the point P 1 , to the points P 2 that are on opposite sides of the centermost bottle B in the second row R 2 .
- the points P 1 are disposed on opposite sides of the centermost bottle B in the second row R 2 .
- the points P 1 are adjacent to the innermost side of the necks of bottles B in the row R 2 and the point P 2 is adjacent to the outermost side of the neck of the center bottle B in the row R 2 .
- the contoured portion Q of the segment 152 a curves or arcs toward the fold line 154 a such that the fold line 172 a and the contoured portion Q of the segment 152 a are disposed on opposite sides of the centermost bottle B in the second row R 2 .
- the ends of the contoured portion Q of the segment 152 a extend to the strap handle 230 and the middle of the contoured portion Q of the segment bends around the cap C of the center bottle B, so that the cushioning flap defines handle flap 170 a while being contoured so as to clear the cap C of the centermost bottle B as the carton 200 is opened.
- the severance lines 156 a , 158 a extend from ends of the fold line 154 a and substantially above spaces between the caps C of bottles B in the row R 2 to intersect the severance line 150 a at points P 3 .
- Substantially linear portions D of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a are substantially aligned with the fold line 172 a so as to be disposed above the spaces between two adjacent bottles B in the second row R 2 .
- Each of the linear portions D of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a extends between points P 1 , P 3 and defines a distal edge of the cushioning flap 160 a.
- the tear initiation feature T facilitates removing the detachable portion 250 a or otherwise at least partially separating the detachable portion 250 a from the main portion of the carton 200 along the severance line 150 a .
- the slit 166 a is provided to initiate the separation of the cushioning flap 160 a from the carton 200 along the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a .
- pressure is applied to the area of the carton 200 where the slit 166 a intersects the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a such the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a is broken and is then torn until it is intersected by the severance lines 156 a , 158 a .
- the severance lines 156 a , 158 a are then broken such that the cushioning flap 160 a can be folded along the fold line 154 a so as to be disposed in the carton 200 to provide an aperture A for receiving at least some of the fingers of a user's hand, and convenient hand hold area along a cushioned edge E 1 for grasping the detachable portion 250 a to continue tearing the severance line 150 a .
- the hand hold area is cushioned as the cushioning flap 160 a covers the raw edges of the detachable portion 250 a.
- the cushioning flap 160 a can be folded along the fold line 154 a to be substantially perpendicular to the top wall 212 of the carton 200 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the distal ends 162 a , 164 a of the cushioning flap 160 a are disposed in open spaces between the sides of adjacent bottles B and the central portion of the cushioning flap 160 a is disposed in the space between the necks of the center bottles in the rows R 1 , R 2 .
- the cushioning flap 160 a can be folded into the carton 200 along the fold line 154 a to be in a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the top wall 212 .
- the cushioning flap 160 a is dimensioned and positioned such that, as the cushioning flap 160 a folded, the cushioning flap 160 a is not obstructed by the bottles B.
- the distance L 2 between the distal ends 162 a , 164 a of the cushioning flap 160 a and the fold line 154 a relates to the length of the necks of the bottles B such that, as the cushioning flap 160 a is folded, the distal ends 162 a , 164 a avoid the base portions of the bottles B.
- the curved portion of the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a defines the central portion of the cushioning flap 160 a such that, as the cushioning flap 160 a is folded along the fold line 154 a , central portion of the cushioning flap 160 a avoids or is otherwise not obstructed by the upper end and neck of the center bottle B in the row R 2 .
- the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a is curved so as not to extend across the upper end of the center bottle B in the row R 2 .
- the fold line 154 a provides a cushioned edge H that can be engaged by a user to pull the detachable portion 250 a from the carton.
- the cushioned edge H is engaged and pulled to break the severance line 150 a such that the detachable portion 250 a can be at least partially separated from the carton 200 to provide an opening O that is defined by a substantially continuous edge E. A portion of certain of the bottles B is thereby exposed and can be dispensed through the opening O.
- the cushioned edge H is easily grasped such that the user can better control tearing of the severance line 150 a to remove the detachable portion 250 a.
- the carton 200 includes two detachable portions 250 a , 250 b each of which can be removed to form an opening O that exposes the bottles B, to define the tool box shape of the carton 200 , and to define the strap handle 230 that can be used to carry the carton 200 .
- the strap handle 230 is defined by the severance lines 150 a , 150 b and includes the handle flaps 170 a , 170 b which are defined by the segments 152 a , 152 b of the severance lines 150 a , 150 b .
- the handle flaps 170 a , 170 b can be folded along the fold lines 172 a , 172 b as the strap handle 230 is grasped to provide a cushioned edge E 2 of the strap handle 230 .
- the cushioned edge E 2 is particularly advantageous for carrying heavier loads, such as a full complement of glass bottles.
- a severance line that extends between the segment 152 a of the severance line 150 a and the fold line 154 a is substituted for the slit 166 a so as to define two separate cushioning flaps.
- a severance line is substituted for the slit 166 a
- a severance line is substituted for the fold line 154 a and fold lines are substituted for the severance lines 156 a , 158 a to provide an alternative arrangement of cushioning flaps.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
A package includes a plurality of upright bottles arranged in at least one row, and a carton for enclosing the bottles. The carton includes a top wall disposed over tops of the bottles and at least one cushioning flap hingedly connected to the top wall along a fold line. A portion of the cushioning flap is defined at least in part by a tear line such that the cushioning flap is separable from the top wall along the tear line and is inwardly foldable along the fold line so as to provide in the top wall an aperture for receiving fingers of a user's hand and a cushioned edge that can be gripped for engaging the carton. The cushioning flap is concavely contoured along the tear line such that the cushioning flap can be folded inwardly with a portion of the cushioning flap passing over at least one of the bottles without being obstructed by said at least one bottle and with extended distal ends of the cushioning flap passing on either side of said at least one bottle.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/827,197, filed Sep. 27, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates generally to cartons and, more specifically, to cartons having an improved tear initiation feature.
- A tool box style carton typically includes two detachable portions which are separable to define a strap handle for carrying the carton. The detachable portions are relatively large in order to expose all or most of the articles in the carton, while preserving the ability to transport the articles in the opened carton by means of the strap handle. Because the detachable portions are so large, the severance lines that define the detachable portions typically should not be easily breakable in order to prevent the tool box carton from being inadvertently opened. Thus, it would be desirable for the tool box style carton to include a tear initiation feature to facilitate separation of the detachable portions from the tool box carton.
- One problem with the known tear initiation features is that they are difficult to operate and do not allow a user to get a firm grip of the detachable portion to steer and control the tearing of the severance lines. The tear initiation features are otherwise uncomfortable or difficult to use to remove the detachable portions.
- Since the tool box style carton is commonly used to carry a full load of glass bottles after the detachable portions have been removed, it is important that the strap which is defined by removing the detachable portions from the tool box carton be strong and comfortable for a user to grasp as well. Thus, it is also desirable to cushion the user's hand from the raw edges that remain after formation of the strap handle.
- Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. What is needed is a tear initiation feature that is ergonomically designed to be engaged by a user's hand to facilitate controlled separation of a detachable portion. Further, it is desired that removal of the detachable portion defines an ergonomic strap handle.
- The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a carton for enclosing and transporting a plurality of articles that are arranged in rows, such as glass or plastic bottles having elongated necks. The carton includes an improved tear initiation feature for controlling the separation of one or more large detachable portions of the carton. Each of the detachable portions is defined by a substantially continuous severance line. The detachable portion can be separated from the carton along the severance line to define an opening for exposing articles in the carton.
- The tear initiation feature includes a cushioning flap that is hingedly connected to the detachable portion of the carton along a fold line. The cushioning flap is further defined by a segment of the severance line that defines the detachable portion and by severance lines that extend between the segment of the severance line and the fold line. Thereby, the cushioning flap is separable along the severance lines and foldable along the fold line to provide an aperture for receiving the fingers of a user's hand and a cushioned edge that can be gripped or engaged to control separation of the detachable portion.
- A portion of the segment of the severance line is contoured and the cushioning flap is dimensioned and positioned in accordance with the relative positions of an arrangement of articles. In the exemplary embodiment, the cushioning flap is dimensioned and positioned to fold inwardly into the carton so as to be disposed in the space defined by the sides or necks of articles between a first row and a second row. The contoured portion of the segment of the severance line forks from a proximal point that is located substantially between two centermost bottles in adjacent rows to distal points that are located between bottles in the second row, for example, on either side of the center bottle in the second row. Thereby, the bottles in the second row do not obstruct the cushioning flaps as it is folded inwardly. Further, in certain embodiments that include multiple detachable portions that define a strap handle, the contoured portion of the segment of the severance line for each detachable portion defines a handle flap to provide a cushioned edge for the strap handle.
- The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. 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 of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank incorporating an exemplary embodiment of a tear initiation feature according to the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank ofFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 3-5 are perspective views of the carton ofFIG. 2 illustrating steps in an exemplary method of removing a detachable portion from the carton. -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the carton ofFIG. 2 illustrating the relationship between a tear initiation feature and an arrangement of articles in the carton. -
FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing an alternative embodiment of a tear initiation feature according to the present invention. - As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in 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 present invention. 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 to variously employ the present invention.
- 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. Generally described, the carton includes a substantially continuous severance line that defines a detachable portion of the carton and a tear initiation feature that facilitates separating the detachable portion of the carton from the rest of the carton along the severance line, as described in further detail below.
- Referring to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6 , a carton 200 (shown inFIG. 2 ) is formed from a blank 100 (the inside surface of which is shown inFIG. 1 ). The blank is preferably a single sheet of suitable substrate. 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. In the exemplary embodiment, the blank is dimensioned for packaging an arrangement of bottles. It is envisaged that other articles and/or different arrangements of articles may be contained within the carton and that the blank and carton can be sized accordingly. - As used herein, the terms “fold line” and “severance line” refer to all manner of printed lines indicating optimal fold or cut locations, frangible or otherwise weakened lines, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, scored lines, slits, any combination thereof, and the like.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , the blank 100 includes a series of primary panels which define the walls of a tubular structure portion of thecarton 200. Specifically, the blank 100 includes afirst side panel 110, a top panel 112, asecond side panel 114, and abottom panel 116. The primary panels are hingedly connected one to the next along fold lines.First side panel 110 is hingedly connected to the top panel 112 alongfold line 120, the top panel 112 is hingedly connected to thesecond side panel 114 alongfold line 122, and thesecond side panel 114 is hingedly connected to thebottom panel 116 alongfold line 124. In addition, anedge flap 118 is hingedly connected to thebottom panel 116 alongfold line 126. - The blank 100 includes end flaps that are hingedly connected to opposite ends of each primary panel along fold lines. The end flaps can be folded and secured to form end closure structures at respective open ends of the tubular structure portion of the
carton 200 and thereby to define the end walls of thecarton 200. The blank 100 is substantially symmetric such that the end flaps that are hingedly connected to opposite ends of each primary panel are substantially similar. In addition, certain other elements of the blank 100 are substantially similar. Accordingly, the end closure structures of thecarton 200 are substantially identical and like references have been used with a suffix “a” or “b” affixed to distinguish one end of the carton from the other. Thus, the description of an element or group of elements having a suffix “a” is suitable for a like-numbered element or group of elements having a suffix “b”. In certain instances, for clarity, only one of the like elements is described unless a description of the other or both of the like elements is useful for understanding the invention. - A first side end flap 130 a is hingedly connected to
first side panel 110 along fold line 140 a, a top end flap 132 a is hingedly connected to top panel 112 alongfold line 142 a, a secondside end flap 134 a is hingedly connected tosecond side panel 114 alongfold line 144 a, and abottom end flap 136 a is hingedly connected tobottom panel 116 alongfold line 146 a. - The blank 100 further includes substantially
continuous severance lines severance line 150 a extends from the distal end of the first side end flap 130 a across the first side end flap 130 a to the fold line 140 a, from the fold line 140 a across thefirst side panel 110 to thefold line 120, from thefold line 120 transversely across the top panel 112 to thefold line 122, from thefold line 122 across thesecond side panel 114 to thefold line 144 a, and from thefold line 144 a across the secondside end flap 134 a to the distal end of the secondside end flap 134 a. - A
segment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a extends partially across the top panel 112 to partially define a tear initiation feature T that facilitates breaking theseverance line 150 a. In the exemplary embodiment, the tear initiation feature T includes acushioning flap 160 a that is defined along its distal edge by thesegment 152 a and along its proximal edge by afold line 154 a that is offset from theseverance line 150 a. Thefold line 154 a hingedly connects thecushioning flap 160 to adetachable portion 250 a, as will be described in detail below. Thecushioning flap 160 a is further defined byseverance lines 156 a, 158 a that extend between thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a and thefold line 154 a. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, thecushioning flap 160 a includes an extensively weakened or precut slit 166 a that extends from thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a toward thefold line 154 a. - The
segment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a is contoured or curved to at least partially define extended distal ends 162 a, 164 a of thecushioning flap 160 a and to at least partially define ahandle flap 170 a to cushion the edge of astrap handle 230 of thecarton 200, as described in further detail below. In the embodiment shown, thehandle flap 170 a is substantially semicircular such that thesegment 152 a includes a section that is concave from the perspective of the handle. Thehandle flap 170 a is further defined by afold line 172 a. In the exemplary embodiment, thefold line 172 a is aligned with a substantially linear portion of theseverance line 150 a that extends across the top panel 112. The ends of thefold line 172 a intersect the ends of the contoured portion of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a. - Referring momentarily to
FIG. 6 , the dimensions and position of the tear initiation feature T is further described. Thefold line 154 a has a length L1 that is substantially equal to the width of a user's hand. Thefold line 154 a is offset from thefold line 172 a by a distance L2 which, in the exemplary embodiment, defines the maximum length of thecushion flap 160 a. The maximum distance L3 between thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a and thefold line 172 a defines the length of thehandle flap 170 a. Thefold line 172 a has a length L4 that is ideally substantially equal to the width of a typical user's hand. In the exemplary embodiment, thefold line 172 a defines the maximum width of thehandle flap 170 a. The cushioning flaps 160 a, 160 b are positioned and dimensioned relative to an arrangement of articles that are enclosed in thecarton 200, as described in further detail below. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the side end flaps 130 a, 134 a include a portion of a handle opening such ascutouts 180 a, 182 a that combine to define a handle opening as the end closure structure is formed. The top end flap 132 a includes an endless edged handle opening 184 a. Thecutouts 180 a, 182 a are dimensioned and positioned to be in registry with the handle opening 184 a as the end closure structure is formed. - Erecting the
carton 200 from the blank 100 may be accomplished with the folding operations as described herein. The operations can be performed by automatic erecting machinery and/or manually. The erecting process is not limited to the exemplary method described herein. Particularly, the order of the steps can be altered according to manufacturing requirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to one another may vary. The surfaces of sheet material may be secured together by suitable means for securing including tape, staples, interlocking folds, VELCRO®, glue or other adhesives, mechanical fasteners, chemical bonding, combinations thereof, and the like. - The blank 100 is folded along the
fold line 124 such that the inside surface of thebottom panel 116 is in a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of thesecond side panel 114. Glue or other adhesive is applied to the outside surface of theedge flap 118 and blank is folded along thefold line 120 such that the inside surface of thefirst side panel 110 is in a face contacting relationship with the inside surface of the top panel 112. Thereby, the inside surface of thefirst side panel 110 overlaps and is secured to theedge flap 118 and the blank 100 forms a collapsed tubular structure. For clarity, it should be noted that the outside surface of the blank 100 is shown inFIG. 1 . - The collapsed tubular structure (not shown) can be erected to form the tubular structure portion of the
carton 200 by pulling the panels that are in a face contacting arrangement away from one another. Articles can be easily loaded through one or both open ends (not shown) of tubular structure portion of thecarton 200. It should be understood that theexemplary carton 200 is adapted to hold a group of similarly dimensioned, preferably cylindrical articles such as bottles B. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the end closure structures of thecarton 200 are formed by folding the end flaps as described herein. First and second side end flaps 130 a, 134 a are folded toward the open end of the tubular structure portion of thecarton 200 alongfold lines 140 a, 144 a so as to be substantially coplanar with one another and such that the ends of theseverance line 150 a are abutting or overlapping and are substantially aligned. The top and bottom end flaps 132 a, 136 a are folded toward and secured to the side end flaps 130 a, 134 a. Thereby, the end closure structures of thecarton 200 are formed, as shown inFIG. 2 , and thecarton 200 is fully erected. As thecarton 200 is erected, the primary panels and the end closure structures define the walls of thecarton 200. The top panel 112 defines atop wail 212, theside panels side walls bottom panel 116 defines abottom wall 216, and the end closure structures defineend walls - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thetop wall 212 of thecarton 200 includes elements of the tear initiation features that facilitate separation ofseverance line 150 a to detach each of thedetachable portions carton 200. Thetop wall 212 includes thecushioning flap 160 a that facilitates removing thedetachable portion 250 a by breaking theseverance line 150 a. Theseverance line 150 a extends substantially transversely across thetop wall 212, substantially diagonally across each of theside walls end wall 218 such that thedetachable portion 250 a includes at least a portion of thetop wall 212, theside walls end wall 218. - Referring to
FIGS. 2, 3 , and 6, theexemplary carton 200 includes an arrangement of bottles B, although any compatible article or group of articles can be accommodated. In the exemplary embodiment, the bottles B include tapered necks and are arranged in a matrix configuration or otherwise in several rows R with multiple bottles B in each row. For clarity, certain of the rows R are numbered in the figures beginning with the endmost row R1, the second endmost row R2, and so on. In the exemplary embodiment, thecarton 200 is dimensioned to enclose four rows of three bottles B. However, in alternative embodiments, the carton can be configured to enclose a different number of articles and/or to enclose articles that are arranged in a different configuration. - Referring again to
FIG. 6 , the tear initiation feature T is further described as it relates to the arrangement of bottles B. Thefold line 154 a is disposed between adjacent first and second rows R1, R2 of bottles B. Specifically, thefold line 154 a is aligned with and disposed above the space between a centermost bottle B in the first row R1 and a centermost bottle B in the second row R2. The ends of thefold line 172 a intersect the contoured portion of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a at points P1 and theslit 166 a intersects the contoured portion of thesegment 152 a at a point P2 such that theslit 166 a substantially bisects the contoured portion of thesegment 152 a. The point P2 is disposed between the centermost bottles B in the first and second rows R1, R2 and the points P1 are disposed substantially between two adjacent bottles B in the second row R2. - The contoured portion Q of the
segment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a extends between the linear portions D of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a but curves or otherwise diverts to avoid being disposed over the cap C of the centermost bottle B in the second row R2. More specifically, the contoured portion Q of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a extends from the point P2 that lies above the space between the first and second rows R1, R2 of bottles B to points P1 that each lie above the spaces between two adjacent bottles B in the second row R2. In other words, thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a curvingly or directly diverges or otherwise extends in different directions from theslit 166 a, or from the point P1, to the points P2 that are on opposite sides of the centermost bottle B in the second row R2. - In the exemplary embodiment, the points P1 are disposed on opposite sides of the centermost bottle B in the second row R2. The points P1 are adjacent to the innermost side of the necks of bottles B in the row R2 and the point P2 is adjacent to the outermost side of the neck of the center bottle B in the row R2. Further, the contoured portion Q of the
segment 152 a curves or arcs toward thefold line 154 a such that thefold line 172 a and the contoured portion Q of thesegment 152 a are disposed on opposite sides of the centermost bottle B in the second row R2. In this manner, the ends of the contoured portion Q of thesegment 152 a extend to thestrap handle 230 and the middle of the contoured portion Q of the segment bends around the cap C of the center bottle B, so that the cushioning flap defineshandle flap 170 a while being contoured so as to clear the cap C of the centermost bottle B as thecarton 200 is opened. - The
severance lines 156 a, 158 a extend from ends of thefold line 154 a and substantially above spaces between the caps C of bottles B in the row R2 to intersect theseverance line 150 a at points P3. Substantially linear portions D of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a are substantially aligned with thefold line 172 a so as to be disposed above the spaces between two adjacent bottles B in the second row R2. Each of the linear portions D of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a extends between points P1, P3 and defines a distal edge of thecushioning flap 160 a. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-5 , the tear initiation feature T facilitates removing thedetachable portion 250 a or otherwise at least partially separating thedetachable portion 250 a from the main portion of thecarton 200 along theseverance line 150 a. Theslit 166 a is provided to initiate the separation of thecushioning flap 160 a from thecarton 200 along thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a. In an exemplary method of removing thedetachable portion 250 a, pressure is applied to the area of thecarton 200 where theslit 166 a intersects thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a such thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a is broken and is then torn until it is intersected by theseverance lines 156 a, 158 a. Theseverance lines 156 a, 158 a are then broken such that thecushioning flap 160 a can be folded along thefold line 154 a so as to be disposed in thecarton 200 to provide an aperture A for receiving at least some of the fingers of a user's hand, and convenient hand hold area along a cushioned edge E1 for grasping thedetachable portion 250 a to continue tearing theseverance line 150 a. The hand hold area is cushioned as thecushioning flap 160 a covers the raw edges of thedetachable portion 250 a. - The
cushioning flap 160 a can be folded along thefold line 154 a to be substantially perpendicular to thetop wall 212 of thecarton 200, as shown inFIG. 2 . Thereby, the distal ends 162 a, 164 a of thecushioning flap 160 a are disposed in open spaces between the sides of adjacent bottles B and the central portion of thecushioning flap 160 a is disposed in the space between the necks of the center bottles in the rows R1, R2. In alternative embodiments, or depending on the relative configuration of the neck and shoulder of each bottle B, thecushioning flap 160 a can be folded into thecarton 200 along thefold line 154 a to be in a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of thetop wall 212. In such embodiments, thecushioning flap 160 a is dimensioned and positioned such that, as thecushioning flap 160 a folded, thecushioning flap 160 a is not obstructed by the bottles B. - The distance L2 between the distal ends 162 a, 164 a of the
cushioning flap 160 a and thefold line 154 a relates to the length of the necks of the bottles B such that, as thecushioning flap 160 a is folded, the distal ends 162 a, 164 a avoid the base portions of the bottles B. The curved portion of thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a defines the central portion of thecushioning flap 160 a such that, as thecushioning flap 160 a is folded along thefold line 154 a, central portion of thecushioning flap 160 a avoids or is otherwise not obstructed by the upper end and neck of the center bottle B in the row R2. Further described, thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a is curved so as not to extend across the upper end of the center bottle B in the row R2. - As the
cushioning flap 160 a is folded into thecarton 200, thefold line 154 a provides a cushioned edge H that can be engaged by a user to pull thedetachable portion 250 a from the carton. The cushioned edge H is engaged and pulled to break theseverance line 150 a such that thedetachable portion 250 a can be at least partially separated from thecarton 200 to provide an opening O that is defined by a substantially continuous edge E. A portion of certain of the bottles B is thereby exposed and can be dispensed through the opening O. It should be understood that the cushioned edge H is easily grasped such that the user can better control tearing of theseverance line 150 a to remove thedetachable portion 250 a. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , thecarton 200 includes twodetachable portions carton 200, and to define the strap handle 230 that can be used to carry thecarton 200. The strap handle 230 is defined by theseverance lines segments severance lines fold lines strap handle 230 is grasped to provide a cushioned edge E2 of thestrap handle 230. The cushioned edge E2 is particularly advantageous for carrying heavier loads, such as a full complement of glass bottles. - In an alternative embodiment of the tear initiation feature T, shown in
FIG. 7 , a severance line that extends between thesegment 152 a of theseverance line 150 a and thefold line 154 a is substituted for theslit 166 a so as to define two separate cushioning flaps. In other embodiments where a severance line is substituted for theslit 166 a, a severance line is substituted for thefold line 154 a and fold lines are substituted for theseverance lines 156 a, 158 a to provide an alternative arrangement of cushioning flaps. - 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.
Claims (13)
1. A carton for enclosing a plurality of articles disposed in a plurality of rows, the carton comprising:
a detachable portion that is at least partially detachable from the carton to define an opening for exposing articles in the carton, the detachable portion being defined by a substantially continuous severance line, wherein the detachable portion is separable along the severance line to define a substantially continuous edge of the carton; and
a tear initiation feature, comprising a cushioning flap that is hingedly connected to the detachable portion along a fold line, a portion of the cushioning flap being defined at least in part by a segment of the severance line such that the cushioning flap is separable from the carton along the segment of the severance line, the cushioning flap being inwardly foldable along the fold line so as to provide a hand-receiving aperture and to provide a cushioned edge that can be gripped for engaging the detachable portion;
wherein the segment of the severance line is contoured so as to define extended distal ends of the cushioning flap for extending between the necks of adjacent articles in one of said rows of articles.
2. The carton of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cushioning flap is further defined by at least one severance line.
3. The carton of claim 1 , wherein the fold line that defines the cushioning flap is offset from the segment of the severance line.
4. The carton of claim 3 , wherein the cushioning flap is further defined by a pair of severance lines each extending between the fold line and the segment of the severance line.
5. The carton of claim 3 , wherein the carton includes multiple cushioning flaps that are each defined by a plurality of severance lines each extending between the fold line and the segment of the severance line.
6. The carton of claim 1 , wherein the carton includes a plurality of detachable portions that can be separated from the carton along severance lines to provide a strap handle, wherein at least one of the segments of the severance lines are contoured so as to at least partially define a handle flap.
7. The carton of claim 6 , wherein the handle flap is further defined by a fold line, the handle flap being foldable along the fold line so as to provide a cushioned edge for the strap handle.
8. The carton of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cushioning flap is dimensioned and positioned relative to an arrangement of articles that can be enclosed in the carton such that the at least one cushioning flap can be folded along the fold line so as to be disposed in a space defined by adjacent ones of the arrangement of the articles.
9. The carton of claim 1 , wherein the width of the cushioned edge is not substantially less than the width of a user's hand.
10. A package, comprising:
a plurality of articles arranged in at least one row; and
a carton for enclosing the articles, the carton comprising:
a detachable portion for being at least partially detachable from the carton to define an opening for exposing articles in the carton;
a substantially continuous severance line defining the at least partially detachable portion wherein the detachable portion is separable along the severance line to define a substantially continuous edge of the carton; and
a tear initiation feature, comprising at least one cushioning flap hingedly connected to the detachable portion along a fold line, a portion of the cushioning flap being defined at least in part by a segment of the severance line such that the cushioning flap is separable from the carton along the segment of the severance line and is inwardly foldable along the fold line so as to provide an aperture for receiving fingers of a user's hand and a cushioned edge that can be gripped for engaging the detachable portion;
wherein the cushioning flap is concavely contoured along the segment such that the cushioning flap can be folded inwardly with a portion of the cushioning flap passing over at least one of the articles without being obstructed by said at least one article and with extended distal ends of the cushioning flap passing on either side of said at least one article.
11. The package of claim 10 , wherein the concavely contoured portion of the segment of the severance line diverges from a point that is disposed above a space between first and second rows of bottles to points disposed above a space between adjacent bottles in one of the first and second rows of bottles.
12. A package, comprising:
a plurality of bottles disposed upright and arranged in at least one row; and
a carton for enclosing the bottles, the carton comprising:
a top wall disposed over tops of the bottles; and
at least one cushioning flap hingedly connected to the top wall along a fold line, a portion of the cushioning flap being defined at least in part by a tear line such that the cushioning flap is separable from the top wall along the tear line and is inwardly foldable along the fold line so as to provide in the top wail an aperture for receiving fingers of a user's hand and a cushioned edge that can be gripped for engaging the carton;
wherein the cushioning flap is concavely contoured along the tear line such that the cushioning flap can be folded inwardly with a portion of the cushioning flap passing over at least one of the bottles without being obstructed by said at least one bottle and with extended distal ends of the cushioning flap passing on either side of said at least one bottle.
13. The package of claim 12 , wherein the carton further comprises a strap handle formed at least in part from the top wall, the strap handle being defined by a pair of severance lines disposed in the top wall, wherein the tear line of the cushioning flap is provided at least in part by one of the severance lines.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/863,201 US20080073420A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-09-27 | Carton With Hand-Receiving Tear Initiation Feature |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US82719706P | 2006-09-27 | 2006-09-27 | |
US11/863,201 US20080073420A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-09-27 | Carton With Hand-Receiving Tear Initiation Feature |
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US20080073420A1 true US20080073420A1 (en) | 2008-03-27 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/863,201 Abandoned US20080073420A1 (en) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-09-27 | Carton With Hand-Receiving Tear Initiation Feature |
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US (1) | US20080073420A1 (en) |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110036902A1 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2011-02-17 | Brian Smalley | Carton with handle |
WO2011142897A2 (en) * | 2010-05-13 | 2011-11-17 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
WO2012037442A3 (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-06-14 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US20120211552A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-23 | Kastanek Raymond S | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US8851292B2 (en) | 2010-06-25 | 2014-10-07 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Packaging system for shipping, storing, displaying, and/or dispensing absorbent articles |
US9010620B2 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2015-04-21 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US9199774B2 (en) | 2010-10-18 | 2015-12-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US9376230B2 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2016-06-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US9511894B2 (en) | 2014-01-16 | 2016-12-06 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with opening feature |
US9598202B2 (en) | 2013-07-24 | 2017-03-21 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US10059485B2 (en) | 2015-12-08 | 2018-08-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle |
USD854412S1 (en) | 2018-02-22 | 2019-07-23 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
US10363175B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2019-07-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Carton with a reclosable opening |
USD867900S1 (en) | 2018-03-01 | 2019-11-26 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
US10513367B2 (en) | 2016-02-12 | 2019-12-24 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle |
US10513381B2 (en) | 2016-02-12 | 2019-12-24 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle |
USD921493S1 (en) | 2019-03-27 | 2021-06-08 | Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc | Package |
US11305924B2 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2022-04-19 | Graphie Packaging International, LLC | Carrier with handle features |
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Cited By (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110036902A1 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2011-02-17 | Brian Smalley | Carton with handle |
US8348142B2 (en) | 2009-08-17 | 2013-01-08 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
WO2011142897A2 (en) * | 2010-05-13 | 2011-11-17 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
WO2011142897A3 (en) * | 2010-05-13 | 2012-04-05 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US8851292B2 (en) | 2010-06-25 | 2014-10-07 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Packaging system for shipping, storing, displaying, and/or dispensing absorbent articles |
WO2012037442A3 (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-06-14 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US8840009B2 (en) | 2010-09-17 | 2014-09-23 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US9199774B2 (en) | 2010-10-18 | 2015-12-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US9376230B2 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2016-06-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US8978963B2 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2015-03-17 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US9376244B2 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2016-06-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US20120211552A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-23 | Kastanek Raymond S | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US10023372B2 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2018-07-17 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle and dispenser |
US9010620B2 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2015-04-21 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US9598202B2 (en) | 2013-07-24 | 2017-03-21 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with handle |
US9511894B2 (en) | 2014-01-16 | 2016-12-06 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with opening feature |
US10363175B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2019-07-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Carton with a reclosable opening |
US10059485B2 (en) | 2015-12-08 | 2018-08-28 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle |
US10513367B2 (en) | 2016-02-12 | 2019-12-24 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle |
US10513381B2 (en) | 2016-02-12 | 2019-12-24 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton with handle |
US11305924B2 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2022-04-19 | Graphie Packaging International, LLC | Carrier with handle features |
US12006116B2 (en) | 2018-01-23 | 2024-06-11 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier with handle features |
USD861483S1 (en) | 2018-02-22 | 2019-10-01 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
USD854412S1 (en) | 2018-02-22 | 2019-07-23 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
USD867900S1 (en) | 2018-03-01 | 2019-11-26 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carrier |
USD921493S1 (en) | 2019-03-27 | 2021-06-08 | Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc | Package |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC, VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WALLING, BRADFORD J, MR;BATES, AARON, MR;SCHEMMEL, GARRETT K, MR;REEL/FRAME:020233/0921;SIGNING DATES FROM 20071025 TO 20071205 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |