Slanted Retail Shipper Display

Abstract

A carton including a back panel and a bottom panel is provided. The back panel is foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel and a second accordion panel is foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel. The back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel are movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. In the second position, the back panel moves toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is substantially parallel the bottom panel, and the first accordion panel is disposed diagonally between the second fold line and the back panel. Articles in the carton thus can be slanted toward the back panel in the second position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/216,168, which was filed on May 14, 2009.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/216,168, which was filed on May 14, 2009, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Packaging materials such as cartons are useful for holding and transporting articles. Some cartons are useful as containers to hold other articles, including other cartons, for example, for use on a retailer's shelf or shelving. In order to facilitate dispensing of articles from a carton, it generally is beneficial to form a dispenser with a portion of the carton.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to blanks, packages, or cartons for holding and/or dispensing products such as, for example, bottles, cans, rolls, or other containers or articles.

In one aspect, the present invention includes a carton including an upper portion and a lower portion separated by at least one tear line. The carton includes a back panel and a bottom panel. The back panel is foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel, and a second accordion panel is foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel. The back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel are movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are oriented or arranged substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. In the second position, the back panel is moved toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is disposed substantially parallel the bottom panel, and the first accordion panel is disposed generally at a diagonal or an angle defined between the second fold line and the back panel.

The at least one tear line of the carton can include a first tear line and a second tear line that each can extend around approximately half of the carton. The ends of the first tear line and the second tear line generally meet adjacent one another to form a substantially continuous tear line around the carton. The upper portion of the carton is removable from the lower portion by separating along the first tear line and the second tear line. A flap also can be provided above the back panel.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a package comprising a plurality of articles and a carton for containing and/or dispensing such articles. The carton generally comprises an upper portion and a lower portion separated by at least one tear line. The carton includes at least a back panel and a bottom panel, with the back panel having two accordion panels at a lower portion of the back panel. The back panel is foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel of the two accordion panels, and a second accordion panel is foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel. The back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel are movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. In the second position, the back panel is moved downward in a direction toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is disposed substantially parallel the bottom panel, and the first accordion panel generally is disposed at a diagonal or an angle defined between the second fold line and the back panel.

The at least one tear line of the package can include a first tear line and a second tear line that each can extend around approximately half of the carton. The ends of the first tear line and the second tear line generally meet adjacent one another to form a substantially continuous tear line around the carton. The upper portion generally is removable from the lower portion by separating along the first tear line and the second tear line. A flap extends above the back panel. When the back panel is moved to the second position, the articles in the carton are slanted toward the back panel.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a blank comprising a first panel that is connected to a second panel along a first fold line, the second panel is connected to a third panel along a second fold line, the third panel is connected to a fourth panel along a third fold line, the fourth panel is connected to a first accordion panel along a fourth fold line, and the first accordion panel is connected to a second accordion panel along a fifth fold line. A first end flap is connected along a sixth fold line to the second panel at a first end of the blank. A second end flap is connected along a seventh fold line to the second panel at a second end of the blank. A third end flap is connected along an eighth fold line to the fourth panel at the first end of the blank. A fourth end flap is connected along a ninth fold line to the fourth panel at the second end of the blank. A first tear line extends across the first end flap, the second panel, and the second end flap. A second tear line extends across the third end flap, the fourth panel, and the fourth end flap. The first end flap, the second end flap, the third end flap, and the fourth end flap each include at least one angled edge that allow the fourth panel to move toward the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel when the blank is formed into a carton.

An opening assisting device can be included along the first tear line and along the second tear line. The opening assisting device can be an opening, a finger flap, or similar opening feature. In order to form the blank into a carton, the first and third end flaps overlap and the second and fourth end flaps overlap.

In another aspect, a method of slanting articles in a package is provided. The package comprises a plurality of articles and a carton for storing and dispensing the articles. The method includes providing the carton including an upper portion and a lower portion separated by at least one tear line, and at least a back panel and a bottom panel. The back panel has two accordion panels at a lower portion. The back panel is foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel of the two accordion panels. A second accordion panel is foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel. The back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel are movable between a first position and a second position. The method further comprises filling the carton with the plurality of articles and moving the back panel of the carton from a first position to a second position to slant at least one of the plurality of articles in a rearward direction. In the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. In the second position, the back panel is moved downward in a direction toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is disposed substantially parallel the bottom panel, and the first accordion panel generally is disposed at a diagonal or an angle defined between the second fold line and the back panel.

The at least one tear line includes a first tear line and a second tear line that each extend around approximately half of the carton. The ends of the first tear line and the second tear line meet adjacent one another to form a substantially continuous tear line around the carton. The upper portion is removable from the lower portion by separating along the first tear line and the second tear line. The first end and the second end of the carton are formed by overlapping end flaps.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary 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 illustrate more clearly the embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carton blank.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a front portion of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a back portion of the carton of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the lower portion of the carton of FIG. 2 with the dispenser portion removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the carton of FIG. 4 with the accordion panels engaged to lower the back wall of the carton.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the lower portion of the carton with product disposed therein.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the lower portion of the carton with the accordion feature engaged and with the product slanted toward the rear of the lower portion of the carton.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure generally relates to cartons suitable for storing and dispensing contents or articles, methods of erecting such cartons from a carton blank, methods of dispensing from the formed carton, and a carton for and methods for slanting or tilting product within the carton toward a rear portion of the carton. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the detailed description below describes several embodiments of the invention within the context of a carton with an opener for dispensing contents or articles from the carton. Further, references herein to “end,” “side,” “front,” “rear,” “bottom,” and “top” refer to orientations and positions of elements when the carton is erected and/or disposed in an upright orientation. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and “oblique,” and any variations thereof, generally refer to the location and/or orientation of an element or line with respect to a drawing figure in which it appears. Reference characters shared among the various embodiments disclosed herein include similar parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an outer facing surface 1 of a carton blank 5 from which a carton 100 (FIGS. 2-5) can be erected. The blank 5 (FIG. 1) includes a first side 4, a second side 6, an adhesive panel 7, a first panel 10, a second panel 20, a third panel 30, a fourth panel 40, a fifth panel 50, and a sixth panel 60. Panel 20 is separated into first panel portion 18 and second panel portion 19. Panel 40 is separated into third panel portion 38, fourth panel portion 39, and panel flap 90. Adhesive flap 7 is foldably connected along fold line 11 to panel 10, panel 10 is foldably connected along fold line 21 to second panel portion 19, first panel portion 18 is foldably connected along fold line 31 to panel 30, panel 30 is foldably connected along fold line 41 to fourth panel portion 39, third panel portion 38 is foldably connected along fold line 51 to panel 50, and panel 50 is foldably connected along fold line 61 to panel 60. First panel portion 18 and second panel portion 19 are separated by tear line segments 71 and 74 of tear line 70. Panel flap 90 is disposed between third panel portion 38 and fourth panel portion 39, with panel flap 90 being connected along fold line 83 to third panel portion 38 and with panel flap 90 separated along tear line segment 84 from fourth panel portion 39. Third panel portion 38 is separated from fourth panel portion 39 along tear line segments 81 and 91.

As indicated in FIG. 1, blank 5 includes end flaps 12, 22, 26, 32, 42 and 46 disposed along the first side 4 and end flaps 14, 24, 28, 34, 44 and 48 disposed along the second side 6 of the blank. End flap 12 is connected along a fold line 13 at the first end 4 of panel 10. End flap 14 is foldably connected along a fold line 15 at the second end 6 of panel 10. End flap 22 is foldably connected along a fold line 23 to the second panel portion 19. End flap 26 is foldably connected to the first panel portion 18 along fold line 27. End flap 22 and end flap 26 are separated along tear line segment 72 of tear line 70. End flap 24 is foldably connected along a fold line 25 to the second panel portion 19, while end flap 28 is foldably connected along a fold line 29 to the first panel portion 18. End flap 24 and end flap 28 are separated along tear line segment 76 of tear line 70. End flap 32 is foldably connected along a fold line 33 to the panel 30, while end flap 32 is foldably connected along fold line 35 to panel 30.

End flap 46 is foldably connected along fold line 47 to fourth panel portion 39, and end flap 42 is foldably connected along fold line 43 to third panel portion 38. The end flaps 42 and 46 are separated along tear line segment 82 of tear line 80. End flap 48 is foldably connected along a fold line 49 to the fourth panel portion 39, and end flap 44 is foldably connected along fold line 45 to the third panel portion 38. End flap 44 and end flap 48 are separated along tear line segment 86 of tear line 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the end flaps 12, 14, 22, 24, 42, 44 typically can include angled configurations that will enable the accordion panels 50 and 60 to lower the third panel portion 38 toward the panel 30 when the blank 5 is configured in a carton configuration (FIGS. 2-5).

As FIG. 1 indicates, fold lines 13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 43, 45, 47, and 49 are generally transverse to fold lines 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, and 61. One or more of fold lines 13, 23, 27, 33, 43, 47 could be replaced by a single fold line, such as indicated at 53, and one or more of fold lines 15, 25, 29, 35, 45, and 49 could be replaced by a single fold line, such as indicated at 55. End flaps 12, 14, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 34, 42, 44, 46, and 48 generally extend in a direction away from respective fold lines 13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 43, 45, 47, and 49 toward periphery 8 of blank 5. Further, in view of “panels,” the surfaces of carton 100 (FIG. 2) formed from the blank 5 can be referred to as “walls” or “sides.” Further still, the panels 10, 20, 30, 40 can be referred to as the surfaces they forms when constructed in the form of a carton, such as the carton shown in FIGS. 2-5. For example, panel 10 can be referenced as bottom panel, panel 20 can be referenced as first side panel, panel 30 can be referenced as top panel, and panel 40 can be referenced as second side panel. Additionally, end flaps 12, 22, 26, 32, 42, 46 can be closed to form a first carton end, and end flaps 14, 24, 28, 34, 44, 48 can be closed to form a second carton end.

As indicated above, tear lines 70 and 80 can be separated into tear line segments. Tear line 70 can include segments 71, 72, 74, and 76, which also can be formed as a continuous tear, line or less than all segments can extend as continuous. As shown in FIG. 1, tear line segments 71 and 74 are separated by an opening, finger flap, or finger hole 78, which is defined along its periphery by cut or fold line 79. Tear line 70 extends to a notch 75 at the periphery 8 of end flaps 22 and 26 at the first end 4. Tear line 70 extends to a notch 77 at the periphery 8 of end flaps 24 and 28 at the second end 6. Tear line 80 is shown in FIG. 1 with tear line segments 81, 82, 84, 86, and 91. Tear line segment 84 is separated into two portions by an opening, finger flap, or finger hole 88, which is defined along its periphery by cut or fold line 89. Tear line 80 extends to a notch 85 at the periphery 8 of end flaps 42 and 46 at the first end 4. Tear line 80 extends to a notch 87 at the periphery 8 of end flaps 44 and 48 at the second end 6. Notches 75, 77, 85, and 87 are included for various reasons, such as to assist in the separation of the dispensing portion 95 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the carton 100 along tear line segments 70 and 80.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1. The blank 5 may be folded from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by folding the blank along fold lines 11, 21, 31, 41, and 51 such that the panels 10 and 30 extend substantially parallel to each other, and that the panels 20 and 40 extend substantially parallel to each other between the first panel 10 and the second panel 30 to form the carton 100. During a folding sequence, the end flaps are folded toward an interior area of the carton, with either the end flaps along the first side 4 or the end flaps along the second side 6 folded inward first. At end 4, end flap 12 and end flap 32 are folded inwardly along fold lines 13 and 33, respectively, so as to extend substantially perpendicular to panels 10 and 30. End flaps 22 and 26 and end flaps 42 and 46 are folded along fold lines 23, 27, and 43, 47, respectively, so as to extend substantially perpendicular to panels 20 and 40. End flaps 22 and 42 and end flaps 46 and 26 will generally partially overlap and, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, generally, end flaps 22 and 26 will overlap over end flaps 42 and 46 along the first carton side 4. Along the second side 6, end flap 14 and end flap 34 are folded along fold lines 15 and 35, respectively, so as to extend substantially perpendicular to panels 10 and 30. End flaps 24, 28 and end flaps 44 and 48 are folded along fold lines 25, 29, and 45, 49, respectively, so as to extend substantially perpendicular to panels 20 and 40. End flaps 24 and 28 and end flaps 44 and 48 will generally partially overlap and, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, end flaps 24 and 28 generally will overlap over end flaps 44 and 48 along the second carton side. When folded to form the carton 100, tear lines 70 and 80 are disposed in an essentially continuous alignment to define an upper carton half 95 and a lower carton half 93, with the upper carton half 95 comprising a dispensing portion. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening or finger flap 78 disposed at a lower portion of the carton 100.

FIG. 3 shows the back view of the carton of FIG. 2, with the opening or finger flap 88 disposed at an upper portion of carton 100.

FIG. 4 shows the lower portion of the carton with the dispensing portion 95 removed from the carton. Generally, the dispensing portion 95 is removed by a user inserting their finger or another object into opening or finger flap 78 or 88 to detach the dispensing portion 95 from the lower portion 93 along tear line 78 and tear line 80. Once the dispensing portion 95 is removed from the lower portion 93, product P (FIGS. 6 and 7) can be removed from the carton 100. As shown in FIG. 4, panels 50 and 60 are disposed generally parallel to panel 40. When formed into a carton, adhesive flap 7 generally is attached to panel 60, such as by an adhesive such as glue.

FIG. 5 shows the lower portion of the carton with the accordion feature engaged. When desired, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, the panel 40, here acting as a back panel, is compressed downwardly with panels 50 and 60 collapsing or folding along fold lines 51 and 61 in an accordion manner to dispose these panels in an orientation non-parallel to panel 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, panel 60 is folded downwardly so as to be parallel to bottom panel 10 and panel 50 is moved outwardly to be disposed in a slanted or diagonal orientation, extending between the connection to panel 60 (along fold line 61) to the connection with third panel portion 38 (along fold line 51). In this manner, panels 50 and 60 accordion, compress, or otherwise collapse into an orientation that lowers panel 40 toward bottom panel 10. By lowering panel 40 toward bottom panel 10, articles or product in lower portion 93 are slanted rearward, or otherwise disposed in an orientation that influences slanting or leaning of product toward the rear of the lower portion 93 as indicated in FIG. 7. This orientation also mitigates tendency of the product from falling forward, i.e. away from third panel portion 38. The present accordion feature thus provides a carton that enables, for example, product disposed on a retailer's shelf to be oriented to slant the product in a rearward direction to allow, for example, ease of viewing of product disposed in lower portion 93 and to keep product from falling out of lower portion 93 (which can occur if the product slanted forward instead of rearward).

FIG. 6 shows the front view of the lower portion of the carton with product disposed therein. The back panel is at a first position 200. FIG. 7 shows the front view of the lower portion of the carton with the accordion feature engaged and with the product slanted toward the rear of the lower portion of the carton. The back panel has moved from the first position 200 to a second position 300.

Generally, the carton is filled with items, such as pizzas, etc. for example, to form a package. The carton can be sized to accommodate any number of items. Generally, the items are contained in the package for shipping to a point-of-sale vendor (e.g., grocery store). Optionally, at the point-of-sale vendor, the package can be converted to a display unit for displaying the items to consumers.

The flaps and panels detailed herein generally are secured to form a package, or carton. It is understood that forming the carton, packing the carton, and/or loading the carton and methods that differ than the forming, packing, and/or loading configurations discussed herein are within the scope of the disclosure.

In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper of at least about 13, for example, so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank 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 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 blanks further may be coated with a varnish to protect 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. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or panels adhered together by glue. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure paperboard or carton panels in place, and the adhesive material can be replaced by, or supplemented with any suitable fastening devices.

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. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, 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: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends 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 combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.

As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, cut line, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

Any dimensions shown in the figures are exemplary only and can be expanded or contracted, such as to accommodate items of different sizes, configurations, or dimensions. These dimensions should not be construed as limiting in any manner.

The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, 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. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments that are within the scope of the claims. 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.

Claims

1. A carton comprising:

an upper portion and a lower portion separated by at least one tear line;

the carton including at least a back panel and a bottom panel; the back panel having two accordion panels at a lower portion; the back panel being foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel of the two accordion panels, a second accordion panel being foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel;

the back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel being movable between a first position and a second position;

in the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel; and

in the second position, the back panel is moved downward in a direction toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is disposed substantially parallel the bottom panel and the first accordion panel is disposed at an angle between the second fold line and the back panel.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein the at least one tear line includes a first tear line and a second tear line that each extend around approximately half of the carton.

3. The carton of claim 2 wherein ends of the first tear line and the second tear line meet adjacent one another to form a substantially continuous tear line around the carton.

4. The carton of claim 3 wherein the upper portion is removable from the lower portion by separating along the first tear line and the second tear line.

5. The carton of claim 1 wherein a flap extends above the back panel.

6. A package comprising:

a plurality of articles; and,

a carton; the carton comprising: an upper portion and a lower portion separated by at least one tear line; the carton including at least a back panel and a bottom panel; the back panel having two accordion panels at a lower portion; the back panel being foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel of the two accordion panels, a second accordion panel being foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel; the back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel being movable between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel; in the second position, the back panel is moved downward in a direction toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is disposed substantially parallel the bottom panel and the first accordion panel is disposed at a diagonal between the second fold line and the back panel.

7. The package of claim 6 wherein the at least one tear line includes a first tear line and a second tear line that each extend around approximately half of the carton.

8. The package of claim 7 wherein ends of the first tear line and the second tear line meet adjacent one another to form a substantially continuous tear line around the carton.

9. The package of claim 8 wherein the upper portion is removable from the lower portion by separating along the first tear line and the second tear line.

10. The package of claim 6 wherein a flap extends above the back panel.

11. The package of claim 6 wherein the articles are slanted toward the back panel in the second position.

12. A blank comprising:

a first panel connected to a second panel along a first fold line;

the second panel connected to a third panel along a second fold line;

the third panel connected to a fourth panel along a third fold line;

the fourth panel connected to a first accordion panel along a fourth fold line;

the first accordion panel connected to a second accordion panel along a fifth fold line;

a first end flap connected along a sixth fold line to the second panel at a first end of the blank;

a second end flap connected along a seventh fold line to the second panel at a second end of the blank;

a third end flap connected along an eighth fold line to the fourth panel at the first end of the blank;

a fourth end flap connected along a ninth fold line to the fourth panel at the second end of the blank;

a first tear line that extends across the first end flap, the second panel, and the second end flap;

a second tear line that extends across the third end flap, the fourth panel, and the fourth end flap;

wherein the first end flap, the second end flap, the third end flap, and the fourth end flap each include at least one angled edge that allow the fourth panel to move toward the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel when the blank is formed into a carton.

13. The blank of claim 12 wherein an opening assisting device is included along the first tear line and along the second tear line.

14. The blank of claim 13 wherein the opening assisting device is an opening or a finger flap.

15. The blank of claim 11 wherein, to form the blank into a carton, the first and third end flaps overlap and the second and fourth end flaps overlap.

16. A method of slanting articles in a package, the package comprising a plurality of articles and a carton, the method comprising:

providing the carton; the carton including an upper portion and a lower portion separated by at least one tear line; the carton including at least a back panel and a bottom panel; the back panel having two accordion panels at a lower portion; the back panel being foldably connected along a first fold line to a first accordion panel of the two accordion panels, a second accordion panel being foldably connected along a second fold line to the first accordion panel; the back panel, the first accordion panel, and the second accordion panel being movable between a first position and a second position;

filling the carton with the plurality of articles; and

moving the back panel of the carton from a first position to a second position to slant at least one of the plurality of articles in a rearward direction;

wherein in the first position, the first accordion panel and the second accordion panel are substantially parallel to the back panel and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel;

wherein in the second position, the back panel is moved downward in a direction toward the bottom panel, the second accordion panel is disposed substantially parallel the bottom panel and the first accordion panel is disposed at a diagonal between the second fold line and the back panel.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one tear line includes a first tear line and a second tear line that each extend around approximately half of the carton.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein ends of the first tear line and the second tear line meet adjacent one another to form a substantially continuous tear line around the carton.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the upper portion is removable from the lower portion by separating along the first tear line and the second tear line.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the first end and the second end of the carton are formed by overlapping end flaps.