Cartons with separable sections

Abstract

Carton blanks and cartons having a tear strip dispensing feature defined thereon are described herein. The tear strip dispensing feature allows a first portion of the carton to be removed from a second portion of the carton. The first portion of the carton includes a carrying handle allowing the first portion to function as a smaller, standalone carton. The second portion of the carton is operative to function as a dispensing tray. Both the first portion and the second portion of the carton may fit into a relatively small space, such as, for example, the space between shelves in a refrigerator.

1 . A carton for carrying a plurality of articles, comprising:
 a top panel;   a side panel foldably connected to the top panel at a first line of weakening;   a tear strip defined in the side panel by two relatively parallel score lines, tear lines, or lines of weakening; and   a bottom panel foldably connected to the side panel at a second line of weakening;   wherein, the tear strip is configured to fully separate the top panel from the bottom panel are the two score lines.   
     
     
         2 . A blank for forming a carton of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The carton of  claim 1  wherein an upper portion is separable from a lower portion. 
     
     
         4 . The carton of  claim 1  further comprising an interior blank adhered thereto, the interior blank comprising a central panel and adhesive flaps, and the interior blank being positioned proximal to tear strips defined in side panels of the carton, the tear strips functional to separate the carton into two portions, a first portion having a bottom panel defined by the interior blank. 
     
     
         5 . The carton of  claim 3  wherein the interior blank divides an interior of the carton into two roughly equal interior spaces for carrying a plurality of containers separately. 
     
     
         6 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein the carton is configured to form a carrier for containers upon removal of the tear strips. 
     
     
         7 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein the carton is configured to form a sub-carton upon removal of the tear strips. 
     
     
         8 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein the carton is configured to form a tray carrier for supporting and dispensing containers, the tray carrier being formed from a bottom portion of a carton. 
     
     
         9 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein the carton is configured to form a carton with carrying handles and dispenser sections, the carton being formed from an upper portion of a larger carton. 
     
     
         10 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein the carton is configured to form a carton for carrying two different types of containers, the carton having two distinct interior spaces separated by an interior blank and central panel, each distinct interior space for carrying one of the different types of containers. 
     
     
         11 . The carton of  claim 4 , wherein the carton is configured to form a carton for carrying two different brands of beverage products, the carton having two distinct interior spaces defined therein, each distinct interior space for carrying one of the different brands of beverage products. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled)