CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/767,959, filed Jun. 25, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/816,106, filed Jun. 23, 2006. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/016,935, filed Dec. 27, 2007. Each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for holding and dispensing beverage containers or other types of articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cartons being configurable into dispensing sections.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the present disclosure generally relates to a carton accommodating a plurality of articles arranged in the carton in at least two rows and at least two columns. The carton can include a tear feature that allows the carton to be placed in a dispensing configuration. In the dispensing configuration, the carton is separated into a first section and a second section, with each section accommodating a portion of the articles. The carton can include a hinge connecting the two sections and about which the carton is pivoted to place the carton in the dispensing configuration.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, recessed or open portions can be formed at upper edges of the first and second sections as the carton is placed in the dispensing configuration. The recessed portions, which can be defined in one or more side panels of the first and second sections, allow for ease of access to, and dispensing of articles from, the first and second sections. In one embodiment, the carton can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing a tear strip extending around three sides of the carton to separate the carton into the first and second sections, and pivoting the first and second sections about a hinge in a fourth side of the carton so that the first and second sections are in a side-by-side configuration.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the first and second dispenser sections may be completely separated from one another to place the carton in a dispensing configuration.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, corner sections can be removed from one or both of the dispenser sections to allow access to the containers from the front and sides of the dispenser sections.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, one or more apertures can extend downward from the upper edges of the side panels of the dispenser sections. The apertures can extend downwardly to varying degrees and in varying shapes in order to provide access to lower columns of containers in the dispenser sections.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, one or more access features can be formed in the side panels of the dispenser sections. The access features can be breached and/or removed in order to provide access to lower columns of containers in the dispenser section.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above-stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed 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 disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a carton according to a first embodiment of the disclosure is formed.

FIG. 2 illustrates the first carton embodiment.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate placing the first carton embodiment into a dispensing configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates the first carton embodiment in the dispensing configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates a carton according to a second embodiment of the disclosure in a dispensing configuration.

FIG. 7 illustrates a carton according to a third embodiment of the disclosure in a dispensing configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates a carton according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure in a dispensing configuration.

FIG. 9 illustrates a carton according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure in a dispensing configuration.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of a blank from which a carton according to the fifth embodiment of the disclosure is formed

FIG. 10 illustrates a carton according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure in a dispensing configuration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a carton according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure in a dispensing configuration.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cartons capable of being placed in dispensing configurations by separating the cartons into sections. The present disclosure 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 beverage containers such as, for example, cans, bottles, PET containers, or other containers such as those used in packaging foodstuffs. For the purposes of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the following detailed description describes generally cylindrical, 12-ounce beverage containers as disposed within the illustrated carton embodiments.

To facilitate understanding and explanation of the blank of the present disclosure, the elements and numerals described herein utilize the terms â€œendâ€ and â€œsideâ€ to distinguish portions of the carton and of the blank. These conventions are included merely for ease of explanation and understanding of the present description, however, and should not be limiting in any manner. The descriptions of the panels as â€œendâ€ and â€œsideâ€ etc., also can be referred to as â€œfirst,â€ â€œsecond,â€ etc. The terms â€œendâ€ and â€œsideâ€ are not intended to connote relative size differences between elements.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior or print side of a blank 8 that can be used to form a carton 150 (illustrated in FIG. 2) according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 8 may be symmetric or nearly symmetric about a longitudinal center line C_L. Therefore, certain elements in the drawing figures are indicated by like or similar reference numerals in order to reflect the longitudinal symmetry. The longitudinal direction of the blank is indicated by the longitudinal axis L₁in FIG. 1, and the lateral direction of the blank is indicated by the lateral axis L₂in FIG. 1. The blank 8 comprises a pair of first side panels 10, each side panel 10 being foldably connected to a second side panel 20 at a first transverse fold line 21, a pair of third side panels 30, each third side panel 30 being foldably connected to a second side panel 20 at a second transverse fold line 31, a pair of fourth side panels 40, each fourth side panel 40 being foldably connected to a third side panel 30 at a third transverse fold line 41, and a pair of fifth side panels 50, each fifth side panel 50 being foldably connected to a fourth side panel 40 at a fourth transverse fold line 51.

Each first side panel 10 is foldably connected at one end to a first end flap 12. Each second side panel 20 is foldably connected at one end to a second end flap 22. Each third side panel 30 is foldably connected at one end to a third end flap 32. Each fourth side panel 40 is foldably connected at one end to a fourth end flap 42. Each fifth side panel 50 is foldably connected at one end to a fifth end flap 52. The end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 may be arranged along marginal areas of the blank 8, and may be foldably connected along longitudinally extending fold lines 62. The longitudinally extending fold lines 62 may be straight or substantially straight fold lines, or may be offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness, for example. When the carton 150 is erected from the blank 8, the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 close each end of the carton 150.

According to one aspect of the first embodiment, the blank 8 includes a tear pattern 65 of lines of disruption that bifurcate the blank and allow the erected carton 150 (FIG. 2) constructed from the blank 8 to be placed in a dispensing configuration. The tear pattern 65 includes a first tear feature 70 that separates the pairs of first and second side panels 10, 20 and extends adjacent to and continuous with a second tear feature 75 that separates the pair of side panels 30. The first tear feature 70 can extend substantially across the entire width of the pair of first side panels 10 and the entire width of the pair of second side panels 20. Alternatively, the first tear feature 70 could extend only partially across the width of the second side panels 20. The first tear feature 70 can be, for example, a tear strip defined by spaced breachable lines of disruption 72, which may be tear lines. The second tear feature 75 can be defined by opposed, curved or arched breachable lines of disruption 74, which may be tear lines. The opposed tear lines 74 can extend to a point adjacent to one another, or can be connected by cuts or scores 76, 78, which can extend, as shown in FIG. 1, into side panels 40 or, alternatively but not shown, terminate in the side panels 30 or at the transverse fold line 41. A longitudinal hinge or pivot line 90 separates (e.g., defines a boundary between) the side panels 40 and extends adjacent to a third tear feature 80 that separates the side panels 50. The hinge or pivot line 90 can be, for example, a longitudinal fold line located on the longitudinal center line C₂of the blank 8. The third tear feature 80 can be, for example, a tear strip defined by spaced breachable lines of disruption 82, which may be tear lines. A tear tab 84 can be provided at the end of the third tear feature 80.

The tear lines 72, 74, 82 can be breachable lines of disruption formed from continuous or substantially continuous tear lines comprised of, for example, tear lines, scores, creases, cuts, gaps, cut/creases, perforations, offset cuts, and overlapping and/or sequential combinations thereof. If cuts are used to form the tear lines 72, 74, 82, the cuts may be, for example, interrupted by breachable nicks. The breachable lines of disruption 76, 78 may be continuous cuts, cuts interrupted by breachable nicks, or other forms of breachable lines of disruption, such as scores. The hinge line 90 can be, for example, any line of disruption between the panels 40 that facilitates hinged folding or pivoting of the blank 8.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the dimensions of the blank 8 may be selected to accommodate characteristic dimensions of articles to be accommodated within the carton 150. For example, in one embodiment, the side panels 30 can have a width W₁that generally corresponds to or slightly exceeds a height H_Cof containers C (illustrated in FIG. 5) or other articles to be accommodated within the carton 150. When cylindrical or substantially cylindrical containers C are used in the carton, the side panels 40 (as well as the side panels 20) can have, for example, a width W₂that generally corresponds to or slightly exceeds an integral multiple of a largest (e.g., â€œcharacteristicâ€ ) diameter D_C(FIG. 5) of the containers C. The side panels 40 can have a length L₃that can generally correspond to or slightly exceed an integral multiple of the characteristic diameter D_C. The length L₃may be the same or different than the width W₂, e.g., the panel 40 has a width W₂of three times the characteristic diameter D_Cand the length L₃of two times the characteristic diameter D_Cin the illustrated embodiment. However, width W₂and the length L₃may both be three times the characteristic diameter D_Cin an alternate embodiment, for example. If multiple generally cylindrical containers C, such as, for example, metallic beverage containers, are to be accommodated within the carton 150, it may be expected that the generally cylindrical containers will share at least one substantially equal common largest diameter.

An exemplary method of erection of the carton 150 is discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the carton 150 may be erected from the blank 8 by folding the blank flat at each of the transverse fold lines 21, 41 so that the undersides of the fifth side panels 50 can be glued or otherwise adhered to upper sides of corresponding adjacent first side panels 10, or so that the undersides of the first side panels 10 can be glued or otherwise adhered to upper sides of the fifth side panels 50. Each end flap 52 may be adhered to an adjacent end flap 12. The distal end of the third tear feature 80 is adhered to the distal end of the first tear feature 70 so that they may act in unison. The side panels 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 may then be opened to a generally tubular or sleeve form.

Each end of the generally tubular sleeve form may be closed, for example, by folding the end flaps 32 and the adhered end flaps 12, 52 inwardly across the open ends, followed by inwardly folding the end flaps 42, then folding the end flaps 22 inwardly. At each end of the tubular sleeve form, the interior side of each end flap 42 can be adhered to the end flaps 12, 32, 52, and the interior side of each end flap 22 can be adhered to one or more of the end flaps 12, 32, 52, 42. Substantially cylindrical containers C or other articles, for example, may be loaded into the tubular sleeve at any time before one or both ends of the carton are closed by the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42, 52. In the exemplary embodiment, the carton 150 accommodates twelve containers C in three rows and four columns.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carton 150 erected from the blank 8 illustrated in FIG. 1. In the erected carton 150, the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 form an end panel 160 at each end of the carton 150. With the ends closed, the carton 150 has a substantially parallelepipedal shape. The sequentially arranged tear features 70, 75, 80 illustrated in FIG. 1 extend partially around the perimeter of the carton 150 (e.g., around three sides of the carton) and define a tear strip 170 in the erected carton 150 having a variable cross-section or width.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an exemplary method of placing the carton 150 into a dispensing configuration using the tear strip 170 and the exemplary method is discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tear strip 170 is grasped at the tear tab 84 and pulled so that the third tear feature 80 is torn along the tear lines 82, separating the side panels 50. The third tear feature 80 is adhered to the first tear feature 70 so that the tearing motion causes the first tear feature 70 to tear along the tear lines 72, separating the side panels 10. Referring to FIG. 4 and also to FIG. 1, the first tear feature 70 is further torn to separate the side panels 20, and the second tear feature 75 is torn to separate the side panels 30. In this way the tear strip 170 may be removed from the carton 150.

Referring to FIG. 5, the carton 150 is folded or pivoted about the hinge line 90 so that the side panels 40 are adjacent to one another. The carton is now in a dispensing configuration comprising a pair of hingedly connected side-by-side dispenser sections 162 having dispenser openings 164 at a top end of each section, and is designated by the reference numeral 195.

In the dispensing configuration, each dispenser section 162 of the carton 195 initially accommodates six generally cylindrical containers C, arranged in three rows and two columns. In FIG. 5, the containers C are lying on their curved side surfaces, with longitudinal axes of the containers C being parallel to or aligned with a support surface of the sections 162, and aligned with the plane of the end panels 160 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the containers C, which pass through the tops and bottoms of the containers C, are transverse to the hinge line 90. The containers C are accessible through the dispenser openings 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser sections 162 are identical or substantially identical. Variations may be introduced, however, to one or both of the sections 162 so that they are not identical. For example, the perimeter edge of the dispenser opening 164 of one or both of the sections 162 could be varied by changing the shape of one or more of the tear features 70, 75, 80. Also, dispenser features could be introduced in one or both of the sections 162 below the dispenser openings 164.

The curved tear lines 74 defining the variable width second tear feature 75 form recessed open sections, or reliefs, in the side panels 30, at the upper edges defined by the tear lines 74. The open or recessed sections in the side panels 30 allow for ease of accessing and/or dispensing containers C through the dispenser openings 164. Additional recessed or open portions can, for example, be provided along the top edge of the sections 162, such as at the top edge of one or more of the side panels 10 or 20. Recessed portions of the top edges of the side panels 10 and/or 20 can be created, for example, by varying the width of the tear strip 70 (FIG. 3). Open cutout portions can also be created by incorporating removable sections, such as knockout sections (not shown), in the side panels.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser sections 162 are hingedly connected while in the dispensing configuration, wherein the carton 150 is torn along three sides while a fourth side of the carton including the hinge line 90 remains intact. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second sections 162 may be separated from one another along the hinge line 90 (e.g., by replacing the hinge line with a breachable line of disruption or continuing the tear strip around all sides of the carton) so that the carton is separated along four sides of the carton 150 in order to place the carton in a dispensing configuration.

EXAMPLE 1

A parallelepipedal carton 150 as illustrated in FIG. 2 accommodates twelve 12-fluid-ounce cylindrical containers C in a 3Ã—4Ã—1 arrangement. The width W₁is about 4 â…ž in., and the width W₂is about 7Â¾ in. The length L₃is about 5â…› in. In the dispensing configuration, each dispenser section 162 (FIG. 5) accommodates six containers C in a 3Ã—2Ã—1 arrangement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a carton according to a second embodiment of the disclosure that has been placed in a dispensing configuration and indicated by the reference number 395. The dispensing carton 395 can be similar to the dispensing carton 195 illustrated in FIG. 5, and can be constructed from a blank that is similar to the blank as shown in FIG. 1. Like elements in FIG. 6 to those of FIG. 5 are indicated by like reference numbers, with the like reference numbers in FIG. 6 being preceded by a â€œ2.â€ In the dispensing configuration, the carton 395 has been folded or pivoted about the hinge line 290 so that the side panels 240 are adjacent to and facing one another. The carton 395 comprises a pair of hingedly connected side-by-side dispenser sections 372 having dispenser openings 374 at a top end of each section.

In the dispensing configuration, each dispenser section 372 initially accommodates six generally cylindrical containers C, arranged in three rows and two columns. The â€œcolumnsâ€ of containers C in the dispenser sections 372 are stacked in a vertical arrangement and can alternatively be referred to as â€œlayersâ€ of containers C. In FIG. 6, the containers C are lying on their curved side surfaces, with longitudinal axes of the containers C being parallel to or aligned with a support surface of the carton 395, and aligned with the plane of the end panels 360 on which the dispenser sections 372 rest. As shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal axes of the containers C, which pass through the tops and bottoms of the containers C, are transverse to the hinge line 290. The containers C in the dispenser sections 372 are accessible through the dispenser openings 374. Each dispenser opening 374 includes a V-shaped aperture 376 in a side panel 230 (e.g., a front side panel). The V-shaped apertures 376 are defined by a pair of oblique tear lines 274 that can be breached when placing the carton in the dispensing configuration. The bottom of the V-shaped apertures 376 can, for example, extend down to the end panels 360. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the bottoms of the apertures 376 can extend a sufficient distance downward to provide access to one or both of the layers of containers C in the sections 372. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottoms of the apertures 376 are at a height H1 that may be between 0.2-0.7 D_C. Retainer walls 382, 384 on either side of the apertures 376 in the front wall 230 prevent the containers C in both layers from inadvertently rolling out of the dispenser sections 372.

The dispensing carton 395 illustrated in FIG. 6 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing one or more tear strips, such as are included in the carton 150 illustrated in FIG. 2. The oblique tear lines 274 can be incorporated as part of such a tear strip, so that the dispensing carton 395 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing a single tear strip. Alternatively, the oblique tear lines 274 can be breached after separating the carton into the sections 372.

FIG. 7 illustrates a carton according to a third embodiment of the disclosure that has been placed in a dispensing configuration and indicated by the reference number 395â€². The dispensing carton configuration 395â€² can be substantially identical to the dispensing carton 395 illustrated in FIG. 6, and like elements in FIG. 7 to those of FIG. 6 are indicated by like reference numbers, with the reference numbers in FIG. 7 including a prime â€œâ€²â€ . The carton of FIG. 7 differs from the carton of FIG. 6 in that the dispensing configuration 395â€² is formed from a carton designed to accommodate eighteen containers in a 3Ã—6Ã—1 configuration. Each dispenser section 372â€² accordingly accommodates nine containers in a 3Ã—3Ã—1 configuration. As shown in FIG. 7, the dispenser sections 372â€² accommodates three layers of containers, each layer comprising three containers. The V-shaped apertures 376â€² can extend downwardly any distance desired to provide access to the lower containers C in the sections 372â€². In the illustrated embodiment, the bottoms of the apertures 376 are at a height H2 that may be between 0.2-1.7 D_C.

The dispensing carton 395â€² illustrated in FIG. 7 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing one or more tear strips, such as are included in the carton 150 illustrated in FIG. 2. The oblique tear lines 274â€² can be incorporated as part of such a tear strip, so that the dispensing carton 395â€² can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing a single tear strip. Alternatively, the oblique tear lines 274â€² can be breached after separating the carton into the sections 372â€².

FIG. 8 illustrates a carton according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure that has been placed in a dispensing configuration and indicated by the reference number 595. The dispensing carton configuration 595 can be similar to the dispensing carton 195 illustrated in FIG. 5, and can be constructed from a blank that is similar to the blank 8 as shown in FIG. 1. Like elements in FIG. 8 to those of FIG. 5 are indicated by like reference numbers, with the like reference numbers in FIG. 8 being preceded by a â€œ4.â€ In the dispensing configuration, the carton 595 has been folded or pivoted about the hinge line 490 so that the side panels 440 are adjacent to and facing one another. The dispensing carton 595 then comprises a pair of hingedly connected side-by-side dispenser sections 572 having dispenser openings 574.

In the dispensing configuration, each dispenser section 572 initially accommodates six generally cylindrical containers C, arranged in three rows and two columns or vertically stacked layers. In FIG. 8, the containers C are lying on their curved side surfaces, with longitudinal axes of the containers C being parallel to or aligned with a support surface of the carton 595, and aligned with the plane of the end panels 560 on which the sections 572 rest. As shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal axes of the containers C, which pass through the tops and bottoms of the containers C, are transverse to the hinge line 490. The containers C are accessible through the dispenser openings 574. Each dispenser opening 574 includes an aperture 576 in a side panel 430. The apertures 576 are each defined by a pair of oblique tear lines 474 that connect to a transverse tear line 476 at the bottom of a respective aperture, the tear lines 474, 476 are breached when placing the carton 595 in the dispensing configuration. The bottoms of the apertures 576 can, for example, extend down to the end panels 560. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of the apertures 576 can extend a sufficient distance downward to provide access to both the top and bottom layers of the containers C in the sections 572. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse tear lines 476 at the bottoms of the apertures 576 are at a height H3 that may be between 0.2-0.7 D_C. Retainer walls 582, 584 on either side of the apertures 576 in the front walls 430 prevent the containers C in both the top and bottom layers from inadvertently rolling out of the dispenser sections 572.

The dispensing carton 595 illustrated in FIG. 8 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing one or more tear strips, such as are included in the carton 150 illustrated in FIG. 2. The tear lines 474, 476 can be incorporated as part of such a tear strip, so that the dispensing carton 595 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing a single tear strip. Alternatively, the tear lines 474, 476 can be breached after separating the carton into the sections 572.

FIG. 9 illustrates a carton according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure that has been formed from the blank 608 (FIG. 9A) and placed in a dispensing configuration. The dispensing carton configuration 795 can be similar to the dispensing carton 195 illustrated in FIG. 5. The blank 608 is similar to the blank 8 shown in FIG. 1. Like elements in FIGS. 9 and 9A to those of FIGS. 5 and 1 are indicated by like reference numbers, with the like reference numbers in FIGS. 9 and 9A being preceded by a â€œ6.â€

FIG. 9A is a plan view of the exterior or print side of a blank 608 that can be used to form the carton 795. According to one aspect of the fifth embodiment, the blank 608 includes a tear pattern 665 of lines of disruption that bifurcate the blank and allow the erected carton 795 (FIG. 9) constructed from the blank 608 to be placed in the dispensing configuration. The tear pattern 665 includes a first tear feature 670 that separates the pair of first side panels 610 and a portion of the second side panels 620 and extends adjacent to and continuous with a second tear feature 675 that separates the remainder of the pair of second side panels 620 and the pair of third side panels 630. The first tear feature 670 can be, for example, a tear strip defined by spaced breachable lines of disruption 672, which may be tear lines. The second tear feature 675 can be defined by opposed, generally longitudinal, breachable lines 674 and oblique breachable lines 673, 677, which may be tear lines. Alternatively, the generally straight lines 673, 674, 677 illustrated in FIG. 9A can be curved or otherwise configured.

A longitudinal hinge or pivot line 690 separates (e.g., defined a boundary between) the fourth side panels 640 and extends adjacent to a third tear feature 680 that separates the fifth side panels 650. The third tear feature 680 can be, for example, a tear strip defined by spaced breachable lines of disruption 682, which may be tear lines. Optional access features (e.g., access flaps 686) can be included in the blank 608 extending into the second side panels 620 from the breachable lines 674. Each of the access features 686 can be defined by a pair of breachable lines of disruption 688 and a fold or bend line of disruption 689.

In the dispensing configuration illustrated in FIG. 9, the carton 795 has been folded or pivoted about the hinge line 690 so that the side panels 640 are adjacent to and facing one another. The carton 795 then comprises a pair of hingedly connected side-by-side dispenser sections 772 having dispenser openings 774.

In the dispensing configuration, each dispenser section 772 initially accommodates six generally cylindrical containers C, arranged in three rows and two columns. In FIG. 9, the containers C are lying on their curved side surfaces, with longitudinal axes of the containers C being parallel to or aligned with a support surface of the carton 795, and aligned with the plane of the end panels 760 on which the dispenser sections 772 rest. As shown in FIG. 9, the longitudinal axes of the containers C, which pass through the tops and bottoms of the containers C, are transverse to the hinge line 690. The containers C are accessible through the dispenser openings 774. Each dispenser opening 774 includes an open section at the top of each section 772, and the second tear feature 675 is removed from the side panels 620, 630, so that a corner of each dispenser section 772 is removed. Each dispenser opening 774 can be defined in part by the oblique tear line 673 and the longitudinal tear line 674 in each third side panel 630, and the oblique tear line 677 and the longitudinal tear line 674 in each second side panel 620. The tear lines 673, 674, 677 are breached when placing the carton in the dispensing configuration.

Remaining wall sections 634, 624 of the second and third side panels 620, 630, respectively, can form a lower retaining wall having a height of H4. Each section 772 has an upper retaining wall 784 adjacent the lower retaining wall 634 in each of the third side panels 630 (e.g., front panel). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper retaining walls 784 are generally triangular-shaped and are adjacent the hinge line 690. In the illustrated embodiment each section 772 has an upper retaining wall 785 adjacent the lower retaining wall 624 in each of the second side panels 620. The upper retaining walls 685 are adjacent the tear lines 672 in the second side panels 620. The height H4 can be selected to retain the uppermost column, or layer, of containers C in each section 772. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H4 may be between 0.4-1.6 D_C. When the height H4 is selected to be less than or equal to D_C, the carton 795 relies on the upper retaining walls 784, 785 to retain the uppermost layer of containers C. The carton could be otherwise configured such that the upper retaining walls 784, 785 and/or the lower retaining walls 624, 634 are otherwise shaped, arranged, or omitted without departing from the disclosure.

Because the dispenser openings 774 extend through the second and third side panels 620, 630, containers C are accessible from the front and sides of the sections 772. The access flap 686 in the second side panels 670 can be activated by tearing the breachable lines of disruption 688. The access flaps 686 can be folded down at the fold line 689 to provide access to the bottom layer of containers C in each section 772. Alternatively, the flaps 686 can be separated or torn from the second side panels 620 of one or both of the sections 772 at the lines of disruption 689.

The dispensing carton 795 illustrated in FIG. 9 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing the tear features, or tear strips, 670, 675, 680, illustrated in FIG. 9A. The tear features 670, 675, 680 and the tear lines 672, 673, 674, 677 can be incorporated as part of a single tear strip, so that the dispensing carton 795 can be conveniently placed in the dispensing configuration. Alternatively, the tear lines 672 may extend through the tear feature 675 to the cut lines 676, 678 so that the carton 795 can be separated into the sections 772 and pivoted at hinge line 690 prior to removal of the tear feature 675 by the subsequent breaching of the tear lines 673, 674, 677.

FIG. 10 illustrates a carton according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure that has been placed in a dispensing configuration and indicated by the reference number 795â€². The dispensing carton configuration 795â€² can be substantially identical to the dispensing carton 795 illustrated in FIG. 9. Like elements in FIG. 10 to those of FIG. 9 are indicated by like reference numbers, with the reference numbers in FIG. 10 including a prime â€œâ€²â€ . The carton of FIG. 10 differs from the carton of FIG. 9 in that the dispenser openings 774â€² in the sections 772â€² each include a V-shaped aperture 792â€² defined by oblique tear lines 794â€², 796â€² in the side panels 630â€². Further, the second side panels 620â€² do not include access flaps. Also, the upper retaining walls 784â€² of the front walls 630â€² of FIG. 10 are larger than the upper retaining walls 784 of the front walls 630 of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a carton according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure that has been placed in a dispensing configuration and indicated by the reference number 995. The dispensing carton configuration 995 can be similar to the dispensing carton illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, and can be constructed from a blank that is similar to the blanks 8, 608 respectively shown in FIGS. 1 and 9A. Like elements in FIG. 11 to those of FIG. 5 are indicated by like reference numbers, with the like reference numbers in FIG. 11 being preceded by an â€œ8.â€ In the dispensing configuration, the carton 995 has been folded or pivoted about the hinge line 890 so that the side panels 840 are adjacent to and facing one another. The carton 995 then comprises a pair of hingedly connected side-by-side dispenser sections 972 having dispenser openings 974.

In the dispensing configuration, each dispenser section 972 initially accommodates six generally cylindrical containers C, arranged in three rows and two columns or vertically stacked layers. In FIG. 11, the containers C are lying on their curved side surfaces, with longitudinal axes of the containers C being parallel to or aligned with a support surface of the sections 972, and aligned with the plane of the end panels 960 on which the sections 972 rest. As shown in FIG. 11, the longitudinal axes of the containers C, which pass through the tops and bottoms of the containers C, are transverse to the hinge line 890. The containers C are accessible through the dispenser openings 974. Each dispenser opening 974 includes an open section at the top of each section 972, and removed sections in the second and third side panels 820, 830, so that a corner of each dispenser section 972 is removed. Each dispenser opening 974 can be defined in part by an oblique tear line 873 and a horizontal tear line 874 in the third side panel 830, and an oblique tear line 877 and the horizontal tear line 874 in the second side panel 820. The tear lines 873, 874, 877 can be breached when placing the carton in the dispensing configuration.

Each dispenser section 972 comprises a lower retaining wall 824, 834 in a respective second and third side panel 820, 830. The lower retaining walls 824, 834 comprise a corner of the dispenser section 977 (e.g., a portion of the front wall and side wall) that has a height H5. Each dispenser section 972 has an upper retaining wall 984, 985 adjacent a respective lower retaining wall 824, 834 of the second and third side panels 820, 830. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the upper retaining walls 984, 985 in the front wall and side walls of the dispenser sections 972 are larger (e.g., have a greater surface area) than the lower retaining walls 824, 834 in the front wall and side walls.

The height H5 can be selected to provide access to the lower layer of containers from the sides 820, 830 of the sections 872. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H5 of the lower retaining walls 824, 834 may be between 0.4-1.6 D_C. More specifically, the top edge of the lower retaining walls 824, 834 can be below the uppermost column or layer of containers C. The openings in the second side panel 820 can be configured so that multiple rows of containers C are accessible from the second side panels of the dispenser sections. The upper retaining walls 984, 985 can be configured to retain the uppermost column, or layer, of containers C in each section 972. Alternatively, the upper retaining walls 984, 985 and/or lower retaining walls 824, 834 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured.

The dispensing carton 995 illustrated in FIG. 11 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing one or more tear strips, such as are included in the carton 150 illustrated in FIG. 2. The tear lines 873, 874, 877 can be incorporated as part of such a tear strip, so that the dispensing carton 995 can be placed in the dispensing configuration by removing a single tear strip. Alternatively, the tear lines 873, 874, 877 can be breached after separating the carton into the sections 972.

In the illustrated embodiments, the dispenser sections are hingedly connected while in their dispensing configurations, wherein the cartons are torn along three sides while a fourth side of the cartons including the hinge lines remain intact. In alternative embodiments, the dispenser sections may be separated from one another along the hinge lines (e.g., by replacing the hinge line with a breachable line of disruption or continuing the tear line in place of the hinge line) so that the cartons are separated along four sides in order to place the cartons in their dispensing configurations.

In the above embodiments, certain exemplary cartons are described as accommodating twelve, 12-ounce, generally cylindrical beverage containers C in a 3Ã—4Ã—1 configuration, and one embodiment discloses eighteen containers in a 3Ã—6Ã—1 configuration. Other arrangements of containers, packages, articles, and other items, however, can be accommodated within a carton constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure. For example, a carton constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure would also function satisfactorily if the carton were sized and shaped to hold articles in other configurations, such as 3Ã—2Ã—1, 3Ã—8Ã—1, 2Ã—4Ã—1, 2Ã—6Ã—1, 2Ã—8Ã—1, 4Ã—2Ã—1, 4Ã—4Ã—1, 4Ã—6Ã—1, etc., and multi-tier variations of the aforementioned configurations.

The dimensions of the exemplary blanks may be altered, for example, to accommodate various container forms. For example, 16-ounce, 18-ounce or 20-ounce petaloid bottle containers, or other beverage bottle containers, such as plastic bottles having longitudinal axes, may be accommodated within cartons constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure. In such arrangements, the first or bottom ends of the bottles could be adjacent to the second or fourth side panel pairs.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) board, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function as described above. The blanks can also be laminated to one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

The interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.

For purposes of the description presented herein, the term â€œline of disruptionâ€ can be used to generally refer to cut lines, tear lines, crease lines, score lines, and fold lines (or overlapping and/or sequential combinations of at least one cut line, crease line, score line, tear line, or fold line). A â€œbreachable line of disruptionâ€ is a line of disruption that is intended to be breached during ordinary use of the carton, such as when placing the carton in a dispensing configuration. An example of a breachable line of disruption is a tear line.

In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, line of disruption or other form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: score lines; cuts that extend partially into a 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; and various overlapping and/or sequential combinations of these disruptions in blanks.

In the present specification, a â€œpanelâ€ or â€œflapâ€ need not be flat or otherwise planar. A â€œpanelâ€ or â€œflapâ€ can, for example, comprise a plurality of interconnected generally flat or planar blank sections.

Although each side panel is shown with a corresponding end flap, the side panels could alternatively not all include end flaps and a blank could be provided with enough end flaps only to close each end of the cartons.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiment. The term â€œglueâ€ is intended to encompass all types of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.