Abstract: A severable carton wall includes a substantially vertically disposed composite wall formed from a pair of overlapping panels joined along a seam, and a frangible line extending across the composite wall, traversing the seam, defining a removable upper portion of the composite wall. An extensively-weakened segment of the frangible line that substantially traverses the seam is shaped and disposed such that the extensively-weakened segment defines a notch in the removable upper portion within the seam of the removable upper portion. The extensively-weakened segment includes a pair of cut lines formed respectively in the end portions of the panels such that the cut lines define a pair of secured protrusions formed respectively from the panels and extending upwardly from the lower portion of the composite wall.

Abstract: A frangible line defines a line of severance by extending across a carton wall that has a seam. The frangible line is extensively weakened along a predetermined segment where it traverses the seam. Preferably, the predetermined segment is extensively weakened by substantially disjoining the panel regions on either side of the line. Disjoinder is preferably achieved by making the predetermined segment a cut line.

Abstract: A carton includes a top panel, a pair of opposed end panels, and an integral strap handle that has a medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions and opposed end portions. The opposed end portions are formed from the end panels while the medial and wider portions are formed from the top panel. The strap handle is movable from a stowed position where the medial and wider portions lie in the plane of the top panel to a use position where the medial portion is arched upwardly from the plane of the top panel. The strap handle defines in the top panel an opening extending across the top panel. A relief notch is formed in the top panel at a location directly adjoining each wider portion along a complementary side edge of the opening.

Abstract: A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature with a built-in retention feature capable of being utilized as a promotional flag. A plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. A displaceable portion at the end of the carton may be detached from the carton end to define an opening for dispensing the articles from within the carton. Within the interior of the erected carton is a panel portion that is obscured from view within the carton prior to the displaceable portion being at least partially detached from the carton. The panel portion is exposed to the exterior of the carton through the opening by at least partial detachment of the displaceable portion from the carton. A distal end of the panel portion extends into the opening for restraining articles within the carton. The panel portion may also be used as an ad panel to allow greater promotional flexibility.

Abstract: A frangible line defines a line of severance by extending across a carton wall that has a seam. The frangible line is extensively weakened along a predetermined segment where it traverses the seam. Preferably, the predetermined segment is extensively weakened by substantially disjoining the panel regions on either side of the line. Disjoinder is preferably achieved by making the predetermined segment a cut line.

Abstract: A carton includes a top panel, a pair of opposed end panels, and an integral strap handle that has a medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions and opposed end portions. The opposed end portions are formed from the end panels while the medial and wider portions are formed from the top panel. The strap handle is movable from a stowed position where the medial and wider portions lie in the plane of the top panel to a use position where the medial portion is arched upwardly from the plane of the top panel. The strap handle defines in the top panel an opening extending across the top panel. A relief notch is formed in the top panel at a location directly adjoining each wider portion along a complementary side edge of the opening.

Abstract: A carton has a tubular structure that is separable along a circumferential region of the carton into compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges. In one embodiment, the hinge member is substantially elliptical. In another embodiment, an aperture is formed in the hinge member for lifting the carton.

Abstract: A beverage carton has a center panel, a left panel foldably connected to the center panel along a left fold line, a right panel foldably connected to the center panel along a right fold line, and a strap handle formed from the center, left and right panels. The strap handle extends transversely, instead of longitudinally, across the center panel between the left and right panels to absorb lifting forces in the side panels rather than end panels of the carton.

Abstract: A handle structure for a carton is formed within a panel having a opposing side edges and opposing end edges that intersect to form corners of the handle panel, the handle structure. A strap member is integrally conjoined with the handle panel and extends between the end edges. Opposing strap edges are substantially disjoined from the handle panel. The strap member includes a substantially centrally disposed region wherein opposing central strap edge segments of the opposing strap edges are substantially parallel to and mediate the opposing side edges.

Abstract: A handle structure for a carton 12 is formed within a panel 20, 28 having a strap member 14, 44, 46 extending between end edges of the panel. An elongated web 54 extends diagonally from an intersection of side and end edges of the panel. The elongated web 54 includes a perforated line 57 and a score line 56 intermediate the perforated line and the end edge of the panel. A connecting tab 70 lies intermediate the end region of the strap member and foldably interconnects the strap member with a region of the panel that lies between the strap member and one of the side edges of the panel. The perforated line and score line of the elongated web intersect at a point distal the vertex of side and end edges.

Abstract: A handle structure for a carton 12 is formed within a panel 20, 28 having a strap member 14, 44, 46 extending between end edges of the panel. An elongated web 54 extends diagonally from an intersection of side and end edges of the panel. The elongated web 54 includes a perforated line 57 and a score line 56 intermediate the perforated line and the end edge of the panel. A connecting tab 70 lies intermediate the end region of the strap member and foldably interconnects the strap member with a region of the panel that lies between the strap member and one of the side edges of the panel. The perforated line and score line of the elongated web intersect at a point distal the vertex of side and end edges.

Abstract: A panel interlocking arrangement includes first and second panels to be disposed in an overlapping relationship and a pair of locking and retaining tabs struck from the first and second panels, respectively. The retaining tab defines in the second panel a locking aperture for receiving the locking tab. The locking tab is foldably joined along a fold line to the first panel and extends to its free end edge opposed to the fold line. The locking tab includes a wing defined along one of its opposite side edges. The wing extends away from the free edge of the locking tab beyond the fold line. One of the end edges of the locking aperture is adapted to engage the locking tab when the locking tab is received in the locking aperture whereas the other end edge of the locking aperture is foldably joined to the retaining tab. The retaining tab extends from the other end edge of the aperture to its distal end edge.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for panels includes a first panel, a locking tab extending from the first panel, a second panel having a main portion, and a leading portion connected thereto along a plurality of collinear panel fold lines, and a pair of locking slits defined in the second panel. Each locking slit extends at least from a first point disposed astride one of the panel fold lines, into the leading portion and to a second point disposed on the main portion, and the locking slits defining therebetween a strut panel. The locking tab is received into the slits, and is held between the strut panel and the second panel. A strut fold line may be disposed across the strut panel from the locking slit to the cut edge substantially in parallel to the panel fold line, the strut fold line being disposed in an offset relationship to the panel fold line in a direction toward the leading portion, whereby folding of the leading portion at least partially opens the locking slit for receiving the locking tab thereinto.

Abstract: An interlocking arrangement for panels comprises first and second panels, a locking tab extending from the first panel, an alignment tongue extending from the distal edge of the locking tab, a second panel, a locking slit defined in the second panel for receiving the locking tab, and an alignment slit defined also in the second panel for receiving the tongue when the locking tab is received in the locking slit. The locking tab has a head defining a widened locking shoulder disposed along at least one of its side edges. The shoulder of the locking tab is designed to engage the locking slit to retain the locking tab within the locking slit. The locking slit is disposed alongside the leading edge of the second panel. The alignment slit is disposed adjacent to the locking slit such that the locking slit is interposed between the alignment slit and the leading edge of the second panel.

Abstract: A carton formed from sheet material for containers such as cans or bottles includes a top wall, a pair of side walls and a bottom wall interconnected to form a tubular structure. A notional strip is defined along the top wall, having notional side edges, and extends between the end edges and has a width less than the distance between the side edges. A pair of hand apertures is defined in the top panel, disposed generally astride the notional strip and generally along the notional side edges. A cut line is formed in the top panel and extends from an end edge of the aperture along one of the notional side edges and curves away therefrom to a termination point, the cut line defining a radius of curvature and an area within the arc of curvature. At least one score line is defined in the top panel and extends from a first point disposed within the radius of curvature generally to an adjacent corner of the top panel.

Abstract: A divider panel (10, 11) has a major panel (12) with an anchor flap (14) foldably adjoining an edge thereof. The anchor panel (14) has an aperture (16) which is positioned for alignment with an aperture (8) in a carton (7) in which the divider panel (10, 11) is disposed.

Abstract: A carton (10) has opposing side walls (22, 24) adjoining top (66, 46) and bottom (14) walls forming the tube portion of the carton (10). Opposing end closures adjoin the end portions of the tube. The top wall (46, 66) of the carton is multiple-ply with the inner-most ply (46) having a drop-down separator panel (48). The separator panel (48) has a configuration and placement which is compatible with an opening feature formed in the outer-most ply (66).

Abstract: A package includes a plurality of cylindrical beverage cans (10) arranged into at least two tiers with a carton disposed around the cans. A paperboard divider panel (30) is disposed between and in contact with the cans of adjacent tiers. The divider panel includes a plurality of apertures (32), each of the apertures having a generally circular edge concentric with the cylindrical axis of upper and lower cans and having a diameter (D4) smaller than the base of the upper can. The divider panel further includes a substantially circular embossment (38) concentric with each of the apertures, the embossment having an outer diameter generally equal to the diameter of the top flange of the lower can.

Abstract: In a method of forming a package of cylindrical beverage cans, a predetermined number of cans is arranged to define a first tier. An insert panel is placed onto the first tier, having formed therein a plurality of substantially circular debossments, each debossment having a diameter not greater than the can top diameter and not less than the can bottom diameter. The debossments are arranged so that one debossment is positioned concentrically on top of each can of the lower tier. Onto the insert panel is placed a second tier of cans by sliding movement of each can along the insert panel until the can is positioned with its bottom seated within one debossment. The first tier, insert panel and second tier are slid together as a unit into a carton through its open end.

Abstract: A package comprises a plurality of beverage cans arranged into a group of at least two vertically-aligned tiers, a carton disposed around the exterior of the group of the cans, and a divider panel disposed between upper and lower adjacent tiers. Each can has a cylindrical side wall defining an axis. The cans in each tier have their axes disposed vertically and parallel to each other. The carton includes top and bottom panels interconnected by a pair of side panels to form a tubular structure, and a pair of end closure structures disposed to close opposite open ends of the tubular structure. The end closure structures are connected to the tubular structure and are disposed substantially adjacent the side walls of the cans of the group along opposite ends of the group. The divider panel is provided with a pair of anchor flaps which are secured to the end closure structures.