Cartons having dispensing configurations

Abstract

Cartons can be placed in dispensing configurations by separating the cartons into dispenser sections. The dispenser sections may be connected by a hinge that allows the sections to stand side-by-side.

1 . A blank for forming a carton, the carton being for holding a plurality of cylindrical containers in a dispensing configuration, the blank comprising:
 a pair of first side panels, a pair of second side panels each foldably attached to one of the first side panels, a pair of third side panels each foldably attached to one of the second side panels, and a pair of forth side panels each foldably attached to one of the third side panels;   a first end flap extending from each of the first side panels, a second end flap extending from each of the second side panels, a third end flap extending from each of the third side panels; and a fourth end flap extending from each of the fourth side panels, the end flaps being arranged along respective marginal areas of the blank;   a tear pattern extending between at least the pair of first side panels, the pair of second side panels, and the pair of third side panels; and   the tear pattern including at least a first tear feature and a second tear feature, wherein the second tear feature is sized and shaped differently than the first tear feature, and the first tear feature extends across the width of the pair of first side panels and at least partially across the width of the pair of second side panels.   
   
   
       2 . The blank of  claim 1 , the first tear feature extending between at least the pair of first side panels and the pair of second side panels and the second tear feature extending between at least the pair of third side panels. 
   
   
       3 . The blank of  claim 2 , the first tear feature being defined by generally straight tear lines and the second tear feature being defined by generally curved tear lines. 
   
   
       4 . The blank of  claim 2 , the second tear feature being defined at least in part by two opposing pairs of oblique tear lines, wherein each pair of oblique tear lines generally forms a V shape. 
   
   
       5 . The blank of  claim 2 , the second tear feature being defined at least in part by two opposing pairs of oblique tear lines connected by a generally longitudinal tear line. 
   
   
       6 . The blank of  claim 1 , the first tear feature extending between at least the pair of first side panels and a first portion of the pair of second side panels, and the second tear feature extending between at least the pair of third side panels and a second portion of the pair of second side panels. 
   
   
       7 . The blank of  claim 6 , the second tear feature being defined by a pair of opposing tear lines, wherein each of the opposing tear lines includes a generally longitudinal tear line extending between two oblique tear lines. 
   
   
       8 . The blank of  claim 7 , further comprising an access flap defined by a pair of breachable lines extending away from the generally longitudinal tear line across at least one of the second side panels, the access flap being foldably connected to the at least one of the second side panels. 
   
   
       9 . The blank of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge line extending between the pair of fourth panels. 
   
   
       10 . The blank of  claim 9 , further comprising a pair of fifth side panels, wherein the tear pattern comprises a third tear feature extending between at least the pair of fifth side panels. 
   
   
       11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the hinge line extends between the second and third tear feature. 
   
   
       12 . A carton for holding a plurality of containers and having a dispensing configuration, the carton comprising:
 a pair of first side panels, a pair of second side panels, a pair of third side panels, and a pair of fourth side panels;   a first end panel and a second end panel;   a tear pattern extending between at least the pair of first side panels, the pair of second side panels, and the pair of third side panels; and   the tear pattern including at least a first tear feature and a second tear feature, wherein the second tear feature is sized and shaped differently than the first tear feature, and the first tear feature extends across the width of the pair of first side panels and at least partially across the width of the pair of second side panels.   
   
   
       13 . The carton of  claim 12 , wherein the first tear feature extending between at least the pair of first side panels and the pair of second side panels and the second tear feature extending between at least the pair of third side panels. 
   
   
       14 . The carton of  claim 13 , wherein the first tear feature being defined by generally straight tear lines and the second tear feature being defined by generally curved tear lines. 
   
   
       15 . The carton of  claim 13 , wherein the second tear feature being defined at least in part by two opposing pairs of oblique tear lines, wherein each pair of oblique tear lines generally forms a V shape. 
   
   
       16 . The carton of  claim 13 , wherein the second tear feature being defined at least in part by two opposing pairs of oblique tear lines connected by a generally longitudinal tear line. 
   
   
       17 . The carton of  claim 12 , wherein the first tear feature extending between at least the pair of first side panels and a first portion of the pair of second side panels, and the second tear feature extending between at least the pair of third side panels and a second portion of the pair of second side panels. 
   
   
       18 . The carton of  claim 17 , wherein the second tear feature being defined by a pair of opposing tear lines, wherein each of the opposing tear lines includes a generally longitudinal tear line extending between two oblique tear lines. 
   
   
       19 . The carton of  claim 18 , further comprising an access flap defined by a pair of breachable lines extending away from the generally longitudinal tear line across at least one of the second side panels, the access flap being foldably connected to the at least one of the second side panels. 
   
   
       20 . The carton of  claim 19 , wherein the access flap is further defined by a generally longitudinal fold line. 
   
   
       21 . The carton of  claim 12 , further comprising a hinge line extending between the pair of fourth panels. 
   
   
       22 . The carton of  claim 21 , further comprising a pair of fifth side panels, wherein the tear pattern comprises a third tear feature extending between at least the pair of fifth side panels. 
   
   
       23 . The carton of  claim 22 , wherein the hinge line extends between the second and third tear feature. 
   
   
       24 . The carton of  claim 12 , in combination with a plurality of containers, the carton comprising a pair of dispensing sections being foldably connected at a hinge line, the pair of dispensing sections being formed when the carton is separated at the tear pattern, and dispensing section having a dispenser opening formed by the tear pattern. 
   
   
       25 . The carton of  claim 24 , wherein each dispensing section holds two layers of containers, the dispensing sections each having opposed side walls, the containers being cylindrical containers that are oriented such that respective ends of the containers are adjacent the opposed side walls of the dispensing sections. 
   
   
       26 . The carton of  claim 25 , wherein the dispensing sections each comprise a front wall having an aperture defining two retaining walls, the aperture being shaped to allow access to the two layers of containers. 
   
   
       27 . The carton of  claim 26 , wherein the retaining walls being shaped to retain the two layers of containers.