Carton With Dispenser
A carton for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a dispenser extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels. The dispenser can comprise at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be foldably connected to the panel. At least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be biased toward a closed position. The first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/427,652, filed on Nov. 23, 2022.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEThe disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/427,652, which was filed on Nov. 23, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to cartons/boxes for holding and/or dispensing sheeted material or other types of articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to dispensers for dispensing sheeted material, such as facial tissues, towels, wipes, cloths, etc. from cartons/boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a carton for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a dispenser extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels. The dispenser can comprise at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be foldably connected to the panel. At least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be biased toward a closed position. The first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a carton and a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a dispenser extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels. The dispenser can comprise at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be foldably connected to the panel. At least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be biased toward a closed position. The first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carton for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets. The blank can comprise a plurality of panels and dispenser features extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels for forming a dispenser in the carton formed from the blank. The dispenser can comprise at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be foldably connected to the panel. At least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be biased toward a closed position. The first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet when the carton is formed from the blank.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carton for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets. The method can comprise obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and dispenser features extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels. The dispenser features can comprise at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be foldably connected to the panel. The method further can comprise forming a carton by folding the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet. At least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap can be biased toward a closed position.
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.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTThe present disclosure generally relates to boxes/cartons that contain articles such as sheeted materials. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes sheeted material such as paper tissue, cloth items, wet wipes, etc. In exemplary embodiments the sheeted materials can include consumer products and hygiene products. The sheeted materials can be made from suitable materials for the consumer/hygiene application, including, but not limited to, polymers/plastics such as polyester, polypropylene, and/or rayon fibers formed into sheets; natural/renewable materials such as cotton, wood pulp, etc. formed into sheets; composite materials; woven and/or non-woven materials; and the like, or any combination thereof.
Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes sheeted materials that may be interleaved or solely sheeted (e.g., tissues, towels, wipes, etc.) as disposed within the carton embodiments. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “outer,” “interior,” “exterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons. As described herein, cartons/boxes can be formed from blanks by being glued with multiple panels, portions, tabs, and/or flaps. Such panels, portions, tabs, and/or flaps may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or nonsequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.
The blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 comprises a top panel 115 foldably connected to a first side panel 117 at a first lateral fold line 119, a bottom panel 121 foldably connected to the first side panel 117 at a second lateral fold line 123, a second side panel 125 foldably connected to the top panel 115 at a third lateral fold line 127, and an attachment flap 129 foldably connected to the second side panel 115 at a fourth lateral fold line 131. Any of the top and bottom panels 115, 121 and the side panels 117, 125 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the attachment flap 129 could be foldably connected to the bottom panel 121. Additionally, the blank 103 alternatively could include two top panels cooperating to form a top of the box, two bottom panels cooperating to form a bottom of the box, or two side panels that cooperate to form one of the sides of the box.
The top panel 115 is foldably connected to a first top end flap 133 and a second top end flap 135. The first side panel 117 is foldably connected to a first side end flap 137 and a second side end flap 139. The bottom panel 121 is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap 141 and a second bottom end flap 143. The second side panel 125 is foldably connected to a first side end flap 145 and a second side end flap 147. When the box 105 is erected, the top and bottom end flaps 133 and 141 and side end flaps 137 and 145 close a first end 191a of the box 105 (
In the illustrated embodiment, the top and bottom end flaps 133 and 141 and side end flaps 137 and 145 extend along a first marginal area of the blank 103 and are foldably connected at a first longitudinal fold line 162 that extends along the length of the blank. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the top and bottom end flaps 135 and 143 and side end flaps 139 and 147 extend along a second marginal area of the blank 103 and are foldably connected at a second longitudinal fold line 164 that also extends along the length of the blank. The longitudinal fold lines 162, 164 may be, for example, substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors.
As shown in
As shown in
Any of the dispenser flaps 171, the dispenser panel 173, the access flap 185, the fold lines 177, 187, and/or the tear lines 179, 181, 183a, 183b, 189 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. For example, an alternative blank 103′ is shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the box 105 can be erected from the blank 103 by folding the panels 115, 117, 121, 125 along the lateral fold lines 119, 123, 127, 131 and gluing the attachment flap 129 to the bottom panel 121 to form an open-ended sleeve (not shown). One or both of the ends 191a, 191b of the open-ended sleeve can be at least partially closed by folding the end flaps along the respective fold lines 162, 164 over the respective end. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheeted materials M are loaded into the open-ended sleeve before the ends 191a, 191b are closed. Alternatively, the sheeted materials M can be loaded before or after either of the ends 191a, 191b is closed. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 191a can be closed by folding the side end flaps 137, 145 along the longitudinal fold line 162 over the open first end of the open-ended sleeve, and then the top end flap 133 and the bottom end flap 141 can be folded along the longitudinal fold line 162 to overlap the side end flaps 137, 145. The overlapping end flaps 133, 137, 141, 145 can be glued together to at least partially secure the end flaps in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment, the end flaps 133, 137, 141, 145 could have different overlapping arrangements without departing from the disclosure.
The second end 191b can be closed in a similar manner as the first end 191a is closed. The package 106 including the erected box 105 with the sheeted materials M is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In embodiments, a subsequent sheet M2 can be drawn upwardly through the dispenser opening 175 with the pulled sheet M1 (e.g., due to friction between the sheets M1, M2 such as when the sheeted materials are interleaved), and the biased dispenser flaps 171 can help retain the subsequent sheet M2 as the pulled sheet M1 is pulled away from the dispenser 107 and the box 105. In exemplary embodiments, when the top sheet M1 is pulled away, the pressure on the dispenser flaps 171 caused by the upward urging by the pulled sheet can be removed and the bias of the dispenser flaps 171 can cause the dispenser flaps to move inwardly toward their closed position (e.g., can return nearly to their original position). As shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the curve of the arcuate fold lines 177 so that the arcuate fold lines 177 are concave with respect to the dispenser flaps 171 can help bias the dispenser flaps 171 toward their closed position. Accordingly, the dispenser flaps 171 can help retain the sheeted materials M in the box 105 and/or can at least partially close the dispenser opening 175 to help keep contaminants such as dust out of the interior of the box 105 (e.g., can protect the interior of the box from outside environs). In some embodiments, the arcuate fold lines 177 can cooperate with the grain direction of the blank 103 to bias the dispenser flaps 171. For example, the grain direction can be oriented in the longitudinal direction L1 of the blank and the arcuate fold lines 177 can extend predominantly in the lateral direction L2 (e.g., the arcuate fold lines 177 can extend predominantly in a direction that is perpendicular or oblique with respect to the grain direction of the blank 103).
In embodiments, the dispenser 107 and the other dispensers of the present application can provide advantages over other sheeted material dispensers. For example, some boxes configured to dispense sheeted materials can include a synthetic resin (e.g., a plastic film) attached to an interior surface of the top panel of a box along an opening in the top panel (e.g., formed by removing a tear-away panel from the top panel). In embodiments, the sheeted material can be dispensed through a slot extending in the plastic film and the opening in the top panel. The resilience and/or flexibility of the plastic film can help keep the slot at least partially closed (e.g., to help protect the sheeted materials in the box and/or to help keep contaminants out of the box), can facilitate the smooth removal of the sheeted materials through the dispenser at a single sheet at a time, and can help retain one or more sheets of the sheeted material in a ready position extending at least partially through the dispenser so that the sheet may be grasped and pulled from the box. However, the dispensers of the present application can include at least these functions/advantages without having additional materials attached to the blank (e.g., reducing materials, manufacturing steps, and cost) and without using plastic (e.g., reducing plastic waste from the life cycle of the packaging). The boxes of the present application also can reduce the introduction of mixed materials into a waste stream (e.g., making the packaging easier to recycle since the packaging does not include plastic attached to paperboard). Further, the dispensers of the present application allow the dispensing functions to be included in the box without adding to the material used to form the box and without increasing the size of the blank footprint. In embodiments, the dispensing features of the dispensers of the present application (e.g., the dispenser flaps, dispenser panels, etc.) can help maintain at least a portion of the structural integrity of the box (e.g., the rigidity/resistance to deformation of the box), such as when compared to a box with an opening rather than the dispenser features of the present application.
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the carton 305 can be formed by folding the panels 115, 125, 121, 117, 315 around the interior of the carton and folding the end flaps over the respective ends of the carton similarly to the prior embodiments, except that the outer top panel 115 is positioned to overlap the inner top panel 315 in order to form the top wall 316 (
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the outer dispenser flap 471a can at least partially overlap the inner dispenser flap 471b in the top wall 416 of the carton 405. As shown in
In embodiments, the disclosure can be generally directed to an opening for accessing sheeted material, the opening comprising a plurality of panels incorporated on the upper surface panel of a box. The dispenser can have an inner panel connected to outer panels by cuts and gaps, at least one holed or semi holed shape internally of the inner panel to assist the panel to be separated forcibly. A resulting inner panel void can allow access to the sheeted material. The outer panels can be held together by cuts and gaps to be split and can be biased inside or outside to return to a previous state. The outer panels can facilitate controlling material flow through position to engage with the material passing through the outer panel split sequentially. In embodiments, the material flow is non-reversable, and the access to the next sheeted material comes from the central section void.
In embodiments, the disclosure can be generally directed to an opening in a box made of cardboard, a formed box comprising of at least six sides, a box that at least has one side to be opened to insert sheeted material before closure, a box that has at least one side closure that may or may not use glue to help seal the box, a box that has different engineered side closures.
In embodiments, the disclosure can be generally directed to the outer panels when split to mimic the same or similar function as a synthetic resin glued to a box. This action abolishes and/or reduces the need for the synthetic resin and its combined effect to recycling and product life cycle. The use of the primary material for the opening and functions to be a complete package for the product.
Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Further, it is noted that the dispensing features of the various embodiments can be incorporated into a box or carton having any carton style or panel configuration. The carton styles and panel configurations described above are included by way of example.
The blanks according to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blank 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 blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blank may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blank can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.
In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, 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 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.
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, 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.
The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner 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 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. 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 for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets, the carton comprising:
- a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton; and
- a dispenser extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels, the dispenser comprising at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel, wherein at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is biased toward a closed position;
- wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along an arcuate fold line, and wherein the arcuate fold line is concave with respect to the first dispenser flap for biasing the first dispenser flap toward the closed position.
3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the first dispenser flap is at least partially separable from the panel along one or more tear lines.
4. The carton of claim 3, wherein the panel is a first panel, the arcuate fold line is a first arcuate fold line, and the one or more tear lines is one or more first tear lines, wherein the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to a second panel of the plurality of panels along a second arcuate fold line and is at least partially separable from the second panel along one or more second tear lines.
5. The carton of claim 2, wherein the arcuate fold line is a first arcuate fold line, and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a second arcuate fold line.
6. The carton of claim 5, wherein each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is at least partially separable from the panel along one or more tear lines.
7. The carton of claim 5, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are separable from one another along a tear line, and wherein the dispenser comprises a dispenser panel extending along the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap so that the dispenser panel interrupts the tear line.
8. The carton of claim 5, wherein the dispenser comprises a dispenser panel, the dispenser panel being at least partially separable from the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap along one or more tear lines.
9. The carton of claim 2, wherein the panel is a first panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second panel, and the first panel at least partially overlaps the second panel, and wherein the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the second panel and the first dispenser flap at least partially overlaps the second dispenser flap.
10. The carton of claim 1, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are separable from the panel and from one another along one or more tear lines.
11. The carton of claim 1, wherein each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a respective first fold line and second fold line.
12. The carton of claim 11, wherein the dispenser further comprises a dispenser panel configured for initiating opening of the dispenser and an access flap foldably connected to the dispenser panel along a fold line.
13. The carton of claim 12, wherein the dispenser panel extends along at least a portion of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap, and the dispenser panel is at least partially separable from the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap along one or more tear lines.
14. The carton of claim 12, wherein the panel is a second panel, the plurality of panels comprises a first panel at least partially overlapping the second panel, and wherein the dispenser panel extends in the first panel and is at least partially separable from the first panel along one or more tear lines.
15. The carton of claim 14, wherein the dispenser panel at least partially overlaps the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap.
16. The carton of claim 11, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are connected to one another by an end connector panel for biasing the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap toward the closed position.
17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are foldably connected to the end connector panel along a respective crease.
18. The carton of claim 16, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are separable from the end connector panel along an arcuate cut, wherein the first dispenser flap, the second dispenser flap, and the end connector panel are separable from the panel along at least a tear line.
19. The carton of claim 16, wherein the end connector panel is a first end connector panel, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are connected to one another by a second end connector panel, and wherein the first end connector and the second end connector are at opposite ends of the dispenser.
20. The carton of claim 1, wherein the panel is a first panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second panel, and the first panel at least partially overlaps the second panel, and wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the first panel, the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the second panel, and the first dispenser flap at least partially overlaps the second dispenser flap.
21. A package comprising a carton and a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets, the carton comprising:
- a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton; and
- a dispenser extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels, the dispenser comprising at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel, wherein at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is biased toward a closed position;
- wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet.
22. The package of claim 21, wherein the panel is a first panel, wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the first panel along an arcuate fold line, wherein the arcuate fold line is concave with respect to the first dispenser flap for biasing the first dispenser flap toward the closed position, and wherein the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to a second panel of the plurality of panels along a second arcuate fold line, and each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is at least partially separable from the respective first panel and second panel along one or more tear lines.
23. The package of claim 22, wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a first arcuate fold line, and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a second arcuate fold line, and wherein each of the first arcuate fold line and the second arcuate fold line is concave with respect to the respective first dispenser flap and second dispenser flap for biasing the respective first dispenser flap and second dispenser flap toward the closed position.
24. The package of claim 23, wherein the dispenser comprises a dispenser panel, the dispenser panel being at least partially separable from the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap along one or more tear lines.
25. The package of claim 21, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are separable from the panel and from one another along one or more tear lines.
26. The package of claim 21, wherein each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a respective first fold line and second fold line, and wherein the dispenser further comprises a dispenser panel configured for initiating opening of the dispenser and an access flap foldably connected to the dispenser panel along a fold line.
27. The package of claim 26, wherein the dispenser panel extends along at least a portion of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap, and the dispenser panel is at least partially separable from the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap along one or more tear lines.
28. The package of claim 26, wherein the panel is a second panel, the plurality of panels comprises a first panel at least partially overlapping the second panel, wherein the dispenser panel extends in the first panel and is at least partially separable from the first panel along one or more tear lines, and wherein the dispenser panel at least partially overlaps the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap.
29. The package of claim 21, wherein each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a respective first fold line and second fold line, and wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are connected to one another by an end connector panel for biasing the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap toward the closed position.
30. The package of claim 21, wherein the panel is a first panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second panel, and the first panel at least partially overlaps the second panel, and wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the first panel, the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the second panel, and the first dispenser flap at least partially overlaps the second dispenser flap.
31. A blank for forming a carton for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets, the blank comprising:
- a plurality of panels; and
- dispenser features extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels for forming a dispenser in the carton formed from the blank, the dispenser features comprising at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel, wherein at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is biased toward a closed position;
- wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet when the carton is formed from the blank.
32. The blank of claim 31, wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along an arcuate fold line, and wherein the arcuate fold line is concave with respect to the first dispenser flap for biasing the first dispenser flap toward the closed position.
33. The blank of claim 32, wherein the first dispenser flap is at least partially separable from the panel along one or more tear lines.
34. The blank of claim 33, wherein the panel is a first panel, the arcuate fold line is a first arcuate fold line, and the one or more tear lines is one or more first tear lines, wherein the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to a second panel of the plurality of panels along a second arcuate fold line and is at least partially separable from the second panel along one or more second tear lines.
35. The blank of claim 31, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are separable from the panel and from one another along one or more tear lines.
36. The blank of claim 31, wherein each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a respective first fold line and second fold line.
37. The blank of claim 36, wherein the dispenser features further comprise a dispenser panel configured for initiating opening of the dispenser when the carton is formed from the blank and an access flap foldably connected to the dispenser panel along a fold line, and wherein the dispenser panel extends along at least a portion of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap, and the dispenser panel is at least partially separable from the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap along one or more tear lines.
38. The blank of claim 36, wherein the panel is a second panel and the plurality of panels comprises a first panel for at least partially overlapping the second panel when the carton is formed from the blank, wherein the dispenser features further comprise a dispenser panel configured for initiating opening of the dispenser when the carton is formed from the blank and an access flap foldably connected to the dispenser panel along a fold line, and wherein the dispenser panel extends in the first panel and is at least partially separable from the first panel along one or more tear lines.
39. The blank of claim 36, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are connected to one another by an end connector panel for biasing the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap toward the closed position.
40. The blank of claim 39, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are separable from the end connector panel along an arcuate cut, and wherein the first dispenser flap, the second dispenser flap, and the end connector panel are separable from the panel along at least a tear line.
41. The blank of claim 39, wherein the end connector panel is a first end connector panel, wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are connected to one another by a second end connector panel, and wherein the first end connector and the second end connector are at opposite ends of the dispenser.
42. The blank of claim 31, wherein the panel is a first panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second panel, and the first panel is for at least partially overlapping the second panel when the carton is formed from the blank, and wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the first panel, the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the second panel, and the first dispenser flap is for at least partially overlapping the second dispenser flap when the carton is formed from the blank.
43. A method of forming a carton for holding a sheeted material arranged in a plurality of sheets, the method comprising:
- obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and dispenser features extending in at least a panel of the plurality of panels, the dispenser features comprising at least a first dispenser flap and a second dispenser flap, and at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel; and
- forming a carton by folding the plurality of panels to extend at least partially around an interior of the carton;
- wherein the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap are configured to engage at least one sheet of the plurality of sheets extending at least partially through the dispenser for at least partially retaining the at least one sheet, and wherein at least one of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is biased toward a closed position.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the first dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along an arcuate fold line, and wherein the arcuate fold line is concave with respect to the first dispenser flap for biasing the first dispenser flap toward the closed position.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein the panel is a first panel, the plurality of panels comprises a second panel, and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the second panel, and wherein the forming the carton further comprises positioning the first panel and the second panel in an overlapping relationship so that the first dispenser flap at least partially overlaps the first dispenser flap.
46. The method of claim 43, wherein each of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap is foldably connected to the panel along a respective first fold line and second fold line, and wherein the dispenser further comprises a dispenser panel configured for initiating opening of the dispenser.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the dispenser panel extends along at least a portion of the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap, and the dispenser panel is at least partially separable from the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap along one or more tear lines.
48. The method of claim 46, wherein the panel is a second panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises a first panel, wherein the dispenser panel extends in the first panel and is at least partially separable from the first panel along one or more tear lines, and wherein the forming the carton further comprises positioning the first panel to at least partially overlap the second panel so that the dispenser panel at least partially overlaps the first dispenser flap and the second dispenser flap.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2023
Publication Date: May 23, 2024
Inventor: Silvio Bugelli (Reservoir)
Application Number: 18/513,823