Carton with article dispenser formed in a composite wall

Abstract

A carton ( 200 ) includes a composite wall ( 108/152 ) with an article dispenser ( 140/174 ) formed in the composite wall ( 108/152 ). The article dispenser ( 140/174 ) includes a pair of composite tear flaps (F 1 /F 2 ) that are separable from the composite wall ( 108/152 ). The composite tear flaps (F 1 /F 2 ) are defined by frangible lines in the layers of the composite wall. The frangible lines in the layers are strategically misaligned at least in part so as to be arranged to cooperate to facilitate separation of the composite tear flaps from the composite wall and to prevent inadvertent operation of the article dispenser.

1 . A carton, comprising: 
 a composite wall, defined at least in part by an outer panel and an inner panel;    a pair of composite tear flaps that are each formed in said composite wall and separable from said composite wall to form an article dispenser; and    a first inner frangible line formed in said inner panel and a first outer frangible line formed in said outer panel that are cooperatively aligned at least in part to at least partially define each of said pair of composite tear flaps;    wherein at least a medial segment of said first outer frangible line is horizontally spaced apart from a medial segment of said first inner frangible line to prevent inadvertent separation of said composite tear flaps from said composite wall.    
   
   
       2 . The carton of  claim 1 , further comprising a second inner frangible line formed in said inner panel and a second outer frangible line formed in said outer panel that are cooperatively aligned at least in part; 
 wherein said second inner frangible line intersects said first inner frangible line to at least partially define a corner of each of said pair of composite tear flaps, and said medial segment of said first outer frangible line defines a tab formed from said outer panel such that said tab overlies both said corners.    
   
   
       3 . A carton, comprising: 
 a composite wall, including an outer panel and an inner panel;    an article dispenser formed in said composite wall, said article dispenser comprising a pair of composite tear flaps that are separable from said composite wall, said composite tear flaps including a pair of outer tear flaps that are separable from said outer panel and a pair of inner tear flaps that are separable from said inner panel;    wherein said outer tear flaps are defined at least in part by an outer transverse frangible line having a distal end that intersects an outer longitudinal frangible line at a first intersection point; and    wherein said inner tear flaps are defined at least in part by an inner transverse frangible line having a distal end that intersects an inner longitudinal frangible line at a second intersection point, said inner transverse frangible line being at least partially substantially aligned with said outer transverse frangible line and said inner longitudinal frangible line being at least partially substantially aligned with said outer longitudinal frangible line to facilitate separating said composite tear flaps from said composite wall, said first and second intersection points being spaced apart from one another.    
   
   
       4 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said outer longitudinal frangible line comprises an outer longitudinal medial segment along which said first intersection point is disposed; 
 wherein said outer longitudinal medial segment is substantially nonlinear so as to define a push tab.    
   
   
       5 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein said outer longitudinal medial segment is horizontally spaced apart at least in part from an inner longitudinal medial segment of said first inner longitudinal frangible line.  
   
   
       6 . The carton of  claim 5 , wherein said inner longitudinal frangible line includes a pair of inner longitudinal distal segments on each side of said inner longitudinal medial segment; 
 wherein said outer longitudinal frangible line includes a pair of outer longitudinal distal segments on each side of said outer longitudinal medial segment; and    wherein said inner longitudinal distal segments are substantially overlappingly aligned with respective ones of said outer longitudinal distal segments.    
   
   
       7 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein an inner transverse medial segment of said inner transverse frangible line is substantially aligned with said outer transverse frangible line.  
   
   
       8 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein said tab overlies an inner distal transverse segment of said inner transverse frangible line and an inner longitudinal medial segment of said inner longitudinal frangible line.  
   
   
       9 . The carton of  claim 6 , wherein said outer longitudinal distal segments are generally perpendicular to said outer transverse frangible line; and 
 wherein said inner longitudinal frangible line is generally perpendicular to said inner transverse frangible line.    
   
   
       10 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein adjacent corners of said inner tear flaps are defined by the intersection of said inner transverse frangible line and said inner longitudinal frangible line.  
   
   
       11 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein fold lines extend between said inner transverse frangible line and said inner longitudinal frangible line to facilitate folding said corners of said inner tear flaps.  
   
   
       12 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said pair of outer tear flaps is further defined at least in part by a second outer longitudinal frangible line that is intersected at a third intersection point by a second distal end of said outer transverse frangible line; 
 wherein said pair of inner tear flaps is further defined at least in part by a second inner longitudinal frangible line that is intersected at a fourth intersection point by a second distal end of said inner transverse frangible line, said second inner longitudinal frangible line being at least partially substantially aligned with said second outer longitudinal frangible line to facilitate separating said composite tear flaps from said composite wall, said third and fourth intersection points being spaced apart from one another.    
   
   
       13 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said composite wall is formed from a unitary blank that includes said inner panel and said outer panel.  
   
   
       14 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said composite wall is formed from separate blanks that each include one of said inner panel and said outer panel.  
   
   
       15 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said composite wall is formed from a unitary blank that includes said inner panel and said outer panel.  
   
   
       16 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said composite wall is formed from separate blanks that each include one of said inner panel and said outer panel.