Carton and Carton Blank with Access

Abstract

A carton for containing bottles, has a top closure (20). The top closure (20) has a plurality of apertures (56) each to receive a bottle neck. At least one of the apertures (56) has a tear feature which comprises at least one group of short slits (37). The short slits (37) are offset from one another and arranged such that removal of the bottles causes the tear feature to break and the one aperture (56) to be enlarged.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a carton for containing a plurality of similar articles, such as bottles and a means for retaining the bottles within the carton and in particular to a means of accessing the articles.[0002]Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages. Such cartons need to be strong enough to support multiple articles, especially if the articles are bottles. It is also desirable for such cartons to be easy to handle and portable.[0003]It often desirable for the articles contained within the carton to be displayed and also for the carton to have large areas which can be printed with advertising graphics. It is also often desirable for the articles to be easily accessible and it is also preferable for the articles to be secured in place within the carton, especially if the articles are fragile, for example...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]According to a first aspect of the invention, a top closure panel for closing the top of an open-topped container, the panel having at least one aperture, each to receive a portion of an article held within the container and including a tear feature for enlarging the size of the or each aperture, the tear feature comprising at least one discrete group of short slits, the short slits radiating from the aperture and being arranged substantially perpendicular to a notional radial line such that removal of an article through the aperture causes a tear to propagate divergently from the notional radial line thereby causing the size of the aperture to be progressively increased.

[0010]Additionally the top closure panel may be prevented from being completely released from the open top container by a retaining means provided by the open top container.

[0013]According to a second aspect of the invention, a blank for forming a top closure panel for closing the top of an open-topped container, the panel having at least one aperture, each to receive a portion of an article held within the container when in use and including a tear feature for enlarging the size of the or each aperture, the tear feature comprising at least one discrete group of short slits, the short slits radiating from the aperture and being arranged substantially perpendicular to a notional radial line such that removal of an article through the aperture causes a tear to propagate divergently from the notional radial line thereby causing the size of the aperture to be progressively increased.

Problems solved by technology

It is however undesirable for articles to be accessed too easily, for example, before being purchased.

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