US20070131752A1 - Carton Having a Pivotable Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton includes a spout dispenser formed in a top panel of the carton. The spout dispenser is formed from a spout section of a side top flap adhered to an end top flap. Pivoting the spout section away from the top panel causes part of the end top flap to be pulled through an aperture through which product can be dispensed.

Description

BACKGROUND
• Dispensing cartons are known. Such cartons typically have a top panel formed from flaps that are separable to open the top of the carton. The contents of the carton can then be dispensed from the open carton top. Such cartons, however, typically are not easily closed once opened, and may not provide for easy dispensing of the carton contents. One solution to this problem is to include a pivotable dispenser that can be opened for dispensing the carton contents and then closed for storage. Conventional pivotable dispensers, however, may be difficult to open and/or to place in a dispensing configuration. Many conventional dispensers also require a metal or plastic insert spout piece to form the dispensing portion of the carton, which may increase costs and/or complexity of manufacture.
SUMMARY
• According to a first aspect of the invention, a carton comprises a first side panel, a first end panel, a second side panel, a second end panel, a bottom panel and a top panel. The top panel comprises a first end top flap, a first side top flap overlying the first end top flap and having an aperture formed therein, and a second side top flap overlying the first side top flap. The first end top flap is adhered to the underside of the second side top flap through the aperture in the first side top flap. A plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap define in part a pivotable dispenser in the top panel.
• The pivotable dispenser may be placed in a dispensing configuration by breaching the plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap and pulling the dispenser open. An access flap can be defined in the dispenser to allow a user to insert a finger into the top panel and thereby access the dispenser. Accessing and opening the dispenser can be performed using a relatively simple motion.
• According to a second aspect of the invention, the first end top flap can include a spout section having wing portions. The wing portions can engage inside edges of the aperture in the first side top flap to secure the dispenser in the dispensing configuration. Locking cuts may be formed in the top panel in which the wing portions can be removably engaged to further secure the dispenser in the dispensing configuration. The dispenser can be closed by pressing the dispenser back into the top panel.
• According to a third aspect of the invention, the spout dispenser can be formed from the top flaps of the carton such that no additional inserts or pieces etc. are required.
• Other aspects, features, and details of the present invention can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
• According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first side of a blank used to form a carton having a pivotable spout dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially erected carton.
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the erected carton.
• FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of the spout dispenser.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the spout dispenser being opened.
• FIG. 6 illustrates the spout dispenser being opened.
• FIG. 7 is an end view of the carton with the spout dispenser opened and in a dispensing configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention generally relates to dispensing or pour features for cartons. The present invention can be used, for example, in cartons that contain articles or other products such as, for example, food and beverages. The articles can also include particulate products such as, for example, rice, beans, sugar, and other pourable dry products. In this specification, the relative terms “bottom,” “side,” “end,” and “top” may indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank8 used to form acarton190 having a pivotable spout dispenser160 (illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The blank8 comprises afirst side panel10, afirst end panel20 connected to thefirst side panel10 at a firsttransverse fold line21, asecond side panel30 foldably connected to thefirst end panel20 at a secondtransverse fold line31, and asecond end panel40 foldably connected to thesecond side panel30 at a thirdtransverse fold line41. Anadhesive panel50 may be foldably connected to thefirst side panel10 at a fourthtransverse fold line51.
• Thefirst side panel10 is foldably connected to a firstside top flap12 and a firstside bottom flap14. Thefirst end panel20 is foldably connected to a first endtop flap22 and a firstend bottom flap24. Thesecond side panel30 is foldably connected to a secondside top flap32 and a secondside bottom flap34. Thesecond end panel40 is foldably connected to a second endtop flap42 and a secondend bottom flap44. Thetop flaps12,22,32,42 extend along a first or top marginal portion of the blank8, and may be foldably connected along a firstlongitudinal fold line62. Thebottom flaps14,24,34,44 extend along a second or bottom marginal portion of the blank8, and may be foldably connected along a secondlongitudinal fold line64. Thelongitudinal fold lines62,64 may be straight fold lines, or may be offset at one or more locations to account for, for example, blank thickness. When thecarton190 is erected, thetop flaps12,22,32,42 close a first or top opening of thecarton190, and thebottom flaps14,24,34,44 close a second or bottom opening of thecarton190.
• Aspout dispenser pattern100 is formed in the blank8. According to an aspect of the invention, thespout dispenser pattern100 includes lines of disruption formed in the firstside top flap12, the first endtop flap22, and the secondside top flap32. Thespout dispenser pattern100 defines thepivotable spout dispenser160 in the erected carton190 (FIGS. 3A and 3B).
• Referring toFIG. 1, thespout dispenser pattern100 includes anaperture110 formed from a plurality of lines of disruption in the firstside top flap12. Theaperture100 is defined by spacedside cut lines112, anend cut line114, and an arcuateend cut line116. Thecut lines112 defineshoulders118 on either side of theaperture110. Thecut lines112,114,116 of the exemplary embodiment define the opening oraperture110 in the firstside top flap12. Alternatively, thelines112,114,116 could be breachable lines of disruption (e.g. tear lines) in theflap12 defining a knockout panel (not illustrated). The knockout panel could be removed during erection of the blank8 or during use of thecarton190.
• In the firsttop end flap22, a pair of dogleg-shaped cut-crease lines128 (e.g., fold lines) extend from a distal end of theflap22 to the firstlongitudinal fold line62. A longitudinally extending cut-crease fold line130 extends through a medial portion of the firsttop end flap22 and across the cut-crease lines128. Thelines128,130 define acentral portion120, first andsecond wing portions122, and abase124 in the first endtop flap22. Thecentral portion120 is foldably connected to thebase124 at thefold line130. At the firstend top flap22, thelongitudinal fold line62 can include a cut-crease section132.
• In the secondside top flap32, aspout section138 is defined by a plurality of lines of disruption. Thespout section138 includes acentral spout portion140 and first andsecond wing portions142 defined by dogleg-shaped interior side cut-crease lines148 (e.g., fold lines), spaced exterior side cut-space lines149 (e.g., tear lines), and a laterally extendingend fold line152. Anaccess flap144 is defined by an arcuate cut-space line145 (e.g., tear line) connecting the side cut-space lines149 and alateral fold line150. Oblique locking cuts154 extend outwardly from the exterior side cut-space lines149.
• Thelines128,130,148 may be formed from, for example, cut-crease lines having 100% cuts (i.e., cuts that extend through the entire blank) inFIG. 1, or partial cuts may also be used. Cut-space lines, for example, may also be used to form thelines128,130,148. Thelines145,149 are breachable lines of disruption that may be, for example, cut-space lines having 100% cuts or partial cuts. Cut-crease lines, for example, may also be used to form thelines145,149.
• An exemplary process of erecting thecarton190 will be discussed with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. Referring toFIG. 1, adhesive may be applied to the exterior side of theadhesive panel50 and/or to the interior side of thesecond end flap40. The blank8 is folded about thetransverse fold lines21 and41 to bring the exterior side of theadhesive flap50 into contact with the interior or underside of thesecond end panel40. Thepanels40,50 are thereby adhered together. The resulting article is then “opened” to have a generally closed tubular structure.
• In order to close the top of the carton, adhesive is applied to the exterior side of the firstend top flap22 between the dogleg shaped cut-crease lines128 and/or to the interior or underside of thespout section138 of the secondside top flap32, between the dogleg shaped interior side cut-crease lines148. Adhesive may also be applied to the underside of part of or the entirety of the exterior side of the firstside top flap12 except in the area of theshoulders118. Alternatively or in addition to adhesive applied to the firstside top flap12, adhesive may be applied to the entirety of or part of the underside of the secondside top flap32 outside of the area defined by thelines145,149,152, and so that theshoulders118 are not adhered to the secondside top flap32. Adhesive may be applied to the entirety of or part of the upper surface of the secondend top flap42.
• The top flaps12,22,32,42 may be closed by folding the first and second end top flaps22,42 down as shown inFIG. 2. The firstside top flap12 is then folded over onto the end top flaps22,42 so that theside flap12 overlies the end flaps22,42. The firstside top flap12 may be adhered to the secondend top flap42 at any desired location or locations. The underside of the firstside top flap12 may be adhered to the upper side of the firstend top flap22 in the area of thebase124.
• The secondside top flap32 is folded over the firstside top flap12 so that theflap32 overlies theflap12. The underside of the secondside top flap32 may be adhered to the exterior or upper side of the firstside top flap12 in areas outside of thespout section138. The upper or exterior side of thecentral portion120 may be adhered to the underside of thecentral spout portion140 of the secondside top flap32 through theaperture110.
• The bottom flaps14,24,34,44 may then be folded and adhered together to close the bottom of the carton. Theresultant carton190 is illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B. Dispensable product may be loaded into thecarton190 before closing both ends of the carton. If the contents of thecarton190 are to be held within a bag or other vessel, the bag (not shown) may be inserted into the partially closed carton before closing both ends of the carton.
• Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, the top flaps12,22,32,42 are adhered together to form atop panel170, and the bottom flaps14,24,34,44 are adhered together to form abottom panel180. The dispenser pattern100 (illustrated inFIG. 1) in the top flaps12,22,32 defines a pivotably (e.g., hingedly or foldably) attachedspout dispenser160 in thetop panel170.FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of thetop panel170 illustrating thepivotable dispenser160 in detail. As shown inFIG. 4, thedispenser160 can be formed entirely from the top flaps12,22,32 comprising thetop panel170.
• Referring toFIGS. 1-4, the shape of thecentral portion120 in the firstend top flap22 generally corresponds to the shape of thecentral spout portion140 of thespout section138, and the upper surface of thecentral portion120 is adhered to the underside of thecentral spout portion140 through theaperture110 in the firstend top flap12. Thewings122 of the firstend top flap22 may remain unadhered to any other part of thecarton190.
• FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an exemplary process of opening of thedispenser160. Referring toFIG. 5, a user inserts a finger, tool or other object into thetop panel170 at theaccess flap144. Thetop panel170 tears along the arcuatebreachable line145 as theaccess flap144 is pressed inwardly.
• Referring toFIG. 6, thetop panel170 is further torn along thebreachable lines149 as thecentral spout portion140 andwing portions142 in the second sidetop panel32 are pivoted outwardly about thefold line152. Thecentral portion120 in the firstend top flap22 is adhered to thecentral spout portion140 and the portion of the firstend top flap22 beyond thefold line130 also pivots outwardly. This movement pulls thecentral portion120 of the firstend top flap22 through theaperture110 in the first sidetop panel12. At the same time, contact with the sides of theaperture110 causes thewings122 in the firstend top flap22 to be folded inwardly at thelines128 with respect to thecentral portion120.
• FIG. 7 illustrates thepivotable spout dispenser160 opened and in its dispensing configuration, thereby forming adispenser opening165. Friction between thewings122 and the interior edges of theaperture110 serves to maintain thedispenser160 in its dispensing configuration. If desired, thespout dispenser160 can be pivoted open further so that thewings122 engage the locking cuts154. Thepivotable dispenser160 can be reclosed by simply pushing thedispenser160 back towards thetop panel170. Theshoulders118 at each side of theaperture110 project inwardly to partially occlude theaperture110, and abut thewing portions142 to prevent thedispenser160 from being pressed too far in through theaperture110.
• According to the above-described embodiments, cartons can be provided with dispensers that are simple in construction, and that are easily opened and reclosed. The carton provides a relatively simple, one-step action for opening and dispensing product from the carton. The spout dispenser is formed from the top flaps of the carton and no additional inserts or pieces are required.
• In the exemplary embodiment discussed above, the blank is formed from clay coated newsprint (CCN). In general, the blank may be constructed of paperboard, having a caliper of at least about 14, so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank, and thus the carton, can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above.
• The first and second sides of the blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
• In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening or disruption in a blank that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, fold lines include: score lines, creases, cuts that extend partially into a material along a desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, and various combinations of these features.
• For purposes of the description presented herein, the term “line of disruption” can be used to generally refer to either a cut line, a crease line, a tear line, or a fold line formed in the material (or a combination of at least one cut line, tear line, fold line, etc.). A breachable line of disruption is a line of disruption that is intended to be breached during ordinary use of the carton. An example of a breachable line of disruption is a tear line.
• A tear line can be any form of weakening that facilitates tearing therealong. Specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, tear lines include: a cut that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features.
• The term “line” as used herein includes not only straight lines, but also other types of lines such as curved, curvilinear or angularly displaced lines.
• The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure paperboard carton panels in place.
• In the present specification, a “panel” or “flap” need not be flat or otherwise planar. A “panel” or “flap” can, for example, comprise a plurality of interconnected generally flat or planar sections.
• It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present invention has been discussed above with reference to preferred embodiments, various additions, modifications, and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (27)

1. A carton, comprising:

a first side panel;

a first end panel;

a second side panel;

a second end panel;

a bottom panel; and

a top panel comprising:

a first end top flap;

a first side top flap overlying the first end top flap; and

a second side top flap overlying the first side top flap, wherein

a plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap define in part a pivotable dispenser in the top panel.

2. The carton ofclaim 1, wherein the first end top flap is adhered to an underside of the second side top flap through an aperture in the first side top flap.

3. The carton ofclaim 2, wherein a plurality of lines of disruption in the first end top flap define in part the pivotable dispenser.

4. The carton ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap define a spout section having a central spout portion.

5. The carton ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap further define a first wing portion extending from a first side of the central spout portion and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the central spout portion.

6. The carton ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of disruption in the first end top flap define a central portion in the first end top flap, the central portion of the first end top flap being adhered to an underside of the central spout portion.

7. The carton ofclaim 6, wherein the plurality of lines of disruption in the first end top flap further define a base portion, the base portion being pivotably connected to the central portion.

8. The carton ofclaim 7, wherein the plurality of lines of disruption in the first end top flap define a first wing portion extending from a first side of the central portion and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the central portion.

9. The carton ofclaim 8, wherein the aperture in the first side top flap defines a first shoulder and a second shoulder, the first shoulder overlying the first wing portion in the first end top flap, and the second shoulder overlying the second wing portion in the first end top flap.

10. The carton ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap comprises breachable lines of disruption that in part define a perimeter of the spout section so that the dispenser is pivotable away from the top panel.

11. The carton ofclaim 2, wherein the carton is substantially parallelepipedal.

12. The carton ofclaim 2, wherein the bottom panel comprises a plurality of bottom flaps.

13. A blank, comprising:

a first side panel;

a first end panel;

a second side panel;

a second end panel;

a first side top flap foldably connected to the first side panel and having an aperture formed therein;

a first end top flap foldably connected to the first end panel and having a first plurality of lines of disruption formed therein;

a second side top flap foldably connected to the second side panel and having a second plurality of lines of disruption formed therein; and

at least one bottom flap extending along a bottom marginal area of the blank.

14. The blank ofclaim 13, wherein the second plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap defines a central spout portion.

15. The blank ofclaim 14, wherein the second plurality of lines of disruption in the second side top flap further defines a first wing portion extending from a first side of the central spout portion and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the central spout portion.

16. The blank ofclaim 15, wherein the first plurality of lines of disruption defines a central portion and a base portion, the base portion being pivotably connected to the central portion.

17. The blank ofclaim 16, wherein the first plurality of lines of disruption further defines a first wing portion extending from a first side of the central portion and a second wing portion extending from a second side of the central portion.

18. The blank ofclaim 17, wherein the aperture in the first side top flap defines a first shoulder and a second shoulder.

19. The blank ofclaim 15, wherein the second plurality of lines of disruption comprises a transverse fold line at a first end of the central spout portion, and defines an access flap at a second end of the central spout portion.

20. A carton constructed from the blank ofclaim 13.

21. A method of dispensing product from a carton, comprising:

providing a carton with dispensable product contained therein, the carton comprising:

a first side panel;

a first end panel;

a second side panel;

a second end panel;

a bottom panel; and

a top panel comprising:

a first end top flap having a first plurality of lines of disruption formed therein;

a first side top flap overlying the first end top flap, the first side top flap having an aperture formed therein; and

a second side top flap overlying the first side top flap and having a second plurality of lines of disruption formed therein, the second plurality of lines of disruption defining a spout section in the second side top flap;

breaching the second plurality of lines of disruption;

pivoting the spout section away from a remainder of the top panel, wherein pivoting the spout section pulls at least a portion of the first end top flap through the aperture in the first side top flap; and

dispensing product through the aperture in the first side top flap.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein sides of the first end top flap engage interior edges of the aperture as the spout section is pivoted.

23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the first end top flap is adhered to the spout section through the aperture in the first side top flap.

24. A substantially parallelepipedal carton, comprising:

a first side panel;

a first end panel;

a second side panel;

a second end panel;

a bottom panel; and

a top panel comprising:

a first end top flap;

a first side top flap; and

a second side top flap, wherein

a dispenser is defined in the top panel by a plurality of lines of disruption in the top panel, the dispenser consisting essentially of portions of the first end top flap, the first side top flap, the second side top flap, and adhesive securing two or more of the flaps together.

25. The carton ofclaim 24, wherein the first side top flap overlies the first end top flap.

26. The carton ofclaim 25, wherein the second side top flap overlies the first side top flap.

27. The carton ofclaim 26, wherein the first end top flap is adhered to an underside of the second side top flap through an aperture in the first side top flap.

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