Title: Cigarette carton with dispensing portion
Abstract: A carton assembly for packages of smoking articles comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall and a dispensing portion. The dispensing portion is defined by a perforation line on the first and second side walls and the bottom wall before the dispensing portion is removed. When the perforation line is torn, the dispensing portion may be removed allowing cigarette packages to be withdrawn from the carton assembly.
Patent Number: 6,851,553 Issued on 02/08/2005 to Venable, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Venable; Mitchell A. (8675 Red Bank Rd., Germanton, NC 27019);
Keith; Karen Marie (1220 Barksdale Rd., Lewisville, NC 27023)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
324886 |
| Filed:
|
December 20, 2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
206/273; 206/271; 221/305; 229/122; 229/122.1 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A24F 015/00 |
| Field of Search: |
229/122,122.21,122.1,120,210
206/242,271,273,206
221/305
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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| 902347 | Oct., 1908 | Tillinghast.
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| 1408752 | Mar., 1922 | List.
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| 1585494 | May., 1926 | Harvey.
| |
| 2771988 | Nov., 1956 | Sweeney.
| |
| 2875938 | Mar., 1959 | Bramhill.
| |
| 3101884 | Aug., 1963 | Price.
| |
| 3286830 | Nov., 1966 | Robb, Jr.
| |
| 3568883 | Mar., 1971 | Reynolds.
| |
| 3809227 | May., 1974 | Begemann.
| |
| 3960270 | Jun., 1976 | May.
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| 4138052 | Feb., 1979 | Torigian.
| |
| 4405044 | Sep., 1983 | Flower et al.
| |
| 4534463 | Aug., 1985 | Bouchard.
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| 4566607 | Jan., 1986 | Smith.
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| 4784261 | Nov., 1988 | Kutchin.
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| 4928817 | May., 1990 | Focke.
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| 4949845 | Aug., 1990 | Dixon.
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| 5020670 | Jun., 1991 | Bedford.
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| 5074462 | Dec., 1991 | Countee, Jr.
| |
| 5147037 | Sep., 1992 | Evers et al.
| |
| 5158178 | Oct., 1992 | Cobler.
| |
| 5160024 | Nov., 1992 | Evers.
| |
| 5193674 | Mar., 1993 | Cobler et al.
| |
| 5205403 | Apr., 1993 | DeBlasio.
| |
| 5370220 | Dec., 1994 | Wang.
| |
| 5460322 | Oct., 1995 | Carlson et al.
| |
| 5503268 | Apr., 1996 | Pham.
| |
| 5927495 | Jul., 1999 | Didiano, Jr.
| |
| 6050402 | Apr., 2000 | Walter.
| |
| 6155480 | Dec., 2000 | Botsford et al.
| |
| 2002/0185499 | Dec., 2002 | Harrelson et al.
| |
Other References
Innovation & Development, Inc.; Gravity Feed Dispenser Carton.
|
Primary Examiner: Fidei; David T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of, and
claims priority to, pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/740,236,
filed on Dec. 18, 2000, now abandoned, which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
Claims
We claim:
1. A cigarette carton assembly, comprising:
a parallelepiped comprising:
(1) a first side wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end edge,
and a second end edge;
(2) a second side wall opposite the first side wall and having a top edge,
a bottom edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge;
(3) a first end wall positioned between the first end edge of the first
side wall and the first end edge of the second side wall;
(4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall and positioned between
the second end edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of the
second side wall;
(5) a top wall positioned between the top edge of the first side wall and
the top edge of the second side wall; and
(6) a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall and
positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the bottom
edge of the second side wall; and
a dispensing portion defined by a first end edge of the bottom wall and a
perforation line having two ends and having portions on the first side
wall, the bottom wall, and the second side wall, wherein the perforation
line extends from the second end edge of the first side wall, onto the
first side wall, across the bottom edge of the first side wall, across the
bottom wall, across the bottom edge of the second side wall, onto the
second wall, and terminates at the second end edge of the second side
wall.
2. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least
one package of cigarettes, each package of cigarettes having a height, a
width, and a depth.
3. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 2, wherein a length of the
dispensing portion is defined by the distance between the first end edge
of the bottom wall and the portion of the perforation line extending
across the bottom wall and wherein the length of the dispensing portion is
equal to the width of a cigarette package.
4. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, further comprising ten
packages of cigarettes.
5. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, further comprising five
packages of cigarettes.
6. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the dispensing portion
is removable.
7. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge of the
first side wall and the second end edge of the first side wall intersect
to form a corner and wherein a first end of the perforation line
terminates at the corner where the bottom edge of the first side wall and
the second end edge of the first side wall intersect.
8. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 7, wherein the bottom edge of the
second side wall and the second end edge of the second side wall intersect
to form a corner and wherein a second end of the perforation line
terminates at the corner where the bottom edge of the second side wall and
the second end edge of the second side wall intersect.
9. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the perforation line
comprises a plurality of angled cuts.
10. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 9, wherein the perforation line
further comprises a tear start region on the first side wall.
11. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the perforation line
is a zipper-type perforation line.
12. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the
perforation line on the second side wall is semi-circular.
13. A cigarette carton assembly, comprising:
a parallelepiped comprising:
(1) a first side wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end edge,
and a second end edge;
(2) a second side wall opposite the first side wall and having a top edge,
a bottom edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge;
(3) a first end wall positioned between the first end edge of the first
side wall and the first end edge of the second side wall;
(4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall and positioned between
the second end edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of the
second side wall;
(5) a top wall positioned between the top edge of the first side wall and
the top edge of the second side wall; and
(6) a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall and
positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the bottom
edge of the second side wall; and
a removable dispensing portion defined by a first end edge of the bottom
wall and a perforation line, the perforation line having two ends and
having portions on the first side wall, the bottom wall, and the second
side wall,
wherein the bottom edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of
the first side wall intersect to form a first corner, wherein the bottom
edge of the second side wall and the second end edge of the second side
wall intersect to form a second corner, wherein the perforation line
extends from the first corner onto the first side wall, across the bottom
edge of the first side wall, across the bottom wall, across the bottom
edge of the second side wall, and onto the second wall, and wherein the
perforation line terminates at the second corner.
14. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, further comprising at least
one package of cigarettes, each package of cigarettes having a height, a
width, and a depth.
15. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 14, wherein a length of the
dispensing portion is defined by the distance between the first end edge
of the bottom wall and the portion of the perforation line extending
across the bottom wall and wherein the length of the dispensing portion is
equal to the width of a cigarette package.
16. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, further comprising ten
packages of cigarettes.
17. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, further comprising five
packages of cigarettes.
18. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, wherein the dispensing
portion is removable.
19. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, wherein the perforation line
comprises a plurality of angled cuts.
20. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 19, wherein the perforation line
further comprises a tear start region on the first side wall.
21. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, wherein the perforation line
comprises a zipper-type perforation line.
22. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 13, wherein the portion of the
perforation line on the second side wall is semi-circular.
23. A cigarette carton assembly, comprising:
a parallelepiped comprising:
(1) a first side wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end edge,
and a second end edge;
(2) a second side wall opposite the first side wall and having a top edge,
a bottom edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge;
(3) a first end wall positioned between the first end edge of the first
side wall and the first end edge of the second side wall;
(4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall and positioned between
the second end edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of the
second side wall;
(5) a top wall positioned between the top edge of the first side wall and
the top edge of the second side wall; and
(6) a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall and
positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the bottom
edge of the second side wall; and
a removable dispensing portion defined by a first end edge of the bottom
wall and a perforation line having two ends, having portions on the first
side wall, the bottom wall, and the second side wall, having a first
arcuate region on the first side wall, and having a second arcuate region
on the second side wall,
wherein the bottom edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of
the first side wall intersect to form a first corner, wherein the bottom
edge of the second side wall and the second end edge of the second side
wall intersect to form a second corner, wherein the perforation line
begins at the first corner, wherein the perforation line extends from the
first corner along a portion of the second end edge of the first side
wall, onto the first side wall, across the bottom edge of the first side
wall, across the bottom wall, across the bottom edge of the second side
wall, onto the second wall, and along a portion of the second end edge of
the second side wall, and wherein the perforation line terminates at the
second corner.
24. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 23, further comprising at least
one package of cigarettes, each package of cigarettes having a height, a
width, and a depth.
25. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 24, wherein a length of the
dispensing portion is defined by the distance between the first end edge
of the bottom wall and the portion of the perforation line extending
across the bottom wall and wherein the length of the dispensing portion is
equal to the width of a cigarette package.
26. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 23, further comprising ten
packages of cigarettes.
27. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 23, further comprising five
packages of cigarettes.
28. A cigarette carton assembly, comprising:
a parallelepiped comprising:
(1) a first side wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end edge,
and a second end edge;
(2) a second side wall opposite the first side wall and having a top edge,
a bottom edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge;
(3) a first end wall positioned between the first end edge of the first
side wall and the first end edge of the second side wall;
(4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall and positioned between
the second end edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of the
second side wall;
(5) a top wall positioned between the top edge of the first side wall and
the top edge of the second side wall; and
(6) a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall and
positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the bottom
edge of the second side wall; and
a dispensing portion defined by a first end edge of the bottom wall, a
perforation line having two ends and having portions on the first side
wall and the bottom wall, and a score line on the second side wall and
having two ends,
wherein the perforation line extends from the second end edge of the first
side wall, onto the first side wall, across the bottom edge of the first
side wall, across the bottom wall, and terminates at the bottom edge of
the second side wall, and wherein the score line extends from the bottom
edge of the second side wall, across the second side wall, and terminates
at the second end edge of the second side wall.
29. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, further comprising at least
one package of cigarettes, each package of cigarettes having a height, a
width, and a depth.
30. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 29, wherein a length of the
dispensing portion is defined by the distance between the first end edge
of the bottom wall and the portion of the perforation line extending
across the bottom wall and wherein the length of the dispensing portion is
equal to the width of a cigarette package.
31. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, further comprising ten
packages of cigarettes.
32. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, further comprising five
packages of cigarettes.
33. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, wherein the dispensing
portion is removable.
34. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, wherein the bottom edge of
the first side wall and the second end edge of the first side wall
intersect to form a corner and wherein a first end of the perforation line
terminates at the corner where the bottom edge of the first side wall and
the second end edge of the first side wall intersect.
35. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 34, wherein the bottom edge of
the second side wall and the second end edge of the second side wall
intersect to form a corner and wherein a first end of the score line
terminates at the corner where the bottom edge of the second side wall and
the second end edge of the second side wall intersect.
36. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, wherein the bottom edge of
the second side wall and the second end edge of the second side wall
intersect to form a corner and wherein a first end of the score line
terminates at the corner where the bottom edge of the second side wall and
the second end edge of the second side wall intersect.
37. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, wherein the perforation line
comprises a plurality of angled cuts.
38. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 37, wherein the perforation line
further comprises a tear start region on the first side wall.
39. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, wherein the perforation line
is a zipper-type perforation line.
40. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, wherein the score line is
semi-circular.
41. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 28, further comprising a second
perforation line.
42. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 40, wherein the second
perforation line is aligned with the score line.
43. The cigarette carton assembly of claim 42, wherein the score line and
the second perforation line are both semi-circular.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the packaging of smoking articles such as
cigarettes into cartons, and in particular, to a cigarette carton assembly
having a dispensing portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common practice to ship and store cigarette packages in cartons.
Conventional or standard cigarette cartons ordinarily hold ten packages,
each package containing about 20 cigarettes. The packages are usually
arranged in two relatively superposed rows of 5 packages each. Such
standard cartons completely encase the cigarette packages and are provided
with glued flaps. Examples of cartons for ten packages of cigarettes are
provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,752,308 to Begemann; 4,738,359 to Phillips,
Jr.; and 4,903,844 to Oglesby.
Cigarette packages are normally removed from a carton by opening a top
portion of the carton, which extends the length of the carton and exposes
the bottom of the cigarette packages when opened, and removing the
packages as needed. One problem with removing cigarette packages from the
top of the carton is that all of the cigarette packages can fall out of
the carton if it is knocked over.
Previous cartons have included ways to remove cigarette packages other than
opening the top portion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,875,938 issued to
Bramhill shows a cigarette carton having an opening for the removal of
cigarettes. Bramhill only discloses a cigarette carton where the cigarette
packages are arranged in a single row of eight packages. In addition, the
top flap of the carton disclosed by Bramhill opens only to expose the side
faces of the cigarette packages. Thus, when cigarette packages are
arranged in the carton of Bramhill, the ends of the packages could not be
tax stamped while in the carton using modern tax stamping equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,988 issued to Sweeney shows a cigarette carton that can
be converted into a gravity fed receptacle for mounting. To remove a
cigarette package from the carton of Sweeney, a person must push the
packages out of the carton by inserting a finger or thumb in an opening on
the opposite side. One disadvantage of the carton of Sweeney is that the
carton must be placed in a location where a person has access to the back
of it in order to push the cigarettes out.
Another patent illustrating a carton which allows for the removal of
cigarette packages without opening the top portion is U.S. Pat. No.
6,050,402 issued to Walter. Walter discloses a carton that contains ten
packages of cigarettes arranged in a face to face stack. A dispensing
portion is shown for the removal of cigarette packages. The width of the
dispensing portion is equal to the depth of the cigarette package such
that the cigarette packages are removed sideways. One disadvantage of
Walter is that the carton is designed to hold ten cigarette packages
arranged in a face to face stack. This ten by one arrangement would make
it difficult to implement the Walter patent in conventional cigarette
production processes, particularly with regard to the tax stamping of
cigarette packages.
The present invention addresses these problems by providing a carton
assembly with a dispensing portion that enables the removal of individual
cigarette packages. The dispensing portion may be removed from the carton
allowing for the withdrawal of cigarette packages. Carton assemblies of
the present invention containing cigarette packages may be tax stamped
using conventional tax stamping machines and may be produced without
changing print cylinders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to carton assemblies for cigarette packages.
One carton assembly of the present invention comprises a parallelepiped
comprising a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the top wall, a first side
wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a first end wall, a
second end wall opposite the first end wall, and a dispensing portion.
Each side wall has a top edge, a bottom edge, and two end edges. The first
end wall is positioned between the first end edge of the first side wall
and the first end edge of the second side wall. The second end wall is
positioned between the second end edge of the first side wall and the
second end edge of the second side wall. The top wall is positioned
between the top edge of the first side wall and the top edge of the second
side wall. The bottom wall is positioned between the bottom edge of the
first side wall and the bottom edge of the second side wall.
In one embodiment, the dispensing portion, before it is removed, is defined
by an end edge of the bottom wall and a perforation line extending from
the first side wall, across the bottom wall, and onto the second side
wall. In a further embodiment, the perforation line preferably extends
from the first side wall, across the bottom edge of the first side wall,
across the bottom wall, across the bottom edge of the second side wall,
and onto the second side wall.
In another embodiment with the perforation line having portions on the
first side wall, the bottom wall, and the second side wall, the
perforation line comprises a first arcuate region on the first side wall
and a second arcuate region on the second side wall. In a further
embodiment, the perforation line begins at a first corner (formed at the
intersection of the bottom edge of the first side wall and the second end
edge of the first side wall); extends from the first corner along a
portion of the second end edge of the first side wall, onto the first side
wall, across the bottom edge of the first side wall, across the bottom
wall, across the bottom edge of the second side wall, onto the second
wall, and along a portion of the second end edge of the second side wall;
and terminates at a second corner (formed at the intersection of the
bottom edge of the second side wall and the second end edge of the second
side wall).
The dispensing portion may be removed to allow for the removal of cigarette
packages from the cigarette carton assembly. The carton assembly may be
vertically positioned on a flat surface to provide for the easy removal of
cigarette packages. With the carton assembly vertically oriented, the
cigarette packages are gravity fed to the opening where the dispensing
portion was removed.
In another embodiment, a cigarette carton assembly comprises a
parallelepiped having (1) a first side wall having a top edge, a bottom
edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge; (2) a second side wall
opposite the first side wall and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first
end edge, and a second end edge; (3) a first end wall positioned between
the first end edge of the first side wall and the first end edge of the
second side wall; (4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall and
positioned between the second end edge of the first side wall and the
second end edge of the second side wall; (5) a top wall positioned between
the top edge of the first side wall and the top edge of the second side
wall; and (6) a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall
and positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the
bottom edge of the second side wall. The bottom edge of the first side
wall and the second end edge of the first side wall intersect to form a
first corner and the bottom edge of the second side wall and the second
end edge of the second side wall intersect to form a second corner. This
embodiment of a cigarette carton assembly further comprises a removable
dispensing portion defined by a first end edge of the bottom wall and a
perforation line, the perforation line having two ends and having portions
on the first side wall, the bottom wall, and the second side wall. The
perforation line may extend from the first corner onto the first side
wall, across the bottom edge of the first side wall, across the bottom
wall, across the bottom edge of the second side wall, and onto the second
wall, and may terminate at the second corner.
In another embodiment, a cigarette carton assembly may comprise a
parallelepiped comprising: (1) a first side wall having a top edge, a
bottom edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge; (2) a second side
wall opposite the first side wall and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a
first end edge, and a second end edge; (3) a first end wall positioned
between the first end edge of the first side wall and the first end edge
of the second side wall; (4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall
and positioned between the second end edge of the first side wall and the
second end edge of the second side wall; (5) a top wall positioned between
the top edge of the first side wall and the top edge of the second side
wall; and a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall and
positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the bottom
edge of the second side wall. The carton assembly further comprises a
dispensing portion, which is defined by a first end edge of the bottom
wall, a perforation line having portions on the first side wall and the
bottom wall, and a score line on the second side wall. The perforation
line extends from the second end edge of the first side wall, onto the
first side wall, across the bottom edge of the first side wall, across the
bottom wall, and terminates at the bottom edge of the second side wall.
The score line extends from the bottom edge of the second side wall,
across the second side wall, and terminates at the second end edge of the
second side wall. In another embodiment, the cigarette carton assembly
further comprises a second perforation line. The second perforation line
is aligned with the score line, in another embodiment, and both the score
line and the second perforation line may be semi-circular.
It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a carton
assembly for cigarette packages that includes a dispensing portion for the
easy removal of cigarette packages from the carton.
It is a further feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a
carton assembly that includes a gravity fed dispensing portion for
cigarette packages.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly
for cigarette packages that allows individual cigarette packages to be
removed without opening the entire carton assembly.
A still further feature and advantage of the present invention is to
provide a carton assembly that by allowing individual cigarette packages
to be removed without opening the entire carton assembly, prevents all of
the cigarette packages from falling out of the carton at once.
The present invention also advantageously provides a carton assembly that
includes a removable dispensing portion.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton assembly
that may be produced on conventional carton manufacturing equipment with
minimal modifications.
A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton
assembly having a dispensing portion that may be opened like a
conventional carton assembly by not removing the dispensing portion.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a carton
assembly that when filled with cigarette packages can be passed through a
conventional tax stamping machine.
With the foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention that
will become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be more
clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of
the invention, the appended claims and to the several views illustrated in
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a blank portion for making a
carton assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a typical cigarette package;
FIG. 3 is another side elevational view of a typical cigarette package;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton
assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is another side elevational view of the second side of the
embodiment of the carton assembly shown in FIGS. 4-8;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
according to the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
according to the present invention; and
FIG. 13 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton
assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a carton assembly of the present
invention positioned on a flat surface;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention having a hinged dispensing portion.
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a blank portion for making a
carton assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the
present invention;
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a top elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton
assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is another side elevational view of the second side of the
embodiment of the carton assembly shown in FIGS. 18-21;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
according to the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
according to the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly
according to the present invention; and
FIG. 26 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton
assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of a carton assembly of the present
invention positioned on a flat surface;
FIG. 28 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a blank portion for making a
carton assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 29 is a partial plan view of an example of a perforation line on a
blank portion for making a carton assembly according to the present
invention; and
FIG. 30 is a partial plan view of an example of a perforation line on a
blank portion for making a carton assembly according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the packaging of smoking articles such as
cigarettes into cartons, and in particular, to a cigarette carton having a
dispensing portion. One carton assembly of the present invention for a
plurality of cigarette packages comprises a parallelepiped comprising a
top wall, a bottom wall opposite the top wall, a first side wall, a second
side wall opposite the first side wall, a first end wall, a second end
wall opposite the first end wall, and a dispensing portion. Each side wall
has a top edge, a bottom edge, and two end edges. The first end wall is
positioned between the first end edge of the first side wall and the first
end edge of the second side wall. The second end wall is positioned
between the second end edge of the first side wall and the second end edge
of the second side wall. The top wall is positioned between the top edge
of the first side wall and the top edge of the second side wall. The
bottom wall is positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall
and the bottom edge of the second side wall.
In one embodiment, the dispensing portion, before it is removed from the
carton assembly, is preferably defined by an end edge of the bottom wall
and a perforation line extending from the first side wall, across the
bottom wall, and onto the second side wall. In a further embodiment, the
perforation line preferably extends from the first side wall, across the
bottom edge of the first side wall, across the bottom wall, across the
bottom edge of the second side wall, and onto the second side wall. A
first end of the perforation line terminates at an edge of the first side
wall where the first side wall and the second end wall intersect. A second
end of the perforation line terminates at an edge of the second side wall
where the second side wall and the second end wall overlap.
In one embodiment with the perforation line having portions on the first
side wall, the bottom wall, and the second side wall, the perforation line
comprises a first arcuate region on the first side wall and a second
arcuate region on the second side wall. In a further embodiment, the
perforation line begins at a first corner (formed at the intersection of
the bottom edge of the first side wall and the second end edge of the
first side wall); extends from the first corner along a portion of the
second end edge of the first side wall, onto the first side wall, across
the bottom edge of the first side wall, across the bottom wall, across the
bottom edge of the second side wall, onto the second wall, and along a
portion of the second end edge of the second side wall; and terminates at
a second corner (formed at the intersection of the bottom edge of the
second side wall and the second end edge of the second side wall).
In another embodiment, a cigarette carton assembly comprises a
parallelepiped having (1) a first side wall having a top edge, a bottom
edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge; (2) a second side wall
opposite the first side wall and having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first
end edge, and a second end edge; (3) a first end wall positioned between
the first end edge of the first side wall and the first end edge of the
second side wall; (4) a second end wall opposite the first end wall and
positioned between the second end edge of the first side wall and the
second end edge of the second side wall; (5) a top wall positioned between
the top edge of the first side wall and the top edge of the second side
wall; and (6) a bottom wall having two end edges, opposite the top wall
and positioned between the bottom edge of the first side wall and the
bottom edge of the second side wall. The bottom edge of the first side
wall and the second end edge of the first side wall intersect to form a
first corner and the bottom edge of the second side wall and the second
end edge of the second side wall intersect to form a second corner. This
embodiment of a cigarette carton assembly further comprises a removable
dispensing portion defined by a first end edge of the bottom wall and a
perforation line, the perforation line having two ends and having portions
on the first side wall, the bottom wall, and the second side wall. The
perforation line may extend from the first corner onto the first side
wall, across the bottom edge of the first side wall, across the bottom
wall, across the bottom edge of the second side wall, and onto the second
wall, and may terminate at the second corner. In one embodiment, the
perforation line may comprise a plurality of angled cuts. The perforation
line may further comprise a tear start region on the first side wall. In
another embodiment, the perforation line may be a zipper-type perforation
line.
Carton assemblies of the present invention can hold any number of cigarette
packages. Standard cigarette carton assemblies contain ten cigarette
packages in a two by five configuration. Thus, in a further embodiment, a
carton assembly of the present invention contains ten cigarette packages.
While the figures contained herein illustrate cigarette carton assemblies
designed to contain ten cigarette packages, other embodiments of carton
assemblies of the present invention may contain, for example, five
cigarette packages (in a one by five configuration) or eight cigarette
packages (in a two by four configuration).
Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an
embodiment of a blank portion 10 for making a carton assembly according to
the present invention. The blank portion 10 is designed to form an
assembled "standard" carton for ten cigarette packages arranged in a two
by five configuration. As noted above, other blank portions for making
carton assemblies according to the present invention may be designed to
hold any number of cigarette packages.
The blank portion 10 most preferably is provided from paperboard sheet, and
includes a plurality of fold lines, creases or score lines (shown as solid
lines in FIG. 1), perforations, cuts or slits (shown as dotted lines in
FIG. 1). The degree of perforation can vary, and can be provided as
desired. However, the degree of perforation is such that the dispensing
portion 70 does not easily tear. The cuts conveniently are made by
slitting the blanks without necessarily removing material therefrom. The
folds, perforations and cuts of the blank portion define panels which
correspond to walls, portions, sides and flaps of the carton assembly,
which ultimately is constructed from the blank portion 10.
The blank portion 10 includes a bottom wall 20 corresponding to the bottom
of the carton assembly, a first side wall 25, a second side wall 30, a
first end wall 35 positioned integral with and at one end of the first
side wall 25 and a second end wall 40 positioned integral with and at the
other end of the first side wall. The length of the first side wall 25 is
preferably equal to the width of five cigarette packages. FIGS. 2 and 3
are elevational views of a typical cigarette package 115 illustrating what
is meant by the height (H), width (W) and depth (D) of a cigarette
package. The length of the second side wall 30 also is essentially equal
to the width of five cigarette packages. The width of each side wall 25,
30 is equal to the height of a cigarette package. The width of the bottom
wall 20 is essentially equal to the depth of two cigarette packages. The
dimensions of the carton assembly may vary depending on the size of the
cigarette packages. For example, a cigarette package containing 100 mm
cigarettes would require a side wall with a greater width (i.e., a taller
cigarette carton assembly) than a cigarette package containing 85 mm
cigarettes.
The blank portion 10 also includes a first end flap 50 integral with and at
one end of second side wall 30, a second end flap 55 integral with and at
the other end of second side wall 30, and reinforcing tabs 60,62 integral
with and at the ends of the bottom wall 20. While the first reinforcing
tab 60 may be optional, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
includes both reinforcing tabs 60,62. The second reinforcing tab 62 is
positioned near the dispensing portion 70. The blank portion 10 also
includes a top flap 65 integral with and to one side of the first side
wall 25 and a top wall 45 integral with and to one side of the second side
wall 30.
When assembled, the top wall 45 overlaps the top flap 65 to form the top of
the carton. The first end wall 35 overlaps the first end flap 50 and the
first reinforcing tab 60 while the second end wall 40 overlaps the second
end flap 55 and the second reinforcing tab 62.
FIG. 1 also shows the dispensing portion 70. The dispensing portion 70 is
preferably removable. Before the dispensing portion 70 is removed, it
comprises a perforation line 75 on the first and second side wall 25,30
and the bottom wall 20. The perforation line 75 extends from the first
side wall 25, across a first edge 80 at the intersection of the bottom
wall 20 and the first side wall 25, across the width of the bottom wall
20, across a second edge 85 at the intersection of the bottom wall 20 and
the second side wall 30, and onto the second side wall 30. Aside from the
arcuate regions 100,105 which are preferably cut (as discussed below), the
perforation line, in one embodiment, comprises two millimeter (2 mm)
perforations with one and a half millimeter (1.5 mm) perforation gaps.
The first end 107 of the perforation line 75 terminates at an edge 92 of
the first side wall 25 (i.e., the intersection of the first side wall 25
and the second end wall 40). As shown in FIG. 1, the first end 107 of the
perforation line 75 preferably terminates at the corner where the first
side wall 25, the second end wall 40 and the bottom wall 40 intersect. The
second end 109 of the perforation line 75 terminates at an edge 97 of the
second side wall 30 (i.e., the intersection of the second side wall 30 and
the second end flap 55). As shown in FIG. 1, the second end 109 of the
perforation line 75 preferably terminates at the corner where the second
side wall 30, the second end flap 55 and the bottom wall 20 intersect.
The perforation line 75 also preferably includes arcuate regions 100,105 on
each of the side walls 25,30. The arcuate regions 100,105 are preferably
the approximate width of an adult's finger, such that the perforation line
75 can be readily torn to open the dispensing portion 70. Instead of the
arcuate regions 100,105 shown in FIG. 1, other shapes, such as square tab
regions, could be used to assist in opening the dispensing portion 70.
However, the dispensing portion is more easily opened with arcuate regions
as they have no corners. In addition, rather than being perforated, the
two arcuate regions 100,105 are preferably cut leaving two ticks
112,114,116,118 per arcuate region 100,105 that connect the arcuate
regions 100,105 to the remainder of the carton 10. This assists in the
removal of the dispensing portion 70 through the arcuate regions 100,105.
When the blank portion is assembled into a carton assembly as shown in
FIGS. 4-16, the carton preferably holds 10 cigarette packages, arranged or
positioned in a standard two by five configuration. That is, five packages
are positioned side-by-side in a row on the first side portion, and five
packages are positioned side-by-side on the second side portion of the
carton. The length of the assembled carton is, thus, preferably equal to
the width of five packages of cigarettes. The height of the assembled
carton is preferably equal to the height of a cigarette package and the
depth of the assembled carton is preferably equal to the depth of two
cigarette packages. As noted above, while FIGS. 4-16 illustrate a standard
cigarette carton assembly designed to contain ten cigarette packages,
other embodiments of carton assemblies of the present invention may
contain, for example, five cigarette packages (in a one by five
configuration) or eight cigarette packages (in a two by four
configuration).
FIGS. 4-9 present several views of an embodiment of a carton assembly 125
of the present invention in which the dispensing portion 130 has not been
removed. As shown in the Figures, the carton assembly is a parallelepiped.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carton assembly 125 of the present
invention in which the dispensing portion 130 has not been removed.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention showing the first side wall 140 and the perforation
line 155. The first side wall 140 has a top edge 141, a bottom edge 142, a
first end edge 143, and a second end edge 144.
FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of
the present invention showing the top wall 145. FIG. 7 is a bottom
elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present
invention showing the bottom wall 160 and the perforation line 155. The
bottom wall 160 has a first end edge 161 and a second end edge 163.
FIG. 8 is another side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton
assembly of the present invention showing the first end wall 150. FIG. 9
is a side elevational view of the second side wall 165 of the embodiment
of the carton assembly shown in FIGS. 4-8. The second side wall 165 has a
top edge 166, a bottom edge 162, a first end edge 168, and a second end
edge 164.
As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the perforation line 155 extends from the first side
wall 140, across the bottom edge 142 of the first side wall 140, across
the width of the bottom wall 160, across the bottom edge 162 of the second
side wall 165, and onto the second side wall 165. The first end of the
perforation line 155 terminates at a corner 152 where the bottom edge 142
of the first side wall 140 and the second end edge 144 of the first side
wall 140 intersect. From this corner 152, the perforation line 155 extends
along a portion of the second end edge 144 of the first side wall 140
before extending across the face of the first side wall 140. The second
end of the perforation line 155 terminates at a corner 167 where the
bottom edge 162 of the second side wall 165 and the second end edge 164 of
the second side wall 165 intersect. From this corner 167, the perforation
line 155 extends along a portion of the second end edge 164 of the second
side wall 165 before extending across the face of the side wall 165. Thus,
the perforation line 155 begins at the first corner 152, extends from the
first corner 152 along a portion of the second end edge 144 of the first
side wall 140, onto the first side wall 140, across the bottom edge 142 of
the first side wall 140, across the bottom wall 160, across the bottom
edge 162 of the second side wall 165, onto the second wall 165, and along
a portion of the second end edge 164 of the second side wall 165, and
wherein the perforation line terminates at the second corner 167.
FIGS. 10-14 present several views of an embodiment of a carton assembly 175
of the present invention in which the dispensing portion 195 has been
removed. In these figures, the perforation line on the unopened carton
assembly has been torn to remove the dispensing portion.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a carton assembly 175 of the present
invention in which the dispensing portion has been removed. FIG. 11 is a
side elevational view of an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present
invention with the dispensing portion removed showing the first side wall
180. FIG. 12 is a bottom elevational view of an embodiment of a carton
assembly of the present invention with the dispensing portion removed
showing the bottom wall 185. FIG. 13 is another side elevational view of
an embodiment of a carton assembly of the present invention with the
dispensing portion removed showing the first end wall 190.
The length of the dispensing portion is preferably equal to the width of a
package of cigarettes. The width of the dispensing portion is preferably
equal to the depth of the carton (i.e., the depth of two packages of
cigarettes). When a dispensing portion having these dimensions is used and
removed from a carton assembly of the present invention, one or two
cigarette packages may be removed from the carton assembly as illustrated
in FIG. 14.
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a carton assembly 200 containing
cigarette packages 210,215 of the present invention with the dispensing
portion removed. The carton assembly 200 is vertically oriented on a flat
surface 205. With the dispensing portion removed, a consumer may easily
remove cigarette packages 210,215 from the carton assembly 200.
In another embodiment, the dispensing portion may be hinged. As used
herein, the term "hinged" refers to the capability of the dispensing
portion to pivot and move from an open configuration to a closed
configuration. When the carton is assembled, the hinge of the dispensing
portion (e.g., the crease in the paperboard that allows the dispensing
portion to open and close) is preferably at or near the intersection of
the bottom wall and one of the end walls. The hinge is preferably located
on the second end wall less than one inch above the intersection of the
bottom wall and a second reinforcing tab. In another embodiment, the
dispensing portion is hinged at the intersection of the bottom wall and
the second end wall of the carton assembly (the intersection of the bottom
wall and the second reinforcing tab of the unassembled carton). In other
embodiments, the dispensing portion may be hinged at other locations on
the bottom wall.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carton assembly 250
