CN101535136A - Carton dispenser with promotional insert window - Google Patents

Abstract

A package (10) is provided that includes a carton (200) with a detachable dispenser portion (152) that has a window (170) formed therein for displaying or otherwise revealing a promotional item (180) or similar object that is positioned in registry with the window (170). The detachable portion (152) is defined at least in part by a severance line (150), and the window (170) may be spaced apart from the severance line (150). The item (180) may be directly secured to an attachment portion (P) of the inside surface of the detachable portion (152), or may be indirectly secured. To indirectly secure the item (180), a sleeve (190) may be directly secured to the attachment portion (P) and the item (180) enclosed in the sleeve (190), which may be transparent to display the item (180) or may be printed with graphics that can be seen through the window (170). Detachment of the detachable portion (152) creates an opening through which articles (A) enclosed within the carton (200) can be dispensed.

Description

Carton dispenser with promotional insert window

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to US Application No. 60/864,332, filed November 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to cartons, and more particularly to cartons including detachable portions.

Background technique

Cartons enclosing various items, such as soft drink cans or bottles, are useful, enabling consumers to ship and store the items. The carton typically includes one or more dispensers to enable the consumer to access the consumable items.

Promotional items such as gift cards, packaged discs, artwork, coupons, vouchers, brochures, and other items are sometimes attached to or contained within the carton.

In some applications, the promotional item is integral with the substrate forming the carton and must be cut or torn from the carton. In these applications, the characteristics of the promotional items, such as material, texture, graphics, size, etc., are limited by the available manufacturing processes. In either case, it is relatively difficult to detach the promotional item from the carton.

In other applications, the promotional items are separate from and packaged in the carton. In these applications, it is relatively easy to separate the promotional items from the carton, but it can be difficult to access the promotional items while the items are in the carton. Items placed in the carton block access to promotional items. Furthermore, the promotional items are not visible and the user may not be aware that the promotional items are in the carton.

In other applications, the promotional item is separate from the carton and releasably secured to the outer surface of the carton. In these applications, promotional items may be undesirably removed or damaged before the carton reaches the end user. For example, promotional items can be damaged when cartons are stacked on top of each other.

Accordingly, there exists a heretofore unaddressed need in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. What is needed is a carton that facilitates access and visibility of promotional items within the carton.

Contents of the invention

Various embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a carton having a detachable portion that provides an opening through which items are dispensed. The detachable part includes a window. An item is detachably secured to the inside surface of the detachable portion or otherwise positioned to register with the window. Thus, the presence or absence of the item can be clearly seen through the window of the carton and can be accessed when the detachable part is detached from the carton.

As a general description, the invention can be embodied as a package comprising a carton, a portion of which is at least partially detachable to define a dispensing window, and a window formed in a detachable portion of the carton. device. The carton may be fully enclosed having a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, each wall being hingedly connected to at least one other wall. Alternatively, the carton may provide a partial enclosure, having fewer than six walls, or at least one partial wall.

A removable or at least partially detachable item is secured directly or indirectly to the inside surface of the detachable portion of the carton so as to register with the window. In some embodiments, the article is secured directly to the connection portion using adhesive, staples, magnets, clips, snaps, or other securing means. Detachment of the detachable portion defines a dispenser that provides access to the item for removal from the carton.

The package contains at least one article, and possibly an array of articles arranged in rows and columns, the articles being enclosed by the carton. When the package has been opened by detaching the detachable portion, an opening is formed through which the article can be dispensed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the package further includes an envelope, wherein the item is detachably secured to the inner surface of the detachable portion by being removably enclosed within the envelope, the envelope substantially securely Fastened to the inside surface of the detachable part. Thus, the phrase "securely secured" is intended to mean that the cover securely maintains the position of the item relative to the window, although the item can be removed from the cover regardless of whether or not the cover is detached from the detachable portion.

According to one aspect of the invention, the detachable portion of the carton is defined by a severance line. The cut-off line extends at least partially across at least one of the walls of the carton. In some embodiments, the window is spaced from the cut line, although it is contemplated that at least one edge of the window could coincide with the cut line defining the detachable portion.

A window formed in the detachable portion is sized and positioned to at least partially reveal an item in registration with the window, either through direct attachment, or through indirect attachment via an envelope. The window is at least partially blocked by the envelope when the envelope encloses the item and positions the item in registration with the window.

The carton is formed from a blank which may be a single piece or may comprise several pieces of suitable sheet material such as but not limited to cardboard or plastic. The blank comprises a plurality of panels hingedly connected to each other so as to be able to be erected to form a carton.

The detachable portion of the carton is formed by at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of panels. In other words, the detachable portion may extend at least partially across one or more panels. A window formed in the detachable portion may similarly extend to one or more of the panels, although the item is somewhat easier to locate when the window is formed in a single surface of the carton.

The foregoing has generally outlined some aspects and features of the invention, which should be understood as merely illustrative of the various possible applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank and an exemplary article according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the carton of Figure 2 illustrating the detachable portion being removed from the carton;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a blank, envelope and exemplary article according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

As required, specific embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention, which may be embodied in different and alternative forms and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used broadly to refer to an embodiment that is presented as an example, sample, model, or pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views, the drawings certainly illustrate various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of package 10, including carton 200 and enhanced, convenient Opening, promotional or any other auxiliary items 180 such as panels, cards, pictures, brochures, etc. Item 180 is generally intended to be used as a promotional or supplemental item such as a coupon, voucher, pass, refrigerator magnet, toy (eg, sticker), magnifying glass, catalog, bottle opener, school aid, and the like. In the detailed examples herein, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, the term "carton" refers to a container, such as a beverage can or bottle, for packaging, carrying and dispensing items. However, it is contemplated that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to any container that includes a detachable portion.

As a general description, the exemplary carton includes a tubular structure defined by a top wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall and includes end closures defining end walls at each open end of the tubular structure. structure.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a carton 200 is formed from a blank 100, which is preferably a single sheet of a suitable substrate. It should be understood that as used herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes all forms of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment, a unitary blank 100 is used to form the carton 200 , although it should be appreciated that two or more blanks may be used to form the carton 200 . The blank 100 is designed such that the carton 200 is sized for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary items. It is envisioned that the blank 100 could alternatively be sized to form a carton for packaging various other items and/or different arrangements of items.

As used herein, the term "fold line" refers to any form of line that facilitates folding a blank, or otherwise indicates an optimal folding position with respect to a blank. Fold lines are usually scored lines, convex lines, or concave lines.

As used herein, the terms "tear line" and "cut line" refer to all forms of lines that facilitate the separation of parts of the blank from each other, or indicate the optimal separation location. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, cuts or slits.

It should be understood that tear lines, cut lines, and fold lines can each include elements formed in the base sheet of the blank, including perforations, perforation lines, short stitches, half-cuts, individual half-cuts, Cutting lines, interrupted cutting lines, slits, scoring and any combination thereof, etc. The dimensions and arrangement of elements may be sized and arranged to provide the desired functionality.

The blank 100 comprises a series of primary panels defining the walls of the tubular structure of the carton 200 . The primary panels are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the blank 100 and are hingedly connected successively along fold lines extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. Specifically, the blank 100 includes a first side panel 110 , a top panel 112 , a second side panel 114 , and a bottom panel 116 . First side panel 110 is hingedly connected to top panel 112 along fold line 120, top panel 112 is hingedly connected to second side panel 114 along fold line 122, and second side panel 114 is hinged along fold line 122. The wires 124 are hingedly connected to the bottom panel 116 . As described in further detail below, the blank 100 further includes edge flaps 118 that facilitate securing the end primary panels to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, edge flap 118 is hingedly connected to first side panel 110 along fold line 126 .

End flaps are hingedly connected to opposite ends of each main panel along fold lines extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. As described in further detail below, the end flaps can be folded and secured to form an end closure. The blank 100 is substantially symmetrical such that the end flaps hingedly connected to opposite ends of each major panel are substantially similar. Accordingly, the end closures of the cartons 200 are substantially identical, and like reference numerals are used with the addition of the suffix "a" or "b" to distinguish the ends of the cartons 200 from each other. Accordingly, a description of an element or group of elements having a suffix "a" generally applies to a like-numbered element or group of elements having a suffix "b". In some cases, for the sake of clarity, only one of the same elements will be described herein unless description of the other or two of the same elements would facilitate understanding.

First side end flap 130a is hingedly connected to first side panel 110 along fold line 140a, top end flap 132a is hingedly connected to top panel 112 along fold line 142a, and second side end flap is hingedly connected to first side panel 110 along fold line 140a. 134a is hingedly connected to the second side panel 114 along fold line 144a, and bottom end flap 136a is hingedly connected to the bottom panel 116 along fold line 146a.

The blank 100 includes a severance line 150 defining a detachable portion 152 . The detachable portion 152 is sized and positioned such that when the blank 100 is erected to form the carton 200, the detachable portion 152 can be at least partially separated from the carton 200 to provide an opening O in the carton 200. , the item A can be dispensed through the opening O. Exemplary detachable portion 152 is defined by the edge of blank 100 and includes at least a portion of end flap 130b , 132b , 134b and at least a portion of panel 110 , 112 , 114 . As a general description, a detachable portion can include at least a portion of one or more of a panel and an end flap of the blank 100 .

The cut line 150 includes a plurality of cut line segments extending across the panels 110, 112, 114 and the end flaps 130b, 134b. Severe line segments 150a, 150b extend from the distal edges of first and second end flaps 130b, 134b, respectively, across first and second end flaps 130b, 134b to fold lines 140b, 144b. Severe line segments 150c, 15Od extend from fold lines 140b, 144b across first and second side panels 110, 114 to fold lines 120, 122, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, cut line segments 150c, 150d each form a right angle as they extend from fold lines 140b, 144b toward fold lines 140a, 144a and then toward fold lines 120, 122. However, it is contemplated that the cut line segments 150c, 15Od can define any number of paths as they extend between the fold lines 140a, 144b and the fold lines 120, 122, including arcuate and substantially straight and direct paths. Severe line segment 150e extends across top panel 112 between fold lines 120 , 122 . The cut line segments 150a , 150b , 150c , 150d , 150e together define a substantially continuous cut line 150 . The exemplary severance line 150 and detachable portion 152 are symmetrical, although symmetry is not required to implement the system or method of the present invention.

It should be understood that the curvature or path of the cut-off line 150 is a design decision that can be determined to facilitate folding and securing the blank to form the carton, to provide aesthetic features for the detachable portion 152 or opening O, and/or thereby Provides functionality for opening O. For example, the curvature of the cut-off line can be determined in part to best hold the item in and dispense the item from the carton. As another example, a cut-off line can be routed to facilitate application of adhesive to the end flaps and panels of the carton.

Blank 100 optionally includes tear initiation feature 160 to separate detachable portion 152 along severance line 150 . In the exemplary embodiment, tear initiation feature 160 is a tab defined at least in part by a curved or arched portion of top panel segment 150e of severance line 150 and additionally defined by fold line 162 . It is contemplated that the tear initiation feature 160 can be defined at any location along the severance line 150 and can include alternative means such as apertures, extensive weakened segments, slits, combinations thereof, and the like.

The detachable portion 152 of the blank 100 further includes an aperture or window 170 . The window 170 is sized and positioned to correspond to that of the item 180 inside the carton 200 , but is intended to be visible from the outside of the carton 200 . In the exemplary embodiment, for example, article 180 is detachably secured to an inner side surface of detachable portion 152 of blank 100 . At least a portion of the article 180 is visible through the window 170 when the article 180 is in planar contact with and secured to a connection portion P of the detachable portion 152 adjacent to the window 170 . In a variation of this exemplary embodiment, detachable portion 152 can include a plurality of windows, each window displaying at least a portion of an item. Furthermore, multiple items can be secured to the inner side surface of the detachable portion and each item can be displayed through one or more windows.

In the exemplary embodiment, window 170 is formed in top panel 112 of blank 100 . It should be appreciated that the window 170 can be formed in one or more of the panels and end flaps or portions thereof defining the detachable portion 152 of the blank 100 such that the window 170 is placed in one or more walls of the carton 200 middle.

Object 180 can completely or partially obscure window 170 . The design decision for the size and shape of window 170 depends at least in part on the size and shape of object 180 . It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, the shape of window 170 and the shape of object 180 are substantially the same. However, the size of the object 180 is slightly larger than the size of the window 170 so that when the object 180 is arranged to register with the window 170, the periphery of the object 180 is fixed to the inner surface of the detachable portion 152 adjacent to the periphery of the window 170. The connecting portion P forms a planar contact. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the shape of the object 180 and the shape of the window 170 are different such that the window 170 only exposes a selected portion of the object 180 .

The blank 100 also includes a suitable known or yet to be developed handle H to allow the carton 200 to be carried by a user. The exemplary handle H includes a hand receiving aperture that may be covered by a cushioning flap that can be at least partially removed.

、胶水或者其它粘结剂及其组合等，坯料100的薄片材料的特定表面能够被固定到一起。Rising the carton 200 from the blank 100 may be accomplished using a folding operation as described herein. This operation can be performed by hand, by automatic erecting machinery, or by any combination of the two. The method of performing the erection procedure is not limited to the exemplary methods described herein. In particular, the order of steps can be changed according to manufacturing requirements, steps can be added or omitted, and the means for securing components to each other can be changed. Utilize any suitable means for securing, including but not limited to tape, staples, interlocking folds,

Certain surfaces of the sheet material of the blank 100 can be secured together using glue, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, and the like.

By folding edge flap 118 along fold line 126 so that the inner surface of edge flap 118 is in planar contact with the inner surface of first side panel 110, applying glue or other adhesive to the outer surface of edge flap 118, and By folding the blank 100 along the fold line 122 so that the inner surface of the bottom panel 116 is in planar contact with, and thus secured to, the outer surface of the edge flap 118, the blank 100 can be folded and secured to A collapsed tubular structure is formed.

Thereafter the tubular structure can be erected from the collapsed tubular structure such that the primary panels 110, 112, 114, 116 form the walls of the tubular structure. When arranged in a partially erected tubular structure, the carton includes an open end through which articles can be loaded. It should be appreciated that the end flaps can be folded outwardly or otherwise so as not to obstruct items when loaded through one or both open ends of the tubular structure.

The end closure structure of the carton 200 is formed by folding the end flaps as described herein. The top and bottom end flaps 132a, 136a are folded inwardly toward the open end of the tubular structure along fold lines 142a, 146a so as to be substantially coplanar with one another. The first and second side end flaps 130a, 134a are folded inwardly toward the open end of the tubular structure along fold lines 140a, 144a so as to be substantially coplanar with one another. The first and second side end flaps 130a, 134a overlap the top and bottom end flaps 132a, 136a and each other. Glue or other adhesive is applied to the overlapping portions of the end flaps to secure the end flaps together to form the end closure.

Thus, the end closure structure of the carton 200 is formed and the carton 200 is completely erected. The main panels defining the tubular structural portion and the end closure structure define the walls of the carton 200 . The top panel 112 defines a top wall 212 , the side panels 110 , 114 define side walls 210 , 214 , the bottom panel 116 defines a bottom wall 216 , and the end closure structure defines end walls 218 , 220 , respectively.

The carton illustrated in the figures is adapted to hold a group of similarly sized, possibly cylindrical, articles A (eg cans or bottles) in a matrix arrangement of rows and columns. However, the principles of the invention can be applied to containers enclosing a single item that can be dispensed through an opening, as well as containers enclosing powders or many small items. Exemplary items are positioned on their sides side-by-side and parallel to the ends of items placed adjacent to the side walls 210, 214 of the carton. It should be noted that item 180 can be viewed through window 170 in top wall 212 of carton 200 .

2 and 3, the segments 150a, 150b of the severance line 150 are aligned to form a substantially continuous severance line along the end wall 220 such that the severance line 150 is substantially annular. The detachable portion 152 of the erected carton 200 is located at a corner of the carton 200 and includes a top wall 212 , first and second side walls 210 , 214 , and a portion of an end wall 220 . It should be understood that the detachable portion 152 can include at least a portion of any one or more walls of the carton 200 . For example, in a variation of the exemplary embodiment, detachable portion 200 can be defined from top wall 212 and one side wall 210 . As noted above, window 170 can be positioned in detachable portion 152 and in at least a portion of one or more walls.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the detachable portion 152 can be at least partially separated from the carton 200 along a severance line 150 . According to the following exemplary and non-limiting method, pressure is applied to tab 160 to break the portion of cut line segment 150e that defines tab 160 so that tab 160 can be folded along fold line 162 . The edge of article 180 can be positioned to register with fold line 162 so that such edge of article 180 can be utilized as a folding guide to facilitate inward folding of tab 160 . Another edge or edges of article 180 may be positioned to register with a rectilinear portion or portions of top panel segment 150e of cut line 150 such that such edge or edges may be utilized as a cutting aid. to disconnect segment 150e. In any event, it is desirable to prevent the operation of tab 160 from being obstructed by any edge or portion of object 180 . After the tabs 160 are folded inwardly, the edges defined by the fold lines 162 are joined to continue breaking the cut line 150 to separate the detachable portion 152 from the carton 200 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the detachable portion 152 is completely detached along the severance line 150 . In a variation of this exemplary embodiment, the cut line segments 150a, 150b of the cut line 150 can replace the fold lines so that the detachable portion 152 remains hingedly connected to the end wall 220 .

、胶水或者其它粘结剂及其组合等，物件180可拆离地固定到可拆离部分152的内侧表面。当可拆离部分152的内侧表面被暴露出时，物件180能够被接合并且被从可拆离部分152分离。此后，在其中可拆离部分152保持以铰接方式连接到纸盒200的一个实施例中，可拆离部分152能够被重新定位于开口O之上，从而便利从窗口170观察纸盒200中的物品A。在该示例性实施例中，可拆离部分152被至少部分地移除以提供能够通过其分配物品A的开口O。应该理解，本发明的范围能够包括为纸盒提供物品分配器的、任何已知的或者待被研发的可拆离部分。Detachable portion 152 can be at least partially removed to facilitate access to article 180 . By any means for securing, including but not limited to tape, staples, interlocking folds,

, glue or other adhesives, combinations thereof, etc., the object 180 is detachably fixed to the inner surface of the detachable portion 152 . When the inside surface of detachable portion 152 is exposed, article 180 can be engaged and detached from detachable portion 152 . Thereafter, in an embodiment where the detachable portion 152 remains hingedly connected to the carton 200, the detachable portion 152 can be repositioned above the opening O to facilitate viewing of the carton 200 from the window 170. Item A. In the exemplary embodiment, detachable portion 152 is at least partially removed to provide opening O through which article A can be dispensed. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention can include any detachable part known or yet to be developed that provides an item dispenser for the carton.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which instead of securing the article 180 directly to the detachable portion 152 , the envelope 190 is secured in the same manner as described with respect to the article 180 . Envelope 190 encloses item 180 and holds item 180 in place within carton 200 . The surface of cover 190 that is visible through window 170 may include graphics depicting item 180, which may be, for example, a gift card, food, baseball card, or coin. Alternatively, envelope 190 may be transparent or translucent. In any case, the cover 190 is directly and securely secured to the inside surface of the detachable portion 152, thereby securing the position of the object 180, thereby potentially revealing the object 180, and blocking out dust, moisture, or Other substances intrude into the carton 200 . After removing the item 180 from the transparent envelope, the user can see the contents through the envelope, or can remove the envelope. Accordingly, object 180 may be smaller than window 170 when envelope 190 is used.

The invention has been illustrated with respect to specific embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will realize that the present invention is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper", "middle", " The terms "bottom", "front" and "rear" do not limit the corresponding walls of the carton to this orientation, but serve only to distinguish these walls from each other. Any reference to a hinged connection should not be understood as necessarily referring to a joint comprising only a single hinge; Different devices are formed.

The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrations of exemplary implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present invention. Variations, modifications and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications and combinations are included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A package comprising: carton, including: at least partially detachable parts; and a window formed in said detachable portion; and A detachable item is secured at least indirectly to an inside surface of the detachable portion of the carton so as to register with the window. 2. The package according to claim 1, further comprising at least one item enclosed by said carton, wherein detachment of said detachable portion provides access to said item for removing it from said Tray removed. 3. The package of claim 2, wherein detaching the detachable portion further provides an opening through which the at least one item can be dispensed. 4. The package of claim 1, further comprising a wrapper, wherein said article is detachably secured to an inner surface of said detachable portion by being removably enclosed in said wrapper, said wrapper Be firmly fixed to the inside surface of the detachable part. 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the detachable portion is defined by a cut line and the window is spaced from the cut line. 6. A carton for packaging at least one item, comprising: at least partially detachable parts; and a window formed in the detachable portion, the window being sized and positioned to at least partially reveal an item detachably secured at least indirectly to the inside of the detachable portion The surface is thus registered with the window. 7. A carton according to claim 6, wherein said window is at least partially blocked by a wrapper for enclosing said article and positioning said article in registration with said window. 8. The carton of claim 6, wherein detachment of said detachable portion provides an opening through which said at least one article can be dispensed. 9. A carton according to claim 6, wherein said detachable portion is at least partially defined by a cut line. 10. A blank for forming a carton comprising: multiple panels hingedly connected to each other; a detachable portion formed in at least one of the plurality of panels; a window formed in said detachable portion; An attachment portion on the inner surface of the detachable portion adjacent to the periphery of the window for securing the attachment of an item to be fixed at least indirectly to the inner surface of the detachable portion. 11. A blank according to claim 10, further comprising an envelope secured directly to said connection portion, said envelope for enclosing said article so that said article is in registration with said window.

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