Carton and a blank therefor
A carton includes a base panel, first and second opposed wall panels extending transversely from the base panel, and third and fourth opposed wall panels extending between the first and second opposed wall panels. At least one of the first, second, third, or fourth wall panels extends at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel. The carton further includes a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between either the first and second wall panels or the third and fourth wall panels.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to cartons, and more particularly, to cartons for displaying articles therein.
2. Background Art
Products are occasionally inserted into a display carton or cartons when received by retailers and are positioned so that consumers may easily view, locate, and select products therefrom. Often, many cartons do not provide the visual access that is necessary to successfully market and sell a product. Certain carton designs have attempted to address this problem through the use of different sizes and shapes of cartons as well as one or more dividers disposed therein.
Graham et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,278 discloses a shipping and display carton assembly. The assembly provides an open-topped tray portion containing two rows of upstanding articles. A resilient divider biases the rows of articles outwardly against sides of the tray portion and extends upwardly to tops of the articles.
Ellis U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,330 discloses a container for shipping of prepackaged foodstuffs. The container includes first, second, third, and fourth wall panels, a top portion, and a bottom portion in a closed configuration. The top portion includes first, second, and third side panels extending therefrom to cover the first, second, and third wall panels, respectively, when the container is in the closed configuration. A perforation line is disposed between the top portion and the fourth wall panel. The container is convertible into two display configurations. A first display configuration is obtained by detaching the first, second, and third side panels from the first, second, and third wall panels and removing the top portion along the perforation line. In this configuration, the second wall panel has a height that is less than a height of the fourth wall panel. The second display configuration is obtained by removing portions of the first, third, and fourth wall panels to create a display container wherein the heights of the first, second, third, and fourth wall panels are substantially the same.
Miller U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,324 discloses a shipping carton for tubes. The carton includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and tear strip portions. A divider is disposed in the carton wherein the divider includes upper and lower portions separated by a score line. The upper portion of the carton is separated from the lower portion thereof by removing the tear strip portions to form a display unit. After the upper and lower portions of the carton are separated from one another, the upper and lower portions of the divider may also be separated from one another.
O'Neill U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,371 discloses a shipping and display carton. The carton includes an outer container and an inner partition, wherein the partition includes a pair of primary divider panels each having a u-shaped cutout therein. The carton further includes a perforation line in a front wall that defines the same u-shaped cutout as the primary divider panels.
Heathcock U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,021 discloses a generally rectangular carton for holding and displaying a product. The carton includes a bottom, a first side, a second side, a front, a top, and a rear, all of which define an interior space of the carton. Lines of perforation are disposed around the carton whereby a user may grasp a front tear away section and pull the front tear away section upwardly and toward the rear so as to remove the front tear away section, the top, and optionally, a rear tear away section.
Auclair U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/014887 A1 discloses a carton and carton blank for packaging one or more articles including an inner tray slidable within an outer sleeve. The carton may include end walls that form an acute angle with inner and outer base wall panels. Additionally, the carton is preferably provided with an access structure in the form of a reclosable tear flap hingedly connected to one panel of the carton, preferably the top panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one aspect of the present invention, a carton includes a base panel, first and second opposed wall panels extending transversely from the base panel, and third and fourth opposed wall panels extending between the first and second opposed wall panels. At least one of the first, second, third, or fourth wall panels extends at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel. The carton further includes a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between either the first and second wall panels or the third and fourth wall panels.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a carton includes a base panel and first and second opposed wall panels extending from the base panel, wherein at least one of the first and second wall panels extend at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel. The carton further includes third and fourth opposed wall panels extending from the base panel, wherein one of the first, second, third, or fourth wall panels includes a cutout portion for viewing contents of the carton. Still further, the carton includes a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between either the third and fourth opposed wall panels or the first and second opposed wall panels.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a carton includes a base panel and first and second opposed wall panels extending from the base panel, wherein at least one of the first and second wall panels extends at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel. The carton further includes third and fourth opposed wall panels extending perpendicularly from the base panel. Still further, the carton includes a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between the third and fourth opposed wall panels, the divider defining first and second compartments between the fifth and sixth panels and the first and second opposed wall panels, respectively. An article is disposed in one of the first and second compartments, wherein a dimension of the article extends beyond an upper margin of the carton.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a carton blank includes a base panel and first and second opposed wall panels connected to first and second opposite edges of the base panel, respectively, wherein the second wall panel includes a cutout portion therein for viewing of contents when erected. The carton blank further includes third and fourth opposed wall panels connected to third and fourth opposite edges of the base panel, respectively. Still further, the blank includes first and second side flaps extending from first and second opposite edges of the first wall panel and third and fourth side flaps extending from first and second opposite edges of the second wall panel.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a carton blank includes a base panel and first and second opposed wall panels connected to first and second opposite edges of the base panel, respectively, wherein the second wall panel includes a cutout portion therein for viewing of contents when erected. The blank also includes third and fourth opposed wall panels connected to third and fourth opposite edges of the base panel, respectively. Further, the blank includes a first connector flap extending between and connected to the first and third wall panels and a second connector flap extending between and connected to the second and third wall panels. Additionally, the blank includes a third connector flap extending between and connected to the first and fourth wall panels, and a fourth connector flap extending between and connected to the second and fourth wall panels.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
The carton blank 20 of
Optionally, the carton blank 20 of
If desired, the foregoing steps may be undertaken in any suitable sequence other than the sequences described above. The order in which the first and second opposed wall panels 28, 30 are erected may be reversed. For example, the first wall panel 28 may be folded inwardly before the second wall panel 30. Also, the first and second wall panels 28, 30 may be folded inwardly before any of the side flaps 40, 42, 52, 54 are folded inwardly.
When erected, the first and second opposed walls 28, 30 form first and second angles A1 and A2 with respect to the base panel 22. In a preferred embodiment, each of the angles A1 and A2 is preferably between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees, and more preferably between about 77.5 degrees and about 80.5 degrees, and most preferably about 79.38 degrees. The angles A1 and A2 are preferably equal, but need not necessarily be equal.
A second embodiment of a carton blank 120 according to the present invention is seen in
First and second end flaps 188, 190 are joined at score lines 192, 194, respectively, to the third and fourth opposed wall panels 136, 138, respectively. The first end flap 188 includes first and second side tabs 196, 198. Similarly, the second end flap 190 includes third and fourth side tabs 200, 201. Similar to
The carton blank 120 of
The erection process further includes the step of simultaneously folding the third and fourth opposed wall panels 136, 138 inwardly along the score lines 132, 134, respectively, toward the base panel 122. As the third and fourth opposed wall panels 136, 138 are folded inwardly, the first and second end flaps 188, 190 are folded inwardly along the score lines 192, 194, respectively. The end flap 188 is then folded inwardly until the first and second side tabs 196, 198 are adjacent first and second slots 207, 208, respectively. The first and second side tabs 196, 198 are thereafter inserted into the first and second slots 207, 208 and are retained therein. Similarly, the end flap 190 is folded inwardly until the third and fourth side tabs 200, 201 are positioned adjacent third and fourth slots 209, 210, respectively, and the third and fourth side tabs 200, 201 are inserted into the first and second slots 200, 202 and are secured therein. When the carton blank 120 of
If desired, the foregoing steps may be undertaken in any suitable sequence. For example, the order in which the first and second wall panels 128, 130 are erected may be reversed, wherein the first wall panel 128 may be folded inwardly before the second wall panel 130.
Similar to the embodiment of
The carton 67 or 212 of the present invention may include a separate divider disposed therein that is erected from a divider blank 221. The divider blank 221, as seen in
The divider blank 221 is erected by folding the fifth and sixth wall panels 223, 225 about the score line 227 as seen in
After the carton blank 20 or 120 of
The divider 249 is inserted into the carton 67 or 212 such that first and second surfaces 255, 257 of the first and third stabilizing flaps 229, 237, respectively, are in contact with an inner surface 259 of the fourth opposed wall 38 or 138 and third and fourth surfaces 261, 263 of the second and fourth stabilizing flaps 231, 239, respectively, are in contact with an inner surface 265 of the third opposed wall 36 or 136. Also, the divider 249 is urged toward the base panel 22 or 122 of the carton 67 or 212 until the fifth and sixth wall panels 223, 225 and the first, second, third, and fourth stabilizing flaps 229, 231, 237, 239 are in contact with the base panel 22 or 122 as seen in
The stabilizing flaps 229, 231, 237, 239 of the divider 249 are preferably, although not necessarily, configured and sized such that the walls 223, 225 of the divider 249 are in contact with one another for an entire height thereof. Optionally, the walls 223, 225 of the divider 249 could taper toward one another at top portions thereof and away from one another at bottom portions thereof. As shown, the height H of the divider 249 when disposed in the carton 67 or 212 is less than a height of an upper margin 266 (
In other embodiments, any or all of the score and/or fold lines could be replaced with other lines of weakness in the corrugated cardboard or other paperboard material used in the carton black that enable the material to bend as described herein.
As previously noted, the cartons 67 and 212 of
The carton of the present invention is preferably used to display at least one article 267 as seen in
It should be apparent that the present invention provides a sturdy display carton for articles stacked therein. Specifically, the carton provides two compartments that tend to distribute weight in the carton evenly throughout the entire carton. The carton further provides the consumer with a clear view of the articles contained therein, as well as easy access to the articles therein.
Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
Claims
1. A carton, comprising:
- a base panel;
- first and second opposed wall panels extending transversely from the base panel;
- third and fourth opposed wall panels extending between the first and second opposed wall panels, wherein at least one of the first, second, third, or fourth wall panels extends at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel; and
- a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between either the first and second wall panels or the third and fourth wall panels.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth opposed wall panels extend perpendicularly from the base panel.
3. The carton of claim 2, where the first and second opposed wall panels extend at an angle with respect to the base panel.
4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the first and second opposed wall panels extend toward one another.
5. The carton of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle of between about 75 degrees and about 85 degrees with respect to the base panel.
6. The carton of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle of between about 77.5 degrees and about 80.5 degrees with respect to the base panel.
7. The carton of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle of about 79.38 degrees with respect to the base panel.
8. The carton of claim 4, wherein the top surfaces of the fifth and sixth panels of the divider extend between the third and fourth opposed wall panels.
9. The carton of claim 8, wherein the top surfaces of the fifth and sixth panels of the divider form first and second compartments with the first and second opposed wall panels, respectively.
10. The carton of claim 9, wherein an article is disposed in the first or second compartment.
11. The carton of claim 10, wherein a plurality of articles are disposed in the first and/or second compartments.
12. The carton of claim 11, wherein a dimension of the articles extends beyond a height of the carton.
13. The carton of claim 1, wherein the divider is separate from the carton and may be removed from the carton and re-inserted therein.
14. The carton of claim 1, wherein one of the first, second, third, or fourth panels includes a cutout portion for viewing the contents thereof.
15. A carton, comprising:
- a base panel;
- first and second opposed wall panels extending from the base panel, wherein at least one of the first and second wall panels extends at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel;
- third and fourth opposed wall panels extending from the base panel, wherein one of the first, second, third, or fourth wall panels includes a cutout portion for viewing contents of the carton; and
- a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between either the third and fourth opposed wall panels or the first and second opposed wall panels.
16. The carton of claim 15, wherein the top surfaces of the fifth and sixth panels of the divider extend between the third and fourth opposed wall panels and form first and second compartments with the first and second walls panels, respectively.
17. The carton of claim 16, wherein an article is disposed in one of the first or second compartments.
18. The carton of claim 17, wherein a plurality of articles are disposed in the first and/or second compartments.
19. The carton of claim 18, wherein a dimension of each article extends beyond an upper margin of the carton.
20. The carton of claim 15, wherein the divider is separate from the carton and may be removed from the carton and re-inserted therein.
21. The carton of claim 15, wherein the third and fourth opposed wall panels extend perpendicularly from the base panel.
22. The carton of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle with respect to the base panel.
23. The carton of claim 22, wherein the first and second opposed wall panels extend toward one another.
24. The carton of claim 23, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle of between about 75 and about 85 degrees with respect to the base panel.
25. The carton of claim 24, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle of between about 77.5 degrees and about 80.5 degrees with respect to the base panel.
26. The carton of claim 24, wherein each of the first and second opposed wall panels extends at an angle of about 79.38 degrees with respect to the base panel.
27. A carton, comprising:
- a base panel;
- first and second opposed wall panels extending from the base panel, wherein at least one of the first and second wall panels extends at an angle other than 90° with respect to the base panel;
- third and fourth opposed wall panels extending perpendicularly from the base panel;
- a divider having fifth and sixth panels each having a top surface extending between the third and fourth opposed wall panels, the divider defining first and second compartments between the fifth and sixth panels and the first and second opposed wall panels, respectively; and
- an article disposed in one of the first and second compartments, wherein a dimension of the article extends beyond an upper margin of the carton.
28. The carton of claim 27, wherein the divider is separate from the carton and may be removed from the carton and re-inserted therein.
29. The carton of claim 27, wherein a plurality of articles are disposed in the first and/or second compartments and each of the articles includes a dimension that extends beyond an upper margin of the carton.
30. The carton of claim 27, where both the first and second opposed wall panels extend at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the base panel.
31. The carton of claim 30, wherein the first and second opposed wall panels extend toward one another.
32. The carton of claim 31, wherein the first and second opposed wall panels each extend at an angle of between about 75 degrees and about 85 degrees with respect to the base panel.
33. The carton of claim 32, wherein the first and second opposed wall panels each extend at an angle of between about 77.5 degrees and about 80.5 degrees with respect to the base panel.
34. The carton of claim 32, wherein the first and second opposed wall panels each extend at an angle of about 79.38 degrees with respect to the base panel.
35. The carton of claim 27, wherein one of the first or second wall panels includes a cutout portion for viewing contents of the carton.
36. A carton blank, comprising:
- a base panel;
- first and second opposed wall panels connected to first and second opposite edges of the base panel, respectively, wherein the second wall panel includes a cutout portion therein for viewing of contents when erected;
- third and fourth opposed wall panels connected to third and fourth opposite edges of the base panel, respectively;
- first and second side flaps extending from first and second opposite edges of the first wall panel; and
- third and fourth side flaps extending from first and second opposite edges of the second wall panel.
37. The carton blank of claim 36, wherein the first and second wall panels are connected to the base panel by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a half inch in length and scores that are a half inch in length.
38. The carton blank of claim 36, wherein the third and fourth wall panels are connected to the base panel by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a half inch in length and scores that are a half inch in length.
39. The carton blank of claim 36, wherein the first and second side flaps are connected to the first wall panel by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a quarter inch in length and scores that are a quarter inch in length.
40. The carton blank of claim 36, wherein the third and fourth side flaps are connected to the second wall panel by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a quarter inch in length and scores that are a quarter inch in length.
41. The carton blank of claim 36, in combination with a second blank.
42. The carton blank of claim 41, wherein the second blank includes first and second main panels connected to one another.
43. The carton blank of claim 42, wherein the second blank further includes first and second stabilizing flaps extending from first and second opposite sides of the first main panel.
44. The carton blank of claim 43, wherein the second blank further includes third and fourth stabilizing flaps extending from first and second opposite sides of the second main panel.
45. The carton blank of claim 44, wherein the first panel section further includes first and second side flaps extending from the first and second opposite edges of the first wall panel.
46. The carton blank of claim 45, wherein the first panel section further includes third and fourth side flaps extending from first and second opposite edges of the second wall panel.
47. A carton blank, comprising:
- a base panel;
- first and second opposed wall panels connected to first and second opposite edges of the base panel, respectively, wherein the second wall panel includes a cutout portion therein for viewing of contents when erected;
- third and fourth opposed wall panels connected to third and fourth opposite edges of the base panel, respectively;
- a first connector flap extending between and connected to the first and third wall panels;
- a second connector flap extending between and connected to the second and third wall panels;
- a third connector flap extending between and connected to the first and fourth wall panels; and
- a fourth connector flap extending between and connected to the second and fourth wall panels.
48. The carton blank of claim 47, wherein the first and second wall panels are connected to the base panel by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a half inch in length and scores that are a half inch in length
49. The carton blank of claim 47, wherein the third and fourth wall panels are connected to the base panel by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a half inch in length and scores that are a half inch in length
50. The carton blank of claim 47, wherein the first connector flap is connected to the first and third wall panels by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a quarter inch in length and scores that are a quarter inch in length.
51. The carton blank of claim 50, wherein the first connector flap includes a score line down a center thereof.
52. The carton blank of claim 47, wherein the second connector flap is connected to the second and third wall panels by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a quarter inch in length and scores that are a quarter inch in length.
53. The carton blank of claim 52, wherein the second connector flap includes a score line down a center thereof.
54. The carton blank of claim 47, wherein the third connector flap is connected to the first and fourth wall panels by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a quarter inch in length and scores that are a quarter inch in length.
55. The carton blank of claim 54, wherein the third connector flap includes a score line down a center thereof.
56. The carton blank of claim 47, wherein the fourth connector flap is connected to the second and fourth wall panels by alternating fully cut-through portions that are a quarter inch in length and scores that are a quarter inch in length.
57. The carton blank of claim 56, wherein the fourth connector flap includes a score line down a center thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: May 19, 2004
Publication Date: Nov 24, 2005
Inventors: Marc Frosch (Racine, WI), Randall Friebe (Bay City, MI), William Rice (Round Lake Beach, IL), Alan Linder (Waukesha, WI)
Application Number: 10/848,682